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Pittsburgh Tube Acquires J.H. Roberts Industries and its Subsidiaries

11 April 2000

Pittsburgh Tube Acquires J.H. Roberts Industries and its Subsidiaries - Alliance Midwest Tubular Products, Enduro Industries and Enduro-Niagara

       Acquisition Nearly Doubles Annual Sales to Almost $400 Million;
                 Expands Product Line and Production Capacity


    PITTSBURGH, April 10 Pittsburgh Tube Company announced
today that it has acquired holding company J.H. Roberts Industries Inc. and
its subsidiaries: Alliance Midwest Tubular Products (AMTP), a leading producer
of precision mechanical steel tubing; and Enduro Industries and Enduro-
Niagara, chrome-plated bar producers.  The AMTP and Enduro subsidiaries have
combined annual revenue of $170 million and strong market positions.
    The largest acquisition in Pittsburgh Tube's history nearly doubles the
company's global sales to almost $400 million a year, complements and expands
its product line, boosts its sales to key markets and increases its production
capacity by adding five manufacturing facilities.  AMTP has three facilities
in Chicago, Ill., Alliance, Ohio; and Salem, Ohio; and Enduro's plants are in
Hannibal, Mo., and Niagara, Ontario.  The AMTP and Enduro units have
620 employees.
    The combined company will be headquartered in Pittsburgh and have more
than 2,000 employees worldwide and 14 manufacturing facilities -- 12 in North
America and two in Germany, where Pittsburgh Tube's Wiederholt subsidiary is
based.
    "This complementary fit of two leaders in precision mechanical steel
tubing -- AMTP and Pittsburgh Tube -- and Enduro's strength in the chrome bar
market creates a stronger technology-driven company," said Richard Huemme,
Pittsburgh Tube's chairman, president and chief executive.  "Pittsburgh Tube
is now better positioned to meet the needs of our customers as a one-stop
supplier of engineered solutions for precision tubing and chrome-plated bar
products.  This acquisition does more than expand our manufacturing capacity,
product range and geographic reach -- it provides a strong foundation for
global growth."
    Pittsburgh Tube is a leading producer of precision mechanical steel tubing
for the automotive and truck industries, original equipment manufacturers and
service centers.  Huemme will lead the combined company.  Tom Rodhouse, chief
executive officer of Roberts, joins Pittsburgh Tube's board of directors as
vice chairman and will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth integration of
the companies.
    Last September, Roberts announced that it would search for a strategic
partner with the resources and vision to strengthen and grow its AMTP and
Enduro businesses.
    "Pittsburgh Tube is an ideal partner," Rodhouse said.  "Like us,
Pittsburgh Tube is a company with an employee ownership culture and a
dedication to excellence.  This is a winning combination for our customers and
employees."
    Pittsburgh Tube and Roberts are both private companies, each with
controlling ownership by salaried employees through an Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (ESOP).
    Key senior executives at AMTP and Enduro are joining Pittsburgh Tube.
Jeff Headlee, AMTP president and chief operating officer, becomes senior vice
president and chief operating officer, U.S. tubular operations for Pittsburgh
Tube.  Henry Crute continues as president of Enduro Industries.
    The acquisition of AMTP gives Pittsburgh Tube a strong No. 2 U.S. market
share in cold drawn tubing, which is typically used in the automotive, truck
and fluid power industries.  Pittsburgh Tube ranked fourth previously.
Enduro, the leading U.S. producer of chrome-plated bar products, gives
Pittsburgh Tube a strong entry in that market.
    "This acquisition strengthens our ability to serve global customers,"
Huemme said.  "We see synergies with our Wiederholt Group in Germany and
promising opportunities to market AMTP and Enduro products outside North
America."
    Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.
    Pittsburgh Tube is an international producer and marketer of welded and
cold drawn mechanical steel tubing, chrome plated bar products, fabricated
tubular parts and precision components.  The company's major markets include
automotive and truck, steel service centers, construction and agricultural
equipment, machinery, and appliances.
    Prior to the acquisition, Pittsburgh Tube reported annual sales of
$213 million for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 1999.  The company has
manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Ohio,
Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Canada and Germany.
    For more information on Pittsburgh Tube, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.pittube.com .