SOLAR
SEMICONDUCTOR
LED
W W W. A M T E C H S Y S T E M S . C O M
131 SOUTH CLARK DRIVE
TEMPE, ARIZONA 85281 USA
480 967 5146
BR IN GING TECHNOLOGY TOGETHER
INTRODUCTION
2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS)
semiconductor devices. The Company’s
polishing of LEDs and newly sliced
is a leading global provider production
horizontal diffusion furnace systems,
silicon wafers. The Company’s products
and automation systems and related
related automation and polishing
are recognized under the leading
consumables used in fabricating
supplies enable key steps of the front-
brand names Tempress Systems, Bruce
solar cells, LEDs and semiconductor
end manufacturing process for both solar
Technologies, BTU, PR Hoffman, R2D
devices. Amtech manufactures
cells and semiconductor chips. Amtech’s
Automation, Kingstone and SoLayTec.
capital equipment, including silicon
wafer handling, thermal processing and
and are sold to a global customer base
wafer handling automation, thermal
consumable products currently address
consisting primarily of manufacturers of
processing equipment and ion implant
the diffusion, oxidation and deposition
solar cells, integrated circuits and silicon
equipment and related consumables,
steps used in the fabrication of solar
wafers.
used in fabricating solar cells, LED and
cells, semiconductors, MEMS and the
Our latest acquisitions are:
BTU INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS | SEMI | SOLAR
SOLAYTEC SOLAR
SoLayTec produces, develops, delivers
BTU is a leading global supplier of
BTU’s equipment portfolio includes the
and services worldwide machines for
advanced thermal processing equipment
following highlighted products:
ultrafast, spatial Atomic Layer Deposition
and processes to the electronics
Equipment, a promising technology
assembly, custom application and
•
Pyramax – Reflow soldering, curing
for ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layers
alternative energy markets. BTU
and semi-packaging
on solar cells. The ALD machines from
equipment and know-how are used in
• Custom Systems – Annealing, wafer
SoLayTec are intended for industrial
the production of printed circuit board
bump reflow, brazing, sintering,
production in the solar market. Using
assemblies, semiconductor packaging,
thick film firing and other customer-
ALD in that context has been impossible
customer-centric thermal applications,
centric applications where precision
until now because of the very low speed
solar cells and nuclear fuel processing.
temperature and atmosphere
of ALD and thus the high cost. The
BTU enjoys a proud, 65 year heritage of
control are required
unique feature of the SoLayTec machines
providing thermal solutions that deliver
•
SinTerra – Solar cell metallization
is the breakthrough speed that enables
unmatched temperature uniformity and
drying and firing
industrial application.
precision atmosphere control.
• Walking Beam – Nuclear fuel
sintering
SO LAR
SEMICONDUCTOR
LED
W W W. A M T E C H S Y S T E M S . C O M
131 SOUTH CLARK DRIVE
TEMPE, ARIZONA 85281 USA
480 967 5146
BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TOGE T H E R
INTRODUCTION
2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS)
is a leading global provider production
and automation systems and related
consumables used in fabricating
solar cells, LEDs and semiconductor
devices. Amtech manufactures
capital equipment, including silicon
wafer handling automation, thermal
processing equipment and ion implant
equipment and related consumables,
used in fabricating solar cells, LED and
semiconductor devices. The Company’s
horizontal diffusion furnace systems,
related automation and polishing
supplies enable key steps of the front-
end manufacturing process for both solar
cells and semiconductor chips. Amtech’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 LEDs and newly sliced
silicon wafers. The Company’s products
are recognized under the leading
brand names Tempress Systems, Bruce
Technologies, BTU, PR Hoffman, R2D
Automation, Kingstone and SoLayTec.
and are sold to a global customer base
consisting primarily of manufacturers of
solar cells, integrated circuits and silicon
wafers.
Our latest acquisitions are:
BTU INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS | SEMI | SOLAR
SOLAYTEC SOLAR
BTU is a leading global supplier of
advanced thermal processing equipment
and processes to the electronics
assembly, custom application and
alternative energy markets. BTU
equipment and know-how are used in
the production of printed circuit board
assemblies, semiconductor packaging,
customer-centric thermal applications,
solar cells and nuclear fuel processing.
BTU enjoys a proud, 65 year heritage of
providing thermal solutions that deliver
unmatched temperature uniformity and
precision atmosphere control.
BTU’s equipment portfolio includes the
following highlighted products:
•
Pyramax – Reflow soldering, curing
and semi-packaging
• Custom Systems – Annealing, wafer
bump reflow, brazing, sintering,
thick film firing and other customer-
centric applications where precision
temperature and atmosphere
control are required
SinTerra – Solar cell metallization
drying and firing
•
• Walking Beam – Nuclear fuel
sintering
SoLayTec produces, develops, delivers
and services worldwide machines for
ultrafast, spatial Atomic Layer Deposition
Equipment, a promising technology
for ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layers
on solar cells. The ALD machines from
SoLayTec are intended for industrial
production in the solar market. Using
ALD in that context has been impossible
until now because of the very low speed
of ALD and thus the high cost. The
unique feature of the SoLayTec machines
is the breakthrough speed that enables
industrial application.
SOLAR | SEMI
SOLAR | SEMI
SEMI
SEMI | LED
SOLAR
Tempress is located in the Netherlands. Tempress’ 45 years heritage in developing
and producing diffusion equipment and related processes is a testament to the
company’s flexibility, innovation, quality, and dedication. As a result, Tempress has
shipped a commanding 25 GW of diffusion furnace systems for Solar applications.
Our semiconductor experience is a foundation for our technology and knowledge.
In order to meet the market’s demand for more efficient and cost effective solar cells,
Tempress has developed strategic relationships with leading Solar research institutes,
universities, industry partners and our customers. This close collaboration
is a technology enabler.
•
POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• HD POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• BBr3 diffusion furnaces
• Batch PECVD furnaces
• Anneal/Oxidation furnaces
•
•
R&D systems
n-type Solar cell technology
www.amtechgroup.com
Founded in 1990, R2D Automation is
a leading global supplier of solar and
semiconductor automation with in house
design and manufacturing capabilities.
R2D offers a full array of both single wafer
transfer tools as well as batch transfer
tools and stocker options.
Bruce Technologies Inc. is the OEM of
PR Hoffman Machine Products serves
Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd.
the Bruce Diffusion Furnace serving the
the semiconductor, sapphire (including
is a Shanghai-based technology company
Semiconductor market since 1968. BTI’s
LEDs), optics, ceramics, electronics,
specializing in ion implant solutions for
main product is the BDF 41, a four-stack,
metalworking, quartz and medical
the solar and semiconductor industries.
horizontal furnace with over 500 systems
industries. Customers who require
Kingstone’s iPV-2000 ion implantation
still in production worldwide for both 150
exacting tolerances for flat and parallel
system is designed for high volume
& 200mm IC fabrication.
surfaces as well as precise thickness and
phosphorous ion implantation of solar
Substrates they accommodate include
solar cells, semiconductor wafers (3”-12”),
sapphire substrates as well as a variety of
industry standard and specific carriers.
Integrated 6 axis robots
•
Integrated scara robots
•
•
Sorter with OCR
• Batch transfer tools
•
•
• OEM partnerships
Stand alone OCR
Visual Wafer Inspection
surface finish, will find an application
cells, providing various advantages over
In 2012, BTI expanded their portfolio
for PR Hoffman products. Since 1938,
thermal diffusion doping with higher
to include diffusion furnaces capable of
PR Hoffman has brought leading-edge
efficiency p-n junctions as result.
processing 300mm wafers. In addition
technologies to the world’s high-tech
to its horizontal furnace, BTI is the OEM
industries. Our broad line of machines,
The innovative in-line platform of the
for high-temperature heating elements
carriers, templates, plates and gears
iPV-2000 system is designed to provide
and wafer automation systems (S300)
exceed quality standards, worldwide.
high throughput and efficient ion
that serve not only BTI furnaces but other
horizontal furnace manufacturers as well.
• Double Sided Lapping &
Polishing Machines
Lapping Carriers
Polishing Templates
Lapping Plates and Gears
•
•
•
beam applications and is provided with
Kingstone’s integrated full (cassette to
cassette) automation system.
With a small footprint, the iPV-2000 system
is compatible with all of today’s solar cell
manufacturing production lines.
Executive Officers and Directors
J.S. Whang
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
Fokko Pentinga
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bradley C. Anderson
Executive Vice President - Finance,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
Corporate Information
Corporate Offices
131 South Clark Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Tel: (480) 967-5146
E-mail: corporate@AmtechSystems.com
Website: www.amtechsystems.com
Transfer Agent & Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
Tel: (800) 962-4284
Website: www.computershare.com/investor
Legal Counsel
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
1 E. Washington St. Suite 2700
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Independent Auditors
Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
3101 North Central Avenue, Suite 300
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Tel: (602) 264-6835
Fax: (602) 265-7631
Stock Market Information
Listed on NASDAQ Global Market
Common Stock Symbol: ASYS
Website: www.nasdaq.com
Michael Garnreiter
Director
Egbert J.G. Goudena
Director
Robert F. King
Director
Paul J. van der Wansem
Member, Management Executive
Committee and Director
Subsidiaries
Bruce Technologies, Inc.
Billerica, Massachusetts
BTU International
Billerica, Massachusetts
Kingstone Semiconductor Ltd.
Shanghai, China
PR Hoffman Machine Products, Inc.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
R2D Automation SAS
Clapiers, France
SoLayTec B.V.
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Tempress Systems, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Vaassen, The Netherlands
SOLAR | SEMI
SOLAR | SEMI
SEMI
SEMI | LED
SOLAR
Tempress is located in the Netherlands. Tempress’ 45 years heritage in developing
Founded in 1990, R2D Automation is
and producing diffusion equipment and related processes is a testament to the
a leading global supplier of solar and
company’s flexibility, innovation, quality, and dedication. As a result, Tempress has
semiconductor automation with in house
shipped a commanding 25 GW of diffusion furnace systems for Solar applications.
design and manufacturing capabilities.
R2D offers a full array of both single wafer
Our semiconductor experience is a foundation for our technology and knowledge.
transfer tools as well as batch transfer
In order to meet the market’s demand for more efficient and cost effective solar cells,
tools and stocker options.
Tempress has developed strategic relationships with leading Solar research institutes,
universities, industry partners and our customers. This close collaboration
Substrates they accommodate include
Bruce Technologies Inc. is the OEM of
the Bruce Diffusion Furnace serving the
Semiconductor market since 1968. BTI’s
main product is the BDF 41, a four-stack,
horizontal furnace with over 500 systems
still in production worldwide for both 150
& 200mm IC fabrication.
In 2012, BTI expanded their portfolio
to include diffusion furnaces capable of
processing 300mm wafers. In addition
to its horizontal furnace, BTI is the OEM
for high-temperature heating elements
and wafer automation systems (S300)
that serve not only BTI furnaces but other
horizontal furnace manufacturers as well.
PR Hoffman Machine Products serves
the semiconductor, sapphire (including
LEDs), optics, ceramics, electronics,
metalworking, quartz and medical
industries. Customers who require
exacting tolerances for flat and parallel
surfaces as well as precise thickness and
surface finish, will find an application
for PR Hoffman products. Since 1938,
PR Hoffman has brought leading-edge
technologies to the world’s high-tech
industries. Our broad line of machines,
carriers, templates, plates and gears
exceed quality standards, worldwide.
• Double Sided Lapping &
Polishing Machines
Lapping Carriers
Polishing Templates
Lapping Plates and Gears
•
•
•
Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd.
is a Shanghai-based technology company
specializing in ion implant solutions for
the solar and semiconductor industries.
Kingstone’s iPV-2000 ion implantation
system is designed for high volume
phosphorous ion implantation of solar
cells, providing various advantages over
thermal diffusion doping with higher
efficiency p-n junctions as result.
The innovative in-line platform of the
iPV-2000 system is designed to provide
high throughput and efficient ion
beam applications and is provided with
Kingstone’s integrated full (cassette to
cassette) automation system.
With a small footprint, the iPV-2000 system
is compatible with all of today’s solar cell
manufacturing production lines.
solar cells, semiconductor wafers (3”-12”),
sapphire substrates as well as a variety of
industry standard and specific carriers.
•
•
•
•
•
Integrated 6 axis robots
Integrated scara robots
Sorter with OCR
• Batch transfer tools
Stand alone OCR
Visual Wafer Inspection
• OEM partnerships
is a technology enabler.
•
POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• HD POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• BBr3 diffusion furnaces
• Batch PECVD furnaces
• Anneal/Oxidation furnaces
R&D systems
•
•
n-type Solar cell technology
www.amtechgroup.com
Executive Officers and Directors
J.S. Whang
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
Fokko Pentinga
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bradley C. Anderson
Executive Vice President - Finance,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
Corporate Information
Corporate Offices
131 South Clark Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Tel: (480) 967-5146
E-mail: corporate@AmtechSystems.com
Website: www.amtechsystems.com
Transfer Agent & Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
Tel: (800) 962-4284
Website: www.computershare.com/investor
Legal Counsel
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
1 E. Washington St. Suite 2700
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Independent Auditors
Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
3101 North Central Avenue, Suite 300
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Tel: (602) 264-6835
Fax: (602) 265-7631
Stock Market Information
Listed on NASDAQ Global Market
Common Stock Symbol: ASYS
Website: www.nasdaq.com
Michael Garnreiter
Director
Egbert J.G. Goudena
Director
Robert F. King
Director
Paul J. van der Wansem
Member, Management Executive
Committee and Director
Subsidiaries
Bruce Technologies, Inc.
Billerica, Massachusetts
BTU International
Billerica, Massachusetts
Kingstone Semiconductor Ltd.
Shanghai, China
PR Hoffman Machine Products, Inc.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
R2D Automation SAS
Clapiers, France
SoLayTec B.V.
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Tempress Systems, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Vaassen, The Netherlands
electr
grow
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(This page intentionally left blank.)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________
FORM 10-K
___________
(Mark
One)
[X]
[ ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: September 30, 2014
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission File Number: 0-11412
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Arizona
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
131 South Clark Drive, Tempe, Arizona
(Address of principal executive offices)
86-0411215
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
85281
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 480-967-5146
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if
any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files). [X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer,
or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [ ] (do not check if a smaller
reporting company) [ ] Smaller Reporting Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was approximately $108,207,000, based upon the closing sales price reported by the NASDAQ Global Market
on that date.
As of November 10, 2014, the registrant had outstanding 9,848,253 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement related to the registrant’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
Proxy Statement will be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 120 days of the end of
the registrant’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, are incorporated by reference into Items 10-14 of Part III of this
Form 10-K.
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Table of Contents
Part I
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Part II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8.
Item 9.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Part III
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Signatures
Part IV
3
12
27
27
27
27
29
30
31
45
47
77
77
79
79
79
79
79
79
79
80
2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is forward-looking in
nature. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or made by
management of Amtech Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the Company” or “Amtech”), other than statements of
historical fact, are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Examples
of forward-looking statements include statements regarding Amtech's future financial results, operating results, business
strategies, projected costs, products under development, competitive positions and plans and objectives of the Company
and its management for future operations. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology
such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,”
“predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Any expectations
based on these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other important factors, including
those discussed in the section entitled “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.” These and many other factors could affect
Amtech's future operating results and financial condition, and could cause actual results to differ materially from
expectations based on forward-looking statements made in this document or elsewhere by Amtech or on its behalf.
All references to “we,” “our,” “us,” or “Amtech” refer to Amtech Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
We are a leading, global manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing, silicon wafer handling
automation, and ion implant equipment and related consumables used in fabricating solar cells, LED 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, LEDs, semiconductors, microelectromechanical systems
(MEMS) and the polishing of newly sliced silicon wafers.
Our major emphasis in the solar industry is the development of thermal processes, deposition and ion implant equipment
for solar cell manufacturing, which we believe, collectively, are key to driving higher cell efficiencies. The markets we
serve are experiencing rapid technological advances and are, historically, cyclical. Therefore, future profitability and
growth depend on our ability to develop or acquire and market profitable new technology products, and on our ability
to adapt to cyclical trends.
We believe our product portfolio, developed through a track record of technological innovation as well as the successful
integration of key acquisitions, reduces the cost of solar cell manufacturing by increasing solar cell efficiency, increasing
throughput and increasing yields. We have been providing manufacturing solutions to the semiconductor industry for
over 30 years and have leveraged our semiconductor technology and industry presence to capitalize on growth
opportunities in the solar industry. Our customers use our equipment to manufacture solar cells, semiconductors, silicon
wafers and MEMS, which are used in end markets such as solar power, telecommunications, consumer electronics,
computers, automotive and mobile hand-held devices. Through our acquisition in 2011 of a controlling interest in
Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited (“Kingstone”), we have expanded our development efforts in the area of
solar ion implant. To complement our research and development efforts, we also sell our equipment to, and coordinate
certain development efforts with, research institutes, universities and customers.
For fiscal 2014, we recognized net revenue of $57 million, which included $28 million of solar revenue or approximately
49% of our total revenue. These results compare to $35 million of net revenue for fiscal 2013, which included $17
million of solar revenue or approximately 50% of our total revenue. Our order backlog as of September 30, 2014 and
2013 was $29 million and $27 million, respectively, a 7% increase. Our backlog as of September 30, 2014 included
approximately $21 million of orders and deferred revenue from our solar industry customers compared to $17 million
from our solar industry customers as of September 30, 2013. Because our orders are typically subject to cancellation
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or delay by the customer, our backlog at any particular point in time is not necessarily representative of actual sales in
subsequent periods, nor is backlog any assurance that we will realize revenue or profit from completing these orders.
Orders from the solar industry totaled $34 million during fiscal 2014, compared to $21 million and $13 million in fiscal
2013 and 2012, respectively. The solar book to bill ratio for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was 1.0:1 and 2.1:1, respectively.
We operate in two business segments: (i) solar and semiconductor equipment and (ii) polishing supplies. For information
regarding net revenue, operating income and identifiable assets attributable to each of our two business segments, see
Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein and "ITEM 7, MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" in this Annual
Report. For information on the products of each segment, see "Solar and Semiconductor Equipment Products" and
"Polishing Supplies Products" within this "ITEM 1. BUSINESS" section. For information regarding risks to our
business, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.”
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
We believe that our competitive strengths include:
Market Leader in Solar Thermal Processing Systems. We are a leading supplier of thermal processing systems to the
global solar cell market and count many of the world's leading solar cell manufacturers as customers. Since we entered
the solar market in 2006, we have shipped more than 500 diffusion furnaces globally. Our diffusion furnaces, along
with our PECVD equipment, enable our customers to produce high quality solar cells with higher efficiencies and lower
total cost of ownership.
Technology Enabling High Efficiency, Low Cost Solar Cell Manufacturing. Our technology platform provides key
components to the solar cell manufacturing industry that enable lower cost of ownership and improved customer
economics by increasing solar cell efficiency, increasing throughput, increasing yields, reducing labor costs, enhancing
quality and cutting operating and maintenance expenses. We are continually developing next-generation process
technology for solar cell manufacturing to further drive increased efficiency and lower cost which is expected to
ultimately lead to grid parity.
Key Equipment Supplier to the World's Leading Solar Cell Manufacturers. We have developed a large and growing
global customer base and currently provide systems and equipment to many of the world's leading solar cell
manufacturers. Asia represents one of the largest and fastest growing solar cell manufacturing regions in the world and
for fiscal year 2014, Asian customers represented 45% of our net revenues. We believe our alignment with many of
the leading Asian global solar cell manufacturers represents a significant endorsement of our technology value
proposition, which in turn, we believe, will help us pursue our strategy of expanding our product suite to capture a
greater percentage of capital spent in building future solar cell manufacturing capacity.
Track Record of Successful Acquisitions, Integration and New Product Development. Over the course of our history,
we have built a leading technology platform based on the successful integration of six strategic acquisitions, several
value-added collaboration and partnership agreements as well as an aggressive internal product innovation program.
We believe that our track record of success illustrates our ability to both maintain our technology leadership and expand
our customer base going forward. Select acquisitions include:
• Tempress Systems, acquired in 1994 and based in Vaassen, The Netherlands, and Bruce Technologies, acquired
in July 2004 and based in North Billerica, Massachusetts. Our market-leading horizontal diffusion furnace systems
are sold under these well-known and respected brand names to customers for use in solar cell and semiconductor
manufacturing. In addition, our customers have come to rely upon the leading Tempress and Bruce solutions for
chemical vapor deposition and automation equipment.
• R2D Automation, acquired in October 2007 and based in Clapiers, France - R2D develops and manufactures
solar and semiconductor automation solutions. We believe R2D has enhanced our addressable market by
increasing our product offerings under the Tempress brand to the global solar cell manufacturing industry, while
also expanding sales into the semiconductor market.
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• Kingstone, a majority interest in Hong Kong-based Kingstone Technology Limited, acquired in 2011, which
owns 100% of Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd, a Shanghai-based technology company specializing in
ion implant solutions for the solar and semiconductor industries. The combination of our Tempress annealing
expertise in horizontal diffusion furnaces and Kingstone's expertise in ion implant technology creates a more
complete and complementary solution for our solar customers. We believe that the acquisition of Kingstone
supports our strategy to provide our customers with next-generation process technologies that enable the
development of higher-efficiency, lower cost solar cells.
Strength of Management. We are led by a highly experienced management team. Our Executive Chairman, Jong S.
Whang, has over 40 years of industry experience, including 33 years with Amtech and our Chief Executive Officer and
President, Fokko Pentinga, has over 30 years of industry experience. Our general managers have an average of over
20 years of solar and semiconductor industry experience. The experience of our leadership team is derived from years
of industry experience while at leading companies such as Samsung, Westinghouse, Texas Instruments, LG Semicon
Company, and ASM International. Our collective team includes 18 Ph.D.'s.
Financial Strength and Stability. We have a strong balance sheet, with significant liquidity and no debt. Our
conservative approach to capital structure and liquidity has contributed to our ability to successfully serve the cyclical
semiconductor and solar industries for over 30 years. As a result, our customers are confident that they can depend on
us as a long-term supplier and strategic partner.
GROWTH STRATEGY
Capitalize on Growth Opportunities in the Solar Industry by Leveraging Our Leading Diffusion Furnace Market
Share, Top-Tier Customer Relationships, and Track Record of Technological Innovation. We believe that long-term
growth in the solar industry will be driven by several macro-economic factors, such as volatile energy prices, limited
non-renewable energy resources, government incentives for solar generated electricity, increasing environmental
awareness, energy security concerns and the expected decrease in the cost of solar energy. As the solar market continues
to develop, advances in process technology will be vital to remaining competitive. We intend to continue leveraging
our leading market position, relationships with leading global solar cell customers and demonstrated track record of
technical innovation to maximize sales of our current and next-generation technology solutions.
Develop Multi-Product Solutions to Expand Our Addressable Market. We are focused on acquiring, developing and
licensing new products across our business in response to customer needs in the solar market. As we add to our product
portfolio, we plan to continue expanding our offerings within the solar cell production process, thus capturing a greater
percentage of capital spent on building global solar cell manufacturing capacity. Our successful development of PECVD
equipment is a recent example of meeting our customers' needs and expanding the size of our addressable market.
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions That Complement Our Strong Platform. Over the course of our history, we have
developed an acquisition strategy consistent with our focus of maintaining market leadership and a technology roadmap
leading to higher efficiency and lower cost solar cells. Based on our acquisition strategy, we continue to evaluate
potential technology, product and business acquisitions or joint ventures that are intended to increase our existing market
share in the solar, semiconductor and LED industries and expand our addressable market. In evaluating these
opportunities, our objectives include: enhancing our earnings and cash flows, adding complementary product offerings,
actively expanding our geographic footprint, improving our production efficiency and enhancing our customer base.
Contribute to the Solar Industry's Mission of Reaching Grid Parity. We believe next-generation process technology
for solar cell manufacturing is the driver to increasing efficiency and lowering manufacturing costs and is key to enabling
grid parity, where the cost of solar generated electricity is on parity with traditional, non-renewable sources of energy
such as coal and natural gas. Our next-generation solar cell process technology has a demonstrated track record of
increasing our customers' solar cell conversion efficiency. We will continue to develop next-generation solar cell
manufacturing process technology that will enable our customers to displace non-renewable energy.
