NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Ms. Lynn Stanley(972) 409-9044 FAX (972) 409-9403Email: stanleymedia@comcast.netArvinMeritor And Liteflex® LLC Make Key Announcements At Press Conference Hosted By The National Composite Center
DAYTON, Ohio (January 24, 2006) – Today, during a special press conference hosted by the National Composite Center (NCC), ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems announced signing a long-term joint agreement with Liteflex, LLC to be the exclusive distributor of Liteflex® truck, trailer, and specialty vehicle composite mechanical springs for North America and key global markets. Liteflex President John Prikkel also unveiled two additional milestones for Liteflex. The manufacturer ended 2005 with a 30 percent growth rate and purchased two additional properties in Dayton totaling 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
The arrangement with ArvinMeritor extends an agreement first initiated with Liteflex in 2003. An authorized licensee of NCC for the manufacture of the composite springs, Liteflex was launched by the Center in 2001. The news was released simultaneously with an announcement by Delphi Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH) that it had sold its Liteflex composite spring business to Liteflex LLC in conjunction with NCC. “We are pleased to extend this agreement with Liteflex to a long-term arrangement, not only for ourselves, but more importantly for our customers,” said Sergio Carvalho, Vice President and General Manager, ArvinMeritor Trailer Products. “In the relatively short amount of time this venture has been in place, we have been able to offer tremendous advantages to our customers through the benefits of composite technology.” Press Conference Event January 24, 2006
“Vehicle manufacturers, including truck, tractor and trailer makers are all experiencing record volumes,” said John Prikkel. “But major technical challenges to reduce engine emissions and improve vehicle safety must be met in the near future. High commodity prices, including steel, oil and rubber, also make the lighter weight Liteflex composite spring an attractive choice with its ability to reduce fuel consumption, improve vehicle ride and reduce tire wear. By continuing to partner with ArvinMeritor and combine the strengths of the two companies, we are poised to take this technology to the broad commercial vehicle market.”
Liteflex’s composite design and processing skills and ArvinMeritor’s sales and marketing presence and undercarriage engineering expertise have also paved the way for a new product launch. The two companies will jointly develop integrated composite suspension modules and systems to address the need for lighter weight and better riding suspensions. SimilAir® is one such example. The composite trailer spring has been successfully field tested in over 100 trailers since August 2004, and will be launched early this year. The heavy duty springs will be manufactured at Liteflex. The collaboration between ArvinMeritor and Liteflex® will also provide the opportunity to pursue the use of composite technologies in components beyond springs.
“At NCC we’ve demonstrated how composites can be engineered to provide more features, improve performance and offer better value when considered up front in the development process,” said Lou Luedtke, president and CEO of NCC. “One of the most compelling aspects of composites is the greater design flexibility it gives heavy duty and commercial vehicle manufacturers. Continuation of the ArvinMeritor-Liteflex agreement illustrates that the industry is beginning to see that composites are not just a substitute material but the right fit for the job.”
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately.
Press Conference Event
January 24, 2006
29,000 people at more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 25 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at: www.arvinmeritor.com.
Liteflex, LLC is a privately held company since 2001 with world headquarters and four manufacturing sites located in the Dayton, Ohio area. The company has a 25 year heritage of GM, Inland and Delphi composite technology with a new entrepreneurial spirit of innovation. For more information about Liteflex visit the company’s website at: www.liteflexllc.com.
Since 1996, The National Composite Center has taken the lead in pioneering efforts to promote, develop and apply advanced composite technology to the aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial and infrastructure markets. NCC’s ability to link composites to the appropriate markets and dramatically reduce the time it takes manufacturers to bring products from concept to production, has established the Center as technology partner. NCC’s pilot production plant provides a central point where companies can congregate to develop large-scale manufacturing methods and establish industry standards. As a gatekeeper for the composite age, NCC is also committed to the exploration of advanced manufacturing technologies to provide industry and consumers alike with high performance materials that last longer and cost less. By teaming with colleges, universities and government, NCC is bridging the gap between science and practicality to strengthen commerce in Ohio and contribute positively to the lives of communities across the nation. For more information visit NCC’s website at www.compositecenter.org.
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