Chairman and CEO Stephen Myers Resigns and Retires as Chief Executive

    Business Editors

    AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Myers Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MYE) today announced that Stephen E. Myers has decided to resign and retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer and that John C. Orr will become CEO effective May 1, 2005. Mr. Myers will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Orr currently serves as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer.
    "After discussions with our Board of Directors, we decided that it was appropriate to transition CEO responsibilities to John Orr," Myers said. "John has demonstrated strong leadership and business skills during his tenure with Myers Industries, and I share the Board's confidence in his ability to provide the Company with solid leadership."
    "I have had the privilege of working closely with John over the past several years and believe that his role in helping to spearhead efforts to strengthen connections with our customers, advance new products, and improve our cost structure demonstrates that he is well suited to direct the Company's continuing efforts to maintain and enhance leadership positions in each of our key product areas."
    Mr. Orr has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Myers Industries since 2003. He joined the Company in 2001 as General Manager of Buckhorn, Inc., one of the Company's material handling operations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Orr had been employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber for 28 years. His last position at Goodyear was Vice President of Manufacturing -- North American Tire Division.
    Mr. Myers joined the Company in 1967, and has served as Chief Executive Officer since 1984. Under Mr. Myers' leadership, Myers Industries revenues have grown from $86 million in 1984 to $803 million in 2004, while shareholders' equity has grown from $33 million to $346 million over the same period. During Mr. Myers' tenure, the Company's split-adjusted share price has increased from $0.96 to $9.61 per share, and its annual cash dividend payout has increased in each year.
    The Board is delighted that Steve has agreed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company," said Edward W. Kissel, Chairman of Myers Industries' Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. "Steve's accomplishments in building Myers Industries and in enhancing shareholder value speak for themselves. Having Steve's experience and wisdom readily available to the Company on an ongoing basis will be invaluable. The Board is also looking forward to working with John Orr as CEO. We have been impressed with John's performance and I know from my own experience in working with John that he will provide the Company with outstanding leadership."
    The Company and Mr. Myers have agreed in principal and are currently finalizing arrangements relating to his resignation and retirement.

    About Myers Industries

    Myers Industries, Inc. is an international manufacturer of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial, and consumer markets. The Company is also the largest wholesale distributor of tools, equipment, and supplies for the tire, wheel, and undervehicle service industry in the U.S. Myers Industries had record net sales of $803.1 million in 2004.
    Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this release may include "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement that is not of historical fact may be deemed "forward-looking." These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many outside of the Company's control that could cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied. Factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the markets for the Company's business segments, unanticipated downturn in business relationships with customers or their purchases from us, competitive pressures on sales and pricing, increases in raw material costs or other production costs, and further deterioration of economic and financial conditions in the United States and around the world. Myers Industries does not undertake to update forward-looking statements contained herein.

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CONTACT: Myers Industries, Inc. Gregory J. Stodnick, 330-253-5592

KEYWORD: OHIO INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Myers Industries, Inc.

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