Hawtal Whiting Announces North American Organization Changes.

TROY, Mich.--(AutomotiveWire)--May 25, 1999--

Hawtal Whiting Inc. -- a worldwide engineering and design organization and five-time GM Supplier of the Year Award winner -- announces changes to its North American Operations management staff. According to Andrew Tempest, North American Operations president and CEO, "With our focus on major engineering projects and establishing ourselves in new markets after the divestment of our North American contract labor, I am delighted to appoint three new vice presidents to lead our company forward." The new appointments are effective immediately.

Andrew Schoenherr, head of finance since 1996, was appointed vice president of finance reporting to Andrew Tempest. Schoenherr, formerly responsible for coordinating the activities for the Finance Department, will continue to oversee those efforts in addition to the legal and financial issues for Mexico, Brazil and the Canadian office together with control of acquisitions and disposals.

Robert Valcke, former senior program manager responsible for the first Tier 1 complete interior project, has been named vice president of commercial operations reporting to Andrew Tempest. Valcke will have responsibility for all of Hawtal Whiting Inc.'s strategic planning, customer focus, corporate sales and marketing, account management and new business development. Valcke was formerly vice president of Troy Design before joining Hawtal Whiting two years ago.

Michael Harrington, executive director of projects, was named vice president of engineering programs reporting to Andrew Tempest. Harrington will assume responsibility for the North American program management, customer liaisons, Special Business Unit, Model Shop, Structures Group, Technical Publications Group, and business development in Brazil. Since joining Hawtal Whiting in 1985, Harrington has managed product-engineering programs for GM's Cadillac division, Electrical Group, GMT600 program, Special Business Unit and non-GM programs.