Avery Dennison Expands in Italy Through Acquisition of ATK.

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 1998--Avery Dennison Corp. (NYSE:AVY) (PSE:AVY) Thursday announced that it has acquired the leading office labels supplier in Italy.

The purchase of ATK, based near Rome in Pomezia, Italy, strengthens Avery Dennison's leadership position in the growing office products market in Europe.

"The acquisition of ATK demonstrates Avery Dennison's commitment to strategic expansion in Europe," said Stephanie Streeter, group vice president, Worldwide Office Products for Avery Dennison. "ATK's product line of office labels fits perfectly with our growing Avery-brand office automation label products for personal computers. In addition, the acquisition provides us with increased marketing and manufacturing capabilities in a key region."

The acquisition includes a manufacturing plant and warehouse facility, as well as the established TICO-brand office label products. ATK operations will become part of Avery Dennison Italy, which currently operates sales and marketing offices near Milan in Gerenzano, Italy.

Avery Dennison, a global leader in pressure-sensitive technology, develops, manufactures and markets innovative self-adhesive solutions for consumer products and label systems. Based in Pasadena, the company makes a wide range of products for consumer and industrial markets, including Avery-brand office automation products, Fasson-brand self-adhesive materials, peel-and-stick postage stamps, on-battery tester labels, automated retail tag and labeling systems, and specialty tapes and chemicals. Approximately 16,400 employees in 200 manufacturing and sales facilities produce and sell Avery Dennison products in 89 countries.

CONTACT: Avery Dennison Corp., Pasadena

Charles E. Coleman, 626/304-2014 (media relations)

[e-mail]

Wayne H. Smith, 626/304-2001 (investor relations)

[e-mail]