Item 1. Business
MKS Instruments, Inc. (“MKS” or the “Company”) was founded in 1961 as a Massachusetts corporation. We are a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics. We also provide services relating to the maintenance and repair of our products, installation services and training.
Recent Events
In April 2017, we completed the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business for total proceeds of $72.5 million, net of cash sold and recorded a pre-tax gain of $74.9 million. This business, which had net revenues in 2016 of $12.7 million and was included in the Vacuum & Analysis segment, was no longer a part of our long-term strategic objectives. The business did not qualify as a discontinued operation as this sale did not represent a strategic shift in our business, nor did the sale have a major effect on our operations, therefore, the results of operations for all periods are included in our income from operations. The assets and liabilities of this business have not been reclassified or segregated in the consolidated balance sheet or consolidated statements of cash flows as the amounts were immaterial.
On April 29, 2016, we completed our acquisition of Newport Corporation (“Newport”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 22, 2016 (the “Newport Merger”). At the effective time of the Newport Merger, each share of Newport’s common stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger was converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding tax. We paid to the former Newport stockholders aggregate consideration of approximately $905 million, excluding related transaction fees and expenses, and repaid approximately $93 million of Newport’s U.S. indebtedness outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger. We funded the payment of the aggregate consideration with a combination of our available cash on hand of approximately $240 million and the proceeds from the senior secured term loan facility in the principal amount of $780 million described below.
Newport was a global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research and defense/security, microelectronics, life and health sciences and industrial manufacturing markets.
Effective April 29, 2016, in conjunction with our acquisition of Newport, we changed the structure of our reportable segments based upon our organizational structure and how our Chief Operating Decision Maker
(“CODM”) utilizes information provided to allocate resources and make decisions. Our two reportable segments are the Vacuum & Analysis segment and the Light & Motion segment. The Vacuum & Analysis segment represents the legacy MKS business and the Light & Motion segment represents the legacy Newport business.
The Vacuum & Analysis segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation and vacuum technology. The Light & Motion segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from our core competencies in lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics.
We group our products into six product groups based upon the similarity of the product function, type of product and manufacturing processes. These six groups are: Analytical and Controls Solutions Products; Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products; Vacuum Solutions Products; Photonics Products; Optics Products; and Laser Products. The Analytical and Controls Solutions Products, the Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products and the Vacuum Solutions Products are included in the Vacuum & Analysis segment and the Photonics Products, Optics Products and Laser Products are included in the Light & Motion segment.
For further information on our segments, see Note 19 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financials contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC Headquarters at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You should call 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
Our website is http://www.mksinst.com. We are not including the information contained in our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through our internet site our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC.
Markets and Applications
Since our inception, we have focused on satisfying the needs of our customers by establishing long-term collaborative relationships. We have a diverse base of customers and our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense. Approximately 57%, 56% and 69% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers. As a result of our acquisition of Newport, we estimate that sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers could account for more than 50% of our total sales in future periods.
Approximately 43%, 44% and 31% of our net revenues in the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from other advanced manufacturing applications. These include, but are not limited to, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense.
A significant portion of our net revenues are from sales to customers in international markets. For the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, international net revenues accounted for approximately 50%, 48% and 44% of our total net revenues, respectively. A significant portion of our international net revenues were in South Korea, Japan, Israel
and Germany. We expect that international net revenues will continue to represent a significant percentage of our total net revenues. Long-lived assets, located in the United States, were $125 million, $123 million and $57 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, excluding goodwill and intangibles and long-term tax-related accounts. Long-lived assets, located outside of the United States, were $78 million, $78 million, and $15 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, excluding goodwill and intangibles and long-term tax-related accounts.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Applications
A significant portion of our sales are derived from products sold to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers. Our products are used in the major semiconductor processing steps such as depositing thin films of material onto silicon wafer substrates, etching, cleaning, lithography, metrology and inspection.
We anticipate that the semiconductor manufacturing market will continue to account for a substantial portion of our sales. While the semiconductor device manufacturing market is global, major semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers are concentrated in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
Other Markets
In addition to semiconductor manufacturing, our products are used in the industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense markets.
Industrial Technologies
Industrial Technologies encompasses a wide range of diverse applications such as glass coating, laser marking, measurement and scribing, natural gas and oil production, environmental monitoring and electronic thin films. Electronic thin films are a primary component of numerous electronic products including flat panel displays, light emitting diodes, solar cells and data storage media.
Industrial Technologies manufacturers are located in developed and developing countries across the globe.
Life and Health Sciences
Our products for Life and Health Sciences are used in a diverse array of applications including bioimaging, medical instrument sterilization, medical device manufacturing, analytical, diagnostic and surgical instrumentation, consumable medical supply manufacturing and pharmaceutical production. Our Life and Health Sciences customers are located globally.
Research and Defense
In addition, our products are sold to government, university and industrial laboratories for applications involving research and development in materials science, physical chemistry, photonics, optics and electronics materials. Our products are also sold for monitoring and defense applications including surveillance, imaging and infrastructure protection. Major equipment providers and research laboratories are concentrated in China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States.
Product Groups
Vacuum & Analysis Segment
The Vacuum & Analysis segment includes Analytical and Control Solutions Products; Vacuum Solutions Products; and Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products.
Analytical and Control Solutions. Our Analytical and Control Solutions Products include gas analyzers, automation control products, I/O modules, automation software, and precision machined components and electromechanical assemblies.
Vacuum Solutions. Our Vacuum Solutions Products consist of two primary product offerings: Vacuum Measurement Solutions Products and Materials Delivery Solutions Products.
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Pressure and Vacuum Measurement Solutions Products. Our Pressure and Vacuum Measurement Solutions Products consist of direct and indirect pressure measurement and integrated process solutions. Each of our pressure measurement and vacuum product lines consist of products that are designed for a variety of pressure ranges and accuracies.
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Materials Delivery Solutions Products. Our Materials Delivery Solutions Products include flow and valve technologies as well as integrated pressure measurement and control subsystems to provide customers with precise control capabilities that are optimized for a given application.
Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions. Our Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products include power delivery, plasma and reactive gas products used in semiconductor and other thin film applications and in medical imaging equipment applications.
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Power Delivery Products. We design and manufacture microwave, direct current and radio frequency power delivery systems as well as radio frequency matching networks and metrology products. In the semiconductor, industrial technologies and other market sectors, our power supplies are used to provide energy to various etching, stripping and deposition processes. Our power amplifiers are also used in medical imaging equipment.
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Plasma and Reactive Gas Products. We design and manufacture reactive gas products, which create reactive species. A reactive species is an atom or molecule in an unstable state, which is used to facilitate various chemical reactions in the processing of thin films (deposition of films, etching and cleaning of films and surface modifications). A number of different technologies are used to create reactive gas including different plasma technologies and barrier discharge technologies.
Light and Motion Segment
The Light and Motion segment includes Laser Products; Photonics Products; and Optics Products.
Lasers. Our Laser Products include lasers and laser-based systems including ultrafast lasers and amplifiers, fiber lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, high-energy pulsed lasers and tunable lasers. In addition to providing a wide range of standard and configured laser products and accessories to our end-user customers, we also work closely with our original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers to develop lasers and laser system designs optimized for their product and technology roadmaps.
Photonics. Our Photonics Products include optical components, vibration, lens assemblies and isolation solutions as well as three-dimensional non-contact measurement sensors and equipment. We also design, develop and manufacture subsystems and subassemblies that integrate our broad portfolio of products and technologies into solutions that meet the specific application requirements of our OEM and select end-user customers. Our Photonics Products also includes our instruments and motion products which includes high-precision motion stages and controls, hexapods, photonics instruments for measurement and analysis, and production equipment for test measurement customers.
Optics. Our Optics Products include precision optics, thin-film filters and coatings, replicated mirrors and ruled and holographic diffraction gratings.
Customers
We sell our products to thousands of customers worldwide, in a wide range of end markets. Our largest customers include leading semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers such as Applied Materials, Inc. and Lam Research Corporation. Revenues from our top ten customers accounted for approximately 43%, 39% and 49% of net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Applied Materials, Inc. accounted for 13%, 14% and 18% and Lam Research Corporation accounted for 12%, 11% and 13% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Sales, Marketing, Service and Support
Our worldwide sales, marketing, service and support organization is critical to our strategy of maintaining close relationships with semiconductor capital equipment and device manufacturers and manufacturers of other advanced applications. We market and sell our products and services through our global direct sales organization, an international network of independent distributors and sales representatives, our websites and product catalogs. As of December 31, 2017, we had 443 sales employees worldwide, located in China, Germany, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. We maintain a marketing staff that identifies customer requirements, assists in product planning and specifications, and focuses on future trends in semiconductor and other markets.
As semiconductor device manufacturers have become increasingly sensitive to the significant costs of system downtime, they have required that suppliers offer comprehensive local repair, field service and customer support. Manufacturers require close support to enable them to repair, modify, upgrade and retrofit their equipment to improve yields and adapt new materials or processes. To meet these market requirements, we provide technical support from offices located in China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. We provide repair and calibration services at internal service depots and authorized service providers located worldwide. We typically provide warranties for periods ranging from one to three years, depending upon the type of product, with the majority of our products ranging from one to two years. We typically provide warranty on our repair services for periods ranging from 90 days to up to one year, depending upon the type of repair.
Research and Development
Our products incorporate sophisticated technologies to measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control complex semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing processes, thereby enhancing uptime, yield and throughput for our customers. Our products have continuously advanced as we strive to meet our customers’ evolving needs. We have developed, and continue to develop, new products to address industry trends, such as the shrinking of integrated circuit critical dimensions and technology inflections, and, in the flat panel display and solar markets, the transition to larger substrate sizes, which require more advanced process control technology. In addition, we have developed, and continue to develop, products that support the migration to new classes of materials, ultra-thin layers, and new 3D structures that are used in small geometry manufacturing. We involve our marketing, engineering, manufacturing and sales personnel in the development of new products in order to reduce the time to market for new products. Our employees also work closely with our customers’ development personnel, helping us to identify and define future technical needs on which to focus research and development efforts. We support research at academic institutions targeted at advances in materials science and semiconductor process development.
As of December 31, 2017, we had 667 research and development employees, primarily located in the United States, France and Israel. Our research and development expenses were $132.6 million, $110.6 million and $68.3 million for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our research and development efforts include numerous projects, none of which are individually material, and generally have a duration of 3 to 30 months depending upon whether the product is an enhancement of existing technology or a new product. Our current initiatives include projects to enhance the performance characteristics of older products, to develop new products and to integrate various technologies into subsystems.
Manufacturing
Our manufacturing facilities are located in Austria, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. Manufacturing activities include the assembly and testing of components and subassemblies, which are integrated into our products. We outsource some of our subassembly work. We purchase a wide range of electronic, optical, mechanical and electrical components, some of which are designed to our specifications. We consider our lean manufacturing techniques and responsiveness to customers’ significantly fluctuating product demands to be a competitive advantage. As of December 31, 2017, we had 3,156 manufacturing-related employees, located primarily in North America (United States) and Asia (primarily, China and Israel).
Backlog
At December 31, 2017, our backlog of unfilled orders for all products and services was $464 million, compared to $338 million at December 31, 2016. The increase in backlog of $126 million in 2017 compared to 2016 is primarily attributed to an increase in business levels throughout the company. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $451 million of our consolidated backlog was scheduled to be shipped on or before December 31, 2018. In general, we schedule production of our products based upon our customers’ delivery requirements. Our lead times are very short, as a large portion of our orders are received and shipped within 90 days. While backlog is calculated on the basis of firm orders, orders may be subject to cancellation or delay, in many cases, by the customer with limited or no penalty. Our backlog at any particular date, therefore, is not necessarily indicative of actual sales which may be generated for any succeeding period. Historically, our backlog levels have fluctuated based upon the ordering patterns of our customers and changes in our manufacturing capacity.
Competition
The market for our products is highly competitive. Principal competitive factors include:
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historical customer relationships;
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product quality, performance and price;
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breadth of product line;
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manufacturing capabilities; and
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customer service and support.
Although we believe that we compete favorably with respect to these factors, there can be no assurance that we will continue to do so.
We encounter substantial competition in most of our product lines, although no single competitor competes with us across all product lines. Certain of our competitors may have greater financial and other resources than we do. In some cases, competitors are smaller than we are, but are well established in specific product niches.
For example, Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. offers products that compete with our power delivery and reactive gas generator products. Hitachi Ltd. and Horiba Ltd. products compete with our product line of mass flow controllers. Inficon, Inc. offers products that compete with our vacuum measurement and gas analysis products and our vacuum gauging products. Nor-Cal Products, Inc. and VAT, Inc. offer products that compete with our vacuum components.
Ametek, Inc. offers products that compete with our optics and photonics products. Coherent, Inc. offers products that compete with our lasers and photonics instruments. Excelitas Technologies Corp. offers products that compete with our laser and optics products. IDEX Corporation offers products that compete with our lasers, optics, and photonics subsystems. IPG Photonics, Inc. offers products that compete with our laser products.
Jenoptik AG offers products that compete with our laser, optics, and photonics products. PI miCos GmbH offers products that compete with our photonics products. Thorlabs, Inc. offers products that compete with our optics, lasers and photonics products. Trumpf Group offers products that compete with our laser products.
Patents and Other Intellectual Property Rights
We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and license agreements to establish and protect our proprietary rights. As of December 31, 2017, we owned 517 U.S. patents and 1,041 foreign patents that expire at various dates through 2037. As of December 31, 2017, we had 97 pending U.S. patent applications. Foreign counterparts of certain U.S. applications have been filed or may be filed at the appropriate time.
We require each of our employees, including our executive officers, to enter into standard agreements pursuant to which the employee agrees to keep confidential all of our proprietary information and to assign to us all inventions while they are employed by us.
Employees
As of December 31, 2017, we employed 4,923 persons. We believe that our ongoing success depends upon our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. Outside of the United States, there are certain countries where our employees are represented by works counsel or trade unions, as is common practice or required by law. We believe that our employee relations are good.
Other Acquisitions
On March 17, 2015, we acquired Precisive, LLC (“Precisive”) for $12.1 million, net of cash acquired of $0.4 million. Precisive is an innovative developer of optical analyzers based on Tunable Filter Spectroscopy, which provide real-time gas analysis in the natural gas and hydrocarbon processing industries, including refineries, hydrocarbon processing plants, gas-to-power machines, biogas processes and fuel gas transportation and metering, while delivering customers a lower total cost of ownership.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following describes certain risks we face in our business. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer, and the trading price of our common stock could decline. In assessing these risks, investors should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our business depends substantially on capital spending in the semiconductor industry, which is characterized by periodic fluctuations that may cause a reduction in demand for our products.
Approximately 57%, 56% and 69% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers. While our acquisition of Newport in April 2016 has reduced our concentration of customers in these markets, we anticipate that sales to such customers will continue to account for a substantial portion of our net revenues. Our business depends upon the capital expenditures of semiconductor device manufacturers, which in turn depends upon the demand for semiconductors.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent product introductions, changing customer requirements and evolving industry standards. Because our customers face uncertainties with
regard to the growth and requirements of these markets, their products and components may not achieve, or continue to achieve, anticipated levels of market acceptance. If our customers are unable to deliver products that gain market acceptance, it is likely that these customers will not purchase our products or will purchase smaller quantities of our products. We often invest substantial resources in developing our products and subsystems in advance of significant sales of these products and subsystems to such customers. A failure on the part of our customers’ products to gain market acceptance, or a failure of the semiconductor market to sustain current sales levels or to grow would have a significant negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The semiconductor industry has historically been characterized by cyclical variations in product supply and demand. The timing, severity and duration of these market cycles are difficult to predict, and we may not be able to respond effectively to these cycles. The cyclicality of the semiconductor market is demonstrated by the changes in sales to semiconductor capital equipment and device manufacturers in past years. For example, our sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers increased compared to the prior year by 52%, 29% and 3% in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The 52% increase in 2017, compared to 2016, was mainly attributable to an increase in volume from our semiconductor customers and from the full year effect of net sales from Newport, which we acquired in April 2016. The 29% increase in 2016 was mainly attributable to net sales by Newport following our acquisition of Newport. On a pro forma basis, assuming the acquisition of Newport had occurred on January 1, 2016, our 2017 increase would have been 45%.
During semiconductor market downturns, periods of overcapacity have resulted in rapid and significantly reduced demand for our products, which may result in lower gross margins due to reduced absorption of manufacturing overhead, as our ability to rapidly and effectively reduce our cost structure in response to such downturns is limited by the fixed nature of many of our expenses in the near term. Further, our ability to reduce our long-term expenses is constrained by our need to continue our investment in next-generation product technology and to support and service our products. In addition, due to the relatively long manufacturing lead times for some of the products and subsystems we sell to this market, we may incur expenditures or purchase raw materials or components for products we are unable to sell. Accordingly, downturns in the semiconductor capital equipment market may materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Conversely, when upturns in this market occur, we may have difficulty rapidly and effectively increasing our manufacturing capacity to meet sudden increases in customer demand. If we fail to do so, we may lose business to our competitors and our relationships with our customers may be harmed. In addition, many semiconductor manufacturers have operations and customers in Asia, a region that in past years has experienced serious economic problems including currency devaluations, debt defaults, lack of liquidity and recessions.
Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated, and are likely to continue to vary significantly, which may result in volatility in the market price of our common stock.
A substantial portion of our shipments occurs shortly after an order is received, and therefore we generally operate with a relatively low level of backlog. As a result, a decrease in demand for our products from one or more customers could occur with limited advance notice and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any particular period. Further, with respect to certain of our business lines, we often recognize a significant portion of net revenues in the last month of each fiscal quarter, due in part to the tendency of some customers to wait until late in a quarter to commit to purchase certain of our products as a result of capital expenditure approvals and constraints occurring at the end of a quarter, or the hope of obtaining more favorable pricing from a competitor seeking the business. Thus, variations in timing of sales can cause significant fluctuations in our quarterly sales, gross margin and profitability. Orders expected to ship in one period could shift to another period due to changes in the timing of our customers’ purchase decisions, rescheduled delivery dates requested by our customers, manufacturing capacity constraints or logistics delays. Our operating results for a particular quarter or year may be adversely affected if our customers, particularly our largest customers, cancel or reschedule orders, or if we cannot fill orders in time due to capacity constraints or unexpected delays in
manufacturing, testing, shipping or product acceptance. Also, we base our manufacturing plans on our forecasted product mix. If the actual product mix varies significantly from our forecast, we may not be able to fill some orders, which would result in delays in the shipment of our products and could shift sales to a subsequent period. A significant percentage of our expenses are fixed and based in part on expectations of future net revenues. The inability to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for any shortfall would magnify the adverse impact of a shortfall in net revenues on our results of operations. Factors that could cause fluctuations in our financial results include:
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a worldwide economic slowdown or disruption in the global financial markets;
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fluctuations in our customers’ capital spending, industry cyclicality (particularly in the semiconductor industry), market seasonality (particularly in the scientific research market), levels of government funding available to our customers (particularly in the life sciences and research markets) and other economic conditions within the markets we serve;
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the timing of the receipt of orders within a given period and the level of orders from major customers;
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demand for our products and the products sold by our customers;
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shipment delays;
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disruption in sources of supply;
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production capacity constraints;
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specific features requested by customers;
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the timing and level of cancellations and delays of orders in backlog for our products;
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the timing of product shipments and revenue recognition within a given quarter;
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variations in the mix of products we sell;
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changes in our pricing practices or in the pricing practices of our competitors or suppliers;
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our timing in introducing new products;
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engineering and development investments relating to new product introductions, and significant changes to our manufacturing and outsourcing operations;
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market acceptance of any new or enhanced versions of our products;
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timing of new product introductions by our competitors;
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timing and level of inventory obsolescence, scrap and warranty expenses;
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the availability, quality and cost of components and raw materials we use to manufacture our products;
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changes in our effective tax rates;
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changes in our capital structure, including cash, marketable securities and debt balances, and changes in interest rates;
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changes in bad debt expense based on the collectability of our accounts receivable;
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timing, type, and size of acquisitions and divestitures, and related expenses and charges;
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly the South Korean won, Japanese yen and Euro as compared with the U.S. dollar;
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our expense levels;
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impairment of goodwill and amortization of intangible assets; and
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fees, expenses and settlement costs or judgments against us relating to litigation.
As a result of the factors discussed above, it is likely that we may in the future experience quarterly or annual fluctuations, and that, in one or more future quarters, our operating results may fall below the expectations of public market analysts or investors. In any such event, the price of our common stock could fluctuate or decline significantly. Consequently, we believe that quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year comparisons of our results of operations, or any other similar period-to-period comparisons, may not be reliable indicators of our future performance.
The loss of net revenues from any one of our major customers would likely have a material adverse effect on us.
Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 43%, 39% and 49% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. One customer, Applied Materials, Inc., accounted for approximately 13%, 14% and 18% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and another customer, Lam Research Corporation, accounted for 12%, 11% and 13% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In any one reporting period, a single customer or several customers may contribute even a larger percentage of our consolidated revenues. Although our acquisition of Newport has reduced our customer concentration somewhat, the loss of a major customer or any reduction in orders by these customers, including reductions due to market or competitive conditions, would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. None of our significant customers has entered into an agreement with us requiring it to purchase any minimum quantity of our products. Because our largest customers are semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers, we are particularly susceptible to the cyclicality of the semiconductor market.
Attempts to lessen the adverse effect of any loss or reduction of net revenues through the rapid addition of new customers could be difficult because a relatively small number of companies dominate the semiconductor equipment market. Further, prospective customers typically require lengthy qualification periods prior to placing volume orders with a new supplier. Our future success will continue to depend upon:
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our ability to maintain relationships with existing key customers;
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our ability to attract new customers and satisfy any required qualification periods;
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our ability to introduce new products in a timely manner for existing and new customers; and
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the successes of our customers in creating demand for their capital equipment products that incorporate our products.
As part of our business strategy, we have entered into and may enter into or seek to enter into business combinations and acquisitions that may be difficult to identify and complete, challenging and costly to integrate, disruptive to our business and our management, and/or dilutive to stockholder value.
Since our inception, we have made acquisitions and, as a part of our business strategy, we may enter into additional business combinations and acquisitions. Our most recent acquisition of Newport in April 2016 significantly increased our size, including with respect to revenue, product offerings, number of employees and facilities. Our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition targets, complete acquisitions on acceptable terms, and efficiently and effectively integrate our acquired businesses, including our most significant and most recent acquisition to date, Newport, into our organization is critical to our growth. We may not be able to identify target companies that meet our strategic objectives or successfully negotiate and complete acquisitions with companies we have identified on acceptable terms. Further, we may incur significant expense in pursuing acquisitions that cannot be completed due to regulatory or other restrictions. Additionally, our credit facilities only permit us to make acquisitions under certain circumstances, and also restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness in certain circumstances. Further, the process of integrating acquired companies into our operations
requires significant resources and is time consuming, expensive and disruptive to our business. We may not realize the benefits we anticipate from these acquisitions because of the following significant challenges:
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the difficulty of integrating the operations, technology and personnel of the acquired companies;
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the potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;
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possible internal control weaknesses of the acquired companies;
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significant expenses related to the acquisitions, including any resulting shareholder litigation;
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the assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities associated with acquired businesses;
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the potential to incur or record significant cash or non-cash charges or write down the carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill obtained in the acquisition, which could adversely impact our cash flow or lower our earnings in the period or periods for which we incur such charges or write down such assets;
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potentially incompatible cultural differences between the two companies;
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incorporating the acquired company’s technology and products into our current and future product lines, and successfully generating market demand for these expanded product lines;
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potential additional geographic dispersion of operations;
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the difficulty in achieving anticipated synergies and efficiencies;
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the difficulty in leveraging the acquired company’s and our combined technologies and capabilities across our product lines and customer base;
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potential sales disruptions as a result of integrating the acquired company’s sales channels with our sales channels; and
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our ability to retain key customers, suppliers and employees of an acquired company.
We may also be placed at a competitive disadvantage by selling products in markets and geographies that are new to us. In addition, if we are not successful in completing acquisitions that we may pursue in the future, we may be required to re-evaluate our growth strategy, and we may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources in seeking to complete proposed acquisitions that may not generate benefits for us.
In addition, with future acquisitions, we could use substantial portions of our available cash as all or a portion of the purchase price. We could also issue additional securities as consideration for these acquisitions, which could cause significant stockholder dilution, or obtain additional debt financing, which could reduce our future cash flow, without achieving the desired accretion to our business. Further, our prior acquisitions and any future acquisitions may not ultimately help us achieve our strategic goals and may pose other risks to us.
As a result of our previous acquisitions, we have several different decentralized operating and accounting systems. We will need to continue to modify our accounting policies, internal controls, procedures and compliance programs to provide consistency across all of our operations. In order to increase efficiency and operating effectiveness and improve corporate visibility into our decentralized operations, we are currently implementing two worldwide Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) systems, one for our Vacuum & Analysis segment and one for our Light & Motion segment. We expect to continue to implement the ERP systems in phases over the next few years. Any future implementations may risk potential disruption of our operations during the conversion periods and the implementations could require significantly more management time and higher implementation costs than currently estimated.
An inability to convince semiconductor device manufacturers to specify the use of our products to our customers that are semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers would weaken our competitive position.
The markets for our products, in particular the semiconductor capital equipment market, are highly competitive. Our competitive success often depends upon factors outside of our control. For example, in some
cases, semiconductor device manufacturers may direct semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers to use a specified supplier’s product in their equipment. Accordingly, for such products, our success will depend in part on our ability to have semiconductor device manufacturers specify that our products be used at their semiconductor fabrication facilities. In addition, we may encounter difficulties in changing established relationships of competitors that already have a large installed base of products within such semiconductor fabrication facilities.
If our products are not designed into successive generations of our customers’ products, we will lose significant net revenues during the lifespan of those products.
New products designed by capital equipment manufacturers typically have a lifespan of five to fifteen years. Our success depends on our products being designed into new generations of equipment. We must develop products that are technologically advanced so that they are positioned to be chosen for use in each successive generation of capital equipment. If customers do not choose our products, our net revenues may be reduced during the lifespan of our customers’ products. In addition, we must make a significant capital investment to develop products for our customers well before our products are introduced and before we can be sure that we will recover our capital investment through sales to the customers in significant volume. We are thus also at risk during the development phase that our products may fail to meet our customers’ technical or cost requirements and may be replaced by a competitive product or alternative technology solution. If that happens, we may be unable to recover our development costs.
Many of the markets and industries that we serve are subject to rapid technological change, and if we fail to introduce new and innovative products or improve our existing products, or if the adoption or applications we serve is not successful, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be harmed.
Many of our markets are characterized by rapid technological advances, evolving industry standards, shifting customer needs, new product introductions and enhancements, and the periodic introduction of disruptive technology that displaces current technology due to a combination of price, performance and reliability. As a result, many of the products in our markets can become outdated quickly and without warning. We depend, to a significant extent, upon our ability to enhance our existing products, to anticipate and address the demands of the marketplace for new and improved and disruptive technologies, either through internal development or by acquisitions, and to be price competitive. If we or our competitors introduce new or enhanced products, it may cause our customers to defer or cancel orders for our existing products. If we or our competitors introduce disruptive technology that displaces current technology, existing product platforms or lines of business from which we generate significant revenue may be rendered obsolete. Further, if our customers or the industries we serve shift to technologies that do not utilize our platform of products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
Because many of our products are sophisticated and complex, they can be difficult to design and manufacture, and we may experience delays in introducing new products or enhancements to our existing products. If we do not introduce our new products or enhancements into the marketplace in a timely fashion, our customers may choose to purchase our competitors’ products. Certain of our markets, in particular the semiconductor capital equipment market, experience cyclicality in capital spending, so if we fail to introduce new products in a timely manner we may miss market upturns, or may fail to have our products or subsystems designed into our customers’ products. We may not be successful in acquiring, developing, manufacturing or marketing new products and technologies on a timely or cost-effective basis. If we fail to adequately introduce new, competitive products and technologies on a timely basis, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be harmed.
Further, we are constantly investing in products for emerging applications, and we expect to generate increasingly significant revenue levels from sales of products for these applications. These applications are evolving, and the extent to which they achieve widespread adoption or significant growth is uncertain. Many
factors may affect the viability of widespread adoption or growth of these applications, including their cost-effectiveness, performance and reliability compared to alternatives. If these applications or our products for these applications are not widely adopted or fail to grow as we project, we will not generate the revenue growth we anticipate from sales of our products for these emerging applications, and our results of operations could be harmed.
Because the sales cycle for some of our products is long and difficult to predict, and certain of our orders are subject to rescheduling or cancellation, we may experience fluctuations in our operating results.
Many of our products are complex and customers for these products require substantial time to qualify our products and make purchase decisions. In addition, some of our sales to defense and security customers are under major defense programs that involve lengthy competitive bidding and qualification processes. These customers often perform, or require us to perform, extensive configuration, testing and evaluation of our products before committing to purchasing them, which can require a significant upfront investment by us. The sales cycle for these products from initial contact through shipment varies significantly, is difficult to predict and can last more than a year. If we fail to anticipate the likelihood, costs, or timing associated with sales of these products, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
Our orders are generally subject to rescheduling without penalty or cancellation without penalty other than reimbursement for certain labor and material costs. We from time to time experience order rescheduling and cancellations, which can result in fluctuation of our operating results from period to period.
Certain of our markets, sales regions and customers may be adversely affected by a lack of government funding and the availability of credit.
Our worldwide sales to customers in the scientific research, defense and life and health sciences markets rely to a large extent on government funding for research and defense-related programs. Any decline in government funding as a result of reduced budgets in connection with fiscal austerity measures or other causes would likely result in reduced sales of our products that are purchased either directly or indirectly with government funding, which would have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
Ongoing concerns regarding the global availability of credit also may make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their projects and purchases of capital equipment. Delays in our customers’ ability to obtain such financing, or the unavailability of such financing, could adversely affect sales of our products and systems, including, but not limited to, high-value lasers and systems, and therefore harm our business and operating results.
We offer products for multiple markets and must face the challenges of supporting the distinct needs of each of the markets we serve.
We offer products for a number of very diverse markets. Because we operate in multiple markets, we must work constantly to understand the needs, standards and technical requirements of many different applications within these markets, and must devote significant resources to developing different products for these markets. Product development is costly and time consuming. We must anticipate trends in our customers’ industries and develop products before our customers’ products are commercialized. If we do not accurately predict our customers’ needs and future activities, we may invest substantial resources in developing products that do not achieve broad market acceptance. Our decision to continue to offer products to a given market or to penetrate new markets is based in part on our judgment of the size, growth rate and other factors that contribute to the attractiveness of a particular market. If our product offerings in any particular market are not competitive or our analyses of a market are incorrect, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.
Further, serving diverse markets requires an understanding of different sales cycles, and the development and maintenance of a complex global sales team and sales channels to support the markets’ differing needs. It
also requires dynamic operations that can support both complex, customized product builds as well as quick turn-around for commercial off-the-shelf sales. If we fail to provide the sales and operational support for our diverse markets, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.
Manufacturing interruptions or delays could affect our ability to meet customer demand and lead to higher costs, while the failure to estimate customer demand accurately could result in excess or obsolete inventory.
Our business depends on its timely supply of equipment, services and related products that meet the rapidly changing technical and volume requirements of our customers, which depends in part on the timely delivery of parts, components and subassemblies from suppliers, including contract manufacturers. Cyclical industry conditions and the volatility of demand for manufacturing equipment increase capital, technical, operational and other risks for us and for companies throughout our supply chain. We may also experience significant interruptions of our manufacturing operations, delays in our ability to deliver products or services, increased costs or customer order cancellations as a result of:
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volatility in the availability and cost of materials, including rare earth elements;
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information technology or infrastructure failures; and
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natural disasters or other events beyond our control (such as earthquakes, floods or storms, regional economic downturns, pandemics, social unrest, political instability, terrorism, or acts of war), particularly where we or our subcontractors and contract manufacturers conduct manufacturing.
In addition, if we need to rapidly increase our business and manufacturing capacity to meet increases in demand or expedited shipment schedules, this may exacerbate any interruptions in our manufacturing operations and supply chain and the associated effect on our working capital. Moreover, if actual demand for our products is different than expected, we may purchase more/fewer parts than necessary or incur costs for canceling, postponing or expediting delivery of parts. If we purchase inventory in anticipation of customer demand that does not materialize, or if our customers reduce or delay orders, we may incur excess inventory charges. Any or all of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A material amount of our assets represents goodwill and intangible assets, and our net income would be reduced if our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired.
As of December 31, 2017, our goodwill and intangible assets, net, represented approximately $957 million, or 40% of our total assets. Goodwill is generated in our acquisitions when the cost of an acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets we acquire. Goodwill is subject to an impairment analysis at least annually based on the fair value of the reporting unit. Intangible assets relate primarily to the developed technologies, customer relationships and patents and trademarks acquired by us as part of our acquisitions of other companies and are subject to an impairment analysis whenever events or changes in circumstances exist that indicate that the carrying value of the intangible asset might not be recoverable. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. If market and economic conditions or business performance deteriorate, the likelihood that we would record an impairment charge would increase, which impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
The terms of our term loan credit facility and asset-based revolving credit facility impose significant financial obligations and risks upon us, limit our ability to take certain actions, and could discourage a change in control.
In April 2016, we obtained a term loan credit facility and a revolving credit facility in connection with financing our acquisition of Newport, and we subsequently amended the term loan facility in June 2016, December 2016 and July 2017. The term loan credit facility, as amended, provides us with senior secured
financing in the principal amount of $398 million as of December 31, 2017 with a term of seven years. The revolving credit facility provides us with senior secured financing of up to $50 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation.
Our indebtedness under these credit facilities has increased our interest expense and could have the effect, among other things, of reducing the funds available to flexibly respond to changing business and economic conditions. Our indebtedness could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If we do not achieve the expected benefits from the acquisition, or if the financial performance of the combined company does not meet current expectations, then our ability to service our indebtedness may be adversely impacted.
A significant portion of the amounts outstanding under the credit facilities bear interest at variable interest rates. If interest rates increase, variable rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flows. In addition, our credit ratings affect the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, our cost of capital. Our ratings of our indebtedness reflect each nationally recognized statistical rating organization’s opinion of our financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet our debt obligations. There can be no assurance that we will achieve a particular rating or maintain a particular rating in the future. Moreover, we may be required to raise substantial additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements. Our ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Our term loan credit facility, as amended, uses LIBOR as a reference rate for our term loans, such that the interest due pursuant to such loans may be calculated using LIBOR (subject to a stated minimum value). On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. LIBOR borrowings may become unavailable before that date. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. If the method for calculation of LIBOR changes, if LIBOR is no longer available or if lenders have increased costs due to changes in LIBOR, we may have to modify our term loan credit facility, or the loans using LIBOR as a reference rate will convert to the base rate (calculated by reference to the higher of the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points or the prime rate, subject to a stated minimum value) which could result in higher interest rates.
The term loan credit facility and the revolving credit facility contain a number of negative covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict our ability and/or our subsidiaries’ ability to:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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pay certain dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire certain capital stock or certain other indebtedness;
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make certain investments, loans and acquisitions;
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engage in certain transactions with our affiliates;
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sell assets, including capital stock of our subsidiaries;
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materially alter the business we conduct;
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consolidate or merge;
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incur liens; and
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engage in sale-leaseback transactions.
These covenants restrict our ability to engage in or benefit from these actions, thereby limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes and opportunities in the markets in which we compete, such as limiting our ability to engage in mergers and acquisitions. This could place us at a competitive disadvantage. If the matters described in our other risk factors result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, we may be unable to comply with the terms of our credit facilities or experience an event of default.
The term loan credit agreement and the revolving credit agreement contain customary events of default, including:
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failure to make required payments;
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failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants;
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materially breaching any representation or warranty made or deemed made in connection with the respective credit facility;
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failure to pay, or cause acceleration of, certain other indebtedness;
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certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency;
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failure to pay certain judgments; and
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a change in control of us.
Our ability to repay any amounts owed under these credit facilities will depend upon our future cash balances. The amount of cash available for repayment of these amounts will depend on our usage of our existing cash balances and our operating performance and ability to generate cash flow from operations in future periods, which will be subject to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot provide any assurances that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt obligations. Any failure to repay these obligations as they become due would result in an event of default under the credit facilities.
Further, because a change in control of us constitutes an event of default under these credit facilities, this would likely be a significant deterrent to a potential acquirer, as any potential acquisition would trigger an event of default, unless the lenders agreed to waive such event of default. We cannot guarantee that any such waiver would be obtained.
If an event of default occurs, the lenders may end their obligation to make loans to us under the credit facilities, and may declare any outstanding indebtedness under the credit facilities immediately due and payable. In such case, we would need to obtain additional financing or significantly deplete our available cash, or both, in order to repay this indebtedness. Any additional financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all, and significant depletion of our available cash could harm our ability to fund our operations or execute our broader corporate objectives. If we were unable to repay outstanding indebtedness following an event of default, then in addition to other available rights and remedies, the lenders could initiate foreclosure proceedings on substantially all of our assets. Any such foreclosure proceedings or other rights and remedies successfully implemented by the lenders in an event of default would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in highly competitive industries.
The markets for our products are intensely competitive, and we believe that competition from both new and existing competitors will increase in the future. Principal competitive factors include:
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historical customer relationships;
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product quality, performance and price;
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breadth of product line;
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manufacturing capabilities; and
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customer service and support.
Although we believe that we compete favorably with respect to these factors, we may not be able to continue to do so. We encounter substantial competition in most of our product lines. Certain of our competitors may enjoy greater name recognition and have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have, and some may have lower material costs than ours due to their control over sources of components and raw materials. In some cases, competitors are smaller than we are, but well established in specific product niches. We may encounter difficulties in changing established relationships of competitors with a large installed base of products at such customers’ fabrication facilities. In addition, our competitors can be expected to continue to improve the design and performance of their products. Competitors may develop products that offer price, performance or technological features superior to those of our products. If our competitors develop superior products, we may lose existing customers and market share. Further, technological advances in our served markets may cause one or more of our portfolio of products to be displaced over time. We also face competition in some of our markets from our existing and potential customers who have developed or may develop products that are competitive to ours, or who engage subcontract manufacturers or system integrators to manufacture products or systems on their behalf.
We face significant risks from doing business internationally.
Our business is subject to risks inherent in conducting business globally. International revenues account for a significant portion of total net sales, with a substantial portion of such sales originating in Asia (especially South Korea, Japan, Israel, China and Taiwan) and Europe (especially France and Germany). We expect that international revenues will continue to account for a significant percentage of total net sales for the foreseeable future, and that in particular, the proportion of our sales to Asian customers will continue to increase. Additionally, we have substantial international manufacturing, sales and administrative operations, with significant facilities and employee populations in Europe and Asia, and a substantial portion of our manufacturing in China, Israel and Mexico. Our international operations expose us to various risks, which include:
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adverse changes or instability in the political or economic conditions in countries or regions where we manufacture or sell our products;
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challenges of administering our diverse business and product lines globally;
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the actions of government regulatory authorities, including embargoes, executive orders, import and export restrictions, tariffs, currency controls, trade restrictions and trade barriers, license requirements, environmental and other regulatory requirements and other rules and regulations applicable to the manufacture, import and export of our products, all of which are complicated and potentially conflicting, often require significant investments in cost, time and resources for compliance, and may impose strict and severe penalties for noncompliance;
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greater risk of violations of applicable U.S. and international anti-corruption laws by our employees, sales representatives, distributors or other agents;
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longer accounts receivable collection periods and longer payment cycles;
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overlapping, differing or more burdensome tax structures;
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adverse currency exchange rate fluctuations;
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reduced or inconsistent protection of intellectual property;
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shipping and other logistics complications;
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the imposition of restrictions on currency conversion or the transfer of funds;
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costs associated with the repatriation of our overseas earnings;
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the expropriation of private enterprises;
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more complex and burdensome labor laws and practices in countries where we have employees;
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cultural and management style differences;
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preference for locally-produced products;
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changes in labor conditions and difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, including, but not limited to, the formation of labor unions;
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difficulties in staffing and managing each of our individual international operations; and
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increased risk of exposure to civil unrest, terrorist and military activities.
If we experience any of the risks associated with international business, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly harmed.
In particular, we have significant facilities and operations and a considerable number of employees in Israel. A number of our products are manufactured in facilities located in Israel. The Middle East remains a volatile region, and the future of peace efforts between Israel and neighboring countries remains extremely uncertain. Any armed conflicts or significant political instability in the region is likely to negatively affect business conditions and could significantly disrupt our operations in Israel, which would negatively impact our business. Further, many of our employees in Israel are subject to being called for active duty under emergency circumstances. If a military conflict or war arises, these individuals could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time, and our operations in Israel could be disrupted by the absence of one or more key employees or a significant number of other employees for a significant period of time. Any such disruption could adversely affect our business.
Key personnel may be difficult to attract and retain.
Our ability to maintain and grow our business is directly related to the service of our employees in each area of our business. Our future performance will be directly tied to our ability to hire, train, motivate and retain qualified personnel, including highly skilled technical, financial, managerial and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for personnel in the technology marketplace is intense, particularly in certain geographies where we are located, and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. In addition, many of our product manufacturing processes require deep technical expertise, and these positions can be particularly challenging to fill. We have from time to time in the past experienced attrition in certain key positions, and we expect to continue to experience this attrition in the future. If we are unable to hire sufficient numbers of employees with the experience and skills we need or to retain and motivate our existing employees, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
Our failure to successfully manage our offshore manufacturing locations or the transition of certain of our manufacturing operations to other locations and/or to contract manufacturers could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As part of our continuous cost-reduction efforts, we have outsourced a portion of our manufacturing and service to a subcontractor in Mexico, and we continue to relocate the manufacture of certain of our existing product lines and subassemblies to, and initiate the manufacture of certain new products in, our facilities in China, Israel and Romania and selected contract manufacturers in Asia. In the future, we may expand the level of manufacturing, administrative and certain other operations that we perform offshore in order to take advantage of cost efficiencies available to us in those countries. However, we may not achieve the significant cost savings or
other benefits that we would anticipate from moving manufacturing and other operations to a lower cost region. Additionally, if we are unable to successfully manage the relocation, initiation or oversight of the manufacture of these products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
In particular, transferring product lines to other manufacturing locations and/or to our contract manufacturers’ facilities often requires us to transplant complex manufacturing equipment and processes across a large geographical distance and to train a completely new workforce concerning the use of this equipment and these processes. In addition, certain of our customers may require the requalification of products supplied to them in connection with the relocation of manufacturing operations. If we are unable to manage this transfer and training smoothly and comprehensively, or if we are unable to complete the requalification of products in a timely manner, we could suffer manufacturing and supply chain delays, excessive product defects, harm to our results of operations and our reputation with our customers, and loss of customers. Further, the utilization of overseas contract manufacturers may require additional customs tariffs or may require export licenses, which may be difficult or costly to obtain. We also may not realize the cost savings that we currently anticipate from locating operations in Mexico, China, Israel and Romania. For example, we are experiencing rising material, labor and shipping costs in China and the potential for new tariffs on our products manufactured in Mexico.
Additionally, qualifying contract manufacturers and commencing volume production are expensive and time-consuming activities, and there is no guarantee we will continue to do so successfully. Further, our reliance on contract manufacturers reduces our control over the assembly process, quality assurance, production costs and material and component supply for our products. If we fail to manage our relationship with our contract manufacturers, or if any of the contract manufacturers experience financial difficulty, or delays, disruptions, capacity constraints or quality control problems in their operations, our ability to ship products to our customers could be impaired and our competitive position and reputation could be harmed. Further, if we or our contract manufacturers are unable to negotiate with suppliers for reduced component costs, our operating results could be harmed.
In addition, our contract manufacturers may terminate our agreements with them upon prior notice to us or immediately for reasons such as if we become insolvent, or if we fail to perform a material obligation under the agreements. If we are required to change contract manufacturers or assume internal manufacturing operations for any reason, including the termination of one of our contracts, we will likely suffer manufacturing and shipping delays, lost revenue, increased costs and damage to our customer relationships, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our products could contain defects, which would increase our costs and seriously harm our business, operating results, financial condition and customer relationships.
Many of our products are inherently complex in design and, in some cases, require extensive customization and/or ongoing regular maintenance. Further, the manufacture of these products often involves a highly complex and precise process and the utilization of specially qualified components that conform to stringent specifications. Several of our products require highly skilled labor. As a result of the technical complexity of these products, design defects, skilled labor turnover, changes in our or our suppliers’ manufacturing processes or the inadvertent use of defective or nonconforming materials by us or our suppliers could adversely affect our manufacturing yields and product reliability. This could in turn harm our business, operating results, financial condition and customer relationships.
We provide warranties for our products, and we accrue allowances for estimated warranty costs at the time we recognize revenue for the sale of the products. The determination of such allowances requires us to make estimates of product return rates and expected costs to repair or replace the products under warranty. We establish warranty reserves based on historical warranty costs for our products. If actual return rates or repair and replacement costs differ significantly from our estimates, our results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Our customers may discover defects in our products after the products have been fully deployed and operated under peak stress conditions. In addition, some of our products are combined with products from other suppliers, which may contain defects. Furthermore, some of our customers use our products in ways other than their intended purpose. As a result, should problems occur, it may be difficult to identify the source of the problem. If we are unable to identify and fix defects or other problems, we could experience, among other things:
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loss of customers;
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increased costs of product returns and warranty expenses;
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increased costs required to analyze and mitigate the defects or problems;
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damage to our reputation;
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failure to attract new customers or achieve market acceptance;
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diversion of development and engineering resources; and/or
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legal action by our customers.
