Three Top North American Automotive Suppliers Honored by the French Government in Detroit

DETROIT, March 10 -- Three top North American automotive suppliers were honored by the French government yesterday evening at the ninth annual Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony held at the Detroit Institute of Arts during the 2004 SAE World Congress.

The three companies honored this year were Johnson Controls Inc., based in Milwaukee, WI; Cignet L.L.C. based in Troy, MI; and Axletech International, based in Troy, MI. The Invest in France Automotive Awards are presented annually by the Invest in France Agency to recognize leading North American automotive companies that have made a significant investment in new or expanded facilities in France.

The French government presents these awards because of the importance of the automotive industry in France. With 19 vehicle manufacturing plants producing over 3.6 million vehicles annually, the country is Europe's second largest automotive manufacturing center. France is also home to nearly 600 tier-one and more than 3,000 tier-two suppliers. And, like Detroit, Paris is the leading automotive purchasing center for the continent, with purchasing decisions there affecting nearly 14 percent of global vehicle production.

Each of the three companies received a highly prized, limited-edition crystal automobile designed and cast by the world-renowned glasswork manufacturer Compagnie Francaise du Cristal Daum. Founded in 1887 by master craftsman Jean Daum and his descendants, Daum Crystal represents the glassmaker's highest achievement in the world of decorative arts.

Presenting the crystal awards to executives representing the five suppliers were Her Excellency Clara Gaymard, Ambassador-at-Large for Foreign Investment; The Honorable Dominique Decherf, Consul General of France in Chicago; and Jean Cantoni, President of Invest in France Agency North America.

Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Keith Wandell, President, Automotive Group of Johnson Controls Inc.; Richard Crawford, Chairman of Cignet L.L.C.; and Mary Petrovich, CEO of Axletech International.

Johnson Controls Inc. was recognized for strengthening its R&D center in Pontoise, north of Paris, which has become the Johnson Controls center of expertise for automotive electronics with 800 employees, and for a five million dollar investment at the company's Sainte Florine plant in central France. Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control, and has continued to develop its business throughout Europe since acquiring the automotive electronics business of Sagem, a French high-tech group, in 2001.

Cignet L.L.C. was honored for completing the acquisition of the SiemensVDO assembly plant in Lorraine, France. Cignet was formed in January 2002 as a means to bring five separate manufacturing divisions together under one management team. The company currently consists of Cignet Electronics SAS, Flight Systems, Glastic Corporation, Mold-Rite Tool, and Plast-O-Foam.

AxleTech International was recognized for the expansion of its facility in Saint Etienne, France, bringing new expertise and market presence in proprietary drivetrain systems. This investment of more than five million dollars translates into an addition of ninety employees to the work force. AxleTech International was created in December 2002 through Wynnchurch Capital's acquisition of the off-highway and specialty vehicle business of ArvinMeritor.

Sponsors:

The 2004 Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony is sponsored by RSM McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and consulting firm, Butzel Long, a Michigan-based law firm, and Wards AutoWorld Magazine.

Previous Recipients:

Including this year's three corporate recipients, the Invest in France Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of thirty leading North American corporations. Previous winners are:

  2003: Advanced Accessory Systems LLC, Burgess-Norton Mfg Co., Dow
        Automotive, L&L Products, Inc., Visteon Corporation
  2002: ArvinMeritor, Lear Corporation, Altair Engineering
  2001: Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems, Harman International, Moll
        Industries, The Timken Co.
  2000: Visteon, Act Laboratories, Honeywell Turbocharging Systems
  1999: Dana Corporation, Oxford Automotive
  1998: ITT Automotive, Standard Products, Tenneco Automotive
  1997: Eaton Corporation, Ogura Corporation, Rockwell International, TRW
  1996: BorgWarner, Donnelly Corp., Ford Motor Co., Gates Rubber, Delphi
        Thermal Systems

  About the Invest in France Agency North America (IFANA)

The Invest in France Agency is the French government agency for international investment. Invest in France Agency North America provides US, Canadian and Mexican executives with customized, confidential, complimentary services including financial and fiscal incentives, key industry contacts and site selection studies. Its mission is to help North American companies find the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in Europe.

  Contacts at Invest in France Agency and the French Technology Press
  Office:
  IFANA, Emmanuelle Ricatte, tel.: (312) 628-1054, e-mail:
  ericatte@investinfrance.org
  FTPO, Alicia Stanley, tel.: (312) 327-5260, e-mail:
  contact.ftpo@ubifrance.com