INDUSTRY

ICEM, the leader in surface modeling, surface model validation and design visualization software, today announced a partnership with The Underground World Corporation, a design solutions and services provider. The agreement gives the companies the combined strength of Underground's local technical teams in Detroit, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, Brazil with ICEM's suite of software products, ICEM Shape Design (ISD) and ICEM Surf. The partnership allows The Underground to expand its reach as a technical integrator with the charter to provide ICEM's world class content creation and Class-A surfacing tools to its major customer base located in the premier automotive design studios. The Underground team also will work with ICEM to provide training and services around ICEM's tools. "We see The Underground contributing to ICEM's business success in the Americas because of their established relational business model" said Michael Check, General Manager of ICEM, Inc. "ICEM and The Underground will provide software and service solutions for design and design execution customers who are on the forefront of creativity and innovation in automotive development." "With our exceptional record of service, the U N D E R G R O U N D, in conjunction with ICEM, brings to fruition a concept that the design community can only benefit from," said Kevin Grant, Business Manager of the Americas for the U N D E R G R O U N D world corp. "The partnership between our two companies utilizes our skill sets with their products. This will offer our clients a unique opportunity to address their needs and challenges in a relevant, effective and creative format." ICEM and The Underground also are co-sponsors of the Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Los Angeles which will unveil the Design Challenge winning entry and feature leading designers from automotive, merchandise, e-commerce and entertainment industries as well as educational and research disciplines at its conference on November 30. Design Los Angeles is aimed exclusively at the interests of automobile designers. Following the conference, the two companies will celebrate the newly formed partnership at the Designers' Night Party which will be held off-site at the Museum of Neon Art.