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FILED BY
JAZZ TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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PURSUANT
TO RULE 425 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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AND DEEMED
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-12
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UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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SUBJECT
COMPANY: JAZZ TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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COMMISSION
FILE NO. 1-32832
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FINAL TRANSCRIPT
TSEM Q1 2008 Tower Semiconductor Earnings & Acquisition of
Jazz Technologies Conference Call
Event Date/Time: May 20, 2008 / 10:00 AM ET
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Tower Semiconductors First
Quarter 2008 Financial Results and Jazz Technologies Acquisition Conference
Call.
(OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS)
Joining us today are Mr. Russell Ellwanger,
Towers CEO and Mr. Oren Shirazi, CFO, as well as Mr. Paul Pittman,
the CFO of Jazz Technologies. I would
like to turn the call over Limor Asif, Director of Investor Relations and
Communications. Please go ahead.
Limor Asif
Tower Semiconductor Director IR & Communications
Thank you and welcome to Tower Semiconductors
conference call to discuss our financial results for the first quarter of 2008
as well as the acquisition of Tower of Jazz Technologies, which was announced
after the close of the United States market yesterday.
Russell will begin with remarks about the first
quarters highlights, followed by Oren, with an analysis of our first quarter
results. Russell will then return to discuss Towers acquisition of Jazz. Also
joining us on todays call is Paul Pittman, Jazz Technologiess CFO. Paul will
make a few comments about the transaction later and then will be available for
a question and answer session.
There is a slide presentation that well be using
during Towers during Russells comments regarding Jazz, which may be
accessed through the home page of Towers website at www.towersemi.com.
After managements prepared remarks, we will begin the question and answer
session.
Before we begin, I would like to remind you that some
statements made during this call may be forward-looking and are subject to
uncertainties and risk factors that could cause actual results to be different
from those currently expected.
These uncertainties and risk factors are fully
disclosed in our Form 20-F and &K, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as well as filings with the Israel Security Authority.
Theyre also available on our website as well as our Forms F-1 and F-3. Tower
assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Now Id
like to turn the call over to our CEO, Russell Ellwanger. Please go ahead.
Russell Ellwanger
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you, Limor. Welcome and thank you very much for
joining us today.
As Limor mentioned, last night we announced the
signing of the definitive agreement to acquire Jazz Technologies. This is very
exciting news for us and I look forward to discussing it in detail in a few
moments, but first Id like to spend a few minutes on our first quarter
highlights.
The first quarter revenue was within guidance at $57.6
million, and that being its second highest in the companys history. Continued
focus on operational efficiencies contributed to a $10.6 million improvement to
the bottom line over the prior year period. And we as well will continue to
focus on and pursue additional operational efficiencies on an ongoing basis.
On a sequential basis, our revenue was down 6.5%, on
par with the foundry industry means, and demonstrated a year-over-year
improvement of about 4%. Oren will discuss our financial results in more detail
in a few moments, but first Id like to review a few of our key business and
technological developments that occurred during the quarter.
In Fab1, utilization exceeded 80% for the quarter.
During last quarters earnings conference call I had mentioned that we were
close to an agreement with Vishay Siliconix, in which we would adapt our
present contracts to the current products demand for trench MOSFETs as well as
transfer additional differentiated product platforms to Tower for
manufacturing.
During the first quarter, this multi-year agreement
was reached, and we are well underway to qualify the new platforms. For the
second quarter, we expect Fabl will continue to maintain utilization above 80%
and we expect to approach the fab model of 90% in the second half of 2008, as
the 160 new products that were taped out in 2007 will ramp into production.
In Fab2, we are on track with previous announcements
with respect to the arrival, installation and qualification of additional
tools, which increase Fab2 capacity to approximately 30,000 wafers per month,
which is requisite to winning several new contracts. Both Tabs are performing
to world-class benchmarks on operational efficiency, planned yield and on
schedule delivery.
In March, we announced the ramp of production for
N-trigs digitizer chips, utilizing our 0.18 micron advanced process. These
chips are targeted at the fast-growing tablet PC market, for which N-trig has
shown substantial differentiation.
Additionally, we announced the ramp of production for
Canestas 3D image sensors. These Canesta vision sensors are produced utilizing
the specialty image sensors of our 0.18 micron technology process and are
targeted at the gaming and automotive industries.
2
Canesta Tower and Canesta co-worked to implement the
capability to follow objects in three-dimensions and real-time, in any light
conditions on a chip, which can be produced using conventional CMOS platforms.
As a result, these sensors will have high availability at a low cost, both of
which make them an attractive option for mass market opportunities for
electronic perception technology.
In Q4, we released 0.18 micron power management
platform, which provides a dual 1.8 volt [bi-bolt] gate and a 12-volt, 25-volt
and 42-volt drain voltage with world-class, very low [RDS-on] LD MOS
transistors. It received strong customer interest, with multiple products that
have already been taped out on this platform this quarter.
In Q1, we also released 0.35 micron, 1.8 volt to
6-volt platform capable of 20 kilovolt, human body model VSD. We expect first
customer products to tape out in the second quarter. In addition, within our
portfolio of high EST production, we enabled an up to 20-kilovolt, human body
modeled EST on a 0.18 micron platform. We have not realized progress towards
receiving the committed grants from the Israeli government investment center
and are seriously considering taking action within Q2.
Looking at Q2, were guiding the revenue to be in the
range of 56 million to 60 million, predominantly flat to Q1 performance.
With that, Ill turn the call over to Oren for a
review of our financial results, after which we shall introduce the Jazz
acquisition. Oren?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
Thank you, Russell, and hello everyone. First I would
like to remind everyone that beginning with the fourth quarter of 2007, we now
report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. With that being
said, I would like to note that the financial tables in the earnings release
include financial information that may be considered non-GAAP financial
measures under Regulation G and related reporting requirements, (inaudible) by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they apply to our company.
Namely, this release also presented financial data,
which is reconciled, as indicated by the footnote below the table on a non-GAAP
basis after deducting, A, depreciation and amortization expenses, and, B,
compensation expenses in respect to option grants.
