FREMONT, Calif.- July 14, 2003— Focused on the continuing demand from semiconductor equipment and chip manufacturers for turnkey connectivity solutions, Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT) today announced a strategic alliance with The PEER Group, Inc. (Kitchener, Ontario), a leading supplier of software solutions and software integration services to the global semiconductor industry. The PEER Group will provide software integration services for Asyst’s connectivity solutions for both OEMs and wafer fabs.

"The PEER Group has emerged as one of the industry’s leading software integration providers, enjoying an excellent reputation for delivering high quality software systems for more than ten years,” said Paula LuPriore, Vice President/General Manager, Connectivity Solutions at Asyst. “As we looked to extend our ability to provide both world-class products and integration services on a global basis, PEER Group made an ideal partner. Their superior engineering processes and broad knowledge of semiconductor automation standards and systems will serve our customers well. We’re excited to have PEER Group on our solution delivery team”.

“We’re honored to have been selected by Asyst as their preferred integration partner,” said Robert Harris, president of PEER Group. “The combination of Asyst’s established products and commitment to maintaining a leadership position in 300mm technology, coupled with the PEER Group‘s proven integration expertise will enable the rapid delivery of high quality automation solutions to both OEMs and wafer fabs.

Asyst will be discussing its new equipment connectivity products at SEMICON West, July 14-16, booth #1338, South Hall at San Francisco's Moscone Center.

About Asyst:
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor manufacturers to increase manufacturing productivity and protect investments in silicon wafers during the manufacture of integrated circuits, or ICs. The company offers a broad range of 200mm and 300mm solutions that enable the safe 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. 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. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com

About PEER Group:
PEER Group is a global supplier of software integration services for discrete manufacturing environments in the semiconductor, automotive, plastics, and electronics industries. In the semiconductor industry, the company provides services to both OEMs and IC manufacturers for the implementation of communications, equipment integration, data collection, data storage and analysis, defect and yield management, fault detection and advanced process control (APC) applications. PEER Group’s distinctive competence is a highly refined specification, development and delivery process. For more information, visit www.peergroup.com.

CONTACT:
Investor Contact
John Swenson
Asyst Technologies, Inc.
(510) 661-5000
(510) 661-5166 (fax)
jswenson@asyst.com

Media Contact
Pamela Mah
Asyst Technologies, Inc.
510/661-5000
pmah@asyst.com