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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2000
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Registration No. 333-30540
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO.1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------------------------------
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
<S> <C>
PENNSYLVANIA 23-1498399
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Clifford G. Sprague
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
2101 Blair Mill Road 2101 Blair Mill Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090 Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 784-6000 (215) 784-6000
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone
Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices) Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
COPY TO:
H. John Michel, Jr.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square
18th and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
-----------------------------
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.[ ] __________
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] _____________
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
_______________________
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The
selling securityholders may not sell these securities until the registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This
prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an
offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 19, 2000
PROSPECTUS
$175,000,000
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
4 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 and
The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes
We issued the notes in a private placement in December 1999. This
prospectus will be used by selling securityholders to resell their notes and the
common stock issuable upon conversion of their notes.
The notes are convertible before maturity into common stock at an initial
conversion price of $45.7993 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
We will pay interest on the notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year,
beginning on June 15, 2000. The notes will mature on December 15, 2006, unless
earlier converted or redeemed.
We may redeem all or a portion of the notes on or after December 19, 2002.
In addition, the holders may require us to repurchase the notes if we experience
a fundamental change before December 15, 2006.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"KLIC." The reported last sales price of our common stock on the Nasdaq National
Market on April 18, 2000 was $72 3/16 per share.
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THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3.
-------------------------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
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This prospectus is dated , 2000
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<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SUMMARY.................................... 1
THE OFFERING............................... 2
RISK FACTORS............................... 3
USE OF PROCEEDS............................ 17
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES......... 17
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES....................... 18
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK............... 30
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS.. 32
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS.................... 39
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION....................... 42
LEGAL MATTERS.............................. 44
EXPERTS.................................... 44
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION........ 45
-i-
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights some information from this prospectus, and it may
not contain all of the information that is important to you. It is qualified in
its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial
statements, including the notes to the consolidated financial statements,
included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read the
full text of, and consider carefully the more specific details contained in,
this prospectus. When used in this prospectus, the terms "Kulicke & Soffa,"
"we," "our" and "us" refer to Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and not to the
selling securityholders.
We design, manufacture and market capital equipment and packaging materials
for sale to companies that manufacture and assemble semiconductor devices. We
also service, maintain, repair and upgrade assembly equipment. Our business is
divided into three segments: equipment, packaging materials and advanced
packaging technology.
Our principal product line is our family of wire bonders, which are used to
connect extremely fine wires, typically made of gold or aluminum, between the
bonding pads on the die and the leads on the integrated circuit (IC) package to
which the die has been bonded. In addition to wire bonders, we produce and
distribute other types of semiconductor assembly equipment, including wafer
dicing saws and die bonders, flip chip assembly systems and factory automation
and integration systems. We offer a range of packaging materials to
semiconductor device assemblers which we sell under the brand names "American
Fine Wire," "Micro-Swiss," "Semitec" and "Advanced Polymer Solutions." We
continuously evaluate investments in advanced packaging technologies. We entered
into a joint venture with Delco Electronics Corporation to license flip chip
technology and to provide wafer bumping services on a contract basis through
Flip Chip Technologies, LLC. We acquired the X-LAM technology of MicroModule
Systems(TM), a Cupertino, California company, to enable production of high
performance ball grid alloy substrates, daughter cards and multilayer boards.
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. was incorporated in Pennsylvania in
1956. Our principal offices are located at 2101 Blair Mill Road, Willow Grove,
Pennsylvania 19090, our telephone number is (215) 784-6000 and our website can
be accessed at www.kns.com. Information contained on our website does not
constitute part of this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise indicates, as
used in this prospectus, the term "Kulicke & Soffa" means Kulicke and Soffa
Industries, Inc. and its consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries.
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THE OFFERING
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<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Securities Offered............................ $175,000,000 principal amount of 4 3/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006.
Interest...................................... 4 3/4% per year. We will pay interest on June
15 and December 15 of each year, beginning
June 15, 2000.
Conversion.................................... You may convert each note into common stock at
any time on or before December 15, 2006 at a
conversion price of $45.7993 per share,
subject to adjustment if certain events
affecting our common stock occur.
Subordination................................. The notes are subordinated to all of our
existing and future senior indebtedness and to
all or our subsidiaries' debt and other
liabilities. As of March 31, 2000, we had
senior indebtedness outstanding in the amount
of approximately $1.1 million, and our
subsidiaries had approximately $66.4 million
of debt and other liabilities outstanding.
Neither we nor our subsidiaries are limited
from incurring additional debt, including
senior indebtedness, under the indenture.
Optional Redemption........................... On or after December 19, 2002, we may redeem
the notes at the redemption prices listed in
this prospectus, together with accrued and
unpaid interest.
Fundamental Change............................ You have the right, at your option, in the
event of a fundamental change, to require us
to redeem your notes at 100% of the principal
amount of the notes to be redeemed plus
accrued interest.
Use Of Proceeds............................... We will not receive any of the proceeds from
the sale by any selling securityholder of the
notes or the underlying common stock.
</TABLE>
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information in this
prospectus, including the risk factors listed below. Any of these risks could
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating
results. This, in turn, could materially and adversely affect the price of the
notes and the common stock and impair our ability to pay interest on the notes
and repay the principal amount of the notes.
It is particularly important for you to consider the risk factors set forth
below and in the documents incorporated herein by reference when you are reading
"forward-looking" statements included in this prospectus and the documents
incorporated herein by reference. Forward-looking statements relate to our
expectations for future events and time periods. Generally, the words
"anticipate," "expect," "intend," "believe," "may," and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, and future events and
circumstances could differ significantly from those anticipated by the forward-
looking statements.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY AND MAY CONTINUE TO
DO SO IN THE FUTURE
In the past, our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly.
Although these fluctuations are partly due to the volatile nature of the
semiconductor industry, they also reflect the impact of other factors, some of
which are outside of our control.
Some of the factors that could cause our revenues and/or operating margins
to fluctuate significantly from period to period are:
. the mix of products that we sell because, for example:
- packaging materials generally have lower margins than assembly
equipment,
- some lines of equipment are more profitable than others, and
- some sales arrangements have higher margins than others.
. the volume and timing of orders for our products and any order
postponements and cancellations by our customers;
. adverse changes in our pricing, or that of our competitors;
. higher than anticipated costs of development or production of new
equipment models;
. the availability and cost of key components for our products;
. market acceptance of our new products and upgraded versions of our
products;
. our announcement of, or perception by others that we will introduce, new
or upgraded products, which could delay customers from purchasing our
products;
. the timing of acquisitions; and
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. our competitors' introduction of new products.
Many of our expenses, such as research and development and selling, general
and administrative expenses, do not vary directly with our net sales. As a
result, a decline in our net sales would adversely affect our operating results.
In addition, if we were to incur additional expenses in a quarter in which we
did not experience comparable increased net sales, our operating results would
decline. Factors that could cause our expenses to fluctuate from period to
period include:
. the timing and extent of our research and development efforts;
. severance and other costs of relocating facilities or resizings in market
downturns; and
. inventory writeoffs due to obsolescence.
Because our revenues and operating results are volatile and difficult to
predict, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results
are not a good indication of our future performance.
THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS VOLATILE, AS ARE OUR FINANCIAL
RESULTS
Our operating results are significantly affected by the capital
expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers and assemblers worldwide.
Expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and assemblers depend on the current
and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and products that use
semiconductors, such as personal computers, telecommunications, consumer
electronics and automotive goods. Any significant downturn in the market for
semiconductor devices or in general economic conditions would likely reduce
demand for our products and adversely affect our business, financial condition
and operating results.
Historically, the semiconductor industry has been volatile with sharp
periodic downturns and slowdowns. These downturns have been characterized by,
among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity and
accelerated erosion of selling prices. This has severely and negatively
affected the industry's demand for capital equipment, including the assembly
equipment that we manufacture and market and, to a lesser extent, the packaging
materials that we sell. These downturns and slowdowns have adversely affected
our operating results. In the 1998 downturn, for example, our net sales
declined from approximately $501.9 million in fiscal 1997 to $411.0 million in
fiscal 1998 and continued to decline in the first half of fiscal 1999.
Downturns in the future could similarly adversely affect our business, financial
condition and operating results.
THE TRANSFER OF OUR AUTOMATIC BALL BONDER MANUFACTURING TO SINGAPORE COULD
DISRUPT OUR ABILITY TO SUPPLY OUR CUSTOMERS AND MAY NOT RESULT IN THE COST
SAVINGS WE ANTICIPATE
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The transfer of our automatic ball bonder manufacturing to Singapore has
required and will continue to require us to relocate equipment, hire and train
production, engineering and management personnel, qualify suppliers and develop
a purchasing and delivery infrastructure. In addition, we expect to experience
increased selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2000 in
connection with start up costs. We plan to source a significantly higher
percentage of materials from suppliers in Singapore. To the extent we
experience availability, reliability or quality problems as a result of this
shift in supply source, our business would be adversely affected. In addition,
we do not intend to move our research and development function from Willow
Grove, Pennsylvania to the Singapore facility. If we are unable to accomplish
the move efficiently and commence full production as scheduled, our ability to
fill orders could be hurt, which could damage our relationships with customers.
In addition, our ability to meet production requirements may be adversely
affected by any problems associated with the start up of this facility. We also
anticipate cost savings from the transfer of our automatic ball bonder
manufacturing as a result of reduced costs of labor, shipping and materials.
However, we cannot assure you that we will realize these savings.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON ATTRACTING AND RETAINING MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND
TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN GREAT DEMAND
As is the case with all technology companies, our future success depends on
our ability to hire and retain qualified management, marketing and technical
employees. Competition is intense in personnel recruiting in the semiconductor
and semiconductor equipment industries, particularly with respect to some
engineering disciplines. In particular, we have experienced periodic shortages
of software engineers. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain the
technical and managerial personnel we require, our business, financial condition
and operating results could be adversely affected.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RAPIDLY DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE NEW AND ENHANCED
PRODUCTS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN OR EXPAND OUR BUSINESS
We believe that our continued success will depend on our ability to
continuously develop and manufacture or acquire new products and product
enhancements on a timely and cost-effective basis. We also must introduce these
products and product enhancements into the market in response to customers'
demands for higher performance assembly equipment. Our competitors may develop
enhancements to or future generations of competitive products that will offer
superior performance, features and lower prices that may render our products
noncompetitive. We may not be able to develop and introduce products
incorporating new technologies in a timely manner or at a price that will
satisfy future customers' needs or achieve market acceptance. For example, our
introduction of the Model 8020 wire bonder in 1998 was less successful than we
had hoped because of higher than anticipated design and production costs and
lower than anticipated sales prices.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCURATELY FORECAST DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCT LINES
We typically operate our business with a relatively short backlog and order
supplies and otherwise plan production based on internal forecasts of demand.
Due to these factors, we have
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in the past, and may again in the future, fail to accurately forecast demand, in
terms of both volume and configuration for either our current or next-generation
wire bonders. This has led to and may in the future lead to delays in product
shipments or, alternatively, an increased risk of inventory obsolescence. For
example, we inaccurately forecasted demand for the Model 8020 wire bonder in
1998 and consequently recorded writeoffs for excess inventory. Also, we
underestimated the magnitude of the improvement in the semiconductor industry at
the end of fiscal 1999 and the demand for the new Model 8028 ball bonder; as a
result some customer shipments may be delayed in fiscal 2000.
If we fail to accurately forecast demand for our products, our business,
financial condition and operating results could be materially and adversely
affected.
