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Guardian Automotive Opens New Paint Line in at Morehead Location

7 November 2000

Guardian Automotive Opens New Paint Line in Expansion at Morehead Location, Increasing Capacity and Doubling Robotic Systems Availability

Guardian Morehead's new high-gloss paint line adds 10 new robots to its
customized FANUC P-200 robotics control systems; plant's capacity expands to
400,000 square feet

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 7 Guardian Automotive, a Tier I
supplier of complete integrated exterior systems to the global automotive
industry, announces the opening of a $18.2 million, 68,000 square-foot
expansion at its Morehead, Kentucky, facility.  The expansion features a new
high-gloss paint line with a custom designed closed loop control system which
manages all functions of the line from scheduling through finished parts.  The
system is plc controlled and operates all functions of the line, including the
10 FANUC P-200 robots, the FANUC/Sames application system fluid delivery
systems and the Graco precision mix systems.  This additional high gloss paint
line increases the number of FANUC P-200 robots in use at the facility to 24.
The Morehead expansion also includes increasing the physical plant capacity to
400,000 square feet and adding new 3,000T Milicron injection molding
capability for use with larger parts such as fascias, grilles, and exterior
claddings.
    "The benchmark technology in the industry, our Morehead paint line allows
us to supply painted and assembled systems in a more robust 'Just In Time'
manner to meet the increasing demands of our customers.  On this new line we
can provide broad product capability, from fascias and body panels to grilles
and claddings.  With both low-bake (2-K) and high-bake (1-K & 2-K)
capabilities, the new line can process a multitude of thermoplastic materials
ranging from TPO to ABS and beyond," said Steve Markevich, group vice
president, Guardian Automotive.
    "The flexibility and efficiency of Morehead's paint lines allows us to
rapidly apply paint, resulting in a high throughput on the system," said Mike
Young, engineering manager, Guardian Morehead.  "With an industry-leading
capability, we offer flexibility like no other exterior systems supplier.  We
can rapidly change temperatures on the paint line without removing parts,
virtually eliminating down time associated with the transition, from curing
low bake 2-Ks to high bake coating systems."
    A subsidiary of Guardian Industries Corp., Guardian Automotive is a global
Tier I supplier of complete exterior systems to the global automotive
industry, offering integration of vehicle exterior trim and glass
capabilities.  Through partnership with its automotive customers, Guardian
meets customer needs by researching, designing, developing, engineering,
testing, tooling and manufacturing completely integrated exterior systems.
Among Guardian Automotive's numerous customer awards are Ford's TQE Award and
Q1 Awards, the DaimlerChrysler's Platinum Pentastar and Gold Awards and the GM
Supplier of the Year Award.