Date: November 2004

Kayaba Industry Company Ltd, the world’s largest original equipment (OE) supplier of shock absorbers, is expanding its position as a global manufacturer by opening a new factory at Pardubice in the Czech Republic. A new company - KYB Manufacturing Czech, s.r.o (KMCZ) - has also been established.

The new factory will start production in April 2006 and will employ over 200 personnel. Using state of the art technology, the plant will manufacture automotive shock absorbers for the original equipment market, and further strengthens Kayaba’s presence in Europe - complementing its manufacturing facility near Pamplona in northern Spain.

Kayaba has expanded its global reach in recent years with extensive new facilities to establish KYB as a leading automotive component brand in Europe, both in the aftermarket and OE.

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Ref: KYB08/2004