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                                                     John Rowley
C.H. Heist Corp.                                     (813) 461-5656
                                                     C.H. Heist Corp.
                                                     810 N. Belcher Road
                                                     C.H. Heist Corporation                                          Clearwater, FL 84625


For Immediate Release
May 8, 1997


       C.H. Heist Corp. Names Muir Vice President of Sales and Marketing


      CLEARWATER, FL., - C.H. Heist Corp. (Amex: HST) today named Christopher H.
Muir Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Company's industrial
maintenance division.

      "We committed ourselves to finding the most-qualified candidate for this
key position as part of a new strategic initiative," Chairman of the Board and
President Charles H. Heist explained. "Chris brings tremendous marketing
experience and savvy to the Company, and will work closely with the Executive
team as well as with our managers nationwide, to implement a strategic plan
for enhanced industrial maintenance sales."

      In the three years before joining Heist, Muir established and operated
Tampa-based Paradox Consulting Group to counsel clients on strategic business
planning, market analysis, financial analysis and new-venture start-ups.

      Previously, Muir held various positions including director of marketing
at the environmental consulting firm Quanterra, formerly Corning, Inc.'s
Enseco division.

      Muir serves as an adjunct professor of marketing at the University of
South Florida's College of Business Administration, a position he has held
since 1995. His professional affiliations include being a charter member of the
Customer Satisfaction/Total Quality Round Table, Consultants Round Table,
Southwest Area Council and Northeast Area Council. He is also an executive
member of the American Marketing Association.

      C.H. Heist Corp. provides industrial cleaning and maintenance services
to a wide range of industries, such as chemical, petrochemical, power
generation, pulp and paper, mining, nuclear and metallurgical plants and mills.
With locations throughout the eastern United States and Canada its industrial
services include high pressure water cleaning, painting, sand blasting,
vacuuming of wet and dry industrial wastes, turnaround services and insulation
sales and application.

End