Optimization Alternatives Launches New Operations Performance Division; Software Industry Veteran Hired to Lead Vantage OPS

Optimization Alternatives Launches New Operations Performance Division; Software Industry Veteran Hired to Lead Vantage OPS

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimization Alternatives Limited, Inc. (www.oax.com ), the premier provider of large scale, mission critical, control and decision support systems to the rail and intermodal industries, today announced that it has launched a new division, Vantage OPS (www.vantageops.com ), focused on providing operations performance management solutions. In addition, the company announced the hiring of software industry veteran, Robert Davis, as President of Vantage OPS.

Vantage OPS solutions enable organizations to improve the execution of their operations, improve decision making, increase profitability, and exceed customer requirements. Leveraging the investment in existing ERP systems and databases without costly and lengthy integration, Vantage OPS solutions provide true real time access to critical performance indicators and metrics via innovative event processing technology coupled with dashboards and alerts.

"We are excited that this new division has already deployed our Vantage technology at major international corporations and proven its worth," said Tom Feo, Optimization Alternatives co-founder and CEO. "Vantage OPS solutions continue our tradition of documented ROI and quick payback for our customers."

Davis, who began in April, was CEO and President of Oculan Corporation in Raleigh, North Carolina which was acquired in 2004. Previously, he was Vice President and General Manager with Tivoli Systems in Austin, Texas. "Business performance management is at the top of the corporate agenda as organizations seek to empower their employees to improve productivity and profitability," said Davis. "Vantage OPS solutions enable these employees to see exactly what is happening in their business processes, anticipate problems, and make informed decisions. I look forward to bringing our unique solutions to the market."

About Optimization Alternatives

Since 1986, Optimization Alternatives Limited, Inc. has been the premier provider of large scale, mission critical, control and decision support systems to the rail and intermodal industries. Installed at over 100 locations throughout North America and Australia, Optimization Alternatives solutions have been credited with providing over $50M in savings annually to the transportation industry. Optimization Alternatives is based in Austin, Texas.

Source: Vantage OPS

CONTACT: Robert Davis of Vantage OPS, +1-512-892-8800, or
robert.davis@vantageops.com

Web site: http://www.vantageops.com/
http://www.oax.com/

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Profile: Auto

Plexus Systems Selected as Technology Company of the Year Finalist

Plexus Systems Selected as Technology Company of the Year Finalist

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Plexus Systems LLC has been chosen as a finalist for Automation Alley's Technology Company of the Year Award. Finalists represent the top technology organizations that have made significant contributions to technology advancements throughout Southeast Michigan.

Located in Auburn Hills, the heart of Automation Alley, Plexus Systems designs, develops, and hosts Plexus Online, the only fully-integrated information system for manufacturing companies. Plexus Online can run a company's entire business: production, quality, shipping, customer releases, EDI, purchasing, accounting and more. Plexus Online is an online solution accessible to authorized personnel through the Internet so manufacturers avoid the cost and complexities of buying and maintaining software, servers and other IT infrastructure.

"We are proud to be a finalist for the Technology Company of the Year Award," said Jane Warner, president. "By increasing production throughput and quality, we believe our system provides a major benefit to local manufacturing companies trying to remain competitive in the global market."

Key customers include Metaldyne, EaglePicher, and GKN as well as many other metalforming, plastics, machining and assembly companies in the automotive, aerospace and defense, and medical devices sectors.

Plexus also was recently recognized as one of the Future 50 of Greater Detroit for 2005. This marked the third time the company appeared on that list.

Other finalists for Technology Company of the Year are DELMIA in Auburn Hills and TechTeam Global, Inc. in Southfield. Award winners, selected by a panel of judges, will be announced at the Fifth Annual Automation Alley Awards Gala on Sept. 23 at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Mich.

Founded in 1995, Plexus Systems (http://www.plex.com/ ) is the premier provider of online business solutions for manufacturing companies. The Plexus Online software consists of over 350 modules allowing companies to access all critical information in real time using a simple web browser. Plexus Online includes shop floor control, traceability, quality management, EDI, accounting and many other capabilities that can be configured as a fully-integrated system or as a point solution to augment other ERP software.

