GNB Technologies to Supply Batteries to Western Auto Supply Company

27 July 1999

GNB Technologies to Supply Batteries to Western Auto Supply Company

    ATLANTA--July 26, 1999--Atlanta-based GNB Technologies, a leading manufacturer and recycler of lead-acid batteries, has signed an agreement to be the primary supplier of automotive, marine, lawn and garden, and motorcycle batteries to Western Auto Supply Company (WASCO) retail stores in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the Western Auto Wholesale Dealer Network.
    WASCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advance Auto Parts, includes 40 retail stores in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and 800 dealer locations in 48 states. Both the retail stores and dealer locations sell Tough One branded batteries.
    "We chose GNB because we know they can do the job. Their high quality products and level of service are well known throughout the industry. As a supplier to Advance Auto Parts, GNB constantly goes above and beyond its duty," said Ken Wirth, Advance Auto Parts Senior Vice President, Sales. "They've helped us grow the battery business, and we're looking forward to doing the same at WASCO."
    GNB has supplied Advance Auto Parts stores for more than 15 years. In 1998, Advance added GNB's Champion(R) branded automotive batteries to its existing private label line. The addition was an immediate success and helped drive battery sales to an all time high.
    "We are looking forward to providing WASCO with a battery program with the same high standards currently sold through Advance Auto stores," said Russell R. Reynolds, Vice President, General Manager, GNB's Automotive Battery Division.
    GNB will begin shipping batteries to WASCO locations starting September 1, 1999.

NOTE TO EDITORS: GNB Technologies is an integrated provider of power technology products. It manufactures and recycles lead-acid batteries for the automotive, recreational, boating, farm, heavy duty truck, electric utility, electric vehicle, lift truck, photovoltaic, railroad, telecommunications and uninterruptible power supply markets in more than 50 countries. GNB, wholly owned by Pacific Dunlop Limited of Melbourne, Australia, can be found on the Internet at www.gnb.com.
    Champion is a registered trademark of Federal-Mogul Corporation.