TriMas Corporation's Cequent Transportation Accessories Group to Expand Into Southeast Asia

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Oct. 17, 2005 -- TriMas Corporation today announced that Cequent Transportation Accessories Group, an operational unit of TriMas Corporation, will open a metal fabricating plant on Thailand's eastern seaboard in Chonburi Province. Operations are targeted to begin at the plant in the second half of 2006.

The project represents an important step in Cequent's global strategy. Thailand has emerged as a leader for new investment in automobile manufacturing capacity with companies such as Ford (AutoAlliance), GM, Toyota and Mitsubishi investing in Thai- based high volume vehicle manufacturing. "Original equipment accessories are installed in the country of origin prior to the export of the vehicles. The most effective way to capture that market is to be in Thailand and to be affiliated with the manufacturers," commented Robert Saunders, Managing Director-Cequent Australia who is responsible for the project. The Thailand facility will support Cequent's existing operations in Australia, enhance the company's competitive advantage in the ASEAN region and position it for global sourcing to other markets.

About TriMas

Plymouth, Michigan-based Cequent, a TriMas operating group, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of accessories for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, recreational vehicles, passenger cars and trailers of all types. Products include towing and hitch systems, trailer components and accessories, and electrical, brake, cargo-carrying and rack systems. Cequent draws upon a 75-year-old heritage of superior towing and trailer brands, including: Draw-Tite(R), Reese(R), Fulton(R), Wesbar(R), Bull Dog(R), Hidden Hitch(R) and Tekonsha(R). Cequent employs approximately 2,700 associates.

Headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, TriMas is a diversified growth company of high-end, specialty niche businesses manufacturing a variety of products for commercial, industrial and consumer markets worldwide. TriMas is organized into four strategic business groups: Cequent Transportation Accessories, Rieke Packaging Systems, Fastening Systems and Industrial Specialties. TriMas has nearly 5,000 employees at 80 different facilities in 10 countries. For more information, visit http://www.trimascorp.com/ .