Greene Natural Fibers, Inc.
Snow Hill, NC
June 2003

Bengur Bryan & Co., Inc. advised Greene Natural Fibers, Inc. (GNF), in the sale of a minority interest in GNF to DIMON Incorporated (NYSE: AOI).

Greene Natural Fibers is the largest grower and processor of kenaf fibers in North America, and Dimon Incorporated (now Alliance One International, as a result of the merger of Dimon with Standard Commercial Corporation), is a leading independent leaf tobacco merchant.

GNF has adopted a quality oriented, textile approach to fiber processing and is now the leading supplier of kenaf bast fibers and core products in North America. Kenaf bast fibers are used by the nonwoven industry as interior automobile door paneling, flame retardant padding for furniture, and stiffeners in a wider variety of molded products. Kenaf core fiber is used as an absorbent material for animal bedding and other applications.

Dimon made a strategic investment in GNF to take advantage of Dimon’s core competencies in the processing and marketing of agricultural products and to extend its product line beyond tobacco leaf.

Please see the Greene Natural Fibers and Dimon web sites for additional information about the two companies.