9/23/02
Paul Demery , Chief Technology Editor
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Roberts, UCCnet, (609) 620-4688, jbroberts@UCCnet.org
Mark Silvey, Elias/Savion Public Relations for UCCnet, (412) 642-7700, mark.silvey@elias-savion.com
Company to Implement UCCnet GLOBALregistry™ and Data Synchronization Services This Year
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. September 23, 2002 – UCCnet announced today that the Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE:DLM) will begin implementing the organization’s item registration and data synchronization services. Del Monte Foods, the largest producer and distributor of premium quality, branded processed fruit, vegetable and tomato products in the United States, joins more than 200 UCCnet members.
Through UCCnet’s item registration and data synchronization services, Del Monte will communicate product information with the company’s retail partners, including national grocery chains such as Ahold, Food Lion, Shaw`s and Wal-Mart, as well as a variety of independent grocery stores, warehouse club stores, mass merchandisers, drug stores and convenience stores. Del Monte’s product line includes leading brand names such as Del Monte, Contadina, S&W; and SunFresh. The company will begin uploading information for its top selling products to the UCCnet GLOBALregistry™ by the end of this year.
"We see UCCnet as an essential tool for connecting with our retailers and eliminating the information errors that can plague our supply chain," said Bob Magrann, Senior Vice President of Sales, Del Monte. "Moreover, UCCnet works at the core of these serious issues and has the capability to benefit both our business and the industry."
"Del Monte has proven itself to be an industry leader by committing to UCCnet with its partners," said Tom Duffy, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at UCCnet. "As companies continue to step forward and subscribe to UCCnet, it has become clear that industry leaders believe UCCnet’s item registration and data synchronization services are fundamental to the future of the industry."
A study recently completed by A.T. Kearney estimated that $40 billion, or 3.5 percent, of total sales are lost each year due to supply chain information inefficiencies. Specifically, the study showed that 30 percent of item data in retail catalogs have errors, which cost between $60 and $80 each and consume 25 minutes of manual cleansing per SKU. Other findings revealed that due to incorrect data, 60 percent of all invoices generated errors and 43 percent of all invoices resulted in deductions.
To alleviate these costly errors, UCCnet enables registration and synchronization of item information, such as weight and dimensions, by providing a repository for standardized item, location and trading partner data. Suppliers such as Del Monte load item, location and trading partner information into the UCCnet GLOBALregistry. UCCnet checks the data for compliance to industry standards and synchronizes the data with demand side partners, ensuring that all trading partners are using identical, updated, standards-compliant data.
UCCnet services will enable Del Monte and its retail partners to dramatically reduce costly administrative errors in invoice pricing, purchase orders, product delivery and scanning accuracy. In addition, the companies will be able to increase the speed of getting new products to market and facilitate changes to existing item information. Synchronized data in a standard format also provides a solid foundation for realizing the true cost savings value of more advanced e-commerce tools such as scan-based trading and CPFR.
# # #
About UCCnet
UCCnet is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt neutral organization that provides item registry and data synchronization based on industry-developed standards. Through its support of global EANoUCC standards, UCCnet delivers an open platform for collaborative commerce services, including compliance verification, synchronization of product information, registry and lifecycle management of synchronized products, user locations and user trade capabilities.
As a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council, Inc., the global standards organization, UCCnet leverages its position to enable the rapid, clear development of industry Internet standards and practices. In addition, UCCnet provides implementation methodology, allowing small, medium and large enterprises to integrate eCommerce into their business in a swift and efficient manner. For more information, visit www.UCCnet.org.
Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods, with net sales of approximately $1.3 billion in fiscal 2002, is the largest producer and distributor of premium quality, branded processed fruit, vegetable and tomato products in the United States. The Del Monte brand was introduced in 1892 and is one of the best-known brands in the United States. Del Monte products are sold through national grocery chains, independent grocery stores, warehouse club stores, mass merchandisers, drug stores and convenience stores under the Del Monte, Contadina, S&W; and SunFresh brands. The Company also sells its products to the U.S. military; certain export markets, the foodservice industry and food processors. The Company operates twelve production facilities and seven distribution centers in the U.S., has operations in Venezuela and owns Del Monte brand-marketing rights in South America.