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  


Advanced Energy Receives ISO 9001:2000 Certification By Fulfilling ISO’s New Compliance Requirements

Less than 20 percent of previously ISO-certified North American companies have completed the certification process under the revised quality management standards

 

FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 10, 2003—Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) today announced that on May 15, 2003, it was granted certification to the new ISO 9001:2000 International Quality System Standard. Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQi), a global leader in independent, third-party certification, conducted the audit with Advanced Energy (AE) and found the company in full compliance under the updated standards set forth in December 2000 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). AE joins a select group—only 18 to 20 percent of 50,000 North American companies that were previously ISO-certified have successfully completed the audit process and received the new certification.

In December 2000, ISO changed its approach from three quality management system models—ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003—and integrated them into one, all-inclusive model—ISO 9001:2000. Companies that were already ISO-certified to one of the three previous models were given up to three years to make the transition and comply with the new standard. ISO 9001:2000 specifies requirements for a quality management system for any organization that needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products that meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction.

AE received its first ISO-9001 certification in 1994. Commenting on the certification, AE’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dennis Faerber, said, “AE is extremely pleased to have successfully completed the certification audit conducted by BVQi. We have always been highly committed to ensuring that our process-centered technologies and products fully comply with ISO standards. AE will continue providing our global customers with the highest standard of quality products and services.”

“This achievement was a direct result of AE’s entire organization working together in effectively developing and maintaining the Quality System in order to be certified. Meeting the ever-growing customer demand for the highest level of quality is vital to the future success of companies in any kind of business. AE has demonstrated its commitment to quality and to the continuous improvement of its Quality Management System by successfully achieving this certification,” noted AE’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Schatz.

Among the changes in the new ISO 9000:2000 family of standards are: fewer standards categories; explicit requirements for achieving customer satisfaction and continual improvement; more logical structure; an approach based on managing organizational processes; greater ease of use by service-sector organizations and small businesses; built on eight universal quality management principles; and the possibility of going beyond certification to achieving satisfaction not just of customers, but with all interested parties, such as employees, shareholders, and society as a whole. The objective of the new standards is to provide companies with an opportunity to improve their existing quality management systems as well as add value both the company and its customers.

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