ACI Acquires Kardam Manufacturing Ltd.

12 January 1998

    TROY, Mich., Jan. 12 -- American Commercial Industries Inc.
(ACI) has announced the acquisition of Windsor, Ontario-based Kardam
Manufacturing  Ltd., a privately held manufacturer of small- to medium-sized
metal stampings and niche supplier of acoustical baffles and vehicle sealing
plugs.  Kardam will operate as a subsidiary of ACI.
    "This acquisition gives ACI a presence in Canada and the opportunity to
expand our North American customer base," said Larry O'Dowd, ACI president and
CEO.  "In return, Kardam has access to ACI-Carron's state-of-the-art CAD
capabilities and engineering resources and an opportunity to expand through
ACI's American customer base."
    The acquisition complements ACI's marketing strategy to expand
manufacturing capabilities of products requiring engineering and design
support to remain competitive in the global automotive market.
    "Kardam manufactures the type of highly engineered metal formed niche
automotive products ACI focuses on," said Rod Juve, director of marketing and
sales for ACI.  "The company is committed to customer satisfaction, provides
value-added products and is a key element in our expansion strategy."
    With annual sales of more than $13.3 million, Kardam operates a QS-9000
certified manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario, which employs more than
80 people.  The company manufactures small- to medium-sized stamped products
such as brackets, clamps, ash trays, metal battery trays and brake and clutch
accessories.
    Headquartered in Troy, Mich., American Commercial Industries, Inc. (ACI)
is a leading supplier of process-driven highly engineered, value-added metal-
formed and stamped automotive niche components.  Prior to acquisition
completion, the company's world-class products are designed and manufactured
by 920 people at three sites located in Michigan and Georgia.
    Information about ACI and its products and services is available on the
Internet at http://www.specialtystampings.com.

SOURCE  American Commercial Industries, Inc.