EXHIBIT 99.1

                ESI Announces Change in Fiscal Year End


    PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 3, 2007--Electro Scientific
Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESIO), a leading provider of world-class
photonic and laser systems for micro-engineering applications, today
announced that its Board of Directors approved a change in reporting
periods that results in a financial year-end on the Saturday nearest
March 31. Prior to this change, ESI's fiscal year-end occurred in May.
This change was implemented to align ESI's reporting periods with peer
companies.

    This change will be effective for fiscal 2008, which will
represent a 10 month period ending on March 29, 2008. Financial
releases for interim periods during fiscal 2008 will cover the periods
ending September 29, 2007 and December 29, 2007.

    About ESI, Inc.

    ESI is a pioneer and leading supplier of world-class photonics and
laser systems that help its microelectronics customers achieve
compelling yield and productivity gains. The company's
industry-leading, application-specific products enhance
electronic-device performance in three key sectors -- semiconductors,
components and electronic interconnect -- by enabling precision
fine-tuning of device microfeatures in high-volume manufacturing
environments. Founded in 1944, ESI is headquartered in Portland, Ore.
More information is available at www.esi.com.


    CONTACT: ESI
             Chris Butterfield, 503-672-5760