SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jun 17, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group Part of Worldwide Shift to Use Autodesk Software to Build Technology Infrastructure for Manufacturing Industry

With China's entry into the World Trade Organization, businesses in Greater China are turning to Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, as they build an advanced technology infrastructure to support manufacturing growth. Autodesk announced today that Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group purchased 50 licenses of the Autodesk Inventor Series to increase productivity and communicate its designs more effectively. Chengdu joins a list of top Chinese corporations selecting Autodesk Inventor Series for 2D and 3D mechanical design, including China State Shipbuilding Corporation and a number of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong.

China is the fourth-largest manufacturing power and, according to The Economist, the ninth-largest exporter in the world. Its entry into the World Trade Organization has drawn increasing attention to its potential as a "world factory." According to the Asian Wall Street Journal 2001 survey of corporate executives, China's manufacturing boom has made the country the most popular destination for foreign direct investment.

China's manufacturing industry comprises companies such as Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group, a US$80-million state-owned enterprise that produces construction machinery and parts, as well as products for automobile manufacturing facilities. The enterprise is exclusively designated by the China National Machinery Administration to provide the country with American CAT hydraulic construction machines. Using Autodesk Inventor software, Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group can create more visually realistic designs, making the design process more intuitive and helping engineers communicate ideas, preview final designs, and estimate project costs more accurately. The Inventor software replaces the company's 2D AutoCAD software.

"3D design software is an essential success factor for us to compete on a global scale," said Jia Gengsheng, director of the Computer Center at Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group. "The adaptive technology in Autodesk Inventor is the most important breakthrough in the 3D field, offering the ability to take our designs from concept through manufacturing with ease, high performance, and increased productivity. We are making the move from 2D to 3D design at a fast pace. Autodesk Inventor software is very easy to learn and master for our engineers."

"The selection of Autodesk software by Chengdu Engineering Machinery Group demonstrates that as China's manufacturing industry becomes increasingly sophisticated, the need for the latest design tools and technology becomes increasingly important," said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Division at Autodesk. "We see a significant opportunity for our mechanical solutions to transform the manufacturing technology infrastructure in the Greater China region and provide a global competitive advantage."

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain use digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Inventor are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Cindi Goodsell, 415/507-8452
                  cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com

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