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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____ TO _____
COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-21154
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NORTH CAROLINA 56-1572719
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
2810 MERIDIAN PARKWAY, SUITE 144, DURHAM, NC 27713
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (919) 361-5709
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, $.005 PAR VALUE
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No[ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of August 8, 1997 was approximately $175,729,164 (based on the
closing sale price of $17.13 per share).
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock, $0.005 par value per
share, outstanding as of August 8, 1997 was 12,563,948.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in
connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held November 11, 1997
are incorporated by reference into Part III.
1
CREE RESEARCH, INC
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
INDEX
PAGE
PART I
Item 1. Business 3
Item 2. Properties 15
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 15
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 15
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 16
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 16
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 18
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 23
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosures 44
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 44
Item 11. Executive Compensation 44
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management 44
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 44
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 45
Signatures 50
2
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS
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Cree Research, Inc. ("Cree" or "the Company") was incorporated in North
Carolina in 1987. The Company develops, manufactures and markets electronic
devices using silicon carbide ("SiC") and other wide bandgap semiconductor
material technology. The Company believes that, for certain applications,
SiC-based semiconductor devices offer significant advantages over products based
on other semiconductor materials. The Company was founded to commercialize the
production of SiC material, and to develop and market SiC-based semiconductor
products.
Cree has developed a proprietary process for the growth of SiC crystals
and their fabrication into wafers and semiconductor devices. The first
commercial application of this technology was a light-emitting diode ("LED")
that takes advantage of the ability of SiC material to emit blue light. The
Company's first LED product was introduced in October 1989. The Company believes
that it is currently the principal commercial manufacturer of SiC wafers and
SiC-based blue LED chips in the world although blue LEDs are produced by
competitors using materials other than SiC.
The Company markets its blue LED chip products principally to customers
who incorporate them into surface mounted LED and packaged lamp components for
resale to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). Cree began to ship volume
quantities of the blue LED in fiscal 1991 and 1992. In 1995, Cree released an
improved LED using gallium nitride on silicon carbide materials technology. The
Company has since worked to ramp up its manufacturing capacity for this product.
The Company also sells SiC wafer products to corporate, government, and
university research laboratories. These customers utilize the material as the
basis for research into SiC based electronic devices or the development of
prototypes of such devices. The Company also is engaged in a variety of research
programs related to the advancement of SiC process technology and the
development of electronic devices that take advantage of SiC's unique physical
and electronic properties. These research projects are primarily funded by
federal government agencies and departments and corporate partners.
In August 1994, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Real
Color Displays, Inc. ("RCD"), to develop and market full color LED moving
message displays. As an entry into this business, RCD acquired the assets of a
Hong-Kong based company engaged in the sale of moving message signs. Vertical
integration into the LED display market was seen as a means for the Company to
enhance its core position in LED chip production. RCD's strategy is to target
the low-end full color moving message display market, which is comprised of one
and two-line message signs that display text messages and single graphics. These
products are used in a variety of applications such as retail point of sale
advertising, information signs, casino displays, transportation signs and market
information tickers. During the second half of fiscal 1996, Cree introduced a
new LED based product, marketed as the "Real Color Module(TM)" component, which
the Company sells to OEMs for use in building large area video and graphic
display systems. This product has become the primary focus for the future of the
Company's display business.
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NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS PRODUCTS
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BLUE LEDS
Cree introduced its blue LED chip product in fiscal 1990 and has since
developed several generations of blue LED products, including a more robust chip
introduced in fiscal 1997 that can withstand higher amounts of electrostatic
discharge. Inexpensive LED lamps that produce red and green light have been
available for many years. The Company has been working continuously to reduce
the cost of its blue LED chip. Cree believes that the rate of market development
is significantly dependent on pricing for the blue LED chip. Certain competitors
offer blue LEDs at selling prices higher than the Company's prices. The
commercial availability of the blue LED, in conjunction with red and green,
enables the creation of lamps and displays capable of producing any color in the
visible spectrum by combining blue with other previously available colors. There
are two primary areas of the LED market that the Company's blue LED product
is currently serving; the markets for solid-state lighting components and
displays. The Company's blue LED chips are presently being used or designed into
applications such as automotive lighting and full-color displays.
The Company supplies blue LED chips that OEMs use to manufacture
solid-state light components. Single lamp red, green, or blue indicators can be
used for consumer electronics, industrial instrumentation, automotive, and
military applications that require a full spectrum of colors. The Company
anticipates that the market for single blue LED lamps will also increase
significantly, once the pricing of these products is similar to that of the red
and green LED products available today. During fiscal 1997, the Company was able
to significantly reduce its cost to manufacture an upgraded blue LED product
through higher throughput and greater yields. If the Company can continue this
trend, it will allow the Company greater flexibility in pricing to customers in
the future.
Blue LEDs combined with red and green LEDs allow the development of
full color displays. Such displays are currently being marketed in various
formats by customers of the Company for indoor messaging and advertising
applications. The majority of the market for LED-based display applications is
in the Far East. The Company's principal customers who serve the display market
are located in China, Taiwan and Japan. Cree also sells the LED product to
European and domestic accounts.
WAFER PRODUCTS
The Company manufactures wafer materials that are supplied to three
markets: corporate, government and university programs. These wafers are
currently being used in research and development applications by these
customers. Each order may be sold as a bare wafer or customized by adding
epitaxial films, depending upon the nature of the devices that the customer
intends to develop. The application areas for these devices may include high
frequency, high power and high temperature uses. Wafer prices vary
substantially, depending upon the customer's specifications. The potential
market for wafers depends on whether the Company's customers are successful in
creating commercial products using SiC materials.
4
MODULES
The Company markets a modular LED-based component to customers as a
building block for indoor customized video and graphic display systems. The
product is a low profile full-color LED sub-assembly for use in both large and
small scale full-color LED display systems and features a 170 degree viewing
angle. It uses surface mount pixels which combine the three primary color LED
chips, which are then assembled into very thin modules and can be combined to
form any size display.
Due to the potentially diverse market for LED display systems, the
Company cannot effectively address all opportunities at the display system level
and therefore the Company has chosen a strategy of supplying modules directly to
well established LED display system suppliers. This approach maximizes the
efficiency of the Company's sales resources and minimizes the capital
investments that would need to be made as a systems supplier and does not place
the Company in competition with potential display system customers. The Company
has recently re-focused operations and is offering four standard products which
are being laboratory qualified.
MOVING MESSAGE SIGNS
The Company's Real Color Displays subsidiary has been manufacturing
full color moving message sign products since its inception in August of 1994.
The Company is able to produce a variety of color moving message products at
costs which are comparable to multi-three-color signs by utilizing the
betagraphing technology which RCD acquired. The sign products range in
brightness from indoor to "high-bright", which is suitable for store window
applications. These products provide a low cost and effective way of displaying
text messages which can be easily changed and updated. The possible applications
for these displays include point of sale advertising and informational signs. As
with the module business, the Company has also re-focused operations and intends
to market eight standard products, along with a limited custom business,
depending on the size of the order.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company is engaged in a number of research and development
projects. Some projects have the goal of developing commercial products for the
market in the near term. Other projects have longer term goals. There can be no
assurance as to the successful development of commercial products or the timing
thereof. All of the Company's products are developed internally and have been
evolved based on proprietary materials using silicon carbide. Most of the
projects currently under development are also derivatives of the base
proprietary materials.
The Company partners with the Federal government in many of its current
research and development efforts. By entering into contracts, the Company has
most of its research and development costs funded by the U.S. Government.
Contracts are awarded to the Company to fund both short term and long term
research projects. Funding for projects with near term applications for the
Company typically include a cost-share arrangement. Projects that may not have
readily available production applications or projects that relate to longer term
development are normally awarded on a cost plus basis with built in margins
exceeding 5%. Pursuant to each contract, the amount of funding is determined
based on cost estimates that include direct costs, plus an allocation for
research and development, general and administrative costs, and the cost of
capital expenses. Cost-plus funding is determined based on actual costs plus a
set percentage margin. For cost-share contracts, the actual costs are divided
between the U.S. Government and
5
the Company based on the terms of the contract. The government's cost share is
then funded to the Company. The contracts typically require the submission of a
written report to document the results of such research.
For financial reporting purposes, the Company includes funding for all
cost-plus and cost-share contracts, where the Company anticipates that total
funding will exceed direct costs over the life of the contract, as contract
revenue. All associated direct costs for these contracts are reported as cost of
contract revenue. For cost-share contracts where the Company anticipates that
costs will exceed funding over the life of the contract, funding is reflected as
a reduction of research and development expenses, while direct costs are
reported as research and development expenses. During fiscal years 1997, 1996
and 1995, the Company spent $9,411,000, $5,572,000, and $4,072,000,
respectively, for direct expenditures relating to product research and
development activities. During the same periods, the U.S Government funded
$8,760,000, $5,721,000 and $4,348,000, respectively, for direct and indirect
expenses. The Company expects to continue to support substantial research and
product development projects during the next fiscal year.
The following applications are currently under research and development
by the Company:
SILICON CARBIDE MATERIAL
The Company continually conducts research aimed at improving the
quality of its wafers and enhancing its epitaxial process. The Company believes
it can increase the volume of its wafers while lowering manufacturing costs, and
permiting the development of more complex devices. The key determinant that will
enable the manufacture of a more complex device, such as power semiconductors,
is the substrate quality and wafer size. Epitaxial thickness, lower micropipe
density and the elimination of variation are important factors to improve yield,
marketability and lower cost. A larger two inch wafer size, which the Company
expects to introduce in fiscal 1998, will also better fit most production
fabrication facilities. The Company continues work on a $6.2 million contract
awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ("DARPA") to fund this
research and development. The contract runs through May 1998.
LOW COST BLUE LED CHIPS
In fiscal 1995 Cree developed a blue LED die, that was much brighter
than its prior generation blue LED. The brighter chip was developed by
depositing a thin layer of gallium nitride (GaN) on a SiC substrate as opposed
to a SiC thin film on SiC substrate. The upgraded chip has a wider range of
potential applications in indoor display and other uses.
In order for the product to approach the acceptance of the red and
green LED, the Company's management believes the price of the chip must be
significantly reduced. In order to reduce the cost of production, the Company
must attain success in modifying the chip structure to allow for smaller die and
increasing the wafer size to two inches in diameter. Both of these modifications
are expected to significantly reduce unit costs by improving the die per wafer
yield. The development of these processes is expected to be completed in fiscal
1998, although there can be no assurance that this goal will be achieved. In
addition to the change in chip structure, the Company is also working to place
in production a conductive buffer version of its LED product. The conductive
buffer version is expected to significantly reduce costs of the epitaxial and
clean room steps in the LED manufacturing process. If the Company does not
achieve appropriate
6
increases in yields, then costs would fail to decline significantly and the
Company's ability to generate acceptable margins would be impaired.
