Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYT) announced today that it has
received notice from Riley Investment Partners Master Fund L.P., a hedge
fund that with related parties claims to beneficially own 2.6% of
Asyst's outstanding shares, that Riley intends to nominate six directors
for election at the Company’s 2008 annual
meeting in an attempt to gain control of Asyst’s
Board of Directors. Riley’s notice stated that
its nominees, if elected, intend to sell the Company through an auction
process.
The Company’s Board of Directors is reviewing
the notice. No action by Asyst’s shareholders
is necessary at this time.
About Asyst Technologies
Asyst Technologies, Inc., founded in 1984, provides automation solutions
optimized for the needs of our global customers in the semiconductor,
flat panel display, and related industries. As the most experienced fab
automation company, we are dedicated to helping our customers gain
competitive advantage through the intelligent application of our wide
range of productivity- and yield-boosting technologies. Asyst
Technologies became a publicly traded company in 1993. Its common stock
is traded on the
Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol: ASYT.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION / SOLICITATION PARTICIPANTS LEGEND
Asyst Technologies, Inc. plans to file with the SEC and make available
to its shareholders a proxy statement and a white proxy card in
connection with its 2008 annual meeting, and advises its shareholders to
read the proxy statement relating to the 2008 annual meeting when it
becomes available, because it will contain important information.
Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other
documents (when available) that Asyst files with the SEC at the SEC’s
website at www.sec.gov. The proxy
statement and these other documents may also be obtained for free from
Asyst by directing a request to Asyst Technologies, Inc., Attn: Investor
Relations, John Swenson, 46897 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, California
94538, or from Asyst at www.asyst.com.
Asyst, its directors and named executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of Asyst’s
shareholders in connection with its 2008 annual meeting. Shareholders
may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests
of such individuals in Asyst’s proxy statement
filed with the SEC on July 27, 2007, for the 2007 annual meeting. To the
extent holdings of Asyst securities have changed since the information
set forth in that proxy statement, such changes have been reflected on
Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC.
"Asyst” is a
registered trademark of Asyst Technologies, Inc. Copyright 1993-2008,
Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
