J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. Appoints David Hoyte as President And CEO and Charlie Waldon as Vice Chairman

    MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 12 J.L. French Automotive Castings,
Inc., today announced the appointment of David Hoyte to the position of
president and chief executive officer.  He will also be nominated to the
company's board of directors.  In addition, Charlie Waldon, who had previously
served as the company's president and CEO, will assume the newly created
position of vice chairman and will retain his position on the company's board
of directors.  In connection with these appointments, the company has
established an office of the chairman, which will consist of Tony Johnson,
chairman of the company's board of directors, Messrs. Hoyte and Waldon, and
Mark Burgess, chief financial officer of the company.
    David Hoyte most recently served as president of the Ride Control Group of
Arvin Meritor.  He has also served in a variety of senior executive capacities
at Frigidaire, Cummins Engine Company and General Motors Corporation over his
career.  In his new capacity at J.L. French, he will be responsible for the
day-to-day operations of the company.
    Charlie Waldon had been president and chief executive officer of the
company since 1996 and has served in a variety of capacities at the company
since 1986.  Prior to that time, he was with General Motors Corporation.  In
his new capacity as vice chairman, he will oversee the development of new
technologies and processes, customer development and the company's capacity
utilization strategy.
    J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. is a leading global designer and
manufacturer of highly engineered aluminum die cast automotive parts including
oil pans, engine front covers and transmission cases.  The company has
manufacturing facilities in Sheboygan, Wis.; Grandville and Benton Harbor,
Mich.; Glasgow, Ky.; San Andres de Echevarria, Spain; Saltillo, Mexico; as
well as five plants in the United Kingdom.  The company is based in Sheboygan,
Wis.