Noble International Buys Tiercon Holdings and Triam Automotive Canada
28 July 1998
Noble International, Ltd. Acquires Tiercon Holdings, Inc. and Triam Automotive Canada, Inc.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--July 27, 1998--NOBLE INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (AMEX: NIL) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Tiercon Holdings Inc., an Ontario corporation ("Tiercon"). Concurrently with Noble's acquisition of Tiercon, Tiercon completed the acquisition of the Plastics Division of Triam Automotive Canada Inc., an Ontario corporation, from Magna International Inc. ("Magna").In announcing Noble's acquisition of Tiercon and the Plastics Division of Triam Automotive, Lloyd P. Jones, III, President of Noble International, said, "We are pleased with today's acquisitions. These acquisitions are consistent with our strategy to be the Tier II supplier of choice. It complements our existing operations and positions us for long term growth."
"It is our intention to keep existing management in place and to proceed with Tiercon and the plastics operation's plans for further growth," Mr. Jones continued.
The Plastics Division is a supplier of a broad range of plastic injection molded parts for the North American automotive market including painted body side moldings and rocker panels, interior moldings, decorative trim and enclosure applications. The Plastics Division has been named General Motor's Supplier of the Year in each of the last two years and is both QS 9000 and ISO 9000 certified. The Plastics Division's other significant customers include Magna, Lear Seating, Inc. and Ford Motor Company.
The Plastics Division has approximately 255 employees and operates from two leased facilities with an aggregate of approximately 197,000 square feet in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The business operates 24 high pressure injection molding machines ranging in size from 80 to 3,300 tons, providing it with the capability to mold a wide variety of parts.
Fraser Way, President and CEO of Tiercon, stated, "This is an important step in establishing Noble/Tiercon as a full service supplier to its automotive customers, particularly the emerging Tier I systems suppliers."
Graham Orr, Executive Vice-President of Magna, stated, "We are pleased that Tiercon was successful in completing the transaction as it ensures continuity of management and we look forward to working with Tiercon and the Plastics Division."
Noble International, Ltd. is a leading Tier II full-service supplier of automotive parts, component assemblies and value-added services to the automotive industry. As a Tier II supplier, the Company provides design, engineering, manufacturing, complete program management and other automotive services to the market. Noble International delivers integrated component systems, technological leadership and product innovation to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier I automotive parts suppliers thereby helping their customers increase their productivity while controlling costs.
Certain statements in this news release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1993. Statements regarding the terms of the acquisitions and other future prospects and developments are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual terms, results and developments to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.