Nation's Largest RV Producer Selects ARI Software System
13 November 1998
Nation's Largest RV Producer Selects ARI Software System
MILWAUKEE--Nov. 13, 1998--De facto Industry Standard Created as Fleetwood RV Commits its Dealer
Network to ARI Systems
ARI Network Services, Inc. , a leading provider of Internet-enabled electronic commerce services for distribution channels, announced that Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. of Riverside, California , the nation's largest producer of recreational vehicles, has selected ARI as its strategic partner to develop a complete dealer communications and electronic publishing system.
"We were ready to upgrade our dealer communications and conducted an extensive capabilities review process," said Dick Parks, Fleetwood RV senior vice president. "We knew we were going to have to either develop something completely unique for Fleetwood dealers, or endorse an existing system. ARI's system, with its current level of penetration in the RV industry, outpaced all the other candidates in meeting the stringent requirements of Fleetwood and the important needs of our dealers."
To implement its Fleetwood Dealer Network (FDN) throughout its entire dealer base, the firm licensed copies of TradeRoute(tm), ARI's Windows(R)-based dealer communications software and EMPARTviewer(tm), ARI's electronic catalog viewing software. In addition, Fleetwood licensed EMPARTpublisher(tm), ARI's electronic catalog creation software.
"The speed and efficiency of manufacturer/dealer communications that is possible with ARI's software systems will enable our dealers to deliver an expanded level of service to their retail customers," added Parks, explaining that Fleetwood RV would announce the new Fleetwood Dealer Network at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association's annual trade show at Louisville, Kentucky in December. "And while our strategic partnership with ARI creates an industry standard, the added value that Fleetwood systems will bring to FDN provides a competitive edge for our dealers well into the millennium. Meeting customer needs is what it's all about."
The capabilities of EMPARTviewer and EMPARTpublisher, when coupled with TradeRoute, will form a complete manufacturer/dealer communications network. TradeRoute enables dealers to check parts availability, place parts orders, submit product registrations, inquire about warranty status, submit warranty claims, and verify order status directly with the manufacturer, all without rekeying the information.
"EMPARTviewer gives dealers the option of graphically accessing complex multi-level parts and service information including product drawings, photographs, installation videos, parts lists and pricing detail and bulletins. EMPARTpublisher enables manufacturers to create electronic catalogs and to structure and link catalogs, service manuals, engineering drawings and installation instructions into EMPARTviewer," according to Brian E. Dearing, ARI's chairman and CEO.
Dearing pointed out that the ARI software brings additional value to Fleetwood dealers because it can be integrated with dealers' internal business systems, like those used for inventory management, invoicing and accounting. "Streamlining the administrative side of their business and being able do multiple functions without rekeying the information can mean substantial time savings for dealers," Dearing said. "Furthermore, the endorsement of Fleetwood means that TradeRoute and EMPART have become the de facto standard for the RV industry, allowing dealers to communicate with multiple manufacturers through a single system."
Parks indicated that customers, manufacturers and dealers all stand to benefit from a common operating platform. "Customers will have their needs fulfilled more expeditiously, manufacturers will lower their costs of doing business and dealers will be better informed, more responsive and efficient," Parks said.
Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is the world's leading producer of recreational vehicles, manufacturing nearly one in three new RVs on the road today under some 30 different nameplates (from a $4,000 Coleman(R) folding camping trailer to the $400,000 American Heritage(tm) luxury motor coach). Selling through a retail channel that is 1,200 dealers strong, the company produces leading brands in every category in which it participates, including folding trailers, truck campers, travel trailers and fifth wheels, and Class A and C motor homes. Headquartered in Riverside, California, the company employs about 19,000 people in manufacturing centers located in 17 states and Canada.
The company's fiscal year 1998 sales reached a record $3.05-billion, including recreational vehicle sales of $1.52-billion.
ARI Network Services, Inc. is a provider of standards-based, Internet-enabled electronic commerce services for commercial communities and their distribution channels or business partners. ARI currently serves the agribusiness, manufactured equipment, freight transportation and newspaper publishing industries with a complete range of software, services and support that streamlines distribution channels by automating the flow of commercial information between trading partners. The Company's dealer and distributor communications systems provide an electronic pathway for sales reports, product ordering, warranty registrations and other transactions between manufacturers and their networks of sales and service points. ARI also builds and manages electronic commerce databases, including electronic parts catalogs and industry-common directories of products, companies and locations.
Statements in this news release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects" or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements also include statements relating to the Company's future performance, such as future prospects, revenues, profits and cash flows. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future performance suggested in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described under "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
