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Sickman Named by Textron

8 April 1999

Sickman Named Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration Of Textron Automotive Company

    TROY, Mich., April 8 -- Textron Automotive Company (TAC)
today announced that William J. Sickman has been named Executive Vice
President, Human Resources and Administration.  In his new position, Sickman
will be responsible for the direction and management of all human resources
activities and company support functions.  Mr. Sickman replaces John S. Hay,
who has been invited to lead a strategic initiative in Employee Relations for
Textron Inc., Providence, R.I.
    Since 1987, Mr. Sickman, 47, has held various management positions at
Scott Technologies, formerly Figgie International Inc., most recently as Vice
President, Corporate Relations.  Prior experience included increasingly
responsible human resources assignments with Allied Signal, Rockwell
International, Inc., and General Motors Corporation.
    "We are delighted to have Bill on board to manage this vitally important
function," said John A. Janitz, President, COO and Director of Textron Inc.
"With his diverse market background and extensive human resources experience,
Bill is an ideal executive for this critical position within Textron
Automotive Company."
    Mr. Sickman earned a bachelor's degree in industrial administration from
General Motors Institute and a master's degree in business administration from
Cleveland State University.
    With $2.4 billion in annual revenues and manufacturing locations in
thirteen countries, Textron Automotive Company Inc. is a leading, global
supplier of instrument panels, cockpit modules, exterior and interior trim,
plastic fuel tank systems and automotive systems and components.
    Textron Inc. is a $10 billion, global, multi-industry company
with market-leading operations in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial, and
Finance.