SPAN-AMERICA AND SYNALLOY DISCONTINUE
ACQUISITION DISCUSSIONS

GREENVILLE, S.C. (January 26, 2001) Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:SPAN) today announced that the Company and Synalloy Corporation (Nasdaq/NM:SYNC) have mutually agreed to discontinue discussions regarding Synalloy's previously announced interest in acquiring Span-America.  In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Synalloy stated that they had discontinued discussions with Span-America but would continue to monitor their 6% investment in the Company and their investment options.

Synalloy initially announced their interest in acquiring Span-America in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on December 15, 2000.

 About Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.

Span-America manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, including Geo-Matt®, PressureGuard®, Geo-Mattress®, Span+Aids®, and Isch-Dish® products.  The Company also supplies custom foam and packaging products to the consumer and industrial markets.  Span-America's stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the symbol SPAN.