Tops Friendly Markets Converts Entire Fleet to Natural Gas Vehicles from Ryder

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Ryder System, Inc. R, a leader in commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions, announced today that Tops Friendly Markets has signed a full service lease agreement for 55 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors. Tops, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania, and western Vermont, will use the trucks to support its distribution and delivery operations. This natural gas vehicle project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,138 tons annually and expected to save Tops more than 50 percent of its fuel costs annually through a reduction of 1,200,000 gallons of diesel fuel consumption. Headquartered in Williamsville, New York, Tops operates 162 full-service supermarkets in the northeast of the United States. This is Ryder's first project with Tops.

“Ryder is leveraging its leadership in natural gas to make it as easy as possible for customers to implement sustainable transportation solutions that also enable them to realize meaningful cost-savings and efficiencies,” said Ryder President of Global Fleet Management Solutions, Dennis Cooke. “When companies like Tops Friendly Markets choose Ryder to manage their fleets, they can focus on driving what matters to them – managing their core business and servicing their customers.”

Tops will take delivery of the 55 natural gas vehicles in mid-2015 to replace its entire fleet of 55 diesel-powered vehicles. Ryder will also provide maintenance for the CNG vehicles from Ryder's Buffalo, NY service facility, which is being upgraded for compliance with natural gas standards.

“At Tops Friendly Markets, our priorities are to have a reliable fleet of well-maintained vehicles to ensure our stores receive deliveries on time,” said Ron Ferri, Senior Vice President of Distribution and Logistics at Tops Friendly Markets. “With Ryder's natural gas vehicles, we have the confidence that we can get the service and performance we need from our new natural gas fleet, while operating more cost-efficiently and environmentally friendly.”

Ryder is the leader in natural gas vehicle solutions for the commercial transportation industry, with more than 27 million miles of experience, 14 natural gas vehicle maintenance facilities, and 260 natural gas vehicle trained technicians. Ryder has deployed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles into the fleets of Ryder customers in California, New York, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Maryland, Georgia and Louisiana as well as in Canada. The Company also operates Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) fuel stations at its Fontana and Orange, Calif., service locations. Ryder also operates an LNG fuel station at its Fulton, Ga. maintenance facility.

Ryder's food and beverage industry expertise extends beyond transportation, to a full range of supply chain solutions that thousands of companies rely on in order to deliver great customer service, compete more effectively, and focus on their core business. With Ryder as a trusted partner, businesses can tap into Ryder's industry expertise, national network of maintenance facilities with expert refrigeration technicians, and warehousing space, along with the latest in tracking technologies and best-in-class safety processes.

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions company. Ryder's stock R is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has included Ryder in its “Green Partners” listing for five years in a row. Ryder is a charter member of the NGV Fleet Forum and a member of the Department of Energy's National Clean Fleets partnership. Ryder is also a recipient of the 2011 NGV Achievement Award. A member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, Ryder is proud to support national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information, visit www.ryder.com and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

About Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 162 full-service supermarkets – 157 company-owned and five franchise locations. With more than 16,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.