HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORP
10-Q, 1998-11-06
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
                           ---------------------------

              [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                    For the Quarter Ended September 25, 1998.

                                       OR

              [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                For the transition period from_______ to _______

                          Commission File Number 0-6866

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                    Delaware                           04-2423640        
           (State of incorporation)          (IRS Employer Identification No.)

           Mansfield Corporate Center
              Nine Hampshire Street
        Mansfield, Massachusetts                       02048-9171
  (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (508) 337-5111

                         -------------------------------

Indicate by checkmark  whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past ninety days.

                                   Yes [X]   No [ ]

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $1 par value,
as of September 25, 1998 was 22,285,131.



<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                    Form 10-Q

                                      INDEX



                                                                           Page

Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

           Item 1.       Financial Statements..............................3-10

           Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                         Financial Condition and Results of Operations....11-14


Part II.   OTHER INFORMATION

           Item 6 (a).   Exhibits............................................15

           Item 6 (b).   Reports on Form 8-K.................................15


Signature....................................................................16


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                   (unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
 (in thousands)                                          Sept. 25, 1998   Dec. 31, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current:
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>     
Cash and cash equivalents                                   $  8,351       $ 34,717
Short-term investments (Note 2)                               20,967          3,675
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              29,318         38,392

Receivables - net of allowances                               10,875         18,185
Inventories  (Note 3)                                         15,314         15,371
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)                                 4,241          4,234
Other current assets                                           1,644          1,119
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets                                          61,392         77,301
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment at cost                         35,492         34,252
    Less:  accumulated depreciation                          (24,947)       (22,109)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment                             10,545         12,143
Other assets                                                   6,657          6,775
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                $ 78,594       $ 96,219
============================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current:
Accounts payable                                            $  3,922       $  5,036
Payroll and compensation                                       2,065          4,298
Retirement costs                                               4,176          3,501
Income taxes (Note 4)                                              -          3,022
Other accrued liabilities (Note 8)                             2,462            667
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities                                     12,625         16,524
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments                                                        -              -
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; authorized
  2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: none
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000
  shares; issued and outstanding:  22,319,131 in
  1998 and 22,213,131 in 1997                                 22,319         22,213
Capital in excess of par value                                 8,160          2,731
Treasury stock (34,000 shares)                                  (438)             -
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 6)          (577)            71
Retained earnings                                             36,505         54,680
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                    65,969         79,695
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                  $ 78,594       $ 96,219
============================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>



                                     Page 3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                   (unaudited)

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three months ended                 Nine months ended
                                                             Sept. 25,     Sept. 26,           Sept. 25,    Sept. 26,
(in thousands except per share data)                           1998          1997                1998          1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                          <C>           <C>                 <C>          <C>     
Net sales                                                    $18,550       $42,508             $75,750      $116,356
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs and expenses:
   Cost of sales                                              12,602        22,159              45,145        60,957
   Research and development                                    2,112         2,751               8,201         8,212
   Selling, general and administrative                         6,101         8,046              20,175        22,857
   Merger, restructuring and other costs (Notes 7 and 8)       2,500             -               6,046             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              23,315        32,956              79,567        92,026
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)                                       (4,765)        9,552              (3,817)       24,330
Joint venture income                                             233           426                 824         1,341
Interest income                                                  288           432               1,041         1,191
Other                                                            (18)          (12)                (47)          (39)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes                                    (4,262)       10,398              (1,999)       26,823
Income taxes (Note 4)                                            831        (3,055)                  -        (8,318)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                            $(3,431)      $ 7,343             $(1,999)     $ 18,505
========================================================================================================================

Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic (Note 5)                                           $ (0.15)      $  0.33             $ (0.09)     $   0.84
    Diluted (Note 5)                                         $ (0.15)      $  0.33             $ (0.09)     $   0.83
========================================================================================================================

Number of shares used in per share calculations:
    Basic (Note 5)                                            22,250        22,151              22,227        22,139
    Diluted (Note 5)                                          22,250        22,401              22,227        22,344
========================================================================================================================
*Share and per share data reflect a two-for-one  stock split effective  November
1997.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>



