Item 1. BUSINESS
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “K&S”) designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools used to assemble semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits (“IC”), high and low powered discrete devices, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and power modules. We also service, maintain, repair and upgrade our equipment. Our customers primarily consist of semiconductor device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”), other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers.
We operate two main business segments, Equipment and Expendable Tools. Our goal is to be the technology leader and the most competitive supplier in terms of cost and performance in each of our major product lines. Accordingly, we invest in research and engineering projects intended to enhance our position at the leading edge of semiconductor assembly technology. We also remain focused on our cost structure, through consolidating operations in Asia. Cost reduction efforts are an important part of our normal ongoing operations, and are expected to generate savings without compromising overall product quality and service levels.
K&S was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1956. Our principal offices are located at 6 Serangoon North Avenue 5, #03-16, Singapore 554910 and our telephone number in the United States is (215) 784-7518. We maintain a website with the address www.kns.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this filing. We make available free of charge (other than an investor’s own Internet access charges) on or through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with or otherwise furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are also available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Our year end for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was September 29, 2012, October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, respectively.
Business Environment
The semiconductor business environment is highly volatile, driven by internal dynamics, both cyclical and seasonal, in addition to macroeconomic forces. Over the long term, semiconductor consumption has historically grown, and is forecast to continue to grow. This growth is driven, in part, by regular advances in device performance and by price declines that result from improvements in manufacturing technology. In order to exploit these trends, semiconductor manufacturers, both integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”) and OSATs, periodically invest aggressively in latest generation capital equipment. This buying pattern often leads to periods of excess supply and reduced capital spending - the so called semiconductor cycle. Within this broad semiconductor cycle there are also, generally weaker, seasonal effects that are specifically tied to annual, end-consumer purchasing patterns. Typically, semiconductor manufacturers prepare for heightened demand by adding or replacing equipment capacity by the end of the September quarter. Occasionally this results in subsequent reductions in the December quarter. This annual seasonality can occasionally be overshadowed by effects of the broader semiconductor cycle. Macroeconomic factors also affect the industry, primarily through their effect on business and consumer demand for electronic devices, as well as other products that have significant electronic content such as automobiles, white goods, and telecommunication equipment.
Our Equipment segment is primarily affected by the industry’s internal cyclical and seasonal dynamics, in addition to broader macroeconomic factors that positively and negatively affect our financial performance. The sales mix of IDM and OSAT customers in any period also impacts financial performance, as this mix can affect our products’ average selling prices and gross margins due to differences in volume purchases and machine configurations required by each customer type.
Our Expendable Tools segment is less volatile than our Equipment segment. Expendable Tools sales are more directly tied to semiconductor unit consumption rather than capacity requirements and production capability improvements.
We continue to position our business to leverage our research and development leadership and innovation and to focus our efforts on mitigating volatility, improving profitability and ensuring longer-term growth. We remain focused on operational excellence, expanding our product offerings and managing our business efficiently throughout the business cycles. The current economic environment is uncertain and we may experience typical industry seasonality during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult.
To limit potential adverse cyclical, seasonal and macroeconomic effects on our financial position, we have de-leveraged and strengthened our balance sheet. In fiscal 2012, we fully repaid our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) at maturity on June 1, 2012, in cash. As of September 29, 2012, our total cash, cash equivalents and investments was $440.2 million, a $55.7 million increase after settling the Notes of $110.0 million from the prior fiscal year end. We believe this strong cash position will allow us to continue to invest in product development and improve our production capability throughout the semiconductor cycle.
Technology Leadership
We compete largely by offering our customers among the most advanced equipment and expendable tools available for the wire, wedge and die bonding processes. Our equipment is the most productive and has the highest levels of process capability, and as a result, has a lower cost of ownership compared to other equipment in its market. Our expendable tools are designed to optimize the performance of the equipment in which they are used. We believe our technology leadership contributes to the leading market share positions of our various wire bonder and expendable tools products. To maintain our competitive advantage, we invest in product development activities designed to produce a stream of improvements to existing products and to deliver next-generation products. These investments often focus as much on improvements in the semiconductor assembly process as on specific pieces of assembly equipment or expendable tools. In order to generate these improvements, we often work in close collaboration with customers, end users, and other industry members. In addition to producing technical advances, these collaborative development efforts strengthen customer relationships and enhance our reputation as a technology leader and solutions provider.
In addition to gold and aluminum wire, our leadership in the industry’s use of copper wire for the bonding process is an example of the benefits of our collaborative efforts. By working with customers, material suppliers, and other equipment suppliers, we have developed a series of robust, high-yielding production processes that have made copper wire commercially viable, significantly reducing the cost of assembling an integrated circuit. During fiscal 2010, many of our customers began converting their bonding wire from gold to copper wire, and we believe the conversion was accelerated by fabless companies in the consumer segment. Gradually, the level of confidence and the reliability of data collected have enabled a larger segment of the customer base to increase copper capabilities. Since this initial conversion, a significant portion of our wire bonder sales are copper capable bonders. We expect this conversion process to continue throughout the industry for the next several years. This could potentially drive a significant wire bonder replacement cycle, as we believe much of the industries’ installed base is not currently suitable for copper bonding. Based on our industry leading copper bonding processes and the continued high price of gold, we believe the total available market for copper configured wire bonders is likely to continue demonstrating solid growth.
Our leadership has allowed us to maintain a competitive position in the latest generations of gold and copper ball bonders, which enable our customers to handle the leading technologies in terms of pitch, silicon with the latest node and complex wire bonding requirement. We continue to see demand for our large bondable area (“LA”) configured machines. This LA option is now available on all of our Power Series (“PS”) models and allows our customers to gain added efficiencies and to reduce the cost of packaging.
We also leverage the technology leadership of our equipment by optimizing our bonder platforms, and we deliver variants of our products to serve emerging high-growth markets. For example, we have developed extensions of our main ball bonding platforms to address opportunities in LED assembly. In the last few years, the LED backlights for flat-screen displays have been the main driver of the LED market where we have successfully competed in LED assembly equipment. We expect the next wave of growth in the LED market to be high brightness LED for general lighting, and we believe we are well positioned for this trend.
Furthermore, we gain synergies by leveraging technologies between our unique platforms. Our leading technology for wedge bonder equipment uses aluminum ribbon or heavy wire as opposed to fine gold and fine copper wire used in ball bonders. In addition, we are currently developing the next generation platform for our power semiconductor wedge bonder. We intend to initiate design of our next power module wedge bonder. In both cases, we are making a conscious effort to develop commonality of subsystems and design practices, in order to improve performance and design efficiencies. We believe this will benefit us in maintaining our leadership position in the wedge bonding market and increase synergies between the various engineering product groups. Furthermore, we continually research adjacent market segments where our technologies could be used. As an example, we are reviewing the use of wedge bonding in the fabrication of solar panels. Many of these initiatives are in the early stages of development and may become business opportunities in the future.	
Another example of our developing equipment for high-growth niche markets is our ATPremier. This machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors, surface acoustical wave (“SAW”) filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market. We also expanded the use of ATPremier for wafer level wire bonding for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) and other sensors.
Our focus on technology leadership also extends to die bonding. The best-in-class throughput and accuracy of our iStackps die bonder forms the foundation for our advanced packaging development.	
We bring the same technology focus to our expendable tools business, driving tool design and manufacturing technology to optimize the performance and process capability of the equipment in which our tools are used. For all our equipment products, expendable tools are an integral part of their process capability. We believe our unique ability to simultaneously develop both equipment and tools is a core strength supporting our products’ technological differentiation.
Products and Services
The Company operates two segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for our financial results by business segment.
Equipment Segment
We manufacture and sell a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders, wafer level bonders, and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, OSATs, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Ball bonders are used to connect very fine wires, typically made of gold or copper, between the bond pads of the semiconductor device, or die, and the leads on its package. Wedge bonders use either aluminum wire or ribbon to perform the same function in packages that cannot use gold or copper wire because of either high electrical current requirements or other package reliability issues. Wafer level bonders mechanically apply bumps to die, typically while still in the wafer format, for some variants of the flip chip assembly process. Die bonders are used to attach a die to the substrate or lead frame which will house the semiconductor device. We believe our equipment offers competitive advantages by providing customers with high productivity/throughput, superior package quality/process control, and as a result, a lower cost of ownership.
Our principal Equipment segment products include:
Business Unit
Product Name (1)
Typical Served Market
Ball bonders
IConnPS
Advanced and ultra fine pitch applications
IConnPS ProCu
High-end copper wire applications demanding advanced process capability and high productivity
IConnPS ProCu LA
Large area substrate and matrix applications for copper wire
IConnPS LA
Large area substrate and matrix applications
ConnXPS
Cost performance, low pin count applications
ConnXPS Plus
Second generation cost performance, low pin count applications
ConnXPS LED
LED applications
ConnXPS VLED
Vertical LED applications
ConnXPS LA
Cost performance large area substrate and matrix applications
ATPremier
Wafer level bonding applications
ATPremier Plus
Advanced wafer level bonding applications
Wedge bonders
3600Plus
Power hybrid and automotive modules using either heavy aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
3700Plus
Hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire
7200Plus
Power semiconductors using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
7200HD
Smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
7600HD
Power semiconductors including smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
Die bonder
iStackPS
Advanced stacked die and ball grid array applications
(1)Power Series (“PS”)
Ball Bonders
Automatic ball bonders represent the largest portion of our semiconductor equipment business. Our main product platform for ball bonding is the Power Series (“PS”) - a family of assembly equipment that is setting new standards for performance, productivity, upgradeability, and ease of use. Our Power Series consists of our IConnPS high-performance ball bonders, and our ConnXPS cost-performance ball bonders, both of which can be configured for either gold or copper wire. In addition, targeted specifically at the fast growing LED market, the Power Series includes our ConnXPS LED and our ConnXPS VLED. Targeted for large bondable area applications, the Power Series includes our IConnPS LA and ConnXPS LA. In November 2010 and January 2011, we introduced the IConnPS ProCu, IConnPS ProCu LA, respectively, which offer a significant new level of capability for customers transitioning from gold to copper wire bonding. In March 2012, we introduced ConnXPS Plus next-generation cost-performance ball bonders.
Our Power Series products have advanced industry performance standards. Our ball bonders are capable of performing very fine pitch bonding, as well as creating the sophisticated wire loop shapes needed in the assembly of advanced semiconductor packages. Our ball bonders can also be converted for use to copper applications through kits we sell separately, a capability that is increasingly important as bonding with copper continues to grow as an alternative to gold.
Our ATPremier machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices while still in a wafer format for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include CMOS image sensors, SAW filters, MEMS and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market. In September 2012, we introduced ATPremier Plus, which offers advanced stud bumping capability for low temperature gold bumping.
Heavy Wire Wedge Bonders
We are the leaders in the design and manufacture of heavy wire wedge bonders for the power semiconductor and automotive power module markets. Wedge bonders may use either aluminum wire or aluminum ribbon to connect semiconductor chips in power packages, power hybrids and automotive modules for products such as motor control modules or inverters for hybrid cars. In addition, we see some potential use for our wedge bonder products in select solar applications.
Our portfolio of wedge bonding products includes:
·The 3600Plus: high speed, high accuracy wire bonders designed for power modules, automotive packages and other heavy wire multi-chip module applications.
·The 3700Plus: wire bonders designed for hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire.
·The 7200Plus: dual head wedge bonder designed specifically for power semiconductor applications.
·The 7200HD: wedge bonder designed for smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon.
·The 7600HD: wedge bonder targeted for small power packages.
While wedge bonding traditionally utilizes aluminum wire, all of our heavy wire wedge bonders are also available to be modified to bond aluminum ribbon using our proprietary PowerRibbon® process. Aluminum ribbon offers device makers performance advantages over traditional round wire and is being increasingly used for high current packages and automotive applications.
Die Bonders
Our die bonder, the iStackPS, focuses on stacked die applications for both memory and subcontract assembly customers. iStackPS is targeted at stacked die and high-end ball grid array (“BGA”) applications. In addition, iStackPS has demonstrated superior accuracy and process control.
Other Equipment Products and Services
We also sell manual wire bonders, and we offer spare parts, equipment repair, training services, and upgrades for our equipment through our Support Services business unit. In September 2012, we introduced a next-generation manual wire bonder series for use with gold, copper or aluminum wire.
Expendable Tools Segment
We manufacture and sell a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications. Our principal Expendable Tools segment products include:
·Capillaries: expendable tools used in ball bonders. Made of ceramic and other elements, a capillary guides the wire during the ball bonding process. Its features help control the bonding process. We design and build capillaries suitable for a broad range of applications, including for use on our competitors’ equipment. In addition to capillaries used for gold wire bonding, we have developed capillaries for use with copper wire to achieve optimal performance in copper wire bonding.
·Bonding wedges: expendable tools used in wedge bonders. Like capillaries, their specific features are tailored to specific applications. We design and build bonding wedges for use both in our own equipment and in our competitors’ equipment.
·Saw blades: expendable tools used by semiconductor manufacturers to cut silicon wafers into individual semiconductor die and to cut semiconductor devices that have been molded in a matrix configuration into individual units.
Customers
Our major customers include IDMs and OSATs, industrial manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Revenue from our customers may vary significantly from year-to-year based on their respective capital investments, operating expense budgets, and overall industry trends.
The following table reflects our top ten customers, based on net revenue, for each of the last three fiscal years:
* Represents more than 10% of our net revenue for the applicable fiscal year.
** Distributor of our products.
*** Updated for finalized data for fiscal 2011.
Approximately 98.3%, 97.8%, and 98.6% of our net revenue for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region, and we expect sales outside of the U.S. to continue to represent a substantial majority of our future net revenue.
See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for sales to customers by geographic location.
Sales and Customer Support
We believe long-term customer relationships are critical to our success, and comprehensive sales and customer support are an important means of establishing those relationships. To maintain these relationships, we utilize multiple distribution channels using either our own employees, manufacturers’ representatives, distributors, or a combination of the three, depending on the product, region, or end-use application. In all cases, our goal is to position our sales and customer support resources near our customers’ facilities so as to provide support for customers in their own language and consistent with local customs. Our sales and customer support resources are located primarily in Singapore, Taiwan, China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, the U.S., and Germany. Supporting these local resources, we have technology centers offering additional process expertise in Singapore, China, Israel, and the U.S.
By establishing relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, OSATs, and vertically integrated manufacturers of electronic systems, we gain insight into our customers’ future semiconductor packaging strategies. These insights assist us in our efforts to develop products and processes that address our customers’ future assembly requirements.
Backlog
Our backlog consists of customer orders scheduled for shipment within the next twelve months. A majority of our orders are subject to cancellation or deferral by our customers with limited or no penalties. Also, customer demand for our products can vary dramatically without prior notice. Because of the volatility of customer demand, possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules or cancellations and potential delays in product shipments, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of net revenue for any succeeding period.
The following table reflects our backlog as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
Manufacturing
We believe excellence in manufacturing can create a competitive advantage, both by producing at lower costs and by providing superior responsiveness to changes in customer demand. To achieve these goals, we manage our manufacturing operations through a single organization and believe that fewer, larger factories allow us to capture economies of scale and generate cost savings through lower manufacturing costs.
Equipment
Our equipment manufacturing activities consist mainly of integrating outsourced parts and subassemblies and testing finished products to customer specifications. While we largely utilize an outsource model, allowing us to minimize our fixed costs and capital expenditures, for certain low-volume, high customization parts, we manufacture subassemblies ourselves. Just-in-time inventory management has reduced our manufacturing cycle times and lowered our on-hand inventory requirements. Raw materials used in our equipment manufacturing are generally available from multiple sources; however, many outsourced parts and components are only available from a single or limited number of sources.
