LAS VEGAS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Symbolizing the company's commitment to
its existing business and future growth, Cequent (a TriMas company) announced
at the SEMA Show here today that it has opened a world-class facility in
Goshen, Ind.
    The 376,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, which employs
approximately 570 associates, utilizes lean processes, robotics and an
environmentally friendly E-coat system to produce its leading towing products.
These include vehicle hitches, 5th wheel hitches, weight distribution systems,
hitch-mounted accessories and automotive accessories.
    "The significant investment that we've made at this facility is proof of
our commitment to our current business that has made us a market leader, and
lays the solid foundation for future growth opportunities," said Scott
Hazlett, president of Cequent.  "Improved efficiencies, enhanced flexibility
and increased production volumes are the hallmarks of the Goshen plant."
    "After careful review of several scenarios for this facility, Goshen was
the best financial option with a workforce already in place," said Rick
Bloode, plant manager, Cequent-Goshen facility.  "This location offers
opportunities for our business to grow and is a great place for our employees
to call home."
    The Goshen facility combines the company's Elkhart, Ind. and Canton, Mich.
manufacturing operations (as well as the Canton warehouse) under one roof.
Some of the employees were relocated from the company's facilities to
accommodate the growth of the business.
    As part of its world-class status, the Cequent-Goshen facility touts an
environmentally friendly electrocoating (E-coat)/Powder Paint System from
Eisenmann to topcoat finish all of the company's towing products.  This
organic finishing process, which uses an electric current to deposit paint,
provides a competitive advantage and sets an industry standard for excellence
by reducing costs, adding durability, minimizing rust and enhancing product
appearance.
    The facility also features a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and
efficient processes, including new CNC machines -- the Trumpf Laser and the
Whitney -- to make component parts (or brackets) for hitches.  These fully
automated machines are programmed for accuracy and dramatically increase
productivity, improve product quality and reduce costs.  There also is a
weight distributing shank cell, which was specifically designed for easy
product flow from raw material to completed part.  The multi-step process is
run by a single operator.
    In addition, advanced technology is being used in the ball mount area,
where press automation such as auto-feeding of parts helps to increase
productivity while improving operator ergonomics in this high-volume, mass
production area.
    "We are also versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of made-to-
order custom brackets in our flexible manufacturing cells," Bloode said.

    The E-coat Advantage
    The E-coat process involves four major stages.  In the pre-treatment
stage, products are cleaned and pretreated in a nine-step process that
includes a zinc phosphate coating.  After pre-treatment, parts are submerged
into a water-soluble paint.  This process offers a superior level of coverage
with exceptional adhesion in difficult-to-reach areas.  Parts are then rinsed,
and in the post rinse stage, loose paint particles are removed and recycled
back to the E-coat tank.  Once parts are coated and rinsed, they are baked,
cooled and then sprayed with a powder topcoat.  Finally, the parts are baked
again to provide ultraviolet protection and a glossy finish.
    All of the liquid used in the E-coating process is cleansed to reduce
by-products.  The by-products go through a waste treatment facility and then
the water is cleansed.
    Plymouth, Mich.-based Cequent, a TriMas company, is a newly formed
operating group that comprises market-leading towing, trailer and cargo
management products and accessories.  The group replaces the Transportation
Accessories Group of companies and consolidates into two business units --
Cequent Towing Products and Cequent Trailer Products.
    Drawing upon a 75-year-old heritage of superior towing and trailer brands
-- Draw-Tite, Reese, Fulton and Wesbar -- Cequent's vision is to become a
global, world-class manufacturer, marketer and distributor by broadening and
strengthening its product portfolio through one face to the customer; a common
set of principles, values and focused resources; and a platform for growth.
    Through strong organic growth and focused global acquisitions, Cequent
plans to increase its base business fourfold by 2004 through strong organic
growth and focused global acquisitions.

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