6-K 1 d6k.htm FORM 6-K Form 6-K
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of November, 2003

 

Commission File Number 000-13355

 

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

JAN VAN EYCKLAAN 10

3723 BC BILTHOVEN

THE NETHERLANDS

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of

Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the form 6-K in paper as permitted by

Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):                     

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by

Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):                     

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and had not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes ¨ No x

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with 

Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-                    .

 



Table of Contents

Table of Contents:

 

     Page

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   5

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   6

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information

   7

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

   17

Market Risk Disclosure

   25

Cautionary Factors

   28

Incorporation by Reference

   44

Exhibits

   44

Signatures

   44

 

As used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “ASM International” and the “Company” mean ASM International N.V. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

2


Table of Contents

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(thousands, except per share data)         In Euro

 
     Note

   December 31,
2002


    September 30,
2003


 
          (Note A)     (unaudited)  

Assets

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

        70,991     115,179  

Marketable securities

        11     10  

Accounts receivable, net

        132,818     152,994  

Inventories, net

   B    185,752     165,822  

Income taxes receivable

        1,840     39  

Deferred tax assets

        1,843     1,909  

Other current assets

        18,786     20,419  
         

 

Total current assets

        412,041     456,372  

Property, plant and equipment, net

   C    160,501     138,850  

Goodwill, net

        54,529     49,463  

Deferred tax assets

        2,781     2,702  

Other assets

   D    23,989     27,011  
         

 

Total Assets

        653,841     674,398  
         

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                 

Notes payable to banks

   E    26,548     12,524  

Accounts payable

        67,029     73,299  

Accrued expenses

        55,414     58,929  

Advance payments from customers

        6,290     11,178  

Deferred revenue

        8,851     11,783  

Income taxes payable

        5,560     7,787  

Current portion of long-term debt

   F    2,669     1,002  
         

 

Total current liabilities

        172,361     176,502  

Deferred tax liabilities

        1,050     893  

Long-term debt

   F    8,175     7,517  

Convertible subordinated debt

   G    109,665     175,931  
         

 

Total liabilities

        291,251     360,843  

Minority interest in subsidiary

        97,048     82,859  

Shareholders’ Equity:

                 

Common shares

                 

Authorized 110,000,000 shares, par value € 0.04, issued and outstanding 49,370,308 and 49,981,048 shares

        1,975     1,999  

Financing preferred shares, issued none

        —       —    

Preferred shares, issued none

        —       —    

Capital in excess of par value

        254,999     258,872  

Retained earnings

        35,054     11,255  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

        (26,486 )   (41,430 )
         

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

        265,542     230,696  
         

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        653,841     674,398  
         

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information.

 

3


Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

(thousands, except per share data)    In Euro

 
     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2002

    2003

    2002

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net sales

   140,044     147,405     381,468     418,274  

Cost of sales

   (86,642 )   (98,747 )   (241,649 )   (281,906 )
    

 

 

 

Gross profit

   53,402     48,658     139,819     136,368  

Operating expenses:

                        

Selling, general and administrative

   (28,604 )   (26,924 )   (79,594 )   (75,248 )

Research and development

   (21,610 )   (18,798 )   (63,863 )   (57,404 )
    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   (50,214 )   (45,722 )   (143,457 )   (132,652 )
    

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

   3,188     2,936     (3,638 )   3,716  

Net interest and other financial income (expenses)

   (2,223 )   (3,954 )   (6,825 )   (8,953 )
    

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

   965     (1,018 )   (10,463 )   (5,237 )

Income taxes

   (121 )   (2,120 )   496     (3,522 )
    

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before minority interest

   844     (3,138 )   (9,967 )   (8,759 )

Minority interest

   (5,454 )   (6,105 )   (13,201 )   (15,040 )
    

 

 

 

Net loss

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )
    

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

                        

Basic

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )

Diluted (1)

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )
    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares used in computing per share amounts (in thousands):

                        

Basic

   49,161     49,689     49,137     49,503  

Diluted (1)

   49,161     49,689     49,137     49,503  
    

 

 

 

 

(1)   The calculation of diluted net loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings of the Company. Only instruments that have a dilutive effect on net earnings (loss) are included in the calculation. The assumed conversion results in adjustment in the weighted average number of common shares and net earnings (loss) due to the related impact on interest expense. The calculation is done for each reporting period individually. Due to the loss reported in the three months ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 and the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003, the effect of securities and other contracts to issue common stock were anti-dilutive and no adjustments have been reflected in the diluted weighted average number of shares and net loss for that period.

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information.

 

4


Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

 

(thousands, except per share data)    In Euro

 
     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2002

    2003

    2002

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net loss

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )

Other comprehensive loss:

                        

Exchange rate changes for the period

   1,046     798     (19,265 )   (13,739 )

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments

   (1,088 )   (243 )   973     (1,205 )
    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss

   (42 )   555     (18,292 )   (14,944 )
    

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   (4,652 )   (8,688 )   (41,460 )   (38,743 )
    

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

 

(thousands, except for number of common shares)    In Euro

 
     Number of
common
shares


   Common
shares


   Capital in
excess of
par value


   Retained
earnings


    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)


    Total
Shareholders’
Equity


 

Balance December 31, 2001

   49,070,296    1,963    252,892    64,916     1,139     320,910  

Issuance of common shares:

                                 

For stock options

   93,312    4    768    —       —       772  

Net loss

   —      —      —      (23,168 )   —       (23,168 )

Other comprehensive loss

   —      —      —      —       (18,292 )   (18,292 )

Balance September 30, 2002 (unaudited)

   49,163,608    1,967    253,660    41,748     (17,153 )   280,222  
    
  
  
  

 

 

Balance December 31, 2002

   49,370,308    1,975    254,999    35,054     (26,486 )   265,542  

Issuance of common shares:

                                 

For stock options

   610,740    24    3,873    —       —       3,897  

Net loss

   —      —      —      (23,799 )   —       (23,799 )

Other comprehensive loss

   —      —      —      —       (14,944 )   (14,944 )
    
  
  
  

 

 

Balance September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   49,981,048    1.999    258,872    11,255     (41,430 )   230,696  
    
  
  
  

 

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information.

 

5


Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(thousands)    In Euro

 
     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2002

    2003

    2002

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net loss

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )

Depreciation and amortization

   9,550     8,615     29,851     25,758  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

   343     421     1,106     1,108  

Deferred income taxes

   159     (69 )   (160 )   (168 )

Minority interest

   5,454     6,105     13,201     15,040  

Changes in other assets and liabilities

   14,638     13,979     (9,348 )   5,394  
    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   25,534     19,808     11,482     23,333  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Net capital expenditures

   (9,886 )   (5,203 )   (20,740 )   (15,420 )

Investment in participations

   —       —       —       (1,229 )

Purchase of marketable securities

   (6 )   —       (6 )   —    
    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (9,892 )   (5,203 )   (20,746 )   (16,649 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Notes payable to banks, net

   1,408     3,734     1,346     (13,409 )

Proceeds from issuance of shares

   77     2,952     772     3,897  

Proceeds from long-term and subordinated debt

   93     —       595     75,990  

Repayment of long-term debt

   (525 )   (459 )   (2,645 )   (2,164 )

Dividend to minority shareholders

   (8,242 )   (7,428 )   (24,459 )   (20,397 )
    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   (7,189 )   (1,201 )   (24,391 )   43,917  

Exchange rate effects

   (732 )   (1,677 )   (6,096 )   (6,413 )
    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   7,721     11,727     (39,751 )   44,188  
    

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                        

Cash paid (received) during the period for:

                        

Interest

   501     689     4,512     4,443  

Income taxes

   589     302     (2,429 )   (829 )
    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information.

 

6


Table of Contents

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information

 

(Amounts in thousands of euros, except per share and other non-financial data, unless otherwise stated.)

 

NOTE A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

ASM International N.V. is a corporation domiciled in the Netherlands with principal operations in Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia and Japan.

 

The accompanying condensed financial information (which we refer to as the Interim Financial Information) has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), except for the disclosure of segment information in accordance with SFAS 131 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Our 54.11%-owned subsidiary, ASM Pacific Technology Limited, which comprises our Back-end operations, is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and publicly reports semi-annual financial information in accordance with the rules of that stock exchange. Accordingly, we provide segment information for our Front-end and Back-end operations only on a semi-annual basis.

 

The Interim Financial Information is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company’s management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of such dates and the operating results and cash flows for those periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and nine months ended September 30, 2003 may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results for the entire fiscal year.

 

The December 31, 2002 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The Interim Financial Information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated balance sheets of ASM International N.V. as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2002. See the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” This statement defines the accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and is effective for exit and disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The Adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations, but affects the accounting for restructuring in the third and fourth quarter of 2003.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure.” SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based

 

7


Table of Contents

employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also requires that disclosures of the pro forma effect of using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation be displayed more prominently and in a tabular format. Additionally, SFAS No. 148 requires disclosure of the pro forma effect in interim financial statements. The transition and annual disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148 were effective for fiscal year 2002. SFAS No. 148 does not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company has included in Note H “Employee Stock Option Plans” the required SFAS No. 123 disclosures of net loss and loss per share as if the fair value method of accounting had been applied.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This Statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The changes in this Statement require that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. This Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The impact on the Company is limited.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classifies a financial instrument as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if certain conditions are met. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003. The impact on the Company is limited.

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”), “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” The disclosure provisions of FIN 45 are effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods that end after December 15, 2002. The provisions for initial recognition and measurement are effective on a prospective basis for guarantees that are issued or modified after December 31, 2002, irrespective of a guarantor’s year-end. The adoption of FIN 45 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In November 2002, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” The provisions of EITF 00-21 will apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF 00-21 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

8


Table of Contents

NOTE B Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     December 31,
2002


   September 30,
2003


          (unaudited)

Components and raw materials

   73,902    67,597

Work in process

   72,056    65,586

Finished goods

   39,794    32,639
    
  

Total inventories

   185,752    165,822
    
  

 

NOTE C Property, Plant and Equipment

 

     Total

 

At cost:

      

Balance January 1, 2003

   362,419  

Capital expenditures

   15,500  

Retirements and sales

   (1,476 )

Translation effect

   (27,222 )
    

Balance September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   349,221  
    

Accumulated depreciation:

      

Balance January 1, 2003

   201,918  

Depreciation

   25,758  

Retirements and sales

   (1,396 )

Translation effect

   (15,909 )
    

Balance September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   210,371  
    

Property, plant and equipment, net:

      

January 1, 2003

   160,501  

September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   138,850  
    

Useful lives in years:

      

Buildings and improvements

   10-25  

Machinery and equipment

   2-10  

Furniture and fixtures

   2-10  
    

 

NOTE D Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of the following:

 

     Strategic
minority
investments


   Debt
issuance
costs


    Total
other
assets


 

Balance January 1, 2003

   20,278    3,711     23,989  

Additions

   1,229    3,303     4,532  

Amortization

   —      (1,108 )   (1,108 )

Translation effect

   —      (402 )   (402 )
    
  

 

Balance September 30, 2003 (unaudited)

   21,507    5,504     27,011  
    
  

 

 

9


Table of Contents

In October 2001, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with and made an equity investment in NuTool, Inc., a privately owned semiconductor equipment company. In October 2001, the Company made an equity investment of € 20,278 in this California-based company that is a provider of innovative copper deposition technologies. In April 2003 an additional equity investment was made of € 1,229. The total equity interest in NuTool, Inc. as of September 30, 2003 is approximately 15.76%.

 

The debt issuance costs relate to fees incurred for the issuance of US$ 115.0 million 5.0% convertible subordinated notes in November and December 2001 and the issuance of US$ 90.0 million 5.25% convertible subordinated notes in May 2003, and are amortized by the interest method as interest cost during the life of the debt.

 

NOTE E Notes Payable to Banks

 

Information on notes payable to banks is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2002


   September 30,
2003


          (unaudited)

Short-term debt outstanding in:

         

The Netherlands

   10,000    —  

Japan

   16,548    12,524
    
  
     26,548    12,524
    
  

 

Short-term debt outstanding in local currencies:

 

     December 31,
2002


   September 30,
2003


          (unaudited)

Euro

   10,000    —  

Japanese yen (thousands)

   2,068,502    1,605,695

 

ASMI and its individual subsidiaries borrow under separate short-term lines of credit with banks in the countries where they are located. The lines contain general provisions concerning renewal and continuance at the option of the banks. The weighted average interest rate of the outstanding notes payable was 2.38% at September 30, 2003.

 

Total short-term lines of credit amounted to € 80,297 at September 30, 2003. The amount outstanding at September 30, 2003 was € 12,524 and the undrawn portion totaled € 67,773. The unused portion includes € 39,232 relating to ASM Pacific Technology Limited (“ASMPT”), in which the Company holds a 54.11% interest, and such amount is limited solely for use in the operations of ASMPT. ASM Japan had € 28,504 available for borrowing under its bank lines, which are restricted for use in the ASM Japan operations.

 

In December 2002, the Company entered into a multicurrency revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks in the amount of € 70,000 to be utilized solely for the Company’s Front-end operations, excluding Japan. In June 2003, the Company cancelled the credit facility, subsequent to repayment of the outstanding amount under the facility from the proceeds of the US$ 90.0 million 5.25% convertible subordinated notes, issued in May 2003.

 

10


Table of Contents

The Company does not provide guarantees for borrowings of ASMPT and there are no guarantees from ASMPT to secure indebtedness of the Company. Under the rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ASMPT is precluded from providing loans and advances, other than trade receivables in the normal course of business, to ASMI or its affiliates.

 

NOTE F Long-Term Debt

 

     December 31,
2002


    September 30,
2003


 
           (unaudited)  

Term loans:

            

Japan, 2.2-3.3%, due 2005 – 2006

   1,617     1,084  

Finland, 1.0-3.0%, due 2003 – 2010

   4,036     3,253  

Mortgage loans:

            

The Netherlands, 5.4%, due 2006

   908     738  

Japan, 1.7-2.6%, due 2005 – 2006

   2,971     2,585  

Lease commitments:

            

United States, 7.2-14.0%, due 2003 – 2005

   120     66  

Japan, 0.3-0.5%, due 2004 – 2005

   1,192     793  
    

 

     10,844     8,519  

Current portion

   (2,669 )   (1,002 )
    

 

     8,175     7,517  
    

 

 

Long-term debt outstanding in local currencies, including current portion (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2002


   September 30,
2003


          (unaudited)

Euro

   4,944    3,991

United States dollars

   126    77

Japanese yen

   722,375    572,051

 

The long-term facilities offered by the Japanese banks to ASM Japan are collateralized by the real estate and other assets of ASM Japan, with guarantees provided by ASMI. In Finland, the long-term loans are collateralized by machinery and equipment of ASM Microchemistry and guaranteed by ASMI.

 

Lease commitments relate to lease commitments for equipment and machines.

 

11


Table of Contents

NOTE G Convertible Subordinated Debt

 

         

December 31,

2002


  

September 30,

2003


               (unaudited)

5.0% convertible subordinated notes

   US$ 115.0 million    109,665    98,693

5.25% convertible subordinated notes

   US$ 90.0 million    —      77,238
         
  
          109,665    175,931
         
  

 

In November and December 2001, ASMI issued US$ 115.0 million in principal amount of 5.0% convertible subordinated notes due November 15, 2005 in a private offering. Interest is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The notes are subordinated in right of payment to our existing and future senior debt. The notes are convertible into common shares at any time before their maturity at a conversion rate of 53.0504 shares per each US$ 1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of US$ 18.85 per share. The Company may redeem, under certain conditions, some or all of the notes at any time after November 30, 2003 at a redemption price of US$ 1,000 per US$ 1,000 principal amount of notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if the closing price of the Company’s common shares has exceeded 150% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day before the date of mailing of the redemption notice. ASMI is required to make an additional payment in cash or, at ASMI’s option, in common shares, or in a combination of cash and common shares, with respect to the notes called for redemption in an amount equal to US$ 199.44 per US$ 1,000 principal amount of notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes before the date of redemption. In the event of a change in control, ASMI may be required to repurchase the notes. At September 30, 2003, none of the US$ 115.0 million convertible subordinated notes have been converted or repurchased.

 

In May 2003, we issued US$ 90.0 million in principal amount of 5.25% convertible subordinated notes due 2010 in a private offering. Interest on the notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2003. The notes are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of our common stock initially at a conversion rate of 52.0237 shares of common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of US$ 19.22 per share. On or after May 20, 2006, the Company may redeem any of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing price of our common shares has exceeded 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in any period of 30 consecutive trading days and if certain other conditions are satisfied. In the event of a change in control, the Company may be required to repurchase the notes. The US$ 115.0 million 5.0% convertible subordinated notes rank pari passu with the US$ 90.0 million convertible subordinated notes. At September 30, 2003, none of the US$ 90.0 million convertible subordinated notes have been converted or repurchased.

 

12


Table of Contents

NOTE H Employee Stock Option Plans

 

The Company has adopted various stock option plans and has entered into stock option agreements with various key management personnel. Under these plans, key employees may purchase a specific number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Options are priced at market value in euros or US dollars on the date of grant, generally vest in equal parts over a period of five years and generally expire after five or ten years. Under the 2001 Stock Option Plan the Company is authorized to issue options to purchase 4,000,000 shares. At September 30, 2003, options to purchase 939,700 shares had been issued under the 2001 Stock Option Plan. Under previous plans no more options to purchase shares can be issued. At September 30, 2003, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,679,996 shares of common stock were outstanding, expiring at various dates through 2013.

 

The Company applies the intrinsic value method allowed by APB 25 in accounting for its stock option plans. Under APB 25, compensation expense resulting from awards under fixed plans is measured as the difference between the market price and the exercise price at the grant date. All fixed plan options were granted at an exercise price equal to market value at the measurement date. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations pursuant to APB 25.

 

Had compensation cost been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” pro forma net loss, basic and diluted loss per share would have been as follows:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2002

    2003

    2002

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Expected life (years)

   3-10     3-10     3-10     3-10  

Risk free interest rate

   5 %   5 %   5 %   5 %

Dividend yield

   —       —       —       —    

Volatility

   75 %   66 %   75 %   66 %

Assumed forfeitures

   —       —       —       —    

Net loss:

                        

As reported

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )

Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of related tax effect

   (1,144 )   (811 )   (3,274 )   (2,548 )
    

 

 

 

Pro forma

   (5,754 )   (10,054 )   (26,442 )   (26,347 )

Basic loss per share:

                        

As reported

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )

Pro forma

   (0.12 )   (0.20 )   (0.54 )   (0.53 )

Diluted loss per share:

                        

As reported

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )

Pro forma

   (0.12 )   (0.20 )   (0.54 )   (0.53 )
    

 

 

 

 

13


Table of Contents

NOTE I Loss Per Share

 

The following represents a reconciliation of net loss and weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) for purposes of calculating basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2002

    2003

    2002

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net loss used for purpose of computing basic loss per share

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )

After-tax equivalent of interest expense on convertible notes and exercisable warrants

   —       —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

Net loss used for purposes of computing diluted net loss per share

   (4,610 )   (9,243 )   (23,168 )   (23,799 )
    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding at the end of period used for purpose of computing basic loss per share

   49,161     49,689     49,137     49,503  

Dilutive effect of stock options

   —       —       —       —    

Dilutive effect of convertible notes and exercisable warrants

   —       —       —       —    
    

 

 

 

Dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding

   49,161     49,689     49,137     49,503  
    

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

                  

Basic

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )

Diluted

   (0.09 )   (0.19 )   (0.47 )   (0.48 )
    

 

 

 

 

No adjustments have been reflected in the diluted weighted average number of shares and net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003 due to the anti-dilutive effects of the loss reported in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2003. For the three months ended September 30, 2002, the effect of 449 stock options, 6,101 conversion rights, and 35 exercisable warrants to issue common stock were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2003, the effect of 293 stock options, 10,783 conversion rights, and 79 exercisable warrants to issue common stock were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the effect of 813 stock options, 6,101 conversion rights, and 83 exercisable warrants to issue common stock were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the effect of 329 stock options, 8,639 conversion rights, and 55 exercisable warrants to issue common stock were anti-dilutive.

