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Tower Semiconductor
Annual Report 2016

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FY2016 Annual Report · Tower Semiconductor
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NASDAQ & TASE: TSEM

2016 Annual Report
Corporate and Business Overview

A record year for TowerJazz, on all fronts. 
With a proven business model and technology leadership within 
multiple growth markets, we are the fastest growing foundry  
in the world with strong business, operational  
and financial performance. 

Moving into                            
2017

2016 
Table of Contents

Letters to Shareholders

Vision 
Mission 
Values

Leadership 
Team

2-5

6

7

Corporate Overview  

Financial Overview

Global Operations

8, 9

10, 11

12, 13

Technology 
Leadershp

14

Thriving in 
the IoT 
Revolution
15

Radio Frequency & High 
Performance Analog

CMOS Image Sensor

16, 17

18, 19

Power Management &  
Mixed-Signal/CMOS

Transfer, Optimization 
& development Process 
Services (TOPS)

Research and Development

20, 21

22, 23

24, 25

Business Sustainability & 
Social Responsibility

26, 27

2016 Q4 and Fiscal Year Financial Results Press Release

28–37

TowerJazz  continues  to  focus  on  long  term  relationships  with 
customers and partners, as well as gaining new and exciting business. 

The  Company  is  well  positioned  to  answer  current  and  future  needs  driving 
advanced technology in the world — and we believe another meaningful year 
is ahead for us.

1

Dearest Shareholders and Friends, 

It  is  with  excitement  and  a  high  level  of  satisfaction  that  I  have  the 
opportunity to reflect upon our achievements as shown in our 2016 results. 
We are the leading global analog foundry, maintaining significant customer 
engagements with the top-tier players in our chosen served markets. With 
advanced technical offerings, market leadership, and an annual revenue of 
$1.25 billion, we have achieved significant growth by any measure, for any 
company, in any industry. 

While enjoying the fruits of our success, looking ahead we are not sitting on 
our laurels. We stay focused on pushing TowerJazz toward further growth. 
I see this Company with very promising potential ahead which is yet to be 
fully realized, with a team that is entirely capable of going from strength to 
strength; attaining an even higher level of success.

Our  goal  remains  to  continue  our  proven  successful  business  model, 
driving  analog  leadership  with  low-cost  capacity  expansion,  resulting  in 
strong increasing revenue with proportional growth in margins, profit and 
free cash flow. We will always maintain a constant eye toward creating and 
realizing value for you, our very loyal shareholders.

I  wholeheartedly  congratulate  Russell  and  his  leadership  team,  as  well  as 
all the hardworking employees of TowerJazz, for their efforts, activities and 
accomplishments of multiple years resulting in the record year we have just 
completed in 2016. I very much look forward to another momentous year 
with great achievements. 

Sincerely,
Amir Elstein, Chairman of the Board

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Amir Elstein  Chairman of the Board
Alex Kornhauser  Chairman of the Audit Committee, Director
Ilan Flato  Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Director
Iris Avner  Director 
Yoav Z. Chelouche  Director
Russell Ellwanger Director
Dana Gross  Director
Rami Guzman  Director
Kalman Kaufman  Director
Rony Ross  Director

2

"We stay focused on 
pushing TowerJazz toward 
further growth. I see 
this Company with very 
promising potential ahead 
which is yet to be fully 
realized, with a team that 
is entirely capable of going 
from strength to strength; 
attaining an even higher 
level of success."

3

3

Dear Shareholders, Customers, Partners and Employees,

TowerJazz has continued its high growth rate (30% year over year) and top position as an analog pure play foundry 
provider, with multiple geographic sites, advanced technology diversity and a large and growing customer base. We 
continue our focus to strengthen our global corporate culture by proliferating the best core competencies of each of 
our specific sites throughout the Company and to enhance our capabilities through internal and external benchmarking 
with associated concrete operational flow and process development, and financial metric activities. 

THE NUMBERS
2016 was an exceptional year, with the best business and financial performance in the history of the Company. We 
continued  to  establish  our  position  as  the  global  specialty  foundry  leader,  while  presenting  another  year  of  record 
revenues having reached $1.25 billion, record EBITDA of over $365 million and record net profit of over $200 million; 
reflecting  value  creation  in  increased  margin  percentages  for  the  preceding  indices.  This  performance  generated 
approximately  $120  million  in  free  cash  flow;  an  internal  source  to  support  additional  opportunities  and  growth 
initiatives. 

This performance was enabled through the realization of our successful analog business model. We remained focused 
on providing best in class specialty technology offerings, by providing the right platforms to support the trends that are 
now driving the world. We increased our competitive advantage within existing and new markets, by being responsive 
to present and future needs of our diversified customer base. 

BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Our vision has not changed since 2005, when I joined Tower as CEO. Our 
strategies and tactics, however, have changed multiple times in response 
to customer needs, market changes and our Company’s ever increasing 
capabilities.  U.S.  President  John  F.  Kennedy  stated,  "Leadership  and 
learning  are  indispensable  to  each  other."  As  long  as  we  continue  to 
learn from our customers and the market itself, and have the courage and 
confidence to make big and quick changes, our future will remain strong. 
And this is what we intend to do.   

The Fulfillment of Change 
TowerJazz  today  is  a  completely  different  company  than  it  was  just  a 
decade ago. This is a result of a continual process of market evaluation 
and  corporate  introspection  that  included  along  the  years  many  cycles 
of learning and multiple “junctures of change.” We commit to embrace 
change as the enabler for strength and growth. 

"As long as we continue  
to learn from our customers  
and the market itself, 
and have the courage and 
confidence to make big 
and quick changes, our future 
will remain strong. And this is 
what we intend to do."  

Aligning Want, Should and Is, and Looking in the Mirror
Self-actualization  occurs  when  the  individual’s  wants  strongly  overlap  with  that  which  one  should  be  doing,  and  is 
evidenced in everyday life behaviors. Often cycles of learning to attain self-actualization require input from a trusted 
and caring third party (a loving spouse or friend). The language of a person’s actions may differ vastly from his or her 
intent. A third party can hold up a mirror and help translate intentions into the appropriate behavioral language.

Vision (Purpose), Mission (Wants), Values (Shoulds), Performance (Is)
An enterprise enters “prime” when these same three spaces—“Want,” “Should” and “Is”—strongly overlap. When 
an enterprise proceeds without vision, or with a vision that is not aligned to a market need, or one that is incompatible 
with its actions, it is ignorant of its purpose and “doom” is written on its brow. It will fail. Once the purpose is defined 
and validated, the mission (wants) and values (shoulds) are established and promoted.

Customers are the best third party input of how well the enterprise has aligned the values (shoulds) with the mission 
(wants)  into  company  performance  (the  “is”).  The  overlap  must  continually  be  checked  and  adjusted  by  regular 
customer feedback and honest introspection with the integrity and courage to make needed changes at all levels and 
in all activities.

We  have  realized  strong  growth  at  TowerJazz  in  all  aspects  of  our  business  and  financials.  We  believe  this  to  be  a 
good indicator of progress towards prime. Our present and future success is fully dependent upon our customers’ and 
partners’ inputs and our ability to quickly address them. We are committed to continuous evaluations of our "want/
should/is" state and drive actions towards full overlap.

4

DRIVERS FOR SUCCESS: A Collective Culture of Innovation, Excellence and Trust

An Environment of Innovation
If innovation is simply restricted to technological innovation, it is insufficient. Innovation has to 
drive through all activities, through all levels of the Company, and then technological innovation 
can really take off. We align with our lead customers in specific areas in order to know what their 
roadmap requirements are and, before the need arises, to have the building blocks available 
while bringing out solutions that are of value to them. In this way we are successful in attracting 
and becoming partners with customers that are leaders within their field.

Our innovation, then, is really driven to build trust with our customers and allow them to open 
up to us on their multi-generation roadmap. We can then work on solutions from a processing 
standpoint on platform development that gives them advantage on time to market.  

Pursuit of Excellence
It  is  our  goal  to  provide  the  tools  and  promote  an 
environment that impassions our worldwide employee 
base to achieve excellence, e.g., first time success for 
our customers. In all of our business units we continually 
make strides to expand our leading capabilities.

We aim to build trust and add value to our customers, 
partners,  vendors  and  employees.  We  focus  on 
application  driven 
that 
differentiate  the  Company  in  the  specialty  foundry 
market  and  provide  excellence  at  both  national  and 
international levels. 

research  developments 

"It is our goal to 
provide the tools and 
promote an environment 
that impassions our 
worldwide employee base 
to achieve excellence."

We do what we say we will do
We  work  diligently  to  achieve  the  highest  quality  performance  through  cohesive,  concerted 
efforts of efficiency and align our tools, skillsets and craft to the highest level of production. 

One of the major benefits that comes with maintaining global facilities is the possibility to use 
best practices among our different sites, select the best ones, and improve overall efficiency 
and  effectiveness.  The  Quality  Team  has  taken  the  lead  on  defining  methodologies  that  will 
benefit  from  this  integration.  Japanese  culture  inherited  from  TPSCo,  and  most  importantly 
Japanese view of quality, provides an excellent opportunity to improve overall quality across 
the  organization.  We  are  greatly  blessed  to  have  TPSCo  within  our  corporate  family.  We,  as 
an entity, have gained and continue to benefit as we learn, understand and implement more 
of the Japanese relationship in the workplace and of their commitment to a quality standard 
intrinsically tied to efficiency. 

Based on that, we rooted the motto of “We do what we say we will do” across all of our sites, 
while advancing quality initiatives throughout the Company that are aimed at meeting customer 
needs and improving overall quality and efficiency. 

WHAT IS AHEAD FOR US
As we move into 2017 and beyond, we are in a tremendous position to continue our success. By 
playing in the right markets with the right technologies, we will ardently pursue future business 
opportunities. Our financial position, combined with best in class technical performance and an 
expanding operational footprint to fulfill our growing customer demand, should continue our 
path of value creation. 

Sincerely,
Russell Ellwanger
TowerJazz Chief Executive Officer 
TPSCo Chairman of the Board

55

Vision
To be the world leader in specialty foundry solutions as measured by our customers, 
employees and investors.

Mission
TowerJazz’s  mission  is  to  bring  to  market  specialty  foundry  solutions  that  provide 
unique value to our customers by attentively listening to and proactively providing 
for their needs, through attracting and retaining the best global talent to serve them.

Corporate Values

•  Embrace a Customer Centric Mentality

•  Foster a Culture Built on Mutual Trust and Respect

•  Demand Quality and Excellence in Everything We Do

•  Exemplify a Data Driven and Results-oriented Mindset

•  Emphasize Collaboration and Innovation

•  Focus on the Right Knowledge, Skills and Attitude

6

Leadership Team

Amir Elstein
Chairman of the Board

Russell Ellwanger 
Chief Executive Officer, TowerJazz 
Chairman, TPSCo

Executive Management

Dr. Itzhak 
Edrei
President

Oren Shirazi
Chief Financial 
Officer
Senior Vice 
President of Finance

Rafi Mor
Chief Operating 
Officer

Yossi Netzer
Senior Vice 
President,  
Corporate Planning

Dalit Dahan
Senior Vice  
President of Human 
Resources &  
Information  
Technology

Nati Somekh
Senior Vice 
President, Chief 
Legal Officer & 
Corporate Secretary 

Ilan Rabinovich
Vice President of 
Quality & Reliability 
& Vice President of 
Customer Support

Business Unit General Management

Technical Fellows

Dr. Avi Strum
Senior Vice 
President & 
General Manager, 
CMOS Image 
Sensor Business 
Unit

Zmira 
Shternfeld-
Lavie
Senior Vice 
President of Process 
Engineering R&D 
General Manager of 
TOPS

Shimon
Greenberg
Vice President of 
Power Management 
& Mixed-Signal/
CMOS Business 
Unit

Dr. Marco 
Racanelli 
Senior Vice 
President & General 
Manager of RF/HPA 
Business Group

General Manager 
of US Aerospace & 
Defense Business 
Group, Newport 
Beach Site Manager

Dr. Yakov
Roizin
Fellow & Director 
of Emerging 
Technologies

Dr. David 
Howard
Fellow & 
Executive Director  

Dr. Gurvinder 
Jolly 
Fellow & Vice 
President, Newport 
Beach Fab Process 
Engineering, US 
Integration

TPSCo Key Executives

Decades of Experience

Guy Eristoff
Chief Executive 
Officer

Yoshihisa 
Nagano 
Chief Operating 
Officer

Tomoyuki 
Sasaki 
Chief Technology 
Officer, Director of 
Process Technology 
Center

Amit 
Mappa 
Chief Financial 
Officer

The  Management  teams  of  TowerJazz  and 
TPSCo  bring  together  many  decades  of 
technology and leadership experience, and 
by  utilizing  the  best  core-competencies 
across the entire organization, have created 
a  leading  global  company  that  serves  and 
will  grow  the  analog  foundry  space  as  no 
existing single foundry company can.

77

 
Corporate Overview

The Global 
Specialty Foundry Leader

Over  the  past  several  years,  TowerJazz  has  presented  record  business  and  financial 
results while partnering for its customers’ success. As the Company moves forward, it 
continues with a strong outlook for growth through a commitment to performance and 
manufacturing excellence. 

geographic locations, providing over 2.3 million wafers 
per  year:  two  fabs  (150mm  and  200mm)  located  in 
Migdal  Haemek,  Israel,  one  fab  (200mm)  located  in 
Newport  Beach,  California,  USA,  one  fab  located  in 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  USA  and  three  additional  fabs 
(two  200mm  and  one  300mm)  through  TowerJazz 
Panasonic Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (TPSCo) located in 
the Hokuriku region of Japan. 

TowerJazz  pursues  excellence  in  all  aspects  of  its 
business  by  maintaining 
industry  expertise  and 
cultivating  a  collective  culture  of  quality,  innovation, 
and  trust.  With  constant  growth  throughout  the  past 
years, and while continuously strengthening its margins 
and balance sheet, the Company was able to create a 
strong  financial  foundation  to  pursue  its  goals  for  the 
future.  

As  TowerJazz  expands  its  capabilities,  manufacturing 
capacity  and  global  reach,  it  continues  to  build  on 
its  market  and  technology  leadership  to  maintain  the 
Company's  position  as  the  global  specialty  foundry 
leader.

foundry 

the  global  specialty 

leader, 
TowerJazz, 
manufactures  advanced  analog 
integrated  circuits 
for  a  diversified  and  strong  customer  base  with  more 
than  300  customers  worldwide  in  growing  markets 
such as consumer, automotive, medical, industrial, and 
aerospace  &  defense,  among  others.  Deeply  rooted 
in  proven  technologies,  the  Company  continues  to 
drive  innovation  within  silicon  rather  than  by  pure 
technological nodal shrinkage. TowerJazz specializes in 
customized analog solutions for differentiated products 
and offers leading edge specialty process technologies 
including  Radio  Frequency  (RF),  High  Performance 
integrated  Power  Management, 
Analog 
(CIS),  Mixed-Signal/CMOS, 
CMOS 
Image  Sensors 
and  Micro-Electro-Mechanical 
(MEMS) 
Systems 
capabilities.  In  addition,  TowerJazz  provides  world-
class design enablement and Transfer Optimization and 
development Process Services (TOPS). 

(HPA), 

TowerJazz is geographically and culturally diverse with 
broad  and  deep  experience  in  manufacturing  many 
different  types  of  technologies.  For  global  capacity 
assurance  and  operational  flexibility,  TowerJazz 
three 
operates  seven  manufacturing 

facilities 

in 

8

TowerJazz at a Glance

TECHNOLOGY 
GROWTH

STRONG
FINANCIALS

CAPACITY
ASSURANCE

PROMINENT 
CUSTOMER BASE

 SKILLED 
EMPLOYEES

The fastest growing 
foundry in the world 
by providing a wide 
range of advanced 
specialty analog 
technology offerings 
for the right growth 
markets.

Continuous revenue 
growth with strong 
margins and 
sustainable model for 
growing net profit

Seven worldwide 
manufacturing 
facilities providing 
capacity assurance, 
operational flexibility, 
and dual-sourcing 
capabilities with 
available capacity 
of over 2.3 million 
wafers per year

Targeting the right 
customers, the 
leaders in their 
respective markets, 
to continue growing 
a base of over 300 
customers. Aligning 
with customers’ 
technology roadmaps 
to ensure long-term 
business success.

Over 4,500 
worldwide highly 
talented and skilled 
employees with 
broad technology 
knowledge and deep 
industry expertise

We pursue excellence in all aspects 
of our business by maintaining 
industry expertise and cultivating 
a collective culture of quality, 
innovation, and trust.

9

 
Financial Overview

Continuous Execution and Growth

In 2016, TowerJazz achieved outstanding financial results, creating the strongest financial 
position in its history. 

Throughout 2016, TowerJazz implemented its successful 
analog  business  model  -  an  optimized  cost  structure, 
utilizing  its  global  strength  with  low  cost  capacity 
investments. Efforts to maximize the revenue mix with 
cross  qualifications  across  its  worldwide  facilities  and 
the  resultant  higher  levels  of  utilization  enabled  an 
ongoing increase in profitability. 

The aforementioned provided TowerJazz with a strong 
balance  sheet.  Shareholders'  equity  as  of  year-end 
2016  reached  a  record  of  $683  million,  an  increase 
of  77%  as  compared  to  $386  million  as  of  December 
31,  2015.  Current  ratio  (current  assets  over  liabilities) 
increased  to  2.82  times,  as  compared  to  2.12X  as  of 
December 31, 2015. Finally, the Company significantly 
strengthened  its  cash  balance,  reaching  positive  cash 
balance, net of debt, of $37 million, as compared to a 
negative cash balance, net of debt, of $(105) million at 
the end of 2015.

Thus,  ending  2016,  TowerJazz  has  never  been  better 
positioned financially. The Company’s financial strength 

and  flexibility,  combined  with  a  proven  business 
model,  provides  the  best  atmosphere  for  continued 
performance and growth in the foreseeable future.

MAIN FINANCIAL PARAMETERS SUMMARY 
All data in millions, except per share data

Total Revenue 

$1,250

$961

$828

2016

2015

2014

EBITDA 

Net Profit (Loss)

Free Cash Flow*

Diluted Earnings 
 (Loss) Per Share

Cash Balance  
Net of Debt

$367

$204

$327

$248

$154

($30)

$170

$4

$98

$2.33

$(0.40)

$0.08

$37

$(105)

(318)

Main Financial Achievements

RECORD  
REVENUE

RECORD  
EBITDA

MARGINS  
INCREASE

RECORD  
NET PROFIT

 CASH  
GENERATION

Record full year 
revenues of $1.25 
billion, up 30% year-
over-year

Record $367 million 
in EBITDA, reflecting 
29% EBITDA margins 
and up 48% year-
over-year

Increase in gross and 
operating margins — 
gross profit up from 
$205 million to $303 
million; operating 
profit up from $82 
million to $175 million

Record net profit of 
$204 million and net 
margin of 16% as 
compared to a net 
loss of $30 million in 
2015

End of year net cash 
balance was $389 
million as compared 
to $206 million at the 
end of 2015, while 
generating free cash 
flow of $118 million 
in 2016 and $327 
million of cash from 
operations

10

TowerJazz’s  Leadership  Team  Ringing  the  Nasdaq 
Stock Market Opening Bell - November 2016

2016 A Record Year

REVENUES [$ Millions]

1250

961

828

GROSS PROFIT [$ Millions]

303

205

64

2014

2015

2016

2014

2015

2016

EBITDA [$ Millions]

CASH from OPERATIONS  
[$ Millions]

CASH CLOSING BALANCE 
[$ Millions]

367

327

389

248

154

170

98

187

206

2014

2015

2016

2014

2015

2016

2014

2015

2016

“We remain focused on continuous profitable growth, together with a strong balance sheet 
and cash creation model, creating value to both our customers and shareholders,  
with careful implementation and execution of our successful business strategy.” 

11

11

Oren Shirazi 
Chief Financial Officer 

Global Operations
Manufacturing Excellence

TowerJazz drives operational excellence to reduce complexity, maximize transparency, 
shorten lead times and optimize the cost of operations to satisfy all its customers' needs.

As TowerJazz grows and matures its global operations 
and presence, it is critical to leverage worldwide “bests” 
corporate-wide  to  provide  value-add  capabilities  that 
allow the Company to exceed customer expectations. 
Therefore,  the  Company  has  built  global  teams  with 
members from all its fabs in Japan, Israel and the US, in 
major areas of operations such as integration, process 
engineering, industrial engineering and equipment.

TowerJazz is leading the analog foundries by providing 
its  customers  with  the  highest  quality  products  and 
services,  as  only  lasting  customer  satisfaction  will 
guarantee  TowerJazz  success  on  a  long-term  basis. 
TowerJazz  is  continuously  adding  process  capabilities 
into  its  fabs  to  support  additional  advanced  and 
specialized technologies such as RF SOI, MEMS, GaN, 
CMOS image sensors and power management.  

TowerJazz continues to work closely with its customers 
to  meet  their  growing  capacity  needs  while  focusing 
on new enhancements to achieve the highest standard 
of  manufacturing  quality.  In  the  last  three  years,  the 
Company  has 
in  expanding 
invested  significantly 
capacity in its existing fabs in Japan, Israel and the US. 
In  2016,  TowerJazz  also  completed  the  acquisition  of 
the fab in San Antonio, Texas creating a total capacity 
of >2.3M wafers starts per year (8" equivalent). 

TowerJazz  strives  to  utilize  all  its  available  capacity 
in  order  to  better  serve  its  current  and  forecasted 
strong customer demand, and to provide flexibility to 
its customers. Therefore, the Company cross-qualified 
major  specialized  technologies  such  as  Power,  CMOS 
0.16,  and  radio  frequency  silicon-on-insulator  (RF 
SOI)  at  its  TPSCo  fabs  in  Japan  and  its  San  Antonio 
fab  in  Texas.  In  Q1  2017,  less  than  one  year  from  the 
acquisition, the San Antonio fab is already expected to 
start ramping significant foundry business on qualified 
process flows. 

“TowerJazz continues to work closely  
with our customers to meet their  
growing capacity needs. We strive to  
excel in timely delivery of quality products 
to assure customer success  
in their individual markets.”

Rafi Mor 
Chief Operating Officer

12

Worldwide Manufacturing Capabilities

TowerJazz  operates  seven  manufacturing  facilities  in  three  geographic  regions,  providing  global  capacity 
assurance and flexibility: two fabs located in Migdal Haemek, Israel, one fab in Newport Beach, California, USA, 
one  fab  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  USA,  and  three  factories  in  the  Hokuriku  region  of  Japan  through  TowerJazz 
Panasonic Semiconductor Company (TPSCo), a company established with Panasonic in March 2014.

MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL
• 6" (150mm)
• CMOS, CIS, Power,  

Power Discrete
• 1µm to 0.35µm

MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL
• 8" (200mm)
• CMOS, CIS, Power, Power  
   Discrete, MEMS
•  0.18µm to 0.13µm

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, USA

• 8" (200mm)
• CMOS, CIS, MEMS,  
  RF Analog
•  0.18µm to 0.13µm

SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA
• 8" (200mm)
• Power, RF Analog
• 0.18µm

ARAI, JAPAN

• 8" (200mm)
• Analog, CIS
• 0.13µm to 0.11µm

TONAMI, JAPAN 
• 8" (200mm)
• Power, Power Discrete,  

NVM, CCD

• 0.35µm to 0.15µm

UOZU, JAPAN

• 12" (300mm)
• CMOS, CIS, RF
• 65nm to 45nm

 Focus for                         

  2017

2017 will be focused on continuing to provide the utmost in quality and efficiency in the seven worldwide TowerJazz 
manufacturing sites. TowerJazz will expand its broad capabilities to optimize capacity utilization and flexibility, enabling 
the Company to increase its overall wafer shipments and serve its ever-increasing customer demand.

13

13

 
Technology Leadership

Offering the Right Specialized 
Analog Solutions

"We  continue  to  maintain  our  industry  and  technology  leadership  by  targeting  the  right  growing 
markets,  working  with  the  leading  companies  in  their  respective  space,  and  offering  the  unique, 
differentiated and advanced specialized analog technologies.

The  availability  of  300mm  65nm  technology  has  provided  continuation  of  our  technology 
roadmap  and  additional  served  markets  for  our  business  units,  including  image  sensors  
(e.g. DSLR and security) and RF (e.g. breakthrough technology for next-generation smartphones and 
IoT applications).

By working very closely with our customers on R&D and innovation, we provide value creation in 
development  of  their  next  generation  products  and  future  growth  for  their  business  as  well  as  for 
TowerJazz."

Dr. Itzhak Edrei, President

RF & HIGH 
PERFORMANCE 
ANALOG

POWER 
MANAGEMENT 
& MIXED-SIGNAL 
CMOS 

CMOS IMAGE 
SENSOR

AEROSPACE 
& DEFENSE

TOPS
Transfer Optimization 
& development Process 
Services

IMAGE 
SENSOR

DISCRETE

ANALOG 
RF/HPA

POWER 
PMIC/BMIC

AUTOMOTIVE 
& INDUSTRIAL

NON-
VOLATILE 
MEMORY 
(NVM) 

14

 
Market Leadership

Thriving in the IoT Revolution

Market Megatrends are driving rapid growth in 
analog/mixed-signal applications

IC designs for connected, smart devices require high reliability and 
low power foundry solutions creating new business opportunities for 
TowerJazz and our customers. 

TowerJazz is well positioned in the fastest growing markets 
with long term customer relationships and roadmap alignment.

GREEN EVERYTHING

WIRELESS EVERYTHING

SMART EVERYTHING

Energy Efficiency

Seamless Connectivity

Embedded Systems

Power Management

RF & 
High-Peformance Analog

Sensors
(machine vision, ambient parameters, etc.)

15

15

RF & High Performance Analog Business Unit
Enabling a New Era of Communication

TowerJazz’s advanced RF and High Performance Analog (HPA) technologies address the 
exponential growth in mobile and infrastructure markets.

ACHIEVEMENTS in 2016:

•  Continued  growth  of  revenue  in  all  segments—
both  SOI  and  SiGe  technology  segments  as  well 
as mobile and infrastructure market segments grew 
year-over-year in 2016.

•  Successfully  transferred  its  most  popular  RF 
SOI  platforms to its newly acquired facility in San 
Antonio to enable more capacity for customers in 
this growing market.

•  Announced production ramp of its SiGe PA process 
with  Skyworks.  The  process  enables  a  front-end-
module single chip with power amplifier, low-noise-
amplifier,  switch,  logic  and  power  management 
functions that can all be integrated on a single die.

•  Announced its latest addition to the “SiGe Terabit 
Platform” with S4 at 300GHz Fmax providing high-
speed SiGe customers a next generation platform 
to design higher data-rate products.

TowerJazz’s  RF/HPA  business  unit  (BU)  serves  two 
infrastructure. 
primary  end-markets:  mobile  and 
For  each  market,  its  technology  offers  best-in-class 
performance  together  with  accurate  models  and 
design  kits  that  enable  its  customers  to  bring  new, 
high-performance products to market faster than with 
competing solutions.

For  the  mobile  market,  TowerJazz  offers  RF  SOI  for 
best-in-class Ron-Coff figure of merit (sub-100fs), which 
results  in  lower  insertion  loss  for  RF  switches  leading 
to  improved  reception,  faster  data  rates,  and  longer 
battery life for handsets and other mobile devices.  In 
addition,  TowerJazz’s  SiGe  offering  is  used  for  both 
receive  (low  noise  amplifiers)  and  transmit  (power 
amplifiers) functions in handsets and provides the best 
silicon-based  performance  (lowest  noise  figure  for 
receivers  and  best  power  efficiency  for  silicon-based 
power  amplifiers)  enabling  higher  data-rates,  better 
GPS reception, and longer battery life in handsets and 
other  mobile  devices.  Both  LNA  and  PAs  are  in  high 
volume production and new generations of technology 
are being rolled out.

For  the  infrastructure  market,  TowerJazz’s  industry 
leadership  in  high  performance  SiGe  continues  with 
the  announcement  this  year  of  S4  with  300GHz  Fmax 
complementing its production H3 process used for 10 
to 100GB/s optical fiber transceivers and mmWave radar.

“In the last several years our RF business  
has grown largely by providing technology 
that enables higher data rates in handsets, 
data centers, and networks.  

As we look forward, we see the proliferation 
of IoT devices, the advent of 5G cellular 
service and the promise of autonomous 
vehicles augmenting our RF business with 
additional exiting opportunities for growth 
and we are investing heavily in technology 
that provides our customers a strong 
advantage in these new areas.”

Dr. Marco Racanelli 
Senior Vice President & General Manager of 
RF/High Performance Analog Business Group 

16

Main Applications

MOBILE DEVICES
In  the  mobile  market,  TowerJazz  enables  front-end-module  components  such  as  RF  Switches 
(RF SOI), low-noise amplifiers (SiGe or RF SOI) and power amplifiers (SiGe).  The Company has a 
large market share in these applications and serves all major mobile platforms through its many 
customers. The mobile handset market continues to grow but the front-end-module market is 
growing even faster as content per handset is growing rapidly to support new higher data rates 
with 4G LTE, carrier aggregation, diversity receive and soon MIMO and 5G.

INFRASTRUCTURE
For  the  infrastructure  market,  TowerJazz  technology  enables  receiver/transmitter  fiber  optic 
components  such  as  trans-impedance-amplifiers  (TIA),  laser  drivers  (LD),  and  clock-data-
recovery  circuits  (CDRs).  TowerJazz  has  a  large  market  share  (estimated  at  larger  than  60%) 
serving such components and demand continues to grow fueled by the exploding need for data 
traffic  in  data  centers,  cloud  computing  and  network  backbone  as  well  as  fiber-to-the-home 
networks. A new application of the same HP SiGe technology is automotive radar for collision 
avoidance and ultimately autonomous vehicles.

Focus for       
   2017

The main growth drivers for the TowerJazz 
RF/HPA  BU  continue  to  be  front-end-
modules  for  handsets  and  other  mobile 
devices,  front-end  components  for  fiber-
optic data connections in data centers and 
networks,  as  well  as  automotive  collision 
avoidance  and  other  radar  applications.  
These markets drive growth in both its RF 
SOI and SiGe technology platforms.

technology, 

TowerJazz is well positioned for continued 
success  in  the  RF  market  with  industry-
leading  process 
strong 
relationships  with  Tier  1  customers  to 
drive  the  Company’s  roadmap,  and  a 
demonstrated  ability  to  bring  customers 
to  market  quickly  with  first-pass  success 
and  ramp  to  high  volumes  in  multiple 
factories – a combination that cannot be 
easily duplicated in the foundry industry.

17

17

 
CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit

New High-end Technology Targets 
Rising Demands 

TowerJazz  primarily  serves  six  different  market  segments  within  the  CMOS  Image 
Sensor  (CIS)  general  market:  automotive,  machine  vision,  high-end  photography  and 
cinematography, dental and medical X-ray, 3D and AR/VR (augmented reality and virtual 
reality) and security. 

TowerJazz  provides  best  in  class  pixel  technology, 
tailored for each specific sensor application area such as: 

•  Very high dynamic range pixels for the automotive 

industry

•  Unique low noise and extremely small global shutter 
pixels for the fast increasing industrial vision market

•  Extremely low dark current, low hot pixel count and 
low noise pixels for the high end photography and 
cinematography market

•  Large stitched pixels for medical and dental X-ray

•  Near  Infrared  sensitive  global  shutter  small  pixels 

for 3D and AR/VR applications

•  Very  small,  yet  highly  sensitive  pixels  for  the  fast 

growing security market.

In  addition,  TowerJazz  tailors  the  pixel  layout  as 
well  as  the  process  parameters  per  each  customer’s 
requirement, providing silicon proven, state of the art 
pixels.

ACHIEVEMENTS in 2016:
TowerJazz  has  developed  the  smallest  in  the  world, 
state  of  the  art,  2.8  micron  global  shutter  pixel  to 
support  the  next  generation  industrial  and  machine 
vision sensor families for its customers. This is going to 
ramp to production in the second half of 2017.

TowerJazz grew its market share substantially in the past 
year,  especially  evident  in  the  medical  and  industrial 
market  segments,  by  ramping  to  volume  production 
customers' new devices.

collaboration  with 

Through  great 
TowerJazz, 
PIXELPLUS  brought  its  SoC  HD  security  sensor  into 
mass production. New higher resolution sensors are in 
final  development  stages,  slated  for  mass  production 
in 2017.

"Focusing on high end value-add 
CIS technology has proven itself. 
Our served markets are those where 
technology and performance speak 
— customers appreciate our excellent 
technology performance, keeping us, 
as well as them, in a leading position 
in the market segments we serve."

Dr. Avi Strum 
Senior Vice President & General Manager,  
CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit

18

Main Applications

AUTOMOTIVE
The  automotive  market  is  growing  very  fast,  driven  by  ADAS  (Advanced  Driver  Assistant 
Systems) and autonomous driving requirements. Expectations are for six to eight cameras 
per vehicle. These are not only high dynamic range CMOS sensor based cameras, but also 
SPAD based LIDARs used mainly for autonomous driving cars. TowerJazz is well-positioned 
to meet the expanding needs of this market.

MACHINE VISION
Driven  by  the  need  for  automation  of  factories,  especially  in  the  food  industry,  as  well  as 
household  intelligent  robots  (like  vacuum  cleaners),  2D  barcode  readers,  traffic  control 
cameras and many more, the machine vision market is growing fast. The common denominator 
of all these applications is the need for a very fast, high frame rate, global shutter operation.  
TowerJazz is providing technology and high volume manufacturing capabilities to the leaders 
in this area, such as e2v, CMOSIS, On Semi and many more.

HIGH-END PHOTOGRAPHY and CINEMATOGRAPHY
TowerJazz  already  has  a  leading  position  in  the  cinematography  camera  market,  where  a 
huge  amount  of  films,  including  Oscar  award  winners,  were  shot  with  a  sensor  produced 
by  TowerJazz.  In  addition,  the  Company  is  increasing  very  fast  its  market  share  in  the  still 
photography area of DSLR and Mirror Less (ILC) cameras, based on its excellent state of the 
art TPSCo technology on 12” wafers, 65nm process node.

MEDICAL and DENTAL X-RAY MARKET
TowerJazz  is  growing  its  market  share  substantially  working  with  the  leaders  in  this  area. 
The  market  is  shifting  from  amorphous  silicon  to  CMOS  technology  and  the  Company  is 
taking advantage of this by using its unique stitched technology for up to one die per wafer 
(150mm  x  125mm)  that  can  be  tiled  into  large  panels  by  its  customers.  TowerJazz  is  now 
offering this technology also on 12” wafers in its TPSCo facility in Uozu, Japan.

3D and AR/VR (AUGMENTED REALITY/VIRTUAL REALITY)
The 3D and AR/VR areas are extremely fast growing. The need for this technology can be seen 
all over the place, from Google glasses to Intel’s RealSense. The technology requirements 
are for very high sensitivity to Near Infrared as well as very low power. TowerJazz is working 
in this area with the leaders in this industry.

SECURITY
The need for cameras at every street corner and in every building is increasing very fast and 
the momentum of moving from VGA cameras to HD, Full HD and QHD (4Mp) is very high. 
TowerJazz uses its state of the art pixel technology in its 12” Uozu, Japan facility to provide 
the best security sensors in the market. The Company sees very fast growth of this market, 
working together with Korean leader, PIXELPLUS.

Focus for       
 2017

19

TowerJazz  witnessed  several  large  merger  and  acquisitions  in  the  sensor 
market between its customers which strengthens the Company’s position 
even further as TowerJazz is the major or sole supplier for these customers.

Dramatic  growth  is  expected  in  all  market  segments,  especially  in  the 
medical X-ray market and the machine vision market. In addition, TowerJazz 
sees a general growing demand for cameras everywhere. 

19

 
 
Power Management & Mixed Signal Business Unit

Achieving Higher Power Efficiency

TowerJazz’s  advanced  Power  platforms  provide  wide  application  coverage  in  multiple 
growing  end  markets  such  as  the  Internet  of  Things  (IoT),  wearables,  mobile,  laptops, 
wireless chargers, drones, home appliance products, automotive and industrial.   

its 

TowerJazz  closely  collaborates  with 
leading 
customers to define and develop the next generation 
of its platforms and devices. These collaborations yield 
very  high  probabilities  that  development  activities 
will  move  to  high  volume  production  and  enable 
the  Company’s  partners  early  access  to  its  future 
offerings with specific features that meet their precise 
requirements. This mode of operation has already yielded 
developments  of  new  advanced  devices  such  as  high 
frequency LDMOS and 5V cost-effective isolations, all 
for the high efficiency switched regulator market. 

Based  on  TowerJazz’s  wide  offering,  the  Company  is 
achieving higher power efficiency in  various markets. 
For  switched  regulators  and  motor  drivers  markets, 
TowerJazz  offers  a  leading  edge  Rdson  and  fast 
switching  transistors  including  best  in  class  isolations. 
These ICs are used today in consumer products such as 
drones, laptops and home appliance products. For the 
market of wireless chargers and battery management, 
TowerJazz offers the inclusion of non-volatile memories 
and digital 5V and 1.8V cores as well as additional 100 
devices  to  guarantee  an  optimum  device  selection. 
Such products can be mobile wireless chargers, E-bikes 
and others.

TowerJazz’s  Power  Management  platform  includes 
several distinctive advantages:

•  Low  Rdson  over  a  wide  and  scalable  voltage 
range  enabling  the  highest  efficiencies  in  the 
foundry arena. TowerJazz’s LDMOS transistors are 
optimized to maximize the cost/performance ratio 
and minimize the footprint with very small Rdson.

•  A wide range of substrate isolation types, ranging 
from  bulk  isolation  for  the  majority  of  power 
management  products  to  full  dielectric  isolation 
using 200V SOI for enabling positive and negative 
voltages  on  the  same  IC.  The  latter  can  be 
particularly useful for applications such as wireless 
charging, Class-D audio amplifier and automotive.

•  High  density  logic  cores  both  for  the  1.8V  and 
for  the  5V  library  and  high  density  non-volatile 
memories for applications which need high digital 
density  such  as  wireless  chargers,  PMIC,  smart 
power products, or automotive power controllers.

MIXED-SIGNAL/CMOS PLATFORMS 
TowerJazz  Mixed-Signal/CMOS  platforms  are  an 
optimal  solution  for  digital,  analog,  radio  frequency 
(RF) and automotive applications.

The  platforms  support  designers  who  are  seeking 
volume  production  from  0.35um  down  to  45nm.  In 
addition, they are ideal for customized designs for low 
power, analog and digital designs including the latest 
65nm mmWave RFCMOS modeling and 18V HVCMOS. 

The  advantages  of  TowerJazz’s  Mixed-Signal/CMOS 
platforms  include  accurate  analog  modeling  for  RF 
applications  up  to  110GHz  models.  The  design  kit 
includes  sub-threshold  models,  accurate  passive 
(inductors,  capacitors)  with  high  matching  and  smart 
tool  boxes.  TowerJazz’s  18V  HVCMOS  offers  state  of 
the art capability to design with gate and drain voltages 
up to 18V on the 0.18um process node. 

“Through 2017 we will continue  
to focus on providing best in class  
offerings to answer our customers’  
growing demands. We will also extend  
our market differentiation by enabling  
great technological advantages such as 
lowering Rdson and supporting  
high voltage full isolation.  

We look forward to further enhancing 
collaboration with our existing partners 
in addition to new opportunities while 
continuing the growth trend.”

•  Smart and flexible design kit which allows designers 
to  reuse  their  designs,  select  the  devices  and 
perform smart verification to reach first time success.   

Shimon Greenberg 
Vice President of Power Management &  
Mixed-Signal/CMOS Business Unit

20

  
 
Main Applications

SMARTPHONES, TABLETS & WEARABLES
The markets of wireless chargers, mobile PMIC for the smart phone, tablets and wearables are 
increasing the demand for high efficiency power converters. For these markets TowerJazz offers 
its leading low Rdson, fast switching LDMOS and isolation with minimum additional layers. For 
high integration needs, TowerJazz’s high density digital solutions and embedded NVM (1.8V and 
5V) can be used. 

AUTOMOTIVE, HOME APPLIANCES & INDUSTRIAL 
TowerJazz  expanded  its  offering  to  both  the  automotive  and  industrial  markets  to  include 
motor  drivers  for  various  products  such  as  drones,  power  tools,  and  large  stacks  of  batteries 
for automotive. The technology is also suitable for DC-DC applications and electronic control 
units (ECUs) in automotive applications. TowerJazz’s 200V SOI platform serves the need for high 
voltage and noise immunity while keeping the core power management platform to be reused 
with its 1.8V, 5V and up to 200V LDMOS.

ACHIEVEMENTS in 2016:
TowerJazz  has  been  expanding  its  advanced  0.18-micron  platforms,  the  mixed-signal  and  power  management 
process (TS18SL and TS18PM) both in technology offerings and in production sites. 

During 2016, TowerJazz ramped up the Power Management and the Mixed Signal platforms at TPSCo in Japan 
in record time; hundreds of products have already reached  the mass  production stage, enabling its customers 
production flexibility using the same PDK and platform for dual source production. 

Also,  TowerJazz  has  significantly  increased  close  collaboration  with  its  leading  power  management  customers 
offering  them  first  access  to  its  leading  technologies;  to  engage  with  its  R&D  and  design  resources  to  fast 
develop and secure their future business with TowerJazz. 

On top of its wide platform offering, TowerJazz is continuously investing in further expanding its offering to cover 
more market segments – two additional advanced technologies were developed throughout the past year:

•  TowerJazz now provides a 200V SOI technology platform 
which offers its customers a state of the art full isolation 
up  to  200V  using  the  standard  TS18PM  PDK.  The  200V 
SOI  technology  is  already  in  use  by  one  of  TowerJazz’s 
leading  customers  to  serve  the  motor  control,  medical, 
home appliances and automotive markets. Through 2017 
the Company expects multiple products to be ramped up 
by many of its other customers. 

•  The  second  technology  significantly  improves  TowerJazz’s 
low  voltage  (below  5V)  power  management  offering 
for  applications  like  switch  regulators,  point  of  load 
market,  etc.  This  technology  offers  an  advanced 
isolation  with  minimum  additional  layers  and  advanced 
power  transistors for high frequency switching regulators. 
TowerJazz  released  an  advanced  5V  digital  library  to 
enable the integration of more controllers within 5V only 
designs.  

TowerJazz has also enabled an 18V HVCMOS offering to serve the needs for high voltage 0.18µm display drivers. 
Also included in the Power Management and Mixed Signal offerings are dual source top thick copper capabilities 
for high current applications.

Focus for       
 2017

During  2017  TowerJazz  will  continue 
to  expand  its  footprint  in  the  power 
management  market  with  new  and 
advanced platforms and to enhance its 
close collaboration with its partners.  

TowerJazz  will  continue  to  reduce  the 
Rdson  for  voltages  up  to  80V,  and 
to  focus  on  its  core  and  non-volatile 

21

memories  to  allow  more  integration  of 
control  and  processing  within  power 
products,  all  combined  with  best  in 
class power management devices. 

More  engagements  on  the  200V  SOI 
will happen during 2017 to support high 
voltage DC-DC converters, automotive 
applications  and  high  voltage  battery 
management ICs. 

21

 
 
Transfer, Optimization and Development Process Services (TOPS)

Facilitating Smooth Process Transfers
and Fast Ramp to Production 

The TowerJazz TOPS business unit (BU) targets integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) that 
have  fablight  outsourcing  strategies,  capacity  shortage  with  internal  fabs,  double  source 
policies, and fab closures for cost reduction activities. 

The  TOPS  business  unit  (BU)  targets:  (1)  Integrated 
device  manufacturers  (IDMs)  with  fab-lite  outsourcing 
strategies,  capacity  shortage  at  internal  fabs,  double 
source  policies,  and/or  closure  of  underutilized  fabs  
for cost reduction activities, and (2) Fabless companies 
that  have  process  IP  looking  for  a  manufacturing  site, 
process developed at an R&D center that needs to be 
transferred and optimized to production at a fabrication 
facility, as well as those needing to develop from R&D 
to production and those wanting to develop process IP, 
process module or flow.

The  main  customer  applications  currently  supported 
by  TOPS  are  discrete  FETS  for  power  applications, 
non-volatile  memory  (NVM),  and  magnetic  memories, 
although  TOPS  can  accommodate  any  customer  flow. 
The  fab-lite  strategy  seems  to  be  a  dominant  trend 
for  TOPS  customers — with  5"  &  6"  fab  closures  (by 
many  customers),  industry  consolidation  of  fabs,  and 
cost  reduction  by  moving  to  8"  wafers.  Most  TOPS 
engagements with top tier IDMs involve long-life, sole 
source flows. In such cases, the added value in engaging 
TowerJazz  is  not  only  for  manufacture  of  those  flows, 
but  rather  development  of  more  advanced  platforms.  
After  the  initial  base  platforms  are  transferred  and 
qualified,  additional  advanced  platforms  are  co-
developed  at  TowerJazz  sites  as  these  fabs  possess 
more  advanced  processing  tools  and  technological 
capabilities  than  the  IDM  factories.  The  second  most 
dominant  trend  is  overflow  capacity  since  companies 
are  reluctant  to  spend  substantial  funds  to  purchase 

manufacturing  equipment  for  capacity  expansion  and 
prefer loading an external facility, which is much more 
economically feasible.

TowerJazz uses established proven methodologies and 
well-defined  success  criteria  which  lead  to  first  time 
success and record time to production.

ACHIEVEMENTS in 2016:
This past year included multiple projects in TowerJazz’s 
worldwide facilities with aggressive ramping of several 
large  customer  transfers,  including  the  start  of  high 
volume  production  after  a  fast  ramp  for  one  of  the 
Company’s key customers. During 2016, TowerJazz also 
focused on qualifying process flows at its San Antonio 
fab to support continuous demand from its customers. 
Discrete  devices  continue  to  lead  the  TOPS  business 
unit  and  long  term  contracts  secure  business  for  the 
coming years. 

“2016 was a strong year for the TOPS BU  
with many projects completed and  
ramped into mass production.

In 2017, we will continue to support  
the strong demand from our customers,  
while focusing on process flow transfers, 
qualifications and development in  
our worldwide facilities.”

Zmira Shternfeld-Lavie
Vice President of Process Engineering R&D
General Manager of Transfer, Optimization and  
Development Process Services Business Unit (TOPS)

22

TOPS Business Models

HIGH VOLUME  
PROCESS TRANSFER
IDMs 

UNIQUE  
PROCESS TRANSFERS
FABLESS COMPANIES

EXTERNAL 
SERVICES 
SPECIAL MODELS 

Provides  unique  process  tools  and 
processes  to  manufacture  customers’ 
devices,  with  strong  IP  protection  and 
an experienced team that enables first 
time success and fast time to market.  

Full project support of technology and 
management, enables cradle to cradle 
success while providing TowerJazz with 
capacity  independent  revenue  growth 
and  high  margin  entry  point 
into 
emerging markets.

to 

IDMs  with 

Delivers  fast  and  successful  transfer 
services 
'fab-lite' 
strategy,  demand  exceeding  internal 
fabs'  capacity,  double  source  policy 
and/or  underutilized 
fab  closure 
activities.  Enables  secure  transfer  of 
process  IP,  technical  flexibility  and 
future  generation  developments. 
Provides  TowerJazz  with  long-term 
utilization stability, reduced fab fixed 
cost model and true partnership with 
many additional opportunities.

Focus for       
 2017

In  the  TOPS  BU,  the  team  is  working  on  ramping  new  technologies  of  Tier  1 
customers  to  mass  production  mainly  in  the  areas  of  discrete  devices  and 
sensors,  both  in  TowerJazz  and  TPSCo’s  fabs.  Existing  production  customers 
are processing an increasing number of prototypes for new products, leading to 
increased production and continued business growth.  

23

23

 
 
Research & Development

An Environment of Innovation

TowerJazz  has  created  an  innovation  environment  based  on  the  knowledge  and  skills  of  highly 
educated staff in its US, Israeli and Japanese fabs. The Company cooperates between the sites and 
utilizes the proficiency of the corresponding R&D teams in different fields of semiconductor science 
and technology to greatly benefit its customers. 

The  research  focus  is  on  new  ideas  related  to  emerging 
applications  in  areas  such  as  communications,  machine–
human interaction, sensors and power devices.

Besides  targeting  the  current  tasks  dictated  by  the 
expanding  IoT  and  automotive  markets  as  well  as  direct 
customer  demands,  TowerJazz  performs  studies  that 
address future business directions and markets. In particular, 
studies were performed on the feasibility of integrating non-
traditional  CMOS  foundry  materials,  devices  and  sensors 
on  novel  physical  principles.  Combining  the  experience  of 
R&D engineers from diverse fields facilitates novel ideas that 
enable  breakthrough  business  opportunities  for  TowerJazz 
customers.

2016 ACHIEVEMENTS and COLLABORATIONS
In 2016, R&D projects in TowerJazz Business Units (BUs) were 
supported by customers, internal funding, government and 
international programs:

•  Pronounced  advancements  were  achieved  in  lower 
frequency  RF  (radio  frequency)  solutions  for  mobile 
applications.  Development  of  switches  with  record 
figures  of  merit  (FOM)  below  Ron  x  Coff  =  100  femto-
seconds  were  performed  in  cooperation  between  the 
R&D teams of the Newport Beach, CA, Migdal Haemek, 
Israel  and  the  TPSCo  Japan  fabs.  Novel  directions 
of  studies  in  the  RF  field  include  integration  of  SOI 
elements with SiGe technologies, formation of switches 
on  highly  isolating  substrates,  fabrication  of  switches 
using novel materials for low resistance, and R&D of new 
MEMS switches for advanced mobile devices.   

•  Within high frequency RF, in particular for wire-line and 
optical  communications,  as  well  as  radar,  TowerJazz 

announced  its  SiGe  Terabit  Platform  which  includes 
advanced CMOS, together with low-noise, high-speed, 
and  high  power  SiGe  devices  and  unique  patented 
features  that  enable  best-in-class  performance  for  the 
most  demanding  ICs  in  high-speed  communication 
links.  TowerJazz  launched  new  process  nodes  of  H5  & 
H6 with > 300 GHz performance. These BiPolar devices 
made  with  silicon-germanium  based  devices,  operate 
at speeds and performance that are the same or better 
than  leading edge digital CMOS.   

•  Joint work of the Migdal Haemek and TPSCo fabs on near-
IR CMOS image sensors (CIS) for 3D gesture recognition 
systems  resulted  in  a  new  generation  of  global  shutter 
pixels with record sizes (2.8µm). Among the investigated 
future directions in the CIS field are sensing elements in 
the back-end, imagers with avalanche photodiodes and 
3D integration of imagers.

•  R&D in power management was focused on development 
of  novel  active  and  passive  devices  and  specialized 
non-volatile  memories  (NVM)  for  existing  production 
platforms.  In  the  field  of  new  power  management 
platforms,  significant  progress  was  achieved  in  GaN 
HEMT  devices  fabricated  on  6"  GaN  on  Si  substrates 
(joint work of Fab 1 in Migdal Haemek and the TOPS BU). 

•  Significant achievements were demonstrated in projects 
on  gas  sensors  (TOPS  and  CMOS  BUs),  in  particular  in 
the  MEMS  part  of  the  developed  embedded  sensors 
(membranes  and  supporting  arms).  In  parallel,  sensors 
based on electrostatically formed nanowires (EFN) were 
fabricated  and  extensively  investigated  (a  project  with 
Tel-Aviv University; government funding).

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES 
For next generation products  
and alignment with our customers’ 
technology roadmaps.

NOVEL IDEAS 
TowerJazz research enables 
breakthrough business  
for customers.

EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS
Highly educated and  
experienced R&D engineers 
 in all our worldwide fabs.

24

•  Within  the  “More  than  Moore”  paradigm,  activities 
focused  on  an  alternative  to  digital  signal  processing 
—single  Poly  memristors  for  beyond  binary  code 
human-like  artificial  intelligence  were  demonstrated. 
The  prototypes  are  investigated  in  a  joint  project  on 
neuromorphic simulations with Technion—Israel Institute 
of Technology.

•  Promising  results  were  obtained  in  silicon  photonics 
projects run in the Migdal Haemek and Newport Beach 
fabs. Among the achievements—Si waveguides on SOI 
with 2.3 Db/cm losses supplied with modulators.

Grants and Project Wins
TowerJazz continues to work in Horizons 2020, a prestigious 
program  of  European  Union  grants  through  GREAT,  a 
In  this  consortium, 
consortium  on  spintronic  devices. 
TowerJazz  activities  are  focused  on 
integrating  MTJ 
(magnetic  tunnel  junction)  sensors  and  STT  MRAMs  in  the 
same chip. Besides that, the Company cooperates in the EU 
COST  Action  IC1401  MemoCIS  on  memristors.  TowerJazz 
also  participated 
in  projects  associated  with  the  US 
Department of Defense (DoD), supported several programs 
for  the  branches  of  the  US  armed  services  and  received 
funding from DARPA on a number of projects.

Press Announcements
Several  R&D  achievements  demonstrating  the  leadership 
position  of  TowerJazz  in  a  broad  range  of  technological 
areas were announced in 2016. For example, TowerJazz and 
e2v  announced  the  world’s  smallest  global  shutter  pixel, 
on  a  110nm  CMOS  technology  node  with  extremely  high 
shutter  efficiency  and  low  dark  current  noise.  In  addition, 
TowerJazz  announced  a  novel  Empirical  ESD  simulation 
flow  of  ESD  protection  circuits  for  reliable  chip  design. 
TowerJazz  announced  its  “SiGe  Terabit  Platform”  which 
included testimonials from multiple leading edge customers.  
In  addition,  a  “Viability  of  5G  Communications”  press 
announcement  was  released  using  TowerJazz  technology, 

with  UC  San  Diego  and  Keysight.  Another  key  TowerJazz 
announcement  focused  on  mass  production  of  a  new 
Integrated SiGe-based ‘Front-End Module on a Chip,’ an RF 
platform tailored to meet the challenges of the Internet of 
Things.

Patents 
In  2016,  TowerJazz  was  granted  25  US  patents  and  filed 
28  new  applications.  The  protected  technologies  include 
original  power  management  devices,  MEMS  technologies, 
methods for increasing performance of analog products and 
memories.    Several  patents  were  issued  on  SOI  switches, 
SiGe  device  and  process  technology,  smart  MTJ  devices, 
advanced image sensors and memristors.

Talks and Publications 
TowerJazz gave nine invited talks at international conferences 
and regional seminars, such as CIMTEC 2016 (MTJ integration 
technology), MRS2016 in Boston (radiation sensors), IEICE (IR 
sensitive pixels), and EDICON (switch and device modeling) 
in Beijing. TowerJazz engineers served in Technical/Steering 
Committees and as Section Chairs of IEDM, IEEE IMW, IEEE 
RWW,  BCTM,  IMS-MTT,  MRS  and  other  highly  prestigious 
international venues.  

Numerous  research  papers  were  published  in  well  known 
international  journals  and  conference  proceedings  such  as 
IEEE VLSI, Microelectronics Reliability and others. Internally, 
Vol.  7  of  TowerJazz  Technical  Journal  (TJ 2)  was  published, 
featuring  18  technical  papers  by  employees 
from 
TowerJazz fabs and R&D divisions. The team maintained its 
internal TowerJazz Technical Forum (TTF) for senior technical 
leaders,  and  continued  TowerJazz  Education  Seminars 
(TES) to mentor and foster engineering talent at each site.  
In  addition,  TowerJazz    R&D  roadmaps  were  discussed  at 
three  TowerJazz  Global  Symposium  (TGS)  sessions,  and 
TGS was held in conjunction with RHET (radiation hardened 
electronics) for the US Aerospace & Defense community.

25

Business Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility 

Enriching & Enhancing Society

TowerJazz aims to enrich and improve not only individuals’ lives, but develop society as 
a whole and believes corporate social responsibility is imperative to the Company’s true 
success. TowerJazz and its employees are involved in a wide range of health, education, 
social  and  community  activities  that  affect  the  community’s  well-being  by  promoting 
education, donating goods and through funding programs and services.  

Educational and vocational development with a focus on gender equality and minority integration.

TowerJazz  inspires  and  rewards  employees  for 
innovation.  The 
outstanding  achievements  and 
employee  base  is  comprised  of  individuals  from 
various  cultures  and  backgrounds  with  a  strong 
focus  on  gender  equality.  TowerJazz  is  an  equal 
opportunity employer and provides health insurance 
for all employees. 

The  Company  is  committed  to  ensuring  TowerJazz 
employees  act  in  a  lawful  and  ethical  manner.  All 
employees, in all of their activities, are expected to 

operate  in  full  compliance  with  all  applicable  laws, 
rules and regulations. 

language 

responsibility  principles  are 
TowerJazz’s  social 
modeled  on  and  contain 
from  the 
Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) Code 
of  Conduct,  which  establishes  standards  to  ensure 
that  working  conditions  in  the  electronics  industry 
supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with 
respect and dignity and that business operations are 
environmentally responsible.

Internal and External Environment Achievements:

•  Substantial  reductions 

in  overall  energy  usage 
without  sacrificing  production  resulting  in  utility 
savings.  TowerJazz 
to  continue 
improving air and water quality and is dedicated to 
reducing electricity, water usage and waste water in 
its 24/7 fabrication facilities.

is  committed 

•  Established programs aligned with the internationally 
for  Economic 
recognized  OECD 
Cooperation  and  Development)  due  diligence 
framework to regularly evaluate its supply chain and 
require suppliers to do the same. 

(Organization 

•  TowerJazz is ISO14001 and ISO18001 certified.

TowerJazz Employee Social Responsibility Involvement:

•  Tutored  kids  in  youth  clubs  and  volunteered  in 

recreational activities.

•  Funded  an  educational  program  for  children  with 

learning disabilities.

•  Participated 

in  teaching  English  to  the  youth, 

improving their communication skills.

•  Participated in teaching math to kids in elementary 
school, to encourage science studies in high school. 

26

•  Added  scrubbers  and  abatement  systems  in  order 
to support the fabs’ capacity increase and maintain 
environment safety.

•  Ergonomic support for employees' work environment.

•  Upgraded  dining  rooms,  cafeteria,  and  renovated 
rest areas, provided better transportation service to 
employees.

•  Increased study funds for all employees.

•  Collaborated  with  environmental  organizations  and 
retirement  institutions  to  help  renovate  buildings; 
prepared food packages; and participated in blood 
drives.

•  Donated and delivered toys, books and other items 

to people in need during the holidays.

 
Global Awareness Investigation and Action (GAIA) Project 

TowerJazz continues in its eighth year of working with 
the Global Awareness Investigation and Action (GAIA) 
project led by Dr. Stuart Fleischer. GAIA involves middle 
and high school students as “scientific researchers and 
policy developers” working on environmental projects.

TowerJazz  not  only  provides  financial  support,  but 
takes  a  more  holistic  approach  by  providing  access 
to  onsite  equipment  in  Migdal  Haemek,  engineering 
support  and  collaboration  on  various  GAIA  projects, 
guided  tours  for  its  participating  schools,  and  design 
and development projects. 

Along with supporting GAIA’s environmental projects, 
TowerJazz  has  made  its  engineers  available  to  share 

their  background  and  passion  for  science  and  to 
expose  students,  in  particular  female  students,  to 
opportunities  for  careers  in  science  and  technology. 
Students participating in GAIA come from many places 
and  school  locations  in  the  world,  such  as:  Belgium, 
China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, 
Nigeria, South Korea, and the U.S. 

For the 2016–2017 timeframe, TowerJazz is supporting 
a  number  of  GAIA  projects  including:  endangered 
species  sanctuaries,  recycling  of  materials  to  produce 
quality goods, biological pest control, and hydroponic 
indoor gardens.

“Our employees’ capabilities, dedication, loyalty and passion are primary factors in our 
Company’s achievements. With increased employee involvement we are able to  
create a better environment for our community while demonstrating our  
Company’s core values and social responsibility.”

27

27

Dalit Dahan
Senior Vice President of Human Resources 
& Information Technology

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Results Press Release

TowerJazz Reports Best Results in the 
History of the Company

Full Year and Fourth Quarter of 2016 Record Revenue, EBITDA and Free Cash Flow with 
Increased Margins 

MIGDAL  HAEMEK,  ISRAEL  — February  13,  2017  —
TowerJazz (NASDAQ: TSEM & TASE: TSEM) today reports 
results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016 ended 
December 31, 2016. 

Highlights of the Full Year 2016

•  Record revenues of $1.25 billion, up 30% year over year;

•  Record EBITDA of $367 million, up 48% year over year;

•  Record  net  profit  of  $204  million,  as  compared  to  a 

net loss of $30 million for the full year of 2015;

•  Record  cash  from  operations  of  $327  million  and 
record  free  cash  flow  of  $118  million,  resulting  in 
record cash balance and record shareholders’ equity.

Highlights  of  the  Fourth  Quarter  of  2016  and  First 
Quarter of 2017 Guidance 

•  Record revenues of $340 million, up 34% year over year; 

•  Record gross profit of $88 million, up 36% year over year; 

•  Record  operating  profit  of  $55  million,  up  61%  year 

over year; 

•  Record EBITDA of $105 million, up 39% year over year;

•  Net profit of $48 million, up 119% year over year;

•  Cash from operations of $82 million and record free 

cash flow of $39 million;

•  First  quarter  revenue  guidance  with  mid-range  of 
$330 million, up 19% year over year; targeting growth 
throughout the year.  

Chairman and CEO End of Year Commentary
Mr.  Russell  Ellwanger,  Chief  Executive  Officer  of 
TowerJazz, commented, “2016 was on all fronts, business, 
financial,  operational  and  technological,  the  best  year 
TowerJazz has posted. The year began with a successful 
acquisition  of  the  San  Antonio  facility,  increasing  our 
capacity and operational flexibility, and ended achieving 
our  stated  target  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  $100  million 
annualized third party revenue at TPSCo.”

Continued  Mr.  Ellwanger,  “Entering  2017,  we  focus 
on  utilizing  the  capacity  of  the  acquired  Panasonic  and 
Maxim  fabs  to  meet  the  increasing  customers’  demand 
within  our  strong  advanced  analog  offerings.  Present 
customer forecast indicates growth throughout the year 
with  each  quarter  being  significantly  higher  year  over 
year.  We  are  excited  with  our  business  and  financial 
position that allows us to capitalize upon new initiatives 
to continue value creation.”

Mr.  Amir  Elstein,  Chairman  of  the  TowerJazz  Board  of 
Directors, summarized: “2016, as a record year, is a strong 
validation  of  the  business  models  and  the  executions 
behind becoming the worldwide leading specialty analog 
foundry. The board and I wholeheartedly congratulate all 
the dedicated employees of TowerJazz, the management 
and  Russell, 
their  efforts,  activities  and 
accomplishments of multiple years resulting in this record 
year we have just completed. We very much look forward 
to another significant year with great achievements.”

for  all 

Fourth Quarter Results Overview
Revenues for the 2016 fourth quarter were a record $340 
million reflecting 34% growth as compared to the fourth 
quarter of 2015. Revenues were 4% higher than those of 
the previous quarter. 

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $88 million, 
representing  an  increase  of  36%  as  compared  with  $65 
million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2015,  and  an  increase 
of  8%  as  compared  with  $81  million  gross  profit  in  the 
immediately preceding quarter.

Operating profit was $55 million for the fourth quarter of 
2016, as compared with $34 million reported in the fourth 
quarter  of  2015  and  $49  million  operating  profit  in  the 
immediately preceding quarter. 

Net profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $48 million, or 
$0.53 basic earnings per share, demonstrating increased 
sustainable GAAP net profit, as compared with $22 million 
or  $0.28  basic  earnings  per  share  in  the  fourth  quarter 

28

of  2015.  Net  profit  for  the  third  quarter  of  2016  of  $51 
million, or $0.58 basic earnings per share, and included a 
non-recurring $6 million of income tax benefit related to 
finalization of the closure of the Japanese subsidiary that 
held the fab in Nishiwaki, Japan, which ceased operations 
in 2014. 

On an adjusted basis, as described and reconciled in the 
tables below, adjusted net profit for the fourth quarter of 
2016 was $53 million, compared with $26 million for the 
fourth quarter of 2015 and $49 million in the immediately 
preceding quarter. 

EBITDA for the fourth quarter totaled $105 million. This 
represents a 39% increase as compared with $76 million in 
the fourth quarter of 2015 and a 9% sequential increase as 
compared with $97 million in the immediately preceding 
quarter.

Cash  and  short  term  deposits  on  December  31,  2016 
were  $389  million  as  compared  to  $363  million  as  of 
September 30, 2016. The main cash activities during the 
fourth quarter of 2016 were comprised of the following: 
$82  million  cash  generated  from  operating  activities; 
$11  million  received  from  the  exercise  of  warrants  and 
options;  investments  of  $43  million  in  fixed  assets,  net; 
$6 million debt repayments and $17 million effect of the 
Japanese Yen exchange rate on cash balance. 

Full Year 2016 Financial Results
Revenues for 2016 were a record $1.25 billion reflecting 
30%  growth  as  compared  to  2015  revenues  of  $961 
million. 

Gross profit for 2016 was $303 million. This represents an 
increase of 48% as compared with $205 million in 2015. 
Operating profit was $175 million in 2016, as compared 
with $82 million in 2015. 

Net  profit  for  2016  was  $204  million,  or  $2.33  basic 
earnings per share, demonstrating increased net profit, as 
compared with net loss of $30 million or $0.40 basic loss 
per share in 2015. Net profit for 2016 included $50 million 
gain, net, from the San Antonio acquisition and $6 million 
income  tax  benefit  related  to  the  closure  finalization  of 
the  Nishiwaki  Japanese  subsidiary,  which  were  partially 
offset by $7 million non-cash financing expenses relating 
to  the  Israeli  banks’  loans  early  repayment.  Net  loss  for 
2015  included  $81  million  non-cash  financing  expense 
associated  with  Series  F  Bonds  accelerated  conversion 
done  in  2015,  $18  million  income  tax  benefit  resulting 
from the expiration of statute of limitations and Japanese 
income tax rate reduction.

On  an  adjusted  basis,  as  described  and  reconciled  in 
the tables below, adjusted net profit for 2016 was $175 
million, compared with $49 million for 2015, representing 
a $126 million increased adjusted net profit derived from 
the $289 million higher revenues. 

EBITDA for the year was $367 million. This represents a 
48% increase as compared with $248 million in 2015, or 
$119  million  increased  EBITDA  derived  from  the  $289 
million higher revenues.

Cash and short term deposits on December 31, 2016 were 
$389 million as compared to $206 million on December 
31,  2015.  The  main  cash  activities  during  2016  were 
comprised of the following: $327 million cash generated 
from  operating  activities;  $39  million  received  from 
the  exercise  of  warrants  and  options;  $37  million  debt 
received, net of debt principal payments; and investments 
of $210 million in fixed assets, net.

Shareholders'  equity  as  of  December  31,  2016  was  a 
record of $683 million, 77% higher than $386 million as of 
December 31, 2015. Net cash as of December 31, 2016 
totaled  $37  million  as  compared  to  net  debt  of  $105 
million as of December 31, 2015. 

Business Outlook
TowerJazz expects revenues for the first quarter of 2017 
ending March 31, 2017 to be $330 million with an upward 
or  downward  range  of  5%,  representing  approximately 
19% year over year revenue growth as compared to the 
first quarter of 2016. 

Teleconference and Webcast 
TowerJazz  will  host  an  investor  conference  call  today, 
February 13, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (9:00 a.m. 
Central time, 8:00 a.m. Mountain time, 7:00 a.m. Pacific 
time and 5:00 p.m. Israel time) to discuss the Company’s 
financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2016 
and its first quarter 2017 outlook. 

This  call  will  be  webcast  and  can  be  accessed  via 
TowerJazz’s website at www.towerjazz.com., or by calling: 
1-888-668-9141  (U.S.  Toll-Free),  03-918-0609  (Israel), 
+972-3-918-0609 (International).  For those who are not 
available  to  listen  to  the  live  broadcast,  the  call  will  be 
archived for 90 days.

The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with U.S. 
GAAP. The audited financial statements in accordance with US GAAP will 
be included in the 6-K to be filed with the annual financial statements and 
Form 20-F.  The financial information included in the tables below contain 
abbreviated financial results which are not audited or in accordance with 
US  GAAP.  Some  of  the  financial  information  in  this  release,  which  we 
refer to in this release as “adjusted financial measures”, are non-GAAP 
financial  measures  as  defined  in  Regulation  G  and  related  reporting 
requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission 
as  they  apply  to  our  Company.  These  adjusted  financial  measures  are 
calculated excluding one or more of the following: (1) amortization of 
acquired intangible assets; (2) compensation expenses in respect of equity 
grants  to  directors,  officers  and  employees;  (3)  gain  from  acquisition, 
net;  (4)  other  non-cash  financing  expense,  net  associated  with  Bonds 
Series F accelerated conversion; (5) non-cash financing expenses related 
to  bank  loans  early  repayment;  (6)  non-recurring  income  tax  benefit; 
(7) Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net; and 
(8) other non-recurring items. These adjusted financial measures should 
be  evaluated  in  conjunction  with,  and  are  not  a  substitute  for,  GAAP 
financial measures. The tables also present the GAAP financial measures, 
which are most comparable to the adjusted financial measures as well 
as  reconciliation  between  the  adjusted  financial  measures  and  the 
comparable GAAP financial measures. As used in this release, the term 
Earnings  Before  Interest  Tax  Depreciation  and  Amortization  (EBITDA) 
consists of profit or loss, according to U.S. GAAP, excluding gain from 
acquisition,  net,  interest  and  other  financing  expenses  (net),  other 
income (expense), net, taxes, non-controlling interest, depreciation and 
amortization, stock based compensation expenses, acquisition related 
costs  and  Nishiwaki  Fab  restructuring  and  impairment  cost  (income), 
net.  EBITDA  is  reconciled  in  the  tables  below  from  GAAP  operating 
profit. EBITDA is not a required GAAP financial measure and may not be 
comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies. 
EBITDA and the adjusted financial information presented herein should 

29

in the US and is still pending in Israel; (xi) our majority stake in TPSCo 
and our acquisition of the San Antonio fabrication facility by TowerJazz 
Texas  (“TJT”),  including  new  customer  engagements,  qualification 
and  production  ramp-up,  (xii)  the  closure  of  TJP  within  the  scope  of 
restructuring  our  activities  and  business  in  Japan,  settling  any  future 
claims or potential claims from third parties, (xiii) meeting the conditions 
set  in  the  approval  certificates  received  from  the  Israeli  Investment 
Center under which we received a significant amount of grants in past 
years, (xiv) receipt of orders that are lower than the customer purchase 
commitments,  (xv)  failure  to  receive  orders  currently  expected,  (xvi) 
possible  incurrence  of  additional  indebtedness,  (xvii)  effect  of  global 
recession,  unfavorable  economic  conditions  and/or  credit  crisis,  (xviii) 
our ability to accurately forecast financial performance, which is affected 
by limited order backlog and lengthy sales cycles, (xix) possible situations 
of  obsolete  inventory  if  forecasted  demand  exceeds  actual  demand 
when  we  manufacture  products  before  receipt  of  customer  orders, 
(xx) the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the resulting 
periodic  overcapacity,  fluctuations  in  operating  results  and  future 
average  selling  price  erosion,  (xxi)  the  execution  of  debt  re-financing 
and/or  fundraising  to  enable  the  service  of  our  debt  and/or  other 
liabilities, (xxii) operating our facilities at high utilization rates which is 
critical in order to cover a portion or all of the high level of fixed costs 
associated with operating a foundry, and our debt, in order to improve 
our results, (xxiii) the purchase of equipment to increase capacity, the 
timely  completion  of  the  equipment  installation,  technology  transfer 
and raising the funds therefor, (xxiv) the concentration of our business 
in the semiconductor industry, (xxv) product returns, (xxvi) our ability to 
maintain and develop our technology processes and services to keep 
pace with new technology, evolving standards, changing customer and 
end-user requirements, new product introductions and short product life 
cycles,  (xxvii)  competing  effectively,  (xxviii)  use  of  outsourced  foundry 
services  by  both  fabless  semiconductor  companies  and  integrated 
device manufacturers; (xxix) achieving acceptable device yields, product 
performance and delivery times, (xxx) our dependence on intellectual 
property  rights  of  others,  our  ability  to  operate  our  business  without 
infringing others’ intellectual property rights and our ability to enforce 
our  intellectual  property  against  infringement,  (xxxi)  retention  of  key 
employees and recruitment and retention of skilled qualified personnel, 
(xxxii)  exposure  to  inflation,  currency  rates  (mainly  the  Israeli  Shekel 
and  Japanese  Yen)  and  interest  rate  fluctuations  and  risks  associated 
with  doing  business  locally  and  internationally,  as  well  fluctuations  in 
the  market  price  of  our  traded  securities,  (xxxiii)  issuance  of  ordinary 
shares as a result of conversion and/or exercise of any of our convertible 
securities, as well as any sale of shares by any of our shareholders, or any 
market expectation thereof, which may depress the market price of our 
ordinary shares and may impair our ability to raise future capital, (xxxiv) 
meeting  regulatory  requirements  worldwide,  including  environmental 
and governmental regulations; and (xxxv) business interruption due to 
fire and other natural disasters, the security situation in Israel and other 
events beyond our control such as power interruptions. 

A more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect 
the  accuracy  of  forward-looking  statements  included  in  this  press 
release  or  which  may  otherwise  affect  our  business  is  included  under 
the heading "Risk Factors" in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F 
and  6-K,  as  were  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission 
(the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Future results may differ 
materially  from  those  previously  reported.  The  Company  does  not 
intend to update, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, the 
information contained in this release.

not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit, net 
profit or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing 
activities,  per  share  data  or  other  profit  or  cash  flow  statement  data 
prepared in accordance with GAAP. Net cash or net debt, as presented 
in  this  release,  is  comprised  of  the  outstanding  principal  amount  of 
banks’  loans  (in  the  amounts  of  approximately  $166  million  and  $246 
million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) 
and  the  outstanding  principal  amount  of  debentures  (in  the  amounts 
of  approximately  $186  million  and  $65  million  as  of  December  31, 
2016  and  December  31,  2015,  respectively),  less  cash  and  short-term 
deposits (in the amounts of approximately $389 million and $206 million 
as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively).

leader.  TowerJazz  manufactures 

About TowerJazz
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM, TASE: TSEM) 
and its fully owned U.S. subsidiaries Jazz Semiconductor, 
Inc.  and  TowerJazz  Texas  Inc.,  operate  collectively 
under  the  brand  name  TowerJazz,  the  global  specialty 
foundry 
integrated 
circuits, offering a broad range of customizable process 
technologies  including:  SiGe,  BiCMOS,  mixed-signal/
CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, integrated power 
management  (BCD  and  700V),  and  MEMS.  TowerJazz 
also provides a world-class design enablement platform 
for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as Transfer 
Optimization and development Process Services (TOPS) 
to  IDMs  and  fabless  companies  that  need  to  expand 
capacity. 

To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for 
its  customers,  TowerJazz  operates  two  manufacturing 
facilities  in  Israel  (150mm  and  200mm),  two  in  the  U.S. 
(200mm)  and  three  additional  facilities  in  Japan  (two 
200mm  and  one  300mm)  through  TowerJazz  Panasonic 
Semiconductor Co. (TPSCo), established with Panasonic 
Corporation of which TowerJazz has the majority holding. 
Through  technologies,  including  the  most  advanced 
image sensor technologies. For more information, please 
visit www.towerjazz.com or www.tpsemico.com.

CONTACTS: 

Noit Levi | TowerJazz  
+972 4 604 7066 | Noit.levi@towerjazz.com

GK Investor Relations | Gavriel Frohwein 
(646) 688 3559 | towerjazz@gkir.com

This  press  release  includes  forward-looking  statements,  which  are 
subject  to  risks  and  uncertainties.  Actual  results  may  vary  from 
those  projected  or  implied  by  such  forward-looking  statements  and 
you  should  not  place  any  undue  reliance  on  such  forward-looking 
statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, 
risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) demand in our customers’ end 
markets; (ii) over demand for our foundry services and/or products that 
exceeds our capacity; (iii) maintaining existing customers and attracting 
additional  customers,  (iv)  high  utilization  and  its  effect  on  cycle  time, 
yield and on schedule delivery which may cause customers to transfer 
their product(s) to other fabs, (v) operating results fluctuate from quarter 
to quarter making it difficult to predict future performance, (vi) impact 
of our debt and other liabilities on our financial position and operations, 
(vii) our ability to successfully execute acquisitions, integrate them into 
our  business,  utilize  our  expanded  capacity  and  find  new  business, 
(viii)  fluctuations  in  cash  flow,  (ix)  our  ability  to  satisfy  the  covenants 
stipulated  in  our  agreements  with  our  lender  banks  and  bondholders 
(as of December 31, 2016 we are in compliance with all such covenants 
included in our banks’ agreements, bond G indenture and others), (x) 
pending litigation, including the shareholder class actions that were filed 
against  the  Company,  certain  officers,  its  directors  and/or  its  external 
auditor in the US and Israel, following a short sell thesis report issued 
by  a  short-selling  focused  firm,  which  has  been  dismissed  and  closed 

30

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)

December 31,  September 30,  December 31,
2016 

2016 

2015

A S S E T S
  CURRENT ASSETS

  Cash and short term deposits 

  Trade accounts receivable 

Inventories 

  Other current assets 

  Total current assets 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 
  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 

  GOODWILL 
  OTHER ASSETS, NET 

  TOTAL ASSETS 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Short term debt 

  Trade accounts payable 

  Deferred revenue and customers’ advances 

  Other current liabilities 

  Total current liabilities 

  LONG-TERM DEBT 
  LONG-TERM CUSTOMERS’ ADVANCES 
  EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES 
  DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 
  TOTAL LIABILITIES 
  TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

$389,377 

$362,833 

$205,575 

141,048 

137,532 

30,041 

697,998 

25,624 

616,686 

28,129  

7,000 

4,447 

128,979 

143,090 

32,851 

667,753 

24,616 

643,046 

32,687 

7,000 

4,535 

110,065 

105,681 

25,406 

446,727 

11,737 

459,533 

34,468 

7,000 

5,903 

$1,379,884 

$1,379,637 

$965,368 

$48,084  

99,262 

26,169 

73,600 

247,115 

296,144 

41,874 

14,176 

97,961 

697,270 

682,614 

$41,646 

105,745 

25,878 

81,248 

254,517 

330,526 

36,547 

14,169 

107,843  

743,602 

636,035  

$33,259 

91,773 

23,373 

62,714 

211,119 

256,019 

21,102 

14,189  

77,353 

579,782

385,586

  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

$1,379,884 

$1,379,637  

$965,368

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

REVENUES

COST OF REVENUES

  GROSS PROFIT

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

  Research and development

  Marketing, general and administrative

  Nishiwaki Fab restructuring costs and impairment, net

  OPERATING PROFIT

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

OTHER NON CASH FINANCING EXPENSE, NET

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

  PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

  PROFIT BEFORE NON CONTROLLING INTEREST

NON CONTROLLING INTEREST

  NET PROFIT

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

Weighted average number shares

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net profit used for diluted earnings per share

Weighted average number of shares

Three months ended

    December 31,

September 30,

  December 31,   

    2016

    GAAP

2016

GAAP

         2015

        GAAP

$340,379  

$326,209 

$254,602  

252,648 

87,731 

244,915

81,294

190,072 

64,530

15,547

16,787

—

32,334

48,960

(3,272)

(2,210)

5,081

48,559

15,704

15,478

(991)

30,191

34,339

(2,366)

 (12751) (a)

70

19,292

3,459 (b)

 4,779 (b)

16,320  

16,209  

—  

32,529  

55,202  

(2,230)

1,215  

948  

53,239  

(986)

52,253  

(3,972)

52,018

(805)

$48,281  

$51,213

$0.53  

91,234  

$0.58

87,821

$0.49  

$50,397  

103,612  

$0.52

$53,318

101,805

24,071

(1,992)

$22,079

$0.28

79,607

$0.25

$22,079

88,970

(a) Three  months  ended  December  31,  2015  included  $6,998  of  non-cash  financing  expense  due  to  bonds  series  F  accelerated 

conversion.

