IQXPERT, Mid-America Consulting Group Form Strategic Alliance to Deliver B2B Sourcing Solutions for TRW Aeronautical Systems

Business Wire, May 19, 2000

Business Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2000

IQXPERT and Mid-America Consulting Group (MCG) today announced a strategic alliance that will deliver integrated business-to-business sourcing solutions for TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace). This partnership integrates MCG's B2B procurement and Online RFQ/Reverse Auction solutions with IQXPERT's design and production sourcing solutions. The combined solution is tailored to the selection and management of production materials, items and suppliers in aerospace & defense, hi-tech and automotive sectors.

IQXPERT and its Alliance Partner MCG, are working with TRW Aeronautical Systems globally to implement component and supplier management (CSM) solutions as part of their strategic sourcing and engineering improvement initiatives. "TRW is aggressively adopting eCommerce as an enabler for waste removal throughout its business processes," said Chris Bocking, Programme Manager, Strategic Sourcing at TRW Aeronautical Systems. "The first online RFQ was successfully conducted this week with a plan to roll out this combined solution across significant areas of our production spend in coming months. The benefit of being able to manage cost and not price with our selected suppliers through eCommerce is a key benefit over traditional auctions. Early results are demonstrating that this capability will accelerate the delivery of our overall strategic sourcing programme benefits."

"By leveraging MCG's existing eCommerce system, SupplierGATEWAY(TM), our alliance offers a comprehensive solution built specifically for the production supply chain management environment," said Andrew Banks, President and CEO of MCG.

The combined offering has a very powerful impact on both purchasing and engineering performance such that "best fit" components, specifications and suppliers are selected through leveraging enterprise and Internet classification, search and bidding. "SupplierGATEWAY provides a unique on-line RFQ capability which is tailored for the selection of production suppliers, and in conjunction with IQXPERT takes into consideration critical cost drivers such as design features, material specifications and supplier economics. We are also accessing internet hosted market knowledge, content, and pricing to establish target prices thereby increasing and underpinning the level of savings achieved" said Mark Simmons, president of IQXPERT.

About IQXPERT

IQXPERT is a provider of B2B sourcing and design solutions to manufacturing enterprises and exchanges. IQXPERT's Component and Supplier Management (CSM) solutions focus on delivering significant and sustainable results through optimizing the selection and management of production materials, components and the suppliers.

IQXPERT customers include TRW, Seagate Technology, Lord Corporation, Smith Industries Aerospace, Solectron, SONY, LG-Electronics and Space Systems/Loral. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company also has operations in Denver, Cleveland and the UK. IQXPERT is a wholly owned subsidiary of PartMiner, Inc. For more information, visit the IQXPERT Web site at www.iqxpert.com.

About MCG

MCG is a provider of innovative business-to-business Internet-based sourcing and supply chain management solutions. The Company's modular software system, SupplierGATEWAY(TM), is an end-to-end supply chain Information Resource Management (IRM) solution encompassing the entire procurement cycle.

SupplierGATEWAY enables organizations to establish and manage supply relationships from sourcing, through manufacturing and support. MCG's customers currently include The Boeing Company and the United States Air Force. For more information, visit the SupplierGATEWAY Web site at www.suppliergateway.com.

About TRW Aeronautical Systems Group

TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) provides the global aerospace industry with high integrity systems and equipment in engine controls, flight controls, missile systems, power generation and management, cargo handling, hoists and winches, and flexible shafts and couplings, all backed by a worldwide customer support organization. For company news and information, visit the company's Web site at www.trw-aeronautical.com.

TRW Inc. provides high-technology products and services to the automotive, aerospace and information technology markets worldwide. The company's news releases are available through TRW's corporate Web site at www.trw.com.