UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

(Mark One)

 

 

 

ý

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20052006

OR

o

 

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

 

For the transition period from       to       .

 

Commission file number 0-16244

 


VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

11-2989601

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

100 Sunnyside Boulevard, Suite B

 

 

100 Sunnyside Boulevard, Suite B
Woodbury, New York

1179711797-2902

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

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

 

Website: www.veeco.com

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrantRegistrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of  accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer ý

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filera shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):. Yes ýo No oý

 

29,858,41730,249,315 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding as of the close of business on April 26, 2005.28, 2006.

 

 



 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may be found in Items 2 and 3 hereof, as well as within this Report generally. In addition, when used in this Report, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Factors that may cause these differencesThese risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:without limitation, the following:

 

                                          The cyclicality of the microelectronics industries we serve directly affects our business.

                                          We operate in a highly competitivean industry characterized by rapid technological change.

                                          We face significant competition.

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

                                          Our quarterly operating results fluctuate significantly.

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

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

                       We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.

                       Our success depends on protection of our intellectual property rights. We may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement by others.

We face securities class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits which could result in substantial costs, diversion of management’s attention and resources and negative publicity.

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

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

We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.

We are subject to foreign currency exchange risks.

Our success depends on protection of our intellectual property rights.

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

We rely on a limited number of suppliers.

                                          Our outsourcing strategy could adversely affect our results of operations.

Changes in accounting standards for stock-based compensation may adversely affect our stock price and our ability to attract, motivate and retain key employees.

The implementation of a new information technology system may disrupt our operations.

We may not obtain sufficient affordable funds to finance our future needs.

                                          We are subject to risks of non-compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

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

                                          The other matters discussed under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this Report and in Veeco Instruments Inc. (the “Company’s”)the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.2005 of Veeco Instruments Inc. (“Veeco” or the “Company”).

 

2



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

 

Available Information

 

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

 

Internet Address

 

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

 

23



 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20052006 and 20042005

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20052006 and December 31, 20042005

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20052006 and 20042005

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Item 2.

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

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative DisclosureDisclosures About Market Risk

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

34



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

93,850

 

$

90,863

 

Cost of sales

 

56,318

 

54,065

 

Gross profit

 

37,532

 

36,798

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

20,171

 

19,890

 

Research and development expense

 

14,824

 

14,027

 

Amortization expense

 

4,490

 

4,896

 

Other income, net

 

(98

)

(286

)

Total operating expenses

 

39,387

 

38,527

 

Operating loss

 

(1,855

)

(1,729

)

Interest expense, net

 

2,146

 

2,199

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(4,001

)

(3,928

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

701

 

(1,218

)

Net loss

 

$

(4,702

)

$

(2,710

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share

 

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.09

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.09

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

29,855

 

29,569

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

29,855

 

29,569

 

See accompanying notes.

4



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

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

100,676

 

$

100,276

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,866 in 2005 and $2,420 in 2004

 

72,703

 

85,914

 

Inventories

 

106,150

 

110,643

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

7,603

 

9,039

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,931

 

3,096

 

Total current assets

 

290,063

 

308,968

 

Property, plant and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $70,077 in 2005 and $67,565 in 2004

 

70,563

 

73,513

 

Goodwill

 

94,636

 

94,645

 

Purchased technology, less accumulated amortization of $42,476 in 2005 and $39,181 in 2004

 

65,292

 

68,587

 

Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $20,897 in 2005 and $19,702 in 2004

 

24,398

 

25,007

 

Long-term investments

 

3,559

 

3,541

 

Other assets

 

3,159

 

2,652

 

Total assets

 

$

551,670

 

$

576,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

23,599

 

$

25,476

 

Accrued expenses

 

45,367

 

63,438

 

Deferred profit

 

2,289

 

1,196

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,532

 

1,702

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

359

 

354

 

Total current liabilities

 

73,146

 

92,166

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

229,489

 

229,581

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

2,824

 

2,814

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

246,211

 

252,352

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

551,670

 

$

576,913

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

93,918

 

$

93,850

 

Cost of sales

 

52,149

 

56,318

 

Gross profit

 

41,769

 

37,532

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

21,330

 

20,171

 

Research and development expense

 

14,586

 

14,824

 

Amortization expense

 

4,015

 

4,490

 

Other expense (income), net

 

199

 

(98

)

Total operating expenses

 

40,130

 

39,387

 

Operating income (loss)

 

1,639

 

(1,855

)

Interest expense, net

 

1,378

 

2,146

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(330

)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

591

 

(4,001

)

Income tax provision

 

833

 

701

 

Net loss

 

$

(242

)

$

(4,702

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

30,081

 

29,855

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

5



 

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

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

113,539

 

$

124,499

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,303 in 2006 and $1,860 in 2005

 

78,680

 

89,230

 

Inventories

 

92,069

 

88,904

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

10,929

 

9,640

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,057

 

2,870

 

Total current assets

 

298,274

 

315,143

 

Property, plant and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $80,664 in 2006 and $77,954 in 2005

 

69,784

 

69,806

 

Goodwill

 

99,622

 

99,622

 

Purchased technology, less accumulated amortization of $55,165 in 2006 and $51,992 in 2005

 

52,603

 

55,776

 

Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $23,386 in 2006 and $22,274 in 2005

 

21,376

 

22,413

 

Other assets

 

5,311

 

5,100

 

Total assets

 

$

546,970

 

$

567,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

34,078

 

$

31,289

 

Accrued expenses

 

45,637

 

51,169

 

Deferred profit

 

305

 

537

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,411

 

2,123

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

381

 

375

 

Total current liabilities

 

81,812

 

85,493

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,349

 

1,048

 

Long-term debt

 

209,107

 

229,205

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

3,357

 

3,527

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

251,345

 

248,587

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

546,970

 

$

567,860

 

See accompanying notes.

6



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

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,702

)

$

(2,710

)

 

$

(242

)

$

(4,702

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,735

 

8,083

 

 

7,315

 

7,735

 

Deferred income taxes

 

52

 

(2,435

)

 

155

 

52

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(330

)

 

Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock

 

189

 

 

Other

 

3

 

(17

)

 

 

3

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

11,408

 

(2,261

)

 

11,496

 

11,408

 

Inventories

 

5,372

 

(7,784

)

 

(2,797

)

5,372

 

Accounts payable

 

(1,795

)

5,386

 

 

2,761

 

(1,795

)

Accrued expenses, deferred profit and other current liabilities

 

(1,815

)

4,227

 

 

(4,716

)

(1,815

)

Other, net

 

(1,874

)

1,318

 

 

(1,677

)

(1,874

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

14,384

 

3,807

 

 

12,154

 

14,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(1,838

)

(1,408

)

 

(3,475

)

(1,838

)

Payment for net assets of businesses acquired

 

(15,038

)

 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 

5

 

26

 

Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale

 

2,173

 

 

Net purchase of long-term investments

 

(18

)

(85

)

Payments for net assets of businesses acquired

 

(2,012

)

(15,038

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and assets held for sale

 

10

 

2,178

 

Net purchases of investments

 

(39

)

(18

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(14,716

)

(1,467

)

 

(5,516

)

(14,716

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock issuance

 

127

 

2,038

 

 

2,108

 

127

 

Repayment of long-term debt, net

 

(87

)

(82

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

40

 

1,956

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(19,492

)

(87

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(17,384

)

40

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

692

 

705

 

 

(214

)

692

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

400

 

5,001

 

 

(10,960

)

400

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

100,276

 

106,830

 

 

124,499

 

100,276

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

100,676

 

$

111,831

 

 

$

113,539

 

$

100,676

 

 

Non-Cash Items

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004,2006, the Company had non-cash items excluded from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of approximately $1.5$0.5 million, and $0.0 million respectively, which consisted of the transfer of property, plantfixed assets to inventory and equipmentthe write-down of capitalized debt issuance costs related to extinguished debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company had non-cash items of approximately $1.5 million, which consisted of the transfer of fixed assets to inventory.

 

See accompanying notes.

 

67



 

VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principlesU.S. generally accepted in the United Statesaccounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation (consisting of normal recurring accruals) have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.2006. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.2005.

Loss Per Share

 

Net loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.  The effect of approximately 197,000574,000 and 755,000197,000 common equivalent shares for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were anti-dilutive, and 2004, respectively, andtherefore are not included in the weighted average shares outstanding.

In addition, the effect of the assumed conversion of subordinated convertible debentures into approximately 5.2 million and 5.7 million common equivalent shares is antidilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and 2004,respectively, and therefore is not included in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

 

TheStock-Based Compensation

As of March 31, 2006, the Company accountshad four stock option plans, which are described more fully in Note 2. In addition, the Company assumed certain stock option plans and agreements in connection with various acquisitions, as discussed in Note 2. Prior to 2006, the Company accounted for itsthese stock option plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,, and related interpretations.  Nointerpretations and generally, no compensation expense iswas reflected in net loss as all options granted under the stock optionthose plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share ifEffective January 1, 2006, the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions, under which compensation expense would be recognized as incurred, of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share
amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss, as reported

 

$

(4,702

)

$

(2,710

)

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(4,042

)

(2,750

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(8,744

)

$

(5,460

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and diluted net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.09

)

Net loss and diluted net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.19

)

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2004 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

7



Note 2—Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issuedadopted SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  SFAS No. 123(R), supersedes APB Opinion No. 25Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. On April 14, 2005 the Securities and Exchange Commission extended the adoption date of SFAS No. 123(R) to no later than the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005.  Early adoption will be permitted in periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006.

