Aehr Test Systems Reports 56% Revenue Growth for Fiscal Year 2018 and Provides Financial Guidance for Fiscal 2019


FREMONT, Calif., July 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR), a worldwide supplier of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment, today announced financial results for its 2018 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 31, 2018.

Fiscal Fourth Quarter Financial Results:

  • Net sales were $7.3 million, up 9% from $6.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.
  • GAAP net income was $191,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $795,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.
  • Non-GAAP net income, which excludes the impact of stock-based compensation expense, was $365,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $587,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Fiscal Year Financial Results:

  • Net sales were $29.6 million, up 56% from $18.9 million in fiscal 2017.
  • GAAP net income was $528,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in fiscal 2017.
  • Non-GAAP net income was $1.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $4.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in fiscal 2017.
  • Backlog as of May 31, 2018 was $8.4 million, compared to $12.7 million as of May 31, 2017.
  • Total cash and cash equivalents at fiscal year-end was $16.8 million.

An explanation of the use of non-GAAP financial information and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in the accompanying tables.

Fourth Quarter and Recent Business Highlights:

  • Completed customer acceptance, manufacturing release and first production shipment to lead customer of new high-voltage channel module-based FOX-XP™ test and burn-in system for wafer-level burn-in of silicon photonics wafers in a single touchdown.
  • Shipped initial production FOX-XP system to new customer for test and burn-in of integrated silicon photonics devices for data communications applications using Aehr’s proprietary DiePak® carriers, which allow single socketing for both functional test and burn-in of their singulated bare die.
  • Received initial order for new DiePak carrier design from Aehr’s FOX-XP lead customer for a next-generation device to be used on their installed base of FOX-XP test and burn-in systems. 
  • Received follow-on orders of $2.5 million for WaferPakTM full-wafer contactors and services for Aehr’s installed base of FOX wafer-level test and burn-in systems.
  • Successfully completed shipments of the initial production order for ABTS™ thermal chambers to Aehr’s OEM customer for a very high-volume test and burn-in application.

Gayn Erickson, President and CEO of Aehr Test Systems, commented:

“Fiscal 2018 was a key year for Aehr Test, as we continued shipments and installations of our new FOX-XP multi-wafer and singulated die production test and burn-in system to our three lead customers. These systems are for production test applications that include 2D and 3D mobile sensors as well as silicon photonics wafer level and singulated die devices. We continue to have a very good business relationship with these lead customers, and are encouraged that each of them has communicated their commitment to use our products in production of their initial devices as well as follow-on devices on their roadmaps including this year. We are engaged not only in new device test opportunities with these lead customers, but also with several new potential customers for similar applications, as well as several new devices in the mobile and automotive space where safety, security and 100% certainty of reliability testing are critical.

“During this fiscal year, we will be making significant investments in our sales and marketing as well as improvements in our manufacturing infrastructure to meet the anticipated growth in our target markets and to be able to provide the increased capacity for our FOX wafer and singulated die level test and burn-in products.

“For the full fiscal 2018 year, we finished with total annual revenue of $29.6 million, a 56% increase over the prior year, and were profitable on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, exceeding analyst expectations each quarter and for the full year. As we head into fiscal 2019, we are expecting continued growth in revenue and profits during the year as we expect to see increased customer deployment of our FOX Wafer Level and Singulated Die / Module Test and Burn-in systems and our proprietary WaferPak and DiePak contactors.” 

Fiscal 2019 Financial Guidance:

For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2019, the company expects full year total revenue of at least $35 million and significant growth in profit for the year.

Management Conference Call and Webcast
Aehr Test Systems will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (2:00 p.m. PT) to discuss its fiscal 2018 fourth quarter and full year operating results. To access the call dial 877-260-1479 (+1 334-323-0522 outside the United States) and give the participant pass code 6422870. In addition, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available over the Internet at www.aehr.com in the Investor Relations section. A replay of the conference call will also be available via telephone beginning approximately two hours after conclusion of the call through 8:00 p.m. ET on July 26, 2018. To access the replay dial-in information, please click here.

About Aehr Test Systems
Headquartered in Fremont, California, Aehr Test Systems is a worldwide provider of test systems for burning-in and testing logic, optical and memory integrated circuits and has an installed base of more than 2,500 systems worldwide. Increased quality and reliability needs of the Automotive and Mobility integrated circuit markets are driving additional test requirements, incremental capacity needs, and new opportunities for Aehr Test products in package, wafer level, and singulated die/module level test. Aehr Test has developed and introduced several innovative products, including the ABTS™ and FOX-P™ families of test and burn-in systems and FOX WaferPak™ Aligner, FOX-XP WaferPak Contactor, FOX DiePak® Carrier and FOX DiePak Loader. The ABTS system is used in production and qualification testing of packaged parts for both lower power and higher power logic devices as well as all common types of memory devices. The FOX-XP system is a full wafer contact and singulated die/module test and burn-in system used for burn-in and functional test of complex devices, such as leading-edge memories, digital signal processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, systems-on-a-chip, and integrated optical devices. The WaferPak contactor contains a unique full wafer probe card capable of testing wafers up to 300mm that enables IC manufacturers to perform test and burn-in of full wafers on Aehr Test FOX systems. The DiePak Carrier is a reusable, temporary package that enables IC manufacturers to perform cost-effective final test and burn-in of both bare die and modules. For more information, please visit Aehr Test Systems’ website at www.aehr.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to Aehr Test as of the date hereof and actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied due to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Aehr Test’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including statements regarding future market opportunities and conditions, expected product shipment dates, customer orders or commitments and future operating results. The risks and uncertainties that could cause Aehr Test’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general market conditions, customer demand and acceptance of Aehr Test’s products and Aehr Test’s ability to execute on its business strategy. See Aehr Test’s recent 10-K, 10-Q and other reports from time to time filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more detailed description of the risks facing Aehr Test’s business. Aehr Test disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Aehr Test Systems Investor Relations Contact: 
Ken Spink                               Todd Kehrli or Jim Byers 
Chief Financial Officer MKR Group, Inc. 
(510) 623-9400 x309 (323) 468-2300  
    aehr@mkr-group.com  

– Financial Tables to Follow –

 
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
           
  Three Months Ended Year Ended
  May 31, Feb 28, May 31, May 31, May 31,
  2018
 2018
 2017
 2018
 2017
           
Net sales$7,269  $7,393  $6,683  $29,555  $18,898 
Cost of sales 4,108   4,217   4,075   17,169   12,118 
Gross profit 3,161   3,176   2,608   12,386   6,780 
           
Operating expenses:         
Selling, general and administrative 1,816   1,829   1,905   7,290   7,052 
Research and development 1,096   1,040   1,309   4,181   4,657 
Total operating expenses 2,912   2,869   3,214   11,471   11,709 
           
Income (loss) from operations 249   307   (606)  915   (4,929)
           
Interest expense (89)  (98)  (141)  (399)  (678)
Other income (expense), net 39   (33)  (59)  (61)  (21)
           
Income (loss) before income tax         
(expense) benefit 199   176   (806)  455   (5,628)
           
Income tax (expense) benefit (8)  91   11   73   (25)
           
Net income (loss) 191   267   (795)  528   (5,653)
           
Less:  Net income attributable to the     
 noncontrolling interest -   -   -   -   - 
           
Net income (loss) attributable to Aehr Test     
 Systems common shareholders$191  $267  $(795) $528  $(5,653)
           
Net income (loss) per share         
Basic$0.01  $0.01  $(0.04) $0.02  $(0.35)
Diluted$0.01  $0.01  $(0.04) $0.02  $(0.35)
           
Shares used in per share calculations:         
Basic 22,033   21,832   19,050   21,732   16,267 
Diluted 22,614   22,641   19,050   22,782   16,267 
           

 

 AEHR TEST SYSTEMS AND SUBSIDIARIES 
 Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results 
 (in thousands, except per share data) 
 (unaudited) 
              
    Three Months Ended Year Ended 
    May 31, Feb 28, May 31, May 31, May 31, 
     2018  2018  2017   2018  2017  
              
              
 GAAP net income (loss) $  191 $  267 $  (795) $  528 $  (5,653) 
 Stock-based compensation expense  174  242  208   996  999  
 Non-GAAP net income (loss) $  365 $  509 $  (587) $  1,524 $  (4,654) 
              
 GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share $  0.01 $  0.01 $  (0.04) $  0.02 $  (0.35) 
 Non-GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share $  0.02 $  0.02 $  (0.03) $  0.07 $  (0.29) 
 Shares used in diluted shares calculation  22,614  22,641  19,050   22,782  16,267  
 Shares used in non-GAAP diluted shares calculation  22,614  22,641  19,050   22,782  16,267  
    
              
 Non-GAAP net income (loss) is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered a replacement for GAAP results.  Non-GAAP net income (loss) is a financial measure the Company uses to evaluate the underlying results and operating performance of the business.  The limitation of this measure is that it excludes items that impact the Company's current period net income (loss).  This limitation is best addressed by using this measure in combination with net income (loss) (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure).  These measures are not in accordance with GAAP and may differ from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. 

We believe these measures enhance investors’ ability to review the company’s business from the same perspective as the company’s management and facilitate comparisons of this period’s results with prior periods. 
 

 

  
AEHR TEST SYSTEMS AND SUBSIDIARIES 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(in thousands) 
(unaudited) 
          
    May 31, February 28, May 31, 
    2018
 2018
 2017
 
 ASSETS       
          
 Current assets:       
 Cash and cash equivalents$16,848  $9,077  $17,803  
 Short-term investments -   5,986   -  
 Accounts receivable, net 2,856   4,673   4,010  
 Inventories  9,049   9,368   6,604  
 Prepaid expenses and other 703   1,339   961  
 Total current assets 29,456   30,443   29,378  
          
 Property and equipment, net 1,203   1,205   1,419  
 Other assets  296   324   95  
 Total assets $30,955  $31,972  $30,892  
          
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      
          
 Current liabilities:       
 Current portion of long-term debt$6,110  $-  $-  
 Accounts payable 1,762   2,638   2,808  
 Accrued expenses 1,646   1,643   1,609  
 Customer deposits and deferred revenue, short-term 1,630   2,310   3,467  
 Total current liabilities 11,148   6,591   7,884  
          
 Long-term debt  -   6,110   6,110  
 Deferred rent  63   -   -  
 Deferred revenue, long-term 459   497   104  
 Total liabilities 11,670   13,198   14,098  
          
 Aehr Test Systems shareholders' equity 19,305   18,794   16,813  
 Noncontrolling interest (20)  (20)  (19) 
 Total shareholders' equity 19,285   18,774   16,794  
          
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$30,955  $31,972  $30,892