WESTFORD, MA -- August 20, 2001 -- GenRad [NYSE: GEN], a global leader in electronics testing and manufacturing solutions, today announced the immediate availability of its industry-leading test and inspection data preparation package, GR Force/A3™. This latest version fully integrates GR Alchemist III™ into GenRadês GR Force/D2B™ suite of collaborative manufacturing solutions.

–Our GR Force/A3 outpaces anything available on the market today as a leading edge test and inspection preparation solution,” said Ron Lindell, vice president of GenRadês Process Solutions business unit. "This release generates all of the information required to execute increasingly complex test, inspection and repair processes electronics manufacturers' demand in their quest for 100 percent customer satisfaction."

GR Force/A3 speeds new product introduction and improves time-to-market by significantly reducing the time required to develop test programs for complex printed circuit board designs. Additionally, the GR Force/A3's single, integrated environment allows consistent formatting and processing for multi-vendor equipment deployed on todayês printed circuit assembly lines.

GR Force/A3ês open industry-standard GenCAM architecture enables the programming of both GenRad and non-GenRad test and inspection equipment. Using a common data preparation environment for all test and inspection equipment minimizes investments in software implementation and training.

GR Force/A3 automatically generates fixture-wiring files that allow manufacturers to deliver more accurate and reliable test fixtures. Automatic defaults for missing design data, automatic identification of components and the ability to merge component information from bill-of-materials files and parts libraries eliminates costly and error-prone manual data manipulation tasks.

As an advance user of GRForce/A3, Mike Grozdanich at Reptron Manufacturing Services in Hibbing, MN, already has seen significant improvement in his company's manufacturing productivity. –Developing test software programs for in-circuit and flying probe test equipment requires advanced CAD processing tools,” said Grozdanich, a chief engineer in Reptron's Advanced Technologies Department. –In the past, CAD processing times typically required three-to-five days. Using GRForce/A3 we were able to slash that time to an average of one day. This is critical for prototype testing where the entire test program development and debug must be done as quickly as possible.”

–Of all the packages Iêve investigated, ease-of-use is what clearly makes GR Force/A3 the best on the market,” said Grozdanich. –This is especially important because in relation to our previous CAD processing software, our internal training has dropped from five days to two days, and ramp-up time to become productive with the tool dropped from three-to-four weeks to only a couple of days.”

About Reptron

Reptron Manufacturing Services (RMS) offers a full range of integrated supply-chain solutions for leading electronics original equipment manufacturers. Reptronês integrated technology solutions, manufacturing operations and services offer customers competitive outsourcing advantages such as access to advanced manufacturing technologies, shortened product time-to-market, reduced total cost of ownership and more effective asset utilization. Moreover, customers benefit from our higher value-added services ranging from final system assembly and test to warehousing and distribution.

RMS has three ISO certified manufacturing facilities: Hibbing, Minnesota, Tampa, Florida and Gaylord Michigan. These facilities serve a diversified base of leading OEMs in the communications, industrial, medical instrumentation and high-end computer industries. By providing customers with quality products and services on a quick-turn, cost-effective basis, RMS has successfully expanded its customer base and delivered solid operating results. The companyês Web address is http://www.reptron.com.

About GenRad, Inc.

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] a global leader in electronics testing and production solutions serving the worldês leading original equipment [OEM] and electronics manufacturing services [EMS] markets. GenRadês customers manufacture a wide range of advanced technology products ranging from computer, telecommunications and broadband networking devices to wireless products and enterprise hardware. With 37 offices in 22 countries, GenRad is comprised of four business units, each providing integrated hardware, software and service solutions

• Process Solutions develops products that enhance and optimize manufacturing processes. The unit's hardware products focus on in-circuit testing, x-ray imaging and rework solutions. Its software products address global supply chain collaboration and execution including Design-to-Build (D2B) software tools.
• Functional Solutions focuses on functional test platforms for manufacturers of telecommunications, computers and automotive electronics.
• Diagnostic Solutions Diagnostic Solutions focuses on service bay and manufacturing solutions for transportation OEMs and independent service providers.
• Support and Services Support and Services focuses on maintenance programs, on-site and remote support, and training to help customers optimize their hardware and software solutions

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs about 1,300 people with worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1978, GenRadês Web address is www.GenRad.com.