(b) Three months ended September 30, 2016 included $6,472 income tax benefit due to TJP legal entity closure following Nishiwaki 
Fab cessation of operation announced in 2014; three months ended December 31, 2015 included $6,389 income tax benefit due to 
Japanese income tax rate reduction.

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars and share count in thousands, except per share data)

REVENUES 

COST OF REVENUES 

  GROSS PROFIT 

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

  Research and development 

  Marketing, general and administrative 

  Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cos (Income), net  

  OPERATING PROFIT 
INTEREST EXPENSES, NET 
OTHER NON CASH FINANCING EXPENSE, NET 
GAIN FROM ACQUISITION, NET 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET 

  PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX 

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 

  PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE NON CONTROLLING INTEREST 

NON CONTROLLING INTEREST 

  NET PROFIT (LOSS) 

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER ORDINARY SHARE 

  Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE 
  Net profit used for diluted earnings per share 

  Weighted average number of ordinary shares 

         Year ended December 31,

2015

$960,561

755,196 

205,365 

61,669 

62,793  

(991) 

123,471 

81,894 

(13,179) 

(109,930) (a) 

— 

(190)

(41,405) 

12,278 (b)  

(29,127) 

(520) 

$(29,647) 

$0.40 

74,366 

2016 

  $1,249,634 
946,534  
303,100  

63,134 

65,439 

(627) 

127,946 

175,154  

(11,857) 

(12,492) 

50,471 

9,322 

210,598 

(1,432) (b) 

209,166 

(5,242) 

  $203,924 

$2.33 

87,480 

$2.09

  $212,160

101,303

(a) Year ended December 31, 2015 included $80,815 of non-cash financing expense due to bonds series F accelerated  

conversion.

(b) Year  ended  December  31,  2016  included  $6,472  of  income  tax  benefit    in  relation  to  TJP  legal  entity  closure 
following  Nishiwaki  Fab  cessation  of  operation  announced  in  2014;  year  ended  December  31,  2015  included 
$11,153  income  tax  benefit  resulting  from  expiration  of  statute  of  limitations  and  $6,389  income  tax  benefit  of 
Japanese income tax rate reduction.

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA
(dollars and share count in thousands, except per share data)

RECONCILIATION FROM GAAP NET PROFIT TO ADJUSTED NET 
PROFIT:

GAAP NET PROFIT

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net

  Financing expense, net associated with Bonds Series F    

  accelerated conversion

Income tax benefit, see (1) below

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT PER SHARE

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted, see (2) below

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT USED TO CALCULATE PER SHARE DATA:

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted

NUMBER OF SHARES AND OTHER SECURITIES USED TO  
CALCULATE PER SHARE DATA:

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted, see (2) below

EBITDA CALCULATION:

  GAAP OPERATING PROFIT 

  Cost of revenue:

  Depreciation of fixed assets

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Research and development:

  Stock based compensation

  Marketing, general and administrative:

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net

Three months ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2016

2016

2015

$48,281

$51,213 

$22,079  

2,381 

2,777 

—

—

—

53,439

$0.59

$0.54

$0.52

$53,439

$55,555

$55,555

91,234

103,612

107,121

2,337

2,367

—

—

6,472

49,445

$0.56

$0.51

$0.48

$49,445

$51,550

$51,550

87,821

101,805

107,146

1,975 

2,374

(991)

6,998

6,389

26,046

$0.33

$0.29

$0.27

$26,046

$26,472

$28,440

79,606

91,086

103,477

$55,202

$48,960

$34,339

44,874 

835 

2,589 

557

989

188

 — 

43,110 

936 

2,180 

501

900

187

—

37,841 

686 

2,186 

519

770

188

(991)

EBITDA

$105,234

$96,774

$75,538

(1) Three months ended September 30, 2016 included income tax benefit in relation to TJP legal entity closure following Nishiwaki Fab cessation 
of  operation  announced  in  2014;  three  months  ended  December  31,  2015  included  income  tax  benefit  due  to  Japanese  income  tax  rate 
reduction.

(2) Fully diluted share count includes all issued and outstanding securities; outstanding ordinary share count as of December 31, 2016 is 92,985.

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA
(dollars and share count in thousands, except per share data)

                    Year ended December 31,

   2016

   2015

RECONCILIATION FROM GAAP NET PROFIT TO ADJUSTED NET PROFIT:

GAAP NET PROFIT (LOSS)

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Financing expense, net associated with Bonds Series F accelerated  
  conversion

  Non cash financing expense related to bank loan early repayment

  Gain from acquisition, net

  Other non-recurring items, see (1) below

Income tax benefit, see (2) below

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT PER SHARE

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted

ADJUSTED NET PROFIT USED TO CALCULATE PER SHARE DATA:

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted

NUMBER OF SHARES AND OTHER SECURITIES USED TO  
CALCULATE PER SHARE DATA:

  Basic

  Diluted

  Fully diluted

EBITDA CALCULATION:

  GAAP OPERATING PROFIT 

  Cost of revenue:

  Depreciation of fixed assets

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Acquisition relatd non-recurring costs

  Research and development:

  Stock based compensation

  Marketing, general and administrative:

  Stock based compensation

  Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  Nishiwaki Fab restructuring and impairment cost (income), net

$203,924

9,406

9,780

—

6,653

(50,471)

2,378

(6,472)

$175,198

$2.00

$1.81

$1.71

$175,198

$183,434

$183,434

87,480

101,303

107,121

(29,647)  

7,540 

8,696

80,815

 —

—

(991)

(17,542)

$48,871

$0.66

$0.58

$0.63

$48,871

$48,871

$65,136

74,366

84,902

103,477

$175,154

$81,894

169,958 

151,221 

3,920 

9,029 

3,005

2,119

3,367

751

(627)

2,214 

7,944 

—

1,905

3,421

752

(991)

EBITDA

$366,676

$248,360

(1) Year ended December 31, 2016 included mainly acquisition related costs; year ended December 31, 2015 included mainly Nishiwaki Fab 

restructuring and impairment cost (income), net.

(2) Year ended December 31, 2016 included $6,472 of income tax benefit in relation to TJP legal entity closure following Nishiwaki Fab 
cessation of operation announced in 2014; year ended December 31, 2015 included $11,153 income tax benefit resulting from expiration 
of statute of limitations and $6,389 income tax benefit due to Japanese income tax rate reduction.

35

         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED SOURCES AND USES REPORT
(dollars in thousands)

 Three months ended

Cash and short-term deposits - beginning of period 
  Cash from operations 

Investments in property and equipment, net 

  Exercise of warrants and options, net 

  Debt received (repaid), net 

  Effect of Japanese Yen exchange rate change over cash balance 

(17,353) 

  TPSCo dividend to Panasonic 

  Long-term deposits and investments 

— 

— 

December 31,  September 30,  December 31,
2016 

2016 

2015

$362,833 

$311,062 

$155,348

81,835 

(42,929) 

10,644 

30,041 

86,410 

(54,947) 

21,918 

32,851 

2,336 

— 

(12,500) 

53,180 

(58,291) 

4,168 

25,406 

154

(1,570) 

—

Cash and short-term deposits - end of period 

$389,377 

$362,833 

$205,575

Cash and short-term deposits - beginning of period 
  Cash from operations 

Investments in property and equipment, net 

  Exercise of warrants and options, net 

  Debt received (repaid), net 

  Effect of Japanese Yen exchange rate change over cash balance 

  TPSCo dividend to Panasonic 

  Long-term deposits and investments 

  Nishiwaki employees retirement related payments in connection with its  

  operation cessation

          Year ended

December 31,  December 31,

2016 

2015

$205,575 

327,468 

(209,624) 

38,803 

37,091 

5,635 

(2,563) 

(13,008) 

— 

$187,167

195,213 

(165,489) 

14,424 

903 

(166)

(1,570) 

—

(24,907) 

Cash and short-term deposits - end of period 

$389,377 

$205,575

36

 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)

CASH FLOWS - OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
  Net profit (loss) for the period 

Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss) for the period

to net cash provided by operating activities: 

Income and expense items not involving cash flows: 
  Depreciation and amortization 

  Financing expense associated with debentures series F 

  Effect of indexation, translation and fair value measurement on debt 
  Other expense (income), net 
  Gain from acquisition 

  Changes in assets and liabilities:

  Trade accounts receivable  

  Other current assets 

Inventories 

  Trade accounts payable 

  Deferred revenue and customers' advances 

  Other current liabilities 

  Long-term employee related liabilities 

  Deferred tax liability, net 

  Nishiwaki employee related retirement payments in connection  

  with its operation cessation 

         Year ended December 31,

2016 

2015

  $209,166 

$(29,127) 

197,606 

150 

8,292 
(9,322) 
(50,471) 

(30,104) 

(265) 

(22,069) 

5,550 

(23,581) 

(145) 

(798) 

(3,703) 

— 

168,032 

87,973 

16,078  
190
—

(11,115)

(14,978)

(17,908)

(26,163)

32,725

8,454

(2,036)

(16,912)

(24,907) 

  Net cash provided by operating activities 

327,468 

170,306

CASH FLOWS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Investments in property and equipment, net 

  Long-term deposits and investments, net 

  Net cash used in investing activities 

CASH FLOWS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Debt received, net of repayment 

  Exercise of warrants and options, net 

  Dividend payment to Panasonic 

  Net cash provided by financing activities 

EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD 
  Short-term deposits 

CASH AND SHORT TERM DEPOSITS - END OF PERIOD 

(209,624) 

(17,101) 

(226,725) 

37,091 

38,803 

(2,563) 

73,331 

5,635 

179,709 
175,575 

355,284 

34,093 

389,377 

(165,489)

(30,000)

(195,489)

903

14,424

(1,570)

13,757

(166)

(11,592)

187,167

175,575

30,000

205,575

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOWERJAZZ WORLD HEADQUARTERS

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. 
Ramat Gavriel Industrial Park
20 Shaul Amor Avenue
P.O. Box 619
Migdal Haemek 23105 Israel

Phone: +972-4-6506611
Fax: +972-4-6547788 

INVESTOR RELATIONS &  
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS 

Noit Levy-Karoubi, Vice President
Phone: +972-4-6047066
E-mail: noit.levi@towerjazz.com