Apax Partners makes strategic investment in Plexus Systems, provider of on-demand manufacturing systems
27th June 2006
Apax Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity investment groups, today announced that funds advised by Apax Partners have made a strategic investApax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity investment groups, today announced that funds advised by Apax Partners have made a strategic investment in Plexus Systems, LLC, a provider of a broad suite of applications that automate business processes for discrete manufacturers.
Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity
investment groups, today announced that funds advised by Apax
Partners have made a strategic investment in Plexus Systems, LLC, a
provider of a broad suite of applications that automate business
processes for discrete manufacturers.
Plexus employs an "on-demand", or "Software as a Service" (SaaS),
delivery model that allows its single, standard code base to be
accessed and shared by multiple customers via the Internet.
The Plexus Online™ offering is the only on-demand suite of
applications that automate the business processes of mid-market
discrete manufacturers, principally within the mission-critical
areas of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise
Resource Planning applications (ERP). As a true manufacturing
performance system, Plexus Online consists of over 350
fully-integrated modules that support all aspects of a
manufacturing company, from shop floor to top floor. Today, there
are over 260 customers using Plexus solutions.
Jason Wright, principal of Apax Partners, said, "Based on our
experience investing in a range of software and SaaS companies, it
is clear to us that Plexus is well-positioned in the ERP/MES
market. The company has developed a feature rich, integrated
ERP/MES suite of applications that meet the complex demands of
discrete manufacturers. The on-demand delivery model enables
faster implementation and a lower total cost of ownership."
Plexus founder and chief architect Robert Beatty said, "Having
proven the power of our on-demand technology, and the effectiveness
of our business model, we are pleased to take Apax Partners on as
our new strategic partner. We look forward to continued growth and
profitability in the future."
Company president Mark Symonds commented, "As we continue our focus
on helping our manufacturing customers increase productivity,
improve quality, and reduce costs, we are pleased to establish this
important partnership with Apax Partners."
Roger Hurwitz, partner of Apax Partners and Jason Wright, principal
of Apax Partners will join the company's board of directors.
Notes to Editors
About Apax Partners
Apax Partners is one of the world's leading private equity
investment groups. It operates across the United States,
Europe, Israel and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing
experience. Funds under the advice of Apax Partners total $20
billion around the world. These Funds provide long-term equity
financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. Apax
Partners Funds invest in companies across its global sectors of
Tech & Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and
Financial & Business Services.
Apax Partners, L.P. software investments include: PlanView, Perfect
Commerce, RealPage and Intralinks.
About Plexus Systems
For over a decade, Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Plexus Systems has
maintained a singular vision -- to drive significant cost, quality
and productivity improvements in the manufacturing sector from the
shop floor to the top floor. Plexus Online™ is the first true
on-demand manufacturing performance system. It delivers a
powerful, real-time interface to the total manufacturing
process. With the ability to manage a single facility or an
entire enterprise, Plexus Online™ allows manufacturers to closely
track critical aspects of their operation, anywhere, anytime.
Plexus Online™ consists of over 350 functional modules allowing
companies instant access to vital information using a simple web
browser. Plexus Online™ includes shop floor control,
traceability, quality management, EDI, accounting and many other
capabilities configured as a fully integrated system or as a point
solution to augment other ERP software. www.plex.com
Contact
Ben Harding
Head of Communications
T: +44 7872 6300
E: ben.harding@apax.com
