Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.39

                            ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                      EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                        EFFECTIVE DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2004

    (FOR THE PLAN AMENDED JANUARY 27, 2004, AND FURTHER AMENDED MAY 4, 2004)

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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                                                                      PAGE
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INTRODUCTION.....................................................       1

ARTICLE 1  DEFINITIONS...........................................       1

ARTICLE 2  PLAN SPECIFICATIONS...................................       5

ARTICLE 3  WITHDRAWALS...........................................       9

ARTICLE 4  PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS AND PLAN INVESTMENTS...........      11

ARTICLE 5  BENEFICIARY...........................................      13

ARTICLE 6  VESTING...............................................      13

ARTICLE 7  BENEFITS..............................................      14

ARTICLE 8  ADMINISTRATION........................................      16

ARTICLE 9  MISCELLANEOUS.........................................      19
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                                       i.
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                                  INTRODUCTION

      WHEREAS, Asyst Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company")
wishes to establish a deferred compensation plan as set forth herein (the
"Plan") to provide deferred compensation for a select group of management or
highly compensated employees of the Company and its affiliates which adopt the
plan and to provide for deferred compensation for the members of the Company's
Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company or its affiliates,
originally effective March 1, 1998 and effective, as amended on February 1,
2004; and

      WHEREAS, the Company has the legal authority to establish the Plan
pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware; and

      WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide that the Plan shall be called the
Asyst Technologies, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; and

      WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide under the Plan for the payment of
benefits to participants in the Plan and their beneficiary or beneficiaries
under the terms of the Plan and the terms of Participants' enrollment
agreements; and

      WHEREAS, the Company wishes to provide under the Plan that the Company
shall pay the entire cost of benefits under the Plan from its general assets and
set aside contributions by the Company to meet its obligations under the Plan;
and

      WHEREAS, the Company intends that the assets of the Plan and its
accompanying trust shall at all times be subject to the claims of the general
creditors of the Company in the event of the financial insolvency of the
Company; and

      WHEREAS, the Company intends that any rights of participants in the Plan
and their beneficiaries be unsecured and unfunded for purposes of tax law and
for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended ("ERISA").

      NOW, THEREFORE, the Company does hereby establish the Plan as follows,
pursuant to the adoption of the Plan by the Company's Board of Directors of
January 20, 1998, and does also hereby agree that the assets of the Plan shall
be identified, held, invested, and disposed of as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

      "AFFILIATE" means any firm, partnership or corporation that (i) directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries control, is controlled by, or
is under common control with the Company or (ii) is otherwise authorized by the
Board to be considered an Employer for purposes of this Plan.

      "BASE SALARY" means a Participant's annual base salary paid to an Employee
or director's fees paid to a member of the Board by the Employer for any Plan
Year, before reduction pursuant to this Plan or any plan or agreement of the
Employer whereby annual base

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salary or director's fees are deferred, including, without limitation, a plan
whereby annual base salary is deferred in accordance with Code Section 401(k) or
reduced in accordance with Code Section 125. Base Salary shall not include any
other form of compensation, whether taxable or non-taxable, including, but not
limited to, bonuses, commissions, overtime, income realized on the exercise or
sale of stock options, income from other equity awards, such as restricted
stock, and any other forms or types of additional compensation paid by the
Employer to a Participant.

      "BENEFICIARY" means the person or persons designated by the Participant in
the Enrollment Agreement who are to receive any distributions payable upon the
death of the Participant.

      "BOARD" means the Company's Board of Directors.

      "BONUS" means any cash bonus under the Management Bonus Plan paid by the
Employer to a Participant and any payments under the Company's Long Term
Incentive Plan, paid by the Employer to a Participant. The term "Bonus" shall
not include any other form of bonus or compensation paid by the Employer as a
bonus, any other form of compensation, whether taxable or non-taxable,
including, but not limited to base salary, commissions, overtime and other forms
of additional compensation; provided, however, that the term "Bonus" shall
include any form of bonus that the Employer specifically determines is eligible
for deferral under the Plan.

      "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization in
which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for (a) a transaction in
which the principal purpose is to change the state of the Company's
incorporation, or (b) a transaction in which the Company's stockholders
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation hold (by virtue of securities
received in exchange for their shares in the Company) securities of the
surviving entity representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting
power of such entity immediately after such transaction; (ii) the sale, transfer
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
unless the Company's stockholders immediately prior to such sale, transfer or
other disposition hold (by virtue of securities received in exchange for their
shares in the Company) securities of the purchaser or other transferee
representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of such
entity immediately after such transaction; (iii) any reverse merger in which the
Company is the surviving entity but in which the Company's stockholders
immediately prior to such merger do not hold (by virtue of their shares in the
Company held immediately prior to such transaction) securities of the Company
representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the
Company immediately after such transaction; or (iv) the acquisition by any
person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), or any comparable
successor provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust,
sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate) of the beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act,
or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least
fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the
election of directors.

      "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

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      "COMMISSION" means any payment made under the Sales Incentive Plan.

      "COMPANY" means Asyst Technologies, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and any
succeeding or continuing corporation which adopts this Plan.

      "COMPENSATION" means a Participant's Base Salary, Bonus and Commission.

      "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

      "DECLARED RATE" means during any Plan Year the rate then currently offered
on money market or similar fund made available under the Plan by the Trustee or,
as applicable, the custodian of a respective Participant's Account.

      "DEFERRAL AMOUNT" means the amount of Compensation that the Participant
elects to defer under the Enrollment Agreement and that the Participant and the
Company mutually agree shall be deferred in accordance with the Plan.

      "EFFECTIVE DATE" means February 1, 2004 for purposes of the plan, as
amended on January 27, 2004. . The Effective Date of the plan as originally
adopted was March 1, 1998.

      "ELIGIBLE PERSON" means either (a) a member of the Board who is not an
Employee of the Company or its Affiliates, or (b) a key Employee of the Company
or Affiliate which has adopted the Plan who is a member of a select group of
management or highly compensated employees of the Company or Affiliate and who
has been chosen by the Plan Administrator, in the Plan Administrator's sole
discretion, to be eligible to participate in the Plan. For purposes of the Plan,
the phrase "select group of management or highly compensated employees" shall
include those individuals employed as executives, all as determined by the Plan
Administrator.

      "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Employer on a regular
full-time salaried basis or who is an officer of such Employer.

      "EMPLOYER" means the Company, and any Affiliate of the Company that adopts
this Plan.

      "ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT" Error means the agreement or agreements entered
into by a Participant which specifies the Participant's Deferral Amount, the
Participant's In-Service Distribution Account allocation, a Participant's deemed
investment allocation, a Participant's Beneficiary, and a Participant's election
of form of distribution of benefits from the Plan.

      "401(k) MATCH SUBACCOUNT" means the individual account maintained for a
Participant by the Plan Administrator in accordance with the terms of the Plan
and the Trust Agreement for purposes of making a distribution of sums
contributed to the Plan to augment matching contributions on behalf of the
Participant under the 401(k) Plan.

      "401(k) PLAN" means the Asyst Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan, a tax
qualified retirement plan established by the Company containing a cash or
deferred arrangement intended to satisfy the requirements of section 401(k) of
the Code.

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      "HARDSHIP" means an unforeseeable financial emergency which the
Participant cannot meet through loans, insurance or liquidation of the
Participant's assets (to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause a
financial hardship), or cessation of deferrals under the Participant's
Enrollment Agreement. An unforeseeable financial emergency is a severe financial
hardship to the Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or
accident of the Participant or of a dependent of the Participant (as defined in
section 152(a) of the Code), loss of the Participant's property due to casualty,
or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a
result of events beyond the control of the Participant. Examples of what are not
considered to be unforeseeable financial emergencies include the need to send a
child of the Participant to college or the desire to purchase a home.

      "IN-SERVICE DISTRIBUTION SUBACCOUNT" means the individual account(s)
maintained for a Participant by the Plan Administrator in accordance with the
terms of the Plan and the Trust Agreement for purposes of each such subaccount
making a distribution of benefits prior to a Participant's Termination of
Service.

      "NORMAL DISTRIBUTION SUBACCOUNT" means the individual account maintained
for a Participant by the Plan Administrator in accordance with the terms of the
Plan and the Trust Agreement for purposes of making a distribution of a benefit
following a Participant's Termination of Service.

      "PARTICIPANT" means any Eligible Person who has elected to participate in
the Plan who completes, executes and returns an Enrollment Agreement. An
Eligible Person who becomes a Participant shall remain a Participant until the
time that the Participant has received all of the benefits to which he or she is
entitled under the terms of the Plan.

      "PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT" means the individual account(s) maintained for a
Participant by the Plan Administrator in accordance with the terms of the Plan
and the Trust Agreement which shall consist of his or her Normal Distribution
Subaccount, In-Service Distribution Subaccount, and 401(k) Match Subaccount, as
applicable. Accounts are a bookkeeping record of all amounts deposited in the
Trust on behalf of Participants, and any earnings allocated to such accounts as
provided in the Plan, for purposes of determining a Participant's interest in
the Trust.

      "PLAN" means the Asyst Technologies, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan, as amended from time-to-time.

      "PLAN ADMINISTRATOR" means the committee selected to control and manage
the operation and administration of the Plan.

      "PLAN COMMITTEE" means the Plan Administrator.

      "PLAN YEAR" means the calendar year beginning on January 1 and ending on
December 31. The initial Plan Year shall commence March 1, 1998 and end on
December 31, 1998.

      "QUALIFYING DISTRIBUTION EVENT" means the occurrence of an event that
would allow the Participant to withdraw benefits from the Participant's Account
in accordance with Article III of this Plan.

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      "RETIREMENT" means the earlier of the date a Participant has a Termination
of Service for reasons other than death, provided that he or she is (i) age
sixty(60), or (ii) age fifty-five (55) or older with at least five (5) Years of
Service as of that date.

      "TERMINATION OF SERVICE" means severance of the Participant's service
relationship with the Employer and any other Affiliate. For purposes of this
definition, service relationship includes all service as a non-employee
director, Employee or consultant to the Employer or to any other Affiliate,
including any period during which the individual is on an approved leave of
absence, whether paid or unpaid.

      "TOP HAT PLAN" means a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for a
select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of
section 401(a)(1) of ERISA.

      "TOTAL DISABILITY" means any Termination of Service during the life of a
Participant and prior to Retirement by reason of a Participant's total and
permanent disability, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole and
absolute discretion. A Participant who applies and qualifies for disability
benefits under any long-term disability plan or policy provided by the Company
or an Affiliate ("LTD Plan") shall qualify for Total Disability under this Plan.
A Participant who fails to qualify for disability benefits under a LTD Plan
(whether or not the Participant makes application for disability benefits
thereunder) shall not be deemed to have a Total Disability under this Plan,
unless the Plan Administrator otherwise determines, based upon the opinion of a
qualified physician or medical clinic selected by the Plan Administrator, that a
condition of total and permanent disability exists.

      "TRUST" means the legal entity created by the Trust Agreement.

      "TRUST AGREEMENT" means that trust agreement entered into between the
Company and the Trustee to hold the assets of the Plan.

      "TRUSTEE" means the original Trustee named in the Trust Agreement and any
duly appointed and acting successor Trustee(s) which shall be appointed by the
Company and may consist of one or more persons.

      "YEAR OF SERVICE" means a period of twelve consecutive calendar months
during which an Eligible Person has not incurred a Termination of Service.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                               PLAN SPECIFICATIONS

      2.1   BASE SALARY DEFERRALS. Each Eligible Person who is notified of his
or her eligibility to participate in the Plan prior to the Effective Date may
begin to defer Base Salary under the Plan on the Effective Date; provided,
however, that such Eligible Person completes and signs an Enrollment Agreement
and returns this agreement to the designated representative of the Employer
prior to the Effective Date or such earlier date established by the Company and
announced to the Eligible Person.

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      After the Effective Date, each Eligible Person may begin to defer Base
Salary under the Plan ninety (90) days after the date the Eligible Person
completes and signs an Enrollment Agreement and returns such agreement to the
designated representative of the Employer. In the case of a member of the Board
who is an Eligible Person, the Board member may begin to defer Base Salary
starting with the first fiscal quarter of the Company beginning ninety (90) days
after the date the Board member completes and signs an Enrollment Agreement and
returns such agreement to the designated representative of the Employer.

      2.2   OTHER DEFERRALS.

            (a)   BONUS. Each Eligible Person who has been notified of his or
her eligibility to participate in the Plan may elect to defer his or her Bonus
which such Eligible Person earned after his or her commencement of participation
in the Plan, provided that the Eligible Person is an active employee at the time
the Bonus is paid. An Eligible Person's election to defer a Bonus shall be made
by completing and signing an Enrollment Agreement and returning this agreement
to the designated representative of the Employer prior to the time established
by the Company and announced to the Eligible Person, and in any event prior to
the end of the period for which the Bonus is being determined and prior to the
time that the amount of any such Bonus to be paid by the Employer becomes
substantially certain, becomes payable by the Employer, or is in fact paid by
the Employer.

            (b)   COMMISSION. Each Eligible Person who has been notified of his
or her eligibility to participate in the Plan may elect to defer his or her
Commission which such Eligible Person earns after his or her commencement of
participation in the Plan, provided that the Eligible Person is an active
employee at the time the Commission is paid. An Eligible Person's election to
defer a Commission shall be made by completing and signing an Enrollment
Agreement and returning this agreement to the designated representative of the
Employer at least ninety (90) days prior to the earliest of the date the
Commission (i) is earned, (ii) becomes payable by the Employer, or (iii) is, in
fact, paid by the Employer.

      2.3   An Eligible Person electing to participate in the Plan shall elect a
Plan Year Deferral Amount of at least (i) $5,000, or (ii) a percentage of his or
her Compensation which would result in a Deferral Amount of at least $5,000 for
the Plan Year assuming that the Participant continues to be compensated at the
same or greater level for the entire Plan Year. The maximum amount of an
Eligible Person's Base Salary that may be deferred shall be 75%. The maximum
amount of an Eligible Person's Commission and Bonus that may be deferred shall
be 100 percent. The amount of Base Salary to be deferred shall be stated as a
specified dollar amount or whole number percentage. The amount of Bonus or
Commission to be deferred shall be stated as either (i) a whole number
percentage of such Bonus or Commission, or (ii) a whole number percentage of
such Bonus or Commission above a specified dollar amount.

      2.4   All Deferral Amounts shall be deducted from the Participant's
Compensation without reduction for any taxes or withholding (except to the
extent required by law) and credited by the Employer to the Participant's
Account as soon as administratively reasonable following the date on which the
amount of each Participant's deferral is known and the Compensation would
otherwise be paid by the Employer.

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      If the remaining Compensation of a Participant, after subtracting his or
her Deferral Amount, is less than the income and employment taxes which the
Employer is required under Federal and state laws to withhold and remit from the
Participant's wages, the Participant shall forward payment of the necessary
withholding amounts to the Employer no later than the date the Participant's
Account is credited with his or her Deferral Amount attributable to that pay
period. A Participant's failure to timely forward such payment in full shall
result in the reduction of his or her subsequent Compensation payments by the
amounts necessary to pay to the Employer or to reimburse the Employer for the
withholding funds due, thereby reducing the total Deferral Amount available for
the remainder of the Plan Year.

      2.5   A Participant's Enrollment Agreement Deferral Amount election once
made shall be irrevocable and shall remain in effect until modified, suspended,
or terminated as herein permitted. The Participant may change his or her
Deferral Amount, including the cessation of any deferrals of Compensation or the
allocation of future deferrals between his or her Normal and In-Service
Distribution Subaccounts, by completing and signing a new Enrollment Agreement
and submitting this agreement to the designated representative of the Employer
Such election shall become effective after the time period specified in Section
2.1 with respect to Base Salary and after the time period specified in Section
2.2 with respect to Bonus and Commission. A subsequent Enrollment Agreement
shall not apply to any deferrals which represent payments for services performed
within the time periods specified in Section 2.1 with respect to Base Salary and
within the time period specified in Section 2.2 with respect to Bonus and
Commission, but otherwise shall apply to all future deferrals covered by the
Deferral Amount indicated on the Enrollment Agreement. In addition, if the
Participant elects for the entire Deferral Amount to be deferred into an
In-Service Distribution Subaccount, such Deferral Amount election on the
Enrollment Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Plan Year preceding the
latest Plan Year that the Participant has selected for an In-Service
Distribution under Section 3.5(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan
Administrator shall require a Participant to waive the remainder of the Deferral
Amount for the Plan Year in which he or she receives a Hardship Distribution.

      2.6   The Plan Administrator has the power to establish rules and from
time to time to modify or change such rules governing the manner and method by
which deferrals of a Participant's or group of Participants' Compensation may be
(i) changed, suspended (including, but not limited to, in the event of a
Hardship Withdrawal or other unscheduled withdrawal) or terminated (in the event
of Total Disability), and (ii) limited by the imposition of a minimum or maximum
amount of deferral of Compensation.

      2.7   MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS. For each Plan Year, the Company, in its
discretion, may deposit additional amounts on behalf of a Participant to his or
her 401(k) Match Subaccount equal to the matching contribution the Employer
otherwise would have made on the Participant's behalf to the 401(k) Plan but
for:

            (a)   The reduction of the Participant's eligible compensation under
the 401(k) Plan as a result of his or her participation in this Plan and under
Code Section 401(a)(17);

            (b)   The Code Section 402(g) limit on annual deferrals;

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            (c)   The maximum elective contributions under the terms of the
401(k) Plan; and

            (d)   The salary deferral and matching contributions reduced,
returned to or forfeited for the Participant, as required by Code Sections
401(k) and 401(m).

These Company matching contributions shall only be made on behalf of
Participants who have made the maximum salary deferrals permitted under the
401(k) Plan for the Plan Year. Participants who in any Plan Year are not
entitled to receive a Company contribution under the 401(k) Plan will not be
entitled to receive Company contributions under this Section 2.7 for such Plan
Year. The Company shall make such contributions regardless of whether such
Participant has a Deferral Amount for the Plan Year in which the Company
matching contribution is made. The Company's contributions shall be credited to
a Participant's 401(k) Match Subaccount no later than the end of the Plan Year
following the time the matching contributions would have been credited under the
401(k) Plan.

      2.8   The Company may deposit additional amounts to Participant's Accounts
in the sole discretion of the Company on behalf of a Participant or group of
Participants as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

      2.9   If permitted by the Plan Administrator, at its sole discretion, a
Participant may irrevocably elect, on a form approved by the Plan Administrator,
to defer all or a portion of his or her Deferral Amount for a Plan Year into an
In-Service Distribution Subaccount and receive distributions from such
In-Service Distribution Subaccount prior to Termination of Service ("In-Service
Distribution") subject to the following restrictions:

            (a)   The maximum number of In-Service Distribution Subaccounts a
Participant may have at any one time is three (3).

            (b)   In the event a Participant made an election to place all or a
portion of his or her Deferral Amount into an In-Service Distribution Subaccount
for a Plan Year, the portion of the Participant's Deferral Amount that shall be
allocated to his or her In-Service Distribution Subaccount for each succeeding
Plan Year shall be the same as in the preceding Plan Year unless the Participant
timely changes such election as set forth in Section 2.5. In the event that the
number of such Subaccounts increases or decreases in a succeeding Plan Year (but
is at least two), the portion of the Participant's Deferral Amount that shall be
allocated to each of his or her In-Service Distribution Subaccounts shall be
adjusted proportionately assuming the same Deferral Amount as previously elected
unless the Participant timely changes such election as set forth in Section 2.5.

            (c)   An irrevocable election to receive an In-Service Distribution
from an In-Service Distribution Account must be made prior to or simultaneous
with the Participant's filing of his or her Enrollment Agreement under which
that In-Service Distribution Subaccount is first elected and established with
the designated representative of the Company, and reflects both the date that
the distribution shall commence and the form of distribution. The date of
distribution must be reflected as either a calendar date or as the date when a
member of the Participant's immediate family begins school. Whether a school
qualifies under this Section shall be

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determined by the Plan Administrator; however, a private primary school, college
and post-graduate school shall qualify. No deferrals may be made into that
Participant's In-Service Distribution Subaccount during any Plan Year in which
the Participant is receiving an In-Service Distribution from such Subaccount.
Following the complete distribution of an In-Service Distribution Subaccount, a
Participant may make new deferrals into a new In-Service Distribution
Subaccount.

      2.10  All deposits to the Trust made under the Plan on behalf of a
Participant shall be reflected by a credit of the same amount to the
Participant's Account.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                                   WITHDRAWALS

      3.1   WITHDRAWALS FOLLOWING RETIREMENT. A Participant shall automatically
commence to receive a distribution of the vested portion of such Participant's
Account, in the Form set forth in Article 7, as soon as administratively
reasonable following his or her Retirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
Participant may make an election on his or her initial Enrollment Agreement to
commence withdrawals of his or her Participant's Account due to Retirement as
soon as administratively reasonable on or following (i) the January immediately
after Retirement, or (ii) any other January after Retirement which can be no
later than the earlier of (a) the January of the year the Participant attains
age seventy (70), or (b) the tenth January after Retirement.

      A Participant's Enrollment Agreement timing of withdrawal election shall
remain in effect until modified as herein permitted. The Participant may change
his or her timing of withdrawal election relating to withdrawals due to
Retirement by completing and signing a new Enrollment Agreement and submitting
this agreement to the designated representative of the Company; provided,
however, that he or she does so at least twelve (12) full calendar months prior
to Retirement. Withdrawal election changes submitted less than twelve (12) full
calendar months prior to Retirement shall be null and void.

      3.2   WITHDRAWALS FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF SERVICE. A Participant shall
automatically commence to receive a distribution of the vested portion of such
Participant's Account as soon as administratively reasonable following his or
her Termination of Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may
make a one-time irrevocable election on his or her initial Enrollment Agreement
to commence withdrawals of his or her Participant's Account due to Termination
of Service as soon as administratively reasonable on or following the January
after Termination of Service.

      3.3   WITHDRAWALS UPON TOTAL DISABILITY. In the event of a Participant's
Termination of Service due to his or her Total Disability, the Participant shall
automatically commence to receive a distribution of the vested portion of such
Participant's Account at the time he or she reaches Retirement.

      3.4   WITHDRAWALS UPON DEATH. In the event of a Participant's death, his
or her Beneficiary shall automatically commence to receive a distribution of the
vested portion of such

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Participant's Account, as soon as administratively reasonable following the
Participant's death. A Participant's election to postpone the commencement of
Retirement distributions after Retirement under Section 3.1(ii) shall become
null and void at the date of the Participant's death.

      3.5   OTHER WITHDRAWALS. Regardless of whether the Participant has a
Termination of Service, he or she may elect to commence to receive a
distribution of all or part of his or her Participant's Account in accordance
with (a), (b), or (c) below:

            (a)   A Participant who has made an irrevocable election to receive
a distribution of the Participant's In-Service Distribution Subaccount in
accordance with Section 2.9 shall receive such distribution at the time elected
by the Participant when the In-Service Distribution Subaccount was established,
provided that the date elected is no earlier than the end of five (5) Plan Years
commencing with the Plan Year in-service deferrals are made on the Participant's
behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

                  (i)   If a Participant dies after Retirement but prior to
payment of all of such Participant's In-Service Distribution Subaccount, the
Participant's In-Service Distribution Subaccount shall be paid out immediately
in a lump sum;

                  (ii)  If a Participant has a Termination of Service prior to
the In-Service Distribution commencement date elected by the Participant, the
Participant's election to receive an In-Service Distribution will be disregarded
and the Participant's In-Service Distribution Subaccount shall be combined with
his or her Normal Distribution Account and paid out as provided in this Article
3 and through 7.

            (b)   A Participant may request a Hardship withdrawal from the Plan,
which request may be approved or denied by the Plan Administrator in its sole
discretion. Such withdrawal shall be taken pro rata from each of the Subaccounts
established for the Participant as part of his or her Participant's Account. The
amount distributed to the Participant for such an unforeseeable financial
emergency shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the amount needed to satisfy the
unforeseeable financial emergency (after deducting any and all taxes as may be
required to be withheld), or (ii) the value of the Participant's Account.

            (c)   A Participant may elect to receive a single, lump sum
withdrawal of the Participant's Account under the Plan at any time not otherwise
expressly authorized by the Plan upon prior written notice to the Plan
Administrator; provided, however, that ten percent (10%) (or six percent (6%) in
the event the withdrawal is within two (2) years after a Change of Control) of
the amount of the withdrawal requested shall be permanently forfeited to the
Company and the Participant shall have no further right to that amount. A
Participant who receives such a withdrawal shall cease Plan deferrals until the
later of (i) six (6) months from the date the distribution is made, or (ii) the
first day of the immediately following Plan Year. Such withdrawal shall be taken
pro rata from each of the Subaccounts established for the Participant as part of
his or her Participant's Account.

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                                    ARTICLE 4

                   PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS AND PLAN INVESTMENTS

      4.1   The amount by which Compensation is reduced pursuant to Article 2
shall be credited by the Company to the Participant's Normal Distribution
Subaccount or In-Service Distribution Subaccount, as the case may be, no later
than the first day of the month following the month in which such Compensation
would otherwise have been paid.

      4.2   All contributions will be deemed to be invested in one or more
investment alternatives determined by the Plan Administrator in the Plan
Administrator's sole discretion. Each Participant shall have the authority to
direct the investment of all amounts credited to his or her Participant's
Account among the investment alternatives selected by the Plan Administrator,
except in the event of the Company's financial insolvency as determined under
the standards set forth in the Trust Agreement or in the event the Plan
Administrator chooses, for whatever reason, not to follow such direction. In the
event the Plan Administrator chooses not to follow such direction, the
Participant's Account will be credited with a fixed rate of interest determined
in the Plan Administrator's sole discretion. The Plan Administrator may change,
discontinue, or add to the investment alternatives made available under the Plan
at any time as determined by the Plan Administrator in the Plan Administrator's
sole discretion; provided, however, that prior notice is provided to all
Participants.

      4.3   A Participant's Enrollment Agreement investment election shall
remain in effect until modified as herein permitted. The Participant may change
his or her investment election as of the first day of a calendar quarter by
completing and signing a new Enrollment Agreement and submitting this agreement
to the designated representative of the Employer; provided, however, that he or
she does so prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (or such earlier date
established by the Company and announced to the Participant) in which the
investment change is intended to commence. Investment election changes which are
submitted prior to a calendar quarter but after the deadline communicated by the
Company for that calendar quarter shall take effect on the first day of the
second calendar quarter following the quarter in which the change is submitted.
Any such changes made by a Participant will apply to the allocation of the
Participant's existing account balances and new deferrals under the Plan.
Participants may allocate their Participant's Account among the investment
options available under the Plan only in whole percentages.

      4.4   A Participant's Account shall be valued as of the last day of each
calendar quarter, and such additional dates as shall be determined by the Plan
Administrator, and the increment of the deemed earnings or losses on investments
selected under Section 4.2 shall be allocated to such account. The value of the
Participant's account shall be the value as of the most recent valuation date,
increased by any subsequent Deferral Amounts and contributions to his or her
401(k) Match Account and decreased by any subsequent distributions.

      4.5   Any distribution made from a Participant's Account in an amount
which is less than the entire balance of such account shall be made pro rata
from each of the investment alternatives to which such account is then
allocated, unless another manner of distribution is approved by the Plan
Administrator in its discretion.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      4.6   Notwithstanding anything in this Article 4 to the contrary, the
unpaid portion of a Participant's Account shall be credited monthly with a fixed
rate of return compounded annually, as follows:

            (a)   Declared Rate applicable during that Plan Year:

                  (1)   A Participant who terminates service prior to Retirement
who does not receive his or her entire vested Participant's Account as soon as
practicable after Termination of Service.

                  (2)   A Beneficiary of a Participant who dies prior to his or
her Retirement and who does not receive his or her share of the Participant's
Account as soon as practicable after death; and

                  (3)   A Participant who has not made an investment election in
the Enrollment Agreement, until such date an investment election takes effect in
accordance with Section 4.3.

            (b)   Declared Rate applicable during that Plan Year:

                  (1)   A Participant who terminates service due to Retirement
who elects to receive his or her vested Participant's Account in installment
payments using the amortized method;

                  (2)   A Participant who is required by the Plan Administrator
to delay receipt of his or her Retirement benefits under Section 7.6 following
the Participant's Termination of Service date; and

                  (3)   A Beneficiary of a Participant who dies on or after
Retirement and who does not receive his or her share of the Participant's
Account as soon as practicable after death.

      4.7   The Participant's Account of a Participant who receives (i) a
single, lump sum distribution due to Retirement, or (ii) an immediate single,
lump sum distribution due to Termination of Service or death shall be valued as
of the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the quarter in which the
distribution is made. The Participant's Account of a Participant who receives
installment payments due to Retirement calculated under (i) the fractional
method shall be valued as of the last business day of the month preceding the
date of the first installment payment for the initial Plan Year's payments, and
as of December 15 of the immediately preceding Plan Year for the succeeding
annual payments, and (ii) under the amortized method as of December 15 of the
Plan Year immediately preceding the Plan Year of payment. The Declared Rate
shall commence to be credited on the first day of the month following the
Participant's Termination of Service, Retirement, or death, as applicable, to
the date the payment is made, pro-rated for distributions made in the middle of
a month.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 5

                                   BENEFICIARY

      5.1   The Participant's Enrollment Agreement shall designate the
Beneficiary who is to receive a distribution of the vested value of a
Participant's Account in the event of such Participant's death. Any such
designation, change or cancellation shall not be effective until received in
writing by the Plan Administrator, or its designee. If the Participant has not
properly designated a Beneficiary, or if for any reason such designation shall
not be legally effective, or if said designated Beneficiary shall predecease the
Participant, then the Participant's estate shall be treated as the Beneficiary.
A Participant may change his or her Beneficiary designation at any time by
amending the Participant's Enrollment Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 6

                                     VESTING

      6.1   The value of a Participants' deferrals into his or her Normal
Distribution and In-Service Distribution Subaccounts shall be fully vested at
all times.