                                     Page 4


<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (unaudited)


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)                                                    Sept. 25, 1998    Sept. 26, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>     
     Net income (loss)                                                $ (1,999)      $ 18,505
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
       cash provided (used) by operating activities:
     Amortization of stock incentive plans                                 861            215
     Depreciation                                                        2,933          2,733
     Undistributed earnings of joint venture, other                       (568)        (1,182)
     Net change in operating assets and liabilities (A)                  4,738         (2,413)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                5,965         17,858
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                               (1,335)        (3,665)
     Purchase of investments                                           (46,509)        (3,520)
     Proceeds from sale of investments                                  29,255          2,797
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by investing activities                                  (18,589)        (4,388)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Shares tendered for exercise of stock options                        (438)          (311)
     Net cash provided by employee stock plans                             241            303
     Cash dividends paid                                               (13,545)       (11,526)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities                                  (13,742)       (11,534)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                       (26,366)         1,936
Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of the period               34,717         32,685
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the period                   $  8,351       $ 34,621
======================================================================================================

(A) Change in operating assets and liabilities:
       (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable                     $  7,310       $(10,659)
       (Increase)/decrease in inventories                                   57          1,696
       (Increase)/decrease in other current assets                        (532)           (64)
       Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable                          (1,114)         2,820
       Increase/(decrease) in other accrued expenses                      (983)         3,794
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net change in operating assets and liabilities                 $  4,738       $ (2,413)
======================================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                     Page 5
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation 

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial
statements  for the periods ended  September  25, 1998,  and September 26, 1997,
contain  all  adjustments  (consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 25, 1998, and
December 31, 1997,  and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods
ended  September 25, 1998,  and  September  26, 1997.  In May 1998,  the Company
completed the acquisition of  Granville-Phillips  Company (GPC). The acquisition
was accounted for as a pooling of interests under  Accounting  Principles  Board
Opinion No. 16 (see Note 7). All prior period condensed  consolidated  financial
statements  have been  restated to include the  financial  position,  results of
operations  and cash flows of GPC as though it had been part of the  Company for
all periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made on the condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations between Cost of sales and Selling, general
and administrative  expenses for all periods presented to conform the accounting
policies of GPC to the Company's.

The results of operations  for the nine-month  period ended  September 25, 1998,
are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

The  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  included  herein  have been
prepared by the Company, without audit of the nine-month periods ended September
25, 1998, and September 26, 1997,  pursuant to the rules and  regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in financial  statements prepared in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such
rules and  regulations,  although the Company  believes that the disclosures are
adequate  to present  fairly the  Company's  financial  position  and results of
operations.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the financial  statements and the notes thereto included in the
Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K/A.


Note 2 - Short-Term Investments

At September 25, 1998 the Company had  $20,692,000 of investments  classified as
"available-for-sale"    and    $275,000    of    investments    classified    as
"held-to-maturity"  as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.
115.

Note 3 - Inventories

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                      Sept. 25, 1998     Dec. 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods                        $ 3,392           $ 4,355
Work in process                         7,821             7,367
Materials and parts                     4,101             3,649
                                      ---------------------------------
Inventories                           $15,314           $15,371
                                      =================================

Inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in,  first-out
basis.

                                     Page 6

<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 - Income Taxes

The  net  federal,  state  and  foreign  income  tax  provisions  was $0 for the
nine-month  period ended  September 25, 1998 and  $8,318,000  for the nine-month
period ended September 26, 1997. Tax credits are treated as reductions of income
tax  provisions in the year in which the credits are realized.  The Company does
not provide for United States taxes on the undistributed  earnings of its wholly
owned foreign  subsidiaries,  since these earnings are indefinitely  reinvested.
The effective  income tax rate for the  nine-month  periods ended  September 25,
1998,  and September 26, 1997, was 0% and 31%,  respectively.  The effective tax
benefit for the nine-month  period was  unfavorably  impacted by the charges for
merger and other costs which are not fully deductible for tax purposes.  The tax
rate in 1997 was less than the  statutory  rate  because GPC was a  Subchapter S
Corporation for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the income tax related
to GPC income was the responsibility of the individual shareholders of GPC.

