[GRAPHIC OMITED] Southwall                        PRESS RELEASE
                 Technologies
                 ------------

3975 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone:  (650) 962-9111
Fax:    (650) 967-8713                            Contact:
www.southwall.com                                 Renate Merredew
                                                  Southwall Technologies
                                                  Phone:  (650) 962-9111


For Immediate Release
---------------------

   SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.  ANNOUNCES MAURY AUSTIN AS PERMANENT SENIOR VICE
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PALO  ALTO,  CALIFORNIA  -  AUGUST  20,  2004 - SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC. (OTC
BB:SWTX.OB), a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of thin-film coatings
for  the  electronic  display, automotive glass and architectural markets, today
announced  that it has appointed Maury Austin as permanent Senior Vice President
and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  effective  immediately.  Mr.  Austin  has  been
performing the duties of interim Chief Financial Officer since February 2004.

A  24-year  veteran  of  Silicon  Valley  Technology  companies, Mr. Austin most
recently  served  as  Chief  Financial Officer of Vicinity Corporation from 2000
until  its  acquisition  by  Microsoft  in  2003.  Austin  also  served as Chief
Financial  Officer  of  Symmetricom  from  1999  to 2000 and was Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Flashpoint Technologies prior to that. He
held  a  variety  of  senior  positions at Apple Computer between 1988 and 1997,
including  the  post  of  Vice  President  and  General  Manager  of the Imaging
Division. Mr. Austin has an undergraduate degree in Business from the University
of  California  at Berkeley along with a Masters in Business administration from
Santa  Clara  University.

"Maury  has  done a great job in the last six months in helping Southwall return
to  profitability.  We are very pleased to have Maury permanently join us," said
Thomas  G.  Hood,  Southwall's  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.

ABOUT SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Southwall  Technologies  Inc.,  designs  and  produces  thin  film products that
selectively absorb, reflect or transmit light.  Southwall products are used in a
number  of  automotive,  electronic  display and architectural glass products to
enhance  optical  and  thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort
and  reduce  energy costs.  Southwall is an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer
and  sells  advanced  thin  film coatings to over 25 countries around the world.
Southwall's  customers  include  Audi,  BMW,  DaimlerChrysler,  Hewlett-Packard,
Mitsubishi  Electric,  Mitsui  Chemicals,  Peugeot-Citro n, Philips, Pilkington,
Renault,  Saint-Gobain  Sekurit,  and  Volvo.

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