Chairman and CEO of STERIS Announces Retirement

MENTOR, OH-Bill R. Sanford, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Founder of STERIS Corporation, announced that he will retire July 21, 2000. Sanford has been the corporation's only Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since its inception in 1987. Last year, a management succession plan was developed to create a new position, President and Chief Operating Officer. Les C. Vinney was appointed to the position and the Board of Directors expects to name Vinney as Chief Executive Officer and elect current Board member Dr. Jerry E. Robertson as non-executive Chairman to succeed Sanford.

Commenting on his decision, Sanford reflected, "The growth and success of STERIS since we introduced our first infection prevention system only a decade ago has been very gratifying. Most of my business career has been devoted to transferring technology from the laboratory to the real world to provide tangible benefits to society, including the creation of wealth and meaningful jobs."

Sanford will continue to be associated with STERIS as Executive Founder and Special Executive Advisor to the Company's Board of Directors.