TDS Completes Purchase of Mackie Automotive Systems

LONDON, Ontario, Jan. 18 -- TDS Logistics Inc. announced today that its acquisition of Mackie Automotive Systems (MAS) is complete. TDS is a global supplier of specialized and high-complexity material logistics services to the automotive industry. MAS is a privately held company, based in Oshawa, Ontario, that provides materials integration services to the automotive industry. TDS will adopt the Mackie-trademarked term Tier Zero(TM) to describe their place in the automotive inbound supply chain. Tier Zero(TM) is the link between supplier and assembly plant, allowing the Tier 1s and OEMs to focus on their core competencies.

The combined company will operate as TDS automotive, with global headquarters in London, Ontario and will employ approximately 4,000 people in 36 locations worldwide. Annually TDS handles automotive components valued at $10 billion USD (11 billion EURO) and forecasts 2002 revenue of $220 million USD (250 million EURO).

``This acquisition expands our presence in North America, making TDS automotive a global leader in materials logistics for the automotive industry. We have increased our capabilities in the sequencing arena by welcoming the new employees to our existing staff of talented and highly trained people,'' said TDS automotive President and CEO Jos Opdeweegh.

``Our team is excited about the growth opportunities for TDS automotive. By combining the strengths of these two companies our customers will benefit greatly through enhanced service levels and unique logistics solutions,'' said TDS automotive Vice Chairman Herb Stone.

The new TDS automotive executive management team is comprised of key leaders from both organizations:

Brian Duncan, Chairman Jos Opdeweegh, President and CEO Herbert D. Stone, Vice Chairman Frank Wellens, Executive Vice President Group Staff & Quality Michael Neumann, Executive Vice President Business Development Grant Barker, Executive Vice President Corporate & Legal Affairs Horst Klingspor, Executive Vice President TDS & Managing Director TDS Europe Ken Wilson, Executive Vice President Human Resources Neil Briggs, Chief Financial Officer Eric Windeler, Executive Vice President of North American Operations Mark Wright, President & C.E.O. TDS/US TDS automotive is a premium supplier of specialized and high-complexity material logistics services to the global automotive industry. TDS is ``putting intelligence into logistics'' with sub-assembly, sequencing, export packing, deconsolidation, supply-chain management, after-sales part distribution, and packaging engineering and design services. TDS currently has facilities operating in Europe, Asia, North and South America, including a minority joint venture based in the United States.