Our ball bonder, wedge bonder and die bonder manufacturing and assembly is performed at our facility in Singapore. In addition, we operate a subassembly manufacturing and supply management facility in Malaysia. During fiscal 2011, we completed the transition of our wedge bonder manufacturing from Irvine, California to Asia.
We have ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for our equipment manufacturing facilities in Singapore, and our subassembly manufacturing facility in Malaysia.
Expendable Tools
We manufacture saw blades, capillaries and a portion of our bonding wedge inventory at our facility in Suzhou, China. The capillaries are made using blanks produced at our facility in Yokneam, Israel. We both produce and outsource the production of our bonding wedges. Both the Suzhou and Yokneam facilities are ISO 9001 certified. The Suzhou facility is also ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 certified.
Research and Product Development
Many of our customers generate technology roadmaps describing their projected packaging technology requirements. Our research and product development activities are focused on delivering robust production solutions to those projected requirements. We accomplish this by regularly introducing improved versions of existing products or by developing next-generation products. We follow this product development methodology in all our major product lines. Research and development expense was $63.4 million, $65.1 million, and $56.7 million during fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Intellectual Property
Where circumstances warrant, we apply for patents on inventions governing new products and processes developed as part of our ongoing research, engineering, and manufacturing activities. We currently hold a number of U.S. patents, many of which have foreign counterparts. We believe the duration of our patents often exceeds the life cycles of the technologies disclosed and claimed in the patents. Additionally, we believe much of our important technology resides in our trade secrets and proprietary software.
Competition
The market for semiconductor equipment and packaging materials products is intensely competitive. Significant competitive factors in the semiconductor equipment market include price, speed/throughput, production yield, process control, delivery time and customer support, each of which contribute to lower the overall cost per package being manufactured. Our major equipment competitors include:
·Ball bonders: ASM Pacific Technology and Shinkawa
·Wedge bonders: ASM Pacific Technology, Cho-Onpa, F&K Delvotec, and Hesse & Knipps
·Die bonders: ASM Pacific Technology, BE Semiconductor Industries N.V., Canon, Hitachi, and Shinkawa
Significant competitive factors in the semiconductor packaging materials industry include performance, price, delivery, product life, and quality. Our significant expendable tools competitors include:
·Capillaries: PECO, Small Precision Tools, Inc., and Coorstek (formerly Gaiser)
·Saw blades: Disco Corporation
·Bonding wedges: Small Precision Tools, Inc.
In each of the markets we serve, we face competition and the threat of competition from established competitors and potential new entrants, some of which may have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing resources.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, use, emission, discharge, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, we are subject to environmental laws which may require investigation and cleanup of any contamination at facilities we own or operate or at third-party waste disposal sites we use or have used.
We have incurred in the past, and expect in the future to incur costs to comply with environmental laws. We are not, however, currently aware of any material costs or liabilities relating to environmental matters, including any claims or actions under environmental laws or obligations to perform any cleanups at any of our facilities or any third-party waste disposal sites, that we expect to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. However, it is possible that material environmental costs or liabilities may arise in the future.
Employees
As of September 29, 2012, we had approximately 2,270 regular full-time employees and 666 temporary workers worldwide.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Our operating results and financial condition are adversely impacted by volatile worldwide economic conditions.
Though the semiconductor industry’s cycle can be independent of the general economy, global economic conditions may have direct impact on demand for semiconductor units and ultimately demand for semiconductor capital equipment and expendable tools. Accordingly, our business and financial performance is impacted, both positively and negatively, by fluctuations in the macroeconomic environment. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult. There can be no assurances regarding levels of demand for our products and we believe historic industry-wide volatility will persist.
Erratic corporate spending due to uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment could adversely affect our net revenue and profitability.
We depend upon demand from our customers including IDMs and OSATs, industrial manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Our net revenue and profitability is based upon corporate spending. Reductions or other fluctuations in corporate spending as a result of uncertain conditions in the macroeconomic environment, such as government economic or fiscal instability, restricted global credit conditions, reduced demand, unbalanced inventory levels, fluctuations in interest rates, higher energy prices, or other conditions, could adversely affect our net revenue and profitability. The impact of general economic slowdowns could make our customers cautious and delay orders until the current economic environment becomes clearer.
The semiconductor industry is volatile with sharp periodic downturns and slowdowns. Cyclical industry downturns are made worse by volatile global economic conditions.
Our operating results are significantly affected by the capital expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, both IDMs and OSATs. Expenditures by our customers depend on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products that use semiconductors, including personal computers, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics and automotive goods. Significant downturns in the market for semiconductor devices or in general economic conditions reduce demand for our products and can materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
The semiconductor industry is volatile, with periods of rapid growth followed by industry-wide retrenchment. These periodic downturns and slowdowns have adversely affected our business, financial condition and operating results. Downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity, and accelerated erosion of selling prices. Historically these downturns have severely and negatively affected the industry’s demand for capital equipment, including assembly equipment and, to a lesser extent, expendable tools. There can be no assurances regarding levels of demand for our products. In any case, we believe the historical volatility of our business, both upward and downward, will persist.
We may experience increasing price pressure.
Typically our average selling prices have declined over time. We seek to offset this decline by continually reducing our cost structure by consolidating operations in lower cost areas, reducing other operating costs, and by pursuing product strategies focused on product performance and customer service. These efforts may not be able to fully offset price declines; therefore, our financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
Our quarterly operating results fluctuate significantly and may continue to do so in the future.
In the past, our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly. We expect quarterly results will continue to fluctuate. Although these fluctuations are partly due to the cyclical and volatile nature of the semiconductor industry, they also reflect other factors, many of which are outside of our control.
Some of the factors that may cause our net revenue and operating margins to fluctuate significantly from period to period are:
·market downturns;
·industry inventory level;
·the mix of products we sell because, for example:
ocertain lines of equipment within our business segments are more profitable than others; and
osome sales arrangements have higher gross margins than others;
·cancelled or deferred orders;
·seasonality;
·competitive pricing pressures may force us to reduce prices
·higher than anticipated costs of development or production of new equipment models;
·the availability and cost of the components for our products;
·delays in the development and manufacture of our new products and upgraded versions of our products and market acceptance of these products when introduced;
·customers’ delay in purchasing our products due to anticipation that we or our competitors may introduce new or upgraded products; and
·our competitors’ introduction of new products.
Many of our expenses, such as research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses, and interest expense, do not vary directly with our net revenue. Our research and development efforts include long-term projects lasting a year or more, which require significant investments. In order to realize the benefits of these projects, we believe that we must continue to fund them during periods when our revenue has declined. As a result, a decline in our net revenue would adversely affect our operating results as we continue to make these expenditures. In addition, if we were to incur additional expenses in a quarter in which we did not experience comparable increased net revenue, our operating results would decline. In a downturn, we may have excess inventory, which could be written off. Some of the other factors that may cause our expenses to fluctuate from period-to-period include:
·timing and extent of our research and development efforts;
·severance, restructuring, and other costs of relocating facilities;
·inventory write-offs due to obsolescence; and
·an increase in the cost of labor or materials.
Because our net revenue and operating results are volatile and difficult to predict, we believe consecutive period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be a good indication of our future performance.
We may not be able to rapidly develop, manufacture and gain market acceptance of new and enhanced products required to maintain or expand our business.
We believe our continued success depends on our ability to continuously develop and manufacture new products and product enhancements on a timely and cost-effective basis. We must introduce these products and product enhancements into the market in a timely manner in response to customers’ demands for higher performance assembly equipment and leading-edge materials customized to address rapid technological advances in integrated circuits, and capital equipment designs. Our competitors may develop new products or enhancements to their products that offer improved performance and features, or lower prices which may render our products less competitive. The development and commercialization of new products requires significant capital expenditures over an extended period of time, and some products we seek to develop may never become profitable. In addition, we may not be able to develop and introduce products incorporating new technologies in a timely manner that will satisfy our customers’ future needs or achieve market acceptance.
Substantially all of our sales and manufacturing operations are located outside of the U.S., and we rely on independent foreign distribution channels for certain product lines; all of which subject us to risks, including risks from changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war.
Approximately 98.3%, 97.8%, and 98.6% of our net revenue for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, were for shipments to customers located outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region. Our future performance will depend on our ability to continue to compete in foreign markets, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region. Some of these economies have been highly volatile, resulting in significant fluctuation in local currencies, and political and economic instability. These conditions may continue or worsen, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We also rely on non-U.S. suppliers for materials and components used in our products, and substantially all of our manufacturing operations are located in countries other than the U.S. We manufacture our ball, wedge and die bonders in Singapore, our saw blades, capillaries and bonding wedges in China, certain bonder subassemblies in Malaysia and capillary blanks in Israel. In addition, our corporate headquarters is in Singapore and we have sales, service and support personnel in China, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Germany. We also rely on independent foreign distribution channels for certain of our product lines. As a result, a major portion of our business is subject to the risks associated with international, and particularly Asia/Pacific, commerce, such as:
·risks of war and civil disturbances or other events that may limit or disrupt manufacturing and markets;
·seizure of our foreign assets, including cash;
·longer payment cycles in foreign markets;
·foreign exchange restrictions and capital controls;
·restrictions on the repatriation of our assets, including cash;
·significant foreign and U.S. taxes on repatriated cash;
·difficulties of staffing and managing dispersed international operations;
·possible disagreements with tax authorities;
·episodic events outside our control such as, for example, outbreaks of influenza;
·natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods;
·tariff and currency fluctuations;
·changing political conditions;
·labor work stoppages and strikes in our factories or the factories of our suppliers;
·foreign governments’ monetary policies and regulatory requirements;
·less protective foreign intellectual property laws; and
·legal systems which are less developed and may be less predictable than those in the U.S.
In addition, there is a potential risk of conflict and instability in the relationship between Taiwan and China. Conflict or instability could disrupt the operations of our customers and/or suppliers in both Taiwan and China. Additionally, our manufacturing operations in China could be disrupted by any conflict.
Our international operations also depend upon favorable trade relations between the U.S. and those foreign countries in which our customers, subcontractors and materials suppliers have operations. A protectionist trade environment in either the U.S. or those foreign countries in which we do business, such as a change in the current tariff structures, export compliance or other trade policies, may materially and adversely affect our ability to sell our products in foreign markets.
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows.
Because most of our foreign sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, an increase in value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies will make our products more expensive than those offered by some of our foreign competitors. In addition, a weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies could make our costs in non-U.S. locations more expensive to fund. Our ability to compete overseas may be materially and adversely affected by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies.
Because nearly all of our business is conducted outside the U.S., we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates which could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flows. Historically, our primary exposures have related to net working capital exposures denominated in currencies other than the foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency, and remeasurement of our foreign subsidiaries’ net monetary assets from the subsidiaries’ local currency into the subsidiaries’ functional currency. In general, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar could require certain of our foreign subsidiaries to record translation and remeasurement gains. Conversely, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar could require certain of our foreign subsidiaries to record losses on translation and remeasurement. An increase in the value of the U.S. dollar could increase the cost to our customers of our products in those markets outside the U.S. where we sell in U.S. dollars, and a weakened U.S. dollar could increase the cost of local operating expenses and procurement of raw materials, both of which could have an adverse effect on our cash flows. Our primary exposures include the Singapore Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen, Malaysian Ringgit, Swiss Franc, Philippine Peso, Taiwan Dollar, South Korean Won, Israeli Shekel and Euro. Our board of directors has granted management with limited authority to enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments designed to minimize the short term impact currency fluctuations have on our business. We have not entered into foreign exchange forward contracts but may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts or other instruments in the future. Our attempts to hedge against these risks may not be successful and may result in a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flows.
We may not be able to consolidate manufacturing and other facilities without incurring unanticipated costs and disruptions to our business.
As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our cost structure, we have migrated manufacturing and other facilities to Asia. Because of unanticipated events, including the actions of governments, suppliers, employees or customers, we may not realize the synergies, cost reductions and other benefits of any consolidation to the extent we currently expect.
Our business depends on attracting and retaining management, marketing and technical employees as well as on the succession of senior management.
Our future success depends on our ability to hire and retain qualified management, marketing, finance, accounting and technical employees, including senior management, primarily in Asia. A number of our senior management and finance and accounting positions have been transitioned to Singapore. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain the managerial, marketing, finance, accounting and technical personnel we require, and if we are unable to effectively provide for the succession of senior management, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
Difficulties in forecasting demand for our product lines may lead to periodic inventory shortages or excesses.
We typically operate our business with limited visibility of future demand. As a result, we sometimes experience inventory shortages or excesses. We generally order supplies and otherwise plan our production based on internal forecasts for demand. We have in the past failed, and may again in the future fail, to accurately forecast demand for our products. This has led to, and may in the future lead to, delays in product shipments or, alternatively, an increased risk of inventory obsolescence. If we fail to accurately forecast demand for our products, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
Alternative packaging technologies may render some of our products obsolete.
Alternative packaging technologies have emerged that may improve device performance or reduce the size of an integrated circuit (“IC”) package, as compared to traditional wire bonding. These technologies include flip chip and wafer level packaging. Some of these alternative technologies eliminate the need for wires to establish the electrical connection between a die and its package. The semiconductor industry may, in the future, shift a significant part of its volume into alternative packaging technologies, such as those discussed above, which do not employ our products. If a significant shift to alternative packaging technologies were to occur, demand for our equipment and related packaging materials may be materially and adversely affected.
Because a small number of customers account for most of our sales, our net revenue could decline if we lose a significant customer.
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is highly concentrated, with a relatively small number of large semiconductor manufacturers and their subcontract assemblers and vertically integrated manufacturers of electronic systems purchasing a substantial portion of our semiconductor assembly equipment and packaging materials. Sales to a relatively small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our net revenue. Sales to our largest customers, defined as more than 10% of our net revenue, was 37.3%, 21.8%, and 33.3%, for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
We expect a small number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our net revenue for the foreseeable future. Thus, our business success depends on our ability to maintain strong relationships with our customers. Any one of a number of factors could adversely affect these relationships. If, for example, during periods of escalating demand for our equipment, we were unable to add inventory and production capacity quickly enough to meet the needs of our customers, they may turn to other suppliers making it more difficult for us to retain their business. Similarly, if we are unable for any other reason to meet production or delivery schedules, particularly during a period of escalating demand, our relationships with our key customers could be adversely affected. If we lose orders from a significant customer, or if a significant customer reduces its orders substantially, these losses or reductions may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We maintain a backlog of customer orders that is subject to cancellation, reduction or delay in delivery schedules, which may result in lower than expected revenues.
We manufacture products primarily pursuant to purchase orders for current delivery or to forecast, rather than pursuant to long−term supply contracts. The semiconductor industry is occasionally subject to double booking and rapid changes in customer outlooks or unexpected build ups of inventory in the supply channel as a result of shifts in end market demand and macro-economic conditions. Accordingly, many of these purchase orders or forecasts may be revised or canceled without penalty. As a result, we must commit resources to the manufacture of products without binding purchase commitments from customers. Even in cases where our standard terms and conditions of sale or other contractual arrangements do not permit a customer to cancel an order without penalty, we may from time to time accept cancellations to maintain customer relationships or because of industry practice, custom or other factors. Our inability to sell products after we devote significant resources to them could have a material adverse effect on both our levels of inventory and revenues. While we currently believe our inventory levels are appropriate for the current economic environment, continued global economic uncertainty may result in lower than expected demand.
Undetected problems in our products could directly impair our financial results.
If flaws in design, production, assembly or testing of our products (by us or our suppliers) were to occur, we could experience a rate of failure in our products that would result in substantial repair, replacement or service costs and potential damage to our reputation. Continued improvement in manufacturing capabilities, control of material and manufacturing quality and costs and product testing are critical factors in our future growth. There can be no assurance that our efforts to monitor, develop, modify and implement appropriate tests and manufacturing processes for our products will be sufficient to permit us to avoid a rate of failure in our products that results in substantial delays in shipment, significant repair or replacement costs or potential damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Costs related to product defect and errata may harm our results of operations and business.
Costs of product defects and errata (deviations from product specifications) due to, for example, problems in our design and manufacturing processes, could include:
·writing off the value of inventory;
·disposing of products that cannot be fixed;
·retrofitting products that have been shipped;
·providing product replacements or modifications; and
·defending against litigation.
These costs could be large and may increase expenses and lower gross margin. Our reputation with customers or end users could be damaged as a result of product defects and errata, and product demand could be reduced. These factors could harm our business and financial results.
We depend on a small number of suppliers for raw materials, components and subassemblies. If our suppliers do not deliver their products to us, we would be unable to deliver our products to our customers.
Our products are complex and require raw materials, components and subassemblies having a high degree of reliability, accuracy and performance. We rely on subcontractors to manufacture many of these components and subassemblies and we rely on sole source suppliers for many components and raw materials. As a result, we are exposed to a number of significant risks, including:
·decreased control over the manufacturing process for components and subassemblies;
·changes in our manufacturing processes, in response to changes in the market, which may delay our shipments;
·our inadvertent use of defective or contaminated raw materials;
·the relatively small operations and limited manufacturing resources of some of our suppliers, which may limit their ability to manufacture and sell subassemblies, components or parts in the volumes we require and at acceptable quality levels and prices;
·the inability of suppliers to meet customer demand requirements during volatile cycles;
·the reliability or quality issues with certain key subassemblies provided by single source suppliers as to which we may not have any short term alternative;
·shortages caused by disruptions at our suppliers and subcontractors for a variety of reasons, including work stoppage or fire, earthquake, flooding or other natural disasters;
·delays in the delivery of raw materials or subassemblies, which, in turn, may delay shipments to our customers;
·loss of suppliers as a result of consolidation of suppliers in the industry; and
·loss of suppliers because of their bankruptcy or insolvency.
If we are unable to deliver products to our customers on time for these or any other reasons, or we are unable to meet customer expectations as to cycle time, or we are unable to maintain acceptable product quality or reliability, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
New regulations related to “conflict minerals” may force us to incur additional expenses, may make our supply chain more complex and may result in damage to our reputation with customers.
On August 22, 2012, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC adopted new requirements for companies that use certain minerals and metals, known as conflict minerals, in their products, whether or not these products are manufactured by third parties. These requirements will require companies to conduct due diligence and disclose whether or not such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. The implementation of these new requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of minerals used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, including our products. In addition, we will incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs related to determining the source of any of the relevant minerals and metals used in our products. Since our supply chain is complex, we may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins for these minerals and metals used in our products through the due diligence procedures that we implement, which may harm our reputation. In such event, we may also face difficulties in satisfying customers who require that all of the components of our products are certified as conflict mineral free.
We may acquire or divest businesses or enter into joint ventures or strategic alliances, which may materially affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We continually evaluate our portfolio of businesses and may decide to buy or sell businesses or enter into joint ventures or other strategic alliances. We may be unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses with our existing businesses and successfully implement, improve and expand our systems, procedures and controls to accommodate these acquisitions. These transactions place additional constraints on our management and current labor force. Additionally, these transactions require significant resources from our legal, finance and business teams. In addition, we may divest existing businesses, which would cause a decline in revenue and may make our financial results more volatile. If we fail to integrate and manage acquired businesses successfully or to manage the risks associated with divestitures, joint ventures or other alliances, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
The market price of our common shares and our earnings per share may decline as a result of any acquisitions or divestitures.
The market price of our common shares may decline as a result of any acquisitions or divestitures made by us if we do not achieve the perceived benefits of such acquisitions or divestitures as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts or if the effect on our financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial or industry analysts. In addition, the failure to achieve expected benefits and unanticipated costs relating to our acquisitions could reduce our future earnings per share.
We may be unable to continue to compete successfully in the highly competitive semiconductor equipment and packaging materials industries.
The semiconductor equipment and packaging materials industries are very competitive. In the semiconductor equipment industry, significant competitive factors include performance, quality, customer support and price. In the semiconductor packaging materials industry, competitive factors include price, delivery and quality.
In each of our markets, we face competition and the threat of competition from established competitors and potential new entrants. In addition, established competitors may combine to form larger, better capitalized companies. Some of our competitors have or may have significantly greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources. Some of these competitors are Asian and European companies that have had, and may continue to have, an advantage over us in supplying products to local customers who appear to prefer to purchase from local suppliers, without regard to other considerations.
We expect our competitors to improve their current products’ performance, and to introduce new products and materials with improved price and performance characteristics. Our competitors may independently develop technology similar to or better than ours. New product and material introductions by our competitors or by new market entrants could hurt our sales. If a particular semiconductor manufacturer or subcontract assembler selects a competitor’s product or materials for a particular assembly operation, we may not be able to sell products or materials to that manufacturer or assembler for a significant period of time. Manufacturers and assemblers sometimes develop lasting relationships with suppliers and assembly equipment providers in our industry and often go years without requiring replacement. In addition, we may have to lower our prices in response to price cuts by our competitors, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. If we cannot compete successfully, we could be forced to reduce prices and could lose customers and experience reduced margins and profitability.
Our success depends in part on our intellectual property, which we may be unable to protect.
Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology. To protect this technology, we rely principally on contractual restrictions (such as nondisclosure and confidentiality provisions) in our agreements with employees, subcontractors, vendors, consultants and customers and on the common law of trade secrets and proprietary “know-how.” We also rely, in some cases, on patent and copyright protection. We may not be successful in protecting our technology for a number of reasons, including the following:
·employees, subcontractors, vendors, consultants and customers may violate their contractual agreements, and the cost of enforcing those agreements may be prohibitive, or those agreements may be unenforceable or more limited than we anticipate;
·foreign intellectual property laws may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights; and
·our patent and copyright claims may not be sufficiently broad to effectively protect our technology; our patents or copyrights may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented; or we may otherwise be unable to obtain adequate protection for our technology.
In addition, our partners and alliances may have rights to technology developed by us. We may incur significant expense to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our competitive position may be weakened.
Third parties may claim we are infringing on their intellectual property, which could cause us to incur significant litigation costs or other expenses, or prevent us from selling some of our products.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological change, with frequent introductions of new products and technologies. Industry participants often develop products and features similar to those introduced by others, creating a risk that their products and processes may give rise to claims they infringe on the intellectual property of others. We may unknowingly infringe on the intellectual property rights of others and incur significant liability for that infringement. If we are found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others, we could be enjoined from continuing to manufacture, market or use the affected product, or be required to obtain a license to continue manufacturing or using the affected product. A license could be very expensive to obtain or may not be available at all. Similarly, changing or re-engineering our products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be costly, impractical or time consuming.
Occasionally, third parties assert that we are, or may be, infringing on or misappropriating their intellectual property rights. In these cases, we defend, and will continue to defend, against claims or negotiate licenses where we consider these actions appropriate. Intellectual property cases are uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. If we become involved in this type of litigation, it could consume significant resources and divert our attention from our business.
We may be materially and adversely affected by environmental and safety laws and regulations.
We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, use, emission, discharge, transportation and disposal of hazardous material, investigation and remediation of contaminated sites and the health and safety of our employees. Increasingly, public attention has focused on the environmental impact of manufacturing operations and the risk to neighbors of chemical releases from such operations.
Proper waste disposal plays an important role in the operation of our manufacturing plants. In many of our facilities we maintain wastewater treatment systems that remove metals and other contaminants from process wastewater. These facilities operate under permits that must be renewed periodically. A violation of those permits may lead to revocation of the permits, fines, penalties or the incurrence of capital or other costs to comply with the permits, including potential shutdown of operations.
Compliance with existing or future, land use, environmental and health and safety laws and regulations may: (1) result in significant costs to us for additional capital equipment or other process requirements, (2) restrict our ability to expand our operations and/or (3) cause us to curtail our operations. We also could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines or other sanctions and third-party claims for property damage or personal injury, as a result of violations of or liabilities under such laws and regulations. Any costs or liabilities to comply with or imposed under these laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding common shares.
The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities will result in dilution of our existing shareholders’ equity interests in us. Our board of directors has the authority to issue, without vote or action of shareholders, preferred shares in one or more series, and has the ability to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any such series. Any such series of preferred shares could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. In addition, we are authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, up to an aggregate of 200 million common shares, of which approximately 74.1 million shares were outstanding as of September 29, 2012. We are also authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, securities convertible into either common shares or preferred shares.
Weaknesses in our internal controls and procedures could result in material misstatements in our financial statements.
Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal controls over financial reporting are processes designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
Our internal controls may not prevent all potential errors or fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and implemented, can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system will be achieved. We or our independent registered public accountants may identify material weaknesses in our internal controls which could adversely affect our ability to ensure proper financial reporting and could affect investor confidence in us and the price of our common shares.
We may be subject to disruptions or failures in our information technology systems and network infrastructures that could have a material adverse effect on us.
We maintain and rely extensively on information technology systems and network infrastructures for the effective operation of our business. We also hold large amounts of data in data center facilities around the world, primarily in Singapore and the U.S., which our business depends upon. A disruption, infiltration or failure of our information technology systems or any of our data centers as a result of software or hardware malfunctions, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, employee theft or misuse, power disruptions, natural disasters or accidents could cause breaches of data security and loss of critical data, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business. Our security procedures, such as virus protection software and our business continuity planning, such as our disaster recovery policies and back-up systems, may not be adequate or implemented properly to fully address the adverse effect of such events, which could adversely impact our operations. In addition, our business could be adversely affected to the extent we do not make the appropriate level of investment in our technology systems as our technology systems become out-of-date or obsolete and are not able to deliver the type of data integrity and reporting we need to run our business. Furthermore, when we implement new systems and or upgrade existing systems, we could be faced with temporary or prolonged disruptions that could adversely affect our business.
Other Risks
Our ability to recognize tax benefits on future domestic U.S. tax losses and our existing U.S. net operating loss position may be limited.
We have generated net operating loss carry-forwards and other tax attributes for U.S. tax purposes (“Tax Benefits”) that can be used to reduce our future federal income tax obligations. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the potential future utilization of our Tax Benefits for U.S. tax purposes may be limited following an ownership change. An ownership change is generally defined as a greater than 50% point increase in equity ownership by 5% shareholders in any three-year period under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. An ownership change may significantly limit our ability to fully utilize our net operating losses which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. As of September 29, 2012, we have foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $88.1 million, domestic state net operating loss carryforwards of $194.7 million, and tax credit carryforwards of $0.6 million.
Potential changes to U.S. and foreign tax laws could increase our income tax expense.
We are subject to income taxes in the U. S. and many foreign jurisdictions. There have been proposals to reform U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact how U.S. multinational corporations, such as us, are taxed on foreign earnings. It is unclear whether these proposed tax revisions will be enacted, or, if enacted, what the scope of the revisions will be. Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws, if enacted, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and under Pennsylvania law may discourage other companies from attempting to acquire us.
Some provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws as well as Pennsylvania law may discourage some transactions where we would otherwise experience a fundamental change. For example, our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that:
·classify our board of directors into four classes, with one class being elected each year;
·permit our board to issue “blank check” preferred shares without shareholder approval; and
·prohibit us from engaging in some types of business combinations with a holder of 20% or more of our voting securities without super-majority board or shareholder approval.
Further, under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, because our shareholders approved bylaw provisions that provide for a classified board of directors, shareholders may remove directors only for cause. These provisions and some other provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law could delay, defer or prevent us from experiencing a fundamental change and may adversely affect our common shareholders’ voting and other rights.
Terrorist attacks, or other acts of violence or war may affect the markets in which we operate and our profitability.
Terrorist attacks may negatively affect our operations. There can be no assurance that there will not be further terrorist attacks against the U.S. or U.S. businesses. Terrorist attacks or armed conflicts may directly impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers. Our primary facilities include administrative, sales and research and development facilities in Singapore and the U.S. and manufacturing and research and development facilities in China, Israel and Malaysia. Additional terrorist attacks may disrupt the global insurance and reinsurance industries with the result that we may not be able to obtain insurance at historical terms and levels for all of our facilities. Furthermore, additional attacks may make travel and the transportation of our supplies and products more difficult and more expensive and ultimately affect the sales of our products in the U.S. and overseas. Additional attacks or any broader conflict, could negatively impact our domestic and international sales, our supply chain, our production capability and our ability to deliver products to our customers. Political and economic instability in some regions of the world could negatively impact our business. The consequences of terrorist attacks or armed conflicts are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on our business.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The following table reflects our major facilities as of September 29, 2012:
Facility (1)
Approximate Size
Function
Business Segment and Products
Manufactured
Lease Expiration Date
Singapore
134,661 sq. ft.
Corporate headquarters, manufacturing, technology, sales and service center
Equipment: wire, wedge and die bonders
July 2013 (2)
Suzhou, China
155,123 sq. ft.
Manufacturing and technology center
Expendable Tools: capillaries, dicing blades and bonding wedges
November 2017 (3)
Irvine, California
121,805 sq. ft.
Manufacturing and technology center
Equipment: wedge bonder subassemblies
September 2013
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
88,000 sq. ft.
Technology, sales and service center
Not applicable
September 2028 (4)
Subang Jaya, Malaysia
37,200 sq ft
Subassembly manufacturing and supply chain management
Equipment subassembly
July 2013
Yokneam, Israel
20,877 sq. ft.
Manufacturing and technology center
Expendable Tools: capillary blanks (semi-finish)
January 2018 (5)
Damansara Uptown, Malaysia
12,314 sq ft
Shared service, sales and service center
Not applicable
July 2016 (6)
(1)Each of the facilities listed in this table is leased.
(2)The current lease is set to expire in July 2013, at which point the Company is planning to lease a new building from the same landlord, Mapletree Industrial Trust under the Agreement to Develop and Lease, as discussed in Item 7.
(3)On July 11, 2012, the Company exercised the option to purchase the Suzhou building in accordance with the purchase option clause in the lease agreement that was in place at the time. The option has not been accepted or declined by the landlord and therefore the Company has extended the lease in the interim until November 2017.
(4)Includes lease extension periods at the Company’s option. Initial lease expires in September 2018.
(5)Includes lease extension periods at the Company’s option. Initial lease expires in January 2015.
(6)Includes lease extension periods at the Company’s option. Initial lease expires in July 2013.
The Company owns a building in Berg, Switzerland of approximately 65,208 square feet that was used as a technology center. The building was put on the market in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. On October 1, 2012, the Company received a signed letter of intent from a buyer to purchase the building. The terms of the deal are currently under negotiation.
In addition, the Company rents space for sales and service offices and administrative functions in Taiwan, China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, and Germany. The Company believes the facilities are generally in good condition and suitable to the extent of utilization needed.
Item 3.
Item 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be a plaintiff or defendant in cases arising out of our business. We cannot be assured of the results of any pending or future litigation, but we do not believe resolution of these matters will materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.
Item 4.
Item 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “KLIC.” The following table reflects the ranges of high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on Nasdaq for the periods indicated:
On November 9, 2012, there were approximately 337 holders of record of the shares of outstanding common stock. The payment of dividends on our common stock is within the discretion of our board of directors; however, we have not historically paid any dividends on our common stock. In addition, we do not expect to declare dividends on our common stock in the near future, since we intend to retain earnings to finance our business.
For the purpose of calculating the aggregate market value of shares of our common stock held by non-affiliates, as shown on the cover page of this report, we have assumed all of our outstanding shares were held by non-affiliates except for shares held by our directors and executive officers. However, this does not necessarily mean that all directors and executive officers of the Company are, in fact, affiliates of the Company, or there are no other persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the Company. Further information concerning the beneficial ownership of our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about January 4, 2013.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Item 6.
