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Arvin Announces Richard A. Smith Retirement

8 February 2000

Arvin Announces Richard A. Smith Retirement; CFO to be Succeeded by Larry D. Blair

    COLUMBUS, Ind.--Feb. 8, 2000--Arvin Industries, Inc. , today announced that Richard A. Smith, Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, plans to take early retirement effective later in the year 2000. He will also not stand for re-election to the Arvin Board of Directors at the April 11, 2000 shareholder meeting.
    Smith joined Arvin in 1989 and has served in his current capacities since then. In announcing Rick's retirement, Bill Hunt, Arvin Chairman, President and Chief Executive, recognized Rick's significant contributions to the company, both as Chief Financial Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors. "We at Arvin applaud Rick for his commitment to our company and his strong professional efforts during a period when we more than doubled Arvin sales and earnings. We owe him, as we do so many of the others who have elected to take advantage of the retirement program, a debt of gratitude for his service. I wish Rick the best as he prepares for the future."
    Smith observed, "I have completed most of what I set out to do when I joined Arvin, and now - while I'm still young enough to make contributions in other areas - is a great time for me to move on to different challenges."
    Smith has agreed to assist his successor, Larry D. Blair, through an orderly transition period. Blair joined Arvin in 1968 and has progressed through finance, accounting and general management responsibilities of increasing importance, including Vice President, Finance - North American Automotive; President, Arvin Exhaust North America; and Co-President - Arvin Exhaust Worldwide.
    Arvin Industries, Inc., is a global manufacturer of automotive components with over 60 manufacturing facilities and 6 technical centers located in 22 countries. Arvin is a leading manufacturer of automotive exhaust systems; ride control products; air, oil and fuel filters; and gas charged lift supports. Our replacement products are sold under various trademarks including Arvin, Maremont, Timax, ANSA and ROSI exhaust systems; Gabriel and RydeFX shock absorbers; Purolator filters; and StrongArm gas charged lift supports.
    For more information on Arvin Industries via the Internet, visit our Corporate Home Page at http://www.arvin.com or our Corporate News on the Net site at http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/arv.shtml. For information via fax, please call our News On Demand service at 888-622-1161.