Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups



	 	Documentation Risk Department
	 	Wholesale & International
	 	Lloyds
    TSB Bank plc	Direct
    Line:	020
    7775 2065
	 	11/15
    Monument Street	Switchboard:	020
    7775 2000
	 	London	Facsimile:	020
    7775 2114
	 	EC3R 8JU	 	 
	 	 	Reference:	D/JCRO/JEUL4339
	 	 	 	 
	The Directors

	Trikon Technologies Limited

	Ringland Way,

	Newport,

	Gwent NP6 2TA	17th July 2003	 	 


 

Dear Sirs,

£5,000,000 REVOLVING LOAN FACILITY

We, Lloyds TSB Bank plc (the “Bank”) are pleased to offer the undermentioned facilities (the “Facilities”) amounting in aggregate to £5,000,000 (five million pounds sterling) to Trikon Technologies Limited (company registered number 1373344 and herein referred to as the “Borrower”) upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this letter;

	



(a)	
  a sterling revolving loan
    facility linked to the Bank’s Base Rate (the “sterling facility”); and

	 	 
	



(b)	
  an Optional Currency revolving
    loan facility linked to the Bank’s short term offered rate (the “currency facility”).

	 	 
	



 1	
Definitions


“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which banks and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in London and (a) in relation to a transaction involving an Optional Currency other than the euro, a day on which banks and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in the principal financial centre (as determined by the Bank) of that Optional Currency, and (b) in the case of a transaction involving the euro, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express System (“TARGET”) is operating.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means at any particular time the aggregate of the amount paid up on the issued share capital of the Parent and the consolidated distributable and non-distributable reserves of the Parent and its Subsidiary Undertakings but (a) after deducting the total of any debit balance on profit and loss account and the book value of any intangible assets including but not limited to goodwill, and (b) excluding any minority interests in Subsidiary Undertakings and any increase in the valuation of assets subsequent to the date of the Financial Statement.

“Current Account” means the sterling current account of the Borrower with the Bank’s City Office Branch (numbered 300002 00573944) or any account opened with the Bank in replacement of or in substitution for such account.

“Equivalent Amount” means the sterling equivalent of the relevant amount of another currency, as conclusively determined by the Bank, (a) in the case of any amount owing hereunder or any amount payable to the Bank, on the basis of the rate at which the Bank would sell the relevant currency for sterling at that time, and (b) in the case of any credit balance or any amount payable by the Bank, on the basis of the rate at which the Bank would sell sterling for such other currency at the relevant time.

“Event of Default” means
    an event described in Clause 8.1 hereof or any circumstance which with the
giving of notice and/or the passing of time could become such an event.

“Expiry Date” means 30th June
2005.






2

“Facility Limit” means £5,000,000
      subject to any cancellation or other reduction thereof within the terms
    of this letter.

“Financial Statement” means
    at any particular time the then latest audited consolidated balance sheet
    and profit and loss account (each prepared on the same basis and in accordance
    with the same accounting principles as the latest such balance sheet and
    profit and loss account received by the Bank prior to the date of this letter)
    of the Parent and its Subsidiary Undertakings or, as the case may be, of
the Trikon Group Companies together with the notes to both.

“Net Debit Interest” means the aggregate of all interest charged in sterling and an amount equal to the Equivalent Amount of all interest charged in an Optional Currency under the Facility less the aggregate of all sterling credit interest and an amount equal to the Equivalent Amount of all credit interest in a currency other than sterling paid by the Bank to the Trikon Group Companies on any account with the Bank.

“Optional Currency” means any major currency, other than sterling, as agreed between the Bank and the Borrower.

“Parent” means Trikon Technologies Inc (company registered number 95-4054321)

“Subsidiary Undertaking” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 258 of the Companies Act 1985.

“Total Outstandings” means at any particular time the aggregate of all drawings outstanding at such time under the sterling facility, and the total Equivalent Amount of all drawings outstanding at such time under the currency facility.

“Trikon Group Companies” means Trikon Holdings Limited and all companies which are now or in the future become Subsidiary Undertakings of Trikon Holdings Limited (including for the avoidance of doubt the Borrower).

Words denoting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice-versa.

