HAYZ Hayes Lemmerz International (MM)

Hayes Lemmerz Announces Plant Restructuring Plans NORTHVILLE, Mich., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. today announced a manufacturing rationalization plan for its North American Wheel Group which will significantly lower operating costs and increase facility utilization. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010522/HLILOGO ) As a result, Hayes Lemmerz will permanently close its Howell, Michigan manufacturing facility and transfer that plant's production to other manufacturing facilities in the U.S. The plant currently employs approximately 180 people, including hourly and salaried staff, who manufacture aluminum wheels for domestic automotive customers. Company officials are meeting today with plant employees to discuss the closure plans. "This has been a difficult but necessary decision for the Company and we regret the effect it will have on our employees, their families and the Howell community," said Curtis Clawson, Chairman and CEO. "We have determined that this was the most effective course of action to better align our available capacity with the market, and make our overall cost structure more competitive." James Stegemiller, President of Hayes Lemmerz' North American Wheel Group, said, "The closure is a result of industry-wide overcapacity and is not a reflection on the workforce or management team in Howell. However, changes in business conditions have made it necessary to reduce the number of our facilities in order to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and capacity utilization, and thereby optimize our North American Wheel business." Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. is a world leading global supplier of automotive and commercial highway wheels, brakes, powertrain, suspension, structural and other lightweight components. The Company has 44 facilities and over 11,000 employees worldwide. More information about Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., along with a list of current and archived press releases,is available at http://www.hayes-lemmerz.com/ . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010522/HLILOGO DATASOURCE: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. CONTACT: Marika Diamond of Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., +1-734-737-5162 Web site: http://www.hayes-lemmerz.com/

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