Global Bicycle Company, Giant, Advances Overall Performance with webplan eSupply-Chain Solutions

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2003 webplan and ITRI Facilitate Giant Bicycle Taiwan's Time-To-Market, Time-To-Value  webplan Corporation, a leader in supply chain management solutions for manufacturers worldwide, today announced that Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd., Taiwan, the largest bicycle producer in the world, has chosen the comprehensive webplan eSupply-Chain solutions suite to improve overall manufacturing operations, starting with their Taiwan operation. This implementation is the beginning of a roll-out of webplan at Giant sites globally.
    webplan eSupply-Chain solutions enable manufacturers to get the real-time information they need to carry out effective supply chain planning and execution. The solution enables customers to quickly assess the impact of changes in supply and demand, and collaborate with trading partners over the Internet. webplan will join forces with The Industrial Technology Research Institute Taiwan, (ITRI), to implement the solution for Giant. ITRI is a national-level, government-sponsored non-profit organization for applied research, which accelerates industrial technology development, promotes industrial growth, and enhances the social well being of Taiwan.
    "webplan's track record for ease of deployment, and proven rapid return on investment were key elements in our vendor selection," said Bonnie Tu, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Giant Bicycle, Taiwan. "The simplicity of webplan's solutions including: the friendly GUI and the excel-like format, coupled with webplan's flexible architecture and constant support services, will enable Giant to increase both productivity and order form accuracy, while reducing inventory. This, in turn, will result in greater supply chain efficiency and improved customer satisfaction."
    "We are pleased to have been awarded the contract by Giant," said Michael Ker, President and Chief Executive Officer, webplan. "webplan's eSupply-Chain solutions will foster improved manufacturing efficiencies, emphasizing quick response, and real-time decision capabilities, while maintaining supplier collaboration."

    About Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd., Taiwan:

    Giant, established in 1972, is currently the largest bicycle producer in the world in terms of sales revenue. Over the past three decades, Giant has succeeded both in creating a global brand name and maintaining its position as an important ODM bicycle supplier. Being the leading brand in target markets; Giant is No. 1 in Taiwan and China, No. 2 in the US and No. 3 in Europe. On average, 70% of Giant's products are OBM. In a truly global operation, Giant has manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, China and the Netherlands, with estimated production 5m bicycles in 2003.

    About Industrial Technology Research Institute:

    http://www.itri.org.tw/eng/corporate/mission.html

    About webplan:

    webplan delivers software and services that combine supply chain planning and execution. Their targeted solutions deliver rapid time to value, enabling discrete manufacturers to address their most pressing business challenges. webplan's solutions support evolving supply chain needs, enabling collaboration between manufacturers, customers and suppliers to achieve supply chain excellence. webplan serves customers in the electronics, aerospace, industrial equipment, automotive and consumer durable goods industries including, Agilent, Black & Decker, Cessna Aircraft, Honeywell Aerospace, Jabil Circuit, Handspring, Komatsu, Lucent Technologies, Network Appliance, Philips, Raytheon, and Sanmina-SCI. webplan is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Newport Beach, California. For more information on the company and its offerings, visit www.webplan.com.