	



2	
Amount & Availability
	 	 
	



2.1	
  Subject to the terms hereof
      the Facilities shall remain available until and may be drawn on any Business
      Day prior to the Expiry
  Date provided that at the time of drawing the currency of the drawing is, in
  the Bank’s opinion, readily available to the Bank in the amount of the
  drawing and that the Bank is able to determine the applicable rate of interest
  pursuant to the terms of this letter. No drawing may be effected on any particular
  day if the amount thereof would otherwise cause the Total Outstandings on that
  day to exceed the Facility Limit.

	 	 
	



 	If at any time the Bank shall determine
      that the Total Outstandings exceed the Facility Limit by more than 10% then
      the Borrower shall repay to the Bank on demand in one or more of the currencies
      (as the Bank shall specify) in which drawings are outstanding at such time
      an amount equal or equivalent to the amount by which the Facility Limit is
    exceeded.

	 	 
	



2.2	
  Each notice of drawing to be given pursuant to this
    letter hereof shall specify the amount and currency of the drawing and the account
    to which the proceeds are to be paid.

	 	 
	



 	The proceeds
    of each drawing shall be utilised by the Borrower for working capital purposes.

	



 	 
	



2.3	
  All moneys from time to time outstanding hereunder shall be repaid by the Borrower in the currency in which they are outstanding on or before the Expiry Date.

	 	 
	
3     	Terms of Operation
	 	 
	



3.1	
The sterling facility
	 	 
	



 	The Borrower
      may make drawings in sterling from time to time hereunder in minimum amounts
      of £100,000 subject to receipt by the Bank of notice from the Borrower by 10 a.m. on the date of drawing. Any drawing which has been outstanding for not less than 1 month may be repaid by the Borrower on any Business Day prior to the Expiry Date subject to receipt by the Bank of notice of such repayment prior to 10 a.m.
    on the date of repayment.

	 	 


  

  

  
  3

	
 	Interest
          will accrue from day to day on the cleared daily balance of drawings
          at a margin of 1.75%
          per annum above the Bank’s Base Rate from time to time and shall
          be paid quarterly in arrears (normally on the 10th of each of March,
          June, September and December or on the next Business Day) and additionally
        on the date of final repayment of the sterling facility.

	 	 
	



3.2	 The currency facility
	 	 
	



 	The Borrower

may
          make drawings in any Optional Currency from time to time hereunder
          in minimum
          amounts of £100,000 subject to receipt by the Bank of notice from
          the Borrower by 10 a.m. on the date of drawing. Any drawing which
          has been outstanding for not less than 1 month may be repaid by the Borrower
          on any Business Day prior to the Expiry Date subject to receipt by the
          Bank of notice of such repayment prior to 10 a.m. on the date
        of repayment

	 	 
	



 	Interest
          will accrue from day to day on the cleared daily balance of drawings
          at a margin of 1% per
          annum over the Bank’s short term offered rate from time to time
          and shall be paid in the currency of the drawing quarterly in arrears
          (normally on the last business day of each of February, May, August
          and November or on the next Business Day) additionally on the date
          of final
        repayment of the currency facility.

	 
	4	Additional Costs & Changes in Circumstances
	 	 
	



4.1	 If the application of or introduction of
          or any change in any applicable law, regulation, requirement, directive
          or request or any change in the interpretation thereof by any governmental,
          fiscal, monetary or other authority charged with the administration thereof
          or by any self-regulating organisation or court of competent jurisdiction
          (in any case whether or not having the force of law) shall subject the
          Bank or any holding company of the Bank to any tax, duty or other charge
          with respect hereto or change the basis of taxation on any amounts payable
          to the Bank hereunder (except in respect of tax on the overall net income
          of the Bank or any such holding company) or impose, modify or deem applicable
          requirements in respect of any liquid asset, special or other deposit
          or prudential or cash ratio or other requirements against, or the allocation
          by the Bank or any holding company of the Bank of capital in support
          of, any assets or liabilities or contingent liabilities of, deposits
          with or for the account of, or advances or commitments made by the Bank,
          and this shall increase the cost (to the Bank or any such holding company)
          of the Bank maintaining the Facilities or shall reduce the amount of
          principal or interest receivable by the Bank or shall otherwise reduce
          the return to the Bank hereunder by an amount which the Bank deems material,
          the Borrower shall pay to the Bank upon demand such additional amounts
        as are necessary to compensate for such increased cost or reduction.

