<B>Westvaco Posts Strong Quarter</B>

Westvaco Corp. announced sharply higher fiscal fourth quarter and full year revenues and earnings, reflecting the effect of strategic initiatives, including early positive results from acquisitions, as well as stronger markets.

Excluding unusual items, fiscal fourth quarter earnings totaled $78.9 million, up 37 percent from earnings of $57.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999. Excluding unusual items, earnings for the fiscal year totaled $262.2 million, an 81 percent increase from earnings of $145.1 million in fiscal 1999. Revenues for the fourth quarter totaled $1 billion, a 34 percent increase compared to the prior year period, and $3.7 billion for the full year, up 31 percent compared to fiscal 1999.

Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 totaled $80.7 million, an increase of 241 percent from $23.7 million in the year earlier period. Fiscal year 2000 net income totaled $245.9 million, up 121 percent from $111.2 in fiscal 1999.