HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORP
10-Q, 1999-10-26
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 October 1, 1999.

                                       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 October 1, 1999 was 22,341,631.






<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                    Form 10-Q

                                      INDEX




                                                                            Page

Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   Item 1.         Consolidated Financial Statements

   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 1, 1999 and
          December 31, 1998...................................................3

   Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months
          Ended October 1, 1999 and September 25, 1998........................4

   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months
          Ended October 1, 1999 and September 25, 1998........................5

   Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Nine Months
          Ended October 1, 1999 and September 25, 1998........................6

   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................7-9


   Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of Operations.............10-14

   Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
                Risk ........................................................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

<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Oct. 1, 1999   Dec. 31, 1998
(in thousands except per share data)                         (unaudited)    (audited)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current:
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                                    $  5,932       $  8,843
Investments (Note 2)                                           15,771         18,152
Receivables - net of allowances                                20,046          9,783
Inventories  (Note 3)                                          16,846         14,811
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)                                  5,157          5,157
Other current assets                                            1,833          1,106
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets                                           65,585         57,852
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment at cost                          39,092         36,691
    Less:  accumulated depreciation                           (28,466)       (25,990)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment                              10,626         10,701
Other assets                                                    7,992          7,099
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                 $ 84,203       $ 75,652
========================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current:
Accounts payable                                             $  7,080       $  3,752
Payroll and compensation                                        4,687          2,884
Retirement costs                                                4,298          3,588
Income taxes (Note 4)                                           1,403            507
Other accrued liabilities (Note 6)                                874          1,553
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities                                      18,342         12,284
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:  22,341,631 in 1999
  and 22,319,131 in 1998                                       22,342         22,319
Capital in excess of par value                                  8,424          7,936
Treasury stock, $1 par value (14,444 shares in 1999 and
 34,000 shares in 1998)                                          (198)          (438)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                     373           (359)
Retained earnings                                              34,920         33,910
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                     65,861         63,368
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                   $ 84,203       $ 75,652
========================================================================================

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
                                                            Oct. 1,       Sept. 25,          Oct. 1,      Sept. 25,
(in thousands except per share data)                         1999           1998              1999          1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                          <C>            <C>                <C>             <C>
Net sales                                                    $39,036       $18,550           $97,469       $75,750

Costs and expenses:
   Cost of sales                                              21,431        12,602            54,921        45,145
   Research and development                                    2,481         2,112             7,100         8,201
   Selling, general and administrative                         8,614         6,101            23,368        20,175
   Merger, restructuring and special charges (Note 6)              -         2,500                 -         6,046
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              32,526        23,315            85,389        79,567
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)                                        6,510        (4,765)           12,080        (3,817)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joint venture income                                             440           233               788           824
Interest and other income                                        192           270               620           994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes                                     7,142        (4,262)           13,488        (1,999)
Income taxes (benefit) (Note 4)                                2,357          (831)            4,451             -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                            $ 4,785       $(3,431)          $ 9,037       $(1,999)
===================================================================================================================

Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic (Note 5)                                           $  0.21       $ (0.15)          $  0.40       $ (0.09)
    Diluted (Note 5)                                         $  0.21       $ (0.15)          $  0.40       $ (0.09)
===================================================================================================================

Number of shares used in per share calculations:
    Basic (Note 5)                                            22,344        22,250            22,323        22,227
    Diluted (Note 5)                                          22,673        22,250            22,553        22,227
===================================================================================================================

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)                                                       Oct. 1, 1999  Sept. 25, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>
     Net income (loss)                                                $  9,037       $ (1,999)
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
       cash provided (used) by operating activities:
     Amortization of deferred compensation (Note 6)                          -            861
     Depreciation                                                        3,082          2,933
     Other                                                                 306           (568)
     Net change in operating assets and liabilities (A)                 (6,967)         4,738
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                5,458          5,965
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                               (3,007)        (1,335)
     Purchase of investments                                           (18,237)       (46,509)
     Sale of investments                                                20,565         29,255
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used) by investing activities                                   (679)       (18,589)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Shares tendered for exercise of stock options                           -           (438)
     Net cash provided by employee stock plans                             337            241
     Cash dividends paid                                                (8,027)       (13,545)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used) by financing activities                                 (7,690)       (13,742)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                   (2,911)       (26,366)
Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of the period                8,843         34,717
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the period                   $  5,932       $  8,351
=================================================================================================

