Stock Repurchase Program to be Reinstituted

Westford, Massachusetts -- December 8, 1999 -À GenRad, Inc. (NYSE: GEN) today announced it has engaged Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, a merchant bank focused on the frontiers of transformation in the growth economy, to facilitate discussions with potential strategic acquisition candidates being considered by GenRad. These discussions are ongoing and it is expected that a successful conclusion to these negotiations will be reached within the next 60 to 90 days. Additionally, GenRad will be reinstituting its stock repurchase program through Thomas Weisel Partners. The Board of Directors previously authorized the repurchase of up to 2.5 million shares of common stock and to date GenRad has repurchased approximately1.2 million shares.

James F. Lyons, GenRadês President and CEO commented, "We believe the acquisitions we are planning will allow GenRad to continue to enhance its position in the marketplace. Thomas Weisel Partners has been a valuable partner in the screening and evaluation of these acquisitions and will continue to assist us as we intensify these efforts. We are also pleased to have Thomas Weisel Partners provide their services in our repurchase program."

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). GenRadês web site address is http://www.genrad.com.

Thomas Weisel Partners LLC

Thomas Weisel Partners is a research-driven merchant bank providing investment banking, institutional brokerage, private client services and private equity investing focused on the frontiers of transformation in the U.S. economy. The team at Thomas Weisel Partners has 66 partners and is headquartered in San Francisco with additional offices in New York, Boston and London. For more information about the firm, please visit our website at www.tweisel.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 and statements such as "expected" and "believe" 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 GenRadês 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January 2, 1999 and form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 1999 under the section "Managementês Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations À Factors That May Affect Future Results."