Amtech Reports Q4, Fiscal 2021 Results

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Amtech Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power devices, analog and discrete devices, electronic assemblies and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), today reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial and Operational Highlights: 

• Net revenue of $24.3 million
• Operating income of $1.3 million
• Income from operations, net of tax, of $0.7 million
• Income per diluted share of $0.05
• Customer orders of $34.2 million
• Book to bill ratio of 1.4:1
• Unrestricted cash of $32.8 million

Fiscal 2021 Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net revenue of $85.2 million
• Operating income of $3.7 million
• Income from operations, net of tax, of $1.5 million
• Income per diluted share of $0.11
• Customer orders of $115.4 million
• September 30, 2021 backlog of $44.1 million

Michael Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “Fiscal 2021 was a strong year for Amtech, with over $115 million in bookings and over $85 million in revenue, representing year-over-year growth rates of 84% and 30%, respectively. We are encouraged to see this strength continuing into 2022, with a record backlog of $44.1 million and new quoting activity extending into the second fiscal quarter and beyond. Although industry wide logistics and supply chain challenges are creating near-term headwinds, longer-term growth drivers across our served markets remain healthy.”

Net revenues increased 5% sequentially and 61% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, with the sequential increase primarily attributable to strong shipments of our advanced packaging and SMT equipment and increased shipments of our polishing machines. The prior year period was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relative to last quarter, gross margin decreased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 primarily due to a less favorable product mix. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased compared to prior year due to product mix and increased capacity utilization, partially offset by rising labor and material costs.

Selling, General & Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased $0.7 million on a sequential basis. Adjusting for cyber incident expenses of $1.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and the partial insurance reimbursement for this incident ($0.4 million) in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021, SG&A increased sequentially by $0.8 million due primarily to increased consulting, shipping and logistics costs. SG&A increased $1.3 million compared to the prior year period due primarily to SG&A from the acquisition of Intersurface Dynamics in fiscal 2021, as well as increased travel and consulting expenses.

Research, Development and Engineering decreased $0.2 million sequentially and increased $0.5 million compared to the same prior year period due primarily to the timing of materials used in our strategic R&D projects.

Operating income was $1.3 million, compared to operating income of $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and an operating loss of $1.2 million in the same prior year period.

Income tax provision was $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to a provision of $0.7 million in the preceding quarter and $0.5 million in the same prior year period.

Income from operations, net of tax, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $0.7 million, or 5 cents per share. This compares to a loss from operations of $2.0 million, or 14 cent per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and income of $0.4 million, or 3 cent per share, in the preceding quarter.

Outlook

The Company’s outlook reflects the anticipated ongoing logistical impacts and the related delays for goods shipped to and from China. Actual results may differ materially in the weeks and months ahead. Additionally, the semiconductor equipment industries can be cyclical and inherently impacted by changes in market demand. Operating results can be significantly impacted, positively or negatively, by the timing of orders, system shipments, and the financial results of semiconductor manufacturers.

For the first fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2021, revenues are expected to be in the range of $24 to $27 million. Gross margin for the quarter ending December 31, 2021 is expected to be approximately 40% due to a more favorable product mix, with operating margin in the mid to upper single digits.

A portion of Amtech's results is denominated in Renminbis, a Chinese currency. The outlook provided in this press release is based on an assumed exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Renminbi. Changes in the value of the Renminbi in relation to the United States Dollar could cause actual results to differ from expectations.