TI Automotive Opens Two New Air Conditioning Line Plants

WARREN, Mich., April 25 -- TI Automotive is opening new plants in Mexico and China this year to support the growth of its global heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business.

The first is a 100,000-square-foot facility located in Reynosa, Mexico. The plant is the seventh TI Automotive facility established in Reynosa. It began production in February of this year.

The second plant is a 45,000-square-foot facility in Shanghai, China. The plant is located in the International Automobile City development next to a TI Automotive brake-and-fuel line facility that opened in 2004. The new Shanghai facility is the first HVAC plant in China and the tenth TI Automotive plant in that country. Production will begin in June of this year.

The company's portfolio of HVAC products includes air-conditioning lines, accumulators, receiver driers, formed heater hoses and transmission oil cooler lines. The HVAC Group is part of TI Automotive's Fluid Carrying Systems Group, which generates 50% of the company's total annual sales.

In the past 12 months, TI Automotive has been awarded HVAC contracts totaling more than $100 million in annual sales. Its customers include automakers General Motors, Nissan, BMW, Ford and DaimlerChrysler. Worldwide, TI Automotive employs over 3,000 people in its Global HVAC Group.

"The results over the last year are a testament to a well-executed global strategy," says Tim Kuppler, vice president, Global HVAC. "We're recording a strong growth rate while maintaining single-digit PPM quality and the excellent service our customers expect."

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, Michigan, 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 at http://www.tiautomotive.com/ .