Amtech Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results

TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power chips, electronic assemblies and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), today reported results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2019.

First Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial and Operational Highlights from Continuing Operations:

  • Net revenue of $20.7 million
  • Operating income of $1.6 million
  • Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, of $1.3 million, which includes a pre-tax loss of $2.7 million on the sale of R2D
  • Loss per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.09
  • Customer orders of $17.6 million
  • Unrestricted cash of $52.7 million
  • Board of Directors approval to renew our share repurchase program of up to $4 million of outstanding common stock, effective for the next 12 months

Mr. Michael Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "We continue to prepare for the anticipated strengthening of the semiconductor market in the second half of 2020 and for longer-term organic growth opportunities.  We are investing in new product development, market-advancing technologies, our people, capacity expansion and IT systems.  We also continue to evaluate strategic M&A opportunities to build upon our strengths in the high growth areas in semi and silicon carbide."

Mr. Whang continued, "In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we shipped our 300 mm diffusion furnace to a new top-tier, power semiconductor customer.  We have also just announced another order for the 300mm clustered HTR diffusion furnace, further validating our power semiconductor strategy and the market interest in this technology. With this new order we are establishing close relationships with top-tier global power semiconductor customers in North America, Europe and Asia."

GAAP Financial Results

 (in millions, except per share amounts)

Q1


Q4


Q1



FY 2020


FY 2019


FY 2019


Net revenues

$

20.7


$

20.2


$

23.2


Gross profit

$

8.2


$

8.6


$

9.0


Gross margin


40

%


42

%


39

%

Operating income

$

1.6


$

1.7


$

0.7


Operating margin


7.9

%


8.2

%


2.9

%

(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax

$

(1.3)


$

1.0


$

0.2


Diluted (loss) income per share from continuing operations

$

(0.09)


$

0.07


$

0.02


Net revenues increased slightly compared to the preceding quarter and decreased 11% from the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Semiconductor revenue in fiscal Q1 2020 includes the shipment of our 300 mm diffusion furnace to a new top-tier, power semiconductor customer, which contributed to the sequential increase in revenue. Semiconductor revenue decreased compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to lower diffusion furnace shipments. SiC/LED revenue decreased sequentially due primarily to lower machine shipments and was relatively flat compared to the prior year quarter. Gross margin increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to a shift in product mix, while decreasing on a sequential basis primarily due to a higher margin product mix in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Operating margin improved sequentially to 7.9%, primarily due to lower employee-related expenses, partially offset by increased legal fees relating to our solar divestitures. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss from the sale of its automation division, R2D, of $2.8 million. Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $1.3 million, or 9 cents per share. This compares to income of $0.2 million, or 2 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and income of $1.0 million, or 7 cents per share, in the preceding quarter.

As announced previously, we sold our shares of Tempress to Stichting Continuiteit Tempress, an independent foundation ("the Foundation") formed under Dutch law and created for the sole benefit of the employees, customers and suppliers of Tempress. The Foundation is governed by an independent board with members who have restructuring expertise and have no affiliation with Amtech. Effective as of the closing of the sale of Tempress, Amtech has no financial interest in the future losses or profits of the Foundation and will have no further involvement with and no control over the Foundation, absent the right to receive certain limited information from the Foundation pursuant to covenants set forth in the term loan agreement with the Foundation. To-date, we have received repayment of $0.5 million of the loan balance.

Outlook

Our outlook reflects the January 27 announcement by China's government to extend the Lunar New Year holiday and keep enterprises closed until February 9, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Our outlook also builds in estimated time we believe will be required for employees and the supply chain to resume normal work and production levels. The outlook does not account for any future measures taken by the Chinese government in response to the health crisis that could further delay businesses from returning to a normal operating schedule, which could cause our results to be materially lower than the outlook. Lastly, the outlook reflects some historical softness that occurs in our fiscal Q2, attributable to seasonality and the Chinese New Year. For the quarter ending March 31, 2020 (our 2nd fiscal quarter), revenues are expected to be in the range of $10 to $14 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending March 31, 2020 is expected to be in the upper 20's to 30% range, with operating margin negative.

Additionally, in fiscal Q2, we expect to record a pre-tax loss on deconsolidation of Tempress in the range of $12.5 million to $13 million, of which approximately $7.3 million is the recognition of previously recorded accumulated foreign currency translation losses. The total pre-tax loss is not expected to have a material effect on our cash balances from our continuing operations. We also expect to recognize a significant tax benefit relating to this loss, which can be carried over to future years.

The semiconductor equipment industries can be cyclical and inherently impacted by changes in market demand. Additionally, operating results can be significantly impacted, positively or negatively, by the timing of orders, system shipments, and the financial results of semiconductor manufacturers.

A portion of Amtech's results are denominated in Renminbis, a Chinese currency.  The outlook provided in this press release is based on an assumed exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Renminbi.  Changes in the value of the Renminbi in relation to the United States Dollar could cause actual results to differ from expectations.

Conference Call

Amtech Systems will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss first quarter financial results.  Those in the USA wishing to participate in the live call should dial (844) 868-9329. From Canada, dial (866) 605-3852, and internationally, dial (412) 317-6703.  Request "Amtech" when connected to the operator.  A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference call through February 13, 2020.  To access the replay please dial US toll free (877) 344-7529 and enter code 10138192.  Internationally, dial (412) 317-0088 and use the same code.  A live and archived webcast of the conference call can be accessed in the investor relations section of Amtech's website at www.amtechsystems.com.

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. is a leading, global manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power chips, electronic assemblies and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We sell these products to semiconductor and automotive component manufacturers worldwide, particularly in Asia, North America and Europe.  Our strategic focus is on semiconductor growth opportunities in power electronics, leveraging our strength in our core competencies in thermal and substrate processing. We are a market leader in the high-end power chip market (SiC and 300mm silicon horizontal thermal reactor), developing and supplying essential equipment and consumables used in the semiconductor industry. Amtech's products are recognized under the leading brand names BTU International, Bruce TechnologiesTM, and PR HoffmanTM.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release is forward-looking in nature. All statements in this press release, or made by management of Amtech Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Amtech"), other than statements of historical fact, are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). The forward-looking statements in this press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release.  Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding Amtech's future financial results, operating results, business strategies, projected costs, products under development, competitive positions, plans and objectives of Amtech and its management for future operations, efforts to improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness and profitably grow our revenue, the planned divestiture of our solar business, and enhancements to our technologies and expansion of our product portfolio. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "plan," "anticipate," "seek," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project," "should," "would," "could", "likely," "future," "target," "forecast," "goal," "observe," and "strategy" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology used in this press release or by our management, which are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Form 10-K that Amtech filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the year-ended September 30, 2019, listed various important factors that could affect the Company's future operating results and financial condition and could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and expectations based on forward-looking statements made in this document or elsewhere by Amtech or on its behalf.  These factors can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and investors should refer to them.  Because it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, any such list cannot be considered a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts:


Amtech Systems, Inc.

Christensen

Lisa D. Gibbs

Investor Relations

Chief Financial Officer

Patty Bruner

(480) 967-5146

(480) 201-6075

irelations@amtechsystems.com

pbruner@christensenir.com 

 

AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

(NASDAQ: ASYS)

February 6, 2020

(Unaudited)


Summary Financial Information for Continuing Operations

(in thousands, except percentages and ratios)




Three Months Ended




December 31,
2019



September 30,

2019



December 31,

2018


Amtech Systems, Inc.













Revenues, net of returns and allowances


$

20,692



$

20,174



$

23,225


Gross profit


$

8,174



$

8,560



$

9,020


Gross margin



40

%



42

%



39

%

Operating income


$

1,637



$

1,653



$

664


New orders


$

17,625



$

20,344



$

20,613


Backlog


$

13,444



$

17,326



$

23,656


Semiconductor Segment













Revenues, net of returns and allowances


$

17,232



$

15,188



$

18,960


Gross profit


$

7,186



$

6,866



$

7,490


Gross margin



42

%



45

%



40

%

Operating income


$

2,722



$

2,316



$

2,745


New orders


$

15,094



$

16,163



$

16,094


Backlog


$

12,764



$

14,902



$

18,158


SiC/LED Segment













Revenues, net of returns and allowances


$

2,817



$

4,352



$

2,983


Gross profit


$

979



$

1,814



$

1,224


Gross margin



35

%



42

%



41

%

Operating income


$

534



$

1,388



$

769


New orders


$

2,531



$

2,399



$

3,744


Backlog


$

680



$

966



$

3,456


 

AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

(NASDAQ: ASYS)

February 6, 2020

(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)




Three Months Ended
December 31,




2019



2018


Revenues, net of returns and allowances


$

20,692



$

23,225


Cost of sales



12,518




14,205


Gross profit



8,174




9,020











Selling, general and administrative



5,915




6,626


Research, development and engineering



622




866


Restructuring charges






864


Operating income



1,637




664











Loss on sale of subsidiary



(2,793)





Interest income and other, net



(70)




166


(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes



(1,226)




830


Income tax provision



41




582


(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax



(1,267)




248


Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax



(665)




(2,620)


Net loss


$

(1,932)



$

(2,372)











(Loss) Income Per Basic Share:









Basic (loss) income per share from continuing operations


$

(0.09)



$

0.02


Basic loss per share from discontinued operations


$

(0.05)



$

(0.18)


Net loss per basic share


$

(0.14)



$

(0.16)











(Loss) Income Per Diluted Share:









Diluted (loss) income per share from continuing operations


$

(0.09)



$

0.02


Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations


$

(0.05)



$

(0.18)


Net loss per diluted share


$

(0.14)



$

(0.16)











Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic



14,290




14,220


Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted



14,290




14,252


 

AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

(NASDAQ: ASYS)

February 6, 2020

(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)




December 31,
2019



September 30,

2019


Assets









Current Assets









Cash and cash equivalents


$

52,742



$

52,982


Restricted cash






101


Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $134 and $172 at December 31, 2019, and September 30, 2019, respectively)



14,205




12,873


Inventory



15,580




17,532


Income taxes receivable



662





Held-for-sale assets



18,752




22,755


Other current assets



2,156




2,027


Total current assets



104,097




108,270


Property, Plant and Equipment - Net



10,100




10,217


Intangible Assets - Net



804




870


Goodwill - Net



6,633




6,633


Other Assets



651




487


Total Assets


$

122,285



$

126,477


Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity









Current Liabilities









Accounts payable


$

5,097



$

4,371


Accrued compensation and related taxes



1,743




2,717


Accrued warranty expense



461




556


Other accrued liabilities



1,148




1,274


Current maturities of long-term debt



368




371


Contract liabilities



565




1,378


Income taxes payable






1,434


Held-for-sale liabilities



15,168




18,547


Total current liabilities



24,550




30,648


Long-Term Debt



5,085




5,178


Long-Term Lease Liability



34





Income Taxes Payable



3,654




3,199


Total Liabilities



33,323




39,025


Commitments and Contingencies









Shareholders' Equity









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







Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: 14,386,422 and 14,268,797 at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, respectively



144




143


Additional paid-in capital



125,866




125,098


Accumulated other comprehensive loss



(8,560)




(11,233)


Retained deficit



(28,488)




(26,556)


Total shareholders' equity



88,962




87,452


Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity


$

122,285



$

126,477


 

AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

(NASDAQ: ASYS)

February 6, 2020

(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)




Three Months Ended December 31,




2019



2018


Operating Activities









Net loss


$

(1,932)



$

(2,372)


Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:









Depreciation and amortization



406




443


Write-down of inventory



311




557


Deferred income taxes



784




7


Non-cash share-based compensation expense



68




169


Loss on sale of subsidiary



2,793





(Reversal of) provision for allowance for doubtful accounts, net



(59)




44


Other, net



13




106


Changes in operating assets and liabilities:









Accounts receivable



3,296




(2,568)


Inventory



1,025




228


Other assets



(1,458)




7,939


Accounts payable



(1,983)




520


Accrued income taxes



(1,616)




831


Accrued and other liabilities



(486)




(684)


Contract liabilities



(1,330)




(5,866)


Net cash used in operating activities



(168)




(646)


Investing Activities









Purchases of property, plant and equipment



(173)




(152)


Net cash disposed of in sale of subsidiary



(647)





Net cash used in investing activities



(820)




(152)


Financing Activities









Proceeds from the exercise of stock options



701




37


Payments on long-term debt



(103)




(95)


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities



598




(58)


Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash



1,141




(662)


Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash



751




(1,518)


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Year*



59,134




62,496


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Year*


$

59,885



$

60,978




Includes Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash that are included in Held-For-Sale Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amtech-reports-first-quarter-fiscal-2020-results-301000600.html

SOURCE Amtech Systems, Inc.