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1/18/08
Hyundai Motor Company Awards Production of Engine Block to JL French
Engine Blocks to be made in Sheboygan

SHEBOYGAN – JL French Automotive Castings, Inc announced that it has been awarded production of a new V6 aluminum engine block by Hyundai Motor Company. The block will be manufactured at the JL French Gateway drive plant in Sheboygan. It will be forwarded to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, one of the most advanced assembly plants in North America. Whereas there is extensive development work yet to be done for the new engine, actual production of the block will ramp up in late 2009, with full year production slated for 2010.

JL French first received recognition in the automotive industry for making aluminum engine blocks using their high pressure die casting technology in 2003, when it was awarded a contract to provide the engine block for DaimlerChrysler’s 2.0L/2.4L in-line four-cylinder (I4) World Engine Program. Since then JL French has also started production of a 6 cylinder engine block for Ford Motor Company.

Jack Falcon, JL French Chairman, President and CEO, referencing the Hyundai award in an announcement to company employees this week stated, “This is a significant piece of new business for us with a very important new customer.”

In a time when many auto manufacturers are predicting a very lean 2008, Hyundai Motor Co. is predicting stronger sales this year. According to Autobeat Daily this week, John Krafcik, head of North American product and strategic planning, reasons that Hyundai’s reputation for delivering value at bargain prices should attract cost conscious car shoppers. Hyundai forecasts a 10% increase in its U.S. sales this year.

J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., is a leading global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered aluminum die cast automotive parts including oil pans, engine front covers, engine blocks and transmission cases. The company has manufacturing facilities in Sheboygan, WI.; Glasgow, KY; Ansola, Spain; as well as a joint venture in Chongqing, China. The company, founded in 1968 is based in Sheboygan, WI. with sales offices located around the world.

7/17/07
Ford Supplier JL French Held Charity Golf Outing in Support of JDRF

JL French Automotive Castings, Inc., a global supplier of aluminum die castings, hosted a golf outing in Sheboygan, WI – where the company is headquartered – in partnership with Ford Motor Company in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). JL French is a major long-time supplier of Ford Motor Company and a recipient of the Ford Preferred Quality Award. In addition to Ford, Chrysler, Magna International and International Truck participated.

The funds raised from this event were applied to the Ford Motor Company international sponsorship of JDRF. Ford Motor Company's continued investment in the mission of JDRF is funding the most promising research in the world that is leading to a cure for diabetes; a goal the best scientific minds in the world believe is within our grasp.

The employee-driven campaign, now known as the Ford Global Walk Team, began in 1998 as a grass roots initiative. Nine years later, this team has contributed more than $20 million to diabetes research through employees, retirees, dealers and very generous suppliers.

The JL French golf outing was held on September 27, 2007 at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Wisconsin’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. The $1,500 (per foursome) entry fee included 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner and an awards ceremony. JL French has participated every year in the JDRF Charity Golf Outing put on by Ford Purchasing/STA in Southeast Michigan, and was so inspired by the event that they decided to hold one of their own to support this worthy cause.

JDRF is the world’s largest charitable provider of funds and advocate of type 1 diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, but lasts a lifetime. It affects an estimated 194 million people worldwide. For more information on juvenile diabetes, JDRF and its research efforts, visit www.jdrf.org.

9/14/05
JL French Forms Chinese Joint Venture
JL French Automotive Castings Inc. is pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture in China to produce high- pressure aluminum die-castings, and machined and assembled components for the automotive industry. The joint venture will be named Chongqing JL French-Yumei Die Casting Company, LTD. and will be located in Chongqing, China. Chongqing is approximately 640 miles northwest of Hong Kong.

During his recent trip to China, John “Jack” Falcon, President and CEO of JL French Automotive Castings Inc. concluded negotiations with executives of Chongqing Yujiang Die Casting Co., Ltd and Chongqing Liangjiang Machine Manufacture Co., Ltd. As a result of those meetings, the three companies entered into an agreement to create a joint venture located in China.

“This is a wonderful growth opportunity to generate synergy from our businesses. It is our intention that this entity will not move work from existing JL French facilities but take advantage of the growing Chinese automotive marketplace”, says Falcon. “It will allow JL French to assist its customers by supplying them products produced in China we don’t currently make

Chongqing Yujiang Die Casting Co. Ltd. is a leading player in die-casting, supplying China’s motorcycle OEM market. Chongqing Liangjiang Machine Manufacture Co., Ltd. is a machining company that also supplies the Chinese motorcycle business.

J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc., is a leading global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered aluminum die cast automotive parts including oil pans, engine front covers, engine blocks and transmission cases. The company has manufacturing facilities in Sheboygan, WI.; Glasgow, KY and San Andres de Echevarria, Spain. The company is based in Sheboygan, Wis. with Sales offices located around the world.