BIGGEST CHANGE IN BUSINESS SINCE FRANCHISING WINS PATENT NO. US 6,351,738 FOR AMERIQUEST

CHERRY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2002--AmeriQuest® Transportation and Logistics Resources Corp. was awarded Patent No.: US 6,351,738 B1 for the company's innovative business system that provides premium business support mechanisms for independent companies, tradespersons or professionals through a substantially liquid asset based, for-profit business entity.

The patent, entitled ``Collective Business System'', delivers to businesses participating in the model enhanced purchasing power, national marketing capabilities and other business leverage support to compete effectively with national companies in their industry.

AmeriQuest, a leading provider of services to the fleet management industry, filed for the patent in May 1999, and was awarded the patent in November. The company received the patent number earlier this month.

``We have developed a business system that delivers huge value to participants,'' explained Doug Clark, President & CEO, AmeriQuest, who is named as the inventor of the process. ``This is a classic `no-lose' situation for companies operating in diffused industries with just a few major players. The participants get better pricing, greater exposure and potentially the chance to benefit from a stock offering.''

The Collective Business System has been in operation for three years in the independent truck leasing and rental industry, where it is actively processing orders for fleet equipment and saving companies like Hogan Motor Leasing, DeCarolis Truck Rental and Transervice Lease Corp. thousands of dollars. In addition to saving money and time, the AmeriQuest system offered the owners of these companies the opportunity to participate in the equity of the new firm, further adding to the value they receive.

``The central elements of the Collective Business System include a sales force that is responsible for selling services nationwide, procurement amalgamation that enables the group to buy volume discounts greater than they can receive individually and technology that makes the process work accurately, seamlessly and without paper,'' said Joseph Ciolino. Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, AmeriQuest.

Clark added, ``The key to the success of the AmeriQuest model is efficiency derived through well-conceived processes that automate the transaction flow. Most buying groups add administrative costs and people to manage the transaction flow, but we use e-Commerce systems that reduce costs and enhance productivity.''

Attorneys reviewing the patent application called its patent protection ``very robust and broad in scope''. They describe the Collective Business System as the first new business model with far-reaching commercial applications since franchising. Unlike franchising, however, which must adhere to many strict laws and constraints, the system allows independent businesses to work collectively and retain their independence while avoiding the cumbersome administrative burdens associated with franchises.