Hu to Lead Ashland Inc. China Management Services Center

COVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. Senior Vice President and Group Operating Officer Gary A. Cappeline announced today that Vicky (Hui) Hu has been named manager of the Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) China Management Services (CMS) Center in Shanghai, China, effective May 1, 2004. Hu will be based in Shanghai and will report to Marcello Boldrini, vice president, Marketing and Business Development, Ashland Specialty Chemical Company (ASCC).

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

In her new role, Hu will direct CMS to support all Ashland operations in China, providing services that include finance & accounting, tax, communications, environmental health and safety, human resources, information technology, legal and sourcing.

The CMS business model has been designed based on the findings of a cross- divisional, cross-functional Ashland process team.

"The goal of CMS is to establish a cost-effective business support model that enables Ashland to fulfill its strategic intent of rapid growth in China," said Boldrini. "The center will leverage the knowledge, skills and abilities of each business and resource group. We are confident that Vicky's strong leadership capabilities and organizational skills will ensure the success of this important initiative for Ashland."

Hu joined Ashland in 2001 as a project analyst in Ashland's Planning & Analysis organization, where she focused on merger and acquisition activities and capital investment analysis. Prior to joining Ashland, Hu worked as a human resources manager for Procter & Gamble's operations in China.

Hu holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Nanjing University, and a master's in business administration with honors from The Ohio State University. She is also the recipient of the 2003 ASCC President's PACES Award for her work on Ashland's China Initiative project.

About Ashland

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

^™ 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.