UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 25, 2003
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation Delaware
Commission file Number 0-12906
IRS Employer Identification No. 36-2096643
Address of principal executive office 40W267 Keslinger Road, P. O. Box 393, La Fox, IL
Zip Code 60147-0393
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 630-208-2200

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains a total of 5 pages.


Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

Richardson Reports Sales From Continuing Operations Increased 11.5% in the Third Quarter

LaFox, IL, Tuesday March 25, 2003: Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: RELL) today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2003, which ended February 28, 2003. Sales in the third quarter of 2003 were $118.0 million, an increase of 7.8% from the prior year. Sales from continuing operations, excluding the Medical Glassware Business sold in February 2002, increased 11.5% from the prior year quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were essentially breakeven at $0.0 million, or $0.00 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.20 per share for the same quarter last year, which included a charge of $2.9 million, net of tax, or $0.21 per share relating to the sale of the Medical Glassware Business.

All four of the Company's business units experienced year-over-year sales growth in the quarter with particular strength in the RF/Wireless Communications and Display Systems businesses, each increasing approximately 15% from the prior year. Asia and Europe led the growth geographically, increasing 15.3% and 13.4%, respectively in the quarter with North America growing 8.6% from the prior year, partially offset by declines in Latin America.

For the nine-month period ended February 28, 2003, sales were $345.6 million, an increase of 4.8% over the prior year. Sales from continuing operations for the nine months increased 8.4% from the prior year. Net earnings, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, for the nine months were $1.5 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.16 per share a year ago which also included the charge noted above relating to the sale of the Medical Glassware Business. Net loss after the $17.9 million charge related to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for the nine-month period was $16.4 million, or $1.19 per share, compared to the prior year nine-month period net loss of $2.2 million.

Edward J. Richardson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, said, 'We are pleased to report our third consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth. Our global presence and commitment to engineered solutions across all businesses continues to drive us forward in this very challenging economic environment."

"We expect the year-over-year sales growth to continue, however given the current geopolitical situation on top of an already stagnant economy, we remain cautious on the market outlook while keeping our focus on market share gains and profitability, Mr. Richardson concluded."

On Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. CST, Mr. Edward J. Richardson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will host a conference call to discuss the release. A question and answer session will be included as part of the call's agenda. To listen to the call, please dial 888-273-9890 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the call will be available from 12:30 p.m. on March 26, 2003 through July 15, 2003. The telephone numbers for the replay are (USA) 800-475-6701 and (International) 320-365-3844; access code 677661.

This release includes certain "forward looking" statements as defined by the SEC. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance since the company's operations involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from predictions. Reference is made to the company's Form 10-Q's and 10-K's for a summary of some of the risks that may affect the company's performance.

About Richardson Electronics

Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a global provider of "engineered solutions," serving the RF and wireless communications, industrial power conversion, security and display systems markets. The Company delivers engineered solutions for its customers' needs through product manufacturing, systems integration, prototype design and manufacture, testing and logistics. Press announcements and other information about Richardson are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.rell.com/investor.asp.



Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
Third Quarter Fiscal 2003, Ended February 28, 2003
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
  Three Months
Nine Months
  FY 2003
FY 2002
FY 2003
FY 2002
Net sales $ 118,010 $ 109,431 $ 345,582 $ 329,611
Cost of products sold 89,808
83,151
261,313
248,476
     Gross margin 28,202 26,280 84,269 81,135
Selling, general and administrative expense 25,451
23,427
74,155
70,281
     Operating income 2,751 2,853 10,114 10,854
Other expenses, net 2,761
7,126
7,820
14,270
     Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change (10) (4,273) 2,294 (3,416)
Income taxes (5)
(1,530)
825
(1,221)
     Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change (5) (2,743) 1,469 (2,195)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax (Note 1) -
-
(17,862)
-
     Net loss $    (5)
$   (2,743)
$ (16,393)
$  $  (2,195)
Net income (loss) per share - basic:
     Net income (loss) per share before cumulative effect of accounting change

$       (.00)

$       (.20)

