DeWinter To Retire as CEO of Woodhead Industries, Inc. At Year-End; Lemaitre Named as Successor.

Business/Technology Editors

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 2000

Woodhead Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDHD) announced today that at a special meeting of the Company's Board of Directors, C. Mark DeWinter informed the Board that he will be retiring from his position as Chief Executive Officer effective December 31, 2000. Philippe Lemaitre, President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer following Mr. DeWinter's retirement. Mr. DeWinter will also retire from his position as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors effective December 31, 2000. He will be succeeded by current director Charles W. Denny.

In announcing DeWinter's retirement plans, the Woodhead Board noted that under his leadership the Company moved from its long-time roots in the electrical connector and safety products business to its now global presence in connectivity for factory automation. Mr. Denny commented, "Mark has taken a good business and made it an exceptional one which has rewarded the Company's shareholders and will continue to do so. Mark has been a remarkable leader and is sure to be missed when he retires."

Mr. DeWinter said, "After fourteen years with Woodhead Industries, I am proud to retire from an organization with a history of excellence and the foundation for many future successes. I am entirely confident in Philippe Lemaitre's ability to continue to direct Woodhead toward achieving the Company's strategic goals and believe he is perfectly suited to lead in the CEO role. We are fortunate to have someone of Philippe's experience and caliber within our management ranks and I look forward to watching Woodhead progress under his leadership. Also, I am particularly delighted that Charley Denny has agreed to serve as non-executive Chairman. Both Philippe and I have come to know and respect Charley's judgment and are confident he will contribute materially to the Company's success."

Mr. DeWinter joined Woodhead Industries in 1986 as Executive Vice President, Operations and was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 1987 and Chief Executive Officer in 1993. He has served as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors since 1997.

Mr. Lemaitre joined the Company in October of 1999 and brought to Woodhead product and market experience gained in senior management roles with AMP, Inc. and TRW, Inc., and in senior engineering positions at International Technegroup, Inc. and General Electric CAE.

Mr. Denny was appointed to the Board of Directors of Woodhead Industries in 1993. He currently serves as Chairman of Square D Company, one of North America's largest manufacturers of quality electrical power control and distribution products. In 1998, he retired as Chief Executive Officer of Group Schneider North America, having served in executive positions at Square D Company and then Group Schneider North America for over 15 years.

Mr. Lemaitre said, "On behalf of everyone at Woodhead, I wish to thank Mark for his leadership and intense commitment to making this company a significant force in our industry with a reputation for excellence and innovation. I look forward to working closely with my fellow director Charley Denny in his new role as Chairman of the Board."

Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual and future performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: achieving sales levels to fulfill revenue expectations; the absence of presently unexpected costs or charges, certain of which may be outside the control of the Company; general economic and business conditions; competition; and other factors described in the Company's SEC filings.

Woodhead Industries, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets electronic and industrial communications products, primarily serving the global automation and control market with connectivity solutions, and specialty electrical products.