EXHIBIT 99.1

Amtech Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Results

TEMPE, Ariz., August 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS), a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced thermal processing and polishing equipment and related consumables to the semiconductor / electronics, power IC businesses, solar, and advanced lighting markets, today reported results for its third quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2018 Financial and Operational Highlights:

Net revenues of $41.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $27.1M, Solar $14.1M)
Net income of $5.0 million
Diluted earnings per share of $0.33
Customer orders of $26.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $21.2M, Solar $5.0M)
June 30, 2018 backlog of $41.2 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $22.3M, Solar $19.0M)
Book to bill ratio of 0.7:1 (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* 0.8:1, Solar 0.4:1)
Unrestricted cash of $48.7 million

Year-To-Date (9 Months) Fiscal 2018 Financial and Operational Highlights:

Net revenues of $147.6 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $71.7M, Solar $75.9M)
Net income of $14.3 million
Diluted earnings per share of $0.94
Customer orders of $92.3 million (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* $72.9M, Solar $19.4M)
Book to bill ratio of 0.6:1 (Combined Semi and LED/SiC* 1.0:1, Solar 0.3:1)

Mr. Fokko Pentinga, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “We are pleased to report third quarter consolidated revenue grew by more than 25%, resulting in improved operating profit compared to the second quarter. Our combined Semiconductor and LED/SiC* segments, representing 66% of total company third quarter sales, delivered revenue growth of 34.1% sequentially, 44.1% year-over-year, and record combined operating profits. The significant drivers of this growth and related operating profits are the demand we are seeing in certain markets including automotive, consumer and industrial electronics, including sensors, power chips, the internet of things (“IoT”) devices, and advanced lighting. In our solar business, recent changes in China’s domestic solar policies have slowed cell capacity expansion plans. However, we believe follow-on orders for the next phases of the large 1 GW+ turnkey project will be received in the next few quarters and look to participate in other selective growth opportunities as we serve core customers over the long term.”

Net revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $41.2 million compared to $32.8 million in the preceding quarter and $47.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The sequential increase is primarily due to increased shipments of our semiconductor equipment. Compared to the prior year quarter, net revenue decreased due to lower shipments of solar equipment for the turnkey project, partially offset by significant increases in Semiconductor and LED/SiC shipments.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2018 were $48.7 million, compared to $51.1 million at September 30, 2017.

At June 30, 2018, our total order backlog was $41.2 million (Semi and LED/SiC* segments $22.3 million, Solar segment $19.0 million), compared to total backlog of $63.1 million (Semi and LED/SiC* segments $28.2 million, Solar segment $35.0 million) at March 31, 2018. Backlog includes deferred revenue and customer orders that are expected to ship within the next 12 months. We have excluded from reported backlog approximately $5.8 million of solar customer orders that are not expected to ship in the next twelve months.




Gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was 35%, compared to 36% in the preceding quarter and 32% in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Sequentially, gross margin was relatively flat, with product mix changes increasing solar gross margin and decreasing semiconductor gross margin. Compared to the prior year quarter, gross margin on products from our Solar segment increased due to recognition of previously deferred revenue, while gross margin on products from our Semiconductor and LED/SiC segments decreased due to product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $9.5 million, compared to $9.5 million in the preceding quarter and $10.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in SG&A from the prior year quarter is due primarily to decreased employee-related expenses, partially offset by higher commissions and selling expenses related to higher revenues in our Semiconductor segment.

Due to the ongoing challenges we are experiencing in our Solar segment, we are implementing a restructuring plan ("the Plan"). Once fully implemented, we expect the Plan to reduce operating costs by approximately $3 million on an annualized basis. The Plan is to better align our workforce with the current needs of our business and enhance our competitive position for long-term success. Under the Plan, we will reduce our Solar workforce by approximately 35-40 employees. We expect to record approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million of related costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Research, development and engineering (RD&E) expense was $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $2.2 million in the preceding quarter and $1.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

Effective June 29, 2018, we sold our remaining 15% ownership interest in Kingstone Technology Hong Kong Limited for approximately $5.7 million. We recognized a gain of approximately $2.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and recorded a short-term note receivable of $5.7 million. The note is due in August 2018.
Income tax in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was an expense of $1.4 million compared to a benefit of $2.8 million in the preceding quarter and expense of $1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The tax benefit recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 is primarily due to the resolution of an uncertain tax position.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $5.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.25 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and net income of $2.8 million or $0.19 per diluted share in the preceding quarter.

*Note: LED/SiC (silicon carbide) refers to our Polishing segment. Combined Semi and LED/SiC refers to the sum of our Semiconductor and LED/SiC segments. Solar refers to our Solar segment, which includes products sold for semiconductor applications of no more than 25% of the segment’s totals. The Combined Semi and LED/SiC amounts above are non-GAAP measures, as they are a subtotal of two separate segments. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A tabular reconciliation of financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures is included in the Summary Financial Information table in this press release.

Outlook

The company expects revenues for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 to be in the range of $26 to $28 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 is expected to be in the upper 20 to lower 30 percent range, with operating margin negative, partly due to expected restructuring costs in the quarter.




The solar and semiconductor equipment industries can be cyclical and inherently impacted by changes in market demand. Additionally, operating results can be significantly impacted, positively or negatively, by the timing of orders, system shipments, and the net impact of revenue deferral on shipments, recognition of revenue based on customer acceptances and the financial results of solar and semiconductor manufacturers. The results for the coming quarters will be significantly influenced by the timing of future orders of the 1GW turnkey project and the timing of meeting start-up milestones of the turnkey production lines.

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 third quarter fiscal 2018 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 August 16, 2018.  To access the replay please dial US toll free (877) 344-7529 and enter code 10122655. Internationally, dial (412) 317-0088 and use the same code.  A live and archived web cast of the conference call can be accessed in the investor relations section of Amtech’s website at www.amtechsystems.com.

About Amtech Systems, Inc.

Amtech Systems, Inc. is a global supplier of advanced thermal processing and polishing equipment and related consumables to the semiconductor / electronics, power IC businesses, solar, and advanced lighting manufacturing markets. Amtech's equipment includes diffusion, solder reflow systems. wafer handling automation, ALD and PECVD systems and polishing equipment and related consumables for surface preparation of various materials, including silicon carbide (“SiC”), sapphire and silicon. The Company's wafer handling, thermal processing, polishing and consumable products currently address the diffusion, oxidation, and deposition steps used in the fabrication of semiconductors, printed circuit boards, semiconductor packaging, solar cells, MEMS, and advanced lighting, including the polishing of newly sliced sapphire and silicon wafers. Amtech’s products are recognized under the leading brand names BTU International, Bruce TechnologiesTM, PR HoffmanTM, Tempress SystemsTM, R2D AutomationTM and SoLayTec.




Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release is forward-looking in nature. All statements in this press release, or made by management of Amtech Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Amtech”), other than statements of historical fact, are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The forward-looking statements in this press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding Amtech’s future financial results, operating results, business strategies, projected costs, products under development, competitive positions, and plans and objectives of Amtech and its management for future operations. 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. 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, 2017, listed various important factors that could affect the company’s future operating results and financial condition and could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and expectations based on forward-looking statements made in this document or elsewhere by Amtech or on its behalf. These factors can be found under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K and investors should refer to them. Because it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, any such list cannot be considered a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Contacts:
Amtech Systems, Inc.
Robert T. Hass
Chief Financial Officer
(480) 967-5146
irelations@Amtechsystems.com
Christensen
Investor Relations
Patty Bruner
(480) 201-6075
pbruner@christensenir.com





AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
(NASDAQ: ASYS)
August 9, 2018
(Unaudited)

Summary Financial Information
 
 
 
(in thousands, except percentages and ratios)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
June 30, 2018
March 31, 2018
June 30, 2017
Amtech Systems, Inc.
 
 
 
   Revenues, net of returns and allowances
$
41,200

$
32,783

$
47,760

   Gross profit
$
14,599

$
11,725

$
15,502

   Gross margin
35
%
36
%
32
%
   Operating income
$
2,936

$
65

$
3,971

   New orders
$
26,207

$
28,759

$
79,949

   Book-to-bill ratio
0.7:1

0.9:1

1.7:1

   Backlog
$
41,231

$
63,115

$
125,744

Semiconductor Segment
 
 
 
   Revenues, net of returns and allowances
$
23,472

$
16,582

$
15,951

   Gross profit
$
8,721

$
7,075

$
6,428

   Gross margin
37
%
43
%
40
%
   Operating income
$
3,861

$
2,257

$
2,250

   New orders
$
17,871

$
19,227

$
23,354

   Book-to-bill ratio
0.8:1

1.2:1

1.5:1

   Backlog
$
20,764

$
26,366

$
26,966

Solar Segment
 
 
 
   Revenues, net of returns and allowances
$
14,134

$
12,598

$
28,981

   Gross profit
$
4,584

$
3,110

$
7,948

   Gross margin
32
%
25
%
27
%
   Operating (loss) income
$
(85
)
$
(1,903
)
$
2,991

   New orders
$
5,029

$
7,000

$
54,203

   Book-to-bill ratio
0.4:1

0.6:1

1.9:1

   Backlog
$
18,960

$
34,955

$
98,223

LED/SiC Segment
 
 
 
   Revenues, net of returns and allowances
$
3,594

$
3,603

$
2,828

   Gross profit
$
1,294

$
1,540

$
1,126

   Gross margin
36
%
43
%
40
%
   Operating income
$
938

$
1,111

$
738

   New orders
$
3,307

$
2,532

$
2,392

   Book-to-bill ratio
0.9:1

0.7:1

0.8:1

   Backlog
$
1,507

$
1,794

$
555







AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
(NASDAQ: ASYS)
August 9, 2018
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues, net of returns and allowances
$
41,200

