Amtech Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Results

TEMPE, Ariz.: Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer handling automation, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power chips and solar cells, today reported results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2018.

First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net revenues of $29.5 million (Combined Semi and SiC/LED* $21.9M, Solar $7.5M)
• Net loss of $2.4 million, including restructuring expense of $0.9 million
• Loss per share of $0.17
• Customer orders of $24.7 million (Combined Semi and SiC/LED* $19.8M, Solar $4.9M)
• December 31, 2018 backlog of $41.3 million (Combined Semi and SiC/LED* $21.6M, Solar $19.7M)
• Book to bill ratio of 0.9:1 (Combined Semi and SiC/LED* 0.9:1, Solar 0.7:1)
• Unrestricted cash of $56.0 million

Mr. J.S. Whang, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “We are pleased to announce that our Semi and SiC/LED segments delivered combined operating income of $3.5 million. However, our first quarter financial results show the negative impact from our Solar segment operating loss. We have undergone a review of the many factors impacting our advanced-technology solar solutions business and are currently aligning our solar operations with what we expect to be a low demand sales environment for the foreseeable future.”

Mr. Whang continued, “As we continue our overall review of our business, our focus is on generating positive cash flow and profitable growth.  The semi business, although cyclical, serves markets where there is ongoing strong demand and growth opportunities for our products.  And, in select markets, we have the potential to significantly outperform the broader market’s pace of growth.  Over the longer term, we look to grow our business through organic innovation and strategic external opportunities that further expand our business and can deliver results that best position our company to enhance value for our stakeholders.  We believe our combined Semi and SiC/LED polishing business provides significant opportunity to enhance the value of Amtech Group in the near and longer terms.”

Net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $29.5 million compared to $28.8 million in the preceding quarter and $73.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Sequentially, revenue for Semi and SiC/LED was down slightly, which was more than offset by higher Solar revenue as we began shipments for the previously announced TOPCon order. Compared to the prior year quarter, net revenue decreased due primarily to lower shipments of solar equipment for the turnkey project. Our semiconductor shipments are affected by the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and also experience quarter-to-quarter variability based on the timing of orders and the delivery schedules established by one of our customers.  In December 2018, we were notified by our turnkey customer that the contract for Phase II has been terminated. As a result, we will not perform the final installation and integration of our equipment. Final settlement of the contract is under review. We have removed from backlog the deferred revenue related to this remaining work and do not expect any future orders relating to this project.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 were $56.0 million, compared to $58.3 million at September 30, 2018.

At December 31, 2018, our total backlog was $41.3 million (Semi and SiC/LED* segments $21.6 million, Solar segment $19.7 million), compared to total backlog of $51.1 million (Semi and SiC/LED* segments $23.7 million, Solar segment $27.4 million) at September 30, 2018.  Backlog includes deferred revenue and customer orders that are expected to ship within the next 12 months.

Gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was 31%, compared to 29% in the preceding quarter and 28% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  Sequentially and compared to prior year, gross margin increased, primarily due to a higher margin product mix with a greater proportion of Semi and SiC/LED shipments and increased recognition of previously deferred profit.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $8.2 million, compared to $7.9 million in the preceding quarter and $10.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  Sequentially, SG&A increased primarily due to legal expenses relating to our restructuring efforts in our Solar segment.  SG&A decreased compared to prior year because our Solar segment incurred higher commissions, freight, personnel and other expenses related to the shipment of the equipment for Phase II and commencement of installation of the turnkey project incurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Restructuring expense was $0.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. We did not have any restructuring expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Research, development and engineering (RD&E) expense was $1.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to $1.5 million in the preceding quarter and $2.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $0.6 million compared to $0.4 million in the preceding quarter and $1.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $2.4 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and net loss of $9.0 million or $0.61 per share in the preceding quarter, as we continued to incur costs but no revenue related to the turnkey project.  The net loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was primarily due to the $7.0 million non-cash impairment charge in the Solar segment.

*Note:  SiC/LED (silicon carbide) refers to our Polishing segment.  Combined Semi and SiC/LED refers to the sum of our Semiconductor and SiC/LED 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 SiC/LED 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 March 31, 2019 to be in the range of $27 to $29 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending March 31, 2019 is expected to be in the mid to upper 20 percent range, with operating margin expected to remain negative due to the continuing headwinds faced by the Solar segment.

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 recognition of revenue based on customer acceptances, the net impact of revenue deferral on shipments and the financial results of solar and semiconductor manufacturers.

A substantial portion of Amtech’s revenues are denominated in Euros and Renminbis.  The revenue outlook provided in this press release is based on an assumed exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Euro and the Renminbi.  A significant decrease in the value of the Euro and/or Renminbi 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 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 14, 2019.  To access the replay please dial US toll free (877) 344-7529 and enter code 10128097.  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, plans and objectives of Amtech and its management for future operations, efforts to improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness and greater China sourcing.  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 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, 2018, 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.

Source: Amtech Systems, Inc.