Shipley Company Announces Distribution Agreement with Unichem Industries

Marlborough, MA, and San Clemente, CA, April 17, 2003 � Shipley Company, L.L.C., today announced that Unichem Industries, Inc., will operate as the exclusive distributor for its North American processing equipment used in the manufacture of printed wiring boards. Shipley, a subsidiary of Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH), has engaged Unichem to enhance its support and service for North American dry film photoresist and soldermask lamination equipment customers.

Under the terms of the master distributor agreement, Unichem will provide technical service and sales support to ensure Shipley North American PWB process equipment customers receive the outstanding service for which both companies are well known. Together the companies will better serve Shipley's North American equipment customer base.

Bob Ferguson, North American General Manager of Shipley's PWB Division said, "We are pleased to form this relationship with Unichem to better address the needs of our North American process equipment customers. This move enhances our offerings for our customers' manufacturing needs."

Conrad Micale, Sales and Marketing Manager of Unichem Industries added, "This new relationship with Shipley means our extensive sales and service network in North America will be able to more readily meet the needs of these PWB equipment users."

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About Shipley Company, L.L.C.

Shipley Company, L.L.C., develops and delivers advanced, high-performance specialty materials and breakthrough process technology solutions to leading semiconductor and electronics manufacturers around the world. As part of Rohm and Haas (NYSE: ROH), a $5.7 billion specialty materials company, Shipley and sister organization, Rodel, Inc., form the Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials Business Group. With annual sales of nearly $1 billion, the Electronic Materials Business Group focuses on the printed circuit board, semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging industries. Located in all major commercial centers worldwide with a strong presence in Asia, Shipley's materials innovation is increasingly critical to the electronics industry. Shipley products and technologies are integral elements in cell phones, smart cards, computers, digital cameras, flat panel displays, PDAs, automotive electronics, as well as equipment that powers the internet and much more. Additional information is available at http://www.shipley.com.

About Unichem Industries, Inc.

Unichem Industries, supplies fabrication equipment for PWB, LTCC, MLCC, Flex Circuit and HDI assemblies. The equipment offered by Unichem Industries is for Multilayer finishing; V-scoring; edge finishing; via inspection; via formation; laminate preparation; screen printing and ceramic green sheet processing. Unichem supports all equipment with an extensive parts and service organization based in the San Clemente, CA headquarters. Additional information is available at http://www.unichemind.com.

Media

Contacts: Janice White

Director, Communications

Shipley Company

Tel: 1-508-229-7075

jwhite@shipley.com

Conrad Micale

Sales and Marketing Manager

Unichem Industries, Inc.

Tel: 1- 949-361-9999