ADVANCED PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIES OTHER THAN WIRE BONDING MAY RENDER SOME OF
OUR PRODUCTS OBSOLETE AND OUR STRATEGY FOR PURSUING THESE OTHER TECHNOLOGIES MAY
BE COSTLY AND INEFFECTIVE
Advanced packaging technologies have emerged that may improve device
performance or reduce the size of an integrated circuit or IC package, as
compared to traditional die and wire bonding. These technologies include flip
chip, chip scale packaging and tape automated bonding. In general, these
advanced technologies eliminate the need for wires to establish the electrical
connection between a die and its package. For some assemblies, these advanced
technologies have largely replaced wire bonding. However, today most ICs still
employ die and wire bonding technology, and the possible extent, rate and timing
of change is difficult, if not impossible, to predict. In fact, wire bonding
has proved more durable than we originally anticipated, largely because of its
reliability and cost. However, we cannot assure you that the semiconductor
industry will not, in the future, shift a significant part of its volume into
advanced packaging technologies, such as those discussed above. Presently,
Intel, Motorola, IBM and Advanced Micro Devices, for example, have developed
flip chip technologies for internal use, and a number of other companies are
also increasing their investments in advanced packaging technologies. If a
significant shift to advanced technologies were to occur, demand for our wire
bonders and related packaging materials would diminish.
One component of our strategy is to develop the capacity to use advanced
technologies to allow us to compete in those portions of the market that
currently use these advanced technologies and to prepare for any eventual
decline in the use of wire bonding technology. There are a number of risks
associated with our strategy to diversify into new technologies:
. The technologies that we have invested in represent only some of the
advanced technologies that may one day supercede wire bonding;
. Other companies are developing similar or alternative advanced
technologies;
. Wire bonding may continue as the dominant technology for longer than we
anticipate;
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. The cost of developing advanced technologies may be significantly greater
than we expect; and
. We may not be able to develop the necessary technical, research,
managerial and other related skills to develop, produce, market and
support these advanced technologies.
As a result of these risks, we cannot assure you that any of our attempts
to develop alternative technologies will be profitable or that we will be able
to realize the benefits that we anticipate from them.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A SMALL NUMBER OF PRODUCTS, A DECLINE IN DEMAND FOR, OR THE
PRICE OF, ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS COULD CAUSE OUR REVENUES TO DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY
Historically, our wire bonders have comprised at least 55% of our net
sales. If demand for, or pricing of, our wire bonders declines because our
competitors introduce superior or lower cost systems, the semiconductor industry
changes or because of other occurrences beyond our control, our business,
financial condition and operating results would be materially and adversely
affected.
BECAUSE A SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY ALL OUR SALES, OUR
REVENUES COULD DECLINE IF WE LOSE ANY SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is highly concentrated, with a
relatively small number of large semiconductor manufacturers and subcontract
assemblers purchasing a substantial portion of semiconductor assembly equipment
and packaging materials. Sales to our five largest customers accounted for
approximately 45.2% of our fiscal 1997 net sales, 41.4% of our fiscal 1998 net
sales and 31.7% of our fiscal 1999 net sales. In fiscal 1997, our sales to Anam
accounted for 12.5% of our net sales, and sales to Intel accounted for 10.2% of
our net sales. In fiscal 1998, sales to Intel accounted for 17.6% of our net
sales. During fiscal 1999, no customer accounted for more than 10% of our net
sales.
We expect that sales of our products to a limited number of customers will
continue to account for a high percentage of our net sales for the foreseeable
future. If we lose orders from a significant customer, or if a significant
customer reduces its orders substantially, these losses or reductions will
adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
WE DEPEND ON A SMALL NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS FOR MATERIALS AND, IF OUR
SUPPLIERS DO NOT DELIVER THEIR PRODUCTS TO US, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO DELIVER OUR
PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Our products are complex and require materials, components and
subassemblies of an exceptionally high degree of reliability, accuracy and
performance. We rely on subcontractors to manufacture many of the components
and subassemblies for our products and we rely on sole source suppliers for some
material components. Our reliance involves a number of significant risks,
including:
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. loss of control over the manufacturing process;
. changes in our manufacturing processes, dictated by changes in the
market, that have delayed our shipments;
. our inadvertent use of defective or contaminated materials;
. the relatively small operations and limited manufacturing resources of
some of our contractors and suppliers, which may limit their ability to
manufacture and sell subassemblies, components or parts in the volumes we
require and at quality levels and prices we can accept;
. reliability and quality problems we experience with certain key
subassemblies provided by single source suppliers; and
. delays in the delivery of subassemblies, which, in turn, have caused
delays in some of our shipments.
If we are unable to deliver products to our customers on time for these or
any other reasons, or if we do not maintain acceptable product quality or
reliability in the future, our business, financial condition and operating
results would be materially and adversely affected.
WE ARE EXPANDING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR OPERATIONS, AND IF WE FAIL TO MANAGE
OUR EXPANDING AND MORE DIVERSE OPERATIONS SUCCESSFULLY, OUR BUSINESS AND
FINANCIAL RESULTS MAY BE MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED
In recent years, we have broadened our product offerings to include
significantly more packaging materials. Although our strategy is to diversify
our products and services, we may not be able to develop, acquire, introduce or
market new products in a timely or cost-effective manner and the market may not
accept any new or improved products we develop, acquire, introduce or market.
Our diversification into new lines of business and our expansion through
acquisitions and alliances has increased, and is expected to continue to
increase, demand on our management, financial resources and information and
internal control systems. Our success depends in significant part on our
ability to manage and integrate acquisitions, joint ventures and other alliances
and to continue to implement, improve and expand our systems, procedures and
controls. If we fail to do this at a pace consistent with the development of
our business, our business, financial condition and operating results would be
materially and adversely affected.
As we seek to expand our operations, we expect to encounter a number of
risks, which will include:
. risks associated with hiring additional management and other critical
personnel;
. risks associated with adding equipment and capacity; and
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. risks associated with increasing the scope, geographic diversity and
complexity of our operations.
In addition, sales and servicing of packaging materials and advanced
technologies require different organizational and managerial skills than sales
of traditional wire bonding technology. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to develop the necessary skills to successfully produce and market these
different products.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE HIGHLY
COMPETITIVE SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT AND PACKAGING MATERIALS INDUSTRIES
The semiconductor equipment and packaging materials industries are
intensely competitive. Significant competitive factors in the semiconductor
equipment market include performance quality, customer support and price. Our
major equipment competitors include:
. ASM Pacific Technology, Shinkawa, Kaijo and ESEC in wire bonders;
. ESEC, Nichiden, ASM Pacific Technology and Alphasem in die bonders; and
. Disco Corporation in dicing saws.
Competitive factors in the semiconductor packaging materials industry
include price, delivery and quality. Our significant packaging materials
competitors with respect to expendable tools and blades include:
. Gaiser Tool Co. and Small Precision Tools, Inc. in expendable tools; and
. Disco Corporation in blades;
and in the bonding wire market:
. Tanaka Electronic Industries and Sumitomo Metal Mining.
In each of the markets we serve, we face competition and the threat of
competition from established competitors and potential new entrants, some of
which may have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and marketing
resources than we have. Some of these competitors are Japanese or Korean
companies that have had and may continue to have an advantage over us in
supplying products to local customers because many of these customers appear to
prefer to purchase from local suppliers, without regard to other considerations.
We expect our competitors to improve their current products' performance,
and to introduce new products with improved price and performance
characteristics. New product introductions by our competitors or by new market
entrants could hurt our sales. If a particular semiconductor manufacturer or
subcontract assembler selects a competitor's product for a particular assembly
operation, we may not be able to sell a product to that manufacturer or
assembler for a significant period of time because manufacturers and assemblers
sometimes
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develop lasting relations with suppliers, and products in our industry often go
years without requiring replacement. In addition, we may have to lower our
prices in response to price-cuts by our competitors, which could materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to compete in these or other
areas in the future.
WE SELL MOST OF OUR PRODUCTS TO CUSTOMERS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. AND
WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE U.S., BOTH
OF WHICH SUBJECT US TO RISKS FROM CHANGES IN TRADE REGULATIONS, CURRENCY
FLUCTUATIONS, POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND WAR
Approximately 85% of our net sales for fiscal 1997, 80% of our net sales
for fiscal 1998 and 83% of our net sales for fiscal 1999 were attributable to
sales to customers for delivery outside of the United States. We expect our
sales outside of the United States to continue to represent a substantial
portion of our future revenues. Our future performance will depend, in
significant part, on our ability to continue to compete in foreign markets,
particularly in Asia. Asian economies have been highly volatile, resulting in
significant fluctuation in local currencies, and political and economic
instability. These conditions may continue or worsen, which could materially
and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
In addition, we rely on non-U.S. suppliers for materials and components used in
the equipment that we sell. We also maintain substantial manufacturing
operations in countries other than the United States, including operations in
Israel and Singapore. As a result, a major portion of our business is subject
to the risks associated with international commerce such as, risks of war and
civil disturbances or other events that may limit or disrupt markets;
expropriation of our foreign assets; longer payment cycles in foreign markets;
international exchange restrictions; the difficulties of staffing and managing
dispersed international operations; tariff and currency fluctuations; changing
political conditions; foreign governments' monetary policies; and less
protective foreign intellectual property laws.
Because most of our foreign sales are denominated in United States dollars,
an increase in value of the United States dollar against foreign currencies,
particularly the Japanese yen, will make our products more expensive than those
offered by some of our foreign competitors. Our ability to compete overseas in
the future could be materially and adversely affected by a strengthening of the
United States dollar against foreign currencies.
The ability of our international operations to prosper also will depend, in
part, on a continuation of current trade relations between the United States and
foreign countries in which our customers operate and in which our subcontractors
have assembly operations. A change toward more protectionist trade legislation
in either the United States or foreign countries in which we do business, such
as a change in the current tariff structures, export compliance or other trade
policies, could adversely affect our ability to sell our products in foreign
markets.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS IN PART ON OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, WHICH WE MAY BE
UNABLE TO PROTECT
Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology. To protect this
technology, we rely principally on contractual restrictions, such as
nondisclosure and confidentiality
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agreements, in our agreements with employees, vendors, consultants and customers
and on the common law of trade secrets and proprietary "know-how." We
secondarily rely, in some cases, on patent and copyright protection, which may
become more important to us as we expand our investment in advanced packaging
technologies. We may not be successful in protecting our technology for a number
of reasons, including:
. Our competitors may independently develop technology that is similar to
or better than ours;
. Employees, vendors, consultants and customers may not abide by their
contractual agreements, and the cost of enforcing those agreements may be
prohibitive, or those agreements may prove to be unenforceable or more
limited than we anticipate;
. Foreign intellectual property laws may not adequately protect our
intellectual property rights; and
. Our patent and copyright claims may not be sufficiently broad to
effectively protect our technology; patents or copyrights may be
challenged, invalidated or circumvented; and we may otherwise be unable
to obtain adequate protection for our technology.
In addition, our partners in joint ventures and alliances may also have
rights to technology we develop through those joint ventures and alliances. If
we are unable to protect our technology, we could weaken our competitive
position or face significant expense to protect or enforce our intellectual
property rights.
THIRD PARTIES MAY CLAIM WE ARE INFRINGING ON THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
WHICH COULD CAUSE US TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION COSTS OR OTHER EXPENSES, OR
PREVENT US FROM SELLING SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological change,
with frequent introductions of new products and technologies. As a result,
industry participants often develop products and features similar to those
introduced by others, increasing the risk that their products and processes may
give rise to claims that they infringe on the intellectual property of others.
We may unknowingly infringe on the intellectual property rights of others and
incur significant liability for that infringement. If we are found to infringe
on the intellectual property rights of others, we could be enjoined from
continuing to manufacture, market or use the affected product, or be required to
obtain a license to continue manufacturing or using the affected product. A
license could be very expensive to obtain or may not be available at all.
