DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee (DMTN) - DMTN President Neal Ozeki announced April 15 that the company will divide its automotive operations, creating a separate company for its Athens location effective April 1, 2003.The new company will be called DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee (DMAT) and will have its own president, to be named later this year.

According to a videotaped speech by Ozeki to all associates, continuous growth was the driving force behind DENSO Corporation's decision to separate the companies.

"The time has come for Athens to stand on its own as a separate company for DENSO in North America," Ozeki stated."This event is a positive change and continues to show DENSO's increased presence in Tennessee as well as North America."

Athens produces oxygen sensors, fuel injectors, air-flow meters and ignition stick coils, with expansions this year into spark plugs and next year into monolithic carriers for catalytic converters.

- Anne Klebenow