FOR RELEASE: May 11, 2011

(TEMPE, Ariz.) May 11, 2011 — Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is pleased to announce that it has joined the new Supply Chain and Logistics Certification Network as a Charter Member. This Network is a group of well-established U.S.-based, non-profit associations that provide industry-recognized, nationally portable certifications for the professional and frontline workforce and organizations involved in global supply chain and logistics — in factories, warehouses, distribution centers and transporters.

The other Charter Members are: APICS The Association for Operations Management; the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L); the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC); the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). Each association has a nationwide infrastructure in place for delivering courses and certification assessments.

Network members will work collaboratively to raise awareness within industry, education, and government of the world-class, complementary services of these associations that, collectively, help meet industry needs for highly skilled workers at all levels in supply chain logistics and for certified warehousing facilities. Together, the Network members offer a certification career pathway and "stackable" credentials helping individuals to achieve ever-higher levels of professionalism and responsibility.

The Network responds to the growing demand for industry-recognized, nationally portable certifications:

• Employers need a higher skilled workforce to accelerate their adoption of advanced technologies and processes to enhance their productivity and global competitiveness.
• In response, the workforce at every level — from front-line materials handling and distribution workers to advanced supply chain and logistics managers--need to continuously enhance their skills.
• Students and unemployed workers can improve employment prospects in this growing field by credentialing their knowledge and skills to meet national, industry-defined standards.

To learn more about the network please visit www.ism.ws. Select Professional Credentials, then Supply Chain and Logistics Certification Network.

About Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM)
Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is the first supply management institute in the world. Founded in 1915, ISM exists to lead and serve the supply management profession and is a highly influential and respected association in the global marketplace. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business^® — ISM maintains a strong global influence among individuals and organizations. ISM is a not-for-profit educational association that serves professionals and organizations with an interest in supply management in more than 80 countries. ISM offers the Certified Professional in Supply Management^® (CPSM^®) and Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity™ (CPSD™) qualifications and is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

Media Contact:
Jean McHale | jmchale@ism.ws
ISM Public Relations
(U.S. only) 800/888-6276, extension 3143
(International) +1 480/752-6276, extension 3143