Amtech Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2017 Results

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a global supplier of production equipment and related supplies for the solar, semiconductor, and LED markets, today reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2017 Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net revenues of $54.7 million (solar $30.1 million)
• Net income of $7.3 million
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.51
• Customer orders of $27.6 million (solar $9.6 million)
• Quarter-end backlog of $102.4 million (solar $81.4 million)
• Book to bill ratio of 0.5:1 (0.3:1 solar)
• Unrestricted cash of $51.1 million

Fiscal Year 2017 Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net revenues of $164.5 million (solar $87.0 million)
• Net income of $9.1 million
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.68
• Cash provided by operating activities of $11.8 million
• Customer orders of $210.5 million (solar $126.6 million)
• Book to bill ratio of 1.3:1 (1.4:1 solar)

Mr. Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, "We are pleased to report that shipment of Phase I of the turnkey order and strong shipments of semiconductor products led to strong financial results in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2017.  All three of our businesses delivered very positive earnings in the fourth quarter.  Both our solar and semiconductor business units performed well with sequential quarter-to-quarter and year-over year improvements in both revenue and operating profit.  The polishing segment also produced higher quarterly profits sequentially and year-over-year. In August, we successfully completed a round of equity financing, which enhanced our financial position as we continue to develop next-generation products and solutions, focus on operational excellence, and the long-term profitable growth of the company."

At September 30, 2017, our total order backlog was $102.4 million (solar $81.4 million), compared to total backlog of $125.7 million (solar $98.2 million) at June 30, 2017. Backlog includes deferred revenue and customer orders that are expected to ship within the next 12 months. 

Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $54.7 million compared to $47.8 million in the preceding quarter and $42.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The sequential increase is due primarily to increased shipments of our semiconductor equipment.  The increase from the prior year quarter is due primarily to shipments relating to the large solar turnkey order, as well as increased shipments of our semiconductor equipment.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was 36%, compared to 32% in the preceding quarter and 29% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Sequentially and compared to prior year, gross margin increased primarily due to higher sales volumes, favorable product and customer mix, and the recognition of previously deferred profit.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 were $9.8 million compared to $10.1 million in the preceding quarter and $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.  Sequentially, the SG&A decrease was due primarily to lower severance and employee-related expenses. The decrease in SG&A from prior year is due primarily to a $1.8 million provision for doubtful accounts receivable in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 included increased commissions and selling expenses on higher sales and higher employee related expenses.

Research, development and engineering (RD&E) expense was $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to $1.4 million in the preceding quarter and $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.  

Depreciation and amortization in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $0.6 million, compared to $0.6 million in the preceding quarter and $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $0.5 million compared to $1.0 million in the preceding quarter and $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $7.3 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.02 per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and net income of $3.3 million or $0.25 per diluted share in the preceding quarter.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 were $51.1 million, compared to $39.2 million at June 30, 2017.

Outlook

The company expects revenues for the quarter ending December 31, 2017 to be in the range of $60 to $70 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending December 31, 2017 is expected to be in the mid 20 percent range, with operating margin percentage in the mid-single digits, both influenced by product mix.

The solar and semiconductor equipment industries can be cyclical and inherently impacted by changes in market demand.  Additionally, operating results can be impacted by the timing of orders, system shipments and the financial results of the solar and semiconductor businesses.  The first quarter of fiscal 2018 ending December 31, 2017 is expected to be positively impacted by the solar business due to the shipment of all Phase II equipment of a large multi-phase turnkey order, followed by softer second quarter shipments and operating results.  Depending on the timing of the order for the next phase of the turnkey project, the results for the second half of the year potentially may be in line with the first half of the year. Operating results could also be affected by the net impact of revenue deferral on shipments, and recognition of revenue based on customer acceptances, and progress on the start-up of the turnkey production lines, all of which can have a significant effect on operating results.

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

Conference Call

Amtech Systems will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 financial results. Those in the USA wishing to participate in the live call should dial (844) 868-9329. From Canada, dial (866) 605-3852, and internationally, dial (412) 317-6703. Request "Amtech" when connected to the operator. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference call through November 27, 2017.  To access the replay please dial US toll free (877) 344-7529 and enter code 10114411. Internationally, dial (412) 317-0088 and use the same code.  A live and archived web cast of the conference call can be accessed in the investor relations section of Amtech's website at www.amtechsystems.com.

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. is a global supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment to the solar, semiconductor / electronics, and LED manufacturing markets. Amtech's equipment includes diffusion, ALD and PECVD systems and solder reflow systems. Amtech also supplies wafer handling automation and polishing equipment and related consumable products. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation, and deposition steps used in the fabrication of solar cells, LEDs, semiconductors, MEMS, printed circuit boards, semiconductor packaging, and the polishing of newly sliced sapphire and silicon wafers. Amtech's products are recognized under the leading brand names Tempress Systems™, Bruce Technologies™, PR Hoffman™, R2D Automation™, SoLayTec, and BTU International.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release is forward-looking in nature. All statements in this press release, or made by management of Amtech Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Amtech"), other than statements of historical fact, are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology or our management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding Amtech's future financial results, operating results, business strategies, projected costs, products under development, competitive positions, and plans and objectives of Amtech and its management for future operations.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Form 10-K, as amended, that Amtech filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the year-ended September 30, 2016, listed various important factors that could affect the company's future operating results and financial condition and could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and expectations based on forward-looking statements made in this document or elsewhere by Amtech or on its behalf.  These factors can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and investors should refer to them.  Because it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, any such list cannot be considered a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.  Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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SOURCE Amtech Systems, Inc.