Benchmark Electronics Reports Sales and Earnings for First Quarter 200

ANGLETON, Texas, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc., a leading contract manufacturing provider, announced sales revenue of $510 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to $481 million for the same quarter last year. First quarter net income was $16.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share. In the comparable period last year, net income was $15.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.

"Our first quarter results reflect revenue growth of 6% and net income growth of 11% year over year," commented Cary T. Fu, President and CEO of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. "The first quarter results were excellent in light of the soft economic conditions seen recently in the technology marketplace. Our focus for the remainder of 2005 is on efficiently ramping our new programs in this challenging environment."

First Quarter 2005 Financial Highlights * Operating margin for the first quarter was 4.4%. * Return on invested capital of 13.8%. * Cash and short-term investments balance at March 31, 2005 of $344 million. * No debt outstanding as of March 31, 2005. * Accounts receivable were $267 million at March 31, 2005; calculated days sales outstanding were 47 days. * Inventories increased by $39 million to $295 million; inventory turns were 6.4 times. Second Quarter 2005 Guidance * Revenue in the second quarter of 2005 is expected to be between $525 million and $550 million. * Earnings per share for the second quarter of 2005 are expected to be $0.41 to $0.45 per diluted share. Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the scope of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "predict," and similar expressions, and the negatives of such expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to industry and economic conditions, customer actions and the other factors discussed in Benchmark's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. is in the business of manufacturing electronics and provides its services to original equipment manufacturers of computers and related products for business enterprises, medical devices, industrial control equipment, testing and instrumentation products, and telecommunication equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in eight countries. Benchmark's Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

A conference call hosted by Benchmark management will be held today at 10:00 am (Central time) to discuss the financial results of the Company and its future outlook. This call will be broadcast via the Internet and may be accessed by logging on to our website at http://www.bench.com/ .

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 2004 Net sales $ 509,582 $ 480,966 Cost of sales 472,097 443,809 Gross profit 37,485 37,157 Selling, general and administrative expenses 15,212 15,721 Operating income 22,273 21,436 Other income (expense): Interest expense (67) (765) Other 670 433 Total other income (expense), net 603 (332) Income before income taxes 22,876 21,104 Income tax expense 5,947 5,909 Net income $ 16,929 $ 15,195 Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period 41,627 40,954 Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding dilutive options 1,081 1,399 Denominator for diluted earnings per share 42,708 42,353 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.41 $ 0.37 Diluted $ 0.40 $ 0.36 Benchmark Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2005 (Amounts in Thousands) (UNAUDITED) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash-equivalents $ 90,225 Short-term investments 253,335 Accounts receivable, net 267,491 Inventories, net 295,479 Other current assets 28,552 Total current assets 935,082 Property, plant and equipment, net 80,433 Other assets, net 6,623 Goodwill, net 112,947 Total assets $ 1,135,085 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 281,068 Other current liabilities 74,582 Total current liabilities 355,650 Other long-term liabilities 8,887 Shareholders' equity 770,548 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,135,085