News Release Details

PAOLI, Pa., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME) today announced that the Board of Directors has elected Mr. Laurence K. Hayward, Vice President and General Manager of its Prestolite Power and Switch Division. Mr. Hayward was previously a Division Vice President of AMETEK's Specialty Metal Products Division with responsibility for its Specialty Wire and new business development efforts. Prestolite Power and Switch Division is comprised of the Switch and Industrial Battery Charger businesses recently acquired from Prestolite Electric Incorporated.

Frank Hermance, AMETEK President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am pleased to announce Larry's promotion to Vice President and General Manager of the Prestolite Power and Switch Division. During his twenty-four years with AMETEK, Larry has demonstrated strong marketing, operational and business development skills. These skills will be essential as we integrate the Prestolite businesses into AMETEK and accelerate their growth."

Mr. Hayward has been with AMETEK's Specialty Metal Products Division for twenty-four years in a variety of sales and marketing, operations and business unit management roles. He began with Specialty Metal Products as Sales Engineer in 1976. He held increasingly responsible sales and marketing positions, culminating in his promotion to Director of Sales in 1988. Mr. Hayward was then promoted to Director of Operations for its Specialty Wire Business Unit in 1991. He was named to lead the Specialty Wire and New Business Development efforts in 1995 and was made a Division Vice President in 1997.

Before joining AMETEK, Mr. Hayward also served as an officer in the United States Army. Mr. Hayward is a graduate of Northeastern University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology and earned his MBA in Management from Bryant College. He also holds an Associate Degree in Chemical Technology. Mr. Hayward is a member of the American Society for Metals and Wire Association International and serves on the Board of Directors of the Wallingford, CT, YMCA.

Corporate Profile

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors with 1999 sales of $925 million. AMETEK's Corporate Growth Plan is based on Four Key Strategies: Strategic Acquisitions & Joint Ventures, Global & Market Expansion, New Products, and Operational Excellence. Its objective is double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share and superior return on total capital. The common stock of AMETEK is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 and the Russell 2000 Growth Index.

SOURCE AMETEK, Inc.

CONTACT: William J. Burke of AMETEK, 610-889-5249/