Denso To Produce Car Air Conditioners In Czech Republic

Autoparts Report, June 18, 2001

Japan-based Denso Corp., parent company of Denso International America, Inc., said that it plans to establish a manufacturing company to produce car air conditioners in the Czech Republic in August 2001, pending application approval from the Czech government. Denso expects to purchase the plant site for Denso Manufacturing Czech s.r.o. within 2001. Production is scheduled to begin in 2003.

"Denso, the world's leading manufacturer of automotive air conditioning equipment, has been expanding its business in Europe, where car air conditioner sales have been growing, particularly in compact cars," said Koichi Fukaya, managing director and member of the Board, Denso Corp.

"With this expansion, Denso further consolidates its leadership position in the global automotive air conditioning components sector." Currently, Denso operates three European production plants for car air conditioner products in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Its Italian plant, Magneti Marelli Climatizzazione S.p.A. (MMCL), became a wholly owned subsidiary in March, 2001. MMCL and Denso Manufacturing Czech s.r.o. will function as Denso's key production facilities for customers in continental Europe.

Denso Corp., headquartered in Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Worldwide, the company employs 85,000 people in 27 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the year ended March 31, 2001 totaled $16.2 billion.