Metron Technology Signs Global Agreement with Parker Hannifin to Distribute Partek Flow Control Products

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2006--Metron Technology, Inc. today announced an agreement with Parker Hannifin Corporation to globally distribute Parker's Partek flow control product line. As a global distributor for Partek products, Metron provides customers in the semiconductor, flat panel display and other industries with efficient ordering, extensive inventory availability in local parts depots, and a responsive team of flow control technology experts.

"We are excited to offer Partek products, which have an excellent reputation for high quality and consistent availability," said Werner Finsterbusch, General Manager of Metron Technology. "Metron's strong global infrastructure and over 25 years of experience in the gas and fluid handling market will benefit customers as they use Parker's extensive product line in their fabs."

Partek products, made of chemically inert, corrosion-resistant fluoropolymer(1) materials, are used in a variety of applications where corrosion protection is required or media purity must be safeguarded. In the semiconductor industry, Partek products are designed for use in both semiconductor process equipment and fabrication facilities, including important applications such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), electro chemical plating (ECP) and wet cleaning.

Metron Technology, Inc. is an independent supplier of fab-wide support services to the semiconductor and related industries providing custom integrated solutions for optimizing operations and improving manufacturing efficiency. Metron is headquartered in San Jose, California, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT). Metron can be found on the web at www.metrontech.com.

(1) Fluoropolymers are fluorocarbon resins which are inert to most industrial chemicals and solvents, and feature low coefficient of friction and exceptional heat resistance.