Merrimac Announces Management Change

WEST CALDWELL, NJ (December 19, 1996) - The Board of Directors of Merrimac Industries, Inc. (AMEX: MRM), announced today that Eugene W. Niemiec, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been named Vice Chairman of the Company and Mason N. Carter, currently a director of the Company, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Charles F. Huber II, Chairman of the Company, stated, "We believe this reorganization gives Merrimac the management structure it needs for growth. Eugene Niemiec will continue to be involved on a daily basis with the Company allowing us to continue to benefit from his wealth of technical and applications experience."

Mr. Huber further stated, "Mason Carter has been a director of Merrimac since April 1995, and has been very involved in management of the Company. We feel very fortunate that Mr. Carter has agreed to become President of Merrimac."

Most recently, Mr. Carter was President of a Datatec Industries, Inc. division, which is a provider of computer network implementation services. Mr. Carter has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kentile, Inc. and Metex Corp.

About Merrimac

Merrimac Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of RF Microwave components, assemblies and Micro-Multifunction (MMFM®) Modules serving the wireless telecommunications industry worldwide with enabling technologies for 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® circuits is a patented method developed at 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, Inc. is ISO 9001 certified.

Merrimac Industries, Inc. located in West Caldwell, NJ employs approximately 140 people in the design and manufacture of high-performance components for communications, defense and aerospace applications.

This press release contains statements relating to future results of Merrimac (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; risks relating to governmental regulatory actions in communications and defense programs; and inventory risks due to technological innovation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in Merrimac's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Merrimac undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Note: These news releases are also available on the Internet at: www.prnewswire.com.

Contacts

Mason N. Carter, Chairman and CEO,
Tel: 973.575.1300, Ext. 1202; Fax: 973.882.5989
E-mail: mnc@merrimacind.com