Gentex Secures Extended Supply Agreement With Chrysler
11 February 1998
Gentex Secures Extended Supply Agreement With Chrysler
ZEELAND, Mich., Feb. 11 -- Gentex Corporation ,
the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automatic-dimming mirrors and fire
protection products, today announced that it has entered into an extended
supply agreement with Chrysler Corporation to provide it with
interior and exterior electrochromic mirrors through the model year 2003.
The agreement ensures that Gentex mirrors will continue to be featured on
all Chrysler vehicle models currently under contract, any replacement programs
for these vehicles, and any future contracts already awarded. All other terms
of the agreement are confidential.
Gentex pioneered Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) Mirrors, which
automatically darken to reduce glare from the headlamps of vehicles
approaching from the rear. The brighter the glare, the darker the mirrors
become, making nighttime driving safer.
"Chrysler truly walks the talk," said Gentex Executive Vice President
Kenneth La Grand. "They have a sincere desire to develop long-term,
partnering relationships with their suppliers and believe this is the best way
to continually provide high-quality vehicles to the driving public. We
couldn't agree more. This supply agreement is a win, win, win relationship
for Gentex, Chrysler and the consumer."
Gentex recently was honored with Chrysler's Platinum Pentastar Award for
supplier quality excellence and overall corporate achievement.
This is the second long-term agreement Gentex has secured in the last two
months. The Company recently signed a five-year, lifetime contract with GM to
supply interior auto-dimming mirrors for all vehicle models for which Gentex
currently supplies interior NVS Mirrors, replacement programs for those
models, as well as future vehicle contracts previously awarded.
Gentex Corporation is an international company that provides high-quality
products to the worldwide automotive industry and North American fire
protection market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary
electro-optic products, including interior and exterior electrochromic,
automatic-dimming Night Vision Safety(TM) (NVS(R)) automotive rearview mirrors
that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle
headlamps, and an extensive line of fire protection products for commercial
applications. The Company's Automotive Products Group is ISO 9001 registered
and is in compliance with QS-9000, quality designations that soon will be
required to supply production or service parts to automakers.
Gentex was the first company in the world to successfully develop and
produce a commercial electrochromic mirror for the motor vehicle industry.
The Company is the leading supplier of these mirrors to the worldwide
automotive industry. Gentex customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler,
Daewoo, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Gulf States Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Infiniti, Kia Motors, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche,
Rolls Royce and Southeast Toyota Distributors.
Founded in 1974, Gentex operates out of three facilities in Zeeland,
Michigan; an automotive sales and marketing office in Livonia, Michigan; an
automotive sales and engineering subsidiary in Germany; and five regional U.S.
sales offices for the Fire Protection Products Group. The Company is
recognized for its quality products, its application of world class
manufacturing principles, for its commitment to developing and maintaining a
highly skilled workforce, and for encouraging employee ownership of the
Company's stock.
SOURCE Gentex Corporation