Rubber & Plastics News and Excel Polymers to Co-Organize Automotive Rubber Executive Conference

DETROIT, Sept. 10 -- Rubber & Plastics News, a Crain Communications Inc publication, and Excel Polymers will co-organize the first Automotive Rubber Executive Conference May 6, 2007-7, 2008, at the Inn at St. John's, Plymouth, MI. The day-and-a-half international event is directed toward executive level managers at rubber component manufacturing companies, as well as tier one, tier two and tier three suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

"With all the changes taking place in the OEM structure, process and business model, we believe that an executive conference will provide information on how each segment of the rubber product supply chain can establish a sound foundation for growing sales and re-establishing profitability," said Bob Simmons, publications director for Crain Communications Inc's polymer group of publications.

Robert Russell, market development manager - transportation for Excel Polymers, will serve as the chairman of the event and is accepting papers for inclusion in the 2008 program. Papers should focus on changes in the tier structure and the impact on rubber product manufacturers, the evolution of the manufacturer/supplier continuum, consolidation in the supplier community, new ERP/EDI packaged systems, supplier relationships with transplant OEMs, out- sourcing/in-sourcing, creating success in a global economy, threats and opportunities to the automotive rubber industry and elastomer industry growth trends/global supply and demand analysis. Russell may be reached at (248) 994- 2226 or by e-mail: Robert.russell@excel-polymers.com. Paper selections will be made by Dec. 3, 2007.

John Quinn, President & CEO of Excel Polymers comments, "We are excited to be a sponsor of this new conference. Excel Polymers is continuing to extend its leadership in the supply of compounded elastomers to the automotive industry. This conference is another avenue to bring together leaders in the industry and share knowledge about doing business."

"We are pleased that Excel Polymers has agreed to work with us on this event. Combined with the resources of Rubber & Plastics News and Crain Communications we feel we can develop a unique forum for networking interaction and to discuss new ideas and the trends affecting the automotive rubber products supply chain," Simmons said.

For more information, visit www.rubbernews.com and click on the Automotive Rubber Executives Conference link.

Rubber & Plastics News is the international rubber industry's premier source of business news and technical information communicated via publications, conferences and the Internet.

Crain Communications Inc is one of the largest privately-owned business publishers in the U.S. with more than 30 leading trade, business and consumer publications in North America and Europe. Each of the company's newspapers, magazines and electronic news sites including Automotive News, Automotive News Europe, AutoWeek, Tire Business, Plastics News and Advertising Age, have become required reading in their respective sectors of business and consumer markets.

Excel Polymers is the world's leading provider of customized, high- performance compounded elastomer materials, roll compounds and productivity- enhancing additives. End-use markets include industrial, construction, oil and gas, transportation, consumer goods, and roller markets. Excel Polymers, formerly known as PolyOne Elastomer and Performance Additives Business Group, is now owned by investors Lion Chemical Capital LLC and ACI Capital Co. Inc. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, the company operates eight plants in the United States, Mexico, Europe and China. In December 2006, Excel Polymers announced a compounding joint venture with Mitsui in the Guangdong Province of southern China. In addition, Excel Polymers recently opened an Automotive Sales and Market Development office in Novi, Michigan. For more information, see www.excel-polymers.com.