National Auto Aftermarket Buying Group Selects Universal Automotive as Preferred Supplier for Brake Friction

- New Agreement With RPM Group Expected to Add Approximately $3 Million in Annualized Revenues -

ALSIP, Ill., Oct. 7 -- Universal Automotive Industries, Inc. today announced it has been selected by RPM Group, a national automotive aftermarket buying group, as its preferred supplier for brake friction. The company said the new pact is expected to add approximately $3 million in annualized revenues.

Universal already is an exclusive preferred supplier to RPM Group for hydraulic brake parts, rack and pinion steering units and clutch parts. As part of the new agreement, Universal will supply RPM Group with brake friction for domestic and foreign passenger cars and light-to-medium duty trucks under the Autospecialty(TM) brand, which includes Silver Stop(TM) disc pads, Ultimate(TM) Pro Series disc pads, Evolution(TM) Premium Ceramic disc pads and PowerStop(TM) disc pads.

Based in Vinton, Virginia, RPM Group is comprised of 20 member firms, representing hundreds of outlets throughout the United States, distributing a wide range of automotive parts at the wholesale and retail levels.

"This is an important win for our company," said Arvin Scott, Universal's president and chief executive officer. "The new agreement underscores both the strength of our established and growing Autospecialty brand, as well as RPM's confidence and belief in our future as one of the nation's leading brake parts suppliers in the automotive aftermarket."

Michael Mitchell, executive director of RPM Group, said, "The award represents a continuation of a longstanding relationship. We and our member firms throughout the nation, have a high degree of respect for Universal's Autospecialty brand and great confidence in the integrity of their products, and are pleased to be expanding our association."

About Universal Automotive Industries

Universal, headquartered in the Chicago area, distributes and manufactures brake rotors and other brake parts under its trademarks Autospecialty, Evolution and Ultimate in the United States and Canada and under its proprietary Autospecialty, ValuMaxx and PowerStop brands. The company also provides TRW-branded brake rotors and drums and suspension products.