Aretech Lands Information Technology Outsourcing Contract

    MARYSVILLE, Mich., May 3 Aretech Information Services,
Inc., an information technology  (IT) company specializing in outsourcing, has
been awarded a contract to provide IT outsourcing services to Michigan-based
Davis Industries, Inc., a market leader in automotive components.  The multi-
year contract is Aretech's latest service and operations contract with a
leading automotive supplier.  The monetary value of the contract was not
disclosed.  Aretech President and CEO Rudy D. Cifolelli made the announcement.
    Davis' North American-based AS/400 hardware and software will be serviced
by Aretech (http://www.aretech-is.com ), according to Laura Dixon, Director of
Information Systems at Davis.  The service contract calls for 24/365 platform
operations management of the company's AS/400, LAN, and WAN systems as well as
the operation of J.D. Edwards, Davis' enterprise system for North America.
    "We're excited about the opportunity to work with Aretech.  Aretech's
expertise allows Davis Industries to focus our internal resources towards
strategic initiatives, improving service levels to our internal and external
customers, and reducing costs," said Dixon.
    Aretech provides four key offerings to mid-sized companies: IT outsourcing
services for AS/400 platforms; application service provider (ASP) services;
business-to-business e-commerce through the creation of a supplier exchange;
and business-to-consumer e-commerce, including offerings such as electronic
bill presentment.
    "Aretech's service offerings allows Davis Industries to focus on its core
business, while we manage their IT services and mission-critical functions in
a most cost-effective way," said Rudy D. Cifolelli, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Aretech.
    Aretech (pronounced 'r-eh-tek'), was launched in April 2000 by SEMCO
ENERGY, Inc., a diversified energy and infrastructure services company that
distributes natural gas to more than 367,000 combined customers in Michigan
and Alaska, and also performs engineering and construction services for energy
companies in the United States.  Aretech's goal is to reach annual revenues in
excess of $100 million in five years, through both customer growth and
selective acquisitions.
    Aretech Information Services, a provider of information technology-enabled
business solutions, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEMCO ENERGY, Inc.
.  Its mission is to contribute measurably and significantly to
productivity in business by effectively utilizing the potential of information
technology and providing quality commercial information technology services,
which will allow Aretech's customers to focus on their core business and
succeed in their chosen industries.
    Davis Industries, Inc. a $150 million automotive supplier with
approximately 1000 employees is based in Plymouth, Michigan.  Davis operates
three divisional North American manufacturing operations within the Davis
Automotive Group: those being DATEC, Angola, IN; Multi-Plex, Howe, IN; and
Volunteer Automotive, Manchester, TN.
    Davis also operates Davis Tool & Engineering Co. in Detroit, MI, and
maintains its product development and advanced engineering services division:
Epworth Technologies out of its Plymouth based headquarters.
    Davis, founded in 1921, is a leading North American supplier of automatic
transmission drive plate assemblies, torque converter components/assemblies,
heat management sub-systems, steering column component assemblies,
engine/transmission pans and covers, fuel filler door assemblies and body
hardware systems.
    The following is a "Safe-Harbor" statement under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  This communication contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to,
operating expenses, operating income, returns on invested assets, regulatory
approval processes, success in obtaining new business and other risks detailed
from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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