8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 22, 2004

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)

HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-6866	04-2423640
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Mansfield Corporate Center
Nine Hampshire Street
Mansfield, Massachusetts	02048-9171
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(508) 337-5500
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition

On October 22, 2004, Helix Technology Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing financial results for its third quarter of 2004.

A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99. Exhibit 99 is furnished and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)  Exhibits

99  Third Quarter of 2004 Earnings Release dated October 22, 2004

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  October 22, 2004	By:  /s/Jay Zager
	Jay Zager
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	Description of Exhibit
99	Third Quarter of 2004 Earnings Release dated October 22, 2004

EX-99

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:  Beverly L. Couturier
(508) 337-5111

HELIX REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, October 22, 2004... Helix Technology Corporation (Nasdaq: HELX) today announced results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2004. Net income for the quarter was $5.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $9.1 million, or $(0.35) per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the 2004 quarter was positively impacted by a $0.04 per diluted share adjustment in our tax provision due to a substantially lowered estimated full-year tax rate. Sales for the third quarter of 2004 were $40.4 million, compared with $26.0 million a year ago.

Net income for the nine months ended October 1, 2004, was $16.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $11.9 million or $(0.46) per diluted share, for 2003. Sales for the nine-month period were $124.8 million in 2004 versus $74.2 million in 2003.

Commenting on the third quarter, Helix President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert J. Lepofsky, said, "While revenues were constrained by the recent softening in the semiconductor capital equipment market, we are pleased with our strong third quarter gross margin, operating income and balance sheet performance. These results are reflective of the strength of our business model and our ability to quickly adjust to changing market conditions. Despite short-term uncertainty, we continue to have confidence in our strategic direction. Customers throughout the world recognize the value inherent in the newer product and service support offerings which are at the foundation of our longer-term growth prospects."

Helix Technology Corporation is a global leader in the development and application of innovative solutions in the field of vacuum technology. Our CTI-Cryogenics and Granville-Phillips product offerings provide a broad range of components and subsystems that are key to the manufacture of semiconductors, flat panel displays and data storage devices. In addition, our highly regarded Global Support activity provides critical ongoing operational support services to semiconductor device producers throughout the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future performance of the Company's business and the semiconductor capital equipment industry, which are subject to a number of important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. These factors include, among others; market acceptance of and demand for the Company's products, the success of the Company's strategic initiatives, including its global support operations, the health of the global semiconductor capital equipment market and the timing and scope of any change in industry conditions, the Company's success in sustaining order bookings, and other risks contained in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

Continued on Page 2

Page 2

HELIX REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	Third Quarter						Nine Months
	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
(in thousands except per share amounts)	2004			2003				2004		2003
Net Sales	$	40,353		$	25,973		$	124,753	$	74,151
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		24,130			17,133			74,672		49,966
Research and development		2,730			2,333			7,842		7,563
Selling, general, and administrative		8,883			7,577			26,084		22,942
		35,743			27,043			108,598		80,471
Operating income (loss)		4,610			(1,070	)		16,155		(6,320	)
Joint venture income		774			161			2,229		760
Interest and other income		256			229			692		696
Income (loss) before taxes		5,640			(680	)		19,076		(4,864	)
Income tax (benefit) provision		(129	)		8,424			2,289		7,065
Net income (loss)	$	5,769		$	(9,104	)	$	16,787	$	(11,929	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.22		$	(0.35	)	$	0.64	$	(0.46	)
Diluted	$	0.22		$	(0.35	)	$	0.64	$	(0.46	)
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic		26,112			26,099			26,109		26,099
Diluted		26,165			26,099			26,194		26,099

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS
		(unaudited)	(audited)
(in thousands)		10/01/04	12/31/03
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments	$	76,469	$	67,387
Accounts receivable		24,796		21,033
Inventories		20,728		22,032
Other current assets		3,215		1,934
Fixed and other assets		32,777		33,604
Total Assets	$	157,985	$	145,990
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Total liabilities	$	25,845	$	27,184
Stockholders' equity		132,140		118,806
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	157,985	$	145,990

The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
is available to any stockholder upon request.