Fremont, CA, April 26, 2000 - Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Record net sales for fiscal 2000 were $225.5 million, up 142 percent over the $92.9 million posted for the fiscal year ended March 1999. Net income before non-recurring charges for fiscal 2000 was $16.4 million, or $0.53 per share. Net income after non-recurring charges for fiscal 2000 was $10.0 million, or $0.32 per share. This compares to a net loss of $26.9 million, or ($1.15) per share, for fiscal year 1999. All per share amounts are stated on a dilutive basis.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, revenues reached $94.0 million, also a company record. This represents a year-over-year increase of 403 percent over the $18.7 million recorded for the fiscal 1999 fourth quarter, and a sequential increase of 47 percent over third quarter fiscal 2000 revenues of $63.8 million. Net income before non-recurring charges for the quarter was $12.2 million, or $0.34 per share. Net income after non-recurring charges for the quarter was $9.8 million, or $0.27 per share. This compares to a net loss of $7.5 million, or ($0.32) per share, for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year.

Included in the results for fiscal 2000 fourth quarter were non-recurring charges related to the company's move to establish a significant direct presence in Japan. These one-time charges of $3.2 million (pre-tax) were for the termination of a distribution relationship in Japan and for in process R&D in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in MECS Corporation.

"We are extremely pleased with the results for the quarter and for the year," commented Asyst Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mihir Parikh. "This marks the company's fourth sequential greater-than-forty-percent quarterly revenue increase. We believe that this is an indication that Asyst is achieving not only an increased level of technology adoption, but also is gaining market share for both 200 mm and 300 mm markets. The results speak for themselves. Our order momentum continues its strength and our revenue growth is significantly greater than that of our immediate peers in the automation sector. It is our belief that Asyst is positioned in the forthcoming quarter to be the first $100 million revenue-per-quarter company in the automation sector."

"The 300 mm ramp up is real," added Dr. Parikh, "and we are particularly pleased by the manner in which our 200 mm market leadership has positioned us for success in the 300 mm market. This is evident as we continue to be selected as the supplier of choice for the new 300 mm FOUP by major IC manufacturers as well as for Front-Load systems by the OEM equipment manufacturers. This has led to a dramatic 449 percent sequential quarterly revenue increase for our 300 mm products.

Noting the company's position and potential, Parikh concluded, "Our very strong 200 mm market position continues to get stronger through our increased market share in new regions, most notably in both of the new fabs in Malaysia. The recent completion of our acquisition of the Japanese MECS Corporation greatly expands our direct presence in Japan and positions us for a complete front end or 'Portal' offering of both Japanese and American robotics to equipment manufacturers worldwide."

Commenting on the company's financial performance, Doug McCutcheon, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, "In conjunction with the company's phenomenal growth, Asyst has demonstrated improving profitability and asset management. Gross margin continues to improve with margins for the quarter increasing from 45.9 percent last quarter to 47.0 percent for the current quarter. Additionally, the company continues its focus on controlled asset management. Days' sales outstanding remain in the mid 60s and inventory turns increased dramatically from 4.0 last quarter to 5.0 in the current quarter, excluding the MECS inventories and receivables which were added at the very end of the quarter. Asset management of this caliber has enabled the company to generate positive cash flow before outlays for the MECS acquisition - even in the midst of this strong growth in shipments."

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 10-Q quarterly report on file with the SEC.

About Asyst:
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of SMIF-based minienvironment and manufacturing automation systems that enable semiconductor manufacturers to protect customers' valued assets throughout the manufacturing process while increasing manufacturing productivity. Asyst offers a broad range of 200 mm and 300 mm products that enable the Company to provide semiconductor manufacturers and OEMs automated manufacturing solutions for the transfer of wafers and information between the process equipment and the fab line.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

			Three Months Ended				Year Ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2000		1999		2000		1999
Net sales			$ 93,956		$ 18,695		$ 225,554		$ 92,948
Cost of sales			49,827		13,143		122,499		59,895
		Gross profit	44,129		5,552		103,055		33,053
Operating expenses:
	Research and development		7,595		4,505		21,584		18,027
	General, selling, and administrative		18,478		8,608		56,292		41,859
	Goodwill amortization		659		---		2,539		---
	Non-recurring charges		3,184		2,620		7,184		12,642
		Total operating expenses	29,916		15,733		87,599		72,528
Operating income (loss)			14,213		(10,181)		15,456		(39,475)
Other income, net			983		(110)		2,071		1,737
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes			15,196		(10,291)		17,527		(37,738)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			5,384		(2,794)		7,508		(10,807)
		Net income (loss)	$ 9,812		$ (7,497)		$ 10,019		$ (26,931)
Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic earnings (loss) per share		$   0.31		$   (0.32)		$     0.36		$    (1.15)
	Dilutive earnings (loss) per share		$   0.27		$   (0.32)		$     0.32		$    (1.15)
Shares used in per share calculation of:
	Basic earnings (loss) per share		31,475		23,204		27,639		23,460
	Dilutive earnings (loss) per share		35,999		23,204		30,986		23,460

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	March 31, 2000	March 31, 1999
ASSETS
Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Accounts receivable, net Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred tax asset	$  12,754 93,450 72,634 47,444 15,368 20,502	$ 6,382 29,380 14,511 19,373 3,474 19,142
Total Current Assets	262,152	92,262
Property and equipment, net Other assets, net	27,312 38,009 $ 327,473	12,923 19,103 $ 124,288
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity
Current liabilities: Current portion of long term debt Short term loans and notes payable Accounts payable Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities Customer deposits Income taxes payable	$        5,207 30,996 30,458 14,773 5,768 5,223	$  2,190 --- 5,055 10,051 1,806 676
Total Current Liabilities	92,425	19,778
Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion Convertible preferred stock	1,942 ---	2,876 5,000
Total Long-term liabilities:	1,942	7,876
Total Liabilities	94,367	27,654
Shareholders' equity: Common stock Retained earnings (deficit)	240,594 (7,488)	111,851 (15,217)
Total Shareholders' Equity	233,106 $ 327,473	96,634 $ 124,288

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