Non-GAAP financial measures should be evaluated in
conjunction with, and are not substitute for, GAAP financial measures. The
table also contains the comparable GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP
financial measures, as well as reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial
measures and the most comparable GAAP financial measures. Further, the non-GAAP
financial information presented herein should not be considered in isolation or
as substitute for operating income, net income or loss, cash flows provided by
the operating, investing and financing activities or other income or cash flow
statements that are prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Now I will turn to our financial results for the first
quarter of 2008. Russell mentioned, with the positive revenues of $57.6
million, which was the second highest revenue quarter in the companys history
and represents an increase of 4% when compared to revenue of 55.6 in the same
period last year. On a non-GAAP basis, our gross profit for the first quarter
of 2008 was $21 million, representing 36% gross margins, which is similar to
previous quarters margins.
3
Also on a non-GAAP basis, our operating profit or
EBITDA for the first quarter of 2008 was $12 million, representing 21%
operating margins, also similar to previous quarters margins. In light of the
U.S. dollar weakness and the overall challenging market conditions, we are
satisfied that we will be successful in maintaining our non-GAAP gross and
operating profit level, mainly due to operational efficiency and cost reduction
focus.
Calculated in accordance with GAAP, we narrowed the
bottom line loss to become $29.6 million for the first quarter of 08, an
improvement of $11 million year-over-year. Cash flow from operations for the
first quarter of 08 was again positive for the sixth consecutive quarter and
totaled $4 million. EBITDA for the first quarter of 2008 was positive for the
tenth consecutive quarter and totaled $12 million. Total GAAP operating
expenses during the quarter were $10.7 million, representing 19% of revenue, an
improvement as compared to 21% in the same period one year ago.
In terms of shareholders position update, as you may
know, Alliance Semiconductor, traded under ticker ALSV.PK, has been a large
shareholder of Towers for many years. Since 2006, Alliance Semiconductor has
been liquidating the companys assets and returning profit to its shareholders.
As part of a new strategic direction, thats of course, following a change of
control in Alliance.
One of Alliances largest assets was more than $10
million shares of Towers common stock. Based on Alliances recent filings, the
Alliance has completed the sales of its entire holdings of our ordinary shares
due to its strategic decision described [aloud] through sales in the open
market, a significant portion of which occurred during the first four months of
2008. As a result, Alliance has no remaining balance of ordinary shares of
Tower.
One final note before I hand the call back to Russell
is a discussion on sales by major customers. During the first quarter of 2008,
we continue to expand our customer base. We had a total over 60 customers in
both fabs. Our leading and largest customers in the first quarter of 2008 were
SanDisk Corporation, Atheros Communications, [Zuon], Medtronics Group, International
Rescue Fire and [Sitel] for Fab2 and Vishay Siliconix and On Semiconductor for
Fab1. Thats it.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Great. Thank you, Oren. Id like now to spend more
than a few minutes discussing this mornings announcement about signing the
definitive agreements to acquire Jazz Technologies.
As Limor mentioned at the beginning of the call, there
is a slide presentation associated with my comments that can be accessed in the
investor relations section of our website at www.towersemi.com. Hopefully many
of you will have access to that presentation. I will try, however, to present
in a way that whether you have that presentation or not, you will be able to
follow.
4
So if we first start with slide three, and thats a
transaction overview, we announced an offer to purchase all of the outstanding
shares of Jazz Technologies in a stock per stock transaction through which each
share of Jazz common stock will be converted into a 1.8 multiplier of Towers
ordinary shares. Based on the $1.16 closing price of Towers stock on May 19th,
the total consideration will be approximately $169 million, which includes the
net debt of approximately $129 million.
We expect the transaction to close in the second half
of this year, which is contingent upon the approval of Jazzs shareholders and
other customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Following the
close of the merger, we expect to be the leading pure play specialty foundry in
the world and become number seven overall in pure play foundry.
For those of you who are not familiar with Jazz, it is
an independent wafer foundry based in Newport Beach, California, which was spun
out of Conexant in 2002. Jazz was primarily focused on analog-intensive mixed
signal process technologies, including specialty process technologies, such as
enhanced RF CMOS, silicon germanium, [Bi-CMOS] and BCD. To utilize these
technologies to target high-growth end markets, such as wireless communications
and consumer electronics. Over the 12-month period ending March 28th,
2008, Jazz had a total revenue of $210.4 million, with EBITDA of $28.2 million.
If youll move now please to slide number four, in
looking at our two companies, we have several reasons to believe that this
transaction is highly synergistic and in the best interest of both companies
shareholders.
Additionally, we believe that the combination of our
companies will be a significant catalyst in achieving long-term growth as it,
number one, increases our capacity and scale, which will help attracting
additional customers and cost reductions. Two, expands our global presence in
order to allow geographic reach and wider, more effective distribution.
Three, combines Towers and Jazzs specialized process
technologies, resulting in an expanded leadership position with the addition of
silicon germanium, RF CMOS, Bi-CMOS/DMOS, on top of Towers CMOS image sensors,
power management, non-volatile memory and RF CMOS processors. Number four, it
expands our advanced technology portfolio to enable higher margins.
And five, expands and diversifies our customer base in
high-growth end markets. And as a result of these items, it provides the
potential for significant revenue and cost synergies.
If you looked at slide five, as I mentioned, the
acquisition of Jazz will provide the new Tower with significantly enhanced
capacity and scale while also expanding our geographic footprint. Slide six is
a mapping of the Jazz facility in Newport Beach, California, with a
wafer-per-month capacity of about 200,000 Im sorry, wafer per year capacity
of above 200,000. It shows Towers facilities in Midgal Haemek, Israel, with a
wafer per year capacity of above 480,000.
And as well, shows the holdings of Jazz, of HHNEC, 10%
ownership piece in Shanghai, China, with a manufacturing agreement, and ASMC
with a manufacturing agreement that will supply at least approximately 70k
wafers per year.
5
In addition to that, we then have sales offices in
Santa Clara, California, the present headquarters of Jazz in Newport Beach,
California, sales offices in the United Kingdom, from Jazz in the United
Kingdom and Holland, sales reps from Tower, a rep in Hsinchu, Taiwan from
Tower, a rep office in Tokyo, Japan, where both Tower and Jazz are represented.
And as well you have, in Shanghai, in China, in addition to the holding in
HHNEC, a full-time employee base held by Jazz Technologies.
If we move then to slide seven, in this area, you can see
how the combination of Tower and Jazz would move us to approximately $440
million per annum on a pro forma basis for 2007, which of all of the specialty
foundries, [Dungbu] being the largest, $510 million, [Bangard] at $486 million,
would put us in a number three position within $70 million per annum of the
number one producing foundry in 2007 of $510 million, and that being Dungbu.
