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KULICKE & SOFFA INDUSTRIES INC - Annual Report: 2011 (Form 10-K)

Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
    
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
x      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the fiscal year ended October 1, 2011
  
OR
  
¨      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 0-121
 
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
PENNSYLVANIA
23-1498399
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
   
6 Serangoon North Avenue 5, #03-16, Singapore
554910
(Address of  principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(215) 784-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
(Title of each class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes ¨    No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes ¨   No x

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 ¨

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 x   No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
   
(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 ¨   No x
 
As of April 1, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $646.9 million based on the closing sale price as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market (Reference is made to Part II, Item 5 herein for a statement of assumptions upon which this calculation is based).

As of December 2, 2011 there were 73,658,871 shares of the registrant's common stock, without par value, outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or about December 30, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part II, Item 5 and Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 herein of this Report. Such Proxy Statement, except for the parts therein which have been specifically incorporated by reference, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of this Report on Form 10-K.

 
 

 
 
 
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES. INC.
 
 
2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K
 
 
Table of Contents
 
   
Page
 
Part I
 
Item 1.
Business
1
     
Item 1A.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
10
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
20
     
Item 2.
Properties
21
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
22
     
Item 4.
[Removed and Reserved]
22
 
Part II
 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
22
     
Item 6.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
24
     
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
53
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
54
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
92
     
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
92
     
Item 9B.
Other Information
93
 
Part III
 
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
93
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
93
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
94
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
94
     
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
94
 
Part IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
95
     
 
Signatures
100

 
1

 

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this filing contains statements relating to future events or our future results. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by statute. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our future revenue, sustained, increasing, continuing or strengthening demand for our products, the continuing transition from gold to copper wire bonding, replacement demand, our research and development efforts, our ability to identify and realize new growth opportunities, our ability to control costs and our operational flexibility as a result of (among other factors):

 
·
projected growth rates in the overall semiconductor industry, the semiconductor assembly equipment market, and the market for semiconductor packaging materials; and
 
·
projected demand for ball, wedge and die bonder equipment and for expendable tools.

Generally, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “goal” and “believe,” or the negative of or other variations on these and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this filing. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those described below and  under the heading “Risk Factors” within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2011 and our other reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in this report, as well as our audited financial statements included in this Annual Report.

We operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks that may affect us. Future events and actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results or changes in, or additions to, the factors affecting such forward-looking statements. Given those risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of actual results.

Item 1.  BUSINESS

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “K&S”) designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools used to assemble semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits (“IC”), high and low powered discrete devices, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and power modules. We also service, maintain, repair and upgrade our equipment. Our customers primarily consist of semiconductor device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”), other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers.

We operate two main business segments, Equipment and Expendable Tools. Our goal is to be the technology leader and the lowest cost supplier in each of our major product lines. Accordingly, we invest in research and engineering projects intended to enhance our position at the leading edge of semiconductor assembly technology. We also remain focused on our cost structure, through consolidating operations to Asia, moving manufacturing and other operations to Asia, moving our supply chain to lower cost suppliers and designing higher performing, lower cost equipment. Cost reduction efforts are an important part of our normal ongoing operations, and are expected to generate savings without compromising overall product quality and service levels.

 
1

 
 
K&S was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1956. Our principal offices are located at 6 Serangoon North Avenue 5, #03-16, Singapore 554910 and our telephone number in the United States is (215) 784-6000. We maintain a website with the address www.kns.com.  We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this filing. We make available free of charge (other than an investor’s own Internet access charges) on or through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with or otherwise furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are also available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Our year end for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was October 1, 2011, October 2, 2010, and October 3, 2009, respectively.
 
Business Environment

The semiconductor business environment is highly volatile, driven by internal dynamics, both cyclical and seasonal, in addition to macroeconomic forces. Over the long term, semiconductor consumption has historically grown, and is forecast to continue to grow. This growth is driven, in part, by regular advances in device performance and by price declines that result from improvements in manufacturing technology. In order to exploit these trends, semiconductor manufacturers, both integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”) and OSATs, periodically invest aggressively in latest generation capital equipment. This buying pattern often leads to periods of excess supply and reduced capital spending — the so called semiconductor cycle. Within this broad semiconductor cycle there are also, generally weaker, seasonal effects that are specifically tied to annual, end-consumer purchasing patterns. Typically, semiconductor manufacturers prepare for heightened demand by adding or replacing equipment capacity by the end of the September quarter.  Occasionally this results in subsequent reductions in the December quarter. This annual seasonality can occasionally be overshadowed by effects of the broader semiconductor cycle. Macroeconomic factors also affect the industry, primarily through their effect on business and consumer demand for electronic devices, as well as other products that have significant electronic content such as automobiles, white goods, and telecommunication equipment.
 
Our Equipment segment is primarily affected by the industry’s internal cyclical and seasonal dynamics in addition to broader macroeconomic factors which positively and negatively affect our financial performance. The sales mix of IDM and OSAT customers in any period, also impacts financial performance, as this mix can affect our products’ average selling prices and gross margins due to differences in volume purchases and machine configurations required by each customer type.
 
Our Expendable Tools segment is less volatile than our Equipment segment. Expendable Tools sales are more directly tied to semiconductor unit consumption rather than capacity requirements and production capability improvements. 

We continue to position our business to leverage our research and development leadership and innovation and to focus our efforts on mitigating volatility, improving profitability and ensuring longer-term growth. The current economic environment is uncertain and we may experience typical industry seasonality during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult.

To limit potential adverse cyclical, seasonal and macroeconomic effects on our financial position, we have de-leveraged and strengthened our balance sheet. During fiscal 2010, we reduced our debt by $49.0 million, and we presently intend to repay our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes with cash up to the principal amount of $110.0 million at maturity in fiscal 2012. As of October 1, 2011, our total cash, cash equivalents and investments was $384.6 million, which exceeded the face value of our total debt by $274.6 million, a $203.2 million increase from the prior fiscal year end. This strong cash position better enables continual investment in product development as well as in production capability improvements throughout the semiconductor cycle.
 
 
2

 

Technology Leadership

We compete largely by offering our customers among the most advanced equipment and expendable tools available for the wire, wedge and die bonding processes. Our equipment is typically the most productive, has the highest levels of process capability, and as a result, has the lowest cost of ownership available in its markets. Our expendable tools are designed to optimize the performance of the equipment in which they are used. We believe our technology leadership contributes to the leading market share positions of our various wire bonder and expendable tools products. To maintain our competitive advantage, we invest in product development activities designed to produce a stream of improvements to existing products and to deliver next-generation products. These investments often focus as much on improvements in the semiconductor assembly process as on specific pieces of assembly equipment or expendable tools. In order to generate these improvements, we often work in close collaboration with customers, end users, and other industry members. In addition to producing technical advances, these collaborative development efforts strengthen customer relationships and enhance our reputation as a technology leader and solutions provider.

In addition to gold and aluminum wire, our leadership in the industry’s use of copper wire for the bonding process is an example of the benefits of collaborative efforts. By working with customers, material suppliers, and other equipment suppliers, we have developed a series of robust, high-yielding production processes that have made copper wire commercially viable, significantly reducing the cost of assembling an integrated circuit. During fiscal 2010, many of our customers began converting their output to copper wire, and we believe the conversion was initiated through fabless companies in the consumer segment. Gradually, the level of confidence and the reliability of data collected have enabled a larger segment of the customer base to increase copper capabilities. Since this initial conversion, a significant portion of our wire bonder sales have become copper capable. We believe this is the first phase of the gold-to-copper migration, and we expect this conversion process to continue throughout the industry for the next several years. This could potentially drive a significant wire bonder replacement cycle as we believe much of the industries’ installed base is not currently suitable for copper bonding. Based on our industry leading copper bonding processes and the continued high price of gold, we believe the total available market for copper configured wire bonders is likely to continue demonstrating solid growth.
 
Our leadership has allowed us to maintain a competitive position in the latest generations of gold and copper ball bonders, which enable our customers to handle the leading technologies in terms of pitch and bond size. We have recently seen increased demand for our large bondable area (“LA”) configured machines. This LA option is now available on all of our Power Series (PS) models and allows our customers to gain added efficiencies and to reduce the cost of packaging.
 
We also leverage the technology leadership of our equipment by optimizing our bonder platforms, and we deliver variants of our products to serve emerging high-growth markets. For example, we have developed extensions of our main ball bonding platforms to address opportunities in LED assembly. The LED backlights for flat-screen displays have been the main driver of the LED market in the last few years where we have successfully competed in LED assembly equipment. We expect the next wave of growth in the LED market to be high brightness LED for general lighting, and we believe we are well positioned for this trend.

Furthermore, we gain synergies by leveraging technologies between our unique platforms. Our leading technology for wedge bonder equipment uses aluminum ribbon or heavier wire as opposed to fine gold and fine copper wire used in ball bonders.  In addition, we are currently developing the next generation platform for our power semiconductor wedge bonder. We intend to initiate design of our next power module wedge bonder. In both cases, we are making a conscious effort to develop commonality of subsystems and design practices, in order to improve performance and design efficiencies. We believe this will benefit us in maintaining our leadership position in the wedge bonding market and increase synergies between the various engineering product groups. Furthermore, we continually research adjacent market segments where our technologies could be used. As an example, we are reviewing the use of wedge bonding in the fabrication of solar panels. Many of these initiatives are in the early stages of development and may become business opportunities in the future.

 
3

 
 
Another example of our developing equipment for high-growth niche markets is our AT Premier. This machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices, while still in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors, surface acoustical wave (SAW) filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market.
 
Our focus on technology leadership also extends to die bonding. Our state of the art iStackPS die bonder for advanced stacked die applications offers best-in-class throughput and accuracy.

We bring the same technology focus to our expendable tools business, driving tool design and manufacturing technology to optimize the performance and process capability of the equipment in which our tools are used. For all our equipment products, expendable tools are an integral part of their process capability. We believe our unique ability to simultaneously develop both equipment and tools is a core strength supporting our products’ technological differentiation.
 
Products and Services

The Company operates two segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:
 
   
Fiscal
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
   
2010 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
   
2009 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
 
Equipment
  $ 759,331       91.4 %   $ 691,988       90.7 %   $ 170,536       75.7 %
Expendable Tools
    71,070       8.6 %     70,796       9.3 %     54,704       24.3 %
Total
  $ 830,401       100.0 %   $ 762,784       100.0 %   $ 225,240       100.0 %
 
See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for our financial results by business segment.
 
Equipment Segment

We manufacture and sell a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders, stud bumpers, and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, OSATs, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Ball bonders are used to connect very fine wires, typically made of gold or copper, between the bond pads of the semiconductor device, or die, and the leads on its package. Wedge bonders use either aluminum wire or ribbon to perform the same function in packages that cannot use gold or copper wire because of either high electrical current requirements or other package reliability issues. Stud bumpers mechanically apply bumps to die, typically while still in the wafer format, for some variants of the flip chip assembly process. Die bonders are used to attach a die to the substrate or lead frame which will house the semiconductor device. We believe our equipment offers competitive advantages by providing customers with high productivity/throughput, superior package quality/process control, and as a result, a lower cost of ownership.
 
 
4

 

Our principal Equipment segment products include:
 
Business Unit
 
Product Name (1)
 
Typical Served Market
         
Ball bonders
 
IConnPS
 
Advanced and ultra fine pitch applications using either gold or copper wire
         
   
IConnPS ProCu
 
High-end copper wire applications demanding advanced process capability and high productivity
         
   
IConnPS ProCu LA
 
Large area substrate and matrix applications for copper wire
         
   
IConnPS LA
 
Large area substrate and matrix applications
         
   
ConnXPS
 
Cost performance, low pin count applications using either gold or copper wire
         
   
ConnXPS LED
 
LED applications
         
   
ConnXPS VLED
 
Vertical LED applications
         
   
ConnXPS LA
 
Cost performance large area substrate and matrix applications
         
   
AT Premier
 
Stud bumping applications (high brightness LED and image sensor)
         
Wedge bonders
 
3600Plus
 
Power hybrid and automotive modules using either heavy aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
         
   
3700Plus
 
Hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire
         
   
7200Plus
 
Power semiconductors using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
   
7200HD
 
Smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
   
7600HD
 
Power semiconductors including smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
Die bonder
 
iStackPS
 
Advanced stacked die and ball grid array applications

 
(1)
Power Series (PS

Ball Bonders

Automatic ball bonders represent the largest portion of our semiconductor equipment business. Our main product platform for ball bonding is the Power Series (PS) — a family of assembly equipment that is setting new standards for performance, productivity, upgradeability, and ease of use. Our Power Series consists of our IConnPS high-performance ball bonders, and our ConnXPS cost-performance ball bonders, both of which can be configured for either gold or copper wire. In addition, targeted specifically at the fast growing LED market, the Power Series includes our ConnX PS LED and our ConnX PS VLED. Targeted for large bondable area applications, the Power Series includes our IConnPS LA and ConnXPS LA. In November 2010 and January 2011, we introduced the IConnPS ProCu and IConnPS ProCu LA, respectively, which offer a significant new level of capability for customers transitioning from gold to copper wire bonding.
 
 
5

 
 
Our Power Series products have advanced industry performance standards. Our ball bonders are capable of performing very fine pitch bonding, as well as creating the sophisticated wire loop shapes needed in the assembly of advanced semiconductor packages. Our ball bonders can also be converted for use to copper applications through kits we sell separately, a capability that is increasingly important as bonding with copper continues to grow as an alternative to gold.
 
Our AT Premier machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices, while still in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include CMOS image sensors, SAW filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market.
 
Heavy Wire Wedge Bonders

We are the leaders in the design and manufacture of heavy wire wedge bonders for the power semiconductor and automotive power module markets. Wedge bonders may use either aluminum wire or aluminum ribbon to connect semiconductor chips in power packages, power hybrids and automotive modules for products such as motor control modules or inverters for hybrid cars. In addition, we see some potential use for our wedge bonder products in select solar applications.

Our portfolio of wedge bonding products includes:

 
·
The 3600Plus:  high speed, high accuracy wire bonders designed for power modules, automotive packages and other heavy wire multi-chip module applications.
 
·
The 3700Plus: wire bonders designed for hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire.
 
·
The 7200Plus:  dual head wedge bonder designed specifically for power semiconductor applications.
 
·
The 7200HD:  wedge bonder designed for smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon.
 
·
The 7600HD:  wedge bonder targeted for small power packages.

While wedge bonding traditionally utilizes aluminum wire, all of our wedge bonders are also available modified to bond aluminum ribbon using our proprietary PowerRibbon® process. Aluminum ribbon offers device makers performance advantages over traditional round wire and is being increasingly used for high current packages and automotive applications.
 
Die Bonders

Our die bonder, the iStackPS, focuses on stacked die applications for both memory and subcontract assembly customers. iStackPS is targeted at stacked die and high-end ball grid array (BGA) applications. In these applications, we expect up to 40% productivity increases compared to current generation machines. In addition, iStackPS has demonstrated superior accuracy and process control.
 
Other Equipment Products and Services
 
We also sell manual wire bonders, and we offer spare parts, equipment repair, training services, and upgrades for our equipment through our Support Services business unit.
 
 
6

 

Expendable Tools Segment

We manufacture and sell a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications. Our principal Expendable Tools segment products include:
 
 
·
Capillaries:  expendable tools used in ball bonders. Made of ceramic, a capillary guides the wire during the ball bonding process. Its features help control the bonding process. We design and build capillaries suitable for a broad range of applications, including for use on our competitors’ equipment. In addition, our capillaries are used with both gold and copper wire.

 
·
Bonding wedges:  expendable tools used in wedge bonders. Like capillaries, their specific features are tailored to specific applications. We design and build bonding wedges for use both in our own equipment and in our competitors’ equipment.

 
·
Saw blades:  expendable tools used by semiconductor manufacturers to cut silicon wafers into individual semiconductor die and to cut semiconductor devices that have been molded in a matrix configuration into individual units.
 
Customers

Our major customers include IDMs and OSATs, industrial manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Revenue from our customers may vary significantly from year-to-year based on their respective capital investments, operating expense budgets, and overall industry trends.
 
The following table reflects our top ten customers, based on net revenue, for each of the last three fiscal years:

 
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2010
   
Fiscal 2009
 
1.
Advance Semiconductor Engineering *
 
1.
Advance Semiconductor Engineering *
 
1.
Advance Semiconductor Engineering *
 
2.
Siliconware Precision Industries, Ltd.
 
2.
Siliconware Precision Industries, Ltd. *
 
2.
Amkor Technology, Inc.
 
3.
STATS Chippac Ltd
 
3.
Haoseng Industrial Co., Ltd.  **
 
3.
Siliconware Precision Industries, Ltd.
 
4.
First Technology China, Ltd. **
 
4.
Amkor Technology, Inc.
 
4.
Haoseng Industrial Co., Ltd.  **
 
5.
Haoseng Industrial Co., Ltd.  **
 
5.
Texas Instruments, Inc.
 
5.
Texas Instruments, Inc.
 
6.
ST Microelectronics
 
6.
United Test And Assembley Center
 
6.
First Technology China, Ltd. **
 
7.
Super Power International Ltd **
 
7.
First Technology China, Ltd. **
 
7.
Techno Alpha Co. **
 
8.
Hynix Semiconductor
 
8.
ST Microelectronics
 
8.
ST Microelectronics
 
9.
Samsung
 
9.
HANA Micron
 
9.
Samsung
 
10.
Renesas Semiconductor
 
10.
Renesas Semiconductor
 
10.
Micron Technology Incorporated
 

*   Represents more than 10% of our net revenue for the applicable fiscal year.
** Distributor of our products.

Approximately 97.8%, 98.6%, and 97.0% of our net revenue for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, were for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region, and we expect sales outside of the U.S. to continue to represent a substantial majority of our future net revenue.

See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for sales to customers by geographic location.
 
 
7

 

Sales and Customer Support

We believe long-term customer relationships are critical to our success, and comprehensive sales and customer support are an important means of establishing those relationships. To maintain these relationships, we utilize multiple distribution channels using either our own employees, manufacturers’ representatives, distributors, or a combination of the three, depending on the product, region, or end-use application. In all cases, our goal is to position our sales and customer support resources near our customers’ facilities so as to provide support for customers in their own language and consistent with local customs. Our sales and customer support resources are located primarily in Taiwan, China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., and Germany. Supporting these local resources, we have technology centers offering additional process expertise in China, Singapore, Japan, Israel, Switzerland and the U.S.

By establishing relationships with semiconductor manufacturers, OSATs, and vertically integrated manufacturers of electronic systems, we gain insight into our customers’ future semiconductor packaging strategies. These insights assist us in our efforts to develop products and processes that address our customers’ future assembly requirements.

Backlog

Our backlog consists of customer orders scheduled for shipment within the next twelve months. A majority of our orders are subject to cancellation or deferral by our customers with limited or no penalties. Also, customer demand for our products can vary dramatically without prior notice. Because of the volatility of customer demand, possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules or cancellations and potential delays in product shipments, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of net revenue for any succeeding period.

The following table reflects our backlog as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
Backlog
  $ 103,000     $ 252,000  

Manufacturing

We believe excellence in manufacturing can create a competitive advantage, both by producing at lower costs and by providing superior responsiveness to changes in customer demand. To achieve these goals, we manage our manufacturing operations through a single organization and believe that fewer, larger factories allow us to capture economies of scale and generate cost savings through lower manufacturing costs.

Equipment

Our equipment manufacturing activities consist mainly of integrating outsourced parts and subassemblies and testing finished products to customer specifications. While we largely utilize an outsource model, allowing us to minimize our fixed costs and capital expenditures, for certain low-volume, high customization parts, we manufacture subassemblies ourselves. Just-in-time inventory management has reduced our manufacturing cycle times and lowered our on-hand inventory requirements. Raw materials used in our equipment manufacturing are generally available from multiple sources; however, many outsourced parts and components are only available from a single or limited number of sources.

Our ball bonder, wedge bonder and die bonder manufacturing and assembly is performed at our facility in Singapore. In addition, we operate a subassembly manufacturing and supply management facility in Malaysia. During fiscal 2011, we completed the transition of our wedge bonder manufacturing from Irvine, California to Asia.

 
8

 
 
We have ISO 9001 certification for our equipment manufacturing facilities in Singapore, Irvine, California, and Switzerland (legacy model die bonders and spares manufacturing), and our subassembly manufacturing facility in Malaysia. In addition, we have ISO 14001 certifications for our equipment manufacturing facilities in Singapore and Irvine, California.
 
Expendable Tools

We manufacture saw blades, capillaries and a portion of our bonding wedge inventory at our facility in Suzhou, China. The capillaries are made using blanks produced at our facility in Yokneam, Israel. We outsource the production of our bonding wedges. Both the Suzhou and Yokneam facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.
 
Research and Product Development

Many of our customers generate technology roadmaps describing their projected packaging technology requirements. Our research and product development activities are focused on delivering robust production solutions to those projected requirements. We accomplish this by regularly introducing improved versions of existing products or by developing next-generation products. We follow this product development methodology in all our major product lines. Research and development expense was $65.1 million, $56.7 million, and $53.5 million during fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Intellectual Property

Where circumstances warrant, we apply for patents on inventions governing new products and processes developed as part of our ongoing research, engineering, and manufacturing activities. We currently hold a number of U.S. patents, many of which have foreign counterparts. We believe the duration of our patents often exceeds the life cycles of the technologies disclosed and claimed in the patents. Additionally, we believe much of our important technology resides in our trade secrets and proprietary software.
 