	 	 
	



4.2	 If at any time the currency in which any
          amount outstanding or owing in connection with the Facilities is denominated
          is due to be or has been converted into the euro or into any other currency
          as a result of a change in law or by agreement between the Bank and the
        Borrower then:

	 	 


	 



	



(a)	 the Bank may in its sole discretion
          determine and shall give written notice to the Borrower of the currency
          or currency unit in which all or any amounts payable under or in connection
          with this letter shall be paid. After the expiry of 7 days from the date
          of such notice all such payments shall be made in such currency or currency
          unit and all references in this letter to currency shall mean and include
        reference to a currency unit; and

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	 the Bank
          may by giving not less than 21 days’ written notice to the Borrower
          change any of the terms applying to the Facilities but only to the
          extent that the
          Bank reasonably considers any such change necessary to take account
          of differences in market practice or to compensate for increases in
          costs
          to the Bank or to any holding company of the Bank arising from or related
          to such conversion or arising from or related to the introduction of
          or to the extension of monetary union within the European Union. Any
          such change shall amend the terms of this letter upon expiry of such
        period of notice.

	 	 	 


	



4.3	 All legal and other costs and expenses including
          any stamp and other duties and registration fees on a full indemnity
          basis and value added tax thereon reasonably incurred by the Bank in
          assessing the Facilities, in the preparation of this letter and of any
          amendment, waiver or consent letter at any time entered into, in the
          preparation, valuation, taking and release of any guarantee or security
          given in connection with this letter and in connection with the enforcement,
          administration and preservation of its rights under the Facilities shall
        be payable by the Borrower on demand.

	 	 







4

	



4.4	 On acceptance the Borrower
        shall pay to the Bank an arrangement fee of £15,000.

	 	 
	



5	 Conditions Precedent & Security
	 	 
	



5.1	 The obligations of the Bank hereunder shall
          not come into effect unless and until it has received in form and substance
        satisfactory to it:

	 	 


	 



	



(a)	 a copy of this letter duly
        signed on behalf of both the Parent and the Borrower;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	 a certified copy of the board
          resolution of each of the Parent and the Borrower authorising acceptance
          of this letter and nominating the person(s) authorised to sign this letter
          on its behalf, and in the case of the Borrower the person(s) authorised
          to give notices of drawing and other communications required hereunder,
        together with their duly authenticated specimen signatures; and

	 	 	 
	 



	



(c)	 such evidence as the Bank shall
          require to confirm that the security already held by the Bank described
        in Clause 5.2 hereof is in full force and effect.

	 	 	 


	



5.2	 All amounts owing to the Bank under or pursuant
        to the Facilities shall at all times be secured by:

	 	 


	 



	



 (a)	 an omnibus guarantee and set
          off agreement dated 10th December 1999 among the Bank, the Borrower,
          Trikon Equipments Limited, E T Equipments Limited, E T Fabrications Limited,
          E T Electrotech Research Limited, Trikon Technologies (Israel) Limited,
    Vacuum Control Systems Limited and Trikon Holdings Limited;

	 	 	 
	



 	



(b)	 an unlimited debenture dated 10th December
    1999 from the Borrower,

	 	 	 
	 	(c)	an unlimited debenture dated
    10th December 1999 from Trikon Equipments Limited,

	 	 	 
	 	(d)	an unlimited debenture dated
    10th December 1999 from E T Equipments Limited,

	 	 	 
	 	(e)	an unlimited debenture dated
    10th December 1999 from E T Electrotech Research Limited,

	 	 	 
	 	



(f)	 an unlimited debenture dated
        10th December 1999 from Trikon Technologies (Israel) Limited, and

	 	 	 
	 	



(g)	 an unlimited debenture dated
        10th December 1999 from Trikon Holdings Limited,



	 	 
	



 	 together the “Security”.
	 	 
