OPDR Celebrates 125 Years; Incorporates MAGNUM® Into Refrigeration Fleet

Belgium (October, 2007) - One of the leading European short-sea hauling carriers, Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei GmbH & Co.GK (OPDR), is celebrating 125 years of service, but the company's investment in Thermo King's MAGNUM® container reefers is all about the future.

Founded in 1882 with a name that references the company's first trade between the ports of Brake, a part of Germany called Oldenburger Land, and Leixoes, which is Portugal, OPDR has become a leader among short sea carriers. Today, part of German shipping company Bernhard Schulte, OPDR specializes on traffics between Northwest Europe and Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Used as a 'feeder carrier' by all major deep sea carriers, OPDR runs approximately 15 vessels – some with passengers – during a given season: two are RoRo vessels that transport trailers and containers, seven are container vessels owned by the company, whereas 2 new vessels are presently under construction, and six are vessels chartered from other ship owners.

Depending on the season, OPDR has 400-650 reefer units in stock. Within the past year, they have transitioned 137 of them to MAGNUM units. Because of the short distances of the vessels' travels and the types of commodities carried (mainly fruits, vegetables and pharmaceuticals), OPDR did not necessarily need the industry-leading -35 degree F cooling temperatures MAGNUM can provide. Rather, the company wanted the reliability and cost savings touted in the MAGNUM's unique value proposition.

"The short sea traffic trade means a lot of container loading and discharging movements within a brief time," explained Horst-Hermann Manthey, manager of container logistics at OPDR. "The MAGNUM technology and performance have proved extremely dependable in a short time-frame. As promised, the units have demonstrated their lower energy consumption, which has contributed to significant cost savings for us."

"As a smaller company known for being customer friendly, motivated and 125-years experienced, OPDR was looking to protect that reputation as they move the company forward," said Kay Henze, sales director, Thermo King. "The MAGNUM offers them two benefits that are necessary in today's changing, more expensive shipping industry: reliability and cost savings.

"Plus, they're getting the experience of another transport industry leader, Thermo King. Thermo King created the first transport refrigeration system nearly 70 years ago. Their willingness to develop, lead and grow through the years has led to industry-changing technology like the MAGNUM with scroll compressor technology. After five years as the sole container reefer available with scroll technology, MAGNUM has earned the respect and accolades it deserves. It truly has become the reefer unit of choice among shippers."

OPDR also gets reliable service and support from Thermo King's expansive dealer and service network, which includes over 800 dealers worldwide, more than 60 of which are in Europe.

"We're very satisfied with the technical support we receive from Thermo King and its dealers," said Manthey. "OPDR takes pride in the service it provides customers, so it's what we expect from our industry partners as well. Thermo King does a great job. We look forward to the next 125 years and are excited to have Thermo King a part of it."

More information can be found out about OPDR at the web site www.opdr.de.

Thermo King Corporation, a business unit of diversified industrial firm Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities and 17 parts distribution centers worldwide. Sales and service is provided by a global dealer network of 865 independently owned companies in 75 countries.

Contact:
Bram Robichez, Thermo King Corporation
32 2714 5711
bram_robichez@eu.irco.com

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