ASC BECOMES MAJORITY OWNER
OF ASC EXTERIOR TECHNOLOGIES

        SOUTHGATE,  Mich.,  Dec.  30, 1999 ASC  Holdings,  an  affiliate  of ASC
Incorporated,  has acquired shares of ASC Exterior Technologies (ASCET INC) (OTC
BB: JPEI) from Kojaian  Holdings LLC, and now holds  approximately 95 percent of
the  company.  The  announcement  was made by David  Treadwell,  chairman of ASC
Exterior Technologies and CEO of ASC Holdings.
        In May  1999,  ASC  Holdings  LLC  and  Kojaian  Holdings  LLC  acquired
controlling  interest in JPE,  Inc.,  which began doing business as ASC Exterior
Technologies.
        The Company is a Tier 1 supplier of  automotive  exterior  trim packages
and aftermarket heavy truck parts. Operations are located in Beaver Creek, Ohio,
East Tawas,  Mich., and Harrisburg,  Pa., and the company employs  approximately
950. ASC Exterior Technologies has sales of approximately $155 million.
        ASC Incorporated is a global specialty  vehicle and systems company with
five  operating   activities:   Creative  Services  provide  automotive  design,
engineering and prototype  services;  Specialty Vehicles supplies the automotive
industry  manufacturing  expertise,  development  and  production  of  specialty
vehicles;  Engineered  Systems  manufactures  and distributes  open-air  systems
(sunroofs and convertible tops) for OEM and aftermarket applications;  Composite
Systems  produces  removable  hardtops  and other  molded  products  for OEM and
aftermarket applications;  and Aftermarket Products develops and distributes and
distributes vehicle accessories for the aftermarket.
        Headquartered in Southgate,  ASC maintains  operations  through the U.S.
and Canada,  and in Germany and Korea.  ASC and its family of companies  employs
more than 4,5000 people in over 30 facilities, and has annual sales of over $900
million. For more information about ASC Incorporated, visit www.ascglobal.com.