Trailer Bridge Comments on Strategic Alternatives Process and Recent Developments in Puerto Rico Marine Trade
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JACKSONVILLE, FL: Trailer Bridge, Inc. today announced that the Committee formed to explore strategic alternatives is suspending its active review in light of a Justice Department antitrust investigation into pricing practices among Puerto Rico carriers. The Committee consulted with the McLean family and with the Committee's financial advisor, Jefferies & Company, Inc., and determined that the investigation would result in a less robust process.
The Company has met with United States Justice Department attorneys, and has received a subpoena seeking certain documents and information. Trailer Bridge was not served with a search warrant, although press accounts indicate other carriers were. The Company immediately pledged full and complete cooperation with the Justice Department's investigation. The Company intends as well to defend vigorously the parallel private actions that have been filed, which the Company believes are totally without any merit.
John D. McCown, Chairman and CEO, said, "Trailer Bridge believes in vigorous competition and will actively cooperate with Justice Department officials. We do not engage in illegal pricing practices. Our different assets give us various cost advantages and we have and will continue to leverage all of those differences to build volume and market share. We are proud of efficiencies and innovations that have translated into significant economic benefits for Puerto Rico shippers and residents. We started with no market share in 1992 and have grown to approximately 14%. To our shareholders, I pledge my continued commitment to robust competition as that is the clearest path to the long-term shareholder goals we all have."
Trailer Bridge provides integrated trucking and marine freight service to and from all points in the lower 48 states and Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, bringing efficiency, service, security and environmental and safety benefits to cargo in those traffic lanes. This total transportation system utilizes its own trucks, drivers, trailers, containers and U.S. flag vessels to link the mainland with Puerto Rico via marine facilities in Jacksonville, San Juan and Puerto Plata. Additional information on Trailer Bridge is available at the www.trailerbridge.com website.
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The matters discussed in this press release include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to the future operating performance of the Company and its asset utilization. Investors are cautioned that any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include the risks of economic recessions, severe weather, changes in the price of fuel, changes in demand for transportation services offered by the Company, capacity conditions in the Puerto Rico trade lane and changes in rate levels for transportation services offered by the Company.
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