February 16, 2000

Berndt Group and Foundry Join Forces
Award-Winning Web Technology Firms Form Alliance

BALTIMORE, MD - Two of Baltimore's fastest-rising Web technology companies, The Berndt Group, Ltd and Foundry, Inc, have formed a professional alliance for work on current and future projects.

The Berndt Group has designed and implemented Web sites for STX Lacrosse, World Bank, The Rouse Company, and National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as having recently won the contract to design an interactive site for Port Discovery in Baltimore. The Berndt Group is a full-service Web design agency, which provides complete, comprehensive Internet technology services with a particular focus on cutting-edge, creative interactive design. Foundry, Inc is an Internet solutions and applications provider; the firm develops custom Java applications and Web sites, as well as providing hosted application services such as B2C and B2B solutions on Foundry's own e-commerce platform. Together, the two firms intend to hone their competitive edge in broader national markets, and go confidently head- to- head with National players.

The seed for this amicable partnership was planted in August of 1999, when Foundry, Inc enlisted the services of The Berndt group design team to expedite the launch of six major sports Web sites. The Sports Authority, Sports and Recreation, MC Sports, Dunham's, The Athlete's Foot and Sports Chalet all were successfully launched for 1999's holiday e-commerce season, thanks to the "excellent chemistry" between the two firms, according to John Berndt, president and founder of The Berndt Group. "We were thrown on short notice into an extremely high-pressure situation, and our firms worked together in an intense, closely-knit environment "says Berndt. "The project came to fruition quite efficiently, and our companies' compatibility inspired me to seek further involvement with Foundry, Inc."

The project went so well that the firms' combined efforts resulted in a #2 rating in an online shopping comparison study. "Our alliance with the Berndt Group allows us to offer our clients a total quality package," says Foundry, Inc president and CEO Tony Rennier. "Foundry's focus on powerful Internet application development is complimented by the Berndt Group's high-quality, innovative graphics and site design."

Foundry, Inc and The Berndt Group retain separate identities and marketing strategies. However, the two companies intend to work cooperatively. Both firms seek to position themselves firmly in the National competitive arena this year, and are confident that their alliance will prove to be valuable to that end.

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