Broan-NuTone To Implement End-to-End Logistics Solution From RedPrairie.

Business Editors

WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2003

Support for Full Raw Materials and Work In Process

Manufacturing Critical for Improved

Customer Service at Broan-NuTone Group of Companies

At Broan-NuTone, manufacturing and distribution work closely together to ensure complete, on-time delivery of orders to customers. Therefore, when they needed a supply chain execution solution to replace their manual processes, it was critical that the solution provide end-to-end support for their manufacturing and distribution operations. After an extensive search of potential solution providers involving five Broan-NuTone operating companies, they jointly selected key components of RedPrairie Corporation's DigitaLogistix(TM) suite, in large part due to its excellent support for manufacturing operations.

"We are very customer sensitive," explains Jerry Hellgren, Manager of Distribution and Transportation for Broan-NuTone. "To us this means orders must be on-time and complete, with very high fill rates. We had taken our manual processes as far as we could go in terms of driving distribution efficiency. We needed a solution that would integrate with our manufacturing operations end-to-end, from receiving and inbound QA to tracking all materials and inventory during manufacturing, through handling finished goods distribution efficiently. RedPrairie clearly had the best offering to cover all of these areas."

Broan-NuTone is the world's largest producer of residential ventilation products, producing a range hood every 7.5 seconds and an exhaust fan every 6 seconds - 24-hours per day. They also hold major market positions in Indoor Air Quality Systems, chimes, intercom systems, medicine cabinets and other home convenience items marketed to mass retailers, appliance dealers and distributors. Keeping these diverse, high volume operations running smoothly and efficiently requires a scalable, adaptable, highly functional solution. To handle this challenge, Broan-NuTone is implementing RedPrairie's DLx(R) Warehouse to handle all inbound, work in process and outbound inventory and distribution activities, DLx(R) Labor with engineered standards to improve labor productivity and throughput, and DLx(R) Scorecard to provide logistics analytics and decision support across the enterprise.

Comments John Jazwiec, RedPrairie Company Results leader, "Broan-NuTone is one of a growing number of companies that realize competitive advantage can be gained by improving their logistics processes end to end. These leaders look beyond the four walls of the warehouse and the functional silos of traditional distribution to craft enterprise-wide logistics solutions that focus on their customers, providing the best service at the least cost."

Broan-NuTone will first implement the RedPrairie solutions at its main production facility in Hartford, Wisconsin, scheduled to go live this summer. They will then roll the systems out to Broan-NuTone Canada in Mississauga, Ontario and Venmar Ventilation in Drummondville, Quebec later this year. In 2004 the solution will be implemented at Jensen Industries in Los Angeles, CA, NuTone in Cincinnati, OH and Rangaire in Cleburne, Texas.

"We have an aggressive implementation plan across our operating companies so we can provide the best customer service possible," states Kevin Brandt, Broan-NuTone's project manager who will direct the rollout. "Through automation and better tracking mechanisms we will be able to better serve our customers efficiently and accurately."

Adds Hellgren, "The increased productivity is one of the justifications for this project. We will be able to measure productivity by task so we can improve processes and training. This will allow us to increase our capacity without increasing physical plant. Ultimately, our customers will be the winners because we will be able to provide better service at competitive prices."

About Broan-NuTone LLC 

The Broan-NuTone Group is headquartered in Hartford, WI. It employs over 3,200 employees in four countries on two continents. It is the world's largest producer of residential ventilation products such as range hoods, exhaust fans, and indoor air quality products. It also holds major market positions in chimes, central vacs, radio intercom systems, medicine cabinets, built-in electric heaters, whole house fans, attic ventilators, paddle fans, ironing centers and trash compactors. For more information, access www.broan-nutone.com.

About RedPrairie Corporation

RedPrairie delivers superior logistics results by driving out more logistics costs than anyone in the industry, and enabling customers to consistently achieve their supply chain objectives. This is accomplished through an integrated suite of supply chain execution solutions that provide the industry's leading transportation, productivity, and distribution management capabilities, enhanced with action-oriented components for real-time control and performance measurement. These solutions are deployed through an end-to-end value delivery system (the RedPrairie Approach) that ensures results achievement. RedPrairie delivers measurable results for customers in many markets, including high tech and electronics, consumer goods, food and beverage, third party logistics, retail and wholesale, service parts, and make-to-order manufacturing. Customers include Compaq Computer, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Unilever, Exel, General Electric, Amazon.com, and many others. For additional information, call 1.888.624-8448, or access www.RedPrairie.com.

RedPrairie and DigitaLogistix are trademarks and DLx is a registered trademark of RedPrairie Corporation. Broan-NuTone is a registered trademark of Broan-NuTone, LLC. (C) 2003 RedPrairie Corporation. All Rights Reserved.