720500--12/10/2008--AMTECH_SYSTEMS

related topics

{customer, product, revenue}

{property, intellectual, protect}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{condition, economic, financial}

{product, market, service}

{cost, operation, labor}

{gas, price, oil}

{operation, natural, condition}

{personnel, key, retain}

{control, financial, internal}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{cost, contract, operation}

{competitive, industry, competition}

Risks Related to our Business and Industry. Recent deterioration in the global economy and credit markets may materially and adversely affect our future results of operations If demand declines for horizontal diffusion furnaces and related equipment, or for solar industry products, our financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We may not be able to increase or sustain our recent growth rate, and we may not be able to manage our future growth effectively. The ongoing volatility of the solar and semiconductor equipment industry may negatively impact our business and results of operations and our corresponding ability to efficiently budget our expenses. The semiconductor equipment industry is competitive and we are relatively small in size and have fewer resources in comparison with our competitors. We are dependent on key personnel for our business and product development and sales, and any loss of our key personnel to competitors or other industries could dramatically impact our ability to continue operations. We may not be able to keep pace with the rapid change in the technology we use in our products. Acquisitions can result in an increase in our operating costs, divert management s attention away from other operational matters and expose us to other risks associated with acquisitions. Our financial position and results of operations may be materially harmed if we are unable to recoup our investment in research and development. If third parties violate our proprietary rights, in which we have made significant investments, such events could result in a loss of value of some of our intellectual property or costly litigation. We may face intellectual property infringement claims that could be time-consuming and costly to defend and could result in our loss of significant rights and the assessment of treble damages. Our reliance on sales to a few major customers and granting credit to those customers places us at financial risk. If any of our customers cancels or fails to accept a large system order, our financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Our business might be adversely affected by a decline in our sales to foreign customers. If our critical suppliers fail to deliver sufficient quantities of quality product in a timely and cost-effective manner, it could negatively affect our business. The solar power industry is currently experiencing an industry-wide shortage of polysilicon. This shortage poses several risks to our business, including possible constraints on revenue growth and possible decreases in our gross margins and profitability. We might require additional financing to expand our operations. We are exposed to risks from legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting. Terrorist attacks and threats or actual war may negatively impact all aspects of our operations, revenue, costs and stock price. We face the risk of product liability claims or other litigation, which could be expensive and divert management from running our business. We are subject to environmental regulations, and our inability or failure to comply with these regulations could result in significant costs or the suspension of our ability to operate segments of our business.

Full 10-K form ▸

720500--12/10/2008--AMTECH_SYSTEMS_INC