Ramtron Begins FRAM Production Shipment Toward $65M Volume Purchase Agreement; Ampy Automation Meter Program Is on Schedule.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2001

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq:RMTR), a leading developer of specialty semiconductor memory products, today announced the on-time shipment of 256-kilobit FRAM memory devices to subcontractors that manufacture products designed by UK-based Ampy Automation Digilog Limited. This is the first production shipment toward a $65-million volume purchase agreement between Ramtron and Ampy that was announced in August 2000, and represents the beginning of the volume ramp-up to the first of several expected subcontractors. The purchase agreement references the intended purchase of over 33 million units of Ramtron's FRAM memory products, ranging from 4-kilobit to 256-kilobit densities, over a four-year period. FRAM's unique fast write, unlimited endurance, and high-reliability features make it the ideal memory for Ampy's various digital power-metering products targeted at the growing worldwide market for more sophisticated utility distribution management.

"The on-time release of initial product toward our Ampy program is evidence that we strive for excellence in meeting customer expectations," said Bill Staunton, Ramtron CEO. "This also confirms that our continuous improvement process is on track and that we are focused on providing high-value FRAM products which give our customers a competitive advantage."

"With the current focus on the electric power crisis, we are pleased to be part of a solution," said Mike Alwais, director of marketing for Ramtron. "Our memory technology's ability to record power usage over time enables variable pricing schemes that could play a major role in smoothing peak power demand."

About Ampy Automation Digilog Limited

Ampy Automation, located in Peterborough, England is a leading developer and supplier of electronic power meters to the worldwide power utility market. Ampy was founded in 1962, specializing initially in speed monitoring equipment and from the late 1970's cashless card pre-payment systems. The company pioneered the introduction of card readers into electricity meters. The Ampy product range has expanded to include Polyphase meters, twin element meters, smart card meters, solid-state credit meters, and the Mainstalk remote metering system. Ampy Automation has invested in a wide range of on-site facilities, such as injection molding, tool room facilities, in-house calibration, and certification facilities. The Ampy software development team is now one of the largest and most experienced in the metering industry.

About Ramtron

Ramtron's patented FRAM memories are a new generation of semiconductor memory that combines high-performance and low-power operation with the ability to store data in the absence of power. Due to the product's unique advantages, FRAM memories are expected to revolutionize a variety of electronic consumer and industrial products. The company also develops and markets ultra-high-performance memory products through its subsidiary, Enhanced Memory Systems, Inc.

Except for historical information, the statements preceding contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and the actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements speak only as of this date. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made today to reflect events or circumstances after today, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

For more information about Ramtron and its products, contact: Ramtron International Corporation, 1850 Ramtron Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, 80921. Telephone is 719-481-7000 or 800-545-FRAM (800-545-3726); Fax is 719-481-7058; E-mail address is [e-mail]. Homepage is www.ramtron.com.