HIGH-POWER RADIO FREQUENCY AND MICROWAVE TRANSISTORS
The Company is working to develop high-power radio frequency and
microwave transistors. Such devices could eventually have important applications
in cellular phone base stations, high-power solid-state broadcast systems for
television and radio, satellite communications, radar search and detection
equipment and electronic counter measure systems.
During fiscal 1997, the Company reported the development of SiC
transistors that operate at frequencies up to 50 gigahertz ("GHz"). In addition,
Motorola has previously completed power measurements on the devices and has
determined that the transistors operate at 2.8 watts per millimeter at 1.8 GHz.
This power density is two to three times higher than that normally achieved with
equivalent silicon or gallium arsenide devices. Recently, the Company has
achieved success by dramatically improving device yields. Cree's goal is to
create repeatable power levels in excess of 50 watts and across frequencies from
1 to 10 gigahertz. Although prototype devices have been developed, additional
development work is needed to achieve commercial viability. During fiscal 1997,
the Company has secured significant funding from Naval Research Laboratories,
DARPA, and the Army Research Laboratories to advance this research. The former
contract runs through February 1998, and the latter two contracts run through
1999.
BLUE AND ULTRAVIOLET ("UV") LASER DIODES
The storage capacity of optical disk drives can be increased
significantly by utilizing a laser diode capable of emitting short wavelength
light. The Company believes that a laser diode fabricated from gallium nitride
and related materials deposited on SiC substrates could be capable of
emitting a shorter blue wavelength light than that of the longer wavelength red
or infrared lasers used today. This technology could potentially increase the
storage capability of optical disk drives by a factor of four to five. This
increased storage capability could lead to advances in CD-ROM data storage and
audio and video compact disc applications. The government's interest in the blue
laser diode is for the next generation of high density optical recording and
playback systems as well as lightweight countermeasure and covert communication
systems for the military. In April, 1995 the Company began work on a two year
$4.0 million contract from DARPA to develop a blue laser diode. The Company
also entered into a joint research agreement with Philips
Laboratories-Briarcliff ("Philips") in March 1995 to cooperate in the
development of the blue laser diode; this agreement, which was originally
scheduled to expire in March 1997, is being terminated effective September 30,
1997.
Additional funds were allocated to the development of the blue laser
diode in June of 1996 when DARPA awarded $4.3 million to be spent over a three
year period. The deliverable specified in the latest DARPA contract is for Cree
to demonstrate a blue laser diode within a certain range of wavelengths and
power outputs with a greater than 1,000 hour life. Commercial lasers typically
have a specification for 1,000 to 10,000 hours of useful life. As a part of this
development, in June 1997, Cree announced that it was capable of demonstrating
an electrically pulsed GaN based blue laser with an operating lifetime in excess
of one hour. In addition, in July 1997 the Company also announced that it has
demonstrated a continuous wave laser operation at room temperature. Improved
high reflectivity facet coatings, which lowered the threshold current for
lasing, were applied to achieve this result. The continuous wave emission lasted
for more than
7
fifteen seconds. Improvements in the laser structure obtained by facet coating
reduces device heating and allows for continuous operation. Substantial work is
still needed to produce a blue laser capable for commercial application. In
order to promulgate interest and advance this technology, the Company will seek
aggressive corporate partners to assist with this research in the near future.
There can be no assurance that a commercial product will result from this
research and development effort.
HIGH-POWER SEMICONDUCTORS
The Company is working on the development of prototype high power
devices that, if successfully developed, could have many significant uses. Such
devices could be very important in applications involving power conditioning and
regulation. Potential application areas include variable speed drives for
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting ballasts, industrial
motor controls, uninterruptable power supplies and power drive components for
electric vehicles.
Cree continues to make progress in improving the quality of its SiC
material, improving processes for fabricating devices and improving device
designs. However, there is no assurance that further work will result in
improvements in processes, material quality and end products that are necessary
to introduce such products to market. Also, it is anticipated that the Company
will need to develop methods to reliably produce wafers of a three inch diameter
in order to make such devices economically viable. There can be no assurance
that this will be accomplished.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE DEVICES
The Company has developed prototype SiC-based transistors and
rectifiers that operate at very high temperatures. These high-temperature
semiconductors have potential applications in the aerospace and automotive
industries. For example during fiscal 1997, Cree demonstrated the first
complementary MOS (CMOS) operational amplifiers in SiC. The CMOS technology
increased the gain of the SiC devices by a factor of 100, and could operate at
temperatures as high as 660 F. These devices could be used to amplify low level
sensor signals directly on the engine block of an automobile engine to measure
engine performance. This allows the optimization of fuel economy by adjusting
engine performance during operation. In addition, these devices could find use
in applications such as down hole drilling equipment, space-based power systems
and electronic vehicles. Although prototype devices have been developed for some
of the applications mentioned, additional development work is needed to achieve
commercial viability. This area of development will not be a priority for the
Company during the next fiscal year.
NONVOLATILE RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES ("NVRAMS")
Cree has been investigating the possible development of SiC-based NVRAM
products. SiC-based NVRAMs may be able to retain an electrical charge for an
extended period without being refreshed. The Company believes that SiC-based
NVRAMs could be capable of "write" speeds many times faster than silicon-based
nonvolatile memory devices. The Company is nearing the completion of a $4.8
million contract with the Office of Naval Research ("ONR").
The Company has conducted a review of all of its development efforts
and has determined that the cost and time involved for commercialization of such
devices is too great, and accordingly, the Company does not expect to continue
efforts in this area.
8
GEMSTONE APPLICATIONS
Under a development agreement entered into with a related party, C3,
Inc. ("C3"), in June 1997, the Company has undertaken a five-year program
directed to development of near-colorless single crystalline silicon carbide
material for use in gemstones as a diamond substitute. C3 will pay Cree's direct
costs of the development effort, plus a percent margin on certain costs.
Improved material resulting from the development program are expected to be
supplied to C3 under a separate supply agreement between the parties, which
provides for prices based on Cree's production costs plus a specified margin.
Materials purchased by C3 under the supply agreement may be used solely for the
fabrication and sale of gemstones. See Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
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The Company believes that the formation of strategic alliances with
other companies is a viable strategy for more quickly developing its technology,
bringing certain products to market and defraying investment in resources.
Cree and Siemens A.G. ("Siemens") entered into a Development, License
and Supply Agreement in fiscal 1996 to work jointly on the development of a
green LED using gallium nitride on silicon carbide substrates, as well as
improvements to Cree's blue LED product. Siemens is a major manufacturer of LED
lamps for their merchant components business. In addition to undertaking the
joint development program, Siemens committed to pay a $1.5 million license fee,
to license certain epitaxial and fabrication technology from Cree for use in the
manufacture of green and blue LEDs. The agreement also includes provisions under
which Cree will supply a portion of Siemens' requirements for blue and green
LEDs and wafer products required for the manufacture of such LEDs. In September
1996, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Siemens, pursuant to
which Siemens agreed to purchase blue LED chips made using the Company's gallium
nitride-on-silicon carbide technology. In March 1997, the Purchase Agreement was
amended to provide for enhanced product specifications requested by Siemens and
extend the non-cancelable portion of the agreement through September 1997. By
partnering with Siemens on the continued enhancement of the gallium nitride on
silicon carbide LED technology, the Company expects to gain increased acceptance
for its products and technology in Europe and elsewhere.
Also, in September 1996, the Company entered into a License and
Technology Transfer agreement and a related Supply Agreement with Shin-Etsu
Handotai Co. Ltd. ("Shin-Etsu") and other parties. Pursuant to these agreements,
the Company granted Shin-Etsu a license to use certain epitaxial and device
fabrication process technology for the manufacture of the Company's blue LED
product and agreed to supply silicon carbide wafers required to manufacture the
licensed product. The license agreement provides for a payment of a license fee
and running royalties based on a percentage of sales of products made using the
licensed technology. The Company expects that this agreement will help establish
the visibility of its gallium-nitride-on- silicon carbide technology for the
blue LED chip in the Far Eastern markets.
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
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The Company markets its blue LED chips domestically and in a number of
foreign countries. Because the production of lamp and display products
incorporating LED chips is
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concentrated among a relatively small number of manufacturers, the Company uses
an executive sales approach to market its LED chips. In Japan the Company
markets its LED products and SiC wafers through its distributors Sumitomo
Corporation and Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd. pursuant to a three-year
Distributorship Agreement signed in June 1995. The Company markets its SiC wafer
products throughout the rest of the world via a small direct sales staff.
The Company currently distributes the majority of its LED-based modules
directly to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). The OEMs in turn
manufacture, sell and generally install modular based display systems at their
customers' sites.
The majority of moving message signs are sold through the Company's
subsidiary, RCD, via a network of international distributors and sales
representatives in South America, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Rim and
Canada. RCD also employs a direct sales program and uses a dealer network to
market a portion of its products in the United States. In addition, RCD produces
product as an OEM for other marketing and distribution companies.
COMPETITION
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The semiconductor industry is intensely competitive and is
characterized by rapid technological change, price erosion, and intense foreign
competition. The Company believes that it currently enjoys a favorable position
in the existing and potential emerging markets for SiC-based products and
materials primarily as a result of its proprietary SiC-based technology.
However, the Company faces potential competition from a number of established
domestic and international semiconductor companies, each of which is conducting
SiC-related research and development. Many of these companies have greater
engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and financial capabilities than the
Company.
The Company's primary competition for the blue LED product comes from
Nichia Chemicals ("Nichia") and Toyoda Gosei, companies headquartered in Japan,
who currently market blue LED lamps that are brighter than the Company's LED
product. The sales price for Cree's LED is presently lower than the standard
price of the product offered by Nichia. However, there can be no assurance that
Nichia will not achieve economies of scale in its production process that will
result in lower pricing.
Cree has developed its product by growing GaN on SiC substrates for the
subsequent fabrication of the blue LED. The primary competitor, Nichia, uses a
sapphire substrate process. Cree's vertical chip has a lower cost primarily as a
result of its size. Cree's chip is 44% of the size of the current competitive
chip. Thus, SiC substrates can be 2.25 times the cost of sapphire and still be
competitive on a price per chip basis assuming all other processing costs are
the same. Nichia's sapphire substrate requires a larger chip because sapphire is
an insulator material, and as such, requires a horizontal device with both
contact ends at the top of the device. The Cree SiC product is a conductive
substrate, which allows one contact point on the top and the other on the
bottom, allowing for a more narrow vertical device. Furthermore, because all red
and green chips are vertical devices, Cree's vertical structure facilitates
rapid acceptance in existing LED component assembly operations. The Company has
an issued patent related to GaN LEDs fabricated on SiC substrates entitled "High
Efficiency Light Emitting Diodes From Bipolar Gallium Nitride", U.S. Patent No.
#5,210,051.
In addition to Nichia, other LED companies are known to be funding
development programs in the area of GaN, including, but not limited to: Toshiba,
Sharp and Rohm. Also,
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Hewlett Packard recently released a blue LED chip which the Company believes is
presently available in only limited quantities and at prices comparable to
Nichia's, which are higher than Cree's prices. The Company also believes that
the Hewlett Packard chip is on a similar substrate as Nichia's products.
The ability of the Company to compete successfully in existing and
future markets for its products will depend on factors both within and outside
its control. These factors include, but are not limited to, success in designing
and manufacturing new products that implement its proprietary SiC-based
technology, improvements of existing products, improvements in its SiC-based
process technology, increasing production capability of GaN-on-SiC products,
protection of its products by effective utilization of intellectual property
laws, improvements in product quality, performance and reliability, diversity of
product line, the rate at which customers incorporate the Company's components
into their products, product introductions by the Company's competitors, and
general domestic and international economic conditions. There is no assurance
that the Company's competitive position will not be adversely affected by one or
more of these factors in the future, particularly in view of the fast pace of
technological change in the semiconductor industry.
SOURCES AND AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS
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The Company depends on single or limited source suppliers for a number
of raw materials and components used in its SiC wafer products and LEDs,
including certain key materials and equipment used in its crystal growth,
wafering, polishing, epitaxial deposition, device fabrication, and device test
processes. The Company generally purchases these single or limited source
materials and components pursuant to purchase orders and has no guaranteed
supply arrangements with such suppliers. In addition, the availability of these
materials and components to the Company is dependent, in part, on the Company's
ability to provide its suppliers with accurate forecasts of its future
requirements. Production of many materials used in semiconductor manufacturing
is limited to one or a few manufacturing facilities worldwide. Disruption of
production at one or more of these facilities represents a risk for the entire
semiconductor industry. However, smaller companies, such as Cree, may be at
greater risk than larger companies if supplies of any materials become scarce as
suppliers may favor their larger customers in allocating their products. Any
interruption in the supply of these key materials or components could have a
significant adverse effect on the Company's operations.
CUSTOMERS
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During fiscal 1997, sales to Siemens A.G. pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement signed in September 1996 and amended in April 1997, accounted for 29%
of total revenue for the Company. In addition, total LED and wafer sales to
Siemens comprised 51% of total product revenue for the year. The loss of Siemens
as a customer could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations
if the Company were unable to replace the volume with another strategic partner.
In addition, during fiscal 1997, contract revenue included 99% of sales from the
Department of Defense. For the year ended June 30, 1996, Siemens and Sumitomo
accounted for 16% and 16% of product revenues, respectively. For the same
period, contract revenues consisted entirely of U.S. Government contracts, with
97% from the Department of Defense. For the year ended June 30, 1995, two
customers accounted for 24% of product revenues. For the same period, contract
revenues consisted entirely of U.S. government contracts, 95% from the
Department of Defense.
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BACKLOG
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As of June 30, 1997, the Company had a firm backlog of approximately
$17.5 million consisting of approximately $ 9.2 million of product orders and
$8.3 million of executed research contracts with the U.S. Government. This
compares to a firm backlog level of $15.5 million as of June 30, 1996, which
consisted of approximately $2.1 million of product orders and approximately
$13.4 million of executed research contracts with the U.S. Government.
Approximately $3.1 million and $10.9 million of the backlog at June 30, 1997 and
June 30, 1996, respectively, relates to cost sharing arrangements under
agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense. The total estimated costs to be
unfunded by the U.S. Government relating to cost share arrangements, which
concludes in July 1999, is $603,000. The orders supporting the 1997 product
backlog amounts are expected to be shipped in fiscal 1998. However, this is a
forward-looking estimate of the amount expected to be shipped, and future events
may cause the percentage actually shipped to change.
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company licenses ten U.S. patents from North Carolina State
University ("NCSU"), and holds thirty-two additional domestic patents of its own
or owned jointly. Cree also has license to sixteen foreign patents issued on the
NCSU technology and twenty five foreign patents issued on Cree applications.
Cree has twenty three patent applications of its own pending in the United
States and also has sixty-three foreign patent applications pending. In addition
to its patent rights, the Company relies upon certain proprietary know-how and
trade secrets in its manufacturing process and has entered into non-disclosure
agreements to protect its proprietary technology with both employees and parties
outside of the Company.
The Company earns a material amount of its revenues in overseas
markets. While the Company has applied for patent protection for certain of its
technologies and products in some of these markets, there can be no assurance
that such markets will be subject to the Company's intellectual property rights.
THE NCSU LICENSE. In 1987, the Company entered into a license agreement
with NCSU pursuant to which the Company was granted a worldwide, fully paid,
exclusive license to manufacture, use, and sell products and processes covered
by the claims of ten U.S. patent applications filed by NCSU relating to SiC
materials and SiC-based semiconductor devices, some of which also have been
filed in foreign countries. Ten patents were subsequently issued with respect to
eight of those applications, with expiration dates between 2007 and 2009.
Sixteen of the foreign filings have been issued with expiration dates from 2006
through 2011. Under the terms of the license, the U.S. Office of Naval Research
has retained an interest in the licensed technology for certain military
applications.
CREE'S PATENTS. Since its inception, the Company has been granted
thirty-two U.S. patents of its own or jointly owned. These patents expire
between 2007 and 2014. The Company has filed a number of these patent
applications in foreign countries, twenty five of which have been issued. In
addition, the Company has in the past entered into, and intends to continue to
seek, joint research and development programs to develop new SiC-based devices.
These efforts have resulted in several joint patents where the Company has
exclusive, worldwide rights to its use. The Company has a joint patent with
Purdue University pertaining to certain nonvolatile memory devices, two joint
patents with General Electric Corporation ("GE"), and one joint patent with
NCSU.
12
Although the Company has not received any claims that its products
infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties, there can be no assurance
that third parties will not assert infringement claims against the Company in
the future with respect to current or future products or that such assertion may
not require the Company to enter into royalty arrangements, prevent the Company
from selling products, or result in protracted or costly litigation.
Because of rapid technological developments in the semiconductor
industry and the broad and rapidly developing patent and mask-work coverage, the
patent position of any semiconductor device manufacturer, including that of the
Company, is subject to uncertainties and may involve complex legal and factual
issues. Consequently, although the Company holds certain patents, is licensed
under other patents, and is currently pursuing additional patent applications,
there can be no assurance that patents will be issued from any pending
applications or that claims allowed by any existing or future patents issued or
licensed to the Company will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented, or
that any rights granted thereunder will provide adequate protection to the
Company. Moreover, the Company may be required to participate in interference
proceedings to determine the priority of inventions, which could result in
substantial costs to the Company.
EMPLOYEES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of June 30, 1997, the Company employed 207 people, all of which are
located in the United States. None of the Company's employees are represented by
a labor union or subject to collective bargaining agreements. The Company
believes relations with its employees are excellent.
RISK FACTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ownership of the Company's common stock is subject to a number of
risks, including the following: Since inception, the Company has derived a
significant portion of its revenue from U.S. government funded research
contracts. Over the same period, the Company has also made a sizable portion of
its product sales to customers for evaluation purposes. Although the Company
believes that, over the past few years, the majority of its blue LED chips have
been sold for incorporation into end-user commercial products, a number of
customers are still evaluating the blue LED. Therefore, on-going sales of
significant volumes of this and other products cannot be assured. In addition,
the Company faces competition from other companies that have introduced blue LED
products. Although the Company believes its blue LED is superior and is
available at lower prices, there can also be no assurance that existing and new
competitors will not introduce products that are more competitively priced or
are superior to the Company's blue LED.
The Company must continue to improve its production yields in order to
reduce costs and grow revenue. Production yield problems or missed efficiencies
may have an adverse effect on the Company's operations. Should the Company
experience protracted problems in the production of its key components or the
operation of its proprietary manufacturing systems, its ability to deliver its
products could be materially impacted. The Company is also dependent on a
limited source of suppliers for a number of raw materials and components used in
its SiC wafer products and LED's. An interruption in the supply of these items
could cause the Company's manufacturing efforts to be damaged and result in
customer dissatisfaction.
The Company relies on a small number of customers for much of its
sales. At present, the majority of the LED sales are made to Siemens pursuant to
the parties' Purchase Agreement
13
executed dated September 1996, and amended in April 1997. This agreement calls
for shipments through December 1997, subject to certain cancellation provisions.
The cancellation of the current contract, or the failure to extend this
agreement, could have a material adverse effect on the business and prospects of
the Company. Dependence on one or a few customers may require the Company to
agree to unfavorable contract terms and conditions that could cause contracts to
be unprofitable. Likewise, the failure of the Company to diversify its customer
base could limit the prospects for the blue LED business.
The Company has, and is expected to continue to have, a substantial
percentage of its sales to foreign companies, primarily in Asia and Europe.
There can be no assurance that the Company's current intellectual property
position will be enforceable in foreign countries to the extent it is
enforceable in the United States. In addition, the Company's international sales
may be subject to government controls and other risks, including export
licenses, federal restrictions, changes in demand resulting from currency
fluctuations, political instability, trade restrictions, changes in tariffs and
collection of accounts receivable.
To remain competitive, the Company must continue to invest substantial
resources in research and development. The Company's prospects for long-term
success are substantially dependent on its ability to continue to increase the
performance of its blue LED product and to increase production efficiency. The
successful introduction of the smaller die size, combined with the larger two
inch diameter wafer, which is expected to increase yield and lower production
costs, is very important to the Company achieving its development goals.
Furthering the need for enhanced efficiency is the expected decline in the
average sales price for the LED product in fiscal 1998. Without the smaller die
and two inch wafer implementations, the Company may not maintain or realize
growth in the LED business.
The patents and other proprietary rights of the Company may not
prevent the competitors of the Company from developing noninfringing technology
and products that are more attractive to customers than the technology and
products of the Company. The technology and products of the Company could be
determined to infringe the patents or other proprietary rights of others.
Over the past several years, the Company has been awarded a number of
contracts from agencies of the United States government for purposes of
developing SiC material and SiC-based semiconductor devices. Government policy
is constantly changing, therefore, there can be no assurance that the Company
will enter into any additional government contracts, or, if such contracts are
entered into, that they will be profitable or produce contract revenue. In
addition, there can be no assurance that after any such contracts are entered
into, changing government regulations will not significantly alter the benefits
of such contracts that can be expected to inure to the Company. Cutbacks in, or
reallocations of federal spending, including changes which could be proposed or
implemented in the future, could have a material, adverse impact on the
Company's results of operations, as well as its ability to implement its
research and development programs.
The Company's quarterly operating results have varied significantly as
a result of a number of factors, including the timing and market acceptance of
new product introductions by the Company, the timing of significant orders from
and shipments to customers, non-recurring license fee income, and general
domestic and international economic conditions. The Company's operating results
may fluctuate in the future as a result of these and other factors, including
the Company's success in developing, introducing , and shipping new products;
its product mix; and the level of competition that it experiences.
14
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company leases space for its manufacturing and primary research and
development facilities, which occupy 23,800 and 1,900 square feet, respectively,
in the same building in Durham, North Carolina. The leases expires in December
2001 and October 1998, respectively. The Company has also leased approximately
15,300 square feet of additional space in the same building to accommodate its
marketing and administration functions, warehousing for inventory and facilities
for its subsidiary Real Color Displays, Inc. The lease for this space expires in
January 1998. In addition, the Company also leases approximately 13,200 square
feet in a separate building in Durham, North Carolina, for its device
fabrication and test processes. This lease term expires in August 2000. The
Company continues to lease approximately 3,000 square feet of office and
warehouse space in Morrisville, North Carolina, which is currently subleased to
a third party; this lease has been renewed through January 1998.
The Company has entered into a contract to purchase real property
consisting of approximately thirty acres of land on which exists on a 145,000
square foot production facility and a total of 35,000 square feet of service and
warehouse buildings. This property is located in Durham County, North Carolina,
in the vicinity of the Research Triangle Park. The purchase price under the
contract is $3,000,000. The Company is currently evaluating the property and has
the right to terminate the contract without liability during a specified
feasibility period. If the Company chooses to purchase this facility, it will
relocate all of its operations over the next few years.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On October 25,1996, a putative class action lawsuit alleging violations
of the federal securities laws was filed against the Company and certain of its
officers and directors in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of
North Carolina. A substantially similar action was filed in the same court on
December 20, 1996. The two actions were consolidated and lead plaintiffs were
appointed by order of the court dated February 5, 1997. Plaintiffs filed a
consolidated amended complaint on March 17, 1997. In the amended complaint,
plaintiffs seek to represent a class of all persons who purchased the Company's
common stock between February 1, 1996, and July 2, 1996 ( the "Class Period").
They assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as well as claims of negligent misrepresentations and common law fraud,
based upon alleged material misrepresentations and omissions during the Class
Period. The amended complaint does not specify the damages sought.
On May 2, 1997, the defendants moved that the amended complaint be
dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and
other grounds. As of August 8, 1997, the motions to dismiss remain pending
before the court, and the court has not certified the action as a class action.
Management believes that the action is without merit and intends to contest it
vigorously.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.
15
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Common Stock Market Information. The Company's common stock is traded
-------------------------------
in the NASDAQ National Market System and is quoted under the symbol "CREE". The
following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale
prices as reported by NASDAQ and as adjusted for the two-for-one stock split
effective August 14, 1995. Quotations represent interdealer prices without an
adjustment for retail markups, markdowns or commissions and may not represent
actual transactions.
FY 1997 FY 1996
------- -------
High Low High Low
First Quarter $15-3/4 $8-1/4 $31-1/2 $14-1/8
Second Quarter $14 $8-7/8 $26-1/2 $12-1/2
Third Quarter $15-7/8 $9-3/8 $19 $11
Fourth Quarter $15-1/8 $9-1/2 $21-1/2 $13-3/4
Holders and Dividends. There were approximately 376 holders of record
of the Company's Common Stock as of August 8, 1997.
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does
not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. There are no
contractual restrictions in place that would limit the Company from paying
dividends on its common stock, but applicable state law may limit the payment of
dividends. The present policy of the Company is to retain earnings, if any, to
provide funds for the operation and expansion of its business.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The consolidated statement of operations data set forth below with
respect to the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the consolidated
balance sheet data at June 30, 1997 and 1996 are derived from, and are qualified
by reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial
statements and notes thereto. The consolidated statement of operations data for
the years ended June 30, 1994 and 1993 and the consolidated balance sheet data
at June 30, 1995, 1994 and 1993 are derived from audited consolidated financial
statements not included herein.
16
Selected Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended June 30,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations Data:
Product revenue, net $19,823 $9,689 $5,989 $3,534 $3,859
Contract revenues 6,535 3,945 3,011 3,956 2,463
License fee income 2,615 1,423 - - -
Total Revenue 28,973 15,057 9,000 7,490 6,322
Net income (loss) 3,542 243 (17) (431) 594
Net income (loss) per share $0.27 $0.02 $0.00 $(0.04) $0.07
Weighted average shares
outstanding 13,126 12,615 10,367 10,337 8,602
Years Ended June 30,
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital $21,013 $18,596 $9,971 $11,006 $15,852
Total assets 50,137 43,796 20,924 20,018 20,309
Long-term obligations 1,638 - - 14 23
Shareholders' equity 45,125 40,672 19,504 19,334 19,669
o The Company has not declared a dividend on common stock since its
inception
o The years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995 include the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Real Color Displays, Inc.
17
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE
COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN FORWARD LOOKING
STATEMENTS
In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, readers of this document are advised
that this document contains both statements of historical facts and forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated by the forward looking statements. Examples of forward looking
statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections of revenues, income
or loss, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure
and other financial items, (ii) statements of the plans and objectives of the
Company or its management or Board of Directors, including product enhancements,
or estimates or predictions of actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or
regulatory authorities, (iii) statements of future economic performance, and
(iv) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about
the Company and its business.
This document also identifies important factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking
statements. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's ability to lower
LED costs, gain a larger customer base, price products competitively, increase
product yields and reduce chip size, infringement of intellectual property
rights and licenses of the Company or others, actions of competitors, the
effects of government regulation, both foreign and domestic, availability of
U.S. government funded research contracts, possible delays in the introduction
of new products, customer acceptance of products or services and other factors,
which are described herein. See Item 1, Business, Risk Factors.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended June 30, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997"), Cree posted record
revenue and net income of $28,973,000 and $3,542,000 or $0.27 per share,
respectively. These results reflect an increase in revenue and net income of
$13,916,000 and $3,299,000, respectively over the prior year. Product revenue,
which includes LED and wafer sales, module display products and Real Color
Displays, Inc. ("RCD") moving message sign sales, reflect a 105% increase over
fiscal 1996 results. Comparatively, product revenue also increased 62% during
fiscal 1996 over 1995 amounts.
During fiscal 1997, a significant portion of the rise in product
revenue was directly attributable to higher blue light-emitting diode ("LED")
volume, which was prompted by the purchase agreement signed in September 1996
and amended in April 1997, with Siemens A.G. ("Siemens"). That agreement and its
amendment, provided sales in excess of $8 million for fiscal 1997. As of June
30, 1997, the Company has shipped all quantities required to be shipped by that
date under the terms of the agreement. The amendment to the purchase agreement
provides for enhanced product specifications requested by Siemens. The
specifications require that all LEDs be tested to meet a maximum rating for
resistance to electrostatic discharge. In exchange for the higher grade chip,
Siemens agreed to make non-cancelable all shipments scheduled through September
30, 1997. Shipments scheduled for October through December 1997, may be
canceled, subject to a cancellation fee. As of June 30, 1997, approximately 25
million chips remain to be shipped under the amended contract, of which 15
million are subject to cancellation at Siemen's option. Additionally, the
amendment provides for higher prices per unit on items shipped early in
18
the contract, with amounts being reduced as volume increases in the latter part
of the contract. The higher pricing, much of which has already been recognized
in fiscal 1997, was negotiated to offset increased per unit costs incurred
during the third and fourth quarters of 1997 to meet enhanced specifications.
Further reductions in per unit costs are required to provide a consistent profit
margin on future sales and is expected from a combination of improvements made
in the production process for yield, other processing efficiencies and the
effective utilization of plant assets. There can be no assurance that these
efficiencies will be achieved. Under the amended contract, revenues received
from Siemens for shipments are also subject to certain foreign currency
provisions, whereby Siemens will receive discounts if the conversion rate of the
German mark to the U.S. dollar at the date of shipment has averaged 1.75 or more
for the preceding thirty days. LED sales also increased by 279% in 1996 over
1995 amounts due to capacity and yield improvements made during that year.
The Company is currently focusing on obtaining additional LED customers
who are interested in ordering commercial volumes of the product. If the Company
is unable to expand its customer base, its revenue and earnings growth potential
could be adversely impacted. The Company believes that in order to significantly
grow market demand for the LED product and defray competition, it must
substantially lower prices. To offer lower pricing to customers, the Company
must reduce unit costs of production. The Company is currently working on two
projects which it expects will reduce the unit cost per chip. The first is
expected to reduce the size of each chip while continuing to use existing
processes, thereby increasing the number of chips yielded per wafer. The second
initiative is expected to increase the overall wafer size to a two inch diameter
structure. This effort will also increase the yield per wafer, thus
substantially lowering the overall cost of the LED product. The Company's goal
is to complete both of these projects during the first half of fiscal 1998.
While the Company's average sales price per unit for the LED product in 1997
remained consistent with 1996 levels, the price is projected to fall during 1998
as the Siemens amended purchase agreement includes a lower unit price in the
second half of the contract. In addition, if the Company achieves increased
volume from other customers a lower average sales price is expected. If the
Company is unable to successfully manufacture the new chip structures described
above, profits are anticipated to deteriorate during fiscal 1998. This situation
would curtail market development and growth for the Company's LED business. The
anticipated reduction in the average sales price in 1998 is expected to be
offset with greater LED volume, assuming that the revised chip structure is
successful.
In the middle and latter portion of fiscal 1997, material wafer sales
began to experience an improved pattern of orders as the worldwide research
community is gaining a better acceptance of the SiC technology, and the Company
continues to make improvements to the quality of its SiC material. Accordingly,
wafer sales volume increased approximately 42% over 1996 levels. In addition,
the Company was able to realize a slight increase in its average sales price due
to the mix of premium wafer products with low defect levels that were more
readily available during 1997. Overall, wafer sales were 60% higher than 1996
amounts. During 1998, the Company expects to continue to supply wafers largely
for research efforts, as customers have not yet proven the effectiveness of the
product for commercial applications. During fiscal 1996, wafer sales grew 27% or
$927,000 over 1995 amounts, due to additional plant capacity installed during
that year.
In July 1997, the Company announced development and supply agreements
with a related party, C3, Inc. ("C3"), to develop and supply bulk single crystal
silicon carbide for gemstone applications. Pursuant to the development
agreement, the Company has undertaken a five-year program directed to
development of near-colorless single crystalline for use in gemstones as a
diamond substitute. C3 will pay Cree's direct costs of the development effort,
plus a percentage
19
margin on certain costs. Improved material resulting from the development
program will be supplied to C3 under the supply agreement, which provides for
prices based on Cree's production costs plus a specified margin. Material
purchased by C3 under the supply agreement may be used solely for the
fabrication and sale of gemstones. During fiscal 1997 and 1996, the Company sold
material products to C3. Those sales were at margins consistent with those
achieved in connection with sales of similar products to the Company's other
customers.