	 	The Security and all other security
          held by the Bank now or in the future shall be continuing security not
          only for the Facilities but also for all other moneys obligations and
          liabilities whether certain or contingent at any time due owing or incurred
        by the Borrower or the relevant guarantor to the Bank.

	 	 
	5.3	 The Borrower

undertakes to procure
          that promptly upon request from the Bank at any time any Trikon Group
          Company (including without limitation any company which becomes a Trikon
          Group Company subsequent to the date of this letter) which is not party
          to the omnibus guarantee and set off agreement referred to in Clause
          5.2 hereof or has not given a debenture to the Bank shall become party
          to the security arrangements of this letter by such means as the Bank
          shall determine. The Borrowershall promptly provide the Bank with
          such evidence as the Bank shall require to confirm that any accession
          to the guarantee and set off agreement and any debenture given pursuant
        to this clause is in full force and effect.

	 	 
	6	 Representations & Warranties
	 	 
	6.1	 Each of the Parent and the Borrower hereby
        represents and warrants to the Bank that:

	 	 


	 



	



(a)	 all action necessary to authorise
          its execution of this letter and the security documents required pursuant
          to the terms of this letter to which it is a party and its performance
          of its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder has been duly
          taken and neither such execution nor such performance will cause any
          limit or restriction on its borrowing or other powers, or on the right
          or ability of its directors (or any of them) to exercise such powers,
          to be exceeded or breached or will constitute or result in any breach
        of any agreement, law, requirement or regulation;

	 	 	 







5

	 	 



	



(b)	 no material litigation, administrative
          or judicial proceedings are presently pending or threatened against it
        or any of its Subsidiary Undertakings;

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	(c)	 there has been no material
          adverse change in the financial condition of it or any of the Trikon
          Group Companies since the date of the Financial Statement received by
        the Bank prior to the date of this letter; and

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	(d)	 no Event of Default has occurred
        and is continuing.
	 	 	 	 


	



6.2	 The Parent and the Borrower
          shall be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties set out
          in Clause 6.1 hereof on each day on which any amount remains owing to
          the Bank hereunder or for as long as the Bank is under any obligation
          to make the Facilities available in each case as if made at each such
        time with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

	 	 
	7	Undertakings of the Borrower and the
    Parent


For as long as the Bank is under any obligation to make the Facilities available or for as long as any moneys or liabilities are owing or incurred to the Bank hereunder:

	



7.1	
  the Parent shall not, and shall procure that none of the Trikon Group Companies shall, without the prior written consent of the Bank:



	 	 	 
	 



	



(a)	
  factor or otherwise assign or deal with any book or other debts or securities for money now and from time to time due or owing to it or any Trikon Group Company otherwise than by getting in and realising the same in the ordinary course of business as now conducted;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	
  materially change the nature of its respective business as now conducted;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(c)	
  create or permit to subsist
      or arise any mortgage, charge, pledge or lien or any other security interest
      or encumbrance (other than a lien arising solely by operation of law in
      the ordinary course of business) over any of its or such Trikon Group Company’s
      present or future undertaking, property, revenue or assets (except as provided
    herein);

	 	 	 
	 



	



(d)	
  enter into or permit to subsist
      any transaction which, in legal terms, is not secured indebtedness but
      which in the Bank’s opinion acting reasonably has an economic or
      a financial or commercial effect similar to that of secured indebtedness;
    or

	 	 	 
	 



	



(e)	
  part with, sell, transfer,
      lease or otherwise dispose of (or attempt or agree to do any such thing)
      the whole or any material part of its or such Trikon Group Company’s undertaking, property, revenue or assets (either by a single transaction or a number of transactions whether related or not) other than for full value on an arm’s
      length basis (save that no such parting with, sale, transfer, lease or
      other disposal may be made or entered into if it would breach the terms
    of any security document given to the Bank); and



	 	 
	



7.2	
  the Parent shall at all times maintain the Consolidated Net Worth at not less than US$45,000,000:

	 	 
	



 	This covenant will be tested against each Financial Statement of the Parent provided to the Bank pursuant to Clause 7.4 of this letter; and

	 	 
	



7.3	
  the Borrower shall at all
    times ensure that for each quarter the Net Debit Interest is not more than £70,000.

