LAS VEGAS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- To build upon its market-leading brands
and position the company for future growth, the TriMas Transportation
Accessories Group announced today that it has created a new identity --
"Cequent," has opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and is
launching its second-generation Dual Port System(TM) cargo-management product
on a future Toyota vehicle.
    Scott Hazlett, president of Cequent, and John Smart, president of Cequent
Towing Products, made the announcements here at the SEMA Show.
    The executives described Cequent, a TriMas company, as a newly formed
operating group that comprises market-leading towing, trailer and cargo-
management products and accessories that carry the Draw-Tite, Reese, Fulton
and Wesbar brands.
    "We are not the same company with a different name," Hazlett said.  "We
are an organization with operating principles that leverage 75 years of strong
brands, market-leading products and financial stability to become a global,
world-class manufacturer, marketer and distributor of towing, trailer, cargo
management, weight distribution and lifestyle products and accessories that
are designed around 'Getting Your Gear on the Road.'"
    Hazlett said the new identity will provide one face to the customer; a
common set of principles, values and focused resources; and a platform for
growth.  Cequent plans to increase its base business fourfold by 2004 through
strong organic growth and focused global acquisitions that will strengthen and
broaden its product portfolio.
    "Our vision for Cequent Towing Products is to be best-in-class by taking
our manufacturing and products to the next level, using metrics to
continuously improve everything that we do, investing in our employees and
establishing a culture where we focus on the future," Smart said.  "As the
pacesetters, we will set an industry standard for excellence, quality,
delivery, performance and value for the customer."
    Cequent is already laying the foundation.  The company recently opened a
376,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Goshen, Ind.
that utilizes lean processes and advanced equipment.  The plant consolidates
the company's operations from the Elkhart, Ind. and Canton, Mich. facilities.
Some of the employees were relocated from the company's facilities to
accommodate the growth of the business.
    The Goshen facility features an environmentally friendly electrocoating
(E-coat)/Powder Paint System to topcoat finish all of the company's towing
products and accessories.  This world-class system provides a competitive
advantage, reduces costs, adds durability, minimizes rust and enhances product
appearance.
    Demonstrating the company's commitment to take vehicle cargo management to
a new level, Cequent also announced the next generation of its Dual Port
System (DPS), which was specifically designed to meet the active lifestyles
and cargo-carrying needs of today's consumers.
    "As part of our continuous improvement efforts and commitment to offer
best-in-class products, we have developed a second-generation DPS that offers
superior strength, stability, versatility and flexibility in a rear-mounted
cargo management system," Smart said.
    DPS, which will be offered through OEM and retail channels, adds truck-
like capacity to almost any sport utility vehicle, minivan or passenger car.
    Headquartered in a new facility in Plymouth, Mich., Cequent has two
business units -- Cequent Towing Products and Cequent Trailer Products.  The
company employs approximately 1,100 associates and has manufacturing and
distribution/warehouse facilities throughout North America and Australia.
    The name "Cequent" blends heritage, values and business principles to
drive an intimacy with the customer and deliver superior brands and products
in three dimensions -- "the right product, the right time, the right place."
The logo is representative of a road and is designed to give the feeling of
expansion, stretching the horizon, moving forward and fluidity.  It is
symbolic of the company's continuous improvement in delivering best-in-class
products and solutions for customers and consumers.

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