News

Lic. Saul Garcia Named President of KYOCERA Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.

Robert Whisler to Devote Efforts to Expanding Microelectronic Packaging Business as President of Kyocera America, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (January 28, 2004) -- Kyocera International, Inc. (“KII”) today announced that it has named a new president for Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (“KMX”), a wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiary supporting Kyocera Group operations from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

To focus on leading the growth of Kyocera’s microelectronic packaging business, Robert Whisler has transferred his former responsibilities as KMX president to Lic. Saul Garcia, formerly KMX administration manager and general manager of the KMX wireless phone assembly operations. Whisler continues in his role as president of Kyocera America, Inc. (“KAI”), KII’s wholly-owned subsidiary in San Diego that manufactures and markets microelectronic packages.

Garcia, a Mexican national, has held management positions at KMX since 1994. Outside of Kyocera, Garcia is vice president of the Maquiladora Association of Tijuana A.C., and serves on the boards of both the National Council for the Maquiladora Export Industry (CNIME) and the Western Maquiladora Trade Association. He holds a degree in industrial relations from Instituto Tecnologico de Tijuana.

“Kyocera’s manufacturing operations in Tijuana are entering a new period of growth,” Garcia stated. “Our hard-working people love a challenge, and our proximity to the U.S. market gives us great potential to support Kyocera’s vision as a global manufacturer. I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to lead Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. into its next phase of development.”

Rodney Lanthorne, president of Kyocera International, Inc. and director of Kyocera Corporation, stated, “It is Kyocera’s longstanding philosophy to operate as a value-added manufacturer, to use local suppliers, and to develop local management wherever possible. We have great expectations for the future of Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. under the leadership of Saul Garcia.”

Richard Caldwell, who had been responsible for developing local leadership at the Mexican facility in his former role as KAI’s general manager of KMX operations, has assumed new responsibilities as KAI’s general manager of corporate quality assurance, and will transfer to KAI’s San Diego operations.

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., currently with more than 1,000 employees, was founded in 1988 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, as a supplier of assembly and manufacturing services within the Kyocera Group. The company currently focuses on supporting the San Diego-based operations of Kyocera Wireless Corp., a producer of CDMA wireless phones, and Kyocera America, Inc., a producer of ceramic packaging products for the microelectronics industry.

All three companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO),   parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, 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 has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, microelectronic packages, solar energy systems, industrial ceramics, electronic components, laser printers, copiers   and cameras. During the year ended March 31, 2003, Kyocera Corporation’s net sales totaled 1.06 trillion yen ($9.0 billion) with net income of 41.1 billion yen ($348 million).