Fremont, CA, December 15, 1999 - 1999-Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT) today announced it has received the first volume order for its Standard Mechanical Interface (SMIF)-Pod™ 300 products from a leading U.S. semiconductor manufacturer. The SMIF-Pods, also known as front opening unified pods (FOUPs), will be installed in a 300 mm pilot line during the first calendar quarter of 2000, where they will be used in the production of advanced semiconductor devices.

"With fulfillment of this order, Asyst will have shipped more than $1 million in 300 mm SMIF-Pods to this customer," said Dennis Riccio, Asyst's senior vice president of global customer operations. "We believe that SMIF-Pods are a critical component in 300 mm wafer fabrication facilities because they protect these large wafers, which are highly valuable and require strict contamination and handling controls."

The SMIF-Pod 300 is a self-contained, portable minienvironment that surrounds semiconductor production wafers and minimizes exposure to contaminants that could adversely affect chip performance and yield. The SMIF-Pod 300 incorporates several key features, including a rigid, reliable pod door that enables repeatable positioning and reliable operation throughout the life of the product and a door latch mechanism that ensures uniform sealing force around the entire pod door.

"Asyst's strength in 300 mm SMIF-Pods stems from leveraging 15 years of innovation and experience in developing and building this technology for use in 200 mm wafer fabrication, as demonstrated by our installed base of more than 175,000 SMIF-Pods of all types," added Riccio.

Riccio also noted that the customer chose Asyst following a lengthy evaluation of the company's ability to provide compliance with Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) standards, superior cleanliness, reliable performance, customer support and conformance to customer specifications. "The SMIF-Pod 300 is the result of a three-year development effort, which included extensive testing in conjunction with the International SEMATECH organization."

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 recent S-3 Registration Statement.

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-SMIF™ System combines state-of-the-art minienvironments with advanced robotics to create ultraclean processing environments that are both comprehensive and flexible. The SMART-Traveler™ System (STS) works in tandem with SMIF to eliminate misprocessing. Both Asyst-SMIF and its companion STS products are integral to seamless factory automation of the future. 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.