Rieter Wins PACE Award for Innovative Noise Management System

10 March 2000
Rieter Wins PACE Award for Innovative Noise Management System

    FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., March 9 Rieter Automotive
Systems, with world headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, and North
American headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, received the prestigious
2000 PACE Award from Automotive News and Ernst & Young for the benefits of its
weight saving breakthrough in vehicle acoustics.  The award comes as the
result of a unique system approach in vehicle noise management called RIETER
ULTRA LIGHT(TM).
    Thanks to Rieter Automotive's advanced technology Chrysler and Fiat were
able to drastically reduce the overall weight of their acoustic package in
their new Minivan and Punto because RIETER ULTRA LIGHT applies the acoustics
integration approach to achieve high performance targets at substantially
lower weights.  The key to this approach is shifting the emphasis from
insulation to absorption and the application of a new class of multi-layer
composites and lightweight materials developed and patented by Rieter.
Rieter's new acoustic vehicle treatment absorbs sound efficiently enough to
reduce the weight of automotive acoustic treatments by as much as 50%, or
between 10 and 30 kg per vehicle (22-66 lbs.).  The Rieter system is now being
incorporated in programs by a growing number of OEMs on both sides of the
Atlantic.
    "We are truly excited to receive the PACE Award for developing a weight
and fuel saving innovation that is positive for consumers, the industry, the
company, and the environment," said Lars O. Larsson, CEO of Rieter Automotive
North America, who accepted the award on behalf of the Company.  The PACE
(Premier Automotive Suppliers Contributions to Excellence) Award is designed
to recognize suppliers that demonstrate high levels of innovation and
excellence in improving automotive products and services.
    This year was the first in which both North American and European
suppliers were eligible to enter the industry-wide award competition.  Rieter
Automotive and the seven other winners were selected on the basis of having
demonstrated a commitment to value-driven innovation in product, technology,
process and management practices.  An independent panel of judges who review
applications and conduct comprehensive site visits of finalist companies to
evaluate both their innovations and management teams selected winners.
    Rieter Automotive Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers of
systems solutions for the automotive industry in the sectors of noise control,
thermal insulation and interior trim components.  The company has some
7,500 employees and 40 production sites worldwide and last year reported sales
of 1.658 billion Swiss Francs ($1.147 billion).  Rieter (RIEN) is listed on
the Swiss Exchange.