August Technology Begins Direct Sales in Taiwan.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2001

August Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:AUGT), a leading supplier of automated inspection equipment for the microelectronics industry, today announced the launch of direct sales and service efforts.

August Technology's sales and service activities, including equipment demonstrations and applications research as well as support of the Company's growing installed base of inspection solutions will take place in Taiwan. Ten employees will support customers locally in Taiwan. Shao-Li Chu, director of operations for Taiwan and Southeast Asia will oversee the Company's Taiwan team and will be supported locally by Vincent Wu, sales manager.

"As one of the fastest growing regions in the semiconductor industry, we see Taiwan as a key region to expand for August Technology's automated inspection equipment, especially for bumping and 300mm applications," explained Mayson Brooks, August Technology's vice president of sales and marketing. "Shao-Li's and Vincent's knowledge and experience in the industry will ensure we continue to provide our customers in this area with world class service and support."

Chu has been with August Technology for more than a year and has over twenty years of experience in Asia's semiconductor industry, in various roles in engineering, sales and operations. Prior to August Technology, Chu was vice president of Asia sales for BOC Edwards, a leading supplier of chemical distribution equipment for the semiconductor industry.

Wu comes to August Technology with over ten years of experience in the microelectronics industry, most recently as sales manager at Nippon Sanso Taiwan, a leading specialty gas supplier to silicon and compound semiconductor and micro display manufacturers.

For sales and service support in Taiwan, the team can be reached by phone at [phone]; and fax [phone].

August Technology Corporation, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, is a leading supplier of automated visual defect inspection equipment for the microelectronics industry. The inspection solutions designed, manufactured and marketed by August Technology, including the NSX Series for wafer, die and bump inspection, provide manufacturers of microelectronic devices with quality and process information. August Technology has established service and sales representation in all major microelectronics markets worldwide including the USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and others. Additional information can be found by visiting August Technology's web site at www.augusttech.com.