Despatch Industries Confirms 30 UltraFlex(TM) Furnace Orders Across Europe and Asia

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - February 19, 2010) - Despatch Industries, a leading technology and equipment provider for the solar industry, confirms that 30 UltraFlex™ Firing and Drying Furnaces have been ordered by solar manufacturers throughout Europe and Asia. The 30 furnaces amount to more than 7.5GW of firing furnace production capacity. Adoption of both the single-lane and high-capacity dual-lane furnaces indicates growing industry acceptance along with escalating solar production opportunities worldwide.

"Microzone™ technology is the heart of the UltraFlex™ Furnace," said Jeff Bell, Solar Product Manager. "Plant managers understand they can tailor their thermal profile for optimum performance independent of belt speed. That means they can achieve their ideal firing profile at their desired line speed."

The UltraFlex™ Furnace combines a smaller footprint -- 2.5 meters shorter than comparable systems -- with airflow redesigned for increased efficiency, a virtually maintenance-free thermal oxidizer that eliminates VOCs at point-of-generation, and Microzone™ technology configured to create the sharp divisions and tight controls to adapt to industry advancements in paste and cell architecture. Custom lamps and chamber interiors are fine-tuned to optimal wavelengths to reduce energy loss, resulting in increased efficiency of the cells produced.

"The UltraFlex™ Firing Furnace is providing research and development teams with the ability to improve the performance of existing lines as well as enabling new cell structures and advanced materials," said Brian Bunkenburg, Despatch Industries Chief Technology Officer. "The flexibility provided by the MicroZone™ technology allows customers to not only keep pace with industry changes, it allows them to lead those changes."

Despatch firing furnace technology is consistently recognized as the best available in the industry. The company currently holds the number one market share for metallization firing furnaces, having sold over 200 units into China alone, and has shipped over 10GW of firing furnace production capacity worldwide.

Despatch Industries designs and engineers market-leading tools and technology for the solar cell manufacturing industry. The company's regional offices and complete global service network allow Despatch to provide local sales and product support to all customers worldwide. Despatch equipment is consistently recognized for exceptional performance and process quality, optimal cell efficiency, maximum uptime and reduced operating costs.

For more information on Despatch visit our website: www.despatch.com

Contact Information: Media Contact: Amber Schramm 1-952-469-8140