Methode Electronics and SensorDynamics AG Announce Long-Term Partnership for Smart Automotive Sensor Systems

FRANKFURT, Germany--March 28, 2006--Methode Electronics, International GmbH, a division of Methode Electronics Inc., a global developer and manufacturer of electronic component and subsystem devices and, SensorDynamics AG, a development company manufacturing intricate microchip and micro-sensor systems announced today that they have signed a long-term collaboration agreement. The agreement allows both companies to use and merge their respective technology strengths to attract high-integrated electronic sensors and sensor modules business in the high volume automotive and non-automotive markets.

Methode and SensorDynamics will co-operate in sales and marketing, development, and manufacturing of smart innovative sensors using Methode's expertise in 'eddy current' inductive sensing and SensorDynamics' experience in fail-safe micro-sensors and MEMS. This technology will initially be developed for the automotive industry. It will also have the capability of crossing into industrial applications.

The agreement is a result of Methode's strategic objective to be a leader in the field of sensors and to develop advanced technology for globally expanded offerings. Methode believes that smart sensors will continue to be a rapid high growth area in several automotive and industrial applications in the future because of their precision, versatility and high processing power. For instance, as traditional electro-mechanical and standard electronic devices in use today, exit the automotive world, they will be replaced by more sophisticated, customized, state of the art devices. This becomes more evident as driver assisted systems and by-wire applications come into play.

SensorDynamics acts as vertical micro-sensor system integrator on the electronics component level and is thus the ideal partner of choice for sensor module manufacturers like Methode. In fact, through this partnership SensorDynamics will be leveraging its know-how in high-level sensor system integration. Because of its in-depth experience gathered in advanced automotive micro-sensors including gyroscopes and accelerometers, SensorDynamics is convinced that smart sensors will dominate future automotive and industrial applications. Due to a sophisticated pooling of hardware and software modules, intelligent sensors are now both smart and fail-safe.

Methode, together with SensorDynamics have already been working on automotive programs. One program is a booked sales order for a Japanese OEM and is being developed with a major European Tier I. The program will launch in May 20, 200607.

About Methode Electronics, Inc. (www.methode.com)

Methode Electronics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets component devices and subsystems worldwide for OEMs. Methode's components are found in the primary end markets of automotive, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communications systems, consumer electronics, aerospace vehicles, and industrial equipment. Its products employ electrical, electronic, and opto-electronic technologies such as sensors, interconnects, and controls.

About SensorDynamics AG (www.sensordynamics.cc)

SensorDynamics AG is a fast-growing company that focuses on innovative sensor solutions for automotive, aerospace and automation applications. The company's large product range includes all fields of micro-sensorics, from complete sensor systems to micro-electro-mechanical modules. SensorDynamics AG develops and manufactures intricate micro-sensor systems predominately for automotive accounts and holds a TS16949 certification. The company acts as general contractor and cooperates closely with world-leading suppliers of IPs, semiconductor, packaging, and testing technologies. Headquartered in Graz-Lebring, Austria, SensorDynamics AG has subsidiaries in Italy, Germany, Slovenia and France.