Hayes Lemmerz Acquires Majority Ownership of Turkish Joint Venture

Hayes Lemmerz Acquires Majority Ownership of Turkish Joint Venture 


NORTHVILLE, Mich., Nov. 13  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hayes Lemmerz
International, Inc. announced today that it has acquired an additional 35% of
its joint venture, Jantas Jant Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., in Manisa, Turkey. Hayes
Lemmerz now owns 60% of the Company, which is part of Hayes Lemmerz' European
Wheel Group.  The remaining 40% is held by Inci Holding A.S., Cevdet Inci, and
members of his family.  The joint venture has been renamed Hayes Lemmerz Jantas
Jant Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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Jantas was founded by Cevdet Inci in 1968 to manufacture fabricated steel wheels
for the heavy truck and agricultural industries.  Hayes Lemmerz International,
Inc. acquired its initial interest in the joint venture when it acquired Lemmerz
Werke GmbH in 1997.  Today, Jantas has the capacity to produce over 1.2 million
wheels annually.

"Jantas is a growing business that supplies over 175 customers in 50 countries,"
said Curtis Clawson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hayes Lemmerz
International.  "We are confident in the tremendous opportunity Jantas provides
to increase our market share in Western and Eastern Europe and Asia."

"By adding Jantas to our other strategic commercial vehicle businesses, we have
a very strong global offering in this market," said Fred Bentley, President of
Hayes Lemmerz European Wheel Group.  "This positions us very well for the
rebound in tractor builds expected during the next few years.  This acquisition
improves our ability to meet customer needs in the very important Asia and
Eastern Europe markets as well as leveraging our already strong global position.
 We are very pleased with this addition to our business."

In addition, in a related transaction, Hayes Lemmerz has sold approximately 8%
of its interest in its Hayes Lemmerz Inci A.S. operations, for an undisclosed
sum to Inci Holding A.S.  As a result, Hayes reduces its ownership to 60%, with
40% held by Inci Holding A.S., Cevdet Inci, and members of his family.  Hayes
Lemmerz Inci A.S. is a producer of steel wheels for the automotive industry for
the international passenger car markets.  Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed.

Mustafa Zaim has been named the Managing Director of Hayes Lemmerz Turkish Wheel
operations, responsible for both Hayes Lemmerz Jantas Jant Sanayi ve Ticaret
A.S. and Hayes Lemmerz Inci A.S.  Mr. Zaim will report to Mr. Bentley.

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. is a leading global supplier of automotive and
commercial highway wheels, brakes, powertrain, suspension, structural and other
lightweight components.  The Company has 43 plants, 2 joint venture facilities
and over 11,000 employees worldwide. 

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DATASOURCE: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.



CONTACT:  Marika Diamond of Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.,

[phone]



Web site:  http://www.hayes-lemmerz.com/ 

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