Plexus Systems Named by START-IT Magazine as Hottest Company

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 20 -- Plexus Systems, providers of Plexus Online on-demand software for the manufacturing enterprise, today announced that the company has been selected by START-IT magazine for inclusion in the tenth annual Hottest Companies Awards.

Information technology developers providing solutions to the manufacturing industry were eligible for the awards; judges used criteria such as growth, technological developments, and significant events and accomplishments during the past year.

As the manufacturing technology market continues to develop as a hotbed of innovation, the judges of START-IT's Hottest Companies awards had a record number of applicants, and applied a more rigorous and discerning selection process than in previous years.

"As a Hottest Company, Plexus Systems and Plexus Online are recognized for delivering true innovation through Software as a Service. Plexus Online is the only full featured solution for the manufacturing enterprise, that automates processes, and improves all aspects of business and manufacturing operations," said Mark Symonds, Plexus Systems chief executive officer.

"Each of these winning companies has stepped up and made an impression upon the marketplace in the past year," said Peggy Smedley, editorial director of START-IT. "To be designated as a 'Hot' company shows customers, both current and future, that this company provides innovative and efficient technology to manufacturers, making them more competitive and successful."

Plexus Online is a the industry's only on-demand solution for the manufacturing enterprise, combining the capabilities of enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM), shop floor integration, quality management, and much more. With the ability to manage a single facility or a global enterprise, Plexus Online utilizes lean principles to enable enterprises to closely track and manage critical aspects of their business and manufacturing operations, anywhere, anytime, via the software as a service (SaaS) model. Plexus Online consists of over 350 functional modules, providing companies instant access to vital information and management functions using a simple web browser.

About Plexus Systems

Since 1995, Plexus Systems, Inc. (Auburn Hills, MI) has maintained a singular vision -- to drive significant cost, quality and productivity improvements for manufacturers, from the shop floor to the top floor. Plexus Online(TM) is a true on-demand manufacturing performance system, delivering a powerful, real-time interface to integrate and manage the total manufacturing enterprise. Plexus Systems originated internally at a manufacturing company, and was designed to resolve quality challenges, including production, distribution and global supply chains management issues. Today, Plexus Online also enables businesses to manage other top priorities, such as accounting, compliance and human resources. Plexus Systems serves a cross section of manufacturing industries (OEM and suppliers), particularly automotive, defense, medical device and aerospace companies headquartered in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Plexus Systems has partnered with Apax Partners (http://www.apax.com/), one of the world's leading global private equity groups, to drive global expansion and further strengthen the company's products, services and market position. Apax Partners operates across the US, Europe and Asia and has more than $20 billion in funds under management and advice. In 2006, funds advised by Apax made a strategic investment in Plexus Systems, joining the founding investment group as stakeholders in Plexus.

Visit http://www.plex.com/ for more information.