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Haartz Receives Second Contract To Produce TPO Coverskins

16 May 2000

The Haartz Corp. Receives Second Contract To Produce TPO Coverskins for Instrument Panels

                Haartz Nears TPO Production for 2002 Vehicle,
     Ramps Up TPO Production for 2001 Mazda Tribute Sport Utility Vehicle

    DETROIT, May 16 As The Haartz Corp. ramps up production of
thermoplastic olefin (TPO) coverstock for the 2001 Mazda Tribute instrument
panel, the company announced today that it will supply TPO coverskin for the
instrument panel of another major automaker's 2002 model-year vehicle.
    Haartz made the announcement here today at the Automotive & Transportation
Interiors Expo, where the company is showcasing its full line of TPO
coverstock and vinyl laminates for instrument panels, door trim and center
console applications.
    Through the Mazda Tribute contract, Haartz became the first North American
tier-two automotive supplier to provide a TPO instrument panel coverskin for a
major automaker.  According to Tim Jackson, Haartz director of automotive
sales - interiors, the company supplies TPO coverstock and polypropylene foam
laminate materials to Visteon Corporation -- which is using a unique in-mold
decorating process to manufacture the Mazda Tribute instrument panel.
    For the second contract, Haartz will supply the TPO skin to Intertec
Systems -- a joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and Inoac Corp. of
Japan -- which will manufacture the instrument panel for the automaker.
    "As the automotive industry moves away from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and
toward TPO interior-trim materials, The Haartz Corp. is delivering --
literally," Jackson said.  "As a leader in TPO technology, we are well-
positioned to provide our customers with TPO materials for developing these
next-generation interiors.  TPO materials also can enhance long-term
weatherability, reduce fogging and lower overall costs."
    In addition to the two TPO coverskin contracts, Jackson said the company
is in discussions with several automakers and tier-one suppliers about using
TPOs for other vehicle platforms.  As part of a $7 million investment made to
meet increasing demand, Haartz has expanded its Acton, Mass. manufacturing
plant and added new equipment dedicated exclusively to olefin extrusion.
Haartz produces a broad portfolio of TPO and PVC interior-trim materials for
some of the best-selling, award-winning vehicles.
    The company, for example, supplies polypropylene foam laminate materials
to Visteon for the door panels of the 2000 Ford Taurus and 2000 Ford Focus.
The Ford Focus, which was recently named the North American Car of the Year,
is one of the six finalists for the Automotive & Transportation Interiors
inaugural Car & Truck Interior of the Year Awards.
    "These high-volume vehicle platforms exemplify the growing trend toward
using low-pressure molded door-trim panels, which are another step closer to
being fully recyclable," said Jackson, noting that fully recyclable door-trim
panels can be achieved by combining plastics from the same family --
polypropylene foams, polypropylene substrates and TPO coverskins.