HUTCHINSON, Minn., March 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hutchinson
Technology Incorporated (Nasdaq:HTCH) announced today that Steve
Polacek will join the company as senior vice president and chief
financial officer effective March 8, 2010.

Most recently, Polacek was senior vice president, chief administrative
officer and chief financial officer at Opus Corporation, a position he
held from 2005 to 2009. In this position, he was responsible for
strategic planning, finance, accounting, human resources, legal and
information technology. Opus Corporation, a privately-owned holding
company, oversaw operations of the Opus Group of full-service real
estate development companies.

Polacek, 50, began his career with Arthur Andersen in 1982, was
admitted as a partner in 1993 and was the managing partner of the
Minneapolis office from 1995 to 2002. In 2002, he became a partner with
Deloitte & Touche LLP, a position he held until 2005.

"Steve brings an impressive background and broad experience in finance,
accounting, internal controls and strategic planning," said Wayne
Fortun, Hutchinson Technology's president and chief executive officer.
"We are pleased to welcome Steve to our executive team and look forward
to his financial leadership."

Polacek holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of
Nebraska -- Lincoln. He has served on the board of directors for C. H.
Robinson Worldwide, Inc. since 2007.

Fortun noted the appointment is part of the company's succession
planning and that Polacek succeeds John Ingleman, 64, who will assume
the role of senior vice president of administration. "We appreciate
John's strategic contributions over the past 33 years and will continue
to benefit from his experience in his new role," said Fortun.

About Hutchinson Technology

Hutchinson Technology is a global technology leader committed to
creating value by developing solutions to critical customer problems.
The company's Disk Drive Components Division is a leading worldwide
supplier of suspension assemblies for disk drives. The company's
BioMeasurement Division is focused on bringing new technologies and
products to the market that provide information clinicians can use to
improve the quality of health care and reduce costs.


CONTACT:  Hutchinson Technology Inc. 
          INVESTOR CONTACT:
          Chuck Ives
            320-587-1605
          MEDIA CONTACT:
          Connie Pautz
            320-587-1823