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Tower Semiconductor Ltd. — Capital/Financing Update 2007
Sep 10, 2007
7095_rns_2007-09-10_f19066ec-f55e-47e1-8c7b-f69e707723b4.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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Tower Semiconductor Signs and Closes Credit Agreements for the Execution of its Capacity Ramp-Up Plan for Fab2
Definitive Agreements Secure $60 Million of Credit Lines
Commences to execute Significant Capacity Expansion Plan in advanced technologies in a cost effective manner
MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel — September 10, 2007 — Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM; TASE: TSEM), a pure-play independent specialty foundry, today announced that it has closed definitive agreements with its lender banks, Bank Leumi and Bank Hapoalim, and with Israel Corporation, a major shareholder, to secure $60 million of credit lines, comprised of $30 million from the Banks and $30 million from Israel Corporation. These definitive agreements are based on the terms of the previously announced letters of intent.
The credit lines, together with the, approximately, $40 million that were raised in June 2007 through the issuance of long-term bonds, are to be used for the execution of the Company's ramp-up plan. This expansion plan will increase significantly Fab2 capacity beyond the current 24,000 wafers per month, primarily in advanced technologies, as was initially announced on July 16, 2007.
"Fab2 continues to run at a utilization rate of higher than 90%, with customer forecasted demand exceeding the current capacity level", said Russell Ellwanger, chief executive officer of Tower Semiconductor. "In order to meet this demand, we have commenced the execution of the ramp-up plan which, when completed, will further increase the potential of our sales, cash flow and operational results, with a fast pay-back-period and a high rate of return-on-investment (ROI). We have placed purchase orders for a portion of the manufacturing tools and are in the final stages of negotiation with several equipment suppliers for the complete current set of tools for this stage of the expansion plan. The tools are predominantly used equipment originating from certain integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), such as AMD and Intel 200 millimeter copper manufacturing facilities. This enables us to purchase the manufacturing tools at low prices, as compared to purchasing them from the original equipment manufacturers. We expect the equipment to roll into Fab2 during the coming few quarters, with the first tools arriving next month".
About Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. is a pure-play independent specialty wafer foundry established in 1993. The company manufactures integrated circuits with geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13-micron; it also provides complementary technical services and design support. In addition to digital CMOS process technology, Tower offers advanced non-volatile memory solutions, mixed-signal & RF-CMOS, and CMOS image-sensor technologies. To provide world-class customer service, the company maintains two manufacturing facilities, each with standard and specialized process technology processes: Fab 1 ranging from 1.0 to 0.35 and Fab 2 featuring 0.18 and 0.13-micron. Tower's web site is located at http://www.towersemi.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) the completion of the equipment installation, technology transfer and ramp-up of production in Fab 2 and raising the funds therefore, (ii) the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the resulting periodic overcapacity, fluctuations in operating results, future average selling price erosion that may be more severe than our expectations, (iii) having sufficient funds to operate the company in the short-term and the funding needs for its ramp-up plan, (iv) operating our facilities at satisfactory utilization rates which is critical in order to defray the high level of fixed costs associated with operating a foundry and reduce our losses, (v) our ability to satisfy the covenants stipulated in our credit facility agreement, as amended, (vi) our ability to capitalize on increases in demand for foundry services, (vii) meeting the conditions to receive Israeli government grants and tax benefits approved for Fab 2 and obtaining the approval of the Israeli Investment Center for a new expansion program, (viii) attracting additional customers, (ix) not receiving orders from our wafer partners and customers, (x) failing to maintain and develop our technology processes and services, (xi) competing effectively, (xii) our large amount of debt and our ability to repay our short-term and long-term debt on a timely basis, (xiii) achieving acceptable device yields, product performance and delivery times, (xiv) the timely development, internal qualification and customer acceptance of new processes and products, (xv) the entering into and the consummation of agreements to purchase the equipment to increase Fab2 capacity and the timely and successful installation thereof, and (xvi) and business interruption due to terror attacks, earthquakes, other acts of God and the security situation in Israel.
A more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect our business is included under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Israel Securities Authority. Future results may differ materially from those previously reported. We do not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.
Contact:
Tower Semiconductor Noit Levi, +972 4 604 7066 [email protected]
or:
Shelton Group Jim Mathias, (972) 239-5119 ext. 115 [email protected]