SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Strasbaugh (OTC Bulletin Board: STRB) is pleased to announce the shipment of a $2.85M equipment order to a Chinese semiconductor chip manufacturer in December, 2008.

The sale, secured by China's 45th Research Institute, Strasbaugh's sales and service partner in China, includes multiple CMP and cleaning systems. The equipment will be used for state-of-the-art chip manufacturing.

"This is the first major order for Strasbaugh in China since the 45th Research Institute became an official sales representative for Strasbaugh in 2008," according to Mike Kirkpatrick, Strasbaugh's VP of Sales and Marketing. "It's a great start to our relationship."

About Strasbaugh

Strasbaugh has 60 years of leadership in design and manufacturing of advanced surfacing technology for the global semiconductor, silicon, data storage, MEMS, LED, telecommunications and optics industries. Through close alliances with premier manufacturers in these high-technology markets, Strasbaugh has developed pioneering technology that has become the standard in polishing and grinding today. With high-quality grinding tools, state-of-the-art prime wafer polishing and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) systems, as well as advanced wafer carriers and leading edge process technology, Strasbaugh has enabled its customers to realize their performance targets and has built a reputation as a world class manufacturer of innovative, reliable, high-yield surfacing solutions.

Headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, Strasbaugh supplies equipment worldwide through direct and representative sales and service offices located in the U.S., China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

About The 45th Research Institute

The 45th Research Institute, founded in 1958, is a state research institute for semiconductor and electronic device equipment, with capability of research, development and manufacturing.

The Institute's specialty lies in the area of optical micro-manufacturing, precision machinery and system automation technologies. Its core technologies include system integration, machinery vision, motion control, precision workstations and material transport systems, ultra-precision components and structure designs, and process solutions.

Key products include wafer steppers, material fabrication, cleaning equipment, back-end packaging and probing/testing equipment. These products are in leading positions in various markets in the People's Republic of China.

SafeHarbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release, including without limitation, statements regarding the relationship between Strasbaugh and the 45th Research Institute, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Strasbaugh could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the ability of Strasbaugh's to manufacture and deliver CMP products pursuant to the terms of the purchase order in China, the projected future demand for Strasbaugh's products, changes in technology and governmental regulations and policies, competitive products and services, unforeseen technical issues and those factors contained in the "Risk Factors" Section of Strasbaugh's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and other Strasbaugh filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT:
    Sarah Okada
    Strasbaugh
    805.782.5416
    sokada@strasbaugh.com

    Paul Knopick
    E & E Communications
    949.707.5365
    pknopick@eandecommunications.com

SOURCE Strasbaugh