e10vk
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 10-K
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(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 30, 2006
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period
from to
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Commission File Number 0-27892
SIPEX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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04-6135748
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(State of
Incorporation)
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(IRS employer identification
number)
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233 South Hillview Drive,
Milpitas, California
(Address of principal
executive offices)
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95035
(Zip
Code)
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Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(408) 934-7500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Name of exchange on which registered: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ
No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K
is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this
Form 10-K
or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated
filer o
Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the
Act). Yes o
No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common
stock held by non-affiliates of the issuer as of the last
business day of the registrants most recently completed
second fiscal quarter (July 1, 2006) was approximately
$57,570,000 based upon the last reported price on the Pink
Sheets of $5.98 per share. The number of shares outstanding
reflects a
1-for-2
reverse stock split effected by the Registrant on
February 23, 2007.
The number of shares of the registrants common stock
outstanding on March 26, 2007 was approximately
18,661,000 shares.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Companys definitive Proxy Statement to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within
120 days after close of the fiscal year ended
December 30, 2006 are incorporated by reference into
Part III of this report.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This annual report on
Form 10-K
contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The statements that are not purely historical are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act,
including, without limitation, statements regarding our
expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the
future. All forward-looking statements included in this annual
report on
Form 10-K
are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and
we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking
statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual
results to differ materially from those implied by the
forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by terminology such as
may, will, should,
expects, plans, anticipates,
believes, intends,
estimates, predicts,
potential, or continue or the negative
of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we
believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot offer any assurance of
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from
expectations include those discussed in Risk Factors
beginning on Item 1A in this document. The terms
Sipex, the Company, we,
us, its and our as used in
this annual report on
Form 10-K
refer to Sipex Corporation and its subsidiaries and its
predecessors as a combined entity, except where the context
requires otherwise.
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PART I
Company
Overview
Based in Milpitas, California, Sipex Corporation was
incorporated in May 1965 under the laws of the State of
Massachusetts. The state of incorporation was changed from
Massachusetts to Delaware in October 2003. Sipex designs,
manufactures and markets high performance, analog integrated
circuits or ICs that primarily are used by original
equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, operating in the computing,
consumer electronics, communications and networking
infrastructure markets. Some of the end product applications
that contain our ICs are cellular phones, base stations,
computers, DVD players, and digital cameras. Our products are
sold either directly or through an international network of
manufacturers representatives and distributors. We are a
global company with operations in Asia, Europe and North America.
Hereinafter, the years ended December 30, 2006,
December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 are also
referred to as 2006, 2005 and
2004.
Recent
Developments
In an effort to achieve significant cost savings, in the third
quarter of 2005, we decided to close down the Milpitas wafer
fabrication facility and transfer our IC manufacturing processes
from there to a wafer fabrication facility operated by Hangzhou
Silan Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd., or Silan, in Hangzhou, China
and a wafer fabrication facility operated by Episil
Technologies, Inc., or Episil, in Taiwan. Definitive agreements
regarding this transfer were entered into in February 2006, and
the closure of the Milpitas fabrication facility was fully
completed in early October 2006. In December 2006, we announced
a workforce reduction plan that was implemented in response to
our transitioning to a fabless semiconductor company,
de-emphasizing optical products, reducing dependency on
commodity products and with the goal of improving our cost
structure.
On January 30, 2007, Sipexs stockholders at a special
meeting of stockholders approved a
1-for-2
reverse split. Sipex completed the reverse stock split effective
at 1:31 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 23,
2007. All references to share and per share data have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split in
this report except for Item 4.
On March 29, 2007, we entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with Rodfre Holding LLC., or Rodfre, an affiliate of
Future Electronics Inc., or Future, our largest distributor
worldwide and an affiliate of our largest stockholder (Alonim
Investment Inc.), to provide an unsecured promissory note
facility of up to $10.0 million. This facility expires, and
the borrowings and accrued interest under any notes issued under
this facility are due and payable, on June 30, 2008, or
upon certain other events such as a change of control.
Borrowings under this promissory note facility bear interest of
9% per annum subject to an increased interest rate of up to 20%
in case of default or after maturity. This promissory note
facility is subordinate to our Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank and to our 5.5% Redeemable Convertible
Senior Notes due 2026.
Semiconductor
Industry Background
Integrated circuits, the essential building blocks of
todays electronic products, are classified as either
digital or analog ICs. Digital ICs which include memory
products, microprocessors and digital signal processors, or DSPs
process binary signals composed of strings of 0s and
1s. Often they are constrained by market-based
standards and depend on a companys ability to design and
manufacture very large-scale circuits, using expensive,
state-of-the-art
process technologies that minimize device size.
Analog ICs act as the bridge between the digital world and
physical world. They transform signals derived from the physical
environment, such as heat, pressure, sound and light, or monitor
and condition analog signals derived from external electronic
inputs. In contrast with digital ICs, analog ICs are most often
designed and optimized for specialized applications in
specialized markets. Their development and successful market
adoption requires close customer contact and the deployment of
small, tightly coordinated teams of experienced and highly
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skilled engineers who understand the complexities of the ICs and
understand the interrelationships with their layout, process
technology, packaging and end application.
Analog and digital IC manufacturers often share the
characteristics of the semiconductor industry including cyclical
market demands, capacity limitations, oversupply conditions,
manufacturing variations, accelerated product life cycles, price
erosion, global competition, capital equipment expenditures and
rapid technological changes. Product life cycles in the analog
IC market, with some exceptions, tend to be longer and customer
pricing less volatile than digital ICs because competition is
more limited and customers tend to avoid major changes in the
analog components of their products because of the design
complexities involved and the performance requirements in
typical analog IC applications. In addition, the capital
expenditures for analog IC manufacturers are typically lower
because analog ICs usually consume less silicon area and their
fabrication processes are focused on device matching and careful
layout and do not require frequent and expensive equipment
upgrades or replacements to remain competitive.
Sipexs
Business Strategy
We supply our customers in target markets with an array of
standard product choices as well as custom products, which
compete on the basis of features, performance, size, and
pricing. We maintain close working relationships with strategic
customers. Through our close relationships, we can understand
the problems that our customers are facing and will be facing
which enables us to define and create our future products and
technology roadmaps, and shorten our customers product
development cycles. In addition, we have been restructuring our
operations since 2002 and will continue to do so in 2007 to
reduce costs, improve productivity, and improve quality.
Sipex
Markets, Applications and Products
We sell products into a variety of applications and markets
including networking and communications, computer and
peripherals, industrial controls and instrumentation, and
consumer products. The customer end-products in these markets
are driven by basically the same requirements: higher operating
efficiency, higher accuracy, more power output at lower
voltages, faster data transfer and higher bandwidth. These
requirements provide opportunities for us to develop our
products with features designed for applications, ranging from
power modules in routers to
pick-up
heads in CD/DVD systems.
We currently support our customers with over 2,500 products in
three categories: power management, interface and optical
storage. These products, whether custom or proprietary, are
designed for specific end applications that require unique
feature sets, specific electrical performance criteria (speed,
precision, power, etc.), and additional system-level
integration. We focus on developing these products as standard
analog ICs in order to serve larger markets and reduce the risk
of dependency on single customer requirements. Our interface
product category represents more than one half of our total
sales followed by power management and optical storage, which is
our smallest product line.
Power Management Products These ICs regulate,
control, monitor or provide the reference voltage for a system
or portion of a system. Direct current/direct current or DC/DC
regulators and pulse-width modulation/pulse-frequency modulation
controllers convert voltage up or down within a system and
provide a controlled level of power to the system, independent
of normal operating load, line and temperature fluctuations.
Supervisory ICs monitor power levels and notify controller ICs
of
out-of-range
power conditions. Voltage references establish benchmark
voltages within a system and provide constant outputs
independent of temperature and other operating variations.
Within this product category, Sipex develops white
light-emitting diode or LED drivers needed in virtually every
consumer portable device and in liquid crystal display LCD
monitors. This product family is replacing the
electroluminescent lamp or EL driver family, which developed
high voltage alternating current or AC signals from low voltage
battery sources that provide backlighting for LCDs.
The power management product portfolio continued to expand in
2006 with proprietary ICs including white LED drivers, DC/DC
regulators and controllers. These new products deliver improved
power efficiency, increased miniaturization and more power at
lower output voltage levels in portable power and distributed
power applications.
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Interface Products Interface products
facilitate the transfer of digital signals between or within
electronic systems and ensure reliable connectivity between
networks, computers and the rapidly expanding mix of digital
peripherals and consumer portable devices that connect to them.
Our single protocol RS-232 and RS-485 transceivers comply with
international standards in delivering multi-channel digital
signals between two systems. Our proprietary multi-protocol
transceivers enable network equipment to communicate with a
large population of peripherals that use a diverse set of serial
protocol standards without the added burden of multiple add-on
boards and cables.
The focus on lower voltage and low power consumption to conserve
energy has made our low voltage, interface ICs popular in a
variety of digital peripherals including data cables for
personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones and digital
cameras. Multi-protocol ICs continue to be used in networking
and telecommunications equipment.
Optical Storage Products Our optical storage
product family shipped in volume started in the second quarter
of 2002. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we decided to
de-emphasize the optical storage products. This product family
provides electronic solutions for
pick-up
heads used in optical storage systems, such as CD and DVD
devices. Optical storage products are customized to each
customer, tend to have shorter design cycles,
time-to-volume
and product lives than interface and power management products.
Optical storage products consist of photo-detector ICs, advanced
power control ICs and laser diode drivers. The photo-detector
ICs capture a portion of the light reflected from the optical
storage medium, convert it to a set of electronic digital
signals and forward them to the chipset for processing. The
reflected light contains both data and tracking information. The
advanced power control ICs capture a portion of the optical
power coming from the laser and feed it back into a control
system that regulates laser intensity. This control function is
used to prevent damage to the laser diode and extend the life of
the system. For both of these functions, we have developed
technology that permits the photo-detection functions to be
incorporated with their signal conditioning circuitry. This
functional integration enables faster read speeds and smaller
footprints in DVD-R/W, DVD-RAM and CD-R/W systems.
We have a family of laser diode drivers that control the laser
diode in the
pick-up
head. Our devices are designed to drive two lasers at high
speed. This will allow the customer to build a 780nm and 650nm
system on one
pick-up head
for combo CD/DVD devices. We introduced our first product in
this product family during 2003.
Sales,
Distribution and Marketing
We sell our products to OEM customers primarily through our
distributor network, as well as through a direct sales force and
a network of independent sales representatives. The direct sales
force consists of country managers, regional sales managers and
field applications engineers who support our sales
representatives, distributors and customers with technical
support services. Our sales staff and field application
engineers also manage, train and support our network of
distributors and representatives. The sales and field
applications staff are located in our Billerica, Massachusetts
and Milpitas, California facilities and in field offices in
China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, France and the
United Kingdom (See Note 16 to our consolidated financial
statements regarding Segment Information and Major Customers).
International sales accounted for approximately 80% of net sales
in each of fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Most of our sales are generated through the worldwide
distributor network. Most of our design win activity
is generated through our network of independent representatives
and through our direct sales force. Design wins are decisions by
customers to include our products as a component of the designs
for their own future products.
We are subject to normal semiconductor market seasonality which
is driven by two factors: (a) the consumer product markets
that build during the late summer for holiday season; and
(b) the general cyclical nature of the semiconductor
industry. We are also subject to the normal risks of conducting
business internationally, including exchange rate fluctuations.
To date, we have not hedged the risks associated with
fluctuations in exchange rates, but we may undertake such
transactions in the future.
Our marketing team develops long-term product and technology
roadmaps based on first-hand market knowledge, close customer
relationships, industry experience, and a variety of public and
private market data. Detailed technical information in the form
of data sheets, application notes and tutorials are posted on
our website
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and a variety of technical and sales materials are published and
distributed to customers, sales representative and distributors.
We engage in print advertising to raise market awareness of our
products and services.
Future
Electronics
Inc.
Future, a related party, is our exclusive distributor for North
America and Europe. Future is also our largest distributor
worldwide, and accounted for 43%, 44%, and 39% of total net
sales for the years ended December 30, 2006,
December 31, 2005, and January 1, 2005, respectively.
We have a distribution agreement that provides for Future to act
as our sole distributor for certain products within North
America and Europe. Sales to this distributor are made under an
agreement that provides protection against market price
reduction for its inventory of our products. We maintain a
separate price list for products sold to Future, which is
different from the prices charged to customers in direct sales
transactions. On a quarterly basis, Future is permitted to
return for credit up to 10% of its total purchases during the
most recent three-month period (credit is reduced to 5% with a
2% scrap allowance applicable to all purchases from us starting
April 1, 2006). We recognize revenue on sales to Future
under the distribution agreement when it sells the products
through to the end customer, which is referred to as
sell-through accounting.
On September 8, 2006, we appointed two executive vice
presidents working for Future to our board of directors. The
board has determined that both directors are not independent
within the meaning of Rule 4200(a) (15) of the NASDAQ
Manual by virtue of their relationships with Future.
Accordingly, the board does not appoint them to any standing
committees of the board. In connection with their appointment as
directors, both directors have agreed to excuse themselves from
any board discussions that relate to transactions between Sipex
and Future. From time to time, Futures senior management
meets with Sipex senior management to discuss strategic
direction, sales and marketing considerations and other issues
facing us. In addition, Futures sales and marketing
personnel frequently meet with our sales and marketing staff
regarding sales prospects and other concerns related to the
market for our products in a manner consistent with
Futures practices with our other distribution partners.
Future has also provided information technology, accounting and
other supporting services to us.
Asian
Distributors
In Asia, we sell products through a number of distributors in
addition to Future. All sales to these international locations
are denominated in U.S. dollars. We maintain separate price
lists for products sold to distributors, which typically reflect
discounts from the prices charged to customers in direct sales
transactions, but do not provide price protection to these
distributors on items that are included in their inventory.
Effective in the first quarter of 2004, all distributors were
permitted to return products up to 5% of their most recent
three-month purchases from Sipex. Effective as of
January 1, 2003, we recognize revenue on sales to these
distributors when they sell the products through to their end
customers. Prior to January 1, 2003, we recognized revenue
on sales to these Asian distributors using a ship-to accounting
methodology for which we recognized revenue upon shipment to the
distributors less estimated reserves for returns.
Customers
Our customer base is comprised of industrial distributors, OEMs,
original design manufacturers, or ODMs, and electronic
manufacturing services companies, or EMS. Industrial
distributors provide logistical and supply chain services to
their customers. (See our disclosure regarding Future, our
exclusive distributor for North America and Europe under
Sales, Distribution and Marketing above). The OEMs
and ODMs use our products as components in their equipment and
systems. In certain cases, we sell our products to EMS companies
who buy our products and use them in the systems and subsystems
they manufacture for OEMs and ODMs. Selected end users of our
products include Bird Communications, Dell Computer,
Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, IBM, Motorola, Nortel Networks,
Panasonic, Philips, Research In Motion, Samsung, Siemens AG,
Toshiba and ZTE.
Backlog
Our product backlog was approximately $14.9 million at
December 30, 2006 compared to $13.0 million at
December 31, 2005. The higher backlog was due to increased
customer purchase order activities for delivery in
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2007. We include in backlog all orders scheduled for delivery
within one year. However, our business is characterized by
short-term orders and shipment schedules. We generally permit
orders to be canceled or rescheduled without significant penalty
to customers. As a result, the quantities of our products to be
delivered and their delivery schedules may be revised by
customers to reflect changes in their needs. Since backlog can
be canceled or rescheduled, our backlog at any time is not
necessarily indicative of future shipments
and/or
revenues. In addition, due to the high percentage of our sales
going through the distribution channel, our backlog may be
affected by inventory levels at our distributors.
Manufacturing
We have historically maintained a wafer fabrication facility in
Milpitas, California which has supplied most of our product
needs, except for the optical storage products and certain power
products requiring more advanced process technologies. This
wafer fabrication facility commenced manufacturing operations in
the second half of 1999, and was used to produce both four-inch
and six-inch diameter wafers. Previously we also used a
four-inch wafer facility located in San Jose, California,
but that lease was assumed by an unrelated third party in early
2003 as a part of a restructuring initiative. Likewise, at the
end of December of 2002, we ceased all test operations at our
Billerica, Massachusetts facility and transferred those
operations to our subcontractors in Asia.
In the third quarter of 2005, we decided to transition to a
fabless manufacturing structure and to outsource all
of our wafer fabrication operations to third party suppliers and
subcontractors. As such we closed the Milpitas, California
fabrication facility in early October 2006 and transferred most
of our wafer production to Silan, in Hangzhou, China, and
Episil, in HsinChu, Taiwan. We believe this conversion will
lower our manufacturing costs and enable us to pursue market
opportunities where historically we were unable to provide a
cost effective solution to our customers. The conversion to a
fully fabless manufacturing model along with the use of
third-party foundries should enable us to minimize fixed costs
and capital expenditures while providing access to diverse
manufacturing technologies without bearing the full risk of the
obsolescence of such technologies.
We test ICs or die on the wafers produced internally
and by our foundries for compliance with performance
specifications before assembly. Our commercial products are
assembled and tested by a variety of subcontractors in Asia
which have been certified as ISO-9002, TL16949 compliant.
Following testing, the packaged units are shipped directly from
our subcontractors to our customers worldwide.
Product
Quality Assurance and Reliability
We are committed to customer satisfaction and continuous
improvement in all aspects of our business. This is accomplished
through a comprehensive quality and reliability system founded
on documented procedures. Quality tools such as statistical
process control; cross-functional teaming and advanced
statistical analysis are used in qualification, production
processes and quality improvement activities. We maintain close
relationships with our subcontractors and routinely qualify
suppliers to established standards. We are ISO-9001-2000
certified and have continuously maintained our ISO certification
since 1996. The Milpitas facility was ISO-14000 certified in
2005 and recertified to both ISO standards in 2006.
Patents,
Licenses and Trademarks
We seek to protect our proprietary technology through patents
and trade secret protection. Currently, we hold a number of
patents expiring between now and 2021 and have additional United
States patent applications pending, although we cannot offer
assurance that any patents will result from these applications.
In 2006, we substantially increased our spending on intellectual
property protection and plan to significantly expand our
intellectual property portfolio. In addition to seeking patent
coverage for our products and manufacturing technology, we
believe that our success heavily depends on the technical
expertise and innovative abilities of our personnel.
Accordingly, we also rely on trade secrets and confidential
technological know-how in the conduct of our business. We cannot
offer assurance that our patents or applicable trade secret laws
will provide adequate protection for our technology against
competitors who may develop or patent similar technology or
reverse engineer our products. In addition, the laws of certain
territories in which our products are or may be developed,
manufactured or sold, including Asia, Europe and Latin America,
may not protect our products and intellectual property rights to
the same extent as the
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laws of the United States of America. Pursuant to license
agreements, we pay a royalty to Maxim Integrated Products for
certain interface product sales.
Research
and Development
We believe that continued introduction of new products in target
markets is essential to growth. As performance demands and
complexity of analog circuits have increased, the design and
development process have become a multi-disciplinary effort,
requiring diverse competencies to achieve customers
desired performance. In addition to our staff of design
engineers, we have an infrastructure of product and test
engineers who perform various support functions.
We spent $17.3 million in 2006, $17.2 million in 2005
and $14.7 million in 2004 on research and development,
representing 22.0%, 23.7% and 19.5% of net sales for these
years, respectively. The decrease in 2006 as a percentage of net
sales was primarily due to the increase in net sales. We expect
to focus more on the productivity of our research and
development investment through better product definition,
consistent strategy and improved tools. Overall expenditures in
support of research and development activity are likely to
decrease in absolute dollars in the near future in conjunction
with the planned closure of the design center in Belgium which
supported our optical products.
Our ability to compete depends in part upon continued
introduction of technologically innovative products on a timely
basis. Research and development efforts are directed primarily
at designing and introducing new products and technologies. We
seek to continually upgrade our internal technology while also
working with foundries to develop new technologies for new
generations of products. In addition, we seek to continually
refine the practices and technology used to manufacture our
products to improve product yields.
Competition
We compete in multiple segments of the analog integrated circuit
market. This market is intensely competitive and many major
semiconductor companies presently compete or could compete with
us in the same applications or products. Our current primary
competitors include AATI, Analog Devices, Intersil, Linear
Technology, Maxim Integrated Products, Micrel Semiconductor,
National Semiconductor, On Semiconductor, Pioneer, Semtech,
Sharp, Sony and Texas Instruments among others. Our primary
competitors have substantially greater financial, technical,
manufacturing, marketing, distribution, other resources and
broader product lines than we do. In addition, there are foreign
semiconductor makers that compete primarily on a price basis.
Although foreign companies active in the semiconductor market
have not traditionally focused on the high performance analog
market, with the exception of the optical marketplace, many
foreign companies have the financial and other resources to
participate successfully in these markets and may become
formidable competitors in the future.
We believe that product innovation, quality, reliability,
solution, performance and the ability to introduce products
rapidly are important competitive factors in our target markets.
We compete primarily during the customers design-in stage
of product development. We further believe that cost
competitiveness is paramount in every segment of the
semiconductor industry.
Employees
At December 30, 2006, we had 285 full-time employees
including 83 in manufacturing, 74 in engineering, 85 in sales
and marketing, and 43 in finance and administration. At
December 31, 2005, we had 357 full-time employees
including 154 in manufacturing, 83 in engineering, 71 in sales
and marketing, and 49 in finance and administration.
We believe that our future success will depend, in part, on our
ability to attract and retain qualified technical and
manufacturing personnel. This is particularly important in the
areas of product design and development, where competition for
skilled personnel is intense. None of our employees are subject
to a collective bargaining agreement, and we have never
experienced a work stoppage.
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Availability
of Reports and Other Information
Our Internet website is www.sipex.com. On this website, the
public can access our annual, quarterly and current reports free
of charge through a hyperlink to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or the SEC, website as soon as reasonably
practicable after we electronically file such material with, or
furnish such material to, the SEC. We intend to satisfy the
disclosure requirements under Item 10 of
Form 10-K
regarding amendment to, or waiver from, our code of ethics by
posting such information on our website at www.sipex.com,
provided such method of disclosure is then in compliance with
the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market and the rules of the SEC.
Our common stock is currently traded on the Pink
Sheets electronic trading system for
over-the-counter
securities, where market makers and brokers can submit bid and
ask prices for our common stock on a daily basis. However, there
can be no assurances that our common stock will continue to be
eligible for trading or quotation on this or any alternative
exchanges or markets.
Our
quarterly and annual operating results are volatile and
difficult to predict and may cause our stock price to
fluctuate.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are affected by a
wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely
affect net sales and profitability from
period-to-period,
including:
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the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry;
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the volatility of the optical device market;
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competitive pressures on selling prices;
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the mix of product sales, as our margins vary across product
lines;
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the timing and cancellation of customer orders;
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the effect of the timing of sales by our resellers may have on
our reported results as a result of our sell-through revenue
recognition policies;
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our ability to maintain and expand our distributor relationships;
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our ability to design and manufacture products to meet
customers and distributors specifications and
expectations;
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our ability to introduce new products and technologies on a
timely basis;
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market acceptance of our products and our customers
products;
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the introduction of products and technologies by our competitors;
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the level of orders received that can be shipped in a quarter;
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delays in shipments from our fabrication plants to assembly
houses;
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the availability of foundry capacity, raw materials and assembly
and test capacity;
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our ability to manufacture and have products manufactured for
us, the correct mix to respond to orders on hand and new orders
received in the future;
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fluctuations in yields;
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changes in product mix;
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the level of future product returns;
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the timing of investments in research and development, including
tooling expenses associated with product development, process
improvements and production;
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costs associated with increased regulation of corporate
governance and disclosure and risks of non-compliance with such
regulation; and
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the overall economic conditions in the United States and abroad.
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Due to the absence of substantial non-cancelable backlog, we
typically plan our production and inventory levels based on
internal forecasts of customer demand, which are highly
unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially.
Our expense levels are based, in part, on expectations of future
revenues and are, to a large extent, fixed in the short-term.
For example, we have a minimum purchase arrangement with two of
our suppliers based on requirements forecasted in advance. Our
future revenues are difficult to predict and at times in the
past we have failed to achieve revenue expectations. We may be
unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for
any unexpected revenue shortfall. If revenue levels are below
expectations for any reason, operating results are likely to be
unfavorably affected. We may also take steps to adjust our
strategic product families and change our cost structure, which
may result in our incurring additional restructuring,
reorganization and other charges. Based on forecasts, we may
increase our operating expenses for personnel and new product
development and for inventory in anticipation of increasing
sales levels; therefore, operating results would be worsened if
increased sales are not achieved.
Our business depends on market demand for products using analog
semiconductors. A less robust semiconductor market could
negatively impact our net sales, results of operations and cash
flows. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, we may
experience material fluctuations in future operating results on
a quarterly or annual basis, which could substantially
negatively affect our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We may
need to obtain a significant amount of additional capital in the
future and may not be able to secure adequate funds on a timely
basis or on terms acceptable to us.
We believe that the cash, cash equivalents and investments on
hand, the cash we expect to generate from operations and
borrowings under our bank line of credit and unsecured
promissory note facility will be sufficient to meet our
liquidity and capital spending requirements for at least the
next twelve months. However, it is possible that we may need to
raise additional funds to fund our activities during and/or
beyond that time. We could raise these funds by selling more
stock to the public or to selected investors, or by borrowing
money.
In addition, even though we may not need additional funds, we
may still elect to sell additional equity securities or obtain
credit facilities for other reasons. We may not be able to
obtain additional funds on favorable terms, or at all. If
adequate funds are not available, we may be required to curtail
our operations significantly or to obtain funds through other
arrangements. If we raise additional funds by issuing additional
equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership percentages
of existing stockholders would be reduced. In addition, the
equity or debt securities that we issue may have rights,
preferences or privileges senior to those of the holders of our
common stock.
It is possible that our future capital requirements may vary
materially from those now planned. The amount of capital that we
will need in the future will depend on many factors, including:
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whether we are able to reduce our recent negative cash flows;
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the market acceptance of our products;
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volume price discounts;
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the levels of inventory and accounts receivable that we maintain;
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our business, product, capital expenditure and research and
development plans and product and technology roadmaps;
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our competitors response to our products;
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our relationships with suppliers and customers;
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8
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capital expenditures for equipment to meet customer demand for
our products;
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technological advances, and
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the levels of promotion and advertising that will be required to
launch our products and achieve and maintain a competitive
position in the marketplace.
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In addition, we may require additional capital to accommodate
planned growth, hiring, infrastructure and facility needs or to
consummate acquisitions of other businesses, products or
technologies.
Our
management has identified certain material
weaknesses in the design and operation of our internal
controls, which, if not adequately addressed, could result in
accounting errors, call into question the accuracy of our
financial results.
For the year ended January 1, 2005, our management informed
the Audit Committee that they identified material
weaknesses, as defined by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (PCAOB), in the design and operation of our
internal controls. These weaknesses related to entity-level
control activities, revenue accounting and controls related to
the financial closing process.
For the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 30,
2006, we were not an accelerated filer, and therefore we are not
required to make the annual report on internal control over
financial reporting required by Item 308(a) of
Regulation S-K
and our independent registered public accounting firm is not
required to issue a separate attestation on managements
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting
under Item 308(b).
During fiscal year 2006, our management continued efforts to
improve our internal controls over financial reporting, in
particular to remediate the material weaknesses reported as of
January 1, 2005. Our management believes that these efforts
have or are reasonably likely to have, a material improvement on
the design and effectiveness of our internal controls over
financial reporting and to remediate the material weaknesses.
However, as we were not an accelerated filer, and therefore not
subject to the requirements of Item 308(a) and
Item 308(b) of
Regulation S-K,
as noted above, there can be no assurance that we have fully
remediated the material weaknesses reported as of
January 1, 2005 or that our internal control over financial
reporting is effective.
Our ability to implement our business plan successfully in a
volatile market requires effective management systems and a
system of financial processes and controls. We have identified a
need to further evaluate and improve our sell-through accounting
systems and procedures as well as our inventory valuation
estimation procedures and tools. In addition, we have begun the
process of implementing a new enterprise requirements planning
system, which is expected to be completed in 2008. During the
process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we
have continued to experience some delays and difficulties due to
reliance on manual reconciliations and analyses. If we are
unable to maintain an adequate level of processes and controls
and improve our systems and procedures, we may not be able to
accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis
and our business and stock price would be adversely affected.
If we
are unable to accurately forecast demand for our products, we
may be unable to efficiently manage our inventory.
Due to the absence of substantial non-cancelable backlog, we
typically plan our production and inventory levels based on
internal forecasts of customer demand, which are highly
unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. As a consequence
of inaccuracies inherent in forecasting, inventory imbalances
periodically occur that result in surplus amounts of some of our
products and shortages of others. Such shortages can adversely
affect customer relations and surpluses can result in
larger-than-desired
inventory levels, which can adversely affect our financial
position. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we experienced an
abrupt reduction in customer demand and internal forecast for
sales of our products resulting in inventory write-down of $3.5
million and additional charges of $1.4 million related to
provision for purchase commitments on excess inventories.
9
We are
not currently listed on a national exchange or market, and can
offer no assurance that we will ever be listed.
As a result of our failure to timely file our annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended January 1, 2005 and our quarterly report
on
Form 10-Q
for the three months ended April 2, 2005, we were delisted
from the Nasdaq Global Market effective June 23, 2005, and
our common stock is not currently listed on any national stock
exchange or market. In order to be eligible for re-listing on
the Nasdaq Global Market we must meet Nasdaqs initial
listing criteria. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
meet these criteria or that our common stock will ever be
relisted on the Nasdaq or listed on any other national stock
exchange or market. Our common stock is currently traded on the
Pink Sheets, LLC electronic trading system for
over-the-counter
securities, which has not historically provided investors with
the level of liquidity found in other markets and exchanges.
We may
face unforeseen complications from the transfer our
manufacturing processes to Silan in China and Episil
Technologies in Taiwan.
