Milpitas, California. January 10, 2006.

Nanometrics Creates New Position for Vice President of Corporate Quality and Hires Semiconductor Industry Veteran Azmat Siddiqi

Nanometrics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NANO), a leading supplier of advanced integrated and standalone metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry, today made its latest move toward installing an industry-leading quality assurance program by naming Azmat Siddiqi to the newly created position of vice president of corporate quality.

Siddiqi, a 16-year veteran of the semiconductor industry, will report to John Heaton, Nanometrics’ president and chief executive officer. Siddiqi is responsible for implementing a corporate quality and reliability program and increasing customers’ satisfaction levels.

“Azmat’s vast successful experience with regard to companywide and product quality issues will guide Nanometrics as we further extend our commitment to serving the market,” Heaton said.

Prior to joining Nanometrics, Siddiqi was senior director of reliability and strategy for Applied Global Services, the service business of Applied Materials, where he successfully established a large-scale quality and reliability program as well as managed and monitored worldwide teams on deliverables. His 12-year tenure at Applied Materials also included senior quality positions in various high-level departments.

Additionally, Siddiqi has held management roles at Sierra Semiconductor, Apple Computer and Hewlett Packard. Siddiqi earned his master’s of science degree from the University of Florida, he completed post-graduate research in laser engineering at Stanford University, and holds a bachelor’s of science from NED Engineering and Technical University in Karachi, Pakistan.

About Nanometrics
Nanometrics is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-performance process control metrology systems used in the manufacture of semiconductors and integrated circuits. Nanometrics metrology systems measure various thin film properties, critical circuit dimensions and layer-to-layer circuit alignment (overlay) during various steps of the manufacturing process, enabling semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturers to improve yields, increase productivity and lower their manufacturing costs. The Company maintains its headquarters in Milpitas, Calif., with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol NANO. Nanometrics’ website is http://www.nanometrics.com.

Contact:
Peter Gise
Nanometrics
408.435.9600