Financial results for the displays product line includes sales of both
modules and sign products. Revenue for the modules business increased by 76% in
fiscal 1997 over prior year results due to increased volume as the product was
introduced in fiscal 1996. Moving message sign sales by RCD, the Company's
subsidiary, suffered a 53% decline in revenue over 1996 amounts due to a 48%
decrease in volume. This reduction was prompted by a long term strategic shift
in focus of the Company to the module product line, which has a longer sales
lead time. The moving message sign business relies heavily on distributor and
small independent customers. While the Company continues to use its best efforts
to market and sell moving message signs, the modules product line is considered
to be a better fit for long term initiatives, as it requires fewer resources and
aligns with the distribution network of other customer partners. For fiscal
1998, the Company has reduced the number of standard product offerings in both
of these businesses and will concentrate on increasing sales of these standard
products. The average sales prices from both products remained consistent with
1996 levels. Revenue for the displays business grew 11% or $185,000 during
fiscal 1996 from 1995 amounts due to the introduction of the modules line of
business during that year.
Research contract revenue increased 66% to $6,535,000 during 1997 and
31% in fiscal 1996 from 1995 amounts. Higher revenues were generated as a result
of more funding being made available from the U.S. government for certain
research contracts, primarily in the areas of microwave, blue laser and basic
material development. Also, additional plant capacity in both years have enabled
more research to be performed by the Company.
Included in revenue for fiscal 1997, is a one-time license fee of
$2,615,000. This license fee was earned pursuant to a License and Technology
Transfer Agreement entered into in September 1996 with Shin-Etsu Handotai Co.
Ltd. ("Shin Etsu"). Pursuant to this agreement, the Company granted Shin-Etsu a
license to use certain epitaxial and device fabrication process technology for
the manufacture of the Company's LED product. The license fee is payable in
installments, with all funds collected as of June 30, 1997, with the exception
of a $500,000 payment due on June 30, 1998. The Company also recorded an accrued
expense of $186,000 payable in June 1998 to a third party that brokered the
agreement. Results for fiscal 1996 include a one-time net license fee revenue of
$1,423,000. This license fee was earned pursuant to a Development License and
Supply Agreement entered in October 1995 with Siemens, in which the Company
granted Siemens a license to use certain technology to manufacture blue and
green LED products. These license agreements were entered into to allow the
Company to increase interest in the GaN-on-SiC materials technology used in its
LEDs in both Europe and Asia. In addition, if the licensed technology is put
into commercial production by these corporate partners, it is anticipated that
they will continue to purchase SiC wafer materials from the Company, although
there is no contractual requirement to do so. As of August 1997, Siemens and
Shin-Etsu have not begun commercial production using the licensed technology.
The Company's gross margin increased 177% to $9,878,000, or 34% of
revenue for fiscal 1997. The Company's gross margin as a percentage of sales was
24% and 33% in 1996 and 1995 respectively. License fee revenue, which has no
corresponding cost, is included in both 1997 and
20
1996 results. Without license fees, gross margins would have been $7,263,000 or
28% of revenue for fiscal 1997 and $2,145,000 or 16% of revenue for the
comparative period in 1996. The overall increase in margin in 1997 stems from
higher throughput, which more effectively utilized plant capacity, and yield
efficiencies on LED and wafer products, which lowered the cost of production per
unit. While the Company has demonstrated a lower per unit cost during 1997, much
of the success was due to higher volumes processed relating to the Siemens
purchase agreement. This greater throughput enabled the Company to spread fixed
cost investments over a larger volume of product. Higher margins in the future
are largely contingent on the Company's ability to increase the volume of LEDs
produced, by gaining a larger customer base and by the successful application of
the research and development projects. In addition, as a result of the
anticipated decline in the average sales price to be received in 1998, to
maintain competitive margins, the Company must also enhance its chip structure
to allow for smaller chips and larger wafers. If the Company is unable to
improve efficiency under the new chip standards or gain orders for additional
volume, gross margin could be negatively impacted. Gross margin deteriorated in
1996 from 1995 levels, due to disappointing manufacturing yields and
insufficient utilization of the significant investments made in additional plant
capacity.
The Company benefits from research and development efforts sponsored by
U.S. government contracts, corporate sponsors and internal funding. Contracts
are awarded to the Company to fund both short term and long term research
projects. Funding for projects with near term applications for the Company
typically include a cost-share component that the Company is responsible for
absorbing. Projects that may not have available production applications or
require longer term development are usually awarded on a cost-plus basis with
built in margins exceeding 5%.
During fiscal 1997, the Company changed its policy for reporting
government contract activity. Reporting is now based on the nature of the
contract. For contracts under which the Company anticipates that funding will
exceed direct costs, all funding is reported as revenue and direct costs are
reported as cost of revenues. For contracts under which the Company anticipates
that direct costs will exceed funding, costs are reflected as research and
development expenses with the related funding amounts offsetting these costs.
Research and development costs have increased by 42% to $1,826,000 in
1997 due to substantial work performed on two cost-share contracts to further
the blue laser research. Net costs to the Company for these projects were
$671,000 and $367,000 for 1997 and 1996, respectively. Both of these cost-share
contracts will conclude during the first half of 1998. Additionally, research
and development costs for 1997, include a one-time write off of $93,000 for the
closure of the Company's Eastern European Division. The Eastern European
Division, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, was a research group performing
some of the Company's basic material and device development work.
Sales and general and administrative expenses increased 47% to
$4,301,000 for the period ended June 30, 1997, compared to 1996 due to overall
cost increases to support the growth of the Company. As a percentage of revenue,
these costs have decreased to 15% in 1997 from 19% and 25% in 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Increased costs include recruiting and salary expenses for
additional sales personnel to focus the business on gaining new LED customers,
the brokerage fee (a net present value of $172,000) associated with generating
license fee revenue and greater legal fees in connection with the defense of the
pending securities class action lawsuit (see Part I, Item 3). The Company
anticipates that sales and general and administrative expenses may continue to
rise in future periods as it expands sales efforts and as a result of the
pending litigation.
21
Other (income) expense includes a net $762,000 one-time charge
associated with disposal costs for fixed assets and expenses arising from
abandoned patent applications. This amount was partially offset by proceeds
received from an insurance settlement for lost profits associated from a
temporary plant shut down that was caused by a natural disaster.
Net interest income decreased by $260,000 in 1997 over 1996 results and
increased by $405,000 when comparing 1996 to 1995, due to higher investable cash
balances available in fiscal 1996. The Company concluded a private equity
placement in September 1995, that increased available cash in 1996.
During 1997, the Company's effective tax rate was 5%. The rate was
lowered from statutory levels due to the utilization of federal and state net
operating loss carryforwards. The 1997 tax provision consists primarily of
Japanese foreign tax withholdings on license fee income. The Company anticipates
that the effective tax rate will increase substantially in fiscal 1998 since the
remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards will not offset as high a
percentage of projected pre tax book income.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided by operations reached a record $5,859,000 in 1997
compared with cash used in operations of $1,636,000 and $562,000 in 1996 and
1995, respectively. This increase was driven primarily from profitability. The
increase in cash used in 1996 over 1995 amounts was caused by a significant
increase in accounts receivable and inventory balances. If the Company achieves
its goal of increasing customer demand and implements the two research and
development projects related to reducing production costs, the Company expects
that cash provided by operations will increase in 1998 and will be sufficient to
fund all anticipated capital additions required.
The number of trade average days sales outstanding was reduced to 55
for 1997 from 96 and 57 days experienced in 1996 and 1995, respectively, due to
a focused collections effort put forth during the year.
The Company invested $7,974,000 in capital equipment during 1997
compared to $14,740,000 and $3,486,000 spent during 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Much of the 1997 plant capacity additions were made in the crystal growth and
epitaxial departments. At this time, the Company anticipates additions in 1998
to be at a similar level to amounts spent in 1997 and intends to fund these
additions through cash provided by operations and cash on hand. During 1996, a
significant investment was made for equipment related to the production of the
LED and wafer products. Additional investments were also made in the crystal
growth and wafer processing areas. Financing activities provided the Company
$20,924,000 during fiscal 1996. The majority of the funding was provided by the
September 1995 private placement which yielded approximately $17.5 million.
OUTLOOK: ISSUES AND UNCERTAINTIES
Cree does not provide a forecast for future financial performance.
While management is optimistic about the Company's short and long term
prospects, the issues and uncertainties, described in PART I, Item 1,
Business, Risk Factors, should be considered in evaluating its growth outlook.
22
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Accountants 24
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 1997 and 1996 25
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996
and 1995 26
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996
and 1995 27
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended June 30, 1997,
1996 and 1995 29
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 30
Financial Statement Schedule
- ----------------------------
Report of Independent Accountants on Supplemental Schedule 49
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 50
23
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Cree Research, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cree Research,
Inc. and subsidiary as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended June 30, 1997. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cree Research,
Inc. and subsidiary as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended June 30, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Raleigh, North Carolina
July 24, 1997
24
CREE RESEARCH, INC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN 000'S EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1997 1996
-------- ----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $10,448 $10,162
Short-term investments, held to maturity - 1,787
Accounts receivable, net 7,694 6,393
Inventories 3,949 3,226
Deferred income tax 1,830 -
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 466 152
-------- --------
Total current assets 24,387 21,720
Long-term accounts receivable 54 464
Property and equipment, net 24,333 20,218
Patent and license rights, net 1,267 1,205
Other assets 96 189
-------- --------
Total assets $50,137 $43,796
-------- --------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade $ 2,248 $ 2,474
Accrued salary and wages 292 178
Other accrued expenses 834 472
-------- ---------
Total current liabilities 3,374 3,124
Non-current deferred income tax 1,638 -
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.005 par value; 14,500 shares
authorized; shares issued and outstanding
12,523 at June 30, 1997 and 12,277,
net of treasury shares, at June 30, 1996 62 61
Additional paid-in capital 46,214 45,342
Accumulated deficit (1,151) (4,693)
-------- -------
45,125 40,710
Less: 10 shares of common stock in treasury
at June 30, 1996, at cost - (38)
-------- -------
Total shareholders' equity 45,125 40,672
-------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $50,137 $43,796
-------- -------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.
