MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS INC
8-K, 1998-10-27
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 1998
                                                          ----------------

                         MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
           -----------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                          1-13828                             56-1505767
- --------                          -------                             ----------
(State or other           (Commission File Number)                 (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                                                   Identification
incorporation)                                                           No.)


501 Pearl Drive, St. Peters, Missouri                                   63376
- -------------------------------------                                   -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (314) 279-5000
                                                     --------------


                                (Not Applicable)
                              ---------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>

Item 5.  Other Events

     Private Placement and Rights Offering

     MEMC Electronic Materials,  Inc. issued a news release on October 22, 1998,
with respect to its intention to raise $200 million in equity capital  through a
private  placement  and a rights  offering.  This news  release is  incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto.

     Third Quarter 1998 Results

     MEMC Electronic  Materials,  Inc. issued a news release on October 26, 1998
announcing its financial  results for the three and nine months ended  September
30, 1998. This news release is incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2
attached hereto.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

       C.  Exhibits

           Exhibit No.   Description
           -----------   -------------------------------------------------------

               99.1      News Release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials,  Inc.
                         dated October 22, 1998

               99.2      News Release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials,  Inc.
                         dated October 26, 1998


                                    SIGNATURE

     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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                                MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.

Date:  October 27, 1998                         /s/ James M. Stolze
       ----------------                         -------------------------------
                                                James M. Stolze
                                                Executive Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

     These  Exhibits are numbered in  accordance  with the Exhibit Table of Item
601 of Regulation S-K:

     Exhibit No.               Description
     -----------               -----------

     99.1                      News Release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials,
                               Inc. dated October 22, 1998

     99.2                      News Release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials,
                               Inc. dated October 26, 1998



Exhibit 99.1
- ------------
                                                             CONTACT: Sam Duggan
                                                    Director, Investor Relations
                                                                  (314) 279-5920

                                                   Michele Katz/Connie Bienfait/
                                                                  Elric Martinez
                                                         Morgen-Walke Associates
                                                                Press: Lee Foley
                                                                  (212) 850-5600


        MEMC ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RAISE $200 MILLION IN EQUITY CAPITAL
               THROUGH A PRIVATE PLACEMENT AND A RIGHTS OFFERING


St. Peters, MO, October 22, 1998 -- MEMC Electronic Materials,  Inc. (NYSE: WFR)
today  announced  that the Company has filed a  registration  statement with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission to raise approximately $94 million in equity
capital through a rights  offering.  MEMC also announced that VEBA  Corporation,
the  Company's  53.1%  stockholder,  has agreed to purchase  approximately  $106
million  of MEMC  common  stock  in a  private  placement,  subject  to  certain
customary conditions.

The  private  placement  and  rights  offering  would  complete  a $350  million
financial restructuring of the Company which includes $150 million in additional
credit  facilities  received from VEBA AG and its affiliates  over the last four
months.  This  restructuring  also provides for the extension of all outstanding
debt with VEBA AG and its  affiliates  that matures  prior to January 1, 2001 to
the respective rollover dates in 2001.

The private placement to VEBA Corporation is expected to close concurrently with
the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  declaring  effective the  registration
statement  associated  with the rights  offering.  The per share price of MEMC's
common stock sold to VEBA Corporation is to be set at a weighted average trading
price per share of MEMC's common stock during a period  shortly  before the date
of the rights offering final prospectus.

Under the rights offering,  MEMC plans to issue transferable  rights to purchase
additional shares of common stock to the Company's stockholders of record, other
than VEBA  Corporation.  The rights offering would allow MEMC's  stockholders an
opportunity to restore their  proportionate  interest in the Company at the same
price per  share of  common  stock as paid by VEBA  Corporation  in the  private
placement.  Rights holders who exercise their rights in full would also have the
opportunity  to subscribe  for  additional  shares of common stock which are not
purchased by other  eligible  rights  holders.  VEBA  Corporation  has agreed to
purchase  all  shares not  subscribed  for by other  stockholders  in the rights
offering, subject to certain customary conditions.

A registration  statement relating to the rights and the underlying common stock
has been filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  but has not yet
become  effective.  These  securities  may not be sold nor may  offers to buy be
accepted prior to the time the registration  statement becomes  effective.  This
news release  shall not  constitute an offer to sell or the  solicitation  of an
offer to buy nor  shall  there be any sale of these  securities  in any state or
other  jurisdiction in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful
prior to  registration  or  qualification  under the securities laws of any such
state  or  other  jurisdiction.   In  any  state  or  other  jurisdiction  where
securities,  blue sky laws or other laws require the rights  offering to be made
by a licensed broker or dealer, the rights offering will be deemed to be made on
behalf of the Company by the dealer managers or one or more  registered  brokers
or dealers  licensed under the laws of such  jurisdiction.  The rights  offering
will be made only by means of a prospectus.

The  shares of common  stock to be  purchased  by VEBA  Corporation  will not be
registered  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in
the United States without such registration or an applicable exemption from such
registration requirements.

NationsBanc  Montgomery  Securities  LLC and J.P.  Morgan  Securities  Inc.  are
expected to act as dealer managers in connection with this rights offering.

VEBA Corporation is a U.S.  subsidiary of VEBA AG. VEBA AG (NYSE: VEB), which is
among the largest publicly held industrial  corporations in Germany,  is engaged
in businesses including  electricity,  chemicals,  oil,  distribution/logistics,
real estate management and telecommunications.

MEMC is the second largest  producer of silicon wafers in the world. The silicon
wafer is the fundamental  building block of semiconductors,  which, in turn, are
found  in  virtually  all   electronics   applications,   including   computers,
telecommunications  equipment,   automobiles,   consumer  electronics  products,
industrial  automation and control systems,  and analytical and defense systems.
Headquartered in St. Peters, MO, MEMC operates manufacturing facilities directly
or through joint ventures in Italy, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the
United States.

                                      # # #


Exhibit 99.2
- ------------
                                                             CONTACT: Sam Duggan
                                                    Director, Investor Relations
                                                                  (314) 279-5920

                                                   Michele Katz/Connie Bienfait/
                                                                  Elric Martinez
                                                         Morgen-Walke Associates
                                                                Press: Lee Foley
                                                                  (212) 850-5600

                    MEMC ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 1998 RESULTS

St. Peters, MO, October 26, 1998 -- MEMC Electronic Materials,  Inc. (NYSE: WFR)
today released  financial  results for the three and nine months ended September
30, 1998.  MEMC reported net sales of $167.7 million for the 1998 third quarter,
in line with  anticipated  net sales of $160 to $165  million  as  disclosed  on
September 15, 1998. In the year-ago period, net sales totaled $260.0 million.

The  Company  reported  a net loss of $63.5  million,  or $1.57 per share in the
third  quarter of 1998,  compared  to a net loss of $4.3  million,  or $0.10 per
share in the 1997 third quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company  reported net sales of
$605.1  million,  and a net loss of $129.5  million,  or $3.18 per share  before
after-tax  restructuring  charges of $110.5 million, or $2.72 per share. For the
first nine months of 1997, the Company  reported net sales of $728.1 million and
a net loss totaling $3.3 million, or $0.08 per share.

Advanced large diameter and epitaxial products represented 50% of product volume
for the 1998 third quarter compared to 40% in the year-ago period.  The increase
in  this  ratio  is  indicative  of the  Company's  customers  utilizing  8-inch
facilities in preference to their smaller diameter facilities in order to obtain
the lowest cost per device.

In the third  quarter of 1998 gross margin was a negative  16.8%,  compared to a
positive 13.9% in the year-ago period.  The decline in gross margin is primarily
attributable to significant  declines in volume and lower prices, only partially
offset by an  improved  product  mix.  The Company  noted that it believes  that
product volumes in the fourth quarter are likely to decline in comparison to the
1998 third  quarter.  However,  based on currently  available  information,  the
Company believes the rate of decline is slowing.

"1998 has been a very  difficult year for MEMC,"  commented  Ludger H. Viefhues,
Chief Executive  Officer.  "Overcapacity in the semiconductor  industry has been
exacerbated  by weaker  economic  conditions  in the Asia  Pacific and  Japanese
markets.   According  to  industry  data,  these  conditions  have  resulted  in
sequential  quarterly declines in product volume for the silicon wafer industry.
This  will be the  first  year  since  1985 that  silicon  consumption  will not
increase year over year for the industry."

"Under  these  unprecedented  market  conditions,   we  have  taken  significant
initiatives to reduce costs and "right-size" our manufacturing  capacity," noted
Mr.  Viefhues.  "At the same time,  we have also sought to improve our financial
position  in  order  to have  the  appropriate  level  of  capital  to make  key
investments in research and  development  and capital  expenditures  and to fund
operating losses."

Marketing and  administration  expenses totaled $16.3 million for the 1998 third
quarter,  compared to $17.1 million in the year-ago period.  This represents the
lowest quarterly marketing and administration expenses in three years.

Research and  development  costs  totaled $20.6 million for the third quarter of
1998, compared to $17.2 million in the year-ago period. The increase in research
and  development is primarily due the Company's 12 inch (300  millimeter)  wafer
development program and depreciation expense associated with investments made in
its pilot line in St. Peters, MO and integrated  development line in Utsunomiya,
Japan during 1997 and the first half of 1998.

Interest  expense  totaled $11.9 million for the 1998 third quarter  compared to
$5.3  million in the  year-ago  period.  The  increase  in  interest  expense is
primarily  attributable  to  increased  borrowings,  and to a lesser  extent the
completion of projects for which interest costs could no longer be capitalized.

The  Company  noted  that its  effective  tax rate was 22.7% for the first  nine
months of 1998  compared  to 43% in the  year-ago  period,  which was  primarily
attributable  to the  composition  of worldwide  taxable  income,  restructuring
costs,   non-deductible   operating   expenses  in  Malaysia   and  China,   the
establishment  of a valuation  allowance on certain deferred tax assets in Japan
and certain foreign tax credit elections.

Equity in loss of joint ventures was $11.5 million in the third quarter of 1998,
compared  to $6.0  million in the  year-ago  period.  The loss in the 1998 third
quarter included a foreign currency loss on Korean won currency exposure at PHC,
the Company's  unconsolidated Korean joint venture, and a small foreign currency
gain on New Taiwanese  dollar exposure at Taisil,  the Company's  unconsolidated
Taiwanese joint venture,  that netted to a loss of $0.9 million. The loss in the
third  quarter of 1998 also  included the  write-off of $0.8 million of deferred
tax assets at Taisil,  which are not  anticipated  to be  realized  prior to the
initiation of a tax holiday.  Excluding the net foreign  currency losses and the
write-off,  equity in loss of joint ventures would have been $9.8 million in the
third quarter of 1998, reflecting lower volumes and prices at PHC and at Taisil.

MEMC is the second largest  producer of silicon wafers in the world. The silicon
wafer is the fundamental  building block of semiconductors,  which, in turn, are
found  in  virtually  all   electronics   applications,   including   computers,
telecommunications  equipment,   automobiles,   consumer  electronics  products,
industrial  automation and control systems,  and analytical and defense systems.
Headquartered in St. Peters, MO, MEMC operates manufacturing facilities directly
or through joint ventures in Italy, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the
United States.  To learn more about MEMC visit its web site at www.memc.com

The matters  discussed  in this news  release  regarding  the rate of decline in
product   volume   and   silicon   consumption   year-over-year   for  1998  are
forward-looking   statements.   Such   statements   involve  certain  risks  and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking  statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include such
factors as demand for the Company's  silicon wafers,  demand for  semiconductors
generally,  general  economic  conditions in the Asia Pacific  region and Japan,
competitors' actions and other risks described in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the registration statement on Form
S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 1998. These
forward-looking  statements  represent the Company's  judgment as of the date of
this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.

                              - tables to follow -

<PAGE>

                MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three Months Ended                  Nine Months Ended
                                                                    September 30,                      September 30,
                                                                 1998           1997                 1998           1997
                                                                 ----           ----                 ----           ----
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>
Net sales                                                     $  167,685      $  260,026         $  605,081     $  728,090
Cost of goods sold                                               195,780         223,856            613,220        633,019
                                                                 -------         -------            -------        -------
       Gross margin                                              (28,095)         36,170             (8,139)        95,071
Operating expenses:
     Marketing and administration                                 16,295          17,113             53,665         51,972
     Research and development                                     20,563          17,241             58,330         46,417
     Restructuring costs                                               -               -            139,454              -
                                                                 -------         -------            -------        -------
       Operating loss                                            (64,953)          1,816           (259,588)        (3,318)
                                                                 -------         -------            -------        -------
Nonoperating (income) expense:
     Interest expense                                             11,931           5,265             29,195          6,521
     Interest income                                                (293)           (265)            (1,172)        (1,048)
     Royalty income                                               (1,188)         (2,233)            (3,712)        (6,525)
     Other, net                                                      136            (755)             3,336         (7,296)
                                                                 -------         -------            -------         ------
       Total nonoperating (income) expense                        10,586           2,012             27,647         (8,348)
                                                                 -------         -------            -------         ------
       Earnings (loss) before income taxes, equity
         in loss of joint ventures and
         minority interests                                      (75,539)           (196)          (287,235)         5,030
Income taxes                                                     (17,642)            (85)           (65,136)         2,163
                                                                 -------         -------            -------        -------
       Earnings (loss) before equity in loss of joint
         ventures and minority interests                         (57,897)           (111)          (222,099)         2,867
Equity in loss of joint ventures                                 (11,454)         (6,033)           (26,845)        (9,477)
Minority interests                                                 5,807           1,883              9,007          3,325
                                                                --------         -------            -------         ------
       Net earnings (loss)                                    $  (63,544)     $   (4,261)        $ (239,937)      $ (3,285)
                                                                ========        ========           ========        =======

Basic earnings (loss) per share                               $    (1.57)     $    (0.10)        $    (5.90)      $  (0.08)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share                             $    (1.57)     $    (0.10)        $    (5.90)      $  (0.08)
                                                                   ======          ======             ======         ======

Weighted average shares used in computing basic
     earnings (loss) per share                                40,507,810      41,360,861         40,637,643      41,403,629
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted
     earnings (loss) per share                                40,507,810      41,360,861         40,637,643      41,403,629
                                                              ==========      ==========         ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               (Unaudited)
                                                                              September 30,         December 31,
                                                                                   1998                 1997
<S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                $    33,529           $   30,053
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
      $2,367 and $3,473 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                           115,957              154,702
    Income taxes receivable                                                       18,255               14,382
    Inventories                                                                  123,183              141,447
    Deferred tax assets, net                                                      22,210               13,206
    Prepaid and other current assets                                              27,479               23,185
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total current assets                                                      340,613              376,975
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
    $531,642 and $465,384 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                       1,162,021            1,200,827
Investment in joint ventures                                                      80,315               95,307
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net of accumulated amortization
    of $4,784 and $3,752 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                           48,740               49,772
Other assets                                                                     115,319               54,277
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total assets                                                           $1,747,008           $1,777,158
                                                                               =========            =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt               $  102,486           $  122,476
    Accounts payable                                                              99,840              146,172
    Provision for restructuring costs                                             41,886                    -
    Accrued liabilities                                                           57,191               48,611
    Accrued wages and salaries                                                    21,113               21,267
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total current liabilities                                                 322,516              338,526
Long-term debt, less current portion                                             718,428              510,038
Pension and similar liabilities                                                   91,078               76,837
Customer deposits                                                                 62,260               67,141
Other liabilities                                                                 43,993               26,901
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total liabilities                                                       1,238,275            1,019,443
                                                                               ---------            ---------

Minority interests                                                                50,220               59,227
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none
       issued or outstanding in 1998 or 1997                                           -                    -
   Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized,
       41,436,421 and 41,440,369 issued and outstanding in 1998
       and 1997                                                                      414                  414
   Additional paid-in capital                                                    574,317              574,317
   Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)                                       (75,541)             164,396
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                          (23,392)             (38,887)
   Unearned restricted stock awards                                                 (265)                (424)
   Treasury stock, at cost: 929,205 and 36,205 shares in 1998 and
       1997, respectively                                                        (17,020)              (1,328)
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total stockholders' equity                                                458,513              698,488
                                                                               ---------            ---------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                             $1,747,008           $1,777,158
                                                                               =========            =========

</TABLE>



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