VDC Awards Platinum Status to Kontron in their 2004-2005 Ranking

VDC launches new, stricter evaluation for awards

Poway, California, May 24, 2005 - Kontron AG has been awarded a "Platinum" vendor rating in the new, sole category "Embedded Boards"of Board Vendor Awards by Venture Development Corporation (VDC) in their 2004-2005 vendor rating awards.

VDC has made several changes in their evaluation and awards methodology. They believe these are substantial improvements over the previous practice. Due to the wave of industry consolidation, more companies now offer broader product lines that spanned the three previous separate categories - Slot Single Board Computers, Embedded Motherboards, and PC/104 Family Modules. Therefore, VDC has elected to only award Platinum and Gold status in a single, all-encompassing category, "Embedded Boards", ranging from Computers-on-Modules, Mezzanine Cards/Carriers, PC/104, Embedded Motherboards to Slot SBCs and Embedded CPU Blades. With more board categories now included in the evaluation, more firms eligible for an award. As a result, achieving Platinum or Gold status is more difficult than it has been in the past.

"We are extremely proud to receive Platinum status in this year´s VDC Board Vendor Awards - especially with the new criteria and tougher standards VDC has implemented. This is an honor and testament to Kontron´s focus and dedication to its customers of providing the highest quality in engineering and service while offering an array of products," said Hannes Niederhauser, Chief Executive Officer of Kontron AG. "Having received this award in 2003 as well, we will continue to strive, grow, and remain a leader within the industry."

About VDC:
Founded in 1971, Venture Development Corporation is a technology market research and consulting firm that specializes in industrial and commercial electronics, computing, and communications, software and power systems markets (, 508-653-9000).

About Kontron:
A leading global embedded computer technology company, Kontron supplies a diversified customer base of OEMs, system integrators and application providers in the communications, automation, transportation, medical, military, aerospace, and test and measurement markets. The company helps its customers to considerably reduce their time-to-market and to gain a competitive advantage with products including high-performance open computer platforms and systems, single board computers, man-machine interfaces and mobile computers. Kontron employs more than 1,700 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The company is listed on the German TecDAX 30 stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". Kontron is a member of the Intel Communications Alliance. For additional information on Kontron, please visit: .

For Further Information, Editors Contact:
Richard Pugnier
Kontron America
Phone: 858.623.3006
richard.pugnier@us.kontron.com