ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, January 3, 2006 -- Univar N.V., a world leader in chemical distribution, today announced that Randy Craddock has been appointed president of Univar Canada Ltd., one of three major operating business units of Univar N.V.  Mr. Craddock succeeds Larry Bullock, who retired upon completion of a 43-year career with Univar at the end of 2005.                                                      

Mr. Craddock began his career with the company in 1981.  During these 25 years, he has served in a number of capacities including General Manager–Prairie Provinces, General Sales Manager–Southern Alberta, and Technical Sales Representative, first in Regina and then in Edmonton.  Most recently, he served as Regional Vice President–Western Canada, where revenues and operating income reached record levels under his leadership over the past four years. 

 Mr. Craddock graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology with a major in Marketing, Transportation and Distribution Management.

 Gary E. Pruitt, Chairman and CEO of Univar, commented, “We congratulate Randy and feel very fortunate to have such a strong industry veteran and long-time Univar executive taking over the reins of Univar Canada.  Randy has been a significant contributor to the success of Univar Canada, whose market leadership is unquestioned.  We look forward to continued success for Randy and for our Canadian business.”  Mr. Pruitt added, “I would like also to acknowledge the retirement of Larry Bullock, who led Univar Canada for the last 10 years.  His contributions to Univar throughout the past four decades are incalculable, and we wish Larry all joy and happiness in his retirement.”