OE Parts Maker Brose Celebrates Groundbreaking Of $26 Million North American Headquarters

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 9 -- Brose North America celebrates its 10th anniversary with the groundbreaking of its new North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. The 75,000 square-foot facility will be built on nine acres in the Pinnacle Corporate Center in Auburn Hills. Brose will invest $26.2 million over five years in the development of its new site, and estimates advanced technology and business potential created by the North American headquarters will result in approximately $400 million in total revenue by 2005, up from $200 million in 2002.

"In only 10 years, Brose North America has transitioned from a two-person operation to a major Tier One supplier in the North American automotive industry," said Jan Kowal, president, Brose North America. "We are tremendously excited to break ground on our new North American headquarters while celebrating 10 years of growth, innovation and success."

Brose's new North American headquarters is expected to house approximately 150 associates when it opens in August 2004 and 260 associates by 2010. The complex will contain administrative and engineering offices. Brose North America has leased office space in Auburn Hills since 1993.

Growth in North America

Since opening its doors in 1993, Brose North America has increased its North American market share from zero to nearly 20 percent for window regulators and 40 percent for door systems. The company leads the market in the development, design and implementation of door and window technology.

"Looking forward to the next 10 years, Brose will focus on continued growth in North America," said Kowal. "With talented staff and a new, state- of-the-art North American headquarters, we are further enabled to provide superior technology and high-quality products to our customers."

In its 10 years, Brose North America has secured more than 30 contracts with five OEMs. With the 2002 acquisition of the Robert Bosch Corporation latch division, Brose expanded its capabilities in the vehicle door arena for its Tier and OEM customers.

In addition to its North American headquarters, construction also is underway in Chicago for the first Brose North America U.S.-based manufacturing facility, targeted to begin production in 2004. The company also announced plans for an additional plant in London, Ontario, which will begin development in late 2003. A third manufacturing facility is planned for the southeast United States.

Facility Details

The new Brose North America headquarters was designed by Tucson, Arizona based Ralph Hammann, Inc. The two-story building combines advanced design cues with functionality in an open space environment. Test laboratories, exhibit space, cafeteria and employee training center will occupy the first floor. Lit with extensive natural light, the second floor will include open office space, meeting rooms and break areas.

"Our state-of-the-art facility will create a comfortable, stimulating environment for Brose North America associates to create advanced technologies and vehicle solutions," said Kowal. "Visitors to our new North American headquarters will experience the Brose culture from the moment they set foot in the door."

Globally, an integral part of the Brose culture includes the preservation of natural resources. Brose's new North American headquarters integrates the natural elements of the site, such as wood and wetlands, into the overall design. This project is registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(TM)).

The new Brose North America headquarters also will feature an ecologically sound, advanced parking lot surface. To reduce surface water from the site and prevent flooding, 357 out of 376 parking spaces will have a compact gravel surface, rather than the traditional asphalt "black-top." Compacted gravel parking surfaces replenish ground water by storm water infiltration, reduce the amount of runoff to detention pond and storm systems and save energy by not using fossil-fuel based products.

About Brose

Brose supplies intelligent systems and modules for vehicle doors and seats to over 40 OEMs and Tier One manufacturers worldwide. With 24 locations in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa and a staff of more than 7,000 globally, Brose offers quality window regulators, door modules, seat adjuster and closure systems to OEMs everywhere. For more information, visit www.brose.net .