EAGLE-PICHER MINERALS NAMED TOP EXPORTER

RENO, Nev., Nov. 7, 2000 -- The 2000 Exporter of the Year Award for Northern Nevada was presented to Eagle-Picher Minerals (EPM) on Oct. 25 during a luncheon with Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn. The award is sponsored by the International Trade Office of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

Eagle-Picher Minerals earned the award for its growth in export sales over the past decade. Since 1990, the companys export sales have nearly quadrupled to 35% of total sales.

Eagle-Picher Minerals processes diatomaceous earth and perlite minerals from two locations in Nevada, and one in Oregon. The products are shipped to 2500 customers in 60 countries. Diatomaceous earth and perlite are used in the industrial filtration of liquids in the food, beverage, water treatment, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and as fillers in paints, plastics and rubber.
Jim Lauria, president of Eagle-Picher Minerals Inc., said he expects export business to continue its significant growth as the company seeks new markets.

The success of Eagle-Picher Minerals export business has been due to the fact that our employees have recognized that shipping products to overseas customers is only part of the equation," said Lauria. What has made Eagle-Picher stand out is the fact that our employees have lent their creativity and innovation to such areas as packaging, technical service and the disposal of the spent product in a manner that will sustain the local environment."
Eagle-Picher Minerals Inc., a subsidiary of Eagle-Picher Industries based in Reno, Nev., mines, processes and markets quality diatomite and perlite products from three facilities in Nevada and Oregon. These products are used in more than 60 countries in the industrial filtration of liquids for a wide range of industries. Founded in 1945, the company also is a supplier of cellulose and aggregates for soil conditioning and absorption.

Eagle-Picher Industries, founded in 1843, is a diversified manufacturer of industrial products for the automotive, defense, aerospace, construction and other industrial markets worldwide. With global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company operates more than 50 plants, and has 5,500 employees in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Japan, India and China.