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Foamex Automotive Broadens Lamination Capabilities

19 May 1998

Foamex Automotive Broadens Lamination Capabilities in Juarez, Mexico

        Foamex's Interactive 'Professor Polymer' Discusses Lamination,
               Advanced Automotive Solutions at Interiors Show

    DETROIT, May 19 -- As part of a significant investment to
serve its global customers and provide more value-added systems, Foamex
Automotive today announced that it has further expanded its automotive
lamination capacity with the recent installation of a new laminator at Foamex
de Mexico's Juarez facility.
    Foamex made the announcement here at the Automotive & Transportation
Interiors Expo, where the Southfield, Mich.-based company -- through its
interactive character "Professor Polymer" -- is showcasing its full portfolio
of automotive foam and laminated products for cars, trucks, minivans and
sport-utility vehicles.
    According to Gregory W. Brown, executive vice president, Foamex
Automotive, the new flame, bi-laminating system at Foamex de Mexico's Juarez
facility strengthens the company's capabilities of providing laminated
automotive fabric, vinyl or carpet systems.  The new laminator will be
dedicated primarily for business with a major Tier One automotive interior
supplier.
    "With the addition of this state-of-the-art laminator at our Juarez
facility, we continue to solidify our leadership position in automotive
lamination," Brown said.  "Foamex offers lamination expertise from several
strategically located facilities, which enable us to provide our global
customers with world-class products delivered on a just-in-time basis ...
while saving them money in reduced shipping costs."
    James Forster, director - automotive, Foamex de Mexico, said the new
equipment in Juarez is part of a major investment and expansion in this
region.  He said the company recently installed a new tri-laminating system
and foam pouring line at its Cuautitlan, Mexico facility.
    Foamex also operates automotive lamination facilities in Acuna, Mexico;
Santa Teresa, N.M.; Auburn, Ind.; and Toronto, Canada.  Current plans are to
add additional capacity to Foamex's Acuna plant during 1998.
    Lamination is the process of using flame or conventional adhesives to bond
polyurethane foam to automotive fabric and a backing substrate.  A bi-
laminator is capable of only adhering the foam and fabric, so the backing must
be bonded by a separate process.  A tri-laminator combines all three elements
in one process.

    Showcasing its Automotive Solutions
    In addition to the variety of laminated products Foamex is displaying at
the Automotive & Transportation Interiors Expo, Foamex's "Professor Polymer"
is highlighting the company's full portfolio of automotive foam products that
are helping customers worldwide to reduce costs, enhance comfort, decrease
weight and increase environmental friendliness.
    These polymer solutions include molded foams for seats and pillars;
CustomFit(TM) thermoformable foams for headliner and hoodliner applications;
low-density foams for sound insulation; and reticulated foams for cabin air-
filtration systems and underhood applications.  Other Foamex advanced
polyurethane products and technologies on display include:

    * Energy-absorbing foams -- for pillars, headliner add-ons and door
panel bolsters that address safety, including improved head-impact
protection;
    * Powerthane(TM) composite -- a laminate construction -- used in armrests,
seat trim and headrests -- that eliminates the inner liner required in
conventional foam-film-fabric constructions ... while reducing waste and
improving processing; and
    * SMT(TM) technology -- a patented technique of sculpting foam that can
match the contours of the most intricate sheet metal patterns of today's
vehicles ... providing improved fit and finish, reduced weight and enhanced
noise absorption.

    Linwood, Penn.-based Foamex International is North
America's leading manufacturer of flexible polyurethane and advanced laminated
products. Foamex operates more than 50 strategic facilities in the United
States, Canada, Mexico and Thailand, including ISO-9001 and QS-9000 registered
automotive facilities spanning from Toronto to New Mexico.  Foamex's quality
foams are utilized primarily in six end-markets: automotive, including trim
and accessories; carpet cushion; cushioning, including bedding products;
furniture; consumer products; and technical applications, including
filtration, gasketing and sealing.