AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

 

Or

 

 

For the transition period from               to               

 

Commission file number 000-30941

 

AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

108 Cherry Hill Drive

Beverly, Massachusetts 01915

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(978) 787-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 ☒  No ☐.

 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐.

 

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

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of May 1, 2017 there were 30,095,828 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements.

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 1.  Nature of Business

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (“Axcelis” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1995, and is a worldwide producer of ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company provides extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, used equipment and maintenance services to the semiconductor industry.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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 generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and considered necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements have been included. Operating results for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the year as a whole.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Axcelis Technologies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Note 2.  Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company maintains the Axcelis Technologies, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Equity Plan”), which became effective on May 2, 2012, and permits the issuance of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards to selected employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The Company’s 2000 Stock Plan (the “2000 Stock Plan”), expired on May 1, 2012 and no new grants may be made under that plan after that date.  However, unexpired awards granted under the 2000 Stock Plan remain outstanding and subject to the terms of the 2000 Stock Plan. The Company also maintains the Axcelis Technologies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), an Internal Revenue Code Section 423 plan.

 

The 2012 Equity Plan and the ESPP are more fully described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts include compensation expense related to restricted stock units and non-qualified stock options.

 

In the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 0.5 million and 0.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, in relation to stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units. In the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company received proceeds of $2.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in connection with the exercise of stock options.

 

Note 3.  Computation of Net Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted‑average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares issuable for stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan accounts had been issued, calculated using the treasury stock method.

 

The components of net earnings per share are as follows:

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding does not include options and restricted stock units outstanding to purchase 0.1 million and 0.9 million common equivalent shares for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

 

 

Note 4.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 5. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.

 

 

 

The restricted cash balances of $6.8 million as of March 31, 2017 relates to a $5.9 million letter of credit associated to the security deposit for the sale leaseback transaction, a $0.8 million letter of credit relating to workers’ compensation insurance and a $0.1 million deposit relating to customs activity. The restricted cash balance of $6.9 million as of March 31, 2016 includes the $5.9 million letter of credit associated to the security deposit for the sale leaseback transaction, a $0.9 million letter of credit relating to workers’ compensation insurance and a $0.1 million deposit relating to customs activity. 

 

 

Note 6.  Inventories, net

 

The components of inventories are as follows:

 

 

 

When recorded, inventory reserves are intended to reduce the carrying value of inventories to their net realizable value. The Company establishes inventory reserves when conditions exist that indicate inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based upon assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products or market conditions. The Company regularly evaluates the ability to realize the value of inventories based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales or usage, estimated product end of life dates, estimated current and future market value and new product introductions. Purchasing and usage alternatives are also explored to mitigate inventory exposure. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, inventories are stated net of inventory reserves of $8.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively.

 

 

Note 7.  Product Warranty

 

The Company generally offers a one year warranty for all of its systems, the terms and conditions of which vary depending upon the product sold. For all systems sold, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated cost of standard warranty at the time of system shipment and defers the portion of systems revenue attributable to the fair value of non-standard warranty. Costs for non-standard warranty are expensed as incurred. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded liability and adjusts the amount as necessary.

 

The changes in the Company’s standard product warranty liability are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Note 8.  Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets on the Company’s balance sheets are reported at their “fair value.” Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most

advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

 

(a)  Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The accounting guidance for fair value measurement requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

Level 1 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

 

Level 3 - applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

(b)  Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company’s money market funds are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets and are considered a level 1 investment as they are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s assets by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

 

 

 

(c)  Other Financial Instruments

 

The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents (which are comprised primarily of deposit and investment accounts), accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

 

 

Note 9.  Financing Arrangements

 

Sale Leaseback Obligation

 

On January 30, 2015, the Company sold its corporate headquarters facility for $48.9 million. As part of the sale, the Company also entered into a 22-year lease agreement. The sale leaseback is accounted for as a financing arrangement for financial reporting and, as such, the Company has recorded a financing obligation of $47.7 million as of March 31, 2017. The associated lease payments are deemed to include both an interest component and payment of principal, with the underlying liability being extinguished at the end of the original lease term. The Company posted a collateralized security deposit of $5.9 million in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit at the time of the closing. Upon the termination of a credit facility in October 2015, this letter of credit was cash collateralized.

 

 

Note 10.  Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense relates principally to operating results of foreign entities in jurisdictions, primarily in Europe and Asia, where the Company earns taxable income. The Company has significant net operating losses in the United States and certain other tax jurisdictions and, as a result, does not pay significant income taxes in those jurisdictions.

 

At December 31, 2016, the Company had $124.0 million of deferred tax assets worldwide relating to net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and other temporary differences, which are available to reduce income taxes in future years. The Company maintains a 100% domestic valuation allowance, reducing the carrying value of the deferred tax assets in the United States to zero.  The Company will continue to maintain a full valuation allowance for those tax assets until accounting principles require the release of the allowance based on expectations of continuing profitability.

 

During the first quarter of 2017, the statute of limitations associated with tax positions previously taken by the Company expired. The related tax reserve of $0.3 million and accrued interest of $0.2 million that had been recorded were reversed during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

 

Note 11.  Concentration of Risk

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, four customers accounted for 19.2%, 16.6%, 16.4% and 16.3% of consolidated revenue, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, three customers accounted for 20.8%, 13.4% and 13.2%, of consolidated revenue, respectively. 

 

At March 31, 2017, three customers accounted for 24.9%, 21.5% and 12.7% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively. At December 31, 2016, four customers accounted for 22.0%, 12.3%, 12.0% and 10.6% of accounts receivable, respectively.

 

 

Note 12.  Contingencies

 

(a)  Litigation

 

The Company is, from time to time, a party to litigation that arises in the normal course of its business operations. The Company is not presently a party to any litigation that it believes might have a material adverse effect on its business operations.

 

(b)  Indemnifications

 

The Company’s system sales agreements typically include provisions under which the Company agrees to take certain actions, provide certain remedies and defend its customers against third-party claims of intellectual property

infringement under specified conditions and to indemnify customers against any damage and costs awarded in connection with such claims. The Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications and has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Note 13.  Recent Accounting Guidance

 

Accounting Standards or Updates Adopted

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which changes the inventory measurement principles for entities using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. For entities utilizing one of these methods, the inventory measurement principle changes from lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The prospective adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of 2017 did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which changes the accounting for stock-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amended guidance eliminates the requirement to record excess tax benefits as a reduction in current taxes payable and an increase to additional paid-in capital. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017.

 

The prospective adoption associated with excess tax benefits resulted in the generation of approximately $1.2 million of deferred tax assets relating to federal and state net operating losses that are fully offset by a corresponding increase in the valuation allowance. As a result, there was no adjustment to accumulated deficit.

 

The retrospective adoption of the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes is presented as a financing activity. This resulted in a $0.3 million and a  two thousand dollar reduction in net cash provided by financing activities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Prior to adoption, these amounts were reflected within cash flows from operating activities.

 

The Company has also elected to continue to estimate a forfeiture rate associated with our stock-based awards and related expense.  

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 203): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” This ASU requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The retrospective adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of 2017 resulted in $6.9 million of restricted cash being included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances on the statement of cash flows for the periods presented. Please see Note 5 for additional information.

 

Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which further clarifies performance obligations in a contract with a customer. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which provides a more narrow interpretation of ASU No. 2014-09. These ASUs are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after

December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and assessing the potential impact the adoption of these standards will have on our financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases.” The ASU requires lessees to recognize the rights and obligations created by most leases as assets and liabilities on their balance sheet and continue to recognize expenses on their income statement over the lease term. It will also require disclosures designed to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02 on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The ASU is intended to add or clarify guidance on the classification of certain receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and to eliminate the diversity in practice related to such classifications. The guidance in ASU 2016-15 is required for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-15 on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07 “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The ASU is intended to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendment applies to all entities offering defined benefit pension plan, other postretirement benefit plans, or other types of benefits accounted for under Topic 715. The amendments in the ASU require an employer to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within the annual period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2017-07 on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Certain statements in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as may, will, should, would, anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, those set forth under "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and under “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

 

Overview

 

Axcelis is a worldwide producer of ion implantation and other processing equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor chips in the United States, Europe and Asia.  In addition, the Company provides extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades and maintenance services to the semiconductor industry worldwide.  Consolidation and partnering within the semiconductor manufacturing industry has resulted in a small number of customers representing a substantial portion of our business.  Our ten largest customers accounted for 85.4% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

Our product development and manufacturing activities occur primarily in the United States.  Axcelis’ equipment and service products are highly technical and are sold primarily through a direct sales force in the United States, Europe and Asia.

