Sika to Provide Acoustic and Damping Content For 2004 Lexus RX

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., June 25 -- Sika Automotive has been selected by Toyota to supply nine different components (a total of 19 parts) from the SikaBaffle(R) and SikaDamp(R) technologies for the new Lexus RX330, the first Lexus to be manufactured outside of Japan. The Lexus RX330 is a benchmark luxury SUV that was launched in North America earlier this year, and will be manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario starting in the fall of 2003.

Sika Automotive was awarded this contract based on Sika's ability to meet Toyota's stringent cost, quality and delivery expectations. Sika has been a Toyota supplier since 1987 and in 2002 was recognized by Toyota for Quality Performance Achievement.

The key Sika components on the new Lexus are SikaBaffle(R) 229 and SikaDamp(R) 630, both introduced in 2002. SikaBaffle(R) 229 is designed to deliver a superior sealing solution for water, dust and noise reduction at high frequencies by expanding during the E-Coat baking cycle. SikaDamp(R) 630 is designed to deliver excellent sound damping performance for low frequencies that stem from structure borne vibration. This innovative constrained layer damper offers the Lexus brand the "Best in Class" performance for noise reduction, weight reduction and cost. All Sika components will be manufactured at Sika's Grandview, Missouri facility.

Sika Automotive's ability to improve vehicle performance while reducing costs is further enhanced with the capabilities of their Acoustic Test Facility located in Madison Heights, Michigan. In this state of the art technical center, Sika provides automotive OEM customers the ability to improve overall vehicle performance by optimizing Sika's acoustic, bonding, reinforcing and sealing products through the combined skill sets of chemical formulations, application engineering, validation and optimization.

Sika Automotive, based in Madison Heights, MI, a division of Sika Corporation, is an industry leader in the development and production of high performance acoustic, bonding, reinforcing and sealing systems. Sika Automotive provides automobile manufacturers with proven material, application engineering and validation expertise to improve interior sound quality and structural performance in vehicles worldwide. Sika Automotive optimizes cost effective, complete solutions in its dedicated, state of the art, Acoustic Test Facility, located in Madison Heights, MI. Visit the Sika Automotive website www.sika-automotive.com .

Sika Corporation is a leading supplier of specialty chemical products and industrial materials serving construction and industrial markets including transportation, marine, and automotive. Sika Corporation is a subsidiary of Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland. Sika has annual sales of approximately US$1.5 billion (CHF 2.2 billion), over 8500 employees and operations in more than 64 countries. Visit the Sika website at www.sika.com .