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Tower Automotive Acquires Active Tool & Manufacturing Co.

15 June 1999

Tower Automotive, Inc., Announces Acquisition of Automotive Business of Active Tool & Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    MINNEAPOLIS -- Tower Automotive, Inc., today announced that it has agreed to 
acquire  all of the outstanding commonstock of Active Tool & Manufacturing Co., Inc., 
and its affiliate, Active Products Company (collectively, "Active") for total 
consideration of $317.5 million.  The transaction, which is subject to 
regulatory approval, is expected to close during the third quarter of 1999.

    Active is a producer of large structural and exposed metal (Class A)
assemblies for the North American automotive industry.  Customers include
DaimlerChrysler, Ford and Saturn.  Active has operations in Elkton, Sebewaing
and Clinton Township, Mich. and has technical and administrative facilities in
the Detroit, Mich. area.  The new Clinton Township facility was completed in
late 1998 to accommodate new business awards.  The total investment in the
facility was in excess of $90 million, including the largest tandem press line
in the world.  Active's total annual revenues were $320 million for the twelve
months.  The company currently has new business awards in excess of
$60 million for calendar year 2000.

    In commenting on the acquisition, Tower Automotive President and Chief
Executive Officer Dugald K. Campbell said, "The acquisition of Active provides
several strategic advantages to Tower Automotive.  Active's ability to
manufacture large structural components broadens our technology scope and
allows us to provide a more complete portfolio of structural products.  The
company's large press capability will eliminate in excess of $25 million in
capital expenditure needs for Tower Automotive.  In addition, Active's Class A
capabilities complement Tower Automotive's substantial presence in upper-body
structures and allow us to combine these offerings into modules, or chunks,
for supply to our customers.

    "The colleagues of Active have developed superior capabilities in
manufacturing processes that allow the company to react quickly to efficiently
perform production activities that have been resourced by its customers from
other suppliers. Leveraging of these capabilities throughout Tower Automotive
will help us to more quickly respond to the needs of our customers.  Finally,
we expect the acquisition will be additive to our earnings and provide
positive economic value in the first year," Campbell added.

    Tower Automotive, Inc., produces a broad range of assemblies and modules
for vehicle structures and suspension systems for automotive manufacturers,
including Ford, DaimlerChrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Auto Alliance,
Fiat, BMW and Volkswagen.  Products include body structural assemblies such as
pillars and package trays, control arms, suspension links, engine cradles and
full frame assemblies.  The company is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and has
its corporate office in Minneapolis, Minn.