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HCI Group Announces Globalization Expansion

19 November 1998

HCI Group Announces Globalization Expansion: Launches AMERItalk Newsletter

      Company's second newsletter targets European automotive suppliers
                          Expanding to North America

    DETROIT, Nov. 18 -- The HCI Group today announced the launch
of AMERItalk, a newsletter targeted to European automotive component suppliers
looking to gain a better understanding of the "do's and don'ts" of doing
business in North America.  AMERItalk will be distributed bimonthly as an
insert in Automotive News Europe.  Immediate circulation will reach more than
23,000 European automotive industry executives.
    "Because the auto industry historically has been nationalistic by nature,
component suppliers focused efforts mainly on their domestic or local
industry.  Over the past several years as automakers developed plans to
assemble cars locally in foreign markets, top suppliers followed.  Now the
entire supply chain is being forced to satisfy its customer base on a global
scale," said Ronald Hesse, president of the HCI Group, Ltd.  "Suppliers are
not properly prepared.  They are learning on the run.  That is where AMERItalk
and its sister publication, EUROtalk, help suppliers: on the operational and
business issues of competing successfully in foreign markets."
    With the success of EUROtalk (the HCI Group's newsletter assisting North
American automotive suppliers with expanding into Europe, circulation: 5,500),
the Company is now launching efforts to assist European automotive suppliers
with their globalization efforts.  Plans are underway for a third newsletter,
aimed at suppliers entering the markets in Mexico and South America.
    Each issue of AMERItalk will cover subjects such as joint ventures,
acquisitions, tax, legal, logistics, IT support, banking, site selection, real
estate, construction, executive recruitment and labor, and other important
issues.  The publication is targeted to automotive supplier executives such as
presidents, CEOs, vice presidents and other executives directly responsible
for international activities, expansions and operations.
    The Chicago, IL based HCI Group unites automotive supplier executives with
Global Experts in a variety of important operational subject areas.  The
Company unites executives with Global Experts through the EUROtalk and
AMERItalk newsletters, Automotive Globalization Executive Seminars, the
http://www.euroautoindustry.com web site, Tier One Programs, One-on-one meetings, the
GlobalTools product catalog, and other informational, educational and
networking processes.
    Contact HCI Group in Chicago, telephone: 312-616-0034, fax: 312-616-0031
or via email at rhesse@euroautoindustry.com.