Similarly, changing our products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of
others may be costly or impractical.
Occasionally, third parties assert that we are, or may be, infringing on or
misappropriating their intellectual property rights. In these cases, we will
defend against claims or negotiate licenses where we consider these actions
appropriate. Intellectual property cases are uncertain and involve complex
legal and factual questions. If we become involved in this
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<PAGE>
type of litigation, it could consume significant resources and divert our
attention from our business.
Some of our customers have received notices of infringement from the
Lemelson Medical, Education and Research Foundation Limited Partnership (the
"Lemelson Foundation"), alleging that equipment we have supplied to our
customers, and processes this equipment performs, infringes on patents held by
the Lemelson Foundation. These notices increased substantially in 1998, the
year in which the Lemelson Foundation settled its suit against the Ford Motor
Company, and entered into license agreements with Ford, GM and Chrysler. Since
the settlement, a number of our customers, including Intel, have been sued by
the Lemelson Foundation.
Some of our customers have requested that we defend and indemnify them
against the Lemelson Foundation's claims or contribute to any settlement the
customer reaches with the Lemelson Foundation. We have received opinions from
our outside patent counsel with respect to various Lemelson Foundation patents.
We are not aware that any equipment we market or that any process performed by
our equipment infringes on the Lemelson Foundation patents and we do not believe
that the Lemelson Foundation matter or any other pending intellectual property
claim against us will materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition or operating results. The ultimate outcome of any infringement or
misappropriation claim affecting us is uncertain, however, and we cannot assure
you that our resolution of this litigation will not materially and adversely
affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
OTHER RISKS
YEAR 2000
If our products or our internal data management, accounting, manufacturing
or operating software and systems do not adequately or accurately process or
manage day or date information beyond the year 1999, our operations could be
affected adversely. To address the issue, we created an internal task force to
assess our state of readiness for possible "Year 2000" issues and to take the
necessary actions to ensure our Year 2000 compliance. The taskforce evaluated:
. our products and our internal business systems and software; and
. our vulnerability to possible Year 2000 exposure due to suppliers' and
other third parties' lack of preparedness for the year 2000.
To evaluate equipment that we sell and equipment, tools or software that we
use, we employed Year 2000 Readiness Test scenarios established by SEMATECH, an
industry group comprised of U.S. semiconductor manufacturers. Based on this
assessment, we do not believe the operation of the equipment that we sell or the
equipment, tools and software that we use will be affected by the transition to
the year 2000. We completed our review, material corrective measures and
contingency planning in September 1999.
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<PAGE>
In connection with our review and corrective measures, we replaced the
business and accounting systems of our U.S. and Israeli equipment manufacturing
sites with a new Enterprise Resource Planning System that was represented to us
to be Year 2000 compliant. We spent approximately $9.8 million on hardware,
software, consulting costs and internal expenses to implement this new system.
In addition, we have been in contact with our suppliers and other third
parties to determine the extent to which they may be vulnerable to Year 2000
issues. We have received representations as to the Year 2000 compliance of our
major suppliers.
We believe that the reasonably anticipated worst case scenario for our
business resulting from Year 2000 problems would be unexpected delays of
supplier deliveries and customer shipments. If these delays are significant,
customers may cancel orders and long-term customer relationships could be
damaged.
To date we have experienced no material Year 2000 issues, and we expect
minimal future Year 2000 issues based on the performance to date of internal
systems that we use and the products we supply to our customers.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND
PENNSYLVANIA LAW MAY DISCOURAGE OTHER COMPANIES FROM ATTEMPTING TO ACQUIRE US
Some provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and of
Pennsylvania law may discourage some transactions where we would otherwise
experience a change in control. For example, our articles of incorporation and
bylaws contain provisions that:
. classify our Board of Directors into four classes, with one class being
elected each year;
. permit our Board to issue "blank check" preferred stock without
shareholder approval; and
. prohibit us from engaging in some types of business combinations with a
holder of 20% or more of our voting securities without super-majority
board or shareholder approval.
Further, under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, because our
bylaws provide for a classified Board of Directors, shareholders may only remove
directors for cause. These provisions and some provisions of the Pennsylvania
Business Corporation Law could delay, defer or prevent us from experiencing a
change in control and may adversely affect our common stockholders' voting and
other rights.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THESE NOTES
THE NOTES ARE SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
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<PAGE>
The notes are unsecured obligations subordinated in right of payment to all
of our existing and future senior indebtedness. As a result, our assets will be
available to pay obligations on the notes only after all senior indebtedness has
been paid in full, and we may not have sufficient assets remaining to repay in
full all of the notes then outstanding, if any of the following occur:
. we become insolvent or are forced to liquidate our assets;
. we default on our senior indebtedness payments; or
. the notes are accelerated due to any other event of default.
The notes are also effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of
our subsidiaries' indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables.
The incurrence of additional indebtedness and other liabilities could materially
and adversely affect our ability to pay our obligations on the notes. The
indenture under which the notes are issued does not limit our ability to incur
senior indebtedness, and does not limit our ability or the ability of our
subsidiaries to incur other indebtedness or other liabilities. As of March
31, 2000, we had senior indebtedness outstanding in the amount of approximately
$1.1 million and our subsidiaries had approximately $66.4 million of outstanding
debt and other liabilities excluding inter-company liabilities. See
"Description of Notes--Subordination of the Notes."
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO REDEEM THE NOTES IF WE EXPERIENCE A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
If we experience a fundamental change, you are entitled to redeem all or a
portion of your notes, but we may not have enough funds to pay the redemption
price for all tendered notes. In addition, some fundamental changes would
result in events of default under our existing credit facility. Any future
credit agreements or other agreements relating to our indebtedness may:
. contain similar provisions; or
. expressly prohibit our repurchase of the notes after a fundamental
change.
If we experience a fundamental change at a time when we are prohibited from
purchasing or redeeming notes, we could seek the consent of our lenders to
redeem the notes or could attempt to refinance the debt. If we should fail to
obtain our lenders' consent or refinance the debt, we could not purchase or
redeem the notes. Our failure to redeem tendered notes would constitute an
event of default under the indenture, which, in turn, might constitute a default
under the terms of our other indebtedness. If this were to occur, or if a
fundamental change were to cause us to default under our senior indebtedness,
the indenture's subordination provisions would restrict us from paying you.
The term "fundamental change" is limited to specified transactions and
may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial
condition. If we were to experience a
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<PAGE>
fundamental change, our obligation to offer to redeem the notes would not
necessarily afford you protection. See "Description of Notes--Redemption at
Option of the Holder."
WE MAY INCUR ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS IN THE FUTURE, WHICH COULD INCREASE
THE RISKS DESCRIBED ABOVE
On March 31, 2000 we had total indebtedness of approximately $176.2
million (excluding letters of credit) and a debt to equity ratio of
approximately 0.55 to 1. The indebtedness represented by the notes could
increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, limit
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the
semiconductor industry or place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our
competitors with less debt or debt that has more favorable terms.
More importantly, the terms of the notes do not prohibit us from incurring
substantial additional indebtedness in the future, and we may do so. If we add
new debt to our current debt levels, the risks described above could increase.
At March 31, 2000, our credit facilities would permit us to borrow up to $60
million, and all of those borrowings would be senior to the notes.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO GENERATE ENOUGH CASH TO SERVICE OUR DEBT
Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness, including the notes, and
to fund planned capital expenditures and other activities will depend on our
ability to generate cash in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to the
volatile nature of our business, and general economic, competitive and other
factors that are beyond our control. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our
business will generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt.
Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from
operations, proceeds from our December 1999 offering of the notes, available
cash and available borrowings under our credit facilities will be adequate to
meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.
We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before
maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our
indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
A PUBLIC MARKET MAY NOT DEVELOP FOR THE NOTES
The initial purchasers in the initial private placement have advised us
that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, the initial purchasers
are not obligated to make a market in the notes and may discontinue this market
making activity at any time without notice. In addition, market making activity
by the initial purchasers will be subject to the limits imposed by the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act. As a result, we cannot assure you that any
market for the notes will develop or, if one does develop, that it will be
maintained. If an active market for the notes fails to develop or be sustained,
the trading price of the notes could be materially adversely affected.
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<PAGE>
OUR STOCK PRICE MAY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE LARGE SHORT-TERM FLUCTUATIONS
THAT MAY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE TRADING PRICE OF THE NOTES
In recent years, the price of our common stock has fluctuated greatly.
Fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock will affect the trading
price of the notes. Past price fluctuations have been rapid and severe and have
left investors little time to react. The price of our common stock may continue
to fluctuate greatly in the future due to a variety of company and industry
specific factors, including:
. quarter to quarter variations in our operating results;
. shortfalls in our revenue or earnings from levels expected by securities
analysts;
. announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or other
companies; and
. a slowdown or downturn in the semiconductor industry.
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<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by any selling
securityholder of the notes or the underlying common stock.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Years Ended September 30,
---------------------------------- Six months ended March
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 31, 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 26X 5X 18X 2X -- 14X
</TABLE>
These computations include us and our consolidated subsidiaries. These
ratios are computed by dividing (a) income (loss) before taxes plus fixed
charges and equity in loss of joint ventures by (b) fixed charges, which
includes interest expense plus the portion of rent expense under operating
leases we deem to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of
debt issue costs.
We would have had to generate additional earnings of $16.2 million in
fiscal 1999 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.
17
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The notes were issued under an indenture dated as of December 13, 1999,
between Kulicke & Soffa and Chase Manhattan Trust Company, National Association,
as trustee. You may request a copy of the indenture from the trustee. A copy
of the indenture has been included as an exhibit to the registration statement
of which this prospectus is a part.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes
and the indenture. It does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject
to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the indenture,
including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Wherever
particular provisions or defined terms of the indenture or form of note are
referred to, these provisions or defined terms are incorporated in this
prospectus by reference.
As used in this "Description of Notes" section, references to "we," "our" or
"us" refer solely to Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc., and not its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
We issued $175,000,000 of notes in a private placement in December 1999. The
notes are general unsecured obligations. Our payment obligations under the
notes will be subordinated to our senior indebtedness as described under "--
Subordination of the Notes." The notes are convertible into common stock as
described under "--Conversion of the Notes." The notes were issued only in
denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. The notes will mature on
December 15, 2006, unless earlier converted, redeemed at our option or redeemed
at your option upon a fundamental change.
We are not subject to any financial covenants under the indenture. In
addition, we are not restricted under the indenture from paying dividends,
incurring debt, including senior indebtedness, or issuing or repurchasing our
securities.
You are not afforded protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction
or a change in control of Kulicke & Soffa under the indenture except to the
extent described below under "--Redemption at Option of the Holder."
The interest rate on the notes is 4 3/4% per year. We will pay interest on
June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2000, to record holders
at the close of business on the preceding June 1 and December 1, as the case may
be, except:
. interest payable upon redemption will be paid to the person to whom
principal is payable, unless the redemption date is an interest payment
date; and
. as set forth in the next sentence.
In case you convert your note into common stock during the period after any
record date but prior to the next interest payment date, either:
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<PAGE>
. we will not be required to pay interest on the interest payment date if the
note has been called for redemption on a redemption date that occurs during
this period;
. we will not be required to pay interest on the interest payment date if the
note is to be redeemed in connection with a fundamental change on a
repurchase date that occurs during this period; or
. if otherwise, any note not called for redemption that is submitted for
conversion during this period must also be accompanied by an amount equal
to the interest due on the interest payment date on the converted principal
amount, unless at the time of conversion there is a default in the payment
of interest on the notes. See "--Conversion of the Notes."
We will maintain an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York
for the payment of interest, which shall initially be an office or agency of the
trustee.
