Omega Steering Hose Addition Helps Corteco Become Full Service Aftermarket Supplier

Expanded product line displayed at AAPEX

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 -- With more than 145 late-model applications added to the product line and approximately 150 new hoses in development, Corteco's recent acquisition of Federal-Mogul's Omega power steering hose and rebuild kit business is helping position Corteco as a full- service aftermarket supplier. The expanded power steering hose product line, called Omega by Corteco, is on display at Corteco's booth (#1645) here at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) from Nov. 4-7. Corteco is the aftermarket business of Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK.

The Omega line is an extensive product offering of original equipment (OE) style hoses -- predominantly constructed with a special high-temperature, high-pressure Hypalon -- that have been modified for easier installation. For example, a line of innovative hoses for the Ford Taurus can cut the installation time from approximately two hours to 45 minutes. This new line also reduces the number of OE style hoses required from 14 to three, significantly reducing inventory space.

In addition, Omega by Corteco brings the company's product coverage current to the 2002 model year. All of its new power steering hose products are part of Corteco's updated and customer-friendly catalog, which can be accessed by visiting the company's website at www.corteco-usa.com .

"We are excited about the opportunity to bring Omega by Corteco to our customers," said John Baldacci, vice president, sales for Corteco. "With the technology and research and development support we have from Freudenberg-NOK and its global network, I am confident that our Omega power steering hose products will be the highest quality and most innovative in the aftermarket industry today."

Distribution of the Omega line has been relocated to Corteco's Milan, Ohio facility -- which recently underwent an $8.2 million expansion -- allowing customers to receive all products from one location.

Corteco is a one-stop shopping solution for gasket and sealing needs -- offering a full range of original equipment products for the automotive aftermarket. The company currently ships 4.5 million transmission kits, 1.6 million power steering kits and 1.4 million engine gasket kits per year, covering virtually all vehicles sold in the North American market.

Corteco is the aftermarket business of Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg- NOK, part of the Freudenberg and NOK Group Companies, with total annual sales of more than $7 billion and worldwide automotive sales of approximately $4 billion. The Freudenberg and NOK Group is among the world's largest and most globally balanced automotive technology suppliers.

For more information, visit Corteco's web site at www.corteco-usa.com and the Freudenberg-NOK web site at www.freudenberg-nok.com .