Allegheny Raises Price for High Value Products

Pittsburgh, PA - Allegheny Technologies Incorporated announced that two of its operating units, Allegheny Ludlum and Allvac, are increasing prices for certain high-value products.

Allegheny Ludlum is increasing prices by approximately 3% to 6% on its High Technology Alloys, effective with new orders February 3, 2003. High Technology Alloys include all nickel-based super alloys, nickel-based alloys, high strength alloys and super austenitic stainless alloys. Allegheny Ludlum will continue its use of the raw material surcharge mechanism already in effect for pricing these products.

Allvac is increasing prices by approximately 3% to 6% on its nickel, titanium and specialty steel products effective immediately. Allvac will continue its use of raw material indices to reflect changes in the market for raw materials for pricing these products.

Raw material costs are major factors that affect pricing for these products. Prime and revert materials used in the manufacture of these products remain particularly volatile.

Waste Industries Acquires Patriot Waste Systems

Raleigh, NC - Waste Industries USA, Inc., a regional, non-hazardous solid waste services company announced the acquisition of Patriot Waste Systems. Founded in 1998, Patriot Waste Systems provided commercial and industrial waste collection services to seven counties in central North Carolina and will be a tuck-in to two branch operations located in Greensboro and Graham, North Carolina. Based on Patriot's historic performance, the acquisition is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $3.7 million.

Mr. Jim Perry, President and CEO of Waste Industries, stated, "The Patriot Waste Systems transaction is another example of our growth strategy aimed at adding customers and revenues through tuck-in type acquisitions."

Allied Purchases Municipal Landfill

Boise, ID - Stephen Romano, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Ecology Corporation announced the sale of the Company's El Centro municipal and industrial waste landfill located near Corpus Christi, Texas, to a subsidiary of Allied Waste Industries, Inc. ("Allied") for $10 million cash at closing and future volume-based royalty payments.

"Monetizing this non-core asset provides capital for continued expansion of our core hazardous, industrial and radioactive waste disposal business and allows us the opportunity to improve our capital structure," Romano stated.

"Allied is well positioned to grow El Centro revenue and earnings through integration with its substantial existing municipal waste collection operation, so this is a good deal for both companies," Romano added.

Under the Agreement, the purchase agreement also provides incentives for Allied to bring certain industrial waste to the Texas Ecologists hazardous waste facility, and for the Company to utilize the El Centro landfill.

Opened in July 2000, the El Centro solid waste landfill was carried on the Company's books at approximately $7 million prior to sale. When combined with a reduction in liabilities and recognition of certain future minimum royalties, the sale should result in a pre-tax gain on sale of approximately $5 million to be recognized during the first quarter of 2003.

ElectroniCycle's New Partnership

ElectroniCycle, Inc. has signed a contract to provide electronics recycling services for Recycle America Alliance, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc.

The two companies will collect and recycle televisions and computers across a ten-state region. Under the new contract, Waste Management's Recycle America Alliance and ElectroniCycle will jointly offer eCycling services in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland and Vermont.

—Reprinted with permission from the NERC e-mail bulletin, February 2003

Hardware Recycling Program Launched

Long Beach, CA - Epson America Inc. is making it easy and affordable for customers who care about the environment to help protect the Earth's resources with the launch of a hardware recycling program.

The web-based Epson Recycle Program is geared toward people who do not have convenient locations to drop off electronics for recycling. Participants will pay $10 per product to cover the cost of shipping and recycling eligible Epson hardware. In return, the customer will receive a $5 electronic coupon that can be used on a future purchase at the Epson Store, making customers' net cost $5. Individuals, businesses or organizations may recycle up to 10 products at a time.

To participate in the program, customers should visit Epson's website to order a recycle package, which includes a prepaid shipping label. After receiving their shipping label from Epson, customers will pack the product in the original or other box and drop it off at any UPS drop center. The products are shipped to a licensed recycling facility where components are shredded, then separated for reuse.

Officials at Epson noted that many computer hardware companies either don't have a recycling program or charge a much higher fee.

Metal Management Complies with Subpoena

Chicago, IL - Metal Management, Inc. announced that it has received a subpoena to produce documents before a federal grand jury sitting in South Bend, Indiana. The Company has been advised that the grand jury is investigating scrap metal pricing and purchasing in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. The Company has advised the government that it intends to cooperate fully with the subpoena and the grand jury's investigation.

Cold Metal Products Sale Approved by Court

Youngstown, OH - U.S. Bank-ruptcy Court approved a motion for the sale of Cold Metal Products, Inc. An auction took place February 26.

"Cold Metal is a sound investment," said Raymond P. Torok, president and CEO. "The active interest of numerous potential investors validates this thinking. The court's approval of this motion is a major step forward in getting the company out of bankruptcy."

In November, Cold Metal hired Resilience Capital Partners, a Cleveland- based merchant-banking firm, to position Cold Metal as an attractive purchase to the investment and manufacturing communities. To date, more than a dozen investors have signed confidentiality agreements, an initial step for the potential purchase of the company as a whole or in parts.

"We have significantly cut costs and made the tough decisions, including layoffs and terminations, to maximize the company's value and to keep it viable until the sale. Such moves were difficult yet necessary as we believe that a sale is in the best interest of the greatest number of stakeholders," he said.

Cold Metal will produce and ship products to its customers through this transition period and pay in accordance with suppliers' purchase order terms.