BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. ("the Company" or "Besi") (Nasdaq: BESI; Euronext: BESI), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced preliminary net sales and orders for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. The Company will issue results for the second quarter of 2006 and hold a conference call with investors and analysts to review results on Thursday, July 20, 2006.
Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 are expected to be approximately Eur 50 million, an increase of approximately 35% as compared to net sales of Eur 37.0 million in the second quarter of 2005, and an increase of approximately 12% as compared to net sales of Eur 44.5 million for the first quarter of 2006.

Orders for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 totaled approximately Eur 46 million, an increase of approximately 21% as compared to orders of Eur 38.1 million in the second quarter of 2005, and a decrease of approximately 23% as compared to Eur 59.7 million for the first quarter of 2006. In addition, backlog decreased slightly to approximately Eur 69 million at June 30, 2006 as compared to Eur 72.0 million at March 31, 2006.

Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “Our sales and orders in the second quarter of 2006 increased significantly compared to the prior year period. We believe this reflects improved industry conditions and additional market penetration by our assembly equipment products. Currently, we estimate that sales and order trends reflect a cautious attitude toward new equipment purchases on the part of customers, particularly subcontractors, reflecting their careful monitoring of inventory and capacity levels. During the quarter, our bookings levels met expectations while growth in shipments was slightly below our initial expectations due to delays in two customer shipments which are anticipated to be delivered in the third quarter of 2006.”