For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

BETHLEHEM, PA, May 20, 1999 – Bethlehem Steel Corporation has, for the second consecutive year, recognized its Premier Suppliers of the Year, it was announced today by Curtis H. Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer.

Premier Suppliers of the Year met or exceeded the demanding criteria of quality, performance and cost demonstrated through their service to the company in 1998.

"Suppliers represent a significant part of Bethlehem’s business that results in high quality, competitively priced products for our customers. Suppliers are an integral part of Bethlehem’s success," said Mr. Barnette.

According to Robert A. Rudzki, vice president, purchasing and transportation and chief procurement officer, the Awards program emphasizes the value Bethlehem places on suppliers that share its corporate vision to Be the Premier Steel Company. "Solid business relationships with progressive, dedicated suppliers are essential to our success," he said. "The companies that have earned this honor are the Best of the Best for 1998. Their efforts exemplify the standards we are working to develop with all of our suppliers. It is only fitting that we showcase the performance of these 17 companies with the recognition they so richly deserve," said Mr. Rudzki.

Seventeen companies were selected from the more than 7,000 providers of products and services to Bethlehem worldwide.

Named 1998 Premier Suppliers of the Year are:

For Energy/Prepared Gases

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
Allentown, Pa.

For Raw Materials

American Metals & Coal International (AMCI) Greenwich, Conn.	Rock Creek Aluminum Elyria, Ohio
U. S. Vanadium, A Subsidiary of Strategic Minerals Corp. Danbury, Conn.

For Operating Supplies, Capital, Services

Alloy Sling Chain Industries, Ltd. East Hazelcrest, Ill.	Brendan Stanton, Inc. Montgomeryville, Pa.
Court Holdings, Ltd. St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada	Fleetwood, A Division of Unisource Addison, Ill.
Graybar Electric Company Clayton, Mo.	Kimmel’s Coal and Packaging Co. Wiconisco, Pa.
Kvaerner Songer, Inc. Washington, Pa.	C. J. Langenfelder & Son, Inc. Baltimore, Md.
Minteq International, Inc. New York, N.Y.	Motion Industries Birmingham, Ala.
Stauffer Manufacturing Co. Red Hill, Pa.

For Transportation

Ficel Transport, Inc. Blasdell, N.Y.

Grayson Mitchell, Inc. Emporia, Va.

Winners were recognized today at the Premier Suppliers of the Year Awards ceremony conducted at Bethlehem’s corporate headquarters in Bethlehem, Pa. Each winner received the "Signature in Steel," a striking sculpture designed by artist Richard Switzer, to commemorate their exemplary performance.