Ernst & Young brings EUROBAT to Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, March 1st, 2001 -- EUROBAT, the European association of starter and industrial battery manufacturers, announces today that Ernst & Young Association Management will be the professional services firm chosen to coordinate and represent the association. Ernst & Young will undertake the full management and support functions of EUROBAT, as well as the development and implementation of statistical research, and communications and EU affairs programmes in line with the strategic objectives of the association. In addition, Ernst & Young will set up dedicated services for the management of the Euro-Type Numbering System (ETN) for car starter batteries. The ETN project is carried out in cooperation with CENELEC and involves the development and implementation of a standardized coding for different types of starter batteries.

After several months of negotiations, both parties agreed on a strategic plan, involving EUROBATs complete relocation from Berne, Switzerland to Brussels, Belgium. Members have stated that this agreement is a very important development in the history of EUROBAT, and that it is instrumental in bringing the voice of battery manufacturers and suppliers closer to EU decision-making bodies. Ernst & Youngs reputation as the leading European association management company, and its particularly impressive track record in the representation of the European battery industry, are amongst the factors that led to EUROBATs decision.

According to Alfons Westgeest, Partner in charge of Ernst & Young Association Management,    ... this industry is changing rapidly, and members have deemed it necessary to be more actively involved in discussions on EU policy and regulatory initiatives in the field of Environment. They know that these discussions will inevitably affect them. For many years, Ernst & Young has been an important partner for Eurobat in Switzerland. We are delighted to carry out the implementation of the new strategic plan in Brussels".

Thomas Hailer, Manager at Ernst & Young, has extensive experience in PR & Communications, EU Affairs and Association Management. He has been appointed Secretary General of EUROBAT from February 15. Senior Assistant Veerle Guns, who has been with Ernst & Young for over five years, is the office assistant. Both can draw on the resources available in the 20 + team of professionals of Ernst & Young Association Management.

EUROBAT is the European association promoting the interests of the European starter and industrial battery manufacturers, as well as special and electric vehicle batteries. The association was founded over 40 years ago and represents more than 85% of the industry. It has 20 regular members who manufacture and sell batteries in Europe and 15 associate members who supply raw materials or components to manufacturers.

Ernst & Young Association Management is the leading association management company in Brussels, providing high value-added management services, representation and strategic advice to international, European and national associations in key industry sectors.

For Eurobat contact Thomas Hailer, Secretary General at
+ 32 2 774 96 10, or email eurobat@eyam.be
Website: www.eurobat-europe.org

ENDS