The major  components of deferred tax assets are compensation and benefit plans,
inventory valuation,  and leases,  respectively.  Based on past experience,  the
Company  expects  that the future  taxable  income  will be  sufficient  for the
realization  of the deferred tax assets.  The Company  believes that a valuation
allowance is not required.


Note 5 - Net Income Per Share

The Company has adopted Financial  Accounting  Standard No. 128, which specifies
the computation,  presentation and disclosure of net income per share. Basic net
income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period.  Diluted net income per common share reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised.
All prior period net income per share figures have been restated.





                                     Page 7


<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 5 (Cont'd.)

The following  table sets forth the  computation of basic and diluted net income
per common share:
<TABLE>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Nine Months Ended
(in thousands except per share data)                                              Sept. 25, 1998   Sept. 26, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                 <C>               <C>     
Net income (loss)                                                                   $(1,999)          $ 18,505
                                                                                    ==========================

Basic shares                                                                         22,227             22,139
Add: Common  equivalent shares  representing  shares issuable upon conversion of
     stock options (using the treasury stock method).  Options  outstanding  not
     included in the computation of diluted shares were 421 for 1998 because the
     Company was in a net  operating  loss  position,  and the inclusion of such
     shares  would be  anti-dilutive.  No  options  were  excluded  for the 1997
     computation.                                                                         -                205
                                                                                    --------------------------
Diluted shares                                                                       22,227             22,344
                                                                                    ==========================

Basic net income (loss) per share                                                   $ (0.09)          $   0.84
                                                                                    ==========================

Diluted net income (loss) per share                                                 $ (0.09)          $   0.83
                                                                                    ==========================
</TABLE>


Note 6 - Comprehensive Income

The  Company  has  adopted  Financial  Accounting  Standard  No. 130  "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income",  which  requires  unrealized  gains  or  losses  on  the
Company's investments and foreign currency translation adjustments,  which prior
to adoption of the standard were reported separately in stockholders' equity, to
be included in other comprehensive income.

<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)                                                                    Sept. 25, 1998   Sept. 26, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C>     
Net income (loss)                                                                   $(1,999)           $18,505 
                                                                                    ---------------------------

Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax
     Foreign currency translation adjustment                                           (954)              (439)
     Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment                                    38                  -
                                                                                    --------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax                                          (916)              (439)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income                               268                 51 
                                                                                    ---------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                                          (648)              (388)  
                                                                                    ---------------------------
Comprehensive income (loss)                                                         $(2,647)           $18,117
                                                                                    ===========================

</TABLE>

                                     Page 8


<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 7 - Business Combination

On May 7, 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips Company (GPC). GPC is a
Boulder, Colorado based company, which develops and manufactures instrumentation
for vacuum  measurement  and control.  GPC's  products are used  principally  in
semiconductor,  flat panel display, and disk drive manufacturing  processes. The
Company issued  2,382,925  shares of common stock for all of the common stock of
GPC. The  business  combination  was  accounted  for as a pooling of  interests.
Accordingly,  all  prior  period  consolidated  financial  statements  have been
restated to include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows
of GPC as though it had been part of the Company for all periods presented.

The following  information  presents certain statement of operations data of the
Company and GPC for the periods prior to the acquisition:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Three months ended
(in thousands)                                                March 27, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales for:
   Helix Technology Corporation                                 $25,872
   Granville-Phillips Company                                     5,621
                                                                -------
   Combined                                                     $31,493
                                                                =======

Net income (loss) for:
   Helix Technology Corporation                                 $ 2,941
   Granville-Phillips Company                                    (1,076)
                                                                -------
   Combined                                                     $ 1,865
                                                                =======

GPC  was  an S  Corporation  for  tax  purposes  prior  to the  acquisition.  In
accordance  with SAB topic 4B,  the  amount of  undistributed  earnings  of $2.8
million  generated during the periods that GPC was taxed as an S Corporation was
transferred from retained earnings to capital in excess of par value at the time
of the merger.  The following pro forma  information gives effect to adjustments
that provide for income taxes as if GPC was treated as a C  Corporation  for the
periods presented.  The pro forma information is shown for comparative  purposes
only.

