Micro-D, Exim Technologies merge
By Brian Carroll -- Furniture Today, August 11, 2003
Hickory, N.C. — After working together for some time, industry technology and software suppliers Micro-D and Exim Technologies have merged.
Terms weren't disclosed.
The new company will be known as Micro-D, although software and services from Exim will retain that name. Exim's Internet-enabled products and services include the XM Commerce platform for business-to-business electronic document transfers and transactions.
Based in Hickory, Micro-D is the maker of the popular PreVue electronic product catalog system used by several large furniture manufacturers. Exim is based in Greenville, S.C.
Executives of both companies have served on the Furniture Industry Data Exchange task force for data standards. The companies say their products and services are compatible.
Mary Martell, co-founder of Micro-D, is chairman of the merged company. Ron Martell, also a founder of Micro-D, is chief executive officer. Manoj Nigam, president, chief executive officer and founder of Exim, is the new company's president.
"I have known the Martells for several years, and I believe that partnering with them provides an exciting opportunity for us to synergistically enhance our present products as well as develop new products," Nigam said.
Prior to launching Exim in 1999, Nigam was vice president of integration services for Homepoint, another Greenville-based B2B company. Homepoint shut down in 2000.
Ron Martell said the merger will enable Micro-D to update PreVue catalogs via the Internet as often as manufacturers require. The merger also will allow retailers using Micro-D's EasyOrder software to "quickly, easily and accurately configure, price and transmit custom orders," he said.
Exim has provided products and services to Thomasville, Broyhill, Hooker and Bassett, among others, mostly related to Internet-based business transactions such as purchase orders and acknowledgements, invoices and ship notices.
Two months ago, Exim was selected by the National Home Furnishings Assn. to provide B2B e-commerce services for NHFA members.
"We are excited about this merger between Exim and Micro-D and feel that their combined technology adds a tremendous value for retailers and manufacturers in the furniture industry," said Steve DeHaan, executive vice president of NHFA.
