Manufacturing Performance Management

71% of Top Executives Are Focused on Aligning Manufacturing and Corporate Performance as a Key Strategic Initiative


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - June 10, 2009) - The latest research report from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), "Manufacturing Performance Management: Linking Operational and Corporate Metrics for Intelligent Cost Cutting," has correlated specific business capabilities and technology enablers to top operational performance.

For the purposes of this study, Aberdeen has evaluated and classified manufacturers based on three important performance indicators: On-Time and Complete Shipments, OEE, and Production Compliance. Leading manufacturers are defined as the top 20% of performers in a weighted average across the aforementioned three KPIs and results show that leading performance is:


* 97% On-Time and Complete Shipments

* 90% Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

* +6% Operating Margin vs. Corporate Plan


Putting these findings in context, Matthew Littlefield, a Senior Research Analyst with Aberdeen Group's Global Manufacturing Practice, states, "Manufacturing executives face many pressures today, none of which are more prevalent or pressing than to reduce overall manufacturing costs. However, cost cutting is not new for these executives and many are wondering what is left to cut. This Aberdeen research will provide a roadmap for intelligently accomplishing these cost cuts and show how many executives are now attempting to both create visibility and synchronize manufacturing metrics with high level corporate metrics."

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Plex and Rockwell Automation. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5901.

For additional access to complimentary Manufacturing Research, please visit http://research.aberdeen.com/index.php/-manufacturing.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen™ Group for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

© 2009 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
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Contact Information: Media Contact: Matthew Littlefield Aberdeen Harte-Hanks (617) 854-5204 Matthew.littlefield@aberdeen.com