We may pay interest either:
. by check mailed to your address as it appears in the note register,
provided that if you are a holder with an aggregate principal amount in
excess of $2.0 million, you shall be paid, at your written election, by
wire transfer in immediately available funds; or
. by transfer to an account maintained by you in the United States.
However, payments to The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which
we refer to as DTC, will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds
to the account of DTC or its nominee. Interest will be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
CONVERSION OF THE NOTES
You may convert your notes, in whole or in part, into common stock through the
final maturity date of the notes, subject to prior redemption of the notes. If
we call the notes for redemption, you may convert your notes only until the
close of business on the business day prior to the redemption date unless we
fail to pay the redemption price. If you have submitted your notes for
redemption upon a fundamental change, you may convert your notes only if you
withdraw your redemption election. You may convert your notes in part so long
as this part is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000. If
any notes not called or submitted for redemption are converted after a record
date for any interest payment date and prior to the next interest payment date,
the notes must be accompanied by an amount equal to the interest payable on the
interest payment date on the converted principal amount, unless at the time of
conversion there is a default in the payment of interest on the notes.
The initial conversion price for the notes is $45.7993 per share of common
stock, subject to adjustment as described below. We will not issue fractional
shares of common stock upon
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<PAGE>
conversion of the notes. Instead, we will pay cash equal to the market price of
the common stock on the business day prior to the conversion date. Except as
described below, you will not receive any accrued interest or dividends upon
conversion.
To convert your note into common stock you must:
. complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the note or
facsimile of the conversion notice and deliver this notice to the
conversion agent;
. surrender the note to the conversion agent;
. if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents;
. if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes; and
. if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest
payment date.
The date on which you comply with these requirements is the conversion date
under the indenture.
We will adjust the conversion price if the following events occur:
(1) we issue common stock as a dividend or distribution on our common stock;
(2) we issue to all holders of common stock certain rights or warrants to
purchase our common stock;
(3) we subdivide or combine our common stock;
(4) we distribute to all common stock holders capital stock, evidences of
indebtedness or assets, including securities but excluding:
. rights or warrants listed in (2) above;
. dividends or distributions listed in (1) above; and
. cash distributions listed in (5) below;
(5) we distribute cash, excluding any quarterly cash dividend on our common
stock to the extent that the aggregate cash dividend per share of common
stock in any quarter does not exceed the greater of:
. the amount per share of common stock of the next preceding quarterly
cash dividend on the common stock to the extent that the preceding
quarterly dividend did not require an adjustment of the conversion
price pursuant to this
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<PAGE>
clause (5), as adjusted to reflect subdivisions or combinations of the
common stock; and
. 3.75% of the average of the last reported sale price of the common
stock during the ten trading days immediately prior to the declaration
date of the dividend;
and excluding any dividend or distribution in connection with our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
If an adjustment is required to be made under this clause (5) as a result
of a distribution that is a quarterly dividend, the adjustment would be
based upon the amount by which the distribution exceeds the amount of the
quarterly cash dividend permitted to be excluded pursuant to this clause
(5). If an adjustment is required to be made under this clause (5) as a
result of a distribution that is not a quarterly dividend, the adjustment
would be based upon the full amount of the distribution;
(6) we (or one of our subsidiaries) make a payment in respect of a tender
offer or exchange offer for our common stock to the extent that the cash
and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of
common stock exceeds the current market price per share of common stock
on the trading day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or
exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer; and
(7) someone other than us or one of our subsidiaries makes a payment in
respect of a tender offer or exchange offer in which, as of the closing
date of the offer, our board of directors is not recommending rejection
of the offer. The adjustment referred to in this clause (7) will only be
made if:
. the tender offer or exchange offer is for an amount that increases the
offeror's ownership of common stock to more than 25% of the total
shares of common stock outstanding; and
. the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment
per share of common stock exceeds the current market price per share
of common stock on the business day next succeeding the last date on
which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to the tender or
exchange offer.
However, the adjustment referred to in this clause (7) will generally not
be made if, as of the closing of the offer, the offering documents
disclose a plan or an intention to cause us to engage in a consolidation
or merger of Kulicke & Soffa or a sale of all or substantially all of our
assets.
In the event of:
. any reclassification of our common stock;
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<PAGE>
. a consolidation, merger or combination involving Kulicke & Soffa; or
. a sale or conveyance to another person of the property and assets of
Kulicke & Soffa as an entirety or substantially as an entirety,
in which holders of common stock would be entitled to receive stock, other
securities, other property, assets or cash for their common stock, holders of
the notes will generally be entitled thereafter to convert their notes into the
same type of consideration received by common stock holders immediately prior to
one of these types of events.
You may, in certain situations, be deemed to have received a distribution
subject to United States federal income tax as a dividend in the event of any
taxable distribution to holders of common stock or in certain other situations
requiring a conversion price adjustment. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
We may, from time to time, reduce the conversion price for a period of at
least 20 days if our board of directors has made a determination that this
reduction would be in our best interests. Any such determination by our board
will be conclusive. We would give holders at least 15 days' notice of any
reduction in the conversion price. In addition, we may reduce the conversion
price if our board of directors deems it advisable to avoid or diminish any
income tax to holders of common stock resulting from any stock distribution.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
We will not be required to make an adjustment in the conversion price unless
the adjustment would require a change of at least one percent in the conversion
price. However, we will carry forward any adjustments that are less than one
percent of the conversion price. Except as described above in this section, we
will not adjust the conversion price for any issuance of our common stock or
convertible or exchangeable securities or rights to purchase our common stock or
convertible or exchangeable securities.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY KULICKE & SOFFA
The notes are not entitled to any sinking fund. At any time on or after
December 19, 2002, we may redeem the notes in whole or in part at the following
prices expressed as a percentage of the principal amount:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption
------------
PERIOD PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
<S> <C>
Beginning on December 19, 2002 and ending on December 14, 2003 ..... 102.714%
Beginning on December 15, 2003 and ending on December 14, 2004 ..... 102.036%
Beginning on December 15, 2004 and ending on December 14, 2005 ..... 101.357%
Beginning on December 15, 2005 and ending on December 14, 2006 ..... 100.679%
</TABLE>
and 100% at December 15, 2006. In each case, we will pay interest to, but
excluding, the redemption date. If the redemption date is an interest payment
date, interest shall be paid to the
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<PAGE>
record holder on the relevant record date. We are required to give notice of
redemption by mail to holders not more than 60 but not less than 30 days prior
to the redemption date.
If less than all of the outstanding notes are to be redeemed, the trustee
shall select the notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral
multiples of $1,000 by lot, pro rata or by another method the trustee considers
fair and appropriate. If a portion of your notes is selected for partial
redemption and you convert a portion of your notes, the converted portion shall
be deemed to be of the portion selected for redemption.
We may not redeem the notes if we have failed to pay any interest or premium
on the notes and such failure to pay is continuing. We will issue a press
release if we redeem the notes.
REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER
If a fundamental change occurs prior to December 15, 2006, you may require us
to redeem your notes, in whole or in part, on a repurchase date that is 30 days
after the date of our notice of the fundamental change. The notes will be
redeemable in multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
We shall redeem the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to
be redeemed, plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. If
the repurchase date is an interest payment date, we will pay interest to the
record holder on the relevant record date.
We will mail to all record holders a notice of the fundamental change within
10 days after the occurrence of the fundamental change. We are also required to
deliver to the trustee a copy of the fundamental change notice. If you elect to
redeem your notes, you must deliver to us or our designated agent, on or before
the 30th day after the date of our fundamental change notice, your redemption
notice and any notes to be redeemed, duly endorsed for transfer. We will
promptly pay the redemption price for notes surrendered for redemption following
the repurchase date.
A "fundamental change" is any transaction or event in connection with which
all or substantially all of our common stock shall be exchanged for, converted
into, acquired for or constitute solely the right to receive consideration,
whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation,
merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise, which is
not all or substantially all common stock that is, or that will be immediately
after the transaction or event:
. listed on a United States national securities exchange; or
. approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market or any similar United
States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities
prices.
We will comply with any applicable provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other
tender offer rules under the Exchange Act in the event of a fundamental change.
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<PAGE>
These fundamental change redemption rights could discourage a potential
acquiror from acquiring us. However, this fundamental change redemption feature
is not the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to obtain
control of us by means of a merger, tender offer or solicitation, or part of a
plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions. The term
"fundamental change" is limited to certain specified transactions and may not
include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In
addition, our obligation to offer to redeem the notes upon a fundamental change
would not necessarily afford you protection.
We may be unable to redeem the notes in the event of a fundamental change. If
a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay the
redemption price for all tendered notes. In addition, in certain situations, a
fundamental change would result in an event of default under our existing credit
facility. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to our
indebtedness may contain a provision which expressly prohibits the repurchase of
the notes upon a fundamental change or may provide that a fundamental change
constitutes an event of default under that agreement. If a fundamental change
occurs at a time when we are prohibited from purchasing or redeeming the notes,
we could seek the consent of our lenders to redeem the notes or could attempt to
refinance this debt. If we do not obtain a consent or refinance the debt, we
could not purchase or redeem the notes. Our failure to redeem tendered notes
would constitute an event of default under the indenture, which might constitute
a default under the terms of our other indebtedness. In such circumstances, or
if a fundamental change would constitute an event of default under our senior
indebtedness, the subordination provisions of the indenture would restrict
payments to the holders of notes.
SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES
Payment on the notes will, to the extent provided in the indenture, be
subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our
senior indebtedness. The notes also are effectively subordinated to all debt
and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any,
of our subsidiaries.
Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if
any, interest, and liquidated damages, if any, on the notes will be subordinated
in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash or other payment
satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all senior indebtedness.
In the event of any acceleration of the notes because of an event of default,
the holders of any outstanding senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment
in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of senior
indebtedness of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the
notes are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. We are required under
the indenture to notify holders of senior indebtedness promptly under the loan
agreement, if payment of the notes is accelerated because of an event of
default.
We may not make any payment on the notes if:
. a default in the payment of designated senior indebtedness occurs and is
continuing beyond any applicable period of grace (called a "payment
default"); or
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<PAGE>
. a default other than a payment default on any designated senior
indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated
senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, or in the case of a lease,
a default occurs and is continuing that permits the lessor either to
terminate the lease or require us to make an irrevocable offer to terminate
the lease following an event of default under the lease, and the trustee
receives a notice of such default (called a "payment blockage notice")
from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the
indenture (called a "non-payment default").
We may resume payments and distributions on the notes:
. in case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured
or waived or ceases to exist; and
. in case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such
nonpayment default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, or 179 days after
the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity
of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated, or in the
case of any lease, 179 days after notice is received if we have not
received notice that the lessor under such lease has exercised its right to
terminate the lease or require us to make an irrevocable offer to terminate
the lease following an event of default under the lease.
No new period of payment blockage may be commenced pursuant to a payment
blockage notice unless 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of
the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No non-payment default that
existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice
shall be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.
If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution
of our assets in contravention of the subordination provisions on the notes
before all senior indebtedness is paid in full in cash or other payment
satisfactory to holders of senior indebtedness, then such payment or
distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior
indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in
full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of
all unpaid senior indebtedness.
In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of
senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the notes may
receive less, ratably, than our other creditors. This subordination will not
prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.
The notes are exclusively obligations of Kulicke & Soffa. A substantial
portion of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result,
our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, is
dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries. In addition, we are dependent
on the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to
us.
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Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries
have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes. Our subsidiaries are
not required to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by
dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of
dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us could be
subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments to us by our
subsidiaries will also be contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and
business considerations.
Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their
liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders to
participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of
that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we
were a creditor to any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be
subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any
indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.
