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Lear Corporation Named One of 'America's 25 Best Sales Forces' for 1999

16 July 1999

Lear Corporation Named One of 'America's 25 Best Sales Forces' for 1999

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 16 --  Lear Corporation
once again has been ranked one of "America's 25 Best Sales Forces" by Sales
and Marketing Management Magazine.  Lear's No. 11 ranking for 1999 makes it
the only automotive supplier in the top 20 of the prestigious annual ranking;
Lear also made the list in 1998.
    To select "America's 25 Best Sales Forces," the editors of Sales and
Marketing Management Magazine surveyed analysts, business school professors
and executives to determine which companies had the top-selling organizations
based on three criteria:  superior sales performance during the past three
years, reputation for customer satisfaction and reputation for a satisfied
workforce.  The editors then submitted those names to Dun & Bradstreet for
verification of the companies' revenue figures for the past three years.  The
D&B data, as well as additional interviews with industry analysts, helped the
editors narrow the list to the best 25 sales forces in the country.
    The editors of Sales and Marketing Management Magazine recognized Lear for
its 23 percent increase in net sales and the success of its non-traditional
sales force, which are assigned to Lear's customers focused divisions that are
dedicated to serving specific auto manufacturers.
    "It's the goal of each sales team to understand and focus on its
customers' needs by helping them get closer to the consumers," editors wrote.
"One way Lear does this is by running joint consumer focus groups with
automakers to find out exactly what car buyers want."
    Editors also cited Lear's acquisition strategy that "has allowed (Lear) to
become a total interiors supplier rather just offering isolated parts."
    Sales and Marketing Management Magazine is recognized as the premier
business publication for senior-level executives involved in the management of
sales and marketing efforts.  The 25 companies selected were highlighted in
the magazine's July 1999 issue.
    Lear Corporation, a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Southfield,
Michigan, is the world's largest automotive interiors supplier, with 1998
proforma sales of more than $12 billion.  The company's world-class products
are designed, engineered and manufactured by more than 100,000 employees in
over 300 facilities located in 33 countries.  Information about Lear and its
products is available on the Internet at http://www.lear.com.