(A) Change in operating assets and liabilities:
       (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable                     $(10,263)      $  7,310
       (Increase)/decrease in inventories                               (2,035)            57
       (Increase)/decrease in other current assets                        (727)          (532)
       Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable                           3,328         (1,114)
       Increase/(decrease) in other accrued expenses                     2,730           (983)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net change in operating assets and liabilities                 $ (6,967)      $  4,738
=================================================================================================

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


                                     Page 5


<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                                   (unaudited)

<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)                                                                         Oct. 1, 1999      Sept. 25, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                       <C>              <C>
Net income (loss)                                                                         $9,037          $(1,999)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
   Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                 1,094             (954)
   Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale investments                                  (53)              38
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax                                              1,041             (916)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)                            (309)             268
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                                                732             (648)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income (loss)                                                               $9,769          $(2,647)
=======================================================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

</TABLE>









                                     Page 6


<PAGE>




                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
- ------------------------------

In  the  opinion  of  the  Company,  the  accompanying   consolidated  financial
statements  for the periods  ended  October 1, 1999,  and  September  25,  1998,
contain  all  adjustments  (consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments)
necessary to present  fairly the financial  position as of October 1, 1999,  and
December 31, 1998,  and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods
ended  October 1,  1999,  and  September  25,  1998.  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 6). 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 results of  operations  for the nine months ended  October 1, 1999,  are not
necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

The consolidated  financial statements included herein have been prepared by the
Company,  without audit of the three and nine months ended October 1, 1999,  and
September 25, 1998,  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
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.

Note 2 - Investments
- --------------------

The Company had  investments  of  $15,771,000  and  $18,152,000 as of October 1,
1999, and December 31, 1998,  respectively.  The investments  were classified as
"available-for-sale,"  and the  difference  in the cost and fair  value of these
investments was immaterial and is included in other comprehensive income.

Note 3 - Inventories
- --------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)               Oct. 1, 1999           Dec. 31, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

Finished goods                $ 4,730                 $ 3,067
Work in process                 7,726                   7,597
Materials and parts             4,390                   4,147
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                              $16,846                 $14,811
=================================================================

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



                                     Page 7

<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 4 - Income Taxes
- ---------------------

The net federal, state and foreign income tax provisions were $4,451,000 and $0,
respectively, for the nine months ended October 1, 1999, and September 25, 1998.
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 federal income
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 months ended  October 1, 1999,  and
September 25, 1998, was 33% and 0%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the
nine months  ended  September  25,  1998 was  impacted by the merger and special
charges which are not fully deductible for tax purposes.

The major  components of deferred tax assets are compensation and benefit plans,
inventory valuation and tax credit carryforwards,   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 (Loss) Per Share
- ------------------------------------

Basic net income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number
of common shares  outstanding  during the period.  Diluted net income (loss) per
common share  reflects the potential  dilution  that could occur if  outstanding
stock options were exercised.

The following  table sets forth the  computation of basic and diluted net income
(loss) per common share:

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Nine Months Ended
(in thousands except per share data)        Oct. 1, 1999      Sept. 25, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)                             $   9,037          $ (1,999)
============================================================================
Basic shares                                     22,323            22,227

Add:    Common equivalent shares (1)                230                 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted shares                                   22,553            22,227
============================================================================

Basic net income (loss) per share             $    0.40          $  (0.09)
============================================================================

Diluted net income (loss) per share           $    0.40          $  (0.09)
============================================================================

(1) Common  equivalent  shares  represent shares issuable upon exercise of stock
options (using the treasury stock method). All options outstanding were included
in the computation of diluted shares for 1999. In 1998, 421,000 options were not
included  because the Company was in a net loss  position,  and the inclusion of
such shares would be anti-dilutive.



                                     Page 8
<PAGE>



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 6 - Merger, Restructuring and Special Charges
- --------------------------------------------------

In the  second  quarter  of 1998,  the  Company  acquired  GPC in a  transaction
accounted for as a pooling of interests.  The Company issued 2,382,925 shares of
common  stock for all of the  common  stock of GPC.  Direct  acquisition  costs,
primarily  compensation  expense  relating  to  shares  issued  to  certain  GPC
employees as part of a restricted stock plan and professional fees,  amounted to
approximately  $3.5  million in 1998 and were  charged  against  the  results of
operations.

