Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

OR

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to              .

 

Commission file number 0-16244

 


 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

11-2989601

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

 

Terminal Drive
Plainview, New York

 

11803

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (516) 677-0200

 

Website: www.veeco.com

 


 

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 x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes o No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes o No x

 

32,777,024 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding as of the close of business on October 20, 2009.

 

 

 


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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may be found in Items 2 and 3 hereof, as well as within this Report generally. In addition, when used in this Report, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

 

·                  Our failure to successfully implement outsourcing activities or failure of our outsourcing partners to perform as anticipated could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to realize the benefits of the recent increase in MOCVD order volume.

 

·                   Negative worldwide economic conditions could result in a decrease in our net sales and an increase in our operating costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results;

 

·                  Our sales to HB-LED and data storage manufacturers are highly dependent on these manufacturers’ sales for consumer electronics applications, which can experience significant volatility due to seasonal and other factors, which could materially adversely impact our future results of operations;

 

·                  We are exposed to risks associated with entering an emerging segment within the solar industry;

 

·                  We may be required to take additional impairment charges for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets or definite-lived intangible and long-lived assets;

 

·                  Any failure by us to execute our planned cost reductions successfully could result in total costs and expenses that are greater than expected;

 

·                  The cyclicality of the industries we serve directly affects our business;

 

·                  We operate in industries characterized by rapid technological change;

 

·                  We face significant competition;

 

·                  We depend on a limited number of customers that operate in highly concentrated industries;

 

·                  The timing of our orders, shipments, and revenue recognition may cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate significantly;

 

·                  Changes in our product mix may cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate significantly;

 

·                  Our backlog is subject to customer cancellation or modification and such cancellation could result in decreased sales and increased provisions for excess and obsolete inventory;

 

·                  Our sales cycle is long and unpredictable;

 

·                  Manufacturing interruptions or delays could affect our ability to meet customer demand, while the failure to estimate customer demand accurately could result in excess or obsolete inventory;

 

·                  We rely on a limited number of suppliers;

 

·                  Our inability to attract, retain, and motivate key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business;

 

·                  We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business;

 

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·                  We are subject to foreign currency exchange risks;

 

·                  The enforcement and protection of our intellectual property rights may be expensive and could divert our valuable resources;

 

·                  We may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement by others;

 

·                  Our acquisition strategy subjects us to risks associated with evaluating and pursuing these opportunities and integrating these businesses;

 

·                  We are substantially leveraged, which could adversely affect our ability to adjust our business to respond to competitive pressures and to obtain sufficient funds to finance our future needs;

 

·                  Changes in accounting pronouncements or taxation rules or practices may adversely affect our financial results;

 

·                  The price of our common shares may be volatile and could decline significantly;

 

·                  We are subject to the internal control evaluations and attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

·                  We are subject to risks of non-compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations;

 

·                  We have significant operations in California and other locations which could be materially and adversely impacted, in the event of a natural disaster or other significant disruption;

 

·                  We have adopted certain measures that may have anti-takeover effects which may make an acquisition of our Company by another company more difficult; and

 

·                  The other matters discussed under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this Report and in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 of Veeco Instruments Inc. (“Veeco,” the “Company,” or “we”).

 

Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 

Available Information

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, information statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

 

Internet Address

 

We maintain a website where additional information concerning our business and various upcoming events can be found. The address of our website is www.veeco.com. We provide a link on our website, under Investors — Financial Information — SEC Filings, through which investors can access our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to such reports. These filings are posted to our Internet site, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with the SEC.

 

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VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008

6

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

8

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

20

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

36

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

36

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

37

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

37

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

38

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

39

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net sales

 

$

98,913

 

$

115,709

 

$

233,782

 

$

332,465

 

Cost of sales

 

58,005

 

69,626

 

148,108

 

196,026

 

Gross profit

 

40,908

 

46,083

 

85,674

 

136,439

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

21,042

 

23,589

 

59,471

 

70,528

 

Research and development expense

 

13,721

 

15,302

 

39,770

 

45,173

 

Amortization expense

 

1,777

 

3,148

 

5,437

 

7,530

 

Restructuring expense

 

1,192

 

4,120

 

7,567

 

6,995

 

Asset impairment charge

 

 

 

304

 

285

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(312

)

(213

)

1,097

 

(591

)

Total operating expenses

 

37,420

 

45,946

 

113,646

 

129,920

 

Operating income (loss)

 

3,488

 

137

 

(27,972

)

6,519

 

Interest expense, net

 

1,656

 

1,792

 

5,063

 

5,097

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

1,832

 

(1,655

)

(33,035

)

1,422

 

Income tax provision

 

562

 

812

 

1,342

 

2,860

 

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

1,270

 

(2,467

)

(34,377

)

(1,438

)

Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

(54

)

(65

)

(200

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

1,270

 

$

(2,413

)

$

(34,312

)

$

(1,238

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(1.09

)

$

(0.04

)

Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.08

)

$

(1.09

)

$

(0.04

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

31,608

 

31,458

 

31,540

 

31,293

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

32,375

 

31,458

 

31,540

 

31,293

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

109,441

 

$

103,799

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

64,260

 

59,659

 

Inventories

 

74,999

 

94,930

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

8,059

 

6,425

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,226

 

2,185

 

Total current assets

 

258,985

 

266,998

 

Property, plant, and equipment at cost, net

 

59,294

 

64,372

 

Goodwill

 

59,422

 

59,160

 

Intangible assets, net

 

32,116

 

38,818

 

Other assets

 

8

 

193

 

Total assets

 

$

409,825

 

$

429,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

28,521

 

$

29,610

 

Accrued expenses

 

73,445

 

66,964

 

Deferred profit

 

2,337

 

1,346

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

208

 

196

 

Income taxes payable

 

23

 

354

 

Total current liabilities

 

104,534

 

98,470

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,233

 

4,540

 

Long-term debt

 

100,286

 

98,330

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

1,652

 

2,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Veeco

 

198,120

 

225,026

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

784

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

198,120

 

225,810

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

409,825

 

$

429,541

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Veeco Instruments Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 (In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Veeco

 

$

(34,312

)

$

(1,238

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,070

 

18,138

 

Deferred income taxes

 

683

 

1,260

 

Amortization of debt discount

 

2,114

 

2,184

 

Non-cash inventory write-off

 

1,526

 

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

5,953

 

5,671

 

Non-cash restructuring charge

 

 

3,018

 

Non-cash asset impairment charge

 

304

 

285

 

Other, net

 

13

 

(263

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(4,059

)

6,663

 

Inventories

 

19,540

 

(1,703

)

Accounts payable

 

(1,183

)

(4,168

)

Accrued expenses, deferred profit, and other current liabilities

 

14,930

 

(5,449

)

Other, net

 

(1,108

)

(1,978

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

20,471

 

22,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(5,184

)

(10,430

)

Payments for net assets of businesses acquired, net of cash acquired

 

(2,413

)

(10,970

)

Payments for earn-outs of businesses acquired

 

(9,839

)

 

Other, net

 

352

 

104

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(17,084

)

(21,296

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock issuances

 

2,904

 

681

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(146

)

(270

)

Restricted stock tax withholdings

 

(495

)

(969

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

2,263

 

(558

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(8

)

35

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,642

 

601

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

103,799

 

117,083

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

109,441

 

$

117,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Accrual of payments for net assets of businesses acquired

 

$

1,000

 

$

3,527

 

Transfers from property, plant, and equipment to inventory

 

$

1,159

 

$

404

 

Transfers from inventory to property, plant, and equipment

 

$

23

 

$

385

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation (consisting of normal recurring accruals) have been included. Operating results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.  For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Consistent with prior years, we report interim quarters, other than fourth quarters which always end on December 31, on a 13-week basis ending on the last Sunday within such period.  The interim quarter ends are determined at the beginning of each year based on the 13-week quarters.  The 2009 interim quarter ends are March 29, June 28, and September 27.  The 2008 interim quarter ends were March 30, June 29, and September 28.  For ease of reference, we report these interim quarter ends as March 31, June 30, and September 30 in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

31,608

 

31,458

 

31,540

 

31,293

 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards and units

 

767

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

32,375

 

31,458

 

31,540

 

31,293

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The effect of approximately 308,000, 140,000 and 205,000 common equivalent shares for the nine—month period ended September 30, 2009 and the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, respectively, were excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding due to the net loss sustained in the period.  During the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, options to purchase 1.6 million shares of common stock (at prices ranging from $18.31 to $72.00 per share) were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to exercise prices that exceeded the average market price of our common stock for the period.

 

During the second quarter of 2007, we exchanged $118.8 million of our 4.125% convertible subordinated notes due December 2008 (the “Old Notes”) for $117.8 million of a new series of 4.125% convertible subordinated notes due April 15, 2012 (the “Notes”), leaving $25.2 million of Old Notes outstanding.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, we repaid the remaining $25.2 million of Old Notes outstanding.

 

The Notes meet the criteria for determining the effect of the assumed conversion using the treasury stock method of accounting, as long as we have the ability and the intent to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash.  Under the terms of the Notes, we may pay the principal amount of converted Notes in cash or in shares of common stock.  We have indicated that we intend to pay such amounts in cash.  Using the treasury stock method, the impact of the assumed conversion of the Notes was anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and

 

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2008, as the average stock price for each period was below the conversion price of $27.23.  The maximum number of common equivalent shares issuable upon conversion at September 30, 2009 was approximately 5.4 million, after giving effect to the $12.2 million of Notes that we repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2008. See Note 8 for further details on our debt.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

We believe the carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of our debt, including current maturities, is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the estimated current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of securities, or based on market value for our publicly-traded debt (see Note 8).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We use derivative financial instruments to minimize the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on earnings and cash flows. In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. In order to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency-denominated intercompany transactions and other known foreign currency exposures, we enter into monthly forward contracts. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Our forward contracts are intended to offset exchange gains and losses on the underlying assets and liabilities; both the forward contracts and the underlying assets and liabilities are adjusted to current exchange rates through earnings. We conduct our derivative transactions with highly rated financial institutions in an effort to mitigate any material credit risk. The weighted average notional amount of derivative contracts outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was approximately $1.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

 

The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 include aggregate foreign currency losses of approximately $0.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The loss of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was net of gains of approximately $0.2 million related to forward contracts.  The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 include aggregate foreign currency gains of less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million, respectively, which were net of losses of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to forward contracts.  These amounts were recognized and included in other (income) expense, net in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

As of September 30, 2009, losses of $0.1 million related to forward contracts were included in accrued expenses and subsequently paid in October 2009. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $0.9 million of losses related to forward contracts were included in accrued expenses and subsequently paid in January 2009. Monthly forward contracts with a total notional amount of $3.1 million were entered into in September 2009 and will be settled in October 2009.  The fair value of these contracts at inception was zero, which did not significantly change at September 30, 2009.

