LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two great American
names in automotive service announced an alliance that will provide
consumers with great automotive products. The agreement calls for Valvoline
to be the primary brand of motor oil offered at all 850-plus Sears Auto
Centers.
"We build relationships with our customers at Sears one customer at a
time," said Kevin Carr, vice president of sales and operations for Sears
Auto Centers. "With quality products like Valvoline, we're helping our
customers find solutions for their cars and their homes. And we are
providing our customers with the brand the nation's top mechanics use most
often in their own cars and trucks."
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO)
Customers at Sears Auto Centers have their choice of Valvoline motor
oils - based on their specific driving habits and needs. Sears Auto Centers
will feature VALVOLINE(R) conventional premium motor oil changes. For
customers wanting to extend the life of their vehicles, Sears will offer
MAXLIFE(R) motor oil for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles and Sears
will offer SYNPOWER(R) synthetic oil for the ultimate in vehicle protection
and performance.
"The combination of these two great brands is good news for car
owners," said Bob Craycraft, vice president of installer channel for
Valvoline. "Consumers recognize Valvoline as a premium highly recommended
brand and they recognize Sears offers premium brands and guaranteed
service."
Through its partnership with Valvoline, Sears Auto Centers will have a
sponsorship presence on a NASCAR Nextel Cup car at various times over the
next three seasons. Sears Auto Centers will be primary sponsor on Scott
Riggs' Dodge at Nextel Cup events at California and Atlanta this fall.
About Valvoline and Ashland Inc.
Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has been serving
American motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading
innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and
industrial products in more than 100 countries. Best known for its
lubricants, Valvoline also markets Eagle One(R) appearance products, Car
Brite(R) car restoration products, Zerex(R) antifreeze, SynPower(R)
performance products, Pyroil(R) automotive chemicals and MaxLife(R)
products created for higher-mileage engines. Valvoline also has a stake in
the quick-lube market with its Valvoline Instant Oil Change(R) unit.
Ashland Inc., a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality
products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A
FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four divisions: Ashland
Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water
Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit http://www.ashland.com.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline
retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and approximately 3,800
full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada.
Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader
in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and
maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard,
and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands'
End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington
brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered
exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The company
is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13
million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears
Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
FORTUNE 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
SOURCE Ashland Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ashland.com
http://www.searsholdings.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/065263.html /
CONTACT:
Barry Bronson, Ashland Inc., +1-859-357-7393,
barry_bronson@ashland.com; or Larry Costello, Sears Holdings,
+1-847-286-9036
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