Fremont, CA, January 6, 1999 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT), the leading supplier of manufacturing automation and Standard Mechanical InterFace (SMIF) isolation solutions to the semiconductor industry, today announced it has received a follow-on order from Worldwide Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (WSMC) (Hsinchu, Taiwan). The order, for multiple Asyst SMIF-LPTÔ (Load Port Transfer) systems, brings the total orders Asyst has received from WSMC to $10 million within one year. Installation of the Asyst-SMIF systems has already begun.

Aligned with the China Development Corp., WSMC represents one of the most well-funded entrants into the highly competitive Taiwanese foundry market. According to Dr. Richard Chang, WSMC's president, leveraging the most advanced and cost effective manufacturing strategies is critical to success in this region. "The competitive climate in this market requires each foundry to monitor fab development far beyond that of traditional fabs and even other foundries in other regions of the world," explained Chang. "We are very pleased with Asyst's technology and service performance from our first order. We look forward to again partnering with Asyst to help meet our business goals."

The follow-on order from WSMC further extends Asyst's leadership as a global SMIF provider and as the sole SMIF provider to the growing Taiwanese foundry market. According to members of the Taiwanese Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA), there are plans to invest nearly $80 billion over the next decade in the Taiwan integrated circuit (IC) industry - including foundries - to expand manufacturing and invest in new technologies.

The order is also indicative of Asyst's ability to continue working closely with its customers during varying market conditions. Kenneth Leung, Asyst's vice president of Asia-Pacific operations, commented, "During industry downturns, flexibility and customer service are key to winning orders." Leung continued, "Foundries constantly face advancing global product demands. To meet these demands, WSMC has recently announced plans to build two new fabs and offer its customers the T18 Technology Solution for 0.18 micron design rules. The evolving SMIF requirements associated with these advances continue to provide opportunities for Asyst."

The Asyst LPT, the industry's most successful SMIF interface, resolves the robotics-transfer (I/O) challenges specific to vacuum loadlock and cluster wafer process tools while improving manufacturing ergonomics and reducing cycle times by as much as 60 percent. The LPT, meeting all SEMI standards and guidelines, integrates SMIF-Pod cassette loading and unloading into a wide variety of 150 mm and 200 mm wafer processing equipment.

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 WSMC:
WSMC is a new full service IC foundry provider focused on deep submicron technology. The company is headquartered in Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan. WSMC was established in May 1996, and plans to build two fabs within three years, both located in the Science-Based Industrial Park. Having Toshiba as the strategic partner, WSMC offers the one-stop full service menu, including design service, maskmaking service, VLSI wafer manufacturing service, wafer probing service, and assembly & final test service. WSMC's 8-inch wafer Fab1 was completed in August 1998, and began volume production in December 1998. The facility is an 8-inch, 0.35 micron to 0.18 micron wafer fab capable of making 30,000 wafers per month. Fab1 facility is geared toward producing logic, mixed-mode, SRAM, Flash, embedded Flash, and embedded DRAM. Fab2 is scheduled to deliver 0.25 micron to 0.15 micron process technology in 1999. For further information: http://www.wsmc.com.

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.