	 	 
	



 	This covenant will be tested against each Financial Statement of the Trikon Group Companies provided to the Bank pursuant to Clause 7.4 of this letter; and

	 	 
	



7.4	
  the Parent shall supply to Lloyds TSB Corporate, Gresham Street:

	 	 







6

	 



	



(a)	
  as soon as practicable (and in any event within 150 days after the close of each of its financial years) copies of its Financial Statement and the Financial Statement of the Trikon Group Companies for that financial year;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	
  as soon as practicable (and in any event within 90 days of the end of each of its financial quarters) copies of the quarterly report on form 10Q (to include the consolidated financial statements of the Parent) for the Parent and its Subsidiary Undertakings for that quarter, such accounts to be in form, substance and content acceptable to the Bank and to be certified by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of the Parent; and

	 	 	 
	 



	



(c)	
  promptly on request, such other information regarding the financial condition or the business of the Parent or any of its Subsidiary Undertakings as the Bank may reasonably require; and



	 	 
	



7.5	
  each of the Parent and the Borrower shall immediately upon becoming aware of the same give the Bank notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default.

	 	 
	



8	
Events of Default
	 	 
	



8.1	
In the event that:
	 	 


	 



	



(a)	
  the Borrower fails to pay any sum due hereunder on its due date;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	
  the Borrower defaults in the due performance or observance of any obligation accepted or undertaking given by it to the Bank or any representation warranty or statement made or deemed made by the Borrower herein or pursuant hereto proves to be incorrect or misleading;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(c)	
  any other indebtedness of the Borrower becomes due or capable of being declared due prior to the stated due date for payment thereof or the Borrower defaults in the payment when due of any indebtedness or defaults in paying on the due date any sum payable by it under any guarantee, indemnity or similar undertaking given by it or steps are taken to enforce any security for any liability of the Borrower present or future;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(d)	
  an encumbrancer takes possession or a receiver or similar official is appointed of any of the assets or undertaking of the Borrower or a petition is presented for the making of an administration order or any judgment made against the Borrower is not paid out, stayed or discharged within 14 days;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(e)	
  proceedings are commenced or a petition is presented (and is not dismissed within 14 days) or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for the winding up of the Borrower or the Borrower is or becomes insolvent or stops or threatens to stop payment of its debts generally or is deemed unable to pay such debts (whether within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or otherwise) or the directors of the Borrower become obliged to convene a meeting pursuant to Section 142 of the Companies Act 1985 or an application is made in connection with a proposal to creditors for a voluntary arrangement or the Borrower makes or seeks to make any arrangement or composition with its creditors (whether under Part I of the Insolvency Act 1986 or
  otherwise);

	 	 	 
	 



	



(f)	
  any guarantee, other security or other document or arrangement relied upon by the Bank in connection with the Facilities ceases to be continuing or ceases to remain in full force and effect or notice of discontinuance is received by the Bank or the Bank reasonably believes that the effectiveness of any such document or arrangement is in doubt or if any provision of such document or arrangement is not complied with for any reason whatsoever;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(g)	
  the Borrower ceases or threatens to cease to carry on its business in the normal course or fails to maintain or breaches any franchise, licence or right necessary to conduct its business or breaches any legislation relating to its business, including without limitation any applicable environmental protection laws;

	 	 	 
	 



	



(h)	
  the Borrower ceases to be
      a wholly owned Subsidiary Undertaking of the Parent or the persons who
      now have control of the Borrower cease to have control of the Borrower
      (“control” having the meaning ascribed to it in Section 840
      of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988) or voting control of the
      Borrower is acquired by any person, or company or group of connected persons
      (as defined in Section 839 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988)
    not having control of the Borrower at the date hereof;

	 	 	 







7

	 



	



(i)	
  any of the above events mutatis mutandis occur or proceedings analogous or equivalent thereto arise in relation to any Subsidiary Undertaking of the Borrower or any guarantor of the Facilities; or

	 	 	 
	 



	



(j)	
  the Borrower fails or has failed to disclose to the Bank any important information that is relevant to the Facilities or to any security document or undertakes or is subject to any action or occurrence which in the opinion of the Bank causes the payment of any amount owing hereunder to be at risk,

	 	 	 


	 



	then the Bank shall have the right at any time or times thereafter to declare its commitments hereunder cancelled and/or all amounts then outstanding hereunder payable on demand, whereupon such commitments shall be so cancelled and/or such outstandings shall be so payable, and/or to declare the Facilities immediately due and payable, whereupon the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the total principal amount outstanding hereunder in the currency(ies) in which it is outstanding together with accrued interest thereon and any other amounts payable hereunder.

