GKN Earns 2003 Global Supplier Award From DaimlerChrysler

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9, 2004 -- GKN plc was one of just eight suppliers to receive DaimlerChrysler's Global Supplier Award for outstanding performance in 2003.

Tom Sidlik, the DaimlerChrysler board of management member responsible for global procurement and supply, presented the award to representatives of GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals at recent award ceremonies in Detroit.

GKN Driveline supplies sideshafts and propshafts, as well as geared and torque products, from eight manufacturing locations to 16 DaimlerChrysler facilities around the world. Powdered-metal components, including connecting rods, main bearing caps and torque converter parts, are sourced to DaimlerChrysler from 15 GKN Sinter Metals plants.

GKN was honored for outstanding performance, good relationships, global cooperation and global manufacturing performance in the supply of powertrain components. Other award winners included Accenture, Autoliv, Denso, Gentex, Magna International, Muhr and Bender KG and United Parcel Service.

"These award-winning suppliers exemplify our pursuit of working with benchmark suppliers around the world," Sidlik noted. To be eligible, the suppliers had to be a provider to DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group and Commercial Vehicles or Mercedes-Benz Car Group. The winners were chosen based on their performance in quality, cost, technology and delivery.

The Global Supplier Award trophy presented to GKN was created by Erika Bartels-Dawkins, a student at Detroit's College for Creative Studies. Her design was picked in a school-wide competition.

"This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of GKN employees working at various locations throughout the world," said Ted Rodewig, GKN Driveline's director of marketing. "It's an award that GKN Sinter Metals and GKN Driveline will proudly display."

GKN Driveline operates in 49 locations in 31 countries, employs 21,000 people and achieved sales of $2.7 billion in 2002. It is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of driveline-system products. All of the leading vehicle manufacturers worldwide produce vehicles containing driveline components made by or under license from GKN.

GKN Sinter Metals is the world's leading producer of powder metal components. From 37 production facilities in 13 countries spanning five continents, its 7,500 employees manufacture P/M parts for the automotive, commercial vehicle, home appliance, lawn and garden, office equipment and recreation industries, as well as power tool and other industrial markets. GKN Sinter Metals is a wholly owned subsidiary of U.K.-based GKN plc, a global engineering company focused on the automotive, aerospace and related industries.