Exhibit 99.1

                                    KATY NEWS
                              ---------------------
                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                              KATY INDUSTRIES, INC.
                       REPORTS 2005 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

MIDDLEBURY,  CT - August  2,  2005 - Katy  Industries,  Inc.  (NYSE:  KT)  today
reported a net loss in the second quarter of 2005 of ($2.0) million [($0.26) per
share],  versus a net loss of ($1.2) million [($0.15) per share],  in the second
quarter of 2004, as adjusted to exclude restructuring and other non-recurring or
unusual  items,   which  are  discussed   below.   Including   these  items  and
payment-in-kind  dividends on convertible  preferred stock,  Katy reported a net
loss attributable to common  stockholders of ($6.0) million [($0.76) per share],
in the  second  quarter  of  2005,  versus  a net loss  attributable  to  common
stockholders of ($4.7) million [($0.60) per share],  in the same period of 2004.
The operating loss, as adjusted to exclude restructuring and other non-recurring
or unusual items, was ($1.9) million [(2.0%) of net sales] in the second quarter
of 2005,  compared to an operating  loss, as adjusted of ($1.0) million [(1.0) %
of net sales] in the same period in 2004.  Net income (loss),  as adjusted,  and
operating income (loss), as adjusted,  are non-GAAP  financial  measures and are
further discussed below.

Katy also  reported a net loss for the six months  ended June 30, 2005 of ($4.6)
million  [($0.58) per share],  versus a net loss of ($0.5) million  [($0.06) per
share],  for the six  months  ended  June  30,  2004,  as  adjusted  to  exclude
restructuring  and other  non-recurring  or unusual  items,  which are discussed
below.  Including  these  items and  payment-in-kind  dividends  on  convertible
preferred stock, Katy reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of
($10.7)  million  [($1.35)  per share],  for the six months ended June 30, 2005,
versus a net  loss  attributable  to  common  stockholders  of  ($10.0)  million
[($1.27) per share], in the same period of 2004. The operating loss, as adjusted
to exclude  restructuring  and other  non-recurring or unusual items, was ($4.8)
million  [(2.5%) of net sales] for the six months ended June 30, 2005,  compared
to  operating  income,  as adjusted of $0.9 million [0.5 % of net sales] for the
same period in 2004.  Net income  (loss),  as  adjusted,  and  operating  income
(loss), as adjusted,  are non-GAAP  financial measures and are further discussed
below.

During  the  second  quarter  of 2005,  Katy  reported  restructuring  and other
non-recurring  or unusual items of ($2.9) million  pre-tax  [($0.36) per share],
including  non-cash stock option expense related to the  acceleration of vesting
of options of ($2.0) million (see  discussion  below in highlights  section) and
severance,  restructuring  and  related  charges of ($0.9)  million.  During the
second  quarter of 2004,  Katy  reported  income  from  restructuring  and other
non-recurring  or unusual  items of $0.7  million  pre-tax  [$0.09  per  share],
including  severance,  restructuring and related income of $0.1 million,  income
from the reversal of reserves related to divested businesses of $0.1 million and
a gain on the sale of real  estate of $0.5  million.  Also,  during  the  second
quarter of 2004, Katy recorded the impact of payment-in-kind dividends earned on
its  convertible   preferred  stock  of  ($3.5)  million  [($0.44)  per  share].
Payment-in-kind dividends on convertible preferred stock ended in December 2004.
Details  regarding  these  items are  provided in the  "Reconciliations  of GAAP
Results to Results  Excluding  Certain  Unusual Items"  accompanying  this press
release.

For the six months ended June 30, 2005,  Katy reported  restructuring  and other
non-recurring  or unusual items of ($3.3) million  pre-tax  [($0.41) per share],
including  non-cash stock option expense related to the  acceleration of vesting
of options of ($2.0) million (see  discussion  below in highlights  section) and
severance,  restructuring and related charges of ($1.3) million.  During the six
months ended June 30, 2004, Katy reported  restructuring and other non-recurring
or unusual  items of ($1.6)  million  pre-tax  [($0.21)  per  share],  including
severance, restructuring and related charges of ($1.8) million, costs associated
with a proposed  financing  which  Katy  chose not to pursue of ($0.4)  million,
income  from the  reversal of



reserves  related to divested  businesses of $0.1 million and a gain on the sale
of real estate of $0.5 million. Also, during the six months ended June 30, 2004,
Katy recorded the impact of payment-in-kind  dividends earned on its convertible
preferred stock of ($6.9) million [($0.88) per share].  Details  regarding these
items are provided in the  "Reconciliations of GAAP Results to Results Excluding
Certain Unusual Items" accompanying this press release.