The occurrence of any one or more of the foregoing factors could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings, including product liability claims and intellectual property infringement claims, which if successful, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings or claims regarding product performance, product liability, patent infringement, intellectual property rights, antitrust, environmental regulations, securities, contracts, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, employment, workplace safety, and other matters.
For example, some of our products, such as certain ultrafast lasers, are used in medical applications where malfunctions could result in serious injury. In addition, certain of our products may be hazardous if not operated properly or if defective. We are exposed to significant risks for product liability claims if death, personal injury or property damage results from the use of our products. We may experience material product liability losses in the future. We currently maintain insurance for certain product liability claims. However, our insurance coverage may not continue to be available on terms that we accept, if at all. This insurance coverage also may not adequately cover liabilities that we incur. Further, if our products are defective, we may be required to recall or redesign these products. A successful claim against us that exceeds our insurance coverage level or that is not covered by insurance, or any product recall, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we are currently involved in securities class action litigation in connection with the acquisition of our subsidiary, Newport Corporation. The plaintiffs have alleged, among other things, that the then current Newport directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, leading to inadequate and unfair consideration, by agreeing to unfair deal protection devices, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. Regardless of the outcome, securities class action litigation such as this can be time-consuming, result in significant expense to the Company and divert attention and resources of our management and other key employees. Costs and expenses, or an unfavorable outcome in such cases, could exceed applicable insurance coverage, if any. Any such unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
With respect to our intellectual property, we have from time to time received claims from third parties alleging that we are infringing certain trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights held by them. Such
infringement claims have in the past and may in the future result in litigation. Any such litigation could be protracted and costly, and we could become subject to damages for infringement, or to an injunction preventing us from selling one or more of our products or using one or more of our trademarks. Such claims could also result in the necessity of obtaining a license relating to one or more of our products or current or future technologies, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any intellectual property litigation and the failure to obtain necessary licenses or other rights or develop substitute technology may divert management’s attention from other matters and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the terms of our customer contracts typically require us to indemnify the customer in the event of any claim of infringement brought by a third party based on our products. Any claims of this kind may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We also on occasion receive notification from customers who believe that we owe them indemnification or other obligations related to other claims made against such customers by third parties. Legal proceedings and claims, whether with or without merit, and associated internal investigations, may be time-consuming and expensive to prosecute, defend or conduct; divert management’s attention and other of our resources; inhibit our ability to sell our products; result in adverse judgments for damages, injunctive relief, penalties and fines; and negatively affect our business. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of current or future legal proceedings, claims or investigations.
We are subject to international trade compliance regulations, and violations of those regulations could result in fines or trade restrictions, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are subject to trade compliance laws in both the United States and other jurisdictions where we operate. For example, exports of our products and technology developed or manufactured in the U.S. are subject to export controls imposed by the U.S. Government and administered by the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury. Similar export regulations govern exports of our products and technology developed or manufactured in certain other countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Israel and Romania. In certain instances, these regulations may require obtaining licenses from the administering agency prior to exporting products or technology to international locations or foreign nationals, including foreign nationals employed by us in the United States and abroad. For products and technology subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, the requirement for a license is dependent on the type and end use of the product and technology, the final destination and the identity and nationality of the end user. Virtually all exports from the United States of defense articles subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, administered by the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, require a license. The Israeli Ministry of Economy and the Defense Export Control Agency of the Israeli Ministry of Defense administer similar export regulations and license requirements, which apply to many of our products and technology developed or manufactured in Israel. In addition, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department for Export Controls administer similar export regulations and license requirements, which apply to many of our products and technology developed or manufactured in Romania. Obtaining export licenses can be difficult and time-consuming, and we may not be successful in obtaining them. Failure to obtain export licenses to enable product and technology exports could reduce our revenue, harm our relationships with our customers and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Compliance with export regulations may also subject us to additional fees and costs. The absence of comparable export restrictions on competitors in other countries may adversely affect our competitive position. In addition, if we or our international representatives or distributors fail to comply with any of these export regulations, we or they could be subject to civil and criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties, disruptions to our business, restrictions on our ability to export products and technology and damage to our reputation, and our business and results of operations could be significantly harmed. While we have implemented policies and procedures to comply with these laws, we cannot be certain that our employees, contractors, suppliers or agents will not violate such laws or our policies. For example, as a result of a 2012 U.S. Government investigation, a former employee of our Shanghai office and a third party not affiliated with us were imprisoned for export
violations relating to the sale of certain of our products. We were not a target of the government’s investigation and we cooperated fully with the government’s investigation. In addition, although we conducted our own internal investigation and took corrective human resources actions and have, since 2012, implemented additional export compliance procedures, we cannot be certain these efforts will be sufficient to avoid similar situations in the future.
Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations may lead to lower operating margins or may cause us to raise or reduce prices, which could result in reduced sales.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our net revenues and results of operations and we could experience losses with respect to our hedging activities. Unfavorable currency fluctuations could require us to increase or decrease prices to foreign customers, which could result in lower net revenues from such customers. Alternatively, if we do not adjust the prices for our products in response to unfavorable currency fluctuations, our results of operations could be adversely affected by declining net revenues or profit margins for our products in international markets when the sales are translated into U.S. dollars. Such exchange rate fluctuations could also increase the costs and expenses of our non-U.S. operations when translated into U.S. dollars or require us to modify our current business practices. In addition, most sales made by our foreign subsidiaries are denominated in the currency of the country in which these products are sold and the currency they receive in payment for such sales could be less valuable at the time of receipt as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce a portion of our currency exposure arising from intercompany sales of inventory as well as intercompany accounts receivable and intercompany loans. However, we cannot be certain that our efforts will be adequate to protect us against significant currency fluctuations or that such efforts will not expose us to additional exchange rate risks.
Changes in tax rates or tax regulation could affect results of operations.
As a global company, we are subject to taxation in the United States and various other countries. Significant judgment is required to determine and estimate worldwide tax liabilities. Our future annual and quarterly effective tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, including changes in the applicable tax laws; composition of pre-tax income in countries with differing tax rates; and/or valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) in December 2017 significantly affected U.S. tax law by changing how the U.S. imposes tax on multinational corporations. The U.S. Department of Treasury has broad authority under the Act to issue regulations and interpretive guidance. We have applied available guidance to estimate our tax obligations, but new guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department may cause us to make adjustments to our tax estimates in future periods. The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB118”) acknowledging that companies will potentially encounter situations for which the analysis of certain income tax effects of the Act will be incomplete by the time financial statements are required to be issued for reporting periods that include the enactment date. In these situations, SAB 118 provides that reasonable estimates may be made for certain effects of the Act. We have recorded provisional amounts using reasonable estimates based on the guidance in SAB 118 and we anticipate adjustments to such estimates as additional analysis is completed and new regulations and guidance are issued.
In addition, we are subject to regular examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of favorable or unfavorable outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any final determination will not be materially different from the treatment reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are exposed to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents.
We rely on various information technology networks and systems, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information and to carry out and support a variety of business activities, including manufacturing, research and development, supply chain management, sales and accounting. This information includes confidential information belonging to us, our customers and our business partners as well as personally-identifiable information of individuals. We have experienced, and expect to continue to be subject to, cybersecurity threats and incidents ranging from employee error or misuse to individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information systems to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats, none of which have materially affected our financial condition or results of operations to date. While we devote significant resources to network security, data encryption and other measures to protect our systems and information from unauthorized access or misuse, a failure in or a breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our suppliers and other business partners, including as a result of cyber-attacks, could disrupt our business; result in the disclosure, misuse or loss of confidential information and critical data; damage our reputation; cause data privacy issues; decrease the value of our investment in research, development and engineering; cause losses; result in litigation with third parties; and increase our cybersecurity protection and remediation costs.
Changes in laws and regulations governing data privacy and data protection could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We are subject to data privacy laws and regulations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage and use of personally identifiable information, as well as numerous other federal and state privacy and breach notification laws. We are also subject to many international data protection laws and regulations, including the current European Union (the “EU”) Data Protection Directive which requires EU member states to impose restrictions on the collection and use of personal data that, in some respects, are more stringent than current privacy standards in the United States. In May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation will supersede the EU Data Protection Directive, imposing more robust EU data protection requirements and providing for greater penalties for noncompliance. The EU regulations also establish a prohibition on the transfer of personal information from the EU to other countries whose laws do not protect personal data to an adequate level of privacy or security. While we have utilized certain permitted approaches for transferring personal information from the European Union to the United States, these approaches may be reviewed and invalidated by the EU courts or regulatory bodies and we may be required to ascertain an alternative legal basis for such transfers. In addition, certain countries have and will continue to modify or adopt more stringent data protection standards.
While we continue to assess and address the implications of existing and new domestic and foreign regulations relating to data privacy, the evolving regulatory landscape presents a number of legal and operational challenges, and our efforts to comply may be unsuccessful. We may also face audits or investigations by one or more government agencies relating to our compliance with these regulations that could result in the imposition of penalties or fines, significant expenses in facilitating and responding to the investigations, and overall reputational harm or negative publicity. The costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, such laws, regulations and policies that are applicable to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our proprietary technology is important to the continued success of our business. Our failure to protect this proprietary technology may significantly impair our competitive position.
Our success and ability to compete depend in large part upon protecting our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark and trade secret protection and nondisclosure agreements to protect our proprietary rights. The steps we have taken may not be sufficient to prevent the misappropriation of our intellectual property, particularly in countries outside the United States, where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Patent and trademark laws and trade secret protection may not
be adequate to deter third party infringement or misappropriation of our patents, trademarks and similar proprietary rights. In addition, patents issued to us may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Our rights granted under those patents may not provide competitive advantages to us, and the claims under our patent applications may not be allowed. The loss or expiration of any of our key patents could lead to a significant loss of sales of certain of our products and could materially affect our future results of operations. We have in the past and may in the future be subject to or may initiate interference proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which can demand significant financial and management resources. The process of seeking patent protection can be time consuming and expensive and patents may not be issued from currently pending or future applications. Moreover, our existing patents or any new patents that may be issued may not be sufficient in scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or any commercial advantage to us. We may initiate claims or litigation against third parties for infringement of our proprietary rights in order to determine the scope and validity of our proprietary rights or the proprietary rights of our competitors, which claims could result in costly litigation, the diversion of our technical and management personnel and the assertion of counterclaims by the defendants, including counterclaims asserting invalidity of our patents. We will take such actions where we believe that they are of sufficient strategic or economic importance to us to justify the cost.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate for reasons over which we have no control.
The stock market has from time to time experienced, and is likely to continue to experience, extreme price and volume fluctuations. Prices of securities of technology companies have been especially volatile and have often fluctuated for reasons that are unrelated to the operating performance of the companies. Historically, the market price of shares of our common stock has fluctuated greatly and could continue to fluctuate due to a variety of factors. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been the objects of securities class action litigation. If we were the object of such securities class action litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
We may not pay dividends on our common stock.
Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends when and if they are declared by our board of directors. Further, our credit facilities restrict our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock under certain circumstances. Although we have declared cash dividends on our common stock since 2011, and occasionally increased the dividends from prior quarters, we are not required to do so and we may reduce or eliminate our cash dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our dependence on sole and limited source suppliers, and international suppliers, could affect our ability to manufacture products and systems.
We rely on sole and limited source suppliers and international suppliers for a few of our components and subassemblies that are critical to the manufacturing of our products due to unique component designs as well as specialized quality and performance requirements needed to manufacture our products. This reliance involves several risks, including the following:
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the potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components;
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reduced control over pricing and timing of delivery of components; and
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the potential inability of our suppliers to develop technologically advanced products to support our growth and development of new products.
We believe we could obtain and qualify alternative sources for most sole and limited source and international supplier parts; however, the transition time may be long if we were required to obtain alternative sources. Seeking alternative sources for these parts could require us to redesign our systems, resulting in increased costs and likely shipping delays. In such an event, any inability to redesign our systems could result in
further costs and shipping delays. These increased costs would decrease our profit margins if we could not pass the costs to our customers. Further, shipping delays could damage our relationships with current and potential customers and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition, we obtain some of the critical capital equipment we use to manufacture certain of our products from sole or limited sources due to the unique nature of the equipment. In some cases, such equipment can only be serviced by the manufacturer or a very limited number of service providers due to the complex and specialized nature of the equipment. If service and/or spare parts for such equipment become unavailable, such equipment could be rendered inoperable, which could cause delays in the production of our products, and could require us to procure alternate equipment, if available, which would likely involve long lead times and significant additional cost, and could harm our results of operations.
We are subject to environmental regulations. If we fail to comply with these regulations, our business could be harmed.
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and international regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste and the cleanup of contaminated sites. In the United States, we are subject to the federal regulation and control of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and we are subject to comparable authorities in other countries. Some of our operations require environmental permits and controls to prevent and reduce air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Future developments, administrative actions or liabilities relating to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Although we believe that our safety procedures for using, handling, storing and disposing of such materials comply with the standards required by state and federal laws and regulations, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims by employees or third parties alleging such contamination or injury, and could be liable for damages, which liability could exceed the amount of our liability insurance coverage (if any) and the resources of our business.
Certain portions of the soil at the former facility of our Spectra-Physics business, located in Mountain View, California, and certain portions of the aquifer surrounding the facility, through which contaminated groundwater flowed, are part of an EPA-designated Superfund site and are subject to a cleanup and abatement order from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Spectra-Physics, which we acquired as part of the Newport acquisition in April 2016 and which had been acquired by Newport in 2004, along with other entities with facilities located near the Mountain View, California facility, were identified as responsible parties with respect to this Superfund site, due to releases of hazardous substances during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Spectra-Physics and the other responsible parties entered into cost-sharing agreements covering the costs of remediating the off-site groundwater impact. The site is mature, and investigations, monitoring and remediation efforts by the responsible parties have been ongoing for approximately 30 years.
We have certain ongoing costs related to investigation, monitoring and remediation of the site that have not been material to us as a whole in the recent past. However, while we benefitted from the indemnification of certain costs by a third party in the past, that indemnification is now in a transition period, and we will become subject to a greater portion of future costs of remediation going forward. Our ultimate costs of remediation and other potential liabilities are difficult to predict. In the event that the EPA and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board determine that the site cleanup requires additional measures to ensure that it meets current standards for environmental contamination, or if they enhance any of the applicable required standards, we will likely become subject to additional remediation obligations in the future. In addition to our investigation, monitoring and remediation obligations, we may be liable for property damage or personal injury claims relating
to this site. While we are not aware of any material claims at this time, such claims could be made against us in the future. If significant costs or other liability relating to this site arise in the future, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The environmental regulations that we are subject to include a variety of federal, state, local and international environmental regulations that restrict the use and disposal of materials used in the manufacture of our products or require design changes or recycling of our products. If we fail to comply with any present or future regulations, we could be subject to future liabilities, the suspension of manufacturing or a prohibition on the sale of products we manufacture. In addition, such regulations could restrict our ability to equip our facilities or could require us to acquire costly equipment, or to incur other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations, including expenses associated with the recall of any non-compliant product and the management of historical waste.
For example, the European Union has enacted the Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which regulates the use of certain hazardous substances in certain products, and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which requires the collection, reuse and recycling of waste from certain products. Compliance with such laws requires significant resources. These regulations may require us to redesign our products or source alternative components to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, for example by mandating the use of different types of materials in certain components. Any such redesign or alternative sourcing may increase the cost of our products, adversely impact the performance of our products, add greater testing lead-times for product introductions, or in some cases limit the markets for certain products. Further, such environmental laws are frequently amended, which increases the cost and complexity of compliance. For example, such amendments have in the past, and may in the future, result in certain of our products falling in the scope of the directive, even if they were initially exempt. In addition, certain of our customers, particularly OEM customers whose end products may be subject to these directives, may require that the products we supply to them comply with these directives, even if not mandated by law. Because certain directives, for example, those issued from the European Union are implemented in individual member states, compliance is particularly challenging. Our failure to comply with any of such regulatory requirements or contractual obligations could result in our being directly or indirectly liable for costs, fines or penalties and third-party claims, and could jeopardize our ability to conduct business in certain countries.
Some provisions of our restated articles of organization, as amended, our amended and restated by-laws and Massachusetts law could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control.
Anti-takeover provisions could diminish the opportunities for stockholders to participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the then current market price of our common stock. Such provisions may also inhibit increases in the market price of our common stock that could result from takeover attempts. For example, while we have no present plans to issue any preferred stock, our board of directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. In addition, our amended and restated by-laws provide for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes. Our classified board could also have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our Company.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
The following table provides information concerning MKS’ principal and certain other owned and leased facilities as of December 31, 2017:
(1) MKS owns two facilities, one in Beaune-la-Rolande with 57,000 square feet and one in la Boulonnie with 44,000 square feet.
(2) MKS owns one facility with 70,000 square feet and leases two other facilities with 38,000 square feet and 10,000 square feet with a lease expiration date of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
(3) MKS owns one facility with 82,000 square feet and leases another facility with 76,000 square feet with a lease expiration date of November 30, 2026. In addition to the Company’s Corporate Headquarters, manufacturing and research and development activities for Vacuum & Analysis take place in Andover, MA.
(4) MKS owns two facilities which aggregate to 47,000 square feet and leases another facility with 39,000 square feet with a lease expiration date of May 31, 2020.
(5) MKS leases a facility with 212,300 square feet with a lease expiration date of February 28, 2022. MKS leases another facility with 42,600 square feet with a lease expiration date of February 28, 2022, which is currently vacant.
(6) MKS owns one facility with 12,000 square feet and leases another facility with 40,000 square feet with a lease expiration date of July 31, 2021.
In addition to the material manufacturing and other operations conducted at the above listed leased or owned facilities, MKS also provides manufacturing, worldwide sales, customer support and services from various other leased and owned facilities throughout the world not listed in the table above. See “Business-Sales, Marketing, Service and Support.”
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
On March 9, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit captioned Dixon Chung v. Newport Corp., et al., Case No. A-16-733154-C, was filed in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada on behalf of a putative class of
stockholders of Newport for claims related to the Merger Agreement between the Company, Newport, and Merger Sub. On March 25, 2016, a second putative class action complaint captioned Hubert C. Pincon v. Newport Corp., et al., Case No. A-16-734039-B, was filed in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada, on behalf of a putative class of Newport’s stockholders for claims related to the Merger Agreement. The lawsuits named as defendants the Company, Newport, Merger Sub, and certain then current and former members of Newport’s board of directors. Both complaints alleged that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, by agreeing to unfair deal protection devices, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The complaints also alleged that the Company, Newport, and Merger Sub aided and abetted the directors’ alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties. The complaints sought injunctive relief, including to enjoin or rescind the Merger Agreement, and an award of attorneys’ and other fees and costs, among other relief. On April 14, 2016, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion to consolidate the Pincon and Chung actions.
On October 19, 2016, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint captioned In re Newport Corporation Shareholder Litigation, Case No. A-16-733154-B, in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada, on behalf of a putative class of Newport’s stockholders for claims related to the Merger Agreement. The complaint named as defendants the Company, Newport, and the then-current members of Newport’s former board of directors. It alleged that the named directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, by agreeing to unfair deal protection devices, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The complaint also alleged that the Company and Newport aided and abetted the named directors’ alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties. The complaint sought monetary damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest. On December 9, 2016, defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint, which plaintiffs opposed. On June 22, 2017, the Court dismissed the amended complaint against all defendants but granted plaintiffs leave to amend.
On July 27, 2017, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which names as defendants certain former directors of Newport. On August 8, 2017, the Court dismissed the Company and Newport from the action pursuant to stipulations among the parties. The second amended complaint alleges that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The second amended complaint seeks monetary damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest. On September 1, 2017 the Newport directors filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint, which plaintiffs opposed. The Court held a hearing on the motion to dismiss on December 7, 2017. On January 5, 2018, the Court entered an order denying the motion to dismiss. The Newport directors answered the second amended complaint, denying the material allegations of the complaint and asserting defenses, on February 20, 2018.
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Price Range of Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MKSI. On February 21, 2018, the closing price of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was $112.20 per share. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
On February 21, 2018, we had approximately 90 stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy and Cash Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if they are declared by our board of directors. During 2017, our board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.175 per share during the first, second and third quarters of 2017 and $0.18 per share during the fourth quarter of 2017, which totaled $38.2 million or $0.71 per share. During 2016, our board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share during each quarter of 2016, which totaled $36.4 million or $0.68 per share.
Future dividend declarations, if any, as well as the record and payment dates for such dividends, are subject to the final determination of our board of directors. The board of directors intends to declare and pay cash dividends on our common stock based on our financial conditions and results of operations of the Company, although it has no obligation to do so. Our credit facilities contain covenants that restrict our ability to grant cash dividends in certain circumstances.
On February 12, 2018, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on March 9, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2018.
Purchase of Equity Shares
On July 25, 2011, our board of directors approved and on July 27, 2011, we publicly announced, a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $200 million of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or through other appropriate means (the “Program”). The timing and quantity of any shares repurchased depends upon a variety of factors, including business conditions, stock market conditions and business development activities, including, but not limited to, merger and acquisition opportunities. These repurchases may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. We have repurchased approximately 1,770,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $52.0 million pursuant to the Program since its adoption.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock.
Comparative Stock Performance
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) from investing $100 on December 31, 2012, and plotted at the last trading day of each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, in each of MKS’ common stock; a peer group index which represents a combination of all companies comprising the Morningstar Semiconductor Equipment & Materials Industry Group Index and Morningstar Scientific & Technical Instruments Industry Group Index, published by Zacks Investment Research, Inc., with these indices weighted one-half (1/2) and one-half (1/2), respectively; and the NASDAQ Market Index. The stock price performance on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol MKSI.
Performance Graph
* Semiconductor Equipment & Materials and Scientific & Technical Instruments indices weighted 1/2 and 1/2, respectively.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
(1) The Statement of Operations Data and the Balance Sheet Data for 2017 and 2016 include statement of operations data and assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the acquisition of Newport in April 2016.
(2) Gross profit for 2016 includes a $15.1 million charge for the amortization of the inventory step-up to fair value related to our acquisition of Newport in April 2016.
