Press Release, September 18,2007

GEA Group chooses IBX eSourcing solution - efficient purchasing for mechanical engineering

The GEA Group, a globally active technology company focusing on specialty mechanical engineering, has signed a three-year contract with IBX. GEA Group is set to use IBX eSourcing for strategic purchasing, initially online tendering and eAuctions. GEA are planning to roll out the solution across the enterprise.

"Our aim is to optimize the strategic purchasing function in our company for the long run. In addition to the time that will be saved during complex projects related to the awarding of contracts, what was crucial for us when opting for IBX was the additional transparency provided in the tendering process", says Frank Bauwens, Director of Supply Management at the GEA Group. "The IBX solution stood out due to its high level of user friendliness and the strategic purchasing skills of the service team."

"We are delighted that the GEA Group has opted for IBX. This new partnership is proof of the high quality of our eSourcing solution", emphasizes Peter Lageson, SVP Marketing IBX Group. "Our strategy enables us to deliver a flexible, high-performance solution combined with strategic sourcing expertise and technical support to our customers."

Dynamic purchasing process

The deal with GEA, cements IBX strong position as the leading provider of purchasing solutions. The eSourcing solution delivered to GEA has been configured with the demands of mechanical engineering in mind. The strategic purchasing process in specialty mechanical engineering is characterized by its unique dynamic. Customer orders can vary significantly and so a high level of individualization may be required during production. This can mean having a project-specific procurement process in place.

The IBX eSourcing Cockpit, is an intelligent, web-based sourcing solution that meets these specific requirements. It provides support for all phases of the strategic purchasing process, from supplier enquiries and requests for and evaluations of quotations through to price negotiations. The modular design allows configurations to be made according to the individual needs of the customer. Using the Product Template Engine, purchasing agents are able to create and manage specific templates for tenders, enabling the customer to procure special equipment, materials and services flexibly and quickly.

On-demand solutions still the hot topic

As with all IBX solutions for procurement and purchasing, the IBX eSourcing Cockpit is available as an on-demand solution. The software is offered as a service and not installed in full at the customer's end, thus customers enjoy many advantages, including low advance and overall operating costs, faster implementation across the company and fast user acceptance. A recent international study from the Aberdeen Group, found that on-demand solutions are an appealing alternative to licensed purchasing software. The study cites faster implementation and lower risk, with fewer internal resources needed go get started immediately as reasons for these findings.

"The on-demand model shifts the focus from the technology itself to the strategic usage of the software. The main focus has rightfully shifted from an IT issue to the effects of the purchasing solution", underlines Hans Ahlinder, CEO of IBX Group.

For more information, please contact:
Frank Bauwens, Director of Supply Management, GEA Group, e-mail: frank.bauwens@geagroup.com

Peter Lageson, SVP Marketing IBX, Phone: +46 703 75 51 05, e-mail: peter.lageson@ibxeurope.com

About IBX
IBX, Europe’s leading provider of efficient purchasing solutions IBX supports large and medium sized organizations in transforming their sourcing, procurement and payment functions, enabling them to quickly capture spend and deliver measurable savings. IBX services and solutions include IBX Strategy, IBX Source, IBX Procure, IBX Pay and IBX Supplier Network. IBX has offices in Stockholm (headquarter), Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Paris, Oslo, and Oxford. www.ibxeurope.com

About GEA Group
The GEA Group Corporation is a globally active technology company focusing on specialty mechanical engineering, with an emphasis on process technology and components, as well as plant engineering. In the 2006 fiscal year, the company's workforce, totalling some 17,500 employees, achieved group sales of €4.3 billion. The GEA Group ranks among the market and technology leaders in 90% of its business fields. The GEA Group listed in the German stock index MDAX (G1A, WKN 660200).