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EX-4.4 - FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BY AND AMONG THE REGISTRANT - NOVANTA INCdex44.htm
EX-24 - POWER OF ATTORNEY - NOVANTA INCdex24.htm
EX-32.1 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 - NOVANTA INCdex321.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM - NOVANTA INCdex231.htm
EX-31.2 - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - NOVANTA INCdex312.htm
EX-31.1 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - NOVANTA INCdex311.htm
EX-32.2 - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 - NOVANTA INCdex322.htm
EX-21.1 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT - NOVANTA INCdex211.htm
EX-10.53 - FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE - NOVANTA INCdex1053.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

þ  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File No. 000-25705

 

 

GSI Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

New Brunswick, Canada   98-0110412
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
125 Middlesex Turnpike   01730
Bedford, Massachusetts, USA   (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)  

(781) 266-5700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Shares, no par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

   Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  þ
     

(Do not check if a

smaller reporting company)

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s outstanding common shares held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the closing price of the common shares on The NASDAQ Stock Market on the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (July 3, 2009) was approximately $13,454,112. For purposes of this disclosure, common shares held by officers and directors of the Registrant and by persons who hold more than 5% of the Registrant’s outstanding common shares have been excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily conclusive.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12 , 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  ¨    No  þ

There were approximately 100,026,395 of the Registrant’s common shares, no par value, issued and outstanding on August 31, 2010.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

None.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

GSI GROUP INC.

FORM 10-K

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item No.

        Page No.
   PART I   

Item 1.

   Business    1

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    13

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments    32

Item 2.

   Properties    33

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    34

Item 4.

   [Removed and Reserved]    35
   PART II   

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Shares, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    36

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    38

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    40

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    70

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    72

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    151

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    151

Item 9B.

   Other Information    155
   PART III   

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    156

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    163

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    187

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Directors Independence    189

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    192
   PART IV   

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    193

Signatures

   200

As used in this report, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “GSI Group”, “GSI”, “GSIG” and the “Company” mean GSI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates another meaning.

Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in this report are expressed in United States dollars.

The following trademarks and trade names of GSI Group are used in this report: WaferMark, WaferRepair, WaferTrim, CircuitTrim, SVS, MicroE® and Westwind®.


Table of Contents

PART I

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that, if they never materialize or if they prove incorrect, could cause our consolidated results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company makes such forward-looking statements under the provision of the “Safe Harbor” section of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual future results may vary materially from those projected, anticipated, or indicated in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.” Readers should also carefully review the risk factors described in the other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” “could,” “estimates,” “plans,”, “would,” “should,” “potential,” “continues” and similar words or expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the adequacy of cash flows from operations and available cash, our ability to improve our liquidity, and the impact of our reorganization on our general liquidity including our ability to obtain working capital loans or to refinance our existing indebtedness; our ability to grow in the future and generate meaningful shareholder value; our ability to integrate businesses we have acquired; our ability to recruit permanent management; our industry position and our ability to operate successfully as markets recover; our internal controls over accounting for revenue recognition and our financial close process; our results of operations and financial condition; our ability to list our common shares on NASDAQ or another securities exchange and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

GSI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “ours”) design, develop, manufacture and sell photonics-based solutions (consisting of lasers, laser systems and electro-optical components), precision motion devices and associated precision motion control technology and systems. Our customers incorporate our technology into their products or manufacturing processes for a wide range of applications in a variety of markets, including: industrial, scientific, electronics, semiconductor, medical and aerospace. Our products enable customers to make advances in materials and processing technology and to meet extremely precise manufacturing specifications.

Our products are grouped into three segments: Precision Technology, Semiconductor Systems and Excel. We strive to create shareholder value through:

 

   

Organic sales growth by delivering a consistent stream of successful new product launches,

 

   

Generating high levels of cash flow from operations, and

 

   

Acquiring and successfully integrating businesses that have complementary and established core competencies.

GSI Group Inc. was founded and initially incorporated in Massachusetts in 1968 as General Scanning, Inc. (“General Scanning”). General Scanning developed, manufactured and sold components and subsystems used for high-speed micro positioning of laser beams. In 1999, General Scanning merged with Lumonics Inc., a Canadian company that developed, manufactured and sold laser-based, advanced manufacturing systems for electronics, semiconductor, and general industrial applications. The post-merger entity, GSI Lumonics Inc., continued under the laws of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. In 2005, we changed our name to GSI Group Inc.

 

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A number of significant events have occurred since August 2008 that are important to an understanding of our Company. These events are discussed below. Following the discussion of these recent events is a discussion of our continuing operations.

SIGNIFICANT RECENT EVENTS

Acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc. in August 2008

In August 2008, we acquired Excel Technology, Inc. (“Excel”), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of photonics-based solutions consisting of lasers, laser-based systems, precision motion devices and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. Excel, which was headquartered in East Setauket, New York, manufactures its products in plants located in the United States and Germany, and sells its products to customers worldwide, both directly and indirectly through resellers and distributors. We acquired Excel in exchange for a cash payment of $368.7 million, including transaction costs, a portion of which was financed with proceeds from the issuance of $210.0 million of 11% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2008 Senior Notes”). The 2008 Senior Notes are discussed further in the section below titled ‘Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings’, and in Notes 8 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Immediately following the acquisition, the Excel segment was comprised solely of the operations of the then-newly acquired entity. In 2009, the Company changed the structure of its internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. The Company’s reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the acquisition of Excel.

Divesture of General Optics Business in October 2008

On October 8, 2008, we completed the sale of our General Optics business (the “U.S. Optics Business”), located in Moorpark, California, for a sale price of $21.6 million. The sale of our U.S. Optics Business resulted in a gain of $8.7 million, net of tax, and was reported as Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. This business was part of our Company’s Precision Technology segment. The results of operations of the U.S. Optics Business have been reported as income from discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the sale of the U.S. Optics Business.

Restatement of Financial Results

Following our acquisition of Excel, we encountered delays in the integration of Excel that led to a delay in the preparation of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 26, 2008 (the “2008 Q3 Report”). Shortly thereafter, prior the filing of the 2008 Q3 Report, we initiated an internal review of potential errors in the recognition of revenue related to sales to customers in the first and second fiscal quarters of 2008 in our Semiconductor Systems segment, which were brought to the attention of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors by Company management. Following this initial internal review, the Audit Committee, in consultation with our outside legal counsel, determined that it was appropriate to undertake an independent review of the potential revenue recognition issues brought to its attention and, on or about November 25, 2008, initiated an independent review of sales transactions in the Semiconductor Systems segment and certain other sales transactions for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

On December 4, 2008, we announced that we had identified errors in the timing of revenue recognized in connection with sales to customers in our Semiconductor Systems segment and that previously issued interim financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2008 should not be relied upon. We subsequently announced that we had identified additional revenue recognition errors related to the timing of revenue recognition from sales to certain Semiconductor Systems segment customers during fiscal years 2007 and 2006.

 

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The Audit Committee determined, upon the recommendation of Company management, that the range of potential adjustments resulting from the identified errors was material to our previously issued interim and annual financial statements for 2007 and 2006 and, as a result, concluded that those financial statements should not be relied upon.

We voluntarily reported the results of the Audit Committee’s review to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2009. In May 2009, we announced that we were undertaking a review of sales transactions of our Semiconductor Systems segment during fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to determine if adjustments needed to be made to those periods and in June 2009, we announced that we were undertaking a review of the timing of revenue recognized in connection with multiple element arrangements in our Precision Technology segment from 2004 through 2008 to determine if adjustments needed to be made to those periods (collectively with the Audit Committee’s review of transactions in the Semiconductor Systems segment and any other related Company reviews of transactions in the Semiconductor Systems segment and Precision Technology segment, the “Revenue Review”). We concluded that there were a number of adjustments required as a result of the Revenue Review that primarily related to revenue recognition, including adjustments to revenue, deferred revenue, cost of goods sold and deferred costs. The adjustments to revenue resulted in revenue and their related costs being deferred and recognized in subsequent periods once all revenue recognition criteria are met. These adjustments did not affect our cash balances.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings

On December 12, 2008, we announced that we had received four letters from certain holders of the 2008 Senior Notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Excel, alleging that we had failed to comply with the covenant in the Indenture governing our 2008 Senior Notes (the “2008 Senior Note Indenture”), that required us to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K within the time frames set forth in the SEC’s rules and regulations. Specifically, the letters alleged that we failed to file our 2008 Q3 Report within the time period specified by the rules and regulations of the SEC and that if such failure continued for 60 days from the date that we received notices of such failure from holders comprising at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2008 Senior Notes then outstanding, such failure would constitute an event of default under the 2008 Senior Note Indenture. We notified the trustee under the 2008 Senior Note Indenture that these letters did not constitute proper notice as required by the terms of the 2008 Senior Note Indenture, and continued working diligently to complete the review by our Audit Committee and to file our 2008 Q3 Report to avoid any claim of an “Event of Default” from occurring under the 2008 Senior Note Indenture. Upon receipt of the letters from the note holders, we commenced discussions with certain of the noteholders and, on June 30, 2009, announced that we had reached an agreement with certain beneficial owners holding greater than 75% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 2008 Senior Notes on a non-binding term sheet to consensually restructure our outstanding obligations under the 2008 Senior Notes.

On November 20, 2009 (the “Petition Date”), following further negotiations between us and the noteholders regarding the restructuring, our holding company GSI Group Inc. (“GSIG”) and two of its United States subsidiaries, GSI Group Corporation (“GSI US”) and MES International, Inc. (“MES” and, collectively with GSIG and GSI US, the “Debtors”), filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). Following the Petition Date, the Debtors continued to operate their business as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court. In late December 2009, the United States Trustee overseeing the Chapter 11 Cases appointed an Official Committee of Equity Security Holders (the “Equity Committee”) to represent the interests of our equity holders.

On May 24, 2010, the Debtors filed a modified chapter 11 plan with the Bankruptcy Court, which was supported by eight of ten beneficial holders of the 2008 Senior Notes (the “Consenting Noteholders”), the Equity Committee, and the Committee Members pursuant to a plan support agreement that we entered into on May 14, 2010, which superseded the prior plan support agreement. The modified chapter 11 plan was further supplemented

 

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on May 27, 2010 to provide for minor modifications to the May Plan (as supplemented, the “Final Chapter 11 Plan”). On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan and the plan documents.

As contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, we conducted a rights offering in which we offered up to a maximum of $85 million of our common shares upon emergence from bankruptcy at a purchase price per share of $1.80 (the “Price Per Share”) to our existing shareholders (“Rights Offering”) which was backstopped by the Consenting Noteholders pursuant to a Backstop Commitment Agreement.

On July 23, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) the Debtors consummated their reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective pursuant to its terms. Pursuant to and in accordance with the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Debtors entered into the material agreements described in Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Rights Offering was consummated on the Effective Date and the cash proceeds from the Rights Offering were, as provided in the Final Chapter 11 Plan, used to repay the remaining 2008 Senior Notes. As a result of the Rights Offering and the shares issued pursuant to the backstop commitment, our shareholders prior to the emergence from bankruptcy retained approximately 86.1% of our capital stock following emergence (subject to the distribution of shares placed in reserve pending resolution of certain litigation matters unrelated to the Chapter 11 Cases). The remaining 13.9% of our capital stock was issued to the holders of the 2008 Senior Notes in partial exchange of such notes and pursuant to the commitment of certain holders to backstop the Rights Offering. On the Effective Date, GSI US issued $107,040,000 in aggregate principal amount of 12.25% Senior Secured PIK Election Notes (the “New Notes”) in exchange for the remaining 2008 Senior Notes, which mature on July 23, 2014, pursuant to that certain Indenture, by and among GSI US, as issuer, the Guarantors named therein (including GSIG and MES) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.

SEC Investigation

As discussed above under “Restatement of Financial Results”, we conducted the Revenue Review, which included a review of certain of our historical accounting practices. On May 14, 2009, we received a notice from the SEC indicating that the SEC is conducting a formal investigation relating to our historical accounting practices and the restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements. On September 16, 2010, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC, stating that the Staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute a civil injunctive action or administrative proceeding against the Company, alleging that the Company violated various provisions of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act, and providing the Company with the opportunity to make a submission to the Staff in connection therewith. In connection with the contemplated action, the SEC may seek a permanent injunction or cease-and-desist order, disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the imposition of a civil penalty. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation.

NASDAQ Delisting Determination

On November 3, 2009, the NASDAQ Hearing Panel (the “Panel”) of The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) notified us that it had determined to delist our common shares from the NASDAQ Global Select Market and to suspend trading in our common shares effective at the open of market on November 5, 2009. The Panel’s determination was made in connection with our non-compliance with the filing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) due to the delayed filing of certain of our periodic reports. As permitted by NASDAQ rules, we timely appealed the Panel’s determination to the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Listing Council”). On January 15, 2010, the Listing Council notified us that it had affirmed the Panel’s decision to delist our securities. On March 15, 2010, we received notification from The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC Board of Directors (the “NASDAQ Board”) that the NASDAQ Board declined to call for review the January 15, 2010 decision of the Listing Council. Accordingly, pursuant to Listing Rule 5825, the Listing Council’s decision

 

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represents the final decision of NASDAQ. In accordance with Listing Rule 5830 and Rule 12d2-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NASDAQ filed an application on Form 25 with the SEC on April 5, 2010, to delist our securities from NASDAQ. The application became effective April 15, 2010.

Our common shares are currently quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. and trade under the symbol “LASR.PK”. We intend to seek relisting of our common shares on a national exchange as soon as practicable after we become current in our reporting obligations and otherwise meet the applicable listing requirements. There can be no assurance of when or if our common shares will be listed on NASDAQ or another stock exchange. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

THE COMPANY’S CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The Company operates in three segments: Precision Technology, Semiconductor Systems and Excel, which are described below.

Precision Technology Segment

Our Precision Technology segment designs, manufactures, and markets lasers, optics, air bearing spindles, encoders, and thermal printers to customers worldwide. The products that we sell to original equipment manufacturers (“OEM’s”) include those based on our core competencies in laser, precision motion and motion control technology. The businesses that comprise our Precision Technology segment sell their products both directly and indirectly through resellers and distributors.

The Precision Technology segment has five major product lines:

 

Product Line

  

Key End Markets

  

Description

Lasers

   Industrial, Electronics, Automotive, Medical, Packaging and Aerospace    Applications include welding, cutting, drilling, surface marking, and deep engraving of metal and plastic parts.

Optics

   Aerospace, Telecommunications, and Industrial    Super flat and super polished optics, and high performance mirrors primarily used with a scanner to direct a laser light. Applications include scanners, the deflection of laser beams in aircraft gyroscopes, and bending optical light beams that transmit telecommunications data.

Printed Circuit

Board Spindles

   Electronics    High-speed air bearing spindles used to drill very small and precise holes in printed circuit boards. Other applications include semiconductors, industrial and printing.

Encoders

   Electronics    Linear and rotary electro-optical tracking devices that measure movement with sub-micron accuracy. Applications include motion control of semiconductor and electronic manufacturing equipment, confocal microscopes, positioning magnetic rings on hard drives, precision manufacturing and coordinate measuring systems.

Thermal Printers

   Medical    Rugged paper tape printers for the medical instruments and defibrillator markets.

 

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Semiconductor Systems Segment

Our Semiconductor Systems segment designs, develops and sells production systems that process semiconductor wafers using laser beams and high precision motion technology. Systems manufactured by our Semiconductor Systems segment are sold to integrated device manufacturers and wafer processors. Our systems perform laser-based processing on all of the following types of semiconductors: general wafers used for logic or memory purposes, dynamic random access memory (DRAM, “Not And” or NAND) chips and high performance analog chips.

Semiconductor manufacturers’ main technology challenge is to meet the trend toward ever shrinking circuit sizes demanded by consumers of micro-electronics, such as cell phones. As semiconductor manufacturers put more memory on smaller dye, the two critical challenges for production system suppliers are the ability to provide systems that can process wafers with manufacturing accuracy to the sub-micron level and to increase the wafer processing throughput.

Our Semiconductor Systems segment has three major product lines:

 

Product Line

  

Key End Markets

  

Description

WaferRepair

   Semiconductor—DRAM and Flash Memory chips    WaferRepair is used to raise production yields for 300mm and 200mm DRAM and NAND wafers to commercially acceptable levels.

WaferTrim

   Semiconductor—high performance analog and mixed signal devices    WaferTrim systems enable production of high performance integrated circuits by precisely trimming analog and mixed signal integrated circuits with a laser beam to achieve a specified electrical resistance.

WaferMark

   Semiconductor—silicon suppliers and integrated circuit factories    WaferMark systems are used to mark silicon wafers with characters or markings at various stages of the wafer and integrated circuit manufacturing process. The marks are designed to aid process control and device traceability.

Our Semiconductor Systems segment also includes two smaller product lines, CircuitTrim and SVS CircuitTrim systems, which are used in the production of thick and thin film resistive components for surface mount technology electronic circuits, known as chip resistors, as well as thick and thin film hybrid circuits, and for adjusting the performance of complete multi-chip modules. SVS inspection equipment is used to inspect pre- and post- reflow solder paste and component placement on printed circuit boards.

Excel Segment

Our Excel segment designs, manufactures and markets photonics-based solutions consisting of lasers, laser-based systems, precision motion devices and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. We sell the products in the Excel segment to customers worldwide, both directly and indirectly through resellers and distributors.

 

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The Excel segment has four major product lines:

 

Product Line

  

Key End Markets

  

Description

Lasers and Laser-Based Systems    Industrial, Scientific and Homeland Security    Applications include cutting, marking, engraving and micro-machining, scientific research, remote sensing and automation.
Scanners    Industrial, Medical, Scientific, Aerospace, Military and Academic    High precision motors that, when coupled with a mirror, can direct a laser beam with a high degree of accuracy. Applications include product laser marking and coding, laser machining and welding, high density via hole drilling of printed circuit boards, scanning microscopy, retinal scanning, laser-based vision correction, Optical Coherence Tomography imaging for laser-based biomedical diagnostics, high resolution printing, holographic imaging and storage, semiconductor wafer inspection and processing, 2D or 3D imaging and laser projection and entertainment.
Optics    Scanning    Thin-filmed optics primarily used with a scanner to direct a laser light. Applications include optical scanners, laser systems, professional motion picture cameras and a myriad of other industrial and scientific applications, as well as interferometry and research and development.
Light and Color Measurement   

Aerospace, Automotive, Lighting, Motion Picture,

Research and Development and related industries

   Color metrology systems are used by a wide variety of industries for research, quality control and on-line testing, including portable battery operated Spectro radio meter, photometers and video photometers.

Excel’s Scanners product line includes certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment which were transferred to and integrated with Excel’s existing business in 2009.

Products and Services

The following table shows the revenues and gross margins for each of the three segments for the year ended December 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Sales     Gross Profit
Percentage
 

Precision Technology

   $ 79,456      40.4

Semiconductor Systems

     49,669      32.2

Excel

     129,964      40.5

Intersegment sales eliminations(1)

     (4,701   59.5
              

Total

   $ 254,388      38.5
              

 

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(1) Sales of the Precision Technology segment’s products to the Excel and Semiconductor Systems segments and sales of the Excel segment’s products to the Precision Technology and Semiconductor Systems segments.

See Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional financial information about our segments.

Customers

We have a diverse group of customers that includes companies that are global leaders in their industries. Many of our customers participate in several market segments. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, one customer, Powerchip Technology Corporation and certain related parties, accounted for approximately 10% of the Company’s sales. Powerchip Technology Corporation and certain related parties is a customer within the Semiconductor Systems segment. In 2008 and 2007, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales.

Customers of our Semiconductor Systems segment include some of the major semiconductor and silicon wafer producers. Most of these customers are end users who use our systems to manufacture products that include silicon wafers, memory chips, and analog and hybrid micro-circuits in volume in their factories. A large number of these customers are based in Asia.

Customers of our Precision Technology and Excel segments include a large number of original equipment manufacturers who integrate our products into their systems for sale to end users. Some of our Precision Technology and Excel products are also sold directly to end users. Precision Technology segment and Excel segment customers include leaders in the semiconductor equipment, industrial systems, electronics, automotive, data storage, and medical equipment markets. A typical OEM customer will usually evaluate a product designed and manufactured by our Precision Technology segment or Excel segment before deciding to incorporate our product into their product or system. Customers generally choose suppliers based on a number of factors, including product performance, reliability, price, breadth of the supplier’s product offering, the financial condition of the supplier and the geographical coverage offered by the supplier. Once products of our Precision Technology segment and Excel segment have been designed into a given OEM customer’s product or system, there are generally significant barriers to subsequent supplier changes.

Backlog

As of July 2, 2010, our consolidated backlog was approximately $100 million. Orders included in backlog represent the total value of open orders for products and services that management has concluded have a reasonable probability of being delivered over the subsequent twelve month period. Orders included in backlog may be canceled or rescheduled by customers without significant penalty. Backlog as of any particular date should not be relied upon as indicative of our revenues for any future period.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing functions are performed internally when management chooses to maintain control over critical portions of the production process or for cost related reasons. To the extent practical, we generally outsource the remaining portions of the production process. Our Semiconductor Systems segment focuses on outsourcing low value parts and modules and internally retains the tasks of final assembly of subsystems, testing and quality control.

Products offered by our Precision Technology segment are manufactured at facilities in Bedford, Massachusetts; Poole, Rugby and Taunton, United Kingdom; and Suzhou, China. The systems offered by our Semiconductor Systems segment are manufactured, assembled and tested in Bedford, Massachusetts. Products offered by our Excel segment are manufactured at facilities in Lexington, Massachusetts; East Setauket, New York; Orlando, Florida; Chatsworth, Oxnard and Santa Clara, California; Mukilteo, Washington; and Ludwigsburg, Germany.

 

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All volume manufacturing of legacy laser products are moving from the Rugby, U.K. facilities, to other Company laser manufacturing sites.

Most of our products are manufactured under ISO 9001 certification.

Research and Development and Engineering

We are strongly committed to research and development for core technology programs directed at creating new products, product enhancements and new applications for existing products, as well as funding research into future market opportunities. Each of the markets that we serve is generally characterized by rapid technological change and product innovation. We believe that continued timely development of new products and product enhancements to serve existing and new markets is necessary to remain competitive.

In 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, we incurred research and development and engineering expenses of $28.3 million, $33.4 million and $29.9 million, which represents 11.1%, 11.6% and 10.3% of sales, respectively.

Marketing, Sales and Distribution

We sell our products worldwide through our direct sales force team and through distributors and sales agents. In the case of products sold through our direct sales force, or local sales, applications and service teams work closely with our customers and leverage incremental supporting organizations from the Company to ensure customer satisfaction with our products. Our distributors work with customers in a similar fashion.

 

   

Precision Technology products are sold worldwide mostly through our direct sales force but also through distributors, primarily to OEMs. Our Precision Technology businesses have sales and service centers located in Massachusetts, Michigan, California, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Singapore and Japan. Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (a shareholder of the Company) is a key distributor for certain products in Japan. Because of the fundamental nature and relatively small physical size of the products, our Precision Technology segment generally employs a factory direct strategy in support of its worldwide customer base except in the laser product line where parts and field technical support is significant.

 

   

Semiconductor Systems products are sold directly and, in some territories, through distributors. End users include semiconductor integrated device manufacturers and electronic component and assembly firms. Sales activities are directed from the product business unit sites in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific. Field offices are located close to key customers’ manufacturing sites to maximize sales and support effectiveness. Significant revenues are derived from the sale of parts, and the provisioning of services relating to the installed base of equipment previously sold to customers. We maintain field offices in Germany, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Singapore.

 

   

Excel products are sold worldwide mostly through our direct sales force but also through distributors, primarily to OEMs. The businesses comprising the Excel segment have sales and service centers located in Massachusetts, Florida, New York, Washington, California, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Malaysia, India and Japan. We also engage independent manufacturers’ representatives for the sale of our Excel segment products. Foreign sales of Excel segment products are handled primarily through foreign equipment distribution organizations. We have a 50% equity ownership in a joint venture based in Mumbai, India that markets, sells, installs and provides application support for certain of Excel’s products in the southern Asian region.

Competition

The markets in which we compete are dynamic and highly competitive. The markets in the photonics industry are characterized by intense competition and rapid technological change. Accordingly, we believe we must continue to improve and refine our existing products and systems and develop new applications for our technology.

 

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Competitive factors in our Precision Technology and Excel segments include product performance, price, quality and reliability, features, flexibility, compatibility of products with existing systems, technical support, product breadth, market presence, on-time delivery and our overall reputation. The main competitive factors in the Semiconductor Systems segment include product performance, throughput and price. We believe that our products offer a number of competitive advantages, however, some of our competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial and other resources than us.

The table below illustrates the competition faced in the markets that we serve.

 

Segment

  

Product Line

  

Main Competitor(s)

Precision Technology    Lasers    Rofin-Sinar, Trumpf-Haas, IPG Photonics, Unitek-Miyachi, Lasag, and other specialized lasers and systems manufacturers
   Optics    Fragmented among numerous suppliers
   Printed circuit board spindles    ABL (owned by Hitachi), Mechatronics, Precise
   Encoders    Renishaw and Heidenhain
   Thermal printers    Advanced Printing Solutions
Semiconductor Systems    All semiconductor product lines    Electro Scientific Industries, Innolas, Shibaura, Omron
Excel    Lasers and laser-based systems    Rofin-Sinar, Coherent, Newport (Spectra-Physics), Electrox, Foba, Laservall, SEI S.p.A., Cheval Frere, Fotona, E.O. Technics, Trump-Haas, IPG Photonics, Hans Laser, Electro Scientific Industries, ULS, Clark-MXR, Femtolaser, Thales Laser, Cyber Laser, New Wave Research, Quantel Lasers, Big Sky Lasers, Amplitide, Litron, Ekspla, and other specialized lasers and systems manufacturers
   Scanners    Fragmented among numerous suppliers including Scanlabs GmbH and Hans Laser
   Optics    Fragmented among numerous suppliers
   Light and color measurement    Minolta and Topcon

Sources of Supply

We depend on an uninterrupted supply of a large number of parts and components. In some instances, we design and/or re-engineer the parts and components used in our products. Many of the parts and components that we use are critical and are available from a limited number of suppliers. We procure some of our parts and components from a single source. Sources for parts and components that we design and/or re-engineer may be

 

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more limited than off-the-shelf parts and components. We also rely on a limited number of independent contractors to manufacture subassemblies for some of our products. A disruption of or delay in this supply chain could potentially result in substantial manufacturing delays and additional costs. If our suppliers or subcontractors experience delays or difficulties that result in a reduction or interruption in the supply of parts to us, or if they fail to meet any of our manufacturing or quality requirements, our business could be harmed unless or until we are able to secure alternative sources. These components and manufacturing services may not continue to be available to us at favorable prices, or at all.

The businesses that comprise our Precision Technology segment source most of their parts externally. However, they also manufacture many parts, including some critical parts, internally, particularly in the air bearing spindle business. Fully functional electronics as well as certain key components, such as laser diodes, are purchased from external sources.

Our Semiconductor Systems segment purchases major subsystems, such as lasers, motion stages, vision systems and software, fully functional electronics and frames and racks, from the merchant market. Some of the optical components used in our systems are internally manufactured while others are purchased externally. In some cases, upper level assemblies and entire subsystems are outsourced to electronic manufacturing services companies.

In the Excel segment, we rely upon unaffiliated suppliers for the material components and parts used to assemble our products. Most parts and components purchased from suppliers are available from multiple sources.

During 2010, lead times for some parts purchased from outside suppliers have lengthened as a result of the worldwide economic recovery. While the longer lead times have not had a significant effect on our delivery of products to our customers, there can be no assurance that such delays will not increase and have an adverse effect on deliveries to our customers. We expect to be able to continue to obtain most required components and parts from a number of different suppliers, although there can be no assurance thereof. We cannot guarantee that our suppliers will continue to perform in a satisfactory fashion.

Patents and Intellectual Property

We rely upon a combination of copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. We hold approximately 400 issued patents, approximately 240 in the United States and approximately 160 in foreign countries. These patents are set to expire from 2010 through 2027. Additionally, we have approximately 230 pending patents, approximately 45 in the United States and approximately 185 in foreign countries. The issued patents cover various products in many of our key product categories, particularly semiconductor systems, optical scanning products, encoders, air bearing spindles, and lasers. In addition, we also have trademarks registered in the United States and foreign countries. We will continue to actively pursue application for new patents and trademarks as we deem appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that any other patents will be issued to us or that such patents, if and when issued, will provide any protection or benefit to the Company.

Although we believe that our patents and pending patent applications are important, we rely upon several additional factors that are essential to our business success, including: market position, technological innovation, know-how and product performance. There can be no assurance that we will realize any of these advantages.

We also protect our proprietary rights by controlling access to our proprietary information and by maintaining confidentiality agreements with our employees and consultants, and certain of our customers and suppliers. There can be no assurance, however, that other companies are not investigating or developing other technologies that are similar to ours. It is also possible that, despite our efforts, other parties may use, obtain or try to copy our technology and products, and that the steps we take to protect our propriety information may not provide meaningful protection in the event of misappropriation or disclosure. Further, policing authorized use of

 

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our intellectual property rights is difficult and time consuming and may involve initiating claims or litigation against third parties for infringement of our propriety rights, which could be costly. In particular, our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights may not be effective in some foreign countries where we operate or sell our products.

Additionally, we have received in the past, and could receive in the future, notices from third parties alleging that our products infringe patents or other proprietary rights. Although we believe that our products are non-infringing or that we have the patents and/or licenses to allow us to lawfully sell our products, we may be sued for infringement, which could adversely affect us. For a further discussion of the importance to our business of, and the risks attendant to, intellectual property rights, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Human Resources

Employees by functional area, as of December 31, 2009, are as follows:

 

     Number of
Employees
   Percentage  

Production operations and field service

   746    58

Research and development

   223    17   

Selling, general and administrative

   328    25   
           

Total

   1,297    100
           

Geographic Information

Information regarding the geographic components of our sales and long-lived assets is provided in Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Government Regulation

We are subject to the laser radiation safety regulations of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act administered by the National Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a branch of the United States Food and Drug Administration. Among other things, those regulations require laser manufacturers to file new product and annual reports, to maintain quality control and sales records, to perform product testing, to distribute appropriate operating manuals, to incorporate design and operating features in lasers sold to end-users and to certify and label each laser sold to end-users as one of four classes (based on the level of radiation from the laser that is accessible to users). Various warning labels must be affixed and certain protective devices installed depending on the class of product. The National Center for Devices and Radiological Health is empowered to seek fines and other remedies for violations of the regulatory requirements. We believe that we are currently in compliance with these regulations.

We are subject to similar regulatory oversight, including comparable enforcement remedies, in the European markets we serve.

Available Information, Website and Access to Financial Filings

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our SEC filings are available on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also access any document we have filed by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. Financial and other information relating to the Company can also

 

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be accessed from our Internet website at http://www.gsig.com/investors/. Except as otherwise stated in these documents, the information contained on our website or available by hyperlink from our website is not incorporated by reference into this report or any other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.

We make available, free of charge, copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC. In addition, the Company’s reports and other information are filed with securities commissions or other similar authorities in Canada, and are available over the Internet at http://www.sedar.com.

Additionally, we post a copy of our Code of Ethics on our website at http://www.gsig.com/about/.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows and could cause the market value of our common shares to fluctuate or decline. These risk factors may not include all of the important factors that could affect our business or that could cause our future financial results to differ materially from historic or expected results or cause the market price of our common shares to fluctuate or decline.

Risks Relating to our Review of Historical Transactions, Restatement of Historical Consolidated Financial Statements and Control Procedures

The recent restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements could continue to divert management’s attention and has exposed us to litigation.

During the preparation of our financial statements for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, we discovered errors in the timing of the recognition of revenue from certain sales transactions in our Semiconductor Systems segment. As a result of this discovery, we undertook a review of the accounting treatment for sales transactions in our Semiconductor Systems segment and Precision Technology segment for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008. As a result of this review, we announced that the previously issued financial statements contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 28, 2008 and June 27, 2008 and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 should no longer be relied upon. Additionally, we undertook a review of the accounting treatment for sales transactions in our Semiconductors Systems segment and Precision Technology segment during fiscal years 2004 and 2005, which we subsequently restated as reflected in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 that was filed in April 2010. The effort expended in connection with the restatement resulted in a delay in the filing of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 26, 2008, April 3, 2009, July 3, 2009 and October 2, 2009; and we have yet to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended April 2, 2010 and July 2, 2010. The review of the accounting treatment for sales transactions in our Semiconductor Systems segment and Precision Technology segment and the resulting restatements has required us to incur substantial expenses for legal, accounting, tax and other professional services and has diverted our management’s attention from our business and could continue to do so.

The restatement of our prior financial statements also exposed us to litigation. In December 2008, a shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the “U.S. District Court”) against us and two former officers. That complaint asserts claims under the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, relating to the restatement of our financial results for 2006, 2007, and the first two quarters of 2008. The complaint alleges that we issued a series of false or misleading statements to the market concerning our revenues, earnings, and financial condition. The plaintiffs contend that such statements caused our stock price to be artificially inflated and seek unspecified

 

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damages. In May 2010, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation subject to court approval. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the U.S. District Court. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the U.S. District Court.