	 	 
	



8.2	
  The Bank shall have the right
      at the time of making such demand or at any time thereafter to convert
      all amounts then due and payable hereunder in an Optional Currency into
      sterling at the Bank’s spot selling rate for such Optional Currency
    against sterling at that time.

	 	 
	



8.3	
  If any amount is not paid
      when due hereunder (including under this clause) the Borrower shall pay
      to the Bank on demand interest on such sum (whether before or after judgment)
      at 2.75% per annum above either the Bank’s Base Rate from time to
      time, or, if the Bank shall so determine, the cost to the Bank as certified
      by the Bank of funding such sum on the London interbank market for such
      period or consecutive periods as the Bank in its sole discretion may select,
      in either respect, running from the date of such default to the date of
      receipt of such sum in full by the Bank. Interest, if unpaid, shall be
    added to the sum in default at 3 monthly intervals.

	 	 
	



9	
Indemnities
	 	 
	



9.1	
  The Borrower

shall indemnify
      the Bank, without prejudice to any of the Bank’s other rights hereunder,
      against any loss or expense as certified by the Bank including legal expenses
      on a full indemnity basis and loss of profit which the Bank may incur or
      sustain as a consequence of the occurrence of any Event of Default or any
      failure by the Borrower to pay any sum demanded by the Bank as a result
      thereof, or any amount payable to the Bank hereunder in one currency being
      converted into another currency, whether pursuant to any judgment or order
    or otherwise.

	 	 
	



10	
Notices
	 	 
	



10.1	
  All communications from the
      Borrower in respect of the Facilities shall be irrevocable and shall, unless
      otherwise specified in this letter, be sent by letter to the Bank’s
      City Office Branch or to such address as the Bank may notify in writing
    to the Borrower from time to time.

	 	 
	



10.2	
  Any notice or demand to be given by the Bank shall be given in writing and without prejudice to any other effective mode of service shall be deemed to have been sufficiently served if sent to the Borrower at the address given above or to its registered office for the time being.

	 	 
	



11	
Payments
	 	 
	



11.1	
  All payments due from the Borrower hereunder shall be made without any set-off, deduction or withholding of any nature whatsoever.

	 	 
	



11.2	
  The Borrower

hereby
      authorises the Bank to debit the Current Account with the amount of all
      sterling payments due to the Bank from time to time under the terms of
      this letter and undertakes to ensure that there will be sufficient cleared
      funds available on that account or sufficient availability under the Facilities
      by 12 noon on any relevant date to cover all such payments falling
    due on that date.

	



 	 








8

	



11.3	
  Each sum due from the Borrower hereunder in a currency other than sterling shall be paid in freely transferable and immediately available same day funds to such bank account in the relevant financial centre as the Bank shall from time to time require by such hour local time as may be necessary to ensure payment for value the due date.

	 	 
	



12	
Assignment
	 	 
	



12.1	
  This letter shall be binding upon and shall inure only to the benefit of the Bank and the Borrower and their respective successors and assigns, provided that the Borrower shall not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Bank. For the avoidance of doubt, the Bank and the Borrower do not intend that any of the terms of this letter should otherwise be enforceable, by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, by any person who is not a party to this letter.

	



 	 
	



12.2	
  The Borrower agrees that the Bank may at any time or times transfer the Facilities to any other office of the Bank or assign and/or transfer all or any part of its rights and/or obligations hereunder or grant any participation in any such rights and/or obligations to any other member of the Lloyds TSB group and/or to any other bank or financial institution without any further consent from the Borrower provided that:

	 	 


	 



	



(a)	
  no transfer of the Bank’s obligations shall be effective until such time as the transferee shall have delivered to the Borrower an undertaking to be bound by the terms of this letter as if named as the lender hereunder (following receipt of which the Borrower shall only look to the transferee in respect of that portion of the Bank’s
    obligations assumed by the transferee); and

	 	 	 
	 



	



(b)	
  unless to another member of the Lloyds TSB group, no transfer of obligations may be made without the prior written consent of the Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.



