HUESTIS INDUSTRIAL APPOINTS TOHO INTERNATIONAL AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR JAPAN

Bristol, RI (May 14, 2001) - Huestis Industrial is pleased to announce the appointment of Toho International Inc. as the exclusive distributor of Huestis Industrial products for Japan.

Toho International Inc. will have responsibility for sales and marketing of Huestis Air Wipes and Cable Jacket Strippers within the territory and will maintain an extensive inventory to ensure prompt service to the marketplace. Toho International Inc. has extensive experience marketing wire and cable machinery supported by a top quality distribution network.

We are very excited about making this appointment as we look to expand within this market. Toho International, headed by Hirobumi Nakazaki and with Koji Yamashita managing the import department, provides us with a very well established and respected supplier to the industry.

Huestis Industrial, headquartered in Bristol, RI, is a dynamic global leader in specialized wire, cable and fiber optic machine production. ISO 9001 registered manufacturing supports the acclaimed Air Miser™ air wipes, SoundBarrier™ sound and liquid air wipe containment system, Bendmaster II™ CNC tube bender, Cable Jacket Stripper, pay-off / take-up stands, accumulators, buncher pay-off stands, standard and fiber-optic spoolers. Huestis Industrial also distributes PWM cold pressure welders and dies.

For additional information contact:

Toho International: Tel: 81-6-6243-4561/4 Fax: 81-6-6243-4565
e-mail: toho@toho-intl.co.jp

Huestis Industrial: Tel: 401-253-5500 Fax: 401-253-7350
e-mail: hfancher@huestis.com

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