News Release

Dec. 7, 2001
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, Korea, has selected Daifuku Co., Ltd. as their vendor for the transport and storage systems for their first 300mm semiconductor production lines. Samsung is the fourth leading manufacturer of semiconductors in the world and the leader in Korea. The new system is now in the final commissioning stage, with 300mm wafer production slated to begin in August of 2001. The system is a pilot line for Samsung's new factory that is being built in Kiheung. After the evaluation of the new system, Samsung will migrate the system to a mass production line for full-scale operation.

A unique feature of the system is a newly-developed transport model for 300mm wafers with a capability of upgrading to the direct delivery system, the predicted standard for all future 300mm transport systems. The direct delivery capability removes much of the distinction between interbay and intrabay transport, thus ensuring efficient mass production, a reduced number of required intrabay stockers, and a dramatically streamlined production process. In addition, the diverge/merge system with hoisting function significantly reduces lead time and increases the overall transport capacity.

Brooks Automation, Inc., a major software company with which Daifuku has a strong business relationship, provided the computer control system that manages Samsung's production equipment and all connecting material handling systems.

Korean companies claim over 50% share in the global DRAM market. Among them, Samsung leads the market with cutting-edge 256M DRAM development and production with a $10 billion revenue in semiconductor sales in 2000.

Daifuku Co., Ltd.

Daifuku is a world leader in material handling systems for all types of industries. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Daifuku maintains offices around the world, including Europe, Canada, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, and South America. Daifuku operates in the United States as ESKAY Corporation, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Daifuku's leading-edge technology and proven expertise combine to ensure optimal material handling solutions for a broad array of applications. Daifuku designs, sells, installs, and services systems for factory automation (both clean and standard), distribution automation, agricultural automation, medical automation, library automation, and service automation.

ESKAY's web site may be found at www.eskay.com.

Brooks Automation, Inc.

Brooks Automation, Inc. is the leading global supplier of OEM tool automation and factory management software for the semiconductor, data storage and flat panel display manufacturing industries. As an established market leader in hardware and software automation, Brooks continues to pioneer "Best-in-Class" technologies that outperform their competitors - from vacuum and atmospheric robots, cluster tool platforms and modules, ultra-clean mini-environments for isolating processing equipment and wafers - to factory and tool automation software and integration services. Both OEM and fab customers leverage Brooks Automation’s products and environments. The Company has ISO 9001 certification, is headquartered in Chelmsford, MA and has direct operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Brooks's website is www.brooks.com.

Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductors, the consumer electronics industry, and digital convergence technology. With year 2000 sales of US $27 billion, Samsung employs approximately 66,000 people in 46 countries. The company is the world's largest producer of memory chips, TFT-LCDs, CDMA mobile phones and monitors, and the sixth-largest manufacturer of mobile phones. Samsung Electronics consists of four main business units: Digital Media, Semiconductor,Information & Communications, and Home Appliance Businesses. For more information, please visit the website, www.samsungelectronics.com.