News

Kyocera America, Inc. to Relocate Beaverton, Oregon Manufacturing Operation

San Diego, CA: April 29, 2003 -- Kyocera America, Inc. announced today that it plans to move its Beaverton, Oregon, Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) manufacturing operations into its 288,000 sq. ft. main manufacturing facility in San Diego, California.

"Relocating the LTCC manufacturing operation to San Diego will streamline our manufacturing process, increase workforce flexibility and enable the consolidation of capital equipment and technical resources among the various Kyocera America manufacturing groups," said Bob Whisler, president of Kyocera America, Inc., which manufactures and markets microelectronic package products throughout North America.

The move is expected to be complete by August 31, 2003, when the lease for the current facility in Beaverton expires. A number of the facility’s 45 employees have been offered relocation packages, while others will continue to maintain a small product technology and sales center in the Beaverton, Oregon area.

The move is not expected to affect manufacturing capabilities, capacities or planned shipments. Kyocera is working with all of its customers and suppliers to ensure minimal or no impact to their operations.

About Kyocera San Diego-based Kyocera America, Inc. designs, manufactures and assembles a broad range of electronic packaging solutions for the telecommunications and semiconductor markets based on advanced ceramic and plastic material technologies. Its products and services support broadband, mobile and satellite communications, surveillance systems, sensors, automotive electronics, medical devices, computers and consumer electronics. The company has manufacturing facilities in California and Oregon, with sales offices and design centers throughout the United States. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the group’s global parent, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of semiconductor packages, telecommunications equipment, electronic components, solar energy systems, cameras, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. Kyocera Corporation employs approximately 40,000 people in 25 nations, and recorded consolidated net revenues of 1.07 trillion yen during the year ended March 31, 2003.