Xyratex acquires Zadian Technologies Inc.; strengthens U.S. presence and broadens leadership in storage test systems.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1996--In a strategic move that gives it worldwide leadership in the storage test systems market, U.K.-based information storage and networking manufacturer, Xyratex, has acquired Zadian Technologies Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of production test systems.

The acquisition strengthens Xyratex's presence in the United States and provides the company with a dedicated Pacific Rim presence through Zadian Technologies' Singapore sales and service support office. Both Xyratex and Zadian Technologies are privately held companies, and terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Xyratex develops and manufactures both off-the-shelf and custom design test systems for the storage industry and recently acquired Peer Protocols Inc. of Irvine, Calif., a leading developer of test systems for prototyping and development work.

Today's acquisition of Zadian Technologies is Xyratex's second test company acquisition in the United States and makes Xyratex the largest and most experienced provider of fully integrated development and manufacturing test solutions. Xyratex is uniquely positioned in the market as being the only manufacturer of disk drives that also designs and manufactures disk drive test systems for external use.

Additionally, Xyratex is recognized for its expertise in the new serial interface technologies such as Serial Storage Architecture (SSA) and Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL). Xyratex has set new standards of usability and performance with the world's first SSA test system and again with the industry's most advanced Fibre Channel development and test system.

"This acquisition gives Xyratex a complete spectrum of storage test solutions," said Ken Wilkie, chief executive, Xyratex. "Xyratex is now the largest and most experienced provider of both development and manufacturing test solutions in the industry. Customers can look forward to the benefits this new level of experience and technical innovation will bring."

Zadian Technologies offers a standardized test architecture that provides a unified test system approach across three major aspects of the industry -- interfaces, devices and applications. This, together with the high level of technical skills and commitment of its people, has made Zadian the clear leader in its chosen market.

"Today's announcement gives Zadian Technologies the opportunity to expand our activities within the test systems arena," said Zaydoon Jawadi, president of Zadian Technologies. "Working with Xyratex engineers, we can accelerate our development processes and continue our record of product innovation as part of Xyratex."

Xyratex is a major manufacturer of information storage products that it markets under its own name and manufactures under contract for major computer companies.

Additionally, Xyratex produces networking equipment and test systems for disk drive manufacturers and provides warranty and repair services for the disk drive industry. It also produces software applications and provides IT consultancy.

Xyratex was established as an independent company in December 1994 and has headquarters in Havant, England. It also has offices in San Jose and a development and manufacturing facility in Irvine.

Zadian Technologies was incorporated in 1990 and has headquarters in San Jose with a sales and service office in Singapore.

Zadian Technologies is the acknowledged leader in systems for device interface testing and provides solutions for major peripheral interfaces such as ATAPI, IDE and SCSI. Their solutions span multiple device types -- disk drives, tape, CD-ROM and optical. -0-

U.S. inquiries:
Lisa Zwick/Holly Barnett         Tel:  [phone]
The Benjamin Group Inc.          Fax:  [phone]
                                 e-mail:  [e-mail]
                                          [e-mail]

Ian Massey                       Tel:  [phone]
Xyratex, San Jose                Fax:  [phone]

Belinda Babot                    Tel:  [phone]
Zadian Technologies, San Jose    Fax:  [phone]

U.K. inquiries:
Val Russell                      Tel:  [phone]
Xyratex, Havant                  Fax:  [phone]
                                 e-mail:  [e-mail]

Lynne Thomas-Bowman              Tel:  [phone]
Lexicon Communications           Fax:  [phone]
                                 e-mail:  [e-mail]

German inquiries:
Jurgen Gocke                     Tel:  [phone]
Konzept PR, Worms                Fax:  [phone]

CONTACT: Xyratex

Val Russell, UK, [phone] (phone)

Internet: [e-mail]

or

The Benjamin Group

Lisa Zwick/Holly Barnett, USA, 714/753-0755

Internet: lzwick or [e-mail]