Sumida America Brings Automotive Coil Solutions to North America

   Investments in Manufacturing Plant and Joint Venture to Accomplish Goal

    ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., March 16 Sumida America
Corporation, a driving force in the fields of advanced magnetics, reed relays,
surge arresters, and other electronic components, announces its launch into
the automotive coils market in North America.  Sumida America brings over
50 years of experience in coil and wire wound component production of parent
company, Sumida Corporation, Tokyo, one of the world's largest designers and
manufacturers of automotive coils.

    To cater to automotive customers in the NAFTA market, Sumida America
recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Guadalajara, known as Mexico's
"Silicon Valley."  Sumida de Mexico, SA de CV, manufactures 30 million ABS
coils per year, with a total capacity of more than 120 million coils,
transformers, plastic parts and flat cables for automobiles per year.  The
plant is certified ISO 9001 and QS9000, enabling the company to become a
preferred supplier of world-class automotive customers.

    Sumida de Mexico's engineering capabilities include ANSYS Finite Element
Analysis (FEA), 3-dimensional parametric solid modeling, mold flow analysis,
infrared thermal analysis, thermal chambers for testing -- 70o C to 200o C,
thermal shock, impact testing, vibration testing, X-ray analysis, salt spray
chamber, and the latest in technology in electrical testing equipment.
Manufacturing capabilities include flat wire winding technology, thermoplastic
over-molding, insert molding, circuit board component insertion and solder,
die casting, stamping-progressive die and transfer press, zinc and nickel
plating, and in house tool design and manufacturing.

    Sumida de Mexico's coils are custom-made.  "Each customer has a team of
professionals from design, engineering, manufacturing technology, materials
management, procurement and quality assurance, that are involved from initial
design to final distribution," said Sumida de Mexico's plant manager, Enrique
Emicente.

    Various types of Flat Flex(TM) cable will also soon be manufactured at
Sumida de Mexico through Panta Sumida America due to a recent global joint
venture agreement between Sumida Corporation and Panta GmbH, Radeberg,
Germany.  "There is a great demand for Panta's unique Flat Flex cables," said
Daniel Clifford, vice president of sales for Sumida America.  "Flat Flex gives
designers more flexibility by allowing them to bend PC boards without
disconnecting them.  The cables also pass the high vibration requirements of
the automotive industry."

    "Our investment in a state-of-the art manufacturing facility and joint
venture combined with Sumida Corporation's expertise in coil products will
allow us to compete effectively in the automotive market," said president of
Sumida America, Harsh Koppula.  "We are excited to bring our automotive coil
solutions to North America."