Photronics Promotes Zafar Ahmad to Vice President-North America AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Photronics, Inc. , the world's leading sub-wavelength reticle solutions supplier announced that Zafar Ahmad has been promoted to the position of Vice President-North America. Having recently served as Director of Operations at Photronics' Austin facility, Mr. Ahmad has assembled an impressive list of accomplishments, which include directing the installation and qualification of 130nm process technology and its integration into manufacturing at the Austin site. His leadership skills and focus on improving manufacturing efficiencies in advanced technologies and the cultivation of strategic customer relationships has vastly improved the competitive position of both the Austin site and the North American regional network. He will report to Paul J. Fego, President and Chief Operating Officer. As a member of the Photronics team for the last five years, Mr. Ahmad has also served as the Site Director at Photronics' Manchester, UK facility. His experience with advanced technology manufacturing was crucial to successfully installing the Company's European 130 nanometer and below tool and processes and ascertaining customer qualifications at and below 120 nanometers. This enabled Photronics to become the first European photomask supplier to offer Embedded Attenuated Phase Shift Mask (EAPSM) and process capabilities and establish Photronics as the leading edge mask manufacturing facility in Europe. Paul J. Fego commented, "We feel that the combination of Zafar's leadership and broad base of advanced technology manufacturing expertise has been an integral part of the Company's global success. In his previous roles, he has helped pave the way for Photronics' global success. Now as the North American semiconductor industry gathers momentum during its transition to smaller technology nodes, his experience directing two of the Company's most advanced facilities will play a major part in Photronics' ability to provide superior technology and customer service in an increasingly competitive global marketplace." Prior to joining Photronics, Mr. Ahmad served as Manufacturing Manager at Samsung's start-up wafer fab in Austin. There, he was recognized with the company's prestigious Founder's Award. In addition, Mr. Ahmad held various manufacturing positions of increasing responsibility at Texas Instruments for 25 years. Mr. Ahmad commented, "Today, semiconductor designers and manufacturers are looking to their photomask suppliers for critical and cost effective lithography solutions. Photronics, with its strong regional presence in North America is capable of providing cost effective solutions for both the very advanced and mature technology markets. More importantly, our service and performance to schedule provides our customers with the time to market solutions that generate success in their end markets." He added, "We have many opportunities for success provided we remain focused on the customers' requirements and deliver the most cost effective solution. I am looking forward to this new role with the Company and will continue to build upon the characteristics that have made Photronics a success-execution and customer service." Mr. Ahmad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston and lives in Austin, Texas. Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers during the fabrication of integrated circuits. They are produced in accordance with circuit designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information on the Company can be accessed at http://www.photronics.com/. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this release are considered "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, any statement contained in this release regarding the consummation and benefits of future acquisitions, expectations with respect to future sales, financial performance, operating efficiencies and product expansion, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performances or achievements. Factors that might affect such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, overall economic and business conditions; the demand and receipt of orders for the Company's products; competitive factors in the industries and geographic markets in which the Company competes; changes in federal, state and foreign tax requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations); the Company's ability to place new equipment in service on a timely basis; interest rate fluctuations and other capital market conditions, including foreign currency rate fluctuations; economic and political conditions in international markets; the ability to obtain a new bank facility or other financings; the ability to achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in connection with acquisitions and productivity programs; the timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions and investments; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the availability of capital; management changes; damage or destruction to our facilities by natural disasters, labor strikes, political unrest or terrorist activity; the ability to fully utilize its tools; the ability of the Company to receive desired yields, pricing, product mix, and market acceptance of its products; changes in technology; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's SEC filings from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Sub-Wavelength Reticle Solutions is a trademark of Photronics, Inc. DATASOURCE: Photronics, Inc. CONTACT: Michael W. McCarthy, VP- Corporate Communications of Photronics, Inc., +1-203-775-9000, ; or Jane Ryan, Account Director of MCA, +1-650-968-8900, , for Photronics, Inc. Web site: http://www.photronics.com/

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