10Q doc


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

     (MARK ONE)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 or


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

Commission file number    000-30941

AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
34-1818596
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

55 Cherry Hill Drive
Beverly, Massachusetts       01915

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(978) 787-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [X] No [  ].

As of November 13, 2003 there were 98,942,503 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.




AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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

Overview

Critical Accounting Policies

Results of Operations

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Outlook

Risk Factors

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

Item 5: Other Information

Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Signatures







PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements


Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

                                 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended


September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2003 2002 2003 2002




Net sales
  $ 59,007     $ 93,117     $ 226,083     $ 244,190  
Cost of products sold
    45,108       56,672       157,493       159,120  




Gross profit
    13,899       36,445       68,590       85,070  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    16,273       18,096       48,376       54,380  
Selling
    11,983       10,912       35,590       33,892  
General and adminstrative
    10,841       10,799       30,383       34,419  
Amortization of intangible assets
    563       365       1,293       1,095  
Restructuring
    4,745             4,745        




Total operating expenses
    44,405       40,172       120,387       123,786  
                                 
Loss from operations
    (30,506 )     (3,727 )     (51,797 )     (38,716 )
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Royalty income of Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    195       3,451       3,193       7,362  
Royalty income - other
    70       32       95       42  
Equity income of Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    41       2,235       4,534       3,595  
Interest income
    431       874       1,485       2,850  
Interest expense
    (1,876 )     (1,535 )     (4,663 )     (4,429 )
Other-net
    57       (828 )     (945 )     (2,472 )




Total other income (expense)
    (1,082 )     4,229       3,699       6,948  
                                 
Income (loss) before taxes
    (31,588 )     502       (48,098 )     (31,768 )
                                 
Income taxes (credit)
    354       311       69,048       (12,451 )




Net income (loss)
  $ (31,942 )   $ 191     $ (117,146 )   $ (19,317 )




                                 
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ (0.32 )   $ 0.00     $ (1.19 )   $ (0.20 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ (0.32 )   $ 0.00     $ (1.19 )   $ (0.20 )
                                 
Shares used in computing:
                               
Basic net income (loss) per share
    98,697       98,090       98,423       97,849  
Diluted net income (loss) per share
    98,697       98,213       98,423       97,849  





      See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

                   
September 30, December 31,
2003 2002


ASSETS
                 
Current assets:
               
 
Cash & cash equivalents
  $ 91,293     $ 150,651  
 
Short-term investments
    23,916       34,992  
 
Accounts receivable, net
    74,164       60,311  
 
Inventories
    120,729       115,290  
 
Deferred income taxes & other current assets
    2,159       18,329  
     
     
 
Total current assets
    312,261       379,573  
                 
Property, plant & equipment, net
    88,378       93,597  
Investment in Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    66,220       57,868  
Goodwill
    47,948       40,682  
Intangible assets
    19,799       13,141  
Deferred income taxes
          57,136  
Other assets
    32,067       27,454  
     
     
 
Total assets
  $ 566,673     $ 669,451  
     
     
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 33,032     $ 32,594  
 
Accrued compensation
    13,471       6,745  
 
Warranty reserve
    17,326       16,625  
 
Income taxes payable
    7,420       12,823  
 
Other current liabilities
    21,719       18,400  
     
     
 
Total current liabilities
    92,968       87,187  
                 
Convertible debt
    125,000       125,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    3,270       4,756  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock
    99       98  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    450,803       447,533  
 
Deferred compensation
    (891 )     (782 )
 
Treasury stock - at cost
    (1,218 )     (1,218 )
 
Retained earnings
    (104,777 )     12,369  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    1,419       (5,492 )
     
     
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    345,435       452,508  
     
     
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 566,673     $ 669,451  
     
     
 

      See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

                   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2003 2002


Operating activities:
             
 
Net loss
  $ (117,146 )   $ (19,317 )
 
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:
               
 
Depreciation
    8,759       7,933  
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    1,294       1,095  
 
Stock compensation expense
    109       387  
 
Deferred income taxes
    73,685       (16,441 )
 
Equity income of Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    (4,534 )     (3,595 )
 
Changes in operating assets & liabilities:
               
 
Accounts receivable, net
    (10,313 )     (13,878 )
 
Inventories
    (2,390 )     (2,092 )
 
Other current assets
    (163 )     (520 )
 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
    5,465       115  
 
Income taxes payable
    (5,407 )      
 
Other assets
    (4,778 )     150  
 
Other-net
    (1,057 )     682  
     
     
 
Net cash used by operating activities
  (56,476 )     (45,481 )
     
     
 
Investing activities:
             
 
Acquisition of Matrix Integrated Systems, net of cash acquired
    (14,418 )      
 
Sale of short-term investments, net
    11,077        
 
Expenditures for property, plant & equipment
    (3,185 )     (11,352 )
 
Other-net
    396       (1,056 )
     
     
 
Net cash used by investing activities
  (6,130 )     (12,408 )
     
     
 
Financing activities:
             
 
Proceeds from long-term debt, net
          121,578  
 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    175       104  
 
Issuance of common stock from Employee Stock Purchase Plan
    2,878       5,622  
     
     
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
  3,053       127,304  
     
     
 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
  195       1,081  
     
     
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
  (59,358 )     70,496  
Cash & cash equivalents at beginning of period
  150,651       124,177  
     
     
 
Cash & cash equivalents at end of period
$ 91,293     $ 194,673  
     
     
 



      See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003


1)      Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. ("Axcelis" or the "Company"), is a worldwide producer of ion implantation, dry strip, rapid thermal processing and photostabilization equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductors in the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company provides extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, maintenance services and customer training. The Company owns 50% of the equity of a joint venture with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Japan. This joint venture, which is known as Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation, or SEN, licenses technology from the Company relating to the manufacture of ion implantation products and has exclusive rights to manufacture and sell these products to the territory of Japan. SEN is the leading producer of ion implantation equipment in Japan.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature, except for adjustments to record a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (see Note 7), considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the year ending December 31, 2003.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Axcelis Technologies, Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

2)      Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenue recognition policy involves significant judgment by management. As described in detail below, the Company considers a broad array of facts and circumstances in determining when to recognize revenue, including contractual obligations to the customer, the complexity of the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process. In the future, if the post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process become more complex or result in a materially lower rate of acceptance than we now experience, the Company may have to revise its revenue recognition policy, which could affect the timing of revenue recognition.

For revenue arrangements prior to July 1, 2003 Axcelis generally recognized the full sale price at the time of shipment to the customer. The costs of system installation at the customer's site were accrued at the time of shipment for installation and acceptance testing performance obligations incurred at the time of sale. The Company recognized the full sales price at the time of shipment as management believes that the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process were established to be routine, commercially inconsequential and perfunctory because the process was a replication of the pre-shipment procedures. Also, customer payment terms typically provide that the majority of the purchase price is payable upon shipment. Terms do generally contain delayed payment arrangements for a portion of the purchase price, which are typically time-based.

