Haartz Scores TPO Auto Interior 'Hat Trick' for 2003 and 2004 Vehicles

    DETROIT, May 15 Further strengthening its position as one
of the leading suppliers of thermoplastic olefin (TPO) coverskins for
automotive applications, The Haartz Corp. announced today that it has landed
contracts to supply environmentally friendly TPO interior-trim materials for
three future vehicle programs.
    This Haartz "hat trick" is for a major automaker's 2003 model-year vehicle
(instrument panel and door panels) and two 2004 model-year vehicles
(instrument panels).
    The tier-two supplier made the announcement today at The Detroit Auto
Interiors Show being held this week at Cobo Center, where the company is
showcasing its latest TPO interior-trim materials.
    "These new TPO contracts -- combined with others we are close to securing
-- are testimony that we are well-positioned today to provide our customers
with TPO materials for tomorrow's vehicles," said Tim Jackson, Haartz vice
president of sales and marketing - interiors.  "Our $25 million investment in
capital improvements over the past three years -- including $7 million to
expand our Acton, Mass. manufacturing plant and to add new equipment dedicated
exclusively to olefin extrusion -- has helped us meet increased demand for
TPOs."
    According to Jackson, Haartz already has two TPO applications in
production.  They are:

    * 2002 Buick Rendezvous -- the company is supplying TPO coverskin to
Intertec Systems -- a joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and Inoac
Corp. of Japan -- which is manufacturing the instrument panel for Buick; and
    * 2001 Mazda Tribute -- the supplier provides TPO coverstock and
polypropylene foam laminate materials to Visteon Corporation -- which is using
a unique in-mold decorating process to manufacture the vehicle's instrument
panel.

    Jackson noted that the auto industry has been moving away from
polyvinylchloride (PVC) interior-trim materials and toward TPO -- an
environmentally friendly alternative to vinyl that also provides weight
savings, enhances long-term durability, reduces fogging and decreases overall
costs.
    Fully recyclable door-trim and instrument panels can be achieved, he said,
by combining plastics from the same family -- polypropylene foams,
polypropylene substrates and TPO coverskins.
    One of the top 100 global automotive interior suppliers, The Haartz Corp.
-- a leading manufacturer of engineered-coated materials for the U.S. and
European markets -- has served the auto industry since 1907.  The company
supplies moldable automotive interior-trim materials and sport-utility vehicle
and convertible topping fabrics worldwide.
    Haartz has its corporate and manufacturing headquarters, and a research
and development center in Acton, Mass., as well as sales offices around the
world, including an automotive sales office in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.  Haartz
has added global manufacturing and design capabilities with its April 2001
acquisition of Rode & Schwalenberg GmbH in Mannheim, Germany.  For more
information, visit http://www.haartz.com

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