SFAS No. 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

1.               A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

2.               A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS No. 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

The Company has not yet determined whether it will adopt SFAS No. 123(R)was adopted using the modified prospective method orof application, which requires Veeco to recognize compensation expense on a prospective basis. Therefore, prior period financial statements have not been restated. Under this method, in addition to reflecting compensation expense for new share-based awards, expense is also recognized to reflect the modified retrospective method.

As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoptionremaining service period of SFAS No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on the consolidated results of operations, although it will have no impact on the Company’s overall consolidated financial position.  The impact of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments grantedawards that had been included in the future. However, had the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R)pro forma disclosures in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS No. 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net loss and net loss per common share in Note 1 to Veeco’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.periods. SFAS No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under currentprevious accounting literature. This requirement will reducehas the effect of reducing consolidated net operating cash flows and increaseincreasing consolidated net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. WhileFor the Company cannot estimate what those amounts will be in the future (because they depend on, among other things, when employees exercise stock options),three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company did not recognize anany amount of consolidated operatingfinancing cash flows for such excess tax deductionsdeductions.

Total stock-based compensation expense is attributable to the remaining requisite service periods of stock options and restricted common stock awards. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were no new share-based awards granted. The impact of adopting  SFAS No. 123(R) was a charge of $0.1 million or less than $0.01 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards and option awards is $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and the related weighted average period over which it is expected that such unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized is approximately 2.6 years. The impact of future share-based awards will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in 2005 or 2004.the future and, therefore, cannot be predicted at this time.

8



Prior to the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), SFAS No. 123 required that the Company provide pro forma information regarding net loss and loss per share as if compensation cost for the Company’s stock-based awards had been determined in accordance with the fair value method prescribed therein. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions, under which compensation expense would be recognized as incurred, of SFAS No. 123, to stock-based employee compensation.

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2005

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per
share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss, as reported

 

$

(4,702

)

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(4,042

)

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(8,744

)

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(0.16

)

Net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(0.29

)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs- an amendment to ARB No. 43, Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151 clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal,” as previously stated in ARB No. 43. In addition, this Statement requires that the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of this Statement shall beare effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect that the adoption ofadopted this Statement will haveon January 1, 2006 and such adoption did not result in a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

8Note 2—Share-Based Payments

Option Plans

The Company has four stock option plans. The Veeco Instruments Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “2000 Plan”), was approved by the Board of Directors and shareholders in May 2000. The 2000 Plan provides for the grant to officers and key employees of up to 8,530,000 options (2,049,307 options are available for future grants as of March 31, 2006) to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. Stock options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan expire after seven years and generally become exercisable over a three-year period following the grant date. However, grants made under the 2000 Plan between June 17, 2005 and December 23, 2005 became exercisable on or before December 31, 2005, and are subject to a resale restriction which provides that the shares issuable upon exercise of the option may not be transferred prior to the second anniversary of the option grant date. In addition, the 2000 Plan provides for automatic annual grants of restricted stock to each member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is not an employee of the Company. Up to 1,700,000 of the awards authorized under the 2000 Plan may be issued in the form of restricted stock. In October 2005, the Company granted 45,000 shares of restricted common stock, resulting in stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.1 million or ($0.0) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2006. These shares of restricted common stock vest over three years and will result in additional stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million.

The Veeco Instruments Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan for Non-Officer Employees (the “Non-Officer Plan”) was approved by the Board of Directors in October 2000. The Non-Officer Plan provides for the grant of stock options to non-officer employees to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. Stock options granted pursuant to the Non-Officer Plan become exercisable over a three-year period following the grant date and expire after seven years.

The Veeco Instruments Inc. Amended and Restated 1992 Employees’ Stock Option Plan (the “1992 Plan”) provides for the grant to officers and key employees of stock options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. Stock options granted pursuant to the 1992 Plan become exercisable over a three-year period following the grant date and expire after ten years.

9



The Veeco Instruments Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, as amended, (the “Directors’ Option Plan”), provides for automatic annual grants of stock options to each member of the Board of Directors of the Company who is not an employee of the Company. Such options are exercisable immediately and expire after ten years.

The Non-Officer Plan, the 1992 Plan and the Directors’ Option Plan have been frozen; and, thus, there are no options available for future grant as of March 31, 2006 under these plans.

In addition to the four plans, the Company assumed certain stock option plans and agreements relating to the merger in September 2001with Applied Epi, Inc. (“Applied Epi”). These stock option plans do not have options available for future grants and expire after ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under two of the plans vested over three years and options granted under one of the plans vested immediately. As of March 31, 2006, there are 208,093 options outstanding under the various Applied Epi plans. In addition, Veeco assumed certain warrants related to Applied Epi, which were in effect prior to the merger with Veeco. These warrants expired in February 2006. In May 2000, the Company assumed certain stock option plans and agreements related to CVC, Inc. and Commonwealth Scientific Corporation, a subsidiary of CVC, Inc., which were in effect prior to the merger with Veeco. These plans do not have options available for future grants, the options granted thereunder generally vested over a three-to-five year period and expire five to ten years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2006, there are 9,438 options outstanding under the various CVC, Inc. and Commonwealth Scientific Corporation plans.

With the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company is required to record the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as an expense. In order to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant, the Company applies the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Inherent in the model are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. While the risk-free interest rate and dividend yield are less subjective assumptions, typically based on factual data derived from public sources, the expected stock-price volatility and option life assumptions require a level of judgment which make them critical accounting estimates.

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were no new options granted. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company used an expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both historical and implied volatilities of the underlying stock, which are obtained from public data sources. Prior to that time, the Company based this assumption solely on historical volatility.

With regard to the weighted-average option life assumption, the Company considers the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.

The fair value of each option grant that was unvested as of January 1, 2006, was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

Weighted-average expected stock-price volatility

60

%

Weighted-average expected option life

4 years

Average risk-free interest rate

3.64

%

Average dividend yield

0

%

A summary of the Company’s stock option plans as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is presented below:

 

 

Shares
(000’s)

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(000s)

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

(in years)

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

7,834

 

$

24.81

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(119

)

17.71

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited (including cancelled options)

 

(210

)

24.65

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

 

7,505

 

$

24.92

 

$

21,430

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at March 31, 2006

 

7,341

 

$

25.11

 

$

20,319

 

3.7

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $7.39. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

10



The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2006:

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Number
Outstanding at
March 31, 2006
(000’s)

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

(in years)

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number
Outstanding at
March 31, 2006
(000’s)

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

$ 0.27

 

104

 

4.8

 

$

0.27

 

104

 

$

0.27

 

8.59-12.11

 

21

 

2.2

 

10.55

 

21

 

10.55

 

13.10-19.54

 

1,927

 

5.0

 

15.99

 

1,792

 

16.03

 

19.77-29.50

 

3,159

 

4.0

 

22.27

 

3,130

 

22.27

 

29.69-43.75

 

2,109

 

2.2

 

36.10

 

2,109

 

36.10

 

46.50-67.45

 

183

 

3.2

 

51.21

 

183

 

51.21

 

70.93-72.00

 

2

 

4.2

 

71.51

 

2

 

71.51

 

 

 

7,505

 

3.7

 

$

24.92

 

7,341

 

$

25.11

 

On April 12, 2005, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the acceleration of vesting for unvested, out-of-the-money stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans prior to September 1, 2004.  An option was considered out-of-the-money if the option exercise price was greater than the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ National Market on April 11, 2005 ($15.26), the last trading day before the Committee approved the acceleration.  As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 2,522,000 shares of the Company’s common stock became immediately exercisable, including options held by the Company’s executive officers to purchase approximately 852,000 shares of common stock.  The weighted average exercise price of the options for which vesting was accelerated was $21.24.

The purpose of the accelerated vesting was to avoid future compensation expense associated with these options that the Company would otherwise recognize in its Consolidated Statements of Operations upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) (see Note 1). In addition, many of these options had exercise prices significantly in excess of current market values and were not providing an effective means of employee retention and incentive compensation.  Based on the Company’s implementation date for SFAS No. 123(R) of January 1, 2006, the Company will not incur future compensation expense of approximately $7.9 million in 2006 and $3.6 million in 2007.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Veeco Instruments Inc. Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESP Plan”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock to its full-time domestic employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate. Under the terms of the ESP Plan, employees can choose to have up to 10% of their annual base earnings withheld to purchase the Company’s common stock. The purchase price of the stock as of December 31, 2005 was 95% of the end-of-offering period market price and qualifies as a noncompensatory employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

As of March 31, 2006, the Company has reserved the following shares for future issuance related to:

Issuance upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock

9,553,819

Issuance upon conversion of subordinated debt

5,193,456

Issuance of shares pursuant to the ESP Plan

1,457,955

Total shares reserved

16,205,230

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors of the Company has authority under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to issue shares of preferred stock with voting and economic rights to be determined by the Board or Directors.

