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Ziebart Expands Store Network in Detroit

17 March 1998

Ziebart Expands Store Network in Detroit

    TROY, Mich., March 17 -- Ziebart International Corp., the
world leader in car-care solutions to protect and enhance vehicle appearance
and investment value, today announced it will significantly expand its
presence in metro Detroit with the addition of four new stores through a
franchise agreement with Collision Craftsmen, Inc.  Included among the four
new stores are two City of Detroit locations, marking Ziebart's return to the
City after four years.  The first new store opens on March 23, 1998, in
Southfield.
    Headquartered in Macomb Township, Collision Craftsmen operates seven
collision service stores throughout metro Detroit.
    The Ziebart/Collision Craftsmen stores will carry the complete line of
Ziebart's car-care products and services, including professional detailing
services, appearance protection services, rust protection, and accessories.
    "This agreement provides us the opportunity to build on Ziebart's nearly
40-year history in Detroit," says Thomas E. Wolfe, chairman, president, and
chief executive officer of Ziebart International Corp.  "This expansion will
greatly benefit our existing stores throughout the metro area."
    "This partnership with Collision Craftsmen is in keeping with Ziebart's
overall commitment to expanding and strengthening its franchise network
worldwide," continued Wolfe.  In 1997, Ziebart opened 27 new stores in U.S.
cities and abroad, including Salt Lake City, Utah; Slidell, LA; Billings, MT;
Lubbock, TX; Union of South Africa; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and the
Dominican Republic.
    Details of the franchise agreement between Ziebart and Collision Craftsmen
have not been disclosed.
    Founded in 1988, Collision Craftsmen operates stores in Macomb Township,
Detroit, Roseville, Dearborn, Southfield and Warren.  The company offers full-
service collision and theft repair on all makes and models of cars and trucks,
and services more than 700 vehicles a month.
    "We were looking for an opportunity to better serve our customers and
Ziebart fit the bill," says Marco Grossi, president of Collision Craftsmen.
"Our customers will benefit from the one-stop shopping environment we will now
be able to offer.  Ziebart's car-care products and services are an excellent
fit with our own."
    Established in 1959, Ziebart International Corp. is headquartered in Troy,
Mich., and operates approximately 600 stores in 44 countries.  Ziebart offers
more than 30 car-care services, and is North America's largest installer of
aftermarket accessories.  For franchisee information, call 800-877-1312 or
visit Ziebart's web site at http://ziebart.com.

SOURCE  Ziebart International Corp.