Despatch Industries Secures Largest Infrared Equipment Sale in Company History

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., U.S.A. – October 27, 2006 – Despatch Industries, a global leader of in-line thermo-processing systems, has announced that it has secured the largest single order for solar cell production equipment in company history. Despatch’s equipment sale is an integral part of a previously announced photovoltaic industry venture, namely the largest turnkey solar cell manufacturing facility endeavor in the history of the marketplace.

Despatch will deliver a range of products from its infrared products portfolio. These products are designed to provide superior thermal processing control, improved cost of ownership and a value added feature set of options. The patent pending design consistently produces high-efficiency solar cells while maximizing uptime and throughput. Since its entrance into the photovoltaic market, Despatch has engineered and manufactured solar cell production equipment that has improved and optimized in-line solar cell manufacturing.

“Despatch products are integrated into a significant share of current global cell production lines,” says Chairman and CEO Patrick Peyton. “We continue to make substantial investments in our infrared product lines and the market’s rapid adoption of our solutions proves that we have become the vendor of choice. Our vital role in this sale of unprecedented magnitude reinforces Despatch’s position as an innovative leader in the solar cell manufacturing industry.”

Despatch Industries is a leading worldwide provider of thermal processing and environmental simulation solutions. Founded in 1902, closely held Despatch Industries is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs through ground-breaking research and development. Despatch continues to rapidly expand its global presence in the photovoltaic, semiconductor and electronic markets by anticipating and reacting to customer needs and supplying premium, innovative products.

For more information on Despatch and IR processing solutions click here:
www.despatch.com