STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In connection with the impending new stock issue in Micronic Laser Systems AB (Other OTC:MICLF) , the Swedish Industrial Development Fund (Industrifonden) is selling half of its subscription rights, the equivalent of 1,750,000 shares, to Investor Growth Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investor AB (OtherOTC:IVSBF) (Other OTC:IVSXF). Industrifonden will remain Micronic's largest single owner.
After the new stock issue, Industrifonden will own approximately 13.7 percent of the share capital and voting rights in Micronic. The rights Investor is acquiring to subscribe for shares correspond to approximately 4.5 percent of the capital and votes.
Micronic Laser Systems is a high-tech company headquartered in Taby, Sweden, with subsidiaries in Japan, the United States and Taiwan. Micronic develops, manufactures and markets high-end laser pattern generators for the production of photomasks. The world's leading electronics companies use Micronic's systems in the production of television screens and computer displays, and the manufacture of semiconductors.
"We have good experience from cooperating with Investor in about ten projects," said Lars Ojefors, CEO of Industrifonden. "We're looking forward to developing Micronic together, which, in our opinion, is one of Sweden's most attractive, young high-tech companies."
"Micronic is a leader in its specialized field -- microlithographic equipment. The basic technology is very high-end and the product portfolio is promising. In our opinion, Micronic will be well positioned when the investment and upgrading cycle returns," said Borje Ekholm, Executive Vice President of Investor AB and Head of the New Investments business area.
Read more about Micronic Laser Systems at: www.micronic.se
For further information, please contact: Lars Ojefors, CEO, Industrifonden: +46 708 61 98 34 Hakan Jansson, Managing Director, Investor Growth Capital AB +46 8 614 18 21, +46 70 824 20 21 Fredrik Lindgren, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Investor AB +46 8 614 20 31, +46 70 624 20 31
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