<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

Press Release

For More Information Call:

GAYLA J. DELLY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER                                            JULY 2, 2002

(979) 849-6550

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                           ---------------------

                BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS TO BUY THE THIALAND AND UK
                     OPERATIONS OF ACT MANUFACTURING, INC.

ANGLETON, TX, JULY 2, 2002--Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:BHE) and ACT
Manufacturing, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets:ACTMQ) today announced that they have
signed a Stock Purchase Agreement in which Benchmark will acquire the stock of
ACT Manufacturing Thailand Public Company Limited (Thailand) and ACT
Manufacturing UK Ltd. (UK). In previous press releases, ACT Manufacturing, Inc.
announced that it had entered into a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and
had received court approval to conduct an auction process, at which Benchmark
prevailed.

The transaction has been approved today by the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the District of Massachusetts. The transaction is currently expected to
close in July 2002, subject to certain closing conditions.

The purchase price of $45.2 million will be funded through Benchmark's currently
available cash. The transaction includes the assumption of approximately
$15 million of net debt under an interest-bearing debt facility. Based on
recent financial information, Benchmark currently expects annual revenues from
this acquisition to be between $180 and $200 million. On that basis, the
transaction is currently expected to be slightly accretive to Benchmark's 2002
earnings, before any one-time transaction and related charges.

Cary T. Fu, President and Chief Operating Officer of Benchmark Electronics,
Inc., said "These acquisitions meet several of our long range strategic
objectives. They will provide Benchmark with a strong high-technology
manufacturing presence in Asia and several new customers in the medical,
telecommunications and industrial control industries." Cary Fu added, "Both
Benchmark and ACT have very customer-focused cultures. We welcome our new
customers, employees and suppliers and are committed to achieving a smooth
transition."

<PAGE>


John Pino, Chief Executive Officer of ACT Manufacturing, Inc., said, "We are
very pleased with the results of our court approved auction process and are
extremely excited that Benchmark has emerged as the successful bidder to acquire
our Thailand and UK business operations." He added, "Benchmark's financial
strength and engineering expertise will provide excellent opportunities for
ACT's customers, employees and suppliers."

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the scope
of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words
"expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "predict," and similar expressions, and the
negatives of such expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Although the Company believes that these statements are based upon
reasonable assumptions, such statements involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including but not limited to industry and economic conditions,
customer actions and the other factors discussed in Benchmark's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001 and its other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes
may vary materially from those indicated.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. is in the business of manufacturing electronics and
provides its services to original equipment manufacturers of telecommunication
equipment, computers and related products for business enterprises,
video/audio/entertainment products, industrial control equipment, testing and
instrumentation products and medical devices. Benchmark's global operations
include facilities in six countries. Benchmark's Common Stock trades on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

About ACT Manufacturing, Inc.

ACT Manufacturing, Inc., with headquarters in Hudson, Massachusetts, provides
electronics manufacturing services to equipment manufacturers in networking and
telecommunications, computer and industrial and medical equipment markets. ACT
provides OEMs with complex printed circuit board assembly primarily utilizing
advanced surface mount technology, electro-mechanical subassembly, total system
assembly and integration, mechanical and molded cable and harness assembly and
other value-added services.

