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West Marine to Sail to the Next Level of Logistics Performance Through Advanced Productivity Management

Leading Retailer of Boating Supplies and Apparel to Implement McHugh's DLx® Productivity With Joint McHugh / Tompkins Associates Team

Waukesha, WI, April 8, 2002 - McHugh Software International, Inc., the leading provider of real-time Enterprise Logistics Management solutions, today announced that West Marine Products, Inc., a leading specialty retailer and wholesaler of recreational and commercial boating supplies and apparel, has selected McHugh's Productivity Management solution for its main distribution center in Rock Hill, SC. McHugh will team in implementing the solution with alliance partner Tompkins Associates, the leading Total Operations consulting, information technology implementation and material handling integration firm headquartered in Raleigh, NC. West Marine expects the productivity gains afforded by implementing McHugh' s DLx® Productivity software will significantly reduce its distribution center costs while improving customer service.

"We were looking for a solution that could help us further increase distribution center productivity and throughput. We felt we had already reached the limits on productivity improvement gains we could realize without the type of management information provided by McHugh's solution," said Pat Murphy, West Marine Sr. Vice President of Logistics. "This is an important initiative for us in our efforts to improve Logistics / Supply Chain performance."

McHugh and Tompkins have already initiated the project at West Marine's 500,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Rock Hill, with the option to propagate these methods to West Marine's Hollister, CA distribution facility in 2003. Together, they will work with West Marine to develop operator performance standards and metrics, and implement McHugh's DLx® Productivity software to provide comprehensive, real-time and historical labor reporting against objectives, ABC cost analysis and advanced labor and resource planning capabilities.

McHugh's Productivity Management system includes a powerful software solution that enables companies to increase logistics productivity 10-20%, improve performance in areas such as customer service and profitability, and realize more consistent and predictable fulfillment operations. Companies implementing McHugh's Productivity Management solution, such as SuperValu, Stanley, AmeriCold, CSK Auto, Kroger and many others, generate accelerated return on investment (ROI) and payback in one year or less. McHugh's Productivity Management solution is backed by a comprehensive value analysis that details the specific levels of savings and performance improvements the solution will provide. McHugh has more productivity solution implementations than the rest of the market combined.

"We wanted a solution that could take us to the next level of logistics performance," commented David Spencer, West Marine Assistant Vice President of Distribution. "McHugh's Productivity Management solution was right on the mark. Their productivity software and standards development will provide the performance and consistency we need to get to that next level."

By a wide margin, McHugh is the market share leader in Productivity Management solutions. Customers benefit from significantly reduced operating costs, enhanced productivity and throughput, improved management control, and greater retention of warehouse employees.
"McHugh's Productivity Management solution allows companies to increase distribution productivity, performance and predictability ," said John Spain, Senior Partner, Tompkins Associates. "Combined with Tompkins' expertise in distribution operations excellence, we provide a powerful solution to help companies drive out costs, increase throughput and achieve high levels of customer satisfaction."

About West Marine Products, Inc.West Marine is a specialty retailer and wholesaler of recreational and commercial boating supplies and apparel in the United States. The company operates three divisions, retail stores, port supply and catalog, that provide after-market recreational boating supplies directly to customers. West Marine offers it products through 230+ stores in 38 states and Puerto Rico, over the Internet, and through catalogs.

About McHugh Software International, Inc.
McHugh enables customers to unlock value and create competitive advantage through the implementation of real-time enterprise logistics management solutions. McHugh's DigitaLogistix® provides integrated components for warehouse, transportation, and labor management, global visibility, supply chain analytics, logistics command and control, and supply network collaboration. Its event-driven component architecture supports intelligent workflow across logistics processes. The results are systems that differentiate McHugh's clients to provide better customer retention, increased market share, and improved profitability. Customers include Compaq Computer, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Unilever, General Electric, Amazon.com, and many others.

For additional information, call 1.888.MCHUGH8, or access www.mchugh.com.

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Media Contact:
E-mail Myra Schwartz or call 919-876-3667.

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