Toyota Presents Eaton's Automotive Valve Business With Superior Awards for Quality and Delivery

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--June 18, 2004--Eaton Corporation's Automotive engine valve business today received the 2003 Superior Award in both Quality and Delivery here in Southfield from Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TMMNA), which is Toyota's highest level of recognition for suppliers.

As the world's largest producer of engine valves, Eaton supplied TMMNA more than 12 million four-cylinder engine valves last year, providing quality performance with a defect rate of well under one part per million.

"We are truly honored to receive this award," said Stephen M. Buente, senior vice president and group executive for Eaton's Automotive business. "We thank Toyota for recognizing our accomplishments and commitment to provide the best in quality, service and technology to our global automotive customers."

Presenting the awards was James M. Wiseman, vice president of external affairs for TMMNA. "Toyota's success in 2003 would have been impossible without the remarkable work of suppliers such as Eaton, and their superior performance in quality and delivery. This is, in fact, Eaton's eleventh successive year winning the superior award, which is a rare accomplishment," Wiseman said.

Eaton supplies Toyota through its U.S. Engine Valve (USEV) partnership with Nittan Valve Company, Ltd. Toyota is one of USEV's largest customers. The Westminster, S.C.-based partnership, which also supplies domestic automakers, produces four-cylinder intake and exhaust valves.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2003 sales of $8.1 billion. Eaton is a global leader in fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management systems and powertrain controls for fuel economy; and intelligent drivetrain systems for fuel economy and safety in trucks. Eaton has 54,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.