PACE Award Winners 3M and Esys Announce Global Supply and Service Strategy to Deliver Automated Wheel Weight Systems


St. Paul, MN - 3M, a technology company known for innovation, and Esys Automation, a leading innovator of full service automation and software solutions for manufacturers, were recently named 2012 Automotive News PACE Award winners for their joint submission of the automated precision wheel balance system AutoW8t(TM), which installs adhesive lead-free 3M(TM) Wheel Weights.

Together, AutoW8t and 3M Wheel Weights have helped to initiate a leap forward in tire and wheel assembly technology, dramatically improving the speed, quality and cost of the OEM high-speed tire balancing processes. It has made wheel balancing easier and faster than ever, while reducing inventory and freeing up valuable manufacturing floor space.

The Automotive News PACE Awards, which honor superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers, are recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation.

In addition, Esys, in partnership with Kokusai, Inc., has announced a Global Distribution Alliance - which now includes Dominion Technologies - that will enable global supply and support for automated and semi-automated precision wheel balance systems to automotive manufacturers based on location and preference across North America, Europe and Asia. Kokusai, having strong presence in Asia and the United States, is a leader in precision balancing, uniformity and gauging equipment and will distribute and integrate the wheel balance systems to automotive manufacturers in these two regions.

Dominion, a leading automotive industry supplier, specializes in working with customers to provide high-quality products, ease of manufacturing, greater cost effectiveness and a shorter development cycle. Under the agreement, Dominion, having a strong presence in Europe, China and the United States, will be able to provide distribution and integration of the wheel balance systems to automotive customers across these regions.

"Collaborating with 3M and Kokusai on this breakthrough system has netted unprecedented improvement in the tire and wheel assembly process," said Chris Marcus, CEO of Esys. "Joining with Dominion as an additional distribution partner opens an important avenue to deliver to the global market. Together Esys, Dominion and Kokusai support tire and wheel automation in every continent. This distribution and support network will make it easy for all of our global customers to benefit from the 3M Wheel Weight System and AutoW8t."

For information about Esys and its products and services, visit www.esysautomation.com, e-mail info@esysautomation.com, or call 1-248-754-1900, extension 260.

For more information about 3M Wheel Weights, visit www.3M.com/wheelweights or contact the 3M Automotive Division at 1-877-266-1192 in Livonia, Mich.

For more information about Kokusai, Inc., contact Sales@Kokusaiusa.com ,visit www.KokusaiUSA.com, or call 317-704-9922.

For more information about Dominion, contact smallett@dominiontec.com / +1 586 773 3303 (U.S.) or steve@dominiontec.com / +44 (0)1708 863330 (Europe) or visit www.dominiontec.com

About Esys Automation

Esys Automation is a leading full service automation solutions and software provider to the automotive, construction vehicle, and complex assembly industries. Esys provides automation design, simulation, and prototyping, machine building and deployment, advanced robotic systems, integration, and industry-specific software solutions designed to automate and improve production processes. The company specializes in innovative manufacturing automation solutions designed to meet exacting tolerances, enhance operational efficiency, and improve visibility, tracking, and control of production processes. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Esys Automation operates across North America, including Canada and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.esysautomation.com. AutoW8ttm is a trademark of Esys Automation.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs about 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow

@3MNews on Twitter.

For more information, visit www.3M.com. 3M is a trademark of 3M Company.

About Dominion

Dominion Technologies Group, founded in 1965, is a market leader in final line tooling and equipment for the worldwide automotive industry. Dominion, headquartered in Roseville, Michigan, operates seven facilities located in the United States, Europe and China with over a quarter of a million square feet of manufacturing space. For more information, visit www.dominiontec.com/ About Kokusai, Inc. Kokusai, Inc. is a worldwide leading provider of quality measurement equipment for the automotive industry. Products related to tire and wheel assemblies include balancers, high speed and low speed uniformity, beadseating, and wheel gauging. Other automotive products include 3-axis shaking systems and various vehicle parts testers. Kokusai has manufacturing and sales/services offices across the world, predominately in Asia and North America.

For more information, visit www.kokusaiusa.com/

CONTACT: Dave Boerma (Esys)

248-754-1900 extension 260

dboerma@esysautomation.com

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