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The Colonel's International Buys Eastern Off-Road Equipment Retail Operations

4 December 1997

The Colonel's International, Inc. Acquires Retail Operations of Eastern Off-Road Equipment, Inc.

    MILAN, Mich., Dec. 4 -- The Colonel's International, Inc.
, a manufacturer and distributor of automotive parts and
supplies, announced today that it had taken another step forward in its bid to
become a vertically integrated operation with its acquisition of the retail
operations of Eastern Off-Road Equipment, Inc.  Terms were not released.
    Eastern 0ff-Road, based in Uniontown, PA, is a retailer of over
3,000 parts and accessories for light trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Major products are truck bedliners, bed mats, lights, bug shields, wheels,
tires, covers, running boards, tool boxes and floor coverings.
    The Colonel's International, Inc., based in Milan, Michigan, is major
manufacturer of replacement bumpers and pickup truck bedliners.
    Commenting on the transaction, Donald J. Williamson of The Colonel's
explained that "we believe that by creating a true vertically integrated
operation we become not only more significant price competitors, but better
service providers to our customers.  We also will continue to evaluate our
distribution system, and will open or acquire additional outlets where we have
no distribution.  Our goal is to be the only retail outlet with extensive,
available inventory covering a full array of products, sizes and colors with a
wider variety of models."
    In the acquisition, The Colonel's will gain seven retail outlets,
including four in Pennsylvania and one each in West Virginia, Virginia and
Maryland.  The stores will continue to use the Eastern Off-Road name.
    Mr. Williamson suggested that "because Eastern has a good profitability
record, we believe that it will positively impact earnings immediately."
    The Colonel's International, Inc. has three wholly owned subsidiaries.
The Colonel's, Inc., based in Milan, Michigan, manufactures and distributes
aftermarket bumpers and facias.  The Colonel's Truck Accessories, Inc., based
in Owosso, Michigan, manufactures and distributes truck accessory parts.
Brainerd International Raceway, Inc., located in Brainerd, Minnesota, operates
a motor sports facility and holds drag races and other events during the
summer months.
    This news release includes certain statements that may be considered
forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are subject to a number of important risks and uncertainties
that could cause the contemplated transactions not to occur.

SOURCE  Colonel's International, Inc.