Brose North American Breaks Ground on First Canadian Manufacturing Facility

LONDON, ONTARIO, (October 15, 2003) – Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Brose North America broke ground today on its new London, Ontario, facility, its first Canadian automotive manufacturing plant. The facility will be located on 13 hectares in the Forest City Industrial Park, London, Ontario, and will manufacture seat adjusters and door components. Phase one of the Brose North America London, Ontario, facility will be approximately 16,000 square-meters and employ 300 associates. With potential future expansion, the facility will be nearly 37,000 square-meters and house an estimated 500 employees. “Our decision to construct a facility in London was based on a very competitive business environment, and the strong support we have received from the London Economic Development Council,” said Michael Stoschek, president and CEO of Brose Fahrzeugtelle GmbH. The London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has been working with Brose for more than two years. “We were delighted that Brose selected London, and we are looking forward to the excellent business, social and cultural advantages that having this facility here will offer our community,” said John Kime, president and CEO of the LEDC. “We are thrilled to welcome Brose North America to London and look forward to its dynamic influence within our business community,” said Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco. “By choosing London as home to its new Canadian operation, Brose has reinforced our successful strategy to attract new investment, more jobs and heightened prosperity to the community.” In its 10 years, Brose North America has secured more than 30 contracts with five OEMs. With the 2002 acquisition of the Robert Bosch Corporation latch division, Brose expanded its capabilities in the vehicle door arena for its Tier and OEM customers. Brose North America revenue is expected to reach $660 million CAD in 2007. “Our success in the North American market has enabled Brose North America to continue its growth into Canada,” said Jan Kowal, president, Brose North America. “We are excited and proud to bring our resources and commerce to the London community and look forward to a long-term relationship.” With two plants in Mexico, one in development in Chicago, Ill., and one in development in Vance, Ala., the London, Ontario facility will be the fifth production plant for Brose North America. The company also is investing $38 million CAD in the construction of a 5,400 square-meter North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Brose supplies intelligent systems and modules for vehicle doors and seats to over 40 OEMs and Tier One manufacturers worldwide. With 24 locations in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa and a staff of more than 7,000 globally, Brose offers quality window regulators, door modules, seat adjuster and closure systems to OEMs everywhere. For more information Alissa Picciuca Eisbrenner Public Relations (248) 641-1446 visit www.brose.net apicciuca@eisbrenner.com Lesley Cornelius London Economic Development Corp. (519) 661-5009 lcornelius@ledc.com