EXHIBIT 99


          [LETTERHEAD OF FRB WEBER SHANDWICK FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS]


                                                            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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2002


HARDINGE ANNOUNCES REDUCTION IN NORTH AMERICAN WORKFORCE


ELMIRA, N.Y., OCTOBER 3, 2002 -- Hardinge Inc. (Nasdaq: HDNG), a leading
producer of advanced material-cutting solutions, today announced a reduction of
40 people, or approximately 7% of its North American workforce. The reduction in
people and production levels is in response to the continuing recession in
manufacturing in the United States, and the impact that has had on capital
spending.

J. Patrick Ervin, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "It is very
difficult to make these moves, given their impact on employees and their
families. However, the U.S. machine tool industry continues to be in its deepest
slump in decades. Figures from the industry's trade association, the Association
for Manufacturing Technology, have shown year to date orders are 25% below
orders in the same period of 2001. And this is a comparison to a very slow 2001
when orders were about 22% below the year 2000."

I mentioned in our second quarter earnings release that we would reduce our
operating levels if demanded by market conditions. Recent order trends have
shown no improvement in consumption of machine tools in North America. We had
hoped that the biannual trade show, the International Manufacturing Technology
Show held in early September in Chicago, would provide an improvement in our
outlook. The show was successful as a showcase for our latest machines and
technology, and we received many inquiries from the show. However, we have not
yet seen any signs of increased order activity."

We plan to announce our third quarter results on October 25th. As we had
mentioned in our last earnings release, we do anticipate net losses in the third
quarter, but anticipate positive cash flow from operations. It is our job during
these difficult times to ensure production levels mirror demand and to manage
our inventory levels and cash flows. Actions such as those taken today will
improve our positive cash flows and ongoing debt reductions. It is essential
that we preserve our strong financial condition and leadership position in the
industry. This will position us for superior performance once the markets
recover."

We are still working out the details of our anticipated alliance with Bridgeport
International which was announced in September. The manufacturing of Bridgeport
kneemills in our Elmira, NY facility should enable us to recall some of these
workers as implementation progresses."




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, manufactures, and sells
computer-numerically controlled metal-cutting lathes, machining centers,
grinding machines, and other industrial products. The Company has manufacturing
facilities in the United States, Switzerland, Taiwan and China, and distributes
products throughout the world. Worldwide employment is approximately 1,200. 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.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS STATEMENTS OF A FORWARD-LOOKING NATURE RELATING TO
THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF HARDINGE INC. SUCH STATEMENTS ARE BASED UPON
INFORMATION KNOWN TO MANAGEMENT AT THIS TIME. THE COMPANY CAUTIONS THAT SUCH
STATEMENTS NECESSARILY INVOLVE UNCERTAINTIES AND RISK, AND DEAL WITH MATTERS
BEYOND THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO CONTROL AND IN MANY CASES THE COMPANY CANNOT
PREDICT WHAT FACTORS WOULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
INDICATED. AMONG THE MANY FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER FROM
THOSE SET FORTH IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE
MACHINE TOOL BUSINESS CYCLES, CHANGES IN GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE U.S.
OR INTERNATIONALLY, THE MIX OF PRODUCTS SOLD AND THE PROFIT MARGINS THEREON, THE
RELATIVE SUCCESS OF THE COMPANY'S ENTRY INTO NEW PRODUCT AND GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS,
THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO MANAGE ITS OPERATING COSTS, ACTIONS TAKEN BY CUSTOMERS
SUCH AS ORDER CANCELLATIONS OR REDUCED BOOKINGS BY CUSTOMERS OR DISTRIBUTORS,
COMPETITORS' ACTIONS SUCH AS PRICE DISCOUNTING OR NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS,
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, CHANGES IN THE AVAILABILITY
AND COST OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN
LIGHT OF THESE FACTORS. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO REVISE ITS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS ALTER THEIR ACCURACY.