Teleflex Reports 1997 Results; Twenty-Third Consecutive Record Year; Revenues Top $1.1 Billion; Net Income Up 23%

February 11, 1998

    PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Teleflex Incorporated
(NYSE: TFX) today reported that revenues for the year ended December 28, 1997
increased 23% to more than $1.1 billion compared to $931.2 million in 1996.
Net income increased 23% to $70.1 million from $57.2 million the prior year.
Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.86 in 1997 compared to $1.58 in
1996.  Basic earnings per share were $1.91 compared to $1.61 in 1996.
    In the fourth quarter, revenues increased 29% to $314.4 million from
$243.2 million in 1996.  Net income increased 24% to $21.2 million.  Diluted
earnings per share were $.56 in 1997 compared to $.46 in 1996.  Basic earnings
per share were $.57 compared to $.47 in 1996.
    David S. Boyer, president and chief executive officer, said, "We set
aggressive goals of 15% to 20% growth, and in 1997, we exceeded those goals.
All three segments -- Commercial, Medical and Aerospace -- increased sales and
operating profits, with Aerospace having an extraordinary year.  In addition,
we made a number of strategic acquisitions which strengthen our technology
base, extend our product lines and broaden our capabilities in global
markets."
    The Commercial Segment, which contributed approximately 44% of total
revenues in 1997, increased sales 18%.  Strong performances in Industrial and
Automotive offset softness in Marine.
    The Medical Segment accounted for 28% of total revenues in 1997.  Sales
increased 5% with both the Hospital Supply and Surgical Device product lines
achieving growth.
    The Aerospace Segment contributed 28% of total 1997 revenues.  Sales
jumped 62%, with strong growth achieved in both the Telair cargo products and
the Sermatech turbine engine related products.
    The figures are as follows:

                            TELEFLEX INCORPORATED
                 COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF REVENUES AND EARNINGS

    Three Months Ended              December 28, 1997   December 29, 1996

    Revenues                             $314,409,000        $243,197,000
    Operating profit                      $39,807,000         $31,760,000
    Income before taxes                   $31,594,000         $25,369,000
    Net income                            $21,218,000         $17,124,000
    Earnings per share
      Basic                                      $.57                $.47
      Diluted                                    $.56                $.46
    Average shares outstanding
      Basic                                37,076,000          36,200,000
      Diluted                              37,982,000          36,942,000

    Year Ended                      December 28, 1997   December 29, 1996

    Revenues                           $1,145,773,000        $931,183,000
    Operating profit                     $135,815,000        $113,486,000
    Income before taxes                  $106,405,000         $86,779,000
    Net income                            $70,072,000         $57,162,000
    Earnings per share
      Basic                                     $1.91               $1.61
      Diluted                                   $1.86               $1.58
    Average shares outstanding
      Basic                                36,759,000          35,482,000
      Diluted                              37,661,000          36,197,000

                         BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

    Three Months Ended              December 28, 1997   December 29, 1996

    Sales
      Commercial Products                $129,430,000        $104,701,000
      Medical Products                     84,055,000          78,460,000
      Aerospace Products                  100,924,000          60,036,000
                                         $314,409,000        $243,197,000

    Operating Profit
      Commercial Products                 $16,134,000         $15,899,000
      Medical Products                     10,618,000           9,097,000
      Aerospace Products                   13,055,000           6,764,000
                                          $39,807,000         $31,760,000

    Year Ended                      December 28, 1997   December 29, 1996

    Sales
      Commercial Products                $497,366,000        $422,443,000
      Medical Products                    323,114,000         307,555,000
      Aerospace Products                  325,293,000         201,185,000
                                       $1,145,773,000        $931,183,000

    Operating Profit
      Commercial Products                 $61,562,000         $57,849,000
      Medical Products                     35,466,000          34,630,000
      Aerospace Products                   38,787,000          21,007,000
                                         $135,815,000        $113,486,000

    Teleflex is a diversified industrial company with annual sales in excess
of $1 billion.  The company designs, manufactures and distributes quality
engineered products and services for the automotive, marine, industrial,
medical and aerospace markets worldwide.  Teleflex employs more than 11,000
people in 70 units worldwide.
    Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained from the company's
Web site on the Internet at http://www.teleflex.com.