LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- UTi Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:UTIW) today announced the appointment of Jeffrey D. Misakian in the newly created position of vice president, investor relations. Misakian, 48, joins the company with more than 25 years of investor and corporate relations, accounting and finance experience.
"We are delighted to welcome a highly seasoned investor relations professional such as Jeff to UTi to help lead our efforts in expanding the important role that investor communications plays at the company," said Lawrence Samuels, chief financial officer. "His wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of investor relations and finance will be important as we enhance our investor relations activities and continue to implement our CLIENTasONE long-term growth strategy."
Misakian has held senior investor relations and corporate communications roles at several highly regarded public companies, as well as at one of the country's largest strategic communications agencies. Most recently, Misakian was vice president, investor relations at Valeant Pharmaceuticals International where he established the company's investor relations program and supervised all communications with the investment community and media. Working side-by-side with Valeant's management team, he developed and implemented a strategic repositioning strategy, while broadening the company's analyst coverage and investor base. Prior to that, Misakian was senior vice president, corporate services at Hill & Knowlton, Inc., where he provided senior counsel to a wide variety of publicly traded corporations on investor relations and corporate communications issues. He also led the firm's transactions and restructuring practice.
Misakian also has held investor relations positions of increasing responsibilities at CB Richard Ellis Services, Inc. and Golden State Bancorp/Glendale Federal Bank. He began his career in the auditing practice of PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Misakian earned his bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Southern California and is a certified public accountant. He is a senior roundtable member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI).
About UTi Worldwide
UTi Worldwide Inc. is an international, non-asset-based supply chain services and solutions company providing air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage and other supply chain management services. The company serves a large and diverse base of global and local companies, including clients operating in industries with unique supply chain requirements such as the pharmaceutical, retail, apparel, chemical, automotive and technology industries. The company seeks to use its global network, proprietary information technology systems, relationships with transportation providers and expertise in outsourced logistics services to deliver competitive advantage to each of its clients' supply chains.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this news release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company intends that all such statements be subject to the "safe-harbor" provisions contained in those sections. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, CLIENTasONE, the company's long-term strategy, the company's discussion of its financial goals, including but not limited to margin improvement and the company's earnings per share guidance. Many important factors may cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking statements, including integration risks associated with acquisitions, the ability to retain customers and management of acquisition targets; a challenging operating environment; increased competition; the impact of higher fuel costs; the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates; changes in the company's effective tax rates; industry consolidation making it more difficult to compete against larger companies; general economic, political and market conditions, including those in Africa, Asia and Europe; work stoppages or slowdowns or other material interruptions in transportation services; risks of international operations; the success and effects of new strategies; disruptions caused by epidemics, conflicts, wars and terrorism; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although UTi believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, we cannot assure you that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized in the timeframe anticipated or at all. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by UTi or any other person that UTi's objectives or plans will be achieved. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. UTi undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.