AURORA, Illinois - October 4, 2001 - Cabot Microelectronics Corp. (NASDAQ: CCMP), the leading supplier
of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing slurries to the semiconductor industry, today
announced the appointment of Koki Hongo to the position of Japan Business Manager. He will be responsible
for the company's business development operations in Japan. In this role, he will report directly to
Hiro Nishiya, Vice President of Asia Pacific Business.
"Japan is one of the largest producing countries for semiconductor devices and, therefore, a key market
for our advanced CMP polishing slurries and pads. We are confident that the combination of Koki's deep
understanding of the semiconductor materials industry and his business management experience in Japan will
enable Cabot Microelectronics to maintain our market leadership position," stated Hiro Nishiya.
"Koki will play an integral role as we continue to introduce new products and services, expand our
customer service organization and pursue new business opportunities in Japan."
Mr. Hongo will be responsible for the overall leadership of the company's business initiatives in Japan,
including the development and implementation of Cabot Microelectronics' business strategy as well as
customer and distributor relationship management and the expansion and improvement of application support services.
Prior to joining Cabot Microelectronics, Mr. Hongo served as Director of the Micro Division Unit at Shipley Far East Ltd.
where he was credited with supporting the company's aggressive sales and new business initiatives. Previously, Mr. Hongo
was the Manager of Sales at MEMC Japan Ltd., responsible for silicon wafer sales to leading Japanese semiconductor manufacturers.
He contributed to the company's tenfold sales increase during five years, including new customer development. In recognition
of his efforts, Mr. Hongo received Monsanto Japan's MVP Award. Mr. Hongo has also held similar positions at Takeda Medical Inc.
and Osawa Company, Ltd. Mr. Hongo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hokkaido University.
About Cabot Microelectronics
Cabot Microelectronics, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, USA, is the world leader in the development and supply of high-performance
polishing slurries used for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), a process that enables the manufacture of the most advanced
integrated circuit (IC) devices and hard disk drive components. Cabot Microelectronics' global network of facilities encompasses
corporate headquarters, a state-of-the-art research and technology center, and manufacturing plants in Aurora; manufacturing plants
in the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States; and regional sales, technical applications and support offices strategically located
throughout the world. The Company reported fiscal 2000 revenues of $180 million.
For more information please visit the Cabot Microelectronics web site at
www.cabotcmp.com or call 1-630-499-2600.
Safe Harbor Statement
The statements contained in this news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Actual results may differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements. All of these statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the risk factors
and other cautionary statements included in Cabot Microelectronics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.