TABY, Sweden, Aug. 30, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Micronic Laser Systems AB (Stockholm:MICR), a leading manufacturer of laser pattern generation equipment to semiconductor and display industries.
Micronic's Board of Directors has decided to adjust the sales forecast for the full year 2002 toward sales in line with last year's (699 MSEK). The earlier forecast was based on an expected recovery within the semiconductor industry. Recent market research indicates that this recovery has been further delayed, which will affect the technology investments for photomasks. The lack of visibility in the market is affecting our customer and will most likely result in a delayed shipment of Micronic's second Sigma-system to Q4, 2002.
"Micronic shipped on schedule during the second quarter the first Sigma- system for production of advanced photomasks to DuPont Photomasks, one of the industry's leading manufacturers of advanced photomasks. We see continued strong interest in our products as we now in a high tempo demonstrates our technology. Our opportunities to increase our market shares are good in spite of this weak market due to the strength of our technology," said Sven Lofquist, president and CEO of Micronic Laser Systems and continued "It is obvious that the industry now is facing a difficult economical situation that only can be solved via cost-effective technology in the photomask production process as well as for prototype manufacturing of semiconductor components through programmable steppers where the pattern is transferred direct to the semiconductor component without the use of photomasks. Micronic has its strengths within these areas through a unique technology and by that the company is well positioned for the future."
Company contact: Agency contact: Sven Lofquist Dylan McGrath President & CEO The Loomis Group, Inc. Tel: +46 8 638 52 00 Tel: +1 415 882 9494 sven.lofquist@micronic.se dylan@loomisgroup.com
About Micronic Laser Systems AB
Micronic Laser Systems is a Swedish high-tech company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of a series of extremely accurate laser pattern generators for the production of photomasks. The technology involved is known as microlithography. Micronic's systems are used by the world's leading electronics companies in the manufacture of television and computer displays, semiconductor circuits and semiconductor packaging components. Micronic is located in Taby, north of Stockholm and at present has subsidiaries in the United States and Japan and a service office in Taiwan. The company has 339 employees. Micronic maintains a web site at: http://www.micronic.se
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