April 13, 2001 – San Jose, CA – KLA-Tencor Corp. has signed an agreement to purchase Phase Metrics, a top supplier of inspection/certification technologies to the data storage industry.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will be accounted for as a purchase and will be finalized no later than April 30, 2001.

Company officials report that Phase Metrics’ tools and technologies

will be combined with KLA-Tencor’s existing data storage inspection and

metrology solutions to create a new corporate division focused exclusively on advanced data storage technologies. Whereas KLA-Tencor’s demonstrated technology and expertise focuses on front-end data storage metrology and inspection, Phase Metrics’ efforts are focused on data storage back-end inspection and testing.

KLA-Tencor’s new data storage division will be located in Phase

Metrics’ existing facilities in San Diego, Fremont and Hayward, Calif. Frank Brienzo, who currently serves as vice president of business operations and chief manufacturing officer at KLA-Tencor, will head the new division as general manager.

According to KLA-Tencor President and Chief Executive Officer

Ken Schroeder, the acquisition marks the latest move in the company’s plan to leverage its core competencies and leadership position in the global semiconductor industry to create similar industry-leading positions in other advanced technology markets.