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LDM Implements QAD Software On Time and Under Budget

12 January 2000

LDM Implements QAD Industry-Specific Software On Time and Under Budget; QAD Automotive-Specific Solution Goes Live at 23 Sites in 15 Months

    CARPINTERIA, Calif.--Jan. 12, 2000--QAD , developer of industry-specific e-business software for manufacturers and distributors, announced today that LDM Technologies, a Tier 1 automotive supplier to companies such as Ford, DaimlerChrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota and BMW, has completed the rapid implementation of QAD applications at 23 sites in 15 months.
    To support its business supplying highly engineered interior, exterior and under-the-hood systems and modules to the Big Three automakers, LDM was under pressure to implement a unified enterprise solution and become Y2K-compliant. In April 1998, LDM began implementing QAD software and went live with the system 15 months later.
    Backed by services from Impletech International, TRW and Eagle Consulting, LDM implemented QAD's distribution, finance and manufacturing modules on HP hardware. Other products implemented included EDI Trinary, Eagle RF Express and Progress/Easy Spooler.
    LDM chose QAD over other ERP providers for its proven track record of on-time and on-budget implementations and for its automotive focus. "We looked at SAP, PeopleSoft and Baan, but were put off by reports of late implementations, inexperience with the automotive supplier industry, and software inadequacies," said Mario Nanos, LDM ERP Corporate Project Leader.
    Nanos reports that the company saw quantifiable results immediately, including improved production reporting, real-time inventory transactions and the benefits of a user-friendly system. It even significantly reduced the amount of time needed to close the books at the end of the month.
    With its new enterprise solution, LDM has a bright outlook on its future. "We now have an integrated ERP system in place that allows us to deploy consistent business and operating practices throughout the organization," said Nanos.

    About LDM Technologies

    LDM Technologies Inc. is an international Tier 1 supplier to automotive OEMs, producing plastic injection molded interior, exterior, powertrain and functional systems. The company employs 4,000 people at 24 locations worldwide. LDM's corporate headquarters and design center are located in Auburn Hills, Mich. Founded in 1985, LDM has grown quickly from a small injection molder to a systems and modular supplier, with annual sales in excess of $500 million. LDM produces a wide range of systems and modules in three specific areas: interior (injection molded instrument panel components, rear shelf modules, floor console assemblies, etc.), exterior (bumper systems, body cladding systems, front and rear modules, etc.) and underhood/powertrain (modular concepts, such as air/fuel management systems, which contribute to the optimization of the engine compartment).

    About QAD

    Founded in 1979, QAD is a provider of industry-specific e-business software and services to multinational manufacturers and distributors of all sizes, with special focus on the mid-market. Available in 26 languages and able to support multiple currencies, QAD software helps speed business processes for more than 300,000 licensed users at more than 4,000 licensed sites in more than 80 countries. QAD software is specifically designed for global manufacturers in the following targeted industries: automotive, consumer products, electronics, food and beverage, industrial, and medical. For more information about QAD, telephone 805/684-6614, or visit the QAD web site at http://www.qad.com. To receive any of QAD's news releases via facsimile, contact 800/356-0747, or outside the U.S. contact 213/253-5647.

    QAD is a trademark and MFG/PRO is a registered trademark of QAD Inc. All other products or company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Note to Investors: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. They include, but are not limited to, risks involving demand for the company's software products and products that operate with the company's products, the publication of opinions by industry analysts about the company, technological advances of new or existing competitors, delays in localizing the company's products, delays in sales due to lengthy sales cycles, changes in operating expenses, pricing, timing of new product releases, the method of product distribution or product mix, and general economic factors that might affect the company or the enterprise resource planning ("ERP") software industry. In addition, revenue and earnings in the ERP software industry are subject to fluctuations. For a more detailed description of the risk factors associated with the company and the industry, refer to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 1999, and other reports and documents filed with the SEC which are publicly available, copies of which can also be obtained by contacting the company's investor relations department at 805/566-5139. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.