For more information, contact:

Jim Donaldson Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. 970.407.6374

Marna Shillman Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. 970.407.6280 marna.shillman@aei.com

Unaxis Qualifies AE’s Pinnacle^® Diamond DC-Power Source for New Data-Storage Platform

FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 8, 2003—Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) today announced that its Pinnacle^® Diamond 8-kW and 15-kW DC-power supplies have been qualified by the data storage division of Unaxis AG in Balzers, Liechtenstein, for integration into the new data storage platform which Unaxis will unveil in May. As an extension of the two companies’ long-term relationship, AE’s European subsidiary, Advanced Energy GmbH, has signed a multiple-order agreement with Unaxis AG. The first units under the agreement will be delivered in April. Unaxis Balzers is the world’s leading manufacturer of mastering, replication and coating equipment for optical data storage media, such as CDs, DVDs and hard disk drives. Customers for the new platform include integrators and CD/DVD manufacturers worldwide.

 

Commenting on the selection of AE’s Pinnacle Diamond, Chris Egli, Unaxis Balzers AG product manager for CD and DVD, said, “Due to our long-standing relationship with AE and its proven process expertise, we were confident that AE’s power supply solution would meet our process, reliability and cost parameters for our new data storage platform. We were extremely pleased with its very compact size and superior process advantages, as well as the excellent customer support AE has always provided.”

As with all AE’s Pinnacle series DC-power units, the Diamond 8-kW and 15-kW can accommodate full output into a broad range of load impedances. In addition, its very compact design and water cooling allows direct system mounting, thus increasing efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. All these features provide customers with reliable process consistency, less process variation and higher yields.

Senior Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Energy’s Power Systems group, Brenda Scholl, stated, “Unaxis Balzers selected AE’s Diamond DC-power supply for its new data storage platform based on our process-proven technology. We value our close working relationship with Unaxis Balzers and look forward to helping them to continue optimizing their process, productivity and cost-of-ownership potential, which are all so crucial in remaining competitive in today’s market place.” Scholl added, “AE works in close partnership with its customers worldwide to develop the process-centered technologies that help them maximize their overall equipment efficiency.”

About Unaxis
Unaxis is a globally active leading provider of production systems, components and services for selected growth markets, focused on information technology. Unaxis’ activities comprise the Information Technology segment (semiconductors, flat-panel displays, data storage and optical components), Surface Technology, and Components and Special Systems (vacuum technology and space travel engineering). Unaxis employs around 6,500 people and achieved sales of CHF 1,490 million in 2002. Corporate headquarters are in Pfäffikon (SZ) Switzerland, with production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, plus sales organizations in 22 countries.

About Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a global leader in the development and support of process-centered technologies critical to plasma-based manufacturing processes used in the production of semiconductors, flat panel displays, data storage products, compact discs, digital video discs, architectural glass, and other advanced product applications.

Leveraging a diverse product portfolio and technology leadership, AE creates solutions that maximize process impact, improve productivity and lower cost of ownership for its customers. This portfolio includes a comprehensive line of technology solutions in power, flow and thermal management, plasma and ion beam sources, and integrated process monitoring and control for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users around the world.

AE operates in regional centers in North America, Asia and Europe, and offers global sales and support through direct offices, representatives and distributors. Founded in 1981, AE is a publicly held company traded on Nasdaq National Market under the symbol AEIS. For more information, please visit our corporate website: www.advanced-energy.com .