MYERS INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES EARNINGS OUTLOOK FOR FOURTH QUARTER / FULL YEAR 2000 AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2001, Akron, Ohio USA -- Myers Industries, Inc. (AMEX: MYE) announced today that for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2000 the Company expects earnings of approximately $.21 per share compared to $.44 in 1999. For the full year ended December 31, 2000 the Company expects earnings of approximately $1.11 per share versus $1.41 in 1999. The above numbers include a $1.9 million, or $.09 per share, after-tax restructuring charge in the fourth quarter. Actual results will be announced on February 9, 2001.

Factors impacting the Company’s fourth quarter performance include: the sharp decline in production of heavy duty trucks, for which Myers makes rubber OEM parts; the slowing of automotive production; competitive pressures in the markets for the Company’s plastic products; slightly higher interest expense; and the general softening of the economy. The Company also incurred start-up costs for its new Sparks, Nevada manufacturing facility, purchased late last year to help expand plastic flower planter business with growers in the western U.S.

The restructuring charge involves the closing of the Company’s Dayton, Ohio manufacturing facility. Stephen E. Myers, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "Acquisitions over the last several years included plants that increased our capacity to produce structural foam plastic products. We decided to close the smaller Dayton plant and move its operations to other facilities to improve operational efficiency and capacity utilization."

Myers Industries, Inc. is an international manufacturer of plastic and rubber products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial, and consumer markets. Products range from reusable plastic containers and plastic flower planters to plastic storage and organization products, rubber OEM parts, rubber tire repair products, and custom rubber materials. The Company is also the largest wholesale distributor of tools, equipment, and supplies for the tire service and automotive underbody repair industry in the United States. Myers has 25 manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe, 42 distribution branches in 31 states, more than 20,000 products, and nearly 4,500 employees. Myers Industries had net sales of $580.8 million in 1999.

Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this release may include “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied. Any statement that is not of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement. Myers Industries does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.