/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT
INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR
DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./
TSX: ATA

CAMBRIDGE, ON, Jan. 14, 2009 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. ("ATS") today announced that it has completed a bought deal with a syndicate of underwriters led by GMP Securities L.P., that included Cormark Securities Inc., Paradigm Capital Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc.

ATS has issued 10 million common shares ("Common Shares") at a price of $5.00 per Common Share, resulting in gross proceeds to ATS of $50 million. Mason Capital Management, LLC, ATS's largest shareholder, participated in the offering with the purchase of 2 million Common Shares and now holds approximately 12% of the outstanding Common Shares.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used to pursue strategic opportunities, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

   THE COMMON SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN
 THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS
  ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM U.S. REGISTRATION
                            REQUIREMENTS.

About ATS

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. provides innovative, custom designed, built and installed manufacturing solutions to many of the world's most successful companies. Founded in 1978, ATS uses its industry-leading knowledge and global capabilities to serve the sophisticated automation systems needs of multinational customers in industries such as healthcare, computer/electronics, energy, automotive and consumer products. It also leverages its many years of experience and skills to fulfill the specialized automation product manufacturing requirements of customers. Through Photowatt Technologies, ATS participates in the growing solar energy industry as an integrated manufacturer of ingots, wafers, cells and modules. Photowatt-branded products and systems serve businesses, institutions and homeowners in established and emerging markets. ATS employs approximately 3,100 people at 18 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia and China. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA. Visit the Company's website at www.atsautomation.com.

Note to Readers: Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ATS, or developments in ATS's business or in its industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Forward-looking statements may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. ATS cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, use of proceeds. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, timing and nature of corporate opportunities, future working capital requirements, and other risks detailed from time to time in ATS's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and ATS does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.

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