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HHG Selected to Manage Construction of Honda's New Lincoln Vehicle And Engine Plant

19 January 2000

HHG Selected to Manage Construction of Honda's New Lincoln Vehicle And Engine Plant

                   - Birmingham Firm Forms Joint Venture -

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 19 -- HHG, a new joint venture of
three firms -- Bill Harbert Construction of Birmingham; Hanscomb, Inc., of
Atlanta; and Global Performance, LLC, of Greenville, S.C. -- has been selected
by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) to manage construction of the
company's new vehicle and engine manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Ala.
    HHG will oversee construction of Honda's new 1.7 million-sq.-ft. facility
from groundbreaking through production start-up in 2002.  In addition to the
construction of the buildings and facilities, HHG will schedule the entire
project and will oversee site work and infrastructure development.  Working
closely with Honda, HHG also will develop subcontractor bid packages,
pre-screen and pre-qualify eligible subcontractors, and coordinate
subcontractor work.
    "We're excited to be a part of this important project for the future of
Alabama and Honda, and we are committed to building Honda a manufacturing
plant that meets their high standards," said HHG's Howard Dyer-Smith,
executive vice president of Harbert's U.S. operations.
    Jeffrey Smith, senior manager of Corporate Affairs & Communications for
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., cited the importance of the joint venture
firms' construction and management experience.  "HHG brings to this project a
strong collective track record managing large-scale manufacturing projects, as
well as a dedication to quality, value and on-time project management," he
said.  "They are a natural fit for Honda."  Smith added: "This will be a
sophisticated facility that will perform a wide variety of manufacturing
functions, in addition to vehicle and engine assembly."
    Dyer-Smith said that HHG expects 1500-2000 construction jobs at the peak
of the project.  The total number of subcontractors could reach approximately
200.
    The Honda plant itself will employ approximately 1,500 associates when it
reaches its annual capacities of 120,000 vehicles and 120,000 engines in 2003.
    As part of its commitment to Honda and the Alabama community, HHG will
implement several initiatives to encourage Alabama-based suppliers and
subcontractors to pursue business opportunities with HHG and Honda.  The
initiatives include informational seminars for potential subcontractors and
suppliers (similar to the supplier symposiums Honda held in Talladega on
Jan. 10 and 11, 2000), the development of a local business organization
resource network, and the designation of a diversity development
representative who will focus on providing opportunities for participation by
minority- and women-owned businesses.
    "HHG is embarking on an active program to involve local firms in
construction of the Honda plant," Dyer-Smith said.  "HHG is committed to
Honda's desire for diversity and inclusion.  HHG will implement a number of
strategies to ensure diversity, including broad and frequent communication of
opportunities throughout the minority community."
    Dennis Braasch will serve as HHG's project director for the Honda plant,
with Tom Wells serving as project manager.
    Bill Harbert Construction grew out of the Harbert Construction
organization founded in Birmingham, Ala., in 1949, and has constructed
numerous industrial, commercial, institutional and governmental projects, from
manufacturing plants to government embassies.  Harbert's work extends
throughout the Southeast U.S. and numerous foreign countries.
    Hanscomb, Inc., of Atlanta provides construction consulting and
construction management services throughout the world.  Hanscomb was
established in 1946 and has grown into a worldwide organization with offices
throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and South America.  Hanscomb
experience includes many automotive and manufacturing facilities in the
Southeast and the world.
    Global Performance, LLC, of Greenville, S.C., specializes in construction
program management and process engineering in the automotive sector.