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Lake Success,
New York, October 15, 2001…Park
Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE
- PKE) announced that Dielektra GmbH,
Park's advanced electronic materials business located in Cologne,
Germany, is realigning its operations to better position itself
for success in the future. Specifically, Dielektra is closing down
its conventional lamination line, and will focus its efforts and
capabilities in the future on its unique Datlam™ automated continuous
lamination and paneling manufacturing technology. The product previously
made on Dielektra's conventional lamination line will, in the future,
be produced on its Datlam™ line or at Park's other European manufacturing
locations. Dielektra is also reducing the size of its mass lamination
operations in order to focus on the marketing and manufacturing
of high technology, higher layer count mass lamination product.
These changes are intended to position Dielektra as a more focused
high technology electronic materials business. Park expects to record
a one-time charge of approximately $2.7 million in its 2002 fiscal
year third quarter ending November 25, 2001 in connection with this
realignment and the related workforce reduction at Dielektra. The
company intends to continue to enhance the capability of its unique
Datlam™ continuous lamination technology and its high layer count
mass lamination manufacturing operations.
Brian Shore,
Park's President and CEO, said, "While we are saddened by the workforce
reduction at Dielektra, I am very pleased that the Dielektra management
is realigning the Dielektra business in order to be more focused
for success as a high technology electronic materials business in
the future. We purchased Dielektra four years ago because of its
technological orientation and focus. The changes being implemented
at Dielektra will help further refine that focus."
Certain portions
of this press release may be deemed to constitute forward looking
statements that are subject to various factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially from Park's expectations. Such
factors include, but are not limited to, general conditions in the
electronics industry, Park's competitive position, the status of
Park's relationships with its customers, economic conditions in
international markets, the cost and availability of utilities, and
the various other factors set forth under the caption "Factors That
May Affect Future Results" after Item 7 of Park's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 25, 2001. Park Electrochemical
Corp. is a leading global designer and producer of electronic materials
used to fabricate complex multilayer printed circuit boards and
interconnection systems. Park specializes in advanced materials
for high layer count circuit boards and high speed digital broadband
telecommunications, internet and networking applications. Park's
electronic materials business operates through fully integrated
business units in Asia, Europe and North America. The Company's
manufacturing facilities are located in Singapore, China, Germany,
France, England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Arizona and
California. Park's electronic materials business operates under
the "Nelco" name.
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