Fremont, CA, September 25, 2001 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), the leading provider of Standard Mechanical Interface (SMIF)-based automation manufacturing systems, today announced the establishment of a matching gift relief program for Asyst employees who wish to aid the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Asyst will make a donation to the American Red Cross of $10,000 and will match all employee contributions up to a total of $15,000. In addition, Asyst is partnering with the Red Cross to conduct a corporate blood drive in November.

"We join all Americans in our sorrow over the recent tragic events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania," said Dr. Mihir Parikh, chairman and chief executive officer of Asyst. "The employees of Asyst are making this donation and organizing the blood drive to lend support to the thousands of victims and their families."

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.