EXHIBIT 99.2

                                                                    News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    John Swenson
            Asyst Technologies, Inc.
            510/661-5000

                 WILLIAM SIMON TO JOIN ASYST BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 12, 2005 - Asyst Technologies, Inc., (Nasdaq NM: ASYT), a
leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enhance semiconductor
and flat panel display manufacturing productivity, today announced that it has
appointed William Simon to its board of directors. His appointment fills the
vacancy left by retiring director P. Jackson Bell. The board appointed Mr. Simon
to its audit committee and has determined that he meets the requirements to
serve as its audit committee financial expert.

      Simon, age 66, is a retired national managing partner of the accounting
firm KPMG LLP. Prior to his retirement from KPMG in 1999, he was the national
managing partner of the firm's manufacturing, retailing and distribution
practice. His previous responsibilities at KPMG included area managing partner
of the pacific southwest region, partner in charge of the management consulting
practice, and partner in charge of the firm's audit practice. After retiring
from KPMG, Mr. Simon served for three years as executive vice president,
international consulting, for BearingPoint, Inc. (formerly KPMG consulting),
where he was responsible for all international operations in Asia Pacific,
Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Simon
was a member of the board of directors of Duane Reade, Inc., a $1.4 billion
NYSE-listed company, where he served as chair of its audit committee and was
designated as its audit committee financial expert.

      "We are delighted that Bill Simon is joining our board and audit
committee, where we can benefit from his more than 40 years of experience in
audit and consulting for large, multinational companies," said Stephen Schwartz,
CEO, president and chairman of Asyst. "We are grateful to Jack Bell for his
significant contributions and dedicated service to the company during nearly
five years as a member of the board and the audit committee."

      Mr. Simon currently does not serve on any other corporate board. He serves
on the board of advisors for the school of accounting at the University of
Southern California and the board of governors for the Performing Arts Center of
Los Angeles. He is a lifetime member of the national commission of the
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.

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 investments 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

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995

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: anticipated
service and contributions from members of the board and related committees, and
other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended March 27, 2004, and quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and
10-Q/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Asyst" is a registered trademark of Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.