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Press Release

Asyst Reports Results For Second Quarter Of Fiscal 2008

FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 30, 2007 -- Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASYT), a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enhance semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing productivity, today reported financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007.
Net income for the second fiscal quarter according to GAAP was $0.8 million, or $0.02 per share, which compares with a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share, in the prior sequential quarter. Non-GAAP net income for the fiscal second quarter was $6.5 million, or $0.13 per share, which compares with $5.3 million, or $0.11 per share, in the prior sequential quarter. Non-GAAP net income for the quarter excludes the amortization of intangibles, restructuring charges, and certain fees, costs, and non-cash foreign currency translation gains related to the company's previously announced debt refinancing.
Net sales for the fiscal second quarter were $134.8 million, which compares with $121.6 million in the prior sequential quarter. Net sales related to automated material handling systems (AMHS) were $86.2 million, which compares with $76.3 million in the prior sequential quarter. Net sales related to tool and fab automation solutions were $48.6 million, which compares with $45.3 million in the prior sequential quarter.
Steve Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of Asyst, said, "AMHS bookings rebounded from first quarter levels as large flash and raw wafer customers made commitments for future capacity expansion. We expect bookings over the second half of our fiscal year will be stronger than the first half, driven by continued strength in flash memory and incremental investments by a broad range of customers in DRAM, foundry, logic, and flat panel display. We continue to focus resources and energy on new product development and new customer penetrations where we can leverage the valued-added automation capabilities that we bring to the marketplace.”
Michael A. Sicuro, chief financial officer, said, “We had a good performance on the top and bottom line, however gross margins in the second quarter were down primarily as a result of higher than expected installation costs that resulted from customer requirements on a large AMHS project, as well as a lower margin mix of projects compared with the prior quarter. This was partially offset by continued material cost reductions in AMHS, where we are just beginning to realize the substantial cost reduction opportunities in our supply chain. Gross margins in tool and fab automation solutions were up, which helped to partially offset the decline in AMHS.”
The company provided the following guidance for the fiscal third quarter ending Dec. 31, 2007:
- Consolidated net sales are expected to be in the range of $100-$110 million. AMHS sales are expected to be in the range of $60 to $70 million, and tool and fab automation sales are expected to be approximately $40 million.
- Net loss in accordance with GAAP is expected to be in the range of breakeven to $0.03 per share.
- Non-GAAP net income is expected to be in the range of $0.02-$0.05 per share. In calculating non-GAAP net income per share, the company expects to exclude approximately $2.5 million, net of taxes, related to amortization of intangibles.
Note: Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the company excluded stock-based compensation expense in its calculation of non-GAAP net income per share. Accordingly, comparisons of this guidance to prior period results may not be meaningful.
About Asyst
Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in materials during the manufacturing process. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst's modular, interoperable solutions allow chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com
Conference Call Details
The live conference call discussing these results is available today at 5:00 pm eastern time by dialing 303-262-2075. A live webcast of the conference call is publicly available on Asyst's website at http://www.asyst.com and accessible by going to the investor relations page and clicking on the “webcast” link. For more information, including this press release, any non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed on the webcast as well as the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the difference between those GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, as well as any other material financial and other statistical information contained in the webcast, please visit Asyst's website at www.asyst.com. A replay of the Webcast may be accessed via the same procedure. In addition, a standard telephone instant replay of the conference call is available by dialing (303) 590-3000, followed by the passcode 11100080#. The audio instant replay is available from Oct. 30 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time through Nov. 13 at 2:59 a.m. Eastern Time.
About Our Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP, Asyst also reports adjusted net income and net income per share, referred to respectively as “non-GAAP net income” and “non-GAAP net income per share.” Non-GAAP measures exclude the effect of amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges associated with building consolidation and severance benefits associated with headcount reductions, stock option investigation expenses, acquisition expenses related to the AMHS segment, write-off of fees from the early extinguishment of debt, fees related to the early redemption of convertible debentures, non-recurring foreign currency translation gains (losses) from inter-company loans , and the associated income tax effect related to these non-GAAP adjustments. Non-GAAP net income per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income by non-GAAP weighted average shares — diluted. Asyst's management believes the non-GAAP information is useful because it can enhance the understanding of the company's ongoing operating performance; Asyst also uses non-GAAP reporting internally to evaluate and manage its operations. Asyst has chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform comparisons of operating results in a manner similar to how Asyst analyzes its operating results internally. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may be used to facilitate comparisons of our results with those of other companies in our industry. The non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of our business as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Asyst's results as reported under GAAP.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this release are forward-looking. The forward-looking statements include statements regarding future financial results; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties whether the results discussed above will change as Asyst finalizes and files its financial statements; uncertainties arising from our inability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; the impact of lawsuits or other proceedings initiated in relation to the company's prior stock option grant practices; the volatility of semiconductor industry cycles; our ability to achieve forecasted revenues, margins and profits; failure to respond to rapid demand shifts; dependence on a few significant customers; the timing and scope of decisions by customers to transition and expand fabrication facilities and investment in fab automation equipment; our ability to maintain or expand market share in our product segments; our ability to improve gross margins through product cost reduction and supply chain initiatives; continued risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities; the risk that customers will delay, reduce or cancel planned projects or bookings and thus delay recognition or the amount of our anticipated revenue; competition in the semiconductor equipment industry and specifically in AMHS; failure to retain and attract key employees; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Asyst" is a registered trademark of Asyst Technologies, Inc. Copyright 1993-2007, Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Contact: |
John Swenson
Vice President & Corporate Treasurer
510-661-5000 |
ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited) (Audited)
Sept. 30, March 31,
2007 2007
--------------- -------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 64,643 $ 99,701
Accounts receivable, net 161,487 125,889
Inventories 36,323 51,797
Prepaid expenses and other 21,671 27,888
--------------- -------------
Total current assets 284,124 305,275
--------------- -------------
Long-term Assets:
Property and equipment, net 25,301 25,138
Goodwill 85,373 83,723
Intangible assets, net 31,339 41,994
Other assets 10,502 9,556
--------------- -------------
Total long-term assets 152,515 160,411
--------------- -------------
Total assets $ 436,639 $ 465,686
=============== =============
Liabilities, minority interest &
shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term loans and notes payable $ 28,435 $ 1,453
Current portion of long-term debt and
capital leases 4,280 58,949
Accounts payable 99,324 101,287
Accrued liabilities 71,324 83,211
Deferred revenue 5,863 10,880
--------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 209,226 255,780
--------------- -------------
Long-term liabilities:
Convertible notes - 86,250
Long-term debt and capital leases, net of
current portion 100,569 162
Deferred tax and other long-term
liabilities 28,243 28,683
--------------- -------------
Total long-term liabilities 128,812 115,095
--------------- -------------
Minority interest 133 130
--------------- -------------
Shareholders' equity 98,468 94,681
--------------- -------------
Total liabilities, minority interest and
shareholders' equity $ 436,639 $ 465,686
=============== =============
ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
------------------- --------------------
Net sales $134,836 $122,649 $256,456 $239,630
Cost of sales 95,973 88,139 177,430 164,063
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 38,863 34,510 79,026 75,567
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating expenses
Research and development 9,075 9,402 17,374 17,989
Selling, general and
administrative 23,485 20,434 45,153 41,838
Amortization of acquired
intangible assets 5,121 5,225 10,928 8,549
Restructuring charges 436 (28) 981 1,784
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses 38,117 35,033 74,436 70,160
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) from operations 746 (523) 4,590 5,407
Write-off of fees related to
early extinguishment of debt
and early redemption of
convertible securities (3,135) - (3,135) -
Other income (expense), net 2,071 (770) (1,680) (874)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before income
taxes and minority interest (318) (1,293) (225) 4,533
Benefit from (provision for)
income taxes 1,115 (1,770) 641 (6,092)
Minority interest (8) 338 (13) (1,749)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) prior to
comulative effect ofchange in
accounting priciple 789 (2,725) 403 (3,308)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - - 103
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $789 $(2,725) $403 $(3,205)
========= ========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per share
prior to cumulative effect of
change in accounting
principle -basic $0.02 $(0.06) $0.01 $(0.07)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - - 0.00
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) per share -
basic $0.02 $(0.06) $0.01 $(0.07)
========= ========= ========= =========
Shares used in the per share
calculation -basic 49,663 48,854 49,555 48,723
========= ========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per share
prior to cumulative effect of
change in accounting
principle - diluted $0.02 $(0.06) $0.01 $(0.07)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - - 0.00
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) per share -
diluted $0.02 $(0.06) $0.01 $(0.07)
========= ========= ========= =========
Shares used in the per share
calculation - diluted 50,170 48,854 50,230 48,723
========= ========= ========= =========
ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- ----------- --------- -----------
GAAP net income (loss) $789 $(2,725) $403 $(3,205)
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Amortization of
acquired intangible
assets 5,121 5,225 10,928 8,549
Restructuring and
severance charges 436 (28) 981 2,101
Stock option
investigation
expenses - 2,750 - 2,750
Acquisition expenses
related to AMHS
segment - 4,392 - 4,392
Write-off of fees
related to early
extinguishment of
debt
and early redemption
of convertible
debentures 3,135 - 3,135 -
Foreign currency
translation (1,182) - 1,386 -
Income tax effect of
non-GAAP adjustments (1,798) (3,116) (5,014) (4,207)
--------- -------- --------
Non-GAAP net income $6,501 $6,498 (1) $11,819 $10,380 (1)
========= ======== ========= ========
Diluted net income (loss)
per share
GAAP $0.02 $(0.06) $0.01 $(0.07)
Non-GAAP $0.13 $0.13 $0.24 $0.21
Weighted shares used in
the per share calculation
- diluted (GAAP) 50,170 48,854 50,230 48,723
Non-GAAP adjustment - 795 - 943
--------- -------- --------- --------
Weighted shares used in
the per share calculation
- diluted (Non-GAAP) 50,170 49,649 50,230 49,666
========= ======== ========= ========
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