Spry Kicks Off Product Launch Profitability Initiative At AIAG's Auto-Tech Conference; Spry Offers Auto Manufacturers, Suppliers Better Way to Improve Product Launch Profitability

    LOWELL, Mass.--Aug. 21, 2002--Spry Technology, Inc., a provider of custom Internet solutions that improve product launch profitability, today announced it will launch an initiative targeting automotive manufacturers and suppliers at Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) AUTO-TECH conference in Detroit, Michigan.
    Spry develops solutions that enable automotive manufacturers and suppliers to improve product launch profitability by providing an enterprise view of changing product and program information during the early stages of product development. Spry's solutions allow manufacturers and suppliers to improve quality and increase production while identifying cost savings, and better managing change.
    "Most automotive manufacturers and suppliers lack the processes and profit optimization tools to understand the cost drivers in their businesses," said Eric Johns , managing partner at Spry. "Spry is building on a track record of improving profitability for companies in telecommunications, electronics and other markets, and we're applying this experience to meet the needs of automotive industry manufacturers and suppliers."
    Spry's custom Internet solutions integrate information from disparate systems; manage collaboration internally and with customers and partners; provide visibility into cost drivers and predictability tools to optimize profitability; and help companies evaluate and respond rapidly to new customer opportunities and change requests. Spry's automotive industry initiative for the manufacturers and suppliers systematically captures the "direct" product costs and then integrates these costs into an engineering "system of record".
    A recent AMR research report stated that users of profit optimization tools are reporting three to five percent profit gains. Companies that develop integrated cost management capabilities will be able to stake out dominant positions in their markets and with their customers.
    Spry is launching this automotive industry product launch profitability initiative at AUTO-TECH, which has for the past 14 years provided a forum for initiating proactive planning and improving trading partner relationships. The AUTO-TECH conference brings OEM and suppliers together to inform attendees of the current trends and standards in the supply chain.

    About Spry Technology

    Spry Technology helps companies increase product launch profitability with custom Internet solutions that provide an enterprise view of changing product and program information. Spry's solutions integrate information from disparate systems; manage collaboration internally and with customers and partners; provide visibility into cost drives and predictive tools to optimize profitability; and help companies evaluate and respond rapidly to new customer opportunities and change requests. Headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, Spry was formed in 1998 and is privately held. Major clients include ADC, Johnson Controls, Lucent, MatrixOne, and M/A-COM. For more information about Spry, visit them on the web at www.spry-tech.com.