Highlights for the second quarter of 2005, as compared to the same period in the
prior year, included:

      o     Effective June 1, Anthony T. Castor III was appointed  President and
            Chief Executive Officer, replacing C. Michael Jacobi who retired.

      o     Net sales in the second  quarter of 2005 were  $98.2  million,  down
            $2.3 million  compared to the same period in 2004  primarily  due to
            weaker sales in the Maintenance Products Group,  partially offset by
            stronger  sales  in the  Electrical  Products  Group.  Overall,  the
            decrease  of 2% resulted  from lower  volumes of 7% offset by higher
            pricing of 4% and favorable currency translation of 1%.

      o     Gross margins were 12.0% in the second quarter of 2005, versus 13.2%
            in the second quarter of 2004.  Margins were negatively  impacted by
            higher raw material costs, a portion of which could not be passed on
            through price increases  (mostly in the Electrical  Products Group);
            and higher  operating  costs in our  Abrasives  business unit due to
            manufacturing   inefficiencies   resulting   from  i)  the   delayed
            consolidation  of the  Abrasives  facilities  and  ii) a fire at our
            Wrens,  Georgia  facility early in the fourth quarter of 2004. These
            items  were  only  partially  offset  by  the  favorable  impact  of
            restructuring and cost containment.

      o     Selling, general and administrative expenses were $0.4 million lower
            than the second quarter of 2004.  These costs  represented  14.1% of
            sales in the second  quarter of 2005, a decrease from 14.2% of sales
            for the same period of 2004. This decrease was primarily due to cost
            containment in the Maintenance  Products Group  partially  offset by
            severance costs and search fees associated with the CEO transition.

      o     The  non-cash  stock option  expense of $2.0 million  related to the
            March 2004  acceleration of vesting of options that were held by our
            former CEO at that time. A substantial portion of these options were
            forfeited  by the  former  CEO upon  his  retirement,  however.  The
            offsetting  credit  was  recorded  to  additional  paid-in  capital,
            resulting in no change to stockholders' equity. This charge is being
            taken now, as opposed to in March 2004, due to the accounting  rules
            governing stock options. These rules further dictate that the charge
            include the full amount of options  that were held by our former CEO
            at the time of  acceleration  of vesting,  rather than the number of
            options held upon his retirement.

      o     Debt  at  June  30,   2005   was   $56.0   million   [49%  of  total
            capitalization],  versus $62.3 million [39% of total capitalization]
            at June 30, 2004. The increase in the ratio to total  capitalization
            was principally due to lower  stockholders  equity which resulted in
            part from the  impairment of  long-lived  assets of $30.8 million in
            the fourth  quarter of 2004.  Cash on hand at June 30, 2005 was $4.1
            million, versus $5.7 million at June 30, 2004.

      o     Katy used free cash flow of $2.5 million during the six month period
            ended  June 30,  2005  versus  $27.8  million of free cash flow used
            during the six month period ended June 30, 2004. The  improvement in
            free  cash  flow  was  primarily  attributable  to  a  reduction  of
            inventory in the first half of 2005 versus an inventory build in the
            first half of 2004 and lower capital expenditures. Free cash flow, a
            non-GAAP financial measure, is discussed further below.

            Katy expects  liquidity to generally  stabilize for the remainder of
            2005,  with  the  exception  of  seasonal  inventory  builds  in the
            Electrical  Products  Group  in  the  third  quarter  and  increased
            receivable  collections  in Electrical  Products Group in the fourth
            quarter.  Other elements of



            working capital continue to be closely managed. Capital expenditures
            are  expected  to be higher in the  second  half of 2005  versus the
            first half of 2005,  but overall are expected to be lower than 2004.
            Katy was in  compliance  with the amended  covenants  in the Bank of
            America  Credit  Agreement  at June 30,  2005 and  expects  to be in
            compliance for the balance of 2005.

      o     Katy expects to  substantially  complete  its current  restructuring
            program in 2005. The remaining severance,  restructuring and related
            costs for these initiatives  (mostly related to the consolidation of
            our abrasives facilities) are expected to be less than $1.0 million.

