Collins & Aikman:'GM 2002 Worldwide Supplier of the Year'

TROY, Mich., April 29 -- Collins & Aikman Corporation announced today that it has received General Motors Corporation's (GM) highest honor given to its suppliers, "Worldwide Supplier of the Year." The award, presented to the company at GM's official ceremony in Toronto, Ont., was granted to Collins & Aikman Corporation for superior performance in quality, service, technology and cost across all of the product lines that the Company supplies to General Motors.

Commenting on the announcement, Thomas E. Evans, Collins & Aikman's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted, "We're extremely pleased to have been awarded GM's 'Worldwide Supplier of the Year.' Collins & Aikman is proud of the relationship it has built with General Motors over the decades, the benefits of which are demonstrated by our ability to continue to gain content on nearly all key General Motors programs. GM vehicles continue to have strong success in the automotive marketplace, and I believe that our broad portfolio of high quality products is playing an important role in that success."

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a global program in 1992. Award-winners are selected by a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics who base their decisions on supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, General Motors honored 91 suppliers from 18 countries for their excellence throughout 2001. Collins & Aikman supplies General Motors, either directly or via a Tier 2 basis, components, goods and services across all of its product lines, including: complete cockpits, interior and exterior trim systems, acoustic components and systems, floor systems, accessory mats, automotive fabric, headliners, and convertible top systems.

"Collins & Aikman is an industry role model that through performance has set an example during the past year for other companies to follow," said Bo Andersson, Vice President, GM Worldwide Purchasing Production Control & Logistics. "It is a pleasure to work with a company that excels at meeting our priorities for quality, service, technology and competitive pricing."

Collins & Aikman Corporation is a global leader in cockpit modules and automotive floor and acoustic systems and a leading supplier of instrument panels, automotive fabric, plastic-based trim, and convertible top systems. The Company's current operations span the globe through 15 countries, more than 120 facilities and over 25,000 employees who are committed to achieving total excellence. Collins & Aikman's high-quality products combine superior design, styling and manufacturing capabilities with NVH "quiet" technologies that are among the most effective in the industry. Information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at www.collinsaikman.com