BELMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- May 2, 2003 -- Nikon Precision Inc. (NPI), the North American lithography subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, Japan, announced today that Bernie Wood has joined the company as Director of Marketing for United States Operations. Wood comes to Nikon Precision after having held a number of executive positions of increasing responsibility for several semiconductor equipment companies.

Wood has been in the semiconductor industry for over 20 years. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Marketing for Therma-Wave, a Fremont based manufacturer of process control metrology equipment to the semiconductor industry. Before that, Wood held the position of Director of Corporate Marketing for Mattson Technology, and Product Manager for Novellus Systems. Wood holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and MBA from San Jose State University.

“I’m very pleased to bring Bernie aboard as Director of Marketing,” says Frank D. Masciocchi, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Nikon Precision Inc. “His background in developing and implementing marketing strategies will give him the necessary perspective to manage the Marketing group at NPI. Bernie’s timing to join NPI matches the momentum occurring within to grow Product Marketing.”

“I am very excited about the opportunity,” says Bernie Wood. “I have always been impressed with Nikon’s reputation for providing their customers with superior products. Nikon also has several technologies that have the potential to take the company to a leadership position again.”

About Nikon:
Nikon Corporation, is the world leader in lithography equipment for the microelectronics manufacturing industry with a 32% WW market share and more than 7,000 exposure systems installed worldwide including over 700 DUV scanning systems. Nikon offers the most extensive selection of production-class steppers and scanners in the industry. These products serve the wafer, photomask, flat panel display (LCD) and thin-film magnetic head (TFH) industries. Nikon Precision provides service, training, applications and technical support, as well as sales and marketing for Nikon lithography equipment in North America

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Contact:
Frank D. Masciocchi
Vice President
Sales and Marketing

Customer inquiries:
Nikon Precision Inc.
(650) 508-4674
npicom@nikon.com