The SEC’s formal investigation relating to our historical accounting practices and the restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements could continue to divert management’s attention and could result in adversarial proceedings, damages or penalties.

In addition to the litigation prompted by the restatement of our previously issued financial statements as discussed above, we received a notice from the SEC indicating that the SEC is conducting a formal investigation relating to our historical accounting practices and the restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements. On September 16, 2010, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC, stating that the Staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute a civil injunctive action or administrative proceeding against the Company, alleging that the Company violated various provisions of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act, and providing the Company with the opportunity to make a submission to the Staff in connection therewith. In connection with the contemplated action, the SEC may seek a permanent injunction or cease-and-desist order, disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the imposition of a civil penalty. We are cooperating fully with the SEC investigation. The conduct and resolution of the SEC investigation and related matters could be time-consuming, expensive and distracting to the conduct of our business and to our management. In the event that the investigation results in an adversarial action or proceeding being brought against us, or any of our current or former officers or directors, our business (including our ability to complete financing transactions), and the trading price of our securities, may be adversely impacted. Additionally, if the SEC investigation continues for a prolonged period of time, it may have the same impact regardless of the ultimate outcome of the investigation. In the event of an adverse judgment in any action or proceeding, we may be required to pay damages or penalties, or other remedies may be imposed upon us, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Additionally, while we believe we have made appropriate judgments in determining the correct reporting periods for restated revenues, the SEC may disagree with the manner in which we have accounted for and reported, or not reported, the financial impact. Accordingly, there is a risk we may have to further restate our historical financial statements, amend prior filings with the SEC, or take other actions not currently contemplated.

Our management and independent auditors have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls, and we may be unable to develop, implement and maintain appropriate controls in future periods, which may lead to errors or omissions in our financial statements.

In connection with the preparation of our 2008 and 2009 financial statements, our management team and independent registered public accounting firm identified certain weaknesses in our internal controls that were considered to be material weaknesses and significant deficiencies. Specifically, as they relate to the 2008 financial statements, such material weaknesses included: inadequate and ineffective controls over the financial statement close process; inadequate and ineffective controls over the accounting for revenue recognition; inadequate and ineffective controls over the accounting for income taxes; and, inadequate and ineffective controls over the evaluation process for the impairment assessment for goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. The material weaknesses related to income taxes and the evaluation process for the impairment assessment for goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets were remediated during 2009. The material weaknesses that were identified in 2009 related to inadequate and ineffective controls over the accounting for Semiconductor Systems revenue recognition and inadequate and ineffective controls over the financial statement close process. Prior to the remediation of these material weaknesses, there remains risk that the transitional controls on which we currently rely will fail to be sufficiently effective, which could result in a material misstatement of our financial position or results of operations and require a restatement of our financial statements.

 

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We are currently designing and implementing new procedures and controls intended to address the material weaknesses described above over the financial statement close process and the accounting for revenue recognition. While this design and implementation phase is underway we are relying significantly on outside accounting professionals until permanent employees can be hired to fill these roles and on manual procedures to assist us with meeting the objectives otherwise fulfilled by an effective controls environment. We note that a system of procedures and controls, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all systems of procedures and controls, no evaluation can provide absolute assurance that all control issues including instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, procedures and controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override. The design of any system of procedures and controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, our systems of procedures and controls, as we further develop and enhance them, may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective system of procedures and controls, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected and could be material and require a restatement of our financial statements.

If we are unable to establish appropriate internal controls, we may not have adequate, accurate or timely financial information, and we may be unable to meet our reporting obligations or comply with the requirements of the SEC or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which could result in the imposition of sanctions, including the inability of registered broker dealers to make a market in our common shares, or investigation by regulatory authorities. Any such action or other negative results caused by our inability to meet our reporting requirements or comply with legal and regulatory requirements or by disclosure of an accounting, reporting or control issue could adversely affect the trading price of our securities. Further and continued determinations that there are significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the effectiveness of our internal controls could also reduce our ability to obtain financing or could increase the cost of any financing we obtain and require additional expenditures to comply with applicable requirements.

Risks Relating to Noncompliance with NASDAQ and SEC Requirements

We may continue to be unable to timely file certain periodic reports with the SEC.

We did not timely file with the SEC our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2008 or December 31, 2009 or our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 26, 2008, April 3, 2009, July 3, 2009 or October 2, 2009; and have yet to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended April 2, 2010 and July 2, 2010. Additionally, we may continue to be unable to timely file our annual and quarterly periodic reports with the SEC in the future. We will require substantial time to identify, incent and hire qualified personnel to augment our financial team. In addition, as a result of acquisitions completed by us, we continue to be delayed in the preparation of our financial reports due to the ongoing integration of multiple financial reporting systems. While we have publicly announced our intent to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended April 2, 2010 and July 2, 2010 prior to December 31, 2010, we cannot give any assurances as to whether or when we will be able to complete and file our delinquent Quarterly Reports as well as future periodic reports.

Until we become current with respect to our filings with the SEC, we will be ineligible to register our securities for sale by us or resale by others, which will adversely impact our ability to raise equity capital. Additionally, as a result of our delinquent filings with the SEC, we will be ineligible to register our securities on Form S-3 for sale by us or resale by others until one year from the date the last delinquent filing is made. After we become current with respect to our filings with the SEC, while we may use Form S-1 to raise capital or complete acquisitions, the use of Form S-1 could increase transaction costs and adversely impact our ability to raise capital or complete acquisitions of other companies in a timely manner.

 

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Our common shares were delisted from NASDAQ on April 15, 2010. We are not listed on any other national securities exchange. Because our common shares are not traded on a national securities exchange, it may be more difficult for shareholders to sell our common shares or to obtain accurate quotations of the share price of our common shares and it may adversely affect our ability to issue new equity securities.

As a result of our failure to timely file certain of our periodic reports with the SEC, on November 3, 2009, we received a delisting determination from The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). Our common shares were delisted on April 15, 2010.

As a result of the NASDAQ delisting, our common shares are currently quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. (“Pink Sheets”) and trade under the symbol “LASR.PK”. Stocks quoted on Pink Sheets are typically less liquid than stocks that trade on a national securities exchange. Quotation on the Pink Sheets may also negatively impact the trading price of our common shares. In addition, the liquidity of our common shares may be impaired, not only in the number of shares that are bought and sold, but also through delays in the timing of transactions. Shareholders may find it difficult to resell their shares of the New Common Shares due to the delisting. The delisting of our common shares from NASDAQ may also result in other negative implications, including the potential loss of confidence by customers, strategic partners and employees, and loss of institutional investor interest in our common shares.

In order to relist our common shares on a national securities exchange, we will be required to meet the listing criteria, which for The NASDAQ Global Market means that we are current with our SEC reporting obligations and that our common shares have a minimum bid price of $4 and have a minimum of 400 round lot holders. We may not be able to satisfy all of these criteria in the near term or at all, as becoming eligible may require, among other things, a reverse stock split, which will require approvals from our board of directors and our shareholders that we may not be able to obtain. While we intend to seek listing on the NASDAQ Global Market or another stock exchange when we are eligible, there can be no assurance when or if our common shares will be listed on NASDAQ or another stock exchange.

We failed to file with the SEC a registration statement relating to securities issued under our 2006 Equity Inventive Plan. As a result, we may have engaged in multiple issuances of duly authorized but unregistered securities and we may be subject to enforcement proceedings, fines, sanctions and/or penalties.

In March 2010, it came to our attention that between March 2007 and March 2010, we inadvertently issued unregistered shares to fifty-two employees and directors under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan in an amount of approximately 773,037 common shares with a total fair market value at the date of issuance of approximately $3.9 million. These securities were also issued without an appropriate restrictive legend.

It came to our attention during the preparation of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 that a registration statement on Form S-8 or other appropriate form had not been filed and the issuances were not made pursuant to a valid exemption from the applicable federal and state securities laws. Accordingly, it may be determined that such issuances were not exempt from registration or qualification under federal and state securities laws, and we did not obtain the required registrations or qualifications. As a result, the Company may be subject to civil litigation, enforcement proceedings, fines, sanctions and/or penalties. Our common shares, including those issued under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, were exchanged for new common shares in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy pursuant to the exemption from registration under Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code and are now freely tradable by holders who are not deemed to be underwriters.

We may continue to be unable to timely file certain periodic reports with the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”).

We are a reporting issuer in each of the provinces of Canada but are, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in default of certain continuous disclosure filing obligations in each of such jurisdictions. We did not timely file with the SEC our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2008 and

 

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December 31, 2009 or our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 26, 2008, April 3, 2009, July 3, 2009, October 2, 2009; and have yet to file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the quarters ended April 2, 2010 and July 2, 2010 and similarly were unable to meet our reporting obligations with the CSA in a timely manner. As a result of our delayed filings with the CSA, we are also subject to certain management cease trade orders and an undertaking that restricts us and our senior officers from trading our securities until the required filings have been made or the management cease trades orders have been revoked. We may continue to be unable to timely file our annual and quarterly periodic reports with the CSA in the future.

Risks Relating to our Business

Our recent bankruptcy and reorganization, our ongoing inability to provide current financial reports and recent and ongoing changes in our management could have a negative impact on our relationship with key employees, suppliers and customers.

As discussed elsewhere in this 10-K, we recently emerged from a lengthy and well-publicized reorganization process, which included a voluntary bankruptcy filing. We believe these events adversely impacted our suppliers’ willingness to extend trade credit to us, and our customers’ willingness to develop products with us, or order or purchase products from us. We believe these recent events, particularly when coupled with our inability to provide them with reports regarding our recent financial performance, may continue to have a negative impact on our business, as suppliers and customers may remain wary of our financial or operating stability. Furthermore, our ability to attract, motivate and retain key employees and managers has been adversely impacted by this process. Similarly, we believe that changes in our management over the course of the reorganization process and the current absence of permanent leadership for many positions has contributed to our customers’, suppliers’ and employees’ concerns, which could adversely affect our operations and our customers’ decisions to purchase our products.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on our customers’ businesses and level of business activity.

A large portion of our sales are dependent on the need for increased capacity or replacement of inefficient manufacturing processes, because of the capital-intensive nature of our customers’ businesses. These sales also tend to lag behind other businesses in an economic recovery. There was a rapid softening of the economy and tightening of the financial markets in the second half of 2008 that continued into the first half of 2009. This slowing of the economy reduced the financial capacity of our customers, thereby slowing spending on the products and services we provide. We have experienced improvement in the first half of 2010, but if such improvement is not sustainable or if a new general economic slowdown commences, we may not be able to meet anticipated revenue levels on a quarterly or annual basis. A severe and/or prolonged economic downturn or a negative or uncertain political climate could adversely affect our customers’ financial condition and the timing or levels of business activity of our customers and the industries we serve. This may reduce the demand for our products or depress pricing for our products and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Changes in global economic conditions could also shift demand to products or services for which we do not have competitive advantages, and this could negatively affect the amount of business that we are able to obtain. In addition, if we are unable to successfully anticipate changing economic and political conditions, we may be unable to effectively plan for and respond to those changes, and our business could be negatively affected.

Our business depends significantly upon our customers’ capital expenditures, which are subject to cyclical market fluctuations.

The semiconductor and electronics materials processing industries are cyclical and have historically experienced periods of oversupply, resulting in downturns in demand for capital equipment, including the products that we manufacture. The timing, length and severity of these cycles, and their impact on our business, are difficult to predict. Further, our order levels or results of operations for a given period may not be indicative

 

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of order levels or results of operations for subsequent periods. We cannot assure investors that demand for our products will increase or that demand will not decrease. For the foreseeable future, our operations will continue to depend upon industries that are subject to market cycles, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market for our products.

Cyclical variations may have the most pronounced effect on our Semiconductor Systems segment, which concentrates in the semiconductor and electronics industries. In past economic slowdowns, we have experienced significant cyclical fluctuations, and we cannot assure you that such slowdowns will not recur or that the impact of such slowdowns will be more or less significant compared to historical fluctuations.

Our business success depends upon our ability to respond to fluctuations in product demand, but doing so may require us to incur costs despite limited visibility toward future business declines.

If our business declines, we may be required to reduce costs while at the same time maintaining the ability to motivate and retain key employees. Additionally, to remain competitive we must also continually invest in research and development, which may inhibit our ability to reduce costs in a down cycle. Additionally, long product lead-times create a risk that we may purchase or manufacture inventories of products that we are unable to sell. While we practice inventory management, we can offer no assurances that our efforts to mitigate this risk will be successful.

During a period of increasing demand and rapid growth, we must be able to increase manufacturing capacity quickly. Our inability to quickly increase production in response to a surge in demand could prompt customers to look for alternative sources of supply or leave our customers without a supply, both of which events could harm our reputation and make it difficult for us to retain our existing customers or to obtain new customers.

The success of our business requires that we continually innovate.

Technology requirements in our markets are consistently advancing. We must continually introduce new products that meet evolving customer needs. Our ability to grow depends on the successful development, introduction and market acceptance of new or enhanced products that address our customer’s requirements. Developing new technology is a complex and uncertain process requiring us to accurately anticipate technological and market trends and meet those trends with responsive products. Additionally, this requires that we manage the transition from older products to minimize disruption in customer ordering patterns, avoid excess inventory and ensure adequate supplies of new products. Failed market acceptance of new products or problems associated with new product transitions could harm our business.

Delays in delivery of new products could have a negative impact on our business.

Our research and development efforts may not lead to the successful introduction of products within the time period our customers demand. Our competitors may introduce new or improved products, processes or technologies that make our current or proposed products obsolete or less competitive. We may encounter delays or problems in connection with our research and development efforts. Product development delays may result from numerous factors, including:

 

   

changing product specifications and customer requirements;

 

   

the inability to manufacture products cost effectively;

 

   

difficulties in reallocating engineering resources and overcoming resource limitations;

 

   

changing market or competitive product requirements; and

 

   

unanticipated engineering complexities.

 

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New products often take longer to develop, have fewer features than originally considered desirable and achieve higher cost targets than initially estimated. There may be delays in starting volume production of new products and/or new products may not be commercially successful. There may also be difficulty in sourcing components for new products.

Our reliance upon third party distribution channels subjects us to credit, inventory, business concentration and business failure risks beyond our control.

We sell products through resellers, distributors, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and system integrators. We sell certain lasers through a 50% owned joint venture in India. The holder of the other 50% of the joint venture is not a related party. Selling products through third parties can subject us to credit and business risks. Our sales also depend upon the ability of our OEM customers to develop and sell systems that incorporate our products. Adverse economic conditions, large inventory positions, limited marketing resources and other factors influencing these OEM customers could have a substantial impact upon our financial results. We cannot assure investors that our OEM customers will not experience financial or other difficulties that could adversely affect their operations and, in turn, our financial condition or results of operations.

Our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate in the future. As a result, we may fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts or investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We sell a relatively small number of high revenue semiconductor systems within any period. These systems are complex and may have multiple elements for customer delivery including overall systems, spare parts, extended warranties, installation and training and may be subject to customer acceptance criteria. In certain transactions, we recognize all or a portion of revenue upon shipment provided title and risk of loss has passed to the customer, evidence of an arrangement exists, fees are contractually fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured through historical collection results and regular credit evaluations, and there are no uncertainties regarding the receipt or timing of customer acceptance. As a result, it is often difficult to project the timing of product revenue recognition. Consequently, our revenue and financial results could vary significantly from expectations in a particular quarter if anticipated orders from even a few customers are not received and fulfilled in time to satisfy customer obligations to the extent necessary to permit revenue to be recognized under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, our product order backlog at the beginning of each quarter may not include all systems needed to achieve expected revenues for that quarter. Because we may build systems according to forecast, the absence of a significant backlog for an extended period of time could adversely affect financial results.

Customer order timing and other factors beyond our control may cause our operating results to fluctuate from period to period.

Changes in customer order timing and the existence of certain other factors beyond our control may cause our operating results to fluctuate from period to period. Such factors include:

 

   

fluctuations in our customers’ businesses;

 

   

timing and recognition of revenues from customer orders;

 

   

timing and market acceptance of new products or enhancements introduced by us or our competitors;

 

   

availability of parts from our suppliers and the manufacturing capacity of our subcontractors;

 

   

timing and level of expenditures for sales, marketing and product development;

 

   

changes in the prices of our products or of our competitors’ products; and

 

   

fluctuations in exchange rates for foreign currency.

 

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A large percentage of our sales come from products with high selling prices and significant lead times. We may receive several large orders in one quarter from a customer and then receive no orders from that customer in the next quarter. As a result, the timing and recognition of sales from customer orders can cause significant fluctuations in our operating results from quarter to quarter.

A delay in a shipment or failure to meet our revenue recognition criteria near the end of a reporting period due, for example, to rescheduling or cancellations by customers or to unexpected difficulties experienced by us, may cause sales in the period to fall significantly and may have materially adverse effects on our operations for that period. Our inability to adjust quickly enough could magnify the adverse effects of that revenue shortfall on our results of operations.

As a result of these factors, our results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in future periods. We believe that fluctuations in quarterly results may cause the market prices of our common shares to fluctuate, perhaps substantially.

Our director and officer liability insurance may not cover the Company’s exposure in the securities class action litigation.

As disclosed above, in December 2008, a shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the “U.S. District Court”) against us and two former officers. That complaint asserts claims under the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, relating to the restatement of our financial results for 2006, 2007, and the first two quarters of 2008. The complaint alleges that we issued a series of false or misleading statements to the market concerning our revenues, earnings, and financial condition. The plaintiffs contend that such statements caused our stock price to be artificially inflated and seek unspecified damages. In May 2010, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the U.S. District Court.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company’s insurance carrier has agreed to contribute to the settlement. The total settlement amount is well within the Company’s insurance policy limits; the Company’s contribution to the settlement amount is minimal and reflects the balance of the company’s self-insured retention. The settlement agreement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the U.S. District Court. If the settlement agreement is not approved by the U.S. District Court, there can be no assurances that any future settlement or judgment will either be covered by the Company’s liability insurance policies or fall within their limits.

We transact a significant portion of our sales, and maintain significant cash balances, in foreign currencies and in the past we have maintained and may in the future maintain foreign currency exchange contracts. As a result, changes in interest rates, credit ratings or foreign currency rates could have a material effect on our operations, finance position, results of operations and cash flows.

A significant portion of our sales are derived from our European operations and transacted primarily in Euros while our products mainly are manufactured in the United States. In the event of a decline in the value of the Euro, we would typically experience a decline in our revenues. In addition, because our products are mainly manufactured in the United States, we may have to increase the sale prices on our products sold in Europe in order to maintain sales margins and recover costs. This may have a materially adverse impact on our operations, financial position, results of operation and cash flows.

Additionally, balances we maintain in foreign currencies create additional financial exposure to changing interest and currency rates. We have in the past, and may in the future, attempt to mitigate these risks by purchasing foreign currency exchange contracts, and by investing in United States government issued treasury bills. However, if long term interest rates or foreign currency rates were to change rapidly, we could incur material losses. Further, if management chooses to invest in less risk adverse investment vehicles, the risk of losing principal and/or interest could increase.

 

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International operations are an expanding part of our business and our operations in foreign countries subject us to risks not faced by companies operating exclusively in the United States.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, 68.4% of our revenues were derived from operations outside of the United States. The scope of our international operations subjects us to risks which could materially impact our results of operations, including:

 

   

foreign exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

social and political unrest in countries where we operate;

 

   

climatic or other natural disasters in regions where we operate;

 

   

increases in shipping costs or increases in fuel costs;

 

   

longer payment cycles;

 

   

acts of terrorism;

 

   

greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;

 

   

use of incompatible systems and equipment;

 

   

problems staffing and managing foreign operations in diverse cultures;

 

   

protective tariffs;

 

   

trade barriers and export/import controls;

 

   

transportation delays and interruptions;

 

   

increased vulnerability to the theft of, and reduced protection for intellectual property rights;

 

   

government currency control and restrictions, delays, penalties or required withholdings on repatriation of earnings; and

 

   

the impact of recessionary foreign economies.

We cannot predict whether the United States or any other country will impose new quotas, tariffs, taxes or other trade barriers upon the importation or exportation of our products or supplies or gauge the effect that new barriers would have on our financial position or results of operations.

There are inherent risks as we increase our focus on overseas operations.

We manufacture certain products in plants in the United Kingdom and China. Manufacturing in overseas locations creates risks, including the possibility that as operations are transferred or expanded in foreign locations we may not be able to produce products to the quality standards or deliver products as quickly as our customers have come to expect. This possibility may come about due to an inability to find qualified personnel overseas. It is also possible that after an overseas transition, we may find that we have been producing products with latent defects that come to light only after a long period of operation. Transitioning a business to an overseas location has many additional risks such as developing solid financial, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

The increased use of outsourcing in foreign countries exposes us to additional risks which could negatively impact our business.

We are increasingly outsourcing the manufacture of subassemblies to suppliers based in China and elsewhere overseas. Economic, political or trade problems with foreign countries could substantially impact our ability to obtain critical parts needed in the timely manufacture of our products. Additionally, this practice increases our vulnerability to the theft of, and reduced protection for, our intellectual property.

 

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Customs rules are complex and vary within legal jurisdictions in which we operate. Failure to comply with local customs regulations could result in substantial penalties.

Customs rules are complex and vary within legal jurisdictions in which we operate. We seek to mitigate this risk by maintaining export control systems and an internal customs staff charged with the responsibility of strictly complying with all applicable import/export laws. Further, we attempt to maintain arms length transactions with our foreign subsidiaries and their customers. However, we cannot assure you that we will comply with all applicable local customs regulations, and such a failure could result in substantial penalties, including debarment, and have a material impact on our operations, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We have a history of operating losses and we may not be able to sustain or grow the Company’s profitability.

We incurred operating losses in each of the years from 1998 through 2003 and again in 2008 and 2009. No assurances can be given that we will sustain or increase the level of profitability in the future based on extrinsic market forces, and the market price of our common shares may decline as a result.

We are exposed to the credit risk of some of our customers and to credit exposures in weakened markets, which could result in material losses.

Customers with liquidity issues may lead to additional bad debt expense. We monitor individual customer payment capability in granting open credit arrangements, and seek to limit such open credit to amounts we believe our customers can pay, and we maintain reserves we believe are adequate to cover exposure for doubtful accounts. However, there can be no assurance that our open credit customers will pay the amounts they owe to us or that the reserves we maintain will be adequate to cover such credit exposure. Our customers’ failure to pay and/or our failure to maintain sufficient reserves could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

In addition, to the extent that the ongoing turmoil in the credit markets makes it more difficult for some customers to obtain financing, those customers’ ability to pay may be adversely impacted, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

While we generally sell a portion of our sales directly to customers, future sales may be increasingly derived through distributors. As distributors tend to have more limited financial resources than original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) and end-user customers, they generally represent sources of increased credit risk. Additionally, in the event that the ongoing turmoil in the credit markets makes it more difficult for some customers to obtain financing, those customers’ ability to pay could be adversely impacted, which in turn could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Others may violate our intellectual property rights.

Our future success depends in part upon our intellectual property rights, including trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological innovation. We do not have personnel dedicated to the oversight, organization and management of our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that the steps we take to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation, or that others will not develop competitive technologies or products outside of our patented property. There can be no assurance that other companies are not investigating or developing other technologies that are similar to ours, that any patents will issue from any application filed by us or that, if patents do issue, the claims allowed will be sufficiently broad to deter or prohibit others from marketing similar products. In addition, there can be no assurance that any patents issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented in a legal or administrative proceeding, or that our patents and know how will provide a competitive advantage to us.

 

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Our intellectual property rights may not be protected in foreign countries.

Our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights may not be effective in some foreign countries where we operate or sell. Many U.S. companies have encountered substantial problems in protecting their property rights against infringement in foreign countries. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property in these countries, it could be easier for our competitors to sell competing products in foreign countries.

Our success depends upon our ability to protect our intellectual property and to successfully defend against claims of infringement by third parties.

We have received in the past, and could receive in the future, notices from third parties alleging that our products infringe patent or other proprietary rights. We believe that our products are non-infringing or that we have the patents and/or licenses to allow us to lawfully sell our products throughout the world. However, we may be sued for infringement. In the event any third party makes a valid claim against us or our customers for which a license was not available to us on commercially reasonable terms, we would be adversely affected. Adverse consequences may also apply to our failure to avoid litigation for infringement or misappropriation of proprietary rights of third parties.

We operate in highly competitive industries and, if we lose competitive advantages, our business would suffer adverse consequences.

Some of our competition comes from established competitors, some of which have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources than we do. Our competitors will continue to improve the design and performance of their products and introduce new products. It is possible that we may not successfully differentiate our current and proposed products from the products of our competitors, or that the marketplace will not consider our products to be superior to competing products. To remain competitive, we will be required to invest heavily in research and development, marketing and customer service and support. It is also possible that we may not be able to make the technological advances necessary to maintain our competitive position, or our products will not receive market acceptance. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future, and increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced profit margins, loss of market share and an inability to generate cash flows that are sufficient to maintain or expand our development of new products.

Our business strategy may include finding and making strategic acquisitions and divestitures. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to make acquisitions or divestitures that provide business benefit.

Our business strategy has included finding and making strategic acquisitions and divestitures. For example, we acquired an optics business in the United Kingdom in 2007, we completed our acquisition of Excel in August 2008 and we sold our U.S. Optics Business in October 2008. We expect to continue to evaluate potential acquisitions and divestitures as part of our long-term strategic plan. Our identification of suitable acquisition candidates involves risks inherent in an assessment of the values, strengths, weaknesses, risks, synergy and profitability of acquisition candidates, including the effects of the possible acquisition on our business, diversion of management’s attention from our core businesses and risks associated with unanticipated problems or liabilities. We cannot assure investors our efforts will be sufficient, or that acquisition candidates will be receptive to our advances or that any acquisition we may make would be accretive to earnings. We also cannot assure investors that we will find suitable purchasers in the event that we identify a potential divestiture candidate in the future. Further, given our significant debt, delinquent filings with the SEC and current inability to use Form S-3, we may have difficulty obtaining financing for such strategic acquisitions on a timely basis or at all.

We may fail to successfully complete the integration of Excel into our business and, as a result, may fail to realize the synergies, cost savings and other benefits expected from the acquisition. Further, Excel’s performance has not been in accordance with our expectations, which has had, and could continue to have, a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

We may fail to successfully complete the integration of Excel into our business and, as a result, may fail to realize the synergies, cost savings and other benefits expected from the acquisition. The revenue we expected

 

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from Excel did not materialize in 2008 and 2009, which contributed significantly to the impairment charges we recorded in 2008 and 2009. We may continue to fail to grow and build revenues and profits in Excel’s business lines or achieve sufficient cost savings through the integration of customers or administrative and other operational activities. Furthermore, we must achieve these objectives without adversely affecting our revenues. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized fully or at all, or it may take longer to realize them than expected, and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Further, our ability to maintain and increase profitability of Excel’s business lines will depend on our ability to manage and control operating expenses and to generate and sustain increased levels of revenue. Our expectations to achieve more consistent and predictable levels of revenue and to increase Excel’s profitability may not be realized, and such revenues and profitability may decline as we integrate Excel’s operations into our business. If Excel’s revenues grow more slowly than we anticipate, or if its operating expenses are higher than we expect, we may not be able to sustain or increase its profitability, in which case our financial condition will suffer and our stock price could decline. As discussed in Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements, the decreased performance contributed to our having recorded a significant impairment charge against the value of assets that were primarily attributed to the goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets of Excel. Should there be continued deterioration in Excel’s performance, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in the future.

We continue our leadership transition and expansion of our financial and accounting team. Until we are able to successfully complete such transition and expansion, if at all, our business could be materially adversely affected.

During 2008, 2009 and 2010, we experienced significant turnover in our management team, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our General Counsel, our Corporate Controller and certain senior members of our various segments or operating groups. Our Chief Executive Officer voluntarily resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective May 25, 2010. On May 14, 2010, our Board of Directors appointed a chief restructuring officer, whose appointment was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on May 27, 2010, and who currently serves as our most senior executive officer. We have also recently appointed a principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, but this person is a contractor and our financial management and accounting team continues to be leanly staffed. On September 9, 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors had recently retained an executive recruiting firm to assist in identifying and recruiting a permanent Chief Executive Officer. We continuously review our management, business and organizational structures, and, as a part of that process are seeking to expand our financial and accounting team, but there are no assurances that we will be able to adequately staff such team in the near future. There are risks associated with changes in strategy and management at the executive and/or director level, and changes in product or operational focus.

Our operations could be negatively affected if we lose key executives or employees or are unable to attract and retain skilled executives and employees as needed.

Our business and future operating results depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, technical, sales and support personnel for our operations on a worldwide basis. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact our operations. Competition for qualified personnel is intense and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to continue to attract, train and retain qualified personnel.

The Company conducted an internal review of potential issues related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and voluntarily shared information relating to that review with the SEC in the third quarter of 2009. These matters could have a material adverse effect on us. Further, our reputation and our ability to do business may be impaired by improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners.

During the Revenue Review, the Audit Committee and its advisors identified certain potential issues related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), in particular in China, and referred those issues to the Company

 

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for review. With the assistance of outside legal counsel, the Company conducted and completed an internal review of those potential issues and voluntarily shared information relating to the internal review with the SEC in the third quarter of 2009. While we have not received any further requests from the SEC relating to the matters raised as a result of this internal FCPA review, we cannot predict whether the SEC will request any further information from the Company or take any other action.

Following the aforementioned internal review, we updated our FCPA compliance policies and enhanced our FCPA training program. However, we cannot provide assurance that our internal controls will protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, agents or business partners that would violate U.S. and/or non-U.S. laws, including the laws governing payments to government officials, competition, money laundering and data privacy. Any such improper actions could subject us to civil or criminal investigations in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions, and could lead to substantial civil or criminal, monetary and non monetary penalties against us or our subsidiaries.

We have undertaken restructuring activities, and we will continue to assess our operating structure.

Our ability to reduce operating expenses is dependent upon the nature of the actions we take to reduce expense and subsequent ability to implement those actions and realize expected cost savings. For example, in the past years we shifted certain of our operations in the United States and United Kingdom to China to reduce expenses. We have undertaken actions to consolidate redundant or excess personnel that have arisen due to our acquisition of Excel in August 2008 and due to lower demand for certain of our products due to the global economic slowdown. We have also divested other businesses. There can be no assurance that these actions will improve our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Further, there is a risk that these actions may ultimately prove detrimental to our operations and sales, or to our intellectual property protections.

We expect to be consolidating some of our operations for greater efficiency, which may disrupt our operations or result in write-offs or other charges.

We expect to be consolidating some of our operations for greater efficiency. We cannot assure investors that economies of scale will or can be realized as a result of any historic or planned restructuring activities. These actions will take time and will include substantial operational risks, including the possible disruption of manufacturing lines. We cannot assure investors that any moves would not disrupt business operations or have a material impact on our results of operations.

In addition, any decision to limit investment in, dispose of or otherwise exit business activities may result in the recording of special charges, such as asset write-offs, workforce reduction costs, charges relating to consolidation of excess facilities, or a loss on the sale of assets. Our estimates with respect to the useful life or ultimate recoverability of our carrying value of assets, including intangible assets, could also change as a result of such decisions. Further, our estimates related to the liabilities for excess facilities are affected by changes in real estate market conditions. Additionally, we are required to perform goodwill impairment tests on an annual basis and at additional times during the year in certain circumstances. For example, our December 2008 assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets resulted in substantial write downs and our December 2009 assessment resulted in additional write downs. There can be no assurance that future goodwill and intangible assets impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.

Product defects or problems with integrating our products with other vendors’ products may seriously harm our business and reputation.

We produce complex products that can contain latent errors or performance problems. For example, on occasion we have found errors after the launch of new products. Similarly, in certain instances, we have found latent errors in our products. Unfortunately, we cannot always resolve errors that we believe would be considered serious by our customers before implementation, thus our products are not always free from errors. These errors or performance problems could be detrimental to our business and reputation.

 

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In addition, customers frequently integrate our products with other vendors’ products. When problems occur in a combined environment, it may be difficult to identify the source of the problem. These problems may cause us to incur significant warranty and repair costs, divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts and cause significant customer relations problems. These problems may also complicate our determination of the timing and amount of revenue recognition. To date, defects in our products or those of other vendors’ products with which our products are used by our customers have not had a material negative effect on our business relationships with our customers. However, we cannot be certain that a material negative impact will not occur in the future.

We depend on limited source suppliers that could cause substantial manufacturing delays if supply disruption occurs.

Many of our products are manufactured with components that are designed by an outside supplier. While we attempt to mitigate risks associated with our reliance on single suppliers by actively managing our supply chain, we still source some components from single vendors. We also rely on a limited number of independent contractors to manufacture subassemblies for some of our products, particularly in our Semiconductor Systems. There can be no assurance that our current or alternative sources will be able to continue to meet all of our demands on a timely basis. If suppliers or subcontractors experience difficulties, or fail to meet any of our manufacturing requirements, our business would be harmed until we are able to secure alternative sources, if any, on commercially reasonable terms.

