SEMITOOL INC
10-Q, 1999-08-13
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
Previous: NICOLLET PROCESS ENGINEERING INC, 8-K, 1999-08-13
Next: BANK WEST FINANCIAL CORP, 5, 1999-08-13






                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


(Mark one)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

                                       OR

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

For the transition period from _______________ to ______________

Commission file number 0-25424

                                 Semitool, Inc.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

            Montana                                              81-0384392
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                               Identification No.)

                             655 West Reserve Drive
                            Kalispell, Montana 59901
               (Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (406)752-2107


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO __



                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practical date:

           Title                               Outstanding as of August 10, 1999
       Common Stock                                         13,814,498




<PAGE>




PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements


                                 SEMITOOL, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (Amounts in Thousands, Except for Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                               June 30,        September 30,
                                  ASSETS                                         1999              1998
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>
                                                                              (Unaudited)
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                   $     6,694      $     7,287
    Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $1,484 and $1,542                                                   24,697           34,855
    Inventories                                                                      36,240           36,435
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                         6,689            2,052
    Deferred income taxes                                                             6,379            6,379
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total current assets                                                          80,699           87,008
Property, plant and equipment, net                                                   33,582           36,302
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization of $3,303 and $2,399                       3,354            3,965
Other assets, net                                                                       884              715
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total assets                                                             $   118,519      $   127,990
                                                                            ===============  ===============


                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Note payable to bank                                                        $        --      $     3,000
    Accounts payable                                                                 11,075            8,987
    Accrued commissions                                                               1,443              935
    Accrued warranty and installation                                                 8,381           11,970
    Accrued payroll and related benefits                                              3,819            4,240
    Other accrued liabilities                                                         4,328            2,414
    Customer advances                                                                 1,915            2,380
    Long-term debt, due within one year                                                 440              596
    Payable to shareholder                                                                4               78
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total current liabilities                                                     31,405           34,600
Long-term debt, due after one year                                                    3,945            3,836
Deferred income taxes                                                                 2,860            2,860
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total liabilities                                                             38,210           41,296
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------

Contingencies (Note 5)

Shareholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized,
     no shares issued and outstanding                                                    --               --
    Common stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized,
     13,792,023 shares issued and outstanding in both periods                        41,248           41,248
    Retained earnings                                                                38,911           45,754
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                       150             (308)
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total shareholders' equity                                                    80,309           86,694
                                                                            ---------------  ---------------
       Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                               $   118,519      $   127,990
                                                                            ===============  ===============

  The   accompanying   notes  are  an  integral  part  of  the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>




<PAGE>




                                 SEMITOOL, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
              (Amounts in Thousands, Except for Per Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                                         June 30,                        June 30,
                                               ---------------------------      ---------------------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>

                                                   1999           1998              1999           1998
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------
Net sales                                      $    29,838     $    46,572      $    86,076     $   138,815
Cost of sales                                       15,216          22,463           44,790          66,960
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------
Gross profit                                        14,622          24,109           41,286          71,855
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------

Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative             13,336          15,181           36,414          43,381
    Research and development                         5,555           6,313           16,304          19,336
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------
       Total operating expenses                     18,891          21,494           52,718          62,717
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------

Income (loss) from operations                       (4,269)          2,615          (11,432)          9,138
Other income (expense), net                            125            (252)           1,064            (395)
                                               -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes                   (4,144)          2,363          (10,368)          8,743
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes           (1,409)            874           (3,525)          3,235
                                               ------------    -----------      -----------     -----------

Net income (loss)                              $    (2,735)    $     1,489      $    (6,843)    $     5,508
                                               ===========     ===========      ============    ===========

Earnings (loss) per share:
    Basic                                      $     (0.20)    $      0.11      $     (0.50)    $      0.40
                                               ===========     ===========      ===========     ===========
    Diluted                                    $     (0.20)    $      0.11      $     (0.50)    $      0.40
                                               ===========     ===========      ===========     ===========

Weighted average common shares:
    Basic                                           13,792          13,790           13,792          13,780
                                               ===========     ===========      ===========     ===========
    Diluted                                         13,792          13,874           13,792          13,944
                                               ===========     ===========      ===========     ===========

The accompanying  notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>




<PAGE>




                                 SEMITOOL, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Amounts in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                                  June 30,
                                                                      ---------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>
                                                                            1999              1998
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)                                                         $    (6,843)      $     5,508
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
   by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                               7,750             7,778
    Provision for losses on accounts receivable                                    58                 9
    Loss on disposition of equipment                                              157               120
    Change in:
       Trade receivables                                                       10,956             3,296
       Inventories                                                             (2,325)           (3,032)
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets                               (4,572)             (462)
       Other assets                                                              (385)             (214)
       Accounts payable                                                         1,219            (5,515)
       Accrued commissions                                                        508              (145)
       Accrued warranty and installation                                       (3,589)            1,642
       Accrued payroll and related benefits                                      (447)             (186)
       Other accrued liabilities                                                2,280               602
       Customer advances                                                         (466)              977
       Income taxes payable                                                        --            (1,904)
       Shareholder payable                                                        (75)               (1)
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------
          Net cash provided by operating activities                             4,226             8,473
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------

