Bell Industries Retains National Firm to Initiate Expanded Marketing Outreach.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2000

Bell Industries, Inc. (AMEX:BI) today announced as part of an expanded marketing move, has retained the services of Caldwell VanRiper/MARC, the Midwest office of MARC USA, a national advertising, marketing and public relations firm, according to Tracy A. Edwards, Bell president and chief executive officer.

"We are looking to Caldwell to help Bell create a powerful and durable brand in the marketplace," Edwards said. "We are pleased to have the substantial resources of MARC USA at hand in carrying out our strategic vision."

"Bell previously worked with Caldwell VanRiper/MARC in 1999 to analyze the company's position and potential in the information technology market," Edwards said. "The extensive research and analysis CVR/MARC conducted provides us with a solid platform on which to build a stronger presence in this market."

Caldwell VanRiper/MARC is already well into preparing a national strategic marketing plan, which will be executed in the second quarter, according to Kirk Stahl, CVR/MARC executive vice president. "We're very pleased to be working with a leading and highly-recognized information technology service provider," Stahl said.

CVR/MARC's responsibilities will be to evaluate and seize marketing opportunities to help develop Bell's brand, which will include the creation of new marketing materials and public relations activities. "This is an exciting challenge, and we look forward to working with Tracy and his executive team," Stahl said.

Edwards added that CVR/MARC's location in Indianapolis, Indiana, was expected to "bode well for Bell, given our significant business presence in the Midwest."

Bell Industries posted total sales of $240 million in 1999. MARC USA, one of the top 30 agencies in the United States, is a $400 million communications firm with offices throughout North America.

Over the past two years Bell Industries has completed several strategic moves to reposition the company and nurture positive growth. In 1998, in response to industry market changes, Bell's Board of Directors approved the disposition of the Company's largest business units, Electronics Distribution and Graphics Imaging. The Company said these moves allowed Bell to retire more than $100 million in outstanding debt and focus resources on its continuing businesses.

Bell's primary business is the systems integration group, which a multi-regional provider of integrated technology solutions for large and medium-sized organizations. The group's services include network design and engineering, software licensing support, microcomputer systems analysis, help desk support, product configuration and deployment, and asset management.

Bell also distributes after-market parts and accessories for the recreational vehicle market and manufactures specialized products for the computer and electronics industry.

Certain matters discussed in this news release contain forward looking information that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current trends.