We have transferred our manufacturing processes to foundries
operated by Silan in China and Episil in Taiwan in conjunction
with the closure of the Milpitas, California wafer fabrication
facility. The transfer has been a complicated and time-consuming
process that has been met with significant unforeseen
complications that delayed the integration transfer and required
additional allocation of our resources. There can be no
guarantees that additional unforeseen integration issues will
not arise in the future related to the integration that could
cause additional delays which could materially adversely affect
our ability to timely produce our products for distribution.
In addition, the parties may be unable to achieve all or any of
the expected benefits of the relationship within the anticipated
time-frames. The anticipated synergies between Sipex and Silan
or Episil may not be as significant as originally expected. The
market for our products in China may not grow as rapidly or as
large as both parties currently anticipate. The manufacturing
processes and wafer testing for certain products may not be
qualified by Sipex following the transfer from Sipex to Silan or
Episil or the qualification process may take significantly
longer than currently expected. This could result in additional
operating costs, loss of customers, and business disruption.
We may
experience difficulties in developing and introducing new or
enhanced products necessitated by technological
advances.
Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to
anticipate changes in market demand and evolving technologies.
To remain competitive, we must enhance our current products and
develop and introduce new products that keep pace with
technological advancements and address the increasingly
sophisticated needs of our customers. Our products may be
rendered obsolete if we fail to anticipate or react to change,
and, as a result, our revenues and cash flow may be negatively
impacted. Our success depends on our ability to develop new
semiconductor devices for existing and new markets, to introduce
these products in a timely manner and to have these products
selected for design into new products of our customers. The
development of these new devices is highly complex and from time
to time we have experienced delays in completing the development
of new products. Successful product development and introduction
depends on a number of factors, including:
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accurate new product definition;
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timely completion and introduction of new product designs;
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availability of foundry capacity;
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achievement of manufacturing yields; and
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market acceptance of our products and our customers
products.
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Our success also depends upon our ability to accurately specify
and certify the conformance of our products to applicable
standards and to develop our products in accordance with
customer requirements. We may not be able to adjust to changing
market conditions as quickly and cost-effectively as necessary
to compete successfully. We may not be able to introduce new
products in a timely and cost-effective manner or in sufficient
quantities to meet customer demand. Furthermore, we cannot
guarantee that these products will achieve market acceptance.
10
The
introduction of our new products may be delayed in order to test
for and resolve design flaws.
Our products are complex and must meet stringent quality
requirements. They may contain undetected errors or defects,
especially when new products are first introduced or when new
versions are released. We recently delayed the introduction of
some of our new products in order to perform further tests on
the products and to identify and resolve any of these errors. We
may further delay the release of our new product lines. Such
delays could have an adverse effect on our market reputation and
ability to generate sales.
We
depend on distributors who sell directly to OEMs and the loss of
one or more of our significant distributors could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
For the fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004 approximately 77%, 83%,
and 83%, respectively, of our net sales were from shipments of
our products to distributors who sell directly to OEMs. Our
agreements with distributors contain limited provisions for
return of our products, including stock rotations whereby
distributors may return a percentage of their purchases from us
based upon a percentage of their most recent three months of
shipments. In addition, in certain circumstances upon
termination of the distributor relationship, distributors may
return some portion of their prior purchases. The loss of
business from any of our significant distributors or the delay
of significant orders from any of them, even if only temporary,
could significantly reduce our income, delay recognition of
revenue and impact our ability to accurately predict cash flow.
We may
not successfully expand our sales and distribution
channels.
An integral part of our strategy is to expand our sales and
distribution channels, particularly internationally. We are
increasing resources dedicated to developing and expanding these
channels but we may not be successful in doing so. If we are
successful in increasing our sales through indirect sales
channels, we expect that those sales will be at lower per unit
prices than sales through direct channels, and revenues we
receive for each sale will be less than if we had sold the same
product to the customer directly. Selling through indirect
channels may also limit our contact with our customers. As a
result, our ability to accurately forecast sales, evaluate
customer satisfaction and recognize emerging customer
requirements may be hindered. Even if we successfully expand our
distribution channels, any new distributors may not have the
technical expertise required to market and support our products
successfully. If distributors do not provide adequate levels of
services and technical support, our customers could become
dissatisfied, we could be required to devote additional
resources for customer support and our brand name and reputation
could be negatively impacted. Our strategy of marketing products
directly to our customers and indirectly through distributors
may result in distribution channel conflicts.
We
derive a substantial portion of our revenues from Future, a
related party, and our revenues would likely decline
significantly if Future elected not to make, cancel, reduce or
defer purchases of our products.
Future is a related party and has historically accounted for a
significant portion of our revenues. Future is our largest
distributor worldwide and accounted for 43%, 44% and 39% of
total net sales in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. We
anticipate that sales of our products to Future will continue to
account for a significant portion of our revenues. The loss of
Future as a distributor, or a significant reduction in orders
from Future would materially and adversely affect our operating
results, our business, our financial condition and our stock
price.
We have a distributor agreement with Future that provides for
Future to act as our sole distributor for certain products
within North America and Europe. If Future were to cease
distributing these products, we could experience a reduction in
sales as we locate replacement distributors for these products.
Sales to Future are made under an agreement that provides
protection against price reduction for their inventory of our
products. As such, we could be exposed to significant liability
if the inventory value of the products held by Future declined
dramatically. Our distributor agreement with Future does not
contain minimum purchase commitments. As a result, Future could
cease purchasing our products with short notice to us. In
addition, Future may defer or cancel orders without penalty,
which would likely cause our revenues, our business, our
financial condition and our stock price to decline.
11
Affiliates
of Future, our largest distributor, beneficially own a
significant percentage of our common stock, which will allow
them to significantly influence matters requiring
stockholders approval and could discourage potential
acquisition of our Company.
As of December 30, 2006, the affiliates of Future held
approximately 8.6 million shares of our common stock, or
approximately 47%, of our outstanding common stock and held 50%
of our outstanding 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due
2026. We have also entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement
with Rodfre pursuant to which we may issue to Rodfre up to
$10.0 million of 9% unsecured junior notes. In addition,
two members of our board of directors, Dan Casey and Pierre
Guilbault, are representatives of Future. Due to its ownership
of a significant percentage of our common stock and our
convertible debt, Future will be able to exert significant
influence over, and effectively control, actions requiring the
approval of our stockholders, including the election of
directors, many types of change of control transactions and
amendments to our charter documents. The significant ownership
percentage of Future could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change of control of Sipex or otherwise
discouraging a potential acquirer from obtaining control of
Sipex. Conversely, by virtue of Futures percentage
ownership of our stock and debt, Future could facilitate a
takeover transaction that our board of directors did not approve.
Occasionally,
we enter into agreements that expose us to potential damages
that exceed the value of the agreement.
We have given certain customers increased indemnification for
product deficiencies that is in excess of the standard limited
warranty indemnification and could possibly result in greater
costs, in excess of the original contract value. In an attempt
to limit this liability, we have also increased our errors and
omission insurance policy to partially offset these potential
additional costs; however, our insurance coverage could be
insufficient to prevent us from suffering material losses if the
indemnification amounts are large enough.
We may
face significant risks related to our international
operations.
We derive a significant portion of our net sales from
international sales, including to Asia, which are subject to
certain risks, including:
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unexpected changes in legal and regulatory requirements;
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changes in tariffs;
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exchange rates and other barriers;
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political and economic instability;
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difficulties in accounts receivable collection;
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difficulties in managing distributors or representatives;
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difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;
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difficulties in protecting our intellectual property overseas;
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the seasonality of sales; and
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potentially adverse tax consequences.
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Our international sales (sales to customers outside the United
States) in the year ended December 30, 2006 were
$62.7 million, or 80% of total net sales and
$58.0 million and $60.3 million for the years ended
2005 and 2004, respectively, and 80% of total net sales for both
years of 2005 and 2004. There can be no assurance that economic
and geopolitical troubles in any area of the world will not have
a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
12
Our
inability to meet any increase in demand could reduce our market
share.
Demand shifts in the semiconductor industry are rapid and
difficult to predict, and we may not be able to respond quickly
enough to an increase in demand, if any. Our ability to increase
sales of our products depends, in part, upon our ability to
optimize the use of our manufacturing and suppliers
manufacturing capacities in a timely manner and, if necessary,
expand our manufacturing and suppliers manufacturing
capacities. If we are unable to respond to rapid increases in
demand, if any, for our products on a timely basis or to manage
any corresponding expansion of our manufacturing capacity
effectively, our customers could increase their purchases from
our competitors, which would reduce our market share.
If we
are unable to compete effectively with existing or new
competitors, we will experience fewer customer orders, reduced
revenues, reduced gross margins and lost market
share.
We compete in markets that are intensely competitive, and which
are subject to both rapid technological change and continued
price erosion. Our competitors include many large domestic and
foreign companies that have substantially greater financial,
technical and management resources than we have. Loss of
competitive position could result in price reductions, fewer
customer orders, reduced revenues, reduced gross margins and
loss of market share, any of which would affect our operating
results and financial condition. To remain competitive, we
continue to evaluate our manufacturing operations, looking for
additional cost savings and technological improvements. If we
are not able to successfully implement new process technologies
and to achieve volume production of new products at acceptable
yields, our operating results and financial condition may be
affected. In addition, if competitors in Asia reduce prices on
commodity products, it would adversely affect our ability to
compete effectively in that region. Our future competitive
performance depends on a number of factors, including our
ability to:
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accurately identify emerging technological trends and demand for
product features and performance characteristics;
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develop and maintain competitive products;
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enhance our products by adding innovative features that
differentiate our products from those of our competitors;
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bring products to market on a timely basis at competitive prices;
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respond effectively to new technological changes or new product
announcements by others;
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increase device performance and improve manufacturing yields;
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adapt products and processes to technological changes; and
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adopt or set emerging industry standards.
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There can be no assurance that our design, development and
introduction schedules for new products or enhancements to our
existing and future products will be met. In addition, there can
be no assurance that these products or enhancements will achieve
market acceptance, or that we will be able to sell these
products at prices that are favorable.
The
implementation of a new management information system may
disrupt our business.
We have begun the process of implementing a new enterprise
resource planning and financial accounting and planning system,
and integrating this new system with our customer relationship
management system and our product management system.
Implementation of the new management information system,
including the integration with other systems, is a very complex
and time consuming process that requires significant financial
resources and personnel time, as well as unifying operating
policies and procedures to ensure that the total system operates
efficiently and effectively. Further delays or any errors in the
implementation could result in additional costs and cause
disruptions to our business, which could adversely affect our
ability to accurately report our financial results on a timely
basis, comply with our periodic reporting requirements on a
timely basis and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and operating results.
13
A
failure of our information systems would adversely impact our
ability to process orders for and manufacture
products.
We operate a multinational business enterprise with
manufacturing, administration and sales groups located in Asia,
Europe and North America. These disparate groups are connected
by a virtual private network-based enterprise resource planning
system, where daily manufacturing operations and order entry
functions rely on maintaining a reliable network among
locations. Any failure of our computer network or our enterprise
resource planning system would impede our ability to schedule
orders, monitor production work in process and ship and bill our
finished goods to our customers.
We
have only limited protection for our proprietary
technology.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by frequent
litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property
rights. Although we are not aware of any pending or threatened
patent litigation that we consider material, there can be no
assurance that third parties will not assert claims against us
with respect to existing or future products or technologies and
we have been subject to such claims in the past. To determine
the validity of any third party claims, such litigation, whether
or not determined in our favor could result in significant
expense to us and divert the efforts of our management personnel
from productive tasks. In the event of an adverse ruling in such
litigation, we may be required to discontinue the use of certain
processes, cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing
products, and expend significant resources to develop
non-infringing technology or obtain licenses to the infringing
technology. There can be no assurance that licenses will be
available on acceptable terms, or at all, with respect to
disputed third party technology. In the event of a successful
claim against us and our failure to develop or license a
substitute technology at a reasonable cost, our business,
financial condition and results of operations would be
materially and adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that foreign intellectual property
laws will protect our intellectual property rights. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that others will not independently
develop similar products, duplicate our products or design
around any of our patents. We may be subject to, or may
initiate, interference proceedings in the U.S. patent
office, which can demand significant financial and management
resources.
Our
future success depends on retaining our key personnel and
attracting and retaining additional highly qualified
employees.
Our success depends upon the continued service of our executive
officers and other key management and technical personnel, and
on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate
qualified personnel, such as experienced analog circuit
designers. The competition for these employees is intense. Our
employees are employed at-will, which means that they can
terminate their employment at any time. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to retain our design engineers,
executive officers and other key personnel. The loss of the
services of one or more of our design engineers, executive
officers or other key personnel or our inability to recruit
replacements for these personnel or to otherwise attract, retain
and motivate qualified personnel could seriously impede our
success.
Product
defects or compatibility problems with our products could damage
our reputation, decrease market acceptance of our technology,
cause us to replace defective or incompatible products at a
substantial cost and result in potentially costly
litigation.
A number of factors, including design flaws, materials failures,
manufacturing problems, and misapplication of our products may
cause our products to contain undetected errors, defects or
compatibility problems. Defects or compatibility problems with
our products may:
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cause delays in product introductions and shipments;
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result in increased costs and diversion of development resources;
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result in increased product returns and cause us to incur costs
due to unusable inventory or replacement of defective or
incompatible products; or
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require design modifications.
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If any of our products contain defects, or have reliability,
quality or compatibility problems, our reputation might be
damaged significantly and customers might be reluctant to buy
our products. This could result in the loss of existing
customers and impair our ability to attract new customers in the
future. In addition, we may discover defects or failures in our
products after they are installed by customers. In such cases,
we may incur significant costs and devote substantial management
resources to correcting these problems. Our customers may also
sue us for, or otherwise seek to recover from us, any losses
resulting from alleged defects or errors in our products.
The
manufacturing processes for our products are very complex, which
may result in manufacturing difficulties.
The manufacturing processes for our products are highly complex
and are continuously being modified in an effort to improve
yields and product performance. Process changes can result in
interruptions in production or significantly reduced yields
causing product introduction or delivery delays. In addition,
yields can be adversely affected by minute impurities in the
environment or other problems that occur in the complex
manufacturing process. Many of these problems are difficult to
diagnose and are time-consuming or expensive to remedy. From
time to time we have experienced unfavorable yield variances. In
particular, new process technologies or new products can be
subject to especially wide variations in manufacturing yields
and efficiency. There can be no assurance that our foundries or
the foundries of our suppliers will not experience unfavorable
yield variances or other manufacturing problems that result in
delayed product introduction or delivery delays. This risk is
particularly significant in the near term as we transfer our
manufacturing processes to Silan and Episil.
We
increasingly rely on outside foundries to supply certain of our
wafers and those foundries may not produce at acceptable
levels.
Beginning in 2006, we began to increasingly rely on outside
foundries to supply certain of our fully processed semiconductor
wafers. There can be no assurance that we will not be totally
dependent on outside foundries. This reliance on outside
foundries presents the following potential risks:
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lack of adequate wafer supply;
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limited control over delivery schedules;
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unavailability of or delays in obtaining access to key process
technologies; and
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limited control over quality assurance, manufacturing yields and
production costs.
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Additionally, we do not have a guaranteed level of production
capacity at any of these foundries with the exception of two of
our foundries for whom we provide minimum purchase commitments
in accordance with our supply agreements. The ability of each
foundry to provide wafers to us is limited by the foundrys
available capacity, and the foundrys allocation of its
available capacity among multiple customers. There can be no
assurance that our third party foundries will allocate
sufficient capacity to satisfy our requirements. We have
experienced decreased allocations of wafer supplies from our
suppliers in the past, which reduced our capacity to ship
products, and, thus, recognize revenues. Furthermore, any sudden
reduction or elimination of any primary source or sources of
fully processed wafers could result in a material delay in the
shipment of our products. If any other delays or shortages occur
in the future, our business and operating results will be
negatively impacted.
Our
ability to meet current demand or any increase in demand for our
products may be limited by our ability to test our semiconductor
wafers.
As part of our manufacturing process, we must test all of our
semiconductor wafers using certain probe testing
equipment. As such, our ability to meet current demand or any
increase in demand for our products depends, in part, on our
ability to purchase and install sufficient testing equipment.
Obtaining and installing this equipment is a time and capital
intensive process and depends on our ability to accurately
predict future sales. In the
15
first quarter of 2006, due to a lack of sufficient probe
testing equipment, we were unable to test an adequate
number of wafers, incurred delays in shipping products and were
unable to meet the demand for our products. If we are unable to
estimate future sales correctly or we are unable to obtain the
necessary testing equipment on a timely basis, we will continue
to be unable to meet the current demand or any increased demand
for our products.
The
facilities of certain of our significant customers and third
party wafer suppliers are located in areas susceptible to
earthquakes and other natural disasters.
The facilities of certain of our significant customers and
third-party wafer suppliers are located in areas that are
susceptible to earthquakes and other natural disasters. Damage
caused by earthquakes or other natural disasters may result in
shortages in water or electricity or transportation, which could
limit the production capacity of our wafer facility or the
ability of certain of our subcontractors to provide needed
products. Any reduction in production capacity or the ability to
obtain fully processed semiconductor wafers could cause delays
or shortages in our product supply, which would negatively
impact our business. If the facilities of our customers or our
third party wafer suppliers are damaged by future earthquakes or
other natural disasters, it could have a materially adverse
effect on our business.
We
rely on outside suppliers to assemble, test and ship product to
our customers.
We rely on outside assembly houses to assemble, test and ship
our product to end customers. There can be no assurance that our
third party suppliers will allocate sufficient capacity to us to
meet our requirements. Any sudden reduction or elimination of a
primary source could result in material delay in the shipment of
our product and could have a material adverse affect on our
business and operating results.
In addition, we may transition the testing of our products to
new assembly houses. If the transition does not proceed
smoothly, this could also result in delays in the shipment of
our products.
Because we rely on outside assembly house to assemble, test and
ship our products, we have limited control over quality
assurance, manufacturing yields and production costs, and we
have in the past experienced yield issues and delays. We could
experience delays or yield issues in the future due to the
transfer of products from development to production, which could
negatively impact our business and operating results. In
addition, if defects in our products are undetected, we may
experience higher warranty expenses than anticipated, which
could negatively impact our reputation, business and operating
results.
We
must comply with significant environmental regulations,
employment tax regulations, employment practices and other
governmental regulations which are difficult and
expensive.
We are subject to a variety of international, federal, state and
local governmental regulations related to employment taxes,
employment practices and other governmental regulations and
regulations regarding the use, storage, discharge and disposal
of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used in our
manufacturing processes or residing in our products. The failure
to comply with present or future regulations could result in
fines being imposed on us, suspension of production or a
cessation of operations. Any failure by us to control the use
of, or adequately restrict the discharge of hazardous
substances, or otherwise comply with environmental regulations,
could subject us to significant future liabilities. Any failure
to conform to employment tax regulations, employment practices
regulations and other governmental regulations, could result in
remediation or other significant liabilities.
We
substantially increased our outstanding indebtedness with the
issuance of 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes Due 2026,
and we may not be able to pay our debt and other
obligations.
In May 2006 we issued notes in the aggregate principal amount of
$30.0 million in a private placement to Future and certain
institutional investors. As of December 30, 2006,
$30.2 million with interest remained outstanding under the
notes. The notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.5% per
annum, subject to adjustment, with accrued interest payable on
May 15 and November 15 of each year. The interest rate is
subject to increase upon failure to comply with certain
covenants, such as our failure to be listed on a national
exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq
Global Market or our failure to have declared effective a
registration statement registering the notes, warrants and
underlying shares of our common stock. As a result of our
failure to comply with
16
these conditions we are effectively obligated to pay up to an
additional 2.7% of interest on the notes, and our current
effective interest rate is 8.2% per annum. By issuing the
notes we increased our indebtedness substantially. In addition,
the holders of the notes have imposed certain restrictive
covenants, including limits on our future indebtedness and
limits on our ability to incur future liens and make certain
restricted payments. The holders of the notes also have the
option of causing us to repurchase the notes for cash at a price
equal to the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest
on each of May 15, 2011, May 15, 2016, or May 15,
2021 or upon a change of control (as defined in the notes). An
event of default would occur under the notes for a number of
reasons, including our failure to pay when due any principal,
interest or late charges on the notes, certain defaults on our
indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and our breach or
failure to perform certain representations and obligations under
the notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, our
obligations under the notes may become due and payable in
accordance with the terms thereof.
If the
investors in our 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes Due
2026 convert their notes or exercise their warrants, it will
have a dilutive effect upon our stockholders.
In May 2006 we issued notes and warrants to Future and certain
institutional investors. Pursuant to the terms of these notes,
the holders of such notes may convert the notes into shares of
common stock at any time prior to their maturity at a conversion
price of $5.36 per share, subject to certain adjustments,
such as for stock splits and certain other situations specified
in the notes. Subject to certain conditions, we can
automatically convert all of the outstanding notes into common
stock if the average price of our common stock exceeds 150% of
the then effective conversion price for any 20 trading days
during any
30-day
period. The warrants are exercisable at any time on or before
May 18, 2011 at an exercise price of $6.432 per share,
subject to certain adjustments similar to the provisions set
forth in the notes. If the note holders convert the notes or
exercise the warrants, we will issue shares of our common stock
and such issuances will be dilutive to our stockholders. If the
note holders were to convert the remaining unconverted notes in
full at the current conversion price, we would be obligated to
issue an additional 5.6 million shares of common stock. If
such holders were to exercise the remaining warrants in full at
the current exercise price, we would be obligated to issue
419,776 shares of common stock, for an aggregate of
6.0 million shares of our common stock. These
6.0 million shares would represent approximately 25% of the
then outstanding shares of common stock (assuming such
conversion and exercise as of December 30, 2006). In
addition, if such holders or our other stockholders sell
substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market
during a short period of time, our stock price may decline
significantly.
Our
stock price has been volatile and could continue to remain
volatile.
The trading price of our common stock may be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to
quarter-to-quarter
variations in operating results, announcements of technological
innovations or new products by us or our competitors, general
conditions in the semiconductor manufacturing and electronic
markets, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, or other
events or factors. In addition, the public stock markets have
experienced extreme price and trading volume volatility in
recent months. This volatility has significantly affected the
market prices of securities of many technology companies for
reasons frequently unrelated to the operating performance of the
specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may
adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
|
|
Item 1B.
|
Unresolved
Staff Comments:
|
Not Applicable
17
Our corporate office is located in Milpitas, California.
Information regarding our principal plants and properties as of
December 30, 2006 appears below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approximate
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
|
|
|
|
|
Facility Size
|
|
|
Owned or
|
|
Expiration
|
Location
|
|
Description
|
|
(Square Feet)
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
Date
|
|
Milpitas, CA
|
|
Manufacturing/Design
Center/General Office
|
|
|
95,700
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
3/20/2011
|
Billerica, MA
|
|
Design Center/General Office
|
|
|
64,260
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
1/30/2008
|
Zaventem, Belgium
|
|
Design Center/General Office
|
|
|
6,660
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
2/28/2012
|
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
|
|
Warehouse
|
|
|
3,430
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
6-month
notice
|
Pointe-Claire, Ontario, Canada
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
3,200
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
1/31/2008
|
Munich, Germany
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
2,740
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
3/31/2010
|
Taipei, Taiwan
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
2,600
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
3/31/2008
|
Tokyo, Japan
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
1/31/2009
|
Shanghai, China
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
1,670
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
11/19/2007
|
Shenzhen, China
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
1,310
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
4/25/2007
|
Beijing, China
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
1,180
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
9/10/2008
|
Seoul, South Korea
|
|
General Office
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
5/29/2008
|
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
|
Design Center
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
Leased
|
|
4/30/2010
|
We believe that our existing facilities adequately serve our
current needs. We have sublet a portion of the facility located
in Billerica, Massachusetts.
|
|
Item 3.
|
Legal
Proceedings:
|
See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements for
the discussion of legal proceedings.
|
|
Item 4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:
|
The Company held an Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
November 30, 2006 and a Special Meeting of Stockholders on
January 30, 2006. The record date was October 2, 2006
and December 14, 2006, respectively, for the Annual Meeting
and the Special Meeting of Stockholders. The number of shares
issued, outstanding and eligible to vote as of the record date
was 35,585,148 and 35,785,885, for the Annual Meeting and the
Special Meeting of Stockholders, respectively. The reverse stock
split was not effective until February 23, 2007. This means
that the following voting results reflect pre-reverse stock
split security holder figures.
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Sipex, the following
numbers of votes were cast for the matters indicated:
1. The proposal of amending the Companys Certificate
of Incorporation to effect a
one-for-three
Reverse Stock Split of the outstanding shares of Sipexs
Common Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
|
30,598,039
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
|
530,425
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
35,381
|
|
2. The proposal of amending the Companys Certificate
of Incorporation to reset the classes of members of the Board of
Directors:
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
|
20,177,247
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
|
1,867,919
|
|
ABSTAINT
|
|
|
176,941
|
|
NON-VOTES
|
|
|
8,941,738
|
|
18
3A. The proposal of election of Directors if Proposal 2 is
approved by the Stockholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
|
|
For
|
|
|
Withheld
|
|
|
Thomas Redfern
Class I
|
|
|
29,313,796
|
|
|
|
1,850,049
|
|
John Arnold
Class I
|
|
|
29,309,296
|
|
|
|
1,854,549
|
|
Ralph Schmitt
Class II
|
|
|
29,394,529
|
|
|
|
1,769,316
|
|
Brian Hilton
Class II
|
|
|
29,398,396
|
|
|
|
1,765,449
|
|
Dan Casey
Class III
|
|
|
29,394,129
|
|
|
|
1,769,716
|
|
Pierre Guilbault
Class III
|
|
|
29,309,529
|
|
|
|
1,854,316
|
|
Alan Krock
Class III
|
|
|
29,412,254
|
|
|
|
1,751,591
|
|
3B. The proposal of election of Directors if Proposal 2 is
not approved by the Stockholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
|
|
For
|
|
|
Withheld
|
|
|
Brian Hilton
Class II
|
|
|
29,398,396
|
|
|
|
1,765,449
|
|
John Arnold
Class II
|
|
|
29,309,296
|
|
|
|
1,854,549
|
|
Pierre Guilbault
Class II
|
|
|
29,309,529
|
|
|
|
1,854,316
|
|
Alan Krock
Class III
|
|
|
29,412,254
|
|
|
|
1,751,591
|
|
Ralph Schmitt
Class III
|
|
|
29,394,529
|
|
|
|
1,769,316
|
|
4. The proposal of ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as our Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm from the fiscal year ending
December 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
|
30,987,377
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
|
167,071
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
9,397
|
|
5. The proposal of approval the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
|
20,096,503
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
|
2,107,202
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
18,402
|
|
NON-VOTES
|
|
|
8,941,738
|
|
As a result of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Sipex, the proposals under items 1, 2,
3A, 4 and 5 listed above were approved by our stockholders.
Given that the proposal under item 3A was approved,
stockholders action on the proposal under item 3B had
no practical effects.
At the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Sipex, the following
numbers of votes were cast for the matter indicated:
1. To approve the grant of discretionary authority to the
Board of Directors to amend the Companys amended and
restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock
split for the Companys issued common stock at any time
prior to March 30, 2007, at one of the following ratios
(the exact ratio to be determined by the Board of Directors);
one share for one and one-half shares, one share for two shares,
or one share for two and one-half shares.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
|
27,793,948
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
|
275,229
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
55,779
|
|
As a result of the votes cast at the Special Meeting of
Stockholders of Sipex, this proposal was approved by our
stockholders.
19
Executive
Officers of Sipex
Information relating to the executive officers of Sipex is set
forth below. All officers held office as of December 30,
2006, except as noted.
|
|
|
Name, Age & Position
|
|
Business Experience
|
|
Ralph Schmitt
Age 46
Chief Executive Officer and
Director
|
|
Mr. Schmitt joined Sipex in June
2005 as chief executive officer and member of the board of
directors. Mr. Schmitt received his BSEE from Rutgers
University and began his career as a computer and communications
system hardware designer. Prior to joining Sipex,
Mr. Schmitt was the vice president of sales and marketing
at Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. Mr. Schmitt had also
served on the boards of Cypress subsidiaries, Silicon Light
Machines and Cypress Microsystems, and on the board of Azanda
Networks. He also currently serves on the board of StarGen,
Inc., a privately held company.
|
Clyde R. Wallin
Age 53
Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President of Finance
|
|
Mr. Wallin joined Sipex in April
2004 as chief financial officer and senior vice president of
Finance. Previously, from October 2002 to April 2004,
Mr. Wallin served as chief financial offers of iWatt, Inc.,
a private analog semiconductor company. Prior to iWatt, from
September 2000 to October 2002, Mr. Wallin was the chief
financial officer for Kendin Communications, which was acquired
by Micrel, Inc., and after this acquisition Mr. Wallin
continued with Micrel, Inc. Mr. Wallin earned a Bachelors
of Science in Economics from the University of Oregon and an MBA
in Finance from the University of Chicago.
|
Rick C. Hawron
Age 52
Senior Vice President
Worldwide Sales
|
|
Mr. Hawron joined Sipex in
February 2004 and left Sipex in January 2007 as senior vice
president of worldwide sales. Prior to joining Sipex,
Mr. Hawron was the corporate vice president at Future
Electronics Inc. Mr. Hawron was employed by Future
Electronics Inc. for 27 years in various capacities around
the globe, including vice president and managing director for
Europe.
|
Ed Lam Age 46
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Business Development
|
|
Mr. Lam is senior vice president
of marketing and business development. He joined Sipex in
September 2005, and has over 20 years of analog
semiconductor industry experience with National Semiconductor
Corporation. Mr. Lam earned his BSEE from
San Francisco State University.
|
Joel Camarda
Age 58
Senior Vice President of Operations
|
|
Mr. Camarda joined Sipex in
November 2005 as senior vice president of operations.
