Ashland Inc. Names MacDonald President, Chemical Sector China

COVINGTON, Ky., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced that Dale M. MacDonald has been named president, Chemical Sector China, effective November 1. The announcement was made by Gary A. Cappeline, president and chief operating officer of Ashland's Chemical Sector, to whom MacDonald will report. MacDonald most recently served as vice president for Ashland Distribution's Eastern U.S. region.

 

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In his new role, MacDonald will focus on accelerating Ashland's business development in China. This will entail directing new investments and facilitating organic growth by tailoring global business strategies and processes for local execution. Ashland China business managers and the Changzhou manufacturing facility, which manufactures product for multiple Ashland businesses, will report to MacDonald and also will remain accountable to their global lines of business. MacDonald also will have responsibility for the China Management Services Center, which provides all Ashland China businesses with integrated finance, information technology, human resources, communications, legal and environmental, health and safety support.

"Dale has a proven track record in new business development and has consistently demonstrated thought leadership in strategy development and execution," said Cappeline. "He also brings experience in the China market, having expanded Ashland's sourcing activities to China by establishing a Beijing office in 1998. This past year, Dale has contributed substantially to Ashland Distribution's strong operating income performance."

Cappeline emphasized the importance of China to Ashland's future. "Growth for chemical companies has always been linked with industrial production. In the next few decades, the industrial growth generated in particular by the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations could dramatically re-shape the world economy. China is one of the strongest growth areas in the world and, as such, is a critical part of our future. I have much confidence in Dale's ability to realize the full value of a single Ashland enterprise in China."

MacDonald's career at Ashland has been one of continued growth. He joined Ashland in 1990 as a business development specialist in planning and development. He then served in various sales management roles in plastics, chemicals and fine chemicals, becoming director of sales for Fine Ingredients in 1996, and then taking on responsibility for Fine Ingredients sourcing, customer support and marketing in 1997. After serving as general manager of Fine Ingredients, he then was named vice president of Distribution's Midwest Region, assuming responsibilities for the East Region in 2003. Prior to joining Ashland, MacDonald had several sales and marketing positions with Dow Chemical Canada.

A native of Canada, MacDonald attended Alma College, where he received a bachelor's of science degree in 1983. He earned his master's degree in business administration from The Ohio State University in 2002. He also is a graduate of Indiana University's executive development program. MacDonald will relocate to Shanghai from Dublin, Ohio.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 chemical and transportation construction company providing products, services and customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com

SOURCE  Ashland Inc.
    -0-                             09/29/2005
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those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's
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