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Asyst Technologies Reports Third Quarter Results.


Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT Fremont (frē`mŏnt).

1 City (1990 pop. 173,339), Alameda co., W Calif., on San Francisco Bay; inc. 1956. Long an agricultural center, with champagne vineyards founded (1870) by Leland Stanford, it still ships fruits and vegetables.
, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2003

Asyst Technologies, Inc., (Nasdaq:ASYT), a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that maximize the productivity of semiconductor manufacturing, today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, 2002. Results were in line with company guidance.

Results for the quarter include the results of Asyst-Shinko Inc., an AMHS AMHS ATS Message Handling System (air traffic control)
AMHS Alaska Marine Highway System
AMHS Automated Message Handling System
AMHS Aeronautical Message Handling System
AMHS Academic Magnet High School
 joint venture (JV). The company completed the purchase of its 51% interest in the JV on October October: see month.  16, 2002.

Third quarter consolidated net sales Net Sales

The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted.

Notes:
This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight
 from continuing operations continuing operations

Parts of a business that are expected to be maintained as an ongoing segment of an overall business operation. Income and losses from continuing operations are reported separately if any segments have been discontinued during the
 were $75.6 million, compared with $72.3 million in the prior sequential quarter. The JV contributed $24.1 million to net sales for the quarter, which was partially offset by the decline in Asyst's base business, consistent with the industry-wide downturn Downturn

The transition point between a rising, expanding economy to a falling, contracting one.


downturn

A decline in security prices or economic activity following a period of rising or stable prices or activity.
 in demand for most semiconductor manufacturing products.

Consolidated gross margin was 25%, compared with 39% in the second fiscal quarter. The decline is attributable to the impact of Asyst-Shinko, whose AMHS business in the quarter provided lower gross margins; accelerated depreciation Accelerated Depreciation

Any method of depreciation used for accounting or income tax purposes that allows greater deductions in the earlier years of the life of an asset.

Notes:
The straight-line depreciation method spreads the cost evenly over the life of an asset.
 of manufacturing assets and other costs related to the company's transition to outsourced production; and lower sales volumes in Asyst's base business. Excluding the impact of Asyst-Shinko and the transition to outsourced manufacturing, gross margin was 34%.

GAAP GAAP

See: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles


GAAP

See generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
 results include one-time one-time
adj.
1. or one·time
a. Occurring or undertaken only once: a one-time winner in 1995.

b.
 charges of $5.8 million for in-process research and development related to the acquisition of the Asyst-Shinko JV interest; $8.7 million for the impairment Impairment

1. A reduction in a company's stated capital.

2. The total capital that is less than the par value of the company's capital stock.

Notes:
1. This is usually reduced because of poorly estimated losses or gains.

2.
 of acquired intangibles; and $2.2 million related to cost-cutting restructuring restructuring - The transformation from one representation form to another at the same relative abstraction level, while preserving the subject system's external behaviour (functionality and semantics).  initiatives. Discontinued operations Discontinued operations

Divisions of a business that have been sold or written off and that no longer are maintained by the business.
 includes approximately $6.5 million of charges related to the writedown writedown

A reduction in the value of an asset carried on a firm's financial statements. For example, the firm's accountants, believing the inventory is overvalued, may decide to take a writedown by reducing inventory valuation.
 of net assets Net assets

The difference between total assets on the one hand and current liabilities and noncapitalized long-term liabilities on the other hand.


net assets

See owners' equity.
 based on expected realized values. GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $(32.6 million), or $(0.86) per diluted di·lute  
tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes
1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water.

2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture.
 share. Net loss including discontinued operations was $(40.9 million) or $(1.08) per share. Pro forma As a matter of form or for the sake of form. Used to describe accounting, financial, and other statements or conclusions based upon assumed or anticipated facts.

The phrase pro forma
 net loss from continuing operations was $(14.3 million), or $(0.38) per diluted share.

"After two quarters of outperformance, we were not immune to the industry forces that dragged down sales in the December December: see month.  quarter," said Steve Schwartz Dr. Schwartz founded Unitrends in 1989 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Schwartz is considered the initial developer of a data recovery and restoration technique known as bare-metal restore and is recognized in the software industry as the developer of CTAR (Compressing Tape Archiver) and , chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "Fortunately, Asyst-Shinko remains a bright spot and has maintained its current revenue runrate over the past several quarters. China also has been a source of strength, as our 200mm SMIF SMIF Standard Mechanical Interface
SMIF Stream-based Model Interchange Format
SMIF Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (Duke University)
SMIF Stanford Management Internship Fund
SMIF SMAD4-Interacting Transcription Factor
 and other products continue to be chosen by a factor of more than 10-to-1 over our competitors. This was offset by our lack of substantial participation in the very recent new DRAM fab activity in Korea, where we are working to improve our market position."

