Photronics Named Supplier of the Year by Fairchild Semiconductor

BROOKFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Photronics, Inc. PLAB, a worldwide leader in supplying innovative imaging technology solutions for the global electronics industry, today announced that Fairchild Semiconductor has awarded the company its Photomask Supplier of the Year Award. This is the ninth time that Photronics has received this award.

Each year Fairchild Semiconductor's wafer fab operations in the United States and Korea rank their key suppliers in the categories of Quality, Delivery, Service, Technology & Systems, and Cost of Ownership. The criteria requires that each Photronics manufacturing site(s) worldwide must achieve a rating of greater than 90% in all categories for each Fairchild wafer manufacturing location.

Constantine ("Deno") Macricostas, Photronics' chairman and chief executive officer commented, "We are particularly proud to receive this award from our valued customer Fairchild Semiconductor. Our relationship dates back many years, and we have always strived for excellence in customer service and quality. This award is testament to the success of that continued commitment."

"Our customers need to differentiate themselves in the market place, and they expect excellent quality as part of our commitment to help them succeed. Photronics continues to exceed expectations," stated Stephen Wallace, Fairchild Semiconductor's Global Photomask Commodity Manager. "The Photomask Supplier of the Year Award, named after C. Sheldon Roberts, one of Fairchild Semiconductor's original founders in 1957, is presented to the supplier that meets our stringent goals. We're pleased to present the award to Photronics, and look forward to enhancing our solid relationship with them in the future."

Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits, a variety of flat panel displays and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. They are produced in accordance with product designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the Company can be accessed at www.photronics.com.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other parts of Photronics' web site involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, services, prices, and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, legal, governmental, and technological factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. For a fuller discussion of the factors that may affect the Company's operations, see "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's Quarterly and Annual Reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements.

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