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Exide Corporation Awarded U.S. Defense Agency Contract

16 September 1998

Exide Corporation Awarded U.S. Defense Agency Contract; Agreement Also Includes Potential Four-Year Extension Valued at $18.5 million

    BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Sept. 16 -- Exide Corporation
, the world's largest lead acid battery manufacturer, today
announced that it has been awarded another contract by the U.S. Defense
Logistics Agency's Defense Supply Center in Richmond, Virginia.  This
particular contract is worth $3.7 million, totaling $45.9 million in
annualized revenue from contracts with this and other U.S. Government
agencies.
    Under the agreement, Exide will provide commercial batteries for use in a
wide range of government and military vehicles.  The contract also includes a
potential four-year extension worth $18.5 million.  Batteries will be shipped
from Exide plants via the company's branch distribution program.
    "This contract award illustrates Exide's continued strong commitment to
the battery needs of the U.S. Government and its military services worldwide,"
said Rogan Murdock, Director, Government Sales, Exide Corporation.
    Exide has existing contracts with the Defense Logistics Agency, including
an agreement reached this year to develop and supply an estimated 330,000
military batteries per year, including the new 6TMF "Maintenance Free," U.S.
Army-designed primary-starting model.  This contract is expected to generate
incremental sales of over $105 million.
    In addition, Exide already has been awarded a one-year option to its
existing four-year contract with the Defense Logistics Agency to supply over
120,000 batteries per year to more than 216 U.S. military bases and facilities
across the nation.  That contract's annual gross dollar value is in excess of
$11 million.
    Besides the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, Exide has additional ongoing
contracts with over government agencies, totaling over $5.0 million.
    Exide Corporation is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, with
administrative offices in Reading, Pennsylvania.  Exide is the world leader in
lead-acid batteries.  The company has significant additional interests in
related technologies including battery chargers, accessories, starters, and
alternators.