---

ArvinMeritor to Close Fairfield, Iowa, Facility

8 December 2000

ArvinMeritor to Close Fairfield, Iowa, Facility

    TROY, Mich., Dec. 7 ArvinMeritor, Inc. today
announced its decision to close its Fairfield, Iowa, manufacturing facility.
The company cited weakened demand, its strategy to divest non-core business,
as well as required investments in tooling and equipment at the facility as
reasons for the decision.
    The Fairfield facility manufactures marine and construction driveshaft
components and assemblies and employs approximately 265 people.  On-highway
driveline products will continue to be produced at regional Customer Value
Center plants.  The Fairfield plant is scheduled to close in late summer 2001.
    Upon recently announcing the possibility of closing the Fairfield
facility, the company held discussions with union representatives and local
business leaders about the identified closure rationale.  Since these meetings
did not provide viable alternatives, the company made the final decision to
close.
    Tom Gosnell, president, Commercial Vehicle Systems, said the company will
provide plant employees with outplacement assistance, and he acknowledged the
quality work and dedication employees have contributed.
    "Decisions like these are never easy.  A careful review of business
conditions and industry dynamics relative to our core strategy made it clear
we needed to make necessary adjustments to protect our ability to remain
competitive," Gosnell said.