Press Release: Agway And PPI Pet Products Announce A Strategic Alliance As They Partner To Serve The Northeast

LAKEVILLE, MA. March 15, 2007 - Agway headquarters and Distribution Center located in Westfield Massachusetts, and PPI Pet Products, Inc.s of Lakeville, Massachusetts are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic alliance in the Northeast. Under this alliance, all Agway dealers in the Agway Network will have access to the products of the nearly 80 innovative manufacturers who are represented by PPI. 

Agway, A Division of Southern States Cooperative Inc in Richmond , Virginia is the primary supplier to the Agway Dealer Network, servicing locations in eleven states from Maine to Pennsylvania by providing Pet, Wild Bird, Lawn and Garden and Farm products to the Agway Dealers. John Hermsen serves as General Manager of the Agway Division.

PPI Pet Products, was founded in 1969 by Hil and Helen Peaslee. Family owned PPI Distributors is based in a 65,000 sq. ft. location in Lakeville , Massachusetts and operates with a team of nearly 50 employees under the leadership of Diane Bonalewicz, Gail Peaslee and Bruce Peaslee.

John O'Leary, Merchandise Manager for Agway, said "This relationship will allow Agway dealers to have access to a full line of products that are marketed through pet specialty channels. With the increasing demand for high quality and all natural products, this alliance will enable the Agway Dealers to supply their customers with the finest products available in the pet industry."

Buyer for Agway, Terry Pomietlarz, commented "The product mix that PPI brings to the table is an ideal fit for the needs of the Agway customer. With their experienced customer service team and a dedicated outside sales force, PPI will be able to provide the level of service and professionalism that the Agway dealers have come to expect."

Agway customers who currently buy from PPI will not see any changes to their pricing or delivery schedules; only the way they are billed will change ."Effective with deliveries starting on April 2, 2007, all Agway dealers will be billed through Agway for their PPI purchases. All of the benefits of purchasing through Agway will immediately accrue to all the Agway dealers," explains Diane Bonalewicz, General Manager of PPI.

For further information, or to answer any questions please contact either Dave Hinson at 1-800-843-3737 ext. 130 or daveh@ppipet.com or John O'Leary at 1-413-564-0645 or john.oleary@sscoop.com .