Genrad elects new vice president, chief financial officer.

CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1996--GenRad, Inc. (NYSE:GEN), announced today that Paul Pronsky, Jr., 55, most recently hired as Vice President of Operations and Analysis, has been elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 13, 1996.

Mr. Pronsky succeeds Dan Harrington who has resigned to accept a position with a start-up company closer to his home in New Hampshire.

Prior to joining GenRad, Mr. Pronsky was a Partner in NorthEast Ventures, a business consulting and venture investment management organization. Before that, he held senior financial and general management positions at United Technologies Corporation, including Vice President, Controller of Pratt & Whitney's Commercial Engine Business, and Vice President, Finance and Administration of Otis Elevator Company's North American Operations.

Mr. Pronsky is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard's Advanced Management Program. He is also a certified public accountant.

Reporting to Mr. Pronsky will be Peter S. Hemme, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis; Susan C. Murphy, CPA, Director of Corporate Accounting; and Walter A. Shephard, GenRad's Treasurer. Paul will also have responsibility for the Information Services organization.

James F. Lyons, GenRad's Chief Executive Officer commented, "Paul's hiring emphasizes the importance of operations planning and analysis as well as financial management. This realignment assembles the finance team that will manage both our P&L and balance sheet."

GenRad Background

GenRad, Inc., provides manufacturers of electronic products with software, systems, and services that will improve their manufacturing and service productivity. GenRad participates in five core markets, including transportation, contract manufacturing, communications, computers and peripherals, and other industrial products. GenRad employs approximately 1,150 people worldwide, of which 30 percent are applications, software and hardware engineers.

In 1996, GenRad acquired Mitron Corporation of Portland, Oregon and Test Technology Associates (TTA) of Dallas, Texas, which are now subsidiaries of GenRad, Inc. GenRad also acquired the assets of Field Oriented Engineering AG (TRACS) of Zurich, Switzerland.

-0-

BY USING THE GENRAD INVESTOR RELATIONS FAX-ON-DEMAND SERVICE, YOU CAN RECEIVE GENRAD'S MOST CURRENT SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION. PLEASE CALL 1-800-469-1261.

Statements made in this press release which are not historical, including statements regarding product demonstration, product capabilities and markets are forward looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks. Please see the Company's 1995 Annual Report and its proxy statement dated April 8, 1996 and other reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for additional disclosure regarding such risk factors.

CONTACT: Donna L. LaVoie or Claire Murphy

Corporate Relations

GenRad, Inc.

[phone] Direct Line

[phone] Fax