GE LEXAN Resin and GE Silicone II Brands Drive for NASCAR Results; Logos Switch Places as Co-Sponsorship Continues

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.--July 1, 2004--On July 3 at Daytona International Speedway's Pepsi 400, the GE LEXAN(R) Resin and GE Silicone II(TM) logos on the #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus will switch places. The LEXAN resin logo will move to the C-pillar and the Silicone II logo will make its debut on the TV panel. The change demonstrates how two brands can successfully share a NASCAR sponsorship.

The bright green LEXAN resin mark first began appearing on the back of Matt Kenseth's #17 DEWALT Ford Taurus in 2003 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the invention of LEXAN resin. The sponsorship was deemed good for the brand because it helped make the connection between high-performance applications like NASCAR windshields and helmets, both made with polycarbonate, and the products people use everyday that are also made with LEXAN polycarbonate resin. LEXAN resin is one of the toughest and most versatile polymers in existence and can be found in everything from DVDs to automotive headlamps and steering columns, to camping equipment, cell phones, and computer housings.

Due to the branding lift LEXAN polycarbonate experienced though the sponsorship, GE decided to allow another key brand to enter the race. In March 2004, GE Silicone II, a line of premium caulking products for both the professional and do-it yourself markets, was added as an associate sponsor.

According to GE Advanced Materials, the timing of the July 3 logo switch coincides with the start of the Fall buying season, which is the best time to coordinate promotional activities with the retailers. For the LEXAN brand, the switch allows it to maintain its brand presence on the car and all the incremental benefits of being an associate NASCAR sponsor, while at the same time giving exposure to another one of GE's significant brands.

"After our first year, we knew we had a winning combination with NASCAR as the results exceeded expectations from a branding perspective for LEXAN polycarbonate," said Greg Adams, general manager of global marketing for GE Advanced Materials. "The decision to expand our NASCAR presence with GE Silicone II has been a good one. Having both brands on the same car makes a powerful statement and presents even greater opportunities to leverage the sponsorship," he added.

About GE Advanced Materials

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:

Silicones, which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offers silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control and consumer. (http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/am1/en/home.jsp)

Plastics is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, which serves customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging. (http://www.geplastics.com/)

Quartz produces high purity materials for the semiconductor, fiber optic, lamp making and water purification industries. GE Quartz is a leading supplier of quartz materials to the semiconductor industry. (http://www.gequartz.com/en/index.htm)

GE is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com

About DEWALT

Based in Baltimore, MD, DEWALT manufactures and markets high performance industrial power tools and accessories for residential and industrial construction, professional remodeling and woodworking applications. For more information on the full line of DEWALT high performance tools and accessories, contact DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. at 701 E. Joppa Road, TW425, Baltimore, MD 21286; phone toll-free at 1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) or visit us at www.dewalt.com.

Silicone II is a trademark of General Electric Company.

LEXAN is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.