---

Sumitomo Electric Automotive, Inc. Holds Grand Opening Reception At New North American Headquarters

12 November 1997

Sumitomo Electric Automotive, Inc. Holds Grand Opening Reception At New North American Headquarters

    PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich., Nov. 12 -- On November 14 a Grand
Opening Reception at Sumitomo Electric Automotive, Inc. in Plymouth Township,
will introduce invited guests to the company's impressive new North American
Headquarters for Technical Research and Development, International Sales and
Marketing.
    Sumitomo Electric Automotive provides first-line research, development and
marketing services to the 10 Sumitomo Automotive Products manufacturing
companies located in North America.  It is the only Sumitomo Electric research
and development facility of its kind in the United States.
    The 40,000-square-foot facility contains 16,000 square feet of office
space, and 24,000 square feet of product prototype manufacturing and testing
area.  The building was designed and constructed by R.A. DeMattia.
    Guests will be welcomed by Yasuo Kita, Managing Director of Sumitomo
Electric Industries in Osaka, Japan, and Shinobu Niga, President of Sumitomo
Electric Automotive, Inc.
    The Michigan Jobs Commission, International and National Business
Division, was instrumental in helping Sumitomo Electric select the Michigan
site for its U.S. headquarters.
    The company looked throughout the United States when it considered setting
up a North American headquarters.  It settled on Michigan and Plymouth
Township because the area provided immediate access to major auto industry
companies.
    "Plymouth Township offered us the opportunity to be close to our
automotive clients," Shinobu Niga said.  "State and Township officials were
very cooperative when we talked with them about bringing our North American
headquarters here.  We are extremely pleased with our location and the
services the State and Township have provided."
    Sumitomo's North American headquarters was established to keep up with the
increasing on-site production needs of the local automotive industry.  The
Sumitomo Electric Automotive Group designs and develops automotive products
such as electrical distribution systems, rubber components, automobile tires,
wiring harnesses, anti-lock brake systems (ABS), calipers and brake pads,
navigation systems, and powder metallurgical parts.  The new facility will
also provide research and development services for new products and marketing
support services.  Currently there are 24 employees working at the Plymouth
Township facility.
    The reception and luncheon take place from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Sumitomo's
headquarters, 45300 Polaris Court, in Plymouth Township.

SOURCE  Sumitomo Electric Automotive, Inc.