During the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded  restructuring  and other
special charges of $2.5 million.  The charges primarily included  provisions for
termination benefits of $1.3 million for approximately 80 personnel,  exit costs
related to a leased facility of $1.0 million and $0.2 million for the impairment
of certain assets.  As of October 1, 1999, the  restructuring  accrual was fully
paid or amortized.

Note 7 - New Accounting Pronouncements
- --------------------------------------

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging
Activities."  The  adoption of this  Standard in 2001 is not  expected to have a
material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.



                                     Page 9

<PAGE>




                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. 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  1998  includes   financial   position,   results  of   operations,
comprehensive income and cash flows of GPC.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

Throughout 1999, the  semiconductor  capital  equipment  industry  experienced a
rapid recovery from the  significant  worldwide  downturn that occurred in 1998.
Because of this positive  industry  trend,  net sales for the three months ended
October 1, 1999, (the "1999 Quarter") were $39.0 million compared with net sales
for the three months ended  September  25, 1998,  (the "1998  Quarter") of $18.6
million,  an increase of 110%.  Net sales for the nine months  ended  October 1,
1999,  (the "1999  Period") were $97.5  million,  an increase of 29%, from $75.8
million for the nine months ended September 25, 1998 (the "1998 Period").

The gross profit  percentage  for the 1999 Quarter was 45.1% compared with 32.1%
for the 1998 Quarter.  The gross profit percentage for the 1999 Period was 43.7%
compared with 40.4% for the 1998 Period. The increase in gross profit percentage
for both  quarters and periods was  primarily  attributable  to higher net sales
leverage on fixed production costs.

Spending levels in the 1999 Period have been favorably impacted by restructuring
actions taken by the Company in the 1998 Quarter. As part of this restructuring,
the Company eliminated non-strategic spending while redirecting resources to the
Company's global customer support structure and other strategic  initiatives and
took a charge of $2.5  million.  The Company  expects  that these  changes  will
provide  approximately  $4.0  million of annual cost  savings in 1999 and enable
resources to be  reallocated  to strategic  investments,  such as the  Company's
Japanese  sales and global  support  subsidiary,  which began  operations in the
fourth quarter of 1998. At October 1, 1999, the restructuring  accrual was fully
paid or amortized.

Research and  development  expenses were $2.5 million for the 1999 Quarter or 6%
of net sales  compared to $2.1 million or 11% of net sales for the 1998 Quarter.
Spending  was $7.1  million or 7% of net sales for the 1999  Period  compared to
$8.2  million  or 11% of net sales  for the 1998  Period.  As the 1998  downturn
progressively  worsened,  the Company  reduced its R & D spending by focusing on
critical near-term and strategic projects. In 1999, the Company is adjusting its
spending to be in line with improving  industry  conditions  and  opportunities.

Total selling,  general and administrative expenses increased by $2.5 million in
the 1999  Quarter  and $3.2  million  in the 1999  Period  compared  to the 1998
Quarter and 1998 Period,  primarily due to higher variable  compensation expense
and  expenses  related to the  start-up of the  Japanese  subsidiary,  partially
offset by savings related to the restructuring actions.

Operating  income  increased $11.3 million and $15.9 million in the 1999 Quarter
and the 1999 Period,  respectively,  compared with the 1998 Quarter and the 1998
Period. The primary reasons for the


                                     Page 10

<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Results of Operations (continued)
- ---------------------------------

increases are higher net sales in 1999, sales leverage on fixed production costs
and reductions to 1998 operating income due to non-recurring  merger and special
charges  associated with the Company's pooling of interest  transaction with GPC
in May 1998 and restructuring charges recorded in September 1998.

For the 1999 Quarter, the Company had pretax income of $7.1 million resulting in
a tax provision of $2.4 million  compared to a pretax loss of $4.3 million and a
tax benefit of $0.8 million for the 1998 Quarter.

For the 1999 Period,  the Company had pretax  income of $13.5  million and a tax
provision  of $4.5  million  compared to pretax loss of $2.0  million and no tax
provision  for the 1998 Period.  The effective tax rate for the 1999 Quarter and
the 1999 Period was 33%.  The  effective  tax rates for the 1998 Quarter and the
1998 Period were 19% and 0%, respectively.  The tax rates for 1998 were impacted
by merger,  restructuring  and special charges,  which were not fully deductible
for tax purposes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

Cash  provided by operating  activities  for the 1999 Period of $5.5 million was
relatively  flat when compared  with $6.0 million for the 1998 Period.  This was
primarily due to increased net income offset by increased accounts receivable in
1999.  These changes were driven by the increased net sales  activity at the end
of the 1999 Period, when compared with the 1998 Period.

