Founder and chairman of Philadelphia-based logistics firm, BDP International, will accept first CHF Award for Supporting Industries at Heritage Day, May 18, 2006

Richard Bolte, Sr., founder and chairman of BDP International, will be the first recipient of the new Award for Supporting Industries from the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF). The award will be presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions by a leader who provides products or services vital to the continuing growth and development of the chemical and molecular sciences community.

"Dick Bolte is a courageous and visionary leader, who has pioneered in the development of international logistics services and complementing information systems, and thereby has enabled the global expansion of containerized chemical shipments," said Arnold Thackray, president of CHF. "Bolte is a true entrepreneur, creating opportunity and value to the benefit of all."

Bolte founded his own logistics firm in 1966, with a bachelor's degree in business administration earned through night classes at LaSalle University, brief experience in a small company, a young family, and an unshakeable confidence that he was on the path to success. Forty years later Bolte's company, BDP International, is a leader in the global shipping industry it helped to revolutionize, with operations in over 113 countries and annual sales of approximately $1 billion.

Bolte and BDP's success has enabled the chemical industry to effectively extend the reach of its supply chains during a period of business globalization. Approximately 65% of BDP's global business represents the chemical industry, including clients such as Bayer, Rohm and Haas, DuPont, Dow Chemical and Air Products. BDP also manages over 300,000 chemical shipments per year.

BDP's solutions and services allow chemical companies to efficiently and economically address environmental safety and regulatory issues in transportation in ways that facilitate the global growth of the chemical industry.

BDP was formed from R.J. Bolte Company in 1972, through a series of mergers. Under Bolte's direction as chairman and CEO, BDP International has grown to be one of the largest privately-owned global logistics companies in North America. Bolte is still actively engaged in the business, which is likely to stay in the family: all seven of his sons and stepsons are involved in the company, with Richard Bolte, Jr. serving as BDP's president.