WestPoint Stevens' Asks to Extend Exclusive Right to File Chapter 11 Plan WEST POINT, Ga., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WestPoint Stevens Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: WSPT) ( http://www.westpointstevens.com/ ) today announced that it had filed a motion with its Bankruptcy Court to extend the Company's exclusive right to file a chapter 11 plan until July 29, 2004. The extension will provide the Company with the necessary time to complete its 5-year business plan. M.L. (Chip) Fontenot, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Completion of the business plan is fundamental to our emergence from chapter 11. In light of the rapid globalization of our industry, it is important that we take the time to thoughtfully consider the optimal business strategies for the Company as we prepare to discuss a chapter 11 plan with our creditors." WestPoint Stevens Inc. is the nation's premier home fashions consumer products marketing company, with a wide range of bed linens, towels, blankets, comforters and accessories marketed under the well-known brand names GRAND PATRICIAN, PATRICIAN, MARTEX, ATELIER MARTEX, BABY MARTEX, UTICA, STEVENS, LADY PEPPERELL, SEDUCTION, VELLUX and CHATHAM -- all registered trademarks owned by WestPoint Stevens Inc. and its subsidiaries -- and under licensed brands including RALPH LAUREN HOME, DISNEY HOME, and GLYNDA TURLEY. WestPoint Stevens can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.westpointstevens.com/ . Safe Harbor Statement: Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters set forth in this press release are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties may be attributable to important factors that include but are not limited to the following: Product margins mayvary from those projected; Raw material prices may vary from those assumed; Additional reserves may be required for bad debts, returns, allowances, governmental compliance costs, or litigation; There may be changes in the performance of financial markets or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Unanticipated natural disasters could have a material impact upon results of operations; There may be changes in the general economic conditions that affect customer practices or consumer spending; Competition for retail and wholesale customers, pricing and transportation of products may vary from time to time due to seasonal variations or otherwise; Customer preferences for our products can be affected by competition, or general market demand fordomestic or imported goods or the quantity, quality, price or delivery time of such goods; There could be an unanticipated loss of a material customer or a material license; The availability and price of raw materials could be affected by weather, disease, energy costs or other factors; The future results of operations may be adversely affected by factors relating to the Chapter 11 proceedings. The information contained in this release is as of March 26, 2004. WestPoint Stevens assumes no obligationto update publicly any forward-looking statements, contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments. Contact: Lorraine D. Miller, CFA Senior Vice President - Finance and External Communications Phone: 404.378.0491 DATASOURCE: WestPoint Stevens Inc. CONTACT: Lorraine D. Miller, CFA, Senior Vice President - Finance and External Communications of WestPoint Stevens Inc., +1-404-378-0491 Web site: http://www.westpointstevens.com/

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