Titan International: Federal Appellate Court Denies United Steelworkers of America Petition

QUINCY, Ill.--Nov. 1, 20033, 2003--On November 7, 2003, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, Illinois, denied the Petition for Permission to Appeal filed by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) on November 4, 2003, regarding the lower federal court's second denial to dismiss the RICO lawsuit filed against the union by Titan International, Inc. . The lawsuit, filed in September 2000, stems from the corporate campaign waged against Titan during a 40-month strike by the USWA and seeks approximately $240 million in damages, however under the treble damages stipulation of Federal Racketeering laws, the value increases to approximately $720 million.

The USWA, officers from both Local 164 of Des Moines, Iowa, and Local 303L of Natchez, Mississippi, and over 100 named individuals are accused of interfering with Titan's ability to conduct business by employing such tactics as bomb threats, harassment, falsified worker's compensation claims, extortion and interference aimed at destroying the company.

"The November 7, 2003, ruling marks the third time the USWA has tried and failed to get the federal courts to dismiss this suit," stated Maurice Taylor Jr., Titan president and CEO. "It's satisfying to see the U.S. Court of Appeals allow the District Court's decision to stand, and now this case should go to trial. We cannot tolerate such unlawful behavior that harmed our employees, stockholders and customers."

Titan International is a global supplier of mounted wheel and tire systems for off-highway equipment used in agriculture, earthmoving/construction, and consumer (i.e. all terrain vehicles and trailers) applications. Titan has manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide.