Entegris Completes Sales Initiative in Japan; Entegris Implements Direct Sales Channel to Meet Customer Demands

Business Wire, Dec 3, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SEMICON Japan 2002

CHASKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2002

Entegris, Inc., (Nasdaq:ENTG) the materials integrity management company, today announced it has completed the final step in its sales initiative to service the Japanese microelectronics market. Entegris has reached an agreement with Marubeni, its distributor of wafer shipping and disk handling products, to transition its current distribution sales model to a direct sales model for the region. The two companies are currently implementing a joint plan to ensure the highest level of customer service during the transition period, ending in February 2003.

Sales and customer service activities for Entegris' wafer shipping and disk handling products will transition to the company's Japanese subsidiary, Fluoroware Valqua Japan K.K. (FVJ). Entegris serves the customers in this region through its FVJ sales and manufacturing operations.

"Moving from a distribution model to a direct sales model is a natural progression of growth, demonstrating our commitment to the Japanese market," said Michael Wright, Entegris' chief operating officer. "Marubeni has been a valued partner over the last decade, but this initiative enables us to be closer and more accessible to our customers, which is our number one priority. Through continued investment in this region, and around the world, we now have the scope and scale to meet the needs of our global customers with consistent service and support."

Under this new initiative, Entegris will assume all responsibilities for sales, service, support and logistics of its material integrity management products in Japan. The company will also maintain its product inventory in Japan, through a local infrastructure of support and customer service programs.

"By beginning this transition three months in advance, we can ensure our high standards will be maintained throughout this process," added Wright. "We are committed to make this an easy transition for all involved."

Entegris' direct sales implementation in Japan is expected be complete on Feb. 28, 2003. The company is currently demonstrating its materials integrity management products for the semiconductor market at the SEMICON Japan trade show at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, Booth #402, through Dec.6, 2002.

ABOUT ENTEGRIS

Entegris products and services protect and transport the critical materials that enable the world's leading technologies. Entegris is a leading materials integrity management company providing products and services used from production to consumption in the semiconductor, data storage, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, fuel cell and other key technology-driven industries worldwide.

Entegris is headquartered in Chaska, Minn., and has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany, Japan and Malaysia and is ISO 9001 certified. Directly and through alliances with Metron Technology and other distributors, Entegris provides customer support on six continents. Additional information can be found at www.entegris.com