Press Release

LATROBE, Pa., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- JLK Direct Distribution Inc. (NYSE: JLK) reported net income for the first quarter ended September 30, 2000 of $2.3 million or $0.10 per share, excluding special charges, compared to $4.2 million or $0.17 per share last year.

Chairman William R. Newlin said, "We are pleased with the progress we have made this quarter. We delivered on our commitment and are implementing our action plan to further improve performance. JLK remains a good franchise and we are confident that we can continue improving our performance."

Sales for the quarter were $120.5 million compared to $118.3 million last year.

Special charges for the quarter of $3.3 million or $0.09 per share, include $1.6 million in restructuring charges.

JLK sells a broad range of metalworking consumables and related products, including a full line of cutting tools, carbide and other metalworking inserts, abrasives, drills, machine tool accessories and other industrial supplies. The company markets to the needs of the small- and medium-sized customers through its direct marketing catalog and showroom programs and serves medium- and large-sized industrial manufacturers through integrated industrial supply programs and distributor-based direct field sales.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Consolidated financial highlights for JLK Direct Distribution Inc. (NYSE: JLK) for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 are shown in the following tables (in thousands, except per share amounts). All fiscal year 2001 data is subject to year-end (June 30) adjustment and audit by independent public accountants.

    Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                       Quarter Ended
                                                       September 30,
    Operations:                                     2000           1999

    Net sales                                     $120,451      $118,315

    Cost of goods sold                              83,656        79,737

       Gross profit                                 36,795        38,578

    Operating expense (A)                           34,656        31,599

    Restructuring charges                            1,587          ----

    Operating income                                   552         6,979

    Interest expense and other                         (11)          117

    Income before provision for income taxes           563         6,862

    Provision for income taxes                         222         2,708

    Net income                                        $341        $4,154

    Per Share Data:

    Diluted earnings per share                       $0.01         $0.17

    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding     24,525        24,510

    (A) For the quarter and year ended September 30, 2000, these amounts
        include a charge of $1.7 million, primarily related to the tender
        offer.

This release contains "forward looking statements" as defined by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the extent that the economic conditions in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Europe are not sustained, risks associated with integrating businesses, demands on management resources and competition. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward- looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
SOURCE JLK Direct Distribution Inc.
Web site: http: //www.kennametal.com
CONTACT: Beth A. Riley, Director, Investor Relations, of JLK, 724-539-3470