Automotive Suppliers to Testify Before International Trade Commission On Impacts of Steel Tariffs, Reports MEMA

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 17 -- Automotive supplier executives will testify before the International Trade Commission (ITC) on the harm caused by the Section 201 steel tariffs. The hearing is the latest step in the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association's (MEMA) efforts to obtain elimination of reduction of high tariffs placed on steel.

The tariffs, implemented March 2001, 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.

  Eleven supplier executives scheduled to testify including:

  *  Scott Meyer, president, Ken-Tool
  *  Larry Denton, president and CEO, Dura Automotive Systems
  *  Tim Leuliette, chairman, president and CEO, Metaldyne
  *  Wes Smith, president and owner, E&E Manufacturing Co.
  *  Eric Sandford, director of steel purchasing, Delphi
  *  Jeffrey Stoner, vice president, World Wide Procurement, ArvinMeritor
  *  Ramzi Hermiz, vice president, Global Supply Chain Management, Federal-
     Mogul
  *  Additionally, executives from Textron, American Axle, Transpro and A.J.
     Rose Manufacturing will testify

The 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 steel tariffs on U.S. steel consuming companies. The testimony from the hearings, along with related questionnaire data, will form the foundation for the ITC's final report, due to President Bush on 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.

Founded in 1904, MEMA exclusively represents and serves manufacturers of motor vehicle components, tools and equipment, automotive chemicals and related products used in the production, repair and maintenance of all classes of motor vehicles. MEMA's three market segment associations serve all of the motor vehicle supplier industry: aftermarket - Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA); heavy duty - Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA); and original equipment - Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).

Make MEMA your first call for global intelligence on the motor vehicle supplier industry, leading-edge market research, international business support, government representation, industry networking and commercial services. Experience MEMA, www.mema.org .

NOTE TO EDITORS: To receive copies of the testimony or schedule interviews with those executives testifying, please call Neal Zipser at +1-919-406-8811 or +1-919-345-5371 (cell phone).