Arnold Joins Gentex and is Named Vice President of Operations

ZEELAND, Mich., March 20 -- Gentex Corporation, the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic- dimming rearview mirrors and commercial fire protection products, today announced that John Arnold has joined the Company and has been named Vice President of Operations. He brings over 27 years of experience in operations, plant management, quality and engineering.

Arnold joined Gentex in December after serving 14 years at Prince Corporation (acquired by Johnson Controls, Inc. in 1996) in various leadership positions including plant management, and quality and program management. Most recently, he was Vice President and General Manager of the Johnson Controls Interiors Division. Prior to his employment there, he was Vice President - Engineering & Operations at automotive supplier AutoStyle Plastics, Inc. (acquired by Venture Industries Corporation in 1996). His early career began in advanced process development and manufacturing engineering leadership at General Motors Corporation, where he served for 15 years.

Arnold has a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and materials science from General Motors Institute of Technology and a master's degree in engineering management from the University of Detroit. He resides in Holland with his wife, Jan, and their son.

Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic, automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial applications.

Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry. The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry. Gentex OEM customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daewoo, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Rover, Rolls Royce, Toyota and Volkswagen. Gentex aftermarket/distributor customers include Gulf States Toyota Distributors, Mito Corporation, Southeast Toyota Distributors, Subaru Distributors NE, and Toyota Motor Sales USA.

Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of four facilities in Zeeland, Michigan; an automotive sales office in Livonia, Michigan; automotive sales and engineering subsidiaries in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Korea; and four regional U.S. sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is recognized for its quality products, its application of world class manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the Company's stock.

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