Amtech Systems, Inc. Announces Repeat Order for $1.2 Million IBAL Robot System.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 1999--

Amtech Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYS) announced it has secured a repeat order for $1.2 million of IBAL automation from a world-class Texas-based semiconductor manufacturer.

The order is for automating 200mm (8 inch) horizontal furnaces. These systems include complete cassette-to-cassette wafer transfer capability. Earlier this year, the Company won and completed an initial order for more than $600,000 of IBAL automation for this same customer. The planned automation of the remaining diffusion furnaces at this Texas facility represents the potential for over $8 million of future repeat business, which includes future capacity expansion currently under consideration by the customer.

The Company's patented IBAL Automation solutions have several competitive advantages compared to its competition. It has a zero footprint, making it ideal for retrofitting automation into existing facilities. The system is also modular, making it easier for the customer to maintain and to configure to customers' requirements. IBAL is more cost effective and more reliable than some of its competition, as proven by this world class Texas semiconductor manufacturer. Also, IBAL loads individual boats of wafers, while some competing systems require intermediate carriers to hold the boats, which are not as desirable when processing 200mm wafers. The Company's cassette-to-cassette wafer transfer capability will further automate the loading and unloading of horizontal diffusion furnaces and will reduce the need for human intervention. The customer is in the process of upgrading old horizontal diffusion furnaces in order to make the entire facility capable of processing 200-mm wafers and to improve manufacturing efficiencies. As a result, this project has the potential for an additional $8 million in future orders for automating the remaining process chambers in that fab.

J.S. Whang, the company's President and CEO, stated, "I am proud that we were again selected to provide automation solutions to this world-class semiconductor manufacturer, especially considering the caliber of the competition for this business. We believe this proves that we have the right product at the right time. Many semiconductor manufacturers have whole facilities full of horizontal furnaces that are many years old. I believe that many of these semiconductor fabricators will decide to either replace or upgrade those systems with horizontal systems designed to process larger wafer sizes, many of which will be automated. Amtech intends to capitalize on this sizeable opportunity."

Amtech Systems, Inc. manufactures capital equipment and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices and in the polishing and lapping steps of manufacturing and reclaiming silicon wafers used in the fabrication of such devices, as well as of other wafer-thin materials.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Amtech) contains statements that are forward-looking. Such forward looking information involves a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or anticipated by management. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other factors, industry specific and general business conditions, competitive market conditions and the success of Amtech's growth and sales strategies. For more information, review Amtech's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Amtech's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.