Kirkland, Washington – November 8, 2005 – Intuitive Manufacturing Systems, a leading provider of enterprise resource planning software (ERP) for discrete manufacturers, announced today the acquisition of Intuitive Manufacturing Systems by Marlin Equity Partners, a leading private equity firm based in El Segundo, California.

Chuck Gillam, President and CEO of Intuitive, said “The partnership between Intuitive and Marlin Equity Partners is the first step in aggressively pursuing our growth and market leadership initiatives. In addition to its substantial capital resources, Marlin brings significant experience in growing profitable software businesses. The manufacturing industry is at a critical turning point in the realm of technology, and Intuitive is prepared to lead the way with the next generation of enterprise manufacturing software and services.”

David McGovern, Managing Director of Marlin Equity Partners, said, “The acquisition of Intuitive complements Marlin’s strategy of investing in businesses with strong installed customer bases, proven management teams, and attractive growth prospects. Intuitive is well-positioned for continued growth and success through its market-leading Microsoft .NET technology, its strong customer base and its outstanding management team.”

McGovern stated, “In Chuck and Sara Gillam, we have backed an experienced management team with a track record of success. We see ample opportunity to build on what they have achieved to date, and pursue growth initiatives which will expand their product offering and lead Intuitive successfully into the future.”