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Stoneridge Acquires Delta Schoeller

9 March 1999

Stoneridge Acquires Delta Schoeller; Builds Platform For Serving European Auto Industry

    WARREN, Ohio, March 9 -- Stoneridge, Inc.
announced today that it has acquired Delta Schoeller, a manufacturer of
automotive switches based in the United Kingdom.
    Delta Schoeller, with 1998 sales of $30.6 million (USD), manufactures
switches for automobile ignition, dashboard controls, steering columns and
other applications.  The ISO 9000 and QS9000-certified company has been a
supplier to the European automobile market for decades.  More recently, it has
moved into a growing market position with U.S. automakers.  The company has
approximately 500 employees at two primary locations:  Cheltenham and
Northampton in the United Kingdom.  Stoneridge expects Delta Schoeller to
complement its U.S. switching products operations.
    "The acquisition of Delta Schoeller is a continuation of our global growth
strategy," said Cloyd Abruzzo, Stoneridge president and chief executive
officer.  "We needed the critical mass of Delta Schoeller to serve as a
platform for expanding into the European market.  We now have the same total
electrical systems capabilities in Europe as we do in North America."
    Delta Schoeller will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Stoneridge and
the acquisition is expected to be neutral to 1999 earnings.  Terms of the
acquisition were not disclosed.
    Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Warren, Ohio, is a leading independent
designer and manufacturer of engineered electrical and electronic components,
modules and systems principally for the automotive, medium and heavy-duty
truck and agricultural vehicle markets.  Sales in 1998 were approximately
$504 million.
    Statements in this release that are not historical fact are forward-
looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
in this release.  Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors, the
loss of a major customer; a decline in automotive, medium and heavy-duty truck
or agricultural vehicle production; the failure to achieve successful
integration of any acquired company or business including Hi-Stat; labor
disputes involving the company or its significant customers; risks
associated with conducting business in foreign countries; or a decline in
general economic conditions.  Further information concerning issues that could
materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements
contained in this release can be found in Stoneridge's periodic filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.