Source: Plexus Systems LLC

CONTACT: Mark Symonds of Plexus Systems LLC, +1-248-391-8001, Fax:
+1-248-393-1799, or info@plex.com

Web site: http://www.plex.com/

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Profile: Auto

Bentley Appoints Len Hunt as New Sales & Marketing Director

Bentley Appoints Len Hunt as New Sales & Marketing Director

CREWE, England, September 13/PRNewswire/ -- Bentley Motors is pleased to announce the appointment of Len Hunt as
Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing reporting directly to Chairman and
Chief Executive Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen.

Len Hunt, 49 has a wealth of international experience with
luxury brands and will join Bentley from Volkswagen of America where he has
held senior positions with Volkswagen Group since 1999.

Len will replace Adrian Hallmark in a joint career move which
sees Adrian taking over from Len in the US as Executive Vice President
Volkswagen Brand.

Commenting on the new appointment Dr Paefgen said: "I would
like to thank Adrian for his tremendous contribution over the last six years
culminating in the overwhelming customer response to both Continental GT and
Flying Spur and we wish him every success. We are delighted to welcome Len to
Crewe, where his extensive experience of our two largest markets and luxury
brands will be invaluable. I am also, personally, very pleased to renew our
previous close working relationship."

As a result of these appointments Bentley has taken the opportunity to
restructure PR. In addition to his existing responsibilities for worldwide
marketing, Mark Tennant will also assume responsibility for PR in the new
role of PR and Marketing Director.

Bentley Media Website unter www.bentleymedia.com

Contact:
Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Public Relations - Europe
Tel: +49-(0)30-2092-1520 / 1523
Mobile: +49-(0)171-871-4489
Fax: +49-(0)30-2092-1505
E-mail: benita.maltzahn@bentley.co.uk

Annette Koch, Public Relations Manager - Europe
Tel: +49-(0)30-2092-1516
Mobile: +49-(0)151-14-29-85-36
Fax: +49-(0)30-2092-1505
E-mail: annette.koch@bentley.co.uk

Source: Bentley Motors Ltd.

Contact: Benita von Maltzahn, Head of Public Relations - Europe, Tel: +49-(0)30-2092-1520 / 1523, Mobile: +49-(0)171-871-4489, Fax: +49-(0)30-2092-1505, E-mail: benita.maltzahn@bentley.co.uk . Annette Koch, Public Relations Manager - Europe, Tel: +49-(0)30-2092-1516, Mobile: +49-(0)151-14-29-85-36, Fax: +49-(0)30-2092-1505, E-mail: annette.koch@bentley.co.uk

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Profile: Auto

Survey Indicates Car Shoppers Prefer 'No Haggle' Prices

Survey Indicates Car Shoppers Prefer 'No Haggle' Prices

But a True No-Haggle Offer Involves More than Just the Price of the Car, Says CarMax President

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than 70 percent of respondents to a recent online survey conducted by CarMax, Inc., (NYSE:KMX) the nation's largest retailer of used cars, indicated that getting a fair price without haggling is more important than negotiating the price when choosing where to buy a new or used vehicle.

"For 14 years, our consumer research has indicated that a majority of car shoppers prefer not to haggle when buying a car if they can get a fair price in a no-haggle environment," said Austin Ligon, president and chief executive officer of CarMax. "However, shoppers often do not realize that a true no-haggle offer involves more than just the price of the car. A true no-haggle offer includes a low, no-haggle price on all four major components of the car purchase: the price of the vehicle, the price offered on a trade-in, the price of the financing, and the price of other add-on products, such as extended service plans."

The following are the results of the survey of 771 carmax.com visitors:

Which of the following is more important to you when choosing a place to
buy a new or used vehicle?

Percent Respondents
I can get a fair price without haggling 73% 563
I can negotiate a lower price with a little effort 27% 208

"For those car shoppers who believe they can negotiate a lower price, they should beware of a car price that is too good to be true," said Ligon. "If the price is too good, you may not be getting a fair price for your trade-in, or you may be paying too much for financing or other add-on products."

In 1993, CarMax revolutionized the used car industry by developing the first true no-haggle, no-hassle car retail offer. CarMax offers low, transparent, no-haggle prices on all four elements of the transaction, including the price of the car, the trade-in, the financing, and the extended service plan.