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standard Board reached a consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables" ("EITF 00-21"). This issue addresses determination of whether an arrangement involving more than one deliverable contains more than one unit of accounting and how the arrangement consideration should be measured and allocated to the separate units of accounting. EITF 00-21 became effective for revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003.

For revenue arrangements occurring on or after July 1, 2003, the Company has revised its revenue recognition policy to comply with the provisions of EITF 00-21. Axcelis' revenue transactions include sales of systems under multiple element arrangements. Revenue under these arrangements is allocated to all elements, except systems, based upon their estimated fair market value. The amount of revenue allocated to systems is done on a residual method. Under this method, the total value of the arrangement is allocated first to the undelivered elements based on the greater of the fair value of the undelivered elements or the portion of the sales price that will not be received until the elements are delivered, with the residual amount being allocated to systems revenue. The fair value of all other elements is based upon the price charged when these elements are sold separately. System revenue is generally recognized upon shipment provided title and risk of loss has passed to the customer, evidence of an arrangement exists, fees are contractually fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured through historical collection results and regular credit evaluations, and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance. Revenue for installation services is recognized at the time of customer acceptance. Revenue for other elements is recognized at the time products are shipped or the related services are performed.

Management continues to believe recognition of systems revenue at the time of shipment is appropriate because the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process have been established to be routine, commercially inconsequential and perfunctory because the process is a replication of the pre-shipment procedures. The majority of Axcelis' systems are designed and tailored to meet the customer's specifications as outlined in the contract between the customer and Axcelis. To ensure that the customer's specifications are satisfied, per contract terms, many customers request that newer systems are to be tested at Axcelis' facilities prior to shipment, normally with the customer present, under conditions that substantially replicate the customer's production environment and the customer's criteria are confirmed to have been met. Customers for mature products generally do not require pre-shipment testing. Axcelis has never failed to successfully complete a system installation. Should an installation not be successfully completed, the contractual provisions do not provide for forfeiture, refund or other purchase price concession beyond those prescribed by the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code applicable generally to such transactions.

In the small number of instances where Axcelis is unsure of meeting the customer's specifications upon shipment of the system, Axcelis will defer the recognition of systems revenue until written customer acceptance of the system. This deferral period is generally within twelve months of shipment.

Service revenue includes revenue from maintenance and service contracts, time and material services and sales of spare parts. Revenue related to maintenance and service contracts is recognized ratably over the duration of the contracts. Revenue related to time and material services is recorded when the services are performed. Revenue related to spare parts sales is recognized upon the later of delivery or when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

3)     Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method, and the assumed conversion of convertible debt using the if converted method, when dilutive.

4)      Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

                                 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended


September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2003 2002 2003 2002




Net income (loss)
  $ (31,942 )   $ 191     $ (117,146 )   $ (19,317 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    5,712       (1,795 )     6,911       6,552  




Comprehensive income (loss)
    (26,230 )     (1,604 )     (110,235 )     (12,765 )




5)      Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined using the first-in, first out (FIFO) method, or market. The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):

                   
September 30, December 31,


2003 2002


Raw materials
  $ 78,957     $ 80,642  
Work-in-process
    12,084       13,401  
Finished goods
    43,781       35,939  
     
     
 
        134,822       129,982  
Inventory allowances
    (14,093 )     (14,692 )
     
     
 
      $ 120,729     $ 115,290  
     
     
 

6)      Product Warranty

The Company offers a one to three year warranty for all of its products, the terms and conditions of which vary depending upon the product sold. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranty obligation and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company's warranty liability include the number of installed units, historical and anticipated product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amount as necessary.

Changes in the Company's product warranty liability for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

                 
Balance at December 31, 2002
  $ 16,625          
Warranties and installations issued during the period
    15,761          
Settlements made during the period
    (17,707 )        
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties and installation during the period
    2,647          
     
         
Balance as of September 30, 2003
  $ 17,326          
     
         

7)      Stock-Based Compensation

As permitted under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure," Axcelis has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 25 in accounting for stock-based awards to employees. Under APB No. 25, the Company recognizes no compensation expense with respect to such awards, if on the date the awards were granted, the exercise price equaled the market value of the common shares.

Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) is required by SFAS No. 123. This information is required to be determined as if Axcelis had accounted for stock-based awards to its employees granted subsequent to 1995 under the fair value method prescribed by SFAS No. 123. The fair values of the options granted have been estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options pricing model.

The Black-Scholes options valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because Axcelis' options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company's options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123, the estimated fair values of the options are assumed to be amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. Pro forma information related to options granted follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended


September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2003 2002 2003 2002




Net income (loss)
  $ (31,942 )   $ 191     $ (117,146 )   $ (19,317 )
  Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
  (6,067 )     (956 )     (13,301 )     (10,040 )




Proforma net loss
    (38,009 )     (765 )     (130,447 )     (29,357 )




                                   
Net loss per share
                       
  Basic - as reported
$ (0.32 )   $ 0.00     $ (1.19 )   $ (.20 )
  Basic - pro forma
$ (0.39 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (1.33 )   $ (0.30 )
                                   
  Diluted - as reported
$ (0.32 )   $ 0.00     $ (1.19 )   $ (0.20 )
  Diluted - pro forma
$ (0.39 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (1.33 )   $ (0.30 )


8)      Deferred Income Taxes

The Company has deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating losses and other deductible temporary differences, which are available to reduce taxable income in future periods. SFAS No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is "more likely than not" that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence needs to be considered, including a company's performance, the market environment in which the Company operates, length of carryback and carryforward periods, existing sales backlog and projections of future operating results. Where there are cumulative losses in recent years, SFAS No. 109 creates a strong presumption that a valuation allowance is needed. This presumption can be overcome in very limited circumstances.

As of March 31, 2003, the Company's evaluation of the realization of these assets was based upon evidence of cumulative historical profitability and estimates of future taxable income. The Company was profitable in fiscal year 2000 but was not profitable in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Projections of future earnings were based on revenue assumptions consistent with industry forecasts for the next three years along with the necessary operating expenses to support the Company's revenue assumptions. Based on these projections, the Company estimated that the loss carryforwards would be fully utilized within three years.

During the second quarter of 2003, the Company entered a three year cumulative loss position and revised its projections of the amount and timing of future earnings. Due to these factors as well as the uncertainty of the amount and timing of profitability in future periods, the Company increased its valuation allowance as of June 30, 2003. This non-cash charge to earnings increased income tax expense by $69.7 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003.