 

14


Table of Contents

NOTE J Commitments and Contingencies

 

At December 31, 2002 and at September 30, 2003 the Company had entered into purchase commitments with suppliers in the amount of € 70,123 and € 62,749, respectively, for purchases within the next 12 months. Commitments for capital expenditures at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003 were € 3,272 and € 6,113, respectively.

 

The Company is party to various legal proceedings generally incidental to its business and is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings. Although the ultimate disposition of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that the outcome of any claim which is pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a materially adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in a given year.

 

In June 2001, the Company’s subsidiary, ASM America, filed a lawsuit against Genus, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging infringement of three patents involving sequential chemical vapor deposition (U.S. Patents Nos. 5,916,365, 6,015,590 and 4,798,165). Genus counterclaimed alleging antitrust violations and infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,294,568 involving selective etching of native oxide. After court rulings that Genus did not infringe the ‘365 or ‘590 patents, the parties entered into a binding memorandum in April 2003 settling the litigation. Pursuant to the memorandum Genus granted to the Company and ASM America a nonexclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up license under the ‘568 patent and directly related patents and ASM America granted to Genus a nonexclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up license under the ‘165, ‘365 and ‘590 patents and directly related patents, provided that the license for the ‘365 and ‘590 patents will be effective only upon completion of the appeal by ASM America of the lower court’s rulings of no infringement in respect of such patents. If the appeals court vacates either ruling on the basis of a change in the lower court’s claim construction, Genus must pay ASM America US$ 1.0 million. Genus and the Company also agreed to refrain for a five-year period from litigating patent and antitrust claims, although each party retains the right to recover damages incurred during such period if a suit is brought later. Genus and the Company and ASM America are currently negotiating an agreement to implement the memorandum of settlement.

 

Following a letter from Applied Materials, Inc. to the Company alleging that the Company’s Eagle reactors infringe various Applied Materials patents, the Company and its subsidiary, ASM America, Inc., filed a declaratory judgment action against Applied Materials on August 27, 2002 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The lawsuit seeks a declaration of non-infringement or invalidity of six Applied Materials patents relating to cleaning of reaction chambers and deposition of silicon nitride. Applied Materials counterclaimed, as modified by supplemental answer filed July 21, 2003, for a judgment of infringement, including willful infringement, of all six patents and for damages and other relief. No trial date has been set. Given the stage of the proceedings, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the claims and counterclaims at this time, or the range of potential recovery or loss.

 

The Company and its subsidiary, ASM America, Inc., filed a lawsuit against Applied Materials on October 3, 2003 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging

 

15


Table of Contents

infringement of six patents: U.S. Patent No. 6,418,945 entitled “Method and Device for Transferring Wafers”, U.S. Patent No. 6,572,924 entitled “Exhaust System for Vapor Deposition Reactor and Method of Using the Same”, U.S. Patent No. 6,579,374 entitled “Apparatus for Fabrication of Thin Films”, U.S. Patent No. 6,410,463 entitled “Method for Forming Film With Low Dielectric Constant on Semiconductor Substrate”, U.S. Patent No. 6,511,539 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Growth of a Thin Film”, and U.S. Patent No. 6,579,374 entitled “Device and Method for Load Locking for Semiconductor Processing”. Applied Materials has not yet filed a response. Given the stage of the proceedings, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the claims at this time, or the range of potential recovery.

 

If the Company desires to effect a change of control transaction with a competitor of Applied Materials, Inc., the Company must, pursuant to a litigation settlement agreement in 1997, first offer the change of control transaction to Applied Materials on the same terms as the Company would be willing to accept from that competitor pursuant to a bona fide arm’s-length offer by that competitor.

 

16


Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read this discussion together with the financial statements and other financial information included in this report. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except that we provide segment information for our Front-end and Back-end operations only on a semi-annual basis. This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties described in more detail below under “Cautionary Factors.”

 

Overview

 

We design, manufacture and sell equipment and systems used to produce semiconductor devices, or integrated circuits. Our production equipment and systems are used by both the front-end and back-end segments of the semiconductor market. Front-end equipment performs various fabrication processes in which multiple thin films of electrically insulating or conductive material are grown or deposited onto a round slice of silicon, called a wafer. Back-end equipment separates these processed wafers into numerous individual dies, each containing the circuitry of a single semiconductor device, and assembles, packages and tests the dies in order to create semiconductor devices. We conduct our Front-end business, which accounted for 51.4% of our net sales in 2002 and 53.9% of our net sales for the first two quarters of 2003, through our principal facilities in the Netherlands, the United States and Japan. We conduct our Back-end business, which accounted for 48.6% of our net sales in 2002 and 46.1% of our net sales for the first two quarters of 2003, through our principal facilities in Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, Singapore and Malaysia. Our Back-end operations are conducted through our 54.11% majority-owned subsidiary, ASM Pacific Technology Limited (“ASMPT”).

 

We sell our products worldwide to the semiconductor industry, which is subject to sudden and extreme cyclical variations in product supply and demand. Since late 2000, the semiconductor industry has been impacted by a continued severe cyclical downturn characterized by reduced demand for products, lower average selling prices across product lines, reduced investment in semiconductor capital equipment and other factors, all of which have led to lower sales and losses for our business. Although there are positive signs for an increase in semiconductor sales, semiconductor manufacturers are still not ready for large capital investments. Despite the decline in capacity-driven demand we have seen continued interest and orders for new technology and 300mm equipment in our Front-end operations. Our established position as a leading supplier of a full spectrum of innovative products in our Back-end operations contributed positively.

 

In the Front-end segment, we are able to reduce manufacturing costs in a market downturn because we outsource a substantial portion of our manufacturing requirements and because part of our European and Japanese workforce is composed of temporary contract employees, the number of which can be reduced as necessary. In the Back-end segment, where we are highly vertically integrated, we are able to reduce labor costs quickly in adverse market conditions. Since we enjoy a cost advantage in our Back-end operations due to the location of our manufacturing facilities, a tightening market for our Back-end products may also present opportunities for market penetration.

 

17


Table of Contents

The current transition in the industry to new processes and materials and to a larger, 300mm wafer size from the current 200mm wafer requires equipment providers to develop entirely new sets of tools and presents us with an opportunity to displace existing suppliers to major semiconductor manufacturers. We believe that we are well positioned and that our firm commitment to research and development, our readiness in new technologies, design-in wins at top-tier customers as well as our strategic partnerships provide us with a broad basis for substantial long-term market share gains.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

 

Revenue recognition. Our revenue recognition policy is significant because revenue is a key component of our results of operations. We follow very specific and detailed guidelines in measuring revenue following principles of revenue recognition described in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” (SAB 101), issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in December 1999, and adopted by us effective January 1, 2000. However, certain judgments affect the application of our revenue policy. Our transactions frequently involve the sale of complex equipment, which may include customer-specific criteria, transactions to new customers or transactions with new technology, as well as payment terms, linked to achieving certain milestones. Management must make the determination whether such a transaction is recognized as revenue based on the merits of the contractual agreements with a customer, the experience with a particular customer, the technology and the number of similarly configured items of equipment previously delivered. Revenue results are difficult to predict, and any shortfall in revenue or delay in recognizing revenue could cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and could result in future operating losses.

 

Our net sales include product revenues derived primarily from sales of Front-end and Back-end equipment used by both segments of the semiconductor equipment market. We recognize revenue from equipment sales upon shipment of our products when it is proven prior to shipment that the equipment has met all of the customers’ criteria and specifications. The installation process is not believed to be essential to the functionality of our products. However, since under most of our sales contracts the timing of payment of a portion of the sales price is coincident with installation, such installation is not considered to be inconsequential or perfunctory under the guidance of SAB 101. Therefore, at the time of shipment, we defer that portion of the sales price related to the fair value of installation. We believe we have an enforceable claim for the portion of the sales price not related to the fair value of the installation should we not fulfill our installation obligation. If this belief were changed by industry developments in the future, this portion would be deferred in future periods until final acceptance

 

18


Table of Contents

by the customer or until contractual conditions lapse. The fair value of the installation process is measured based upon the per-hour amounts charged by third parties for similar installation services. When we can only satisfy the customer acceptance criteria or specifications at the customer’s location, revenue is deferred until final acceptance by the customer or until contractual conditions lapse.

 

We provide training and technical support to customers. Revenue related to such services is recognized when the service is completed. Revenue from the sale of spare parts and materials is recognized when the goods are shipped.

 

Valuation of Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair market value of identifiable net assets on the date of acquisition. As of January 1, 2002 we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will rather be tested at least annually for impairment. Any impairment loss incurred is recorded as a charge to current period earnings. At the adoption of SFAS No. 142 as of January 1, 2002, we have assessed whether acquired goodwill was impaired and whether an impairment loss should have been recognized. Based on the tests performed, no impairment loss was recorded upon adoption of this standard as of January 1, 2002, nor as of December 31, 2002. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Determination of the implied fair value includes certain management judgments and use of valuation techniques, and may be different if other assumptions are used. In future periods we may be required to record an impairment loss based on the impairment test performed, which may significantly affect our results of operations at that time.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” long-lived assets and certain recognized intangible assets (except those not being amortized) to be held and used, and long-lived assets and certain recognized intangible assets (including those not being amortized) to be disposed of, are required to be reviewed for impairment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In performing the review for recoverability, we have to estimate the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In 2002, we reviewed our long-lived assets, including our strategic investment in NuTool, for facts or circumstances, both internal and external, that may suggest impairment, including performance compared to historical or projected future operating results, negative industry or economic trends and the technological value as compared to the market. In 2002, no such impairment was indicated. Our cash flow estimates used were based on our best estimates and projections at the time of our review. In future periods, however, we may be required to record an impairment loss based on the impairment test performed, which may significantly affect our results of operations at that time.

 

Valuation of Inventory. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. We regularly evaluate the value of our inventory of components and raw materials, work in progress and finished goods, based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales, historical usage, product end of life cycle, estimated current and future market values, service inventory requirements and new product introductions, as well as other factors. Purchasing

 

19


Table of Contents

requirements and alternative uses for the inventory are explored within these processes to mitigate inventory exposure. We record writedowns for inventory based on the above factors and take into account worldwide quantities and demand into our analysis. If circumstances related to our inventories change, our estimates of the value of inventory could materially change.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes. We currently have significant deferred tax assets, which resulted primarily from operating losses incurred in prior years as well as other temporary differences. SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets. Based on available evidence, we regularly evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. This evaluation includes our judgment on the future profitability and our ability to generate taxable income, changes in market conditions and other factors. At December 31, 2002, we believed that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate recognition of substantially all net deferred tax assets with respect to net operating loss carryforwards, and we have established a valuation allowance accordingly. Future changes in facts and circumstances, if any, may result in a change of the valuation allowance to these deferred tax asset balances which may positively influence our result of operations at that time.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Sales. Our consolidated net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to € 147.4 million, an increase of 5.3% compared to net sales of € 140.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and a decrease of 3.7% compared to the sales level of € 153.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Net sales for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to € 418.3 million, an increase of 9.6% compared to € 381.5 million net sales for the same period in 2002.

 

Sales levels for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were at approximately the same level as the preceding three months ended June 30, 2003, both in Front-end as well as Back-end. Although there are positive signs for higher semiconductor sales, semiconductor manufacturers are still not quite ready to firmly commit to large scale capital investments, which results in an erratic order intake as well as price pressure and required short lead times between order intake and delivery.

 

The strong Euro against the Japanese yen, the US dollar and US dollar related currencies negatively impacted the Company’s consolidated net sales levels as expressed in Euro. The growth in sales would have been as high as 26.6%, if the exchange rates for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 were applied to the sales levels for the first nine months ended September 30, 2002 expressed in their original local currencies.

 

Gross Profit. Our gross profit margin for the three months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to 33.0% of net sales, 5.1 percentage points below the gross profit margin of 38.1% of net sales in the same period of 2002, and 0.6 percentage points better than the 32.4% gross profit margin realized in the three months ended June 30, 2003. The gross profit margin for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to 32.6%, a decrease of 4.1 percentage points compared to the 36.7% gross profit margin for the same period in 2002. Although the gross profit margin improved slightly in the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003, the gross profit margin is still negatively impacted by

 

20


Table of Contents

competitive price pressure, the product mix and the impact of lower US dollar exchange rates, in particular in the Front-end operations. The same factors also contributed to the decrease of gross margin for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the same period in 2002.

 

Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses were € 26.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to € 28.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of 5.9%, and 10.8% above the level of € 24.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses were € 75.2 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2003, a decrease of 5.5% compared to € 79.6 million in the same period of 2002. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 18.0% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to 20.9% in the same period of 2002. The overall decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is the result of cost control measures and of the strong Euro against the Japanese Yen, the US dollar and US dollar related currencies, while the increase in the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003 relates primarily to increased marketing and selling expenses.

 

Research and Development. Research and development expenses decreased from € 21.6 million or 15.4% of net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2002 to € 18.8 million or 12.8% of net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2003, and were 7.0% below the € 20.2 million in research and development expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2003. For the first nine months ended September 30, 2003, research and development expenses decreased by 10.1% compared to the same period in 2002, and decreased as a percentage of net sales from 16.7% to 13.7%. The decrease is the result of our adjustment of the timing in some of our R&D programs, which we believe will not affect our strong research and development commitment to the industry, and, to a lesser extent, the impact of the strong Euro against the Japanese Yen, the US dollar and US dollar related currencies.

 

Net Interest and Other Financial Income (Expenses). Net interest and other financial expenses increased from a net expense of € 2.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2002 to a net expense of € 4.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2003. In the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 the net expense amounted to € 9.0 million compared to a net expense of € (6.8) million in the same period of 2002. The increase is the result of higher net interest expenses resulting from increased borrowings, including the issuance of US$ 90.0 million in convertible subordinated debt in May 2003 and lower interest income on cash deposits due to lower interest rates. The increase was partially offset by the lower US dollar exchange rate. Net currency transaction losses for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were € 1.1 million compared to net currency transaction losses of € 0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2002. Currency transaction losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were € 1.6 million compared to € 0.8 million in the same period of 2002.

 

Income Taxes. We recorded a tax expense of € 2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to a tax expense of € 0.1 million for the same period in 2002, and a tax expense of € 3.5 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to a tax income of € 0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

21


Table of Contents

Net Loss. We recorded a net loss of € 9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to a net loss of € 4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The net loss for the first nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to € 23.8 million compared to a net loss of € 23.2 million for first nine months ended September 30, 2002. The net losses reflect the low level of sales and the weak demand for our products resulting from the current substantial downturn in the semiconductor market, in particular in our Front-end operations.

 

Restructuring

 

In July 2003 we announced our intention to take further steps to reduce our existing fixed cost base by reducing our Front-end workforce by approximately 150 employees or 10% of the total Front-end staff. In the three months ended September 30, 2003 the Front-end workforce was reduced by 45 employees, including temporary contract employees. The associated termination expenses were € 0.5 million, which were included in operating expenses. Decisions regarding the remaining reductions in workforce and restructuring of activities will be taken in the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2003. The financial recognition of the associated expenses will be in the fourth quarter of this year, as well as in the first half of 2004. The associated restructuring expenses, including impairment of fixed assets, for the fourth quarter of 2003 are estimated to be approximately € 5.0 million.

 

Outlook

 

There are signs of general improvement in the semiconductor industry that should filter to the equipment sector in coming quarters. At the same time, the momentum developing in our Back-end operations may be a precursor for the equipment sector as a whole. But we are still waiting for a convincing acceleration of booking activity in the industry’s Front-end segment.

 

This situation continues to create volatility in our order intake that makes reliable projections difficult. Considering the lower level of Front-end bookings over the past quarters, we expect our fourth quarter consolidated sales and net results (before restructuring expenses) at a lower level than the third quarter of 2003.

 

Backlog

 

New orders received in the third quarter ended September 30, 2003 amounted to € 130.8 million, 17.0% higher than the € 111.8 million level of new orders received in the second quarter of 2003. Both segments of our business showed increases over the second quarter’s levels, although in Front-end the quarterly book-to-bill ratio stayed well under 1.0. The overall book-to-bill ratio for the third quarter was 0.89 compared to 0.73 in the second quarter of 2003. For the first nine months of 2003 the total of new orders amounted to € 392.5 million compared to € 429.5 million for the first nine months of 2002. The backlog at the end of September 2003 amounted to € 117.1 million, a decrease of 12.4% compared to € 133.7 million at the end of June 2003.

 

Our backlog consists of orders of products by purchase orders or letters of intent for future periods, typically for up to one year. In some markets, such as Japan, it is common practice for letters of intent to be used in place of firm purchase orders. Under specific

 

22


Table of Contents

circumstances, customers can cancel or reschedule deliveries. In addition, purchase orders are subject to price negotiations and changes in quantities of products ordered as a result of changes in customers’ requirements. Depending on the complexity of an order, we generally ship our products from one to six months after receipt of an order. We include in the backlog only orders for which a delivery schedule has been specified and to which the customer has assigned an order number. Rescheduled deliveries are included in backlog if they have a firm delivery date.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our liquidity is affected by many factors, some of which are related to our ongoing operations and others of which are related to the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industries and to the economies of the countries in which we operate. Although our cash requirements fluctuate based on the timing and extent of these factors, we believe that cash generated by operations, together with the liquidity provided by our existing cash resources and our financing arrangements, will be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other ongoing business requirements for at least the next twelve months. The cyclicality of the industry, the duration of the current downturn and the uncertain economic environment could result in lower customer demand and continued fixed costs and as a result cash generated by operations may be lower than forecasted. In such a situation we might need to further utilize our short-term credit facilities or investigate additional financing.

 

At September 30, 2003, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of € 115.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and € 67.8 million in undrawn bank lines. Approximately € 33.7 million of the cash and cash equivalents and € 39.2 million of the undrawn bank lines are restricted to use in our Back-end operations and € 28.6 million in undrawn bank lines are available for our Front-end operations, primarily for use in our Japanese operations.

 

In May 2003, we issued US$ 90.0 million in principal amount of 5.25% convertible subordinated notes due 2010 in a private offering. Interest on the notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2003. The notes are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. The notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of our common stock initially at a conversion rate of 52.0237 shares of common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. This is equivalent to an initial conversation price of US$ 19.22 per share. The notes bear interest at a rate of 5.25% per year. On or after May 20, 2006, we may redeem any of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing price of our common shares has exceeded 150% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in any period of 30 consecutive trading days and if certain other conditions are satisfied. In the event of a change in control, we may be required to repurchase the notes. The US$ 115.0 million 5.0% convertible subordinated notes rank pari passu with the US$ 90.0 million convertible subordinated notes. At September 30, 2003, none of the US$ 90.0 million convertible subordinated notes have been converted or repurchased.

 

In December 2002, we entered into a multicurrency revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks in the amount of € 70.0 million to be utilized solely for our Front-end operations, excluding Japan. In June 2003, we cancelled the credit facility, subsequent to

 

23


Table of Contents

repayment of the outstanding amount under the facility from the proceeds of the US$ 90.0 million 5.25% convertible subordinated notes, issued in May 2003.

 

During the first nine months ended September 30, 2003, our net cash provided by operating activities was € 23.3 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of € 11.5 million for the same period in 2002. The increase was primarily the result of a lower need for cash working capital. At December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, we had purchase commitments with suppliers in the amount of € 70.1 million and € 62.7 million, respectively.

 

During the first nine months ended September 30, 2003, we invested € 15.4 million in capital equipment and facilities and invested € 1.2 million in additional equity funding in our participation in NuTool, Inc. We expect capital expenditures for the full year 2003 to be slightly below the € 33.2 million amount in the previous year. Our capital expenditure commitments at December 31, 2002 were € 3.3 million and at September 30, 2003 were € 6.1 million.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was € 43.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003. During that period, we repaid € 2.2 million in long-term debt, received € 76.0 million in new long-term debt resulting from the sale of US$ 90.0 million 5.25% convertible subordinated notes and received € 3.9 million from the issuance of common shares. Also in the period, our subsidiary, ASMPT, paid an aggregate of € 20.4 million in dividends to its minority shareholders.

 

We finance the operation of our Front-end business from operating cash flows and from borrowings. We support borrowings of our Front-end subsidiaries with guarantees. We have also granted security interests in some of our land and buildings.

 

Our Back-end operations, which are conducted through our 54.11%-owned subsidiary ASMPT, are entirely self-financed by ASMPT. However, the earnings, cash resources and borrowing capacity of ASMPT are not available to our Front-end operations due to restrictions imposed by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on which the ASMPT common shares are listed.

 

We rely on dividends from ASMPT for a portion of our cash flow for use in our Front-end operations. Cash dividends received from ASMPT during 2000, 2001 and 2002 were € 15.4 million, € 35.7 million and € 29.5 million, respectively. In April 2003, we received a final dividend for the year 2002 of € 15.9 million, and in August 2003 we received an interim dividend for the year 2003 of € 8.2 million.

 

Although several of the directors of ASMPT are affiliates of ASM International, they are under no obligation to declare dividends to shareholders or enter into transactions that are beneficial to us. As a majority shareholder, we can approve the payment of dividends, but cannot compel their payment or size.

 

The market value of our investment in ASMPT at September 30, 2003 was approximately € 602.2 million, which is higher than the market value at the end of 2002, which was approximately € 390.7 million.

 

24


Table of Contents

MARKET RISK DISCLOSURE

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, most notably fluctuations of the United States dollar, the Hong Kong dollar and the Japanese yen against the euro. We report our operating results and financial position in euros, while foreign affiliates report their operating results and financial position in their respective functional currencies. To the extent that foreign currency fluctuations affect the value of our investments in our foreign affiliates, they are not hedged. The cumulative effect of these fluctuations is separately reported in Shareholders’ Equity and for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we recorded an unfavorable movement of € 13.7 million.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

 

Our operations are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from cash flows and financial instruments that are denominated in currencies other then the functional currency of ASM International or the respective subsidiary conducting the business. The purpose of our foreign currency management is to manage the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency denominated revenues, costs and eventual cash flows, and on foreign currency assets and liabilities.

 

We follow SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138. SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities, and requires that all derivatives, including foreign currency exchange contracts, be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge treatment, as well as the ineffective portion of any hedges, are recognized in earnings. All of our derivative financial instruments are recorded at their fair value in other current assets or accrued expenses.

 

The terms of currency instruments used for hedging purposes are generally consistent with the timing of the transactions being hedged. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We use derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts, to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions expected to occur within the next 12 months. As a policy we only hedge anticipated foreign currency sales and purchase transactions for which we have a firm commitment to a customer or supplier. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, hedges related to anticipated transactions are designated and documented at the inception of the hedge as cash flow hedges, and are evaluated for effectiveness quarterly. The effective portion of the gain or loss on these hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive loss in Shareholders’ Equity, and is reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. An amount of approximately € 0.1 million included in other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2003 will be reclassified to earnings within 12 months upon completion of the underlying transaction. If the underlying transaction being hedged fails to occur, or if a portion of any derivative is ineffective, the gain or loss is immediately recognized in earnings under net interest and other financial income (expenses) on the Statement of Operations.

 

Furthermore, we continue to manage the currency exposure of certain receivables and payables using derivative instruments, such as forward exchange contracts and currency swaps,

 

25


Table of Contents

and nonderivative instruments, such as debt borrowings in foreign currencies. The gains or losses on these instruments provide an offset to the gains or losses recorded on the foreign currency receivables and payables. The derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings under net interest and other financial income (expenses) on the Statement of Operations. Foreign currency receivables and payables are recorded at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and gains and losses as a result of changes in exchange rates are recorded in earnings under net interest and other financial income (expenses) on the Statement of Operations. The operations of our subsidiaries are generally financed with debt issued in the currency of the country in which each subsidiary is located in an effort to limit our foreign currency exposure.

 

As of September 30, 2003, we have entered into forward exchange contracts with terms less than twelve months to sell in total US$ 11.7 million and to receive € 10.3 million, to sell US$ 5.0 million and to receive Japanese yen 581.5 million, to buy in total US$ 1.2 million for payment of Japanese yen 140.3 million. At September 30, 2003, the aggregate fair market value of these forward exchange contracts was to receive € 14.4 million and to pay € 1.0 million. The fair market values of these contracts are based on external quotes from banks for similar contracts.

 

As our borrowings are primarily in other currencies than euros, a change in foreign currency exchange rates will have an impact on our net earnings. A hypothetical change of 10% in foreign currencies against the euro would result in an annual € 1.1 million change in interest expenses at September 30, 2003 borrowing levels.

 

Interest risk

 

At September 30, 2003, we had convertible subordinated debt borrowings outstanding of € 175.9 million at a fixed interest rate of which € 98.7 million is maturing in November 2005 and € 77.2 million is maturing in May 2010. We also had € 8.5 million in long-term debt at fixed interest rates, due from 2003-2010, and € 12.5 million in other borrowings with variable short-term interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily through our borrowing activities. We do not enter into financial instrument transactions for trading or speculative purposes or to manage interest rate exposure. A hypothetical change in the average interest rate by 10% on the portion of our debt bearing interest at variable rates would not result in a material change in annual interest expense at September 30, 2003 borrowing levels.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties failed completely to perform as contracted and from movements in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. We do not anticipate nonperformance by counterparties. We generally do not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off-balance sheet) that arise from financial instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. Financial instruments on the balance sheet that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We maintain a policy providing for the diversification of

 

26


Table of Contents

cash and cash equivalent investments and placement of investments in high quality financial institutions to limit the amount of credit risk exposure. A significant percentage of our revenue is derived from a limited number of large customers. Our largest customer accounted for approximately 13.9% of our net sales in 2002 and our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 39.6% of our net sales in 2002. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, our largest customer accounted for approximately 22.2% of our net sales and our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 49.7% of net sales. Sales to these large customers also may fluctuate significantly from time to time depending on the timing and level of purchases from us. Significant orders from such customers may expose us to a concentration of credit risk and difficulties in collecting amounts due, which might harm our financial results and financial condition. At September 30, 2003, one customer accounted for 13.6% of the outstanding balance in accounts receivable.

 

27


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY FACTORS

 

Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “objective”, and “think” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties including those described below and other factors that may be disclosed from time to time in SEC filings or otherwise. Some or all of these factors may be beyond our control.

 

Risks Related to Our Industry

 

Our business could be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry.

 

We sell our products to the semiconductor industry, which is subject to sudden, extreme, cyclical variations in product supply and demand. Since late 2000, the semiconductor industry has been in a cyclical downturn characterized by reduced demand for products, lower average selling prices, reduced investment in semiconductor capital equipment and other factors all of which have lead to lower sales and earnings for our business. The timing, length and severity of these cycles are difficult to predict. In some cases, such as the present circumstances, these cycles have lasted more than a year. Semiconductor manufacturers may contribute to these cycles by misinterpreting the conditions in the industry and over- or under-investing in semiconductor manufacturing capacity and equipment. We may not be able to respond effectively to these industry cycles.

 

Downturns in the semiconductor industry often occur in connection with, or anticipation of, maturing product cycles and declines in general economic conditions. Industry downturns have been characterized by reduced demand for semiconductor devices and equipment, production over-capacity and accelerated decline in average selling prices. During a period of declining demand, we must be able to quickly and effectively reduce expenses and motivate and retain key employees. Our ability to reduce expenses in response to any downturn in the semiconductor industry is limited by our need for continued investment in engineering and research and development and extensive ongoing customer service and support requirements. In addition, the long lead time for production and delivery of some of our products creates a risk that we may incur expenditures or purchase inventories for products which we cannot sell. During periods of extended downturn, a portion of our inventory may be written down if it is not sold.

 

Industry upturns have been characterized by abrupt increases in demand for semiconductor devices and equipment and insufficient production capacity. During a period of increasing demand and rapid growth, we must be able to quickly increase manufacturing capacity to meet customer demand and hire and assimilate a sufficient number of additional qualified personnel. Our inability to quickly respond in times of increased demand could harm our reputation and cause some of our existing or potential customers to place orders with our competitors rather than us.

 

28


Table of Contents

Our industry is subject to rapid technological change and we may not be able to forecast or respond to commercial and technological trends in time to avoid competitive harm.

 

Our growth strategy and future success depend upon commercial acceptance of products incorporating technologies we are developing, such as atomic layer chemical vapor deposition, rapid thermal processing, low-k dielectrics and silicon germanium epitaxy. The semiconductor industry and the semiconductor equipment industry are subject to rapid technological change and frequent introductions of enhancements to existing products. Technological changes have had and will continue to have a significant impact on our business. Our operating results and our ability to remain competitive are affected by our ability to accurately anticipate customer and market requirements and develop technologies and products to meet these requirements. Our success in developing, introducing and selling new and enhanced products depends upon a variety of factors, including:

 

    successful innovation of processes and equipment;

 

    accurate technology and product selection;

 

    timely and efficient completion of product design and development;

 

    timely and efficient implementation of manufacturing and assembly processes;

 

    successful product performance in the field;

 

    effective and timely product support and service; and

 

    effective product sales and marketing.

 

We may not be able to accurately forecast or respond to commercial and technical trends in the semiconductor industry or to the development of new technologies and products by our competitors. Our competitors may develop technologies and products that are more effective than ours or that may be more widely accepted. In addition, we may incur substantial unanticipated costs to ensure the functionality and reliability of our current and future products. If our products are unreliable or do not meet our customers’ expectations, then we may experience reduced orders, higher manufacturing costs, delays in collecting accounts receivable, and/or additional service and warranty expense. We have experienced delays from time to time in the introduction of, and some technical and manufacturing difficulties with, some of our systems and enhancements. We may also experience delays and technical and manufacturing difficulties in future introductions or volume production of new systems or enhancements. Significant delays can occur between a product’s introduction and the commencement of volume production of that product. Any of these events could negatively impact our ability to generate the return we intend to achieve on our investments in new products.

 

If we fail to adequately invest in research and development, or lose our relationships with independent research institutes and universities, we may be unable to compete effectively.

 

We have limited resources to allocate to research and development, and must allocate our resources among a wide variety of projects in our front-end and back-end businesses. Because of

 

29


Table of Contents

intense competition in our industry, the cost of failing to invest in strategic products is high. In order to enhance the benefits obtained from our research and development expenditures, we have contractual and other relationships with independent research institutes. If we fail to adequately invest in research and development or lose our ability to collaborate with these independent research entities, we may be unable to compete effectively in the front-end and back-end markets in which we operate.

 

We face intense competition and potential competition from companies which have greater resources than we do, and if we are unable to compete effectively with these companies, our market share may decline and our business could be harmed.

 

We face intense competition in both the front-end and back-end segments of the semiconductor equipment industry from other established companies. Our primary competitors in the front-end business include Applied Materials, Novellus, Tokyo Electron, and Kokusai. Our primary competitors in the back-end business include Kulicke & Soffa, ESEC, Shinkawa, Apic Yamada, BE Semiconductor, Towa, Shinko and Mitsui. A number of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technological, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution resources than we do. Their greater capabilities in these areas may enable them to:

 

    better withstand periodic downturns in the semiconductor industry;

 

    compete more effectively on the basis of price and technology;

 

    more quickly develop enhancements to, and new generations of products; and

 

    more effectively retain existing customers and attract new customers.

 

In addition, new companies may enter the markets in which we compete, further increasing competition in the semiconductor equipment industry.

 

We believe that our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including:

 

    our success in developing new products and enhancements;

 

    performance of our products;

 

    quality of our products;

 

    ease of use of our products;

 

    reliability of our products;

 

    cost of owning our products;

 

    our ability to ship products in a timely manner;

 

    quality of the technical service we provide;

 

30


Table of Contents
    timeliness of the services we provide;

 

    responses of our competitors to changing market and economic conditions; and

 

    price of our products and our competitors’ products.

 

Some of these factors are outside our control. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future, and increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins, loss of market share, and inability to generate cash flows that are sufficient to maintain or expand our development of new products.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Our quarterly revenues and operating results fluctuate due to a variety of factors, which may result in volatility or a decrease in the price of our common shares.

 

Our quarterly revenues and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may vary in the future due to a number of factors, including:

 

    cyclicality and other economic conditions in the semiconductor industry;

 

    production capacity constraints;

 

    the timing of customer orders, cancellations and shipments;

 

    the length and variability of the sales cycle for our products;

 

    the introduction of new products and enhancements by us and our competitors;

 

    the emergence of new industry standards;

 

    product obsolescence;

 

    disruptions in sources of supply;

 

    our ability to time our expenditures in anticipation of future orders;

 

    our ability to fund our capital requirements;

 

    changes in our pricing and pricing by our suppliers and competitors;

 

    our product and revenue mix;

 

    seasonal fluctuations in demand for our products;

 

    exchange rate fluctuations;

 

31


Table of Contents
    further appreciation of the euro versus the US dollar would negatively affect the competitiveness of our manufacturing activities that are domiciled in countries whose currency is the euro; and

 

    economic conditions generally or in various geographic areas where we or our customers do business.

 

In addition, we derive a substantial portion of our net sales from products that have a high average selling price and significant lead times between the initial order and delivery of the product. The timing and recognition of net sales from customer orders can cause significant fluctuations in our operating results from quarter to quarter. Gross margins realized on product sales vary depending upon a variety of factors, including the mix of products sold during a particular period, negotiated selling prices, the timing of new product introductions and enhancements and manufacturing costs. A delay in a shipment near the end of a fiscal quarter or year, due, for example, to rescheduling or cancellations by customers or to unexpected manufacturing difficulties experienced by us, may cause sales in a particular period to fall significantly below our expectations and may materially adversely affect our operating results for that period. Further, our need to continue expenditures for research and development and engineering make it difficult for us to reduce expenses in a particular quarter even if our sales goals for that quarter are not met. Our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for any sales shortfall would magnify the adverse impact of a sales shortfall on our operating results. In addition, announcements by us or our competitors of new products and technologies could cause customers to defer purchases of our existing systems, which could negatively impact our earnings and our financial position.

 

As a result of these factors, our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Any shortfall in revenues or net income from levels expected by securities analysts and investors could cause a decrease in the trading price of our common shares.

 

Our products generally have long sales cycles and implementation periods, which increase our costs in obtaining orders and reduce the predictability of our earnings.

 

Our products are technologically complex. Prospective customers generally must commit significant resources to test and evaluate our products and to install and integrate them into larger systems. In addition, customers often require a significant number of product presentations and demonstrations, in some instances evaluating equipment on site, before reaching a sufficient level of confidence in the product’s performance and compatibility with the customer’s requirements to place an order. As a result, our sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes that typically accompany the design and testing of new products. The sales cycles of our products often last for many months or even years. Longer sales cycles require us to invest significant resources in attempting to make sales and delay the generation of revenue.

 

Long sales cycles also subject us to other risks, including customers’ budgetary constraints, internal acceptance reviews and cancellations. In addition, orders expected in one quarter could shift to another because of the timing of customers’ purchase decisions. The time required for our customers to incorporate our products into their systems can vary significantly

 

32


Table of Contents

with the needs of our customers and generally exceeds several months, which further complicates our planning processes and reduces the predictability of our operating results.

 

Substantially all of our equipment orders are subject to operating or performance specifications. We occasionally experience unforeseen difficulties in compliance with these criteria, which can result in increased design, installation and other costs and expenses.

 

Substantially all of our equipment sales are conditioned on our demonstration, and our customer’s acceptance, that the equipment meets specified operating and performance criteria, either before shipment or after installation in a customer’s facility. We occasionally experience unforeseen difficulties in demonstrating compliance with these criteria, which can lead to unanticipated expenses for the redesign, modification and testing of the equipment and related software. To the extent this occurs in the future, our cost of goods sold and operating income will be adversely effected. If we are not able to demonstrate compliance with the performance and operating specifications in respect of specific equipment, we may have to pay penalties to the customer, issue credit notes to the customer and/or take other remedial action, any one of which could negatively affect our operating income.

 

We derive a significant percentage of our revenue from sales to a small number of large customers, and if we are not able to retain these customers, or they reschedule, reduce or cancel orders, our revenues would be reduced and our financial results would suffer.

 

Our largest customers account for a significant percentage of our revenues. Our largest customer accounted for 13.9% and our ten largest customers accounted for 39.6% of our net sales in 2002. Sales to and the relative importance of these large customers have varied significantly from year to year and will continue to fluctuate in the future. These sales also may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. We may not be able to retain our key customers or they may cancel purchase orders or reschedule or decrease their level of purchases from us. Any substantial decrease or delay in sales to one or more of our key customers could harm our sales and financial results. In addition, any difficulty in collecting amounts due from one or more key customers could harm our financial results.

 

We may need additional funds to finance our future growth, and if we are unable to obtain such funds, we may not be able to expand our business as planned.

 

In the past, we have experienced severe capital constraints that adversely affected our operations and ability to compete. We may require substantial additional capital to finance our future growth and fund our ongoing research and development activities beyond 2003. Our capital requirements depend on many factors, including acceptance of and demand for our products, and the extent to which we invest in new technology and research and development projects.

 

If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our existing shareholders would be diluted. If we finance our capital requirements we may incur significant interest costs. Additional financing may not be available to us when needed or, if available, may not be available on terms acceptable to us.

 

33


Table of Contents

If we are unable to raise needed additional funds, we may have to reduce the amount we spend on research and development, slow down our introduction of new products, reduce capital expenditures necessary to support future growth and/or take other measures to reduce expenses which could limit our growth and ability to compete.

 

The recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) in several East Asian countries and other parts of the world may have an adverse effect on the economies, financial markets and business activities in East Asia and elsewhere, including our operations in East Asia, and as a result may adversely affect our results of operations.

 

In early 2003, certain countries in East Asia experienced an outbreak of SARS, a highly contagious form of atypical pneumonia. The most heavily affected areas were the Guangdong Province and Hong Kong in the People’s Republic of China. During this outbreak, the World Health Organization issued travel advisories recommending that persons traveling to these areas and other areas affected by the SARS outbreak consider postponing all but essential travel. The recommendations resulted in major airlines drastically reducing the number of flights to Hong Kong and other cities in the regions affected by the SARS outbreak, and travel to and from certain locations in these regions became impractical due to quarantines imposed or recommended for travelers returning from the affected areas. The last new reported case of SARS occurred in Taiwan on June 15, 2003. On July 5, 2003, Taiwan, the last region remaining on the list of areas with recent local transmission of SARS, was removed from that list. The World Health Organization has removed its travel advisories to the regions that were affected by the SARS outbreak.

 

Like a number of our competitors, our operations in areas that experienced this outbreak were somewhat affected, especially in our back-end operations in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, which is in Guangdong Province. Although the travel restrictions and recommendations against travel to the region have been removed, it is uncertain what the long-term impact of the SARS outbreak will be. The possibility that people will remain hesitant to travel in and to the region, and the possibility that future outbreaks of SARS could occur, may have an adverse effect on the economies, financial markets and business activities in Asia and elsewhere. Furthermore, while we developed strategies to deal with our limited ability to meet personally with customers, suppliers and others during the outbreak which we believe were effective, we can not be certain that such plans or strategies would be fully effective in the event of a future outbreak, or that a future outbreak would not have a material adverse effect on our front-end and back-end operations in the region or beyond.

 

Although we are a majority shareholder, ASM Pacific Technology is not obligated to pay dividends to us and may take actions or enter into transactions that are detrimental to us.

 

ASM Pacific Technology is a Cayman Islands limited liability company that is based in Hong Kong and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As of September 30, 2003, we owned 54.11% of ASM Pacific Technology through our wholly-owned subsidiary, ASM Netherlands Antilles N.V., a Netherlands Antilles company, and the remaining 45.89% was owned by the public.

 

34


Table of Contents

Although three of the five directors of ASM Pacific Technology are affiliates of ASM International, they are under no obligation to take any actions that are beneficial to us. Issues and conflicts of interest therefore may arise which might not be resolved in our best interests.

 

In addition, the directors of ASM Pacific Technology are under no obligation to declare a payment of dividends to shareholders. As a shareholder of ASM Pacific Technology, we can approve the payment of dividends, but cannot compel their payment or size. With respect to the payment of dividends, the directors must consider the financial position of ASM Pacific Technology after the dividend. Since a portion of our cash flows available for Front-end is derived from the dividends we receive from ASM Pacific Technology, its failure to declare dividends in any year would negatively impact the cash position of our front-end segment for that year and reduce cash available to service our indebtedness. Cash dividends received from ASM Pacific Technology totaled € 15.4 million, € 35.7 million, and € 29.5 million in 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively and € 24.1 million in 2003 (through September).

 

The directors of ASM Pacific Technology owe their fiduciary duties to ASM Pacific Technology, and may approve transactions to which we are a party only if the transactions are commercially beneficial to ASM Pacific Technology. Further, under the listing rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, directors who are on the boards of both ASM Pacific Technology and ASM International are not permitted to vote on a transaction involving both entities. This would disqualify all three of the affiliates of ASM International who currently serve on the board of ASM Pacific Technology from voting on any such transaction.

 

As a shareholder of ASM Pacific Technology, we can vote our shares in accordance with our own interests. However, we may not be entitled to vote on transactions involving both us and ASM Pacific Technology under the listing rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Takeover Code. For example, under the Hong Kong Takeover Code, we would be excluded from voting if we were directly involved in a takeover of ASM Pacific Technology in a transaction requiring a shareholder vote.

 

Our reliance on a primary supplier could result in disruption of our operations.

 

We outsource a substantial majority of the manufacturing of our front-end business to a single supplier, Philips High Tech Electronics Group (formerly Philips Machinefabrieken Nederland B.V.) based in the Netherlands. Purchases from Philips represented approximately 24.9% of our total cost of sales in the front-end segment in fiscal 2002. A limited portion of this amount represents manufacturing for which Philips is the sole supplier. We are in the process of developing additional internal and external sources of supply for these manufacturing processes in the future. If Philips were unable or unwilling to deliver products to us in the quantities we require for any reason, including natural disaster, labor unrest, capacity constraints, supply chain management problems or contractual disputes, we may be unable to fill customer orders on a timely basis, which could negatively affect our financial performance and customer relationships.

 

35


Table of Contents

Because the costs to semiconductor manufacturers of switching from one semiconductor equipment supplier to another can be high, it may be more difficult to sell our products to new customers which could limit our growth in sales and market share.

 

We believe that once a semiconductor manufacturer has selected a supplier’s equipment for a particular product line, that manufacturer generally continues to rely on that supplier for future equipment requirements, including new generations of similar products. Changing from one equipment supplier to another is expensive and requires a substantial investment of resources by the customer. Accordingly, it is difficult to achieve significant sales to a customer currently using another supplier’s equipment. Our inability to sell our products to potential customers who currently use another supplier’s equipment could adversely affect our ability to increase revenue and market share.

 

Our ability to compete could be jeopardized if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights from challenges by third parties; claims or litigation regarding intellectual property rights could require us to incur significant costs.

 

Our success and ability to compete depend in large part upon protecting our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our proprietary rights. These agreements and measures may not be sufficient to protect our technology from third party infringements, or to protect us from the claims of others. In addition, patents issued to us may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, rights granted to us under patents may not provide competitive advantages to us, and third parties may assert that our products infringe their patents, copyrights or trade secrets. Third parties could also independently develop similar products or duplicate our products.

 

In addition, monitoring unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology. The laws of some countries in which our products are or may be developed, manufactured or sold, including various countries in Asia, may not protect our products or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the Netherlands and the United States and thus make the possibility of piracy of our technology and products more likely in these countries. If competitors are able to use our technology as their own, our ability to compete effectively could be harmed.

 

In recent years, there has been substantial litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in semiconductor-related industries. We are currently involved in patent litigation proceedings in the United States with Applied Materials, Inc. involving claims and counter-claims of patent infringement unrelated to our 1997 settlement with Applied Materials discussed below. In addition, in April 2003, we and our subsidiary, ASM America, entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the settlement of mutual patent infringement claims between ASM America and Genus, Inc. Although the Genus memorandum of understanding is binding on the parties, various implementation details remain to be worked out. In the future, additional litigation may be necessary to enforce patents issued to us, to protect trade secrets or know-how owned by us or to defend us against claimed infringement of the rights of others and to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. See Note O of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 20-F dated April 17, 2003 and Note J to Unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Information contained elsewhere in this report.

 

Claims that our products infringe the proprietary rights of others would force us to defend ourselves and possibly our customers or suppliers against the alleged infringement. Such claims,

 

36


Table of Contents

if successful, could subject us to significant liability for damages and invalidate our proprietary rights. Regardless of the outcome, patent infringement litigation is time-consuming and expensive to resolve and diverts management time and attention.

 

Intellectual property litigation could force us to do one or more of the following, any one of which could severely harm our business:

 

    forfeit our proprietary rights;

 

    stop manufacturing or selling our products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

    obtain from the owner of the infringed intellectual property right a license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all or may involve significant royalty payments;

 

    pay damages, including treble damages and attorney’s fees in some circumstances; or

 

    redesign those products that use the challenged intellectual property.

 

We license the use of some patents from a competitor pursuant to a settlement agreement; if the agreement is terminated, our business could be adversely affected.

 

In October 1997, we entered into an agreement to settle mutual patent infringement litigation with Applied Materials, Inc., which was amended and restated in 1998, pursuant to which Applied Materials agreed to grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive and royalty-bearing license to use all of the litigated patents and certain additional patents that were not part of the litigation. In return, we agreed to pay Applied Materials US $80.0 million and to grant it a worldwide, non-exclusive license to use a number of our patents that we were enforcing in the litigation. All licenses expire at the end of the life of the underlying patents. In addition, the settlement agreement includes covenants for limited periods during which the parties will not litigate the issue of whether certain of our products infringe any of Applied Materials’ patents that were not licensed to us under the settlement agreement. The covenants last for different periods of time for different products and have already expired as to some products. Applied Materials can file new litigation after these covenants expire. Upon the occurrence of an event of default or other specified events, including, among other things, our failure to pay royalties, a change of control of ASM International, and improper use of the licenses, Applied Materials may terminate the settlement agreement, including the licenses and covenants not to sue included in the agreement.

 

We are currently involved in patent infringement litigation with Applied Materials involving claims that are unrelated to and patents which are not the subject of our settlement agreement with Applied Materials. Additional litigation with Applied Materials regarding other matters or the operation of the settlement agreement itself could occur. Litigation with Applied Materials, which has greater financial resources than we do, could negatively impact our earnings and financial position.

 

37


Table of Contents

We operate worldwide; economic, political, military or other events in a country where we make significant sales or have significant operations could interfere with our success or operations there and harm our business.

 

We market and sell our products and services throughout the world. We have assembly facilities in the Netherlands, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and manufacturing facilities in the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia. We are subject to risks inherent in doing business internationally. In particular, the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. disrupted commerce throughout the United States and other parts of the world. The continued threat of similar attacks throughout the world and military action taken and to be taken by the United States and other nations in Iraq and elsewhere, as well as the threat of military confrontation on the Korean peninsula, may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout the world or in regions where we have operations. To the extent that such disruptions further slow the global economy or, more particularly, result in delays or cancellations of purchase orders, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We are unable to predict whether these risks or the responses thereto will result in any long-term commercial disruptions or if such activities or responses will have a long-term material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

We are subject to other risks related to international business, including:

 

    unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or changes in one country in which we do business which are inconsistent with regulations in another country in which we do business;

 

    fluctuations in exchange rates and currency controls;

 

    political conditions and instability, particularly in the countries in which our manufacturing facilities are located;

 

    economic conditions and instability;

 

    tariffs and other trade barriers, including current and future import and export restrictions, and freight rates;

 

    difficulty in staffing, coordinating and managing international operations;

 

    burden of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and licensing requirements;

 

    difficulty in protecting intellectual property rights in some foreign countries;

 

    limited ability to enforce agreements and other rights in some foreign countries;

 

    longer accounts receivable payment cycles in some countries; and

 

    business interruption and damage from natural disasters.

 

38


Table of Contents

We may not be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel or integrate qualified personnel into our organization. Consequently, we could experience reduced sales, delayed product development and diversion of management resources.

