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Teleflex Automotive Buys Kendallville, Indiana Facility

29 June 1999

Teleflex Automotive Buys Kendallville, Indiana Facility to Add Manufacturing Capacity for New Powered Adjustable Pedal Programs

    TROY, Mich., June 29 -- Teleflex powered adjustable pedal
production levels have risen from 30,000 units in 1998 to over 250,000 units
in 1999, and projected worldwide production levels of approximately 2 million
by the year 2003 are projected.  Teleflex Automotive recently purchased a
110,000 sq. ft. facility on eleven acres in Kendallville, Indiana to provide
the needed production capacity for previously sourced and future adjustable
pedal programs.
    George W. Hofman, Teleflex Automotive president and chief operating
officer, says, "The PACE Award winning and patented Teleflex Adjustable Pedal
System (APS) is now reaching the potential that was originally predicted over
10 years ago.  We now have the only mass produced powered adjustable system in
the world today that is designed to meet all OEM pedal specifications and has
passed all crash validation tests and requirements.  Our new 'pedal plant',
with some modifications, will have up to ten pedal manufacturing and assembly
lines, each with production capacity of 250,000 units per year.  The new plant
startup is scheduled for late summer 1999."
    Hofman adds, "The current adjustable pedal production and assembly
capability at our Warren, Michigan facility will be moved to the new
Kendallville facility.  However, the Warren plant will continue to provide
sub-assemblies and stampings for the adjustable pedal systems as well as other
pedal products."
    Current adjustable pedal programs include: the 1999 Ford Expedition/
Navigator; and the 2000 Taurus/Sable.  Eight other programs are in various
stages of development and are being readied for launches between years 2000
and 2003.  These new APS designs can accommodate a variety of differing
interior packaging requirements that have passed the prototype stages and are
under full testing for application in 2000, 2001 and 2002 sedans, pick-up
trucks and vans.
    The Teleflex APS offers many advantages to the consumer and the OEM.  The
driving concept behind adjustable pedals is to bring the controls to the
driver rather than bringing the driver to the controls.  To the consumer that
means increased comfort, convenience and safety.  Each driver can customize
the cockpit configuration to his or her own preferences, rather than adapt to
the pedal position.  Safety is enhanced because the driver's H-point can be
positioned centrally for better mirror positioning, reducing eye ellipse,
expanding sight lines, and minimizing blind spots.  Additionally, sitting
further from the steering wheel reduces or avoids torso impact on the steering
wheel, potentially reducing airbag injuries, particularly in head-on
collisions.
    To OEM manufacturers APS also provides many advantages.  It is a
differentiating option in a very competitive market.  In most cases, it can be
fitted to match the existing pedal mounting points and bracketry.  If designed
at vehicle concept, it can reduce the overall costs of the vehicle design by
being produced as a module and assembled as one piece into the vehicle thereby
reducing sourcing, engineering, parts tracking, and assembly costs.  Forward
and aft seat adjustment travel can also be reduced saving weight, cost and
complexity of the seating system.  An APS can also negate the need for
expensive airbag sensors and depowered airbag development costs because the
driver can always be positioned at a safe distance from the steering column.
    Teleflex Automotive Group, located in Troy, Michigan is a leading Tier One
supplier of cable controls, electronic throttle controls and shifter control
systems to automotive manufacturers worldwide.  Teleflex operates eight North
American manufacturing facilities located in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana,
Virginia, Connecticut and Mexico and six European manufacturing plants located
in Sweden, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Slovakia.
    Teleflex Incorporated , the parent of Teleflex Automotive, is a
Philadelphia-based diversified industrial manufacturing firm with sales
exceeding $1.6 billion annually.  In addition to automotive products, Teleflex
also designs, manufacturers and distributes a broad range of products and
services to the aerospace, recreational marine, industrial and medical
markets.  Additional information about the company can be found at
http://www.teleflex.com.