Certain of our businesses compete against our suppliers and customers, which may adversely impact their willingness to provide components to us or purchase products from us.

Certain of our businesses buy components, including limited or sole source items, from competitors of our other businesses, and certain of our businesses sell products to customers that compete with other certain other segments of our business. This dynamic may adversely impact our relationship with these suppliers and customers. For example, these suppliers could increase the price of those components or reduce their supply of those components to us. Similarly, these customers could elect to manufacture products to meet their own requirements rather than purchase products from us. There can be no assurance that the Company’s businesses will not be adversely affected by our other businesses’ relationship with customers and suppliers.

We depend on suppliers that provide high precision parts, which subjects us to an increased risk of defects.

We depend on suppliers that provide high precision parts, which subjects us to an increased risk of defects. Any such parts that have latent or known defects may materially impact relations with our customers if they cause us to miss our scheduled shipment deadlines. We seek to reduce the risk of defects by selecting and qualifying alternative suppliers for key parts, and by monitoring the quality of products coming from key suppliers. If latent defects are incorporated into our products and discovered later, there could be a material impact on our operations, financial position, results of operations and cash flow.

Production difficulties and product delivery delays could materially adversely affect our business.

We assemble our products at our facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom and China. If use of any of our manufacturing facilities were interrupted by a natural disaster or otherwise, our operations could be negatively impacted until we could establish alternative production and service operations. In addition, we may experience production difficulties and product delivery delays in the future as a result of:

 

   

mistakes made while transferring manufacturing processes between locations;

 

   

changing process technologies;

 

   

ramping production;

 

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installing new equipment at our manufacturing facilities; and

 

   

shortage of key components.

Changes in governmental regulation of our business or our products could reduce demand for our products or increase our expenses.

We are subject to many governmental regulations, including but not limited to the laser radiation safety regulations of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act administered by the National Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a branch of the United States Food and Drug Administration, and certain health regulations related to the manufacture of products using beryllium, an element used in some of our structures and mirrors. Among other things, these regulations require us to file annual reports, to maintain quality control and sales records, to perform product testing, to distribute appropriate operating manuals, to incorporate design and operating features in products sold to end-users and to certify and label our products. Various warning labels must be affixed and certain protective devices installed depending on the class of product. We are also subject to regulatory oversight, including comparable enforcement remedies, in the markets we serve, and we compete in many markets in which we and our customers must comply with federal, state, local and international regulations, such as environmental, health and safety and food and drug regulations. We develop, configure and market our products to meet customer needs created by those regulations. Any significant change in these regulations could reduce demand for our products or increase our expenses, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, operating results financial condition and cash flows.

Risks Relating to Taxes

We may be required to make additional tax payments and/or recalculate certain of our tax attributes depending on the resolution of the complaint we filed against the United States of America pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section 505.

On July 13, 2010, we filed a complaint against the United States of America pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Section 505 (the “Section 505 Action”) to recover refunds resulting from federal income taxes the Company overpaid in previous years. Bankruptcy Code Section 505 generally gives the Bankruptcy Court jurisdiction to determine the amount or legality of any tax, any fine or penalty relating to a tax, or any addition to tax. We have filed federal carryback refund claims aggregating $18.8 million for federal income tax refunds related to tax years 2000 through 2008. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has filed proofs of claim asserting that we owe federal income taxes of approximately $7.7 million for the same period. Depending on the outcome of the Section 505 Action, we could be required to pay some or all of the approximately $7.7 million the Internal Revenue Service alleges we owe and/or certain of our tax attributes could be negatively impacted. Either result could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.

Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be limited as a result of the effectiveness of the Final Chapter 11 Plan and is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income.

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits a corporation’s ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and other tax attributes following a section 382 ownership change. Upon the implementation of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, we may have undergone a section 382 ownership change and, consequently, our ability to utilize our tax attributes may be limited. A significant limitation in our ability to utilize our tax attributes could have a negative impact on our financial results.

In addition, our ability to use future tax deductions is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in the U.S. In determining our provision for income taxes, our tax attributes and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net tax attributes requires judgment and analysis. We consistently evaluate our tax attributes based on taxes recoverable in the carryback period, existing deferred tax liabilities, tax

 

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planning strategies and projected future taxable income. In the U.S. and the U.K., we have experienced cumulative losses in recent years and, as a result, we exclude consideration of projected future taxable income when we evaluate the Company’s ability to realize its deferred tax assets in those jurisdictions. Our ability to recover all of our tax attributes in certain jurisdictions depends upon our ability to continue to generate future profits. If actual results differ from our plans or we do not achieve the desired level of profitability in a given jurisdiction, we may be required to increase the valuation allowance on our tax attributes by taking a charge to the statement of operations, which could have a material negative result on our financial results.

Our effective tax rates are subject to fluctuation, which could impact our financial position, and our estimates of tax liabilities may be subject to audit, which could result in additional tax assessments.

Our effective tax rates are subject to fluctuation as the income tax rates for each year are a function of (a) taxable income levels in numerous tax jurisdictions, (b) our ability to utilize recorded deferred tax assets, (c) taxes, interest, or penalties resulting from tax audits and (d) credits and deductions as a percentage of total taxable income. Further, tax law changes may cause our effective tax rates to fluctuate between periods.

We may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation even though GSIG is a non-U.S. corporation.

Our holding company, GSIG, is a non-U.S. corporation organized in Canada and is subject to Canadian tax laws. However, our operating company, GSI US, continues to be subject to U.S. tax and files U.S. federal income tax returns. In addition, distributions or payments from entities in one jurisdiction to entities in another jurisdiction may be subject to withholding taxes. Our holding company does not intend to operate in a manner that will cause it to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business or otherwise be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its net income, but it generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on certain U.S.-source passive income items, such as dividends and certain types of interest.

To prevent U.S.-based multinationals from improperly avoiding U.S. taxation by inversion, section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that, in certain instances, a foreign corporation may be treated as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, section 7874 contains an exception for foreign corporations if, on or before March 4, 2003, such entity acquired directly or indirectly more than half of the properties held directly or indirectly by the domestic corporation. Our holding company expects to satisfy this safe harbor; however, no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with this position.

The IRS may also assert that section 269 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to our holding Company’s organization in Canada pursuant to the implementation of the Final Chapter 11 Plan. Under section 269, if the IRS determines that the principal purpose of an acquisition was to evade or avoid U.S. federal income tax, the IRS may disallow certain deductions, credits or other allowances. We believe that, if the Final Chapter 11 Plan was challenged by the IRS, we could show, among other things, that the principal purpose for the Final Chapter 11 Plan was not to evade or avoid federal income tax, and, thus, section 269 should not apply. However, no assurance can be given in this regard.

We may be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In general, an AMT is imposed on a corporation’s alternative minimum taxable income at a 20% rate to the extent such tax exceeds the corporation’s regular federal income tax. For purposes of computing taxable income for AMT purposes, certain tax deductions and other beneficial allowances are modified or eliminated. In particular, even though a corporation otherwise might be able to offset all of its taxable income for regular tax purposes by available NOL carryforwards, only 90% of a corporation’s taxable income for AMT purposes may be offset by available NOL carryforwards (as recomputed for AMT purposes). Therefore, if we are subject to the AMT, our U.S. federal income tax liability will likely be increased.

 

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We have a limited ability to carry back certain losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 172(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code contains special rules that limit a corporation’s ability to carryback certain NOLs. Specifically, if there is a corporate equity reduction transaction (“CERT”), such as a major stock acquisition, and an applicable corporation has a corporate equity reduction interest loss (“CERT Loss”) during the year in which the CERT occurred or any of the two (2) succeeding tax years, then the CERT Loss may not be carried back to a tax year before the year in which the CERT occurred. In 2008, we acquired Excel in a transaction that qualifies as a CERT. In connection with this transaction, approximately $8 million was identified as a CERT Loss. Accordingly, we cannot carryback more than approximately $8 million of losses for 2008 to the extent that it relates to an excess interest loss.

Risks Relating to Our Common Shares and Our Capital Structure

We may require additional capital to reduce our vulnerability to economic downturns and position us to adequately respond to business challenges or opportunities, and this capital may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.

Upon emergence from Chapter 11 under the Final Chapter 11 Plan on July 23, 2010, we had approximately $49.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, but we do not currently have any working capital credit facility in place. In order to reduce our vulnerability to economic downturns and position us to adequately respond to business challenges or opportunities, we may need to obtain a working capital credit facility. However, we do not currently have any commitments from lenders to provide such a facility, and, should such a facility become necessary, we may be unable to obtain it on terms acceptable to us or at all.

Under the terms of the indenture governing the New Notes, we are permitted to obtain such a working capital credit facility in an amount up to $40 million, provided that we first obtain the consent of the holders of the New Notes. To the extent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding principal amount and unused commitments under the working capital credit facility exceed $20 million, the Company will be required to offer to use such excess working capital proceeds to make an offer to purchase a portion of the New Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. We may not be able to obtain the required consents from the note holders on a timely basis, on reasonable terms, or at all. Furthermore, any working capital financing obtained by us in the future would likely include restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions.

If we determine that we need a working capital facility but fail to obtain such a facility we may not have sufficient operating capital to operate one or more of our businesses. Without sufficient operating capital, our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows would be extremely vulnerable to disruptions or downturns in the economy. In addition, we may be unable to adequately respond to business challenges or opportunities that may arise, including but not limited to the need to develop new products or enhance our existing products, maintaining or expanding research and development projects, the need to build inventory or invest other cash to support business growth and opportunities to acquire complementary businesses and technologies.

We also may need to engage in equity or debt financings to obtain additional funds. If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing shareholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of the holders of our common shares. Further, our New Notes restrict our ability to obtain additional debt financing. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited. In addition, the terms of any additional equity or debt issuances may adversely affect the value and price of our common shares.

 

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Due to the prevailing global economic conditions that largely began in 2008, many businesses do not have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms. In addition, as a result of this global credit market crisis, conditions for acquisition activities have become very difficult as tight global credit conditions have adversely affected the ability of potential buyers to finance acquisitions. Although these conditions have not immediately affected our current plans, these adverse conditions are not likely to improve significantly in the near future and could have a negative impact on our ability to execute on future strategic activities. Furthermore, our inability to provide consolidated financial statements for recent periods currently impairs our ability to obtain debt and equity financings.

The market for our common shares may be volatile.

The market price of our common shares could be subject to wide fluctuations. These fluctuations could be caused by:

 

   

quarterly variations in our results of operations;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates by analysts;

 

   

conditions in our markets; or

 

   

general market or economic conditions.

In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have had a substantial effect on the market prices of many semiconductor and electronics materials processing companies, often unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These market fluctuations could adversely affect the price of our common shares.

To service our indebtedness and fund our operations, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the New Notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements will be realized on schedule or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the New Notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the New Notes on or before their maturity in 2014. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the New Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We may not have access to the cash flow and other assets of our subsidiaries that may be needed to service our indebtedness and fund our operations.

Although much of our business is conducted through our subsidiaries, none of our subsidiaries is obligated to make funds available to us. Accordingly, our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and fund our operations may be dependent on the earnings and the distribution of funds from our subsidiaries. Local laws and regulations and/or the terms of the indenture governing the New Notes may restrict certain of our subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to us. We cannot assure you that applicable laws and regulations and/or the terms of the indenture will permit our subsidiaries to provide us with sufficient dividends, distributions or loans when necessary.

 

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Future sales of a substantial number of our common shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our shares and impair our ability to raise funds in future stock offerings.

In the future, we may issue additional equity securities to raise capital or repay or restructure our existing debt and the holders of options to purchase our stock may exercise all or some of the options that are outstanding or may be outstanding. These additional issuances would dilute ownership of our common shares. Future sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common shares and could make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities. We currently have approximately 100 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

We have several significant shareholders. Each of our significant shareholders and their respective affiliates could have substantial control over our outstanding common shares, which could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including a change of control.

Our largest shareholders and their respective affiliates, in the aggregate, beneficially own a substantial amount of our outstanding common shares. As a result, these shareholders may be able to influence or control matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers, acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions. They may have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common shares as part of a sale of our company and might affect the market price of our New Common Shares.

Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation may delay or prevent a change in control of our company.

Our corporate documents and our existence as a corporation under the laws of New Brunswick subject us to provisions of Canadian law that may enable our Board of Directors to resist a change in control of our company. These provisions include:

 

   

limitations on persons authorized to call a special meeting of shareholders; and

 

   

advance notice procedures required for stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders.

These antitakeover defenses could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for shareholders to elect directors of their choosing and cause us to take other corporate actions that shareholders desire. In addition, New Brunswick law provides that cumulative voting is mandatory in director elections which can result in stockholders holding less than a majority of shares being able to elect persons to the Board of Directors and prevent a majority stockholder from controlling the election of all of the directors.

We have a significant amount of debt as a result of our New Notes, which could adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our outstanding liabilities.

We emerged from the Chapter 11 proceedings with $107 million of debt pursuant to the New Notes, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our outstanding liabilities. This level of debt could have significant consequences on our future operations, including:

 

   

Making it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under our outstanding debt;

 

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Possibly resulting in an event of default if we fail to comply with the covenants contained in the indenture governing the New Notes, which event of default could result in all amounts thereunder becoming immediately due and payable;

 

   

Reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;

 

   

Limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, market changes in the industries in which we operate and the general economy; and

 

   

Placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged.

Any of the above-listed factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our outstanding liabilities.

In addition, the indenture governing the New Notes contains covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debts.

We do not intend to pay dividends in the near future.

We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain our earnings, if any, to use in our growth and ongoing operations. In addition, the terms of the indenture governing the New Notes restricts our ability to pay dividends on our common shares.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

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Item 2. Properties

The principal owned and leased properties of the Company and its subsidiaries are listed in the table below.

 

Location

  

Principal Use

   Current
Segment

(a)
   Approximate
Square Feet
  

Owned/Leased

Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    1,2,4    147,000    Leased; expires in 2013

Rugby, United Kingdom

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    1    40,500    Leased; expires in 2019

Poole, United Kingdom

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    1    51,000    1 unit owned; 1 unit with land leases through 2073 and 2078

Orlando, Florida, USA

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    80,000    Owned

East Setauket, New York, USA(b)

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    65,000    Leased; expires in 2012

Mukilteo, Washington, USA

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    63,000    Owned

Suzhou, People’s Republic of China

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    1    55,000    Leased; expires in 2011

Santa Clara, California, USA

   Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    44,388    Leased; expires in 2013

Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

   Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    33,339    Leased; expires in 2016

Ludwigsburg, Germany

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    22,500    Leased; expires in 2011

Chatsworth, California, USA

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sales and Administrative    3    22,000    Owned

Taunton, United Kingdom

   Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing and Sales    1    19,000    Leased; expires in 2017

Mumbai, India

   Service, R&D, Sales and Administrative    3    16,769    Owned

Oxnard, California, USA

   Manufacturing and Administrative    3    14,000    Leased; expires in 2014

 

(a) The facilities house product lines that belong to the following segments:

1 — Precision Technology Segment

 

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2 — Semiconductor Systems Segment

3 — Excel Segment

4 — Corporate

 

(b) Pursuant to a Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax Agreement with the Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency, title to the East Setauket, New York property is held in the name of the town. We lease the property pursuant to a lease agreement with the town. Upon expiration of the lease agreement at the end of November, 2012 (or earlier if the agreement is terminated according to its terms), we are obligated to purchase and the town, subject to our compliance with the agreement, is obligated to sell the property for a nominal fee.

On July 23, 2010, we entered into mortgages for our Orlando, Florida, Los Angeles, California, and Mukilteo, Washington properties as well as our interest in the East Setauket, New York property. See “Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases” in Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Additional research and development, sales, service and logistics sites are located in California, Colorado, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. These additional offices are in leased facilities occupying approximately 83,000 square feet in the aggregate.

A portion of the Company’s leased facility in Bedford, Massachusetts, and its owned facility in Orlando, Florida are currently underutilized. The Company leases a 29,000 square foot building in Munich, Germany. However, as a result of prior year restructuring activities, this building had more space than the Company needed in this location and, in 2007, this building was fully sublet through a portion of the remaining term of the lease which ends in 2013. The Company also leases 13,000 square feet of space in Novi, Michigan. However, as a result of a 2008 restructuring activity, this space was abandoned, and is also being sublet. The Company continues to pay for this space in Novi until the expiration of the lease in 2012.

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we were productively utilizing substantially all of the space in our facilities, except for space identified above as underutilized, unoccupied, or as subleased to third parties.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Our French subsidiary, GSI Lumonics SARL (“Lumonics”), is subject to a claim by a customer, SCGI, that a Laserdyne 890 system delivered in 1999 had unresolved technical problems. During the third quarter of 2005, GSI France, parent of Lumonics, filed for bankruptcy protection, which was granted by the French court on July 7, 2005. On April 18, 2006, the court fixed SCGI’s claim against Lumonics at 598,079 Euros, plus court costs and expert fees of 85,945 Euros. SCGI accepted the court’s determination and demanded that the Liquidator bring an action in the United Kingdom against GSI Group Ltd., the parent corporation of GSI France. The Company does not believe it will be required to make any payments regarding this action. Accordingly, nothing has been accrued in the Company’s accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to this claim.

On December 12, 2008, in connection with the delayed filing of its results for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, and the announcement of a review of revenue transactions, a putative shareholder class action alleging federal securities violations was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts against us, a former officer and a then-current officer and director. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the Company and the individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and seeks recovery of damages in an unspecified amount. The action was brought on behalf of a putative class of shareholders who purchased the Company’s stock between April 30, 2008 and December 3, 2008. A lead plaintiff, Mason Tenders District Council Trust Funds, was appointed on May 8, 2009. On July 1, 2009, the Court ordered lead plaintiff to file a consolidated or amended complaint within 30 days of the Company’s filing of restatements for certain of its historical financial

 

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results with the SEC. In May 2010, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. The settlement covers purchasers of the common stock of the Company between February 27, 2007 and June 30, 2009. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the court. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the United States District Court. Although the settlement agreement has not yet been approved by the United States District Court, the total settlement amount is within the Company’s insurance policy limits; the Company’s contribution to the settlement amount would be limited to the balance of the Company’s self-insured retention.

The Company is also subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition or results of operations but there can be no assurance that any such claims, or any similar claims, would not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

Chapter 11 Cases

On November 20, 2009, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Delaware. On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan for the Debtors and the Plan Documents (as defined in the Final Chapter 11 Plan). On July 23, 2010, the Debtors consummated their reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective pursuant to its terms. Certain claims under the Final Chapter 11 Plan remain subject to final resolution. See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on claims and Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Chapter 11 Cases.

SEC Investigation

As discussed under “Significant Recent Events—Restatement of Financial Results” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we conducted the Revenue Review, which included a review of certain of our historical accounting practices. On May 14, 2009, we received a notice from the SEC indicating that the SEC is conducting a formal investigation relating to our historical accounting practices and the restatement of our historical consolidated financial statements. On September 16, 2010, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC, stating that the Staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute a civil injunctive action or administrative proceeding against the Company, alleging that the Company violated various provisions of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act, and providing the Company with the opportunity to make a submission to the Staff in connection therewith. In connection with the contemplated action, the SEC may seek a permanent injunction or cease-and-desist order, disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the imposition of a civil penalty. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation.

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]

 

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Shares, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Since July 23, 2010, the Company’s common shares, no par value, have been quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. under the trading symbol “LASR.PK”. From November 20, 2009 through July 23, 2010, the Company’s common shares were quoted on the Pink OTC Markets, Inc. under the trading symbol “GSIGQ”. From November 5, 2009 through November 19, 2009, the Company’s common shares were quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. under the trading symbol “GSIG”. From January 1, 2008 through November 4, 2009, the Company’s common shares traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol “GSIG”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices during the periods indicated.

 

     2009    2008
     High    Low    High    Low

First Quarter

   $ 1.18    $ 0.51    $ 9.63    $ 7.49

Second Quarter

     1.38      0.59      8.49      7.30

Third Quarter

     0.93      0.52      7.95      3.29

Fourth Quarter

     0.97      0.60      3.86      0.43

Holders

As of the close of business on August 31, 2010, there were approximately 38 holders of record of our common shares. Since many of the common shares are registered in “nominee” or “street” names, the Company believes that the total number of beneficial owners is considerably higher.

Dividend Policy

The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its common shares. The Company currently intends to retain any current and future earnings to finance the growth and development of its business and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On July 23, 2010, the Plan Effective Date, we issued an aggregate of 100,002,179 new common shares, no par value, pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan. The new shares of common stock were issued in exchange for claims against or interests in the Debtors pursuant to the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan. Refer to Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding transactions consummated on the Effective Date, including the issuance of new common shares. Consistent with the Bankruptcy Court’s Confirmation Order and applicable law, we relied on Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code to exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the issuance of such new common shares.

Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code exempts the offer and sale of securities under a plan of reorganization from registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act and state laws if three principal requirements are satisfied:

 

   

the securities must be issued under a plan of reorganization by the debtor, its successor under a plan or an affiliate participating in a joint plan of reorganization with the debtor;

 

   

the recipients of the securities must hold a claim against, an interest in, or a claim for administrative expense in the case concerning the debtor or such affiliate; and

 

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the securities must be issued either (i) in exchange for the recipient’s claim against, interest in or claim for administrative expense in the case concerning the debtor or such affiliate or (ii) “principally” in such exchange and “partly” for cash or property.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchaser

None.

NASDAQ Listing Requirements

As described earlier in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, NASDAQ suspended trading in our common shares effective at the open of market on November 5, 2009 due to our non-compliance with the filing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) due to the delayed filing of certain of our periodic reports. In accordance with Listing Rule 5830 and Rule 12d2-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NASDAQ filed an application on Form 25 with the SEC on April 5, 2010, to delist our securities from NASDAQ. The application became effective April 15, 2010. Our common shares, no par value, are currently quoted on the Pink OTC Markets Inc. under the trading symbol “LASR.PK”.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total return to stockholders for the Company’s common shares for the period from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009 with the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Sector Index. The comparison assumes an investment of $100 is made on December 31, 2004 in the Company’s common shares and in each of the indices and in the case of the indices it also assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

LOGO

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The data for the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 were previously restated to reflect the impact of the adjustments from the Revenue Review, other adjustments which had been previously identified but not previously recorded due to their materiality, and adjustments to our provision for income tax, but such restated data have not been audited and is derived from the books and records of the Company. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of results of future operations, and should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to fully understand factors that may affect the comparability of the information presented below. The selected consolidated financial data in this section is not intended to replace the consolidated financial statements.

On November 20, 2009, the Company, along with two of its subsidiaries, voluntarily filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company’s status as a bankruptcy debtor automatically accelerated the payment of all of the Company’s debt, including the debt arising under the 2008 Senior Notes. Accordingly, the Company classified this debt as current as of December 31, 2008 and has classified the debt as part of liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2009.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007    2006    2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  
                           (Unaudited)  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

            

Sales

   $ 254,388      $ 288,468      $ 291,081    $ 259,030    $ 248,283   

Gross profit

     97,952        97,618        113,133      102,398      98,239   

Operating expenses:

            

Research and development and engineering

     28,254        33,449        29,861      30,130      25,460   

Selling, general and administrative

     59,828        65,904        59,545      62,893      58,681   

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

     5,805        5,714        2,213      2,131      1,971   

Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets

     1,045        215,051        —        —        —     

Acquisition related in-process research and development charge

     —          12,142        —        —        —     

Restructuring, restatement related costs and other

     16,291        10,485        6,655      —        212   

Pre-petition professional fees

     6,966        —          —        —        —     
                                      

Total operating expenses

     118,189        342,745        98,274      95,154      86,324   
                                      

Income (loss) from operations

     (20,237     (245,127     14,859      7,244      11,915   

Interest income (expense), foreign transaction gains (losses) and other income (expense), net

     (28,067     (6,694     7,313      2,526      1,938   
                                      

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

     (48,304     (251,821     22,172      9,770      13,853   

Reorganization items

     (23,606     —          —        —        —     
                                      

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (71,910     (251,821     22,172      9,770      13,853   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     (773     (39,032     7,484      2,914      (4,371
                                      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (71,137     (212,789     14,688      6,856      18,224   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (132     270        467      645      (445

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          8,732       —        —        —     
                                      

Consolidated net income (loss)

     (71,269     (203,787     15,155      7,501      17,779   

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

     (61     (60     —        —        —     
                                      

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc

   $ (71,330   $ (203,847   $ 15,155    $ 7,501    $ 17,779   
                                      

 

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     Years Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007    2006    2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  
                           (Unaudited)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share:

            

Basic

   $ (1.49   $ (4.94   $ 0.35    $ 0.16    $ 0.44   

Diluted

   $ (1.49   $ (4.94   $ 0.34    $ 0.16    $ 0.44   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share:

            

Basic

   $ —        $ 0.21      $ 0.01    $ 0.02    $ (0.01

Diluted

   $ —        $ 0.21      $ 0.01    $ 0.02    $ (0.01

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share:

            

Basic

   $ (1.49   $ (4.73   $ 0.36    $ 0.18    $ 0.43   

Diluted

   $ (1.49   $ (4.73   $ 0.36    $ 0.18    $ 0.42   

Weighted average common shares outstanding—
basic

     47,747        43,125        42,364      41,896      41,548   

Weighted average common shares outstanding— diluted

     47,747        43,125        42,645      42,251      41,856   
     December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007    2006    2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  
                      (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)  

Balance Sheet Data:

            

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 63,328      $ 69,001      $ 172,387    $ 136,501    $ 93,643   

Working capital (deficit)

     152,220        (8,070     267,062      232,427      202,798   

Total assets

     436,701        520,317        507,645      464,143      397,100   

Deferred revenue, current and long-term

     55,755        84,225        101,563      80,283      36,511   

Debt, current

     —          185,115        —        —        —     

Liabilities subject to compromise

     220,560        —          —        —        —     

Long-term liabilities, excluding deferred revenue

     42,069        44,964        20,262      25,734      25,577   

Total stockholders’ equity

     84,311        152,897        345,678      317,676      295,753   

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, anticipated financial performance; the impact of our delisting from NASDAQ and the ability to relist our shares on a national securities exchange; our ability to continue as a going concern; expected liquidity and capitalization; drivers of revenue growth; management’s plans and objectives for future operations, expenditures and product development and investments in research and development; business prospects; potential of future product releases; anticipated sales performance; industry trends; market conditions; changes in accounting principles and changes in actual or assumed tax liabilities; expectations regarding tax exposure; anticipated reinvestment of future earnings; anticipated expenditures in regard to the Company’s benefit plans; future acquisitions and dispositions and anticipated benefits from prior acquisitions; anticipated outcomes of the SEC investigation and legal proceedings and litigation matters; and anticipated use of currency hedges. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” “could,” “estimates,” “plans,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “continues” and similar words or expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) identify forward-looking statements, See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Management and the Company disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statement to reflect any change in its expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Business Overview

We design, develop, manufacture and sell photonics-based solutions (consisting of lasers, laser systems and electro-optical components), precision motion devices, and associated precision motion control technology and systems. Our customers incorporate our technology into their products or manufacturing processes for a wide range of applications in the industrial, scientific, electronics, semiconductor, medical and aerospace markets. Our products enable customers to make advances in materials and processing technology and to meet extremely precise manufacturing specifications, including device complexity and miniaturization.

The photonics and electro-optical industry is subject to intense competition and rapid technological developments. Our strength and success is dependent upon developing and delivering successful, timely and cost effective solutions to our customers. For us to maintain our performance, we believe we must continue to increase our operational efficiencies, improve and refine our existing products, expand our product offerings and develop new applications for our technology.

We strive to create shareholder value through:

 

   

Organic sales growth by delivering a consistent stream of successful new product launches,

 

   

Generating high levels of cash flow from operations, and

 

   

Acquiring and successfully integrating businesses that have complementary and established core competencies.

 

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We group our business units, also known as product lines, into three segments: Precision Technology, Semiconductor Systems, and Excel. Our Precision Technology segment primarily sells components to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who then integrate products of our Precision Technology segment into application specific products or systems. Our Precision Technology segment’s OEM products include those based on its core competencies in laser, precision motion and motion control technology. Our Semiconductor Systems segment designs, develops and sells production systems that process semiconductor wafers using laser beams and high precision motion technology. Our Semiconductor Systems segment sells manufacturing systems to integrated device manufacturers and wafer processors. Our Excel segment designs, manufactures and markets photonics-based solutions consisting of lasers, laser-based systems, precision motion devices and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. Our Excel segment primarily sells components to OEMs, who then integrate the Excel segment’s products into application specific products or systems.

Strategy

We strive to expand our presence in the markets we serve both through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. This strategy led to our acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc. in the third quarter of 2008. The acquisition of Excel represented a major step in our effort to penetrate attractive markets that depend on photonics-based solutions. The acquisition also allowed our Precision Technology segment to expand its presence in several markets that it serves. During 2008 and 2009, we undertook steps to integrate parts of Excel’s business with those of GSI. As a result of the bankruptcy filing by GSI Group, Inc. and two of its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries, further integration of the two businesses was delayed. We expect to have additional opportunities to integrate the two businesses in the future but our primary focus in the near term will be on the continued development and introduction of new products, increasing our presence in markets we currently serve and identifying new market opportunities for existing products. In addition, we intend to continue to explore potential divestments of non-strategic businesses.

Pursuant the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, it was agreed that the reorganized Company’s board of directors would be comprised of seven directors, to include two directors selected by the noteholders, two directors with industry expertise selected by the Equity Committee, one director selected by mutual agreement between the noteholders and the Equity Committee, one director to be selected from our Board of Directors prior to emergence, and the chief executive officer (“CEO”) of the reorganized Company. We currently do not have a permanent CEO or a permanent chief financial officer. Our former chief restructuring officer has been serving and will continue to serve as our principal executive officer until such time that a permanent CEO is identified and hired. On April 1, 2010, we appointed a principal financial officer who has been serving and will continue to serve as our chief financial officer (“CFO”) until such time that a permanent CFO is identified and hired.

Significant Events

The following significant transactions and events occurred in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 through the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

  1. Chapter 11 Bankruptcy—On November 20, 2009, GSI Group, Inc. and two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Following the Petition Date, the Debtors continued to operate their businesses as debtors-in-possession. On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan for the Debtors and on July 23, 2010, the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy. Refer to Part I, Item 1—Business and Notes 1, 2, 8, 14 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Chapter 11 Cases.

 

  2.

Rights Offering—Our $210.0 million of debt issued pursuant to the 2008 Senior Notes was restructured in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. On July 23, 2010, we emerged from bankruptcy and

 

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consummated the rights offering contemplated under the Final Chapter 11 Plan. We raised approximately $85.0 million in proceeds in the Rights Offering which were used to pay down a portion of the obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes. The remaining obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes for unpaid principal and accrued interest were satisfied through the issuance of new common shares, cash payments and the issuance of $107.0 million new 12.25% Senior Secured PIK Election Notes which mature in July 2014.

 

  3. Reassessment of the Carrying Value of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets—As a result of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on November 20, 2009, we reassessed the carrying value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets and recorded an impairment charge of $1.0 million. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, as a result of the world-wide economic downturn and the adverse impact it was having on our business, we reassessed the carrying value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. As a result of that reassessment, we recorded an impairment charge of $215.1 million. Refer to Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding goodwill and intangible assets and the impairment charges we recognized.

 

  4. Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other Charges—In 2007, 2008 and 2009, we recorded restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges of $6.7 million, $10.5 million and $16.3 million, respectively. The 2009 restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges primarily relate to fees paid to professionals in connection with the revenue review and restatement of our historical financial statements described below, the SEC investigation, the shareholder class action and the internal FCPA review. The 2008 and 2007 restructuring and other charges primarily relate to a number of initiatives to reduce our workforce, the cessation or relocation of certain activities, and the revenue review and related restatement of our historical financial statements. These activities are discussed further below in the discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Additional information may be found in Note 13 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  5. Reorganization Items—Reorganization items represent amounts that are recorded in our consolidated financial statements as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings. In connection with our Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on November 20, 2009, we were required to reclassify certain current and long term obligations to liabilities subject to compromise, including our 2008 Senior Notes debt obligation. As a result, we recorded a $22.4 million charge to eliminate our debt discount, deferred financing costs and accrued warrant penalty related to the 2008 Senior Notes. In addition, we incurred $1.2 million in professional fees from the date of our bankruptcy filing through December 31, 2009. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  6. Pre-petition Professional Fees—During the year ended December 31, 2009, we incurred approximately $7.0 million for professional fees prior to the Petition Date related to the financial and legal advisors retained to assist in the analysis of debt restructuring alternatives as well as related to financial and legal advisors retained by the noteholders. Refer to Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Chapter 11 Cases.

