Press Release - January 28, 2002 - For Immediate Release

Company Contact:

Michael Menz, United Gear & Assembly Inc., (715) 386-5867, mikem@ugaco.com  

Editorial Contact:

Tomas Gardebring , Blue Leopard Interactive, (952) 921-4945, tomas@blueleopard.net

United Gear and Assembly Awarded ISO and QS Certifications

United Gear & Assembly, Inc. has been approved for a joint ISO 9002 / QS 9000 Quality Assurance Systems Certification. An intensive evaluation is provided by independent, third party audits and verifications through the auditors of T.R. Arnold & Associates which completed their final audits on December 14th, 2001.

UGA President Mike Wodarck stated "The ISO 9002 / QS 9000 certification further emphasizes UGA's complete commitment to continuously improve our processes, products and services to deliver solutions of the highest value, thereby providing a competitive advantage to our customers."

As a major supplier of gears, shafts and related assemblies to the automotive, industrial, agricultural and marine markets, UGA felt it was extremely important to achieve the higher level of quality certification with QS 9000. The certifications cover UGA's manufacturing systems as well as their heat treating processes. UGA is one of just a few companies that is QS 9000 Certified for high volume heat treating services in the upper Midwest. It assures their customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa that heat treated parts can by processed with quick response and extremely high quality.

About United Gear & Assembly:

United Gear & Assembly Inc. manufactures high quality gears, shafts, and assemblies with ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification. They provide a vertically integrated supply source including engineering, machining, heat treating, assembly, and quality assurance. Based in Hudson, Wisconsin, UGA is part of a family of companies under parent company, United Stars, Inc.

UGA website: www.ugaco.com    Phone: (715) 386-5867