Advanced Accessory Systems Opens Facility in Eastern

Europe Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA (PROTEXT) - Advanced AccessorySystems announced Thursday that its SportRack Automotivesubsidiary has dedicated its first plant in Eastern Europe withthe opening of its new manufacturing facility in Bakov, CzechRepublic. The new facility will employ citizens of the Czech Republicand will grow to a planned first year production of some 70,000roof racks for Skoda/VW for their new Octavia model. "This new facility gives us a solid foothold in Eastern Europeand the ability to meet the ever increasing customer demands forour exterior accessory systems," said Terence C. Seikel,president and CEO of AAS. "We'll be able to build on our globalleadership position in the roof rack and towing systems businessand bring the latest technology to new vehicle owners in Europe." Seikel underscored the cooperation AAS has received from localand regional governmental officials. "These operations are thestate of the art for us and we've enjoyed great support andencouragement from everyone involved in this project and we lookforward to a bright future of growth and further development." Seikel said two AAS executives attended the dedicationceremonies held Thursday in Bakov. On hand were Richard Borghi,president and COO of AAS's SportRack Automotive business, andPaul Biegansky, vice president of Business Development, Europe. Formed in l995, AAS has become the world leader in roof racks,towing systems and automotive exteriors systems. Headquartered inMichigan, the company employs nearly 2,200 people in 23 countriesand has annual sales of approximately $300 million. NOTE TO EDITORS: Emailed photos of the plant are available bycalling contacts. ots Original Text Service: Advanced AccessorySystems Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de CONTACT: DonnaWollen of AAS Tel.: (in the USA) 810-997-6845, dwollen@aasllc.com; or Meggan Babcock of MacDonald Communications Tel.: (in theUSA) 248-647-1189, or mbabcock@jcu.edu

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