Barnes Group Receives Binding Offer from Berner to Acquire Its Barnes Distribution Europe Business

Barnes Group Inc. B today announced that it has received a binding offer from Berner SE to acquire its Barnes Distribution Europe business, comprised of the businesses that operate as Kent, BD France and Toolcom, subject to customary conditions and approvals. Berner SE is a leading direct seller in Europe of consumables, tools and specialist technical chemicals, primarily in the construction and automotive industries. Barnes Group's BDE businesses are currently reported within the Company's Logistics and Manufacturing Services segment and had 2010 revenues of approximately $105 million. If Barnes Group accepts the offer following the consultation processes, it would expect to report its BDE businesses as Discontinued Operations and to record a pretax loss in the range of $15 to $20 million, inclusive of non-cash impairments of long-lived assets. The Company's full-year 2011 earnings guidance of $1.35 to $1.45 per diluted share is unchanged on a Continuing Operations basis. If Barnes Group Inc. were to accept the offer, proceeds from the potential transaction are anticipated to provide for global investment in strategic growth initiatives.