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  <TITLE>Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K</TITLE>
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
  SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>Washington, D. C. 20549 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 24, 2002
  </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>California </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>000-22430</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>94-2944251</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Commission File No.)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>48761 Kato Road </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Fremont, California 94538 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of principal executive offices and zip code) </B></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (510) 661-5000 </B></FONT></DIV>
  
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Events. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the
  forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the possible inability to complete the creation of the joint venture between Asyst Technologies Inc. and Shinko Electric Co. Ltd of Japan as scheduled or at all, and those
  associated with joint venture transactions, such as potential difficulties in the assimilation of operations, strategies, technologies and products of the joint venture, the risk of loss of key personnel of the joint venture and diversion of
  management attention from other business concerns. Information about Asyst and these and other risks related to Asyst are detailed in Asyst&#146;s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Asyst
  does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">On May 24, 2002, Asyst announced that it
  had signed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture with Shinko. Under the terms of the agreement, Asyst will acquire 51% interest in a new joint venture company, Asyst Shinko Inc. The new company will contain the automated material
  handling systems, or AMHS, business of Shinko, which will retain 49% ownership of Asyst Shinko. Asyst will pay 8.16 billion Yen for its ownership share, at a rate equivalent to 1.34 times Shinko&#146;s AMHS sales for the year ended March 31, 2002.
  The transaction is expected to close on October 1, 2002, after the completion of Shinko&#146;s current six-month fiscal reporting period. Asyst currently is exploring multiple options for funding the transaction, including bank debt in Japan.
  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The press release issued by Asyst, dated May 24, 2002, entitled &#147;Asyst Technologies Signs Definitive
  Agreement to Form Joint Venture With Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. of Japan&#148; is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item
  7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">99.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Press Release dated May 24, 2002</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">2 </FONT></DIV>
  
  
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURES </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
  STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
  authorized. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="42%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="5%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Dated:</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="42%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;June 12, 2002</FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="3%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="42%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G<SMALL>EOFFREY</SMALL> G. R<SMALL>IBAR</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="42%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Geoffrey G. Ribar</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">3 </FONT></DIV>
  
  
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Exhibit Number</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="2" NOSHADE WIDTH="48" COLOR="#000000"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Description</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="2" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD> </TR>
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  <TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="8%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">99.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Press release titled &#147;Asyst Technologies Signs Definitive Agreement to Form Joint Venture With Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. of Japan&#148; dated May 24,
  2002.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <P></P>
   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">4 </FONT></DIV>
  
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text: Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D. C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 24, 2002
  ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  California
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  000-22430
  94-2944251
  (Commission File No.)
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  48761 Kato Road
  Fremont, California 94538
  (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (510) 661-5000
  Item 5.    Other Events.
  This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
  amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the
  forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the possible inability to complete the creation of the joint venture between Asyst Technologies Inc. and Shinko Electric Co. Ltd of Japan as scheduled or at all, and those
  associated with joint venture transactions, such as potential difficulties in the assimilation of operations, strategies, technologies and products of the joint venture, the risk of loss of key personnel of the joint venture and diversion of
  management attention from other business concerns. Information about Asyst and these and other risks related to Asyst are detailed in Asyst's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Asyst
  does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements.
  On May 24, 2002, Asyst announced that it
  had signed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture with Shinko. Under the terms of the agreement, Asyst will acquire 51% interest in a new joint venture company, Asyst Shinko Inc. The new company will contain the automated material
  handling systems, or AMHS, business of Shinko, which will retain 49% ownership of Asyst Shinko. Asyst will pay 8.16 billion Yen for its ownership share, at a rate equivalent to 1.34 times Shinko's AMHS sales for the year ended March 31, 2002.
  The transaction is expected to close on October 1, 2002, after the completion of Shinko's current six-month fiscal reporting period. Asyst currently is exploring multiple options for funding the transaction, including bank debt in Japan.
  The press release issued by Asyst, dated May 24, 2002, entitled "Asyst Technologies Signs Definitive
  Agreement to Form Joint Venture With Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. of Japan" is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
  Item
  7.    Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
  (c)    Exhibits
  99.1
  Press Release dated May 24, 2002
  2
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
  authorized.
  ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  Dated:
  June 12, 2002
  By:
  /s/    G
  EOFFREY
  G. R
  IBAR
  Geoffrey G. Ribar
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  3
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit Number
  Description
  99.1
  Press release titled "Asyst Technologies Signs Definitive Agreement to Form Joint Venture With Shinko Electric Co. Ltd. of Japan" dated May 24,
  2002.
  4