1039399--2/24/2010--FORMFACTOR

related topics

{customer, product, revenue}

{product, market, service}

{condition, economic, financial}

{tax, income, asset}

{stock, price, share}

{property, intellectual, protect}

{competitive, industry, competition}

{cost, contract, operation}

{operation, international, foreign}

{provision, law, control}

{operation, natural, condition}

{control, financial, internal}

{personnel, key, retain}

{stock, price, operating}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

The global economic and semiconductor industry downturns, slower than anticipated recoveries, or a further downturn could continue to negatively affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of customers, and we could continue to experience significant declines in our revenues if any major customer does not place, cancels, reduces or delays a purchase of our products, or does not pay us, or delays or extends payment for our products past their original due dates. The markets in which we participate are competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed. We are implementing our global regionalization strategy, and if we do not effectively devise and implement an effective global strategic plan or if we decide to change our strategy, our operating results could be negatively impacted. If we fail to protect our proprietary rights, our competitors might gain access to our technology, which could adversely affect our ability to compete successfully in our markets and harm our operating results. If we do not innovate and keep pace with technological developments in the semiconductor industry, our products might not be competitive and our revenues and operating results could suffer. If semiconductor manufacturers do not migrate elements of final test to wafer probe test, market acceptance of other applications of our technology could be delayed. Changes in test strategies, equipment and processes could cause us to lose revenues. We have recorded significant restructuring, inventory write-off and asset impairment charges in the past and may do so again in the future, which could have a material negative impact on our business. Changes in our tax rates, inability to realize our deferred tax assets or exposure to additional tax liabilities could adversely affect our operating results. Our equity plans have evergreen provisions that automatically increase the number of shares available for issuance each year without stockholder approval, and as a result of this annual increase in shares, you may experience dilution and we may not seek your approval for further additions to our existing plans or for new plans. Our operating results are likely to fluctuate, which could cause us to miss market analyst or investor expectations and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. Cyclicality in the semiconductor industry is currently adversely impacting our sales and may do so in the future, and as a result we would experience reduced revenues and operating results. If we do not effectively restructure our operations in light of the global economic and semiconductor downturns and to better position our company for long-term, profitable growth, we might not succeed. If we are unable to efficiently manufacture and ramp production of our new probe card products, our business may be materially adversely affected. Industry consolidation could adversely affect the market for our products, which could cause a decline in our revenues. We depend upon the sale of our wafer probe cards for substantially all of our revenues, and the majority of our wafer probe cards are utilized by semiconductor manufacturers for testing DRAM devices; if we continue to experience a downturn in demand for our DRAM products, our revenues could decline further. If our relationships with our customers and companies that manufacture semiconductor test equipment deteriorate, our product development activities could be harmed. Because we generally do not have a sufficient backlog of unfilled orders to meet our quarterly revenue targets, revenues in any quarter are substantially dependent upon customer orders received and fulfilled in that quarter. We manufacture substantially all our products at our facility in Livermore, California, and any disruption in the operations of this facility could adversely impact our business and operating results. If we are unable to continue to reduce the time it takes for us to design and produce a wafer probe card, our growth could be impeded. We obtain some of the components and materials we use in our products from a sole source or a limited group of suppliers, and the partial or complete loss of one of these suppliers could cause production delays and a substantial loss of revenues. Wafer probe cards that do not meet specifications or that contain defects could damage our reputation, decrease market acceptance of our technology, cause us to lose customers and revenues, and result in liability to us. If our ability to forecast demand for our products deteriorates or the predictability of our manufacturing yields does not improve, we could incur higher inventory losses than we currently experience. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal and disclosure controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, which may adversely affect our business and reputation. In addition, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which may adversely impact the trading price of our securities. We might be subject to claims of infringement of other parties' proprietary rights which could harm our business. We may not be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel, which could harm our business. We may make acquisitions and investments, which could put a strain on our resources, cause ownership dilution to our stockholders and adversely affect our financial results. As part of our sales process, we could incur substantial sales and engineering expenses that do not result in revenues, which would harm our operating results. Our failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations could subject us to significant fines and liabilities, and new laws and regulations or changes in regulatory interpretation or enforcement could make compliance more difficult and costly. Because we conduct most of our business internationally, we are subject to operational, economic, financial and political risks abroad. We may not obtain the tax and other benefits that we anticipate through the expansion of our operations into Singapore, which could negatively impact our operating results. The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be volatile, and you might not be able to sell your shares at or above the price that you paid for them. Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.

Full 10-K form ▸

1039399--2/24/2010--FORMFACTOR_INC