MARR: activities started up in the new “MARR Tuscany” distribution centre in Bottegone (Pistoia).

This is the 26th distribution centre of MARR in Italy and will increase the services provided in Tuscany.

Rimini, 11th April 2007. MARR (Milan: MARR.MI), the leading company in Italy in the distribution of food products to the foodservice, has started the activities out of its new distribution centre in Tuscany, in Bottegone near Pistoia.

Thanks to its great tourist vocation, which has made it the preferred holiday destination of Italians with about 10.3% of preferences (source: Istat, February 2007), Tuscany is an area of strategic importance and in continuous growth.
The region is also characterised by a wide range of tourist offers (cities of art; seaside holidays; gastronomic holidays; holidays in the countryside; thermal spas), which ensures a constant flow of visitors throughout the year.

With this background in mind, MARR began the project for the realisation of a structure dedicated to development in the region two years ago.

The total investment for the new distribution centre amounted to about 8 million Euros, of which about 5.1 million for the real estate facility and 2.9 million for installations, against which about 6 million Euros were paid.

The property covers an area of approximately 10,000 m2, of which 4,800 m2 is covered, inside which there are approximately 3,700 m2 of units for the preservation of food products at various temperatures (frozen, fresh, room temperature).
From an operational viewpoint, it is a modern and functional structure, born out of MARR's 35 years experience in the foodservice sector.

MARR, already active in Tuscany, achieved returns amounting to approximately 40.3 million Euros in the region in 2006 (+16.7% compared to 34.5 million Euros in 2005), serving about 3,000 clients through a commercial network of about 30 sales agents.

Until now, foodservice operators in Tuscany have been served by MARR through the "historical" distribution centre in Rimini. Now, the opening of a new distribution centre, closer to its clients, will facilitate the expansion of new clients and increase the level of service provided.

The gradual transfer of operational and commercial activities started at the beginning of April, and will be completed by the summer season.

The new structure is an addition to the other 25 distribution centres already present in Italy and will enable MARR, the only nationwide operator, to further improve its coverage throughout the country.

MARR (Cremonini Group), listed on the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, is the leading Italian company in the specialised distribution of food products to the non-domestic catering sector and is controlled by Cremonini S.p.A..

With an organisation comprising more than 650 sales agents, MARR serves over 36,000 clients (mainly restaurants, hotels, pizza restaurants, holiday villages and canteens), with an offer that includes 10,000 food products, including fish, meat, various food products and fruit and vegetables.

The company operates nationwide through a logistical-distribution network composed of more than 20 distribution centres, 4 cash & carry, and 5 agents with warehouses and more than 550 vehicles.

In 2006, MARR achieved consolidated revenues amounting to 972.7 million Euros, a consolidated EBITDA of 61.6 million Euros and net Group profit of 26.6 million Euros.

For more information about MARR visit the company's web site at www.marr.it

Contact: Barabino & Partners
Tel.: +39 (0)6 679.29.29
Massimiliano Parboni
m.parboni@barabino.it
Raffaella Perugini
r.perugini@barabino.it