R&B, Inc. Announces Two New Senior Vice Presidents

COLMAR, Pa., Dec. 9, 2003 -- R&B, Inc. today announced the appointment of two new Senior Vice Presidents. Steven A. Kirchner has been named Senior Vice President - Sales and Trade Marketing, effective January 1, 2004. Mr. Kirchner joined R&B in June of 2003 as Vice President of Sales as part of an orderly succession plan. Prior to joining R&B, Mr. Kirchner spent over twenty years with The Valvoline Company in various management positions, including Senior Vice President Worldwide Marketing.

Joseph M. Beretta, previously with Cardone Industries where he spent 26 years, most recently as Chief Operating Officer, will join R&B on February 1, 2004 in the newly created position of Senior Vice President - Product. In this capacity, Mr. Beretta will be responsible for all product management, quality and sourcing efforts, both internationally and domestic.

Richard Berman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "Steve and Joe will play a significant role in our continuing efforts to build our new product capabilities and increased customer focus. Their experience, strong leadership qualities and broad range of skills will be instrumental in guiding our organization strategically. We are fortunate to have Steve and Joe join our executive team."

Mr. Kirchner succeeds Ronald R. Montgomery, Senior Vice President - Sales, who is retiring from a full-time schedule, but who will continue with R&B heading the sales efforts of the retail home hardware businesses. Mr. Beretta succeeds Edward L. Dean, Senior Vice President - Marketing, who is retiring at the end of March 2004 in order to dedicate all of his time to a charitable organization. "Change is good, especially when it comes after an orderly transition of two highly respected executives who contributed so much to R&B and who built such strong departments," added Mr. Berman.

R&B, Inc. is a leading supplier of OE Dealer "Exclusive" automotive replacement parts, automotive hardware and brake products to the automotive aftermarket and household hardware to the general merchandise markets. R&B's products are marketed under more than thirty proprietary brand names, through its Motormite, Dorman, Allparts, Scan-Tech, MPI and Pik-A-Nut businesses.