Investing activities:
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                 (2,191)           (7,537)
    Increase in intangible assets                                                (292)           (2,061)
    Proceeds from sale of equipment                                             1,020                52
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------
          Net cash used in investing activities                                (1,463)           (9,546)
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------

Financing activities:
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                        --               336
    Borrowings under line of credit                                             1,000            62,420
    Repayments under line of credit                                            (4,000)          (62,420)
    Proceeds from long-term debt                                                  442             1,100
    Repayments of long-term debt                                                 (489)             (301)
    Repayments of short-term debt                                                (413)               --
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------
          Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                  (3,460)            1,135
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                      104               (35)
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                             (593)               27
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                7,287             5,060
                                                                      ---------------   ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                $     6,694       $     5,087
                                                                      ===============   ===============

 The accompanying  notes are an integral part of the  consolidated  financial statements.

</TABLE>




<PAGE>




                                 SEMITOOL, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  included  herein have been prepared by
Semitool,  Inc.,  (the  "Company")  without  audit,  pursuant  to the  rules and
regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Certain  information and footnote  disclosures,  normally  included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and  regulations.  The
Company believes the disclosures  included herein are adequate;  however,  these
consolidated  statements  should be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended September 30, 1998
previously filed with the SEC on Form 10-K.

Financial information as of September 30, 1998 has been derived from the audited
financial  statements  of  the  Company.  In  the  opinion  of  management,  the
accompanying  unaudited  financial  statements  contain  all of the  adjustments
(normal and recurring in nature)  necessary to present  fairly the  consolidated
financial position of the Company and subsidiaries and the consolidated  results
of their  operations  and their cash flows.  The results of  operations  for the
periods  presented  may not be indicative of those which may be expected for the
full year.

In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of an
Enterprise  and  Related  Information."  SFAS  No.  131  requires  publicly-held
companies to report financial and other information about key  revenue-producing
segments of the entity for which such  information  is available and is utilized
by the chief operation decision maker.  Specific  information to be reported for
individual  segments includes profit or loss,  certain revenue and expense items
and total assets. A reconciliation of segment  financial  information to amounts
reported in the  financial  statements  is also to be provided.  SFAS No. 131 is
effective for the Company in fiscal 1999 and the form of the presentation of the
Company's financial statements has not yet been determined.

In March 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1,  "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software  Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP
98-1  requires  companies  to  capitalize  certain  costs of  computer  software
developed  or  obtained  for  internal  use,  provided  that those costs are not
research and  development.  SOP 98-1 is effective for the Company in fiscal 2000
and the timing and effect of adoption has not yet been determined.

In June  1998,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  133,  "Accounting  for  Derivative
Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities."  SFAS  133  establishes  accounting  and
reporting  standards  for  derivative  financial  instruments  and  for  hedging
activities.  SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 137, is  effective  for the Company in
fiscal 2001 and the timing and effect of adoption has not yet been determined.


Note 2.  Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Semitool, Inc. and
its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  All  significant  intercompany  and affiliated
accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.




<PAGE>




Note 3.  Inventories

Inventories are summarized as follows (in thousands):


                                June 30, 1999               September 30, 1998
                           ----------------------         ----------------------

Parts and raw materials             $    21,636                    $    22,334
Work-in-process                           8,733                          8,344
Finished goods                            5,871                          5,757
                           ----------------------         ----------------------
                                    $    36,240                    $    36,435
                           ======================         ======================


During the nine months  ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, $2,777,000 and $2,033,000,
respectively, of finished goods inventory was transferred to property, plant and
equipment.


Note 4.  Income Taxes

The components of the Company's  income tax provision  (benefit) are as follows,
(in thousands):

                      Three Months Ended                  Nine Months Ended
                           June 30,                           June 30,
                ---------------------------          ---------------------------
                    1999           1998                  1999            1998
                -----------     -----------          -----------     -----------

Federal         $    (1,316)    $       505          $    (3,201)    $     2,799
State                  (159)             61                 (390)            341
Foreign                  66             308                   66              95
                -----------     -----------          -----------     -----------
Total           $    (1,409)    $       874          $    (3,525)    $     3,235
                ===========     ===========          ===========     ===========



Note 5.   Contingencies

A lawsuit brought by Mitsubishi Silicon America Corporation, successor to Siltec
Corporation  (Case No.  CV-98-826AA)  was  filed on July 7,  1998 in the  United
States  Federal  District  Court for the District of Oregon against the Company.
The lawsuit  alleges breach of warranties and seeks damages and attorney's  fees
in excess of $5 million.  The Company  believes the lawsuit to be without  merit
and  intends  to contest  the action  vigorously.  However,  given the  inherent
uncertainty  of litigation  and the early stages of  discovery,  there can be no
assurance that the ultimate  outcome will be in the Company's  favor, or that if
the ultimate  outcome is not in the Company's favor,  that such an outcome,  the
diversion of management's attention,  and any costs associated with the lawsuit,
will not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  financial  condition,
results of operations or cash flows.

The Company is subject to other legal  proceedings  and claims which have arisen
in the ordinary  course of its  business and have not been finally  adjudicated.
Although  there can be no  assurance  as to the  ultimate  disposition  of these
matters,  it is  the  opinion  of  the  Company's  management,  based  upon  the
information available at this time, that the currently expected outcome of these
matters,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  will not have a material  adverse
effect on the results of  operations,  financial  condition or cash flows of the
Company.




<PAGE>




Note 6.  Earnings Per Common Share

The following  table sets forth the  computation  of basic and diluted  earnings
(loss) per share (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Three Months Ended              Nine Months Ended
                                                            June 30,                        June 30,
                                                  ---------------------------     ---------------------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
                                                      1999            1998            1999            1998
                                                  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Numerator:
  Net income (loss) for basic and diluted
    earnings per share                            $    (2,735)    $     1,489     $    (6,843)    $     5,508
                                                  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Denominator:
  Average common shares used for basic
    earnings per share                                 13,792          13,790          13,792          13,780
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options                                          --              84              --             164
                                                  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Denominator for diluted earnings per share             13,792          13,874          13,792          13,944
                                                  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

</TABLE>

The effect of stock options are not included in the  calculation  of the diluted
earnings  (loss)  per  share  to  the  extent  that  their  inclusion  would  be
anti-dilutive.


Note 7.  Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive  Income" as of the first  quarter of fiscal 1999.  The
adoption of this statement had no impact on the Company's  current or previously
reported net income (loss) or shareholders' equity.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Three Months Ended                Nine Months Ended
                                                     June 30,                         June 30,
                                            ---------------------------      ---------------------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
                                               1999            1998              1999            1998
                                            -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------

Net income (loss)                           $    (2,735)    $     1,489      $    (6,843)    $     5,508
Foreign currency translation adjustment             (66)           (358)             458            (873)
                                            -----------     -----------      -----------     -----------

Other Comprehensive income (loss)           $    (2,801)    $     1,131      $    (6,385)    $     4,635
                                            ===========     ===========      ===========     ===========

</TABLE>

Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income (loss)  presented in the  accompanying
consolidated   balance  sheets  consists  of  the  cumulative  foreign  currency
translation adjustment.




<PAGE>




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

CAUTION

Statements contained in this "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations"  and elsewhere in this report which are not
historical facts are  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of Section
21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended.  A  forward-looking
statement may contain words such as "will  continue to be," "will be," "continue
to," "expect to,"  "anticipates  that," "to be" or "can impact." Forward looking
statements  include:  the  Company's  statements  in  Part I,  Item 2 under  the
headings (a) "Results of Operations"  regarding the Company's  expectations that
(i) it  will  continue  to  fund  research  and  development  with  a  multiyear
perspective,  (ii) research and development  expenses may fluctuate from quarter
to quarter,  and (iii) that new order  increases may reflect a market  recovery,
(b) "Nine  Months of fiscal year 1999  Compared  with Nine Months of fiscal year
1998" regarding (i) the Company's  anticipation that its income tax rate will be
34% for the remainder of fiscal 1999,  (ii) the Company's  anticipation  that it
will not have  major  year 2000  compliance  problems,  and (iii) the  Company's
expectation  that year 2000  compliance  costs will not  significantly  increase
information   technology  department  costs,  and  (c)  "Liquidity  and  Capital
Resources"  regarding  (i) its  belief  that  cash and cash  equivalents,  funds
generated from  operations,  and  borrowings  under the Company's line of credit
agreement will be sufficient to meet the Company's planned  requirements for the
balance of the fiscal year, and (ii) that the Company expects total purchases of
property,  plant and  equipment  to be  approximately  $5.0 million for the next
twelve months.  Management cautions that forward-looking  statements are subject
to risks and  uncertainties  that could cause the  Company's  actual  results to
differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties  include, but are not limited to, the cyclical nature of
the  semiconductor  industry  in  general,  lack of  market  acceptance  for new
products,  decreasing  demand for the  Company's  existing  products,  impact of
competitive  products  and  pricing,  product  development,  anticipated  growth
opportunities in the copper and metal plating market segments, commercialization
and  technological  difficulties,  capacity  and supply constraint difficulties,
changes in management policies,  unanticipated Year 2000 compliance problems and
other risks detailed  herein or in its Form 10-K.  The Company's  future results
will depend on its ability to continue to enhance its  existing  products and to
develop and manufacture new products and to finance such  activities.  There can
be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will be  successful  in the  introduction,
marketing and cost-effective manufacture of any new products or that the Company
will be able to  develop  and  introduce  in a timely  manner  new  products  or
enhancements to its existing products and processes which satisfy customer needs
or achieve widespread market acceptance.