 

In the first quarter of 2017, we delivered solid financial results driven by higher Purion system sales and strong gross margin performance. Demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and services has historically been subject to cyclical industry conditions reflecting our customers’ responses to changes in the nature and timing of technological advances in fabrication processes, supply and demand for chips, and global economic and market conditions. Separately from overall market demand, Axcelis’ results are also impacted by our customers’ decisions to purchase our products rather than our competitors’ systems.     

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations included herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 are based upon Axcelis’ 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 management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions 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.

 

Management has not identified any need to make any material change in, and has not changed, any of our critical accounting estimates and judgments as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of total revenue:

 

 

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth our revenue:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Product

 

Product revenue, which includes system sales, sales of spare parts, product upgrades and used systems was $82.0 million, or 94.3%, of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with $62.2 million, or 92.1% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The $19.8 million increase in product revenue for the

three month period ending March 31, 2017, in comparison to the same period in 2016, was primarily driven by an increase in the number of Purion systems sold.

 

A portion of our revenue from system sales is deferred until installation and other services related to future deliverables are performed. The total amount of deferred revenue at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $13.1 million and $11.0 million, respectively. The increase in deferred revenue is primarily due to the timing of the acceptance of system sales.

 

Services

 

Services revenue, which includes the labor component of maintenance and service contracts and fees for service hours provided by on-site service personnel, was $4.9 million, or 5.7% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with $5.3 million, or 7.9% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Although services revenue typically increases with the expansion of the installed base of systems, it can fluctuate from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the need for equipment service.

 

Revenue Categories used by Management

 

As an alternative to the line item revenue categories discussed above, management also uses revenue categorizations which divide revenue into new systems sales and “aftermarket,” meaning sales of spare parts, product upgrades and used systems, combined with the sale of maintenance labor and service contracts and services hours.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Systems

 

Included in total revenue of $86.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 is revenue from sales of new systems of $55.2 million, or 63.6% of total revenue, compared with $37.0 million, or 54.8%, of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was due to higher sales of our Purion systems sold in the recent quarter.

 

Aftermarket

 

Included in total revenue of $86.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 is revenue from our aftermarket business of $31.6 million, compared to $30.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Aftermarket revenue fluctuates from period to period based on capacity utilization at customers’ manufacturing facilities, which affects the sale of spare parts and demand for equipment service.  Aftermarket revenue can also fluctuate from period to period based on the demand for system upgrades or used tools.

 

Gross Profit / Gross Margin

 

The following table sets forth our gross profit / gross margin.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Product

 

Gross margin from product revenue was 42.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 35.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in gross margin of 7.7 percentage points is due to higher margins on system sales of 11.4% resulting from a reduction in costs,  partially offset by a 3.7% decrease in gross margin due to a reduced mix in higher margin parts and upgrade revenue.

 

Services

 

Gross margin from services revenue was (9.5)% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 28.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in gross margin in the recent period is primarily attributable to increased costs on service contracts.

 

Operating Expenses

 

The following table sets forth our operating expenses:

 

 

Our operating expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, including salaries, commissions, expected incentive plan payouts, stock-based compensation and related benefits and taxes; project material costs related to the design and development of new products and enhancement of existing products; and professional fees, travel and depreciation expenses.

 

Personnel costs, are our largest expense, representing $14.6 million or 60.6%, of our total operating expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2017. For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, personnel costs were $11.9 million or 57.7% of our total operating expenses. The higher personnel costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are primarily due to increased headcount and incentive plan expense.

 

Research and Development

 

 

Our ability to remain competitive depends largely on continuously developing innovative technology, with new and enhanced features and systems and introducing them at competitive prices on a timely basis. Accordingly, based on our strategic plan, we establish annual R&D budgets to fund programs that we expect will drive competitive advantages.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Research and development expense was $9.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017; a $1.3 million increase from $8.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase is primarily due to an investment in increased headcount to support the development of new Purion products and incentive plan expense.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

 

Our sales and marketing expenses result primarily from the sale of our equipment and services through our direct sales force.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Sales and marketing expense was $7.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017; an increase of $1.1 million, or 18.3%, compared with $6.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase is primarily due to an investment in increased headcount to support revenue growth, traveling costs and incentive plan expense.

 

General and Administrative

 

 

Our general and administrative expenses result primarily from the costs associated with our executive, finance, information technology, legal and human resource functions.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

General and administrative expense was $7.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017; an increase of $1.0 million, or 16.8%, compared to $6.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase is primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation and incentive plan expense.

 

Restructuring Charges

 

 

In the first quarter of 2016, due to changes in customer service contracts resulting from a consolidation in our customer base, we had severance and other costs related to a reduction in force.