Guardian Industries to Expand in Mexico With Construction of its 24th Float Glass Plant

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 28, 2003 -- In a ceremony today in El Marques, Mexico, Guardian Industries executives and government officials officially broke ground for what will be the company's 24th float glass plant. The new plant, located in the state of Queretaro, north of Mexico City, represents an investment of $120 million for Guardian.

Guardian Glass Group President Russell Ebeid and Managing Director of Latin American Operations Mark LaCasse joined Mexico's Minister of the Economy Fernando Canales, Queretaro Governor Ignacio Loyola, Queretaro Secretary of Sustainable Development Leopoldo Mondragon and El Marques Mayor Javier Martinez, at the ground-breaking ceremony.

"Guardian Industries is confident in Mexico's long term growth," said Ebeid. "We are here to support that growth while serving an expanding customer base in Latin America. With the completion of this world-class glass manufacturing facility, we will add quality jobs and enhanced services that will generate innovation and growth in the Mexican glass industry."

"Guardian chose to locate in Queretaro to take advantage of a strong, energetic work force and supportive, cooperative state and municipal governments," said LaCasse. "In addition, Queretaro's central location will help us meet the needs of this emerging Mexican market."

Scheduled to begin production in the third quarter of 2004, the facility will employ approximately 300 people and produce 650 tons daily of high quality float glass for architectural and automotive applications. Indirectly, Guardian expects the facility to generate more than 1,000 additional jobs by adding to its supplier and logistics base.

Guardian's other Latin American locations include float glass plants in Porto Real, Brazil, and Maturin, Venezuela, and distribution facilities in Veracruz, Mexico, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Cartagena, Colombia.

The new plant in Mexico is part of Guardian's aggressive growth strategy that has included new float glass plants in Poland and England, and recently launched coaters in Luxembourg and the United States.

In addition, the company has a growing roster of innovative coated glass products that:

  *  block harmful ultraviolet rays,
  *  improve visibility in poor weather driving conditions,
  *  manage solar energy for reduced fuel consumption, or
  *  resist scratching and abrasions.

Guardian Industries Corp., based in Auburn Hills, Mich., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products for the commercial and residential construction industries, and the world's largest producer of mirrors. Guardian Automotive provides complete exterior systems to the global automotive industry and is a Tier 1, top-100 global automotive supplier. Guardian's Building Products Group includes one of the largest manufacturers of fiberglass in the world and occupies a significant and growing position in the building materials distribution business.

Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 19,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Visit us at www.guardian.com .