Mr. Camarda started his career as a senior Manufacturing
engineer for National Semiconductor Corporation and later worked
for companies including Rockwell and Cypress Semiconductor
Corporation. Mr. Camarda has over 30 years of
semiconductor industry experience. Prior to joining Sipex,
Mr. Camarda worked for Kulicke & Soffa (K&S)
Industries, where he served as the vice president of operations
for their test products division. Prior to K&S, he worked
for Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. Mr. Camarda earned his
BS in Engineering from New York Universitys School of
Engineering.
|
20
|
|
|
Name, Age & Position
|
|
Business Experience
|
|
Lee Cleveland
Age 44
Senior Vice President of Engineering
|
|
Mr. Cleveland joined Sipex in
September of 2003. Mr. Cleveland was promoted to senior
vice president of engineering, effective October 1, 2005.
Mr. Cleveland has held various technical and management
positions at AMD and Sipex. Mr. Cleveland graduated from UC
Berkeley with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
|
PART II
|
|
Item 5.
|
Market
for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
|
Delisting
from the Nasdaq Global Market
From April 2, 1996, the date of our initial public
offering, our common stock was available for quotation on the
Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SIPX.
On April 5, 2005, we received a Staff Determination notice
from the Nasdaq Global Market stating that we were not in
compliance with Nasdaqs Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14)
because we had not yet filed the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended January 1, 2005. The notice stated that
our securities would be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Market
at the opening of business on April 14, 2005. On
May 17, 2005, we received a Staff Determination notice from
the Nasdaq Global Market stating we were not in compliance with
Nasdaqs Marketplace Rule 4310(c) (14) because we
had not yet filed the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2005 and that the
Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (the Panel)
would consider the filing delinquency in rendering a
determination regarding the continued listing on the Nasdaq
Global Market. We addressed the issues related to the delays in
filing our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended April 2, 2005 and Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended January 1, 2005 and our request for
continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market, at an oral
hearing before the Panel on May 19, 2005.
On June 23, 2005, we were delisted from the Nasdaq Global
Market. On February 22, 2007, we announced a
1-for-2
reverse stock split effective February 23, 2007.
Sipexs trading symbol was changed to SXCP
effective March 1, 2007. The quotation of our common stock
currently appears on the Pink Sheets, an electronic quotation
system with a trading symbol SXCP where market
makers and brokers can submit bid and ask prices on a daily
basis.
On December 7, 2006, we announced that we had filed an
application for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. On
March 22, 2007, we attended a hearing before the Nasdaq
Hearing Department regarding our application for listing and are
currently awaiting a decision from the Nasdaq Global Market. We
cannot provide assurance that our common stock will continue to
be eligible for trading or quotation on this or any alternative
exchanges or markets.
The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the
high and low closing sale prices per share as reported on the
Nasdaq Global Market or on the Pink Sheets for the periods:
Quarterly
Stock Market Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 30,
|
|
|
Sept. 30,
|
|
|
July 1,
|
|
|
April 1,
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Stock price range per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
$
|
9.62
|
|
|
$
|
7.10
|
|
|
$
|
6.90
|
|
|
$
|
6.00
|
|
Low
|
|
|
6.36
|
|
|
|
5.50
|
|
|
|
5.36
|
|
|
|
3.22
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Oct. 1,
|
|
|
July 2,
|
|
|
April 2,
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Stock price range per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
$
|
3.90
|
|
|
$
|
4.96
|
|
|
$
|
4.28
|
|
|
$
|
9.00
|
|
Low
|
|
|
2.58
|
|
|
|
3.30
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
|
|
|
4.02
|
|
As of December 30, 2006, there were 61 stockholders of
record. We believe that as of December 30, 2006, the number
of beneficial holders of common stock exceeded 2,800. The last
reported sale price of the common stock on March 26, 2007
was $8.58 per share, as quoted on the Pink Sheets
electronic trading market. We have never declared or paid a cash
dividend on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all
of our earnings to finance future growth and, therefore, do not
anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the
foreseeable future. In addition, our bank and the holders of our
5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes Due 2026 have imposed
dividend restriction on us.
The information required by Item 201(d) is incorporated by
reference from Sipexs definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, under the
caption Equity Compensation Plan Information.
The following performance graph compares the percentage change
in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Companys
Common Stock during the five year periods from December 2001
through December 2006, with the cumulative total return on
(i) the S&P 500 Semiconductors Index and (ii) the
Nasdaq Composite Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested
on December 31, 2001 in the Companys Common Stock,
the S&P 500 Semiconductors Index and the Nasdaq Composite
Index and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any.
CUMULATIVE
TOTAL RETURN
Based upon an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2001
with dividends reinvested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indexed Returns Years Ending
|
|
|
|
Base Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company/Index
|
|
Dec-01
|
|
|
Dec-02
|
|
|
Dec-03
|
|
|
Dec-04
|
|
|
Dec-05
|
|
|
Dec-06
|
|
Sipex
Corp.
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
29
|
|
|
$
|
60
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
|
$
|
12
|
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
NASDAQ Composite
Index
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
72
|
|
|
$
|
107
|
|
|
$
|
117
|
|
|
$
|
121
|
|
|
$
|
137
|
|
S&P 500 Semiconductors
Index
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
$
|
49
|
|
|
$
|
96
|
|
|
$
|
76
|
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
During February 2004, Alonim Investments Inc., or Alonim, one of
the affiliates of Future, exercised rights to convert promissory
notes from us into our common stock for 2.3 million shares,
which have not been registered with the SEC (See Note 2 to
our consolidated financial statements for Related Parties).
Likewise, on August 5, 2004, Alonim exercised an
outstanding warrant to purchase 450,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $5.8916 per share for a
total of $2,651,000. These transactions were conducted pursuant
to certain private placement exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. In connection with the
warrant exercise, we also agreed to modify certain standstill
restrictions on the affiliates of Future to enable them to hold
the lesser of (i) 49% of our issued and outstanding voting
capital stock and (ii) 42.5% of our issued and outstanding
voting capital stock, measured on a Fully Diluted
Basis, as defined using the following equation: The
numerator includes all voting capital stock and securities
convertible into or exercisable for voting capital stock held by
the affiliates of Future and the denominator is the greater of
(i) all shares of our voting capital stock outstanding or
issuable upon the exercise or conversion of vested securities
convertible into or exercisable for voting capital stock and
(ii) 20,000,000 (as adjusted for stock dividends, splits or
like transactions). We used the proceeds from these transactions
to help finance our working capital needs. In addition, on
August 9, 2004, Alonim purchased 1.25 million shares
of our common stock on the open market.
On January 19, 2006, we completed a $7.0 million
private loan transaction in which we issued a 9% secured note
with convertible interest due January 19, 2008 to Rodfre,
an affiliate of Future. The issuance of the note was not
registered under the Securities Act and was issued in a private
placement. The note was secured by a deed of trust on our
headquarters property located in Milpitas, California. During
March 2006, we sold our Milpitas property to Mission West
Properties for $13.4 million and used a portion of the
proceeds from that transaction to pay off and terminate this
note.
On May 16, 2006, we placed $30.0 million of 5.5%
Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026, or the 2006 Notes,
in a private placement. Rodfre, an affiliate of Alonim and of
Future, purchased 50% of the 2006 Notes, or $15.0 million
aggregate principal amount, sold in this offering. The remainder
of the 2006 Notes was purchased by other accredited investors.
We have used the net proceeds of $28.7 million from the
private placement for general corporate purposes. The 2006 Notes
are convertible into common stock at any time at a fixed
conversion price of $5.36 per share. If fully converted,
the principal amount of the 2006 Notes would convert into
approximately 5,597,015 shares of our common stock. In
conjunction with the issuance of the 2006 Notes, we issued
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 839,552 shares of our
common stock to the investors. Each warrant is exercisable for
one share of Sipexs common stock at an initial exercise
price of $6.432 per share. On December 21, 2006,
Rodfre exercised its warrant to purchase 419,776 shares of
our common stock in cash at $6.432 per share. As of
December 30, 2006, the affiliates of Future held
8.6 million shares, or 47% of our outstanding capital stock.
A more detailed description of the terms of the 2006 Notes is
provided in our
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on May 22, 2006.
23
|
|
Item 6.
|
Selected
Financial Data:
|
Selected financial data for the last five years appear below (in
thousands, except per-share, ratio and percentage data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
|
|
Operating Results:
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
78,750
|
|
|
$
|
72,674
|
|
|
$
|
75,453
|
|
|
$
|
36,535
|
**
|
|
$
|
66,260
|
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
9,351
|
|
|
|
13,749
|
|
|
|
11,796
|
|
|
|
(9,068
|
)**
|
|
|
(8,488
|
)
|
As a % of net sales
|
|
|
11.9
|
%
|
|
|
18.9
|
%
|
|
|
15.6
|
%
|
|
|
(24.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(12.8
|
)%
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
9,410
|
|
|
|
10,952
|
|
|
|
6,559
|
|
|
|
7,587
|
|
|
|
7,675
|
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
17,332
|
|
|
|
17,248
|
|
|
|
14,710
|
|
|
|
13,252
|
|
|
|
12,944
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(38,866
|
)
|
|
|
(38,515
|
)
|
|
|
(23,066
|
)
|
|
|
(38,495
|
)
|
|
|
(47,455
|
)
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(41,109
|
)
|
|
|
(37,915
|
)
|
|
|
(22,881
|
)
|
|
|
(39,489
|
)
|
|
|
(47,542
|
)
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(41,234
|
)
|
|
|
(38,107
|
)
|
|
|
(22,748
|
)
|
|
|
(39,807
|
)
|
|
|
(79,276
|
)
|
As a % of net sales
|
|
|
(52.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(52.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(30.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(109.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(119.6
|
)%
|
Net loss per common
share basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(2.32
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.14
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.38
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.82
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5.84
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
13,041
|
|
|
$
|
1,969
|
|
|
$
|
15,523
|
|
|
$
|
18,338
|
|
|
$
|
6,489
|
|
Short-term investment securities
|
|
|
2,388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
2,994
|
|
|
|
9,980
|
|
Restricted cash equivalents and
securities
|
|
|
407
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,838
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
59,549
|
|
|
|
50,442
|
|
|
|
88,066
|
|
|
|
101,296
|
|
|
|
98,786
|
*
|
Long-term obligations
|
|
|
39,474
|
|
|
|
621
|
|
|
|
1,294
|
|
|
|
21,929
|
|
|
|
10,455
|
|
Working capital (deficit)
|
|
|
11,977
|
|
|
|
(3,385
|
)
|
|
|
14,346
|
|
|
|
24,468
|
|
|
|
27,775
|
|
Current ratio
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
3,799
|
|
|
|
878
|
|
|
|
1,921
|
|
|
|
2,024
|
|
|
|
4,108
|
|
Stockholders equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(8,125
|
)
|
|
|
22,521
|
|
|
|
60,080
|
|
|
|
54,233
|
|
|
|
74,520
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
The 2002 decrease in total assets was mainly due to the
establishment of a 100% valuation allowance of
$31.9 million for deferred tax assets, the disposition of
machinery and equipment with a net book value of
$6.7 million and a $3.0 million write-off of goodwill. |
|
** |
|
The decrease in net sales and increase in gross loss in 2003
were primarily due to non-cash charges as a reduction to sales
of $14.1 million in 2003 reflecting the fair value of
conversion rights related to the 2003 convertible note issued to
Future, a related party, and $12.6 million initial impact
for the revenue values of our products in the distribution
channel upon conversion to sell-through accounting. |
|
|
Item 7.
|
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations:
|
The following discussion should be read together with our
consolidated financial statements and the related notes
contained elsewhere in this annual report on
Form 10-K.
Significant
Developments
In December 2006, we announced a workforce reduction plan that
was implemented in response to our transitioning to a fabless
semiconductor company, de-emphasizing optical products, reducing
dependency on commodity products and with the goal of improving
our cost structure. As a result, we recorded total restructuring
costs of $1.1 million related to employee severance
compensation, including $0.1 million for vesting
acceleration of stock options in lieu of a severance payment for
a senior executive officer. Of the $1.1 million,
$0.1 million was paid during December 2006. Our current
business plans focus our product development and marketing
programs toward a greater emphasis on our power management and
interface products as we believe these products align greater
development synergies and provide greater opportunities for
growth and profitability in contrast to other areas such as our
optical products.
On September 20, 2006, we announced that we had received a
notification from the Staff of the SEC that the investigation
into matters related to our historical financial reports and
revenue recognition practices had been terminated, and no
enforcement had been recommended to the SEC with respect to the
Company.
24
On September 8, 2006, we announced the appointment of
Pierre Guilbault, Dan Casey, both members of the senior
management team of Future, an affiliate of our largest
stockholder, and Alan Krock, CFO of PMC Sierra, to our board of
directors.
Based upon our plans initially announced in the third quarter of
2005, in early October of 2006, we completed the shut down of
our Milpitas wafer fabrication operations. The products that we
formerly manufactured at the Milpitas fab are now manufactured
by our wafer fab partner Silan and a wafer fab operated by
Episil. We anticipate the financial impact of this transition
will require multiple quarters to be realized in our operating
results as we sell through higher cost inventory manufactured at
our Milpitas fab. The conversion to a fully fabless
manufacturing model along with the use of third-party foundries
should enable us to minimize fixed costs and capital
expenditures while providing access to diverse manufacturing
technologies without bearing the full risk of the obsolescence
of such technologies.
In conjunction with our previously announced internal
investigation and restatement (as described in our annual
reports on
Forms 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2005), we were not in
compliance with Nasdaqs Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14)
because we did not timely file the annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended January 1, 2005 and quarterly report on
Form 10-Q
for the three months ended April 2, 2005. On June 21,
2005, a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel, or the Panel,
notified us that the Panel had denied our request for continued
inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market. Our common stock was
delisted from the Nasdaq Global Market effective with the
beginning of trading on June 23, 2005.
On August 17, 2006, we announced the completion of our
restatement of our financial statements for the fiscal year 2003
and related fiscal quarters of 2003 as well as completing the
restatement of the first three quarters of 2004. In addition, we
filed our 2004 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
and 2005 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
along with our 2005 Quarterly Reports on
Forms 10-Q.
On September 21, 2006, we filed our
Forms 10-Q
Quarterly Reports with the SEC for the first and second quarters
of 2006. Together with these reports, along with our
Form 10-K/A
and
Form 10-K
for 2005, our
Form 10-K
for 2004 and our
Forms 10-Q
for 2005, we became current with our periodic SEC reporting
requirements.
Business
Overview
We design, manufacture and market, high performance, analog ICs
that are used primarily by OEMs, operating in the computing,
consumer, communications and networking infrastructure markets.
Some of the end product applications that contain our ICs are
cellular phones, base stations, computers, DVD players, and
digital cameras. Our products fall into three major product
families: power management, interface and optical storage.
We focus on several key areas to drive operating and financial
performance, including product mix, new product introductions,
cost reductions, manufacturing yield improvements and
productivity. All of these key areas are interrelated and
important in achieving improved gross margin.
Product mix between our three product families and the sale of
new products within each of our product families can
significantly impact overall gross margin. Power management
product margins have a wide range depending on the mix of sales
within this product family. The very high volume commodity
products sold into the Asian market, such as power regulators,
typically have lower product margins. By contrast, our advanced
power management product offerings, such as white LED (light
emitting diode) drivers, and our Power
Bloxtm
family, are newer products, and contribute typically higher
product margins. Many Interface products are commodity products
as well, but overall the product family typically has more
moderate margins, because of our higher margin multi-protocol
interface products and our newer low-voltage interface products.
Optical storage product margins are typically within range of
our average product margin. The products in this family are
typically proprietary, but alternative suppliers have introduced
competitive solutions.
Capacity utilization of our wafer fabrication facility in
Milpitas, California was historically an important factor in
driving gross margin improvement. In the past, a large portion
of our fabrication cost structure was fixed, such as
depreciation and payroll expense for process engineering and
manufacturing support, and this structure provided for lower per
unit costs as the volume of completed wafers increased. In the
third quarter of 2005, we decided to outsource all of our wafer
fabrication operations and in October 2006, we completed the
shut-down of our Milpitas,
25
California wafer fabrication facility. We believe that this
transition to an outsourced or fabless manufacturing
model will improve the overall margins of our interface and
certain of our commodity market power management products which
we historically manufactured at the Milpitas facility. However,
because of this transition away from a fixed cost structure in a
captive wafer fab, we may not recognize the same decrease in per
unit manufacturing costs as production volumes increase.
Cost reductions and productivity improvements are required in
order to remain competitive in our marketplace. Cost reductions
are achieved in several ways, such as re-designing the products
to shrink the size of the die providing
more individual products per wafer produced. This generates
increased output without adding significant incremental cost.
Other cost reductions and productivity improvements come through
product assembly and test yield improvements and test time
reductions.
New product introductions represent a key driver of
opportunities to improve our product margins. New products are
typically proprietary in nature and therefore command a stronger
market position and we typically have higher product margins. In
2006, we introduced 69 new products, 15 of which were
proprietary in nature. We continuously strive to improve our
product mix toward higher margin products by eliminating older
legacy products and by focusing on increasing sales of our newer
products introduced in our three core product families. Net
sales of our three core product families were
$78.7 million, $72.1 million, and $74.7 million
in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Net sales attributed to
legacy products were $0.1 million, $0.6 million, and
$0.8 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Our wafer fabrication operation in Milpitas produced
approximately 45%, 84% and 81% of our wafer requirements in
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our wafer fabrication
utilization in Milpitas was 58%, 56%, and 62% in 2006, 2005 and
2004, respectively. Wafer production declined by 20%, 12% and
10% in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as compared to each
prior year.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations are based on our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. The preparation of these financial statements requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing
basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those significant
estimates that are particularly susceptible to change, which
include revenue recognition, inventory valuation, restructurings
and impairments, and income taxes. We base our estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be
no assurance that actual results will not differ from those
estimates.
We have identified the accounting policies below as the policies
most critical to our business operations and the understanding
of our results of operations. The impact and any associated
risks related to these policies on our business operations is
discussed throughout Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations where such
policies affect our reported and expected financial results.
Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue in
accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
104, Revenue Recognition. SAB 104 requires that
four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be
recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered;
(3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and
(4) collectibility is reasonably assured.
Prior to January 1, 2004, we entered into arrangements that
were not within the original contractual distributor agreements
in that we allowed return rights and other concessions beyond
the levels provided in the distributor agreements. As a result,
our management concluded it is unable to reasonably estimate
sales returns for arrangements with its distributors;
accordingly, effective January 1, 2003, sales and related
cost of sales on shipments to distributors are deferred until
the resale to the end customer.
Sales to Future are made under an agreement that provides
protection against price reductions of Sipexs products in
Futures inventory. In addition, Future has stock rotation
rights. Pursuant to these stock rotation rights,
26
Future is permitted on a quarterly basis to return for credit up
to 5% of its total purchases during the most recent three-month
period (reduced from 10%, effective April 1, 2006). In
addition, effective April 1, 2006, Future is permitted a
quarterly scrap allowance credit against accounts receivable for
up to 2% of the most recent three-month purchases when they
provide evidence of destruction of inventory of Sipex products
up to this quarterly amount. As the price of products sold to
Future is not fixed or determinable until resold by Future to
the end customer, Sipex is using sell-through revenue accounting
and deferring recognition of such sales and related cost of
goods sold until the product is sold by Future to its customers.
Under sell-through revenue accounting, accounts receivable are
recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the
distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon
shipment; at which point we have a legally enforceable right to
collection under normal terms. The associated sales and cost of
sales are deferred by recording deferred income
(gross profit margin on these sales) as shown on the face of the
consolidated balance sheet. When the related product is sold by
our distributors to their end customers, we recognize previously
deferred income as sales and cost of sales.
For non-distributor customers, we recognize revenue when title
to the product is transferred to the customers, which occurs
upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the
customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales
arrangement exists, the price is fixed and determinable, title
has transferred, collection of the resulting receivables is
reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance
requirements, and there are no remaining significant
obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for
non-distributor customers are provided for at the time product
sales are recognized. An allowance for sales returns and
allowances for customers is recorded based on historical
experience or specific identification of an event necessitating
an allowance.
From time to time, we develop custom products for various
customers under engineering service contracts culminating in
delivery of known functional development samples. We recognize
revenue under these agreements upon delivery of known functional
development samples as delivery of such represents the
culmination of utility of the contract to the customer and
agreed to milestones. We recognize the costs as incurred
associated with these contracts and present such costs as
research and development expenses due to the uncertain nature of
the development efforts until delivery of the known functional
development samples. Certain of these engineering service
contracts include payments in advance of delivery of known
functional development samples. These payments are recorded in
deferred income, other, until the time of delivery of the
functional samples.
Valuation of Inventories. Sipex writes down
the value of its inventories for estimated excess quantities,
obsolescence,
and/or
marketability deficiencies. In addition, we write down inventory
costs to the lower of cost or market which becomes the new cost
basis. Excess and obsolete inventories are determined by
comparing current inventory quantities to current backlog,
anticipated future demand and shipment history. We also evaluate
the net realizable value of inventories to be acquired under
purchase commitments with our wafer foundries. If such
inventories are also considered to be excess when compared to
future demand, we record reserves and charges to cost of sales
for these purchase commitments. Lower of cost or market
adjustments are determined by reviewing shipments during the
quarter as well as quarter beginning backlog and comparing
standard cost to anticipated market pricing. In estimating
anticipated market pricing, we also consider current market
conditions, industry performance, distributor inventory levels
and sales to end-users and other relevant factors. If actual
market conditions become less favorable than those anticipated
by management, additional write-downs of inventories may be
required in the future. Inventories, which had previously been
written down to zero, with an original cost of
$1.4 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million, were
sold in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company recorded
inventory write-downs for excess and obsolete inventories of
$5.0 million, $5.0 million and $8.6 million,
during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, during
2006, the Company recorded $1.4 million of charges to cost
of sales for purchase commitments for excess inventories.
Restructuring and Fixed Asset Impairment. The
determination of the estimated restructuring accrual and
impairment requires significant management judgment. To estimate
the restructuring accrual, we prepare a plan that includes the
number of employees to be terminated and the related severance
cost, the amount of impairment for certain fixed assets, the
termination costs of certain leases and the related actions
required to execute the plan. It is possible that future events
such as voluntary employee terminations, sublease agreements or
a shift in the timing of the execution of the plan could result
in significant changes to the original estimate.
27
We account for restructuring charges in accordance with
SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities, which requires companies
to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities
when they are incurred rather than at the date of commitment to
an exit or disposal plan. The restructuring reserve represents
the present value of future lease payments subsequent to
abandonment less any estimated sublease income net of associated
costs. However, due to the uncertainty of collectibility, our
sublease income is recorded on a cash basis.
In December 2006, our board of directors approved a plan to
reduce the workforce by approximately 75 positions. This
reduction was part of a strategic restructuring plan implemented
in response to our transition to a fabless semiconductor company
and in an effort to de-emphasize optical products, reduce
dependency on our commodity products and with a goal to improve
cost structure. As a result, we recognized restructuring charges
of approximately $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006
related to this plan representing severance costs for the
reduction in our workforce.
We review long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles
for impairment in accordance with the guidelines of
SFAS No. 144 Accounting for Impairment of
Disposal of Long Lived Assets whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and
used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an
asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be
generated by the asset. If impairment is indicated, the
impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which
the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the
asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the
carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. In estimating
future net cash flows, management makes certain assumptions
including future sales levels, gross profit margins and expense
levels and proceeds from disposition. The future net cash flows
can vary from original management estimates due to unforeseen
circumstances that may result in additional impairment charges
required to be recognized in the income statement.
In the second quarter of 2005, we tested our wafer fabrication
asset grouping, for which cash flows from the wafer fabrication
operations provide the lowest level of cash flows that are
largely independent of the cash flows of our other assets and
liabilities, for recoverability in accordance with
SFAS No. 144 given that an appraisal indicated the
carrying amount of the asset grouping may not be recoverable. An
impairment loss of $9.4 million was recognized,
representing the difference between the carrying value and the
fair value of the wafer fabrication asset grouping which
management determined with the assistance of an independent
appraisal firm.
In August 2005, our board of directors approved terminating the
wafer fabrication operations and the sale of the related assets.
Also in August 2005, we identified a potential buyer, Silan, who
would purchase, take title to and be trained to use a
substantial portion of our wafer fabrication asset grouping by
the end of the third quarter of 2006. Accordingly, we continued
to use the wafer fabrication assets until September 2006 and
recorded depreciation expense based on the estimated remaining
useful life at the time of impairment.
In September 2005, we tested our Milpitas corporate headquarters
facility given an appraisal indicated that the carrying amount
might not be recoverable. Our headquarters facility housed the
wafer fabrication operations as well as the sales and marketing
department, the research and development department and the
corporate administration functions. Our Milpitas corporate
headquarters facility does not have identifiable cash flows that
are largely independent of our cash flows of other assets and
liabilities. Accordingly, our Milpitas corporate headquarters
facility, which includes all assets located at the Milpitas
facility except for the wafer fabrication asset grouping, is
included in the asset grouping which includes all of our assets
and liabilities. No impairment loss was recognized given the
carrying value of all of our assets and liabilities was less
than the fair value, determined based on the quoted market value
of Sipex.
Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry
forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
statutory tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings
in the period that includes the enactment date.
28
In assessing the net realizable value of deferred tax assets,
management considers whether it is more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during
the periods in which those temporary differences become taxable.
Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax
liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning
strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of
historical taxable income and projections for future taxable
income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets were
deductible, management assessed that it is more likely than not
that the deferred tax assets at December 30, 2006 will not
be realized in the future. Therefore, we maintained a full
valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.
Results
of Operations
For the periods indicated, the following table sets forth the
percentages of net sales represented by the respective line
items in our consolidated statements of operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
88.1
|
|
|
|
81.1
|
|
|
|
84.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
11.9
|
|
|
|
18.9
|
|
|
|
15.6
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
22.0
|
|
|
|
23.7
|
|
|
|
19.5
|
|
Marketing and selling
|
|
|
19.7
|
|
|
|
14.6
|
|
|
|
11.4
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
17.1
|
|
|
|
19.8
|
|
|
|
13.0
|
|
Restructuring and impairment
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
13.8
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
61.2
|
|
|
|
71.9
|
|
|
|
46.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(49.3
|
)
|
|
|
(53.0
|
)
|
|
|
(30.6
|
)
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(2.9
|
)
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(52.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(52.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(30.3
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 30, 2006 compared to Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2005
Net Sales. The table in Note 16 to our
consolidated financial statements shows details of our net sales
by product family and geographic location for 2006, 2005 and
2004.
Net sales increased by 8.4% to $78.8 million for the year
ended December 30, 2006, as compared to $72.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in net
sales was due to a $6.1 million increase in net sales for
the interface product family, and a $3.8 million increase
in net sales for the power management product family, partially
offset by a $3.3 million decline in net sales for the
optical storage product family. The increase in net sales for
the interface product family was driven by an increase in unit
volume shipments, partially offset by a decline in average
selling prices for this product family. The decline in average
selling prices was driven by pricing pressures in the commodity
related interface products. The increase in unit volume
shipments was driven by gains in market share in this product
category. The increase in net sales for the power management
product family was driven by an increase in average selling
prices as our mix of product sales shifted toward higher value
proprietary products away from commodity power management
products. The decline in net sales of our optical product family
was driven by a reduction in unit volume shipments as certain
product programs approached the end of their product life cycles.
Geographically during 2006, international net sales were
$62.7 million or 80% of total net sales, as compared to
$58.0 million or 80% in 2005. In 2006, sales in Japan
declined by $4.7 million or 28%. This decline was
principally driven by a decline in the optical storage product
family. In Asia, other than Japan, net sales increased by
$9.0 million or 35% related to growth in the interface and
power management product families. Net sales in Europe
29
and the rest of the world increased by $0.4 million or 2%,
in 2006. Domestic net sales increased by $1.4 million or 9%
in 2006.
Gross Profit (Loss). Gross profit decreased to
$9.4 million in 2006 or 12% of net sales, as compared to
$13.7 million or 19% in 2005. The reduction in gross profit
was partially driven by a decline in standard gross profit due
to a mix shift toward higher volumes of lower margin commodity
products resulting in approximately $1.5 million of gross
profit reduction. The gross profit was further reduced by
approximately $2.9 million of added manufacturing yield and
price variances as well as additional inventory write-downs,
purchase commitments on excess inventories and warranty reserves
of $1.4 million. These additional costs were partially
offset by $1.0 million of lower manufacturing overhead
spending variances and a $0.5 million recovery of
previously paid royalty costs.
Research and Development. Research and
development expenses in 2006 were $17.3 million compared to
$17.2 million in 2005. The increase of $0.1 million
was primarily due to increased stock-based compensation expenses
of $1.2 million (due to the adoption of SFAS 123R,
effective January 1, 2006) along with higher salaries,
benefits and employee travel costs of approximately $283,000 and
higher spending on design automation software licenses of
approximately $262,000. These higher costs were partially offset
by reduced spending on prototype wafers and product development
costs of approximately $650,000, an approximately $494,000
reduction in facilities costs, an approximately $324,000
reduction in outside design services costs and an approximately
$200,000 reduction in depreciation expenses. As a percentage of
net sales, research and development costs were 22.0% in 2006
compared to 23.7% in the prior year. This percentage reduction
was due to the increase in net sales in 2006. We anticipate that
research and development spending will decline in 2007, as we
focus our research and development efforts in the power
management and interface product families.
Marketing and Selling. Marketing and selling
expenses were $15.5 million in 2006 compared to
$10.6 million in 2005. The increase of $4.9 million
was primarily due to increased headcount resulting in higher
salary and benefits costs of approximately $2,960,000, along
with approximately $816,000 for stock-based compensation
expenses (due to the adoption of SFAS 123R, effective
January 1, 2006). In addition, the increased sales and
marketing headcount resulted in an approximately $501,000
increase in travel costs. Finally, the increase in net sales
drove an approximately $385,000 increase in sales commissions
paid to independent sales representatives. These increases were
primarily due to increased sales and marketing efforts to grow
our net sales. Marketing and selling expenses were 19.7% of net
sales in 2006 compared to 14.6% of net sales in 2005. This
percentage increase was primarily driven by marketing and
selling expenses increasing at a higher percentage rate than the
increase in the net sales growth rate in 2006 along with the
increase in expenses. We anticipate that marketing and selling
expenses will decline in 2007, as we focus our efforts in the
power management and interface product families.
