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J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., Announces Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results

    MINNEAPOLIS--March 22, 2002--J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., today announced revenues and operating income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2001. For the fourth quarter of 2001, revenues were $121.0 million, a decrease of $13.9 million compared with $134.9 million in the 2000 period. Operating income was $17.2 million compared to $5.5 million reported last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $34.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2001 compared to $19.6 million in the same period last year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2001 was $0.4 million versus a loss of $7.7 million in the comparable 2000 period.
    For the year ended December 31, 2001, revenues decreased 9.2 percent to $505.7 million from $557.0 million in 2000. Operating income was $49.3 million compared to $49.5 million reported last year. EBITDA for 2001 was $106.1 million compared to $98.0 million in 2000. Net loss in 2001 was $6.9 million, compared with a net loss of $9.5 million in 2000.
    J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., is a leading global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered aluminum die cast automotive parts including oil pans, engine front covers and transmission cases. The company has manufacturing facilities in Sheboygan, Wis.; Grandville and Benton Harbor, Mich.; Glasgow, Ky.; San Andres de Echevarria, Spain; Saltillo, Mexico; as well as five plants in the United Kingdom. The company is based in Sheboygan, Wis., and has its corporate office in Minneapolis, Minn.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or similar expressions. These statements are based on certain assumptions that the company has made in light of its experience in the industry as well as its perspective of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results because of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to (i) expected synergies, economies of scale and cost savings from the company's acquisitions not being fully realized or realized within the expected time frames; (ii) unanticipated difficulties servicing the level of indebtedness at the company, (iii) costs or operational difficulties related to integrating the operations of the acquired entities with those of the company being greater than expected; (iv) labor disputes involving the company or its significant customers, (v) risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, and (vi) general economic or business conditions affecting the automotive industry, either nationally or regionally, being less favorable than expected.



        J.L. FRENCH AUTOMOTIVE CASTINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                  (Amounts in thousands - unaudited)


                               Three Months Ended      Year Ended
                                    Dec. 31,            Dec. 31,
                                 2001      2000      2001      2000
                               --------  --------  --------  --------

Revenues                       $121,027  $134,882  $505,709  $557,002

Cost of sales                    91,919   120,058   414,310   470,647
                               --------  --------  --------  --------

Gross profit                     29,108    14,824    91,399    86,355

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses          5,516     6,026    27,413    25,544

Amortization expense              6,370     3,312    14,735    11,289
                               --------  --------  --------  --------

Operating income                 17,222     5,486    49,251    49,522

Interest expense, net            13,071    16,823    53,618    62,538
                               --------  --------  --------  --------

Income (loss) before provision
 for income taxes, and
 extraordinary item               4,151   (11,337)   (4,367)  (13,016)

Provision (benefit) for income
 taxes                            3,702    (3,620)    2,555    (3,542)
                               --------  --------  --------  --------

Net income (loss)              $    449  $ (7,717) $ (6,922) $ (9,474)
                               ========  ========  ========  ========


        J.L. FRENCH AUTOMOTIVE CASTINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Amounts in thousands)


                                              Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,
                           Assets               2001         2000
                           ------             --------     --------

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                     $  1,055     $  6,053
Accounts receivable, net                        43,713       78,314
Inventories                                     31,097       40,546
Other current assets                            17,479       20,076
                                              --------     --------
  Total current assets                          93,344      144,989

Property, plant and equipment, net             275,142      283,346
Intangible and other assets, net               332,423      348,209
                                              --------     --------
                                              $700,909     $776,544
                                              ========     ========

          Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
          ----------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt         $  47,306    $  18,185
Accounts payable                                61,678       94,728
Accrued liabilities                             33,167       48,799
                                             ---------    ---------
  Total current liabilities                    142,151      161,712

Long-term debt, net of current maturities      328,935      362,706
Subordinated notes                             175,000      175,000
Other noncurrent liabilities                    21,519       24,795
                                             ---------    ---------
Redeemable common stock                         60,000       60,000

Stockholders' investment (deficit):
Common stock                                      --           --
Additional paid-in capital                      90,476       90,877
Retained earnings (deficit)                   (106,295)     (92,886)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss -
 cumulative translation adjustment             (10,877)      (5,660)
                                             ---------    ---------
  Total stockholders' investment (deficit)     (26,696)      (7,669)
                                             ---------    ---------
                                             $ 700,909    $ 776,544
                                             =========    =========