| VATK - Varitek Industries Retains Merger Communications to Coordinate its Media and Investor Relations Programs
 
 Business Editors & Technology Writers
 
 HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2000--Varitek Industries Inc.
 (OTCBB:VATK) announced today that it has retained Merger
 Communications Inc. of Houston to lead its media relations/investor
 relations operations. Merger Communications, one of the fastest
 growing financial media relations companies in the U.S., focuses on
 small and mid-cap publicly traded technology companies, coordinating
 nationwide programs that generate increased interest and awareness on
 and about its clients and their products and services with the media
 and the financial community.
 "We have spent the last couple of years developing our
 proprietary technology," says Randy Bayne, chairman and CEO of Varitek
 Industries. "We have also been working to establish a lucrative niche
 market for ourselves, which is helping us to stay comfortably ahead of
 our competition. We've accomplished this by keeping a tight focus on
 the development of innovative new product and services lines. We feel
 confident in our ability to stay on the leading edge. We used this
 same philosophy when it came time to choose a public
 relations/investor relations partner. We brought Merger Communications
 on board because they have the same kind of focus we do and they have
 a proven track record of success. Their role will be to spread the
 word about Varitek Industries to the media and financial community,
 reaching our potential customers, partners and investors."
 Varitek Industries Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Varitek
 Technology Group, develop, acquire, market and distribute cutting-edge
 wireless data systems and technologies in response to identified
 consumer, commercial and/or institutional needs and demands.
 Market-driven products and solutions are derived from proprietary
 technologies developed in-house via the company's R&D subsidiaries as
 well as through emerging strategic partnerships with third party
 manufacturing and development firms.
 Merger Communications is a rapidly growing eight-year-old
 international media relations firm that specializes in helping small
 and mid-size companies establish their images and build awareness
 through the dissemination of information to the media and the
 investment community. Through its dynamic media relations and
 financial media relations services, the Houston-based firm has built a
 solid reputation as one of the premier agencies in the market today.
 
 The statements made by Varitek Industries may be forward-looking
 in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected
 in forward-looking statements. This information is not a
 recommendation to buy or sell securities Varitek. The statements and
 opinions presented are the views of Varitek and are subject to change.
 Merger Communications (Merger) is a media relations firm employed by
 the Company. Merger and Varitek believe that all information in this
 release has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but cannot
 guarantee that the statements presented herein are accurate or
 complete. Varitek believes that its primary risk factors include, but
 are not limited to: the need for substantial financial requirements;
 the need to develop effective internal processes and systems; changes
 in the overall economy; changes in technology; the number and size of
 competitors in its markets; continued and future strategic alliances;
 changes in the law and regulatory policy; and the mix of product and
 services offered in Varitek's target markets. Merger Communications,
 its officers, directors and employees don't currently own any VATK
 shares. However, Merger's compensation for its services consists of
 cash and 63,333 shares of company stock over the course of the next
 six months. Merger typically has a long position in the securities of
 the companies in which it publishes information, and Merger may be
 buying or selling securities in the course of its regular business.
 
 --30--MJB/ho*
 
 CONTACT: Merger Communications Inc., Houston
 Evan Reineking, 713/267-2328
 E-mail: ereineking@mergerusa.com
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