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Emhart Adds Innovation Center and Lab to Global Network

29 April 1998

Emhart Completes Global Network With Addition of Innovation Center And Mobile Lab in Europe

    DETROIT, April 29 -- Emhart Automotive will complete a global
design and communications network later this spring with the opening of a
Stationary Innovation Center (SIC) in Frankfurt, Germany, and a Mobile
Innovation Center (MIC) that will tour customer sites throughout Europe.
    Emhart Automotive presently operates SICs at its headquarters in the
Detroit area and in Toyohashi, Japan.  For the past two years two MICs have
traveled throughout North America bringing design and engineering solutions to
customer doorsteps.
    All of the SICs and MICs will be linked through a global network called
Teknolink that contains the designs and specifications for every tool and
assembly system that Emhart has created for all of its worldwide OEM and
Tier I customers.
    Emhart SICs are equipped with a full array of advanced testing and
analytical equipment, electronic communications, and simultaneous engineering
systems.  Vehicle teardown laboratories enable Emhart engineers to analyze
every component on customer cars and trucks to recommend fastening design,
process engineering, and assembly technology solutions and cost reductions.
    The nine-ton, 36-foot MICs are laid out like mini tech centers with
conference areas, interactive design and engineering sections, and laboratory
test facilities.  They also serve as mobile training centers to educate
customers on the latest technology in fastening systems.
    Emhart also provides customers with a comprehensive product and system
catalogue called Mentor that serves as an interactive reference, design and
training system.
    Available in disk and CD-ROM, Mentor contains all of Emhart's 5,000
product lines, and guides users through a list of choices that narrow until
the correct tool and application are selected.  The system automatically
converts to the metric system, and includes troubleshooting guides and more
than 20 product videos.
    "The SICs, MICs, Teknolink, and Mentor are part of a strategic framework
to deliver design and engineering solutions based on value analysis
engineering conducted in real-time from any point in the world," said Paul A.
Gustafson, president of Emhart Fastening Teknologies.
    Headquartered in Chesterfield Township, Mich., Emhart Automotive offers
the auto industry's broadest portfolio of drawn arc welding and fastening
systems.  New automobiles from the U.S. and Japan contain over 200 Emhart
components, and European models have over 300.
    Emhart Automotive is a division of Emhart Fastening Teknologies of
Shelton, Conn.  A Black & Decker company, Emhart Fastening
Teknologies has 3,000 employees and 22 operating facilities in 18 countries.
Sales in 1997 were $500 million.

SOURCE  Emhart Fastening Teknologies