 

  7. Restatement of Historical Financial Statements—During the preparation of our financial statements for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, we discovered errors in the timing of the recognition of revenue from certain sales transactions in our Semiconductor Systems segment. As a result of this discovery, we undertook a review of the accounting treatment for sales transactions in our Semiconductor Systems segment and Precision Technology segment for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. We subsequently restated our financial results for 2004 through 2007 as reflected in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended September 26, 2008 that we filed on April 13, 2010.

 

  8.

Divestiture of our U.S. Optics Business—In October 2008, we completed the sale of our U.S. Optics Business, which was historically included in our Precision Technology segment, for $21.6 million. The sale of this business resulted in a gain of $8.7 million that is reported as Gain on Disposal of

 

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Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in our consolidated statements of operations. This sale is more fully described in Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

  9. Acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc.—In August 2008, we acquired Excel Technology, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of photonics-based solutions consisting of lasers, laser based systems, precision motion devices and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial and scientific applications, for $368.7 million, including transaction costs. A portion of the purchase price was paid with the proceeds from the issuance of $210.0 million of the 2008 Senior Notes, which were restructured as part of the Chapter 11 Cases. Approximately $282.6 million of the purchase price was assigned to goodwill and intangible assets. In December 2008, as a result of the world-wide economic downturn and its effect on our business, we reassessed the carrying value of all of our goodwill and intangible assets, including those resulting from the acquisition of Excel. As a result of that reassessment, we recorded a total impairment charge of $215.1 million that included $180.6 million for the impairment of Excel’s goodwill and intangible assets. Excel has complementary products, technologies, and distribution channels to ours that we believe will enable us to provide customers with a significantly broader set of technical solutions and to expand our market share. Excel has been included in our consolidated operating results since August 20, 2008. Refer to Notes 4, 6 and 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the acquisition of Excel, the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and the 2008 Senior Notes.

Overview of Financial Results

As a result of the significant events discussed above, our financial results in 2009 and 2008 differ significantly from those in prior years. In 2009, we reported a net loss of $71.3 million, compared to a net loss of $203.8 million in 2008 and net income of $15.2 million in 2007. Our 2009 operating results included $47.9 million of non-recurring charges comprised of $1.0 million relating to the impairment of our goodwill and intangible assets, $16.3 million of restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges, approximately $7.0 million of prepetition professional fees related to the debt restructuring analysis that preceded the Chapter 11 Cases and $23.6 million of net reorganization items. Our 2008 operating results included $237.7 million of non-recurring charges comprised of $215.1 million relating to the impairment of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, $12.1 million of acquisition related in-process research and development that was written off in connection with our acquisition of Excel and $10.5 million of restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges.

Our financial results for 2008 and 2009 reflect the adverse impact that the world-wide economic downturn had on demand for our products beginning in the latter half of 2008. The reduced demand for our products significantly contributed to the $203.8 million loss we reported for 2008. We experienced a further deterioration in demand for our products in the first half of 2009, thus contributing to the $71.3 million loss for 2009. Sales declined in the Precision Technology segment during the second half of 2008 and the first half of 2009; Excel was not owned in the first half of 2008. Beginning in the second half of 2008 and continuing through most of 2009, demand for products manufactured by our Semiconductor segment underwent a particularly pronounced decline, as the semiconductor industry went through one of the worst downturns in the industry’s history. Overall sales recovered somewhat in the latter part of 2009. The specific components of our losses in 2008 and 2009, and enhanced discussion of the factors that led to these losses are further discussed below in the comparison of our 2009 and 2008 financial results.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Sales

   100.0   100.0   100.0

Cost of goods sold

   61.5      66.2      61.1   
                  

Gross profit

   38.5      33.8      38.9   
                  

Operating expenses:

      

Research and development and engineering

   11.1      11.6      10.3   

Selling, general and administrative

   23.5      22.8      20.5   

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   2.3      2.0      0.8   

Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets

   0.4      74.5      —     

Acquisition related in-process research and development charge

   —        4.2      —     

Restructuring, restatement related costs and other

   6.5      3.7      2.3   

Prepetition professional fees

   2.7      —        —     
                  

Total operating expenses

   46.5      118.8      33.9   
                  

Income (loss) from operations

   (8.0   (85.0   5.0   

Interest income

   0.1      1.1      2.2   

Interest expense

   (10.9   (3.6   —     

Foreign exchange transaction gains (losses)

   (0.3   0.4      0.2   

Other income (expense), net

   0.1      (0.2   0.1   
                  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

   (19.0   (87.3   7.5   

Reorganization items

   (9.3   —        —     
                  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   (28.3   (87.3   7.5   

Income tax provision (benefit)

   (0.3   (13.5   2.6   
                  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   (28.0   (73.8   4.9   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —        —        0.2   

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

   —        3.1      —     
                  

Consolidated net income (loss)

   (28.0   (70.7   5.1   

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

   —        —        —     
                  

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc.

   (28.0 )%    (70.7 )%    5.1
                  

Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Sales

The following table sets forth sales by business segment for 2009 and 2008 in dollars (dollars in thousands) and percentage change:

 

     2009     2008     Increase
(Decrease)
    Percentage
Change
 

Precision Technology

   $ 79,456      $ 138,684      $ (59,228   (42.7 )% 

Semiconductor Systems

     49,669        88,342        (38,673   (43.8 )% 

Excel

     129,964        63,736        66,228      103.9

Intersegment sales eliminations(1)

     (4,701     (2,294     (2,407   104.9
                              

Total

   $ 254,388      $ 288,468      $ (34,080   (11.8 )% 
                              

 

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(1) Sales of the Precision Technology segment’s products to the Excel and Semiconductor Systems segments and sales of the Excel segment’s products to the Precision Technology and Semiconductor Systems segments.

During 2009, Precision Technology product lines’ sales decreased by $59.2 million, or 42.7%, from $138.7 million in 2008 to $79.5 million in 2009. Sales decreased across all of the significant product lines that comprise the Precision Technology segment. However, the overall decrease in sales was primarily attributable to a decline in sales of Spindles, Lasers and Encoders during the first half of 2009. Worldwide demand for those products and in general weakened markedly in late 2008 as turmoil in world financial markets intensified, credit conditions tightened and business and consumer confidence plummeted. The weakness in demand continued during the first half of 2009 before starting to recover late in 2009.

Semiconductor Systems segment sales transactions are generally multiple element arrangements that are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605-25, “Multiple Element Arrangements” (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”). Due to the multiple element nature of Semiconductor Systems segment sales transactions, sales in any given period may not correspond to shipments. During 2009, Semiconductor Systems segment sales decreased by $38.7 million, or 43.8%, from $88.3 million in 2008 to $49.7 million in 2009. The decrease in Semiconductor Systems sales was primarily attributable to the global slowdown in semiconductor manufacturing due to markedly weakened end-user demand for electronic products. The slowdown in demand for capital equipment by semiconductor manufacturers had a dramatic adverse effect on sales of our Semiconductor Systems segment beginning late in 2008 and continuing through late 2009. Sales for 2009 and 2008 of our Semiconductor Systems segment include the recognition of revenue that had been deferred from orders placed by customers prior to 2008, but had not been recognized in the period in which the order was received due to previously undelivered elements or unresolved commitments. The revenue related to these orders was recognized in 2009 and 2008 once the final deliverables or commitments were resolved. The deferred revenue included in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is primarily related to our Semiconductor Systems segment. The total deferred revenue balance decreased by $28.4 million, or 33.7%, from $84.2 million at December 31, 2008 to $55.8 million at December 31, 2009. A significant portion of the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2008 was recognized as revenue in the first half of 2009. We expect that a significant portion of the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2009 will be recognized as revenue in 2010 after the final deliverables or commitments are resolved.

Excel segment sales increased by $66.2 million, or 103.9%, from $63.7 million in 2008 to $130.0 million in 2009. The Excel segment contributed sales of $63.7 million from the date of acquisition in August 2008 to December 31, 2008. The increase in our Excel segment sales reflects a full year of operations. The Excel segment was established following the acquisition of Excel in August 2008. Originally, the Excel segment was comprised solely of the operations of the then-newly acquired entity. In 2009, we changed the structure of our internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of our reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. Our reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented.

We measure sales to our customers based on the geographic location of each customer. Based on these locations, $80.3 million and $88.5 million, or 31.6% and 30.7%, of our total sales were made to customers in the United States in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our sales to customers outside of the United States represented $174.1 million and $199.9 million, or 68.4% and 69.3%, of our total sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The difference in proportion of our sales derived from customers within the United States is primarily attributable to our acquisition of Excel in August 2008, as Excel had a higher proportion of its revenue from customers located in the United States in the periods.

 

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Gross Profit

The following table sets forth gross profit and gross profit percentage, by business segments for 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2009     2008  

Gross profit:

    

Precision Technology

   $ 32,128      $ 45,050   

Semiconductor Systems

     15,993        27,485   

Excel

     52,628        24,764   

Intersegment sales eliminations and other

     (2,797     319   
                

Total

   $ 97,952      $ 97,618   
                

Gross profit percentages:

    

Precision Technology

     40.4     32.5

Semiconductor Systems

     32.2     31.1

Excel

     40.5     38.9

Intersegment sales eliminations and other

     59.5     (13.9 )% 
                

Total

     38.5     33.8
                

Gross profit as a percentage of sales can be influenced by a number of factors including product mix, pricing, volume, costs for raw materials and outsourced manufacturing, headcount, warranty costs and charges related to excess and obsolete inventory, at any particular time.

The Precision Technology segment’s gross profit decreased by $12.9 million, or 28.7%, from $45.0 million in 2008 to $32.1 million in 2009. The decline of gross profit is primarily due to the $59.2 million decline in sales during the same period. The Precision Technology segment’s gross profit margin in 2009 was 40.4% compared with 32.5% in 2008, an increase of 7.9 percentage points. The improvement in gross profit margin resulted from changes in the mix of product line sales, as the gross profit margins vary among the product lines that comprise this segment, and reductions in manufacturing overhead costs primarily due to personnel reductions. In 2009, Encoders and Thermal Printers accounted for a larger percentage of the Precision Technology segment’s sales compared with 2008.

The Semiconductor System segment’s gross profit decreased by $11.5 million, or 41.8%, from $27.5 million in 2008 to $16.0 million in 2009. The decrease in the Semiconductor Systems segment’s gross profit was primarily due to the $38.7 million decrease in sales during the same period. Semiconductor Systems segment’s gross profit margin in 2009 was 32.2%, an improvement of 1.1 percentage points over 2008. The improvement in gross profit margins is due to reductions in manufacturing overhead costs in 2009 compared with 2008, primarily due to personnel reductions and lower provisions for excess and obsolete inventory.

The Excel segment’s gross profit in 2009 was $52.6 million compared with $24.8 million in 2008. Excel was acquired in August 2008 and thus is included in our 2008 operating results for approximately 4 months. The Excel segment’s gross profit margin in 2009 was 40.5%, an improvement of 1.6 percentage points over 2008. The improvement in gross margin was primarily due to changes in the mix of product line sales towards product lines that have higher gross margins. Gross profit margins vary among the product lines that comprise the Excel segment.

Research and Development and Engineering Expenses

Research and development and engineering (“R&D”) expenses are primarily comprised of labor and other employee-related expenses. R&D expenses were $28.3 million in 2009, representing 11.1% of sales compared to $33.4 million, or 11.6%, of sales in 2008. R&D expenses, in terms of total dollars, decreased primarily as a result

 

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of our reduction in Semiconductor Systems segment headcount in connection with the restructuring activities discussed below. The reduction was partially offset by the full year impact of R&D costs associated with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008. We believe that the development and market introduction of new products and the enhancement of existing products are essential to our success. Accordingly, during 2009, we continued to invest in the development of new products across all three of our segments. We plan to continue to invest in R&D in all of our segments.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include costs for sales and marketing, sales administration, finance, human resources, legal, information systems, facilities and executive management, and includes personnel related costs, commissions, advertising, legal, tax, accounting and other professional fees. SG&A expenses were $59.8 million in 2009, representing 23.5% of sales, compared to $65.9 million, or 22.8% of sales in 2008. SG&A expenses, in total dollars terms, decreased primarily as a result of our 2008 reductions in headcount and associated payroll costs in connection with restructuring activities discussed below. This decrease was partially offset by the full year impact of costs associated with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

Amortization of Purchased Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets is discussed below in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Amortization of purchased intangible assets is charged to our Precision Technology and Excel segments. Amortization of purchased intangible assets, excluding the amortization for core technology that is included in cost of goods sold, was $5.8 million, or 2.3% of sales in 2009, compared to $5.7 million, or 2.0%, of sales in 2008. The increase in 2009, in terms of dollars and as a percentage of sales, was primarily related to the amount of intangible assets acquired in connection with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

Impairment of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

As of December 31, 2009, we conducted a review to assess whether the carrying value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets was impaired. Based on our review, we noted that the carrying value of certain assets exceeded their fair market value. Additional information with respect to the manner in which we conducted our review is discussed below under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Based on our evaluation, we recorded a charge to reduce the carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets by an aggregate of $1.0 million.

As of December 31, 2008, we conducted a review to assess whether the carrying value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets was impaired. Based on our review, we noted that the carrying value of certain assets exceeded their fair market value. Additional information with respect to the manner in which we conducted our review is discussed below under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Based on our evaluation, we recorded a charge to reduce the carrying amounts of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets by an aggregate of $215.1 million.

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other

We recorded restructuring, restatement related costs and other expense of $16.3 million and $10.5 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Restructuring Charges

In 2008, we reported charges of $3.6 million in connection with our closure of excess manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom, as those operations moved to China. We also accrued $4.7 million, including charges for duplicate facilities and staffing reductions, to consolidate certain of our operations within the United

 

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States into our new Bedford, Massachusetts facility. These 2008 charges were partially offset by reductions to the restructuring charge relating to the sale of inventory from a prior year’s restructuring charge. During 2009, we recorded the remaining $0.8 million in restructuring costs related to the United Kingdom restructuring plan. It was comprised of $0.7 million of employee severance costs and $0.1 million for manufacturing transition costs.

In 2009, we determined that we would no longer recover sublease payments from the subtenant in a German location. Accordingly, the previous estimate of future sublease payments was revised. As a result, we recorded an additional restructuring charge of $1.3 million during 2009 related to the revised sublease assumptions.

In 2009, we also initiated certain restructuring activities to consolidate our German sales and distribution operations for the Precision Technology segment located in Munich, Germany with those of Excel Technology Europe, located in Darmstadt, Germany. These consolidation activities were completed in 2009, at a total cost of $0.2 million.

The following table summarizes the aggregate balance of the activity relating to our restructuring charges recorded on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

   $ 1,337   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     6,655   

Cash payments

     (3,249

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,401
        

Balance at December 31, 2007

     1,342   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     8,543   

Cash payments

     (3,803

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,563
        

Balance at December 31, 2008

     2,519   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     2,241   

Cash payments

     (2,677

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     367   
        

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 2,450   
        

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of accrued restructuring charges were included in long-term liabilities. The current portion is included in accrued expenses (see Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Restatement Related Costs and Other

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we incurred costs to third parties, including auditors, attorneys, forensic accountants, and other advisors, that relate to the restatement of our previously issued financial statements as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, including, the SEC investigation, certain shareholder actions and the internal FCPA investigation. These costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in our restructuring and other charges for the respective periods in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The costs incurred were $14.1 million and $1.9 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Pre-Petition Professional Fees

Pre-petition professional fees represent retention costs incurred during 2009 prior to the bankruptcy for financial and legal advisors to assist in the analysis of debt restructuring alternatives, as well as costs incurred by

 

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us of financial and legal advisors retained by the noteholders pursuant to certain binding agreements between the two parties. Pre-petition professional fees incurred in 2009 were $7.0 million. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Acquisition Related In-Process Research and Development Charge

In connection with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008, we recorded a $12.1 million charge for acquisition related in-process research and development. The value assigned to in-process research and development was determined using an income approach by estimating the costs to develop the acquired technology into commercially viable products, estimating the resulting net cash flows from the projects, and discounting the net cash flows to their present value. At the date of acquisition, the development of these projects had not yet reached technological feasibility, and had no alternative future uses. Accordingly, we have expensed the value of this research and development at the acquisition date in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141). The successful development of new products and product enhancements is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, including unanticipated delays, access to capital, budget overruns, technical problems and other difficulties that could result in the abandonment or substantial change in the design, development and commercialization of these new products and enhancements. Given the uncertainties inherent with product development and introduction, there can be no assurance that any of our product development efforts will be successful on a timely basis or within budget, if at all. The failure of the combined Company to develop new products and product enhancements on a timely basis or within budget could harm our results of operations and financial condition.

Interest Income

Interest income was $0.3 million in 2009 as compared to $3.3 million in 2008. Interest income decreased due to lower cash and investment balances following our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $27.8 million in 2009 as compared to $10.4 million in 2008. Cash related interest expense increased to $23.1 million due to the full year impact of interest on our $210.0 million debt as compared to $8.5 million for 2008. In addition, full year impacts of non-cash interest expense charges related to the debt discount and financing costs totaled $4.7 million in 2009 as compared to $1.9 million for 2008.

Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains (Losses)

Foreign exchange currency transaction losses, net, were $0.8 million in 2009, compared to net gains of $0.9 million in 2008, due to the weaker U.S. dollar against many foreign currencies in 2009 as compared to 2008.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, was $0.2 million in 2009 as compared to $(0.5) million in 2008. In 2009, we recognized a $2.4 million gain on the sale of a portion of our auction rate securities, $0.5 million in earnings on our equity investment, and $0.3 million of other items. These items were offset by a $3.0 million penalty, payable to the holders of the 2008 Senior Notes, relating to our failure to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed in October 2008 covering the issuance of common shares underlying the Warrants. The corresponding penalty amount in 2008 was $0.8 million. As part of the bankruptcy filing and reorganization, the warrant penalty was subsequently reversed into income in the fourth quarter of 2009 and is reflected in the reorganization items line item in our consolidated statement of operations. See Notes 2 and 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Reorganization Items

Reorganization items represent expense or income amounts that were recorded in the consolidated financial statements as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings. Reorganization items totaling $23.6 million were incurred from the date of the bankruptcy filing through December 31, 2009. The reorganization items consisted of $22.4 million, net, related to the elimination and write-off of certain amounts recognized in connection with our 2008 debt financing associated with the acquisition of Excel, including the elimination of the penalty amount discussed above, and $1.2 million of professional fees. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

We recorded a tax benefit of $0.8 million during the 2009 fiscal year. The effective tax rate for 2009 was (1.1%) of income before taxes, compared to an effective tax rate of (15.5%) of income before taxes for 2008. We are incorporated in Canada and therefore use the Canadian statutory rate. Our tax rate in 2009 differs from the Canadian statutory rate of 31.5% due to a $1.3 million charge for unfavorable permanent differences, a $2.7 million charge related to the expiration of net operating losses in Canada, a $0.7 million increase in our liability for uncertain tax positions, $0.5 million charge related to the deferred tax on unremitted earnings, and a $22.5 million increase in the valuation allowance. The aforementioned charges were partially offset by benefits derived from a $0.2 million benefit from research and development tax credits, a $0.2 million benefit related to a settlement with the Canadian Revenue Agency, a $0.8 million benefit related to interest income on previously filed income tax returns, and a $2.9 million benefit due to international tax rate differences.

We adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation Number (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (codified within ASC 740, “Income Taxes”) on January 1, 2007. The provisions of FIN 48 are to be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. On January 1, 2007, we recorded the cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48, which resulted in the recording of a $0.1 million increase to the opening balance of our retained earnings.

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

On October 8, 2008, we completed the sale of our U.S. Optics Business, located in Moorpark, California, which was a part of our Precision Technology segment for proceeds of $21.6 million. The net gain of $8.7 million on the sale of the U.S. Optics Business is reported as Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. The operating results of this business have been reclassified and reported as income from discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006. In 2009 we recorded an additional charge of $0.1 million related to discontinued operations associated with an insurance premium adjustment.

Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

Sales

The following table sets forth sales by business segment for 2008 and 2007 in dollars (dollars in thousands) and percentage change:

 

     2008     2007     Increase
(Decrease)
    Percentage
Change
 

Precision Technology

   $ 138,684      $ 184,509      $ (45,825   (24.8 )% 

Semiconductor Systems

     88,342        111,515        (23,173   (20.8 )% 

Excel

     63,736        —          63,736      100.0

Intersegment sales eliminations(1)

     (2,294     (4,943     2,649      (53.6 )% 
                              

Total

   $ 288,468      $ 291,081      $ (2,613   (0.9 )% 
                              

 

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(1) In 2008, sales of the Precision Technology segment’s products to the Excel and Semiconductor Systems segments and sales of the Excel segment’s products to the Precision Technology and Semiconductor Systems segments. In 2007, sales of the Precision Technology segment’s products to the Semiconductor Systems segment.

Precision Technology product lines’ sales decreased by $45.8 million, or 24.8%, in 2008, from $184.5 million in 2007 to $138.7 million in 2008. The decrease in sales of these product lines was primarily attributable to declines in our Spindles and Encoders product lines in the second half of 2008. Worldwide demand for those products and in general weakened markedly in late 2008 as turmoil in world financial markets intensified, credit conditions tightened and business and consumer confidence plummeted. The weakness in demand continued during the first half of 2009 before starting to recover late in 2009.

The decrease in Semiconductor Systems sales was primarily attributable to the global slowdown which had a dramatic adverse effect on the semiconductor market, which saw a markedly weakened end-user market for products. This weakened end-user demand directly affected our customers’ purchases of equipment that is used to produce semiconductor products. Included in the 2008 revenue is revenue from many orders that were placed by customers prior to 2008, but that were not able to be fully delivered in those prior periods. The revenue has been recorded in 2008, upon our completion of all deliverables for this equipment. Our worldwide deferred revenue is primarily related to our Semiconductor Systems. It decreased 17.1% from $101.6 million at December 31, 2007 to $84.2 million at December 31, 2008. We expect that a significant portion of the deferred revenue relating to undelivered elements as of December 31, 2008 will be recognized in 2009 and 2010. The decrease in sales of Semiconductor Systems was particularly pronounced in the second half of 2008. Sales of Semiconductor Systems continued at a low level throughout most of 2009. The outlook for 2010 is uncertain.

Excel contributed sales of $63.7 million from the date of acquisition in August 2008 to December 31, 2008. The Excel segment was established following the acquisition of Excel in August 2008. Originally, the Excel segment was comprised solely of the operations of the then-newly acquired entity. In 2009, we changed the structure of our internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of our reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. Our reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented.

We measure sales to our customers based on the geographic location of each customer. Based on these locations, $88.5 million and $79.2 million, or 30.7% and 27.2%, of our total sales were made to customers in the United States in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our sales to customers outside of the United States represented $199.9 million and $211.9 million, or 69.3% and 72.8%, of our total sales in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The difference in proportion of our sales derived from customers within the United States is primarily attributable to our acquisition of Excel in August 2008, as Excel has a higher proportion of its revenue demand from customers located in the United States.

 

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Gross Profit

The following table sets forth gross profit and gross profit percentage, by business segments for 2008 and 2007 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2008     2007  

Gross profit:

    

Precision Technology

   $ 45,050      $ 66,877   

Semiconductor Systems

     27,485        45,958   

Excel

     24,764        —     

Intersegment sales eliminations and other

     319        298   
                

Total

   $ 97,618      $ 113,133   
                

Gross profit percentages:

    

Precision Technology

     32.5     36.2

Semiconductor Systems

     31.1     41.2

Excel

     38.9     —     

Intersegment sales eliminations and other

     (13.9 )%      (6.0 )% 
                

Total

     33.8     38.9
                

Gross profit as a percentage of sales can be influenced by a number of factors including product mix, pricing, volume, costs for raw materials and outsourced manufacturing, warranty costs and charges related to excess and obsolete inventory, at any particular time.

The Precision Technology segment gross profit margins were 32.5% in 2008, a decrease of 3.7 percentage points compared to 36.2% in 2007. The decline of gross profit is primarily due to changes in product mix, as the gross profits vary among the product lines in this segment.

The Semiconductor Systems segment gross profit reduction of 10.1 percentage points is primarily attributable to fixed costs being absorbed into the revenue base that decreased by 20.8% in 2008 as compared to 2007.

The gross profit margins of the products within the Excel segment were 38.9% in 2008.

Research and Development and Engineering Expenses

Research and development and engineering (“R&D”) expenses are primarily comprised of labor and other employee-related expenses. R&D expenses were $33.4 million in 2008, representing 11.6% of sales compared to $29.9 million, or 10.3%, of sales in 2007. R&D expenses, in terms of total dollars, primarily increased as a result of our acquisition of Excel in August 2008. The increases in R&D expenses were partially offset by our 2008 reductions in force in connection with restructuring activities discussed below. We believe that the development and market introduction of new products and the enhancement of existing products are essential to our success. Accordingly, during 2009, we continued to invest in the development of new products across all three of our segments. We plan to continue to invest in R&D in all of our segments.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include costs for sales and marketing, sales administration, finance, human resources, legal, information systems, facilities and executive management, and includes personnel related costs, commissions, advertising, legal, tax, accounting and other professional fees. SG&A expenses were $65.9 million in 2008, representing 22.8% of sales, compared to $59.5 million, or 20.5%

 

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of sales in 2007. SG&A expenses, in terms of total dollars, increased primarily as a result of personnel related costs associated with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008. The increases were partially offset by reductions in payroll related costs attributable to our 2008 reductions in force in connection with restructuring activities discussed below. Additionally, in 2007, we recorded a $2.0 million reduction to our SG&A expenses due to the cash payment we received in connection with the settlement of our claims against Lumenis Ltd.

Amortization of Purchased Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets is discussed below in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Amortization of purchased intangible assets is charged to our Precision Technology and Excel segments. Amortization of purchased intangible assets, excluding the amortization for core technology that is included in cost of goods sold, was $5.7 million, or 2.0% of sales in 2008, compared to $2.2 million, or 0.8%, of sales in 2007. The increase in 2008, in terms of dollars and as a percentage of sales, was primarily related to the amount of intangible assets acquired in connection with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

As discussed below, on December 31, 2008, we recorded a $215.1 million charge for the impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets.

Impairment of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

As of December 31, 2008, we conducted a review to assess whether the carrying value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets was impaired. Based on our review, we noted that the carrying value of certain assets exceeded their fair market value. Additional information with respect to the manner in which we conducted our review is discussed below under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Based on our evaluation, we recorded a charge to reduce the carrying amounts of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets by an aggregate of $215.1 million.

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other

We recorded restructuring, restatement related costs and other expenses of $10.5 million and $6.7 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. In 2008, we reported charges of $3.6 million in connection with our closure of excess manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom, as those operations moved to China. We also accrued $4.7 million to consolidate certain of our operations within the United States, including charges for duplicate facilities and staffing reductions, into our new Bedford, Massachusetts facility. These 2008 charges were partially offset by reductions to the restructuring charge relating to the sale of inventory from a prior year’s restructuring charge. The 2008 restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges also include $1.9 million relating to the restatement of our previously issued financial statements as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008. This amount includes amounts payable to third parties, including attorneys, forensic accountants, and other advisors. These costs have been charged to expense as incurred.

The 2007 charges related primarily to a charge of $6.7 million relating to our expansion of certain manufacturing operations in China. The charge was composed of $2.6 million in employee termination benefits, $3.1 million in inventory write-offs, $0.7 million in direct costs associated with the manufacturing transition from the United Kingdom to China, and $0.3 million related to facility consolidations. The inventory write-offs were charged to restructuring and other charges as they related to discontinued product offerings, and not recurring activities. These restructuring efforts were largely completed in 2007.

 

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The following table summarizes the aggregate balance of the activity relating to our restructuring charges recorded on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

   $ 1,502   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     —     

Cash payments

     (165
        

Balance at December 31, 2006

     1,337   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     6,655   

Cash payments

     (3,249

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,401
        

Balance at December 31, 2007

     1,342   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     8,543   

Cash payments

     (3,803

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,563
        

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 2,519   
        

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of accrued restructuring charges were included in long-term liabilities. The current portion is included in accrued expenses (see Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Acquisition Related In-Process Research and Development Charge

In connection with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008, we recorded a $12.1 million charge for acquisition related in-process research and development. The value assigned to in-process research and development was determined using an income approach by estimating the costs to develop the acquired technology into commercially viable products, estimating the resulting net cash flows from the projects, and discounting the net cash flows to their present value. At the date of acquisition, the development of these projects had not yet reached technological feasibility, and had no alternative future uses. Accordingly, we have expensed the value of this research and development at the acquisition date in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations”. The successful development of new products and product enhancements is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, including unanticipated delays, access to capital, budget overruns, technical problems and other difficulties that could result in the abandonment or substantial change in the design, development and commercialization of these new products and enhancements. Given the uncertainties inherent with product development and introduction, there can be no assurance that any of our product development efforts will be successful on a timely basis or within budget, if at all. The failure of the combined Company to develop new products and product enhancements on a timely basis or within budget could harm our results of operations and financial condition.

Interest Income

Interest income was $3.3 million in 2008, compared to $6.6 million in 2007. Interest income decreased due to lower cash and investment balances following our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $10.4 million in 2008, compared to $0.1 million in 2007. Interest expense increased due to our $210.0 million debt financing which funded a portion of our acquisition of Excel in August 2008.

Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains (Losses)

Foreign exchange currency transaction gains, net, were $0.9 million in 2008, compared to $0.6 million in 2007, which arose from the change in exchange rates in 2008 as compared to 2007.

 

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Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, was $(0.5) million in 2008 as compared to $0.2 million in 2007. The difference is primarily attributable to a penalty that we recorded in 2008 relating to our inability to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed in October 2008 relating to the resale of our common shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants. See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements. We did not have any such charge in 2007.

Income Taxes

We recorded a tax benefit of $39.0 million during the 2008 fiscal year. The effective tax rate for 2008 was (15.5%) of income before taxes, compared to an effective tax rate of 33.8% of income before taxes for 2007. We are incorporated in Canada and therefore use the Canadian statutory rate. Our tax rate in 2008 differs from the Canadian statutory rate of 29.5% primarily due to a $47.0 million charge for unfavorable permanent differences of which $43.0 million relates to non-deductible amortization and $4.3 million to in-process R&D, $1.8 million related to Canadian deferred items, a $0.4 million charge for non-U.S. withholding taxes, a $1.1 million increase in our liability for uncertain tax positions, $0.5 million increase in valuation allowance in the U.S., and a $1.6 million increase in valuation allowance due to restatement and impairment in the U.K. The aforementioned charges were partially offset by benefits derived from $0.2 million benefit from R&D tax credits, $0.5 million decrease in valuation allowance in Hong Kong, $1.7 million related to the release of valuation allowances in Canada due to the utilization of net operating losses against the current year income in Canada and $13.9 million benefit due to international rate differences.

We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The provisions of FIN 48 are to be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. On January 1, 2007, we recorded the cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48, which resulted in the recording of a $0.1 million increase to the opening balance of our retained earnings.

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

On October 8, 2008, we completed the sale of our U.S. Optics Business, located in Moorpark, California, which was a part of our Precision Technology segment, for proceeds of $21.6 million. The net gain of $8.7 million on the sale of the U.S. Optics Business is reported as Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. The operating results of this business have been reclassified and reported as income from discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On November 20, 2009, GSIG, together with two of its subsidiaries, voluntarily filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Under the Bankruptcy Code, our status as a bankruptcy debtor automatically accelerated the payment of the debt arising under the 2008 Senior Notes. Accordingly, this debt has been classified as current as of December 31, 2008 and as part of liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2009 in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Operating in bankruptcy imposed significant risks and uncertainties on our business.

However, we emerged from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010 and in connection therewith completed a rights offering pursuant to which we sold common shares for approximately $85 million. The proceeds from the Rights Offering were used to pay down a portion of the obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes. The remaining obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes for unpaid principal and accrued interest were

 

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satisfied through the issuance of the our common shares, the payment of cash and the issuance of the New Notes which mature in July 2014. As a result of our emergence from bankruptcy and the associated restructuring of our debt obligations, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations through at least December 31, 2010.

Based upon our current level of business activity, we believe we will have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations beyond December 31, 2010 to at least the end of 2011. However, our ability to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the New Notes, which incur an additional 2% in interest until our common shares are listed on a national securities exchange and we become current with our SEC reporting, and to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements will be realized on schedule or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the New Notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the New Notes on or before their maturity in 2014. Under the terms of the New Indenture, GSI US may obtain a working capital facility of up to $40 million with the consent of the noteholders, whose consent cannot be unreasonably withheld. To the extent the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding indebtedness under the working capital facility exceeds $20 million, or upon certain asset sales, GSIG or GSI US will be required to offer to use such excess working capital proceeds or excess net proceeds, as applicable, to make an offer to purchase a portion of the New Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the New Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Shares and Our Capital Structure—To service our indebtedness and fund our operations, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.”