Item 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables reflect selected historical consolidated financial data derived from the consolidated financial statements of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for each of the five fiscal years ended 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
As of October 4, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, ASC No. 470.20, Debt, Debt With Conversion Options on a retrospective basis for all prior periods. Fiscal 2009 includes the assets of Orthodyne Electronics Corporation which were acquired on October 3, 2008. During fiscal 2008, we sold our Wire business; therefore, fiscal 2008 data has been reclassified to reflect our Wire business as a discontinued operation.
This data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this report or current reports on Form 8-K filed previously by us in respect of the fiscal years identified in the column headings of the tables below.
(1)During fiscal 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $1.7 million, $2.5 million, $2.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively, in operating expense for restructuring-related severance.
During fiscal 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008, we recorded $22.0 million, $24.3 million, $17.4 million, $2.7 million, and $2.2 million, respectively, in operating expense for incentive compensation.
(2)The following are the most significant factors that affected our provision for income taxes: implementation of our international restructuring plan in fiscal 2011 and 2010; volatility in our earnings each fiscal year and variation in earnings among various tax jurisdictions in which we operate; changes in assumptions regarding repatriation of earnings; changes in tax legislation and our provision for various tax exposure items.
(3)Reflects the operations of the Company’s Wire business, which was sold in fiscal 2009.
(1)For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, $0.0 million, $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of net income applicable to participating securities and the related participating securities were excluded from the computation of basic income per share.
(2)For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the exercise of dilutive stock options and expected vesting of time-based and market-based restricted stock were included. Due to the Company’s net loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2009 and 2008, potentially dilutive shares were excluded since the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(3)For fiscal 2010, expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock and conversion of the 1% Convertible Subordinated Notes were included. For fiscal 2010, $0.3 million of after-tax interest expense related to our 1% Convertible Subordinated Notes was added to the Company’s net income to determine diluted earnings per share.
Item 7.
Item 7.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In addition to historical information, this filing contains statements relating to future events or our future results. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by statute. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our future revenue, sustained, increasing, continuing or strengthening demand for our products, the continuing transition from gold to copper wire bonding, replacement demand, our research and development efforts, our ability to identify and realize new growth opportunities, our ability to control costs and our operational flexibility as a result of (among other factors):
·projected growth rates in the overall semiconductor industry, the semiconductor assembly equipment market, and the market for semiconductor packaging materials; and
·projected demand for ball, wedge and die bonder equipment and for expendable tools.
Generally, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “goal” and “believe,” or the negative of or other variations on these and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this filing. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those described below and under the heading “Risk Factors” within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 and our other reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in this report, as well as our audited financial statements included in this Annual Report.
We operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks that may affect us. Future events and actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results or changes in, or additions to, the factors affecting such forward-looking statements. Given those risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of actual results.
Introduction
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “K&S”) designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools used to assemble semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits (“IC”), high and low powered discrete devices, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and power modules. We also service, maintain, repair and upgrade our equipment. Our customers primarily consist of semiconductor device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”), other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers.
We operate two main business segments, Equipment and Expendable Tools. Our goal is to be the technology leader and the most competitive supplier in terms of cost and performance in each of our major product lines. Accordingly, we invest in research and engineering projects intended to enhance our position at the leading edge of semiconductor assembly technology. We also remain focused on our cost structure, through consolidating operations in Asia. Cost reduction efforts are an important part of our normal ongoing operations, and are expected to generate savings without compromising overall product quality and service levels.
Business Environment
The semiconductor business environment is highly volatile, driven by internal dynamics, both cyclical and seasonal, in addition to macroeconomic forces. Over the long term, semiconductor consumption has historically grown, and is forecast to continue to grow. This growth is driven, in part, by regular advances in device performance and by price declines that result from improvements in manufacturing technology. In order to exploit these trends, semiconductor manufacturers, both integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”) and OSATs, periodically invest aggressively in latest generation capital equipment. This buying pattern often leads to periods of excess supply and reduced capital spending - the so called semiconductor cycle. Within this broad semiconductor cycle there are also, generally weaker, seasonal effects that are specifically tied to annual, end-consumer purchasing patterns. Typically, semiconductor manufacturers prepare for heightened demand by adding or replacing equipment capacity by the end of the September quarter. Occasionally this results in subsequent reductions in the December quarter. This annual seasonality can occasionally be overshadowed by effects of the broader semiconductor cycle. Macroeconomic factors also affect the industry, primarily through their effect on business and consumer demand for electronic devices, as well as other products that have significant electronic content such as automobiles, white goods, and telecommunication equipment.
Our Equipment segment is primarily affected by the industry’s internal cyclical and seasonal dynamics, in addition to broader macroeconomic factors that positively and negatively affect our financial performance. The sales mix of IDM and OSAT customers in any period also impacts financial performance as this mix can affect our products’ average selling prices and gross margins due to differences in volume purchases and machine configurations required by each customer type.
Our Expendable Tools segment is less volatile than our Equipment segment. Expendable Tools sales are more directly tied to semiconductor unit consumption rather than capacity requirements and production capability improvements.
We continue to position our business to leverage our research and development leadership and innovation and to focus our efforts on mitigating volatility, improving profitability and ensuring longer-term growth. We remain focused on operational excellence, expanding our product offerings and managing our business efficiently throughout the business cycles. The current economic environment is uncertain and we may experience typical industry seasonality during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult.
To limit potential adverse cyclical, seasonal and macroeconomic effects on our financial position, we have de-leveraged and strengthened our balance sheet. In fiscal 2012, we fully repaid our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes with cash in the principal amount of $110.0 million at maturity. As of September 29, 2012, our total cash, cash equivalents and investments was $440.2 million, a $55.7 million increase from the prior fiscal year end. We believe this strong cash position will allow us to continue to invest in product development and improve our production capability throughout the semiconductor cycle.
Technology Leadership
We compete largely by offering our customers among the most advanced equipment and expendable tools available for the wire, wedge and die bonding processes. Our equipment is the most productive and has the highest levels of process capability, and as a result, has lower cost of ownership compared to other equipment in its market. Our expendable tools are designed to optimize the performance of the equipment in which they are used. We believe our technology leadership contributes to the leading market share positions of our various wire bonder and expendable tools products. To maintain our competitive advantage, we invest in product development activities designed to produce a stream of improvements to existing products and to deliver next-generation products. These investments often focus as much on improvements in the semiconductor assembly process as on specific pieces of assembly equipment or expendable tools. In order to generate these improvements, we often work in close collaboration with customers, end users, and other industry members. In addition to producing technical advances, these collaborative development efforts strengthen customer relationships and enhance our reputation as a technology leader and solutions provider.
In addition to gold and aluminum wire, our leadership in the industry’s use of copper wire for the bonding process is an example of the benefits of our collaborative efforts. By working with customers, material suppliers, and other equipment suppliers, we have developed a series of robust, high-yielding production processes that have made copper wire commercially viable, significantly reducing the cost of assembling an integrated circuit. During fiscal 2010, many of our customers began converting their bonding wire from gold to copper wire, and we believe the conversion was accelerated by fabless companies in the consumer segment. Gradually, the level of confidence and the reliability of data collected have enabled a larger segment of the customer base to increase copper capabilities. Since this initial conversion, a significant portion of our wire bonder sales are copper capable bonders. We expect this conversion process to continue throughout the industry for the next several years. This could potentially drive a significant wire bonder replacement cycle, as we believe much of the industries’ installed base is not currently suitable for copper bonding. Based on our industry leading copper bonding processes and the continued high price of gold, we believe the total available market for copper configured wire bonders is likely to continue demonstrating solid growth.
Our leadership has allowed us to maintain a competitive position in the latest generations of gold and copper ball bonders, which enable our customers to handle the leading technologies in terms of pitch, silicon with the latest node and complex wire bonding requirement. We continue to see demand for our large bondable area (“LA”) configured machines. This LA option is now available on all of our Power Series (“PS”) models and allows our customers to gain added efficiencies and to reduce the cost of packaging.
We also leverage the technology leadership of our equipment by optimizing our bonder platforms, and we deliver variants of our products to serve emerging high-growth markets. For example, we have developed extensions of our main ball bonding platforms to address opportunities in LED assembly. In the last few years, the LED backlights for flat-screen displays have been the main driver of the LED market where we have successfully competed in LED assembly equipment. We expect the next wave of growth in the LED market to be high brightness LED for general lighting, and we believe we are well positioned for this trend.
Furthermore, we gain synergies by leveraging technologies between our unique platforms. Our leading technology for wedge bonder equipment uses aluminum ribbon or heavy wire as opposed to fine gold and fine copper wire used in ball bonders. In addition, we are currently developing the next generation platform for our power semiconductor wedge bonder. We intend to initiate design of our next power module wedge bonder. In both cases, we are making a conscious effort to develop commonality of subsystems and design practices, in order to improve performance and design efficiencies. We believe this will benefit us in maintaining our leadership position in the wedge bonding market and increase synergies between the various engineering product groups. Furthermore, we continually research adjacent market segments where our technologies could be used. As an example, we are reviewing the use of wedge bonding in the fabrication of solar panels. Many of these initiatives are in the early stages of development and may become business opportunities in the future.
Another example of our developing equipment for high-growth niche markets is our ATPremier. This machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors, surface acoustical wave (“SAW”) filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market. We also expanded the use of ATPremier for wafer level wire bonding for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) and other sensors.
Our focus on technology leadership also extends to die bonding. The best-in-class throughput and accuracy of our iStackPS die bonder forms the foundation for our advanced packaging development.
We bring the same technology focus to our expendable tools business, driving tool design and manufacturing technology to optimize the performance and process capability of the equipment in which our tools are used. For all our equipment products, expendable tools are an integral part of their process capability. We believe our unique ability to simultaneously develop both equipment and tools is a core strength supporting our products’ technological differentiation.
Products and Services
We supply a range of bonding equipment and expendable tools. The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for our financial results by business segment.
Equipment Segment
We manufacture and sell a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders, wafer level bonders, and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, OSATs, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Ball bonders are used to connect very fine wires, typically made of gold or copper, between the bond pads of the semiconductor device, or die, and the leads on its package. Wedge bonders use either aluminum wire or ribbon to perform the same function in packages that cannot use gold or copper wire because of either high electrical current requirements or other package reliability issues. Wafer level bonders mechanically apply bumps to die, typically while still in the wafer format, for some variants of the flip chip assembly process. Die bonders are used to attach a die to the substrate or lead frame which will house the semiconductor device. We believe our equipment offers competitive advantages by providing customers with high productivity/throughput, superior package quality/process control, and as a result, a lower cost of ownership.
Our principal Equipment segment products include:
Business Unit
Product Name (1)
Typical Served Market
Ball bonders
IConnPS
Advanced and ultra fine pitch applications
IConnPS ProCu
High-end copper wire applications demanding advanced process capability and high productivity
IConnPS ProCu LA
Large area substrate and matrix applications for copper wire
IConnPS LA
Large area substrate and matrix applications
ConnXPS
Cost performance, low pin count applications
ConnXPS Plus
Second generation cost performance, low pin count applications
ConnXPS LED
LED applications
ConnXPS VLED
Vertical LED applications
ConnXPS LA
Cost performance large area substrate and matrix applications
ATPremier
Wafer level bonding applications
ATPremier Plus
Advanced wafer level bonding applications
Wedge bonders
3600Plus
Power hybrid and automotive modules using either heavy aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
3700Plus
Hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire
7200Plus
Power semiconductors using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
7200HD
Smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
7600HD
Power semiconductors including smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
Die bonder
iStackPS
Advanced stacked die and ball grid array applications
(1)Power Series (“PS”)
Ball Bonders
Automatic ball bonders represent the largest portion of our semiconductor equipment business. Our main product platform for ball bonding is the Power Series (“PS”) - a family of assembly equipment that is setting new standards for performance, productivity, upgradeability, and ease of use. Our Power Series consists of our IConnPS high-performance ball bonders, and our ConnXPS cost-performance ball bonders, both of which can be configured for either gold or copper wire. In addition, targeted specifically at the fast growing LED market, the Power Series includes our ConnXPS LED and our ConnXPS VLED. Targeted for large bondable area applications, the Power Series includes our IConnPS LA and ConnXPS LA. In November 2010 and January 2011, we introduced the IConnPS ProCu, IConnPS ProCu LA, respectively, which offer a significant new level of capability for customers transitioning from gold to copper wire bonding. In March 2012, we introduced ConnXPS Plus next-generation cost-performance ball bonders.
Our Power Series products have advanced industry performance standards. Our ball bonders are capable of performing very fine pitch bonding, as well as creating the sophisticated wire loop shapes needed in the assembly of advanced semiconductor packages. Our ball bonders can also be converted for use to copper applications through kits we sell separately, a capability that is increasingly important as bonding with copper continues to grow as an alternative to gold.
Our ATPremier machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices, while still in a wafer format for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include CMOS image sensors, SAW filters, MEMS and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market. In September 2012, we introduced ATPremier Plus, which offer advanced stud bumping capability for low temperature gold bumping.
Heavy Wire Wedge Bonders
We are the leaders in the design and manufacture of heavy wire wedge bonders for the power semiconductor and automotive power module markets. Wedge bonders may use either aluminum wire or aluminum ribbon to connect semiconductor chips in power packages, power hybrids and automotive modules for products such as motor control modules or inverters for hybrid cars. In addition, we see some potential use for our wedge bonder products in select solar applications.
Our portfolio of wedge bonding products includes:
·The 3600Plus: high speed, high accuracy wire bonders designed for power modules, automotive packages and other heavy wire multi-chip module applications.
·The 3700Plus: wire bonders designed for hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire.
·The 7200Plus: dual head wedge bonder designed specifically for power semiconductor applications.
·The 7200HD: wedge bonder designed for smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon.
·The 7600HD: wedge bonder targeted for small power packages.
While wedge bonding traditionally utilizes aluminum wire, all of our heavy wire wedge bonders are also available to be modified to bond aluminum ribbon using our proprietary PowerRibbon® process. Aluminum ribbon offers device makers performance advantages over traditional round wire and is being increasingly used for high current packages and automotive applications.
Die Bonders
Our die bonder, the iStackPS, focuses on stacked die applications for both memory and subcontract assembly customers. iStackPS is targeted at stacked die and high-end ball grid array (“BGA”) applications. In addition, iStackPS has demonstrated superior accuracy and process control.
Other Equipment Products and Services
We also sell manual wire bonders, and we offer spare parts, equipment repair, training services, and upgrades for our equipment through our Support Services business unit. In September 2012, we introduced a next-generation manual wire bonder series for use with gold, copper or aluminum wire.
Expendable Tools Segment
We manufacture and sell a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications. Our principal Expendable Tools segment products include:
·Capillaries: expendable tools used in ball bonders. Made of ceramic and other elements, a capillary guides the wire during the ball bonding process. Its features help control the bonding process. We design and build capillaries suitable for a broad range of applications, including for use on our competitors’ equipment. In addition to capillaries used for gold wire bonding, we have developed capillaries for use with copper wire to achieve optimal performance in copper wire bonding.
·Bonding wedges: expendable tools used in wedge bonders. Like capillaries, their specific features are tailored to specific applications. We design and build bonding wedges for use both in our own equipment and in our competitors’ equipment.
·Saw blades: expendable tools used by semiconductor manufacturers to cut silicon wafers into individual semiconductor die and to cut semiconductor devices that have been molded in a matrix configuration into individual units.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, net revenue and expenses during the reporting periods, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates, including but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, carrying value and lives of fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, tax provisions, repatriation of un-remitted foreign subsidiary earnings, equity-based compensation expense, restructuring, and warranties. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. As a result, we make judgments regarding the carrying values of our assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies, which have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with ASC No. 605, Revenue Recognition, we recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, the collectability is reasonably assured, and equipment installation obligations have been completed and customer acceptance, when applicable, has been received or otherwise released from installation or customer acceptance obligations. In the event terms of the sale provide for a customer acceptance period, revenue is recognized upon the expiration of the acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. Our standard terms are Ex Works (our factory), with title transferring to our customer at our loading dock or upon embarkation. We have a small percentage of sales with other terms, and revenue is recognized in accordance with the terms of the related customer purchase order. Revenue related to services is recognized upon performance of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a term more than one month is recognized on a prorated straight-line basis over the term of the contract.
