Amtech Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Results

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced thermal processing and polishing equipment and related consumables to the semiconductor / electronics, power IC businesses, solar, and advanced lighting markets, today reported results for its third quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial and Operational Highlights:

    --  Net revenues of $41.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $27.1M, Solar
        $14.1M)
    --  Net income of $5.0 million
    --  Diluted earnings per share of $0.33
    --  Customer orders of $26.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $21.2M,
        Solar $5.0M)
    --  June 30, 2018 backlog of $41.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC*
        $22.3M, Solar $19.0M)
    --  Book to bill ratio of 0.7:1 (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* 0.8:1, Solar
        0.4:1)
    --  Unrestricted cash of $48.7 million

Year-To-Date (9 Months) Fiscal 2018 Financial and Operational Highlights:

    --  Net revenues of $147.6 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $71.7M, Solar
        $75.9M)
    --  Net income of $14.3 million
    --  Diluted earnings per share of $0.94
    --  Customer orders of $92.3 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $72.9M,
        Solar $19.4M)
    --  Book to bill ratio of 0.6:1 (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* 1.0:1, Solar
        0.3:1)

Mr. Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "We are pleased to report third quarter consolidated revenue grew by more than 25%, resulting in improved operating profit compared to the second quarter. Our combined Semiconductor and LED/SiC* segments, representing 66% of total company third quarter sales, delivered revenue growth of 34.1% sequentially, 44.1% year-over-year, and record combined operating profits. The significant drivers of this growth and related operating profits are the demand we are seeing in certain markets including automotive, consumer and industrial electronics, including sensors, power chips, the internet of things ("IoT") devices, and advanced lighting. In our solar business, recent changes in China's domestic solar policies have slowed cell capacity expansion plans. However, we believe follow-on orders for the next phases of the large 1 GW+ turnkey project will be received in the next few quarters and look to participate in other selective growth opportunities as we serve core customers over the long term."

Net revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $41.2 million compared to $32.8 million in the preceding quarter and $47.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The sequential increase is primarily due to increased shipments of our semiconductor equipment. Compared to the prior year quarter, net revenue decreased due to lower shipments of solar equipment for the turnkey project, partially offset by significant increases in Semiconductor and LED/SiC shipments.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2018 were $48.7 million, compared to $51.1 million at September 30, 2017.

At June 30, 2018, our total order backlog was $41.2 million (Semi and LED/SiC* segments $22.3 million, Solar segment $19.0 million), compared to total backlog of $63.1 million (Semi and LED/SiC* segments $28.2 million, Solar segment $35.0 million) at March 31, 2018. Backlog includes deferred revenue and customer orders that are expected to ship within the next 12 months. We have excluded from reported backlog approximately $5.8 million of solar customer orders that are not expected to ship in the next twelve months.

Gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was 35%, compared to 36% in the preceding quarter and 32% in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Sequentially, gross margin was relatively flat, with product mix changes increasing solar gross margin and decreasing semiconductor gross margin. Compared to the prior year quarter, gross margin on products from our Solar segment increased due to recognition of previously deferred revenue, while gross margin on products from our Semiconductor and LED/SiC segments decreased due to product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $9.5 million, compared to $9.5 million in the preceding quarter and $10.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in SG&A from the prior year quarter is due primarily to decreased employee-related expenses, partially offset by higher commissions and selling expenses related to higher revenues in our Semiconductor segment.

Due to the ongoing challenges we are experiencing in our Solar segment, we are implementing a restructuring plan ("the Plan"). Once fully implemented, we expect the Plan to reduce operating costs by approximately $3 million on an annualized basis. The Plan is to better align our workforce with the current needs of our business and enhance our competitive position for long-term success. Under the Plan, we will reduce our Solar workforce by approximately 35-40 employees. We expect to record approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million of related costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Research, development and engineering (RD&E) expense was $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $2.2 million in the preceding quarter and $1.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

Effective June 29, 2018, we sold our remaining 15% ownership interest in Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited for approximately $5.7 million. We recognized a gain of approximately $2.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and recorded a short-term note receivable of $5.7 million. The note is due in August 2018.

Income tax in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was an expense of $1.4 million compared to a benefit of $2.8 million in the preceding quarter and expense of $1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The tax benefit recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 is primarily due to the resolution of an uncertain tax position.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $5.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.25 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and net income of $2.8 million or $0.19 per diluted share in the preceding quarter.

*Note: LED/SiC (silicon carbide) refers to our Polishing segment. Combined Semi and LED/SiC refers to the sum of our Semiconductor and LED/SiC segments. Solar refers to our Solar segment, which includes products sold for semiconductor applications of no more than 25% of the segment's totals. The Combined Semi and LED/SiC amounts above are non-GAAP measures, as they are a subtotal of two separate segments. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A tabular reconciliation of financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures is included in the Summary Financial Information table in this press release.

Outlook

The company expects revenues for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 to be in the range of $26 to $28 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 is expected to be in the upper 20 to lower 30 percent range, with operating margin negative, partly due to expected restructuring costs in the quarter.

The solar and 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 net impact of revenue deferral on shipments, recognition of revenue based on customer acceptances and the financial results of solar and semiconductor manufacturers. The results for the coming quarters will be significantly influenced by the timing of future orders of the 1GW turnkey project and the timing of meeting start-up milestones of the turnkey production lines.

A substantial portion of Amtech's revenues are denominated in Euros. The revenue outlook provided in this press release is based on an assumed exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Euro. A significant decrease in the value of the Euro in relation to the United States Dollar could cause actual revenues to be lower than anticipated.

Conference Call

Amtech Systems will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss third quarter fiscal 2018 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 August 16, 2018. To access the replay please dial US toll free (877) 344-7529 and enter code 10122655. Internationally, dial (412) 317-0088 and use the same code. A live and archived web cast 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 global supplier of advanced thermal processing and polishing equipment and related consumables to the semiconductor / electronics, power IC businesses, solar, and advanced lighting manufacturing markets. Amtech's equipment includes diffusion, solder reflow systems. wafer handling automation, ALD and PECVD systems and polishing equipment and related consumables for surface preparation of various materials, including silicon carbide ("SiC"), sapphire and silicon. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing, polishing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation, and deposition steps used in the fabrication of semiconductors, printed circuit boards, semiconductor packaging, solar cells, MEMS, and advanced lighting, including the polishing of newly sliced sapphire and silicon wafers. Amtech's products are recognized under the leading brand names BTU International, Bruce Technologies(TM), PR Hoffman(TM), Tempress Systems(TM), R2D Automation(TM )and SoLayTec.

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). 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, and plans and objectives of Amtech and its management for future operations. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology or our management 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, as amended, that Amtech filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the year-ended September 30, 2017, 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

              Robert T. Hass               Investor Relations

              Chief Financial Officer      Patty Bruner

              (480) 967-5146               (480) 201-6075

              irelations@Amtechsystems.com pbruner@christensenir.com


    AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

    (NASDAQ: ASYS)

    August 9, 2018

    (Unaudited)


    Summary Financial Information

    (in thousands, except percentages and ratios)
    --------------------------------------------


                                                                    Three Months Ended

                                                June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018   June 30, 2017
                                                ------------- --------------   -------------

    Amtech Systems, Inc.

       Revenues, net of returns
        and allowances                                               $41,200                   $32,783  $47,760

       Gross profit                                                  $14,599                   $11,725  $15,502

       Gross margin                                       35%                            36%      32%

       Operating income                                               $2,936                       $65   $3,971

       New orders                                                    $26,207                   $28,759  $79,949

       Book-to-bill ratio                               0.7:1                          0.9:1    1.7:1

       Backlog                                                       $41,231                   $63,115 $125,744
       -------                                                       -------                   ------- --------

    Semiconductor Segment

       Revenues, net of returns
        and allowances                                               $23,472                   $16,582  $15,951

       Gross profit                                                   $8,721                    $7,075   $6,428

       Gross margin                                       37%                            43%      40%

       Operating income                                               $3,861                    $2,257   $2,250

       New orders                                                    $17,871                   $19,227  $23,354

       Book-to-bill ratio                               0.8:1                          1.2:1    1.5:1

       Backlog                                                       $20,764                   $26,366  $26,966
       -------                                                       -------                   -------  -------

    Solar Segment

       Revenues, net of returns
        and allowances                                               $14,134                   $12,598  $28,981

       Gross profit                                                   $4,584                    $3,110   $7,948

       Gross margin                                       32%                            25%      27%

       Operating (loss) income                                         $(85)                 $(1,903)  $2,991

       New orders                                                     $5,029                    $7,000  $54,203

       Book-to-bill ratio                               0.4:1                          0.6:1    1.9:1

       Backlog                                                       $18,960                   $34,955  $98,223
       -------                                                       -------                   -------  -------

    LED/SiC Segment

       Revenues, net of returns
        and allowances                                                $3,594                    $3,603   $2,828

       Gross profit                                                   $1,294                    $1,540   $1,126

       Gross margin                                       36%                            43%      40%

       Operating income                                                 $938                    $1,111     $738

       New orders                                                     $3,307                    $2,532   $2,392

       Book-to-bill ratio                               0.9:1                          0.7:1    0.8:1

       Backlog                                                        $1,507                    $1,794     $555
       -------                                                        ------                    ------     ----


    AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

    (NASDAQ: ASYS)

    August 9, 2018

    (Unaudited)


    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (in thousands, except per share data)
    ------------------------------------


                                                 Three Months Ended June 30,        Nine Months Ended June 30,

                                                  2018                       2017       2018                   2017
                                                  ----                       ----       ----                   ----

    Revenues, net of
     returns and
     allowances                                           $41,200                     $47,760                       $147,594  $109,839

    Cost of sales                               26,601                       32,258                100,933             77,499

    Gross profit                                14,599                       15,502                 46,661             32,340


    Selling, general and
     administrative                              9,541                       10,108                 29,599             25,366

    Research, development
     and engineering                             2,122                        1,423                  6,295              4,586
                                                 -----                        -----                  -----              -----

    Operating income                             2,936                        3,971                 10,767              2,388


    Gain on sale of other
     assets                                      2,883                            -                 2,883                  -

    Income (loss) from
     equity method
     investment                                    232                        (110)                   234              (200)

    Interest and other
     expense, net                                  310                         (34)                   224              (151)
                                                   ---                          ---                    ---               ----

    Income before income
     taxes                                       6,361                        3,827                 14,108              2,037

    Income tax provision
     (benefit)                                   1,390                          986                  (150)             1,270
                                                 -----                          ---                   ----              -----

    Net income                                   4,971                        2,841                 14,258                767
                                                 -----                        -----                 ------                ---


    Add: net loss
     attributable to
     noncontrolling
     interest                                        -                         446                      -             1,045
                                                   ---                         ---                    ---             -----

    Net income
     attributable to
     Amtech Systems, Inc.                                  $4,971                      $3,287                        $14,258    $1,812
                                                           ======                      ======                        =======    ======


    Income Per Share:

    Basic income per
     share attributable
     to Amtech
     shareholders                                           $0.33                       $0.25                          $0.96     $0.14

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding                         14,925                       13,242                 14,867             13,203

    Diluted income per
     share attributable
     to Amtech
     shareholders                                           $0.33                       $0.25                          $0.94     $0.14

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding                         15,091                       13,398                 15,181             13,288


    AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

    (NASDAQ: ASYS)

    August 9, 2018

    (unaudited)


    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (in thousands, except share data)
    --------------------------------

                                                June 30,           September 30,
                                                     2018                      2017
                                                     ----                      ----

    Assets
    ------

    Current Assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                              $48,729                     $51,121

    Restricted cash                                 6,876                      24,640

    Accounts receivable

    Trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $1,441 and $866 at June 30, 2018, and
     September 30, 2017, respectively)             27,627                      22,519

    Unbilled and other                             14,748                      14,275

    Inventories                                    22,590                      30,210

    Note receivable                                 5,738                           -

    Vendor deposits                                 1,802                      11,806

    Other                                           2,688                       2,542
                                                    -----                       -----

    Total current assets                          130,798                     157,113

    Property, Plant and Equipment - Net            16,314                      15,792

    Intangible Assets - Net                         3,039                       3,495

    Goodwill - Net                                 11,342                      11,405

    Investments                                         -                      2,615

    Deferred Income Taxes - Long-Term                   -                        200

    Other Assets - Long-Term                          948                       1,003
                                                      ---                       -----

    Total Assets                                          $162,441                    $191,623
                                                          ========                    ========

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    ------------------------------------

    Current Liabilities

    Accounts payable                                       $12,579                     $21,555

    Accrued compensation and related taxes          6,539                       7,592

    Accrued warranty expense                        1,223                       1,254

    Other accrued liabilities                       3,077                       2,056

    Customer deposits                              15,065                      48,784

    Current maturities of long-term debt              371                         361

    Deferred profit                                 3,560                       4,081

    Income taxes payable                            2,246                         286
                                                    -----                         ---

    Total current liabilities                      44,660                      85,969

    Long-Term Debt                                  8,028                       8,134

    Income Taxes Payable - Long-Term                3,334                       7,037
                                                    -----                       -----

    Total Liabilities                              56,022                     101,140

    Commitments and Contingencies

    Stockholders' Equity

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

    Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000
     shares authorized;                               150                         147

    shares issued and outstanding: 14,986,620
     and 14,710,591 at June 30, 2018, and
     September 30, 2017, respectively

    Additional paid-in capital                    128,083                     125,564

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss          (9,373)                    (8,529)

    Retained deficit                             (12,441)                   (26,699)
                                                  -------                     -------

    Total stockholders' equity                    106,419                      90,483
                                                  -------                      ------

    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity            $162,441                    $191,623
                                                          ========                    ========


    AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.

    (NASDAQ: ASYS)

    August 9, 2018

    (unaudited)


    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    (in thousands)
    -------------


                                                                Nine Months Ended June 30,

                                                                2018                    2017
                                                                ----                    ----

    Operating Activities

      Net income                                                        $14,258                          $767

      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used
       in) provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                              1,622                            1,871

    Write-down of inventory                                      195                              448

    Capitalized interest                                         143                              307

    Deferred income taxes                                        206                             (10)

    Non-cash share based compensation
     expense                                                     632                              978

    (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant
     and equipment                                              (53)                             107

    Gain on sale of other assets                             (2,883)                               -

    (Gain) loss from equity method
     investment                                                (234)                             200

    Provision for (reversal of) allowance
     for doubtful accounts, net                                   64                            (898)

      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    Restricted cash                                           17,956                          (3,576)

    Accounts receivable                                      (5,877)                         (8,997)

    Inventories                                                6,565                            (245)

    Accrued income taxes                                     (1,742)                             742

    Vendor deposits and other assets                          10,034                          (5,521)

    Accounts payable                                         (9,022)                           6,616

    Customer deposits and accrued
     liabilities                                            (34,025)                          17,526

    Deferred profit                                            (486)                             626
                                                                ----                              ---

      Net cash (used in) provided by
       operating activities                                  (2,647)                          10,941
                                                              ------                           ------

    Investing Activities

      Purchases of property, plant and
       equipment                                               (845)                           (355)

      Proceeds from sale of property, plant
       and equipment                                              64                               39

      Costs related to sale of equity method
       investment                                                (6)                               -

      Net cash used in investing activities                    (787)                           (316)
                                                                ----                             ----

    Financing Activities

      Proceeds from the exercise of stock
       options                                                 1,889                              894

      Payments on long-term debt                               (275)                           (485)

      Borrowings on long-term debt                                 -                             384

      Net cash provided by financing
       activities                                              1,614                              793
                                                               -----                              ---

    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on
     Cash and Cash Equivalents                                 (572)                              87
                                                                ----                              ---

    Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and
     Cash Equivalents                                        (2,392)                          11,505

    Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning
     of Period                                                51,121                           27,655
                                                              ------                           ------

    Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of
     Period                                                             $48,729                       $39,160
                                                                        =======                       =======

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SOURCE Amtech Systems, Inc.