MetoKote Corporation Earns Tier One Status to Toyota Motor Manufacturing

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LIMA, Ohio, May 19, 2011 -- MetoKote Corporation announced today it has achieved tier one status to Toyota Motor Manufacturing; the only dedicated coating services company in North America to earn this distinction. Through its San Antonio, Texas, facility MetoKote provides electro-deposition or e-coat application services on 100 percent of Toyota's Tundra and Tacoma pick-up truck window frames produced at the automaker's Texas assembly facility.

MetoKote's San Antonio facility -- established in 2006 -- is located on the Toyota supplier campus and is on a 12-hour shipment window with the automotive manufacturer. MetoKote's proprietary inventory tracking system (MITS) is tied to Toyota's electronic data interchange system and manages precisely how many parts have been received, where they are in the coating process, and when they are scheduled for shipment. In addition to providing e-coat services directly to Toyota, MetoKote began its partnership with two Toyota primary product partners, and has since expanded those relationships to include additional partners also located on campus.

In conjunction with earning tier one status, MetoKote was subsequently confirmed as a member of the Bluegrass Automotive Manufacturers Association otherwise known as BAMA. BAMA is a corporation made up of tier one Toyota suppliers who share a common vision with Toyota of delivering the highest quality vehicles at the lowest cost, with the shortest lead time.

"Becoming a tier one supplier and gaining membership to the BAMA organization are important milestones in our growing and ever evolving relationship with Toyota," said Michael Cooper, director of Asia Pacific business development for MetoKote. "We are excited about the possibilities these steps represent in our ability to improve our relationships and performance as a Toyota business partner, and the positive impacts it will have upon our competitive position in the marketplace as a whole."

Since it began providing coating services for its tier one partner, MetoKote has maintained six sigma quality levels.

About BAMA

BAMA was established in 1989 with the initial intent to provide Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America's suppliers basic Toyota philosophies such as the Toyota Production System and the Toyota Way.

About MetoKote Corporation

MetoKote Corporation, headquartered in Lima, Ohio, serves over 900 customers in over 30 facilities throughout the United States and the world. MetoKote provides environmentally sound and cost-effective coating solutions including equipment, coating application, and related management and support services to a wide variety of markets including appliance, automotive, commercial vehicle, computer, electrical, furniture, industrial equipment, and off-highway.