Mr. Schwartz continued, "We are encouraged by the recent increases in quote activity, particularly in Japan. We also see strategic investments in 300mm capacity continuing, which positions us well with our improved and refreshed re·fresh  
v. re·freshed, re·fresh·ing, re·fresh·es

v.tr.
1. To revive with or as if with rest, food, or drink; give new vigor or spirit to.

2.
 300mm offerings in all of our product lines. Although we continue to look for hard indicators of a sustainable upturn, we believe that the December quarter marked our near-term bottom for bookings, and that the March quarter will be our near-term bottom for sales."

Net bookings for the quarter were $48.3 million, compared with $50.2 million in the prior sequential quarter. Approximately $18.0 million of net bookings were attributable to Asyst-Shinko.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

As previously disclosed, during the third quarter the company established and drew-down a $25 million credit facility to support the purchase of its interest in Asyst-Shinko. In addition, Asyst received $20 million for certain inventory related to the outsourcing (1) Contracting with outside consultants, software houses or service bureaus to perform systems analysis, programming and datacenter operations. Contrast with insourcing. See netsourcing, ASP, SSP and facilities management.  of production. The company paid approximately $67 million for its interest in Asyst-Shinko. Excluding the impact of these transactions and the quarterly results of Asyst-Shinko, but including all other sources and uses of cash, the company was cash flow positive $2 million for the quarter. Cash and short-term Short-term

Any investments with a maturity of one year or less.


short-term

1. Of or relating to a gain or loss on the value of an asset that has been held less than a specified period of time.
 investments at quarter-end were $77.0 million, $18 million of which is for the exclusive use of the JV.

Of the company's long-term debt Long-Term Debt

Loans and financial obligations lasting over one year.

Notes:
For example debts obligations such as bonds and notes which have maturities greater than one year would be considered long-term debt.
 of $115.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2002, $86 million relates to 5.75% convertible debentures Convertible Debenture

Any type of debenture that can be converted into some other security.

Notes:
For example, a convertible bond can be converted into stock.
 due 2008, convertible into common stock at $15.18 per share. Approximately $25 million is attributable to the new credit facility, and approximately $4 million is long-term Long-term

Three or more years. In the context of accounting, more than 1 year.


long-term

1. Of or relating to a gain or loss in the value of a security that has been held over a specific length of time. Compare short-term.
 asset-based debt held by Asyst Japan Inc. Short-term debt Short-term debt

Debt obligations, recorded as current liabilities, requiring payment within the year.
 of $20.6 million is low-interest, asset-based revolving debt held by Asyst Japan Inc.

Outlook

For its fourth fiscal quarter ending March 2003, the company expects to report consolidated net sales from continuing operations of approximately $75 million. As stated previously, the company believes that its fourth fiscal quarter will mark the near-term bottom for its net sales.

Consolidated gross margin for the March quarter is expected to be in the range of 24 to 26%. The March quarter is expected to be the last quarter impacted by accelerated depreciation and other costs related to outsourcing of manufacturing.

As a result of cost reduction measures implemented in the third fiscal quarter as well as other ongoing cost reductions, consolidated operating expenses Operating expenses

The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted.
 are expected to decline to the range of $29 to $30 million. In the March quarter, the company will disburse dis·burse  
tr.v. dis·bursed, dis·burs·ing, dis·burs·es
To pay out, as from a fund; expend. See Synonyms at spend.



[Obsolete French desbourser, from Old French desborser
 the $2.5 million semi-annual coupon payment on its convertible debenture and will continue to manage operations and its balance sheet to conserve cash. Asyst's ongoing objective is to drive its consolidated pro forma breakeven breakeven

1. The level of output or sales necessary to cover fixed expenses. Companies in industries that have high fixed costs and, consequently, high breakevens, such as automobile and steel manufacturing, are likely to exhibit large fluctuations
 level toward the $85 million range.

Highlights
-- On January 8, Asyst announced that president and CEO Steve Schwartz had been named to the additional position of chairman of the board of directors.

-- On January 7, the company announced that Asyst-Shinko had won a multi-million order to install its AMHS system in SMIC Fab 3, the newest fab for Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) of China.

-- As part of its ongoing operational excellence initiatives, on December 15 Asyst announced that it had launched the initial implementation of its new on-line customer portal, the Asyst Order Fulfillment Center (OFC). OFC automates order fulfillment and tracking, giving global customers 24/7 access to their order information while ensuring that quality, timeliness and accuracy of customer deliveries are optimized.

-- On November 21, the company announced that it had won a significant production order for its G3 FOUP wafer carrier from a major manufacturer of raw 300mm wafers. This was Asyst's first FOUP order in the raw wafer market.


Pro Forma Adjustments: Pro forma adjustments include the impact of amortized acquisition-related stock-based compensation, the amortization of acquired intangible assets Intangible Asset

An asset that is not physical in nature.

Notes:
Examples are things like copyrights, patents, intellectual property, and goodwill. These are the opposite of tangible assets.
, in-process research and development costs of acquired businesses, impairment charges, restructuring charges restructuring charge

The expense of reorganizing a company's operations. A restructuring charge is an infrequent expense that generally results from asset writedowns or facility closings.
, and discontinued operations.

About Asyst

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation systems for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, which enable semiconductor manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in silicon wafers wafers

compressed roughage in flat plates useful for feeding to animals in transit.
 during the manufacture of integrated circuits Integrated circuits

Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1.
, or ICs. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management Materials management is the branch of logistics that deals with the tangible components of a supply chain. Specifically, this covers the acquisition of spare parts and replacements, quality control of purchasing and ordering such parts, and the standards involved in ordering, , substrate-handling robotics robotics, science and technology of general purpose, programmable machine systems. Contrary to the popular fiction image of robots as ambulatory machines of human appearance capable of performing almost any task, most robotic systems are anchored to fixed positions , automated au·to·mate  
v. au·to·mat·ed, au·to·mat·ing, au·to·mates

v.tr.
1. To convert to automatic operation: automate a factory.

2.
 transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst's modular, interoperable The ability for one system to communicate or work with another. See interoperability.  solutions allow chipmakers and original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst's homepage is http://www.asyst.com

Conference Call Details

A live webcast of the conference call to discuss the quarter's financial results will take place today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webcast will be publicly available on Asyst's website at http://www.asyst.com. A replay of the Webcast may be accessed via the same address. In addition, a standard telephone instant replay of the conference call is available by dialing (303) 590-3000, followed by the passcode 521409. The audio instant replay is available from January 29 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time through February 12 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

"Safe Harbor Safe Harbor

1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated.

2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive.
" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and  of 1995

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to: the volatility of semiconductor industry cycles, inability to manage cash flows, failure to respond to rapid demand shifts, dependence on a few significant customers, the transition of the industry from 200mm wafers to 300mm wafers, risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities, competition in the semiconductor equipment industry, failure to efficiently integrate acquired companies, failure to retain employees, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K Form 10-K

A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information.


Form 10-K

See 10-K.
 for the year ended March 31, 2002, and Form 10-Q Form 10-Q

See 10-Q.
 for the period ended Sept. 30, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (Unaudited, in thousands)

                                       Dec 31,    Sept 30,  March 31,
                                         2002       2002       2002
                                      ---------- ---------- ----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents             $  59,633  $  61,604  $  74,577
Restricted cash equivalents and
 short-term investments                   3,336      4,228      5,052
Short-term investments                   14,000     14,000      5,000
Accounts receivable, net                 93,696     48,987     28,307
Inventories                              16,269     29,364     39,296
Deferred tax asset                          576          -     33,906
Prepaid expenses and other
 current assets                          10,656      9,970     14,618
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total current assets                    198,166    168,153    200,756
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net              33,256     32,232     34,399
Deferred tax asset                            -          -     30,294
Intangible assets, net                  128,108     35,677     29,901
Other assets, net                        21,678     21,742     32,180
Assets of discontinued operations         8,985     15,372     16,885
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total long-term assets                  192,027    105,023    143,659
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Assets                          $ 390,193  $ 273,176  $ 344,415
                                       =========  =========  =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term loans                      $  20,557  $  19,389  $  16,707
Current portion of long-term debt
 and finance leases                       1,199      1,128      1,076
Accounts payable                         44,029     11,504      9,193
Accrued liabilities and other            54,820     36,144     46,819
Deferred revenue                          4,430      6,360      4,367
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total current liabilities               125,035     74,525     78,162
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt and finance leases,
 net of current portion                 115,297     90,257     90,331
Other long-term liabilities              11,433         46      6,795
Liabilities of discontinued
 operations                               2,990      4,327      4,190
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total long-term liabilities             129,720     94,630    101,316
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------

