| GenRad Reports Second Quarter Results 
 Tuesday July 20, 4:45 pm Eastern Time
 
 Company Press Release
 
 Orders Increase to $96 Million Reflecting Ford WDS Ramp-Up
 
 WESTFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 1999--GenRad, Inc. (NYSE:GEN -
 news) today reported for its second quarter ended July 3, 1999 diluted earnings per share of
 $0.27, compared to $0.19, excluding unusual charges, for the second quarter of 1998. Net
 income for the second quarter of 1999, was $8.0 million versus $5.7 million, excluding unusual
 charges, for the second quarter of 1998. Revenues for the second quarter were $63.6 million
 versus $58.9 million for the second quarter of 1998. Orders for the second quarter of 1999
 were $96.0 million versus $52.9 million in the second quarter of 1998.
 
 Year to date net income, before a reversal of a portion of the deferred tax valuation allowance,
 was $13.8 million or $0.47 per share as compared to year-to-date 1998 net income of $7.1
 million or $0.24 per share on a diluted basis, before a reversal of a portion of the deferred tax
 valuation allowance and excluding unusual charges. Revenues for the first six months of 1999
 were $116.7 million as compared to revenues of $108.0 million for the same period last year.
 Orders for the first six months of 1999 were $155.3 million compared to $106.8 million for the
 first six months of 1998.
 
 James F. Lyons, GenRad's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, ''We are very
 pleased with the order, revenue and earnings per share growth generated in this second quarter.
 During the quarter, we began shipment of Ford WDS units into Europe and continued building
 inventories in anticipation of the third quarter launch in North America.''
 
 GenRad Background
 
 GenRad, Inc. provides electronics OEMs and their customers with the hardware, software and
 services to increase productivity by optimizing product design, manufacturing and after-market
 service. GenRad, headquartered in Westford, MA, offers products and services through three
 business units: Advanced Diagnostic Solutions (ADS), Electronic Manufacturing Solutions
 (EMS), and GR Software (GRS). GenRad's web site address is genrad.com.
 
 GenRad's most current shareholder information is available by visiting our Website at
 genrad.com or calling our Fax on Demand Service at (800) 469-1261.
 
 Statements made in this press release which are not historical, including statements regarding
 future performance, product capabilities and markets are forward looking statements and as
 such are subject to a number of risks. Factors that may cause results to differ materially from
 those projected are discussed in GenRad's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
 year ending January 2, 1999 and form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 1999 under the
 section ''Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
 Operations - Factors That May Affect Future Results.''
 
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 GenRad, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Supplemental Information
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended
 July 3,    July 4,       %
 1999       1998       Change
 
 Orders                                  $ 95,968   $ 52,882       81%
 
 Total Revenue                           $ 63,618   $ 58,940        8%
 
 Net Income (Loss)                       $  7,960   $(11,940)      NM
 
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 Basic                                    28,518     28,286
 Diluted                                  29,480     28,286
 
 Net Income (Loss) Per Share:
 Basic                                  $   0.28   $  (0.42)      NM
 Diluted                                $   0.27   $  (0.42)      NM
 
 Net Income (Loss) Per Share Data
 (Diluted):
 Net income (loss) as reported           $  7,960   $(11,940)      NM
 Unusual charges, net of tax                   --     17,676
 
 Net income excluding
 unusual charges                        $  7,960   $  5,736       39%
 
 Net income per share
 excluding unusual charges(a)           $   0.27   $   0.19       42%
 
 Six Months Ended
 July 3,   July 4,       %
 1999      1998       Change
 
 Orders                                 $ 155,322  $ 106,816       45%
 
 Total Revenue                          $ 116,728  $ 108,012        8%
 
 Net Income (Loss)                      $  18,282  $  (3,032)      NM
 
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 Basic                                    28,392     27,887
 Diluted                                  29,412     27,887
 
 Net Income (Loss) Per Share:
 Basic                                 $    0.64  $   (0.11)      NM
 Diluted                               $    0.62  $   (0.11)      NM
 
 Net Income (Loss) Per Share Data
 (Diluted):
 Net income (loss) as reported          $  18,282  $  (3,032)      NM
 Reversal of deferred tax
 valuation allowance                      (4,500)    (7,500)      40%
 Unusual charges, net of tax                   --     17,676
 Net income before reversal
 of deferred tax valuation
 allowance and excluding
 unusual charges                       $  13,782  $   7,144       93%
 
 Net income per share before
 reversal of deferred tax
 valuation allowance and
 excluding unusual charges(a)          $    0.47  $    0.24       96%
 
 (a) Including common stock equivalents of 1,696 and 1,984 for the
 three and six months ended July 4, 1998, respectively.
 
 Contact:
 
 GenRad, Inc.
 Nancy A. Miller, (978) 589-7144
 millern@genrad.com
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