FreeMarkets expands and extends relationship with Pilkington

Under the terms of a new agreement, Pilkington has added QuickSource, FreeMarkets' industry-leading e-sourcing platform, to its portfolio of e-commerce solutions.The company has also extended its strategic sourcing relationship with FreeMarkets into 2002.

"We've been very pleased with the results we've achieved using FreeMarkets(R) FullSource(TM), and will continue to leverage the offering to create online markets for a wide variety of goods and services," said David Whatham, Group Director of Supply Management, Pilkington. "In addition, we will use FreeMarkets' QuickSource to structure effective online negotiations on our own in order to further streamline our procurement process, generate additional savings and meet our overall e-sourcing objectives."

Pilkington has been using FreeMarkets FullSource as a platform for sourcing goods and services online since July 2000. FullSource allows companies to leverage FreeMarkets' experience and expertise to create online markets that deliver fast, measurable results. By adding QuickSource to its portfolio of e-sourcing solutions, Pilkington is empowering its procurement professionals by providing tools that will allow them to automate the processes of creating Requests for Quote (RFQs), negotiating and communicating with suppliers.

QuickSource is the industry's leading e-sourcing software solution, designed for sourcing professionals by sourcing professionals. A sophisticated, yet easy to use e-sourcing software platform, QuickSource provides a wide range of RFx functionality, competitive bidding and other negotiation formats, reporting and management tools, robust supplier collaboration capabilities and multi-currency and multi-language features.

"Pilkington pioneered the use of online markets in Europe with its adoption and implementation of FullSource," said Dan Willmer, director and general manager of the automotive sector at FreeMarkets. "By licensing QuickSource, Pilkington is again forging new territory. We are very pleased to be expanding and extending our relationship with the company, and look forward to continuing to provide them with the technology and service solutions they need to reach their e-sourcing goals."