Exhibit 99.1

NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:             SEPTEMBER 1, 2004
From:             Argan, Inc.
Contact:          Haywood Miller
Fax:              301-315-0064
Phone:            301-315-0027

                ARGAN ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH VITARICH LABORATORIES

ROCKVILLE,  MD - Argan,  Inc. (OTC BB; BSE:  AGAX.OB;  AGX) announced  today the
closing of its merger with Vitarich Laboratories, Inc. (Vitarich). Vitarich is a
farm-to-market,   vertically   integrated   private  label   manufacturer   that
manufactures, packages and distributes premium nutraceutical products, including
nutritional and whole-food  dietary  supplements  and other personal  healthcare
products. The company is headquartered in Naples, FL.

Rainer  Bosselmann,  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Argan,  remarked,
"Vitarich  is the kind of  entrepreneurial  company  we like to  invest  in.  It
positions us for entry into the nutraceutical  industry that is characterized by
rapid growth,  fragmentation and opportunities for innovation and consolidation.
We will  continue to look for  investment  opportunities  in this  industry." In
addition  he  stated,  "Vitarich  has a  premier  management  team  that  has an
excellent industry  reputation for the research,  development and manufacture of
innovative   and  premium   nutraceutical   products  in  its   state-of-the-art
facilities." Vitarich CEO Kevin Thomas says that "the entire Vitarich management
team is  energized  by the  combination  with Argan and by what it means for the
future of the company.  The entire Vitarich team will continue our commitment to
research,  quality  products  and  excellent  customer  service."  Vitarich  has
experienced  substantial growth over the past few years, growing from $7 million
in revenue in calendar year 2000 to  approximately  $17 million over the past 12
months. For more information see www.vitarichlabs.com.

Argan,  Inc.,  headquartered in Rockville,  MD, is a farm-to-market,  vertically
integrated   private  label   manufacturer  that   manufactures,   packages  and
distributes premium nutraceutical products, including nutritional and whole-food
dietary supplements and other personal healthcare products. Diversely, Argan has
another wholly owned subsidiary,  Southern  Maryland Cable,  Inc., that provides
inside  premise  wiring  services to the federal  government  and also  provides
underground   and  aerial   construction   services   and   splicing   to  major
telecommunications and utilities customers.

This  press  release  contains  certain  forward-looking  statements  within the
meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section
21E of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended.  Although the Company
believes the assumptions  underlying the  forward-looking  statements  contained
herein,  including the development plans of the Company, are reasonable,  any of
the assumptions  could be inaccurate,  and therefore,  there can be no assurance
that the forward-looking statements contained in the press release will prove to
be   accurate.   In  light  of   significant   uncertainties   inherent  in  the
forward-looking  statements  included herein,  the inclusion of such information
should not be regarded as a  representation  by the Company or any other  person
that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.