Company celebrates opening with gala and donates 300 gallons of paint to Community Action Council

Burnsville, MN February 11, 2003-An ICI Paints store located on 3200 Corporate Center Drive #110 will open on Tuesday, February 11 with a grand opening event from noon to 5 p.m. featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 p.m. In conjunction with the opening, ICI Paints will donate 300 gallons of paint to the Community Action Council, a Minneapolis-area organization that provides support to people and communities to prevent violence, ensure school success, and to promote long-term self-sufficiency.

"The paint donation could not have come at a better time," said Mary Ajax, president of Community Action Council. "The donated paint will be used by our team of community volunteers to repaint and upgrade Lewis House safe houses for battered women and children. We thank ICI Paints for its generous donation and welcome its store to our community."

The grand opening event at the store will feature a barbecue lunch catered by "Famous Dave," casino games, product demonstrations and special pricing from noon to 5 p.m. By opening the new store, ICI Paints will improve local service and make it easier and more convenient for professional painting contractors, maintenance managers and community development corps to obtain painting supplies for area projects.

"We are very pleased that ICI Paints has elected to open a paint store in our city," said Daron Van Helden, president of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. "This opening further reinforces ICI Paints commitment to the city and demonstrates its continuing interest in creating jobs and boosting economic development in our area. We congratulate ICI Paints on its continued success and welcome its store."

The new 6000 square foot store is managed locally by Jeff Balik. The store employs four people and joins four other ICI Paints stores in the Minneapolis market. Store hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

"This store will improve our service for area painters and be a great convenience for many of our customers working nearby," said Dave Clark, ICI Paints District Manager. "It also demonstrates our continuing commitment to serve this area and contribute to economic expansion in Burnsville. We are also pleased to donate 300 gallons of paint to the Community Action Council for use in projects in this area because we believe in giving back to the communities where we do business."

ICI Paints is part of the ICI Group (NYSE: ICI), one of the world's largest producers of specialty products and paints. ICI Paints worldwide has 49 manufacturing sites in 25 countries and more than 15,000 employees. Headquartered in Cleveland, ICI Paints' North American operations produce decorative coatings brands such as Glidden, Dulux, Ralph Lauren, Devoe, Fuller-O'Brien, Sinclair, C-I-L paint, Color Your World and Liquid Nails caulks and adhesives. Products are sold through more than 660 Company stores, national/retail outlets and independent dealers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.icipaintsstores.com or call toll free 800-984-5444.