 

Our business and future operating results depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, technical, sales and support personnel for our operations on a worldwide basis. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel. Availability of qualified technical personnel varies from country to country, and may affect the operations of our subsidiaries in some parts of the world. Our operations could be negatively affected if we lose key executives or employees or are unable to attract and retain skilled executives and employees as needed. In particular, if our growth strategies are successful, we may not have sufficient personnel to manage that growth and may not be able to attract the personnel needed. We do not maintain insurance to protect against the loss of key executives or employees. Further, we have agreements with some, but not all, employees, restricting their ability to compete with us after their employment terminates. Our future growth and operating results will depend on:

 

    our ability to continue to broaden our senior management group;

 

    our ability to attract, hire and retain skilled employees; and

 

    the ability of our officers and key employees to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base.

 

In response to current market conditions, we have enacted a hiring freeze and have reduced personnel. Although we are not currently focused on attracting new key personnel, we have in the past experienced the intense competition for skilled personnel during market expansions and believe competition will again be intense when the semiconductor market rebounds. Consequently, we generally attempt to minimize reductions in skilled personnel as a reaction to industry downturns, which reduces our ability to lower costs by payroll reduction. We continue to monitor market and economic developments and are ready to implement further measures if circumstances warrant.

 

Our operational results could be negatively impacted by currency fluctuations.

 

Our assets, liabilities and operating expenses and those of our subsidiaries are to a large extent denominated in the currency of the country where each entity is established. Our financial statements, including our consolidated financial statements, are expressed in euros. The translation exposures that result from the inclusion of financial statements of our subsidiaries that are expressed in the currencies of the countries where the subsidiaries are located are not hedged. As a result, our operational results are exposed to fluctuations of various exchange rates. These net translation exposures are taken into account in determining shareholders’ equity.

 

In addition, foreign currency fluctuations may affect the prices of our products. Prices for our products are currently denominated in United States dollars, euros and Japanese yen for sales to our customers throughout the world. If there is a significant devaluation of the currency in a specific country, the prices of our products will increase relative to that country’s currency and our products may be less competitive in that country. Also, we cannot be sure that our

 

39


Table of Contents

international customers will continue to be willing to place orders denominated in these currencies. If they do not, our revenue and operating results will be subject to additional foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

 

Although we monitor our exposure to currency fluctuations, these fluctuations could negatively impact our earnings, cash flow and financial position.

 

If our products are found to be defective, product liability claims may be asserted against us and we may not have sufficient liability insurance or resources available to satisfy such claims.

 

One or more of our products may be found to be defective after we have already shipped the products in volume, requiring a product replacement or recall. We may also be subject to product returns that could impose substantial costs and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Product liability claims may be asserted with respect to our products. Although we currently have product liability insurance, we cannot assure that we have obtained sufficient insurance coverage, that we will have sufficient insurance coverage in the future or that we will have sufficient resources to satisfy any product liability claims should our insurance coverage be unavailable, insufficient or denied.

 

Environmental laws and regulations may expose us to liability and increase our costs.

 

Our operations are subject to many environmental laws and regulations wherever we operate which govern, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use and handling of hazardous substances, waste disposal and the investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. In February, 2003, the European Commission issued a directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (“WEEE”). In principal, the directive results in “take-back” obligations of manufacturers and/or the responsibility of manufacturers for the financing of the collection, recovery and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment by requiring that European Union Member States adopt appropriate measures to minimize WEEE disposal and achieve high levels of collection separation of WEEE by August 13, 2004. Producers of WEEE will have to provide for the financing of the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE by August 13, 2005. The European Commission also has proposed a ban on the use of lead and some flame retardants in manufacturing electronic components. These measures could adversely affect our manufacturing costs or product sales by forcing us or our suppliers to change production processes or use more costly materials. Our customers may require us to conform to the new standards in advance of their implementation by the European Union Member States.

 

As with other companies engaged in similar activities, we face inherent risks of environmental liability in our current and historical manufacturing activities. Costs associated with future environmental compliance or remediation obligations could adversely affect our business.

 

40


Table of Contents

Although we currently are a 54.11% shareholder of ASM Pacific Technology, we may not be able to maintain our majority interest, which, if other circumstances are such that we do not control ASM Pacific Technology, would prevent us from consolidating its results of operations with ours. This event would have a significant negative effect on our consolidated net earnings from operations.

 

We derive a significant portion of our net sales, earnings from operations and net earnings from the consolidation of the results of operations of ASM Pacific Technology with our results. If we do not maintain our majority interest in ASM Pacific Technology, and if other circumstances are such that we do not control it through other means, we would no longer be able to consolidate its results of operations with ours. Any such determination of whether we could continue to consolidate would be based on whether we still have a “controlling financial interest” within the meaning of United States generally accepted accounting principles. If we were to become unable to consolidate the results of operations of ASM Pacific Technology with our results, the results of operations of ASM Pacific Technology would no longer be included in our earnings from operations. Instead, our proportionate share of ASM Pacific Technology’s earnings would be reflected as a separate line-item called “share of results from investments” in our consolidated statements of operations. We would no longer be able to consolidate the assets and liabilities of ASM Pacific Technology and would have to reflect the net investment in ASM Pacific Technology in the line-item “investments” in our consolidated balance sheet. This event would have a significant negative effect on our consolidated earnings from operations, although our net earnings would be reduced only by an amount that reflects the reduction of our ownership interest in ASM Pacific Technology.

 

We maintain our majority interest in ASM Pacific Technology by purchasing shares from time to time as necessary. ASM Pacific Technology has an employee share incentive program pursuant to which it can issue up to an aggregate of 5.0% of its total issued shares, excluding shares subscribed for or purchased under the program, to directors and employees as an incentive. When ASM Pacific Technology issues shares pursuant to this program, our ownership interest is diluted. If the current maximum amount of shares are issued under this program, our ownership interest would continue to be above 50.0%. However, our interest could further be diluted if ASM Pacific Technology issues additional equity. Any such decision by ASM Pacific Technology to issue additional shares requires the approval of a majority of shareholders, which means that, at present, our approval would be required. Although we intend to continue to purchase shares of ASM Pacific Technology if necessary to maintain our majority interest, we may be unable to do so if we do not have sufficient financial resources at that time.

 

Our directors and officers control approximately 25% of our voting power which gives them significant influence over matters voted on by our shareholders, including the election of directors, and may make it more difficult for a shareholder group to remove or elect directors not supported by management.

 

Our directors and officers controlled approximately 25% of our voting power as of September 30, 2003. Accordingly, in the event they were to vote together in connection with matters submitted to a shareholder vote, such as the appointment of our management board by the shareholders, they would have significant influence on the outcome of those matters and on our direction and future operations. This makes it more difficult for a group of shareholders to remove or elect directors not supported by management.

 

41


Table of Contents

Any investments we may make could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition.

 

We consider investments in complementary businesses, products or technologies. In the third quarter of 2001, we invested US $18.0 million in NuTool, Inc., a semiconductor equipment company that develops copper deposition technologies. In the second quarter of 2003, we invested an additional US $1.4 million in NuTool, Inc. In 2001, we also entered into a strategic technology and marketing agreement with Genitech, Inc. in which we committed under certain conditions to provide $5.0 million over a period of three years for technology development. While we have no other current agreements or specific investment plans, we may acquire businesses, products or technologies in the future. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could:

 

    issue shares that would dilute our current shareholders’ percentage ownership;

 

    incur debt;

 

    assume liabilities;

 

    incur impairment expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets; or

 

    incur large and immediate accounting write-offs.

 

Our operation of any acquired business will also involve numerous risks, including:

 

    problems integrating the purchased operations, technologies or products;

 

    unanticipated costs and liabilities for which we are not able to obtain indemnification from the sellers;

 

    diversion of management’s attention from our core business;

 

    adverse effects on existing business relationships with customers;

 

    risks associated with entering markets in which we have no, or limited, prior experience; and

 

    potential loss of key employees, particularly those of the acquired organizations.

 

We may not be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products or technologies or personnel that we might acquire in the future and also may not realize any anticipated benefits from those acquisitions.

 

Our anti-takeover provisions may prevent a beneficial change of control.

 

Our shareholders have granted to Stichting Continuïteit ASM International, or Stichting, a non-membership organization with a board composed of our President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of our Supervisory Board and three independent members, the right to acquire and vote our preferred shares to maintain the continuity of our company. Toward that

 

42


Table of Contents

objective, Stichting will evaluate, when called for, whether a takeover offer is in our best interest, and may, if it determines that such action is appropriate, acquire preferred shares with voting power equal to 50.0% of the voting power of the outstanding common shares. This is likely to be sufficient to enable it to prevent a change of control from occurring.

 

These provisions may prevent us from entering into a change of control transaction that may otherwise offer our shareholders an opportunity to sell shares at a premium over the market price.

 

We must offer a possible change of control transaction to Applied Materials, Inc. first.

 

Pursuant to our 1997 settlement agreement with Applied Materials, Inc., one of our competitors, as amended and restated in 1998, if we desire to effect a change of control transaction, as defined in the settlement agreement, with a competitor of Applied Materials, we must first offer the change of control transaction to Applied Materials on the same terms as we would be willing to accept from that competitor pursuant to a bona fide arm’s-length offer made by that competitor.

 

Our stock price has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate widely.

 

The market price of our common shares has fluctuated substantially in the past. Between January 1, 2002 and September 30, 2003, the sales price of our common shares, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, ranged from a low of US $6.48 to a high of US $28.92. The market price of our common shares will continue to be subject to significant fluctuations in the future in response to a variety of factors, including the risk factors discussed in this report.

 

Furthermore, stock prices for many companies, and high technology companies in particular, fluctuate widely for reasons that may be unrelated to their operating results.

 

Those fluctuations and general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions or international currency fluctuations, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

 

43


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into Forms F-3 nos. 333-1234 and 333-107339 and Forms S-8 nos. 333-87262 and 333-11060 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

EXHIBITS

 

None.

 

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.

 

ASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Date: November 7, 2003

By:

 

/s/    ARTHUR H. DEL PRADO        


    Arthur H. del Prado
President and CEO

 

44