Clopay Corporation Outsources Network Design, Infrastructure and Management to Enterasys Networks.

Business/Technology Editors

ROCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000

Utilizing Enterasys' Holistic Enterprise Networking Solution,

Clopay Corporation Focuses on Core Vision

Enterasys Networks(TM), a leader in enterprise networking solutions, today announced that it has reached an outsourcing agreement with Clopay Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF). Under the agreement, Enterasys will provide an end-to-end enterprise solution, including the design, hardware, implementation and management of Clopay's global network infrastructure.

Initially contacting Enterasys about network management opportunities, Clopay found the idea of outsourcing the network infrastructure beneficial to their organization. "Outsourcing allows us to focus on our core vision while ensuring that other necessary, but non-core functions--such as building and maintaining a state-of-the-art network--are taken care of," says Clopay Corporation's Chief Information Officer Jim Honerkamp.

Clopay's three operating companies-- Building Products Company, Plastic Products Company and Service Company-- contain varying levels and types of technology. Historically, the Service Company has operated on a separate network, while small pockets of the local area networks (LANs) within the Plastic and Building Products Companies are not connected to the corporate WAN. Clopay intends to standardize the three companies onto a single network infrastructure centralized at the company's corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. With the addition of the Service Company to the corporate network, Enterasys will service approximately 2,400 Clopay users.

"One of the attractive features of working with Enterasys is its ability to quickly bring the Service Company components into the corporate WAN," says Honerkamp. "The partnership allows us to bring the entire WAN up to a level of technology crucial to our daily operations in a cost-effective manner."

Expanding and standardizing the corporate network infrastructure is paramount to Clopay's current enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, as well as to the day-to-day business functions running over the network, such as email, the BPCS and HFA manufacturing systems and financial and human resources applications.

Supporting these critical applications is an Enterasys network comprised of the award-winning X-Pedition Routers (formerly SmartSwitch Routers) in the data center branching out to the Matrix E6 (formerly SmartSwitch 6000) extending service to the desktop. The solution provides a scalable enterprise network delivering wire-speed performance.

In addition to hardware solutions, Enterasys will provide Clopay with network management services. Clopay will benefit from full 24x7 network monitoring and guaranteed response times, enabling the Company to react promptly to any potential problems.

Once the network infrastructure within the three corporate divisions is completed, future plans include leveraging the network to carry both voice and data, as well as implementing an e-commerce program.

"We're not enamored with leading-edge technology just for the sake of being out there on the bleeding edge," says Honerkamp. "We want to leverage technology to its fullest ability to make the business more competitive in the most cost-effective way possible. Business drives technology, and Enterasys understands that. They've brought us the best in technology, but not at a premium price."

"Enterasys Networks is committed to providing its customers with holistic solutions that address their business needs," says Bob Daigneault, executive vice president of global sales for Enterasys Networks. "We are delighted to work with Clopay Corporation on the design, implementation and management of their global network infrastructure to support their current and future business needs."

About Griffon Corporation (NYSE: GFF)

-- is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and
industrial garage doors sold to professional installing dealers and major home
center retail chains;

-- installs and services specialty building products and systems, primarily
garage doors, openers, fireplaces and cabinets, for new construction markets
through a substantial network of operations located throughout the country;

-- is a leader in the development and production of embossed and laminated
specialty plastic films used in the baby diaper, feminine napkin, adult
incontinent, surgical and patient care markets; and

-- develops and manufactures information and communication systems for
government and commercial markets worldwide.

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys Networks is a new kind of company, singularly focused on providing global business communication solutions to enterprise customers. Enterasys Networks vision is to bring customers solutions that enhance their ability to communicate. With over 650 communications-linked patents, Enterasys Networks is the leading business-communications innovator. Enterasys has partnerships with many of the world's leading IT solutions providers, allowing it to build powerful and intelligent infrastructure solutions for today's Global 2000 enterprise customers. Scalability and manageability are at the core of Enterasys Networks' award-winning holistic networking infrastructure solutions. By optimising customer solutions to support converged voice, video and data, Enterasys Networks creates solid foundations for the seamless deployment of emerging business-critical applications.

Through its high touch sales model, and a global network of certified and highly trained resellers, Enterasys Networks delivers unrivalled sales and support services across the business world. For more information on Enterasys Networks products, services and partners, visit our web site at enterasys.com. Enterasys Networks' financial backers include Silver Lake Partners and Cabletron Systems (NYSE:CS).