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                     7.9                   8.2        2.9
                 margin
                                                %
                                                                     %         %


     (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 2(nd) 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 Technologies(TM), and PR Hoffman(TM).

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,                           September 30,              December 31,
                                                                              2019
                                                                                                                      2019                       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 thousan
                ds, 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,               September 30,
                                                                            2019
                                                                                                        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.

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SOURCE Amtech Systems, Inc.