Net sales of € 234.8 million in the second quarter of 2006, up 14% from the first quarter of 2006 and up 28% from the second quarter of 2005.

Net earnings of € 17.4 million or € 0.30 diluted net earnings per share in the second quarter of 2006, as compared to net earnings of € 2.6 million or € 0.05 diluted net earnings per share (after charges for impairment and restructuring of € 5.4 million) in the first quarter of 2006 and net earnings of € 0.5 million or € 0.01 diluted net earnings per share for the second quarter of 2005.
Second quarter bookings of € 256.9 million, up 6% from the first quarter of 2006.
Quarter-end backlog of € 280.6 million, up 9% from the end of the first quarter of 2006.


BILTHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, July 31, 2006 - ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ: ASMI and Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) reports today its 2006 second quarter operating results. These operating results have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP").

"The second quarter of 2006 was a good quarter for ASMI with both Front-end and Back-end segments exceeding expectations," commented Arthur del Prado, president and chief executive officer of ASMI. "We made considerable progress in the execution of our plan to bring ASMI's Front-end segment to consistent profitability, as evidenced by its positive earnings from operations. Our Back-end segment again reported outstanding results and reached quarterly sales and operating profit record levels, expressed in Hong Kong dollar, exceeding the previous record set in 2000."


ASM International Announces Succession of Management of ASM Pacific Technology


BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands and HONG KONG, July 31, 2006 --- ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ: ASMI and Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) and its 54%-owned subsidiary, ASM Pacific Technology Ltd (ASMPT; Hong Kong Exchanges: 522) today announced that Patrick Lam, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASMPT since its inception, is officially retiring from ASMPT and ASM International at year-end 2006. W.K. Lee, currently Managing Director of ASMPT's Southern Region, a more than 25 years veteran with ASMPT, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of ASMPT effective January 1, 2007.

ASMPT Co-founder and CEO
Co-founder and CEO of ASMPT, Mr. Lam has served at its helm for 31 years, since the Company's formation in 1975. Under his leadership, ASMPT has grown from a zero base to become the largest and most profitable company in the semiconductor assembly and packaging equipment industry sector. "Like those visionary companies' key architects (detailed in the bestselling Built to Last) who remained in office for an average of 32 years, it is now time for me to reorder my priorities in life," said Mr. Lam. He plans to spend the next decade doing voluntary work, including teaching at the university post-graduate level, mentoring young entrepreneurs, advising emerging growth companies, and consulting with ASMPT when requested. "This move also affords my colleagues the opportunity to take ASMPT to the next level of growth," added Mr. Lam.
"Patrick Lam's contribution to ASM has been enormous," stated Arthur del Prado, Chairman of ASMPT, and President and CEO of parent Company, ASM International. "While we wish Patrick would remain at the helm of ASMPT for another 30 years, we respect his decision to pursue different contributions to the society that have been on hold for many years. At the same time, we feel confident that, in the future, Patrick will not stray far from the company he has built so successfully." At the request of the ASMPT Board of Directors and the majority shareholder, and in order to ensure an orderly transition of management responsibilities, Mr. Lam will continue at ASMPT as its Honorary Chairman through June 2007.

Management Continuity
"Management continuity has been a top priority at ASMPT for many years," continued Mr. del Prado. "One of Patrick's great strengths has been in nurturing a highly effective management team. The new executive team members have, on average, 25 years with ASMPT, and are seasoned professionals with experience that far exceeds their counterparts in the industry."
According to Mr. Lam, "the selection of the management team was based upon their ability to stimulate the company's growth and adjust to new challenges, while preserving the core values of the Company." He continued, "Our management style is consistent; we are all very hands-on, and believe in teamwork. Because of our deep involvement in the early years of the Company, the team is thoroughly committed to the long-term growth and development of ASMPT."


Executive Office Formed
Effective January 1, 2007, the ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. executive office will be composed of Peter Lo (Lo Tsan Yin, Peter) (57), Vice Chairman of the Board; W.K. Lee (Lee Wai Kwong) (51), Chief Executive Officer; and James Chow (Chow Chuen, James) (49), Chief Operating Officer.

Peter Lo, Designated Vice Chairman of the Board, ASMPT
Peter Lo has been a member of the ASMPT management team for over 25 years, leading its sales and marketing since joining the Company in 1980. He is currently Managing Director of ASMPT's Northern Region, which includes Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and the Philippines. He has played a pre-eminent role both in the development of the Group's business and in leading the product development and manufacturing of ASMPT's equipment products. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton, England.

W.K. Lee, Designated Chief Executive Officer, ASMPT
W.K. Lee currently serves as Managing Director of ASMPT's Southern Region, overseeing operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and India, in addition to the Group's European and American activities. Joining ASMPT in 1980 as a software engineer, Mr. Lee moved up the ranks in product development before assuming the position of General Manager of the then newly formed Singapore operations in 1990. He has been instrumental in the rapid developments of ASMPT's operations in Singapore and Malaysia. A graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Electronic Engineering, Mr. Lee also holds a Master degree in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore.

James Chow, Designated Chief Operating Officer, ASMPT
James Chow is currently Managing Director of ASMPT's China operation. Since joining ASMPT in 1982, he has held positions in marketing, engineering, and manufacturing. Mr. Chow oversees all technical and logistical operations in Mainland China, and has made major contribution in building the complex, yet flexible, structure of the Company's factories in Shatoujiao and Fu Yong, Shenzhen. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hong Kong, and a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Warwick, England.

Additional background on the executive team is available on the websites of ASM Pacific Technology and ASM International.