DIAL TO ACQUIRE FREEMAN COSMETIC CORPORATION, EXPAND ROLE IN NATURAL BEAUTY AIDS MARKET

Scottsdale, Ariz., June 1, 1998-- The Dial Corporation (NYSE/DL) announced today that it is expanding its role in the rapidly growing natural ingredients segment of the health and beauty aids market by agreeing to acquire privately held Freeman Cosmetic Corporation of Los Angeles, Calif. With sales of $65 million in 1997, Freeman is a leading maker and marketer of natural skin care, hair care, bath and body, and foot care products. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"Freeman Cosmetics is strategically important to the future growth of The Dial Corporation," stated Mal Jozoff, Dial Chairman and CEO. "The Freeman products, along with our own Nature's Accents brand, will firmly establish Dial as a leader in the dynamic natural personal care market segment where the industry's significant growth is taking place. Freeman's management will give us that all important marketing savvy to win big with innovative new products and strengthened current products."

Larry Freeman, Chairman and CEO of Freeman Cosmetics, said, " Dial's strengths are the perfect complement to ours, and that will let us become more powerful marketers of our innovative product lines. Joining with Dial is the best way to insure that what we have built over the last 22 years continues to grow in the future."

The acquisition, subject to government approval, is expected to be completed in late June. Freeman Cosmetics will become a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dial Corporation and remain headquartered in Los Angeles.

The Dial Corporation, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., is one of America's leading manufacturers of consumer products including Dial soaps, this year celebrating 50 years as America's leading antibacterial soap, Renuzit air fresheners, Purex laundry detergents and Armour Star canned meats. Dial products have been in the American marketplace for more than 100 years.

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