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On October 21, 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) by and among
the Company, BTU International, Inc. (“BTU”), a Delaware corporation and BTU Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”),
a Delaware corporation, pursuant to which the Merger Sub will be merged with and into BTU, with BTU surviving as
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, Amtech will acquire all of the outstanding stock
of BTU in an all-stock transaction. BTU stockholders will receive 0.3291 shares of Amtech common stock for every
share of BTU stock and will own approximately 23.9% of the Company.
The addition of BTU will support our business model of growth through strategic acquisition and continuous innovation.
The combination with BTU further positions the Company as a leading, global supplier of solar and semiconductor
production and automation systems. The merger will also further advance our strategy to expand our technology portfolio
in adjacent markets and creates a strong platform to drive the growth of our solar business. With the addition of BTU,
the Company will have a more diversified and profitable revenue base, allowing the Company to better scale production
and distribution of our solar technology to meet accelerating demand for next-generation technology solutions.
The transaction is expected to close sometime during the first quarter of 2015.
SOLAR AND SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRIES
Our systems and equipment are sold into two primary end-markets:
Solar. We provide process equipment and related cell manufacturing equipment to many of the world's leading solar
cell manufacturers.
Within process equipment, our primary focus is on our existing solar diffusion furnace and the development of next-
generation diffusion furnaces, including our proprietary N-type, ion implant and PECVD systems. Our N-type
technology has been developed through a three-party research collaboration agreement with the Energy Research Centre
of the Netherlands, or ECN, a leading solar research center in Europe and Yingli Green Energy Holding Company
Limited, or Yingli, one of the world's leading vertically integrated photovolataic (PV) product manufacturers.
Additionally, our acquisition of Kingstone provides us with a technological foundation for execution of our product
roadmap to compete in the future ion implant market. In 2012, we launched our PECVD system.
We also offer furnace automation and wafer handling systems used within the diffusion processing step of solar cell
manufacturing. Our automation equipment includes mass wafer transfer systems, sorters, long-boat transfer systems,
load station elevators, buffers and conveyers, which we sell both in connection with our diffusion furnaces and on a
standalone basis.
Most solar cell manufacturers sell their products to manufacturers of solar modules or solar panels. Others are vertically
integrated and use their cells in the production of solar modules and panels. Solar cells are the critical component of
solar modules and solar panels, which are sold to the end user and used in residential homes, industrial applications,
remote pumping, lighting and heating uses and central power stations.
Although the solar market has experienced tremendous growth over the past five years, it is characterized by short-
term periods of rapid capacity expansion followed by periods of rapid contraction in our customers' capital spending.
When actual and expected end-user demand outstrips available capacity, this triggers the beginning of the next period
of expansion.
Semiconductors. We provide diffusion equipment as well as handling, storage and automation equipment and related
services to leading semiconductor manufacturers. Our products include horizontal and vertical diffusion furnaces used
to produce semiconductors, silicon wafers and MEMS, as well as lapping equipment, polishing templates and wafer
insert carriers, mass wafer transfer systems, loaders and sorters.
Although the semiconductor market has experienced significant growth over the past fifteen years, it remains cyclical
by nature. The market is characterized by short-term periods of under or over utilization of capacity for most
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semiconductors, including microprocessors, memory, power management chips and other logic devices. When capacity
utilization decreases due to the addition of excess capacity, semiconductor manufacturers typically slow their purchasing
of capital equipment. Conversely, when capacity utilization increases, so does capital spending.
Most semiconductor chips are built on a silicon wafer, and include multiple layers of circuitry that connect a variety
of circuit components, such as transistors, capacitors and other components. To build a chip, the transistors, capacitors
and other components are first created on the surface of the wafer by performing a series of processes to deposit and
remove selected film layers, including insulators. Similar processes are then used to build the layers of wiring structures
on the wafer. These are all referred to as “front-end” processes.
SOLAR AND SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS
Our furnace and automation equipment is manufactured in our facilities in The Netherlands, France, and Massachusetts.
The following paragraphs describe the products that comprise our solar and semiconductor equipment business:
Horizontal Diffusion Furnaces. Through our subsidiaries, Tempress and Bruce Technologies, we produce and sell
horizontal diffusion furnaces. Our horizontal furnaces currently address several steps in the solar and semiconductor
manufacturing processes, including diffusion, phosphorus tetrachloride doping, or POCl3, boron tribromide, or BBR3,
low-pressure chemical vapor deposition, or LPCVD, oxidation, and annealing.
Our horizontal furnaces generally consist of three large modules: the load station where the loading of the wafers occurs;
the furnace section, which is comprised of one to four thermal reactor chambers; and the gas distribution cabinet where
the flow of gases into the reactor chambers is controlled, and often customized to meet the requirements of our customers'
particular processes. The horizontal furnaces utilize a combination of existing industry and proprietary technologies
and are sold primarily to solar customers and semiconductor customers who do not require the advanced automation
of, or cannot justify the higher expense of, vertical furnaces for some or all of their diffusion processes. Our models
are capable of processing all currently existing wafer sizes.
Automation Products - Solar. Our automation technology products are used in several of the diffusion steps and in the
anneal processing step of solar cell manufacturing. Our R2D Automation equipment includes mass wafer transfer
systems, sorters, long-boat transfer systems, load station elevators, buffers and conveyers. We use a vacuum technology
in our Comet Standalone and our Comet Full Automation solar wafer transfer systems designed to ensure high
throughput, reduced breakage and thereby increased yield.
Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD). Our new solar PECVD product applies an anti-reflective
coating to solar wafers; a coating critical to the efficiency of solar cells. PECVD layers are also used for passivation
of the front and/or back side of the solar cell. This solar product adds another solar cell processing step to Amtech's
offerings. We are exploring next-generation high-efficiency technology and dedicating our efforts to that process
development.
Solar Ion Implant. Kingstone has developed an ion implant system specifically designed for the solar industry, which
will contribute to higher efficiencies at a lower cost of ownership.
Automation Products - Semiconductor. Use of our automation products reduces human handling and, therefore, reduces
exposure of wafers to particle sources during the loading and unloading of the process tubes and protects operators
from heat and chemical fumes. The top reactor chamber of a horizontal furnace can be as much as eight feet from the
floor on which the operator stands when manually loading wafer boats. Typical boats of 150mm to 300mm wafers
weigh three to six pounds. Given these two factors, automating the wafer loading and unloading of a diffusion furnace
improves employee safety and ergonomics in silicon wafer, solar cell and semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
S-300. Our patented S-300 model provides a very efficient method of automatically transporting a full batch of up to
300 wafers to the designated tube level and automatically placing them directly onto the cantilever loader of a diffusion
furnace at one time. This product is suitable for the production of nearly all semiconductors manufactured using a
horizontal furnace. The S-300 can be used in conjunction with all current wafer sizes and is particularly well suited for
manufacturers of 300mm wafers.
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Comet. Our Comet and Gemini series of wafer transfer systems include a wide range of throughputs and footprints to
meet the needs of our customers who serve the semiconductor industry. Comet Sorter with Optical Character Recognition
(OCR) is used in sorting, randomizing, compacting or tracking. The Comet Sorter is cassette to cassette with OCR
front and back scribe functions, notch alignment and SECSII Gem communication. Comet ID Readers check tag
carriers then read each wafer scribe. The Comet ID Reader sends the information to the host with SECSII Gem
commands.
Small Batch Vertical Furnace. Our small batch, two-tube vertical furnace was developed internally with the active
support from a large semiconductor manufacturer and long-term customer. The specifications for this furnace include
a two-tube vertical furnace for wafer sizes of up to 200mm, with each tube having a small flat zone capable of processing
25-50 wafers per run. We are targeting niche applications, including research and development, while we continue to
develop additional processes, since the competition in the large batch vertical furnace market is intense and our
competitors are much larger and have substantially greater financial resources, processing knowledge and advanced
technology.
POLISHING SUPPLIES PRODUCTS
Our polishing supplies division provides solutions to the lapping and polishing marketplace. Lapping is the process
of abrading components with a high degree of precision for flatness, parallelism and surface finish. Common
applications for this technology are silicon wafers for semiconductor products, sapphire substrates for LED lighting
and mobile devices, silicon carbide for LED lighting, various glass and silica components for 3D image transmission,
quartz and ceramic components for telecommunications devices, medical device components and computer hard disks.
We manufacture the products described below in Pennsylvania and sell them under our PR Hoffman brand name.
Wafer Carriers. Carriers are work holders into which silicon and sapphire wafers or other materials are inserted for
the purpose of holding them securely in place during the lapping and polishing processes. We produce carriers for our
line of lapping and polishing machines, as well as for those machines sold by our competitors. Substantially all of the
carriers we produce are customized for specific applications. Insert carriers, our most significant category of carriers,
contain plastic inserts molded onto the inside edge of the work-holes of the carrier, which hold the wafers in place
during processing. Although our standard steel carriers are preferred in many applications because of their durability,
rigidity and precise dimensions, they are typically not suited for applications involving softer materials or when metal
contamination is an issue. Insert carriers, however, are well suited for processing large semiconductor wafers, up to
450mm in diameter, and other fragile materials or where contamination is an issue, because they provide the advantages
of steel carriers while reducing the potential for damage to the edges of such sensitive materials. Our insert carriers
are used for double-sided lapping or polishing of wafers up to 450mm in diameter.
Semiconductor Polishing Templates. Our polishing templates are used to securely hold sapphire or other wafer materials
in place during single-sided polishing processes. Polishing templates are customized for specific applications and are
manufactured to exacting tolerances. We manufacture polishing templates for most brands of tools and various processes.
In addition to silicon wafers, these products are used in polishing silicon carbide wafers and sapphire crystals used in
LEDs as well as mobile communication devices.
Double-Sided Planetary Lapping and Polishing Machines. Double-sided lapping and polishing machines are designed
to process thin and fragile materials, such as semiconductor, sapphire and other wafer-like materials, precision optics,
computer disk media and ceramic components for wireless communication devices, to exact tolerances of thickness,
flatness, parallelism and surface finish. On average, we believe that we offer our surface processing systems with a
lower cost of ownership than systems offered by our competitors. We target the LED, mobile device, semiconductor,
optics, quartz, ceramics, medical, computer disk and metal working markets.
MANUFACTURING, RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Our solar and semiconductor equipment manufacturing activities consist primarily of engineering design to meet specific
and evolving customer needs, and procurement and assembly of various commercial and proprietary components into
finished thermal processing systems and related automation in Vaassen, The Netherlands, Clapiers, France, and North
Billerica, Massachusetts.
8
Our manufacturing activities in the polishing supplies and equipment business include laser-cutting and other fabrication
steps in producing lapping and polishing consumables, including carriers, templates, gears, wear items and spare parts
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from raw materials manufactured to our specifications by our suppliers. These products are
engineered and designed for specific applications and to meet the increasingly tight tolerances required by our customers.
Many items, such as proprietary components for our solar and semiconductor equipment and lapping plates, are also
purchased from suppliers who manufacture these items to our specifications.
Final assembly and tests of our equipment and machines are performed within our manufacturing facilities. Quality
control is maintained through inspection of incoming materials and components, in-process inspection during equipment
assembly, testing of assemblies and final inspection and, when practical, operation of manufactured equipment prior
to shipment.
Since much of our polishing supplies know-how relates to the manufacture of its products, this business' facility is
equipped to perform a significantly higher percentage of the fabrication steps required in the production of its products.
However, injection molding for our insert carriers and the manufacture of raw cast iron plates are subcontracted out to
various third parties. Our polishing supplies business relies on key suppliers for certain materials, including two steel
mills in Germany and Japan, an injection molder, a single-sourced pad supplier from Japan and an adhesive manufacturer.
To minimize the risk of production and service interruptions and/or shortages of key parts, we maintain appropriate
inventories of key raw materials and parts. If for any reason we were unable to obtain a sufficient quantity of parts in
a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our production requirements, our results of operations would be materially
and adversely affected.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING
The markets we serve are characterized by evolving industry standards and rapid technological change. To compete
effectively in our markets, we must continually maintain or exceed the pace of such change by improving our products
and our process technologies and by developing new technologies and products that compete effectively on the basis
of price and performance. To assure that these technologies and products address current and future customer
requirements, we obtain as much customer cooperation and input as possible, thus increasing the efficiency and
effectiveness of our research and development efforts.
With our acquisition of Kingstone in February 2011, we expanded our development efforts in a future high efficiency
cell processing technology based on the ion implant process. We believe that the acquisition of Kingstone is a critical
addition in support of our strategy to provide our customers with next-generation process technologies that enable the
development of higher-efficiency, lower cost solar cells.
From time to time we add functionality to our products or develop new products during engineering and manufacturing
to fulfill specifications in a customer's order, in which case the cost of development, along with other costs of the order,
are charged to cost of sales. We periodically receive research grants for research and development of products, which
are netted against our research and development costs. Our expenditures (net of grants earned) that have been accounted
for as research and development were $6.3 million (11% of net revenue) for fiscal 2014, $6.6 million (19.0% of net
revenue) for fiscal 2013, and $13.7 million (16.8% of net revenue) for fiscal 2012.
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PATENTS
The following table shows our material patents, the patents licensed by us, and the expiration date of each patent and
license:
Product
Country (number of
patents)
Expiration Date or
Pending Approval
Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
United States
Pending
Systems and methods for depositing and charging solar cell layers
United States (3)
Pending
Photovoltaic cell and method to produce photovoltaic cell
Method for manufacturing a solar cell
Systems for charging solar cell layers
Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
Method for producing semiconductor device
Chemical Vapor Deposition system
RFID use in carrier products
IBAL Model S-300
IBAL Model S-300
Lapping Machine adjustable mechanism
Lapping Machine adjustable mechanism
Lapping Machine adjustable mechanism
System and method of ion implantation
System and method of ion implantation
System and method of ion implantation
System and method of ion implantation
Ion beam transportation
Ion beam transportation
Wafer handling
System and method of high voltage power supply
System and method of making solar cells
Vacuum chamber apparatus and method of moving objects within
vacuum
Method of making and transporting SiC layer
Device for securing heating wire
Device for securing heating wire
Heating element wire spacer
Potential damage-free asher
Netherlands
Netherlands (3)
United States
United States
China
Korea
Malaysia
Taiwan
Europe
United States
United States (2)
United States (2)
United States
Germany
Japan
2030
Pending
Pending
2031
Pending
Pending
Pending
2030
Pending
Pending
2019
2021
2027
Pending
Pending
United States (2)
2030
United States
China (3)
China (10)
China (2)
China (8)
China (2)
China
China (9)
China (9)
China (2)
Netherlands
Germany
United States
United States
Pending
2030
Pending
2029
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
Pending
2025
2026
2026
2018
To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no pending lawsuits against us regarding infringement of any existing
patents or other intellectual property rights or any material unresolved claims made by third parties that we are infringing
the intellectual property rights of such third parties.
SALES AND MARKETING
Because of the highly technical nature of our products, we market our products primarily by direct customer contact
through our sales personnel and through a network of domestic and international independent sales representatives and
distributors that specialize in solar and semiconductor equipment and supplies. Our promotional activities include direct
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sales contacts, participation in trade shows, an internet website, advertising in trade magazines and the distribution of
product brochures.
Sales to distributors are generally on terms comparable to sales to end user customers, as our distributors generally
quote their customers after first obtaining a quote from us and have an order from the end-user before placing an order
with us. Our sales to distributors are not contingent on their future sales and do not include a general right of return.
Historically, returns have been rare. Distributors of our solar and semiconductor equipment do not stock a significant
amount of our products, as the inventory they do hold is primarily limited to parts needed to provide timely repairs to
the customer.
Payment terms of our parts, service and retrofit sales are generally net 30 days. The payment terms of equipment or
systems sales vary depending on the size of the order and the size, reputation and creditworthiness of the customer. As
a result, the financial terms of equipment sales can range from 80% due 30 days after shipment and 20% due 30 days
after acceptance, to requiring a customer deposit 30 days after order placement, a portion due 30 days after shipment
and the balance due 30 days after acceptance. Letters of credit are required of certain customers depending on the size
of the order, creditworthiness of the customer and the customer's country of domicile.
During fiscal 2014, 79% of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America. This group represented
80% of revenues in fiscal 2013. In fiscal 2014, net revenue was distributed among customers in different geographic
regions as follows: North America 21% (all of which is in the United States), Asia 45% (including 14% to China and
16% to Taiwan) and Europe 34% (including 16% to Germany). In fiscal 2014, two customers individually accounted
for 18% and 11% of net revenue. In fiscal 2013, one customer accounted for 20% of net revenue. In fiscal 2012, one
customer accounted for 11% of net revenue. Our business is not seasonal in nature, but is cyclical based on the capital
equipment investment patterns of solar cell and semiconductor manufacturers. These expenditure patterns are based
on many factors, including capacity utilization, anticipated demand, the development of new technologies and global
and regional economic conditions. See "Part 1 Financial Information, Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements,
Footnote 9 Geographic Regions" for information regarding our net long-lived assets.
COMPETITION
We compete in several distinct equipment markets for solar cells, semiconductor devices, semiconductor wafers, MEMS
and the market for lapping and polishing machines and supplies used in the LED, mobile devices and semiconductor
markets. Each of these markets is highly competitive. Our ability to compete depends on our ability to continually
improve our products, processes and services, as well as our ability to develop new products that meet constantly
evolving customer requirements. Significant competitive factors for succeeding in these markets include the product's
technical capability, productivity and cost-effectiveness, overall reliability, ease of use and maintenance, contamination
and defect control and the level of technical service and support.
The Solar Cell, Semiconductor Device, and MEMS Markets. Our thermal processing equipment and automation
primarily compete with those produced by other original equipment manufacturers, some of which are well-established
firms that are much larger and have substantially greater financial resources than we have. Some of our competitors
have a diversified product line, making it difficult to quantify their sales of products that compete directly with our
products. Competitors of our horizontal diffusion furnaces include Centrotherm GmbH, Koyo Systems Co. Ltd.,
Sandvik Thermal Process, Inc., a subsidiary of Sandvik AB, 48th Institute, Sevenstar Electronics, CVD Equipment,
Inc., Semco Engineering S.A., S.C New Energy and Expertech, Inc. We are experiencing increased competition from
local Chinese equipment manufacturers, including 48th Institute, S.C New Energy and Sevenstar Electronics, which
may receive varying levels of financial support from the Chinese government. Our primary competitive advantages
over such local manufacturers include our automation and higher-efficiency solar cell production technologies which
we develop in collaboration with customers and research institutes. Also, our furnaces and lapping and polishing
machines face, to a limited extent, competition from equipment on the low-end of the price spectrum.
General Industrial Lapping and Polishing Machines, Supplies and Semiconductor Wafer Markets. We experience
price competition for wafer carriers produced by foreign manufacturers for which there is very little publicly available
information. As a result, we are intensifying our efforts to reduce the cost of our carriers and will continue to compete
with other manufacturers of carriers by continuing to update our product line to keep pace with the rapid changes in
our customers' requirements and by providing a high level of quality and customer service. We produce steel carriers,
including insert carriers, on an advanced laser-cutting tool, which reduces our costs and lead times and increases our
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control over quality. Competitors of our lapping and polishing machines and supplies include Peter Wolters and
Speedfam, divisions of Novellus, Lapmaster International, LLC, Hamai Co., Ltd., Onse, Inc. and Eminess Technologies,
Inc. Our strategy to enhance our sales of wafer carriers includes developing additional niche markets for templates
and providing a high level of customer support and products at a lower cost than our competitors.
EMPLOYEES
As of September 30, 2014, we employed 262 people. Of these employees, 13 were based at our corporate offices in
Tempe, Arizona, 39 at our manufacturing plant in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 19 at our manufacturing plant in Billerica,
Massachusetts, 89 at our operations in The Netherlands, 63 at our facilities in China and 39 at our facilities in France.
Of the 39 people employed at our Carlisle, Pennsylvania facility, 22 were represented by the United Auto Workers
Union - Local 1443. We have never experienced a work stoppage or strike. We consider our employee relations to be
good.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
We were incorporated in Arizona in October 1981, under the name Quartz Engineering & Materials, Inc. We changed
to our present name in 1987. We conduct operations through four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Tempress Systems, Inc.,
or Tempress, a Texas corporation with all of its operations in Vaassen, The Netherlands, acquired in 1994 and
subsequently reincorporated in The Netherlands; P.R. Hoffman Machine Products, Inc., or P.R. Hoffman, an Arizona
corporation based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, acquired in July 1997; Bruce Technologies, Inc., or Bruce Technologies,
a Massachusetts corporation based in North Billerica, Massachusetts, acquired in July 2004; R2D Automation SAS,
or R2D, a French corporation located near Montpellier, France, acquired in October 2007. We also own a 55% interest
in Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited, or Kingstone, a Hong Kong-based company that owns 100% of Kingstone
Semiconductor Company Ltd., located in Shanghai, China, acquired in February 2011.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our internet website address is www.amtechsystems.com. Through our website, we make available, without charge,
our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments
to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed, or furnished to, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The information found on our website, or information that may be
accessed through links on our website, are not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC. In
addition, our SEC filings are available at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business faces significant risks. Because of the following factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating
results and financial condition, past performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical
trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. The following risk factors should be read in
conjunction with the other information and risks set forth herein.
Risks Related to our Business and Industry.
The ongoing volatility of the solar and semiconductor equipment industry may negatively impact our business and
results of operations and our corresponding ability to efficiently budget our expenses.
The solar and semiconductor equipment industries are highly cyclical. As such, demand for, and the profitability of,
our products can change significantly from period to period as a result of numerous factors, including, but not limited
to:
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changes in global and regional economic conditions;
changes in capacity utilization and production volume of manufacturers of solar cells, semiconductors, silicon
wafers and MEMS;
the profitability and capital resources of those manufacturers
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tariff and international trade barriers, including without limitation unfair trade proceedings against solar PV
manufacturers in China
challenges associated with marketing and selling manufacturing equipment and services to a diverse and
diffuse customer base;
the financial condition of solar PV customers and their access to affordable financing and capital; and
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the shift of solar and semiconductor production to Asia, where there often is increased price competition.
For these and other reasons, our results of operations for past periods may not necessarily be indicative of future
operating results.
Since our business has historically been subject to cyclical industry conditions, we have experienced significant
fluctuations in our quarterly new orders and net revenue, both within and across years. Demand for solar, semiconductor
and silicon wafer manufacturing equipment and related consumable products has also been volatile as a result of sudden
changes in solar and semiconductor supply and demand and other factors in both semiconductor devices and wafer
fabrication processes. Our orders tend to be more volatile than our revenue, as any change in demand is reflected
immediately in orders booked, which are net of cancellations, while revenue tends to be recognized over multiple
quarters as a result of procurement and production lead times and the deferral of certain revenue under our revenue
recognition policies. Customer delivery schedules on large system orders can also add to this volatility since we generally
recognize revenue for new product sales on the date of customer acceptance or the date the contractual customer
acceptance provisions lapse. As a result, the fiscal period in which we are able to recognize new product revenue is
typically subject to the length of time that our customers require to evaluate the performance of our equipment after
shipment and installation, which could cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate.
The purchasing decisions of our customers are highly dependent on their capacity utilization, which changes when new
facilities are put into production, and with the level of demand for solar cells and semiconductors. Purchasing decisions
are also impacted by changes in the economies of the countries which our customers serve, as well as the state of the
worldwide solar and semiconductor industries. The timing, length and severity of the up-and-down cycles in the solar
and semiconductor equipment industries are difficult to predict. The cyclical nature of our marketplace affects our
ability to accurately budget our expense levels, which are based in part on our projections of future revenue.
When cyclical fluctuations result in lower than expected revenue levels, operating results are adversely affected. Cost
reduction measures may be necessary in order for us to remain competitive and financially sound. During a down cycle,
our operating results may be adversely affected if we are unable to make timely adjustments to our cost and expense
structure to correspond to the prevailing market conditions; effectively manage the supply chain; and motivate and
retain key employees. In addition, during periods of rapid growth, our operating results may be adversely affected if
we are unable to increase manufacturing capacity and personnel to meet customer demand, which may require additional
liquidity. We can provide no assurance that we can timely and effectively respond to the industry cycles. Our failure
to timely and effectively respond to these cyclical changes could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The Company is exposed to risks as a result of ongoing changes specific to the solar industry.
A significant portion of the Company's business is to supply the solar market, which, in addition to the general industry
changes described above, is characterized by ongoing changes specific to the solar industry, including:
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the varying energy policies of governments around the world and their influence on the rate of growth
of the solar PV market, including the availability and amount of government incentives for solar power
such as tax credits, feed-in tariffs, rebates, renewable portfolio standards that require electricity providers
to sell a targeted amount of energy from renewable sources, and goals for solar installations on
government facilities;
the need to continually decrease the cost-per-watt of electricity produced by solar PV products to or
below competing sources of energy by, among other things, reducing operating costs and increasing
throughputs for solar PV manufacturing, and improving the conversion efficiency of solar PV;
the impact on demand for solar PV products arising from the cost of electricity generated by solar PV
compared to the cost of electricity from the existing grid or other energy sources;
the growing number of solar PV manufacturers and increasing global production capacity for solar PV,
primarily in China as a result of increased solar subsidies and lower manufacturing costs;
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tariff and international trade barriers, including without limitation such barriers arising from any trade
tensions between the United States and China and potential retaliatory actions;
the varying levels of operating and industry experience among solar PV manufacturers and the resulting
differences in the nature and extent of customer support services requested from the Company;
challenges associated with marketing and selling manufacturing equipment and services to a diverse
and diffuse customer base;
the cost of polysilicon and other materials;
access to affordable financing and capital by customers and end-users; and
an increasing number of local equipment and parts suppliers based in Asia with certain cost and other
advantages over suppliers from outside Asia.
In addition, current projections for global solar PV production exceed anticipated near-term end-use demand, which is
heavily dependent on installed cost-per-watt, government policies and incentives, and the availability of affordable
capital. An oversupply of solar PV may lead customers to delay or reduce investments in manufacturing capacity and
new technology, and adversely impact the sales and/or profitability of our products. If the Company does not successfully
manage the risks resulting from the ongoing changes occurring in the solar industry, its business, financial condition
and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The solar and semiconductor equipment industries are competitive and because we are relatively small in size and
have fewer resources compared to our competitors, we may not be able to compete successfully with them.
Our industry includes large manufacturers with substantial resources to support customers worldwide. Our future
performance depends, in part, upon our ability to continue to compete successfully in these markets. Some of our
competitors are diversified companies having substantially greater financial resources and more extensive research,
engineering, manufacturing, marketing and customer service and support capabilities than we can provide. We face
competition from companies whose strategy is to provide a broad array of products, some of which compete with the
products and services that we offer. These competitors may bundle their products in a manner that may discourage
customers from purchasing our products. In addition, we face competition from smaller emerging semiconductor
equipment companies whose strategy is to provide a portion of the products and services that we offer often at a lower
price than ours and use innovative technology to sell products into specialized markets. Furthermore, we face competition
from Chinese equipment manufacturers, including 48th Institute and Sevenstar Electronics, which may receive greater
support from Chinese customers and governmental agencies because they are locally based. Loss of competitive position
could impair our prices, customer orders, revenue, gross margin and market share, any of which would negatively affect
our financial position and results of operations. Our failure to compete successfully with these other companies would
seriously harm our business. There is a risk that larger, better-financed competitors will develop and market more
advanced products than those that we currently offer, or that competitors with greater financial resources may decrease
prices thereby putting us under financial pressure. The occurrence of any of these events could have a negative impact
on our revenue and results of operations.
Our reliance on sales to a few major customers and granting credit to those customers places us at financial risk.
We currently sell to a relatively small number of customers, and we expect our operating results will likely continue
to depend on sales to a relatively small number of customers for the foreseeable future. Our operating results, therefore,
depend on the ability of these customers to sell products that require our equipment in their manufacture. Many of our
customer relationships have been developed over a short period of time and certain customers are in their early stages
of development. The loss of sales to any of these customers would have a significant negative impact on our business.
Our agreements with these customers may be canceled if we fail to meet certain product specifications, materially
breach the agreement, or in the event of bankruptcy, and our customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of current
agreements or renewals. We cannot be certain that these customers will generate significant revenue for us in the future
nor that these customer relationships will continue to develop. If our relationships with other customers do not continue
to develop, we may not be able to expand our customer base or maintain or increase our revenue.
As of September 30, 2014, two customers individually represented 14% and 10% of accounts receivable. As of
September 30, 2013, two customers individually represented 18% and 13% of accounts receivable. A significant change
in the liquidity or financial position of any of our customers that purchase large systems could have a material impact
on the collectability of our accounts receivable and our future operating results. A concentration of our receivables from
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one or a small number of customers places us at risk. We attempt to manage this credit risk by performing credit checks,
by requiring significant partial payments prior to shipment where appropriate and by actively monitoring collections.
We also require letters of credit from certain customers depending on the size of the order, type of customer or its
creditworthiness and its country of domicile. Our major customers may seek, and on occasion, may receive pricing,
payment, intellectual property-related, or other commercial terms that are less favorable to the Company. If any one
or more of our major customers does not pay us or continue business with us, it could adversely affect our financial
position and results of operations.
If any of our customers cancels or fails to accept a large system order, our financial position and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our backlog includes orders for large systems, such as our diffusion furnaces, with system prices of up to and in excess
of $1.0 million, depending on the system configuration, options and any special requirements of the customer. Because
our orders are typically subject to cancellation or delay by the customer, our backlog at any particular point in time is
not necessarily representative of actual sales for succeeding periods, nor is backlog any assurance that we will realize
revenue or profit from completing these orders. Our financial position and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected should any large systems order be canceled prior to shipment, or not be accepted by the customer.
Cancellations may result in inventory that we may not be able to sell or reuse if those products have been tailored for
a specific customer's requirements and cannot then be sold without significant incremental cost. We have experienced
cancellations in the past. We cannot provide any assurance that we will realize revenue or profit from our backlog or
for which period net revenue will be recognized, if ever.
Because we depend on revenue from international customers, our business may be adversely affected by changes
in the economies and policies of the countries or regions in which we do business.
During fiscal 2013, 80% of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America. During fiscal 2014, 79%
of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America as follows:
• Asia - 45% (including China - 14% and Taiwan - 16%); and
• Europe – 34%.
Each region in the global solar and semiconductor equipment market exhibits unique characteristics that can cause
capital equipment investment patterns to vary significantly from period to period. Our business and results of operations
could be negatively affected by periodic local or international economic downturns, trade balance issues and political,
social and military instability in countries such as China, India, South Korea, Taiwan and possibly elsewhere. In
addition, we face competition from a number of suppliers based in Asia that have certain advantages over suppliers
from outside of Asia. These advantages include lower operating, shipping and regulatory costs, proximity to customers,
favorable tariffs and other government policies that favor local suppliers. Additionally, the marketing and sale of our
products to international markets expose us to a number of risks, including, but not limited, to:
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increased costs associated with maintaining the ability to understand the local markets and follow their
trends and customs, as well as develop and maintain effective marketing and distributing presence in
various countries;
the availability of advance payments made by our customers;
difficulty in providing customer service and support in these markets;
difficulty in staffing and managing overseas operations;
longer sales cycles and time collection periods;
fewer or weaker legal protections for our intellectual property rights;
failure to develop appropriate risk management and internal control structures tailored to overseas
operations;
difficulty and costs relating to compliance with the different or changing commercial and legal
requirements of our overseas markets;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates, particularly in Asia and Europe;
longer sales cycles and time collection periods;
fewer or weaker legal protections for our intellectual property rights;
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failure to obtain or maintain certifications for our products or services in these markets; and
international trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses.
Our business may be adversely affected by significant exchange rate fluctuations and changes in foreign laws
Our net foreign currency transaction gains or losses were less than $0.1 million in each of the fiscal years ended
September 30, 2014 and 2013. While our business generally has not been materially affected in the past by currency
fluctuations, there is a risk that it may be materially adversely affected in the future, especially as we continue to expand
operations into other countries. Such risk includes possible losses due to currency exchange rate fluctuations, possible
future prohibitions against repatriation of earnings, or proceeds from disposition of investments. Our wholly-owned
subsidiary, Tempress Systems, has conducted its operations in The Netherlands since 1995. In October 2007, we
completed our acquisition of R2D, a French company. In February 2011, we completed our acquisition of Kingstone,
a company with China-based operations. As a result of these acquisitions in Europe and Asia, the risk associated with
foreign currency translation gains and losses has increased. Operations of these companies are subject to the taxation
policies, employment and labor laws, transportation regulations, import and export regulations and tariffs, possible
foreign exchange restrictions and international monetary fluctuations. Changes in such laws and regulations may have
a material adverse effect on our revenue and costs. We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which may
place us at a competitive disadvantage to foreign companies that are not subject to similar regulations. We could be
adversely affected by violations of applicable anti-corruption laws or violations of our internal policies designed to
ensure ethical business practices.
We are exposed to risks associated with an uncertain global economy.
Uncertain global economic conditions and slowing growth in China, Europe and the United States, along with difficulties
in the financial markets, national debt concerns in various regions and government austerity measures, pose challenges
to the industries in which we operate. Economic uncertainty and related factors, including unemployment, inflation
and fuel prices, exacerbate negative trends in business and consumer spending and may cause our customers to push
out, cancel, or refrain from placing orders for equipment or services. This may, in turn, reduce our net sales, reduce
backlog, and affect our ability to convert backlog to sales. Uncertain market conditions, difficulties in obtaining capital,
or reduced profitability may also cause some customers to scale back operations, exit businesses, merge with other
manufacturers, or file for bankruptcy protection and potentially cease operations, which can also result in lower sales
and/or additional inventory or bad debt expense for us. These conditions may similarly affect key suppliers, impairing
their ability to deliver parts and potentially causing delays or added costs for delivery of our products. In addition, these
conditions may lead to strategic alliances by, or consolidation of, other equipment manufacturers, which could adversely
affect our ability to compete effectively. Uncertainty about future economic and industry conditions also makes it more
challenging for us to forecast our operating results, make business decisions, and identify and prioritize the risks that
may affect our businesses, sources and uses of cash, financial condition and results of operations. We may be required
to implement additional cost reduction efforts, including restructuring activities, and/or modify our business model,
which may adversely affect our ability to capitalize on opportunities in a market recovery. If we do not timely and
appropriately adapt to changes resulting from the uncertain macroeconomic environment and industry conditions, or
to difficulties in the financial markets, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially
and adversely affected.
Natural disasters, outbursts of infectious diseases, terrorist attacks and threats or actual war may negatively impact
all aspects of our operations, revenue, costs and stock price.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, severe weather conditions or other catastrophic events, or outbreaks of
infectious diseases may severely affect our operations or those of our suppliers and customers. Such catastrophic events
or future disasters may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Acts of terrorism, as well as events occurring in response or connection to them, including potential future terrorist
attacks, rumors or threats of war, actual military conflicts or trade disruptions impacting our domestic or foreign
customers or suppliers of parts, components and subassemblies, may negatively impact our operations by causing,
among other things, delays or losses in the delivery of supplies or finished goods and decreased sales of our products.
More generally, any of these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased
volatility in the worldwide financial markets and economy. They could also result in economic recession. Any of these
occurrences could have a significant adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations.
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If demand declines for horizontal diffusion furnaces and related equipment, or for other solar industry products,
our financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The revenue of our solar and semiconductor equipment business is comprised primarily of sales of horizontal diffusion
furnaces and our automation products. Our automation products are useable almost exclusively with horizontal diffusion
furnaces. A significant part of our growth strategy involves expanding our sales to the solar industry. The solar industry
is subject to risks relating to industry shortages of polysilicon, (which we discuss further herein), the continuation of
government incentives, the availability of specialized capital equipment, global energy prices and rapidly changing
technologies offering alternative energy sources and manufacturing processes. If the demand for solar industry products
declines, the demand by the solar industry for our products would also decline and our financial position and results
of operations would be harmed.
There is a trend in the semiconductor industry, related to the trend to produce smaller chips on larger wafers, towards
the use in semiconductor manufacturing facilities of newer technology, such as vertical diffusion furnaces. Vertical
diffusion furnaces are more efficient than horizontal diffusion furnaces in certain manufacturing processes for smaller
chips on larger wafers. To the extent that the trend to use vertical diffusion furnaces over horizontal diffusion furnaces
continues, our revenue may decline and our corresponding ability to generate income may be adversely affected.
We may not be able to manage the business successfully through severe business cycles.
We may be unable to successfully expand or contract our business to meet fluctuating demands. Market fluctuations
place significant strain on our management, personnel, systems and resources. In fiscal years 2010 and 2011, we
purchased additional equipment and real estate to significantly expand our manufacturing capacity and hired additional
employees to support an increase in manufacturing, field service, research and development and sales and marketing
efforts. During fiscal years 2012 through 2014, the rapid decline in demand has caused us to reduce headcount in
manufacturing and field service and to reduce certain research and development costs. To successfully manage our
growth, we believe we must effectively:
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maintain the appropriate number and mix of permanent, part-time, temporary and contract employees
to meet the fluctuating demand for our products;
train, integrate and manage personnel, particularly process engineers, field service engineers, sales and
marketing personnel, and financial and information technology personnel to maintain and improve skills
and morale;
retain key management and augment our management team, particularly if we lose key members;
continue to enhance our customer resource and manufacturing management systems to maintain high
levels of customer satisfaction and efficiencies, including inventory control;
implement and improve existing and new administrative, financial and operations systems,
procedures and controls;
expand and upgrade our technological capabilities; and
manage multiple relationships with our customers, suppliers and other third parties.
We may encounter difficulties in effectively managing the budgeting, forecasting and other process control issues
presented by rapidly changing cycles. If we are unable to manage these cycles effectively, we may not be able to take
advantage of market opportunities, develop new technologies for the production of solar cells and other products, satisfy
customer requirements, execute our business plan or respond to competitive pressures.
If governmental subsidies decline or if demand for solar energy declines, our Company may not be able to continue
making substantial investments in our organization to develop new products for the solar industry which may have
a material adverse effect on our business.
The solar energy sector is dependent upon governmental subsidies, some of which have been scaled back and are not
guaranteed to continue. A further decline in these subsidies could reduce our ability to make investments in our Company
and grow our business in this market. The solar industry is currently facing overcapacity in production. This overcapacity
has a significant adverse impact on the demand for the capital equipment we supply to this industry. As a result of these
risks there is no assurance that we will realize a return on these investments which may have a material effect on our
business.
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We are dependent on key personnel for our business and product development and sales, and any loss of our key
personnel to competitors or other industries could dramatically impact our ability to continue operations.
Historically, our product development has been accomplished through cooperative efforts with key customers. Our
relationships with some customers are substantially dependent on personal relations and other contacts established by
either our Executive Chairman or our President and Chief Executive Officer. Our relationships with major European
customers that are strategically important to the development and testing of our N-type technology solar diffusion
furnace and PECVD equipment are substantially dependent upon our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fokko
Pentinga. While there can be no assurance that such relationships will continue, such cooperation is expected to continue
to be a significant element in our future development efforts.
Furthermore, it may not be feasible for any successor to maintain the same business relationships that our Executive
Chairman, Mr. J.S. Whang, has established. Even though we are the beneficiary of life insurance policies on the life
of Mr. Whang, in the amount of $2.0 million, there is no assurance that such amount will be sufficient to cover the cost
of finding and hiring a suitable replacement for Mr. Whang. If we were to lose the services of either Mr. Whang or Mr.
Pentinga for any reason, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We also depend on the management efforts of our officers and other key personnel and on our ability to attract and
retain key personnel. During times of strong economic growth, competition is intense for highly skilled employees.
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel or that we can avoid
increased costs in order to do so. There can be no assurance that employees will not leave Amtech or compete against
us. Our failure to attract additional qualified employees, or to retain the services of key personnel, could negatively
impact our financial position and results of operations.
We may not be able to keep pace with the rapid change in the technology needed to meet customer requirements.
Success in the solar and semiconductor equipment industries depends, in part, on continual improvement of existing
technologies and rapid innovation of new solutions. For example, the solar industry continues to develop new
technologies to increase the efficiencies and lower the costs of solar cells. Also, the semiconductor industry continues
to shrink the size of semiconductor devices. These and other evolving customer needs require us to continually respond
with new product developments.
Technical innovations are inherently complex and require long development cycles and appropriate professional staffing.
Our future business success depends on our ability to develop and introduce new products, or new uses for existing
products, that successfully address changing customer needs and win market acceptance. We must also manufacture
these new products in a timely and cost-effective manner. To realize future growth through technical innovations in
the solar and semiconductor industries, we must either acquire the technology through product development, merger
and acquisition activity or through the licensing of products from our technology partners. Potential disruptive
technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business if we do not successfully develop and introduce new
products, technologies or uses for existing products in a timely manner and continually find ways of reducing the cost
to produce them in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements.
Acquisitions can result in an increase in our operating costs, divert management's attention away from other
operational matters and expose us to other risks associated with acquisitions.
We continually evaluate potential acquisitions and consider acquisitions an important part of our future growth strategy.
In the past, we have made acquisitions of, or significant investments in, other businesses with synergistic products,
services and technologies and plan to continue to do so in the future. Acquisitions, including our acquisition of R2D
and Kingstone, involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:
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difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of geographically diverse personnel,
operations, technologies and products of acquired companies;
diversion of management's attention from other operational matters;
the potential loss of our key employees and the key employees of acquired companies;
disagreement with joint venture or strategic alliance partners;
failure to comply with laws and regulations as well as industry or technical standards of the overseas
markets into which we expand;
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our inability to achieve the intended cost efficiency, level of profitability or other intended strategic
goals for the acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures or other strategic alliances;
lack of synergy, or inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition;
the risk that the issuance of our common stock, if any, in an acquisition or merger could be dilutive to
our shareholders, if anticipated synergies are not realized;
acquired assets becoming impaired as a result of technological advancements or worse-than-expected
performance of the acquired company;
inability to complete proposed transactions as anticipated or at all and any ensuing obligation to pay a
termination fee;
the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of a proposed transaction on relationships
with third parties;
potential changes in our credit rating, which could adversely impact the Company’s access to and cost
of capital;
reductions in cash balances and/or increases in debt obligations to finance activities associated with a
transaction, which reduce the availability of cash flow for general corporate or other purposes;
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of an acquired company’s internal financial controls, disclosure controls
and procedures, and/or environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption, human resource, or other
policies or practices; and
unknown, underestimated and/or undisclosed commitments or liabilities.
Our financial position and results of operations may be materially harmed if our R&D investments do not result in
timely new products that can be sold at favorable prices and obtain market acceptance.
The rapid change in technology in our industry requires that we continue to make investments in research and
development in order to enhance the performance, functionality and cost of ownership of our products to keep pace
with competitive products and to satisfy customer demands for improved performance, features and functionality. There
can be no assurance that revenue from future products or enhancements will be sufficient to recover the development
costs associated with such products or enhancements, or that we will be able to secure the financial resources necessary
to fund future development. Research and development costs are typically incurred before we confirm the technical
feasibility and commercial viability of a product, and not all development activities result in commercially viable
products. We cannot ensure that products or enhancements will receive market acceptance, or that we will be able to
sell these products at prices that are favorable to us. In addition, from time to time we receive funding from government
agencies for certain strategic development programs to increase our research and development resources and address
new market opportunities. As a condition to this government funding, we may be subject to certain record-keeping,
audit, intellectual property rights-sharing and/or other obligations. If we do not successfully manage risks resulting
from diversification and entry into new markets and industries, our business, financial condition and results of operations
could be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to maintain optimal inventory levels, our inventory obsolescence costs could increase, our liquidity could
be significantly reduced or our revenue could decrease, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
While we must maintain sufficient inventory levels to operate our business successfully and meet our customers'
demands, accumulating excess inventory may have a significant unfavorable impact on our operating results and
financial condition. Changing customer demands, supplier lead-times and uncertainty surrounding new product launches
expose us to risks associated with excess inventory or shortages. Demand for products can change rapidly and
unexpectedly. Our products are manufactured using a wide variety of purchased parts and raw materials and we must
maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet the demand for the products we sell. During peak years in the solar and
semiconductor industries, increases in demand for capital equipment results in longer lead-times for many important
system components. Future increases in demand could cause delays in meeting shipments to our customers. Because
of the variability and uniqueness of customer orders, we try to avoid maintaining an extensive inventory of materials
for manufacturing. However, long lead-times for important system components during industry upturns sometimes
require us to carry higher levels of inventory and make larger purchase commitments than we would otherwise make.
We may be unable to sell sufficient quantities of products in the event that market demand changes, resulting in increased
risk of excess inventory that could lead to obsolescence or reduced liquidity as we fulfill our purchase commitments.
On the other hand, if we do not have a sufficient inventory of a product to fulfill customer orders, we may lose orders
or customers, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure
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that we can accurately predict market demand and events to avoid inventory shortages or inventories and purchase
commitments in excess of our current requirements.
Supplier capacity constraints, supplier production disruptions, supplier quality issues or price increases could
increase our operating costs and adversely impact the competitive positions of our products.
We use a wide range of materials and services in the production of our products including custom electronic and
mechanical components, and we use numerous suppliers of materials. Although we make what we believe are reasonable
efforts to ensure that parts are available from multiple suppliers, this may not always be practical or possible. Accordingly,
some key parts are being procured from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Key vendors include suppliers
of controllers, quartz and silicon carbide for our diffusion systems, two steel mills capable of producing the types of
steel to the tolerances needed for our wafer carriers, an injection molder that molds plastic inserts into our steel carriers,
an adhesive manufacturer that supplies the critical glue and a pad supplier that produces a unique material used in the
manufacture of our polishing templates. We also rely on third parties for certain machined parts, steel frames and metal
panels and other components used particularly in the assembly of solar and semiconductor production equipment.
Because the selling price of some of our systems exceeds $1.0 million, the delay in the shipment of even a single system
could cause significant variations in our quarterly revenue. In the event of supplier capacity constraints, production
disruptions, or failure to meet our requirements concerning quality, cost or performance factors, we may transfer our
business to alternative sourcing which could lead to further delays, additional costs or other difficulties. If, in the future,
we do not receive, in a timely and cost-effective manner, a sufficient quantity and quality of parts to meet our production
requirements, our financial position and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
If the practice of requiring certain customers to make advance payments when they place orders with us ceases, or
if our customers fail to meet their payment obligations, we may experience increased needs to finance our working
capital requirements and may be exposed to increased credit risk, which may materially and adversely affect our
financial position and results of operations.
We require many of our customers to make an advance payment representing a percentage of their orders, which is a
business practice that helps us manage our accounts receivable, prepay our suppliers and reduce the amount of funds
that we need to finance our working capital requirements. We cannot assure that this practice will not cease in the future.
If this practice ceases, we may not be able to secure additional financing on a timely basis or on terms acceptable to
us or at all. Currently, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from credit sales to our customers, generally with
payments due within less than three months after shipment. As a result, any future decrease in the use of cash advance
payments by our customers may negatively impact our short-term liquidity and, coupled with increased credit sales to
a small number of major customers, expose us to additional and more concentrated credit risk since a significant portion
of our outstanding accounts receivable is derived from sales to a limited number of customers. We may need to from
time to time commence legal proceedings to recover accounts receivables from customers, which may also increase
our cost. Although we have been able to maintain adequate working capital primarily through cash from operations
and a follow-on offering, any failure by our customers to settle outstanding accounts receivable in the future could
materially and adversely affect our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing necessary to fund and
expand our operations as planned.
Cash flows may be insufficient to provide adequate working capital in the future and we may require additional financing
for further implementation of our growth plans. There is no assurance that any additional financing will be available
if and when required, or, even if available, that it would not materially dilute the ownership percentage of the then
existing shareholders, result in increased expenses or result in covenants or special rights that would restrict our
operations.
We may incur impairment charges to goodwill or long-lived assets.
We have acquired, and may acquire in the future, goodwill and other long-lived intangible assets. Goodwill and purchased
intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually,
typically during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The review compares the fair value for each of our
reporting units to its associated carrying value, including goodwill. Factors that could lead to impairment of goodwill
20
and intangible assets include adverse industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows, declines in
the market price of our common stock, changes in our strategies or product portfolio, and restructuring activities. Our
valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on
historical experience and projections of future operating performance. We may be required to record a charge to earnings
during the period in which an impairment of goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined to exist, which
could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Most of our production, storage, and administrative facilities are located in close proximity to one another in The
Netherlands. Any damage or disruption at these facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our production, storage and administrative facilities are located in close proximity to one another in The Netherlands.
