Press Releases

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/02/09 -- Robert Rico, chairman of Expert Group Inc. as well as the chairman of Expert Financing & Investments Inc., received the key to the city of North Miami Beach on Nov. 16, 2009, as well as a welcoming celebration by the city of Bay Harbor Island. Robert Rico is a self-made entrepreneur with experience in both the public and private sector with a clear vision for Expert Financing to become the "go to firm" for all your real estate lending needs.

See Mr. Robert Rico receiving this prestigious award by clicking the link beneath.

http: //www.youtube.com/user/expertgroupinc#p/a/u/0/j1BVgrSRrNE

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1128956

Contact Info:

Robert Rico
17501 Biscayne Blvd North Miami Beach
Florida, 33160
305-949-LOAN

www.ExpertFinancing.net

Robert@ExpertFinancing.net

Or visit:
www.ExpertGroupBlog.com

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Cascades Inc. (CAS on the Toronto Stock Exchange), a leader in recovery and in green packaging and tissue paper products, announced today the upsize of its previously announced cash tender offer by its wholly owned subsidiary, Cascades Tenderco Inc. Under the terms of the upsized offer, Cascades Tenderco will purchase up to $700 million aggregate principal amount (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of Cascades' 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2013 (CUSIP # 146900AC9) and its 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 (CUSIP # 65542NAJ6) (together, the "Notes"). The Maximum Tender Amount had previously been set at $650 million. The tender offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated November 18, 2009 and related Letter of Transmittal.

Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, tenders of Notes may no longer be withdrawn. The tender offer will expire at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on December 17, 2009, unless extended or earlier terminated.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any of the Notes in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the tender offer will be deemed to be made by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on current expectations. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the effect of general economic conditions, decreases in demand for Cascades' products, increases in raw material costs, fluctuations in selling prices and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions and other factors listed in the Cascades' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. Cascades employs close to 13,000 employees who work in more than 100 modern and flexible production units located in North America and Europe. Cascades' management philosophy, its 45 years of experience in recycling, its continued efforts in research and development are strengths which enable the company to create new products for its customers.

SOURCE CASCADES INC.

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 2, 2009) - Western Creamery, today announced that it is voluntarily recalling light and regular 250 gram tubs of Western cream cheese with the best before date December 28, 2009 after initial test results from one container of the product tested positive for Salmonella during a routine test.

The Company is notifying retailers in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick of the precautionary recall where 667 cases of the product were distributed and has asked that the products be removed from the shelves immediately.

"We are in the process of waiting for final test results but felt it was in the best interests of consumers to initiate a precautionary recall until we can be certain that our products meet our high quality control standards," said Roger Dickhout, president of Western Creamery.

To date no illnesses have been reported from consumption of these products.

The products being recalled can be identified by the best before date of December 28, 2009. They are:

--  250 gram Western light cream cheese UPC 0 61641 00006 4
--  250 gram Western cream cheese UPC 0 61641 01550 1

Consumers who have purchased any of the identified Western Creamery cream cheese are advised to dispose of the product and contact Western Creamery at info@westerncreamery.com or by calling Anita Kadar at 905 458 3710 or 1 800 265 3230 for a full refund.

Consumers are asked not to take the product back to the store where they purchased the product. The Company is working cooperatively with the CFIA to complete the recall. Western Creamery regrets the inconvenience that this recall has caused its consumers and customers.

About Western Creamery

For over sixty years, Western Creamery has been providing Ontario customers with high quality cultured dairy products. The company, located in Brampton and Downsview, makes a variety of natural yogurts, cream cheese spreads, pressed cottage cheeses, and sour creams. The brand is committed to high quality and freshness. Western Creamery is a local, natural tradition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Media Contact:
        Caroline Spivak
        416.371.9740

Source: Western Creamery

BEIJING, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- On December 1, 2009, the award ceremony for China's first "SKYTRAX Four-Star Airline" was held at the JW Marriott Hotel Beijing, and attracted a great deal of attention from the aviation industry and media in China and abroad. SKYTRAX President Mr. Edward Plaisted presented the SKYTRAX four-star airline cup and certificate to Hainan Airlines CEO, Mr. Wang Yingming. As China's first SKYTRAX four-star airline company, Hainan Airlines (HNA) has obtained the highest SKYTRAX star rating in China, which reflects the increase in Chinese soft power of air services and is a milestone for the improvement of Chinese civil aviation's management and service and China's growth into a civil aviation power. It also indicates that China's national enterprises have fully complied with international standards and taken another solid step toward the goal of creating world-class brands and helping the country to enhance its soft power.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091202/CNW027 )

Belgian Ambassador to China Mr. Patrick NIJS, the Sudanese deputy ambassador to China Abdelmoniem O. Elbeiti, the Hungarian Embassy tourism counselor Vero and other embassy officials attended the award presentation ceremony, offering their congratulations to China's first SKYTRAX four-star airline. As loyal frequent passengers of Hainan Airlines, China's national table tennis team deputy leader Qiu Wenli and Olympic champion Ma Lin also attended the award ceremony and presented SKYTRAX President Edward Plaisted and HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng with table tennis rackets carrying the signatures of the world champions and Olympic champions from China's national table tennis team and offered congratulations to Hainan Airlines.

HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. HNA Group director Chen Wenli, Hainan Airlines chairman Li Xiaoming and Hainan Airlines CEO Wang Yingming also attended the ceremony.

SKYTRAX President: Hainan Airlines deserves the four-star rating

At the award ceremony, SKYTRAX President Mr. Edward Plaisted delivered a speech in which he pointed out that 10 years ago, Skytrax introduced the star rating system into the civil aviation industry to offer star ratings to airlines around the world. At present, the Skytrax star rating has become an internationally recognized symbol of high-quality airline products and services. The Skytrax ratings are based on front-line products and services that airline companies offer to passengers in their operations. They not only are based on the assessment of an airline company's service quality but also directly reflect the passengers' feelings about its air services, such as ground check-in counters, cabin seats, cabin entertainment and catering and baggage handling. Passengers' whole travel experiences play an important role in the Skytrax star ratings.

Hainan Airlines is a young and dynamic airline and offers services to passengers throughout the world with China's extraordinary culture and the Chinese people's unique passion. Hainan Airlines features personalized and gracious service and has a superb reputation. In a recent Skytrax audit, Hainan Airlines quickly and successfully completed upgrading its service quality. So Hainan Airlines sincerely deserves the honor as a SKYTRAX four-star airline and isn't far away from its goal of becoming a SKYTRAX five-star airline.

HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng: Determined to turn China into a civil aviation power

HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng delivered speech at the certificate-awarding ceremony. He said Hainan Airlines with a strong sense of historical mission has bravely assumed the great responsibilities of raising the enterprise's management and service levels and helping the country enhance its soft power. He said that becoming China's first SKYTRAX four-star airline is not only a milestone in the development history of Hainan Airlines but also another typical case where China's national enterprise enhances its soft power. It is the mark that China's national enterprises, represented by HNA Group, have taken another solid step toward the goal of creating world-class brands, and the world-class enterprises and have made their own contribution to helping the country to enhance its soft power. Since its foundation 16 years ago, Hainan Airlines has transformed from a pure air transport enterprise into a modern, integrated services group that has 3 major industrial chains, including air transport, modern logistics and modern financial services, and whose businesses cover food, housing, transportation, travel, shopping and entertainment industries. It has a total assets of nearly 130 billion RMB and more than 60,000 employees. Obtaining a SKYTRAX four-star rating is not only the glory of Hainan Airlines but also the pride of China's civil aviation industry. It is the result of the correct leadership of the Communist Party of China and China's General Administration of Civil Aviation, the care and support of many passengers and the persistent pursuit and hard work of all the Chinese civil aviation people including the Hainan Airlines staff. Encouraged by this great honor, Hainan Airlines will work hard, develop scientifically, strive for excellent quality and first-class service standard, better exert the strategic role of the civil aviation industry in the national economy and social development and make new contributions to turning China from a big civil aviation country into a civil aviation power.

At a press briefing before the certificate-awarding ceremony, HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng introduced to the media its achievements and the SKYTRAX evaluation process. He said that since its foundation, Hainan Airlines, China's fourth largest airline company, has created a good reputation for its high-quality air and ground services in the civil aviation industry and for its passengers. Since 1998, it has obtained the "Customer Satisfaction Award" of the Chinese civil aviation industry 10 times in a row. SKYTRAX is currently the world's most credible and independent organization for the research and certification of the aviation and air transport. Its research and evaluation of airline products and services are very authoritative and instructional. Every airline company in the world feels proud of obtaining the SKYTRAX Best Airline Award and a SKYTRAX star rating. From 2008 onwards, Hainan Airlines has spearheaded in the introduction of the SKYTRAX audit in China. Through the help of the global professional aviation consultation and accreditation body, Hainan Airlines has established a long-term mechanism for the monitoring, evaluation and improvement of its aviation products and services. It has increased investment and training efforts in 55 areas, such as cabin offerings, Beijing T1 terminal ground services, cabin food and drink services and flight attendants' foreign language skills and communication skills, to improve the quality of its entire chain of products and services. Becoming mainland China's first SKYTRAX four-star airline marks that Hainan Airlines' service level has already gained the recognition of the international air transport research and certification authority and many passengers. Hainan Airlines will regard this as a new start, working hard together with the Chinese civil aviation industry's colleagues to raise the level of China's civil aviation services and to achieve the goal of turning China into a civil aviation power.