 

Convertible Debt

 

In May 2008, new accounting guidance was issued that requires a portion of our convertible debt to be allocated to equity.  We implemented the new guidance as of January 1, 2009 and have applied it retrospectively to all periods presented, as required. See Note 8—Debt for a discussion of the impact of implementing the new guidance.

 

Subsequent Events

 

We have evaluated the condensed consolidated financial statements for subsequent events through the filing date of this Form 10-Q.

 

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Note 2—Acquisitions

 

Fluens Corporation

 

In 2006 we purchased 19.9% of the common stock of Fluens Corporation (“Fluens”).  Veeco and Fluens have jointly developed a next-generation process for high-rate deposition of aluminum oxide for data storage applications.   For accounting purposes we had consolidated Fluens into our financial results and financial position, and recorded the remaining 80.1% portion of its net loss and net assets as a noncontrolling interest.  On May 14, 2009, we acquired the remaining 80.1% of Fluens for $1.5 million plus an earn-out arrangement based on future performance.  Since we already were consolidating Fluens, the purchase of the remaining 80.1% was treated in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance as a transaction among shareholders and not as a new business acquisition.  Thus no gain or loss was recognized upon the purchase of the 80.1% portion, and the difference between the purchase price including the earn-out consideration and the amount by which noncontrolling interest was reduced on the balance sheet was attributed to equity of Veeco.  Such difference amounted to approximately $1.0 million, and was recorded as additional paid-in capital.

 

We paid $0.5 million of the $1.5 million purchase price of the 80.1% remaining portion of Fluens upon closing, as well as $0.2 million in respect of the earn-out arrangement. We paid a second installment of $0.5 million of the purchase price on September 30, 2009. We will pay the remaining $0.5 million of the $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed Balance Sheet at September 30, 2009. Prior to our purchase of the remaining 80.1%, approximately 31% of Fluens was owned by an individual then serving as Senior Vice President of Veeco.

 

In July 2009, Veeco acquired certain assets from DayStar Technologies, Inc. (“DayStar”) in order to accelerate Veeco’s penetration of the rapidly growing copper, indium, gallium, selenium (CIGS) solar market.  Veeco purchased selected equipment, took over leased facilities and hired employees from DayStar’s R&D group in Clifton Park, New York.  In connection with these transactions, Veeco paid DayStar $1.9 million in cash.

 

Note 3—Share-Based Compensation

 

Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period.  The following compensation expense was included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

$

2,400

 

$

2,048

 

$

5,953

 

$

5,671

 

 

As of September 30, 2009, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards and stock option awards is $9.5 million and $10.2 million, respectively.  The related weighted-average period over which we expect that such unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized as expense is approximately 2.63 years for the nonvested restricted stock awards and 2.28 years for option awards.

 

A summary of our restricted stock awards including restricted stock units as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, is presented below:

 

 

 

Shares
(000s)

 

Weighted- Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Nonvested at beginning of year

 

679

 

$

17.76

 

Granted

 

501

 

9.28

 

Vested

 

(164

)

19.54

 

Forfeited (including cancelled awards)

 

(115

)

16.42

 

Nonvested at September 30, 2009

 

901

 

12.89

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

A summary of our stock option plans as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, is presented below:

 

 

 

Shares
(000s)

 

Weighted-
Average
 Exercise Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (000s)

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

5,572

 

$

20.29

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,609

 

10.83

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(192

)

15.10

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited (including cancelled options)

 

(1,858

)

22.85

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2009

 

5,131

 

16.59

 

$

30,127

 

4.4

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2009

 

2,705

 

19.69

 

$

8,794

 

2.8

 

 

Note 4—Balance Sheet Information

 

Accounts Receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.9 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories have been determined by the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out) or market.  Inventories consist of (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Raw materials

 

$

47,117

 

$

57,815

 

Work in process

 

19,502

 

28,733

 

Finished goods

 

8,380

 

8,382

 

 

 

$

74,999

 

$

94,930

 

 

Accrued Warranty

 

We estimate the costs that may be incurred under the warranty we provide and recognize a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the related revenue is recognized.  Factors that affect our warranty liability include product failure rates, material usage and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period.  We periodically assess the adequacy of our recognized warranty liability and adjust the amount as necessary.  Changes in our warranty liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

6,892

 

$

6,502

 

Warranties issued during the period

 

2,716

 

4,962

 

Settlements made during the period

 

(3,069

)

(4,096

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

6,539

 

$

7,368

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 5—Segment Information

 

We manage the business, review operating results and assess performance, as well as allocate resources, based upon three separate reporting segments that reflect the market focus of each business.  The Light Emitting Diode (“LED”) & Solar Process Equipment segment consists of metal organic chemical vapor deposition (“MOCVD”) systems, molecular beam epitaxy (“MBE”) systems, thermal deposition sources, and other types of deposition systems used to deposit materials on flexible and glass substrates.  These systems are primarily sold to customers in the high-brightness light emitting diode (“HB-LED”) and solar industries, as well as to scientific research customers. This segment has product development and marketing sites in Somerset, New Jersey, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Lowell, Massachusetts. The Data Storage Process Equipment segment consists of the ion beam etch, ion beam deposition, diamond-like carbon, physical vapor deposition, and dicing and slicing products sold primarily to customers in the data storage industry.  This segment has product development and marketing sites in Plainview, New York, Ft. Collins, Colorado and Santa Barbara, California.  In our Metrology segment, we design and manufacture atomic force microscopes, scanning probe microscopes, stylus profilers, and optical interferometers used to provide critical surface measurements in research and production environments. This broad line of products is used in universities, research facilities and scientific centers worldwide. In production environments such as semiconductor, data storage and other broad industries, our metrology instruments enable customers to monitor their products throughout the manufacturing process to improve yields, reduce costs, and improve product quality.  This segment has product development and marketing sites in Camarillo and Santa Barbara, California and Tucson, Arizona.

 

We evaluate the performance of our reportable segments based on income (loss) from operations before interest, income taxes, amortization and certain items (“segment profit (loss)”), which is the primary indicator used to plan and forecast future periods. The presentation of this financial measure facilitates meaningful comparison with prior periods, as management believes segment profit (loss) reports baseline performance and thus provides useful information. Certain items excluded from segment profit (loss) include restructuring expenses, asset impairment charges, inventory write-offs, and equity-based compensation expense. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of critical accounting policies.

 

The following tables present certain data pertaining to our reportable segments and a reconciliation of segment profit (loss) to  income (loss) before income taxes for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and goodwill and total assets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively (in thousands):

 

 

 

LED & Solar
Process
Equipment

 

Data Storage Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

Three months ended September 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

52,966

 

$

21,721

 

$

24,226

 

$

 

$

98,913

 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

9,594

 

$

1,498

 

$

408

 

$

(2,643

)

$

8,857

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

1,656

 

1,656

 

Amortization expense

 

792

 

405

 

507

 

73

 

1,777

 

Equity-based compensation expense

 

245

 

303

 

290

 

1,562

 

2,400

 

Restructuring expense

 

200

 

224

 

411

 

357

 

1,192

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

8,357

 

$

566

 

$

(800

)

$

(6,291

)

$

1,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

40,983

 

$

43,256

 

$

31,470

 

$

 

$

115,709

 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

5,630

 

$

7,044

 

$

297

 

$

(2,591

)

$

10,380

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

1,792

 

1,792

 

Amortization expense

 

1,587

 

952

 

495

 

114

 

3,148

 

Equity-based compensation expense

 

146

 

304

 

251

 

1,347

 

2,048

 

Restructuring expense

 

 

 

437

 

3,683

 

4,120

 

Purchase accounting adjustment (1)

 

927

 

 

 

 

927

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

2,970

 

$

5,788

 

$

(886

)

$

(9,527

)

$

(1,655

)

 

12



Table of Contents

 

 

 

LED & Solar
Process
Equipment

 

Data Storage Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

107,050

 

$

56,219

 

$

70,513

 

$

 

$

233,782

 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

5,410

 

$

(1,143

)

$

(5,309

)

$

(6,143

)

$

(7,185

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

5,063

 

5,063

 

Amortization expense

 

2,341

 

1,213

 

1,662

 

221

 

5,437

 

Equity-based compensation expense

 

619

 

892

 

847

 

3,595

 

5,953

 

Restructuring expense

 

1,129

 

3,054

 

2,797

 

587

 

7,567

 

Inventory write-off

 

 

1,526

 

 

 

1,526

 

Asset impairment charge

 

 

304

 

 

 

304

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

1,321

 

$

(8,132

)

$

(10,615

)

$

(15,609

)

$

(33,035

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

128,205

 

$

104,096

 

$

100,164

 

$

 

$

332,465

 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

23,130

 

$

11,139

 

$

1,215

 

$

(7,557

)

$

27,927

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

5,097

 

5,097

 

Amortization expense

 

3,040

 

2,856

 

1,295

 

339

 

7,530

 

Equity-based compensation expense

 

323

 

693

 

597

 

4,058

 

5,671

 

Restructuring expense

 

 

124

 

627

 

6,244

 

6,995

 

Asset impairment charge

 

 

 

 

285

 

285

 

Purchase accounting adjustment (1)

 

927

 

 

 

 

927

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

18,840

 

$

7,466

 

$

(1,304

)

$

(23,580

)

$

1,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LED & Solar
Process
Equipment

 

Data Storage Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

As of September 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

51,989

 

$

 

$

7,433

 

$

 

$

59,422

 

Total assets

 

$

163,471

 

$

48,573

 

$

77,413

 

$

120,368

 

$

409,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

51,727

 

$

 

$

7,433

 

$

 

$

59,160

 

Total assets

 

$

137,037

 

$

84,335

 

$

85,390

 

$

122,779

 

$

429,541

 

 


(1) This adjustment relates to the required capitalization of profit in inventory associated with the acquisition of Mill Lane, which is included in cost of sales.

