ALPS Expands its Presence in Europe - Opening of New Sales Office in Milan/Italy

Düsseldorf, July 01, 2005 - ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, one of the worldwide leading producers of electronic and electromechanical components, is announcing the opening of a sales office in Italy. Based on its positive experience with regional offices in other European countries, USA and Asia, the Japanese company will now address the South European market with an own sales office in Milan, Italy. ALPS’ product sales and marketing as well as the company’s technical support will be utilizing the new location to better serve the growing customer base in this region. Being located in this important city in Northern Italy gives ALPS the opportunity to share the strong growth of the European market and expand its leading position. Dario Bricchi, Sales Manager South Europe: “We believe ALPS still have a significant margin of growth in this area, despite of difficult economical situation in Europe and the tough competition mainly coming from China and Far East countries.“ “Our new sales office in Italy further emphasizes the Pan-European presence of ALPS“, said Ulrich Kuhs, Marketing Manager, ALPS Electric Europa. “While other producers close down more and more subsidiaries, ALPS has been focussing on expansion. We are very confident that the opening of our new Italian office will help us to increase the efficiency of sales and to optimize the account management, our technical support as well as the customer service.” The company with its European headquarter in Düsseldorf, Germany, and offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes, UK, and Solna, Sweden, regards the regional office as advantage in competition even for already existing partnerships. The new ALPS sales office is located in Via A.Volta 54, 20090 Cusago – Milan, Italy.

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to YEN 602 billion. ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989 the European Head Office is located in Düsseldorf. A team of specialists is working here in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. From Düsseldorf the activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes and the European distribution are co-ordinated. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, located in Sweden, is servicing the Scandinavian market.