i2 Technologies Establishes Business Unit For The Automotive & Industrial Markets
13 May 1998
i2 Technologies Establishes Business Unit For The Automotive & Industrial Markets
IRVING, Texas, May 13 -- i2 Technologies, Inc.
, the leading provider of supply chain optimization and decision
support solutions, has announced that it has formed an Automotive and
Industrial business unit. The industry business unit will be headquartered in
the detroit area, and supported by i2's worldwide network of sales,
consulting, development and support offices. In addition, Steven Minisini has
been named Vice President Sales, Automotive and Industrial business unit, and
will oversee a dedicated sales staff from the Americas' Detroit-area office.
The new office, which i2 intends to open shortly, will house sales,
consulting, and industry experts.
"Over the past year, i2 has deepened its commitment to the Automotive and
Industrial Market. We've expanded our core RHYTHM(R) optimization and
planning solution with enhanced demand management, sequencing, logistics, and
transportation capabilities to provide a complete multi-plant, multi-tier
supply chain solution for current and prospective i2 automotive customers
worldwide," said Minisini. "In response, i2 has attracted new customers and
affirmed its position as the leading industry provider of supply chain
solutions for the Automotive and Industrial market. We are establishing our
new Detroit office in order to better service this fast-growing customer
base."
Enhanced Automotive Solutions
i2's automotive supply chain solution takes manufacturing organizations to
a new level of performance by driving down inventories and reducing costs
across the entire supply chain, not just in the plant. By providing companies
with advanced warning, multi-enterprise collaboration, global visibility and
manufacturing optimization, i2's unique RHYTHM solution for the automotive
industry can increase, by 20 times or more, the speed of operational
decisions, while assuring quality. In turn, this improvement generates
quantifiable business benefits such as improved profitability, increased
market share, and higher shareholder value.
i2's RHYTHM suite of products creates an integrated vehicle production
plan that reconciles dealer demand, suggested buildable orders, and component
availability. This collaborative supply chain planning drives volatility out
of production, reducing costs and variability for all parties. Assembly
coordination allows manufacturers to coordinate all components in the bill of
material across multiple facilities, including OEMs, tier 1 and tier 2
suppliers.
Experienced Automotive Industry Supplier
i2's RHYTHM supply chain management suite has provided planning and
optimization solutions to the automotive industry for many years. Automotive
customers include Ford Motor Company, Ford Visteon, and Volvo Trucks.
Industrial, or off-road vehicle manufacturing customers, include Case
Corporation and Deere & Company. Other tier 1 and tier 2 automotive
suppliers, such as 3M Automotive, Donaldson Co, and Timken Steel utilize
RHYTHM to facilitate supply-side issues ranging from vehicle production
planning and scheduling to order processing. International customers include
Cycle & Carriage Industries Ltd. and Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad
(Proton).
i2 Technologies recently has signed licensing agreements with both Cummins
Engine and Navistar International Transportation Corporation for i2's RHYTHM
Sequencer(TM). Cummins Engine has implemented RHYTHM Sequencer in its
Jamestown, NY, Engine Plant and Navistar will implement it in its Springfield,
OH, Assembly Facility.
"i2's domain knowledge of automotive industry requirements facilitates our
ability to sequence production to customer requirements and pull from
suppliers by replenishing inventory via pull vs. MRP," said Michael Carney,
Director of Materials, Cummins Engine. "The whole philosophy behind i2's
RHYTHM family of optimization and planning products is in tune with Cummins'
lean manufacturing theories. We believe that RHYTHM Sequencer will speed
throughput by pinpointing constraints and giving us the time to minimize their
effect on manufacturing. The result is speedier customer delivery."
i2 is also an active partner in the Oracle, SAP, JD Edwards, and SSA
automotive initiatives, bringing added value to customers with a complete,
fully integrated solution that supports leading suppliers' systems.
Hosting Industry Conference with HP, Sun, and Oracle
On Thursday, May 14, i2 Technologies' 1998 Automotive and Industrial
Conference will host more than 200 executives from leading automotive
companies at the Detroit Athletic Club, 241 Madison Avenue, in Detroit.
Highlights will include presentations by J. D. Power III of J.D. Power
Associates, Jordan Lewis author of "The Connected Corporation," and U.S. Steel
and Cummins Engine on their supply chain strategies.
About i2 Technologies:
Founded in 1988, i2 Technologies' planning, optimization and decision
support solutions are in use across a variety of industries, including
consumer goods, automotive, metals, high tech and electronics. i2
Technologies' RHYTHM family of solutions provides complete supply chain
management from sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, logistics and
transportation planning. i2 is headquartered in Irving, TX, has approximately
1,400 employees and maintains offices worldwide. The Company was ranked first
in the software category on Forbes ASAP's 1998 list of "The ASAP Top 100
Dynamic Companies." i2 also was recognized as a "Technology of the Year" in
Industry Week's Fifth Annual Technology & Innovation Awards. For additional
information, visit i2 on the web at http://www.i2.com.
SOURCE i2 Technologies, Inc.