Exide Technologies Appoints Lorne R. Hilts Vice President

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 21 -- Exide Technologies , the global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, has named Lorne R. Hilts as Vice President of Planning and Logistics for the company's European Transportation related business. In this new position, Hilts will work closely with Robert B. Weiner, Senior Vice President Global Manufacturing and Engineering, to bolster the company's recently established EXCELL (Exide's Customer Focused Excellence Lean Leadership System) program that focuses on removing waste in all business and operational processes company wide. He also will oversee the distribution and planning organizations throughout Exide's European transportation operations.

``Lorne's wealth of talent and experience in manufacturing processes make him the ideal leader for Exide's European transportation related logistics and planning team,'' said Weiner. ``Currently, he and his group are evaluating and changing our logistics and planning operations to maximize efficiency in Europe, and he will play an integral role as we develop Exide into one of the world's premier logistics and manufacturing organizations.''

Hilts has been with Exide since 1988 and was instrumental in integrating and restructuring the Canadian operation when Exide acquired Battronics in 1995. He has held various positions within the organization, the most recent as President and Director-Exide Canada. In this role, he was responsible for manufacturing, logistics, sales, marketing, quality, and all support functions for Exide's Canadian operations. Prior to this, he also served as Vice President of Operations and Director of Manufacturing and Distribution.

Before joining Exide Technologies, Hilts was the Vice President of Logistics for Boot's Drugs, the world's largest retail pharmacy chain. In that position, he led the logistics organization as well as the company's integration and restructuring of logistics systems for numerous acquisitions throughout North America and England.

``The EXCELL process touches every part of Exide's business, helping to shape the way we think about manufacturing and all other business processes,'' said Hilts. ``We are using EXCELL to benchmark best planning and logistics practices to create world-class production and delivery of products to our customers.''

About Exide Technologies:

Exide Technologies is the world's largest industrial and transportation battery producer and recycler with operations in 89 countries.

Industrial applications include network-power batteries for telecommunications systems, fuel-cell load leveling, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) markets; and motive-power batteries for a broad range of equipment uses, including lift trucks, mining vehicles and commercial vehicles.

Transportation uses include automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural, marine and other batteries, as well as new technologies being developed for hybrid vehicles and new 42-volt automotive applications. The company supplies both aftermarket and original-equipment transportation customers.

Further information about Exide Technologies, its financial results and other information can be found at www.exide.com.