25
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN 000'S, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue:
Product revenue, net $19,823 $9,689 $5,989
Contract revenue, net 6,535 3,945 3,011
License fee income 2,615 1,423 -
--------------------------------
Total revenue 28,973 15,057 9,000
Cost of revenue:
Product revenue 13,387 8,411 4,244
Contract revenue, net
5,707 3,078 1,773
--------------------------------
Total cost of revenue 19,094 11,489 6,017
Gross margin 9,879 3,568 2,983
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net 1,826 1,286 1,194
Sales, general and administrative 4,301 2,917 2,268
Other (income) expense 639 (11) (1)
--------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations 3,113 (624) (478)
Interest income, net 607 866 461
----------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes 3,720 243 (17)
Income tax expense 177 - -
-------------------------------
Net income (loss) $3,542 $ 243 $ (17)
----------------------------------
Net income per share $ 0.27 $0.02 $ 0.00
Weighted average shares outstanding 13,126 12,615 10,367
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
26
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN 000'S EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 3,542 $ 243 $ (17)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 3,356 1,765 1,382
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment 631 (8) -
Loss on write off of patents 141 - -
Amortization of patent rights 108 126 88
Amortization of goodwill 41 41 38
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (891) (3,258) (1,451)
Inventories (723) (1,549) (1,028)
Deferred costs on research contracts - 81 (81)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (263) 49 227
Deferred income taxes (192) - -
Accounts payable, trade (226) 714 191
Accrued expenses 335 160 89
------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 5,859 (1,636) (562)
Investing activities:
Purchases of investment securities - - (2,204)
Maturity of investment securities 1,787 2,124 5,496
Purchases of property and equipment (7,974) (14,740) (3,486)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 13 52 -
Payment of equipment deposits - - (71)
Payment for acquisition of subsidiary - - (215)
Purchase of patent rights (310) (310) (273)
-----------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,484) (12,874) (753)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of note payable - - 416
Principal payments on notes and capital leases - - (439)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 927 20,924 200
Purchase of common stock for the treasury (112) - -
Tax benefits associated with stock options 96 - -
Legal fees related to common stock profits - - (16)
---------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 911 20,924 161
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 286 6,414 (1,154)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year 10,162 3,748 4,902
----------------------------------------------
End of the year $10,448 $10,162 $3,748
-----------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
27
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(CONTINUED)
(IN 000'S)
YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest - $5 $11
Cash paid for income taxes $80 - -
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and
financing activities:
Accounts payable recorded for purchases
of equipment $141 $831 $330
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of the consolidated financial statements.
28
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
(IN 000'S)
COMMON
STOCK ADDITIONAL TOTAL
PAR PAID-IN ACCUMULATED UNEARNED TREASURY SHAREHOLDERS'
VALUE CAPITAL DEFICIT COMPENSATION STOCK EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at June 30, 1994 $52 $ 24,244 $(4,919) $(5) $(38) $19,334
Common stock options exercised
for cash, 23 shares 15 15
Common stock warrants exercised
for cash, 38 shares 184 184
Compensation expense for
common stock options 3 3
Payment of legal fees related to
receipt of Section 16(b) common
stock profits (16) (16)
Net Loss (17) (17)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at June 30, 1995 52 24,427 (4,936) (2) (38) 19,503
Common stock options exercised
for cash, 122 shares 1 412 413
Common stock warrants exercised
for cash, 665 shares 3 2,916 2,919
Compensation expense for
common stock options 2 2
Proceeds from sale of 1,079
shares of common stock and
300 common stock warrants,
net of issuance costs of $625 5 17,587 17,592
Net income 243 243
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at June 30, 1996 61 45,342 (4,693) - (38) 40,672
Common stock options exercised
for cash, 52 shares 160 160
Common stock warrants exercised
for cash, 203 shares 1 766 767
Purchase of common stock for the
treasury, 10 shares (112) (112)
Retirement of 20 treasury shares (150) 150 -
Income tax benefits from stock
option exercises 96 96
Net income 3,542 3,542
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at June 30, 1997 $ 62 $ 46,214 $(1,151) - - $45,125
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
29
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. NATURE OF BUSINESS
Cree Research, Inc. ("the Company"), incorporated in the State of North
Carolina on July 14, 1987, develops, manufactures, and markets silicon
carbide-based semiconductor devices. Revenues are primarily derived from the
sale of blue light emitting diodes (LEDs), silicon carbide (SiC) wafers and
full-color LED based electronic displays and modules. The Company markets its
blue LED chip products principally to customers who incorporate them into
packaged lamps for resale to original equipment manufacturers. The Company also
sells SiC wafer products to corporate, government, and university research
laboratories. In addition, the Company is engaged in a variety of research
programs related to the advancement of SiC process technology and the
development of electronic devices that take advantage of SiC's unique physical
and electronic properties. These research projects are primarily funded by
federal government agencies and departments. The Company recovers the costs of a
majority of its research and development efforts from revenues on these
contracts with agencies of the federal government.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cree
Research, Inc. and Real Color Displays, Inc. (RCD). All material intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
RECLASSIFICATION
Reclassifications of certain amounts have been made to the 1996 and
1995 financial statements to conform to the 1997 presentation. These
reclassifications had no effect on shareholders equity, the results of
operations or per share data previously reported.
ESTIMATES
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at June 30, 1997 and 1996,
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each of the three years
in the period ended June 30, 1997. Actual amounts could differ from those
estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes product revenue at the time of shipment. Revenue
from contracts is recorded on the percentage-of-completion method as expenses
per contract are incurred. License fee income is recognized when the transfer of
licensed technology is completed.
30
Contract revenue represents reimbursement by various U.S. Government
entities to aid in the furthering of the development of the Company's technology
by supplementing the Company's research and development efforts. Any resulting
technology obtained by the Company through these efforts remain the property of
the Company after the completion of the contract, subject to certain license
rights obtained by the government. Contract revenue includes funding of direct
research and development costs and a portion of the Company's general and
administrative expenses and other operating expenses for contracts under which
funding is expected to exceed direct costs over the life of the contract. The
specific reimbursement provisions of the contracts, including the portion of the
Company's general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses that
are reimbursed, vary by contract. For contracts under which the Company
anticipates that direct costs will exceed amounts to be funded over the life of
the contract (i.e., certain cost share arrangements), the Company reports direct
costs as research and development expenses with related funding recorded as an
offset to those expenses.
On September 30, 1996, the Company entered into a license and
technology transfer agreement and a related supply agreement with Shin-Etsu
Handotai Co. LTD. ("Shin-Etsu") and other parties. Pursuant to these agreements,
the Company granted Shin-Etsu a license to use certain epitaxial and device
fabrication process technology for the manufacture of the Company's blue
light-emitting diode product and has agreed to supply silicon carbide wafers
required to manufacture the licensed product. The license agreement provides for
payment of a license fee and running royalties based on a percentage of sales of
products made using the licensed technology. The license fee is payable in
installments totaling $2,700,000. As of June 30, 1997, all license fees have
been paid with the exception of a $500,000 payment due on June 30, 1998. The
Company also has recorded a short term accrued expense of $186,000 payable June
30, 1998 to the third party that brokered the license agreement. Substantially
all of the Company's obligations to transfer the licensed technology were
performed during fiscal 1997, and the net present value of the license fee
payments and commission were recognized. In October 1995, the Company also
entered into an agreement to license its technology for the joint development
and manufacture of LEDs using Cree's technology to Siemens A.G. License fees are
payable in installments totaling $1,500,000. As of June 30, 1997, all fees have
been paid with the exception of a $500,000 installment due in October 1997. The
Company's obligation to transfer the licensed technology were substantially. In
fiscal 1996, and the net present value of the license fee payments were recorded
as revenue at that time.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an
original maturity of three months or less when purchased.
ADVERTISING COSTS
The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. The Company
incurred total advertising expenditures of approximately $102,000, $151,000 and
$147,000 during the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
31
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being
determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consists of
the following at June 30:
1997 1996
--------------- ----------------
Raw materials $ 1,559,000 $ 1,309,000
Work-in-progress 1,374,000 948,000
Finished goods 1,016,000 969,000
-------------- ---------------
$ 3,949,000 $ 3,226,000
=============== ================
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range
from three to nine years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of
the related lease. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to
expense as incurred. The costs of major renewals and betterments are capitalized
and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The cost and related
accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts upon
disposition and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.
During the first quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company changed its
previous estimate on the useful lives of some of its manufacturing equipment
from five to nine years. The change in estimate was based on the Company's
experience with similar fixed assets. The net adjustment increased net income
approximately $280,000 or $0.02 per share for fiscal 1996.
PATENT AND LICENSE RIGHTS
Patent rights reflect costs incurred to enhance and maintain the
Company's intellectual property position. License rights reflect costs incurred
to use the intellectual property of others. Both are amortized on a straight
line basis. During fiscal 1997, the Company changed its previous estimate of the
useful lives of patents from 17 years beginning at the date of patent issue to
20 years from the date of patent application to conform to a legislative
amendment made to the U.S. patent laws which became effective in June 1995. This
change in estimate had no material impact to net income or earnings per share,
since the average period of time between patent application and issue is
generally about three years. Total accumulated amortization for patents was
approximately $460,000 and $424,000 at June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the amount by which the costs to acquire the net
assets of the Real Color Displays subsidiary exceeded their related fair value
at acquisition. These costs are being amortized on a straight line basis over a
life of five years. The carrying value of goodwill will be reviewed if the facts
and circumstances suggests that it is impaired. If this review indicates that
goodwill will not be recoverable as determined based on the undiscounted cash
flows of the entity acquired over the remaining amortization period, the Company
will adjust the carrying value of goodwill in accordance with FAS No. 121
"Accounting for Impairment of Long Lived Assets." Accumulated amortization
related to goodwill was approximately $120,000 and $79,000 at June 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
32
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY
The Company partners with the federal government in many of its current
research and development efforts. By entering into contracts, the Company has
most of its research and product development costs funded by the U.S.
government. The contract funding may be based on a cost-plus or a cost-share
arrangement. Pursuant to each contract, the amount of funding is determined
based on cost estimates that include direct costs, plus an allocation for
research and development, general and administrative and the cost of capital
expenses. Cost-plus funding is determined based on actual costs plus a set
percentage margin. For the cost-share contracts, the actual costs are divided
between the U.S. government and the Company based on the terms of the contract.
The government's cost share is then funded to the Company. Activities performed
under both of these arrangements include research regarding silicon carbide and
gallium nitride materials. The contracts typically require the submission of a
written report that documents the results of such research.
Effective January 1, 1997, the Company reclassified for accounting
purposes some of the funds received from the U.S. government and associated
direct costs. In previous periods, all funding was reported as contract revenue
and all direct costs were reported as costs of revenue. Beginning in the third
quarter of 1997, the classification is determined based on the nature of the
contract. Contracts under which the Company anticipates that funding will exceed
direct costs over the life of the contract are treated in a manner consistent
with prior periods. For contracts under which the Company anticipates that
direct costs will exceed amounts to be funded over the life of the contract,
direct costs are shown as research and development expenses and related funding
as an offset of those expenses. The following table details information about
contracts for which direct expenses exceed funding by period as reflected in the
statements of operations:
Year ended June 30,
in (000's)
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net research and development costs $ 671 $ 368 $ 484
Government funding 2,186 1,918 2,154
--------------------------------------
Total direct costs incurred $ 2,857 $ 2,286 $ 2,638
During the life of these contracts, total direct expenditures and
funding are estimated to be $8,985,000 and $6,857,000, respectively. As of June
30, 1997, direct expenses and funding of $7,853,000 and $6,256,000,
respectively, have been recognized under the contracts.
