PRESS RELEASE



2/15/00

Sapona Manufacturing announced the appointment of Dean F. Lail as President and Johnny R. Knowles as Chief Operating Officer of the company at the annual meeting on February 15, 2000. Dean Lail, former Senior Vice-president of Operations at Mid-State Plastics, joined the company in June of 1998. He led the ISO 9000 certification process and conducted the strategic planning process for the company. Johnny Knowles has conducted manufacturing operations for many years.

C.E.O. Steele Redding stated that, "Dean and Johnny provide Sapona a great team that provides the leadership needed for the future. I am very fortunate to enjoy the support of these very strong individuals."

C.W. McCrary, Jr. remains as Chairman of the Board and Bruce Patram as Chief Financial Officer.

Sapona Manufacturing Company, Inc. is a private textile company with approximately 200 employees. Sapona processes mid to fine denier synthetic yarn including textured nylon and covered spandex. Process options include stretch or set false twist texturing, package dye tube winding, cone winding, assembly winding, air covering, ring twisting, and 2 for 1 twisting. Various options of yarn type, ply, twist, air entanglement, finish and dye are available. As a customer driven operation, Sapona offers same day or next day shipment and immediate action on special orders, tailoring to specific customer needs. Customer applications include sheer hosiery, socks, circular knit fabric, warp knit fabric, narrow fabric, sewing thread, upholstery, dental floss, lace, medical applications and many others.

Visit the company web site at www.saponamfg.com

For more information contact:
Dean F. Lail, President
Sapona Manufacturing Company, Inc.
PO Box 128
Cedar Falls, NC 27230
336-625-2727
fax: 336-626-0876
dlail@saponamfg.com