March 24, 2006 — Simpson Technologies Corp. reports it has opened a branch office in Saltillo, Mexico, where Jose I. Lobo has been appointed general manager. He will oversee the daily operation of Simpson Technologies de Mexico Srl.

Simpson Technologies de Mexico will support Simpson's sales efforts and provide technical support to existing and future Mexican customers. Eventually, plans call for the Mexican branch to stock strategic spare parts for selected Simpson products.

Lobo joins Simpson having been director of the Mexico office of Tupy American Foundry Corp. Previous to that position, Lobo was affiliated with Cifunsa for 11 years as automotive commercial director, and with Lester B. Knight and Associates for five years as the representative in Mexico for the consulting group.

In addition to Lobo, Simpson indicates it expects to add a technical support engineer for its Mexican customers.

Based in Aurora, IL, Simpson Technologies is a global designer and manufacturer of metalcasting technology, including: sand-mixing and –cooling equipment and controls, core machines, flaskless molding machines, mold-handling systems, sand reclamation systems, and foundry system design, engineering, and automation systems.