Media Contact:
Courtney Chauvin

Management Supervisor

Peppercom on behalf of Wilbur-Ellis Company

cchauvin@peppercom.com

(212)-931-6167

Wilbur-Ellis Company Contact:

Jim Crawford

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Wilbur-Ellis Company

JCrawford@wecocbc.com

(415)-772-4031

February 1, 2001

On February 1, 2001, Wilbur-Ellis Company completed the purchase of John Pryor Company, a long established full service retailer of fertilizer located in Salinas and Soledad, California.

“Opportunities to create synergy and to affiliate with organizations with a long history of successful operations such as John Pryor Company are very unique,” commented Wilbur-Ellis President and Chief Executive Officer Herbert B. Tully. “Uniting our two operations will provide comprehensive crop production service to the Salinas Valley and greatly enhances the Wilbur-Ellis Company presence in California.”

John Pryor Company began operations in 1946 under the leadership of founder John Pryor. Les Breschini, President of John Pryor Company, said “combining resources with Wilbur-Ellis Company will provide benefits to both our employees and customers.” He added that “operating our full service fertilizer business with Wilbur-Ellis Company’s Soilserv agricultural chemical business will give our customers access to a complete line of products and professional advice and allow us to serve their every need.”

John Pryor Company will continue to be managed by Les Breschini and Larry Ellis and will be operated jointly with the Company’s existing Soilserv business managed by Howard Wilson. Breschini, Ellis and Wilson will report to Dennis Sites, Chief Operating Officer for Wilbur-Ellis Company’s Salinas Valley operations. The combined retail business will operate as a business unit reporting to Dan Vradenburg, Vice President in charge of retail chemical and fertilizer operations in California, Arizona and Texas.

Founded in 1921 and with total sales exceeding $1.0 billion, Wilbur-Ellis Company specializes in the marketing, distribution and formulation of crop protection products, fertilizers and animal feed stuffs. Through its Connell Bros. Company and Animal Feed division, Wilbur-Ellis exports industrial chemicals, minerals and fibers and certain animal feed stuffs throughout the Pacific Rim for numerous major U.S. companies.
For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com