A natural disaster or other unanticipated catastrophic event, including flood, power interruption, and war, could
significantly disrupt our ability to manufacture our products and operate our business. If any of our productions facilities
or equipment were to experience any significant damage or downtime, we would be unable to meet our production
targets, our business would suffer, and it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
If third parties violate our proprietary rights, in which we have made significant investments, such events could
result in a loss of value of some of our intellectual property or costly litigation.
Our success is dependent in part on our technology and other proprietary rights. We own various United States and
international patents and have additional pending patent applications relating to some of our products and technologies.
Protecting and defending our patents domestically, and especially internationally, is costly. In addition, the process of
seeking patent protection is lengthy and expensive. Therefore, we cannot be certain that pending or future applications
will actually result in issued patents, or that issued patents will be of sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful
protection or commercial advantage to us. Other companies and individuals, including our larger competitors, may
develop technologies that are similar or superior to our technology or design around the patents we own or license. We
also maintain trademarks on certain of our products and claim copyright protection for certain proprietary software and
documentation. However, we can give no assurance that our trademarks and copyrights will be upheld or will successfully
deter infringement by third parties. The patent covering technology that we license and use in our manufacture of insert
carriers has expired, which may have the effect of diminishing or eliminating any competitive advantage we may have
with respect to this manufacturing process.
We attempt to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through confidentiality agreements with our
customers, suppliers, employees and consultants and through other security measures. We also maintain exclusive and
non-exclusive licenses with third parties for the technology used in certain products. However, these employees,
consultants and third parties may breach these agreements, and we may not have adequate remedies for wrongdoing.
In addition, the laws of certain territories, such as China, in which we develop, manufacture or sell our products may
not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
We may face intellectual property infringement claims that could be time-consuming and costly to defend and could
result in our loss of significant rights and the assessment of treble damages.
From time to time, we have received communications from other parties asserting the existence of patent rights or other
intellectual property rights that they believe cover certain of our products, processes, technologies or information. In
such cases, we evaluate our position and consider the available alternatives, which may include seeking licenses to use
the technology in question on commercially reasonable terms or defending our position. We cannot ensure that licenses
can be obtained, or if obtained will be on acceptable terms, or that litigation or other administrative proceedings will
not occur.
Some of these claims may lead to litigation. We cannot assure that we will prevail in these actions, or that other actions
alleging misappropriation or misuse by us of third-party trade secrets, infringement by us of third-party patents and
trademarks or the validity of our patents, will not be asserted or prosecuted against us. Intellectual property litigation,
regardless of outcome, is expensive and time-consuming, could divert management's attention from our business and
have a material negative effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. If there is a successful claim
of infringement against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages (including treble damages if we were to be
found to have willfully infringed a third party's patent) to the party claiming infringement, incur costs to develop non-
21
infringing technology, stop selling or using technology that contains the allegedly infringing intellectual property or,
enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable or commercially practical terms, if at
all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis could harm
our business. Parties making infringement claims on future issued patents may be able to obtain an injunction that
would prevent us from selling or using our technology that contains the allegedly infringing intellectual property, which
could harm our business.
Failure to manage our growth, or otherwise develop appropriate internal organizational structures, internal control
environment and risk monitoring and management systems in line with our fast growth could result in a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business and operations have been expanding rapidly. Significant management resources must be expended to
develop and implement appropriate structures for internal organization and information flow, an effective internal
control environment and risk monitoring and management systems in line with our fast growth as well as to hire and
integrate qualified employees into our organization. It is challenging for us to hire, integrate and retain qualified
employees in key areas of operations, such as engineers and technicians who are familiar with the industries. In addition,
disclosure and other ongoing obligations associated with being a public company further increase the challenges to our
finance, legal and accounting team. It is possible that our existing risk monitoring and management system could prove
to be inadequate. If we fail to appropriately develop and implement structures for internal organization and information
flow, an effective internal control environment and a risk monitoring and management system, we may not be able to
identify unfavorable business trends, administrative oversights or other risks that could materially and adversely affect
our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial
results or prevent fraud. As a result, our stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could
have a negative impact on our business and the price of our common stock.
To maintain compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 we have assessed, strengthened and
tested our system of internal controls. Despite our conclusion that our system of internal controls was effective as of
September 30, 2014, we must continue to maintain our processes and systems and adapt them to changes in our business
as it evolves. This continuous process of maintaining and adapting our internal controls and complying with Section
404 is expensive, time-consuming and requires significant management attention. We cannot be certain that our internal
control measures will continue to provide adequate control over our financial reporting processes and ensure compliance
with Section 404. Furthermore, as our business changes, our internal controls may become more complex and we may
require significantly more resources to ensure our internal controls remain effective. In addition, if we reduce a portion
of our workforce, as we have done recently, our ability to adequately maintain our internal controls may be adversely
impacted. Failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation,
could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we or our independent registered
public accounting firm identify material weaknesses, the disclosure of that fact may result in negative investor
perceptions of our Company and could cause a decline in the market price of our stock.
Unsatisfactory performance of, or defects in our products may cause us to incur additional warranty expenses,
damage our reputation and cause our sales to decline.
As of September 30, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our accrued warranty costs amounted to $2.7 million, $1.5 million and $0.6
million, respectively. Our assumptions regarding the durability and reliability of our products may not be accurate, and
because our products have relatively long warranty periods, we cannot assure you that the amount of accrued warranty
by us for our products will be adequate in light of the actual performance of our products. If we experience a significant
increase in warranty claims, we may incur significant repair and replacement costs associated with such claims.
Furthermore, widespread product underperformances or failures will damage our reputation and customer relationships
and may cause our sales to decline, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
We face the risk of product liability claims or other litigation, which could be expensive and may divert management's
attention from running our business.
22
The manufacture and sale of our products, which, in our customers' operations, involve toxic materials and robotic
machinery, involve the risk of product liability claims. In addition, a failure of one of our products at a customer site
could interrupt the business operations of our customer. Our existing insurance coverage limits may not be adequate
to protect us from all liabilities that we might incur in connection with the manufacture and sale of our products if a
successful product liability claim or series of product liability claims were brought against us. We may also be involved
in other legal proceedings or claims and experience threats of legal action from time to time in the ordinary course of
our business.
Where appropriate, we intend to vigorously defend all claims. However, any actual or threatened claims, even if not
meritorious or material, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. The continued
defense of these claims and other types of lawsuits could divert management's attention away from running our business.
In addition, required amounts to be paid in settlement of any claims, and the legal fees and other costs associated with
their defense or also settlement, cannot be estimated and could, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our
financial condition. We may also experience higher than expected warranty claims.
We are subject to environmental regulations, and our inability or failure to comply with these regulations could
result in significant costs or the suspension of our ability to operate portions of our business.
We are subject to environmental regulations in connection with our business operations, including regulations related
to manufacturing and our customers' use of our products. From time to time, we receive notices regarding these
regulations. It is our policy to respond promptly to these notices and to take any necessary corrective action. Our failure
or inability to comply with existing or future environmental regulations could result in significant remediation liabilities,
the imposition of fines and/or the suspension or termination of development, manufacturing or use of certain of our
products or facilities, each of which could damage our financial position and results of operations.
Regulations related to conflict minerals could adversely impact our business.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains provisions to improve transparency and
accountability concerning the supply of certain minerals, known as conflict minerals, originating from the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. As a result, the SEC has adopted annual disclosure and reporting
requirements for those companies who use conflict minerals mined from the DRC and adjoining countries in their
products. These new requirements require companies to conduct due diligence efforts to determine whether products
contain such conflict minerals, with initial disclosure requirements beginning in May of 2014. Our supply chain is
complex and we may be unable to verify the origins for all metals used in our products. As a result, we may be unable
to certify that our products are conflict mineral free.
Our results of operations are difficult to predict, and if we do not meet the market expectations, the price of the
our stock will likely decline.
Our results of operations are difficult to predict and have fluctuated from time to time in the past. We expect that our
results of operations may continue to fluctuate from time to time in the future. It is possible that our results of operations
in some reporting periods will be below market expectations. If our results of operations for a particular reporting period
are lower than the market expectations for such reporting period, investors may react negatively, and as a result, the
price of our stock may materially decline.
Breaches or failures of our information technology systems may have a negative impact on our operating results
and our reputation.
We may be subject to breaches or failures of our information technology systems caused by computer viruses,
unauthorized access, sabotage, vandalism, terrorism or accident. Compromise of our information technology networks
could result in unauthorized release of our confidential or proprietary information, or that of our customers and suppliers,
as well as employee personal data. Breach of our information systems’ security or failure of our systems may also
cause a disruption in our manufacturing systems and other operations, and may cause us to fail to meet our financial
reporting obligations.
23
The Company's income taxes are subject to variables beyond our control.
The Company's net income and cash flow may be adversely affected by conditions affecting income taxes which are
outside the Company's control. Examples of the potential uncontrollable circumstances that could affect our tax rate:
• The Company sells and operates globally in the United States, Europe and Asia. Disagreement could occur
on the jurisdiction of income and taxation among different governmental tax authorities. Potential areas of
dispute may include transfer pricing, intercompany charges and intercompany balances.
• Tax rates may increase and, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows.
Risks Related to the Pending Merger with BTU
Failure to complete the merger could negatively affect the Company’s stock price and future business and
operations.
If the merger is not completed for any reason, the Company may be subject to a number of material risks, including
the following:
•
It may be required under certain circumstances to pay BTU a termination fee of $1.32 million or an expense
reimbursement amount of up to $1 million.
• The price of its common stock may decline.
• Costs related to the merger, such as financial advisory, legal, accounting and printing fees, must be paid even
if the merger is not completed.
Failure to complete the merger with BTU will subject the Company to financial risks and could cause the Company’s
stock price to decline
If the merger with BTU is not completed for any reason, the Company will be subject to a number of material risks,
including:
• Under the merger agreement, the Company could be required to pay BTU a termination fee of $1.32 million
if the Company terminates the merger agreement in the event its board of directors has withdrawn, qualified,
amended or modified its recommendation of the merger adversely to BTU or if the Company enters into certain
other acquisition transactions.
• The Company’s stock price may decline for various reasons, including whether the merger was terminated
due to factors adversely affecting us, to the extent that the Company’s shares are trading at a higher level than
they might have been in the absence of the merger, and the potential for substantial sales of the Company’s
stock by short-term investors after any termination of the merger agreement.
• Costs related to the merger, such as legal, accounting and/or investment banking fees, must be paid even if
the merger is not completed, and could be substantial.
• The benefits that we expect to realize from the merger would not be realized, and we may have foregone
attractive business opportunities as a result of the covenants in the merger agreement.
• The diversion of management attention and the possible disruption of our business between the signing of the
merger agreement and its termination, may make it difficult for the Company to regain its financial and market
position if the merger does not occur.
If the merger agreement is terminated, we may be unable to find another business willing to engage in a similar
transaction on terms as favorable as those set forth in the merger agreement, or at all. This could limit our
ability to pursue our strategic goals and growth strategy.
•
The combined company may not realize the benefits that the Company currently anticipates from the combination
with BTU
Although the Company and BTU intend that the combined company will benefit from synergies and other benefits as
a result of the merger, those benefits may not be realized or may be delayed. The success of the transaction will depend
on, among other things, our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and to combine the businesses of the Company
and BTU in a manner that does not materially disrupt the Company’s and BTU’s existing customer relationships nor
24
otherwise result in decreased revenues and that allows us to capitalize on the growth opportunities of a combined
company. If we are unable to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully
or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.
BTU and the Company have operated and, until the completion of the mergers, will continue to operate, independently.
It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of the Company’s or
BTU’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that could adversely affect
the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits
of the merger. To realize the benefits of the merger, we may need to retain BTU’s key employees.
The accomplishment of these post-merger objectives will involve considerable risk, including:
• The potential disruption of each company’s ongoing business and the potential distraction of their respective
management teams.
• The difficulty of incorporating acquired technology and rights into BTU’s products and services, as applicable.
• Unanticipated expenses related to the integration process.
•
Potential unknown liabilities associated with the merger, including litigation.
Our operating results and financial conditions could be adversely affected by failing to succeed in addressing these
challenges or any other problems encountered in connection with the merger.
Uncertainty regarding the merger could disrupt the Company’s business
The merger will happen only if stated conditions are met, including approval by the Company’s stockholders and the
absence of any material adverse effect in the business of the Company and BTU. Many of the conditions are outside
the Company’s control, and both parties also have stated rights to terminate the merger agreement. Accordingly, the
completion of the merger is not guaranteed. This uncertainty may cause disruption to the Company’s and BTU’s
businesses. This could have a material adverse effect on the Company, regardless of whether the merger is ultimately
completed. Moreover, diversion of management focus and resources from the day-to-day operation of the Company’s
business to matters relating to the transaction could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Failure to retain key employees could diminish the anticipated benefits of the merger
The success of the merger will depend in part on the retention of personnel critical to the business and operations of
the combined company due to, for example, their technical skills or management expertise. Employees may experience
uncertainty about their future role with the Company and BTU until strategies with regard to these employees are
announced or executed. This uncertainty may cause the Company to lose employees and may make it more difficult
to attract new employees as necessary to operate the Company’s business before the closing of the transaction. If the
Company is unable to retain and attract key personnel, it could face operational disruptions, loss of customers, loss of
key expertise or know-how, and unanticipated additional recruitment and training costs.
The merger may go forward in certain circumstances even if the Company or BTU suffers a material adverse
effect
In general, either the Company or BTU can refuse to complete the merger if a material adverse effect occurs with regard
to the other party before the closing. However, neither party may refuse to complete the merger on that basis as a result
of any change, event, circumstance or condition resulting from certain conditions specified in the merger agreement.
If adverse changes occur, but the Company and BTU still complete the merger, the Company’s stock price may suffer.
The Company will be subject to contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Company has agreed to operate its business in the ordinary course prior to closing.
See “The Merger Agreement" for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to the Company.
The merger agreement limits the Company's ability to pursue acquisition proposals.
The merger agreement prohibits Amtech from initiating, soliciting, knowingly encouraging or knowingly
facilitating certain third-party acquisition proposals. See “The Merger Agreement”. These provisions might discourage
25
a potential acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Amtech from considering or
proposing such an acquisition.
The ability of BTU to engage in discussions with third parties making unsolicited offers to acquire BTU may affect
the potential to complete the merger and could cause financial and operations risks for the Company
While the merger agreement generally prohibits BTU from entering into or soliciting any other business combination
proposal with a party other than the Company, BTU may engage in discussions with certain third parties making
unsolicited offers to acquire the Company in compliance with the provisions of the merger agreement. This could cause
financial, operational, and reputational harm to the Company. Its stock price may suffer and it may harm future growth
initiatives.
The market price of Amtech’s common stock may decline as a result of the merger
The market price of the Company’s common stock may decline as a result of the merger for a number of reasons,
including:
• The integration of the BTU by the Company may be unsuccessful.
• The Company may not achieve the perceived benefits of the merger as rapidly as, or to the extent, anticipated
by financial or industry analysts.
• The effect of the merger on the Company’s financial results may not be consistent with the expectations of
financial or industry analysts.
These factors are, to some extent, beyond the Company’s control. In addition, for any of BTU’s stockholders who hold
their shares in certificated form, there will be a time period between the effective time of the merger and the time when
such stockholders actually receive book-entry shares evidencing the Company’s common stock. Until book-entry shares
are received, such stockholders will not be able to sell their shares of Company common stock in the open market and,
thus, will not be able to avoid potential losses resulting from any decline in the market price of the Company’s common
stock during this period.
Holders of the Company's common stock will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and
will exercise less influence over management.
Holders of the Company's common stock currently have the right to vote in the election of the board of directors and
on other matters affecting the Company. Upon the completion of the merger, each BTU stockholder who receives shares
of the Company's common stock will become a stockholder of the Company. It is currently expected that the former
stockholders of BTU as a group will receive shares in the merger. As a result, current stockholders of the Company as
a group will own a small percentage of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock immediately after the
merger. Because of this, current stockholders may have less influence than they now have on the management and
policies of the Company.
Litigation related to the merger could cause the Company to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention
and resources
In connection with the announcement of the merger agreement, the Company learned that two seperate putative
stockholder class action complaints were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The first was filed
on November 4, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against the members of the BTU Board,
Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief
concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting defendants from consummating the Merger,
other forms of equitable relief, and compensatory damages. While the Company believes that the claims are without
merit, it intends to defend against the litigation vigorously on behalf of the BTU Board.
The second was filed on November 17, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, the
BTU board, Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally seeks, among other things, injunctive relief prohibiting
the defendants from consummating the Merger, compensatory damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, and
other forms of equitable relief. While the Company also believes these claims are without merit, it intends to defend
against the litigation vigorously.
26
These matters may cause the company to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention from operational
matters. Additionally, no outcome is certain, so additional harm could potentially result to the Company or BTU from
this litigation.
In the past, securities class action litigation often has been brought against a company following periods of volatility
in the market price of its securities or in connection with strategic transactions. The Company may in the future be the
target of further securities litigation. Any securities litigation could result in substantial costs and could divert the
attention and resources of the Company’s management.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We believe that our properties are adequate for our current needs. In addition, we believe that adequate space can be
obtained to meet our foreseeable business needs. The following chart identifies the principal properties which we own
or lease.
Location
Use
Size
Monthly Rent
Lease Expiration
Solar and Semiconductor Equipment Segment
Tempe, AZ
Billerica, MA
Corporate
15,000 sf
Owned
N/A
Office, Mfg. & Warehouse
17,000 sf
$10,000
8/31/2017
Vaassen, The Netherlands
Office, Warehouse & Mfg.
54,000 sf
Owned
N/A
Vaassen, The Netherlands
Vaassen, The Netherlands
Warehouse
Warehouse
Clapiers, France
Shanghai, China
Shanghai, China
Polishing Supplies Segment
Office, Mfg. & Warehouse
Office, Warehouse & Mfg.
Office, Warehouse & Mfg.
23,000 sf
$12,000
23,000 sf
12,000 sf
13,000 sf
13,000 sf
$6,000
$10,000
$12,000
$12,000
3/31/2015
3/31/2015
9/30/2016 (1)
3/31/2015
9/30/2015
Carlisle, PA
Office & Mfg.
22,000 sf
$11,000
6/30/2019
____________________
(1) This lease can be canceled by the Company with six months' notice.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On October 21, 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with
BTU International, Inc. (“BTU”) and BTU Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Amtech (“Merger Sub”).
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement,
Merger Sub will merge with and into BTU (the “Merger”), with BTU continuing as the surviving corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Shortly after the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with BTU,
the Company learned that two separate putative stockholder class action complaints were filed n the Court of Chancery
of the State of Delaware.
The first was filed on November 4, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against the members of
the BTU Board, the Company and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that the members
of BTU’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by causing BTU to
enter into the Merger Agreement and by approving the merger, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided and abetted
such alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Merger Agreement improperly
favors the Company and unduly restricts BTU’s ability to negotiate with other potential bidders. The complaint generally
27
seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief
prohibiting the Company, Merger Sub, and BTU from consummating the Merger, other forms of equitable relief, and
compensatory damages. The Company believes that the claims are without merit and it intends to defend against the
litigation vigorously on behalf of the Company and Merger Sub.
The second was filed on November 17, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, the
BTU board, the Company and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that the members of
BTU’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by failing to engage in a
competitive sale and bidding process, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided and abetted such alleged breaches
of fiduciary duties. The complaint further alleges that these fiduciary breaches gave the Company an unfair advantage
by failing to solicit other potential acquirers. The complaint generally seeks, among other things, injunctive relief
prohibiting the defendants from consummating the Merger, compensatory damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary
duties, and other forms of equitable relief. While the Company also believes these claims are without merit, it intends
to defend against the litigation vigorously.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
28
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
MARKET INFORMATION
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), is trading on the NASDAQ Global Market (formerly
the NASDAQ National Market), under the symbol “ASYS.” On November 10, 2014, the closing price of our Common
Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market was $10.09 per share. The following table sets forth the high and
low bid price at which the shares of our Common Stock traded for each quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013, as reported
by the NASDAQ Global Market.
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Fiscal 2014
Fiscal 2013
High
Low
High
Low
$
$
$
$
9.21
13.74
13.00
12.37
$
$
$
$
6.19
6.87
7.58
8.47
$
$
$
$
3.42
4.85
7.93
7.70
$
$
$
$
2.90
3.24
3.21
5.44
COMPARISON OF STOCK PERFORMANCE
The following line graph compares cumulative total shareholder return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, for: the
Company’s Common Stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Industrial Index. Because the Company
did not pay dividends on its Common Stock during the measurement period, the calculation of the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock did not include dividends. The following graph assumes that
$100 was invested on October 1, 2009.
29
HOLDERS
As of November 10, 2014, there were 429 shareholders of record of our Common Stock. Based upon a recent survey
of brokers, we estimate there were approximately an additional 3,963 beneficial shareholders who held shares in
brokerage or other investment accounts as of that date.
DIVIDENDS
We have never paid dividends on our Common Stock. Our present policy is to apply cash to investment in product
development, acquisition or expansion; consequently, we do not expect to pay dividends on Common Stock in the
foreseeable future.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 30, 2014, concerning outstanding options and rights
to purchase Common Stock granted to participants in all of the Company’s equity compensation plans and the number
of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under such equity compensation plans.
Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
1,063,324
7.37
1,042,492
—
1,063,324
—
1,042,492
Plan Category
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders (1)
Equity compensation
plans not approved by
security holders
Total
____________________
(1) Represents the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan, the 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and the Non-
Employee Director Stock Option Plan and any respective amendments to each thereto.
COMPANY PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
There were no purchases of equity securities in fiscal 2014.
30
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements (including the related notes
thereto) contained elsewhere in this report.
Operating Data:
Net revenue
Gross profit
Operating income (loss) (1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Amtech
Systems, Inc. (2)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to
Amtech Systems, Inc.:
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Order backlog
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital
Total assets
Total current liabilities
Total equity
____________________
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
$
56,501
$
34,798
$
81,539
$ 246,705
$ 120,019
11,626
$
$
4,313
$ (13,089) $ (19,994) $ (32,984) $
9,193
$
$
90,657
38,279
$ (13,047) $ (20,069) $ (23,031) $
22,882
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1.34) $
(1.34) $
28,522
27,367
32,289
$
$
$
(2.11) $
(2.11) $
$
26,766
(2.43) $
(2.43) $
$
18,703
2.41
2.34
85,892
37,197
42,861
$
$
46,726
58,832
$
$
67,382
89,797
89,904
$ 110,947
$ 129,022
$ 205,865
$ 136,101
33,136
53,588
$
$
41,334
66,803
$
$
42,611
$
80,794
84,051
$ 122,331
$
$
50,816
84,243
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
42,712
15,909
9,563
1.06
1.04
94,427
56,764
65,638
(1)
Includes $0.3 million and $3.7 million of expense related to inventory write-downs in fiscal 2014 and 2013,
respectively. Includes $12.8 million of expense related to inventory write-downs and loss contracts for
inventory purchase commitments, and $5.4 million of impairment charges in fiscal 2012. Includes $2.9
million of expense related to reacquired shares in fiscal 2011.
(2)
Includes $1.7 million, $2.0 million, $5.6 million and $0.9 million of losses in fiscal 2014, 2013, 2012 and
2011, respectively, resulting from the 55% controlling interest in Kingstone acquired February 18, 2011.
31
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk
and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements
as a result of certain factors including, but not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Introduction
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to facilitate an understanding of our business and results
of operations. MD&A consists of the following sections:
• Overview: a summary of our business.
• Results of Operations: a discussion of operating results.
• Liquidity and Capital Resources: an analysis of cash flows, sources and uses of cash, financial position and
off-balance sheet arrangements.
• Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments: a list of obligations and commercial commitments.
• Critical Accounting Policies: a discussion of critical accounting policies that require the exercise of judgments
and estimates.
•
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: a discussion of how we are affected by recent
pronouncements.
Overview
We operate in two segments: (i) the solar and semiconductor equipment segment and (ii) the polishing supplies segment.
In our solar and semiconductor equipment segment, we are a leading supplier of thermal processing systems, including
related automation, parts and services, to the solar/photovoltaic, semiconductor, silicon wafer and MEMS industries
and also offer PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition) equipment to the solar market. In our polishing
supplies segment, we produce consumables and machinery for lapping (fine abrading) and polishing of materials, such
as sapphire substrates, optical components, silicon wafers, numerous types of crystalline materials, ceramics and metal
components. Since the 2011 acquisition of Kingstone, we have advanced the development of an ion implanter to
provide our solar customers with a more complete solution for their next-generation high-efficiency solar cell production.
Our customers are primarily manufacturers of solar cells and integrated circuits. The solar cell and semiconductor
industries are cyclical and historically have experienced significant fluctuations. Our revenue is impacted by these
broad industry trends. In 2012 through 2014, the solar cell industry experienced a structural imbalance between supply
and demand and has negatively impacted our results of operations. The current supply/demand imbalance and global
economic conditions have continued to negatively impact sales in the solar equipment market and have caused our
customer to significantly slow or push out their capacity expansion plans, and it is difficult to predict when the overall
market will improve.
Our strategy has been, and continues to be, to grow the Company through strategic product development and acquisitions.
In addition to internal product development, we have acquired companies with complementary products or products
that serve adjacent process steps. In October 2007, we acquired R2D Automation SAS, which allowed us to provide
our diffusion furnaces with integrated automation that is also sold as a stand-alone product. In February 2011, we
acquired a 55% ownership interest in Kingstone Technology Hong Kong, Limited ("Kingstone"), a holding company
that owns 100% of Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd., a Shanghai-based technology company specializing in
ion implant solutions for the solar industry. In October 2014, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BTU
International, Inc., a global supplier and technology leader of advanced thermal processing equipment and processes
to the electronics and alternative energy manufacturing markets with operations in North Billerica, Massachusetts and
32
Shanghai, China with direct sales and service in the USA, Asia and Europe. The transaction is expected to close in the
second quarter of Fiscal 2015.
33
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain operational data as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated:
Net revenue
Cost of sales
Write-down of inventory
Losses on inventory purchase commitments
Gross margin
Selling, general and administrative
Impairment and restructuring charges
Research and development
Operating loss
Interest and other income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax provision (benefit)
Net loss
Add: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013
Net Revenue
Years Ended September 30,
2014
100.0 %
78.9 %
0.5 %
— %
20.6 %
32.6 %
— %
11.1 %
(23.1)%
— %
(23.1)%
2.2 %
(25.3)%
2.2 %
(23.1)%
2013
100.0 %
77.1 %
10.5 %
— %
12.4 %
48.4 %
2.5 %
19.0 %
(57.5)%
0.5 %
(57.0)%
5.3 %
(62.3)%
4.7 %
(57.6)%
2012
100.0 %
73.0 %
12.7 %
3.0 %
11.3 %
28.3 %
6.7 %
16.8 %
(40.5)%
— %
(40.5)%
(6.5)%
(34.0)%
(5.6)%
(28.4)%
Net revenue is recognized upon shipment or installation of products using proven technology and upon acceptance of
products using new technology. In addition, spare parts sales are recognized upon shipment. Service revenue is
recognized upon completion of the service activity or ratably over the term of the service contract. Since the majority
of our revenue is generated from large thermal systems sales, revenue and operating income can be significantly impacted
by the timing of system shipments, the net impact of revenue deferral on those shipments, and recognition of revenue
based on customer acceptances. See Critical Accounting Policies – Revenue Recognition.
Segment
2014
2013
Inc (Dec)
%
Years Ended September 30,
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total net revenue
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
45,848
10,653
56,501
$
$
26,368
8,430
34,798
$
$
19,480
2,223
21,703
74%
26%
62%
Net revenue for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $56.5 million and $34.8 million, respectively; an
increase of $21.7 million or 62%. Revenue from the solar and semiconductor equipment segment increased 74% due
primarily to increased shipments of n-type technology equipment to the solar industry in fiscal 2014 and an upturn in
our semiconductor customers' capital equipment purchases. These increases were partially offset by deferred revenue
related to the significant amount of new product shipped including PECVD systems. Net revenue from the solar market
was $27.6 million and $17.4 million in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively; a 58% increase.
Higher revenues from the polishing supplies segment resulted from significant increases in sales of polishing templates
which are used in single-sided polishing processes. Sales of polishing templates have improved, due primarily to the
increased demand for sapphire substrates used in LED lighting and mobile communication devices.
34
Backlog and Orders
Our backlog as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $28.5 million and $26.8 million, respectively. Our backlog as of
September 30, 2014 included approximately $20.9 million of orders and deferred revenue from our solar industry
customers compared to $17.1 million as of September 30, 2013. New orders booked in fiscal 2014 were $61.3 million
compared to $43.6 million in fiscal 2013. As the majority of the backlog is denominated in Euros, the weakening of
the Euro during fiscal 2014 resulted in a decrease in backlog of approximately $2.3 million. At the end of fiscal 2014,
two customers individually accounted for 31% and 13% of our total backlog, respectively. At the end of fiscal 2013,
two customers individually accounted for 53% and 13% of our total backlog, respectively.
The orders included in our backlog are generally credit approved customer purchase orders expected to ship within the
next twelve months. Because our orders are typically subject to cancellation or delay by the customer, our backlog at
any particular point in time is not necessarily representative of actual sales for subsequent periods, nor is backlog any
assurance that we will realize revenue or profit from completing these orders. Our backlog also includes revenue
deferred pursuant to our revenue recognition policy, derived from orders that have already been shipped but which
have not met the criteria for revenue recognition.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit is the difference between net revenue and cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists of purchased
material, labor and overhead to manufacture equipment or spare parts and the cost of service and support to customers
for warranty, installation and paid service calls. Gross margin is gross profit as a percent of net revenue.
The timing of revenue recognition can have a significant effect on gross margin when portions of the equipment revenue
and costs of an order are recognized in one period and the remainder of the revenue and costs attributed to contingent
payments is recognized in a later period. The portion of revenue attributed to the contingent payments generally
comprises 10-20% of an order and has a significantly higher gross margin percentage.
Segment
2014
2013
Inc (Dec)
%
Years Ended September 30,
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total gross profit
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
7,212
4,414
11,626
$
$
1,583
2,730
4,313
$
$
5,629
1,684
7,313
356%
62%
170%
Gross profit for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $11.6 million and $4.3 million respectively; an
increase of $7.3 million or 170%. Gross margin for fiscal 2014 increased to 21% from 12% in fiscal 2013, respectively.
Gross margin for the solar and semiconductor equipment segment was 16% in fiscal 2014, compared to 6% in fiscal
2013. In the solar and semiconductor equipment segment, fiscal 2013 inventory write-downs were $3.7 million. In
fiscal 2014, use of previously written down inventory had a $4.0 million favorable impact. Partially offsetting this
improvement was recognition of previously-deferred revenue from relatively low-margin new product shipments. In
fiscal 2014, we had a net profit deferral of $6.1 million compared to a net recognition of previously-deferred profit of
$7.5 million in fiscal 2013.
Gross margin from our polishing supplies segment was 41% and 32% in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. Higher
margins in this segment resulted primarily from improved operational efficiencies associated with increased sales of
polishing templates.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors, as well as
facility costs, sales commissions, legal and accounting fees and promotional marketing expenses.
35
Years Ended September 30,
Segment
2014
2013
Inc (Dec)
%
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
16,191
2,233
18,424
$
$
13,737
3,093
16,830
$
$
2,454
(860)
1,594
18 %
(28)%
9 %
Total selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were
$18.4 million and $16.8 million respectively. This includes $0.8 million and $2.5 million of stock-based compensation
expense for the respective fiscal years 2014 and 2013. The decrease in stock-based compensation expense was offset
by bad debt expense of $1.3 million related to financial difficulties encountered by certain customers, higher legal and
consulting expenses, primarily related to activity leading to the pending merger with BTU International, and increased
commission expenses due to higher revenues. SG&A expenses in the solar and semiconductor equipment segment
include higher allocated corporate costs in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013.
SG&A expenses in the polishing supplies segment include allocated corporate costs. The decrease in SG&A expenses
in the polishing supplies segment was due to lower allocation of corporate costs, partially offset by increased
commissions related to higher revenues.
Impairment and Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges for the year ended September 30, 2013 were $0.9 million, related primarily to severance costs.
There were no impairment charges for the year ended September 30, 2013 and there were no impairment or restructuring
charges in fiscal 2014.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer
and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.
Reimbursement of research and development costs in the form of governmental research and development grants are
netted against these expenses when certain requirements of the grant are met.
Research and development
Grants earned
Net research and development
Years Ended
September 30,
2014
2013
Inc (Dec)
%
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
10,863
(4,572)
6,291
$
$
8,459
(1,865)
6,594
$
$
2,404
(2,707)
(303)
28 %
145 %
(5)%
Research and development ("R&D") expense (net of grants earned) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014
decreased $0.3 million compared to fiscal 2013. Gross R&D spending increased due primarily to higher activity in
the development of equipment for the solar industry as well as ion implant technology for markets other than solar.
Increased R&D spending was partially offset by increased recognition of grants earned. We receive reimbursements
through governmental research and development grants which are netted against these expenses.
As described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this filing, our Kingstone subsidiary has
entered into an agreement for the development of ion implanters for markets other than solar. Depending on its progress,
this development project may result in an increase in research and development expenses.
36
Income Tax Provision
Our effective tax rate was negative 9.5% and negative 9% in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate
is the ratio of total income tax expense (benefit) to pre-tax income (loss). The negative effective tax rates in fiscal 2014
and 2013 were due primarily to increasing the valuation allowance on the current period net operating losses and
establishing an allowance on all deferred tax assets related to France in 2014 and The Netherlands in 2013. The valuation
allowance was recorded due to cumulative losses in China, The Netherlands and France. The effective tax rate in 2014
and 2013 were lower than the 34% U.S. tax rate primarily due to the valuation allowance on net operating losses in
China (related to the ion implant research and development), The Netherlands and France.
The Financial Accounting Standards require that a valuation allowance be established when it is “more likely than not”
that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence
needs to be considered, including a company's performance, the market environment in which the company operates
and the length of carryback and carryforward periods. According to those standards, it is difficult to conclude that a
valuation allowance is not needed when the negative evidence includes cumulative losses in recent years. Therefore,
cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. As a result of the review, where cumulative losses had been
incurred, we concluded that it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets in the
Netherlands and China in fiscal 2013 and France in 2014. Available tax planning strategies cause us to believe that it
is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets related to the United States tax jurisdiction will be realized despite
cumulative losses there.
Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as the amount of income (loss) in each tax
jurisdiction, tax regulations governing each region, non-tax deductible expenses incurred as a percent of pre-tax income
and the effectiveness of our tax planning strategies. At the end of 2011 we restructured our European operations to
lower the tax rate on the Netherlands operations from 35% to a marginal rate of 25% and to as low as 5% on income
derived from qualified new technologies, as we intend to permanently reinvest future Dutch earnings in our foreign
operations. The effect of the restructure on our tax rate depends on the amount of income or loss earned in the Netherlands,
as well as the portion of such income that can be demonstrated to have been derived from qualified new technologies,
as well as the factors mentioned above.
Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012
Net Revenue
Net revenue consists of revenue recognized upon shipment or installation of products using proven technology and
upon acceptance of products using new technology. In addition, spare parts sales are recognized upon shipment. Service
revenue is recognized upon completion of the service activity or ratably over the term of the service contract. Since
the majority of our revenue is generated from large thermal systems sales, revenue and operating income can be
significantly impacted by the timing of system shipments, the net impact of revenue deferral on those shipments, and
recognition of revenue based on customer acceptances. See Critical Accounting Policies – Revenue Recognition.
Segment
2013
2012
Inc (Dec)
%
Years Ended September 30,
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total net revenue
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
26,368
8,430
34,798
$
$
73,102
8,437
81,539
$ (46,734)
(7)
$ (46,741)
(64)%
— %
(57)%
Net revenue for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $34.8 million and $81.5 million, respectively; a
decrease of $46.7 million or 57%. Revenue from the solar and semiconductor equipment segment decreased 64% due
to the continued supply / demand imbalance in the solar market as well as the fiscal 2013 cyclical downturn in our
semiconductor customers' capital equipment purchases. Net revenue from the solar market was $17.4 million and $44.2
37
million in fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively; a 61% decrease. Demand for products from our polishing supplies
segment was consistent from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013.
Backlog and Orders
Our backlog as of September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $26.8 million and $18.7 million, respectively. Our backlog as of
September 30, 2013 included approximately $17.1 million of orders and deferred revenue from our solar industry
customers compared to $13.8 million as of September 30, 2012. New orders booked in fiscal 2013 were $43.6 million
compared to $40.9 million in fiscal 2012. As the majority of the backlog is denominated in Euros, the strengthening
of the Euro during fiscal 2013 resulted in an increase in backlog of approximately $0.9 million. At the end of fiscal
2013, two customers individually accounted for 53% and 13% of our total backlog, respectively. At the end of fiscal
2012, one customer accounted for 10% of our total backlog. In fiscal 2013, our order pipeline remained slow with the
exception of a large order for n-type cell technology and PECVD equipment.
The orders included in our backlog are generally credit approved customer purchase orders expected to ship within the
next twelve months. Because our orders are typically subject to cancellation or delay by the customer, our backlog at
any particular point in time is not necessarily representative of actual sales for subsequent periods, nor is backlog any
assurance that we will realize revenue or profit from completing these orders. Our backlog also includes revenue
deferred pursuant to our revenue recognition policy, derived from orders that have already been shipped but which
have not met the criteria for revenue recognition.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit is the difference between net revenue and cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists of purchased
material, labor and overhead to manufacture equipment or spare parts and the cost of service and support to customers
for warranty, installation and paid service calls. Gross margin is gross profit as a percent of net revenue.
The timing of revenue recognition can have a significant effect on gross margin when a portion of the equipment revenue
of an order is recognized in one period and the remainder of the revenue attributed to holdbacks is recognized in a later
period. The portion of revenue attributed to the holdbacks generally comprises 10-20% of an order and has a significantly
higher gross margin percentage.
Segment
2013
2012
Inc (Dec)
%
Years Ended September 30,
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total gross profit
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
1,583
2,730
4,313
$
$
6,458
2,735
9,193
$
$
(4,875)
(5)
(4,880)
(75)%
— %
(53)%
Gross profit for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $4.3 million and $9.2 million respectively; a decrease
of $4.9 million or 53%. Gross margin for fiscal 2013 and 2012 was 12% and 11%, respectively, due primarily to
inventory write-downs and losses on inventory purchase commitments of $3.7 million and $12.8 million in fiscal 2013
and 2012, respectively. The margins were also adversely affected by a significant reduction in manufacturing capacity
utilization due to the cyclical decline in demand for our products. These items were only partially offset by the higher
gross margins realized from the significant portion of net revenue resulting from recognition of previously deferred
revenue upon customer acceptance. In fiscal 2013, we had a net recognition of previously-deferred profit of $7.5
million compared to $16.1 million in fiscal 2012. Gross profit on products from our polishing supplies segment was
consistent from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2013.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors, as well as
facility costs, sales commissions, legal and accounting fees and promotional marketing expenses.
38
Years Ended September 30,
Segment
2013
2012
Inc (Dec)
%
Solar and semiconductor equipment segment
Polishing supplies segment
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
13,737
3,093
16,830
$
$
20,861
2,194
23,055
$
$
(7,124)
899
(6,225)
(34)%
41 %
(27)%
Total selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were
$16.8 million and $23.1 million respectively, a decrease of $6.2 million or 27%. The decrease in SG&A expenses was
due, in part, to lower commissions and shipping expenses related to lower revenues and also reflects significant company-
wide cost control initiatives to reduce salaries, professional fees, travel and insurance expense. Partially offsetting the
decrease in SG&A expenses is an increase in stock compensation expense to $2.5 million in fiscal 2013 from $1.8
million in fiscal 2012. The increase in stock compensation expense is due to the June 2013 acceleration of vesting and
the cancellation of certain stock options.
Impairment and Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges for the year ended September 30, 2013 were $0.9 million. There were no impairment charges
in fiscal 2013. The company's cost-cutting efforts in fiscal 2013 included reductions-in-force which resulted in
restructuring charges related primarily to severance costs. Impairment charges for the year ended September 30, 2012
were $5.4 million. In our periodic assessment of long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we identified an
impairment of the goodwill in two of our reporting units that serve the solar equipment market resulting in a $4.7 million
impairment charge, due primarily to the supply / demand imbalance in the solar equipment market. Also, in fiscal
2012, a $0.7 million impairment charge was recorded for assets related to a product development project.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer
and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.
Reimbursement of research and development costs in the form of governmental research and development grants are
netted against these expenses when certain requirements of the grant are met.
Research and development
Grants earned
Net research and development
Years Ended
September 30,
2013
2012
Inc (Dec)
%
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
8,459
(1,865)
6,594
$
$
14,723
(1,029)
13,694
$
$
(6,264)
(836)
(7,100)
(43)%
81 %
(52)%
Research and development costs (net of grants earned) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 decreased $7.1
million compared to fiscal 2012. Decreased spending in research and development relates primarily to reduced activity
and cost control efforts in solar research. We receive reimbursements through governmental research and development
grants which are netted against these expenses. The increase in grants earned resulted primarily from grant funding
for development of the solar ion implanter.
As described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this filing, our Kingstone subsidiary has
entered into an agreement for the development of ion implanters for a non-solar application in China. Depending on
its progress, this development project may result in a significant increase in research and development expenses.
39
Income Tax Provision
Our effective tax rate was negative (9%) in fiscal 2013 and 16% in 2012. The effective tax rate is the ratio of total
income tax expense (benefit) to pre-tax income (loss). The negative effective tax rate in fiscal 2013 was due primarily
to establishing an allowance on all deferred tax assets related to The Netherlands income taxes. The valuation allowance
was recorded due to cumulative losses in The Netherlands. The effective tax rate in 2012 was lower than the 34% U.S.
tax rate primarily due to the valuation allowance on net operating losses in China (related to the ion implant research
and development) and the 25% tax rate applicable to the losses in The Netherlands.
The Financial Accounting Standards require that a valuation allowance be established when it is “more likely than not”
that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence
needs to be considered, including a company's performance, the market environment in which the company operates
and the length of carryback and carryforward periods. According to those standards, it is difficult to conclude that a
valuation allowance is not needed when the negative evidence includes cumulative losses in recent years. Therefore,
cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. As a result of the review, we concluded during fiscal 2013
that it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets in the Netherlands and China,
where cumulative losses have been incurred. Available tax planning strategies cause us to believe that it is more likely
than not that the deferred tax assets related to the United States tax jurisdiction will be realized despite cumulative
losses there.
Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as the amount of income (loss) in each tax
jurisdiction, tax regulations governing each region, non-tax deductible expenses incurred as a percent of pre-tax income
and the effectiveness of our tax planning strategies. At the end of 2011 we restructured our European operations to
lower the tax rate on the Netherlands operations from 35% to a marginal rate of 25% and to as low as 5% on income
derived from qualified new technologies, as we intend to permanently reinvest future Dutch earnings in our foreign
operations. The effect of the restructure on our tax rate depends on the amount of income or loss earned in the Netherlands,
as well as the portion of such income that can be demonstrated to have been derived from qualified new technologies,
as well as the factors mentioned above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, cash and cash equivalents were $27.4 million and $37.2 million, respectively. As
of September 30, 2014 and 2013, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries was $7.5 million and $14.8
million, respectively. All cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries can be distributed without incurring
any significant taxes. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, restricted cash was $2.4 million and $5.1 million, respectively.
Restricted cash decreased due to the use of funds received from grants for the non-solar ion implant development
project, and a decrease in customer deposits requiring bank guarantees collateralized by cash. Our working capital was
$32.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and $42.9 million as of September 30, 2013. The decline in working capital
results primarily from the net loss in 2014. The decrease in cash was primarily cash used in operating activities of
$11.1 million and $0.5 million of cash used in investing activities which are discussed below. Our ratio of current assets
to current liabilities was 2.0:1 as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. We expect to make a tax payment
of approximately $5 million which is due in 2015.
See information below regarding payments expected as a result of contractual obligations. We have never paid dividends
on our Common Stock. Our present policy is to apply cash to investments in product development, acquisitions or
expansion; consequently, we do not expect to pay dividends on Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We believe
that our current cash and other sources of liquidity discussed below are adequate to support operations for at least the
next 12 months.
The success of our growth strategy is dependent upon the availability of additional capital resources on terms satisfactory
to management. Our sources of capital in the past have included the sale of equity securities, which include common
and preferred stock sold in private transactions and public offerings, capital leases and long-term debt. There can be
no assurance that we can raise such additional capital resources on satisfactory terms. We believe that our principal
sources of liquidity discussed above are sufficient to support operations.
40
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Fiscal Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$ (11,081) $
(462) $
$
$
1,481
$
(9,953) $ (12,438)
(1,542)
(4,108)
(178) $
(238) $
Cash used in operating activities was $11.1 million, $10.0 million, and $12.4 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013, and
2012 respectively. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, cash declined due to losses from operations, adjusted for non-cash
charges. In fiscal 2014, significant uses of cash include increases in accounts receivable and decreases in customer
deposits and other liabilities, partially offset by sources such as tax refunds and increases in deferred profit. Significant
sources of cash in fiscal 2013 were primarily collections of accounts receivable and increases in accrued liabilities and
customer deposits. Partially offsetting the sources were income tax payments of approximately $8.7 million and
decreases in liabilities such as deferred profit, accounts payable and other accruals. During fiscal 2012, uses of cash
in operating activities resulted primarily from decreases in liabilities such as deferred profit, accrued income taxes,
accounts payable and other accruals, partially offset by collections of accounts receivable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Investing activities in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 decreased significantly due primarily to the solar and semiconductor
industry downturn. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, capital expenditures were $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $1.3
million respectively.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
In fiscal 2014, cash provided by financing activities was $1.5 million, consisting primarily of proceeds from employee
exercises of stock options and the related tax benefits. In fiscal 2013, there were few financing activities. In fiscal
2012, cash was used to repurchase shares related to the Kingstone acquisition.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2014, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
41
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
We had the following contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of September 30, 2014:
Contractual obligations
Total
Less than 1
year
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than 5
years
(dollars in thousands)
Operating lease obligations:
Buildings
Office equipment
Vehicles
Total operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations
Total
Other commercial obligations:
Bank guarantees
$
1,935
$
755
$
766
$
382
$
66
353
2,354
7,912
10,266
1,429
$
$
$
$
52
168
975
7,912
8,887
1,429
$
$
10
146
922
—
4
39
425
—
922
$
425
$
—
—
32
—
—
32
—
32
—
Our Kingstone subsidiary is investigating options for the securing the funding for their $6.1 million commitment to
the project described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this filing. These
commitments have been omitted from the table, as Amtech has no obligation or plan to fund Kingstone's commitments
under this agreement.
Critical Accounting Policies
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated
financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements,
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.
On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory
valuation and inventory purchase commitments, accounts receivable collectability, warranty and impairment of long-
lived assets. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, expectations regarding the future and on
various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates and
judgments form the basis for making conclusions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
A critical accounting policy is one that is both important to the presentation of our financial position and results of
operations, and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need
to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These uncertainties are discussed in “ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS.” We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition - We review product and service sales contracts with multiple deliverables to determine if separate
units of accounting are present. Where separate units of accounting exist, revenue allocated to delivered items is the
lower of the relative selling price of the delivered items in the sales arrangement or the portion of the selling price that
is not contingent upon performance of the service.
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the product has been delivered and title has
transferred, or services have been rendered; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is
reasonably assured. For us, this policy generally results in revenue recognition at the following points:
(1)
For our equipment business, transactions where legal title passes to the customer upon shipment, we
recognize revenue upon shipment for those products where the customer’s defined specifications have been
42
met with at least two similarly configured systems and processes for a comparably situated customer. Our
selling prices typically include both equipment and services, i.e., installation and start-up services performed
by our service technicians. The equipment and services are multiple deliverables. Our recognition of revenue
upon delivery of equipment is limited to the lesser of (i) the total selling price minus the relative selling
price of the undelivered services or (ii) the non-contingent amount. Since we defer only those costs directly
related to installation or other unit of accounting not yet delivered and the portion of the contract price is
often considerably greater than the relative selling price of those items, our policy at times will result in
deferral of profit that is disproportionate in relation to the deferred revenue. When this is the case, the gross
margin recognized in one period will be lower and the gross margin reported in a subsequent period will
improve.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
For products where the customer’s defined specifications have not been met with at least two similarly
configured systems and processes, the revenue and directly related costs are deferred at the time of shipment
and later recognized at the time of customer acceptance or when this criterion has been met. We have, on
occasion, experienced longer than expected delays in receiving cash from certain customers pending final
installation or system acceptance. If some of our customers refuse to pay the final payment, or otherwise
delay final acceptance or installation, the deferred revenue would not be recognized, adversely affecting
our future cash flows and operating results.