General and Administrative. General and
administrative expenses were $13.5 million in 2006 compared
to $14.4 million in 2005 or a decrease of
$0.9 million. This decrease was principally due to a
reduction in legal fees of approximately $1,706,000 associated
with the completion of the internal investigation and resolution
of related litigation, a reduction in audit and consulting fees
of approximately $994,000 related to the completion of the
financial restatement process filing our financial reports with
the SEC, and a reduction in bad debt expense of approximately
$340,000 associated with the collection of amounts previously
reserved as bad debts. These expense reductions were partially
offset by the inclusion of stock-based compensation expense of
approximately $1,266,000 (due to the adoption of SFAS 123R,
effective January 1, 2006) and higher salary and
benefits costs of approximately $1.0 million. General and
administrative expenses were 17.1% of net sales in 2006 compared
to 19.8% of net sales in 2005. This percentage decrease was
primarily driven by the reduction in these expenses along with
an increase in net sales in 2006. We anticipate that general and
administrative expenses will decline in 2007.
Restructuring and Fixed Asset
Impairment. During the year ended
December 30, 2006, we incurred additional restructuring
costs of $677,000 that related to employee retention payments
for the closure of the wafer fabrication operations located in
Milpitas, California, announced in August 2005. For employee
costs, we utilized $1.4 million and recognized an accrual
expense adjustment of $54,000. We recognized approximately
$200,000 in expense for contract termination in the fourth
quarter of 2006 associated with gas usage and service agreements
with a vendor. For facility costs related to the Milpitas wafer
fabrication closure, restructuring charges utilized during 2006
totaling $91,000 was for facility decontamination. Additionally,
the Company incurred
30
$116,000 of facility costs related to the unused fabrication
portion of the Companys corporate headquarters facility in
Milpitas, California, due to the transfer of wafer fabrication
to Silan.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, we announced a workforce
reduction plan that was implemented in response to our
transitioning to a fabless semiconductor company, de-emphasizing
optical products, reducing dependency on our commodity products
and with a goal of improving cost structure. As a result, we
recorded total restructuring costs of $1.1 million related
to employee severance compensation, including $0.1 million
for vesting acceleration of stock options in lieu of a severance
payment to a senior executive officer. Of the $1.0 million
(excluding the stock-based compensation charge),
$0.1 million was paid during December 2006.
In 2006, we utilized restructuring accruals of $726,000 for the
unused portion of the Billerica facility. The adjustment to the
accrual for the Billerica facility primarily related to
sub-lease
income of $565,000 being received.
As of December 30, 2006, the balance of the restructuring
accrual principally consisted of employee severance costs,
contract termination costs and facility lease costs, which are
anticipated to be paid over the next 15 months. The balance
of the accrual as of December 30, 2006 was
$1.8 million, of which $1.7 million was the short-term
portion and $0.1 million was the long-term portion.
The following is a summary of the activities related to accrued
restructuring costs and fixed asset impairment for fiscal years
2006 and 2005 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
|
Fixed Asset
|
|
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
Accrual balance January 1,
2005
|
|
$
|
1,847
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Incurred 2005
|
|
|
871
|
|
|
|
9,377
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(726
|
)
|
|
|
(9,377
|
)
|
Sub-lease
income received
|
|
|
293
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance December 31,
2005
|
|
|
1,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred in 2006
|
|
|
2,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(2,299
|
)
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Employee stock options accelerated
as severance pay
|
|
|
(137
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-lease
income received
|
|
|
565
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(263
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance, December 30,
2006
|
|
$
|
1,867
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income
(expense), net was $2.2 million of net other expense in
2006 compared to $0.6 million of net other income in the
prior year. The increase in other expense, was primarily due to
a $3.0 million increase in interest expense,
$1.9 million of which related to the convertible senior
notes issued in May 2006 and $0.9 million of which related
to the lease financing obligation executed in March 2006. The
interest expense was partially offset by a $0.5 million
increase in interest income attributable to higher balances of
interest bearing cash equivalents and short-term investments
from the proceeds of the convertible senior notes.
Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense
primarily relates to our foreign operations as we continue to
incur losses from domestic operations. In 2006, we recorded an
income tax provision of $125,000, compared to a provision of
$192,000 in 2005. Notwithstanding our net operating losses, we
did not record a tax benefit as we believed that it was more
likely than not, considering the level of historical taxable
income and expectations for future taxable income, that the
operating loss would not be utilized in the future.
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31, 2005 compared to Fiscal Year Ended
January 1, 2005
Net Sales. Net sales decreased by 3.7% to
$72.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, as
compared to $75.5 million for the year ended
January 1, 2005. The decrease in net sales was due to a
$2.2 million decline in net sales for the power management
product line and a $1.1 million decline in the interface
product line, partially offset
31
by a $0.8 million increase in the optical storage product
line. The decrease in net sales of the power product line was
driven by an overall softness in demand that led to a unit
volume decline as well as a decline in average selling prices.
The decline in demand for the commodity products was only
partially offset by increasing demand for our proprietary power
management products. The decline in net sales of the interface
product line was driven by a decline in average selling prices
while unit volume increased. The increase in net sales for the
optical storage product line was primarily driven by an increase
in unit volume as demand for these products was strong.
Geographically during 2005, international net sales were
$58.0 million or 80% of total net sales, as compared to
$60.3 million or 80% in 2004. In 2005, sales in Japan
declined by $1.7 million or 9%. This decline was driven by
declines in power management and interface products off-set by
increases in optical storage products. In Asia, other than
Japan, net sales decreased by $1.3 million or 5% related to
the declines in power management and interface. Net sales in
Europe and the rest of the world increased by $0.7 million
or 5%, in 2005. Domestic net sales declined by $0.5 million
or 3% in 2005.
Gross Profit (Loss). Gross profit increased to
$13.7 million in 2005 or 19% of net sales, as compared to
$11.8 million or approximately 16% in 2004. The improvement
in gross profit was comprised of improvements in manufacturing
yields lowering overall product costs as well as reductions in
inventory write-downs for excess and obsolete products. These
cost reductions were offset by recognition of $4.3 million
of increased depreciation on the Milpitas, California facility
after determination that the facility had a shorter economic
useful life to Sipex recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005. The
improvement in gross profit was comprised of the following:
product mix, higher margins at standard cost due to
manufacturing yield and process improvements.
Research and Development. Research and
development expenses in 2005 were $17.2 million compared to
$14.7 million in 2004. The increase of $2.5 million
was primarily due to increased product development costs for
outside design services costs of approximately $893,000 and
prototype wafers costs of approximately $665,000. In addition,
approximately $1.1 million of increased depreciation for
the reduction in the economic life of the Milpitas, California
facility was recorded in 2005. As a percentage of net sales,
research and development costs were 23.7% in 2005 compared to
19.5% in the prior year. This was primarily due to the increase
in research and development expenses along with the lower net
sales in 2005.
Marketing and Selling. Marketing and selling
expenses were $10.6 million in 2005 compared to
$8.6 million in 2004. The increase of $2.0 million was
primarily due to increased headcount resulting in higher salary
and benefits costs of approximately $1,147,000, marketing
activities and travel costs of approximately $440,000. In
addition, approximately $313,000 of increased depreciation for
the reduction in the economic life of the Milpitas, California
facility was recorded in 2005. These increases were primarily
due to increased sales and marketing efforts for our core
product families. Marketing and selling expenses were 14.6% of
net sales in 2005 compared to 11.4% of net sales in 2004. This
was primarily due to the decline in net sales in 2005 as well as
the increase in expenses.
General and Administrative. General and
administrative expenses were $14.4 million in 2005 compared
to $9.8 million in 2004 or an increase of
$4.6 million. This increase was principally due to increase
of approximately $2,320,000 of legal fees associated with the
internal investigation and related litigation, approximately
$707,000 of consulting and audit fees related to the financial
restatement process and approximately $400,000 of higher salary
and benefits costs as well as bad debt expense of approximately
$256,000. In addition, approximately $707,000 of increased
depreciation for the reduction in the economic life of the
Milpitas, California facility was recorded in 2005.
Restructuring and Fixed Asset
Impairment. During the year ended January 1,
2005, we incurred restructuring expenses reflecting the
continuation of our plans initiated in 2003 to move our
manufacturing operations from Billerica, Massachusetts to
Milpitas, California. These restructuring expenses consisted of
$1.4 million for future lease payments, $447,000 write-off
of leasehold improvements and $32,000 for severance payments.
For the same period, we utilized $1.0 million of
restructuring reserves, which was primarily the $447,000
write-off of leasehold improvements, and $463,000 of lease costs
associated with the unused portion of our Billerica facility. We
made additional adjustments to the restructuring for changes to
the lease obligation totaling $60,000. For the year ended
January 1, 2005, the balance of the restructuring accrual
principally consisted of facility lease costs, and was expected
to be paid over the next three years. The balance as of the year
ended January 1, 2005 was $1.8 million, of which
$566,000 was the short-term portion and $1.3 million was
long term portion.
32
In the second quarter of 2005, Sipex recognized a
$9.4 million impairment charge for its long-lived assets.
Based on changes in the planned use for its wafer fabrication
assets, we performed an impairment evaluation in accordance with
SFAS No. 144. Sipex determined that the appropriate
grouping for this impairment evaluation was the wafer
fabrication assets taken together and the associated cash flows
for these assets. These assets were evaluated on a
held-for-use
basis as we were required to operate our wafer fabrication
facility until new wafer fabrication partner processes were
qualified. As the carrying value exceeded the undiscounted cash
flows of the wafer fabrication assets for the period of planned
use by us, an impairment charge was recorded for the difference
between the carrying value and the fair value of the wafer
fabrication assets which management determined with the
assistance of an independent appraisal firm. While we
subsequently agreed to sell a substantial portion of its wafer
fabrication machinery and equipment to Silan by the end of the
third quarter of 2006, the wafer fabrication assets remain in
use and Sipex will continue to record depreciation expense based
on the estimated remaining useful life at the time of impairment.
In August 2005, our board of directors approved a plan to close
our wafer fabrication operations located in Milpitas, California
and transfer the fabrication to Silan in China, Episil in Taiwan
and other vendors to reduce costs and improve operating
efficiencies. As a result, we recognized total restructuring
charges of approximately $871,000 in the second half of 2005
including severance and retention benefits totaling $766,000 for
approximately 70 employees and other exit costs of $105,000. In
addition, during the third quarter of 2005, Sipex decided not to
transfer the remaining operations in Billerica to Milpitas that
was originally anticipated to be completed by the end of 2005.
The adjustment to the restructuring accrual of $294,000 during
2005 primarily included exiting costs of $213,000, offset by
sublease income of $293,000 and $195,000 recorded in the third
quarter of 2005 as a reduction to future lease payment
obligation for not transferring such remaining operations in
Billerica. Sublease income is recorded on a cash basis due to
the uncertainty of collectibility. The restructuring accrual
balance as of December 31, 2005 consisted of a short-term
portion of $1.4 million and a long-term portion of
$584,000. The $2.0 million restructuring accrual balance
included $1.2 million of facility lease costs to be paid
out over the next two years and the remaining portion to be paid
out in less than a year.
In November 2005, based on the previous decision to close our
wafer fabrication operation located at the Milpitas, California
headquarters facility, we decided to sell this facility. As a
result of a decision, we reduced the remaining estimated
depreciation life for our headquarters building and related
improvements from 25 years to approximately four months.
This change resulted in an increase in depreciation expense
recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 of $6.5 million
(including $4.3 million included in cost of sales).
The following is a summary of the activity related to accrued
restructuring costs and fixed asset impairment for fiscal years
2004 and 2005 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
|
Fixed Asset
|
|
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
Accrual balance December 31,
2003
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Incurred 2004
|
|
|
1,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(1,036
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred rent adjustment
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance January 1,
2005
|
|
|
1,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred 2005
|
|
|
871
|
|
|
|
9,377
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(726
|
)
|
|
|
(9,377
|
)
|
Sub-lease
income received
|
|
|
293
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance December 31,
2005
|
|
$
|
1,991
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income
(expense), net was $0.6 million in 2005 compared to
$185,000 in the prior year. The increase in other income
(expense), net was attributable to higher interest income on
short-
33
term investments, other income and lower interest expense
associated with the two convertible notes with Future (See
Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for Related
Parties). Both convertible notes were extinguished and converted
into 2.3 million of our common shares as of
February 18, 2004.
Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense
primarily relates to our foreign operations as we continue to
incur losses from domestic operations. In 2005, we recorded an
income tax provision of $192,000 in contrast to an income tax
benefit of $133,000 in 2004 due to a reversal of the previously
established expected tax liability from our off-shore
operations, primarily Belgium. Notwithstanding our net operating
losses, we did not record a tax benefit as we believed that it
was more likely than not, considering the level of historical
taxable income and expectations for future taxable income, that
the operating loss would not be utilized in the future to offset
taxable income.
Financial
Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 30, 2006, cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments, were $15.4 million as compared to
$2.0 million at December 31, 2005. The increase of
$13.5 million was principally due to our net cash inflows
from financing activities during 2006 of $43.5 million
along with a reduction in restricted cash of $0.6 million,
partially offset by our net cash outflows from operations of
$27.9 million along with our cash payments for capital
expenditures of $3.8 million. The two most significant
sources of cash from financing activities were the net proceeds
from our convertible debt offering completed in May 2006 of
$28.7 million and the $12.6 million net proceeds from
our lease financing obligation completed in March 2006.
Operating
Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $27.9 million,
$17.4 million, and $8.9 million in 2006, 2005, and
2004, respectively. We will continue to depend upon our cash and
cash equivalents to fund our operations until such time that we
generate cash from operating activities.
Net cash used in operating activities of $27.9 million in
2006 resulted primarily from a $41.2 million net loss and
the unfavorable impact of a $9.3 million net change in
assets and liabilities, partially offset by $22.6 million
of non-cash adjustments to net loss. The changes in assets and
liabilities primarily included an increase in inventory of
$7.0 million, an increase in accounts receivable of
$1.3 million, decreases in accrued restructuring costs of
$1.9 million and accrued expenses of $1.5 million,
partially offset by an increase in accounts payable of
$2.8 million, respectively. Non-cash adjustments primarily
comprised depreciation and amortization of $9.4 million, a
$5.0 million provision for inventories and
$1.4 million purchase commitments on excess inventories,
$3.8 million of stock-based compensation expense as a
result of adopting SFAS No. 123R, effective
January 1, 2006, a $1.6 million net provision for
restructuring costs, a provision for uncollectible receivables
and sales returns and allowances of $0.9 million, and
$0.5 million for amortization of the notes payable discount
and issuance costs.
Net cash used in operating activities of $17.4 million in
2005 resulted primarily from a $38.1 million net loss and
the unfavorable impact of a $6.9 million net change in
assets and liabilities, partially offset by $27.5 million
of non-cash adjustments to net loss. The changes in assets and
liabilities included an increase in inventory of
$5.3 million, a decrease in accounts payable of
$3.4 million, a decrease in deferred income of
$1.2 million and a decrease in accrued restructuring costs
of $433,000, partially offset by a decrease in accounts
receivable of $1.7 million and an increase in accrued
expenses of $1.4 million, respectively. The
$1.2 million decrease in deferred income comprises of a
decrease of $0.2 million from Future and a decrease of
$1.0 million from other distributors. Non-cash adjustments
primarily comprised depreciation and amortization of
$11.0 million, $9.4 million of fixed asset impairment
charges, and a $5.0 million provision for inventories, a
provision for uncollectible receivables and sales returns and
allowances of $1.5 million, and a $577,000 net provision
for restructuring costs.
Net cash used in operating activities of $8.9 million in
2004 resulted primarily from a $22.7 million net loss and
increase of $4.6 million in net assets and liabilities,
partially offset by $18.5 million of non-cash adjustments
to net loss. The changes in assets and liabilities included an
increase in inventory of $5.4 million, an increase in
accounts receivable of $0.9 million, a decreases in accrued
restructuring costs of $608,000, partially offset by an increase
in accrued expenses of $1.4 million, an increase of
deferred income of $620,000 and an increase in accounts payable
of $391,000. The $620,000 increase in deferred income comprises
of an increase of $1.1 million from Future offset by a
decrease of $449,000 from other distributors. Non-cash
adjustments primarily comprised
34
$8.6 million provision for inventories, depreciation and
amortization of $6.6 million, provision for uncollectible
receivables and sales returns and allowances of
$1.3 million, and a $1.8 million net provision for
restructuring costs.
Accounts receivable, net of allowances, was $7.2 million
and $6.7 million as of December 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, respectively. The allowances for
accounts receivable decreased to $0.9 million for 2006 from
$1.3 million for 2005 primarily due to lower sales
allowances for product returns.
In 2006, we recorded inventory write-downs for excess and
obsolete inventories of $5.0 million. Similarly, we
recorded write-downs of $5.0 million and $8.6 million,
in 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, during 2006, we
recorded $1.4 million of charges to cost of sales for
purchase commitments for excess inventories. Inventories
previously written off with an original cost of
$1.4 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million, were
sold in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
In 2005, we began the transfer of our manufacturing processes to
foundries operated by Silan in China and Episil in Taiwan in
conjunction with the planned closure of our Milpitas, California
wafer fabrication facility in 2006. The transfer has been a
complicated and time-consuming process that has been met with
significant unforeseen complications that delayed the
integration transfer and required additional allocation of our
resources. In 2006, we incurred approximately $1.6 million
of manufacturing process transfer and qualification costs, as
reflected in cost of sales. We anticipate that we will continue
to incur similar costs in the future. There can be no guarantees
that additional unforeseen integration issues will not arise in
the future related to the integration that could cause
additional delays which could materially adversely affect our
ability to timely produce our products.
In addition, we may be unable to achieve all or any of the
expected benefits of the relationship within the anticipated
time-frames. The anticipated synergies between Sipex and Silan
or Episil may not be as significant as originally expected. We
may be unable to qualify the manufacturing processes and wafer
testing following the transfer from Sipex to Silan or Episil or
the qualification process may take significantly longer than
currently expected. This could result in additional operating
costs, loss of customers, and business disruption.
Investing
Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in 2006 was
$4.4 million, consisting of $8.0 million of purchases
of short-term investment securities and $3.8 million of
capital expenditures, partially offset by $5.6 million from
the proceeds of maturities of short-term securities,
$1.1 million for the sale of machinery and equipment and
$593,000 from reductions in restricted cash.
Net cash provided by investing activities in 2005 was $209,000,
consisting of $850,000 proceeds from maturities of short-term
securities, $838,000 from reductions in restricted cash, offset
by $878,000 of capital expenditures and $601,000 of purchases of
short-term investment securities.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2004 was
$1.0 million, consisting of $6.3 million purchases of
short-term securities, purchase of property, plant and equipment
of $1.9 million and $1.8 million of deposit to
restricted cash to meet a contractual obligation with a vendor,
mostly offset by the $9.0 million proceeds from maturity of
short-term securities.
Financing
Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2006 was
$43.5 million, resulting primarily from $28.7 million
of net proceeds from the issuance of convertible senior notes
and warrants, $12.6 million of net proceeds from lease
financing obligation, $7.0 million of proceeds from related
party borrowings, $3.4 million from the issuance of common
stock upon the exercise of warrants relating to the 2006
convertible notes and employee stock option plans, and
$2.0 million from the proceeds from bank borrowings. These
cash inflows were partially offset by $7.0 million of
repayments of related party borrowings, $3.0 million of
repayments of bank borrowing in 2005 under our bank line of
credit and $0.2 million of payments against our lease
financing obligation.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2005 was
$3.7 million, resulting primarily from $3.0 million of
borrowings under our bank line of credit and $0.7 million
of net proceeds from issuance of common stock under
35
employee stock option plans. As of December 31, 2005, we
violated the tangible net worth covenant under our bank line of
credit. However, the borrowings of $3.0 million were
subsequently repaid in January 2006.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2004 was
$7.1 million, resulting primarily from $2.7 million of
net proceeds from the exercise of warrants relating to the 2002
convertible notes and $4.4 million of net proceeds from
issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans.
On July 21, 2005, we entered into a Loan and Security
Agreement, with Silicon Valley Bank, and this agreement was
subsequently amended on October 7, 2005, November 10,
2005, January 19, 2006, May 18, 2006, August 1,
2006 and September 28, 2006. The agreement currently
provides for a secured revolving line of credit with an
aggregate principal amount of up to $5,000,000, which may be
used to borrow revolving loans or to issue lines of credit on
our behalf. We have granted to Silicon Valley Bank a security
interest in all presently existing and later acquired
collateral, including but not limited to goods, equipment,
inventory, contract rights, and financial assets, in order to
secure the obligations and duties under such loan and security
agreement. Advances accrue interest on the outstanding principal
balance at an annual rate, decided by us, either equal to
Silicon Valley Banks prime rate or LIBOR rate (depending
upon the interest period of one, two or three months selected by
us) plus 2.75%. In addition to the $5,000,000 secured revolving
line of credit, we can borrow under term loans in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $2,000,000. Each term loan shall be in an
amount not less than $500,000. The number of term loans shall
not exceed two (2). Interest accrues from the date of each term
loan at a rate of 9.25%. Each term loan shall be payable in
thirty-six (36) equal monthly installments of principal
plus accrued interest. When repaid or prepaid, the term loan may
not be re-borrowed. As of December 30, 2006, the unused
portion of our line of credit was $3,735,000, and a $2,000,000
term loan was outstanding.
The agreement with Silicon Valley Bank has been extended to
September 29, 2007 at which time all outstanding advances
must be repaid, and all outstanding letters of credit must be
cash collateralized. The agreement requires us to comply with a
minimum liquidity ratio of 2.50:1.00 at each fiscal quarter end.
It also requires us to retain a minimum tangible net worth as of
the last day of each fiscal quarter. The liquidity ratio is
calculated as the sum of (i) Sipexs unrestricted cash
and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities and 50%
of consolidated Accounts divided by (ii) the Obligations.
Sipex must maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter
set forth below, a tangible net worth of at least the amount set
forth below for each fiscal quarter ending date. For purposes of
this calculation, up to $5,000,000 in an aggregate amount of
non-cash charges relating to inventory write-downs
and/or
restructuring charges may be added to tangible net worth. Fiscal
quarter ending date: September 30, 2006, minimum tangible
net worth: $600,000; fiscal quarter ending date:
December 30, 2006, minimum tangible net worth (deficit):
(-$5,500,000); fiscal quarter ending date: March 31, 2007,
minimum tangible net worth (deficit): (-$10,000,000); fiscal
quarter ending date: June 30, 2007, minimum tangible net
worth (deficit): (-$13,000,000); Each fiscal quarter thereafter,
minimum tangible net worth (deficit): (-$13,000,000) plus 50% of
any positive net income (with no adjustment for losses) and 50%
of any new equity raised. The agreement contains additional
affirmative covenants, including, among others, covenants
regarding the payment of taxes and other obligations,
maintenance of insurance, reporting requirements and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, the agreement
contains negative covenants limiting our ability to dispose of
assets, change our business plans, be acquired or beneficially
owned, merge or consolidate, incur indebtedness, grant liens,
make investments, pay dividends, repurchase stock, and pay
subordinated debt. The agreement contains events of default that
include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or
fees, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, violations
of covenants, bankruptcy and insolvency events, any material
adverse change, material judgments, cross defaults to certain
other indebtedness and seizure of assets. The occurrence of an
event of default will increase the applicable rate of interest
by 5.0% and would, unless waived by Silicon Valley Bank, result
in the immediate payment of all of our obligations under the
agreement. As of December 30, 2006, total borrowing with
Silicon Valley Bank was $2.0 million, of which $667,000 was
the short-term portion and $1.3 million was the long-term
portion. If we are unable to satisfy the financial covenant
requirements and to obtain a waiver from the bank, we may be
required to repay the outstanding borrowing amounts
and/or
classify such amounts as short-term bank borrowing.
On January 19, 2006, we announced the completion of a
$7.0 million private loan financing in which we issued a 9%
secured note with convertible interest due January 19, 2008
to Rodfre, an affiliate of Future. The note was
36
secured by a deed of trust on our headquarters property located
in Milpitas, California. The holder of the note could require
repayment of the loan in the event of, among other things, the
sale of the property subject to the deed of trust.
On March 9, 2006, we entered into an Agreement for Purchase
and Sale of Real Property with Mission West Properties,
L.P. The agreement provides for the sale of Sipexs
Hillview facility to Mission West Properties, L.P. for a price
of $13.4 million in cash (net proceeds of
$12.6 million). We used the proceeds from the sale of our
Hillview facility to pay off and terminate the $7.0 million
loan with Future. The remaining balance of $6.4 million
from the sale of the property was used for operating activities.
Simultaneously with the sale of the Hillview property in March
2006, we entered into a Standard Form Lease agreement to
lease back the facility from Mission West Properties, L.P. The
lease term is 60 months. In addition, we provided a
security deposit of $1,265,000 in the form of an irrevocable
standby letter of credit issued to Mission West Properties, L.P.
under our line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. The security
deposit is held as security for our faithful performance of the
terms, covenants, and conditions prescribed under the lease
agreement.
On May 16, 2006, we placed $30.0 million of 5.5%
Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026, or the 2006 Notes,
in a private placement. The 2006 Notes bear interest of
5.5% per year, payable semi-annually on May 15 and
November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2006,
and mature on May 16, 2026. The 2006 Notes are convertible
into common stock at any time at a fixed conversion price of
$5.36 per share. If fully converted, the principal amount
of the 2006 Notes would convert into approximately
5,597,015 shares of our common stock. At any time following
the effectiveness of a registration statement related to the
resale of the common stock issuable upon the conversion of the
2006 Notes, we may, subject to certain conditions, elect to
automatically convert the 2006 Notes into common stock if the
average price of our common stock exceeds 150% of the conversion
price for at least 20 trading days during any consecutive 30
trading-day
period, ending within 5 days of the notice of automatic
conversion. We have the right to redeem the 2006 Notes at par
plus accrued interest at anytime after May 15, 2009 and the
purchasers have the right to require us to repurchase the 2006
Notes at par plus accrued interest on May 15 in 2011, 2016 and
2021.
The 2006 Notes are convertible into Sipexs common stock at
any time prior to maturity, initially at a conversion price of
$5.36 per share, subject to adjustment upon certain events,
including, among other things, dividends, stock splits and
recapitalizations. If fully converted, the principal amount of
the 2006 Notes would convert into 5,597,015 shares of the
Companys common stock.
The 2006 Notes contains certain covenants including a covenant
restricting the amount of indebtedness that we can incur that is
senior or pari passu with the 2006 Notes to an aggregate
principal amount of $7.5 million, unless such restriction
is waived by holders of over
662/3%
of the principal amount of the 2006 Notes then outstanding.
Additionally, an event of default would occur under the 2006
Notes for a number of reasons, including our failure to pay when
due any principal, interest or late charges on the 2006 Notes,
the default and acceleration of indebtedness with our bank and
other lenders in amounts greater than $2.5 million, certain
events of bankruptcy and our breach or failure to perform
certain representations and obligations under the 2006 Notes.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default, our obligations
under the 2006 Notes may become due and payable in accordance
with the terms thereof.
The 2006 Notes provide that since we were not current in our SEC
filings by August 15, 2006, we incurred additional interest
on the 2006 Notes at an annual rate of 1.5% for the period
beginning August 16, 2006 through the date that our filings
became current. The Company filed all its late
Forms 10-K
and 10-Q to
the SEC by September 21, 2006. In addition, as our common
stock is not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, the New York
Stock Exchange or another national exchange or automated
quotation system by December 31, 2006, we will pay
additional interest on the 2006 Notes at an annual rate of 1.5%
for the period beginning January 1, 2007 through the date
that our common stock becomes listed for trading on one of the
national exchanges. Likewise, the Registration Rights Agreement
entered into in connection with the 2006 Notes provides that
since we have not filed a registration statement for the shares
of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the 2006 Notes
or exercise of the warrants issued in connection with the 2006
Notes as of August 15, 2006, we must pay additional
payments to the noteholders equal to a per annum rate of 0.8%
times the principal amount of the 2006 Notes for the period
beginning on August 16, 2006 through the date that the
registration statement is filed. However, we have to pay
increased interest payments at an annual rate of 1.2% as the
filing of the registration statement was delayed by over
60 days, and the registration statement was not declared
effective by December 31, 2006. We have not filed a
registration
37
statement as contemplated in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Our common stock is not listed on any one of the national
exchanges. As a result of our failure to meet these conditions,
we are effectively obligated to pay up to an additional 2.7% of
interest on the notes and our current effective interest rate is
8.2% per annum. A more detailed description of the terms of
the 2006 Notes is presented in Note 12 to our consolidated
financial statements included in this
10-K filing.
On March 29, 2007, we entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with Rodfre, an affiliate of Future, our largest
distributor worldwide and an affiliate of our largest
stockholder (Alonim Investment Inc.), to provide an unsecured
promissory note facility of up to $10.0 million. This
facility expires, and the borrowings and accrued interest under
any notes issued under this facility are due and payable, on
June 30, 2008, or upon certain other events such as a
change of control. Borrowings under this promissory note
facility bear interest of 9% per annum subject to an increased
interest rate of up to 20% in case of default or after maturity.
This promissory note facility is subordinate to our Loan and
Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and to our 5.5%
Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026.
Based on our current plans and business conditions, we believe
that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments together with available borrowings under our bank
line of credit and unsecured promissory note facility will be
sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital spending
requirements for at least the next twelve months. In addition,
if desirable or necessary, we may seek to raise additional
capital through the sale of debt or equity. There can be no
assurances, however, that future borrowings and capital
resources will be available on favorable terms or at all. Our
cash flows are highly dependent on demand for our products,
timing of orders and shipments with key customers and our
ability to manage our working capital, especially inventory and
accounts receivable, as well as controlling our production and
operating costs in line with our revenue.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangement
As of December 30, 2006, we had no off-balance sheet
arrangements as defined in Item 303(a) (4) of the
SECs
Regulation S-K
except for the $1,265,000 security deposit in the form of
irrevocable standby letter of credit issued to Mission West
Properties, L.P. as described under Interest Rate
Risk.
Contractual
Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 30, 2006 were as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Than
|
|
|
1 - 3
|
|
|
3 - 5
|
|
|
More Than
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
Convertible note payable(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
32,654
|
|
|
|
2,129
|
|
|
|
3,300
|
|
|
|
3,300
|
|
|
|
23,925
|
|
Long-term lease financing
obligation(2)
|
|
|
5,797
|
|
|
|
1,329
|
|
|
|
2,776
|
|
|
|
1,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring liability(3)
|
|
|
771
|
|
|
|
617
|
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases(4)
|
|
|
1,642
|
|
|
|
676
|
|
|
|
627
|
|
|
|
315
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
Purchase
commitment Polar Fab
|
|
|
3,653
|
|
|
|
3,653
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
commitment Cadence Design
|
|
|
974
|
|
|
|
857
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Verification software
tools Mentor Graphics
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
262
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other(5)
|
|
|
2,022
|
|
|
|
1,964
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
|
$
|
77,932
|
|
|
$
|
11,382
|
|
|
$
|
7,294
|
|
|
$
|
5,307
|
|
|
$
|
53,949
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$30.0 million Convertible Senior Notes issued on
March 18, 2006 due May 18, 2026 with 5.5% interest
payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year
beginning on November 15, 2006. |
38
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Lease payments (excluding $11.2 million estimated final
obligation settlement with the lessor by returning the Hillview
facility due on our Hillview facility in Milpitas, California)
under a
5-year
Standard Form Lease agreement that we signed with Mission
West Properties L.P. on March 9, 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents estimated lease payments with related costs for the
unused portion of our Billerica, Massachusetts facility. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes lease payments related to the used portion of our
facility at our Billerica, Massachusetts facility. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes wafer and part purchases as well as other services with
various vendors including Episil and BCD Semiconductor
Manufacture Limited. |
Effect
of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the
discussion on effect of recent accounting pronouncements.
|
|
Item 7A.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk:
|
Market
Risk
We invest excess cash in financial investments that are
sensitive to market risks as part of our investment strategy.
None of these market-sensitive instruments are held for trading
purposes. We do not own derivative financial instruments in our
portfolio. The investment portfolio contains instruments that
are subject to the risk of a decline in interest rates. As
required by our investment policy, available funds are invested
in a manner that assures maximum safety and liquidity and,
secondarily, maximizes yield within such constraints.
Interest
Rate Risk
Our financial investments consist primarily of high quality
commercial paper and money market funds. We believe we have no
material exposure to interest rate risk.
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates
relates primarily to the increase or decrease in the amount of
interest income we can earn on our investment portfolio and
interest expense we are charged on borrowings. We do not use
derivative financial instruments or engage in hedging activities
in our investment portfolio. We ensure the safety and
preservation of our invested principal funds by limiting default
risks, market risk and reinvestment risk. We mitigate default
risk by investing in safe and high-credit quality securities.
We had short-term investment securities of $2.4 million as
of December 30, 2006. Our short-term investments consisted
of highly liquid investments with original maturities at the
date of purchase of between 91 to 104 days. These
investments are subject to interest rate risk and will fall in
value if market interest rates increase. We believe a
hypothetical increase in market interest rates by 10% from
levels at December 30, 2006, would cause the fair value of
these short-term investments to fall by an immaterial amount.
Since we are not required to sell these investments before
maturity, we have the ability to avoid realizing losses on these
investments due to a sudden change in market interest rates. On
the other hand, declines in the interest rates over time will
reduce our interest income.
On March 9, 2006, we entered into an Agreement for Purchase
and Sale of Real Property with Mission West Properties,
L.P. The agreement provides for the sale of our Hillview
facility to Mission West Properties, L.P. for a price of
$13.4 million in cash (net proceeds of $12.6 million).
Simultaneously, we entered into a Standard Form Lease
agreement to lease back the Hillview facility from Mission West
Properties, L.P. We provided a security deposit of $1,265,000 in
the form of an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued to
Mission West Properties, L.P.; accordingly, we have accounted
for this sale and leaseback transaction as a financing
transaction shown on the consolidated balance sheet as
lease financing obligation. An effective interest
rate of 9.3%, which approximates our estimated borrowing rate,
is used to record the interest expense over the lease term of
60 months with average lease payments of approximately
$1.4 million per year. Since the interest rate of this
transaction was fixed, a hypothetical 10% increase in interest
rates will not have a material effect on our financials.
On May 16, 2006 we placed $30.0 million of 5.5%
Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026. The notes provide
for a fixed interest rate of 5.5%, which has been increased to,
and currently fixed at 8.2% as a result of our
39
failure to meet certain conditions. A hypothetical 10% increase
in interest rates will not have a material effect on our
financials. A more detailed description of the terms of the 2006
Notes is provided in Note 12 to our consolidated financial
statements included in this
10-K filing,
and in our
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on May 22, 2006.
We have a Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank
which provides us with a line of credit up to $5.0 million
and charges interest at the banks prime rate or LIBOR
rate. However, we do not believe that a hypothetical increase in
market interest rates by 10% from current levels would result in
a material increase in our overall expenses. As part of the
agreement, in addition to the $5.0 million secured
revolving line of credit, Sipex borrowed $2.0 million under
a separate term loan during December 2006. Interest accrues at a
fixed rate of 9.25% per annum.
We have a promissory note facility with Rodfre which provides us
with the ability to issue up to $10.0 million of promissory
notes that would charge interest at the rate of 9% per
annum. Since the interest rate is fixed in the promissory notes
to be issued under the facility with Rodfre, a hypothetical 10%
increase in interest rates will not have a material effect in
our expenses under this promissory note facility, nor will it
have a material effect on our financials.
Foreign
Currency Exchange Risk
The majority of our sales, expense, and capital purchasing
activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, since a
portion of our operations consists of sales activities outside
of the U.S., we enter into transactions in other currencies. We
are primarily exposed to changes in exchange rates for the euro,
British pound, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar and South Korean
won. Currently, we have no plan to enter into any foreign
currency hedging program since the amounts involved have not
been material. Foreign currency fluctuations did not have a
material impact on our consolidated financial position, results
of operations or cash flows in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004.
40
|
|
Item 8.
|
Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data:
|
Sipexs consolidated financial statements and related
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are
presented in the following pages.
Schedules not listed above have been omitted since they are not
applicable or are not required, or the information required to
be set forth therein is included in the consolidated financial
statements or notes thereto.
41
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Sipex Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Sipex Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as
of December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and the
related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders equity (deficit) and comprehensive loss, and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 30, 2006. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our 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 audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. As of December 30, 2006, the
Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform,
an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our
audits included consideration of internal control over financial
reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 30, 2006. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
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, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Sipex Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 30, 2006
and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 30, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment, effective
January 1, 2006.
/s/ DELOITTE &
TOUCHE LLP
San Jose, California
March 30, 2007
42
SIPEX
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In
thousands, except per-share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
13,041
|
|
|
$
|
1,969
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
350
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
Short-term investment securities
|
|
|
2,388
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, less
allowances of $551 and $820, respectively
|
|
|
6,222
|
|
|
|
3,735
|
|
Accounts receivable, related
party, less allowances of $306 and $529, respectively
|
|
|
949
|
|
|
|
3,011
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
15,586
|
|
|
|
13,400
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
|
|
|
1,641
|
|
|
|
1,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
40,177
|
|
|
|
23,915
|
|
Property, plant, and equipment, net
|
|
|
19,113
|
|
|
|
25,803
|
|
Restricted cash
noncurrent
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
59,549
|
|
|
$
|
50,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term bank borrowing
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
Current portion of long-term bank
borrowing
|
|
|
667
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of lease financing
obligation
|
|
|
191
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
10,331
|
|
|
|
7,394
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
7,185
|
|
|
|
7,282
|
|
Accrued restructuring costs
|
|
|
1,728
|
|
|
|
1,407
|
|
Deferred income, related party
|
|
|
5,543
|
|
|
|
5,707
|
|
Deferred income, other
|
|
|
2,555
|
|
|
|
2,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
28,200
|
|
|
|
27,300
|
|
Long-term bank borrowing
|
|
|
1,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term lease financing
obligation
|
|
|
12,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term accrued restructuring
costs
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
Convertible senior notes
|
|
|
25,826
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
67,674
|
|
|
|
27,921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
(Note 14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
(deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.01 par
value, 1,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or
outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par
value, 60,000 shares authorized; 18,390 and
17,775 shares issued and outstanding at December 30,
2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
178
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
234,785
|
|
|
|
224,203
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(243,075
|
)
|
|
|
(201,841
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
(deficit)
|
|
|
(8,125
|
)
|
|
|
22,521
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders equity (deficit)
|
|
$
|
59,549
|
|
|
$
|
50,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
43
SIPEX
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In
thousands, except per-share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
|
|
|
|
December 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
January 1,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
44,733
|
|
|
$
|
40,847
|
|
|
$
|
46,219
|
|
Net sales, related party
|
|
|
34,017
|
|
|
|
31,827
|
|
|
|
29,234
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net sales
|
|
|
78,750
|
|
|
|
72,674
|
|
|
|
75,453
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
41,103
|
|
|
|
35,103
|
|
|
|
41,250
|
|
Cost of sales, related party
|
|
|
28,296
|
|
|
|
23,822
|
|
|
|
22,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of sales
|
|
|
69,399
|
|
|
|
58,925
|
|
|
|
63,657
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
9,351
|
|
|
|
13,749
|
|
|
|
11,796
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
17,332
|
|
|
|
17,248
|
|
|
|
14,710
|
|
Marketing and selling
|
|
|
15,524
|
|
|
|
10,642
|
|
|
|
8,570
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
13,486
|
|
|
|
14,420
|
|
|
|
9,784
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
|
|
1,798
|
|
Impairment of fixed assets
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
9,377
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
48,217
|
|
|
|
52,264
|
|
|
|
34,862
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(38,866
|
)
|
|
|
(38,515
|
)
|
|
|
(23,066
|
)
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
721
|
|
|
|
208
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(3,046
|
)
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
|
|
(194
|
)
|
Other, net
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
427
|
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(2,243
|
)
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income tax expense
(benefit)
|
|
|
(41,109
|
)
|
|
|
(37,915
|
)
|
|
|
(22,881
|
)
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
(133
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(41,234
|
)
|
|
$
|
(38,107
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,748
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common
share basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(2.32
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.14
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.38
|
)
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding basic and diluted
|
|
|
17,807
|
|
|
|
17,772
|
|
|
|
16,468
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
44
SIPEX
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND
COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
$0.01 Par
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Stockholders
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Comprehensive Loss
|
|
|
Equity (Deficit)
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Balances at December 31,
2003
|
|
|
14,213
|
|
|
$
|
142
|
|
|
$
|
195,084
|
|
|
$
|
(140,986
|
)
|
|
$
|
(7
|
)
|
|
$
|
54,233
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,748
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,748
|
)
|
Foreign currency translation
adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,760
|
)
|
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock option plans
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
4,237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,244
|
|
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock purchase plan
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
426
|
|
Issuance of common stock on
conversion of notes payable, net of discount and issuance costs
|
|
|
2,300
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
21,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,135
|
|
Issuance of common stock on
exercise of warrants
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
2,646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,651
|
|
Compensation from acceleration of
stock option vesting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
Other stock compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Consulting services provided by
related party (see Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at January 1,
2005
|
|
|
17,697
|
|
|
|
177
|
|
|
|
223,656
|
|
|
|
(163,734
|
)
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
60,080
|
|
Net loss and comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38,107
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38,107
|
)
|
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock option plans
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
462
|
|
Compensation from acceleration of
stock option vesting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
Other stock compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Consulting services provided by
related party (see Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31,
2005
|
|
|
17,775
|
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
|
224,203
|
|
|
|
(201,841
|
)
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
22,521
|
|
Net loss and comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(41,234
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(41,234
|
)
|
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock option plans
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
727
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
729
|
|
Issuance of common stock on
exercise of warrants
|
|
|
420
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
2,696
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,700
|
|
Beneficial conversion feature of
convertible senior notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,639
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,639
|
|
Warrant issuance with convertible
senior notes, net of issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,568
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,568
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,947
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,947
|
|
Consulting services provided by
related party (see Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 30,
2006
|
|
|
18,390
|
|
|
$
|
184
|
|
|
$
|
234,785
|
|
|
$
|
(243,075
|
)
|
|
$
|
(19
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,125
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
45
SIPEX
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
|
|
|
|
December 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
January 1,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(41,234
|
)
|
|
$
|
(38,107
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,748
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
to net cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
3,780
|
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
9,410
|
|
|
|
10,952
|
|
|
|
6,559
|
|
Provision for inventories
|
|
|
4,997
|
|
|
|
5,031
|
|
|
|
8,628
|
|
Provision for purchase commitments
on excess inventories
|
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for restructuring charges
|
|
|
1,610
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
|
|
1,798
|
|
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of fixed assets
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
9,377
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of discount and
issuance costs on convertible senior notes
|
|
|
472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
Provision for uncollectible
receivables and sales returns and allowances
|
|
|
909
|
|
|
|
1,484
|
|
|
|
1,323
|
|
Consulting services provided by
related party
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
(1,334
|
)
|
|
|
1,678
|
|
|
|
(863
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(7,016
|
)
|
|
|
(5,290
|
)
|
|
|
(5,365
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
|
|
|
(341
|
)
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
261
|
|
|
|
(278
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
2,856
|
|
|
|
(3,444
|
)
|
|
|
391
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
(1,532
|
)
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
|
1,374
|
|
Accrued restructuring costs
|
|
|
(1,850
|
)
|
|
|
(433
|
)
|
|
|
(608
|
)
|
Deferred income
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
|
620
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating
activities
|
|
|
(27,940
|
)
|
|
|
(17,446
|
)
|
|
|
(8,867
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from maturity of
short-term investment securities
|
|
|
5,600
|
|
|
|
850
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
Purchase of short-term investment
securities
|
|
|
(7,988
|
)
|
|
|
(601
|
)
|
|
|
(6,255
|
)
|
Purchase of property, plant, and
equipment
|
|
|
(3,799
|
)
|
|
|
(878
|
)
|
|
|
(1,921
|
)
|
Net proceeds from sale of machinery
and equipment
|
|
|
1,139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
Restricted cash
decrease (increase)
|
|
|
593
|
|
|
|
838
|
|
|
|
(1,838
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities
|
|
|
(4,455
|
)
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
(994
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock under employee stock option plans
|
|
|
729
|
|
|
|
683
|
|
|
|
4,449
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock on exercise of warrants
|
|
|
2,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,651
|
|
Legal fees for conversion of
convertible debt to common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(42
|
)
|
Proceeds from borrowing
related party
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowing
related party
|
|
|
(7,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from (repayment of)
short-term bank borrowing
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from lease financing
obligation
|
|
|
12,578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of lease financing
obligation
|
|
|
(235
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of
convertible senior notes and warrants
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs related to
convertible senior notes
|
|
|
(1,305
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from long-term bank
borrowing
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing
activities
|
|
|
43,467
|
|
|
|
3,683
|
|
|
|
7,058
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of foreign currency exchange
rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents
|
|
|
11,072
|
|
|
|
(13,554
|
)
|
|
|
(2,815
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
|
|
1,969
|
|
|
|
15,523
|
|
|
|
18,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period
|
|
$
|
13,041
|
|
|
$
|
1,969
|
|
|
$
|
15,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
$
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
$
|
1,972
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash
investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment not paid at end of period
|
|
$
|
169
|
|
|
$
|
88
|
|
|
$
|
113
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of convertible debt to
common stock
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,177
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivable from exercise of stock
options
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
221
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
46
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
Note 1.
|
Description
of Business
|
Sipex Corporation (Sipex or the Company)
is a semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and
markets high performance, value-added analog ICs that are used
primarily by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
operating in the computing, communications and networking
infrastructure markets.
While advances in digital technology have fueled the demand for
digital ICs, they have also created a rapidly growing demand for
more precise, faster and more power efficient analog ICs. Sipex
possesses a broad portfolio of analog ICs, organized into three
product families: power management, interface and optical
storage. Sipexs products are sold either directly to
customers or through a global network of manufacturers
representatives and distributors.
The Companys wafer fabrication facility in Milpitas,
California along with a number of third-party contractors
fabricate, package and test its ICs. In an effort to achieve
significant cost savings, in the third quarter of 2005 Sipex
decided to close down the Milpitas wafer fabrication facility
and transfer the IC manufacturing processes from there to a
wafer fabrication facility operated by Hangzhou Silan Integrated
Circuit Co., Ltd. (Silan) in China and a wafer
fabrication facility operated by Episil Technologies, Inc. in
Taiwan. The closure of the Milpitas wafer fabrication facility
was fully completed in early October 2006.
|
|
Note 2.
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Basis
of Presentation
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates. Significant estimates that are
particularly susceptible to changes include those related to
revenues, sales returns and allowances, deferred income,
inventory valuation, restructuring reserves, asset impairments
and income taxes.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sipex GmbH and
Sipex Nippon. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Effective January 1, 2004, the Companys fiscal year
was changed from a calendar year end to a 52 or
53-week
fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday closest to
December 31. The first quarter of fiscal year 2006 covered
91 days from January 1, 2006 to April 1, 2006,
the second quarter covered 91 days from April 2, 2006
to July 1, 2006, the third quarter covered 91 days
from July 2, 2006 to September 30, 2006, and the
fourth quarter covered 91 days from October 1, 2006 to
December 30, 2006. Hereinafter, the years ended
December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and
January 1, 2005 are also referred to as 2006,
2005, and 2004.
Reverse
Stock Split
On January 30, 2007, Sipexs stockholders at a special
meeting of stockholders approved a
1-for-2
reverse stock split. The reverse split became effective at
1:31 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 23, 2007.
The par value of the common stock was not affected by the
reverse stock split and remains at $0.01 per share.
Consequently, the aggregate par value of the issued common stock
was reduced by reclassifying the par value amount of the
eliminated shares of common stock to additional paid-in capital
in the Companys consolidated balance sheets. The Company
has paid cash in lieu of any fractional shares to which a holder
of common stock would otherwise be entitled as a result of the
reverse stock split. The number of authorized shares of common
stock remains unchanged. All shares and per share amounts,
including all common stock equivalents (stock options, warrants
and convertible
47
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
notes) have been restated in the consolidated financial
statements and in the notes to consolidated financial statements
for all periods presented to reflect the reverse stock split.
Revenue
Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Securities
Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin
(SAB) 104, Revenue Recognition.
SAB 104 requires that four basic criteria must be met
before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence
of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or
services rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable;
and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.
Prior to January 1, 2004, the Company entered into
arrangements that were not within the original contractual
distributor agreements in that the Company allowed return rights
and other concessions beyond the levels provided in the
distributor agreements. Company management concluded it is
unable to reasonably estimate sales returns for arrangements
with its distributor; accordingly, effective January 1,
2003, sales and related cost of sales on shipments to
distributors are deferred until the resale to the end customer.
Sales to Future Electronics Inc. (Future), and a
related party, are made under an agreement that provides
protection against price reductions of Sipexs products in
Futures inventory. In addition, Future has stock rotation
rights. Pursuant to these stock rotation rights, Future is
permitted on a quarterly basis to return for credit up to 10% of
its total purchases during the most recent three-month period.
This credit will be reduced to 5% applicable to all purchases
made by Future from Sipex starting April 1, 2006.
Additionally, the Company provides Future with a 2% scrap
allowance also effective April 1, 2006. As the price of
products sold to Future is not fixed or determinable until
resold by Future to the end customer, Sipex is using
sell-through revenue accounting and deferring recognition of
such sales and related cost of goods sold until the product is
sold by Future to its customers.
Under sell-through revenue accounting, accounts receivable are
recognized and inventory is relieved upon shipment to the
distributor as title to the inventory is transferred upon
shipment, at which point the Company has a legally enforceable
right to collection under normal terms. The associated sales and
cost of sales are deferred by recording deferred
income (gross profit margin on these sales) as shown on
the face of the consolidated balance sheet. When the related
product is sold by the Companys distributors to their end
customers, Sipex recognizes previously deferred income as sales
and cost of sales.
For non-distributor customers, the Company recognizes revenue
when title to the product is transferred to the customers, which
occurs upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of
the customer order, provided that persuasive evidence of a sales
arrangement exists, the price is fixed and determinable, title
has transferred, collection of the resulting receivables is
reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance
requirements, and there are no remaining significant
obligations. Provisions for returns and allowances for
non-distributor customers are provided for at the time product
sales are recognized. An allowance for sales returns and
allowances for customers is recorded based on historical
experience or specific identification of an event necessitating
an allowance.
From time to time, Sipex develops custom products for various
customers under engineering service contracts culminating in
delivery of known functional development samples. The Company
recognizes revenue under these agreements upon delivery of known
functional development samples as delivery of such represents
the culmination of utility of the contract to the customer and
agreed to milestones. Sipex recognizes the costs as incurred
associated with these contracts and presents such costs as
research and development expenses due to the uncertain nature of
the development efforts until delivery of the known functional
development samples. Certain of these engineering service
contracts include payments in advance of delivery of known
functional development samples. These payments are recorded in
deferred income, other, until the time of delivery of the
functional samples.
48
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Research
and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Net
Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is based upon the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share
is based upon the weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding assuming dilution. Common
equivalent shares, consisting of outstanding stock options,
convertible debt and warrants, are included in the per share
calculations where the effect of their inclusion would be
dilutive. As the Company had a net loss in 2006, 2005 and 2004,
stock options, warrants, and shares issuable in conversion of
debt were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per
share because the effect of such assumed conversion would be
anti-dilutive.
A reconciliation of basic weighted average common shares with
diluted weighted average shares is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding basic
|
|
|
17,807
|
|
|
|
17,772
|
|
|
|
16,468
|
|
Net effect of dilutive potential
common shares outstanding based on the treasury stock method
using the average market price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding diluted
|
|
|
17,807
|
|
|
|
17,772
|
|
|
|
16,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antidilutive potential common shares excluded from the weighted
average common shares outstanding for net loss per share
calculation are as follows (in thousands, except per-share
information):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
January 1,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Option shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,761
|
|
|
|
3,259
|
|
|
|
2,726
|
|
Weighted average exercise price of
option shares outstanding
|
|
$
|
5.88
|
|
|
$
|
5.74
|
|
|
$
|
11.96
|
|
Convertible notes of
$30.0 million issued on May 18, 2006 (conversion price
at $5.36)
|
|
|
5,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants issued on May 18,
2006 with the above convertible notes (exercise price at $6.432)
|
|
|
420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject Sipex to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash
equivalents, short-term investments (see below) and accounts
receivable. Cash equivalents consist of deposits with, or
guaranteed by, major commercial banks, the maturities of which
are three months or less on the date of purchase. With respect
to accounts receivable, Sipex performs periodic credit
evaluations of the financial condition of its customers and
typically does not require collateral from them. Management
assesses the need for allowances for potential credit losses by
considering the credit risk of specific customers, historical
trends and other information. In addition, management reviews
other inherent risks in the portfolio based on current market
conditions, the economic environment and the Companys
concentration of credit risk.
Concentration
of Other Risks
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid
technological change, competitive pricing pressures and cyclical
market patterns. The Companys financial results are
affected by a wide variety of factors, including general
economic conditions worldwide, economic conditions specific to
the semiconductor industry, the timely
49
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
implementation of new manufacturing technologies, the ability to
safeguard patents and intellectual property in a rapidly
evolving market and reliance on assembly and test
subcontractors, third-party wafer fabricators and independent
distributors. In addition, the semiconductor market has
historically been cyclical and subject to significant economic
downturns at various times. The Company is exposed to the risk
of obsolescence of its inventory depending on the mix of future
business. Additionally, the Company utilizes third-party wafer
fabricators as sole-source suppliers, primarily Polar, Episil
and Silan. As a result, the Company may experience significant
period-to-period
fluctuations in future operating results because of the factors
mentioned above or other factors.
Fair
Values of Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term
investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued
liabilities approximate their fair values due to the relatively
short periods to maturity of the instruments. The carrying value
of bank borrowings approximates fair value as the fixed interest
rate was set at the time of borrowing in December 2006. The
carrying value of the Companys convertible senior notes
was $25.8 million, and the fair value was approximately
$62.4 million as of December 30, 2006. The assumptions
used for the fair value calculation included the Companys
stock price movements, interest rate changes, credit rating
changes, timing on re-listing with Nasdaq Global Market,
effectiveness on its Form
S-1 filing
with the SEC and other economic variables (See Note 12).
Short-term
Investments
Short-term investments, which primarily consist of highly rated
commercial paper with original maturities greater than
90 days, are accounted for under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities issued
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Pursuant to
the provisions of SFAS No. 115, the Company has
classified its short-term investments as held to
maturity which represent investments that the Company
intends to hold to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.
Costs are determined using the
first-in,
first-out method.
Valuation
of Inventories
Sipex writes down the value of its inventories for estimated
excess quantities, obsolescence,
and/or
marketability deficiencies. In addition, the Company writes down
inventory costs to the lower of cost or market which becomes the
new cost basis. Excess and obsolete inventories are determined
by comparing current inventory quantities to current backlog,
anticipated future demand and shipment history. The Company also
evaluates the net realizable value of inventories to be acquired
under purchase commitments with our wafer foundries. If such
inventories are also considered to be excess when compared to
future demand, we record reserves and charges to cost of sales
for these purchase commitments. Lower of cost or market
adjustments are determined by reviewing shipments during the
quarter as well as quarter beginning backlog and comparing
standard cost to anticipated market pricing. In estimating
anticipated market pricing, the Company also considers current
market conditions, industry performance, distributor inventory
levels and sales to end-users and other relevant factors. If
actual market conditions become less favorable than those
anticipated by management, additional write-downs of inventories
may be required in the future. Inventories, which had previously
been written down to zero, with an original cost of
$1.4 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million, were
sold in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company recorded
inventory write-downs for excess and obsolete inventories of
$5.0 million, $5.0 million and $8.6 million,
during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, during
2006, the Company recorded $1.4 million of charges to cost
of sales for purchase commitments for excess inventories.
50
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Related
Parties
Future is a related party and its affiliates own approximately
8.6 million shares or 47% of Sipexs outstanding
common stock as of December 30, 2006. Sipex has a
distribution agreement that provides for Future to act as the
Companys sole distributor for certain products within
North America and Europe. Sales to Future are made under an
agreement that provides protection against price reduction for
its inventory of Sipexs products. The Company recognizes
revenue on sales to Future under the distribution agreement when
Future sells the products to end customers. Future has
historically accounted for a significant portion of the
Companys revenues. It is the Companys largest
distributor worldwide and accounted for 43%, 44% and 39% of its
total net sales for the years ended December 30, 2006,
December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 respectively.
From time to time, Future provides services
and/or
incurs expenses on behalf of the Company. The fair value of the
unreimbursed expenses and uncompensated services rendered by
Future has been recorded in the Companys consolidated
financial statements as capital contributions totaling $5,000,
$17,000 and $100,000 for the years ended December 30, 2006,
December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 respectively.
In addition, Sipex incurred expense to Future totaling
approximately $23,000 for marketing promotional materials,
temporary accounting services and used furniture sold to the
Company for the year ended December 30, 2006. Sipex
recorded $44,000 of reimbursement expense for marketing
promotional materials charged by Future for the year ended
December 31, 2005. For the year ended January 1, 2005,
no such expenses were recorded.
During February 2004, the affiliates of Future exercised the
conversion rights to convert their existing notes into Sipex
common stock for an additional 2.3 million shares. On
August 5, 2004, the affiliates of Future exercised a
warrant to purchase 450,000 shares of Sipex common stock at
$5.8916 per share. The warrant was issued to the affiliates of
Future in conjunction with the $12 million convertible note
issued in 2002, which was converted into Sipex common stock in
February 2004. In connection with the warrant exercise, Sipex
agreed to modify the standstill restrictions on the affiliates
of Future to enable them to hold the lesser of (i) 49% of
the Companys issued and outstanding voting capital stock
and (ii) 42.5% of the Companys issued and outstanding
voting capital stock, measured on a Fully Diluted
Basis, as defined using the following equation: The
numerator includes all voting capital stock and securities
convertible into or exercisable for voting capital stock held by
the affiliates of Future and the denominator is the greater of
(i) all shares of the Companys voting capital stock
outstanding or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of
vested securities convertible into or exercisable for voting
capital stock and (ii) 20,000,000 (as adjusted for stock
dividends, splits or like transactions). On August 9, 2004,
the affiliates purchased 1.25 million shares of Sipex
common stock in the open market.
On January 19, 2006, Sipex announced the completion of a
$7.0 million private loan financing in which the Company
issued a 9% secured note with convertible interest due
January 19, 2008 to the affiliates of Future, which could
provide these affiliates with the opportunity to obtain
additional shares of Sipex common stock. The loan was repaid in
March 2006. Sipex incurred interest expense totaling $86,000
related to the $7.0 million note with Future for the year
ended December 30, 2006.
As discussed in Note 12, on May 16, 2006, Sipex placed
$30.0 million of its 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior
Notes (2006 Notes) due 2026 and related warrants in
a private placement transaction to accredited investors in
reliance on Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the Securities Act). Rodfre Holdings LLC
(Rodfre), an affiliate of Alonim Investments Inc.,
Sipexs largest stockholder, and an affiliate of Future,
purchased 50% of the 2006 Notes or $15.0 million aggregate
principal amount being placed in this offering. The 2006 Notes
will mature on May 18, 2026 and bear interest at an annual
rate of 5.5% payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of
each year, beginning on November 15, 2006. On
December 21, 2006, Rodfre paid $2.7 million to
exercise its warrant for 419,776 shares of Sipex common
stock at $6.432 per share. As of December 30, 2006,
the affiliates of Future held 8.6 million shares, or 47% of
the Companys outstanding common stock.
51
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Interest expense incurred by Sipex relating to the
$15.0 million portion of 2006 Notes sold to Rodfre totaled
$936,000 for the year ended December 30, 2006. No interest
expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2005
as both convertible notes, issued in 2002 and 2003, were
extinguished and converted into 2.3 million of the
Companys common shares as of February 18, 2004. Sipex
recorded interest expense related to the debt with Future
totaling $90,000 for the year ended January 1, 2005.
On September 8, 2006, Sipex appointed two executive vice
presidents working for Future to its Board of Directors. The
Board has determined that both new directors are not independent
within the meaning of Rule 4200(a) (15) of the NASDAQ
Manual by virtue of their relationships with Future.
Accordingly, the Board does not expect to appoint them to any
standing committees of the Board. In connection with their
appointment as directors, both new directors have agreed to
excuse themselves from any Board discussions that relate to
transactions between Sipex and Future.
On March 29, 2007, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with Rodfre, an affiliate of Future,
Sipexs largest distributor worldwide and an affiliate of
its largest stockholder (Alonim Investment Inc.), to provide an
unsecured promissory note facility of up to $10.0 million.
This facility expires, and the borrowings and accrued interest
under any notes issued under this facility are due and payable,
on June 30, 2008, or upon certain other events such as a
change of control. Borrowings under this promissory note
facility bear interest of 9% per annum subject to an increased
interest rate of up to 20% in case of default or after maturity.
This promissory note facility is subordinate to the
Companys Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley
Bank and to its 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due
2026.
Employee
Advances
Included in other current assets is approximately $58,000 and
$39,000 due from employees at December 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, respectively, which consist mainly of
amounts due to Sipex related to hiring and relocation costs.
These amounts are normally forgiven over employees service
periods as agreed upon between each employee and Sipex.
Property,
Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation
is provided by using the straight-line method over their
expected useful lives:
|
|
|
|
|
Useful Lives
|
|
Building and improvements
|
|
25 years (see Note 5)
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
3-10 years
(see Note 3)
|
Furniture, fixtures and office
equipment
|
|
3-7 years
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
Lesser of 10 years or lease
term
|
Restricted
Cash
As of December 30, 2006, restricted cash totaled $407,000
consisting of $350,000 held in a certificate of deposit as a
guarantee payment to fulfill the terms of a software license
agreement and $57,000 as a rental deposit related to the
Companys Belgium facility.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
of
Sipex reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used
is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset
to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated
by the asset. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the
impairment to be recognized is
52
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset
exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of
are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value
less cost to sell (See Note 3).
Foreign
Currency Translation
Prior to the third quarter of 2004, the functional currencies of
the Companys foreign subsidiaries are the local
currencies. Effective beginning the third quarter of 2004, based
on the Companys reassessment of economic facts and
circumstances of its foreign subsidiaries, the functional
currencies of the Companys foreign subsidiaries were
changed to the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses from
transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional
currencies of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in
operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Income
Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and
liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss
and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using statutory tax rates expected to
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect
on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates
is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the
enactment date.
Stock-Based
Compensation
Adoption
of SFAS No. 123R
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted
SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based
Payment, (SFAS No. 123R), using the
modified-prospective transition method. Under this transition
method, stock compensation cost recognized beginning
January 1, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for
all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as
of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value
estimated in accordance with the original provisions of
SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all
share-based payments granted or modified on or subsequent to
January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value
estimated in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123R. In addition, compensation cost to be
recognized under SFAS No. 123R considers an estimate
of options which will be forfeited prior to vesting.
The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition
method provided in the FASB Staff Position (FSP)
No. FAS 123R-3
Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects
of Share-Based Payment Awards (FSP 123R-3) for calculating
the tax effects of stock-based compensation pursuant to
SFAS No. 123R. The alternative transition method
provides a simplified method to establish the beginning balance
of the additional paid-in capital pool (APIC Pool)
related to the tax effects of employee stock-based compensation,
and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC Pool and
consolidated statements of cash flows of the tax effects of
employee stock-based compensation awards that are outstanding
upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
SFAS No. 123R prohibits the recognition of a deferred
tax asset for an excess tax benefit that has not yet been
realized. As a result, the Company only recognizes a benefit
from stock-based compensation in
paid-in-capital
if an incremental tax benefit is realized after all other tax
attributes currently available to the Company have been
utilized. In addition, the Company has elected to account for
the indirect benefits of stock-based compensation on the
research tax credit through the consolidated statement of
operations rather than through
paid-in-capital.
Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123R, the Company accounted
for stock option grants under the recognition and measurement
provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
(APB 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees and related interpretations. No compensation
expense was recognized when the exercise price of the
Companys employee stock options equaled the market price
of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. Compensation
expense associated with the option repricing in 2005 was
recorded up to the date of adoption of
53
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
SFAS No. 123R until the options were exercised,
cancelled, or otherwise expired, and the expense or benefit for
the increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair market value
of the Companys common stock in excess of the
options exercise price was recognized immediately for
vested options and was recognized over the vesting period using
an accelerated method for unvested employee options.
As the Company was not current with its filing with the SEC,
employees who terminated from the Company during this period had
been unable to exercise their stock options during the
contractual 90 days of post-termination exercise period.
The Company made a decision effective February 1, 2006 to
extend the post-termination exercise period for former employees
with approximately 96,000 vested stock options for the year
ended December 30, 2006, until the earlier of 1) such
date that was ninety (90) days after the date that the
former employees were able to freely exercise the options
pursuant to a registration statement on
Form S-8
filed by the Company or 2) December 31, 2006. As a
result, the Company recorded stock-based compensation relating
to such extension totaling $177,000 for the year ended
December 30, 2006.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company accelerated the
vesting of 220,000 stock options for three former directors of
its board upon their departures. As a result, the Company
recorded additional $138,000 stock-based compensation expense
for the year ended December 30, 2006. During the same
period, Sipex recorded additional employee stock-based
compensation of $137,000 as restructuring expense for
accelerating the vesting of 125,000 stock options in lieu of a
severance payment made to a senior executive officer.
A summary of the Companys stock option plan activities for
the year ended December 30, 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Term (in years)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Outstanding at beginning of year
|
|
|
3,259
|
|
|
$
|
5.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
912
|
|
|
|
6.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
|
3.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited or expired
|
|
|
(215
|
)
|
|
|
7.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at end of year
|
|
|
3,761
|
|
|
$
|
5.88
|
|
|
|
7.81
|
|
|
$
|
17,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and expected to vest at
December 30, 2006
|
|
|
3,553
|
|
|
$
|
5.91
|
|
|
|
7.76
|
|
|
$
|
16,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 30,
2006
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
$
|
6.47
|
|
|
|
6.83
|
|
|
$
|
9,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation expenses
for stock option grants are based on the fair value calculated
from a stock option pricing model on the date of grant. The
Company has utilized the Black-Scholes single option pricing
model to determine the fair value for stock option grants. The
fair value of stock option grants issued is recognized as
compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite
service period, which is the vesting period of the grants.
Compensation expense recognized is shown in the operating
activities section of the consolidated statements of cash flows.
In addition, SFAS No. 123R requires the cash flows
resulting from the tax benefits from tax deductions in exercise
of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) to be
classified as financing cash flows.
As part of the requirements of SFAS No. 123R, the
Company is required to estimate potential forfeitures of stock
grants and adjust compensation cost recorded accordingly. The
estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite
service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or
are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in
estimated forfeitures will be recognized in the period of change
and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expenses
to be recognized in future periods.
54
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table shows total employee and non-employee
stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed
consolidated statements of operations pursuant to
SFAS No. 123R (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
$
|
343
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
1,219
|
|
Marketing and selling
|
|
|
816
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
1,265
|
|
Restructuring (see Note 3)
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
before income tax effect
|
|
|
3,780
|
|
Less income tax effect
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
after income tax effect
|
|
$
|
3,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 30, 2006, there was $167,000 of total
compensation cost capitalized in inventory.
As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123R on
January 1, 2006, the Companys loss before income
taxes and net loss for the year ended December 30, 2006
included 3.7 million of employee stock-based compensation
expense. At December 30, 2006, there was a total of
$5.2 million unrecognized compensation cost, net of
estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock option awards
which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of approximately 32 months.
During the year ended December 30, 2006, the aggregate
intrinsic value of options exercised under the Companys
stock option plans was $849,000, determined as of the date of
option exercise.
Prior
to the Adoption of SFAS No. 123R
Prior to 2006, the Companys stock-based employee
compensation plans were accounted for under the recognition and
measurement provisions of APB 25. The Company also provided
the required pro forma disclosures as required by
SFAS No. 123. The ESPP qualified as a non-compensatory
plan under APB 25; therefore, no compensation cost was
recorded in relation to the discount offered to employees for
purchases made under the ESPP.
Pro forma information under SFAS No. 123 for periods
prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R has not been
restated to reflect the effects of implementing
SFAS No. 123R. For purposes of this pro forma
disclosure, the value of stock options was estimated using the
Black-Scholes single option pricing valuation approach with
forfeitures recognized as they occur. The following table
illustrates the effect on net loss and earnings per share if the
Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS No. 123 to stock options granted under the
Companys
55
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
stock option plans and shares issued under the employee stock
purchase plan (in thousands, except per-share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Net loss as reported
|
|
$
|
(38,107
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,748
|
)
|
Add employee stock-based
compensation expense from accelerated stock option vesting and
other employee stock option compensation included in reported
net loss
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Less employee stock-based
compensation expense determined under fair value method
|
|
|
(5,107
|
)
|
|
|
(7,969
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss
|
|
$
|
(43,154
|
)
|
|
$
|
(30,666
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted as
reported
|
|
$
|
(2.14
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.38
|
)
|
Basic and diluted pro
forma
|
|
|
(2.43
|
)
|
|
|
(1.86
|
)
|
On September 6, 2005, the Company informed the employees
that certain options would be repriced to the then current
market price of the Companys stock which was
$3.80 per share. The repricing applied to all options with
an exercise price that was over $3.80 per share but
excluded options granted to the Companys CEO and board of
directors. The repricing affected 1,227,983 stock options shares
for 235 employees. The incremental employee compensation cost of
the repricing was approximately $1.1 million calculated
using the Black-Scholes stock option pricing model. The
incremental employee compensation costs are included in the pro
forma amounts above to the extent of vested options and the
remaining cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting
periods of the related options.
Valuation
Assumptions
The fair value of the Companys stock options granted was
estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes single
option pricing model with the following weighted-averaged
assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Expected life of options
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
|
4 years
|
|
|
|
4 years
|
|
Volatility
|
|
|
89
|
%
|
|
|
86
|
%
|
|
|
61
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.8
|
%
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value of
options granted
|
|
$
|
4.68
|
|
|
$
|
2.30
|
|
|
$
|
5.76
|
|
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company has elected to use
the Simplified Method outlined in SAB 107 to
determine the expected term of its stock option grants. The
calculation of expected term for previous SFAS No. 123
disclosure fair value estimates was based solely on an analysis
of historical exercises of stock options. The Company believes
that using the Simplified Method provides a better
estimate of future exercise patterns. Stock volatility is based
upon the Companys historical stock price volatility. The
Company considered historical volatility of a period generally
commensurate with the expected or contractual term, as
applicable, of the share option. The Company continues to use
the risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve
in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the
option to be valued. The Company does not currently intend to
pay cash dividends. Therefore, the Company has assumed a
dividend yield of zero.
56
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
No shares were issued under the Companys Employee Stock
Option Plan (ESPP) during 2005 and 2006. The fair value of each
ESPP share issued during 2004 was estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the
following assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Expected life of options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5 year
|
|
Volatility:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First purchase period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61
|
%
|
Second purchase period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First purchase period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2.74
|
|
Second purchase period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2.70
|
|
Effect
of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2004, the FASB issued EITF Issue
No. 03-1,
or EITF
03-1,
The Meaning of
Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments
which provides new guidance for assessing impairment losses on
investments. Additionally, EITF
03-1
includes new disclosure requirements for investments that are
deemed to be temporarily impaired. The disclosure requirements
are effective for annual periods ending after June 15,
2004. The adoption of EITF
03-1 did not
have a material impact on the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
In October 2004, the FASB approved EITF Issue
04-10
Determining Whether to Aggregate Operating Segments That
Do Not Meet the Quantitative Thresholds which addresses an
issue in the application of paragraph 19 of
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and related information. EITF
04-10 is
effective for fiscal years ending after September 15, 2005.
The adoption of this issue did not have a material impact to the
disclosures relating to the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151,
Inventory Costs, an Amendment of ARB No. 43,
Chapter 4. The amendments made by
SFAS No. 151 are intended to improve financial
reporting by clarifying that abnormal amount of idle facility
expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted materials
(spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges and by
requiring the allocation of fixed production overheads to
inventory based on the normal capacity of the production
facilities. The guidance is effective for inventory costs
incurred beginning on January 1, 2006. The adoption of
SFAS No. 151 did not have a material impact on
Sipexs consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB staff issued FSP
FAS 109-1,
Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production
Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of
2004 (the FSP) to provide guidance on the
application of Statement 109 to the provision within the
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act) that
provides tax relief to U.S. domestic manufacturers. The FSP
states that the manufacturers deduction provided for under
the Act should be accounted for as a special deduction in
accordance with Statement 109 and not as a tax rate
reduction. A special deduction is accounted for by recording the
benefit of the deduction in the year in which it can be taken in
the Companys tax return, rather than by adjusting deferred
tax assets and liabilities in the period of the Acts
enactment (which would have been done if the deduction on
qualified production activities were treated as a change in
enacted tax rates). The FSP was effective upon issuance. The
adoption of the FSP did not have a material impact on the
Companys consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
57
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of
Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 29, Accounting for
Nonmonetary Transactions. SFAS No. 153 requires
exchanges of productive assets to be accounted for at fair
value, rather than at carryover basis, unless (1) neither
the asset received nor the asset surrendered has a fair value
that is determinable within reasonable limits, or (2) the
transactions lack commercial substance. SFAS No. 153
is effective for non-monetary asset exchanges occurring in
fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption
of the standard did not have a material effect on the
Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2005, FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
SFAS No. 154 establishes new standards on accounting
for changes in accounting principles. Pursuant to the new rules,
all such changes must be accounted for by retrospective
application to the financial statements of prior periods unless
it is impracticable to do so. The Statement is effective for
accounting changes and error corrections made in fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2005, with early adoption
permitted for changes and corrections made in years beginning
after May 2005. Adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have
a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
(FSP) Nos.
FAS 115-1
and
FAS 124-1,
The Meaning of
Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments (FSP
115-1),
which replaces the measurement and recognition guidance set
forth in the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue
No. 03-01,
The Meaning of
Other-Than-Temporary
Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, and
codifies certain existing guidance on investment impairment. FSP
115-1
clarifies that an investor should recognize an impairment loss
no later than when the impairment is deemed
other-than-temporary,
even if a decision to sell the security has not been made, and
also provides guidance on the subsequent accounting for an
impaired debt security. FSP
115-1 also
requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have
not been recognized as
other-than-temporary
impairments. The guidance in FSP
115-1 amends
SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities and is effective for
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The
Company adopted the provisions of FSP
115-1
beginning on January 1, 2006, and the adoption did not have
a material impact on the Companys financial condition or
results of operations.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments,
an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140.
SFAS No. 155 will be effective for the Company
beginning in the first quarter of 2007. The Statement permits
interests in hybrid financial instruments that contain an
embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation, to
be accounted for as a single financial instrument at fair value,
with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. This election
is permitted on an
instrument-by-instrument
basis for all hybrid financial instruments held, obtained, or
issued as of the adoption date. The Company is assessing the
impact of the Statement.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
(FIN 48) as an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes
(SFAS 109). This Interpretation clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized by
prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute
for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax
position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This
Interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition of tax
benefits previously recognized and additional disclosures for
unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties. The
evaluation of a tax position in accordance with this
Interpretation begins with a determination as to whether it is
more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon
examination based on the technical merits of the position. A tax
position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition
threshold is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that
is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon
ultimate settlement for recognition in the financial statements.
FIN 48 is effective no later than fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2006, and is required to be adopted by
the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2007. The
Company is assessing the impact of the adoption of FIN 48.
On September 13, 2006, the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108),
Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when
Quantifying
58
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, which
provides interpretive guidance on the consideration of the
effects of prior year misstatements in quantifying current year
misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment.
SAB 108 is effective for companies with fiscal years ending
after November 15, 2006 and is required to be adopted by
the Company in its fiscal year ended December 30, 2006. The
adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on the
Companys financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair
value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement
applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or
permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously
concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is
the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement
does not require any new fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007,
and interim periods within those fiscal years. This Statement is
required to be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of
its fiscal year 2008. The Company is currently assessing the
impact of the adoption of this Statement.
In December 2006, the FASB staff issued FSP EITF Issue
No. 00-19-2,
Accounting for Registration Payment Arrangements
which specifies that the contingent obligation to make future
payments or otherwise transfer consideration under a
registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate
agreement or included as a provision of a financial instrument
or other agreement, should be separately recognized and measured
in accordance with FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies. This FSP shall be effective immediately for
registration payment arrangements and the financial instruments
subject to those arrangements that are entered into or modified
subsequent to the date of issuance of this FSP. For registration
payment arrangements and financial instruments subject to those
arrangements that were entered into prior to the issuance of
this FSP, this guidance shall be effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. The FSP is required to be adopted by the Company in the
first quarter of its fiscal year 2007. Sipex is currently
assessing the impact of the adoption of this FSP.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to
measure many financial instruments and certain other items at
fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and
losses on these items will be reported in earnings at each
subsequent reporting date. The fair value option may be applied
instrument by instrument (with a few exceptions), is irrevocable
and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of
instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2007. This Statement is
required to be adopted by the Company in the first quarter of
its fiscal year 2008. The Company is currently assessing the
impact of the adoption of this Statement.
59
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
Note 3.
|
Restructuring
and Impairment of Fixed Assets
|
Below is a summary of the activities related to restructuring
and impairment of fixed assets (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
|
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
|
Fixed Asset
|
|
|
|
Facility
|
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Impairment
|
|
|
Accrual balance, December 31,
2003
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Incurred in 2004
|
|
|
1,826
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
1,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(1,004
|
)
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
|
(1,036
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred rent adjustment
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance, January 1,
2005
|
|
|
1,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred in 2005
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
766
|
|
|
|
871
|
|
|
|
9,377
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(726
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(726
|
)
|
|
|
(9,377
|
)
|
Sub-lease
income received
|
|
|
293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
293
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(264
|
)
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
|
(294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance, December 31,
2005
|
|
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
736
|
|
|
|
1,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred in 2006
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
1,810
|
|
|
|
2,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges utilized
|
|
|
(818
|
)
|
|
|
(1,481
|
)
|
|
|
(2,299
|
)
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Employee stock options accelerated
as severance pay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(137
|
)
|
|
|
(137
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-lease
income received
|
|
|
565
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
565
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to accrual
|
|
|
(209
|
)
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
|
(263
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance, December 30,
2006
|
|
$
|
993
|
|
|
$
|
874
|
|
|
$
|
1,867
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition to the restructuring costs incurred above, in the
fourth quarter of 2006, the Company incurred $116,000 of
facility costs related to the unused fabrication portion of the
Companys headquarters facility in Milpitas, California,
due to the transfer of wafer fabrication to Silan.
Restructuring
During the third quarter of 2004, Sipex entered into a sublease
arrangement for a portion of the facility and decided to
relocate the remaining personnel to Milpitas, California. This
resulted in Sipex incurring $1.9 million of an additional
restructuring accrual which reflected the Companys plan to
move the majority of remaining operations to Milpitas,
California and consisted of $1.4 million for future lease
payments, $447,000 write-off of leasehold improvements and
$32,000 for severance payments to 12 employees.
During the year ended January 1, 2005, the Company utilized
$1.0 million of restructuring reserves, which primarily
included $447,000 of write-off of leasehold improvements, and
$463,000 of lease costs associated with the unused portion of
its Billerica facility. The Company made additional adjustments
to the restructuring for changes to the lease obligation
totaling $60,000. For the year ended January 1, 2005, the
balance of the restructuring accrual principally consisted of
facility lease costs, and is expected to be paid over the next
three years. The balance as of the year ended January 1,
2005 is $1.8 million, of which $566,000 was the short-term
portion and $1.3 million was long-term portion.
On August 29, 2005, the Board of Directors of Sipex
approved a plan to close its wafer fabrication operations
located in Milpitas, California and transfer the fabrication to
Silan in China to reduce costs and improve operating
efficiencies. As a result, the Company recognized total
restructuring charges of approximately $871,000 in the
60
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
second half of 2005 including severance and retention benefits
totaling $766,000 for approximately 70 employees and other exit
costs of $105,000. In addition, during the third quarter of
2005, Sipex decided not to transfer the remaining operations in
Billerica to Milpitas that was originally anticipated to be
completed by the end of 2005. The adjustment to restructuring
accrual of $294,000 during 2005 primarily included exiting costs
of $213,000, offset by sublease income of $293,000 and $195,000
recorded in the third quarter of 2005 as a reduction to future
lease payment obligation for not transferring such remaining
operations in Billerica. Sublease income is recorded on a cash
basis due to uncertainty of collectibility. The restructuring
accrual balance as of December 31, 2005 consisted of
short-term portion of $1.4 million and long-term portion of
$584,000. The $2.0 million restructuring accrual balance
included $1.2 million of facility lease costs to be paid
out over the next two years and the remaining portion to be paid
out in less than a year.
During the year ended December 30, 2006, for the unused
portion of Billerica facility initiated in October 2003, the
Company utilized the restructuring accrual totaling $726,000
which was primarily consisted of lease costs. Adjustments to the
accrual for the Billerica facility primarily related to
sub-lease
income of $565,000 recorded on a cash basis due to the
uncertainty of collectibility.
During 2006, Sipex incurred additional restructuring costs of
$677,000 that related to employee retention payments for the
closure of its wafer fabrication operations located in Milpitas,
California, announced in August 2005. For employee costs, the
Company utilized $1.4 million and recognized an expense
accrual adjustment of $54,000. For facility costs related to
Milpitas wafer fabrication closure, the Company recognized
approximately $200,000 in expense for contract termination in
the fourth quarter of 2006 associated with gas usage and service
agreements with a vendor. For facility costs related to the
Milpitas wafer fabrication closure, restructuring charges
utilized during 2006 totaling $91,000 was for facility
decontamination.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company introduced a
workforce reduction plan involving approximately
75 positions that was implemented in response to its
transitioning to a fabless semiconductor company, optical
products, reducing dependency on the commodity products and with
a goal of improving cost structure. As a result, Sipex recorded
total restructuring costs of $1.1 million related to
employee severance compensation including $137,000 for
accelerating the vesting of stock options in lieu of a severance
payment for a senior executive officer. Severance payments of
$122,000 were made in December 2006.
As of December 30, 2006, the balance of the restructuring
accrual primarily consisted of employee severance costs,
contract termination costs and facility lease costs. These costs
are expected to be paid over the next 15 months. The
balance of the accrual as of December 30, 2006 was
$1.8 million of which $1.7 million was the short-term
portion and $139,000 was the long-term portion.
Impairment
In the second quarter of 2005, Sipex tested its wafer
fabrication asset grouping, for which cash flows from the wafer
fabrication operations provide the lowest level of cash flows
that are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets
and liabilities of the Company, for recoverability in accordance
with SFAS No. 144 given that an appraisal indicated
the carrying amount of the asset grouping may not be
recoverable. An impairment loss of $9.4 million was
recognized, representing the difference between the carrying
value and the fair value of the wafer fabrication asset grouping
which management determined with the assistance of an
independent appraisal firm.
In August 2005, the Board of Directors approved terminating the
wafer fabrication operations and the sale of the related assets.
Also in August 2005, the Company identified a potential buyer,
Silan, who would purchase, take title to and be trained to use a
substantial portion of its wafer fabrication asset grouping by
the end of the third quarter of 2006. Accordingly, the Company
continued to use the wafer fabrication assets until September
2006 and recorded depreciation expense based on the estimated
remaining useful life at the time of impairment.
61
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company recognized an additional impairment loss of $12,000
resulting from the sale of wafer fabrication equipment and
machinery in Milpitas, California, in the fourth quarter of
2006. These wafer fabrication assets had been impaired in the
second quarter of 2005. Net proceeds from the sale totaled
$1.1 million.
Inventories are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Raw materials
|
|
$
|
768
|
|
|
$
|
223
|
|
Work-in-process
|
|
|
10,518
|
|
|
|
10,297
|
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
4,300
|
|
|
|
2,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,586
|
|
|
$
|
13,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5.
|
Property,
Plant and Equipment
|
Property, plant and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Land
|
|
$
|
5,957
|
|
|
$
|
5,957
|
|
Building and improvements
|
|
|
23,614
|
|
|
|
23,614
|
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
11,713
|
|
|
|
13,503
|
|
Furniture, fixtures and office
equipment
|
|
|
7,454
|
|
|
|
6,926
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
357
|
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,095
|
|
|
|
50,326
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization
|
|
|
29,982
|
|
|
|
24,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
19,113
|
|
|
$
|
25,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In September 2005, the Company tested its Milpitas corporate
headquarters facility given an appraisal indicated that the
carrying amount might not be recoverable. The headquarters
facility housed the wafer fabrication operations as well as the
sales and marketing department, the research and development
department and the corporate administration functions. The
Milpitas corporate headquarters facility does not have
identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash
flows of other assets and liabilities of the Company.
Accordingly, the Milpitas corporate headquarters facility, which
includes all assets located at the Milpitas facility except for
the wafer fabrication asset grouping, is included in the asset
grouping which includes all assets and liabilities of the
Company. No impairment loss was recognized given the carrying
value of all assets and liabilities of the Company was less than
the fair value, determined based on the quoted market value of
the Company.
In November 2005, the Board of Directors approved the sale of
the Companys Milpitas corporate headquarters facility. As
a result of this decision, the Company reduced the remaining
estimated depreciable life for its headquarters building and
related improvements from 25 years to approximately four
months (See Note 11 regarding the sale and leaseback
arrangement for Sipexs headquarters facility), or through
March 2006, the date the Company expected the sale leaseback of
the Milpitas corporate headquarters facility would qualify as a
sale. This change resulted in an increase in depreciation
expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 of
$6.5 million (with $4.3 million included in cost of
sales) and in the first quarter of 2006 of $6.7 million
(with $4.5 million included in cost of sales). In March
2006, the Company revised the remaining depreciable life of the
Milpitas corporate headquarters facility (see
Note 2) when it was determined that the sale leaseback
did not qualify as a sale transaction and was required to be
accounted for as a financing transaction.
62
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accrued expenses are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Accrued compensation and benefits
|
|
$
|
2,815
|
|
|
$
|
2,959
|
|
Accrued provision for purchase
commitment on excess inventories
|
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest and related
derivative liaility
|
|
|
679
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Accrued audit fees
|
|
|
574
|
|
|
|
2,607
|
|
Accrued commissions
|
|
|
444
|
|
|
|
309
|
|
Accrued income taxes
|
|
|
340
|
|
|
|
248
|
|
Accrued warranty
|
|
|
259
|
|
|
|
87
|
|
Accrued legal fees
|
|
|
251
|
|
|
|
365
|
|
Accrued royalties
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
Other
|
|
|
387
|
|
|
|
514
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,185
|
|
|
$
|
7,282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 7.
|
Borrowing
Arrangements
|
On July 21, 2005, Sipex entered into a Loan and Security
Agreement (the Agreement), as amended, with Silicon
Valley Bank, which has an expiration date of September 29,
2007. The Agreement provides for a secured revolving line of
credit with aggregate borrowings up to $5,000,000 limited to the
available borrowing base (eligible accounts receivable as
defined in the Agreement) plus $2,000,000. Available borrowings
are further reduced by letters of credit which may be issued
under the Agreement on behalf of the Company. Borrowings under
the revolving line of credit bear an interest rate, chosen by
Company, either at the banks prime rate or LIBOR rate
(depending upon the interest period of one, two or three months
selected by Sipex) plus 2.75%. Under the Agreement, Sipex has
granted the bank a security interest in all presently existing
and later acquired collateral, including but not limited to
goods, equipment, inventory, contract rights, and financial
assets with the exception of Sipexs headquarters property
in Milpitas, California, which was sold in March 2006 (See
Note 11). On March 9, 2006, Sipex entered into a sale
and leaseback transaction with Mission West Properties, L.P. for
its headquarters facility, located at 233 South Hillview Drive
in Milpitas, California. Sipex has provided a security deposit
of $1,265,000 in the form of an irrevocable standby letter of
credit issued to Mission West Properties, L.P. under its
$5,000,000 line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. In respect
to financial covenants, the Agreement requires the Company to
maintain a minimum liquidity ratio for each quarter ended not
less than 2.50:1.00 which is calculated as the sum of
(i) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, short-term
marketable securities and 50% of consolidated accounts divided
by (ii) the outstanding borrowings from the bank. In
addition, Sipex is required to maintain a minimum amount of
tangible net worth (as defined in the Agreement) as of the last
day of each quarter.
The agreement contains additional affirmative covenants,
including, among others, covenants regarding the payment of
taxes and other obligations, maintenance of insurance, reporting
requirements and compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. In addition, the agreement contains negative
covenants limiting our ability to dispose of assets, change our
business plans, be acquired or beneficially owned, merge or
consolidate, incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments,
pay dividends, repurchase stock, and pay subordinated debt. The
agreement contains events of default that include, among others,
non-payment of principal, interest or fees, inaccuracy of
representations and warranties, violations of covenants,
bankruptcy and insolvency events, any material adverse change,
material judgments, cross defaults to certain other indebtedness
and seizure of assets. The occurrence of an event of default
will increase the applicable rate of interest by 5.0% and would,
unless waived by Silicon Valley Bank, result in the immediate
payment of all of our obligations under the agreement. As of
December 30, 2006, the unused portion of the line of credit
was $3,735,000.
