HAYWARD, CA -- January 19, 2006 -- The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) is pleased to announce the election of Dick Brown to Chairman of the Board. Brown has been a member of the Board of Directors since January 2001.

"We are delighted that Dick has accepted the position as Chairman," said Brent Meyers, President & Chief Executive Officer. "Dick has an outstanding and proven record in successfully building and growing companies in the manufacturing industry, and he has always provided critical strategic and operational insight into the challenges facing manufacturers, distributors and their supply chains. His election as Chairman is in many ways a culmination and validation of the aggressive growth plan we put in place last summer, and reflects our ongoing commitment and success in delivering high-value, high-impact consulting solutions to the marketplace. "

"With the dramatic changes taking place in the manufacturing industry, Manex is uniquely positioned to provide manufacturers, distributors and their supply chains with the innovative services needed to compete on a global scale," said Brown. "I'm excited to work with Brent, Manex's management team and its talented people to take Manex -- and our clients -- to the next level of growth."

Brown has extensive management experience with leading Fortune 500 companies including Clorox, Del Monte Foods, Monsanto Electronic Materials Company and GE/Intersil. In addition, Brown has significant entrepreneurial experience in a wide range of industries with his past ownership and management of SBMC (metal fabrication/contract manufacturing), The Gluers (printing/binding) and Yamaha Golf Cars (transportation). Brown holds an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.