Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. will increase its base price 4% for all tool steel plate products manufactured at its Bridgeville, Pa., facility.

The increase is effective with shipments on February 14, 2005, and all surcharge mechanisms will remain in effect.

Dudley J. Merchant, Vice President—Sales and Marketing, commented: "This action is necessary to offset the impact of higher energy and operating supply costs. We must maintain a sufficient level of profitability to operate effectively and to attain our goal of providing the marketplace with an increased supply of high quality product. We have proven our willingness to invest capital dollars to respond to our customers' needs. We are also fully focused on improving customer service and deliveries to achieve a mutually successful year."

Headquartered in Bridgeville, Pa., Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. manufactures and markets a broad line of semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are sold to original equipment manufacturers, service centers, forgers, rerollers and wire redrawers.