The Company  undertakes no obligation  to release  revisions to  forward-looking
statements  to  reflect  subsequent  events,  changed   circumstances,   or  the
occurrence of unanticipated events.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 1999 COMPARED WITH THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR
1998

Net Sales.  Net sales  consist of revenues  from sales of  equipment,  including
associated spare parts and service contracts,  and software products.  Net sales
were $29.8  million in the third  quarter of fiscal year 1999  compared with net
sales of $46.6  million for the same  period in fiscal  year 1998.  Sales in all
product categories were lower during the third quarter when compared to the same
period a year ago.  Weakness in demand for  semiconductor  equipment is the main
reason for lower sales levels.

Gross Profit. Gross profit margin was 49.0% of net sales in the third quarter of
fiscal  year 1999  compared  to 51.8% of net sales for the same period in fiscal
year 1998. Lower  absorption of manufacturing  costs due to lower volume levels,
was the primary  contributing factor to this margin decline. The Company's gross
profit  margin  has been,  and will  continue  to be,  affected  by a variety of
factors,  including an increase or decrease in operating levels or sales volume,
the mix and average selling price of products sold, and the cost to manufacture,
service and support new and enhanced products.




<PAGE>




Selling,  General  and  Administrative.   Selling,  general  and  administrative
expenses were $13.3 million or 44.7% of net sales in the third quarter of fiscal
year 1999 compared to $15.2 million or 32.6% of net sales for the same period in
fiscal year 1998. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense is
primarily  attributable  to cost  reductions  in response to lower sales  volume
levels and lower variable costs. The increase as a percent of sales in the third
quarter of fiscal  1999 as  compared  to the third  quarter of fiscal  1998 is a
result of a greater  decline in sales than the decline in  selling,  general and
administrative expense. A substantial portion of the Company's selling,  general
and  administrative  expenses  are  fixed  in the  short  term  and as such  may
fluctuate as a percentage of net sales from period to period.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist of salaries,
project  materials,   laboratory  costs,  professional  fees,  and  other  costs
associated  with the Company's  research and development  efforts.  Research and
development  expense was $5.6 million or 18.6% of net sales in the third quarter
of fiscal year 1999  compared to $6.3  million or 13.6% of net sales in the same
period in fiscal year 1998.

The Company is committed to technology leadership in the semiconductor equipment
industry  and  expects to  continue  to fund  research  and  development  with a
multiyear  perspective.  The Company's  research and  development  expenses have
fluctuated from quarter to quarter in the past and this  fluctuation is expected
to  continue  in  the  future,  both  in the  absolute  dollar  amount  and as a
percentage of net sales.

Other Income (Expense),  Net. Other income (expense), net was a net other income
of $125,000 in the third  quarter of fiscal year 1999  compared to a net expense
of $252,000 for the same period in fiscal year 1998.  Interest  income  exceeded
interest expense during the third quarter of fiscal 1999.

Provision for and benefit from Income Taxes.  The provision for and benefit from
income  taxes are made  based on the  blended  estimate  of  federal,  state and
foreign effective income tax rates.

Orders Backlog. The Company includes in its orders backlog those customer orders
for which it has written authorization and shipment is scheduled within the next
twelve months.  Orders backlog was approximately  $49.6 million at June 30, 1999
compared to  approximately  $53.2  million at June 30, 1998 and $30.8 million at
the beginning of the current fiscal year.

The Company's new order  bookings were $50.1 million in the current  fiscal year
third quarter  compared to $32.9  million in this fiscal year's second  quarter.
New order  bookings have increased  sequentially  in comparison to the preceding
quarter in each of the three  quarters  of this  fiscal  year.  Even  though the
bookings  for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 are  approximately  18% below
the first nine months of fiscal 1998, the quarterly  sequential  increase in new
order  bookings  may reflect a market  recovery in the  semiconductor  equipment
industry.  Orders are  generally  subject to  cancellation  or  rescheduling  by
customers with limited or no penalty. As the result of tools ordered and shipped
in the same quarter,  changes in customer delivery  schedules,  cancellations of
orders and delays in product  shipments,  the  Company's  orders  backlog at any
particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding
period.

NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 1999 COMPARED WITH NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 1998

Net Sales. Net sales consist of revenue from sales of equipment, spare parts and
service, and fab supervisory systems. Net sales decreased 38.0% to $86.1 million
in the first nine months of fiscal  year 1999 from  $138.8  million for the same
period in fiscal year 1998. Sales in all product categories,  with the exception
of software sales which were slightly ahead of last year,  were lower during the
first nine  months  when  compared  to the same  period a year ago.  Weakness in
demand for semiconductor equipment is the main reason for lower sales levels.

Gross  Profit.  Gross  profit  margin  was 48.0% of net sales in the first  nine
months of fiscal year 1999 compared to 51.8% of net sales for the same period in
fiscal year 1998. Lower  absorption of  manufacturing  costs due to lower volume
levels,  was the  primary  contributing  factor  to  this  margin  decline.  The
Company's  gross profit margin has been, and will continue to be,  affected by a
variety of factors,  including an increase or decrease in  operating  levels and
sales volume,  the mix and average  selling price of products sold, and the cost
to manufacture, service and support new and enhanced products.

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)
expenses  were $36.4  million or 42.3% of net sales in the first nine  months of
fiscal year 1999  compared  to $43.4  million or 31.3% of net sales for the same
period in fiscal year 1998.  The decrease in SG&A  expenses  primarily  reflects
cost reductions in response to lower sales levels and lower variable costs.

Research and  Development.  Research and development  (R&D) expenses  consist of
salaries, project materials,  laboratory costs, consulting fees, and other costs
associated with the Company's research and development  efforts. R&D expense was
$16.3 million or 18.9% of net sales in the first nine months of fiscal year 1999
compared  to $19.3  million or 13.9% of net sales for the same  period in fiscal
year 1998.  Presently,  the Company's  development  efforts have been associated
with its electrochemical  deposition and surface  preparation  equipment and the
development of improved ECD and wafer cleaning processes.

Other Income (Expense),  Net. Other income (expense), net was a net other income
of $1.1  million in the first nine months of fiscal year 1999  compared to a net
expense of $395,000  for the same period in fiscal year 1998.  Interest  expense
exceeded  interest  income in the first nine  months of fiscal year 1999 but was
offset by a foreign  exchange  gain of  $819,000  most of which  occurred in the
first quarter of fiscal 1999.

Provision  for and benefit  from Income  Taxes.  Provision  for and benefit from
income  taxes are made  based on the  blended  estimate  of  federal,  state and
foreign  effective income tax rates. The effective income tax rate for the first
nine  months of  fiscal  year 1999 was 34%  compared  to 37% for the  comparable
period in fiscal year 1998.  The Company  anticipates  its effective  income tax
rate will be 34% for the remainder of fiscal 1999.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently issued accounting  standards include Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards  (SFAS) No. 131  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of an  Enterprise  and
Related  Information,"  issued  by the FASB in June  1997.  Also,  Statement  of
Position (SOP) 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software  Developed or
Obtained for  Internal  Use," was issued by the AICPA in March 1998 and SFAS No.
133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" was issued by
FASB in June  1998.  Descriptions  of SFAS  No.  131,  SOP 98-1 and SFAS 133 are
included in the notes to the financial statements. These pronouncements have not
been  adopted by the Company  and the timing and effect of adoption  has not yet
been determined.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash  provided by operating  activities  was $4.2 million  during the first nine
months of fiscal 1999,  compared to $8.5 million  provided in the same period in
fiscal  1998.  During  the  first  nine  months of fiscal  1999,  the  Company's
inventory  decreased  $2.3  million  to  $36.2  million.  A  decrease  in  trade
receivables  of $11.0 million  combined with an increase in accounts  payable of
$1.2  million  offset an increase in prepaid  expenses  of $4.6  million,  which
includes a $3.5 million increase in income taxes  receivable,  and a decrease in
accrued  warranty of $3.6 million.  The Company  expects future working  capital
balances  to  fluctuate  based on net sales and the  average  cycle  time of the
specific equipment types being manufactured.

Investing  activities  during the first  nine  months of fiscal  1999  consisted
primarily  of  $2.2  million  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  acquisitions
partially offset with proceeds from the sale of equipment of $1.0 million.

Financing activities included $3.0 million in net repayments under the Company's
revolving line of credit.

As of June 30, 1999, the Company's  principal sources of liquidity  consisted of
approximately  $6.7 million of cash and cash equivalents,  and the entire amount
available under the Company's $25 million  revolving line of credit.  The credit
facility is with Seafirst Bank, a Bank of America affiliate,  and bears interest
at the bank's  reference  rate or Libor plus 1.5%.  The revolving line of credit
expires  on April 1, 2001 and all  principal  amounts  owing are due by April 1,
2004.  The  revolving  line of credit  agreement,  which was amended  during the
quarter,  has various  restrictive  covenants,  including a prohibition  against
pledging or in any way encumbering  current or operating  assets during the term
of the agreement and the maintenance of various financial ratios.

The  Company  believes  that cash and cash  equivalents,  funds  generated  from
operations,  and funds available under its bank lines will be sufficient to meet
the  Company's  planned  capital  requirements  during  the next  twelve  months
including the spending of approximately $5.0 million to purchase property, plant
and  equipment.  The Company  believes  that  success in its  industry  requires
substantial  capital in order to maintain the  flexibility  to take advantage of
opportunities  as they arise.  The Company may, from time to time, as market and
business  conditions  warrant,  invest in or acquire  complementary  businesses,
products  or  technologies.  The Company  may effect  additional  equity or debt
financings to fund such activities or to fund greater than  anticipated  growth.
The sale of additional equity securities or the issuance of equity securities in
a business combination could result in dilution to the Company's shareholders.

YEAR 2000

The status of the  Company's  Year 2000  (Y2K)  readiness  project is  presented
below:

     1.       Planning (completed July 1998)
     2.       Assessment (completed October 1998)
     3.       Testing (completed March 1999)
     4.       Repairs/Reinstallations (in progress)
     5.       Retesting (in progress)
     6.       Contingency plans (June 1999 - October 1999).

The Company is currently working in the repairs/reinstallations,  retesting, and
contingency  planning  phases  with  its IT  systems,  non-IT  systems,  and its
customers and  suppliers.  All mission  critical IT systems have been tested and
are  believed to be  Y2K ready.  Manufacturing  planning  systems are scheduling
materials and job completions into the Year 2000 without problems.

Some of the Company's  equipment and the fab  supervisory  systems that it sells
contain  hardware and software  components  that are subject to the Y2K problem.
Approximately  99% of these  products  shipped  prior to that date have upgrades
that are complete and available to the Company's customers. All products shipped
since April 11, 1998 are believed to be Y2K ready.

Total costs associated with the Company's Y2K readiness program are not expected
to significantly increase information technology department costs.

Due to the inherent  uncertainty  surrounding the Y2K issue,  the Company cannot
anticipate  all of the possible  problems that may occur.  Adverse  consequences
from Y2K issues may  materially  affect the Company's  warranty  liability,  the
value of its  capitalized  software and the carrying  value of its  inventory as
well as the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Y2K problems could also subject the Company to litigation  which may include
consequential damages.

LITIGATION

A lawsuit brought by Mitsubishi Silicon America Corporation, successor to Siltec
Corporation  (Case No.  CV-98-826AA)  was  filed on July 7,  1998 in the  United
States  Federal  District  Court for the District of Oregon against the Company.
The lawsuit  alleges breach of warranties and seeks damages and attorney's  fees
in excess of $5 million.  The Company  believes the lawsuit to be without  merit
and  intends  to contest  the action  vigorously.  However,  given the  inherent
uncertainty  of litigation  and the early stages of  discovery,  there can be no
assurance that the ultimate  outcome will be in the Company's  favor, or that if
the ultimate  outcome is not in the Company's favor,  that such an outcome,  the
diversion of management's attention,  and any costs associated with the lawsuit,
will not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  financial  condition,
results of operations or cash flows.

The Company is subject to other legal  proceedings  and claims which have arisen
in the ordinary  course of its  business and have not been finally  adjudicated.
Although  there can be no  assurance  as to the  ultimate  disposition  of these
matters,  it is  the  opinion  of  the  Company's  management,  based  upon  the
information available at this time, that the currently expected outcome of these
matters,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  will not have a material  adverse
effect on the results of  operations,  financial  condition or cash flows of the
Company.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Financial Market Risk

Financial Market Risks

Financial  Market risks relating to the Company's  operations  result  primarily
from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The  Company as of June 30, 1999 has  approximately  $4.4  million in  long-term
debt. The Company's  long-term debt bears interest at a fixed rate. As a result,
changes in the fixed rate interest  market would change the estimated fair value
of its fixed rate long-term debt. The Company believes that a ten percent change
in the long-term interest rate would not have a material effect on the Company's
financial condition or result of operations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Sensitivity

