IMESA Launches the Supplier Excellence Alliance Lean Enterprise System

Irvine, California – July 9, 2007 – Industrias Mecanico Electricas S.A. (IMESA),
located in Mexico City, is launching the implementation of the Supplier Excellence
Alliance (SEA) Lean Enterprise System.

The Lean Enterprise System (LES) is the continuous improvement system developed by aerospace, defense, and space suppliers. The LES helps suppliers companies improve performance and build new capabilities that will enable them to better support the emerging needs of their customers. The LES also builds a culture where lean production principles and standard work are applied throughout the organization to ensure sustained improvements in delivery and quality while reducing lead times and cost.

IMESA is a Mexican company, founded in 1961. It specializes in manufacturing
prototypes and other parts for the metal mechanical industry. It also performs Thermal Spray as a process for repairing parts. IMESA uses this system to support customers in a wide range of industries. More recently, IMESA has developed machining services with CNC equipment to achieve precision and quality metallic parts.

According to IMESA General Manager, Javier Del Valle Castellanos, “It’s my firm belief that with our SEA engagement we are going to obtain the best available tools to offer our customers world-class products, fulfilling as well, the industry need for constant cost reduction.”

As a non-profit alliance of leading industry prime and tier-one contractors, and
production suppliers, SEA’s purpose is to accelerate supply chain performance, ensuring U. S. suppliers become more competitive, while helping the supply chain become more adaptive, agile and aligned.

SEA member companies represented on its board of directors include BAE Systems,
The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Company, United
Technologies, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Cessna Aircraft Company,
Honeywell, TW Metals, Bombardier, Hitco Carbon Composites, Firth Rixson, Dresser-
Rand, Roberts Tool Company, Cristek Interconnects, Photo Etch Company, Smiths
Aerospace and Bodycote Thermal Processing.

SEA partners and alliances include: Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME),
International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), California Council for Excellence, U.S.
Mexico Chamber of Commerce, California Employment Training Panel, California Space Authority, UAW-Labor Employment and Training Corporation, CONNSTEP, Inc., Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T), and Net-Inspect.