Hella Expects to Hire 50 Engineers in 2006

PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 27 -- Automotive supplier Hella plans to hire 50 new lighting and electronics engineers for jobs in the U.S. before the end of 2006.

Hella recently received new business from General Motors and also has been chosen by Ford as a strategic supplier for exterior lighting. The company also is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy to double its global sales from $3.8 billion by 2012.

"Despite intense competition, layoffs and downsizing at some domestic auto manufacturers and suppliers, Hella is growing and we are hiring," says Steve Williams, Hella's human resources manager. "We will be hiring both experienced engineers and graduate students to join the current staff of 120 engineers at our North American headquarters in Plymouth."

Hella is accepting resumes via the Internet at http://www.hella.com/jobsusa , or by e-mail at jobs@hella.com . No resumes will be accepted, nor will interviews be conducted at the company's booth during the World Congress.

"Hella is a great place to work," Williams adds. "We are a growing and stable company, yet still small enough to recognize and encourage individual accomplishments. We're hiring people who can help us grow and provide our automotive customers with exceptional service."

Hella, a global supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including advanced driver-assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort. In addition, joint venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle-electric systems. Hella is one of the world's largest companies selling automotive parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $3.8 billion.

Hella is one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. A total of 24,000 people are employed in 65 production facilities, production subsidiaries and joint venture companies. More than 2,900 Hella engineers and technicians work in research and development across the Group. Customers include all leading automakers and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive aftermarket.

Additional information is available at http://www.hella.com/ .