Sales of polishing supplies generally do not include process guarantees, acceptance criteria or holdbacks;
therefore, the related revenue is generally recorded upon transfer of title which is generally at the time of
shipment.
Sales of spare parts and consumables are recognized upon shipment, as there are no post shipment obligations
other than standard warranties.
Service revenue is recognized upon performance of the services requested by the customer. Revenue related
to service contracts is recognized ratably over the period of the contract or in accordance with the terms of
the contract, which generally coincides with the performance of the services requested by the customer.
Income Taxes. The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in identifying uncertain tax positions
and estimating the amount of deferred tax assets that will be realized in the future and the impact of uncertainties in
the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations
could have a material impact on our operations and financial condition.
We are required to apply a more likely than not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions
and in determining whether certain tax benefits will be realized in the future. We are required to recognize the amount
of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. It further requires
that a change in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions be recognized in earnings
in the period of such change. Prior to adoption, our policy was to establish reserves that reflected the probable outcome
of known tax contingencies.
In fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, judgment was also exercised in determining the appropriate accounting for income taxes
in connection with the reorganization of our Netherlands operations and estimating the appreciated value of certain
intangibles that we transferred between taxing jurisdictions and the related tax on those transfers.
Inventory Valuation and Inventory Purchase Commitments. We value our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable
value. Costs for approximately 70% of inventory are determined on an average cost basis with the remainder determined
on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. We regularly review inventory quantities and record a write-down to net realizable
value for excess and obsolete inventory. The write-down is primarily based on historical inventory usage adjusted for
expected changes in product demand and production requirements. Our industry is characterized by customers in highly
cyclical industries, rapid technological changes, frequent new product developments and rapid product obsolescence.
Changes in demand for our products and product mix could result in further write-downs.
We must order components for our products and build inventory in advance of product shipments through issuance of
purchase orders based on projected demand. These commitments typically cover our requirements for periods ranging
from 30 to 180 days or longer when there a significant increase in demand or lead-times from suppliers. These purchase
43
commitments may result in accepting delivery of components not needed to meet current demand. We accrue for
estimated cancellation fees related to component orders that have been cancelled or are expected to be cancelled, and
for excess inventories that will likely result in our taking delivery of ordered inventory items in excess of our projected
needs. If there is an abrupt and substantial decline in demand for one or more of our products, an unanticipated change
in technological requirements for any of our products, or a change in our suppliers' practice of not enforcing purchase
commitments, we may be required to record additional charges for these items. This would negatively impact gross
margin in the period when the charges are recorded.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from
the inability or unwillingness of our customers to make required payments. This allowance is based on historical
experience, credit evaluations, specific customer collection history and any customer-specific issues we have identified.
Since a significant portion of our revenue is derived from the sale of high-value systems, our accounts receivable are
often concentrated in a relatively few number of customers. A significant change in the liquidity or financial position
of any one of these customers could have a material adverse impact on the collectability of our accounts receivable
and our future operating results.
Warranty. We provide a limited warranty, generally for 12 to 24 months, to our customers. A provision for the estimated
cost of providing warranty coverage is recorded upon acceptance of all systems. On occasion, we have been required
and may be required in the future to provide additional warranty coverage to ensure that the systems are ultimately
accepted or to maintain customer goodwill. While our warranty costs have historically been within our expectations
and we believe that the amounts accrued for warranty expenditures are sufficient for all systems sold through September
30, 2014, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience a similar level of predictability with regard to warranty
costs. In addition, technological changes or previously unknown defects in raw materials or components may result in
more extensive and frequent warranty service than anticipated, which could result in an increase in our warranty expense.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We periodically evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that
indicate the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets or intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining
balance may not be recoverable. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment at least
annually. When factors indicate that a long-lived asset should be evaluated for possible impairment, we use an estimate
of the related undiscounted net cash flows generated by the asset over the remaining estimated life of the asset in
measuring whether the asset is recoverable. We make judgments and estimates in establishing the carrying value of
goodwill and other long-lived assets. Those judgments and estimates are modified as economic and market conditions
change. Changes in these conditions may result in an inability to recover the carrying value of these assets and, therefore,
may result in future impairment charges. Below is a more detailed explanation of the procedures we perform.
We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit
is less than its carrying amount. As a result of our qualitative assessment, we determined that the polishing segment
required no further impairment testing. If the qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair
value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform a two-step impairment test of goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets. In the first step, we estimate the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to its
carrying value. When the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step is performed to
measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the amount of the impairment loss is the excess
of the carrying amount of the goodwill and other intangibles not subject to amortization over their implied fair value.
The methods used to estimate fair value of the reporting unit for the purpose of determining the implied fair value of
goodwill include the market approach and discounted cash flows, as follows:
i.
One valuation methodology used is to determine the multiples of market value of invested capital (“MVIC”)
of similar public companies to their revenue for the last twelve months (“LTM”) and next twelve months
(“NTM”), and apply those multiples to the revenue for the comparable periods of the reporting unit being
tested for impairment. This approach provides the closest estimate to quoted market prices that are readily
available. However, we generally give less weight to this method, because the market value of the minority
interest of public companies may not be relevant to the fair value of our wholly-owned reporting units,
which are not public companies. Also, MVIC to revenue for the LTM uses a historical value in the calculation,
while the market values tend to be forward looking. MVIC of revenue for the NTM involves the use of
projections for both the comparable companies and the reporting unit.
44
ii.
Another market approach that we sometimes use is based upon prices paid in merger and acquisition
transactions for other companies in the same industry, again applying the MVIC to revenue of those
companies to the historical and projected revenue of the reporting unit. When we use both market prices
determined as described in (i), above, and prices paid in merger and acquisition transactions, we weight
them to determine an indicated value under the market approach.
iii. As stated, we also use discounted cash flows as an indication of a third-party market price for the reporting
unit in an arms-length transaction. This method requires projections of EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization) and applying an appropriate discount rate based on the weighted
average cost of capital for the reporting unit.
We generally give the greatest weight, often 75% or more, to the discounted cash flow method, due to difficulty in
identifying a sufficient number of companies that are truly comparable to a given reporting unit. This is because some
of our reporting units are relatively small businesses serving niche markets.
The material estimates and assumptions used in the discounted cash flows method of determining fair value include
(i) the appropriate discount rate, given the risk-free rate of return and various risk premiums, (ii) projected revenues,
(iii) projected material cost as a percentage of revenue, and (iv) the rate of change in payroll and other expenses.
Quantitatively, the discount rate is the assumption that has the most significant effect on the discounted cash flows. We
determine the discount rate used based on input from a valuation firm, which applies various approaches taking into
account the particular circumstances of the reporting unit in arriving at a recommendation. For annual valuations, we
test the sensitivity of the assumptions used in our discounted cash flow projection with the aid of a valuation firm,
which utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation model, wherein various probabilities are assigned to the key assumptions.
Changes to economic and market assumptions could materially change the estimated fair values of the Company's
reporting units and, therefore, may result in future impairment changes.
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company measures compensation costs relating to share-based payment transactions
based upon the grant-date fair value of the award. Those costs are recognized as expense over the requisite service
period, which is generally the vesting period. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost
are reported as cash flow from financing activities rather than as cash flow from operating activities.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For discussion of the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements, see “Item 8: Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data” under Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under “Impact of Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements”.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rates to the extent sales contracts, purchase contracts, assets or liabilities
of our operations are denominated in currencies other than their functional currency. Our operations in the United States
are conducted in their functional currency, the U.S. dollar. Our operations in Europe and China, conduct business
primarily in their functional currencies, the Euro and Renminbi, but occasionally enter into transactions denominated
in U.S. dollars. It is highly uncertain how currency exchange rates will fluctuate in the future. Actual changes in foreign
exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results or financial condition.
During fiscal 2014 and 2013, we did not hold any stand-alone or separate derivative instruments. We incurred net
foreign currency transaction gains and losses of less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013. As of September
30, 2014, our foreign subsidiaries had $1.6 million of assets (cash and receivables) denominated in U.S. dollars, rather
than their functional currency. A 10% change in the value of the functional currency relative to the non-functional
currency would result in a gain or loss of $0.2 million. As of the end of fiscal 2014, our foreign subsidiaries had $1.2
million of accounts payable, consisting primarily of amounts owed to our U.S. companies, denominated in U.S. dollars.
Even though the intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation, a 10% change in the value of the Euro relative
to the U.S. dollar would result in a gain or loss of $0.1 million. Our net investment in and long-term advances to our
foreign operations totaled $25.7 million as of September 30, 2014. A 10% change in the value of the Euro relative to
the U.S. dollar would cause an approximately a $2.6 million foreign currency translation adjustment, a type of other
45
comprehensive income (loss), which would be a direct adjustment to our stockholders’ equity. In fiscal 2014, we
recognized a net other comprehensive loss of $1.2 million from translation adjustments.
During fiscal 2014 and 2013, U.S. dollar denominated sales of our European operations were $1.7 million and $1.5
million, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, sales commitments denominated in a currency other than the functional
currency of our transacting operation were $0.6 million. Our lead-times to fulfill these commitments generally range
between 13 and 26 weeks. A 10% change in the relevant exchange rates between the time the order was taken and the
time of shipment would cause our gross profit on such orders to be $0.1 million greater or less than expected on the
date the order was taken. As of September 30, 2014, purchase commitments denominated in a currency other than the
functional currency of our transacting operation totaled $0.4 million. A 10% change in the relevant exchange rates
between the time the purchase order was placed and the time the order is received would not cause our cost of such
items to be significantly greater or less than expected on the date the purchase order was placed.
46
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets: September 30, 2014 and 2013
Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Operations: Years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); Years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and
2012
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity: Years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
48
51
52
53
54
55
56
47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Amtech Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss),
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2014. The
Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Amtech Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2014, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on criteria established
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 20, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion.
Phoenix, Arizona
November 20, 2014
/s/ MAYER HOFFMAN MCCANN P.C.
48
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
We have audited Amtech Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as
of September 30, 2014 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control
over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the
risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control
based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in
the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on
the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
In our opinion, Amtech Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control
over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the consolidated balance sheets and the related statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss),
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, and our report dated November 20, 2014, expressed an unqualified
opinion.
Phoenix, Arizona
November 20, 2014
/s/ MAYER HOFFMAN MCCANN P.C.
49
50
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands except share data)
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,846 and $638 at
September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively)
Unbilled and other
Inventories
Deferred income taxes
Refundable income taxes
Other
Total current assets
Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
Deferred income taxes - Long Term
Other Assets - Long Term
Intangible Assets - Net
Goodwill
Total Assets
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and related taxes
Accrued warranty expense
Deferred profit
Customer deposits
Other accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Total current liabilities
Income Taxes Payable Long-term
Total Liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
$
27,367
2,380
$
8,896
6,880
16,760
1,060
—
2,082
65,425
9,752
1,300
2,426
2,678
8,323
89,904
6,003
4,269
628
6,908
4,992
5,346
4,990
33,136
3,180
36,316
$
$
$
$
37,197
5,134
4,829
3,194
22,001
1,330
7,580
2,930
84,195
11,066
1,260
2,443
3,502
8,481
110,947
5,472
3,778
1,454
3,067
11,253
10,140
6,170
41,334
2,810
44,144
Preferred stock; 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares
issued and outstanding: 9,848,253 and 9,550,809 at September 30, 2014 and
September 30, 2013, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained deficit
Total Stockholders' Equity
Noncontrolling interest
Total Equity
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
$
—
—
98
81,884
(5,790)
(21,051)
55,141
(1,553)
53,588
89,904
$
96
79,610
(4,556)
(8,004)
67,146
(343)
66,803
110,947
51
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements Of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenue, net of returns and allowances
Cost of sales
Write-down of inventory
Losses on inventory purchase commitments
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Impairment and restructuring charges
Operating loss
Interest and other income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax provision (benefit)
Net loss
Add: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Loss Per Share:
Basic loss per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
Weighted average shares outstanding
Diluted loss per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
Weighted average shares outstanding
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
$
$
$
$
$
56,501
44,581
294
—
11,626
18,424
6,291
—
(13,089)
40
(13,049)
1,240
(14,289)
1,242
(13,047) $
$
34,798
26,833
3,652
—
4,313
16,830
6,594
883
(19,994)
147
(19,847)
1,860
(21,707)
1,638
(20,069) $
(1.34) $
9,732
(1.34) $
9,732
(2.11) $
9,529
(2.11) $
9,529
81,539
59,511
10,380
2,455
9,193
23,055
13,694
5,428
(32,984)
66
(32,918)
(5,320)
(27,598)
4,567
(23,031)
(2.43)
9,471
(2.43)
9,471
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
52
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands)
Net loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
$
$
(14,289) $
(1,202)
(15,491)
(21,707) $
2,225
(19,482)
(27,598)
(4,853)
(32,451)
1,210
(14,281) $
1,674
(17,808) $
4,681
(27,770)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
53
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands)
Common Stock
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-
In Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Non-
controlling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance at
September 30, 2011
9,431
$
94
$ 83,207
$
(2,078) $
35,096
$
116,319
$
6,012
$
122,331
Net loss
Translation adjustment
Write-off of foreign tax credits due
to legal reorganization
Stock compensation expense
Restricted shares released
Stock options exercised
Balance at
(23,031)
(23,031)
(4,567)
(4,739)
(4,739)
(114)
(7,595)
1,763
(1)
3
52
1
1
—
(7,595)
1,763
—
3
(27,598)
(4,853)
(7,595)
1,763
—
3
September 30, 2012
9,484
$
95
$ 77,377
$
(6,817) $
12,065
$
82,720
$
1,331
$
84,051
Net loss
Translation adjustment
Tax deficiency of stock
compensation
Stock compensation expense
Restricted shares released
Stock options exercised
Balance at
(20,069)
(20,069)
(1,638)
(21,707)
2,261
2,261
(36)
2,225
(264)
2,472
1
24
59
8
1
—
(264)
2,472
2
24
(264)
2,472
2
24
September 30, 2013
9,551
$
96
$ 79,610
$
(4,556) $
(8,004) $
67,146
$
(343) $
66,803
Net loss
Translation adjustment
Tax benefit of stock compensation
Stock compensation expense
Restricted shares released
Stock options exercised
Balance at
345
795
—
1,134
34
263
—
2
(1,234)
(13,047)
(13,047)
(1,242)
(14,289)
(1,234)
345
795
—
1,136
32
(1,202)
345
795
—
1,136
September 30, 2014
9,848
$
98
$ 81,884
$
(5,790) $ (21,051) $
55,141
$ (1,553) $
53,588
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
54
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Operating Activities
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Write-down of inventory
Loss on inventory purchase commitments
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred income taxes
Impairment of long-lived assets
Non-cash share based compensation expense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Accrued income taxes
Other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities and customer deposits
Deferred profit
Net cash used in operating activities
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Other
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
Repurchase of common stock
Payments on long-term obligations
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) of stock compensation
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Income tax refunds
Income tax payments
Supplemental Non-cash Financing Activities:
Transfer inventory to capital equipment
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
$
(14,289) $
(21,707) $
(27,598)
2,410
294
—
1,304
194
—
795
2,662
(11,786)
3,636
6,849
782
766
(10,805)
6,107
(11,081)
(462)
—
(462)
1,136
—
—
345
1,481
232
(9,830)
37,197
27,367
6,474
184
527
$
$
$
2,667
3,652
—
169
1,368
—
2,472
(326)
10,629
(221)
(7,818)
(360)
(495)
7,489
(7,472)
(9,953)
(178)
—
(178)
26
—
—
(264)
(238)
840
(9,529)
46,726
37,197
18
8,678
$
$
$
2,858
10,380
2,455
300
3,781
5,428
1,763
1,781
23,700
(2,130)
(15,543)
4,677
(2,807)
(5,387)
(16,096)
(12,438)
(1,306)
(236)
(1,542)
3
(4,080)
(31)
—
(4,108)
(2,568)
(20,656)
67,382
46,726
1,115
5,030
— $
1,586
$
$
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation – Amtech Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) designs, assembles, sells
and installs capital equipment and related consumables used in the manufacture of wafers, primarily for the solar and
semiconductor industries. The Company sells these products to manufacturers of solar cells, silicon wafers, and
semiconductors worldwide, particularly in Asia, United States and Europe.
The Company serves niche markets in industries that are experiencing rapid technological advances and which
historically have been very cyclical. Therefore, future profitability and growth depend on the Company’s ability to
develop or acquire and market profitable new products and on its ability to adapt to cyclical trends.
Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. The Company reports noncontrolling
interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Change in Accounting Estimate - The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities and inventory purchase
commitments and writes down excess and obsolete inventory to its net realizable value, and records a loss for expected
purchase order cancellation charges and for excess inventory purchase commitments that cannot be cancelled. The
write-down is primarily based on historical inventory usage adjusted for expected changes in product demand and
production requirements. Due to a downturn in the solar industry, product demand and production requirements have
declined significantly. As the Company began its annual budget review in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, it determined
that the downturn was expected to continue at least in 2013. As a result, the Company recorded a write-down of
inventory of $10.4 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. The Company also recorded a loss of $2.5
million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 on inventory purchase commitments. In fiscal 2012, the inventory
write-down and loss on inventory purchase commitments reduced operating income by $12.8 million, reduced net
income attributable to Amtech shareholders by $9.7 million and increased basic and diluted loss per share by $1.01
cents per share. In fiscal 2013, the Company determined that the downturn was expected to continue into 2014. As a
result, the Company recorded a write-down of inventory of $3.7 million for fiscal year 2013. The write-down of
inventory reduced net income attributable to Amtech shareholders by $3.7 million and increased basic and diluted loss
per share by $0.39 cents per share. In fiscal 2014, the Company had inventory write-downs of $0.3 million which
increased basic and diluted loss per share by $0.03 cents per share.
Revenue Recognition – We review product and service sales contracts with multiple deliverables to determine if
separate units of accounting are present. Where separate units of accounting exist, revenue allocated to delivered items
is the lower of the relative selling price of the delivered items in the sales arrangement or the portion of the selling price
that is not contingent upon performance of the service.
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the product has been delivered and title has
transferred, or services have been rendered; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is
reasonably assured. For us, this policy generally results in revenue recognition at the following points:
(1)
For our equipment business, transactions where legal title passes to the customer upon shipment, we
recognize revenue upon shipment for those products where the customer’s defined specifications have been
met with at least two similarly configured systems and processes for a comparably situated customer. Our
selling prices typically include both equipment and services, i.e., installation and start-up services performed
by our service technicians. The equipment and services are multiple deliverables. Our recognition of revenue
upon delivery of equipment is limited to the lesser of (i) the total selling price minus the relative selling
price of the undelivered services or (ii) the non-contingent amount. Since we defer only those costs directly
56
related to installation or other unit of accounting not yet delivered and the portion of the contract price is
often considerably greater than the relative selling price of those items, our policy at times will result in
deferral of profit that is disproportionate in relation to the deferred revenue. When this is the case, the gross
margin recognized in one period will be lower and the gross margin reported in a subsequent period will
improve.
For products where the customer’s defined specifications have not been met with at least two similarly
configured systems and processes, the revenue and directly related costs are deferred at the time of shipment
and later recognized at the time of customer acceptance or when this criterion has been met. We have, on
occasion, experienced longer than expected delays in receiving cash from certain customers pending final
installation or system acceptance. If some of our customers refuse to pay the final payment, or otherwise
delay final acceptance or installation, the deferred revenue would not be recognized, adversely affecting
our future cash flows and operating results.
Sales of polishing supplies generally do not include process guarantees, acceptance criteria or holdbacks;
therefore, the related revenue is generally recorded upon transfer of title which is generally at the time of
shipment.
Sales of spare parts and consumables are recognized upon shipment, as there are no post shipment obligations
other than standard warranties.
Service revenue is recognized upon performance of the services requested by the customer. Revenue related
to service contracts is recognized ratably over the period of the contract or in accordance with the terms of
the contract, which generally coincides with the performance of the services requested by the customer.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Deferred Profit – Revenue deferred pursuant to our revenue policy, net of the related deferred costs, if any, is recorded
as deferred profit in current liabilities. The components of deferred profit are as follows:
Deferred revenue
Deferred costs
Deferred profit
September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
8,118
1,210
6,908
$
$
3,371
304
3,067
$
$
11,200
964
10,236
Cash Equivalents – Cash equivalents in the United States consist of money market mutual funds invested in securities
issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and time deposits. In Europe, cash equivalents consist of money market
mutual funds and time deposits. The fair value of the cash equivalents is based on Level One inputs in the fair value
hierarchy as defined by ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
Restricted Cash – Restricted cash of $2.4 million and $5.1 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively,
includes collateral for bank guarantees required by certain customers from whom deposits have been received in advance
of shipment and cash received from research and development grants related to our ion implant technology to be used
for research and development projects.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Accounts receivable are recorded at the gross sales
price of products sold to customers on trade credit terms. Accounts receivable are considered past due when payment
has not been received from the customer within the normal credit terms extended to that customer. A valuation allowance
is established for accounts when collection is no longer probable. Accounts are written off against the allowance when
the probability of collection is remote.
57
The following is a summary of the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts:
Balance at beginning of year
Provision
Write offs
Adjustment
Balance at end of year
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
638
$
1,304
(13)
917
$
2,846
$
$
517
$
199
(78)
— $
638
$
246
271
—
—
517
Accounts Receivable - Unbilled and Other – Unbilled and other accounts receivable consist mainly of the contingent
portion of the sales price that is not collectible until successful installation of the product. These amounts are generally
billed upon final customer acceptance.
Concentrations of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company’s customers consist
of manufacturers of solar cells, semiconductors, semiconductor wafers, LEDs and MEMS located throughout the world.
Credit risk is managed by performing ongoing credit evaluations of the customers’ financial condition, by requiring
significant deposits where appropriate, and by actively monitoring collections. Letters of credit are required of certain
customers depending on the size of the order, type of customer or its creditworthiness, and country of domicile. Reserves
for potentially uncollectible receivables are maintained based on an assessment of collectability.
The Company maintains its cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in multiple financial institutions. Balances in the
United States (approximately 70% of total cash balances) are primarily invested in US Treasuries or are in financial
institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The remainder of the Company’s cash is
maintained in banks in The Netherlands, France and China that are uninsured.
As of September 30, 2014, two customers individually represented 14% and 10% of accounts receivable. As of
September 30, 2013, two customers individually represented 18% and 13% of accounts receivable.
Refer to Note 9, Geographic Regions, for information regarding revenue and assets in other countries subject to
fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates.
Inventories – We value our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs for approximately 70% of
inventory are determined on an average cost basis with the remainder determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.
The components of inventories are as follows:
Purchased parts and raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
(dollars in thousands)
8,797
$
11,757
4,809
3,154
7,104
3,140
16,760
$
22,001
$
$
Property, Plant and Equipment - Property plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred. The cost of property retired or sold and the related accumulated depreciation and
amortization are removed from the applicable accounts when disposition occurs and any gain or loss is recognized.
Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense was $1.7 million, $2.0
million and $2.2 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Useful lives for equipment, machinery and leasehold
improvements range from three to seven years; for furniture and fixtures from five to ten years; and for buildings twenty
years.
58
The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment:
Land, building and leasehold improvements
Equipment and machinery
Furniture and fixtures
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
(dollars in thousands)
$
10,414
$
10,960
8,189
5,453
24,056
(14,304)
9,752
$
7,630
5,685
24,275
(13,209)
11,066
$
Goodwill - Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are tested for
impairment when it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or the indefinite-
lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, typically at the end of the fiscal year, or more frequently if
circumstances dictate. In fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a charge for impairment of goodwill in two of its reporting
units. See Note 11, "Impairment and Restructuring Charges" for a description of the facts and circumstances leading
to the goodwill impairment charge.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended September 30, 2014 are as follows.