Although much of our business is conducted through our subsidiaries, none of our subsidiaries is obligated to make funds available to us. Accordingly, our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and fund our operations may be dependent on the earnings and the distribution of funds from our subsidiaries. Local laws and regulations and/or the terms of the indenture governing the New Notes may restrict certain of our subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to us. We cannot assure you that applicable laws and regulations and/or the terms of the indenture will permit our subsidiaries to provide us with sufficient dividends, distributions or loans when necessary. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Shares and Our Capital Structure—We may not have access to the cash flow and other assets of our subsidiaries that may be needed to service our indebtedness and fund our operations.”

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $63.3 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $69.0 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is primarily related to costs associated with restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges, pre-petition professional fees and interest payments on our $210.0 million 2008 Senior Notes.

In connection with our acquisition of Excel in August 2008, we acquired $32.3 million par value auction rate securities. These auction rate securities are student loans backed by the federal government and are privately insured. Liquidity for these auction rate securities is typically provided by an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35 or 90 days. During 2009, we sold $19.3 million in par value securities valued at $14.6 million for $17.0 million in proceeds that resulted in the recognition of realized gains of $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2009, we continue to hold auction rate securities with a par value of $13.0 million. During the first half of 2010, we sold our remaining auction rate securities for $11.4 million. The auction rate securities were valued at $10.4 million and had a par value of $13.0 million. We recorded a gain in 2010 of approximately $1.0 million from the sale of these securities.

 

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Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

Cash used in operations in 2009 was $25.8 million, compared to cash provided by operations of $51.9 million in 2008, resulting in a net cash usage change of $77.7 million. The decrease in cash flow was primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

In 2009, we recorded a net loss of $71.3 million, compared with net loss of $203.8 million in 2008, before non-cash adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities.

 

   

Non-cash adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operations, included the following material items:

 

   

In 2009, we recorded non-cash reorganization items totaling $26.2 million attributable primarily to the write-offs of the discount and deferred financing costs associated with the 2008 Senior Notes.

 

   

In 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $215.1 million to write down our goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to their fair value as of December 31, 2008. We also recorded an acquisition related in-process research and development charge of $12.1 million in connection with our acquisition of Excel.

 

   

Other non-cash charges, such as depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets, non-cash restructuring charges, share-based compensation, bad debt and inventory obsolescence provisions, and non-cash interest accretion charges, were $27.2 million in 2009 as compared to $37.6 million in 2008. The $10.4 million decrease in non-cash charges was due to a decrease in inventory obsolescence provisions of $7.7 million, a $3.5 million decrease in non-cash restructuring charges, and a $1.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense. These reductions were offset by a $2.8 million increase in 2009 in non-cash interest expense accretion related to our debt in 2009.

 

   

Non-cash changes in our deferred income taxes resulted in a cash increase of $1.4 million in 2009 as compared to a $33.7 million cash decrease in 2008, primarily attributable to non-deductible amortization.

 

   

Cash used in operations as a result of net changes in our operating assets and liabilities totaled $7.7 million in 2009, as compared to cash provided by operating activities of $33.9 million in 2008, resulting in a net cash usage change of $41.6 million. The decrease in cash is primarily attributable to the following items:

 

   

Decreases in our accounts receivable balances provided cash of $0.9 million in 2009, compared to $35.9 million in 2008;

 

   

Decreases in our inventory balances provided cash of $7.5 million in 2009, compared with $10.2 million in 2008;

 

   

Decreases in our deferred revenue and related deferred cost of goods sold resulted in decreases of $12.8 million in 2009, compared to $9.8 million in 2008;

 

   

An increase in the outflow of cash used in operations for accounts payable and accrued expenses of $8.3 million in 2009, compared to $6.4 million in 2008; and

 

   

Cash proceeds of $4.0 million received in 2008 from a landlord related to allowances for leasehold expenditures to fit-up and occupy one of our U.S. facilities, with no comparable amount in 2009.

 

   

The decreases in cash related items above were offset by tax refunds received in 2009 totaling $10.5 million, as compared to $2.0 million in refunds received in 2008.

 

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Cash provided by investing activities in 2009 was $19.7 million, compared to $351.4 million cash used in investing activities in 2008, which primarily related to the acquisition of Excel. The cash provided by investing activities in 2009 was primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

We sold a portion of our auction rate securities netting proceeds totaling $17.0 million;

 

   

In 2009, we generated $4.0 million from the sale of property, plant, and equipment (primarily in the U.K.) as a result of our restructuring efforts, compared to $3.2 million in 2008; and

 

   

We decreased our capital expenditures to $1.3 million in 2009, as compared to $18.0 million in 2008, the majority of which related to our newly leased U.S facility.

The cash used in investing activities in 2008, exclusive of capital expenditures and the sale of property, plant, and equipment, related to the cash used to purchase Excel, net of cash acquired, of $358.3 million, offset by $21.6 million in proceeds received from the sale of our U.S. Optics Business.

We did not have any cash related financing activities in 2009. Cash provided by financing activities in 2008 was $196.9 million primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

Cash proceeds, net of issuance costs, of $203.5 million from the issuance of our 2008 Senior Notes that were used to fund a portion of our acquisition of Excel; and

 

   

Repurchases of our shares totaling $6.4 million.

In addition to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, exchange rate changes resulted in an increase of $0.4 million in our cash balances in 2009, compared to a decrease of $0.8 million in 2008.

Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

Cash provided by operations in 2008 was $51.9 million, compared to $37.3 million in 2007, a difference of $14.6 million or 39.1%. The increase in cash flow was primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

In 2008, we recorded a net loss of $203.8 million, compared with net income of $15.2 million in 2007, before non-cash adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities.

 

   

Non-cash adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operations, including the following material items:

 

   

In 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $215.1 million to write down our goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to their fair value as of December 31, 2008. We also recorded an acquisition related in-process research and development charge of $12.1 million in connection with our acquisition of Excel. There were no such charges recorded in 2007;

 

   

Other non-cash charges, such as depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets, non-cash restructuring charges, share-based compensation, bad debt and inventory obsolescence provisions, and non-cash interest accretion charges were $37.6 million in 2008 and $24.7 million in 2007. The $12.9 million increase in these non-cash charges was primarily due to increases in inventory obsolescence provisions of $5.9 million, depreciation and amortization of $4.4 million, and $1.9 million of non-cash interest expense accretion in 2008.

 

   

Non-cash changes in our deferred income taxes, primarily related to resulted non-deductible amortization, resulted in a cash decrease of $33.7 million in 2008 as compared to a cash increase of $1.1 million in 2008.

 

   

Cash provided by operations as a result of net changes in our operating assets and liabilities totaled $33.9 million in 2008, as compared to cash used in operations of $3.1 million in 2007. The increase in cash is primarily attributable to the following items:

 

   

A decrease in our accounts receivable balance provided $35.9 million in 2008, compared to net usage of $20.2 million in 2007 due to an increase in accounts receivable, for a net cash provided by operations change of $56.1 million;

 

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Decreases in our inventory balances provided $10.2 million in 2008, compared with $1.1 million in 2007;

 

   

Cash proceeds of $4.0 million received in 2008 from a landlord related to allowances for leasehold expenditures to fit-up and occupy one of our U.S. facilities, with no comparable amount in 2007;

 

   

Decreases in our deferred revenue and related deferred cost of goods sold resulted in decreases of $9.8 million in 2008, compared to increases of $7.3 million in 2007, for a net cash outflow of $17.1 million; and

 

   

An increase in the outflows of cash for accounts payable and accrued expenses of $6.4 million in 2008, compared to cash inflows of $5.7 million in 2007.

Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations in 2008 was $40,000 compared with $1.8 million in 2007.

Cash used in investing activities in 2008 was $351.4 million, compared to $7.6 million in 2007. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

Cash used to purchase Excel, net of cash acquired, was $358.3 million in 2008, compared to $3.0 million used for our acquisition of the U.K. Optics Business in 2007;

 

   

Capital expenditures of $18.0 million in 2008 primarily related to the outfit of a new U.S. facility, compared to capital expenditures of $4.6 million in 2007;

 

   

Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations in 2008 was $21.6 million;

 

   

In 2008, we generated $3.2 million from the sale of property, plant, and equipment as a result of our restructuring efforts with the U.K. and China operations. There were no such sales or proceeds in 2007.

Cash provided by financing activities in 2008 was $196.9 million, compared to $0.8 million in 2007, a difference of $196.1 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the following factors:

 

   

In 2008, we received cash proceeds, net of issuance costs, of $203.5 million from the issuance of our 2008 Senior Notes that were used to fund a portion of our acquisition of Excel. We did not issue any debt in 2007;

 

   

In 2008, we received $0.1 million from the issuance of share capital, whereas in 2007 we received approximately $8.2 million from the issuance of share capital; and

 

   

The cash we used to repurchase shares was $6.4 million in 2008, compared to $7.8 million in 2007.

In addition to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, exchange rate changes resulted in a decrease of $0.8 million in our cash balances, compared to an increase of $3.7 million in 2007.

Other Liquidity Matters

Debt

On August 20, 2008 we issued to various investors $210.0 million of 11% Senior Notes due 2013 pursuant to the terms of an indenture, along with detachable warrants (the “Warrants”) for the purchase of 5,882,520 of our common shares, for collective net proceeds of $203.5 million. The proceeds were used to fund a portion of our acquisition of Excel.

The 2008 Senior Notes pay interest semi-annually on February 15th and August 15th and mature in August 2013. The 2008 Senior Note Indenture contained covenants that restricted our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, create liens, make investments, sell assets, repurchase securities, or engage in

 

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specified transactions with affiliates. As discussed in Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements, GSIG and two of its wholly-owned United States subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy on November 20, 2009. Under the Bankruptcy Code, our status as a bankruptcy debtor automatically accelerated the 2008 Senior Notes. Accordingly, the 2008 Senior Notes are classified as a current liability in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. However, as a result of our filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 20, 2009, this debt is classified as a liability subject to compromise at December 31, 2009. As described in Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements, the 2008 Senior Notes were cancelled upon our emergence from bankruptcy in exchange for the issuance of our common shares and New Notes and a payment in cash.

The 2008 Senior Notes, net of the value of the Warrants, constitute a net carrying value of $210.0 million and $185.1 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the years-ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the total amount recorded to interest expense on the 2008 Senior Notes, including accretion of the fair value of the Warrants and amortization of the debt issuance costs, was $27.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively. Cash paid for interest on the 2008 Senior Notes totaled $22.8 million in 2009 with no comparable amount for 2008. See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the 2008 Senior Notes.

Pension Plans

We maintain two plans that are considered to be defined benefit plans under the provisions of ASC 715, “Defined Benefit Plans” (formerly SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”), a plan in the U.K. (the “U.K. Plan”), and a plan in Japan. As of December 31, 2009, based on the provisions of ASC 715, the value of the U.K. Plan’s assets was $22.4 million, and the projected benefit obligations were $26.0 million, resulting in a liability of $3.6 million. The Japan pension plan has assets of $0.5 million, and a projected benefit obligation of $1.8 million, resulting in a liability of $1.3 million at December 31, 2009.

Our funding policy is to fund pensions and other benefits based on actuarial methods as permitted by regulatory authorities. The results of funding valuations depend on the assumptions that we make with regard to attributes such as asset returns, rates of members’ benefits increases, mortality, retail price inflation and other market driven changes. The assumptions used represent one estimate of a possible future outcome. The final cost to us will be determined by events as they actually become known. Because of the underfunded positions that our pension plans currently have and potential changes in the actual outcomes relative to our assumptions, we may have to increase payments to fund these plans in the future.

In the U.K., funding valuations are conducted every three years. Based on the last completed funding valuation on November 30, 2006, we and the Plan Trustees agreed to a schedule of contributions under which we are contributing approximately $0.6 million per year until 2018. Based on the preliminary results of a new funding valuation in 2010, we would be required to increase our annual contributions to the U.K. Plan from approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million for a period of approximately 10 years, including an additional one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $1.6 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in September 2010. The remaining $0.8 million would be payable after the funding valuation results are finalized and all necessary U.K. governmental approvals are obtained. The Japanese plan includes a guarantee of return of principal and yearly interest 0.75%; therefore, there are no significant fluctuations in this plan. See Notes 11 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about these plans.

As a result of the covenant that exists between our U.K. subsidiary and the Plan Trustees regarding the funding of the U.K. Plan, our ability to transfer assets outside our U.K. subsidiary, and its wholly owned subsidiary in China, may be limited.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2009 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future years. We have excluded the future cash payments for FIN 48 (codified within ASC 740) tax liabilities because the timing of the settlement of these liabilities cannot be estimated by year. However, these FIN 48 liabilities have been classified as long-term on the consolidated balance sheets.

Our contractual obligations may have been affected by the Chapter 11 Cases and therefore may not be paid in full, or in accordance with the original contractual terms, as a result.

 

Contractual Obligations

   Total    2010    2011-2012    2013-2014    Thereafter
     (In thousands)

11.0% Senior Notes due 2013(1)

   $ 210,000    $ 210,000    $ —      $ —      $ —  

Interest on 11.0% Senior Notes due 2013(2)

     83,447      23,022      46,107      14,318      —  

Operating leases(3)

     35,891      5,521      9,002      5,802      15,566

Purchase commitments(4)

     27,059      24,565      2,494      —        —  

U.K. pension plan(5)

     5,239      635      1,270      1,270      2,064
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 361,636    $ 263,743    $ 58,873    $ 21,390    $ 17,630
                                  

 

(1) The $210.0 million of 11% Senior Notes are outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and represent a contractual obligation. The 11% Senior Notes are not shown as a contractual obligation after 2010 due to the voluntary petition filed by GSI Group, Inc and two of its United States subsidiaries for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Interest on the 11% Senior Notes is shown through the scheduled maturity date in 2013. The actual amount of interest paid in 2010 through 2013 will be different from the amounts shown in the table based on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Interest is due and payable semi-annually. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) These amounts represent the gross payments payable for facilities that are leased. These amounts do not reflect anticipated sub-lease income of approximately $0.5 million in total, from 2010 to 2013. In February 2010, we entered into an Amended Lease Agreement with 125 Middlesex Turnpike, LLC to reduce the term of our current lease at 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts from 12 years (of which approximately 10 years were remaining) to 3 years from the new effective date of May 27, 2010. The rental payment will continue at $0.1 million per month. The contractual obligations table above excludes the impact of this lease modification. In the aggregate, the modification reduces our obligations under the current lease by approximately $10.8 million, of which $2.5 million relates to 2013-2014 and $8.3 million relates to periods thereafter. See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(5) Represents the contractual obligation of payments equivalent to $0.6 million per year through March 2018. Based on the preliminary results of a new funding valuation in 2010, we would be required to increase our annual contributions to the U.K. Plan from approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million for a period of approximately 10 years, including an additional one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $1.6 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in September 2010. The remaining $0.8 million would be payable after the funding valuation results are finalized and all necessary U.K. governmental approvals are obtained. The contractual obligations table above excludes the impact of this new funding valuation. See Notes 11 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Through December 31, 2009, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements or material transactions with unconsolidated entities or other persons.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, assumptions and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, fair value measurements, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory costing and reserves, accounting for business combinations, the assessment of the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and tangible long-lived assets, accounting for restructuring activities, employee benefit plans, accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances, and accounting for loss contingencies. Actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies most significantly affect the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require the most difficult and subjective judgments.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, risk of loss has passed to the customer and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue recognition requires judgment and estimates, which may affect the amount and timing of revenue recognized in any given period.

We follow the provisions of ASC 605-25, “Multiple Element Arrangements” (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”) for all multiple element arrangements. Under ASC 605-25, we assess whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and whether objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for these separate units of accounting. We apply the residual method when objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for all of the undelivered elements in a multiple element arrangement. When objective and reliable evidence of fair value does not exist for all of the undelivered elements in a multiple element arrangement, we recognize revenue under the multiple units shipped methodology, whereby revenue is recognized in each period based upon the lowest common percentage of the products shipped in the period. This approximates a proportional performance model of revenue recognition. This generally results in a partial deferral of revenue to a later reporting period. No revenue is recognized unless one or more units of each product has been delivered.

Although certain of our products contain operating and application software, we have determined the software element is incidental in accordance with ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition” (formerly AICPA Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition” and EITF No. 03-05, “Applicability of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Non-Software Deliverables in an Arrangement Containing More-Than-Incidental Software”).

We determine the unit of accounting for certain transactions based on the guidance in ASC 985-605 (formerly AICPA’s Technical Practice Aid (“TPA”) 5100.39, “Software Revenue Recognition for Multiple Element Arrangements”). In particular, multiple purchase orders may be deemed to be interrelated and considered to constitute a multiple element arrangement for accounting purposes.

Semiconductor Systems transactions are generally multiple element arrangements which may include hardware, software, installation, training, an initial standard warranty, and optional extended warranty arrangements. We generally design, market and sell these products as standard configurations. For those standard configurations where acceptance criteria, if any, exist and are demonstrated prior to shipment, revenue is recorded at the time of shipment. For those cases where acceptance criteria cannot be demonstrated prior to shipment of a product or if a significant amount of fees are due upon acceptance, we recognize revenue upon customer acceptance. Acceptance is generally required for sales of Semiconductor Systems segment products to Japanese customers, sales of “New Products”, which are considered by us, for purposes of revenue recognition

 

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determination, to be either (a) a product that is newly released to all customers, including a product which may have been existing previously, but which has been substantially upgraded with respect to its features or functionality; or, (b) the sale of an existing product to a customer who has not previously purchased that product. We follow a set of predetermined criteria when changing the classification of a New Product to a standard configuration whereby acceptance criteria are considered to be demonstrated at the time of shipment.

Precision Technology and Excel transactions include both single element and multiple element transactions. Multiple element transactions may include two or more products and occasionally also contain installation, training or preventative maintenance plans. Revenue is generally recognized under the multiple units shipped methodology described above.

Our Semiconductor Systems segment also sells spare parts and consumable items, which are not subject to acceptance criteria. Revenue for these spare parts and consumable items is generally recognized under the multiple units shipped methodology described above.

Installation is generally a routine process that occurs within a short period of time from delivery and we have concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for transactions that include installation, and for which customer acceptance has not been deemed necessary in order to record the revenue, the cost of installation is accrued at the time product revenue is recorded and no related revenue is deferred. Historically, the costs of installation have not been significant.

The initial standard warranty for product sales is accounted for under the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies” (formerly SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”) as we have the ability to ascertain the probable likelihood of the liability, and can estimate the amount of the liability. A provision for the estimated cost related to warranty is recorded to cost of goods sold at the time revenue is recognized. Our estimate of costs to service the warranty obligations are based on historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent we experience increased warranty claims or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, revisions to the estimated warranty liability are recorded as increases or decreases to the accrual at that time, with an offsetting entry recorded to cost of goods sold.

We also sell optional extended warranty services, and preventative maintenance contracts, at the time of their product purchase. We account for these agreements in accordance with provisions of ASC 605-20-25-3, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts” (formerly FASB Technical Bulletin (“FTB”) 90-1, “Accounting for Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts”) under which we recognize the separately priced extended warranty and preventative maintenance fees over the associated period.

We, at the request of our customers, may at times perform professional services for our customers, generally for the maintenance and repairs of products previously sold to those customers. These services are usually in the form of time and materials based contracts which are short in their duration. Revenue for time and material services is recorded at the completion of services requested under a customer’s purchase order. Customers may, at times subsequent to the initial product sale, purchase a service contract whereby services, including preventative maintenance plans, are provided over a defined period, generally one year. Revenue for such service contracts are recorded ratably over the period of the contract.

We typically negotiate trade discounts and agreed terms in advance of order acceptance and record any such items as a reduction of revenue. Our revenue recognition policy allows for revenue to be recognized under arrangements where the payment terms are 180 days or less, presuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. From time to time, based on our review of customer creditworthiness and other factors, we may provide our customers with payment terms that exceed 180 days. To the extent all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, we recognize revenue for these extended payment arrangements as the payments become due.

 

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We have significant deferred revenue included in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with balances (including both current and long-term amounts) of $55.8 million and $84.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A significant majority of these amounts relate to arrangements whereby the entire arrangement has been accounted for as deferred revenue, as there is no fair value for one or more of the undelivered elements. Upon the final delivery of the undelivered element(s) of the arrangement, the revenue will be recorded for that arrangement. To a lesser extent, the deferred revenue balances relate to either: (a) the unrecognized portion of a multiple element arrangements that is being recognized into revenue over a ratable basis as associated services are performed; (b) arrangements not currently recognizable due to the arrangement not being fixed and determinable at its inception; (c) the future amortization to revenue of extended warranty contracts and preventative maintenance plans; (d) revenue deferrals for product shipments with FOB destination shipping terms; and (e) deposits from customers against future orders. The classification of deferred revenue, and deferred cost of goods sold, is based on our expectations relative to when the revenue will be recognized, based on facts known to us as of the date our financial statements are released.

Fair Value Measurements. On January 1, 2008, we adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”) with no impact on our consolidated results and financial position. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 establishes a value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the third is considered unobservable.

Included in our financial assets with fair value measurements as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $13.0 million and $32.3 million, respectively, in par value auction rate securities that we acquired in connection with our purchase of Excel in 2008. These auction rate securities are level 3 assets for which no observable market value exists, and for which we have valued based on assumptions the market participants might use in their estimates of fair value. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the auction rate securities have a fair value of $11.3 million and $25.1 million, respectively.

Included in our financial liabilities with fair value measurements as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $210.0 million of 2008 Senior Notes. No public trades occurred in the 2008 Senior Notes during the year-ended December 31, 2009. The Company engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding the value of the 2008 Senior Notes and an appropriate restructuring plan throughout this time period with the lender group and others, which resulted in the final Plan for emergence from Chapter 11. Thus, although the actual value of the 2008 Senior Notes may have varied materially if trading had taken place, the Company estimates that the fair value of the 2008 Senior Notes as of December 31, 2009 is its associated par value.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts. We are required to estimate the collectability of our trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the ultimate realization of receivables, including the current credit-worthiness of each customer. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The collectability of accounts receivable is evaluated based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filings), a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due, to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we estimate an allowance for bad debts based upon the total accounts receivable balance and the percentage expected to be realized through subsequent cash collections. If circumstances change (i.e., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us), our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to us could be reduced by a material amount.

 

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Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, after provisions for excess and obsolete inventory salable at prices below cost. Costs are determined using first-in, first-out method.

We write down inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by us, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Business Combinations. For business combinations consummated prior to January 1, 2009, we allocated the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as well as to in-process research and development based upon their estimated fair values at the acquisition date in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”. The purchase price allocation process requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at acquisition date with respect to intangible assets, support obligations assumed, estimated restructuring liabilities and pre-acquisition contingencies.

Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Examples of critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets we have acquired or may acquire in the future include but are not limited to:

 

   

future expected cash flows from sales of acquired product lines, developed technologies and patents;

 

   

expected costs to develop in-process research and development projects into commercially viable products and the estimated cash flows from the projects when completed;

 

   

the acquired company’s brand and competitive position, as well as assumptions about the period of time the acquired brand will continue to be used in the combined company’s product portfolio; and

 

   

discount rates.

Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur which may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (formerly SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”).

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Assessment. As discussed above, in “Business Combinations,” our goodwill and intangible assets generally arise from business combinations. Our most significant intangible assets are acquired technology, customer relationships, and trademarks and trade names. The purchase price we pay for acquired companies is allocated first to the acquired tangible assets and liabilities at their fair value. Any excess purchase price is then allocated to identifiable intangible assets and the remainder, if any, is assigned to goodwill. We make various assumptions and estimates in order to assign fair value to acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, including those associated with our business plans and related cash flow forecasts, as well as discount rates and terminal values, among others. Actual cash flows may vary from forecasts used to value the intangible assets at the time of the business combination.

Our most significant intangible assets are acquired technology, customer relationships, and trademarks and trade names. In addition to our review of the carrying values of each asset, the useful life assumptions for each asset, including the classification of certain intangible assets as ‘indefinite lived’, are reviewed on a periodic basis to determine if changes in circumstances warrant revisions to them. All definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the periods in which their economic benefits are expected to be realized.

We test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (formerly SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”), which first requires a

 

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comparison of the carrying value of each of our reporting units’ net assets to their fair value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we calculate the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and compare it to the goodwill’s carrying value. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by performing a fair value assessment of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, in a manner consistent with the discussion above with respect to the initial fair value allocation performed in a business combination. The carrying value of each reporting unit’s assets and liabilities are predominantly specifically identifiable. Additionally, reporting units that benefit from corporate assets or liabilities are allocated a portion of those corporate assets and liabilities on a systematic, proportional basis.

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets represent trade names that were acquired in the August 2008 Excel acquisition. The Company assesses these indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis and periodically reassesses their continuing classification as indefinite-lived. Discounted cash flow forecasts for each indefinite-lived intangible asset are used to fair value them. Impairment exists if the fair value of the intangible asset is less than its carrying value. An impairment charge equal to the difference is recorded to reduce the carrying value to its fair value.

We evaluate amortizable intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment, in accordance with ASC 360-10-35-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (formerly SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”) whenever changes in events or circumstances indicate carrying values may exceed their undiscounted cash flow forecasts. If undiscounted cash flow forecasts indicate the carrying value of a definite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable, a fair value assessment is performed. Fair value estimates are derived from discounted cash flow forecasts for the intangible asset. If fair value is less than carrying value, an impairment charge equal to the difference is recorded, thereby reducing the intangible asset’s carrying value to its fair value. We also review the useful life assumptions for definite-lived intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine if changes in circumstances warrant revisions to them. All definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the periods in which their economic benefits are expected to be realized.

Factors which may trigger an impairment of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets include the following:

 

   

filing for bankruptcy protection;

 

   

underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;

 

   

changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;

 

   

negative industry or economic trends;

 

   

interest rate changes;

 

   

technological changes or developments;

 

   

changes in competition;

 

   

loss of key customers or personnel;

 

   

adverse judicial or legislative outcomes or political developments;

 

   

declines in our stock price for a sustained period; and

 

   

the decline of our market capitalization below net book value.

The occurrence of any of these events or any other unforeseeable event or circumstance that materially affects future results or cash flows may cause an impairment that is material to our results of operations or financial position in the reporting period in which it occurs or is identified.

 

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The significant downturn in the global economy experienced in 2008, and most notably in the fourth quarter of 2008, negatively impacted our estimated future revenues and cash flows, as compared to our prior estimates, including those estimates made at the time we acquired Excel. Excel’s 2009 actual revenues were significantly lower than Excel’s 2009 projected revenues at the time of the acquisition in August 2008. From the acquisition in August 2008 to December 2008, when the impairment analysis was performed, we reduced Excel’s annual revenue projections by $50.1 to $54.5 million per year, or on average approximately 26% per year, compared to the projections used to initially value the intangible assets in Excel’s purchase price allocation. During this same period of time, the Company’s cost of capital increased significantly, primarily due to the increase in risk associated with an investment in the Company’s equity securities. Our estimated cost of capital increased in the fourth quarter of 2008 after we announced the delayed filing of our financial results. The announcement increased our risk profile and made financing more expensive, as a result of the decline in the Company’s stock price, the receipt by the Company of default notices from its noteholders, and the severe economic downturn. Our weighted average cost of capital forms the basis of the rates used to discount our cash flow forecasts which are integral to our fair value estimates. The discount rates utilized to initially value the intangible assets in the purchase price allocation ranged from 10.0% to 13.0%, while the discount rates utilized in the December 31, 2008 impairment analyses of the goodwill and other intangible assets ranged from 16.5% to 17.5%. Consequently, we undertook an impairment review of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment) as of December 31, 2008. This review led to us recording a charge to reduce the carrying value of these assets by an aggregate of $215.1 million. The results of the impairment review as of December 31, 2008 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Pre-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value
   Impairment
Charge
    Post-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value

Goodwill

   $ 176,232    $ (131,169   $ 45,063

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     34,341      (21,314     13,027

Definite-lived intangible assets

     115,563      (57,130     58,433

Property, plant and equipment

     59,877      (5,438     54,439
                     
   $ 386,013    $ (215,051   $ 170,962
                     

The most recent annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test was performed as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2009 noting no impairment. We also undertook an impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets at the end of 2009 due to the filing for voluntary relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on November 20, 2009. This review led us to record an impairment charge of approximately $1.0 million to reduce the carrying values of certain assets to their fair value. Goodwill and the definite-lived customer relationship intangible asset for the Excel segment were each impaired by approximately $0.5 million. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. The results of the impairment review as of December 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Pre-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value
   Impairment
Charge
    Post-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value

Goodwill

   $ 45,063    $ (485   $ 44,578

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     13,027      —          13,027

Definite-lived intangible assets

     49,042      (560     48,482

Property, plant and equipment

     49,502      —          49,502
                     
   $ 156,634    $ (1,045   $ 155,589
                     

 

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No impairment charges were recorded in 2007. Following our 2009 impairment charge, we continue to maintain a significant balance in our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment). The following table shows the December 31, 2009 breakdown of goodwill, intangibles and property, plant and equipment by reportable segment:

 

     Goodwill    Intangible
Assets
   Property, Plant
& Equipment

Precision Technology

   $ 9,245    $ 8,581    $ 6,788

Semiconductor Systems

     —        —        578

Excel

     35,333      52,928      29,132

Corporate

     —        —        13,004
                    
   $ 44,578    $ 61,509    $ 49,502
                    

To the extent that our assumptions used to value the assets as of December 31, 2009 should adversely change or there is a further deterioration of the markets we serve, the broader worldwide economy, or the performance of our business relative to our expectations as of December 31, 2009, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in the future.

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other Charges. In accounting for our restructuring activities, we follow the provisions of ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations” (formerly SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”). In accounting for these obligations, we make assumptions related to the amounts of employee severance, benefits, and related costs and to the time period over which facilities will remain vacant, sublease terms, sublease rates and discount rates. Estimates and assumptions are based on the best information available at the time the obligation has arisen. These estimates are reviewed and revised as facts and circumstances dictate; changes in these estimates could have a material effect on the amount previously expensed against our earnings, and currently accrued on our consolidated balance sheet.

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred costs to third parties, including auditors, attorneys, forensic accountants, and other advisors, that relate to the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements as reported in its Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008 and its Form 10-Q for the quarter-ended September 26, 2008, including, the SEC investigation, certain shareholder actions and the internal FCPA investigation. These costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in the Company’s restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges.

Pension Plans. Two of our subsidiaries, located in the United Kingdom and Japan, maintain retirement plans that are accounted for as defined benefit plans. In 2006, the Company implemented ASC 715, “Defined Benefit Plans” (formerly SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”). The impact of the adoption of the measurement date provision of ASC 715 was not material.

Our United Kingdom pension plan was closed to new membership in 1997 and we curtailed our sponsorship in 2002, limiting our obligation to benefits earned through that date. Benefits under this plan were based on the employees’ years of service and compensation. We continue to follow our policy to fund this pension plan based on widely accepted actuarial methods. At December 31, 2009, the market value of the plan assets was $3.6 million less than the projected benefit obligation.

The accounting rules applicable to our United Kingdom pension plan require amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis, rather than as contributions are made to the plan. Since the market value of our pension assets is less than the accumulated pension benefit obligation, we recorded a $2.4 million non-cash charge to other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and an accrued long-term

 

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pension liability in 2009. At December 31, 2009, the cumulative balance of this non-cash charge amounted to $5.5 million. These charges to equity did not affect our net income (loss). In 2009, we funded $0.6 million to the plan.

Our Japanese pension plan is a tax qualified plan that covers substantially all Japanese employees. Benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation at retirement. We fund the plan sufficient to meet current benefits as well as fund a certain portion of future benefits as permitted in accordance with regulatory authorities. Since this is an active plan, a significant portion of the pension benefit obligation is determined based on the rate of future compensation increases. We deposit funds under various fiduciary-type arrangements and/or purchase annuities under group insurance contracts. At December 31, 2009, the market value of the plan assets was $1.3 million less than the projected benefit obligation.

Given both pension plans’ current under-funded status, changes in economic and market conditions may require us to increase cash contributions in future years. Furthermore, based on the preliminary results of a new funding valuation in 2010, we would be required to increase our annual contributions to the U.K. Plan from approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million for a period of approximately 10 years, including an additional one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $1.6 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in September 2010. The remaining $0.8 million would be payable after the funding valuation results are finalized and all necessary U.K. governmental approvals are obtained.

Accounting for Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating its current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within its consolidated balance sheet.

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company were to determine that the Company would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the allowance for the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the allowance for the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which often results in proposed assessments. Its estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. The Company believes that it has adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters. However, its future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to its estimated tax liabilities in the period that the assessments are made or resolved, or when the statute of limitations for certain periods expires. As a result, its effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s non Canadian subsidiaries amounted to approximately $13.8 million as of December 31, 2009. With two exceptions discussed further below, the Company has not provided any additional federal or state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings as such earnings have been indefinitely reinvested in the business as defined in the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 23, “Accounting for Income Taxes-Special Areas”). In general, the determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. However, in the Company’s 2009 financial statements,

 

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deferred tax was provided with respect to two dividend transactions totaling approximately $10.4 million that the Company ultimately consummated in 2010. Notwithstanding the 2010 dividends, the Company continues to assert that the remaining undistributed earnings of approximately $3.4 million are indefinitely reinvested.

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (codified within ASC 740, “Income Taxes”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

The Company assessed all material positions taken in any income tax return, including all significant uncertain positions, in all tax years that are still subject to assessment or challenge by relevant taxing authorities. Assessing an uncertain tax position begins with the initial determination of the position’s sustainability and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. As of each balance sheet date, unresolved uncertain tax positions must be reassessed, and the Company will determine whether (i) the factors underlying the sustainability assertion have changed and (ii) the amount of recognized tax benefit is still appropriate. The recognition and measurement of tax benefits requires significant judgment. Judgments concerning the recognition and measurement of a tax benefit might change as new information becomes available.

Loss Contingencies. We are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims relating to labor, service and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Quarterly, we review the status of each significant matter and assess our potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the estimated loss. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether an exposure is reasonably estimable. Because of uncertainties related to these matters, accruals are based only on the best information available at the time. As additional information becomes available, we reassess the potential liability related to our pending claims and litigation and may revise our estimates. Such revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for recent accounting pronouncements that could have an effect on us.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. We manage our exposure to these market risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk and Sensitivity

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Any foreign currency transaction, defined as a transaction denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, will be reported in U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense items are translated at average rates for the period. The primary foreign currency denominated transactions include revenue and expenses and the resulting accounts receivable and accounts payable balances reflected on our balance sheet. Therefore, the change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies will have either a positive or negative effect on our financial position and results of operations. Historically, our primary exposure has related to transactions denominated in the Japanese Yen, Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar.

 

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A hypothetical change of 10% in appreciation or depreciation in foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2009 would not have a material impact on our revenue, operating results or cash flows.

Periodically, we enter into forward exchange contracts to hedge against foreign currency fluctuations. Our primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage currency risk. In accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (formerly SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”), our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet the criteria for designation as hedging transactions, including cash flow, or net investment hedges.

When we enter into foreign currency derivative contracts, the contracts are generally for less than six months duration with the purpose of hedging foreign currency risk on sales transactions. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we held no derivative contracts.

Interest Rate Risk and Sensitivity

Our exposure to market risk associated with changes in interest rates relates primarily to its cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investments and debt obligations. At December 31, 2009, we had $63.3 million invested in cash and cash equivalents, as compared to $69.0 million at December 31, 2008. Due to the average maturities and the nature of the cash portfolio at December 31, 2009, a one percent change in interest rates could have a $0.6 million impact on interest income on an annual basis. We do not actively trade derivative financial instruments, but may use them to manage interest rate positions associated with our debt instruments. We did not hold interest rate derivative contracts as of December 31, 2009.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

GSI GROUP INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   73

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

   74

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   75

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   76

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   77

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   78

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of GSI Group Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GSI Group Inc. (Debtors-in-Possession) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of GSI Group Inc. (Debtors-in-Possession) at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

October 1, 2010

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 

     December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 
ASSETS     

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 63,328      $ 69,001   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,776 and $1,687, respectively

     47,037        50,494   

Income taxes receivable

     24,192        30,038   

Inventories

     66,444        78,508   

Deferred tax assets

     6,370        11,106   

Deferred cost of goods sold

     28,988        20,507   

Deferred debt financing costs

     —          5,999   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,622        9,569   
                

Total current assets

     241,981        275,222   

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

     49,502        54,439   

Deferred tax assets

     22,876        23,802   

Deferred cost of goods sold

     —          23,133   

Investments in auction rate securities

     11,272        25,065   

Other assets

     4,983        2,133   

Intangible assets, net

     61,509        71,460   

Goodwill

     44,578        45,063   
                

Total assets

   $ 436,701      $ 520,317   
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current Liabilities

    

Debt (Note 8)

   $ —        $ 185,115   

Accounts payable

     13,430        20,286   

Income taxes payable

     518        —     

Accrued compensation and benefits (Note 3)

     5,084        8,452   

Deferred revenue

     55,755        45,061   

Deferred tax liabilities

     831        486   

Other accrued expenses (Note 3)

     14,143        23,892   
                

Total current liabilities

     89,761        283,292   

Deferred revenue

     —          39,164   

Deferred tax liabilities

     25,848        30,131   

Accrued restructuring, net of current portion

     1,256        1,072   

Income taxes payable

     6,088        5,166   

Accrued pension liability (Note 3)

     4,838        4,026   

Other liabilities (Note 3)

     4,039        4,569   
                

Total long-term liabilities

     42,069        84,128   

Liabilities subject to compromise (Note 2)

     220,560        —     
                

Total liabilities

     352,390        367,420   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Common shares, no par value; Authorized shares: unlimited; Issued and outstanding: 47,843,229 and 47,567,874, respectively

     330,896        330,896   

Additional paid-in capital

     12,610        10,733   

Accumulated deficit

     (256,046     (184,716

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,430     (4,236
                

Total GSI Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

     84,030        152,677   

Noncontrolling interest

     281        220   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     84,311        152,897   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 436,701      $ 520,317   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Sales

   $ 254,388      $ 288,468      $ 291,081   

Cost of goods sold

     156,436        190,850        177,948   
                        

Gross profit

     97,952        97,618        113,133   
                        

Operating expenses:

      

Research and development and engineering

     28,254        33,449        29,861   

Selling, general and administrative

     59,828        65,904        59,545   

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

     5,805        5,714        2,213   

Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets

     1,045        215,051        —     

Acquisition related in-process research and development charge

     —          12,142        —     

Restructuring, restatement related costs and other

     16,291        10,485        6,655   

Pre-petition professional fees

     6,966        —          —     
                        

Total operating expenses

     118,189        342,745        98,274   
                        

Income (loss) from operations

     (20,237     (245,127     14,859   

Interest income

     294        3,310        6,637   

Interest expense

     (27,751     (10,387     (128

Foreign exchange transaction gains (losses)

     (816     928        589   

Other income (expense), net

     206        (545     215   
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

     (48,304     (251,821     22,172   

Reorganization items

     (23,606     —          —     
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (71,910     (251,821     22,172   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     (773     (39,032     7,484   
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (71,137     (212,789     14,688   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (132     270        467   

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          8,732        —     
                        

Consolidated net income (loss)

     (71,269     (203,787     15,155   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (61     (60     —     
                        

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc.

   $ (71,330   $ (203,847   $ 15,155   
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share:

      

Basic

   $ (1.49   $ (4.94   $ 0.35   

Diluted

   $ (1.49   $ (4.94   $ 0.34   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to GSI Group, Inc. per common share:

      

Basic

   $ —        $ 0.21      $ 0.01   

Diluted

   $ —        $ 0.21      $ 0.01   

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share:

      

Basic

   $ (1.49   $ (4.73   $ 0.36   

Diluted

   $ (1.49   $ (4.73   $ 0.36   

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

     47,747        43,125        42,364   

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

     47,747        43,125        42,645   

Amounts attributable to GSI Group Inc.:

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (71,198   $ (212,849   $ 14,688   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (132     9,002        467   
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (71,330   $ (203,847   $ 15,155   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

    GSI Group Inc. Stockholders                  
    Capital Stock     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Noncontrolling
Interest
           
    # of
Shares
    Amount             Total     Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Balance, December 31, 2006

  41,890      $ 310,635      $ 5,314      $ (2,395   $ 4,122      $ —     $ 317,676     

Net income

  —          —          —          —          15,155        —       15,155      $ 15,155   

Exercise of stock options and warrants

  955        8,179        —          —          —          —       8,179        —     

Issuance of restricted stock

  134        —          —          —          —          —       —          —     

Repurchase of treasury shares

  (817     (7,844     —          —          —          —       (7,844     —     

Share based compensation

  —          —          2,454        —          —          —       2,454        —     

Excess tax benefit of stock options

  —          —          423        —          —          —       423        —     

Pension liability, net of tax

  —          —          —          4,172        —          —       4,172        4,172   

Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48 (codified within ASC 740)

  —          —          —          —          (146     —       (146     —     

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  —          —          —          5,609        —          —       5,609        5,609   
                                                           

Balance, December 31, 2007

  42,162        310,970        8,191        7,386        19,131        —       345,678        24,936   
                     

Net loss

  —          —          —          —          (203,847     60     (203,787     (203,787

Noncontrolling interest acquired

  —          —          —          —          —          160     160        —     

Exercise of stock options and warrants

  5,875        26,365        —          —          —          —       26,365        —     

Issuance of restricted stock

  305        —          —          —          —          —       —          —     

Repurchase of treasury shares

  (774     (6,439     —          —          —          —       (6,439     —     

Share based compensation

  —          —          2,761        —          —          —       2,761        —     

Excess tax expense of stock options and restricted stock

  —          —          (219     —          —          —       (219     —     

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax

  —          —          —          80        —          —       80        80   

Pension liability, net of tax

  —          —          —          797        —          —       797        797   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  —          —          —          (12,499     —          —       (12,499     (12,499
                                                           

Balance, December 31, 2008

  47,568        330,896        10,733        (4,236     (184,716     220     152,897        (215,409
                     

Net loss

  —          —          —          —          (71,330     61     (71,269     (71,269

Issuance of restricted stock

  275        —          —          —          —          —       —          —     

Share based compensation

  —          —          1,877        —          —          —       1,877        —     

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax

  —          —          —          488        —          —       488        488   

Pension liability, net of tax

  —          —          —          (2,388     —          —       (2,388     (2,388

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  —          —          —          2,706        —          —       2,706        2,706   
                                                           

Balance, December 31, 2009

  47,843      $ 330,896      $ 12,610      $ (3,430   $ (256,046   $ 281   $ 84,311      $ (70,463
                                                           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Consolidated net income (loss)

   $ (71,269   $ (203,787   $ 15,155   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:

      

(Income) loss from operations of discontinued operations

     132        (270     (467

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

     —          (8,732     —     

Depreciation and amortization

     17,330        18,906        14,463   

Provision for uncollectible receivables

     561        297        47   

Provision for inventory obsolescence

     2,485        10,165        4,294   

Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

     1,045        215,051        —     

Acquisition related in-process research and development charge

     —          12,142        —     

Step-up value of acquired inventory sold

     139        1,240        —     

Share-based compensation

     2,052        2,761        2,454   

Deferred income taxes

     1,356        (33,670     1,057   

Earnings from equity investment

     (515     (214     (156

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     —          —          102   

(Gain) loss on sale of property and assets

     63        (1,352     —     

Gain on sale of auction rate securities

     (2,414     —          —     

Non-cash reorganization items

     26,223        —          —     

Non-cash interest expense

     4,661        1,890        —     

Non-cash restructuring charges

     81        3,565        3,401   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquired (Note 3):

      

Accounts receivable

     880        35,915        (20,237

Inventories

     7,507        10,178        1,109   

Deferred costs

     13,543        5,484        (7,033

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     528        960        6,380   

Deferred revenue

     (26,315     (15,255     14,297   

Deferred rent

     (316     4,698        —     

Accounts payable, accruals and taxes receivable and payable

     (1,900     (8,111     4,072   

Changes in other non-current assets and liabilities

     (1,511     110        146   

Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations

     (132     (40     (1,813
                        

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (25,786     51,931        37,271   

Cash flows from investing activities (Note 3):

      

Acquisition of Excel

     —          (368,711     —     

Cash received in acquisition of Excel

     —          10,430        —     

Acquisition of other business

     —          —          (3,006

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (1,321     (17,951     (4,639

Proceeds from the sale of auction rate securities

     16,975        —          —     

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

     4,054        3,211        —     

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

     —          21,593        —     
                        

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     19,708        (351,428     (7,645

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from issuance of debt

     —          210,000        —     

Payments for debt issuance costs

     —          (6,472     —     

Purchases of the Company’s common shares

     —          (6,439     (7,844

Net proceeds from the issuance of share capital

     —          63        8,179   

Excess tax (expense) benefit of stock options

     —          (219     423   
                        

Cash provided by financing activities

     —          196,933        758   

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     405        (822     3,688   
                        

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (5,673     (103,386     34,072   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period(1)

     69,001        172,387        138,315   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period(1)

   $ 63,328      $ 69,001      $ 172,387   
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid for interest expense

     22,779        156        918   

Cash paid for income taxes

     854        1,345        11,689   

Supplemental disclosure of non cash financing activity:

      

Issuance of warrants

     —          26,302        —     

Supplemental disclosure of non cash investing activity:

      

Auction rate securities

     772        80        —     

 

(1) The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows include cash and cash equivalent balances (in thousands) of $0, $0 and $1 of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2009

1. Organization, Presentation and Significant Events

GSI Group Inc. (“GSIG”) and its subsidiaries (collectively “the Company”) designs, develops, manufactures and sells photonics-based solutions (consisting of lasers, laser systems and electro-optical components), precision motion devices, associated precision motion control technology and systems. Its customers incorporate its technology into their products or manufacturing processes, for a wide range of applications in a variety of markets, including: industrial, scientific, electronics, semiconductor, medical and aerospace. The Company operates in three segments: Precision Technology, Semiconductor Systems, and Excel Technology, Inc. (“Excel”). The Company’s principal markets are in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia-Pacific. The Company exists under the laws of New Brunswick, Canada.

Acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc.

In August 2008, the Company acquired Excel, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of photonics-based solutions consisting of lasers, laser-based systems, precision motion devices and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. Excel, which was headquartered in East Setauket, New York, manufactures its products in plants located in the United States and Germany, and sells its products to customers worldwide, both directly and indirectly through resellers and distributors. The Company acquired Excel in exchange for a cash payment of $368.7 million, including transaction costs, a portion of which was financed with proceeds received from the issuance of $210.0 million of 11% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2008 Senior Notes”). This loan is discussed further in Notes 8 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Subsequent to the acquisition of Excel, the Company established a third segment which was comprised solely of the operations of the newly acquired entity. In 2009, the Company changed the structure of its internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. The Company’s reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the Excel transaction.

Divestiture of U.S. General Optics Business

On October 8, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its General Optics business (the “U.S. Optics Business”), located in Moorpark, California, for $21.6 million, which represented a gain of $8.7 million, net of tax. The sale of the U.S. Optics Business is reported as Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. This business was part of the Company’s Precision Technology segment. The results of operations of the U.S. Optics Business have been reclassified and reported as income from discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the sale of the U.S. Optics Business.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings

On December 12, 2008, the Company announced that it had received four letters from certain holders of the 2008 Senior Notes issued in connection with the acquisition of Excel, alleging that the Company had failed to comply with the covenant in the Indenture governing the Company’s 2008 Senior Notes (the “2008 Senior Note Indenture”), that required it to file its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K within the time frames set forth in the SEC’s rules and regulations. Specifically, the letters alleged that the Company

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

failed to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 26, 2008 (the “2008 Q3 Report”) within the time period specified by the rules and regulations of the SEC and that if such failure continued for 60 days from the date that the Company received notices of such failure from holders comprising at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2008 Senior Notes then outstanding, such failure would constitute an event of default. The Company notified the trustee under the 2008 Senior Note Indenture that the letters did not constitute proper notice as required by the terms of the 2008 Senior Note Indenture, and continued working diligently to complete the review by its Audit Committee and to file its 2008 Q3 Report to avoid any claim of an “Event of Default” from occurring under the 2008 Senior Note Indenture. Upon receipt of the letters from the note holders, the Company commenced discussions with certain of the noteholders and, on June 30, 2009, announced that the Company had reached an agreement with certain beneficial owners holding greater than 75% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 2008 Senior Notes on a non-binding term sheet to consensually restructure its outstanding obligations under the 2008 Senior Notes.

As discussed below and in further detail in Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements, on November 20, 2009 (the “Petition Date”), GSIG and two of its United States subsidiaries, GSI Group Corporation (“GSI US”) and MES International, Inc. (“MES” and, collectively with GSIG and GSI US, the “Debtors”), filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Chapter 11 Petitions”) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) (the “Chapter 11 Cases”).

Following the Petition Date, the Debtors continued to operate their business as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. In late December 2009, the United States Trustee overseeing the Chapter 11 Cases appointed an Official Committee of Equity Security Holders (the “Equity Committee”) to represent the interests of the Company’s equity holders.

On May 14, 2010, the Debtors entered into a Restructuring Plan Support Agreement (the “May Plan Support Agreement”) with the Equity Committee, the individual members of the Equity Committee (the “Committee Members”) and eight of ten beneficial holders (the “Consenting Noteholders”) of the 2008 Senior Notes. The Consenting Noteholders held 88.1% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2008 Senior Notes. Pursuant to the May Plan Support Agreement, which superseded the previous plan support agreement, the Equity Committee, the Committee Members and the Consenting Noteholders agreed to support a modified plan, in the form of the Fourth Modified Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization for the Debtors (the “May Plan”).

On May 24, 2010, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court a modified joint Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for the Debtors, which was further supplemented on May 27, 2010 to provide for minor modifications to the May Plan (as supplemented, the “Final Chapter 11 Plan”). On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan and the plan documents.

On July 23, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) the Debtors consummated their reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective pursuant to its terms. Refer to Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning the Chapter 11 Cases including a description of material agreements the Company entered into on the Effective Date pursuant to the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

NASDAQ Delisting Determination

On November 3, 2009, the NASDAQ Hearing Panel (the “Panel”) of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) notified the Company that it had determined to delist the Company’s common shares from the NASDAQ Global Select Market and to suspend trading in the Company’s common shares effective at the open of market on November 5, 2009. The Panel’s determination was made in connection with the Company’s non-compliance with the filing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) due to the delayed filing of certain of the Company’s periodic reports. As permitted by NASDAQ rules, the Company timely appealed the Panel’s determination to the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Listing Council”). On January 15, 2010, the Listing Council notified the Company that it affirmed the Panel’s decision to delist the Company’s securities. On March 15, 2010, the Company received notification from the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC Board of Directors (the “NASDAQ Board”) that the NASDAQ Board had declined to call for review the January 15, 2010 decision of the Listing Council. Accordingly, pursuant to Listing Rule 5825, the Listing Council’s decision represents the final decision of NASDAQ. In accordance with Listing Rule 5830 and Rule 12d2-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NASDAQ filed an application on Form 25 with the SEC on April 5, 2010, to delist the Company’s securities from NASDAQ. The application became effective on April 15, 2010.

Prior to November 4, 2009, the Company’s common shares were traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GSIG”. From November 5, 2009 through November 19, 2009, the Company’s common shares were quoted on Pink OTC Markets, Inc., under the trading symbol “GSIG”. Following the Company’s filing of the Chapter 11 Petitions on November 20, 2009, its common shares were quoted on Pink OTC Markets, Inc. under the trading symbol “GSIGQ”. Following the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, its common shares have been quoted on Pink OTC Markets Inc., under the trading symbol “LASR.PK”.

Going Concern

On November 20, 2009, GSIG, together with two of its subsidiaries, voluntarily filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company’s status as a bankruptcy debtor automatically accelerated the payment of the debt arising under the 2008 Senior Notes. Accordingly, this debt has been classified as current as of December 31, 2008 and as part of liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2009 in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Operating in bankruptcy imposed significant risks and uncertainties on the Company’s business.

However, the Company emerged from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010 and in connection therewith completed a rights offering pursuant to which it sold common shares for approximately $85 million. The proceeds from the Rights Offering were used to pay down a portion of the obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes. The remaining obligations due with respect to the 2008 Senior Notes for unpaid principal and accrued interest were satisfied through the issuance of the Company’s common shares, the payment of cash and the issuance of new 12.25% Senior Secured PIK Election Notes (the “New Notes”) which mature in July 2014. As a result of the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy and the associated restructuring of its debt obligations, the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations through at least December 31, 2010.

2. Bankruptcy Disclosures

As discussed in Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements, GSIG and two of its United States subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan for the Debtors and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective and the transactions contemplated under the Final Chapter 11 Plan were consummated on July 23, 2010. Presented below are condensed combined financial statements of the Debtors and information concerning liabilities subject to compromise under the Final Chapter 11 Plan, pre-petition professional fees and reorganization items.

The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 852, “Reorganizations” (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 90-7-1, “Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code”) and on a going-concern basis, which assumes continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.

ASC 852 requires that the financial statements for periods subsequent to a Chapter 11 filing separate transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, all transactions (including, but not limited to, all professional fees, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses) directly associated with the reorganization and restructuring of the businesses are reported separately in the financial statements. All such costs are reported in reorganization items in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009.

Condensed Combined Financial Statements

Since the consolidated financial statements of the Company include entities not in Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, the following presents condensed combined financial information of the entities in Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings. The condensed combined financial information has been prepared, in all material aspects, on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements contained within this note represent the condensed combined financial statements for the Debtors only. GSI’s non-Debtor subsidiaries are treated as non-consolidated subsidiaries in these financial statements and as such their net income is included as “Equity income from non-Debtor subsidiaries, net of tax” in the statement of operations and their net assets are included as “Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries” in the balance sheet.

Intercompany Transactions

Intercompany transactions between Debtors have been eliminated in the financial statements contained herein. Intercompany transactions with the Debtor’s non-Debtor subsidiaries have not been eliminated in the financial statements and are reflected as Liabilities to non-Debtor subsidiaries, net.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

GSI Group Inc.

CONDENSED COMBINED DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     December  31,
2009
ASSETS   

Current Assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,809

Accounts receivable, net

     8,788

Income taxes receivable

     26,071

Inventories

     19,105

Deferred cost of goods sold

     27,485

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,424
      

Total current assets

     94,682

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

     13,727

Investments in non-Debtor subsidiaries

     291,300

Other assets

     17,599
      

Total assets

   $ 417,308
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current Liabilities

  

Liabilities to non-Debtor subsidiaries, net

   $ 6,611

Accounts payable

     3,643

Accrued compensation and benefits

     1,191

Deferred revenue

     50,104

Other accrued expenses

     6,705

Other current liabilities

     187
      

Total current liabilities

     68,441

Liabilities to non-Debtor subsidiaries, net

     34,671

Liabilities subject to compromise

     220,560

Other liabilities

     9,325
      

Total liabilities

     332,997

Stockholders’ equity:

     84,311
      

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 417,308
      

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

GSI Group Inc.

CONDENSED COMBINED DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the period from
November 20, 2009
through December 31,
2009
 

Sales

   $ 12,148   

Cost of goods sold

     8,362   
        

Gross profit

     3,786   

Operating expenses:

  

Research and development and engineering

     1,122   

Selling, general and administrative

     3,197   

Amortization of purchased intangible assets

     90   

Restructuring, restatement related costs and other

     725   
        

Total operating expenses

     5,134   

Loss from operations

     (1,348

Interest income (expense), net

     (2,909

Other expense, net

     (909

Equity income (loss) from non-Debtor subsidiaries, net of tax

     (162
        

Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

     (5,328

Reorganization items

     (23,606
        

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

     (28,934

Income tax benefit

     2,324   
        

Net loss

   $ (26,610
        

GSI Group Inc.

CONDENSED COMBINED DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the period from
November 20, 2009
through December 31,
2009
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net loss

   $ (26,610

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities

     26,313   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     5,155   
        

Cash provided by operating activities

     4,858   

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     —     

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     —     
        

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     4,858   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     5,951   
        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 10,809   
        

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Liabilities Subject to Compromise

As a result of the Chapter 11 filing, the payment of pre-petition indebtedness may be subject to compromise or other treatment under the Final Chapter 11 Plan as described in more detail below. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise affect payment of pre-petition liabilities are stayed. Although pre-petition claims are generally stayed, at a hearing held on November 24, 2009, the Court approved the Debtors’ “first day” motions generally designed to stabilize the Debtors’ operations and cover, among other things, human capital obligations, supplier relations, customer relations, business operations, tax matters, cash management, utilities, case management and retention of professionals.

The Company’s undisputed post-petition claims are being paid in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the Debtors may reject pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases with respect to the Debtors’ operations, with the approval of the Court. Damages resulting from rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases are treated as general unsecured claims and are classified as liabilities subject to compromise upon rejection. On January 20, 2010, the Court established February 24, 2010 as the bar date for non-governmental units and May 19, 2010 as the bar date for governmental units. The bar date is the date by which claims against the Debtors arising prior to the Debtors’ Chapter 11 filings must be filed if the claimants wish to receive any distribution in the Chapter 11 cases. On January 25, 2010, the Debtors commenced notification, including publication, to all known actual and potential creditors informing them of the bar date and the required procedures with respect to the filing of proofs of claim with the Court.

Liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

2008 Senior Notes

   $ 210,000

Accrued interest on 2008 Senior Notes

     6,001

Other

     4,559
      

Total

   $ 220,560
      

A description of the transactions that were consummated on the Final Chapter 11 Plan Effective Date, including, but not limited to, the cancellation of the 2008 Senior Notes, payment of interest accrued on the 2008 Senior Notes, issuance of new senior secured notes, cancellation of shares of common stock issued and outstanding, issuance of new shares of common stock and payments made for all undisputed general unsecured pre-petition claims is included in Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is completing the process of evaluating disputed claims.

All pre-petition claims are considered liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2009. The amounts classified as liabilities subject to compromise may be subject to future adjustments depending on actions of the applicable courts, further developments with respect to disputed claims, or other events.

Pre-Petition Professional Fees

Pre-petition professional fees represent retention costs incurred during 2009 prior to the bankruptcy filing for financial and legal advisors to assist in the analysis of debt restructuring alternatives, as well as costs incurred by the Company of financial and legal advisors retained by the noteholders pursuant to certain binding agreements between the two parties. Pre-petition professional fees incurred in 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Pre-Petition

Professional fees

   $ 6,966
      

Total

   $ 6,966
      

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Reorganization Items

Reorganization items represent expense or income amounts that were recorded in the consolidated financial statements as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings. Reorganization items were incurred from the date of the bankruptcy filing through December 31, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the following were the items within this category (in thousands):

 

     Post-Petition

Elimination of debt discount, deferred financing costs and accrued warrant penalty related to the 2008 Senior Notes

   $ 22,397

Professional fees

     1,209
      

Total

   $ 23,606
      

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a consistent basis.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GSI Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including the accounts of Excel since August 20, 2008. The accounts of Excel include its 50% owned joint venture, Excel Laser Technology Private Limited (Excel SouthAsia JV), since it is a variable interest entity and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses of Excel SouthAsia JV over which the Company exercises control. The Company records noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of operations for the ownership interest of the minority owners of Excel SouthAsiaJV. Financial information related to the joint venture is not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Comparative Amounts and Other

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s previously reported results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Additionally, the Company has corrected the presentation of certain items in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. These corrections relate to the following: (i) Correction of certain amounts previously reported within investing activities to operating activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. Previously reported operating cash flows of $38.9 million and $37.6 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, have been corrected to $51.9 million and $37.3 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Previously reported investing cash flows of ($338.4) million and ($7.9) million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, have been corrected to ($351.4) million and ($7.6) million in

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

2008 and 2007, respectively. (ii) Correction of $0.1 million previously reported within accrued pension liability to other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and (iii) Correction of $0.6 million previously reported within other liabilities to accrued compensation and benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. These corrections had no effect on the Company’s previously reported results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, assumptions and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition; allowance for doubtful accounts; inventory costing and reserves; the assessment of warranty reserves; the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets; accounting for business combinations; share-based payments; employee benefit plans; accounting for restructuring activities; accounting for income taxes and related valuation allowances; and, accounting for loss contingencies. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds invested in U.S. Treasury Securities and repurchase agreements of U.S. Treasury Securities that have original maturities of 90 days or less. The Company does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its cash equivalents.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Financial instruments with remaining maturities within one year from the balance sheet date are classified as current. Financial instruments with remaining maturities more than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term.

Long-Term Investments

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held auction rate securities, recorded at a fair value of $11.3 million, and with a par value of $13.0 million. As of December 31, 2008, the Company held auction rate securities, recorded at a fair value of $25.1 million, and with a par value of $32.3 million. These securities were acquired as part of the Company’s purchase of Excel in 2008. These auction rate notes are student loans backed by the federal government and are privately insured. Current capital market conditions have impacted the Company’s ability to liquidate certain auction rate securities. Liquidity for these auction rate securities is typically provided by an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35 or 90 days. In the past, the auction process has allowed investors to roll over their holdings or obtain immediate liquidity by selling the securities at par. Due to the current capital market conditions, an investor’s ability to sell auction rate securities at par has been adversely affected. Due to the uncertainty in the market as to when these auction rate notes will be refinanced or the auctions will resume, the Company has classified these instruments as long-term assets available for sale. If the credit ratings of the issuer, the bond insurers or the collateral deteriorates further, or if the issuers of these auction rate securities are unable to successfully close further auctions, the Company may further reduce the carrying value of these investments

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

and may in the future be required to record impairment charges against these investments, some of which may be considered other-than-temporary impairment charges. From January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $0.8 million of other comprehensive income attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to assets still held at December 31, 2009. From the date of the Company’s acquisition of Excel through December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $0.1 million of other comprehensive income attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to assets still held at December 31, 2008.

During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company sold $19.3 million in par value of its auction rate securities valued at $14.6 million for $17.0 million in proceeds which resulted in the recognition of realized gains of approximately $2.4 million. The gains realized upon the sale of the auction rate securities are recorded in other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009. No losses were realized upon the sale of any auction rate securities during the year-ended December 31, 2009. The Company determines the cost of a security sold and the amount to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings based on the specific identification method. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, no amounts were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings related to the sale of the Company’s auction rate securities. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of sales of auction rate securities after December 31, 2009.

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had a 25.1% equity investment in a privately held company located in the United Kingdom, valued at $1.4 million and $0.8 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the equity method to record the results of this entity. In relation to this investment, the Company recognized income of $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, all of which are shown in other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”) with no impact to its consolidated results and financial position. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

ASC 820 establishes a value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the third is considered unobservable:

 

   

Level 1. Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets which the Company can access.

 

   

Level 2. Observable inputs other than those described in Level 1.

 

   

Level 3. Unobservable inputs.

On January 1, 2009, the Company implemented the guidance in ASC 820 related to all nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities in accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (codified within ASC 820).

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2009, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2009
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Cash equivalents(1)

   $ 12,863    $ 12,863    $ —      $ —  

Auction rate securities(2)

     11,272      —        —        11,272
                           

Total

   $ 24,135    $ 12,863    $ —      $ 11,272
                           

 

(1) Cash equivalents are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.
(2) Auction rate securities are valued based on assumptions that market participants might use in their estimates of fair value (including, among other factors, underlying collateral and lack of liquidity).

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2008, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2008
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Cash equivalents(1)

   $ 36,324    $ 36,324    $ —      $ —  

Auction rate securities(2)

     25,065      —        —        25,065
                           

Total

   $ 61,389    $ 36,324    $ —      $ 25,065
                           

 

(1) Cash equivalents are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.
(2) Auction rate securities are valued based on assumptions that market participants might use in their estimates of fair value (including, among other factors, underlying collateral and lack of liquidity).

The following table summarizes the activity during the year-ended December 31, 2009 with respect to the auction rate securities, where fair value is determined by Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 25,065   

Sales

     (14,565

Unrealized gains

     772   

Unrealized losses

     —     
        

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 11,272   
        

As a result of the impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets conducted due to the Company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Company identified certain assets as impaired and as of December 31, 2009 has classified these assets as measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2009
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Other
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
   Total Gains
(Losses)
 

Goodwill(1)

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ (485

Intangible assets(2)

     —        —        —        —        (560
                                    

Total

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ (1,045
                                    

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

 

(1) Relates to goodwill for a reporting unit within the Excel segment.
(2) Relates to customer relationship intangible asset within a reporting unit asset associated with the Excel segment.

The fair values reflected above represents only those assets for which an impairment loss was recognized during the year-ended December 31, 2009. The goodwill and intangible assets have been classified as Level 3. The goodwill was initially valued based on the excess of the purchase price of the associated business combination over the fair value of the acquired tangible and intangible net assets and the intangible assets were initially valued at fair value. When identified as impaired, the goodwill and intangible assets were revalued at estimated fair value, which was zero as of December 31, 2009. The Company used unobservable inputs such as the estimated future cash flows associated to the reporting unit and respective intangible asset to determine the associated fair value. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s impairment review conducted during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the estimated fair value of the Company’s 2008 Senior Notes. See Note 11 of Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the estimated fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The Company generally does not require collateral for trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company determines the allowance based on a variety of factors including the age of amounts outstanding relative to their contractual due date, specific customer factors, and other known risks and economic trends in industries. Charges booked to the allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses, and are recorded in the period that they are determined to be uncollectible.

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 1,687      $ 374      $ 911   

Assumed in Excel acquisition

     —          1,221        —     

Increase charged to selling, general and administrative expense

     561        297        46   

Write-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously reserved

     (498     (131     (580

Exchange rate changes

     26        (74     (3
                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 1,776      $ 1,687      $ 374   
                        

Inventories

Inventories, which include materials and conversion costs, are stated at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Market is defined as replacement cost for raw materials and net realizable value for other inventories. Demo inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or its net realizable value.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, adjusted for any impairment, less accumulated depreciation. The Company uses the straight-line method to calculate the depreciation of its fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives for buildings and improvements range from 3 to 60 years and for machinery and equipment from 1 to 13 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or lease terms, including any renewal period options that are expected to be exercised. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

The Company undertakes a review of its property, plant and equipment carrying values whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company relies on the guidance included in ASC 360-10-35-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (formerly SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”) when conducting these reviews.

As a result of the severity of the global economic downturn in 2008, notably during the fourth quarter, which negatively impacted the Company’s revenue and cash flow forecasts, the Company conducted an impairment review of its property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2008. Impairment was measured as the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value for property, plant and equipment whose carrying value was not deemed recoverable. For personal property (machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, computers, software, and automobiles), the Company estimated the fair value of the assets using either a sales comparison or a replacement cost approach. The sales comparison approach utilized input from used equipment vendors and auction sites to estimate fair value. The replacement cost approach started with an estimate of the cost to replace a given asset at current prices and converted it to a fair value estimate. Fair value estimates reflected the physical deterioration, utilization rates and estimated remaining economic lives of the underlying assets. For real property, the Company engaged real estate professionals to help estimate fair value. A combination of the assumed sale of owned real estate and its value under a sale-and-leaseback arrangement were options considered in assessing the fair value of real property. When utilizing the sales of owned real estate, fair value was derived from recent transactions of comparable properties or the asking prices of competing properties on the market. The fair value of leasehold improvements was based on estimated changes in construction costs in the relevant market.

Property, plant and equipment impairment charges totaling $5.4 million were recorded in 2008, of which approximately $2.7 million pertained to assets in the Precision Technology segment, approximately $2.1 million pertained to assets in the Excel segment, and approximately $0.7 million related to corporate assets. No impairment charges related to property, plant and equipment were recorded in 2009 or 2007.

Business Combinations

For business combinations consummated prior to January 1, 2009, the Company determined and allocated the purchase price of an acquired company to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as well as to in-process research and development as of the business combination date in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The purchase price allocation process requires the Company to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date including:

 

   

estimated fair values of intangible assets;

 

   

expected costs to complete any in-process research and development projects;

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

   

estimated income tax assets and liabilities assumed from the acquiree; and

 

   

estimated fair value of pre-acquisition contingencies assumed from the acquiree.

While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as a part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the business combination date, its estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the purchase price allocation period, the Company has recorded adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding offset to goodwill. Generally, with the exception of unresolved income tax matters, any adjustment to assets acquired or liabilities assumed subsequent to the purchase price allocation period is included in operating results in the period in which the adjustment is determined.

For business combinations consummated prior to January 1, 2009, in-process research and development costs have been expensed when acquired and represent the estimated fair value as of the dates of acquisition of in-process projects acquired that have not yet reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future uses.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (formerly SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”).

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the acquired tangible and intangible net assets. In connection with its acquisition of Excel, the Company acquired certain trade names that are classified as intangible assets with indefinite lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized but they are required to be assessed for impairment at least annually to ensure their current fair values exceed their carrying values.

The Company also has certain intangible assets that are amortized over their estimated useful lives. These definite-lived intangible assets were acquired in connection with the Company’s historic business combinations. The Company’s most significant intangible assets are acquired technology, customer relationships, and trademarks and trade names. All definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the periods in which their economic benefits are expected to be realized. In addition to the Company’s review of the carrying values of intangible assets, the Company also reviews the useful life assumptions, including the classification of certain intangible assets as ‘indefinite-lived’, on a periodic basis to determine if changes in circumstances warrant revisions to them.

The Company’s product lines generally correspond with its reporting units which is the level at which the Company evaluates its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment. All of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets reside in the Precision Technology and Excel segments.

Impairment Charges

Impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are conducted in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (formerly SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”). The Company tests its goodwill balances annually in the beginning of the second quarter or more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. In performing

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

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As of December 31, 2009

 

the test, the Company utilizes the two-step approach which requires a comparison of the carrying value of each of the Company’s reporting units to the fair value of these reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company calculates the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and compares it to the goodwill’s carrying value. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference. The fair value of a reporting unit is based on the discounted cash flow forecast for the reporting unit. Those forecasts are derived from a set of assumptions similar to those discussed above with respect to the initial assessment of the fair value of intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The carrying values of each reporting unit include assets and liabilities which relate to the reporting unit’s operations. Additionally, reporting units that benefit from corporate assets or liabilities are allocated a portion of those corporate assets and liabilities on a systematic, proportional basis.

As mentioned above, the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets represent trade names that were acquired in the August 2008 Excel acquisition. The Company assesses these indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the beginning of the second quarter, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. The Company will also periodically reassess these indefinite-lived intangible assets’ continuing classification as indefinite-lived. The fair values of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are based upon discounted cash flow forecasts. If the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded to reflect the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amounts of definite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in events or circumstances indicate their carrying values may not be recoverable. The impairment analyses are conducted in accordance with ASC 360-10-35-15. The recoverability of carrying value is determined by comparison of the reporting unit’s carrying value to its future undiscounted cash flows. When this test indicates the potential for impairment, a fair value assessment is performed. The fair values are derived from discounted cash flow forecasts for the particular intangible asset and are derived from a set of assumptions similar to those discussed above with respect to the initial assessment of fair value of intangible assets acquired in a business combination.

Once impairment is determined and measured, an impairment charge is recorded to reflect the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. In addition to evaluating the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, the Company also assesses its other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360-10-35-15. This process is discussed above under “Property, plant and equipment.”

The most recent annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test was performed as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2009 noting no impairment. The Company also undertook an impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets at the end of 2009 due to the filing for voluntary relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on November 20, 2009. This review resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $1.0 million to reduce the carrying values of these assets to their fair value. Goodwill and the definite-lived customer relationship intangible asset for the Excel segment were each impaired by approximately $0.5 million. The impairment of the customer relationship intangible asset is reflected as a reduction in its gross carrying amount. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The significant downturn in the global economy experienced in 2008, and most notably in the fourth quarter of 2008, negatively impacted the Company’s estimated future revenues and cash flows. The Company had

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

performed its annual goodwill impairment test in the beginning of the second quarter noting no impairment. However, the downturn in the global economy and its effect on the Company’s business, including its revenues, suggested that an impairment might exist as of December 31, 2008. Consequently, the Company undertook an impairment review of its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment) at the end of 2008. This review led the Company to record an impairment charge of $215.1 million to reduce the carrying values of these assets to their fair value. Goodwill was impaired by $131.2 million. Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment were impaired by $78.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively. No impairments of these assets were recorded in 2007. The impairments of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment have been reflected as reductions in their gross carrying amounts. See Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, risk of loss has passed to the customer and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue recognition requires judgment and estimates, which may affect the amount and timing of revenue recognized in any given period.

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 605-25, “Multiple Element Arrangements” (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”) for all multiple element arrangements. Under ASC 605-25, the Company assesses whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and whether objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for these separate units of accounting. The Company applies the residual method when objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for all of the undelivered elements in a multiple element arrangement. When objective and reliable evidence of fair value does not exist for all of the undelivered elements in a multiple element arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue under the multiple units shipped methodology, whereby revenue is recognized in each period based upon the lowest common percentage of the products shipped in the period. This approximates a proportional performance model of revenue recognition. This generally results in a partial deferral of revenue to a later reporting period. No revenue is recognized unless one or more units of each product has been delivered.

Although certain of the Company’s products contain operating and application software, the Company has determined the software element is incidental in accordance with ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition” (formerly AICPA Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition” and EITF No. 03-05, “Applicability of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Non-Software Deliverables in an Arrangement Containing More-Than-Incidental Software”).

The Company determines the unit of accounting for certain transactions based on the guidance in ASC 985-605 (formerly AICPA’s Technical Practice Aid (“TPA”) 5100.39, “Software Revenue Recognition for Multiple Element Arrangements”). In particular, multiple purchase orders may be deemed to be interrelated and considered to constitute a multiple element arrangement for accounting purposes.

Semiconductor Systems transactions are generally multiple element arrangements which may include hardware, software, installation, training, an initial standard warranty, and optional extended warranty arrangements. The Company generally designs, markets and sells these products as standard configurations. For those standard configurations where acceptance criteria, if any, exist and are demonstrated prior to shipment, revenue is recorded at the time of shipment. For those cases where acceptance criteria cannot be demonstrated

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

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As of December 31, 2009

 

prior to shipment of a product or if a significant amount of fees are due upon acceptance, the Company recognizes revenue upon customer acceptance. Acceptance is generally required for sales of Semiconductor Systems segment products to Japanese customers, sales of “New Products”, which are considered by the Company, for purposes of revenue recognition determination, to be either (a) a product that is newly released to all customers, including a product which may have been existing previously, but which has been substantially upgraded with respect to its features or functionality; or, (b) the sale of an existing product to a customer who has not previously purchased that product. The Company follows a set of predetermined criteria when changing the classification of a New Product to a standard configuration whereby acceptance criteria are considered to be demonstrated at the time of shipment.

Precision Technology and Excel transactions include both single element and multiple element transactions. Multiple element transactions may include two or more products and occasionally also contain installation, training or preventative maintenance plans. Revenue is generally recognized under the multiple units shipped methodology described above.

The Company’s Semiconductor Systems segment also sells spare parts and consumable items, which are not subject to acceptance criteria. Revenue for these spare parts and consumable items is generally recognized under the multiple units shipped methodology described above.

Installation is generally a routine process that occurs within a short period of time from delivery and the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for transactions that include installation, and for which customer acceptance has not been deemed necessary in order to record the revenue, the cost of installation is accrued at the time product revenue is recorded and no related revenue is deferred. Historically, the costs of installation have not been significant.

The initial standard warranty for product sales is accounted for under the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies” (formerly SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”) as the Company has the ability to ascertain the probable likelihood of the liability, and can estimate the amount of the liability. A provision for the estimated cost related to warranty is recorded to cost of goods sold at the time revenue is recognized. The Company’s estimate of costs to service the warranty obligations are based on historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent the Company experiences increased warranty claims or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, revisions to the estimated warranty liability are recorded as increases or decreases to the accrual at that time, with an offsetting entry recorded to cost of goods sold.

The Company also sells optional extended warranty services, and preventative maintenance contracts, at the time of their product purchase. The Company accounts for these agreements in accordance with provisions of ASC 605-20-25-3, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts” (formerly FASB Technical Bulletin (“FTB”) 90-1, “Accounting for Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts”) under which it recognizes the separately priced extended warranty and preventative maintenance fees over the associated period.

The Company, at the request of its customers, may at times perform professional services for its customers, generally for the maintenance and repairs of products previously sold to those customers. These services are usually in the form of time and materials based contracts which are short in their duration. Revenue for time and material services is recorded at the completion of services requested under a customer’s purchase order. Customers may, at times subsequent to the initial product sale, purchase a service contract whereby services, including preventative maintenance plans, are provided over a defined period, generally one year. Revenue for such service contracts are recorded ratably over the period of the contract.

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The Company typically negotiates trade discounts and agreed terms in advance of order acceptance and records any such items as a reduction of revenue. The Company’s revenue recognition policy allows for revenue to be recognized under arrangements where the payment terms are 180 days or less, presuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. From time to time, based on the Company’s review of customer creditworthiness and other factors, the Company may provide its customers with payment terms that exceed 180 days. To the extent all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company recognizes revenue for these extended payment arrangements as the payments become due.

The Company has significant deferred revenue included in its accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with balances (including both current and long-term amounts) of $55.8 million and $84.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A significant majority of these amounts relate to arrangements whereby the entire arrangement has been accounted for as deferred revenue, as there is no fair value for one or more of the undelivered elements. Upon the final delivery of the undelivered element(s) of the arrangement, the revenue will be recorded for that arrangement. To a much lesser extent, the deferred revenue balances relate to either: (a) the unrecognized portion of a multiple element arrangements that is being recognized into revenue over a ratable basis as associated services are performed; (b) arrangements not currently recognizable due to the arrangement not being fixed and determinable at its inception; (c) the future amortization to revenue of extended warranty contracts and preventative maintenance plans; (d) revenue deferrals for product shipments with FOB destination shipping terms; and (e) deposits from customers against future orders. The classification of deferred revenue, and deferred cost of goods sold, is based on the Company’s expectations relative to when the revenue will be recognizable, based on facts known to the Company as of the date its financial statements are released.

Deferred Cost of Goods Sold

The Company defers the corresponding direct costs associated with the deferred revenue. These deferred costs have been recorded as deferred cost of goods sold, in the current and long-term sections of the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as appropriate, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as cost of goods sold when the related revenue is expected to be recognized. These costs represent the direct and incremental costs that are attributable to the product whose revenue is being deferred.

Research and Development and Engineering Costs

Internal costs relating to research and development and engineering costs incurred for new products and enhancements to existing products are expensed as incurred.

Product Warranty

The Company generally warrants its products for material and labor to repair and service the system. The standard warranty is generally a period of up to 12 months, with the exception of two product lines, DRC Encoders and JK Lasers, both being product lines that are included in the Precision Technology segment, and which have a warranty period of 24 months. The accounting for warranty provisions is discussed in the “Revenue Recognition” section of this Note 3.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has stock-based compensation plans which are more fully described in Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company recognizes the fair value of all share-based payments to employees as expense.

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Shipping & Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are recorded in cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $1.0 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries outside the United States have been translated into United States dollars in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters” (formerly SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”). Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated from foreign currencies into United States dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Sales and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate in effect for the period. Accordingly, gains and losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Foreign exchange transaction losses, net were $0.8 million in 2009 and foreign exchange transaction gains, net were $0.9 million and $0.6 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. These amounts arose primarily from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, as well as from gains (losses) on derivative contracts.

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other Charges

In accounting for its restructuring activities, the Company follows the provisions of ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations” (formerly SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”). In accounting for these obligations, the Company makes assumptions related to the amounts of employee severance, benefits, and related costs and to the time period over which facilities will remain vacant, sublease terms, sublease rates and discount rates. Estimates and assumptions are based on the best information available at the time the obligation has arisen. These estimates are reviewed and revised as facts and circumstances dictate; changes in these estimates could have a material effect on the amount previously expensed against the Company’s earnings, and currently accrued on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The costs incurred to third parties, including auditors, attorneys, forensic accountants, and other advisors that relate to the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements as reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, including, the SEC investigation, certain shareholder actions and the internal FCPA investigation have been included within the Company’s restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table provides the details of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2009             2008      
     (In thousands)  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   $ 1,867      $ (839

Unrealized gain on auction rate securities

     568        80   

Pension liability

     (5,865     (3,477
                

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (3,430   $ (4,236
                

The accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments changed significantly in 2009 due primarily to the falling U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies and the revaluation of the intercompany loans with fixed interest rates which were entered into during 2008, after which time the U.S. dollar deteriorated relative to the foreign currencies. These loan balances will continue to change in future periods as the U.S. dollar strengthens or weakens relative to these foreign currencies.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2009     2008     2007
     (In thousands)

Consolidated net income (loss)

   $ (71,269   $ (203,787   $ 15,155

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     2,706        (12,499     5,609

Unrealized gain on auction rate securities, net of tax

     488        80        —  

Pension liability, net of tax

     (2,388     797        4,172
                      

Consolidated comprehensive income (loss)

     (70,463     (215,409     24,936

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (61     (60     —  
                      

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc.

   $ (70,524   $ (215,469   $ 24,936
                      

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage currency risk. In accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (formerly SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”), the Company’s accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet the criteria for designation as hedging transactions, including cash flow, or net investment hedges. The Company did not have any derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815 at December 31, 2009 or 2008. In cases when the Company does have derivative contracts, it records all derivatives at fair value as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and any changes are recognized in other income (expense), net.

When the Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts, the contracts are generally for less than six months duration with the purpose of hedging foreign currency risk on sales transactions. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company held no derivative contracts.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For diluted net income (loss) per common share, the denominator also includes any dilutive outstanding stock options, restricted stock and warrants determined using the treasury stock method. Common and common share equivalent disclosures are (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2009    2008    2007

Weighted average common shares outstanding

   47,747    43,125    42,364

Dilutive potential common shares(1)

   —      —      281
              

Diluted common shares

   47,747    43,125    42,645
              

Excluded from diluted common shares calculation—stock options, restricted stock and warrants that are anti-dilutive

   800    1,394    1,049
              

 

(1) Due to the Company’s net loss position for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, all dilutive shares are excluded as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Accounting for Income Taxes

The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that the related tax benefits will not be realized in the future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS No. 160) (codified within ASC 810, “Consolidation”). SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting, reporting and disclosure standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 160, the Company reclassified the amount attributable to its 50% noncontrolling interest in Excel South Asia JV (previously referred to as minority interest) from liabilities to a separate component of stockholders’ equity on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is now shown separately from parent net income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Prior periods have been restated to reflect the presentation and disclosure requirements of the new guidance.

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161) (codified within ASC 815,

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

“Derivatives and Hedging”). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. At initial adoption, SFAS No. 161 encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 161 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows because the Company did not have any derivative instruments or hedging activities outstanding during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

Business Combinations

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141(R)) (codified within ASC 805, “Business Combinations”). SFAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for the method in which the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141(R) also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows because the Company did not consummate any business combinations during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (FSP No. 142-3) (codified within ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”), which amends the factors that must be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life over which to amortize the cost of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 (codified within ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”). FSP No. 142-3 amends paragraph 11(d) of SFAS No. 142 to require an entity to consider its own assumptions about renewal or extension of the term of the arrangement, consistent with its expected use of the asset. FSP No. 142-3 also requires the following incremental disclosures for renewable intangible assets: the weighted-average period prior to the next renewal or extension (whether explicit and implicit) for each major intangible asset class; the entity’s accounting policy for the treatment of costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset; and, for intangible asset renewed or extended during the period: (1) for entities that capitalize renewal or extension costs, the costs incurred to review or extend the asset, for each major intangible asset class; and, (2) the weighted-average period prior to the next renewal or extension (whether explicit and implicit) for each major intangible asset class. The Company’s adoption of FSP No. 142-3 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Fair Value Measurements

On April 4, 2009, the Company adopted FSP No. 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (FSP No. 157-4) (codified within ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP re-emphasizes that regardless of market conditions the fair value measurement is an exit price concept as defined in SFAS No. 157. This FSP clarifies and includes additional factors to consider in determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset or liability and provides additional clarification on estimating fair value when the market activity for an asset or liability has declined significantly. The scope of this FSP does not include assets and liabilities measured under level 1 inputs. The Company’s adoption of FSP No. 157-4 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

On April 4, 2009, the Company adopted FSP No. 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (FSP No. 107-1 and APB No. 28-1) (codified within ASC 825, “Financial Instruments”). FSP No. 107-1 and APB No. 28-1 amend SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (codified within ASC 825, “Financial Instruments”), to require publicly-traded companies, as defined in APB No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting” (codified within ASC 270, “Interim Reporting”) to provide disclosures on the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements. The Company’s adoption of FSP No. 107-1 and APB No. 28-1 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On April 4, 2009, the Company adopted FSP Nos. 115-2 and 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (FSP Nos. 115-2 and 124-2) (codified within ASC 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities”). This FSP amends the requirements for the recognition and measurement of other-than-temporary impairments for debt securities by modifying the pre-existing “intent and ability” indicator. Under FSP No. 115-2, for impaired debt securities, an other-than-temporary impairment is triggered when there is intent to sell the security, it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery, or the security is not expected to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. Additionally, FSP No. 115-2 changes the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments in the income statement for those impairments attributed to credit losses. The Company’s adoption of FSP Nos. 115-2 and 124-2 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Subsequent Events

On April 4, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (SFAS No. 165) (codified within ASC 855, “Subsequent Events”) which establishes general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS No. 165 originally required all companies to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for disclosure and recognition. In February 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to SFAS No. 165 (ASU 2010-09, “Subsequent Events-Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements”) which removed the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for disclosure and recognition in issued and revised financial statements. ASU 2010-09 is effective immediately, with the exception of the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors, for which the effective date is interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2010. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 165 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company will adopt ASU 2010-09 effective in 2010, but does not expect that the adoption will have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recodification of Accounting Standards

On July 4, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” (SFAS No. 168). SFAS No. 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 168 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, the adoption of SFAS No. 168 changed the manner in which the Company references accounting standards beginning with the interim reporting period ended on October 2, 2009.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition

In September 2009, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF No. 08-1, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (EITF No. 08-1) (codified within ASU 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”). EITF No. 08-1 amends existing revenue recognition accounting pronouncements that are currently within the scope of EITF No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” (codified within ASC 605-25, “Multiple Element Arrangements”). EITF No. 08-1 provides two significant changes to the existing multiple element revenue recognition guidance. First, this guidance removes the requirement to have objective and reliable evidence of fair value for undelivered elements in an arrangement and will result in more deliverables being treated as separate units of accounting. The second change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables. These changes may result in entities recognizing more revenue up-front, and entities will no longer be able to apply the residual method and defer the fair value of undelivered elements. Upon adoption, each separate unit of accounting must have an estimated selling price, which can be based on management’s estimate when there is no other means to determine the fair value of that undelivered item, and the arrangement consideration is allocated based on the elements’ relative selling price. This accounting guidance is effective no later than fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 but may be early adopted as of the first quarter of an entity’s fiscal year. Entities may elect to adopt this accounting guidance either through prospective application to all revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption or through a retrospective application to all revenue arrangements for all periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that its adoption of EITF No. 08-1 will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company anticipates that it will adopt EITF No. 08-1 effective January 1, 2011 on a prospective basis.

Accounting for Entities in Bankruptcy and Coming Out of Bankruptcy

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 90-7-1, “An Amendment of AICPA Statement of Position 90-7” (codified within ASC 852, “Reorganizations”). FSP No. 90-7-1 nullifies certain requirements regarding changes in accounting principles that will be applicable to the financial statements of an entity emerging from bankruptcy. Any changes in accounting principles required within the twelve months following the implementation of fresh start accounting by such an entity are no longer required to be adopted at the time fresh start accounting is implemented. Entities emerging from bankruptcy that implement fresh start accounting should only follow accounting standards in effect at the date fresh start accounting is implemented, including any standards eligible for early adoption. The Company will assess the impact of the application of this standard if fresh start accounting is required upon emergence from bankruptcy.

4. Business Combinations

Acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc.

On August 20, 2008, the Company acquired 78.6% of the outstanding common shares of Excel. Thereafter, the Company commenced a tender offering for all remaining Excel common shares. On August 27, 2008, the Company had obtained 92.8% of Excel’s outstanding shares and performed a short form merger to acquire Excel’s remaining outstanding shares. On August 29, 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of Excel for a cash purchase price of $368.7 million, including: a payment of $32.00 per outstanding common share of Excel; a payment of $32.00 less the strike price of each outstanding option for the purchase of common stock and restricted share of common stock; and transaction costs. In addition to these payments, employee termination costs totaling $18.4 million were paid to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Excel; these costs have not been included in the purchase price, but are included in the allocation of the purchase consideration. Excel provides complementary products, technologies, and distribution channels. The Company

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

believes that the combined Company will provide its customers a significantly broader product offering. The Company has initiated the integration of key operating units, and those activities are either complete or well underway. These synergistic efforts have enabled substantial cost savings initiatives. Certain integration activities have been delayed due to the Company’s restatement of its financial results as reported in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008 and the Chapter 11 Cases. The Company previously expected to complete the integration of Excel with its existing operations by the end of 2010. As a result of the bankruptcy filing on November 20, 2009 and a change in the Company’s Board of Directors, the previous plan is being reevaluated.

The Company accounted for the acquisition as a purchase. The Company has included Excel’s results of operations with the Company’s results beginning August 20, 2008. Subsequent to the acquisition of Excel, the Company established a third segment which was comprised solely of the operations of the newly acquired entity. In 2009, the Company changed the structure of its internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. The Company’s reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented. The Company has recorded the assets purchased and liabilities assumed (collectively, the “net assets”) based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 141, the excess of the total purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets is recorded to goodwill. The goodwill recognized on the Excel acquisition reflects synergies and other benefits expected to be realized from the combination of the two businesses following the acquisition. The goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.

A summary of the purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):

 

Total Purchase Consideration:

  

Cash paid to shareholders

   $ 347,730

Cash paid to option holders and restricted stockholders

     12,674

Transaction fees

     8,307
      

Total Purchase Consideration

   $ 368,711
      

Allocation of the Purchase Consideration:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,430

Long-term investments (auction rate securities)

     24,985

Accounts receivable

     20,435

Inventories

     37,690

Income tax receivable

     7,002

Deferred tax assets

     3,442

Property, plant and equipment

     33,050

Identifiable intangible assets

     132,685

In-process research and development charge

     12,142

Goodwill

     149,941

Other assets

     2,292
      

Total assets acquired

     434,094
      

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     15,554

Income taxes payable

     348

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

     47,541

Other liabilities

     1,940
      

Total liabilities assumed

     65,383
      

Net assets acquired

   $ 368,711
      

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The deferred tax liability primarily relates to the tax impact of future tax amortization associated with the identified intangible assets acquired, the adjustment in fair value of certain tangible assets acquired, and the difference between book and tax basis for original issue discount on the debt. The estimated taxes are based on an expected effective tax rate of 36.35%.

The Company used the income approach to determine fair value of the intangible assets. This approach calculates fair value by discounting the after-tax cash flows back to a present value. The baseline data for this analysis were based on the cash flow estimates used to price the transaction. Cash flows were forecasted for each intangible asset, and then discounted based on an appropriate discount rate. In estimating the useful life of the amortizable intangible assets, the Company considered ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”, Subsection 30-35-3 (formerly paragraph 11 of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”), which lists the pertinent factors to be considered when estimating the useful life of an intangible asset. These factors included a review of the expected use by the combined company of the assets acquired; the expected useful life of any other asset (or group of assets) related to the acquired assets; legal, regulatory or other contractual provisions that may limit the useful life of an acquired asset or may enable the extension of the useful life of an acquired asset without substantial cost; the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors; and the level of maintenance expenditures required to obtain the expected future cash flows from the asset. Definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis.

The value assigned to in-process research and development was determined using an income approach by estimating the costs to develop the acquired technology into commercially viable products, estimating the resulting net cash flows from the projects, and discounting the net cash flows to their present value. At the date of acquisition, the development of these projects had not yet reached technological feasibility, and had no alternative future uses. Accordingly, the Company has expensed the value of this research and development at the acquisition date. Due to the nature of the forecasts and the risks associated with the developmental projects, a discount rate of 15.0% was used to discount the net cash flows to their present value. The successful development of new products and product enhancements is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, including unanticipated delays, access to capital, budget overruns, technical problems and other difficulties that could result in the abandonment or substantial change in the design, development and commercialization of these new products and enhancements. Given the uncertainties inherent with product development and introduction, there can be no assurance that any of the combined Company’s product development efforts will be successful on a timely basis or within budget, if at all. The failure of the combined Company to develop new products and product enhancements on a timely basis or within budget could harm the combined Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The following assets are the identifiable intangible assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives (dollars in thousands):

 

     Amount    Weighted Average Life
(Years)

Amortizable intangible assets:

     

Core technology

   $ 42,355    9.9

Customer relationships

     44,764    11.9

Customer backlog

     3,186    1.0

Non-compete agreements

     8,040    2.9
         

Amortizable intangible assets

     98,345    10.0
         

Non-amortizable intangible assets:

     

Trade names

     34,340   
         

Total identifiable intangible assets

   $ 132,685   
         

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

As discussed in further detail in Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company undertook an impairment review of its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment) at December 31, 2008 due to the significant downturn in the global economy in 2008, particularly in the fourth quarter. Included in the impairment charge recorded as of December 31, 2008 were impairments of the goodwill, intangible assets and fixed assets from the Company’s acquisition of Excel. These assets were reduced by $114.1 million, $66.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. In addition, the Company undertook an impairment review of its goodwill and intangible assets at December 31, 2009 due to the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As a result of this review, goodwill and the definite-lived customer relationship intangible asset for the Excel segment were each impaired by approximately $0.5 million.

Acquisition of the U.K. Beryllium Business

On June 1, 2007, the Company acquired the beryllium mirror and structures business of U.K.-based Thales Optronics (Taunton) Ltd, (the “U.K. Beryllium Business”) for $3.0 million, consisting of $2.5 million in payments to former shareholders, plus $0.5 million in acquisition related expenses. The acquisition helped strengthen the Company’s market position in optical scanning. The acquisition was accounted for under SFAS No. 141. The Company allocated the costs of acquisition to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair values at the acquisition date. In performing this analysis, the fair value of the net assets acquired was greater than the purchase price. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, the excess of the fair value of the acquired net assets over the purchase cost was allocated on a pro rata basis to the acquired long term assets, which consisted of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The results of operations of this business are included in the Precision Technology segment of the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. Total assets acquired were $3.8 million and liabilities assumed were $0.8 million.

Supplementary Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of consolidated results of operations of the Company and Excel as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each of the periods presented with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangible assets, an increase in interest expense on acquisition financing and certain other adjustments together with related tax effects. The unaudited pro forma financial information excludes the material, non-recurring charge for the purchased in-process research and development charge of $12.1 million. No pro-forma information has been presented for the acquisition of the U.K. Beryllium Business, because such information is not material to the Company’s financial results. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is presented for informational purposes only. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the merger been completed at the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined Company after completion of the acquisition (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,
           2008                 2007      

Sales

   $ 387,255      $ 451,104
              

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (217,983     1,256

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     270        467

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     8,732        —  
              

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc.

   $ (208,981   $ 1,723
              

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic and diluted

   $ (5.05   $ 0.03

Income from discontinued operations per common share—basic and diluted

     0.21        0.01
              

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group Inc. per common share—basic and diluted

   $ (4.85   $ 0.04
              

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

5. Discontinued Operations

The Company evaluates its businesses and product lines periodically for strategic fit within its operations. On July 3, 2008, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. Optics Business located in Moorpark, California and part of the Company’s Precision Technology segment for $21.6 million. The sale was closed on October 8, 2008. The Company includes all current and historical earnings from the U.S. Optics Business in the income (loss) from discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations. The net gain of $8.7 million is reported as gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

In accordance with ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (formerly SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”), the following amounts related to the U.S. Optics Business have been segregated from continuing operations and included in discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Sales of discontinued business

   $ —        $ 10,188      $ 11,502   
                        

Pre-tax income (loss) of discontinued business

     (132     495        763   

Provision for taxes on income of discontinued business

     —          (225     (296
                        

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued business attributable to GSI Group Inc.—net of tax

     (132     270        467   
                        

Pre-tax gain on discontinued business

     —          13,412        —     

Provision for taxes on gain

     —          (4,680     —     
                        

Gain on discontinued business attributable to GSI Group Inc.—net of tax

     —          8,732        —     
                        

Income (loss) from discontinued business attributable to GSI Group Inc.—net of tax

   $ (132   $ 9,002      $ 467   
                        

The assets and liabilities relating to the U.S. Optics Business were segregated from other of the Company’s assets and liabilities. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an additional charge of $0.1 million related to discontinued operations associated with an insurance premium adjustment; however, the Company did not have any significant continuing involvement with the operations of this component after the disposal transaction. Net cash flows of the Company’s discontinued operations from each of the categories of operating, investing and financing were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

6. Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Impairment Charges

Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded when the consideration for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Reportable Segment  
     Excel     Precision
Technology
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ —        $ 26,291      $ 26,291   

Acquisition of Excel

     149,941        —          149,941   

Impairment of goodwill

     (114,123     (17,046     (131,169
                        

Balance at December 31, 2008

     35,818        9,245        45,063   

Impairment of goodwill

     (485     —          (485
                        

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 35,333      $ 9,245      $ 44,578   
                        

Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2009, intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2009
     Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
   Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years)

Amortizable intangible assets:

          

Patents and acquired technology

   $ 61,463    $ (39,807   $ 21,656    6.4

Customer relationships

     33,121      (11,516     21,605    9.3

Customer backlog

     2,355      (2,355     —      —  

Non-compete agreements

     4,870      (2,543     2,327    1.6

Trademarks, trade names and other

     5,746      (2,852     2,894    9.2
                        

Amortizable intangible assets

     107,555      (59,073     48,482    7.6
                        

Non-amortizable intangible assets:

          

Trade names

     13,027      —          13,027   
                        

Totals

   $ 120,582    $ (59,073   $ 61,509   
                        

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

As of December 31, 2008, intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2008
     Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Carrying
Amount
   Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years)

Amortizable intangible assets:

          

Patents and acquired technology

   $ 60,940    $ (35,593   $ 25,347    7.3

Customer relationships

     33,681      (8,779     24,902    10.1

Customer backlog

     2,355      (1,155     1,200    0.7

Non-compete agreements

     4,870      (1,010     3,860    2.6

Trademarks, trade names and other

     5,589      (2,465     3,124    10.2
                        

Amortizable intangible assets

     107,435      (49,002     58,433    8.2
                        

Non-amortizable intangible assets:

          

Trade names

     13,027      —          13,027   
                        

Totals

   $ 120,462    $ (49,002   $ 71,460   
                        

All definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their remaining life. Amortization expense for customer relationships, customer backlog, non-compete agreements and definite-lived trademarks, trade names and other are included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and was $5.8 million, $5.7 million and $2.2 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization expense for patents and acquired technology are included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and was $3.9 million, $4.7 million and $3.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter as of December 31, 2009, is as follows (in thousands):

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Cost of Goods
Sold
   Operating
Expenses
   Total

2010

   $ 3,884    $ 4,440    $ 8,324

2011

     3,843      3,520      7,363

2012

     3,165      2,651      5,816

2013

     3,165      2,651      5,816

2014

     3,165      2,564      5,729

Thereafter

     4,434      11,000      15,434
                    

Total

   $ 21,656    $ 26,826    $ 48,482
                    

Impairment Charges

The most recent annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test was performed as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2009 noting no impairment. The Company undertook an impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets at the end of 2009 due to the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This review led the Company to record an impairment charge of approximately $1.0 million to reduce the carrying values of these assets to their fair value. Goodwill and the definite-lived customer relationship intangible asset for the Excel segment were each impaired by approximately $0.5 million. The impairment of the customer relationship intangible asset is reflected as a reduction in its gross carrying amount.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The results of the impairment review as of December 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Pre-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value
   Impairment
Charge
    Post-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value

Goodwill

   $ 45,063    $ (485   $ 44,578

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     13,027      —          13,027

Definite-lived intangible assets

     49,042      (560     48,482

Property, plant and equipment

     49,502      —          49,502
                     
   $ 156,634    $ (1,045   $ 155,589
                     

The significant downturn in the global economy experienced in 2008, and most notably in the fourth quarter of 2008, negatively impacted the Company’s estimated future revenues and cash flows. The downturn in the global economy and its effect on the Company’s business, including its revenues, suggested that an impairment might exist as of December 31, 2008. Consequently, the Company undertook an impairment review of its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment) at the end of 2008. This review led the Company to record an impairment charge of $215.1 million to reduce the carrying values of these assets to their fair value. The impairments of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment have been reflected as reductions in their gross carrying amounts. The impairment charge by segment is as follows:

 

   

Precision Technology: $17.1 million for goodwill, $11.9 million for definite-lived intangible assets and $2.7 million for property, plant and equipment. Total impairment: $31.7 million.