Competition

The market for semiconductor equipment and packaging materials products is intensely competitive. Significant competitive factors in the semiconductor equipment market include price, speed/throughput, production yield, process control, delivery time and customer support, each of which contribute to lower the overall cost per package being manufactured. Our major equipment competitors include:

 
·
Ball bonders: ASM Pacific Technology and Shinkawa
 
·
Wedge bonders: ASM Pacific Technology, Cho-Onpa, F&K Delvotec, and Hesse & Knipps
 
·
Die bonders:  ASM Pacific Technology, BE Semiconductor Industries N.V., Canon, Hitachi, and Shinkawa
 
Significant competitive factors in the semiconductor packaging materials industry include performance, price, delivery, product life, and quality. Our significant expendable tools competitors include:

 
·
Capillaries: PECO and Small Precision Tools, Inc.
 
·
Saw blades: Disco Corporation
 
·
Bonding wedges: Small Precision Tools, Inc.

In each of the markets we serve, we face competition and the threat of competition from established competitors and potential new entrants, some of which may have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing resources.
 
 
9

 
 
Environmental Matters

We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, use, emission, discharge, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, we are subject to environmental laws which may require investigation and cleanup of any contamination at facilities we own or operate or at third-party waste disposal sites we use or have used.

We have incurred in the past, and expect in the future to incur costs to comply with environmental laws. We are not, however, currently aware of any material costs or liabilities relating to environmental matters, including any claims or actions under environmental laws or obligations to perform any cleanups at any of our facilities or any third-party waste disposal sites, that we expect to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. However, it is possible that material environmental costs or liabilities may arise in the future.
 
Employees
 
As of October 1, 2011, we had approximately 2,200 regular full-time employees and 700 temporary workers worldwide.
 
Item 1A.  RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
 
Our operating results and financial condition are adversely impacted by volatile worldwide economic conditions.

Though the semiconductor industry’s cycle can be independent of the general economy, global economic conditions may have direct impact on demand for semiconductor units and ultimately demand for semiconductor capital equipment and expendable tools. Accordingly, our business and financial performance is impacted, both positively and negatively, by fluctuations in the macroeconomic environment. During the first half of fiscal 2009, we saw a dramatic deterioration in the global economy and a corresponding reduction in semiconductor production activity; however, business conditions in the semiconductor industry began to improve by the end of fiscal 2009 and continued to accelerate in fiscal 2010 and 2011. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult. There can be no assurances regarding levels of demand for our products and we believe historic industry-wide volatility will persist.
 
Erratic corporate spending due to uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment could adversely affect our net revenue and profitability.

We depend upon demand from our customers including IDMs and OSATs, industrial manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Our net revenue and profitability is based upon corporate spending. Reductions or other fluctuations in corporate spending as a result of uncertain conditions in the macroeconomic environment, such as government economic or fiscal instability, restricted global credit conditions, reduced demand, unbalanced inventory levels, fluctuations in interest rates, higher energy prices, or other conditions, could adversely affect our net revenue and profitability. The impact of general economic slowdowns could make our customers cautious and delay orders until the current economic environment becomes clearer.
 
 
10

 
 
The semiconductor industry is volatile with sharp periodic downturns and slowdowns. Cyclical industry downturns are made worse by volatile global economic conditions.
 
Our operating results are significantly affected by the capital expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, both IDMs and OSATs. Expenditures by our customers depend on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products that use semiconductors, including personal computers, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics and automotive goods.  Significant downturns in the market for semiconductor devices or in general economic conditions reduce demand for our products and can materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
 
The semiconductor industry is volatile, with periods of rapid growth followed by industry-wide retrenchment. These periodic downturns and slowdowns have adversely affected our business, financial condition and operating results. Downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity, and accelerated erosion of selling prices. Historically these downturns have severely and negatively affected the industry’s demand for capital equipment, including assembly equipment and, to a lesser extent, expendable tools. There can be no assurances regarding levels of demand for our products. In any case, we believe the historical volatility of our business, both upward and downward, will persist.
 
We may experience increasing price pressure.
 
Typically our average selling prices have declined over time. We seek to offset this decline by continually reducing our cost structure by consolidating operations in lower cost areas, reducing other operating costs, and by pursuing product strategies focused on product performance and customer service. These efforts may not be able to fully offset price declines; therefore, our financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Our quarterly operating results fluctuate significantly and may continue to do so in the future.
 
In the past, our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly. We expect quarterly results will continue to fluctuate. Although these fluctuations are partly due to the volatile nature of the semiconductor industry, they also reflect other factors, many of which are outside of our control.
 
Some of the factors that may cause our net revenue and operating margins to fluctuate significantly from period to period are:
 
·
market downturns;
 
·
the mix of products we sell because, for example:
 
 
o
certain lines of equipment within our business segments are more profitable than others; and
 
 
o
some sales arrangements have higher gross margins than others;
 
·
cancelled or deferred orders;
 
·
seasonality;
 
·
competitive pricing pressures may force us to reduce prices;
 
·
higher than anticipated costs of development or production of new equipment models;
 
·
the availability and cost of the components for our products;
 
· 
delays in the development and manufacture of our new products and upgraded versions of our products and market acceptance of these products when introduced;

 
11

 
 
·
customers’ delay in purchasing our products due to anticipation that we or our competitors may introduce new or upgraded products; and
 
·
our competitors’ introduction of new products.
 
Many of our expenses, such as research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses, and interest expense, do not vary directly with our net revenue. Our research and development efforts include long-term projects lasting a year or more, which require significant investments. In order to realize the benefits of these projects, we believe that we must continue to fund them during periods when our revenue has declined. As a result, a decline in our net revenue would adversely affect our operating results as we continue to make these expenditures. In addition, if we were to incur additional expenses in a quarter in which we did not experience comparable increased net revenue, our operating results would decline. In a downturn, we may have excess inventory, which could be written off. Some of the other factors that may cause our expenses to fluctuate from period-to-period include:
 
·
timing and extent of our research and development efforts;
 
·
severance, restructuring, and other costs of relocating facilities;
 
·
inventory write-offs due to obsolescence; and
 
·
an increase in the cost of labor or materials.
 
Because our net revenue and operating results are volatile and difficult to predict, we believe consecutive period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be a good indication of our future performance.
 
We may not be able to rapidly develop, manufacture and gain market acceptance of new and enhanced products required to maintain or expand our business.
 
We believe our continued success depends on our ability to continuously develop and manufacture new products and product enhancements on a timely and cost-effective basis. We must introduce these products and product enhancements into the market in a timely manner in response to customers’ demands for higher performance assembly equipment and leading-edge materials customized to address rapid technological advances in integrated circuits, and capital equipment designs. Our competitors may develop new products or enhancements to their products that offer improved performance and features, or lower prices which may render our products less competitive. The development and commercialization of new products requires significant capital expenditures over an extended period of time, and some products we seek to develop may never become profitable. In addition, we may not be able to develop and introduce products incorporating new technologies in a timely manner that will satisfy our customers’ future needs or achieve market acceptance.
 
Substantially all of our sales and manufacturing operations are located outside of the U.S., and we rely on independent foreign distribution channels for certain product lines; all of which subject us to risks, including risks from changes in trade regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war.

Approximately 97.8%, 98.6%, and 97.0% of our net revenue for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, were for shipments to customers located outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region. Our future performance will depend on our ability to continue to compete in foreign markets, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region. Some of these economies have been highly volatile, resulting in significant fluctuation in local currencies, and political and economic instability. These conditions may continue or worsen, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

 
12

 

We also rely on non-U.S. suppliers for materials and components used in our products, and substantially all of our manufacturing operations are located in countries other than the U.S. We manufacture our ball, wedge and die bonders in Singapore, our saw blades and capillaries in China, certain bonder subassemblies in Malaysia and capillary blanks in Israel. We manufacture wedge bonder components in Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, our corporate headquarters is in Singapore and we have sales, service and support personnel in China, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Germany. We also rely on independent foreign distribution channels for certain of our product lines. As a result, a major portion of our business is subject to the risks associated with international, and particularly Asia/Pacific, commerce, such as:

·
risks of war and civil disturbances or other events that may limit or disrupt manufacturing and markets;

·
seizure of our foreign assets, including cash;

·
longer payment cycles in foreign markets;

·
international exchange restrictions;

·
restrictions on the repatriation of our assets, including cash;

·
significant foreign and U.S. taxes on repatriated cash;

·
difficulties of staffing and managing dispersed international operations;

·
possible disagreements with tax authorities;

·
episodic events outside our control such as, for example, outbreaks of influenza;

·
natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or floods;

·
tariff and currency fluctuations;

·
changing political conditions;

·
labor work stoppages and strikes in our factories or the factories of our suppliers;

·
foreign governments’ monetary policies and regulatory requirements;

·
less protective foreign intellectual property laws; and

·
legal systems which are less developed and may be less predictable than those in the U.S.
 
In addition, there is a potential risk of conflict and instability in the relationship between Taiwan and China. Conflict or instability could disrupt the operations of our customers and/or suppliers in both Taiwan and China. Additionally, our manufacturing operations in China could be disrupted by any conflict.
 
Our international operations also depend upon favorable trade relations between the U.S. and those foreign countries in which our customers, subcontractors and materials suppliers have operations. A protectionist trade environment in either the U.S. or those foreign countries in which we do business, such as a change in the current tariff structures, export compliance or other trade policies, may materially and adversely affect our ability to sell our products in foreign markets.

 
13

 
 
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows.
 
Because most of our foreign sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, an increase in value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies will make our products more expensive than those offered by some of our foreign competitors. In addition, a weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies could make our costs in non-U.S. locations more expensive to fund. Our ability to compete overseas may be materially and adversely affected by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies.
 
Because nearly all of our business is conducted outside the U.S., we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates which could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flows. Historically, our primary exposures have related to net working capital exposures denominated in currencies other than the foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency, and remeasurement of our foreign subsidiaries’ net monetary assets from the subsidiaries’ local currency into the subsidiaries’ functional currency. In general, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar could require certain of our foreign subsidiaries to record translation and remeasurement gains. Conversely, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar could require certain of our foreign subsidiaries to record losses on translation and remeasurement. An increase in the value of the U.S. dollar could increase the cost to our customers of our products in those markets outside the U.S. where we sell in U.S. dollars, and a weakened U.S. dollar could increase the cost of local operating expenses and procurement of raw materials, both of which could have an adverse effect on our cash flows. Our primary exposures include the Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Chinese Yuan, Swiss Franc, Philippine Peso, Taiwan Dollar, South Korean Won, Israeli Shekel and Euro. Our board of directors has granted management with limited authority to enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments designed to minimize the short term impact currency fluctuations have on our business. We have not entered into foreign exchange forward contracts but may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts or other instruments in the future. Our attempts to hedge against these risks may not be successful and may result in a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flows.
 
We may not be able to consolidate manufacturing and other facilities without incurring unanticipated costs and disruptions to our business.
 
As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our cost structure, we have migrated manufacturing and other facilities to Asia. Because of unanticipated events, including the actions of governments, suppliers, employees or customers, we may not realize the synergies, cost reductions and other benefits of any consolidation to the extent we currently expect.
 
Our business depends on attracting and retaining management, marketing and technical employees as well as on the succession of senior management.

Our future success depends on our ability to hire and retain qualified management, marketing, finance, accounting and technical employees, including senior management, primarily in Asia. During fiscal 2011, in connection with the relocation of our headquarters to Singapore, Bruno Guilmart joined the Company as CEO and President and Jonathan H. Chou joined us as Senior Vice President, CFO and Principal Accounting Officer. In addition, other senior management and finance and accounting positions have been transitioned to Singapore. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain the managerial, marketing, finance, accounting and technical personnel we require, and if we are unable to effectively provide for the succession of senior management, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
 
 
14

 
 
Difficulties in forecasting demand for our product lines may lead to periodic inventory shortages or excesses.
 
We typically operate our business with limited visibility of future demand. As a result, we sometimes experience inventory shortages or excesses. We generally order supplies and otherwise plan our production based on internal forecasts for demand. We have in the past, and may again in the future, fail to accurately forecast demand for our products. This has led to, and may in the future lead to, delays in product shipments or, alternatively, an increased risk of inventory obsolescence. If we fail to accurately forecast demand for our products, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Alternative packaging technologies may render some of our products obsolete.
 
Alternative packaging technologies have emerged that may improve device performance or reduce the size of an integrated circuit (“IC”) package, as compared to traditional wire bonding. These technologies include flip chip and chip scale packaging. Some of these alternative technologies eliminate the need for wires to establish the electrical connection between a die and its package. The semiconductor industry may, in the future, shift a significant part of its volume into alternative packaging technologies, such as those discussed above, which do not employ our products. If a significant shift to alternative packaging technologies were to occur, demand for our equipment and related packaging materials may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Because a small number of customers account for most of our sales, our net revenue could decline if we lose a significant customer.
 
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is highly concentrated, with a relatively small number of large semiconductor manufacturers and their subcontract assemblers and vertically integrated manufacturers of electronic systems purchasing a substantial portion of our semiconductor assembly equipment and packaging materials. Sales to a relatively small number of customers account for a significant percentage of our net revenue. Sales to our largest customers as a percent of net revenue  were 21.8%, 33.3%, and 17.7%, for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.
 
We expect a small number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our net revenue for the foreseeable future. Thus, our business success depends on our ability to maintain strong relationships with our customers. Any one of a number of factors could adversely affect these relationships. If, for example, during periods of escalating demand for our equipment, we were unable to add inventory and production capacity quickly enough to meet the needs of our customers, they may turn to other suppliers making it more difficult for us to retain their business. Similarly, if we are unable for any other reason to meet production or delivery schedules, particularly during a period of escalating demand, our relationships with our key customers could be adversely affected. If we lose orders from a significant customer, or if a significant customer reduces its orders substantially, these losses or reductions may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
 
We depend on a small number of suppliers for raw materials, components and subassemblies. If our suppliers do not deliver their products to us, we would be unable to deliver our products to our customers.
 
Our products are complex and require raw materials, components and subassemblies having a high degree of reliability, accuracy and performance. We rely on subcontractors to manufacture many of these components and subassemblies and we rely on sole source suppliers for many components and raw materials. As a result, we are exposed to a number of significant risks, including:
 
·
decreased control over the manufacturing process for components and subassemblies;

 
15

 
 
·
changes in our manufacturing processes, in response to changes in the market, which may delay our shipments;
 
·
our inadvertent use of defective or contaminated raw materials;
 
·
the relatively small operations and limited manufacturing resources of some of our suppliers, which may limit their ability to manufacture and sell subassemblies, components or parts in the volumes we require and at acceptable quality levels and prices;
 
·
the inability of suppliers to meet customer demand requirements during volatile cycles;
 
·
the reliability or quality issues with certain key subassemblies provided by single source suppliers as to which we may not have any short term alternative;
 
·
shortages caused by disruptions at our suppliers and subcontractors for a variety of reasons, including work stoppage or fire, earthquake, flooding or other natural disasters;
 
·
delays in the delivery of raw materials or subassemblies, which, in turn, may delay shipments to our customers;
 
·
loss of suppliers as a result of consolidation of suppliers in the industry; and
 
·
loss of suppliers because of their bankruptcy or insolvency.
 
If we are unable to deliver products to our customers on time for these or any other reasons, or we are unable to meet customer expectations as to cycle time, or we are unable to maintain acceptable product quality or reliability, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
 
We may acquire or divest businesses or enter into joint ventures or strategic alliances, which may materially affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
 
We continually evaluate our portfolio of businesses and may decide to buy or sell businesses or enter into joint ventures or other strategic alliances. We may be unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses with our existing businesses and successfully implement, improve and expand our systems, procedures and controls to accommodate these acquisitions. These transactions place additional constraints on our management and current labor force. Additionally, these transactions require significant resources from our legal, finance and business teams. In addition, we may divest existing businesses, which would cause a decline in revenue and may make our financial results more volatile.  If we fail to integrate and manage acquired businesses successfully or to manage the risks associated with divestitures, joint ventures or other alliances, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
 
The market price of our common shares and our earnings per share may decline as a result of any acquisitions or divestitures.

The market price of our common shares may decline as a result of any acquisitions or divestitures made by us  if we do not achieve the perceived benefits of such acquisitions or divestitures as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts or if the effect on our financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial or industry analysts. In addition, the failure to achieve expected benefits and unanticipated costs relating to our acquisitions could reduce our future earnings per share.
 
We may be unable to continue to compete successfully in the highly competitive semiconductor equipment and packaging materials industries.
 
The semiconductor equipment and packaging materials industries are very competitive. In the semiconductor equipment industry, significant competitive factors include performance, quality, customer support and price. In the semiconductor packaging materials industry, competitive factors include price, delivery and quality.

 
16

 
 
In each of our markets, we face competition and the threat of competition from established competitors and potential new entrants. In addition, established competitors may combine to form larger, better capitalized companies. Some of our competitors have or may have significantly greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources. Some of these competitors are Asian and European companies that have had, and may continue to have, an advantage over us in supplying products to local customers who appear to prefer to purchase from local suppliers, without regard to other considerations.
 
We expect our competitors to improve their current products’ performance, and to introduce new products and materials with improved price and performance characteristics. Our competitors may independently develop technology similar to or better than ours. New product and material introductions by our competitors or by new market entrants could hurt our sales. If a particular semiconductor manufacturer or subcontract assembler selects a competitor’s product or materials for a particular assembly operation, we may not be able to sell products or materials to that manufacturer or assembler for a significant period of time. Manufacturers and assemblers sometimes develop lasting relationships with suppliers and assembly equipment providers in our industry and often go years without requiring replacement. In addition, we may have to lower our prices in response to price cuts by our competitors, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. If we cannot compete successfully, we could be forced to reduce prices and could lose customers and experience reduced margins and profitability.
 
Our success depends in part on our intellectual property, which we may be unable to protect.
 
Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology. To protect this technology, we rely principally on contractual restrictions (such as nondisclosure and confidentiality provisions) in our agreements with employees, subcontractors, vendors, consultants and customers and on the common law of trade secrets and proprietary “know-how.” We also rely, in some cases, on patent and copyright protection. We may not be successful in protecting our technology for a number of reasons, including the following:
 
·
employees, subcontractors, vendors, consultants and customers may violate their contractual agreements, and the cost of enforcing those agreements may be prohibitive, or those agreements may be unenforceable or more limited than we anticipate;
 
·
foreign intellectual property laws may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights; and
 
·
our patent and copyright claims may not be sufficiently broad to effectively protect our technology; our patents or copyrights may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented; or we may otherwise be unable to obtain adequate protection for our technology.
 
In addition, our partners and alliances may have rights to technology developed by us. We may incur significant expense to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our competitive position may be weakened.
 
Third parties may claim we are infringing on their intellectual property, which could cause us to incur significant litigation costs or other expenses, or prevent us from selling some of our products.
 
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological change, with frequent introductions of new products and technologies. Industry participants often develop products and features similar to those introduced by others, creating a risk that their products and processes may give rise to claims they infringe on the intellectual property of others. We may unknowingly infringe on the intellectual property rights of others and incur significant liability for that infringement. If we are found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others, we could be enjoined from continuing to manufacture, market or use the affected product, or be required to obtain a license to continue manufacturing or using the affected product. A license could be very expensive to obtain or may not be available at all. Similarly, changing or re-engineering our products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be costly, impractical or time consuming.

 
17

 
 
Occasionally, third parties assert that we are, or may be, infringing on or misappropriating their intellectual property rights. In these cases, we defend, and will continue to defend, against claims or negotiate licenses where we consider these actions appropriate. Intellectual property cases are uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. If we become involved in this type of litigation, it could consume significant resources and divert our attention from our business.
 
We may be materially and adversely affected by environmental and safety laws and regulations.
 
We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, use, emission, discharge, transportation and disposal of hazardous material, investigation and remediation of contaminated sites and the health and safety of our employees. Increasingly, public attention has focused on the environmental impact of manufacturing operations and the risk to neighbors of chemical releases from such operations.
 
Proper waste disposal plays an important role in the operation of our manufacturing plants. In many of our facilities we maintain wastewater treatment systems that remove metals and other contaminants from process wastewater. These facilities operate under permits that must be renewed periodically. A violation of those permits may lead to revocation of the permits, fines, penalties or the incurrence of capital or other costs to comply with the permits, including potential shutdown of operations.
 
Compliance with existing or future, land use, environmental and health and safety laws and regulations may: (1) result in significant costs to us for additional capital equipment or other process requirements, (2) restrict our ability to expand our operations and/or (3) cause us to curtail our operations. We also could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines or other sanctions and third-party claims for property damage or personal injury, as a result of violations of or liabilities under such laws and regulations. Any costs or liabilities to comply with or imposed under these laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
 
We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding common shares.
 
The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities will result in dilution of our existing shareholders’ equity interests in us. Our board of directors has the authority to issue, without vote or action of shareholders, preferred shares in one or more series, and has the ability to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any such series. Any such series of preferred shares could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. In addition, we are authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, up to an aggregate of 200 million common shares, of which approximately 72.7 million shares were outstanding as of October 1, 2011. We are also authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, securities convertible into either common shares or preferred shares.
 
Weaknesses in our internal controls and procedures could result in material misstatements in our financial statements.
 
Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal controls over financial reporting are processes designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.

 
18

 
 
Our internal controls may not prevent all potential errors or fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and implemented, can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system will be achieved. We or our independent registered public accountants may identify material weaknesses in our internal controls which could adversely affect our ability to ensure proper financial reporting and could affect investor confidence in us and the price of our common shares.
 
Other Risks

Our ability to recognize tax benefits on future domestic U.S. tax losses and our existing U.S. net operating loss position may be limited.
 
We have generated net operating loss carry-forwards and other tax attributes for U.S. tax purposes (“Tax Benefits”) that can be used to reduce our future federal income tax obligations. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the potential future utilization of our Tax Benefits for U.S. tax purposes may be limited following an ownership change. An ownership change is generally defined as a greater than 50% point increase in equity ownership by 5% shareholders in any three-year period under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.  An ownership change may significantly limit our ability to fully utilize our net operating losses which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. As of October 1, 2011, we have foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $87.9 million, state net operating loss carryforwards of $178.4 million, and tax credit carryforwards of $4.6 million.
 
Potential changes to U.S. and foreign tax laws could increase our income tax expense.
 
We are subject to income taxes in the U. S. and many foreign jurisdictions. There have been proposals to reform U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact how U.S. multinational corporations, such as us, are taxed on foreign earnings. It is unclear whether these proposed tax revisions will be enacted, or, if enacted, what the scope of the revisions will be. Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws, if enacted, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
 
Anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and under Pennsylvania law may discourage other companies from attempting to acquire us.
 
Some provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws as well as Pennsylvania law may discourage some transactions where we would otherwise experience a fundamental change. For example, our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that:
 
·
classify our board of directors into four classes, with one class being elected each year;
 
·
permit our board to issue “blank check” preferred shares without shareholder approval; and
 
·
prohibit us from engaging in some types of business combinations with a holder of 20% or more of our voting securities without super-majority board or shareholder approval.
 
Further, under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, because our shareholders approved bylaw provisions that provide for a classified board of directors, shareholders may remove directors only for cause. These provisions and some other provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law could delay, defer or prevent us from experiencing a fundamental change and may adversely affect our common shareholders’ voting and other rights.
 
 
19

 
 
Terrorist attacks, or other acts of violence or war may affect the markets in which we operate and our profitability.
 
Terrorist attacks may negatively affect our operations. There can be no assurance that there will not be further terrorist attacks against the U.S. or U.S. businesses. Terrorist attacks or armed conflicts may directly impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers. Our primary facilities include administrative, sales and research and development facilities in Singapore and the U.S. and manufacturing and research and development facilities in  China, Israel, Malaysia, and Switzerland. Additional terrorist attacks may disrupt the global insurance and reinsurance industries with the result that we may not be able to obtain insurance at historical terms and levels for all of our facilities. Furthermore, additional attacks may make travel and the transportation of our supplies and products more difficult and more expensive and ultimately affect the sales of our products in the U.S. and overseas. Additional attacks or any broader conflict, could negatively impact our domestic and international sales, our supply chain, our production capability and our ability to deliver products to our customers. Political and economic instability in some regions of the world could negatively impact our business. The consequences of terrorist attacks or armed conflicts are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on our business.

Item 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.
 
 
20

 

Item 2.  PROPERTIES

The following table reflects our major facilities as of October 1, 2011:

Facility
 
Approximate Size
 
Function
 
Business Segment and Products
Manufactured
 
Lease Expiration Date
 
                   
Singapore
 
134,661 sq. ft. (1)
 
Corporate headquarters, manufacturing, technology center, sales and service
 
Equipment: wire, wedge and die bonders
 
July 2016   (3)
 
                   
Suzhou, China
 
155,123 sq. ft. (1)
 
Manufacturing, technology center
 
Expendable Tools: capillaries, dicing blades
 
November 2022   (3)
 
                   
Irvine, California
 
121,805 sq. ft. (1)
 
Manufacturing, technology center
 
Equipment: wedge bonders
 
September 2013
 
                   
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
 
88,000 sq. ft. (1)
 
Technology center, sales and service, U.S. financial reporting
 
Not applicable
 
September 2028   (3)
 
                   
Berg, Switzerland
 
65,208 sq. ft. (2)
 
Technology center
 
Equipment: die bonders
 
N/A
 
                   
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
 
37,200 sq ft (1)
 
Subassembly manufacturing and supply chain management
 
Equipment subassembly
 
September 2015  (3)
 
                   
Yokneam, Israel
 
20,877 sq. ft. (1)
 
Manufacturing, technology center
 
Expendable Tools: capillary blanks (semi-finish)
 
January 2018 (3)
 
                   
Damansara Uptown,  Malaysia
 
12,314 sq ft (1)
 
Shared service center
 
Not applicable
 
July 2016   (3)
 

(1)  Leased.
(2)  Owned.
(3)  Includes lease extension periods at the Company’s option. Initial lease expires as follows:
Singapore in July 2013;
Suzhou, China in November 2017;
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania in September 2018;
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia in September 2012;
Yokneam,Israel in January 2015; and
Damansara Uptown, Malaysia in July 2013.

 
In addition, we rent space for sales and service offices and administrative functions in Taiwan, China, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, and Germany. We believe our facilities are generally in good condition and suitable to the extent of utilization needed.

 
21

 

Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may be a plaintiff or defendant in cases arising out of our business. We cannot be assured of the results of any pending or future litigation, but we do not believe resolution of these matters will materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

Item 4.  [REMOVED AND RESERVED]

PART II

Item 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “KLIC.” The following table reflects the ranges of high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on Nasdaq for the periods indicated:

   
Fiscal 2011
   
Fiscal 2010
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
First Quarter
  $ 7.82     $ 5.51     $ 6.30     $ 4.03  
Second Quarter
  $ 10.58     $ 7.16     $ 7.67     $ 4.55  
Third Quarter
  $ 12.72     $ 7.92     $ 9.58     $ 6.13  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 11.90     $ 7.42     $ 8.87     $ 5.27  

On December 2, 2011, there were approximately 351 holders of record of the shares of outstanding common stock. The payment of dividends on our common stock is within the discretion of our board of directors; however, we have not historically paid any dividends on our common stock. In addition, we do not expect to declare dividends on our common stock in the near future, since we intend to retain earnings to finance our business.

For the purpose of calculating the aggregate market value of shares of our common stock held by non-affiliates, as shown on the cover page of this report, we have assumed all of our outstanding shares were held by non-affiliates except for shares held by our directors and executive officers. However, this does not necessarily mean that all directors and executive officers of the Company are, in fact, affiliates of the Company, or there are no other persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the Company. Further information concerning the beneficial ownership of our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about December 30, 2011.
 
 
22

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The information required hereunder will appear under the heading “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

 
23

 

Item 6.  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables reflect selected historical consolidated financial data derived from the consolidated financial statements of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for each of the five fiscal years ended 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

As of October 4, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 470.20, Debt, Debt With Conversion Options (“ASC 470.20”) on a retrospective basis for all prior periods. Fiscal 2009 includes the assets of Orthodyne Electronics Corporation which were acquired on October 3, 2008. During fiscal 2008, we sold our Wire business; therefore, fiscal 2008 and 2007 have been reclassified to reflect our Wire business as a discontinued operation.

This data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this report or current reports on Form 8-K filed previously by us in respect of the fiscal years identified in the column headings of the tables below.
 
   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                             
Net revenue:
                             
Equipment
  $ 759,331     $ 691,988     $ 170,536     $ 271,019     $ 316,718  
Expendable Tools
    71,070       70,796       54,704       57,031       53,808  
Total net revenue
    830,401       762,784       225,240       328,050       370,526  
Cost of sales:
                                       
Equipment
    412,914       399,042       111,103       165,499       188,055  
Expendable Tools
    29,578       28,069       25,294       28,758       27,035  
Total cost of sales
    442,492       427,111       136,397       194,257       215,090  
Operating expenses:
                                       
Equipment
    189,631       155,625       135,465       122,302       113,444  
Expendable Tools
    28,218       32,013       24,193       26,971       24,480  
Impairment of goodwill: Equipment
    -       -       2,709       -       -  
U.S. pension plan termination: Equipment
    -       -       -       9,152       -  
Total operating expenses (1)
    217,849       187,638       162,367       158,425       137,924  
Income (loss) from operations:
                                       
Equipment
    156,786       137,321       (78,741 )     (25,934 )     15,219  
Expendable Tools
    13,274       10,714       5,217       1,302       2,293  
Interest income (expense), net
    (7,632 )     (7,930 )     (7,082 )     (3,869 )     2,346  
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    -       -       3,965       170       2,802  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
    162,428       140,105       (76,641 )     (28,331 )     22,660  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations (2)
    34,818       (2,037 )     (13,029 )     (3,610 )     5,448  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    127,610       142,142       (63,612 )     (24,721 )     17,212  
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (3)
    -       -       22,011       23,441       18,874  
Net income (loss)
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142     $ (41,601 )   $ (1,280 )   $ 36,086  

(1)
During fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $2.5 million, $2.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively, in operating expense for restructuring-related severance.

During fiscal 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recorded $24.3 million, $17.4 million, $2.7 million, $2.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, in operating expense for incentive compensation.

 
24

 

(2)
The following are the most significant factors which affect our provision for income taxes: implementation of our international restructuring plan in fiscal 2011, 2010, 2008 and 2007; volatility in our earnings each fiscal year and variation in earnings among various tax jurisdictions in which we operate; changes in assumptions regarding repatriation of earnings; changes in tax legislation and our provision for various tax exposure items.

(3)
Reflects the operations of the Company’s Wire business, which was sold in fiscal 2009.

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Per Share Data:
                             
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations: (1)
                         
Basic
  $ 1.77     $ 2.01     $ (1.02 )   $ (0.46 )   $ 0.31  
Diluted
  $ 1.73     $ 1.92     $ (1.02 )   $ (0.46 )   $ 0.27  
                                         
Income per share from discontinued operations, net of tax:
                               
Basic
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.35     $ 0.44     $ 0.33  
Diluted
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.35     $ 0.44     $ 0.28  
                                         
Net income (loss) per share: (2)
                                       
Basic
  $ 1.77     $ 2.01     $ (0.67 )   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.64  
Diluted
  $ 1.73     $ 1.92     $ (0.67 )   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.55  
                                         
Weighted average shares outstanding: (2)
                                       
Basic
    71,820       70,012       62,188       53,449       56,221  
Diluted
    73,341       73,548       62,188       53,449       68,274  

(1)
For fiscal 2011 and 2010, $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of net income applicable to participating securities and the related participating securities were excluded from the computation of basic income per share.

(2)
For fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2007 the exercise of dilutive stock options and expected vesting of performance-based restricted stock (fiscal 2010 and 2007 only) and conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Notes were assumed. In addition for fiscal 2010 and 2007, $0.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of after-tax interest expense related to our Convertible Subordinated Notes was added to the Company’s net income to determine diluted earnings per share. Due to the Company’s net loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2009 and 2008, potentially dilutive shares were not assumed since the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
 
25

 

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Balance Sheet Data:
                             
Cash, cash equivalents, investments and restricted cash
  $ 384,552     $ 181,334     $ 144,841     $ 186,081     $ 169,910  
Working capital excluding discontinued operations
    405,659       347,560       172,401       165,543       219,755  
Total assets excluding discontinued operations
    728,391       580,169       412,635       335,614       383,779  
Long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
    105,224       98,475       92,217       151,415       222,446  
Shareholders' equity
  $ 469,877     $ 322,480     $ 170,803     $ 125,396     $ 111,286  
 
 
26

 
 
Item 7.
 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANDRESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In addition to historical information, this filing contains statements relating to future events or our future results. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by statute. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our future revenue, sustained, increasing, continuing or strengthening demand for our products, the continuing transition from gold to copper wire bonding, replacement demand, our research and development efforts, our ability to identify and realize new growth opportunities, our ability to control costs and our operational flexibility as a result of (among other factors):

 
·
projected growth rates in the overall semiconductor industry, the semiconductor assembly equipment market, and the market for semiconductor packaging materials; and
 
·
projected demand for ball, wedge and die bonder equipment and for expendable tools.

Generally, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “goal” and “believe,” or the negative of or other variations on these and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this filing. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those described below and  under the heading “Risk Factors” within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2011 and our other reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in this report, as well as our audited financial statements included in this Annual Report.

We operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks that may affect us. Future events and actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect actual results or changes in, or additions to, the factors affecting such forward-looking statements. Given those risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of actual results.

Introduction

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company” or “K&S”) designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools used to assemble semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits (“IC”), high and low powered discrete devices, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and power modules. We also service, maintain, repair and upgrade our equipment. Our customers primarily consist of semiconductor device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”), other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers.

We operate two main business segments, Equipment and Expendable Tools. Our goal is to be the technology leader and the lowest cost supplier in each of our major product lines. Accordingly, we invest in research and engineering projects intended to enhance our position at the leading edge of semiconductor assembly technology. We also remain focused on our cost structure, through consolidating operations to Asia, moving manufacturing and other operations to Asia, moving our supply chain to lower cost suppliers and designing higher performing, lower cost equipment. Cost reduction efforts are an important part of our normal ongoing operations, and are expected to generate savings without compromising overall product quality and service levels.

 
27

 
 
Business Environment
 
The semiconductor business environment is highly volatile, driven by internal dynamics, both cyclical and seasonal, in addition to macroeconomic forces. Over the long term, semiconductor consumption has historically grown, and is forecast to continue to grow. This growth is driven, in part, by regular advances in device performance and by price declines that result from improvements in manufacturing technology. In order to exploit these trends, semiconductor manufacturers, both integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”) and OSATs, periodically invest aggressively in latest generation capital equipment. This buying pattern often leads to periods of excess supply and reduced capital spending — the so called semiconductor cycle. Within this broad semiconductor cycle there are also, generally weaker, seasonal effects that are specifically tied to annual, end-consumer purchasing patterns. Typically, semiconductor manufacturers prepare for heightened demand by adding or replacing equipment capacity by the end of the September quarter.  Occasionally this results in subsequent reductions in the December quarter. This annual seasonality can occasionally be overshadowed by effects of the broader semiconductor cycle. Macroeconomic factors also affect the industry, primarily through their effect on business and consumer demand for electronic devices, as well as other products that have significant electronic content such as automobiles, white goods, and telecommunication equipment.
 
Our Equipment segment is primarily affected by the industry’s internal cyclical and seasonal dynamics in addition to broader macroeconomic factors which positively and negatively affect our financial performance. The sales mix of IDM and OSAT customers in any period, also impacts financial performance as this mix can affect our products’ average selling prices and gross margins due to differences in volume purchases and machine configurations required by each customer type.
 
Our Expendable Tools segment is less volatile than our Equipment segment. Expendable Tools sales are more directly tied to semiconductor unit consumption rather than capacity requirements and production capability improvements. 
 
We continue to position our business to leverage our research and development leadership and innovation and to focus our efforts on mitigating volatility, improving profitability and ensuring longer-term growth. The current economic environment is uncertain and we may experience typical industry seasonality during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Our visibility into future demand is generally limited and forecasting is difficult.
 
To limit potential adverse cyclical, seasonal and macroeconomic effects on our financial position, we have de-leveraged and strengthened our balance sheet. During fiscal 2010, we reduced our debt by $49.0 million, and we presently intend to repay our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes with cash up to the principal amount of $110.0 million at maturity in fiscal 2012. As of October 1, 2011, our total cash, cash equivalents and investments was $384.6 million, which exceeded the face value of our total debt by $274.6 million, a $203.2 million increase from the prior fiscal year end. This strong cash position better enables continual investment in product development as well as in production capability improvements throughout the semiconductor cycle.
 
Technology Leadership

We compete largely by offering our customers among the most advanced equipment and expendable tools available for the wire, wedge and die bonding processes. Our equipment is typically the most productive, has the highest levels of process capability, and as a result, has the lowest cost of ownership available in its markets. Our expendable tools are designed to optimize the performance of the equipment in which they are used. We believe our technology leadership contributes to the leading market share positions of our various wire bonder and expendable tools products. To maintain our competitive advantage, we invest in product development activities designed to produce a stream of improvements to existing products and to deliver next-generation products. These investments often focus as much on improvements in the semiconductor assembly process as on specific pieces of assembly equipment or expendable tools. In order to generate these improvements, we often work in close collaboration with customers, end users, and other industry members. In addition to producing technical advances, these collaborative development efforts strengthen customer relationships and enhance our reputation as a technology leader and solutions provider.

 
28

 
In addition to gold and aluminum wire, our leadership in the industry’s use of copper wire for the bonding process is an example of the benefits of collaborative efforts. By working with customers, material suppliers, and other equipment suppliers, we have developed a series of robust, high-yielding production processes that have made copper wire commercially viable, significantly reducing the cost of assembling an integrated circuit. During fiscal 2010, many of our customers began converting their output to copper wire, and we believe the conversion was initiated through fabless companies in the consumer segment. Gradually, the level of confidence and the reliability of data collected have enabled a larger segment of the customer base to increase copper capabilities. Since this initial conversion, a significant portion of our wire bonder sales have become copper capable. We believe this is the first phase of the gold-to-copper migration, and we expect this conversion process to continue throughout the industry for the next several years. This could potentially drive a significant wire bonder replacement cycle as we believe much of the industries’ installed base is not currently suitable for copper bonding. Based on our industry leading copper bonding processes and the continued high price of gold, we believe the total available market for copper configured wire bonders is likely to continue demonstrating solid growth.
 
Our leadership has allowed us to maintain a competitive position in the latest generations of gold and copper ball bonders, which enable our customers to handle the leading technologies in terms of pitch and bond size. We have recently seen increased demand for our large bondable area (“LA”) configured machines. This LA option is now available on all of our Power Series (PS) models and allows our customers to gain added efficiencies and to reduce the cost of packaging.
 
We also leverage the technology leadership of our equipment by optimizing our bonder platforms, and we deliver variants of our products to serve emerging high-growth markets. For example, we have developed extensions of our main ball bonding platforms to address opportunities in LED assembly. The LED backlights for flat-screen displays have been the main driver of the LED market in the last few years where we have successfully competed in LED assembly equipment. We expect the next wave of growth in the LED market to be high brightness LED for general lighting, and we believe we are well positioned for this trend.

Furthermore, we gain synergies by leveraging technologies between our unique platforms. Our leading technology for wedge bonder equipment uses aluminum ribbon or heavier wire as opposed to fine gold and fine copper wire used in ball bonders.  In addition, we are currently developing the next generation platform for our power semiconductor wedge bonder. We intend to initiate design of our next power module wedge bonder. In both cases, we are making a conscious effort to develop commonality of subsystems and design practices, in order to improve performance and design efficiencies. We believe this will benefit us in maintaining our leadership position in the wedge bonding market and increase synergies between the various engineering product groups. Furthermore, we continually research adjacent market segments where our technologies could be used. As an example, we are reviewing the use of wedge bonding in the fabrication of solar panels. Many of these initiatives are in the early stages of development and may become business opportunities in the future.
 
Another example of our developing equipment for high-growth niche markets is our AT Premier. This machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices, while still in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors, surface acoustical wave (“SAW”) filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market.
 
Our focus on technology leadership also extends to die bonding. Our state of the art iStackPS die bonder for advanced stacked die applications offers best-in-class throughput and accuracy.
 
We bring the same technology focus to our expendable tools business, driving tool design and manufacturing technology to optimize the performance and process capability of the equipment in which our tools are used. For all our equipment products, expendable tools are an integral part of their process capability. We believe our unique ability to simultaneously develop both equipment and tools is a core strength supporting our products’ technological differentiation.

 
29

 

 Products and Services

We supply a range of bonding equipment and expendable tools. The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
   
2010 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
   
2009 net
revenue
   
% of net
revenue
 
Equipment
  $ 759,331       91.4 %   $ 691,988       90.7 %   $ 170,536       75.7 %
Expendable Tools
    71,070       8.6 %     70,796       9.3 %     54,704       24.3 %
Total
  $ 830,401       100.0 %   $ 762,784       100.0 %   $ 225,240       100.0 %

Equipment Segment

We manufacture and sell a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders, stud bumpers, and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, OSATs, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. Ball bonders are used to connect very fine wires, typically made of gold or copper, between the bond pads of the semiconductor device, or die, and the leads on its package. Wedge bonders use either aluminum wire or ribbon to perform the same function in packages that cannot use gold or copper wire because of either high electrical current requirements or other package reliability issues. Stud bumpers mechanically apply bumps to die, typically while still in the wafer format, for some variants of the flip chip assembly process. Die bonders are used to attach a die to the substrate or lead frame which will house the semiconductor device. We believe our equipment offers competitive advantages by providing customers with high productivity/throughput, superior package quality/process control, and as a result, a lower cost of ownership.
 