	 	 
	



12.3	
  Members of the Lloyds TSB group may disclose any information about the Parent or the Trikon Group Companies among themselves, to their auditors for the time being, to any potential assignee or transferee of the Facilities (or any part thereof), and to any other bank or financial institution with which the Bank is proposing to enter into, or has entered into, any agreement pursuant to this clause. Information may not be transferred further or otherwise (including for marketing purposes) without the prior written consent of the Parent or, as the case may be, of the Borrower unless such information is in the public domain or unless the Bank is required by law so to do.

	 	 
	13	Miscellaneous
	 	 
	



13.1	
  If at any time the Bank delays exercising any of the rights it has under this letter or exercises only part of those rights, it will still have the right to exercise all or any other rights at any later time.

	 	 
	



13.2	
  Without prejudice to the Bank’s
      rights under any set off arrangements the Bank may at any time whether
      before or after any demand hereunder for payment without notice to the
      Borrower apply any moneys standing to the credit of the Borrower on any
      account and whether subject to notice or not and whether denominated in
      sterling or in any other currency in or towards satisfaction of any liabilities
    of the Borrower under this letter.

	 	 
	



13.3	
  If the due date for any payment would otherwise fall on a non-Business Day, the effective date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

	 	 
	



13.4	
  All calculations in respect of interest due to the Bank under the Facilities shall be on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 365 day year or a 360 day year (as in the opinion of the Bank is market practice for the calculation of interest in the relevant currency).

	



 	 
	



13.5	
  In this letter reference to
      (a) any statutory provision shall be deemed to mean and to include a reference
      to any modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force,
      and (b) the Bank’s Base Rate shall mean and include any rate replacing
    that rate from time to time.

	 	 
	13.6	This letter shall
        be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and
      Wales.

	



 	 







9

	14	Period
    of Offer
	 	 
	



14.1	
  The offer of the Facilities is open for acceptance by returning the attached duplicate of this letter with the acknowledgement duly signed by authorised officers of both the Parent and of the Borrower to be received by Lloyds TSB Corporate, Gresham Street not later than one month hence failing which the offer will lapse.



Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of Lloyds TSB Bank plc



/s/ Colin D. Martin

Colin D Martin

  Senior Manager

 

We hereby acknowledge and accept the terms of your offer dated 17th July 2003 of which this is a duplicate and agree all the terms and conditions therein contained. We also acknowledge that your offer contains all the terms currently applicable to the Facilities and that no representation, warranty or undertaking has been made by you or on your behalf in connection with the Facilities which is not expressly set out in your offer and, in deciding to accept your offer, you have no duty to give us advice and we have not relied on any advice given by you or on your behalf.

Signed for and on behalf of Trikon
Technologies Limited

	 	 
	                 
	 /s/
    W.J. Chappell                        (signature)        	                   /s/
    A.N. Wheeler                        (signature)
	*Director/Authorised Signatory/	*Director/Authorised Signatory/Secretary/
	 	 
	                   W.J.
        Chappell                       .
    (name)	                   A.N.
          Wheeler                       .
    (name)
	 	 
	Pursuant to a Resolution of the
    Board dated       8 July       2003
	 
	Date      22
          July      
    2003


 






10

We hereby acknowledge and accept the terms of your offer dated 17th July 2003 of which this is a duplicate and agree all the terms and conditions therein contained.

Signed for and on behalf of Trikon Technologies Inc

	 	 
	                   /s/
          A.N. Wheeler                        (signature) 	                   /s/
          W.J. Chappell                        (signature)
	*Director/Authorised Signatory/	*Director/Authorised Signatory/Secretary/
	 	 
	                   A.N.
          Wheeler                       
          (name)	                  W.J.
          Chappell                       
          (name)
	 	 
	Pursuant to a Resolution of the
        Board dated        July  8,     2003
	 
	Date       July  22,     2003