EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                MARK VII, INC. TO BE ACQUIRED BY OCEAN GROUP PLC
                      IN $23.00 PER SHARE CASH TENDER OFFER

      MEMPHIS, TN -- July 27, 1999 -- Mark VII, Inc. (Nasdaq: MVII) today
announced that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with MSAS
Global Logistics Inc. and MSAS Acquisition Corporation, U.S. subsidiaries of
Ocean Group plc, pursuant to which MSAS Acquisition Corporation will acquire all
of the outstanding shares of Mark VII's common stock for $23.00 per share in
cash.

      Mark VII's Board of Directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the tender offer
and the merger. In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, MSAS
Acquisition Corporation will promptly commence a tender offer for all
outstanding shares of Mark VII's common stock at a purchase price of $23.00 per
share in cash. Following the completion of the tender offer, subject to the
terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the parties will effect a
second-step merger in which all shares not purchased in the tender offer will be
converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash.

      Certain of Mark VII's directors, who collectively own approximately 8.4%
of Mark VII's outstanding common stock, have entered into a definitive agreement
with the Ocean Group subsidiaries pursuant to which such director has agreed,
among other things, to tender his shares pursuant to the cash tender offer and
to grant to such subsidiaries an option to purchase such shares at a purchase
price of $23.00 per share, exercisable upon the occurrence of certain events.

      R.C. Matney, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mark VII, said, "We are
pleased with the execution of the merger agreement and the opportunity to be a
part of Ocean Group plc. We believe that joining forces with Ocean Group is in
the best interests of our customers, our stockholders and our employees. For our
stockholders, this transaction provides an extremely attractive opportunity to
realize significant value for their shares. The transaction represents a premium
of 30% over the closing price of Mark VII yesterday."

      The tender offer will be conditioned upon the tender of a majority of Mark
VII's outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis and other customary
conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The offer is not subject
to a financing condition.

      Mark VII, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics management
company with 125 offices worldwide. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, Mark VII
provides non-asset-based, multi-modal transportation services and fully
integrated logistics solutions to many of the most successful companies in the
United States and abroad.


      Mark VII's financial advisor was Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, and its legal
counsel was Dewey Ballantine LLP.

      MSAS Global Logistics Inc.'s financial advisor was Merrill Lynch & Co.,
and its legal counsel was Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Contact:
   Mark VII, Inc.
   James T. Graves
   (816) 387-4291