OEConnection Earns 2nd Consecutive Distinction as NorthCoast 99 Best Places to Work in Northeast Ohio

RICHFIELD, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2005 -- OEConnection LLC, a leader in ecommerce procurement and analysis solutions for the automotive original equipment replacement parts business, is pleased to announce the company has earned its second consecutive award as a NorthCoast 99 winner, honoring the 99 Best Workplaces in Northeast Ohio. Recognized in 2004 and 2005, OEConnection also earned finalist status in the 2005 Special Categories of Compensation & Benefits and Workplace Health & Safety. Finalists represent the top 2% of submissions.

Chuck Rotuno, President and CEO of OEConnection, commented, "We're especially proud to be a two-time recipient of this honor in only our 5th year of business. As a young company, we fuel our growth with best-in-class products and best-in-class performance. The NorthCoast 99 recognition helps us to continue to achieve these goals by differentiating OEConnection as an employer-of-choice."

Sponsored by the Employers Resource Council (ERC), Northeast Ohio's largest employers association, NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition honoring the 99 best-in-class employers in the 22-county Northeast Ohio region. ERC selects winners on the quality of their workplace and their demonstrated ability to attract, retain and motivate Top Performers. For the 2005 award, ERC recognized those top performing companies who best addressed the Seven Fundamental Characteristics of a Great Workplace which include flexibility, opportunity, recognition, development, security, support, and talent integrity.

Unique in its approach to award nominations, NorthCoast 99 seeks nominations directly from associates throughout the region. Nominated organizations complete a detailed description of their programs, policies, benefits and distinguishing factors regarding associate attraction, retention and satisfaction. ERC compiles a comprehensive report from the winner's data to share with participating organizations as a guidebook on the region's most successful practices.

  ERC lauded the 2005 winners at a Banquet held September 14 in Westlake.

  About OEConnection LLC

OEConnection is a provider of web-based technology solutions for automakers, their affiliated dealers, and others in the automotive parts business. Serving over 12,000 dealerships and collision repairers, OEConnection is a venture created by DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and ProQuest Automotive. The company is headquartered in the greater Cleveland area at 4150 Highlander Parkway, Richfield, OH, 44286. For more information, call 1-888-776-5792 or visit www.OEConnection.com.