DRUNEN, Netherlands, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. ("the Company" or "Besi") (Nasdaq: BESI; Euronext), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced preliminary net sales and orders for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. The Company will issue results for the second quarter of 2006 and hold a conference call with investors and analysts to review results on Thursday, July 20, 2006. Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 are expected to be approximately euro 50 million, an increase of approximately 35% as compared to net sales of euro 37.0 million in the second quarter of 2005, and an increase of approximately 12% as compared to net sales of euro 44.5 million for the first quarter of 2006. Orders for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 totaled approximately euro 46 million, an increase of approximately 21% as compared to orders of euro 38.1 million in the second quarter of 2005, and a decrease of approximately 23% as compared to euro 59.7 million for the first quarter of 2006. In addition, backlog decreased slightly to approximately euro 69 million at June 30, 2006 as compared to euro 72.0 million at March 31, 2006. Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "Our sales and orders in the second quarter of 2006 increased significantly compared to the prior year period. We believe this reflects improved industry conditions and additional market penetration by our assembly equipment products. Currently, we estimate that sales and order trends reflect a cautious attitude toward new equipment purchases on the part of customers, particularly subcontractors, reflecting their careful monitoring of inventory and capacity levels. During the quarter, our bookings levels met expectations while growth in shipments was slightly below our initial expectations due to delays in two customer shipments which are anticipated to be delivered in the third quarter of 2006." Investor Conference Call BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. will report results for the second quarter 2006 on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 08.30 a.m. Continental European Time (02.30 a.m. New York Time). Besi will host a conference call on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 4:00 p.m Continental European Time (3:00 p.m London Time, 10:00 a.m. New York Time). Conference call details will be available through our website http://www.besi.com/ . About BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. designs, develops, manufactures, markets and services die sorting, flip chip bonding and multi-chip die bonding, packaging and plating equipment for the semiconductor industry's assembly operations. Its customers consist primarily of leading U.S., European, Asian, Korean and Japanese semiconductor manufacturers and subcontractors which utilize its products for both array connect and conventional leadframe manufacturing processes. For more information visit http://www.besi.com/ . Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses and operating results. The words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, although not all forward looking statements contain these identifying words. While these forward- looking statements represent our judgments and future expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, those listed or discussed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005, as well as the risk that anticipated orders may not materialize or that orders received may be postponed or canceled, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; acts of terrorism and violence; overall global economic conditions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, risks associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our expanding and more diverse operations; and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including those with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts: Richard W. Blickman Cor te Hennepe President & CEO Director of Finance tel. (31) 416 384345 tel. (31) 416 384345 David Pasquale The Ruth Group tel. (1) 646 536 7006 DATASOURCE: BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. CONTACT: Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO, +31-416-384345, or Cor te Hennepe, Director of Finance, +31-416-384345, both of BE Semiconductor Industries N.V.; David Pasquale of The Ruth Group, +1-646-536-7006, , for BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Web site: http://www.besi.com/

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