NEWS RELEASE

Contact:  Beverly L. Armell
(508) 337-5111

HELIX REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Mansfield, MASSACHUSETTS, April 17, 2003... Helix Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: HELX) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 28, 2003. Net loss for the quarter was $1.4 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $4.5 million for the first quarter of 2002, or $(0.19) per diluted share. Sales for the first quarter of 2003 were $23.6 million compared with $20.4 million a year ago.

Commenting on first quarter results, Helix President, Robert J. Lepofsky, said, "Financial results for the quarter were as expected. Sales were essentially flat compared with the fourth quarter of 2002. We continued to see the customer plant closings that are a direct reflection of the weakness in the global semiconductor capital equipment industry. Consistent with our previously announced plans to converge on profitable operations and positive cash flow generation as rapidly as possible, our operating results improved substantially in the quarter. We still face very challenging external market conditions and an uncertain economic picture. We are, however, encouraged by the progress being made throughout our organization to manage and influence those performance factors that are within our own control. We are particularly pleased with customer acceptance of our new product platforms and innovative service offerings which we believe will have an increasing impact on our results in the quarters ahead."

Helix Technology Corporation is a global leader in the development and application of innovative solutions in the field of vacuum technology. Our CTI-Cryogenics and Granville-Phillips product offerings provide a broad range of components and subsystems that are key to the manufacture of semiconductors, flat panel displays and data storage devices. In addition, our highly regarded Global Support activity provides critical ongoing operational support services to semiconductor device producers throughout the world.

To the extent that this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's future performance, such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in condition, including, among others, market acceptance of and demand for the Company's products, the success of the Company's strategic initiatives, including its global support operations, the health of the global semiconductor capital equipment market and the timing and scope of any change in the current depressed industry conditions, the Company's success in sustaining order bookings, and other risks indicated in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

Tables on Page 2

Page 2

HELIX REPORTS RESULTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

	First Quarter
	(unaudited)
(in thousands except per share amounts)		2003			2002
Net sales	$	23,623		$	20,380
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		15,806			15,541
Research and development		2,683			3,516
Selling, general, and administrative		7,768			8,059
		26,257			27,116
Operating loss		(2,634	)		(6,736	)
Joint venture income		290			45
Interest and other income		253			69
Loss before taxes		(2,091	)		(6,622	)
Income tax benefit		(679	)		(2,152	)
Net loss	$	(1,412	)	$	(4,470	)
Net loss per common share
Basic	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.19	)
Diluted	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.19	)
Number of shares used in per share calculation:
Basic		26,099			23,050
Diluted		26,099			23,050
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS
		(unaudited)			(audited)
(in thousands)		03/28/03			12/31/02
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments	$	69,411		$	63,319
Accounts receivable		17,288			15,036
Inventories		23,602			23,946
Other current assets		10,189			20,787
Fixed and other assets		35,622			36,383
Total Assets	$	156,112		$	159,471
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities	$	25,767		$	27,229
Stockholders' equity		130,345			132,242
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	156,112		$	159,471

The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
is available to any stockholder upon request.