Our business is subject to contingencies related to customer orders as follows:
·Right of Return: A large portion of our revenue comes from the sale of machines used in the semiconductor assembly process. Other product sales relate to consumable products, which are sold in high-volume quantities, and are generally maintained at low stock levels at our customer’s facility. Customer returns have historically represented a very small percentage of customer sales on an annual basis.
·Warranties: Our equipment is generally shipped with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. We establish reserves for estimated warranty expense when revenue for the related equipment is recognized. The reserve for estimated warranty expense is based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of future expenses.
·Conditions of Acceptance: Sales of our consumable products generally do not have customer acceptance terms. In certain cases, sales of our equipment have customer acceptance clauses which may require the equipment to perform in accordance with customer specifications or when installed at the customer’s facility. In such cases, if the terms of acceptance are satisfied at our facility prior to shipment, the revenue for the equipment will be recognized upon shipment. If the terms of acceptance are satisfied at our customers’ facilities, the revenue for the equipment will not be recognized until acceptance, which typically consists of installation and testing is received from the customer.
Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs paid by us are included in cost of sales.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ failure to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. We are subject to concentrations of customers and sales to a few geographic locations, which could also impact the collectability of certain receivables. If global economic conditions deteriorate or political conditions were to change in some of the countries where we do business, it could have a significant impact on our results of operations, and our ability to realize the full value of our accounts receivable.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in first-out basis) or market value. We generally provide reserves for obsolete inventory and for inventory considered to be in excess of demand. In addition, inventory purchase commitments in excess of demand are generally recorded as accrued expense. Demand is generally defined as eighteen months future consumption for equipment, twenty-four months consumption for all spare parts, and twelve months consumption for expendable tools. Forecasted demand is based upon internal projections, historical sales volumes, customer order activity and a review of consumable inventory levels at customers’ facilities. We communicate forecasts of our future demand to our suppliers and adjust commitments to those suppliers accordingly. If required, we reserve the difference between the carrying value of our inventory and the lower of cost or market value, based upon assumptions about future demand, and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projections, additional inventory reserves may be required.
Accounting for Impairment of Goodwill
The Company operates two reportable segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. Goodwill was recorded in 2009 for the acquisition of Orthodyne Electronics Inc., which added wedge bonder products to the Equipment business.
Accounting Standard Update 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment provides companies with the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, a company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if a company concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a company is required to perform the second step of the two-step goodwill impairment test.
We chose to skip the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative evaluation of the fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit, to compare against the carrying value of the goodwill recorded in the books. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, there is no impairment. Any excess carrying value is equal to the goodwill impairment charge.
As part of the annual evaluation of the goodwill, we perform an impairment test of our goodwill in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year to coincide with the completion of our annual forecasting process. We also test for impairment if a “triggering” event occurs that may have the effect of reducing the fair value of a reporting unit below its respective carrying value.
Impairment assessments inherently involve judgment as to assumptions about expected future cash flows and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. Future events and changing market conditions may impact our assumptions as to prices, costs, growth rates or other factors that may result in changes in our estimates of future cash flows. Although we believe the assumptions we have used in testing for impairment are reasonable, significant changes in any one of our assumptions could produce a significantly different result. Indicators of potential impairment may lead us to perform interim goodwill impairment assessments, including significant and unforeseen customer losses, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, a significant adverse action or assessment by a regulator, a significant stock price decline or unanticipated competition.
For further information on goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 4 of Item 8.
Income Taxes
In accordance with ASC No. 740, Income Taxes, deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount we expect is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered future taxable income and our ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income in the period such determination was made.
In accordance with ASC No. 740 Topic 10, Income Taxes, General (“ASC 740.10”), we account for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its income tax return. Under ASC 740.10, we utilize a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Step one or recognition, requires us to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Step two or measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit, which is more likely than not to be realized on settlement with the taxing authority.
Equity-Based Compensation
We account for equity-based compensation under the provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of equity-based compensation in net income. Compensation expense associated with market-based restricted stock is determined using a Monte-Carlo valuation model, and compensation expense associated with time-based and performance-based restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the fair value on the date of grant. The fair value of our stock option awards are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model.
The calculation of equity-based compensation costs requires us to estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited during the vesting period. We have estimated forfeitures at the time of grant based upon historical experience, and review the forfeiture rates periodically and make adjustments as necessary. In addition, the fair value of equity-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award and we elected to use the straight-line method for awards granted after the adoption of ASC 718. In general, equity-based awards vest annually over a three year period. Our performance-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the three-year anniversary of the grant date (if employed by the Company) if return on invested capital and revenue growth targets set by the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on the date of grant are met. If return on invested capital and revenue growth targets are not met, performance-based restricted stock does not vest. Estimated attainment percentages and the corresponding equity-based compensation expense reported may vary from period to period.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a description of certain recent accounting pronouncements including the expected dates of adoption and effects on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Results of Operations for fiscal 2012 and 2011
The following table reflects our income from operations for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Bookings and Backlog
A booking is recorded when a customer order is reviewed and it is determined that all specifications can be met, production (or service) can be scheduled, a delivery date can be set, and the customer meets our credit requirements. Our backlog consists of customer orders scheduled for shipment within the next twelve months. A majority of our orders are subject to cancellation or deferral by our customers with limited or no penalties. Also, customer demand for our products can vary dramatically without prior notice. Because of the volatility of customer demand, possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules or cancellations and potential delays in product shipments, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of net revenue for any succeeding period.
The following tables reflect our bookings and backlog for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Net Revenue
Approximately 98.3% and 97.8% of our net revenue for fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, was for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region, and we expect sales outside of the U.S. to continue to represent a substantial part of our future revenue.
The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Equipment
The following table reflects the components of Equipment net revenue change between fiscal 2012 and 2011:
For fiscal 2012, the lower equipment net revenue as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the lower volume from our wedge bonders and less favorable pricing for our ball bonders.
The volume reduction in wedge bonders was attributable mainly to decreased demand from our key markets: power semiconductor, automotive power modules and industrial power hybrids. Slowing demand from the end users of our customers’ devices resulted in our customers cutting back their production, reducing their need for new equipment. This volume reduction was partially offset by higher ATPremier volume driven by a change in technology used in smartphones and tablet applications.
In addition, pricing on our ball bonders was less favorable, as we sold higher volumes of our most popular ball bonder model to large OSAT customers.
Expendable Tools	
The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools net revenue change between fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Expendable Tools net revenue decreased 10.0% for fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. The decrease was primarily due to volume decrease in the overall Expendable Tools business. The decrease in volume was most concentrated in our wedge bonder tools business due to lower sales as a result of lower customer utilization.
Gross Profit
The following tables reflect gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Equipment
The following table reflects the components of Equipment gross profit change between fiscal 2012 and 2011:
For fiscal 2012, the lower equipment gross profit as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the lower pricing from our ball bonders. Pricing on our ball bonders was less favorable as we sold higher volumes of our most popular ball bonder model to large OSAT customers.
In addition, the volume in wedge bonders declined mainly as result of decreased demand from our key markets: power semiconductor, automotive power modules and industrial power hybrid. Slowing demand from the end users of our customers’ devices resulted in our customers cutting back their production, reducing their need for new equipment. This volume reduction was partially offset by higher ATPremier volume driven by a change in technology used in smartphones and tablet applications, as well as favorable changes in product mix from our ball bonders.
Expendable Tools
The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools gross profit change between fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Expendable Tools gross profit decreased 9.6% during fiscal 2012 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower volumes for our Expendable Tools business.
Operating Expenses
The following table reflects operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses decreased by $28.0 million during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, which was driven by a number of factors. Sales commissions and incentives decreased by $10.9 million due to lower net revenue for the current fiscal year. We experienced a $5.2 million favorable variance in foreign exchange rates due to the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. We also recorded a favorable variance of $2.8 million relating to the curtailment of our pension plan for our Switzerland operation. We also recorded a favorable change in the Accounts Receivable reserve of $2.5 million as we were able to collect outstanding balances from customers that were previously reserved. Depreciation and amortization expense was also lower by $2.1 million mainly due to less equipment being sent to customers for demonstration and evaluation. During fiscal 2011, we recorded a valuation loss of $3.0 million in connection with our Switzerland property.
Research and Development (“R&D”)
R&D expense decreased $1.7 million during fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011 primarily due to a decrease of $2.7 million in staff costs as a result of the consolidation and reduction of headcount to further streamline our R&D technology centers. The decrease was partially offset by $1.0 million higher project based professional services for products development.
Income from Operations
The following table reflects income from operations by business segment for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Equipment
In fiscal 2012 our Equipment income from operations was higher as compared to the prior year primarily due to decreases in our operating expenses. Overall operating expense decreases were offset by the lower equipment gross profit as compared to the prior year as explained above.
Expendable Tools
Expendable Tools income from operations was comparable from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2012. Gross profit was lower due to decreased volumes, but was offset by lower operating expenses in fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, as explained above.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
The following table reflects interest income and interest expense for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Interest income for fiscal 2012 was higher as compared to the prior year period due to higher invested cash balances.
The decrease in interest expense for fiscal 2012 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to the repayment of our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes in June 2012.
Provision for Income Taxes for fiscal 2012 and 2011
The following table reflects the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
For fiscal 2012, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to tax from foreign operations at a lower effective tax rate than the U.S. statutory rate and the impact of tax holidays, offset by an increase for deferred taxes on un-remitted earnings as well as other U.S. current and deferred taxes. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we reached a favorable settlement with the tax authorities of a foreign jurisdiction and we reversed an accrual for an uncertain tax position of $7.5 million, recording it as an income tax benefit. This benefit was offset by additional taxes due to deemed distributions from certain foreign subsidiaries.
For fiscal 2011, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to tax from foreign operations at a lower effective tax rate than the U.S. statutory rate, the impact of tax holidays, decreases in the valuation allowance offset by an increase for deferred taxes on un-remitted earnings as well as other U.S. current and deferred taxes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, negotiations with a foreign tax jurisdiction were finalized which resulted in a decreased effective tax rate of 5% in that jurisdiction until February 1, 2020. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, a $7.5 million accrual related to a certain unrecognized tax position taken in past years was recorded based upon new information received from the tax authorities.
Our future effective tax rate would be affected if earnings were lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. We regularly assess the effects resulting from these factors to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.
Results of Operations for fiscal 2011 and 2010
The following table reflects our income from operations for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Bookings and Backlog
The following tables reflect our bookings and backlog for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Net Revenue
Approximately 97.8% and 98.6% of our net revenue for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, was for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region.
The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Equipment
The following table reflects the components of Equipment net revenue change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Fiscal 2011 Equipment net revenue was higher than the prior year primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and improved ball bonder pricing. The wedge bonder volume increase was attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix. Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
Expendable Tools
The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools net revenue change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Expendable Tools net revenue changes were due to higher selling prices partially offset by lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools.
Gross Profit
The following table reflects gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Equipment
The following table reflects the components of Equipment gross profit change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Fiscal 2011 Equipment gross profit was higher than fiscal 2010 primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and favorable pricing for our ball bonders. The favorable variances were partially offset by higher costs for our wedge bonders. Wedge bonder volume increases were attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix. Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Increased costs during the current fiscal year for wedge bonders were the result of transitioning our factory to Asia. During fiscal 2011, we manufactured wedge bonders in both our U.S. and Asia facilities to support increased demand. In addition during fiscal 2011, we recorded inventory reserves due to our factory transition to Asia related to our die and wedge bonder inventory in the U.S.
Expendable Tools
The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools gross profit change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Expendable Tools gross profit decreased during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to higher labor costs, increased revenue tax rates, an unfavorable exchange rate impact from our operations in China, and lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools. Higher costs and lower volumes were partially offset by favorable pricing.
Operating Expenses
The following table reflects operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses increased by $21.7 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010, which was driven by a number of factors. Sales commissions and incentives increased by $10.9 million due to higher net revenue and net income. We suffered an unfavorable foreign exchange loss of $3.1 million due to the strengthening of the US dollar against foreign currencies. We wrote down in value our building in Switzerland by net $3.0 million. We also incurred $2.5 million for severance expenses mainly related to the U.S.-based operations transition to Asia. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $2.1 million, which mainly related to equipment sent to customers for demonstration and evaluation, and we accrued $1.5 million for the Switzerland pension fund. These increases were partially offset by $4.9 million lower factory transition expense than was incurred during fiscal 2010.
Research and Development (“R&D”)
Our R&D expense net increase was $8.5 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to higher staff costs, which consisted of merit compensation and additional headcount to support new product development.
Income from Operations
The following table reflects income from operations by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Equipment
Fiscal 2011 Equipment income from operations was higher than fiscal 2010 primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and favorable pricing for our ball bonders. The favorable variances were partially offset by higher costs for our wedge bonders. Wedge bonder volume increases were attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix. Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Increased costs for wedge bonders were the result of transitioning our factory to Asia. During fiscal 2011, we manufactured wedge bonders in both our U.S. and Asia facilities to support increased demand. In addition during fiscal 2011, we recorded inventory reserves due to our factory transition to Asia related to our wedge bonder inventory in the U.S.
Expendable Tools
Expendable Tools income from operations was higher during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due lower operating expenses partially offset by lower gross profit. The lower gross profit was attributable to higher labor costs, increased revenue tax rates, an unfavorable exchange rate impact from our operations in China, and lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
The following table reflects interest income and interest expense for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
Interest income for fiscal 2011 was higher as compared to the prior year period due to higher invested cash balances.
The decrease in interest expense for fiscal 2011 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to the retirement of our 1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes in June 2010.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for fiscal 2011 and 2010
The following table reflects the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate from operations for fiscal 2011 and 2010:
For fiscal 2011, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to tax from foreign operations at a lower effective tax rate than the U.S. statutory rate, the impact of tax holidays, decreases in the valuation allowance offset by an increase for deferred taxes on un-remitted earnings as well as other U.S. current and deferred taxes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, negotiations with a foreign tax jurisdiction were finalized which resulted in a decreased effective tax rate of 5% in that jurisdiction until February 1, 2020. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, a $7.5 million accrual related to a certain unrecognized tax position taken in past years was recorded based upon new information received from the tax authorities.
For fiscal 2010, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to decrease in the valuation allowance, federal alternative minimum taxes, state income taxes, tax from foreign operations, the impact of tax holidays, an increase in deferred taxes for un-remitted earnings and other U.S. current and deferred taxes. Our future effective tax rate would be affected if earnings were lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. We regularly assess the effects resulting from these factors to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following table reflects total cash and investments as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
The following table reflects summary Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow information for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Fiscal 2012
Continuing Operations
Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of net income of $160.6 million plus non-cash adjustments of $36.7 million. The cash provided by net income and non-cash items was partially offset by working capital changes of $13.3 million driven by net increases in accounts and notes receivable and net income tax payable.
Net cash used in investing activities related to the expansion of our manufacturing operations and infrastructure in Asia. In the first quarter of 2012, we also paid $14.8 million in relation to the acquisition of Orthodyne Electronics Corporation, which we acquired in 2008. See Note 4 of Item 8 for further details.
Net cash used in financing activities was for the repayment of our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of common stock options.
Discontinued Operations
Net cash used in operating activities related to facility payments for our former Test business.
Fiscal 2011
Continuing Operations
Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of net income of $127.6 million plus non-cash adjustments of $63.3 million. In addition to cash provided by net income and non-cash items, working capital changes provided $11.4 million driven by net decreases in accounts receivable partially offset by net decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities related to capital expenditures for R&D projects and the expansion of our manufacturing operations and infrastructure in Asia and purchases of short-term investments.
Net cash provided by financing activities represented proceeds from the exercise of common stock options.
Discontinued Operations
Net cash used in operating activities related to facility payments for our former Test business.
Fiscal 2013 Liquidity and Capital Resource Outlook
We expect our fiscal 2013 capital expenditures to be $30.0 to $31.0 million of which approximately $15.0 million relate to leasehold improvements for our Singapore facility under the Agreement to Develop and Lease. Expenditures are anticipated to be used for R&D projects, enhancements to our manufacturing operations in Asia and improvements to our information technology infrastructure.
We believe that our existing cash and investments and anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our liquidity is affected by many factors, some based on normal operations of our business and others related to global economic conditions and industry uncertainties, which we cannot predict. We also cannot predict economic conditions and industry downturns or the timing, strength or duration of recoveries. We intend to continue to use our cash for working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.
We may seek, as we believe appropriate, additional debt or equity financing which would provide capital for corporate purposes, working capital funding, additional liquidity needs or to fund future growth opportunities. The timing and amount of potential capital requirements cannot be determined at this time and will depend on a number of factors, including our actual and projected demand for our products, semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment industry conditions, competitive factors, and the condition of financial markets.
Convertible Subordinated Notes
The following table reflects debt, consisting of 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
The following table reflects the estimated fair value of the Notes as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
(1) In accordance with ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, we rely upon observable market data such as its common stock price, interest rates, and other market factors in establishing fair value.
The following table reflects amortization expense related to issuance costs from the Notes for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
The Notes matured on June 1, 2012. Prior to maturity, holders of the Notes were entitled to convert their notes based on an initial conversion rate of approximately 69.6621 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, (equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $14.355 per share, subject to adjustment for certain events) only under specific circumstances. We had the option to elect to satisfy the conversion obligations in cash, common stock or a combination thereof. We repaid the entire principal balance of the Notes of $110.0 million plus interest of $0.5 million in cash. No common shares were issued in connection with repayment of the Notes.
Credit Facility
On April 4, 2011, Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd. (“Pte”), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Short Term Credit Facilities Agreement (the “Facilities Agreement”) with DBS Bank Ltd. (“DBS Bank”). In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, DBS Bank has agreed to make available to Pte the following banking facilities:
(i) a short-term loan facility of up to $12.0 million (the “STL Facility”); and
(ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $8.0 million (the “RC Facility”).
The STL Facility was an uncommitted facility, and therefore, was cancellable by DBS Bank at any time in its sole discretion. Borrowings under the STL Facility bore interest at the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (“SIBOR”) plus 1.5%. The RC Facility was a committed facility and was available to Pte until September 10, 2013, the maturity date. Borrowings under the RC Facility bore interest at SIBOR plus 2.5%. The Facilities Agreement was entered into in order to provide support, if needed, to fund Pte’s working capital requirements. Pte did not have any borrowings under the Facilities Agreement.
The Facilities Agreement and related debenture dated April 4, 2011 replaced the facilities agreement and related debenture by and between Kulicke and Soffa Global Holding Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and DBS Bank Ltd. (Labuan Branch), entered into on September 29, 2010, which were terminated as of April 4, 2011. There were no borrowings under this facilities agreement.
On March 7, 2012, Pte notified the DBS Bank to cancel the STL Facility and the RC Facility. The STL Facility and the RC Facility were subsequently cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Facilities Agreement and on April 17, 2012, the related debenture was discharged.
Agreement to Develop and Lease
On May 7, 2012, Pte entered into an Agreement to Develop and Lease (the “ADL”) with DBS Trustee Limited as trustee of Mapletree Industrial Trust (the “Landlord”). Pursuant to the ADL, the Landlord agreed to develop a building at Lot 17622A Pt Mukim 18 at Serangoon North Avenue 5 (the “Building”) and Pte expects to lease from the Landlord 198,134 square feet (the “Initial Premises”) representing approximately 69% of the Building. The Building is estimated to be completed and ready for occupancy in the second half of 2013. Subject to approval from the relevant authorities, the Building will bear a name to be chosen by Pte.
The facility is in the process of being constructed. In accordance with ASC No. 840, Leases, we are considered to be the owner of the building during the construction phase due to our involvement in the asset construction. The estimated construction costs incurred to date in relation to the relevant proportion of our lease are recognized on balance sheet as at September 29, 2012. Applicable ground lease expense was accrued. See Note 11 of Item 8 for additional details.
Other Obligations and Contingent Payments
In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, certain obligations and commitments are not required to be included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations. These obligations and commitments, while entered into in the normal course of business, may have a material impact on our liquidity. Certain of the following commitments as of September 29, 2012 are appropriately not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations included in this Form 10-K; however, they have been disclosed in the following table for additional information.
The following table reflects obligations and contingent payments under various arrangements as of September 29, 2012:
(1)In accordance with regulations in some of our foreign subsidiaries, we are required to provide for severance obligations that are payable when an employee leaves the Company.
(2)In connection with the September 2010 retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer, we entered into a three year consulting arrangement with him.
(3)We order inventory components in the normal course of our business. A portion of these orders are non-cancelable and a portion may have varying penalties and charges in the event of cancellation.
(4)We have minimum rental commitments under various leases (excluding taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, which are also paid by us) primarily for various facility and equipment leases, which expire periodically through 2018 (not including lease extension options, if applicable).
Under the ADL we expect Pte to enter into a lease agreement. The term for the rental of the Initial Premises is expected to be 10 years. Pte will have the option to renew for two additional 10 year terms. The combined annual rent and service charge for the Initial Term ranges between approximately $4.0 to $5.0 million Singapore dollars. Subject to renting a minimum amount of space, Pte will have a right of first refusal for all space that becomes available in the Building and the Landlord has agreed to make available a certain amount of additional space for rental at our option which may be exercised at certain points during the second half of the Initial Term. Subject to renting a minimum amount of space for a certain period, Pte will have partial surrender rights. In addition, Pte will have termination rights after renting the Initial Premises for a certain period of time. The lease agreement is not in effect as of the date of this report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On May 9, 2012, Pte obtained a Bank Guarantee from DBS Bank in the amount of $3.4 million Singapore dollars. Pte furnished the Bank Guarantee to Mapletree Industrial Trust in lieu of a cash deposit in connection with building and leasing of a new facility in Singapore as discussed above.
We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements such as derivatives, contingent interests or obligations associated with variable interest entities.
Item 7A.
Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our available-for-sale securities, if applicable, may consist of short-term investments in highly rated debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, financial institutions, and corporations. We continually monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates and credit ratings of issuers with respect to any available-for-sale securities and target an average life to maturity of less than eighteen months. Accordingly, we believe that the effects to us of changes in interest rates and credit ratings of issuers are limited and would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. As of September 29, 2012, we had no available-for-sale investments.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our international operations are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to transactions denominated in currencies other than the location’s functional currency. We are also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations that impact the remeasurement of net monetary assets of those operations whose functional currency, the U.S. dollar, differs from their respective local currencies, most notably in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland. In addition to net monetary remeasurement, we have exposures related to the translation of subsidiary financial statements from their functional currency, the local currency, into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, most notably in China, Taiwan and Japan. Our U.S. operations also have foreign currency exposure due to net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Based on our overall currency rate exposure as of September 29, 2012, a near term 10.0% appreciation or depreciation in the foreign currency portfolio to the U.S. dollar could impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows by $4.0 to $5.0 million. Our board of directors has granted management with limited authority to enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments designed to minimize the short term impact currency fluctuations have on our business. We may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments in the future; however, our attempts to hedge against these risks may not be successful and may result in a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flow. We had no foreign exchange forward contracts or other instruments as of September 29, 2012.
Item 8.
Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (a)(1) herein are filed as part of this Report under this Item 8.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 29, 2012 and related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at September 29, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended September 29, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended September 29, 2012 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 29, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Singapore
November 19, 2012
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet as of October 1, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended October 1, 2011 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at October 1, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended October 1, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for each of the two years in the period ended October 1, 2011 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 8, 2011
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Basis of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), with appropriate elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.
As of October 4, 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 470.20, Debt, Debt With Conversion Options (“ASC 470.20”), which requires issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion to initially record the liability and equity components of the convertible debt separately. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 470.20 on a retrospective basis (see Note 5).
Fiscal Year	
Each of the Company’s first three fiscal quarters ends on the Saturday that is 13 weeks after the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. The fourth quarter of each fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30th. In fiscal years consisting of 53 weeks, the fourth quarter will consist of 14 weeks. The fiscal year end for 2012, 2011, and 2010 ended on September 29, 2012, October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, respectively.
Nature of Business	
The Company designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools as well as services, maintains, repairs and upgrades equipment, all used to assemble semiconductor devices. The Company’s operating results depend upon the capital and operating expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”) worldwide which, in turn, depend on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products utilizing semiconductors. The semiconductor industry is highly volatile and experiences downturns and slowdowns which have a severe negative effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for semiconductor capital equipment, including assembly equipment manufactured and sold by the Company and, to a lesser extent, expendable tools, including those sold by the Company. These downturns and slowdowns have in the past adversely affected the Company’s operating results. The Company believes such volatility will continue to characterize the industry and the Company’s operations in the future.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, net revenue and expenses during the reporting periods, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On an on-going basis, management evaluates estimates, including but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, carrying value and lives of fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, repatriation of un-remitted foreign subsidiary earnings, equity-based compensation expense, restructuring, and warranties. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. As a result, management makes judgments regarding the carrying values of its assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Authoritative pronouncements, historical experience and assumptions are used as the basis for making estimates, and on an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Vulnerability to Certain Concentrations
Financial instruments which may subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011 consisted primarily of short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company manages credit risk associated with investments by investing its excess cash in highly rated debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, financial institutions, and corporations. The Company has established investment guidelines relative to diversification and maturities designed to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified as appropriate. The Company does not have any exposure to sub-prime financial instruments or auction rate securities.
The Company’s trade receivables result primarily from the sale of semiconductor equipment, related accessories and replacement parts, and expendable tools to a relatively small number of large manufacturers in a highly concentrated industry. Write-offs of uncollectible accounts have historically not been significant; however, the Company closely monitors its customers’ financial strength to reduce the risk of loss.
The Company’s products are complex and require raw materials, components and subassemblies having a high degree of reliability, accuracy and performance. The Company relies on subcontractors to manufacture many of these components and subassemblies and it relies on sole source suppliers for some important components and raw material inventory.
The Company’s international operations are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to transactions denominated in currencies other than the location’s functional currency. The Company is also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations that impact the remeasurement of net monetary assets of those operations whose functional currency, the U.S. dollar, differs from their respective local currencies, most notably in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland. In addition to net monetary remeasurement, the Company has exposures related to the translation of subsidiary financial statements from their functional currency, the local currency, into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, most notably in China, Taiwan and Japan. The Company’s U.S. operations also have foreign currency exposure due to net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign Currency Translation
The majority of the Company’s business is transacted in U.S. dollars; however, the functional currencies of some of the Company’s subsidiaries are their local currencies. In accordance with ASC No. 830, Foreign Currency Matters (“ASC 830”), for a subsidiary of the Company that has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, gains and losses resulting from the translation of the functional currency into U.S. dollars for financial statement presentation are not included in determining net income, but are accumulated in the cumulative translation adjustment account as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)). Under ASC 830, cumulative translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are measured at fair value based on level one measurement, or quoted market prices, as defined by ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). As of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, fair value approximated the cost basis for cash equivalents.
Investments
Investments, other than cash equivalents, are classified as “trading,” “available-for-sale” or “held-to-maturity”, in accordance with ASC No. 320, Investments-Debt & Equity Securities and depending upon the nature of the investment, its ultimate maturity date in the case of debt securities, and management’s intentions with respect to holding the securities. Investments classified as “trading” are reported at fair market value, with unrealized gains or losses included in earnings. Investments classified as “available-for-sale” are reported at fair market value, with net unrealized gains or losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)). The fair market value of trading and available-for-sale securities is determined using quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from its customers' failure to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company is also subject to concentrations of customers and sales to a few geographic locations, which could also impact the collectability of certain receivables. If global economic conditions deteriorate or political conditions were to change in some of the countries where the Company does business, it could have a significant impact on the results of operations, and the Company's ability to realize the full value of its accounts receivable.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in first-out basis) or market value. The Company generally provides reserves for obsolete inventory and for inventory considered to be in excess of demand. In addition, inventory purchase commitments in excess of demand are generally recorded as accrued expense. Demand is generally defined as eighteen months future consumption for equipment, 24 months consumption for all spare parts, and twelve months consumption for expendable tools. Forecasted demand is based upon internal projections, historical sales volumes, customer order activity and a review of consumable inventory levels at customers’ facilities. The Company communicates forecasts of its future demand to its suppliers and adjusts commitments to those suppliers accordingly. If required, the Company reserves the difference between the carrying value of its inventory and the lower of cost or market value, based upon assumptions about future demand, and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projections, additional inventory reserves may be required.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of additions and those improvements which increase the capacity or lengthen the useful lives of assets are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: buildings 25 years; machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements are based on the shorter of the life of lease or life of asset. Purchased computer software costs related to business and financial systems are amortized over a five year period on a straight-line basis.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC No. 360, Property, Plant & Equipment ("ASC 360"), the Company's property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows when triggering events occur, and if impaired, written-down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. ASC 360 also provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and establishes additional criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held for sale. The carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Estimates of future cash flows used to test the recoverability of a long-lived asset or asset group must incorporate the entity's own assumptions about its use of the asset or asset group and must factor in all available evidence.
ASC 360 requires that long-lived assets be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Such events include significant under-performance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results; significant changes in the manner of use of the assets; significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in market capitalization.
Accounting for Impairment of Goodwill
The Company operates two reportable segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. Goodwill was recorded in 2009 for the acquisition of Orthodyne Electronics Inc., which added wedge bonder products to the Equipment business.
Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment provides companies with the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, a company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if a company concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a company is required to perform the second step of the two-step goodwill impairment test.
The Company chose to skip the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative evaluation of the fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit, to compare against the carrying value of the goodwill recorded in the books. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, there is no impairment. Any excess carrying value is equal to the goodwill impairment charge.
As part of the annual evaluation of the goodwill, the Company performs an impairment test of its goodwill in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year to coincide with the completion of our annual forecasting process. The Company tests for impairment if a “triggering” event occurs that may have the effect of reducing the fair value of a reporting unit below its respective carrying value.
Impairment assessments inherently involve judgment as to assumptions about expected future cash flows and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. Future events and changing market conditions may impact the assumptions as to prices, costs, growth rates or other factors that may result in changes in the estimates of future cash flows. Although the Company believes the assumptions that it has used in testing for impairment are reasonable, significant changes in any one of the assumptions could produce a significantly different result. Indicators of potential impairment may lead the Company to perform interim goodwill impairment assessments including, significant and unforeseen customer losses, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, a significant adverse action or assessment by a regulator, a significant stock price decline or unanticipated competition.
For further information on goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 4 below.
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with ASC No. 605, Revenue Recognition, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, the collectability is reasonably assured, and equipment installation obligations have been completed and customer acceptance, when applicable, has been received or otherwise released from installation or customer acceptance obligations. If terms of the sale provide for a customer acceptance period, revenue is recognized upon the expiration of the acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. The Company’s standard terms are Ex Works (the Company’s factory), with title transferring to its customer at the Company’s loading dock or upon embarkation. The Company has a small percentage of sales with other terms, and revenue is recognized in accordance with the terms of the related customer purchase order. Revenue related to services is recognized upon performance of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a term more than one month is recognized on a prorated straight-line basis over the term of the contract.
Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs paid by the Company are included in cost of sales.
Research and Development
The Company charges research and development costs associated with the development of new products to expense when incurred. In certain circumstances, pre-production machines which the Company intends to sell are carried as inventory until sold.
Income Taxes
In accordance with ASC No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount it expects is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and its ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if it were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income in the period such determination was made.
In accordance with ASC No. 740 Topic 10, Income Taxes, General (“ASC 740.10”), the Company accounts for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its income tax return. Under ASC 740.10, the Company utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Step one, or recognition, requires a company to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Step two, or measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit, which is more likely than not to be realized on settlement with the taxing authority.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation under the provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of the equity-based compensation in net income. Compensation expense associated with market-based restricted stock is determined using a Monte-Carlo valuation model, and compensation expense associated with time-based and performance-based restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the fair value on the date of grant. The fair value of the Company’s stock option awards are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. In addition, the calculation of equity-based compensation costs requires that the Company estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited during the vesting period. The fair value of equity-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award and the Company elected to use the straight-line method for awards granted after the adoption of ASC 718.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated in accordance with ASC No. 260, Earnings per Share. Basic EPS include only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and share unit awards and convertible subordinated notes outstanding during the period, when such instruments are dilutive.
In accordance with ASC No. 260.10.55, Earnings per Share - Implementation & Guidance (“ASC 260.10.55”), the Company treats all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends as participating in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS must be applied. The Company adopted ASC 260.10.55 on October 4, 2009 (see Note 7).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Disclosure about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements (such as enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement). This information will enable users of an entity’s financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments in the scope of this Update. ASU 2011-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and will be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented.
Amendment to Comprehensive Income
In January 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”). ASU 2011-12 superseded certain pending paragraphs in ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”), to effectively defer only those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-12 amendments will be temporary to allow the FASB time to re-deliberate the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for annual and interim financial statements. ASU 2011-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.
NOTE 2: RESTRUCTURING
During fiscal 2010, the Company committed to a plan to reduce its Irvine, California workforce by approximately 60 employees over a period of approximately 26 months. As part of this workforce reduction plan, substantially all of the Company's California-based wedge bonder manufacturing, as well as certain administrative functions, have been transferred to the Company's facilities in Asia. The California-based wedge bonder transfer to Asia is substantially complete at the end of fiscal 2012. In addition, the Company has transitioned certain of its other U.S.-based operations to Asia.
The following table reflects severance activity during fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011:
(1)Provision for severance and benefits is the total amount expected to be incurred and is included within selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For fiscal 2012 and 2011, in addition to these restructuring amounts, the Company had other severance obligations included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NOTE 3: BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
The following tables reflect the components of significant balance sheet accounts as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
(1)All short-term investments were classified as available-for-sale and were measured at fair value based on level one measurement, or quoted market prices, as defined by ASC 820. As of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, fair value approximated the cost basis for short-term investments. The Company did not recognize any realized gains or losses on the sale of investments during fiscal 2012 or 2011.
(2)In accordance with ASC 360, due to unfavorable real estate trends and the Company’s transition of die bonder manufacturing from Berg, Switzerland to Asia, the Company recorded a $3.0 million write down in value for its building in Berg in fiscal 2011. Following the approval of the Board of Directors on February 14, 2012 to sell the building in Berg, the Company recorded an additional $0.2 million write down to reduce the value of the building to fair value less cost to sell for the year ended September 29, 2012, as a result of its classification as an asset held for sale. The building is on the market and a sale is expected to be completed within one year. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company relies upon level two measurement or observable market data such as market prices of similar buildings in Berg and other market factors in establishing fair value.
(3)Pursuant to ASC No. 840, Leases, for lessee's involvement in asset construction, the Company is considered the owner of the building during the construction phase for the Agreement to Develop and Lease facility being developed by Mapletree Industrial Trust in Singapore - see Note 11. The estimated construction costs incurred to date in relation to the relevant proportion of the Company’s lease is recognized on balance sheet as at September 29, 2012. Applicable ground lease expense was accrued.
(4)Represents customer advance payments, customer credit program, accrued warranty expense and accrued retrofit costs.
(5)Balances as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011 include nil and $0.3 million, respectively, of liability classified stock compensation expenses in connection with the September 2010 retirement of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). In addition, balances for both periods include $0.3 million related to his three year consulting arrangement, and $0.0 million and $0.3 million were recorded within other liabilities related to the long term portion of his consulting agreement as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively.
(6)Total severance payable within the next twelve months includes the restructuring plan discussed in Note 2 and approximately $1.2 million of other severance not part of the Company’s plan for transition and consolidation of operations to Asia.
NOTE 4: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
On October 3, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of Orthodyne Electronics Corporations (“Orthodyne”) and agreed to pay Orthodyne an additional amount in the future based upon the gross profit realized by the acquired business over a three year period from date of acquisition pursuant to an Earnout Agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition. At the end of fiscal 2011, the Company accrued $14.8 million as an adjustment to goodwill which was paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
The following table reflects Goodwill as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
Following the acquisition of Orthodyne, we added wedge bonder products to the Equipment business. Intangible assets classified as goodwill are not amortized. The Company performs an annual impairment test of its goodwill during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, which coincides with the completion of its annual forecasting process. The Company performed its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and concluded that no impairment charge was required. The Company also tests for impairment if a “triggering” event occurs that may have the effect of reducing the fair value of a reporting unit below its respective carrying value.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s intangible assets consist primarily of wedge bonder developed technology and customer relationships.
The following table reflects net intangible assets as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
The following table reflects estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets as of September 29, 2012:
NOTE 5: DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
The following table reflects debt consisting of Convertible Subordinated Notes as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
The following table reflects the estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Subordinated Notes as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
(1)In accordance with ASC 820, the Company relies upon observable market data such as its common stock price, interest rates, and other market factors in establishing fair value.
The following table reflects amortization expense related to issue costs from the Company’s Convertible Subordinated Notes for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes
The 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the “Notes”) matured on June 1, 2012. Prior to maturity, holders of the Notes were entitled to convert their notes based on an initial conversion rate of approximately 69.6621 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $14.355 per share, subject to adjustment for certain events) only under specific circumstances. The Company had the option to elect to satisfy the conversion obligations in cash, common stock or a combination thereof. The Company repaid the entire principal balance of the Notes of $110.0 million plus interest of $0.5 million in cash. No common shares were issued in connection with repayment of the Notes.
The Notes were not redeemable at the Company’s option. Holders of the Notes did not have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Notes prior to maturity except in connection with the occurrence of certain fundamental change transactions. The Notes could have been accelerated upon an event of default as described in the Indenture and would have been accelerated upon bankruptcy, insolvency, appointment of a receiver and similar events with respect to the Company.
The Company adopted ASC 470.20, Debt, Debt with Conversion Options, which requires that issuers of convertible debt that may be settled in cash upon conversion record the liability and equity components of the convertible debt separately. The liability component of the Company’s Notes was classified as debt and the equity component of the Notes was classified as common stock on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Credit Facility
On April 4, 2011, Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd. (“Pte”), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Short Term Credit Facilities Agreement (the “Facilities Agreement”) with DBS Bank Ltd. (“DBS Bank”). In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, DBS Bank has agreed to make available to Pte the following banking facilities:
(i) a short-term loan facility of up to $12.0 million (the “STL Facility”); and
(ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $8.0 million (the “RC Facility”).
The STL Facility was an uncommitted facility, and therefore, was cancellable by DBS Bank at any time in its sole discretion. Borrowings under the STL Facility bore interest at the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (“SIBOR”) plus 1.5%. The RC Facility was a committed facility and was available to Pte until September 10, 2013, the maturity date. Borrowings under the RC Facility bore interest at SIBOR plus 2.5%. The Facilities Agreement was entered into in order to provide support, if needed, to fund Pte’s working capital requirements. Pte did not have any borrowings under the Facilities Agreement.
The Facilities Agreement and related debenture dated April 4, 2011 replaced the facilities agreement and related debenture by and between Kulicke and Soffa Global Holding Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and DBS Bank Ltd. (Labuan Branch), entered into on September 29, 2010, which were terminated as of April 4, 2011. There were no borrowings under this facilities agreement.
On March 7, 2012, Pte notified the DBS Bank to cancel the STL Facility and the RC Facility. The STL Facility and the BC Facility were subsequently cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Facilities Agreement, and on April 17, 2012, the related debenture was discharged.
Bank Guarantee
On May 9, 2012, Pte obtained a bank guarantee (“Bank Guarantee”) from DBS Bank in the amount of $3.4 million Singapore dollars. Pte furnished the Bank Guarantee to Mapletree Industrial Trust in lieu of a cash deposit in connection with building and leasing of a new facility in Singapore.
NOTE 6: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Common Stock and 401(k) Retirement Income Plan
The Company has a 401(k) retirement income plan (the “Plan”) for its employees. Historically, the Company’s matching contributions to the Plan were made in the form of issued and contributed shares of Company common stock; however, beginning January 2, 2011, matching contributions to the Plan are made in cash instead of stock. The Plan allows for employee contributions and matching Company contributions up to 4% or 6% of the employee’s contributed amount, based upon years of service.
The following table reflects the Company’s matching contributions to the Plan which were made in the form of issued and contributed shares of common stock or cash, as applicable, during fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table reflects accumulated other comprehensive income reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
The following table reflects the components of comprehensive income for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
Equity-Based Compensation
As of September 29, 2012, the Company had seven equity-based employee compensation plans (the “Employee Plan”) and three director compensation plans (the “Director Plans”) (collectively, the “Plans”). Under these Plans, market-based share awards (collectively, “market-based restricted stock”), time-based share awards (collectively, “time-based restricted stock”), performance-based share awards (collectively, “performance-based restricted stock”), stock options or common stock have been granted at 100% of the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. As of September 29, 2012, the Company’s one active plan, the 2009 Equity Plan, had 5.5 million shares of common stock available for grant to its employees and directors.
·Market-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the award vesting date, if market performance objectives which measure relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) are attained. Relative TSR is calculated based upon the 90-calendar day average price of the Company’s stock as compared to specific peer companies that comprise the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. TSR is measured for the Company and each peer company over a performance period, which is generally three years. Vesting percentages range from 0% to 200% of awards granted. The provisions of the market-based restricted stock are reflected in the grant date fair value of the award; therefore, compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether or not the market condition is ultimately satisfied. Compensation expense is reversed if the award is forfeited prior to the vesting date.
·In general, stock options and time-based restricted stock awarded to employees vest annually over a three year period provided the employee remains employed. The Company follows the non-substantive vesting method for stock options and recognizes compensation expense immediately for awards granted to retirement eligible employees, or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved.
·Performance-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the three-year anniversary of the grant date (if employed by the Company) if return on invested capital and revenue growth targets set by the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on the date of grant are met. If return on invested capital and revenue growth targets are not met, performance-based restricted stock does not vest.
Equity-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was based upon awards ultimately expected to vest. In accordance with ASC 718, forfeitures have been estimated at the time of grant and were based upon historical experience. The Company reviews the forfeiture rates periodically and makes adjustments as necessary.
The following tables reflect equity-based compensation expense, which includes restricted stock, stock options and common stock, included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
(1)Fiscal 2012 selling, general and administrative expense included $0.2 million performance-based of liability classified equity compensation expense related to the retired CEO. Fiscal 2011 SG&A expense included $0.9 million ($0.8 million market-based and $0.1 million performance-based) of liability classified equity compensation expense related to the retired CEO. In connection with his retirement, deferred cash payments equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of the shares of common stock of the Company to which he would have been entitled pursuant to the performance share unit awards granted to him in fiscal 2008 and 2009 had he remained employed through June 30, 2011 and (ii) the fair market value of the shares of common stock of the Company actually received by him pursuant to such awards. An accrual for estimated deferred cash payments measured at fair value as of October 1, 2011 was included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal 2012, the outstanding balance related to the deferred cash payments was settled in full.
Equity-Based Compensation: employee market-based restricted stock
The following table reflects employee market-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
Equity-Based Compensation: employee time-based restricted stock
The following table reflects employee time-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
Equity-Based Compensation: employee performance-based restricted stock
No performance-based restricted stock was issued during fiscal 2012, 2011 or 2010.
The following table reflects the assumptions used to calculate compensation expense related to the Company’s performance-based restricted stock issued during fiscal 2009, which completed vesting during fiscal 2012:
The following table reflects employee performance-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
Equity-Based Compensation: employee stock options
No employee stock options were granted during fiscal 2012 and 2011. The following table reflects the weighted-average assumptions for the Black-Scholes option pricing model used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted for fiscal 2010:
Expected volatility for 2010 was based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate was calculated using the U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect at the time of grant, commensurate with the expected life of the options.
The following table reflects employee stock option activity for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
On average, 14% of stock options granted by the Company become vested each year, and on average, 20% of stock options granted by the Company are forfeited each year. Intrinsic value of stock options exercised is determined by calculating the difference between the market value of the Company’s stock price at the time an option is exercised and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares. The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable is determined by calculating the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2012 and the exercise price of in-the-money stock options, multiplied by the number of underlying shares. During fiscal 2012, the Company received $3.3 million in cash from the exercise of employee and non-employee director stock options.
As of September 29, 2012, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested employee stock options was $0.1 million, which will be amortized over the weighted average remaining service period of approximately 1 year.
The following table reflects outstanding and exercisable employee stock options as of September 29, 2012:
Equity-Based Compensation: non-employee directors
The 2009 Equity Plan provides for the grant of common shares to each non-employee director upon initial election to the board and on the first business day of each calendar quarter while serving on the board. The grant to a non-employee director upon initial election to the board is that number of common shares closest in value to, without exceeding, $120,000. The quarterly grant to a non-employee director upon the first business day of each calendar year quarter is that number of common shares closest in value to, without exceeding, $30,000.
The following table reflects shares of common stock issued to non-employee directors and the corresponding fair value for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
The following table reflects non-employee director stock option activity for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
No non-employee director stock options were granted during fiscal 2012, 2011, or 2010.
Pension Plans
The following table reflects the Company’s defined benefits pension obligations and pension expense as of and for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
In accordance with regulations in Switzerland, the Company sponsors a Switzerland pension plan covering active employees whose minimum benefits are guaranteed. During fiscal 2012, the Company announced the intention to reduce its Switzerland workforce by approximately 41 employees, which triggered a curtailment of the Switzerland pension plan under ASC No. 715, Topic 30, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, Defined Benefit Plans (“ASC 715.30”). As a result, the Company recognized a pretax curtailment and settlement gain of $1.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In addition, during fiscal 2011, the Company reduced its Switzerland workforce by approximately 50 employees, which triggered a curtailment of the Switzerland pension plan under ASC 715.30. As a result, during fiscal 2011, the Company recognized a pretax curtailment and settlement gain of approximately $1.8 million.
Fiscal 2010 pension expense included a charge driven by a current year increase in the Company’s pension obligation due to higher current year compensation and retirement of certain sales representatives in Taiwan. In accordance with regulations in Taiwan, the Company sponsors a Taiwan defined-benefit retirement plan covering regular employees hired prior to July 1, 2005. An employee may apply for voluntary retirement under certain specified situations.
Other Plans
Some of the Company’s other foreign subsidiaries have retirement plans that are integrated with and supplement the benefits provided by laws of the various countries. These other plans are not required to report nor do they determine the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits or net assets available for plan benefits as they are defined contribution plans.
NOTE 7: EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic income (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. In addition, net income applicable to participating securities and the related participating securities are excluded from the computation of basic income per share.
Diluted income per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and, if there is net income during the period, the dilutive impact of common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. In computing diluted income per share, if convertible debt is assumed to be converted to common shares, the after-tax amount of interest expense recognized in the period associated with the convertible debt is added back to net income.
As of October 1, 2011, the Company had the Notes that would not result in the issuance of any dilutive shares, since the conversion option was not “in the money” as of October 1, 2011. The Notes matured on June 1, 2012. The Company repaid the entire principal balance of the Notes of $110.0 million plus interest of $0.5 million in cash. No common shares were issued in connection with repayment of the Notes. Accordingly, diluted EPS excludes the effect of the conversion of the Notes.
The following tables reflect reconciliations of the shares used in the basic and diluted net income per share computation for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
(1) Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 exclude 0.1 million, 0.4 million and 0.4 million dilutive participating securities, respectively, as the income attributable to these shares was not included in EPS.
Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, 0.1 million, 0.5 million and 2.6 million potentially dilutive shares related to out of the money stock options, respectively, were excluded from EPS.
NOTE 8: INCOME TAXES
The following table reflects income from continuing operations by location, the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
The following table reflects the provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
The following table reflects the difference between the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
Income tax expense for the current year includes approximately $4.4 million and $3.0 million of taxes payable for deemed distributions from earnings for the years ended October 1, 2011 and September 29, 2012, respectively.
Undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries for which taxes have not been provided were approximately $372.2 million as of September 29, 2012. Such undistributed earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations.
Undistributed earnings of approximately $84.6 million are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. As of September 29, 2012, the Company has provided a deferred tax liability of approximately $17.2 million for withholding taxes associated with future repatriation of earnings for certain subsidiaries.
The following table reflects the net deferred tax balance, composed of the tax effects of cumulative temporary differences for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
(1)Included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are deferred tax assets of $7.0 million and $5.5 million as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, respectively.
As of September 29, 2012, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $88.1 million, domestic state net operating loss carryforwards of $194.7 million, and tax credit carryforwards of $0.6 million that will reduce future taxable income. These carryforwards can be utilized in the future, prior to expiration of certain carryforwards in fiscal years 2013 through 2030 with the exception of certain foreign net operating losses that have no expiration date. Pennsylvania tax law limits the time during which carryforwards may be applied against future taxes and Pennsylvania tax law limits the utilization of domestic state net operating loss carryforwards to as little as $3.0 million annually.
During fiscal 2012, approximately $1.5 million was recorded as common stock (additional paid in capital) in shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets attributable to stock option exercises. During fiscal 2011, $2.1 million of net operating losses were utilized that were attributable to stock options. As a result, this entire amount was recorded as common stock (additional paid in capital) in shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company continues to evaluate the realizability of all of its net deferred tax assets at each reporting date and records a benefit for deferred tax assets to the extent it has deferred tax liabilities that provide a source of income to benefit the deferred tax asset. As a result of this analysis, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company released $0.8 million of its valuation allowance related to federal deferred tax assets with the exception of a valuation allowance against a portion of the Company’s deferred tax asset related to certain federal tax credits. The remaining valuation allowance was released in fiscal 2011 for $2.3 million, of which $1.9 million was recorded to additional paid in capital. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against a majority of their state deferred tax assets as the realization of these assets is not more likely than not given uncertainty of future earnings in these jurisdictions.
The beginning and ending balances of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are reconciled below for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
If recognized, the $6.2 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.
In fiscal 2011, a tax application filed with a foreign jurisdiction was rejected by that country’s tax authority and the Company filed an appeal. As a result of the rejection of the application, the Company reconsidered its position and determined the benefit taken on its previously filed tax returns no longer met the recognition standard required under ASC 740. Therefore during fiscal 2011, the Company provided a current liability of $7.5 million related to this certain unrecognized tax position, including penalties. No interest was accrued, as it is not provided for under the tax laws of the foreign jurisdiction. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company reached a favorable settlement with the tax authorities of a foreign jurisdiction. As a result, the current liability of $7.5 million is no longer necessary and an income tax benefit was recorded to remove the liability in fiscal 2012.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There were no additional accruals of interest expense on various uncertain tax positions during fiscal 2012 for matters involving jurisdictions where interest is not assessed.
It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain unrecognized tax positions will increase or decrease during the next 12 months; however, the Company does not expect the change to have a material effect on its results of operations or its financial position.
The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as, income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. For the U.S. federal income tax returns and most state tax returns, tax years following fiscal 2000 remain subject to examination as a result of the generation of net operating loss carry-forwards. The statutes of limitations with respect to the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company files vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and range from 4 to 6 years.
As a result of committing to certain capital investments and employment levels, income from operations in Singapore and Malaysia are subject to reduced tax rates, and in some cases are wholly exempt from taxes. In connection with Singapore operations, the Company has been granted a decreased effective tax rate of five percent in that jurisdiction until February 1, 2020 subject to the fulfillment of certain continuing conditions. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, the preferential rate reduced income tax expense by approximately $22.1 million or $0.30 per share and $21.1 million or $0.29 per share, respectively.
NOTE 9: OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
The following table reflects other financial data for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
(1) Incentive compensation expense is based upon applicable fiscal year operating income.
NOTE 10: SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Segment information
The Company operates two reportable segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. The Equipment segment manufactures and sells a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, their outsourced semiconductor assembly and test subcontractors, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. The Company also services, maintains, repairs and upgrades its equipment. The Expendable Tools segment manufactures and sells a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications.
The following table reflects operating information by segment for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:
The following tables reflect assets by segment, capital expenditures and depreciation expense as of and for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
(1) Increase in the Company's Equipment segment and decrease in Expendable Tools from fiscal 2011 to 2012 were due to allocation, based upon fiscal year net revenue, of non-segment specific corporate assets. Corporate assets include: cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, deferred income tax assets and other assets.
Geographic information
The following tables reflect destination sales to unaffiliated customers by country and long-lived assets by country for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
NOTE 11: COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONCENTRATIONS
Agreement to Develop and Lease
On May 7, 2012, Pte entered into an Agreement to Develop and Lease (the “ADL”) and a Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) with DBS Trustee Limited as trustee of Mapletree Industrial Trust (the “Landlord”). Pursuant to the ADL and the Lease, the Landlord agreed to develop a building at Lot 17622A Pt Mukim 18 at Serangoon North Avenue 5 (the “Building”) and Pte agreed to lease from the Landlord 198,134 square feet (the “Initial Premises”) representing approximately 69% of the Building. The Building is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in the second half of 2013. Subject to approval from the relevant authorities, the Building will bear a name to be chosen by Pte.
Warranty Expense	
The Company’s equipment is generally shipped with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. The Company establishes reserves for estimated warranty expense when revenue for the related equipment is recognized. The reserve for estimated warranty expense is based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of future expenses.
The following table reflects the reserve for product warranty which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balances Sheets as of fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
Other Commitments and Contingencies
The following table reflects obligations not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 2012:
(1)We order inventory components in the normal course of our business. A portion of these orders are non-cancelable and a portion may have varying penalties and charges in the event of cancellation.
(2)We have minimum rental commitments under various leases (excluding taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, which are also paid by us) primarily for various facility and equipment leases, which expire periodically through 2018 (not including lease extension options, if applicable).
Under the ADL, Pte expects to enter into a lease agreement. The term for the rental of the Initial Premises is expected to be 10 years. Pte will have the option to renew for two additional 10 year terms. The combined annual rent and service charge for the Initial Term will range between approximately $4.0 to $5.0 million Singapore dollars. Subject to renting a minimum amount of space, Pte will have a right of first refusal for all space that becomes available in the Building, and the Landlord has agreed to make available a certain amount of additional space for rental at Pte’s option which may be exercised at certain points during the second half of the Initial Term. Subject to renting a minimum amount of space for a certain period, Pte will have partial surrender rights. In addition, Pte will have the termination rights after renting the Initial Premises for a certain period of time. The lease is not in effect as of the date of this report.
Concentrations
The following tables reflect significant customer concentrations as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010:
* Represents less than 10% of net revenue
The following table reflects significant customer concentrations as a percentage of total accounts receivable as of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011:
* Represents less than 10% of total accounts receivable
NOTE 12: SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)
The following table reflects selected quarterly financial data for fiscal 2012 and 2011:
(1)EPS for the year may not equal the sum of quarterly EPS due to changes in weighted share calculations.
(2)Includes approximately $7.5 million of income tax expense associated with additional tax exposure in Asia which was subsequently reversed in September 2012.
Item 9.
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
As previously reported in the Company’s Form 10K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2011, in connection with the substantial completion of the transition of the Company’s headquarters and operations to Singapore, the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, on December 6, 2011, approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Singapore based firm (“PwC Singapore”), and the transfer of the engagement from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership (“PwC US”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Both PwC US and PwC Singapore are member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited. The change was effective December 9, 2011.
The reports of PwC US on the financial statements and internal control over the financial reporting of the Company for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 and during the period from October 1, 2011 through the date the change was effective, the Company had (i) no disagreements with PwC US on any matter of accounting principles or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, any of which that, if not resolved to PwC US’s satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of any such disagreement in connection with its reports for such fiscal years or the subsequent interim period and (ii) no reportable events within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Although PwC Singapore performed audit work on components of the Company in support of PwC US audits of the consolidated financial statements and of internal control over financial reporting of the Company for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, during the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 and during the period from October 1, 2011 through the date the change was effective, neither the Company’s corporate management, audit committee, nor anyone on its behalf had consulted with PwC Singapore regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company that PwC Singapore concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or any reportable even as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company provided PwC US with a copy of the foregoing disclosures pursuant to Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K and requested that PwC US furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not PwC US agrees with the above statements. A copy of such letter was filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2011 reflecting this change.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 29, 2012. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 29, 2012 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 29, 2012. In making this assessment, management used the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Based on that assessment and based on the criteria in the COSO framework, management has concluded that, as of September 29, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 29, 2012 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which appears herein.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K with respect to the directors and executive officers will appear under the heading “ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The other information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Code of Ethics” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 407(c)(3) of Regulation will appear under the headings “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE-Nominating and Governance Committee” and “Shareholder Proposals” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Items 407(d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE-Audit Committee” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Item 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE- Management Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required hereunder concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will appear under the headings “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “CORPORATE GOVERANCE - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS”, in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by this item relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is included under the heading “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Section 407(a) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Board Matters” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required hereunder will appear under the heading “AUDIT AND RELATED FEES” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 15.	 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
ITEM
2.1
Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
2.1.1
Amendment No. 1 to the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated as of September 5, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2008.
2.2
Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne Electronics Corporation and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
2.2.1
Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne and the Company, dated as of October 3, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2008.
2.2.2
Earnout Agreement between the Company and Orthodyne Electronics Corporation, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
3.1
The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated December 5, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2007, SEC file number 000-00121.
3.2
The Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012.
4.1
Specimen Common Share Certificate of Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form-8A12G/A dated September 11, 1995, SEC file number 000-00121.
4.2
Indenture between the Company and Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of June 6, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 6, 2007, SEC File number 000-121.
10.1
1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.2
2004 Israeli Addendum to 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.3
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement regarding the 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
10.4
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement regarding the Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
10.5
1999 Nonqualified Employee Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.6
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ix) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.7
2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xix) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.8
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.9
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, dated August 2, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.10
2008 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 12, 2008.*
10.11
2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 10, 2009.*
10.12
Amendment No. 1 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 15, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
10.13
Amendment No. 2 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
10.14
Amendment No. 3 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 21, 2012.*
10.15
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
10.16
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
10.17
Form of Officer Restricted Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
10.18
Form of Officer Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
10.19
Form of Officer Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan.*
10.20
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.21
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Officer Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.22
Form of Change of Control Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2009.*
10.23
Form of Change of Control Agreement, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.24
Offer Letter between the Company and Bruno Guilmart dated August 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2010.*
10.25
Offer Letter between the Company and Jonathan H. Chou, dated November 16, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010.*
10.26
Letter Agreement between the Company and Alan Schindler, dated March 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
10.27
Employment Agreement between the Company and Christian Rheault, dated June 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2009.*
10.28
Letter Agreement between the Company and Shay Torton, dated March 15, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
10.29
Letter Agreement between the Company and Tek Chee Mak, as of October 26, 2011.*
10.30
Facilities Agreement between Kulicke and Soffa Ptd. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
10.31
Debenture between Kulicke and Soffa Pte. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
10.32
Agreement to Develop and Lease between DBS Trustee Limited, as trustee of Mapletree Industrial Trust, and the Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd, dated May 7, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012. **
Subsidiaries of the Company.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm).
31.1
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
32.1
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., 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 Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
** Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an order granted confidential treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(1) Represents write offs of specific accounts receivable.
(2) Disposal of excess and obsolete inventory.
(3) Reflects decrease in the valuation allowance primarily associated with the Company's U.S. and foreign net operating losses and other deferred tax assets.
(4) Represents the release in valuation allowance for a foreign subsidiary and the domestic partial valuation allowance release.
(5) Release of valuation allowance related to prior stock option exercises recorded to additional paid in capital.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ BRUNO GUILMART
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
November 19, 2012
Bruno Guilmart
(principal executive officer)
/s/ JONATHAN CHOU
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
November 19, 2012
Jonathan Chou
(principal accounting officer)
/s/ BRIAN R. BACHMAN
Director
November 19, 2012
Brian R. Bachman
/s/ JOHN A. O’STEEN
Director
November 19, 2012
John A. O’Steen
/s/ GARRETT E. PIERCE
Director
November 19, 2012
Garrett E. Pierce
/s/ MACDONELL ROEHM, JR.
Director
November 19, 2012
MacDonell Roehm, Jr.
/s/ BARRY WAITE
Director
November 19, 2012
Barry Waite
/s/ CHIN HU LIM
Director
November 19, 2012
Chin Hu Lim
/s/ MUI SUNG YEO
Director
November 19, 2012
Mui Sung Yeo
(Appointed on October 1, 2012)
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
2.1
Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
2.1.1
Amendment No. 1 to the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated as of September 5, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2008.
2.2
Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne Electronics Corporation and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
2.2.1
Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne and the Company, dated as of October 3, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2008.
2.2.2
Earnout Agreement between the Company and Orthodyne Electronics Corporation, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
3.1
The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated December 5, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2007, SEC file number 000-00121.
3.2
The Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated June 5, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012.
4.1
Specimen Common Share Certificate of Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form-8A12G/A dated September 11, 1995, SEC file number 000-00121.
4.2
Indenture between the Company and Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of June 6, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 6, 2007, SEC file number 000-00121.
10.1
1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.2
2004 Israeli Addendum to 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.3
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement regarding the 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
10.4
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement regarding the Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
10.5
1999 Nonqualified Employee Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.6
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ix) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.7
2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xix) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.8
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
10.9
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, dated August 2, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005, SEC file number 000-00121.*
10.10
2008 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 12, 2008.*
10.11
2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 10, 2009.*
10.12
Amendment No. 1 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 15, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
10.13
Amendment No. 2 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
10.14
Amendment No. 3 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 21, 2012.*
10.15
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
10.16
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
10.17
Form of Officer Restricted Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
10.18
Form of Officer Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
10.19
Form of Officer Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan.
10.20
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.21
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Officer Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.22
Form of Change of Control Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2009.*
10.23
Form of Change of Control Agreement, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
10.24
Offer Letter between the Company and Bruno Guilmart dated August 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2010.*
10.25
Offer Letter between the Company and Jonathan H. Chou, dated November 16, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010.*
10.26
Letter Agreement between the Company and Alan Schindler, dated March 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
10.27
Employment Agreement between the Company and Christian Rheault, dated June 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2009.*
10.28
Letter Agreement between the Company and Shay Torton, dated March 15, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
10.29
Letter Agreement between the Company and Tek Chee Mak, as of October 26, 2011.*
10.30
Facilities Agreement between Kulicke and Soffa Ptd. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
10.31
Debenture between Kulicke and Soffa Pte. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
10.32
Agreement to Develop and Lease between DBS Trustee Limited, as trustee of Mapletree Industrial Trust, and the Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd, dated May 7, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012. **
Subsidiaries of the Company.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm).
31.1
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
32.1
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., 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 Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
** Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to an order granting confidential treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.