Tricon goes global

DETROIT, March 4, 2002 — Lisle, Ill.-based Tricon Industries, Inc. has formed Tricon Industries Limited, a European expansion, located in the United Kingdom. Just one year after initiating a manufacturing and engineering European presence, Tricon has established a position in the European automotive market and has begun manufacturing automotive lighting applications at its facility in the United Kingdom. Tricon created Tricon Industries Limited to provide local, cost-effective, customized engineering; logistical efficiencies; and quality services to its global automotive customers.

"From multi-lingual sales engineering support to additional capacity for increasing global requirements, our European presence allows us to tailor our efforts to the specific needs of local markets, and also improve delivery logistics for customers in Europe," said Tricon President Ralph Grandle. For example, Tricon used to ship products from the United States to its European customers with a delivery time of up to 60 days. Through Tricon Industries Limited, the company dramatically reduced delivery time to Automotive Lighting - a customer in the West Midlands, England - from 60 days to less than two days.

Tricon Industries Limited will allow the company to serve a new customer base in Europe, as well as improve service for current European and global customers. "We're always looking for ways to further improve customer service," said Grandle. "Being global allows us to reduce overseas shipping cost and time, and enables us to quickly respond to critical customer changes. In addition, coordinated sales and engineering efforts are available for programs with multiple-country involvement. We recognize our customers' growing global needs and with Tricon Industries Limited, we are now in a position to provide them with cost-effective global solutions."

Tricon Industries, Inc. specializes in insert molding and specialized components for worldwide automotive, mobile communications and appliance markets. Tricon was one of the first in the industry to use insert-molding techniques for the manufacture of switch and relay components as well as other electrically-oriented parts.

Some of Tricon's recent projects include complex insert molded junction blocks and multifunction switch components, sealed bulb taillight sockets and circuit stampings, single-bulb light sockets, alternators and encapsulated components, and mobile antenna assemblies. Today, Tricon is a QS-9000/ISO 9001-registered manufacturer both in the United States and Europe, with comprehensive design, project management and manufacturing capabilities that can be tailored to specific project requirements.

For more information, see us at the SAE 2002 World Congress in booth #129.