Cash used by investing  activities  decreased by $17.9  million  during the 1999
Period  compared  to the  1998  Period,  primarily  due to  lower  purchases  of
available-for-sale   investments   partially   offset   by   increased   capital
expenditures as industry business conditions improved.

Cash  dividends  paid to  stockholders  during the 1999 Period were $8.0 million
compared with $13.5 million  during the 1998 Period.  In October 1998, the Board
of Directors  reduced the quarterly cash dividend to $0.12 per common share from
$0.21 per common share paid in each of the first three quarters of 1998.

On October 14, 1999,  the Board of Directors  declared a quarterly cash dividend
of $0.12 per common  share.  The  dividend is payable on  November  2, 1999,  to
stockholders of record at the close of business on October 25, 1999.

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 were not material.

The Company believes that existing cash and investment balances will be adequate
to fund operations for the foreseeable  future and that it has  opportunities to
consider further financing options should additional funds be required.


                                     Page 11
<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

New Accounting Pronouncements
- -----------------------------

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133 (SFAS 133),  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging  Activities."  The adoption of this Standard in 2001 is not expected
to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
- ----------------------------------------------

From time to time,  information provided by the Company,  statements made by its
employees  or  information  included  in its  filings  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission may contain statements that are "forward-looking statements"
involving risks and  uncertainties.  In particular,  statements in "Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations"
relating to the Company's  revenues,  profitability,  sufficiency  of capital to
meet working capital and capital expenditure requirements may be forward-looking
statements.   The  words  "expect,"  "anticipate,"  "plan,"  "believe,"  "seek,"
"estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
certain  risks,  uncertainties  and  assumptions  that could cause the Company's
future results to differ materially from those expressed in any  forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Many such factors are beyond the
Company's ability to control or predict.  Readers are accordingly  cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any
intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,  whether
in response to new information or future events or otherwise.  Important factors
that may cause the Company's actual results to differ from such  forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below.

The Company's  business  depends in large part upon the capital  expenditures of
semiconductor  manufacturers,   which,  in  turn,  depend  on  the  current  and
anticipated  market  demand  for  integrated  circuits  and  products  utilizing
integrated  circuits.  The  semiconductor  industry is highly  cyclical  and has
historically  experienced periodic downturns,  which generally have had a severe
effect on the  semiconductor  industry's  demand for capital  equipment and have
adversely  affected  the  Company's  results  of  operations.  There  can  be no
assurance that developments in the  semiconductor  industry or the semiconductor
equipment  industry  will  occur at the rate or in the  manner  expected  by the
Company.

In addition to the cyclical nature, risks and uncertainties of the semiconductor
industry,  the Company faces the following risks and uncertainties among others:
the need to continuously develop,  manufacture and gain customers' acceptance of
new  products  and  product  enhancements;  dependence  on a  limited  number of
customers;  the Company's  ability to attract and retain  certain key personnel;
the ability of the Company to protect its  technology  assets by  obtaining  and
enforcing  patents;  dependence on sole and limited source suppliers for certain
components and subassemblies  included in the Company's products and systems. As
a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Company may experience material
fluctuations  in its future  operating  results on a quarterly  or annual  basis
which could  materially  affect its  business,  financial  position,  results of
operations and stock price.


                                     Page 12

<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Year 2000
- ---------

The Year 2000 problem  refers to the  potential  for  information  systems to be
unable to correctly  recognize  and process  calendar  dates and  date-sensitive
information  involving  dates  on or after  January  1,  2000.  The  Company  is
addressing  its Year 2000 risk within  four  categories:  1)  internal  business
software,  2) internal  systems  (hardware and  software,  exclusive of business
software),  3) external  suppliers of goods and  services,  and 4) the Company's
products.

INTERNAL  BUSINESS  SOFTWARE.  The  Company's  internal  business  systems  that
collectively  provide the major processing functions for its operations were not
Year 2000 compliant. The  remediation/replacement  of those systems was begun in
mid-1998 and was completed in June 1999.  Testing of these  systems  continue in
the second half of 1999.

