FREMONT, Calif.—July 14, 2008—Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYT),  a leading supplier of integrated automation solutions that enhance semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing productivity, today introduced Agile Automation, a new approach  to Automated Material Handling in semiconductor Fabs.

Agile Automation is a first-of-its-kind solution for the industry.   It enables dramatic increases in fab productivity through modular enhancements to the existing AMHS system.   Agile Automation provides the ability to load and unload several tools in parallel while substantially reducing dependency on OHT vehicles.  This results in significantly shorter and more predictable FOUP delivery times and dramatic improvements in throughput and tool utilization. 

Because of its flexible and modular architecture, Agile Automation easily integrates with standard factory automation systems in existing or Greenfield environments. This facilitates a managed, low-risk approach to fab productivity enhancement.  Using Agile Automation Solutions, Fabs can obtain additional savings through reduced floor space requirements, potentially fewer tools and lower power consumption.

Agile Automation is the result of the integration of Asyst’s advanced hardware, software, and services capabilities, and permits customizable applications that seamlessly integrate within the Fab environment via standard industry interfaces.  Asyst is integrating several new technologies as part of the Agile Automation solution.  These include the DLT Lifting Loadport™ for OHT-independent tool loading, a key Asyst  technology that allows automated loading and unloading of tools independent of a vehicle.  Other new technologies and products include Asyst’s new Satellite Stocker^TM, which provides highly efficient near-tool buffering; the Velocity™ HTC conveyor, for high-speed, high-throughput material handling in both inter-bay and intra-bay applications; and Asyst’s new VAO software, which for the first time allows real-time visualization of fab processes and material flow.  Agile Automation is supported by Asyst’s Global Services team.

Asyst already is producing Agile Automation solutions and supporting the products in the field.  The company has installed its conveyor products in multiple production environments and recently won multiple Velocity conveyor orders from a major semiconductor foundry in Taiwan in a head-to-head runoff against a competitor’s standalone conveyor.   The first customer installation of Asyst’s VAO software is in a very large memory fab in Japan.  The company is also in the process of qualifying a customized Agile solution for a major foundry and a leading integrated device manufacturer.

Paula LuPriore, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asyst’s Automation Solutions Group, said, “Over the past 10 years, with average fab capacity continuing to grow and more process steps per wafer, we have seen the total number of required automation moves per day in an average fab increase by more than 150%.  This is putting unprecedented demands on the fab automation system and is outpacing the capability of traditional automation schemes.  As a result, it is becoming increasingly challenging for chip makers to take advantage of continued increases in tool productivity and to stay on track with Moore’s Law.  We believe that Agile Automation is critical to achieving the leaps in productivity that chip makers require, and to enabling the more efficient use of capital in existing and Greenfield fab environments.”

About Asyst

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in materials during the manufacturing process. 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 chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this release are forward-looking. The forward-looking statements include statements regarding product availability and capabilities, as well as other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  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, the availability and performance of our Agile products; the ability of our Agile products to meet customer requirements; uncertainties related to customer acceptance of our Agile products; uncertainties related to our ability to realize revenue or profits from the sale of our Agile products; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Asyst” is a registered trademark and “Agile Automation”, “DLT Lifting Loadport,” “Satellite Stocker,” “Velocity HTC,” and “VAO”  are trademarks of Asyst Technologies, Inc.  Copyright 2008, Asyst Technologies, Inc.  All rights reserved.

Asyst’s new Agile Automation solution is shown here in an integrated wafer sorter application.  Wafers are buffered locally in Satellite Stockers and shuttled to the tool through a floor-based conveyor.  Direct Load lifting loadports are enabled to lift FOUPs directly from the conveyor, eliminating the need for an OHT vehicle to load or unload the tool.