---

Lucas Control Systems Opens New Manufacturing Facility in China

20 April 1998

Lucas Control Systems Opens New Manufacturing Facility in China

    TIANJIN, China, April 20 -- Lucas Control Systems, a business
of LucasVarity's Electrical and Electronic Systems Division, has opened a new
manufacturing facility for metal and plastic dome switches in Tianjin, China.
The business, Lucas (Tianjin) Control Systems Co. Ltd., produces metal and
plastic domes for switching applications in telecommunications products, such
as cellular phones and pagers.  These domes are part of Lucas Control Systems'
Man-Machine Interface (MMI) product line, headquartered in Hampton, Va.
    A world leader in plastic and metal domes, Lucas Control Systems plans to
start fully automated production this month initially for the production of
the metal dome switches.  Numerous expansion plans are already in place for
the manufacture and assembly of related value-added telecommunications
components this year.  The company initially hired 20 employees in Tianjin at
its new 6,000 square foot highly automated facility and expects employment to
double in the next 12 months.
    "In all our activities, meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations
is the major goal," said Bob Davies, vice president and general manager, Lucas
Control Systems.  "The opening of this new facility in Tianjin enables us to
have closer access to our customers and will continue to enable us to
strengthen our market position for metal and plastic dome keypads."
    The company has invested approximately $1.9 million in equipment for the
operation and expects to compete vigorously in this telecommunications
industry segment that continues to grow in excess of 100 percent per year in
China.
    "This new plant provides LucasVarity with the unique capability to provide
current and future customers with either metal or plastic domes, making us the
only company in the world to have both capabilities for these markets," said
Dennis Grannan, vice president and general manager, Man-Machine Interface.
    In addition, Lucas Control Systems has appointed David Johnson as general
manager, Lucas (Tianjin) Control Systems, to manage the facility.  Johnson has
considerable international experience.  He worked in Iran at General Iranian
Electric and has previously held several Asian assignments, including that of
country manager of General Electric in Taiwan.
    Lucas Control Systems is part of LucasVarity's Electrical and Electronic
Systems Division, a world class supplier of advanced electronic controls,
wiring and body electrical systems.  LucasVarity plc designs, manufactures and
supplies advanced technology systems, products and services in the world's
automotive and aerospace industries.

SOURCE  LucasVarity Electrical and Electronic Systems