Jones Apparel Group, Inc. Announces Successful Initial Implementation of UGS Corporation's Enterprise Product Lifecycle Management Application

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY - News) and UGS Corporation have successfully implemented the core capabilities of an enterprise product lifecycle management (PLM) application to manage all data and processes from design concept development into production. Three Jones apparel divisions are currently using PLM, and a fourth apparel division is now beginning its implementation. With planned enhancements and implementations over the next six months, the Company anticipates that all Jones apparel divisions will be using a market-leading PLM capability, which will enable the Company to bring products to market more quickly and efficiently.
Peter Boneparth, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., stated, "PLM is an integral component of the Company’s initiative to increase profitability by enhancing operational execution, and the results to date demonstrate significant progress towards achieving our goals. We believe that PLM will help us transform the way we do business, to compete more effectively as a company and to continue to deliver superior product to our customers."

Jones’ PLM application is based on UGS’s Teamcenter suite of applications. The Teamcenter applications were recently named "Technologies of the Year" by IndustryWeek. At Jones, the PLM application will provide easy access to a single source of data, support corporate libraries, and route and status workflow information on a collaborative basis across the extended enterprise. Suppliers will be able to access and update the appropriate information directly, thereby speeding up the supply chain and improving efficiency by permitting PLM users to focus their efforts on creating and delivering product, not on maintaining data or tracking down information.
Paul Lanham, Chief Technology Officer, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., commented, "PLM is a major initiative for us. The UGS Teamcenter selection is consistent with our strategy of leveraging world-class technologies. UGS is a leading PLM provider, with 90% market share of large installations (over 1,000 seats) and with a clear commitment to the apparel industry. UGS manages the world’s largest, fastest and most complex product development to production supply chains. UGS is a strong partner in our efforts, and we appreciate their commitment to always deliver."

Tony Affuso, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of UGS, stated that, "The Jones Apparel Group PLM team has a deep PLM understanding and vision, based on many years of experience. They understand both apparel and PLM best practices. Jones’ PLM initiative has consistently performed at a high level. They are clearly focusing on business value and superior execution. UGS is proud to be part of this project and is fully committed to its continuing success."

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (http://www.jny.com), a Fortune 500 company, is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. We also market directly to consumers through our chain of specialty retail and value-based stores, and operate the Barneys New York chain of luxury stores. Our nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Norton McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt, Erika, l.e.i., Energie, Nine West, Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Bandolino, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Kasper, Anne Klein, Albert Nipon, Le Suit and Barneys New York. The Company also markets apparel under the Polo Jeans Company brand licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, costume jewelry under the Tommy Hilfiger brand licensed from Tommy Hilfiger Licensing, Inc. and the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation and footwear under the Dockers Women brand licensed from Levi Strauss & Co. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. We primarily contract for the manufacture of our products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. We have capitalized on our nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of our trademarks, including Jones New York, Evan-Picone Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., with select manufacturers of women’s and men’s products which we do not manufacture. For more than 30 years, we have built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

Read about Siemens UGS in the PLM directory