"Despite the disappointing  first half operating results,  our primary objective
is to grow the  businesses in the Katy family.  We can do this without having to
add significant  capital because our facilities are under utilized.  We are also
committed to  substantially  complete the abrasives  consolidation in the second
half of 2005, stabilize the plants and begin to maximize plant efficiency", said
Anthony T. Castor III,  Katy's  President and Chief Executive  Officer.  "We see
significant  growth opportunity and we are confident that we can create value at
Katy with increased sales and leaner plants," added Mr. Castor.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To provide  transparency  about measures of Katy's financial  performance  which
management  considers  most  relevant,  we  supplement  the  reporting of Katy's
consolidated  financial  information under GAAP with certain non-GAAP  financial
measures,  including  income  (loss) from  continuing  operations,  as adjusted;
operating  income (loss),  as adjusted;  and free cash flow.  Details  regarding
these measures and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP
measures  are  provided  in the  "Reconciliations  of GAAP  Results  to  Results
Excluding  Certain  Unusual Items" and  "Statements of Cash Flows"  accompanying
this press release.  These measures  should not be considered in isolation or as
an alternative to measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Katy believes the
presentation  of these  measures  is  nonetheless  useful to  investors  for the
following reasons:

Net Income (Loss),  as adjusted and Operating  Income (Loss),  as adjusted.  Net
income  (loss),  as  adjusted,   is  Katy's  net  income  (loss)  that  excludes
restructuring  and other  non-recurring  and  unusual  items.  Operating  income
(loss),  as  adjusted,  is the Katy's  operating  income  (loss)  that  excludes
restructuring and other  non-recurring and unusual items. Katy believes that its
presentation  of these measures  provides  useful  information to management and
investors  regarding  certain  financial  and  business  trends  relating to its
results of operations.

Free Cash Flow.  Free cash flow is defined by Katy as cash flow from  operations
less capital  expenditures and cash dividends paid. Katy believes that free cash
flow is useful to management  and investors in measuring  cash generated that is
available  for  repayment  of debt  obligations,  investment  in growth  through
acquisitions, new business development and stock repurchases.

This  press  release  may  contain  various  forward-looking   statements.   The
forward-looking  statements  are based on the beliefs of Katy's  management,  as
well as  assumptions  made by,  and  information  currently  available  to,  the
company's management.  Additionally, the forward-looking statements are based on
Katy's  current  expectations  and  projections  about future  events and trends
affecting  the  financial   condition  of  its  business.   The  forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, detailed from time to time in
Katy's  filings with the SEC,  that may lead to results  that differ  materially
from those expressed in any forward-looking  statement made by the company or on
its behalf. Katy undertakes no obligation to revise or update such statements to
reflect current events or circumstances  after the date hereof or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

Katy Industries,  Inc. is a diversified  corporation with interests primarily in
Maintenance Products and Electrical Products.

Company contact:

Katy Industries, Inc.
Amir Rosenthal
(203) 598-0397



KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED
(In thousands, except per share data)



                                                                        Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                        ---------------------------     ---------------------------
                                                                            2005            2004            2005            2004
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                                                                            
Net sales                                                               $    98,210     $   100,522     $   193,723     $   200,417
Cost of goods sold                                                           86,424          87,261         172,414         170,526
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Gross profit                                                           11,786          13,261          21,309          29,891
Selling, general and administrative expenses                                 13,885          14,240          26,239          28,988
Stock option expense (non-cash)                                               1,953              --           1,953              --
Severance, restructuring and related charges (income)                           940            (109)          1,313           1,789
Gain on sale of assets                                                         (166)           (549)           (166)           (549)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Operating loss                                                         (4,826)           (321)         (8,030)           (337)
Interest expense                                                             (1,392)           (997)         (2,656)         (1,797)
Other, net                                                                       38             144             (10)           (231)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Loss before (benefit) provision for income taxes                       (6,180)         (1,174)        (10,696)         (2,365)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes                                           (134)            109              (2)            699
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Net loss                                                               (6,046)         (1,283)        (10,694)         (3,064)
Payment-in-kind (PIK) dividends on convertible preferred stock                   --          (3,462)             --          (6,924)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Net loss attributable to common stockholders                      $    (6,046)    $    (4,745)    $   (10,694)    $    (9,988)
                                                                        ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted:

