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FOR RELEASE: January 7, 2009

Media Contacts:
ISM Public Relations
Lindsey Yentes
800/888-6276, extension 3087
lyentes@ism.ws

ADR North America
Robert Rossbach
313/402-9831
bob@rossbach.tv



Major Procurement Training & Assessment Force Created as ISM and ADR North America Unite

Two strong names will expand their global reach with an integrated program.

(Tempe, Ariz. and Ann Arbor, Mich.) January 7, 2009 — Two powerhouses of supply management knowledge, learning resources and professional development are joining to create one major force behind training and assessment in procurement. Tempe, Ariz.-based Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) and ADR North America are combining resources to provide organizations with tools to lead them to increased profitability, enhanced staff competence and sustainable cost improvements.

The integration of ISM and ADR assessment and training programs will offer clients a long list of expanded opportunities including:

  • A wide range of services, including customized in-company training, and online and blended learning programs
  • Assessment and diagnostic tools for supply management skills
  • Global reach with multi-lingual instructors
  • Professional development on every level from buyers to executives

ADR North America, led by CEO Bill Michels, C.P.M., is a consulting firm that focuses on procurement and has a track record of success when it comes to delivering significant changes in purchasing processes.

"The ISM/ADR alliance will provide the opportunity for many companies to assess and improve their team competency, build custom development programs tailored to their businesses, generate cost and value improvement, strengthen supply management and achieve extraordinary performance from ordinary people," said Michels.

ISM is an international leader in the field of supply management with more than 40,000 members worldwide. ISM CEO Paul Novak, CPSM, C.P.M, A.P.P, is also enthusiastic about the potential for growth and development as these two organizations merge their outstanding training capabilities.

"The ISM/ADR partnership will help both organizations broaden both their training and assessment offerings and will enhance the ability to train in various parts of the world in indigenous languages," said Novak. "With this partnership training can be delivered wherever it is requested without moving trainers around the world."

About Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM): www.ism.ws
As the largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM is a not-for-profit membership association serving more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. ISM offers credentialing to professionals around the world with the Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) qualification. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

About ADR North America: www.adrna.com
ADR North America is a consulting company that helps clients transform the way they purchase to lower costs and bring higher value from their supply chains. ADR analyzes client expenditures, sourcing and purchasing effectiveness, and using web-based tools, can deliver significant positive impact to a client’s bottom line. ADR was one of the first specialist procurement consultancies when it was created in 1986 by a team of highly experienced practitioners. The company has evolved to remain at the forefront of purchasing and sourcing.

ADR clients include many Fortune 500 companies as well as emerging businesses. They are often companies with worldwide operations in the automotive, manufacturing, construction, financial services, telecom, pharmaceutical and retail space. ADR North America is located in Ann Arbor, Mich. It is affiliated with ADR International, which also has offices in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia.