Fremont, CA, March 10, 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 series of follow-on orders for its SMART-Traveler™ System (STS) automated asset and lot identification (auto ID) system to be integrated on wafer processing equipment scheduled for installation at a German fab. The entire auto ID project, totaling nearly $2 million, extends Asyst's leadership as having the industry's largest installed base of auto ID systems.

According to Asyst, the order represents the fab's confidence in the STS' radio frequency auto ID (RFID) technology, FluoroTrac®, to help achieve aggressive manufacturing objectives. "This order is significant due to the industry's current condition," observed Dennis Riccio, Asyst's senior vice president of global customer operations. "During industry downturns, many chipmakers focus on increasing manufacturing efficiencies to help maintain profitability and better prepare for the industry upturn." Riccio added that this order is indicative of the increasing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and chipmaker inquiries Asyst is receiving to help enhance manufacturing strategies at existing facilities, including complete fab upgrades, addressing both technology and capacity issues.

Asyst's STS incorporates an RFID system, as well as Asyst's SMART-Tag™ to automate auto ID functions in semiconductor factories, including operator functions, work-in-progress (WIP) tracking and other fab asset auto ID programs. This auto ID technology is a key component to the solution that helps eliminate the misprocessing of wafer lots within the factory's manufacturing system by assuring the correct wafer lot is delivered to the proper tool. Additional benefits include increased throughput, real-time tracking of container usage, reduced potential for contamination and increased operator productivity. Asyst estimates that there are more than 400 existing fabs which could benefit from the STS auto ID system.

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.