                      PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Three months ended
(in thousands except per share data)                        March 27, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Historical net income                                           $1,865
   Adjustment to income tax expense to
   convert from S Corporation to
   C Corporation status                                            296
                                                                ------
Unaudited pro forma net income                                  $2,161
                                                                ======

Unaudited pro forma net income per common share:
   Basic                                                        $ 0.10
   Diluted                                                      $ 0.10

                                     Page 9
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 8 - Merger, Restructuring and Other Costs

In the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded a pre-tax nonrecurring charge
of $2.5 million against results of operations  associated with the restructuring
plan  announced  by the  Company  on  September  2, 1998.  The  charge  included
provisions for severance and benefits of $1.3 million  resulting from reductions
of approximately 15% of the Company's  workforce,  costs of $1.0 million related
to closing a leased satellite facility and $.2 million for impairment of certain
assets.  As of  September  25,  1998,  $.3 million was charged  against  accrued
restructuring costs for severance and benefit payments to former employees,  and
the Company expects the balance to be paid by May 1999. Also, facilities expense
charged against  accrued  restructuring  costs amounted to $.1 million,  and the
Company expects to pay the balance through  September 1999. The Company incurred
costs of $3.5 million during the first six months of 1998 in connection with the
acquisition of GPC. These costs consisted primarily of compensation  expense for
stock incentive plans for certain GPC employees  (which plans were  discontinued
at the time of the merger) and fees for professional services.

Note 9 - New Accounting Pronouncements

In  June  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 131,  "Disclosure  about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related  Information"  (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 requires public  companies to report
segment  information on the basis used internally to measure segment performance
in complete financial  statements and in condensed interim financial  statements
issued to  stockholders.  This segment  information  includes their products and
services,  the geographic areas in which they operate and their major customers.
In February  1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 132 (SFAS 132),  "Employers'  Disclosures about Pensions
and Other Post Retirement Benefits". The Company will comply with the disclosure
requirements of these statements in its 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders.

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133 (SFAS 133),  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging Activities". The impact of adopting SFAS 133, which is effective for
the Company in 1999, has not been determined.










                                     Page 10


<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


On May 7, 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips Company (GPC). GPC is a
world leader in the development and  manufacture of  instrumentation  for vacuum
measurement  and  control  used  principally  in the  semiconductor,  flat panel
display and disk drive  manufacturing  processes.  The transaction was accounted
for as a pooling of interests;  and  accordingly,  the financial  results of the
Company for all periods  presented  include the financial  position,  results of
operations and cash flows of GPC.


Results of Operations

Net sales for the quarter were $18.6 million  compared with $42.5 million a year
ago, a decrease of 56%. Net sales for the  nine-month  period were $75.8 million
compared with $116.4  million for the  nine-month  period of 1997, a decrease of
35%.  This decline in sales is a result of the slowdown in the global market for
semiconductor capital equipment primarily due to the current economic conditions
in the Pacific Rim and over capacity in the memory chip market.

Gross profit  percentage  for the quarter was 32.1%  compared with 47.9% for the
third quarter of 1997. Gross profit percentage for the first nine months of 1998
was 40.4%  versus  47.6% for the first nine months of 1997.  The  decreases  are
primarily due to the lower sales volume.

Research and  development  expenditures of $2.1 million for the quarter were $.6
million lower than the same period last year,  while  year-to-date  spending was
$8.2 million,  which was  essentially the same as the same period last year. The
Company  continues  to develop new  products to meet the vacuum  system needs of
companies in the  semiconductor,  disk drive and flat panel display  industries.
Total Selling,  general and administrative  expense decreased by $1.9 million in
the third  quarter and $2.7  million  for the first nine months  compared to the
same periods in 1997,  primarily due to the lower variable  compensation expense
and selling costs.

