UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
OR
Commission file number 1-4298
COHU, INC.
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 848-8100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:Common Stock, $1.00 par valuePreferred Stock Purchase Rights, $1.00 par value
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).Yes þ No o
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $317,000,000 as of June 30, 2004. Shares of common stock held by each officer and director and by each person or group who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons or groups may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of February 14, 2005, the Registrant had 21,630,596 shares of its $1.00 par value common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the Proxy Statement for Cohu, Inc.’s 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements including expectations of market conditions, challenges and plans, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by that statute. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including estimates and projections about our industry. Statements concerning financial position, business strategy, and plans or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth below under the caption “Trends, Risks and Uncertainties” beginning on page 18. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the time they are made and do not necessarily reflect management’s outlook at any other point in time. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or for any other reason. However, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) after the date of this Annual Report.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Cohu, Inc. (“we”, “Cohu” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of California in 1947, as Kalbfell Lab, Inc. and commenced active operations in the same year. Its name was changed to Kay Lab in 1954. In 1957, Cohu was reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as Cohu Electronics, Inc. and in 1972, its name was changed to Cohu, Inc.
We have four reportable segments as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“ SFAS”) No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Our four segments are: semiconductor equipment; television cameras; metal detection; and microwave communications.
The semiconductor equipment segment, operated under Cohu’s wholly owned subsidiary Delta Design, Inc. (“Delta”), designs, manufactures and sells semiconductor test handling equipment to semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors throughout the world. The television camera segment (“Electronics Division”) designs, manufactures and sells closed circuit television cameras and systems to original equipment manufacturers, contractors and government agencies. Cohu’s other reportable segments include Fisher Research Laboratory, Inc. (“FRL”), a metal detection instrumentation business, and Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”), a microwave communications equipment company.
Sales by reportable segment, expressed as a percentage of total consolidated net sales, for the last three years were as follows:
Additional financial information on industry segments for each of the last three years is included on pages 10 (Selected Financial Data) and 44 (Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Semiconductor Equipment
We are a leading worldwide supplier of semiconductor test handling equipment. Delta, designs, manufactures, sells and services a broad line of test handlers capable of handling a wide range of integrated circuit packages. Test handlers are
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electromechanical systems used to automate the final test process in the “back end” of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Testing determines the quality and performance of the integrated circuit prior to shipment to customers. Testers are designed to verify the performance of what is inside of the integrated circuit, such as microprocessors, logic, DRAM or mixed signal devices. Handlers are engineered to thermally condition and present for testing, the packages that protect the micro-circuitry within the integrated circuit. The majority of test handlers use either pick-and-place or gravity-feed technologies to process integrated circuits. In 2004, Delta’s product line primarily included pick-and-place handlers. The integrated circuit package type normally determines the appropriate handling approach. Because gravity-feed handling is simple, reliable and fast, it is the preferred technique for handling packages with leads on only two sides, including the dual-in-line and small outline. In gravity-feed handlers, integrated circuits are typically unloaded from plastic tubes or metal magazines at the top of the machine and flow through the system, from top to bottom, propelled along precision track work by the force of gravity. After testing, the integrated circuits are sorted and reloaded into tubes or magazines for additional process steps or for shipment.
Integrated circuits with leads on all four sides, such as the quad flat pack, leads on the bottom of the package, such as ball grid array packages and certain low profile integrated circuits with leads on two sides, such as the thin small outline package, are predominately handled in pick-and-place systems. In pick-and-place systems, integrated circuits are picked from waffle-like trays, placed in precision transport boats or carriers and cycled through the system. After testing, integrated circuits are sorted and reloaded into designated trays, based on test results.
To ensure the quality of the integrated circuits produced, semiconductor manufacturers typically test integrated circuits at hot and/or cold temperatures, which can accelerate failures within the integrated circuit. Delta’s test handlers are designed to provide a precisely controlled test environment over the range of -60 degrees Celsius to +160 degrees Celsius. In recent years, as the performance and speed of integrated circuits has increased, test handler manufacturers have faced the additional and substantial challenge of dissipating the significant amount of heat that is generated within these high performance integrated circuits during the test process. This heat is capable of damaging or destroying the integrated circuit and can result in speed downgrading, when devices self heat and fail to successfully test at their maximum possible speed. Device yields are extremely important and may directly affect the selling price of the integrated circuit and the profitability of the semiconductor manufacturer. In addition to temperature capability, other key factors in the design of test handlers are cost, handling speed, flexibility, parallel test capability, system size and reliability.
Handlers are complex, electromechanical systems, that are used in high volume production environments and many are in service twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week. Customers continuously strive to increase the utilization of their production test equipment and expect high reliability from test handlers. The availability of trained technical support personnel is an important competitive factor in the marketplace. Delta deploys service engineers worldwide, often within customer production facilities, who work with customer personnel on continuous equipment improvement programs.
We currently sell the following products into the semiconductor test handling equipment market:
Model 1688 is an ambient pick-and-place handler that uses a patented contactor indexing mechanism. This handler’s small footprint, combined with high speed and dependable operation, make the 1688 a highly cost effective solution for test applications where temperature capability is not required, such as the testing of chips for certain wireless products.
Delta’s Castle Lx is a hot and cold pick-and-place handler and it is capable of thermally conditioning devices from -60C to +160C. The Lx can position from one to nine devices for testing. Its large thermal soak area provides a steady flow of thermally conditioned devices to the test site allowing the handler to process parts at high speed when running at temperature. The Castle contains an innovative vertical tray storage system which saves space on the test floor by minimizing the handler’s footprint.
Delta’s Summit series of pick-and-place handlers are designed to meet the requirements of manufacturers of advanced microprocessors and other high speed, high power devices. The Summit handlers are designed around Delta’s proprietary thermal management technology. The Summit PTC, or Passive Thermal Control, and ATC, or Active
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Thermal Control, models are designed to dissipate the heat generated during test and maintain the desired set point temperature of the device being tested.
Delta’s newest handler, DELTA EDGE™, is a pick-and-place handler that combines an economical design with a small footprint and fast index time. The EDGE™ handler is currently designed to meet the needs of integrated circuit manufacturers and subcontractors who test only at ambient and hot temperatures.
Delta’s Orion system is a test-on-strip handler. In pick-and-place handlers, integrated circuits are processed in single packages, after they are excised from leadframes or laminate substrates. In test-on-strip, integrated circuits are tested on the leadframe or substrate and are separated in a subsequent operation. Test-on-strip may provide advantages in some applications, such as when testing very small integrated circuits and when testing multiple integrated circuits simultaneously (parallel testing).
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, sales of pick-and-place related products comprised approximately 95% of Delta’s sales with the balance attributed to gravity-feed and test-on-strip products. During this period, sales of test handlers (systems) represented approximately 60% of Delta’s sales with spares, tooling (kits), other accessories and service contributing the remaining 40%.
Television Cameras
Cohu’s Electronics Division has developed, manufactured and sold closed circuit television (“CCTV”) cameras and systems for over 50 years. The customer base for these products is broadly distributed between machine vision, traffic control and management, scientific imaging and security/surveillance markets. The current product line consists of a broad array of indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras and camera control equipment. To support its camera products, the Electronics Division offers accessories including monitors, lenses and camera test equipment.
Metal Detection
FRL designs, manufactures and sells metal detectors and related underground detection instruments for consumer, industrial and security applications. Consumer metal detectors include models for prospectors, relic hunters, sport divers and treasure hunters. Industrial products include pipe and cable locators, water leak detectors, property marker locators and instruments for locating reinforcing bars in concrete. Security products include FRL’s new portable walk-through metal detector introduced in late 2004.
Microwave Communications
BMS designs, manufactures and sells microwave communications equipment, antenna systems and associated equipment. These products are used in the transmission of telemetry, data, video and audio signals. Customers include military applications, government test ranges, law enforcement agencies, unmanned air vehicle programs, television broadcasters and other commercial venues.
Customers
Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and subcontractors (test houses) that perform test services for integrated circuit manufacturers. Repeat sales to existing customers represent a significant portion of our sales in this segment.
We rely on a limited number of customers for a substantial percentage of our net sales. In 2004, Intel and Texas Instruments accounted for 44% and 9%, respectively, of Cohu’s net sales. In 2003, Intel and Texas Instruments accounted for 41% and 16%, respectively, of Cohu’s net sales. In 2002, Intel and Texas Instruments accounted for 34% and 19%, respectively, of Cohu’s net sales. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers, including reductions due to market, economic or competitive conditions or the outsourcing of final integrated circuit test to subcontractors that are not our customers would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and as a result, we believe that our customer concentration is a significant business risk.
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Television Cameras, Metal Detection and Microwave Communications
Cohu’s customer base in the television camera industry segment is diverse and includes government agencies, original equipment manufacturers, contractors and value-added resellers throughout the world. No single customer of this segment accounted for 10% or more of Cohu’s consolidated net sales in 2004, 2003 or 2002.
Our customer base for FRL and BMS is also diverse and includes government agencies, original equipment manufacturers, contractors, distributors and consumers throughout the world. No single customer of either FRL or BMS accounted for 10% or more of Cohu’s consolidated net sales in 2004, 2003 or 2002.
Contracts, including subcontract work, with U.S. Government agencies accounted for net sales of $4.8 million, $4.0 million and $3.8 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Such contracts are frequently subject to termination provisions at the convenience of the Government.
Marketing
We market our products worldwide through a combination of a direct sales force and independent sales representatives. In geographic areas where we believe there is sufficient sales potential, we maintain sales offices staffed with our own sales personnel. We maintain U.S. sales offices for the semiconductor equipment business in Santa Clara, California and Austin, Texas and at Delta’s Poway, California and Littleton, Massachusetts facilities. In 1993, a foreign subsidiary was formed in Singapore to handle the sales and service of our test handling products to customers located in Southeast Asia. In 1995, a branch of the Singapore sales and service subsidiary was opened in Taipei, Taiwan. Sales in Europe are made primarily through independent sales representatives. A portion of the sales at our FRL and Cohu Electronics businesses are made under agreements to independent sales representatives or distributors that purchase products for resale to end-users. These agreements include standard payment terms and no right of return, price protection or stock rotation rights. Revenue is generally recognized at the time of shipment, provided all the requirements of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and all accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America are satisfied.
Competition
The semiconductor equipment industry is intensely competitive and is characterized by rapid technological change and demanding worldwide service requirements. Significant competitive factors include product performance, price, reliability, customer support and installed base of products. While we are a leading worldwide supplier of semiconductor test handling equipment, we face substantial competition in the U.S. and throughout the world and there are a large number of competitors for a relatively small worldwide market. The Japanese and Korean markets for test handling equipment are large and represent a significant percentage of the worldwide market. During the last five years our sales to Japanese and Korean customers, who have historically purchased test handling equipment from Asian suppliers, have represented less than five percent of our total sales. Some of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and offer more extensive product offerings than Cohu. To remain competitive we believe we will require significant financial resources to offer a broad range of products, maintain customer support and service centers worldwide and to invest in research and development of new products. Failure to introduce new products in a timely manner or the introduction by competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages could result in a loss of competitive position and reduced sales of existing products. No assurance can be given that we will continue to compete successfully in the U.S. or throughout the world.
Our products in the television camera, metal detection and microwave communications segments are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world, where competition is on the basis of price, product performance and integration with customer requirements, service, product quality and reliability. Many of our competitors are divisions or segments of large, diversified companies with substantially greater financial, engineering, marketing, manufacturing and customer support capabilities than Cohu. No assurance can be given that we will continue to compete successfully in these market segments.
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Backlog
The dollar amount of our order backlog as of December 31, 2004, was $62.6 million as compared to $37.5 million at December 31, 2003. Of these amounts, $40.8 million ($21.9 million in 2003) was in semiconductor test handling equipment, $4.9 million ($5.2 million in 2003) was in television cameras and $16.9 million ($10.4 million in 2003) from FRL and BMS. Backlog is generally expected to be shipped within the next twelve months. Our backlog at any point in time may not be representative of actual sales in any future period due to the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules, cancellation of orders, potential delays in product shipments, difficulties in obtaining inventory parts from suppliers, failure to satisfy customer acceptance requirements and the inability to recognize revenue under accounting requirements. Certain orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer with limited penalty. There is no significant seasonal aspect to Cohu’s business.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
Our manufacturing operations are currently located in Poway, California (BMS and Delta Design), San Diego, California (Electronics Division), Littleton, Massachusetts (Delta Design), Los Banos, California (FRL) and near Manila, in the Philippines (Delta Design). Many of the components and subassemblies we utilize are standard products, although certain items are made to our specifications. Certain components are obtained or are available from a limited number of suppliers. We seek to reduce our dependence on sole and limited source suppliers, however in some cases the complete or partial loss of certain of these sources could have a material adverse effect on our operations while we attempt to locate and qualify replacement suppliers.
Patents and Trademarks
Cohu’s proprietary technology is protected by various intellectual property laws including patents, licenses, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. In addition, we believe that, due to the rapid pace of technological change in the semiconductor equipment industry and our other business segments, the successful manufacture and sale of our products also depend upon our experience, technological know-how, manufacturing and marketing skills and speed of response to sales opportunities. In the absence of patent protection, we would be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy or imitate our products or processes. We believe our intellectual property has value and we have in the past and will in the future take actions we deem appropriate to protect such property from misappropriation. However, there can be no assurance such actions will provide meaningful protection from competition. Protecting our intellectual property rights or defending against claims brought by other holders of such rights, either directly against Cohu or against customers we have agreed to indemnify, would likely be expensive and time consuming and could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Research and Development
Certain of the markets in which Cohu competes, particularly the semiconductor equipment industry, are characterized by rapid technological change. Research and development activities are carried on in the various subsidiaries and division of Cohu and are directed toward development of new products and equipment, as well as enhancements to existing products and equipment. Our total research and development expense was $27.9 million in 2004, $24.7 million in 2003 and $32.5 million in 2002.
We work closely with our customers to make improvements to our existing products and in the development of new products. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully as introductions of new products could adversely impact sales of existing products.
Environmental Laws
Cohu’s business is subject to numerous federal, state, local and international environmental laws. On occasion, Cohu has been notified by local authorities of instances of noncompliance with local and/or state environmental laws. We believe we are in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and international regulations. Thus far, compliance with federal, state and local laws which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment has not had a material effect and is not expected
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to have a material effect upon the capital expenditures, results of operations or competitive position of Cohu. However, future changes in regulations may require expenditures which could adversely impact earnings in future years.
Employees
At December 31, 2004, we had approximately 900 employees. Our employee headcount has been subject to extreme fluctuation in the last five years primarily due to the volatile business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that a great part of our future success will depend on our continued ability to attract and retain qualified employees. Competition for the services of certain personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense. There can be no assurance that Cohu will be able to attract, hire, assimilate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees.
Available Information
Cohu’s web site address is www.cohu.com. Cohu makes available free of charge, on or through its web site, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cohu’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also posted on our web site atwww.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance. Information contained on Cohu’s web site is not deemed part of this report.
Item 2. Properties
Certain information concerning Cohu’s principal properties at December 31, 2004, identified by business segment is set forth below:
In addition to the locations listed above, Cohu leases other properties for sales and service offices in various locations including Austin, Texas; Santa Clara, California; and Taipei, Taiwan. We believe our facilities are suitable for their respective uses and are adequate for our present needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Cohu is currently subject to various legal proceedings, lawsuits, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of its businesses. Although the outcome of these legal proceedings, claims and examinations cannot be predicted with certainty, Cohu does not believe that any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Executive Officers and Significant Employees of the Registrant
The following sets forth the names, ages, positions and offices held by all executive officers and certain significant employees of Cohu as of February 14, 2005. Executive Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors, until their successors are appointed.
Mr. Donahue has been employed by Delta Design since 1978 and has been President of Delta Design since May, 1983. In October, 1999, Mr. Donahue was named to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Cohu and was appointed to Cohu’s Board of Directors. On June 30, 2000, Mr. Donahue was promoted to Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Allen has been employed by Cohu since June, 1995. He was Director of Finance until September, 1995, became Vice President, Finance and Secretary in September, 1995 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in October, 1995. Prior to joining Cohu, Mr. Allen held various positions with Ernst & Young LLP from 1976 until June, 1995 and had been a partner with that firm since 1987.
Mr. Leedy joined the Cohu Electronics Division in January, 2005 as Division President. Prior to joining Cohu, Mr. Leedy held the position of General Manager at Aveox, an aerospace electronics/motor manufacturing firm and has 15 years of engineering experience in various roles including Senior Engineering Manager at Electrovert U.S.A. Corporation and Vice President of Engineering, Lithography Division at Perkin Elmer.
Mr. Bunney has been employed by BMS since 1985. Mr. Bunney was a project manager until June, 1994, manufacturing manager from June, 1994 through January, 1996, and was promoted to President of BMS in January, 1996.
Mr. Chernekoff has been employed by FRL since 1991. Mr. Chernekoff was an electronic design engineer until January, 1999, engineering manager from January, 1999 through December, 2003 and was promoted to President of FRL in December, 2003.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Market Information
Cohu, Inc. stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “COHU”.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices as reported on the Nasdaq National Market during the last two years.
(b) Holders
At January 31, 2005, Cohu had 921 stockholders of record.
(c) Dividends
Cohu declared cash dividends at the rate of $0.05 per share per quarter in 2004 and 2003. Cohu has paid consecutive quarterly dividends since 1977 and expects to continue doing so. The declaration and payment of future dividends are subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.
(d) Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Cohu’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8 and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in Item 7. Amounts in 2001 have been impacted by the July, 2001 acquisition of Automated Systems. Amounts in 2000 have been impacted by a change in accounting for revenue recognition for certain semiconductor equipment sales.
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
Cohu’s primary business activity involves the development, manufacture, marketing, sale and servicing of test handling equipment for the global semiconductor industry. The sales of our products and services are dependent, to a large degree, on customers whose industries are subject to cyclical trends in the demand for their products. Shifts in the semiconductor market, electronics and computer industries and telecommunications markets, as well as rapidly shifting global economic conditions, have had and will have significant impacts on our businesses. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, the semiconductor equipment industry experienced a severe business downturn. Our net sales during this period declined more than 50% from our record year in 2000. This decrease in revenue was generally comparable to most other companies in the semiconductor equipment industry, particularly the “back-end” semiconductor equipment companies that would be considered the closest to Cohu in terms of business cycles.
In the first six months of 2004, Cohu’s semiconductor equipment business, as well as the semiconductor equipment industry generally, saw significantly improved order bookings and backlog, an indication that the severe three-year industry downturn had possibly ended. Additionally, our operating results improved during the period in part due to improved sales product mix resulting in a higher gross margin. However, our orders declined in the second half of 2004 and business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry have again weakened. The length and severity of the current industry downturn is not currently known.
Our operating results in the last three years have been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues. These charges totaled approximately $14.4 million during the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 (approximately $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004) and were primarily the result of decreases in customer forecasts, competitive conditions in the test handler industry and, to a lesser extent, changes in our sales product mix as a result of new product introductions. Exposures related to inventories are common in the semiconductor equipment industry due to the narrow customer base, the custom nature of the products and inventory and the shortened product life cycles caused by rapid changes in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Increased competition, particularly in the last several years, has also negatively impacted our gross margins on certain products and we believe it is likely these conditions will exist for the foreseeable future.
Our other operating costs consist of research and development (“R&D”) and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). Both R&D and SG&A expense increased in 2004, due to increased business volume and investment in development programs.
Our non-semiconductor equipment businesses have comprised approximately 20% of our revenues during the last three years. During 2004 we saw improved results within our television camera and metal detection businesses. The results of our microwave communications business continued to deteriorate, primarily due to revenue deferrals associated with a contract with the United Arab Emirates.
Our financial condition is very strong with significant cash and short-term investments and no long-term debt. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 we generated $19.6 million of net cash from operating activities and total cash and investments have increased from $90.0 million at December 31, 2001 to $116.5 million at December 31, 2004.
Cohu management uses several performance metrics to manage our various businesses. These metrics, which tend to focus on near-term forecasts due to the limited order backlog in our businesses, include (i) order bookings and backlog for the most recently completed quarter and the forecast for the next quarter; (ii) inventory levels and related excess exposures typically based on the next twelve month’s forecast; (iii) gross margin and other operating expense trends and (iv) industry data and trends noted in various publicly released sources. Due to the short-term nature of our order backlog that historically has represented about three months of business and the inherent volatility of the semiconductor equipment business, our past performance is frequently not indicative of future operating results or cash flows.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Cohu’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon Cohu’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires Cohu to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, Cohu evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, warranty obligations and contingencies and litigation. Cohu bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Cohu believes the following critical accounting policies, that are more fully described in the Cohu Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, affect the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition: Cohu generally recognizes revenue upon shipment and title passage for established products (i.e., those that have previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements) that provide for full payment tied to shipment. Revenue for products that have not previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable is recognized upon customer acceptance.
Accounts Receivable: Cohu maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of Cohu’s customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Warranty: Cohu provides for the estimated costs of product warranties in the period sales are recognized. Cohu’s warranty obligation estimates are affected by historical product shipment levels, product performance and material and labor costs incurred in correcting product performance problems. Should product performance, material usage or labor repair costs differ from Cohu’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Inventory: Cohu records valuation reserves on its inventory for estimated excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future product demand, market conditions and product selling prices. If future product demand, market conditions or product selling prices are less or more favorable than those projected by management or if continued modifications to products are required to meet specifications or other customer requirements, changes to inventory reserves may be required.
Income Taxes: Cohu estimates income taxes based on the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate our actual current tax exposure and to assess temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Establishing, reducing or increasing a valuation allowance in an accounting period results in an increase or decrease in tax expense in the statement of operations. Cohu must make significant judgments to determine the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance to be recorded against net deferred tax assets. Our gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 31, 2004 was $22.4 million, with a valuation allowance of $6.9 million. We recorded the valuation allowance in the fourth quarters of 2002 and 2003 as a result of our recent losses and to reflect uncertainties concerning our ability to generate future taxable income and our corresponding ability to utilize our deferred tax assets. The deferred tax assets consist primarily of deductible temporary differences, tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards.
Intangible Assets: At December 31, 2004, intangible assets other than goodwill were evaluated for impairment using undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets as required by FASB SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, and we concluded there was no impairment loss. Cohu is required
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to assess goodwill impairment using the methodology prescribed by FASB SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment on an annual basis and more frequently in certain circumstances. The required annual goodwill impairment test is performed as of October 1 of each year. Cohu did not recognize any goodwill impairment as a result of performing this annual test.
Contingencies: Cohu is subject to certain contingencies that arise in the ordinary course of its businesses. In accordance with FASB SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, we assess the likelihood that future events will confirm the existence of a loss or an impairment of an asset. If a loss or asset impairment is probable, as defined in SFAS No. 5 and the amount of the loss or impairment is reasonably estimable, we accrue a charge to operations in the period such conditions become known.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB No. 104”). SAB No. 104 rescinds certain sections of SAB No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (“SAB No. 101”), related to multiple element revenue arrangements that were superseded as a result of the issuance of EITF 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (“EITF 00-21”). The revenue recognition principles of SAB No. 101 remain largely unchanged by the issuance of SAB No. 104. The adoption of SAB 104 did not affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2004, the FASB issued a Staff Position (“FSP”) regarding SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. FSP No. 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003,discusses the effect of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (“the Act”) enacted in December 2003 and supersedes FSP No. 106-1, which was issued in January 2004. FSP No. 106-2 considers the effect of certain features introduced in the Act in determining our accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The adoption of FSP No. 106-2 in the third quarter of 2004 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, which is the result of its efforts to converge U.S. accounting standards for inventories with International Accounting Standards. SFAS No. 151 requires idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) costs to be recognized as current-period charges. It also requires that the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 151 on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”). SFAS No. 123R addresses all forms of share-based payment awards, including shares issued under employee stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. SFAS No. 123R will require Cohu to expense share-based payment awards with compensation cost for share-based payment transactions measured at fair value. SFAS No. 123R requires Cohu to adopt the new accounting provisions beginning in our third quarter of 2005. The adoption of this statement is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and earnings per share.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes certain operating data as a percentage of net sales for the three-year period ended December 31, 2004.
2004 Compared to 2003
Net sales
Our net sales increased 27% to $176.2 million in 2004, compared to net sales of $138.6 million in 2003. Sales of semiconductor test handling equipment in 2004 increased 31% from the 2003 period and accounted for 82% of consolidated net sales in 2004, versus 80% in 2003. The primary reason for the increase in sales of semiconductor equipment was an increase in customer demand for our products as the semiconductor industry experienced strong business conditions during the first six-months of 2004. Sales of television cameras and other equipment accounted for 11% of net sales in 2004 and increased 19% when compared to 2003, while the combined sales of metal detection and microwave equipment increased 6% from 2003. The increase in demand for our other, non-semiconductor equipment products can be attributed to increased sales of our products to the U.S. Government and greater demand for security related products during 2004.
At December 31, 2004, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $22.5 million and deferred profit of $9.7 million. At December 31, 2003, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $9.3 million and deferred profit of $4.1 million. The increase in deferred revenue is primarily the result of additional revenue deferrals associated with BMS’ contract with the United Arab Emirates and Delta’s semiconductor equipment.
Gross Margin
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 40.3% in 2004 from 33.8% in 2003. During 2004 our gross margin was favorably impacted by improved product mix, increased business volume and manufacturing efficiencies. Our gross margin was also favorably impacted by $1.3 million from the sale of inventory which had previously been written down and the elimination of $1.2 million in accrued sales credits. For further details see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15.
In both 2004 and 2003, our gross margin was negatively impacted by charges to cost of sales for excess and obsolete inventory. Cohu computes the majority of its excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a one-year inventory usage forecast. During 2004 and 2003, we recorded charges to cost of sales of approximately $5.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, primarily as a result of declines in customer forecasts for certain products, lower of cost or market inventory writedowns and other business issues that negatively impacted our forecasted inventory usage. While we believe our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns are adequate to cover our known exposures at December 31, 2004, reductions in customer forecasts or continued modifications to products, including our recently introduced Delta EDGE™ handler, as a result of our failure to meet specifications or other customer requirements, will result in additional charges to operations that could negatively impact our gross margin in future periods. Conversely, if our actual inventory usage is greater than our forecasted usage, our gross margin in future periods may be favorably impacted.
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Research and Development Expense
R&D as a percentage of net sales was 15.8% in 2004, compared to 17.8% in 2003, increasing in absolute dollars from $24.7 million in 2003, to $27.9 million in 2004. The increase in R&D was primarily the result of increased R&D material and labor costs for product development in our semiconductor equipment and television camera businesses.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased to 16.5% in 2004, from 18.2% in 2003, increasing in absolute dollars from $25.2 million in 2003 to $29.1 million in 2004. The increase in SG&A was due to, among other things, increased business volume, higher incentive compensation expenses and additional compliance costs associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Interest Income
Interest income was $1.9 million and $2.3 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in interest income was due to lower interest rates in 2004.
Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pretax income (loss) was (5.0)% in 2004 and 101% in 2003. The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the U.S federal statutory rate primarily due to tax credits, export sales benefits, changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and settlement of prior period tax returns and adjustments to prior year tax accruals. For further details see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15.
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, net deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance of $6.9 million and $11.7 million has been provided on deferred tax assets at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable was determined based on (i) taxable income in prior carryback years; (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e. offset gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities); (iii) tax planning strategies and (iv) future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards.
In evaluating future taxable income for valuation allowance purposes at December 31, 2004, the Company concluded that it was only appropriate to consider income expected to be generated in 2005. While Cohu has had a long history of profitability, we incurred losses in each of the three years prior to 2004 and were in a three-year cumulative loss position entering 2004. Business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry improved during the first half of 2004 and our operating results benefited from these improved conditions. However, the industry weakened considerably in the last six months of 2004 and the near-term outlook is uncertain. Anticipating income for Cohu beyond 2005 involves substantial risk and a reliable forecast of such income was not possible, and as a result, the Company believed such income could not be relied upon to support deferred tax assets under the more likely than not realization requirement in SFAS No. 109. In 2005, we will continue to assess the assumptions used to calculate the valuation allowance at December 31, 2004. The Company may be required to adjust the allowance, if, based on estimates of future income, the Company concludes that all or a portion of the valuation allowance is no longer warranted. A reduction in the valuation allowance would result in a corresponding credit to income tax expense in the period the allowance is reduced. Conversely, an increase in the valuation allowance would increase income tax expense.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently conducting a routine examination of Cohu’s consolidated tax returns for the period 2000 through 2002. The examination field work was substantially completed in October, 2004 and the results are currently under final review by the Joint Committee on Taxation. The Company expects a final decision on the examination in early 2005. Any adjustments that result from the IRS examination will be reflected in the Company’s 2005 results of operations. The Company believes that such adjustments, if any, are adequately provided for in the consolidated financial statements. A favorable outcome from the examination will result in a credit to income tax expense and a corresponding increase in net income and net income per share in the period the examination is finalized.
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The Company has derived significant tax benefits from the research credit under Section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (“ETI”). Recent legislation, The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, (“the Act”), repeals the ETI regime for transactions entered into after December 31, 2004 subject to a phase-out that would allow the Company to claim full ETI benefits in 2004, 80% of the benefits in 2005 and 60% in 2006. Other legislation extended the research credit through December 31, 2005. The Act created a deduction for domestic manufacturing activities, with a phased in rate beginning in 2005. It is not currently known the extent to which the Company will benefit from the domestic manufacturing deduction in future years and whether the provision could partly or entirely replace the lost ETI benefit.
Other Items
On April 10, 2003, Cohu announced that its Delta Design subsidiary was relocating its Littleton, Massachusetts operation to its headquarters facility in Poway, California. We recorded charges to operations in the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 totaling approximately $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for severance and other related exit costs.
In December, 2002, Cohu invested $2.5 million in KryoTech, Inc. preferred stock. In June, 2003, we wrote off the investment and recorded a $2.5 million charge as the investment was deemed impaired and such impairment was considered other than temporary, under the guidelines of APB No. 18.
In April, 2003, Cohu’s Delta Design subsidiary completed the relocation of its Columbus, Ohio operations to its headquarters facility in Poway, California. Cohu recorded charges to operations in the year ended December 31, 2003, totaling $0.7 million for severance and one-time termination benefits and other related exit costs. This relocation was completed in 2003 and we did not record any additional charges during 2004.
On April 25, 2003, Cohu sold twelve acres of land in Poway, California held for future development for $8.8 million in net cash proceeds resulting in a pretax gain of approximately $7.9 million.
In April 2003, Cohu, through its Broadcast Microwave Services subsidiary, was awarded an $8.5 million contract from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Services to provide microwave communications equipment for a command center and infrastructure system for border security. The contract, which utilizes our most advanced microwave communications technology that has not previously been installed in an application of this size and complexity, requires that 40% of the total contract price be paid after the system has been fully accepted by the customer. As a result of these factors and the inability to make reasonably dependable estimates of progress toward completion and acceptance, Cohu will recognize all revenue and related costs under this contract in the period the system is accepted by the customer. Through December 31, 2004, we had shipped inventory with a sales value of $8.1 million and deferred costs of approximately $5.8 million resulting in deferred profit of approximately $2.3 million under the contract. In addition, at December 31, 2004 we had inventory to be delivered under the contract of approximately $0.3 million and related accounts receivable of approximately $4.8 million. Cohu has also provided the customer with a standby letter of credit totaling approximately $2.5 million at December 31, 2004, that may be drawn upon if BMS does not fulfill the terms of the contract. We currently expect equipment and system installation to be completed in 2005. If BMS is unable to obtain customer acceptance of the system, the related inventory and receivables may need to be written off, the customer might seek a refund of the $3.2 million in payments made to BMS under the contract and our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially impacted.
As a result of the factors set forth above, our net income was $16.7 million in 2004 compared to a net loss of $47,000 in 2003.
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2003 Compared to 2002
Our net sales increased 3% to $138.6 million in 2003, compared to net sales of $134.7 million in 2002. Sales of semiconductor test handling equipment in 2003 increased 7% from the 2002 period and accounted for 80% of consolidated net sales in 2003, versus 77% in 2002. Sales of television cameras and other equipment accounted for 12% of net sales in 2003 and decreased 5% when compared to 2002, while the combined sales of metal detection and microwave equipment decreased 19% from 2002.
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 33.8% in 2003 from 36.9% in 2002, primarily as a result of changes in product mix, intangible asset amortization expense totaling $0.6 million in 2003 and increased charges to cost of sales. Cohu computes the majority of its excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a one-year inventory usage forecast. During 2003 and 2002, we recorded charges to cost of sales of approximately $4.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, primarily as a result of declines in customer forecasts for certain products, lower of cost or market inventory write downs and other business issues that negatively impacted our forecasted inventory usage.
R&D as a percentage of net sales was 17.8% in 2003, compared to 24.1% in 2002, decreasing in absolute dollars from $32.5 million in 2002, to $24.7 million in 2003. The decrease in R&D was primarily the result of lower R&D material and labor costs for product development in the semiconductor equipment business resulting, in part, from the closure of our facility in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, in 2002 R&D expense included $0.9 million of intangible asset amortization.
SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased to 18.2% in 2003, from 17.8% in 2002, increasing from $24.0 million in 2002 to $25.2 million in 2003. The increase in SG&A was due to, among other things, a slight increase in business volume and higher insurance costs.
Interest income was $2.3 million and $3.2 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease in interest income was due to lower interest rates in 2003.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes expressed as a percentage of pretax income (loss) was 101% in 2003 and (75.5)% in 2002. The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the U.S federal statutory rate primarily due to tax credits, export sales benefits, changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and settlement of prior period tax returns and adjustments to prior year tax accruals.
As a result of factors set forth above, our net loss was $47,000 in 2003 compared to a net loss of $0.9 million in 2002.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our net cash flows provided from operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $4.8 million. The major components of cash flows provided by operating activities were net income of $16.7 million, offset by the net change in current assets and liabilities and depreciation and amortization of $4.3 million. The net change in current assets and liabilities included increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $7.2 million and $11.4 million, respectively. These increases were primarily attributable to the improved business conditions in the semiconductor equipment business that drove higher sales and order activity during 2004. Net cash provided by investing activities included $43.4 million from the sales and maturities of short-term investments, less purchases of short-term investments, and purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets of $2.7 million offset by a $9.0 million payment
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received on a note receivable. The purchases of property, plant and equipment were primarily made to support activities in the semiconductor equipment business and consisted primarily of software and equipment used in engineering, manufacturing and other related functions. Cash used for financing activities included $2.8 million received from the issuance of stock upon the exercise of stock options offset by $4.3 million for the payment of dividends.
The Company maintains a $5,000,000 unsecured bank line of credit bearing interest at the bank’s prime rate. The line of credit expires in July, 2005 and requires us to maintain specified minimum levels of net worth, limits the amount of capital expenditures and to meet certain other financial covenants. We are currently in compliance with these covenants. No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2004, however, $2,535,000 of the credit facility was allocated to standby letters of credit at December 31, 2004, leaving the balance of $2,465,000 available.
We expect that we will continue to make capital expenditures to support our business and we anticipate that present working capital and available borrowings under our line of credit will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2004, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. This table excludes amounts already recorded on our balance sheet as current liabilities at December 31, 2004.
Purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of raw materials and other goods and services are not included in the table above. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current manufacturing needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within relatively short time horizons. We do not have significant agreements for the purchase of raw materials or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for the next three months.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the ordinary course of business, Cohu provides standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. As of December 31, 2004, the maximum potential amount of future payments that Cohu could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $2.5 million. Cohu has not recorded any liability in connection with these arrangements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. Cohu does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements.
TRENDS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The semiconductor industry we serve is highly volatile and unpredictable.
Visibility into our markets is limited. Cohu’s operating results are substantially dependent on our semiconductor equipment business. This capital equipment business is in turn highly dependent on the overall strength of the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of oversupply and excess capacity, which often have had a significant effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type manufactured and marketed by Cohu. We anticipate that the markets for newer generations of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment may also be subject to similar cycles and severe downturns, such as those experienced in 1996, 1998 and late 2000, continuing throughout 2001, 2002, 2003 and during the third and fourth quarters of 2004. Any significant reductions in capital equipment investment by semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors will materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the volatile and unpredictable nature of semiconductor
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equipment demand has in the past and may in the future expose us to significant excess and obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory write-offs and reserve requirements. In the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, we recorded pretax inventory-related charges of approximately $5.8 million, $4.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, primarily as a result of changes in customer forecasts.
A limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales.
A relatively small number of customers historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. In the year ended December 31, 2004, two customers of the semiconductor equipment segment accounted for 53% (57% in 2003, and 53% in 2002) of our net sales. During the past five years, the percentage of Cohu’s sales derived from each of these and other significant customers has varied greatly. Such variations are due to changes in the customer’s business and their purchase of products from our competitors. It is common in the semiconductor test handler industry for customers to purchase equipment from more than one equipment supplier, increasing the risk that our competitive position with a specific customer may deteriorate. No assurance can be given that we will continue to maintain our competitive position with these or other significant customers. Furthermore, we expect the percentage of our revenues derived from significant customers will vary greatly in future periods. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers as a result of competitive products, market conditions, outsourcing final semiconductor test to test subcontractors that are not our customers or other factors, would adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers may cause significant fluctuations in our future annual and quarterly operating results.
The semiconductor equipment industry in general and the test handler market in particular, is highly competitive.
The semiconductor test handler industry is intensely competitive and we face substantial competition from numerous companies throughout the world. The test handler industry, while relatively small in terms of worldwide market size compared to other segments of the semiconductor equipment industry, has an inordinately large number of participants resulting in intense competitive pricing pressures. Future competition may include companies that do not currently supply test handlers. The Japanese and Korean markets for test handling equipment are large and represent a significant percentage of the worldwide market. During the last five years we have had only limited sales to Japanese and Korean customers who have historically purchased test handling equipment from Asian suppliers. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and offer more extensive product offerings than Cohu. In addition, there are emerging semiconductor equipment companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete favorably against those of Cohu. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their current products and introduce new products with improved performance capabilities. Our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, the introduction by our competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages, or disputes over rights of Cohu or our competitors to use certain intellectual property or technology could result in a loss of our competitive position and reduced sales of, or margins on our existing products. We believe that competitive conditions in the semiconductor test handler market have intensified over the last several years. This intense competition has adversely impacted our product average selling prices and gross margins on certain products. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our existing products and successfully introduce new lower cost products we expect these competitive conditions to negatively impact our gross margin and operating results in the foreseeable future.
Semiconductor equipment is subject to rapid technological change, product introductions and transitions may result in inventory write-offs and our new product development involves numerous risks and uncertainties.
Semiconductor equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance existing products and develop new products with improved performance capabilities. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products, including our recently introduced Delta EDGE™ handler, may adversely impact sales and/or margins of existing products. In addition, the introduction of new products by Cohu or by our competitors, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers, the migration to new semiconductor test handling methodologies and the custom nature of our inventory parts increases the risk that our established products and related inventory may become obsolete, resulting in significant excess and obsolete inventory
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exposure. This increased exposure resulted in significant charges to operations during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. Future inventory write-offs and increased inventory reserve requirements could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
The design, development, commercial introduction and manufacture of new semiconductor test handling equipment is an inherently complex process that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks include potential problems in meeting customer acceptance and performance requirements, integration of the test handler with other suppliers’ equipment and the customers’ manufacturing processes, transitioning from product development to volume manufacturing and the ability of the equipment to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s constantly evolving needs and achieve commercial acceptance at prices that produce satisfactory profit margins. The design and development of new test handling equipment is heavily influenced by changes in integrated circuit assembly, test and final manufacturing processes and integrated circuit package design changes. We believe that the rate of change in such processes and integrated circuit packages is accelerating. As a result of these changes and other factors, assessing the market potential and commercial viability of new integrated circuit test handling equipment is extremely difficult and subject to a great deal of risk. In addition, not all integrated circuit manufacturers employ the same manufacturing processes. Differences in such processes make it difficult to design standard semiconductor test handler products that are capable of achieving broad market acceptance. As a result, we might not accurately assess the semiconductor industry’s future test handler requirements and fail to design and develop products that meet such requirements and achieve market acceptance. Failure to accurately assess customer requirements and market trends for new semiconductor test handler products may have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and results of operations.
The transition from product development to the manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is a difficult process and delays in product introductions and problems in manufacturing such equipment are common. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties in manufacturing and volume production of our new test handlers. In addition, as is common with semiconductor equipment, our after sale support and warranty costs have been significantly higher with new test handlers than with our established products. Future technologies, processes and product developments may render our current or future product offerings obsolete and we might not be able to develop, introduce and successfully manufacture new products or make enhancements to our existing products in a timely manner to satisfy customer requirements or achieve market acceptance. Furthermore, we might not realize acceptable profit margins on such products.
We are exposed to risks associated with acquisitions and investments.
Cohu has made, and may in the future make, acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. In July 2001, Cohu acquired the assets of the Automated Systems business from Schlumberger Technologies, Inc. for $14.2 million in cash. A significant portion of the purchase price was allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of 2002, Cohu invested $2.5 million in KryoTech, Inc. preferred stock, that was written off in June, 2003, and $1.7 million in intangible assets for certain technology.
Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to: 1) difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses; 2) diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters; 3) the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses; 4) lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition; 5) failure to commercialize purchased technology; and 6) the impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods. In addition, such acquisitions or investments may result in immediate charges to operating results. Mergers, acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect Cohu’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We have taken remedial measures to address previous slowdowns in the semiconductor equipment industry that may affect our ability to be competitive.
In the past, we have taken remedial measures to address the slowdown in the market for our products. In particular, we reduced our workforce, including reductions in September and October 2002, January and March 2003, delayed salary increases, reduced senior executives’ pay, implemented furloughs, reduced expense budgets and announced facility consolidations including Delta Design’s Columbus, Ohio and Littleton, Massachusetts operations into our Poway, California facility. Each of these measures could have long-term effects on our business by reducing our pool of technical talent, decreasing or slowing improvements in our products and making it more difficult for us to respond to customers needs.
Our backlog is limited and may not accurately reflect future business activity.
Our order backlog has historically represented approximately three months of revenue and as a result our visibility of future business activity is limited. Due to the possibility of customer changes in delivery schedules, cancellation of orders, potential delays in product shipments, difficulties in obtaining inventory parts from suppliers, failure to satisfy customer acceptance requirements and the inability to recognize revenue under accounting requirements, our backlog at any point in time may not be representative of sales in any future period. Furthermore, all orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer with limited penalty. A reduction in backlog during any particular period could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, backlog at December 31, 2004, may not be a reliable indicator of revenues in future periods due to delayed delivery dates or customer requested changes to delivery schedules, order cancellations and delays in recognizing revenue due to accounting requirements.
The cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry places enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure.
The semiconductor equipment industry is characterized by dramatic and sometimes volatile changes in demand for its products. Changes in product demand result from a number of factors including the semiconductor industry’s continually changing and unpredictable capacity requirements and changes in IC design and packaging. Sudden changes in demand for semiconductor equipment have a significant impact on our operations. In response to a severe industry downturn in 1998, we reduced our total workforce by approximately 40%. During 1999, we increased our workforce by more than 50% as business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry and our order backlog improved. In 2001, we reduced our workforce approximately 30% as a result of a downturn in the semiconductor equipment industry. Workforce reductions continued in the third and fourth quarter of 2002, January and March, 2003. We recently consolidated Delta Design’s Columbus, Ohio and Littleton, Massachusetts operations into our Poway, California facility. In 2004 we increased our workforce, particularly in manufacturing, to meet increased demand. However, our orders declined significantly in the third quarter of 2004 and business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry have weakened and as a result workforce reductions may be required. Such radical changes in workforce levels place enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure since newly hired personnel rarely possess the expertise and level of experience of current employees. Additionally, these transitions divert management time and attention from other activities and adversely impact employee morale. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties, particularly in manufacturing, in training and recruiting the large number of additions to our workforce. The volatility in headcount and business levels, combined with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, may require that we invest substantial amounts in new operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We may not be able to successfully adjust our systems, facilities and production capacity to meet our customers’ changing requirements. The inability to meet such requirements will have an adverse impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.
We have experienced a significant decline in gravity-feed test handler sales to DRAM customers.
Sales of gravity-feed test handlers used in DRAM testing represented a significant percentage of Cohu’s total semiconductor equipment related revenue during the period 1994 through 1998. Due to changes in semiconductor package technology, gravity-feed handlers are no longer suitable for handling many types of DRAMs. As a result, we
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have seen a significant decline in sales of our gravity-feed test handler products. Pick-and-place handlers used in DRAM applications account for a significant portion of the worldwide test handler market and Cohu’s market share in the DRAM segment is negligible. Cohu’s share of the gravity-feed handler market for the last five years has also been negligible, and with the announced closure of our Littleton, Massachusetts operations, we no longer plan to sell gravity-feed test handlers. Such handlers are used in numerous non DRAM applications and continue to represent a significant portion of the worldwide test handler market. Because we do not participate in the DRAM and/or gravity-feed market segments, our total available sales market is limited and, as a result, our business and results of operations may be negatively impacted.
We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.
We are a global corporation with offices and subsidiaries around the world to support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry and, as such, we face risks in doing business abroad that we do not face domestically. Certain aspects inherent in transacting business internationally could negatively impact our operating results, including:
Additionally, managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management, terrorist threats and related security matters and cultural diversities. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.
We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies. As a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may cease manufacturing certain components that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, Cohu has experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.
We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends at all or in any particular amounts.
We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends subject to capital availability and periodic determinations that cash dividends are in the best interest of the stockholders. Our dividend policy may be affected by, among other items, our views on potential future capital requirements, including those related to research and development, creation and expansion of sales distribution channels, investments and acquisitions, legal risks and stock repurchases.
Third parties may violate our proprietary rights or accuse us of infringing upon their proprietary rights.
Cohu relies on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our technology and products. Any of our proprietary rights may expire due to patent life, or be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, and these rights may cease to provide significant competitive advantages. In addition, from time to time, we receive notices from third parties regarding patent or copyright claims. Any such claims, with or without merit, could
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be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause Cohu to incur significant expenses. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against Cohu and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or to substitute similar non-infringing technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
A majority of our revenues are generated from exports to foreign countries, primarily in Asia, that are subject to economic and political instability and we compete against a number of Asian test handling equipment suppliers.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, 72% of our total net sales were exported to foreign countries, including 83% of the sales in the semiconductor equipment segment. The majority of our export sales are made to destinations in Asia. Political or economic instability, particularly in Asia, may adversely impact the demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type manufactured and marketed by Cohu. In addition, we face intense competition from a number of Asian suppliers that have certain advantages over U.S. suppliers, including Cohu. These advantages include, among other things, proximity to customers, favorable tariffs and affiliation with significantly larger organizations. In addition, changes in the amount or price of semiconductors produced in Asia could impact the profitability or capital equipment spending programs of our foreign and domestic customers.
The loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business.
Certain key personnel are critical to our business. Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our key personnel, many of whom are not bound by employment or non-competition agreements. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, manufacturing, technical, engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills and relevant industry experience to serve in these positions and it may become increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of our key employees, by the failure of any key employee to perform in his or her current position, or by our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Our non-semiconductor equipment businesses have experienced little or no growth.
We develop, manufacture and sell products used in closed circuit television, metal detection and microwave communications applications. These products are sold in highly competitive markets and many competitors are segments of large, diversified companies with substantially greater financial, engineering, marketing, manufacturing and customer support capabilities than Cohu. In addition, there are smaller companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete favorably against those of Cohu. We have seen a significant decline in the operating results of these businesses over the last several years with increasing losses and the future prospects for certain of these businesses remain uncertain. We may not be able to continue to compete successfully in these businesses.
New accounting rules will impact our future operating results.
A change in accounting standards or a change in existing taxation rules can have a significant effect on our reported results. New accounting pronouncements and taxation rules and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. These new accounting pronouncements and taxation rules may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business.
For example, under the newly-issued SFAS No. 123R we will be required to account for equity under our stock plans as a compensation expense and our net income and net income per share will be significantly reduced. Currently, we calculate compensation expense and disclose the impact on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share, as well as the impact of all stock-based compensation expense in a footnote to the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 123R requires Cohu to adopt the new accounting provisions beginning in our third quarter of 2005, and will require Cohu to expense share based payment awards given to employees, including shares issued under employee stock purchase plans and stock options, as compensation cost.
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Our financial and operating results may vary and may fall below analysts’ estimates, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We do not currently provide estimates of our revenues or results of operations for future periods. Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to:
Due to these factors or other unanticipated events, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be reliable indicators of our future performance. In addition, from time to time our quarterly financial results may fall below the expectations of the securities and industry analysts who publish reports on our company or of investors generally. This could cause the market price of our securities to decline, perhaps significantly.
We have experienced significant volatility in our stock price.
A variety of factors may cause the price of our stock to be volatile. In recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for shares of high-technology companies in particular, including ours, have experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. During the last three years the price of our common stock has ranged from $29.70 to $9.99. The price of our stock may be more volatile than other companies due to, among other factors, the unpredictable and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our significant customer concentration, intense competition in the test handler industry, our limited backlog making earnings predictability difficult and our relatively low daily stock trading volume. The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future, including fluctuations related and unrelated to our performance.
Recently enacted and future changes in securities laws and regulations are likely to increase our costs.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and NASDAQ National Market rules, are creating challenges for publicly-held companies including Cohu. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding our required assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and our external auditors’ audit of that assessment has required the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. In addition, it has become more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance. We expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of significant resources. Further, our board members, chief executive officer and chief financial officer could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. As a result, we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified board members and executive officers, which could harm our business.
The occurrence of natural disasters in Asia and geopolitical instability caused by terrorist attacks and threats may adversely impact our operations and sales.
Our Asian sales and service headquarters is located in Singapore and the majority of our sales are made to destinations in Asia. In addition, we have a location in the Philippines which fabricates certain component parts used in our semiconductor test handlers. These regions are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and floods, which at times have disrupted the local economies. A significant earthquake or tsunami could materially affect operating results. We are not insured for most losses and business interruptions of this
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kind, and do not presently have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster. In the event of such disaster, our business would suffer. Furthermore, Cohu’s Broadcast Microwave Services subsidiary is currently involved in a significant contract with the United Arab Emirates. Continued terrorist attacks or threats in this region may cause geopolitical instability that may have an adverse effect on our ability to successfully satisfy customer acceptance requirements under the agreement, which would materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest rate risk.
At December 31, 2004, our investment portfolio included short-term, fixed-income investment securities with a fair value of approximately $56.9 million. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if interest rates increase. Due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate ten percent change in interest rates (e.g. 3.00% to 3.30%) would have no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Foreign currency exchange risk.
We generally conduct business, including sales to foreign customers, in U.S. dollars and as a result we have limited foreign currency exchange rate risk. Monetary assets and liabilities of Cohu’s foreign operations are not significant. The effect of an immediate ten percent change in foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by this Item is included in Part IV Item 15(a).
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures - Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004.
Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this annual report, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and StockholdersCohu, Inc.
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Cohu, Inc. (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that Cohu, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Cohu, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Cohu, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, and our report dated February 17, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Diego, CaliforniaFebruary 17, 2005
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Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Information regarding directors of Cohu is set forth under “Election Of Directors” and “Board Of Directors And Committees” in Cohu’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“the Proxy Statement”), which information is incorporated herein by reference. Information concerning the executive officers of Cohu is included in Part I of this report. Information in the Proxy Statement under “Code Of Business Conduct And Ethics” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” is also incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding Cohu’s compensation of its executive officers and directors and certain other information is set forth in the Proxy Statement under “Board Of Directors And Committees”, “Compensation Of Executive Officers And Other Information”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation”, “Compensation Committee Report” and “Comparative Stock Performance Graph” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth in the Proxy Statement under “Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management” and is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table summarizes information with respect to options under Cohu’s equity compensation plans at December 31, 2004:
For further details regarding Cohu’s equity compensation plans, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part IV.
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information regarding the principal accounting fees and services of Cohu is set forth under “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Cohu, Inc., including the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page 30:
All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information is not applicable or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
The exhibits listed under Item 15(b) hereof are filed with, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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COHU, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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COHU, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
31
COHU, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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COHU, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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COHU, INC.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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COHU, INC.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
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Foreign Currency Translation – Cohu’s foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for nonmonetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, that are translated using historical exchange rates. Revenues and costs are translated using
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Customers from the semiconductor equipment segment comprising 10% or greater of the Company’s net sales are summarized as follows:
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We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cohu, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cohu, Inc. at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Cohu, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 17, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
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Index to Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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COHU, INC.SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
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