AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

ROCKY HILL, CONN. – February 13, 2003 – Axsys Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXYS), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of precision components and systems for high-technology markets, today announced results for the fourth quarter of 2002.

Sales totaled $20.8 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2002, compared to $19.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2001, an increase of $1.3 million, or 6.7 percent. In the fourth quarter of 2002, Axsys reported net income from continuing operations of $1.4 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $289,000, or $0.06 per share, in the quarter ended December 31, 2001.

Axsys’ financial results from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2002 included a reversal of a pre-tax restructuring and special charge of $235,000.  This reversal primarily related to lower than anticipated spending for the relocation of certain commercial OEM product lines from Santa Barbara, Calif., to Rochester Hills, Mich., which was estimated and recorded in the second quarter of 2002.  This reversal is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations with $221,000 as restructuring and special charges and $14,000 as selling, general and administrative expenses.  Additionally, the effective tax rate of 5.6% within the quarter was abnormally low as a result of a change in tax treatment for the note receivable from the sale of Teletrac, Inc. Excluding pre-tax profits and losses related to restructuring and special charges in both years, while assuming a normalized tax rate of 39%, the adjusted pro-forma net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, would have been $733,000, or $0.16 per share, compared to net income, computed on a similar basis, of $301,000, or $0.06 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 (see Schedule I).

In addition, Axsys reported a net loss from discontinued operations for the quarter ending December 31, 2002 of $316,000, or ($0.07) per share, compared to a loss of $607,000, or ($0.13) per share in the same period of 2001.  These losses are primarily related to the previously announced sale of the Automation Group.

Total company bookings were $26.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 compared to $16.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2001, an increase of  $10.5 million, or 64.4 percent. Year over year bookings improved significantly across all three business segments within the fourth quarter of 2002, with the book-to-bill ratio increasing to 1.29:1 from .84:1 in the same quarter of the prior year. In total, Axsys’ backlog increased 25.9 percent to $61.5 million in 2002.

Shipments within the Aerospace and Defense Group during the quarter totaled $12.3 million, an increase of 11.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2001.  Bookings within the Group were $15.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, an increase of 64.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2001. Total bookings for 2002 were reported at $58.5 million, an increase of $21.0 million, or 56.0 percent higher than the comparable twelve months of 2001.   The strong bookings, particularly over the last two quarters, have contributed to a record backlog within the segment of $43.8 million, up from $31.0 million at December 31, 2001.

The Distributed Products Group’s sales totaled $4.8 million, a 1.7 percent decline from the fourth quarter of 2001, while the segment’s bookings of $6.4 million improved by 61.4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2001.

Sales in the Commercial Products Group totaled $3.8 million, a 5.9 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2001, while bookings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $4.5 million, 65.2 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2001.

For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2002, sales totaled $79.6 million, compared to $86.1 million in 2001, a decrease of $6.5 million, or 7.5 percent.  Axsys reported a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $45,000 and after-tax net income from continuing operations of $1.6 million, or $0.34 per share.  Net income from continuing operations included a tax benefit of $1.7 million, which represented a tax benefit resulting from the sale of Teletrac Inc. in the second quarter of 2002.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2001, Axsys reported a net loss of $5.3 million or ($1.12) per share in 2001. Excluding restructuring and non-recurring charges and assuming a normalized tax rate in 2002, income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002 was $1.4 million or $0.30 per share, compared to income of $0.5 million, or $0.11 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2001 (see Schedule I).

Stephen W. Bershad, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Axsys, commented: “Over the course of the year, we have divested three underperforming businesses and focused on improving the operational efficiency of our remaining core businesses.  As a result of these activities, we are pleased with the level of profitability we achieved in the fourth quarter of 2002.  Our strong fourth quarter of 2002 bookings, particularly in the Aerospace and Defense Group, have enabled us to grow our backlog to $61.5 million.  We believe that the changes that we have made, combined with our strong backlog, have positioned us for continued revenue and profit growth in 2003.”

Axsys’ management invites you to listen to our conference call or our live audio web cast on February 14, 2003, at 10 a.m. EST regarding fourth quarter of 2002 financial results. The domestic dial-in number is (800) 558-9407, the international dial-in number is (212) 896-6115 and the access number is 21117132. This call is being web cast by CCBN and can be accessed at Axsys Technologies’ Web site at www.axsys.com.

A replay of the conference call will begin at noon EST on February 14, 2003, and will be available until February 18, 2003, at noon EST. The replay can be accessed by dialing (800) 633-8284 or, outside the U.S., (402) 977-9140, with an access number of 21117132.  The web cast replay will be available until March 14, 2003.

Axsys Technologies, Inc. is a vertically integrated supplier of precision optical and motion control components and assemblies for high-technology applications, serving the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and graphic arts markets. For more information, contact Axsys Technologies, Inc., at www.axsys.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions.  Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially.  Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially, are described in Axsys’ reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.