 

Corporate total assets are comprised principally of cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

Note 6—Income Taxes

 

We or one of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its examination of our 2006 income tax return with a minor adjustment to our credit carry forwards. All material federal income tax matters have been concluded for years through 2006 subject to subsequent utilization of net operating losses generated in such years. All material state and local income tax matters have been concluded for years through 2005. The majority of our foreign jurisdictions have been reviewed through 2007 with only a few jurisdictions having open tax years between 2004 and 2007. None of our tax returns are currently under examination in the federal and foreign tax jurisdictions. We are currently under examination in one state tax jurisdiction.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 7—Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

$

1,270

 

$

(2,467

)

$

(34,377

)

$

(1,438

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

966

 

(555

)

20

 

1,208

 

Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

2,236

 

(3,022

)

(34,357

)

(230

)

Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

(54

)

(65

)

(200

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

2,236

 

$

(2,968

)

$

(34,292

)

$

(30

)

 

Note 8—Debt

 

Convertible Debt

 

During the second quarter of 2007, we exchanged $118.8 million of Old Notes for $117.8 million of Notes pursuant to privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of the Old Notes.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, we repaid in full the $25.2 million of the Old Notes that remained outstanding after the exchange transactions.

 

The Notes are initially convertible into 36.7277 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $27.23 per share or a premium of 38% over the closing market price for Veeco’s common stock on April 16, 2007). Holders may convert the Notes at any time during the period beginning on January 15, 2012 through the close of business on the second day prior to April 15, 2012 and earlier upon the occurrence of certain events including our common stock trading at prices equal to 130% over the conversion price for a specified period.  These Notes bear interest at 4.125% per annum and mature on April 15, 2012.  We pay interest on these Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year.  The Notes are unsecured and are effectively subordinated to all of our senior and secured indebtedness, and to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

 

In May 2008, new accounting guidance was issued that requires a portion of convertible debt to be allocated to equity.  We implemented the new guidance as of January 1, 2009 and have applied it retrospectively to all periods presented, as required.  The new guidance requires issuers of convertible debt that can be settled in cash to separately account for (i.e., bifurcate) a portion of the debt associated with the conversion feature and reclassify this portion to stockholders’ equity.  The liability portion, which represents the fair value of the debt without the conversion feature, is accreted to its face value using the effective interest method by amortizing the discount between the face amount and the fair value.  The amortization is recorded as non-cash interest expense.  The Notes are subject to the new guidance since they may be settled in cash upon conversion.  Thus, as a result of the adoption of the new guidance, we reclassified approximately $16.3 million from long-term debt to additional paid-in capital effective as of the date of issuance of the Notes.  This reclassification created a $16.3 million discount on the debt that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Notes, which will be through April 15, 2012.  The reclassification generated a $6.7 million deferred tax liability, which we offset with a corresponding decrease of the valuation allowance by the same amount.  The new guidance requires that we present prior periods as if the guidance was in effect as of the date of issuance.  Thus, we have presented all financial data for prior periods as if we had reclassified this $16.3 million discount and began amortizing it in April 2007. The retrospective application of the new guidance described above to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased the net loss attributable to Veeco in the three-month period from ($1,673) to ($2,413) and decreased the net income attributable to Veeco in the nine-month period from $946 to a net loss of ($1,238), and increased the loss per share attributable to Veeco in the three-month period

 

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Table of Contents

 

from ($0.05) to ($0.08) and decreased the earnings per share in the nine-month period from $0.03 to a loss per share of ($0.04).

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of $12.2 million of the Notes for $7.2 million in cash, of which $7.1 million related to principal and $0.1 million related to accrued interest, reducing the amount outstanding from $117.8 million to $105.6 million.  A gross gain of approximately $5.1 million was recorded on these repurchases offset by the write-off of approximately $0.1 million of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the Notes, for a net gain of approximately $5.0 million.  Such net gain was reduced to $3.8 million upon the adoption of the new guidance described above, which required that the gain be calculated based on the fair value of the portion repurchased as of the repurchase date. The fair value approximated the carrying value net of the unamortized discount on the portion repurchased. The difference of approximately $1.2 million was recorded as a reduction in the gain originally reported, and thus increased the accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2008 by such amount.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, we recorded approximately $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of additional interest expense in each period resulting from the amortization of the debt discount.  This additional interest expense did not require the use of cash.  The components of interest expense recorded on the Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual interest

 

$

1,089

 

$

1,214

 

$

3,266

 

$

3,643

 

Amortization of the discount on the Notes

 

714

 

740

 

2,114

 

2,184

 

Total interest expense on the Notes

 

$

1,803

 

$

1,954

 

$

5,380

 

$

5,827

 

Effective interest rate

 

6.8

%

6.6

%

6.8

%

6.6

%

 

The carrying amounts of the liability and equity components of the Notes as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,
2009

 

December 31,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount of the equity component

 

$

16,318

 

$

16,318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal balance of the liability component

 

$

105,574

 

$

105,574

 

Less: unamortized discount

 

8,225

 

10,339

 

Net carrying value of the liability component

 

$

97,349

 

$

95,235

 

 

At September 30, 2009, $105.6 million of the Notes were outstanding with a fair value of approximately $109.8 million.

 

Mortgage Payable

 

We also have a mortgage note payable, with approximately $3.1 million outstanding at September 30, 2009.  The note accrues interest at an annual rate of 7.91%, and the final payment is due on January 1, 2020.  The fair value of this note at September 30, 2009 was approximately $3.4 million.

 

Credit Agreement

 

In February 2009, we entered into an amendment to our existing credit agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC”), as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  As part of the amendment, we reduced the amount of the revolving credit facility, modified certain existing covenants and added certain new covenants.  As amended, the Credit Agreement provides for revolving credit borrowings of up to $30.0 million. The Credit Agreement was further amended effective March 27, 2009 to

 

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Table of Contents

 

modify certain financial covenants, to provide for the cash collateralization of borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and to permit the acquisition of the 80.1% of Fluens’ outstanding stock which we did not yet own.  The annual interest rate under the Credit Agreement is a floating rate equal to the prime rate of the agent bank plus 2.0%.  A LIBOR-based interest rate option is also provided.  Borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, as well as permitted acquisitions.  The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants which include the maintenance of minimum cash balances and limitations with respect to incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of dividends, long-term leases, investments, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and sales of assets.  In addition, under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy certain financial tests, including minimum profitability levels.  As of September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Agreement as amended.  Substantially all of our assets and those of our material domestic subsidiaries, other than real estate, have been pledged to secure our obligations under the Credit Agreement.  The revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement expires on March 31, 2012.  In the first quarter of 2009, we recognized an expense of $0.2 million representing the amount of deferred financing fees equal to the portion of the revolving credit facility which was terminated in connection with the amendment, which is included in other expense, net. We capitalized $0.1 million in deferred financing fees that we incurred in connection with the amendment that was effective February 2009.  As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement and letters of credit outstanding were approximately $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  Interest expense associated with the Credit Agreement recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, was approximately $0.2 million for each period.

 

Note 9— Fair Value Measurements

 

We implemented new accounting guidance for our non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities as of January 1, 2009. This new guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and enhances fair value measurement disclosure. The accounts subject to the guidance are our long-lived assets, goodwill, and intangible assets. The implementation expanded our fair value disclosures but did not impact our condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, applying the provisions of this new guidance may impact our periodic fair value measurements for long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets in the future, as fair values calculated under the new guidance may be different from the fair values that would have been calculated under previous guidance.

 

This new guidance requires that we disclose the type of inputs we use to value such assets, based on three categories of inputs as defined in such.  Level 1 inputs are quoted, unadjusted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  We use Level 3 inputs to value all of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill, and intangible assets balances.  We value such assets on a non-recurring basis and did not perform a valuation during the first, second or third quarters of 2009, though the methodology we would use to value such assets has not changed since December 31, 2008.  We did not record any gain or loss in adjusting the carrying amounts to fair value in the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2009, since we made no such adjustment during that period.  The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, and intangible assets as of September 30, 2009 were $59,294, $59,422, and $32,116, respectively.  The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements.

 

Note 10 — Commitments, Contingencies and Other Matters

 

Restructuring Expenses

 

During 2008 and through the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we have continued our multi-quarter plan to improve profitability and reduce and contain spending. We have continued to make progress against the initiatives that management has set, continued our restructuring plan and executed activities with a focus on creating a more cost effective organization, with a greater percentage of variable costs. These activities have included downsizing and consolidating some locations, reducing our workforce, consultants and discretionary expenses and realigning our sales organization and engineering groups.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Restructuring expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Personnel severance costs

 

$

1,086

 

$

820

 

$

6,239

 

$

1,141

 

Lease-related costs

 

 

282

 

893

 

2,836

 

Modification of equity awards

 

 

3,018

 

 

3,018

 

Moving and consolidation activity costs

 

106

 

 

435

 

 

Total restructuring expense

 

$

1,192

 

$

4,120

 

$

7,567

 

$

6,995

 

 

2009 Restructuring and Other Charges

 

In conjunction with these activities, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized restructuring charges of approximately $7.6 million, principally consisting of personnel severance costs resulting from a headcount reduction of 235 employees as well as the notification of other employees that will be transitioned out of the Company during 2009. This reduction in workforce included executives, management, administration, sales and service personnel and manufacturing employees companywide.

 

During the second quarter of 2009, we vacated our Data Storage Process Equipment facilities in Camarillo, CA.  As a result, we incurred an additional restructuring charge, representing the remaining lease payment obligations and estimated property taxes for the facility we vacated, offset by the estimated expected sublease income to be received.  We made certain assumptions in determining the charge, which included estimated sublease income and terms of the sublease as well as the estimated discount rate to be used in determining the fair value of the liability.  We developed these assumptions based on our understanding of the current real estate market as well as current market interest rates.  The assumptions are based on management’s best estimates, and will be adjusted periodically if better information is obtained.  We also incurred charges associated with moving and consolidation activities for both of these locations.  We relocated 27 employees from the Data Storage Process Equipment segment to Metrology’s Santa Barbara, CA facility.

 

We also recorded an inventory write-off of $1.5 million in our Data Storage Process Equipment segment associated with the discontinuance of certain products in connection with transitioning to outsourced manufacturing during the first quarter of 2009, which is included in cost of sales.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following is a reconciliation of the liability for the 2009 restructuring charge from inception through September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

LED & Solar
Process
Equipment

 

Data Storage Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate

 

Total

 

Short-term Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel severance charges

 

$

998

 

$

1,876

 

$

2,789

 

$

599

 

$

6,262

 

Moving costs and consolidation activities

 

135

 

287

 

13

 

 

435

 

Total charged to accrual

 

1,133

 

2,163

 

2,802

 

599

 

6,697

 

Lease-related and other costs

 

 

516

 

 

 

516

 

Short-term/long-term Reclassification

 

 

74

 

 

 

74

 

Cash payments

 

(827

)

(1,991

)

(2,423

)

(281

)

(5,522

)

Balance as of September 30, 2009

 

$

306

 

$

762

 

$

379

 

$

318

 

$

1,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease-related and other costs

 

$

 

$

377

 

$

 

$

 

$

377

 

Short-term/long-term Reclassification

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2009

 

$

 

$

303

 

$

 

$

 

$

303

 

 

The balance of the short-term 2009 restructuring accrual (other than lease-related and other costs) is expected to be paid over the next six to nine months, and the long-term portion will be paid over the remaining life of the lease until May 1, 2012. We expect to continue our restructuring program and to incur restructuring charges of $0.3 million throughout the remainder of 2009, which are principally related to severance and associated costs.

 

2008 Restructuring and Other Charges

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we recorded a $2.6 million restructuring charge for lease-related costs as part of the consolidation of our Corporate headquarters into our Plainview, New York manufacturing facility. This charge primarily consisted of the liability for the remaining lease payments and property taxes relating to the facility we vacated, offset by expected sublease income. We made certain assumptions in determining the charge, which included estimated sublease income and terms of the sublease as well as the estimated discount rate to be used in determining the fair value of the net cash flows. We developed these assumptions, based on our understanding of the current real estate market as well as current market interest rates, which are adjusted periodically based upon new information, events and changes in the real estate market. During the fourth quarter of 2008, we adjusted these assumptions which resulted in an additional restructuring charge of $1.1 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following is a reconciliation of the liability for the 2008 restructuring charge from December 31, 2008 through September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

LED & Solar
Process
Equipment

 

Data Storage Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate

 

Total

 

Short-term Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2008

 

$

660

 

$

270

 

$

534

 

$

1,859

 

$

3,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term/long-term Reclassification

 

 

 

 

814

 

814

 

Cash payments

 

(370

)

(268

)

(457

)

(1,265

)

(2,360

)

Reversal of accrual

 

(4

)

(2

)

(5

)

(12

)

(23

)

Balance as of September 30, 2009

 

$

286

 

$

 

$

72

 

$

1,396

 

$

1,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2008

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,620

 

$

1,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term/long-term Reclassification

 

 

 

 

(814

)

(814

)

Balance as of September 30, 2009

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

806

 

$

806

 

 

The balance of the 2008 restructuring accrual related to the lease for the former Corporate headquarters is expected to be paid over the remaining life of that lease through June 2011, and the remaining balance of the 2008 restructuring accrual is expected to be paid over the next nine months.

 

2007 Restructuring and Other Charges

 

As of December 31, 2008, we had a balance of $0.2 million in the liability related to restructuring charges incurred in 2007. We made cash payments of $0.1 million against this liability in the first quarter of 2009, and paid the remaining balance of $0.1 million during the second quarter of 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Executive Summary

 

We design, manufacture, market, and service enabling solutions for customers in the high-brightness light emitting diode (“HB-LED”), solar, data storage, scientific research, semiconductor, and industrial markets.  We have leading technology positions in our three segments:  Light Emitting Diode (“LED”) & Solar Process Equipment, Data Storage Process Equipment, and Metrology.

 

In our LED & Solar segment, we design and manufacture metal organic chemical vapor deposition (“MOCVD”) systems, molecular beam epitaxy (“MBE”) systems and sources, and other types of deposition systems such as web and glass coaters, which we sell primarily to manufacturers of HB-LEDs and solar panels, as well as to scientific research customers.

 

In our Data Storage segment, we design and manufacture ion beam etch, ion beam deposition, diamond-like carbon, physical vapor deposition, and dicing and slicing systems primarily used to create thin film magnetic heads (“TFMHs”) that read and write data on hard disk drives.

 

In our Metrology segment, we design and manufacture atomic force microscopes (“AFMs”), scanning probe microscopes (“SPMs”), stylus profilers, and optical interferometers used to provide critical surface measurements in research and production environments. This broad line of products is used in universities, research facilities and scientific centers worldwide. In production environments such as semiconductor, data storage and other industries, our metrology instruments enable customers to monitor their products throughout the manufacturing process to improve yields, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

 

We currently maintain facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York, with sales and service locations in North America, Europe, Japan, and the Asia Pacific region.

 

Highlights of the Third Quarter of 2009

 

·                  Revenue was $98.9 million, a 15% decrease from the third quarter of 2008, and up 37% from the second quarter of 2009.

·                  Orders were $225.6 million, up 150% from the third quarter of 2008, and up 129% from the second quarter of 2009.

·                  Net income was $1.3 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net loss of $2.4 million, or ($0.08) per share, in the third quarter of 2008, and a net loss of $14.7 million or ($0.47) per share, in the second quarter of 2009.

·                  Gross margins were 41.4%, compared to 39.8% in the third quarter of 2008, and 33.9% in the second quarter of 2009.

·                  Restructuring charges totaled $1.2 million and principally consisted of personnel severance costs.

 

The third quarter showed marked improvement for Veeco from an order, revenue and earnings perspective. Our earnings improved from the previous quarter due to 37% higher revenues, better product mix, outsourcing initiatives and materials cost management. The significant recovery in revenues is primarily due to the strong demand for Veeco’s MOCVD systems sold principally to HB-LED manufacturers.

 

Third quarter orders of $225.6 million were the highest in Veeco’s history.  We received  orders of $179.2 million in our LED & Solar segment, $17.2 million in our Data Storage segment and $29.2 million in our Metrology segment. Veeco has experienced a significant increase in industry demand for our MOCVD systems, with a number of HB-LED manufacturers placing multi-unit orders as they ramp production for laptop and TV backlighting.  Veeco MOCVD systems were also ordered by leading U.S. HB-LED manufacturers to ramp production for general illumination.  Momentum continued in our copper, indium, gallium, selenium (“CIGS”) solar business in the third quarter, with a second key customer win for our FastFlex thermal disposition systems and a repeat multi-million dollar order for thermal deposition components from a leading CIGS manufacturer. Although Data Storage orders remained weak, we experienced a 27% sequential improvement in Metrology orders, driven by new product success and a modest pick-up in activity from both research and industrial customers.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Outlook

 

Veeco’s fourth quarter 2009 revenues are currently forecasted to be between $120-$130 million and we currently anticipate that our book-bill ratio will remain positive. Veeco’s 2009 revenue guidance is now $353-$363 million, up from previous guidance of $310-$325 million.

 

Veeco’s backlog at September 30, 2009 was $286.5 million, $238.5 million of which is in our LED & Solar segment. In addition, we continue to experience positive business trends in our MOCVD business, with a high level of customer interest in our K465 MOCVD system. We are currently ramping up our manufacturing capacity to satisfy our backlog of orders and anticipated customer requirements.

 

As we look toward the future, we believe that the HB-LED industry is at the beginning of a multi-year MOCVD tool investment cycle as HB-LEDs increase their penetration in laptop and TV backlighting, and gain momentum for general illumination. We are also seeing strong interest in our thermal deposition solutions for the manufacturing of CIGS solar cells, and believe that Veeco is well positioned to increase our business in this market. In addition, overall business conditions in our Data Storage and Metrology segments appear to be improving from the trough levels we experienced earlier this year.

 

Our outlook discussion above constitutes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our expectations regarding future results are subject to risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.  Risks associated with our ability to achieve these results are set forth in Items 1, 1A, 3, 7 and 7A in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, as well as any modifications or revisions to risk factors contained in our subsequent filings with the SEC.

 

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates they are made.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations:

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

The following table shows our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, percentages of sales, and comparisons between the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage
Change (1)

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

Net sales

 

$

98,913

 

100.0

%

$

115,709

 

100.0

%

$

(16,796

)

(14.5

)%

Cost of sales

 

58,005

 

58.6

 

69,626

 

60.2

 

(11,621

)

(16.7

)

Gross profit

 

40,908

 

41.4

 

46,083

 

39.8

 

(5,175

)

(11.2

)

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

21,042

 

21.3

 

23,589

 

20.4

 

(2,547

)

(10.8

)

Research and development expense

 

13,721

 

13.9

 

15,302

 

13.2

 

(1,581

)

(10.3

)

Amortization expense

 

1,777

 

1.8

 

3,148

 

2.7

 

(1,371

)

(43.6

)

Restructuring expense

 

1,192

 

1.2

 

4,120

 

3.6

 

(2,928

)

(71.1

)

Other income, net

 

(312

)

(0.3

)

(213

)

(0.2

)

(99

)

46.5

 

Total operating expenses

 

37,420

 

37.8

 

45,946

 

39.7

 

(8,526

)

(18.6

)

Operating income

 

3,488

 

3.5

 

137

 

0.1

 

3,351

 

2446.0

 

Interest expense, net

 

1,656

 

1.7

 

1,792

 

1.5

 

(136

)

(7.6

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

1,832

 

1.9

 

(1,655

)

(1.4

)

3,487

 

N/M

 

Income tax provision

 

562

 

0.6

 

812

 

0.7

 

(250

)

(30.8

)

Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

1,270

 

1.3

 

(2,467

)

(2.1

)

3,737

 

N/M

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

0.0

 

(54

)

0.0

 

54

 

(100.0

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

1,270

 

1.3

%

$

(2,413

)

(2.1

)%

$

3,683

 

N/M

 

 


(1) N/M — denotes not meaningful as change moves from negative to positive, or vice versa.

 

Net Sales and Orders

 

Net sales of $98.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were down 14.5% compared to the comparable 2008 quarter.  The following is an analysis of sales and orders by segment and by region (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Sales

 

Orders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage  Change

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage Change

 

Book-to-Bill
Ratio

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Year to Year

 

2009

 

2008

 

Year to Year

 

2009

 

2008

 

Segment Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LED & Solar Process Equipment

 

$

52,966

 

$

40,983

 

$

11,983

 

29.2

%

$

179,229

 

$

25,775

 

$

153,454

 

595.4

%

3.38

 

0.63

 

Data Storage Process Equipment

 

21,721

 

43,256

 

(21,535

)

(49.8

)

17,243

 

32,359

 

(15,116

)

(46.7

)

0.79

 

0.75

 

Metrology

 

24,226

 

31,470

 

(7,244

)

(23.0

)

29,165

 

32,031

 

(2,866

)

(8.9

)

1.20

 

1.02

 

Total

 

$

98,913

 

$

115,709

 

$

(16,796

)

(14.5

)%

$

225,637

 

$

90,165

 

$

135,472

 

150.2

%

2.28

 

0.78

 

Regional Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

18,268

 

$

38,865

 

$

(20,597

)

(53.0

)%

$

38,436

 

$

31,256

 

$

7,180

 

23.0

%

2.10

 

0.80

 

Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)

 

19,178

 

28,578

 

(9,400

)

(32.9

)

19,392

 

22,650

 

(3,258

)

(14.4

)

1.01

 

0.79

 

Japan

 

5,013

 

6,604

 

(1,591

)

(24.1

)

5,965

 

7,769

 

(1,804

)

(23.2

)

1.19

 

1.18

 

Asia Pacific

 

56,454

 

41,662

 

14,792

 

35.5

 

161,844

 

28,490

 

133,354

 

468.1

 

2.87

 

0.68

 

Total

 

$

98,913

 

$

115,709

 

$

(16,796

)

(14.5

)%

$

225,637

 

$

90,165

 

$

135,472

 

150.2

%

2.28

 

0.78

 

 

LED & Solar Process Equipment sales were up 29.2% as compared to the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to an increase in demand for HB-LED backlighting applications. The book-to-bill ratio, which is calculated by dividing orders received in a given period by revenue recognized in the same time period, in that segment increased to 3.38 from 0.63 in the comparable quarter of 2008, indicating a strong improvement in business for the LED & Solar segment.  Data Storage Process Equipment segment sales declined by 49.8% as compared to the third quarter of 2008 resulting from the continued slowdown in capital spending by our data storage customers. Additionally, Metrology sales decreased by 23.0% as compared to the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to a slowdown in the

 

22



Table of Contents

 

semiconductor and data storage markets.  By region, net sales decreased by 53.0%, 32.9% and 24.1% in the Americas, EMEA and Japan, respectively, and were up 35.5% in Asia Pacific primarily as a result of the increase in demand for HB-LED products. We believe that there will continue to be quarter-to-quarter variations in the geographic distribution of sales.

 

Orders for the third quarter of 2009 increased by 150.2% from the comparable 2008 period, mainly due to the $179.2 million in LED & Solar Process Equipment orders, which were principally driven by HB-LED manufacturers ramping up production for television and laptop backlighting applications. The 46.7% decrease in Data Storage Process Equipment orders resulted from customers continuing to be cautious about their capital spending.  The 8.9% decrease in Metrology orders is principally due to low demand from customers in the semiconductor and data storage markets.

 

Our overall book-to-bill ratio for the third quarter of 2009 was 2.28 to 1, an improvement over the ratio of 0.78 to 1 in the comparable quarter of 2008.  Our backlog as of September 30, 2009 was $286.5 million, compared to $147.2 million as of December 31, 2008.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we experienced backlog adjustments of approximately $0.4 million.  Due to changing business conditions and weak capital equipment spending by certain customers in our businesses, we may continue to experience cancellations and/or rescheduling of orders.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, was 41.4%, compared to 39.8% in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to material cost savings, the impact of manufacturing and overhead cost reductions associated with the reduction in workforce, and favorable product mix. LED & Solar Process Equipment gross margins increased to 41.7% from 36.0% in the prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in sales volume and a decrease in product costs associated with increased purchasing to support multiple tool orders received from our HB-LED customers compared to the prior-year period. In addition, the prior-year period included a reduction in LED & Solar gross profit of $0.9 million related to the acquisition of Mill Lane. This reduction was the result of purchase accounting, which required adjustments to capitalize inventory at fair value. Data Storage Process Equipment gross margins remained flat despite a 50% decrease in sales volume as a result of cost reductions and improved product mix. Metrology gross margins decreased to 42.0% from 44.9%, principally due to lower sales volume.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.5 million, or 10.8%, from the prior-year period, primarily due to lower salary and related expenses resulting from the personnel reductions taken as part of management’s restructuring plan as well as cost savings initiatives resulting in less occupancy, travel and entertainment, marketing, and other operating expenses.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in bonus and profit sharing and higher variable expenses associated with the sales ramp in our LED & Solar segment.

 

Research and development expense decreased $1.6 million from the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to a more focused approach to metrology and data storage product development, which were partially offset by the continuation of investments in higher-growth end market opportunities, particularly in our  LED & Solar segment.  As a percentage of sales, research and development increased to 13.9% in the third quarter of 2009 from 13.2% in the third quarter of 2008.

 

Amortization expense was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to a reduction in our intangible assets resulting from asset impairment charges taken during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

Restructuring expense of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 consisted primarily of personnel severance and related costs resulting from the reduction in workforce.  Restructuring expense of $4.1 million during the third quarter of 2008 consisted of $3.7 million associated with the mutually agreed upon termination of the employment agreement of the Company’s former CEO, as well as $0.4 million for severance and lease-related charges in our Metrology segment.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

Net interest expense was $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2008.  Included in both periods was $0.7 million in non-cash interest expense related to the implementation of new accounting guidance that requires a portion of convertible debt to be allocated to equity.  The resultant debt discount is then amortized into interest expense.  See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for a further discussion of the implementation of this new guidance.

 

Income Taxes

 

The income tax provision for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $0.6 million compared to $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. The 2009 provision for income taxes included $0.4 million relating to our foreign operations, which continue to be profitable, and $0.2 million relating to our domestic operations. The 2008 provision for income taxes included $0.5 million relating to our foreign operations, and $0.3 million relating to our domestic operations.  Due to significant domestic net operating loss carry forwards, which are fully reserved by a valuation allowance, our domestic operations are not expected to incur significant income taxes for the foreseeable future.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

The following table shows our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, percentages of sales, and comparisons between the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage
Change (1)

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net sales

 

$

233,782

 

100.0

%

$

332,465

 

100.0

%

$

(98,683

)

(29.7

)%

Cost of sales

 

148,108

 

63.4

 

196,026

 

59.0

 

(47,918

)

(24.4

)

Gross profit

 

85,674

 

36.6

 

136,439

 

41.0

 

(50,765

)

(37.2

)

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

59,471

 

25.4

 

70,528

 

21.2

 

(11,057

)

(15.7

)

Research and development expense

 

39,770

 

17.0

 

45,173

 

13.6

 

(5,403

)

(12.0

)

Amortization expense

 

5,437

 

2.3

 

7,530

 

2.3

 

(2,093

)

(27.8

)

Restructuring expense

 

7,567

 

3.2

 

6,995

 

2.1

 

572

 

8.2

 

Asset impairment charge

 

304

 

0.1

 

285

 

0.1

 

19

 

6.7

 

Other expense (income), net

 

1,097

 

0.5

 

(591

)

(0.2

)

1,688

 

N/M

 

Total operating expenses

 

113,646

 

48.6

 

129,920

 

39.1

 

(16,274

)

(12.5

)

Operating (loss) income

 

(27,972

)

(12.0

)

6,519

 

2.0

 

(34,491

)

N/M

 

Interest expense, net

 

5,063

 

2.2

 

5,097

 

1.5

 

(34

)

(0.7

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(33,035

)

(14.1

)

1,422

 

0.4

 

(34,457

)

N/M

 

Income tax provision

 

1,342

 

0.6

 

2,860

 

0.9

 

(1,518

)

(53.1

)

Loss including noncontrolling interest

 

(34,377

)

(14.7

)

(1,438

)

(0.4

)

(32,939

)

(2,290.6

)

Noncontrolling interest

 

(65

)

(0.0

)

(200

)

(0.1

)

135

 

(67.5

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Veeco

 

$

(34,312

)

(14.7

)%

$

(1,238

)

(0.4

)%

$

(33,074

)

(2,671.6

)%

 


(1) N/M – denotes not meaningful as change moves from negative to positive, or vice versa.

 

24



Table of Contents

 

Net Sales and Orders

 

Net sales of $233.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were down 29.7% compared to the comparable 2008 period.  The following is an analysis of sales and orders by segment and by region (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Sales

 

Orders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage  Change

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

Dollar and
Percentage Change

 

Book-to-Bill
Ratio

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Year to Year

 

2009

 

2008

 

Year to Year

 

2009

 

2008

 

Segment Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LED & Solar Process Equipment

 

$

107,050

 

$

128,205

 

$

(21,155

)

(16.5

)%

$

264,092

 

$

116,513

 

$

147,579

 

126.7

%

2.47

 

0.91

 

Data Storage Process Equipment

 

56,219

 

104,096

 

(47,877

)

(46.0

)

44,379

 

124,685

 

(80,306

)

(64.4

)

0.79

 

1.20

 

Metrology

 

70,513

 

100,164

 

(29,651

)

(29.6

)

68,886

 

94,738

 

(25,852

)

(27.3

)

0.98

 

0.95

 

Total

 

$

233,782

 

$

332,465

 

$

(98,683

)

(29.7

)%

$

377,357

 

$

335,936

 

$

41,421

 

12.3

%

1.61

 

1.01

 

Regional Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

62,101

 

$

116,631

 

$

(54,530

)

(46.8

)%

$

70,668

 

$

124,666

 

$

(53,998

)

(43.3

)%

1.14

 

1.07

 

EMEA

 

52,328

 

69,607

 

(17,279

)

(24.8

)

46,889

 

57,664

 

(10,775

)

(18.7

)

0.90

 

0.83

 

Japan

 

15,000

 

29,347

 

(14,347

)

(48.9

)

20,325

 

24,548

 

(4,223

)

(17.2

)

1.36

 

0.84

 

Asia Pacific

 

104,353

 

116,880

 

(12,527

)

(10.7

)

239,475

 

129,058

 

110,417

 

85.6

 

2.29

 

1.10

 

Total

 

$

233,782

 

$

332,465

 

$

(98,683

)

(29.7

)%

$

377,357

 

$

335,936

 

$

41,421

 

12.3

%

1.61

 

1.01

 

 

Sales declined in each segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 due to our customers’ reluctance to order capital equipment during the first half of 2009. LED & Solar Process Equipment sales were down 16.5% from the same period of 2008 primarily due to a pause in capacity spending as HB-LED customers were cautious in ordering new equipment during the economic slowdown. Data Storage Process Equipment segment sales declined by 46.0% compared to the same period of 2008 due to a slowdown in capital spending by our data storage customers.  Metrology sales decreased by 29.6% from the same period of 2008, primarily due to a slowdown in the semiconductor, data storage and research and industrial markets.  By region, net sales decreased by 46.8%, 24.8%, 48.9%, and 10.7% in the Americas, EMEA, Japan, and Asia Pacific, respectively. We believe that there will continue to be quarter-to-quarter variations in the geographic distribution of sales.

 

Orders for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased by 12.3% from the comparable 2008 period.  On a segment basis, orders for LED & Solar Process Equipment increased by 126.7% from the comparable period in 2008, principally driven by HB-LED manufacturers increasing production for television and laptop backlighting applications and demand for CIGS deposition systems and components. The 64.4% decrease in Data Storage Process Equipment orders resulted from the continued slow down in our customers’ capital spending.  The 27.3% decrease in Metrology orders is due to a decrease in demand from customers in the semiconductor, data storage and research and industrial markets.

 

Our overall book-to-bill ratio was 1.61 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 1.01 for the comparable period in 2008.  The book-to-bill ratio for the LED & Solar Process Equipment segment improved to 2.47 to 1 from 0.91 to 1 in the same period in 2008.  Our backlog as of September 30, 2009 was $286.5 million, compared to $147.2 million as of December 31, 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we experienced backlog adjustments of approximately $4.3 million, consisting of $3.3 million for order cancellations and $1.0 million of adjustments related to foreign currency translation.  Due to changing business conditions and weak capital equipment spending by certain customers in our businesses, we may continue to experience cancellations and/or rescheduling of orders.

 

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Gross Profit

 

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was 36.6%, compared to 41.0% in the comparable 2008 period, primarily due to the significant decline in sales. LED & Solar Process Equipment gross margins decreased from 39.6% in the prior-year period to 36.4%, primarily due to a 16.5% decrease in sales volume as compared to the prior-year period.  Data Storage Process Equipment gross margins decreased from 38.9% in the prior-year period to 34.4%, due to reduced sales volume as well as a charge of $1.5 million to write-off inventory in the first quarter of 2009 associated with certain discontinued data storage product lines. Metrology gross margins decreased from 45.2% in the prior year period to 38.8%, principally due to lower sales volume.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $11.1 million, or 15.7%, from the prior-year period, primarily due to lower salary and related expenses resulting from the personnel reductions taken as part of management’s restructuring plan, a reduction in incentive bonuses and profit sharing as well as cost savings initiatives resulting in less travel and entertainment, occupancy, and consulting, legal, and professional expenses.

 

Research and development expense decreased $5.4 million from the comparable period of 2008, primarily due to a more focused approach to metrology and data storage product development, which was partially offset by the continuation of investments in areas that we believe are higher-growth end market opportunities, particularly in our LED & Solar segment. As a percentage of sales, research and development increased to 17.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from 13.6% in the same period in 2008.

 

Amortization expense was $5.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $7.5 million in comparable period of 2008, due to a reduction in our intangible assets resulting from asset impairment charges taken during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

Restructuring expense of $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 consisted of $6.3 million of personnel severance costs resulting from a reduction in workforce.  In addition, there were $0.9 million of lease-related costs and $0.4 million of moving and consolidation costs incurred in our Data Storage Process Equipment segment associated with vacating our Camarillo, CA facilities.  Restructuring expense of $7.0 million incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 consisted of $3.7 million associated with the mutually agreed upon termination of the employment agreement of the Company’s former CEO, $2.6 million of costs associated with the consolidation and relocation of our Corporate headquarters, $0.4 million of personnel severance and related costs and $0.3 million for lease-related charges in Metrology.

 

Other expense (income), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes foreign currency exchange losses of $1.4 million.

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

Net, interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $5.1 million, comprised of $3.0 million in cash net interest expense and $2.1 million in non-cash interest expense related to the implementation of new accounting guidance that requires a portion of convertible debt to be allocated to equity. See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for further discussion of the implementation of this new guidance. Net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $5.1 million, comprised of $2.9 million in cash net interest expense and $2.2 million in non-cash interest expense that is presented pursuant to the retroactive presentation requirements of the new accounting guidance.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.3 million compared to $2.9 million in the comparable prior year period. The 2009 provision for income taxes included $0.9 million relating to our foreign operations, and $0.4 million relating to our domestic operations. The 2008 provision for income taxes included $1.9 million relating to our foreign operations, and $1.0 million relating to our domestic operations.  Due to significant domestic net operating loss carry forwards, which are fully reserved by a valuation allowance, our domestic operations are not expected to incur significant income taxes for the foreseeable future.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, our principal cash requirements have included the funding of acquisitions, capital expenditures and the repayment of debt. We traditionally have generated cash from operations and financing activities with the issuance of debt and common stock. Our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations is dependent on the continued demand for our products and services. A summary of the cash flow activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

20,471

 

$

22,420

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(17,084

)

(21,296

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

2,263

 

(558

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

(8

)

35

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,642

 

601

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

103,799

 

117,083

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

109,441

 

$

117,684

 

 

We had a net increase in cash of $5.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Cash provided by operations was $20.5 million for this period, as compared to cash provided by operations of $22.4 million for the comparable 2008 period. Net loss adjusted for non-cash items used operating cash flows of $7.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Net cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was favorably impacted by a net decrease in net operating assets and liabilities of $28.1 million. This was driven by a decrease in inventories of approximately $19.5 million due to reduction efforts and the impact of outsourcing and a $14.9 million increase in accrued expenses, principally resulting from customer deposits associated primarily with the significant increase in orders in our LED & Solar segment. These amounts were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $4.1 million.

 

We had a net increase in cash of $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Cash provided by operations was $22.4 million for this period. Net income adjusted for non-cash items provided operating cash flows of $29.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Net cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was unfavorably impacted by a net increase in net operating assets and liabilities of $6.6 million. This was driven by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of approximately $9.6 million over the prior period and an increase of $2.0 million in capitalized patent costs, which were partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $6.6 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities of $17.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 resulted primarily from $9.8 million of earn-out payments made to the former owners of Mill Lane and Fluens, capital expenditures of $5.2 million, $1.9 million in payments made to acquire assets from Daystar Technologies, Inc. and $0.5 million of payments made to purchase the remaining 80.1% interest in Fluens.  During the remainder of 2009, we expect to invest an estimated additional $5.0 million in capital projects primarily related to engineering equipment and lab tools used in producing, testing and process development of our products and enhanced manufacturing facilities.  Cash used in investing activities of $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 resulted primarily from the acquisition of Mill Lane for $11.0 million, net of cash acquired, as well as capital expenditures of $10.4 million.

 

Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $2.3 million, resulting primarily from $2.9 million of proceeds received from stock issuances resulting from stock option exercises

 

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during the third quarter of 2009. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $0.6 million, resulting from $1.0 million in restricted stock tax withholdings and $0.3 million in mortgage payments, offset by proceeds of $0.7 million from stock issuances resulting from stock option exercises.

 

As of September 30, 2009, we have outstanding $105.6 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% convertible subordinated notes due April 15, 2012 (the “Notes”).  We pay interest on the Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year.  We have previously engaged in repurchase transactions of our Notes and may enter into similar transactions in the future depending on market conditions, our cash position and other factors.

 

In February 2009, we entered into an amendment to our existing credit agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC”), as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  As part of the amendment, we reduced the amount of the revolving credit facility, modified certain existing covenants and added certain new covenants.  As amended, the Credit Agreement provides for revolving credit borrowings of up to $30.0 million.  The Credit Agreement was amended effective March 27, 2009 to modify certain financial covenants, to provide for the cash collateralization of borrowings and letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and to permit the acquisition of the 80.1% of the outstanding stock of Fluens Corporation (“Fluens”) which we did not yet own.  The annual interest rate under the Credit Agreement is a floating rate equal to the prime rate of the agent bank plus 2.0%.  A LIBOR-based interest rate option is also provided.  Borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, as well as permitted acquisitions.  The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants which include the maintenance of minimum cash balances and limitations with respect to incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of dividends, long-term leases, investments, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and sales of assets.  In addition, under the Credit Agreement, we are required to satisfy certain financial tests, including minimum profitability levels.  As of September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Agreement as amended.  Substantially all of our assets and those of our material domestic subsidiaries, other than real estate, have been pledged to secure our obligations under the Credit Agreement.  The revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement expires on March 31, 2012.  During the first nine months of 2009, we recognized an expense of $0.2 million representing the amount of deferred financing fees equal to the portion of the revolving credit facility which was terminated in connection with the amendment, which is included in other expense, net.  We also capitalized $0.1 million in deferred financing fees that we incurred in connection with the February 2009 amendment.  There were no borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2009 under the Credit Agreement, and no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2008 under the prior credit agreement. Letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled approximately $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  In the second quarter of 2009 we transferred $0.5 million of cash into a restricted cash account pursuant to the terms of the March 2009 amendment, which requires cash collateralization of borrowings and letters of credit.  This amount is included in prepaid and other current assets.  We recorded interest expense associated with the Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, of approximately $0.2 million in each period.

 

We believe that existing cash balances together with cash generated from operations and amounts available under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our projected working capital and other cash flow requirements for the next twelve months, as well as our contractual obligations. We believe we will be able to meet our obligation to repay the $105.6 million outstanding Notes that mature on April 15, 2012 through a combination of conversion of the notes outstanding, refinancing, cash generated from operations, and other means.

 

In 2006, we invested $0.5 million to purchase 19.9% of the common stock of Fluens.  Veeco and Fluens have jointly developed a next-generation process for high-rate deposition of aluminum oxide for data storage applications.  In May 2009, we purchased the remaining 80.1% of the outstanding stock of Fluens for $1.5 million plus an earn-out arrangement based on future performance.  We paid $0.5 million of the $1.5 million upon closing, as well as $0.2 million in respect of the earn-out arrangement. We paid a second installment of $0.5 million of the purchase price on September 30, 2009. We will pay the remaining $0.5 million of the $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed Balance Sheet at September 30, 2009. Prior to our purchase of the remaining 80.1%, approximately 31% of Fluens was owned by an individual then serving as Senior Vice President of Veeco.

 

In July 2009, Veeco acquired certain assets from DayStar Technologies, Inc. (“DayStar”) in order to accelerate Veeco’s penetration of the rapidly growing CIGS solar market. Veeco purchased selected equipment, took over leased facilities and hired employees from DayStar’s R&D group in Clifton Park, New York. In connection with these transactions, Veeco paid DayStar $1.9 million in cash.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

Significant changes to our “Contractual Obligations” table in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K include the following:

 

·                  a $9.6 million earn-out payment related to the Mill Lane acquisition, which we made in the first quarter of 2009;

·                  Payment of $0.5 million of the purchase price for Fluens was made on September 30, 2009. We will pay the remaining $0.5 million of the $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed Balance Sheet at September 30, 2009;

·                  potential earn-out payments related to the purchase of Fluens, $0.2 million of which we paid in the second quarter of 2009; and

·                  the increase in our purchase commitments from $27.7 million at December 31, 2008 to $76.7 million at September 30, 2009.  The majority of the increase in purchase commitments at September 30, 2009 relates to increases in purchase orders for materials to fulfill customer sales orders for MOCVD tools.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

 

General:  Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  Management continually monitors and evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible and other long-lived assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructuring costs, and contingent liabilities, including potential litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We consider certain accounting policies related to revenue recognition, the valuation of inventories, the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the impairment of long-lived assets, warranty costs, the accounting for income taxes, and share-based compensation to be critical policies due to the estimation processes involved in each.

 

Revenue Recognition:  We recognize revenue based on current accounting guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Our revenue transactions include sales of products under multiple-element arrangements.  Revenue under these arrangements is allocated to each element based upon its estimated fair market value.

 

We consider a broad array of facts and circumstances when evaluating each of our sales arrangements in determining when to recognize revenue, including specific terms of the purchase order, contractual obligations to the customer, the complexity of the customer’s post delivery acceptance provisions, customer creditworthiness and the installation process.  Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and no uncertainties exist regarding customer acceptance.  For transactions on which we recognize systems revenue, either at the time of shipment or delivery, our contractual arrangements with customers do not contain provisions for right of return or forfeiture, refund or other purchase price concessions.  Sales arrangements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis; however, our products generally fall into one of two categories; either instruments or systems, for which we have established revenue recognition protocols as described below.

 

Instruments — For standard products produced according to our published specifications, principally metrology instruments sold typically to universities, research facilities and scientific centers and in general industrial applications where installation is inconsequential or perfunctory and no substantive customer acceptance provisions exist, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, either at time of shipment or delivery.  Acceptance of the product by the customer is based upon meeting standard published specifications.  Customer acceptance provisions include initial setup at the customer site, performance of functional test procedures and calibration testing of the basic features and functionality of the product.  These provisions are a replication of the testing performed in our facilities prior to shipment.  The skills and equipment required to complete installation of such instruments are not specialized and are readily available in the market and are often performed by distributors or representative organizations.

 

Systems - Process equipment systems and certain metrology systems, which are sold to manufacturers in the HB-LED, solar, data storage and semiconductor industries and are used in manufacturing facilities and commercial production environments typically include process acceptance criteria based upon Veeco and/or customer specifications.  We are generally required to install these products and demonstrate compliance with acceptance tests at the customer’s facility.  Generally, based upon the terms of the sales arrangement, these products are sold with a retention (typically 10% to 20% of the sales contract value) which is payable by the customer when installation and field acceptance is completed. Such installations are not considered complex and are not deemed essential to the functionality of the equipment because they do not involve significant changes to the features or capabilities of the equipment or involve building complex interfaces or connections.  Installation normally represents only 2% - 4% of the fair value of the sales contract.  Sales arrangements for these systems are bifurcated into separate units of accounting or elements based on objective evidence of fair value. The two elements are the system and installation of the system.  The amount of revenue allocated to each element is based upon its relative fair value.  The price charged when the system or installation service is sold separately generally determines fair value.  The value of the installation service is based upon the fair value of the service performed, including labor, which is based upon the estimated time to complete the installation at hourly rates, and material components. We recognize revenue for the system or delivered element since the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis, there is objective and

 

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Table of Contents

 

reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item (i.e., the installation service) and delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in our control, based on our historical experience. The value of the undelivered element is the greater of the fair value of the installation or the portion of the sales price that will not be received until the installation is completed (i.e., the retention amount). System revenue is generally recognized upon shipment or delivery provided title and risk of loss has passed to the customer. Revenue from installation services is recognized at the time acceptance is received from the customer.  If the arrangement does not meet all the above criteria, the entire amount of the sales arrangement is deferred until the criteria have been met or all elements have been delivered to the customer or been completed.

 

For new products, new applications of existing products, or for products with substantive customer acceptance provisions where performance cannot be fully assessed prior to meeting customer specifications at the customer site, revenue is recognized upon completion of installation and receipt of final customer acceptance.  Since title to goods generally passes to the customer upon shipment or delivery and 80% to 90% of the contract amount becomes payable at that time, inventory is relieved and accounts receivable is recognized for the amount billed at the time of shipment. The profit on the amount billed for these transactions is deferred and recognized as deferred profit in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

In Japan, generally where our contractual terms with customers specify risk of loss and title transfers upon customer acceptance, revenue is recognized and the customer is billed upon receipt of written customer acceptance.

 

Revenue related to maintenance and service contracts is recognized ratably over the applicable contract term.  Component and spare part revenue is recognized at the time of shipment or delivery in accordance with the terms of the applicable sales arrangement.

 

Inventory Valuation:  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out method) or market. Management evaluates the need to record adjustments for impairment of inventory on a quarterly basis. Our policy is to assess the valuation of all inventories, including raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts and other service inventory. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage for the next 12 month’s requirements is written-down to its estimated market value, if less than its cost. Inherent in the estimates of market value are management’s estimates related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of excess inventory.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment:  The Company does not amortize goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but instead tests the balances in these asset accounts for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level.  Our policy is to perform this annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.  Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, a historical or anticipated decline in revenue or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, and a material decrease in the fair value of some or all of the assets.

 

Pursuant to relevant accounting pronouncements we are required to determine if it is appropriate to use the operating segment as defined under such pronouncements as the reporting unit, or one level below the operating segment, depending on whether certain criteria are met.  We have identified four reporting units that are required to be reviewed for impairment. The reporting units are Data Storage Process Equipment, LED & Solar Process Equipment, AFM and Optical Metrology. AFM and Optical Metrology comprise the Metrology operating segment.  In identifying the reporting units management considered the economic characteristics of operating segments including the products and services provided, production processes, types or classes of customer and product distribution.

 

We perform this impairment test by first comparing the fair value of our reporting units to their respective carrying amount. When determining the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, we utilize a discounted future cash flow approach since reported quoted market prices are not available for our reporting units.  Developing the estimate of the discounted future cash flow requires significant judgment and projections of future financial performance.  The key assumptions used in developing the discounted future cash flows are the projection of future revenues and expenses, working capital requirements, residual growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital.  In developing our financial projections, we consider historical data, current internal estimates and market growth trends.  Changes to any of these assumptions could materially change the fair value of the reporting unit. We reconcile the aggregate fair value of our reporting units to the Company’s adjusted market capitalization as a supporting calculation.  The adjusted market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the average share price of our common stock for the last ten trading days prior to the measurement date by the number of outstanding common shares and adding a control

 

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premium.

 

If the carrying value of the reporting units exceed the fair value we would then compare the implied fair value of our goodwill to the carrying amount in order to determine the amount of the impairment, if any.

 

Definite-Lived Intangible and Long-Lived Asset Impairment: Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets with definite useful lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, a historical or anticipated decline in revenue or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, and a material decrease in the fair value of some or all of the assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge would be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

Fair Value Measurements: On January 1, 2009, we implemented new accounting guidance for our non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. This new guidance requires that we disclose the type of inputs we use to value our assets and liabilities, based on three categories of inputs as defined in such. Level 1 inputs are quoted, unadjusted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. These requirements apply to our long-lived assets, goodwill, and intangible assets.  We use Level 3 inputs to value all of such assets, and the methodology we use to value such assets has not changed since December 31, 2008.  The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements.

 

Warranty Costs:  We estimate the costs that may be incurred under the warranty we provide and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the related revenue is recognized. Estimated warranty costs are determined by analyzing specific product and historical configuration statistics and regional warranty support costs. Our warranty accrual is affected by product failure rates, material usage, and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period. Unforeseen component failures or exceptional component performance can also result in changes to warranty costs. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

 

Income Taxes:  As part of the process of preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax expense, together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of our deferred tax assets is adjusted by a valuation allowance to recognize the extent to which the future tax benefits will be recognized on a more likely than not basis. Our net deferred tax assets consist primarily of net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, and timing differences between the book and tax treatment of inventory, acquired intangible assets and other asset valuations. Realization of these net deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate future taxable income.

