Associated Spring Selects SupplyWorks for Compliance with Ford MMOG Requirements
BEDFORD, Mass.--May 12, 2003--Global Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturer to Use SupplyWorks MAX(TM) to Synchronize with Suppliers
SupplyWorks, Inc., the leader in Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solutions for automotive manufacturers, today announced that Associated Spring, the largest manufacturer of precision springs in North America, has selected SupplyWorks(R) MAX(TM) to automate its procurement operations and maximize supply chain visibility. SupplyWorks will enable Associated Spring to meet a Ford Motor Company initiative requiring suppliers to synchronize with their supply base electronically.
Associated Spring will comply with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Materials Management Operations Guideline (MMOG), a defined automotive industry guideline for achieving effective materials management systems. MMOG defines the elements that a customer/supplier connectivity system needs to have, in order to efficiently manage the flow of productive materials and to share information, such as forecasts and schedules, advanced ship notices (ASN), and online records.
Although AIAG's MMOG is not yet an industry-wide standard, Ford Motor Company has mandated that their suppliers comply with MMOG, as a way of insuring the effectiveness of their tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers.
"Compliance with the MMOG requirements is fundamentally a sound business practice and our work with Ford requires that we achieve MMOG compliance as quickly as possible," said Ero Selander, vice president of procurement, Associated Spring. "We selected SupplyWorks MAX because it met our requirements better than any other solution. SupplyWorks' quick deployment time, rapid payback, and minimal business process change were key factors in our decision and will enable us to implement MMOG compliance in less than 90 days at several of our divisions. By streamlining and automating such tasks as supplier scheduling, inventory visibility and advanced ship notices (ASN), SupplyWorks will provide a scalable platform for Associated Spring to manage our supply base, manage our inventory, and enhance our customer support as well as accommodate future growth."
Designed to set new standards for simple, reliable supplier connectivity, SupplyWorks MAX is designed for automotive manufacturers who need to rapidly connect electronically to their suppliers with minimal business process change. SupplyWorks MAX supports common automotive procurement and materials scheduling processes, as well as prescribed MMOG compliance requirements. MMOG functions supported by SupplyWorks include the electronic communication of material schedules to suppliers, providing suppliers with a simple, cost-free mechanism for creating advance ship notices (ASNs) to improve visibility, and streamlining receiving and payment processes.
"Large players in the automotive industry are making an aggressive push for tier 1 suppliers to comply with MMOG requirements," said Jeff Herrmann, CEO and president of SupplyWorks, Inc. "SupplyWorks MAX enables automotive manufacturers to quickly and easily implement MMOG requirements today, at a low risk to their business and minimal changes to their operations. We have already demonstrated our ability to serve as a strong business partner for automotive suppliers, and to provide our customers with exceptional technical and management support."
About Associated Spring
Associated Spring, a business unit of Barnes Group Inc. , is the largest manufacturer of precision springs in North America, and one of the largest precision spring manufacturers in the world. Associated Spring is equipped to produce virtually every type of spring from fine hairsprings for electronics and medical instruments to large heavy-duty springs for machinery. Associated Spring is a leading supplier of nitrogen gas springs and manifold systems used to precisely control stamping presses; a global supplier of retaining rings; and injection-molded plastic-on-plastic components and assemblies. For more information, visit www.asbg.com.
About SupplyWorks, Inc.
SupplyWorks, Inc., the leader in Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) solutions, helps discrete manufacturers manage their direct procurement, including their relationships with key suppliers, to lower costs and improve supply chain performance. Founded by pioneers in B2B eCommerce, SupplyWorks has grown rapidly and boasts an unusually experienced management team with deep expertise in enterprise applications, supply chain management, Internet technology, and developing reliable software for the demanding manufacturing environment. SupplyWorks is privately held and backed by several leading venture capital firms: Atlas Venture, North Bridge Venture Partners, Longworth Venture Partners, New Meadows Capital, Solstice Capital, and Spinner Global Technology Fund.