PELION SYSTEMS AND THE LEAN LEARNING CENTER PARTNER TO HELP MANUFACTURERS WITH LEAN TRANSFORMATION

Combination of companies’ lean software and services helps manufacturers extend and accelerate results

LAFAYETTE, COLO. – March 8, 2005 – Pelion Systems, the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) solutions, and the Lean Learning Center (Novi, Mich.), a leading provider of Lean curriculum and consulting to a variety of industries, today announced a partnership aimed at helping manufacturers successfully adopt, implement and sustain Lean manufacturing processes.

Pelion Systems and the Lean Learning Center will develop combined solutions that address the cultural side of Lean manufacturing transformation while accelerating the adoption process through the utilization of specialized software products. Pelion Systems will offer this complete solution to its clientele as a complement to its Pelion MPO software suite – a family of advanced lean and flow algorithms supplemented with “drag-and-drop” visual modeling capabilities that helps manufacturers quickly visualize, analyze, optimize and design shop floor configurations and operations processes supporting the implementation of manufacturing improvement strategies such as Lean.

“As manufacturers move further into Lean transformation, it becomes vital that they have the tools, technical and cultural, to develop and most importantly sustain lean initiatives,” said Jamie Flinchbaugh, founder and partner of the Lean Learning Center. “Having seen the effectiveness of results Pelion MPO has delivered to several manufacturing customers, we are excited to partner with them. Pelion’s approach starts with lean and uses software and technology to standardize and automate activities, which is a much more effective approach than starting with software and trying to inject in lean practices as others have done.”

The Lean Learning Center brings to this partnership deep experience and innovative approaches to the leadership and implementation of lean. Their focus is on developing leaders and learners for Lean transformation and delivering the resources and curriculum to help those in the manufacturing industry learn and gain valuable new skills.

Pelion Systems focuses on enabling and sustaining the Lean transformation through its powerful software product. Offered through an enterprise suite of integrated software components, manufacturers of all sizes and types can implement Pelion MPO rapidly without operational disruption or costly software modification.

“This partnership was developed based on Pelion Systems’ and the Lean Learning Center’s common vision that software and knowledge must work hand-in-hand to sustain the lean journey,” said Rick Brantmeyer, vice president, Automotive Group at Pelion Systems. “We’re pleased to partner with one of the foremost Lean manufacturing thought leaders, and to jointly develop and offer compelling solutions to manufacturers that are serious about transforming their operations into true Lean practices.”

About The Lean Learning Center
The Lean Learning Center was founded in early 2001 by manufacturing and consulting industry veterans Andy Carlino, Jamie Flinchbaugh and Dennis Pawley to address the gaps and barriers that are holding back companies from successful lean transformation. In combination with corporate partner Achievement Dynamics, a provider of management consulting, the companies provide a full complement of lean transformation services. Industries served include manufacturing, healthcare, public utilities, retail, aerospace, communications, technology, investment equity, service and more. For more information, visit www.leanlearningcenter.com.

About Pelion Systems
Pelion Systems provides lean operations management solutions for executives, plant and material managers, change agents and operators to power and sustain world-class business performance. Pelion integrates easily with existing systems and delivers rapid business value through exceptional operational and customer service performance. Teams using Pelion solutions make better and faster strategic, tactical, and operational decisions with a smart operations model that represents the value stream. Pelion Systems is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with sales offices in Detroit and Chicago. For more information about Pelion’s product and service offerings visit www.pelionsystems.com or call 877-669-4324.