Merrimac Celebrates Opening of New Costa Rica Multi-Mix Facility

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. August 7, 2002: Merrimac Industries, Inc. (AMEX: MRM), today announced the opening of its new 36,000 square-foot Multi-Mix® manufacturing facility in San Jose, Costa Rica. In attendance were Costa Rica President Abel Pacheco, who addressed approximately 100 attendees that included many government and commerce officials, and US Ambassador John J. Danilovich.

Chairman and CEO Mason N. Carter commented, "Despite the economic downturn in the telecommications industry, we continue to be encouraged by the market and product potential for Multi-Mix products across industry segments and view the new facility as a milestone in the future growth plans of Merrimac. We will be able to serve our customers even better meeting their requirements for time-to-market, adequate capacity, cost effective solutions and of course consistent high quality."

He further commented, "Initial production will begin later this month with a concentration on high volume Multi-Mix PICO components, 3G requirements, our expanding line of WLAN and other competitive initiatives we have planned. Eventually, multifunction module production will be added to the scope of Multi-Mix Costa Rica.

"This state-of-the-art facility more than doubles our existing system in New Jersey. It is optimally organized for high volume production. There is adequate room for future expansion when required. It was only natural to further extend our successful base of operations in Costa Rica established in 1996. Currently, 80% of our RF Microwave business includes some level of Costa Rica operations content."

About Merrimac

Merrimac Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of Multi-Mix PICO RF Microwave components, assemblies and micro-multifunction modules (MMFM), serving the wireless telecommunications industry worldwide with enabling technologies for space, defense and commercial applications. Merrimac is focused on providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions^TM with Multi-Mix® Microtechnology, a leading edge competency providing value to our customers through miniaturization and integration. The Multi-Mix process for microwave, multilayer integrated MMFM circuitry is a patented method developed by Merrimac Industries based on fluoropolymer composite substrates. The fusion bonding of multilayer structures provides a homogeneous dielectric medium for superior electrical performance at microwave frequencies. The bonded layers may incorporate embedded semiconductor devices, MMICs, etched resistors, passive circuit elements and plated-through via holes to form a three-dimensional subsystem enclosure that requires no further packaging. Merrimac Industries facilities are registered under ISO 9000, an internationally recognized set of quality criteria for manufacturing operations.

Merrimac Industries, Inc. and its subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc., with locations in West Caldwell, NJ, San Jose, Costa Rica and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, have approximately 220 co-workers dedicated to the design and manufacture of signal processing components, gold plating of high-frequency microstrip, bonded stripline and thick metal-backed Teflon (PTFE) micro-circuitry and subsystems providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions for wireless applications. Merrimac (MRM) is listed on the American Stock Exchange. Multi-Mix, Multi-Mix PICO, MMFM and Total Integrated Packaging Solutions are trademarks of Merrimac Industries, Inc. For more information about Merrimac Industries, Inc. and Filtran Microcircuits Inc., please visit http://www.merrimacind.com and http://www.filtranmicro.com.

This press release contains statements relating to future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic and industry conditions; slower than anticipated penetration into the satellite communications, defense and wireless markets; the risk that the benefits expected from the acquisition of Filtran Microcircuits Inc. are not realized; the ability to protect proprietary information and technology; competitive products and pricing pressures; the risk that the Company will not be able to continue to raise sufficient capital to expand its operations as currently contemplated by its business strategy; risks relating to governmental regulatory actions in communications and defense programs; risks associated with demand for and market acceptance of existing and newly developed products; and inventory risks due to technological innovation and product obsolescence, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Note: Merrimac news releases are also available on the Internet at: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/567525.html.

Contact:

Mason N. Carter, Chairman & CEO
973.575.1300, ext. 1202
E-mail: mnc@merrimacind.com