DETROIT — MANN+HUMMEL is expanding its product development, testing and manufacturing operations in North America. The enhancements are part of the investment that MANN+HUMMEL will make in North America in the next three years, on both product development and manufacturing facilities, to expand its filtration technology.

Included in the project are plans to expand engineering support at the company’s Portage, MI, facility. The Portage facility, along with the South Bend, IN, location began production of five new product lines in 2005 and anticipates six more program launches in 2006 for Ford, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Nissan and Toyota. The aftermarket warehouse, distribution, logistics and customer service operations at South Bend were also expanded.

A significant part of MANN+HUMMEL’s North American growth plan also is based on its new facilities in Queretaro, Mexico. Dating back to its first facility in Mexico in 1991, the new plant is part of a commitment to grow the company’s NAFTA presence. The new Queretaro facility enables the company to increase both OEM and aftermarket activities, with a special focus on filtration production.

Four new filtration-product programs were launched successfully and a second filter element production line was completed at the Queretaro, Mexico plant in 2005. A new filtration product program for Nissan will be launched in 2006, which will help support the growth of the MANN+HUMMEL Mexico operations. A new heavy-duty filter element line and a new oil filter element line are scheduled for completion in 2006.

Expansion of Queretaro’s filter element capabilities, including new technologies and equipment, are planned to support growth in the filter manufacturing sector into 2007, according to the company.

For more information about MANN+HUMMEL, go to: www.mann-hummel.com .

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DETROIT — MANN+HUMMEL, a global supplier of automotive air and fluid management systems and components, announced today plans to expand its product development, testing and manufacturing operations in North America.

Claude Mathieu, president and CEO of MANN+HUMMEL USA, said the company is adding oil filter modules to its current product mix, which includes intake manifolds, air cleaner systems and coolant reservoirs.

The company’s Portage, Mich., facility will play a major role in MANN+HUMMEL’s North American growth strategy. The Portage plant, along with the South Bend, Ind., plant, will launch five new product programs in 2005 for Ford, DaimlerChrysler, GM and Toyota.

Enhancements at the company’s Portage facility are part of investments MANN+HUMMEL plans to make in North America in the next 3 years. Investments will be made both in product development and manufacturing facilities, to expand its filtration technology, the company said.+

“We’re encouraged by our continued success in North America,” said Mathieu. “The dedicated work force at our four North American locations has helped us to provide an increasing variety of high quality components to North American automakers.”

Mathieu noted that significant productivity improvements have been achieved through company wide use of 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing methodologies at all MANN+HUMMEL facilities in the NAFTA region. Quality ratings have improved by more than 200 percent to close to 30 ppm from around the 100 ppm mark previously achieved.

The company said it is on track to meet its North American sales goal of $200 million by 2008 an increase of 13 percent in each of the next four years.

“The company’s productivity improvements in North America last year were in part due to an over $18 million investment in new equipment as well as an all-new manufacturing plant in Mexico,” Mathieu said.

MANN+HUMMEL, development partner and original equipment supplier for the international automotive industry, now ranks third in sales of plastic manifolds in the NAFTA region up from just a 5 percent share and a seventh- place ranking as recently as three years ago.

For more information about MANN+HUMMEL, go to: www.mann-hummel.com.

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