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ASC Incorporated to Open Munich Technical Center

30 November 1999

ASC Incorporated to Open Munich Technical Center

    SOUTHGATE, Mich., Nov. 30 -- ASC Incorporated will open a
technical center in Munich, Germany, to provide product development and
technical support to customers throughout Europe.  The announcement was made
by Uwe Heitzmann, ASC director of European business development.
    The TechCenter, which will be in operation by the end of 1999, will be
staffed by technical specialists from ASC's Southgate, Mich., U.S.
headquarters, along with engineering professionals from throughout Germany.
    "Our technical center will provide a wide range of services and
capabilities," said Heitzmann, "including program management and full
specialty vehicle and open air system development.  We will be fully equipped
for specification testing and simulations, and work with the latest design and
engineering CAD and CAE tools."
    The TechCenter will provide product and process development, as well as
supplier liaison services.  Suppliers will be located in the ASC technical
center through the development phase of a project, following simultaneous
engineering guidelines.  "The TechCenter also will maintain a link with ASC's
centers of excellence in our headquarters in Southgate, Mich.," said
Heitzmann.
    Establishment of the TechCenter in Munich expands ASC's technical
resources worldwide.  The Munich center offers a high degree of engineering
capability, both in terms of staff and equipment.
    ASC's KW Weinsberg operations in Germany provide prototyping, fixturing
and tooling.  "In addition, KW Weinsberg will be integrated into the project
development process," said Karl H. Knoth, president of ASC Europe.  "Together,
we will offer our customers capabilities from initial design through complete
prototyping and full engineering."
    ASC is a global specialty vehicle and products manufacturer with
five operating activities: Creative Services provides automotive design,
engineering and prototype services; Specialty Vehicles supplies the automotive
industry manufacturing expertise, development and production of specialty
vehicles; Engineered Systems manufactures and distributes open-air systems
(sunroofs and convertible tops) for OEM and aftermarket applications;
Composites Systems develops and produces a variety of composite products
(removable hardtops and molded products) for OEM and aftermarket applications;
and Aftermarket Products engineers and develops vehicle accessories for the
aftermarket.
    Headquartered in Southgate, ASC maintains operations throughout the U.S.
and Canada, and in Germany and Korea.