Vibracoustic North America to Supply Linear Mass Dampers to Major Tier One Supplier for 2004 Domestic SUV

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 5 -- Vibracoustic North America, the vibration control business of Freudenberg-NOK, announced today that it will be supplying linear mass dampers to a major tier one supplier for a 2004 domestic sport utility vehicle. Details of the contract cannot be released at this time.

Linear mass dampers are used to reduce vibrations and sound pressure levels within a vehicle, resulting in the effective elimination of unacceptable vibrations, ensuring optimum comfort to the driver and passengers.

The damper is a component that is attached to a vibrating structure. The resonant frequency of the damper is optimized to attenuate unwanted vibrations in the oscillating structure.

"As a Technology Specialist in vibration control technology, we develop products that eliminate the vibrations a consumer can feel, hear and see," said Paul J. Parent, president of Vibracoustic North America. "Vibrations that induce booming, droning or squeaking sounds, as well as those that cause the steering wheel, rear view mirror or interior to shake are carefully silenced."

According to Parent, Vibracoustic's linear mass damper business has been successful because of its ability to react rapidly to the needs of the customer through quick identification of the problem and solution, short development and design time, and cost effective solutions.

Vibracoustic North America is part of Vibracoustic Worldwide, one of the world's largest automotive vibration control enterprises, focused on total vehicle noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) solutions and capable of serving automakers in any region of the world. Headquartered in Plymouth, Mich., Vibracoustic North America has a $7 million, state-of-the-art technology and testing facility housing a complete range of NVH-related analytical and test equipment, including full chassis and engine dynamometers in anechoic chambers.

The company uses advanced computer-modeling and analytical capabilities to help automakers take a systems approach to NVH reduction early in the vehicle development stage, with the goal of reducing cost, weight and development time and enhancing customer satisfaction.

A leading supplier of vibration control products and North America's leading producer of microcellular urethane NVH components, Vibracoustic North America offers NVH design solutions and a broad portfolio of components and packages, including engine, body and cradle mounts; jounce bumpers; and through its Vibration Control Technologies, LLC joint venture, torsional vibration dampers. It also offers unique capabilities for complete noise path analysis, an intense focus on analytical techniques and an expanded product line that includes suspension air springs, conventional and hydraulic chassis bushings, dynamic tilgers and other innovative NVH components. For more information, visit the Vibracoustic North America website at www.vibracoustic.com .