Nucor Corp. has signed a contract with IFS to implement IFS Applications^(TM) business software. Nucor will use IFS' maintenance, purchasing, and inventory applications at its Jewett, Texas, facility, which produces carbon steel shapes and bar products.

"After looking at competitive offerings, we chose IFS Applications because it combines excellent maintenance, inventory, and purchasing applications in a complete, integrated solution," said James Darsey, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor's Jewett facility. "The IFS software will enable us to better control maintenance costs by decreasing down time on our equipment while reducing maintenance inventory."

IFS has a broad customer base in the industry, focusing on medium- to large-size manufacturers that need support for complex order-driven and mixed-mode manufacturing across the extended enterprise. With strong support for project management, engineering, constraint-based scheduling, product configuration, and after-sales support, IFS' business solution helps companies improve quality, contain costs, and improve their competitive position in manufacturing industry segments. Industrial manufacturing companies also benefit from IFS' lifecycle management solution, which goes beyond product lifecycle management (PLM) to provide better integration and management of three critical business areas — products, customers, and resources — throughout their lifecycles.

Existing IFS customers in the industrial manufacturing industry include Deere & Co., Dresser-Rand, Gehl, Star Cutter, Remmele Engineering, and Johnson Pump.

Nucor is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, with over $6.2 billion in sales annually. The Charlotte, N.C., based company is also the nation's largest recycler, recycling over 14 million tons of scrap steel annually. Nucor's origins are with a company founded by auto manufacturer Ransom E. Olds, who also founded Oldsmobile and Reo Motor Cars. Nucor has more than 9,900 employees, with operating facilities in 14 U.S. states. Products include carbon and alloy steel bars, beams, sheet, and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; and light-gauge steel framing.

IFS develops and supplies component-based business applications for medium and large enterprises and organizations. IFS Applications, which can be implemented step by step, is based on web and portal technology. The solution offers 60+ enterprise application components used in manufacturing, supply chain management, customer relationship management, service provision, financials, product development, maintenance and human resource administration. IFS offers customers an easier, more open alternative. IFS is a leading global business applications supplier with sales in 45 countries and more than 350,000 users worldwide. IFS Applications is a trademark of IFS Industrial and Financial Systems. All other referenced company or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.