Hasting Hires Heavyweights

HASTINGS, Mich., Dec. 5 -- Hastings Manufacturing Co. (Amex: HMF) today named two veteran automotive executives to newly created positions, as part of the Company's drive to expand its presence as a global supplier of internal-engine components. The Hastings, Mich.-based supplier of piston rings and other engine components said Tim Vehlewald will join Hastings as corporate Vice President of Strategic Development, and Steve Cox will join Hastings as National Sales Manager in the Company's newly formed Global Automotive Aftermarket unit. Vehlewald and Cox bring more than 50 years of combined experience in the automotive aftermarket, most recently as senior executives of Norcross, Ga.- based ACL Automotive America, Inc., an engine-parts supplier. Last month, Hastings announced it had signed an agreement to become the exclusive U.S. and Mexican distributor of ACL(R) components. "The addition of these talented executives reflects our commitment to expanding our operations in ways that benefit our customers as well as the manufacturers we partner with," said Mark R.S. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Hastings. "Tim and Steve bring proven experience and invaluable contacts in the automotive aftermarket. They will be key contributors as we look to build Hastings into a single-source supplier where parts warehouses, professional engine rebuilders and specialty retailers worldwide can find the key internal-engine components they need." Vehlewald, who served for the past five years as president and CEO of ACL America, has 25 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket including positions with ACL America, Federal-Mogul Corporation and Sealed Power. In his new position, he will be responsible for establishing and managing strategic alliances between Hastings and other manufacturers of internal engine components. In recent months, Hastings has formed alliances with Australian-based ACL and German-based Karl Schmidt Unisia, Inc. to market and distribute pistons, gaskets and other internal engine components in the United States and Mexico. Vehlewald will report to Johnson. Cox brings more than a quarter century of experience to his new post in Hastings' Global Automotive Aftermarket unit, including 11 years as vice president of sales and marketing for ACL America. At Hastings, he will focus on increasing sales of Hastings(R) piston rings, Zollner(R) pistons and ACL(R)-brand engine components in the United States and Mexico. Cox will report to Jeffrey Guenther, vice president and director of the Global Automotive Aftermarket unit. Hastings Manufacturing Co. serves the automotive parts market with a complete line of internal engine components including piston rings sold under the HASTINGS(R) brand name; pistons sold under the Zollner(R) brand; and gaskets, import pistons, engine bearings and a variety of other engine components sold under the ACL(R) brand. Hastings also markets engine additives sold under the CASITE(TM) brand through The Casite Company, a joint venture that markets both directly and through independent representatives. Canadian distribution of all products is handled through a wholly owned subsidiary, Hastings, Inc. located in Barrie, Ontario. During 1999, Hastings began to distribute and administer products for other U.S.-based suppliers in the Canadian market. These products complement the current piston ring offerings as to both distribution channels and customer base.