Alsbridge, the Premier Global Outsourcing and Shared Services Advisory Firm, Announces the Successful Completion of an Outsourcing Deal Between NewPage and Accenture

Alsbridge assisted NewPage Corporation, to develop an innovative full-service IT solution, by defining and implementing an outsourcing strategy. First, Alsbridge assisted in specifying best practices to enable the lowest cost solution; second, they assisted NewPage with the evaluation and selection of the ‘best fit’ outsourcing partner to serve their unique needs; and finally, Alsbridge joined the negotiation team to establish a long term contract. The end result was a multi-year agreement with Accenture to provide broad enterprise IT and infrastructure services.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) October 17, 2005 -- Alsbridge, the premier global Outsourcing and Shared Services advisory firm, announced today the successful completion of an outsourcing deal between its client, NewPage Corporation, and Accenture. NewPage, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio and a leading producer of coated paper in North America, was recently formed when the Papers Group of MeadWestvaco was divested in May 2005. Needing an innovative full-service IT solution, NewPage selected Alsbridge to assist them to define and implement a sourcing strategy.

Alsbridge helped assess the current state of information technology at NewPage. The assessment included a comprehensive due diligence effort on the parent company’s extensive IT service offerings, which enabled a thorough understanding of the client’s IT requirements. Based on the assessment, Alsbridge recommended that NewPage outsource the majority of the enterprise information technology functions currently performed by the parent company, retain strategic IT functions at the NewPage headquarters, and leverage existing IT resources in its five integrated pulp and paper manufacturing facilities.

What followed was a smooth implementation of that strategy. First, Alsbridge assisted in specifying best practices to enable the lowest cost solution; second, they assisted NewPage with the evaluation and selection of the ‘best fit’ outsourcing partner to serve their unique needs; and finally, Alsbridge joined the negotiation team to establish a long term contract. The end result was a multi-year agreement with Accenture to provide broad enterprise IT and infrastructure services.

Commenting on the outcome, Dan Clark, CIO for NewPage, said, “Alsbridge’s support was instrumental in the execution of an effective sourcing strategy to create a new outsourced IT organization. The entire outsourcing process met our aggressive schedule expectations and Alsbridge continues to provide support throughout the transition and implementation.”

Alsbridge CEO, Ben Trowbridge stated, “It’s exciting to see NewPage position themselves for the future. Their team moved quickly and decisively to achieve a superior, long-term solution for their Information Technology needs. We were delighted to be a part of their transformation at this early stage.”

About Alsbridge

Alsbridge (www.Alsbridge.com) is the premier global Outsourcing and Shared Services advisory firm with a staff of over 60 advisors and headquarters in Dallas, TX and London, UK. Our advisors average over 15 years experience specializing in Outsourcing and Insourcing transactions, and have served as managing partners and senior executives at leading firms such as Ernst & Young, Capgemini, EDS, Accenture, PwC and KPMG. We provide clients with unmatched experience and in-depth industry knowledge in reducing costs, improving service levels, and maximizing shareholder value.

About NewPage Corporation

NewPage Corporation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a leading U.S. producer of coated papers in North America. With more than 6,300 employees, the company operates five integrated pulp and paper manufacturing mills located in Chillicothe, Ohio; Escanaba, Michigan; Luke, Maryland; Rumford, Maine; and Wickliffe, Kentucky. These mills have a combined annual capacity of approximately 2.5 million tons of coated and carbonless paper. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.newpagecorp.com.

Contacts:

Amber Garwood

NewPage Corp.

Tel: 937-495-4313

asg1@newpagecorp.com

Lisa Turnbull            

Alsbridge            

Tel: 214-696-6410

Lisa.Turnbull@alsbridge.com

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