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair value of the Company's short-term investments are based on
quoted market prices. At June 30, 1996, the cost approximated fair value for the
short-term investments.
CREDIT RISK, MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND MAJOR SUPPLIERS
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to a
concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents and
accounts receivable. The Company's cash equivalents consist of U.S. Treasury
bills, government agency bonds and commercial paper. Certain bank deposits may
at times be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.
33
The Company sells its products to manufacturers and researchers
worldwide and generally requires no collateral. The Company maintains reserves
for potential credit losses, and such losses, in the aggregate, have generally
been within management's expectations. The Company presently derives primarily
all of its contract revenues from contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Approximately 33% and 30%, respectively, of the Company's accounts receivable
balance at June 30, 1997 and 1996 was due from the Department of Defense. In
addition, the Company had accounts receivable from Siemens totaling 19% and 23%,
of accounts receivable at June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Company has derived its product revenue from sales primarily in the
United States, the Far East, and Europe as follows:
YEAR ENDED
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
United States 21% 31% 50%
Far East 33% 27% 14%
Europe 44% 38% 31%
Other 2% 4% 5%
One customer accounted for 51% of product revenue in fiscal 1997 as
compared to two customers accounting for 32% of product revenue in fiscal 1996.
In addition, two customers accounted for 24% of product revenue in fiscal 1995.
The Department of Defense accounted for 99%, 97% and 95% of contract revenues
during fiscal 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
The Company depends on single or limited source suppliers for a number
of raw materials and components used in its SiC wafer products and LEDs. Any
interruption in the supply of these key materials or components could have a
significant adverse effect on the Company's operations.
PER SHARE DATA
Net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted
average number of common stock shares and common stock equivalents outstanding
during each quarterly period.
DIVIDENDS
The payment of dividends is limited by the laws of the State of North
Carolina.
ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
In October, 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued Statement No. 123 ("FAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation."
This Statement establishes fair value as the measurement basis for equity
instruments issued in exchange for goods or services and stock-based
compensation plans. Fair value may be measured using quoted market prices,
option-pricing models or other reasonable estimation methods. FAS 123 permits
the Company to choose between adoption of the fair value based method or
disclosing pro forma net income information. The Statement is effective for
transactions entered into after December 31, 1995. The Company will continue to
account for stock-based compensation in accordance with
34
Accounting Principals Board Opinion No. 25, as amended, and provide only the pro
forma disclosures required by FAS 123.
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The following is a summary of accounts receivable as of June 30:
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Trade receivables $ 5,210,000 $ 3,663,000
Other short term receivables 2,700,000 2,780,000
------------ ------------
7,910,000 6,443,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts 216,000 50,000
------------ ------------
Current receivables 7,694,000 6,393,000
------------ ------------
Long term receivables 54,000 464,000
------------ ------------
Total accounts receivable $ 7,748,000 $ 6,857,000
------------ ------------
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The following is a summary of property and equipment as of June 30:
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Office equipment and furnishings $ 909,000 $ 848,000
Machinery and equipment 22,312,000 19,955,000
Construction in progress 2,669,000 1,199,000
Leasehold improvements 5,420,000 5,372,000
------------ ------------
31,310,000 27,374,000
Accumulated depreciation 6,977,000 7,156,000
------------ ------------
$ 24,333,000 $ 20,218,000
============ ============
5. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Board of Directors is authorized to issue 1,250,000 and 1,500,000
shares of Class A Voting and Class B Non-Voting preferred stock, respectively,
each with a par value of $0.01 per share, at its discretion. This preferred
stock may be issued in one or more series with the number of shares,
designation, relative rights, preferences, and limitations to be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
6. STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK WARRANTS
As permitted by FAS 123, "Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation", the
Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations and
amendments in accounting for its employee stock option plans.
35
The Company's Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan has
authorized the grant of options for up to 1,540,000 shares of the Company's
common stock. All options granted have 10 year terms and vest and become fully
exercisable within 5 years. The Company is also authorized to grant up to
200,000 options for shares of the Company's common stock under the Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors (Directors Formula Plan). These options have a
10 year term and vest quarterly and become fully exercisable within 1 year of
award. The Company's current stock plans provide for grants of options with
exercise prices equal to or exceeding fair market value on the date of grant.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by Statement 123, and has been determined as if the Company had
accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of the
Statement. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions for 1997 and 1996: risk-free interest rates ranging from 6.55% to
6.89% using the end-of-month 10 year treasury rate for each grant date; dividend
yields of 0% for each of the years presented; a volatility factor of the
expected market price of the Company's common stock of .748; and a
weighted-average expected life of the options of 7 years for executive and
directors and 5 years for other employees.
For purposes of pro-forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's
pro forma information is as follows:
1997 1996 1995
Net income, as reported $3,542,000 $ 243,000 $(17,000)
Pro forma net income, as adjusted
for FAS 123 1,418,000 243,000 (17,000)
Pro forma earning per share:
Primary $0.11 $0.02 $0.00
Fully Diluted $0.11 $0.02 $0.00
36
The following table details the number of stock options outstanding and
their related exercise prices as of June 30:
NUMBER OF OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AS OF 6/30/97
EXERCISE NUMBER OF WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
PRICE OPTIONS CONTRACTUAL LIFE
-------- --------- ----------------
<$0.01 4,666 1 year
.42 27,696 3 years
2.82 7,094 2 years
3.13 20,000 7 years
3.63 219,400 6 years
3.75 14,397 4 years
4.00 43,200 7 years
6.82 9,420 6 years
7.375 6,000 7 years
7.50 30,000 7 years
9.38 41,000 10 years
10.25 15,500 10 years
11.19 19,000 9 years
12.13 50,000 8 years
14.38 191,300 8 years
---------
698,673
In addition to the options detailed above, the following table includes
228,000 options, exercisable at prices ranging from $3.63 to $15.75 per share
granted to current or former outside directors of the Company.
Total Option Activity Under Both Plans
--------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
Options Weighted-Average Options Weighted-Average Options Weighted-Average
(000's) Exercise Price (000's) Exercise Price (000's) Exercise Price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding-beginning of year 632 $4.39 769 $4.23 591 $3.36
Granted 381 $13.56 - - 223 $6.26
Exercised 52 $3.08 122 $3.39 23 $1.17
Forfeited 33 $8.05 16 $4.36 21 $4.45
Outstanding-end of year 927 $4.76 632 $4.39 769 $4.23
Exercisable at end of year 702 $7.44 439 $3.78 320 $3.01
Stock Price
Equal To
Exercise Price
Weighted-average fair value
of options granted during the
year $10.07
37
During fiscal year 1992, the Company issued stock warrants to
purchasers of Class B non-voting preferred stock, Series C. The warrants entitle
the holders to purchase 607,320 shares of common stock at $3.75 per share. In
September 1992, the Company issued stock warrants to additional purchasers of
Class B non-voting preferred stock, Series C. The warrants entitle the holders
to purchase 363,644 shares of common stock at $4.13 per share. Warrants to
purchase 202,996, 425,642 and 2,666 shares of common stock were exercised during
the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The remaining
347,326 warrants are fully exercisable and expire on February 8, 1998.
In connection with the Company's September 1995 private placement, the
Company issued an additional 300,000 warrants, which have an exercise price of
$27.23 and expire September 2000. As of June 30, 1997, none of these warrants
had been exercised.
7. COMMITMENTS
The Company currently leases three facilities under five separate lease
agreements. These facilities are comprised of both office and manufacturing
space. The first facility has a remaining lease period of approximately four
years. Also associated with this facility is a sublease agreement entered into
in fiscal 1996 to acquire an adjacent 1,900 square feet. The sublease expires in
October 1998. Another sublease was also entered into in fiscal 1997 to acquire
an additional 15,300 square feet in the same facility. This lease expires in
January 1998. The second facility is currently being subleased by a third party.
This lease was renewed and currently expires in January 1998. The lease term for
the third facility began in September 1995. The lease has an initial term of
five years with two options of two years each. Each lease and sublease agreement
provides for rental adjustments for increases in property taxes, the consumer
price index and general property maintenance.
Rent expense associated with these leases totaled $549,000, $388,000
and $257,000 for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Future minimum rentals as of June 30, 1997 under these leases are as follows:
June 30,
1998 $ 427,000
1999 335,000
2000 335,000
2001 285,000
2002 138,000
-----------
Total $ 1,521,000
===========
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for its income taxes under the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("FAS 109"), "Accounting for
Income Taxes." Under the asset and liability method of FAS 109, deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the
year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. Under FAS 109, the effect on deferred tax
38
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.
The Company had a tax provision of $177,000 for the year ended June 30,
1997 and no provision for income tax for the years ended June 30, 1996 and 1995,
due to the reversal in 1996 of valuation allowances recorded in prior years and
the establishment of valuation allowances in 1995. The actual income tax expense
attributable to earnings for the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995
differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal tax rate of 34
percent to pretax earnings as a result of the following:
1997 1996 1995
------------------ --------------- ---------------
Expected income tax provision (benefit)
at statutory rate (34%) $ 1,265,000 $ 83,000 $ (6,000)
State tax provision (benefit) 193,000 36,000 (106,000)
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense
resulting from:
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance (1,279,000) (106,000) 129,000
Other (2,000) (13,000) (17,000)
------------------ --------------- ---------------
Income tax expense $ 177,000 $ - $ -
================== =============== ===============
The following are the components of the provision for income taxes for the year
ended June 30, 1997:
Current:
Federal $ 54,000
Foreign Tax Withholding 220,000
State 95,000
-----------
369,000
Deferred (Prepaid):
Federal (442,000)
State 250,000
-----------
(192,000)
Net Provision (Benefit) $177,000
There is no tax provision for fiscal 1996 or 1995.
39
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at June 30 are as
follows:
1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards $2,413,000 $3,290,000
Research tax credits 157,000 157,000
Compensation 115,000 114,000
Inventory 199,000 53,000
Bad debt 84,000 19,000
Goodwill 31,000 20,000
Alternative minimum tax 64,000 -
Foreign tax credit 220,000 -
Other 10,000 23,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets $3,293,000 $3,676,000
Less valuation allowance (1,463,000) (2,664,000)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset $1,830,000 $1,012,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment,
due to depreciation $1,638,000 $1,012,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liabilities $1,638,000 $1,012,000
Net deferred tax asset $192,000 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------
The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 was a decrease of $1,201,000 and $106,000, respectively.
