BOC Edwards Kachina and KoMiCo Announce Kit Management Alliance.

SEOUL, Korea -- BOC Edwards (LSE:BOC) (NYSE:BOC), a leading global materials, equipment and services supplier to microelectronics manufacturing industries, has selected KoMiCo Ltd., South Korea, as its preferred chamber kit management services provider. A chamber kit is a package containing all of the parts and consumables required to do periodic maintenance on process tool subsystems.

In addition, BOC Edwards and KoMiCo have also entered into agreements to license to each other their respective advanced parts cleaning technologies for the benefit of their mutual customers in the United States, Europe and parts of Asia.

"We can now integrate parts cleaning, kit management and supply as well as on-site subsystems maintenance in one package for the benefit of our major customers," said David Camp, president of BOC Edwards' component management business, BOC Edwards Kachina. "This integrated approach aligns with industry initiatives to drastically reduce inventory costs and process inefficiencies, and ultimately, reduce process tool cost of ownership."

"Process tool manufacturers will be able to rely on one supplier for engineering resources that can design, manufacture and service chamber kits," said Seon-Kyu Jeon, CEO and president of KoMiCo. "The intent of this alliance is to optimize R&D resources and know-how, allowing faster time to market for coating technologies that enhance process tool OEE (overall equipment efficiency) and reduce particle contamination."

This alliance complements the recently-announced joint venture BOC Edwards intends to finalize with Highlight Tech Corp. to provide component management and equipment support services for semiconductor and flat panel manufacturers in Taiwan.

BOC Edwards, part of The BOC Group (NYSE:BOX, LSE:BOC), is a leading supplier of materials, process-enabling subsystems and services to fabs and OEMs involved in the manufacture of microelectronics devices. Serving two million customers in more than 50 countries, The BOC Group is one of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies, with annual sales of GBP 4.6 billion (more than US $8 billion) in 2004. Information on the BOC Group can be accessed by visiting the Group web site, www.boc.com. Specific information on BOC Edwards can be found at www.bocedwards.com. E-mail inquires can be sent to [e-mail].

KoMiCo Ltd. is a leading company in the industry for the environmentally friendly production of cleaning technology. Komico began its operations with an expertise in semiconductor manufacturing equipment cleaning services which are used in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays. In 2001, it was listed on the KOSDAQ and in 2002 entered the parts market and focused on the local production of high tech parts including Electrostatic Chucks (ESC). In 2004, Komico recorded sales of approximately 46 billion Won. For more information, go to www.komico.com, or email: [e-mail].