Bristol, Connecticut, May 11, 2000 --- John W. Alden, former vice chairman of United Parcel Service of America, Inc., has been elected to the board of directors of Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B). The election, which brings the board membership to nine, was made effective at today's regularly scheduled board meeting. Alden will also serve on the Finance Committee and Compensation and Management Development Committee of Barnes Group's board.

"John's years of experience in logistics, marketing, and strategic planning in a customer-focused enterprise such as UPS make him an excellent addition to our board of directors," said Thomas O. Barnes, Barnes Group Inc.'s chairman.

Alden, 58, spent 35 years with UPS in various management positions with increasing levels of responsibility. He was named senior vice president of business development in 1986, at which time he joined the management committee. Alden was elected to the UPS board of directors in 1988, and became vice chairman in 1996, a position he held until his retirement earlier this year.

Barnes Group Inc. (http://www.barnesgroupinc.com), is a diversified international manufacturer of precision metal parts and distributor of industrial supplies, serving a wide range of markets and customers. Founded in 1857, Barnes Group consists of three separate businesses with 1999 sales of $622 million. Barnes Group employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide.