---

National-Standard will be Displaying its GridShield(TM) Technology

23 February 2000

National-Standard will be Displaying its GridShield(TM) Technology at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Trade Show on March Sixth

    NILES, Mich., Feb. 22 -- GridShield(TM) Technology, a product
line that has been under development for several years, will be on display at
the SAE show on March 6th-9th.  The annual show, which takes place in downtown
Detroit at Cobo Hall, is the largest gathering of its kind of automotive
engineers.  The show concentrates on demonstrating new technologies available
to the automakers for their next generation of automobiles.  On display are
all the newest electronics, drive systems, safety systems, and all the
technologies that support them.
    "The GridShield(TM) Technology fits well in the mix of products on display
at the SAE," says Keith Stahl, New Business Development Director, "because the
emerging electronic systems on an automobile need to be shielded from Electro
Mechanical Interference and Radio Frequency Interference."  With the
proliferation of these components, all in close proximity to each other, the
demand for superior shielding products is growing.  Examples of these products
in an automobile are:

    *  Dashboard Electronic Components (Radios, HVAC Controls, GPS Systems,
Cellular Phones);
    *  System Controls (Air Bags, Engine Computers, Antilock Brakes); and
    *  Small Electric Motors (Wiper, Seat, Window).

    National-Standard (Amex: NSD) is working with Autotech Technology
Development Corporation to promote this technology and will join them to
display GridShield(TM)in their booth space at the SAE (booth 3471) to
illustrate the performance characteristics to the automotive industry.
    This year, National-Standard will introduce its first licensee, Nicholas
Plastics, who will be available at the show to discuss design and application
issues.  Nicholas Plastics has many years of insert molding experience, and
has been serving the needs of the automotive industry for over 25 years.  "We
are excited about many applications for GridShield(TM), and have already
quoted half a dozen electronic enclosures where this product answers their
design demands," says Armen Kassouni, Vice President of Sales for N-K
Manufacturing Technologies, Nicholas' Molding Group.  "GridShield(TM) features
include reduced weight, better shielding performance, elimination of rattles,
and lower final cost to the customer."
    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.
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the
acceptance of a new shielding technology by the automotive,
telecommunications, computer and medical devices industries.
    The ability of the Company to achieve acceptance of its new shielding
process by the named industries is subject to risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, the granting of patent protection, the response
of competitive products and pricing, changes in product demand by customers,
availability and cost of raw materials, and changes in economic conditions.
Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, actual
performance results will vary materially.  The Company does not intend to
update these forward-looking statements.