Alps Electric Publishes 2004 Environmental Report

Provides Full Details of Issues Being Addressed at Each of its Global Bases

Duesseldorf, Germany, September 02, 2004 – ALPS Electric announced the publication of its 2004 Environmental Report, a collection of environmental preservation-related issues addressed during fiscal year 2003. The 19-page, A4-size report is available in both English and Japanese. The main body of its content is made up of detailed commentaries on issues addressed at overseas bases connected with supply chain management (SCM) and `green` procurement. The 2004 Environmental Report contains information from several perspectives on the Company`s fiscal 2003 environmental preservation efforts in relation to its production activities, products and society. It also reports on the first year's results of the Fourth Medium-Term Voluntary Action Plan, which stared in fiscal 2003 and is scheduled to end in fiscal 2005. The Company's bases are scattered all over the world, and the process of ISO14001 environmental management certification among those applying is 90% complete, but the Company has always taken a global view in its operations. This report covers measures taken toward reducing both energy usage and the volume of waste as well as environmental risk management in every part of the world: not only in Japan, but also China, ASEAN countries, South Korea, Europe and the United States. Recently, as the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive also made regulations governing harmful substances more stringent internationally, the Company issued its green procurement guidelines to increase SCM awareness. To further the process of sharing information on a global basis a reality, the Company set up its Database for Chemical Substance Management. Examples of these measures are the ban on mercury that is already in place, the ongoing steps toward the abolition of specified brominated flame retardants, and the activities aimed at ceasing cadmium, hexavalent chrome and lead use that will carried out until the end of this year. Alps will continue to disclose information promptly with the annual publication of reports on its previous fiscal year's results and accomplishments in environment preservation. The next report is planned for late June 2005. The contents of this year's environmental report have been available for viewing on the Company's Web site at the following URL: http://www.alps.co.jp/e/environment/index_e.htm. By placing the utmost emphasis on environmental preservation activities at all its companies, remaining at the forefront in the environmental field is firmly in Alps' sights. The twofold purpose of the environmental report is the broad disclosure of information to fulfill the Company's obligation to offer a full explanation of its activities and to increase awareness of environmental preservation among its workforce. This year's environmental report marks the sixth publication of a series that began with the 1999 Environmental Report, which was published in March 2000 and summarized our environmental activities during fiscal 1998.

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to YEN 602 billion. ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989 the European Head Office is located in Düsseldorf. A team of specialists is working here in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. From Düsseldorf the activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes and the European distribution are co-ordinated. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, located in Sweden, is servicing the Scandinavian market.