Ceradyne, Inc. recently announced unaudited preliminary results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. Fourth quarter sales of approximately $82 million were a record, representing a 148% increase from $33 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. New orders exceeded $145 million, also a quarterly record, rising more than 109% from $69.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2004, sales reached a record of approximately $214 million, 111% higher than the $101.5 million for 2003. Total new orders for the year also hit a record of approximately $276 million, a 63% increase from $170 million in 2003. Backlog at the end of 2004 was a record of approximately $200 million, an increase of 92% over year-end 2003 backlog of $104 million. Final results, including earnings, for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004, are expected to be released February 24, 2005.

Additional information can be found at http://www.ceradyne.com.