Olympic table tennis champion Ma Lin: Everyone should win glory for our country

When the 29th Olympic Games table tennis men's singles world champion Ma Lin appeared at the award ceremony, all the guests and media were stunned. Ma Lin and China's national table tennis team deputy leader Qiu Wenli together presented SKYTRAX President Edward Plaisted and HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng with table tennis rackets carrying the signatures of the world champions and Olympic champions from China's national table tennis team.

Ma said that coaches and athletes of the Chinese national table tennis team often take Hainan Airlines flights to fly around China and the world to participate in competitions and have always received warm, cordial, professional and convenient services from HNA staff. In recent years, Hainan Airlines has made great effort to upgrade its service quality and create a successful model in its quest for the SKYTRAX four-star rating in China's aviation industry

Ma said that China's table tennis athletes tenaciously struggle for gold medals in the competitions to win glory for China and its people. Hainan Airlines employees have quietly yet with great determination, contributed to turning Hainan Airlines into China's first SKYTRAX four-star airline. In doing so, they have also won glory for our country and people. He offered his wish that Hainan Airlines could soon realize its dream of becoming a world-class airline brand, as well as his hope that every Chinese person should win glory for the motherland with his or her own way.

    For more information, please contact:

     Hainan Airlines
     Meng Meng
     Phone: +86-898-6673-9689
     Email: meng_meng@hnair.com

SOURCE Hainan Airlines

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    --  Acquisition would enhance A. Schulman's position in global rotomolding
        and masterbatch markets
    --  Combined stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $191.4
        million
    --  Transaction requires approval from ICO shareholders and customary
        regulatory approvals

A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding stock of ICO, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICOC), pending approval of the transaction by ICO shareholders and receipt of customary regulatory approvals.

Under the terms of the agreement, the total consideration is comprised of $105.0 million in cash and 5.1 million shares of A. Schulman common stock. ICO, Inc. shareholders will receive approximately $6.79 per share of ICO, Inc. stock, comprised of

     (a) approximately $3.67 per share in cash and
     (b) approximately $3.12 in A. Schulman stock (0.184 share of
         A. Schulman stock valued at the closing price on December 2,
         2009)

assuming the cash-out of all ICO, Inc. stock options at their "in the money" spread based on the December 2 closing price. After the merger closes, ICO, Inc. shareholders will own approximately 16% of the combined company. The transaction is not subject to a financing contingency. A. Schulman intends to pay the cash portion of the purchase price out of its approximately $230 million of cash on hand. The transaction does not acquire approval by A. Schulman's shareholders.

ICO is a global manufacturer of specialty resins and concentrates, and provides specialty polymer services, including size reduction, compounding and other related services. Its products are used to manufacture plastic bags and films, household products, toys, water tanks and other rotational molding applications. ICO reported annual revenues of $300 million for the year ended September 30, 2009.

"We are very excited by this proposed transaction. The acquisition of ICO presents us with an opportunity to expand our global presence substantially, especially in rotomolding. As we have communicated to our shareholders in the past, A. Schulman's long-term strategic objectives include being a leading global manufacturer in both masterbatch and rotomolding," said Joseph M. Gingo, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of A. Schulman.

"Our two businesses are extremely complementary across markets, product lines and geographies," Gingo said. "The addition of ICO's masterbatch and rotomolding facilities to A. Schulman's facilities, specialty products and technical capabilities, along with our other combined skill sets, will strengthen our ability to serve customers. ICO is also a global leader in size reduction, which is a segment that A. Schulman currently does not serve, and which will enable us to provide a wider variety of solutions to customers throughout all of our businesses. By acquiring the operations of ICO, we will increase our presence in the U.S. masterbatch market, gain plants in the high-growth market of Brazil and facilities in Australia, and add another facility in Asia to bring our total plants in that region to four, including the facility we plan to build in India. In Europe, the acquisition will allow us to expand our presence and add rotomolding and size reduction to our capabilities. It also will enable us to grow both in countries where we currently have a limited presence, such as France, Italy and Holland, as well as further leverage our facilities serving high-growth markets such as Poland, Hungary and Sweden."

Gingo continued, "Going forward, ICO will have access to A. Schulman's strong balance sheet which will help to underpin ongoing strategic growth initiatives. We also expect to achieve approximately $15 million in run-rate synergies by the end of fiscal 2011, resulting from the consolidation and centralization of global purchasing activities, tax benefits, and elimination of duplicate public company costs."

For fiscal 2010, A. Schulman's preliminary assessment, assuming a spring 2010 close, is that the acquisition will contribute approximately $150 million to revenues and be accretive to earnings on an operating basis. This estimate includes the 2010 half-year effect of the synergies, ICO earnings and costs of approximately $5.0 million to achieve the synergies, as well as any costs associated with the transaction.

