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R&B Issues $60 million in 6.81% Senior Notes

21 August 1998

R&B Issues $60 million in 6.81% Senior Notes: Amends Bank Credit Facility with More Favorable Terms

    COLMAR, Pa., Aug. 21 -- R&B, Inc. today
announced the completion of a private placement of $60 million in 6.81% Senior
Notes due August 21, 2008 on an unsecured basis.  The transaction was managed
by First Union Capital Markets.  The ten-year Notes bear a 6.81 percent fixed
interest rate, payable semi-annually, with an initial four-year interest only
period.  In connection with the Notes, R&B has also amended its current $35
million revolving credit facility.  As amended, the commitment for the line
has been extended for a five-year term on an unsecured basis with interest at
Libor plus 75 basis points.
    R&B intends to use the proceeds from the Notes to pay down approximately
$45 million of existing debt, fund the company's recent acquisition of the
Champ Service Line, which is expected to close August 31, with the balance
reserved to fund the company's growth plans and for general corporate
purposes.
    "This is the right financing for R&B," commented President Richard Berman.
"With interest rates at historically low levels, our stock price at what we
believe to be an undervalued level, and continued capital demands to fund our
growth plans, we felt this was the time to lock in attractive, long-term
financing.  These notes, together with our amended revolving line of credit,
should provide R&B with the financing capacity to continue to execute our
growth strategy for the foreseeable future."
    Mr. Berman continued, "We believe our financial performance over the past
several years, and the positive outlook for R&B's future, has warranted the
confidence that unsecured credit suggests.  We are glad to see that confidence
reflected in the market."
    R&B, Inc. is a leading supplier of "hard-to-find" parts and fasteners for
the automotive aftermarket. R&B's parts are marketed under more than fifty
proprietary brand names, through its Motormite and Dorman divisions, as well
as under the private labels of automobile manufacturers, parts manufacturers,
and national warehouse distributors.
    Forward looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking
statements which speak only as of the date hereof.  Factors that cause actual
results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those factors
discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Business -
Investment Considerations."
    Visit the company's Home Page at http://www.rbinc.com