DURHAM, N.C., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cree, Inc. , a market leader in LED solid-state lighting components, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Forge Europa to distribute XLamp LEDs in the United Kingdom, other European countries and Russia.

"Forge Europa has been at the heart of LED revolution, developing, designing, manufacturing and supplying innovative LED lamps, displays and assemblies since 1993. Their technical knowledge coupled with a pragmatic approach make them an ideal distribution partner for Cree Lighting as we roll out XLamp LEDs in the U.K.," notes Chris James, Cree Lighting marketing manager. "Forge Europa's expertise in LED technology and lighting design adds tremendous value for our customers."

"Cree is a LED industry pioneer and is a leader in increasing brightness, ease-of-use and design for thermal management. The Cree XLamp power LED series is an innovative solution for a broad range of speciality and general illumination applications," notes Peter Barton, Forge Europa managing director. "Forge Europa, with its proud record of developing ground-breaking products for clients, is ready to help customers design in XLamp LEDs for high efficiency and idealised LED lighting solutions."

About Forge Europa

Forge Europa designs, develops, manufactures and supplies LED lamps, displays, lighting and assemblies to a vast range of markets on a global basis. The company was founded in 1993 in Ulverston, UK and is well known for its flair in turning customer enquiries into creative LED designs. Forge Europa's continuous research and development efforts have resulted in innovations such as the interlocking 7 segment displays requiring no external PCB, their custom backlights for illuminating large areas as well as their range of SPLEDs (splined LEDs that friction fit without requiring a PCB).

Forge Europa sets its standards high and is registered to ISO 9001:2000 as well as being so committed to rigorous product testing that its Life Test Laboratory is one of the most comprehensive in-house optoelectronics test and measurement facilities in Europe. To find out more about their unique LED product ranges, please visit http://www.forge-europa.co.uk/ .

About Cree, Inc.

Cree is an advanced semiconductor company that leverages its expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) materials technology to produce new and enabling semiconductors. The products include blue and green light emitting diodes (LEDs), radio frequency (RF) and microwave devices, and power switching devices. Also under development are near ultraviolet lasers. Cree understands the important convergence of science, technology and creativity, placing high value on ideas, as well as the energy and ability of its people. Potential applications for these products include solid-state illumination, power switching, wireless infrastructure and optical storage. For additional product specifications, please refer to the data sheets at http://www.xlamp.com/ .

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, such as variations in demand for Cree's products and its customers' products, risks relating to international sales such as the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations, and other factors discussed in Cree's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2004 and subsequent filings.

Cree, Cree Lighting and the Cree logo are registered trademarks, and XLamp is a trademark, of Cree, Inc.

CONTACT: Raiford Garrabrant of Cree, Inc., +1-919-313-5397, or fax,
+1-919-313-5615, or raiford_garrabrant@cree.com ; or Peter Barton of Forge
Europa, +44 1229 580000, or peter@forge-europa.co.uk

Web site: http://www.cree.com/
http://www.forge-europa.co.uk/
http://www.xlamp.com/