Business Editors

WAUKESHA, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2000

IFS Will Provide Business Software and Related Services

APW Ltd. (NYSE: APW), the leading global Technically Enabled Manufacturing Services "TEMS" company, today announced it has entered into a transaction with IFS North America, Inc. (IFS) for their Applications 2000(TM) business software and related services. APW will implement the IFS component-based solution at all of its global locations covering approximately 4,000 users.

Richard G. Sim, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of APW Ltd. commented, "This initiative will enhance the APW global supply chain strategy by reducing cost and improving response time. Additionally, by having a global shared common database, APW will have better information available to aid in making business decisions."

Terje Vangbo, president and chief executive officer for IFS North America, Inc., said, "The IFS system is especially well suited as a global standard for expanding multinational companies like APW. Ambitious growth initiatives require fast evolution to an advanced business system with high performance and flexibility. The component nature of IFS Applications provides all of that and more - it allows companies to quickly add new e-business or back office functionality one step at a time, whenever and wherever needed to sustain a competitive edge across global markets."

About APW Ltd.

APW Ltd. is a technically enabled manufacturing services (TEMS) company that designs and manufactures large, complex infrastructure products for OEM's in the communications, large enterprise hardware and Internet markets. APW Ltd. has particular skills in the areas of manufacturing enclosures, thermal management, power supplies and backplanes; as well as core competencies in product and system design, integration and supply chain management. APW Ltd. operates in over 45 locations throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

For further information contact:

APW Ltd.

Susan Hrobar, Vice President

262-523-7775

www.apw.com

About IFS and IFS Applications

IFS develops and supplies business applications that offer step-by-step evolution to the extended enterprise. Based on proven component technology, IFS Applications(TM) software includes web-based enterprise applications, customer relationship management and supply chain management components, Internet storefronts, e-markets, and e-procurement solutions. The company's over 60 functional business components, which span the entire demand and supply chain, improve business processes in medium to large companies. IFS eBusiness(TM) solutions provide seamless integration of all data sources from the fastest web sites and exchanges to legacy enterprise resource planning. IFS is the fastest-growing large global vendor in the business applications market. The company has 3,500 employees with products sold in 42 countries through 65 offices around the world.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the above comments represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Management cautions that these projections are based on current estimates of future performance and are highly dependent upon a variety of factors, which could cause actual results to differ from these estimates. APW Ltd.'s results are also subject to general economic conditions, continued market acceptance of the Company's new product introductions, the successful integration of recent acquisitions, operating margin risk due to competitive pricing, foreign currency fluctuations and interest rate risk. See our Form 10 filing for information on risk factors.