NineSigma To Support Air Products In Accessing New Innovation

CLEVELAND, OH - July 7, 2004 - NineSigma, Inc., a Cleveland, Ohio-based innovation sourcing firm, announced today that they received a contract from Air Products, the world's only combined gases and chemicals company with sales of $6.3 billion.  NineSigma will support the company's "Identify and Accelerate" strategy by helping Air Products access technology solution providers around the world to drive innovation and growth. This represents NineSigma's first project with Air Products.

"Innovation and technical excellence are critical to Air Products' continued success in the market.  We believe that working with NineSigma will amplify our internal R&D efforts and will expand our ability to access external resources and capabilities globally," said Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Air Products, Miles Drake.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Air Products," said Charles Brez, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for NineSigma. "NineSigma's unique approach to sourcing innovation will enable Air Products to quickly and efficiently tap into a global network of thought leaders across technologies, industries, and geographies."

NineSigma's clients are Fortune 500 companies spanning a variety of industries including automotive, biomedical, chemical, consumer products, electronics, gases, optics, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications among others. Clients engage NineSigma on projects across the innovation value chain including upstream research, design and development, process improvements, finished products, and new applications and markets for existing technologies.

Air Products serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates.  Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. With operations in over 30 countries, the company's 18,500 employees build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NineSigma serves the global research and development industry by facilitating open innovation strategies for clients seeking to acquire technical innovations developed outside their organization. Through its proprietary Managed Exchange (M:X™) process that utilizes Ph.D.-level program managers, web-based tools, and a database of global solution providers, NineSigma matches technology seekers with unobvious or disruptive innovations faster, more effectively, and at a lower cost than conventional means. For more information on NineSigma, visit www.ninesigma.com .

NineSigma Contact:

  Bronwyn Monroe 
  (216) 295-4822
  Marketing Manager