CarMax explains exactly what a true no-haggle price includes:

Price of the Car
-- A no-haggle price means the price of the vehicle is competitively low
and the price you pay is the price posted on the car.
-- No-haggle means you do not have to negotiate back and forth to get a
fair price on a vehicle.

Price of the Trade-in
-- A no-haggle price on the trade-in is a written cash offer, based
solely on the wholesale value of the vehicle.
-- The trade-in offer is good whether the customer buys a car or not and
the offer is good for seven days or 300 miles, whichever comes first.

Price of the Financing
-- A competitive no-haggle financing offer is based on the finance
company's assessment of credit risk.
-- Customers see the finance offer as it is made directly from the
lender, and the customer may choose among competing offers.

Price of Extended Service Plans and Other Fees
-- The price of the extended service plan is competitive and fixed, based
primarily on the repair record of similar vehicles and the length of
coverage.
-- Customers review the extended service plan offer made directly from
the plan provider and the customer may choose among the options
presented.

About CarMax

CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2005 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 64 used car superstores in 29 markets. CarMax also operates seven new car franchises, all of which are integrated or co-located with its used car superstores. During the twelve month period ended May 31, 2005, the company sold 264,958 used cars, which is 93 percent of the total 285,354 vehicles the company retailed during that period. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011214/CARMAXLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk,photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: CarMax, Inc.

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Lisa Van Riper, Assistant Vice President,
Public Affairs, +1-804-935-4594, or Trina Lee, Public Relations Manager,
+1-804-747-0422 ext. 4197, or Investor Contacts: Dandy Barrett, Assistant Vice
President, Investor Relations, +1-804-935-4591, or Celeste Gunter, Manager,
Investor Relations, +1-804-935-4597, all of CarMax

Web site: http://www.carmax.com/

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Profile: Auto

Norfolk Southern Restores Rail Service to New Orleans

Norfolk Southern Restores Rail Service to New Orleans

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sixteen days after Hurricane Katrina struck, Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) has completed repairs to its Lake Pontchartrain Bridge, restoring rail freight service into New Orleans and reopening important interchange points with western rail carriers.

Norfolk Southern Chairman and CEO David R. Goode said, "The resumption of rail service following this disaster is a tribute to the dedication and efforts of Norfolk Southern people. They did the job in record time -- safely and under extremely challenging conditions -- in order to bring rail service back to New Orleans."

Nearly five miles of track were washed from the top of the 5.8-mile long rail bridge and into the lake. Nine cranes on barges were used to lift the track out of the water and back onto the bridge. Nine miles of track running through New Orleans itself required major repairs due to washouts and other water-related problems.

Since the hurricane struck, Norfolk Southern employees have inspected some 1,400 miles of railroad track, removed 5,500 downed trees, installed 11,000 railroad ties and unloaded and surfaced track on 55,000 tons of ballast to restore bridges and rail lines to service.

While repairs were being completed, freight that regularly traveled through New Orleans for connection to other carriers was rerouted through the railroad's other gateways.

"With the reopening of the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge, we are ready to assist in the transportation of supplies and materials in and out of the city," said Norfolk Southern President Wick Moorman. "We are committed to serving New Orleans over the long-term, and our rail line can serve as a vital link in the recovery process."

Norfolk Southern is assessing the financial impact of the hurricane on third-quarter results and will report an estimate when it has been determined.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,300 route miles in 22 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario, Canada, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers. NS operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America's largest rail carrier of automotive parts and finished vehicles.

Source: Norfolk Southern Corporation

CONTACT: Media: Bob Fort, +1-757-629-2710, rcfort@nscorp.com, or
Investors: Leanne Marilley, +1-757-629-2861, leanne.marilley@nscorp.com, both
of Norfolk Southern Corporation

Web site: http://www.nscorp.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/626525.html

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Profile: Auto

40 New Dodge Trucks Arrive in Baton Rouge, La., Delivering Hurricane Katrina Relief; Baton Rouge Food Bank Receives $50,000

40 New Dodge Trucks Arrive in Baton Rouge, La., Delivering Hurricane Katrina Relief; Baton Rouge Food Bank Receives $50,000

* Dodge Rams, Durangos and Dakotas are part of a 100-vehicle convoy
heading to hurricane-damaged areas
* Employee-driven vehicles donated by the Chrysler Group are loaded with
needed relief and rebuilding supplies
* DaimlerChrysler has donated $4.4 million to the Hurricane Katrina
relief efforts

WHAT: Relief in the form of 40 new Dodge Rams, Durangos and Dakotas, loaded with much needed supplies, will be delivered to the State of Louisiana on Wednesday, Sept. 14. In addition, the Baton Rouge Food Bank will receive $50,000 to provide food to those displaced by Hurricane Katrina now living in the area.

