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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
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(MARK ONE)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-26824
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TEGAL CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 68-0370244
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
2201 SOUTH MCDOWELL BLVD.
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA 94954
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
TELEPHONE NUMBER (707) 763-5600
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
As of July 31, 2001, there were 12,619,087 shares of the registrant's Common
Stock outstanding.
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TEGAL CORPORATION
INDEX
PAGE
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations -- for the
three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 ......................... 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -- as of June 30, 2001
and March 31, 2001 ................................................ 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- for the
three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 ......................... 5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements............... 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations ............................................. 8
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk......... 10
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.................................................. 11
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................ 11
Item 5. Risk Factors....................................................... 11
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................... 14
Signatures ..................................................................... 15
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TEGAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30,
--------------------------
2001 2000
-------- --------
Revenue ................................................................. $ 7,889 $ 7,468
Cost of sales ........................................................... 5,607 4,375
-------- --------
Gross profit ....................................................... 2,282 3,093
-------- --------
Operating expenses:
Research and development .............................................. 1,765 2,468
Sales and marketing ................................................... 1,272 1,219
General and administrative ............................................ 1,623 1,922
-------- --------
Total operating expenses ...................................... 4,660 5,609
-------- --------
Operating loss ................................................ (2,378) (2,516)
Other income (expense), net ............................................. (117) 73
-------- --------
Net loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle ..... (2,495) (2,443)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle, net of tax of $0 .......................................... -- (372)
-------- --------
Net loss ..................................................... $ (2,495) $ (2,815)
======== ========
Net loss per share before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle, basic and diluted ................. $ (0.20) $ (0.20)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle ........................................................... -- (0.03)
-------- --------
Net loss per share, basic and diluted ................................... $ (0.20) $ (0.23)
======== ========
Shares used in per share computations:
Basic ................................................................. 12,572 12,453
Diluted ............................................................... 12,572 12,453
See accompanying notes.
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TEGAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
JUNE 30, MARCH 31,
2001 2001
-------- --------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ......................... $ 9,008 $ 12,649
Receivables, net .................................. 11,779 7,967
Inventories ....................................... 16,918 17,759
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ......... 3,080 1,775
-------- --------
Total current assets ...................... 40,785 40,150
Property and equipment, net ......................... 1,956 1,772
Other assets, net ................................... 325 330
-------- --------
Total assets .............................. $ 43,066 $ 42,252
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Payable under lines of credit ..................... $ 5,373 $ 3,840
Accounts payable .................................. 2,412 4,139
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities .... 9,087 5,620
-------- --------
Total current liabilities ................. 16,872 13,599
Long-term portion of capital lease obligation ....... 22 44
-------- --------
Total liabilities ......................... 16,894 13,643
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock ...................................... 137 126
Additional paid-in capital ........................ 65,151 65,087
Accumulated other comprehensive income ............ 333 350
Accumulated deficit ............................... (39,449) (36,954)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity ................ 26,172 28,609
-------- --------
$ 43,066 $ 42,252
======== ========
See accompanying notes.
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TEGAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30,
--------------------------
2001 2000
-------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss ........................................................................ $ (2,495) $ (2,815)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization ................................................ 235 357
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return allowances .................. 27 (161)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables ................................................................ (3,827) 611
Inventories ................................................................ 839 (1,629)
Prepaid expenses and other assets .......................................... (1,297) (521)
Income taxes payable ....................................................... (48) (62)
Accounts payable ........................................................... (1,710) 275
Accrued liabilities ........................................................ 500 (208)
Deferred revenue ........................................................... 3,015 606
-------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities ................................... (4,761) (3,547)
-------- --------
Cash flows used in investing activities -- purchases of property and equipment .... (420) (47)
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock .......................................... 76 99
Borrowings under lines of credit ................................................ 10,430 10,303
Repayment of borrowings under lines of credit ................................... (8,921) (6,670)
Repayment of capital lease financing ............................................ (21) (126)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities ............................... 1,564 3,606
-------- --------
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents ............................. (24) 32
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .............................. (3,641) 44
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .................................. 12,649 12,627
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ........................................ $ 9,008 $ 12,671
======== ========
See accompanying notes.
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TEGAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(ALL AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated interim
financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the March 31, 2001
audited consolidated financial statements, and include all adjustments
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly state the
information set forth herein. The consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), but omit certain information and footnote disclosures
necessary to present the consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. These consolidated interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and footnotes included in the annual report on Form 10-K of Tegal
Corporation (the "Company") for the year ended March 31, 2001. The results of
operations for the three months ended June 30, 2001 are not necessarily
indicative of results to be expected for the entire year.
The results for the three months ended June 30, 2000 have been adjusted to
reflect the adoption of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition
in Financial Statements" ("SAB 101").
The semiconductor equipment industry and the Company's business have
experienced a recent and sharp decline in orders and revenues. As a result, the
Company's existing cash balances and anticipated cash flows from operations may
not satisfy financing requirements for the next twelve months if the downturn
continues. The Company is seeking to raise additional financing which, if
available, may result in additional dilution to the Company's stockholders.
2. INVENTORIES:
Inventories consisted of:
JUNE 30, MARCH 31,
2001 2001
------- -------
Raw materials .................................. $ 5,357 $ 4,810
Work in progress ............................... 2,379 4,369
Finished goods and spares ...................... 9,182 8,580
------- -------
$16,918 $17,759
======= =======
3. NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic Earnings Per Share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing net loss for the
period by the weighted average common shares outstanding for that period.
Diluted EPS takes into account the number of additional common shares that would
have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued.
The following is a reconciliation between the number of shares used in
calculating basic and diluted EPS:
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30,
-----------------------------
2001 2000
---------- ----------
Shares used to compute basic EPS ....................... 12,572,252 12,452,938
Add effect of dilutive securities:
Shares issuable under stock options and warrants ..... -- --
---------- ----------
Shares used to compute diluted EPS ................... 12,572,252 12,452,938
========== ==========
Common stock equivalents for the three months ending June 30, 2001 and 2000
were 209,355 and 788,247, respectively, and have been excluded from shares used
in calculating diluted loss per share because their effect would be
antidilutive.
4. INCOME TAX EXPENSE:
The Company did not record a provision for federal or state income taxes for
the three month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively, because a
net loss before taxes was recorded for those periods. The Company did not
recognize a benefit for these net losses because any benefit derived would
require offsetting current losses against future profitability, the timing and
magnitude of which are uncertain.
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5. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133 establishes a new
model for accounting for derivatives and hedging activities and supersedes and
amends a number of existing accounting standards. SFAS 133 requires that all
derivatives be recognized in the balance sheet at their fair market value, with
the corresponding derivative gains or losses either reported in the statement of
operations or as a deferred item in other comprehensive income (loss) depending
on the type of hedge relationship that exists with respect to such derivatives.
The Company adopted SFAS 133 during the quarter ended June 30, 2001, and such
adoption did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial
statements.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 141, "Business Combinations" and SFAS
142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS 141 requires business
combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting, and clarifies the criteria for recording
intangible assets separate from goodwill. SFAS 142 requires the use of a
nonamortization approach to account for purchased goodwill and certain
intangibles. Under a nonamortization approach, goodwill and certain intangibles
will not be amortized, but instead would be reviewed annually for impairment and
written down via a charge to results of operations in any periods in which the
recorded value of goodwill and certain intangibles is more than its fair value.
The Company does not expect that the adoption of these accounting standards will
have a significant impact on its financial position, results of operations or
cash flows.
6. LINES OF CREDIT:
At June 30, 2001, the Company had borrowed approximately $2.9 million under
its domestic line of credit, which is secured by substantially all of its assets
and under which borrowings are limited by the amount of accounts receivable and
inventories on the balance sheet. The facility has a maximum borrowing capacity
of $10.0 million, is available until April 30, 2003, and bears interest at prime
plus 1.5 percent, or 9 percent as of June 30, 2001. Among other provisions, this
credit facility requires the maintenance of certain financial covenants. As of
June 30, 2001, the Company was not in compliance with one particular financial
covenant. The lender has waived such noncompliance as of June 30, 2001. However,
the Company does not expect to be in compliance with that covenant as of July
31, 2001. In addition to the foregoing facility, as of June 30, 2001, the
Company's Japanese subsidiary had borrowed 295 million Yen (approximately $2.4
million at exchange rates prevailing on June 30, 2001) under its two Japanese
bank lines of credit which have total availability of 480 million Yen
(approximately $3.9 million at exchange rates prevailing on June 30, 2001) and
are secured by Japanese customer promissory notes held by such subsidiary in
advance of payment on customers' accounts receivable. The two Japanese bank
lines bear interest at Japanese prime (1.375 percent as of June 30, 2001) plus
0.25 percent and 0.625 percent, respectively.
7. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
The components of comprehensive loss for the three-month periods ended June
30, 2001 and 2000 are as follows:
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30,
----------------------
2001 2000
------ -------
Net loss ................................... $2,495 $ 2,815
Foreign currency translation adjustment .... 17 (38)
------ -------
$2,512 $ 2,777
====== =======
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENT:
On July 24, 2001, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses which included
reducing full-time equivalent employees by approximately 30% through mandatory
staff reductions. The Company will record an employee severance charge during
the quarter ending September 30, 2001.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Information herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified
by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect,"
"anticipate," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative thereof or other
variations thereon or comparable terminology or which constitute projected
financial information. The forward-looking statements relate to the near-term
semiconductor capital equipment industry outlook, demand for our products, our
quarterly revenue and earnings prospects for the near-term future and other
matters contained herein. Such statements are based on current expectations and
beliefs and involve a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause the
actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such uncertainties and
risks include, but are not limited to, the cyclicality of the semiconductor
industry, impediments to customer acceptance, fluctuations in quarterly
operating results, competitive pricing pressures, the introduction of competitor
products having technological and/or pricing advantages, product volume and mix
and other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports. For further
information, refer to the business description and risk factors sections
included in our Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001, and the risk
factors section included in this Form 10-Q (Part II, Item 5) as filed with the
SEC.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Tegal designs, manufactures, markets and services plasma etch systems used
in the fabrication of integrated circuits, read-write heads for the disk drive
industry, printer heads, telecommunications equipment and small flat panel
displays.
The following table sets forth certain financial items as a percentage of
revenue for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000:
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30,
-----------------------
2001 2000
------ ------
Revenue ............................... 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales ......................... 71.1 58.6
------ ------
Gross profit ..................... 28.9 41.4
Operating expenses:
Research and development ............ 22.4 33.0
Sales and marketing ................. 16.1 16.3
General and administrative .......... 20.5 25.8
------ ------
Total operating expenses .... 59.0 75.1
------ ------
Operating loss .............. (30.1) (33.7)
Other income (expense), net ........... (1.5) 1.0
SAB 101 cumulative adjustment ......... -- (5.0)
------ ------
Net loss .................... (31.6)% (37.7)%
====== ======
Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2001 was $7.9 million,
an increase of $0.4 million or 1.1% over the comparable period in 2000. The
increase for the three months ended June 30, 2001 was principally due to a
change of mix in the system sales resulting in the sale of 14 fewer 900 series
systems over the same period in the prior year offset by the sale of an
additional two 6500 series systems during the same period in the prior year.
Revenue from spare parts and service sales was $2.7 million for the three
month period ended June 30, 2001, down from $3.6 million for the three month
period ended June 30, 2000, which we believe is a result of customers' decreased
utilization of Tegal's etch systems during the current industry downturn.
International sales as a percentage of our revenue were approximately 52%
and 69% for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. We
believe that international sales will continue to represent a significant
portion of our revenue.
Gross profit. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue (gross margin) was 29%
and 41% for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The
decrease in gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to
the same period in the prior year, was principally attributable to the change in
the system mix to the 6500 series systems and lower gross margins in service and
spares due to the lower revenue.
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Research and development. Research and development expenses consist
primarily of salaries, prototype material and other costs associated with our
ongoing systems and process technology development, applications and field
process support efforts. Research and development expenses were $1.8 million and
$2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively,
representing 22% and 32% of revenue, respectively. The decrease in research and
development spending is due to the completion and implementation of specific
projects.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of
salaries, commissions, trade show promotion and travel and living expenses
associated with those functions. Sales and marketing expenses were $1.3 million
and $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 respectively,
representing 16% of revenue in both periods.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of compensation for general management, accounting and finance, human
resources, information systems and investor relations functions and for legal,
consulting and accounting fees of the Company. General and administrative
expenses were $1.6 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30,
2001 and 2000, respectively, representing 21% and 25% of revenue, respectively.
