AVIZA Technology, Inc.

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Aviza Technology Announces Fiscal Year 2007 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif., Nov 29, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aviza Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVZA (changed to AVZAQ on June 19, 2009)), a supplier of advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year-end of fiscal year 2007, which ended September 28, 2007.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

-- Fiscal year 2007 net sales of $231.4 million increased 43.9% over fiscal year 2006 net sales.

-- Fiscal year 2007 gross margin improved to 30.9% from fiscal 2006 gross margin of 27.5%.

-- Fiscal year 2007 income from operations of $5.5 million increased over fiscal year 2006 loss from operations of $8.7 million.

-- Fiscal year 2007 net income of $383,000, or $0.02 per share, increased over fiscal year 2006 net loss of $14.7 million, or ($1.31) per share.

-- Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 was 31.0%, a marginal decline from third quarter 2007 gross margin of 31.7%.

-- Shipments for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 were $45.5 million.

Jerry Cutini, Aviza's president and chief executive officer, said, "During the year we increased the effectiveness of our outsourcing strategy, and added new customers, notably in the logic and flash markets. In addition, we made substantial inroads into the 3D-IC arena, as well as emerging markets for MEMS and power devices, which have enabled us to improve the balance of our business opportunities. Our product breadth is a competitive advantage for Aviza, and we believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on the next market upturn."

Cutini continued, "While our results for the fourth quarter were impacted by a challenging business environment resulting from the continued decline of DRAM prices, we were able to conclude fiscal year 2007 with a number of achievements. By maintaining our focus on our strategic initiatives and diversification plan, we improved our financial metrics on a year-over-year basis. Not only were we profitable for fiscal 2007, but we held margins relatively steady over the course of the year."

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS - FISCAL 2007 FOURTH QUARTER

-- Aviza received an order for its Celsior(TM) fxP single-wafer atomic layer deposition (ALD) system from SVTC Technologies, a U.S.-based process development foundry for established and start-up semiconductor companies. SVTC is installing this capability for its customers who have requirements for ultra-thin high-k and metal films for Flash, non-volatile memory and high-voltage applications. The SVTC order marks a significant milestone, as it demonstrates the potential for Aviza's ALD process and technology capabilities outside of the traditional DRAM market into other areas such as Flash and nanotechnology applications.

-- Aviza entered into a joint development program (JDP) with Mosel Vitelic Corporation (MVC). As part of this collaboration, Aviza and MVC will jointly develop advanced ALD materials for next-generation Flash applications. The program will utilize Aviza's Celsior fxP single-wafer ALD system for the development of these films.

-- Aviza shipped its Omega fxP deep silicon (DSi) etch system to STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM). The system is being used for manufacturing leading-edge MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices at ST's new 200mm facility in Agrate, Italy, Europe's first 200mm volume production MEMS fabrication plant.

FORECAST - FISCAL 2008 FIRST QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 28, 2007

The Company's guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 is predicated on continued softness in the DRAM market. Aviza expects that net sales will be in the range of $30 million to $35 million, with an operating loss in the range of approximately $8.0 - $9.0 million.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Aviza Technology has scheduled a conference call today to discuss the Company's financial results for the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter and year-end. The call will be hosted by Jerry Cutini, president and chief executive officer, and Patrick O'Connor, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet. To listen to the live web cast today at 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST, log on to the Aviza website at www.aviza.com. To access the live conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST, dial 303-262-2140 or 800-218-0204.

A digital replay will be available on Aviza's website at www.aviza.com under "Calendar of Events" in the "Investors" section of the website two hours after the conclusion of the conference call.

A telephone replay will also be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call from November 29 to December 3, 2007. You may access the telephone replay by dialing 303-590-3000 or 800-405-2236 and entering confirmation code 11096967#.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our management's current expectations and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. You should not rely upon these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events because we cannot assure you that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the statements made by Jerry Cutini and all statements containing the words "believes," "expects," "forecast," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or other variations of these words and phrases or comparable terminology. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: variability of our revenues and financial performance; risks associated with product development and technological changes; the acceptance of our products in the marketplace by existing and potential future customers; disruption of operations or increases in expenses due to our involvement in litigation or caused by civil or political unrest or other catastrophic events; general economic conditions and conditions in the semiconductor industry in particular; the continued employment of our key personnel and risks associated with competition. Some of these factors and other important factors are detailed in various Securities and Exchange Commission filings that we have made, particularly in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which are available from us without charge. Please review these filings and do not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About Aviza Technology, Inc.

Aviza Technology, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports advanced semiconductor capital equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry and related markets. The company's systems are used in a variety of segments of the semiconductor market, such as advanced silicon for memory devices, advanced 3-D packaging and power integrated circuits for communications. Aviza's common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ GM: AVZA (changed to AVZAQ on June 19, 2009)). Aviza is headquartered in Scotts Valley, Calif., with manufacturing, R&D, sales and customer support facilities located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.aviza.com.

