BRG's Automotive Director to Speak at EPN's 42-Volt Conference

DETROIT, March 18 -- On Wednesday, March 20, 2002, Frank May, director of BRG Townsend, Inc.'s (BRG's) Automotive Practice, will present a paper at the European Plastics News conference in Brussels, Belgium. In keeping with the theme of the conference -- plastics in automotive electrical and electronic systems -- May will provide an assessment of the impact of the 42-volt changeover on the plastics industry.

``The full transition to 42-volts will have a profound impact on engineering materials,'' says A.R. Kurkowski, project manager of BRG's study EMERGING DEVELOPMENTS IN AUTOMOTIVE 42-VOLT SYSTEMS. ``Virtually all electrical components will be redesigned over the next 10 years. This will provide both significant opportunities as well as threats to materials suppliers. The transition to 42-volts -- coupled with continued miniaturization, weight reduction and increased under-the-hood temperature -- will dictate materials with improved electrical performance capabilities and higher heat resistance, among other key characteristics.''

Key items May will address include:

-- Implementing measures to capitalize upon the increased volume of plastics in 42-volt vehicles -- Taking advantage of dual architecture technology to prepare for future plastics property requirements -- Tailoring existing plastics products for new automotive applications -- Assessing the impact of cost in the development of mass-produced 42-volt plastics components

A copy of May's presentation can be obtained upon the conclusion of the conference by contacting him at 1-973-347-5300 or fmay@brgtownsend.com.