OESA Announces 2003 - 2004 Executive Leadership Team

TROY, Mich., Nov. 13, 2003 -- The Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) announces that William J. Carroll, acting president and COO, Dana Corporation, will serve as Chairman of OESA for 2003-2004. Carroll, a 34-year veteran of Dana Corporation, has served on the OESA Board of Directors since November of 2000.

"With member support, OESA is addressing a number of industry issues that we as individual companies could not effectively address; the OESA members enable and drive the organization," Bill Carroll states. "The industry is continuing to face unprecedented challenges and we have a duty to our employees, communities, consumers, investors, and customers, to demonstrate a better way to operate our businesses in this environment," Carroll continued.

The OESA Board of Directors also elected two Vice Chairmen: Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., chairman and CEO, TAG Holdings, LLC, and William L. Kozyra, president, Continental Teves, North America.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the automotive supplier industry in this leadership role," Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., chairman and CEO, TAG Holdings, LLC, stated. "OESA is addressing many strategic initiatives through member driven efforts," he continued. "OESA is an effective forum for individual companies to leverage information, and positively affect the industry as a group of supplier companies," William L. Kozyra, president, Continental Teves, North America, stated.

Larry A. Denton, president and CEO, Dura Automotive Systems, Inc., served as Chairman for 2002-2003. "Although there have been some improvements in collaboration, there still remains much work to be done to eliminate waste and costs in the value chain," Denton stated. "One example is the gap that exists between the model proposal of terms and conditions developed by the supply base members, and the differing terms and conditions deployed by the OEMs," Denton continued. "We need to maintain open communications between supply base and automaker representatives," Denton said. "I would advocate a multi- OEM / supplier executive summit to facilitate these discussions," Denton said. "Suppliers are also in a position to lead by example by demonstrating collaboration with our own suppliers in an open and efficient manner," Denton concluded.

OESA is a 340-member trade association representing the interests of automotive original equipment suppliers. OESA member companies represent more than 60 percent of North America's automotive supplier sales. OESA provides a forum for suppliers to address issues of common interest and serves as a resource and a voice for the industry. For more information on OESA, visit www.oesa.org .

OESA is a market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).