Ashland Inc. Names Baker Vice President, Global Operations and Engineering

Ashland Inc. Names Baker Vice President, Global Operations and EngineeringCOVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. Senior Vice President and Group Operating Officer Gary A. Cappeline announced today that Larry A. Baker has been named vice president, Global Operations and Engineering, effective January 26. Baker will be based in Dublin, Ohio, and will report to Cappeline.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )

Baker will lead a team responsible for driving global efficiencies in the manufacturing and engineering operations of Ashland Inc. Operations leaders of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company, Ashland Distribution Company and Valvoline, divisions of Ashland Inc., will assume a dual-reporting function to Baker and their respective operating division leaders.

Cappeline emphasized that Baker's position furthers the company's ongoing efforts to achieve an operationally excellent, cost-effective manufacturing structure that enables the support of customers on a global basis. Baker will also champion the operational components of processes such as Lean Six Sigma(1) and Responsible Care* across Ashland.

A native of Delphos, Ohio, Baker earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in industrial management from Purdue University and is a graduate of Harvard University's Program for Management Development. Baker serves on the Boards of Directors for the American Composite Manufacturers Association (ACMA); the Styrene Information Research Center; and Jobs For Columbus Graduates.

Baker joined Ashland in 1974 as a production supervisor and was promoted through various positions of increasing responsibility in market and operations management, including manager of market development for the Composite Polymers business; business manager for the global HETRON^® resins and marine businesses; and manufacturing manager for the Composite Polymers business. Most recently, Baker served as vice president, Ashland Specialty Chemical, and general manager, Composite Polymers. Baker transformed this business group into the recognized market leader in unsaturated polyester resins in North America and the number two supplier of gel coats in the U.S. and Europe.

Cappeline also announced that Theodore "Ted" Harris, formerly of FMC Corporation, will succeed Baker as vice president, Ashland Specialty Chemical, and general manager, Composite Polymers, effective January 26.

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 transportation construction, chemicals and energy company providing products, services, and customer solutions throughout the world. Through the dedication of our employees, we are "The Who In How Things Work(TM." Find us at www.ashland.com .

    (1)  Lean Six Sigma is a registered trademark and service mark of Motorola
         Inc.
     *   Responsible Care is a registered service mark of the American
         Chemistry Council, the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association and
         other entities in other countries.
    (R)  Registered Trademark, Ashland Inc.
    (TM) Trademark, Ashland Inc.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Ashland's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.