Trexel Enters into Licensing Agreements with Four More Major Automotive Suppliers

Trexel's MuCell™ Microcellular Process Technology Continues to Attract Tier-One Automotive Suppliers Worldwide

March 12, 2001 - Woburn, MA - Trexel, Inc. announced today that it has entered into licensing agreements with four more major automotive suppliers. The new Trexel licensees include Tricon Industries, Inc., D&R Technologies LLC, Pixley Richards, Inc. and Thermotech. Under the terms of the agreements, each company is licensed to produce injection molded parts using Trexel's MuCell™ microcellular process technology. Trexel will provide local technical, process, equipment, and licensing support to each of the new licensees in collaboration with the various equipment suppliers.

Trexel is the worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of the MuCell microcellular process technology. D&R Technology is a full service manufacturer & assembler of electromechanical components including switches, sensors, lamps and contact assemblies. Pixley Richards is a leader in the manufacturing of precision plastic components for the automotive industry. Thermotech is a state-of-the-art custom molding company. Tricon Industries is a leader in precision insert molding and specialized component manufacturing for the worldwide automotive market.

David Bernstein, President and CEO of Trexel, stated, "Each of these companies has researched the MuCell technology carefully and decided to purchase Trexel Licenses. It is becoming increasingly clear that the processing advantages provided by the MuCell technology is exactly what automotive industry needs to lower component costs."

Dan Szczurko, Trexel Vice President of Business Development, added, "The growing demand for the MuCell process within the automotive industry is exemplified by this rapid deployment of the technology and the number of other automotive suppliers who are developing products based on its processing advantages. Customers are constantly remarking on the benefits they are realizing, like controlled weight reductions, improved dimensional stability, and reduced warpage, cycle time, cavity pressure, and tonnage. The MuCell Process will be a win-win for molders and their customers."

David B. Purdie, a former General Motors Executive and President of D&R Technologies, said, "With the price of resins continually on the rise, and the pressure for cost reductions coming from the customer, we are turning to the MuCell technology to give us and our customers a competitive edge going forward."

Richard Laviolette, Director of Sales and Marketing for Pixley Richards Inc. stated, "Pixley Richards has been using the MuCell process for some time now and we will be launching our first MuCell-based production components later this year. Pixley has had great success so far with this technology and is looking beyond MuCell simply for cost savings in materials alone. The real advantage we see is that MuCell can truly provide the answers in solving many of the very demanding and sometimes problematic applications we face on a routine basis. The true costs savings will be realized through a combination of improved quality, more efficient processing, improved design and materials savings. Trexel has provided to us the opportunity to add the MuCell technology to our long list of technical capabilities and we fully intend to further develop this process where applicable. Developing and passing these technical advantages on to our key customers is the most important factor of all, and frankly, it is what Pixley Richards does best!"

John Bonham, VP and General Manager of Thermotech, stated, "Thermotech has tested a variety of resins and products using MuCell technology. We have found that in many applications, MuCell demonstrates the potential to reduce material costs and cycle time with improved dimensional predictability. This makes it an important weapon to add to our technology arsenal. We are particularly interested in the potential for using MuCell in combination with some of the technologies Thermotech has in development to create truly unique product applications."

John Cieplak, Tricon Industries' Director of Manufacturing, stated, "Tricon Industries is committed to providing our customers with the best solution for their application needs. We are constantly searching for new and innovative methods to improve quality and cut costs to arrive at a win - win situation in our competitive marketplace. Trexel's Mucell process has been identified as a tool that enables us to increase quality and productivity while reducing some of the potentially problematic process concerns associated with molding engineering resins. Reducing molded-in stress to combat post-mold distortion and providing lower temperatures and pressures to benefit electronic insert molding needs are key benefits that rationalized our investment. We believe Trexel's Mucell process will help us deliver 'the next level' to our customers."

