Collins & Aikman Completes Acquisition Of Automotive Fabrics Operations of Joan Fabrics

  Transaction to Significantly Enhance Collins & Aikman's Fabric Operations

    TROY, Mich., Sept. 24 Collins & Aikman Corporation
announced today that it has completed its acquisition of the
automotive fabric operations of Joan Fabrics (Joan) and all of the operating
assets in Joan's affiliated yarn dying operation, Western Avenue Dyers.  As
previously indicated, consideration included $100 million in cash and
12,760,000 shares of Collins & Aikman common stock.  Joan, a leading supplier
of bodycloth to the automotive industry, is being integrated into the
Company's North American Automotive Fabric Operations under the direction of
Gerald Jones, Chief Operating Officer-North American Fabrics Group.
Additionally, Elkin McCallum, former principal owner of Joan Fabrics, will be
joining Collins & Aikman's Board of Directors.
    Commenting on the Joan transaction, Thomas E. Evans, Collins & Aikman's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We're extremely excited to have
completed the acquisition of Joan's automotive fabric and yarn dying
operations.  This transaction should enable Collins & Aikman to improve its
range of fabric manufacturing capabilities and achieve savings through both
capacity consolidation and purchasing synergies.  These benefits, in concert
with the addition of Joan's solid revenue base, veteran fabric personnel and
unique, vertically integrated yarn dying operations, should allow Collins &
Aikman to become the industry's cost and styling leader for automotive
fabrics.  We're also pleased to welcome Elkin McCallum -- a true industry
veteran -- to Collins & Aikman's board.  In summary, I believe that this
strategic action -- in tandem with our Becker acquisition and pending Textron
Trim division transaction -- superbly positions Collins & Aikman to design,
develop and deliver industry-leading value added products for both our Tier 1
and OEM customers."
    Collins & Aikman Corporation, with annualized sales exceeding $2 billion,
is the global leader in automotive floor and acoustic systems and is a leading
supplier of automotive fabric, interior trim and convertible top systems.  The
Company's operations span the globe through 13 countries, over 70 facilities,
and more than 14,000 employees who are committed to achieving total
excellence.  Collins & Aikman's high-quality products combine extensive
design, styling and manufacturing capabilities with NVH "quiet" technologies
that are among the most effective in the automotive industry.  Information
about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at http://www.collinsaikman.com .
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may
differ materially from the anticipated results because of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to general economic conditions in the
markets in which Collins & Aikman operates, fluctuations in the production of
vehicles for which the Company is a supplier, changes in the popularity of
particular car models or particular interior trim packages, the loss of
programs on particular car models, labor disputes involving the Company or its
significant customers, changes in consumer preferences, dependence on
significant automotive customers, the level of competition in the automotive
supply industry, pricing pressure from automotive customers, the substantial
leverage of the Company and its subsidiaries, limitations imposed by the
Company's debt facilities, charges made in connection with the integration of
operations acquired by the Company, the implementation of the reorganization
plan, risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries and other
risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings including without limitation, in Items 1, 7, 7a and 8 of
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2000
and part 1 in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods
ended March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001.

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