Barnes Group Inc. Acquires Assets of Forward Industries

    BRISTOL, Conn.--Nov. 5, 2001--Barnes Group Inc. today announced that it has acquired certain assets of Forward Industries, L.L.C. Forward Industries designs and manufactures nitrogen gas springs that are used in the appliance, automotive, heating and cooling, and electrical industries. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
    Barnes Group Inc. (www.barnesgroupinc.com) is a diversified international manufacturer of precision metal parts and distributor of industrial supplies, serving a wide range of markets and customers. Founded in 1857 and headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, Barnes Group consists of three businesses with 2000 sales of $740 million: Associated Spring, North America's largest manufacturer of precision mechanical and nitrogen gas springs; Barnes Aerospace, a manufacturer and repairer of highly engineered aircraft engine and airframe components and assemblies; and Barnes Distribution, an international distributor of maintenance, repair and operating supplies. Nearly 5,400 dedicated employees at more than 50 locations worldwide contribute to Barnes Group Inc.'s success.
    This release may contain certain forward-looking statements as defined in the Public Securities Litigation and Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements. Investors are encouraged to consider these risks and uncertainties as described within the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the following: changes in market demand for the types of products and services produced and sold by Barnes Group, the Company's success in identifying, and attracting customers in, new markets, the Company's ability to develop new and enhanced products to meet customers' needs timely, changes in worldwide economic and political conditions, interest and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, regulatory changes, and the ability of the Company to integrate newly acquired businesses and to realize acquisition synergies on schedule.