LANSING INVESTS IN ACKERMAN BEARDSLEY BENNETT

May 8, 2008 - Ackerman Beardsley Bennett Inc. (“Ackerman”) has added Lansing Trade Group, LLC (“Lansing”) as a minority investor in its business to provide additional opportunities to grow both businesses in the coming years. 

Ackerman and Lansing are making this move at a time in which commodity markets have become increasingly volatile, proactively growing their balance sheets to better ensure our ability to grow trading volumes and access to capital markets to continue to serve the needs of our customer base. 

With this investment in Ackerman, Ackerman’s business will continue to operate in the same fashion that it has for years.  Ackerman has been in the commodity merchandising business since 1942, serving a diverse customer base ranging from multi-national integrated conglomerates to locally owned and operated feed mills throughout North America. Ackerman builds strong relationships based on trust, respect and knowledgeable competence in the markets it serves.  Ackerman’s business will continue to provide a solid, independent trading partner with its customers—only stronger that it has ever been before.  For more information about ABB, visit www.abbinc.biz.

Lansing is a trading company largely focused on the movement of physical commodities trading whole grains, feed ingredients, biofuels, freight and many other commodities within North America and internationally.  Lansing is pleased to become an investor in Ackerman as a means to provide additional strength to the company’s large presence in feed ingredient markets. 

About Lansing Trade Group, LLC

Lansing Trade Group is a privately owned firm formed in 1931. The current ownership group has grown Lansing into a national trading company, growing beyond its grain roots with growth into the energy market. Lansing Trade Group formed Lansing Ethanol Services, LLC in March 2006 to trade ethanol. Lansing Trade Group trades whole grains, feed ingredients, and energy products, including biodiesel, in U.S. domestic and export markets. Current annual revenues are approximately $5 billion. Company headquarters are in Overland Park, Kansas. Additional information is available online at www.lansingtradegroup.com and www.lansingethanolservices.com.