5 Horizons Group Announces Partnership with TradeStone Software

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--5 Horizons Group, a leading firm specializing in solutions and technology that enable consumer product companies to achieve their global strategies, today announced the company has signed a partnership agreement with TradeStone Software. TradeStone is the recognized leader in Merchandise Lifecycle Management (MLM) solutions that unify the design, sourcing, ordering and delivery of private label and globally branded goods. The agreement names 5 Horizons Group the North American distributor of TradeStone products and services to the mid-market consumer product wholesale and import channels.

“They give us excellent reach in an important but underserved market. The value of Merchandise Lifecycle Management to the retail and consumer goods manufacturing segments underscores the need for retail-supplier collaboration and integration of the entire design to delivery process.”

The two companies will work together to leverage 5 Horizons’ suite of services, which covers global sourcing, product design and development, production, quality assurance, and supply-chain logistics, to expand TradeStone’s presence within this important emerging market. 5 Horizons will offer TradeStone’s award-winning Merchandise Lifecycle Management solutions to its current and new customers.

“While the Internet has had a profound impact on global manufacturing over the last decade, the tools that support communication and collaboration between global partners have significantly lagged,” said Kevin Lehrer, managing partner of 5 Horizons U.S. operations. “We are excited to partner with TradeStone because they provide an innovative technology that enables product companies to source, develop, and drive product to market faster than ever. The positive impact of their MLM technology on companies’ operational efficiency, margin growth and risk reduction is equally significant.”

5 Horizons will offer TradeStone’s solutions, primarily employing a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, to the wide range of mid-market CPG manufacturers that develop private label and branded goods for sale to the mass and specialty retail channels. Specific terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“TradeStone is pleased to add 5 Horizons to our growing list of partners worldwide,” said Sue Welch, CEO, TradeStone Software. “They give us excellent reach in an important but underserved market. The value of Merchandise Lifecycle Management to the retail and consumer goods manufacturing segments underscores the need for retail-supplier collaboration and integration of the entire design to delivery process.”

“The ability of U.S. and Asia partners to communicate across a single platform is game-changing,” said Jonathan Allen, Managing Partner of 5 Horizons Asia office. “The confluence of this ‘cloud’ technology with enhanced broadband all throughout Asia is going to have a significant impact on global, cross-functional communication and work-flows. The strength of MLM technology is that it fosters discipline and consistency in communication and provides a better interface for managing projects.”

About TradeStone Software, Inc.

TradeStone Software helps retailers, brand manufacturers and suppliers increase market share and improve margins through the use of Merchandise Lifecycle Management solutions that unify the design, sourcing, ordering and delivery of their private label and branded goods. Organizations including American Eagle Outfitters, Belk, Boots, Guitar Center, Kohl's, Le Chateau, Macy's, NBrown Catalog Company, Pacific Sunwear, Shoprite, The Children's Place, Urban Outfitters and Wilkinson use TradeStone’s solutions to help them bring innovative and highly profitable products to market at record speeds.

TradeStone Software is headquartered in Gloucester, Mass., with offices in Atlanta, Bangalore, Hong Kong and London. More information can be found on the Web at www.tradestonesoftware.com.

About 5 Horizons Group, LLC

5 Horizons Group provides solutions and technology that enable consumer product companies to achieve their global strategies. 5 Horizons’ suite of services covers global sourcing, product design and development, manufacturing, quality assurance, supply chain logistics and market entry. 5 Horizons also works with organizations to optimize their international operations, combining innovative thinking and domain expertise to create a strategic roadmap that covers the organizational, legal, financial, procedural and personnel considerations.

5 Horizons has dual-headquarters in St. Louis, MO and Guangdong, China, with satellite operations in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. More information can be found on the Web at www.5horizonsgroup.com.