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Ashland Inc. Adopts Streamlined Management Structure

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10/12/2006

Ashland Inc. Adopts Streamlined Management Structure

Ashland Inc. Adopts Streamlined Management StructureCOVINGTON, Ky., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today unveiled a streamlined management structure announced by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James J. O'Brien.

"These organizational changes are being made to create a greater focus on enterprise growth and the achievement of operational efficiencies and effectiveness," O'Brien said.

The new management team is as follows.

F.L. "Hank" Waters has been named president, Ashland Water Technologies and Ashland Performance Materials.

Theodore "Ted" Harris has been named president, Ashland Distribution.

Samuel J. Mitchell has been named president, Ashland Consumer Markets, a position that encompasses the Valvoline® brand and services.

Peter H. Rijneveldshoek has been named president, Ashland Europe, responsible for the execution of all of Ashland's business strategies on the continent.

Dale M. MacDonald has been named president, Ashland China, with the responsibility to execute Ashland's strategies in greater China.

Michael J. Shannon has been named president, Ashland Supply Chain, responsible for the company's global purchasing, logistics, customer service, production operations and engineering.

Walter H. Solomon, chief growth officer, will continue in that position, which now adds functional responsibility for enterprise marketing, growth strategy and technology and new solutions development.

Rick E. Music, vice president, will establish and lead the enterprise optimization organization.

Susan B. Esler, vice president, human resources and communications, adds functional responsibility for Communications and Corporate Affairs.

The above-named individuals, all of whom also hold the title of vice president of Ashland Inc., serve on the company's operating committee.

Larry L. Detjen, vice president, business integration, will continue to report to O'Brien with responsibilities for the rollout of the company's global SAP enterprise software system.

J. Marvin Quin, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will continue in his responsibilities for financial matters.

David L. Hausrath, senior vice president and general counsel, continues with responsibilities for all legal and corporate governance matters, as well as security and facilities management. He now has oversight of two additional groups: Environmental Health and Safety, and Government Relations.

O'Brien, Quin and Hausrath will comprise the company's executive committee and also serve on the operating committee.

O'Brien said, "This new organization is both highly focused and flexible in order to lead our 12,000 employees in rapidly responding to the challenges and opportunities of a global business environment."

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four wholly owned divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.

® Registered trademark, Ashland

SOURCE Ashland Inc.
CONTACT: Jim Vitak of Ashland Inc., +1-614-790-3715, or
jevitak@ashland.com
Web site: http://www.ashland.com
(ASH)