As of March 31, 2000, we had senior indebtedness outstanding in the amount
of approximately $1.1 million, and our subsidiaries had $66.4 million of debt
and other liabilities outstanding, excluding inter-company liabilities. Neither
we nor our subsidiaries are prohibited from incurring debt, including senior
indebtedness, under the indenture. We may, from time to time, incur additional
debt, including senior indebtedness. Our subsidiaries may also, from time to
time, incur other additional debt and liabilities.
We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to
indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses incurred
by the trustee in connection with its duties relating to the notes. The
trustee's claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of
noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"designated senior indebtedness" means senior indebtedness under the loan
agreement and our obligations under any other particular senior indebtedness
that expressly provides that such senior indebtedness shall be "designated
senior indebtedness" for purposes of the indenture. Any agreement for
designated senior indebtedness may place limitations and conditions on the right
of the creditor to exercise the rights of designated senior indebtedness.
"indebtedness" means:
(1) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities for borrowed
money, including overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency
exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any
loans or advances from banks, or evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes, or similar instruments, other than any account payable or other
accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary
course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or
services;
(2) obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or
bankers' acceptances;
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(3) obligations in respect of leases required in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles to be accounted for as capitalized
lease obligations on our balance sheet;
(4) all obligations and other liabilities under any lease or related
document in connection with the lease of real property that provides
that we are contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party
to purchase the leased property, and thereby guarantee a minimum
residual value of the leased property to the lessor and our
obligations under the lease or related document to purchase or to
cause a third party to purchase the leased property;
(5) all obligations with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or
collar agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange or purchase
agreement;
(6) all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements in respect of,
and any obligations or liabilities to purchase, acquire or otherwise
assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness,
obligations or liabilities of others of the type described in (1)
through (5) above;
(7) any obligations described in (1) through (6) above secured by any
mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which
is owned or held by us; and
(8) any amendments or modifications to (1) through (7) above.
"loan agreement" means the amended and restated loan agreement, dated as of
March 26, 1998, between Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. and PNC Bank, National
Association.
"senior indebtedness" means the principal, premium, if any, interest,
including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, and rent or termination
payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether
created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including
any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or
supplements to the above. However, senior indebtedness does not include:
. indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right
of payment to the notes or expressly provides that it is on parity with or
junior to the notes;
. our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries; and
. the notes.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE AND WAIVER
The following will be events of default under the indenture:
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. we fail to pay principal or premium, if any, upon maturity or redemption or
otherwise on the notes, whether or not the payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the indenture;
. we fail to pay any interest or liquidated damages, if any, on the notes,
whether or not the payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of
the indenture;
. we fail to perform or observe any of the covenants in the indenture for 60
days after notice; or
. some events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the notes of any default,
except defaults in payment of principal, premium, interest or liquidated
damages, if any, on the notes. However, the trustee must consider it to be in
the interest of the holders of the notes to withhold this notice.
If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may declare the
principal, premium, and accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any, on the
outstanding notes to be immediately due and payable. In case of some events of
our bankruptcy or insolvency, the principal, premium and accrued interest and
liquidated damages, if any, on the notes will automatically become due and
payable. However, if we cure all defaults, except the nonpayment of principal,
premium, interest or liquidated damages, if any, that became due as a result of
the acceleration, and meet certain other conditions, with certain exceptions,
this declaration may be cancelled and the holder of a majority of the principal
amount of outstanding notes may waive these past defaults. Payments of
principal, premium, or interest on the notes that are not made when due will
accrue interest at the annual rate of 4 3/4% from the required payment date.
The holders of a majority of outstanding notes will have the right to
direct the time, method and place of any proceedings for any remedy available to
the trustee, subject to limitations specified in the indenture.
No holder of notes may pursue any remedy under the indenture, except in the
case of a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest on the notes,
unless:
. the holder has given the trustee written notice of an event of default;
. the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding notes make a
written request, and offer reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to pursue
the remedy;
. the trustee does not receive an inconsistent direction from the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the notes; and
. the trustee fails to comply with the request within 60 days after receipt.
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MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
The consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding notes is required to modify or amend the indenture. However, a
modification or amendment requires the consent of the holder of each affected
note if it would:
. extend the fixed maturity of any note;
. reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest of any note;
. reduce the principal amount or premium of any note;
. reduce any amount payable upon redemption of any note;
. adversely change our obligation to redeem any note upon a fundamental
change;
. impair the right of a holder to institute suit for payment on any note;
. change the currency in which any note is payable;
. impair the right of a holder to convert any note; or
. adversely modify the subordination provisions of the indenture.
Any modification or amendment that reduces the percentage of notes required
for consent to any modification of the indenture requires the consent of the
holder of each outstanding note.
We are permitted to modify certain provisions of the indenture without the
consent of the holders of the notes.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
We have appointed Chase Manhattan Trust Company, National Association, the
trustee under the indenture, as paying agent, conversion agent, note registrar
and custodian for the notes. The trustee or its affiliates may provide banking
and other services to us in the ordinary course of their business.
The indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, as
long as it or any of its affiliates remains our creditor, to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received on any claim
as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates will be permitted to
engage in other transactions with us. However, if the trustee or any affiliate
continues to have any conflicting interest and a default occurs with respect to
the notes, the trustee must eliminate such conflict or resign.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common
stock, without par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par
value. As of April 14, 2000, there were 24,020,358 shares of common stock and
no shares of preferred stock outstanding. The following description of our
capital stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of
incorporation and bylaws, each as amended.
COMMON STOCK
The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote per share for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders.
Subject to preferential rights with respect to any series of preferred stock
that may be issued, holders of the common stock are entitled to receive ratably
such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors on the common stock
out of funds legally available therefor and, in the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, are entitled to share equally and
ratably in all of our remaining assets and funds. In the election of directors,
the holders of the common stock may multiply the number of votes the shareholder
is entitled to cast by the total number of directors to be elected at a meeting
of shareholders and cast the whole number of votes for one candidate or
distribute them among some or all candidates. The holders of the common stock
have no preemptive rights or rights to convert shares of the common stock into
any other securities and are not subject to future calls or assessments by us.
All outstanding shares of the common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
By resolution of the board of directors and without any further vote or
action by the shareholders, we have the authority to issue preferred stock in
one or more series and to fix from time to time the number of shares to be
included in each such series and the designations, preferences, qualifications,
limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights of the shares of each
such series. Our ability to issue preferred stock, while providing flexibility
in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could
adversely affect the voting power of the holders of the common stock and could
have the effect of making it more difficult for a person to acquire, or of
discouraging a person from attempting to acquire, control of us. We have no
present plans to issue any of the preferred stock.
CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
Some parts of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Pennsylvania law
may discourage certain transactions involving a change in control of Kulicke &
Soffa. For example, our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions
that (i) classify the board of directors into four classes, with one class being
elected each year, (ii) permit the board to issue "blank check" preferred
stock without shareholder approval and (iii) prohibit us from engaging in
certain business combinations with a holder of 20% or more of our voting
securities without super-majority board or shareholder approval. Further, under
the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, because our bylaws provide for a
classified board of directors, shareholders
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may only remove directors for cause. These provisions and provisions of the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law could have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of Kulicke & Soffa and may adversely
affect the voting and other rights of holders of common stock.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company is the transfer agent and
registrar for our common stock, with offices in New York, New York.
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes
and common stock into which notes may be converted, but does not purport to be a
complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto.
This summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect,
all of which are subject to change or differing interpretation possibly with
retroactive effect. Except as specifically discussed below with regard to Non-
U.S. Holders (as defined below), this summary applies only to beneficial owners
that will hold notes and common stock into which notes may be converted as
"capital assets" (within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) and who, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, are (i) individual citizens or residents of the U.S., (ii)
corporations, partnerships or other entities created or organized in or under
the laws of the U.S. or of any political subdivision thereof (unless, in the
case of a partnership, Treasury Regulations otherwise provide), (iii) estates,
the incomes of which are subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of
the source of such income or (iv) trusts subject to the primary supervision of a
U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons ("U.S. Holders").
Persons other than U.S. Holders ("Non-U.S. Holders") are subject to special
U.S. federal income tax considerations, some of which are discussed below. This
discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to an investor's
particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to special tax
rules, such as banks, holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, foreign persons or entities (except to the
extent specifically set forth below), dealers in securities or currencies,
persons that will hold notes as a position in a hedging transaction,
"straddle" or "conversion transaction" for tax purposes or persons deemed to
sell notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.
We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or
an opinion of counsel with respect to the statements made and the conclusions
reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS
will agree with such statements and conclusions. In addition, the IRS is not
precluded from successfully adopting a contrary position. This summary does not
consider the effect of the federal estate or gift tax laws or the tax laws
(except as set forth below with respect to Non-U.S. Holders) of any applicable
foreign, state, local or other jurisdiction.
INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING
UNDER THE FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL
OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
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U.S. HOLDERS
TAXATION OF INTEREST
Interest paid on the notes will be included in the income of a U.S. Holder as
ordinary income at the time it is treated as received or accrued, in accordance
with such holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Under Treasury Regulations, the possibility of an additional payment
under a note may be disregarded for purposes of determining the amount of
interest or original issue discount income to be recognized by a holder in
respect of such note (or the timing of such recognition) if the likelihood of
the payment, as of the date the notes are issued, is remote. Our failure to
file or cause to be declared effective a shelf registration statement as
described under "Description of Notes--Registration Rights of the Noteholders"
may result in the payment of predetermined liquidated damages in the manner
described therein. In addition, a holder may require us to redeem any and all
of his notes in the event of a fundamental change. We believe that the
likelihood of a liquidated damages payment with respect to the notes is remote
and do not intend to treat such possibility as affecting the yield to maturity
of any note. Similarly, we intend to take the position that a "fundamental
change" is remote under the Treasury Regulations, and likewise do not intend to
treat the possibility of a "fundamental change" as affecting the yield to
maturity of any note. In the event either contingency occurs, it would affect
the amount and timing of the income that must be recognized by a U.S. Holder of
notes. There can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such positions.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES
Upon the sale, exchange (other than a conversion) or redemption of a note,
a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between (i) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market value of
any property received on the sale, exchange or redemption (except to the extent
such amount is attributable to accrued interest income not previously included
in income, which will be taxable as ordinary income, or is attributable to
accrued interest that was previously included in income, which amount may be
received without generating further income) and (ii) such holder's adjusted tax
basis in the note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a note generally will
equal the cost of the note to such holder, increased by the amount of any market
discount taken into income as ordinary income (as discussed below) or decreased
by any bond premium previously amortized with respect to the note (as discussed
below). Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
U.S. Holder's holding period in the note is more than one year at the time of
sale, exchange or redemption. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain
noncorporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, will generally be subject to a
maximum rate of tax of 20%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
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MARKET DISCOUNT
The market discount rules discussed below apply to any note purchased after
its original issuance at a price which is less than its principal amount as well
as to any note purchased at its original issuance for an amount which is less
than the price at which a substantial amount of the notes were originally sold.
A U.S. Holder who purchases a note at a market discount generally will be
required to treat any principal payments on, or any gain on the disposition or
maturity of, such note as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market
discount (not previously included in income) at the time of such payment or
disposition. In general, subject to a de minimis exception, market discount is
the amount by which the note's principal amount exceeds the holder's tax basis
in the note immediately after the note is acquired. A note is not treated as
purchased at a market discount, however, if the market discount is less than .25
percent of the principal amount of the note multiplied by the number of complete
years to maturity from the acquisition date. Market discount on a note will
accrue on a straight-line basis, unless the holder elects to accrue such
discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. This election is irrevocable and
applies only to the note for which it is made. A holder may also elect to
include market discount in income currently as it accrues. This election, once
made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first
day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. Holder disposes of a note
acquired at a market discount in any nontaxable transaction (other than a
nonrecognition transaction defined in Section 1276(c) of the Internal Revenue
Code), accrued market discount will be includible in the U.S. Holder's income as
ordinary income as if the U.S. Holder had sold the note at its fair market
value. The U.S. Holder may be required to defer until the maturity of the note
or, in certain circumstances, its earlier disposition, the deduction or all or a
portion of the interest expense attributable to debt incurred or continued to
purchase or carry a note with market discount, unless the U.S. Holder makes an
election to include the market discount on a current basis.
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
A U.S. Holder who purchases a note for an amount in excess of its principal
amount generally will be considered to have purchased the note with "amortizable
bond premium". Such a U.S. Holder generally may elect to amortize such premium
using the constant yield to maturity method. The amount amortized in any year
will generally be treated as a reduction of interest income on the note. If the
amortizable bond premium allocable to a year exceeds the amount of interest
allocable to that year, the excess would be allowed as a deduction for that year
but only to the extent of the U.S. Holder's prior interest inclusions on the
note. If the U.S. Holder does not make such an election, the premium on the note
will decrease the gain or increase the loss otherwise recognized on the sale,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of the note. The election to
amortize the premium on a constant yield to maturity method, once made,
generally applies to all bonds held or subsequently acquired by the U.S. Holder
on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue
Service.
CONVERSION OF THE NOTES
A U.S. Holder generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss upon
conversion of a note into common stock except with respect to cash received in
lieu of a fractional share of common stock. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in the
common stock received on conversion of a note will be the same as such holder's
adjusted tax basis in the note at the time of conversion (reduced by any basis
allocable to a fractional share interest), and the holding period for the common
stock received on conversion will generally include the holding period of the
note converted.
Cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock upon conversion
will be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share of common
stock. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of common
stock generally will result in capital gain or loss (measured by the difference
between the cash received for the fractional share and the holder's adjusted tax
basis in the fractional share).
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DIVIDENDS
Distributions, if any, made on the common stock after a conversion
generally will be included in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend
income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will
be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's basis in
the common stock and thereafter as capital gain.
Holders of convertible debt instruments such as the notes may, in certain
circumstances, be deemed to have received distributions of stock if the
conversion price of such instruments is adjusted. Adjustments to the conversion
price made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula which has the
effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the debt
instruments, however, will generally not be considered to result in a
constructive distribution of stock. Certain of the possible adjustments
provided in the notes (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of
taxable dividends to our stockholders) will not qualify as being pursuant to a
bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, the U.S.
Holders of notes will be deemed to have received constructive distributions
taxable as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits even though they have not received any cash or property as a result of
such adjustments. In certain circumstances, the failure to provide for such an
adjustment may result in taxable dividend income to the U.S. Holders of common
stock.
SALE OF COMMON STOCK
Upon the sale or exchange of common stock a U.S. Holder generally will
recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of
cash and the fair market value of any property received upon the sale or
exchange and (ii) such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common stock.
Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S.
Holder's holding period in common stock is more than one year at the time of the
sale or exchange. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate
U.S. Holders, including individuals, will generally be subject to a maximum rate
of tax of 20%. A U.S. Holder's basis and holding period in common stock
received upon conversion of a note are determined as discussed above under
"Conversion of the Notes." The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
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SPECIAL TAX RULES APPLICABLE TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS
In general, subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding:
(a) payments of principal or interest on the notes by us or any paying
agent to a beneficial owner of a note that is a Non-U.S. Holder will not be
subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that, in the case of interest, (i)
such Non-U.S. Holder does not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of
the total combined voting power of all of our classes of stock entitled to
vote within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Code, (ii) such Non-U.S.
Holder is not a "controlled foreign corporation" with respect to which we
are a "related person" within the meaning of the Code, (iii) such Non-U.S.
Holder is not a bank receiving interest described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of
the Code, and (iv) the certification requirements under section 871(h) or
section 881(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder (discussed
below) are satisfied;
(b) a Non-U.S. Holder of a note or common stock will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on gains realized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of such note or common stock unless (i) such Non-U.S. Holder is an
individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year
of sale, exchange or other disposition, and certain conditions are met, (ii)
such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of
a trade or business in the U.S. and, if certain U.S. income tax treaties
apply, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the
Non-U.S. Holder, (iii) the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to Code provisions
applicable to certain U.S. expatriates, or (iv) in the case of common stock
held by a person who holds more than 5% of such stock, we are or have been, at
any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding such sale or
other disposition or the period such Non-U.S. Holder held the common stock, a
U.S. real property holding corporation (a "USRPHC") for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. We do not believe that we currently are a USRPHC or that we
will become one in the future; and
(c) interest on notes not excluded from U.S. withholding tax as described
in (a) above and dividends on common stock after conversion generally will be
a subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate, except where an applicable
tax treaty provides for the reduction or elimination of such withholding tax.
To satisfy the certification requirements referred to in (a) (iv) above,
sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Code and currently effective Treasury
Regulations thereunder require that either (i) the beneficial owner of a note
must certify, under penalties of perjury, to us or our paying agent, as the case
may be, that such owner is a Non-U.S. Holder and must-provide such owner's name
and address, and U.S. taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), if any, or (ii)
a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that
holds customer securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a
"Financial Institution") and holds the note on behalf of the beneficial owner
thereof must certify, under penalties of perjury, to us or our paying agent, as
the case may be, that such certificate has been received from the beneficial
owner and must furnish the payor with a copy thereof. Such requirement will be
fulfilled if the beneficial owner of a note certifies on IRS Form W-8 or
successor form, under penalties of perjury, that it is a Non-U.S. Holder and
provides its name and address or any Financial
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Institution holding the note on behalf of the beneficial owner files a statement
with the withholding agent to the effect that it has received such a statement
from the beneficial owner (and furnishes the withholding agent with a copy
thereof).
Treasury Regulations effective for payments made after December 31, 2000,
will provide alternative methods for satisfying the certification requirements
described above and below, subject to certain grandfathering provisions. These
new regulations also require, in the case of notes held by a foreign
partnership, that (i) the certification be provided by the partners rather than
by the foreign partnership and (ii) the partnership provide certain information,
including a TIN. A look-through rule will apply in the case of tiered
partnerships.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of a note or common stock is engaged in a trade or
business in the U.S. and if interest on the note, dividends on the common stock,
or gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the note or
common stock is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business
(and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.), the Non-U.S.
Holder, although exempt from U.S. withholding tax (provided that the
certification requirements discussed in the next sentence are met), will
generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest, dividends or
gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In
lieu of the certificate described above, such a Non-U.S. Holder will be
required, under currently effective Treasury Regulations, to provide us with a
properly executed IRS Form 4224 or successor form in order to claim an exemption
from withholding tax. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign
corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such
lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) of its effectively connected
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.
U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE TAX
A note held by an individual who at the time of death is not a citizen or
resident of the U.S. (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes)
will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if the individual did not
actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of
all of our classes of stock and, at the time of the individual's death, payments
with respect to such note would not have been effectively connected with the
conduct by such individual of a trade or business in the U.S. common stock held
by an individual who at the time of death is not a citizen or resident of the
U.S. (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) will be
included in such individual's estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes,
unless an applicable estate tax treaty otherwise applies.
Non-U.S. Holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding U.S. and
foreign tax consequences with respect to the notes and common stock.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 31% may apply to
payments pursuant to the terms of a note or common stock to a U.S. Holder that
is not an "exempt recipient" and that fails to provide certain identifying
information (such as the holder's TIN) in
37
<PAGE>
the manner required. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas
corporations and certain other entities are exempt recipients. Payments made in
respect of a note or common stock must be reported to the Service, unless the
U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or otherwise establishes an exemption.
In the case of payments of interest on a note to a Non-U.S. Holder,
Treasury Regulations provide that backup withholding and information reporting
will not apply to payments with respect to which either requisite certification
has been received or an exemption has otherwise been established (provided that
neither we nor a paying agent has actual knowledge that the holder is a U.S.
Holder or that the conditions of any other exemption are not in fact satisfied).
Dividends on the common stock paid to Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to
U.S. withholding tax, as described above, generally will be exempt from U.S.
backup withholding tax but will be subject to certain information reporting.
Payments of the proceeds of the sale of a note or common stock to or
through a foreign office of a U.S. broker or a foreign office of a broker that
is a U.S. related person (either a "controlled foreign corporation" (within
the meaning of the Code) or a foreign person, 50% or more of whose gross income
from all sources for the three-year period ending with the close of its taxable
year preceding the payment was effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business within the U.S.) are currently subject to certain information
reporting requirements, unless the payee is an exempt recipient or such broker
has evidence in its records that the payee is a Non-U.S. Holder and no actual
knowledge that such evidence is false and certain other conditions are met.
Temporary Treasury Regulations indicate that such payments are not currently
subject to backup withholding.
Under current Treasury Regulations, payments of the proceeds of a sale of a
note or common stock to or through the U.S. office of a broker will be subject
to information reporting and backup withholding unless the payee certifies under
penalties of perjury as to his or her status as a Non-U.S. Holder and satisfies
certain other qualifications (and no agent of the broker who is responsible for
receiving or reviewing such statement has actual knowledge that it is incorrect)
and provides his or her name and address or the payee otherwise establishes an
exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
holder of a note or common stock will be allowed as a refund or credit against
such holder's U.S. federal income tax provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
As noted above, new regulations will generally be applicable to payments
made after December 31, 2000. In general, these new regulations do not
significantly alter the substantive withholding and information reporting
requirements but unify current certification procedures and forms and clarify
reliance standards. Under these new regulations, special rules apply which
permit the shifting of primary responsibility for withholding to certain
financial intermediaries acting on behalf of beneficial owners. A holder of a
note or common stock should consult with his or her tax advisor regarding the
application of the backup withholding rules to his or her particular situation,
the availability of an exemption therefrom, the procedure for obtaining such an
exemption, if available, and the impact of these new regulations on payments
made with respect to notes or common stock after December 31, 2000.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. ACCORDINGLY, EACH
PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISER AS TO THE
PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING,
HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR NOTES AND COMMON STOCK. TAX ADVISORS SHOULD ALSO BE
CONSULTED AS TO THE U.S. ESTATE AND GIFT TAX CONSEQUENCES AND THE FOREIGN TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF OUR NOTES AND COMMON STOCK,
AS WELL AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.
38
<PAGE>
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
We originally issued the notes in a private placement in December 1999.
Selling securityholders may offer and sell the notes and the underlying common
stock using this prospectus.