11



 

Note 3—Balance Sheet Information

 

Inventories

 

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

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

54,560

 

$

52,301

 

Work-in-progress

 

33,392

 

35,004

 

Finished goods

 

18,198

 

23,338

 

 

 

$

106,150

 

$

110,643

 

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

47,281

 

$

45,357

 

Work in progress

 

31,894

 

33,307

 

Finished goods

 

12,894

 

10,240

 

 

 

$

92,069

 

$

88,904

 

 

Accrued WarrantiesWarranty

 

The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under the warranty it provides and recordsrecognizes a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the related revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include product failure rates, material usage and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recordedrecognized warranty liability and adjusts the amount as necessary. Changes in the Company’s warranty liability during the period are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1

 

$

6,771

 

$

3,904

 

 

$

6,671

 

$

6,771

 

Warranties issued during the period

 

1,693

 

1,349

 

 

1,637

 

1,693

 

Settlements made during the period

 

(1,973

)

(838

)

 

(1,786

)

(1,973

)

Balance as of March 31

 

$

6,491

 

$

4,415

 

 

$

6,522

 

$

6,491

 

 

Note 4—Segment Information

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company changed its management structure in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. The Company currently manages the business, reviews operating results and assesses performance, as well as allocates resources, based upon threetwo separate reporting segments. The firstCompany merged the former Ion Beam and Mechanical Process Equipment segment called “ion beam and mechanical process equipment,”the Epitaxial Process Equipment segment into one reporting segment. The new Process Equipment segment combines the etch, deposition, and dicing and slicing products sold mostly to data storage customers. This segment includescustomers and the production facilities in Plainview, New York, Ft. Collins, Coloradomolecular beam epitaxy and Camarillo and Ventura, California. The second segment, called “epitaxial process equipment,” includes the Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Depositionmetal organic chemical vapor deposition products primarily sold to high brightness light emitting diode and wireless telecommunications customers. This segment includes the production facilities in Plainview, New York, Ft. Collins, Colorado, Camarillo, California, St. Paul, Minnesota and Somerset, New Jersey. The thirdMetrology segment called “metrology”remains unchanged and represents equipment that is used to provide critical surface measurements on products such as semiconductor devices and thin film magnetic heads and includes Veeco’s broad line of atomic force microscopes, optical interferometers and stylus profilers sold to semiconductor customers, data storage customers and thousands of research facilities and scientific centers. This segment includes the production facilities in Santa Barbara, California and Tucson, Arizona. Accordingly, the Company has restated segment information for the prior period presented.

 

9The Company evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on income or loss from operations before interest, income taxes and amortization (“EBITA”). The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Costs excluded from segment profit primarily consist of interest, amortization, income taxes, corporate expenses, as well as other unusual charges for purchased in-process technology, restructuring and asset impairment charges and merger-related costs. Corporate expenses are comprised primarily of general and administrative expenses.

12



 

The following representstables present certain data pertaining to the reportable product segments of the Company asand a reconciliation of andEBITA to (loss) income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and 2004, in thousands:goodwill and total assets as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Ion Beam
and
Mechanical
Process
Equipment

 

Epitaxial Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

27,839

 

$

22,523

 

$

43,488

 

$

 

$

93,850

 

(Loss) income from operations before interest, taxes and amortization

 

(755

)

(1,947

)

7,762

 

(2,425

)

2,635

 

Total assets

 

170,495

 

135,750

 

134,014

 

111,411

 

551,670

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

35,348

 

13,957

 

41,558

 

 

90,863

 

Income (loss) from operations before interest, taxes and amortization

 

1,799

 

(2,813

)

6,062

 

(1,881

)

3,167

 

Total assets

 

$

186,283

 

$

122,982

 

$

130,083

 

$

166,777

 

$

606,125

 

 

 

Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

53,191

 

$

40,727

 

$

 

$

93,918

 

Income (loss) before interest, taxes, amortization and certain charges (EBITA)

 

1,876

 

5,612

 

(1,834

)

5,654

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

1,378

 

1,378

 

Amortization expense

 

3,288

 

454

 

273

 

4,015

 

Other items

 

 

 

(330

)

(330

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(1,412

)

5,158

 

(3,155

)

591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

50,362

 

43,488

 

 

93,850

 

(Loss) income before interest, taxes, amortization and certain charges (EBITA)

 

(2,702

)

7,762

 

(2,425

)

2,635

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

2,146

 

2,146

 

Amortization expense

 

3,594

 

581

 

315

 

4,490

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

(6,296

)

7,181

 

(4,886

)

(4,001

)

 

 

Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate
Amount

 

Total

 

As of March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

70,254

 

$

29,368

 

$

 

$

99,622

 

Total assets

 

289,079

 

134,086

 

123,805

 

546,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

70,254

 

29,368

 

 

99,622

 

Total assets

 

300,617

 

132,928

 

134,315

 

567,860

 

 

Corporate total assets are comprised principally of cash at March 31, 2005 and cash and deferred tax assets at March 31, 2004.

The following table outlines the components of goodwill by business segment at March 31, 20052006 and December 31, 2004 (in thousands):2005.

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ion Beam and Mechanical Process Equipment

 

$

27,276

 

$

27,276

 

Epitaxial Process Equipment

 

39,141

 

39,091

 

Metrology

 

28,219

 

28,278

 

Total

 

$

94,636

 

$

94,645

 

 

Note 5—Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss)

 

TheTotal comprehensive income (loss) was $0.5 million and ($6.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, the Company’s comprehensive lossincome (loss) is comprised of net loss adjusted forand foreign currency translation adjustments, the change in the fair value of forward currency contracts, and the change in the minimum pension liability.adjustments. The Company had no other sources affecting comprehensive loss.  Theincome (loss) during these periods.

Note 6—Other Matters

As of March 31, 2006, the Company had total comprehensive losshas outstanding $200.0 million of $6.3 million and $2.1 million for4.125% convertible subordinated notes. During the three months ended March 31, 20052006, the Company repurchased $20.0 million of its notes, reducing the amount outstanding from $220.0 million to $200.0 million. The repurchase amount was $19.5 million in cash, of which $19.4 million related to principal and 2004, respectively.

Note 6—Restructuring

2004 Merger and Restructuring Charges

$0.1 million related to accrued interest. As a result of the acquisition of MTI and the resulting plan of consolidation of the two facilities in Ventura and Camarillo, California, certain long lived assets of Aii were classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2004. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, these long lived assets are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.  Fair value was determined byrepurchase, the Company based uponrecorded a gain from the actual sale proceeds, which were received in February 2005 and April 2005. Approximately $0.8 million and $2.2 millionearly extinguishment of fixed assets held for sale are included in prepaid expenses and other current assetsdebt in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.amount of $0.6 million, offset by a $0.3 million proportionate reduction in the related deferred financing costs for a net gain of $0.3 million.

13



 

In conjunction with thea cost reduction plan announced by the Company in October 2004 to reduce employment levels by 10% in 2005, the Company recordedrecognized a restructuring and other expensescharge of approximately $3.6$1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.2005. The $3.6$1.2 million charge consisted of $2.8 million of personnel severance costs and $0.8 million accrual for costs related to the internal investigation of improper accounting transactions at its TurboDisc business unit.

10



The $2.8 million charge for personnel costs includes severance related costs for approximately 10737 employees which included management, administration and manufacturing employees located at the Company’s Plainview, New York, and Camarillo, California, ion beam and mechanical process equipment operations, the Somerset, New Jersey Process Equipment operations and St. Paul, Minnesota epitaxial process equipment operations, the Santa Barbara, California and Tucson, Arizona metrology facilities, the sales and service offices located in France, England and Singapore, and the corporate offices in Woodbury, New York.Metrology operations. As of March 31, 2005,2006, approximately $1.9$0.7 million has been paid and approximately $0.9$0.5 million remains accrued.in accrued expenses. The remainder is expected to be paid by the fourth quarter of 2005.

The $0.8 million charge for costs related to the internal investigation of improper accounting transactions at the Company’s TurboDisc business unit include accounting, legal and other auditing fees performed by external consultants who assisted with the investigation. As of March 31, 2005, $0.7 million remained accrued and will be paid by the second quarter of 2005.2006.

 

A reconciliation of the liability for the 2005 restructuring and other charges during 2004charge for severance and investigation costs is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Ion Beam and
Mechanical
Process
Equipment

 

Epitaxial
Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate

 

Total

 

Charged to accrual

 

$

1.0

 

$

0.4

 

$

0.4

 

$

1.8

 

$

3.6

 

Cash payments during 2004

 

0.3

 

 

0.1

 

0.3

 

0.7

 

Cash payments during the three months ended March 31, 2005

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

1.3

 

Balance as of March 31, 2005

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.1

 

$

 

$

1.2

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

Process
Equipment

 

Metrology

 

Unallocated
Corporate

 

Total

 

Charged to accrual

 

$

0.8

 

$

0.4

 

$

 

$

1.2

 

Cash payments during 2005

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

 

0.3

 

Balance as of December 31, 2005

 

0.6

 

0.3

 

 

0.9

 

Cash payments during the three months ended March 31, 2006

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

 

0.4

 

Balance as of March 31, 2006

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.2

 

$

 

$

0.5

 

 

Note 7—Subsequent EventsEvent and Related Party Transaction

 

On April 12, 2005, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”)In May 2006, Veeco invested $0.5 million to purchase 19.9% of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the acceleration of vesting of unvested, out-of-the-money stock options granted prior to September 1, 2004 under Veeco’s stock option plans.  An option was considered “out-of-the-money” if the option exercise price was greater than the closing price of Veeco’s common stock onof Fluens Corporation (“Fluens”).  Approximately 31% of Fluens is owned by a Vice President and General Manager of Veeco.  Veeco and Fluens plan to jointly develop a next-generation process for high-rate deposition of aluminum oxide for data storage applications.  If this development is successful and upon the NASDAQ National Market on April 11, 2005 ($15.26),satisfaction of certain additional conditions, Veeco will be obligated to buy the last trading day before the Committee approved the acceleration.  As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 2,549,000 shares of Veeco’s common stock became immediately exercisable, including options held by Veeco’s executive officers to purchase approximately 852,000 shares.  The weighted average exercise pricebalance of the options accelerated was $21.25.outstanding stock of Fluens for $3.0 million plus an earn-out.  In April 2006, Veeco issued a $0.8 million purchase order to Fluens for a reactive sputtering deposition system.  Veeco had advanced approximately $0.1 million against this purchase order in March 2006.

The purpose of the accelerated vesting is to eliminate future compensation expense that Veeco would otherwise recognize in its statement of operations with respect to these accelerated options upon the adoption by Veeco of SFAS 123(R).  In addition, because many of these options have exercise prices significantly in excess of current market values, they were not providing an effective means of employee retention and incentive compensation.  The future compensation expense that will be avoided, based on Veeco’s implementation date for SFAS 123R of January 1, 2006, is approximately $8.4 million in 2006 and $3.9 million in 2007.

1114



 

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

Executive Summary:

 

Veeco designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment primarily used by manufacturers in the data storage, scientific and industrial research, semiconductor, high brightnesshigh-brightness light emitting diode (“HB-LED”) and wireless telecommunications industries. These industries help create a wide range of information age products such as computer integrated circuits, personal computers, hard disk drives, network servers, digital cameras, wireless phones, TV set-top boxes, personal music/video players and personal digital assistants. Our broad line of products features leading edge technology and allows customers to improve time-to-market of their next generation products. Veeco’s products are also enableenabling advancements in the growing fieldfields of nanoscience, nanobiology and other areas of scientific and industrial research. Our process equipment products precisely deposit or remove (etch) various materials in the manufacturing of advanced thin film magnetic heads (“TFMHs”) for the data storage industry and HB-LED and wireless telecommunications industries.

The Company currently manages the business, reviews operating results and assesses performance, as well as allocates resources, based upon threetwo separate reporting segments. As of January 1, 2006, the Company merged the former Ion Beam and Mechanical Process Equipment segment and the Epitaxial Process Equipment segment into one reporting segment. The firstnew Process Equipment segment called “ion beam and mechanical process equipment” combines the etch, deposition, and dicing and slicing products sold mostly to data storage customers.  The second segment, called “epitaxial process equipment,” includescustomers and the Molecular Beam Epitaxymolecular beam epitaxy (“MBE”) and Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Depositionmetal organic chemical vapor deposition (“MOCVD”) products primarily sold to HB-LED and wireless telecommunications customers. The thirdMetrology segment “metrology”,remains unchanged and represents equipment that is used to provide critical surface measurements on products such as semiconductor devices and TFMHs,thin film magnetic heads and includes ourVeeco’s broad line of atomic force microscopes (“AFMs”), optical interferometers and stylus profilers sold to semiconductor customers, data storage customers and thousands of research facilities and scientific centers. This equipment allows customers to monitor their products throughout the manufacturing process in order to improve yields, reduce costs and improve product quality. Our metrology solutions are also key research instruments used by many universities, scientific laboratories and industrial applications.

 

During the past several years, we have strengthened our product lines through strategic acquisitions.  In our metrology business, in June 2003, we purchased the atomic force microscope probe business from Nanodevices Inc. (“Nanodevices”) for approximately $6.0 million, including transaction costs, plus a potential future earn-out payment of up to $4.0 million based on the achievement of certain operating measures.  Through the end of the first quarter of 2005, the Company has made earn-out payments totaling $2.9 million relating to this acquisition.  In our epitaxial process equipment business, in November 2003, we purchased the TurboDisc business from Emcore Corporation (“Emcore”) for approximately $63.7 million, including transaction costs, plus a potential future earn-out payment of up to $20.0 million based on the achievement of certain operating measures.  Through the end of the first quarter of 2005, the Company has made earn-out payments totaling $13.1 million to Emcore. Also in November 2003, in our ion beam and mechanical process equipment business, we acquired the precision bar lapping company, Advanced Imaging, Inc. (“Aii”), for approximately $61.4 million, including transaction costs, plus a potential future earn-out payment of up to $9.0 million based on the achievement of certain operating measures.  To date, the operating measures which trigger the Aii earn-out have not been achieved.  Most recently, in our ion beam and mechanical process equipment business, Veeco expanded its TFMH “slider” technologies to include slicing and dicing processes, which are critical to controlling thin film head fly height, through the purchase of Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (“MTI”) for $9.5 million.  While we believe these acquisitions will be accretive to both sales and profits going forward, gross margin percentages have been historically lower in the process equipment product lines than in the metrology business.  Therefore, Veeco’s gross margin percentages have been adversely affected by lower concentration of metrology sales during 2004 and in early 2005.  Veeco implemented an active plan to improve the gross margins in its Process Equipment product lines during 2005.

We currently maintain manufacturing facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York, with sales and service locations around the world. Each of our products is currently manufactured in only one location, as we believe that the technological know-how and precision needed to make each of our products requires specialized expertise.

 

Highlights of the First Quarter of 2005:2006:

 

                                          Sales were flat at $93.9 million up 3% from $90.9 million incompared with the first quarter of 2004.2005.

                                          Orders were $98.9$126.7 million, down from $117.1 million inup 28% compared to the first quarter of 2004.2005.

                                          Gross margin was 44.5%, up 4.5 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2005.

                                          Net loss of $4.7($0.2) million or ($0.01) per share, compared with a net loss of $2.7($4.7) million or ($0.16) per share in the first quarter of 2004.

                       Cash generation of $0.4 million, despite making earn-out payments totaling $15.0 million relating to acquisitions, compared with cash generation of $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2004.2005.

 

1215



 

Current Business Conditions/Outlook:

In the first quarter of 2005,2006, Veeco reported sales of $93.9 million, a 3% increase from the $90.9 million reported in theflat compared with prior year first quarter of 2004.  Revenuessales. As anticipated, revenues were down sequentially as anticipated from the $103.0$112.8 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2004.  2005, as a result of the Company’s low order rate of $84.6 million during the third quarter of 2005.

Veeco’s first quarter 20052006 bookings of $98.9were $126.7 million, reflected increased demand from ourreflecting double digit market growth in data storage customers who are currently investingand in capacity expansions for consumer micro-drive applications and advanced development programs for next generation TFMHs.  Data storageHB-LED/wireless. First quarter orders increased 26% sequentially to $45.3 million –were the highest quarterly level the Company has experienced in severalfive years. Within the  strong order rate, Veeco’s data storage orders increased 55% from the prior year to a record $70.4 million. Another area of strength was in HB-LED/wireless, which reported orders of $24.3 million, up 74% from the prior year. The strong first quarter 2006 order rate reflects market growth in embedded storage for consumer electronic applications, the hard drive industry’s investment in capacity requirements as well as technology changes such as perpendicular recording, and the beginning of HB-LED backlighting for emerging applications such as flat panel televisions.

 

In 2006, Veeco implemented an active plan to improve the Company’s profitability in 2005.  This plan is based both on headcount reductions which were taken in the fourth quarter of 2004,continuing its strategy for growth as well as aits focus on improving profitability and gross margin performance. For the remainder of 2006, the Company currently anticipates positive market conditions across core markets (data storage, HB-LED/wireless, semiconductor and scientific research), which, combined with significant new product mix expectationintroductions expected from both the Process Equipment and Metrology business units, should provide an opportunity for 2005revenue growth. Veeco has forecasted that revenues that should leadwill grow 8-10% in 2006 to $440-$450 million. In addition, consumer spending on many types of electronics has increased gross margins.and various worldwide regions, such as the Asia Pacific region, are experiencing growth. The Company currently expects higher 2005 revenues in data storage products, lower 2005 revenues in epitaxial equipment productsreviews a number of indicators to predict the strength of its markets going forward. These include plant utilization trends, capacity requirements and stability in its metrology revenues as compared to 2004.  This revenue mix as well as other planned actions are expected to result in increased gross margins for each subsequent quartercapital spending trends. At the beginning of 2005 and for the year as a whole compared with 2004.

2006, many of these trends appear positive.

Technology changes are continuing in all of Veeco’s markets: the continued rampincrease of 80 GB hard drives and investment in 120 GB hard drives in data storage and investmentsstorage; the increased use of “mini” drives in next generation drives (120GB);consumer electronic applications; the increased use of Veeco’s automated AFMs for sub 13065 nanometer and below semiconductor applications; the opportunity for Veeco’s MOCVD and MBE systemsproducts to further penetrate the emerging wireless and HB-LED and wireless markets; andmarkets. Veeco believes that these changes, together with the continued funding of nanoscience research, whichwill prompt our customers to seek our next-generation solutions to address their manufacturing and technology challenges.

