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Automotive Supplier Rapid Design Service Restructures

8 May 2000

Automotive Supplier Rapid Design Service Restructures To Emerge as a Leading Full Service Supplier

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., May 8 Rapid Design Service Inc.
(RDS) a major global supplier of engineering and design services announces the
appointment of Patrick G. Kirby as Chief Executive Officer, President, and
Member of the Board.  Former CEO Richard Tschirhart, with RDS since 1973 and
former President, David Byker, with RDS since 1980 have been elected RDS Co-
Chairmen of the Board, and will concentrate on future strategic opportunities
for the company.  This announcement initiates strategic plans on behalf of RDS
to emerge as a leading, global, full-service supplier to the automotive and
commercial markets.
    Within the past year, Rapid Design Service has merged with PGK Services,
PGK Engineering, and Centennial Mold, former companies privately held by
Patrick Kirby.  PGK and Centennial Mold offer the core expertise of full
product development engineering and prototype tooling.  In addition, RDS has
merged with CKGP and Associates, a manufacturing facilities and plant layout
organization, and has acquired the in-client staffing business from local
engineering firm Hawtal Whiting.  Through a recent joint venture with Control
Room Technologies (CRT), an e-commerce company, RDS is now prepared to offer
e-business solutions to its customers.
    With 39 offices in 9 countries, 4,000 employees, and annual sales volumes
exceeding $300 million, Rapid Design Service has been strategically
restructured to offer a premier service to the customer.  The combined
expertise of the RDS organization now includes vehicle and system design
engineering from concept through production tools, fixtures and secondary
equipment, industrial and facility engineering, and global staffing.
    CEO Patrick Kirby explains, "The dynamics of our industry dictates
continuous innovation on behalf of the supplier.  In order to excel among the
competition, RDS has strategically acquired, merged, and aligned the core
competencies of the organization to offer full services to our customers.  Our
global capabilities range from initial vehicle concept through the entire
product development cycle to manufacturing and facilities construction, making
RDS the one-source global supplier to the automotive and commercial markets."
    Patrick Kirby was the founder PGK Services and PGK Engineering in 1997.
Kirby was also the founder and former partner and President of Becker Group's
Megatech Engineering in 1985.  At the time of his 1997 resignation, Kirby had
developed the Megatech organization into a global corporation with sales
exceeding $75 million and was also the Executive Vice President of Becker
Group's $1.5 billion global organization.
    In addition to the strong industry reputation, global experience and
leadership of CEO Patrick Kirby, key individuals have been appointed to lead
major centers of expertise within the organization.  Chief Financial Officer,
Gregg Baumbaugh offers 20 years of experience in public accounting and the
private sector.  Baumbaugh has led accounting and financial teams within major
global organizations, with increasing experience in acquisition and merger
strategy and support.  Gary Carson, Executive Vice President of Diversified
and International Business has over 30 years of automotive experience,
specializing in production logistics and electrical systems worldwide.
Michael Cleaver, Executive Vice President of Process and Equipment and co-
founder of CKGP and Associates, offers over 35 years of extensive expertise in
the automotive industry, specializing in process, industrial, facilities, and
manufacturing engineering.  James Lambert, Executive Vice President of Vehicle
Platform Design Engineering, offers 24 years experience in the automotive
industry specializing in product development and design, manufacturing,
program management and global integration.  Chris O'Brien, Executive Vice
President of Facilities and Construction Design Engineering, offers over 23
years of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in global project
management and engineering, industrial, and manufacturing process engineering.
Daryl Patriskoff, Vice President of In-Client Services offers 24 years of
experience in automotive design engineering services, and global project
management expertise.  Scott VanPopering, Executive Vice President of HRD and
Administration offers 23 years experience in tax planning, preparation, public
accounting and corporate administration.
    Future RDS strategy includes continued growth to support the business
climate and customer base; the addition of a Troy, Michigan-based Vehicle
Platform Design Engineering Center, and the formation of a metropolitan
Detroit-based Corporate Headquarters to further support the automotive
industry.