Sundance Catalog Company Completes Centric PLM Implementation in Record Time

Campbell, CA (PRWEB) June 14, 2011

The Sundance Catalog Company has completed the implementation of the Centric 8 product lifecycle management (PLM) system from Centric Software, Inc., in record-setting time, and is now adding to its investment in the suite.

Working with the Product Specification and Calendar Management modules of Centric 8 PLM, Sundance completed implementation in just 11 weeks ? a timeframe possible because of Centric 8?s ?comprehensive, easy-to-use, out-of-the-box? functionality, according to Chris Groves, president and CEO of Centric.

Citing the smooth implementation process, Sundance has doubled its users to include the product development team as well as the technical design service team. ?As the initial implementation proved its ability to further our business objectives, we see the benefit of involving more users in the process,? says Trish Robinson, vice president of product design for Sundance. ?The value of having a single source of the truth is clear.?

Sundance, which offers a predominantly exclusive, eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home decor through its catalogs, website, and retail stores, selected Centric for several reasons, including its ease of use and fast implementation, says Robinson. Centric 8 replaced a myriad of spreadsheets and a system whose inefficiency was preventing Sundance from growing the business as quickly as it warranted. The company is using Centric 8 to improve collaboration and productivity throughout its product development process.

The central repository of product development information ? the ?single version of the truth? that Centric 8 provides ? allows companies such as Sundance to more closely manage product costs and margins, enhance staff efficiency and innovation, and achieve shorter cycle times, says Groves. ?Centric 8 can deliver value quickly ? even within one product cycle,? he explains. ?In the apparel industry, that means companies using Centric PLM can make sure they make on-time product launches, eliminate missed revenue opportunities, and avoid excessive costs and eroding margins.?

Sundance Catalog Company (http://www.sundancecatalog.com)

The Sundance Catalog Company offers a predominantly exclusive, eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home decor through its catalogs, website, an outlet store and full retail stores in Corte Madera, Calif., and Denver. Founded in 1969 by Robert Redford, famed actor, director and visionary of independent filmmaking, to promote the works of artists and craftspeople, the Sundance Catalog Company has received multiple Catalog Age Gold Awards for notable creative, photography and unique product assortment. The Sundance retail division is one of several Sundance brand entities, including the Sundance Channel, the Sundance Film Festival, the Sundance Institute, Sundance Cinemas and the Sundance Resort.

Centric Software, Inc. (http://www.centricsoftware.com)

Centric Software is a leading provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions for the apparel, luxury goods and consumer goods industries. Centric 8 delivers easy-to-use functionality to manage critical, inseparable business processes, including product development, sourcing, line planning and profitability management, through a modularized system that implements and delivers value rapidly.

With Centric 8, companies are able to cut costs and inefficiency, speed new products to market, drive margin improvement, and improve global collaboration and compliance. Global enterprises including INTERSPORT France, Christine Laure, Balenciaga, KlimUSA, Bass Pro Shops, Bravo Sports, Longchamp, Silver Jeans Co., Sundance Catalog Company and United Stationers use Centric solutions to achieve revenue growth, reduce costs and deliver trend-right products to their customers.

Centric is a registered trademark of Centric Software. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Mother/Son Startup Toy Company Wins Industry?s Top Awards

Greenwich, CT (PRWEB) October 20, 2010

With so many toys on the shelves these days, it?s unusual for a small start-up?s collection to create a groundswell and bubble up to the top, and yet that?s what this mother/son team has managed to do. Maybe it?s because parents and kids alike are atwitter over the fun adventures of Zylie, the main character in the brand-new line of fashionable plush toys, The Adventures of Zylie the Bear. And now awards programs are buzzing about the new collection, which has received the industry?s top honor, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Two of the toys, Zylie the Bear and Shen the Panda, were featured on the TODAY Show on October 12 as part of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio?s announcement. The collection has also received Dr. Toy?s Best Picks Children?s Products Award, announced October 18.

