May, 2002

During the first four months of 2002, our production and supply situation has improved dramatically. We have achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves at the start of the year (as stated in our previous update), including:

1. Solving our feedstock shortage
   • Achieved proficiency at manufacturing our own feedstocks
   • Boosted spent etchants received through US Filter acquisition
     
     
2. Improving plant production
   • Making plant improvements to help eliminate or reduce process bottlenecks
   • Shortening startup and shutdown times
   • Increasing weekly hours of production