Veeco Announces Reduction in ALD Technology Investments
Veeco Announces Reduction in ALD Technology Investments and Guides Third Quarter 2016 Revenue to High End of Guidance Range
PLAINVIEW, NY–(Marketwired – October 05, 2016) – Significantly reducing future investments in Atomic Layer Deposition (“ALD”) technology development ALD cost reductions expected to result in annualized savings of approximately $10 million Expecting to record pre-tax charges of between $56 and $62 million in Q3 2016, the vast majority of which are non-cash impairment charges Expecting Q3 2016 revenue to be at the high end of previously announced guidance range of $70 million to $85 million Veeco Instruments Inc. (VECO) today announced additional cost reduction initiatives with the decision to significantly reduce future investments in its Atomic Layer Deposition (“ALD”) technology development.
This action reflects the company’s ongoing focus to balance technology investments with the potential for associated revenue realization. ALD cost reduction activities are expected to be complete by year end 2016 and are in addition to the previously announced restructuring plans, which targeted $20 million in annualized savings. In total, these initiatives are expected to generate $30 million in annualized savings. “While we have continued to make progress with our ALD technology development for advanced semiconductor applications, the expected timing for revenue realization has been delayed,” said John R. Peeler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Consequently, we have made the difficult decision to lower investments in our ALD program. We plan to retain the intellectual property and technology capabilities and continue to assess future market opportunities.”
In the third quarter, the company expects to record total asset impairment and restructuring charges of between $56 and $62 million, or $1.44 and $1.59 on a per share basis. Of these charges, the vast majority are non-cash relating to an intangible ALD asset impairment, while approximately $2 million are cash restructuring charges. Third Quarter 2016 Revenue Update Overall LED industry conditions and demand for our products have continued to improve.
As a result, revenues for the third quarter 2016 are expected to be at the high end of the previously announced guidance range of $70 million to $85 million. Veeco plans to issue third quarter 2016 financial results and host a conference call to discuss these results in further detail on November 1, 2016.