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Gentex Corporation Declares 100% Stock Dividend

21 May 1998

Gentex Corporation Declares 100 Percent Stock Dividend

    ZEELAND, Mich., May 21 -- Today at Gentex Corporation's
annual meeting of shareholders, the Company announced a two-for-one stock
split effected in the form of a 100 percent common stock dividend for each
outstanding share of the Company's common stock, par value $.06 per share.
This stock dividend will be issued on June 19, 1998, to shareholders of record
at the close of business on June 5, 1998.  This is the third time in five
years that the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming
mirrors and fire protection products has issued a 100 percent common stock
dividend.
    "We are very pleased that the Company's continued strong performance has
allowed the Board of Directors to approve this stock split," said Gentex
Executive Vice President Kenneth La Grand.  "The Board's endorsement of this
action is a strong indication of our confidence in the long-term growth
prospects for this company."
    Any shareholder who owns Gentex shares as of the close of business on
June 19, 1998, will receive the 100 percent common stock dividend.  However,
any shareholder who sells Gentex shares from the record date (June 5, 1998) to
the close of business on the issue date (June 19, 1998) should check with
his/her broker to determine their eligibility for this stock dividend.
Shareholders should not discard existing stock certificates.  Certificates for
the new shares will be mailed after June 22, 1998, and should be retained with
other stock certificates.  The accounts of "street name" shareholders (those
who hold their stock in a brokerage account) will be credited with the new
shares on June 25, 1998.
    Gentex Corporation is an international company that
provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and
North American fire protection market.  The Company develops, manufactures and
markets proprietary electro-optic products, including interior and exterior
electrochromic, automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety (NVS(R)) automotive
rearview mirrors that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from
trailing vehicle headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products
for commercial applications.
    Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry.  Gentex customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler,
Daewoo, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche,
Rolls-Royce and Southeast Toyota Distributors.
    Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales
and engineering subsidiaries in Germany and Japan; and five regional U.S.
sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group.  The Company is
recognized for its quality products, its application of world class
manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a
highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the
Company's stock.