                        AVIZA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (in thousands)
                             (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            September 28,September 29,
                                                2007         2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
 Cash and cash equivalents                     $ 23,087      $ 10,722
 Accounts receivable, net                        37,202        26,763
 Inventory                                       45,529        54,499
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets        5,317         6,638
                                            ------------ -------------

  Total current assets                          111,135        98,622

Property and equipment - net                     31,781        25,266

Intangible and other assets                       5,164         5,218
                                            ------------ -------------

TOTAL                                          $148,080      $129,106
                                            ============ =============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 Bank borrowing - short term                   $ 15,043      $ 28,632
 Accounts payable                                22,536        30,792
 Warranty liability                              11,222        10,816
 Accrued liabilities                             13,391        13,716
                                            ------------ -------------

  Total current liabilities                      62,192        83,956
                                            ------------ -------------


NOTE PAYABLE - Long term                         14,490         6,256
                                            ------------ -------------

  Total liabilities                              76,682        90,212
                                            ------------ -------------


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 Common stock                                   118,402        88,657
 Accumulated deficit and accumulated other
  comprehensive loss                            (47,004)      (49,763)
                                            ------------ -------------

  Total stockholders' equity (deficit)           71,398        38,894
                                            ------------ -------------

TOTAL                                          $148,080      $129,106
                                            ============ =============

                        AVIZA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
          (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                             (unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Quarter
                                               Ended
                               ---------------------------------------
                                 September      June      September
                                    28,         29,          29,
                                   2007         2007        2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------

NET SALES                      $    50,184  $    57,421 $    52,014

COST OF GOODS SOLD                  34,619       39,246      34,774
                               ------------ ------------------------

GROSS PROFIT                        15,565       18,175      17,240
                               ------------ ------------------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Research and development
     costs                           8,086        8,101       7,568
    Selling, general and
     administrative costs            9,270        8,217       8,920
    In-process research and
     development                         -            -           -
                               ------------ ------------------------

         Total operating
          expenses                  17,356       16,318      16,488
                               ------------ ------------------------

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS       (1,791)       1,857         752
                               ------------ ------------------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
    Interest income                     92          146          62
    Interest expense                  (468)        (663)     (1,351)
    Other income (expense) -
     net                                11         (449)         29
                               ------------ ------------------------

         Total other income
          (expense)                   (365)        (966)     (1,260)
                               ------------ ------------------------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME
 TAXES                              (2,156)         891        (508)

INCOME TAXES                           450          382         271
                               ------------ ------------------------

NET INCOME (LOSS)              $    (2,606) $       509 $      (779)
                               ============ ========================

Income (Loss) per share:
    Basic                      $     (0.12) $      0.02 $     (0.05)
                               ============ ========================
    Diluted                    $     (0.12) $      0.02 $     (0.05)
                               ============ ========================

Weighted average
common shares:
    Basic                       20,845,315   20,763,221  16,145,091
                               ============ ========================
    Diluted                     20,845,315   21,607,161  16,145,091
                               ============ ========================


                                                      Fiscal
                                                    Year Ended
                                             -------------------------
                                               September   September
                                                  28,         29,
                                                 2007         2006
------------------------------------------- --------------------------

NET SALES                                    $   231,435  $   160,860

COST OF GOODS SOLD                               159,922      116,548
                                             ------------ ------------

GROSS PROFIT                                      71,513       44,312
                                             ------------ ------------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Research and development costs                31,901       25,311
    Selling, general and administrative
     costs                                        34,116       27,312
    In-process research and development                -          373
                                             ------------ ------------

           Total operating expenses               66,017       52,996
                                             ------------ ------------

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS                      5,496       (8,684)
                                             ------------ ------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
    Interest income                                  375          194
    Interest expense                              (3,445)      (5,517)
    Other income (expense) - net                    (415)        (100)
                                             ------------ ------------

           Total other income (expense)           (3,485)      (5,423)
                                             ------------ ------------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                  2,011      (14,107)

INCOME TAXES                                       1,628          581
                                             ------------ ------------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                            $       383  $   (14,688)
                                             ============ ============

Income (Loss) per share:
    Basic                                    $      0.02  $     (1.31)
                                             ============ ============
    Diluted                                  $      0.02  $     (1.31)
                                             ============ ============

Weighted average
common shares:
    Basic                                     18,824,561   11,209,200
                                             ============ ============
    Diluted                                   19,606,214   11,209,200
                                             ============ ============

SOURCE: Aviza Technology, Inc.

Aviza Technology, Inc.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Sherrie Gutierrez, +1-831-439-6382
Corporate Marketing Manager
Fax: +1-831-439-6223
sherrie.gutierrez@aviza.com
or
Guerrant Associates
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Laura Guerrant, +1-808-882-1467
Principal
Fax: +1-808-882-1267
lguerrant@guerrantir.com

Copyright Business Wire 2007

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