AUBURN, ME -- March 30, 2005 -- Formed Fiber Technologies, Inc., announces the hiring of John Michalakis as Nonwovens Plant Manager at the Auburn facility.

Michalakis has over 25 years experience in the automotive textile industry, most recently as Director of Automotive Fabrics Technology for Lear Corporation, formerly Masland Industries.   He previously was Plant Manager for Lear’s Carlisle, PA, automotive fabrics plant.

Mikalakis began his career as an industrial engineer specializing in automotive mold & trim operations, then advanced to increasingly responsible positions in operations management.

“We’re very pleased to have John join our management team,” said Randy Byrd, FFT Chief Operating Officer. “He understands the automotive industry very well and is a talented plant manager.”

Michalakis has multi-disciplinary management experience encompassing the areas of manufacturing, engineering, quality, maintenance, finance, sales, and R&D. He also has experience leading a Six Sigma initiative in which he oversaw eight “black belt” experts in process improvement techniques.

FFT President and CEO David MacMahon said, “John brings many years of industry experience to our leadership team”

Michalakis earned a bachelors degree in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

He enjoys reading, chess, and cooking.   He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.   He and his wife Rayna and their children Adrienne and Andrew are relocating to the Lewiston-Auburn area.

FFT, headquartered in Auburn, Maine, also has production facilities in Ohio and South Carolina.   The company is a leading supplier of nonwoven trim components to original equipment manufacturers and converters in the automotive industry.   FFT uses post-industrial and post-consumer recycled materials to produce much of the polyester and polypropylene fiber in its products.

FFT licenses its patented and proprietary technology to manufacturers around the world.

For more information:   www.formedfiber.com