Fremont, CA, July 19, 2000 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), today reported financial results for its fiscal year 2001 first quarter ended June 30, 2000. Record sales for the quarter were $123.7 million, more than quadruple the sales of $27.1 million recorded for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Net income before amortization of acquired intangible assets was $17.4 million, or $0.49 per share. This compares to a net loss before amortization of acquired intangible assets reported in the first quarter of fiscal year 2000 of $2.5 million, or ($0.10) per share. All per share amounts are stated on a dilutive basis.

Asyst Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mihir Parikh, commented, "Our financial results for the quarter are indicative of the strength we are seeing across all phases of our business. There has been a rising demand for semiconductors, driven by the breadth of Internet, wireless and office automation applications for advanced semiconductors. At the same time, we believe that we are improving market share as more customers recognize the value of our technology and its ability to improve their productivity." Parikh continued, "The revenue growth and order momentum experienced over the last several quarters continues, and we are proud to report that Asyst has achieved its goal of becoming the first U.S.-based company in the semiconductor capital equipment automation sector to achieve $100 million in quarterly revenues."

Parikh noted that the company's continued market leadership in the 200 mm arena for SMIF and minienvironment technologies has positioned Asyst for success in the 300 mm arena, and, according to the company, has resulted in 300 mm market share gains. "Asyst continues to be the supplier of choice for the new 300 mm FOUP by major IC manufacturers as well as for 300 mm Front-Load systems by major OEM equipment manufacturers," said Parikh. "Taiwan continues to be a strong source of bookings for Asyst, and continues its early adoption of Asyst 300 mm products, including FOUPs and Auto ID systems." Parikh further noted that the company had also increased its bookings in regions outside of Taiwan. "On a sequential basis, we have seen our bookings increase in North America by 31 percent, in Japan by 171 percent and in Europe by 51 percent. We believe these numbers reflect a continuing global acceptance of Asyst's product set."

Commenting on the company's financial performance, Doug McCutcheon, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, "We are exceptionally pleased with our operating performance and the results for the quarter. Gross margins were in line with expectations due to the contributions of all product groups across the company and operating expenses continued to trend down as a percentage of revenues."

McCutcheon continued, "We are also pleased with the manner in which our recent acquisitions have added to the company's results. The contributions made to revenue and bookings from both robotics products and our substrate management system groups are testament to the strength of Asyst's broad automation product suite."

In another development, McCutcheon noted that Asyst had arranged for the acquisition of approximately 36 acres of real estate located in Fremont, California, to be used for the creation of a new corporate facility. Occupation of the premises is anticipated as early as Fall of 2001. "The growth rate that we have experienced has been of such magnitude that it has both necessitated and enabled an expansion to more comprehensive facilities, thus allowing us to increase the efficiency of our operations." McCutcheon added that Asyst currently has a total of six principal facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area, totaling approximately 270,000 square feet, the majority of which will be consolidated into the new facility. "Initially," he continued, "the new Corporate Headquarters will be housed in approximately 350,000 square feet, and will incorporate all aspects of operations, including R&D, Manufacturing, and Sales & Marketing. Future building plans will eventually provide to Asyst approximately 600,000 square feet on the site. We are extremely gratified that our growth has enabled us to take this exciting step in the development of the company."

Year-to-Date Major Accomplishments:

• Revenues up 32 percent sequentially; 357 percent year over year.
• 50th 300 mm OEM design win from Silicon Valley Group.
• Atmel Corporation places multi-million dollar order. 75th fab worldwide to have purchased Asyst's SMIF wafer isolation and fab automation technologies.
• Introduction of the FasTrackTM System for 300 mm IntraBay Transport and Equipment Loading.
• Increase in shipments on a sequential basis for 300 mm Front-Load Systems and Plus PortalsTM.
• Substrate Management System record bookings and market share gains for 200 mm and 300 mm products.

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-K 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.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

			Three Months Ended
			June 30,
			2000		1999
Net sales			$123,671		$ 27,086
Cost of sales			67,604		15,840
		Gross profit	56,067		11,246
Operating expenses:
	Research and development		9,721		4,235
	General, selling, and administrative		21,451		10,728
	Goodwill amortization		1,702		614
		Total operating expenses	32,874		15,577
Operating income (loss)			23,193		(4,331)
Other income (expense), net			1,311		(14)
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes			24,504		(4,345)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			8,619		(1,477)
Net income (loss)			15,885		(2,868)
Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic		$   0.49		$   (0.12)
	Diluted		$   0.45		$   (0.12)
Net income (loss) before amortization of intangible assets related to acquired business, net of income taxes			$ 17,371		$ (2,463)
Earnings (loss) per share before goodwill amortization:
	Basic		$   0.54		$   (0.10)
	Diluted		$   0.49		$   (0.10)
Shares used in per share calculation of:
	Basic earnings (loss) per share		32,162		24,456
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share		35,377		24,456

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	June 30, 2000 (unaudited)	March 31, 2000
ASSETS
Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Accounts receivable, net Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred tax asset	$  77,085 47,470 81,370 60,971 15,596 15,951	$ 12,638 93,450 74,278 49,482 15,368 20,501
Total Current Assets	298,443	265,717
Property and equipment, net Other assets, net	28,619 38,783 $ 365,845	27,312 36,171 $ 329,200
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity
Current liabilities: Current portion of long term debt Short term loans Accounts payable Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities Income taxes payable Customer deposits	$        587 22,204 46,569 19,681 4,273 8,756	$  5,285 22,816 38,638 14,294 4,990 8,144
Total Current Liabilities	102,070	94,167
Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion Other long-term liabilities	5,442 2,357	910 1,017
Total Long-term liabilities:	7,799	1,927
Total Liabilities	109,869	96,094
Shareholders' equity: Common stock Retained earnings (deficit)	247,579 8,397	240,594 (7,488)
Total Shareholders' Equity	255,976 $ 365,845	233,106 $ 329,200