NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mason N. Carter, Chairman & CEO
         973-575-1300, ext. 1202
         mnc@merrimacind.com

            MERRIMAC SELECTS ERNST & YOUNG AS ITS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. APRIL 30, 2002: Merrimac Industries, Inc. (AMEX: MRM), a
leader in the design and manufacture of RF Microwave components, assemblies and
micro-multifunction modules (MMFM(R)), today announced that its Board of
Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditor
for fiscal year 2002, replacing Arthur Andersen LLP as the independent auditor
for the Company.

"Arthur Andersen has served as Merrimac's independent auditor since 1997,
providing excellent service and acting with professionalism and integrity. The
decision to change our auditors followed a long and thoughtful review of various
alternatives," said Chairman and CEO Mason N. Carter. "We would like to thank
Arthur Andersen for their efforts on behalf of Merrimac, and particularly those
individuals with whom we have worked."

The appointment of Ernst & Young will be submitted to stockholders for
ratification at the Company's annual meeting on June 12, 2002.

ABOUT MERRIMAC

Merrimac Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of Multi-Mix
PICO RF Microwave components, assemblies and micro-multifunction modules (MMFM),
serving the wireless telecommunications industry worldwide with enabling
technologies for space, defense and commercial applications. Merrimac is focused
on providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions(TM) with Multi-Mix(R)
Microtechnology, a leading edge competency providing value to our customers
through miniaturization and integration. The Multi-Mix process for microwave,
multilayer integrated MMFM circuitry is a patented method developed by Merrimac
Industries based on fluoropolymer composite substrates. The fusion bonding of
multilayer structures provides a homogeneous dielectric medium for superior
electrical performance at microwave frequencies. The bonded layers may
incorporate embedded semiconductor devices, MMICs, etched resistors, passive
circuit elements and plated-through via holes to form a three-dimensional
subsystem enclosure that requires no further packaging. Merrimac Industries
facilities are registered under ISO 9000, an internationally developed set of
quality criteria for manufacturing operations.


Merrimac Industries, Inc. and its subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc., with
locations in West Caldwell, NJ, San Jose, Costa Rica and Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada, have approximately 240 co-workers dedicated to the design and
manufacture of signal processing components, gold plating



of high-frequency microstrip, bonded stripline and thick metal-backed Teflon
(PTFE) micro-circuitry and subsystems providing Total Integrated Packaging
Solutions for wireless applications. Merrimac (MRM) is listed on the American
Stock Exchange. Multi-Mix, Multi-Mix PICO, MMFM and Total Integrated Packaging
Solutions are trademarks of Merrimac Industries, Inc. For more information about
Merrimac Industries, Inc. and Filtran Microcircuits Inc., please visit
http://www.merrimacind.com and http://www.filtranmicro.com .

Note: Merrimac news releases are also available on the Internet at:
http://www.prnewswire.com