Amtech Appoints Bert Goudena to Board of Directors

Enhances Board Technology Expertise and Experience

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, today announced the appointment of Bert (Egbert) J. G. Goudena to its Board of Directors. Mr. Goudena's appointment fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Mr. Brian Hoekstra, who recently became the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company.

Since 1987, Mr. Goudena has been the operations manager of the research labs at the Delft Institute of Microsystems and Nanoelectronics (DIMES) of the Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands. DIMES was established in 1987 and is a strong international center of excellence providing experimental research in many technology areas, including solar. In 2008, Mr. Goudena co-founded ISZGRO Diodes, a company that was formed to deliver logistics services to technology companies and to produce extreme ultraviolet (EUV) detectors. Mr. Goudena received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Technology from the H.T.S. Wegastraat in The Hague.

J.S. Whang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "Mr. Goudena's extensive technology experience will be a valuable asset to our board as we continue to expand and enhance our solar product offerings and become increasingly technology-focused. In addition to his technology expertise, Bert brings to the board his government and private sector relationships that will assist us in our R&D efforts, which support our strategy of becoming a technology turnkey provider to the crystalline solar market."

About Amtech

Amtech Systems, Inc. manufactures 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 January 5, 2010