The Company  conducts its Japanese  business in Japanese yen. The Company enters
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts  primarily as an economic hedge
against the short-term  impact of foreign currency  fluctuations of its Japanese
subsidiary.  These  contracts are denominated in Japanese yen. The maturities of
the forward foreign exchange  contracts are generally  short-term in nature. The
Company's forward exchange contracts are  marked-to-market as are the underlying
transactions being hedged. The impact of movements in currency exchange rates on
forward  foreign  exchange  contracts  generally  offsets the related  impact on
anticipated transactions denominated in yen. Given the historic average level of
hedging,  the effect of a ten percent  change in foreign  exchange  rates on the
Japanese Yen would not be material to the Company's financial condition, results
of operations or the cash flows. However, during the first nine months of fiscal
1999, the Company had significant  assets  denominated in Japanese Yen that were
not hedged. The Yen during the first nine months of the fiscal year increased in
value as compared to the US dollar by 16.1%.  This change  resulted in a foreign
exchange gain of $819,000 most of which  occurred in the first quarter of fiscal
1999 and is reported in other income on the statement of operations.




<PAGE>




PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

A lawsuit brought by Mitsubishi Silicon America Corporation, successor to Siltec
Corporation  (Case No.  CV-98-826AA)  was  filed on July 7,  1998 in the  United
States  Federal  District  Court for the District of Oregon against the Company.
The lawsuit  alleges breach of warranties and seeks damages and attorney's  fees
in excess of $5 million.  The Company  believes the lawsuit to be without  merit
and  intends  to contest  the action  vigorously.  However,  given the  inherent
uncertainty  of litigation  and the early stages of  discovery,  there can be no
assurance that the ultimate  outcome will be in the Company's  favor, or that if
the ultimate  outcome is not in the Company's favor,  that such an outcome,  the
diversion of management's attention,  and any costs associated with the lawsuit,
will not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  financial  condition,
results of operations or cash flows.

The Company is subject to other legal  proceedings  and claims which have arisen
in the ordinary  course of its  business and have not been finally  adjudicated.
Although  there can be no  assurance  as to the  ultimate  disposition  of these
matters,  it is  the  opinion  of  the  Company's  management,  based  upon  the
information available at this time, that the currently expected outcome of these
matters,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  will not have a material  adverse
effect on the results of  operations,  financial  condition or cash flows of the
Company.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)   Exhibit No.                 Description

      10.29           First Amendment to Business Loan Agreement between Bank of
                      America  NT&SA  doing  business as Seafirst Bank and
                      Semitool, Inc.
      10.30           Employment Agreement between Gary Spray and Semitool, Inc.
                      dated May 25, 1999
      27              Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1999.

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K:

      There were no reports on Form 8-K filed  during the three  months ended
      June 30, 1999.




<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES



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




                                    SEMITOOL, INC.
                                    --------------
                                     (Registrant)




Date: August 13, 1999               By   /s/Larry A. Viano
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Larry A. Viano
                                         Controller, Treasurer and
                                         Chief Accounting Officer






Date: August 13, 1999               By   /s/William A. Freeman
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                         William A. Freeman
                                         Senior Vice President
                                         and Chief Financial Officer


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                           5
<LEGEND>
                                    Exhibit 27

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM
10-Q AS OF June 30, 1999 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                      1,000

<S>                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                           SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                                            6,694
<SECURITIES>                                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    26,181
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      1,484
<INVENTORY>                                                      36,240
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 80,699
<PP&E>                                                           63,257
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   29,675
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  118,519
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            31,405
<BONDS>                                                           3,945
                                                 0
                                                           0
<COMMON>                                                         41,248
<OTHER-SE>                                                       39,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    118,519
<SALES>                                                          82,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 86,076
<CGS>                                                            44,035
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    44,790
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 16,304
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  281
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (10,368)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     (3,525)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              (6,843)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0
<CHANGES>                                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                                     (6,843)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                     (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     (0.50)



</TABLE>


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.29



                   FIRST AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

        This  Amendment is entered into as of July 20, 1999, between BANK OF
AMERICA  NT&SA doing  business as SEAFIRST  BANK  ("Bank") and SEMITOOL, INC.
("Borrower").



                                    Recitals
                                    --------

        A. Bank and Borrower entered into a certain Business Loan Agreement
dated as of September 30, 1998 (the "Agreement").

        B. Bank and Borrower desire to amend certain terms and provisions of the
Agreement as more specifically set forth below.

                                    Agreement
                                    ---------

        1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment
shall have the meaning given to them in the Agreement.

        2. Amendments. The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

               2.1  The first sentence of Paragraph 4.3 is amended to read as
                    follows:

               Maintain  a tangible  net worth of at least  equal to $70,000,000
        plus  the  sum  of 50%  of  net  income   after  income  taxes  (without
        subtracting  losses)   earned in each  quarterly   accounting     period
        commencing  after   June 30,  1999,  and  not  permit   Borrower's total
        indebtedness  which is not subordinated in a manner satisfactory to Bank
        to exceed Borrower's tangible net worth.

