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WPI Announces Key Executive Appointments For Diagnostics Business

23 February 2000

WPI GROUP Announces Key Executive Appointments For Diagnostics Business

    MANCHESTER, N.H.--Feb. 23, 2000--WPI GROUP, INC. (WPICE: NASDAQ/National Market) today announced the appointment of Richard A. Beyer as President of WPI MICRO PROCESSOR SYSTEMS (MPSI) -- WPI'S diagnostic hardware, software and remote Web services business. Beyer was most recently President of WPI HUSKY TECHNOLOGY -- the Company's rugged handheld computer business. WPI announced the sale of the Husky business to Dynatech Corporation of Burlington, Massachusetts on February 22, 2000. Beyer's dozen plus years of mobile computing experience include executive positions in sales, marketing and general management. In addition, he was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for the OmniTRACS division of Qualcomm, Inc., where he was part of that Company's very successful launch of the world's first commercial wireless data communications service. Beyer has also been Executive Vice President of Marketing for Norcom Networks Corporation, owned by Telenor of Norway, Sweden, a provider of satellite-based packet data communications for field service trucking fleets. Prior to that, he was General Manager of the Onboard Computing Division of Rockwell International.
    The Company also promoted Michael Kapolka to the new post of MPSI Executive Vice President and COO. Kapolka has over 25 years experience in the design and development of transportation-based diagnostic test equipment and has served at MPSI for over 18 years, most recently as Senior Vice President - Engineering and Advanced Product Development. Kapolka has played a leadership role in the development of all of MPSI's products and services. He has been involved in many aspects of MPSI's business, including technical representation to customers and industry affiliations. In addition, he was instrumental in the launch of MPSI's direct sales program and product distribution policies.
    WPI GROUP President and Chief Executive Officer, John R. Allard, commented on the appointments, "We successfully completed the lion's share of our restructuring program with yesterday's closing of the Husky divestiture. Our focus now is on rebuilding the Company around MPSI traditional products and on our fast-emerging E-TECHNICIAN remote diagnostics systems and services. Rick's broad experience in the wireless networks world gives us a real advantage as we establish the industry's leading position in remote diagnostics and related services. His knowledge and strong relationships with wireless industry leaders will help us develop the partnerships and strategies required for fast growth in this new arena for transportation services.
    Mike's transportation technology and relationships with transportation leaders and standards committees are the perfect complement to Rick's wireless experience. We believe that this, plus our technical resources and world-leading reputation in transportation diagnostics, will contribute to revenue and earnings growth for the Company in this fiscal year."

    WPI GROUP, INC. manufactures and markets high value-added products used in advanced systems across a number of industries and applications. WPI provides industry-leading diagnostic hardware, software and Web-based services for the transportation industry. They also manufacture avionics components and subsystems, inertial sensors, panel meters and precision solenoids for a variety of industrial, medical and consumer products.

THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE CONCERNING THE COMPANY'S GOALS, STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" BASED ON CURRENT EXPECTATIONS. NO ASSURANCES CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE RESULTS IN ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL BE ACHIEVED AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY. PLEASE REVIEW THE REPORTS THAT THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING FACTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS.