Brose North America Invests more than $81M in first Canadian manufacturing facility

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (March 24, 2003) Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Brose North America will invest $81 million CAD to construct its first Canadian automotive manufacturing plant. Brose North America partners with North American OEMs to supply anti-pinch, One-Touch Up electronic window regulators and integrated door systems on American-made and sold vehicles. The company's success stems in part from a strong, family-driven German vision and leading technology in window regulators and door modules. Founded in Germany on June 14, 1919, by Max Brose and chemist, Ernst Juhling, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. was called, Metallwerk Max Brose & Co. Today, Brose continues it's success as a family-owned and financed business and has expanded globally with 7,000 employees at 24 locations in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Window regulator production began in 1928, and Brose has since lead the industry in advancement of window regulator technology. In 1963, Brose launched the first power window regulator in the European market. And in the 1980s, when Brose saw an opportunity for enhanced convenience and safety in window regulators, the company invented anti-pinch technology for door windows. The company also expanded into electronic seat adjusters and integrated door systems. With safety and quality at the forefront, Brose has more than 75 percent market share of the European anti-trapping window regulator market. Fifteen years ago, Brose emerged as the benchmark in door system technology. Since then, the division has captured 40 percent North American market share and 40 percent worldwide market share. Brose North America currently develops door module systems integrating 60 - 80 percent of door functions into one unit. Brose North America manages the entire design and development process, supplying the module assembled and quality-checked to the OEM. The Brose door module system has been measured at reducing installation time by 80 percent, using 60 percent fewer fasteners and connections and improving warranty costs by nearly 25 percent. For more information: Alissa Picciuca, Eisbrenner Public Relations (248) 641-1446 Email: apicciuca@eisbrenner.com OR Lesley Cornelius, London Economic Development Corp. (519) 661-5009