               2.2  Paragraph 11.2 is amended by the addition of the following
                    thereto:

               Compliance  with the foregoing  Debt Coverage  Ratio shall not be
        required  until the  period  commencing  April 1,  2001,  and  shall  be
        measured as of the end of each quarterly accounting period ending  after
        that date (based  upon the immediately preceding four quarters financial
        results).

        3. Representations and Warranties. When Borrower signs this Amendment,
Borrower represents and warrants to Bank that:

               3.1  There is no event which is, or with  notice or lapse of time
        or both would be, an Event of Default under the Agreement,  except those
        events,  if  any,  that have been disclosed in writing to Bank or waived
        in writing by Bank;

               3.2  The   representations and  warranties in  the Agreement  are
        true  and correct as of  the  date  of  this Amendment as if made on the
        date of this Amendment;

               3.3  This Amendment is within Borrower's  powers,  has  been duly
        authorized,  and does not conflict with any of Borrower's organizational
        papers; and

               3.4  This Amendment does not conflict with any law, agreement, or
        obligation by which Borrower is bound.

        4. Effectiveness of Amendment.  This Amendment shall be effective as of
June 30, 1999,  provided each of the following  conditions is satisfied on or
before July 30, 1999:

               4.1  Bank has received this Amendment, duly executed by Borrower;
        and

               4.2  Borrower has paid to Bank an amendment fee in the amount of
        Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500).

        5. Effect of Amendment. Except as provided in this Amendment, all of the
terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

        6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of
which  when so executed shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

        In Witness  Whereof,  the parties  hereto have  executed  this Amendment
as of the day and year first above written.



BANK OF AMERICA NT&SA                         SEMITOOL, INC.
doing business as SEAFIRST BANK



By /s/Stanley S. Diddams                      By /s/William A. Freeman
   ----------------------------------         ----------------------------------
   Stanley S. Diddams                         William A. Freeman
   Vice President                             Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                              Chief Financial Officer





                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30

                                                                      One of two



May 25, 1999

Mr. Gary Spray
10855 North 11th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020

Dear Gary,

It is my  pleasure  to  offer  you the  position  of Vice  President  Sales  for
Semitool,  Inc. reporting to me, working out of the Phoenix office. The terms of
this offer are as follows:

         1.  Your start date will be as soon as possible, but no later than June
             14, 1999.

         2.  Your base salary will be $210,000 per year, paid semi-monthly.

         3.  Your employment package will include a company car.

         4.  Considering  specific goals and  objectives we jointly compose, you
             will be able to earn up to 40% of your base salary as a bonus.
             These performance goals will encompass bookings, profitability, and
             customer satisfaction.

         5.  The company will provide a condominium  for the time you spend in
             Kalispell this summer getting to know our company. A leased or
             company car will be provided for you.

         6.  As part of your incentive package you will receive options on
             40,000 shares of Semitool stock. Following Board approval, they
             will be issued and vested according to the current distribution
             plan.

         7.  You will be entitled to three weeks vacation within the first year
             of employment, with scheduling subject to company approval.

         8.  You will be entitled  to all standard benefits offered to  Semitool
             employees,  some of which have waiting periods. They  include life,
             medical and dental  insurance  (eligibility the  first of the month
             following employment).

             You will be eligible for the 401(k) Profit Sharing  plan on July 1,
             1999.  However, if you  have  funds  currently in a qualified plan,
             you may  roll those  funds over into the Semitool 401(k) Plan prior
             to that date.

         9.  As a condition of your employment you will be required to sign a
             Confidentiality/conflict of interest agreement.




<PAGE>




                                                                      Two of two
                                                                        G. Spray



         10. None of the above terms of this offer  represents  an  agreement by
             you or  Semitool,  Inc.  for any specific  length of  employment.
             Either you or Semitool may, at any time, terminate the employment
             relationship upon notice to the other party. As with all Semitool
             employment positions, there is a 90 day probationary period.

             Any  controversy  or claim arising out of termination of employment
             after your probationary period has expired shall be settled by
             arbitration  as  provided  in  Montana's  Uniform  Arbitration Act,
             27-5-211 et seq., MCA.  The laws of Montana shall apply.

         11. In the unlikely event you or Semitool  determines this working
             relationship  is not to continue,  we will provide a six month
             severance package to defray the cost of your finding a new
             position.



Sincerely,                                Acceptance: I have read and understand
                                          all of the above and accept the terms
SEMITOOL, INC.                            of employment with Semitool, Inc.


                                          /s/Gary Spray
                                          --------------------------------------
/s/Fabio Gualandris                       Gary Spray
- ------------------------------
Fabio Gualandris
President                                 Date   June 1, 1999
                                               ---------------------------------



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission