TI Automotive Honored for Excellence

WARREN, Mich.--March 23, 2004--TI Automotive, a global supplier of integrated fluid storage and delivery systems for cars and trucks, has won the prestigious Shingo Prize for excellence in manufacturing at its facility in Cartersville, Georgia.

The Cartersville plant produces high-quality brake and fuel "bundles" for the Lincoln Town Car, Ford's Crown Victoria, Taurus/Sable, Mustang and Econoline vehicles, and the Mercedes M-Class sport-utility vehicle.

"Our rigorous commitment to quality has produced single-digit parts per million (PPM) trends, 100 percent on-time delivery and a 30 percent inventory reduction rate over the last three years," said Lori Casiano, Cartersville plant manager. "This facility often has been cited for its innovative employee involvement programs."

Referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Manufacturing" by Business Week magazine, the Shingo award is given annually to manufacturers in the United States, Canada and Mexico who deliver world-class performance through lean principles and techniques in core manufacturing and business processes. It is named for Dr. Shigeo Shingo, credited with the development of the Toyota Production System.

The Cartersville plant recently was awarded TS16949 certification and also has earned and maintained Q1, QS 9000 and ISO 14001 certifications, providing its customers with superior product through continual improvement of systems and processes.

The facility also is dedicated to community and environmental issues and operates under TI Automotive's company-wide Common Sense Manufacturing (CSM) system.

Casiano credits the plant's employees for the win. "Our workers have truly espoused lean manufacturing theories and have taken them beyond the basics. They're always thinking. They come up with amazing ideas to improve the way we do our jobs, and the company empowers us to incorporate them on the plant floor."

TI Automotive facilities in Caro and New Haven, Mich., were Shingo Prize winners in 2003.

Administered by the College of Business at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, the Shingo Prize program evaluates companies on key activities and results over at least three years in five areas: leadership culture and infrastructure; manufacturing strategies and system integration; non-manufacturing support functions; quality, cost and delivery, and customer satisfaction and profitability. All winners have made teamwork and continuous improvement an integral part of their culture.

This year's awards will be presented on May 2, 20040, 2004, at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

TI Automotive is the world's leading supplier of fluid storage, transfer and delivery systems including brake, fuel and air conditioning applications. Based in Warren, MI, the company employs over 20,000 people at more than 130 facilities in 29 countries on six continents. Further information about TI Automotive is available on the company's website at www.tiautomotive.com.