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GenRad Announces Completion of Autodiagnos AB Acquisition

2 May 2000

GenRad Announces Completion of Autodiagnos AB Acquisition

    WESTFORD, Mass.--May 2, 2000--GenRad, Inc. (NYSE: GEN) today announced the successful settlement of the tender offer for the shares of Autodiagnos AB, an automotive diagnostics company based in Stockholm Sweden. The purchase price was $26 million and confirms GenRad's advance into the independent automotive repair sector, following the acquisition of Mastertech Automotive Ltd. announced in December.
    Autodiagnos develops diagnostic tools for the independent repair shop. By producing leading-edge diagnostic solutions they allow the independents to take on the profitable and increasingly complex task of troubleshooting the latest automotive electronic systems. Autodiagnos operates through subsidiary companies and distributors in more than 25 markets.
    GenRad's Chairman, President and CEO, Bob Dutkowsky, stated "This represents a key step in the development of GenRad's independent repair market strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to diversify and grow GenRad's revenue stream into a significantly larger market, and at the same time reduce our exposure to the cyclical nature of individual major contracts."
    Lars Taflin, Chairman and Chief Executive of Autodiagnos said, "Being acquired by GenRad means that Autodiagnos now has access to GenRad's world-leading diagnostic technologies. This will accelerate the development of software for the Multitester-Pro product range, extending Autodiagnos' lead over the competition. The vehicle systems expertise that GenRad's recent acquisition of Mastertech provides, will allow an extra dimension to be added to the software applications currently available to support and guide the service technician."
    Peter Miles, Managing Director of GenRad's ADS business unit stated "Autodiagnos will continue to operate under its own brand identity, based in Stockholm. GenRad's Advanced Diagnostics Solutions division will continue to focus on service and manufacturing diagnostic solutions for the automotive OEMs. Technologies, including hardware platforms, diagnostic reasoning systems, and web-based software will be shared, but manufacturer's proprietary data will be kept strictly separate."

    GenRad Background

    GenRad, Inc. provides electronics OEMs and their customers with the hardware, software and services to increase productivity by optimizing product design, manufacturing and after-market service. GenRad, headquartered in Westford, MA, offers products and services through three business units: Advanced Diagnostic Solutions (ADS), Electronic Manufacturing Solutions (EMS), and GR Software (GRS). GenRad's web site address is http://www.genrad.com.

    GenRad's most current shareholder information is available by visiting our Website at http://www.genrad.com or calling our Fax on Demand Service at (800) 469-1261.

    Statements made in this press release which are not historical, including statements regarding future performance, product capabilities and markets are forward looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks. Factors that may cause results to differ materially from those projected are discussed in GenRad's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January 1, 2000 under the section "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations - Factors That May Affect Future Results."