PUTNAM COUNTY, W. Va. -- Thomas C. Burns, executive director of the West Virginia Development Office, today joined U.S. Representative Bob Wise and Mayflower Vehicle Systems officials for the opening of the company's new North American corporate headquarters in Teays Valley, West Virginia.

"Mayflower Vehicle Systems and South Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing represent one of West Virginia's greatest business success stories," said Burns. "We are pleased with Mayflower's decision and we welcome it as the latest company to locate its corporate headquarters in the Mountain State."

Mayflower Vehicle Systems, Inc. is a member company of The Mayflower Corp. plc, and parent company of South Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing. The company announced in October 1997 that it would relocate its North American headquarters from Farmington Hills, Michigan to Teays Valley, West Virginia.

South Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing employs more than 1,050 people and maintains contracts with major auto manufacturers, including GM, Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes, Freightliner, Saturn and Toyota.

Mayflower Corporation, a publicly traded company headquartered in the United Kingdom, has facilities in England, Scotland, Germany, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Far East, as well as U.S. locations in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia.

Gov. Underwood traveled today to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Clinton and was unable to attend this morning's event.

--30--