EXHIBIT 99.1

 Trimble Announces Stronger than Anticipated Preliminary Fourth Quarter Results
  Strong Construction and Wireless Infrastructure Demand Fuels Increased Sales

SUNNYVALE,  Calif.,  January 27, 2003 - Trimble  (Nasdaq:  TRMB) today announced
that it now  expects  to report  revenues  of  approximately  $124  million  and
adjusted  earnings per share (EPS) between $0.26 and $0.27 for its fiscal fourth
quarter ending January 3, 2003. Previous guidance given in the Company's October
24, 2002 earnings  release and  subsequent  conference  call was for revenues of
$113 - $115 million and adjusted EPS of $0.18 - $0.20.  On a Generally  Accepted
Accounting  Principles (GAAP) basis the company expects EPS to be $0.13 - $0.14.
Adjusted  EPS excludes  amortization  of  intangibles,  a  restructuring  charge
associated with ongoing cost cutting  initiatives and a write down in a minority
investment of $1.45 million.  Both GAAP and adjusted EPS were  calculated  using
approximately 29.5 million shares.

Typically,  the fourth  and first  quarters  are the  Company's  weakest  due to
seasonal  weakness  in many of its end  markets.  Despite  this,  in the  fourth
quarter, the Company expects that its Component Technologies segment will report
record  quarterly  revenues as a result of completing  the shipment of two large
orders for its wireless infrastructure products.  Additionally, the Company said
it saw  continued  strong  demand for its GPS land  survey and  machine  control
products in the quarter.

 "We  believe  the  new  product  introductions,  market  initiatives  and  cost
reductions we have put in place over the past seven  quarters have  meaningfully
improved our  competitive  advantage,"  said Steven W.  Berglund,  president and
chief  executive  officer of Trimble.  "Although  some of the  positive  revenue
effects in the fourth quarter stemmed from specific  customer orders that needed
to be shipped  prior to year's  end,  we remain  generally  optimistic  that the
recognition  of our technology  and the value  proposition  for our solutions is
being accepted and can continue to fuel growth."

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday,  February 4, 2003 at 8:00 AM
Pacific Time to review its audited fourth quarter and year-end results.  It will
be broadcast live on the web at http://www.trimble.com/investors.html.  A replay
of the call will be available  for 7 days  beginning at 11:00 AM,  Pacific Time.
The replay number is (800) 642-1687, and the passcode is 7668003.

About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In
addition to providing  advanced GPS components,  Trimble augments GPS with other
positioning  technologies,  as well as wireless  communications and software, to
create complete  customer  solutions.  Trimble's  worldwide  presence and unique
capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications  including
surveying,  automobile navigation,  machine guidance,  asset tracking,  wireless
platforms,   and   telecommunications   infrastructure.   Founded  in  1978  and
headquartered  in Sunnyvale,  Calif.,  Trimble has more than 2,000  employees in
more than 20 countries  worldwide.  For an interactive  look at Company news and
products, visit Trimble's Web site at http://www.trimble.com.

Certain  statements  made in this press release are forward  looking  statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions  of the  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995.  These  forward
looking statements, including those related to our revenue and GAAP and adjusted
EPS projections, are subject to change, and actual results may differ from those
set forth in this press  release due to the fact that we have not  finalized all
of the data for the quarter.