COLLINS & AIKMAN COMPLETES SALE OF
                  AIR RESTRAINT AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTS DIVISION
                       TO SAFETY COMPONENTS INTERNATIONAL


         CHARLOTTE, NC - July 24, 1997 -- Collins & Aikman Corporation (NYSE:
CKC) announced today that its JPS Automotive LP subsidiary has completed the
previously announced sale of its Air Restraint and Technical Products Division,
an industry-leading airbag and industrial fabric business, to Safety Components
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABAG).
         The purchase price of the Air Restraint and Technical Products Division
is $56.3 million, subject to adjustment. Collins & Aikman intends to use the net
proceeds from the sale to reduce the Company's long-term debt.
         "The sale of this Division is another important step toward two of
Collins & Aikman's goals - pursuing our core, tier one global automotive
interior trim systems business and deleveraging the company," said Thomas E.
Hannah, Chief Executive Officer of Collins & Aikman.
         Collins & Aikman Corporation is a global supplier of automotive
interior systems, including textile and plastic trim, acoustics and convertible
top systems. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the Company's recent acquisitions
of JPS Automotive and Perstorp Components significantly expanded Collins &
Aikman's 







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product offering and international presence to include additional
operations in the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Canada, Sweden, Belgium, France and the
U.K. The Company employs more than 13,000 employees and operates 57
manufacturing facilities in 8 countries.

         Safety Components International, Inc. is an international manufacturer
of automotive airbags and a supplier of ordnance and other related defense
products with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.