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Meritor Milton Plant Expands To Accommodate Future Growth

7 March 2000

Meritor Suspension Systems Co. Milton Plant Expands To Accommodate Future Growth and Cold Coiling Process

    MILTON, Ontario, March 7 Meritor Automotive, Inc.
announced that Meritor Suspension Systems Co., its joint venture
with Mitsubishi, has completed a nearly 3,420 sq. meter expansion at its
Milton automotive suspension coil spring manufacturing facility.  The
expansion provides additional warehouse space for both in-house storage of
finished product awaiting shipment, the capacity to accommodate future
production programs and the addition of a combination hot and cold coil spring
line.  Astral Building Company of Mississauga, Ont. constructed the new
facility.
    Robert Patrician, president and general manager, Meritor Suspension
Systems Company, advised that the plant's expansion was necessary due to the
new orders for hot and cold coil springs to North American original equipment
manufacturers' (OEMs) and light vehicle aftermarket suppliers.
    The $4 million (Canadian) expansion will allow for production of either
hot or cold wound coil springs.  The plant had traditionally supplied hot
wound coil springs to its customers.  The combination line now provides the
flexibility to introduce cold coiling into the manufacturing process.  The new
combination line will occupy over 1,440 sq. meters of plant space.
    "Milton employees have consistently demonstrated their ability to produce
world-class coil springs and set standards of excellence," said Patrician.
"That performance has built customer confidence and driven the plant's steady
growth in recent years.  To accommodate this growth and demonstrate our
commitment to our customers, we've made an investment in the plant's future.
It's one we're confident will be equally beneficial to our customers as well
as to us."
    The QS9000- and ISO 9000-certified manufacturing facility is the largest
independent supplier of automotive suspension coil springs in North America,
producing more than 14 million coil springs annually for light vehicle
manufacturers throughout Canada and the United States.  The plant has been
supporting the community since 1954 and employs more than 250 people in its
22,500 sq. meter manufacturing and warehousing operations.
    "Our continued growth is good news for employees and the Milton
community," said John Gates, plant manager of the Milton facility.  "This
expansion will provide the space we need to accept future business creating
new job opportunities as well."
    The Milton facility is one of three production centers in North America.
The Milton plant has produced more than 100 million coil springs in the past
10 years.
    Meritor, with 1999 sales of $4.5 billion, is a global supplier of a broad
range of systems and components for commercial, specialty and light vehicle
OEMs and the aftermarket.  Meritor consists of two businesses:  Heavy Vehicle
Systems, a leading supplier of complete drivetrain systems and components for
medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and off-highway equipment and
specialty vehicles, including military, bus and coach, and fire and rescue;
and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control and
suspension systems and wheel products for passenger cars, light trucks and
sport utility vehicles.