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For Immediate Release

APICS Unveils New Name at 2004 International Conference and
Launches New Brand in 2005

Alexandria, VA (October 12, 2004) APICS—The Educational Society for Resource Management is pleased to announce that it will change its name to APICS The Association for Operations Management, effective January 1, 2005. The association will use a new tag line—Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success. APICS unveiled the new name publicly at the 2004 APICS International Conference and Exposition in San Diego, California, on October 12.

The APICS Board of Directors unanimously approved the name change at its October 9, 2004, meeting. "APICS has evolved to meet the needs of the community it serves, but the name no longer fully recognized the value proposition the association delivers," said APICS President Arnold E. Kennedy, CFPIM, CIRM, Jonah. "The new name will honor our rich history in production and inventory control, better define the broad application of the APICS body of knowledge, and position us for the future."

APICS was founded in 1957 as the American Production and Inventory Control Society, Inc. In the early 1990s, it adopted the name APICS—The Educational Society for Resource Management to acknowledge its growing international presence and expanded scope.

Today, APICS represents a diverse community of professionals from virtually every manufacturing and service industry. The APICS body of knowledge spans all aspects of operations management, which includes production, inventory, supply chain, materials purchasing, and logistics. By changing its name, APICS The Association for Operations Management clearly defines its body of knowledge in terms that are universally understood. The new name asserts the association's leadership position of delivering superior training, internationally recognized certifications, and comprehensive resources, while representing a worldwide network of accomplished industry professionals.

In conjunction with the new name, APICS has adopted the tag line, Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success. "APICS is the resource that individuals and companies rely on for operations management education and validation of one's knowledge through obtaining the Certified in Production and Inventory Management and Certified in Integrated Resource Management designations," said Jeffry W. Raynes, CAE, executive director and chief operating officer. "Our new tag line communicates the value that APICS delivers to an individual's career advancement, as well as an employer's bottom line."

APICS enlisted the research services of Wirthin Worldwide and strategic communications counsel of Fleishman Hillard International Communications in support of the rebranding efforts.

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APICS—The Educational Society for Resource Management is the recognized global leader in professional certifications, educational programs, and publications for manufacturing and service industry professionals across the entire supply chain. Founded in 1957, the society supports nearly 60,000 members in 20,000 companies worldwide. To learn more, visit the APICS community at www.apics.org.