SAN DIEGO, CA -- January 22, 2001 -- GenRad, Inc. [NYSE: GEN], a leading producer of advanced performance-assurance products for electronics manufacturers, today announced that it’s GR TestStation has won the Best in Test category of the 2000 VISION Awards competition sponsored by SMT Magazine.

Winners were announced on the first day of the APEX tradeshow in San Diego. Hunter Marketing, an independent market research firm, conducted the competition.

“We at GenRad see this award as evidence that our corporate vision for the future of the test solutions industry is accurate and our technological focus is on target,” said Robert M. Dutkowsky, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of GenRad. “GenRad has effectively focused its energies to provide complete test solutions for the needs of the electronics manufacturing industry. The GR TestStation is but one aspect of a complete process solution. We are honored to receive this SMT VISION Award.”

The VISION Awards are presented each year by SMT Magazine, to recognize companies whose products best demonstrate innovative advancement in technology. The recipients of these awards have faced future technological and marketplace challenges with creativity and innovation to develop products that will serve as the standards of excellence in surface mount technology.

Each product nominated for an SMT VISION Award was evaluated in the following areas: ability to meet a significant industry challenge; creative application of a new or existing technology; overall quality and consistency of performance; economic merits; and throughput characteristics. In addition, the submissions were assessed specifically on their innovativeness and cost effectiveness, contribution to quality assurance and ease of use. The GR TestStation™ stood out among the competition and received the highest ratings of all in the Testing category.

GR TestStation™ meets the challenges of OEMs and contract electronics manufacturers who must satisfy the test requirements of complex printed circuit boards. It’s flexible design allows manufacturers to configure the GR TestStation™ with the options they need to match their specific manufacturing requirements, and it’s patented pin electronics have unique capabilities for accurately and reliably testing advanced technology components. Flexible, expandable to 7,680 test points, and field upgradeable, GR TestStation™ offers high throughput, combinational test capabilities to meet the present and future needs of electronics manufacturers.

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] is a global leader of electronics manufacturing productivity solutions for contract and original equipment manufacturers [OEM] of handheld and wireless devices, PCs and business servers, DSL and other broadband switching and routing technologies, and other devices integral to emerging Internet e-commerce markets. GenRad also applies its technologies to development of diagnostic solutions for the automotive and general transportation industry.

GenRad is comprised of four lines of business bringing to market integrated hardware, software and service solutions that empower always-on services and un-interruptable business applications:

• Process Solutions focuses on in-circuit test, x-ray test, and re-work 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.
• Support and Services focuses on maintenance programs, on-site and remote support, programming services, and training to help customers optimize their hardware and software solutions.

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs approximately 1,400 people and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. The company's Web address is http://www.genrad.com.