When Stephanie Oppenheim presented Zylie and Shen?both 18? jointed stuffed bears that wear fashionable clothes?as winners of the Platinum Award on the TODAY Show, she introduced the bears as ?? having the most amazing stylist. They almost look like they have on Tory Burch clothes ?? The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio is the only independent consumer review of children's media. Award-winning products are selected by noted experts in child development and education, and further tested by the most objective panel of judges - kids.

Ms. Minton launched The Adventures of Zylie the Bear in April 2010 together with her son, Matt McCarty. Zylie, the face of the brand, is unlike other teddy bears because she is designed to be dressed and played with as if she were a doll, with her unique 18? jointed doll-like shape lending itself perfectly to wearing fashionable clothes and accessories. Her character is that of a daring, inquisitive 12-year-old girl from Manhattan. Zylie?s story is played out in a series of children?s books, and follows her travels around the world as she meets new friends who become part of the collection; her first stop is China where she meets Shen the Panda. The company?s current products include Zylie the Bear and Shen the Panda kits, both of which include a bear, clothes, accessories and a book, and 4 separately-sold outfits. Next year, the company will roll out a new adventure to another country, complete with a new character, new book, and new additional outfits for Zylie and Shen.

Children love the fact that such soft, cuddly teddy bears also have stylish clothes inspired by the adventures they go on. Parents love that the stories, while fun and entertaining, are also educational, teaching readers about the countries Zylie visits and the cultures she encounters. The company works with a prominent learning scientist to help develop the educational aspects of the brand.

The inspiration for Zylie came a number of years ago when Ms. Minton observed that her daughters played with teddy bears as if they were dolls, dressing them in doll clothes and pushing them around in baby carriages. Since the bears had rounded tummies and short legs, however, the clothes never fit well nor looked good. When those same daughters were ready to head off to college, Ms. Minton revisited the idea and started work on a prototype.

As the company heads into its first holiday season, it is planning a series of exciting promotions and opportunities to win the bears. These promotions and contests will be available through its website, http://www.zyliethebear.com.

Zylie and her friends are available now on Amazon.com, the company?s website, and at Smart Kids Toys of Greenwich, CT and the Toy Chest in Ridgefield, Wilton and New Canaan, CT.

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Hartzell Unveils a New Company Wide Brand Image

Piqua, OH (PRWEB) January 10, 2012

Creating a new brand throughout Hartzell has been an important focus for the company recently. Revitalizing the brand in such a way will promote growth and form a greater synergy throughout Hartzell Fan, Hartzell Hardwoods, Hartzell Industries, and Arkansas Face Veneer.

In order to unite all Hartzell companies, a single, new, and consistent logo will be implemented within each Hartzell company. A new web site, http://www.Hartzell.com, is now available and offers access to each Hartzell company directly through its homepage. Modifying the website gives viewers access to all Hartzell products, news, and job opportunities for all its divisions.

Jeff Bannister, Hartzell?s CEO, comments, ?Our new brand embraces our past and rich history and will carry us into an exciting future with one single brand and one culture for all Hartzell companies.?

Along with the brand changes, we are revising some company names as well. Hartzell Fan will now be known as Hartzell Air Movement which allows the company future growth opportunities. Arkansas Face Veneer, located in Benton, Arkansas, will carry the Hartzell brand on their website, but will retain use of their name as it is highly recognized within the veneer industry.

Hartzell is a very well-known company involved in the manufacturing of industrial fans, hardwoods, and face veneer. Hartzell Hardwoods is an innovative leader in the hardwood industry producing top quality thick stock lumber. Hartzell Air Movement pioneered the production of the propeller fan and today manufactures custom centrifugal and axial fans. At Arkansas Face Veneer, a dedicated and experienced workforce utilizes the latest advances in splicing technology to produce high-quality value-added veneer products from over 100 different species. The changes taking place with the brand revitalization will help grow the entire Hartzell brand while continuing the same dedication to quality, value and commitment just as they have Since 1875.

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