AudioDev buys DataCD, strengthening the position in the US marketplace

AudioDev buys DataCD, strengthening the position in the US marketplace AudioDev USA Inc, wholly owned subsidiary of Audiodev AB, has signed a contract with DataCD Inc., Woodland Hills, CA, to buy the part of the operation pertaining to test equipment for the optical media industry. DataCD has nearly ten years of experience in the optical media industry and since the early 90's, has been the exclusive distributor for one of AudioDev's competitors, Datarius. DataCD's technical knowledge and experience strengthens AudioDev's operations in the USA. The company will be integrated with AudioDev USA Inc., and join forces with the existing California operations. The number of employees will increase by 5 to 14, making it possible to more aggressively support our existing customers as well as increase product marketshare in the US. "With the vast technical resources they provide, we offer extensive industry know-how and solidify our comittment of service and support to our customers", says Gary Fuller, President, North America. USA is currently the most rapidly expanding market for DVD-sales and manufacturing, followed by Japan, Europe and China. The demand for DVD media is expected to show a major increase in the coming years led by increasing home video sales on DVD. Also the introduction of new formats such as recordable DVD, and new applications such as Sony's PlayStation2 lead to increased demand for DVD media. AudioDev in Brief AudioDev is a worldleading manufacturer of testequipment for optical media such as CD and DVD. AudioDev's test equipment is marketed under the name CATS which is a well-known and highly respected brand within the industry. AudioDev is the manufacturer of test equipment for optical media with the broadest market coverage with strong presence in Europe, the USA and Asia. In addition, AudioDev's product offering is the broadest in the industry of test equipment for optical media. Among the customers are EMI, Warner, Sonopress, Pioneer and Ritek. Since 1995, AudioDev has attained average net revenue growth of approximately 35 percent annually. In 1999, AudioDev reported net revenue of approximately SEK 166 million and an operating profit of some SEK 40 million. Since september 21, AudioDev is listed on the OM Stockholmsbörsen. For questions regarding this press release, please contact: Jan Barchan, Chief Executive Officer tel +46 40 690 49 49 Annika Svensson, Communication and Investor Relations tel +46 40 690 49 05 mobile: +46 708 26 38 64 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/09/20001109BIT00370/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/09/20001109BIT00370/bit0002.pdf