AMTECH SYSTEMS INC

Cash and Cash Flow

The following table sets forth for the periods presented certain consolidated cash flow information, in thousands:

A summary of our cash position as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, is as follows, in thousands, except working capital ratio:

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from September 30, 2023 of $0.1 million was primarily due to payments on long-term debt and fixed asset purchases, partially offset by increased customer down payments, collections from customers and proceeds from the sale of our real property in Arizona. We maintain a portion of our cash and cash equivalents in Renminbis, a Chinese currency, at our operations in China; therefore, changes in the exchange rates have an impact on our cash balances. The decrease in working capital of $7.1 million (calculated in the table above) was primarily due to the decrease in accounts receivable and inventories.

During periods of weakening demand, we typically generate cash from operating activities, which we may decide to reinvest in our business via strategic projects. Conversely, we are more likely to use operating cash flows for working capital requirements during periods of higher growth. Our sources of capital in the past have included the sale of equity securities, which includes common stock sold in private transactions and public offerings, the incurrence of long-term debt and customer deposits. Additionally, in January 2023, we entered into the Loan Agreement with UMB Bank, which included a revolving line of credit with availability up to $8.0 million. On December 5, 2023, we amended this credit facility to, among other things, (i) increase the availability under the revolving line of credit from $8.0 million to $14.0 million (the “Revolver”), (ii) reduce the term loan commitment from $12.0 million to $4.4 million (the “Term Loan”), (iii) extend the maturity date of the Revolver one year to January 17, 2025 and the Term Loan one year to January 17, 2029. See the Forbearance Agreement disclosure under the heading Financing Facilities. Future borrowings, if any, under the Loan Agreement are subject to, among other things, having sufficient unencumbered Eligible Accounts, Eligible Foreign Accounts and Eligible Inventory (as such terms are defined in the Loan Agreement) to meet the borrowing base requirements included in the amended credit facility. There can be no assurance that we can raise such additional capital resources when needed or on satisfactory terms. We believe that our principal sources of liquidity discussed above are sufficient to support operations for at least the next twelve months.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash provided by our operating activities was $5.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $5.3 million used in operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2023. During the first half of fiscal 2024, our accounts receivable collections exceeded new accounts receivable due to the timing of shipments and collections. Additionally, we received more down payments from customers for future shipments during the quarter. During the six months ended March 31, 2023, we used cash to increase our inventory balances in preparation for shipments scheduled over the next four quarters and to pay the related accounts payable.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash provided by investing activities was $0.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $36.5 million used in investing activities in the six months ended March 31, 2023. The fiscal 2024 amount consists of $2.7 million of proceeds from the sale of our real property in Arizona, partially offset by capital expenditures. The fiscal 2023 amount consists primarily of cash paid for the acquisition of Entrepix. We expect capital expenditures to increase in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 as we relocate our Massachusetts operations to a smaller facility.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $6.4 million, primarily comprised of $6.4 million in payments on long-term debt. For the six months ended March 31, 2023, cash provided by financing activities was $11.9 million, comprised of $12.0 million in borrowings on debt facility and $0.3 million of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options partially offset by $0.4 million in payments on long-term debt.

Financing Facilities

Our debt balance as of March 31, 2024 was $4.3 million, including our finance lease obligations. As previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, at such date we were not in compliance with the Debt to EBITDA and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio financial covenants under our Loan Agreement. On December 5, 2023, we entered into a Forbearance & Modification Agreement (the “Forbearance Agreement”) with UMB Bank related to such non-compliance, pursuant to which UMB Bank agreed to forbear from exercising its rights and remedies available to it as a result of such defaults. We will be operating under the terms of such Forbearance Agreement through January 17, 2025 (the “Forbearance Period”).

