Test expertise, product support cited by customers as significant factors

WESTFORD, MA -- September 18, 2000 -- GenRad, Inc. (NYSE: GEN), a leading producer of electronic test equipment, today announced that it was awarded three substantial orders from leading computer technology manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region, totaling $ 6.9 million. GenRad's expertise in electronic test and support were cited as significant factors in earning these contracts.

KDS, one of the world's largest manufacturers of monitors and monitor components, has awarded GenRad a contract for two GR TestStation TS84 test machines. The GR TestStation systems will support production of the manufacturer's new PC notebook product line, based at its Korean plant.

"GenRad is vital in providing the test expertise and support required for KDS to achieve success in PC production, a venture that is a relatively new one for KDS," said B.H. Lim, manager at KDS.

The products manufactured by KDS are distributed widely throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia and Europe. The company's state-of-the-art facilities in Korea use sophisticated robotic manufacturing methods for component insertion and quality assurance. KDS employs 700 people, and has annual revenues of nearly $1 billion.

In addition to KDS, contracts in excess of $ 6 Million have also been recently secured by GenRad from two of the world's largest contract manufacturers located in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Located in Malaysia and Singapore, these companies will also employ GenRad's TestStation and GR2286i technology to complement the rollout of their leading edge PC motherboard production lines.

"GenRad is particularly committed to supporting the growing manufacturing industry in the Asia-Pacific Region," states James Yu, GenRad's General Manager for Asia. "We believe that our recent investments in top quality customer support and state of the art training facilities here in the Asia-Pacific Region were significant factors in earning these major contracts."

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] develops, manufactures and markets advanced performance-assurance technologies. GenRad's primary global markets for OEM and contract manufacturers include computers, advanced telecommunications for e-commerce and Internet services and diagnostic systems for the transportation/automotive industry.

GenRad is comprised of three business units bringing to market integrated hardware, software and service solutions that empower always-on services and uninterruptable business applications:

Process Solutions: focuses on in-circuit and x-ray test solutions as well as plant and line management solutions for electronic product manufacturers.

Functional Solutions: focuses on functional test platforms for manufacturers of telecommunications, computers and automotive electronics.

Diagnostic Solutions: focuses on service bay and manufacturing solutions for transportation OEMs and independent service providers.

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs 1,600 people and maintains worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. The company's Web address is http://www.genrad.com.