On September 2, 1998, the Company  announced a  restructuring  plan to align its
human and capital resources with the Company's  strategy of expanding its global
support services business. The Company recorded a pre-tax nonrecurring charge of
$2.5  million  against  results  of  operations  in the  third  quarter  of 1998
associated  with the plan.  The charge  included  provisions  for  severance and
benefits of $1.3 million  resulting from reductions of approximately  15% of the
Company's workforce, costs of $1.0 million related to closing a leased satellite
facility and $.2 million for impairment of certain  assets.  As of September 25,
1998, $.3 million was charged against accrued  restructuring costs for severance
and benefit payments to former employees, and the Company expects the balance to
be  paid  by  May  1999.  Also,   facilities  expense  charged  against  accrued
restructuring costs amounted to $.1 million,  and the Company expects to pay the
balance  through  September  1999.  The Company  incurred  costs of $3.5 million
during the first six months of 1998 in connection  with the  acquisition of GPC.
These costs  consisted  primarily of  compensation  expense for stock  incentive
plans for certain GPC employees  (which plans were  discontinued  at the time of
the merger) and fees for professional services.

Operating  income in the third quarter of 1998 decreased $14.3 million  compared
with the third  quarter of 1997.  Operating  income for the first nine months of
1998  decreased by $28.1  million  compared with the same period a year ago. The
decrease  in  operating  income  was due to lower  revenue  levels  and  merger,
restructuring and other costs.





                                     Page 11


<PAGE>




                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Continued)


Results of Operations (Continued)

Income from the Company's  joint  venture in Japan  declined $.2 million for the
third quarter of 1998  compared  with the third  quarter of 1997.  Joint venture
income  declined $.5 million for the first nine months of 1998 compared with the
same period last year.

For the third  quarter of 1998,  the Company  had a pretax loss of $4.3  million
resulting  in a tax  benefit of $.8 million  compared to pretax  income of $10.4
million and a  provision  of $3.1  million  for the same period a year ago.  The
Company's  provision for income taxes was $0 and $8.3 million for the first nine
months of 1998 and 1997, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine-month
periods  ended  September 25, 1998,  and  September 26, 1997,  was 0% and 31.0%,
respectively.   The  effective  tax  benefit  for  the  nine-month   period  was
unfavorably  impacted  by the  charges  for merger and other costs which are not
fully  deductible  for tax  purposes.  The tax rate in 1997  was  less  than the
statutory rate because GPC was a Subchapter S Corporation for federal income tax
purposes.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 1998 was $6.0
million  compared with $17.9 million for the comparable  period last year due to
lower sales volume.

Cash used by investing  activities  increased by $14.2 million  during the first
nine months of 1998  compared  with the same period last year.  The increase was
primarily  due to  the  purchase  of  available-for-sale  investments  comprised
primarily of short-term tax exempt securities.

The  Company's  informal  bank  money  market  lines of  credit  amount to $12.0
million. There were no borrowings under these agreements during 1998 or 1997.

Cash  dividends paid to  stockholders  during the first nine months of 1998 were
$13.5 million  compared with $11.5 million during the first nine months of 1997.
On October 22, 1998,  the Board of Directors  voted to reduce the quarterly cash
dividend from $.21 per share to $.12 per share.

The Company  manages its foreign  exchange  rate risk arising from  intercompany
foreign currency  denominated  transactions  through the use of foreign currency
forward contracts. The gains and losses on these transactions are not material.

The Company  believes  that  existing  cash and  investment  balances  and funds
available  under  existing  credit  lines will be  adequate  to fund  operations
through 1998 and that it has opportunities to consider further financing options
should additional funds be required.



                                     Page 12


<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Continued)


Year 2000

The Company has  established a project team to work with our major customers and
suppliers  regarding  their  abilities  to  meet  the  Year  2000  requirements.
Specifically,  we have sent questionnaires to our suppliers regarding their Year
2000 programs,  and we have received similar  correspondence from our customers.
These  programs  are in  process,  and to date the  Company  is  unaware  of any
possible negative impact from these third parties  concerning their abilities to
be ready for the Year 2000.