It moves Tower from a present position of the
specialty foundries of number seven and Jazz from a position of number nine
into the number three position and then if you look at the non-specialty
foundries, those that drive technology node, the largest being TSMC, then UMC,
Chartered and SMIC, it puts us in a number seven position overall.
If we move then to slide number eight, Tower and Jazz
are also complementary in terms of the products and services, which we offer.
Following the integration of the two companies, we will have a leadership
position in multiple specialty process technologies, including the CMOS image
sensors, silicon germanium, Bi-CMOS, power management, embedded MVM, RF CMOS
and Bi-CMOS DMOS, strongly enhancing our ability to provide value-added
complete solutions to our customers with the associated higher margins.
If we look at slide nine, we have here a mapping of
the post-merger portfolio line up. Both companies have great strength within
our respective specialty processes and as can be seen in this mapping, there is
very little overlap in our offerings. This chart on slide nine clearly
demonstrates that many of the areas where Tower has little or not exposure,
Jazz is strong and where Jazz has little exposure, Tower is strong.
Even in areas where the slide shows some overlap,
which is the 0.18 micron power platform, when one would take Jazzs Bi-CMOS DMOS
and implement Towers 0.18 micron power platform, as previously discussed on
the call, add to that Towers embedded MVM modules, we create an absolute
best-of-breed offering. We believe that this expanded offering will allow us to
compete for additional opportunities and as cross sell to both of our existing
customer bases.
If we look at the portfolio again, shown on slide
nine, this is why we say that we are now, as a combined company, the leading
specialty foundry as the breadth and depth of product platform offerings is
really the strongest of any specialty foundry of which we have investigated.
If we move on to slide 10, another key benefit and
driving factor for this transaction is the diversity within our customer bases
and end markets. We believe that the merged company will have better
opportunity to realize significant synergies from both a revenue and cost
perspective.
If we look at slide 11, you can see that Tower has
been one of the fastest growing foundries over the last several years and the
absolute fastest when comparing to 2007 revenue to that of 2005. We believe
that technologies that we are acquiring as part of this transaction as well as
end market access will greatly assist us in continuing to deliver significant
growth.
6
Jazzs and Towers current customers participate in a
number of high growth end markets, centered around consumer electronics and
wireless communications, including high-definition TV, video game consoles,
camera phones, PDAs, wireless LAN access points, networking infrastructures,
optical transceivers, biometric security applications, laptop computers, 3D
gaming, X-Ray detectors, memory controllers, [decked] phones, RFID and high-end
digital cameras.
If you move on, please, to slide number 12, both Tower
and Jazz do business with many of the leading fabless and IDM customers in the
world with minimum overlap between the two companies. In fact, within each of
our top 20 customers, there is absolutely no overlap at all. Due to this fact,
we expect that significant cross-selling opportunities will exist between the
two, which will drive opportunities for incremental revenue improvement with an
existing customer base.
Now in our present time, theres a very big drive of fabless
as well as IDMs to consolidate the foundry partners with which they work. To
enter into a customer to which one has previously no exposure is substantially
more difficult than by coming in to a satisfied customer with an existing
product line and adding to it market growth through complementary products.
So this will be one of the very first strategies that
well be pursuing within the combined entity, as offering to Towers customers
the incremental product families that Jazz offers and introducing to Jazz
customers the incremental product process platforms that Tower offers.
Slide 13 is just a summary of the combined company
snapshot. More or less a summary of what weve discussed. So as a result of
this transaction, were now a much larger company with over 2,000 employees and
a strong global presence.
The acquisition of Jazz also strengthens Tower from
the financial perspective, including a 91% increase in revenue to a $443
million based on the last 12 months results and EBITDA improves to $79 million
over that same period. It is also our expectation that well be able to
eliminate approximately $40 million of costs from the combined companys annual
cost structure as a result of operational synergies and economies of scale,
which will result in a substantially improved business model.
So with that being said, well look forward very much
to your questions. And at this time, Id like to turn the time over to Paul
Pittman, Jazz Technologiess Chief Financial Officer.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Thank you, Russell. We are excited about joining
together with Tower and believe Jazzs shareholders, customers, employees and
other stakeholders will benefit from the enhanced growth, profitability and
cash flow prospects of the combined company.
Teaming with Tower will make Jazz larger and more
competitive for our current customers and will allow us to broaden our customer
base with new technologies.
7
In particular, we believe Towers embedded
non-volatile memory technology and their copper 130-nanometer technology will
be attractive to our customer base when integrated with our BCD and [Sig-E]
process technologies.
We also expect the merger to enhance our ability to
access capital, to fund our strategic initiatives, including potential
expansions into new applications, executing a more ambitious product road map
and expanding our manufacturing capacity. We are excited about the future
growth prospects of the combined company and look forward to working with Tower
to successfully integrate the two companies.
Im going to turn the call back over to Russell and
will remain on the line for questions. Thank you, Russell.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you, Paul. So in summary, I believe that that
the acquisition of Jazz is an ideal strategic fit for Tower, as it strengthens
our specialty process offering, expands our capacity and accelerates our
transformation to a top-tier specialty foundry.
Im quite confident that we will realize significant
benefits as a combined company, including a comprehensive specialty process
portfolio, enhanced scale and manufacturing and distribution, increased
long-term growth prospects in high margin products and expanded addressable
market, improved geographic footprint and a more diversified customer base.
Were all very excited about this opportunity and we
look very forward to reporting our progress in the coming quarters. Well now
open up the call for questions and answers. Operator?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Operator
Thank you, sir. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS). The first
quarter is Steve Park of Wedbush Morgan Securities. Please go ahead.
Steve Park
-
Wedbush Morgan Securities Analyst
Hi. I have two quick questions. I was wondering if you
could provide a little bit more color on the $40 million of synergies there. Is
that how much of that would be maybe OpEx versus any other kind of
combination of cost savings there?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Certainly. So in several of the rounds of the due
diligence process, our respective operational teams, procurement teams, sat
together and on the first order did a very simple exercise of best-of-breed
contract. But looking just into actual existing contracts with suppliers and taking
the one that was the best as far as pricing, there was several tens of millions
of dollars of savings off of the present run rate in both companies, just by
using best-of-breed contract.
8
And that does not include at all the economy of scale
and the increased ability to negotiate the quality and pricing because of a
higher volume requirement. So multiple tens of millions are in the COG side,
just on the cost of materials, and then theres multiple billions that would be
had within synergies of activity. Does that answer your question?
Steve Park
-
Wedbush Morgan Securities Analyst
Yes. I had one additional quick question. Is there any
new customers that you guys could be able to target as you guys increase
capacity there? Or are you guys just looking at increase together with any type
of customers?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
Were looking at absolutely both. So as I mentioned,
the first and the foremost action is to introduce the existing customer base to
the combined companys portfolio and capabilities and within that, off of the
combined company, to think of what other strategic actions we should take in
order to acquire other customers within our customer portfolio.
But on the first order, it really is to look at the
enabling of customers to enjoy a broader process platform portfolio through the
merged company.
Steve Park
-
Wedbush Morgan Securities Analyst
Great. Thank you.
Operator
The next question is [Sergei Vashtanov] of
Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Hi, guys. Congratulations on a good quarter and Jazz
acquisition.
Russell Ellwanger
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Kind of please clarify a little bit in the deal
structure. I see Jazz had a 19 million shares in addition to 31 million
warrants. So how do you account for warrants and what is the what do you
have some tax complications for the deal as well?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
So its Oren. Hi, Sergei.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Hi.
9
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
So basically indeed, Jazz had a had 19 million
shares that will be converted at a ratio of 180, which means that they will get
shareholders of Jazz will get, for their shares, approximately 33, 34 million
shares of Tower, which if you multiply by 116, which is what our closing price
at the NASDAQ yesterday, implies the $40 million that we wrote in the press
release.
About the options, maybe Paul will correct me if I am
not exact on the exact terms of all the warrants inside Jazz, but if Im not
mistaken, it comes out to be an immaterial amount after you take the options,
which are in the money or close to the money. So this in this huge number you
mentioned, offset 3 million options, I believe shall not be considered in a
material way. But, Paul, if you can relate to that?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes. Ill amplify on that.
Sergei, as you probably noted, we have approximately
$33 million, Im sorry, 33 million warrants outstanding in our company. Those
warrants are currently have a strike price of $5. So in an economic sense,
they are certainly not dilutive to the combined entity.
After the transaction is over, those warrants will be
converted into a warrant into Tower shares at the exchange ratio of 1.8 and
well obviously have an according accordingly, a somewhat lower strike price.
But again, that strike price will still be materially above current share
prices. So if those warrants are exercised in the future, it will lead to
substantial cash being brought into Tower. Does that help you understand those?
Sergei Vashtanov
Oppenheimer-Analyst
Yes. Absolutely. I just wonder why we have a huge
discount on Jazz shares, countering the market, trading like 30%, 40% below the
deal term. So how do you explain it?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Paul?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Russell, Ill take that if you dont mind. We are, as
you probably know, a relatively modest sized company in the U.S. markets. I
believe that the current trading is more a function of the news gradually
coming into the marketplace. It is already trading at a material premium to
where it where we had been trading historically. So I would expect to see the
gap or the discount, as you call it, gradually close, but it may take a week or
more as people become comfortable with the certainty of the transaction.
10
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Okay. But its still pretty straightforward. Every
shareholder gets 1.8 Tower shares and thats straightforward though.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes, very straightforward.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer-Analyst
Okay. Thank you very much. And another question about
the integration of two different companies, how do you see the integration? How
do you see the on the operational side, can you comment on this?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
What specifically do you mean about on the operational
side?
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer-Analyst
On, I mean, employees and the manufacturing facilities
and all things like this? How is that implemented and what is the time line for
this?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
Well, as far as the manufacturing facilities
themselves, the two Tower facilities, the Jazz Newport Beach facility, the
operational aspect of it will remain very unchanged. The processes that are
being run within the Newport Beach facility are for the most part highly
specialized, will continue to be being run there, the customers have no need to
fear of any action going on within the Newport Beach facility. Products will be
running in the this transaction, again, will be absolutely transparent to
customers and to the products that are being made within the Newport Beach
facility as well as within the Tower facility.
We would see that over time that some product
platforms that would be newly emerging platforms might either go to Newport
Beach or might come to Israel. But as far as day zero through foreseeable
future, there is no reduction of the operational capability within Newport
Beach or within Israel.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Okay. And in terms of employees, youre going to take
it into account? Or its the same it stays the same way?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
We mentioned at the beginning that there are synergies
within this deal. The bulk of the synergies, we think, are within the COGS
line. There are certainly synergies that will be had within activities, and
well look at that very carefully as to what serves the combined company the
best and drive that forward.
11
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Okay. Thank you. And the last question, regarding the
Jazz guidance published results, the beginning of May, they guided for
sequential decline of about 10% on revenues in Q2, so how do you what covers
the weakness and what do you see in the second half of the year? Thank you.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Ill turn that to you, Paul, please?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Sure. Yes, for the rest of you on the conference call
we did our conference call a few weeks ago and we predicted revenue in the
second half between $45 million to $40 million I mean, Im so sorry. The
second quarter, from $45 million to $47 million in revenue. That is a decline
from where we have been recently, which was revenues by and large in the low
50s for the last several quarters.
The downturn is the result of the fact that a very
substantial amount of our business ends up in cell phone handsets and obviously
as consumer demand lessens, particularly in the U.S., but also around the
world, as the economy is a little weaker, that has a substantial impact on our
business. We believe that that will recover in the second half of the year.
That sort of short-term, cyclical downturn is historically common in our
business because of how levered we are to the cell phone handsets. So 1 dont
think its a long-term trend by any means, but is always a creates a certain
volatility in our revenues.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Okay. Thank you. And why your biggest clients in your
facility are like 10% clients? If you could give some names?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes. Our major customers would be names like Conexant
and Skyworks and RFMD and Toshiba, Marvell. Those are, I think, the rounding up
of the top five or so with 10%, roughly 10% or more each.
Sergei Vashtanov
-
Oppenheimer Analyst
Okay. Thanks very much. Good luck.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Thank you.
12
Operator
The next question is [Chris Cook] (inaudible). Please
go ahead.
Chris Cook
Analyst
Hi. Can you answer two questions? One is capital
spending for the combined company? Or expectations for capital spending
annually for the combined company?
And number two would be Jazz has a convert, I assume
thats going to remain outstanding, and where is that going to be in the
capital structure of the combined company?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Im sorry, the second part of your question was what?
Chris Cook
Analyst
Yes. Jazz Semi has a convert outstanding. I assume
thats going to remain outstanding? Is the first question. And then where would
that be on your capital structure of the combined company?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
Fine. So this is Oren. So basically our sustained
CapEx for the managed company should be around $30 million per year. So $7
million per quarter I assume. And more than that, what you can expect is in
regard to new expansion, mainly in Tower facilities, because as you know, we
have our Fab2 facility, which is capable to more than 40,000 wafers per month.
This is the building and the facility, but its currently equipped for only
approximately 30k wafers per month, when we will finish to install the new
tools that we just purchased. So but excluding this strength, it is supposed
to be sustainable at $30 million a year.
Regarding your other question, so the bonds, yes, they
are the bonds that are at the level of Jazz, they are just that and they
continue to remain there. The same, with no change.
Chris Cook
Analyst
Thanks.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you.
Operator
The next question is Eric Rubel of MTR Securities.
Please go ahead.
13
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Hi, gentlemen. Thanks for taking my call.
Russell, if I could ask you to revisit the $40 million
in cost savings, if I heard correctly, the major portion that you refer to is
going to come from a saving on sourcing of materials? Could you amplify a
little bit on the cost savings?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Well, to give you more granularity is what you want?
Specifically what contracts would be ?
Eric Rubel
MTR Securities Analyst
Well, if I understand correctly, youre saying that
material sourcing between the two companies can be more efficient, that will
drive the cost savings?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Yes.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Russell, if you dont mind, I could start on this one?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Okay.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Just to give you a couple of examples, and then Ill
turn it back over to Russell. For example, both corporations have software
licenses for exactly the same products in their respective companies. Obviously
after the combination, youll only need one license, you may have a slightly
higher price for one license then, but you certainly dont have 2x of one
license. And there are, without going through each individual one, which would
not be appropriate on this call, there are a huge amount of savings just from
items of that nature.
And then when you get to the absolute inputs, the
physical inputs within each of our fabs, as Russell said, best-of-breed sort of
on price alone will drive huge savings between our combined companies.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
So, Paul, youre referring to sort of EDA software
contracts?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
That would be an example, yes.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
And is there a magnitude around how much savings could
be gained just from the EDA side?
14
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Well, broadly speaking, you could say these contracts
are often 1 million or more each per company. So when you collectively look at
the different pieces of software, there could be order of magnitude in the
fives of millions just from software sorts of examples alone.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
As Id mentioned, there was identified, literally,
tens of millions of dollars that could be had in the material side. So what
does that fall into? You have wafers, gases, you have spare parts, so I its
fairly straightforward on the materials side of this. And very much, as Paul
had said, on the licensing side, we would expect to achieve the economy of
scale of a larger company and to see that benefit by not paying two times.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Fair enough. And Russell, if I can ask you a quick
question about your financial results, when you report non-GAAP numbers, you
kind of pro forma for depreciation and amortization. Can you kind of give a
little more discuss that a little bit more? Because typically when I look at
pro forma GAAP COGS numbers, I would leave depreciation and amortization in.
Are there any kinds of one-time write-ups in here that youre writing down over
a period of time? I would agree stock compensation, inventory write downs could
come out, but Im not familiar with sort of a pro forma for depreciation.
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
Okay. This is Oren. And so there are two reasons. One
thing is that we really, from the time that Russell and myself started three
years ago on this, we really put focus on moving first to positive EBITDA and
then to positive cash flow from operations. So we really think its a very good
information to the investors to know what is actually the P&L on a cash
flow basis. So actually the non-GAAP measure that we gave, you can look at it
as this is actually the P&L on a cash basis. So the P&L excludes stock
amortization and also fixed assets amortization and depreciation.
This is one. The other thing is that the high amounts
that you see now in the depreciation and expenses, namely the COGS, which is
approximately 30 million a quarter, this is actually our results of the
historical, pretty high, costs to build up to
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay.
15
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
So to build up to our Fab2 in the years, mainly, in
the year 2003, it totally cost us approximately $1 billion. This $1 billion are
going through depreciation. So if you remember, I mentioned before that our
sustained capital is maybe $30 million will generate $30 million without
generating approximately 20 or 20-and-something, so it is like $5 million or $6
million a quarter, while you see here 30-and-something million a quarter. So
the figure of [6f] depreciation, that is actually not so relevant because it
just represents the historical costs, which was spent six years ago.
And so we still bear that until the middle of 2010,
since accounting GAAP requires us to depreciate this historical $1 billion over
seven years. So we think it is not representing the current operational results
of the company. And if you want to see what is the real operational results of
the company, it excludes this amount that we paid six years ago.
Eric Rubel
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay. Fair enough. And then you mentioned the new run
rate on CapEx. Its significantly lower than last year. Is that what are the
factors that are driving that and is it used wafer equipment that youre
primarily focusing on as you go forward?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
Yes. The recent plant that we purchased, the new tools
is mainly for the 0.13, we had 25 to 30% costs on these tools, as a whole, to
tools that we purchased before. The reason being that we found very nice
opportunities in the market from tools from fabs of intel fab 22, fab 11 and
also AMD Dresden that will be installing their fabs and putting their other
[titled] equipment.
So we found really exciting opportunities and good
leverage on that and this is why we really saved on the CapEx.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Oren, one more question if I could on Fabl, your Fabl.
You mentioned that youre you mentioned that youre about 80% full and that
thats going to drive higher throughout the year. In terms of sort of the floor
space in Fabl, its probably 80% of equipment, but do you have more in both
of your fabs, is there additional floor space that you can add equipment to?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
So I mentioned that Fabl was at 80% utilization. Its
fully equipped. There is no more equipment that would need to be in Fabl.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Is there more room to add equipment? Is there more
floor space?
16
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Theres annexes that could be built out. The fab
itself is fully built out with the equipment. One could
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Meaning youd require some new youd have to build
more clean room space before you could add more equipment?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
Yes. Its foreseeable that for some specialty
technologies, where some of the steps might not be compatible with the CMOS
flow that you would build up an annex. Because its highly specialized, youd
have a model in building the annex that the costs would be predominantly taken
by the customer. And youd build up an annex to be able to do those several
processing steps, being compatible with the CMOS flow.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
And then upon [passovating] the wafer, they can go in
to get the back end processing that would be common with the CMOS flow. So thats
what I would be referring to as far as an annex and possibly incremental
capacity through doing an annex in either Fab1 or Fab2.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
But the Fab1 is fully built out as it sits right. The
clean room is full of equipment. In Fab2, were presently building up to about
30,000 wafer start per month capacity and the fab, depending on the flow type,
can be anywhere between 40 to 45, 46,000 wafer per month capacity.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
And thats 0.18, 0.13?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Yes.
17
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Paul, if I could turn back one more question to you,
if I could. If you could talk about kind of the product mix? You highlight the
aerospace and military as part of a the continuing and ongoing focus at
Newport. Could you talk a little bit about how much what percentage of the
mix that product set is currently and if you could also talk about on the RF
and consumer side, how that product portfolio looks into the second half of
2008?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Sure. Sure. So for aerospace and defence, represents
approximately 10% or slightly under of our business overall. That tends to be a
reasonably small volume, but very high margin part of our business and a part
of our business that were trying to grow. Our desire is to take that business
beyond purely aerospace and defence and into other, what we call,
high-reliability markets, automotive for example, because there are some
special opportunities for our technology and our capability in that area.
Our business though, overall, about 75% of our
business is transceivers generally and about of that 75% is transceivers,
about 70% of that is hand is cell phone handsets. And I made the comment
earlier in the call that we are very levered toward those hand towards cell
phone handsets with both the good and bad implications that come from that in
terms of the cyclicality of that marketplace.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Is there are there any changes on the customer side
that have any impacts into the back half of 2008 for you on that transceiver
side of the business?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
No, no. Not none that are sort of none that are
material. Its more about the fundamental demand for the business, its not customer
specific.
Eric Rubel
-
MTR Securities Analyst
Okay. Fair enough. Thank you.
Operator
The next question is [Omar Tiwana] of CRT Capital.
Please go ahead.
Omar Tiwana
-
CRT Capital Analyst
Hi, guys. Just a quick clarification on the Jazz convert.
As I understand it, it would be junior to your the Tower bank debt and senior
to the Tower converts.
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
Not exactly. This is totally separated. I mean
18
Omar Tiwana
-
CRT Capital Analyst
Okay.
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
Debts in Tower are different legal entities. Okay? So
for Tower, if you look in Tower, you will we have indeed a senior level bank
debt and we have subordinated to it Tower bonds. For in the level of Jazz,
there is only this debt. Of course there is also the Wachovia Bank loan.
Omar Tiwana
-
CRT Capital Analyst
Sure. Okay.
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
So its separated.
Operator
The next question is [S.T. Tarabucanda] of [Gutar]
Global Capital. Please go ahead.
S.T. Tarabucanda
-
Quattro Analyst
Yes. Hi, its S.T. Tarabucanda at Quattro. Just
building on the last question, just to confirm then, when the merger closes,
will Jazz be maintained as, then, a separate subsidiary? Or will you eventually
bring it forward bring it up to be at one level with Tower?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
No, it will be separated, a different entity.
S.T. Tarabucanda
-
Quattro Analyst
Okay. Thank you.
Operator
The next question is [Daniel Caplan] of [Akimosis].
Please go ahead.
Daniel Caplan
-
Acansis Analyst
Hello? Hi. Its Dan Caplan from [Acansis] Capital. So
following up on that line of questioning, after the merger, how will you be
allocating the synergies and also what will be Jazz Semiconductor filing
requirements?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
Paul, do you want to address the filing requirements?
19
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Sure. We will cease to trade as an independent public
company after the merger closes. The company that will continue to trade is
Tower, which as you all know is a NASDAQ and Tel Aviv listed stock. So thats
I think that answers that question.
Oren, do you want to pick up on allocation of
synergies?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor- CFO
Yes. So we will look into that. Like Russell said, we
have some raw materials that maybe we are paying a little bit lower than Jazz,
so if Jazz can do a cost reduction on that to align to Tower prices, it will be
recorded in Jazz books and if it would be vice versa, it would be vice versa.
It will be separated books, separate accounting, separated two companies.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
all right. I think, if you just dont mine, Oren, Ill
add just one comment. I think if you roughly think of the $40 million of
synergies that we have discussed in some of the releases, you can probably
think about that as a sort of allocated roughly 50/50 between the two companies
in terms of where the actual impact ends up in accounting context.
Daniel Caplan
-
Acansis Analyst
Got it. So the I guess the remaining question is
when you do file, when Tower Semiconductor files, will it be breaking out Jazz
Semiconductor? (inaudible) level?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Im not sure weve actually Im not Oren, Ill
turn this over to you. I havent spent a great deal of thinking about whether
well segment report or not.
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
In principle, no. In principle, it will be Tower
consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC and the Israeli Securities
Exchange Commission and I dont think there will be a split of that. I believe
that regardless of that, Jazz will continue to have separated financial
statements. This is it will not be
public, but still it will be needed of course for the U.S. authorities, et
cetera.
Daniel Caplan
-
Acansis Analyst
Okay. Thank you.
Operator
The next question is a follow-up question. Chris Cook
of (inaudible). Please go ahead.
20
Chris Cook
Analyst
Yes. Based on your guys synergy intent, pro forma
interests, I guess post-synergy EBITDA and pro forma interest and CapEx, youll
be generating free cash flow at the pre-tax line. What are you tax obligations?
Number one. Can you shield that from taxes, number two? What will you do with
that free cash flow?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
Okay. So Tower Semiconductor has a net operating loss
carry forward for an unlimited amount of time of approximately $900 million. So
Chris Cook
Analyst
$800 million?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
$900 million. So apparently until we will gain and
accumulate the number of $900 million for taxes, we will not pay tax, so it
will not be in the foreseeable future. At least for Tower. Jazz also, I
believe, has more than $100 million operating losses?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes, we have a substantial net operating loss as well,
which we believe we can largely maintain through this transaction, which will
shield taxes on the U.S. side.
Chris Cook
Analyst
Okay. So you pro forma, it looks like for the cost
saves, youll be generating 40 to 50 million in free cash after tax. But will
you use that cash to strengthen the balance sheet?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Really left to be seen. Itll be used for
strengthening the company. And it really depends on what opportunities are at
hand at the moment.
Chris Cook
Analyst
And whats the tenure of your bank debt? Of Towers
debt? When is that due and (inaudible) schedule?
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor-CFO
Okay. So within Tower, we have two types of debt,
similar to Jazz, which is bonds and bank debt. So the subordinated bonds, they
are there is no way a repayment principle there is no principle repayment
before the end of 2011 and its mainly spread between the end of 2011 until
2016. This is totaling to between $100 million and $120 million, it depends on
the exchange rate.
21
In addition to that, Tower has bank debt and also a
loan to [Isla] Corp. This is totaling $400 million and this is also spread
between the end of 2009 and 2012. This loan is now carrying interest, basically
LIBOR plus 1.1 and a small portion of this is LIBOR plus [one].
Chris Cook
Analyst
Thanks.
Operator
The next question is Ramesh Misra of Collins Stewart.
Please go ahead.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. Good evening Russell and Oren. Good morning,
Paul. My first question is in regards to the details of the Vishay agreement
that you strengthened. Can you provide any greater color or details about that,
Russell?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Certainly. So were continuing to manufacture the
trench MOSFETs that we have bee manufacturing from the start of the agreement.
And were adding to that two new technology platforms. One of them is already en
route for qualification. The contract is, again, a multi-year contract. And
everything is going well.
Ramesh Misra
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. (inaudible), can you provide some idea of what
the value of this contract is?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Somewhere on the order of 20 million a year.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. So previously you had a $200 million, five-year
deal with them. Is that correct? Or is it ?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
Ten year.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Ten years. Ten years. So we still have, I presume,
roughly about six or seven years left in that? Is that correct?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
That contract is no longer existent. So we have now
22
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart-Analyst
I see.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
A five-year contract.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
So $20 million a year?
Russell Ellwanger
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
Yes. Approximately.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Got it. Okay. all right. In regards to Tower Semis
gross margin profile, excluding the depreciation, with the 0.13 micron ramping
up at Fab2, can we anticipate meaningful changes to that over the next few
quarters?
Russell Ellwanger
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
So we are ramping, that is correct. Were working also
on closing different contracts over the next quarters. I wouldnt want to
commit that the margin will be increasing and I wont say that its not. But we
are ramping the 0.13 capacity and we are as well working on contracts to use
that capacity. It is not closed yet. So as I mentioned in the conference call,
some of the contracts that were working on, capacity is needed before the
contract is solidified. So the capacity is now at hand and we have to then see
how the contract works out.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. So its safe to assume as that 0.13 micron
production ramps, gross margin should trend up modestly?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
I dont want to commit to that. I would think if you
look at 0.13 versus 0.18, one would assume that the selling price is higher for
the 0.13. But well see in the Q3, Q4 time frame.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. In regards to the cost reduction that you talked
about, the $20 million, Im sorry, I missed the by when you expect to realize
that $40 million of savings?
23
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
We would think that some of that could probably be
realized very close to day one, post closure and others of it would probably
take somewhere between 60 to 90 days. But I would believe that a good portion
of it can happen very shortly after the closure.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. And this is $40 million on an annualized basis.
Russell Ellwanger
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Yes, Ramesh.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. In regards to utilization levels at Jazz Semi,
where have they been running at? And in Q2, Paul, where do you see that
utilization level being at?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes, our utilization levels have been, in the last
couple of quarters, as high as in the low 90s. And in Q2, I think were
predicted to be six between 65 and 70% utilization in Q2. And again, related
to the weakness in the handset market we discussed earlier.
Ramesh Misra
Collins Stewart Analyst
Right. Okay. And in regards to physical space at
Newport Beach, is there further room for expansion from the roughly 200k wafer
starts per year?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
No there is not. Our facility is more or less fully
built out. There is a few modest debottlenecking opportunities, which could
make a marginal increase in capacity, but theres not a significant capacity
expansion opportunity in our facility.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Got it. Russell, does it make sense to cross-qualify
some processes between the two or well between the three fabs? Or is that
something that does not make much sense and its youre not going to pursue
that at all? So basically Im down Im kind of looking at is there room for
moving maybe some of the lower margin products out of the Newport Beach
facility to, well, either to the partners in Asia or even to Fabl in Israel?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor- CEO
So the question has to be answered in a two-pronged
fashion. To begin with, to qualify process flow in Newport Beach as well as in
Midgal Haemek, it makes very good sense, depending on the process flow.
24
If you look, for example, the 0.13 micron silicon
germanium, thats now being qualified, being completed at Newport Beach. In
that case, theres not an existing customer base that is already qualified. It
would make very good sense to bring up the process in both places and have the
ability to qualify parts from both facilities for the customer during an initial
qualification phase.
Or to have the ability to say which customer, which
part would make sense to run where, as part of an overall capacity margin
model. So if were looking at the bringing up of new technologies to where
there isnt an established base presently, it certainly makes sense to
cross-qualify and to have the freedom as to where one wants to be able to run
the flow.
Now, when it comes to existing high-volume customers,
especially within the realm of the silicon germanium, its very, very difficult
to do a copy exactly and to try to bring up and dual source or backup source in
a silicon germanium for existing customers, I think, my present understanding
and discussions with both Jazz internally and customer base, that probably
doesnt make too much sense.
Now as far as lower margin products, I think to go to
Fabl, I think that one has its own road map that in and of itself is a very
nice road map. So maybe one wouldnt want to bring a low-margin product to
Fabl, but I think one of the beauties of Jazz is a real crown jewel that I
think is maybe underappreciated is its presence in China and is the fact that
it has an employee base in China, is the fact that it has manufacturing
agreements in China, and those can be developed, that one can take customers,
be able to deliver to them a complete suite and to run higher margin, more
value-add products at either Newport Beach or maybe at Tower and to take
lower-margin products and to move them into a facility in a lower-cost region.
So in that case, I think that qualification of lower
margin flows elsewhere very much makes sense. But that is something that were
will be looking at and will be focusing on over the next weeks and months to
put together basically a day zero, hit the ground running post-closure so that
we have a strategy and tactics that everyone is aligned to and we can then join
our customers, combined customers, into being very happy with and very thrilled
to work with us towards the realization of it.
Ramesh Misra
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. In regards to Jazzs investment in on NEC, how
much did Jazz pay out for that?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Paul, please?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes. We have paid for that investment approximately $10
million when the investment was made. It is currently carried on our balance
sheet at approximately $19 million.
