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Oxford Automotive, Inc. Acquires Gessaroli Group

6 April 2000

Oxford Automotive, Inc. Acquires Gessaroli Group

    TROY, Mich., April 5 Oxford Automotive, Inc., a leading
automotive supplier, has completed its acquisition of Gessaroli Group, located
in Torino, Italy; a top Italian automotive supplier of locking mechanisms,
latches, stampings, fine blanking and weld assemblies.
    "The Gessaroli Group possesses an impressive reputation for innovation,
high quality standards and excellent products," said Steven Abelman, president
and CEO of Oxford Automotive.  "Gessaroli is a perfect fit for our modular
closure system operations and we look forward to a swift integration of this
acquisition to provide immediate benefits to Oxford Automotive and its
customers."
    The Gessaroli Group's integrated manufacturing operations cover all
functions of design, engineering, die and mold construction, parts production
and assembly for both its plastic injection molded and metal formed components
and modules.
    "This transaction allows our company to become part of a very successful
and dynamic global organization which will encourage our continued growth and
success serving our primary customer, Fiat Auto," said Agostino Gessaroli,
president of Gessaroli Group.
    The Gessaroli Group employs approximately 180 employees in three
production facilities and is UNI and ISO 9001 certified and AVSQ certification
is in process.
    Oxford Automotive, Inc., headquartered in Troy, Michigan, is a leading
full-service automotive supplier of high quality engineered metal components,
assemblies and modules used by automotive manufacturers.  Oxford currently
operates 26 facilities in five countries with industry leading expertise.