MIAMI, FLORIDA- Feb. 23, 2000 - Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO), the nation's largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration products, today announced new alliances with four Internet business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce providers: Ariba, Inc., Commerce One, Inc., Intelisys Electronic Commerce, Inc. and Cephren, Inc.

Watsco announced that it has forged relationships with four Internet B2B e-commerce providers and will integrate its product catalog and business services with these providers. These B2B exchanges will provide Watsco's catalog of products and services to a large universe of organizations that are buying products and services on-line. These relationships should also increase Watsco's market reach to other areas of the country.

As part of an agreement with Ariba, Inc., a leading provider of B2B e-commerce solutions, Watsco will participate as a member of the Ariba Supplier Linkä program. Ariba's products and services connect buyers to suppliers and deliver an automated solution for improving the acquisition and management of goods and services. The Ariba solution delivers process efficiencies to buyers and allows suppliers to increase sales, reduce process costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

As part of an agreement with Commerce One, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions for businesses, Watsco will be a participating supplier in Commerce One MarketSite Global Trading Portal, the U.S. portal for exchanging goods and services among businesses worldwide. The Commerce One Solution automates the complete indirect goods and services supply chain from requisition to payment. Buyers and suppliers of business products and services are connected by enabling open interoperable marketplaces. It presents an opportunity for exposure to other participating buying organizations, creating a new and expanded sales channel.

Under an agreement with Intelisys, a provider of non-proprietary Internet-based procurement systems, Watsco will become part of Intelisys' Premier Supplier Alliance Program. Intelisys's procurement solution allows companies, governments and other institutions to streamline processes associated with purchasing goods and services from preferred suppliers. Intelisys has also formed an alliance with QuickBooks, small business software made by software giant Intuit. Through the QuickBooks e-services platform, Intelisys is able to offer one of the largest small business customer bases access to purchasing services similar to larger proprietary Internet portals.

Watsco also signed an agreement with Cephren, the first on-line procurement network to focus on serving the needs of buyers and sellers of construction products and equipment. Through its integrated, online collaboration and e-commerce framework, Cephren represents customers in more than 800 firms and 10,000 registered users on five continents with a construction value of over $40 billion and over $1.5 billion in potential online procurement transactions annually.

Mr. Nahmad stated, "As Internet-based, business-to-business commerce pushes the boundaries of traditional purchasing and procurement activities, Watsco is uniquely positioned as the industry's largest supplier of HVAC/R products to partner with companies such as Ariba, Commerce One, Intelisys and Cephren and take advantage of the emerging dynamics of the new economy. We will continue to evaluate other potential alliances as we further develop and broaden our e-commerce strategy."

Watsco is the nation's largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related products in the distribution segment of the HVAC/R industry. The Company's strategy is to expand its network of distribution locations across the country. The Company currently operates 317 locations serving customers in 30 states with annual revenue over $1.2 billion. The Company is pursuing opportunities for further growth throughout the country.

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions if the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Additional information on factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in filings of the Company with the Securities & Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these risks and circumstances.