Minority interest                        64,946          -          -

Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock                            327,248    325,965    294,316
Retained earnings (deficit)            (256,756)  (221,944)  (129,379)
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Total shareholders' equity               70,492    104,021    164,937
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                      $ 390,193  $ 273,176  $ 344,415
                                       =========  =========  =========


                       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
           (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)

                            Three      Three      Nine        Nine
                            Months     Months     Months      Months
                            Ended      Ended      Ended       Ended
                          12/31/2002 12/31/2001 12/31/2002  12/31/2001
                          --------------------------------------------
Net sales                  $ 75,624   $ 35,631  $ 199,807   $ 147,461
Cost of sales                56,495     39,411    135,955     119,762
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Gross profit                 19,129     (3,780)    63,852      27,699
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Operating expenses:
 Research and development    11,160      9,224     31,510      30,276
 Selling, general and
  administrative             20,462     18,020     54,346      59,996
 Amortization of acquired
  intangible assets           5,707      2,329      9,273       5,980
 One-time charges            10,917     28,494     22,538      48,574
 In-process research and
  development costs of
  acquired business           5,750          -      7,834       2,000
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
    Total operating
     expenses                53,996     58,067    125,501     146,826
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Operating income (loss)     (34,867)   (61,847)   (61,649)   (119,127)
Other income (expense),
 net                         (2,578)    (1,081)    (5,228)     (1,644)
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income (loss) before
 provision (benefit) for
 income taxes               (37,445)   (62,928)   (66,877)   (120,771)
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes                     -    (14,459)    58,628     (33,490)
Minority interests           (4,824)         -     (4,824)          -
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Net income (loss)
 Continuing Operations     $(32,621)  $(48,469) $(120,681)  $ (87,281)
                          ========== ========== ========== ===========
Discontinued Operations,
 net of income tax           (8,300)   (41,379)   (11,753)    (48,462)
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Net income (loss)          $(40,921)  $(89,848) $(132,434)  $(135,743)
                          ========== ========== ========== ===========

Basic and diluted loss
 per common share:
 Continuing operations       $(0.86)    $(1.37)    $(3.23)     $(2.48)
 Discontinued operations      (0.22)     (1.17)     (0.32)      (1.37)
                          ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
 Net loss                    $(1.08)    $(2.54)    $(3.55)     $(3.85)
                          ========== ========== ========== ===========

Weighted average number of
 common shares outstanding
 - basic and diluted         37,932     35,419     37,316      35,237
                          ========== ========== ========== ===========



                       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
       PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
           (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)

                                  Three Months
                                     Ended       Pro Forma   Pro Forma
                                   12/31/2002   Adjustments   Results
                                  ------------------------------------
Net sales                         $    75,624               $  75,624
Cost of sales                          56,495          (17)    56,478
                                   -----------               ---------
Gross profit                           19,129                  19,146
                                   -----------               ---------
Operating expenses:
 Research and development              11,160         (233)    10,927
 Selling, general and
  administrative                       20,462         (401)    20,061
 Amortization of acquired
  intangible assets                     5,707       (5,707)         -
 One-time charges                      10,917      (10,917)         -
 In-process research and
  development costs of acquired
  business                              5,750       (5,750)         -
                                   -----------              ----------
     Total operating expenses          53,996                  30,988
                                   -----------               ---------
Operating income (loss)               (34,867)                (11,842)
Other income (expense), net            (2,578)                 (2,578)
                                   -----------               ---------
Income (loss) before provision
 (benefit) for income taxes           (37,445)                (14,420)
Provision (benefit) for income
 taxes                                      -                       -
Minority interests                     (4,824)       4,749        (75)
                                   -----------               ---------
Net income (loss) Continuing
 Operations                       $   (32,621)              $ (14,345)
                                   ===========               =========
Discontinued Operations, net of
 income tax                            (8,300)       8,300          -
                                   -----------              ----------
Net income (loss)                 $   (40,921)              $ (14,345)
                                   ===========               =========

Basic and diluted loss per common share:
 Continuing operations            $     (0.86)              $   (0.38)
 Discontinued operations                (0.22)                      -
                                   -----------              ----------
 Net loss                         $     (1.08)              $   (0.38)
                                   ===========               =========

Weighted average number of common
 shares outstanding - basic and
 diluted                               37,932                  37,932
                                   ===========               =========
COPYRIGHT 2003 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2003, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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