      6.2   The value of a Participant's 401(k) Match Subaccount shall be vested
at the same rate and at the same time as vesting of matching contributions
occurs under the 401(k) Plan. Unvested amounts in a Participant's Account shall
be forfeited and returned to the Company at the time and upon the Participant's
Termination of Service.

      6.3   Notwithstanding the foregoing, all amounts credited to Participant's
Accounts shall remain available to satisfy the claims of the Company's creditors
in the event of the Company's financial insolvency as defined in the Trust
Agreement.

      6.4   Except as provided in Section 6.2, any amounts credited by the
Employer into the Participant's Account (the "Employer Credited Amount") shall
vest over five years with 20% of each Employer Credited Amount vesting annually
upon the anniversary of the date the Employer Credited Amount was credited by
the Employer into the Participant's Account. For example, if the Employer
credits $1,000 to a Participant's Account on January 1, 2004, $200, which is 20%
of the $1,000 credited, would vest each year on January 1, beginning with
January 1, 2005. To the extent that the Participant terminated employment prior
to an annual vesting date, there would not be any vesting for such annual
period. For example, if a Participant terminated employment on July 1, 2005,
only the $200 that had vested on January 1, 2005 would be distributed to the
Participant, the remaining $800,of the original $1,000, credited to the
Participant's Account on January 1, 2004 would be forfeited and revert back to
the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 6.2,
a Participant shall be fully vested in any Employer Credited Amount in the
Participant's Account upon occurrence of the Participant's Retirement, death,
Total Disability or the Participant reaching 60 years of age while still in the
employ of the Participant's Employer.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 7

                                    BENEFITS

      7.1   Distributions may be made under one or more of the following payment
options:

            (a)   a single, lump sum distribution as soon as practicable
following the date of the Qualifying Distribution Event;

            (b)   a single, lump sum distribution as soon as practicable after
the first business day of the calendar year following the date of the Qualifying
Distribution Event; or

            (c)   Approximately equal installment payments in such amount and
frequency (not to exceed five (5) years) as determined by the Participant, with
the approval of the Plan Administrator, prior to the time such payments begin.
Payments will begin as soon as practicable after the first business day of the
calendar year following the date of the Qualifying Distribution Event;

The Participant shall elect the desired form of payment of benefits on an
election form prescribed by the Plan Administrator for designation of the form
of payment of benefits under the Plan.

In the event no election is made, the Participant shall receive his or her
distribution in a single, lump sum payment or up to three (3) equal annual
installments, at the Plan Administrator's discretion.

      7.2   A Participant's Enrollment Agreement form of distribution election
shall remain in effect until modified as herein permitted. A Participant's
initial election of the form in which benefits (other than those due to Hardship
and distributions under Section 3.5(c)) provided under the Plan may be paid
shall be made as part of the first Enrollment Agreement that the Participant
files with the Plan Administrator. Any change to such initial Enrollment
Agreement as to the form of benefit payments shall apply only in the event of
Retirement and must be made and submitted to the Plan Administrator at least
twelve (12) full calendar months prior to Retirement. Distribution election
changes submitted less than twelve (12) full calendar months prior to Retirement
shall be null and void. A Participant may not change his or her initial election
of the form of benefit to be paid as a result of his or her Termination of
Service or as relates to in-service withdrawals under Section 3.5(a).

      7.3   The form of payment of a Hardship Withdrawal or withdrawal under
Section 3.5(c) shall be determined by the Plan Administrator in the Plan
Administrator's sole discretion.

      7.4   Any distribution of benefits under the Plan to a Participant made on
account of the Participant's Total Disability shall be paid in the form of
payment previously elected by such Participant in the Enrollment Agreement for
Retirement benefits.

      7.5   Death benefits shall be paid as follows:

            (a)   Death prior to Retirement eligibility. Any death benefits
shall be paid as elected by such Participant in accordance with the
Participant's Enrollment Agreement survivor

                                       14
<PAGE>

death benefit election filed in accordance with the requirements of the Plan in
(i) a single, lump sum payment, or (ii) installment payments in such amount and
frequency (not to exceed ten (10) years) as determined with the approval of the
Plan Administrator prior to the time such payments begin if the vested value of
the Participant's Account is greater than or equal to $25,000 and the
Beneficiary is the Participant's spouse on the date of the Participant's death.

            (b)   Death on or after Retirement eligibility. Subject to Section
3.4, any death benefits shall be paid in accordance with the Participant's
Enrollment Agreement Retirement benefit election.

            (c)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the vested value of the
Participant's Account is less than $25,000 or the Beneficiary is not the
Participant's spouse on the date of the Participant's death, death benefits
shall be paid in a single, lump sum payment.

            (d)   A Beneficiary who is the Participant's spouse and who is
scheduled to receive installment payments may instead elect to accelerate all or
any portion of his or her vested share of the Participant's Account into a
single, lump sum distribution; provided, however, that ten percent (10%) of the
Beneficiary's share of the Participant's Account shall be permanently forfeited
to the Company and no Beneficiary shall have a further right to that amount.

            (e)   In the event the Participant has not made an election as to
the form of distribution, the Beneficiary shall receive his or her share of the
Participant's Account in a single, lump sum payment.

            (f)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall
retain the sole discretion to delay distributions to the Beneficiary who
otherwise would receive a single, lump sum payment, over a three (3) year period
commencing on the date the lump sum distribution otherwise would have been made.

      7.6   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall retain
the sole discretion to delay the distribution to the Participant who otherwise
would receive a single, lump sum payment, over a three (3) year period
commencing on the date the lump sum distribution otherwise would have been made.

      7.7   The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to withhold from a
distribution to a Participant or Beneficiary or from a Participant's Account any
amount needed to satisfy the Employer's income or employment withholding tax
obligations with respect to such distribution of a Participant's Account and may
also arrange with the Participant to allow the Participant to make payment to
the Employer to satisfy such obligations. Each Participant and Beneficiary,
however, shall be responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities
relating to any such benefits.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                 ADMINISTRATION

      8.1   The Plan Administrator shall be a committee of one or more
individuals which has the authority to control and manage the operation and
administration of the Plan. Administrative concerns of the Plan include, but are
not limited to, the enrollment of Eligible Persons as Participants, the
maintenance of all records, the direction of the Trustee to distribute benefits
to Participants and their Beneficiaries, and the establishment of rules and
procedures for the operation of the Plan Committee. A member of the Plan
Committee must be an Employee or member of the Board. Members of the Plan
Committee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan while serving as members
of the Plan Committee, but a member of the Plan Committee shall not vote or act
upon any matter which relates solely to such member's interest in the Plan as a
Participant. A member of the Plan Committee shall continue to serve until such
member (i) resigns, (ii) is removed or (iii) terminates employment with the
Employer and no longer serves on the Board for any reason. The approval of at
least two-thirds of the members of the Plan Committee shall be required to
remove a member of the Plan Committee. A majority of the remaining members of
the Plan Committee may fill one or more vacancies on the Plan Committee. The
Plan Committee may allocate and delegate some or all of its responsibilities
described in this Article 8. The Plan Committee's authority under this Section
8.1 shall at times be subject to the ability of either the Board or the
Compensation Committee of the Board to remove any or all of the members of the
Plan Committee for any reason, change the number of members of the Plan
Committee, fill vacancies on such committee, and establish rules and procedures
for such committee.

