!!! Press Release !!!

AIXTRON AG: 100 percent increase in orders before end of 2nd Quarter

AIXTRON AG, manufacturer of equipment for the production of compound semiconductor materials, has recorded a 100 percent increase in orders even before the end of the 2nd quarter 1998, compared with the first 2 quarters 1997. In the USA alone, AIXTRON´s largest market, with revenues of DM 34 million in 1997, orders to the value of DM 13 million were received in the last 8 days. Incoming orders are also higher than estimated in Asia, where Japan and Taiwan are the most important markets. In South Korea, the electronics company, Samsung, has also just ordered an AIXTRON system. These developments demonstrate that the financial crises affecting certain Asian countries has not negatively affected AIXTRON´s business, nor has it resulted in order cancellations. The outlook for 1999 is also very positive, with confirmed orders already received.

Due to the high order backlog and revenues for the current year, AIXTRON will revise its revenue forecast (DM 103 million) and expected earnings upwards for the year. The high value of the US dollar, at around DM 1.80 in the first 2 quarters of the year, has also contributed to a further improvement in earnings. As all forecast figures are based on an exchange rate of DM 1.65 to the US dollar, earnings before tax will be increased by approximately DM 1 million for the first 2 quarters of 1998.

In view of the recent consolidation which has taken place on the Neuer Markt, the executive board of AIXTRON, Kim Schindelhauer and Dr. Holger Juergensen, emphasize the stability of the shareholder structure of the company. Should the original shareholders (venture capital companies) wish to sell shares, they are obliged to offer them to the executive board first. This means that the executive board can arrange for the transfer of shares from the investing companies without affecting the share price. In addition, the executive board will not, in the long-term, reduce its stake in the company, following the expiry of the two year period in which it is obliged to retain its shares.

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© AIXTRON AG June 1998

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