MIAMI, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a global leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, received the 2003 Supplier of the Year Award from Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT). The award was given to Ryder for demonstrating world-class performance.

Ryder is the first transportation-industry recipient of Applied Materials' Supplier of the Year Award. Ryder provides Applied Materials with a full range of supply chain solutions, including dedicated transportation, carrier management, material distribution, inventory management, and warehousing systems.

"Ryder has helped us streamline our Austin materials handling management operation and reduce material logistics costs," said Joe Bronson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Applied Materials. "This award reflects Ryder's capability to continuously improve its performance in meeting Applied Materials' stringent warehouse management requirements."

"Ryder is particularly honored to be recognized by Applied Materials, the semiconductor industry's leading equipment supplier," said Ryder Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions Tony Tegnelia. "To achieve and maintain a strategic competitiveness, the Ryder team recognizes the need to provide continuous improvement initiatives that will help customers such as Applied Materials realize tremendous efficiencies and competitive advantages in their transportation and supply chains."

About Applied Materials Inc.

Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) is the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials' Web site is http://www.appliedmaterials.com.

About Ryder System, Inc.

Ryder is a Fortune 500 company providing leading-edge transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Ryder's stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For more information about Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.

SOURCE Ryder System, Inc.
CONTACT: David Bruce, +1-305-500-4999, or David_Bruce@ryder.com, or
Lisa Brumfield, +1-305-500-3668, or Lisa_Brumfield@ryder.com, both of Ryder
System
Web site: http://www.ryder.com
http://www.appliedmaterials.com