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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Burlington, Massachusetts and Irvine, California –
October 1, 2002 – EM4, Inc. and Newport Corporation
(NASDAQ: NEWP) today announced the signing of a letter of intent
regarding a strategic agreement to jointly develop and refine photonics
device manufacturing equipment and process solutions, as well as
establishing an equipment supplier relationship between the two
parties.
As part of this transaction, EM4 will provide Newport an exclusive
license to utilize portions of EM4’s proprietary optoelectronic
packaging technology as part of Newport’s automated manufacturing
solutions, and Newport will become a preferred supplier to EM4 for
all test and assembly equipment to support their optical manufacturing
services (OMS) business.
“The combination of Newport’s automation expertise and
our manufacturing processes and services allows for tremendous advancements
in the evolution of bringing lower cost active optoelectronic devices
to the market” said Basil Garabet, Chief Executive Officer.
“This alliance with Newport will allow us to take advantage
of the latest automation solutions for high volume manufacturing
while focusing on our core business of providing optical component
and sub-assembly manufacturing services.”
Kevin Crofton, Vice President and General Manager of Newport's Advanced
Packaging Automation Systems (APAS) Division, stated, "EM4’s
capability and experience in active device package design and manufacturing
process development is a great complement to Newport’s, and
this agreement will enable us to further expand Newport's participation
in the emerging contract manufacturing segment in photonics.”
EM4, Inc., a world leader in Optical Manufacturing Services
(OMS), provides active optoelectronic component package design and
manufacturing services. Core capabilities include the design, development,
production and reliability testing of active fiber optic components.
End-to-end packaging solutions make EM4 a premier outsourcing partner
for the optical networking communications industry. For further
information, please visit the EM4, Inc. Web site at www.em4inc.com.
Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced technology
products and systems to the semiconductor, communications, electronics
and research markets. The company provides components and integrated
subsystems to manufacturers of semiconductor processing equipment,
advanced automated assembly and test systems to manufacturers of communications
and electronics devices, and a broad array of high-precision components
and instruments to commercial, academic and government customers worldwide.
Newport’s innovative solutions leverage its expertise in precision
robotics and automation, sub-micron positioning systems, vibration
isolation and optical subsystems to enhance the capabilities and productivity
of its customers’ manufacturing, engineering and research applications.
Newport is part of the Standard & Poor’s Midcap 400 Index
and the Russell 2000 Index. For further information, please visit
the Newport Corporation Web site at www.newport.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements and information
relating to EM4, Inc. and Newport that are based on the companies'
beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to them. These forward-looking statements involve a number
of risks and uncertainties that may cause results to vary from expectations.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements. Information concerning certain factors
that could cause Newport’s actual results to differ materially
is included in Newport’s Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the
SEC. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based
on current expectations. Neither company assumes any obligation
to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
Winn Gatewood
Marketing Communications
781-275-7501 ext 257
wgatewood@em4inc.com
For more information about EM4, visit www.em4inc.com
For more information about Newport, visit www.newport.com
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