Tokyo, Japan - March 15, 2007

Yokogawa Ships 700th Exapilot Operation Efficiency Improvement Package
- An award-winning tool that facilitates the transfer of operational expertise -

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has shipped a total of 700 units of the Exapilot Operation Efficiency Improvement Package since this product was introduced to the market in March 2000. Such a large number is rare for this kind of software, and it is two times the initial sales projection.

Exapilot is a software package that helps standardize and automate the know-how about operating procedures that has been acquired by skilled plant operators. Skilled operators use their know-how at plant start-up and shutdown, when performing manual operations such as product switchovers, and when making decisions about other aspects of plant operations. Although this know-how is difficult to quantify, an automated control support program can be easily created by using the Exapilot software to input an icon-based flowchart. Skilled operators can create programs that reassure less skilled operators by guiding them through manual operations.

By such means, companies have been addressing Japan's "year 2007 problem" relating to the expected retirement this year of large numbers of skilled operators. Exapilot is attracting attention as one solution to this problem.

Recognition has been given to our efforts to address this problem by providing manufacturers this useful tool to ensure the expertise of skilled operators is passed on to the next generation: Yokogawa has received the Technology Award 2006 from the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ). This award is for Exapilot's basic encoding knowledge representation and process state detection technologies, which combine shallow knowledge and deep knowledge to create a system development tool for plant operation support. The award ceremony will be held on March 20, 2007.

The SCEJ seeks to raise the level of academic achievement in chemical engineering and to foster the careers of individuals working in this field, and aims to systematically return the results of these efforts to society. Each year, the SCEJ publicly recognizes excellent research that contributes to the advancement of chemical engineering and chemical technology. Yokogawa has been awarded this prize because the Exapilot technology is expected to have a major economic impact and to improve both the environment and plant safety.

This award serves as an inspiration for everyone at Yokogawa to continue their efforts to develop new technologies and products that contribute to society.