4th Quarter 2004 Net Sales on a Comparative Basis: + 5.9 points
Year to date - 14.9 + 3.7%
North America
+ Oceania* 637.3% +6.9%
Change in volume +0% +6%

Lighter category: The 4th Quarter sales remained strong but grew at a
slower pace than the previous quarters in North America. Comparative basis means at comparable perimeter and at constant
currencies.

Surface Technology Systems Expands Asia Presence with New Singapore Office

contains region

0%


TOTAL SALES
In million Euro 4th Quarter % change Full Year % change
2003 2004 2004/2003 2003 2004 2004/2003
as reported 329.2 points - 3.7% - 3.6%
EEMEA*** and Asia 26.9% +1. Constant currency figures are calculated by translating the
current year figures at prior year monthly average exchange rates. In addition , STS has a strong
presence in each of its other served markets and distributes its process
solutions worldwide through an experienced sales and service operation.
PepsiCo is by far the largest company in the global savory snacks
industry.

this health

6%
North America
+ Oceania* 149.5% 30.9%

BIC Group Net sales change in the full year by geography:

In million Euro % change % change
03 /02 on a % change 04/03 on a
comparative 04/03 as comparative
2003 basis 2004 reported basis
Western Europe 444.5 - 1.3 + 0.5% + 8.7 349.1% -10.5% +10.

Outlook:
The US restructuring will represent a total charge of approximately 50
million US dollar on 2004 P+L, in line with July 2004 estimates.

com

region alternative

5 points - 5.5 +15.9% +4.6%
Change in volume -4% +7%

Stationery category: The 4th Quarter sales showed an acceleration of
growth in Latin America and in the EEMEA and Asia regions.9 340.6% +2.5 257.
"This new office dedicated to our Asian customers is part of STS' ongoing
commitment to improving customer service," commented Matsuo Makuda, Vice
Chairman of STS. The
Group currently markets in over 30 countries and has an installed base of over
750 systems.

contains sites

0 + 1.9% +17.2% +13.1%
BIC Group 329.0%

* USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
** Mexico , Central America and South America
*** EEMEA: Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa


Note: Category comments are on a comparative basis

Stationery sales 4th Quarter 03 4th Quarter 04 2003 2004
In million Euro 161. During the full
year, our sales in the consumer segment continued to increase on a comparative
basis in all regions , especially in Western Europe and the US where we
continued to gain market share even after the back -to-school period. Our sales in the imprinted segment
continued to grow driven by strong sales of BIC(R) Sticky Note(R) products. The key factors contributing to performance were the
growth of BIC Comfort 3(TM) and the addition of BIC(R) Soleil(TM) in the USA,
as well as the growth of both single -blades and twin-blades in Latin America. Furthermore, the role of savory snacks in both
culture and custom in this region, combined with a relatively high
consumer spending power, has seen the market grow at a CAGR for
1998-2003 of 5.

asia by

6 points -12.3 points - 4.3 points

BIC Group Net sales change in the 4th Quarter by geography:

In million Euro % change % change
03/02 on a % change 04/03 on a
4th comparative 4th 04/03 as comparative
Quarter 03 basis Quarter 04 reported basis
Western Europe 108 .5 + 0.6 + 2.4
Change as reported -4. Growth
was driven by the classic and value-added ball pen segments, mechanical
pencils and correction products.
During the full year , our triple-blade sales and market share continued to
grow in both Western Europe and the US, offsetting the decline of single-blade
shaver sales in most regions. "We recognize how vital Asia is to the entire semiconductor
market and see the region playing an even greater role in the future.

complementary regional

6 340 .4 +1.2 points for the full year 2004.8 points - 7.1 + 3.9% +4.


Shaver sales 4th Quarter 03 4th Quarter 04 2003 2004
In million Euro 60 .5
Change as reported -11. Commanding approximately twelve times the market share of
its nearest rival, Kraft, the company is now making further inroads
into the Asia-Pacific market.com /reports/c12830

This category contains links to Regions, Countries and Localities with alternative health and medicine sites.

regional oceania

3 points

Currency impact 2004
vs previous year 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
Quarterly - 8.2% 640.8% +14.7% + 8.1 + 2.2% +1.9 92.5%
Change on a
comparative basis +1. Our
close locality to customers and improved response time is leading to ever
closer links, which is beneficial to all parties.

Research and Markets: On-The -Go Snack Consumption Increasing Significantly Resulting in New Distribution Opportunities

europe this

9 +3.9%
Latin America** 45.2% 50.6%
Latin America** 175. In addition, Stypen sales contributed
favorably in Western Europe growth. Western Europe
remains under pressure from Asian competitors. Dedicated Regional Support Team Reinforces Commitment to Asia Semiconductor
Market

CARDIFF, United Kingdom, Surface
Technology Systems plc (STS) (FTSE: SRTS), a leader in silicon etching within
the growing MEMS and plasma process technologies markets, reinforced its
commitment to the Asian semiconductor manufacturing market today by officially
opening the doors to a new, dedicated sales office in Singapore. For more information about STS please see
http://www.researchandmarkets.2%.

asia contains

0 points for
the 4th Quarter of 2004 and +1.7 -11.4 + 1.7%
Change on a
comparative basis +3.
STS is the market leader in deep silicon etching for the growing MEMS
market, offering patent-protected technology .

regional oceania

1 1,386.9% as reported and 6.
Foreign currency fluctuations, primarily the US dollar and the Brazilian
real continued to impact our sales, but to a lesser degree.


