Sequa Automotive Group Announces Manufacturing Expansion in Morgantown, Kentucky

BRIDGEPORT, CT--March 31, 2011: Sequa Automotive Group, which operates ARC Automotive Inc. and CASCO Products suppliers to the global automotive industry, announced today it will expand manufacturing in Morgantown, Kentucky, adding up to 280 jobs by 2014.

"We reviewed options for ARC Automotive production to meet increasing demand," said Ali El-Haj, President, Sequa Automotive Group.  "We explored several options including adding the jobs to an existing facility in Mexico and came to the conclusion that Morgantown was our best option."

El-Haj cited proximity to customers, a ready labor pool, and tax incentives and employee training incentives that will be provided by the State of Kentucky.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said, "We're pleased to work with Sequa Automotive Group on this expansion and will continue to partner with the company to ensure its long-term success."

Sequa Automotive Group, with headquarters in Bridgeport, Conn., operates facilities and sales offices in Morgantown, Ky.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Germany; Italy; China; Brazil; Tunisia; Canada; South Korea; Japan, and Mexico.

The Mexico facility employs about 800.  While Sequa automotive Group considered expanding the operation, company officials determined that "our long-term experience in Kentucky including the loyalty and dedication of our staff there made more sense.  We are proud of our people and the community they represent," El Haj said.

Sequa Automotive Group Expansion

Construction for the new manufacturing lines, which will produce airbag safety system inflators, will begin in April 2011 with operations expected to commence later this year.

"The existing CASCO Products facility with approximately 70 employees will expand to accommodate ARC Automotive inflator lines and the new additional employees," he said.

ARC Automotive is a supplier to the world's developers of passive safety restraint systems and also works directly with automotive original equipment manufacturers on safety restraint system design.  In the early 1970s ARC Automotive pioneered the hybrid inflators used in today's vehicle airbag systems.  More recently the company developed the "green" hybrid airbag inflator, which utilizes a smokeless gas generant to charge the airbag when deployed.

CASCO Products offers an extensive line of automotive system sensors and USB multimedia accessories.

Both companies serve automotive manufacturers worldwide.  

Sequa Automotive Group comprises two business units, ARC Automotive Inc. and CASCO Products, and is a supplier to the global automotive industry. ARC Automotive Inc., a leader in inflators and propellants, is a supplier to manufacturers of airbag safety systems. ARC Automotive has operations in the U.S., Mexico and China, operating with TS 16949, A2LA-ISO / IEC 1725 and ISO 14001 qualifications. CASCO Products, a tier-one supplier, produces power outlets, DC-DC converters for green vehicle cockpits, sun sensors to regulate automatic climate control systems, rain sensors, suspension sensors, USB and multimedia products for automotive and consumer interface, and cigarette lighters. CASCO has operations in the U.S., Germany, China, Italy, Brazil, Canada and Tunisia. Sequa Automotive Group is a unit within Sequa Corporation.