The following table contains information we received from the selling
securityholders on or before April 18, 2000, with respect to the selling
securityholders and the principal amount of notes and the underlying common
stock beneficially owned by each selling securityholder prior to the offering
and that may be offered using this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF
AT MATURITY OF SHARES OF
NOTES COMMON STOCK NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF
BENEFICIALLY OWNED PRIOR OF COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
OWNED THAT MAY PERCENTAGE OF TO THE THAT MAY BE OUTSTANDING
NAME BE SOLD NOTES OUTSTANDING OFFERING SOLD (1) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aftra Health Fund $ 250,000 * 5,459 5,459 *
Alscott Investments, LCC 4,000,000 2.3% 87,338 87,338 *
Allstate Insurance Company 1,050,000 * 22,926 22,926 *
Alpine Associates 3,950,000 2.3% 86,246 86,246 *
Alpine Partners, L.P. 550,000 * 12,009 12,009 *
American Masters Fund "AG Absolute
Return Series" Limited 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Argent Classic Convertible Arbitrage
Fund (Bermuda) L.P. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Aristeia International Ltd. 975,000 * 21,289 21,289 *
Aristeia Trading, LLC 525,000 * 11,463 11,463 *
Associated Electric & Gas
Insurance Services Limited 300,000 * 6,550 6,550 *
Bank Austria Cayman Island, Ltd. 3,000,000 1.7% 65,503 65,503 *
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. 2,225,000 1.3% 48,581 48,581 *
BNP Arbitrage SNC 5,750,000 3.3% 125,548 125,548 *
Boulder Capital Inc. 1,900,000 1.1% 41,485 41,485 *
Boulder II Limited 5,800,000 3.3% 126,639 126,639 *
Chrysler Corporation Master
Retirement Trust 1,980,000 1.1% 43,232 43,232 *
CIBC World Markets 9,000,000 5.1% 196,510 196,510 *
CIBC World Markets International
Arbitrage Corp. 5,500,000 3.1% 120,089 120,089 *
Coastal Convertibles Ltd. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Daimler Chrysler Corp. Emp. #1 Plan
dated 4/1/89 3,239,000 1.9% 70,722 70,722 *
Delaware PERS 1,925,000 1.1% 42,031 42,031 *
Delta Air Lines Master Trust 905,000 * 19,760 19,760 *
Deutshe Bank Securities 680,000 * 14,847 14,847 *
Employee Benefit Convertible
Securities Fund 155,000 * 3,384 3,384 *
Family Service Life Insurance Co. 200,000 * 4,367 4,367 *
Fidelity Financial Trust: Fidelity
Convertible Securities Fund 4,000,000 2.3% 87,338 87,338 *
Forest Alternative Strategies Fund
Series II A5M 75,000 * 1,638 1,638 *
Forest Fulcrum Fund L.P. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Forest Global Convertible Fund A5 3,725,000 2.1% 81,333 81,333 *
Franklin & Marshall College 241,000 * 5,262 5,262 *
Frederic C. Hamilton 800,000 * 17,468 17,468 *
GE Pension Trust 1,708,000 * 37,293 37,293 *
GLG Global Convertible Fund 2,825,000 1.6% 61,682 61,682 *
GLG Global Convertible UCITS Fund 675,000 * 14,738 14,738 *
Global Bermuda Limited Partnership 1,000,000 * 41,234 21,834 *
Grace Brothers, Ltd. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Guardian Life Insurance Co. 3,200,000 1.8% 69,870 69,870 *
Guardian Pension Trust 100,000 * 2,183 2,183 *
Hamilton Family Trust 355,000 * 7,751 7,751 *
ICI American Holdings Trust 925,000 * 22,926 22,926 *
Jefferies and Company 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
JMG Convertible Investments 1,250,000 * 27,293 27,293 *
John M. Olin Foundation, Inc. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
KD Offshore C.V. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Kellner, DiLeo and Co. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Kentfield Trading, Ltd. 10,660,000 6.1% 232,755 232,755 *
Lakeshore International Ltd. 1,500,000 * 61,752 32,752 *
LLT Limited 200,000 * 4,367 4,367 *
Mainstay Convertible Fund 2,950,000 1.7% 64,411 64,411 *
Mainstay Strategic Value Fund 150,000 * 3,275 3,275 *
Mainstay VP Convertible Portfolio 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Mark IV Industries, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Master Trust 280,000 * 6,114 6,114 *
Mary Ann Hamilton 517,000 * 11,288 11,288 *
McMahan Securities Co. L.P. 12,000 * 262 262 *
Michael Angelo, L.P. 1,500,000 * 32,752 32,752 *
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Convertible Securities Trust 2,000,000 1.1% 43,669 43,669 *
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NUMBER OF
AT MATURITY OF SHARES OF
NOTES COMMON STOCK NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF
BENEFICIALLY OWNED PRIOR OF COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
OWNED THAT MAY PERCENTAGE OF TO THE THAT MAY BE OUTSTANDING
NAME BE SOLD NOTES OUTSTANDING OFFERING SOLD (1) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Motion Picture Industry Health Plan -
Active Member Fund $ 175,000 * 3,821 3,821 *
Motion Picture Industry Health Plan -
Retiree Member Fund 90,000 * 1,965 1,965 *
Mount Sinai School of Medicine 658,000 * 14,367 14,367 *
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 57,000 * 1,245 1,245 *
Nalco Chemical Company 160,000 * 3,494 3,494 *
Nations Convertible Securities Fund 2,255,000 1.3% 49,237 49,237 *
New Hampshire Retirement System 336,000 * 7,336 7,336 *
New York Life Separate Account #7 850,000 * 18,559 18,559 *
Nomura Securities International Inc. 5,000,000 2.9% 109,472 109,172 *
OCM Convertible Limited Partnership 75,000 * 1,638 1,638 *
Onex Industrial Partners Limited 2,550,000 1.5% 55,678 55,678 *
Pacific Innovations Trust Capital
Income Fund 300,000 * 6,550 6,550 *
Paloma Securities L.L.C. 5,570,000 3.2% 121,618 121,618 *
Paloma Strategic Securities Limited 13,070,000 7.5% 285,376 285,376 1.2%
Parker - Hannifin Corporation 68,000 * 1,485 1,485 *
Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd. 395,000 * 8,625 8,625 *
Pebble Capital Inc. 250,000 * 5,459 5,459 *
Penn Treaty Network America Insurance
Co 226,000 * 4,935 4,935 *
PIMCO Convertible Bond Fund 2,500,000 1.4% 54,586 54,586 *
Pitney Bowes Retirement Fund 4,700,000 2.7% 102,622 102,622 *
ProMutual 208,000 * 4,542 4,542 *
Putnam Balanced Retirement Fund 98,000 * 2,140 2,140 *
Putnam Convertible Income - Growth Trust 2,081,000 1.2% 45,437 45,437 *
Putnam Convertible Opportunities and
and Income Trust 155,000 * 3,384 3,384 *
Quattro Fund Ltd. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Ramius Capital Group Holdings, Ltd. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Ramius, L.P. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
RCG Baldwin, L.P. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Spear, Leeds & Kellog 1,200,000 * 26,201 26,201 *
State Employees' Retirement Fund of
the State of Delaware 345,000 * 7,533 7,533 *
State of Connecticut Combined
Investment Funds 2,390,000 1.4% 52,184 52,184 *
Sylvan IMA Ltd. 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement
System 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
The Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Company 5,000,000 2.9% 109,172 109,172 *
Triarc Companies Inc. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Triton Capital Investments, Ltd. 1,250,000 * 27,293 27,293 *
University of Rochester 53,000 * 1,157 1,157 *
U.S. Olympic Foundation 440,000 * 9,607 9,607 *
Value Line Convertible Fund, Inc. 500,000 * 10,917 10,917 *
Van Kempen Harbor Fund 4,245,000 2.4% 92,687 92,687 *
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund,
Inc. 1,550,000 * 33,843 33,843 *
Victory Convertible Securities Fund 650,000 * 14,192 14,192 *
Warburg Dillion Reed LLC 1,000,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 235,000 * 5,131 5,131 *
White River Securities LLC 2,225,000 1.3% 48,582 48,582 *
Zeneca Holdings Pension Trust 500,000 * 21,834 21,834 *
Any other holder of notes or future 4,083,000 2.3% 89,150 89,150 *
transferee, pledgee, donee or
successor of any holder(3)(4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE>
* Less than 1%.
(1) Assumes conversion of all of the holder's notes at a conversion price of
$45.7993 per share of common stock. However, this conversion price will be
subject to adjustment as described under "Description of Notes--Conversion
of Notes." As a result, the amount of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes may increase or decrease in the future.
(2) Calculated based on Rule 13d-3(d)(i) of the Exchange Act using 24,020,358
shares of common stock outstanding as of April 14, 2000. In calculating
this amount, we treated as outstanding the number of shares of common stock
issuable upon conversion of all of that particular holder's notes.
However, we did not assume the conversion of any other holder's notes.
(3) Information about other selling security holders will be set forth in
prospectus supplements, if required.
(4) Assumes that any other holders of notes, or any future transferees,
pledgees, donees or successors of or from any of these other holders of
notes, do not beneficially own any common stock other than the common stock
issuable upon conversion of the notes at the initial conversion rate.
We prepared this table based on the information supplied to us by the
selling securityholders named in the table.
The selling securityholders listed in the above table may have sold or
transferred, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, some or all of their notes since the date on which the
information in the above table is presented. Information about the selling
securityholders may change over time. Any changed information will be set forth,
to the extent provided to us by the selling securityholders, in prospectus
supplements, if and when necessary.
Because the selling securityholders may offer all or some of their notes or
the underlying common stock from time to time, we cannot estimate the amount of
the notes or underlying common stock that will be held by the selling
securityholders upon the termination of any particular offering. See "Plan of
Distribution."
41
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the notes and the underlying common stock to allow the
selling securityholders and their successors, including their transferees,
pledgees and donees and their successors, to sell these securities to the public
from time to time after the date of this prospectus. The selling securityholders
may sell the securities directly or through underwriters, broker-dealers or
agents. If the selling securityholders sell the securities through underwriters
or broker-dealers, the selling securityholders will be responsible for
underwriting discounts or commissions or agents' commissions. We have agreed to
pay substantially all of the expenses incidental to the registration, offering
and sale of the securities to the public other than commissions, fees and
discounts of underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents.
The total proceeds to the selling securityholders from selling the
securities will be the purchase price of the securities, less any discounts and
commissions paid by the selling securityholders. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.
The SEC may deem the selling securityholders and any broker-dealers or
agents who participate in the distribution of the securities to be
"underwriters." As a result, the SEC may deem any profits the selling
securityholders make by selling the securities and any discounts, commissions or
concessions received by any broker-dealers or agents to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling securityholders who
are "underwriters" will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act and may also be subject to liabilities under the securities
laws, including Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5
under the Exchange Act. To our knowledge, there are currently no plans,
arrangements or understandings between any selling securityholders and any
underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the securities.
The selling securityholders and any other person who participates in
distributing the securities will be subject to the Exchange Act. The Exchange
Act rules include Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and
sales of any of the securities by the selling securityholders and any other
person. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged
in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with
respect to the particular securities being distributed for a period of up to
five business days before beginning to distribute the securities. This may
affect the securities' marketability and the ability of any person or entity to
engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.
The selling securityholders may sell the securities in one or more
transactions at:
. fixed prices;
. prevailing market prices at the time of sale;
. varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
42
<PAGE>
. negotiated prices.
These sales may be effected in transactions:
. on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the
securities are listed or quoted at the time of the sale, including the
Nasdaq National Market in the case of the common stock;
. in the over-the-counter market;
. in transactions other than transactions on national securities exchanges,
quotation services or in the over-the-counter market;
. through the writing of put or call options;
. through the distribution of the securities by any selling securityholder
to its partners, members or shareholders; or
. through a combination of any of the above.
These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are
transactions in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the
transaction.
In connection with sales of the securities or otherwise, any selling
securityholder may:
. enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial
institutions, who may in turn engage in short sales of the securities
in the course of hedging the positions they assume;
. sell the securities short and deliver the securities to close out their
short positions; or
. loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers, who may in turn sell
the securities pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended
to reflect such transaction).
We cannot assure you that any selling securityholder will sell any or all
of the securities using this prospectus. In addition, any securities covered by
this prospectus that qualify for sale under Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the
Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than under this
prospectus. The selling securityholders also may transfer, devise or gift the
securities by other means not described in this prospectus.
To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the
selling securityholders may only sell the securities in these jurisdictions
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"KLIC." We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities
exchange or for quotation through Nasdaq. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that
selling securityholders will be able to sell the notes or that any trading
market for the notes will develop. See "Risk Factors--A public market may not
develop for the notes."
