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To: The Ox who wrote (15769)	6/17/2004 8:34:23 AM
From: The Ox	Respond to of 95587

Toshiba Corporation Selects Asyst's Suite of Automation Solutions, Including AMHS, for Its New 300mm Fab in Oita, Japan Business Wire - June 17, 2004 06:00 First Implementation of Asyst's Performance Automation(TM) Architecture Reflects Toshiba's Commitment to Maximize Fab Productivity and Return-on-Investment FREMONT, Calif., Jun 17, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT) announced today that Toshiba Corporation, one of the world's largest vertically integrated manufacturers of electronic products, has selected Asyst's Performance Automation Architecture for Toshiba's new 300mm fab in Oita, Japan. Asyst's Performance Automation Architecture combines AMHS, atmospheric loadports, RFID tracking and Automation Optimization software and services to provide Toshiba with the industry's most integrated fab automation system to date. Mr. Kuniaki Kumamaru, General Manager, Oita Operations of Toshiba Corporation said, "Toshiba is focused on both high quality and high efficiency in all that we do. By standardizing around a single supplier with best-of-breed automation solutions, Toshiba can streamline operator training, technical support, and service while minimizing the downtime and inefficiency caused by interoperability issues in a fragmented automation system. We selected Asyst because of their technical performance, best-of-breed status across the range of these solutions, and deep experience in automation. We believe this relationship will provide substantial value to Toshiba Corporation by helping us bring up our automation capability quickly and improving productivity substantially over the life of the factory." Toshiba selected Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHS) from Asyst Shinko, Inc., Asyst's 51%-owned joint venture in Japan, Asyst's IsoPort(TM) next-generation 300mm loadport, and Asyst's AdvanTag(TM) radio-frequency identification (RFID) system as preferred tools of record for the new fab. As a result, Asyst expects to provide more than 50% of the total loadports in the fab as well as all material transport and work-in-process materials tracking. Asyst also was selected to provide comprehensive installation and integration of all of these automation systems, coupled with Asyst's Automation Optimization Service, which delivers ongoing productivity improvements by optimizing the interoperability of the AMHS and other fab equipment. Asyst will take responsibility for the interoperability of the AMHS with both Asyst and non-Asyst loadports, which is a first in the industry. This allows Asyst to guarantee the level of uptime and ultimately the productivity of the entire fab automation system, while providing Toshiba with one point of contact and accountability for automation performance. Steve Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Asyst, said, "Toshiba recognizes that, given the speed and efficiency of modern process and metrology equipment, the greatest opportunity for productivity gains today is through reduction of the time material spends waiting and moving between process steps. Toshiba further recognizes that well-conceived and continually optimized automation is the key to realizing this opportunity. We greatly appreciate that Toshiba, one of the world's most successful electronics companies, has entrusted its automation to Asyst and we look forward to helping this great customer realize the substantial competitive advantages provided by its progressive automation strategy. Toshiba's qualification and selection of Asyst's entire automation offering reflects the strength of these solutions and of our long relationship as an automation provider to Toshiba."

To: The Ox who wrote (15769)	6/17/2004 9:02:24 AM
From: BMcV	Respond to of 95587

>>Outlook "Market conditions in the semiconductor industry remain encouraging," said Dauwalter. "We don't expect any significant change over the next few quarters. For our fiscal fourth quarter, we expect sales to remain at third-quarter levels, with a possible increase of up to five percent. We anticipate operating income to improve if sales increase."<< On the call, they said that materials is seeing continued strength for "the foreseeable quarters" and that there is no sign of double-booking (they track end-demand). But what do they know? This is one of Brett Hodess's (ML) favorite stocks, FWIW.

To: The Ox who wrote (15769)	6/17/2004 9:14:06 AM
From: robert b furman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95587

Hi Mike nd Don, Your referenced article combines two major themes that are not getting a proper weighting from the analysts. 1) any growth above last quarter and this quarter will result in strong bottom line performance. 2)All SCE companies have undertaken "rightsizing and downsizing such that net profit margins are occurring at below peak levels of revenue. 13.7% bottomline margins is very near the seldom seen 15% of the last cycles peak. It would appear that these companies have very robust abilities to ramp up to increased rvenue levels and achieve most impressive net profit margins at revenue levels below past cycle peaks. As analyst discuss rate of growth declines - these companies will come in with above peak net margins on very small top line growth. I believe the industry has matured and the scar tissue of past cycle troughs has resulted in a very timid to expand in plant and people mindset that is more than able to ramp up within new company sized current structure. This will with time prove to be an expanding profit sector and I believe the multiples will grow once bottomline profits surface to show how powewrful the new business models/size prove out. Like Amat says - it is just beginning. I also think it is important to know here we are in the long term business cycle and how it relates to the market. We are in the beginning stages of a global recovery where lod laggards like Japan are alive and well with Europe yet to look healthy. Add to that new players like China sucking up low tech capacity. Also add to that past over achievers like Taiwan and South Korea and we have the broadest recovery occurring simultaneously. The price of oil is the best confirmation of this in my way of thinking. Last but not least, remember that after coming off a bottom,which has already occurred, the overall market breadth peaked in 97. The wonderful market we all remember in 98-00 occurred after the general market breadth numbers peaked in 97. So the SCE cycle is a late final bloomer. IF we get a repeat again it will not only be late in the cycle ,but it could also be the only game in town again .If that repeats it sure could be powerful all over again. More than likely an 05 - 08 event (as 97's breadth top to the semi's 00 blowoff .bomb was)?? Bob