OverviewChemConnect and ForestExpress to Link
Hub-to-Hub connection fosters collaboration between forestry, chemical and related industries; Creates bridge between CIDX and papiNet-based messages
HOUSTON, TX and ATLANTA, GA (March 10, 2003) - ChemConnect, Inc., a leader in helping customers optimize their purchasing and sales processes for feedstocks, chemicals, plastics, and related products, and ForestExpress, the transaction processing network for the forest products and allied industries, announced today that they will connect to each other's networks, enabling member companies of each hub to exchange electronic business documents without having to establish and maintain costly one-to-one connections.
ChemConnect provides its members back-end connectivity to global trading partners in multiple industries. Transactions are based on Chem eStandards(tm), the inventory, forecasting, and collaboration electronic messages developed by the Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX), for the transfer of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents. Through hub-to-hub connections, ChemConnect supports other XML-based, EDI or flat file documents.
ForestExpress supports a variety of formats including EDI, XML, and papiNet, the global electronic standards initiative of the paper and forest products industry, and provides services and solutions including B2B integration, catalog content services, and timber sourcing via an electronic marketplace.
For the first time, customers will be able to leverage their ForestExpress and ChemConnect network connections and use their own preferred standard format, whether papiNet or CIDX. The companies anticipate that the hubs will be exchanging documents next quarter, promoting interoperability between existing-and potential-trading partners, automating and streamlining key business processes.
"ForestExpress and ChemConnect have a natural affinity and this relationship will create tremendous value right out of the gate," said Bob Renner, ForestExpress CEO. "Many of our customers are moving to integrated relationships with their key suppliers; this connection allows that collaboration using an established connection to our network."
ChemConnect CEO John Robinson added, "As major trading partners with the forestry industry, chemical companies are looking to better integrate business processes. By linking with ForestExpress, we continue to deliver on our commitment to drive value for our Members. Hub-to-hub connections like this remain a cornerstone of our push to promote supply chain efficiency."
About ForestExpress
ForestExpress is an industry supported e-business solutions company providing business-to-business connectivity and catalog content services for the paper and forest products industries, and its allied industries. The company also provides transaction services for the buying and selling of timber, the industry's most important raw material, via the ForestExpress Timber Trading Center. ForestExpress provides solutions that streamline and automate key supply chain transactions between customers and suppliers.
ForestExpress was established as a neutral, independent company in 2000, with the support of leading forest products companies including Boise Cascade Corporation (NYSE: BCC), Georgia-Pacific Corp. (NYSE: GP), International Paper (NYSE: IP), MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV), and Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY). ForestExpress is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and on the Web at www.forestexpress.com.
About ChemConnect
ChemConnect is a leader in helping customers optimize their purchasing and sales processes for chemicals, plastics, and related products through a unique combination of market information, industry expertise, e-commerce solutions, and an active network of trading partners. More than 7,500 Member companies in multiple industries around the world can use ChemConnect's highly efficient tools and services to streamline transactions and lower costs. Visit www.chemconnect.com for more information.
Note to Editors: ChemConnect is a registered trademark of ChemConnect, Inc. All other product, trademark, company or service names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.