63
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
As part of the Agreement, in addition to the $5,000,000 secured
revolving line of credit, Sipex can borrow under the term loans
from September 28, 2006 to December 31, 2006 in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000. Interest accrues from
the date of each term loan at a fixed rate of 9.25%. Each term
loan shall be payable in thirty-six (36) equal monthly
installments of principal plus accrued interest. When repaid or
prepaid, the term loan may not be re-borrowed. As of
December 30, 2006, $2,000,000 term loan was outstanding, of
which $667,000 was the short-term portion and $1,333,000 was the
long-term portion. If Sipex is unable to satisfy the financial
covenant requirements and is unable to obtain a waiver from the
bank, the Company may be required to repay the outstanding
borrowing amounts
and/or
classify such amounts as short-term bank borrowing.
On January 19, 2006, Sipex announced the completion of a
$7.0 million private loan financing in which Sipex issued a
9% secured note with convertible interest due January 19,
2008 to an affiliate of Future (See Note 2). The note was
secured by a deed of trust on the Companys headquarters
property located in Milpitas, California. Accrued interest on
the loan was convertible into Sipexs common stock at the
option of the holder on January 19, 2007 and
January 19, 2008. The conversion price would be the volume
weighted average price for sales of the common stock during the
20 trading days prior to the date of conversion. The holder of
the note could require repayment of the note in the event of a
change of control of Sipex or the sale of the property subject
to the deed of trust. The note was subject to customary events
of default. Interest on the note accrued at 9% compounded
quarterly and was payable at maturity. The note was subsequently
paid off in cash in March 2006.
On March 29, 2007, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with Rodfre, an affiliate of Future. This
agreement creates a promissory note facility that provides that
from time to time the Company may issue to Rodfre up to
$10.0 million worth of 9% Unsecured Junior Notes in
exchange for cash equal to the principal amounts of each note.
The notes have customary events of default, including defaults
upon failure to pay interest or principal amounts when due,
breach of covenants (with a 15 day grace period), breach of
representations and warranties, default on other indebtedness in
excess of $1.0 million, or upon insolvency events. The
holders of the notes will also have the option of demanding
repayment of any outstanding amounts owed pursuant to the notes
within 30 days of a change of control of Sipex.
In the accompanying consolidated statements of operations,
Loss before income tax expense (benefit) includes
the following components for the years ended December 30,
2006, December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005 (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$
|
(40,930
|
)
|
|
$
|
(37,910
|
)
|
|
$
|
(23,019
|
)
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(179
|
)
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income tax expense
(benefit)
|
|
$
|
(41,109
|
)
|
|
$
|
(37,915
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,881
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total federal, state and foreign income tax expense (benefit),
consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
State
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135
|
|
|
|
135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expense (benefit)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
192
|
|
|
$
|
192
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(133
|
)
|
|
$
|
(133
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The actual tax expense (benefit) differs from the
expected statutory tax expense as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Tax benefit at statutory rate
|
|
$
|
(14,388
|
)
|
|
$
|
(13,270
|
)
|
|
$
|
(8,008
|
)
|
State income tax, net of federal
income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Non-deductible expenses
|
|
|
872
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
Foreign taxes on branch income and
tax rate differential
|
|
|
135
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
Tax credits
|
|
|
(606
|
)
|
|
|
(928
|
)
|
|
|
(491
|
)
|
Losses not benefited/change in
valuation allowance
|
|
|
14,122
|
|
|
|
14,158
|
|
|
|
8,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual tax expense (benefit)
|
|
$
|
125
|
|
|
$
|
192
|
|
|
$
|
(133
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to
significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities
at December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Current deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories, primarily write-downs
not currently deductible
|
|
$
|
4,127
|
|
|
$
|
5,049
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
|
503
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
3,170
|
|
|
|
3,064
|
|
Accrued expenses and reserves not
currently deductible
|
|
|
7,944
|
|
|
|
2,659
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current deferred tax assets
before valuation allowance
|
|
|
15,630
|
|
|
|
11,275
|
|
Valuation allowance
current
|
|
|
(15,630
|
)
|
|
|
(11,275
|
)
|
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards
|
|
|
77,083
|
|
|
|
63,468
|
|
Tax credit carryforwards
|
|
|
5,405
|
|
|
|
5,232
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noncurrent deferred tax
assets before valuation allowance
|
|
|
82,488
|
|
|
|
68,700
|
|
Valuation allowance
noncurrent
|
|
|
(77,033
|
)
|
|
|
(67,810
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets, due to differences
in depreciation
|
|
|
(5,455
|
)
|
|
|
(890
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 30, 2006, the Company had U.S. net
operating loss carry forwards of approximately
$207.4 million, which are available to offset future
Federal taxable income. These losses expire during the years
2007 through 2026. As of December 30, 2006, a substantial
amount of the net operating loss carry forwards are subject to
annual limitations as a result of IRC Section 382 ownership
changes, which have occurred in prior years.
At December 30, 2006, the Company had Massachusetts and
California net operating loss carry forwards of approximately
$131.7 million and $73.6 million, respectively. The
Massachusetts net operating loss expires during the years 2007
through 2011, while the California net operating loss expires
from 2012 through 2016.
The valuation allowance increased by $13.6 million,
$13.3 million and $9.6 million for the years ended
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In assessing the net
realizable value of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all of
the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate
realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which
those temporary differences become taxable. Management considers
the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected
future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax
assets are deductible. Based on these considerations, management
believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax
assets at December 30,
65
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
2006 will not be realized in the future. At December 30,
2006, approximately $1.8 million of the valuation allowance
was attributable to stock compensation expense for tax purposes,
that tax benefit of which, when realized, will be credited to
stockholders equity.
As of December 30, 2006, the Company also had federal and
California research and development credit carry forwards of
approximately $3.1 million and $3.5 million
respectively. The federal credit expires from 2010 to 2026, and
the California credit may be carried forward indefinitely. The
Company also has approximately $2.1 million of California
manufacturers investment credit carry forwards, which
expire from 2007 to 2013, and $0.1 million of Massachusetts
investment tax credit carry forwards, which may be carried
forward indefinitely.
United States federal income taxes have not been provided for
the undistributed earnings of the Companys foreign
subsidiaries. These undistributed earnings aggregated $195,000
at December 30, 2006, and it is the Companys
intention that such undistributed earnings be permanently
reinvested offshore under APB 23. The Company would be
subject to additional United States taxes if these earnings were
repatriated. Determination of the amount of unrecognized
deferred income tax liability related to these earnings is not
practicable.
On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs
Creation Act of 2004 (the Act). Among other
provisions, the Act includes a temporary incentive for
U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned
abroad. We currently do not intend to repatriate foreign
earnings under the Act. It is not anticipated that the other
provisions of the Act will have a material impact on the
Companys effective tax rate.
|
|
Note 9.
|
Stockholders
Equity
|
Issuance
of Common Stock to Related Party
In February 2004, the affiliates of Future exercised the
conversion rights to convert the first note (sold on
September 27, 2002) with an attached warrant and the
second note (sold on June 20, 2003) into an aggregate
of 2.3 million shares of the Companys common stock. A
total of $22.6 million of principal portion of long-term
debt, net of $1.2 million in unamortized discount and
$0.2 million in unamortized issuance cost, was
extinguished. On August 5, 2004, the affiliates of Future
exercised the warrant attached to the first note to purchase
450,000 shares of Sipexs common stock at an exercise
price of $5.8916 per share for a total of $2,651,000. On
December 21, 2006 an affiliate of Future exercised its
warrants attached to the 2006 Notes (see Note 12) to
purchase 419,776 of the Companys common stock at an
exercise price of $6.432 per share for a total of $2,700,000.
Stock
Option Plans
Sipex currently maintains five option plans. They are the 1997
Stock Option Plan, 1999 Stock Option Plan, 2000 Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan, 2002 Non-statutory Stock Option Plan and 2006
Equity Incentive Plan under which 0.6 million,
0.6 million, 0.3 million, 1.0 million and
0.8 million shares were reserved for issuance,
respectively. The plans generally allow for options which vest
ratably over five years from the date of grant for options
granted before May 2002 and four years for options granted after
April 2002. These options expire ten years from the date of
grant. In October 2002, the Board of Directors voted to reduce
the number of shares available for issuance under 2000
Non-qualified Stock Option Plan to 335,995. Approximately
3,761,000 stock options were outstanding as of December 30,
2006 for all plans. As of December 30, 2006, approximately
930,000 stock options were available for grant under all plans.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company accelerated the
vesting of 220,000 stock options for three former directors of
its board upon their departures. As a result, the Company
recorded additional $138,000 stock-based compensation expense
for the year ended December 30, 2006. During the same
period, Sipex recorded additional employee stock-based
compensation of $137,000 as restructuring expense for
accelerating vesting of 125,000 stock options in lieu of a
severance payment made to a senior executive officer.
66
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
On August 29, 2005, Sipexs Board of Directors
approved the repricing of the employee stock options outstanding
under its stock option plans, effective as of the close of
business on September 6, 2005 with the exception that
options granted pursuant to the Sipex Corporation 1999 Stock
Plan and options granted to Sipexs current CEO and
directors would not be repriced. In addition, outstanding
options with current exercise prices below the fair market value
of Sipexs common stock at the close of business on
September 6, 2005 will also not be subject to the
repricing. As such, approximately 1,228,000 options held by 235
employees, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.44 were
modified on September 6, 2005 to lower the option exercise
price to $3.80 which equals to the fair market value of
Sipexs common stock at the close of business as disclosed
on the Pink Sheets on that date. No other changes
were made to the terms of the repriced stock options.
Compensation expense associated with the option repricing was
recorded until the options were exercised, cancelled, or
otherwise expired and the expense or benefit for the increase or
decrease, respectively, in the fair market value of the
Companys common stock in excess of the options
exercise price was recognized immediately for the vested options
and over the vesting period using an accelerated method for
unvested employee options. For the year ended December 31,
2005, no compensation expense was recorded related to the
repriced options as Sipex stock price at the end of the year was
lower than the exercise price of the repriced options. The
variable accounting associated with the repriced options ceased
upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, effective
January 1, 2006.
During 2005 Sipex recorded $60,000 in stock-based compensation
expense due to the extension of the exercise period on a stock
option granted to a former executive. During 2004, the Company
recorded $44,000 in stock compensation resulting primarily from
the accelerated vesting of stock options to former executives at
the time of termination.
A summary of Sipexs stock option activity for the years
ended December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and
January 1, 2005 is presented below (in thousands, except
per-share amounts).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at beginning of year
|
|
|
3,259
|
|
|
$
|
5.74
|
|
|
|
2,726
|
|
|
$
|
11.96
|
|
|
|
3,285
|
|
|
$
|
11.02
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
912
|
|
|
|
6.20
|
|
|
|
1,409
|
|
|
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
823
|
|
|
|
11.31
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
|
3.73
|
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
|
5.92
|
|
|
|
(689
|
)
|
|
|
6.16
|
|
Forfeited or expired
|
|
|
(215
|
)
|
|
|
7.04
|
|
|
|
(798
|
)
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
|
|
(693
|
)
|
|
|
12.44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at end of year
|
|
|
3,761
|
|
|
$
|
5.88
|
|
|
|
3,259
|
|
|
$
|
5.74
|
|
|
|
2,726
|
|
|
$
|
11.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and expected to vest at
December 30, 2006
|
|
|
3,553
|
|
|
$
|
5.91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 30,
2006
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
$
|
6.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes information about Sipexs
stock options outstanding at December 30, 2006 (in
thousands, except number of years and per-share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Range of Exercise Prices
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Life
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
$ 2.00 - $ 3.36
|
|
|
323
|
|
|
|
7.62 years
|
|
|
$
|
2.89
|
|
|
|
167
|
|
|
$
|
2.54
|
|
$ 3.40 - $ 3.40
|
|
|
651
|
|
|
|
7.85 years
|
|
|
$
|
3.40
|
|
|
|
339
|
|
|
$
|
3.40
|
|
$ 3.44 - $ 3.78
|
|
|
272
|
|
|
|
8.76 years
|
|
|
$
|
3.60
|
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
$
|
3.58
|
|
$ 3.80 - $ 3.80
|
|
|
975
|
|
|
|
6.50 years
|
|
|
$
|
3.80
|
|
|
|
698
|
|
|
$
|
3.80
|
|
$ 3.82 - $ 5.20
|
|
|
386
|
|
|
|
8.81 years
|
|
|
$
|
4.10
|
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
$ 5.62 - $ 6.90
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
9.50 years
|
|
|
$
|
6.28
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
$
|
6.72
|
|
$ 7.00 - $ 9.14
|
|
|
382
|
|
|
|
9.17 years
|
|
|
$
|
8.43
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
$
|
8.81
|
|
$ 9.56 - $43.00
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
|
6.38 years
|
|
|
$
|
16.99
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
$
|
17.96
|
|
$56.63 - $56.63
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
3.55 years
|
|
|
$
|
56.63
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
56.63
|
|
$57.50 - $57.50
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
3.59 years
|
|
|
$
|
57.50
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
$
|
57.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,761
|
|
|
|
7.81 years
|
|
|
$
|
5.88
|
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
$
|
6.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
In January 1996, the Board of Directors approved the 1996
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, pursuant to which Sipex is
authorized to issue up to 250,000 shares of common stock to
its full-time employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to
participate. In October 2002, the Board of Directors voted to
reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the
1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to 200,000 shares. On
May 27, 2004, the Companys stockholders approved an
increase of 150,000 shares of common stock reserved for
grant under such Plan. Under the terms of the Plan, employees
can choose to have up to 10 percent of their annual base
earnings withheld each year to purchase Sipexs common
stock. The purchase price of stock is 85 percent of the
lower of its
beginning-of-period
or
end-of-period
market price. As of December 30, 2006, approximately
122,000 shares were available for issuance under the Plan.
|
|
Note 10.
|
Accrued
Warranty
|
Products are sold with warranties ranging from one to two years
depending upon the customers. Reserve requirements are recorded
in the period of sale and are based on an assessment of the
products sold with warranty and historical warranty costs
incurred. The Company also assesses its pre-existing warranty
obligations and may adjust the amounts based on actual
experience or changes in future expectations.
Changes in Sipexs warranty liability during the years are
as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
87
|
|
|
$
|
228
|
|
|
$
|
195
|
|
Warranty claims
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
|
(192
|
)
|
Accruals for the period
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
(81
|
)
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
259
|
|
|
$
|
87
|
|
|
$
|
228
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 11. Lease
Financing Obligation
On March 9, 2006, the Company entered into an Agreement for
Purchase and Sale of Real Property with Mission West Properties,
L.P. The agreement provides for the sale of the Companys
headquarters facility, located at 233 South Hillview Drive in
Milpitas, California (the Hillview facility), to
Mission West Properties, L.P. for a price of $13.4 million
in cash. The Company incurred commission and selling costs of
$0.8 million. The Hillview facility primarily consists of
two connected buildings with approximately 95,700 total square
feet (which includes 20,000 square feet of Class 10
clean room), 293
on-site
surface parking spaces, and the underlying land with
improvements and all fixtures attached thereto. Simultaneously,
the Company entered into a Standard Form Lease agreement to
lease back the Hillview facility from Mission West Properties,
L.P. The lease term is 60 months with average lease
payments of approximately $1.4 million per year. Further,
the Company will have an option to extend the lease for an
additional five years when the current term expires.
The Company provides a security deposit of $1.3 million in
the form of an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued to
Mission West Properties, L.P. under its $5.0 million
revolving line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. The security
deposit is held as security for the faithful performance by
Sipex for all of the terms, covenants, and conditions prescribed
under the lease agreement. Accordingly, the Company has
accounted for this sale and leaseback transaction as a financing
transaction shown on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as
lease financing obligation. With the initial
obligation recorded at $12.6 million which represents net
proceeds from the sale of the Hillview facility, no gain or loss
was recorded upon the sale. The effective-interest rate for the
lease financing obligation is 9.3% which approximates the
Companys estimated borrowing rate at that time.
Depreciation for the Hillview facility is recorded over the
straight-line method for the remaining useful life.
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ending December
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
1,329
|
|
2008
|
|
|
1,368
|
|
2009
|
|
|
1,408
|
|
2010
|
|
|
1,449
|
|
2011
|
|
|
11,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments
|
|
|
17,008
|
|
Less: amount representing interest
|
|
|
4,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of minimum lease
payments
|
|
|
12,343
|
|
Less: current portion of lease
financing obligation
|
|
|
191
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term lease financing
obligation
|
|
$
|
12,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 30, 2006, interest expense
totaled $927,000 for the lease financing obligation.
Note 12. Convertible
Senior Notes
Terms
and Conditions
On May 18, 2006, Sipex issued $30.0 million of 5.5%
Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (2006
Notes) in a private placement. Rodfre, an affiliate of
Future, purchased 50% of the 2006 Notes or $15.0 million
aggregate principal amount being sold in this offering. The
remainder of the 2006 Notes was purchased by other accredited
investors. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of
approximately $29.0 million for general corporate purposes.
The 2006 Notes will mature on May 18, 2026 and bear
interest at an annual rate of 5.5% payable semi-annually on May
15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15,
2006. Sipex may pay interest in cash or, solely at its option,
in shares of its common stock. However, Sipex may only make
interest payments in shares of its
69
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
common stock if certain conditions in the indenture are met,
including, among other things, that a registration statement
related to shares issuable under the terms of the 2006 Notes and
related warrants as noted below has been declared effective and
is available for the resale of any such interest shares, or
other exemption from federal securities laws is available for
the resale of such interest shares, and that Sipexs common
stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, the New York Stock
Exchange or another national exchange. In addition, common stock
used to pay any such interest will be valued at ninety percent
(90%) of the market price of the common stock as of two days
prior to the date of payment of such interest.
The 2006 Notes are convertible into Sipexs common stock at
any time prior to maturity, initially at a conversion price of
$5.36 per share, subject to adjustment upon certain events,
including, among other things, dividends, stock splits and
recapitalizations. If fully converted, the principal amount of
the 2006 Notes would convert into 5,597,015 shares of the
Companys common stock.
At any time prior to maturity, the Company may elect to
automatically convert some or all of the 2006 Notes into shares
of Sipexs common stock if the daily closing price of its
common stock exceeds one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the
then applicable conversion price (initially $8.04 per
share) for 20 trading days during any 30
trading-day
period ending within 5 days of the notice of automatic
conversion and either (a) a registration statement covering
the resale of the common stock issued upon conversion is
effective and available for use from the date Sipex notifies the
holder of the 2006 Notes of the automatic conversion and Sipex
reasonably expects such registration statement to remain
effective through and including the earlier of the date of the
automatic conversion or the last date on which the registration
statement registering the resale of such common stock is
required to be kept effective under the terms of the
registration rights agreement, or (b) the common stock to
be issued upon conversion may be sold pursuant to
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
At any time on or after May 21, 2009, Sipex may redeem some
or all of the 2006 Notes at 100% of the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption
date. If Sipex elects to redeem the 2006 Notes, it will provide
notice of redemption to the holders of the 2006 Notes not less
than 20 days and not more than 90 days before the
redemption date.
The holders of the 2006 Notes may require Sipex to repurchase
the 2006 Notes for cash on May 15, 2011, May 15, 2016
or May 15, 2021, at a price equal to 100% of the principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
excluding, the applicable repurchase date.
Upon a change of control or a termination of trading that occurs
after such time as Sipexs common stock has been listed for
trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, the New York Stock Exchange
or other national automated quotation system or securities
exchange, the holders of the 2006 Notes may require Sipex to
repurchase the 2006 Notes in cash at a price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of the 2006 Notes plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable repurchase
date.
The 2006 Notes contains certain covenants applicable to Sipex,
including a covenant restricting the amount of indebtedness that
Sipex can incur that is senior or pari passu with the 2006 Notes
to an aggregate principal amount of $7.5 million, unless
such restriction is waived by holders of over
662/3%
of the principal amount of the 2006 Notes then outstanding. In
addition, an event of default would occur under the 2006 Notes
for a number of reasons, including the Companys failure to
pay when due any principal, interest or late charges on the 2006
Notes, the default and acceleration of indebtedness with the
Companys bank and other lenders in amounts greater than
$2.5 million, certain events of bankruptcy and its breach
or failure to perform certain representations and obligations
under the 2006 Notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of
default, the Companys obligations under the 2006 Notes may
become due and payable in accordance with the terms thereof.
Further, the holders of the 2006 Notes have imposed dividend
restriction on Sipex.
In conjunction with the issuance of the 2006 Notes, the Company
issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 839,552 shares
of its common stock to the accredited investors. Each warrant is
exercisable for one share of Sipexs common stock at an
initial exercise price of $6.432 per share, subject to
adjustment upon certain events, including,
70
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
among other things, dividends, stock splits and
recapitalizations. The warrants are exercisable (in whole or in
part) at any time on or before May 18, 2011, unless earlier
terminated by Sipex. On December 21, 2006, Rodfre paid
$2.7 million to exercise its warrant for 419,776 of Sipex
common stock at $6.432 per share. As of December 30,
2006, the affiliates of Future held 8.6 million shares, or
47% of the Companys outstanding capital stock.
At any time after May 18, 2009, Sipex may terminate the
remaining warrants if the closing price of its common stock
exceeds 200% of the exercise price for at least 20 trading days
during any 30
trading-day
period. Such warrants will expire 90 days after the mailing
date of the notice of termination. Any unexercised warrants with
exercise prices below the then current fair market value as of
the date of termination will automatically be deemed exercised
in full pursuant to a cashless exercise. Each of the unexercised
warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
May 18, 2011, unless earlier terminated as described above.
As Sipex was not current in its SEC filings by August 15,
2006, Sipex incurred additional interest on the 2006 Notes at an
annual rate of 1.5% for the period beginning August 16,
2006 and ending on September 21, 2006, the date that the
Companys filings became current. In addition, Sipexs
common stock was not listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, the New
York Stock Exchange or another national exchange or automated
quotation system by December 31, 2006. Sipex will pay
additional interest on the 2006 Notes at an annual rate of 1.5%
for the period beginning January 1, 2007 through the date
that its common stock becomes listed for trading on one of the
national exchanges.
As part of the 2006 Note agreements, Sipex also entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights
Agreement), pursuant to which Sipex has agreed to file
with the SEC a registration statement covering the resale of the
2006 Notes, the warrants and the shares of Sipexs common
stock issuable upon conversion of the 2006 Notes and exercise of
the warrants no later than August 15, 2006 and to have the
registration statement declared effective no later than
December 31, 2006. Since Sipex did not file the
registration statement by August 15, 2006, Sipex will be
required to pay certain registration delay payments,
up to an annual rate of 1.2%, as calculated in the Registration
Rights Agreement, with respect to solely the 2006 Notes.
The aforementioned additional interest and registration delay
payments are collectively referred as the penalties (the
penalties). The Company filed all its late
Forms 10-K
and 10-Q to
the SEC by September 21, 2006 and incurred such penalties
and recorded additional interest expense of $119,000 relating to
the penalties for the year ended December 30, 2006.
Valuation
of the 2006 Notes, Beneficial Conversion Feature, Warrants and
Penalties
The 2006 Notes were initially recorded during the second quarter
of 2006 at $25.4 million representing their face values of
$30.0 million, less estimated fair values of the
freestanding warrants ($1.6 million), beneficial conversion
feature of the 2006 Notes ($1.6 million), derivatives
liability relating to the additional interest expense and
registration delay penalties ($134,000), and debt issuance costs
($1.2 million). The difference between the initial recorded
value and the face value of the 2006 Notes is being amortized to
interest expense using the effective interest method through May
2011. The effective interest rate is 9.5% which approximates the
Companys estimated borrowing rate.
The estimated fair value of the warrants of $1.6 million is
accounted for as a freestanding warrant. The Company also
recorded the $1.6 million estimated value of the beneficial
conversion feature of the 2006 Notes. The Company applied the
guidance from Emerging Issues Task Force, EITF Issue
No. 98-5,
Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial
Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion
Ratios and EITF Issue
No. 00-27,
Application of Issue
No. 98-5
to Certain Convertible Instruments in accounting for the
2006 Notes, the accompanying warrants and the value of the
beneficial conversion feature. Pursuant to EITF Issue
No. 05-04
The Effect of a Liquidated Damages Clause on a
Freestanding Financial Instrument Subject to EITF Issue
No. 00-19,
Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed
to, and Potentially Settled in, a Companys Own
Stock,, the Company combined the obligation to
make registration delay payments and other
71
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
interest penalty payments related to listing of the
Companys stock with the convertible senior notes for
accounting purpose. Furthermore, these penalty obligations have
been bifurcated from the combined instruments and accounted for
as a derivative. The $134,000 derivative liability for the
penalties recorded represents the estimate fair value of such
obligation as of the date of issuance of the 2006 Notes relating
to the penalties to be incurred in the event certain regulatory
filings are not made in a timely manner and in the event of
non-timely listing of the stock on an exchange. The fair value
of the freestanding warrants and the estimated value of the
beneficial conversion feature were recorded to increase the
additional paid-in capital while the estimated fair value of the
penalties was recorded as a derivative liability.
The issuance costs totaled $1.3 million of which
$1.2 million related to debt issuance costs and $71,000
related to warrant issuance costs. The $1.2 million, which
includes placement agent fees of $900,000 on the
$15.0 million of the 2006 Notes not sold to Future, is
being amortized as part of interest expense over a five-year
period. The Company reduced additional
paid-in-capital
by $71,000 related to warrant issuance costs.
For the year ended December 30, 2006, Sipex recorded
$452,000, which included $119,000 penalties, as an increase to
interest expense resulting from the upward revaluation of the
estimated fair value of the derivative liability. The estimated
fair value of the derivative liability as of December 30,
2006 was $467,000. For the year ended December 30, 2006,
the Company recorded interest expense of $1.5 million under
the effective interest method which included $1.0 million
for interest at 5.5% and $472,000 for amortization of discounts
and debt issuance costs.
|
|
Note 13.
|
Employee
Benefit Plan
|
The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan,
covering substantially all employees. Sipex discontinued its 50%
match for contributions made by employees up to 6% of their
annual compensation in 2002 and started to contribute again in
2003. During 2004 Sipex discontinued the 50% match again. In
July 2005, the Company reinstated the 401(k) matching plan
whereby the Company matches 50% of employee contribution of up
to 3% of their annual compensation (or maximum of 1.5% of annual
salary). Sipex can also make a discretionary contribution to the
plan. Employee contributions vest immediately and employer
contributions vest ratably over five years. Participants
are entitled, upon termination or retirement, to their vested
portion of retirement fund assets which are held by a corporate
trustee. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, employer contributions to
the plan were approximately $223,000, $106,000, and $137,000,
respectively.
|
|
Note 14.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
Sipex leases facilities under operating leases expiring through
2015. Rent expense was approximately $614,000, $636,000 and
$600,000 for the years ended December 30, 2006,
December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, respectively.
During 2006, the Company received approximately $565,000 in
sublease income from four tenants at its facility in Billerica,
Massachusetts.
Minimum lease payments under operating leases are approximately
as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
1,201
|
|
2008
|
|
|
522
|
|
2009
|
|
|
236
|
|
2010
|
|
|
168
|
|
2011
|
|
|
147
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,298
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
On August 21, 2003, Sipex announced an exclusive sourcing
agreement with PolarFab, a US-based semiconductor foundry. The
Company is under obligation to make minimum purchase commitments
based on quarterly rolling forecasts extending out to one year.
The Company has also agreed to purchase no less than 50% of the
rolling forecast on an ongoing basis through the term of this
agreement. The initial term of the agreement is five years
with renewals on a negotiated basis. As of December 30,
2006, the minimum purchase commitment with PolarFab was
approximately $3.7 million for the following twelve months.
On July 2, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to
use certain licensed tools for circuit design and development as
well as maintenance support for a total future payment
commitment of $2.5 million over the next three and one-half
years. The contract requires the Company to deposit 75% of the
total commitment in a certificate of deposit account. As of
December 30, 2006, the deposit amount was at $350,000,
which is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet
as restricted cash.
On December 20, 2005, Sipex entered into an agreement to
use a fast simulator software tool for improvement of its
product development. A commitment of future payments including
maintenance support fees totaled $467,000 to be paid over the
next three years. The agreement expires on December 19,
2008.
On February 27, 2006, Sipex entered into a definitive
Master Agreement with Silan. This transaction was related to
closing the Companys wafer fabrication operations located
in Milpitas, California and that Sipex and Silan would work
together to enable Silan to manufacture semiconductor wafers
using the Companys process technology. The Master
Agreement includes a Process Technology Transfer and License
Agreement which contemplates the transfer of eight (8) of
the Companys processes and related product manufacturing
to Silan. Once Sipex confirms to Silan that the process
qualification wafers and product qualification wafers (under a
Wafer Transfer Agreement) conform to the Companys
specifications, Silan shall commence commercial manufacturing
for the Company. Subject to the Companys option to suspend
in whole or in part, there is a purchase commitment under the
Wafer Supply Agreement obligating Sipex to purchase from Silan
an average of at least one thousand (1,000) equivalent wafers
per week, calculated on a quarterly basis, for two years. As of
December 30, 2006, Silan had not conformed to the
Companys specifications relating to the process
qualification wafers and product qualification wafers.
In May 2006, Sipex entered into a private label agreement with
BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited (BCD). The
Company is obligated to purchase parts no less than one-third of
the amount of the rolling six-month forecast. As of
December 30, 2006, the minimum purchase commitment with BCD
was $0.4 million for the next six months.
In June of 2006, Sipex entered into an agreement for
verification software tools used for IC design. A commitment of
future payments including maintenance support fees totaled
$489,000 to be paid over the next three years. The agreement
expires in June 2009.
