Axis Computer Systems, Inc. announced the successful startup of the Axiom^(R) Enterprise Resource Management System at the Gibraltar Industries strip steel manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio.

The comprehensive enterprise management system is built around the unique operational requirements of metals producers, processors, and service centers to provide industry-specific support for key aspects of the business. "The Axis system is an important part of the investment we are currently making in operational and organizational improvements to support the continued growth of Gibraltar's Processed Metal Products business," stated Ken Matz, President of Gibraltar's Processed Metals Group.

Gibraltar’s Cleveland plant, which produces cold rolled strip steel, is the largest of three facilities that make up the company’s Processed Metals Group. New Axiom systems are scheduled to be operational at all of the Processed Metals Group facilities by the end of this year. "Getting Axiom up and running in Cleveland is a significant step towards streamlining operations across our whole processed metals segment," stated Jerry Biagini, Director of Technology and Business Processes for Gibraltar's Processed Metals Group. "Besides giving us the tools to gain efficiencies at each individual plant, Axiom will soon give us a common system across all three sites. That will provide us with a lot more flexibility, enabling us to respond to market opportunities as a single business rather than as three separate entities."

The Axiom system replaces a mainframe-based in-house developed system in Cleveland and will replace three separate systems with a single system across the Processed Metals Group. Axiom has been integrated with the Cleveland plant's level 2 mill systems and a new wireless data collection system. Axiom is now being used to perform all production scheduling and control, as well as inventory control, order entry, quality management, cost management, EDI, and financial management. In addition, the new system is being used to help facilitate the consolidation of functions such as sales, accounting, and IT as services are shared across the Processed Metals Group.

Gibraltar Industries is a leading manufacturer, processor, and distributor of metals and other engineered materials for the building products, vehicular, and other industrial markets. The company serves a large number of customers in a variety of industries in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. It has approximately 3,600 employees and operates 73 facilities in 26 states, Canada, and Mexico.

Gibraltar's Processed Metals Group supplies cold-rolled strip steel and is one of four domestic producers of steel strapping. The group had sales of $395 million in 2004, representing 47% growth over the previous year, and approximately 39% of Gibraltar Industries' $1 billion in total 2004 sales.

Axis Computer Systems is a leading provider of enterprise resource management software solutions for the metals, wire and cable industries. Axis specializes in helping producers, processors, service centers and manufacturers increase revenue, decrease cost, and enable growth through the use of information technology and industry best practices. Axis serves companies ranging in size from the mid-market to some of the industry's largest corporations.