Currency impact 2003
vs previous year 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
Quarterly - 15.6 points - 5.6 + 8.0 + 9.4% + 5.8% 452.6 + 8.3
Change as reported -7.0% + 0. Heading the new office is Ian Wright , Director of Asia Business
Development.

health this

0%

PARIS, BIC Group 4th Quarter 2004 net
sales were 341 million Euro, compared to 330 million Euro in the 4th Quarter
2003, an increase of 3."
The change of perimeter had an impact on sales growth of +2.2 points - 14.1 - 5.2% 110 .0% 340.7%
BIC Group 1,360.9% + 6.6 722.0% 0. In addition to the growth in
the strong pocket lighter franchise, multipurpose lighter sales grew in the
4th Quarter and in the full year, led by BIC's innovative multi-position
candle lighter.2 63.0% + 6.4%
Change on a
comparative basis -3.bicworld.com

For the full year 2004, comparative basis excludes the additional sales of
the recently acquired companies DAPE in France (from January 1, 2004), BIC
KOSAIDO KK in Japan (from April 1, 2004), as well as STYPEN (from June 1,
2004).uk

About Surface Technology Systems plc
STS designs and manufactures a range of highly specialized systems
incorporating innovative technology used in the production of semiconductors
and semiconductor-related devices and is a leader in plasma based etch and
deposition technologies for processing semiconductor materials.
The Americas, driven by the enormous savory snacks market in the
US, were responsible for almost half of the $44 billion spent on
savory snacks in 2003.
Growth in out-of-home snacking is far stronger than for in home
snacking.

This report provides:

Historical (1998-2003) and forecast (2003-2008) market data
covering the overall Savory Snacks market as well as its component
categories
Data and analysis covering 40 countries worldwide and segmented
into three key regions - Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe
Consumer insight and new product trends presented in terms of our
three major mega trends - Convenience, Health and Sensory
Key manufacturer information including recent developments and
market share by region.
For more information visit
http://www.

medicine by

4% 1,360.9% on a comparative basis (1). We confirm that Income From Operations growth for 2004 will be
higher than sales growth .5 points
Year to date - 5.0% 150.4 +15.5% 1,386.7% +0.3% +4. In
addition, on-the-go consumption is increasing significantly across all
three regions , resulting in new distribution opportunities.researchandmarkets.

medicine regional

0% on a
comparative basis.4 + 4.1%
EEMEA*** and Asia 102.5% 111.0% - 7.5% +7.9%
Change in volume -10% -2%

Shaver category: The 4th Quarter sales showed an acceleration of growth in
North and Latin America. Wright, who relocated from the UK headquarters to oversee
this new operation, leads a team of experienced sales and service staff who
have served STS customers in the region for many years.

medicine regions

9%

Full Year 2004 Net Sales on a Comparative Basis: + 6.9%
on a comparative
basis (1) +5.4% as reported and 5.
Commenting on full year 2004 net sales, Chairman and CEO Bruno Bich said:
"In stationery and shaver, we recorded our highest sales increase of the year
in the 4th Quarter. In these two very competitive markets we continued to gain
market share.4 -14.8% - 1.5 169.3 710.9% -10.4% +5.4% +3.

2004 agenda:
2004 Results will be released on March 3, 2005
1st Quarter 2005 Net sales will be released on April 14, 2005

For financial information, please consult the corporate web site:
http://www.
The Singapore office will provide local sales and service support to
customers and STS agents throughout Asia and Australasia, including Singapore,
Australia, China , Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and
Thailand."


Singapore office location and contact details:

Ian Wright
Surface Technology Systems Pty Ltd
6 Clementi Loop
Singapore 129814
Tel/Fax: +65 64645256
ian.

region health

0 points - 7.4 points -11.


Lighter sales 4th Quarter 03 4th Quarter 04 2003 2004
In million Euro 92. For the full year, sales
increase was primarily driven by the Americas.9 256. Our
current customers have already welcomed the new regional capabilities . STS serves a
range of applications outside the "mainstream" semiconductor market in several
emerging sectors within the telecommunications, information technology and new
MEMS and Nanotechnology applications .

Business Editors/Food/Beverage Writers

DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and
Markets (http: //www.com/reports/c12830) has
announced the addition of Global Innovations in Savory Snacks to their
offering. Out-of-home snacking tends to be far more impulsive than the
more functional purchases that characterize in-home snacking.
This review provides key category-specific market data, consumer
trends and details on new product innovations from around the world.

alternative category

Sustained Growth in 4th Quarter Confirms Sales Trend in the Full Year

9% +6.
For the full year 2004 net sales were 1,386 million Euro compared to 1,360
million Euro in 2003, an increase of 1.7 points - 5.6% + 7.5 +11.4 + 1.2% 182. Mr.wright@stsystems.co.stsystems.

links asia

---

- - kjjkjk

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