Metrologic Announces Acquisition in Spain to Expand Customer Base.

Business Editors

BLACKWOOD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2000

Metrologic Instruments, Inc. ("METROLOGIC') (NASDAQ-NMS: MTLG), a leading manufacturer of laser and holographic bar code scanners, today announced the formation of Metrologic Eria Iberica SL, a joint venture between Metrologic's European subsidiary, Metrologic Instruments GmbH, and Eria Instruments SA ("ERIA"). The joint venture is expected to maximize sales of Metrologic's growing family of products in both the retail and industrial sectors of the Spanish market, and to expand the existing customer base.

Metrologic will have a 51% ownership interest in the joint venture, which has 17 employees, and offices in Madrid and Barcelona. Benny Noens, Vice President of European sales states, "We are very pleased to have the capable staff of Eria join us, and we are excited about the opportunities that this joint venture will bring. This is a great opportunity for Metrologic, as well as this former customer, to grow our business, expand our customer base and participate more aggressively in the Spanish market through our existing distribution channel." Mr. Noens continued, "It will also be excellent news for all existing customers of Metrologic in Spain, who can now take advantage of support from our offices in Madrid and Barcelona, with additional support when necessary from our European headquarters in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany."

Eria Instruments SA was Metrologic's oldest customer in Spain and was founded in 1989 by Armand Marcos, who will now assume the position of Managing Director and shareholder of Metrologic Eria Iberica SL. Mr. Marcos said, "I am delighted to join forces with Metrologic to form this effective distribution channel within the Spanish marketplace. I believe this is exactly the right partnership at the right time for Eria. It will allow us to compete more effectively for the major industrial and large retail accounts in Spain. Our knowledge of and history in this market, combined with the resources, technological expertise and world-wide infrastructure of Metrologic, positions us very well to meet the exciting challenges of the future."

Metrologic is a leading innovator of bar code scanners featuring infrared automatic turn-on technology and the only company using HoloTrak(R) holographic bar code scanning technology. Metrologic designs, manufactures and markets bar code scanning equipment including hand-held, presentation and in-counter scanners for retail and commercial scanning applications, miniature scan engines for use by original equipment manufacturers, and high-speed industrial scanning and information processing systems that combine bar code scanning with dimensioning, weighing, and tracking of packages. The company's products are sold in more than 90 countries worldwide through Metrologic's sales, service and distribution offices in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. For more information, call 1-800-ID-METRO or visit www.metrologic.com.

The discussion in this news release includes forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Factors which would cause the results to differ from these expectations include the following: competitive factors (including the results of the company's new marketing efforts) and pricing pressures; sales cycles of Metrologic's products; and the timing, introduction and market acceptance of Metrologic's new products; technological changes in the scanner industry, specifically holographic scanners; availability of patent protection for Metrologic's holographic scanners and other products; general economic conditions, including those in Spain; foreign currency fluctuations with the U.S. dollar; political and financial stability in Spain; and the ability to integrate and expand marketshare in Spain. For additional factors, please see the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.