Certain  of the  Company's  internal  computer  systems  are not Year 2000 ready
(i.e.,  such  systems  use only two  digits to  represent  the year in date data
fields and,  consequently,  may not accurately  distinguish between the 20th and
21st  centuries or may not function  properly at the turn of the  century).  The
Company  has been taking  actions  intended to either  correct  such  systems or
replace  them with Year 2000 ready  systems.  The Company  expects to  implement
successfully the systems and programming  changes necessary to address Year 2000
issues and does not believe  that the cost of such  actions will have a material
effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.


New Accounting Pronouncements

In  June  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 131,  "Disclosure  about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related  Information"  (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 requires public  companies to report
segment  information on the basis used internally to measure segment performance
in complete  financial  statements and in condensed interim financials issued to
stockholders. This segment information includes their products and services, the
geographic  areas in which they operate and their major  customers.  In February
1998,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued  Financial  Accounting
Standard No. 132 (SFAS 132),  "Employers'  Disclosures  about Pensions and Other
Post  Retirement  Benefits".   The  Company  will  comply  with  the  disclosure
requirements  of  all  of  these   statements  in  the  1998  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders.

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133 (SFAS 133),  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging Activities". The impact of adopting SFAS 133, which is effective for
the Company in 1999, has not been determined.


Business Risks and Uncertainties

The Company  operates  in a changing  and  cyclical  business  environment  that
involves a number of risks, some of which are beyond the Company's control.  The
Company's  results will be impacted  significantly by the cyclical nature of the
semiconductor capital equipment industry, the Company's ability to introduce new
products to meet its customers' demands for higher productivity and reliability,
and the dependence of the Company on key customers and key suppliers.







                                     Page 13


<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Continued)


Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q, other SEC filings,  and  pronouncements  and press releases made
from time to time by the  Company  through its senior  management  may include a
number of forward-looking statements,  including, but not limited to, statements
with respect to the Company's future financial  performance,  operating results,
plans and  objectives.  Such  statements  are made  pursuant  to the Safe Harbor
provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  Actual
results  may  differ  materially  from  those  anticipated  by  such  statements
depending upon a variety of factors, some of which are itemized in the "Business
Risks and Uncertainties" section above. The Company undertakes no responsibility
to update any forward-looking  statements which may be made to reflect events or
circumstances  occurring  after the dates the statements were made or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.

















                                     Page 14


<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6(a).  Exhibits

            4A    Description  of  Common   Stock   (incorporated   herein,   by
                  reference to Exhibit 3 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended
                  September 30, 1988).

            4B    Description  of  Preferred  Stock  (incorporated  herein,   by
                  reference to Exhibit 3 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended
                  September 30, 1988).

            27.1  Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only) 

            27.2  Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)

Item 6(b).  Reports on Form 8-K

            No Form  8-K  was  required  to  be  filed  during the quarter ended
            September 25, 1998.








                                     Page 15
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                                                    (Registrant)





November 6, 1998                          By: /s/Michael El-Hillow
- ---------------------                     ---------------------------------
Date                                      Michael El-Hillow
                                          Senior Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer






                                     Page 16

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-25-1998
<CASH>                                         8,351
<SECURITIES>                                   20,967
<RECEIVABLES>                                  11,100
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<PP&E>                                         35,492
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (24,947)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 78,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          12,625
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       22,319
<OTHER-SE>                                     43,650
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   78,594
<SALES>                                        75,750
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               75,750
<CGS>                                          45,145
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  34,422
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,818)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,999)
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,999)
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<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,999)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.09)
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-26-1997
<CASH>                                         32,172
<SECURITIES>                                   3,423
<RECEIVABLES>                                  24,209
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (196)
<INVENTORY>                                    14,159
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               77,032
<PP&E>                                         32,694
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (21,181)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 96,417
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          18,776
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       22,169
<OTHER-SE>                                     55,472
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   96,417
<SALES>                                        116,356
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,356
<CGS>                                          60,957
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  31,069
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,493)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                26,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                   8,318
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            18,505
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   18,505
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.83
        


</TABLE>


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