Fremont, CA, June 19, 2000 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), today commented on recent rumors. Laura Guerrant, investor relations manager for Asyst, noted that it is the company's policy not to respond to market activity. However, under certain circumstances, NASD guidelines suggest that companies respond to rumors which are likely to have, or have had, an effect on the trading of a company's securities or would have an influence on investment decisions. Recently, rumors have circulated in the marketplace related to business relations between Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: AMAT) and Asyst. Ms. Guerrant noted, "We are not aware of any material change in our relationship with Applied Materials. Nor do we anticipate any such change."

• Relations between Asyst and Applied Materials remain very strong. Order activity by Applied Materials for both 200 mm and 300 mm products has of late been increasing. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000, orders placed by Applied were around $10 million, and in the current quarter (ending June 30, 2000), bookings by Applied as of this date are running at an annualized rate which is over 250% of last year.
• For fiscal year 2000, Applied Materials was one of Asyst's top 20 customers world wide, and ranked among the top 3 OEM customers. Historically, OEM sales have represented approximately 35 percent of Asyst's revenues.

Additionally, Asyst noted that general business conditions remain strong and that management is comfortable with current consensus street estimates for the fiscal year 2001 first quarter of $116 million in revenues and earnings per share before goodwill amortization of $0.39. Asyst will announce its fiscal first quarter results on July 19, 2000, after market close. Mihir Parikh, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "We believe this to be quite a milestone for both Asyst and the industry, as Asyst will be the first of the U.S.-based semiconductor automation companies to exceed $100 million in quarterly revenues."

Parikh also noted that at the upcoming SEMICON West trade show in San Francisco, on July 10th Asyst will sponsor a 300 mm product briefing by a panel of industry experts which will include the chief executive officer of Lam Research Corp., the president of TSMC North America and the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

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 10-Q quarterly report on file with the SEC.

About Asyst:

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of SMIF-based minienvironment and manufacturing automation systems that enable semiconductor manufacturers to protect customers' valued assets throughout the manufacturing process while increasing manufacturing productivity. Asyst offers a broad range of 200 mm and 300 mm products that enable the Company to provide semiconductor manufacturers and OEMs automated manufacturing solutions for the transfer of wafers and information between the process equipment and the fab line.