NEW ONLINE TRAINING VENTURE 

FOR INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING

ANNOUNCED BY JERGENS, INC.

Tooling University™ to Provide On-Demand Web-Based

Training for Shop Floor to Management Level Employees

CLEVELAND, OH – April 11, 2001 – Jergens, Inc. today announced a major new venture intended to provide online training in industrial manufacturing skills.  Tooling University training delivers on-demand, real-world manufacturing content from industry’s experts.  Organized like a traditional university, Tooling U training includes disciplines such as Workholding, Metal Forming, Metal Cutting, Materials, and Material Handling.  Faculty members individually respond to student questions via email and electronic forums on the ToolingU website.

 “ToolingU was created to eliminate many of the difficulties associated with traditional training techniques for the manufacturing workforce, such as seminars, text-based or video-based approaches,” said Jack Schron, Jr., president of Jergens.  “Being online means we can provide ‘no downtime’ learning.  Sessions can be scheduled around production requirements or personal schedules.  Also, travel, lodging and meal expenses associated with training are eliminated.  Because it is web-based, our training is infinitely scaleable and portable––you can reach as many employees as needed wherever they are, as many times as necessary.”

“Online training is current, relevant training,” said Wes Howard, Managing Director of Tooling University.  “Material is kept up-to-date in a way that is impossible for manuals, CDs,

books or videos to achieve.  Additionally, training from Tooling U is accountable.  The progress of each employee is monitored, providing, for example, documentation for ISO continuing education requirements.”

Tooling U students participate in classes that exploit the Internet’s capabilities.  Detailed instruction using audio, text, photographs, and illustrations are supplemented by full motion video, pop-up keyword glossaries, and links to the relevant websites.  Participants communicate with instructors and fellow students via email, message boards and chat rooms.  For students with slow Internet connections, supplemental multimedia CD-ROMs are supplied to insure the complete experience.

ToolingU has already been embraced by major manufacturing industry equipment and service suppliers.  Current department sponsors include: Valenite (Metal Cutting), Castle Metals (Materials), Dayton Progress (Metal Forming), Crane Training (Material Handling), and Jergens (Workholding).  (Sponsors receive broad rights to employ Tooling U material in their internal and external training and marketing programs.)

A demonstration is available at the company’s website, www.toolingu.com.

Please send inquiries to Wes Howard at address below.

 (Glossy photo enclosed)                                                                    #15327