Fremont, CA, January 19, 2000 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT) today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 ended December 31, 1999. Net sales for the quarter were $63.8 million, a 256 percent increase over net sales of $17.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1999. Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1999, net sales increased 57 percent. Net income for the third quarter was $5.8 million, or $0.36 per share (diluted), compared to a net loss of $6.2 million, or ($0.54) per share, for the third quarter of fiscal year 1999.

For the nine months ended December 31, 1999, the company had net sales of $131.6 million, versus net sales of $74.3 million for the nine month period ended December 31, 1998. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2000 was $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share (diluted). This compares to a net loss from continuing operations of $19.4 million, or ($1.65) per share, for the same period last fiscal year.

"As we noted in our pre-announcement, momentum has continued to build across all regions," said Doug McCutcheon, senior vice president and chief financial officer. "The continued strength in the order flow has resulted in record bookings and revenues for the third quarter."

McCutcheon added, "Continuing our trend of improved gross margin performance, margins for the quarter increased from 45.1 percent last quarter to 45.9 percent for the current quarter. In addition, working capital has been strengthened by the completion during the quarter of a follow-on stock offering of 2.2 million shares of Asyst common stock with net proceeds of approximately $84.9 million. Cash and investments increased from $35.8 million at March 31, 1999 to $107.3 million at December 31, 1999."

Commenting on the quarter, Mihir Parikh, Asyst chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased to announce these financial results and record bookings, which speak to a widespread and increasing demand for Asyst factory automation solutions. The strong momentum which we have continued to experience is driven by the diversity of projects in Asia Pacific, Japan and the United States; the continued strength in the 200 mm arena as well as the renewed activity in 300 mm; and new fab construction and facility upgrades.

"During the quarter, we further enhanced the operational strength of the company with the addition of two key management appointments," Parikh added. "By continuing to streamline our operations, we have positioned Asyst to meet the demands of our customers in a strong rising market. We believe that the combination of record bookings and financial performance, coupled with the additions to our operational organization, better positions Asyst than at any time in the company's history. These are exciting times and we continue to be excited by the opportunities at hand."

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 the leading provider of advanced technologies designed to protect customers' valued assets throughout all phases of the manufacturing process. The Company's comprehensive solutions set includes 200 and 300 mm product families that deliver state-of-the-art isolation, material management, robotics and software needed to ensure seamless factory automation in the most advanced fabs worldwide. Leveraging Asyst's value assurance technologies, OEMs are able to speed time to market and reduce development costs, while chipmakers are able to achieve greater fab profitability and productivity.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			December 31,				December 31,
			1999		1998		1999		1998
Net sales			$ 63,816		$ 17,911		$ 131,598		$ 74,252
Cost of sales			34,505		11,577		72,672		46,751
Gross profit			29,311		6,334		58,926		27,501
Operating expenses:
	Research and development		5,298		4,523		13,989		13,522
	Selling, general and administrative		15,333		10,409		37,814		33,251
	Goodwill Amortization		676		---		1,880		---
	Purchased in-process research and development		---		---		4,000		7,100
	Restructuring expense		---		---		---		2,922
		Total operating expenses	21,307		14,932		57,683		56,795
Operating income (loss)			8,004		(8,598)		1,243		(29,294)
Other income, net			803		361		1,088		1,847
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes			8,807		(8,237)		2,331		(27,447)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			2,966		(2,042)		2,124		(8,013)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			5,841		(6,195)		207		(19,434)
Discontinued operations:
	Loss from operations of Asyst Automation, Inc., net of applicable income taxes		---		---		---		---
	Loss on closure of Asyst Automation, Inc., net of applicable income taxes		---		---		---		---
		Net income (loss)	$ 5,841		$ (6,195)		$      207		$ (19,434)
Basic Earnings (loss) per share:
	Income (loss) per share from continuing operations		$   0.40		$   (0.54)		$     0.02		$    (1.65)
	Net income (loss) per share		$   0.40		$   (0.54)		$     0.02		$    (1.65)
Diluted Earnings (loss) per share:
	Income (loss) per share from continuing operations		$   0.36		$   (0.54)		$     0.01		$    (1.65)
	Net income (loss) per share		$   0.36		$   (0.54)		$     0.01		$    (1.65)
Shares used in per share calculation of:
	Basic earnings (loss) per share		14,482		11,455		13,179		11,783
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share		16,361		11,455		14,656		11,783

	December 31, 1999 (unaudited)	March 31, 1999
ASSETS
Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Accounts receivable, net Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred tax asset	$  95,291 11,960 44,911 34,616 7,063 16,238	$ 6,382 29,380 14,511 19,373 3,474 19,142
Total current assets	210,079	92,262
Property and equipment, net Other assets, net	15,181 20,117 $ 245,377	12,923 19,103 $ 124,288
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity
Current liabilities: Current portion of long term debt Accounts payable Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities Customer deposits Income taxes payable	$        --- 22,554 13,260 3,521 685	$  2,190 5,055 10,051 1,806 676
Total current liabilities	40,020	19,778
Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion Redeemable convertible preferred stock	--- ---	2,876 5,000
Total long-term liabilities:	---	7,876
Total Liabilities	40,020	27,654
Shareholders' equity: Common stock Retained earnings (deficit)	222,657 (17,300)	111,851 (15,217)
Total shareholders' equity	205,357 $ 245,377	96,634 $ 124,288

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