Infonet Manages Network Buildout for NACCO Materials Handling Group — NMHG; Global Network Provides Coverage and Security Across 16 Global Business Operations

Business Wire, August 13, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2002

Infonet Services Corporation (NYSE:IN) (FSE:IN), a leading provider of global communications services for multinationals, today announced that it has been selected by the NACCO Materials Handling Group, one of the world's largest lift truck manufacturers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NC), to manage its global network build-out.

Infonet's The World Network(R) will provide NACCO with fully managed data communications ensuring 24/7 access to mission-critical applications for NACCO's employees in 16 significant global business operations, including two Midwest locations in the U.S., as well as Scotland, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan and Australia.

The NACCO Materials Handling Group consists of NMHG Wholesale, which designs, engineers, manufactures and sells a full line of lift trucks and replacement parts marketed worldwide under the Hyster(R) and Yale(R) brand names, and under the Yale(R) and Sumitomo-Yale(R) brand names in Japan.

NMHG faced the challenge of improving its communications efficiency by maintaining a large wide area network (WAN) to support worldwide sales and provide access to applications. NMHG also had to ensure that its enterprise applications did not strain the corporate WAN infrastructure. The company required a partner that could provide reliable bandwidth capacity to manage its international build-out, in addition to streamlining its billing process to help maximize company ROI.

With assistance from The Gartner Group, NMHG developed a comprehensive Request For Proposal (RFP) for voice and data communications that was provided to eight potential suppliers. After an extensive evaluation process, NMHG chose Infonet as its international communications provider.

According to Sal Tramaglini, Chief Information Officer of NMHG, "We required a supplier who could provide a quality global network, competitive pricing and lead times, installation efficiency and a firm commitment to deliver on their promises. With Infonet, I am pleased to say upon complete implementation, that we are now able to double our capacity from our previous supplier, at the same price we were paying. Infonet has proven it was willing to come to the table and share the risk, an approach that we found quite refreshing."

Larry Malone, President of Infonet USA, adds, "We are very pleased to be able provide the global communication services and cost-saving solutions organizations like NACCO require to meet their objectives in today's competitive business environment."

About the NACCO Industries/NACCO Materials Handling Group

NACCO Industries, Inc. is an operating holding company with three principal businesses: lift trucks, housewares and lignite coal mining. Revenues in 2001 were $2.6 billion. NACCO is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NC. NACCO Industries' wholly owned subsidiaries include: NACCO Materials Handling Group, The North American Coal Corporation and NACCO Housewares Group.

NACCO Materials Handling Group consists of NMHG Wholesale, which designs, engineers, manufactures and sells a full line of lift trucks and replacement parts marketed worldwide under the Hyster(R) and Yale(R) brand names, and under the Yale(R) and Sumitomo-Yale(R) brand names in Japan.

NMHG Wholesale designs, engineers, manufactures and sells lift trucks for virtually every market niche, including warehouse trucks, counterbalance trucks and large-capacity cargo and container handling trucks. NMHG manufacturing plants are located in the United States, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, China and the Philippines.

About Infonet

Infonet Services Corporation, known for its quality of service, is a leading provider of value-added global communications services, including IP VPNs, for nearly 3,000 multinational enterprises.

Employing a unique consultative approach, Infonet offers integrated solutions optimizing the complex relationship between enterprise applications and the global network. Extensive project management capabilities are the foundation for the services and solution offerings (broadband, Internet, intranet, multimedia, remote and local access, provisioning, application and consulting services), positioning Infonet as the ideal single-source partner for multinationals. In particular, Infonet IP VPN solutions offer multinationals a unique combination of Private and Public IP services as well as a full set of Managed Security Services.

Rated "Best in Class" overall in Telemark's survey of Global Managed Data Network Services, Infonet has also won "Best Customer Care" and "Best Carrier" at the World Communication Awards. Infonet owns and operates The World Network(R), accessible from more than 180 countries, and provides local service support in over 70 countries and territories.

Founded in 1970, Infonet's stock is traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol IN. Additional information about the company is available at www.infonet.com.