(3) Income from operations for 2017 includes $6.7 million of an asset impairment charge, primarily related to the write-off of goodwill and intangible assets in conjunction with the consolidation of two manufacturing plants, $5.3 million of acquisition and integration costs from our acquisition of Newport and $3.9 million of restructuring charges. Income from operations for 2016 includes a $15.1 million charge for the amortization of the inventory step-up to fair value, $27.3 million of acquisition and integration costs from our acquisition of Newport and $5.0 million of an asset impairment charge. Income from operations for 2015 includes $2.1 million of restructuring charges. Income from operations for 2014 includes $2.5 million of restructuring charges. Income from operations for 2013 includes $2.6 million of costs and other benefits related to the retirement of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
(4) Net income for 2017 includes charges, net of tax, of $6.7 million of an asset impairment charge, $3.4 million of acquisition and integration costs and $3.7 million of restructuring charges. Net income for 2017 also includes a gain, net of tax of $72.0 million related to the sale of a business, a $28.7 million transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings, a $14.0 million tax accrual on a potential distribution to a subsidiary, a $24.5 million deferred tax adjustment, which also includes the reversal of a tax accrual on a French dividend related to the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, a $11.1 million windfall tax benefit on the vesting of stock-based compensation relating to the implementation of a new accounting standard issued by the Financial Statement Accounting Standards Board (Accounting Standards Update 2016-09) and an adjustment, net of tax of $5.9 million of amortization of debt issuance costs relating to the term loan credit agreement used to partially finance the acquisition of Newport in 2016. Net income for 2016 includes charges, net of tax, of $9.8 million of amortization of inventory step-up to fair value, $19.0 million of acquisition and integration costs, $5.0 million of asset impairment charges and a $2.0 million withholding tax on dividends. These charges are offset by a tax benefit of $5.0 million for a legal entity restructuring.
Net income for 2015 includes charges, net of tax, of $1.4 million of restructuring costs and also includes $7.7 million in tax credits for reserve releases related to the settlement of tax audits. Net income for 2014 includes charges, net of tax, of $1.5 million of restructuring costs and also includes $14.6 million in tax credits for reserve releases related to the settlement of tax audits and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Net income for 2013 includes charges, net of tax, of $1.6 million of costs and other benefits related to the retirement of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
(5) Effective December 31, 2015, the Company changed the method of classification of its investments previously classified as long-term investments to short-term investments within current assets. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, short-term investments have been re-classified to include investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from the date of purchase as management had the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate any of its cash equivalents and investments in order to meet the Company’s liquidity needs in the next twelve months. Accordingly, working capital includes investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from the date of purchase.
(6) Long-term debt, net includes $389.3 million in 2017 and short-term and long-term debt, net includes $6.3 million and $600.7 million, respectively, in 2016, related to the term loan credit agreement.
(7) Other liabilities in this schedule include, non-current deferred taxes and non-current accrued compensation.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We are a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics. We also provide services relating to the maintenance and repair of our products, installation services and training.
Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense.
Acquisition of Newport Corporation
On April 29, 2016, we completed our acquisition of Newport Corporation (“Newport”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 22, 2016 (the “Newport Merger”). At the effective time of the Newport Merger, each share of Newport’s common stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger was converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding tax. We paid to the former Newport stockholders aggregate consideration of $905 million, excluding related transaction fees and expenses, and repaid $93 million of Newport’s U.S. indebtedness outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger. We funded the payment of the aggregate consideration with a combination of our available cash on hand of $240 million and the proceeds from the senior secured term loan facility in the principal amount of $780 million described below.
Newport was a global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research and defense/security, microelectronics, life and health sciences and industrial manufacturing markets.
Effective April 29, 2016, in conjunction with our acquisition of Newport, we changed the structure of our reportable segments based upon our organizational structure and how our Chief Operating Decision Maker utilizes information provided to allocate resources and make decisions. Our two reportable segments are the Vacuum & Analysis segment and the Light & Motion segment. The Vacuum & Analysis segment represents the legacy MKS business and the Light & Motion segment represents the legacy Newport business.
The Vacuum & Analysis segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation and vacuum technology. The Light & Motion segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from our core competencies in lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics.
We have a diverse base of customers and our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense. Approximately 57%, 56% and 69% of our net revenues for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers. As a result of our acquisition of Newport, we estimate that sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers could account for more than 50% of our total sales in future periods.
Approximately 43%, 44% and 31% of our net revenues in the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from other advanced manufacturing applications. These include, but are not limited to, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, and research and defense.
Net revenues from semiconductor capital equipment manufacture and semiconductor device manufacture customers increased by $373 million or 52% in 2017 compared to 2016 and increased by $186 million or 33% in 2016 compared to 2015. The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 is comprised of an increase in net semiconductor revenues of $315 million in the Vacuum & Analysis segment and $58 million in the Light & Motion segment. These increases were primarily due to volume increases from our semiconductor customers. The increase in 2016 compared to 2015 was attributed to net semiconductor revenues from the Newport Merger of $103 million and net semiconductor revenues from the Vacuum & Analysis segment, which increased $83 million. The semiconductor capital equipment industry is subject to rapid demand shifts, which are difficult to predict, and we are uncertain as to the timing or extent of future demand or any future weakness in the semiconductor capital equipment industry.
Our net revenues from customers in other advanced markets, which exclude semiconductor capital equipment and semiconductor device manufacture customers, increased by $248 million or 43% in 2017 compared to 2016 and increased by $296 million or 118% in 2016 compared to 2015. The increase in 2017 compared to 2016 is primarily attributed to a $228 million increase in net revenues from customers in our Light & Motion segment due to the fact that 2016 only included eight months of revenue in the Light & Motion segment. In addition, net revenues from customers in our Vacuum & Analysis segment increased primarily due to revenues from the industrial technologies market of $20.1 million. The increase in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily attributed to revenues from customers in other advanced markets from the Newport Merger of $320 million. This increase was offset by a decrease in net revenues from customers in other advanced markets from the legacy MKS business (Vacuum & Analysis segment) of $24 million, mainly related to the general industrial, medical and solar markets.
A significant portion of our net revenues are from sales to customers in international markets. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, international net revenues accounted for approximately 50%, 48% and 44% of our total net revenues, respectively. A significant portion of our international net revenues were in South Korea, Japan, Israel and Germany. We expect that international net revenues will continue to represent a significant percentage of our total net revenues. Long-lived assets, located in the United States, were $125 million, $123 million and $57 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, excluding goodwill and intangibles and long-term tax-related accounts. Long-lived assets, located outside of the United States, were $78 million, $78 million, and $15 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, excluding goodwill and intangibles and long-term tax-related accounts.
On March 17, 2015, we acquired Precisive, LLC (“Precisive”) for $12.1 million, net of $0.4 million of cash acquired. Precisive is an innovative developer of optical analyzers based on Tunable Filter Spectroscopy, which provide real-time gas analysis in the natural gas and hydrocarbon processing industries, including refineries, hydrocarbon processing plants, gas-to-power machines, biogas processes and fuel gas transportation and metering, while delivering customers a lower total cost of ownership.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discuss our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension plan valuations, inventory, warranty costs, stock-based compensation expense, intangible assets, goodwill and other long-lived assets, in-process research and development and income taxes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the most significant judgments, assumptions and estimates we use in preparing our consolidated financial statements:
Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Revenue from product sales is recorded upon transfer of title and risk of loss to the customer provided that there is evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. In most transactions, we have no obligations to our customers after the date products are shipped other than pursuant to warranty obligations. We do not frequently enter into arrangements with multiple deliverables; however, for those revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, we allocate revenue to each element based upon its relative selling price using vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), or third-party evidence (“TPE”) or based upon the relative selling price using estimated prices if VSOE or TPE does not exist. Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-25, Revenue Recognition - Multiple Elements, we recognize revenue and related costs for arrangements with multiple deliverables as each element is delivered or completed based upon the lesser of its relative selling price, determined based upon the price that would be charged on a standalone basis, or the amount contractually due upon delivery of each element. If a portion of the total contract price is not payable until installation is complete, we do not recognize such portion as revenue until completion of installation. Some services, such as installation, are not often sold by us or our competitors on a stand-alone basis. Therefore, we calculate the estimated selling price based on specific facts and circumstances for each service. For example, the relative selling price for installation is determined by estimating the installation hours for a particular product, using historical experience, multiplied by the standards service billing rate. Under ASC 605-20, Revenue Recognition - Services, revenue for separately priced extended warranties and product maintenance contracts are excluded from the scope of ASC 605-25 and the selling price (without regard to the allocation methodology under ASC 605-25) is recognized over the related contract periods. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers, if any, are recognized as revenue. The related shipping and handling costs are recognized in cost of sales.
We monitor and track the amount of product returns, provide for sales return allowances and reduce revenue at the time of shipment for the estimated amount of such future returns, based on historical experience. While product returns have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, there is no assurance that we will continue to experience the same return rates that we have in the past. Any significant increase in product return rates could have a material adverse impact on our operating results for the period or periods in which such returns materialize.
While we maintain a credit approval process, significant judgments are made by management in connection with assessing our customers’ ability to pay at the time of shipment. Despite this assessment, from time to time, our customers are unable to meet their payment obligations. We continuously monitor our customers’ credit worthiness, and use our judgment in establishing a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, there is no assurance that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. A significant change in the liquidity or financial position of our customers could have a material adverse impact on the collectability of accounts receivable and our future operating results.
Inventory. We value our inventory at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision to write-down excess and obsolete inventory to its estimated net realizable value, if less than cost, based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand. Once our inventory value is written-down and a new cost basis has been established, the inventory value is not increased due to demand increases. Demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. A significant increase in the demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases as a result of supply shortages or a decrease in the cost of inventory purchases as a result of volume discounts, while a significant decrease in demand could result in an increase in the charges for excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is subject to technological change, new product development and product technological
obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our reported operating results. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, our charges for excess and obsolete inventory totaled $20.2 million, $16.0 million and $13.6 million, respectively.
Warranty Costs. We provide for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty obligations upon the recognition of the related revenue. We provide warranty coverage for our products for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months, with the majority of our products for periods ranging from 12 to 24 months. Short-term accrued warranty obligations, which expire within one year, are included in other current liabilities and long-term accrued warranty obligations are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. We estimate the anticipated costs of repairing our products under such warranties based on the historical costs of the repairs and any known specific product issues. The assumptions we use to estimate warranty accruals are re-evaluated periodically in light of actual experience and, when appropriate, the accruals are adjusted. Our determination of the appropriate level of warranty accrual is based upon estimates. Should product failure rates differ from our estimates, actual costs could vary significantly from our expectations. Defective products will be either repaired or replaced, generally at our option, upon meeting certain criteria.
Pension Plans. Several of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all full-time employees of those subsidiaries. Some of the plans are unfunded, as permitted under the plans and applicable laws. For financial reporting purposes, the calculation of net periodic pension costs is based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a discount rate for plan obligations, an assumed rate of return on pension plan assets and an assumed rate of compensation increase for employees covered by the plan. All of these assumptions are based upon our judgment, considering all known trends and uncertainties. Actual results that differ from these assumptions would impact future expense recognition and the cash funding requirements of our pension plans.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense. We record compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards to employees and directors based upon the estimated fair market value of the underlying instrument. Accordingly, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based upon the fair value of the award.
We typically issue restricted stock units (“RSUs”) as stock-based compensation. We also provide employees the opportunity to purchase shares through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). For RSUs, the fair value is the stock price on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of stock appreciation rights and shares issued under our ESPP using the Black Scholes pricing model, which is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, expected life, risk free interest rate and expected dividends. Management determined that blended volatility, a combination of historical and implied volatility, is more reflective of market conditions and a better indicator of expected volatility than historical or implied volatility alone. We are also required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Certain RSUs involve stock to be issued upon the achievement of performance conditions (“performance shares”) under our stock incentive plans. Such performance shares become available subject to time-based vesting conditions if, and to the extent that, financial or operational performance criteria for the applicable period are achieved. Accordingly, the number of performance shares earned will vary based on the level of achievement of financial or operational performance objectives for the applicable period. Until such time that our performance can ultimately be determined, each quarter we estimate the number of performance shares to be earned based on an evaluation of the probability of achieving the performance objectives. Such estimates are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods when the underlying factors change our evaluation of the probability of achieving the performance objectives. Accordingly, share-based compensation expense associated with performance shares may differ significantly from the amount recorded in the current period.
As part of the Newport Merger, we assumed the outstanding stock appreciation rights of Newport (“SARs”). For SARs, the converted number of shares, fair value, vesting schedule and expiration dates are all based on the original grant date information. The stock-based compensation reflects the remaining fair value for all unvested SARs as of the acquisition date, recognized over the remaining time to vest.
The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based compensation awards represents management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.
Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets. As a result of our acquisitions, we have identified intangible assets and generated significant goodwill. Definite-lived intangible assets are valued based on estimates of future cash flows and amortized over their estimated useful life. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing as well as testing upon the occurrence of any event that indicates a potential impairment. Intangible assets and other long-lived assets are also subject to an impairment test if there is an indicator of impairment. The carrying value and ultimate realization of these assets is dependent upon estimates of future earnings and benefits that we expect to generate from their use. If our expectations of future results and cash flows are significantly diminished, intangible assets and goodwill may be impaired and the resulting charge to operations may be material. When we determine that the carrying value of intangibles or other long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we use the projected undiscounted cash flow method to determine whether an impairment exists, and then measure the impairment using discounted cash flows. To measure impairment for goodwill, we compare the fair value of our reporting units by measuring discounted cash flows to the book value of the reporting units. Goodwill would be impaired if the resulting implied fair value was less than the recorded book value of the goodwill.
The estimation of useful lives and expected cash flows require us to make significant judgments regarding future periods that are subject to some factors outside of our control. Changes in these estimates can result in significant revisions to the carrying value of these assets and may result in material charges to the results of operations.
We have elected to perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31 of each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets exceeded the fair value of those net assets on the date of acquisition. We allocate goodwill to reporting units at the time of acquisition or when there is a change in the reporting structure and base that allocation on which reporting units will benefit from the acquired assets and liabilities. Reporting units are defined as operating segments or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The estimated fair value of our reporting units was based on discounted cash flow models derived from internal earnings and internal and external market forecasts. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgment, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. Discount rates are based on a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), which represents the average rate a business must pay its providers of debt and equity. The WACC used to test goodwill is derived from a group of comparable companies. Assumptions in estimating future cash flows are subject to a high degree of judgment and complexity. We make every effort to forecast these future cash flows as accurately as possible with the information available at the time the forecast is developed.
In performing our annual goodwill impairment test, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment, is commonly referred to as “step zero.” In performing the qualitative step zero assessment, we consider certain events and circumstances specific to the reporting unit and to the entity as a whole, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and cost factors when evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of
the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We are also permitted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative test. If we choose to undertake the qualitative assessment and we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we would then proceed to the quantitative impairment test. In the quantitative assessment, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, which includes goodwill. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss exists. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a goodwill impairment loss is measured and recorded.
As of October 31, 2017, we performed our annual impairment assessment of goodwill using the qualitative step zero assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting units exceed their carrying amount. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill. If market and economic conditions or business performance deteriorate, this could increase the likelihood of us recording an impairment charge. However, we believe it is not reasonably likely that an impairment will occur at any of its reporting units over the next twelve months.
In-Process Research and Development. We value tangible and intangible assets acquired through our business acquisitions, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), at fair value. We determine IPR&D through established valuation techniques for various projects for the development of new products and technologies and capitalize IPR&D as an intangible asset. If the projects are completed, the intangible asset will be amortized to earnings over the expected life of the completed product. If the R&D projects are abandoned, we will write-off the related intangible asset.
The value of IPR&D is determined using the income approach, which discounts expected future cash flows from projects under development to their net present value. Each project is analyzed and estimates and judgments are made to determine the technological innovations included in the utilization of core technology, the complexity, cost, time to complete development, any alternative future use or current technological feasibility and the stage of completion.
Income Taxes. We evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets and assess the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. The future benefit to be derived from our deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in each jurisdiction of the right type to realize the assets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. To the extent we established a valuation allowance an expense is recorded within the provision for income taxes line in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. In future periods, if we were to determine that it was more likely than not that that we would not be able to realize the recorded amount of our remaining net deferred tax assets, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded as an increase to income tax expense in the period such determination was made.
Accounting for income taxes requires a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if, based on the technical merits, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon audit, including resolutions of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We re-evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Any change in these factors could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.
On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), which included significant changes to U.S. tax law. Some of the more significant changes impacting the Company are the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% as of January 1, 2018, the implementation of a territorial tax system and the imposition of a transition tax on deemed repatriated cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries (“transition tax”).
Income tax effects resulting from changes in tax are generally accounted for in the period in which the law is enacted and the effects are recorded as a component of provision for income taxes from continuing operations. On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to provide guidance for reporting entities’ ability to timely complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, we have computed and reported reasonable estimates related to the transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these provisional amounts in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. The estimates of the impacts of the Act on our company are based on our current assumptions and understandings of the provisions of the Act. The ultimate impacts of the Act on our company may differ from these provisional amounts due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions by our company and additional regulatory guidance that may be issued. We are required to finalize our estimate of the effects of the Act within a measurement period ending when we have obtained, prepared and analyzed the information needed to complete the accounting requirements under ASC Topic 740.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of total net revenues of certain line items included in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income data:
Year Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to 2016 and 2015
Net Revenues
Product revenues increased $589.4 million during 2017, compared to 2016. Product revenues for the Vacuum & Analysis segment increased by $322.8 million during 2017 compared to 2016, due to an increase in product revenues from our semiconductor customers of $298.0 million, primarily due to volume increases, and an increase in revenues from customers in our other advanced markets of $24.8 million. Product revenues for our Light & Motion segment increased by $266.6 million during 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to the Newport Merger and consisted of an increase in product revenues from customers in our other advanced markets of $215.5 million and an increase in product revenues from our semiconductor customers of $51.1 million.
Product revenues increased $436.9 million during 2016, compared to 2015. This increase was primarily attributed to the Newport Merger, as sales by Newport accounted for product revenues of $387.1 million during 2016. Product revenues increased for our Vacuum & Analysis segment by $49.8 million during 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to an increase in product revenues from our semiconductor customers of $71.3 million, primarily due to volume, offset by a decrease in product revenues from our other advanced markets of $21.5 million.
Service revenues consisted mainly of fees for services related to the repair of our products, maintenance, installation services and training. Service revenues increased $31.3 million during 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in service revenues from the Light & Motion segment of $19.0 million, due to the fact that 2016 only included eight months of revenue from Newport. The remaining increase of $12.3 million was primarily due to an increase in service revenues from our semiconductor capital equipment and semiconductor customers from our Vacuum & Analysis segment.
Service revenues increased $44.9 million during 2016, compared to 2015. This increase was primarily attributed to the Newport Merger, as revenues associated with Newport services accounted for $35.8 million of service revenues for 2016. Service revenues increased for our Vacuum & Analysis segment by $9.1 million during 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to service revenues from the semiconductor markets of $11.5 million, offset by a decrease in service revenues from other advanced markets of $2.4 million.
Total international net revenues, including product and service, were $960.7 million or 50.1% of total net revenues for 2017, $619.7 million or 47.8% of total net revenues for 2016 and $355.2 million or 43.7% of total net revenues for 2015. The increases in 2016 and 2017 were primarily the result of the Newport Merger. A significant portion of the increases in 2017 international net revenue were in South Korea, Japan, Israel and Germany.
The following table sets forth our net revenues by reportable segment:
Net Revenues
Net revenues for our Vacuum & Analysis segment increased $335.2 million in 2017, compared to 2016, due to an increase in net revenues from our semiconductor customers of $315.0 million and an increase in net revenues from customers in our other advanced markets of $20.2 million, primarily due to increases in net revenues from customers in our industrial technologies markets. Net revenues for our Vacuum & Analysis segment increased $58.8 million in 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to an increase in net revenues from our customers in the semiconductor market of $82.8 million, offset by a decrease in revenues of $24.0 million from our other advanced markets, primarily related to decreases in the solar, thin film and data storage markets.
Net revenues from our Light & Motion segment increased $285.5 million in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to the Newport Merger and consisted of an increase in net revenues from customers in our other advanced markets of $228.1 million, primarily due to increases in net revenues from customers in our industrial technologies and research and defense markets and an increase in revenues from customers in our semiconductor market of $57.4 million. Net revenues from our Light & Motion segment in 2016 were $423.0 million and only represented eight months of revenue in 2016, as the Newport Merger occurred in April 2016.
The following is gross profit as a percentage of net revenues by product and service:
Gross Profit
Gross profit on product revenues increased by 3.1 percentage points during 2017 compared to 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase of 5.5 percentage points due to higher revenue volumes, partially offset by 1.6 percentage points due to higher overhead costs, both mainly related to the Newport Merger.
Gross profit on product revenues decreased by 1.8 percentage points during 2016 compared to 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of 3.8 percentage points due to higher material costs, mainly related to $15.1 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustments related to the Newport Merger, a net decrease of 2.3 percentage points due to higher overhead costs related to the Newport Merger and a net decrease of 0.9 percentage points due to unfavorable product mix, partially offset by an increase of 5.0 percentage points due to higher revenue volumes, mainly due to the Newport Merger.
Cost of service revenues consists primarily of costs for providing services for repair and training which includes salaries, related expenses and other overhead costs. Service gross profit decreased by 0.8 percentage points, compared to 2016, primarily due to a decrease of 2.2 percentage points due to unfavorable product mix, partially offset by 1.5 percentage points due to lower labor and overhead costs, mainly due to the Newport Merger.
Service gross profit increased by 2.9 percentage points during 2016, compared to 2015, primarily due to a net increase of 3.0 percentage points due to net favorable direct labor and overhead absorption, partially offset by 1.4 percentage points due to unfavorable product mix.
The following is gross profit as a percentage of net revenues by reportable segment:
Gross Profit
Gross profit for our Vacuum & Analysis segment increased by 1.1 percentage points in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher revenue volumes related to revenues from customers in our semiconductor market, partially offset by unfavorable product mix. Gross profit for our Vacuum & Analysis segment remained relatively flat in 2016 compared to 2015, where increases in margin from increased revenues were offset by unfavorable product mix.
Gross profit for our Light & Motion segment increased 6.1 percentage points in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to higher revenue volumes and lower material costs, as the prior year included a $15.1 million of inventory step-up amortization charges related to the Newport Merger, and favorable product mix, partially offset by higher overhead costs. Gross profit for our Light & Motion segment was 41.9% of net revenues in 2016. Excluding the $15.1 million inventory step-up amortization charges, the gross profit would have been 45.5%. The Light & Motion segment was established in the second quarter of 2016 as a result of the Newport Merger.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses increased $22.0 million during 2017, compared to 2016. The increase was primarily due to the fact that the Newport Merger occurred in 2016 and thus the Light & Motion segment only accounted for eight months of expense in 2016. The increase included $13.4 million of compensation costs and related benefits, $5.7 million for project materials and $1.1 million of occupancy costs.
