Auto Suppliers to Testify Before International Trade Commission On Impacts of Steel Tariffs, June 19 in Washington, D.C.

WHAT: Auto Suppliers to Testify Before International Trade Commission on Impacts of Steel Tariffs

Automotive supplier executives will testify before the International Trade Commission (ITC) on the harm caused by the steel 201 tariffs. This hearing is the latest step in Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association's (MEMA) effort to obtain elimination or rapid reduction of high tariffs put on steel. The tariffs sparked numerous problems for suppliers who buy steel, including higher prices, supply disruptions and quality problems. Higher tariffs will stay in place until 2005 unless suppliers and other steel consumers are able to force a reconsideration by the Bush administration.

  Scheduled to testify:

  *  Scott C. Meyer, president, Ken-Tool and MEMA Board Chairman
  *  Larry Denton, president and CEO, Dura Automotive Systems
  *  Tim Leuliette, chairman, president and CEO, Metaldyne
  *  Wes Smith, president and owner, E&E Manufacturing Co. Inc.
  *  Douglas Krzywicki, CFO, A.J. Rose Manufacturing Co.

* Abdallah Shanti, vice president of procurement and CIO, American Axle & Manufacturing

  *  Eric Sandford, director of steel purchasing, Delphi Corp.
  *  Jeffrey Stoner, vice president, World Wide Procurement, ArvinMeritor

* Ramzi Hermiz, vice president, Global Supply Chain Management, Federal-Mogul Corp.

  *  Layne Gobrogge, vice president of marketing, Transpro Inc.
  *  Richard L. Clayton, president, Textron Fastening Systems Inc.

  WHEN:  Thursday, June 19, 2003 (testimony begins at 9:30 a.m.)

  WHERE:  Main Hearing Room (Room 101), 500 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.

  BACKGROUND:

The International Trade Commission (ITC) will hold hearings under the 332 Investigation concerning steel consumers. The ITC is conducting an investigation to assess and examine the impact of the Section 201 steel tariffs on U.S. steel consuming companies. The testimony from the hearings, along with the related questionnaire data, will form the foundation for the ITC's final 332 report, due to President George W. Bush on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003. At that time, the president will determine whether to keep the tariffs in place until 2005, amend them or repeal them altogether.

PRNewswire -- June 16