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Dow Automotive Announced 1st Industry-Focused Unit Of Dow Chemical

6 October 1999

Dow Automotive Announced as First Industry-Focused Business Unit Of The Dow Chemical Company DOW AUTOMOTIVE - LAWRENCE DENTON Lawrence A. (Larry) Denton, President, Dow Automotive. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] SOUTHFIELD, MI USA 10/06/1999    

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 6 -- The Dow Chemical Company
announced today that it has named Dow Automotive as its first
industry-focused business unit.  The new Dow Automotive will integrate Essex
Specialty Products and its joint venture partnerships and resources to offer
an even broader product portfolio including adhesives, sealants and coatings.
Dow Automotive and Essex facilities worldwide will take part in the transition
process.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991006/DEW001 )
    "As The Dow Chemical Company takes another major step in its
transformation to become a more solutions-oriented science and technology
company, it has named Dow Automotive its first 'company within a company,' to
operate with higher aspirations and breadth of service than ever before,"
according to Bill Stavropoulos, CEO, The Dow Chemical Company.
    Lawrence A. Denton has been named president of the organization.  Denton
joined Dow Automotive in 1996 as global vice president, following a 24-year
career with Ford Motor Company, where he held a number of engineering and
managerial positions.
    This new initiative reflects The Dow Chemical Company's dedication and
commitment to the global automotive industry and its customers.  Dow
Automotive plans to increase its standing in the global automotive supply
community in the next decade, with an accompanying increase in business
growth.
    "Dow Automotive is the most successful industry group in our company and
was the logical first choice for establishing an industry-focused business
unit," added Stavropoulos.
    Dow Automotive is prepared to contribute significantly to the overall
growth goals of The Dow Chemical Company.  The resources and people of Dow
Automotive will help take the company to the next level, according to Denton.
To accomplish this, Dow Automotive will operate under a new business model.
The organization will offer more than the traditional tier two supplier, by
providing more resources to meet the needs of its customers worldwide.  Dow
Automotive will provide innovative solutions, including a broad product
portfolio and increased technical and application development expertise for
systems, parts and modules.
    This growth initiative builds upon the success of Essex Specialty Products
and its various joint venture relationships.  Integrating these companies into
Dow Automotive will result in a broader product offering that includes
plastics, adhesives, sealants, reinforcing and acoustical management systems
for use in automotive applications for interior, exterior, and
chassis/powertrain components and systems.
    "One of the true intents of this new organization is to increase the speed
and innovation of the development process through the value chain," said
Denton.  "Our goal is to create an automotive company that leverages the
strength of The Dow Chemical Company to meet the needs of customers globally.
We plan to ensure that everyone in our business is completely dedicated to the
automotive culture and community."
    Additional information regarding Dow Automotive products and services can
be found at http://www.dowautomotive.com .