WestPoint Stevens Adds Territory With Agreement for Sales and Distribution of Brands in Middle East WEST POINT, Ga., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WestPoint Stevens Inc. (OTC:WSPT) (BULLETIN BOARD: WSPT) ( http://www.westpointstevens.com/ ) today announced a significant expansion of its famous brand names into Middle East retail locations via a sales and distribution agreement with American Business Development, based in Germany. The new agreement, effective Oct. 1, strengthens global distribution of the Company's brands and offers brand extension to its current bed and bath home fashion assortments at retail in Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Libya, Tunis, Algeria Morocco and Sudan. "This is a tremendous opportunity for our great brands," emphasized Bed and Bath Division President Robert B. (Bob) Dale. "It will put our flagship Martex(R) brand, as well as Grand Patrician(R), Utica(R), Lady Pepperell(R), Vellux(R) and several others, into key retail outlets across the Middle East. These are smart, savvy shoppers who appreciate quality and style; and our brands already resonate with them. Being able to easily buy our products in their stores will answer the many requests we've had from consumers in that part of the world." Products offered will include sheets, bedding ensembles, bedding accessories, blankets and towels and bath accessories. Another facet in this focus on extending the brands is the development of a new licensing agreement with ABD for the manufacture of bedding and bath products under the Company's brands by carefully selected Middle East manufacturers -- putting the supply near the demand. "This has been a carefully developed strategy and one that requires the international expertise of a partner such as American Business Development. ABD has all the skills and appreciation of cultural and geographic characteristics that are essential to global marketing," Mr. Dale pointed out. "ABD is also acutely conscious of WestPoint Stevens' commitment to protecting the integrity of our brands and controlling the quality of our products." American Business Development owner Michael Yamout agrees with Mr. Dale's assessment of the sales opportunities for WestPoint Stevens products in the Middle East. "WestPoint is a company known globally for product innovation and its premier position in the industry. ABD is delighted to offer WestPoint's famous brands in this part of the world. It should offer a real sales advantage to both WestPoint and ABD with long-term penetration of our brands in the marketplace." WestPoint Stevens Inc. is the nation's premier home fashions consumer products marketing company, with a wide range of bed linens, towels, blankets, comforters and accessories marketed under the well-known brand names GRAND PATRICIAN, PATRICIAN, MARTEX, ATELIER MARTEX, BABY MARTEX, UTICA, STEVENS, LADY PEPPERELL, SEDUCTION, VELLUX and CHATHAM -- all registered trademarks owned by WestPoint Stevens Inc. and its subsidiaries -- and under licensed brands including RALPH LAUREN HOME, DISNEY HOME and GLYNDA TURLEY. WestPoint Stevens can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.westpointstevens.com/ . Safe Harbor Statement: Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters set forth in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties may be attributable to important factors that include but are not limited to the following: Product margins may vary from those projected; Raw material prices may vary from those assumed; Additional reserves may be required for bad debts, returns, allowances, governmental compliance costs, or litigation; There may be changes in the performance of financial markets or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Unanticipated natural disasters could have a material impact upon results of operations; There may be changes in the general economic conditions that affect customer practices or consumer spending; Competition for retail and wholesale customers, pricing and transportation of products may vary from time to time due to seasonal variations or otherwise; Customer preferences for our products can be affected by competition, or general market demand for domestic or imported goods or the quantity, quality, price or delivery time of such goods; There could be an unanticipated loss of a material customer or a material license; The availability and price of raw materials could be affected by weather, disease, energy costs or other factors; The future results of operations may be adversely affected by factors relating to the Chapter 11 proceedings. The information contained in this release is as of August 25, 2004. WestPoint Stevens assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments. Contact: Lorraine D. Miller, CFA Senior Vice President Finance and External Communications 404.378.0491 DATASOURCE: WestPoint Stevens CONTACT: Lorraine D. Miller, CFA, Senior Vice President Finance and External Communications of WestPoint Stevens Inc., +1-404-378-0491 Web site: http://www.westpointstevens.com/

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