Five Top North American Automotive Suppliers Honored By the French Government Yesterday in Detroit

DETROIT, March 5 -- Five top North American automotive suppliers were honored by the French government yesterday evening at the eighth annual Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony held at the Detroit Institute of Arts during the 2003 SAE World Congress.

The five suppliers honored this year were Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC, based in Sterling Heights, MI; Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co., based in Geneva, IL; Dow Automotive, based in Auburn Hills, MI; L&L Products, Inc., based in Romeo, MI; and Visteon Corporation, based in Dearborn, MI. The Invest in France Automotive Awards are presented annually by the Invest in France Agency to recognize leading North American automotive companies that have made a significant investment in new or expanded facilities in France.

The French government presents these awards because of the importance of the automotive industry in France. With 19 vehicle manufacturing plants producing over 3.6 million vehicles annually, the country is Europe's second largest automotive manufacturing center. France is also home to nearly 600 tier-one and more than 3,000 tier-two suppliers. And, like Detroit, Paris is the leading automotive purchasing center for the continent, with purchasing decisions there affecting nearly 14 percent of global vehicle production.

Each of the five companies received a highly prized, limited-edition crystal automobile designed and cast by the world-renowned glasswork manufacturer Compagnie Francaise du Cristal Daum. Founded in 1887 by master craftsman Jean Daum and his descendants, Daum Crystal represents the glassmaker's highest achievement in the world of decorative arts.

Presenting the crystal awards to executives representing the five suppliers were Her Excellency Clara Gaymard, Ambassador-at-Large, Special Representative of France for International Investment; The Honorable Dominique Decherf, Consul General of France in Chicago; and Jean Cantoni, President of Invest in France Agency North America.

Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Terence C. Seikel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC; John F. Carroll, President of Burgess-Norton Mfg Co.; George R. Hamilton, Vice President of Materials of Dow Automotive; Mark Fischer, Executive Vice President of L&L Products, Inc.; and Tom Burke, Vice President-Manufacturing of Visteon Corporation.

Advanced Accessory Systems was recognized for building a new manufacturing facility close to its existing plant located in the town of Betheny, near Reims. This 160,000 sq. ft. construction on 10 acres of land will allow AAS to increase its annual production of trailer hitch systems from 200,000 to half a million units. The plant will operate with about 130 employees at full production, including a design and R&D department for the development of new products. AAS production at this new facility will serve Original Equipment Manufacturers (40%) as well as aftermarket companies (60%), of which 50% will be exported outside of France.

Burgess-Norton (BN) was honored for completing the acquisition of IP Marti, a subsidiary of DANA located in Vieux-Charmont, France. The plant produces piston pins for the automotive and truck markets and will allow BN to expand its presence in Europe. Annual production already has shown a significant increase as of January 2003, thanks to the transfer of capacity serving the European market. This facility should serve as a development platform for further production investments in France, following the results of the new sales force recently hired to cover the German and the UK markets.

L&L Products and Dow Automotive were recognized for investing 6 million Euros in a new manufacturing plant for their subsidiary Core Products near Strasbourg. Thanks to its central location in Europe, this 97,000 sq. ft. facility will allow Core Products, first tier supplier of engineered sealing and structural solutions for the automotive industry, to serve its European customers in less than three days. The number of employees has nearly doubled to 200. This investment was made possible with the assistance of the local economic development agencies that helped locate the suitable site for the new facility and recruit specialized employees.

Visteon was recognized for investing 30 millions Euros in a new manufacturing facility next to the PSA Peugeot-Citroen assembly plant in the town of Noyal/Chatillon-sur-Seiche near Rennes. This 177,600 sq. ft. facility will support existing and future business with PSA. The plant will operate with about 400 employees at full production, manufacturing and assembling HVAC systems, door trim modules and interior trim components for PSA. Finished products will be delivered just-in-time by truck from Visteon's site via a connecting bridge to PSA's receiving area 1.5 miles away where the new Peugeot 407 model will be assembled. Visteon's facility will have the capacity to produce 8,000 door panels per day.

Sponsors:

The 2003 Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony is sponsored by RSM McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and consulting firm, and Butzel Long, a Michigan-based law firm.

Previous Recipients:

Including this year's five corporate recipients, the Invest in France Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of 27 leading North American corporations. Previous winners are:

  2002:  ArvinMeritor, Lear Corporation, Altair Engineering
  2001:  Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems, Harman International, Moll
         Industries, The Timken Co.
  2000:  Visteon, Act Laboratories, Honeywell Turbocharging Systems
  1999:  Dana Corporation, Oxford Automotive
  1998:  ITT Automotive, Standard Products, Tenneco Automotive
  1997:  Eaton Corporation, Ogura Corporation, Rockwell International, TRW
  1996:  BorgWarner, Donnelly Corp., Ford Motor Co., Gates Rubber, Delphi
         Thermal Systems

  About the Invest in France Agency North America (IFANA)

The Invest in France Agency is the French government agency for international investment. Invest in France Agency North America provides US, Canadian and Mexican executives with customized, confidential, complimentary services including financial and fiscal incentives, key industry contacts and site selection studies. Its mission is to help North American companies find the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in Europe.