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Sika Automotive Announces Restructuring

30 October 2000

Sika Automotive Announces Restructuring

       Objective is Continuous Quality Improvement and Customer Service

    MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Oct. 30 A restructuring of Sika
Automotive to streamline operations for continual improvement in quality and
customer service was announced this month by Enrico Tissi, President and CEO
of Sika Corporation, parent company of Sika Automotive.  In a statement to
Sika employees, Mr. Tissi said the Automotive business would consolidate under
the direction of Robert Myers, Sr. Vice President of Sika Corporation.  In
addition to overseeing the Madison Heights, Michigan Automotive headquarters
and Acoustic Test Facility, Mr. Myers will now be responsible for the recently
upgraded manufacturing operation in Grandview, Missouri.  Manufacturing of
Industrial Tapes at the Grandview facility will also now report to Mr. Myers.
    Mr. Tissi stated the objectives for the consolidation are increased
customer satisfaction, increased speed and reaction to customer demands and
increased job satisfaction for all Automotive employees.  The move is intended
to be a pilot model for a potential worldwide Automotive organizational
structure.
    This restructuring further lays the groundwork establishing Sika
Automotive as a leading developer and supplier of acoustic bonding and sealing
systems for the automotive industry.  In the past two years, Sika Automotive
has aggressively pursued growth opportunities through the acquisition of the
Expanding Seals Business Unit from Magna Exterior Systems Belgium, acquisition
of Tivoli Klebstoff a supplier of structural bonding and laminating
applications and a joint venture with Hayashi.  Sika Automotive has also made
capital investments such as creation of the Acoustic Test Facility in Madison
Heights and improvements upgrading the Grandview plant.  Sika Automotive has
also just announced a new Director of Manufacturing and Director of Quality
for the Grandview plant.
    "We are well positioned for growth," said Robert Myers.  "We have unique
products and processes providing cost effective solutions for our automotive
customers; we have a great team in place and we have the commitment of our
parent company to do whatever necessary for growth in our automotive business.
Sika Automotive is a concept to production supplier and at each step we are
prepared to offer the best solutions to our customers while providing a great
working environment for our employees as well."
    Sika Corporation is a subsidiary of the Sika Group.  The Sika Group, based
in Zurich Switzerland, is a worldwide leading company in the field of
Specialty Chemicals for Construction Chemicals and Industrial Materials.  Sika
Automotive, a division of Sika Corporation based in Madison Heights, is an
industry leader in the development and production of high-performance
specialty acoustic, bonding and sealing systems.  Sika Automotive provides
automobile manufacturers with proven expertise in effective and economical
ways to improve interior sound quality in vehicles worldwide.