CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) and Schroth Safety Products GmbH have signed an agreement allowing the companies to jointly develop and produce patented Goodrich inflatable restraint technology for the general aviation marketplace. The products are part of the SmartBelt(TM) inflatable restraint family and include the Inflatabelt(TM) lap belt restraint, the SmartBelt(TM) shoulder harness restraint, and coaxial head/neck protection restraints. The products can be used for virtually any type of seating configuration for passenger, flight and cabin crews including side-facing seats. In addition to regional and business aviation applications the products are also of interest for use in commercial, general aviation, military/ government aviation, and helicopter applications.

In commenting on the agreement, Jay Cross, Vice President of Goodrich's Passenger Restraint Systems division at Goodrich, said, "By combining our proprietary inflator technology with Schroth's existing customer base for restraint systems, we are able to quickly bring an enhanced safety innovation to the marketplace. It won't be long before business jets and commercial aircraft alike will be equipped with inflatable restraints that offer carriers more options and passengers more protection." The division manufactures inflatable restraints, inflators, and initiators for many different transportation applications.

Carl J. Schroth, General Manager of SCHROTH Safety Products GmbH added, "The equity of the Schroth brand in the global aviation arena combined with Goodrich's reputation for innovation makes for a powerful partnership. We're looking forward to what we can accomplish together to continue to advance passenger safety."

With 2000 sales of $4.4 billion, Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) is a leading worldwide supplier of aerospace components, systems and services, as well as engineered industrial products, which the company plans to spin off to shareholders in early 2002. Goodrich is ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the "Most Admired" aerospace companies and is included on Forbes magazine's "Platinum List" of America's best big companies. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs 23,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.goodrich.com.

High res. images of inflatable restraints are available in the online image library at http://www.goodrich.com/transformation2/imageLibrary/imageLibraryPage5.asp.

In 1954 at the early stage of restraint development, SCHROTH entered the seat belt business and became the world's largest harness restraint manufacturer. Established as a technological leader in high-end racing restraints, SCHROTH widened its product range into the aviation market in 1991. Innovative products, designed in Germany and manufactured in Arnsberg, Germany and the newly opened facility in Pompano Beach, Florida, made SCHROTH one of the most successful and fastest growing supplier of safety restraint systems for helicopters, general aviation and executive aircraft applications. Today SCHROTH provides worldwide coverage. For additional information please visit http://www.schroth.com.

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