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                                  PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT:

CompX International Inc.                             Joseph S. Compofelice
16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200                   Chairman, President & CEO
Houston, TX 77060                                    Tel. 281.423.3303



            COMPX APPOINTS PRESIDENT OF COMPX AMERICAS BUSINESS UNIT

         HOUSTON,  TEXAS .... May 30, 2000....  CompX  International Inc. (NYSE:
CIX)  announced  today that it appointed  Julian M.  Steinberg  President of its
CompX Americas  business unit. Mr.  Steinberg will be responsible  for the CompX
ergo and slide businesses in North America,  South America,  and Asia, conducted
under the Thomas Regout,  Waterloo,  and Dynaslide trade names. Prior to joining
CompX,  Mr. Steinberg was Vice President  Specialty  Plastics for the BFGoodrich
Company,  where he also  held  various  senior  general  manager  and  marketing
executive positions throughout his tenure with BFGoodrich.

         Joseph S. Compofelice, Chairman and CEO of CompX said "We are extremely
pleased to have  recruited  talent of this  caliber.  Julian  brings  with him a
proven track record of  establishing  global  strategies  and the  capability to
develop  long-term  customer  relationships.  To be close  to many of our  major
customers,   Mr.  Steinberg  will  be  based  in  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  the
headquarters of CompX Americas."

         CompX is a leading  manufacturer of ergonomic computer support systems,
precision ball bearing slides and security products.

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