Morton Custom Plastics and Aristech Acrylics Announce Exclusive Marketing Agreement

Business Wire, August 21, 2000

Business Editors

MORTON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

Morton Custom Plastics, a Morton Industrial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGRP) business and Aristech Acrylics LLC today announced an agreement by which Morton acquires exclusive rights to use Aristech's Altair Plus(R) thermoformable sheet products in certain markets where Morton has significant customer relationships.

Under the announced marketing agreement, Morton has exclusive rights to work with Aristech in developing applications using Altair Plus for agricultural equipment, lawn care equipment, and certain segments of the off-road recreational vehicle market in North America. Morton is currently producing a number of outboard motor cover models for OMC using the Aristech product, and is near production start-up on a number of other applications for customers in the targeted markets.

Altair Plus is a thermoformable sheet product made of a continuous cast acrylic surface combined with a thermoplastic resin substrate. Aristech's acrylic sheet offers an exceptional gloss surface that is both weather stable and repairable, while the thermoplastic backing provides structural properties to the material.

Paul J. Schmitz, President and Chief Operating Officer of Morton Custom Plastics stated: "Our OEM customers look to us to develop, produce, finish and deliver high quality, cost efficient products in a timely manner. We are continually adopting new technologies and techniques to give our customers a competitive advantage. Having exclusive marketing rights to Altair Plus will allow us to make significant investments in facilities, equipment, and technical know how to bring this value to current and new customers in the target markets."

Larry Gray, Marketing and Sales Vice President of Aristech Acrylics stated: "Our cast acrylic sheet has long been the standard for quality in bath, hot tub, and outdoor sign applications due the unique combination of aesthetic appeal and exceptional durability. Recognition of these benefits is now resulting in Altair Plus being chosen for uses in a variety of vehicle and marine applications. Morton has been at the forefront of developing applications using Aristech products for these markets and we are confident that this marketing alliance will accelerate the preference for thermoformed cast acrylic components."

Thomas Bradburn, Vice President and General Manager of Morton Custom Plastic's Fabrication Division stated: "We believe the Aristech product offers significant value in eliminating the painting costs required to achieve a class A surface finish. The unique characteristics of Altair Plus also provides high impact strength to withstand the demanding and harsh environments in which our customers' products are used."

Aristech Acrylics LLC, located in Florence, KY, is a joint venture between Aristech Chemical Corporation and Mitsubishi Rayon Company Ltd. Known for highly innovative products and processes, Aristech is the world's largest manufacturer of continuous cast acrylic sheet.

Morton Industrial Group, Inc. is a supplier of highly engineered metal and plastic components and subassemblies for large industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company operates from 11 facilities in 5 states in the Midwest and Southeast with over 2,200 employees. The Company provides large industrial original equipment manufacturers with a wide range of services including design, prototype development, production, and assembly of metal fabrications and plastic components.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under The Private Securities Legislation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements containing words "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," and similar words. The forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: the loss of certain significant customers; the cyclicality of our construction and agricultural sales; risks associated with our acquisition strategy; general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the markets in which we operate or will operate; competition; and other factors referenced in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. The forward looking statements contained herein speak only of the Company's expectation as of the date of this press release. We disclaim any obligations to update any such factors or publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward looking statements contained herein.