Adept Technology and SILMA Sign Letter of Intent.

DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 1995--Cobo Hall, Robots & Vision Show, Booth No. 301/Adept Technology, Inc., a world wide manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation equipment, and SILMA, Inc., a California-based manufacturer of advanced industrial simulation software products, today announced an agreement in principle to merge. The Letter of Intent is subject to final approval of the Boards of Directors and stockholders of each company.

The merger will form a powerful combination of the leading software developers for factory automation. A key strength for Adept is its powerful, multitasking system-level software for robotics and motion control. SILMA is the leading provider of simulation and optimization software for robotics, machining, and inspection. The merger will allow SILMA to extend Adept's continuing growth beyond the robotics market into motion controls and software for the factory floor. Adept will provide SILMA with additional resources and the marketing infrastructure to support SILMA's growing world wide customer base.

"SILMA and Adept are a good strategic fit for one another," states Brian Carlisle, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder for Adept Technology. "The purpose of SILMA's simulation products is to speed and simplify the implementation of factory automation technology. Adept is dedicated to reducing the time and cost of implementing flexible factory automation, a concept we call Rapid Deployment Automation. So, we both have the same philosophy and goals for software development. You add that SILMA brings Adept their extensive UNIX software experience and customer base, and you can see that this merger will greatly enhance opportunities for Adept's business."

Laurent Mayer, Chief Executive Officer for SILMA, believes the merger benefits SILMA's customers. "Adept Technology and SILMA share the same strong commitment to customer support. And Adept's dedication to broadening their presence beyond robotics means we are placing a priority on using Adept's world wide marketing and service infrastructure to support SILMA's markets."

Charles Duncheon, Adelpt's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasizes the merger makes good business sense as well. "Adept is interested in growth and the strong financial foundation growth requires," states Mr. Duncheon. "The merger between Adept and SILMA is very sound financially. In addition, the merger brings together the best technical software talent in factory automation. This means we will jointly have the resources -- both financial and technical -- to establish our company as the leader for factory automation software products."

Based in Cupertino, California, SILMA will remain in their current headquarters and operate as a division of Adept Technology. Additional SILMA offices are located in Detroit, Michigan, and Paris, France. Adept Technology is based nearby in San Jose, California, with additional offices in Cincinnati, Ohio; Southbury, Connecticut; Detroit, Michigan; Dortmund, Germany; Arezzo, Italy; Palaiseau, France; Kennilworth, England; and Toyohashi, Japan. The merger will create an organization employing more than 300 people world wide.

Founded in 1983, Adept Technology, Inc. is America's largest manufacturer of industrial robots and a major provider of industrial motion controls with more than 7000 systems installed world wide. Product revenues exceed $55 million. Adept provides direct sales, service, and training in the U.S., Europe, and Japan and offers turn-key flexible automation systems through specialized automation engineering companies throughout the world. Adept's products include the AdeptOne robot, AdeptModules, Adept MV controls, AdeptVision VME, and V+ software and operating system. Additional information can be obtained from Adept Technology's World Wide Web page: http://www.industry.net/adept.

CONTACT: Adept Technology

Roger Boss, 408/434-5021