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Textron Automotive Company Appoints Kenneth M. Kilkka

23 September 1998

Textron Automotive Company Appoints Kenneth M. Kilkka, Vice President, Planning

    TROY, Mich. Sept. 23 -- Textron Automotive Company (TAC)
today announced the appointment of Kenneth M. Kilkka to the position of Vice
President, Planning, reporting to James L. Chamberlin, Executive Vice
President of Technology, Planning and Quality.
    As Vice President, Planning -- a newly-created position -- Mr. Kilkka will
have business responsibility for Textron Automotive global strategies, product
system strategies and the front-end strategies for TAC mergers and
acquisitions.  In addition, he will implement and coordinate common practices
within the Divisions of Textron Automotive Company for strategic and business
planning, including the management of the Strategic Operations Review process.
    Mr. Kilkka joins Textron Automotive Company from Kilkka and Associates, a
strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions consulting firm located in
West Bloomfield, Michigan, of which he has been President since late 1997.
Prior to that, he served in several planning positions including Vice
President, Planning - Interior Systems Division and Senior Director, Corporate
Planning at Dearborn, Michigan-based United Technologies Automotive, where he
was responsible for the identification and conduct of acquisitions,
divestitures, and alliances/agreements.  From 1978-1984, he served as Manager,
Marketing Research for the Consumer/Construction Marketing Division of
Owens-Corning Fiberglas, Toledo, Ohio, a post he assumed after spending two
years as Marketing Research Analyst, Corporate Planning.  Before joining
Owens-Corning Fiberglas in 1978, Kilkka began his career with Ford Motor
Company as a Cost Analyst, Statistical Analyst, and Financial Analyst.
    Mr. Kilkka holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard
University.  He also has professional affiliations with the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE), Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA), and
Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).
    Textron Automotive Company Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron
Inc., is a worldwide manufacturer of automotive interior/exterior trim and
functional components with annual sales in excess of $2 billion.
    Textron Inc. is a $10.5 billion, global, multi-industry
company with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and
Finance.