Whippany, NJ - For Release July 05, 2006 – The business automation group of ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has extended their agreement with First Index, the world’s leading online sourcing service.  ABB business locations in the US, Sweden, Germany, France and China use the First Index technology platform to process on-line RFQs with a centralized and shared database of preferred suppliers.  

“First Index technology is well suited to multi-national companies like ours, who process numerous RFQs, and share supplier information internally across different countries.    The online tools help our buyers to leverage the manufacturing capabilities of our suppliers around the world - making the RFQ process much more efficient.  This is especially important when we buy from Low Cost Countries located in another time zone,” said Carl-Axel Allared, Head of Supply Chain Management at ABB Robotics Division.

“World-class organizations like ABB demand world class solutions and for over 14 years, First Index, Inc. has had the privilege of partnering with such organizations looking for global sourcing success,” said John Jung, First Index, CEO.  “By consistently delivering leading-edge eRFQ tools, supplier information and commodity experts around the globe, First Index helps organizations like ABB capture lasting results.”

About ABB

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 105,000 people.

About First Index

First Index has been helping buyers and suppliers of custom-made parts and assemblies since 1992.  Thousands of buyers of manufactured parts around the world use the First Index sourcing platform to create and distribute thousands of RFQs annually and to find the right suppliers from First Index’s growing network of suppliers looking to establish new business relationships.  First Index continues to strengthen its position as the world leader in facilitating commerce in the manufacturing industry by providing an unmatched combination of technology, information and knowledgeable services to buyers and suppliers.  To find out more about First Index, visit www.firstindex.com.