Elemica Selects Descartes To Build High Performance Logistics Network For Global Chemical E-Marketplace

Elemica Selects Descartes To Build High Performance Logistics Network For Global Chemical E-Marketplace

Industry-Backed E-Marketplace Offers Supply Chain Connectivity And Logistics And Fulfillment Visibility Powered By Descartes WATERLOO, ONTARIO, March 6, 2001 — The Descartes Systems Group Inc., (NASDAQ:DSGX), (TSE:DSG), a leading provider of global Internet logistics solutions, announced today that Elemica, one of the premier, neutral e-marketplaces for the chemical industry globally, has selected Descartes to build a high performance logistics network, offering supply chain connectivity and Internet logistics and fulfillment visibility as part of its complete e-marketplace service offering. The Descartes technology will enable rapid supply chain integration connecting Elemica’s trade network with the carriers and transportation and logistics service providers on the Descartes Global Logistics Network. Elemica is an independent company backed with funding from 22 of the chemical industry’s leading players, including Air Products and Chemicals, ATOFINA, BASF, Bayer, BP, Brenntag, Celanese, ChemCentral, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Degussa, Dow Chemical Company, DSM, DuPont, Millennium Chemicals, Mitsubishi Chemical, Mitsui Chemicals, Rhodia, Rohm and Haas, Shell Chemicals, Solvay, Sumitomo Chemical and Vopak. Moving chemicals around the world requires skill and experience at every link in the supply chain. Optimization of logistics and business processes through the Elemica network offers the potential of significant savings while retaining the high level of reliability and service that the chemical industry expects and delivers. “Logistics is a major challenge for the chemical industry as a whole, and one that we are addressing by offering supply chain connectivity and Internet logistics and fulfillment visibility using Descartes technology,” said Kent Dolby, President and CEO, Elemica. “The Descartes technology is an excellent fit for Elemica on a number of fronts,” continued Dolby. “The logistics network platform is global and vendor neutral, allowing us to connect the disparate systems of the participants quickly and modify connections as relationships evolve. It is also Web-based, giving us the ability to easily integrate back-end fulfillment processes.” “Elemica has selected the leader in the market by choosing Descartes for their logistics and fulfillment technology,” said Alan Montgomery, Global Leader of Logistics and eFulfillment Consulting at Cap Gemini Ernst and Young. “Cap Gemini Ernst and Young knows Descartes well through the strategic global alliance announced last year and the ongoing initiatives that continue to bring great value to our joint customers.” “Elemica is poised for success. They have partnered with the right people, designed and funded their solutions with participation from the very companies that will use their online services, and have taken very seriously the logistics and fulfillment component of e-business that is often forgotten by online marketplaces,” said Aivars Lode, Group President at Descartes. About Elemica Elemica is a premier global neutral provider of services for the contract buying and selling of chemicals. The company will offer an integrated, end-to-end system, enabling buyers and sellers to streamline their business processes for contract sales and improve negotiation, contract management, order fulfillment and payment. Elemica’s comprehensive solution creates powerful efficiencies and offers support that extends from pre-sales through negotiation and contracting, and continues through the transaction, supply chain, and after-sales processes. Phased rollouts of full integration services are scheduled for 2001. Visit www.elemica.com. About Descartes Descartes is a leading provider of global Internet logistics solutions that facilitate B2B e-commerce. Descartes’ logistics network technology and network-based services enable companies to create high-speed, high-performance fulfillment networks called DeliveryNets. DeliveryNet solutions empower organizations to deliver reliable, responsive customer service in a profitable manner and to create innovative new products and services. DeliveryNet solutions leverage Descartes’ Internet-based Global Logistics Network, an open, worldwide network of shippers, receivers, carriers, logistics service providers, e-marketplaces, vertical portals, and transportation exchanges. The result is a global logistics community connected to Descartes’ technological infrastructure that provides cost savings and revenue opportunities for businesses that need to manage physical product movement. For more information about Descartes, visit www.descartes.com. All registered and unregistered trademarks mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.