Discussion with possible Investor started

The Board of Management of Rood Testhouse International N.V. (‘Rood Technology’) announced today that the reorganisation of the German group company is running according plan.

Furthermore the order intake of the equipment activity has improved during the recent weeks. Therefore it is anticipated that Rood Technology Germany will realise a small profit over 2003.

Management also announced today that discussions have started with a possible investor who has indicated an interest in participating in the Company. It is anticipated that it will take several weeks before these discussions will be concluded.

The possible investor is able to bring in capital as well as knowledge about the semiconductor industry. The intention is to raise equity by way of issuing ordinary shares in the holding company. Further details are still under discussion. One of the main issues will be to close an agreement with the banks of the German group company to cancel the so-called ‘Treuhandvertrag’.

As earlier announced, in July 2002 the Company was forced to sign this ‘Treuhand-Vertrag’ relating to the shares in the German group company. Based on this contract the banks have now triggered a clause giving the Treuhand trustees the share-holders rights in the German group company.

The Treuhand trustees are now in a position to start an initiative to sell the shares in the German group company and use the proceeds to pay of the debts to the consortium of German banks. Management is discussing with the Treuhand trustees about searching for further investors in the holding company in order to reintegrate the German group company.

Industry analysts expect a double-digit growth for the semiconductor market in 2003. Management is convinced that Rood Technology will benefit from this growth.

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