Annual Consumer Goods Technology Magazine Reader's Choice Survey Ranks Clarkston Consulting #1 for Customer Experience

Business Wire, Jan 24, 2005

RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C. -- Clarkston Consulting, a leading management and technology consulting company, today announced that the company has been ranked #1 in Customer Experience within the top ten global consumer products consulting firms by Consumer Goods Technology magazine's Fifth Annual Reader's Choice survey.

Executed by an autonomous third-party firm on behalf of CGT Magazine, the survey analyzes and reports on feedback from over 150 influential consumer goods executives representing the best of global product brands. Readers ranked 2004 top-performing consumer goods focused consulting companies based on customer service, performance, ROI, service offerings and industry knowledge.

"Clarkston Consulting's standing throughout the CGT Best in Class Reader's Choice Issue is a testament to their commitment within the consumer goods market. As this voting is based exclusively upon consumer goods executives experiences with and perceptions of all service and solutions providers, their recognition as the #1 provider of Customer Experience amongst consulting organizations was extremely impressive." said Steve Rosenstock, Publisher, Consumer Goods Technology.

Clarkston continues to be recognized as a premier provider of industry specific solutions with a five-year average client satisfaction rating of 94% as measured by another independent source, The Conference Board. Clarkston prides itself on being one of the few consulting companies that is completely focused on two core industries, consumer products and life sciences. As the market shifts in both industries from bottom-line cost cutting to top-line growth, they are helping clients focus on every aspect of business from innovation and new product development, marketing and sales effectiveness all they way to manufacturing and supply chain execution.

At the very core of their vision is the final consumer - all functions in a consumer goods company must be organized around consumers, a very innovative view of the industry. Steve Rosenstock added "without a doubt, Clarkston's extremely high scores over the years in this survey is a testament to their vision for the industry. Clarkston has a very strong and well articulated vision of what will define success in the consumer goods industry for the next ten years, and they are helping their clients execute to meet these ever changing requirements"

Thomas Bornemann, Managing Partner, Consumer Products, at Clarkston, added, "we are extremely proud of the highest ranking in the customer experience category, validating Clarkston's key competitive advantage - impeccable customer service for our global clients. By providing differentiated and truly innovative service - we know we are executing on our strategy relentlessly."

Clarkston also ranked as the #1 provider of RFID services in the small-to-medium business category in CGT Magazine's survey reflecting our commitment to deliver brilliant client service to all companies in the global consumer goods marketplace.

Clarkston provides a comprehensive suite of services that addresses the core issues facing the consumer goods industry. Executives are implementing new business models and integrating diverse brands in warp speed. Clarkston helps clients who are ready to embrace the market changes and position themselves to outperform their competition by driving new levels of performance from product development to the retail floor.

"The Clarkston team took the time to really understand our business needs," said Greg Richardson, CFO of Beiersdorf North America, Inc. "They embraced our vision, and worked closely with us to increase efficiencies across our organization and to help us build a solid foundation to handle planned growth. We now have the ability to better plan, which is essential to creating a world-class supply chain as we continually strive to improve our ability to service customers and consumers."

About Consumer Goods Technology

Consumer Goods Technology, an Edgell Communications publication, is the leading industry magazine dedicated to helping consumer goods firms improve business performance through information technology. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, Edgell Communications publishes four additional technology magazines and four merchandising magazines, and produces several national technology conferences. For more information about Consumer Goods Technology magazine or the Consumer Goods Information Technology Conference, visit our Web site at www.consumergoods.com or call 973-252-0100 x 331.

About Clarkston Consulting: Clarkston Consulting is a leading management and technology consulting firm that provides strategic business solutions for clients within the life sciences and consumer products industries worldwide. These market leaders turn to Clarkston to help them bridge the gap between strategy and execution to sustain a competitive advantage. Clarkston is a sought-after business partner because of its recognized industry thought-leadership and superior client relationships, as measured by The Conference Board's survey on client satisfaction. For more information, visit www.clarkstonconsulting.com