Intertec Systems Named One of Ford's Top Global Suppliers As Firm Gains Automaker's 2002 World Excellence Award

Vehicle instrument panel manufacturer honored with a Silver Award for outstanding performance

TROY, Mich., May 8 -- Intertec Systems was recognized by Ford Motor Company with a 2002 World Excellence Award, honoring the company as one of the automaker's top suppliers in the world for its performance last year. Intertec Systems is a joint venture between automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls of Plymouth, Michigan, and Japan-based supplier Inoac Corporation.

An awards ceremony was held on April 2, 2003 at the Ford Conference and Events Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Approximately 200 of Ford's largest production and non-production suppliers attended the event.

The World Excellence Awards -- presented annually -- are designed to provide recognition based on quality, cost and delivery performance. A total of 41 suppliers from 13 nations won awards from Ford in various categories.

At the event, officials from Intertec Systems accepted a Silver Award at the annual event. The Ford World Excellence Award - Silver Award is given to suppliers that excelled in quality delivery and cost performance during 2002. Intertec Systems was recognized with one of the 16 Recognition of Achievement awards presented by the automaker.

"We are pleased that Ford has recognized our company's excellent overall performance during 2002," said Paul Elliott, president of Intertec Systems. "Our team remains committed to building our partnership with our customer, and to providing outstanding, high-quality products to Ford in the future."

Tony Brown, Ford's vice president for global purchasing, congratulated Intertec Systems and its employees.

"Our congratulations to Intertec Systems, which is one of Ford's most valuable partners," he said. "Without your extraordinary contributions, we could not have achieved many of our goals in 2002."

Intertec Systems supplies Ford with automotive instrument panels for vehicles built in the United States. For the 2003 model-year, the supplier manufactures products for Ford's Mazda6 sports sedan. Intertec Systems also produces center floor consoles for the model, which is produced by Auto Alliance International, Inc. - a Ford-Mazda joint-venture operation in Flat Rock, Michigan.

With headquarters in Troy, Michigan, U.S.A., Intertec Systems was formed in 1996 as a joint venture between Inoac and Johnson Controls. It is the third-largest independent producer of instrument panels in North America. Intertec Systems operates manufacturing facilities in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada; Bardstown, Kentucky, U.S.A.; and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The company recently entered into agreements for future production in San Leandro, California. Intertec Systems' sales, engineering and technical center is located in Troy.