 
30

 

Our principal Equipment segment products include:
 
Business Unit
 
Product Name (1)
 
Typical Served Market
         
Ball bonders
 
IConnPS
 
Advanced and ultra fine pitch applications using either gold or copper wire
         
   
IConnPS ProCu
 
High-end copper wire applications demanding advanced process capability and high productivity
         
   
IConnPS ProCu LA
 
Large area substrate and matrix applications for copper wire
         
   
IConnPS LA
 
Large area substrate and matrix applications
         
   
ConnXPS
 
Cost performance, low pin count applications using either gold or copper wire
         
   
ConnXPS LED
 
LED applications
         
   
ConnXPS VLED
 
Vertical LED applications
         
   
ConnXPS LA
 
Cost performance large area substrate and matrix applications
         
   
AT Premier
 
Stud bumping applications (high brightness LED and image sensor)
         
Wedge bonders
 
3600Plus
 
Power hybrid and automotive modules using either heavy aluminum wire or PowerRibbon®
         
   
3700Plus
 
Hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire
         
   
7200Plus
 
Power semiconductors using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
   
7200HD
 
Smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
   
7600HD
 
Power semiconductors including smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon
         
Die bonder
 
iStackPS
 
Advanced stacked die and ball grid array applications

(1) Power Series (PS)

 
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Ball Bonders

Automatic ball bonders represent the largest portion of our semiconductor equipment business. Our main product platform for ball bonding is the Power Series (PS) — a family of assembly equipment that is setting new standards for performance, productivity, upgradeability, and ease of use. Our Power Series consists of our IConnPS high-performance ball bonders, and our ConnXPS cost-performance ball bonders, both of which can be configured for either gold or copper wire. In addition, targeted specifically at the fast growing LED market, the Power Series includes our ConnX PS LED and our ConnX PS VLED. Targeted for large bondable area applications, the Power Series includes our IConnPS LA and ConnXPS LA. In November 2010 and January 2011, we introduced the IConnPS ProCu and IConnPS ProCu LA, respectively, which offer a significant new level of capability for customers transitioning from gold to copper wire bonding.
 
Our Power Series products have advanced industry performance standards. Our ball bonders are capable of performing very fine pitch bonding, as well as creating the sophisticated wire loop shapes needed in the assembly of advanced semiconductor packages. Our ball bonders can also be converted for use to copper applications through kits we sell separately, a capability that is increasingly important as bonding with copper continues to grow as an alternative to gold.

Our AT Premier machine utilizes a modified wire bonding process to mechanically place bumps on devices, while still in a wafer format, for variants of the flip chip assembly process. Typical applications include CMOS image sensors, SAW filters and high brightness LEDs. These applications are commonly used in most, if not all, smartphones available today in the market.
 
Heavy Wire Wedge Bonders

We are the leaders in the design and manufacture of heavy wire wedge bonders for the power semiconductor and automotive power module markets. Wedge bonders may use either aluminum wire or aluminum ribbon to connect semiconductor chips in power packages, power hybrids and automotive modules for products such as motor control modules or inverters for hybrid cars. In addition, we see some potential use for our wedge bonder products in select solar applications.

Our portfolio of wedge bonding products includes:

 
·
The 3600Plus:  high speed, high accuracy wire bonders designed for power modules, automotive packages and other heavy wire multi-chip module applications.
 
·
The 3700Plus: wire bonders designed for hybrid and automotive modules using thin aluminum wire.
 
·
The 7200Plus:  dual head wedge bonder designed specifically for power semiconductor applications.
 
·
The 7200HD:  wedge bonder designed for smaller power packages using either aluminum wire or ribbon.
 
·
The 7600HD:  wedge bonder targeted for small power packages.

While wedge bonding traditionally utilizes aluminum wire, all of our wedge bonders are also available modified to bond aluminum ribbon using our proprietary PowerRibbon® process. Aluminum ribbon offers device makers performance advantages over traditional round wire and is being increasingly used for high current packages and automotive applications.
 
Die Bonders

Our die bonder, the iStackPS, focuses on stacked die applications for both memory and subcontract assembly customers. iStackPS is targeted at stacked die and high-end ball grid array (BGA) applications. In these applications, we expect up to 40% productivity increases compared to current generation machines. In addition, iStackPS has demonstrated superior accuracy and process control.

 
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Other Equipment Products and Services

We also sell manual wire bonders, and we offer spare parts, equipment repair, training services, and upgrades for our equipment through our Support Services business unit.
 
Expendable Tools Segment

We manufacture and sell a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications. Our principal Expendable Tools segment products include:

 
·
Capillaries:  expendable tools used in ball bonders. Made of ceramic, a capillary guides the wire during the ball bonding process. Its features help control the bonding process. We design and build capillaries suitable for a broad range of applications, including for use on our competitors’ equipment. In addition, our capillaries are used with both gold and copper wire.

 
·
Bonding wedges:  expendable tools used in wedge bonders. Like capillaries, their specific features are tailored to specific applications. We design and build bonding wedges for use both in our own equipment and in our competitors’ equipment.

 
·
Saw blades:  expendable tools used by semiconductor manufacturers to cut silicon wafers into individual semiconductor die and to cut semiconductor devices that have been molded in a matrix configuration into individual units.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, net revenue and expenses during the reporting periods, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates, including but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, carrying value and lives of fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, repatriation of un-remitted foreign subsidiary earnings, equity-based compensation expense, restructuring, and warranties. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. As a result, we make judgments regarding the carrying values of our assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies, which have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Revenue Recognition

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 605, Revenue Recognition, we recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, the collectibility is reasonably assured, and equipment installation obligations have been completed and customer acceptance, when applicable, has been received or otherwise released from installation or customer acceptance obligations. In the event terms of the sale provide for a customer acceptance period, revenue is recognized upon the expiration of the acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. Our standard terms are Ex Works (our factory), with title transferring to our customer at our loading dock or upon embarkation. We have a small percentage of sales with other terms, and revenue is recognized in accordance with the terms of the related customer purchase order. Revenue related to services is recognized upon performance of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a term more than one month is recognized on a prorated straight-line basis over the term of the contract.
 
 
33

 
 
Our business is subject to contingencies related to customer orders as follows:

 
·
Right of Return: A large portion of our revenue comes from the sale of machines used in the semiconductor assembly process. Other product sales relate to consumable products, which are sold in high-volume quantities, and are generally maintained at low stock levels at our customer’s facility. Customer returns have historically represented a very small percentage of customer sales on an annual basis.

 
·
Warranties: Our equipment is generally shipped with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. We establish reserves for estimated warranty expense when revenue for the related equipment is recognized. The reserve for estimated warranty expense is based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of future expenses.

 
·
Conditions of Acceptance: Sales of our consumable products generally do not have customer acceptance terms. In certain cases, sales of our equipment have customer acceptance clauses which may require the equipment to perform in accordance with customer specifications or when installed at the customer’s facility. In such cases, if the terms of acceptance are satisfied at our facility prior to shipment, the revenue for the equipment will be recognized upon shipment. If the terms of acceptance are satisfied at our customers’ facilities, the revenue for the equipment will be not be recognized until acceptance, which typically consists of installation and testing, is received from the customer.

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ failure to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. We are subject to concentrations of customers and sales to a few geographic locations, which could also impact the collectibility of certain receivables. If global economic conditions deteriorate or political conditions were to change in some of the countries where we do business, it could have a significant impact on our results of operations, and our ability to realize the full value of our accounts receivable.
 
Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in first-out basis) or market value. We generally provide reserves for obsolete inventory and for inventory considered to be in excess of demand. In addition, inventory purchase commitments in excess of demand are generally recorded as accrued expense. Demand is generally defined as eighteen months future consumption for equipment, twenty-four months consumption for all spare parts, and twelve months consumption for expendable tools. Forecasted demand is based upon internal projections, historical sales volumes, customer order activity and a review of consumable inventory levels at customers’ facilities. We communicate forecasts of our future demand to our suppliers and adjust commitments to those suppliers accordingly. If required, we reserve the difference between the carrying value of our inventory and the lower of cost or market value, based upon assumptions about future demand, and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projections, additional inventory reserves may be required.
 
 
34

 

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method in accordance with ASC No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount we expect is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered future taxable income and our ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income in the period such determination was made.
 
In accordance with ASC 740, we utilize a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Step one or recognition, requires us to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Step two or measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit, which is more likely than not to be realized on settlement with the taxing authority.

Equity-Based Compensation
 
We account for equity-based compensation under the provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of equity-based compensation in net income. Compensation expense associated with market-based restricted stock is determined using a Monte-Carlo valuation model, and compensation expense associated with time-based and performance-based restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the fair value on the date of grant. The fair value of our stock option awards are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model.
 
The calculation of equity-based compensation costs requires us to estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited during the vesting period. We have estimated forfeitures at the time of grant based upon historical experience, and review the forfeiture rates periodically and make adjustments as necessary. In addition, the fair value of equity-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award and we elected to use the straight-line method for awards granted after the adoption of ASC 718. In general, equity-based awards vest annually over a three year period. Our performance-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the three-year anniversary of the grant date (if employed by the Company) if return on invested capital and revenue growth targets set by the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on the date of grant are met. If return on invested capital and revenue growth targets are not met, performance-based restricted stock does not vest. Estimated attainment percentages and the corresponding equity-based compensation expense reported may vary from period to period.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a description of certain recent accounting pronouncements including the expected dates of adoption and effects on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
35

 

Results of Operations for fiscal 2011 and 2010

The following table reflects our income from operations for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net revenue
  $ 830,401     $ 762,784     $ 67,617       8.9 %
Cost of sales
    442,492       427,111       15,381       3.6 %
Gross profit
    387,909       335,673       52,236       15.6 %
                                 
Selling, general and administrative
    152,714       130,978       21,736       16.6 %
Research and development
    65,135       56,660       8,475       15.0 %
Operating expenses
    217,849       187,638       30,211       16.1 %
                                 
Income from operations
  $ 170,060     $ 148,035     $ 22,025       14.9 %

Bookings and Backlog

A booking is recorded when a customer order is reviewed and it is determined that all specifications can be met, production (or service) can be scheduled, a delivery date can be set, and the customer meets our credit requirements. Our backlog consists of customer orders scheduled for shipment within the next twelve months. A majority of our orders are subject to cancellation or deferral by our customers with limited or no penalties. Also, customer demand for our products can vary dramatically without prior notice. Because of the volatility of customer demand, possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules or cancellations and potential delays in product shipments, our backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of net revenue for any succeeding period.

The following tables reflect our bookings and backlog for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Bookings
  $ 681,000     $ 973,050  
                 
   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
Backlog
  $ 103,000     $ 252,000  
 
 
36

 

Net Revenue

Approximately 97.8% and 98.6% of our net revenue for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, was for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region, and we expect sales outside of the U.S. to continue to represent a substantial majority of our future revenue.

The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
                         
Equipment
  $ 759,331     $ 691,988     $ 67,343       9.7 %
Expendable Tools
    71,070       70,796       274       0.4 %
Net revenue
  $ 830,401     $ 762,784     $ 67,617       8.9 %

Equipment

The following table reflects the components of Equipment net revenue change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal 2011 vs. 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Equipment
  $ 19,603     $ 47,740     $ 67,343  

Fiscal 2011 Equipment net revenue was higher than the prior year primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and improved ball bonder pricing. The wedge bonder volume increase was attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix.  Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

Expendable Tools

The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools net revenue change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal 2011 vs. 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Expendable Tools
  $ 923     $ (649 )   $ 274  

Expendable Tools net revenue changes were due to higher selling prices partially offset by lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools.

 
37

 

Gross Profit

The following tables reflect gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Equipment
  $ 346,417     $ 292,946     $ 53,471       18.3 %
Expendable Tools
    41,492       42,727       (1,235 )     -2.9 %
Gross profit
  $ 387,909     $ 335,673     $ 52,236       15.6 %

   
Fiscal
   
Basis Point
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Equipment
    45.6 %     42.3 %     330  
Expendable Tools
    58.4 %     60.4 %     (200 )
Gross profit as a % of net revenue
    46.7 %     44.0 %     270  

Equipment

The following table reflects the components of Equipment gross profit change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal 2011 vs. 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Cost
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Equipment
  $ 19,603     $ (10,884 )   $ 44,752     $ 53,471  

Fiscal 2011 Equipment gross profit was higher than fiscal 2010 primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and favorable pricing for our ball bonders. The favorable variances were partially offset by higher costs for our wedge bonders. Wedge bonder volume increases were attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix.  Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Increased costs during the current fiscal year for wedge bonders were the result of transitioning our factory to Asia. We do not expect these transition costs to occur in the future. During fiscal 2011, we manufactured wedge bonders in both our U.S. and Asia facilities to support increased demand. In addition during fiscal 2011, we recorded inventory reserves due to our factory transition to Asia related to our die and wedge bonder inventory in the U.S.
 
Expendable Tools

The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools gross profit change between fiscal 2011 and 2010:

 
   
Fiscal 2011 vs. 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Cost
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Expendable Tools
  $ 923     $ (1,388 )   $ (770 )   $ (1,235 )
 
 
38

 
 
Expendable Tools gross profit decreased during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to higher labor costs, increased revenue tax rates, an unfavorable exchange rate impact from our operations in China, and lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools. Higher costs and lower volumes were partially offset by favorable pricing.

Operating Expenses

The following table reflects operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
   
Basis Point
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Selling, general and administrative
    18.4 %     17.2 %     (120 )
Research and development
    7.8 %     7.4 %     (40 )
Operating expenses
    26.2 %     24.6 %     (160 )

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”)

Fiscal 2011 SG&A increased a net of $21.7 million as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to:

 
·
$6.8 million higher incentive compensation expense as a result of improved net income for the current fiscal year;
 
·
$4.1 million higher sales commissions due to improved net revenue for the current fiscal year;
 
·
$3.1 million unfavorable foreign exchange due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies;
 
·
$3.0 million net write down in value for our building in Switzerland;
 
·
$2.5 million higher severance expense mainly related to the U.S.-based operations transition to Asia;
 
·
$2.1 million higher depreciation and amortization expense mainly related to equipment sent to customers for demonstration and evaluation; and,
 
·
$1.5 million higher Switzerland pension fund accrual.

These increases were partially offset by $4.9 million lower factory transition expense than was incurred during fiscal 2010.

Research and Development (“R&D”)

Our R&D activities are focused on delivering robust production solutions for our customers’ projected packaging technology requirements. We accomplish this by regularly introducing improved versions of existing products or by developing next-generation products. Our R&D expense net increase was $8.5 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to higher staff costs, which consisted of merit compensation and additional headcount to support new product development. We expect R&D expense to continue at approximately the same level for fiscal 2012.

 
39

 

 
Income from Operations

The following table reflects income from operations by business segment for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Equipment
  $ 156,786     $ 137,321     $ 19,465       14.2 %
Expendable Tools
    13,274       10,714       2,560       23.9 %
Income from operations
  $ 170,060     $ 148,035     $ 22,025       14.9 %

Equipment

Fiscal 2011 Equipment income from operations was higher than fiscal 2010 primarily due to favorable volumes for our wedge bonders and favorable pricing for our ball bonders. The favorable variances were partially offset by higher costs for our wedge bonders. Wedge bonder volume increases were attributed to demand from the power semiconductor segment along with the hybrid and automotive markets. In addition, we recognized favorable pricing due to customer mix.  Ball bonder favorable pricing was due to product mix from the introduction of IConn ProCu and our large bondable area products during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Increased costs for wedge bonders were the result of transitioning our factory to Asia, and we do not expect these transition costs to continue during fiscal 2012. During fiscal 2011, we manufactured wedge bonders in both our U.S. and Asia facilities to support increased demand. In addition during fiscal 2011, we recorded inventory reserves due to our factory transition to Asia related to our wedge bonder inventory in the U.S.

Expendable Tools

Expendable Tools income from operations was higher during fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due lower operating expenses partially offset by lower gross profit. The lower gross profit was attributable to higher labor costs, increased revenue tax rates, an unfavorable exchange rate impact from our operations in China, and lower volumes for our non-wedge bonder tools.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

The following table reflects interest income and interest expense for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Interest income
  $ 648     $ 403     $ 245       60.8 %
Interest expense
    (965 )     (1,348 )     383       28.4 %
Interest expense: non-cash
    (7,315 )     (6,985 )     (330 )     -4.7 %

Interest income for fiscal 2011 was higher as compared to the prior year period due to higher invested cash balances.

The decrease in interest expense for fiscal 2011 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to the retirement of our 1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes in June 2010.

 
40

 

 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for fiscal 2011 and 2010

 
The following table reflects the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

 
   
Fiscal
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Income from operations before income tax
  $ 162,428     $ 140,105  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    34,818       (2,037 )
                 
Income from operations
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142  
                 
Effective tax rate
    21.4 %     -1.5 %

For fiscal 2011, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to tax from foreign operations at a lower effective tax rate than the U.S. statutory rate, the impact of tax holidays, decreases in the valuation allowance offset by an increase for deferred taxes on un-remitted earnings as well as other U.S. current and deferred taxes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, negotiations with a foreign tax jurisdiction were finalized which resulted in a decreased effective tax rate of 5% in that jurisdiction until February 1, 2020.  In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, a $7.5 million accrual related to a certain unrecognized tax position taken in past years was recorded based upon new information received from the tax authorities.

For fiscal 2010, the effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to decreases in the valuation allowance, federal alternative minimum taxes, state income taxes, tax from foreign operations, the impact of tax holidays, an increase in deferred taxes for un-remitted earnings and other U.S. current and deferred taxes.

Our future effective tax rate would be affected if earnings were lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. We regularly assess the effects resulting from these factors to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

 
41

 

 
Results of Operations for fiscal 2010 and 2009

The following table reflects our income (loss) from operations for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net revenue
  $ 762,784     $ 225,240     $ 537,544       238.7 %
Cost of sales
    427,111       136,397       290,714       213.1 %
Gross profit
    335,673       88,843       246,830       277.8 %
                                 
Selling, general and administrative
    130,978       106,175       24,803       23.4 %
Research and development
    56,660       53,483       3,177       5.9 %
Impairment of goodwill
    -       2,709       (2,709 )     -100.0 %
Operating expenses
    187,638       162,367       25,271       15.6 %
                                 
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 148,035     $ (73,524 )   $ 221,559       301.3 %

Bookings and Backlog

The following tables reflect our bookings and backlog for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Bookings
  $ 973,050     $ 208,235  
                 
   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 2, 2010
   
October 3, 2009
 
Backlog
  $ 252,000     $ 42,200  

Net Revenue

Approximately 98.6% and 97.0% of our net revenue for fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively, was for shipments to customer locations outside of the U.S., primarily in the Asia/Pacific region, and we expect sales outside of the U.S. to continue to represent a substantial majority of our future revenue.

The following table reflects net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Equipment
  $ 691,988     $ 170,536     $ 521,452       305.8 %
Expendable Tools
    70,796       54,704       16,092       29.4 %
Net revenue
  $ 762,784     $ 225,240     $ 537,544       238.7 %
 
 
42

 

Equipment

The following table reflects the components of Equipment net revenue change between fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal 2010 vs. 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Equipment
  $ 669     $ 520,783     $ 521,452  

For fiscal 2010, higher Equipment net revenue was due to a 413.9% increase in volume for ball bonders and 157.8% increase in volume for wedge bonders. The volume increases were due to higher semiconductor unit demand and increased capacity utilization rates of our customers, which in turn increased demand for capital equipment. In addition, customer investment in new copper bonding capability has driven a significant proportion of our ball bonder business.

Expendable Tools

The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools net revenue change between fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal 2010 vs. 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Expendable Tools
  $ (752 )   $ 16,844     $ 16,092  

The increase in Expendable Tools net revenue from fiscal 2009 to 2010 was due to volume increases in all our Expendable Tools businesses. Since Expendable Tools products are consumables used for the connections of IC units, as overall consumer demand for electronic equipment has increased, so has the demand for IC units. As a result, volume increased for our Expendable Tools. Our non-wedge bonder Tools volume increased 31.3% while Blades volume increased 40.1%. Our wedge bonder tools net revenue also increased 25.7%.

Gross Profit

The following table reflects gross profit by business segment for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Equipment
  $ 292,946     $ 59,433     $ 233,513       392.9 %
Expendable Tools
    42,727       29,410       13,317       45.3 %
Gross profit
  $ 335,673     $ 88,843     $ 246,830       277.8 %

The following table reflects gross profit as a percentage of net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
   
Basis Point
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Equipment
    42.3 %     34.9 %     740  
Expendable Tools
    60.4 %     53.8 %     660  
Gross profit as a % of net revenue
    44.0 %     39.4 %     460  
 
 
43

 

Equipment

The following table reflects the components of Equipment gross profit change between fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal 2010 vs. 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Cost
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Equipment
  $ 669     $ (220 )   $ 233,064     $ 233,513  

For fiscal 2010, gross profit increased significantly due to volume increases for ball bonders and wedge bonders. The higher semiconductor unit demand during the current year increased capacity utilization rates of our customers, which in turn increased demand for capital equipment.

Expendable Tools

The following table reflects the components of Expendable Tools gross profit change between fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal 2010 vs. 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Price
   
Cost
   
Volume
   
$ Change
 
Expendable Tools
  $ (752 )   $ 6,216     $ 7,853     $ 13,317  

The net increase in Expendable Tools gross profit from fiscal 2009 to 2010 was primarily due to volume increases in all Expendable Tools businesses. Since Expendable Tools products are consumables used for the connections of IC units, as overall consumer demand for electronic equipment increased, so has the demand for IC units. As a result, volume has increased for our Expendable Tools segment. Tools volume increased 31.3%, while Blades volume increased 40.1%. The increase in the gross profit was also due to lower cost from better absorption of fixed manufacturing costs as our volumes were higher. Consolidating our capillary tools manufacturing from Israel to China also contributed to our cost reductions and resulted in improved gross profit.

