Exhibit 99.1


        Key Technology Appoints Dr. David M. Camp to Board of Directors


    WALLA WALLA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2006--Key
Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTEC) announced today the appointment on
November 15, 2006 of Dr. David M. Camp to serve as a Director of the
Company.

    Camp's appointment to serve on the Company's board of directors
will extend until the February 2008 meeting of shareholders. Camp was
appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
October of this year. Chairman of the Board Tom Madsen commented,
"With over 25 years of service in technology and manufacturing
companies, Dave brings strong leadership and business experience to
the Company. We believe his contribution as a board member will be of
great value in guiding the Company toward achieving its goals in the
future."

    Commenting on his new appointment, Camp said, "I am pleased to
have the opportunity to serve the Company and its shareholders at the
board level and help set the strategic direction that is expected to
drive the Company to new levels of performance."

    About Key Technology

    Key Technology, Inc., headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington, is
a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of process automation
systems for the food processing and industrial markets. The Company's
products integrate electro-optical inspection and sorting, specialized
conveying and product preparation equipment, which allow processors to
improve quality, increase yield and reduce cost. Key has manufacturing
facilities in Washington, Oregon, the Netherlands, and a small
facility in Australia, and worldwide sales and service coverage.

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on
management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to a
number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements in this release address
future financial and operating results.

    The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements:

    --  adverse economic conditions, particularly in the food
        processing industry, either globally or regionally, may
        adversely affect the Company's revenues;

    --  competition and advances in technology may adversely affect
        sales and prices;

    --  the Company's new products may not compete successfully in
        either existing or new markets;

    --  the limited availability and possible cost fluctuations of
        materials used in the Company's products could adversely
        affect the Company's gross profits;

    --  the inability to protect its intellectual property, especially
        as the Company expands geographically, may adversely affect
        the Company's competitive advantage;

    --  intellectual property-related litigation expenses and other
        costs resulting from infringement claims asserted against the
        Company or its customers by third parties may adversely affect
        the Company's results of operations and its customer
        relations; and

    --  inadequate internal controls over financial reporting could
        result in an inability to accurately report the Company's
        financial results.

    For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary
statements, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, particularly Item 1A, "Risk Factors," to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005.

    Note: News releases and other information on Key Technology, Inc.
can be accessed at www.key.net on the Internet.



    CONTACT: Key Technology, Inc.
             Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
             Ron Burgess, 509-529-2161