AP Technoglass Taps Thomas J. Throop for Chief Operating Officer

FLORENCE, Ky., May 29, 2003 -- Thomas J. Throop, a 34-year automotive veteran, is the new Chief Operating Officer of AP Technoglass. Throop assumes the leadership responsibilities for all AP North American operations and has been named a member of the Automotive Executive Committee. Most recently, he was AP's Vice President Market Development and Technology. He will continue reporting to CEO, Hideki Takase and serve on the auto supplier's Leadership Team. AP Technoglass is North America's fastest growing automotive glass and glazing systems supplier.

Throop holds an engineering degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Toledo. He joined AP Technoglass in 1988 as Manager of Project Development for the then-fledgling Saturn Division of General Motors after 19 years on the automotive side at the former LOF. Over the years, Throop has advanced through various levels of sales, marketing and management assignments.

Takase characterized Throop's COO appointment as providing extraordinary support to AP Technoglass' Value Solutions strategy (Value Solutions is a design/engineering/manufacturing/supply chain/consumer warranty initiative that helps AP's OEM customers reduce costs in their operations while increasing consumer satisfaction in the greenhouse of their vehicles). "Throughout his 15 years at AP, Tom has earned a reputation for fast-tracking projects by way of consensus building and focused leadership. You cannot teach that," Takase said. "Our commitment to Value Solutions relies on our abilities to anticipate customer needs, keep our competencies current, sharp and responsive while meeting both customer and competitive challenges in a rapidly changing global marketplace. We are indeed fortunate to have a person of Tom's caliber and experience directing our North American operations," he concluded.

AP Technoglass Company, an affiliate of Asahi Glass America, manufactures automotive glass and glazing assemblies in Ohio, Kentucky, Canada and Mexico for domestic and export markets. Please visit www.aptechnoglass.com for more information.