New Dual Rack & Pinion System Technology Means Improved Performance; $400 Million Savings Potential for Auto Manufacturers

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 29, 2003 -- Window regulator technology has taken a giant step forward with the introduction of the Dual Rack & Pinion System ( www.dualrackandpinion.com ) by Nashville-based Mertech Intellectual Properties, a small company poised to introduce a new product to the world of global automotive giants.

The Dual Rack & Pinion Regulator represents a radically different approach from currently used designs, according to the company. It has less than a dozen parts -- about half the number on either of the two other window regulator systems commonly used. It also generates less stress, provides greaseless operation, savings in weight, energy and, most importantly, reduced total cost. Longer-term, it promises major economic implications for the auto industry worldwide.

"Seldom has the automotive industry seen a single new technology with the potential to generate the overall savings this technology can deliver," said Ronald M. Sohr, President of Mertech Intellectual Properties. "With approximately 48 million power regulators manufactured annually (125 million worldwide), and with combined variable, ergonomic and value-added savings of approximately $8.00 per unit, this single part can produce U.S. savings that could approximate $400 million annually," he said. "All this while delivering product improvements that will mean advantages for both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consumers too."

Made from a lightweight, specially formulated, high-strength polyamide material, the Dual Rack & Pinion Regulator is self-lubricating and eliminates unwanted horizontal side forces, as well as the need for over-powered energy consuming motors that are prevalent in current window systems. This is achieved in a design that allows the motor to travel up and down with the window as two intermeshed pinion gears traverse up and down the one-piece molded rack. The entire system is driven by a single polymeric worm gear.

Said Sohr: "The best way to define the Dual Rack & Pinion technology is to say that it's technologically sophisticated and advanced precisely because of its simplicity. Fewer parts -- notably, fewer moving parts -- mean that there are fewer things that can fail. For the OEM this means lower costs for the system, assembly, installation and warranty work. For consumers, it means quieter operation and less likelihood of power window problems."

Using the Dual Rack & Pinion Regulator, the U.S. auto industry could remove between 10 and 14 pounds of weight from a four-door vehicle. The resultant annual weight savings equates to approximately 160 million pounds per year. Once full U.S. market penetration is reached yearly, the fuel savings resulting from this improved technology will be enough to fuel 48,000 automobiles. By 2020, the annual fuel savings could be enough to provide fuel to more than one million vehicles.

For additional press releases, charts, photographs, and a seven minute DVD Presentation, please visit us online at http://www.dualrackandpinion.com/ or contact Ronald Sohr at Mertech Intellectual Properties 615-333-9500 or rackandpinion@mertech-inc.com.

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