Golden Gate Capital acquires Leica Microsystems Semiconductor Equipment Division (SED)

San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC (September 26, 2005) – Golden Gate Capital and Leica Microsystems AG, a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR), announced that Golden Gate Capital has acquired the Semiconductor Equipment Division (SED) of Leica Microsystems AG. Terms were not disclosed.

“We are excited about our acquisition of Leica Microsystems SED,” said David Dominik, Managing Director of Golden Gate Capital. “SED is well-positioned for growth as a market leader in mask metrology, optical defect review, and direct-write E-beam lithography.”

Leica Microsystems SED will continue to be led by the current management team and have a global customer base with manufacturing operations in Germany and the United Kingdom. The company will continue to be called Leica Microsystems SED for a short transition period until a new name has been established.

The acquisition of Leica Microsystems SED represents the second semiconductor investment for Golden Gate Capital in 2005. In April, Golden Gate Capital acquired TDK Semiconductor, now named Teridian Semiconductor. Both acquisitions were carve-outs from larger corporate parents.

Leica Microsystems SED is a leader in the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art quality control and defect analysis solutions and E-beam lithography systems for the semiconductor industry. Its technology is based on Leica’s core competencies in high-precision optics, mechanics, and software supported systems integration. In 2004, SED revenues were approximately $120 million.

About Golden Gate Capital

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with approximately $2.5 billion of capital under management. Golden Gate is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams to invest in change-intensive, growth businesses. The firm targets investments of up to $200 million in situations where there is a demonstrable opportunity to significantly enhance a company’s value. The principals of Golden Gate have a long and successful history of investing with management partners across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures and spin-offs, build-ups and venture stage investing. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com.

About Leica Microsystems AG

Headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative high- precision optical systems for the analysis of microstructures, with revenues of approximately $660 million in 2004. It was purchased by Danaher Corporation on September 1, 2005. For more information, visit www.leica-microsystems.com.

About Danaher Corporation

Danaher Corporation is a leading manufacturer of Precision Instrumentation, Industrial Technologies, and Tools and Components. For more information, visit www.danaher.com.