Benteler Automotive to Relocate Headquarters to Auburn Hills, Michigan

    LIVONIA, Mich., May 9 Benteler Automotive today announced
that it plans to move the company's North American headquarters and advanced
engineering and technical center to a new facility in Auburn Hills, Mich.  The
move is expected to be completed by October 2001, and will consolidate a major
portion of Benteler's non-manufacturing personnel.  The current North American
headquarters, located in Grand Rapids, Mich., as well as the company's sales
and marketing office in Livonia, Mich. will transition to the new facility.

    "This move represents a major step in Benteler's continued automotive
industry growth and our increased focus on North American customers," said
Walter Frankiewicz, president of Benteler Automotive North America.
"Consolidating personnel into one location with expanded technical
capabilities will help us strengthen both our team focus and our
responsiveness in meeting customer needs."

    The 80,000 square-foot facility will house an advanced engineering/
technical center, North American corporate functions, as well as sales and
program management activities.  It will be located in the Oakland Technology
Park, an area Benteler chose because of its reputation for technological
innovation.

    L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, acknowledged Benteler
Automotive as a "perfect fit" for Oakland County (Auburn Hills is located
within the county).

    "It's a cutting edge technology firm that will benefit from the highly
skilled workforce available in Oakland County, as well as the synergy from
being located in the brains of the automotive industry," he said.  "We welcome
them to Automation Alley and Oakland County."

    Automation Alley is a cluster of technology driven companies in Oakland
County, specializing in such industries as information systems, automotive,
aeronautics, telecommunications, research and development, alternative energy,
robotics and software development.

    Commenting on the Benteler Automotive move, Doug Rothwell, president and
chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,
stated, "The MEDC is pleased to have this new investment in Michigan, and to
provide assistance for the relocation to Auburn Hills."

    In addition to personnel, Benteler Automotive plans to move a significant
portion of its North American product development testing capabilities to the
new location.  The technical center will include extensive testing
capabilities such as dynamometers, crash testing and simulation, fatigue life
and emissions, as well as the company's noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) test
facilities, advanced materials analysis and product design and prototype
development.  A portion of the testing function will remain in the Grand
Rapids area, where Benteler has three manufacturing locations.