 
$
47,760

 
$
147,594

 
$
109,839

Cost of sales
26,601

 
32,258

 
100,933

 
77,499

Gross profit
14,599

 
15,502

 
46,661

 
32,340

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
9,541

 
10,108

 
29,599

 
25,366

Research, development and engineering
2,122

 
1,423

 
6,295

 
4,586

Operating income
2,936

 
3,971

 
10,767

 
2,388

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of other assets
2,883

 

 
2,883

 

Income (loss) from equity method investment
232

 
(110
)
 
234

 
(200
)
Interest and other expense, net
310

 
(34
)
 
224

 
(151
)
Income before income taxes
6,361

 
3,827

 
14,108

 
2,037

Income tax provision (benefit)
1,390

 
986

 
(150
)
 
1,270

Net income
4,971

 
2,841

 
14,258

 
767

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 
446

 

 
1,045

Net income attributable to Amtech Systems, Inc.
$
4,971

 
$
3,287

 
$
14,258

 
$
1,812

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic income per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
$
0.33

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.96

 
$
0.14

Weighted average shares outstanding
14,925

 
13,242

 
14,867

 
13,203

Diluted income per share attributable to Amtech shareholders
$
0.33

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.14

Weighted average shares outstanding
15,091

 
13,398

 
15,181

 
13,288



  





AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
(NASDAQ: ASYS)
August 9, 2018
(unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
48,729

 
$
51,121

Restricted cash
 
6,876

 
24,640

Accounts receivable
 
 
 
 
Trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,441 and $866 at June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, respectively)
 
27,627

 
22,519

Unbilled and other
 
14,748

 
14,275

Inventories
 
22,590

 
30,210

Note receivable
 
5,738

 

Vendor deposits
 
1,802

 
11,806

Other
 
2,688

 
2,542

Total current assets
 
130,798

 
157,113

Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
16,314

 
15,792

Intangible Assets - Net
 
3,039

 
3,495

Goodwill - Net
 
11,342

 
11,405

Investments
 

 
2,615

Deferred Income Taxes - Long-Term
 

 
200

Other Assets - Long-Term
 
948

 
1,003

Total Assets
 
$
162,441

 
$
191,623

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
12,579

 
$
21,555

Accrued compensation and related taxes
 
6,539

 
7,592

Accrued warranty expense
 
1,223

 
1,254

Other accrued liabilities
 
3,077

 
2,056

Customer deposits
 
15,065

 
48,784

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
371

 
361

Deferred profit
 
3,560

 
4,081

Income taxes payable
 
2,246

 
286

Total current liabilities
 
44,660

 
85,969

Long-Term Debt
 
8,028

 
8,134

Income Taxes Payable - Long-Term
 
3,334

 
7,037

Total Liabilities
 
56,022

 
101,140

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock; 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
 

 

Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
shares issued and outstanding: 14,986,620 and 14,710,591 at June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, respectively
 
150

 
147

Additional paid-in capital
 
128,083

 
125,564

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(9,373
)
 
(8,529
)
Retained deficit
 
(12,441
)
 
(26,699
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
106,419

 
90,483

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
162,441

 
$
191,623






AMTECH SYSTEMS, INC.
(NASDAQ: ASYS)
August 9, 2018
(unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
14,258

 
$
767

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
1,622

 
1,871

Write-down of inventory
195

 
448

Capitalized interest
143

 
307

Deferred income taxes
206

 
(10
)
Non-cash share based compensation expense
632

 
978

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
(53
)
 
107

Gain on sale of other assets
(2,883
)
 

(Gain) loss from equity method investment
(234
)
 
200

Provision for (reversal of) allowance for doubtful accounts, net
64

 
(898
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 

Restricted cash
17,956

 
(3,576
)
Accounts receivable
(5,877
)
 
(8,997
)
Inventories
6,565

 
(245
)
Accrued income taxes
(1,742
)
 
742

Vendor deposits and other assets
10,034

 
(5,521
)
Accounts payable
(9,022
)
 
6,616

Customer deposits and accrued liabilities
(34,025
)
 
17,526

Deferred profit
(486
)
 
626

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(2,647
)
 
10,941

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(845
)
 
(355
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
64

 
39

Costs related to sale of equity method investment
(6
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(787
)
 
(316
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
1,889

 
894

Payments on long-term debt
(275
)
 
(485
)
Borrowings on long-term debt

 
384

Net cash provided by financing activities
1,614

 
793

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
(572
)
 
87

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(2,392
)
 
11,505

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
51,121

 
27,655

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
$
48,729

 
$
39,160