UK & France – AB Automotive Electronics and its French sister company AB Automotive France, both subsidiaries of the global electronics company TT electronics, have jointly secured a €24 million contract* with a Tier 1 to manufacture fully automatic climate control heads for a major French vehicle manufacturer.

From Spring 2004, AB Automotive Electronics in the UK will supply the PCBs to AB Automotive France, where the plastics are manufactured and the product is assembled. Comprehensive testing is also done at ABAF’s facilities in Le Mans using state-of-the-art test equipment. The lean manufacturing processes employed across all TT electronics subsidiaries ensure that automotive products and costs are always consistent in France and the UK. Once the final product is assembled in Le Mans, it is supplied into the Tier 1’s French facility.

This project is a good example of how the two companies have come together to combine their strengths and capabilities. AB Automotive Electronics offers expertise in electronics design and manufacture and AB Automotive France brings experience in the high volume production of mechanical parts. Together the companies can offer a sophisticated product at a cost-effective price.

TT electronics acquired AB Automotive France (previously trading under the name Demo TDC) in March 2003 to enhance its position in the automotive climate control market in Europe. AB Automotive France’s relationship with French VMs Renault, Peugeot and Citroen provides its UK partner AB Automotive Electronics with critical access to key automotive players in Europe, fulfilling TT electronics’ strategic ambitions for an increased European presence. Speaking of the contract win, Dean Fisher, Business Development Director for TT electronics’ automotive sensors and systems division, says:

“Acquiring AB Automotive France has been a very successful strategic move for TT electronics and its ambitions to target the European automotive sector more aggressively. The long-term relationship AB Automotive France has with the major French VMs has provided a solid platform for further growth into the French market. The combination of resources offered by the parties joining forces is an attractive Anglo-French proposition.”

For further information please contact :-

Ruth Phillips AB Automotive Electronics +44 (0) 29 2030 0000

Roland Cross/Sara Schmid Broadgate +44 (0) 20 7726 6111