Brush Wellman reports 21% increase in earnings on all-time record sales in 1996.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1997--Brush Wellman Inc. (NYSE:BW) today reported 1996 earnings per share of $1.52, and net income for 1996 of $24.5 million. This represents an increase of 21% over 1995 earnings of $1.26 per share, and an 18% improvement in net income compared with $20.7 million net income in 1995. Sales during 1996 totaled a record $376 million, a 2% increase over 1995 sales of $370 million, which had represented the previous record.

Net income for the fourth quarter 1996 was $6.6 million, an increase of 70% from net income of $3.9 million during the same period last year. Earnings per share during the fourth quarter 1996 were 41 cents, up 71% from earnings of 24 cents per share in the fourth quarter 1995. Fourth quarter 1996 sales were $90 million, a 7% increase over fourth quarter 1995 sales of $84 million.

The fourth quarter earnings improvement was the result of the stronger sales, improved operating efficiencies and a lower tax rate compared with the fourth quarter 1995.

Commenting on the results, Gordon Harnett, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "The employees of Brush Wellman can take pride in achieving another sales and production record in 1996. Sales have now increased for four consecutive years, and have established new record levels in each of the last three years. Clearly, we are succeeding in developing new applications for our products, and are effectively delivering high quality products, on time, to our customers.

"For the year, sales of Alloy Products in North America increased, as did sales of Specialty Metal Systems, reflecting continued strong demand for these high-performance materials. Sales of Precious Metal Products, Beryllium Products, Ceramic Products, and International sales declined in 1996, compared with 1995.

"Sales momentum improved during the fourth quarter, as sales increases were achieved in all products except Beryllium. We are particularly encouraged by the strengthening of demand from international markets, which had been sluggish during the first three quarters of the year.

"Looking forward to 1997, our goal is to produce improved returns to our shareholders. We will strive for continued growth in earnings, and increases in our sales penetration in the worldwide specialty materials market.

"For the longer term, we are committed to a major expansion of our alloy strip capability. This investment is designed to enable the Company to significantly expand our sales, reduce production costs, improve working capital management and offer better quality and service to our customers of alloy strip products. The new capacity is scheduled to be fully operational during 1998."

Brush Wellman Inc., with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, is a manufacturer of engineered materials. The Company and its subsidiaries supply worldwide markets with Beryllium Products, Alloy Products, Ceramic Products, Precious Metal Products, and Specialty Metal Systems. -0-

Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

                        Fourth Quarter Ended       Year Ended
                        Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,    Dec. 31,
(Dollars in thousands     1996        1995        1996        1995
except share and per
share amounts)
____________________________________________________________________

Net sales              $ 89,817    $ 84,063    $376,279     $369,618
  Cost of sales          61,422      60,422     267,713      268,732
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
Gross Profit             28,395      23,641     108,566      100,886
  Selling,
   administrative and
   general expenses      16,575      16,147      64,991       62,736
  Research and
   development expenses   2,216       1,879       8,309        7,814
  Other-net               1,654         146         961        1,250
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
Operating Profit          7,950       5,469      34,305       29,086
  Interest expense          112         461       1,128        1,653
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
Income before income
  taxes                   7,838       5,008      33,177       27,433
  Income taxes            1,211       1,116       8,686        6,744
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
Net Income             $  6,627    $  3,892    $ 24,491     $ 20,689
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
                       ________    ________    ________     ________
Per Share of
  Common Stock:        $   0.41    $   0.24    $   1.52     $   1.26

Cash dividends per
  common share         $   0.11    $   0.10    $   0.42     $   0.36

Weighted average
  number of common
  shares outstanding 16,324,498  16,352,692   16,148,231  16,408,553

CONTACT: Brush Wellman Inc., Cleveland 

Timothy J. Reid, 216/383-6835