United Plastics Group Strengthens International Operations -- Promotes Key Executives for Strategic Growth

    WESTMONT, Ill.--June 2, 2003--United Plastics Group Inc. (UPG), a leading global service provider of plastics injection molding and value-added manufacturing solutions, today announced that it has appointed key executives to manage its domestic and international growth.
    All newly appointed executives will focus on UPG's operations in the United States, Europe, Mexico and China and will report directly to CEO, Shannon White.
    Tom Opielowski, vice president of engineering, will now lead UPG's program management, quality initiatives, and China operations. With these new responsibilities, Opielowski will be responsible for overseeing UPG's program management system while spearheading UPG's global implementation of its world-class quality systems. He will also head up operations in China, as UPG strengthens its molding and tooling capabilities in Asia.
    Bill O'Conner, currently vice president operations of Eastern U.S. and Wales, will now play an instrumental role as vice president of operations for Wales and all of UPG's U.S. plants. O'Conner will work with UPG's commercial team to diversify its market capabilities in the United States and Europe.
    Thomas Cho, formerly vice president of program management, will now serve as the vice president of UPG's Mexico operations as UPG strengthens its management team in this strategically important region. Cho will be responsible for continuing the implementation of world-class manufacturing practices.
    Raul Casillas, formerly vice president of strategic accounts, has accepted the position of vice president of supply chain management. Casillas's expertise in operations, supply chain, and commercial business brings a unique combination of skills and experience to his new position.
    "I am very excited to announce these additions to our executive team. Each of these leaders have played an instrumental role in UPG's recent growth and we look forward to their leadership and continued acceleration of our mission -- to become the leading supplier of low cost, high-quality injection molded products and services," stated UPG's CEO, Shannon White.
    UPG has also announced that Bruce Smith, COO, has accepted the position as president and CEO of Piston Automotive, headquartered in Detroit. Smith returns to the automotive industry where he began his career.
    "We will miss the dynamic leadership that Bruce brought to UPG during his tenure," commented White. "Bruce has left a lasting mark on UPG with his world-wide implementation of lean manufacturing principles as well as his 'best people' strategy, which has brought the industry's most talented team of manufacturing professionals to UPG."

    About United Plastics Group

    United Plastics Group Inc. headquartered in Westmont, Ill., is a full service manufacturer of precision plastics products and value-added services for the industrial, automotive, medical, electronics and consumer markets. United Plastics Group operates state-of-the-art facilities in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Mexico, Minnesota, Texas, the United Kingdom and China.