October 30, 2001 — SAN DIEGO, CA — Cymer, Inc., a supplier of excimer light sources used in semiconductor manufacturing, announced an approximate 11 percent reduction in its worldwide work force as part of the cost-reduction program announced during the company’s third quarter conference call on October 23.

Effective today, the work force reduction will trim the company’s headcount from approximately 900 employees to 800 employees worldwide. Of the 98 employees affected by the reduction, 80 live in the greater San Diego area, and are comprised of temporary, contract, and regular full-time employees. The reduction in force affects every department within the corporation.

“A reduction in force is a difficult experience for everyone involved. However, given the severity of the ongoing slowdown in the semiconductor industry and the lack of visibility beyond one quarter, this aggressive action is a necessary step to meet our obligations to our shareholders,” said Pascal Didier, Cymer’s president and chief operating officer. “The current downturn is the most severe in the history of the semiconductor industry and therefore presents significant challenges.”

The company also has a number of other cost-cutting measures including a mandatory shutdown during the week of Thanksgiving, a two week shutdown over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and an across the board, graduated salary reduction.