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Oxford Automotive Announces Acquisition of Howell Industries, Inc.

13 August 1997

Oxford Automotive Announces Acquisition of Howell Industries, Inc.

    BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Aug. 13 -- Oxford Automotive, Inc.,
one of the nation's leading full service Tier 1 automotive manufacturers of
engineered metal components, assemblies and modules, has completed the
acquisition of Howell Industries, Inc. (Amex: HOW) of Southfield, Mich.
Howell Industries is a major Tier 1 manufacturer of high quality welded
sub-assemblies and detailed stampings used primarily in suspension system
applications.  Howell Industries expects sales of over $96 million in fiscal
1997.  Howell has plants in Masury, Ohio and Lapeer, Mich. and is QS 9000
certified.  The Howell shareholders approved the acquisition at a special
meeting held today.  The announcement was made by Selwyn Isakow, Chairman of
Oxford Automotive.
    "The acquisition of Howell strategically expands our customer
relationships with Ford and Chrysler, and builds on our expertise in the
design, engineering and production of key suspension related components,"
stated Isakow.  "Howell's expertise is complimentary to our own," he
continued, "and will be consistent with our objective of being the leading
full service global supplier of integrated systems based on metal forming and
related manufacturing technologies."
    Oxford Automotive, a privately-held company headquartered in Bloomfield
Hills, Mich., is a leading full service Tier 1 designer and producer of
high-quality, engineered metal components, assemblies and modules used by
automotive original equipment manufacturers.  Oxford operates 10 manufacturing
facilities with state-of-the-art technologies in metal stamping, rollforming,
welding and assembly equipment.

SOURCE  Oxford Automotive, Inc.