The Company’s goal is one driver of Veeco’s scientific research business.  While Veeco’s customers remain cautious regarding capital spending, they are also placing orders for Veecoto continue to increase gross margins in 2006, with improvements in both Process Equipment and MetrologyMetrology. Veeco has forecasted that gross margins will increase three percentage points from 42% in 2005 to approximately 45% in 2006. Veeco anticipates that progress in this area will continue to come from the introduction of new products that enable their next generation products.  Veeco remains well positioned to provide leadership technologies for growth applications in semiconductor, data storage, HB-LED/wireless and scientific research.

Recent Events:

Internal Accounting Investigation; Restatement of 2004 Financial Results

On February 11, 2005, Veeco announced the postponement of the release of audited results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004, pending completion of an internal investigation of improper accounting transactions at its TurboDisc business unit. Veeco acquired the assets of TurboDisc in November 2003. The investigation focused principally on the value of inventory, accounts payable and certain liabilities,with higher gross margins, as well as certain revenue transactionsactivities such as better supply chain management, including outsourcing of TurboDisc. The investigation was commenced after Veeco’s internal audit staffnew products and corporate financial management discovered improper accounting transactions in the coursedevelopment of a Veeco internal auditcommon hardware and transitioning the business to Veeco’s SAP accounting system during the fourth quarter of 2004. The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors supervised the accounting investigation and authorized Veeco’s outside counsel, Kaye Scholer LLP, to hire Jefferson Wells International to perform forensics and accounting reconstruction work as part of the investigation. The investigation has been completed. The investigation concluded that the improper accounting entries were made by a single individual at TurboDisc whose employment had been terminated prior to the commencement of the investigation, and that there was no evidence found of embezzlement or diversion of corporate assets.software platforms.

 

The results of the investigation led to the restatement of financial statements previously issued for the first three quarterly periods of 2004 and related six and nine month periods ended June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2004. The cumulative restatement included a $10.2 million adjustment to pre-tax earnings, comprised of $8.1 million in adjustments relating to inventory, accruals and accounts payable and $2.1 million in adjustments relating to revenue recognition issues. Veeco has made a number of personnel changes to strengthen the management of the epitaxial process equipment group and the TurboDisc business unit since the discovery of the accounting issues that gave rise to the investigation, including the replacement of the General Manager of the epitaxial process equipment group, creation of the positions of General Manager of the TurboDisc business unit, General Manager of the St. Paul business unit, Group Controller of the epitaxial process equipment group and the appointment of a new controller of the TurboDisc business unit.

1316



 

Results of Operations:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 20052006 and 20042005

 

The following tables show selected items of Veeco’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, percentages of sales and comparisons between the three months ended March 31, 20052006 and 20042005 and the analysis of sales and orders for the same periods between our segments, industriesby segment, industry and regions (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months ended
March 31,

 

Dollar
Inc/(Dec)

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Year to year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

93,850

 

100.0

%

$

90,863

 

100.0

%

$

2,987

 

Cost of sales

 

56,318

 

60.0

 

54,065

 

59.5

 

2,253

 

Gross profit

 

37,532

 

40.0

 

36,798

 

40.5

 

734

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

20,171

 

21.5

 

19,890

 

21.9

 

281

 

Research and development expense

 

14,824

 

15.8

 

14,027

 

15.4

 

797

 

Amortization expense

 

4,490

 

4.8

 

4,896

 

5.4

 

(406

)

Other income, net

 

(98

)

(0.1

)

(286

)

(0.3

)

188

 

Total operating expenses

 

39,387

 

42.0

 

38,527

 

42.4

 

860

 

Operating loss

 

(1,855

)

(2.0

)

(1,729

)

(1.9

)

(126

)

Interest expense, net

 

2,146

 

2.3

 

2,199

 

2.4

 

(53

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(4,001

)

(4.3

)

(3,928

)

(4.3

)

(73

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

701

 

0.7

 

(1,218

)

(1.3

)

1,919

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,702

)

(5.0

)%

$

(2,710

)

(3.0

)%

$

(1,992

)

 

 

 

Sales

 

Orders

 

Book to Bill
Ratio

 

 

 

Three Months ended
March 31,

 

Dollar and Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
Year to Year

 

Three Months ended
March 31,

 

Dollar and Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
Year to Year

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ion Beam and Mechanical Process Equipment

 

$

27,839

 

$

35,348

 

$

(7,509

)

(21.2

)%

$

41,797

 

$

47,268

 

$

(5,471

)

(11.6

)%

1.50

 

1.34

 

Epitaxial Process Equipment

 

22,523

 

13,957

 

8,566

 

61.4

 

13,628

 

37,900

 

(24,272

)

(64.0

)

0.61

 

2.72

 

Metrology

 

43,488

 

41,558

 

1,930

 

4.6

 

43,512

 

31,893

 

11,619

 

36.4

 

1.00

 

0.77

 

Total

 

$

93,850

 

$

90,863

 

$

2,987

 

3.3

%

$

98,937

 

$

117,061

 

$

(18,124

)

(15.5

)%

1.05

 

1.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Storage

 

$

25,615

 

$

31,456

 

$

(5,841

)

(18.6

)%

$

45,303

 

$

44,948

 

$

355

 

0.8

%

1.77

 

1.43

 

HB-LED/wireless

 

22,304

 

17,030

 

5,274

 

31.0

 

13,967

 

38,981

 

(25,014

)

(64.2

)

0.63

 

2.29

 

Semiconductor

 

17,354

 

13,304

 

4,050

 

30.4

 

14,428

 

10,063

 

4,365

 

43.4

 

0.83

 

0.76

 

Research and Industrial

 

28,577

 

29,073

 

(496

)

(1.7

)

25,239

 

23,069

 

2,170

 

9.4

 

0.88

 

0.79

 

Total

 

$

93,850

 

$

90,863

 

2,987

 

3.3

%

$

98,937

 

$

117,061

 

$

(18,124

)

(15.5

)%

1.05

 

1.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US

 

$

32,760

 

$

30,835

 

$

1,925

 

6.2

%

$

37,264

 

$

44,073

 

$

(6,809

)

(15.4

)%

1.14

 

1.43

 

Europe

 

21,194

 

13,521

 

7,673

 

56.7

 

9,974

 

12,807

 

(2,833

)

(22.1

)

0.47

 

0.95

 

Japan

 

14,215

 

19,136

 

(4,921

)

(25.7

)

17,351

 

16,525

 

826

 

5.0

 

1.22

 

0.86

 

Asia-Pacific

 

25,681

 

27,371

 

(1,690

)

(6.2

)

34,348

 

43,656

 

(9,308

)

(21.3

)

1.34

 

1.59

 

Total

 

$

93,850

 

$

90,863

 

$

2,987

 

3.3

%

$

98,937

 

$

117,061

 

$

(18,124

)

(15.5

)%

1.05

 

1.29

 

 

 

Three Months ended

 

Dollar

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Change

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Year to Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

93,918

 

100.0

%

$

93,850

 

100.0

%

$

68

 

Cost of sales

 

52,149

 

55.5

 

56,318

 

60.0

 

(4,169

)

Gross profit

 

41,769

 

44.5

 

37,532

 

40.0

 

4,237

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

21,330

 

22.7

 

20,171

 

21.5

 

1,159

 

Research and development expense

 

14,586

 

15.5

 

14,824

 

15.8

 

(238

)

Amortization expense

 

4,015

 

4.3

 

4,490

 

4.8

 

(475

)

Other expense (income), net

 

199

 

0.2

 

(98

)

(0.1

)

297

 

Total operating expenses

 

40,130

 

42.7

 

39,387

 

42.0

 

743

 

Operating income (loss)

 

1,639

 

1.8

 

(1,855

)

(2.0

)

3,494

 

Interest expense, net

 

1,378

 

1.5

 

2,146

 

2.3

 

(768

)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

(330

)

(0.3

)

 

 

(330

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

591

 

0.6

 

(4,001

)

(4.3

)

4,592

 

Income tax provision

 

833

 

0.9

 

701

 

0.7

 

132

 

Net loss

 

$

(242

)

(0.3

)%

$

(4,702

)

(5.0

)%

$

4,460

 

 

 

Sales

 

Orders

 

Book to Bill
Ratio

 

 

 

Three Months ended
March 31,

 

Dollar and Percentage 
Change
Year to Year

 

Three Months ended
March 31,

 

Dollar and Percentage
Change
Year to Year

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process Equipment

 

$

53,191

 

$

50,362

 

$

2,829

 

5.6

%

$

83,493

 

$

55,425

 

$

28,068

 

50.6

%

1.57

 

1.10

 

Metrology

 

40,727

 

43,488

 

(2,761

)

(6.3

)

43,201

 

43,512

 

(311

)

(0.7

)

1.06

 

1.00

 

Total

 

$

93,918

 

$

93,850

 

$

68

 

0.1

%

$

126,694

 

$

98,937

 

$

27,757

 

28.1

%

1.35

 

1.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Storage

 

$

40,083

 

$

25,615

 

$

14,468

 

56.5

%

$

70,386

 

$

45,303

 

$

25,083

 

55.4

%

1.76

 

1.77

 

HB-LED/wireless

 

15,096

 

22,304

 

(7,208

)

(32.3

)

24,327

 

13,967

 

10,360

 

74.2

 

1.61

 

0.63

 

Semiconductor

 

11,309

 

17,354

 

(6,045

)

(34.8

)

10,098

 

14,428

 

(4,330

)

(30.0

)

0.89

 

0.83

 

Research and Industrial

 

27,430

 

28,577

 

(1,147

)

(4.0

)

21,883

 

25,239

 

(3,356

)

(13.3

)

0.80

 

0.88

 

Total

 

$

93,918

 

$

93,850

 

68

 

0.1

%

$

126,694

 

$

98,937

 

$

27,757

 

28.1

%

1.35

 

1.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US

 

$

32,201

 

$

32,760

 

$

(559

)

(1.7

)%

$

36,576

 

$

37,264

 

$

(688

)

(1.8

)%

1.14

 

1.14

 

Europe

 

18,355

 

21,194

 

(2,839

)

(13.4

)

17,168

 

9,974

 

7,194

 

72.1

 

0.94

 

0.47

 

Japan

 

15,001

 

14,215

 

786

 

5.5

 

11,578

 

17,351

 

(5,773

)

(33.3

)

0.77

 

1.22

 

Asia-Pacific

 

28,361

 

25,681

 

2,680

 

10.4

 

61,372

 

34,348

 

27,024

 

78.7

 

2.16

 

1.34

 

Total

 

$

93,918

 

$

93,850

 

$

68

 

0.1

%

$

126,694

 

$

98,937

 

$

27,757

 

28.1

%

1.35

 

1.05

 

 

1417



 

Net sales of $93.9 million for the first quarter of 20052006 were up $3.0 million or 3.3%, fromflat compared to the comparable 2004 period.first quarter of 2005. By segment, ion beam and mechanical process equipment sales were down $7.5 million or 21.2%, while epitaxial process equipment sales were up $8.6$2.8 million or 61.4%, and metrology sales increased by $1.9 million or 4.6%5.6%. The decreaseincrease in ion beam and mechanical process equipment sales is principally attributableprimarily due to decreasesan increase in the production of data storage market. The improvement in epitaxial process equipmentdevices. Metrology sales is principally attributabledecreased $2.8 million primarily due to increases in the HB-LED/wireless market. The $1.9 million improvement in metrology sales is principally attributable to increaseddecreased AFM sales to the semiconductor, market.research and industrial markets. By region, sales in EuropeAsia Pacific improved by 56.7%10.4%, while sales in JapanEurope declined by 25.7%13.4%. The Company believes that there will continue to be quarter-to-quarter variations in the geographic distribution of sales.

 

Orders of $98.9$126.7 million for the first quarter of 2005 decreased2006 increased by $18.1$27.8 million, or 15.5%28.1%, from the comparable 20042005 period. By segment, the 64.0% decrease50.6% increase in epitaxial process equipment orders was primarily driven by a $22.8 million reduction in orders for MOCVD systems and an additional decrease in MBE orders of $1.5 million. The 11.6% reduction in ion beam and mechanical process equipment was due to decreased orders tothe continued strong data storage customers.industry conditions resulting from the expanded use of hard drives in consumer electronics as well as improved conditions in the HB-LED/ wireless market. The 36.4% increase0.7% decrease in metrology orders was due to a $7.8$3.3 million increasedecrease in AFM andproducts resulting from a $3.8delay in system orders, offset by a $3.0 million increase in optical metrology products.products resulting from the strength of the data storage market.

 

The Company’s book/billbook-to-bill ratio for the first quarter of 2005,2006, which is calculated by dividing orders received in a given time period by revenue recognized in the same time period was 1.05.1.35. The Company’s backlog as of March 31, 2006 is $138.1 million. During the quarter ended March 31, 2005,2006, the Company experienced backlog adjustments and order cancellations of $3.0$8.8 million, andprimarily in the HB-LED/wireless industry for MOCVD products. The Company also experienced rescheduling of order delivery dates by customers. Due to changing business conditions and customer requirements, the Company may continue to experience cancellations and/or rescheduling of orders.

 

Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2005,2006, was 40.0%44.5%, as compared to 40.5%40.0% in the first quarter of 2004.  Gross profit in the first quarter of 2004, was reduced by $1.5 million due to the acquisitions of TurboDisc and Aii. This charge was the result of purchase accounting adjustments due to the required capitalization of profit in inventory and permanent elimination of certain deferred revenue. Excluding the impact of this purchase accounting adjustment, gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter of 2004 was 42.1%.  This decrease from 42.1% to 40.0% was primarily due to declines in the epitaxial process equipment gross margins resulting from warranty issues and competitive pricing pressure in the MOCVD products market and the tool mix in MBE product market revenues.  The ion beam and mechanical process2005. Process equipment gross margins increased from 35.1%29.8% to 36.0%38.0% primarily due to an increase in sales volume of $2.8 million, favorable product mix, cost reductions and cost cutting measures at the Plainview ion beam facility, partially offset by higher overhead costs from the newly acquired MTI business.improved supply chain management which included outsourcing. Metrology gross margins decreased slightlyincreased to 52.9% from 52.9% to 51.8% principally due to less favorablebetter product mix.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $20.2$21.3 million, or 21.5%22.7% of sales in the first quarter of 2005,2006, compared with $19.9$20.2 million, or 21.9%21.5% in the first quarter of 2004.2005. The $0.3$1.1 million increase is primarily attributable to higher administrativeincreased selling expenses related to the addition of senior level managersnew product initiatives as well as increased investment in the epitaxial process equipment group.Asia Pacific due to expanding business in this region.

 

Research and development expense totaled $14.8$14.6 million in the first quarter of 2004, an increase2006, a decrease of $0.8$0.2 million from the first quarter of 2004,2005, primarily due to increased spending in the epitaxial and ion beam and mechanical process equipment segmentstiming of approximately $1.0 million, partially offset by reductions of $0.2 million in metrology.new product development efforts. As a percentage of sales, research and development increaseddecreased in the first quarter of 20052006 to 15.8%15.5% from 15.4%15.8% for the first quarter of 2004.2005.

 

Amortization expense totaled $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2006 compared with $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2005 versus $4.9due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

Other expense (income), net, totaled $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2006 compared to ($0.1) million in the first quarter of 2004,2005. The change is primarily due to reductions in amortization expense for intangibles that were fully amortized during 2004 partially offset by approximately $0.4 million of additional amortization expense related to the MTI acquisition.foreign currency exchange losses.

 

Other income, net, of $0.1 million forDuring the first quarter of 2005 primarily consisted2006, the Company repurchased $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of rental income for subleased facility space, comparedits 4.125% convertible subordinated notes. As a result of this repurchase, the amount of convertible subordinated notes outstanding was reduced to $200.0 million, and the Company recorded a gain from the early extinguishment of debt in the amount of $0.6 million, offset by a $0.3 million proportionate reduction in the first quarterrelated deferred financing costs for a net gain of 2004, which was principally due to foreign exchange gains.$0.3 million.

 

Net interest expense in the first quarter of 20052006 was $2.1$1.4 million compared to $2.2$2.1 million in the first quarter of 2004.2005. This reduction was due to an increase in interest rates and higher cash balances invested during the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005.

 

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Income taxestax provision for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, consisted of a foreign income tax provision of $0.72006 was $0.8 million as compared with a benefitto $0.7 million in the first quarter of $1.2 million, or 31.0% of loss before income taxes in 2004.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes,  the Company recorded a charge of approximately $54.0 million to establish a valuation allowance against the balance of its domestic net deferred tax assets, which consist of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, as well as temporary deductible differences.   For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company incurred a domestic net loss and, accordingly, established a valuation allowance to offset the domestic deferred tax asset.  If the Company is able to realize part or all of the deferred tax assets in future periods, it will reduce its2005. The 2006 provision for income taxes withincluded $0.5 million relating to our foreign operations, which are profitable and $0.3 million relating to our domestic operations, which incurred a releasetaxable loss. A portion of the valuation allowance in an amount that corresponds with thedomestic loss was taxable. The 2005 provision for income tax liability generated.taxes of $0.7 million related to our foreign operations, which were profitable.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, Veeco’s principal capital requirements have included the funding of acquisitions and capital expenditures. The Company generates cash from operations, revolving credit facilities and debt and stock issuances. Veeco’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations is primarily dependent on the continued demand for the Company’s products and services.

The Company had a net increasedecrease in cash of $0.4$11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from December 31, 2005. Cash provided by operations was $14.4$12.2 million for this period, as compared to cash provided by operations of $3.8$14.4 million for the comparable 20042005 period. Net loss adjusted for non-cash items provided operating cash flows of $3.1$7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, compared to $2.9$3.1 million for the comparable 20042005 period. Included in the net cash provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 20052006 was a decrease in net operating assets and liabilities of $11.3$5.1 million. Accounts receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, decreased by $11.4$11.5 million, primarily as a result of collection of significant receivables for Ion Beam Etch products as well as overall lower sales volumes and favorable timing of collections in Japan and Asia-Pacific.  During the three months ended March 31, 2005, inventories decreased by approximately $5.4 million, principally due to an inventory reductionvolume in the epitaxial process equipment business fromfirst quarter of 2006, compared to the shipment of tools and a reduction of purchases during the firstfourth quarter of 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, inventories increased by approximately $2.8 million, principally due to an increase in inventory purchases related to AFM products. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, accounts payable decreasedincreased by $1.8$2.8 million dueas the Company managed its payables to the timing of payment of certain invoices.normal industry terms. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities decreased $1.8$4.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, due to $5.2 million total reductionsthe timing of accrued payroll as well as a reduction in payroll, restructuring, warrantyincentive compensation under the Company’s profit-sharing and other accruals, partially offset by $3.4 million in increases forannual bonus plans and the required semi-annual interest paymenttiming of the subordinated notes and deferred gross profit.tax payments.

 

Cash used in investing activities of $14.7$5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, resulted from aggregatecapital expenditures of $3.5 million and earn-out payments of $15.0$2.0 million to Emcore, the former owner of TurboDisc,TurboDisc. The Company expects to invest approximately $20.0 million during 2006 in capital projects primarily related to engineering equipment and tolab tools used in producing Veeco’s products and the previous shareholderscontinuing implementation of Nanodevices,SAP and capital expendituresrelated computer systems.

Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 totaled $17.4 million, primarily from the repurchase of $1.8 million, partiallya portion of the Company’s outstanding 4.125% convertible debt, as discussed below, offset by $2.2$2.1 million of common stock issuances resulting from the exercise of employee stock options.

As of March 31, 2006, the Company has outstanding $200.0 million of 4.125% convertible subordinated notes. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company repurchased $20.0 million of its notes, reducing the amount outstanding from $220.0 million to $200.0 million. The repurchase amount was $19.5 million in proceedscash, of which $19.4 million related to principal and $0.1 million related to accrued interest. As a result of the repurchase, the Company recorded a gain from the saleearly extinguishment of assets helddebt in the amount of $0.6 million, offset by a $0.3 million proportionate reduction in the related deferred financing costs for sale.a net gain of $0.3 million. The Company may engage in similar transactions in the future depending on market conditions, its cash position and other factors.

 

The Company believes that existing cash balances together with cash generated from operations and amounts available under the Company’s $50.0 million revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet the Company’s projected working capital and other cash flow requirements for the next twelve months, as well as the Company’s contractual obligations, over the next three years. The Company believes it will be able to meet its obligation to repay the outstanding $220$200 million subordinated notes that mature on December 21, 2008, through a combination of conversion of the notes outstanding, refinancing, cash generated from operations and/or other means.

 

The Company is potentially liable for payment of earn-out featurespayments to the former owners of thecertain acquired businesses acquired in 2003 based on revenue targets achieved by the acquired businesses.  The maximum remaining amountsDuring the first quarter of these contingent liabilities is $9.02006, the Company paid an earn-out payment of $2.0 million to the former owner of TurboDisc, and no additional payments will be required in the future. On April 3, 2006, the Company paid $1.1 million to the former shareholders of Aii over a two-year period, $1.1 million to Nanodevices over a two-year periodInc., and $6.9 million to Emcore Corporation,no additional payments will be required in the former owner of TurboDisc, over a one-year period.  Anyfuture. Both amounts payable are to be paid during the first quarter of 2006 and 2007were accrued at December 31, 2005. The Company is potentially liable for an earn-out payment to the former ownersshareholders of Aii and Nanodevices and during the first quarter of 2006 to Emcore.  These payments areAdvanced Imaging, Inc. based on a set percentage of revenuesachieving revenue in excess of certain targets for the preceding fiscal year.  Therefore, it is2006, which currently do not possible to calculate the amounts, if any, that may be due for each year.appear achievable.

On March 15, 2005, the Company terminated its $100.0 million revolving credit facility which had been established on April 19, 2001 and entered into a new revolving credit facility which provides for borrowings of up to $50.0 million (the “Facility”). The Facility’s annual interest rate is a floating rate equal to the prime rate of the agent bank plus  1¤4% and in the event the Company’s ratio of debt to cash flow is below a defined amount, is adjustable to a minimum rate equal to the prime rate. A LIBOR based interest rate option is also provided. The Facility has a term of three years and borrowings under the Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and acquisitions. The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, which among other requirements, impose limitations with respect to the incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of dividends, long-term leases, investments, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and sales of assets. The Company is required to satisfy certain financial tests under the Facility and substantially all of the assets of the Company and its material domestic subsidiaries, other than real estate, have been pledged to secure the Company’s obligations under the Facility. As of March 31, 2005, no borrowings were outstanding under the Facility.

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Application of Critical Accounting Policies

 

General:  Veeco’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon Veeco’sthe Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principlesU.S generally accepted in the United States.accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires Veeco to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets and other long lived assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructuring costs and contingent litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company considers certain accounting policies related to revenue

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recognition, the valuation of inventories, the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, warranty costs, the impairment of long livedlong-lived assets, warranty costs and the accounting for deferred taxes to be critical policies due to the estimation processes involved in each.

 

Revenue Recognition:  The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commissionthe SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Revenue Recognition which superseded the earlier related guidance in SAB No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Certain of our product sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements in accordance with EITFEmerging Issues Task Force (��EITF”) 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. A multiple-element arrangement is a transaction which may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, or rights to use assets, and performance may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the seller’ssales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. For products produced according to the Company’s published specifications, where no installation is required or installation is deemed perfunctory and no substantive customer acceptance provisions exist, revenue is recognized when title passes to the customer, generally upon shipment. For products produced according to a particular customer’s specifications, revenue is recognized when the product has been tested, and it has been demonstrated that it meets the customer’s specifications and title passes to the customer. The amount of revenue recorded is reduced by the amount of any customer retention (generally 10% to 20%), which is not payable by the customer until installation is completed and final customer acceptance is achieved. Installation is not deemed to be essential to the functionality of the equipment since installation does not involve significant changes to the features or capabilities of the equipment or building complex interfaces and connections. In addition, the equipment could be installed by the customer or other vendors and generally the cost of installation approximates only 1% to 2% of the sales value of the related equipment. For new products, new applications of existing products, or for products with substantive customer acceptance provisions where performance cannot be fully assessed prior to meeting customer specifications at the customer site, revenue is recognized upon completion of installation and receipt of final customer acceptance. Since title to goods generally passes to the customer upon shipment and 80% to 90% of the contract amount becomes payable at that time, inventory is relieved and accounts receivable is recorded for the amount billed at the time of shipment. The profit on the amount billed for these transactions is deferred and recorded as deferred profit in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At March 31, 20052006 and December 31, 2004, $2.32005, $0.3 million and $1.2$0.5 million, respectively, are recorded in deferred profit. Service and maintenance contract revenues are recorded as deferred revenue, which is included in other accrued expenses, and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the service period of the related contract.

 

Inventory Valuation:  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out method) or market. Management evaluates the need to record adjustments for impairment of inventory on a quarterly basis. The Company’s policy is to assess the valuation of all inventories, including raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods and spare parts. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage for the next 18 to 24 month’s requirements is written-down to its estimated market value, if less than its cost. Inherent in the estimates of market value are management’s estimates related to Veeco’s future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, possible alternative uses and ultimate realization of excess inventory.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment:  The Company has significant intangible assets related to goodwill and other acquired intangibles. In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If it is determined that impairment indicators are present and that the assets will not be fully recoverable, their carrying values are reduced to estimated fair value. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, an historic or anticipated decline in revenue or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, and a material decrease in the fair value of some or all of the assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. Changes in strategy and/or market conditions could significantly impact these assumptions, and thus Veeco may be required to record impairment charges for thethose assets not previously recorded.

 

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Long LivedLong-Lived Asset Impairment:  The carrying values of long-lived assets are periodically reviewed to determine if any impairment indicators are present. If it is determined that such indicators are present and the review indicates that the assets will not be fully recoverable, based on undiscounted estimated cash flows over the remaining depreciation period, their carrying values are reduced to estimated fair value. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, an historic or anticipated decline in revenue or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, and a material decrease in the fair value of some or all of the assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. Assumptions utilized by management in reviewing for impairment of long-lived assets could be effectedaffected by changes in strategy and/or market conditions which may require Veeco to record additional impairment charges for these assets, as well as impairment charges on other long-lived assets not previously recorded.

 

Warranty Costs:  The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under the warranty it provides and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the related revenue is recognized. Estimated warranty costs are determined by analyzing specific product and historical configuration statistics and regional warranty support costs. The Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period. As the Company’s

20



customer engineers and process support engineers are highly trained and deployed globally, labor availability is a significant factor in determining labor costs. The quantity and availability of critical replacement parts is another significant factor in estimating warranty costs. Unforeseen component failures or exceptional component performance can also result in changes to warranty costs. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

 

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

 

We record valuation allowances in order to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In assessing the adequacy of recorded valuation allowances, we consider a variety of factors, including the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Under SFAS No. 109, factors such as current and previous operating losses are given significantly greater weight than the outlook for future profitability in determining the deferred tax asset carrying value.

 

For the year ended DecemberAt March 31, 2004,2006, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $54.0 million to establishhad a valuation allowance of $70.3 million against the balancesubstantially all of its domestic net deferred tax assets, which consist of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, as well as temporary deductible differences. The valuation allowance was calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, which places primary importance on the Company’s historical results of operations. Although the Company’s results in prior years were significantly affected by restructuring and other charges, the Company’s historical lossesloss and the losses incurred duringin 2006, 2005 and 2004 representedrepresent negative evidence sufficient to require a full valuation allowance under the provisions of SFAS No. 109. If the Company is able to realize part or all of the deferred tax assets in future periods, it will reduce its provision for income taxes with a release of the valuation allowance in an amount that corresponds with the income tax liability generated.

 

At March 31, 2005, we have foreign deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, of $2.9 million. We believe it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize these assets through the reduction of future taxable income.

Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements: On December 16, 2004,Prior to 2006, the FinancialCompany accounted for its stock option plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting StandardsPrinciples Board issued(“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations and generally, no compensation expense was reflected in net loss as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R), supersedes APB Opinion No. 25Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. SFAS No. 123(R) must bewas adopted no later than the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. Early adoption will be permitted in periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

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SFAS No. 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

1.               A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

2.               A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS No. 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

The Company has not yet determined whether it will adopt SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method orof application, which requires Veeco to recognize compensation expense on a prospective basis. Therefore, prior period financial statements have not been restated. Under this method, in addition to reflecting compensation expense for new share-based awards, expense is also recognized to reflect the modified retrospective method.

As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoptionremaining service period of SFAS No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on consolidated results of operations, although it will have no impact on the Company’s overall consolidated financial position. The impact of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments grantedawards that had been included in the future. However, had the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R)pro forma disclosures in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS No. 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net loss and net loss per common share in Note 1 to Veeco’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.periods. SFAS No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under currentprevious accounting literature. This requirement will reducehas the effect of reducing consolidated net operating cash flows and increaseincreasing consolidated net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. WhileFor the Company cannot estimate what those amounts will be in the future (because they depend on, among other things, when employees exercise stock options),three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company did not recognize anany amount of consolidated operatingfinancing cash flows for such excess tax deductions in 2005 or 2004.deductions.

 

19Total stock-based compensation expense is attributable to the remaining requisite service periods of stock options and restricted common stock awards. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were no new share-based awards granted. The impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) was a charge of $0.1 million or less than $0.01 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards and option awards is $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and the related weighted average period over which it is expected that such unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized is approximately 2.6 years. The impact of future share-based awards will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future and, therefore, cannot be predicted at this time.

With the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company is required to record the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as an expense. In order to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant, the Company applies the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Inherent in the model are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. While the risk-free interest rate and dividend yield are less subjective assumptions, typically based on factual data derived from public sources, the expected stock-price volatility and option life assumptions require a level of

21



judgment which make them critical accounting estimates. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company used an expected stock-price volatility assumption that is a combination of both historical and implied volatilities of the underlying stock, which are obtained from public data sources. Prior to that time, the Company based this assumption solely on historical volatility. With regard to the weighted-average option life assumption, the Company considers the exercise behavior of past grants and models the pattern of aggregate exercises.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs- an amendment to ARB No. 43, Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151 clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal,” as previously stated in ARB No. 43. In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of this Statement are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted this Statement on January 1, 2006 which did not result in a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative DisclosureDisclosures About Market Risk.

 

Veeco’s net sales to foreign customers represented approximately 65.7% and 65.1% of Veeco’s total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and 66.1% for the comparable 2004 period.respectively. The Company expects that net sales to foreign customers will continue to represent a large percentage of Veeco’s total net sales. Veeco’s net sales denominated in foreign currencies represented approximately 21.4%16.7% of Veeco’s total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005,2006, and 24.0%21.4% for the comparable 20042005 period. The aggregate foreign currency exchange gainlosses included in determining the consolidated results of operations was approximately $0.3 million and $0.0 and $0.1 million net of approximately $0.0 and $0.2 million of hedging gains on forward exchange contracts, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Included in the aggregate foreign currency exchange losses, were gains related to forward contracts of approximately $0.1 million and 2004,$0.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Veeco is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The changes in currency exchange rates that have the largest impact on translating Veeco’s international operating profit are the Japanese Yen and the Euro. Veeco uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate these risks. Veeco does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The Company enters into monthly forward contracts to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency-denominated intercompany transactions and other known currency exposures. The average notional amount of such contracts was approximately $3.6$3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005.2006. As of March 31, 2005,2006, the Company had entered into forward contracts for the month of April for the notional amount of approximately $18.7$16.0 million, which approximates the fair market value on March 31, 2005.2006.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

The Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

 

SubsequentThe Company is presently in the process of implementing a new company-wide integrated applications software and, to that evaluation theredate, has completed the conversion to this new platform in five locations. As a result, certain changes have been made to the Company’s internal controls, which management believes will strengthen the Company’s internal control structure. There have been no other significant changes in our internal controls or other factors during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006 that could significantlyhave materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls after such evaluation.the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

2023



 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

On February 11, 2005, the Company issued a press release announcing, among other things (a) the postponement of the releaseIn re Veeco Instruments Inc. Securities Litigation and Shareholder Derivative Litigation

Veeco and certain of its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2004 pending completion of an internal investigation of improper accounting transactions at its TurboDisc business unit and (b) Veeco’s expectation that this investigation would  lead to adjustments requiring the restatement of the Company’s financial statements previously issued for the three quarterly periods and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Following the February 11 announcement, ten putativeofficers have been named as defendants in a consolidated securities class action shareholder lawsuits were filedlawsuit pending in federal court in the Southern District of New York (the “Court”). The lawsuit arises out of the restatement in March 2005 of Veeco’s financial statements for the quarterly periods and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as a result of the Company’s discovery of certain improper accounting transactions at its TurboDisc business unit. The plaintiffs in the Eastern District of New York asserting claims for violation of federal securities laws on behalf of persons who acquired the Company’s securities during the period beginning November 3, 2003 or April 26, 2004 and ending February 10, 2005. The lawsuits name Veeco, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as defendants, andlawsuit seek unspecified damages. The lawsuits allegedamages and assert claims against all defendants for violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and claims against the individual defendants for violations of Section 20(b) of the Exchange Act.  Although these proceedings are inIn March 2006, the preliminary stages,Court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the Company expects that these lawsuits will be consolidated intolawsuit at the pleading stage and certified a single action in which an amended and consolidated complaint will be filed.plaintiff class for the lawsuit consisting of all persons who acquired the Company’s securities during the period from April 26, 2004 through February 10, 2005. Although the Company believes these lawsuits arethis lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend vigorously against the claims, the lawsuitslawsuit could result in substantial costs, divert management’s attention and resources from our operations and negatively affect our public image and reputation.

 

In addition, during March 2005, three shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed in federal courthave been consolidated and are also pending before the Court. The plaintiffs in the Eastern District of New York againstconsolidated derivative action assert that the Company’s directors and certain of its officers for breaches ofbreached fiduciary duties relating toin connection with the improper accounting transactions at the TurboDisc business unit.  Each of these lawsuits is a shareholderThe plaintiffs in the consolidated derivative action that purportspurport to assert claims on behalf of the Company, but as to whichhave made no demand was made on the Board of Directors and no decision had been made on whether the Company can or shouldto pursue such claims. In addition,The plaintiffs in the Company has received a letter on behalf of a shareholder demanding that the Company commence legal action against its directors and certain of its officers for these same matters.  The letter states that, if the Board does not commence such an action within a reasonable period of time, the shareholder will commence aconsolidated derivative action on the Company’s behalf.  These lawsuits seek unspecified damages allegedly sustained by the Company and the return of all bonuses, restricted stock, stock options and other incentive compensation.  An unfavorable outcome or prolonged litigation in these matters could materially harm the Company’s business.

 

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings arisingItem 1A. Risk Factors.

Information regarding risk factors appears in the normal course“Safe Harbor Statement” at the beginning of its business. The Company does not believe thatthis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I - - Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the ultimate resolution of these matters willyear ended December 31, 2005.  There have abeen no material adverse effectchanges from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.Form 10-K.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibits

 

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

 

Number

 

Description

 

Incorporated by Reference to the Following Document:

10.1

 

First Amendment dated as of April 6, 2006 to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 15, 2005 among Veeco Instruments Inc., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein.

*

10.2

Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, among Veeco Instruments Inc., the subsidiaries of Veeco named therein and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

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

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

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

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.

 

*

 


*              Filed herewith

 

2225



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  April 29, 2005May 4, 2006

 

 

Veeco Instruments Inc.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ EDWARD H. BRAUN

 

 

Edward H. Braun

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOHN F. REIN, JR.

 

 

John F. Rein, Jr.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

2326



 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

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

 

Number

 

Description

 

Incorporated by Reference to the Following Document:

10.1

 

First Amendment dated as of April 6, 2006 to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 15, 2005 among Veeco Instruments Inc., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein.

*

10.2

Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, among Veeco Instruments Inc., the subsidiaries of Veeco named therein and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as administrative agent.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

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

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

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

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.

 

*

 


*              Filed herewith

 

24