43
<PAGE>
With respect to a particular offering of the securities, to the extent
required, we will file an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate,
a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part, disclosing the following information:
. the specific notes or common stock to be offered and sold;
. the names of the selling securityholders;
. the respective purchase prices and public offering prices and other
material terms of the offering;
. the names of any participating agents, broker-dealers or underwriters;
and
. any applicable commissions, discounts, concessions and other items
constituting compensation from the selling securityholders.
The registration rights agreement filed as an exhibit to this registration
statement provides that we and the selling securityholders will indemnify each
other and each other's directors, officers and controlling persons against
specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or that
we will be entitled to contribution from each other in connection with these
liabilities.
LEGAL MATTERS
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will provide us with
an opinion as to the validity of our issuance of the securities offered by this
prospectus. Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, New York, New York will provide us with
an opinion as to the enforceability of the notes and the indenture under which
the notes were issued.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended September 30, 1999 have been so incorporated in reliance on
the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Flip Chip Technologies, L.L.C. as of September
30, 1999 and for the year then ended incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
1999 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Flip Chip Technologies, L.L.C. as of September
30, 1998 and 1997 and for the years ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and for
the period from inception (February 28, 1996) through September 30, 1996
incorporated by reference to our Annual
44
<PAGE>
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy our
reports, proxy statements and other information we file at the SEC's public
reference facilities at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's following regional offices: 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and Seven World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. You may obtain copies of these
materials at prescribed rates from the SEC's Public Reference Section at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-
0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. Our reports,
proxy statements and other information filed with the SEC are available to the
public on the internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important
information by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate
by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. Information that we
file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the
information contained in this prospectus, including the other information
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the
documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the selling
securityholders sell all of the notes or the shares of common stock offered by
this prospectus.
. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30,
1999;
. Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended
December 31, 1999;
. Our Proxy Statement for our 2000 annual meeting of stockholders;
. Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 1999;
. Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 2, 1999;
. Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 9, 1999;
. Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 1999; and
. Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 1999.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
45
<PAGE>
Investor Relations Department
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
2101 Blair Mill Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Telephone: (215) 784-6000
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus. You should not assume the information in this
prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those
documents. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different
information.
46
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The aggregate estimated (other than the registration fee) expenses to be
paid by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the notes and common stock
being registered are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee................................ $ 46,200
--------------
Nasdaq Additional Share Listing Fee................................................ $ 17,500
--------------
Accounting fees and expenses....................................................... $ 20,000
--------------
Legal fees and expenses............................................................ $ 25,000
--------------
Miscellaneous...................................................................... $ 5,000
--------------
Total.............................................................................. $113,700
==============
</TABLE>
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF KULICKE & SOFFA
Our By-laws require us to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding
by reason of the fact that he or she is or was our director or officer or is or
was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with
such proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with
respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification as to expenses is mandatory to
the extent the individual is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
the matter or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein. In addition,
Pennsylvania law permits us to provide similar indemnification to employees and
agents who are not directors or officers. Our By-laws provide, however, that we
will not indemnify a director who has breached or failed to perform the duties
of his office in a manner that constituted self-dealing, willful misconduct or
recklessness. The determination of whether an individual meets the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in our By-laws may be made by disinterested
directors, independent legal counsel or the shareholders. Pennsylvania law also
permits indemnification in connection with a proceeding brought by or in our
right to procure a judgement in our favor.
In addition, the registration rights agreement filed as an exhibit to this
registration statement provides that we and the selling securityholders will
indemnify each other and each other's directors, officers and controlling
persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or that we will be entitled to contribution from each other in
connection with these liabilities.
II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<S> <C>
</TABLE>
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this
registration statement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT TITLE
----------------- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
3.1 The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation as of March 3, 1998, filed as Exhibit 3(i)
to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 1998 and Form of
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation effective March
12, 1999, filed as Exhibit 3(i), to the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 1999, are incorporated herein by
reference.
3.2 The Company's By-Laws, as amended through June 26, 1990,
filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Form 8-A12G dated
September 8, 1995, are incorporated herein by reference.
4.1 Indenture dated as of December 13, 1999 between the
Company and Chase Manhattan Trust Company, National
Association, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Company's Form 8-K dated December 13, 1999, is
incorporated herein by reference.
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 13,
1999 between the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form
8-K dated December 13, 1999, is incorporated herein by
reference.
4.3 Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1)
5.1 Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
5.2 Opinion of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Accountants, relating to Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Accountants, relating to Flip Chip Technologies, LLC
23.3 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants
23.4 Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
23.5 Consent of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP (included in Exhibit
5.2)
24.1* Power of Attorney of certain directors and officers of
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
25.1* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
</TABLE>
* Previously filed.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act,
(b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement,
(c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that clauses (a) and (b) do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by such clauses is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
II-3
<PAGE>
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities, other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding, is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this amended Registration Statement
on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Willow Grove, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on April
19, 2000.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:/s/ C. Scott Kulicke
--------------------
C. Scott Kulicke
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Capacity Date
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ C. Scott Kulicke Chairman and Chief Executive Officer April 19, 2000
- ------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
C. Scott Kulicke
*/s/ James W. Bagley Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
James W. Bagley
*/s/ John A. O'Steen Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
John A. O'Steen
*/s/ Allison F. Page Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
Allison F. Page
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
*/s/ MacDonnell Roehm, Jr. Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
MacDonnell Roehm, Jr.
*/s/ Larry D. Striplin, Jr. Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
Larry D. Striplin, Jr.
*/s/ C. William Zadel Director April 19, 2000
- -------------------------------------
C. William Zadel
/s/ Clifford G. Sprague Senior Vice President and Chief April 19, 2000
- ------------------------------------- Financial Officer (Principal
Clifford G. Sprague Financial and Accounting Officer)
* By: /s/ Clifford G. Sprague (as attorney in fact)
------------------------
Clifford G. Sprague
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT TITLE
- --------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
5.1 Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
5.2 Opinion of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Accountants, relating to Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent
Accountants, relating to Flip Chip Technologies, LLC
23.3 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants
23.4 Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
23.5 Consent of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP (included in Exhibit
5.2)
24.1* Power of Attorney of certain directors and officers of
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
25.1* Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
</TABLE>
* Previously filed.
II-7
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.1
[Letterhead of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP]
April 19, 2000
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
2101 Blair Mill Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
RE: Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (No. 333-30540)
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-3, as amended (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to (i) $175,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 4-3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due
December 13, 2006 (the "Notes") issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of
December 13, 1999 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Chase Manhattan
Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, and (ii) the shares of Common
Stock, no par value, of the Company as are issuable upon conversion of the Notes
(collectively, the "Conversion Shares").
For purposes of this opinion, we have examined the originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended to date, the
Indenture, resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors and such
other agreements, instruments, documents and records relating to the Company and
the issuance of the Notes and the Conversion Shares as we have deemed
appropriate. In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of
signatures, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to authentic original documents of documents submitted to us as
copies and the accuracy and completeness of all records and other information
made available to us by the Company. As to various questions of fact material
to our opinion, we have relied on representations of officers of the Company.
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the federal law of the United States and the law of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. With respect to all matters of New York law, we have relied with
your approval exclusively upon the opinion of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP of even
date herewith.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications,
limitations and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Notes have been legally and validly issued and constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency,
<PAGE>
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
April 19, 2000
Page 2
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights in general and general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law); and
2. The Conversion Shares, when and if delivered upon the due
conversion of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the terms of the
Notes, will, when so delivered, be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent we do not admit that we come within the
categories of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.2
[Letterhead of Hughes Hubbard & Heed LLP]
April 19, 1999
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
2101 Blair Mill Road
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special New York counsel to Kulicke and Soffa Industries,
Inc. a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement")
filed on February 16, 2000 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to $175,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Company's 4-3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the
"Notes") issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of December 13, 1999 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and Chase Manhattan Trust Company, National
Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), and the shares of Common Stock, no par
value, of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Notes. In that capacity we
have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of the Indenture, the opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
referred to in subparagraph (ii) below and such other documents as we have
deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below. All terms used
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture unless otherwise
defined herein. We have not participated in the preparation of the Registration
Statement.
In rendering the opinions set forth herein we have assumed:
(i) the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic
original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies;
(ii) the correctness of all matters of law and fact set forth in the
opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP dated the date hereof and addressed
to the Company with respect to the Registration Statement, the Notes and
such shares, other than the New York law matters set forth in paragraphs 1
and 2 below;
(iii) that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by each of the parties thereto and is the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Trustee;
<PAGE>
(iv) that the terms and provisions of the Notes are in all respects as
set forth in the Indenture;
(v) that the Notes have been duly issued, executed and authenticated
in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and have been delivered
to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance with the Purchase
Agreement dated December 7, 1999 between the Initial Purchasers and the
Company; and
(vi) that neither the Notes nor the Indenture have been amended,
altered or otherwise modified since their execution, delivery and/or
issuance on December 13, 1999.
The opinions set forth herein are limited solely to the laws of the
State of New York. We express no opinion as to the Federal laws of the United
States of America.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, limitations
and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Notes are valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and are entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture.
2. The Indenture is a valid and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
The opinions expressed herein are also subject to the following
qualifications, assumptions and limitations:
(a) Our opinions herein are limited by the effects of (i) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent
transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity, regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and by the
discretion of a court before which any proceeding may be brought, and (iii)
concepts of reasonableness, good faith, conscionability and fair dealing.
(b) A court may modify or limit contractual awards of attorneys' fees.
This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof and is limited by the
facts, circumstances and laws in effect on such date, and we undertake no
obligation to advise you with respect to any changes therein. This opinion may
be relied on by Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in giving its opinion referred to in
subparagraph (ii) above.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent we do not admit that we come within the
categories of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Very truly yours,
/s/ HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit 12.1
Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation
S Six Months Ended
Fiscal Year ended September 30, March 31,
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
---------------------------------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed charges:
Interest expense, including
amortization of debt issuance costs $ 1,431 $ 3,288 $ 2,331 $ 262 $ 215 $ 2,895
Portion of rental expense
deemed to represent
interest 785 847 1,064 999 1,072 959
---------------------------------------------- ------------
Total fixed charges $ 2,216 $ 4,135 $ 3,395 $ 1,261 $ 1,287 $ 3,854
============================================== ============
Earnings before fixed
charges:
Income (loss) before income tax
and minority interest $55,613 $15,630 $51,782 $(7,357) $(26,185) $47,763
Equity in loss of joint ventures - 994 6,701 8,715 10,000 709
Fixed charges 2,216 4,135 3,395 1,261 1,287 3,854
---------------------------------------------- ------------
Total earnings (loss) before fixed charges $57,829 $20,759 $61,878 $ 2,619 $(14,898) $52,326
============================================== ============
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1) 26 5 18 2 - 14
============================================== ============
</TABLE>
(1) We would have had to generate additional earnings of $16.2 million in fiscal
1999 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
----------------------------------
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated December 6, 1999, except as to Note 15
which is as of December 15, 1999, relating to the financial statements and
financial statement schedule of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. which appears
in Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 30, 1999. We also consent to the reference to us under the
heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 19, 2000
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
----------------------------------
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated December 6, 1999 relating to the
financial statements of Flip Chip Technologies, LLC as of and for the year ended
September 30, 1999 which appears in Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.'s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1999. We also consent to
the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 19, 2000
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-----------------------------------------
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated November 19, 1998
on the financial statements of Flip Chip Technologies, LLC as of September 30,
1998, incorporated by reference in the Form 10-K of Kulicke & Soffa Industries,
Inc. for the year ended September 30, 1999, and to all references to our firm
included in this registration statement. It should be noted that we have not
audited any financial statements of Flip Chip Technologies, LLC subsequent to
September 30, 1998 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of
our report.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Phoenix, Arizona
April 19, 2000
