[LETTERHEAD OF WEBER SHANDWICK]


                                                           RE: HARDINGE INC.
                                                           ONE HARDINGE DRIVE
                                                           ELMIRA, NY 14902
                                                           (NASDAQ: HDNG)


AT THE COMPANY:            AT FRB | WEBER SHANDWICK:
Richard L. Simons          Kerry Thalheim         John McNamara
Exec VP & CFO              General Inquiries      Analyst Inquiries
(607) 378-4202             (212) 445-8437         (212) 445-8435


       HARDINGE INC. ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF J. PATRICK ERVIN TO CHAIRMAN OF
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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o     DOUGLAS G. RICH PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT - GENERAL MANAGER U.S. MACHINE
      OPERATIONS

o     SEMI-ANNUAL DIVIDEND OF $0.01 DECLARED


Elmira, N.Y., November 20, 2002 - Hardinge Inc. (Nasdaq: HDNG), a leading
producer of advanced material-cutting solutions, announced today that its Board
of Directors has elected Mr. J. Patrick Ervin as Chairman of the Board,
effective January 1, 2003. Mr. Ervin, 45, will retain his title of President and
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. E. Martin Gibson, currently Chairman of the Board,
will remain as a member of the Board of Directors after that date.

In making the announcement, Mr. Gibson commented, "This appointment represents
the trust and confidence the entire Board of Directors has in Pat Ervin and his
abilities to lead Hardinge into the future. Pat has shown the leadership
capabilities to guide the Company's operations through the difficult economic
environment it has experienced over the past few years. He has shown the courage
to make difficult decisions, the vision to embark in new directions, and the
creativity to balance short-term concerns with long- term opportunities. His
enormous breadth of knowledge regarding Hardinge's operations, its markets, and
its industry provide the background to form the strategies necessary to lead the
Company into tomorrow."

The Board also announced the appointment of Mr. Douglas G. Rich as Vice
President - General Manager - U.S. Machine Operations. Mr. Rich, 46, previously
held the title of Vice President - Manufacturing. In making the announcement,
Mr. Ervin commented, "Doug came to us almost two years ago with a strong
background in operational management. He has shown the ability to have a very
positive impact on our manufacturing operations, and we look forward to
expanding his reach to all of the U.S. machine product based operations."

The Board of Directors also announced today the declaration of a cash dividend
of $0.01 per share on the Company's common stock payable on December 10, 2002 to
stockholders of record as of November 29, 2002. This dividend reflects a
reduction from the previous semi-annual dividend of $0.03 announced in May. In
May, the Company also announced its policy of considering dividends on a
semi-annual basis in May and November of each year, rather than quarterly.




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The Company's Board of Directors noted that the reduction in the dividend rate
was a necessary action due to the current difficult operating conditions in the
machine tool industry and the effect those conditions have had on the operating
performance of the Company. It remains the Company's objective to ensure that
Hardinge remains a financially strong company with the flexibility to fund
strategic initiatives.

Hardinge Inc., founded more than 100 years ago, is an international leader in
providing the latest industrial technology to companies requiring
material-cutting solutions. The Company designs and manufactures
computer-numerically controlled metal-cutting lathes, machining centers,
grinding machines and other industrial products. The Company's common stock
trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "HDNG." For more information, please visit the
Company's website at WWW.HARDINGE.COM.








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