Andrew Corporation's first quarter sales up 30%.

ORLAND PARK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1997--For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 1996, Andrew Corp. (ANDW) reported orders up 27 percent, sales up 30 percent and net income per share up 43 percent, over last year's first quarter.

Orders, sales, net income, and net income per share were all first quarter records. Orders for the quarter totaled $228.4 million, up 27 percent from $179.8 million last year. Sales grew 30 percent, reaching $231.7 million compared to $177.9 million last year. Net income grew faster than sales, jumping 44 percent to $24.3 million compared with $16.9 for the same period last year. Net income per share for the first quarter rose 43 percent to 40 cents from 28 cents.

Backlog to be shipped over the next 12 months rose 12 percent to $142.4. Total backlog rose 3 percent compared with the prior year, to $154.6 million.

All operating results are restated for the pooling of interests acquisition of The Antenna Co. in March 1996.

Floyd L. English, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Both domestic and international markets drove orders and sales strength. In the United States, the most notable contributors to sales growth were infrastructure construction of personal communications services (PCS) and wireless hand set accessories. The South American market led the international growth.

"Recent acquisitions have contributed to a portion of this quarter's growth. The Antenna Co. (acquired March 1996) and our Brazilian companies (majority interest acquired December 1995) are helping Andrew Corp. capture a greater share of worldwide wireless markets.

"The Antenna Co.'s accessories business is adding new products for current markets and seeking new market opportunities around the globe. In Brazil, our new cable manufacturing plant is complete and production began this month. This plant will help meet the needs of our South American customers with a broader product line that includes locally manufactured HELIAX(R) cable products and systems." -0-

                     Condensed Income Statement
              (Amounts in thousands except per share)

                                 Three Months Ended
                                     Dec. 31,           Percent
                                 1996         1995      Change

Sales                          $231,664      $177,924     30%
Income before tax                37,446        26,424     42
Net income                       24,340        16,911     44
Net income per share                .40           .28     43
Orders                          228,416       179,805     27
Twelve month backlog            142,415       127,538     12
Total backlog                   154,557       149,352      3
Average shares outstanding       61,394        60,966

Andrew Corp. is a global supplier of communications systems equipment and services. Major markets are wireless communications -- which includes cellular, personal communications services and land mobile radio -- broadcast and common carrier. Andrew is an S&P 500 company listed on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol: ANDW.

CONTACT: Andrew Corp., Orland Park

Tami Kamarauskas, 708/873-2534