TOKYO--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) (NYSE: [ ATE ]) has announced that president and CEO Haruo Matsuno has received the ACE (Annual Creativity in Electronics) Award for Executive of the Year, presented by semiconductor industry journals EE Times and EDN. Mr. Matsuno was recognized for his leadership in making progressive corporate changes over the past year that not only created a more flexible and results-driven organization, but also generated impressive growth in the automatic test equipment (ATE) market and opened doors for new business opportunities.

At the awards presentation, Patrick Mannion, brand director, EDN, UBM Tech, said, "It's a privilege for us to celebrate the leaders, innovations and companies that are propelling our industry forward each and every day. Your creativity and innovation is the lifeblood of our industry."

In the past year, Mr. Matsuno oversaw Advantest's integration of U.S.-based ATE supplier Verigy, creating the semiconductor industry's largest test equipment company. As he worked to integrate the cultures of both organizations and align the expertise of the newly combined personnel with specific segments of Advantest's business, he assigned management of the company's largest revenue-generating product group to a former Verigy executive based in Germany who had the most direct experience and most successful track record in the market segment. Although selecting an executive from outside the parent company would be considered unusual for traditional Japanese management styles, it is indicative of Mr. Matsuno's insightful and international approach to business.

Through the integration process, Advantest has maintained its high standards of customer service and support. For example, in 2012 the company's focus and commitment to customer satisfaction resulted in Advantest being named "The BEST" semiconductor manufacturing equipment supplier by leading market research firm VLSIresearch and also earned Advantest a ranking on VLSIresearch's 10 BEST list for the 24^th consecutive year.

"The ACE Award reflects the success and growth that we have experienced as a company," said Mr. Matsuno. "I am honored to accept this industry recognition."

The ACE Award is the latest accolade earned by Mr. Matsuno, who has been president and CEO of Advantest since 2009. In December, VLSIresearch named him to its 2012 list of the All Stars of the Chip-Making Industry.

About Advantest Corporation
A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has introduced multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as a groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tool. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at [ www.advantest.com ].