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Advanced Accessory Systems Acquires Italian Market Leader, Ellebi

13 January 1998

Advanced Accessory Systems Acquires Italian Market Leader, Ellebi

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 13 -- Brink International, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Accessory Systems (AAS) today announced
the acquisition of Ellebi, the leading OEM and aftermarket towing systems
supplier in Italy.  Ellebi manufactures and distributes a complete line of
towing systems, accessories and trailers to the Italian market.
    "This acquisition continues our strategy of acquiring leadership companies
in the worldwide vehicle accessories market and further extends our position
as the leading worldwide supplier of towing and roof rack systems and
accessories," said AAS Chairman F. Alan Smith.
    A family-owned operation, Ellebi was established 25 years ago and is
located near Parma, 150 kilometers south of Milan.  The company's workforce
totals 110 employees.
    Ellebi's largest OEM customer is the Fiat group, which includes Fiat, Alfa
Romeo and Lancia.  Ellebi supplies the Fiat group with detachable ball-mount
towing systems.
    According to AAS President and CEO Marshall Gladchun, "This acquisition
will not only strengthen current market position for Brink and AAS, but is a
stepping stone toward future growth.  The addition of Ellebi provides the
opportunity to better serve our OEM and aftermarket customers by offering a
more complete range of products and services."
    Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC, is a leading worldwide supplier of towing
and roof rack systems and accessories.  Headquartered in Sterling Heights,
Mich., AAS has 15 locations throughout North America and Europe and is the
parent company for the following operations:

    *  SportRack Automotive, Sterling Heights, Mich.; OEM roof rack systems
and accessories

    *  SportRack International, Granby, Quebec, Canada; Aftermarket roof rack
systems and accessories

    *  Valley Industries, Madison Heights, Mich.; Towing systems - North
America

    *  Brink, Staphorst, Holland; Towing systems - Europe

    Automotive OEM customers include Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Opel,
Volvo, Isuzu, Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volkswagen,
SEAT, Skoda, Fiat and KIA.

SOURCE  Advanced Accessory Systems