For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 11, 1996 -- Key executives from General Motors Corporation joined Bethlehem Steel corporate officials, state and community leaders, and Bethlehem Steel employees in celebrating Bethlehem being named a 1995 Supplier of the Year by General Motors. Bethlehem is the only steel producing company in the world to be so honored this year.

Being selected a Supplier of the Year is an "awesome achievement," said General Motors executive John Stiles during this morning's celebration. "The winners are truly the best of the best. To be singled out for this award says to the whole world you are truly an outstanding performer -- an industry leader," Mr. Stiles proclaimed. Mr. Stiles is executive director of metallic world wide purchasing for General Motors. Also representing General Motors at this morning's ceremony was Ron Schuster, director of steel purchasing for North American Operations.

In accepting the award on behalf of "the entire Bethlehem family," Bethlehem Chairman Hank Barnette said: "We're proud of what we have accomplished as a company and as individual employees, and very much appreciate the honor that we have received from our largest customer."

"This is an award to the entire Bethlehem Team," Mr. Barnette continued. "The Team includes everyone from those who produce the raw materials to those who ship the gleaming finished coils of steel. This is an Award for all of our employees. Our Vision is for Bethlehem to be The Premier Steel Company, and winning the GM supplier of the Year Award is a giant step toward achieving that Vision. General Motors' Vision is to be The World Leader in transportation products and related services. Their success is our success, and we want to help them achieve their Vision."

Also participating in this morning's celebration were Tom Hagen, Secretary of Commerce, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Mohr, Chief Legislative Assistant for Congressman Paul McHale, and Ken Smith, Mayor of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Division in Indiana furnishes sheet steel for parts that go into 40 different cars, vans, pickups and sport-utility vehicles produced by General Motors. General Motors purchases goods and services from more than 30,000 suppliers around the world, and only 158 of these suppliers were selected as a Supplier of the Year.