March 9, 2004

News Release: ATS receives US $4.6 million order for specialty 'aseptic' pharmaceutical automated manufacturing system

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today announced it has received a follow-on order valued at US $4.6 million (CDN$6.1 million) to complete the build phase of an automated aseptic manufacturing system that will be used by a specialty drug division of a global pharmaceutical company.

ATS recently completed initial orders for the design phase of the project, which also included delivery of an initial production element for the line, bringing the total aggregate value of the full project with this customer to approximately CDN$ 8.0 million. 'This is the third major pharmaceutical company during the past month that has placed a significant order with ATS,'said Mr. Woerner. 'This indicates growing momentum for us in what we believe will be one of the fastest growing automation markets for ATS in the future. More important, this particular order demonstrates the value of our design capabilities and how they can be applied to develop advanced aseptic manufacturing systems. This customer hired us last year on the strength of our engineering-design capabilities, and the work we have successfully completed during the design phase has clearly convinced them that we are the right partner for the entire project. Although this is our first major project together, we expect it will lead to a long and productive relationship given the competitive advantages our solutions can bring to this specialty drug division and the customer's other global operations.'

This particular automated system will be used to aseptically formulate and fill a high-value, specialty injectable drug and has been commissioned by the client to replace older manufacturing equipment due to increased demand for their product. The ATS automated system will increase the customer's output and production efficiency and includes an integrated supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software system.

On February 16, 2004 ATS announced a CDN $2.9 million order for two high-speed, fully automatic ATS machine vision inspection systems from another major pharmaceutical company. On February 26, 2004, the Company announced it was chosen as a single source provider of integrated automated manufacturing systems valued at CDN $3.6 million by another pharmaceutical company.

The names of customers and project details cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality requirements.

About ATS and Aseptic Manufacturing

Aseptic manufacture, which characterizes this project, is a stringent requirement for all drugs that are administered in ways that circumvent the body's natural protective systems, such as by injection. Aseptic manufacturing is a large and growing area in pharmaceutical production, and is being driven in part by the emergence of biotechnologically 'engineered'drugs, most of which cannot be administered orally.

'Fully automated aseptic production is a relatively new phenomenon,'said Mr. Woerner, 'and it's considered by most to be an area with considerable growth potential. Very few companies in our industry, beyond ATS, have the innovative capacity, the experience in ultra-clean automation environments and the knowledge of the regulatory environment required to support customers involved in aseptic production. ATS has already successfully completed aseptic production projects for other customers and our order book for such systems continues to grow, as does our list of pharmaceutical clients involved in aseptic processing.'

About ATS

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com) is the industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also makes precision components and sub-assemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology. Through Photowatt International S.A., and Spheral Solar Power Inc., ATS is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules. ATS employs approximately 3,800 people at 26 facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.

Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release, including statements regarding possible future business. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of ATS' products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks detailed from time to time in ATS'periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory authorities.

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For further information: Ron Jutras, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (519) 653-6500

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