"Our Board of Directors has unanimously determined that the merger with A. Schulman, Inc. is in the best interests of our shareholders, and that the combined company will provide enhanced product and service offerings to our customers and outstanding opportunities for our employees," said A. John Knapp, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of ICO, Inc. "A. Schulman is a strong global leader in the manufacture of high-performance plastic compounds and resins, with an outstanding management team and corporate culture. It is well-positioned to pursue a long-term strategy of profitable growth and value creation that is consistent with our vision at ICO, Inc. The ICO and A. Schulman businesses are largely complementary and synergistic with little overlap in end use and geographic markets. We have built a great team at ICO, Inc., and during our years of working together with A. Schulman, we have been highly impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of their team. We believe the chemistry will be outstanding when the integration takes place."

The two companies believe this transaction will bring significant value and opportunity to the customers of the combined business as a result of:

    --  Enhanced and complementary product offerings
    --  Expanded global reach
    --  Increased financial strength
    --  Shared technology and product development focused on better solutions
        for customers

ICO expects to make a subsequent announcement of the timing and location of the meeting of shareholders and record date for shareholders eligible to vote on the proposed acquisition. Pending ICO shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in the spring of 2010. If the transaction is closed, the agreement calls for two current ICO directors, Gregory T. Barmore and Eugene R. Allspach, to join the A. Schulman Board of Directors.

Conference Calls on the Web

Executives from ICO will host a conference call regarding this transaction and ICO's 2009 fourth-quarter results. A live Internet broadcast of the conference call can be accessed at 9:00 a.m. Central time on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=64376 where the webcast replay will be accessible for 90 days. The webcast replay will also be accessible on the Company's website at www.icopolymers.com for a period of 12 months.

A. Schulman also will host a conference call regarding this transaction. A live Internet broadcast of the conference call can be accessed at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, December 3, on the Company's website, www.aschulman.com. An archived replay of the call will also be available on the website.

About A. Schulman, Inc.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins. These materials are used in a variety of consumer, industrial, automotive and packaging applications. The Company employs about 2,000 people and has 16 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Revenues for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, were $1.3 billion. Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.

About ICO, Inc.

With 20 locations in nine countries, ICO produces custom polymer powders for rotational molding and other polymer related businesses, such as the textile, metal coating and masterbatch markets. ICO remains an industry leader in size reduction, compounding and other tolling services for plastic and non-plastic materials. ICO's Bayshore Industrial subsidiary produces specialty compounds, concentrates and additives primarily for the plastic film industry. Additional information about ICO, Inc. can be found on the Company's website at www.icopolymers.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

A number of the matters discussed in this release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments, in particular, information regarding expected synergies resulting from the merger of Schulman and ICO, combined operating and financial data, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and whether and when the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be consummated. The discussion of such matters is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from actual future experience involving any one or more of such matters. Such risks and uncertainties include: the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; restrictions imposed by outstanding indebtedness; fluctuations in the prices of sources of energy or resins and other raw materials; worldwide and regional economic, business, and political conditions, including continuing economic uncertainties in some or all major product markets; changes in customer demand and requirements; business cycles and other industry conditions; the timing of new services or facilities; ability to compete; effects of compliance with laws; fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where operations are located, including the U.S. dollar, Euro, U.K. pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan, and Indonesian rupiah; matters relating to operating facilities; effect and costs of claims (known or unknown) relating to litigation and environmental remediation; ability to manage global inventory; ability to develop technology and proprietary know-how; ability to attract and retain key personnel; escalation in the cost of providing employee health care; performance of the global automotive market; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the failure to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule, and any conditions imposed on the combined company in connection with consummation of the merger; the failure to obtain approval of the merger by the stockholders of ICO and the failure to satisfy various other conditions to the closing of the merger contemplated by the merger agreement; and the risks that are described from time to time in Schulman's and ICO's respective reports filed with the SEC, including Schulman's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2009 and ICO's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, in each case, as such reports may have been amended. This release speaks only as of its date, and Schulman and ICO each disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement on Form S-4 will be filed with the SEC. ICO SHAREHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS THAT WILL BE PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. The final proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of ICO. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov, from A. Schulman, Inc. at its web site, www.aschulman.com, or from ICO, Inc. at its web site, www.icopolymers.com, or 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 200, Houston, Texas, 77057, attention: Corporate Secretary.

Participants In Solicitation

Schulman and ICO and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information concerning Schulman's participants is set forth in the proxy statement, dated November 6, 2009, for Schulman's 2009 annual meeting of stockholders as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Information concerning ICO's participants is set forth in the proxy statement, dated January 23, 2009, for ICO's 2009 annual meeting of shareholders as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Additional information regarding the interests of participants of Schulman and ICO in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger will be included in the registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

SOURCE A. Schulman, Inc.