Hitachi Plant Joins Echelon's Authorized Network Integrator Program

Echelon Reaches Milestone in Industrial Market, Signs Leading Designer of Semiconductor Plant Integration Systems

(Palo Alto, CA - May 15, 2000) - Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON), announced today that Hitachi Plant Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (HPC), has signed on as Echelon's first Authorized Network Integrator (ANI) to specialize in designing LonWorks®, based automation systems for semiconductor fabrication facilities. The agreement, effective May 1st, allows HPC to utilize the LonWorks platform as the basis for open, interoperable clean room facilities in Japan. HPC has the largest market share in designing automation systems for clean room facilities in Japan, making this agreement a significant milestone for Echelon's ANI program.

"We consider interoperability to be the most important feature in our automation systems, as it allows for designs that can be modified for years to come," stated Mr. Hiroo Sakai, director and general manager of HPC's Air Conditioning and Industrial Facilities Group. "The LonWorks platform is by far the most reliable, cost-effective open solution available today. We are proud to be able to call ourselves Echelon Authorized Network Integrators."

Ken Lavezzo, vice president of Echelon's LonPoint® Systems Division, stated, "HPC will be a great help to Echelon as we continue to increase our presence in semiconductor fabs worldwide. We are extremely pleased to welcome HPC into Echelon's Authorized Network Integrator Program."

Founded in 1997, Echelon's Authorized Network Integrator Channel Program trains qualified integrators in the design, installation and maintenance of flat, open, interoperable multi-vendor LonWorks control networks. Echelon's Authorized Network Integrators offer their networking and integration expertise to commercial, industrial, municipal, governmental and institutional facility owners who want the cost, reliability and flexibility benefits offered by open, nonproprietary control systems.

About Echelon Corporation
Echelon Corporation is the developer of LonWorks networks, recognized internationally as a standard for open, interoperable control networks. With thousands of application developers and millions of devices installed worldwide, LonWorks is the leading cross-industry standard for networking everyday devices in building, home, industrial, transportation, and public utility applications. Echelon offers a full range of off-the-shelf hardware and software products to support the development, installation and management of intelligent, open and interoperable control networks.

Products that have been verified to conform to Echelon's LonMark® interoperability guidelines are eligible to carry the LonMark logo, an indicator that a product has been designed to interoperate over a LonWorks network.

Echelon is based in Palo Alto, California, with international offices in China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Further information can be found at http://www.echelon.com. Further information about the LonMark Interoperability Association can be found at http://www.lonmark.org.

About Hitachi Plant Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.
A mechanical contractor for the plant construction market, HPC was established in 1929 and currently has 2500 employees. Annual sales are 245 billion yen (US $2.4 billion). HPC designs total systems for air conditioning and industrial facilities, power plants, water treatment and environmental control systems, and other facilities. For more information (in English), please visit http://www.hitachiplant.hbi.ne.jp/English/index.html.

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Echelon, LonWorks, LonMark, the LonMark logo, LonPoint, and the Echelon logo are trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Other marks belong to their respective holders.

Contact Information

Press Contacts:
Lyn Balistreri Echelon Corporation (650) 855-7402 lbalistreri@echelon.com

PDF version of this press release.