Agilent Technologies' Test and Measurement Organization Forms Joint V

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2005--Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the formation of a joint venture between its test and measurement organization and Chengdu Qianfeng Electronics Ltd. Corp. to develop and manufacture test equipment. Qianfeng is a prominent, industry-leading Chinese company in electronic equipment and gas appliances. Agilent will work directly with Qianfeng's instrument operation to make test equipment for the Chinese market. The joint venture, Agilent-Qianfeng Electronics Technologies (Chengdu) Co. Ltd. will be located in Chengdu, in China's Sichuan Province.
    China represents a significant growth opportunity in general for Agilent, and specifically for the company's test and measurement business. China's $200 billion electronics industry is growing at approximately 20 percent a year, and it is projected that by 2006, 250 million mobile phone handsets will be manufactured in that country annually.
    The joint venture will be part of Agilent's Electronic Products and Solutions Group (EPSG). Max Yang has been named vice president and general manager of the new company. He was previously the vice president of China business development for EPSG. Dick Chang, a former senior vice president of Agilent, will serve as chairman of the joint venture.
    "The electronics industry is growing quickly in China, and forming a joint venture with a company there allows us to serve customer needs locally in a focused way," said Yang. "Agilent is a global company, and this is part of our global test and measurement strategy."
    According to Yang, the joint venture is the first in the test and measurement industry involving a Chinese company that will include all major business functions -- manufacturing, R&D and marketing. "Qianfeng's local expertise will enable faster time to market with products ideally suited for test and measurement customers in China," said Yang.
    On Jan. 25, Agilent announced the formation of its China Holding Co. in Shanghai to consolidate its entities and strengthen its presence there. The joint venture with Qianfeng is among the first investments made under the new holding company, which will focus on building electronic test equipment for the communications market in China and worldwide markets. Agilent currently has approximately 1,100 employees in China.

    About Chengdu Qianfeng Electronics Ltd. Corp.

    Chengdu Qianfeng Electronics Ltd. Corp. is a prominent, industry-leading company in business for nearly five decades. The company is engaged in a number of fields, including electronic measurement equipment, communication test equipment, intelligent household energy management systems, household and commercial gas appliances, electronic machinery, real estate development and trading. Qianfeng is recognized as one of China's top brands in water heaters.

    About Agilent Technologies

    Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. Agilent had net revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

    NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

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CONTACT: Agilent Technologies Inc. Amy Flores, 650-752-5303 (U.S.) amy_flores@agilent.com Tina Zhao, + 86 10 6564 7888 (China) tina_zhao@agilent.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA CHINA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Agilent Technologies Inc.

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