Included in the valuation allowance is $815,000 and $737,000, respectively, for
1997 and 1996 to offset net operating losses generated by the exercise of stock
options. When such net operating losses are utilized, the reduction of these
valuation allowances will be a credit to additional paid in capital. The primary
reason for the reduction in the valuation allowance in 1997 and 1996 was the
greater likelihood of the utilization of future tax benefits from net operating
loss carryforwards. Realization of deferred tax assets associated with the NOL
carryforwards is dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income
prior to their expiration. Management believes that there is a risk that certain
of these NOL carryforwards may expire unused and, accordingly, has established a
valuation allowance against them. Although realization is not assured for the
remaining deferred tax assets, management believes it is more likely than not
that they will be realized through future taxable earnings. However, the net
deferred tax assets could be reduced in the future if management's estimates of
taxable income during the carryforward period are significantly reduced.
As of June 30, 1997, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards
for federal purposes of $6,644,000 and $2,991,000 for state purposes. The
carryforward expiration period is from 2005 to 2011 for federal tax purposes and
from 2000 to 2001 for state purposes.
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has entered into a Development Agreement and an Exclusive
Supply Agreement with C3, Inc. ("C3"). The President and the founder of C3 are
the brothers of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the Company, and
certain of its officers and
40
directors own approximately 6% of the outstanding common stock of C3. Pursuant
to the agreements, the Company will work to develop and supply C3 near-colorless
SiC crystals. C3 will use this product to fabricate and market gemstones as a
substitute for diamonds in jewelry applications. C3 will pay the Company for
development activities under the Development Agreement an amount based on the
Company's cost plus a profit margin. The five year agreement commits C3 to fund
program charges of up to $12 million, provided Cree achieves certain development
milestones. During 1997 and 1996, sales to C3 totaled $517,000 and $55,000,
respectively. There were no sales to C3 in fiscal 1995. At June 30, 1997 and
1996, accounts receivable includes $110,000 and $6,000, respectively, related to
these product revenues.
10. ACQUISITION
In August 1994, the Company formed a North Carolina wholly-owned
subsidiary, RCD, to develop and market full color LED displays. Subsequently,
RCD acquired the net assets of Color Cells International, Ltd., a Hong-Kong
based company in this line of business, for cash consideration of $214,523 and
assumption of $151,932 of liabilities. The terms of the acquisition call for an
"Earn-Out Payment" based on calculated net profits, payable half in cash and
half in Cree common stock. Earn-Out Payments are subject to certain limitations
concerning the timing (calculation based on certain eligible shipments through
September 1997) and amount (maximum payments of $1.8 million) of any such
payments. To date, no amounts have been earned or paid under this agreement.
The above acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction and
accordingly, the various assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been
recorded at their respective fair market value as of the date of acquisition,
with the excess of the purchase price of $206,675 being recorded as goodwill.
This goodwill is being amortized over a five year period. The Company intends to
record amounts paid, if any, under the earn out provisions described above as
additional purchase consideration in the period the amount is determinable. The
results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the
consolidated statements of operations since the purchase date.
11. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company maintains an employee benefit plan (the "Plan") pursuant to
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Plan, there is no fixed
dollar amount of retirement benefits, and actual benefits received by employees
will depend on the amount of each employee's account balance at the time of
retirement. All employees are eligible to participate under the Plan on the
first day of a new fiscal quarter after date of hire. The Plan is not insured by
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
The Company may, at its discretion, make contributions to the Plan.
However, the Company did not make any contributions to the Plan during the years
ended June 30, 1997, 1996 or 1995.
12. CONTINGENCIES
On October 25,1996, a putative class action lawsuit alleging violations
of the federal securities laws was filed against the Company and certain of its
officers and directors in federal district court, Middle District of North
Carolina. A substantially similar action was filed in the same court on December
20, 1996. The two actions were consolidated and lead plaintiffs were
41
appointed by order of the Court as of February 5, 1997. Plaintiffs filed a
consolidated amended complaint on March 17, 1997. In the amended complaint,
plaintiffs seek to represent a class of all persons who purchased the Company's
common stock between February 1, 1996, and July 2, 1996 (the "Class Period").
They assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as well as claims of negligent misrepresentations and common law fraud,
based upon alleged material misrepresentations and omissions during the Class
Period. The amended complaint does not specify the damages sought.
On May 2, 1997, the defendants moved that the amended complaint be
dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and
other grounds. As of August 8, 1997, the motions to dismiss remain pending
before the court, and the court has not certified the action as a class action.
Management believes that the action is without merit and intends to contest it
vigorously. An adverse resolution of the action may have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
13. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company will adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", on December 31, 1997. SFAS No. 128
requires the Company to change its method of computing, presenting and
disclosing earnings per share information. Upon adoption, all prior periods data
presented will be restated to conform to the provisions of SFAS No. 128.
If the Company had adopted SFAS No. 128 for the periods ended June 30,
the following computation would have been used to arrive at basic income per
share and diluted income per common share that would have been presented on the
consolidated statements of operations:
1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $3,542,000 $243,000 $(17,000)
Weighted average common shares 12,455,494 11,825,857 10,367,290
-------------------------------------------
Basic income per common share $0.28 $0.02 $0.00
Net income $3,542,000 $243,000 $(17,000)
Weighted average shares:
Common shares outstanding 12,455,494 11,825,857 10,367,290
Dilutive effect of stock options & warrants 670,048 789,107 0
-------------------------------------------
Total shares 13,125,542 12,614,964 10,367,290
Diluted income per share $ 0.27 $ 0.02 $ 0.00
14. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company will adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS
No. 131") on
42
December 31, 1997. SFAS No. 131 requires the Company to report selected
information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has
yet to determine the impact, if any, of adoption of the new pronouncement.
The Company will adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS No. 130") on December 31, 1997. SFAS
No. 130 requires the Company to display an amount representing total
comprehensive income for the period in a financial statement which is displayed
with the same prominence as other financial statements. Upon adoption, all prior
period data presented will be restated to conform to the provisions of SFAS
No.130. The Company has yet to determine the impact, if any, of adoption of the
new pronouncement.
43
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information called for in items 10 through 13 is incorporated by reference
to the Company's definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of
stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
within 120 days of the end of fiscal 1997.
44
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) (1) and (2) Financial statements and financial statement schedule
- the financial statements, financial statements schedule, and report
of independent accountants are filed as part of this report (see index
to Consolidated Financial Statements at Part II Item 8 on page 23 of
this Form 10-K).
(a) (3) The following exhibits have been or are being filed herewith
and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
Exhibit No. Description
3.1 Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date(1)
3.2 Bylaws, as amended to date(1)
10.1 Employee Stock Option Plan adopted by the Company on
August 2, 1989(1)
10.2 Amendment to the Employee Stock Option Plan by resolution
dated December 17, 1992(1)
10.12 Employment Agreement with Alan J. Robertson dated December
11, 1992(1)
10.19 Lease Agreements for Meridian Parkway facility dated
February 10, 1988, as amended from time to time through
August 25, 1992(1)
10.20 Amendments to Lease Agreements for the Meridian Parkway
facility dated April 12, 1993 and June 15, 1993(2)
10.24 License Agreement between the Company and North Carolina
State University dated December 3, 1987(1)
10.25 Amendment to License Agreement between the Company and
North Carolina State University dated September 11, 1989(1)
45
10.30 Agreement between General Instrument Corporation and the
Company dated June 24, 1988(1)
10.31 Letter Agreement with General Instrument Corporation dated
February 21, 1992, superseding agreement dated June 24,
1988(1)
10.50 Development, License and Supply Agreement between the
Company and Siemens A.G. dated October 24, 1995(4)
10.53 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Siemens A.G.
dated September 11, 1996 (5)
10.54 License and Technology Transfer Agreement between the
Company and Shin- Etsu Handotai Co. Ltd dated September 30,
1996 (6)
10.55 Supply Agreement between the Company and Shin-Etsu Handotai
Co. Ltd, dated September 30, 1996 (6)
10.56 First Amendment to Purchase Agreement between the Company
and Siemens A.G. dated April 22, 1997 (7)
11.00 Computation of Per Share Earnings
21.00 Subsidiaries of Registrant (3)
23.00 Consent of Independent Accountants
27.00 Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
(1) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement filed on Form SB-2 and declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 1993 and bearing Registration
#33-55998.
(2) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
annual report filed on Form 10-KSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on August 1, 1993.
(3) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
annual report filed on Form 10-KSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on August 10, 1995.
(4) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement filed on Form S-3 (No. 33-98728) declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 1995. Confidential
treatment of portions of this document was granted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 by order dated December 29, 1995.
(5) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
quarterly report filed on Form 10K with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on September 30, 1996. Confidential treatment of portions of this document was
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 by
order dated November 21, 1996.
46
(6) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
quarterly report filed on Form 10Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on November 14, 1996. Confidential treatment of portions of this document was
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 by
order dated February 3, 1997.
(7) Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as an exhibit to the Company's
quarterly report filed on Form 10Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 2, 1997. Confidential treatment of portions of this document was
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 by
order dated June 26, 1997.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed during the last quarter of the period covered by
this report. None.
47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Cree Research, Inc.
In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Cree
Research, Inc. and subsidiary as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the
three years in the period ended June 30, 1997, which financial statements are
included in this Form 10-K, we have also audited the financial statement
schedule listed in Item 14(a) herein.
In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in relation
to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information required to be included therein.
Raleigh, North Carolina
July 24, 1997
48
SCHEDULE II
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Charged to Deductions
Years Beginning Costs and (Write-Offs Balance at End
Ended June 30, of Period Expenses Charged to Reserve) of Period
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $50 $190 $(24) $ 216
1996 $22 $203 $(175) $ 50
1995 $27 $ 20 $ (25) $ 22
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CREE RESEARCH, INC.
By: s/ F. Neal Hunter
F. Neal Hunter
Date: August 15, 1997 President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
s/F. Neal Hunter Chairman of the Board August 15, 1997
F. Neal Hunter
s/Alan J. Robertson Chief Financial Officer August 15, 1997
Alan J. Robertson
s/Calvin H. Carter, Jr., Ph. D. Director August 15, 1997
Calvin H. Carter, Jr., Ph.D.
s/James E. Dykes Director August 15, 1997
James E. Dykes
s/Michael W. Haley Director August 15, 1997
Michael W. Haley
s/Walter L. Robb, Ph.D. Director August 15, 1997
Walter L. Robb, Ph.D.
50
s/Dolph W. von Arx Director August 15, 1997
Dolph W. von Arx
s/John W. Palmour, Ph.D. Director August 15, 1997
John W. Palmour, Ph.D.
51