Fremont, CA, October 8, 1996 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYT)Asyst Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYT), the leading supplier of minienvironment and automation systems to the worldwide semiconductor industry, today announced it has received a multimillion-dollar order from a major chip company for Asyst's SMIF-LPTTM 2200 robotic-transfer systems and SMIF-PodsTM. The systems will be used in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) with 0.35µm and below design rules at a new wafer fab in Northern Oregon. Initial shipments of the order will commence late this year, with the balance scheduled through 1997. When complete, the order will total more than $5 million.

Taking a unique approach to select the SMIF I/O solution for its new fab, the California-based chipmaker allowed each of its individual semiconductor equipment suppliers to choose the SMIF provider. These suppliers overwhelmingly chose Asyst as their preferred SMIF original equipment manufacturer (OEM). According to Guy Gandenberger, Asyst's vice president of sales, the order is an indication of the company's leadership in providing solution-oriented systems. "Being selected in this manner is recognition that we continue to offer more than just products and technology for ultraclean manufacturing-we offer comprehensive SMIF solutions."

Asyst was chosen based on its comprehensive and integrated product offering as well as its customer support. System throughput and product reliability were also cited as important factors in the decision. Together, the SMIF-Pods and the LPT 2200 systems--equipped with an integrated minienvironment--will be incorporated with process equipment to provide a better-than-Class 1 environment in critical areas such as photolithography, diffusion and deposition.

With over 5,000 SMIF I/O systems installed worldwide, Asyst reports that this order signals the company's growing presence in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the Northern Oregon site, Asyst has systems installed in fabs at Hillsboro and Corvallis, Ore., and Nampa, Idaho. With approximately 10 new fabs scheduled to come on-line by 2001, this rapidly growing region affords the company numerous opportunities for continued expansion.

Commenting on the order, Terry Moshier, Asyst's executive vice president and chief operating officer, noted, "The enthusiastic response from major OEMs signifies we are on the right track in addressing the individual needs of chipmakers as well as equipment vendors."

About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of material control and automation systems that help semiconductor manufacturers improve their integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing productivity. The company's Asyst-SMIFTM System combines state-of-the-art minienvironments with advanced robotics to create ultraclean processing environments that are both comprehensive and flexible. Asyst's subsidiary, Asyst Automation, Inc., focuses on material handling control software and inter-bay/intra-bay automation systems. The company's newest subsidiary, Asyst Software, Inc., is dedicated to the development of software products for equipment communications and automated material handling, identification and tracking. Founded in 1984, Asyst Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, CA, with facilities in Europe and the Far East. Asyst Automation, Inc. is located outside Boston, Mass., with Asyst Software located in San Jose, CA The company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol ASYT.

About SMIF
SMIF stands for Standard Mechanical InterFace, the material handling approach that enables wafer transfer to and from sealed SMIF environments without exposure to cleanroom ambient conditions. SEMI standards exist for 150- and 200mm wafer sizes and are now being defined for 300mm.