Research and development expenses increased $42.3 million during 2016, compared to 2015. The increase was primarily attributed to $38.6 million from the Newport Merger, and consisted primarily of $28.9 million of compensation costs and related benefits, $3.8 million of project materials and $2.7 million of occupancy costs. The remaining increase of $3.7 million related to the Vacuum & Analysis segment and consisted primarily of $2.0 million of compensation costs and related benefits and $1.4 million for project materials.
Our research and development is primarily focused on developing and improving our instruments, components, subsystems and process control solutions to improve process performance and productivity.
We have thousands of products and our research and development efforts primarily consist of a large number of projects related to these products, none of which is individually material to us. Current projects
typically have durations of 3 to 30 months depending upon whether the product is an enhancement of existing technology or a new product. Our current initiatives include projects to enhance the performance characteristics of older products, to develop new products and to integrate various technologies into subsystems. These projects support in large part, the transition in the semiconductor industry to smaller integrated circuit geometries and in the flat panel display and solar markets to larger substrate sizes, which require more advanced process control technology. Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel engaged in research and development, fees paid to consultants, material costs for prototypes and other expenses related to the design, development, testing and enhancement of our products.
We believe that the continued investment in research and development and ongoing development of new products are essential to the expansion of our markets, and we expect to continue to make significant investment in research and development activities. We are subject to risks if products are not developed in a timely manner, due to rapidly changing customer requirements and competitive threats from other companies and technologies. Our success primarily depends on our products being designed into new generations of equipment for the semiconductor industry and other advanced technology markets. We develop products that are technologically advanced so that they are positioned to be chosen for use in each successive generation of semiconductor capital equipment. If our products are not chosen to be designed into our customers’ products, our net revenues may be reduced during the lifespan of those products.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $61.3 million during 2017, compared to 2016. The increase was primarily due to the fact that the Newport Merger occurred in April 2016 and thus the Light & Motion segment only accounted for eight months of expense in 2016. The increase included $37.6 million of compensation costs and related benefits, $6.4 million of commissions expense, $4.0 million of information technology related expenses, $3.3 million of consulting and professional fees and $2.5 million of depreciation expense.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $100.1 million during 2016, compared to 2015. The increase was primarily attributed to $89.0 million from the Newport Merger, and consisted primarily of $55.4 million of compensation costs and related benefits, $6.5 million of consulting and professional fees, $5.9 million related to depreciation expense, $5.0 million related to commissions expense and $3.5 million for travel and entertainment-related expenses. The remaining increase of $11.1 million related to the Vacuum & Analysis segment and consisted primarily of $9.2 million of compensation costs and related benefits and $1.2 million of fees and expenses related to two repricings of our senior secured Term Loan Facility (as defined below).
Acquisition and Integration Costs
We incurred $5.3 million of acquisition and integration costs in 2017 related to the Newport Merger which consisted primarily of information technology related expenses, legal and other professional fees. We incurred $27.3 million of acquisition and integration costs in 2016 related to the Newport Merger, which costs consisted primarily of legal and other professional fees as well as compensation expenses related to change in control agreements for certain executives of Newport.
Restructuring
During 2017, we recorded $3.9 million of restructuring charges related to the consolidation of two manufacturing plants, the restructuring of one of our international facilities and the consolidation of sales offices.
During 2016, we recorded $0.6 million of restructuring charges primarily related to the closing of one of our international facilities.
During 2015, we recorded $2.1 million of restructuring charges primarily related to severance costs associated with a reduction in headcount of 266 people, primarily related to the outsourcing of a non-core foreign manufacturing process and the consolidation of certain foreign manufacturing locations.
Asset Impairment
During 2017, we recorded $6.7 million of impairment charges related to the consolidation of two manufacturing plants. These charges primarily related to the write-off of certain goodwill and intangible assets. During 2016, we recorded an asset impairment charge of $5.0 million on our investment in a private company.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization increased by $10.0 million during 2017, compared to 2016, and increased by $28.9 million during 2016, compared to 2015. The increases in 2017 and 2016, compared to prior years, were primarily related to the amortization of intangible assets acquired through the Newport Merger. The increase during 2017, compared to 2016 was primarily due to the fact that the Light & Motion segment only accounted for eight months of expense in 2016.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, remained flat and during 2017 and 2016, and increased by $31.9 million in 2016, compared to 2015. The increase was attributed to an increase in interest expense related to our Credit Agreement (as defined below), which was entered into at the end of April 2016 in connection with the Newport Merger. Interest payments have decreased throughout 2016 and 2017, as we have made total principal pre-payments of $375.0 million and also reduced the interest rate as a result of three re-pricings since the inception of the Credit Agreement through December 31, 2017. These reductions have been offset by an increase in charges related to writing-off a portion of deferred financing costs as part of the three re-pricings.
Gain on Sale of Business
We recorded a $74.9 million gain for 2017 on the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business during the second quarter of 2017.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net for 2017 primarily includes $6.1 million of net foreign exchange losses. Other expense, net for 2016 includes $2.8 million of foreign exchange losses and other income, net of $1.6 million, primarily attributed to $1.3 million of net proceeds received from a Company-owned life insurance policy. In 2016, we reclassified the impact of foreign exchange losses (gains), from selling, general and administrative expenses to other expense (income), net. The net foreign exchange loss included in selling, general and administrative expenses for 2015 was $1.4 million.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes in each of 2017, 2016 and 2015 are comprised of U.S. federal, state and foreign income taxes.
Our effective tax rates for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015 were 24.2%, 18.1% and 23.3%, respectively. The effective tax rate in 2017 and related income tax expense, was impacted by the Act which was enacted into law on December 22, 2017. We account for income tax effects resulting from changes in tax laws in accordance with the authoritative guidance, which requires that these tax effects be recognized in the period in which the law is enacted and that the effects are recorded as a component of provision for income taxes from continuing operations. As a result, we recorded provisional amounts related to the one-time transition tax and the change in U.S. net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the change in the U.S. statutory rate resulting from the enactment of the Act. These provisional amounts associated with the Act resulted in a decrease to our effective tax rate. In addition, the effective tax rate in 2017 was lower than the U.S. statutory rate due to foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, windfall benefits of stock compensation, and the domestic production deduction offset by deferred taxes recorded as a result of a change in the indefinite reinvestment assertion with respect to certain foreign subsidiaries.
The effective tax rate in 2016, and related income tax expense, was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the geographic mix of income and profits earned by our international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate, foreign tax credits and research credits, release of tax reserves and the deduction for domestic production activities. These were partially offset by an increase in the valuation allowance related to certain deferred tax assets and non-deductible acquisition costs.
The effective tax rate in 2015, and related income tax expense, was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the release of income tax reserves related to the effective settlement of a U.S. tax audit. The
2015 effective tax rate also benefited from foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, the deduction for domestic production activities, and the research credit offset by state income taxes.
Our effective tax rate has been impacted on a year-to-year basis by the expiration and extension of certain U.S. tax benefits. The tax benefits expired, but were reinstated in past years. As part of the 2015 extension some of the tax benefits were made permanent. This included the research credit which accounted for most of our benefit related to the expiring and reinstated provisions. The net impact of these tax benefits was approximately 1.0% for both 2016 and 2015.
At December 31, 2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $27.3 million. At December 31, 2016, our total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $25.5 million. The net increase from December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to the addition of reserves related to foreign withholding tax and certain state tax credits. At December 31, 2017, excluding interest and penalties, there were $18.3 million of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our annual effective tax rate. We accrue interest and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties are classified as a component of income tax expense. At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.3 million, $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Over the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that we may recognize approximately $1.0 million of previously net unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, related to federal, state and foreign tax positions as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation. The U.S. statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2014 through present. The statute of limitations for our tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2012 through the present. We also have certain federal credit carry-forwards and state tax loss and credit carry-forwards that are open to examination for tax years 2000 through the present.
We are subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of our U.S. federal income tax filings for tax years 2015 and 2016 during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. A previous audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was effectively settled during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 upon our acceptance of the income tax examination changes.
On a quarterly basis, we evaluate both positive and negative evidence that affects the realizability of net deferred tax assets and assess the need for a valuation allowance. The future benefit to be derived from our deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in each jurisdiction of the right type to realize the assets.
In 2017 we recorded a net benefit to income tax expense of $3.1 million, excluding interest and penalties, due to reserve releases related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for previously open tax years. For 2016 we recorded a net benefit to income tax expense of $2.6 million, excluding interest and penalties, due to reserve releases related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for previously open tax years. For 2015, we recorded a net benefit to income tax expense of $7.3 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to reserve releases related to the effective settlement of a U.S. income tax audit.
Our future effective tax rate depends on various factors, including further interpretations and guidance from U.S. federal and state governments on the impact of the enactment of the Act, as well as the geographic composition of our pre-tax income, and changes in tax reserves for unrecognized tax benefits. We monitor these factors and timely adjust our estimates of the effective tax rate accordingly. We expect that the geographic mix of pre-tax income will continue to have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate, however the geographic mix of pre-tax income can change based on multiple factors resulting in changes to the effective tax rate in future periods. We expect the Act to have a beneficial impact on our future effective tax rate. Since a significant amount of our income is derived from the U.S., we expect to benefit from the 14% reduction in U.S. statutory tax rate, as well as from the new deduction based on intangible income earned on sales to customers outside the U.S., which offsets the loss of tax benefit from the repeal of the domestic production deduction.
The effective tax rate in 2018 could be affected by adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded under the guidance of SAB 118 for the one-time transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the U.S. statutory rate change in 2017.
While we believe we have adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could materially differ from our accrued positions as a result of uncertain and complex application of tax law and regulations.
Additionally, the recognition and measurement of certain tax benefits include estimates and judgment by management. Accordingly, we could record additional provisions or benefits for U.S. federal, state, and foreign tax matters in future periods as new information becomes available.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable investments, excluding restricted cash, totaled $543.2 million at December 31, 2017, an increase of $125.1 million compared to $418.1 million at December 31, 2016. This increase and the primary driver in our current and anticipated future cash flows is and will continue to be cash generated from operations, consisting primarily of our net income, excluding non-cash changes and changes in operating assets and liabilities. In periods when our sales are growing, higher sales to customers will result in increased trade receivables, and inventories will generally increase as we build products for future sales. This may result in lower cash generated from operations. Conversely, in periods when our sales are declining, our trade accounts receivable and inventory balances will generally decrease, resulting in increased cash from operations.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $355.2 million for 2017 and resulted primarily from net income of $339.1 million, which included non-cash net charges of $66.5 million, partially offset by an increase in working capital of $50.4 million. The increase in working capital consisted primarily of an increase in inventories of $72.5 million, an increase in trade accounts receivable of $44.1 and an increase in current and non-current assets of $8.6 million, all as a result of a significant increase in our business in 2017. These increases were partially offset by an increase in accrued compensation of $32.5 million mainly related to variable compensation, other current and non-current liabilities of $18.0 million, income taxes of $12.8 million and accounts payable of $11.4 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $180.1 million for 2016 and resulted primarily from net income of $104.8 million, which included non-cash net charges of $97.6 million, partially offset by an increase in working capital of $22.3 million. The increase in working capital consisted primarily of an increase in trade accounts receivable of $58.1 million, an increase in inventories of $13.8 and an increase in current and non-current assets of $12.2 million. These increases were partially offset by an increase in income taxes of $30.9 million, accounts payable of $16.2 million, an increase in accrued compensation of $11.0 million and an increase in other current and non-current liabilities of $3.7 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $138.3 million for 2015 and resulted primarily from net income of $122.3 million, which included non-cash net charges of $48.2 million, partially offset by an increase in working capital of $32.2 million. The increase in working capital consisted primarily of an increase in inventories of $14.5 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $10.6 million, a decrease in income taxes of $8.5 million, a decrease in other current and non-current liabilities of $2.8 million and an increase in other current and non-current assets of $1.5 million. These increases were partially offset by an increase in accrued compensation of $3.3 million and a decreased in trade accounts receivable of $2.3 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $22.6 million for 2017 and resulted primarily from proceeds received of $72.5 million from the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business, partially offset by purchases of production-related equipment of $31.3 million and net purchases of short-term investments of $18.7 million. Net
cash used in investing activities was $727.0 million for 2016 and resulted primarily from $939.6 million of cash, primarily used for the acquisition of Newport and $19.1 million used for the purchase of production-related equipment, partially offset by net proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $231.5 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $167.4 million for 2015 and resulted primarily from $9.9 million of cash primarily used for the acquisition of Precisive, $12.4 million used for the purchase of production-related equipment and $145.1 million for net purchases of investments. The purchase of production-related equipment could increase to support future sales growth.
Net cash used in financing activities was $274.9 million and resulted primarily from partial repayment of the Term Loan Facility (as defined below) of $228.1 million ($225.0 million was voluntarily pre-paid and $3.1 million was regularly scheduled payments of principal), dividend payments made to common stockholders of $38.2 million, net payments related to tax payments for employee stock awards of $12.2 million, offset by an increase in cash of $4.8 million, primarily related to the release of a restriction on cash related to our letters of credit. Net cash provided by financing activities was $554.3 million for 2016 and resulted primarily from net proceeds of $598.5 million, primarily related to the Term Loan Facility used to finance the Newport Merger, partially offset by dividend payments made to common stockholders of $36.4 million, restricted cash of $5.9 million for collateral cash deposits relating to letters of credit and net payments related to tax payments made for employee stock awards of $1.9 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $47.1 million for 2015 and consisted primarily of $36.0 million in dividend payments made to common stockholders and $13.3 million for the repurchase of common stock.
On July 25, 2011, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $200 million of our common stock from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or through other appropriate means. The timing and quantity of any shares repurchased depends upon a variety of factors, including business conditions, stock market conditions and business development activities, including, but not limited to, merger and acquisition opportunities. These repurchases may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. During 2017, there were no repurchases of common stock. During 2016, we repurchased approximately 45,000 shares of our common stock for $1.5 million at an average price of $34.50 per share. During 2017, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if they are declared by our board of directors. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we paid cash dividends of $38.2 million in the aggregate, or $0.71 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we paid cash dividends of $36.4 million in the aggregate, or $0.68 per share. Future dividend declarations, if any, as well as the record and payment dates for such dividends, are subject to the final determination of our board of directors. In addition, under the terms of our senior secured term loan facility and our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, we may be restricted from paying dividends under certain circumstances.
On February 12, 2018, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on March 9, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2018.
In April 2016, we invested $9.3 million for a minority interest in a private company, which operates in the field of semiconductor process equipment instrumentation. We accounted for this investment using the cost method of accounting. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized an impairment loss on this investment of $5.0 million. In July 2017, we invested an additional $0.1 million in this private company.
Sale of Data Analytics Solutions Business
In April 2017, we completed the sale of our Data Analytics Solutions business for total proceeds of $72.5 million, net of cash sold, and we recorded a pre-tax gain of $74.9 million. This business, which had net revenues in 2016 of $12.7 million and was included in the Vacuum & Analysis segment, was no longer a part of our long-term strategic objectives.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
In connection with the completion of the Newport Merger, we entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), that provided senior secured financing of $780.0 million, subject to increase at our option in accordance with the Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Facility”). Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest per annum at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (2) the “prime rate” quoted in The Wall Street Journal, (3) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for an interest period of one month adjusted for certain additional costs, plus 1.00%, and (4) a floor of 1.75%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio (1.25% as of December 31, 2017); or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs, subject to a LIBOR rate floor of 0.75%, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio (2.00% as of December 31, 2017). We have elected the interest rate as described in clause (b). The Credit Agreement provides that all loans will be determined by reference to the Base Rate if the LIBOR rate cannot be ascertained, if regulators impose material restrictions on the authority of a lender to make LIBOR rate loans, and for other reasons. The Term Loan Facility was issued with original issue discount of 1.00% of the principal amount thereof.
In June 2016, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 1”) to the Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 1 decreased the applicable margin for borrowings under our Term Loan Facility to 2.50% for base rate borrowings and 3.50% for LIBOR borrowings and extended the period during which a pre-payment premium may be required for a “Re-pricing Transaction” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) until six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 1. In connection with the execution of the Re-pricing Amendment 1, we paid a pre-payment premium of 1.00%, or $7.3 million, as well as certain fees and expenses of the administrative agent and the Lenders, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Re-pricing Amendment 1, we prepaid $50.0 million of principal under the Credit Agreement. In September 2016, we prepaid an additional $60.0 million under the Credit Agreement.
In September 2016, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which has a maturity date of September 30, 2020, to fix the rate on $335.0 million of the then-outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement. The rate is fixed at 1.198% per annum plus the applicable credit spread, which was 2.00% at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreement was $305.0 million.
In December 2016, we entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 2”) to the Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 2 decreased the applicable margin for our term loan under the Credit Agreement to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.75% for base rate borrowings and reset the period during which a pre-payment premium may be required for a Re-pricing Transaction until six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 2. In November 2016, prior to the effectiveness of the Re-pricing Amendment 2, we prepaid an additional $40.0 million of principal under the Credit Agreement. In March 2017, we prepaid an additional $50.0 million of principal under the Credit Agreement.
In July 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 3”) to our Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 3 decreased the applicable margin for our term loan under the Credit Agreement to 2.25% for LIBOR rate loans when the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is at or above 1.25:1 and decreased to 2.00% when the Total Leverage Ratio was below 1.25:1, both with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. The margin for base rate borrowings decreased to 1.25% when our Total Leverage
Ratio was at or above 1.25:1 and will decrease to 1.00% when the Total Leverage Ratio is below 1.25:1. The period in which a prepayment premium may be required for a Re-pricing Transaction was reset to six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 3.
In July 2017, August 2017 and November 2017 we voluntarily prepaid $50.0 million, $75.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, of principal under the Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2017, after total principal pre-payments of $375.0 million and regularly scheduled principal payments of $6.5 million, the total outstanding principal balance was $398.5 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Total Leverage Ratio was below 1.25:1 and therefore the applicable margin rate for LIBOR borrowings is 2.00%.
We incurred $28.7 million of deferred finance fees, original issue discount and re-pricing fees related to the term loans under the Term Loan Facility, which are included in long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the term loans using the effective interest method. A portion of these fees have been accelerated in connection with the various debt pre-payments during 2016 and 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining balance of the deferred finance fees, original issue discount and re-pricing fees related to the Term Loan Facility was $9.2 million.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with portions of our annual excess cash flow as well as with the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales, certain casualty and condemnation events and the incurrence or issuance of certain debt. We are also required to make scheduled quarterly payments each equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the term loan, less the amount of certain voluntary and mandatory repayments after such date, with the balance due on the seventh anniversary of the closing date. As a result of making total pre-payments of $375.0 million as of December 31, 2017, we are no longer required to make any scheduled quarterly principal payments until maturity of the loan.
All obligations under the Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, and are secured by substantially all of our assets and the assets of such subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and provisions relating to events of default. If an event of default occurs, the Lenders under the Term Loan Facility will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the Term Loan Facility and all actions generally permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility
In connection with the completion of the Newport Merger, we also entered into an asset-based credit agreement with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, and the lenders and letters of credit issuers from time to time party thereto (the “ABL Facility”), that provides senior secured financing of up to $50.0 million, subject to a borrowing base limitation. The borrowing base for the ABL Facility at any time equals the sum of: (a) 85% of certain eligible accounts; plus (b) subject to certain notice and field examination and appraisal requirements, the lesser of (i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the lower of cost or market value of certain eligible inventory and (B) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of certain eligible inventory and (ii) 30% of the borrowing base; minus (c) reserves established by the administrative agent; provided that until the administrative agent’s receipt of a field examination of accounts receivable the borrowing base shall be equal to 70% of the book value of certain eligible accounts. The ABL Facility includes borrowing capacity in the form of letters of credit up to $15.0 million. We have not drawn against the ABL Facility.
Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest per annum at one of the following rates selected by us: (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (2) the
“prime rate” quoted in The Wall Street Journal, and (3) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for an interest period of one month adjusted for certain additional costs, plus 1.00%, plus, in each case, an initial applicable margin of 0.75%; and (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs, plus an initial applicable margin of 1.75%. Commencing with the completion of the first fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the ABL Facility, the applicable margin for borrowings thereunder is subject to upward or downward adjustment each fiscal quarter, based on the average historical excess availability during the preceding quarter.
We have incurred $1.2 million of costs in connection with the ABL Facility, which were capitalized and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over the contractual term of five years of the ABL Facility.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the ABL Facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. The initial commitment fee is 0.375% per annum. The total commitment fee recognized in interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $0.2 million. Commencing with the completion of the first fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the ABL Facility, the commitment fee is subject to downward adjustment based on the amount of average unutilized commitments for the three month period immediately preceding such adjustment date. We must also pay customary letter of credit fees and agency fees.
Lines of Credit and Short-Term Borrowing Arrangements
One of our Japanese subsidiaries has lines of credit and short-term borrowing arrangements with two financial institutions which arrangements generally expire and are renewed at three-month intervals. The lines of credit provide for aggregate borrowings as of December 31, 2017, of up to an equivalent of $20.4 million U.S. dollars. One of the borrowing arrangements has an interest rate based on the Tokyo Interbank Offer Rate at the time of borrowing and the other has an interest rate based on the Japanese Short-Term Prime Lending Rate. There were no borrowings outstanding under these arrangements at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
We assumed various revolving lines of credit and a financing facility with the completion of the Newport Merger. These revolving lines of credit and financing facility have no expiration date and provide for aggregate borrowings as of December 31, 2017 of up to an equivalent of $11.1 million U.S. dollars. These lines of credit have a base interest rate of 1.25% plus a Japanese Yen overnight LIBOR rate. Total borrowings outstanding under these arrangements were $3.0 million and $4.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
One of our Austrian subsidiaries has various outstanding loans from the Austrian government to fund research and development. These loans are unsecured and do not require principal repayment as long as certain conditions are met. Interest on these loans is payable semi-annually. The interest rates associated with these loans range from 0.75%-2.00%.
We have provided financial guarantees for certain unsecured borrowings and have standby letters of credit, some of which do not have fixed expiration dates. At December 31, 2017, our maximum exposure as a result of these financial guarantees and standby letters of credit was approximately $5.3 million.
Our total cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable investments at December 31, 2017 consisted of $245.7 million held in the United States and $297.5 million held by our foreign subsidiaries. We believe that our current cash and investments position and available borrowing capacity, together with the cash anticipated to be generated from our operations, will be sufficient to satisfy our estimated working capital, planned capital expenditure requirements, and any future cash dividends declared by our board of directors or share repurchases through at least the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.
Future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
(1) This balance relates to our reserve for uncertain tax positions.
(2) As of December 31, 2017, we have entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory components and other equipment and services used in our normal operations. The majority of these purchase commitments covered by these arrangements are for periods of one to three years and aggregate to approximately $278.8 million.
(3) The majority of this balance relates to deferred tax liabilities.
