Fremont, California–Asyst Technologies, Inc., the world’s largest semiconductor fab automation company, recently reported results for its third quarter (Q3) of Fiscal Year 2001 ended December 31, 2000. Net sales for the quarter were $127.4 million, a 100% increase over net sales of $63.8 million for Q3 of fiscal 2000. Net income before amortization of acquired intangible assets was $14.3 million, or $0.42 per share, an increase of 123% compared to net income of $6.3 million or $0.19 per share in Q3 of fiscal year 2000.

For the 9 months ended December 31, 2000, the company had net sales of $378.0 million, versus net sales of $131.6 million for the first 9 months of fiscal 2000. Net income before amortization of acquired intangible assets for the first 9 months of fiscal 2001 was $49.8 million, or $1.43 per share, compared to net income of $1.5 million or $0.05 for the same period last year.

“Asyst experienced only a slight sequential increase in overall revenue, which is reflective of the dramatic softening of the semiconductor capital equipment market conditions,” said Asyst Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mihir Parikh. “Nonetheless, we are pleased to note that Asyst’s bookings for the quarter increased to a new record level. In addition to increased bookings, we are pleased with the sales growth of our latest products. While revenues from the historically predominant 200mm SMIF isolation technology product lines were down sequentially, revenues from the new elements of the Asyst model increased significantly quarter over quarter. Many of these products, which include robotics, substrate management systems, and Plus Portals, are being deployed in the newest 300mm fabs around the world. Combined sales from these products grew 41% sequentially, while sales of our mature 200mm products decreased, primarily due to the softness in the 200mm capacity buys on a worldwide basis. We believe that Asyst is increasing its position in both the 300mm and newly entered product areas.”