      8.2   CLAIMS, INQUIRIES AND APPEALS:

            (a)   APPLICATIONS FOR BENEFITS AND INQUIRIES. Any application for
benefits, inquiries about the Plan or inquiries about present or future rights
under the Plan must be submitted to the Plan Administrator in writing by an
applicant (or his or her authorized representative). The Plan Administrator is:

                            Asyst Technologies, Inc.
                            48761 Kato Road
                            Fremont, CA 94538

            (b)   DENIAL OF CLAIMS. In the event that any application for
benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Plan Administrator must provide the
applicant with written or electronic notice of the denial of the application,
and of the applicant's right to review the denial. Any electronic notice will
comply with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor. The written notice
of denial will be set forth in a manner designed to be understood by the
applicant and will include the following:

                  (1)   the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

                  (2)   references to the specific Plan provisions upon which
the denial is based;

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  (3)   a description of any additional information or material
that the Plan Administrator needs to complete the review and an explanation of
why such information or material is necessary; and

                  (4)   an explanation of the Plan's review procedures and the
time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the
applicant's right to proceed to arbitration pursuant to Section 9.14 following a
denial on review of the claim, as described in Section 8.2(d) below.

      This notice of denial will be given to the applicant within ninety (90)
days after the Plan Administrator receives the application, unless special
circumstances require an extension of time, in which case, the Plan
Administrator has up to an additional ninety (90) days for processing the
application. If an extension of time for processing is required, written notice
of the extension will be furnished to the applicant before the end of the
initial ninety (90) day period. This notice of extension will describe the
special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which
the Plan Administrator is to render its decision on the application.

            (c)   REQUEST FOR A REVIEW. Any person (or that person's authorized
representative) for whom an application for benefits is denied, in whole or in
part, may appeal the denial by submitting a request for a review to the Plan
Administrator within sixty (60) days after the application is denied. A request
for a review shall be in writing and shall be addressed to:

                            Asyst Technologies, Inc.
                            48761 Kato Road
                            Fremont, CA 94538

A request for review must set forth all of the grounds on which it is based, all
facts in support of the request and any other matters that the applicant feels
are pertinent. The applicant (or his or her representative) shall have the
opportunity to submit (or the Plan Administrator may require the applicant to
submit) written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to
his or her claim. The applicant (or his or her representative) shall be
provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of,
all documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim. The
review shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other
information submitted by the applicant (or his or her representative) relating
to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or
considered in the initial benefit determination.

            (d)   DECISION ON REVIEW. The Plan Administrator will act on each
request for review within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request, unless
special circumstances require an extension of time (not to exceed an additional
sixty (60) days), for processing the request for a review. If an extension for
review is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the
applicant within the initial sixty (60) day period. This notice of extension
will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and
the date by which the Plan Administrator is to render its decision on the
review. The Plan Administrator will give prompt, written or electronic notice of
its decision to the applicant. Any electronic notice will comply with the
regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor. In the event that the Plan
Administrator

                                       17
<PAGE>

confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, the
notice will set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant,
the following:

                  (1)   the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

                  (2)   references to the specific Plan provisions upon which
the denial is based;

                  (3)   a statement that the applicant is entitled to receive,
upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all
documents, records and other information relevant to his or her claim; and

                  (4)   a statement of the applicant's right to proceed to
arbitration pursuant to Section 9.14.

            (e)   RULES AND PROCEDURES. The Plan Administrator will establish
rules and procedures, consistent with the Plan and with ERISA, as necessary and
appropriate in carrying out its responsibilities in reviewing benefit claims.
The Plan Administrator may require an applicant who wishes to submit additional
information in connection with an appeal from the denial of benefits to do so at
the applicant's own expense.

            (f)   EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES. No legal action for benefits under the
Plan may be brought until the applicant (i) has submitted a written application
for benefits in accordance with the procedures described by Section 8.2(a)
above, (ii) has been notified by the Plan Administrator that the application is
denied, (iii) has filed a written request for a review of the application in
accordance with the appeal procedure described in Section 8.2(c) above, and (iv)
has been notified that the Plan Administrator has denied the appeal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Plan Administrator does not respond to an
applicant's claim or appeal within the relevant time limits specified in this
Section 8.2, the applicant may proceed to arbitration pursuant to Section 9.14.

      8.3   The Plan Administrator shall be vested with sole discretionary
authority (i) to construe and interpret the Plan, its Trust, and a Participant's
Enrollment Agreement (collectively referred to as "Documents"), their terms, and
any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including but not limited to
resolving ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions, (ii) to construe and
interpret the Federal and state laws and regulations that relate to the
Documents, (iii) to decide all factual questions arising in connection with the
Documents, and (iv) to decide all other questions arising in connection with the
Documents, including but not limited to determinations of eligibility,
entitlement to benefits, and vesting. All findings of the Plan Administrator
shall be final and shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons having any
interest in the Plan and Trust.

      8.4   Except to the extent provided in the Trust Agreement, all costs and
expenses related to the operation and administration of the Plan shall be paid
by the Company.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      9.1   AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Company reserves the right to amend any
provisions of the Plan at any time upon an action by at least two-thirds of the
Plan Committee to the extent that it may deem advisable without the consent of
the Participant or any Beneficiary; provided, however, that no such amendment
shall impair the rights of any Participant or Beneficiary with respect to either
any Compensation deferred or contributions made or authorized before such
amendment or any earnings on such deferred amounts credited to a Participant's
Account before such amendment.

      9.2   TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Company (or each Affiliate adopting the
Plan with respect to that Affiliate's Employees) reserves the right to terminate
the Plan (or terminate the Plan with respect to that Affiliate's Employees) at
any time upon an action by the Board, the Compensation Committee, or the
approval of at least two-thirds of the Plan Committee. Upon termination of the
Plan, all deferrals of Compensation shall terminate immediately, the
Participant's full Compensation on a non-deferred basis will be thereupon
restored, and no future contributions by any Employer will be credited to the
Plan. Distribution of any benefits to a Participant shall generally commence
only upon the occurrence of an event for which a withdrawal is permitted or
required by the Plan and such Participant's Enrollment Agreement; provided,
however, that the Plan Administrator shall retain the sole discretion to make
payment to a Participant in the form of a single, lump sum distribution at any
time following the termination of the Plan.

      9.3   The Plan Administrator may at any time make rules as it determines
necessary regarding the administration of the Plan that are not inconsistent
with the Plan.

      9.4   The Plan Administrator may, from time to time, hire outside
consultants, accountants, actuaries, legal counsel, or recordkeepers to perform
such tasks as the Plan Administrator may from time to time determine.

      9.5   In the event that any Participants are found to be ineligible, that
is, not members of a select group of management or highly compensated employees
eligible to participate in a Top Hat Plan, according to a determination made by
the United States Department of Labor, the Plan Administrator will take whatever
steps it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to equitably protect the
interests of the affected Participants.

      9.6   No benefits under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer (otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution), assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or
garnishment. The provisions of the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and Participants and their respective successors, heirs,
personal representatives, executors, administrators, and legatees. The Company's
obligations under this Plan are not assignable or transferable except to (a) a
corporation which acquires all or substantially all of the Company's assets or
(b) any corporation into which the Company may be merged or consolidated.

                                       19
<PAGE>

      9.7   The Company shall deposit all Deferral Amounts and contributions to
Participant's 401(k) Match Subaccounts or any other portion of any of the
Participant's Accounts into the Trust. All amounts under the Plan, including all
investments purchased with such amounts and all income attributable thereto,
shall remain (until made available to the Participant or Beneficiary) the
property of the Company as provided under the Trust Agreement.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or a Participant's Enrollment
Agreement to the contrary, any amount credited to a Participant's Account shall
be paid from the Trust only to the extent that the Company is not financially
insolvent at the time of such payment. Whether or not the Company is financially
insolvent shall be determined by the Trustee in the Trustee's sole discretion
based upon the standard for financial insolvency set forth in the Trust
Agreement. Any benefits under the Plan represent an unfunded, unsecured promise
by the Company to pay these benefits to the Participants when due. A Participant
has no greater right to any assets in the Trust than the general creditors of
the Company in the event that the Company shall become financially insolvent.
Trust assets can be used to pay only benefits under the Plan or the claims of
the Company's general creditors or the expenses of administering the Plan and
Trust to the extent permitted under the terms of the Trust Agreement.

