Fremont, CA — Jan 7, 2002 — Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT), a leading provider of integrated automation solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, today announced that it has named two new executives with 40 years of combined industry and management experience to lead its worldwide sales and customer support operations targeted toward chip manufacturers (Fab Solutions) and manufacturers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment (Equipment Solutions).

Rick P. Friedman, 45, has been named vice president, Fab Solutions. He was previously vice president, North American regional operations for Lam Research Corporation, a leading manufacturer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. He has more than 15 years' experience in the semiconductor capital equipment industry, including eight years at Lam, where he held a number of leadership positions with regional and global responsibility for sales and field operations. He joined Lam as a result of its 1993 acquisition of Drytek, Inc., where he served in key sales leadership and account management roles. Friedman served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Army and holds a bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Bill Turnquist, has been named vice president, Equipment Solutions. His 20-year career in technology industries includes four years as vice president of sales, metrology group, for KLA-Tencor and seven years with Nanometrics, Inc., first as national sales manager and most recently as chief operating officer and vice president of marketing. He also held key management positions at Phillips Electronic Instruments, InSystems, XMR and Wintec Industries. Turnquist holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.

"Asyst continues to use the current industry downturn to position itself, both in terms of structure and talent, for the upturn," said Steven Schwartz, Asyst's executive vice president of Product Groups and Operations. "We are pleased to have attracted these two highly experienced and skilled executives to lead our realigned customer operations, which reflect our strategic reorganization to focus on the distinct needs of our two primary markets. Our Fab Solutions Group is dedicated to the chip manufacturers that are automating semiconductor fabs around the world, while our Equipment Solutions Group is focused on supporting equipment manufacturers who are integrating our productivity solutions with their tools."

Asyst also announced that Dennis R. Riccio, who had been senior vice president, Global Customer Operations, is taking a new position as president and chief operating officer of an unaffiliated company.

Mihir Parikh, chairman and CEO of Asyst, said, "We are grateful for Dennis' many contributions during an exciting period of growth for Asyst. He is leaving us for a tremendous opportunity, and we wish him well."

About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor manufacturers to increase overall equipment effectiveness, improve yields and increase fab throughput. The company offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe and rapid transfer of wafers and information between process equipment and the fab line throughout the IC fabrication process, while reducing IC damage caused by human, environmental, mechanical and chemical factors.

Safe Harbor
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 10Q quarterly report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.