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The word "acuity" means keenness of vision and sharpness of thought. The word "brands" is being used to showcase the strength of the products of the lighting equipment and chemicals businesses, which will operate through subsidiaries to be named Acuity Lighting Group and Acuity Specialty Products Group, respectively. The name was selected by Acuity Brands' senior management team, including top managers from both business units, from hundreds of potential names created in partnership with ListerButler, a New York-based identity and communications management firm.

James S. Balloun, NSI's current chairman and chief executive officer, will become Acuity Brands' chairman and chief executive officer upon completion of the spin-off. "The name Acuity Brands implies strong, focused leadership and a culture that aspires to high performance," said Balloun. "When we explored the idea of spinning off the lighting and chemicals businesses into a separately traded entity, we did so in an effort to stimulate growth in value. Our investors will have more visibility into our businesses, and the streamlined organizations will enable our management to increase its focus on improving performance and reducing debt. Our desire was to select a name that reflected those goals, and Acuity Brands meets that requirement.

"Acuity Brands is here to make the world cleaner and brighter. Our specialty products business is a leader in the market for cleaning systems and products. Our lighting group has the leading position in the growing $8 billion lighting fixture market. These two businesses provide a solid basis for growing value, and the name Acuity Brands is just right for us," said Balloun.

Acuity Brands, with 2001 annual revenues of $2.0 billion, will employ over 10,000 people. Acuity Lighting Group consists of Lithonia, Holophane, and other prominent lighting brands including Peerless, Hydrel, and Antique Street Lamps. Acuity Specialty Products Group is comprised of specialty chemical brands including Zep, Enforcer, and Selig.

Acuity Brands will be headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and expects to relocate within six months to the Proscenium, a multi-tenant office building located at 1170 Peachtree St., N.E., subject to finalization of a lease agreement.

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-laterially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the company's forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include without limitation the following: (a) underlying assumptions or expectations related to the spin-off transaction proving to be inaccurate or unrealized; (b) the timing of the Securities and Exchange Commission's review of the company's registration statement on Form 10; (c) the uncertainty of general business and economic conditions; and (d) unexpected developments and outcomes in the company's legal and environmental proceedings.

National Service Industries, Inc., with fiscal year 2001 sales of $2.6 billion, has four business segments -- lighting equipment, chemicals, textile rental, and envelopes.

SOURCE National Service Industries, Inc.

CONTACT:

Chester J. Popkowski (Chet), Vice President and Treasurer of National Service Industries, Inc., +1-404-853-1405 URL: http://www.nationalservice.com

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