Milwaukee, WI. November 9, 2001: Tracer Corporation, (http://www.tracercorp.com) a leading provider of commercial aircraft parts and repair & overhaul services, has made an agreement with Milwaukee-based Midwest Express Airlines in which Tracer will oversee the airline’s aftermarket inventory of DC9 and MD80 parts. The deal will relieve Midwest Express from the day to day management of the material and will help the airline better manage its parts assets. Tracer will use a combination of Internet technology and real-world parts expertise to deliver the service.

Steve Ernsbarger, Midwest Express’ Director of Materials Management, said “our partnership with Tracer will give us three big new efficiencies. First, we gain access to a much wider market for our DC9 and MD80 aftermarket material. Tracer’s experience in aftermarket sales and marketing will get these parts to the right place fast. Second, we free up a huge amount of our own warehouse space—Tracer will now handle all the logistics for these parts. Thirdly and most importantly, we unlock the value in those parts assets faster than we otherwise would. By outsourcing to Tracer, we gain immediate new cost-savings. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Tracer CEO Bill Morales said “we’re very excited to work with Midwest Express. We’re going to use Tracer’s imaginative new web-site tools, such as Parts to Go and Package City to help get this material to the right buyer. Aircraft parts buyers can browse “packages” of parts materials that are aircraft specific—such as DC9, 737, 767, and Airbus. Most commercial aircraft are represented on Tracer’s Parts to Go and Package City. Tracer is an aggressive user of Internet technology and we’ll partner with Internet markets such as TradeAir to make it happen for Midwest Express. Also, our Milwaukee warehouse is an ideal location for their inventories. Thanks to network technology, Midwest Express will still have visibility and access to the parts as they need them. They will be Good to Go.”

TradeAir’s Internet-based PartsMarket is an online tool for buyers and sellers of commercial aviation parts and services. Users are able to search, specify, negotiate and conclude parts deals by logging into http://www.tradeair.com. 

About Midwest Express: Midwest Express Airlines features primarily nonstop service to major destinations throughout the United States. Astral Aviation, Inc. – its wholly owned subsidiary – operates Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, which offers connections to Midwest Express as well as point-to-point service between select markets. Together, the airlines fly to 47 cities. More information is available at www.midwestexpress.com.

About Tracer: Tracer Corp. is a full-service provider of commercial aviation parts and services. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI., Tracer serves over 250 customers around the world, providing just-in-time aviation parts and complete FAA/JAA/CAA 145 wheel and brake repair and overhaul services. Tracer is a Milwaukee Future 50 Company. Visit http://www.tracercorp.com. For more information contact Barry Wightman at 414 875 2205. Tracer: Good to Go.