The Company expects to record a full valuation allowance on future tax benefits until it can sustain an appropriate level of profitability and until such time, the Company would not expect to recognize any significant tax benefits in its future results of operations. However, going forward should the Company return to profitability and there is sufficient evidence, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, to support the ultimate realization of income tax benefits attributable to net operating losses, tax credit carryforwards and other deductible temporary differences, the carrying value of deferred tax assets may be restored, resulting in a non-cash credit to earnings.


9)      Acquisition of Matrix Integrated Systems

On July 3, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of Matrix Integrated Systems, Inc. ("Matrix"), a photoresist dry strip equipment supplier based in Richmond, California for $14.0 million plus direct expenses of approximately $900,000. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Accordingly, the results of operations of Matrix have been included in the Company's results of operations since the date of acquisition. Pro forma information is not presented because the acquisition is not considered material. The purchase price allocation is subject to refinement until all pertinent information related to the acquisition is obtained.


10)      Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges of $4.7 million relate to severance and other benefits associated with reduction in force actions taken, during the third quarter of 2003 which reduced headcount by approximately 200 permanent positions. The majority of the severance payments will be made during the fourth quarter of 2003.


11)      Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51" (FIN 46). FIN 46 provides a new consolidation model which determines control and consolidation based on potential variability in gains and losses. The provisions of FIN 46 are effective for enterprises with variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For public companies with variable interest in variable interest entities created before February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 are to be applied no later than December 31, 2003. The Company has determined that its equity investment in SEN does not constitute a variable interest entity that would require consolidation. Accordingly, the Company does not believe that FIN 46 will have any impact on its financial statements.



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

Certain statements in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as may, will, should, would, anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, those set forth under "Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Risk Factors" included in these sections and those appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a worldwide producer of ion implantation, dry strip, rapid thermal processing and photostabilization equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductors. In addition, we provide extensive aftermarket service and support, including spare parts, equipment upgrades, maintenance services and customer training. We own 50% of the equity of a joint venture, known as SEN, with Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Japan. SEN licenses technology from the Company relating to the manufacture of ion implantation products and has exclusive rights to manufacture and sell these products to the territory of Japan. SEN is the leading producer of ion implantation equipment in Japan.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon Axcelis' consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management 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, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, income taxes, accounts receivable, inventory and warranty and installation obligations. Management 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 that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company believes the following accounting policies are critical in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management's most significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenue recognition policy involves significant judgment by management. As described in detail below, the Company considers a broad array of facts and circumstances in determining when to recognize revenue, including contractual obligations to the customer, the complexity of the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process. In the future, if the post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process become more complex or result in a materially lower rate of acceptance than we now experience, the Company may have to revise its revenue recognition policy, which could affect the timing of revenue recognition.

For revenue arrangements prior to July 1, 2003 Axcelis generally recognized the full sale price at the time of shipment to the customer. The costs of system installation at the customer's site were accrued at the time of shipment for installation and acceptance testing performance obligations incurred at the time of sale. The Company recognized the full sales price at the time of shipment as management believes that the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process were established to be routine, commercially inconsequential and perfunctory because the process was a replication of the pre-shipment procedures. Also, customer payment terms typically provide that the majority of the purchase price is payable upon shipment. Terms do generally contain delayed payment arrangements for a portion of the purchase price, which are typically time-based.

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standard Board reached a consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables" ("EITF 00-21"). This issue addresses determination of whether an arrangement involving more than one deliverable contains more than one unit of accounting and how the arrangement consideration should be measured and allocated to the separate units of accounting. EITF 00-21 became effective for revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003.

For revenue arrangements occurring on or after July 1, 2003, the Company has revised its revenue recognition policy to comply with the provisions of EITF 00-21. Axcelis' revenue transactions include sales of systems under multiple element arrangements. Revenue under these arrangements is allocated to all elements, except systems, based upon their estimated fair market value. The amount of revenue allocated to systems is done on a residual method. Under this method, the total value of the arrangement is allocated first to the undelivered elements based on the greater of the fair value of the undelivered elements or the portion of the sales price that will not be received until the elements are delivered, with the residual amount being allocated to systems revenue. The fair value of all other elements is based upon the price charged when these elements are sold separately. System revenue is generally recognized upon shipment provided title and risk of loss has passed to the customer, evidence of an arrangement exists, fees are contractually fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured through historical collection results and regular credit evaluations, and there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance. Revenue for installation services is recognized at the time of customer acceptance. Revenue for other elements is recognized at the time products are shipped or the related services are performed.

Management continues to believe recognition of systems revenue at the time of shipment is appropriate because the customer's post delivery acceptance provisions and installation process have been established to be routine, commercially inconsequential and perfunctory because the process is a replication of the pre-shipment procedures. The majority of Axcelis' systems are designed and tailored to meet the customer's specifications as outlined in the contract between the customer and Axcelis. To ensure that the customer's specifications are satisfied, per contract terms, many customers request that newer systems are to be tested at Axcelis' facilities prior to shipment, normally with the customer present, under conditions that substantially replicate the customer's production environment and the customer's criteria are confirmed to have been met. Customers for mature products generally do not require pre-shipment testing. Axcelis has never failed to successfully complete a system installation. Should an installation not be successfully completed, the contractual provisions do not provide for forfeiture, refund or other purchase price concession beyond those prescribed by the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code applicable generally to such transactions.

In the small number of instances where Axcelis is unsure of meeting the customer's specifications upon shipment of the system, Axcelis will defer the recognition of systems revenue until written customer acceptance of the system. This deferral period is generally within twelve months of shipment.

Service revenue includes revenue from maintenance and service contracts, time and material services and sales of spare parts. Revenue related to maintenance and service contracts is recognized ratably over the duration of the contracts. Revenue related to time and material services is recorded when the services are performed. Revenue related to spare parts sales is recognized upon the later of delivery or when the title and risk of loss passes to the customer.

Deferred Tax Assets

The Company has deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating losses and other deductible temporary differences, which are available to reduce taxable income in future periods. SFAS No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is "more likely than not" that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence needs to be considered, including a company's performance, the market environment in which the Company operates, length of carryback and carryforward periods, existing sales backlog and projections of future operating results. Where there are cumulative losses in recent years, SFAS No. 109 creates a strong presumption that a valuation allowance is needed. This presumption can be overcome in very limited circumstances.

As of March 31, 2003, the Company's evaluation of the realization of these assets was based upon evidence of cumulative historical profitability and estimates of future taxable income. The Company was profitable in fiscal year 2000 but was not profitable in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Projections of future earnings were based on revenue assumptions consistent with industry forecasts for the next three years along with the necessary operating expenses to support the Company's revenue assumptions. Based on these projections, the Company estimated that the loss carryforwards would be fully utilized within three years.

During the second quarter of 2003, the Company entered a three year cumulative loss position and revised its projections of the amount and timing of future earnings. Due to these factors as well as the uncertainty of the amount and timing of profitability in future periods, the Company increased its valuation allowance as of June 30, 2003. This non-cash charge to earnings increased income tax expense by $69.7 million for the nine month period ended June 30, 2003.

The Company expects to record a full valuation allowance on future tax benefits until it can sustain an appropriate level of profitability and until such time, the Company would not expect to recognize any significant tax benefits in its future results of operations. However, going forward should the Company return to profitability and there is sufficient evidence, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, to support the ultimate realization of income tax benefits attributable to net operating losses, tax credit carryforwards and other deductible temporary differences, the carrying value of deferred tax assets may be restored, resulting in a non-cash credit to earnings.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We account for our acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 141, "Business Combinations". Goodwill represents the excess of cost over net assets, including all identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses that are consolidated. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," goodwill is not amortized. Other intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives are valued separately and amortized over their useful lives. Such other identifiable intangible assets consist mainly of developed technology and are generally amortized over approximately ten years. We have determined that all of our intangible assets have finite lives.

During 2002, in accordance with SFAS No. 142, we ceased to amortize goodwill. In lieu of amortization, we perform an impairment review of our goodwill. Impairment tests are performed annually, or more frequently if there are other indicators of impairment. The annual impairment test consists of determining the fair market value of the business unit through a discounted cash flow analysis. Management's best judgments are employed in determining future market conditions that impact this discounted cash flow analysis. As a result of our annual review conducted as of December 31, 2002, we determined that there was no impairment of our goodwill. If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill has been impaired, we would record the impairment charge in our statement of operations as a non-cash charge to earnings. Net goodwill amounted to $47.9 million as of September 30, 2003.

We assess the impairment of identifiable other intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include the following:

— a significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

— a significant change in the manner of our use of the acquired asset or the strategy for our overall business;

— a significant negative industry or economic trend; and

— our market capitalization relative to net book value.

As part of this assessment, we would review the expected future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets. When we determine that the carrying value of intangibles may not be recoverable, we measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. Net intangible assets, other than goodwill, amounted to $19.8 million as of September 30, 2003.

Accounts Receivable—Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Axcelis records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of Axcelis' customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be necessary. The allowance for doubtful accounts amounted to $3.6 million as of September 30, 2003.

Inventory—Allowance for Excess and Obsolescence

Axcelis records an allowance for estimated excess and obsolete inventory. The allowance is based upon management's assumptions of future materials usage and obsolescence, based on estimates of future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. The allowance for excess and obsolete inventory amounted to $14.1 million as of September 30, 2003.

Product Warranty Reserve

Axcelis provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of shipment. The Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs incurred in correcting a product failure. If actual product failure rates, material usage or service labor costs differ from management's estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required. The company's estimated warranty liability was $17.3 million as of September 30, 2003.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

                                   
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended


September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2003 2002 2003 2002
     
     
     
     
 
Net sales
    100.0  %     100.0  %     100.0  %     100.0  %
Gross profit
    23.6       39.1       30.3       34.8  
Other costs and expenses:
                       
 
Research and development
    27.6       19.4       21.4       22.3  
 
Selling
    20.3       11.7       15.7       13.9  
 
General and administrative
    18.4       11.6       13.4       14.1  
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    1.0       0.4       0.6       0.4  
 
Restructuring
    8.0             2.1        
     
     
     
     
 
Total operating expenses
    75.3       43.1       53.2       50.7  
                           
Loss from operations
    (51.7 )     (4.0 )     (22.9 )     (15.9 )
                           
Other income (expense):
                       
 
Royalty income of Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    0.3       3.7       1.5       3.0  
 
Royalty income—other
    0.1                    
 
Equity income of Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    0.1       2.4       2.0       1.5  
 
Interest income
    0.7       0.9       0.7       1.2  
 
Interest expense
    (3.2 )     (1.7 )     (2.1 )     (1.8 )
 
Other-net
    0.1       (0.9 )     (0.4 )     (1.0 )
     
     
     
     
 
 
Total other income (expense)
    (1.8 )     4.4       1.7       2.9  
                           
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (53.5 )     0.5       (21.3 )     (13.0 )
Income taxes (credit)
    0.6       0.3       30.5       (5.1 )
     
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
    (54.1 )%     0.2  %     (51.8 )%     (7.9 )%
     
     
     
     
 

Net Sales

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 were $59.0 million, a decrease of $34.1 million, or 36.6%, from $93.1 million in the third quarter of 2002. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $226.1 million, a decrease of $18.1 million, or 7.4%, from $244.2 million for the same period in fiscal 2002. The changes in net sales from comparable periods in 2002 were primarily attributable to the timing of orders received from and related shipments of products to our semiconductor manufacturing customers. Additionally, $4.2 million of the decrease in net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 is due to the adoption of EITF 00-21 which became effective for revenue transactions occurring after June 30, 2003 (see "Critical Accounting Policies— Revenue Recognition"). The Company does not believe the changes in sales volumes during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003, as compared to the same periods in 2002, reflect any significant changes in the levels of capital spending during these periods within the semiconductor manufacturing industry. (See "Outlook").

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 was $13.9 million, a decrease of $22.5 million, or 61.9%, from $36.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $68.6 million, a decrease of $16.5 million, or 19.4%, from $85.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2002. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 23.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from 39.1% in the comparable prior period. The decrease in gross profit percentage during the third quarter is related principally to reduced selling prices caused by a competitive market environment, a change in revenue recognition policy associated with the adoption of EITF 00-21 (approximately 2.5 %), and increased warranty costs associated with 300mm tools (approximately 7.2%). For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 30.3% from 34.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. For the nine month period, gross profit decreased primarily for the reasons described above, and was partially offset by an increased percentage of higher margin 200mm equipment sales. Sales of 200mm products constituted approximately 70.7% of systems sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 61.6% in the comparable period of 2002.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were 75.3% of net sales or $44.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 43.1% or $40.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase of $4.2 million relates principally to restructuring charges of $4.7 million recognized in the third quarter of 2003. Operating expenses were 53.2% of net sales or $120.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 50.7% or $123.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 reflecting a decrease in spending of $3.4 million. The $3.4 million decrease is primarily due to a decrease of $6.0 million in R&D expenses and a decrease of $2.3 million in SG&A expenses, both of which are partially offset by restructuring costs of $4.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 the decrease in R&D expenses was due principally to the completion and release of all 300mm products in the second half of 2002 and the associated reduction in headcount-related and material costs. The decreases in SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 are attributable to lower costs associated with programmed headcount reductions and an adjustment of $1.7 million recorded in the second quarter to reflect a change in estimate relating to an unfunded pension expense and other benefit claims recorded in prior periods.

The restructuring costs described above in the amount of $4.7 million reflected in both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 relate to severance and other benefits associated with reduction in force actions to reduce headcount by approximately 200 permanent positions the Company took during the third quarter of 2003. The majority of the severance payments will be made in the fourth quarter of 2003. The Company estimates the annual savings from the restructuring to approximate $18.5 million, benefits from which will start to be realized in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Loss From Operations

Loss from operations was $30.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as compared to a loss of $3.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2002. Loss from operations was $51.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to a loss of $38.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The decreases were primarily a result of the factors described above.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense was $1.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as compared to other income of $4.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2002. Other income (expense) was $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 reflecting a decrease of $3.2. Total other income includes royalty income and equity income from SEN. Royalty income from SEN was $0.2 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, compared to $3.5 million and $7.4 million for the corresponding periods of 2002. The change in revenue recognition policy to comply with the provisions of EITF 00-21 had the effect of reducing the combined contribution (royalties and equity income) from SEN by approximately $7.8 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003. Other fluctuations in royalty and equity contributions from SEN reflect changes in its sales volume and operating earnings resulting from changes in the Japanese semiconductor market.

Interest expense relates to the Company's $125 million convertible subordinated note offering completed in January 2002.

Income Taxes (Credit)

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 consist primarily of a valuation allowance of $69.7 million recorded at June 30, 2003 to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets to zero.

Net Income (Loss)

The Company incurred a net loss of $31.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 as compared to net income of $0.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was principally a result of the factors discussed above. Our loss per share (basic and diluted) was $0.32 in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and $1.19 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Our loss per share (basic and diluted) was $0.00 in the third quarter of 2002 and $0.20 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2003, cash and cash equivalents were $91.3 million as compared with $150.7 million as of December 31, 2002. Short-term investments were $23.9 million as of September 30, 2003 compared to $35.0 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease in the combined amount of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments from December 31, 2002 resulted principally from operating losses, the acquisition of Matrix Integrated Systems, Inc. and increases in accounts receivable and inventory. Increases in accounts receivable reflect a high proportion of shipments in September 2003. The Company has increased its inventory levels at September 30, 2003 in anticipation of higher fourth quarter shipments based on significant increases in orders received during the third quarter of 2003.

Net working capital was $219.3 million at September 30, 2003 as compared to net working capital of $292.4 million at December 31, 2002. The reduction in working capital is attributable principally to the loss before income taxes and the recognition of a valuation allowance relating to the current portion of deferred tax assets.

Capital expenditures were $3.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2003 and $11.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002. The decrease in capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was principally due to the completion of the Company's addition to its Beverly, Massachusetts facility during the first half of fiscal 2002. The amount of future capital requirements will depend on a number of factors, including the timing and rate of the expansion of our business.

The Company has a $50 million revolving line of credit facility, the term of which has been amended to expire October 2006. At September 30, 2003, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Axcelis' liquidity is affected by many factors. Some of these factors are based on normal operations of the business and others relate to the uncertainties of global economies and the semiconductor equipment industry. As a general rule, we would expect to consume cash at the beginning of a cyclical upturn and generate cash at the beginning of a cyclical downturn, due primarily to changes in working capital requirements. Although our cash requirements fluctuate based on the timing and the extent of these factors, we believe that available cash and our cash flows from operations will provide sufficient working capital and satisfy commitments for capital expenditures and other cash requirements of the business.

Outlook

The Company's performance for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 was directly related to the continuing low levels of capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers, especially manufacturers opening new or expanding existing fabrication facilities. The level of capital expenditures by these manufacturers depends upon the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and the products utilizing them, the available manufacturing capacity in manufacturers' fabrication facilities, and the ability of manufacturers to increase productivity in existing facilities without incurring additional capital expenditures. Currently, management along with industry and economic analysts, believe that semiconductor manufacturers are looking to expand capacity and increase capital spending over the next twelve to twenty-four months. Based on bookings received in the third quarter the Company believes it will begin to realize benefits in terms of increased revenues and improved operating performance from this anticipated upturn in capital spending during the fourth quarter of 2003.

Also during the first nine months of 2003, the Company experienced increased competitive pricing pressure at strategic accounts, and management expects that this pressure will continue for the remainder of 2003.

Management has continued its ongoing actions to reduce manufacturing costs as well as decrease research and development and SG&A expense. During the third quarter of 2003, the Company took actions to reorganize the business and eliminate 200 permanent positions. These actions are estimated to result in annual savings of $18.5 million, the benefit of which will begin to be realized in the fourth quarter of 2003.

On October 27, 2003, the Company announced its expectation that its revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 will be in the range of $88 to $93 million, an increase of 49% to 58% in comparison to the reported revenues for the third quarter of 2003. On these forecast revenues, management stated on October 27, 2003 that gross margins are expected to be in the mid 30% range and the results of operations for the fourth quarter of 2003 are forecast at break-even. Management is continuing to manage the Company's cost structure on a quarterly basis with the objective of returning to profitability, while at the same time making sure that the Company has the right resources for an upturn in demand for its systems.

It is difficult for management to predict customers' capital spending plans, which can change very quickly. In addition, at the current sales level, each sale, or failure to make a sale, could have a material effect on the Company in a particular quarter.

Risk Factors

As defined under Safe Harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, some of the matters discussed in this filing contain forward-looking statements regarding future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes, the highly competitive nature of the semiconductor equipment industry, quarterly fluctuations in operating results attributable to the timing and amount of orders for our products and services, dependency on SEN (our Japanese joint venture) for access to the Japanese semiconductor equipment market, and those risk factors contained in the section titled "Outlook" and Exhibit 99.1 of this Form 10-Q. If any of those risk factors actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed and the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

A discussion of market risk exposures is included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,2002 under Management's Discussion and Analysis - Outlook and Exhibit 99.1 filed herewith.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) identified in connection with the evaluation of our internal control performed during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On January 8, 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Applied Materials, Inc. ("Applied") in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleged that Applied's medium current/high energy ion implanter machine launched in November 2000 infringes our patent for ion implantation equipment using radio frequency linear accelerator technology. We have also alleged that Applied unlawfully interfered with our existing and future contracts. On January 18, 2001, we filed a motion for a preliminary injunction for the reason, among others, that infringement at the time of transition between equipment capable of handling 200 mm wafers and equipment capable of handling 300 mm wafers would irreparably harm us. Through this motion, we asked the court to stop Applied from manufacturing, selling or offering to sell its medium current/high energy ion implanter machine and to order Applied to remove all Axcelis patented technology from implanters that Applied may have placed in chipmakers' plants for process development trials. Applied filed counterclaims of unfair competition, defamation, and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, all of which it contends arise from certain communications allegedly made by Axcelis about the lawsuit and its claims of infringement.

A jury trial on the sole issue of infringement commenced on June 16, 2003. On July 2, 2003, the jury issued a verdict in favor of Applied Materials. The Company filed a notice of appeal in August 2003, which was docketed with the Federal Circuit Court for the First Circuit in September 2003. While there can be no assurance of a favorable outcome from an appeal, we continue to believe our claims are meritorious. The appeal is being handled on a capped contingency basis by our outside litigation counsel and we expect the requisite investment in legal expense to pursue this appeal will be minimal. The patent at issue expires in mid 2005.

Item 5. Other Information

On October 23, 2003, R. John Fletcher joined our Board of Directors. Mr. Fletcher is the founder of Fletcher Spaght, Inc., a strategy consulting firm focused on high technology businesses.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

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

Exhibit No.

Description

   

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-36330).

3.2

Bylaws of the Company, as amended as of January 23, 2002. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission on March 12, 2002.

3.3

Certificate of Designation of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 5, 2000. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission on March 30, 2001.

4.1

Indenture between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, including the form of note, dated as of January 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 15, 2002.

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 13, 2003. Filed herewith.

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 13, 2003. Filed herewith.

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 13, 2003. Filed herewith.

32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), dated November 13, 2003. Filed herewith.

99.1

Factors Affecting Future Operating Results for the Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003. Filed herewith.


b) Reports on Form 8-K

   (i) A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2003 relating to the Company's announcement of earnings for its quarter ended June 30, 2003.

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.

  AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Dated:   November 14, 2003

  By:  /s/ Stephen G. Bassett
 
  Stephen G. Bassett
  Chief Financial Officer
Duly authorized officer and
Principal financial officer

10Q doc

CERTIFICATION
of the Principle Executive Officer of Axelis Technologies, Inc.
under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


I, Mary G. Puma, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this Form 10-Q of Axcelis Technologies, Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.




Date: November 13, 2003

  By:  /s/ Mary G. Puma
 
  Mary G. Puma
  President and Chief Executive Officer

10Q doc

CERTIFICATION
of the Principle Financial Officer of Axelis Technologies, Inc.
under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


I, Stephen G. Bassett, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this Form 10-Q of Axcelis Technologies, Inc.;

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.




Date: November 13, 2003

  By:  /s/ Stephen G. Bassett
 
  Stephen G. Bassett
  Chief Financial Officer





ex32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1


AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code

The undersigned Chief Executive Officer of Axcelis Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby certify, for the purposes of Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (as implemented by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) as follows:

     This Form 10-Q quarterly report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) and the information contained herein fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certification as of November 13, 2003.




  /s/ Mary G. Puma
 
  Mary G. Puma
  Chief Executive Officer of Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

ex32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2


AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code

The undersigned Chief Financial Officer of Axcelis Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby certify, for the purposes of Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code (as implemented by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) as follows:

     This Form 10-Q quarterly report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) and the information contained herein fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certification as of November 13, 2003.




  /s/ Stephen G. Bassett
 
  Stephen G. Bassett
  Chief Financial Officer of Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Exhibit 99.1
AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS


From time to time, we may make forward-looking public statements,
such as statements concerning our then expected future revenues or
earnings or concerning the prospects for our markets or our product
development, projected plans, performance, order procurement as well
as other estimates relating to future operations. Forward-looking
statements may be in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), in registration statements
filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), in press releases or informal statements made with the
approval of an authorized executive officer. The words or phrases
"will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is
anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are
intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities
Act, as enacted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.

We wish to caution you not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date on
which they are made. In addition, we wish to advise you that the
factors listed below, as well as other factors that we may or may
not have not currently identified, could affect our financial or
other performance and could cause our actual results for future
periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements
expressed with respect to future periods or events in any current
statement.

We will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to
publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to
reflect either circumstances after the date of the statements or
the occurrence of events which may cause us to re-evaluate our
forward-looking statements.

In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act, we are hereby filing cautionary
statements identifying important factors that could cause our
actual results to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

If semiconductor manufacturers do not make sufficient capital
expenditures, our sales and profitability will be harmed.

	We anticipate that a significant portion of our new orders
will depend upon demand from semiconductor manufacturers who build
or expand fabrication facilities. If the rate of construction or
expansion of fabrication facilities declines, demand for our systems
will decline, reducing our revenues. This would also hurt our
profitability, because our continued investments in engineering,
research and development and marketing necessary to develop new
products and to maintain extensive customer service and support
capabilities limit our ability to reduce expenses in proportion
to declining sales.

	A number of factors may cause semiconductor manufacturers to make
reduced capital expenditures, including the following.


Downturns in the semiconductor industry may further reduce demand for our
products, harming our sales and profitability.

	The semiconductor business is highly cyclical and the industry has
been in a severe down cycle since early in 2001, the length of which cannot
be predicted. This continues to reduce demand for new or expanded
fabrication facilities. Any continuing weakness or future downturns or
slowdowns in the industry may adversely affect our financial condition.

Oversupply in the semiconductor industry reduces demand for capital
equipment, including our products.

	Inventory buildups in the semiconductor industry, resulting in part
from the down cycle, have produced a current oversupply of semiconductors.
This has caused semiconductor manufacturers to revise capital spending plans,
resulting in reduced demand for capital equipment such as our products.  If
this oversupply is not reduced by increasing demand from the various
electronics industries that use semiconductors, which we cannot accurately
predict, our sales and profitability will be harmed.

Industry consolidation and outsourcing of semiconductor manufacturing may
reduce the number of our potential customers, harming our revenues.

	The substantial expense of building, upgrading or expanding a
semiconductor fabrication facility is increasingly causing semiconductor
companies to contract with foundries to manufacture their semiconductors.
In addition, consolidation and joint venturing within the semiconductor
manufacturing industry is increasing. We expect these trends to continue,
which will reduce the number of our potential customers.  This increased
concentration of our customers potentially makes our revenues more
volatile as a higher percentages of our total revenues are tied to a
particular customer's buying decisions.

If we fail to develop and introduce reliable new or enhanced products and
services that meet the needs of semiconductor manufacturers, our results
will suffer.

	Rapid technological changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes
require us to respond quickly to changing customer requirements. Our future
success will depend in part upon our ability to develop, manufacture and
successfully introduce new systems and product lines with improved
capabilities and to continue to enhance existing products, including products
that process 300 millimeter wafers. This will depend upon a variety of
factors, including new product selection, timely and efficient completion
of product design and development and of manufacturing and assembly
processes, product performance in the field and effective sales and
marketing. In particular:

* We must develop the technical specifications of competitive new systems, or
enhancements to our existing systems, and manufacture and ship these systems
or enhancements in volume in a timely manner.

* We will need to accurately predict the schedule on which our customers will
be ready to transition to new products, in order to accurately forecast demand
for new products while managing the transition from older products.

* We will need to effectively manage product reliability or quality problems
that often exist with new systems, in order to avoid reduced orders, higher
manufacturing costs, delays in acceptance and payment and additional service
and warranty expenses.

* Our new products must be accepted in the marketplace.

	Our failure to meet any of these requirements will have a material
adverse effect on our operating results and profitability.

If we fail to compete successfully in the highly competitive semiconductor
equipment industry, our sales and profitability will decline.

	The market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment is highly
competitive and includes companies with substantially greater financial,
engineering, manufacturing, marketing and customer service and support
resources than we have that may be better positioned to compete
successfully in the industry. In addition, there are smaller, emerging
semiconductor equipment companies that provide innovative systems with
technology that may have performance advantages over our systems.
Competitors are expected to continue to improve the design and
performance of their existing products and processes and to introduce
new products and processes with improved price and performance
characteristics. If we are unable to improve or introduce competing
products when demanded by the markets, our business will be harmed.
In addition, if competitors enter into strategic relationships with
leading semiconductor manufacturers covering products similar to those
sold or being developed by us, our ability to sell products to those
manufacturers may be adversely affected.

We have been dependent on sales to a limited number of large customers;
the loss of any of these customers or any reduction in orders from them
could materially affect our sales.

	Historically, we have sold a significant proportion of our
products and services to a limited number of fabricators of semiconductor
products. For example, in 2002, one of our customers, IBM, accounted for
14% of our net sales, and our top ten customers accounted for 64% of our
net sales. None of our customers has entered into a long-term agreement
requiring it to purchase our products. Although the composition of the
group comprising our largest customers has varied from year to year, the
loss of a significant customer or any reduction or delays in orders from
any significant customer, including reductions or delays due to customer
departures from recent buying patterns, or market, economic or competitive
conditions in the semiconductor industry, could adversely affect us. The
ongoing consolidation of semiconductor manufacturers may also increase
the harmful effect of losing a significant customer.

Our quarterly financial results may fluctuate significantly and may
fall short of anticipated levels.

	We derive most of our revenues from the sale of a relatively small
number of expensive products to a small number of customers. The list prices
on these products range from $200,000 to over $4.0 million. At our current
sales level, each sale, or failure to make a sale, could have a material effect
on us in a particular quarter. Our lengthy sales cycle, coupled with customers'
competing capital budget considerations, make the timing of customer orders
uneven and difficult to predict. In a given quarter, a number of factors can
adversely affect our revenues and results, including changes in our product
mix, increased fixed expenses per unit due to reductions in the number of
products manufactured, and higher fixed costs due to increased levels of
research and development and expansion of our worldwide sales and marketing
organization. Our gross margins also may be affected by the introduction of
new products. We typically become more efficient in producing our products
as they mature. For example, our gross margins in 2001 and 2002 were adversely
affected in part as a result of the increased proportion of systems sold to
process 300 millimeter wafers. In addition, our backlog at the beginning of
a quarter typically does not include all orders required to achieve our sales
objectives for that quarter and is not a reliable indicator of our future
sales. As a result, our net sales and operating results for a quarter depend
on our shipping orders as scheduled during that quarter as well as obtaining
new orders for products to be shipped in that same quarter. Any delay in, or
cancellation of, scheduled shipments or in shipments from new orders could
materially and adversely affect our financial results. Due to the foregoing
factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results
should not be relied upon as an indicator of our future performance.

We access the important Japanese market for ion implant through a joint venture
which we do not control.

We own 50% of the equity of a Japanese corporation called Sumitomo Eaton Nova
or SEN, to which we have granted an exclusive license to manufacture and sell
ion implanters in Japan.  The remaining 50% of the equity is owned by Sumitomo
Heavy Industries, Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of industrial machinery and
shipbuilding.  Our joint venture agreement with Sumitomo gives both owners veto
rights, so that neither of us alone can effectively control SEN.  SEN's
business is subject to the same risks as our business.  Royalties and income
from SEN have been a substantial contribution to our earnings, and a
substantial decline in SEN's sales and income from operations could have a
material adverse effect on our net income.   As a result of this joint
venture structure, we have less control over SEN management than over our
own management and may not have timely knowledge of factors affecting SEN's
business.  In addition, given the equal balance of ownership, it is possible
that the SEN Board may be unable to reach consensus from time to time.
Neither Axcelis or Sumitomo has the right to buy out the other's interest
in SEN and the SEN joint venture is perpetual, although termination
provisions in the license agreement  allow either SEN or Axcelis to
effectively terminate the joint venture at the end of 2004.  SEN has been
a very valuable partner to Axcelis since its formation and we expect to
renew our license to SEN for a further 5 year term.

From time to time, we have allowed SEN to sell implanters outside of Japan.
We allow these sales when the customer requests SEN products.  Such requests
tend to occur when SEN customers participate, as joint venturers or technical
advisors, in fabrication facilities outside of Japan.  In those cases, the
financial benefit to Axcelis from the sale of a SEN implanter is less than the
financial  benefit of a sale of an Axcelis implanter, but our primary goal to
satisfy our customer with the product of their choice.  When these sales are
allowed, we act as exclusive agent for SEN to manage the terms of the sales
and to ensure that  they are consistent with our global product and customer
strategies.  We receive commissions from SEN on these extra-territorial sales
and assume most of the post-installation warranty responsibility.


A decline in sales of our products and services to customers outside the United
States would hurt our business and profits.

	We are substantially dependent on sales of our products and services
to customers outside the United States, which accounted for approximately
70%  62% and 51%, of our net sales in  2000 and 2001 and 2002, respectively.
We anticipate that international sales will continue to account for a
significant portion of our net sales. Because of our dependence upon
international sales, our results and prospects may be adversely affected by
a number of factors, including:

* unexpected changes in laws or regulations resulting in more burdensome
governmental controls, tariffs, restrictions, embargoes or export license
requirements;
* difficulties in obtaining required export licenses;
* volatility in currency exchange rates;
* political and economic instability, particularly in Asia;
* difficulties in accounts receivable collections;
* extended payment terms beyond those customarily offered in the United
States;
* difficulties in managing distributors or representatives outside the
United States;
* difficulties in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary and branch
operations; and
* potentially adverse tax consequences.