The decrease in general and administrative spending for the three month period
ended June 30, 2001, compared to the same period in the prior year, was
primarily attributable to our incurring $0.3 million less in legal expenses in
the recent quarter in connection with our patent litigation.
Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense), net consists primarily
of interest expense on the domestic line of credit offset in part by interest
income on outstanding cash balances, and gains and losses on foreign exchange.
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. During the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2001, we implemented the provisions of Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," retroactive to
the beginning of the fiscal year. The cumulative effect of the change in
accounting principle on prior years of $372,000 was reported in the quarter
ended June 30, 2000.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, we financed our
operations through the use of outstanding cash balances and borrowings against
our promissory note borrowing facilities in Japan, as well as our domestic line
of credit.
Net cash used in operations was $4.8 million during the three months ended
June 30, 2001, due principally to a net loss of $2.3 million after adjusting for
depreciation and an increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and a
decrease in accounts payable offset, in part, by a decrease in inventories and
an increase in accrued liabilities and deferred revenue. Net cash used in
operations was $3.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2000, due
principally to a net loss of $2.5 million after adjusting for depreciation and
increases in inventory and prepaid expenses offset, in part, by a decrease in
accounts receivable and an increase in deferred revenue.
Net capital expenditures totaled approximately $0.4 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2001 and $0.05 million for the three months ended June 30,
2000. Capital expenditures in both periods were incurred principally for
leasehold improvements and to acquire design tools, analytical equipment and
computers.
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1.6 million and $3.6
million for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The
increase for the three months ended June 30, 2001 was due principally to
increased borrowing against the line of credit in Japan. The increase for the
three months ended June 30, 2000 was due principally to increased borrowing
against our domestic line of credit.
As of June 30, 2001, we had approximately $9.0 million of cash and cash
equivalents. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, our other principal
sources of liquidity consist of the unused portions of several bank-borrowing
facilities. At June 30, 2001, we had borrowed approximately $2.9 million under
our domestic line of credit, which is secured by substantially all of our assets
and which is further limited by the amount of accounts receivable and
inventories on the balance sheet. Given our accounts receivable and inventory
balances as of June 30, 2001, we had fully utilized our available borrowings
under that credit line as of that date. The facility has a maximum borrowing
capacity of $10.0 million, is available until April 30, 2003, and bears interest
at prime plus 1.5 percent or 9 percent as of June 30, 2001. Among other
provisions, this credit facility requires the maintenance of certain financial
covenants. As of June 30, 2001, we were not in compliance with one particular
financial covenant. The lender has waived such noncompliance as of June 30,
2001. Although we do not expect to be in compliance with this financial covenant
as of July 31, 2001 the lender has demonstrated that it is willing to
restructure the terms of the line of credit to ease the need for future waivers.
In addition to the domestic facility, as of June 30, 2001, our Japanese
subsidiary had available 185 million Yen (approximately $1.5 million at exchange
rates prevailing on June 30, 2001) of unused capacity under its two Japanese
bank lines of credit totaling 480 million Yen (approximately $3.9 million at
exchange rates prevailing on June 30, 2001),
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which are secured by Japanese customer promissory notes held by such subsidiary
in advance of payment on customers' accounts receivable. The two Japanese bank
lines bear interest at Japanese prime (1.375 percent as of June 30, 2000) plus
0.25 percent and 0.625 percent, respectively.
In response to the rapid and significant industry slow-down, we have
initiated substantial cost containment programs and a corporate-wide
restructuring to preserve our cash position. Our projected annual cost savings
from these initiatives are estimated at approximately $6.0 million, offset in
part by anticipated severance package payouts of approximately $0.7 million in
the quarter ending September 30, 2001. However, despite these cost reduction
efforts, if the downturn continues, our existing capital resources may not be
sufficient to meet our operating needs for the next twelve months. Therefore, we
may have to cut additional costs. We are also seeking to raise additional
financing. This financing, if available, may result in additional dilution to
our stockholders. For more information on our capital resources, see Part II,
Item 5. Risk Factors: Our future capital needs may exceed our ability to raise
capital.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our investment portfolio of securities is principally comprised of money
market funds. These funds are subject to interest rate risk and may fall in
value if market interest rates increase. We attempt to limit this exposure by
investing primarily in short-term securities having a maturity of three months
or less.
