Hercules is now Ashland.

On November 13, 2008, Hercules Inc. was acquired by Ashland Inc., creating a leading specialty chemicals company serving the world's most essential needs and industries.

Our new company comprises a core of three specialty chemical businesses with strong market positions and promising global growth:

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a provider of paper and water technologies;
Ashland Performance Materials, a provider of specialty resins; and
Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a provider of specialty additives and functional ingredients.

As we continue to grow and strengthen our business, our people share a common desire to live up to our own high expectations and to those of our customers, shareholders and the communities in which we operate. We are proud of where we've been and we're excited about our future.

For further information about Ashland, please go to www.ashland.com.