About Trexel

Trexel is the exclusive developer of the MuCell microcellular process technology by virtue of its extensive portfolio of patents in the United States, Canada, Europe, and several Asian countries. While Trexel's primary business is licensing the MuCell technology to injection molders, extruders, blow molders, and equipment manufacturers, Trexel also provides world-class engineering support, training and other services to licensees, and supplies them with equipment and components integral to the MuCell process. In support of these activities, Trexel operates a commercial-scale research laboratory in its Woburn, MA facility.

About MuCell

The MuCell process is suitable for a wide range of injection molded, extruded, and blow molded products as it allows licensees to reduce product costs while enhancing design and processing. MuCell parts, which have a solid-like appearance, contain less material than parts produced through less-current methods, as millions of tiny air pockets take the place of materials while allowing the part to maintain most of its former properties. In addition, the process can eliminate stress, warpage, and sink marks, and greatly improve cycle time. These benefits allow designers to specify lightweight, polymer-saving foam materials for products in which conventionally foamed materials would be unacceptable.

About D&R

D&R Technology began operations in 1998 as a small plastics injection molder serving the automotive industry. Since that time, through acquisition and growth, its operations have expanded in size and capabilities to serve a client base that includes many Tier One Fortune 100 accounts. D&R is also a Tier One supplier to General Motors Corporation. Today, D&R Technology is a full service manufacturer & assembler of electromechanical components including switches, actuators, sensors, lamps and contact assemblies. With over 175 cumulative years of engineering and management experience, D&R has the capability to mold discrete components by straight injection molding and/or insert molding. D&R is one of the first minority owned company's to pursue the MuCell Technology.

About Pixley Richards

Located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Pixley Richards has been recognized for over 35 years, as a premier precision insert and injection molder serving the automotive, electronics, and telecommunications industries. With specific expertise in hybrid components of plastic and metal, Pixley Richards utilizes state of the art, proprietary insert molding and post assembly techniques. Product types include substrates for electronic subassemblies, interconnects for all types of electrical applications, lead frames for hybrid integrated circuits and housings, bearings, bobbins and a variety of electromechanical parts.

About Thermotech

Thermotech, a Division of Menasha Corporation, is a technology leader in the molding industry. Their ongoing investments in research and development are producing breakthroughs in the cost-effective use of plastics in numerous applications, including sealing and bonding, coil forms, micro-molding, and gear design. Thermotech also offers the benefits of a state-of-the-art polymer analysis lab that supports all phases of the design and manufacturing process. These capabilities are available at all four of Thermotech's manufacturing plants, including the latest one in Queretaro, Mexico.

About Tricon Industries

Tricon Industries is a high precision insert molder and specialized component manufacturer for worldwide automotive, mobile communications and appliance markets. Tricon provides comprehensive design, project management and manufacturing services that can be tailored to the specific project's requirements. Where required, Tricon can provide aggressive project schedules to assure a project's timely completion.

For more information about Trexel, Inc., please contact Dan Szczurko, Vice President of Business Development, at (781) 932-0202, ext. 241, fax (781) 932-3324, or by e-mail at dan@trexel.com, or visit the company Web site at www.trexel.com.

For more information about D&R, LLC, please contact David B. Perdie, President, at (847) 670-9928, or by e-mail at dpurdie@d-r-t.com, or visit the company Web site at www.d-r-t.com.

For more information about Pixley Richards, Inc. please contact Rick LaViolette, Director of Sales and Marketing, at (508) 746-6082, or by e-mail at rlaviolette@pixley.com, or visit the company Web site at www .pixley.com.

For more information about Thermotech, please contact John Bonham, VP and General Manager, at (952) 988-9523, or by e-mail at john.bonam@menasha.com, or visit the company Web site at www .Thermotech.com.

For more information about Tricon Industries, Inc., please contact John Cieplak, Director of Marketing, at (650) 964-2330 ext. 256, or by e-mail at jcieplak@triconinc.com, or visit the company Web site at www.triconinc.com.

© 2001 Trexel, Inc. · 45 Sixth Rd., Woburn, MA 01801 USA · 781-932-0202 · Fax: 781-932-3324
MuCell and Trexel are registered trademarks of Trexel, Inc.

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