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MANN+HUMMEL GmbH and Blucher GmbH Establish a Joint Venture

30 September 1997

MANN+HUMMEL GmbH and Blucher GmbH Establish a Joint Venture for the Manufacture of Cabin Filtration Products

    LUDWIGSBURG, Germany, Sept. 30 --  MANN+HUMMEL GmbH of
Ludwigsburg, Germany and Blucher GmbH of Ekrath, Germany have formed a joint
venture company, MHB Filtration GmbH+CO.KG, with the intent of offering
technically advanced cabin air filters for carmakers worldwide.
    MANN+HUMMEL is certainly no stranger to automotive filtration.
Established in 1941, the company began as a manufacturer of automotive oil
filters, and emerged as a market leader in the 1950's with the advent of the
spin-on oil filter.  In 1969, MANN+HUMMEL revolutionized the industry with the
development of the world's first panel element for passenger car air filters.
Most recently, MANN+HUMMEL has been highly involved in the development and
production of this latest technology in automotive filtration; cabin filters.
    For more than 25 years, Blucher has been a leader in the field of
adsorptive materials for filtration applications.  Applying their expertise in
this field, Blucher began supplying carmakers with cabin air filters in 1995.
Blucher employs approximately 75 people in Germany and the US and recorded a
1996 turnover of about $20 million.
    MHB Filtration GmbH+CO. KG, in which MANN+HUMMEL owns a 60% majority,
stake, will design, develop and produce cabin filters which can nearly
eliminate pollen, dust, gases and odors from vehicle cabins.  Both MANN+HUMMEL
and Blucher will draw upon their extensive experience and previous activities
in this field.  The new company will be based near Dusseldorf, Germany and
employ approximately 50 people.
    According to market research conducted in Europe in April of this year,
70% of all car drivers complain about poor air quality inside their vehicles.
In addition to particles such as pollen and soot, the air is polluted by
harmful gases such as ozone and nitrous oxide.  When the ventilation system
draws this air in, the measured concentration of these pollutants inside the
vehicle is much higher than that outside.  This can cause health concerns for
the vehicle occupants.  The best possible air quality inside vehicles can be
achieved by installing high-quality cabin filters in air conditioning and
ventilation systems.
    MHB Filtration's product offerings will include particle filters and
combination filters.  The MHB particle filters have been shown to virtually
eliminate pollen, soot and asbestos from the passenger compartment.  The
combination filters combine particle filtration with activated charcoal to
greatly reduce odors and harmful gases from the entering the cabin.  The
results are increased driving comfort, a promotion of health and improved
driving safety.
    With sales of $855 million annually, MANN+HUMMEL GmbH is organized into
two divisions, automotive and industrial.  The automotive division which
serves both the OEM and aftermarket represents over 80% of the total sales.
The $855 million concern employs approximately 8,000 people and has 20
manufacturing/sales locations worldwide.

SOURCE  MANN+HUMMEL GmbH