Derivatives
We enter into derivative instruments for risk management purposes only, including derivatives designated as hedging instruments and those utilized as economic hedges. We operate internationally, and in the normal course of business, are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. These fluctuations can increase the costs of financing, investing and operating the business. We have used derivative instruments, such as forward exchange contracts and an interest rate hedge to manage certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures.
By nature, all financial instruments involve market and credit risks. We enter into derivative instruments with major investment grade financial institutions and no collateral is required. We have policies to monitor the credit risk of these counterparties. While there can be no assurance, we do not anticipate any material non-performance by any of these counterparties.
We hedge a portion of our forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany sales of inventory, over a maximum period of eighteen months, using forward foreign exchange contracts accounted for as cash-flow hedges related to Japanese, South Korean, British, Euro and Taiwanese currencies. To the extent these derivatives are effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, and otherwise meet the hedge accounting criteria, changes in the derivatives’ fair value are not included in current earnings but are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. These changes in fair value will subsequently be reclassified into earnings, as applicable, when the forecasted transaction occurs. To the extent that a previously designated hedging transaction is no longer an effective hedge, any ineffectiveness measured in the hedging relationship is recorded currently in earnings in the period it occurs. The cash flows resulting from forward exchange contracts are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows as part of cash flows from operating activities. We do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
We also enter into forward exchange contracts to hedge certain balance sheet amounts. To the extent the hedge accounting criteria is not met, the related foreign currency forward contracts are considered as economic hedges and changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded immediately in earnings in the period in which they occur. These include hedges that are used to reduce exchange rate risks arising from the change in fair value of certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities (i.e., payables, receivables) and other economic hedges where the hedge accounting criteria were not met.
We had forward exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $208.9 million outstanding at December 31, 2017 of which $79.7 million were outstanding to exchange South Korean Won to U.S. dollars and $70.2 million were outstanding to exchange Japanese Yen to U.S. dollars. We had forward exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $120.2 million outstanding at December 31, 2016 of which $50.0 million were outstanding to exchange South Korean Won to U.S. dollars and $30.5 million were outstanding to exchange Japanese Yen to U.S. dollars.
As of December 31, 2017, the unrealized loss that will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings over the next twelve months is immaterial. Gains and losses on forward exchange contracts that qualify for hedge accounting are classified in cost of products in 2017, 2016 and 2015 and totaled a loss of $2.7 million, a loss of $1.4 million and a gain of $3.5 million, respectively. There were no ineffective portions of the derivatives recorded in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
We hedge certain intercompany accounts receivable and intercompany loans with forward exchange contracts. Typically, as these derivatives hedge existing amounts that are denominated in foreign currencies, the derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on forward exchange contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized currently in earnings. The net foreign exchange losses on these derivatives were immaterial in each of 2017, 2016 and 2015. Starting in 2016, foreign currency gains or losses are classified in other expense, net, while in 2015 these gains or losses were classified in selling, general and administrative expenses. The cash flows resulting from forward exchange contracts are classified in our consolidated statements of cash flows as part of cash flows from operating activities. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any financial partnerships with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, special purpose entities or variable interest entities which are often established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Accordingly, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had such relationships.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” This standard better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718)-Scope of Modification Accounting.” This standard provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)-Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This standard requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. This standard also provides explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the
other components of the net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” This standard simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We adopted this new standard in conjunction with performing our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805)-Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” This standard clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This standard also provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. Because the current definition of a business is interpreted broadly and can be difficult to apply, stakeholders indicated that analyzing transactions is inefficient and costly and that the definition does not permit the use of reasonable judgment. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is applicable under certain circumstances. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)-Restricted Cash,” an amendment to ASU 2016-15. This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Early adoption is permitted. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied at the time of adoption of ASU 2016-15. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)-Intra-Entity Transfer of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This standard requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs as opposed to when the assets have been sold to an outside party. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)-Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” This standard addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of addressing the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This standard requires the recognition of lease assets and liabilities for all leases, with certain exceptions, on the balance sheet. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We have reviewed the requirements of the new standard and have formulated a plan for implementation. We have communicated our approach to our Audit Committee and will provide regular updates as appropriate. We are currently working at accumulating a complete population of leases from all of our locations. We have selected a software repository to track all of our lease agreements and to assist in the reporting and disclosure requirements required by the standard. We will continue to assess the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements, disclosures and related controls, when known.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This ASU provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The new pronouncement revises accounting related to equity investments and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Among other things, it amends the presentation and disclosure requirements of equity securities that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method. Changes in the fair value of these equity securities will be recognized directly in net income. This pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This ASU provides for a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. We will use the modified retrospective method upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018.
The FASB issued additional updates to the new revenue standard in Topic 606 relating to reporting revenue on a gross versus net basis (Update 2016-08 in March 2016), identifying performance obligations and licensing arrangements (Update 2016-10 in April 2016), narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (Update 2016-12 in May 2016), technical corrections and improvements (Update 2016-20 in December 2016), and SEC Updates (Update 2017-13 in September 2017 and Update 2017-14 in November 2017). We have identified the various revenue streams, including product revenues, service revenues, installation and training, which are impacted by Topic 606 and have reviewed individual customer contracts related to these revenue streams. The new revenue standard impacts our recording of repair revenue and customized products, which will be recognized over time under Topic 606 as opposed to a point in time under the current standard. We are in the process of finalizing the documentation of our assumptions used in quantifying the impact of adopting the new revenue standard, which can vary quarter to quarter. We are also finalizing the disclosures which will be included in our consolidated financial statements upon adoption of the new standard. We have concluded that the adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognized. In addition, there were no major changes made to our existing accounting systems or internal controls as a result of the adoption of Topic 606.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk and Sensitivity Analysis
Our primary exposures to market risks include fluctuations in interest rates on our Term Loan Facility and investment portfolio, as well as fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
We mainly enter into forward exchange contracts to reduce currency exposure arising from intercompany sales of inventory. We also enter into forward exchange contracts to reduce foreign exchange risks arising from the change in fair value of certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
We had forward exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $208.9 million outstanding and a net fair value liability totaling $6.0 million at December 31, 2017. We had forward exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $120.2 million outstanding and a net fair value asset of $2.4 million at December 31, 2016. The potential fair value loss for a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the currency exchange rate on our forward exchange contracts at December 31, 2017 and 2016 would be immaterial.
Interest Rate Risk
We hold our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments for working capital purposes. Some of the securities we invest in are subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of such investments to fluctuate. To minimize this risk, we maintain our portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities including money market funds and government debt securities. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, we believe that we do not have any material exposure to changes in the fair value of our investment portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates. Declines in interest rates, however, would reduce future interest income. The effect of a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in overall interest rates would not have had a material impact on our operating results or the total fair value of the portfolio.
We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates related to our Term Loan Facility. As of December 31, 2017, we owed $398.5 million with $305.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 1.198%, plus the applicable credit spread which was 2.00% at December 31, 2017, and $93.5 million at a variable interest rate of 2.00% plus LIBOR. We performed a sensitivity analysis on the outstanding portion of our debt obligations as of December 31, 2017. The effect of a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in overall interest rates would not have had a material impact on our operating results or the total fair value of the portfolio.
From time to time, we have outstanding lines of credit and short-term borrowings with variable interest rates, primarily denominated in Japanese Yen. As of December 31, 2017, $3.0 million was outstanding under these arrangements. These lines of credit have a base interest rate of 1.25% plus a Japanese Yen overnight LIBOR rate. A 10% change in interest rates would not have had a material impact on our operating results.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of MKS Instruments, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MKS Instruments, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 28, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1981.
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(1) Tax (benefit) expense was $(1,468), $2,535 and $(85) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(2) Tax benefit was $(88) and $(199) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $0 for 2015.
(3) Tax (benefit) expense was $(769), $167, and $(58) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
1) Business Description
MKS Instruments, Inc. (“MKS” or the “Company”) was founded in 1961 and is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. The Company’s products are derived from its core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics. The primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, industrial technologies, life and health sciences, as well as research and defense. The Company groups its products into six product groups based upon the similarity of the product function, type of product and manufacturing processes. These six groups are: Analytical and Controls Solutions Products; Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products; Vacuum Solutions Products; Photonics Products; Optics Products; and Laser Products.
The Company has two reportable segments: Vacuum & Analysis and Light & Motion.
2) Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MKS Instruments, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition and allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, warranty costs, stock-based compensation, intangible assets, goodwill, other long-lived assets, in process research and development and other acquisition expenses and income taxes. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
3) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Allowances
Revenue from product sales is recorded upon transfer of title and risk of loss to the customer provided that there is evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. In most transactions, the Company has no obligations to customers after the date products are shipped other than pursuant to warranty obligations. In some instances, the Company provides installation, training, support and services to customers after the product has been shipped. For those revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates revenue to each element based upon its relative selling price using vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), or third-party evidence (“TPE”) or based upon
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
the relative selling price using estimated prices if VSOE or TPE does not exist. The Company then recognizes revenue on each deliverable in accordance with its policies for product and service revenue recognition. The Company provides for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty obligations upon the recognition of the related revenue. Shipping and handling fees, if any, billed to customers are recognized as revenue. The related shipping and handling costs are recognized in cost of revenues. Accounts receivable allowances include sales returns and bad debt allowances. The Company monitors and tracks the amount of product returns and reduces revenue at the time of shipment for the estimated amount of such future returns, based on historical experience. The Company makes estimates evaluating its allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon its historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that it has identified.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist mainly of compensation-related expenses and project materials. The Company’s research and development efforts include numerous projects, which generally have a duration of 3 to 30 months. Acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) expenses, which are capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset until the related project is completed, are then amortized over the estimated useful life of the product. The Company monitors projects and, if they are abandoned, the Company immediately writes them off.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were immaterial in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Stock-Based Compensation
The accounting for share-based compensation expense requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. For restricted stock units (“RSUs”), the fair value is the fair value on the date of grant that normally vests over a three year period. The Company also provides employees the opportunity to purchase shares through an employee stock purchase plan. For shares issued under its employee stock purchase plan, the Company has estimated the fair value on the date of grant using the Black Scholes pricing model, which is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The Company is also required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Management determined that blended volatility, a combination of historical and implied volatility, is more reflective of market conditions and a better indicator of expected volatility than historical or implied volatility alone. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, its stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
For foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the local currency, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”). Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale and unrecognized pension gains and losses are included in OCI in consolidated stockholders’ equity. For derivative instruments designated as cash-flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain (loss) is initially reported as a component of OCI and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure is recognized in earnings.
Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, and diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and all potential dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding. The dilutive effect of options is determined under the treasury stock method using the average market price for the period. Common equivalent shares are included in the per share calculations when the effect of their inclusion would be dilutive.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments
All highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. The appropriate classification of investments in securities is determined at the time of purchase. Debt securities that the Company does not have the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value.
The Company classifies investments with maturity dates greater than twelve months in short-term investments rather than long-term investments. This method classifies these securities as current based on the nature of the securities and the availability for use in current operations. The Company believes this method is preferable because it is more reflective of the Company’s assessment of its overall liquidity position.
The Company reviews its investment portfolio on a quarterly basis to identify and evaluate individual investments that have indications of possible impairment. The factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and extent to which fair market value has been below the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, credit quality, and the Company’s ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company’s significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, investments, forward exchange contracts and trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions including some banks with which it had borrowings. The Company maintains investments primarily in U.S. Treasury and government agency securities and corporate debt securities. The Company enters into forward currency contracts with high credit-quality financial institutions in order to minimize credit risk exposure. The Company’s largest customers are primarily concentrated in the semiconductor industry, and a limited number of these customers account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues. The Company regularly monitors the creditworthiness of its customers and believes it has adequately provided for potential credit loss exposures. Credit is extended for all customers based primarily on financial condition, and collateral is not required.
The Company had one customer, Applied Materials, Inc., comprising 13%, 14% and 18% of net revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and another customer, Lam Research Corporation, comprising 12%, 11%
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
and 13% of net revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately 57%, 56% and 69% of the Company’s net revenues, respectively, were from sales to semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers and semiconductor device manufacturers. One customer, Applied Materials, Inc., represented 10% or more of the Company’s accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2017.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined using a standard costing system which approximates cost based on a first-in, first-out method. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision to write-down excess and obsolete inventory to its estimated net realizable value, if less than cost, based primarily on its estimated forecast of product demand.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in earnings.
Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of twenty to thirty-one and one-half years for buildings and three to ten years for machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and office equipment, which includes enterprise resource planning software. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the leased asset.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of businesses are estimated by management based on the fair value of assets acquired. These include acquired customer lists, technology, patents, trade names, covenants not to compete and IPR&D. Intangible assets are amortized from one to eighteen years on a straight-line basis which represents the estimated periods of benefit and the expected pattern of consumption.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets exceeded the fair value of those net assets on the date of acquisition. The Company allocates goodwill to reporting units at the time of acquisition or when there is a change in the reporting structure and bases that allocation on which reporting units will benefit from the acquired assets and liabilities. Reporting units are defined as operating segments or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of October 31 or more frequently when events and circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired.
The estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units are based on discounted cash flow models derived from internal earnings and internal and external market forecasts. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgment, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. Discount rates are based on a weighted average cost of
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
capital (“WACC”), which represents the average rate a business must pay its providers of debt and equity. The WACC used to test goodwill is derived from a group of comparable companies. Assumptions in estimating future cash flows are subject to a high degree of judgment and complexity. The Company makes every effort to forecast these future cash flows as accurately as possible with the information available at the time the forecast is developed.
In performing the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test, the Company is permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment, is commonly referred to as “step zero.” In performing the qualitative step zero assessment, the Company considers certain events and circumstances specific to the reporting unit and to the entity as a whole, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and cost factors when evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company is also permitted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative test. If the Company chooses to undertake the qualitative assessment and concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would then proceed to the quantitative impairment test. In the quantitative assessment, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, which includes goodwill. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss exists. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a goodwill impairment loss is measured and recorded.
As of October 31, 2017, the Company performed its annual impairment assessment of goodwill using the qualitative step zero assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting units exceed their carrying amount.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. This periodic review may result in an adjustment of estimated depreciable lives or asset impairment. When indicators of impairment are present, the carrying values of the asset are evaluated in relation to their operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying business. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than their carrying value, impairment exists. The impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the underlying asset. Fair values are based on estimates of market prices and assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. In 2017, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6,719 related to certain long-lived assets as a result of consolidating two manufacturing plants.
Foreign Exchange
The functional currency of the majority of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency. For those subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in consolidated stockholders’ equity. Foreign exchange transaction gains and losses are classified in other income/expense in the statement of operations.
Net foreign exchange losses resulting from re-measurement were $6,132 and $2,823 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in other expense (income). Net foreign exchange
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
losses resulting from re-measurement were $1,388 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and were included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In 2016, we reclassified the impact of foreign exchange losses (gains), from selling, general and administrative expenses to other expense (income), net. These amounts do not reflect the corresponding gain (loss) from foreign exchange contracts. See Note 7 “Derivatives” regarding foreign exchange contracts.
Income Taxes
The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases, and also for operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates both the positive and negative evidence that affects the realizability of net deferred tax assets and assesses the need for a valuation allowance. The future benefit to be derived from its deferred tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in each jurisdiction of the right type to realize the assets. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. To the extent the Company establishes a valuation allowance an expense will be recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes on the statement of operations.
During 2015, the Company decreased its valuation allowance by $20,636 primarily related to the expiration of U.S. capital loss carry-forwards. As a result, the valuation allowance was $6,127 at December 31, 2015. During 2016, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $6,400 primarily related to the addition of historical valuation allowances for Newport and its subsidiaries which were included as a result of the acquisition in April 2016. As a result, the valuation allowance was $12,527 at December 31, 2016. During 2017, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $1,102, primarily related to certain state tax credits. As a result, the valuation allowance was $13,629 at December 31, 2017.
Accounting for income taxes requires a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if, based on the technical merits, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon audit, including resolutions of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company re-evaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Any change in these factors could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.
On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), which included significant changes to U.S. tax law. Some of the more significant changes impacting the Company are the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% as of January 1, 2018, the implementation of a territorial tax system and the imposition of a transition tax on deemed repatriated cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries (“transition tax”).
Income tax effects resulting from changes in tax are generally accounted for by the Company in the period in which the law is enacted and the effects are recorded as a component of provision for income taxes from continuing operations. On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to provide guidance for reporting entities’ ability to timely complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company has
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
computed and reported reasonable estimates related to the transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these provisional amounts in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. The estimates of the impacts of the Act on the Company are based on the Company’s current assumptions and understandings of the provisions of the Act. The ultimate impacts of the Act on the Company may differ from these provisional amounts due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions by the Company and additional regulatory guidance that may be issued. The Company is required to finalize its estimate of the effects of the Act within a measurement period ending when the Company has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information needed to complete the accounting requirements under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740.
4) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” This standard better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting.” This standard provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This standard requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. This standard also provides explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of the net benefit cost in the income statement and allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” This standard simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted this new standard in conjunction with performing its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” This standard clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This standard also provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. Because the current definition of a business is interpreted broadly and can be difficult to apply, stakeholders indicated that analyzing transactions is inefficient and costly and that the definition does not permit the use of reasonable judgment. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is applicable under certain circumstances. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash,” an amendment to ASU 2016-15. This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Early adoption is permitted. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied at the time of adoption of ASU 2016-15. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Transfer of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This standard requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs as opposed to when the assets have been sold to an outside party. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” This standard addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of addressing the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This standard requires the recognition of lease assets and liabilities for all leases, with certain exceptions, on the balance sheet. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has reviewed the requirements of this standard and have formulated a plan for implementation. The team has communicated its approach to the Audit Committee and will provide regular updates as appropriate. The Company is currently working at accumulating a complete population of leases from all of its locations. The Company has selected a software repository to track all of its lease agreements and to assist in the reporting and disclosure requirements required by the standard. The Company will continue to assess the effect that this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements, disclosures and related controls, when known.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This ASU provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The new pronouncement revises accounting related to equity investments and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Among other things, it amends the presentation and disclosure requirements of equity securities that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method. Changes in the fair value of these equity securities will be recognized directly in net income. This pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This ASU provides for a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company will use the modified retrospective method upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018.
The FASB issued additional updates to the new revenue standard in Topic 606 relating to reporting revenue on a gross versus net basis (Update 2016-08 in March 2016), identifying performance obligations and licensing arrangements (Update 2016-10 in April 2016), narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (Update 2016-12 in May 2016), technical corrections and improvements (Update 2016-20 in December 2016), and SEC Updates (Update 2017-13 in September 2017 and Update 2017-14 in November 2017). The Company has identified the various revenue streams, including product revenues, service revenues, installation and training, which are impacted by Topic 606 and have reviewed individual customer contracts related to these revenue streams. The new revenue standard impacts the Company’s recording of repair revenue and customized products, which will be recognized over time under Topic 606 as opposed to a point in time under the current standard. The Company is in the process of finalizing the documentation of its assumptions used in quantifying the impact of adopting the new revenue standard, which can vary quarter to quarter. The Company is also finalizing the disclosures which will be included in its consolidated financial statements upon adoption of the new standard. The Company has concluded that the adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognized. In addition, there were no major changes made to the Company’s existing accounting systems or internal controls as a result of the adoption of Topic 606.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
5) Investments
Investments classified as short-term consist of the following:
Investments classified as long-term consist of the following:
(1) In April of 2016 the Company invested $9,300 for a minority interest in a private company. During 2016, the Company recognized $5,000 of impairment charges related to this cost method investment. In July 2017, the Company invested an additional $100 in this private company.
The following table shows the gross unrealized gains and (losses) aggregated by investment category for available-for-sale investments:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The tables above, which show the gross unrealized gains and (losses) aggregated by investment category for available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, reflect the inclusion within short-term investments of investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from the date of purchase. Management has the ability, if necessary, to liquidate any of its investments in order to meet the Company’s liquidity needs in the next 12 months. Accordingly, those investments with contractual maturities greater than one year from the date of purchase are classified as short-term on the accompanying balance sheets.
Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the date the stock trades “ex-dividend.” The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method and realized gains or losses are reflected in income and were not material in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
6) Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with the provisions of fair value accounting, a fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments or securities or derivative contracts that are valued using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the Company categorizes such assets and liabilities based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017, are summarized as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) The cash and cash equivalent amounts presented in the table above do not include cash of $292,808 and non-negotiable time deposits of $3,398 as of December 31, 2017.
(2) The long-term investments presented in the table above do not include our minority interest investment in a private company, which is accounted for under the cost method.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016, are summarized as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) The cash and cash equivalent amounts presented in the table above do not include cash of $192,432 and non-negotiable time deposits of $2,936 as of December 31, 2016.
(2) The long-term investments presented in the table above do not include our minority interest investment in a private company, which is accounted for under the cost method.
Money Market Funds
Money market funds are cash and cash equivalents, and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Restricted Cash
The Company has letters of credit, which require it to maintain specified cash deposit balances, consisting mainly of money market funds, as collateral. Such amounts have been classified as restricted cash and are classified as Level 1.
Available-For-Sale Investments
As of December 31, 2017, available-for-sale investments consisted of time deposits and drafts denominated in the Euro currency, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptance drafts, asset-backed securities (which include auto loans, credit card receivables and equipment trust receivables), corporate obligations, municipal bonds and U.S. agency obligations.
The Company measures its debt and equity investments at fair value. The Company’s available-for-sale investments are classified within Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Israeli Pension Assets
Israeli pension assets represent investments in mutual funds, government securities and other time deposits. These investments are set aside for the retirement benefit of the employees at the Company’s Israeli subsidiaries. These funds are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Derivatives
As a result of the Company’s global operating activities, the Company is exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and variable interest rates, which may adversely affect its operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, the Company minimizes its risks from foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations through the use of derivative financial instruments. The principal market in which the Company executes its foreign currency contracts and interest rate swaps is the institutional market in an over-the-counter environment with a relatively high level of price transparency. The market participants usually are large commercial banks. The forward foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate hedge are valued using broker quotations, or market transactions and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
7) Derivatives
The Company enters into derivative instruments for risk management purposes only, including derivatives designated as hedging instruments and those utilized as economic hedges. The Company operates internationally and, in the normal course of business, is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. These fluctuations can increase the costs of financing, investing and operating the business. The Company has used derivative instruments, such as forward contracts, to manage certain foreign currency exposure, and interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure.
By nature, all financial instruments involve market and credit risks. The Company enters into derivative instruments with major investment grade financial institutions, for which no collateral is required. The Company has policies to monitor the credit risk of these counterparties. While there can be no assurance, the Company does not anticipate any material non-performance by any of these counterparties.