Operating Expenses

The following table reflects operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
   
Basis Point
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
Selling, general and administrative
    17.2 %     47.1 %     (2,990 )
Research and development
    7.4 %     23.7 %     (1,630 )
Impairment of goodwill
    0.0 %     1.2 %     (120 )
Operating expenses
    24.6 %     72.0 %     (4,740 )

Selling, General and Administrative

An increase in SG&A expenses of $24.8 million during fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 was primarily due to:

 
·
$14.7 million higher incentive compensation expense driven by current fiscal year net income as compared to a net loss during fiscal 2009;
 
·
$5.4 million increase in sales commissions due to higher net revenue for the current fiscal year;
 
 
44

 

 
 
·
$5.2 million higher equity-based compensation expense due to the following:
 
·
$2.3 million related to higher estimated percentage attainments for performance-based restricted stock, of which $0.3 million related to compensation as a result of the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer;
 
·
$1.5 million related to market-based restricted stock granted during fiscal 2010, of which $0.9 million related to compensation as a result of the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer, and;
 
·
$1.4 million related to time-based restricted stock granted during fiscal 2010.
 
·
$4.7 million higher consulting, employee staffing and travel related costs, of which $1.9 million relates to the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer and the hiring of his replacement;
 
·
$4.1 million higher factory transition costs for the move of additional production to Asia from Irvine, California and Israel;
 
·
$1.9 million pension expense related to a current year increase in our pension obligation primarily related to sales representatives in Taiwan, and;
 
·
$1.0 million unfavorable foreign currency variance.

These increases in SG&A were partially offset by:
 
·
$8.6 million lower severance costs related to prior fiscal year headcount reductions, and;
 
·
$2.9 million lower depreciation and amortization expense due to certain intangible assets and fixed assets becoming fully depreciated.

Research and Development

The $3.2 million increase of R&D expense during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 was mostly attributable to:

 
·
$2.1 million higher R&D expense related to set up costs for our Israel technology center; and
 
·
$0.8 million higher equity-based compensation expense due to higher estimated percentage attainments for performance-based restricted stock and time-based restricted stock granted during fiscal 2010.

Impairment of Goodwill

Due to the earlier than anticipated end of product life cycle for our EasyLine and SwissLine die bonders, during fiscal 2009, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $2.7 million which reduced the value of the die bonder goodwill to zero.

Income (Loss) from Operations

The following table reflects income (loss) from operations by business segment for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Equipment
  $ 137,321     $ (78,741 )   $ 216,062       274.4 %
Expendable Tools
    10,714       5,217       5,497       105.4 %
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 148,035     $ (73,524 )   $ 221,559       301.3 %

 
45

 

 
Equipment

For fiscal 2010, higher Equipment income from operations was due to significantly improved volume for ball bonders and wedge bonders. In addition for fiscal 2010, the higher semiconductor unit-demand during the current year increased capacity utilization rates of our customers, which in turn increased demand for capital equipment.

Expendable Tools

The increase in Expendable Tools income from operations from fiscal 2009 to 2010 was due to volume increases in all our Expendable Tools businesses. Accordingly, the net increase in Expendable Tools gross profit from fiscal 2009 to 2010 was primarily due to volume increases in all Expendable Tools businesses. In addition, the increase in the gross profit was due to lower cost from better absorption of fixed manufacturing costs as our volumes were higher. Consolidating our capillary tools manufacturing from Israel to China also contributed to our cost reductions and resulted in improved gross profit.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

The following table reflects interest income and interest expense for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
             
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Interest income
  $ 403     $ 1,106     $ (703 )     -63.6 %
Interest expense
    (1,348 )     (1,594 )     246       15.4 %
Interest expense: non-cash
    (6,985 )     (6,594 )     (391 )     -5.9 %

The decline in interest income during fiscal 2010 was due to lower rates of return on invested cash balances because of lower prevailing interest rates. The decrease in interest expense during fiscal 2010 was attributable to the retirement of our 1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes.

 
46

 

 
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

There were no purchases of Convertible Subordinated Notes during fiscal 2010. The following table reflects purchases of our Convertible Subordinated Notes during fiscal 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
 
0.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes (1):
     
Face value purchased
  $ 43,050  
Net cash
    42,839  
Deferred financing costs
    18  
Recognized gain, net of deferred financing costs
    193  
         
1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes:  (2)
       
Face value purchased
  $ 16,036  
Net cash
    12,158  
Deferred financing costs
    106  
Recognized gain, net of deferred financing costs
    3,772  
         
Gain on extinguishment of debt
  $ 3,965  

(1)
Fiscal 2009 repurchase transactions occurred prior to redemption on November 30, 2008.
(2)
Activity during fiscal 2009 reflects repurchases pursuant to a tender offer.

Benefit for Income Taxes for fiscal 2010 and 2009

The following table reflects the benefit for income taxes and the effective tax rate from continuing operations for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
  $ 140,105     $ (76,641 )
Benefit for income taxes
    (2,037 )     (13,029 )
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 142,142     $ (63,612 )
                 
Effective tax rate
    -1.5 %     17.0 %

Our effective tax rate of -1.5% for fiscal 2010 is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to certain domestic and foreign valuation allowance releases, permanent items, state taxes, and federal alternative minimum taxes. We continue to maintain a valuation allowance against a majority of our state deferred tax assets and deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions as the realization of these assets is not more likely than not given uncertainty of future earnings in these jurisdictions.

Our effective tax rate of 17.0% for fiscal 2009 is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to settlements of certain foreign income tax exposures, losses in foreign jurisdictions with tax holidays, permanent items, state taxes, and increases in the valuation allowance.

 
47

 

 
Our future effective tax rate would be affected if earnings were lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. We regularly assess the effects resulting from these factors to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
 
We committed to a plan of disposal for our Wire business in fiscal 2008, and on September 29, 2008, completed the sale of certain assets and liabilities associated with the Wire business. Included in discontinued operations for fiscal 2009 are net proceeds of $149.9 million and a net gain of $22.0 million, net of tax, related to the Wire sale.

The following table reflects operating results of the Wire business discontinued operations for fiscal 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
 
       
Net revenue
  $ -  
         
Income (loss) before tax
  $ (319 )
Gain on sale of Wire business before tax
    23,026  
Income from discontinued operations before tax
    22,707  
Income tax expense
    (696 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ 22,011  
 
 
48

 

 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table reflects total cash and investments as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
       
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
   
$ Change
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 378,188     $ 178,112     $ 200,076  
Restricted cash (1)
    -       237       (237 )
Short-term investments
    6,364       2,985       3,379  
Total cash and investments
  $ 384,552     $ 181,334     $ 203,218  
Percentage of total assets
    52.8 %     31.3 %        

(1)  Related to customs requirements in Malaysia.

The following table reflects summary Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow information for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 202,257     $ 87,638  
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    (1,861 )     (1,839 )
Net cash provided by operations
    200,396       85,799  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities, continuing operations
    (11,106 )     (4,591 )
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations
    -       (1,838 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (11,106 )     (6,429 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    9,296       (46,121 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents
    1,490       303  
                 
Changes in cash and cash equivalents
    200,076       33,552  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    178,112       144,560  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
    378,188       178,112  
Restricted cash and short-term investments
    6,364       3,222  
Total cash and investments
  $ 384,552     $ 181,334  

Fiscal 2011

Continuing Operations

Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of net income of $127.6 million plus non-cash adjustments of $63.3 million. In addition to cash provided by net income and non-cash items, working capital changes provided $11.4 million driven by net decreases in accounts receivable partially offset by net decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

 
49

 

 
Net cash used in investing activities related to capital expenditures for R&D projects and the expansion of our manufacturing operations and infrastructure in Asia and purchases of short-term investments.

Net cash provided by financing activities represented proceeds from the exercise of common stock options.

Discontinued Operations

Net cash used in operating activities related to facility payments for our former Test business.

Fiscal 2010

Continuing Operations

Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily a result of net income of $142.1 million plus non-cash adjustments of $30.3 million partially offset by a net increase in net working capital of $84.8 million. The net increase in working capital was primarily driven by increases in accounts receivable and inventory offset by increases in accounts payable.

Net cash used in investing activities of $4.6 million was comprised of capital expenditures of $6.3 million and purchases of investments of $3.0 million partially offset by $3.9 million of net proceeds from the sale of our building in Israel and $0.7 million of net proceeds from the sale of a portion of land in Berg, Switzerland.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was due to the maturity and redemption of our 1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes for $49.0 million partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercises of $2.9 million.

Discontinued Operations

Net cash used in operating activities was primarily facility payments related to our former Test business of $1.8 million.

Net cash used in investing activities of $1.8 million was the result of the sale of our Wire business.

Fiscal 2012 Liquidity and Capital Resource Outlook

We expect our fiscal 2012 capital expenditures to be $10.0 to $11.0 million. Expenditures are anticipated to be used for R&D projects, enhancements to our manufacturing operations in Asia and improvements to our information technology infrastructure.

We believe that our existing cash and investments, anticipated cash flows from operations and available credit facility will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our liquidity is affected by many factors, some based on normal operations of our business and others related to global economic conditions and industry uncertainties, which we cannot predict. We also cannot predict economic conditions and industry downturns or the timing, strength or duration of recoveries. We will continue to use our cash for working capital needs, general corporate purposes, and to repay our Convertible Subordinated Notes.

We may seek, as we believe appropriate, additional debt or equity financing which would provide capital for corporate purposes, working capital funding, additional liquidity needs or to fund future growth opportunities. The timing and amount of potential capital requirements cannot be determined at this time and will depend on a number of factors, including our actual and projected demand for our products, semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment industry conditions, competitive factors, and the condition of financial markets.

 
50

 

 
Convertible Subordinated Notes

The following table reflects debt, consisting of Convertible Subordinated Notes, as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

       
Conversion
     
As of
 
Rate
 
Payment dates of each year
 
price
 
Maturity date
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
               
(in thousands)
 
0.875%
 
June 1 and December 1
  $ 14.36  
June 1, 2012
  $ 110,000     $ 110,000  
Debt discount on 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes due June 2012
    (4,776 )     (11,525 )
                  $ 105,224     $ 98,475  

The following table reflects additional information regarding our Convertible Subordinated Notes as of October 1, 2011:
Description
 
Maturity date
 
Par value
   
Fair value as of
October 1, 2011 (1)
 
       
(in thousands)
 
0.875 % Convertible Subordinated Notes  (2)
 
June 1, 2012
  $ 110,000     $ 109,450  
        $ 110,000     $ 109,450  
 
 
(1)
In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, we rely upon quoted market prices.
 
 
(2)
We determined our corporate rating was not necessary; therefore, our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes are not rated.

 
The following table reflects amortization expense related to issuance costs from our Subordinated Convertible Notes for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Amortization expense related to issue costs
  $ 566     $ 718     $ 791  

Other Obligations and Contingent Payments

In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, certain obligations and commitments are not required to be included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations. These obligations and commitments, while entered into in the normal course of business, may have a material impact on our liquidity. Certain of the following commitments as of October 1, 2011 are appropriately not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations included in this Form 10-K; however, they have been disclosed in the following table for additional information.

 
51

 

 
The following table reflects obligations and contingent payments under various arrangements as of October 1, 2011:

          Payments due by fiscal period        
(in thousands)
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1 - 3 years
   
3 - 5 years
   
More than 5
years
   
Due date not
determinable
 
Contractual Obligations:
                                   
Convertible Subordinated  Notes, par value   (1)
  $ 110,000     $ 110,000                          
                                         
Current and long-term liabilities:
                                       
Earnout agreement payable  (2)
    14,848       14,848                          
Pension plan obligations
    7,422                               $ 7,422  
Severance
    3,320       3,083     $ 237                      
Facility accrual related to discontinued operations (Test)
    1,564       1,564                              
Obligations related to Chief Executive Officer transition  (3)
    897       619       278                      
Operating lease retirement obligations
    2,487       771       548     $ 393     $ 775          
Long-term income taxes payable
    1,864                               1,864          
                                                 
Total Obligations and Contingent Payments reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements
  $ 142,402     $ 130,885     $ 1,063     $ 393     $ 2,639     $ 7,422  
                                                 
Contractual Obligations:
                                               
Inventory purchase obligations (4)
  $ 77,823     $ 77,823                                  
Operating lease obligations (5)
    31,958       10,110     $ 10,484     $ 5,211     $ 6,153          
Cash paid for interest
    963       963                                  
                                                 
Total Obligations and Contingent Payments not reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements
  $ 110,744     $ 88,896     $ 10,484     $ 5,211     $ 6,153     $ -  

(1) Does not reflect debt discount of $4.8 million related to our 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
(2) On October 3, 2008, we completed the acquisition of Orthodyne Electronics Corporation (“Orthodyne”) and agreed to pay Orthodyne an additional amount in the future based upon the gross profit realized by the acquired business over a three year period from date of acquisition pursuant to an Earnout Agreement (the “Earnout”). As of October 1, 2011, we accrued $14.8 million as an adjustment to goodwill which was paid subsequent to year end during October 2011. No further payments related to the Orthodyne acquisition are owed.
(3) In connection with the September 2010 retirement of our former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), we entered into a three year consulting arrangement with him. Additionally in connection with his retirement, deferred cash payments equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of our shares of common stock to which he would have been entitled pursuant to the performance share unit awards granted to him in fiscal 2008 and 2009 had he remained employed through June 30, 2011 and (ii) the fair market value of our shares of common stock actually received by him pursuant to such awards. In July 2011, $1.7 million was paid as a deferred cash payment. An additional deferred cash payment, if any, will be paid in February 2012.
(4) We order inventory components in the normal course of our business. A portion of these orders are non-cancelable and a portion may have varying penalties and charges in the event of cancellation.
(5) We have minimum rental commitments under various leases (excluding taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, which are also paid by us) primarily for various facility and equipment leases, which expire periodically through 2018 (not including lease extension options, if applicable).

 
52

 

 
Credit Facility

On April 4, 2011, Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd. (“Pte”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a Short Term Credit Facilities Agreement (the “Facilities Agreement”) with DBS Bank Ltd. (“DBS Bank”). In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, DBS Bank has agreed to make available to Pte the following banking facilities:

(i) a short term loan facility of up to $12.0 million (the “STL Facility”); and
(ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $8.0 million (the “RC Facility”).

The STL Facility is an uncommitted facility, and therefore, cancellable by DBS Bank at any time in its sole discretion. Borrowings under the STL Facility bear interest at the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (“SIBOR”) plus 1.5%. The RC Facility is a committed facility and is available to Pte until September 10, 2013, the maturity date. Borrowings under the RC Facility bear interest at SIBOR plus 2.5%. The Facilities Agreement has been entered into in order to provide support, if needed, to fund Pte’s working capital requirements. Pte did not have any borrowings under the Facilities Agreement as of October 1, 2011 or during fiscal 2011.

The Facilities Agreement and related Debenture dated April 4, 2011 replaced the facilities agreement and related debenture by and between Kulicke and Soffa Global Holding Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, and DBS Bank Ltd. (Labuan Branch), entered into on September 29, 2010, which were terminated as of April 4, 2011. There were no borrowings under this facilities agreement during fiscal 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements such as derivatives, indirect guarantees of indebtedness, contingent interests, or obligations associated with variable interest entities.

Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk
 
As of October 1, 2011, we held $6.4 million of available-for-sale investments which subject us to interest rate risk. Our available-for-sale securities consist of fixed income investments (such as corporate bonds, commercial paper, time deposits and U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, or mutual funds that invest in these instruments). We continually monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates and credit ratings of issuers with respect to any available-for-sale securities and target an average life to maturity of less than eighteen months. Accordingly, we believe that the effects to us of changes in interest rates and credit ratings of issuers are limited and would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
53

 
 
Foreign Currency Risk

Our international operations are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to transactions denominated in currencies other than the location’s functional currency. We are also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations that impact the remeasurement of net monetary assets of those operations whose functional currency, the U.S. dollar, differs from their respective local currencies, most notably in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland. In addition to net monetary remeasurement, we have exposures related to the translation of subsidiary financial statements from their functional currency, the local currency, into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, most notably in China and Japan. Our U.S. operations also have foreign currency exposure due to net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Based on our overall currency rate exposure as of October 1, 2011, a near term 10.0% appreciation or depreciation in the foreign currency portfolio to the U.S. dollar could impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows by $4.0 to $5.0 million. Our board of directors has granted management the authority to enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments designed to minimize the short term impact currency fluctuations have on our business. We may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and other instruments in the future; however, our attempts to hedge against these risks may not be successful and may result in a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flow. We had no foreign exchange forward contracts or other instruments as of October 1, 2011.

Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (a)(1) herein are filed as part of this Report under this Item 8.

 
54

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries (the "Company") at October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 1, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 1, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
 

 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 8, 2011

 
 
55

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
   
As of
 
   
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 378,188     $ 178,112  
Restricted cash
    -       237  
Short-term investments
    6,364       2,985  
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,194 and $980, respectively
    138,649       196,035  
Inventories, net
    73,092       73,893  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    21,897       15,985  
Deferred income taxes
    1,651       5,443  
Total current assets
    619,841       472,690  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    26,501       30,059  
Goodwill
    41,546       26,698  
Intangible assets
    29,565       39,111  
Other assets
    10,938       11,611  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 728,391     $ 580,169  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 105,224     $ -  
Accounts payable
    36,321       82,353  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    43,528       41,498  
Earnout agreement payable (Note 4)
    14,848       -  
Income taxes payable
    14,261       1,279  
Total current liabilities
    214,182       125,130  
                 
Long-term debt
    -       98,475  
Deferred income taxes
    32,065       20,355  
Other liabilities
    12,267       13,729  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    258,514       257,689  
                 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 11)
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, without par value:
               
Authorized 5,000 shares; issued - none
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value:
               
Authorized 200,000 shares; issued 77,733 and 75,429, respectively;
               
outstanding 72,779 and 70,475 shares, respectively
    441,749       423,715  
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,954 shares
    (46,356 )     (46,356 )
Accumulated income (deficit)
    71,940       (55,670 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,544       791  
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    469,877       322,480  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 728,391     $ 580,169  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
56

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Fiscal
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net revenue
  $ 830,401     $ 762,784     $ 225,240  
Cost of sales
    442,492       427,111       136,397  
Gross profit
    387,909       335,673       88,843  
                         
Selling, general and administrative
    152,714       130,978       106,175  
Research and development
    65,135       56,660       53,483  
Impairment of goodwill
    -       -       2,709  
Operating expenses
    217,849       187,638       162,367  
                         
Income (loss) from operations
    170,060       148,035       (73,524 )
                         
Interest income
    648       403       1,106  
Interest expense
    (8,280 )     (8,333 )     (8,188 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    -       -       3,965  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
    162,428       140,105       (76,641 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations
    34,818       (2,037 )     (13,029 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    127,610       142,142       (63,612 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       -       22,011  
Net income (loss)
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142     $ (41,601 )
                         
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.77     $ 2.01     $ (1.02 )
Diluted
  $ 1.73     $ 1.92     $ (1.02 )
                         
Income per share from discontinued operations:
                       
Basic
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.35  
Diluted
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.35  
                         
Net income (loss) per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.77     $ 2.01     $ (0.67 )
Diluted
  $ 1.73     $ 1.92     $ (0.67 )
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    71,820       70,012       62,188  
Diluted
    73,341       73,548       62,188  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
57

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
   
Fiscal
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142     $ (41,601 )
Less: Income from discontinued operations
    -       -       22,011  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    127,610       142,142       (63,612 )
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    17,761       17,531       21,225  
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs
    7,315       6,976       6,593  
Equity-based compensation and employee benefits
    7,496       8,949       2,198  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    1,219       32       291  
Provision for inventory valuation
    6,701       1,519       8,154  
Deferred taxes
    19,773       (4,735 )     (6,806 )
Impairment of building and building improvements
    3,002       -       -  
Impairment of goodwill
    -       -       2,709  
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    -       -       (3,965 )
Switzerland pension plan curtailment
    -       -       (1,446 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired or sold:
                       
Accounts and notes receivable
    55,313       (101,098 )     (16,566 )
Inventory
    (6,122 )     (34,065 )     2,333  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (5,621 )     (4,654 )     7,979  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (43,449 )     54,080       13,996  
Income taxes payable
    13,063       (322 )     (25,633 )
Other, net
    (1,804 )     1,283       1,144  
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
    202,257       87,638       (51,406 )
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    (1,861 )     (1,839 )     (2,116 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    200,396       85,799       (53,522 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (7,688 )     (6,271 )     (5,263 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment
    -       4,621       -  
Purchase of investments classified as available-for-sale
    (3,655 )     (2,985 )     (2,406 )
Proceeds from sales of investments classified as available-for-sale
    -       -       8,536  
Changes in restricted cash, net
    237       44       34,719  
Purchase of Orthodyne
    -       -       (87,039 )
Net cash used in continuing operations
    (11,106 )     (4,591 )     (51,453 )
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
    -       (1,838 )     149,857  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (11,106 )     (6,429 )     98,404  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options
    9,296       2,872       223  
Payments on borrowings
    -       (48,964 )     (84,358 )
Net proceeds from sale of common stock
    -       (29 )     38,696  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    9,296       (46,121 )     (45,439 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    1,490       303       185  
Changes in cash and cash equivalents
    200,076       33,552       (372 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    178,112       144,560       144,932  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 378,188     $ 178,112     $ 144,560  
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
                       
Interest
  $ 963     $ 1,452     $ 1,708  
Income taxes
  $ 11,466     $ 3,119     $ 11,032  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
58

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

   
Common Stock
               
Accumulated
       
                     
Accumulated
   
Other
       
               
Treasury
   
Income
   
Comprehensive
   
Shareholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Stock
   
(Deficit)
   
Income (Loss)
   
Equity
 
Balances as of September 27, 2008
    53,648     $ 325,516     $ (46,118 )   $ (156,211 )   $ 2,209     $ 125,396  
Employer contribution to the Company's 401(k) plan
    357       811                               811  
Issuance of stock for services rendered
    181       540                               540  
Exercise of stock options
    156       461                               461  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (44 )             (238 )                     (238 )
Equity-based compensation expense
            847                               847  
Shares issued for purchase of Orthodyne
    7,117       46,221                               46,221  
Sale of common stock
    8,000       38,696                               38,696  
Impact of Debt, Debt With Conversion Options adoption (Note 5)
                            (5,587 )             (5,587 )
Components of comprehensive loss:
                                               
Net loss, continuing and discontinued operations
                            (36,014 )             (36,014 )
Translation adjustment
                                    (151 )     (151 )
Unrealized gain on investments, net
                                    16       16  
Switzerland pension plan curtailment
                                    193       193  
Unamortized pension costs
                                    (388 )     (388 )
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (36,344 )
Balances as of October 3, 2009
    69,415     $ 413,092     $ (46,356 )   $ (197,812 )   $ 1,879     $ 170,803  
Employer contribution to the Company's 401(k) plan
    212       1,384                               1,384  
Issuance of stock for services rendered
    114       720                               720  
Exercise of stock options
    502       2,872                               2,872  
Issuance of shares for time-based restricted stock
    232       -                               -  
Equity-based compensation expense
            5,676                               5,676  
Costs related to prior year sale of common stock
            (29 )                             (29 )
Components of comprehensive income:
                                            -  
Net income
                            142,142               142,142  
Translation adjustment
                                    1,021       1,021  
Unamortized pension costs
                                    (2,109 )     (2,109 )
Total comprehensive income
                                            141,054  
Balances as of October 2, 2010
    70,475     $ 423,715     $ (46,356 )   $ (55,670 )   $ 791     $ 322,480  
Employer contribution to the Company's 401(k) plan
    42       279                               279  
Issuance of stock for services rendered
    90       720                               720  
Exercise of stock options
    1,245       9,296                               9,296  
Issuance of shares for time-based restricted stock
    927       -                                  
Net operating losses attributable to exercises of stock options
            2,099                               2,099  
Equity-based compensation expense
            5,640                               5,640  
Components of comprehensive income:
                                            -  
Net income
                            127,610               127,610  
Translation adjustment
                                    1,022       1,022  
Unamortized pension costs
                                    731       731  
Total comprehensive income
                                            129,363  
Balances as of October 1, 2011
    72,779     $ 441,749     $ (46,356 )   $ 71,940     $ 2,544     $ 469,877  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
59

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), with appropriate elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.
 
As of October 4, 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 470.20, Debt, Debt With Conversion Options (“ASC 470.20”), which requires issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion to initially record the liability and equity components of the convertible debt separately. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 470.20 on a retrospective basis for all prior periods presented (see Note 5).

On October 3, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Orthodyne Electronics Corporation (“Orthodyne”). In connection with the Orthodyne acquisition, the Company issued 7.1 million common shares with an estimated value on that date of $46.2 million and paid $87.0 million in cash including capitalized acquisition costs. As of October 1, 2011, an additional $14.8 million, based upon an Earnout Agreement between the Company and Orthodyne (the “Earnout”), was accrued as an adjustment to goodwill and was paid subsequent to year end during October 2011 (see Note 4).

On September 29, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its Wire business for net proceeds of $149.9 million to W.C. Heraeus GmbH (“Heraeus”). The financial results of the Wire business have been included in discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Fiscal Year

Each of the Company’s first three fiscal quarters ends on the Saturday that is 13 weeks after the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. The fourth quarter of each fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30th. In fiscal years consisting of 53 weeks, the fourth quarter will consist of 14 weeks. The fiscal year end for 2011, 2010, and 2009 ended on October 1, 2011, October 2, 2010, and October 3, 2009, respectively.

Nature of Business

The Company designs, manufactures and sells capital equipment and expendable tools as well as services, maintains, repairs and upgrades equipment, all used to assemble semiconductor devices. The Company’s operating results depend upon the capital and operating expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers (“OSATs”) worldwide which, in turn, depend on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products utilizing semiconductors. The semiconductor industry is highly volatile and experiences downturns and slowdowns which have a severe negative effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for semiconductor capital equipment, including assembly equipment manufactured and sold by the Company and, to a lesser extent, expendable tools including those sold by the Company. These downturns and slowdowns have in the past adversely affected the Company’s operating results. The Company believes such volatility will continue to characterize the industry and the Company’s operations in the future.

 
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Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, net revenue and expenses during the reporting periods, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On an on-going basis, management evaluates estimates, including but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, carrying value and lives of fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, repatriation of un-remitted foreign subsidiary earnings, equity-based compensation expense, restructuring, and warranties. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. As a result, management makes judgments regarding the carrying values of its assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Vulnerability to Certain Concentrations

Financial instruments which may subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 consisted primarily of short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company manages credit risk associated with investments by investing its excess cash in highly rated debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, financial institutions, and corporations. The Company has established investment guidelines relative to diversification and maturities designed to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified as appropriate. The Company does not have any exposure to sub-prime financial instruments or auction rate securities.

The Company’s trade receivables result primarily from the sale of semiconductor equipment, related accessories and replacement parts, and expendable tools to a relatively small number of large manufacturers in a highly concentrated industry. Write-offs of uncollectible accounts have historically not been significant; however, the Company closely monitors its customers’ financial strength to reduce the risk of loss.

The Company’s products are complex and require raw materials, components and subassemblies having a high degree of reliability, accuracy and performance. The Company relies on subcontractors to manufacture many of these components and subassemblies and it relies on sole source suppliers for some important components and raw material inventory.

The Company’s international operations are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to transactions denominated in currencies other than the location’s functional currency. The Company is also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations that impact the remeasurement of net monetary assets of those operations whose functional currency, the U.S. dollar, differs from their respective local currencies, most notably in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland. In addition to net monetary remeasurement, the Company has exposures related to the translation of subsidiary financial statements from their functional currency, the local currency, into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, most notably in China and Japan. The Company’s U.S. operations also have foreign currency exposure due to net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Foreign Currency Translation

The majority of the Company’s business is transacted in U.S. dollars; however, the functional currencies of some of the Company’s subsidiaries are their local currencies. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 830, Foreign Currency Matters (“ASC 830”), for a subsidiary of the Company that has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, gains and losses resulting from the translation of the functional currency into U.S. dollars for financial statement presentation are not included in determining net income, but are accumulated in the cumulative translation adjustment account as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)). Under ASC 830, cumulative translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 
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Investments

Investments, other than cash equivalents, are classified as “trading,” “available-for-sale” or “held-to-maturity”, in accordance with ASC No. 820, Investments-Debt & Equity Securities (“ASC 820”), and depending upon the nature of the investment, its ultimate maturity date in the case of debt securities, and management’s intentions with respect to holding the securities. Investments classified as “trading” are reported at fair market value, with unrealized gains or losses included in earnings. Investments classified as “available-for-sale” are reported at fair market value, with net unrealized gains or losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)). The fair market value of trading and available-for-sale securities is determined using quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from its customers' failure to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company is also subject to concentrations of customers and sales to a few geographic locations, which could also impact the collectibility of certain receivables. If global economic conditions deteriorate or political conditions were to change in some of the countries where the Company does business, it could have a significant impact on the results of operations, and the Company's ability to realize the full value of its accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in first-out basis) or market value. The Company generally provides reserves for obsolete inventory and for inventory considered to be in excess of demand. In addition, inventory purchase commitments in excess of demand are generally recorded as accrued expense. Demand is generally defined as eighteen months future consumption for equipment, twenty-four months consumption for all spare parts, and twelve months consumption for expendable tools. Forecasted demand is based upon internal projections, historical sales volumes, customer order activity and a review of consumable inventory levels at customers’ facilities. The Company communicates forecasts of its future demand to its suppliers and adjusts commitments to those suppliers accordingly. If required, the Company reserves the difference between the carrying value of its inventory and the lower of cost or market value, based upon assumptions about future demand, and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projections, additional inventory reserves may be required.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of additions and those improvements which increase the capacity or lengthen the useful lives of assets are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: buildings 25 years; machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements are based on the shorter of the life of lease or life of asset. Purchased computer software costs related to business and financial systems are amortized over a five year period on a straight-line basis.

 
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Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

The Company's long-lived assets are primarily property, plant, intangible assets and equipment and goodwill. In accordance with the provisions of ASC No. 350, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350") goodwill is not amortized. ASC 350 also requires that, at least annually, an impairment test be performed to support the carrying value of goodwill. In addition, whenever events occur that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of reporting unit below its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment test will be performed. The fair value of the Company's goodwill is based upon estimates of future cash flows and other factors.

In accordance with ASC No. 360, Property, Plant & Equipment ("ASC 360"), the Company's property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows when triggering events occur, and if impaired, written-down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. ASC 360 also provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and establishes additional criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held for sale. The carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. Estimates of future cash flows used to test the recoverability of a long-lived asset or asset group must incorporate the entity's own assumptions about its use of the asset or asset group and must factor in all available evidence.

ASC 360 requires that long-lived assets be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Such events include significant under-performance relative to the expected historical or projected future operating results; significant changes in the manner of use of the assets; significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes in market capitalization.

Revenue Recognition

In accordance with ASC No. 605, Revenue Recognition, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, the collectibility is reasonably assured, and equipment installation obligations have been completed and customer acceptance, when applicable, has been received or otherwise released from installation or customer acceptance obligations. If terms of the sale provide for a customer acceptance period, revenue is recognized upon the expiration of the acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. The Company’s standard terms are Ex Works (the Company’s factory), with title transferring to its customer at the Company’s loading dock or upon embarkation. The Company has a small percentage of sales with other terms, and revenue is recognized in accordance with the terms of the related customer purchase order. Revenue related to services is recognized upon performance of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a term more than one month is recognized on a prorated straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs paid by the Company are included in cost of sales.

Research and Development

The Company charges research and development costs associated with the development of new products to expense when incurred. In certain circumstances, pre-production machines which the Company intends to sell are carried as inventory until sold.

Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), deferred income taxes are determined using the liability method. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount it expects is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and its ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, if it were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease income in the period such determination was made.

 
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In accordance with ASC No. 740 Topic 10, Income Taxes, General (“ASC 740.10”), the Company accounts for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its income tax return. Under ASC 740.10, the Company utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Step one, or recognition, requires a company to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. Step two, or measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit, which is more likely than not to be realized on settlement with the taxing authority.

Equity-Based Compensation
 
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation under the provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires the recognition of the fair value of the equity-based compensation in net income. Compensation expense associated with market-based restricted stock is determined using a Monte-Carlo valuation model, and compensation expense associated with time-based and performance-based restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the fair value on the date of grant. The fair value of the Company’s stock option awards are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. In addition, the calculation of equity-based compensation costs requires that the Company estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited during the vesting period. The fair value of equity-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award and the Company elected to use the straight-line method for awards granted after the adoption of ASC 718.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated in accordance with ASC No. 260, Earnings per Share. Basic EPS include only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and share unit awards and convertible subordinated notes outstanding during the period, when such instruments are dilutive.

In accordance with ASC No. 260.10.55, Earnings per Share - Implementation & Guidance (“ASC 260.10.55”), the Company treats all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends as participating in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS must be applied. The Company adopted ASC 260.10.55 on October 4, 2009 and has retrospectively adjusted prior period earnings per share (see Note 7).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 simplifies the goodwill impairment guidance, providing entities with a qualitative assessment option when performing their annual impairment test.  An entity will have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the current two-step test is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test will be required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2011-08 in fiscal 2012. The adoption is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

 
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Amendment to Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB amended guidance related to the presentation requirements of comprehensive income within an entity’s financial statements. Under the amended guidance, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amended guidance eliminates the previously available option of presenting the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity. In addition, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be applied retrospectively.

 
NOTE 2: RESTRUCTURING
 
During fiscal 2010, the Company committed to a plan to reduce its Irvine, California workforce by approximately 60 employees over a period of approximately 26 months. As part of this workforce reduction plan, substantially all of the Company's California-based wedge bonder manufacturing, as well as certain administrative functions, have been transferred to the Company's manufacturing facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore. The Company anticipates cash payments for the California-based wedge bonder transfer to Asia to be substantially complete by the end of fiscal 2012. In addition, the Company has consolidated certain of its other U.S.-based operations to Asia.

The following table reflects severance activity during fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Accrual for estimated severance and benefits, beginning of period
  $ 2,395     $ 2,413  
Provision for severance and benefits: Equipment segment  (1)
    1,942       1,400  
Provision for severance and benefits: Expendable Tools segment (1)
    508       921  
Payment of severance and benefits
    (3,011 )     (2,339 )
Accrual for estimated severance and benefits, end of period  (2)
  $ 1,834     $ 2,395  

(1) Provision for severance and benefits is the total amount expected to be incurred and is included within selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)  Included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities, both periods, and other liabilities for fiscal 2010, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For fiscal 2011 and 2010, in addition to these restructuring amounts, the Company had other severance obligations included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
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NOTE 3: BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
 
The following tables reflect the components of significant balance sheet accounts as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
Short term investments, available-for-sale:
           
Deposits maturing within one year  (1)
  $ 6,364     $ 2,985  
    $ 6,364     $ 2,985  
                 
Inventories, net:
               
Raw materials and supplies
  $ 45,883     $ 41,693  
Work in process
    26,237       26,682  
Finished goods
    16,071       15,658  
      88,191       84,033  
Inventory reserves  (2)
    (15,099 )     (10,140 )
    $ 73,092     $ 73,893  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net:
               
Land
  $ 2,086     $ 2,086  
Buildings and building improvements   (3)
    5,026       8,651  
Leasehold improvements
    15,389       12,916  
Data processing equipment and software
    22,804       22,280  
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures
    38,327       37,007  
      83,632       82,940  
Accumulated depreciation
    (57,131 )     (52,881 )
    $ 26,501     $ 30,059  
                 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
               
Wages and benefits
  $ 17,313     $ 15,836  
Accrued customer obligations  (4)
    11,388       8,918  
Commissions and professional fees  (5)
    3,293       6,639  
Severance  (6)
    3,083       2,947  
Short-term facility accrual related to discontinued operations (Test)
    1,564       1,734  
Other
    6,887       5,424  
    $ 43,528     $ 41,498  

(1) All short-term investments were classified as available for sale and were measured at fair value based on level one measurement, or quoted market prices, as defined by ASC 820. As of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, fair value approximated the cost basis for short-term investments. The Company did not recognize any realized gains or losses on the sale of investments during fiscal 2011 or 2010.
(2) Change primarily due to inventory reserves recorded which related to the Company’s die bonder inventory and its wedge bonder inventory in the U.S. and wedge bonder factory transition to Asia.
(3) In accordance with ASC 360, due to negative real estate trends and the Company’s transition of die bonder manufacturing from Berg, Switzerland to Asia, the Company recorded a $3.0 million write down in value for its building in Berg in fiscal 2011.
(4) Represents customer advance payments, customer credit program, accrued warranty expense and accrued retrofit costs.

 
66

 

 
(5) Balances as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 include $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of liability classified stock compensation expenses in connection with the September 2010 retirement of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). In addition, balances for both periods include $0.3 million related to his three year consulting arrangement. An additional $0.2 million of liability classified stock compensation expenses was recorded in other liabilities related to the long term portion of his agreement (see Note 6) as of October 2, 2010. In addition, $0.3 million and $0.6 million were recorded within other liabilities related to the long term portion of his consulting agreement as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, respectively.
(6) Total severance payable within the next twelve months includes restructuring plan discussed in Note 2 and approximately $1.5 million of other severance not part of the Company’s plan for transition and consolidation of operations to Asia.
 
NOTE 4: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 
Goodwill

Intangible assets classified as goodwill are not amortized. The Company performs an annual impairment test of its goodwill during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, which coincides with the completion of its annual forecasting process. The Company performed its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 and concluded that no impairment charge was required. The Company also tests for impairment if a “triggering” event occurs that may have the effect of reducing the fair value of a reporting unit below its respective carrying value.

On October 3, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of Orthodyne and agreed to pay Orthodyne an additional amount in the future based upon the gross profit realized by the acquired business over a three year period from date of acquisition pursuant to the Earnout. As of October 1, 2011, the Company accrued $14.8 million as an adjustment to goodwill which was paid subsequent to year end during October 2011.

The following table reflects Goodwill as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
Beginning of period, Goodwill
  $ 26,698     $ 26,698  
Increase to Goodwill for Earnout
    14,848       -  
                 
End of period, Goodwill
  $ 41,546     $ 26,698  
 
 
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Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s intangible assets consist primarily of wedge bonder developed technology and customer relationships.

The following table reflects net intangible assets as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
   
Average estimated
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
   
useful lives (in years)
 
Wedge bonder developed technology
  $ 33,200     $ 33,200     7.0  
Accumulated amortization
    (14,230 )     (9,486 )      
Net wedge bonder developed technology
    18,970       23,714        
                       
Wedge bonder customer relationships
    19,300       19,300     5.0  
Accumulated amortization
    (11,580 )     (7,720 )      
Net wedge bonder customer relationships
    7,720       11,580        
                       
Wedge bonder trade name
    4,600       4,600     8.0  
Accumulated amortization
    (1,725 )     (1,150 )      
Net wedge bonder trade name
    2,875       3,450        
                       
Wedge bonder other intangible assets
    2,500       2,500     1.9  
Accumulated amortization
    (2,500 )     (2,133 )      
Net wedge bonder other intangible assets
    -       367        
                       
Net intangible assets
  $ 29,565     $ 39,111        

The following table reflects estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets as of October 1, 2011:

(in thousands)
     
Fiscal 2012
  $ 9,178  
Fiscal 2013
    9,178  
Fiscal 2014
    5,318  
Fiscal 2015
    5,318  
Fiscal 2016
    573  
         
Total amortization expense
  $ 29,565  
 
 
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NOTE 5: DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

The following table reflects debt consisting of Convertible Subordinated Notes as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

               
As of
 
Rate
 
Payment date of each year
 
Conversion price
 
Maturity date
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
               
(in thousands)
 
0.875%
 
June 1 and December 1
  $ 14.36  
June 1, 2012
  $ 110,000     $ 110,000  
  Debt discount on 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes due June 2012     (4,776 )     (11,525 )
                  $ 105,224     $ 98,475  

The following table reflects the estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Subordinated Notes as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:
 
   
Fair value as of (1)
 
Description
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
   
(in thousands)
 
0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes
  $ 109,450     $ 102,025  
 
(1)
In accordance with ASC 820, the Company relies upon observable market data such as its common stock price, interest rates, and other market factors in establishing fair value.

 
The following table reflects amortization expense related to issue costs from the Company’s Convertible Subordinated Notes for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Amortization expense related to issue costs
  $ 566     $ 718     $ 791  

0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes

Holders of the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes may convert their notes based on an initial conversion rate of approximately 69.6621 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $14.355 per share) only under specific circumstances. The initial conversion rate will be adjusted for certain events. The Company presently intends to repay the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes with cash up to the principal amount of the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes and, with respect to any excess conversion value, with shares of its common stock. The Company has the option to elect to satisfy the conversion obligations in cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

The 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes are not redeemable at the Company’s option. Holders of the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes do not have the right to require the Company to repurchase their 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes prior to maturity except in connection with the occurrence of certain fundamental change transactions. The 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes may be accelerated upon an event of default as described in the Indenture and will be accelerated upon bankruptcy, insolvency, appointment of a receiver and similar events with respect to the Company.
 
 
69

 
The Company adopted ASC 470.20, Debt, Debt with Conversion Options, which requires that issuers of convertible debt that may be settled in cash upon conversion record the liability and equity components of the convertible debt separately. The liability component of the Company’s 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes is classified as debt and the equity component of the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes is classified as common stock on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The Company had no purchases of its Convertible Subordinated Notes during fiscal 2011 and 2010. The following table reflects the Company’s repurchase of its Subordinated Convertible Notes for fiscal 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
 
0.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes (1):
     
Face value purchased
  $ 43,050  
Net cash
    42,839  
Deferred financing costs
    18  
Recognized gain, net of deferred financing costs
    193  
         
1.0% Convertible Subordinated Notes:  (2)
       
Face value purchased
  $ 16,036  
Net cash
    12,158  
Deferred financing costs
    106  
Recognized gain, net of deferred financing costs
    3,772  
Gain on early extinguishment of debt
  $ 3,965  

 
(1)
Fiscal 2009 repurchase transactions occurred prior to redemption on November 30, 2008.
 
(2)
Activity during fiscal 2009 reflects repurchases pursuant to a tender offer.

Credit Facility

On April 4, 2011, Kulicke & Soffa Pte. Ltd. (“Pte”), the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a Short Term Credit Facilities Agreement (the “Facilities Agreement”) with DBS Bank Ltd. (“DBS Bank”). In accordance with the Facilities Agreement, DBS Bank has agreed to make available to Pte the following banking facilities:

(i) a short term loan facility of up to $12.0 million (the “STL Facility”); and
(ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $8.0 million (the “RC Facility”).

The STL Facility is an uncommitted facility, and therefore, cancellable by DBS Bank at any time in its sole discretion. Borrowings under the STL Facility bear interest at the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (“SIBOR”) plus 1.5%. The RC Facility is a committed facility and is available to Pte until September 10, 2013, the maturity date. Borrowings under the RC Facility bear interest at SIBOR plus 2.5%. The Facilities Agreement has been entered into in order to provide support, if needed, to fund Pte’s working capital requirements. Pte did not have any borrowings under the Facilities Agreement as of October 1, 2011 or during fiscal 2011.

The Facilities Agreement and related Debenture dated April 4, 2011 replaced the facilities agreement and related debenture by and between Kulicke and Soffa Global Holding Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and DBS Bank Ltd. (Labuan Branch), entered into on September 29, 2010, which were terminated as of April 4, 2011. There were no borrowings under this facilities agreement during fiscal 2011.

 
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NOTE 6: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Common Stock and 401(k) Retirement Income Plan
 
The Company has a 401(k) retirement income plan (the “Plan”) for its employees. Historically, the Company’s matching contributions to the Plan were made in the form of issued and contributed shares of Company common stock; however, beginning January 2, 2011, matching contributions to the Plan are made in cash instead of stock. The Plan allows for employee contributions and matching Company contributions up to 4% or 6% of the employee’s contributed amount, based upon years of service.

The following table reflects the Company’s matching contributions to the Plan which were made in the form of issued and contributed shares of common stock or cash, as applicable, during fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Number of common shares
    42       212  
Fair value based upon market price at date of distribution
  $ 279     $ 1,384  
Cash
  $ 1,462       n/a  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table reflects accumulated other comprehensive income reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010:

   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
 
Gain from foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 2,789     $ 1,767  
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss), Switzerland pension plan, net of tax
    143       (588 )
Switzerland pension plan curtailment
    (388 )     (388 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 2,544     $ 791  

The following table reflects the components of comprehensive income for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142  
Gain from foreign currency translation adjustments
    1,022       1,021  
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss), Switzerland pension plan, net of tax
    731       (2,109 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 1,753     $ (1,088 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 129,363     $ 141,054  

 
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Equity-Based Compensation

As of October 1, 2011, the Company had seven equity-based employee compensation plans (the “Employee Plan”) and three director compensation plans (the “Director Plans”) (collectively, the “Plans”). Under these Plans, market-based share awards (collectively, “market-based restricted stock”), time-based share awards (collectively, “time-based restricted stock”), performance-based share awards (collectively, “performance-based restricted stock”), stock options or common stock have been granted at 100% of the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. As of October 1, 2011, the Company’s one active plan, the 2009 Equity Plan, had 6.4 million shares of common stock available for grant to its employees and directors.

 
·
Market-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the award vesting date, if market performance objectives which measure relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) are attained. Relative TSR is calculated based upon the 90-calendar day average price of the Company’s stock as compared to specific peer companies that comprise the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. TSR is measured for the Company and each peer company over a performance period, which is generally three years. Vesting percentages range from 0% to 200% of awards granted. The provisions of the market-based restricted stock are reflected in the grant date fair value of the award; therefore, compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether or not the market condition is ultimately satisfied. Compensation expense is reversed if the award is forfeited prior to the vesting date.

 
·
In general, stock options and time-based restricted stock awarded to employees vest annually over a three year period provided the employee remains employed. The Company follows the non-substantive vesting method for stock options and recognizes compensation expense immediately for awards granted to retirement eligible employees, or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved.

 
·
Performance-based restricted stock entitles the employee to receive common shares of the Company on the three-year anniversary of the grant date (if employed by the Company) if return on invested capital and revenue growth targets set by the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on the date of grant are met. If return on invested capital and revenue growth targets are not met, performance-based restricted stock does not vest.

Equity-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 was based upon awards ultimately expected to vest. In accordance with ASC 718, forfeitures have been estimated at the time of grant and were based upon historical experience. The Company reviews the forfeiture rates periodically and makes adjustments as necessary.

 
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The following tables reflect equity-based compensation expense (reversal of expense), which includes restricted stock, stock options and common stock, by expense category and by type of award for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cost of sales
  $ 213     $ 207     $ 64  
Selling, general and administrative  (1)
    5,671       5,846       649  
Research and development
    1,328       1,512       674  
Total equity-based compensation expense
  $ 7,212     $ 7,565     $ 1,387  
                         
   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
  2011     2010     2009  
Market-based restricted stock  (1)
  $ 1,961     $ 1,996     $ -  
Time-based restricted stock
    4,003       2,161       672  
Performance-based restricted stock  (1) (2)
    442       2,029       (1,546 )
Stock options
    86       659       1,721  
Common stock
    720       720       540  
Total equity-based compensation expense
  $ 7,212     $ 7,565     $ 1,387  

(1)   Fiscal 2011 SG&A expense included $0.9 million ($0.8 million market-based and $0.1 million performance-based) of liability classified equity compensation expense related to the retired CEO. Fiscal 2010 SG&A expense included $1.2 million ($0.9 million market-based and $0.3 million performance-based) of liability classified equity compensation expense related to the retired CEO. In connection with his retirement, deferred cash payments equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of the shares of common stock of the Company to which he would have been entitled pursuant to the performance share unit awards granted to him in fiscal 2008 and 2009 had he remained employed through June 30, 2011 and (ii) the fair market value of the shares of common stock of the Company actually received by him pursuant to such awards. In July 2011, $1.7 million was paid as a deferred cash payment. An additional deferred cash payment, if any, will be paid in February 2012. An accrual for estimated deferred cash payments measured at fair value as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 were included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  As the global economy improved from prior year levels during fiscal 2010, the Company determined performance objectives for the performance-based restricted stock issued in fiscal 2008 and 2007 would improve. Accordingly, estimated attainment percentages increased and total compensation expense for the performance-based restricted stock also increased during fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2009, in connection with the global economic decline, the Company determined performance objectives for the performance-based restricted stock issued in fiscal 2008 and 2007 would not be attained at the previous estimated levels.

 
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Equity-Based Compensation: employee market-based restricted stock

The following table reflects employee market-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Number of shares
(in thousands)
   
Unrecognized
compensation expense
(in thousands)
   
Average remaining
service period (in years)
   
Weighted average grant
date fair value per share
 
Market-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 3, 2009
    -                    
Granted
    398                 $ 6.78  
Forfeited or expired
    (84 )                    
Market-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 2, 2010
    314     $ 667       1.3          
Granted
    442                     $ 11.32  
Forfeited or expired
    (165 )                        
Vested
    (104 )                        
Market-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 1, 2011
    487     $ 3,674       1.9          

Equity-Based Compensation: employee time-based restricted stock

The following table reflects employee time-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Number of shares
(in thousands)
   
Unrecognized
compensation expense
(in thousands)
   
Average remaining
service period (in years)
   
Weighted average grant 
date fair value per share
 
Time-based restricted stock outstanding as of September 27, 2008
    -                    
Granted
    825                 $ 3.53  
Forfeited or expired
    (126 )                    
Time-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 3, 2009
    699     $ 1,356       2.0          
Granted
    1,288                     $ 5.46  
Forfeited or expired
    (48 )                        
Vested
    (232 )                        
Time-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 2, 2010
    1,707     $ 5,683       1.4          
Granted
    714                     $ 6.56  
Forfeited or expired
    (259 )                        
Vested
    (563 )                        
Time-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 1, 2011
    1,599     $ 6,096       1.7          

 
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Equity-Based Compensation: employee performance-based restricted stock

No performance-based restricted stock was issued during fiscal 2011 or 2010.

The following table reflects the assumptions used to calculate compensation expense related to the Company’s performance-based restricted stock issued during fiscal 2009:

Assumptions as of October 2, 2010:
     
Expected forfeiture rate
    8.8 %
Estimated attainment of performance goals
    85.0 %
         
Assumptions as of October 3, 2009:
       
Expected forfeiture rate
    4.4 %
Estimated attainment of performance goals
    30.0 %

The following table reflects employee performance-based restricted stock activity for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Number of shares (in
thousands)
   
Unrecognized
compensation expense
(in thousands)
   
Average remaining
service period (in
years)
 
                   
Performance-based restricted stock outstanding as of September 27, 2008
    947     $ 2,186       1.8  
Granted
    402                  
Forfeited
    (336 )                
Performance-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 3, 2009
    1,013       242       1.8  
Forfeited or expired
    (387 )                
Performance-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 2, 2010
    626       228       0.2  
Forfeited or expired
    (275 )                
Vested
    (182 )                
Performance-based restricted stock outstanding as of October 1, 2011  *
    169     $ -       -  

* Shares vested October 8, 2011.

Equity-Based Compensation: employee stock options

No employee stock options were granted during fiscal 2011. The following table reflects the weighted-average assumptions for the Black-Scholes option pricing model used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted for fiscal 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Expected dividend yield
 
N/A
   
N/A
 
Expected stock price volatility
    61.64 %     51.18 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.22 %     2.70 %
Expected life (in years)
    5       5  
Weighted-average fair value at grant date
  $ 3.18     $ 1.61  

Expected volatility for 2010 and 2009 was based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate was calculated using the U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect at the time of grant, commensurate with the expected life of the options.

 
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The following table reflects employee stock option activity for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Number of shares
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
average exercise
price
   
Average
remaining
contractual life
(in years)
   
Aggregate
intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
Options outstanding as of September 27, 2008
    6,441     $ 9.71              
Granted
    160       3.41              
Exercised
    (156 )     2.95           $ 9  
Forfeited or expired
    (1,904 )     10.09                
Options outstanding as of October 3, 2009
    4,541       9.56                
Granted
    47       6.20                
Exercised
    (492 )     5.72             1,261  
Forfeited or expired
    (786 )     10.90                
Options outstanding as of October 2, 2010
    3,310       9.80                
Granted
    -       -                
Exercised
    (1,216 )     7.50             3,498  
Forfeited or expired
    (585 )     13.79                
Options outstanding as of October 1, 2011
    1,509     $ 10.11       3.3     $ 336  
Options vested and expected to vest as of October 1, 2011
    1,491     $ 10.16       3.2     $ 302  
Options exercisable as of October 1, 2011
    1,465     $ 10.24       3.1          
In the money exercisable options as of October 1, 2011
    345                     $ 251  

On average, 16% of stock options granted by the Company become vested each year, and on average, 18% of stock options granted by the Company are forfeited each year. Intrinsic value of stock options exercised is determined by calculating the difference between the market value of the Company’s stock price at the time an option is exercised and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares. The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable is determined by calculating the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2011 and the exercise price of in-the-money stock options, multiplied by the number of underlying shares. During fiscal 2011, the Company received $9.3 million in cash from the exercise of employee and non-employee director stock options.

As of October 1, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested employee stock options was $0.1 million, which will be amortized over the weighted average remaining service period of approximately 1 year.

 
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The following table reflects outstanding and exercisable employee stock options as of October 1, 2011:

   
Options Outstanding
         
Options Exercisable
 
Range of
exercise prices
 
Options outstanding
(in thousands)
   
Weighted average
remaining contractual life
(in years)
   
Weighted average
exercise price
   
Options exercisable
(in thousands)
   
Weighted average
exercise price
 
$2.95 or less
    30       1.8     $ 2.75       26     $ 2.95  
$3.06 - $7.08
    54       7.7       5.61       21       5.64  
$7.14 - $7.31
    297       3.1       7.14       297       7.14  
$7.89 - $8.74
    476       5.6       8.62       469       8.62  
$9.64 - $10.07
    36       0.3       10.05       36       10.05  
$12.05 - $16.12
    616       1.4       13.45       616       13.45  
      1,509       3.1     $ 10.11       1,465     $ 10.24  

Equity-Based Compensation: non-employee directors

The 2009 Equity Plan provides for the grant of common shares to each non-employee director upon initial election to the board and on the first business day of each calendar quarter while serving on the board. The grant to a non-employee director upon initial election to the board, and each quarterly grant, is that number of common shares closest in value to, without exceeding, $30,000. For the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009, in light of the Company’s historically low stock price, the non-employee directors reduced their quarterly stock grant to be that number of common shares closest in value to, without exceeding $20,000. This was restored to the $30,000 level for fiscal 2011 and 2010.

The following table reflects shares of common stock issued to non-employee directors and the corresponding fair value for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Number of commons shares issued
    89       114       181  
Fair value based upon market price at time of issue
  $ 720     $ 720     $ 540  

 
77

 

The following table reflects non-employee director stock option activity for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Number of shares
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
average
exercise price
   
Average
remaining
contractual life
(in years)
   
Aggregate
intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
Options outstanding as of September 27, 2008
    478     $ 14.89              
Forfeited or expired
    (60 )     12.69              
Options outstanding as of October 3, 2009
    418       15.21              
Exercised
    (10 )     5.53           $ 21  
Forfeited or expired
    (60 )     39.75                
Options outstanding as of October 2, 2010
    348       11.25                
Exercised
    (30 )     6.16             170  
Forfeited or expired
    (60 )     11.50                
Options outstanding as of October 1, 2011
    258     $ 11.78       2.1     $ 78  
Options vested and expected to vest as of October 1, 2011
    258     $ 11.78       2.1     $ 78  
Options exercisable as of October 1, 2011
    258     $ 11.78       2.1          
In the money exercisable options as of October 1, 2011
    258                       78  

No non-employee director stock options were granted during fiscal 2011, 2010, or 2009.

Pension Plans

The following table reflects the Company’s pension obligations and pension expense as of and for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
As of
       
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
       
Switzerland pension obligation
  $ 3,871     $ 3,390        
Taiwan pension obligation
    1,299       1,269        
Total pension obligation
  $ 5,170     $ 4,659        
                       
   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
  2011     2010     2009  
Switzerland pension expense
  $ 1,226     $ 583     $ 581  
Tawain pension expense
    100       1,969       -  
Total pension expense
  $ 1,326     $ 2,552     $ 581  

In accordance with regulations in Switzerland, the Company sponsors a Switzerland pension plan covering active employees whose minimum benefits are guaranteed. During fiscal 2011, the Company announced the intention to reduce its Switzerland workforce by approximately 50 employees, which triggered a curtailment of the Switzerland pension plan under ASC No. 715, Topic 30, Compensation – Retirement Benefits, Defined Benefit Plans. As a result, the Company expects to recognize a pretax curtailment and settlement gain of approximately $1.6 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In addition, during fiscal 2009, the Company reduced its Switzerland workforce by approximately 70 employees, which triggered a curtailment of the Switzerland pension plan under ASC No. 715. As a result during fiscal 2009, the Company recognized a pretax curtailment and settlement gain of $1.4 million. 

 
78

 

Fiscal 2010 pension expense included a charge driven by a current year increase in the Company’s pension obligation due to higher current year compensation and retirement of certain sales representatives in Taiwan. In accordance with regulations in Taiwan, the Company sponsors a Taiwan defined-benefit retirement plan covering regular employees hired prior to July 1, 2005. An employee may apply for voluntary retirement under certain specified situations.

Other Plans

Some of the Company’s other foreign subsidiaries have retirement plans that are integrated with and supplement the benefits provided by laws of the various countries. These other plans are not required to report nor do they determine the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits or net assets available for plan benefits.

NOTE 7: EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic income (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. In addition, net income applicable to participating securities and the related participating securities are excluded from the computation of basic income per share.
 
Diluted income per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and, if there is net income during the period, the dilutive impact of common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. In computing diluted income per share, if convertible debt is assumed to be converted to common shares, the after-tax amount of interest expense recognized in the period associated with the convertible debt is added back to net income.

The Company’s 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes would not result in the issuance of any dilutive shares, since the Notes were not convertible and the conversion option was not “in the money” as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010. Accordingly, diluted EPS excludes the effect of the conversion of the 0.875% Convertible Subordinated Notes.

 
79

 

The following tables reflect reconciliations of the shares used in the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share computation for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
NUMERATOR:
 
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 127,610     $ 127,610     $ 142,142     $ 142,142     $ (63,612 )   $ (63,612 )
Less: income applicable to participating securities (1)
    (716 )     (716 )     (1,516 )     (1,516 )     -       -  
After-tax interest expense (1)
    n/a       -       n/a       272       n/a       -  
                                                 
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 126,894     $ 126,894     $ 140,626     $ 140,898     $ (63,612 )   $ (63,612 )
                                                 
DENOMINATOR:
                                               
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic
    71,820       71,820       70,012       70,012       62,188       62,188  
Market-based restricted stock
            442               195               n/a  
Time-based restricted stock
            846               247               -  
Stock options
            233               156               -  
Performance-based restricted stock
            -               110               -  
1.000 % Convertible Subordinated Notes
            n/a               2,828               -  
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted (2)
            73,341               73,548               62,188  
                                                 
EPS:
                                               
Net income (loss) per share - Basic
  $ 1.77     $ 1.77     $ 2.01     $ 2.01     $ (1.02 )   $ (1.02 )
                                                 
Effect of dilutive shares
          $ (0.04 )           $ (0.09 )           $ -  
                                                 
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted
          $ 1.73             $ 1.92             $ (1.02 )

(1)  Due to the Company’s loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2009, the effect of participating securities was excluded from the computation of basic and diluted EPS, and the conversion of convertible subordinated notes and the related after-tax interest expense was not assumed since the effect would have been anti-dilutive. In addition, due to the Company’s loss from continuing operations, potentially dilutive shares were not assumed since the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(2) Fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 exclude 350, 431 and 69 dilutive participating securities, respectively, as the income attributable to these shares was not included in EPS.

 
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The following table reflects the number of potentially dilutive shares which were excluded from diluted EPS, as their inclusion was anti-dilutive for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Potentially dilutive shares related to:
                 
Stock options, out of the money
    498       2,612       5,982  
Stock options, in the money but excluded due to the Company's net loss
    -       -       31  
Performance-based and time-based restricted stock
    -       -       69  
Convertible Subordinated Notes
    -       -       4,625  
                         
      498       2,612       10,707  

NOTE 8:  INCOME TAXES

The following table reflects income (loss) from continuing operations by location, the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
United States operations
  $ 33,531     $ (7,061 )   $ (35,380 )
Foreign operations
    128,897       147,166       (41,261 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax
  $ 162,428     $ 140,105     $ (76,641 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    34,818       (2,037 )     (13,029 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 127,610     $ 142,142     $ (63,612 )
                         
Effective tax rate
    21.4 %     -1.5 %     17.0 %

 
81

 

The following table reflects the provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current:
                 
Federal
  $ (90 )   $ 710     $ (263 )
State
    1,099       594       150  
Foreign
    14,764       1,394       (6,110 )
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    17,463       247       354  
State
    8       548       41  
Foreign
    1,574       (5,530 )     (7,201 )
                         
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 34,818     $ (2,037 )   $ (13,029 )

The following table reflects the difference between the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Computed income tax (benefit) expense based on U.S. statutory rate
  $ 56,850     $ 49,037     $ (26,821 )
Effect of earnings of foreign subsidiaries subject to different tax rates
    (17,300 )     (15,564 )     2,945  
Benefits from foreign approved enterprise zones
    (21,079 )     (33,790 )     11,839  
Effect of permanent items
    669       1,125       731  
Benefits of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and changes in valuation allowance
    (962 )     (9,381 )     13,887  
Foreign operations
    6,917       6,862       (2,657 )
Settlement of tax audit
    -       -       (12,510 )
Reserve for uncertain tax positions
    7,406       269       143  
State income tax expense
    1,230       (1,554 )     777  
Other, net
    1,087       959       (1,363 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 34,818     $ (2,037 )   $ (13,029 )

Undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries for which taxes have not been provided were approximately $282.6 million as of October 1, 2011. Such undistributed earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations.

Undistributed earnings of approximately $85.3 million are not considered to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. As of October 1, 2011, the Company had provided a deferred tax liability of approximately $16.5 million for withholding taxes associated with future repatriation of earnings for certain subsidiaries.

 
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The following table reflects the net deferred tax balance, composed of the tax effects of cumulative temporary differences for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Inventory reserves
  $ 374     $ 1,551  
Other accruals and reserves
    5,601       6,136  
Deferred revenue
    77       90  
Valuation allowance
    (2,358 )     (2,334 )
                 
Total short-term deferred tax asset
  $ 3,694     $ 5,443  
                 
Non-cash interest on debt
    1,936       -  
Other
    107       -  
                 
Total short-term deferred tax liability
  $ 2,043     $ -  
                 
Net short-term deferred tax asset
  $ 1,651     $ 5,443  
                 
Domestic tax credit carryforwards
  $ 4,626     $ 3,866  
Net operating loss carryforwards
    26,922       44,183  
Stock options
    1,478       2,970  
Other
    2,988       7,386  
                 
    $ 36,014     $ 58,405  
Valuation allowance
    (21,419 )     (25,522 )
                 
Total long-term deferred tax asset  (1)
  $ 14,595     $ 32,883  
                 
Repatriation of foreign earnings, including foreign withholding taxes
  $ 40,529     $ 39,396  
Non-cash interest on debt
    -       4,752  
Depreciable assets
    443       1,424  
Prepaid expenses and other
    195       -  
Total long-term deferred tax liability
  $ 41,167     $ 45,572  
                 
Net long-term deferred tax liability
  $ 26,572     $ 12,689  
                 
Total net deferred tax liability
  $ 24,921     $ 7,246  

(1)
Included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are deferred tax assets of $5.5 million and $7.7 million as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, respectively.

