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UNITED STATES

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended           October 2, 2004

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from            to            

 

Commission File Number            0-22248

 

ULTRATECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

94-3169580

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

3050 Zanker Road, San Jose, California

 

95134

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code        (408) 321-8835

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

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         ý

 

No         o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes         ý

 

No         o

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date:

 

Class

 

Outstanding as of October 29, 2004

common stock, $.001 par value

 

23,801,768

 

 

 

 


ULTRATECH, INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART 1.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 2, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2004 and September 27, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 2, 2004 and September 27, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

PART 2.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES AND CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

2



PART 1.                FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

ULTRATECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Oct. 2, 2004

 

Dec. 31, 2003*

 

ASSETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

161,487

 

$

 165,902

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

20,284

 

9,398

 

Inventories

 

22,782

 

19,037

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

349

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,988

 

2,099

 

Total current assets

 

206,541

 

196,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

18,913

 

18,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demonstration inventories, net

 

5,192

 

3,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

190

 

476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

2,499

 

1,935

 

Total assets

 

$

233,335

 

$

220,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

7,900

 

$

2,564

 

Accounts payable

 

12,829

 

7,729

 

Deferred product and service income

 

4,317

 

1,088

 

Deferred license income

 

1,969

 

4,752

 

Other current liabilities

 

7,822

 

10,151

 

Total current liabilities

 

34,837

 

26,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

4,844

 

3,725

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

193,654

 

190,739

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

233,335

 

$

220,748

 

 


* The Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

3



ULTRATECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Oct. 2, 2004

 

Sep. 27, 2003

 

Oct. 2, 2004

 

Sep. 27, 2003

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products

 

$

28,295

 

$

22,732

 

$

69,775

 

$

62,574

 

Services

 

3,171

 

2,885

 

8,943

 

7,951

 

Licenses

 

927

 

927

 

2,783

 

2,783

 

Total net sales

 

32,393

 

26,544

 

81,501

 

73,308

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

13,889

 

11,312

 

35,733

 

34,753

 

Cost of services

 

2,294

 

1,519

 

6,325

 

4,884

 

Total cost of sales

 

16,183

 

12,831

 

42,058

 

39,637

 

Gross profit

 

16,210

 

13,713

 

39,443

 

33,671

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research, development, and engineering

 

6,478

 

5,544

 

18,936

 

15,718

 

Selling, general, and administrative

 

7,433

 

6,362

 

21,680

 

16,628

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

96

 

96

 

286

 

286

 

Restucture of operations

 

 

 

 

(114

)

Operating income (loss)

 

2,203

 

1,711

 

(1,459

)

1,153

 

Interest expense

 

(36

)

(112

)

(91

)

(235

)

Interest and other income, net

 

864

 

1,117

 

2,680

 

3,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before tax

 

3,031

 

2,716

 

1,130

 

4,207

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

186

 

(524

)

24

 

(79

)

Net income

 

$

2,845

 

$

3,240

 

$

1,106

 

$

4,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.19

 

Number of shares used in per share computations - basic

 

23,764

 

23,010

 

23,704

 

22,870

 

Earnings per share - diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.18

 

Number of shares used in per share computations - diluted

 

24,044

 

25,144

 

24,769

 

23,883

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

4



 

ULTRATECH, INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(In thousands)

 

Oct. 2, 2004

 

Sep. 27, 2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,106

 

$

4,286

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

4,756

 

4,993

 

Amortization

 

1,802

 

1,769

 

Non-cash restructuring and asset impairment charges (recoveries)

 

 

(62

)

Loss on disposal of equipment

 

9

 

180

 

Deferred compensation

 

162

 

125

 

Deferred income taxes

 

177

 

(475

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(10,886

)

(7,046

)

Inventories

 

(3,745

)

10,201

 

Taxes receivable

 

349

 

474

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(66

)

(419

)

Demonstration inventory

 

(2,810

)

(2,890

)

Other assets

 

(564

)

230

 

Accounts payable

 

5,100

 

1,307

 

Deferred product and services income

 

3,229

 

2,183

 

Deferred license income

 

(2,783

)

(2,783

)

Other liabilities

 

(1,213

)

(3,608

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(5,377

)

8,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(5,197

)

(4,306

)

Investments in securities

 

(89,472

)

(109,290

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

 

108,782

 

133,090

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

14,113

 

19,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from notes payable

 

25,987

 

10,794

 

Repayment of notes payable

 

(20,651

)

(18,027

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

2,415

 

6,522

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

7,751

 

(711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

321

 

(98

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

16,808

 

27,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

25,149

 

18,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

41,957

 

$

45,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash changes:

 

 

 

 

 

Systems transferred from (to) inventory to (from) equipment and other assets

 

$

3,129

 

$

1,062

 

Systems transferred from (to) equipment to (from) other assets

 

$

1,097

 

$

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5


 


Ultratech, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

October 2, 2004

 

(1) Description of Business

 

Ultratech, Inc. (referred to as “Ultratech” and “we”) develops, manufactures and markets photolithography and laser thermal processing equipment for manufacturers of semiconductor and nanotechnology components located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and the rest of Asia.

 

We supply step-and-repeat photolithography systems based on one-to-one imaging technology. Within the semiconductor industry, we target the market for advanced packaging applications. Within the nanotechnology industry, our target markets include thin film head magnetic recording devices, optical networking devices, laser diodes and LEDs (light emitting diodes). Our laser thermal processing equipment is targeted at advanced annealing applications within the semiconductor industry.

 

In evaluating our business segments, Ultratech gave consideration to the Chief Executive Officer’s review of financial information and the organizational structure of our management. Based on this review, we concluded that, at the present time, resources are allocated and other financial decisions are made based, primarily, on consolidated financial information. Accordingly, we have determined that we operate in one business segment, which is the manufacture and distribution of capital equipment to manufacturers of integrated circuits and nanotechnology components.

 

(2) Basis of Presentation

 

We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.

 

Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004, or any future period.

 

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to inventories, warranty obligations, purchase order commitments, bad debts, income taxes, intangible assets, useful lives of fixed assets, contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

(3) Stock Based Compensation

 

We account for compensation expense related to our stock-based employee compensation plans under the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

 

6



 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share if we had applied the fair value recognition method to account for stock-based employee compensation.

 

In thousands, except per share amounts

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,
2004

 

Sep. 27,
 2003

 

Oct. 2,
2004

 

Sep. 27,
2003

 

Net income as reported

 

$

2,845

 

$

3,240

 

$

1,106

 

$

4,286

 

Total stock-based employee compensation expense, determined under fair value based method for all

awards, net of related tax effects

 

(3,407

 

(2,492

 

(23,320

 

(6,723

 

 

Pro forma net income (loss)

 

$

(562

)

$

748

 

$

(22,214

)

$

(2,437

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - basic, as reported

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.19

 

Pro forma net income (loss) per share - basic

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.03

 

$

(0.96

)

$

(0.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - diluted, as reported

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.18

 

Pro forma net income (loss) per share - diluted

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.03

 

$

(0.96

)

$

(0.11

)

 

 

Included in the fair value stock-based employee compensation expense above for the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2004, was $1.7 million and $16.2 million, respectively, resulting from the acceleration of vesting of options to purchase approximately 0.7 million and 2.3 million shares of common stock, respectively, for all optionees, except for non-employee members of the Board of Directors, whose exercise price, which ranges from $13.36 to $16.15 and $13.36 to $31.38 per share, respectively, exceeded the market price of our stock on the respective dates of acceleration, July 19, 2004 and June 25, 2004. We have never repriced stock options, thus, the exercise prices for the stock options accelerated were unchanged. Only the vesting was changed and now all of the affected stock options are fully vested. As the exercise price of all the stock options affected was greater than their fair market price on the date of vesting acceleration, there was no impact, under the intrinsic value method, on our consolidated statements of operations.

 

The table above used the following weighted-average assumptions to estimate the fair value of stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Expected life (in years): stock options

 

1.1

 

3.6

 

2.1

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected life (in years):Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

 

1.25

 

0.5

 

1.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.05

%

2.64

%

2.52

%

2.55

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volatility factor

 

0.48

 

0.70

 

0.60

 

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

 

 

Reflected in the table above is the termination of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan in July 2004.

 

 

 

7



 

(4) Net Income Per Share

 

The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,845

 

$

3,240

 

$

1,106

 

$

4,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic net income per share

 

23,764

 

23,010

 

23,704

 

22,870

 

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

 

280

 

2,134

 

1,065

 

1,013

 

Denominator for diluted net income per share

 

24,044

 

25,144

 

24,769

 

23,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

 0.12

 

$

 0.14

 

$

 0.05

 

$

 0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

 0.12

 

$

 0.13

 

$

 0.04

 

$

 0.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three and nine month periods ended October 2, 2004, options to purchase 3,418,000 and 2,158,000 shares of common stock at an average exercise price of $22.35 and $25.43, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine month periods ended September 27, 2003, options to purchase 405,000 and 1,428,000 shares of common stock at an average exercise price of $29.30 and $23.34, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Options are anti-dilutive when we have a net loss or when the exercise price of the stock option is greater than the average market price of our common stock.

 

(5) Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

Oct. 2, 2004

 

Dec. 31, 2003

 

(In thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

9,191

 

$

8,647

 

Work-in-process

 

11,403

 

9,286

 

Finished products

 

2,188

 

1,104

 

 

 

$

22,782

 

$

19,037

 

 

(6) Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

Oct. 2,
2004

 

Dec. 31,
 2003

 

(In thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan assets

 

$

1,146

 

$

645

 

Other

 

1,353

 

1,290

 

 

 

$

2,499

 

$

1,935

 

 

 

8

 



 

(7) Line of Credit

 

We have a line of credit agreement with a brokerage firm. Under the terms of this agreement, we may borrow funds at a cost equal to the current Federal funds rate plus 100 basis points (2.75% as of October 2, 2004). Certain of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments secure borrowings outstanding under this facility. Funds are advanced to us under this facility based on pre-determined advance rates on the cash and securities held by us in this brokerage account. This agreement has no set expiration date and there are no loan covenants. As of October 2, 2004, $7.9 million was outstanding under this facility, with a related collateral requirement of approximately $11.3 million of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

(8) Other Current Liabilities

 

Other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

Oct. 2,
2004

 

Dec. 31,
 2003

 

(In thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Salaries and benefits

 

$

3,160

 

$

2,841

 

Warranty accrual

 

1,790

 

1,257

 

Advance billings

 

592

 

1,523

 

Income taxes payable (receivable)

 

(363

)

745

 

Reserve for losses on purchase order commitments

 

984

 

841

 

Other

 

1,659

 

2,944

 

 

 

$

7,822

 

$

10,151

 

 

Warranty Accrual

 

We generally warrant our products for a period of 12 months for new products, or 3 months for refurbished products, from the date of customer acceptance for material and labor to repair the product. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our basic limited warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product is shipped. Recognition of the related warranty cost is deferred until product revenue is recognized. Extended warranty terms, if granted, result in deferral of revenue approximating the fair value for similar service contracts. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.

 

Changes in our product liability are as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Balance, beginning of the period

 

$

1,498

 

$

1,615

 

$

1,257

 

$

1,462

 

Warranties issued during the period

 

1,088

 

950

 

3,059

 

2,794

 

Settlements during the period

 

(796

)

(902

)

(2,526

)

(2,593

)

Balance, end of the period

 

$

1,790

 

$

1,663

 

$

1,790

 

$

1,663

 

 

 

 

9



 

Deferred Service Income

 

We sell service contracts for which revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period, for time based service contracts, or as services are delivered, for contracts based on specific items. Changes in our deferred service contract revenue are as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Balance, beginning of the period

 

$

977

 

$

683

 

$

821

 

$

815

 

Service contracts invoiced during the period

 

2,483

 

1,846

 

6,427

 

5,222

 

Service contract revenue recognized during the period

 

(2,106

)

(1,862

)

(5,894

)

(5,370

)

Balance, end of the period

 

$

1,354

 

$

667

 

$

1,354

 

$

667

 

 

(9) Other Liabilities

 

Other liabilities consist of the following:

 

 

 

Oct. 2,
2004

 

Dec. 31,
 2003

 

(In thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Deferred rent

 

$

3,167

 

$

2,784

 

Deferred compensation plan liability

 

1,303

 

751

 

Other

 

374

 

190

 

 

 

$

4,844

 

$

3,725

 

 

 

 

(10) Comprehensive Income

 

 

The components of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net income

 

$

2,845

 

$

3,240

 

$

1,106

 

$

4,286

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments

 

(117

)

(263

)

(1,088

)

(332

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts

 

9

 

(117

)

321

 

(98

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

2,737

 

$

2,860

 

$

339

 

$

3,856

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets is comprised of changes in unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities and the effect of exchange rate changes on foreign exchange forward contracts, net of tax.

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Dec. 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on:

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale investments

 

$

169

 

$

1,257

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

1

 

(320

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income at end of period

 

$

170

 

$

937

 

 

 

 

10



Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Certain of the statements contained herein, which can be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “will”, “could”, “believes”, “estimates”, “continue”, and similar expressions, may be considered forward-looking statements under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties, such as delays, deferrals and cancellations of orders by customers; lengthy sales cycles, including the timing of system installations and acceptances; lengthy and costly development cycles for lithography and laser-processing technologies and applications; dependence on new product introductions and commercial success of any new products; integration, development and associated expenses of the laser processing operation; intellectual property matters; expiration of licensing arrangements, and the resulting adverse impact on our licensing revenues; cyclicality in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industries; high degree of industry competition; pricing pressures and product discounts; changes in pricing by us, our competitors or suppliers; customer concentration; market acceptance of new products and enhanced versions of our existing products; international sales; changes to financial accounting standards; timing of new product announcements and releases by us or our competitors; ability to volume produce systems and meet customer requirements; mix of products sold; rapid technological change and the importance of timely product introductions; outcome of litigation; sole or limited sources of supply; manufacturing variances and production levels; timing and degree of success of technologies licensed to outside parties; product concentration and lack of product revenue diversification; inventory obsolescence; asset impairment; ability and resulting costs to attract or retain sufficient personnel to achieve our targets for a particular period; dilutive effect of employee stock option grants on net income per share, which is largely dependent upon us achieving and maintaining profitability and the market price of our stock; effects of certain anti-takeover provisions; future acquisitions; volatility of stock price; business interruptions due to natural disasters or utility failures; environmental regulations; and any adverse effects of terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, or government responses thereto, or military actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, on the economy, in general, or on our business in particular. Due to these and additional factors, the statements, historical results and percentage relationships set forth below are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any future period.  These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations, some or all of which may prove to be inaccurate, and which may change.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Ultratech, Inc. (referred to as “Ultratech” and “we”) develops, manufactures and markets photolithography and laser thermal processing equipment for manufacturers of semiconductor and nanotechnology components located throughout North America, Europe, Japan and the rest of Asia.

 

We supply step-and-repeat photolithography systems based on one-to-one imaging technology. Within the semiconductor industry, we target the market for advanced packaging applications.  Within the nanotechnology industry, our target markets include thin film head magnetic recording devices, optical networking devices, laser diodes and LEDs (light emitting diodes).  Our laser thermal processing equipment is targeted at advanced annealing applications within the semiconductor industry.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

We derive a substantial portion of our total net sales from sales of a relatively small number of newly manufactured systems, which typically range in price from $0.8 million to $3.9 million. As a result of these high sale prices, the timing and recognition of revenue from a single transaction has had and most likely will continue to have a significant impact on our net sales and operating results for any particular period.

 

Our backlog at the beginning of a period typically does not include all of the sales needed to achieve our sales objectives for that period. In addition, orders in backlog are subject to cancellation, shipment or customer acceptance delays, and deferral or rescheduling by a customer with limited or no penalties. Consequently, our net sales and operating results for a period have been and will continue to be dependent upon our obtaining orders for systems to be shipped and accepted in the same period in which the order is received. Our business and financial results for a particular period could be materially adversely affected if an anticipated order for even one system is not received in time to permit shipment and customer acceptance during that period. Furthermore, a substantial portion of our shipments have historically been made near the end of each quarter. Delays in installation and customer acceptance due, for example, to our inability to successfully demonstrate the agreed-upon specifications or criteria at the customer’s facility, or to the failure of the customer to permit installation of the system at the agreed upon time, has caused and may in the future cause net sales in a particular period to fall significantly below our expectations, which would materially adversely affect our operating results for that period. This risk is especially applicable

 

11



 

in connection with the introduction and initial sales of a new product line. Additionally, the failure to receive anticipated orders or delays in shipments due, for example, to rescheduling, delays, deferrals or cancellations by customers, additional customer configuration requirements, or to unexpected manufacturing difficulties or delays in deliveries by suppliers due to their long production lead times, have caused and may in the future cause net sales in a particular period to fall significantly below our expectations, materially adversely affecting our operating results for that period. In particular, the long manufacturing cycles of our Saturn Spectrum family of wafer steppers, laser processing systems and the long lead time for lenses and other materials, could cause shipments of these products to be delayed from one quarter to the next, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations for a particular quarter.

 

Additionally, the need for continued expenditures for research and development, capital equipment, ongoing training and worldwide customer service and support, among other factors, will make it difficult for us to reduce our operating expenses in a particular period if we fail to achieve our net sales goals for the period.

 

Net sales

 

Third Quarter:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Amount of

 

Percentage

 

(in millions)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Change

 

Change

 

Sales of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Systems

 

$

24.9

 

$

19.3

 

$

5.6

 

29

%

Spare parts

 

3.4

 

3.4

 

0.0

 

0

%

Services

 

3.2

 

2.9

 

0.3

 

10

%

Licenses

 

0.9

 

0.9

 

0.0

 

0

%

Total net sales

 

$

32.4

 

$

26.5

 

$

5.9

 

22

%

 

Net sales consist of revenues from system sales, spare parts sales, services and licensing of technologies. System sales increased 29%, to $24.9 million, in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the third quarter of 2003 on steady unit volumes.  Included in the current quarter’s results was the sale of one laser processing system.  The increase in systems revenue was due to an increase in the weighted-average selling prices of systems sold during the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the same quarter in 2003.  The improved weighted average selling price was due to the sale in the third quarter of 2003 of two relatively lower priced XLS reduction lithography systems, representing $0.9 million of revenue, which had been previously written off and a lower percentage of sales of refurbished systems in the third quarter of 2004. In the third quarter of 2004 and 2003, refurbished systems accounted for approximately 29% and 42%, respectively, of units sold. This percentage can fluctuate from quarter to quarter and, as refurbished units generally have lower average selling prices than new units, any such fluctuation impacts the weighted average selling price of the systems sold.

 

On a product market application basis, system sales to the semiconductor industry, primarily for advanced packaging applications, were $18.7 million for the quarter ended October 2, 2004, an increase of 26% when compared with system sales to this market in the third quarter of 2003. The increase was due to the sale of a laser processing system and a lower percentage of refurbished systems sold in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to 2003 resulting in an increase in our weighted average selling price in 2004.  These were offset partially by fewer units sold in total. System sales to the nanotechnology market were $6.2 million for the quarter ended October 2, 2004, an increase of 41% as compared with system sales to this market in the third quarter of 2003, as a result of increased volumes sold to thin film head customers.   The weighted average selling prices of our sales to the nanotechnology market for the two periods were similar.

 

Spare parts sales for the third quarter of 2004 of $3.4 million were unchanged when compared to the comparable period in 2003. Revenues from services increased 10%, to $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in new contracts with existing customers in North America and Asia.

 

At October 2, 2004, we had approximately $7.7 million of deferred revenue resulting from products shipped, but not yet installed and accepted, and deferred services revenue, as compared with $5.3 million at July 3, 2004. The increase was due to two more systems shipped but not yet recognized as revenue at October 2, 2004. Deferred revenue related to our products is recognized upon satisfying the contractual obligations for installation and/or customer acceptance. During the third quarter of 2004, deferred license income decreased by $0.9 million, to $2.0 million, as a result of amortization of proceeds received in prior periods. Amortization of deferred license income results in current period license revenue.  We expect license revenue to continue at its current level until it ends in April of 2005.

 

12



 

For the quarter ended October 2, 2004, international net sales were $18.6 million, or 57% of total net sales, as compared with $16.3 million, or 61% of total net sales for the third quarter of 2003. We expect sales to international customers to represent a significant majority of our revenues during the remainder of 2004. Our revenue derived from sales in foreign countries is not generally subject to significant exchange rate fluctuations, principally because sales contracts for our systems are generally denominated in U.S. dollars. In Japan, however, orders are often denominated in Japanese yen. For the quarter ended October 2, 2004, we recorded system sales in Japan of $7.7 million of which 20% were denominated in Japanese yen. This subjects us to the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations. We attempt to mitigate this risk by entering into foreign currency forward exchange contracts for the period between when an order is received and when it is recorded as revenue. After recording revenue, we use various mechanisms, such as foreign currency forward exchange contracts and natural hedges, to offset substantial portions of the gains or losses resulting from exchange rate fluctuations associated with our Japanese yen denominated receivables. We had approximately $4.0 million of Japanese yen denominated receivables at October 2, 2004. International sales expose us to a number of additional risks, beyond fluctuations in the value of local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which impact the relative cost of ownership of our products and, thus, the customer’s willingness to purchase our product. (See “Additional Risk Factors: International Sales”).

 

Year-To-Date:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Amount of

 

Percentage

 

(in millions)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Change

 

Change

 

Sales of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Systems

 

$

61.4

 

$

54.1

 

$

7.3

 

13

%

Spare parts

 

8.4

 

8.5

 

(0.1

)

-1

%

Services

 

8.9

 

8.0

 

0.9

 

11

%

Licenses

 

2.8

 

2.8

 

0.0

 

0

%

Total net sales

 

$

81.5

 

$

73.3

 

$

8.2

 

11

%

 

System sales increased 13%, to $61.4 million, on a unit volume increase of 6%. The weighted-average selling prices of systems sold during the first three quarters of 2004 increased 7% when compared to the same period in 2003. The improved weighted average selling price was due to the sale during the comparable period of 2003 of three relatively lower priced XLS reduction lithography systems, representing $1.4 million of revenue, which had been previously written off and a lower percentage of sales of refurbished systems in 2004. During the first three quarters of 2004 and 2003, refurbished systems accounted for approximately 29% and 33%, respectively, of units sold. On a product market application basis, system sales to the semiconductor industry, primarily for advanced packaging applications, were $41.7 million for the first three quarters of 2004, an increase of 4% when compared with system sales to this market in the comparable period of 2003. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the weighted average selling price resulting from a lower percentage of sales of refurbished systems in 2004. System sales to the nanotechnology market were $19.6 million for the first three quarters of 2004, an increase of 42% as compared with system sales to this market in the comparable period of 2003, primarily as a result of increased sales to thin film head customers.

 

Spare parts sales for the first three quarters of 2004 were essentially unchanged from the comparable period in 2003. Revenues from services increased 11%, to $8.9 million for the first three-quarters of 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in system relocations and general business activity by customers in Asia and new service contracts for existing customers in North America and Asia. Revenues from licensing and licensing support arrangements were unchanged at $2.8 million.

 

For the first three quarters of 2004, international net sales were $52.5 million, or 64% of total net sales, as compared with $44.8 million, or 61% of total net sales for the comparable period in 2003.

 

 

13



 

Gross profit (loss)

 

On a comparative basis, gross margins were 50.0% and 51.7% for the third quarters of 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in gross margin was due to the favorable impact in the third quarter of 2003 from the sale of two XLS reduction lithography systems that had been previously written down (1.3 percentage points) and operational variances. For the first three quarters of 2004 and 2003, gross margins were 48.3% and 45.9%, respectively.  The 2.4 percentage point improvement in gross margin for the first three quarters of 2004 as compared to the first three quarters of 2003 was due primarily to increased production and service activity offset partially by the favorable impact in 2003 from the sale of 3 XLS reduction lithography systems which had been previously written down (0.7 percentage points).

 

Exclusive of licensing revenues, gross margin was 48.6% for the quarter ended October 2, 2004 as compared with 49.9% for the same period in 2003. Similarly, for the first three quarters of 2004, gross margin, exclusive of licensing revenues, was 46.6% as compared with 43.8% for the same period in 2003.   We believe disclosure of gross margins without reference to licensing revenues provides additional appropriate disclosure to allow comparison of our product and service gross margins over time because there is little, if any, cost of sales associated with our licensing revenues.  We expect license revenue to continue at its current level until it ends in April 2005.  Gross margins will be negatively impacted by the discontinuance of license revenue at that time.

 

Our gross profit as a percentage of sales has been and most likely will continue to be significantly affected by a variety of factors, including the mix of products sold; the introduction of new products, which typically have higher manufacturing costs until manufacturing efficiencies are realized and which are typically discounted more than existing products until the products gain market acceptance; the rate of capacity utilization; writedowns of inventory and open purchase commitments; technology support and licensing revenues, which have no associated cost of sales; product discounts, pricing and competition in our targeted markets; non-linearity of shipments during the quarter which can result in manufacturing inefficiencies; the percentage of international sales, which typically have lower gross margins than domestic sales principally due to higher field service and support costs; and start-up costs and inefficiencies associated with the implementation of subcontracting arrangements.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Research, development and engineering expenses for the third quarter and the first three quarters of 2004 were $6.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively, an increase of $0.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively, from the amounts reported for the comparable periods of 2003. These increases were due to increased investments in the development of our laser processing technologies and our next generation 1X stepper products. As a percentage of net sales, research, development and engineering expenses decreased to 20.0% in the quarter ended October 2, 2004 as compared to 20.9% in the third quarter of 2003 as a result of increased revenue.  For the first three quarters of 2004, research, development and engineering expenses increased to 23.2% of revenue from 21.4% for the same period in 2003.

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $7.4 million and $21.7 million for the third quarter and the first three quarters of 2004, respectively, an increase of $1.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively, as compared with the comparable periods in 2003. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased to 22.9% in the quarter ended October 2, 2004 as compared to 24.0% in the third quarter of 2003 as a result of increased revenue. For the first three quarters of 2004, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to 26.6% of revenue from 22.7% for the same period in 2003. The increase in expenses in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the third quarter of 2003 was due to increased marketing and sales activity primarily driven by our efforts in laser processing ($0.6 million), increased legal costs primarily related to our being a plaintiff in a patent infringement lawsuit ($0.4 million), and other items which in total increased $0.1 million.  The increase in year-to-date expenses was due to increased marketing and sales activity primarily driven by our efforts in laser processing ($1.7 million), increased legal costs primarily related to our being a plaintiff in a patent infringement lawsuit ($1.2 million), increased costs associated with our compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC and Nasdaq rules ($0.6 million), increased commission expense due to increased revenues ($0.4 million), and other items which in total increased $1.2 million.

 

 

14



 

Interest and other income, net

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

Oct. 2,

 

Sep. 27,

 

(in thousands)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Interest income

 

$

935

 

$

1,087

 

$

2,702

 

$

3,377

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(71

)

30

 

(22

)

(88

)

Interest and other income, net

 

$

864

 

$

1,117

 

$

2,680

 

$

3,289

 

 

Interest income was $0.9 million and $2.7 million for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2004, respectively, as compared with $1.1 million and $3.4 million for the comparable periods of 2003. The 2003 periods included interest income received related to the settlement of a research and development tax credit claim with the California Franchise Tax Board of $0.3 million. In addition to this favorable item in 2003, the decrease noted in the 2004 year-to-date period as compared to 2003 was due primarily to lower interest rates on our investments. We presently maintain an investment portfolio with a weighted-average maturity of less than one year. Consequently, changes in short-term interest rates have had a major impact on our interest income. Future changes in interest rates are expected to have a similar impact.

 

Income tax expense

 

For the three and nine months ended October 2, 2004, we recorded an income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively, as compared to income tax benefits of $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the comparable periods in 2003.  The 2004 periods include a $0.1 million benefit related to the settlement of tax audit issues in the United Kingdom. The recording of an income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2003 was due a special tax benefit of $0.3 million related to the settlement of a research and development tax credit claim with the California Franchise Tax Board, the recording of a $0.5 million benefit from the reversal of reserves associated with deferred tax assets carried on the balance sheet of our Japanese subsidiary, partially offset by current period tax expense.  We presently anticipate that we will recognize income tax expense in 2004 of approximately 10% to 15% of pre-tax income, primarily as a result of foreign income taxes and federal alternative minimum tax. We believe that the tax rate in 2004 will be substantially less than the statutory rate because of available federal net operating loss carry-forwards.

 

Income taxes can be affected by estimates of whether, and within which jurisdictions, future earnings will occur and how and when cash is repatriated to the United States, combined with other aspects of an overall income tax strategy. Additionally, taxing jurisdictions could retroactively disagree with our tax treatment of certain items, and some historical transactions have income tax effects going forward. Accounting rules require these future effects to be evaluated using current laws, rules and regulations, each of which can change at any time and in an unpredictable manner. We believe we have adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters, and do not anticipate any material earnings impact from their ultimate resolutions.

 

Outlook

 

Although we believe that our served markets have generally strengthened during the last twelve months, the anticipated timing of orders, shipments and customer acceptances usually requires us to fill a number of production slots in any given quarter in order to meet our sales targets. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to secure those production orders, or if existing production orders are delayed or cancelled, our results of operations will be materially adversely impacted. Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve or maintain our current or prior level of sales.  We presently expect that net sales for the quarter ending December 31, 2004 will range from a 10% decrease to a 10% increase from the level of net sales reported for the third quarter of 2004 of $32.4 million.

