MCLEAN, Va. — In its ongoing efforts to develop and implement a proprietary B2B eCommerce trading solution, the RPM Group has entered into a three-year agreement with Corcentric.

Corcentric’s private trading exchange will allow RPM Members to communicate electronically with all of RPM’s suppliers in the automotive aftermarket. A sample of RPM’s major suppliers includes Honeywell Consumer Products Group, Standard Motor Products, TRW/Autospecialty, Federal-Mogul, Goodyear Tire and Rubber and The Timken Company.

The RPM trading exchange is projected to be operational in the first quarter of 2002.

“An emphasis on technology is especially important for our Group,” says RPM executive director Michael Mitchell. “The economies of supply chain management are especially attractive to both our members and vendors. We are certain that this technology will provide a competitive advantage for our current and future members.”

According to RPM, it is a not-for-profit buying cooperative representing the leading independent chains in the automotive aftermarket. Through pooling resources in a tight alliance, it says its members can realize the leverage of combined buying power yet retain the autonomy to operate their chains independently.