MRL INDUSTRIES EXPANDS MANUFACTURING

MRL Industriesifornia, December 28, 1999—MRL Industries of MRL Industriesifornia announced today that it would increase its manufacturing capacity in early 2000 by an additional 30,000 square feet at its company headquarters. Capping a year that began with its acquisition by Sweden-based Sandvik, Inc. in January, MRL's expansion will bring its manufacturing capacity to 80,000 square feet and its total facility size to 100,000 square feet.

In addition, MRL forecasts sales growth in the year 2000, strengthening its position as a global leader in supplying proven heating technology to the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

This expansion will enable MRL to continue to provide customers with state of the art technology products at competitive prices delivered on time.

MRL remains fully committed to introducing world class thermal processing solutions as the industry standardizes on larger wafer substrates for the 21st century.

About MRL Industries
Founded in 1979, MRL Industries is wholly owned by Sandvik, Inc. and is a leading provider of quality semiconductor manufacturing systems and heating
elements. Today, MRL has become an industry leader with a product line that encompasses the Phoenix and Cyclone Furnace Systems, Black Max, Helix, HelixII, Aztec-Helix, and the recently introduced Magna Heating Elements, Fast Cool Elements, PyroXTorch Assemblies, Cantilever Load Systems and Gas Source Cabinets.

The company actively works with its customers to solve existing challenges or to develop new processes. MRL continues to refine vertical and horizontal heating element technology in order to improve thermal processing performance.

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