Interest Rate Swap Agreement
On September 30, 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix the rate on approximately 50% of its then outstanding term loan balance, as described further in Note 13. This hedge fixes the interest rate paid on the hedged debt at 1.198% per annum plus the credit spread, which was 2.00% as of December 31, 2017, through September 30, 2020. The interest rate swap will be recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and changes in the fair value will be recognized in OCI. To the extent that this arrangement is no longer an effective hedge, any ineffectiveness measured in the hedging relationship is recorded currently in earnings in the period it occurs. The notional amount of this transaction was $305,000 and had a fair value of $6,179 at December 31, 2017. The notional amount of this transaction was $335,000 and had a fair value of $4,900 at December 31, 2016.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company hedges a portion of its forecasted foreign currency-denominated intercompany sales of inventory, over a maximum period of eighteen months, using forward foreign exchange contracts accounted for
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
as cash-flow hedges related to Japanese, South Korean, British, Euro and Taiwanese currencies. To the extent these derivatives are effective in off-setting the variability of the hedged cash flows, and otherwise meet the hedge accounting criteria, changes in the derivatives’ fair value are not included in current earnings but are included in OCI in stockholders’ equity. These changes in fair value will subsequently be reclassified into earnings, as applicable, when the forecasted transaction occurs. To the extent that a previously designated hedging transaction is no longer an effective hedge, any ineffectiveness measured in the hedging relationship will be recorded currently in earnings in the period in which it occurs. The cash flows resulting from forward exchange contracts are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows as part of cash flows from operating activities. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts with gross notional values of $208,922 and $120,208, respectively. The following tables provide a summary of the primary net hedging positions and corresponding fair values held as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:
(1) Represents the receivable (payable) amount included in the consolidated balance sheet.
The following table provides a summary of the fair value amounts of the Company’s derivative instruments:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) The derivative asset of $168 and derivative liability of $(6,198) related to the forward foreign exchange contracts are classified in other current assets and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. The derivative asset of $2,985 and derivative liability of $(543) are classified in other current assets and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. These forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to a master netting agreement with one financial institution. However, the Company has elected to record these contracts on a gross basis in the balance sheet.
(2) The foreign currency interest rate hedge asset of $6,179 and $4,900 is classified in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The net amount of existing gains as of December 31, 2017 that is expected to be reclassified from OCI into earnings within the next 12 months is immaterial.
The following table provides a summary of the (losses) gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
(1) Net change in the fair value of the effective portion classified in OCI.
(2) Effective portion classified as cost of products in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The following table provides a summary of losses on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
(1) The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge against changes in the balance sheet for certain subsidiaries to mitigate the risk associated with certain foreign currency transactions in the ordinary course of business. These derivatives are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments and gains or losses from these derivatives are recorded immediately in other expense, net in 2017 and 2016 and in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2015.
8) Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Inventory-related excess and obsolete charges of $20,213, $16,039 and $13,602 were recorded in cost of products in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
9) Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment totaled $36,813, $30,245 and $15,339 for the years ended 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
10) Acquisitions and Dispositions
Newport Corporation
On April 29, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of Newport Corporation (“Newport”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 22, 2016 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, PSI Equipment, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Newport (the “Newport Merger”). At the effective time of the Newport Merger and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each share of Newport’s common stock that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger was converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding tax.
Newport’s innovative solutions leverage its expertise in advanced technologies, including lasers, photonics and precision motion equipment, and optical components and sub-systems, to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers’ manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is a global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research and defense/security, microelectronics, life and health sciences and industrial manufacturing markets.
The purchase price of Newport consisted of the following:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) Represents cash paid of $23.00 per share for approximately 39,359,000 shares of Newport common stock, without interest and subject to a deduction for any required withholding tax.
(2) Represents the vested but unissued portion of Newport share-based compensation awards as of the acquisition date of April 29, 2016.
(3) Represents the cash paid for the outstanding balance of Newport’s senior secured revolving credit agreement.
The Company funded the payment of the aggregate consideration with a combination of the Company’s available cash on hand and the proceeds from the Company’s senior secured term loan facility, as described in Note 13.
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total estimated acquisition consideration is allocated to the acquired tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of Newport based on their fair values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the acquisition consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets will not be amortizable for tax purposes.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the Newport Merger:
The fair value write-up of acquired finished goods inventory was $15,090, the amount of which will be amortized over the expected period during which the acquired inventory is sold. Accordingly, the Company recorded $15,090 of incremental costs of sales charges associated with the fair value write-up of inventory acquired in the Newport Merger for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The fair value write-up of acquired property, plant and equipment of $36,242 will be amortized over the useful life of the assets. Property, plant and equipment is valued at its value-in-use, unless there was a known plan to dispose of the asset.
The acquired intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the economic use of the asset.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The following table reflects the allocation of the acquired intangible assets and liabilities and related estimate of useful lives:
(1) The useful lives of in-process research and development will be defined in the future upon further evaluation of the status of these programs.
The fair value of the acquired intangibles was determined using the income approach. In performing these valuations, the key underlying probability-adjusted assumptions of the discounted cash flows were projected revenues, gross margin expectations and operating cost estimates. The valuations were based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date and the expectations and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by the Company’s management. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these determinations. This acquisition resulted in a purchase price that exceeded the estimated fair value of tangible and intangible assets, the excess amount of which was allocated to goodwill.
The Company believes the amount of goodwill relative to identifiable intangible assets relates to several factors including: (1) potential buyer-specific synergies related to market opportunities for a combined product offering; and (2) potential to leverage the Company’s sales force to attract new customers and revenue and cross sell to existing customers.
The results of this acquisition were included in the Company’s consolidated operations beginning on April 29, 2016. Newport constitutes the Company’s Light & Motion reportable segment (Note 19).
Certain executives from Newport had severance provisions in their respective Newport employment agreements. The agreements included terms that were accounted for as dual-trigger arrangements. Through the Company’s acquisition accounting, the expense relating to these benefits was recognized in the combined entity’s financial statements, however, the benefit itself will not be distributed until the final provision is met by each eligible executive. The Company recorded costs of $6,635 and $3,334 as compensation expense and stock-based compensation expense, respectively, during 2016 in connection with these severance provisions. The shares underlying the restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights that are eligible for accelerated vesting if the executive exercises his rights are not issued as of each reporting period-end and are excluded from the computation of basic earnings per share and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for each reporting period.
Pro Forma Results
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of the Company as if the Newport Merger had occurred on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
information is not necessarily indicative of what the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations actually would have been had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each year. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial information does not attempt to project the future results of operations of the combined company.
The unaudited pro forma financial information above gives effect primarily to the following:
(1) Incremental amortization and depreciation expense related to the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment from the purchase price allocation.
(2) Revenue adjustments as a result of the reduction in deferred revenue related to its estimated fair value.
(3) Incremental interest expense related to the Company’s term loan credit agreement.
(4) The exclusion of acquisition costs and inventory step-up amortization from the year ended December 31, 2016 and the addition of these items to the year ended December 31, 2015.
(5) The estimated tax impact of the above adjustments.
Cost Method Investment in a Private Company
In April 2016, the Company invested $9,300 for a minority interest in a private company, which operates in the field of semiconductor process equipment instrumentation. The Company accounted for this investment using the cost method of accounting. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recognized an impairment loss on this investment of $5,000 based upon financial information of this private company. In July 2017, the Company invested an additional $100 in this private company.
Sale of Data Analytics Solutions
In April 2017, the Company completed the sale of its Data Analytics Solutions business for total proceeds of $72,509, net of cash sold and recorded a gain of $74,856. This business, which had revenues in 2016 of $12,700 and was included in the Vacuum & Analysis segment, was no longer a part of the Company’s long-term strategic objectives.
The business did not qualify as a discontinued operation as this sale did not represent a strategic shift in the Company’s business, nor did the sale have a major effect on the Company’s operations. Therefore, the results of operations for all periods are included in the Company’s income from operations. The assets and liabilities of this business have not been reclassified or segregated in the consolidated balance sheet or consolidated statements of cash flows as the amounts were immaterial.
Precisive, LLC
On March 17, 2015, the Company acquired Precisive, LLC (“Precisive”) for $12,085, net of cash acquired of $435. The purchase price included a deferred payment amount of $2,600 to cover any potential
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
indemnification claims, which amount was paid to the sellers in the second quarter of 2016. Precisive is an innovative developer of optical analyzers based on Tunable Filter Spectroscopy, which provide real-time gas analysis in the natural gas and hydrocarbon processing industries, including refineries, hydrocarbon processing plants, gas-to-power machines, biogas processes and fuel gas transportation and metering, while delivering customers a lower total cost of ownership.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the Precisive acquisition:
Substantially all of the purchase price is deductible for tax purposes. The following table reflects the allocation of the acquired intangible assets and related estimates of useful lives. These acquired intangibles will be amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern of use.
The fair value of the acquired intangibles was determined using the income approach. The Precisive acquisition resulted in a purchase price that exceeded the estimated fair value of tangible and intangible assets, the excess amount of which was allocated to goodwill. The Company believes the amount of goodwill relative to identifiable intangible assets relates to several factors including: (1) potential buyer-specific synergies related to market opportunities for a combined product offering; (2) potential to leverage the Company’s sales force and intellectual property to attract new customers and revenue; and (3) potential to strengthen and expand into new but complementary markets, including targeting new applications such as natural gas processing, hydrocarbon processing and other oil and gas segments.
The results of this acquisition were included in the Company’s consolidated operations beginning on March 17, 2015. Precisive is included in the Company’s Vacuum Solutions Products group within the Vacuum & Analysis segment.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
11) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price relating to purchase acquisitions is determined through established and generally accepted valuation techniques. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. The Company assigns assets acquired (including goodwill) and liabilities assumed to one or more reporting units as of the date of acquisition. Typically acquisitions relate to a single reporting unit and thus do not require the allocation of goodwill to multiple reporting units. If the products obtained in an acquisition are assigned to multiple reporting units, the goodwill is distributed to the respective reporting units as part of the purchase price allocation process.
Goodwill and purchased intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets requires significant judgment. The Company regularly monitors current business conditions and other factors including, but not limited to, adverse industry or economic trends, restructuring actions and lower projections of profitability that may impact future operating results.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and accumulated impairment losses were as follows:
(1) During 2016, the Company recorded $396,027 of goodwill related to the Newport Merger.
(2) In 2017, the Company sold its Data Analytics business and, as a result, charged the related goodwill of $3,115 to the gain on sale of business.
(3) In 2017, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $4,862 related to the write-off of goodwill as a result of the discontinuation of a product line and consolidation of two manufacturing plants.
Intangible Assets
The Company is required to test certain long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present. For the purposes of the impairment test, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. During 2017, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1,511 related to the write off of intangible assets as a result of the discontinuation of a product line and consolidation of two manufacturing plants. There were no intangible asset impairment charges in 2016 or 2015.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Components of the Company’s acquired intangible assets are comprised of the following:
(1) In 2017, the Company sold its Data Analytics business and, as a result, wrote off the related intangibles of $4,155 of completed technology, $2,300 of customer relationships and $1,200 of patents, trademarks, trade names and other, which were fully amortized at the time of sale.
(2) During 2016, the Company recorded $404,506 of separately identified intangible assets related to the Newport Merger, of which $75,386 was completed technology, $247,793 was customer relationships and $81,327 was patents, trademarks, trade names, in-process research and development and other. The Company also recorded $4,302 of unfavorable lease commitments, which is recorded in other liabilities in the balance sheet.
Aggregate amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $45,743, $35,681 and $6,764, respectively. The amortization expense in 2017 and 2016 is net of $811 and $569, respectively, of amortization income from unfavorable lease commitments. Aggregate net amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets and unfavorable lease commitments for future years is:
12) Product Warranties
The Company provides for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty obligations upon the recognition of the related revenue. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, the Company’s warranty
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
obligation is affected by shipment volume, product failure rates, utilization levels, material usage and supplier warranties on parts delivered to the Company. Should actual product failure rates, utilization levels, material usage, or supplier warranties on parts differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Product warranty activities were as follows:
(1) Short-term product warranty of $9,719 and long-term product warranty of $385, each as of December 31, 2017, are included within other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Short-term product warranty of $8,200 and long-term product warranty of $61 as of December 31, 2016, are included within other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
13) Debt
Term Loan Credit Agreement
In connection with the completion of the Newport Merger, the Company entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), that provided senior secured financing of $780,000, subject to increase at the Company’s option in accordance with the Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Facility”). Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest per annum at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (2) the “prime rate” quoted in The Wall Street Journal, (3) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for an interest period of one month adjusted for certain additional costs, plus 1.00%, and (4) a floor of 1.75%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s leverage ratio (1.25% as of December 31, 2017); or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs, subject to a LIBOR rate floor of 0.75%, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio (2.00% as of December 31, 2017). The Company has elected the interest rate as described in clause (b). The Credit Agreement provides that all loans will be determined by reference to the Base Rate if the LIBOR rate cannot be ascertained, if regulators impose material restrictions on the authority of a lender to make LIBOR rate loans, and for other reasons. The Term Loan Facility was issued with original issue discount of 1.00% of the principal amount thereof.
On June 9, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 1”) to the Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 1 decreased the applicable margin for borrowings under the Company’s Term Loan Facility to 2.50% for base rate borrowings and 3.50% for LIBOR borrowings
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
and extended the period during which a pre-payment premium may be required for a “Re-pricing Transaction” (as defined in the Credit Agreement) until six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 1. In connection with the execution of the Re-pricing Amendment 1, the Company paid a pre-payment premium of 1.00%, or $7,300, as well as certain fees and expenses of the administrative agent and the Lenders, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Re-pricing Amendment 1, the Company prepaid $50,000 of principal under the Credit Agreement. In September 2016, the Company prepaid an additional $60,000 under the Credit Agreement.
On September 30, 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which has a maturity date of September 30, 2020, to fix the rate on $335,000 of the then-outstanding balance of the Credit Agreement. The rate is fixed at 1.198% per annum plus the applicable credit spread, which was 2.00% at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreement was $305,000.
On December 14, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 2”) to the Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 2 decreased the applicable margin for the Company’s term loan under the Credit Agreement to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.75% for base rate borrowings and reset the period during which a pre-payment premium may be required for a Re-pricing Transaction until six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 2. In November 2016, prior to the effectiveness of the Re-pricing Amendment 2, the Company prepaid an additional $40,000 of principal under the Credit Agreement. In March 2017, the Company prepaid an additional $50,000 of principal under the Credit Agreement.
On July 6, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Re-pricing Amendment 3”) to the Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Lenders and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders. The Re-pricing Amendment 3 decreased the applicable margin for the Company’s term loan under the Credit Agreement to 2.25% for LIBOR rate loans when the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was at or above 1.25:1 and decreased to 2.00% when the Total Leverage Ratio was below 1.25:1, both with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. The margin for base rate borrowings decreased to 1.25% when the Total Leverage Ratio is at or above 1.25:1 and to 1.00% when the Total Leverage Ratio is below 1.25:1. The period during which a prepayment premium may be required for a Re-pricing Transaction was reset to six months after the effective date of the Re-pricing Amendment 3.
In July 2017, August 2017 and November 2017, the Company voluntarily prepaid $50,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively, of principal under the Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2017, after total principal pre-payments of $375,000 and regularly scheduled principal payments of $6,536, the total outstanding principal balance was $398,464. As of December 31, 2017, the Total Leverage Ratio was below 1.25:1 and therefore the applicable margin rate for LIBOR borrowings is 2.00%.
The Company incurred $28,747 of deferred finance fees, original issue discount and re-pricing fees related to the term loans under the Term Loan Facility, which is included in long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the term loans using the effective interest method. A portion of these fees have been accelerated in connection with the various debt pre-payments during 2016 and 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining balance of the deferred finance fees, original issue discount and re-pricing fees related to the Term Loan Facility was $9,185.
Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with portions of its annual excess cash flow as well as with the net cash proceeds of certain asset
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
sales, certain casualty and condemnation events and the incurrence or issuance of certain debt. The Company is also required to make scheduled quarterly payments each equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the term loans outstanding, less the amount of certain voluntary and mandatory repayments after such date, with the balance due on the seventh anniversary of the closing date. As a result of making total pre-payments of $375,000, as of December 31, 2017 the Company is no longer required to make any scheduled quarterly principal payments until maturity date of the loan.
All obligations under the Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, and are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of such subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and provisions relating to events of default. If an event of default occurs, the Lenders under the Term Loan Facility will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the Term Loan Facility and all actions generally permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Senior Secured Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility
In connection with the completion of the Newport Merger, the Company also entered into an asset-based credit agreement with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, and the lenders and letters of credit issuers from time to time party thereto (the “ABL Facility”), that provides senior secured financing of up to $50,000, subject to a borrowing base limitation. The borrowing base for the ABL Facility at any time equals the sum of: (a) 85% of certain eligible accounts; plus (b) subject to certain notice and field examination and appraisal requirements, the lesser of (i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the lower of cost or market value of certain eligible inventory and (B) 85% of the net orderly liquidation value of certain eligible inventory and (ii) 30% of the borrowing base; minus (c) reserves established by the administrative agent; provided that until the administrative agent’s receipt of a field examination of accounts receivable the borrowing base shall be equal to 70% of the book value of certain eligible accounts. The ABL Facility includes borrowing capacity in the form of letters of credit up to $15,000. The Company has not drawn against the ABL Facility as of December 31, 2017.
Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest per annum at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (2) the “prime rate” quoted in The Wall Street Journal, and (3) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for an interest period of one month adjusted for certain additional costs, plus 1.00%, plus, in each case, an initial applicable margin of 0.75%; and (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs, plus an initial applicable margin of 1.75%. Commencing with the completion of the first fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the ABL Facility, the applicable margin for borrowings thereunder is subject to upward or downward adjustment each fiscal quarter, based on the average historical excess availability during the preceding quarter.
The Company incurred $1,201 of costs in connection with the ABL Facility, which were capitalized and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over the contractual term of five years of the ABL Facility.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the ABL Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. The initial commitment fee is 0.375% per annum. The total commitment fee recognized in interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $242. Commencing with the completion of the first fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the ABL Facility, the commitment fee is subject to downward adjustment based on the amount of average unutilized commitments for the three month period immediately preceding such adjustment date. The Company must also pay customary letter of credit fees and agency fees.
Lines of Credit and Short-Term Borrowing Arrangements
One of the Company’s Japanese subsidiaries has lines of credit and short-term borrowing arrangements with two financial institutions, which arrangements generally expire and are renewed at three month intervals. The lines of credit provided for aggregate borrowings as of December 31, 2017 of up to an equivalent of $20,410 U.S. dollars. One of the borrowing arrangements has an interest rate based on the Tokyo Interbank Offer Rate at the time of borrowing and the other has an interest rate based on the Japanese Short-Term Prime Lending Rate. There were no borrowings outstanding under these arrangements at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
The Company assumed various revolving lines of credit and a financing facility with the completion of the Newport Merger. These revolving lines of credit and financing facility have no expiration date and provided for aggregate borrowings as of December 31, 2017 of up to an equivalent of $11,092 U.S. dollars. These lines of credit have a base interest rate of 1.25% plus a Japanese Yen overnight LIBOR rate. Total borrowings outstanding under these arrangements were $2,965 and $4,703 at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
One of the Company’s Austrian subsidiaries has various outstanding loans from the Austrian government to fund research and development. These loans are unsecured and do not require principal repayment as long as certain conditions are met. Interest on these loans is payable semi-annually. The interest rates associated with these loans range from 0.75%-2.00%.
(1) Net of deferred financing fees, original issuance discount and re-pricing fee in the aggregate of $9,185 and $19,642 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company recognized interest expense of $30,990 and $30,611 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Contractual maturities of the Company’s debt obligations as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
14) Income Taxes
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had not fully completed its accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the Act. The Company has recognized the provisional tax impacts related to the transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these amounts in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 in accordance with the guidance provided in SAB 118. The Company has not yet completed sufficiently detailed calculations of the post-1986 foreign earnings and profits and the income tax pools for all foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the Company has identified items that require additional guidance from the Internal Revenue Service regarding certain aspects of tax computations required by the Act. The estimates of the impacts of the Act on the Company are based on the Company’s current assumptions and understanding of the provisions of the Act. The ultimate impacts of the Act on the Company may differ from these provisional amounts due to additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made and additional regulatory guidance that may be issued.
SAB 118 also requires certain specific additional disclosures as follows:
•
Provisional amounts were reported for the transition tax and the revaluation of deferred taxes as a result of the statutory rate change and other factors.
•
The provisional amount recorded for the transition tax impacts current and long-term income taxes payable. The provisional amount recorded to revalue deferred taxes impacts long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities.
•
The Company needs to complete a detailed analysis of undistributed cumulative earnings and profits and foreign tax pools of its foreign subsidiaries and receive additional guidance from the Internal Revenue Service in order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC topic 740 for the provisional amounts.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
A reconciliation of the Company’s effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate is as follows:
The components of income from operations before income taxes and the related provision for income taxes consist of the following:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The significant components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
As of December 31, 2017, a provisional adjustment reducing the net deferred tax liabilities of the Company was made in the amount of $22,345 due to the U.S. tax rate reduction as a result of the enactment of the Act and other related factors. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had federal, state and foreign gross research and other tax credit carry-forwards of $36,496. Included in the total carry-forward are $12,559 of credits that can be carried forward indefinitely and the remaining credits expire at various dates through 2035. The Company also had, state and foreign gross net operating loss carry-forwards of $43,431. Included in the total carry-forward are $37,098 of losses that can be carried forward indefinitely while the remaining losses expire at various dates through 2035.
Although the Company believes that its tax positions are consistent with applicable U.S. federal, state and international laws, it maintains certain tax reserves as of December 31, 2017 in the event its tax positions were to be challenged by the applicable tax authority and additional tax assessed on audit.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
As of December 31, 2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was $27,345. As of December 31, 2016, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was $25,465. The net increase from December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to the addition of reserves related to foreign withholding tax and certain state tax credits. As of December 31, 2017, excluding interest and penalties, there are $18,276 of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the Company’s annual effective tax rate. In 2017, the Company recorded a net benefit to income tax expense of $3,100, excluding interest and penalties, due to the release of income tax reserves related to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation.
The Company accrues interest and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties are classified as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $327, $491 and $157, respectively.
Over the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize approximately $1,025 of previously net unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, related to federal, state and foreign tax positions as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitation. The U.S. statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2014 through present. The statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2012 through the present. The Company also has certain federal credit carry-forwards and state tax loss and credit carry-forwards that are open to examination for tax years 2000 through the present.
The Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax filings for tax years 2015 and 2016 during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. A previous audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was effectively settled during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 upon the Company’s acceptance of the income tax examination changes.
