---

Mr. Mark A. McCord Named President TMX-AIN Plastics

1 February 1999

Thyssen Inc., North America Names Mr. Mark A. McCord President TMX-AIN Plastics

    DETROIT, Feb. 1 -- Thyssen Inc., North America announced
today that Mr. Mark A. McCord has joined the company as President of its
TMX-AIN Plastics subsidiary, effective February 1, 1999.  In his new position,
Mr. McCord will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of
TMX-AIN Plastics and will report directly to Mr. Kenneth J. Graham,
President/CEO Thyssen Inc., N.A.
    In a statement announcing the appointment of Mr. McCord to the position at
TMX-AIN Plastics, Mr. Kenneth J. Graham said, "I am very pleased to welcome
Mark McCord to Thyssen Inc., N.A.  Mark brings outstanding credentials and
expertise to his new assignment.  His strong background in the industry will
be a major asset to our company, as we continue to grow our plastics
distribution business in the future."
    Mark McCord comes to Thyssen Inc., N.A, from Cadillac Plastic & Chemical
Company/Division of MA Hanna Company, where he most recently served as its
Director of Value Added Business.  Prior to joining Cadillac Plastic, Mr.
McCord held managerial assignments with the Polymer Corporation/Division of
DSM EPP, in Reading, PA.
    Mr. McCord holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration
from Bloomsberg University of Pennsylvania.
    Thyssen Inc., North America, headquartered in Detroit, Mich., is a
material management and service company focused on steel, aluminum, stainless
and tool steel, specialty metals, copper, brass, bronze, and plastics
processing and distribution.  Thyssen Inc., N.A. is also engaged in import and
export trading, heat treating and logistics management services.  With
division and affiliate sales in excess of US $2.5 billion per annum, Thyssen
Inc., N.A. is active throughout the entire NAFTA market region.  Thyssen Inc.,
N.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thyssen AG, Germany.