We have foreign subsidiaries which operate and sell our products in various
global markets. As a result, our cash flow and earnings are exposed to
fluctuations in interest and foreign currency exchange rates. We attempt to
limit these exposures through the use of various hedge instruments, primarily
forward exchange contracts and currency option contracts (with maturities of
less than three months) to manage our exposure associated with firm obligations
and net asset and liability positions denominated in non-functional currencies.
There have been no material changes regarding market risk since the disclosures
made in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is pursuing two patent infringement lawsuits against Tokyo
Electron Ltd. ("TEL") and its U.S. subsidiary, Tokyo Electron America, Inc.
("TEA"). The first case, entitled Tegal Corporation v. Tokyo Electron Ltd., was
filed March 17, 1998 in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia. Following dismissal of TEL due to the need to effect
service of process through the Hague Convention, the sole remaining defendant is
TEA. The suit alleges that dual frequency plasma etchers marketed by TEA in the
United States infringe patents held by the Company. The suit was tried to the
court in May 1999, and on August 31, 1999, the court found both patents in-suit
valid and found that TEA had willfully infringed Tegal's '223 dual frequency
triode etcher patent. The court enjoined TEA from further sales or service of
65DI and 85DI etchers (the "IEM etchers"). In addition, the court ordered TEA to
pay attorney's fees to Tegal. On July 16, 2001, the Federal Circuit affirmed the
District Court's finding of infringement, the interpretations of the patent on
which that finding was made and rejection of virtually all of the defenses of
invalidity and unenforceability that TEA raised. The Federal Circuit reversed
certain factual findings underlying the District Court's rejection of one
remaining invalidity defense, however, and remanded the case to the District
Court for further consideration of that defense. As a result, since there is as
yet no final determination of all issues in the case, the Federal Circuit
vacated the injunction, the findings of willfulness and exceptional case, and
the attorneys' fee award. Both TEA and TEL have filed petitions for rehearing in
the Federal Circuit. No assurance can be given as to the outcome of that appeal
or further proceedings in the district court and no assurance can be given as to
the effect of any such outcome on Tegal.
The second case, entitled Tegal Corporation v. Tokyo Electron Ltd., was
filed in early June 1999. This suit sought to have the District Court enter the
same findings and conclusions and the same judgment and permanent injunction
entered against the parent company, Tokyo Electron Company Limited ("TEL"). A
line of etchers that TEL claims to have begun selling in the United States (the
"AIEM oxide etchers") following the TEA trial is also at issue. In February
2000, the Court entered partial summary judgment for Tegal, finding TEL to be
bound by judgment and permanent injunction against TEA; the Court also found
both TEA and TEL in contempt for violation of the injunction by facilitating the
continued servicing of IEM etchers through another subsidiary, Tokyo Electron
Massachusetts. The Court granted summary judgment of noninfringment for TEL on
the AIEM oxide etchers on August 7, 2000, and entered final judgment on
September 11, 2000. Various appeals arising out of the case are currently
pending in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. The Federal Circuit reversed
the contempt finding against TEA in an opinion issued on May 14, 2001. Briefing
in the Federal Circuit on the remainder of the appeals is now complete, although
no hearing date for oral argument has been set as of this date. No assurance can
be given as to the outcome of this appeal or as to the effect of any such
outcome on Tegal.
In addition, on September 1, 1999, the Company filed a patent infringement
action against Lam Research Corporation ("Lam"), asserting infringement of the
'223 patent and a second related patent known as the '618. That suit was also
filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. Tegal asserts that
two of Lam's etchers, the 4520x1 and the Exalan, infringe the '223 and the '618,
respectively. The Lam case has been transferred to the Northern District of
California. Discovery is ongoing. No Markman hearing has yet taken place and
there is as yet no trial date. No assurance can be given as to the outcome of
this lawsuit or as to the effect of any such outcome on the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the three
month period ended June 30, 2001.
ITEM 5. RISK FACTORS
THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY IS CYCLICAL AND MAY EXPERIENCE PERIODIC DOWNTURNS
WHICH MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND RESULT IN
LOSSES SUCH AS THOSE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST.
Our business depends upon the capital expenditures of semiconductor
manufacturers, which in turn depend on the current and anticipated market demand
for integrated circuits. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and
historically has experienced periodic downturns, which often have had a material
adverse effect on the semiconductor industry's demand for semiconductor capital
equipment, including etch systems manufactured by us. In response to the recent
significant industry slow-down, we have initiated substantial cost containment
program and a corporate-wide restructuring to preserve our operating cash.
However, the need for continued investment in research and development, possible
capital equipment requirements, and extensive ongoing customer service and
support requirements worldwide will continue to limit our ability to reduce
expenses in response to the current downturn.
OUR COMPETITORS HAVE GREATER FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND GREATER NAME RECOGNITION
THAN WE DO AND THEREFORE MAY COMPETE MORE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE CRITICAL ETCH
INDUSTRY THAN WE CAN.
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We believe that to be competitive, we will require significant financial
resources in order to offer a broad range of systems, to maintain customer
service and support centers worldwide and to invest in research and development.
Many of our existing and potential competitors, including, among others, Applied
Materials, Inc., Lam Research Corporation and Tokyo Electron Limited, have
substantially greater financial resources, more extensive engineering,
manufacturing, marketing and customer service and support capabilities, larger
installed bases of current generation etch and other production equipment and
broader process equipment offerings, as well as greater name recognition than we
do. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against
these companies in the United States of America or worldwide.
WE DEPEND ON SALES OF OUR 6500 SERIES SYSTEMS IN CRITICAL ETCH MARKETS THAT MAY
NOT FULLY ADOPT OUR PRODUCT FOR PRODUCTION USE.
We have designed our 6500 series systems for sub-0.35 micron critical etch
applications in emerging films, polysilicon and metal which we believe to be the
leading edge of critical etch applications. Revenues from the sale of 6500
series systems have accounted for 21% and 19% of total revenues in fiscal 2001
and 2000, respectively. Our 6500 series systems are currently being used
primarily for research and development activities or low volume production. For
the 6500 series systems to achieve full market adoption, our customers must
utilize these systems for volume production. There can be no assurance that the
market for critical etch emerging film, polysilicon or metal etch systems will
develop as quickly or to the degree we expect.
If the 6500 series does not achieve significant sales or volume production
due to a lack of full customer adoption, our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows would be materially adversely affected.
OUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS MAY NOT ADOPT OUR PRODUCTS BECAUSE OF THEIR SIGNIFICANT
COST OR BECAUSE OUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE ALREADY USING A COMPETITOR'S TOOL.
A substantial investment is required to install and integrate capital
equipment into a semiconductor production line. Additionally, we believe that
once a device manufacturer has selected a particular vendor's capital equipment,
that manufacturer generally relies upon that vendor's equipment for that
specific production line application and, to the extent possible, subsequent
generations of that vendor's systems. Accordingly, it may be extremely difficult
to achieve significant sales to a particular customer once another vendor's
capital equipment has been selected by that customer unless there are compelling
reasons to do so, such as significant performance or cost advantages. Any
failure to gain access and achieve sales to new customers will adversely affect
the successful commercial adoption of our products and could have a material
adverse effect on us.
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY CONTINUE TO FLUCTUATE.
Our revenue and operating results have fluctuated and are likely to continue
to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and there can be no
assurance as to future profitability.
Our 900 series etch systems typically sell for prices ranging between
$250,000 and $600,000, while prices of our 6500 series critical etch systems
typically range between $1.8 million and $3.0 million. To the extent we are
successful in selling our 6500 series systems, the sale of a small number of
these systems will probably account for a substantial portion of revenue in
future quarters, and a transaction for a single system could have a substantial
impact on revenue and gross margin for a given quarter.
The timing of new systems and technology announcements and releases by us
and others may also contribute to fluctuations in quarterly operating results,
including cases in which new systems or technology offerings cause customers to
defer ordering systems from our existing product lines. Our revenue and
operating results may also fluctuate due to the timing and mix of systems sold,
the volume of service provided and spare parts delivered in a particular quarter
and changes in pricing by us, our competitors or suppliers. Additionally, a
substantial amount of income may be derived from patent license fees. Such fees
are volatile and we cannot predict we will receive similar fees in the future.
The impact of these and other factors on our revenue, operating results and cash
flows in any future periods is, and will continue to be, difficult for us to
forecast.
BECAUSE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES RAPIDLY, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE OUR PRODUCTS
IN A TIMELY ENOUGH FASHION.
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is subject to rapid technological
change and new system introductions and enhancements. We believe that our future
success depends on our ability to continue to enhance our existing systems and
their process capabilities, and to develop and manufacture in a timely manner
new systems with improved process capabilities. We may incur substantial
unanticipated costs to ensure product functionality and reliability early in our
products' life cycles. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in
the introduction and volume manufacture of new systems or that we will be able
to develop and introduce, in a timely manner, new systems or enhancements to our
existing systems and processes which satisfy customer needs or achieve market
adoption.
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SOME OF OUR SALES CYCLES ARE LENGTHY, EXPOSING US TO THE RISKS OF INVENTORY
OBSOLESCENCE AND FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS.
Sales of our systems depend, in significant part, upon the decision of a
prospective customer to add new manufacturing capacity or to expand existing
manufacturing capacity, both of which typically involve a significant capital
commitment. We often experience delays in finalizing system sales following
initial system qualification while the customer evaluates and receives approvals
for the purchase of our systems and completes a new or expanded facility. Due to
these and other factors, our systems typically have a lengthy sales cycle (often
12 to 18 months in the case of critical etch 6500 systems) during which we may
expend substantial funds and management effort. Lengthy sales cycles subject us
to a number of significant risks, including inventory obsolescence and
fluctuations in operating results over which we have little or no control.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR OBTAIN LICENSES FOR
THIRD PARTIES' INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THEREFORE WE MAY BE EXPOSED TO
LIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OR THE RISK THAT OUR OPERATIONS MAY BE ADVERSELY
AFFECTED.
Although we attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through
patents, copyrights, trade secrets and other measures, we may not be able to
protect our technology adequately and competitors may be able to develop similar
technology independently. Additionally, patent applications that we may file may
not be issued and foreign intellectual property laws may not protect our
intellectual property rights. There is also a risk that patents licensed by or
issued to us will be challenged, invalidated or circumvented and that the rights
granted thereunder will not provide competitive advantages to us. Furthermore,
others may independently develop similar systems, duplicate our systems or
design around the patents licensed by or issued to us.
Existing litigation and any future litigation could result in substantial
cost and diversion of effort by us, which by itself could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Further, adverse determinations in such litigation could result in our loss of
proprietary rights, subject us to significant liabilities to third parties,
require us to seek licenses from third parties or prevent us from manufacturing
or selling our systems. In addition, licenses under third parties' intellectual
property rights may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all.
OUR FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS MAY EXCEED OUR ABILITY TO RAISE CAPITAL.
The development, manufacture and marketing of etch systems are highly
capital intensive. In order to be competitive, we must continue to make
significant expenditures for, among other things, capital equipment and the
manufacture of evaluation and demonstration unit inventory for our 6500 series
etch systems. Additionally, our industry is now experiencing a sharp decline in
orders and revenues. As a result, our existing cash balances, anticipated cash
flow from operations and funds available under our existing lines of credit may
not satisfy our financing requirements for the next twelve months. We are
seeking additional financing. However, there can be no assurance that additional
financing, if required, will be available on reasonable terms or at all. To the
extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of additional equity
or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in
additional dilution to our stockholders.
OUR CUSTOMERS ARE CONCENTRATED AND THEREFORE THE LOSS OF A SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER
MAY HARM OUR BUSINESS.
Our top five customers accounted for 42.0%, 53.1%, and 66.4% of our systems
revenues in fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Two customers accounted
for more than 10% of net systems sales in fiscal 2001. Although the composition
of the group comprising our largest customers may vary from year to year, the
loss of a significant customer or any reduction in orders by any significant
customer, including reductions due to market, economic or competitive conditions
in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, may have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our
ability to increase our sales in the future will depend, in part, upon our
ability to obtain orders from new customers, as well as the financial condition
and success of our existing customers and the general economy, which is largely
beyond our ability to control.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO ADDITIONAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES AND
OPERATIONS.
International sales accounted for 61%, 59%, and 72% of total revenue for
fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. International sales are subject to
certain risks, including the imposition of government controls, fluctuations in
the U.S. dollar (which could increase the sales price in local currencies of our
systems in foreign markets), changes in export license and other regulatory
requirements, tariffs and other market barriers, political and economic
instability, potential hostilities, restrictions on the export or import of
technology, difficulties in accounts receivable collection, difficulties in
managing distributors or representatives, difficulties in staffing and managing
international operations and potentially adverse tax consequences. There can be
no assurance that any of these factors will not have a material adverse effect
on our operations and financial results.
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Sales of our systems in certain countries are billed in local currency, and
we have two lines of credit denominated in Japanese Yen. We generally attempt to
offset a portion of our U.S. dollar denominated balance sheet exposures subject
to foreign exchange rate remeasurement by purchasing currency options and
forward currency contracts for future delivery. There can be no assurance that
our future results of operations and cash flows will not be adversely affected
by foreign currency fluctuations. In addition, the laws of certain countries in
which our products are sold may not provide our products and intellectual
property rights with the same degree of protection as the laws of the United
States of America.
OUR STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN MAY DETER TAKEOVER ATTEMPTS.
Under the terms of our stockholder rights plan, our board of directors is
authorized to issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval or to
exercise the anti-takeover provisions of our stockholder rights plan in the
event of an unsolicited attempt to assume control over Tegal. Should our board
of directors exercise such rights, such action could have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Tegal.
OUR STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE AND COULD RESULT IN A MATERIAL DECLINE IN THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN TEGAL.
We believe that factors such as announcements of developments related to our
business, fluctuations in our operating results, sales of our common stock into
the market place, failure to meet or changes in analysts' expectations, general
conditions in the semiconductor industry or the worldwide economy, announcements
of technological innovations or new products or enhancements by us or our
competitors, developments in patents or other intellectual property rights,
developments in our relationships with our customers and suppliers, natural
disasters and outbreaks of hostilities could cause the price of our common stock
to fluctuate substantially. In addition, in recent years the stock market in
general, and the market for shares of small capitalization stocks in particular,
have experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to
the operating performance of affected companies. There can be no assurance that
the market price of our common stock will not experience significant
fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that are unrelated to our
performance.
POTENTIAL DISRUPTION OF OUR SUPPLY OF MATERIALS REQUIRED TO BUILD OUR SYSTEMS
COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR OPERATIONS AND DAMAGE OUR CUSTOMER
RELATIONSHIPS.
Materials delays have not been significant in recent years. Nevertheless, we
procure certain components and sub-assemblies included in our systems from a
limited group of suppliers, and occasionally from a single source supplier. For
example, we depend on MECS Corporation, a robotic equipment supplier, as the
sole source for the robotic arm used in all of our 6500 series systems. We
currently have no existing supply contract with MECS Corporation, and we
currently purchase all robotic assemblies from MECS Corporation on a purchase
order basis. Disruption or termination of certain of these sources, including
our robotic sub-assembly source, could have an adverse effect on our operations
and damage our relationship with our customers.
ANY FAILURE BY US TO COMPLY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS IMPOSED ON US COULD
SUBJECT US TO FUTURE LIABILITIES.
We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations related to the use,
storage, handling, discharge or disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise
hazardous chemicals used in our manufacturing process. We believe that we are
currently in compliance in all material respects with these regulations and that
we have obtained all necessary environmental permits generally relating to the
discharge of hazardous wastes to conduct our business. Nevertheless, our failure
to comply with present or future regulations could result in additional or
corrective operating costs, suspension of production, alteration of our
manufacturing processes, or cessation of our operations.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
None.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
TEGAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ MICHAEL L. PARODI
-----------------------------------------
Michael L. Parodi
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ KATHY PETRINI
-----------------------------------------
Kathy Petrini
Corporate Controller, Treasurer
and Secretary
Principal Accounting Officer
Dated: August 16, 2001
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