 

We record valuation allowances in order to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In assessing the adequacy of recorded valuation allowances, we consider a variety of factors, including the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Under the relevant accounting guidance, factors such as current and previous operating losses are given significantly greater weight than the outlook for future profitability in determining the deferred tax asset carrying value.

 

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At September 30, 2009, we had a valuation allowance of approximately $90.5 million against substantially all of our domestic net deferred tax assets, which consist of net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, as well as temporary deductible differences.  If we are able to realize part or all of the domestic deferred tax assets in future periods, we will reduce our provision for income taxes with a release of the valuation allowance in an amount that corresponds with the income tax liability generated.

 

Relevant accounting guidance addresses the determination of how tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under such guidance, we must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such uncertain tax positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.  We had approximately $1.1 million and $1.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, which predominantly relate to positions taken on our foreign tax returns and all of which represent the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in future periods.

 

Share-Based Compensation: Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period.  In order to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant, we apply the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Inherent in the model are assumptions related to risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, expected stock-price volatility, and option life.

 

The risk-free rate assumed in valuing the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.   The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s historical and future expectation of dividend payouts.  While the risk-free interest rate and dividend yield are less subjective assumptions, typically based on factual data derived from public sources, the expected stock-price volatility and option life assumptions require a level of judgment which make them critical accounting estimates.

 

We use an expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both historical volatility, calculated based on the daily closing prices of our common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the option and implied volatility, utilizing market data of actively traded options on our common stock, which are obtained from public data sources.  We believe that the historical volatility of the price of our common stock over the expected term of the option is a strong indicator of the expected future volatility and that implied volatility takes into consideration market expectations of how future volatility will differ from historical volatility. Accordingly, we believe a combination of both historical and implied volatility provides the best estimate of the future volatility of the market price of our common stock.

 

The expected term, representing the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, is estimated using a lattice-based model incorporating historical post vest exercise and employee termination behavior.

 

We estimate forfeitures using its historical experience, which is adjusted over the requisite service period based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Because of the significant amount of judgment used in these calculations, it is reasonably likely that circumstances may cause the estimate to change.

 

With regard to the weighted-average option life assumption, we consider the exercise behavior of past grants and model the pattern of aggregate exercises.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Revenue Recognition: In October 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance related to multiple-element arrangements which requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling prices. The consensus eliminates the use of the residual method of allocation and requires the relative-selling-price method in all circumstances.  All entities must adopt the guidance no later than the beginning of their first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Entities may elect to adopt the guidance through either prospective application for revenue arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date or through retrospective application to all revenue arrangements for all periods presented. The Company does not believe that this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In October 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance that is expected to significantly affect how entities account for revenue arrangements that contain both hardware and software elements. As a result, many tangible products that rely on software will be accounted for under the revised multiple-element arrangements revenue recognition guidance, rather than the software revenue recognition guidance. The revised guidance must be adopted by all entities no later than fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. An entity must select the same transition method and same period for the adoption of both this guidance and the revisions to the multiple-element arrangements guidance noted above.  The Company does not believe that this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Convertible debt:  In May 2008, new accounting guidance was issued that requires a portion of convertible debt to be allocated to equity.  We implemented the new guidance as of January 1, 2009 and have applied it retrospectively to all periods presented, as required.  This new guidance requires issuers of convertible debt that can be settled in cash to separately account for (i.e., bifurcate) a portion of the debt associated with the conversion feature and reclassify this portion to stockholders’ equity.  The liability portion, which represents the fair value of the debt without the conversion feature, is accreted to its face value over the life of the debt using the effective interest method by amortizing the discount between the face amount and the fair value.  The amortization is recorded as interest expense.  The Notes are subject to such accounting guidance since they may be settled in cash upon conversion.  Thus, as a result of the adoption of this accounting guidance, we reclassified approximately $16.3 million from long-term debt to additional paid-in capital effective as of the date of issuance of the Notes.  This reclassification created a $16.3 million discount on the debt that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Notes, which will be through April 15, 2012. The reclassification generated a $6.7 million deferred tax liability, which we offset with a corresponding decrease of the valuation allowance by the same amount. Prior periods are presented as if the new guidance was in effect as of the date of issuance. Thus, we have presented all financial data for prior periods in this report as if we had reclassified the $16.3 million and began amortizing the resultant debt discount in April 2007. The retrospective application of the new guidance described above to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased the net loss attributable to Veeco in the three-month period from ($1,673) to ($2,413) and decreased the net income attributable to Veeco in the nine-month period from $946 to a net loss of ($1,238), and increased the loss per share attributable to Veeco in the three-month period from ($0.05) to ($0.08) and decreased the earnings per share in the nine-month period from $0.03 to a loss per share of ($0.04).

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we repurchased an aggregate principal amount of $12.2 million of the Notes for $7.2 million in cash, of which $7.1 million related to principal and $0.1 million related to accrued interest, reducing the amount outstanding from $117.8 million to $105.6 million.  A gross gain of approximately $5.1 million was recorded on these repurchases offset by the write-off of approximately $0.1 million of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the Notes, for a net gain of approximately $5.0 million.  Such net gain was reduced to $3.8 million upon the adoption of the new accounting guidance, which required that the gain be calculated based on the fair value of the portion repurchased as of the date bought back.  The fair value approximated the carrying value net of the unamortized discount on the portion repurchased.  The difference of approximately $1.2 million between the fair value and the amount paid was recorded as a reduction in the gain originally reported, which increased the accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2008 by that amount.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, we recorded approximately $0.7 million of additional interest expense in each period resulting from the amortization of the debt discount.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, we recorded approximately $1.4 million of additional interest expense in each period resulting from the amortization of the debt discount.  This additional interest expense did not require the use of cash.

 

The total effect on equity as of the date of adoption on January 1, 2009 was a net increase of $10.3 million, comprised of an increase in additional paid-in capital of $16.3 million and an increase in the accumulated deficit of $6.0 million.  The $6.0 million is comprised of $2.9 million and $1.9 million in amortization of the debt discount for 2008 and 2007, respectively, as well as the $1.2 million reduction in the gain that was recorded on the November 2008 repurchases.

 

Noncontrolling Interest:  In December 2007, new accounting requirements were issued by the FASB with the objective to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements.  The most significant provisions of this statement result in changes to the presentation of noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements.  We implemented these new rules as of January 1, 2009.  The adoption of this statement impacted the manner in which we present

 

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noncontrolling interests for all periods included in this report, but did not impact our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Fair Value:  In April 2009, the FASB issued  new guidance to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements in addition to the existing requirement for annual financial statements. We adopted these new rules for the period ended June 30, 2009.

 

Subsequent Events:  In May 2009, the FASB issued a new pronouncement relating to subsequent events.  The term subsequent events refers to events that occur after the last date in the period on which we are reporting through the date the financial statements are issued, and which may require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.  Adoption of this pronouncement should not result in significant changes in the subsequent events that are reported, but rather requires disclosure of the date through which the company evaluates whether subsequent events have occurred. We have evaluated subsequent events from the date of these financial statements through the date on which these financial statements were issued.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Our net sales to foreign customers represented approximately 81.5% and 73.4%, respectively, of our total net sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and 66.4% and 64.9%, respectively, for the comparable 2008 periods. We expect that net sales to foreign customers will continue to represent a large percentage of our total net sales. Our net sales denominated in foreign currencies represented approximately 13.6% and 9.7%, of our total net sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and 13.2% and 13.9%,  respectively, for the comparable 2008 periods.

 

The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 include aggregate foreign currency losses of approximately $0.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The loss of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was net of gains of approximately $0.2 million related to forward contracts. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 include aggregate foreign currency gains of less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million, respectively, which were net of losses of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to forward contracts. These amounts were recognized and included in other (income) expense, net in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The changes in currency exchange rates that have the largest impact on translating our international operating profit to U.S. dollars are the Euro and the Japanese Yen. We use derivative financial instruments to mitigate these risks. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. We generally enter into monthly forward contracts to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency-denominated intercompany transactions and other known currency exposures. The weighted average notional amount of derivative contracts outstanding during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2009, losses of $0.1 million related to forward contracts were included in other accrued expenses and subsequently paid in October 2009. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $0.9 million of losses related to forward contracts were included in accrued expenses and subsequently paid in January 2009. Monthly forward contracts with a total notional amount of $3.1 million were entered into in September 2009 and will be settled in October 2009.  The fair value of these contracts at inception was zero, which did not significantly change at September 30, 2009.

 

We believe that based upon our hedging program, a 10% change in foreign exchange rates would have an immaterial impact on the consolidated results of operations. We believe that this quantitative measure has inherent limitations because it does not take into account any governmental actions or changes in either customer purchasing patterns or our financing and operating strategies.

 

Assuming third quarter 2009 variable debt and investment levels, the effect of a one-point change in interest rates would not have a material effect on net interest expense.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

 

We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our business.  We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

Information regarding risk factors appears in the “Safe Harbor Statement” at the beginning of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I — Item 1A of our 2008 Annual Report and Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report and Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, each of the following exhibits has been previously filed with the SEC by the Company under File No. 0-16244.

 

Number

 

Description

 

Incorporated by Reference to the
Following Document:

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Veeco dated May 16, 2002

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Veeco Instruments Inc. 2009 Management Bonus Plan dated February 27, 2009

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Veeco Instruments Inc. 2009 Supplemental Management Profit Sharing Plan dated August 20, 2009

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a) or Rule 15d—14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a) or Rule 15d—14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

*

 


                *

Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

Date:  October 26, 2009

 

 

Veeco Instruments Inc.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOHN R. PEELER

 

 

John R. Peeler
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOHN F. REIN, JR.

 

 

John F. Rein, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Unless otherwise indicated, each of the following exhibits has been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company under File No. 0-16244.

 

Number

 

Description

 

Incorporated by Reference to the
Following Document:

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Veeco dated May 16, 2002

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Veeco Instruments Inc. 2009 Management Bonus Plan dated February 27, 2009

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Veeco Instruments Inc. 2009 Supplemental Management Profit Sharing Plan dated August 20, 2009

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a) or Rule 15d—14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a—14(a) or Rule 15d—14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

*

 


                *

Filed herewith

 

40