The Forbearance Agreement also amends the Loan Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the availability under the revolving line of credit from $8.0 million to $14.0 million (the "Revolver"), and (ii) reduce the term loan commitment from $12.0 million to $4.4 million (the “Term Loan”). The Revolver maturity date was extended one year to January 17, 2025 and the Term Loan maturity date was extended one year to January 17, 2029. Both the Revolver and the Term Loan have a floating per annum rate of interest equal to the Prime Rate, adjusted daily, plus the Applicable Margin (as such terms are defined in the Loan Agreement). We are required to pay a non-utilization fee equal to 0.125% of any unused portion of the Revolver in excess of any letter of credit obligations. As of September 30, 2023, no amounts were borrowed against the Revolver and there were no letters of credit outstanding. As of the effective date of the Forbearance Agreement, $10.0 million will be drawn under the Loan Agreement, which includes $4.4 million under the Term Loan and $5.6 million under the Revolver. As of March 31, 2024, $4.2 million was outstanding on the Term Loan, no amounts were borrowed against the Revolver, and there was an outstanding letter of credit in the amount of $0.3 million..

Future borrowings, if any, under the Loan Agreement are subject to, among other things, having sufficient unencumbered Eligible Accounts, Eligible Foreign Accounts and Eligible Inventory (as such terms are defined in the Loan Agreement) to meet the borrowing base requirements included in the amended Loan Agreement.

Under the Loan Agreement, as amended by the Forbearance Agreement, the Company is required to comply with the following financial covenants:

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Maintaining, on a consolidated basis, a minimum EBITDA (as defined in the Loan Agreement) through the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, measured on a quarterly basis (the “Minimum EBITDA Covenant”). The Minimum EBITDA Covenant amount increases each quarter during such period. At March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the Minimum EBITDA Covenant for such period (not less than negative EBITDA of $800,000 for the six-month period ended March 31, 2024), with actual positive EBITDA of $1.0 million for such period. The Minimum EBITDA Covenant replaced the Senior Debt to EBITDA covenant set forth in the original Loan Agreement.

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As of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal years, commencing for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, the Company must maintain a ratio of (a) the total for such fiscal year of EBITDAR (as defined in the Loan Agreement) minus the sum of all income taxes paid in cash plus cash dividends/distributions plus maintenance Capital Expenditures (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus management fees paid in cash, to (b) the sum for such fiscal quarter of (1) Interest Charges (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus (2) required payments of principal on Debt (as defined in the Loan Agreement) (including the Term Loan, but excluding the Revolver) plus (3) operating lease/rent expense, of not less than 1.30 to 1.00 based on a trailing four (4) quarter basis (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant”). Prior to entering into the Forbearance Agreement, this covenant was measured as of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters, beginning March 31, 2023.

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As of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters, commencing March 31, 2023, the Company must maintain a consolidated working capital of current assets (excluding related party receivables and prepaid expenses) minus current liabilities of at least $35.0 million. This financial covenant is unchanged in the Forbearance Agreement.

If the Lender does not extend the Forbearance Period or otherwise grant a waiver in the future for the covenant defaults described above, an event of default under the Loan Agreement would exist. To the extent the Lender so elects, the outstanding indebtedness under the Loan Agreement could be accelerated following the expiration of any applicable cure periods, causing such debt to be immediately due and payable. In addition, should the Company default in its obligation to comply with any of the covenants described immediately above during the Forbearance Period, an event of default would then exist, and, absent a further forbearance agreement or waiver granted by the Lender, the Lender would have the right to accelerate the indebtedness following the expiration of any applicable cure periods, causing such debt to be immediately due and payable. Both of the foregoing events would also result in the termination of all commitments to extend further credit under the Loan Agreement. There is no guarantee we will have sufficient liquidity to repay our outstanding debt under the Loan Agreement in full if such debt were accelerated. As of March 31, 2024, we had $13.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $4.2 million in debt under the Loan Agreement. If we are unable to pay such debt as it comes due, or obtain waivers for such payments, our Lender could foreclose on the assets securing such debt. These events could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. As of March 31, 2024, all outstanding debt under the Loan Agreement was classified as current as a result of the Lender’s ability, in its sole discretion, to call the amounts due thereunder at the end of the Forbearance Period.

The Loan Agreement also includes quarterly and annual reporting requirements and other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type. At March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all such covenants.