Net Sales up 21.8% over second quarter of 2004 *
* Net Income of € 0.9 million or € 0.03 per share versus € 0.7 million or € 0.02 per share in second quarter of 2004 *
* Backlog down 27.5% compared to June 30, 2004, up 13.3% compared to December 31, 2003 *
* Bookings down 51.2% versus second quarter of 2004 *
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 its financial results for the third quarter of 2004.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2004 were € 40.3 million, an increase of 21.8% from € 33.1 million for the second quarter of 2004 and an increase of 129.0% as compared to net sales of € 17.6 million for the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was € 0.9 million, or € 0.03 per share, versus net income of € 0.7 million, or € 0.02 per share, for the second quarter of 2004 and a net loss of € 3.7 million, or € 0.12 per share, for the third quarter of 2003.