Exhibit 99.1


 Methode Electronics Announces Executive Officer and Director Changes
                   and Declares Quarterly Dividend

    CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2004--Methode Electronics,
Inc. (Nasdaq:METH) today announced that as part of the company's
long-term succession plan, the Board of Directors elected Donald W.
Duda Chief Executive Officer and elected Douglas A. Koman Chief
Financial Officer effective May 1, 2004. Mr. Duda will continue to
serve as President and Mr. Koman will continue to serve as Vice
President, Corporate Finance.
    Methode Electronics also announced that William T. Jensen will
retire as an executive officer of the company effective May 1, 2004.
Mr. Jensen will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. The Board
of Directors acknowledged Mr. Jensen's outstanding commitment to the
company and expressed appreciation for Mr. Jensen's agreement to
return to the company as an executive Chairman after the death of the
company's founder, William J. McGinley. The Board further thanked Mr.
Jensen for guiding the company through the elimination of its
dual-class structure.
    Also, Methode Electronics announced that the Board of Directors
elected George S. Spindler as a new member of the Board. Mr. Spindler
is the retired Senior Vice President Law-Corporate Affairs of Amoco
Corporation.
    Methode Electronics also announced that the Board of Directors has
declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share to be paid on
March 31, 2004 to its shareholders of record at the close of business
on March 15, 2004.

    About Methode Electronics

    Methode Electronics, Inc. is a global manufacturer of electronic
component and subsystem devices. Methode designs, manufactures and
markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing
and optical technologies. Methode's components are found in the
primary end markets of the automotive, communications (including
information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and
terrestrial voice/data systems), aerospace, rail and other
transportation industries; and the consumer and industrial equipment
markets. Further information can be found at Methode's website
http://www.methode.com.

    CONTACT: Methode Electronics, Inc.
             Director of Investor Relations
             Joey Iske, 708-457-4060
             jiske@methode.com