GKN Sinter Metals is GM 2003 Supplier of Year

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--April 6, 2004--GKN Sinter Metals was named as a General Motors Supplier of the Year for its overall business performance in providing GM with parts and services.

The award was presented to Donald Spence, president of GKN Sinter Metals, during ceremonies Saturday, April 3, at the Hilton Prague Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic.

"GKN Sinter Metals is representative of the type of company we want to grow with as we drive to be the best worldwide," said Bo Andersson, vice president, GM Worldwide Purchasing Production Control & Logistics. "GKN Sinter Metals has a balanced focus on performance and behavior that supports GM's priorities. They are a role model for all of our suppliers."

"We're gratified to earn this recognition from GM. It's proof of our commitment to provide total service to our customers in applied technology, increased investments in manufacturing and extensive employee training in both products and processes," said Spence. "This is the third time we've earned this honor from GM. It tells us our global performance has been exceptional. We deliver on time, our quality is on target, and all of our standards are up to date."

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a worldwide program in 1992. Award-winners are selected by a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics who base their decisions on supplier performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, General Motors honored 77 suppliers for their excellence throughout 2003.

GKN Sinter Metals is the world's largest full-service supplier of precision powder metal parts. From filters, bearings, and gears to connecting rods and synchronizer components, the company's products can be found in engine, transmission and engineering applications throughout the global automotive industry. The company is the largest supplier of powder metal components to General Motors worldwide. GKN Sinter Metals sources its products to GM from 14 facilities worldwide, including five locations in Europe and nine in North America.

GKN Sinter Metals, with more than 30 locations worldwide and business assets spanning 13 countries and five continents, has annual sales of approximately $850 million and is the world's leading producer of powder metal components. The company employs some 7,000 people and produces over 10,000 different parts for the automotive, commercial vehicle, home appliance, lawn & garden, office equipment, power tool, and recreational vehicle markets. GKN Sinter Metals is a wholly owned subsidiary of U.K.-based GKN plc, a global industrial company.