Yazaki Names D. Conrad V P of I T And e-C

CANTON, Mich., March 12 -- Yazaki North America, Inc. (Yazaki), a leading supplier of vehicle power and data solutions to the automotive industry, announced today the promotion of David Conrad to Vice President of Information Technology and Global e-Business from Director of Global e-Business. George R. Perry, president and COO of Yazaki North America made the announcement.

In his new position, Conrad will be responsible for overseeing software development, infrastructure management and business systems support. He will also continue to oversee the global e-Business duties, which continually assesses the long-term strategic direction and application of information technology to improve the company's business processes between the North American, European, and Asian locations.

Conrad has been affiliated with Yazaki North America since May 1988 and has over 15 years of computer systems and engineering experience. He has been instrumental in the development of various Yazaki programs including: AutoWire, the Yazaki Digital Data Bus [D2B] Concept Minivan, Scalable Modular Architecture, and Yazaki's Electrical Wiring Division (EWD) Network System and training program. Additionally, in 1996, he participated in a one-year Yazaki Global Management Training Program in Japan.

``The addition of David Conrad to our executive team will not only strengthen our systems capabilities, but Yazaki as a whole,'' said Colleen Haley, vice president, human resources & general affairs. ``David Conrad continues to be a valuable and highly effective member of the Yazaki team.''

Conrad earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas. He is an active member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association e-Business Council and the Covisint Global Customer Advisory Council.

Yazaki Corporation is a global leader in the research and development of vehicle power and data solutions, as well as advanced electronic technologies for vehicle applications. Yazaki produces electrical distribution systems, fiber optics, advanced networking products, instrumentation, junction blocks, connector systems, and advanced electronics. Worldwide, the company employs nearly 100,000 people in 31 countries, 1,800 of whom are based in the company's North American headquarters and research center campus in Canton, Michigan. For more information on Yazaki, log onto www.yazaki-na.com .