      9.8   The Plan, the Trust Agreement, the Participant's Enrollment
Agreement, and any subsequently adopted amendment to any of these documents,
shall constitute the total agreement or contract between the Employer and such
Participant regarding the Plan. No oral statement regarding the Plan may be
relied upon by the Participant. If there are any conflicts between the terms of
the Plan and the Trust Agreement, and a Participant's Enrollment Agreement, the
terms of the Plan and the Trust Agreement shall control.

      9.9   The terms and conditions of the Plan shall not be deemed to confer
upon a Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any
Affiliate, or to continue acting as a non-employee director or consultant to the
Company or any Affiliate. Such employment is hereby acknowledged to be an "at
will" employment relationship that can be terminated at any time for any reason,
with or without cause, unless expressly provided in a written employment
agreement or expressly provided by law. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to
give a Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Company or any
of its Affiliates, or to interfere with the right of the Employer to discipline
or discharge the Participant at any time.

      9.10  If a Participant becomes entitled to a distribution of benefits
under the Plan, and if at such time the Participant has outstanding any debt,
obligation, or other liability representing an amount owing to the Employer,
then the Employer may offset such amount owed to it against the amount of
benefits otherwise distributable. Such determination shall be made by the Plan
Administrator.

      9.11  The Company shall be responsible for the payment of all benefits
provided under the Plan. At its discretion, the Company may establish one or
more trusts, with such Trustees as the Board or the Plan Administrator may
approve, for the purpose of providing for the payment of such benefits. Such
Trust or Trusts may be irrevocable, but the assets thereof shall be subject to
the claims of the Company's creditors. To the extent any benefits provided under
the Plan are actually paid from the Trust, the Company shall have no further
obligation with respect thereto,

                                       20
<PAGE>

but to the extent not so paid, such benefits shall remain the obligation of, and
shall be paid by, the Company.

      9.12  The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan of deferred
compensation for Participants. Benefits payable hereunder shall be payable out
of the general assets of the Company, and no segregation of any assets
whatsoever for such benefits shall be made. With respect to any payments not yet
made to a Participant, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant
any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

      9.13  If any provision of this Plan is held unenforceable, the remainder
of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without regard to such
unenforceable provision and shall be applied as though the unenforceable
provision were not contained in the Plan.

      9.14  Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Plan
remaining unresolved after exhaustion of the procedures in Section 8.2 shall be
settled exclusively by binding arbitration in Palo Alto, California, in
accordance with the Arbitration Rules and Procedures of the Judicial Arbitration
and Mediation Service ("JAMS"). The parties shall seek to agree upon appointment
of the arbitrator and the arbitration procedures. If the parties are unable to
reach such agreement, a single arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the
JAMS Arbitration Rules and Procedures, and the arbitrator shall determine the
arbitration procedures. Any award pursuant to such arbitration shall be included
in a written decision which shall state the legal and factual reasons upon which
the award was based, including all the elements involved in the calculation of
any award of damages. Any such award shall be deemed final and binding and may
be entered and enforced in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction.
The arbitrator shall interpret the Plan in accordance with the laws of
California. Each party shall pay its own fees and expenses incurred in any
arbitration under this Plan.

      9.15  Headings are inserted in this Plan for convenience of reference only
and are to be ignored in the construction of the provisions of the Plan.

      9.16  All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to
the masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the identity of the person or persons may
require. As the context may require, the singular may be read as the plural and
the plural as the singular.

      9.17  Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Plan
Administrator under the Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand
delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail, to the Plan Administrator or
to such representatives as the Plan Administrator may designate from time to
time. Such notice shall be deemed given as to the date of delivery or, if
delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt
for registration or certification.

      9.18  This Plan shall be construed under the laws of the State of
California, except to the extent that the laws of the State are preempted by
ERISA.

                                       21
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Plan, as amended on January __, 2004 is hereby
adopted by a duly authorized officer of Asyst Technologies, Inc. on this
_____day of ___________, 2004.

                                    ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Name: ______________________________________

                                    Title:______________________________________

                                       22<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.40

August 21, 2003

Revised Offer

To: Stephen Debenham

Dear Stephen,

Asyst is pleased to extend a formal offer to you to join our company as Vice
President, General Counsel, reporting to Stephen Schwartz, Chairman & CEO.

As Vice President, General Counsel, you would be responsible for performing the
key events/ responsibilities outlined in the attached job description. In
addition, you would be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned
by your manager. It is our intention to request approval from the Board of
Directors at the next regularly scheduled meeting to appoint you as an officer
and Secretary of the company.

During your employment with Asyst, you would be expected to establish and
maintain a professional, cordial relationship with co-workers, management,
suppliers and customers. You would be expected to learn the requirements of the
position and demonstrate the ability to meet satisfactory performance for this
position. You would also be expected to actively participate in Asyst's quality
improvement processes.

This is an exempt position, and your salary would be $8,076.93 per pay period
(26 pay periods per year), which calculates to $210,000.00 on an annualized
basis, with a performance appraisal in accordance with current company practice.
Your date of hire would be determined upon acceptance of this offer. You would
also receive a sign on bonus in the amount of $45,000 after completion of 90
days of employment. Should you voluntarily terminate your employment within the
first two years, you will be responsible for repaying 100% of this amount to the
Company.

In addition, you are eligible to participate in an annualized performance-based
bonus plan for Fiscal Year 2004, which will have a pro-rated targeted payout of
50% of your base salary at 100% achievement of company and individual
objectives. The bonus plan will be structured in such a way that should you
exceed plan, your bonus payout will be greater than the targeted bonus noted
above.

Additionally, Asyst offers you an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Company
stock. This option begins vesting after your sixth month of employment, and
continues vesting at a rate of 1/42 per month of employment for forty-two (42)
months, such that at the end of your forty-eighth (48) month of employment the
option shall become fully exercisable. However, the option, the vesting schedule
and the price per share of this option are subject to final approval by the
Board of Directors.

<PAGE>

Revised Offer
Stephen Debenham
August 12, 2003
Page 2 of 2

Asyst offers a very competitive benefits package, which would be effective as of
your date of hire. A brief summary of those benefits is attached for your
review. Please note that if an employee requests medical and dental coverage,
the employee is required to pay approximately 5% of the employee premium, and if
covering dependents, the employee is required to pay approximately 15% of the
dependent premium. Also, there is a 401K Plan available to employees interested
in tax-deferred income and investment options. It is understood that all
benefits are subject to change without notification.

In order to protect our mutual employment rights, employment with Asyst is "at
will". It is not for a specific term and can be terminated by yourself or by the
Company at any time for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary
representations which may have been made or which may be made to you are
superseded by this offer.

This offer is conditioned upon execution by you of the enclosed Proprietary
Information Agreement. You also must be able to provide appropriate
identification establishing your right to work within the United States. This
offer is contingent upon satisfactory background and reference checks. If you
accept this offer, the terms described in this letter shall be the terms of your
employment. Any additions or modifications of these terms would have to be in
writing and signed by yourself, your immediate manager, and the Sr. Director of
Human Resources.

Stephen, we hope you will give our offer positive consideration, and we look
forward to having you as part of our team. If there are any questions or
concerns, please contact myself or Dorothy Jones, Sr. Director of Human
Resources.

