Collins & Aikman Plans to Close Nashville, Tennessee Manufacturing Facility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2005 Collins & Aikman Plans to Close Nashville, Tennessee Manufacturing Facility TROY, Mich. ? Collins & Aikman Corporation (CKCRQ) announced today its intention to close its Nashville, Tennessee manufacturing facility through a series of reductions that will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2006. The Nashville facility currently has approximately 350 employees who manufacture injection molded hard trim interior products for a variety of customers. The Company intends to consolidate the plant operations into existing Collins & Aikman facilities beginning with the transfer of a portion of the business by the end of 2005. ?We continue to evaluate our manufacturing footprint and are making the necessary adjustments in order to create a viable entity that can be successful upon emerging from bankruptcy protection?, said Frank Macher, Collins & Aikman?s President and CEO. Further consolidation is expected as the Company evaluates its operations and implements a number of cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives. Collins & Aikman stated they are committed to sharing their intentions regarding planned closures with concerned parties as soon as they are finalized. Company officials met earlier with employees, customers and union officials to announce the planned closure. * * * * * Collins & Aikman Corporation is a leader in cockpit modules and automotive floor and acoustic systems and is a leading supplier of instrument panels, automotive fabric, plastic-based trim, and convertible top systems. The Company is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Additional information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at http://www.collinsaikman.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information The foregoing reflects the Company's views about the accounting investigation, its financial condition, performance and other matters that constitute "forward-looking? statements, as that term is defined by the federal securities laws. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as ?may,? ?will,? ?expect,? ?anticipate,? ?believe,? ?estimate,? ?should,? ?continue,? ?predict,? ?preliminary? and similar words used herein. These forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Because the statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual developments and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Various factors that may affect actual outcomes and performance and results include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, declines in North American, South American and European automobile and light truck builds; labor costs and strikes at the Company?s major customers and at the Company?s facilities; fluctuations in the production of vehicles for which we are a supplier; changes in the popularity of particular car models, particular interior trim packages or the loss of programs on particular vehicle models; dependence on significant automotive customers; the level of competition in the automotive supply industry and pricing pressure from automotive customers; risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries; and increases in the price of certain raw materials, including resins and other petroleum-based products. In addition, the following may have a material impact on actual outcomes and performance and results: the results of the pending investigation; the change in leadership at the Company, the Company?s ability to maintain access to its receivables facility and other financing arrangements, the Company?s ability to otherwise maintain satisfactory relations with its creditors, suppliers, customers and creditors; the Company?s ability to maintain current trade credit terms and manage its cash and liquidity, the Company?s high leverage and ability to service its debt; and the impact of defaults under its material agreements and debt instruments. The cautionary statements set forth above should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company or persons acting on its behalf may issue. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts? expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact: David A. Youngman Vice President Communications (248) 733-4355 david.youngman@colaik.com The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material.