---

Baldor Announces 4th Quarter 2000 Dividend and Management Promotions

16 November 2000

Baldor Announces 4th Quarter 2000 Dividend and Management Promotions

    FORT SMITH, Ark., Nov. 16 Baldor Electric Company
markets, designs, and manufactures electric motors and drives and
is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Baldor's Board of Directors met on Monday,
November 13, 2000.  John A. McFarland, Baldor's President and CEO, announced
the following:

    CASH DIVIDEND ... The Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash
dividend of $0.13 per share on the Company's common stock.  The cash dividend
is payable on January 2, 2001, to shareholders of record on December 12, 2000.
    MANAGEMENT PROMOTIONS ... Two important promotions were announced to be
effective January 1, 2001.

    Thomas J. McGuire, Jr. ... Vice President - Generator Division
    Tom joins Baldor from the Company's acquisition of Pow'r Gard Generator
Corporation.  He has been associated with Pow'r Gard for over 25 years.  As
General Manager and an owner of Pow'r Gard, Tom led the company through many
years of profitable growth.  Tom will continue to be responsible for every
aspect of the generator business including sales, manufacturing, development,
and management.

    Randall P. Breaux ... Vice President - Customer Service
    Randy has been with Baldor since 1989.  During his 11 years with Baldor,
Randy's responsibilities have been largely customer-focused.  He has
previously held various management positions within Baldor including Sales
Team Leader, Marketing Manager, and most recently National Sales Manager.
Randy will now have additional sales responsibilities with our acquisition of
Pow'r Gard Generator Company.

    John McFarland, President and CEO, commented, "We are very pleased to
announce these two important promotions.  The strength Tom and Randy add to
our management group will help us take advantage of the opportunities gained
with our recently announced acquisition of Pow'r Gard Generator Corporation."