MFG.com Adds Four Senior Executives to Sustain 2005 Momentum


Company Hires Experienced Executive Team to Position Itself for Continued Growth on a Worldwide Basis

ATLANTA, March 1, 2006 – MFG.com, Inc. the world’s largest marketplace for sourcing and selling manufacturing services has significantly expanded its executive team to support continued robust growth on a worldwide basis. Following top line growth in excess of 65 percent in 2005 and a corresponding increase in business activity, MFG.com has created four new senior executive positions to help continue the momentum.

“In 2005, we had a phenomenal year exceeding our own expectations, with growth in suppliers, buyers and RFQ volume. This level of growth is continuing into 2006 and in this regard, I am pleased to announce that we have added some very capable new members to our team with some much needed skill sets. In addition to adding more subscribers this year, we will also more firmly establish our presence around the world,” said Mitch Free, president and CEO of MFG.com. “No one understands the needs of OEMs and contract manufacturers as well as we do, so we are increasing our efforts to become the single online entity through which all manufacturing activity takes place.”

Highlights of 2005 include:

  • Invoicing increasing in excess of 65%
  • Registered Buyers/OEM’s increasing by 32% to 45,000
  • RFQ growth in excess of 65% with $1.8 billion in RFQ opportunity sourced on MFG.com in 2005
  • Deloitte and Touche named MFG.com one of the top 10 fastest growing technology companies in Georgia and top 150 nationally
  • Inc. Magazine named CEO Mitch Free as one of their Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Year based on reader feedback

The new MFG.com executives are Chief Operating Officer Sherwin Krug, Chief Marketing Officer Tom Peterson, Vice President of Communications Dave Faupel and Vice President of Product Development Frank Russo.

Sherwin Krug, Chief Operating Officer
Krug is responsible for the day-to-day operations of MFG.com and development of merger and acquisition opportunities, including international expansion. Prior to joining MFG.com, Krug was the chief financial officer for Tectonic Network, Inc., a micro-cap company most recently focused on 3D CAD products for the construction industry. He has also held executive positions with CMD Group, a worldwide publisher of construction information, and Ernst & Young.

Tom Peterson, Chief Marketing Officer
Peterson comes to MFG.com with more than two decades of manufacturing marketing and communications experience. He founded the Web-worx Web design firm in 1996, creatively helping Internet start-ups develop their Web sites, business models and brands. He has participated on Internet business start-up development teams for Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Job Shop Network, HotOffTheWire.com, Doctor’s Research Group, Health Management Online and Shoebuy.com.

Frank Russo, Vice President, Product Development
Russo is responsible for the development of new products and services, including bringing state-of-the-art supply chain solutions to MFG.com’s buyers and suppliers as well as developing new markets and partnerships. Prior to joining, MFG.com, Russo was a publisher with Thomas Publishing. He also served as vice president of international marketing and business development at the McGraw-Hill Companies. Russo brings many years of experience to MFG.com in new product development, global product launches, e-commerce solutions and business-to-business portals. In addition, he has expertise in industrial manufacturing processes, manufacturing automation, industrial products and services, and industrial supply chain solutions.

Dave Faupel, Vice President, Communications
Faupel brings 15 years of marketing and communications experience to MFG.com and is responsible for media relations, internal communications and analyst relations. Prior to joining MFG.com, Faupel was senior vice president and deputy practice leader for the Atlanta office of Omnicom Group’s Porter Novelli. At Porter Novelli, he oversaw fiscal matters and directed several accounts in the technology group, including Quark, BellSouth and McAfee Software. Prior to his tenure at Porter Novelli, Faupel worked for Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations and was responsible for all aspects of client management.

About MFG.com
MFG.com is the largest global online marketplace for the manufacturing industry. MFG.com instantly and intelligently matches sourcing professionals and engineers with suppliers who have the right expertise and capacity to manufacture parts and tooling on demand in accordance with their engineering drawings and CAD files. MFG.com's on-demand service is consolidating the once- fragmented world of manufacturing into an efficient marketplace, enabling products to be sourced and built more easily, quickly, inexpensively, and at higher quality levels. For more information, please visit http://www.MFG.com.

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