 
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As of October 1, 2011, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $87.9 million, state net operating loss carryforwards of $178.4 million, and tax credit carryforwards of $4.6 million that will reduce future taxable income. These carryforwards can be utilized in the future, prior to expiration of certain carryforwards in fiscal years 2012 through 2030 with the exception of certain foreign net operating losses and U.S. credits that have no expiration date. Pennsylvania tax law limits the time during which carryforwards may be applied against future taxes and Pennsylvania tax law limits the utilization of state net operating loss carryforwards to $3.0 million annually.

Of the total net operating losses as of October 2, 2010, approximately $2.1 million were attributable to stock option exercises, and as of October 1, 2011, this entire amount attributable to stock option exercises was utilized and recorded as common stock (additional paid in capital) in shareholders’ equity of the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company continues to evaluate the realizability of all of its net deferred tax assets at each reporting date and records a benefit for deferred tax assets to the extent it has deferred tax liabilities that provide a source of income to benefit the deferred tax asset. As a result of this analysis, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company released $0.8 million of its valuation allowance related to federal deferred tax assets with the exception of a valuation allowance against a portion of the company’s deferred tax asset related to certain federal tax credits. The remaining valuation allowance was released in fiscal 2011 for $2.3 million, of which $1.9 million was recorded to additional paid in capital. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against a majority of their state deferred tax assets as the realization of these assets is not more likely than not given uncertainty of future earnings in these jurisdictions. In fiscal 2010, the Company reduced the valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets for a foreign subsidiary based on future projected income. The Company determined that it was more likely than not to recognize all of the net deferred tax assets, primarily net operating losses, based on positive evidence of projected future projected earnings and recorded a tax benefit of approximately $5.6 million in fiscal 2010 for future years.

The following table reflects a reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2011:

    Fiscal  
(in thousands)
  2011  
Unrecognized tax benefit as of October 2, 2010
  $ 6,413  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    7,585  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (296 )
Unrecognized tax benefit as of October 1, 2011
  $ 13,702  

If recognized, the $13.7 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.

During 2010, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed an audit of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2006. The Company responded to various information requests from the IRS and the audit was closed with no significant adjustments to income tax expense.

In fiscal 2011, a tax application filed with a foreign jurisdiction was rejected by that country’s tax authority and the Company has filed an appeal. As a result of the rejection of the application, the Company has reconsidered its position and has determined the benefit taken on its previously filed tax returns no longer meets the recognition standard required under ASC 740. Therefore, the Company has provided a current liability of $7.5 million related to this certain unrecognized tax position, including interest and penalties.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There were no additional accruals of interest expense on various uncertain tax positions during fiscal 2010 for matters involving jurisdictions where interest is not assessed.

It is reasonably possible the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain unrecognized tax positions will decrease by $7.5 million during the next twelve months as the Company expects to finalize discussions with the tax authorities on the matter above during that time. However, the Company does not expect that the change would have a material effect on its results of operations or its financial position.

The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as, income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. For the U.S. federal income tax returns and most state tax returns, tax years following fiscal 2000 remain subject to examination as a result of the generation of net operating loss carry-forwards. The statutes of limitations with respect to the foreign jurisdictions in which the company files vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and range from 4 to 6 years.

 
84

 

As a result of committing to certain capital investments and employment levels, income from operations in Singapore and Malaysia are subject to reduced tax rates, and in some cases are wholly exempt from taxes. In connection with certain Singapore operations, the Company finalized negotiations with a foreign tax jurisdiction which resulted in a decreased effective tax rate of five percent in that jurisdiction until February 1, 2020. In fiscal 2011, the preferential rate reduced income tax expense by approximately $8.0 million or $0.11 per share. In addition, one of the Company’s subsidiaries in Malaysia is wholly exempt from taxes through 2014. For fiscal 2011 and 2010, this Malaysia exemption reduced income tax expense by approximately $13.1 million or $0.18 per share and $33.8 million or $0.46 per share, respectively.

NOTE 9:  OTHER FINANCIAL DATA

The following table reflects other financial data for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Selling, general and administrative incentive compensation expense   (1)
  $ 24,264     $ 17,449     $ 2,740  
Rent expense
  $ 7,729     $ 6,662     $ 6,218  
Warranty and retrofit expense
  $ 3,720     $ 4,225     $ 2,567  

 (1)  Incentive compensation expense based upon applicable fiscal year net income.

NOTE 10:  SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Segment information

The Company operates two segments: Equipment and Expendable Tools. The Equipment segment manufactures and sells a line of ball bonders, heavy wire wedge bonders and die bonders that are sold to semiconductor device manufacturers, their outsourced semiconductor assembly and test subcontractors, other electronics manufacturers and automotive electronics suppliers. The Company also services, maintains, repairs and upgrades its equipment. The Expendable Tools segment manufactures and sells a variety of expendable tools for a broad range of semiconductor packaging applications.

 
85

 

The following table reflects operating information by segment for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net revenue:
                 
Equipment
  $ 759,331     $ 691,988     $ 170,536  
Expendable Tools
    71,070       70,796       54,704  
Net revenue
    830,401       762,784       225,240  
Cost of sales:
                       
Equipment
    412,914       399,042       111,103  
Expendable Tools
    29,578       28,069       25,294  
Cost of sales
    442,492       427,111       136,397  
Gross profit:
                       
Equipment
    346,417       292,946       59,433  
Expendable Tools
    41,492       42,727       29,410  
Gross profit
    387,909       335,673       88,843  
Operating expenses:
                       
Equipment
    189,631       155,625       135,465  
Expendable Tools
    28,218       32,013       24,193  
Operating expenses
    217,849       187,638       159,658  
Impairment of goodwill: Equipment
    -       -       2,709  
Income (loss) from operations:
                       
Equipment
    156,786       137,321       (78,741 )
Expendable Tools
    13,274       10,714       5,217  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 170,060     $ 148,035     $ (73,524 )

 
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The following tables reflect assets by segment, capital expenditures and depreciation expense as of and for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
As of
 
(in thousands)
 
October 1, 2011
   
October 2, 2010
   
October 3, 2009
 
Segment assets:
                 
Equipment  (1)
  $ 639,149     $ 493,712     $ 303,835  
Expendable Tools   (1)
    89,242       86,457       108,800  
Total assets
  $ 728,391     $ 580,169     $ 412,635  

(1)  Increase in the Company's Equipment segment and decrease in Expendable Tools from fiscal 2010 to 2011 due to allocation, based upon fiscal year net revenue, of non-segment specific corporate assets. Corporate assets include: cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, deferred tax assets and other assets.

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Capital expenditures:
                 
Equipment
  $ 4,229     $ 4,508     $ 3,245  
Expendable Tools
    3,459       1,763       2,018  
Total capital expenditures
  $ 7,688     $ 6,271     $ 5,263  
                         
Depreciation expense:
                       
Equipment
  $ 5,955     $ 5,853     $ 6,551  
Expendable Tools
    2,257       2,133       3,581  
Total depreciation expense
  $ 8,212     $ 7,986     $ 10,132  

 
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Geographic information

The following tables reflect destination sales to unaffiliated customers by country and long lived assets by country for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Destination sales to unaffiliated customers:
                 
Taiwan
  $ 240,390     $ 222,919     $ 42,360  
China
    132,933       142,467       38,505  
Korea
    114,130       88,289       24,256  
Hong Kong
    104,481       83,713       24,183  
Malaysia
    46,831       43,191       11,959  
Singapore
    33,503       22,603       10,315  
Japan
    28,747       31,651       12,150  
Thailand
    19,539       24,766       -  
United States
    17,955       10,470       6,860  
Philippines
    16,806       35,029       -  
All other
    75,086       57,686       54,652  
Total destination sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 830,401     $ 762,784     $ 225,240  
                         
   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
  2011     2010     2009  
Long-lived assets:
                       
Singapore
  $ 74,130     $ 4,530     $ 2,121  
United States
    13,043       81,849       90,914  
Israel
    7,887       2,637       7,202  
Switzerland
    6,522       10,307       10,793  
China
    4,470       4,207       3,969  
All other
    2,498       3,949       2,175  
Total long-lived assets
  $ 108,550     $ 107,479     $ 117,174  

NOTE 11:  GUARANTOR OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND CONCENTRATIONS

Warranty Expense

The Company’s equipment is generally shipped with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. The Company establishes reserves for estimated warranty expense when revenue for the related equipment is recognized. The reserve for estimated warranty expense is based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of future expenses.

 
88

 

The following table reflects the reserve for product warranty which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balances Sheets as of fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Reserve for product warranty, beginning of year
  $ 2,657     $ 1,003     $ 918  
Orthodyne warranty reserve at the date of acquisition
    -       -       150  
Provision for product warranty expense
    2,914       3,842       2,297  
Product warranty costs incurred
    (3,326 )     (2,188 )     (2,362 )
Reserve for product warranty, end of year
  $ 2,245     $ 2,657     $ 1,003  

Other Commitments and Contingencies

The following table reflects operating lease obligations not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 1, 2011:

         
Payments due by fiscal year
 
(in thousands)
 
Total
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016 and
thereafter
 
Operating lease obligations
  $ 31,958     $ 10,110     $ 7,579     $ 2,905     $ 2,608     $ 8,756  
 
The Company has minimum rental commitments under various leases (excluding taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, which are also paid by the Company) primarily for various facility and equipment leases, which expire periodically through 2018 (not including lease extension options, if applicable).

As of October 1, 2011, the Company accrued $14.8 million as an adjustment to goodwill related to its Earnout, which was paid subsequent to year end during October 2011. No further payments related to the Orthodyne acquisition are owed.

 
89

 

Concentrations

The following table reflects significant customer concentrations for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009:

   
Fiscal
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Customer net revenue as a percentage of total Net Revenue
                 
                   
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering
    21.8 %     23.0 %     17.7 %
Siliconware Precision Industries, Ltd.
    *       10.3 %     *  
                         
Customer accounts receivable as a percentage of total Accounts Receivable
                       
                         
Siliconware Precision Industries, Ltd.
    15.0 %     19.5 %     *  
Haoseng Industrial Co., Ltd.
    14.0 %     11.0 %     *  
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering
    *       *       32.4 %
Amkor Technology, Inc.
    *       *       11.6 %

* Represents less than 10% of net revenue or total accounts receivable, as applicable.

 
90

 

NOTE 12:  SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

The following table reflects selected quarterly financial data for fiscal 2011 and 2010:

   
Fiscal 2011 for the Quarter Ended
       
                               
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
January 1
   
April 2
   
July 2
   
October 1 (2)
   
Fiscal 2011
 
Net revenue
  $ 148,863     $ 206,729     $ 294,438     $ 180,371     $ 830,401  
Gross profit
    72,112       98,957       134,094       82,746       387,909  
Income from operations
    22,067       43,649       81,653       22,691       170,060  
Provision for income taxes
    5,059       1,899       9,006       18,854       34,818  
Net income
  $ 15,099     $ 39,885     $ 70,714     $ 1,912     $ 127,610  
                                         
Net income per share (1):
                                       
   Basic
  $ 0.21     $ 0.55     $ 0.97     $ 0.03     $ 1.77  
   Diluted
  $ 0.21     $ 0.54     $ 0.95     $ 0.03     $ 1.73  
                                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    70,881       71,512       72,199       72,688       71,820  
Diluted
    71,706       73,120       74,130       74,184       73,341  
                                         
   
Fiscal 2010 for the Quarter Ended
         
                               
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
January 2
   
April 3
   
July 3
   
October 2
   
Fiscal 2010
 
Net revenue
  $ 128,415     $ 153,838     $ 221,254     $ 259,277     $ 762,784  
Gross profit
    56,373       67,772       99,184       112,344       335,673  
Income from operations
    17,986       23,322       50,052       56,675       148,035  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    160       148       (1,080 )     (1,265 )     (2,037 )
Net income
  $ 15,840     $ 21,158     $ 49,083     $ 56,061     $ 142,142  
                                         
Net income per share (1):
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.23     $ 0.30     $ 0.69     $ 0.79     $ 2.01  
Diluted
  $ 0.21     $ 0.28     $ 0.65     $ 0.78     $ 1.92  
                                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    69,684       69,806       70,131       70,426       70,012  
Diluted
    73,687       74,371       74,960       71,229       73,548  

 
(1)
EPS for the year may not equal the sum of quarterly EPS due to changes in weighted share calculations.
 
(2)
Includes approximately $7.5 million of income tax expense associated with additional tax exposure in Asia.

 
91

 
 
Item 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

In connection with the substantial completion of the transition of the Company’s headquarters and operations to Singapore, the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, on December 6, 2011, approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Singapore based firm (“PwC Singapore”), and the transfer of the engagement from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership (“PwC US”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.  Both PwC US and PwC Singapore are member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited. The change is expected to be effective December 9, 2011.

The reports of PwC US on the financial statements and internal control over the financial reporting of the Company for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 and during the period from October 1, 2011 through the date of  this report, the Company had (i) no disagreements with PwC US on any matter of accounting principles or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, any of which that, if not resolved to PwC US’s satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of any such disagreement in connection with its reports for such fiscal years or the subsequent interim period and (ii) no reportable events within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
 
Although PwC Singapore performed audit work on components of the Company in support of PwC US audits of the consolidated financial statements and of internal control over financial reporting of the Company for the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and  October 2, 2010, during the fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 and during the period from October 1, 2011 through the date of this report, neither the Company’s corporate management, audit committee,  nor anyone on its behalf had consulted with PwC Singapore regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company that PwC Singapore concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or any reportable even as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Company provided PwC US with a copy of the foregoing disclosures pursuant to Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K and requested that PwC US furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not PwC US agrees with the above statements.  A copy of such letter, will be filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed reflecting this change.
 
Item 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of October 1, 2011. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of October 1, 2011 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The management of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 1, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Based on that assessment and based on the criteria in the COSO framework, management has concluded that, as of October 1, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 
92

 

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 1, 2011 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which appears herein.

Item 9B. 
OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

Item 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K with respect to the directors and executive officers will appear under the heading “ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The other information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE –  Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Code of Ethics” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Item 407(c)(3) of Regulation will appear under the headings “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—Nominating and Governance Committee” and “SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Items 407(d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE—Audit Committee” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,” in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE— Management Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 
93

 

The information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 12. 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required hereunder concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required hereunder concerning security ownership of management will appear under the heading  “ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by this item relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is included under the heading “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting  of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by Section 407(a) of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Board Matters” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required hereunder will appear under the heading “AUDIT AND RELATED FEES” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 
94

 

Part IV

Item 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:

   
Page
(1)   Financial Statements - Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.:
   
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
55
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010
 
56
Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009
 
57
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009
 
58
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009
 
59
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
60
     
(2)   Financial Statements and Schedules:
   
     
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
99
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
   
     
(3)   Exhibits:
  
 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER
 
ITEM
     
2.1
 
Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
     
2.1.1
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement between W.C. Heraeus GmbH and the Company, dated as of September 5, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2008.
     
2.2
 
Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne Electronics Corporation and the Company, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
     
2.2.1
 
Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement between Orthodyne and the Company, dated as of October 3, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2008.
     
2.2.2
 
Earnout Agreement between the Company and Orthodyne Electronics Corporation, dated July 31, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2008.
     
3.1
 
The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated December 5, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2007.
     
3.2
 
The Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated August 4, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 3, 2010.
     
4.1
 
Specimen Common Share Certificate of Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form-8A12G/A dated September 11, 1995, SEC file number 000-00121.

 
95

 

4.2
 
Indenture between the Company and Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of June 6, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 6, 2007.
     
10.1
 
1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.2
 
2004 Israeli Addendum to 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(vii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
     
10.3
 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement regarding the 1998 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
     
10.4
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement regarding the Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 8, 2008.*
     
10.5
 
1999 Nonqualified Employee Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.6
 
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ix) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
     
10.7
 
2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xix) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.8
 
2004 Israeli Addendum to the 2001 Employee Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective March 21, 2003), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No.4 on Form S-1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 14, 2004, SEC file number 333-111478.*
     
10.9
 
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, dated August 2, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.10
 
2006 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 14, 2006, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.11
 
Form of Stock Option Award Letter regarding the 2006 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 3, 2006, SEC file number 000-00121.*
     
10.12
 
2007 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors, is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 13, 2007.*
     
10.13
 
2008 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 12, 2008.*
     
10.14
 
2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the annual meeting of shareholders on February 10, 2009.*

 
96

 

10.15
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 15, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
     
10.16
 
Amendment No. 2 to the Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. 2009 Equity Plan, effective September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2009.*
     
10.17
 
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
     
10.18
 
Form of Officer Performance Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
     
10.19
 
Form of Officer Restricted Share Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(xxxiv) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2009.*
     
10.20
 
Form of Officer Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement regarding the 2009 Equity Plan, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 9, 2010.*
     
10.21
 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
     
10.22
 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. Officer Severance Pay Plan, dated as of August 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
     
10.23
 
Form of Change of Control Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2009.*
     
10.24
 
Form of Change of Control Agreement, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2011.*
     
10.25
 
Offer Letter between the Company and Bruno Guilmart dated August 6, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2010.*
     
10.26
 
Offer Letter between the Company and Jonathan H. Chou, dated November 16, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010.*
     
10.27
 
Letter Agreement between the Company and Alan Schindler, dated March 9, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on  Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
     
10.28
 
Letter Agreement between the Company and Michael J. Morris, dated November 16, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010.*
     
10.29
 
Employment Agreement between the Company and Christian Rheault, dated June 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2009.*
     
10.30
 
Letter Agreement between the Company and Shay Torton, dated March 15, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on  Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.*
     
10.31
 
Letter Agreement between the Company and Tek Chee Mak, dated as of October 26, 2011.*

 
97

 

10.32
 
Facilities Agreement between Kulicke and Soffa Global Holding Corporation and DBS Bank Ltd. Labuan Branch, dated September 29, 2010 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xli) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2010.
     
10.33
 
Facilities Agreement between Kulicke and Soffa Ptd. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on  Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
     
10.34
 
Debenture between Kulicke and Soffa Pte. Ltd. and DBS Bank Ltd., dated April 4, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on  Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 2, 2011.
     
21
 
Subsidiaries of the Company.
     
23
 
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm).
     
31.1
 
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
     
31.2
 
Certification of Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).
     
32.1
 
Certification of Bruno Guilmart, Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification of Jonathan Chou, Chief Financial Officer of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
*
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
98

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   
Balance
   
Charged to
   
Other
         
Balance
 
   
at beginning
   
costs and
   
additions
   
Deductions
   
at end
 
(in thousands)
 
of period
   
expenses
   
(describe)
   
(describe)
   
of period
 
                               
Fiscal 2011:
                             
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 980     $ 1,219     $ -     $ (5 )(1)   $ 2,194  
                                         
Inventory reserve
  $ 10,140     $ 6,701     $ -     $ (1,742 )(2)   $ 15,099  
                                         
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes
  $ 27,856     $ (1,980 )(3)   $ (2,099 )(7)   $ -     $ 23,777  
                                         
Fiscal 2010:
                                       
                                         
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 1,378     $ 32     $ -     $ (430 )(1)   $ 980  
                                         
Inventory reserve
  $ 12,517     $ 1,519     $ -     $ (3,896 )(2)   $ 10,140  
                                         
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes
  $ 36,199     $ (1,951 )(3)   $ -     $ (6,392 )(6)   $ 27,856  
                                         
Fiscal 2009:
                                       
                                         
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 1,376     $ 291     $ -     $ (289 )(1)   $ 1,378  
                                         
Inventory reserve
  $ 6,497     $ 8,154     $ (488 )(4)   $ (1,646 )(2)   $ 12,517  
                                         
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes
  $ 16,171     $ 20,220 (3)   $ -     $ (192 )(5)   $ 36,199  

(1) Represents write offs of specific accounts receivable.
(2) Disposal of excess and obsolete inventory.
(3) Reflects increase (decrease) in the valuation allowance primarily associated with the Company's U.S. and foreign net operating losses and other deferred tax assets.
(4) Reclassification of fully depreciated demonstration and evaluation equipment from inventory to plant, property and equipment, net.
(5) Represents decrease in valuation allowance applied to reduce die bonder intangible assets, since a portion of the valuation allowance was originally established in purchase accounting.
(6) Represents the release in valuation allowance for a foreign subsidiary and the domestic partial valuation allowance release.
(7) Release of valuation allowance related to prior stock option exercises recorded to additional paid in capital.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
By:  
/s/  BRUNO GUILMART
 
Bruno Guilmart
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Dated:  December 8, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/  BRUNO GUILMART
 
President and  Chief Executive Officer
 
December 8, 2011
Bruno Guilmart
 
(principal executive officer)
   
(principal executive officer)
       
         
/s/  JONATHAN CHOU
 
Senior Vice President, Chief  Financial Officer
 
December 8, 2011
Jonathan Chou
 
(principal accounting officer)
   
(Chief Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
       
         
/s/ BRIAN R. BACHMAN
 
Director
 
December 8, 2011
Brian R. Bachman
       
         
/s/ JOHN A. O’STEEN
 
Director
 
December 8, 2011
John A. O’Steen
       
         
/s/ GARRETT E. PIERCE
 
Director
 
December 8, 2011
Garrett E. Pierce
       
         
/s/ MACDONELL ROEHM, JR.
 
Director
 
December 8, 2011
MacDonell Roehm, Jr.
       
         
/s/ BARRY WAITE
 
Director
 
December 8, 2011
Barry Waite
  
 
  
 

 
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