MSAS TO ACQUIRE MARK VII

   Ocean Group plc, the parent company of British logistics firm MSAS
Global Logistics, has expanded its North American network by agreeing to
buy Mark VII Inc., the Memphis-based intermodal marketing company.
   Ocean Group will acquire all outstanding shares of Mark VII common stock
for $23 per share, for a total value of $227 million.
   Mark VII, which also provides truck brokerage and logistics services,
employs nearly 400 people and serves more than 7,000 customers with annual sales of about $725 million, MSAS said.
   "The existing Mark VII infrastructure will remain unchanged and run
alongside our international, domestic and fashion logistics businesses,"
said Michael "Mick" Fountain, chief executive officer of MSAS Global
Logistics, Americas/Pacific.
   "We believe that joining forces with Ocean Group is in the best
interests of our customers, our stockholders and our employees," said R.C.
Matney, chairman of Mark VII. "For stockholders, this transaction …
represents a premium of 30 percent over the closing price of Mark VII
yesterday (Monday)."
   Matney will remain with the new company at least through 2002, Fountain
said. "His management team will continue to run the business."
   The acquisition will increase MSAS’s sales in North America toward  $1.5
billion a year.
   MSAS has also has also acquired Skyking Freight Services and A.W. Fenton since late last year.