Associated Spring Goes Live with SupplyWorks Max - in Just 60 Days
BEDFORD, Mass.--Aug. 1, 20031, 2003--| Global Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturer Deploys SupplyWorks MAX(TM) to Comply with Ford MMOG Requirements and Synchronize with Suppliers |
SupplyWorks, Inc., the leader in end-to-end strategic sourcing and purchasing software that helps discrete manufacturers improve supply management, today announced that it has successfully completed the installation of SupplyWorks MAX(TM) software at Associated Spring in just 60 days. Associated Spring is the largest manufacturer of precision springs in North America. SupplyWorks MAX is live in production at Associated Spring's plants in Corry, Pa. and Bristol, Conn. The Company plans to deploy SupplyWorks MAX at several additional plant locations before the end of 2003.
As a tier 1 supplier to Ford Motor Company, Associated Spring selected SupplyWorks MAX in order to satisfy a Ford initiative that requires its tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers to synchronize with its supply base electronically. That initiative, based on the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Materials Management Operations Guideline (MMOG), defines the elements that a customer/supplier connectivity system needs to support, in order to efficiently manage the flow of production materials and to share information, such as forecasts, schedules, and advanced ship notices (ASN). Using SupplyWorks MAX software, Associated Spring is able to address MMOG requirements and have a flexible platform for further enhancement and automation of its business processes.
"Associated Spring selected SupplyWorks because it needed a solution that would enable the company to meet MMOG compliance as quickly as possible," said Jeff Herrmann, president and CEO of SupplyWorks, Inc. "They had a very aggressive timeline. Working closely with the Associated Spring implementation team we achieved our goals right on schedule. By focusing the initial deployment on two key plants, we were able to prove the strategy and work through the business process and technology changes very rapidly. This quick time-to-benefit approach minimizes risk and provides Associated Spring with a platform to leverage best practices for purchasing corporate-wide."
"Today's manufacturing market is one where rapid implementation and return on investment are crucial to success," said Karen Peterson, vice president and research director at Gartner, Inc. "Supply chain vendors who prove they can implement in under 90 days provide their customers with time and cost savings benefits, including shortened ROI periods."
Designed to set new standards for simple, reliable supplier connectivity, SupplyWorks MAX is designed for discrete 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 ASNs to improve visibility, and streamlining receiving and payment processes.
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. is the leader in end-to-end strategic sourcing and purchasing software that helps discrete manufacturers improve their supply management and lower their direct material costs. 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. Information about SupplyWorks and its solutions is available on the Web at www.supplyworks.com or by calling (781) 301-7000.