OptiLED Continues Worldwide Expansion with New Tokyo Office; Company's Growth Mirrors LED Demand in Japanese Market.

Business Editors

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2004

OptiLED, the leading manufacturer of innovative light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems, continued its international growth and expansion today by opening its first office in Japan.

The Tokyo office marks the company's fourth international location and second in the Pacific Rim, one of the fastest growing LED markets. The opening of the new office follows a successful 2003 for OptiLED, marked by triple-digit growth, the launch of industry leading products and the opening of the Asia Pacific and European regional offices giving a truly global reach and perspective on the LED market.

Hiromitsu Nagoshi takes on the role of Managing Director Japanese Operations and will head the Tokyo office. Mr. Nagoshi spent the last 21 years with GP Electronics (HK) Ltd in Hong Kong. He has traveled and worked extensively in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the U.S. and brings 35 years of manufacturing and sales development experience in advanced products to this role.

"The technology-driven market in Japan recognizes the value of LEDs and related innovations, making this additional location a great venue for us to expand our product development initiatives," said John Nylander, President of OptiLED.

"Historically, Japan has been an advanced adopter and champion of the LED industry, from research and development of semiconductor chips to the adoption of LED technologies into mainstream products, such as electronics, retail and hospitality displays, traffic lights and automotive lighting. Nagoshi's experience in advanced products will help us achieve greater collaboration in the Japanese market and provide us a better level of understanding of where technology embraces product trends."

"We believe that Japan's geography, culture and economy require a dedicated office, and this is a strategic decision in line and on target with our growth plans and strategy. It confirms our worldwide presence and our serious commitment to providing technologically advanced LED products worldwide," added Nylander.

OptiLED distributes its products through distributors and retail outlets in Japan, including one of the largest DIY outlets via one of its first Japanese distributors, Kiryu-Ginza. Its products have also been recognized by Japanese interior designer and artist, Masami Iwano in his latest interior modern art pieces designed as lighting centerpieces for the home and top class restaurants. Mr. Iwano selected OptiLED, as its innovative solutions solved problems he had encountered with heat from halogen lamps, the diffusion of light to a 25 degree angle, the use of diffuse light to accent color and the ability to use mains or batteries power.

"For my latest piece of art, I wanted to create a true depth and purity of color that I had not previously been able to. OptiLED's Designer series LED lamps enabled me to find a lighting solution that would not overheat the glass, and allow me to create a good balance of light through the use of different Optiled light diffusers," said Mr. Iwano.

LEDs are projected to be a $17.8 billion industry by 2010, according to research firm Strategies Unlimited, and are used to illuminate commercial lighting venues from theaters and museums to nightclubs and restaurants to outdoor structures and amusement parks. LEDs are powered by a semiconductor, use 90 percent less electricity than standard bulbs and if used continuously can last for over 11 years before being replaced. The resulting savings in power and bulb replacements are making LEDs an economic necessity for commercial uses. The effects produced using LED lamps are appealing to lighting designers, as traditional configurations are very expensive to create with standard spotlights and power supplies.

OptiLED is a world leader in LEDs - a market with tremendous potential. OptiLED's revolutionary products are the most flexible LED lamps available, and they are designed to fit most standard lighting fixtures anywhere in the world. OptiLED builds on unique technology and unmatched engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources to drive new applications and acceptance for LED products. OptiLED lights are installed in hundreds of venues around the world, including CNN Television Studios in Atlanta, Cirque du Soleil in Florida, the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., Houston Ballet in Houston, TX, New York Harbor in New York City, Caesar's Palace in Lake Tahoe, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, and the Sheraton Hotel in Mexico City.

Tokyo Office Location

The new OptiLED Tokyo office can be contacted at:

202 Nishi-Shinjyuku

Palace Building

5-1-18

Nishi-Shinjyuku

Shinjyuku-Ku

Tokyo, Japan

E-mail: [e-mail]

Fax: [phone]

(From overseas: 81-3-3374-1890)

About OptiLED:

OptiLED is a world leading manufacturer of advanced lighting solutions that offer remarkable aesthetic possibilities to designers, architects, and artists. Retail outlets, business environments, outdoor parks, entertainment facilities--virtually any interior or exterior can be transformed.

OptiLED's CHIP series light emitting diode (LED) systems utilize highly innovative, patented technologies. Consuming 90% less electricity than conventional lights and with an LED lifespan of over 10 years' continuous use, OptiLED products are extremely cost efficient and environmentally friendly. They also run on any voltage making them suitable for all international markets.

OptiLED is an innovation-driven company that has combined complementary technologies to produce spectacular lighting effects. Through its own customer base and extensive value-added distributor network OptiLED is able to support customers truly internationally. Shaping the Future of Light is its goal and mission statement. To learn more, please call the corporate headquarters at Irvine, California on 866-678-4533 or visit www.optiled.biz.

Artist Contact:

Masami Iwano

Email: [e-mail]