Garden State Tanning names David P. Middleton president and chief operating officer

Business Wire, Sept 10, 1996

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1996--Garden State Tanning, a leading producer of leather for the automotive industry, today announced the promotion of David P. Middleton to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Middleton, 39, joined Garden State Tanning in 1991 as Vice President, Finance and Administration and more recently as Executive Vice President with an active role in operations. Mr. Middleton had been with Hanson Industries and its divisions since 1979, holding a variety of financial positions including Hanson U.S. Assistant Corporate Controller and Group Controller.

He holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Monmouth University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Sean Traynor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased with David's promotion to this position of greater responsibility at Garden State. Over the past several years, he has played an important role in helping to expand the company's business and increase its standing as a leader in our industry."

Garden State Tanning is a division of U.S. Industries, a diversified industrial management corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "USI". With manufacturing locations in Maryland, Michigan and Pennsylvania, it is one of the lowest cost producers of fine quality leather products for the U.S. and worldwide automotive industry.

CONTACT: Cynthia A. Hornaman

Corporate Director, Human Resources

(610) 265-3400

(610) 265-6366 Fax