Metaldyne Goes Live On J.D. Edwards Enterprise Asset Management

Business Wire, August 12, 2002

Business Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2002

J.D. Edwards & Company (Nasdaq: JDEC)

Global Metal Designer and Supplier Implements J.D. Edwards EAM at

Three North American Facilities; Launches EAM Rollout to 12

Facilities Worldwide

J.D. Edwards & Company (Nasdaq: JDEC) today announced the implementation of its Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) offering at Metaldyne, a leading global designer and supplier of metal-based components, assemblies and modules for transportation-related powertrain and chassis applications.

With J.D. Edwards EAM in place, Metaldyne expects to gain visibility into plant operations, improve availability of equipment, optimize spare parts inventories, reduce maintenance costs and improve delivery performance for their customers.

Metaldyne first installed J.D. Edwards financial management applications in November of 1997 and by July of 1999, 10 facilities were operating on J.D. Edwards enterprise software. By the end of 2003, Metaldyne will have J.D. Edwards software installed at 12 plants.

"We have been very pleased with our move to J.D. Edwards' newer applications," said Steve Zimmerman, Director of Supply Chain Systems of Metaldyne. "From very early on in our relationship with J.D. Edwards, our plant managers asked for plant equipment and maintenance tools, and our corporate executives needed visibility into the operational performance of the plants and equipment. This is a natural progression to utilize J.D. Edwards' new and enhanced maintenance tools available in the EAM suite, which allows us to manage our assets collaboratively throughout the enterprise."

Today, Metaldyne is implementing J.D. Edwards EAM at three facilities, Litchfield, MI; Thamesville, Ont.; and Middleville, MI, and will roll out implementation to an additional nine plants on a monthly basis with a scheduled completion in 2003. J.D. Edwards EAM extends Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) technology by integrating asset utilization technology with enterprise resource planning systems. Metaldyne's widespread implementation will allow the company to manage assets and relate them throughout the enterprise. Through this EAM implementation, Metaldyne will have real-time asset visibility among its operations, linking utilization and operational information about these assets with their book value, depreciation, and revenue and cost streams.

"In today's economy, an enterprise must manage its systems efficiently and effectively to avoid deadly financial loss," explained Jim Upton, J.D. Edwards product marketing manager for EAM. "J.D. Edwards EAM allows enterprises to drive incremental revenue by maximizing asset utilization and minimizing unplanned interruptions due to equipment breakdowns. Our goal with EAM is to make customers stronger by pulling more value out of their existing plant and equipment investments, which is crucial in today's market."

According to the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory in Operating Equipment Asset Management - 21st Century Competitive Necessity, EAM has been determined to reduce production losses by 30 percent, maintenance costs by 50 percent, and equipment costs by 35 percent. Such specific, measurable benefits are much of the reason why many businesses have implemented EAM in recent months.

Metaldyne is Part of J.D. Edwards' Growing EAM Momentum

EAM is part of J.D. Edwards 5, a comprehensive family of innovative, collaborative enterprise software products and services for customers and business partners. J.D. Edwards 5 features modular, integrated, Web-enabled applications that assist large- and medium-sized businesses in improving business performance. J.D. Edwards 5 includes Enterprise Resource Planning; Supply Chain Management; Customer Relationship Management; Supplier Relationship Management; Business Intelligence; Collaboration and Integration; and Tools and Technology.

Metaldyne is just one example of J.D. Edwards' continued momentum in its EAM sales, delivering functionality that is vitally important to continued success in asset-intensive industries. Other select J.D. Edwards EAM customers include Hydro Ottawa, Enersource, and Intergen.

About Metaldyne

Metaldyne is a leading global designer and supplier of metal-formed components, assemblies and modules for transportation-related powertrain and chassis applications, including engine, transmission/transfer case, wheel-end and suspension, axle and driveline, and noise, vibration control products. The corporation has three operating groups: the Chassis Group, the Transmission and Driveline Group, and the Engine Group. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan with annual revenues in excess of $1.4 billion, the company employs more than 8,500 employees at more than 50 facilities in 11 countries.

About J.D. Edwards & Company

J.D. Edwards (Nasdaq: JDEC) makes customers stronger, enabling them to solve their most important business challenges. The company offers collaborative enterprise software as well as consulting, education and support services. J.D. Edwards' offerings are differentiated by a deeply ingrained attitude of listening to customers, innovating on their behalf, and delivering solutions as part of a results-oriented relationship. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Denver, J.D. Edwards focuses on long-term business partnerships and helping its 6,500 customers in 113 countries collaborate electronically to manage their business processes, supply chains, and supplier and customer relationships. For more information: www.jdedwards.com or 1-800-727-5333.