 

Because our net sales are subject to a number of risks, including risks associated with the introduction of our new laser processing product line including delays in customer acceptance, intense competition in the capital equipment industry, uncertainty relating to the timing and market acceptance of our products and the condition of the macro-economy and the semiconductor industry, we may not exceed or maintain our current or prior level of net sales for any period in the future. Additionally, we believe that the market acceptance and volume production of our Saturn Spectrum 3e, our 300mm offerings, our laser processing systems, our new generation of 1X steppers and our 1000 series family of wafer steppers, are of critical importance to our future financial results. At October 2, 2004, these critical systems represented 88% of our backlog. To the extent that these products do not achieve or maintain significant sales due to difficulties involving manufacturing or engineering, the inability to reduce the current long manufacturing cycles for these products, competition, excess capacity in the semiconductor or nanotechnology device industries, customer acceptances, or any other reason, our business, financial

 

15



 

condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

 

We believe that gross margin for the quarter ending December 31, 2004, will be between 48% and 51%, as compared to gross margin of 50% for the third quarter of 2004. Should our sales decline or not increase to the level expected, we may incur a higher risk of inventory obsolescence and excess purchase commitments, which would materially adversely impact our results of operations.  New products generally have lower gross margins until there is widespread market acceptance and until production and after-sales efficiencies can be achieved. Should significant market demand fail to develop for our laser processing systems, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, higher installation costs associated with early sales of our new laser processing products could negatively affect our gross margins.

 

We continue to invest significant resources in the development and enhancement of our laser processing systems and technologies and our 1X products and related technologies. Further, we expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to be impacted by the factors noted above in the explanation of current period variances.  As a result, for the three-month period ending December 31, 2004, we currently expect an operating margin of 0% to 10% and net income per share between $0.00 and $0.15.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $5.4 million for the first three quarters of 2004, as compared with net cash generated by operating activities of $8.5 million for the comparable period in 2003. Net cash used in operating activities during the first three quarters of 2004 was attributable to an increase in accounts receivable of $10.9 million resulting from higher shipments in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 and an increase in inventories of $3.8 million due to an increase in production in anticipation of increased shipments in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the launching of new products.  Also contributing to the use of cash were an increase in our demonstration inventory of $2.8 million as we made our new products available for customer demonstrations, a decrease in deferred license income of $2.8 million as we amortized the unearned income to revenue, and a decrease in other liabilities of $1.2 million due primarily to the payment of taxes in foreign jurisdictions.  Partially offsetting these uses of our cash were an increase in accounts payable of $5.1 million reflecting our increased business levels, an increase in deferred product and service income of $3.2 million due to an increase in shipments made but not yet recognized as revenue as compared to the number of shipments made but not yet recognized as revenue at December 31, 2003, net income of $1.1 million and non-cash charges to income for depreciation and amortization of $6.6 million. We expect that accounts receivable, inventory and deferred product and services income levels at December 31, 2004 will be similar to the levels currently reported.  Accounts payable is likely to increase as the result of a leasehold improvement project during the fourth quarter of 2004 as we prepare our manufacturing facility for the production of our new products.

 

We believe that because of the relatively long manufacturing cycle of certain of our systems, particularly newer products, our inventories will continue to represent a significant portion of working capital. Currently, we are devoting significant resources to the development, introduction and commercialization of our laser processing systems and to the development of our next generation 1X lithography technologies. We currently intend to continue to incur significant operating expenses in the areas of research, development and engineering, manufacturing and selling, general and administrative costs in order to further develop, produce and support these new products. Additionally, gross profit margins, inventory and capital equipment levels may be adversely impacted in the future by costs associated with the initial production of our laser processing systems and by future generations of our 1X wafer steppers. These costs include, but are not limited to, additional manufacturing overhead, costs of demonstration systems and facilities and the establishment of additional after-sales support organizations. Additionally, our operating expenses may increase, relative to sales, as a result of adding additional marketing and administrative personnel, among other costs, to support our new products. If we are unable to achieve significantly increased net sales or if our sales fall below expectations, our cash flow and operating results will be materially adversely affected until, among other factors, costs and expenses can be reduced. Failure to achieve our sales targets for these new products could result in inventory write-offs and asset impairment charges, either of which could materially adversely impact our results of operations.

 

During the first three quarters of 2004, net cash generated by investing activities was $14.1 million, attributable to a net decrease in available-for-sale securities of $19.3 million offset partially by capital expenditures of $5.2 million. We are planning to incur capital expenditures during the remainder of 2004 of between $4 million and $6 million for equipment and facility improvements driven primarily by our new product introductions.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $7.8 million during the first three quarters of 2004, attributable to borrowings under our credit facility and proceeds received from the issuance of common stock under our employee stock option and

 

 

16



 

stock purchase plans of $2.4 million .

 

At October 2, 2004, we had working capital of $171.7 million. Our principal source of liquidity at October 2, 2004 consisted of $153.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments net of our borrowings under our line of credit.

 

In September 2002, we entered into a line of credit agreement with a brokerage firm. Under the terms of this agreement, we may borrow funds at a cost equal to the current Federal funds rate plus 100 basis points (2.75% as of October 2, 2004). Certain of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments secure borrowings outstanding under this facility. Funds are advanced to us under this facility based on pre-determined advance rates on the cash and securities held by us in this brokerage account. This agreement has no set expiration date and there are no loan covenants. As of October 2, 2004, $7.9 million was outstanding under this facility, with a related collateral requirement of approximately $11.3 million of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

The development and manufacture of new lithography systems and enhancements is highly capital-intensive. In order to be competitive, we believe we must continue to make significant expenditures for capital equipment; sales, service, training and support capabilities; systems, procedures and controls; expansion of operations; and research and development, among many other items. We expect that cash generated from operations and our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, in the near-term, we may continue to utilize existing and future lines of credit, and other sources of financing, in order to maintain our present levels of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Beyond the next twelve months, we may require additional equity or debt financing to address our working capital or capital equipment needs. In addition, we may seek to raise equity or debt capital at any time that we deem market conditions to be favorable. Additional financing, if needed, may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.

 

We may in the future pursue acquisitions of complementary product lines, technologies or businesses. Future acquisitions by us may result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities and amortization expenses and impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, personnel and products of the acquired companies; the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no direct experience; and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired company. In the event we acquire product lines, technologies or businesses which do not complement our business, or which otherwise do not enhance our sales or operating results, we may incur substantial write-offs and higher recurring operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event that any such acquisition does occur, there can be no assurance as to the effect thereof on our business or operating results.

 

Foreign currency

 

As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we attempt to hedge most of our Japanese yen denominated foreign currency exposures. We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge the risk that unremitted Japanese yen denominated receipts from customers for actual or forecasted sales of equipment after receipt of customer orders may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. After recording revenue, we use various mechanisms, such as foreign currency forward exchange contracts and natural hedges, to offset substantial portions of the potential gains or losses associated with our Japanese yen denominated receivables and liabilities due to exchange rate fluctuations. At October 2, 2004, we had taken action to hedge approximately all of these Japanese yen denominated exposures. In addition to natural hedges resulting from having both assets and liabilities denominated in Japanese yen, we hedge our exposures by entering into foreign currency forward contracts that generally have maturities of nine months or less. We often close foreign currency forward exchange contracts by entering into offsetting contracts. At October 2, 2004, we had open contracts for the sale of $8.9 million of foreign currencies at fixed rates of exchange.  At October 2, 2004, we had no open contracts to purchase foreign currencies.