As of December 30, 2006, Sipex had future wafer purchase
commitment totaling approximately $1.0 million with Episil
for non-cancelable purchase orders issued. Currently, the
Company does not have a minimum purchase agreement with Episil.
Legal
Proceedings
The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business including
those described below. The Company defends itself vigorously
against any such claims. The outcome of certain of these matters
below is currently not determinable, and an unfavorable outcome
could have a material adverse effect on the Companys
consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash
flows.
73
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Class Action
Securities Litigation
Beginning on or about January 24, 2005, four securities
class action suits were filed against the Companys and
certain of its current and former officers and directors. All
complaints were filed in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of California, San Francisco. The
captions of the cases were as follows: Keller v. Sipex
Corporation, et al., (05-CV-00331) (WHA), Coil
Partners LLC v. Sipex Corporation, et al.,
(05-CV-00392) (WHA), Levy v. Sipex Corporation,
et al., (05-CV-00505) (WHA), and Jacobson v.
Sipex Corporation, et al., (05-CV-00712) (WHA).
The securities class action suits were filed on behalf of the
purchasers of Sipexs common stock in various class
periods, beginning on or about April 10, 2003 and ending on
January 20, 2005. The plaintiffs in these cases alleged,
among other things, violations of sections 10(b) and 20(a)
of the Exchange Act, as amended, and
Rule 10b-5
promulgated thereunder, and sought unspecified monetary damages
and other relief against all defendants. Specifically, the
complaints alleged that Sipex and the individual defendants made
false or misleading public statements regarding its financial
results during the class periods.
On March 25, 2005, four lead plaintiff motions were filed
asking the Court to consolidate the class actions. Prior to the
hearing on the lead plaintiff motions, the Levy and
Keller plaintiffs voluntarily agreed to dismiss their
complaints. On May 12, 2005, the Court consolidated the
remaining cases under the caption In re Sipex Corporation
Securities Litigation, Master File
No. 05-CV-00392.
Defendants Clyde Ray Wallin and Doug McBurnie were voluntarily
dismissed from the action on August 16, 2005, and defendant
Phil Kagel was granted a motion to dismiss on November 17,
2005.
On January 18, 2006, the Court preliminarily approved the
settlement of the class action lawsuit. The settlement provided
for a payment of $6.0 million to the plaintiffs and was
entirely funded by proceeds from the Companys
directors and officers insurance policy. The
specific terms for distribution of the settlement fund to class
members were disclosed in a notice which was sent to the class
members. On April 6, 2006, the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California, San Francisco,
approved the final settlement of the securities class action
lawsuit.
Stockholder
Derivative Litigation
On February 8, 2005, a putative stockholder derivative suit
was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California,
County of San Mateo, on behalf of Sipex against certain of
its current and former officers and directors for alleged
fiduciary duty violations, gross negligence, unjust enrichment
and breach of contract (Lie v. McBurnie,
et al., CIV444748). On March 25, 2005, a second
putative stockholder derivative suit was filed in the Superior
Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, on
behalf of Sipex against certain of its current and former
officers and directors for alleged fiduciary duty violations,
abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets
and unjust enrichment (Nagdev v. Maghribi,
et al., 105CV038114).
The derivative complaints were based on similar facts and events
as those alleged in the securities class action suits.
Specifically, the complaints alleged that the individual
defendants deliberately damaged Sipex by, among other things,
causing the Company to improperly recognize and report revenue,
causing Sipex to issue false and misleading statements about its
financial results, exposing Sipex to liability for securities
fraud, and damaging its reputation.
On April 22, 2005, defendants in the Lie derivative
action filed a petition with the Judicial Council of California
to coordinate the cases in Santa Clara County Superior
Court. The petition was granted on July 13, 2005 and the
actions had since been coordinated and consolidated before Judge
Komar in Santa Clara Superior Court, under the consolidated
caption, Sipex Derivative Cases, Judicial Council
Coordination Proceeding No. 4431, Lead Case No
1-05-CV-038114.
74
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
On January 23, 2006, the Court approved the settlement of
the stockholder derivative action. The settlement provided for a
payment of $300,000 to the plaintiffs, pursuant to the terms of
the settlement agreement, and the adoption of certain corporate
governance measures and the payment of attorneys fees and
expenses to the derivative plaintiffs counsel, all of
which were funded entirely by proceeds from the Companys
directors and officers insurance policy.
Government
Investigations
On February 18, 2005, Sipex announced that the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the SEC) had commenced a
formal investigation into the same matters as those that were
the subject of Sipexs previously announced internal
investigation into the Companys financial and
transactional records with regard to revenue recognition for the
years ended December 31, 2003 and January 1, 2005. On
September 20, 2006, the Company received a notification
from the staff of the SEC that the investigation had been
terminated, and no enforcement was recommended to the SEC with
respect to Sipex.
DiPietro v.
Sipex
In April 2003, Plaintiff Frank DiPietro (former CFO of Sipex
Corp.) brought an action against Sipex for his severance
benefits. Sipex counterclaimed for approximately $150,000 which
was owed under a promissory note signed by Mr. DiPietro. In
August 2004, Sipex filed two motions for summary judgment (one
for Mr. DiPietros claims against it and one for its
counterclaim against Mr. DiPietro under the promissory
note). In June 2005, the Middlesex Superior Court granted both
Sipexs Motions for Summary Judgment. As a result,
Mr. DiPietro was ordered to pay Sipex $149,486 plus costs
and interest which has now appreciated to approximately $222,000
as of December 30, 2006. Interest is added to this amount
at twelve (12%) percent per year. Mr. DiPietro filed a
notice of appeal on July 19, 2005. In addition, the court
has required Mr. DiPietro to post a bond in the amount of
$150,000. On December 12, 2006, Sipex appeared before the
Appeals Court, for oral arguments. Sipex expects to learn of the
Courts decision within the next six to twelve months.
Sipex v.
Lestina
On or about October 26, 2006, Sipex initiated an
arbitration proceeding before the American Arbitration
Association against one of its distributors, Lestina
International. Sipexs Demand For Arbitration alleges that
Lestina breached the Distributor Agreement between Sipex and
itself by, inter alia, failing to make timely payments on
invoices resulting in a $281,667 unpaid balance, plus interest,
owing to Sipex. The Demand also seeks attorneys fees and
costs of suit.
On or about January 15, 2007, Lestina filed an Answer
denying the allegations of Sipexs Demand and, at the same
time, filed its Cross-Complaint for Damages against Sipex in the
same arbitration proceeding. In the Cross-Complaint, Lestina
asserts, inter alia, that Sipex breached the Distributor
Agreement by failing to fulfill all outstanding orders placed by
Lestina prior to that Agreements termination, and that
Sipex committed other acts constituting interference with
Lestinas contractual relations and negligent
misrepresentation. Lestina seeks damages in an amount according
to proof at trial, attorneys fees and costs.
The arbitration is in its early stages, no discovery has taken
place. The arbitration hearing has been set to commence on
July 25, 2007. The Company believes that its claims against
Lestina have merit and that Sipex has meritorious defenses to
the claims alleged by Lestina in the Cross-Complaint, and the
Company intends to defend against those claims vigorously.
Other
Contingencies
Under the terms and conditions of the Companys sales
agreements, Sipex has offered limited intellectual property
indemnification to its customers. The indemnity limits the time
within which an indemnification claim can
75
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
be made and the amount of the claim. It is not possible to
determine the maximum potential amount due to the limited
history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and
circumstances involved in each particular situation.
Historically, payments made by the Company for this type of
claim have not had a material impact on its operating results or
financial position.
|
|
Note 15.
|
Valuation
and Qualifying Accounts
|
The Company had the following activities for the allowance for
sales returns and allowances and bad debt reserves (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Returns and
|
|
|
Bad Debt
|
|
|
Total A/R
|
|
|
|
Allowances
|
|
|
Reserves
|
|
|
Allowances
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2003
|
|
$
|
143
|
|
|
$
|
200
|
|
|
$
|
343
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
1,355
|
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
|
1,323
|
|
Charged to other account
|
|
|
350
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350
|
|
Deductions
|
|
|
(489
|
)
|
|
|
(113
|
)
|
|
|
(602
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at January 1, 2005
|
|
|
1,359
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
1,173
|
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
|
1,484
|
|
Charged to other account
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
Deductions
|
|
|
(1,485
|
)
|
|
|
(117
|
)
|
|
|
(1,602
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
1,349
|
|
Provisions
|
|
|
989
|
|
|
|
(80
|
)
|
|
|
909
|
|
Charged to other account
|
|
|
282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
282
|
|
Deductions
|
|
|
(1,568
|
)
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
|
(1,683
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 30, 2006
|
|
$
|
803
|
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
|
$
|
857
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increases in sales returns and allowances in 2005 and 2004
primarily reflect added provisions for general and specific
future returns and allowances from customers as well as price
reductions on the Companys products sold to Future, a
related party, under an exclusive distribution agreement. The
decrease in sales returns and allowances in 2006 was primarily
due to a reduction in the rate of sales returns and allowances.
|
|
Note 16.
|
Segment
Information and Major Customers
|
The Companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is
considered to be the Companys chief operating decision
maker. The Company has organized its operations based on a
single operating segment: the development and delivery of high
performance analog integrated circuits that are used primarily
by original equipment manufacturers operating in the computing,
communications and networking infrastructure markets. The CEO
reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis
accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by
product family and geographic region for purposes of making
operating decisions and assessing financial performance. The
disaggregated revenue information reviewed on a product family
basis by the CEO includes the interface, power management and
optical storage families along with other legacy product
families.
76
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The disaggregated information reviewed on a product line basis
by the CEO is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Interface
|
|
$
|
44,550
|
|
|
$
|
38,477
|
|
|
$
|
39,622
|
|
Power Management
|
|
|
22,780
|
|
|
|
19,027
|
|
|
|
21,223
|
|
Optical Storage
|
|
|
11,339
|
|
|
|
14,620
|
|
|
|
13,824
|
|
Other*
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
|
784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net sales
|
|
$
|
78,750
|
|
|
$
|
72,674
|
|
|
$
|
75,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Mainly legacy and other discontinued products. |
Although Sipex has operations in Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Japan,
South Korea, Germany, Canada and Belgium, substantially all the
Companys operations and long-lived assets reside in the
United States.
The Company markets its products primarily from its operations
in the United States. International sales are made primarily to
customers in Asia and Europe. Information regarding the
Companys net sales derived from products shipped to
different geographic regions is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
United States
|
|
$
|
16,078
|
|
|
$
|
14,704
|
|
|
$
|
15,203
|
|
China
|
|
|
12,790
|
|
|
|
8,606
|
|
|
|
7,085
|
|
Japan
|
|
|
12,158
|
|
|
|
16,859
|
|
|
|
18,520
|
|
Singapore
|
|
|
12,058
|
|
|
|
9,381
|
|
|
|
9,391
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
11,713
|
|
|
|
11,137
|
|
|
|
9,220
|
|
Taiwan
|
|
|
5,040
|
|
|
|
6,253
|
|
|
|
8,654
|
|
Asia, other than Japan, Taiwan,
Singapore, and China
|
|
|
4,998
|
|
|
|
1,604
|
|
|
|
1,997
|
|
Germany
|
|
|
1,426
|
|
|
|
1,413
|
|
|
|
1,550
|
|
France
|
|
|
602
|
|
|
|
1,421
|
|
|
|
2,473
|
|
Rest of the World
|
|
|
1,887
|
|
|
|
1,296
|
|
|
|
1,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net sales
|
|
$
|
78,750
|
|
|
$
|
72,674
|
|
|
$
|
75,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major customers who accounted for 10% or more as a percentage of
total gross accounts receivable are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Future Electronics, Inc., a
related party
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
Jetronic Technology
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
Major customers who accounted for 10% or more as a percentage of
total net sales are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Future Electronics, Inc., a
related party
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
Microtek, Inc.
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Komatsu
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
|
|
*
|
%
|
77
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
Note 17.
|
Quarterly
Data (Unaudited)
|
Following are summaries of quarterly consolidated operating
results and per share data for the years ended December 30,
2006 and December 31, 2005. Net loss per share is based on
the weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding during the quarter. Therefore, the total of net loss
per share for the four quarters, when added from the following
table, may differ from the net loss per share for the respective
total years reported elsewhere in this report.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarters Ended
|
|
|
|
December 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
July 1,
|
|
|
April 1,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
18,859
|
|
|
$
|
21,024
|
|
|
$
|
21,013
|
|
|
$
|
17,854
|
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
(516
|
)
|
|
|
6,196
|
|
|
|
3,866
|
|
|
|
(195
|
)(2)
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(14,278
|
)
|
|
|
(6,299
|
)
|
|
|
(6,858
|
)
|
|
|
(13,799
|
)(2)
|
Net loss per common
share basic and diluted
|
|
|
(0.80
|
)
|
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.78
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarters Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
October 1,
|
|
|
July 2,
|
|
|
April 2,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
17,242
|
|
|
$
|
17,373
|
|
|
$
|
18,332
|
|
|
$
|
19,727
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
501
|
(2)
|
|
|
4,626
|
|
|
|
3,245
|
|
|
|
5,377
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(11,693
|
)(2)
|
|
|
(5,161
|
)
|
|
|
(16,211
|
)(1)
|
|
|
(5,042
|
)
|
Net loss per common
share basic and diluted
|
|
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
(0.91
|
)
|
|
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As described in Note 3, in the second quarter of 2005, the
Company recognized a $9.4 million impairment charge for its
long-lived assets, based upon changes in the planned use for its
wafer fabrication assets. |
|
(2) |
|
As described in Note 5, in the fourth quarter of 2005, the
Company reduced the remaining estimated depreciation life for
its headquarters building and related improvements from
25 years to approximately four months based upon its
decision to sell the facility, resulting in an increase in
depreciation expense of $6.5 million (including
$4.3 million included in cost of sales) and in the first
quarter of 2006 of $6.7 million (with $4.5 million
included in cost of sales). |
|
|
Note 18.
|
Subsequent
Events
|
On January 30, 2007, Sipexs stockholders at a special
meeting of stockholders approved a
1-for-2
reverse stock split. The reverse split became effective at
1:31 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 23, 2007.
The par value of the common stock was not affected by the
reverse stock split and remains at $0.01 per share.
Consequently, on the Companys balance sheet, the aggregate
par value of the issued common stock was reduced by
reclassifying the par value amount of the eliminated shares of
common stock to additional paid-in capital in the Companys
consolidated balance sheet. The Company has paid cash in lieu of
any fractional shares to which a holder of common stock would
otherwise be entitled as a result of the reverse stock split.
The number of authorized shares of common stock remains
unchanged.
On March 29, 2007, the Company entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement with Rodfre, an affiliate of Future,
Sipexs largest distributor worldwide and an affiliate of
its largest stockholder (Alonim Investment Inc.), to provide an
unsecured promissory note facility of up to $10.0 million.
This facility expires, and the borrowings and
78
SIPEX
CORPORATION
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
accrued interest under any notes issued under this facility are
due and payable, on June 30, 2008, or upon certain other
events such as a change of control. Borrowings under this
promissory note facility bear interest of 9% per annum subject
to an increased interest rate of up to 20% in case of default or
after maturity. This promissory note facility is subordinate to
the Companys Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon
Valley Bank and to its 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes
due 2026.
79
|
|
Item 9.
|
Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure:
|
Not Applicable.
|
|
Item 9A.
|
Controls
and Procedures:
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures for year ended
December 30, 2006
We evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures as of December 30, 2006,
under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, pursuant to
Rule 13a-15(b)
of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our Chief
Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO,
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined
in
Rule 3a-15(e)
were not effective in ensuring that information required to be
included in our periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed,
summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in
the Commissions rules and forms and is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure, due to certain material weaknesses in our internal
controls over financial reporting described in Managements
Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in
Item 9A of our annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended January 1, 2005 that have not been
remediated. To address the material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting described below, we performed
additional manual procedures and analysis and other post-closing
procedures in order to prepare the consolidated financial
statements included in this 2006 annual report on
Form 10-K.
Notwithstanding managements assessment that our disclosure
controls and procedures as of December 30, 2006 were
ineffective due to the material weaknesses that existed as of
January 1, 2005, as described in our annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year then ended, we believe that the consolidated
financial statements contained in this report present fairly our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for
the periods covered thereby in all material respects in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The material weaknesses in our internal control over financial
reporting as of January 1, 2005 identified by our
management related to the design and operation of controls in
the following areas: (i) entity level controls,
(ii) revenue accounting, and (iii) financial closing
process use of estimates.
Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
For the year ended December 30, 2006, we were not an
accelerated filer, and therefore we were not required to make
the annual report on internal control over financial reporting
required by Item 308(a) of
Regulation S-K
and our independent registered public accounting firm was not
required to issue a separate attestation report on
managements assessment of our internal control over
financial reporting under Item 308(b).
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During fiscal year 2006, our management continued efforts to
improve our internal controls over financial reporting, in
particular to remediate the material weaknesses reported as of
January 1, 2005. Our management believes that these efforts
have or are reasonably likely to have, a material improvement on
the design and effectiveness of our internal controls over
financial reporting and to remediate the material weaknesses.
However, as we were not an accelerated filer, and therefore not
required to make the annual report on internal control over
financial reporting required by Item 308(a) of
Regulation S-K
and our independent registered public accounting firm was not
required to issue a separate report on managements
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting
under Item 308(b), there can be no assurance that we have
fully remediated the material weaknesses reported as of
January 1, 2005 or that our internal control over financial
reporting is effective.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, we completed a formal review
of the foreign locations in which we are doing business,
evaluated the appropriate and necessary legal and tax structure
for these foreign locations and then initiated the remaining
steps to implement such structure and the related internal
controls to help ensure compliance with local laws and
regulations.
80
Inherent
Limitation on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls
The effectiveness of any system of internal control over
financial reporting is subject to inherent limitations,
including the risk of exercise of judgment in designing,
implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and
procedures, and the inability to eliminate the risk of
misconduct completely. Accordingly, any system of internal
control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable,
not absolute assurances. In addition, 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. We intend to continue to monitor
and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate
for our business, but we cannot assure that such improvements
will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control
over financial reporting.
|
|
Item 9B.
|
Other
Information:
|
The following description is meant to satisfy our disclosure
obligations pursuant to Item 1.01 of
Form 8-K
with regard to the material contract we entered into on
March 29, 2007.
On March 29, 2007, we entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with Rodfre, an affiliate of Future. The entry into
this agreement was approved by our board of directors, including
the members of our audit committee. This agreement creates a
promissory note facility that provides that from time to time we
may issue to Rodfre up to $10 million worth of 9% Unsecured
Junior Notes in exchange for cash equal to the principal amounts
of each note.
The Unsecured Junior Notes issued under this promissory note
facility bear interest of 9% per annum, compounded quarterly,
subject to an increased interest rate of up to 15% in case of
default or after maturity. An additional 5% interest may also be
charged if at the time of a default or after maturity the SEC
has not declared effective the registration agreement that we
are required to file pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of May 16, 2006 that we entered into in
connection with the issuance of our 5.5% Redeemable Convertible
Senior Notes Due 2026.
This facility expires, and the principal and accrued interest
under any notes issued under this facility are due and payable
on June 30, 2008. The notes issued under this facility are
subordinate to our Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon
Valley Bank and to our 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes
due 2026.
The notes have customary events of default, including defaults
upon failure to pay interest or principal amounts when due,
breach of covenants (with a 15 day grace period), breach of
representations and warranties, default on other indebtedness in
excess of $1.0 million, or upon insolvency events. The
holders of the notes will also have the option of demanding
repayment of any outstanding amounts owed pursuant to the notes
within 30 days of a change of control of Sipex.
The holders of the notes will have the option of converting the
interest earned on the notes into shares of our common stock at
the end of each calendar quarter during the term of this
facility. However, this conversion right is contingent upon, and
will only be available if, the SEC has declared effective the
registration agreement that we are required to file pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 2006.
To the extent that this conversion feature is available, the
conversion price will equal to the volume weighted average
closing price of our common stock for the 20 trading days prior
to the date of conversion; provided, that in no event will this
conversion price be less than the conversion price applicable
for our 5.5% Redeemable Convertible Senior Notes due 2026.
Upon the continuance of a default under the notes, the holders
of the notes will also have the right to convert any part of the
principal amount outstanding under the note into shares of our
common stock at a conversion price equal to 80% of the 20
trading day weighted average closing price mentioned above. This
conversion right is likewise subject to the effectiveness of the
registration statement required by the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of May 16, 2007 and also may not be less
than the conversion price applicable for our 5.5% Redeemable
Convertible Senior Notes due 2026.
The foregoing does not purport to be a complete description of
the promissory note facility and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the actual Securities Purchase Agreement, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit 10.36 and incorporated herein by
reference.
81
PART III
|
|
Item 10.
|
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance:
|
The information required by this item, with respect to the
directors of the registrant and the filing of reports under
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is
incorporated by reference from Sipexs definitive proxy
statement in connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, to be filed with the Commission not later than
120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended
December 30, 2006, in the table under the captions
Election of Directors and Compliance with
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics that is applicable to all of our employees, officers
and directors, including our senior executive and financial
officers. In addition, the board of directors adopted a Code of
Ethics for our principal executive officer and senior financial
officers. Each code is intended to deter wrongdoing and promote
ethical conduct among our directors, executive officers and
employees. Each code is available on our corporate website at
www.sipex.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements
under Item 10 of
Form 10-K
regarding amendment to, or waiver from, each code for any
executive officer or director by posting such information on our
website at www.sipex.com, provided such method of disclosure is
then in compliance with the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market
and the rules of the SEC.
|
|
Item 11.
|
Executive
Compensation:
|
The information required by this item is incorporated by
reference from Sipexs definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, under the
caption Compensation and Other Information Concerning
Directors and Officers.
|
|
Item 12.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters:
|
The information required by this item is incorporated by
reference from the Companys definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, under the
caption Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
|
|
Item 13.
|
Certain
Relationships, Related Transactions and Director
Independence:
|
The information required by this item is incorporated by
reference from the Companys definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, under the
caption Certain Transactions.
|
|
Item 14.
|
Principal
Accounting Fees and Services:
|
The information required by this item is incorporated by
reference from Sipexs definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be
filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, under the
caption Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit
and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.
PART IV
|
|
Item 15.
|
Exhibits
and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules:
|
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this
Annual Report on
Form 10-K:
1. Consolidated Financial Statements. The
following consolidated financial statements of the Company and
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are
incorporated in Item 8 of this report.
82
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and
January 1, 2005
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 30,
2006, December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and
January 1, 2005
Notes to consolidated financial statements
2. Consolidated Financial Statement
Schedules. Consolidated financial statements
schedules have been omitted because they are either not required
or are included in the consolidated financial statements or the
notes thereto.
3. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index
immediately preceding the Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
83
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, on March 30, 2007.
SIPEX CORPORATION
Ralph Schmitt
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ RALPH
SCHMITT
Ralph
Schmitt
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ CLYDE
R. WALLIN
Clyde
R. Wallin
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Senior
Vice President, Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOHN
D. ARNOLD
John
D. Arnold
|
|
Director
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ DANIEL
G. CASEY
Daniel
G. Casey
|
|
Director
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ BRIAN
HILTON
Brian
Hilton
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ PIERRE
G. GUILBAULT
Pierre
G. Guilbault
|
|
Director
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ ALAN
KROCK
Alan
Krock
|
|
Director
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ THOMAS
P. REDFERN
Thomas
P. Redfern
|
|
Director
|
|
March 30, 2007
|
84
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Sipex Corporation dated March 20, 2007.
|
|
3
|
.2
|
|
Bylaws (incorporated herein by
reference from the Companys Registration Statement on
Form 8-A
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 28, 2003).
|
|
3
|
.3
|
|
Certificate of Amendment of Bylaws
of Sipex Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on December 5, 2006 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
4
|
.2
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement
for directors and officers (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2
to the Companys Registration Statement on
Form S-1,
File
No. 333-1328,
and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
4
|
.4
|
|
Indenture dated May 16, 2006
(filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report
on
Form 8-K
filed on May 22, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.1**
|
|
1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan
(previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Companys
Registration Statement on
Form S-1,
File
No. 333-1328,
and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.2**
|
|
1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
as amended (previously filed as Appendix A to the
Companys Definitive Notice and Proxy Statement on
April 29, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.3**
|
|
1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan
(previously filed as Appendix A to the Companys
definitive Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting In Lieu Of
Annual Meeting Of Shareholders held May 30, 1997, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.4**
|
|
Sipex Corporation 1999 Stock Plan
(previously filed as Appendix A to the Companys
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A,
No. 1000-27897,
and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.5**
|
|
2000 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan (previously filed as an exhibit to the Companys
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2000, and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.6**
|
|
2006 Equity Incentive Plan
(previously filed as Appendix C to the Companys
Definitive Notice and Proxy Statement on October 24, 2006,
and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
Worldwide Authorized Distributor
Market Price Agreement dated July 22, 1993, by and between
the Company and Future Electronics Incorporated (previously
filed as an Exhibit to the Companys Annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Amendment dated October 1,
2002 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Quarterly Report of
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended July 1, 2006, and incorporated herein
by reference).
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
Addendum A dated
February 7, 2003 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market
Price Agreement dated July 22, 1993, by and between the
Company and Future Electronics Incorporated (previously filed as
an Exhibit to the Companys Annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.10*
|
|
Amendment dated August 26,
2003 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the
Companys Quarterly Report of
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended July 1, 2006, and incorporated herein
by reference).
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Amendment dated September 15,
2003 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the
Companys Quarterly Report of
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended July 1, 2006, and incorporated herein
by reference).
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Amendment dated April 25,
2006 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Companys Quarterly Report of
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended July 1, 2006, and incorporated herein
by reference).
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Amendment dated September 27,
2006 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on October 3, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.14
|
|
Amendment dated November 1,
2006 to Worldwide Authorized Distributor Market Price Agreement
dated July 22, 1993, by and between the Company and Future
Electronics Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on November 7, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.15**
|
|
Letter agreement as of
6/7/05
concerning the terms of the newly appointed Chief Executive
Officer Ralph Schmitt (previously filed as Exhibit 99.2 to
the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on June 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.16
|
|
Loan and Security Agreement as of
7/21/05,
with Silicon Valley Bank (previously filed as Exhibit 99.1
to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on
7/25/05, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.17**
|
|
Bonus plan as of August 29,
2005, for an executive bonus plan for the remainder of 2005 for
certain of its officers (previously filed as Exhibit 99.1
to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on September 2, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.18**
|
|
Separation Agreement and General
Release as of
9/2/05 with
Joseph T. Rauschmayer, Senior Vice President of Operations
(previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on September 2, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.19**
|
|
Separation Agreement and General
Release as of April 26, 2005 with Kevin Plouse (previously
filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on September 15, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.20**
|
|
Letter agreement as of
September 12, 2005 with Mr. Edward Lam joining Sipex
as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business
Development (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys
Form 8-K
filed on September 23, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.21**
|
|
Letter agreement as of
October 7, 2005 with Joel Camarda joining Sipex as Senior
Vice President of Operations (previously filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on October 12, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.22
|
|
Amendment No. 1 dated
October 7, 2005, to the Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 21, 2005 (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on October 12, 2005, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.23
|
|
Amendment No. 2 dated
November 12, 2005 to the Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 12, 2005 (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
11/16/05,
and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.24
|
|
Amendment No. 3 dated
January 19, 2006 to the Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 12, 2005 (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
1/25/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.25
|
|
Amendment No. 4 dated
May 18, 2006 to the Loan and Security Agreement with
Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 12, 2005, (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.4 to Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
5/22/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.26
|
|
Amendment No. 5 dated
August 1, 2006 to Loan and Security Agreement between Sipex
Corporation and Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 12, 2005
(previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed
8/7/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.27
|
|
Amendment No. 6 dated
September 28, 2006 to Loan and Security Agreement between
Sipex Corporation and Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 12,
2005 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed
10/4/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.28*
|
|
Master Agreement between Sipex,
Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co. Ltd. and Hangzhou Silan
Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd., dated as of February 27, 2006
(previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company Current
Report on
Form 8-K/A
filed on July 26, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.29
|
|
Agreement for Purchase and Sale of
Real Property dated March 9, 2006, by and between Sipex
Corporation and Mission West Properties, L.P. (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on March 13, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.30
|
|
Standard Form Lease for 233
Hillview dated March 9, 2006, by and between Sipex
Corporation and Mission West Properties, L.P. (previously filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on March 13, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.31
|
|
Securities Purchase Agreement,
dated as of May 16, 2006, by and among Sipex and the Buyers
listed on the Schedule of Buyers (previously filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
5/22/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.32
|
|
Amendment No. 1 dated
May 24, 2006 to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of
May 16, 2006 by and among Sipex and the Buyers listed on
the Schedule of Buyers (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on May 30, 2006, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.33
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of May 16, 2006, by and among Sipex and the Buyers
listed on the Schedule of Buyers (previously filed as
Exhibit 10.2 to Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
5/22/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.34
|
|
Warrant Agent Agreement, dated as
of May 16, 2006, between Sipex and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, as Warrant Agent (which includes the Form
of Warrant) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed on
5/22/06, and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10
|
.35
|
|
Separation Agreement and General
Release as of January 15, 2007 with Rick Hawron (previously
filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys
Form 8-K
filed on January 19, 2007, and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
10
|
.36
|
|
Securities Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 29, 2007, by and between Sipex and Rodfre
Holdings LLC.
|
|
12
|
.1
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Cost Charges.
|
|
21
|
.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Company
(previously filed as an exhibit to the Companys Annual
report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2000, and incorporated
herein by reference).
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
31
|
.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
|
|
31
|
.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
|
|
32
|
.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32
|
.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Confidential treatment as to certain portions has been requested
pursuant to
Rule 24b-2
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. |
|
** |
|
The Exhibits identified above with a double asterisk (**) are
management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. |