Plexus Systems Named PACE Award Finalist

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 31, 2005 -- Plexus Systems today announced it has been named a finalist for the 2005 Automotive News PACE awards. The PACE awards honor companies for ground-breaking innovation, technological advancement and business performance.

Plexus Systems was recognized in the Information Technology and Services category for its Plexus Online management information system. Plexus Online is the only fully-integrated online manufacturing solution on the market today. The Plexus Online system manages all areas of a manufacturing company, including sales, engineering, quality, manufacturing execution, scheduling, ERP, real-time inventory control, bar coding, part traceability, tooling, and more.

"We are very proud to be selected as a PACE award finalist," said Rob Beatty, CEO of Plexus Systems. "We designed and developed Plexus Online to provide a powerful yet easy-to-use solution for automotive suppliers."

Offered to its customers as an online solution, Plexus Online is accessed by authorized users through the Internet so manufacturers avoid the cost and complexities of buying and maintaining software, servers and other IT infrastructure. The Plexus Online system currently serves over 15,000 logins per day and the number is growing as more manufacturers subscribe.

"Plexus Online pulls together the separate functions of the business into a lean, highly-profitable whole," said Beatty. "We are proud of our role in helping automotive suppliers streamline their production, improve their product quality, and increase their revenue and profits in today's highly competitive global manufacturing market."

  Plexus Online offers the automotive industry a number of firsts:

  *  It is the first and only fully-integrated manufacturing software.

* It is the first and only on demand business solution specifically designed for automotive suppliers and other manufacturing companies. As an Internet-based system Plexus Online requires no infrastructure to implement. It links together multiple plants as well as customers, suppliers and employees into a centralized database of real-time information that is accessible no matter where they are in the world. It also is ideal for fast and flexible deployment in a time of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other rapid changes.

* It is the first and only system that integrates a part's dimensional data to engineering specifications, quality documents, shop floor instructions, and the physical manufacturing process.

* It is the first and only online solution to provide all the components required by an automotive supplier, including AIAG control plans, FMEA, PPAP, corrective actions, automotive release accounting, EDI, warranty tracking, TS- 16949 compliance, and more. Each module can be used separately or as a comprehensive whole.

* It is the first and only information system that not only provides a full business solution, but electronically controls production machinery on the shop floor. For example, the system will physically shut down a press if bad parts are being made, an untrained operator attempts to operate it, or the wrong tooling is installed.

The Automotive News PACE Awards, given annually, are the industry's benchmark for innovation. Now in its 12th year, this prestigious award honors superior innovation and technological achievement among automotive suppliers. The PACE award finalists set the standard for game-changing breakthroughs and world-class excellence within the industry.

This year, Plexus Systems also was chosen as a finalist for the Technology Company of the Year Award by Automation Alley and the Progressive Manufacturing Award by Managing Automation. Plexus Systems also received the 2005 National Sloan Award for Business Excellence. In addition, Plexus Systems was named a 2005 Future 50 company of Greater Detroit. This marked the third time the company appeared on the Future 50 list.

Founded in 1995 and located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Plexus Systems (http://www.plex.com/ ) is the premier provider of online business solutions for manufacturing companies. From shop floor to top floor, the Plexus Online software consists of over 350 modules allowing companies to manage all critical information in real time using a simple web browser.