Amtech Systems Appoints Fokko Pentinga as Managing Director of Amtech Europe

Strengthens and Streamlines Amtech's Solar Business Operations

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS), a global supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors, and silicon wafers, today announced that Mr. Fokko Pentinga has been appointed as Managing Director of Amtech Europe, which is comprised of Tempress Systems^(R) in Vaassen, the Netherlands, and R2D Automation^(R) in Montpellier, France, both subsidiaries of Amtech Systems, Inc. Prior to his new position, Mr. Pentinga served as general manager of Tempress Systems for over 14 years.

"This appointment further strengthens our solar business by enabling quick decision making and adaptability at a local level to further improve our operating efficiency and to serve our customers with rapid response and the highest quality product," said J. S. Whang, President and CEO. "We continue to believe in the long-term growth opportunities of the solar market and are focused on strengthening and expanding our presence in key geographic regions including Europe, Asia, and the United States."

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. manufactures and distributes capital equipment, including silicon wafer handling automation, thermal processing equipment and related consumables used in fabricating solar cells and semiconductor devices. Semiconductors, or semiconductor chips, are fabricated on silicon wafer substrates, sliced from ingots, and are part of the circuitry, or electronic components, of many products including solar cells, computers, telecommunications devices, automotive products, consumer goods, and industrial automation and control systems. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation and deposition steps used in the fabrication of solar cells, semiconductors, MEMS and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act. Such statements may use words such as "proposed," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate to Amtech Systems, Inc. or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

    Source: Amtech Systems, Inc.

Released December 15, 2008