The vehicles are part of a 100-vehicle convoy that departed the Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant, home of the Dodge Dakota, on Sunday, Sept. 11 to join additional vehicles in St. Louis, home of the Dodge Ram, on Tuesday, Sept. 13 for a 1,000 mile journey to deliver support to relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

When delivered, the vehicles will be loaded with chainsaws, gloves, shovels, sledge hammers and other equipment needed for the cleanup and reconstruction efforts as well as toiletries, baby goods, food and water. The remaining 60 vehicles will be given to the States of Mississippi (50) and Alabama (10).

The vehicle donation is part of the $4.4 million in assistance provided by DaimlerChrysler to the American Red Cross and Gulf Coast communities damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

WHO: Brian Glowiak, Senior Manager, DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund
Leven Weiss, Senior Manager, Community Relations, Chrysler Group
Representative from the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
UAW Employees from St. Louis Assembly Plant
UAW Employees from Warren Truck Assembly Plant
Chrysler Group Employees from Auburn Hills, Mich.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 14 - 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: 16560 Old Perkins Road

Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/

CONTACT: Curtrise Garner, mobile +1-248-761-8309, cg61@daimlerchrysler.com , or David Elshoff, mobile +1-248-797-2300, dte@daimlerchrysler.com , both of Chrysler Group.

PRNewswire -- Sept. 13

Source: Chrysler Group

Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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Profile: Auto

Washington Group International Earns Department of Homeland Security Certification for Anti-Terrorism Services at U.S. Ports

Washington Group International Earns Department of Homeland Security Certification for Anti-Terrorism Services at U.S. Ports

BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Washington Group International (NASDAQ:WGII), a leading international engineering, construction, and management-solutions company, has been certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide anti-terrorism services for cargo container facilities at ports in the United States.

The certification, granted under the Support for Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act (SAFETY Act), places Washington Group services on the approved anti-terrorism technology list for the DHS. It's the first such certification for cargo container operations at ports. Washington Group's services include threat and vulnerability assessment, risk mitigation, feasibility analysis, and design services for cargo container inspection facilities at seaports.

"We have decades of experience formally, thoroughly, and systematically analyzing risks and vulnerabilities at complex high-hazard facilities such as nuclear and chemical plants," said Ambrose L. Schwallie, President of Washington Group's Defense Unit. "We've adapted and are now applying those proven techniques to analyze terrorist threats -- including potential dirty bombs or chemical weapons attacks -- at ports, mass transit systems and other critical infrastructure.

"That, coupled with our extensive experience designing, building, and modifying port facilities, enables us to provide a wide range of services addressing the risk of terrorism at our nation's ports without disrupting operations and the critical flow of commerce."

Washington Group International, Inc. (www.wgint.com) provides the talent, innovation, and proven performance to deliver integrated engineering, construction, and management solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Combining its existing global leadership position in the elimination of chemical and nuclear weapons with a century-long heritage designing and building power plants, airports, seaports, mass transit systems, and other critical infrastructure around the world, Washington Group is now a leading provider of homeland security services in the U.S. and abroad.

With approximately 25,000 employees at work in more than 30 countries, the company provides professional, scientific, management, and development services in more than two dozen major markets including power generation, transmission and distribution, and clean air solutions; environmental remediation; heavy civil construction; mining; nuclear services; defense, homeland security, and global threat reduction; industrial, gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical processing; manufacturing; facilities operations and management; transportation; and water resources.

Source: Washington Group International

CONTACT: Jack N. Herrmann, +1-803-502-9791, for Washington Group
International

Web site: http://www.wgint.com/

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Profile: Auto