$       .11

$       (.16)
     Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax -
-
(1.30)
-
        Net loss per share $       (.00)
$        (.20)
$    (1.19)
$       (.16)
     Average shares outstanding 13,805
13,656
13,791
13,599
Net income (loss) per share - diluted:
     Net income (loss) per share before cumulative effect of accounting change

$       (.00)

$       (.20)

$       .11

$       (.16)
     Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax -
-
(1.28)
-
        Net loss per share $       (.00)
$        (.20)
$    (1.17)
$       (.16)
     Average shares outstanding 13,805
13,656
13,989
13,599
Dividends per common share $ .04
$ .04

$ .12
$ .12

Notes:

  1. During the quarter ended November 30, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other intangible Assets" effective June 1, 2002 and as result recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17,862, net of taxes of $3,725 to write-off impaired goodwill.


Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
Sales and Gross Margin
Third Quarter Fiscal 2003, Ended February 28, 2003
(in thousands, unaudited)
By Business Unit: Sales
Gross Margin
  FY 2003
FY 2002
% Change
FY 2003
GM% of Sales
FY 2002
GM% of Sales

Third Quarter
     RFWC
     IPG
     SSD
     DSG
     Medical Glassware
     Corporate


$ 56,216
18,654
23,205
18,047
296
1,592


$ 48,911
17,486
21,353
15,718
3,855
2,108


14.9%
6.7%
8.7%
14.8%
-92.3%



$ 12,437
6,012
5,859
4,381
31
(518)


22.1%
32.2%
25.2%
24.3%
10.5%


$ 11,081
5,644
4,967
4,283
762
(457)

22.7%
32.3%
23.3%
27.2%
19.8%


          Total $118,010
$109,431
7.8% $ 28,202
23.9% $ 26,280
24.0%
Excliuding MG $117,714 $105,576 11.5% $ 28,171 23.9% $ 25,518 24.2%
Nine Months
     RFWC
     IPG
     SSD
     DSG
     Medical Glassware
     Corporate

$166,403
57,123
69,601
46,169
1,140
5,146


$146,451
55,020
63,233
46,419
11,912
6,576


13.6%
3.8%
10.1%
-0.5%
-90.4%



$ 37,412
18,903
17,306
11,977
218
(1,547)


22.5%
33.1%
24.9%
25.9%
19.1%


$ 34,817
18,205
14,836
11,992
2,513
(1,228)

23.8%
33.1%
23.5%
25.8%
21.1%


          Total $345,582
$329,611
4.8% $ 84,269
24.4% $ 81,135
24.6%
Excluding MG $344,442 $317,699 8.4% $ 84,051 24.4% $ 78,622 24.7%
 
By Area: Sales
Gross Margin
  FY 2003
FY 2002
% Change
FY 2003
GM% of Sales
FY 2002
GM% of Sales
Third Quarter
     North America
     Europe
     Asia/Pacific
     Latin America
     US Export
     Corporate

$ 65,736
25,983
18,074
5,004
1,621
1,592

$ 60,509
22,908
15,674
6,555
1,677
2,108

8.6%
13.4%
15.3%
-23.7%
-3.3%


$ 16,526
6,681
3,973
1,161
379
(518)

25.1%
25.7%
22.0%
23.2%
23.4%


$ 15,289
6,020
3,356
1,665
407
(457)

25.3%
26.3%
21.4%
25.4%
24.3%


          Total $ 118,010
$109,431
7.8% $ 28,202
23.9% $ 26,280
24.0%
Nine Months
     North America
     Europe
     Asia/Pacific
     Latin America
     US Export
     Corporate

$ 193,460
73,347
54,175
15,039
4,415
5,146

$ 181,378
68,380
47,047
20,807
5,423
6,576

6.7%
7.3%
15.2%
-27.7%
-18.6%


$ 49,112
19,300
12,382
3,912
1,110
(1,547)

25.4%
26.3%
22.9%
26.0%
25.1%


$ 46,495
18,155
10,842
5,544
1,327
(1,228)

25.6%
26.6%
23.0%
26.6%
24.5%


          Total $ 345,582
$ 329,611
4.8% $ 84,269
24.4% $ 81,135
24.6%


    Note: Fiscal 2002 data has been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.