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Guardian Automotive Acquires European Plastics Company

6 January 1998

Guardian Automotive Acquires European Plastics Company

            Expansion of Guardian's Exterior Trim Group Continues

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 6 -- Guardian Automotive Products
Group, a leading supplier of vehicle glass and exterior trim systems to the
global automotive industry and a division of Guardian Industries Corp.,
continues its expansion with another major investment in the automotive trim
market.  According to Jack Sights, president of Guardian Automotive, the
company has acquired a majority interest in Valencia, Spain-based Lab. Radio,
S.A.  "This acquisition is a key component of our forward, global strategy and
strengthens our ability to provide a broader systems integration capability to
our customers," said Sights.
    Lab. Radio is a major supplier of trim components to the European
automotive industry with a well-deserved reputation for quality, engineering
excellence and technological innovation.  The company's depth of knowledge in
engineering materials, innovative processes and quality systems has placed
them at the forefront of automotive trim manufacturers.
    "This acquisition provides a unique blend of technological innovation and
capability, market knowledge and quality leadership to our automotive trim
business," said Sights.  "Our goal is to blend Lab. Radio's business base and
core operational competencies with our existing six trim operations in
Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan to provide original equipment
manufacturers with a broader range of technologies, a deeper engineering
support base and expanded global market presence."
    Guardian Automotive has tremendous respect for the Lab. Radio team, their
products and the relationships they have created with their customers.  As
such, the current management team will stay on board and continue to lead the
company's growth.
    Guardian Automotive Products Group also operates six automotive glass
fabrication plants in Indiana, Ohio, Luxembourg and Spain, and two
applications engineering centers in Michigan and Ohio.  The acquisition will
further reinforce the company's position as a one-source supplier for the
entire exterior of the vehicle except the body panels.
    Guardian Industries Corp. is a leading manufacturer and fabricator of flat
glass products used in the automotive and construction industries.  The
company operates float glass manufacturing, fabrication and distribution
facilities throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and
the Middle East.  Two new float glass plants are currently under construction
in New York State and Brazil.  The company also manufactures a broad line of
fiberglass insulation products and has a new fiberglass manufacturing facility
under construction in West Virginia.

SOURCE  Guardian Industries Corp.