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National-Standard Appoints Mississippi Welders Supply As an Authorized Distributor

1 February 2000

National-Standard Appoints Mississippi Welders Supply As an Authorized Distributor

    NILES, Mich., Jan. 31 -- Mississippi Welders Supply Company
has been appointed as an authorized distributor for National-Standard Company
(Amex: NSD).  Headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, Mississippi Welders Supply
has branches in Red Wing and Rochester, Minnesota, and one branch location in
La Crosse, Wisconsin.  The company services the market area throughout
southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin.
    Mississippi Welders Supply will represent National-Standard's full line of
welding filler metals and unique wire packages within their appointed
territory.  "National-Standard is pleased to have such fine representation for
its products and looks forward to a strong partnership focused on providing
the customer with the best possible products and services," said Larry Thomas,
National-Standard's General Manager for its Welding Products Group.
    Michael Moore, District Sales Manager for National-Standard, will be
responsible for providing sales support for the newly appointed distributor.
    Founded in 1907, National-Standard is a Niles, Michigan-based firm with
annual sales of approximately $180 million.  In ten operating facilities in
the United States and England, 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, fabricated filters and inflator
housings for the automotive air bag industry.