News

Kyocera Announces Executive Promotions at U.S.-Based Industrial Ceramics Unit

Robert Osmun Becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp.; John Rigby Becomes President

SAN DIEGO, CA – March 14, 2001 -- Kyocera International, Inc. (“KII”) today announced two executive promotions which will become effective April 1, 2001 at Vancouver, Washington-based Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corporation (“KICC”).

Robert Osmun, who joined Kyocera in 1974 and currently serves as president of KICC, will be promoted to Chairman of that company’s board of directors. Mr. Osmun will remain at KICC’s Vancouver headquarters, reporting to KII President Rodney N. Lanthorne and the KICC board of directors.

John Rigby, who joined Kyocera in 1981 and currently serves as executive vice president of KICC, will be promoted to president of that company. Mr. Rigby will relocate from New Jersey to Vancouver where he will continue to report to Mr. Osmun.

Both promotions are intended to provide a smooth leadership transition in preparation for Mr. Osmun’s scheduled retirement in July 2002.

“Bob Osmun has provided strong leadership during his distinguished, 27-year career with Kyocera,” Lanthorne stated. “Upon assuming the presidency of KICC at its inception in 1990, he led the charge in establishing Kyocera as North America’s leading supplier of structural ceramics. He has built a strong team within KICC and is now preparing to pass the leadership baton to the next generation. We look forward to his continued strategic leadership in his new role.

“John Rigby successfully led KICC’s growth in the important electro-optic components segment prior to assuming responsibilities as executive vice president two years ago,” Lanthorne added. “His leadership and customer-oriented drive position the company for continued strong growth in the 21st century.”

Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corporation is headquartered in Vancouver, WA with three manufacturing plants and a network of sales offices located throughout the United States. The company's products include fiber-optic components and connectors; industrial and automotive ceramics; ceramic substrates; ceramic and cermet cutting tools; liquid crystal displays; thermal printheads; and amorphous silicon print drums.

Kyocera International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation, is Kyocera’s North American headquarters and holding company.

Kyocera Corporation, parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of industrial and electronic components; telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, cameras, laser printers, copiers and solar energy systems. During the year ended March 31, 2000, Kyocera Corporation’s consolidated net sales totaled 812 billion yen ($7.9 billion) with net income of 50 billion yen ($489 million). Kyocera has been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine as one of “The World’s 100 Best-Managed Companies.”