2006 DIRECT SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

John Deere Agricultural Equipment - Hay & Harvesting Division

PRESS RELEASE

Ashley Industrial Molding                                                    Contact:  Rod Schoon

                                                                                              260-587-9155, ext 370       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (1/2/2007)

Ashley Industrial Molding, Inc.

John Deere Agricultural Equipment - Hay & Harvesting Division

2006 Direct Supplier of the Year.

Ashley Industrial Molding, Inc., is being recognized as the John Deere Agricultural Equipment - Hay & Harvesting Division's 2006 Direct Supplier of the Year!!

Ashley Industrial Molding is located in Ashley, Indiana, and supplies compression molded fiberglass parts, pDCPD RIM molded parts and assemblies to John Deere Harvester Works, other Deere Units and other customers.  Founded in 2001, Ashley Industrial Molding is a privately held company that is owned by the management team.  Ashley Industrial Molding is an ISO 9001-2000 registered company with a strong management commitment to Deere's "Achieving Excellence" process.

Ashley Industrial Molding has distinguished itself from other worthy `John Deere Partner-level' suppliers by continued excellent Quality and Delivery performance; significant cost reduction activities; substantial advancements in their technical processes; and exemplary customer service and support.   

This is Ashley Industrial Molding’s 5th consecutive year of being designated a `Partner-level' supplier to John Deere Harvester Works which qualifies for John Deere Hall of Fame status.  John Deere’s Hall of Fame status is denoted after a supplier rating of Partner-level for five consecutive years.  The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating.  The Ashley, Indiana, based company was selected for the honor in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Company representatives will accept the recognition during formal ceremonies to be held on February 21, 2007, in Davenport,  Iowa.

Upon hearing of being named Supplier of the Year, Rod Schoon, President of Ashley Industrial Molding, provided the following comment:

"Supplier of the Year recognition from John Deere is a great honor.  Ashley Industrial Molding was supplier of the Year for the John Deere Construction and Forestry Division in 2005.   To be Supplier of the Year two years in a row indicates the level of commitment our company has both in terms of products and relationships with our customers.  It is a testament to AIM employees’ commitment to meet and exceed all customer expectations.”