 

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to risks described in the foregoing discussions, the following risks apply to us and our business:

 

Lengthy Sales Cycles  Sales of our systems depend, in significant part, upon the decision of a prospective customer to increase manufacturing capacity or to restructure current manufacturing facilities, either of which typically involves a significant commitment of capital. Many of our customers in the past have cancelled the development of new manufacturing facilities and have substantially reduced their capital equipment budgets. In view of the significant investment involved in a

 

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system purchase, we have experienced and may continue to experience delays following initial qualification of our systems as a result of delays in a customer’s approval process. Additionally, we are presently receiving orders for systems that have lengthy delivery schedules, which may be due to longer production lead times or a result of customers’ capacity scheduling requirements. For these and other reasons, our systems typically have a lengthy sales cycle during which we may expend substantial funds and management effort in securing a sale. Lengthy sales cycles subject us to a number of significant risks, including inventory obsolescence and fluctuations in operating results, over which we have little or no control. In order to maintain or exceed our present level of net sales, we are dependent upon obtaining orders for systems that will ship and be accepted in the current period.

 

Development of New Product Lines; Expansion of Operations  Currently, we are devoting significant resources to the development, introduction and commercialization of our laser processing systems and next generation 1X stepper products and to enhancements of our Saturn Spectrum 3e and Saturn Spectrum 300e2 wafer steppers. We intend to continue to develop these products and technologies during the remainder of 2004 and 2005, and to incur significant operating expenses in the areas of research, development and engineering, manufacturing and general and administrative costs in order to further develop, produce and support these new products. Additionally, gross profit margins and inventory levels may be further adversely impacted in the future by costs associated with the initial production of our laser processing systems and by future generations of our 1X lithography systems. Introduction of new products generally involves higher installation costs and product performance uncertainties that could delay customer acceptance of our systems, resulting in a delay in recognizing revenue associated with those systems and a reduction in gross margins. These costs include, but are not limited to, additional manufacturing overhead, additional inventory write-offs, costs of demonstration systems and facilities, and costs associated with the establishment of additional after-sales support organizations. Additionally, operating expenses may increase, relative to sales, as a result of adding additional marketing and administrative personnel, among other costs, to support our new products. If our new products do not result in significantly increased net sales or if our sales fall below expectations, our operating results will be materially adversely affected.

 

Our ability to commercialize our laser processing technologies depends on our ability to demonstrate a manufacturing-worthy tool. We do not presently have in-house capability to fabricate semiconductor devices. As a result, we must partner with semiconductor companies to develop the anneal process. The development of new process technologies is largely dependent upon our ability to interest potential customers in working on joint process development. Our ability to deliver timely solutions is also limited by wafer turnaround at the potential customer’s fabrication facility.

 

Intellectual Property Rights  Although we attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through patents, copyrights, trade secrets and other measures, we believe that our success will depend more upon the innovation, technological expertise and marketing abilities of our employees. Nevertheless, we have a policy of seeking patents when appropriate on inventions resulting from our ongoing research and development and manufacturing activities. We own 89 U. S. and foreign patents, which expire on dates ranging from June 2006 to November 2022 and have 81 U. S. and foreign patent applications pending. We also have various registered trademarks and copyright registrations covering mainly software programs used in the operation of our systems. In addition, we rely upon trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information. We may not be able to protect our technology adequately and competitors may be able to develop similar technology independently. Our pending patent applications may not result in a patent being issued and U.S. or foreign intellectual property laws may not protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce our patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation has resulted in, and in the future could result in, substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, regardless of the outcome of the litigation. Patents issued to us may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented and the rights granted thereunder may not provide competitive advantages to us. Furthermore, others may independently develop similar technology or products or design around our patents. Challenges to, or invalidation of, patents related to our technologies would expose us to the risk of forfeiture of revenues and further risk of damage claims.

 

On February 29, 2000, we filed lawsuits asserting patent infringement and related claims against Nikon, Canon, and ASML in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In April 2000, we reached a settlement with Nikon, and in September 2001, we reached a settlement with Canon. The patent litigation against ASML is ongoing after having been transferred to the Northern District of California. After the District Court made a preliminary determination that ASML did not infringe the patent, we appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C.  The Court of Appeals reversed the preliminary determination of the District Court, ruling in our favor, and remanded the case back to the District Court in Northern California for further proceedings.

 

We are involved in other lawsuits and legal actions regarding infringement claims that we believe not to be material to our business or financial condition. Additionally, we have from time to time been notified of claims that we may be infringing

 

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intellectual property rights possessed by third parties.

 

Infringement claims by third parties or claims for indemnification resulting from infringement claims may be asserted in the future and such assertions, if proven to be true, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, regardless of the outcome of any litigation. With respect to any such future claims, we may seek to obtain a license under the third party’s intellectual property rights. However, a license may not be available to us on reasonable terms or at all. We could decide, in the alternative, to resort to litigation to challenge such claims. Such challenges could be expensive and time consuming and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, regardless of the outcome of any litigation.

 

Cyclicality of Semiconductor, Semiconductor Packaging and Nanotechnology Industries  Our business depends in significant part upon capital expenditures by manufacturers of semiconductors, bumped semiconductors and nanotechnology components, including thin film head magnetic recording devices, which in turn depend upon the current and anticipated market demand for such devices and products utilizing such devices. The semiconductor industry historically has been highly cyclical and has experienced recurring periods of oversupply. This has, from time to time, resulted in significantly reduced demand for capital equipment including the systems manufactured and marketed by us. We believe that markets for new generations of semiconductors and semiconductor packaging will also be subject to similar fluctuations. Our business and operating results would be materially adversely affected by downturns or slowdowns in the semiconductor, semiconductor packaging or nanotechnology markets or by loss of market share. Accordingly, we may not be able to achieve or maintain our current or prior level of sales.

 

We attempt to mitigate the risk of cyclicality by offering products in multiple markets including semiconductor, semiconductor packaging, thin film head and other nanotechnology sectors, as well as diversifying into new markets such as photolithography for optical networking (a nanotechnology application) and laser-based annealing for implant activation and other applications. Despite such efforts, when one or more of such markets experiences a downturn or a situation of excess capacity, our net sales and operating results are materially adversely affected.

 

Highly Competitive Industry The capital equipment industry in which we operate is intensely competitive. A substantial investment is required to install and integrate capital equipment into a semiconductor, semiconductor packaging or nanotechnology device production line. We believe that once a device manufacturer or packaging subcontractor has selected a particular vendor’s capital equipment, the manufacturer generally relies upon that equipment for the specific production line application and, to the extent possible, subsequent generations of similar products. Accordingly, it is difficult to achieve significant sales to a particular customer once another vendor’s capital equipment has been selected.

 

We experience competition in advanced packaging from various proximity aligner companies such as Suss Microtec AG (Suss Microtec) and projection companies such as Ushio, Inc. and Tamarack Scientific Co., Inc.. In nanotechnology, we experience competition from proximity aligner companies, such as Suss Microtec, as well as other stepper manufacturers who have developed or are developing tools specifically designed for nanotechnology applications. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the performance of their current products and to introduce new products with improved price and performance characteristics. This could cause a decline in sales or loss of market share in our served markets, and thereby materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Enhancements to, or future generations of, competing products may be developed that offer superior cost of ownership and technical performance features.

 

With respect to our laser annealing technologies, marketed under the LSA100 product name, our primary competition comes from companies that offer products utilizing rapid thermal processing (RTP), which currently is the prevailing  manufacturing technology. Another potential advanced annealing solution utilizes flash lamp annealing technology (FLA). Several companies have published papers on annealing tools that incorporate flash lamp technology in order to reduce annealing times and increase anneal temperatures. Developers of flash lamp annealing (FLA) technology claim to have overcome annealing difficulties at the 65nm node. Additionally, competition to our laser processing products may come from other laser annealing tools, including those presently being used by the flat panel display industry to re-crystallize silicon. Manufacturers of these tools may try to extend the use of their technologies to semiconductor device applications.  We believe customers will choose between these technology alternatives based on their assessment of a combination of price and performance benefits for their specific applications.

 

In July 2000, we licensed certain rights to our then existing laser processing technology, with reservations, to a competing manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. We presently anticipate this company will offer laser annealing tools to the semiconductor industry that will compete with our offerings.

 

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We believe that to be competitive, we will require significant financial resources in order to continue to invest in new product development, in new features and enhancements to existing products, to introduce new generation stepper systems in our served markets on a timely basis, and to maintain customer service and support centers worldwide. In marketing our products, we may also face competition from vendors employing other technologies. In addition, increased competitive pressure has led to intensified price-based competition in certain of our markets, resulting in lower prices and margins. Should these competitive trends continue, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future.

 

Customer and Market Concentrations  Historically, we have sold a substantial portion of our systems to a limited number of customers. In the third quarter and first three quarters of 2004, five customers represented approximately 76% and 40% of our system revenue, respectively.  At October 2, 2004, the top five customers for the third quarter and first three quarters of 2004 represented 49% and 38%, respectively, of the accounts receivable.  In 2003, Intel Corporation accounted for 26% of our net sales but less than 10% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2003. At October 2, 2004, four customers accounted for 36% of our system backlog. Cancellation, deferrals or rescheduling of orders by any of these customers would have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations.

 

We expect that sales to a relatively few customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our net sales in the foreseeable future and believe that our financial results depend in significant part upon the success of these major customers and our ability to meet their future capital equipment needs. Although the composition of the group comprising our largest customers may vary from period to period, the loss of a significant customer or any reduction in orders by a significant customer, including reductions due to market, economic or competitive conditions in the semiconductor, semiconductor packaging or nanotechnology industries or in the industries that manufacture products utilizing integrated circuits, thin film heads or other nanotechnology components, would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to maintain or increase our sales in the future depends, in part, on our ability to obtain orders from new customers as well as the financial condition and success of our existing customers, the semiconductor and nanotechnology industries and the economy in general.

 

In addition to the business risks associated with dependence on a small number of major customers, these significant customer concentrations have in the past resulted in significant concentrations of accounts receivable. These significant and concentrated receivables expose us to additional risks, including the risk of default by one or more customers representing a significant portion of our total receivables. If any of our major customers were unable or unwilling to pay or if we were required to take additional accounts receivable reserves, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

 

On a market application basis, sales to the semiconductor industry, primarily for advanced packaging applications, accounted for approximately 68% and 75% of system revenue for the first three quarters of 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively. During the first three-quarters of 2004 and for the full year 2003, approximately 32% and 25%, respectively, of our systems revenue was derived from sales to nanotechnology manufacturers, including micro systems, thin film head and optical networking device manufacturers. Our future results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely impacted by a downturn in any of these market segments, or by loss of market share in any of these segments.

 

International Sales  International net sales accounted for approximately 64% and 61% of total net sales for the first three quarters of 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively. We anticipate that international sales, which typically have lower gross margins than domestic sales, principally due to increased competition and higher field service and support costs, will continue to account for a significant majority of total net sales. As a result, a significant portion of our net sales will continue to be subject to certain risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; difficulty in satisfying existing regulatory requirements; exchange rate fluctuations; tariffs and other barriers; political and economic instability; difficulties in accounts receivable collections; natural disasters; some dependence on outside sales representative organizations; difficulties in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary and branch operations; and potentially adverse tax consequences.

 

Although we generally transact our international sales in U.S. dollars, international sales expose us to a number of additional risks, including fluctuations in the value of local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which, in turn, impact the relative cost of ownership of our products and may further impact the purchasing ability of our international customers. However, in Japan, we have a direct sales operation and orders are often denominated in Japanese yen. This may subject us to a higher degree of risk from currency exchange rate fluctuations. We attempt to mitigate this exposure through the use of foreign exchange forward contracts. We are also subject to the risks associated with the imposition of legislation and regulations relating to the import or export of semiconductors and nanotechnology products. We cannot predict whether the United

 

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States, Japan or any other country will implement changes to quotas, duties, taxes or other charges or restrictions upon the importation or exportation of our products. These factors, or the adoption of restrictive policies, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Changes to Financial Accounting Standards May Affect the Company’s Reported Results of Operations  We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. These principles are subject to interpretation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the SEC and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting policies. A change in those policies can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our reporting of transactions completed before a change is announced.

 

Accounting policies affecting many other aspects of our business, including rules relating to revenue recognition, off-balance sheet transactions, employee stock options, restructurings, asset disposals, intangible assets, derivative and other financial instruments, and in-process research and development charges, have recently been revised or are under review. Changes to those rules or the questioning of how we interpret or implement those rules may have a material adverse effect on our reported financial results or on the way we conduct business. In addition, our preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of those assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the recorded amounts of expenses during the reporting period. A change in the facts and circumstances surrounding those estimates could result in a change to our estimates and could impact our future operating results.

 

Rapid Technological Change; Importance of Timely Product Introduction  The semiconductor and nanotechnology manufacturing industries are subject to rapid technological change and new product introductions and enhancements. Our ability to be competitive in these and other markets will depend, in part, upon our ability to develop new and enhanced systems and related software tools, and to introduce these systems and related software tools at competitive prices and on a timely and cost-effective basis to enable customers to integrate them into their operations either prior to or as they begin volume product manufacturing. We will also be required to enhance the performance of our existing systems and related software tools. Any success we may have in developing new and enhanced systems and related software tools depends upon a variety of factors, including product selection, timely and efficient completion of product design, timely and efficient implementation of manufacturing and assembly processes, product performance in the field and effective sales and marketing. Because new product development commitments must be made well in advance of sales, new product decisions must anticipate both future demand and the technology that will be available to supply that demand. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in selecting, developing, manufacturing or marketing new products and related software tools or enhancing our existing products and related software tools. Any such failure would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Because of the large number of components in our systems, significant delays can occur between a system’s introduction and when we commence volume production of such systems. We have experienced delays from time to time in the introduction of, and technical and manufacturing difficulties with, certain of our systems and enhancements and related software features and options, and may experience delays and technical and manufacturing difficulties in future introductions or volume production of new systems or enhancements and related software features and options.

 

We may encounter additional technical, manufacturing or other difficulties that could further delay future introductions or volume production of systems or enhancements. Our inability to complete the development or meet the technical specifications of any of our systems or enhancements and related software tools, or our inability to manufacture and ship these systems or enhancements and related software tools in volume and in time to meet the requirements for manufacturing the future generation of semiconductor or nanotechnology devices would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may incur substantial unanticipated costs to ensure the functionality and reliability of our products early in the products’ life cycles. If new products have reliability or quality problems, reduced orders or higher manufacturing costs, delays in customer acceptance, recognition of revenue and collecting accounts receivable and additional service and warranty expenses may result. Any such event could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Sole or Limited Sources of Supply  Our manufacturing activities consist of assembling and testing components and subassemblies, which are then integrated into finished systems. We rely on a limited number of outside suppliers and subcontractors to manufacture certain components and subassemblies. We order one of the most critical components of our technology, the glass for our 1X lenses, from external suppliers. We design the 1X lenses and provide the lens specifications and the glass to other suppliers, who then manufacture the lens elements. We then assemble the lens elements and test the completed optical 1X lenses.

 

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We procure some of our other critical systems’ components, subassemblies and services from single outside suppliers or a limited group of outside suppliers in order to ensure overall quality and timeliness of delivery. Many of these components and subassemblies have significant production lead times. To date, we have been able to obtain adequate services and supplies of components and subassemblies for our systems in a timely manner. However, disruption or termination of certain of these sources could result in a significant adverse impact on our ability to manufacture our systems. This, in turn, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our reliance on a sole or a limited group of suppliers and our reliance on subcontractors involve several risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components due to the suppliers’ failure or inability to provide such components in a timely manner, or at all, and reduced control over pricing and timely delivery of components. Although the timeliness, yield and quality of deliveries to date from our subcontractors have been acceptable, manufacture of certain of these components and subassemblies is an extremely complex process, and long lead-times are required. Any inability to obtain adequate deliveries or any other circumstance that would require us to seek alternative sources of supply or to manufacture such components internally could delay our ability to ship our products, which could damage relationships with current and prospective customers and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Dependence on Key Personnel  Our future operating results depend, in significant part, upon the continued contributions of key personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. We have entered into employment agreements with only a limited number of our employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, and our employees are employed “at will.” These employment agreements contain vesting acceleration and severance payment provisions that could result in significant costs or charges to us should the employee be terminated without cause, die or have a disability. We do not maintain any life insurance on any of our key people. The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our future operating results depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain other qualified management, manufacturing, technical, sales and support personnel for our operations. There are only a limited number of people with the requisite skills to serve in these positions and it may become increasingly difficult for us to hire such personnel over time. At times, competition for such personnel has been intense, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area where we maintain our headquarters and principal operations, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel. The failure to attract or retain such persons would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Volatility of Stock Price and Dilutive Impact of Employee Stock Options  We believe that factors such as announcements of developments related to our business, fluctuations in our operating results, a shortfall in revenue or earnings, changes in analysts’ expectations, general conditions in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industries or the worldwide or regional economies, sales of our securities into the marketplace, an outbreak or escalation of hostilities, announcements of technological innovations or new products or enhancements by us or our competitors, developments in patents or other intellectual property rights and developments in our relationships with our customers and suppliers could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate, perhaps substantially. The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the past and we expect it to continue to experience significant fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that may be unrelated to our performance.

 

As of October 29, 2004, we had options to purchase approximately 6.2 million shares of common stock outstanding. Among other determinants, the market price of our stock has a major bearing on the number of shares subject to outstanding stock options that are included in the weighted-average shares used in determining our net income (loss) per share. During periods of extreme volatility, the impact of higher stock prices can have a materially dilutive effect on our net income (loss) per share (diluted). Additionally, options are excluded from the calculation of net income (loss) per share when we have a net loss or when the exercise price of the stock option is greater than the average market price of our common stock, as the impact of the stock options would be anti-dilutive.

 

Effects of Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions  Certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, equity incentive plans, Shareholder Rights Plan, licensing agreements, Bylaws and Delaware law may discourage certain transactions involving a change in control of our company. In addition to the foregoing, our classified board of directors, the shareholdings of our officers, directors and persons or entities that may be deemed affiliates and the ability of the Board of Directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without further stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of holders of Common Stock.

 

California Manufacturing Location  We perform all of our manufacturing activities (final assembly, system testing and certain subassembly) in clean room environments totaling approximately 26,000 square feet located in San Jose, California. Performing manufacturing operations in California exposes us to a higher risk of natural disasters, including earthquakes. In addition, in the past California has experienced power shortages, which have interrupted our operations.  Such shortages

 

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could occur in the future and could again interrupt our operations resulting in product shipment delays, increased costs and other problems, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, customer relationships and results or operations. We are not insured against natural disasters and power shortages and the occurrence of such an event could materially adversely impact our results of operations.

 

Environmental Regulations  We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation, manufacture and disposal of toxic or other hazardous substances used to manufacture our systems. We believe that we are currently in compliance in all material respects with such regulations and that we have obtained all necessary environmental permits to conduct our business. Nevertheless, the failure to comply with current or future regulations could result in substantial fines being imposed on us, suspension of production, alteration of the manufacturing process or cessation of operations. Such regulations could require us to acquire expensive remediation equipment or to incur substantial expenses to comply with environmental regulations. Any failure by us to control the use, disposal or storage of, or adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous or toxic substances could subject us to significant liabilities.

 

Terrorist Attacks and Threats, and Government Responses Thereto, May Negatively Impact Our Operations, Revenues, Costs and Stock Price.  Terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere, government responses thereto, and military actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, may disrupt our operations or those of our customers and suppliers and may affect the availability of materials needed to manufacture our products or the means to transport those materials to manufacturing facilities and finished products to customers. In addition, any of these events could increase volatility in the United States and world financial markets which may depress the price of our common stock and may limit the capital resources available to us or our customers or suppliers, which could result in decreased orders from customers, less favorable financing terms from suppliers, and scarcity or increased costs of materials and components of our products. Additionally, terrorist attacks directly on Ultratech or our customers or suppliers may significantly disrupt our ability to conduct our business. Any of these occurrences could have a significant impact on our operating results, revenues and costs and may result in increased volatility of the market price of our common stock.

 

Information Available on Company Web-site

 

Our web-site is located at www.ultratech.com. We make available, free of charge, through our web-site, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, Form 3, 4 and 5 filings and current reports on Form 8-K (and amendments to those reports), as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the SEC.

 

Item 3.                                   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Reference is made to Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and to the subheading “Derivative Instruments and Hedging” in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, under the heading “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Our exposure to market risk due to potential changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio, which consisted primarily of fixed interest rate instruments as of October 2, 2004. These instruments are held for purposes other than trading. We maintain an investment policy designed to ensure the safety and preservation of our invested funds by limiting market risk and the risk of default.

 

Foreign Currency Risk Management

 

The majority of our revenue, expense and capital purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we do enter into these transactions in other currencies, primarily Japanese Yen. To protect against reductions in value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates, we have established transaction and balance sheet hedging programs. We use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the risk that unremitted Japanese yen denominated receipts from customers for actual or forecasted sales of equipment after receipt of customer orders may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At October 2, 2004, we had taken action to hedge approximately all of these Japanese yen denominated exposures. To hedge this exposure, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts that generally have maturities of nine months or less. We often close foreign currency forward exchange contracts by entering into offsetting contracts. At October 2, 2004, we had open contracts for the sale of $8.9 million of foreign currencies at fixed rates of exchange. We had no open contracts to purchase any foreign currencies.  Our hedging programs reduce, but do not

 

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always entirely eliminate, the impact of currency movements.

 

Item 4.                                   Controls and Procedures

 

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”).  Based upon the evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Management is further required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

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PART 2:             OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.                Legal Proceedings.

 

On February 29, 2000, we filed lawsuits asserting patent infringement and related claims against Nikon, Canon, and ASML in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In April 2000, we reached a settlement with Nikon, and in September 2001, we reached a settlement with Canon. The patent litigation against ASML is ongoing after having been transferred to the Northern District of California. After the District Court made a preliminary determination that ASML did not infringe the patent, we appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C.  The Court of Appeals reversed the preliminary determination of the District Court, ruling in our favor, and remanded the case back to the District Court in Northern California for further proceedings.

 

We are involved in other lawsuits and legal actions that we believe are not material to our business or financial condition.

 

Item 2.                Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

In August 2004, we issued 1,250 shares of our common stock in an unregistered, private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 to Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), a non-profit global trade organization, to support their efforts to educate youth interested in science and math about career opportunities in the semiconductor industry. 

 

Item 3.                Defaults upon Senior Securities.                                                                                        None.

 

Item 4.                Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.                                                     None

 

Item 5.                Other Information.                                                                                                              None

 

Item 6

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

31.1

 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ULTRATECH, INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date:

November 5, 2004

 

By:

/s/Bruce R. Wright

 

 

 

Bruce R. Wright

 

 

Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial

 

 

Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal

 

Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

26



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27