Quarterlytics / Technology / Semiconductors / Amtech Systems, Inc. / FY2015 Annual Report

Amtech Systems, Inc.
Annual Report 2015

ASYS · NASDAQ Technology
Claim this profile
Ticker ASYS
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Semiconductors
Employees 328
← All annual reports
FY2015 Annual Report · Amtech Systems, Inc.
Loading PDF…
INTRODUCTION:

OUR BRANDS:

Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: 
ASYS) is a global supplier of advanced 
thermal processing equipment to the 
solar, semiconductor / electronics, and 
LED manufacturing markets. Amtech’s 
equipment includes diffusion, ALD 
and PECVD systems and solder reflow 
systems. Amtech also supplies wafer 
handling automation and polishing 
equipment and related consumable 
products. 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, MEMS, 
printed circuit boards, semiconductor 
packaging, and the polishing of newly 
sliced sapphire and silicon wafers. 
Amtech’s products are recognized 
under the leading brand names 
Tempress Systems, Bruce Technologies, 
PR Hoffman, R2D Automation, 
SoLayTec, and BTU International. 

TEMPRESS  SOLAR  |  SEMI

Tempress is located in the Netherlands. 
Tempress’ 45-year heritage in developing 
and producing diffusion  and deposition 
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

BTU INTERNATIONAL  ELECTRONICS | SEMI | 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

 
 
Bringing Technology Together!

BRUCE  SEMI

PR HOFFMAN  SEMI  |  LED

Bruce Technologies Inc. (Bruce) is the OEM of 
the Bruce Diffusion Furnace (BDF) serving the  
Semiconductor market since 1968.  The BDF 300 
and BDF 41 models are Bruce’s primary products.   
The BDF 41 is a four-stack, horizontal furnace with 
over 500 systems still in production worldwide for 
both 150 and 200mm IC fabrication. The BDF 300 
expands our  portfolio to the processing of 300mm 
wafers concentrating on high temperature oxides 
and diffusion. Other Bruce strengths include thermal 
components (heating elements) and automatic 
loading equipment.  The model S300 is a stand-
alone automation system that loads wafers not only 
to our BDF furnaces, but to other horizontal furnace 
manufacturers in Asia, Europe and North America.

WWW.AMTECHGROUP.COM

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 and  

polishing machines
Lapping carriers 
Polishing templates 
Lapping plates and gears

• 
• 
• 

R2D  SOLAR  |  SEMI

SOLAYTEC  SOLAR

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.

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

SoLayTec produces, develops, delivers and services 
worldwide machines for ultrafast, spatial Atomic Layer 
Deposition (ALD) equipment, a promising technology 
for ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layers on solar cells. The 
ALD machines from SoLayTec are used for industrial 
production in the solar market. Using ALD in that 
context has been impossible until now due to 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.

Compared to competing technologies, it offers 
superior deposition quality (e.g. target thickness, 
uniformity, etc) leading to higher solar cell efficiency, 
combined with best-in- class precursor efficiency. For 
n-type solar cells, ALD is considered to be the only 
viable technology. 

Dear shareholders, 

Fiscal  year  2015  was  a  very  productive  year  for 
Amtech  and  all  of  our  subsidiaries.    We  very 
efficiently  integrated  the  newest  additions  to  our 
business portfolio, BTU International and SoLayTec, 
which represent the successful strategic expansion of 
our  core  semiconductor  and  solar  businesses  and 
market-leading technologies.  In fiscal year 2015, we 
have  clearly  advanced  our  business  with  BTU’s 
product  portfolio.    Although  we  experienced  some 
market  headwinds  in  our  semiconductor  business 
during the year, BTU’s technologies are prominent in 
the  global  semiconductor  and  electronics 
both 
markets  and  important  in  that  they  diversify  our 
revenue  stream  and  cash  flow.    This  acquisition 
further  advances  our  strategy 
to  expand  our 
technology  portfolio  in  adjacent  markets  and  creates 
an even stronger platform to drive the growth of our 
solar  business.  Our  acquisition  of  SoLayTec 
improves  our  high-efficiency  solar  cell  solutions, 
including  PERC,  and  we  continue  to  invest  in  our 
ongoing  product  development  through  our  research 
and development efforts.   

into 

Our long-standing objective is to continue to invest in 
next-generation solar technologies and be an integral 
participant  in  the  delivery  of  solar  technology 
solutions 
the  growing  global  demand  for 
renewable  solar  energy.    In  fiscal  year  2015,  we 
demonstrated  our  successful  participation  in  the  still 
very  selective  capacity  expansions  in  the  solar 
market.    We  were  pleased  to  announce  orders  that 
the  establishment  of  new  customer 
represented 
relationships  and  we  clearly  validated  that  demand 
for our solutions is not limited to any one geographic 
region. Our business is a global one with a significant 
addressable  market.   And, importantly,  we had  solar 
orders  for  all  of  our  differentiating  technologies 
including HD diffusion and PECVD. 

In  2015,  we  entered  into  transactions  with  a  China-
based  venture  capital  firm  to  reduce  our  55% 
ownership  of  Kingstone,  which  specializes  in  ion 
implant  solutions  for  the  solar  and  semiconductor 
industries.  Following 
transactions,  Amtech 
the 
effectively  owns  approximately  10%  of  Kingstone.  
The  successful  research  and  development  dedicated 
to  our  solar  ion  implant  systems  during  the  solar 
market  down  cycle  positioned  us  to  enter  into  these 
transactions  and  monetize  a  portion  of  our 
investment. 

Following the closing of our fiscal year, we received 
notable recognition of our FY2015 and long-standing 
exemplary  research  and  development  efforts.    The 
U.S.  Department  of  Energy  SunShot  Initiative 
included  Amtech  in  a  cooperative  award  of  $1 
million  supporting  our  ongoing  focus  on 
the 
advancement  of  crystalline  silicon  (c-Si)  solar  cell 
technology.    The  intent  of  the  award  is  to  advance 
specialized  areas  of  doping  and  surface  passivation 
technologies. The initiative is a pilot-production level 
project  and  seeks  to  develop  a  novel,  low-cost 
passivation 
the  energy 
in  c-Si  solar  cells  and, 
conversion  efficiency 
consistent  with  our  ongoing 
focus, 
ultimately reduce the cost of the electricity generated.  
We  are  pleased  to  get  this  recognition  and  have  the 
opportunity to partner on this important initiative. 

to  enhance 

technology 

strategic 

Our core foundation is solid and our building blocks 
for future growth are well-defined.  We now look to 
continue 
to  build  upon  our  distinct  strengths.  
Innovation  is  deeply  embedded  in  our  core  and  the 
culture of our people within our global organization.  
We expect to stay ahead of the market as we invest in 
next-generation  solar  technology  solutions.    Our 
for  all 
long-standing  goal 
stakeholders.  

to  build  value 

is 

In  summary,  we  transition  from  fiscal  year  2015 
looking  forward  to  an  exciting  future  of  ongoing 
innovation,  exceeding  current  and  prospective 
customers’  expectations,  and  the  never-ending  focus 
on  driving  the 
long-term,  profitable  growth  of 
Amtech  Systems.    We  are  ready  for  the  next  steps 
forward! 

Sincerely, 

J.S. Whang 
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board 

Fokko Pentinga 
Chief Executive Officer and President 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2015

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, 2015, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the 
registrant was approximately $107,379,680, based upon the closing sales price reported by the NASDAQ Global Market 
on that date.

     As of November 12, 2015, the registrant had outstanding 13,150,469 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement related to the registrant’s 2015 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, 2015, 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

25

25

25

26

27

28

29
40

42

74

74

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

77

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 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,  and  deposition  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 the acquisition of BTU International, Inc. ("BTU") this 
past fiscal year, we expanded our thermal processing capability with the  supply of solder reflow systems used for 
surface mount applications in the electronics assembly market, and custom equipment for multiple industrial markets. In 
addition, this past fiscal year we expanded our participation in the solar market through the acquisition of a controlling 
interest in SoLayTec B.V. ("SoLayTec"), which provides Atomic Layer Deposition ("ALD") systems used in high 
efficiency solar cells. 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 2015, we recognized net revenue of $105 million, which included $57 million of solar revenue or approximately 
54% of our total revenue. These results compare to $57 million of net revenue for fiscal 2014, which included $36 
million of solar revenue or approximately 64% of our total revenue. Our order backlog as of September 30, 2015 and 

3

 
 
2014 was $35 million and $29 million, respectively, a 21% increase. Our backlog as of September 30, 2015 included 
approximately $20 million of orders and deferred revenue from our solar industry customers compared to $21 million 
from our solar industry customers as of September 30, 2014. 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 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 $61 million during fiscal 2015, compared to $40 million and $28 million in fiscal 
2014 and 2013, respectively. The solar book to bill ratio for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 was 1.1:1 and 1.0:1, respectively. 

Following the Company's acquisition of BTU, an evaluation was conducted of the Company's organizational structure. 
Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company made changes to its reportable segments. Prior period 
amounts have been revised to conform to the current period segment reporting structure. The Company operates in 
three  business  segments:  (i)  solar,  (ii)  semiconductor  and  (iii)  polishing.      For  information  regarding  net  revenue, 
operating income and identifiable assets attributable to each of our three business segments for each of the past three 
fiscal  years,  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.”

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. 

4

 
 
 
 
RECENT ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

In December 2014, the Company expanded our participation in the solar market by acquiring a 51% controlling interest 
in SoLayTec, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, which provides ALD systems used in high efficiency solar cells.  
The  acquisition  of  the  controlling  interest  in  SoLayTec  supports  our  business  model  of  growth  through  strategic 
acquisition.

In January 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of BTU, a Delaware corporation, pursuant to which BTU 
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Amtech acquired all of the outstanding stock of BTU in an all-
stock transaction. BTU stockholders received 0.3291 shares of Amtech common stock for every share of BTU stock.

The addition of BTU supports 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  acquisition  also  further  advances  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  has  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.

In September 2015, the Company sold a portion of its interest in Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited (“Kingstone 
Hong Kong”), a partially owned subsidiary of the Company, for $4,000,000 plus the repayment of certain outstanding 
debt in the amount of approximately $4,000,000. Following the transaction, the Company’s interest in Kingstone Hong 
Kong  was  reduced  from  55%  to  15%.  Kingstone  Hong  Kong  is  the  parent  company  of  Shanghai  Kingstone 
Semiconductor Company, Ltd. (“Shanghai Kingstone”), a Shanghai-based technology company specializing in ion 
implant  solutions  for  the  solar  and  semiconductor  industries.  Following  the  transaction,  Kingstone  Hong  Kong's 
ownership interest in Shanghai Kingstone was reduced from 100% to 68.75% with the Company owning approximately 
10% of Shanghai Kingstone. Proceeds from the sale of shares will be paid to Amtech and used to support the company's 
core strategic initiatives. 

SOLAR INDUSTRY

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, 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. In 2012, we launched our PECVD 
system.  Through our acquisition of SoLayTec, we produce, develop, and deliver and service worldwide machines for 
ultrafast ALD Equipment used in high efficiency solar cells. 

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.  

5

When actual and expected end-user demand outstrips available capacity, this triggers the beginning of the next period 
of expansion.

SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

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 
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. 

As demand for increasingly sophisticated electronic devices continues; new technologies such as wireless networks, 
next generation cellular phones and tablets will help to drive future growth. Electronic equipment continues to become 
more complex, yet end users are still demanding smaller, lighter and less expensive devices. This, in turn, requires 
increased performance and reduced cost, size, weight and power requirements of electronic assemblies, printed circuit 
boards  and  semiconductors.  In  response  to  these  developments,  manufacturers  are  increasingly  employing  more 
sophisticated production and assembly techniques requiring more advanced manufacturing equipment, such as that 
supplied by BTU.

In the printed circuit board assembly process, semiconductor discrete-devices and various other components are attached 
to printed circuit boards. The attachment process, which creates a permanent physical and electrical bond, is called 
solder reflow or surface mount reflow. Manufacturers rely on high throughput and highly reliable equipment to get the 
maximum efficiency in their production process. Die level semiconductor packaging processes include precision thermal 
processing steps. Advancements in the semiconductor industry toward higher chip speeds, smaller form factors and 
reduced costs are driving the transition to wafer level packaging from the traditional wire bonding technique.

SOLAR AND SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS

Our furnace and automation equipment is manufactured in our facilities in The Netherlands, France, Massachusetts, 
and China. The following paragraphs describe the products that comprise our solar, semiconductor and electronics 
assembly 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 

6

 
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 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.  

Atomic Layer Deposition. We produce, develop, deliver and service worldwide machines for ultrafast, spatial (ALD)
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. As such, following the acquisition of the majority 
interest  in  SoLayTec,  the  Company  is  now  able  to  use ALD  in  the  industrial  production  and  solar  market  due  to 
technology that was previously unavailable to the Company prior to the acquisition due to the very low speed of ALD 
and the associated high cost. The unique feature of the SoLayTec machines is the breakthrough speed that enables 
industrial application.

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.

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.

Continuous Thermal Processing Systems. Through our recently acquired subsidiary BTU, we produce and sell thermal 
processing systems used in the solder reflow and curing stages of printed circuit board assembly as well as systems for 
the thermal processes used in advanced semiconductor packaging. Our printed circuit board assembly products are 
used primarily in the advanced, high-density segments of the market that utilize surface mount technology. 

Flip-chip reflow provides the physical and electronic bond of the semiconductor device to its package. Our range of 
convection reflow systems, utilizing patented closed loop convection technology, rate at up to 400°C and operate in 
air or nitrogen atmospheres. These products utilize impingement technology to transfer heat to the substrate. Using 
thermal power arrays of five-kilowatt heaters, they can process substrates in dual lane, dual speed configurations, 
thereby enabling our customers to double production without increasing the machine’s footprint. These products are 
available in four models based on the heated lengths of thermal processing chambers. Heated length is based on the 
required production rate and loading requirements.

7

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, semiconductor and electronics assembly 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, North Billerica, Massachusetts, and Shanghai, China.

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 

8

 
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.  In  addition,  we  look  for  strategic  acquisitions,  such  as  the 
acquisition of SoLayTec, which will provide us with new technologies to compete effectively in the markets in which 
we operate.

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 $6.9 million (7% of net revenue) for fiscal 2015, $6.3 million (11% of net revenue) 
for fiscal 2014, and $6.6 million (19.0% of net revenue) for fiscal 2013.  

9

 
 
PATENTS

The following table shows our material patents, the patents licensed by us, and the expiration date of each patent and 
license:

Product
Multiple methods for manufacturing a solar cell and related equipment Various

Countries

Method for manufacturing a solar cell; N-type cells with reverse flow
and metal wrap-through

Netherlands

Method for manufacturing a solar cell; N-type cells with reverse flow
and metal wrap-through

United States

Expiration Date or
Pending Approval

Various

2032

2033

Wafer boat loader assembly, furnace system, use thereof and method
for operating said assembly

IBAL Model S-300

Gas-bearing-based Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)

Carrier-less gas bearing ALD

Reciprocal and helical-scan multi-nozzle ALD configurations

Ultrafast gas bearing-based reactive ion etching
Contactless ALD patterning process

Maskless patterned fast ALD

Thermal processing system having slot eductors

Thermal reactor

Plasma generation and processing with multiple radiation sources

Plasma catalyst

Process for solid oxide fuel cell manufacture

Lapping Machine adjustable mechanism

Netherlands

Pending

United States

Various

Europe

Europe

Europe

Europe
Europe

Europe

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

2028

2029

2030

2030
2030

2030

2027

Pending

2024

2026

2025

2027

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

Due to 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 
sales contacts, participation in trade shows, an internet website, advertising in trade magazines and the distribution of 
product brochures.

Through the acquisition of BTU, we have expanded our global sales and support infrastructure contributing to our 
competitive position.

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 

10

 
 
 
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 2015, 74% of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America. This group represented 
79% of revenues in fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2015, net revenue was distributed among customers in different geographic 
regions as follows: North/South America 26% (24% of which is in the United States), Asia 60% (including 26% to 
China 13% to Malaysia and 13% to Taiwan) and Europe 14%. In fiscal 2015,  two customers individually accounted 
for 15% and 11% of net revenue, respectively.  In fiscal 2014, two customers individually accounted for 18% and 11% 
of net revenue, respectively.  In fiscal 2013, one customer accounted for 20% 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, 
electronics assembly, 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.

Our principal competitors for printed circuit board assembly equipment and advanced semiconductor packaging vary 
by product application. The principal competitors for solder reflow systems are Vitronics-Soltec, Heller, Folungwin, 
ERSA, and Rehm. The principal competitors for advanced semiconductor packaging are Vitronics-Soltec and Heller. 
Our  in-line,  controlled  atmosphere  furnaces  compete  primarily  against  products  offered  by  Centrotherm,  and 
SierraTherm/Schmid Thermal Systems. We also face competition from emerging low cost Asian manufacturers and 
other established European manufacturers.

Although price is a factor in buying decisions, we believe that technological leadership, process capability, throughput, 
environmental  safeguards,  uptime,  mean  time-to-repair,  cost  of  ownership  and  after-sale  support  have  become 
increasingly important factors. We compete primarily on the basis of these criteria, rather than on the basis of price 
alone.

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 
control  over  quality.    Competitors  of  our  lapping  and  polishing  machines  and  supplies  include  Peter Wolters  and 
Speedfam, Lapmaster International, LLC, Hamai Co., Ltd., Onse, Inc. and Eminess Technologies, Inc.  Our strategy 

11

 
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, 2015, we employed 503 people. Of these employees, 15 were based at our corporate offices in 
Tempe, Arizona, 37 at our manufacturing plant in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 90 at our manufacturing plants in N. Billerica, 
Massachusetts, 130 at our combined facilities in The Netherlands, 158 at our combined facilities in China, 13 at other 
Asia-Pacific offices,  53 at our facilities in France, and 7 at our office in the U.K . Of the 37 people employed at our 
Carlisle, Pennsylvania facility, 21 were represented by the United Auto Workers Union - Local 1443. We have never 
experienced  a  work  stoppage  or  strike,  and  other  than  employees  at  the  Carlisle  facility,  no  other  employees  are 
represented by a union. We consider our employee relations to be good.  

ENVIRONMENTAL

EPA Accrual - As a result of the acquisition of BTU, the Company assumed BTU’s proportional responsibility for 
clean-up costs at a Superfund site. As an equipment manufacturer, BTU generated and disposed of small quantities of 
solid waste that were considered hazardous under Environment Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations. Because BTU 
historically used a waste disposal firm that disposed of the solid waste at a site that the EPA designated as a Superfund 
site, BTU was named by the EPA as one of the entities responsible for a portion of the expected clean-up costs. Based 
on the Company's proportional responsibility, as negotiated with and agreed to by the EPA, the Company's liability 
related to this matter is $0.2 million. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining liability is $0.2 million, which is included 
in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015. In 2009, in 
accordance with the settlement agreement with the EPA, BTU established a letter of credit for $0.2 million for the 
benefit of the EPA to secure potential cash payments as part of BTU's settlement of their proportional liability.

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 five 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; BTU International, Inc., a 
Delaware corporation based in North Billerica, Massachusetts, acquired in January 2015. In addition, we acquired a 
majority ownership of SoLayTec B.V., a private company based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. We also own a 15% 
interest in Kingstone Hong Kong (which effectively represents a 10% beneficial ownership interest in the Shanghai 
operating entity, Shanghai Kingstone).

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.

12

 
 
 
 
 
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:

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

 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
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
  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:

13

 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

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;
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. 

14

 
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, 2015, no single customer represented greater than 10% of accounts receivable. As of September 
30, 2014, two customers individually represented 14% and 10% 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 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 2014, 79% of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America. During fiscal 2015, 74% 
of our net revenue came from customers outside of North America as follows:

•  Asia - 60%   (including China - 26%, Malaysia 13% and Taiwan - 13%); and

•  Europe – 14% (including Germany - 5%).

Each region in the global solar and semiconductor equipment markets 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:

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

 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;

15

 
 
 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

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;
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 gains of $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 
30, 2015 and less than $0.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. 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 December 
2014, we acquired SoLayTec with operations in the Netherlands. BTU International, acquired in January 2015, has 
substantial operations in Shanghai, China.  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.

16

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.

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 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 2015, 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:

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

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;
leverage our expanded global sales and service presence through the acquisition of BTU International
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.

17

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. 

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, 

18

 
services and technologies and plan to continue to do so in the future. Acquisitions, including our acquisition of R2D, 
SoLayTec and BTU, involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:

• 

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

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;
the potential loss of our key customers and suppliers and the key customers and suppliers 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;
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 and any other associated transaction expenses;
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;
potential litigation brought against the Company that may arise in connection with an acquisition;
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 

19

 
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 
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.

20

 
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 
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.

21

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-
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, 2015, 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.

22

 
 
As of September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, our accrued warranty costs amounted to $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $1.5 
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.

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in actions for matters arising out of our business 
operations. 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.

23

 
 
Information security breaches or failures of our information technology systems may have a negative impact on 
our operations and our reputation.

We  may  be  subject  to  information  security  breaches  or  failures  of  our  information  technology  systems  caused  by 
advanced persistent threats, unauthorized access, sabotage, vandalism, terrorism or accident. Compromises and failure 
to  our  information  technology  networks  and  systems  could  result  in  unauthorized  release  of  our  confidential  or 
proprietary information, or that of our customers and suppliers, as well as employee personal data. The costs to protect 
against or alleviate against breaches and systems failures require significant human and financial capital expenditures, 
which in turn could potentially disrupt our continuing operations, increase our liability as a result of compromises to 
personally identifiable information, and may lead to a material and adverse effect on our financial reporting, reputation 
and business.

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. 

•  The Company is subject to a China withholding tax on certain non-tangible charges made under our transfer 
pricing agreements. The interpretation of what charges are subject to the tax and when the liability for the tax 
occurs has varied and could change in the future.

•  Tax rates may increase and, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our earnings and cash flows.

Securities litigation brought against the Company; including litigation related to the BTU acquisition could cause 
the Company to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources

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 securities litigation. Any securities litigation could result in substantial costs and could divert the attention 
and resources of the Company’s management.

As previously disclosed in the Company's filings with the SEC, shortly after the Company entered into the merger 
agreement with BTU, two separate putative stockholder class action complaints were filed in the Court of Chancery 
of the State of Delaware (together, the "Stockholder Actions"). The first was filed on November 4, 2014 and the second 
on November 17, 2014, on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, members of the BTU board, Amtech 
and the special purpose merger subsidiary. The Stockholder Actions were consolidated on December 4, 2014. The 
complaints generally alleged that, in connection with entering into the merger agreement, the BTU board of directors 
breached certain fiduciary duties owed to BTU's stockholders. The complaints sought various forms of declaratory and 
injunctive relief, as well as compensatory damages. 

On January 16, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, entered into a memorandum 
of understanding (the “MOU”) to settle the Stockholder Actions. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties to the Stockholder 
Actions agreed to resolve the claims alleged and the Company and BTU agreed to make certain additional disclosures 
regarding the merger. On June 22, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, filed 
a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement (the “Stipulation of Settlement”) with the Court of Chancery 
in the State of Delaware to memorialize the MOU. The Stipulation of Settlement provides for a release of all claims 
against the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, subject to an exception for certain 
securities law claims. In addition, the Stipulation of Settlement provides that BTU will be responsible for the payment 
of  certain  amounts  in  plaintiffs’  attorney  fees  and  expenses  in  connection  with  the  settlement. The  Stipulation  of 
Settlement is subject to court approval. The Company and BTU entered into the Stipulation of Settlement solely to 
avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. There 
can be no assurance that the court will approve the Stipulation of Settlement. In such event, the proposed settlement 
as contemplated by the Stipulation of Settlement may be terminated.

These Stockholder Actions 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 
from this litigation.

24

Our officers, directors, and largest stockholders could choose to act in their best interests and not necessarily those 
of our other stockholders.

Our directors, executive officers and holders of five percent or more of our outstanding common stock and their affiliates 
represent a significant portion of our common stock held as of September 30, 2015, and, therefore, have significant 
influence over the management and corporate policies of the Company. These stockholders have significant influence 
over  all  matters  submitted  to  our  stockholders,  including  the  election  of  our  directors  and  approval  of  business 
combinations, and could potentially initiate or delay, deter or prevent a change of control of our company. Circumstances 
may occur in which the interests of these stockholders may conflict with the interests of the Company or those of our 
other stockholders, and these stockholders may cause the Company to take actions that align with their interests. Should 
conflicts of interest arise, we can provide no assurance that these stockholders would act in the best interests of our 
other stockholders or that any conflicts of interest would be resolved in a manner favorable to our other stockholders. 
In addition, involvement of certain activist stockholders may impact our ability to recruit and retain talent or otherwise 
distract management or make decisions that we believe are in the long-term interest of all shareholders.

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

Corporate

Tempe, AZ

Solar Equipment Segment

Corporate

Vaassen, The Netherlands

Office, Warehouse & Mfg.

Vaassen, The Netherlands

Warehouse

Clapiers, France

Office, Mfg. & Warehouse

Semiconductor Equipment Segment

15,000 sf

54,000 sf

23,000 sf

21,000 sf

N. Billerica, MA

N. Billerica, MA

Ashvale, Surrey, U.K.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, China

Singapore

Penang, Malaysia

Polishing Supplies Segment

Office, Mfg. & Warehouse

150,000 sf

Office, Mfg. & Warehouse

17,000 sf

Office

Office

1,900 sf

1,600 sf

Office, Mfg. & Warehouse

45,000 sf

Office & Warehouse

Office

Office

4,500 sf

1,600 sf

1,570 sf

Carlisle, PA

Office & Mfg.

22,000 sf

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in actions for matters arising out of their business 
operations. As previously disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, shortly after the Company entered into the 
merger agreement with BTU, two separate putative stockholder class action complaints (together, the "Stockholder 
Actions") were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Court"). The first was filed on 

25

 
 
 
 
November 4, 2014 and the second on November 17, 2014, on behalf of BTU’s public stockholders, against BTU, 
members  of  the  BTU  board, Amtech  and  the  special  purpose  merger  subsidiary.  The  Stockholder Actions  were 
consolidated on December 4, 2014. The complaints generally alleged that, in connection with entering into the merger 
agreement, the BTU board of directors breached certain fiduciary duties owed to BTU's stockholders. The complaints 
sought various forms of declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory damages.

On January 16, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, entered into a memorandum 
of understanding (the “MOU”) to settle the Stockholder Actions. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties to the Stockholder 
Actions agreed to resolve the claims alleged and the Company and BTU agreed to make certain additional disclosures 
regarding the merger. On June 22, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, filed 
a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement with the Delaware Court to memorialize the MOU. On 
November 6, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, filed an Amended Stipulation 
and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement (the "Amended Stipulation of Settlement") with the Delaware Court. 
The Amended Stipulation of Settlement provides for a release of all claims against the Company and BTU, along with 
the other defendants named therein, subject to an exception for certain securities law claims. In addition, the Amended 
Stipulation of Settlement provides that BTU, its insurer(s), or its successor(s) in interest will be responsible for the 
payment of certain amounts in plaintiffs’ attorney fees and expenses in connection with the settlement, and that the 
defendants in the Stockholder Actions agree not to oppose an application to the Delaware Court for fees and expenses 
not to exceed $325,000. The Amended Stipulation of Settlement is subject to court approval. The Company and BTU 
entered into the Amended Stipulation of Settlement solely to avoid the costs, risks, and uncertainties inherent in litigation 
and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. There can be no assurance that the court will approve the Amended 
Stipulation  of  Settlement.  In  such  event,  the  proposed  settlement  as  contemplated  by  the Amended  Stipulation  of 
Settlement may be terminated.

These Stockholder Actions 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 
from this litigation.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

26

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 12, 2015, the closing price of our Common 
Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market was $5.28 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 2015 and 2014, as reported by the 
NASDAQ Global Market.

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

Fiscal 2015

Fiscal 2014

High

Low

High

Low

$
$
$
$

11.15
12.59
12.93
11.11

$
$
$
$

7.52
7.96
9.84
4.27

$
$
$
$

9.21
13.74
13.00
12.37

$
$
$
$

6.19
6.87
7.58
8.47

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, 2010.

HOLDERS

As of November 12, 2015, there were 604 shareholders of record of our Common Stock. Based upon a recent survey 
of  brokers,  we  estimate  there  were  approximately  an  additional  4,920  beneficial  shareholders  who  held  shares  in 
brokerage or other investment accounts as of that date.

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2015, 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)

1,627,477

$

9.11

1,083,638

—

1,627,477

—

1,083,638

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 2015.

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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) (3)

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,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

$ 104,883

$

56,501

$

34,798

$

81,539

$ 246,705

27,008

$
$
$
$ (13,521) $ (13,089) $ (19,994) $ (32,984) $

11,626

4,313

9,193

$

$

90,657

38,279

$

(7,771) $ (13,047) $ (20,069) $ (23,031) $

22,882

$

$
$

$

$

(0.65) $

(0.65) $
$

34,589

(1.34) $
(1.34) $
$

28,522

(2.11) $
(2.11) $
$

26,766

(2.43) $
(2.43) $
$

18,703

2.41

2.34
85,892

25,852

46,331

$ 125,456

$

$

39,371

72,647

$

$

$

$

$

27,367

32,289

$

$

37,197

42,861

$

$

46,726

58,832

$

$

67,382

89,797

89,904

$ 110,947

$ 129,022

$ 205,865

33,136

53,588

$

$

41,334

66,803

$

$

42,611

$

80,794

84,051

$ 122,331

(1) 

(2) 

Includes $0.1 million, $0.3 million and  $3.7 million of expense related to inventory write-downs in fiscal 
2015, 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 $1.3 million, $1.7 million, $2.0 million, $5.6 million and $0.9 million of losses in fiscal 2015, 
2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, resulting from the 55% controlling interest in Kingstone acquired 
February 18, 2011 and the 51% interest in SoLayTec acquired December 24, 2014.

(3) 

Includes $8.8 million gain on deconsolidation resulting from the deconsolidation of Kingstone on September 
16, 2015.

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 three segments: (i) solar, (ii) semiconductor and (iii) polishing.  In our solar segment, we are a leading 
global  supplier  of  thermal  processing  systems,  including  diffusion,  plasma-enhanced  chemical  vapor  deposition 
(PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), related automation, parts and services, to the solar/photovoltaic industry. 
In our semiconductor segment, we supply thermal processing equipment, including solder reflow equipment and related 
controls  for  use  by  leading  semiconductor  manufacturers,  and  in  electronics  assembly  for  automotive  and  other 
industries. 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. 

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.  Since 2012, the solar cell industry has experienced a structural imbalance between supply and 
demand.  This imbalance has negatively impacted our results of operations.

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.   On  January  30,  2015,  we  completed  the  acquisition  of  BTU,  which  provides 
complementary thermal processing technologies in the semiconductor, electronics and solar sectors, and strengthens 
our footprint in China and other key geographic markets. On December 24, 2014, we expanded our participation in the 
solar market by acquiring a 51% controlling interest in SoLayTec, which provides atomic layer deposition systems 
used in high efficiency solar cells. In February 2011, we acquired a 55% ownership interest in Kingstone. In October 
2007, we acquired R2D Automation SAS, which allowed us to provide our solar diffusion furnaces with integrated 
automation which is also sold as a stand-alone product.  

In September 2015, the Company sold a portion of its interest in Kingstone Semiconductor Company Ltd, a Shanghai-
based technology company specializing in ion implant solutions for the solar and semiconductor industries, to a China-

30

 
 
 
based venture capital firm. Proceeds from the sale of shares will be paid to Amtech and used to support the company's 
core  strategic  initiatives.  Upon  completion  of  the  transaction,  we  own  15%  of  the Hong  Kong holding  company 
(effectively a 10% beneficial ownership in the Shanghai operating entity).

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
Gross margin

Selling, general and administrative
Restructuring charges
Research, development and engineering

Operating loss

Gain on deconsolidation of Kingstone
Interest and other income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax provision
Net loss
Add: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.

Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014

Net Revenue

Years Ended September 30,

2015
100.0 %
74.1 %
0.1 %
25.8 %
31.5 %
0.6 %
6.6 %
(12.9)%
8.4 %
(0.1)%
(4.6)%
1.8 %
(6.4)%
(1.0)%
(7.4)%

2014
100.0 %
78.9 %
0.5 %
20.6 %
32.6 %
— %
11.1 %
(23.1)%
— %
0.0 %
(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)%

Net revenue consists of revenue recognized upon shipment or installation of equipment, with the exception of products 
using new technology, for which revenue is recognized upon customer acceptance. Spare parts sales are recognized 
upon shipment and 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 system sales, revenue and operating 
income can be significantly impacted by the timing of system shipments, and recognition of revenue based on customer 
acceptances.  See Critical Accounting Policies – Revenue Recognition. 

Segment

Solar

Semiconductor

Polishing

Total net revenue

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Inc (Dec)

%

(dollars in thousands)

$

56,689

$

36,069

$

20,620

37,250

10,944

9,779

10,653

27,471

291

$ 104,883

$

56,501

$

48,382

57%

281%

3%

86%

Net revenue for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $104.9 million and $56.5 million, respectively; 
an increase of $48.4 million or 86%.  Revenue from the solar segment increased 57% due primarily to increased sales 
of our expanded portfolio of solar products, including our PECVD equipment, as well as our solar diffusion systems 

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
and related automation.  Revenue from the semiconductor segment increased 281% due primarily to the acquisition of 
BTU in January 2015. 

Revenues from the polishing supplies segment increased slightly due to 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.

Backlog and Orders

Our backlog as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $34.6 million and $28.5 million, respectively. Our backlog as of 
September 30, 2015 included approximately $19.6 million of orders and deferred revenue from our solar industry 
customers compared to $20.9 million as of September 30, 2014.  New orders booked in fiscal 2015 were $109.9 million 
($52.7 million solar) compared to $61.3 million ($34.0 million solar) in fiscal 2014.  As the majority of the backlog is 
denominated in Euros, the weakening of the Euro during fiscal 2015 resulted in a decrease in backlog of approximately 
$4.6 million.  At the end of fiscal 2015, two customers individually accounted for 15% and 14% of our total backlog.  
At the end of fiscal 2014, two customers individually accounted for 31% and 13% of our total backlog.

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.

Segment

Solar

Semiconductor

Polishing

Total gross profit

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Inc (Dec)

%

(dollars in thousands)

$

11,639

$

5,263

$

6,376

11,442

3,927

1,949

4,414

$

27,008

$

11,626

$

9,493
(487)
15,382

121 %

487 %

(11)%

132 %

Gross profit for the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $27.0 million and $11.6 million respectively; an 
increase of $15.4 million or 132%. Gross margin for fiscal 2015 increased to 26% from 21% in fiscal 2014. Gross 
margin for the solar segment increased to 21% in fiscal 2015, compared to 15% in fiscal 2014 due primarily to higher 
sales volumes. In the semiconductor segment gross margin was 31% in fiscal 2015, compared to 20% in fiscal 2014 
primarily due to the BTU acquisition. In fiscal 2015 and 2014, use of previously written down inventory had a $4.0 
million favorable impact.  In fiscal 2015, we had a net recognition of previously deferred profit of $1.3 million compared 
to a net deferral of $6.1 million in fiscal 2014.  Gross margin from our polishing supplies segment was 36% and 41% 
in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Lower margins in this segment resulted primarily from product mix.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors, 
facility costs, sales commissions, shipping costs, promotional marketing expenses, legal and accounting expenses and 
bad debt expense.

Total  SG&A  expenses  for  the  years  ended  September  30,  2015  and  2014  were  $33.0  million  and  $18.4  million 
respectively.  SG&A increased due, in part, to the acquisition of BTU.  In addition to SG&A expenses incurred by BTU, 
expenses were higher due to activity leading up to our acquisitions of BTU and SoLayTec and restructuring of our 

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
investment in Kingstone, as well as increases from higher shipping and commission expenses resulting from higher 
sales in fiscal 2015, partially offset by lower bad debt expenses.  SG&A expense includes $1.2 million and $0.8 million 
of stock-based compensation expense for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

Impairment and Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges for the year ended September 30, 2015 was $0.6 million, related primarily to severance costs.  
There were no restructuring charges in fiscal 2014.

Research, Development and Engineering

Research,  development  and  engineering  ("RD&E")  expenses  consist  of  the  cost  of  employees,  consultants  and 
contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials and supplies used in 
producing prototypes.  We receive reimbursements through governmental research and development grants which are 
netted against these expenses when certain conditions have been met. 

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Inc (Dec)

%

(dollars in thousands)

Research, development and engineering

Grants earned

Net research and development and engineering

$

$

13,214
(6,296)
6,918

$

$

10,863
(4,572)
6,291

$

$

2,351
(1,724)
627

22%

38%

10%

RD&E expense, net of grants earned, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 increased $0.6 million compared 
to fiscal 2014.  Gross RD&E spending increased due primarily to the acquisition of BTU and SoLayTec.  Increased 
RD&E 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.

Income Tax Provision

Our effective tax rate was negative 39.8% and negative 9.5% in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.  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 
2015 was due primarily to increasing the valuation allowance on the current period net operating loss and foreign 
withholding  taxes  associated  with  the  partial  sale  of  our  investment  in  Kingstone.  See  Note  15  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report. In 2014 the negative effective tax rate was 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.  The increase in the valuation allowance was recorded due to 
cumulative losses in China, The Netherlands and France.  The effective tax rates in 2015 and 2014 were different than 
the 34% U.S. tax rate primarily due to the valuation allowance on net operating losses in The Netherlands, China and 
France and the withholding taxes in 2015.

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, France and China. 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. 

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Revenue

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 segment increased 57% due primarily to increased shipments 
of n-type technology equipment to the solar industry in fiscal 2014. These increases were partially offset by deferred 
revenue  related  to  the  significant  amount  of  new  product  shipped,  including  PECVD  systems.  Revenue  from  the 
semiconductor segment increased 186% due to an upturn in our semiconductor customers' capital equipment purchases.  
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.

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.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

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. Gross margin for fiscal 2014 increased to 21% from 12% in fiscal 2013. Gross margin for the 
solar segment was 15% in fiscal 2014, compared to 7% in fiscal 2013.  In fiscal 2014, use of previously written down 
inventory  had  a  $4.0  million  favorable  impact  on  gross  margins  in  the  solar  segment.  Partially  offsetting  this 
improvement was recognition of previously-deferred revenue from relatively low-margin new product shipments in 
fiscal 2014. 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 for the semiconductor segment was 20% in fiscal 2014, 
compared to 1% in 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

Total  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 successful integration with BTU International, and SoLayTec as well as increased 
commission expenses due 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. There were no impairment or restructuring 
charges in fiscal 2014.

Research, Development and Engineering

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research, development and engineering

Grants earned

Net research and development, and engineering

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)%

RD&E 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.

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, 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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, cash and cash equivalents were $25.9 million and $27.4 million, respectively.  As 
of September 30, 2015 and 2014, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries was $9.6 million and $7.5 
million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, restricted cash was $0.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively. 
Restricted cash decreased due to partial sale of our interest in Kingstone, and a decrease in customer deposits requiring 
bank guarantees collateralized by cash. Our working capital was $46.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and $32.3 
million as of September 30, 2014.   The decrease in cash during fiscal 2015 of $1.5 million was primarily due to cash 
used by operating activities of $10.1 million, including tax payments of $5.1 million, capital expenditures of $0.6 
million and cash provided by financing activities of $0.8 million, partially offset by $8.2 million of net cash acquired 

35

 
 
 
 
in the acquisition of BTU and SoLayTec and $0.7 million of proceeds from the sale of a portion of our investment in 
Kingstone.  We received additional proceeds from the partial sale of Kingstone of $7.1 million in October and November 
2015.  We maintain a portion of our cash and cash equivalents in Euros at our Dutch and French operations; therefore, 
changes in the exchange rate have an impact on our cash balances. Our ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 
2.2:1 and 2.0:1 as of September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 respectively.

In December 2014, we acquired long-term debt as part of the SoLayTec acquisition. Subsequent to the acquisition, 
there were additional borrowings of $0.7 million.  As of September 30, 2015 the debt has a remaining balance of $2.4 
million.  The SoLayTec debt has interest rates ranging from 5.95% to 10% and maturity dates ranging from fiscal 2017 
to fiscal 2021.  Additionally, in January 2015, the Company acquired $7.2 million of long-term debt as part of the BTU 
acquisition. The debt acquired from BTU has an interest rate of 4.4% through September, 2018, at which time the 
interest rate will be adjusted and indexed to the Federal Home Loan Board Five Year Classic Advance Rate.  The 
remaining balance on the BTU debt as of September 30, 2015 was $6.9 million.

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.  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Fiscal Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$ (10,066) $
$
8,281
$

$

805

$

(11,081) $
(462) $
$
1,481

(9,953)
(178)
(238)

Cash used in operating activities was $10.1 million, $11.1 million, and $10.0 million  in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 
2013 respectively. During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, cash declined due to losses from operations, adjusted for non-
cash charges. In fiscal 2015, cash was also used to make tax payments of $5.1 million and through increases in inventory 
and other working capital. Partially offsetting these uses of cash were increases in accounts payable and customer 
deposits.  In fiscal 2014, significant uses of cash included 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 fiscal 2013 sources were income tax payments of approximately $8.7 million 
and decreases in liabilities such as deferred profit, accounts payable and other accruals. 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Investing activities in fiscal 2015 provided cash of $8.3 million due to $8.2 million of net cash acquired in the acquisition 
of BTU and SoLayTec and $0.7 million of proceeds from the sale of a portion of our investment in Kingstone.  Investing 
activities in fiscal 2014 and 2013 resulted primarily from the solar and semiconductor industry downturn.  During fiscal 
2015, 2014 and 2013, capital expenditures were $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.2 million respectively. 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

In fiscal 2015, cash provided by financing activities was $0.8 million, consisting primarily of net borrowings on long-
term  obligations  and  net  proceeds  from  the  exercise  of  stock  options.    In  fiscal  2014,  cash  provided  by  financing 
36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2015, 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.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

We had the following contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of September 30, 2015:

Contractual obligations

Total

Less than 1
year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than 5
years

Debt obligations

Operating lease obligations:

Buildings
Office equipment

Vehicles

Total operating lease obligations

Purchase obligations

Total

Other commercial obligations:

Bank guarantees

Critical Accounting Policies

$

9,367

$

919

$

1,698

$

926

(dollars in thousands)

1,686
167

385

2,238

9,826

21,431

416

$

$

724
88

160

972

9,826

11,717

416

$

$

$

$

$

$

5,824

—
—

—

—

—

715
79

177

971

—

247
—

48

295

—

2,669

$

1,221

$

5,824

—

—

—

“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. 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the product has been delivered and title has 
transferred, or services have been rendered; and 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 
may include both equipment and services, i.e., installation and start-up services performed by our service 
technicians. The equipment and services are multiple deliverables. Certain equipment that has a positive track 
record of successful installation and customer acceptance are considered to be routine systems.  Our recognition 
of revenue upon delivery of such equipment that has been routinely installed and accepted is equal to the total 
selling price minus the relative selling price of the undelivered services.  

Where the installation and acceptance of more than two similarly configured items of equipment have not 
become routine, 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.  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.

3.  Sales of certain equipment, spare parts and consumables are recognized upon shipment, as there are no post 

shipment obligations other than standard warranties.

4.  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. 

In fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013,  judgment was also exercised in determining the amount of income taxes to recognize 
in those years in connection with the reorganization of our Netherlands operations and the related tax on those 
transfers. In fiscal 2015, judgment was necessary in the proper application of the tax regulations of foreign 
jurisdictions in conjunction with the partial sale of our investment in Kingstone.

Inventory Valuation and Inventory Purchase Commitments. We value our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable 
value. Costs for approximately 60% 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 

38

 
 
 
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 is a significant increase in demand or lead-times from suppliers. These 
purchase 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, 2015, 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 

39

 
 
 
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.

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

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 generally conducted in their functional currency, the U.S. dollar.  Our operations in Europe, China and other countries 
are primarily conducted in their functional currencies and we occasionally enter into transactions in non-functional 
currencies. 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 2015 and in 2014, we did not hold any stand-alone or separate derivative instruments.  We incurred foreign 
currency translation losses of approximately $0.3 million and gains of less than $0.1 million, during the year ended 
September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, a type of other comprehensive income (loss), which is a direct adjustment 
to stockholders’ equity.  Our net investment in and advances to our foreign operations totaled $26.2 million as of 
September  30,  2015. A  10%  change  in  the  value  of  the  foreign  currencies  relative  to  the  U.S.  dollar  would  cause 
approximately $2.6 million of other comprehensive income (loss). 

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2015 sales commitments denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of our 
transacting operation totaled approximately $1.6 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 not cause our gross profit on such orders to be significantly greater or less than expected on 
the date the order was taken.

 As of September 30, 2015, purchase commitments denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of 
our  transacting  operation  totaled  $1.0  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. 

41

 
 
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, 2015 and 2014

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations: Years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss): Years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 
2013

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity: Years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

43

45

46

47

48

49

50

42

 
 
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, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), 
stockholders’  equity,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  September  30,  2015.  These 
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. 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 consolidated 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, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations 
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2015, 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  effectiveness  of Amtech  Systems,  Inc.  and  Subsidiaries’  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
September  30,  2015,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control-Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 19, 
2015, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Phoenix, Arizona

November 19, 2015

/s/ MAYER HOFFMAN MCCANN P.C.

43

 
 
 
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, 2015 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) 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, based on our audit, Amtech Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective 
internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework (2013) 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 consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income 
(loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, and our report dated November 19, 2015, expressed an 
unqualified opinion.

Phoenix, Arizona

November 19, 2015

/s/ MAYER HOFFMAN MCCANN P.C.

44

 
 
 
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 $5,009 and $2,846 at

September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively)

Unbilled and other

Inventories

Deferred income taxes

Notes and other receivable

Other

Total current assets

Property, Plant and Equipment - Net

Deferred income taxes - Long Term

Other Assets - Long Term

Investments

Intangible Assets - Net

Goodwill

       Total Assets

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable

Current maturities of long-term debt

Accrued compensation and related taxes

Accrued warranty expense

Deferred profit

Customer deposits

Other accrued liabilities

Income taxes payable

Total current liabilities

Long-term Debt

Income Taxes Payable Long-term

         Total Liabilities

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock; 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding:
13,150,469 and 9,848,253 at September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively

Additional paid-in capital

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Retained deficit

Total Stockholders' Equity

Noncontrolling interest

Total Equity

September 30,
2015

September 30,
2014

$

25,852

$

638

14,488

8,494

23,329

2,050

7,079

3,772

85,702

17,761

430

3,356

2,733

4,939

10,535

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

125,456

$

89,904

$

$

15,646

$

919

5,605

793

4,873

7,154

3,551

830

39,371

8,448

4,990

52,809

—

131

110,191

(8,666)

(28,822)

72,834

(187)

72,647

6,003

—

4,269

628

6,908

4,992

5,346

4,990

33,136

—

3,180

36,316

—

98

81,884

(5,790)

(21,051)

55,141

(1,553)

53,588

89,904

       Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

125,456

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative
Research, development and engineering
Restructuring charges
Operating loss

Gain on deconsolidation of Kingstone
Interest and other (expense) income, net
Loss before income taxes
Income tax provision
       Net loss
Add: net (income) 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

$

2015
104,883
77,737
138
27,008
33,028
6,918
583
(13,521)
8,814
(100)
(4,807)
1,910
(6,717)
(1,054)
(7,771) $

$

56,501
44,581
294
11,626
18,424
6,291
—
(13,089)
—
40
(13,049)
1,240
(14,289)
1,242
(13,047) $

(0.65) $

12,022

(0.65) $

12,022

(1.34) $
9,732

(1.34) $
9,732

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)

(2.11)
9,529

(2.11)
9,529

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands)

Net loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Comprehensive loss

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

$

(6,717) $
(3,010)
(9,727)

(14,289) $
(1,202)
(15,491)

(21,707)
2,225
(19,482)

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive loss attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.

$

(920)
(10,647) $

1,210
(14,281) $

1,674
(17,808)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

47

 
 
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, 2012

9,484

$

95

$ 77,377

$

(6,817) $

12,065

$

82,720

$

1,331

$

84,051

       Net loss

       Translation adjustment

Tax deficiency of stock options

       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

(13,047)

(13,047)

(1,242)

(1,234)

(1,234)

32

345

795

—

1,134

34

263

—

2

345

795

—

1,136

(14,289)

(1,202)

345

795

—

1,136

September 30, 2014

9,848

$

98

$ 81,884

$

(5,790) $ (21,051) $

55,141

$ (1,553) $

53,588

       Net loss

       Translation adjustment
       Acquisition of interest in SoLayTec
       Deconsolidation of Kingstone
       Tax benefit of stock compensation

       Stock compensation expense

       Shares issued for BTU purchase

3,186

       Restricted shares released

       Stock options exercised

Balance at

22

94

30

1,162

26,593

—

522

32

—

1

(2,876)

(7,771)

(7,771)

(2,876)

1,054

(134)
1,221
(775)

30

1,162

26,625

—

523

(6,717)

(3,010)
1,221
(775)
30

1,162

26,625

—

523

September 30, 2015

13,150

$ 131

$110,191

$

(8,666) $ (28,822) $

72,834

$

(187) $

72,647

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
       (Reversal of) provision for allowance for doubtful accounts
       Deferred income taxes
       Gain on deconsolidation of Kingstone
       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
    Investment in acquisitions, net of cash
    Proceeds from partial sale of subsidiary
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Financing Activities
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
    Payments on long-term obligations
    Borrowings on long term debt
    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
    Issuance of common stock for acquisitions

    Cash paid for interest

Supplemental Non-cash Financing Activities:
    Transfer inventory to capital equipment

Year Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

$

(6,717) $

(14,289) $

(21,707)

3,357
138
(194)
454
(8,814)
1,162

(1,731)
1,700
(1,308)
(4,329)
2,119
939
4,647
(1,490)
(10,067)

(610)
8,191
700
8,281

523
(482)
734
30
805
(534)
(1,515)
27,367
25,852

9
5,113
26,625

440

$

$

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
—

—

$

$

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
—

163

— $

527

$

—

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation – Amtech Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) is a global manufacturer 
of capital equipment, including thermal processing, silicon wafer handling automation, and related consumables used 
in  fabricating  solar  cells,  LED  and  semiconductor  devices.  The  Company  sells  these  products  to  solar  cell  and 
semiconductor manufacturers 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.  The equity method of 
accounting is used for investments over which the Company has a significant influence but not a controlling financial 
interest. 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  since  2012,  product  demand  and  production 
requirements have continued to decline significantly. 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 years 2014 and 2015, 
the Company had inventory write-downs of $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, which increased basic and 
diluted loss per share by $0.03 cents per share and $0.01 cent per share, respectively.

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; and 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 
may include both equipment and services, i.e., installation and start-up services performed by our service 
technicians. The equipment and services are multiple deliverables. Certain equipment that has a positive track 
record of successful installation and customer acceptance are considered to be routine systems.  Our recognition 
of revenue upon delivery of such equipment that has been routinely installed and accepted is equal to the total 
selling price minus the relative selling price of the undelivered services.  

Where the installation and acceptance of more than two similarly configured items of equipment have not 
become routine, 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. 

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  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.

3.  Sales of certain equipment, spare parts and consumables are recognized upon shipment, as there are no post 

shipment obligations other than standard warranties.

4.  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.

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,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

7,280

2,407

4,873

$

$

8,118

1,210

6,908

$

$

3,371

304

3,067

Cash Equivalents – We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased 
to be cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of amounts invested in U.S. money market funds and 
various U.S. and foreign bank operating and time deposit accounts.

Restricted Cash – Restricted cash of $0.6 million and $2.4 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, 
includes collateral for bank guarantees required by certain customers from whom deposits have been received in advance 
of shipment.  Restricted cash as of September 30, 2015 includes $0.2 million relating the Company's proportional 
responsibility, assumed in connection with the BTU acquisition, for clean-up costs at a Superfund site.  Restricted cash 
of  September  30,  2014  includes  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.

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
The following is a summary of the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts:

Balance at beginning of year

(Reversal) / Provision

Write offs

Acquired through business acquisitions

Adjustment

Balance at end of year

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

2,846
(194)
(130)
1,397

1,090

$

638

$

1,304
(13)
—

917

$

5,009

$

2,846

$

517

199
(78)
—

—

638

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 solar cell and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide, as well as the lapping and polishing marketplace. 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 62% 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 with financial institutions with reputable credit in The Netherlands, France and China.

As  of  September  30,  2015,  no  customer  individually  represented  greater  than  10%  of  accounts  receivable.   As  of 
September 30, 2014, two customers individually represented 14% and 10% of accounts receivable, respectively.

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 60% 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,
2015

September 30,
2014

(dollars in thousands)

6,065

$

5,669

11,595

8,797

4,809

3,154

23,329

$

16,760

$

$

Notes and Other Receivables - Notes and other Receivable consists amounts due the Company for the sale of Kingstone 
shares  and  repayment  of  a  loan  (see  Note  15  "Deconsolidation").    The  carrying  amount  of  the  notes  receivable 
approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the notes.

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 

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 $2.2 million, $1.7 
million and $2.0 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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 20-30 
years.

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,
2015

September 30,
2014

(dollars in thousands)

$

18,095

$

10,414

9,709

5,465

33,269
(15,508)
17,761

$

8,189

5,453

24,056
(14,304)
9,752

$

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.  During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company obtained additional information relating to the 
fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired from SoLayTec and BTU, resulting in an increase to goodwill of 
$0.9 million and a decrease of $0.2 million, respectively . As detailed in Note 15 "Deconsolidation", the Company 
deconsolidated Kingstone as of September 16, 2015. The adjustment to goodwill as a result of the deconsolidation of 
Kingstone is shown in the table below.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended September 30, 2015 are as follows.

Solar

Semiconductor

Polishing

Total

(dollars in thousands)

   Goodwill

$

12,315

$

— $

728

$

   Accumulated impairment losses

Carrying value at September 30, 2014

Goodwill recognized due to acquisitions

Goodwill derecognized due to deconsolidation

Net exchange differences

(4,720)

7,595

3,218

(5,198)

(271)

—

4,463

—

—

—

728

—

—

—

Carrying value at September 30, 2015

$

5,344

$

4,463

$

728

$

   Goodwill

   Accumulated impairment losses

9,899

(4,555)

4,463

—

728

—

Carrying value at September 30, 2015

$

5,344

$

4,463

$

728

$

13,043
(4,720)
8,323

7,681
(5,198)
(271)
10,535

15,090
(4,555)
10,535

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  $1.2  million,  $0.7  million  and  $0.6  million  in  fiscal  2015,  2014  and  2013,  respectively. The  aggregate 
amortization expense for the intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is estimated to be $0.8 million, 
$0.7 million, $0.6 million, $0.6 million  and $0.6 million in 2016,  2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

On  December  24,  2014,  the  Company  acquired  a 51%  controlling  interest  in  SoLayTec.  The  intangible  assets  of 
SoLayTec total $2.0 million, of which $1.8 million is included in "Technology" and $0.2 million is included in "Trade 

53

 
 
 
 
names" in the table below.  During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company obtained additional information relating 
to the fair value of intangible assets acquired from SoLayTec and made an adjustment of $0.2 million.  On January 30, 
2015, the Company completed the merger with BTU.   The intangible assets of BTU total $2.9 million, of which $1.2 
million is included in "Trade names" and $1.7 million is included in "Customer lists" in the table below.  During the 
fourth quarter of 2015, the Company obtained additional information relating to the fair value of tangible and intangible 
assets  acquired  from  BTU.    Using  this  new  information,  $1.7  million  was  recorded  for  the  fair  value  of  acquired 
"Customer lists".  See Note 14, “Acquisitions,” for more information regarding the acquisition of SoLayTec and the 
merger with BTU.

As a result of the sale of the Company's partial ownership in Kingstone in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company 
derecognized  $3.2  million  of  intangible  assets  and  $1.9  million  of  accumulated  amortization.    See  Note  15 
"Deconsolidation" for additional details relating to the deconsolidation of Kingstone.

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,

2015

2014

(dollars in thousands)

Non-compete agreements

4-8 years

$

137 $

(137) $

— $

1,055 $

(955) $

Customer lists

Technology
In-process research and
development

Trade names

Other

6-10 years

5-10 years

5 years

10-15 Years

2-10 years

2,434

3,223

—

1,456

278

7,528

(808)

(1,368)

1,626

1,855

817

2,319

(592)

(1,682)

100

225

637

—

(72)

(204)

—

1,600

(27)

1,573

1,384

74

—

321

—

(178)

—

143

(2,589)

4,939

6,112

(3,434)

2,678

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,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

628
(706)
871

793

$

1,454
(819)
(7)
628

$

$

2,687
(1,360)
127

1,454

$

$

Research, Development and Engineering Expenses - Research, development and engineering 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. 

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research, development and engineering

Grants earned

Net research, development and engineering

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

13,214
(6,296)
6,918

$

$

10,863
(4,572)
6,291

$

$

8,459
(1,865)
6,594

Shipping Expense – Shipping expenses of $2.5 million, $1.0 million and $0.8 million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 
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 from foreign currency transactions of $0.3 million in fiscal 2015, and 
pretax net gains and losses of less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2014 and 2013. 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.  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,  2015,  2014  and  2013  reduced  the 
Company’s results of operations as follows:

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect on income before income taxes (1)

Effect on income taxes

Effect on net income

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

(1,162) $
221
$
(941) $

(795) $
326
$
(469) $

(2,472)
512
(1,960)

(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 2025. Options vest over 2 to 4 years. The Company estimates 
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,

2015
2%

2014
2%

2013
1%

6 years

6 years

6 years

0%

67%

0%

69%

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 

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 

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 
and foreign bank operating and time deposit accounts. 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.

The  Company’s  employees  in  The  Netherlands,  approximately  120,  participate  in  a  multi-employer  pension  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  
pension  plan  covers  approximately  33,000  companies  and  1.2  million  participants. Amtech's  contribution  to  the 
multiemployer pension 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 pension plan must be monitored against specific criteria, including the coverage 
ratio of the plan assets to its obligations. This coverage ratio must exceed 105% 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 pension 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 95.3% as of September 30, 2015. In 2013, 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.  
The coverage ratio of PMT fluctuates during a year due to the changes in the value of the assets and the present value 
of the liabilities, at the end of Q3 of Fiscal 2015 it reached a high of 103% but decreased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2015 due to the reduction in the ultimate forward rate (which increases the present value of the liabilities) and a decrease 
in the value of global equities. As of September 30, 2015 PMT's total plan assets were $66.3 billion and the actuarial 
present value of accumulated plan benefits was $69.6 billion.  

Below is a table of contributions made by the Company to multiemployer pension plans.

57

 
 
Pensioenfonds Metaal en Techniek (PMT)

Other plans

Total

Contributions

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

805

158

963

$

$

929

158

1,087

$

$

879

163

1,042

$

$

The Company matches employee funds to the Company's defined contribution plans on a discretionary basis.  The 
match was insignificant in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the 
Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in ASU No. 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to 
a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt 
liability. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments. ASU 
No. 2015-03 must be applied retrospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 
15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of 
Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-
of-Credit Arrangements. ASU No. 2015-15 states that for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, 
the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting such costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing 
the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are 
any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to 
materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 
960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965). Update No. 
2015-12 has three parts. Part I designates contract value as the only required measure for fully benefit-responsive 
investment contracts. Part II simplifies the investment disclosure requirements under Topics 820, 960, 962, and 965 
for employee benefits plans and Part III provides an alternative measurement date for fiscal periods that do not coincide 
with a month-end date. Update No. 2015-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption 
of Update No. 2015-12 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of 
Inventory. This ASU simplifies the measurement of inventory by requiring certain inventory to be measured at the 
lower of cost or net realizable value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 
15, 2016 and for interim periods therein. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements , which clarifies various topics 
in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2015-10 is effective for the interim and annual periods ending 
after December 15, 2015. 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.

In  May 2015,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2015-08, Business  Combinations  (Topic  805): Pushdown Accounting  - 
Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115, or ASU 2015-08.  The amendments 
in ASU 2015-08 amend various SEC paragraphs included in the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification to reflect 
the issuance of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115, or SAB 115. SAB 115 rescinds portions of the interpretive guidance 
included  in  the  SEC’s  Staff Accounting  Bulletins  series  and  brings  existing  guidance  into  conformity  with ASU 
No. 2014-17, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting, which provides an acquired entity with an 
option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an 
acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. We have adopted the amendments in ASU 2015-08, effective May 8, 
2015, as the amendments in the update are effective upon issuance. The adoption did not have a material impact on 
our consolidated financial position and results of operation.

58

 
 
 
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No.  2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 
350-40). This ASU provides guidance that will help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a 
cloud computing arrangement, including whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud 
computing arrangement includes a software license, then this ASU requires the customer to account for the software 
license  consistent  with  the  acquisition  of  other  software  licenses;  otherwise,  the  customer  should  account  for  the 
arrangement as a service contract. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, 
beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities can elect to adopt the amendments either prospectively to all arrangements 
entered into after the effective date or retrospectively to all prior periods. We are currently assessing the impact of this 
ASU.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-3, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30).  This ASU requires 
debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from 
the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. The ASU requires retrospective 
application  and  represents  a  change  in  accounting  principle. The ASU  is  effective  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after 
December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We are 
currently assessing the impact of this ASU.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-1, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 
225-20).  The FASB is issuing this ASU as part of its initiative to reduce costs and complexity in accounting standards, 
known as its Simplification Initiative.  This ASU eliminates from generally accepted accounting principles in the United 
States  ("  GAAP")  the  concept  of  extraordinary  items  in  an  effort  to  save  time  and  reduce  costs,  while  alleviating 
uncertainty and maintaining accurate and fulsome disclosure.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal 
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  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.

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 the standard and the impact on our financial position and results of operations.

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, 2014, and 2015 to add 2,500,000 shares.  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. 
shares. The Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan was amended in 2005, 2009, and 2014 to add 400,000 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 2025. 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, 2015 and 2014, the unamortized expense related to restricted shares was less than $0.1 million 
and $0.1 million, respectively, and it is expected to be recognized over one year.

Restricted stock transactions and outstanding awards are summarized as follows:

59

 
 
 
Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

Beginning Outstanding

Awarded

Released

Forfeited

Awards
35,203

—

(21,663)

—

Ending Outstanding

13,540

$

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
10.13

$

—

11.47

—

7.98

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
10.13

$

—

10.13

—

Awards
69,154

—
(33,951)
—

35,203

$

10.13

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
9.06

$

—

7.81

7.98

$

10.13

Awards
127,975

—
(58,771)
(50)
69,154

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
3,000,000

500,000

500,000

Shares
Available

916,038

Options
Outstanding
1,425,297

Plan
Expiration
Mar. 2020

—

23,710

Jan. 2008

167,600

178,470

Mar. 2020

1,083,638

1,627,477

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,

2015

2014

2013

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Options

Outstanding at beginning of period 1,063,324

$

Granted

Assumed - merger

Exercised

Forfeited/canceled

327,500

367,229

(94,701)

(35,875)

Outstanding at end of period

1,627,477

Exercisable at end of period

1,002,421

$

$

7.37

9.74

14.19

5.52

24.71

9.11

Options
1,059,567

272,906

—
(263,643)
(5,506)
1,063,324

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

6.71

7.01

4.31

9.63

7.37

$

$

$

Options
891,293

312,850

—
(8,450)
(136,126)
1,059,567

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$

$

$

9.37

2.95

3.08

15.75

6.71

7.13

9.74

674,237

8.18

874,591

Weighted average grant-date fair
value of options granted during
the period

$

5.91

$

4.38

$

1.82

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following tables summarize information for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2015:

Range of Exercise 
Prices

Number 
Outstanding

Options Outstanding

Remaining 
Contractual 
Life

(in years)

Average 
Exercise 
Price

Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Value

(in thousands)

2.95-3.30

3.80-7.00

7.01-7.14

7.15-7.87

7.88-8.00

8.01-9.94

9.95-10.49

10.50-15.23

15.24-22.26

27.47-25.00

165,310

143,402

269,106

60,223

246,806

99,338

282,500

184,041

161,489

15,262

1,627,477

7.1

3.4

8.2

5.5

6.2

6.4

9.1

2.7

3.1

2.5

6.1

$

2.96

5.69

7.01

7.60

7.98

8.93

9.98

11.80

18.00

27.47

$

9.11

$

238

Vested and expected
 to vest as of 
September 30, 2015

1,624,545

6.1

$

9.11

$

238

Range of Exercise 
Prices

Options Exercisable

Number 
Exercisable

Weighted
Average 
Exercise 
Price

Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Value

(in thousands)

2.95-3.30

3.80-7.00

7.01-7.14

7.15-7.87

7.88-8.00

8.01-9.94
9.95-10.49

10.50-15.23

15.24-22.26

27.47-25.00

99,968

$

143,402

81,327

23,144

246,806

43,566
6,000

181,457

161,489

15,262

2.97

5.69

7.01

7.15

7.98

9.42
9.98

11.81

18.00

27.47

1,002,421

9.74

$

150

The aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s 
closing stock price of $4.30 per share as of September 30, 2015, 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.1 million, $1.3 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 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  1,640,000,  1,099,000  and  1,130,000  shares  are 
excluded from the fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 earnings per share calculations as they are anti-dilutive.

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,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

$

$

$

(7,771) $

(13,047) $

(20,069)

12,022

(0.65) $

9,732
(1.34) $

9,529
(2.11)

(7,771) $

(13,047) $

(20,069)

12,022

—

12,022

9,732

—

9,732

9,529

—

9,529

Diluted loss per share attributable to Amtech shareholders

$

(0.65) $

(1.34) $

(2.11)

(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 amended and restated 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  rights  will 
expire 10 years after issuance and will be exercisable if (a) a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 15% or 
more of the Company’s common stock or (b) a person or group commences a tender or exchange offer that would result 
in the offeror beneficially owning 15%or more of the Company’s common stock.  The Final Expiration Date (as defined 
in the Restated Rights Agreement) is December 14, 2018.

On  October  1,  2015,  the  Company  entered  into  a  Second Amended  and  Restated  Rights Agreement  (the  “Second 
Restated Rights Agreement”) with Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which expands the definition of Exempted 
Person to include any person that the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, exempts from becoming an Acquiring 
Person under the Second Restated Rights Agreement. A Person deemed an Exempted Person under the Second Restated 
Rights Agreement cannot trigger any of the Rights provided therein so long as such Exempted Person complies with 
the terms and conditions by which the Board approved such exemption from the Restated Rights Agreement.

As previously disclosed, on October 8, 2015, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and 
between the Company and certain shareholders of the Company who jointly file (the “Joint Filers”) under Section 13 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Agreement permits the Joint Filers, 
pursuant to the Restated Rights Agreement, to individually acquire shares of common stock of the Company that would, 
in the aggregate, bring the Joint Filers’ collective ownership to no more than 19.9% of the Company’s issued and 
outstanding common stock at any time. In the event the Joint Filers’ collective ownership at any time exceeds 19.9% 
of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock, the Company is entitled to specific performance 
and all other remedies entitled to the Company at law or equity, among others. The Company’s board of directors 

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
approved the Agreement and transactions contemplated thereunder, and has the sole authority to terminate the Agreement 
at any time.

5.  Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

Unearned research and development grants

Other

6.  Commitments and Contingencies

September 30,
2015

September 30,
2014

(dollars in thousands)

103

3,448

3,551

$

$

3,989

1,357

5,346

$

$

Purchase Obligations – As of September 30, 2015, the Company had unrecorded purchase obligations in the amount 
of $9.8 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

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.

Legal Proceedings – The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants from time to time in actions for matters arising 
out  of  their  business  operations. As  previously  disclosed  in  the  Company’s  filings  with  the  SEC,  shortly  after  the 
Company entered into the merger agreement with BTU, two separate putative stockholder class action complaints 
(together, the "Stockholder Actions") were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware 
Court"). The first was filed on November 4, 2014 and the second on November 17, 2014, on behalf of BTU’s public 
stockholders,  against  BTU,  members  of  the  BTU  board, Amtech  and  the  special  purpose  merger  subsidiary.  The 
Stockholder Actions were consolidated on December 4, 2014. The complaints generally alleged that, in connection 
with entering into the merger agreement, the BTU board of directors breached certain fiduciary duties owed to BTU's 
stockholders.  The  complaints  sought  various  forms  of  declaratory  and  injunctive  relief,  as  well  as  compensatory 
damages.

On January 16, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, entered into a memorandum 
of understanding (the “MOU”) to settle the Stockholder Actions. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties to the Stockholder 
Actions agreed to resolve the claims alleged and the Company and BTU agreed to make certain additional disclosures 
regarding the merger. On June 22, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, filed 
a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement with the Delaware Court to memorialize the MOU. On 
November 6, 2015, the Company and BTU, along with the other defendants named therein, filed an Amended Stipulation 
and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement (the "Amended Stipulation of Settlement") with the Delaware Court. 
The Amended Stipulation of Settlement provides for a release of all claims against the Company and BTU, along with 
the other defendants named therein, subject to an exception for certain securities law claims. In addition, the Amended 
Stipulation of Settlement provides that BTU, its insurer(s), or its successor(s) in interest will be responsible for the 
payment of certain amounts in plaintiffs’ attorney fees and expenses in connection with the settlement, and that the 
defendants in the Stockholder Actions agree not to oppose an application to the Delaware Court for fees and expenses 
not to exceed $325,000. The Amended Stipulation of Settlement is subject to court approval. The Company and BTU 

63

 
 
 
 
entered into the Amended Stipulation of Settlement solely to avoid the costs, risks, and uncertainties inherent in litigation 
and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. There can be no assurance that the court will approve the Amended 
Stipulation  of  Settlement.  In  such  event,  the  proposed  settlement  as  contemplated  by  the Amended  Stipulation  of 
Settlement may be terminated.

These Stockholder Actions 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 
from this litigation.

Operating Leases – The Company leases buildings, vehicles and equipment under operating leases. Rental expense 
under such operating leases was $1.2 million, $1.0 million, and $1.0 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
As of September 30, 2015, future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or 
remaining terms of one year or more totaled $2.2 million, of which $0.9 million, $0.6 million, $0.4 million, $0.2 million 
and $0.1 million is payable in fiscal 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and none thereafter.

7.  Major Customers and Foreign Sales
 In fiscal 2015, two customers accounted for 15% and 11% of net revenue.  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 . 

Our net revenues for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 were to customers in the following geographic regions:

United States
Other

Total Americas

Taiwan

Malaysia

China

Other

Total Asia

Germany

Other
Total Europe

8.  Business Segments

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

24 %
2 %
26%

13 %

13 %

26 %

8 %
60%

5 %

9 %
14%

21 %
— %
21%

16 %

3 %

14 %

12 %
45%

16 %

18 %
34%

20 %
— %
20%

14 %

3 %

39 %

8 %
64%

5 %

11 %
16%

100%

100%

100%

Following the Company's acquisition of BTU, an evaluation was conducted of the Company's organizational structure. 
Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company made changes to its reportable segments. Prior period 
amounts have been revised to conform to the current period segment reporting structure. The Company’s three reportable 
segments are as follows:

Solar - In the Company’s Solar segment, we are a leading supplier of thermal processing systems, including related 
automation, parts and services, to the solar/photovoltaic industry and also offer PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical 
vapor deposition) equipment to the global solar market.

Semiconductor  - In  the  Company’s  Semiconductor  segment,  we  design,  manufacture,  sell  and  service  thermal 
processing  equipment  and  related  controls  for  use  by  leading  semiconductor  manufacturers,  and  in  electronics, 
automotive and other industries.

Polishing - In the Company's Polishing 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.

64

 
 
 
 
 
On December 24, 2014, the Company acquired a 51% controlling interest in SoLayTec, and on January 30, 2015, the 
Company completed its acquisition of BTU. Beginning in the second quarter of 2015, SoLayTec’s business is included 
in the results for the solar segment, and BTU’s business is included in the results for the semiconductor segment. See 
Note 14, “Acquisitions”, for additional information with respect to the Company’s recent acquisitions.

Information concerning our business segments is as follows:

Net revenue:

Solar*

Semiconductor

Polishing

Operating income (loss):

Solar*

Semiconductor

Polishing

Non-segment related

Years ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

56,689

$

36,069

$

22,943

37,250

10,944

104,883

(4,741)
(1,268)
1,935
(9,447)

$

$

9,779

10,653

56,501

(11,010)
851

2,805
(5,735)

$

$

3,425

8,430

34,798

(13,720)
(657)
1,282
(6,899)

$

(13,521)

$

(13,089)

$

(19,994)

* The financial statement of business units included in the Solar segment include some sales of equipment and parts 
to the semiconductor, silicon wafer and MEMS industries, comprising less than 25% of the Solar segment revenue

Capital expenditures:

Solar

Semiconductor

Polishing

Depreciation and amortization expense:

Solar

Semiconductor

Polishing

Years ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

411

136

63

610

2,940

318

99

$

$

$

282

110

70

462

2,236

40

134

90

8

80

178

2,451

50

166

3,357

$

2,410

$

2,667

65

Identifiable assets:

Solar*

Semiconductor

Polishing

Non-segment related

Goodwill:

Solar*

Semiconductor

Polishing

9.  Geographic Regions

September 30,
2015

September 30,
2014

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

45,717

$

46,912

5,793

27,034

125,456

5,344

4,463

728

$

$

10,535

$

50,197

5,281

6,377

28,049

89,904

7,595

—

728

8,323

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:

66

Net revenue:

The Netherlands

United States

France

China

Other

Operating income (loss):

The Netherlands

United States

France

China
Other

Net long-lived assets 
(excluding intangibles and goodwill)

The Netherlands

United States

France

China

Years Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

46,982

$

31,779

$

37,483

8,387

9,725

2,306

20,433

4,218

71

—

17,615

11,855

5,328

—

—

$

$

$

104,883

$

56,501

$

34,798

(9,069) $
(5,541)
(330)
986
433
(13,521) $

(9,403) $
(207)
(611)
(2,868)
—
(13,089) $

(11,139)
(4,346)
(815)
(3,694)
—
(19,994)

As of September 30,

2015

2014

$

$

6,677

$

10,162

346

576

17,761

$

7,617

1,016

475

644

9,752

10.  Income Taxes

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:

Domestic Federal

Foreign

Foreign withholding taxes

Domestic state

Total current

Deferred:

Domestic Federal

Foreign

Domestic state

Total deferred

Total provision

Year Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

(320) $
500

1,240

—

1,420

720
(210)
(20)
490

$

370

530

—

80

980

(490)
750

—

260

$

1,910

$

1,240

$

(150)
800

—
(110)
540

(290)
1,610

—

1,320

1,860

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 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
Foreign tax rate differential
Other items

Year Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

(1,630) $
(1,570)
(40)
2,490
330
1,890
440
1,910

$

(4,440) $
30
80
3,900
370
1,000
300
1,240

$

(6,750)
970
(110)
5,850
450
1,440
10
1,860

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 caryforwards
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,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

340
4,840
280
1,180
1,920
8,560
(6,510)
2,050

680
(1,350)
5,570
10,550
(2,030)
3,950
360
17,730
(17,300)

$

$

$

$

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)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) - non-current, net of valuation
allowance

$

430

$

1,300

$

1,260

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,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

12,350
11,460
23,810

$

$

8,450
3,900
12,350

$

$

2,600
5,850
8,450

The deferred tax valuation allowance increased by $11.5 million and by $3.9 million for the years ended September 
30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  A significant portion of this increase is related to the acquisition of BTU. 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.  

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $16.9 million that expire at various times 
between 2024 and 2035.  The company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $37.8 million 
which expire at various times through 2024. The Company also has state net operating loss carryforwards of $11.4 
million.  In addition, the Company has approximately $3.6 million of foreign tax credits that expire at various times 
through 2025. 

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 $0.9 million of 
undistributed foreign earnings at September 30, 2015. 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:

Balance at beginning of the year

Additions related to tax positions taken in prior years
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations

Balance at the end of the year

Year Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2013

(dollars in thousands)

$

$

3,180
330
—
3,510

$

$

2,810
370
—
3,180

$

$

2,360
530
(80)
2,810

We have classified all of our liabilities for uncertain tax positions as income taxes payable long-term.  Income taxes 
long-term also includes other items, primarily withholding taxes that are not due until the related intercompany service 
fees are paid.

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 $0.3 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 
2013 respectively.  Income taxes payable long-term on the consolidated balance sheets includes a cumulative accrual 
for potential interest and penalties of $1.8 million and $1.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

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, China 
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.

11.  Restructuring Charges

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During fiscal 2015, the company recorded a net charge of $0.6 million, which is reported in restructuring and other 
charges in the consolidated statement of operations, for employee related costs, including costs for severance related 
to the BTU acquisition. 

12.  Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

Fiscal Year 2015:

Revenue

Gross margin

Provision for income taxes

Net income (loss) attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Amtech
Systems, Inc.

Net income (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 2014:

Revenue

Gross margin

Provision for (benefit of) 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

13.  Long-term Debt

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

$ 12,396

$ 24,273

$ 40,016

$ 28,198

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,428

$

6,889

$ 10,128

$

180
$
(5,195) $

170
$
(2,321) $

290
$
(1,604) $

6,563

1,270

1,349

(6,247) $

(4,470) $

(1,344) $

1,414

(0.53) $
9,854
(0.53) $
9,854

(0.19) $

(0.12) $

0.10

11,997

13,103

13,150

(0.19) $

(0.12) $

0.10

11,997

13,103

13,259

$

$

$

$

$

$

$ 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

In January 2015, the Company acquired $7.2 million of long-term debt as part of the BTU acquisition.  The debt acquired 
is a mortgage note secured by its real property in Billerica, Massachusetts, and has a remaining balance of $6.9 million 
as of September 30, 2015. The debt acquired has an interest rate of 4.4% through September 26, 2018, at which time 
the interest rate will be adjusted to a per annum fixed rate equal to the aggregate of the Federal Home Loan Board Five 
Year Classic Advance Rate plus two hundred forty basis points. The loan agreement requires compliance with certain 
covenants. One covenant requires that the outstanding principal plus accrued interest and fees thereon is not greater 
than 80% of the appraised value of the mortgaged premises.  The company was not in compliance with this covenant 
as of September 30, 2015.  As of the date hereof, we have not received any notice of acceleration from the lender, nor 
have we received a waiver.  Due to non-compliance, we have reclassified $0.2 million to current liabilities. The maturity 
date of the debt acquired is September 26, 2023. 

In December 2014, the Company acquired long term debt as part of the SoLayTec acquisition.  Subsequent to the 
acquisition, there were additional borrowings of $0.7 million.  As of September 30, 2015 the debt has a remaining 

71

 
 
balance of $2.4 million.  The debt acquired has interest rates ranging from 5.95% to 10% and maturity dates ranging 
from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2021. 

Annual maturities relating to the Company's long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 are as follows:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

14.  Acquisitions

Merger with BTU International

Annual Maturities
(in thousands)

919

1,122

576

453

473

5,824

9,367

$

On January 30, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of BTU (the "Merger").  In connection with the Merger, 
each share of BTU common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, including BTU 
restricted stock units that vested immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, was converted to 0.3291 shares 
of common stock of the Company.  The Company issued 3,185,852 shares of Company common stock on the Merger 
date.  Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, options to purchase BTU common stock held by BTU employees 
were assumed by the Company and converted into options to purchase shares of Company common stock on substantially 
the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such BTU stock options, with appropriate adjustments based upon 
the exchange ratio of 0.3291 to the exercise price and the number of shares of Company common stock subject to such 
stock option. As a result of the Merger, the company owns 100% of the outstanding stock of BTU.

The following unaudited pro forma data has been prepared by adjusting the Company’s historical data to give effect 
to the Merger as if it had occurred on October 1, 2013 and includes adjustments for depreciation expense, amortization 
of intangibles, and the effect of other purchase accounting adjustments:

Revenue, net

Net loss
Earnings per share available to Amtech
stockholders:
Basic

Diluted

Years Ended (unaudited)

September 30,
2015

September 30,
2014

September 30,
2013

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

$

$

$

$

121,186
(9,223)

(0.70)
(0.70)

$

$

$

$

111,531
$
(15,586) $

84,641
(40,108)

(1.21) $
(1.21) $

(3.03)
(3.03)

The unaudited pro forma financial data was prepared in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting under 
existing standards and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the Merger 
had been completed on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of the future operating results of the Company.

The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect certain future events that either have occurred or may occur after the 
Merger,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  anticipated  realization  of  ongoing  cost  reductions  from  other  operating 
synergies in subsequent periods. They also do not give effect to certain charges that the Company expects to incur in 
connection with the Merger, including, but not limited to, additional professional fees and other restructuring costs.

72

 The Merger was an all-stock transaction. The following table summarizes the consideration transferred:

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

BTU common shares and restricted stock units exchanged

Exchange ratio

Amtech common stock issued for consideration

Amtech common stock per share price on January 30, 2015

Consideration for BTU common shares and restricted stock units

Vested BTU stock options exchanged for Amtech stock options

Total fair value of consideration transferred

9,681

0.3291

3,186

8.20

26,125

500

26,625

$

$

$

$

The following table summarizes the allocation of the consideration for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on 
January 30, 2015:

(In thousands)

Fair value of net tangible assets acquired

Goodwill

Identifiable intangible assets

Total consideration allocated

$

$

19,232

4,463

2,930

26,625

The acquired intangible assets are the trade name "BTU", which has a fair value of $1.2 million and 15 year useful life, 
and customer lists of $1.7 million and a useful life of 6 years. Goodwill of $4.5 million was assigned to the semiconductor 
segment. Goodwill will not be amortized but instead tested for impairment at least annually (more frequently if certain 
indicators are present). Goodwill as of September 30, 2015, is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. During 
the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company obtained additional information relating to the fair value of net tangible and 
intangible assets acquired.  Refer to Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for details on the adjustments 
that were made.  As of September 30, 2015, the accounting for the BTU acquisition has not been finalized due to 
pending items on the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities.

Under  the  guidance  on  accounting  for  business  combinations,  merger  and  integration  costs  are  not  included  as 
components of consideration transferred but are accounted for as expenses in the period in which the costs are incurred. 
Transaction-related expenses of $4.0 million and $1.3 million for fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, are included in 
the Selling, General and Administrative line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Acquisition of SoLayTec B.V.

On December 24, 2014, the Company expanded our participation in the solar market by acquiring a 51% controlling 
interest in SoLayTec, which provides ALD systems used in high efficiency solar cells, for a total purchase price 
consideration of $1.9 million. 

The Company consolidated the results of operations for SoLayTec beginning on December 24, 2014, the effective date 
of the acquisition, which were not material to our consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 2015.  Additionally, 
the  Company's  historical  results  would  not  have  been  materially  affected  by  the  acquisition  of  SoLayTec  and, 
accordingly, has not presented pro forma information as if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of each 
period  presented  in  our  consolidated  statements  of  operations. As  of  September  30,  2015,  the  accounting  for  the 
SoLayTec acquisition has not been finalized due to pending items on the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities.

15.  Deconsolidation

In September 2015, the Company entered into transactions pursuant to which the Company has received $0.7 million 
as of September 30th, and will receive approximately $7.1 million, $3.6 million in return for shares of Kingstone and 

73

 
 
 
$3.5 million for the repayment of a loan, including interest, reducing its ownership to 15% of the Hong Kong holding 
company (effectively a 10% beneficial ownership in the Shanghai operating entity).  The loan carries interest at 1% 
per annum and the balance and interest were paid in full in October 2015.  The cash for the sale of shares was received 
in November 2015.  According to the terms of the transaction agreements, the Company will receive $5.6 million, 
approximately $3.1 million net of tax, by March 31, 2016, for its exclusive sales and service rights in the solar ion 
implant equipment. Following closing, the Company no longer held a controlling interest in Kingstone and as a result, 
Kingstone was deconsolidated on September 16, 2015, eliminating the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests 
recorded for Kingstone from the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The Company's investment in Kingstone 
will be accounted for using the equity method for periods subsequent to the deconsolidation due to the Company's 
ability  to  exert  significant  influence  over  the  financial  and  operating  policies  of  Kingstone,  primarily  through  our 
representation on the board of directors.  See Note 16 - Investment for additional details. 

The Company recorded a gain of $8.8 million as a result of the deconsolidation. The gain was computed as follows: 
the fair value of consideration received, plus the fair values of the retained non-controlling interest and the sales and 
service rights, less the carrying value of Kingstone's net assets. 

16.  Investments

As discussed in Note 15 "Deconsolidation", on September 16, 2015, the Company deconsolidated Kingstone, reducing 
its ownership to 15% of the Hong Kong holding company (effectively a 10% beneficial ownership in the Shanghai 
operating entity). The Company's investment in Kingstone will be accounted for using the equity method for periods 
subsequent to the deconsolidation due to the Company's ability to exert significant influence over the financial and 
operating policies of Kingstone, primarily through our representation on the board of directors.  The resulting equity 
method investment was initially recorded at fair value at $2.7 million using the value the third party purchaser placed 
on their investment in Kingstone Shanghai, a Level 2 input in the fair value hierarchy. 

The recognition of the Company's retained interest in Kingstone at fair value upon deconsolidation resulted in a basis 
difference between the carrying value of the Company’s investment in Kingstone and its proportionate share in net 
assets of Kingstone.  The difference (the “basis difference”) between the initial fair value of the Company's investment 
and the proportional interest in the underlying net assets of Kingstone will be allocated to the Company's proportionate 
share of Kingstone’s identifiable assets and liabilities.  The portion of the basis difference attributable to tangible and 
definite lived intangible assets will be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reflected as a component 
of “Income (loss) from equity method investment”. 

The Company is currently determining the fair value of certain assets of Kingstone.  The valuation is expected to be 
finalized in fiscal 2016.  The Company has estimated that the amortization of the basis difference allocable to the period 
from September 16, 2015 to September 30, 2015 (“the short period”) was not material.  However, once a final allocation 
of fair value is made, the related depreciation and amortization for the short period may be significantly different from 
its initial estimate.  The Company’s loss from equity method investment in Kingstone during the short period was 
immaterial and it is not expected that the loss will be materially different as a result of the fair value determination.

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, 2015.

74

  
 
 
 
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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, 2015.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company acquired BTU. Other than the addition of BTU's internal 
control over financial reporting and any related changes in control to integrate BTU into the Company, there have been 
no changes to Amtech’s internal control over financial reporting during fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

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.

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 is incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission in connection with its 2015 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.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 19, 2015

Chief Executive Officer

November 19, 2015

Fokko Pentinga

and President

(Principal Executive Officer)

Executive Vice President – Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)

Director

Director

November 19, 2015

November 19, 2015

November 19, 2015

 /s/ Bradley C. Anderson

Bradley C. Anderson

Michael Garnreiter

*

*

Paul J. van der Wansem

*

Director

November 19, 2015

Director

Director

November 19, 2015

November 19, 2015

Egbert J.G. Goudena

*

*

Robert F. King

Sukesh Mohan

*By: /s/ Bradley C. Anderson

Bradley C. Anderson, Attorney-In-
Fact**

**By authority of the power of attorney
filed as Exhibit 24 hereto.

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

3.4 First Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated January 30,

2015.

4.1 Second Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and

between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

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, effective
April 9, 2015.

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 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.

10.9 Second Amendment, dated June 28, 2013, to the Employment Agreement between

Amtech Systems, Inc. and Fokko Pentinga, dated as of June 29, 2012.

10.10 Employment Agreement, dated October 21, 2014, by and between Paul J. van der

Wansem and the Company.

10.11 Consulting Agreement, dated October 21, 2014, by and between Paul J. van der

Wansem and the Company.

10.12 Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and

Jong S. Whang, dated April 9, 2015.

10.13 Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and

Fokko Pentinga, dated April 9, 2015.

10.14 Employment Agreement between Amtech Systems, Inc. and Bradley C. Anderson,

10.15

dated April 9, 2015.
Investment Agreement regarding Shanghai Kingstone Semiconductor Company, Ltd.,
dated July 17, 2015, by and between Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited and
Suzhou Zhou Jing Investment Center (LP).

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

78

A

B

C

D

E

F

C

G
H

I

B

J

K

J

L

L

M

M

N

N

N

O+

*

*

*

 
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

99.1 Letter Agreement, dated October 8, 2015, by and between the Company and the Joint

Filers.

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

*

*

*

*

*

*

79

+

*

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

This agreement is written in both the English and Chinese languages, and both versions are equally binding
pursuant to the agreement. The English version was filed with the SEC and the Chinese language version is
available from the Company upon request.
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 SEC on February 2,
2015.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 5, 2015.
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 May 14, 2014.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amtech’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
April 10, 2015.
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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
30, 2013.

M Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on

February 2, 2015.

N

O

P

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on April 10, 2015.

Incorporated by reference to Amtech’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June
30, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Amtech's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 8, 2015.

80

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

(cid:45)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:86)(cid:142)(cid:3)(cid:31)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:142)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:118)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:147)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:156)(cid:152)

(cid:29)(cid:136)(cid:195)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:96)(cid:3)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:3)(cid:32)(cid:386)(cid:45)(cid:12)(cid:386)(cid:43)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:143)(cid:156)(cid:76)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:31)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:142)(cid:105)(cid:204)
(cid:10)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:147)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:86)(cid:142)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:222)(cid:147)(cid:76)(cid:156)(cid:143)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:45)(cid:57)(cid:45)
(cid:55)(cid:105)(cid:76)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:176)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:96)(cid:62)(cid:181)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)

     (cid:45)(cid:213)(cid:76)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:96)(cid:136)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:195)

(cid:9)(cid:192)(cid:213)(cid:86)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:152)(cid:156)(cid:143)(cid:156)(cid:125)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:195)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:86)(cid:176)
(cid:32)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:136)(cid:143)(cid:143)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:86)(cid:62)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:31)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:62)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:213)(cid:195)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:204)(cid:195)

(cid:9)(cid:47)(cid:49)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:86)(cid:176)
(cid:32)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:136)(cid:143)(cid:143)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:86)(cid:62)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:31)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:62)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:213)(cid:195)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:204)(cid:195)

PR Hoffman Machine Products, Inc.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

(cid:44)(cid:211)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:386)(cid:45)
Clapiers, France

(cid:45)(cid:156)(cid:29)(cid:62)(cid:222)(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:176)(cid:54)(cid:176)
(cid:13)(cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:133)(cid:156)(cid:219)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:32)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:143)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:195)

(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:147)(cid:171)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:222)(cid:195)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:147)(cid:195)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:86)(cid:176)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:213)(cid:76)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:96)(cid:136)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:195)
(cid:54)(cid:62)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:32)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:143)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:195)

(cid:13)(cid:221)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:219)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:34)(cid:118)(cid:119)(cid:86)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:195)(cid:3)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:195)(cid:3)

J.S. Whang
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board

Fokko Pentinga
(cid:42)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:96)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:133)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:118)(cid:3)(cid:13)(cid:221)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:219)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:34)(cid:118)(cid:119)(cid:86)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:3)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

Bradley C. Anderson
Executive Vice President - Finance,
(cid:10)(cid:133)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:118)(cid:3)(cid:19)(cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:86)(cid:136)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:34)(cid:118)(cid:119)(cid:86)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:213)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:3)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:222)

Michael Garnreiter
(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

Egbert J.G. Goudena
(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

Robert F. King
(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

Sukesh Mohan
(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

Paul J. van der Wansem

(cid:12)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

(cid:10)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:171)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:118)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:147)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:156)(cid:152)

(cid:10)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:171)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:34)(cid:118)(cid:119)(cid:86)(cid:105)(cid:195)
(cid:163)(cid:206)(cid:163)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:133)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:143)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:142)(cid:3)(cid:12)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:219)(cid:105)
(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:147)(cid:171)(cid:105)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:226)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:3)(cid:110)(cid:120)(cid:211)(cid:110)(cid:163)
(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:143)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:173)(cid:123)(cid:110)(cid:228)(cid:174)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:200)(cid:199)(cid:135)(cid:120)(cid:163)(cid:123)(cid:200)
(cid:13)(cid:135)(cid:147)(cid:62)(cid:136)(cid:143)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:171)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:74)(cid:62)(cid:147)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:195)(cid:222)(cid:195)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:147)(cid:195)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)
(cid:55)(cid:105)(cid:76)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:176)(cid:62)(cid:147)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:86)(cid:133)(cid:125)(cid:192)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:171)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)

(cid:47)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:152)(cid:195)(cid:118)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:3)(cid:269)(cid:125)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:105)(cid:125)(cid:136)(cid:195)(cid:204)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:192)

Computershare Investor Services
(cid:42)(cid:176)(cid:34)(cid:176)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:156)(cid:221)(cid:3)(cid:206)(cid:228)(cid:163)(cid:199)(cid:228)
(cid:10)(cid:156)(cid:143)(cid:143)(cid:105)(cid:125)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:204)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:56)(cid:3)(cid:199)(cid:199)(cid:110)(cid:123)(cid:211)(cid:135)(cid:206)(cid:163)(cid:199)(cid:228)
(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:143)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:173)(cid:110)(cid:228)(cid:228)(cid:174)(cid:3)(cid:153)(cid:200)(cid:211)(cid:135)(cid:123)(cid:211)(cid:110)(cid:123)
(cid:55)(cid:105)(cid:76)(cid:195)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:171)(cid:213)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:195)(cid:133)(cid:62)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:201)(cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:219)(cid:105)(cid:195)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)

(cid:29)(cid:105)(cid:125)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:156)(cid:213)(cid:152)(cid:195)(cid:105)(cid:143)

(cid:45)(cid:181)(cid:213)(cid:136)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:62)(cid:204)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:3)(cid:9)(cid:156)(cid:125)(cid:125)(cid:195)(cid:3)(cid:173)(cid:49)(cid:45)(cid:174)(cid:3)(cid:29)(cid:29)(cid:42)
(cid:163)(cid:3)(cid:13)(cid:176)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:62)(cid:195)(cid:133)(cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:125)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:204)(cid:176)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:213)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:211)(cid:199)(cid:228)(cid:228)
(cid:42)(cid:133)(cid:156)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:136)(cid:221)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:226)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:3)(cid:110)(cid:120)(cid:228)(cid:228)(cid:123)

(cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:105)(cid:171)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:96)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:3)(cid:269)(cid:213)(cid:96)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:195)

Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
(cid:206)(cid:163)(cid:228)(cid:163)(cid:3)(cid:32)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:204)(cid:133)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:192)(cid:62)(cid:143)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:219)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:213)(cid:105)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:213)(cid:136)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:3)(cid:206)(cid:228)(cid:228)
(cid:42)(cid:133)(cid:156)(cid:105)(cid:152)(cid:136)(cid:221)(cid:93)(cid:3)(cid:386)(cid:192)(cid:136)(cid:226)(cid:156)(cid:152)(cid:62)(cid:3)(cid:110)(cid:120)(cid:228)(cid:163)(cid:211)
(cid:47)(cid:105)(cid:143)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:173)(cid:200)(cid:228)(cid:211)(cid:174)(cid:3)(cid:211)(cid:200)(cid:123)(cid:135)(cid:200)(cid:110)(cid:206)(cid:120)