The RPM Group Awards Contract to Corcentric to Develop Proprietary eCommerce Trading Exchange

    MCLEAN, Va.--Nov. 26, 2001--In a joint announcement made today, The RPM Group has entered into a three-year agreement with Corcentric to develop and implement a proprietary B2B eCommerce trading solution.
    Corcentric's private trading exchange will allow RPM Members to communicate electronically with all of RPM's suppliers in the automotive aftermarket. A sample of RPM's major suppliers include Honeywell Consumer Products Group , Standard Motor Products , TRW/Autospecialty , Federal-Mogul , Goodyear Tire & Rubber and The Timken Company . The RPM trading exchange is projected to be operational in the first quarter of 2002.
    "An emphasis on technology is especially important for our Group," said RPM Executive Director Michael Mitchell. "The economies of supply chain management are especially attractive to both our Members and Vendors. We are certain that this technology will provide a competitive advantage for our current and future Members."
    Commenting on the new relationship, Charlie Floto, President of Corcentric, said: "Our eHub community is specifically designed to maximize supply chain efficiencies in the automotive aftermarket. RPM's members will realize these savings upon connection with the eHub." Floto went on to say, "Working with RPM is another great opportunity for Corcentric to further extend our proprietary eBusiness procurement solution in the automotive aftermarket."
    Corcentric provides proprietary eCommerce solutions, enabling supply chain communities to conduct business electronically. Serving the heavy-duty truck and automotive supply industries, more than 650 client sites utilize Corcentric's services. Corcentric currently processes approximately 55,000 transactions per month valued at more than $500 million per year. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Corcentric was founded in 1998 and is a privately held company.
    The RPM Group is a not-for-profit buying cooperative representing the leading independent chains in the automotive aftermarket. Through pooling resources in a tight alliance, Members realize the leverage of combined buying power yet retain the autonomy to operate their chains independently.
    Corcentric's website is located at www.corcentric.com and RPM's website is located at www.rpmgroup.com.