On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates both positive and negative evidence that affects the realizability of net deferred tax assets and assesses the need for a valuation allowance. The future benefit to be derived from its deferred tax assets is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the assets.
During 2017, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $1,102, primarily related to certain state tax credits. During 2016, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $6,400 primarily related to the addition of historical valuation allowances for Newport and its subsidiaries which were included as a result of the acquisition in April 2016. During 2015, the Company decreased its valuation allowance by $20,636, primarily related to the expiration of U.S. capital loss carry-forwards.
The Act, provided for a one-time transition tax on deemed mandatory repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed cumulative earnings and profits of our foreign subsidiaries (“transition tax”). The Company had approximately $560,000 of undistributed foreign earnings subject to the transition tax and recognized a provisional $27,610 of income tax expense, net of foreign tax credits in its consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company expects to pay the net additional taxes associated with the transition tax over an eight year period as permitted by the Act.
No provision has been made for the deferred taxes related to certain remaining historical outside basis differences in the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company continues to assert indefinite reinvestment in these outside basis differences generated on or before December 31, 2017. Determination of the amount of
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
unrecognized deferred tax liability on outside basis differences is not practicable because the amount of such liability, if any, is dependent upon circumstances existing and tax planning choices available when a transaction using outside basis occurs.
The Company’s Israeli subsidiaries have elected to be treated under a preferential Israeli tax regime under which their taxable income is taxed at reduced tax rates. These reduced rates range anywhere between 7.5% and 16%. One of the Company’s Israeli subsidiaries effectively settled an examination for tax years 2012 and 2013 during the quarter ended June 30, 2017.
15) Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Repurchase Program
On July 25, 2011, the Company’s board of directors approved a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $200,000 of its outstanding common stock from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or through other appropriate means. The timing and quantity of any shares repurchased will depend upon a variety of factors, including business conditions, stock market conditions and business development activities, including, but not limited to, merger and acquisition opportunities. These repurchases may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The Company has repurchased approximately 1,770,000 shares of common stock for approximately $52,000 pursuant to the program since its adoption.
During 2017, there were no repurchases of common stock. During 2016, the Company repurchased 44,798 shares of its common stock for $1,545 at an average price of $34.50 per share.
Cash Dividends
Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if they are declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.175 per share during the first, second and third quarters of 2017, and $0.18 per share during the fourth quarter of 2017, which totaled $38,178. During 2016, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share during the first, second, third and fourth quarters, which totaled $36,361.
Future dividend declarations, if any, as well as the record and payment dates for such dividends, are subject to the final determination of the Company’s board of directors.
On February 12, 2018, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on March 9, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2018.
16) Stock-Based Compensation
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
The 2014 ESPP Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 10, 2014 and approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 5, 2014. The 2014 ESPP Plan authorizes the issuance of up to an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of common stock to participating employees. Offerings under the 2014 ESPP Plan commence on June 1 and December 1 and terminate, respectively, on November 30 and May 31. Historically, under the 2014 ESPP Plan, eligible employees could purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions of up to
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
10% of their compensation or up to an annual maximum amount of $21,250. The price at which an employee’s purchase option was exercised for each offering period was the lower of (1) 85% of the closing price of the common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the day that each offering commences, or (2) 85% of the closing price on the day that the offering terminated. On January 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an increase in the exercise price to the lower of (1) 90% of the closing price of the common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the day that each offering commences, or (2) 90% of the closing price on the day that each offering terminates. The increase in the exercise price became effective for the Offering commencing on June 1, 2017. As a result of this change, the annual maximum payroll deduction was increased from $21,250 to $22,500. During 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company issued 105,506, 139,079, and 140,531 shares, respectively, of common stock to employees who participated in the 2014 ESPP Plan at exercise prices of $46.37 and $74.12 per share in 2017, $31.40 and $35.16 per share in 2016, and $30.74 and $31.34 per share in 2015. As of December 31, 2017, there were 2,032,403 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2014 ESPP Plan.
Equity Incentive Plans
The Company has granted RSUs to employees and directors under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The 2014 Plan is intended to attract and retain employees and directors, and to provide an incentive for these individuals to assist the Company to achieve long-range performance goals and to enable these individuals to participate in the long-term growth of the Company.
The 2014 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 10, 2014 and was approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 5, 2014. Up to 18,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events) may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2014 Plan. The Company may grant options, RSUs, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors under the 2014 Plan. Any full-value awards granted under the 2014 Plan will be counted against the shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan as 2.4 shares for each share of common stock subject to such award and any award granted under the 2014 Plan that is not a full-value award (including, without limitation, any option or SAR) will be counted against the shares reserved for issuance under the plan as one share for each one share of common stock subject to such award. “Full-value award” means any RSU, or other stock-based award with a per share price or per unit purchase price lower than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant. To the extent a share that was subject to an award that counted as one share is returned to the 2014 Plan, each applicable share reserve will be credited with one share. To the extent that a share that was subject to an award that counts as 2.4 shares is returned to the 2014 Plan, each applicable share reserve will be credited with 2.4 shares. As of December 31, 2017, there were 14,548,013 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2014 Plan.
The Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) expired in March 2014 and no further awards may be granted under the 2004 Plan, although there are still outstanding RSUs which may vest under the 2004 Plan. The Company’s Second Restated 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1995 Plan”) expired in November 2005 and no further awards may be granted under the 1995 Plan. The Company’s 1997 Director Stock Plan expired in February 2007 and no further awards may be granted under the 1997 Director Stock Plan. The 2004 Plan, the 1995 Plan, the 1997 Director Stock Plan and the 2014 Plan are referred to herein as the “Plans.”
Stock options were granted at an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Generally, stock options granted to employees under the 1995 Plan and the 2004 Plan
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
from 2001 to 2006, vested 25% after one year and 6.25% per quarter thereafter, and expired 10 years after the grant date. Options granted to directors generally vested at the earliest of (1) one day prior to the next annual meeting, (2) 13 months from the date of grant, or (3) the effective date of an acquisition. There were no remaining outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively under any of the Plans. RSUs granted to employees in 2017, 2016 and 2015 generally vest 33% per year on the anniversary of the date of grant. RSUs granted to certain employees who are at least 60 years old and have a minimum of 10 Years of Service (as defined in the applicable RSU agreement) are expensed immediately. RSUs granted to directors generally vest at the earliest of (1) one day prior to the next annual meeting, (2) 13 months from date of grant, or (3) the effective date of a change in control of the Company. Certain RSUs are subject to performance conditions (“performance shares”) under the Company’s 2004 Plan and 2014 Plan. Such performance shares are available, subject to time-based vesting conditions, if, and to the extent that, financial or operational performance criteria for the applicable period are achieved. Accordingly, the number of performance shares earned will vary based on the level of achievement of financial or operational performance objectives for the applicable period.
In connection with the completion of the Newport Merger, the Company assumed:
•
all RSUs granted under any Newport equity plan that were outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger, and as to which shares of Newport common stock were not fully distributed in connection with the closing of the Newport Merger, and
•
all stock appreciation rights granted under any Newport equity plan, whether vested or unvested, that were outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Newport Merger.
As of the effective time of the Newport Merger, based on a formula provided in the Merger Agreement, (a) the Newport RSUs were converted automatically into RSUs with respect to 360,674 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Assumed RSUs”), and (b) the Newport stock appreciation rights were converted automatically into SARs with respect to 899,851 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Assumed SARs”).
Included in the total number of Assumed RSUs were 36,599 RSUs for outside directors that were part of the Newport Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DC Plan”), from which 19,137 underlying shares were released in May 2016, and 5,515 shares were released in May 2017. As of December 31, 2017, 12,134 Company RSUs remained outstanding under the DC Plan, and an additional 122 shares of the Company’s common stock were added to the DC Plan due to reinvested dividends. As of December 31, 2016, 17,462 Company RSUs remained outstanding under the DC Plan, and an additional 187 shares of the Company’s common stock were added to the DC Plan due to reinvested dividends. These Assumed RSUs will not become issued shares until their respective release dates.
The shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to the Assumed SARs and the Assumed RSUs are issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Plan.
The 1,260,525 shares of the Company’s common stock that are issuable pursuant to the Assumed RSUs and the Assumed SARs under the 2014 Plan were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), on a registration statement on Form S-8. These shares are in addition to the 18,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan and previously registered under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-8.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The following table presents the activity for RSUs under the Plans:
The following table presents the activity for SARs under the Plans:
At December 31, 2017, the Company’s outstanding and exercisable SARs, the weighted-average base value, the weighted average remaining contractual life and the aggregate intrinsic value thereof, were as follows:
The total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises during 2015 was approximately $592. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefit realized by the Company in 2015 was approximately $21. There were no options outstanding or exercisable under the Plans at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company settles employee stock option exercises, RSU vesting and SARs exercises with newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The Company recognized the full impact of its share-based payment plans in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
the Company capitalized $471 of such cost on its consolidated balance sheet. The following table reflects the effect of recording stock-based compensation for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015:
The pre-tax effect within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income of recording stock-based compensation for the years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
Valuation Assumptions
The Company determines the fair value of RSUs based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award, and estimates the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchase plan rights using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such values are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, net of estimated forfeitures except for retirement eligible employees in which the Company expenses the fair value of the grant in the period the grant is issued. The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.
The Company did not grant options during 2017, 2016 and 2015. There were no options outstanding in 2017 and 2016. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2015 was approximately $494.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The weighted average fair value per share of employee stock purchase plan rights granted in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $13.14, $8.52 and $8.16, respectively. The fair value of the employees’ purchase plan rights was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Expected volatilities for 2017, 2016 and 2015 are based on a combination of implied and historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock; the expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns; and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised, SARs exercised and the total fair value of RSUs vested during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $60,302, $18,844 and $12,868, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs and SARs was approximately $20,314 and will be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 0.93 years.
17) Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a 401(k) profit-sharing plan for U.S. employees meeting certain requirements in which eligible employees may contribute between 1% and 50% of their annual compensation to this plan, and, with respect to employees who are age 50 and older, certain specified additional amounts, limited by an annual maximum amount determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company, at its discretion, makes certain matching contributions to these plans based on participating employees’ contributions to the plans and their total compensation. The Company’s contributions were $5,651, $6,524 and $2,667 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company maintains a bonus plan which provides cash awards to key employees, at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors, based upon operating results and employee performance. In addition, the Company’s foreign locations also have various bonus plans based upon local operating results and employee performance. The total bonus expense was $46,783, $28,097 and $14,599 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company provides supplemental retirement benefits for one of its current executive officers and a number of former retired executives. The total cost of these benefits was $3,478, $1,805 and $1,704 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation was $15,929 and $12,450 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which was included in other long-term liabilities.
The Company also has a deferred compensation plan for certain Light & Motion segment executives.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
As a result of the Newport Merger, the Company assumed all assets and liabilities of Newport’s defined benefit pension plans, which cover substantially all of its full-time employees in France, Germany, Israel and Japan. In addition, there are certain pension assets and liabilities relating to former employees in the United Kingdom. The German plan is unfunded, as permitted under the plan and applicable laws.
For financial reporting purposes, the calculation of net periodic pension costs was based upon a number of actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan obligations, an assumed rate of return on pension plan assets and an assumed rate of compensation increase for employees covered by the plan. All of these assumptions were based upon management’s judgment, considering all known trends and uncertainties. Actual results that differ from these assumptions would impact future expense recognition and the cash funding requirements of the Company’s pension plans.
The net periodic benefit costs for the plans included the following components:
The changes in projected benefit obligations and plan assets, as well as the ending balance sheet amounts for the Company’s defined benefit plans, were as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) The beginning of the year balances for the year ended December 31, 2016, relate to plans held in Taiwan and Germany in the Vacuum & Analysis segment. These were not disclosed in prior years as the net liability was not material.
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) included the following components:
The Company’s Israeli plans account for the deferred vested benefits using the shut-down method of accounting, which resulted in assets of $15,048 and vested benefit obligations of $17,932, as of December 31, 2017 and assets of $13,910 and vested benefit obligations of $16,224, as of December 31, 2016. Under the shut-down method, the liability is calculated as if it were payable as of the balance sheet date, on an undiscounted basis.
As of December 31, 2017, the estimated benefit payments for the next 10 years were as follows:
The Company expects to contribute $1,974 to the plans during 2018.
The weighted-average rates used to determine the net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of total plan assets and individual asset classes, and economic and other indicators of future performance.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Plan assets were held in the following categories as a percentage of total plan assets:
In general, the Company’s asset management objectives include maintaining an adequate level of diversification to reduce interest rate and market risk while providing adequate liquidity to meet immediate and future benefit payment requirements. In Japan, assets are primarily invested in pooled funds of insurance companies. The expected long-term rate of return on these assets is approximately 1.5%, which is based on the general yield environment for high quality instruments in Japan. The United Kingdom pension plan invests in a combination of equity and bond funds. The allocation mix is designed to minimize risk while providing a rate of return that will provide asset growth which will be sufficient to cover expected liabilities. The expected long-term rate of return on these assets is approximately 2.6%, which is a combination of long dated government and corporate bond yields for the bond funds, and long dated government and corporate bond yields with an allowance for out-performance for equity funds. In France, assets are invested in group insurance contracts and the expected long-term rate of return on these assets is approximately 1.6%, which is based on the expected return on the underlying assets.
Other Pension-Related Assets
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had assets with an aggregate market value of $6,255 and $5,558, respectively, which it has set aside in connection with its German pension plans. These assets are invested in group insurance contracts through the insurance companies administering these plans, in accordance with applicable pension laws. The Germany contracts have a guaranteed minimum rate of return ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%, depending on the contract. Because the assets were not separate legal assets of the pension plan, they were not included in the Company’s plan assets shown above. However, the Company has designated such assets to pay pension benefits. Such assets are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
18) Net Income Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted net income per share:
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding (using the treasury stock method) if securities containing potentially dilutive common shares (RSUs and SARs) had been converted to such common shares, and if such assumed conversion is dilutive.
In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the potential dilutive effect of 404, 508 and 0 weighted average shares, respectively, of RSUs, were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, as the shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect on EPS, and would thus need to be excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares.
19) Business Segment, Geographic Area, Product and Significant Customer Information
The Company is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. The Company’s products are derived from its core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics. The Company also provides services related to the maintenance and repair of its products, installation services and training.
The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) utilizes financial information to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company, which is used in the decision making process to assess performance. Based upon the information provided to the CODM, the Company has determined it has two reportable segments.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Effective April 29, 2016, in conjunction with the Newport Merger, the Company changed its reportable segments based upon the organizational structure of the Company and how the CODM utilizes information provided to allocate resources and make decisions. The Company’s two reportable segments are: Vacuum & Analysis and Light & Motion. The Vacuum & Analysis segment represents the legacy MKS business and the Light & Motion segment represents the legacy Newport business.
The Vacuum & Analysis segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from the Company’s core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation and vacuum technology.
The Light & Motion segment provides a broad range of instruments, components and subsystems which are derived from the Company’s core competencies in lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration control, and optics.
The Company derives its segment results directly from the manner in which results are reported in its management reporting system. The accounting policies that the Company uses to derive reportable segment results are substantially the same as those used for external reporting purposes. The Company does not disclose external or intersegment revenues separately by reportable segment as this information is not presented to the CODM for decision making purposes.
The following is net revenues by reportable segment:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The following is a reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated net income:
The following is capital expenditures by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The following is depreciation and amortization of intangible assets by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
Total income tax expense is not presented by reportable segment because the necessary information is not available or used by the CODM.
The following is segment assets by reportable segment:
A reconciliation of segment assets to consolidated total assets is as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Information about the Company’s operations in different geographic regions is presented in the tables below. Net revenues to unaffiliated customers are based on the location in which the sale originated. Transfers between geographic areas are at negotiated transfer prices and have been eliminated from consolidated net revenues.
(1) Long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment, net and certain other assets, and exclude goodwill and intangibles and long-term tax-related accounts.
Goodwill associated with each of our reportable segments is as follows:
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Worldwide Product Information
Because the reportable segment information above does not reflect worldwide sales of the Company’s products, the Company groups its products into six groups of similar products based upon the similarity of product function. Worldwide net revenue for each group of products is as follows:
Sales of Analytical and Control Solutions Products; Power, Plasma and Reactive Gas Solutions Products; and Vacuum Solutions Products are included in the Company’s Vacuum & Analysis segment. Sales of Laser Products; Optics Products; and Photonics Products are included in the Light & Motion segment.
Major Customers
The Company had two customers with net revenues greater than 10% of total net revenues in the periods shown as follows:
Net revenues for each of our reportable segments include revenues from each of the two customers, which represent net revenues greater than 10% of total net revenues.
20) Restructurings
During 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3,920. The restructuring charges were primarily severance and facility costs related to the consolidation of two manufacturing plants, a restructuring of one of our international facilities and the consolidation of sales offices.
During 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $642. The restructuring charges were primarily severance costs related to the consolidation of one of our international facilities.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The activity related to the Company’s restructuring accrual is shown below:
21) Commitments and Contingencies
On March 9, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit captioned Dixon Chung v. Newport Corp., et al., Case No. A-16-733154-C, was filed in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada on behalf of a putative class of stockholders of Newport for claims related to the Merger Agreement between the Company, Newport, and Merger Sub. On March 25, 2016, a second putative class action complaint captioned Hubert C. Pincon v. Newport Corp., et al., Case No. A-16-734039-B, was filed in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada, on behalf of a putative class of Newport’s stockholders for claims related to the Merger Agreement. The lawsuits named as defendants the Company, Newport, Merger Sub, and certain then current and former members of Newport’s board of directors. Both complaints alleged that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, by agreeing to unfair deal protection devices, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The complaints also alleged that the Company, Newport, and Merger Sub aided and abetted the directors’ alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties. The complaints sought injunctive relief, including to enjoin or rescind the Merger Agreement, and an award of attorneys’ and other fees and costs, among other relief. On April 14, 2016, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion to consolidate the Pincon and Chung actions.
On October 19, 2016, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint captioned In re Newport Corporation Shareholder Litigation, Case No. A-16-733154-B, in the District Court, Clark County, Nevada, on behalf of a putative class of Newport’s stockholders for claims related to the Merger Agreement. The complaint named as defendants the Company, Newport, and the then-current members of Newport’s former board of directors. It alleged that the named directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, by agreeing to unfair deal protection devices, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The complaint also alleged that the Company and Newport aided and abetted the named directors’ alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties. The complaint sought monetary damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest. On December 9, 2016, defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint, which plaintiffs opposed. On June 22, 2017, the Court dismissed the amended complaint against all defendants but granted plaintiffs leave to amend.
On July 27, 2017, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which names as defendants certain former directors of Newport. On August 8, 2017, the Court dismissed the Company and Newport from the action pursuant to stipulations among the parties. The second amended complaint alleges that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Newport’s stockholders by agreeing to sell Newport through an inadequate and unfair process, which led to inadequate and unfair consideration, and by omitting material information from the proxy statement. The second amended complaint seeks monetary damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest. On September 1, 2017 the Newport directors filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint, which
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
plaintiffs opposed. The Court held a hearing on the motion to dismiss on December 7, 2017. On January 5, 2018, the Court entered an order denying the motion to dismiss. The Newport directors answered the second amended complaint, denying the material allegations of the complaint and asserting defenses, on February 20, 2018.
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims, which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The Company leases certain of its facilities and machinery and equipment under operating leases expiring in various years through 2026. Generally, the facility leases require the Company to pay maintenance, insurance and real estate taxes. Rental expense under operating leases totaled $19,693, $16,253 and $7,845 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has entered into purchase commitments for certain inventory components and other equipment and services used in its normal operations. The majority of these purchase commitments covered by these arrangements are for periods of less than one year and aggregate to approximately $278,797.
To the extent permitted by Massachusetts law, the Company’s Restated Articles of Organization, as amended, require the Company to indemnify any of its current or former officers or directors or any person who has served or is serving in any capacity with respect to any of the Company’s employee benefit plans. The Company believes that the estimated exposure for these indemnification obligations is currently not material. Accordingly, the Company has no material liabilities recorded for these requirements as of December 31, 2017.
The Company also enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business which include indemnification provisions. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company indemnifies, holds harmless and agrees to reimburse the indemnified party, generally its customers, for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with certain patent or other intellectual property infringement claims, and, in some instances, other claims, by any third party with respect to the Company’s products. The term of these indemnification obligations is generally perpetual after execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is, in some instances, not contractually limited. The Company has never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification obligations. As a result, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these obligations is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these obligations as of December 31, 2017.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
As part of past acquisitions and divestitures of businesses or assets, the Company has provided a variety of indemnifications to the sellers and purchasers for certain events or occurrences that took place prior to the date of the acquisition or divestiture. Typically, certain of the indemnifications expire after a defined period of time following the transaction, but certain indemnifications may survive indefinitely. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make for such obligations is undeterminable at this time. Other than obligations recorded as liabilities at the time of the acquisitions, historically the Company has not made significant payments for these indemnifications. Accordingly, no material liabilities have been recorded for these obligations.
In conjunction with certain asset sales, the Company may provide routine indemnifications whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Where appropriate, an obligation for such indemnification is recorded as a liability. Because the amounts of liability under these types of indemnifications are not explicitly stated, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. Other than obligations recorded as liabilities at the time of the asset sale, historically the Company has not made significant payments for these indemnifications.
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Supplemental Financial Data
(1) The increase in net revenues in the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2016, related to the Newport Merger which closed on April 29, 2016.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or persons performing similar functions and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
•
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
•
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and directors of the Company; and
•
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item will be set forth under the captions “Proposal One - Election of Directors,” “Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance - Code of Ethics” and “Corporate Governance - Board of Directors Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors - Audit Committee” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
We are also required under Item 405 of Regulation S-K to provide information concerning delinquent filers of reports under Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This information will be set forth under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be set forth under the captions “Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Corporate Governance - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Director Compensation” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K will be set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K will be set forth under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance - Board Independence” and “Corporate Governance - Transactions with Related Persons” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be set forth under the caption “Audit and Financial Accounting Oversight - Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in our definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:
1. Financial Statements. The following Consolidated Financial Statements are included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. Financial Statement Schedules. The following consolidated financial statement schedule is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted since they are either not required or information is otherwise included.
3. Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
+ Previously filed
* Management contract or compensatory plan arrangement
The following materials from MKS Instrument, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, are formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2016.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-49738) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2000.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2014.
(6) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 1999.
(7) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.
(8) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2016.
(9) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2016.
(10) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
(11) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
(12) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2015.
(13) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2005.
(14) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2013.
(15) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2016.
(16) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
(17) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.
(b) Exhibits
MKS hereby files as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K those exhibits listed in Item 15(a) above.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form10-K Summary
Not applicable.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 28th day of February 2018.
MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
By:
/s/ Gerald G. Colella
Gerald G. Colella
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.