Net loss                                                                $     (0.76)    $     (0.16)    $     (1.35)    $     (0.39)
PIK dividends on convertible preferred stock                                     --           (0.44)             --           (0.88)
                                                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Net loss attributable to common stockholders                      $     (0.76)    $     (0.60)    $     (1.35)    $     (1.27)
                                                                        ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted                7,948           7,870           7,947           7,877
                                                                        ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========


                                                                                                          June 30,        June 30,
Other Information:                                                                                          2005            2004
                                                                                                        -----------     -----------
                                                                                                                  
Working capital                                                                                         $     8,063     $    20,974
                                                                                                        ===========     ===========
Working capital, exclusive of deferred tax assets and liabilities and debt
      classified as current                                                                             $    49,488     $    66,853
                                                                                                        ===========     ===========
Long-term debt, including current maturities                                                            $    55,976     $    62,308
                                                                                                        ===========     ===========
Stockholders' equity                                                                                    $    58,422     $    99,071
                                                                                                        ===========     ===========
Capital expenditures                                                                                    $     2,954     $     5,704
                                                                                                        ===========     ===========




KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP RESULTS
TO RESULTS EXCLUDING CERTAIN UNUSUAL ITEMS - UNAUDITED
(In thousands, except percentages and per share data)



                                                                            Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                            ---------------------------   -------------------------
                                                                                2005           2004          2005            2004
                                                                            -----------     -----------   ----------     ----------
                                                                                                             
Reconciliation of net loss to net loss, as adjusted
Net loss                                                                     $   (6,046)    $   (1,283)   $  (10,694)    $   (3,064)
Unusual items:
     Stock option expense (non-cash)                                              1,953             --         1,953             --
     Severance, restructuring and related charges (income)                          940           (109)        1,313          1,789
     Gain on sale of real estate                                                     --           (549)           --           (549)
     Costs associated with abandoned financing (included in other, net)              --             --            --            435
     Net write-off of amounts related to divested businesses (included in
             other, net)                                                             --            (60)           --           (60)
Adjustment to reflect a more normalized effective tax rate excluding
     unusual items                                                                1,115            828         2,821            984
                                                                             ------------------------------------------------------
Net loss, as adjusted                                                        $   (2,038)    $   (1,173)   $   (4,607)    $     (465)
                                                                             ==========     ==========    ==========     ==========

Net loss, as adjusted per share:
Net loss per share                                                           $    (0.76)    $    (0.16)   $    (1.35)    $    (0.39)
Unusual items per share                                                            0.36          (0.09)         0.41           0.21
Adjustment to reflect a more normalized effective tax rate excluding
     unusual items per share                                                       0.14           0.10          0.36           0.12
                                                                             ----------     ----------    ----------     ----------
Net loss, as adjusted per share                                              $    (0.26)    $    (0.15)   $    (0.58)    $    (0.06)
                                                                             ==========     ==========    ==========     ==========

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted                           7,948          7,870         7,947          7,877
                                                                             ==========     ==========    ==========     ==========

Operating (loss) income, as adjusted:

Operating loss                                                               $   (4,826)    $     (321)   $   (8,030)    $     (337)
     Stock option expense (non-cash)                                              1,953             --         1,953             --
     Gain on sale of real estate                                                     --           (549)           --           (549)
     Severance, restructuring and related charges                                   940           (109)        1,313          1,789
                                                                             ----------     ----------    ----------     ----------
Operating (loss) income, as adjusted:                                        $   (1,933)    $     (979)   $   (4,764)    $      903
                                                                             ==========     ==========    ==========     ==========
Operating (loss) income, as adjusted, as a % of sales                             -2.0%          -1.0%         -2.5%            0.5%
                                                                             ==========     ==========    ==========     ==========




KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. SEGMENT INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
(In thousands)



                                                  Three Months Ended June 30,          Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                 -----------------------------       -----------------------------
                                                     2005              2004              2005              2004
                                                 -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
                                                                                           
Net sales:
   Maintenance Products Group                    $    63,869       $    69,736       $   125,342       $   140,226
   Electrical Products Group                          34,341            30,786            68,381            60,191
                                                 -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
                                                 $    98,210       $   100,522       $   193,723       $   200,417
                                                 ===========       ===========       ===========       ===========

Operating (loss) income, as adjusted:
   Maintenance Products Group                    $      (450)      $    (1,359)      $    (4,528)      $     1,047
   Electrical Products Group                           1,150             2,513             4,063             4,550
   Unallocated corporate expense                      (2,633)           (2,133)           (4,299)           (4,694)
                                                 -----------       -----------       -----------       -----------
                                                 $    (1,933)      $      (979)      $    (4,764)      $       903
                                                 ===========       ===========       ===========       ===========




KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED
(In thousands)



Assets                                                    June 30,          December 31,         June 30,
Current assets:                                             2005                2004               2004
                                                        -----------         ------------        -----------
                                                                                       
       Cash and cash equivalents                        $     4,063         $     8,525         $     5,684
       Accounts receivable, net                              56,981              66,689              61,007
       Inventories, net                                      58,548              65,674              68,116
       Other current assets                                   4,493               4,233               4,847
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------
Total current assets                                        124,085             145,121             139,654
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------

Other assets:
       Goodwill                                               2,239               2,239              10,215
       Intangibles, net                                       7,239               7,428              21,647
       Other                                                  9,298               9,946              10,427
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------
Total other assets                                           18,776              19,613              42,289
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------

Property and equipment, net                                  55,771              59,730              66,314
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------

Total assets                                            $   198,632         $   224,464         $   248,257
                                                        ===========         ===========         ===========

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
       Accounts payable                                 $    32,650         $    39,079         $    29,503
       Accrued expenses                                      40,968              45,208              43,298
       Current maturities of long-term debt                   2,857               2,857               2,857
       Revolving credit agreement                            39,547              40,166              43,022
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------
Total current liabilities                                   116,022             127,310             118,680

Long-term debt, less current maturities                      13,572              15,714              16,429
Other liabilities                                            10,616              12,855              14,077
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------
Total liabilities                                           140,210             155,879             149,186
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------

Stockholders' equity
       Convertible preferred stock                          108,256             108,256             100,431
       Common stock                                           9,822               9,822               9,822
       Additional paid-in capital                            27,016              25,111              33,508
       Accumulated other comprehensive income                 3,120               4,564               2,296
       Accumulated deficit                                  (67,952)            (57,258)            (24,201)
       Treasury stock                                       (21,840)            (21,910)            (22,785)
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------
Total stockholders' equity                                   58,422              68,585              99,071
                                                        -----------         -----------         -----------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity              $   198,632         $   224,464         $   248,257
                                                        ===========         ===========         ===========




KATY INDUSTRIES, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED
(In thousands)



                                                                         Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                                       2005                  2004
                                                                   -------------        -------------
                                                                                  
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net loss                                                       $     (10,694)       $      (3,064)
    Depreciation and amortization                                          5,869                7,709
    Amortization of debt issuance costs                                      557                  535
    Stock option expense (non-cash)                                        1,953                   --
    Gain on sale of assets                                                  (166)                (549)
                                                                   -------------        -------------
                                                                          (2,481)               4,631
                                                                   -------------        -------------
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                                                  8,983                4,175
      Inventories                                                          6,552              (14,704)
      Other assets                                                          (341)              (3,274)
      Accounts payable                                                    (5,922)              (7,870)
      Accrued expenses                                                    (4,086)              (3,071)
      Other, net                                                          (2,217)              (1,959)
                                                                   -------------        -------------
                                                                           2,969              (26,703)
                                                                   -------------        -------------

                                                                   -------------        -------------
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                      488              (22,072)
                                                                   -------------        -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                                                  (2,954)              (5,704)
    Collections of note receivable from sale of subsidiary                   106                   --
    Proceeds from sale of assets                                             600                5,533
                                                                   -------------        -------------
    Net cash used in investing activities                                 (2,248)                (171)
                                                                   -------------        -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Net (repayments) borrowings on revolving loans                          (410)               7,022
    Proceeds of term loans                                                    --               18,152
    Repayments of term loans                                              (2,142)              (2,529)
    Direct costs associated with debt facilities                            (135)              (1,296)
    Repurchases of common stock                                               --                  (75)
                                                                   -------------        -------------
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                   (2,687)              21,274
                                                                   -------------        -------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                 (15)                 (95)
                                                                   -------------        -------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                 (4,462)              (1,064)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                             8,525                6,748
                                                                   -------------        -------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                           $       4,063        $       5,684
                                                                   =============        =============

Reconciliation of free cash flow to GAAP Results:

    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities            $         488        $     (22,072)
    Capital expenditures                                                  (2,954)              (5,704)
                                                                   -------------        -------------
    Free cash flow                                                 $      (2,466)       $     (27,776)
                                                                   =============        =============