AeTec Expands Costa Rica Operation

High Quality and Cost Efficiency Attracts New Business

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 18 -- AeTec, a leading provider of Electronics Manufacturing Services, announced today the Company has transferred in full to its Costa Rica facility the manufacturing operations of two companies and has been awarded a new contract with automotive product manufacturer Wetherill Associates, Inc.

Reliability Inc.'s DC/DC and Bias Power's AC/DC Power Sources Converter manufacturing operations in Costa Rica have been transferred to AeTec's Costa Rica facility, along with select employees, allowing AeTec to produce a full line of power supplies. AeTec values this outsourcing arrangement at more than $1 million.

AeTec's Costa Rica operation will also begin manufacturing several automotive electronic components for WAI Semicon, a Wetherill Associates subsidiary. In order to create additional capacity for their Costa Rican plant, WAI Semicon awarded this contract to outsource the electronics portion of their product to AeTec. The partnership is expected to add $1 million in additional business to AeTec's Costa Rica facility.

"These partnerships allow companies to significantly reduce their operating costs while still providing uninterrupted volume support to their customers," commented AeTec President & CEO, Dan Stuber. "This has been an exciting year for AeTec with even more growth on the horizon in 2004."

While absorbing these production lines into its Costa Rica operation, AeTec has expanded its burn-in and test capability as well as added transformer and inductor coil winding to its service portfolio.

"An ongoing challenge within the electronics manufacturing industry will continue to be the balance between production of quality components and cost efficiency," added Barry Coffey, President & CEO of Bias Power. "We're very pleased with AeTec's ability to provide that balance."

AeTec's new business surge is reflective of turnkey production designed to provide value to their customers. With its offshore capabilities and seamless two-factory integration model, the Company continues to offer superior products at competitive rates.

About AeTec

AeTec is a Contract Electronics Manufacturing company that started in 1992 and has been ISO certified since 1996. They are a full service provider supplying a broad spectrum of electronics such as printed circuit board assemblies through completed products including consumer packaging. AeTec offers the responsiveness, flexibility and technology of a local United States manufacturer with its Tempe, Arizona facility, and cost-competitive high- volume manufacturing with its Costa Rica facility. More information about AeTec can be accessed on the Internet at www.aetec.com or call 480-831-6006.