Sincerely,

/s/ Stephen Schwartz                          /s/ Dorothy Jones
--------------------                          ----------------------------------
Stephen Schwartz                              Dorothy Jones
Chairman & CEO                                Sr. Director, Human Resources

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

/s/ Stephen Debenham                          8/29/03
--------------------                          ----------------------------------
Stephen Debenham                              Today's Date

8/29/03
--------------------
Date of Hire
<PAGE>

A                                                                         [LOGO]

                                 JOB DESCRIPTION

                                                                     Page 1 of 1

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                  SHADED AREAS ARE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES USE ONLY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOB CODE:  A380

REVISION NO.:                        FLSA STATUS: Exempt

              [ ] New job            [X] Replaces job:      [ ] Revision to job:

APPROVED BY:  Name: Connie Franzen   Title: HR Manager            Date:  1/24/03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASYST JOB TITLE:      VP, General Counsel

REPORTS TO:           Sr. VP, CFO

KEY COMPETENCIES:

     Skills Required (Cognitive, Communication, Leadership, Interpersonal):

     -    Excellent oral and written communication.

     -    Ability to interact with multiple levels of management.

     -    Problem analysis and resolution.

     -    Team player.

EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE:

     -    Juris Doctorate Degree. - passing the bar exam

     -    Minimum 10 years of related experience in Corporate environment

     -    Experience in trade secrets, patent registration and other resolutions
          specific to the technology industry as well as SEC reporting.

     -    Demonstrates experience in general corporate matters, including
          corporate organization, securities compliance, drafting transactional
          documents, license agreements, employment law, immigration law,
          regulatory matters, risk management asset-backed financing, and
          contract management.

JOB EVENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

     -    Manages legal business matters pertaining to the organization;
          including patent, copyright, and intellectual property matters.

     -    Provides a variety of general corporate and commercial legal services.

     -    Acts as advisor on legal issues involving the organization's
          government and regulatory compliance.

     -    Reviews legal data and advises organization on appropriate legal
          action to be taken.

     -    Coordinates legal matters handled by outside counsel.

     -    Other job related duties as assigned by manager.

Doc. No.: QS392      Revision: A       Released Date: 8/28/02      QSCN No.: 419

ASYST CONFIDENTIAL:                                               Printed 6/2/04
The master copy of this blank form is held on the server. REFER TO THE QUALITY
INTRANET SITE FOR THE LATEST REVISION.

<PAGE>

                         ASYST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUMMARY

GROUP INSURANCE PLANS

Available to regular employees (20 hours or more per week). Employees pay 5% of
employee and 15% of dependent premiums for Medical/Dental/Vision benefits.

GREAT-WEST 90/70 PPO MEDICAL PLAN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        NETWORK                NON-NETWORK
                        -------                -----------
<S>                     <C>                    <C>
Coinsurance             90%                    70%
Deductible              $250 ($750 family)     $250 ($750 family)
Office Visits           $15 copay              70%
Hospitalization         90%                    70%
Emergency Room          80%                    80%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Prescription Copays                 $10   generic
- drug formulary                    $20   preferred brand-name
- pharmacy network                  $40   non-preferred brand-name
Mail Order
(90-day supply)                     2 x applicable copay
</TABLE>

HMO MEDICAL PLANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        KAISER                 GREAT-WEST
                        ------                 ----------
<S>                     <C>                    <C>
Deductible              None                   None
Office Visits           $15 copay              $10 copay
Hospitalization         100%                   100%
Emergency Room          $50 copay              $50 copay
                        (waived if admitted)   (waived if admitted)
Prescription Copays     $10 generic            $10  generic
For Great-West:         $20 brand-name         $20 preferred
- drug formulary                               brand-name
- pharmacy network                             $40 non-preferred
Mail Order                                     brand-name
(90-day supply)                                2 x applicable copay
</TABLE>

GREAT-WEST DENTAL PLANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             INDEMNITY                              POS
                                            NETWORK       NON-NETWORK
<S>                <C>                      <C>           <C>
Deductible         $50 ($150 family)        None          None
Maximum Per Year   $2,000                   $1,500        $500
Preventative       100%                     100%          60%
Routine              80%                      90%         50%
Major                60%                      60%         40%
Orthodontics         50%                      50%         40%
                   CHILD ONLY               CHILD &       CHILD &
                                            ADULT         ADULT
Lifetime Maximum   $1,500                   $2,000        $800
</TABLE>

VSP VISION PLANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            CORE PLAN               BUY-UP PLAN
                            ---------               -----------
                        VSP        NON-VSP       VSP        NON-VSP
                        ---        -------       ---        -------
<S>                  <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>
Benefit Frequency    Exam every 12 mos.       Exam every 12 mos.
                     Lenses every 12 mos.     Lenses every 12 mos.
                     Frames every 24 mos.     FRAMES EVERY 12 MOS.
Examination
($10 copay)          100%        $40          100%        $40
Materials
---------
($25 copay)
Lenses               100%        $40-$125     100%        $40-$125
Frames               100%        $45          100%        $45
(select frames)
Elective Contacts    Up to $105  Up to        Up to $105  Up to
(in lieu of lenses               $105                     $105
 and frames)
</TABLE>

RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE INSURANCE

-     Two (2) times employee's annual salary up to $900,000.

RELIANCE STANDARD VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE

-     Employee: $10,000 to $500,000 in increments of $10,000

-     Spouse: $10,000 to $500,000 in increments of $10,000

-     Child(ren): $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000.

Employees are responsible for the entire post-tax premium. Rates are based on
Non-Smoker and Smoker status.

RELIANCE STANDARD DISABILITY INSURANCE

-     66 2/3% of an employee's prior monthly earnings to a maximum of $19,500.

-     60-day waiting period.

401(K) RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

-     No waiting period to enroll.

-     Discretionary employer match.

-     100% vesting.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

-     Must be an Asyst employee for 6 months prior to next enrollment date.

-     Open Enrollment: January and July.

-     Purchase of common stock at a 15% discount through payroll deduction.

-     Can deduct 1-10% of net income.

<PAGE>

                         ASYST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUMMARY

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PLAN

-     Provides resources and counseling for issues that may be interfering with
      work or home life. Completely confidential - 8 sessions per incident.

METPAY GROUP HOMEOWNERS & AUTO INSURANCE

-     Obtain quotes for homeowners and auto insurance. Premiums can be paid
      through payroll deduction.

HYATT PREMIERE VOLUNTARY GROUP LEGAL PLAN

-     Provides legal assistance for the preparation of living wills, trusts,
      real estate matters, and defense of civil lawsuits.

GREAT-WEST FLEXIBLE BENEFITS ACCOUNT

-     Pre-tax deductions for non-covered medical, dental, vision, and dependent
      care expenses (please see complete eligible expense listing).

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

-     Regular full-time employees are eligible, after 3 months with Asyst, for
      tuition reimbursement for courses directly related to their job function.

HOLIDAYS/PAID ABSENCE

-     15 paid absence days for vacation, personal time off, and sick days.

-     During second year of service, employee accrues 16 paid absence days and
      one additional day per year thereafter -- up to a maximum of 20 days.

-     11 paid holidays per year.

HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP

-     Employees can join the health club of their choice and submit copies of
      contract and receipts for reimbursement of 75% of membership fee, up to a
      maximum of $200 per 12-month period.

AEA & MERIWEST CREDIT UNIONS

-     All employees are welcome to join.

-     Offers a variety of services at special rates (i.e. personal loans, car
      loans, mortgage loans, checking accounts, savings accounts).

EMPLOYEE RESOURCE CENTER - HR EXPRESS

-     A central web site where employees can receive one-stop answers for
      questions regarding benefits, life event changes, and company information.

GENERAL INFORMATION

-     Benefits are subject to change without notice.

-     This is only a brief summary of benefits; refer to plan documents for
      specific provisions.

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