Making more sales denominated in foreign currencies to counteract the
strong dollar may expose us to additional risks that could hurt our results.

	Substantially all of our sales to date have been denominated in
U.S. dollars. Our products become less price competitive in countries with
currencies that are declining in value in comparison to the dollar. This
could cause us to lose sales or force us to lower our prices, which would
reduce our gross margins. Our equity income and royalty income from SEN are
denominated in Japanese yen, which exposes us to some risk of currency
fluctuations.  If it becomes necessary for us to make more sales denominated
in foreign currencies to counteract the strong dollar, we will become more
exposed to these risks.

We may not be able to maintain and expand our business if we are not able to
retain, hire and integrate additional qualified personnel.

	Our business depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified,
experienced employees. There is substantial competition for experienced
engineering, technical, financial, sales and marketing personnel in our
industry. In particular, we must attract and retain highly skilled design
and process engineers. Competition for such personnel is intense,
particularly in the areas where we are based, including the Boston
metropolitan area and the Rockville, Maryland area, as well as in other
locations around the world. If we are unable to retain our existing key
personnel, or attract and retain additional qualified personnel, we may
from time to time experience levels of staffing inadequate to develop,
manufacture and market our products and perform services for our customers.
As a result, our growth could be limited or we could fail to meet our
delivery commitments or experience deterioration in service levels or
decreased customer satisfaction, all of which could adversely affect our
financial results and cause the value of our notes and stock to decline.

Our dependence upon a limited number of suppliers for many components and
sub-assemblies could result in increased costs or delays in manufacture and
sales of our products.

	We rely to a substantial extent on outside vendors to manufacture
many of the components and subassemblies of our products. We obtain many of
these components and sub-assemblies from either a sole source or a limited
group of suppliers. Because of our reliance on outside vendors generally,
and on a limited group of suppliers in particular, we may be unable to
obtain an adequate supply of required components on a timely basis, on
price and other terms acceptable to us, or at all.

	In addition, we often quote prices to our customers and accept
customer orders for our products before purchasing components and
subassemblies from our suppliers. If our suppliers increase the cost of
components or subassemblies, we may not have alternative sources of supply
and may not be able to raise the price of our products to cover all or
part of the increased cost of components.

	The manufacture of some of these components and subassemblies is
an extremely complex process and requires long lead times. As a result, we
have in the past and may in the future experience delays or shortages. If
we are unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of our required
components or subassemblies, we may have to seek alternative sources of
supply or manufacture these components internally. This could delay our
ability to manufacture or to ship our systems on a timely basis, causing
us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions
and suffer harm to our reputation.


In certain circumstances, we may need additional capital.

	Our capital requirements may vary widely from quarter to quarter,
depending on, among other things, capital expenditures, fluctuations in
our operating results, financing activities, acquisitions and investments
and inventory and receivables management. We believe that our available
cash, our credit line and our future cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to satisfy our working capital, capital expenditure and research
and development requirements for the foreseeable future. This, of course,
depends on the accuracy of our assumptions about levels of sales and
expenses, and a number of factors, including those described in these
"Risk Factors," could cause us to require additional capital from external
sources. In addition, in the future, we may require or choose to obtain
additional debt or equity financing in order to finance acquisitions or
other investments in our business. Depending on market conditions, future
equity financings may not be possible on attractive terms and would be
dilutive to the existing holders of our common stock and convertible notes.
Our existing credit agreement contains restrictive covenants and future debt
financings could involve additional restrictive covenants, all of which  may
limit the manner in which we conduct our business.

We may incur costly litigation to protect our proprietary technology, and
if unsuccessful, we may lose a valuable asset or experience reduced market
share.

	We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademark and
trade secret laws, non-disclosure agreements and other intellectual
property protection methods to protect our proprietary technology.
Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, our competitors
may be able to legitimately ascertain the non-patented proprietary technology
embedded in our systems. If this occurs, we may not be able to prevent their
use of this technology. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may
not be adequate and our patents may not be sufficiently broad to prevent
others from using technology that is similar to or the same as our technology.
In addition, patents issued to us have been, or might be challenged, and might
be invalidated or circumvented and any rights granted under our patents may
not provide adequate protection to us. Our competitors may independently
develop similar technology, duplicate features of our products or design
around patents that may be issued to us. As a result of these threats to
our proprietary technology, we may have to resort to costly litigation to
enforce or defend our intellectual property rights.

	On January 8, 2001, we filed a lawsuit against Applied Materials,
Inc. ("Applied") in the United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts. The complaint alleged that Applied's medium current/high
energy ion implanter machine launched in November 2000 infringes our
patent for ion implantation equipment using radio frequency linear
accelerator technology. We have also alleged that Applied unlawfully
interfered with our existing and future contracts. On January 18, 2001,
we filed a motion for a preliminary injunction for the reason, among
others, that infringement at the time of transition between equipment
capable of handling 200 mm wafers and equipment capable of handling 300
mm wafers would irreparably harm us. Through this motion, we asked the
court to stop Applied from manufacturing, selling or offering to sell
its medium current/high energy ion implanter machine and to order Applied
to remove all Axcelis patented technology from implanters that Applied may
have placed in chipmakers' plants for process development trials. Applied
filed counterclaims of unfair competition, defamation, and tortious
interference with prospective economic advantage, all of which it
contends arise from certain communications allegedly made by Axcelis
about the lawsuit and its claims of infringement.

	A jury trial on the sole issue of infringement commenced on
June 16, 2003. On July 2, 2003, the jury issued a verdict in favor of
Applied Materials. The Company filed a notice of appeal in August 2003,
which was docketed with the Federal Circuit Court for the First Circuit
in September 2003.   While there can be no assurance of a favorable
outcome from an appeal, we continue to believe our claims are meritorious.
The appeal is being handled on a capped contingency basis by our outside
litigation counsel and we expect the requisite investment in legal
expense to pursue this appeal will be minimal. The patent at issue
expires in mid 2005.

We might face intellectual property infringement claims or patent
disputes that may be costly to resolve and, if resolved against us,
could be very costly to us and prevent us from making and selling
our systems.

	From time to time, claims and proceedings have been or
may be asserted against us relative to patent validity or
infringement matters. Our involvement in any patent dispute or
other intellectual property dispute or action to protect trade
secrets, even if the claims are without merit, could be very
expensive to defend and could divert the attention of our management.
Adverse determinations in any litigation could subject us to significant
liabilities to third parties, require us to seek costly licenses from
third parties and prevent us from manufacturing and selling our systems.
Any of these situations could have a material adverse effect on us and
cause the value of our common stock to decline.