25
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. So Im afraid Im not sure, is HHNEC publicly
traded? Or how do you get to that $19 million valuation?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
HHNEC is a private company. So the evaluation where
that evaluation of 19 comes from, as you may or may not be aware, Jazz was
acquired in February of 2007. And during the purchase accounting
valuations that were done at that time by outside valuation firms, the it was
the decision was taken to write the asset up based on its estimated fair market
value at the time of that acquisition in early 2007.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Got it. And has that fair market value changed? I know
you probably cant talk very much about that.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
No, its I mean the reason I gave you both facts,
the price paid and the balance sheet number is obviously you have to look at
both of those numbers as snapshots in time, and then obviously market values
for a 10% stake in a large Chinese foundry will change with the market cycles
for foundries generally, so I think you need to take what I said and complete
the analysis yourself. I kind of gave you the
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Got it.
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Each end of the opportunity and you can take it
through and come up with your own view.
Ramesh Misra
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. And then just finally, in terms of so I
presume this ownership stake will well the profits or the losses from that
will be shown will show up as a minority line item on the consolidated
statements?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
No, we dont draw it out as a separate minority line
item today, obviously, itll be up to Towers auditor to take a view on what
they want to do, but I would Oren, its Ill turn it over to you, but Id
say its probably unlikely that thatll be a separate line item for HHNEC
stake, except as an investment.
26
Oren Shirazi
-
Tower Semiconductor CFO
Yes. Paul, you are correct. Absolutely. I believe if
and when they will go public or sold or just would sell it to somebody else, I
understood their revenue is 340 a year, so 10% if you look at the multiple on
the sale of whatever you want to take, and 10% of this, Im sure is much higher
than 19%. So whenever it will be exited somehow, Im sure there will be a big,
I dont know.
Again, this would be considered a capital gain, which
is not related to minority because this is considered as long as Jazz holds
20%, which is considered accounting based on the historical costs as evaluated,
like Paul mentioned. So bottom line, this is capital gain in Jazz accounting
and also will be capital gain when it will roll up to Towers consolidated
financial statement.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Got it. So basically this is not really a financial
asset, but this is a manufacturing asset that you hope to capitalize upon,
moving some of the production?
Paul Pittman
-
Jazz Technologies CFO
Yes, I believe the best way to look at the HHNEC
investment, and obviously Oren or Russell correct me if you disagree, but you
should look at that as a manufacturing and strategic relationship with a
potential investment upside because we do have the ownership stake in it.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Exactly. I concur.
Ramesh Misra
-
Collins Stewart Analyst
Okay. all right. Thanks very much for your time.
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor CEO
Thank you very much.
Operator
Thank you. (OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS). There are no
further questions at this time. Mr. Ellwanger, would you like to make your
concluding statements?
Russell Ellwanger
-
Tower Semiconductor-CEO
Yes. so firstly, thank you for the very nice
attendance on the call. Im very happy that there was interest. And were
certainly very excited about whats occurred in the past day and what we do as
a combined company. So I thank you again for your participation.
On May 21st, meaning on this coming Wednesday, Ill
be attending the sixth annual Wedbush Morgan Securities Conference in New York
with Paul Pittman, Jazzs CFO, whos on the phone. Paul and I are scheduled to
present at three in the afternoon and would very much look forward to visiting
with any of you who may be attending. So if you have any more questions,
interest, well be happy to answer it independently or wed love to meet with
you at the conference.
27
So thank you very, very much, and, operator, you can
disconnect from the call. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. This concludes the Tower Semiconductors
First Quarter 2008 Financial Results and Jazz Technologies Acquisition
Conference Call. Thank you for your participation and you may go ahead and
disconnect.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning Towers proposed
merger with Jazz. These statements are
based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. All statements other than
statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements. For example, statements of expected synergies,
customer benefits, costs savings, financial guidance, the timing of closing,
industry ranking, execution of integration plans and management and
organizational structure are all forward-looking statements. The potential
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the merger
does not close or that the closing may be delayed, that expected customer
benefits, synergies and costs savings will not be achieved or that the
companies are unable to successfully execute their integration strategies, that
the companies may be required to modify the terms of the transaction to achieve
regulatory approval or for other reasons, that prior to or after the closing of
the merger, the businesses of the companies may suffer due to uncertainty, as
well as other risks applicable to both Towers and Jazzs business described in
the reports filed by Tower and Jazz with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) and, in the case of Tower, the Israel Securities Authority. These filings identify and address other
important factors that could cause Towers and Jazzs respective financial and
operational results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking
statements set forth in this document. Accordingly, no assurances can be given
that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will
transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the
results of operations or financial condition of Tower or Jazz. Tower and Jazz are providing this information
as of the date of this document and neither Tower nor Jazz undertakes any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional
Information about the Proposed Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger, Tower intends
to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form F-4 that will contain
a Proxy Statement/Prospectus and related materials and Jazz expects to mail to
its stockholders the final Proxy Statement/Prospectus containing information
about Tower, Jazz and the proposed merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE
URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THE OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS,
CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TOWER, JAZZ AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders will be able
to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement on Form F-4, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials and documents filed by Tower
or Jazz with the SEC, when they become available, through the web site
maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security
holders may obtain free copies of the documents relating to the proposed merger
filed with the SEC by Tower by directing a request by mail to Tower
Semiconductor Ltd, P.O. BOX 619, Migdal Haemek, Israel 23105, Attn:
Investor Relations or by telephone at +972-4-650-6936. Investors and
28
security holders may obtain free copies of the
documents relating to the proposed merger filed with the SEC by Jazz by
directing a request by mail to Jazz Technologies, Inc., 4321 Jamboree
Road, Newport Beach, California 92660, Attn: Investor Relations or by telephone
at 949-435-8181.
Tower, Jazz and their respective executive
officers and directors, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Jazz in connection with
the proposed merger. Investors and
security holders may obtain information regarding the special interests of
these executive officers and directors in the proposed merger by reading the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC when it becomes available. Additional information regarding Towers
executive officers and directors is included in Towers Form 20-F for the
year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC on June 25,
2007.
Additional
information regarding the executive officers and directors of Jazz is included
in Jazzs Proxy Statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which
was filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008.
These documents are available free of charge at the SECs web
site at www.sec.gov and are also available free of charge from Investor
Relations at Tower and Jazz by contacting Tower and Jazz as described above.
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Jazz Technologies, (AMEX:JAZ)
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