Advanced Accessory Systems' SportRack Automotive Division Named GM 1999 Supplier of the Year

22 May 2000
Advanced Accessory Systems' SportRack Automotive Division Named GM 1999 Supplier of the Year
    MUNICH, Germany, May 22 Advanced Accessory Systems
President and CEO, Terence C. Seikel, and SportRack Automotive Vice President
Business Development-Europe, Paul Biegansky, were present to accept the 1999
Supplier of the Year Award from General Motors Corporation during ceremonies
at the PrinzRegenten Theater here Saturday.
    "This award is a great recognition for our SportRack Automotive worldwide
team who designs and builds top quality roof rack systems and accessories to
meet the many lifestyle demands of General Motors' customers," Seikel said.
    The prestigious award is given annually to GM's best global suppliers in
recognition of their superior performance during the previous calendar year.
    "Advanced Accessory Systems/SportRack Automotive is one of our best and
brightest suppliers," said Harold R. Kutner, group vice president, Worldwide
Purchasing and North American Production Control & Logistics, who hosted the
event.  "It is an honor to have them working with us.  Their contributions to
General Motors' overall success are immeasurable.  We look upon the Supplier
of the Year Award as an important recognition of their value as an automotive
industry supplier."
    The GM Supplier of the Year Award began as a global program in 1992.
Award winners are selected by a global team of executives from purchasing,
engineering, manufacturing, and logistics who base their decisions on supplier
performance in Quality, Service, Technology, and Price.  This year, GM honored
181 suppliers from 22 countries for their excellence throughout 1999.
    Biegansky added, "The dedicated employees of our entire SportRack
Automotive team are the true recipients of this award for accomplishing their
goal to completely satisfy GM's high-level requirements for supplier
performance."
    SportRack Automotive is a world leader in the supply of roof rack systems
and lifestyle accessory products to the global OEM and aftermarket.  SportRack
Automotive has corporate offices in Sterling Heights, Mich., with North
American manufacturing operations in Port Huron and Shelby Township, Mich.;
Hamar Bay, Ontario; and Granby, Quebec.  SportRack Automotive's European
operations are headquartered in Sandhausen, Germany, and include manufacturing
facilities in Bakov, Czech Republic and Barcelona, Spain.
    Formed in 1995, parent company Advanced Accessory Systems has become a
global supplier in roof rack systems, towing systems, and related accessories.
Headquartered in Sterling Heights, Mich., the company has nearly 2,200
employees in 23 facilities within 15 countries; and has annual sales in excess
of $300 million.