Asyst Reports Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2009

Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT), the leader in Agile Automation™, today reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2008. Net loss for the fiscal first quarter according to GAAP was $10.6 million, or $0.21 per share, which compares with $12.9 million, or $0.26 per share, in the prior sequential quarter. Non-GAAP net loss for the fiscal first quarter was $7.2 million, or $0.14 per share, which compares with a net loss of $10.3 million, or $0.21 per share, in the prior sequential quarter. Net sales for the fiscal first quarter were $100.3 million, which compares with $94.3 million in the prior sequential quarter. Net sales related to automated material handling systems (AMHS) were $67.6 million, which compares with $62.0 million in the prior sequential quarter. Net sales related to tool and fab automation solutions were $32.7 million, which compares with $32.3 million in the prior sequential quarter. Steve Schwartz, chair and chief executive officer of Asyst, said, "Results for the quarter were in-line with our expectations and we are pleased with the progress of two of our key initiatives to drive shareholder value – developing and penetrating new products and reducing ongoing SG&A expense. We are on track with our product development programs, with multiple new products, customer evaluations, and design wins announced earlier this month. We believe these new products, combined with our status as a preferred supplier to many of the industry’s strongest customers, solidly positions Asyst for the next upturn in the semiconductor equipment cycle.” Michael A. Sicuro, chief financial officer, said, "Through our previously disclosed cost reduction initiatives, we achieved a $4 million decrease in ongoing selling, general & administrative expense quarter-on-quarter, while maintaining our commitment to new product development. We expect to achieve a further reduction in ongoing SG&A expenses in the September quarter and continue to expect improving operational performance in each quarter of the current fiscal year.” The company provided the following guidance for the fiscal second quarter ending Sept. 30, 2008: Consolidated net sales are expected to be in the range of $90-$95 million. AMHS sales are expected to be in the range of $65-$70 million, and tool and fab automation sales are expected to be approximately $25 million. Net loss in accordance with GAAP is expected to be in the range of $0.20 to $0.25 per share. Non-GAAP net loss is expected to be in the range of $0.12 to $0.17 per share. In calculating non-GAAP net loss per share, the company expects to exclude approximately $4.0 million for intangibles amortization, net of taxes, and fees and expenses related to its proxy contest. Mr. Schwartz concluded, "Based on ongoing discussions with customers, we continue to expect AMHS bookings to be stronger in the September quarter and expect the uplift to continue over the second half of our March 2009 fiscal year. That would support the beginnings of a recovery in our tool and fab automation product sales in the first half of calendar 2009, which is consistent with the general outlook for the broader equipment industry.” About Asyst Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investment in materials during the manufacturing process. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems, and connectivity automation software, Asyst’s modular, interoperable solutions allow chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs. Asyst’s homepage is http://www.asyst.com. Conference Call Details The live conference call discussing these results is available today at 5:00 pm eastern time by dialing 303-262-2006. A live webcast of the conference call is publicly available on Asyst’s website at http://www.asyst.com and accessible by going to the investor relations page and clicking on the "webcast” link. For more information, including this press release, any non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed on the webcast as well as the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the difference between those GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, as well as any other material financial and other statistical information contained in the webcast, please visit Asyst’s website at www.asyst.com. A replay of the Webcast may be accessed via the same procedure. In addition, a standard telephone instant replay of the conference call is available for approximately two weeks by dialing 303-590-3000, followed by the passcode 11117863#. About Our Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP, Asyst also reports adjusted net income and net income per share, referred to respectively as "non-GAAP net income” and "non-GAAP net income per share.” Non-GAAP measures exclude the effect of amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges associated with facility and operating consolidation and severance benefits associated with headcount reductions, stock option investigation expenses, acquisition expenses related to the AMHS segment, write-off of fees from the early extinguishment of debt, write-off of deferred financing costs resulting from amendment to our credit facility, incremental proxy contest costs and related professional fees, fees and expenses related to the early redemption of convertible debentures, non-recurring foreign currency translation gains (losses) from inter-company loans, and the associated income tax effect related to these non-GAAP adjustments. Non-GAAP net income per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income by non-GAAP weighted average shares — diluted. Asyst’s management believes the non-GAAP information is useful because it can enhance the understanding of the company’s ongoing operating performance; Asyst also uses non-GAAP reporting internally to evaluate and manage its operations. Asyst has chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform comparisons of operating results in a manner similar to how Asyst analyzes its operating results internally. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may be used to facilitate comparisons of our results with those of other companies in our industry. The non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of our business as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Asyst’s results as reported under GAAP. Forward-Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this release are forward-looking. The forward-looking statements include statements regarding future financial results; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's Annual Report on Forms 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended March 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties whether the results, including our ability to achieve forecasted revenues, margins and profitability; failure to respond to rapid demand shifts; dependence on a few significant customers; the timing and scope of decisions by customers to transition and expand fabrication facilities and investment in fab automation equipment; ability to maintain or expand market share in our product segments; ability to improve gross margins through product cost reduction, volume increases, and supply chain initiatives; continued risks associated with the acceptance of new products and product capabilities; the volatility of semiconductor industry cycles and the depth and duration of industry downturns; the risk that customers will delay, reduce or cancel planned projects or bookings and thus delay the recognition, amount, or timing of our forecasted revenue or bookings; competition in the semiconductor equipment industry and specifically in AMHS; failure to retain and attract key employees; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's Annual Report on Forms 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended March 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IMPORTANT INFORMATION / SOLICITATION PARTICIPANTS LEGEND Asyst Technologies, Inc. plans to file with the SEC and make available to its shareholders a proxy statement and a white proxy card in connection with its 2008 annual meeting, and advises its shareholders to read the proxy statement relating to the 2008 annual meeting when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other documents (when available) that Asyst files with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement and these other documents may also be obtained for free from Asyst by directing a request to Asyst Technologies, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, John Swenson, 46897 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, California 94538, or from Asyst at www.asyst.com. Asyst, its directors and named executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of Asyst’s shareholders in connection with its 2008 annual meeting. Shareholders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of such individuals in Asyst’s preliminary proxy statement filed with the SEC on July 29, 2008. "Asyst” is a registered trademark, and "Agile Automation” is a trademark, of Asyst Technologies, Inc. Copyright 1993-2008, Asyst Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited; in thousands)     June 30, March 31, 2008 2008 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,210 $ 95,669 Accounts receivable, net 130,037 119,717 Inventories 29,825 39,407 Prepaid expenses and other   20,391   18,983   Total current assets   247,463   273,776   Long-term Assets: Property and equipment, net 28,225 29,452 Goodwill 92,605 98,777 Intangible assets, net 24,220 29,271 Other assets   16,237   14,377   Total long-term assets   161,287   171,877   Total assets $ 408,750 $ 445,653   Liabilities, minority interest & shareholders' equity Current liabilities: Short-term loans and notes payable $ 76,340 $ 36,167 Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 8,293 7,011 Accounts payable 83,195 94,666 Accrued and other liabilities 69,120 77,303 Deferred margin   4,592   5,844   Total current liabilities   241,540   220,991   Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portion 70,163 112,667 Deferred tax and other long-term liabilities   19,634   24,261   Total long-term liabilities   89,797   136,928   Minority interest   156   134   Shareholders' equity   77,257   87,600   Total liabilities, minority interest and shareholders' equity $ 408,750 $ 445,653   ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)       Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 March 31, 2008 June 30, 2007   Net sales $ 100,344 $ 94,296 $ 121,620 Cost of sales   74,411     66,943     81,457   Gross profit   25,933     27,353     40,163   Operating expenses Research and development 10,893 11,923 8,299 Selling, general and administrative 20,208 27,500 21,668 Amortization of acquired intangible assets 3,257 3,095 5,807 Restructuring and other charges   476     954     545   Total operating expenses   34,834     43,472     36,319     (Loss) income from operations (8,901 ) (16,119 ) 3,844   Other income (expense), net   (6,663 )   2,744     (3,751 ) (Loss) income before income taxes and minority interest (15,564 ) (13,375 ) 93 Benefit from (provision for) income taxes 5,009 459 (474 ) Minority interest   (2 )   (33 )   (5 )   Net loss $ (10,557 ) $ (12,949 ) $ (386 )   Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.21 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (0.01 ) Shares used in computing basic net loss per share   50,230     49,912     49,457   Shares used in computing diluted net loss per share   50,230     49,912     49,457       ASYST TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)       Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 March 31, 2008 June 30, 2007   GAAP net loss $ (10,557 ) $ (12,949 ) $ (386 )   Non-GAAP adjustments: Amortization of acquired intangible assets 3,257 3,095 5,807 Restructuring and severance charges 476 954 545 Foreign currency translation - - 2,568 Write-off of previously deferred financing costs as a result of an amendment to our credit facility 906 - - Incremental proxy contest costs and related professional fees incurred 419 - - Income tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments (1,746 ) (1,371 ) (3,216 )       Non-GAAP net (loss) income $ (7,245 ) $ (10,271 ) $ 5,318       Diluted net (loss) income per share GAAP $ (0.21 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (0.01 ) Non-GAAP $ (0.14 ) $ (0.21 ) $ 0.11   Weighted shares used in the per share calculation - diluted (GAAP) 50,230 49,912 49,457 Non-GAAP adjustment   -     -     761   Weighted shares used in the per share calculation - diluted (Non-GAAP)   50,230     49,912     50,218