Technology & Marketing Agreement With Horiba Ltd

OXFORD INSTRUMENTS PLC
25 October 1999


Oxford Instruments enters technology sharing and joint
marketing agreement with Horiba of Japan

Oxford Instruments, the advanced instrumentation group, has
signed a technology sharing and marketing agreement with
Horiba Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan to develop and expand their ranges
of X-ray based instruments.

Both companies have developed a range of analytical products
using a variety of wavelengths for measuring and testing
surfaces and structures. As well as scientific research
applications, products have a broad spread of industrial
applications including the development and manufacture of
semiconductors.

Both companies expect the agreement to create new product
development and marketing opportunities in Europe, the United
States and Asia where the total market is worth approximately
£100 million p.a.

Horiba currently has approximately 25% of the Japanese X-ray
microanalysis market. Its products analyse microscopic
particles in materials, a process critical in forensics, in
identifying pollutants and in, for example, the manufacture of
pure semiconductor materials.

Under the agreement, Oxford Instruments will be providing both
product and technological know-how and expects Horiba to gain
market share as a result. There are also opportunities to
develop products for the bulk X-ray analysis markets for
industrial and environmental applications such as the
monitoring of sulphur levels in fuels.

Horiba will gain access to the European and American markets
for X-ray microscopes through Oxford Instruments' marketing
and distribution networks with a variety of applications for
industrial and forensic markets.

Andrew Mackintosh, Chief Executive of Oxford Instruments said:

   'This agreement will allow us to extend our technical
   knowledge and marketing expertise in the very
   important field of X-ray instrumentation. Oxford
   Instruments is already the world leader in sales of X-
   ray microanalysis systems but I now expect us to be
   able to extend our sales further, particularly in
   Japan and throughout the Asia region'.

For further information contact:

John Rudofsky, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: [phone] (weekdays)0208 398 7982 (weekend)