Southwall Technologies Achieves ISO 9001:2000 certification

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--Feb. 3, 2003--Southwall Technologies Inc. today announced that it had successfully attained ISO 9001:2000 certification for its Palo Alto, California and Tempe, Arizona plants' Quality Management Systems. The ISO 9001:2000 is an upgrade from its previous ISO 9001:1994 certification. The new certification was achieved nearly 12 months ahead of the required deadline. Bureau Veritas Quality International (NA) Inc., well known for their expertise in evaluating quality systems worldwide, performed the assessment.
    "ISO 9001:2000 certification is an important accomplishment for Southwall and represents our continual commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction," said Thomas G. Hood, President and CEO, Southwall Technologies. "We decided after our last ISO quality audit to achieve this upgrade to the new ISO 9001:2000 well in advance of the deadline of December 31, 2003. I'm very pleased to report that we achieved our aggressive goal."
    "The ISO 9001:2000 standard is focused more on process than the previous version, and attempts to break down the artificial barriers between the various elements of the standard, creating a more effective quality system," stated James Nallan, Director of Quality, Southwall Technologies. "Our approach to quality and the need to demonstrate our ability to consistently provide product that meets and exceeds customer expectations were the reasons why we achieved certification early. Our newest manufacturing plant, located near Dresden Germany, achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification in January 2002," Mr. Nallan added.

    About Southwall Technologies Inc.

    Southwall Technologies (www.southwall.com) designs and produces technologically advanced thin film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit light. Southwall products are used in a number of architectural, automotive and electronic products to enhance optical and thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort and reduce energy costs. Southwall exports advanced thin film coatings to over 25 countries around the world for use in products manufactured by such companies as Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Peugeot-Citroen, Volvo, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, Pilkington, HP and Mitsubishi Electric.

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented. These risks include that customer demand for Southwall's products will not grow. In addition, the certification described above may have no positive effect on our financial performance or results of operations and does not ensure that the company will not experience quality or production issues in the future. Further risks are detailed in the Company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10K filed on April 1, 2002 and its most recent Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2002.