Launch Systems Plans to Open Detroit-Area Headquarters

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 31, 2004 -- Launch Systems, a supplier of turnkey program-management solutions for the automotive industry, plans to locate its corporate headquarters in the Detroit area.

The recently formed company provides program management, product launch execution and global outsourcing services for automotive suppliers and manufacturers, according to Mario Nanos, the company's president.

A former senior marketing executive for QAD Inc., Nanos said Launch Systems officially will open its headquarters offices at 323 N. First Street in Ann Arbor later this month.

"Launch Systems focuses on three important elements of the product- development supply chain: people, process and technology," he said. "Having manufacturing expertise is no longer enough. Automakers today demand world- class program management and launch execution from their suppliers."

"We provide the right people, world-class processes and right-sized technology to help our customers manage a product program up to and through a flawless launch."

Launch Systems' senior management team has a wealth of experience in automotive program management, manufacturing and technology. All have served in senior positions for major national and multi-national automotive companies.

"We're capable of assessing supplier program-management capability from inception through start-of-production," Nanos noted. "We also can, on a project-by-project basis, provide program-management staff to help companies successfully launch critically important projects.

"Finally, we help companies leverage technology, eliminate redundant program management tasks and drive collaboration between key stakeholders in the product- development supply chain through Campfire Interactive's product lifecycle management software application (PLM). Campfire Interactive's customer base includes automotive, defense and pharmaceutical businesses where installations range from five to 300 seats.

"Our use of Campfire Interactive's technology provides great flexibility," Nanos added. "It can be integrated into a manufacturer's existing systems and provides the benefits of other comparable solutions at a fraction of the price."