Fremont, CA, August 7, 2001 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), the leading provider of Standard Mechanical Interface (SMIF)-based automation manufacturing systems, announced today that Douglas J. McCutcheon, senior vice president, chief financial officer, plans to leave the company within the next few months. Mr. McCutcheon has agreed to continue in his current role until a successor has been identified to support a smooth transition and to complete various projects. He intends ultimately to pursue other business opportunities in the San Francisco Bay area. A search for a successor to Mr. McCutcheon is under way.

Mihir Parikh, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer commented, "We would like to thank Doug for his dedication to Asyst and for his many contributions including the financial strategies, organization and executive support for the significant growth of Asyst over the past six years. We wish him the very best in his future pursuits. We also appreciate his willingness to stay with Asyst until a successor is named to facilitate a seamless transition."

About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation systems for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, which enable semiconductor manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in silicon wafers during the manufacture of integrated circuits, or ICs. Through its "Value-Assured Fab" strategy, Asyst offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe transfer of wafers and information between the process equipment and the fab line throughout the IC fabrication process, while reducing IC damage caused by human, environmental, mechanical and chemical factors. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst's modular, interoperable solutions allow chipmakers and original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs.