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National-Standard Company Elects Ranko Cucuz Director

28 July 1997

National-Standard Company Elects Ranko Cucuz Director

    NILES, Mich., July 28 -- National-Standard Company
today announced the election of Ranko "Ron" Cucuz to the Company's
board of directors.
    "We welcome Ron to our Board," said Mike Savitske, president and chief
executive officer.  "He brings to our company more than 30 years of leadership
experience in the automotive supply industry and practical understanding of
both metals and manufacturing."
    Cucuz, age 53, is president and CEO of Hayes Wheels International in
Romulus, Mich., a position he has held since 1992, after serving one year as
group president of the Kelsey-Hayes Wheels Unit.  From 1987 to 1991, Cucuz was
president and CEO of American Chain and Cable Company's Cable Controls
Worldwide in Fairfield, Conn. where he began as a plant manager in 1976.  He
has also worked in research and development and manufacturing management in
the steel industry, with such companies as LaSalle Steel Company of Hammond,
Ind., and U.S. Steel Corp., Gary, Ind.
    Cucuz holds an MBA and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical
engineering from Purdue University.
    Founded in 1907, National-Standard is a Niles, Michigan-based firm with
annual sales of approximately $250 million.  In 10 operating facilities
throughout the world, the Company manufactures and distributes a broad range
of wire and wire-related products, including tire bead wire and welding wire,
in addition to wire cloth and fabricated filters for the automotive air bag
industry.

SOURCE  National-Standard Company