Frement, CA, February 23, 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 the formation of three new director positions reporting to Dennis Riccio, senior vice president, global customer operations. Mike Hugill (46) has been promoted from Western region sales manager to director, Western region customer operations; George Kozloski (50) has been appointed director, global account teams; and Barry Davidson (36) has been appointed director, Eastern region customer operations.

Created to address evolving customer requirements associated with increasing sales activity to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and chipmakers (end users), the new director positions further strengthen Asyst's U.S.-based customer operations. According to Riccio, developing a strong director-level structure will also help Asyst better prepare for the industry upturn. "These new positions represent Asyst's firm commitment to providing its customers, both OEMs and end users, with the highest levels of integrated service through varying market conditions," explained Riccio. "This structure seamlessly combines sales, service and technical support, helping ensure that our program activity levels for both existing and new customers will be in line with an industry resurgence."

Hugill, an eight-year Asyst veteran, was responsible for growing the company's Western U.S. annual regional sales from $2 to $22 million. According to Asyst, this was a key factor in his promotion to the newly created director position. "Mike's nearly 20 years of semiconductor experience, combined with his instrumental role in Asyst's sales growth, will be invaluable in helping the company continue meeting its customers' sales and support requirements," commented Riccio. Hugill has held sales management positions with Ultratech Stepper and Semiconductor Systems. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and a master's degree from the University of Phoenix.

Kozloski will be responsible for leading customer operations programs for Asyst's OEM customers worldwide. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the semiconductor industry to his position. Most recently, he was the Western regional sales manager with Hyundai Electronics America. Prior to that, Kozloski spent more than a decade with Cypress Semiconductor Corp. in a variety of sales management positions with increasing responsibility. He has also held sales, marketing and engineering positions with Motorola, Fairchild, Xicor and Three-Five Semiconductor. Kozloski holds a bachelor's of science degree in electrical engineering from California State Polytechnic University (Pomona, CA).

Davidson, based out of Asyst's Lowell, Mass. office, will be responsible for driving regional programs in support of both OEM and end-user customers. Prior to joining Asyst, Davidson managed all of the Northeastern U.S. regional sales activities for Novellus Systems, Inc. Before that, he held a succession of management positions with Balzers Corp. Davidson holds a bachelor's of science degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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.