Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation – Amtech Systems, Inc. (the “Company,” “Amtech,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a leading, global manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power devices, analog and discrete devices, electronic assemblies and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We sell these products to semiconductor device and module manufacturers worldwide, particularly in Asia, North America and Europe.

We serve niche markets in industries that are experiencing technological advances, and which historically have been very cyclical. Therefore, future profitability and growth depend on our ability to develop or acquire and market profitable new products and on our ability to adapt to cyclical trends.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we began the process to divest our solar business. As such, we have reported the results of the Solar segment as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. These divestitures were completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. For additional information on the divestitures, see Note 11. For additional information on our segments, see Note 9.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and consequently do not include all disclosures normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary, all of which are of a normal and recurring nature, to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The condensed balance sheet at September 30, 2020, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Our fiscal year is from October 1 to September 30. Unless otherwise stated, references to the years 2021 and 2020 relate to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported consolidated financial statements for any period.

Divestitures

Divestitures – Significant accounting policies associated with a decision to dispose of a business are discussed below:

Discontinued Operations – A business is classified as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on operations or financial results and meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale or is disposed of by sale or otherwise. Significant judgments are involved in determining whether a business meets the criteria for discontinued operations reporting and the period in which these criteria are met. If a business is reported as a discontinued operation, the results of operations through the date of sale, including any gain or loss recognized on the disposition, are presented on a separate line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest on debt directly attributable to the discontinued operation is allocated to discontinued operations.

Assets Held for Sale – An asset or business is classified as held for sale when (i) management commits to a plan to sell and it is actively marketed; (ii) it is available for immediate sale and the sale is expected to be completed within one year; and (iii) it is unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. In isolated instances, assets held for sale may exceed one year due to events or circumstances beyond our control. The assets and related liabilities are aggregated and reported on separate lines of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Shipping Expense

Shipping Expense – Shipping and handling fees associated with inbound and outbound freight are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Shipping expense is immaterial in all periods presented.

Research, Development and Engineering Expenses

Research, Development and Engineering Expense – The table below shows gross research and development expenses and grants earned, in thousands:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Research, development and engineering	$	1,245	$	763
Grants earned		—		(141	)
Net research, development and engineering	$	1,245	$	622

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk – Our customers consist of semiconductor manufacturers worldwide, as well as the lapping and polishing marketplace. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. Credit risk is managed by performing ongoing credit evaluations of the customers’ financial condition, by requiring significant deposits where appropriate, and by actively monitoring collections. Letters of credit are required of certain customers depending on the size of the order, type of customer or its creditworthiness, and country of domicile.

As of December 31, 2020, three Semiconductor segment customers individually represented 16%, 14% and 13% of accounts receivable.  As of September 30, 2020, two Semiconductor customers individually represented 11% and 10% of accounts receivable.

We maintain our cash and cash equivalents in multiple financial institutions. Balances in the United States, which account for approximately 88% and 89% of total cash balances as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively, are primarily invested in U.S. Treasuries or are in financial institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The remainder of our cash is maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit in China, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Malaysia.  We maintain cash in bank accounts in amounts which at times may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on such accounts.

Refer to Note 10 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding major customers, foreign sales and revenue in other countries subject to fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no material changes or additions to the recently issued accounting standards other than those previously reported in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020 that affect or may affect our consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policy

Significant Accounting Policy

We determine if a contract or arrangement is, or contains, a lease at inception.  Balances related to operating leases are included in right-of-use (“ROU”) assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Balances related to financing leases are immaterial and are included in property and equipment, other current liabilities, and long-term lease liability in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.  

ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.  As none of our leases provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.  The ROU asset includes any prepaid lease payments and additional direct costs and excludes lease incentives.  Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.