Gentex Ships First Dimmable Aircraft Window Shades to PPG Aerospace for New Boeing 787 Dreamliner
ZEELAND, MI--(Marketwire - October 3, 2007) - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the leading
supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive
industry, has announced that the Company this summer shipped the first set
of dimmable aircraft window shades to PPG Industries' (NYSE: PPG) aerospace
products group, for use in the passenger cabin of the new Boeing 787
Dreamliner series of aircraft.
"We are very excited to have shipped this first set of window shades for
this spectacular new Boeing aircraft," said Gentex Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer Fred Bauer. "We, along with PPG Aerospace,
have successfully met the many significant technical challenges that
innovation will always present. These parts represent a significant
milestone on the road to mass production.
"While there is still work to do, I commend the team of people at Gentex,
PPG Aerospace and Boeing for their hard work in making this project move
toward fruition."
The dimmable window shades employ Gentex's proprietary electrochromic
technology, and each window shade in the passenger compartment will dim to
five different levels utilizing a switch located next to the window seat
passenger. The aircraft flight crew also will have the ability to control
all of the windows in the passenger cabin at the touch of a switch. Gentex
Corporation also is manufacturing the electronic switch for each system.
Gentex and PPG are jointly producing the variably dimmable electrochromic
cabin window systems. PPG is under separate contract with Boeing to supply
electronically dimmable systems for the windows of the 787's passenger
compartment.
About PPG Aerospace
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG
Industries, and the sole source to Boeing for cockpit windows on the Boeing
737, 767 and 777 airplanes. PPG Aerospace - Transparencies is the world's
largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. PPG
Aerospace - PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer of aerospace
sealants, coatings, and packaging and application systems.
About PPG Industries
Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings,
chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass.
The company employs more than 34,000 people and has 125 manufacturing
facilities and equity affiliates in more than 25 countries. Sales in 2006
were $11 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York and Philadelphia
stock exchanges (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
About Gentex Corporation
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is an international
company that provides high-quality electro-optic products to the worldwide
automotive industry and North American fire protection market. Based in
Zeeland, Mich., the company develops, manufactures and markets interior and
exterior automatic-dimming rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary
electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight
glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. Many of the mirrors are sold with
advanced electronic features, and approximately 96 percent of the company's
revenues are derived from the sales of auto-dimming mirrors to nearly every
major automaker in the world.
About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787 is a family of super-efficient airplanes that will provide
passengers with a better flying experience. As the world's first mostly
composite commercial airplane, it will use 20 percent less fuel per
passenger than similarly sized airplanes, produce fewer carbon emissions,
and will have quieter takeoffs and landings. The airplanes will feature
significant improvements in passenger amenities including cleaner air,
larger windows, a lower cabin altitude and higher humidity. The first 787
is scheduled to enter passenger service in May 2008.
Contact Information: FINANCIAL MEDIA AND INVESTOR CONTACT:
Connie Hamblin
616/772-1800
GENERAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Piersma
616/772-1800
WEBSITE: www.gentex.com