Fremont, CA, December 2, 1998 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT), the leading supplier of manufacturing automation and Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF) isolation to the semiconductor industry, today announced it has received a $1.7 million order from Candescent Technologies Corp. (San Jose, CA). The order includes SMART-Station™ software licenses, a maintenance contract and SMART-Station consulting services, marking Asyst's first SMART-Station sale to a non-SMIF customer. Design and development of the software will begin immediately, with complete equipment automation at Candescent's flat panel display fab scheduled for completion in the second half of 1999.

Dennis Riccio, Asyst's vice president of global sales and marketing, commented, "The Candescent order demonstrates the strength and capability of Asyst's software offering. We proved SMART-Station to be the superior automation product when compared to three of our major competitors." Riccio also noted, "The SMART-Station software was specifically developed to be easily adaptable to new equipment and manufacturing scenarios. Automating the equipment for Candescent's flat-panel manufacturing facility will allow us to utilize the flexibility that was designed into the software."

Candescent Technologies Corp. is the developer of the world's first ThinCRT™ (cathode ray tube) flat panel display. The ThinCRT is a dramatic improvement over the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) now used in notebook computers and other electronic devices, providing better picture quality at a competitive cost.

Commenting on the decision to use SMART-Station in their facility, Tom Dillon, Candescent's vice president and chief information officer, said, "Asyst's SMART-Station outscored all other candidates in the 'superior technology' comparison. The fact that the software allows open architecture, support for non-standard equipment, scalability and the benefit of a non-proprietary language and operating system were key criteria in our decision. Asyst also offered us excellent reference sites where we could see the success of previous installations running seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition, the exceptional customer support that was offered assured us that any potential problems would be taken care of immediately. All of these factors helped make our decision to use SMART-Station very easy."

Asyst's SMART-Station is the first automation solution to use powerful workflow technology and distributed objects for automating semiconductor manufacturing processes. It is easily configured and is supported by an extensive library of completed equipment interfaces, workflows and activities. Further, SMART-Station is robust and fault tolerant. These features translate into quick production ramps and low cost of ownership for customers.

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, semiconductor industry cycles, risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities and other factors more fully detailed in the Company's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and annual report to shareholders.

About Asyst:
The pioneer of the Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF), Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of automated material handling systems and software critical to seamless factory automation in the most advanced fabs worldwide. Asyst's comprehensive solutions, which include industry-leading 200 mm and 300 mm product offerings, result in greater fab profitability and productivity. Hine Design Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary, designs and manufactures precision substrate handling equipment for vacuum, atmospheric and corrosive environments.