RNS Number:5573H
Antonov PLC
17 February 2003


Immediate Release                                              17 February 2003



ANTONOV APPOINTS MARTIN SCHINZIG AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE



Antonov plc, the developer of the unique and innovative automatic gearbox, the
Antonov AAD, is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Schinzig as new
Chief Executive Officer of the Antonov Group with immediate effect. Chairman
Roumen Antonov said, 'I am very pleased to be able to welcome Martin Schinzig to
our group. He has just the qualities we need to complete the commercialisation
of our patented AAD. I look forward very much to working with him.'



Swiss-born and holder of a French passport, Martin Schinzig, 46, is multilingual
and experienced in the management of major projects in the global motor
industry. In his most recent post with Trianon Industries he directed the
development and supply of a key module for GM's new Epsilon programme,
overseeing R&D teams on both sides of the Atlantic. For France's Sofedit,
Schinzig opened new European markets for the company's automotive components and
he has successfully negotiated contracts in the USA, Sweden and Germany.



Before beginning his nine year career in the motor industry, Martin Schinzig was
active in aerospace with Dassault Aviation, where he applied his skills in
finite-element analysis and computer-aided design in a variety of projects.
Included was the analysis of the chassis design of Peugeot's successful 905 Le
Mans racing car, for which Dassault produced the monocoque frame. Schinzig holds
a master of science degree in engineering from the ETH Zurich and is fully
competent in all relevant industry computer systems.



'With his engineering capabilities combined with his management experience and
entrepreneurial spirit,' said Roumen Antonov, 'I am confident that Martin
Schinzig is the right man to lead our Group toward commercial success. He will
be active both at our Rotterdam headquarters and at our R&D centre near Paris.'



Martin Schinzig is appointed immediately to the relevant Group boards replacing
Mike Emmerson, who is stepping down. 'I am happy to say that Mike will continue
to be employed by the Group's subsidiaries through March.' added Roumen Antonov.



For further information, please contact:
Roumen Antonov                                         +33 1 600 389 60 (office)
Group Chairman - Antonov                               +33 615 95 24 02 (mobile)
www.antonov-transmission.com

Lisa Baderoon                                      +44 (0) 207 466 5000 (office)
Buchanan Communications                            +44 (0) 7721 413496 (mobile)



Previous Directorships:



Trianon Industries Corp.; Coventry Presswork Ltd.; Sofedit SA



Save as disclosed above there are no matters to be disclosed on behalf of Mr.
Schinzig under Schedule 2 (f) of the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange.



Editor's notes



The Antonov group was formed in 1991 to develop and market the automatic
transmission concept conceived by Roumen Antonov. The result is a major
simplification of the conventional automatic gearbox which independent
assessment has shown to generate cost savings of 30 to 40 %, fuel efficiency
improvements of 15 to 30 % as well as remarkably small size, light weight and
improved vehicle dynamics.


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