Balance at the beginning of year
Goodwill
Accumulated impairment losses
Net exchange differences
Balance at the end of the year
Goodwill
Accumulated impairment losses
Solar and
Semiconductor
Polishing Supplies
and Equipment
Total
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
12,563
(4,810)
7,753
(158)
12,315
(4,720)
7,595
$
728
—
728
—
728
—
728
$
$
13,291
(4,810)
8,481
(158)
13,043
(4,720)
8,323
Intangibles - Intangible assets are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life if the life is
determinable. If the life is not determinable, amortization is not recorded. Amortization expense related to intangible
assets was $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The aggregate
amortization expense for the intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is estimated to be $0.9 million,
$0.7 million, $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The in-process research
and development of $1.6 million reached technological feasibility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and will be
amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of five years.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. See Note 11, “Impairment and Restructuring Charges” for a description
of the facts and circumstances surrounding the impairment charges for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.
59
The following is a summary of intangibles:
Useful Life
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
(dollars in thousands)
Non-compete agreements
4-8 years
$
1,055 $
(955) $
$
1,065 $
(717) $
Customer lists
Technology
In-process research and
development
Other
10 years
5-10 years
5 years
2-10 years
817
2,319
1,600
321
(592)
(1,682)
100
225
637
(27)
1,573
(178)
143
871
2,426
1,600
341
348
339
(532)
(1,422)
1,004
— 1,600
(130)
211
$
6,112 $
(3,434) $ 2,678
$
6,303 $
(2,801) $ 3,502
Warranty – A limited warranty is provided free of charge, generally for periods of 12 to 24 months to all purchasers
of the Company’s new products and systems. Accruals are recorded for estimated warranty costs at the time revenue
is recognized. The following is a summary of activity in accrued warranty expense:
Beginning balance
Warranty expenditures
Reserve provision/(adjustment)
Ending balance
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
1,454
(819)
(7)
628
$
$
$
2,687
(1,360)
127
1,454
$
$
$
2,265
(1,831)
2,253
2,687
Research and Development Expenses - Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees,
consultants and contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies
and facilities used in producing prototypes. Payments received for research and development grants prior to the meeting
of milestones are recorded as unearned research and development grant liabilities and included in other accrued liabilities
on the balance sheet. When certain contract requirements are met, governmental research and development grants are
netted against research and development expenses.
Research and development
Grants earned
Net research and development
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
10,863
(4,572)
6,291
$
$
8,459
(1,865)
6,594
$
$
14,723
(1,029)
13,694
Shipping Expense – Shipping expenses of $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $1.7 million for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012
are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation – The functional currency of the Company’s European operations
is the Euro. Net income includes pretax net gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of less than $0.1 million,
60
in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012. The gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign financial statements have
been included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Income Taxes - The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States for all subsidiaries
except those in the Netherlands, France, Hong Kong and China, where separate returns are filed. The Netherlands
operations file separate returns in that country and, prior to fiscal 2012, were included in the United States consolidated
return. The Company computes deferred income tax assets and liabilities based upon cumulative temporary differences
between financial reporting and taxable income, carryforwards available and enacted tax laws. The Company also
accrues a liability for uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that such tax will be incurred.
Deferred tax assets reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a
valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management and based on the weight of available evidence, it is more
likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Each quarter the valuation allowance
is re-evaluated.
Stock-Based Compensation - The Company measures compensation costs relating to share-based payment transactions
based upon the grant-date fair value of the award. Those costs are recognized as expense over the requisite service
period, which is generally the vesting period. The benefits or deficiencies of tax deductions in excess of or less than
recognized compensation cost are reported as cash flow from financing activities rather than as cash flow from operating
activities.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company's Board of Directors approved the acceleration of the vesting of one
half of the unvested stock options with an exercise price of $2.95 and all of the remaining unvested stock options with
exercise prices of $6.15 and $7.98 per share for approximately 110 employees holding options to purchase approximately
0.4 million shares of common stock. The Company concluded that the modification to the stated vesting provisions
was substantive after the Company considered the volatility of its share price and the exercise price of the amended
options in relation to recent share values. Because the modification was considered substantive, the remaining unearned
compensation expense of $0.9 million was recorded as an expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The weighted-
average exercise price of the options that were accelerated was $5.77.
Effective June 30, 2013, current and former executive officers of the Company voluntarily cancelled approximately
0.1 million stock options, vested and unvested, that were issued with exercise prices of $14.79 and $17.12 per share.
At the time of the cancellation, all of the options with an exercise price of $14.79 were fully vested. The Company
recognized the remaining unearned compensation expense of $0.3 million for the unvested portion of the stock options
with an exercise price of $17.12 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 reduced the
Company’s results of operations as follows:
Effect on income before income taxes (1)
Effect on income taxes
Effect on net income
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
(795) $
326
$
(469) $
(2,472) $
512
$
(1,960) $
(1,763)
255
(1,508)
(1) Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense
The Company awards restricted shares under the existing share-based compensation plans. Our restricted share-awards
vest in equal annual installments over a two or four-year period. The total value of these awards is expensed on a ratable
basis over the service period of the employees receiving the grants. The “service period” is the time during which the
employees receiving grants must remain employed for the shares granted to fully vest.
Qualified stock options issued under the terms of the plans have, or will have, an exercise price equal to, or greater
than, the fair market value of the common stock at the date of the option grant, and expire no later than ten years from
the date of grant, with the most recent grant expiring in 2023. Options vest over 2 to 4 years. The Company estimates
61
the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the
following assumptions:
Risk free interest rate
Expected life
Dividend rate
Volatility
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2%
2013
1%
2012
1%
6 years
6 years
6 years
0%
69%
0%
70%
0%
70%
To estimate expected lives for this valuation, it was assumed that options will be exercised at varying schedules after
becoming fully vested. Forfeitures have been estimated at the time of grant and will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent
periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based upon historical experience.
Fair value computations are highly sensitive to the volatility factor assumed; the greater the volatility, the higher the
computed fair value of the options granted. The Company uses historical stock prices to determine the volatility factor.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - In accordance with the requirements of the Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (ASC),
the Company groups its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in three levels, based
on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair
value. These levels are:
Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted market price for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2 - Valuation is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices
for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for
which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable
in the market. Valuation techniques include use of discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
In accordance with the requirements of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC, it is the
Company's policy to use observable inputs whenever reasonably practicable in order to minimize the use of unobservable
inputs when developing fair value measurements. When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to measure
fair value. If market prices are not available, the fair value measurement is based on models that use primarily market
based parameters including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities and currency rates. In certain cases, where
market rate assumptions are not available, the Company is required to make judgments about assumptions market
participants would use to estimate the fair value of a financial instrument. Changes in the underlying assumptions used,
including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future
values.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Included in Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheets are money market funds invested in treasury bills, notes and other direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury.
The fair value of this cash equivalent is based on Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
Receivables and Payables -The recorded amounts of these financial instruments, including accounts receivable and
accounts payable, approximate their fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments. If measured at fair
value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Pensions—The Company has retirement plans covering substantially all employees. The principal plans are the
multiemployer defined benefit pension plans of the Company’s operations in the Netherlands and France and the
multiemployer plan for hourly union employees in Pennsylvania and the Company's defined contribution plan that
covers substantially all of the employees in the United States. The multiemployer plans in the United States and France
are insignificant.
62
The Company’s employees in The Netherlands, approximately 120, participate in a multi-employer union plan
Pensioenfonds Metaal en Techniek (PMT), determined in accordance with the collective bargaining agreements effective
for the industry in the Netherlands. This collective bargaining agreement has no expiration date. This multiemployer
union plan covers approximately 33,000 companies and 1.2 million participants. Amtech's contribution to the
multiemployer union plan is less than 5.0% of the total contributions to the plan. The plan monitors its risks on a global
basis, not by company or employee, and is subject to regulation by Dutch governmental authorities. By law (the Dutch
Pension Act), a multiemployer union plan must be monitored against specific criteria, including the coverage ratio of
the plan assets to its obligations. This coverage ratio must exceed 104.3% for the total plan. Every company participating
in a Dutch multiemployer union plan contributes a premium calculated as a percentage of its total pensionable salaries,
with each company subject to the same percentage contribution rate. The premium can fluctuate yearly based on the
coverage ratio of the multiemployer union plan. The pension rights of each employee are based upon the employee’s
average salary during employment, the years of service, and the participant's age at the time of retirement.
The Company's net periodic pension cost for this multiemployer union plan for any period is the amount of the required
contribution for that period. A contingent liability may arise from, for example, possible actuarial losses relating to
other participating entities because each entity that participates in a multiemployer union plan shares in the actuarial
risks of every other participating entity or any responsibility under the terms of a plan to finance any shortfall in the
plan if other entities cease to participate
The coverage ratio of the Dutch multiemployer union plan is 102.8% as of September 30, 2014. Because of the low
coverage ratio PMT prepared and executed a “Recovery Plan” which was approved by De Nederlandsche Bank, the
Dutch central bank, which is the supervisor of all pension companies in the Netherlands. As a result of the Recovery
Plan, the pension rights decreased 6.3% in April 2013 and the employer's premium percentage increased to 16.6% of
pensionable wages. The coverage ratio is calculated by dividing the plan assets by the total sum of pension liabilities
and is based on actual market interest. If the coverage ratio does not increase to 104.3% by December 31, 2014, pension
rights may decrease again. As of September 30, 2014 PMT's total plan assets were $70.0 billion and the actuarial
present value of accumulated plan benefits was $68.1 billion.
Below is a table of contributions made by the Company to multiemployer pension plans.
Pensioenfonds Metaal en Techniek (PMT)
Other plans
Total
Contributions
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
929
158
1,087
$
$
879
163
1,042
$
$
$
$
1,021
181
1,202
The Company matches employee funds to the Company's defined contribution plans on a discretionary basis. The
match was insignificant in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No.
2014-12 which provides guidance on how to account for shared-based payment awards where the terms of the award
provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. The ASU
requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be
treated as a performance condition. ASU 2014-12 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those
annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the
impact of this ASU but do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
63
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes most
of the current revenue recognition requirements. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize
revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration
to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for these goods or services. New disclosures about the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. This
guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 and early application is not permitted.
Entities must adopt the new guidance using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is currently
evaluating the standard and the impact on our financial position and results of operations.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property,
Plant and Equipment (Topic 360)." The amendments in this Update change the requirements for reporting discontinued
operations in Subtopic 205-20. A discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components
of an entity, or a business or nonprofit activity.
A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued
operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and
financial results when any of the following occurs:
1. The component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria in paragraph 205-20-45-1E
to be classified as held for sale.
2. The component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale.
3. The component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale (for
example, by abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff).
The amendments in this Update improve the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations
reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect
on an entity's operations and financial results. Under current U.S. GAAP, many disposals, some of which may be routine
in nature and not a change in an entity's strategy, are reported in discontinued operations.
The amendments in this Update require expanded disclosures for discontinued operations. The FASB concluded that
those disclosures should provide users of financial statements with more information about the assets, liabilities,
revenues, and expenses of discontinued operations.
The amendments in this Update also require an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss (or change in net assets for a
not-for-profit entity) of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued
operations reporting. The Board concluded that this disclosure should provide users with information about the financial
effects of significant disposals that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting.
The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after
December 15, 2014. The Company will evaluate the impact of the Update as future transactions occur.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 "Income Taxes (Topic 740)." An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion
of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for
a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net
operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under
the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance
of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not
intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial
statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred
tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and
should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. The amendments in this Update are
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company
is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on our financial position and results of operations.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05 "Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830)." The objective of the
amendments in this Update is to resolve the diversity in practice about which codification subtopic applies to the release
of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a
foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business
64
within a foreign entity. The amendments in this Update are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting
periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company will evaluate the impact of the Update
as future transactions occur.
In February 2013, The FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04 "Liabilities (Topic 405)," The guidance in this Update requires
an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of
the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the following:
a.
b.
The amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors.
Any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors.
The guidance in this Update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other
information about those obligations. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods
within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect this Update to have a material
impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
2. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Plans –The 2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan), under which 500,000 shares could
be granted, was adopted by the Board of Directors in April 2007, and approved by the shareholders in May 2007. The
2007 Plan was amended in 2009 and 2014 to add 1,800,000 shares. The 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “1998
Plan”), under which 50,000 shares could be granted, was adopted by the Board of Directors in January 1998, and
approved by shareholders in March 1998. The number of shares available for options under the 1998 Plan has since
been increased to 500,000 shares through authorization by the Board of Directors and approval of shareholders. The
1998 Plan expired in January 2008. The Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan was approved by the shareholders
in 1996 for issuance of up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock to directors. In July 2005, the Board of Directors
authorized, and shareholders approved, an increase in the number of shares available for options under the Non-
Employee Directors Stock Option Plan to 200,000 shares. The Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan was amended in
2009 and 2014 to add 300,000 shares.
Stock options issued under the terms of the plans have, or will have, an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair
market value of the Common Stock at the date of the option grant and expire no later than 10 years from the date of
grant, with the most recent grant expiring in 2023. Options issued by the Company vest over 2 to 4 years. The Company
may also grant restricted stock awards under the 2007 Plan.
As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the unamortized expense related to restricted shares was $0.1 million and $0.4
million, respectively, and it is expected to be recognized over one year.
Restricted stock transactions and outstanding awards are summarized as follows:
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Awards
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Awards
Awards
Beginning Outstanding
69,154
$
10.13
127,975
$
9.06
120,970
$
Awarded
Released
Forfeited
—
(33,951)
—
—
10.13
—
Ending Outstanding
35,203
$
10.13
—
(58,771)
(50)
69,154
$
65
7.81
7.98
— 60,600
(51,595)
(2,000)
127,975
10.13
$
9.42
7.98
8.72
7.22
9.06
Stock-based compensation plans are summarized in the table below:
Name of Plan
2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan
1998 Employee Stock Option Plan
Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
Shares
Authorized
Shares
Available
Options
Outstanding
Plan
Expiration
2,300,000
850,892
856,394
Mar. 2020
500,000
500,000
—
52,460
Jan. 2008
191,600
154,470
Mar. 2020
1,042,492
1,063,324
Stock options were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See Note 1 for further discussion. Stock
option transactions and the options outstanding are summarized as follows:
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Options
Outstanding at beginning of period 1,059,567
272,906
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited/canceled
(263,643)
(5,506)
Outstanding at end of period
1,063,324
Exercisable at end of period
674,237
$
$
$
6.71
7.01
4.31
9.63
7.37
8.18
Options
891,293
312,850
(8,450)
(136,126)
1,059,567
874,591
$
$
$
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
9.37
2.95
3.08
15.75
6.71
Options
611,384
285,400
(600)
(4,891)
891,293
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$
$
$
10.02
7.98
5.33
9.50
9.37
9.25
7.13
400,638
Weighted average grant-date fair
value of options granted during
the period
$
4.38
$
1.82
$
4.95
66
The following tables summarize information for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2014:
Range of Exercise
Prices
Range of Exercise
Prices
2.95-3.00
3.01-7.00
7.01-8.00
8.01-15.00
15.01-23.00
Vested and expected
to vest as of
September 30, 2014
2.95-3.00
3.01-7.00
7.01-8.00
8.01-15.00
15.01 - 23.00
Options Outstanding
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in years)
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
8.2
4.1
8.2
4.9
6.2
7.1
$
$
2.95
5.70
7.47
10.49
17.55
1,523
805
1,693
38
—
$
7.37
$
4,059
Number
Outstanding
196,574
160,923
524,292
109,000
72,535
1,063,324
1,058,894
7.1
$
7.37
$
4,040
Options Exercisable
Number
Exercisable
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
85,611
$
160,923
251,686
106,500
69,517
$
2.95
5.70
7.98
10.49
17.56
663
805
685
—
—
674,237
$
8.18
$
2,153
The aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s
closing stock price of $10.70 per share as of September 30, 2014, which would have been received by the option holders
had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during
the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.3 million, less than $0.1 million and less than $0.1
million, respectively.
3. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed similarly
to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares
that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued, and the numerator is based
on net income (loss). In the case of a net loss, diluted earnings per share is calculated in the same manner as basic
earnings per share. Options and restricted stock of approximately 1,099,000, 1,130,000 and 1,020,000 shares are
excluded from the fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 earnings per share calculations as they are anti-dilutive.
67
Basic Earnings Per Share Computation
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Common stock
Basic loss per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
Diluted Earnings Per Share Computation
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Common stock
Common stock equivalents (1)
Diluted shares
Years ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
$
$
$
(13,047) $
(20,069) $
(23,031)
9,732
(1.34) $
9,529
(2.11) $
9,471
(2.43)
(13,047) $
(20,069) $
(23,031)
9,732
—
9,732
9,529
—
9,529
9,471
9,471
Diluted loss per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
$
(1.34) $
(2.11) $
(2.43)
(1) The number of common stock equivalents is calculated using the treasury stock method and the average market price during the period.
4. Stockholders’ Equity
Shareholder Rights Plan – On December 15, 2008, the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights
Agent (the “Rights Agent”), entered into an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the “Restated Rights
Agreement”) which amends and restates the terms governing the previously authorized shareholder rights (each a
“Right”) to purchase fractional shares of the Company’s Series A Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred”)
currently attached to each of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Shares”).
As amended, each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one thousandth of a share of
Series A Preferred at an exercise price of $51.60 (the “Exercise Price”), subject to adjustment. The Final Expiration
Date (as defined in the Restated Rights Agreement) is December 14, 2018.
5. Other Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:
Unearned research and development grants
Other
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
(dollars in thousands)
3,989
1,357
5,346
$
$
5,935
4,205
10,140
$
$
6. Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Obligations – As of September 30, 2014, we had unrecorded purchase obligations in the amount of $7.9
million. These purchase obligations consist of outstanding purchase orders for goods and services. While the amount
represents purchase agreements, the actual amounts to be paid may be less in the event that any agreements are
renegotiated, canceled or terminated.
Development Projects
68
In fiscal 2014, Tempress Systems, Inc. ("Tempress") entered into an agreement with the Energy Research Centre of
the Netherlands ("ECN"), a Netherlands government sponsored research institute, for a joint research and development
project. Under the terms of the agreement, Tempress sold an ion implanter ("Equipment") to ECN for $1.4 million.
Both Tempress and ECN are performing research and development projects utilizing the Equipment at the ECN facilities.
Each party to the agreement will have 100% rights to the results of the projects developed separately by the individual
parties. Any results co-developed will be jointly owned. Over the four-year period of the agreement, Tempress is
required to contribute $1.4 million to the project in the form of installation of the equipment, acceptance testing, project
meeting attendance, training, parts, and service, including keeping the equipment in good condition and repair for the
first two years of the agreement.
In 2013, Shanghai Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd. ("Kingstone") entered into an agreement with certain
government agencies in Shanghai, China for the purpose of developing ion implant technology for non-solar
applications. Kingstone has substantially completed the first phase of this development project and received $3.6 million
of grant funds for the project. Kingstone is investigating options for the securing funding for their $6.1 million
commitment to the first phase of the project. Kingstone has a further funding commitment that is planned to be in place
by December 2015. Amtech owns 55% of Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited, which owns 100% of Shanghai
Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd. Amtech has no obligation or plan to fund Kingstone's commitments under
the agreement.
Legal Proceedings – The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in actions for matters arising
out of their business operations. Shortly after the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with BTU, the Company
learned that two separate putative stockholder class action complaints were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State
of Delaware. The first was filed on November 4, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against
the members of the BTU Board, Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that
the members of BTU’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by causing
BTU to enter into the Merger Agreement and by approving the merger, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided
and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Merger Agreement
improperly favors the Company and unduly restricts BTU’s ability to negotiate with other potential bidders. The
complaint generally seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary
breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the Company, Merger Sub, and BTU from consummating the Merger, other forms
of equitable relief, and compensatory damages. The Company believes that the claims are without merit and it intends
to defend against the litigation vigorously on behalf of the Company and Merger Sub.
The second was filed on November 17, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, the
BTU board, Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that the members of BTU’s
board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by failing to engage in a competitive
sale and bidding process, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary
duties. The complaint further alleges that these fiduciary breaches gave the Company an unfair advantage by failing
to solicit other potential acquirers. The complaint generally seeks, among other things, injunctive relief prohibiting the
defendants from consummating the Merger, compensatory damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, and other
forms of equitable relief. While the Company also believes these claims are without merit, it intends to defend against
the litigation vigorously.
Operating Leases – The Company leases buildings, vehicles and equipment under operating leases. Rental expense
under such operating leases was $1.0 million, $1.0 million, and $1.4 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
As of September 30, 2014, future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or
remaining terms of one year or more totaled $2.3 million, of which $1.0 million, $0.5 million, $0.4 million, $0.2 million
and $0.2 million is payable in fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and less than $0.1 million, thereafter.
7. Major Customers and Foreign Sales
In fiscal 2014, two customers individually accounted for 18% and 11% of net revenue. In fiscal 2013, one customer
accounted for 20% of net revenue . In fiscal 2012, one customer accounted for 11% of net revenue.
Our net revenues for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were to customers in the following geographic regions:
69
United States
Taiwan
China
Other
Total Asia
Germany
Other
Total Europe
8. Business Segments
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
21 %
16 %
14 %
15 %
45%
16 %
18 %
34%
20 %
14 %
39 %
11 %
64%
5 %
11 %
16%
13 %
9 %
43 %
14 %
66%
8 %
13 %
21%
100%
100%
100%
The Company operates in two segments: the solar and semiconductor equipment segment and the polishing supplies
segment. In the solar and semiconductor equipment segment, we are a leading supplier of thermal processing systems,
including related automation, parts and services, to the solar/photovoltaic, semiconductor, silicon wafer and MEMS
industries and also offer PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition) equipment. In the polishing supplies
segment, the Company produces consumables and machinery for lapping (fine abrading) and polishing of materials,
such as sapphire substrates, optical components, silicon wafers, numerous types of crystal materials, ceramics and metal
components.
Information concerning our business segments is as follows:
Net revenue:
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
Operating income (loss):
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
Non-segment related loss
Capital expenditures:
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
Years ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
$
$
$
45,848
10,653
56,501
(10,159)
2,805
(5,735)
$
$
$
26,368
8,430
34,798
(14,377)
1,282
(6,899)
73,102
8,437
81,539
(26,236)
1,405
(8,153)
$
(13,089)
$
(19,994)
$
(32,984)
Years ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
$
392
70
462
2,276
134
2,410
$
$
$
$
98
80
178
2,501
166
2,667
$
$
$
$
1,121
185
1,306
2,717
141
2,858
70
Identifiable assets:
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
Goodwill:
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Polishing supplies and equipment
9. Geographic Regions
September 30,
2014
September 30,
2013
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
$
83,651
6,253
89,904
7,595
728
8,323
$
$
$
$
106,723
4,224
110,947
7,753
728
8,481
The Company has operations in The Netherlands, United States, France and China. Revenues, operating income (loss)
and identifiable assets by geographic region are as follows:
Net revenue:
The Netherlands
United States
France
China
Operating income (loss):
The Netherlands
United States
France
China
Net long-lived assets
(excluding intangibles and goodwill)
The Netherlands
United States
France
China
Years Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
31,779
$
17,615
$
20,433
4,218
71
11,855
5,328
—
48,294
27,638
5,584
23
56,501
$
34,798
$
81,539
(9,403) $
(207)
(611)
(2,868)
(13,089) $
(11,139) $
(4,346)
(815)
(3,694)
(19,994) $
(18,686)
(1,025)
(3,041)
(10,232)
(32,984)
$
$
$
$
As of September 30,
2014
2013
$
$
7,617
$
1,016
475
644
8,733
1,160
552
621
9,752
$
11,066
71
10. Income Taxes
The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
Current:
United States
Foreign
State
Total current
Deferred:
United States
Foreign
State
Total deferred
$
$
370
530
80
980
(150) $
800
(110)
540
(490)
750
—
260
(290)
1,610
—
1,320
Total provision (benefit)
$
1,240
$
1,860
$
2,440
(9,380)
(90)
(7,030)
—
1,700
10
1,710
(5,320)
A reconciliation of actual income taxes to income taxes at the expected United States federal corporate income tax rate
of thirty-four percent is as follows:
Tax provision (benefit) at the U.S. rate
Effect of permanent book-tax differences
State tax provision
Valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets
Uncertain tax items
Expiration of foreign net operating loss
Difference between U.S. and foreign rates
Other items
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
(4,440) $
30
80
3,900
370
—
1,000
300
1,240
$
(6,750) $
970
(110)
5,850
450
—
1,440
10
1,860
$
(11,190)
2,010
(80)
1,740
(240)
2,320
—
120
(5,320)
$
$
72
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of temporary book-tax
differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liability are as follows:
Deferred tax assets - current:
Capitalized inventory costs
Inventory write-downs
Accrued warranty
Deferred profits
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible
Deferred tax assets - current
Valuation allowance
Deferred tax assets - current net of valuation allowance
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)- non-current:
Stock option expense
Book vs. tax basis of acquired assets
Federal net operating loss carryforwards
Foreign and state net operating losses
Book vs. tax depreciation and amortization
Foreign tax credits
Other deferred tax assets
Total deferred tax assets - non-current
Valuation allowance
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
230
950
180
1,460
520
3,340
(2,280)
1,060
670
(1,210)
900
8,070
(10)
—
2,950
11,370
(10,070)
$
$
$
$
130
620
200
800
490
2,240
(910)
1,330
700
(1,130)
—
9,000
60
520
(350)
8,800
(7,540)
90
600
20
2,510
240
3,460
—
3,460
470
(1,280)
—
3,640
100
—
140
3,070
(2,600)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) - non-current, net of valuation
allowance
$
1,300
$
1,260
$
470
Changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance are as follows:
Balance at the beginning of the year
Additions to valuation allowance
Balance at the end of the year
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
8,450
3,900
12,350
$
$
2,600
5,850
8,450
$
$
860
1,740
2,600
The deferred tax valuation allowance increased by $3.9 million and by $5.9 million for the years ended September 30,
2014 and 2013, respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is
more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of
deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary
differences become deductible. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected
future income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. We have recorded a full valuation allowance
against the net deferred tax assets of the China, Dutch and French subsidiaries and of certain states since we believe
that, after considering all of the available objective evidence, both positive and negative, historical and prospective,
with greater weight given to historical evidence, it is not more likely than not that these assets will be realized.
The Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.6 million that expire in 2034. The
company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $29.3 million that generally expire between
73
2016 and 2023. The Company also has state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $3.6 million that expire
between 2015 and 2019.
Tax refunds of $6.5 million were received during fiscal 2014.
Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $1.4 million at September
30, 2014. The Company’s historical and continuing policy is that its undistributed foreign earnings are indefinitely
reinvested and, accordingly, no related provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been provided on the $1.4
million of undistributed foreign earnings. The amount of taxes attributable to these undistributed earnings is immaterial.
The Company applies the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes”, (now codified as FASB ASC 740, “Income Tax”). In this regard, an uncertain tax position represents the
Company's expected treatment of a tax position taken in a filed tax return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return,
that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. Approximately $1.8
million of this total represents the amount that, if recognized, would favorably affect our effective income tax rate in
future periods.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of our unrecognized tax benefits is summarized as follows:
Balances at beginning of the year
Additions (reductions) related to current year tax positions
Additions related to tax positions taken in prior years
Reductions related to settlements with tax authorities
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations
Balance at the end of the year
Year Ended September 30,
2014
2013
2012
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
2,810
—
370
—
—
3,180
$
$
2,360
—
530
—
(80)
2,810
$
$
2,630
(390)
360
(240)
—
2,360
We have classified all of our liabilities for uncertain tax positions as income taxes payable long-term.
We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We recognized a
net expense for interest and penalties of $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and
2012, respectively. Income taxes payable long-term on the consolidated balance sheets includes a cumulative accrual
for potential interest and penalties of $1.6 million and $1.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
During fiscal 2012, we recorded a benefit of $0.2 million, resulting from the reversal of liabilities in taxing jurisdictions
where a tax examination was finalized.
The Company does not expect that the amount of our tax reserves for uncertain tax positions will materially change in
the next 12 months other than the continued accrual of interest and penalties.
The Company and one or more of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in The Netherlands, Germany, France and
other foreign jurisdictions, as well as the U.S. and various states in the U.S. We have not signed any agreements with
the Internal Revenue Service, any state or foreign jurisdiction to extend the statute of limitations for any fiscal year.
As such, the number of open years is the number of years dictated by statute in each of the respective taxing jurisdictions,
but generally is from 3 to 5 years.
These open years contain certain matters that could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax laws and
regulations as they relate to the amount, timing, or inclusion of revenues and expenses, or the sustainability of income
tax positions of the Company and its subsidiaries. During fiscal year 2012, the IRS examination for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2009 was closed without adjustment.
74
11. Impairment and Restructuring Charges
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The methods used to estimate fair value include the market approach (Level
2) and discounted cash flows (Level 3). The Company gives the greatest weight to the discounted cash flow method.
The material estimates and assumptions used in the discounted cash flows method of determining fair value include:
projected revenues, material costs and the rates of increase in payroll and other expenses. Projected future cash flows
are discounted at a risk-free rate of return adjusted for various risk premiums.
The Company conducted its periodic assessment of long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and identified
the need for an impairment charge in two of its reporting units that serve the solar equipment market that is included
in the Company's Solar and Semiconductor Segment. The assessment identified the need to record an impairment
charge related to goodwill in the amount of $4.7 million, due primarily to the supply / demand imbalance in the solar
equipment market, the expectation that the market downturn would continue into 2013 and the decline in market value
of shares of solar companies.
The Company also recorded charges of $0.7 million in fiscal 2012 for impairment of assets related to license agreements
with one of its technology partners. As a result of our technology partner's financial difficulties, their possible inability
to service the product and insufficient revenues, management determined that the carrying value of the related assets
was not recoverable.
The Company conducted its periodic assessment of long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and determined
there was no impairment. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.9 million in fiscal 2013 primarily related
to severance costs incurred as a result of the reductions-in-force at certain operations.
The Company conducted its periodic assessment of long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and determined
there was no impairment.
12. Subsequent Event
On October 21, 2014 the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and
among the Company, BTU International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“BTU”), and BTU Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into BTU (the “Merger”), with
BTU surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger Agreement has been approved by the Boards
of Directors of both the Company and BTU and is subject to the Company Stockholder Approval (as defined below)
and the BTU Stockholder Approval (as defined below).
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of BTU (“BTU Shares”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
effective time of the Merger will be converted into the right to receive and become exchangeable for 0.3291 (the
“Exchange Ratio”) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Company Shares”).
Any outstanding BTU stock option shall be assumed by the Company and shall be converted into an option to purchase
shares of Company common stock on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Company
stock option, with appropriate adjustments based upon the Exchange Ratio to the exercise price and the number of
shares of Company common stock subject to such stock option. Each BTU restricted stock unit that remains unvested
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will become a fully vested and unrestricted share of BTU common
stock.
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the Company and BTU relating to their
respective businesses and public filings. Additionally, the Merger Agreement provides for customary pre-closing
covenants of the Company and BTU, including covenants (i) for each to conduct its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and to refrain from taking certain actions without consent, (ii) with respect to BTU, not
to solicit proposals relating to alternative transactions or, subject to certain exceptions, enter into discussions concerning
or provide information in connection with alternative transactions, and (iii) subject to certain exceptions, for each to
recommend that its stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement.
75
Consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including, among others, customary conditions relating
to the adoption and approval of the Merger and the issuance of the Company Shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement
by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders (the “Company Stockholder Approval”) and the adoption and
approval of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement by the requisite vote of BTU’s stockholders (the “BTU
Stockholder Approval”).
The Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for both the Company and BTU and further provides that
upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances (i) (including BTU entering into an alternative
transaction), BTU will be obligated to pay the Company a termination fee of $1.3 million and/or an expense
reimbursement amount of $1.0 million or (ii) the Company will be obligated to pay BTU a termination fee of $1.3
million and/or an expense reimbursement amount of $1.0 million. In addition, either the Company or BTU can terminate
the Merger Agreement if the Merger has not been consummated on or before 120 days following the date the registration
statement on Form S-4 containing the joint proxy statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, if
the failure to close is not caused by the breach of the Merger Agreement by the party electing to terminate.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed Exhibit 2.1 to the Company Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC October 23, 2014, and is incorporated by reference herein
Shortly after the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with BTU, the Company learned that two separate
putative stockholder class action complaints were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The first
was filed on November 4, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against the members of the BTU
Board, Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that the members of BTU’s
board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by causing BTU to enter into the
Merger Agreement and by approving the merger, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided and abetted such alleged
breaches of fiduciary duties. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Merger Agreement improperly favors the
Company and unduly restricts BTU’s ability to negotiate with other potential bidders. The complaint generally seeks,
among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief
prohibiting the Company, Merger Sub, and BTU from consummating the Merger, other forms of equitable relief, and
compensatory damages. The Company believes that the claims are without merit and it intends to defend against the
litigation vigorously on behalf of the Company and Merger Sub.
The second was filed on November 17, 2014, purportedly on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, the
BTU board, Amtech and Merger Sub. The complaint generally alleges, among other things, that the members of BTU’s
board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to BTU’s public stockholders by failing to engage in a competitive
sale and bidding process, and that the Company and Merger Sub aided and abetted such alleged breaches of fiduciary
duties. The complaint further alleges that these fiduciary breaches gave the Company an unfair advantage by failing
to solicit other potential acquirers. The complaint generally seeks, among other things, injunctive relief prohibiting the
defendants from consummating the Merger, compensatory damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, and other
forms of equitable relief. While the Company also believes these claims are without merit, it intends to defend against
the litigation vigorously.
76
13. Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Fiscal Year 2014:
Revenue
Gross margin
Provision for income taxes
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Comprehensive loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Net loss per share attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.:
Basic earnings per share
Shares used in calculation
Diluted earnings per share
Shares used in calculation
Fiscal Year 2013:
Revenue
Gross margin
Provision for income taxes
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Comprehensive loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
Net loss per share attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.:
Basic earnings per share
Shares used in calculation
Diluted earnings per share
Shares used in calculation
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
$ 14,772
$ 12,717
4,535
$
2,898
$
$
9,190
1,631
$
$ 19,822
560
$
(794) $
— $
(3,751) $
$
1,325
(5,257) $
2,562
(645)
(3,245)
(66) $
(3,756) $
(5,568) $
(4,892)
(0.08) $
9,560
(0.08) $
9,560
(0.39) $
9,679
(0.39) $
9,679
(0.53) $
9,843
(0.53) $
9,843
(0.33)
9,846
(0.33)
9,846
9,357
$
1,378
$
(480) $
(4,194) $
8,118
$ 10,398
$
(2,677) $
$
2,560
(2,092) $ (12,101) $
2,453
$
(800) $
6,925
3,159
580
(1,682)
(2,791) $
(3,555) $ (11,387) $
(75)
(0.44) $
9,494
(0.44) $
9,494
(0.22) $
9,539
(0.22) $
9,539
(1.27) $
9,539
(1.27) $
9,539
(0.18)
9,543
(0.18)
9,543
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has carried
out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls
and procedures in place were effective as of September 30, 2014.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
77
To the Shareholders of Amtech Systems, Inc.,
The management of Amtech Systems, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, our controls and procedures may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control
system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the controls system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all controls systems, no evaluation of
controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on its evaluation under the criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, management concluded that
our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2014.
There have been changes to Amtech’s internal control over financial reporting during fiscal year ended September 30,
2014. These changes to controls surrounding our revenue recognition process include: (1) additional training for
appropriate personnel regarding revenue recognition; (2) modified checklists and forms to aid in application of the
Company's revenue recognition policies; (3) implemented additional review procedures surrounding the revenue
recognition process.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., has issued an audit
report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
78
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
Pursuant to Paragraph G(3) of the General Instructions to Form 10-K, the information required by Part III of Form 10-
K (i) is incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed within
120 days of this filing. In the event the Proxy Statement will not be filed within 120 days, the information required by
Part III of this Form 10-K will be filed pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K within the 120
day period.
.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item (i) is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement or (ii) will be filed
pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K, in each case, within 120 days of this filing.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item (i) is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement or (ii) will be filed
pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K, in each case, within 120 days of this filing.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item (i) is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement or (ii) will be filed
pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K, in each case, within 120 days of this filing.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item (i) is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement or (ii) will be filed
pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K, in each case, within 120 days of this filing.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item (i) is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement or (ii) will be filed
pursuant to an amendment to this annual report on Form 10-K, in each case, within 120 days of this filing.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
PART IV
(a)(1) The consolidated financial statements required by this item are set forth on the pages indicated at Item 8.
(2) All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either not applicable, or because the required
information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits: The response to this section of Item 15 is included in the Exhibit Index of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
79
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report on Form 10-K has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURES
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
Jong S. Whang
*
*
Executive Chairman and
Chairman of the Board
November 20, 2014
Chief Executive Officer
November 20, 2014
Fokko Pentinga
and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Bradley C. Anderson
Bradley C. Anderson
Executive Vice President – Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
November 20, 2014
Michael Garnreiter
Alfred W. Giese
*
*
*
Egbert J.G. Goudena
Director
November 20, 2014
Director
November 20, 2014
Director
November 20, 2014
*
Director
November 20, 2014
Robert F. King
*By: /s/ Bradley C. Anderson
Bradley C. Anderson, Attorney-In-
Fact**
**By authority of the power of attorney
filed as Exhibit 24 hereto.
80
EXHIBIT
NO.
EXHIBIT INDEX
DESCRIPTION
METHOD
OF FILING
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 21, 2014, by and among Amtech
Systems, Inc., BTU Merger Sub, Inc., and BTU International, Inc.
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended through February 6,
2012.
3.2 Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Privileges of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock (Par Value $.01 Per Share) of Amtech Systems, Inc., dated as of April
21, 2005.
3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Amtech Systems, Inc., dated as of January 4, 2008.
4.1 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of December 15, 2008, by between
Amtech Systems, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent,
including the form of Certificate of Designation, the form of Rights Certificate and the
Summary of Rights attached thereto as Exhibits A, B and C, respectively.
4.2 Form of Accredited Investor Subscription Agreement for the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock.
10.1 Amtech Systems, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended through March 29, 2002.
10.2 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, effective July 8, 2005 as amended
through May 8, 2014.
10.3
2007 Employee Stock Incentive Plan of Amtech Systems, Inc., as amended through
May 8, 2014.
10.4 Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc.
and Jong S. Whang, dated February 9, 2012.
10.5 Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2012, to the Second Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Jong S. Whang, dated as
of February 9, 2012.
10.6 Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Fokko Pentinga, dated
June 29, 2012.
10.7 Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2012, to the Employment Agreement between Amtech
Systems, Inc. and Fokko Pentinga, dated as of June 29, 2012.
10.8 Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2008 between Amtech
Systems, Inc. and Bradley Anderson.
10.9 Amended and Restated Change of Control and Severance Agreement, dated March 11,
2010, between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Robert T. Hass.
10.10 Change of Control and Severance Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2011, between
Amtech Systems, Inc. and Jeong Mo Hwang PhD.
10.11 Sale Agreement, dated March 15, 2007, for purchase of manufacturing facility located
in Vassen, The Netherlands by Tempress Holdings B.V. from Mr. F. H. Van Berlo.
10.12 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and among Tempress Holdings, B.V., R2D
Ingenierie SAS and the Shareholders of R2D Ingenierie SAS, dated as of October 8,
2007.
10.13 Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Amtech Systems, Inc., Silicon Jade
Limited, Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited and the shareholders of Silicon
Jade Limited, dated as of January 27, 2011.
10.14 Amendment to the Kingstone Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January
27, 2011, by and among Amtech Systems, Inc., Silicon Jade Limited, effective as of
September 30, 2011.
10.15 Second Amendment, dated June 28, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Jong S. Whang, dated as
of February 9, 2012.
10.16 Second Amendment, dated June 28, 2013, to the Employment Agreement between
Amtech Systems, Inc. and Fokko Pentinga, dated as of June 29, 2012.
10.17 Amendment, dated June 28, 2013, to the Change of Control Severance Agreement
between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Bradley C. Anderson, dated as of March 10, 2008.
81
A
B
C
D
E
C
F
Q
Q
B
H
I
H
K
G
J
L
M
N
O
P
P
P
10.18 Employment Agreement and Release between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Robert T.
Hass, dated as of June 28, 2013.
10.19 Employment Agreement and Release between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Jeong Mo
Hwang PhD, dated as of June 28, 2013.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Mayer Hoffman McCann
P.C.
24.1 Powers of Attorney
31.1 Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as Amended
31.2 Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as Amended
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.3 Voting and Support Agreement, dated October 21, 2014, by and among Amtech
Systems, Inc. and the stockholders of BTU International, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 23, 2014)
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.PRE Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
____________________
P
P
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
82
*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Filed herewith.
Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, the Company is deemed to have complied with the
reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and is not subject to
liability under any anti-fraud provisions or other liability provisions of the federal securities laws as long as
the Company has made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly
amends the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the
submission requirements. In addition, users of this data are advised that, pursuant to Rule 406T of
Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or
prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
December 31, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 28, 2005.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 8, 2008.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 15, 2008.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (related to the 1998 Stock Option
Plan), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2003.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 17, 2010.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
30, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 6, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 26, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 3, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2007.
M Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 11, 2007.
N
O
P
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarterly year ended
September 30, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
30, 2013.
83
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SOLAR | SEMI
SOLAR | SEMI
SEMI
SEMI | LED
SOLAR
Tempress is located in the Netherlands. Tempress’ 45 years heritage in developing
Founded in 1990, R2D Automation is
Bruce Technologies Inc. is the OEM of
PR Hoffman Machine Products serves
Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd.
and producing diffusion equipment and related processes is a testament to the
a leading global supplier of solar and
the Bruce Diffusion Furnace serving the
the semiconductor, sapphire (including
is a Shanghai-based technology company
company’s flexibility, innovation, quality, and dedication. As a result, Tempress has
semiconductor automation with in house
Semiconductor market since 1968. BTI’s
LEDs), optics, ceramics, electronics,
specializing in ion implant solutions for
shipped a commanding 25 GW of diffusion furnace systems for Solar applications.
design and manufacturing capabilities.
main product is the BDF 41, a four-stack,
metalworking, quartz and medical
the solar and semiconductor industries.
Our semiconductor experience is a foundation for our technology and knowledge.
transfer tools as well as batch transfer
still in production worldwide for both 150
exacting tolerances for flat and parallel
system is designed for high volume
In order to meet the market’s demand for more efficient and cost effective solar cells,
tools and stocker options.
& 200mm IC fabrication.
surfaces as well as precise thickness and
phosphorous ion implantation of solar
Tempress has developed strategic relationships with leading Solar research institutes,
surface finish, will find an application
cells, providing various advantages over
universities, industry partners and our customers. This close collaboration
Substrates they accommodate include
In 2012, BTI expanded their portfolio
for PR Hoffman products. Since 1938,
thermal diffusion doping with higher
R2D offers a full array of both single wafer
horizontal furnace with over 500 systems
industries. Customers who require
Kingstone’s iPV-2000 ion implantation
solar cells, semiconductor wafers (3”-12”),
to include diffusion furnaces capable of
PR Hoffman has brought leading-edge
efficiency p-n junctions as result.
sapphire substrates as well as a variety of
processing 300mm wafers. In addition
technologies to the world’s high-tech
industry standard and specific carriers.
to its horizontal furnace, BTI is the OEM
industries. Our broad line of machines,
The innovative in-line platform of the
•
•
•
•
•
Integrated 6 axis robots
Integrated scara robots
Sorter with OCR
• Batch transfer tools
Stand alone OCR
Visual Wafer Inspection
• OEM partnerships
for high-temperature heating elements
carriers, templates, plates and gears
iPV-2000 system is designed to provide
and wafer automation systems (S300)
exceed quality standards, worldwide.
high throughput and efficient ion
that serve not only BTI furnaces but other
horizontal furnace manufacturers as well.
• Double Sided Lapping &
Polishing Machines
Lapping Carriers
Polishing Templates
Lapping Plates and Gears
•
•
•
beam applications and is provided with
Kingstone’s integrated full (cassette to
cassette) automation system.
With a small footprint, the iPV-2000 system
is compatible with all of today’s solar cell
manufacturing production lines.
is a technology enabler.
•
POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• HD POCl3 diffusion furnaces
• BBr3 diffusion furnaces
• Batch PECVD furnaces
• Anneal/Oxidation furnaces
R&D systems
•
•
n-type Solar cell technology
www.amtechgroup.com
Executive Officers and Directors
J.S. Whang
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
Fokko Pentinga
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bradley C. Anderson
Executive Vice President - Finance,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
Corporate Information
Corporate Offices
131 South Clark Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Tel: (480) 967-5146
E-mail: corporate@AmtechSystems.com
Website: www.amtechsystems.com
Transfer Agent & Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
Tel: (800) 962-4284
Website: www.computershare.com/investor
Legal Counsel
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
1 E. Washington St. Suite 2700
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Independent Auditors
Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
3101 North Central Avenue, Suite 300
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Tel: (602) 264-6835
Fax: (602) 265-7631
Stock Market Information
Listed on NASDAQ Global Market
Common Stock Symbol: ASYS
Website: www.nasdaq.com
Michael Garnreiter
Director
Egbert J.G. Goudena
Director
Robert F. King
Director
Paul J. van der Wansem
Member, Management Executive
Committee and Director
Subsidiaries
Bruce Technologies, Inc.
Billerica, Massachusetts
BTU International
Billerica, Massachusetts
Kingstone Semiconductor Ltd.
Shanghai, China
PR Hoffman Machine Products, Inc.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
R2D Automation SAS
Clapiers, France
SoLayTec B.V.
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Tempress Systems, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Vaassen, The Netherlands
SOL AR
S EM ICONDUCTOR
LED
W W W. A M T E C H S Y S T E M S . C O M
131 SOUTH CLARK DRIVE
TEMPE, ARIZONA 85281 USA
480 967 5146
BRINGING TECHNOL OGY TOGETH E R
INTRODUCTION
2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS)
semiconductor devices. The Company’s
polishing of LEDs and newly sliced
is a leading global provider production
horizontal diffusion furnace systems,
silicon wafers. The Company’s products
and automation systems and related
related automation and polishing
are recognized under the leading
consumables used in fabricating
supplies enable key steps of the front-
brand names Tempress Systems, Bruce
solar cells, LEDs and semiconductor
end manufacturing process for both solar
Technologies, BTU, PR Hoffman, R2D
devices. Amtech manufactures
cells and semiconductor chips. Amtech’s
Automation, Kingstone and SoLayTec.
capital equipment, including silicon
wafer handling, thermal processing and
and are sold to a global customer base
wafer handling automation, thermal
consumable products currently address
consisting primarily of manufacturers of
processing equipment and ion implant
the diffusion, oxidation and deposition
solar cells, integrated circuits and silicon
equipment and related consumables,
steps used in the fabrication of solar
wafers.
used in fabricating solar cells, LED and
cells, semiconductors, MEMS and the
Our latest acquisitions are:
BTU INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS | SEMI | SOLAR
SOLAYTEC SOLAR
SoLayTec produces, develops, delivers
BTU is a leading global supplier of
BTU’s equipment portfolio includes the
and services worldwide machines for
advanced thermal processing equipment
following highlighted products:
ultrafast, spatial Atomic Layer Deposition
and processes to the electronics
Equipment, a promising technology
assembly, custom application and
•
Pyramax – Reflow soldering, curing
for ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layers
alternative energy markets. BTU
and semi-packaging
on solar cells. The ALD machines from
equipment and know-how are used in
• Custom Systems – Annealing, wafer
SoLayTec are intended for industrial
the production of printed circuit board
bump reflow, brazing, sintering,
production in the solar market. Using
assemblies, semiconductor packaging,
thick film firing and other customer-
ALD in that context has been impossible
customer-centric thermal applications,
centric applications where precision
until now because of the very low speed
solar cells and nuclear fuel processing.
temperature and atmosphere
of ALD and thus the high cost. The
BTU enjoys a proud, 65 year heritage of
control are required
unique feature of the SoLayTec machines
providing thermal solutions that deliver
•
SinTerra – Solar cell metallization
is the breakthrough speed that enables
unmatched temperature uniformity and
drying and firing
industrial application.
precision atmosphere control.
• Walking Beam – Nuclear fuel
sintering