INTERNAL  SYSTEMS.  The Company  utilizes  other systems  (exclusive of business
systems   discussed  above)  to  perform  certain  data  processing,   including
computer-based programs,  networking equipment,  laboratory equipment,  building
security and atmosphere  control  systems,  fax and copy  machines,  and others.
Starting in the first  quarter of 1998,  the Company  initiated a  comprehensive
program to address Year 2000 problems with such internal systems, consisting of:
forming a project team of representatives from across the Company;  inventorying
and  assessing  each  internal  system to determine  whether it was compliant or
non-compliant  to Year 2000  problems;  and  developing  a plan to  address  all
non-compliant systems.

The Company completed the remediation efforts and related testing efforts of all
major systems in June 1999.  Additional  testing is being  performed  during the
second  half of 1999,  focusing  on those  systems  classified  as high  risk of
failure as well as critical to the business.  Independent organizations might be
employed  to assist  the  Company  as needed to test and  verify  such  internal
systems are Year 2000 compliant.

EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES.  Starting in January 1998, the Company
undertook a program to  understand  and mitigate  Year 2000  problems with those
external suppliers who are crucial to the Company's operations,  including parts
providers,   carriers,   telecommunications  providers,   utilities,   financial
institutions  and  others.  A series  of  questionnaires  was  sent to  external
suppliers.  As a result,  the Company has  determined  that the  majority of the
Company's  suppliers are either Year 2000  compliant or are aware of the problem
and have an active program  underway to address their particular  problems.  For
each  supplier  who is not Year  2000  compliant,  the  Company  has  defined  a
contingency  plan in case the supplier  cannot or will not resolve its Year 2000
problems in a timely  manner.  The plan  elements  differ for each  supplier but
generally consist of one or more actions such as: work with the supplier to help
resolve their Year 2000 problems;  develop alternative suppliers for sole-source
components;  redesign products to negate the need for  non-compliant  suppliers;
maintain back-up inventories of critical components to protect against temporary
disruptions  in supply;  evaluate  alternative  component  and product  delivery
mechanisms;  and monitor  those  suppliers  who have  active Year 2000  programs
underway to verify progress against those suppliers' scheduled milestones.



                                     Page 13
<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Year 2000 (Continued)
- ---------------------

The Company will continue these  monitoring  activities until satisfied that all
crucial suppliers are Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the Company has enhanced
its new supplier  qualification process to require new suppliers to be Year 2000
compliant in all aspects of their operations and products.

THE COMPANY'S  PRODUCTS.  Certain of the  Company's  products  contain  embedded
software.  In 1997, the Company  performed an assessment of all such software to
determine Year 2000 compliance. As a result, the Company believes that there are
no material  issues  regarding  the use of its  products.  The Company  also has
enhanced its product  development  and testing  processes to ensure that all new
products are Year 2000 compliant.

The Company  estimates that the total cost  associated  with addressing the Year
2000 problem is approximately $0.9 million,  of which approximately $0.8 million
has been incurred to date. Of the total cost, approximately $0.8 million relates
to new  systems  and has  been  capitalized,  and the  remainder  has or will be
expensed as incurred. These cost estimates are approximate and subject to change
due to unforeseen internal or external conditions.

While  the  Company  believes  that it is  addressing  all  material  Year  2000
problems,  there are a number of risks  associated  with Year 2000, only some of
which are within the  control of the  Company.  These risks  include  unforeseen
difficulties in completing certain Year 2000 programs,  an incomplete  inventory
of internal  systems,  and the failure of one or more  suppliers  to  adequately
address the Year 2000 problem. The Company's Year 2000 efforts are meant to help
manage and mitigate these risks.

The Company intends to adopt a contingency plan, if deemed necessary, to address
any issues  raised as it completes  remedial  work on its  internal  systems and
assesses the state of readiness  of its key external  suppliers.  As no specific
instance of material Year 2000  non-compliance  has been discovered to date, the
Company has not yet adopted a contingency plan to deal with Year 2000 issues.


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no significant  changes in the Company's  market risks since the
year ended December 31, 1998. For more information  please read the consolidated
financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K.





                                     Page 14
<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6(a).        Exhibits

                  27      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
                  October 1, 1999.






















                                     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)





October 26, 1999                           By:  /s/Michael El-Hillow
- -------------------                             -------------------------------
Date                                            Michael El-Hillow
                                                Senior Vice President
                                                Chief Financial Officer










                                     Page 16


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