 

   

Excel: $114.1 million for goodwill, $21.3 million for indefinite-lived intangible assets, $45.2 million for definite-lived intangible assets and $2.1 million for property, plant and equipment. Total impairment: $182.7 million.

 

   

Corporate: $0.7 million for property, plant and equipment.

The results of the impairment review as of December 31, 2008 are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Pre-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value
   Impairment
Charge
    Post-Impairment
Net Carrying
Value

Goodwill

   $ 176,232    $ (131,169   $ 45,063

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     34,341      (21,314     13,027

Definite-lived intangible assets

     115,563      (57,130     58,433

Property, plant and equipment

     59,877      (5,438     54,439
                     
   $ 386,013    $ (215,051   $ 170,962
                     

Revenue and the resulting cash flows, as well as the applied discount rate that is associated with risk and the Company’s cost of capital, are significant inputs in the calculation of the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets. The deterioration of certain reporting unit cash flow forecasts, and other factors, resulted in the decrease in the fair value of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in 2009 and 2008.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The downward revision in the Company’s estimated future cash flows and the increase in the rates used to discount them account for most of the impairment recorded on the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in 2008. The downward revision in the Company’s estimated future cash flows for a particular Excel segment reporting unit resulted in the impairment recorded on the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in 2009. No impairment charges were recorded in 2007. Following the Company’s 2009 and 2008 impairment charges, it continues to maintain a significant balance in its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. To the extent that the Company’s assumptions used to value the goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 should adversely change, due to a further deterioration of the markets that the Company serves, the broader worldwide economy, or the performance of the Company’s business relative to its expectations as of December 31, 2009, the Company may be required to record additional impairment charges in the future.

The Company’s impairment charge recorded on December 31, 2008 included a significant charge against the goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets that it acquired in connection with its business combination of Excel on August 20, 2008. Specifically, the impairment charges noted above included a reduction in the acquired goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets of Excel of $114.1 million, $66.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. These impairment charges represent 76%, 50% and 6% of the respective amounts acquired in August 2008.

The Company’s acquisition of Excel was finalized on August 20, 2008 pursuant to a merger agreement that was entered into as of July 9, 2008. Inherent in the Company’s purchase price valuation of Excel were estimates of the future performance of Excel, including revenue and expense projections. In September 2008, shortly after the acquisition, the worldwide economies began a dramatic period in which credit was tightened and international trade declined dramatically. The significant downturn in the global economy experienced in 2008, and most notably in the fourth quarter of 2008, negatively impacted the Company’s estimated future revenues and cash flows, as compared to the Company’s prior estimates, including those estimates made at the time the Company acquired Excel. Excel’s 2009 unaudited actual revenues were approximately 32% lower than Excel’s 2009 projected revenue at the time of the acquisition in August 2008. From the acquisition in August 2008 to December 2008, when the impairment analysis was performed, the Company reduced Excel’s annual revenue projections by $50.1 to $54.5 million per year, or on average approximately 26% per year, compared to the projections used to initially value the intangible assets in Excel’s purchase price allocation. During this same period of time, the Company’s cost of capital increased significantly, primarily due to the increase in risk associated with an investment in the Company’s equity securities. The Company’s estimated cost of capital increased in the fourth quarter of 2008 after the Company announced the delayed filing of its financial results. The announcement increased the Company’s risk profile and made financing more expensive, as a result of the decline in the Company’s stock price, the receipt by the Company of default notices from its noteholders, and the severe economic downturn. The Company’s weighted average cost of capital forms the basis of the rates used to discount the Company’s cash flow forecasts which are integral to the Company’s fair value estimates. The discount rates utilized to initially value the intangible assets in the purchase price allocation ranged from 10.0% to 13.0%, while the discount rates utilized in the December 31, 2008 impairment analyses of the goodwill and other intangible assets ranged from 16.5% to 17.5%.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

7. Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

The following tables provide the details of selected balance sheet items as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

Inventories

 

     December 31,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Raw materials

   $ 34,982    $ 41,355

Work-in-process

     14,905      17,548

Finished goods

     11,964      13,751

Demo inventory

     3,751      5,068

Consigned inventory

     842      786
             

Total inventories

   $ 66,444    $ 78,508
             

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

     December 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Cost:

    

Land, buildings and improvements

   $ 48,131      $ 48,602   

Machinery and equipment

     50,598        51,146   
                

Total cost

     98,729        99,748   

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (49,227     (45,309
                

Net property, plant and equipment

   $ 49,502      $ 54,439   
                

Depreciation expense, including amortization of demo inventory, was $7.7 million, $8.5 million and $8.7 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The costs in the table above reflect the $5.4 million impairment charge that was recorded as of December 31, 2008. See the Impairment Charges section of Note 6 for further details.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

     December 31,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Prepaid expenses

   $ 3,830    $ 4,411

U.K. buildings held for sale

     —        3,376

Other current assets

     1,792      1,782
             

Total

   $ 5,622    $ 9,569
             

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company had two properties in the U.K. classified as assets held for sale with net book values of $0.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The Company completed the sale of one of these properties in February 2009 for proceeds of $0.4 million and recorded a gain on the sale of $0.2 million. The gain on the sale of the asset is reflected in other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009. The remaining U.K. property was sold in October 2009 during the three months ended December 31, 2009. The proceeds received on the sale of this property totaled $3.5 million, which is approximately equivalent to the net book value of the asset on the date of sale; therefore, no gain or loss was recorded on the sale. Both properties held for sale at December 31, 2008 are associated with the Precision Technology segment.

At December 31, 2007, the Company had a third property in the U.K. classified as held for sale with a net book value of $1.5 million. The Company completed the sale of this property during the three months ended June 27, 2008 for proceeds of $3.2 million and recorded a gain on the sale of the asset of $1.7 million in the same period. The gain on the sale is reflected in other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2008. This property is associated with the Precision Technology segment.

Other Accrued Expenses

 

     December 31,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Accrued interest

   $ 2,631    $ 8,342

Accrued penalty to warrant holders (Note 8)

     —        805

Accrued warranty

     3,140      3,793

Accrued professional fees

     3,143      2,076

Accrued third party sales commissions

     266      604

Customer deposits

     1,112      484

Accrued restructuring, current portion

     1,194      2,969

Accrued litigation settlements

     403      —  

Deferred rent, current portion

     343      343

Other

     1,911      4,476
             

Total

   $ 14,143    $ 23,892
             

Accrued Warranty

 

     December 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 3,793      $ 4,216   

Assumed in Excel acquisition

     —          1,214   

Charged to costs and expenses

     1,831        6,618   

Use of provision

     (2,590     (7,948

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     106        (307
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 3,140      $ 3,793   
                

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Other Liabilities

 

     December 31,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Deferred rent

   $ 4,039    $ 4,355

Other

     —        214
             

Total

   $ 4,039    $ 4,569
             

8. Debt

On August 20, 2008 (the “Closing Date”), the Company issued to various investors $210.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “2008 Senior Notes”) pursuant to the terms of an indenture (the “2008 Senior Note Indenture”), along with detachable warrants (the “Warrants”) for the purchase of 5,882,520 of the Company’s common shares, for collective net proceeds to the Company of $203.5 million. The proceeds were used to fund a portion of the Company’s acquisition of Excel, and the 2008 Senior Notes carry a fixed interest rate of 11.0%. The Warrants were net exercised by the holders in October 2008, in exchange for 5,858,495 common shares of the Company. The Company ascribed a fair value to the Warrants in the amount of $26.3 million as of the Closing Date. The fair value was based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model, assuming a risk-free interest rate of 3.0%, an expected term of 5.0 years, a volatility rate of 85.0% and a 0.0% dividend yield.

The 2008 Senior Notes pay interest semi-annually on February 15th and August 15th and mature in August 2013. Following the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company had the right to redeem up to 50% of the 2008 Senior Notes at par without penalty. Following the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company had the right to redeem up to 100% of the 2008 Senior Notes at par without penalty. The 2008 Senior Note Indenture contained covenants that restricted the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, create liens, make investments, sell assets, repurchase securities, or engage in specified transactions with affiliates. As discussed in Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements, GSIG and two of its wholly-owned United States subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy on November 20, 2009. Under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company’s status as a bankruptcy debtor automatically accelerated the 2008 Senior Notes. Accordingly, the 2008 Senior Notes are classified as a current liability in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2009, this debt is classified as a liability subject to compromise in accordance with ASC 852.

The $26.3 million of value ascribed to the Warrants was recorded as a discount against the 2008 Senior Notes. This discount was being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the 2008 Senior Notes. In connection with the issuance of the 2008 Senior Notes, the Company incurred $6.5 million in issuance fees which are classified as current assets at December 31, 2008. These issuance fees were being amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the 2008 Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2008, the unamortized portion of the valuation of the warrants was $24.9 million and the unamortized debt issuance costs were $6.0 million. However, in accordance with the reclassification of the 2008 Senior Notes after the November 20, 2009 bankruptcy filing to liabilities subject to compromise, the Company recorded write-offs related to the remaining unamortized portion of the discount and deferred debt financing costs in order to record the 2008 Senior Notes at the expected amount of the allowed claims. The aggregate amount of the write-off related to the remaining unamortized portion of the discount attributable to the warrants totaled $21.4 million, while the write-off related to the remaining unamortized portion of the deferred debt

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

financing costs totaled $4.9 million. Both the write-off related to the remaining unamortized portion of the debt discount and the write-off related to the deferred debt financing costs are classified as reorganization items in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009. The 2008 Senior Notes, net of the value of the Warrants, constitute a net carrying value of $210.0 million and $185.1 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the years-ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the total amount recorded to interest expense on the 2008 Senior Notes, including accretion of the discount and amortization of the debt issuance costs, was $27.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively.

As discussed further in Note 1, the Company failed to timely file its annual and quarterly reports. Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”) with the Warrant holders, the Company notified the Warrant holders that it was indefinitely suspending its registration statement on Form S-3. Under the RRA, monetary penalties accrue and are payable to the Warrant holders for failure to maintain an effective registration statement, subject to certain terms and conditions more specifically set forth therein. In 2008, the Company incurred penalties under the RRA, and as a result has recorded an expense and corresponding accrued liability of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2008. The Company continued to incur penalties in 2009. Through the date of the Company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 20, 2009, the Company had accrued the maximum penalty due under the RRA of $3.8 million. However, as a result of the Company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 20, 2009, the Company reversed the existing balance of the Warrant penalty accrual totaling $3.8 million as part of its reclassification of the 2008 Senior Notes as liabilities subject to compromise at the expected amount of the allowed claims.

Pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, on July 23, 2010 upon emergence from bankruptcy, $10.0 million of the 2008 Senior Notes were repaid in cash and the remaining 2008 Senior Notes were cancelled and replaced by $107.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 12.25% Senior Secured PIK Election Notes (the “New Notes”) which mature on July 23, 2014. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning transactions related to the Chapter 11 Cases.

Fair Value of Debt

No public trades occurred in the 2008 Senior Notes during the year-ended December 31, 2009. The Company engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding the value of the 2008 Senior Notes and an appropriate restructuring plan throughout this time period with the lender group and others. Thus, although the actual value of the 2008 Senior Notes may have varied materially if trading had taken place, the Company estimates that the fair value of the 2008 Senior Notes as of December 31, 2009 is its associated par value.

9. Stockholders’ Equity

Capital Stock

The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, and to share ratably in its assets legally available for distribution to the stockholders in the event of liquidation. Holders of common shares have no redemption or conversion rights.

Warrants

As discussed in Note 8, in August 2008 the Company issued Warrants which were later net exercised in October 2008 for an aggregate of 5,858,495 common shares.

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Shareholders Rights Plan

At the annual meeting of shareholders held on May 15, 2008, shareholders approved a resolution approving the continuation, amendment and restatement of the Company’s shareholders rights plan.

Prior to the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, the board of directors of the Company approved an amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement to be dated May 15, 2008 (the “Rights Plan”), if approved by shareholders at such meeting. The Rights Plan was originally approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 26, 2005 and its continued existence had to be approved and confirmed by independent shareholders on or before the date of the Company’s 2008 annual meeting of shareholders or the Rights Plan would expire. The Rights Plan was cancelled in connection with the Company’s emergence from the Chapter 11 proceedings. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The amended and restated shareholder rights plan continues to create a right (which is only triggered if a person or a control group acquires 20% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding publicly traded common shares) for each shareholder, other than the acquiring person or its associates or affiliates, to acquire additional common shares of the Company at one-half of the then market price at the time of exercise. The net effect of an exercise is to dilute the prospective acquirer’s share position, and inhibits a change of control event unless the rights plan has been withdrawn or the buyer makes a bid that is permitted by the terms of the plan.

The rights plan is intended to give the Company’s Board of Directors more time and control over any sale process and increase the likelihood of maximizing shareholder value.

Stock Repurchase Plan

In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $15.0 million in shares of the Company’s common shares. In February 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the stock repurchase program up to a total of $40.0 million. The Company repurchased and retired 772,467 shares, 816,830 shares, and 381,300 shares in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, at an aggregate cost of $6.4 million, $7.8 million, and $3.8 million, respectively. The program was suspended in May 2008 as a result of the Company’s decision to acquire Excel. At December 31, 2009, $21.9 million remains available for future Company purchases under this program. In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the stock repurchase program was cancelled. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

10. Share-Based Compensation

The Company has several share-based compensation plans, including the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, under which stock-based grants may be issued and several other plans under which no new grants will be made. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan provides for grants of various stock-based awards including, but not limited to, stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. Since 2006, the Company has issued only restricted stock in the form of time and performance-based grants to senior executives, key employees and directors.

2006 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 15, 2006, shareholders of the Company approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan which provides for the sale or grant of various awards of, or the value of, the Company’s common shares including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance shares and units, performance-based awards, and

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

stock grants, to officers, directors, employees and certain consultants to the Company. The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common shares which may be issued pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan is 9,406,000 shares, including a 2,500,000 share increase as approved by the Company’s shareholders at the May 2008 annual meeting, and subject to adjustment in the event of certain corporate events and reduced by the number of shares already issued pursuant to awards under the Company’s 1992 and 1995 Equity Incentive Plans. The plan has a ten year term. As of December 31, 2009, there were 4,246,784 common shares available for future issuance under this plan. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was cancelled upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company recorded compensation expense related to restricted stock awards issued under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan totaling $2.1 million, $2.8 million and $2.5 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Approximately $0.2 million of the compensation expense recognized during the year-ended December 31, 2009 relates to awards that are accounted for as share-based liabilities under ASC 718. The share-based liabilities relate to the Company’s obligations arising from its commitment to issue shares of restricted stock and common stock to the members of its Board of Directors as compensation for their services provided as members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The associated liability is reported within other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009. The expense associated with the Company’s share-based liabilities is reported within selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year-ended December 31, 2009. No awards were accounted for as share-based liabilities during either the year-ended December 31, 2008 or the year-ended December 31, 2007. No other issuances were made under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan during the year-ended December 31, 2009. Stock compensation expense is primarily included in selling, general, and administrative expenses, and as an increase to additional paid-in capital on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Earnings before income taxes were reduced by these amounts. As the restricted stock is issuable to the holder, subject to vesting provisions, with no consideration payable by the holder, the grant date fair value per share is based on the quoted stock price on the date of the grant.

It is the Company’s policy to issue new shares for equity awards. For awards that vest based solely on service conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally from the grant of the awards through the end of the vesting period. For awards with vesting that is contingent upon the achievement of performance conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally from the grant of the awards through the end of the vesting period, for each separately vesting tranche of the award. Restricted stock awards have generally been issued with a three-year vesting period. The Company reduces the compensation expense by an estimated forfeiture rate which is based on actual experience. The Company assesses the likelihood that performance-based shares will be earned based on the probability of meeting the performance criteria. For those performance-based awards that are deemed probable of achievement, expense is recorded, and for those awards that are deemed not probable of achievement, no expense is recorded. The Company assesses the probability of achievement each quarter.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The table below summarizes activity relating to restricted stock awards issued under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan:

 

     Restricted Stock
Awards
(In thousands)
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2006

   606      $ 9.28

Granted

   782      $ 10.07

Vested

   (134   $ 9.14

Forfeited

   (87   $ 9.95
            

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2007

   1,167      $ 9.78

Granted

   805      $ 7.91

Vested

   (305   $ 9.67

Forfeited

   (907   $ 8.95
            

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2008

   760      $ 8.84

Granted

   —          —  

Vested

   (275   $ 8.93

Forfeited

   (75   $ 8.18
            

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2009

   410      $ 8.90
            

The Company’s restricted stock awards consist of both time-based and performance-based awards. Based on the Company’s estimates of forfeitures of time-based awards, and estimates relative to performance-based awards’ vesting and forfeitures, the Company would record aggregate compensation expense of $0.9 million subsequent to December 31, 2009, over a weighted average life of 0.9 years.

The total fair value of restricted stock awards that vested in 2009, 2008 and 2007, based on the market price of the underlying stock on the day of vesting, was $0.2 million, $2.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Other Incentive Compensation Plans

The Company has several stock option plans and a warrant plan with outstanding grants that pre-date the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. In 2005, the unvested options were accelerated. No new options will be granted under pre-2006 equity plans. All pre-2006 equity plans were also cancelled upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy. See Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Stock option and warrant activity under these plans is presented below:

 

     Number of
Shares

(in thousands)
    Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average Remaining
Term in Years
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   2,342      $ 9.73      

Granted

   —          —        

Exercised

   (954   $ 8.59      

Forfeited and expired

   (160   $ 10.83      
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   1,228      $ 10.46      

Granted

   —          —        

Exercised

   (16   $ 3.89      

Forfeited and expired

   (782   $ 11.13      
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   430      $ 9.49    1.46 years    $ —  

Granted

   —          —        

Exercised

   —          —        

Forfeited and expired

   (167   $ 8.97      
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

   263      $ 9.82    1.24 years    $ —  
              

Exercisable at December 31, 2009

   263      $ 9.82    1.24 years    $ —  
              

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and warrants and the quoted price of common shares for the options and warrants that were in the money at December 31, 2009. There were no in the money shares at December 31, 2009. The intrinsic values of exercised options and warrants, under the other incentive compensation plans, during the year ended December 31, 2007 was $1.3 million.

The following summarizes outstanding and exercisable options and warrants as of December 31, 2009:

 

Exercise Prices

   Number of
Shares

(in thousands)
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
(Years)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$8.83

   60    1.85    $ 8.83

$9.36

   11    1.14    $ 9.36

$10.00

   80    1.57    $ 10.00

$10.09

   72    0.67    $ 10.09

$10.60

   40    0.72    $ 10.60
          
   263    1.24    $ 9.82
          

11. Employee Benefit Plans

U.K. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company maintains a pension plan in the United Kingdom that consists of two components: the Final Salary Plan (the “U.K. Plan”), which is a defined benefit plan, and the Retirement Savings Plan, which is a defined contribution plan. In 1997, membership to the U.K. Plan was closed and in 2003 the Company was allowed to stop accruing additional benefits to the participants. Benefits under the U.K. Plan were based on the employees’ years of service and compensation. Most of the beneficiaries of this plan are no longer employed by the Company. The Company follows a pension funding policy based on widely used actuarial methods as permitted by regulatory authorities. The funded amounts reflect actuarial assumptions regarding compensation, interest and other projections. The assets of the U.K. Plan consist primarily of equity, real estate and fixed income securities of U.K. and foreign issuers.

Pension and other benefit costs reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are based on the projected benefit method of valuation. Within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, pension plan benefit liabilities are included in accrued pension liability. In 2006, the Company adopted ASC 715, “Defined Benefit Plans” (formerly SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”). This adoption had minimal impact on the accounting for the U.K. Plan as the Company’s prior year underfunded status was recognized as a liability with changes recorded to other comprehensive income. The Company used measurement dates of December 31, for 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the U.K. Plan includes the following components:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Components of the net periodic pension cost (benefit):

      

Service cost

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Interest cost

     1,334        1,609        1,637   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,310     (1,814     (1,800

Amortization of the unrecognized transition obligation (asset)

     —          —          —     

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     —          —          —     

Amortization of (gain) loss

     146        90        293   
                        

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

   $ 170      $ (115   $ 130   
                        

The actuarial assumptions used to compute the net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the U.K. Plan were as follows:

 

     2009     2008     2007  

Weighted-average discount rate

   6.0   5.8   5.1

Weighted-average rate of compensation increase

   —        —        —     

Weighted-average long-term rate of return on plan assets

   6.7   7.3   7.3

The actuarial assumptions used to compute the funded status for the U.K. Plan were as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Weighted-average discount rate

   5.8   6.0

Weighted-average rate of compensation increase

   —        —     

Rate of inflation

   3.6   3.1

Weighted-average long-term rate of return on plan assets

   6.5   6.7

The discount rate used is derived from plotting a trend curve base on the yields on all AA corporate bonds at durations up to 15 years, with the iBoxx series of Corporate Bond indices as of December 31, 2009. This was then extrapolated beyond 15 years, taking into account the trend for gilts and swaps. The discount rate was then set to reflect the expected cash flows from the plan.

The inflation assumption has been derived from the difference between the yield on government fixed interest and index-linked gilts at December 31, 2009 adjusted by 0.2% to reflect possible distortions due to supply and demand and an inflation risk premium.

The rate of compensation increase has been derived by considering forward rates of inflation derived from the difference between the yield on government fixed interest and interest-linked gilts as of December 31, 2009 adjusted by 0.2% to reflect possible distortions due to supply and demand. An aggregate rate allowing for future cash flows has been derived for pensioners and non-pensioners.

The overall expected rate of return on assets assumption has been derived by calculating the weighted average of the expected rate of return for each asset class. Fixed interest securities are based on current market yields, equities and property returns are based on an additional return of 3.25% above U.K. government securities, and cash is based on the current Bank of England base rate.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The liabilities were determined by adjusting the value of the plan liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2009 rather than undertaking a full valuation. A full actuarial valuation may have led to results that would be different from the approximate roll forward method. However, any differences in the calculations compared with those of a full valuation are not expected to be material and will emerge as an actuarial gain or loss in future years. The estimates are based on actuarially computed best estimates of pension asset long-term rates of return and long-term rate of obligation escalation. Variances between these estimates and actual experience are amortized over the employees’ average remaining service life.

The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations and plan assets of the U.K. Plan (in thousands):

 

     2009     2008  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 20,819      $ 30,340   

Service cost

     —          —     

Interest cost

     1,334        1,609   

Actuarial (gains)/losses

     2,257        (2,792

Benefits paid

     (610     (591

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     2,147        (7,747
                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 25,947      $ 20,819   
                

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 25,947      $ 20,819   
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 18,069      $ 26,778   

Actual return on plan assets

     2,424        (2,003

Employer contributions

     622        643   

Benefits paid

     (610     (591

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     1,866        (6,758

Other

     —          —     
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 22,371      $ 18,069   
                

Funding status at end of year

   $ (3,576   $ (2,750
                

Amount recognized in the financial statements consists of:

    

Accrued pension liability

   $ 3,576      $ 2,750   
                

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not yet recognized in periodic pension cost (benefit)

   $ (5,523   $ (4,098

Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic pension costs over the next fiscal year consists of

    

Net actuarial (gain)

   $ 209      $ 134   

Net transition obligation

     —          —     

The measurement dates are December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The impact of the adoption of the measurement date provision of ASC 715 was not material.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The U.K. Plan’s asset allocations at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Asset Category:

    

Equity securities

   76   73

Debt securities

   5      6   

Property

   9      20   

Cash

   10      1   
            

Total

   100   100
            

The Company’s overall objective is to invest in a portfolio of diversified assets, primarily through the use of institutional collective funds, to achieve long-term growth. The strategic asset allocation uses a combination of risk controlled and index strategies in fixed income and global equities. The target allocations are approximately 61% to funds investing in equities (including a sub-allocations of 24% for U.K. and 37% for overseas equities, including emerging markets) , approximately 15% to funds investing in fixed income governmental bonds (primarily in government or other public securities issued by the government of the U.K.), and approximately 24% to funds investing in property, primarily commercial real estate located in the U.K. The plan maintains enough liquidity at all times to meet the near-term benefit payments.

The following table reflects the total expected benefit payments to the U.K. Plan participants as of December 31, 2009. These payments have been estimated based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation at year end (in thousands):

 

2010

   $ 468

2011

     655

2012

     476

2013

     506

2014

     903

Thereafter

     5,432
      

Total

   $ 8,440
      

As of December 31, 2009, the Company anticipated that the total expected contribution to the U.K. Plan in 2010 would be $0.6 million. However, based on the preliminary results of a new funding valuation in 2010, the Company would be required to increase its annual contributions to the U.K. Plan from approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million for a period of approximately 10 years, including an additional one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $1.6 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in September 2010. The remaining $0.8 million would be payable after the funding valuation results are finalized and all necessary U.K. governmental approvals are obtained. It is the Company’s practice to fund the U.K. Plan sufficient to meet the benefits while also allowing for future U.K. price inflation. The Company also funds the plan to meet the minimum required by U.K. laws.

Japan Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company maintains a tax qualified pension plan in Japan that covers substantially all Japanese employees. The Company deposits funds in various fiduciary-type arrangements and/or purchases annuities. Benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation at retirement. Employees with less than

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

twenty years of service to the Company receive a lump sum benefit payout. Employees with twenty or more years of service to the Company receive a benefit that is guaranteed for a certain number of years. Participants may, under certain circumstances, receive a benefit upon termination of employment.

Pension and other benefit costs reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are based on the projected benefit method of valuation. Within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, pension plan benefit liabilities are included in accrued pension liability.

The assumptions that are used to value the costs and obligations of the plan reflect the Japanese economic environment. The Company continues to fund the plan sufficient to meet current benefits as well as fund a portion of future benefits as permitted by regulatory authorities. An actuarial valuation of the plan was conducted as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

The net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the Japan defined benefit pension plan includes the following components:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Components of the net periodic pension cost (benefit):

      

Service cost

   $ 251      $ 214      $ 162   

Interest cost

     32        26        22   

Expected return on plan assets

     (2     (5     (3

Amortization of the unrecognized transition obligation (asset)

     70        72        57   

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     —          —          —     

Amortization of (gain) loss

     —          —          —     

Settlement (gain) loss

     (14     —          —     

Curtailment (gain) loss

     130        —          —     
                        

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

   $ 467      $ 307      $ 238   
                        

The actuarial assumptions used to compute the net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the Japan defined benefit pension plan were as follows:

 

     2009     2008     2007  

Weighted-average discount rate

   1.6   1.7   1.9

Weighted-average rate of compensation increase

   3.0   3.0   3.0

Weighted-average long-term rate of return on plan assets

   0.3   0.8   0.8

The actuarial assumptions used to compute the funded status for the Japan defined benefit pension plan were as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Weighted-average discount rate

   1.3   1.6

Weighted-average rate of compensation increase

   3.0   3.0

Weighted-average long-term rate of return on plan assets

   0.3   0.8

The estimates are based on actuarially computed best estimates of pension asset long-term rates of return and long-term rate of obligation escalation. Variances between these estimates and actual experience are amortized over the employees’ average remaining service life.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The most recent actuarial valuation of the plan was performed as of December 31, 2009. This valuation includes the actuarial present value of the pension benefit obligation. The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations and plan assets of the Japan defined benefit pension plan (in thousands):

 

     2009     2008  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 2,112      $ 1,490   

Service cost

     251        214   

Interest cost

     32        26   

Curtailments

     (13     —     

Settlements

     (490     —     

Actuarial (gains)/losses

     (40     92   

Benefits paid

     —          (91

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     (47     381   
                

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 1,805      $ 2,112   
                

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 1,422      $ 1,678   
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 836      $ 551   

Actual return on plan assets

     (8     (1

Employer contributions

     225        229   

Settlements

     (490     —     

Benefits paid

     —          (91

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     (20     148   
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 543      $ 836   
                

Funding status at end of year

   $ (1,262   $ (1,276
                

Amount recognized in the financial statements consists of:

    

Accrued pension liability

   $ 1,262      $ 1,276   
                

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) not yet recognized in periodic pension cost (benefit)

   $ (549   $ (794

Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic pension costs over the next fiscal year consists of

    

Net actuarial (gain)

   $ —        $ —     

Net transition obligation

     66        82   

The Company’s pension plan asset allocations for the Japan defined benefit pension plan at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Asset Category:

    

Equity securities

   —     —  

Debt securities

   —        —     

Property

   —        —     

Insurance contracts

   100.0      100.0   
            

Total

   100.0   100.0
            

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The following table reflects the total expected benefit payments to plan participants as of December 31, 2009. These payments have been estimated based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation for the Japan defined benefit pension plan at year end (in thousands):

 

2010

   $ 113

2011

     121

2012

     129

2013

     136

2014

     201

Thereafter

     961
      

Total

   $ 1,661
      

The Company anticipates that contributions to the plan in 2010 will be $0.2 million. The plans investment strategy is low risk with preservation of principal as the primary objective. Plan assets are held in insurance related investments. There was no significant change in the investment strategy of this plan during 2009, 2008 or 2007.

Fair Value of Plan Assets

The following table summarizes the fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2009 by asset category (in thousands):

 

     U.K. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Asset Category

   Fair Value    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Equity securities(1)

   $ 16,979    $ —      $ 16,979    $ —  

Debt securities(2)

     1,249      —        1,249      —  

Property(3)

     1,998      —        1,998      —  

Cash

     2,145      2,145      —        —  
                           

Total

   $ 22,371    $ 2,145    $ 20,226    $ —  
                           

 

(1) This class comprises a diversified portfolio of global equities in various industries which seek long-term growth to match the long-term nature of pension fund liabilities.
(2) This class represents a passively managed index fund investing primarily in government or other public securities issued by the government of the U.K.
(3) This class represents a property investment trust focused on maintaining a balanced U.K. commercial property portfolio.

The table above presents the fair value of the U.K. Plan assets in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Certain pension plan assets are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) and are reported as a level 2 investment above due to the Company’s ability to redeem its investment either at the balance sheet date or within limited time restrictions.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

     Japan Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Asset Category

   Fair Value    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Insurance contracts(4)

   $ 543    $ —      $ 543    $ —  
                           

Total

   $ 543    $ —      $ 543    $ —  
                           

 

(4) This class represents funds invested in insurance contracts.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has defined contribution employee savings plans in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. In the United Kingdom the Company offers a retirement savings plan. The United States employees can make contributions to a 401(k) plan. The Company matches the contributions of participating employees on the basis of percentages specified in each plan. Company matching contributions to the plans were $1.6 million, $3.0 million and $3.0 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

12. Income Taxes

The Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.8 million during the 2009 fiscal year. The effective tax rate for 2009 was (1.1%) of income before taxes, compared to an effective tax rate of (15.5%) of income before taxes for 2008. The Company is incorporated in Canada and therefore uses the Canadian statutory rate. The Company’s tax rate in 2009 differs from the Canadian statutory rate of 31.5% due to a $1.3 million charge for unfavorable permanent differences of which $2.7 million relates to the expiration of net operating losses in Canada, a $0.7 million increase in the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions, a $0.5 million charge related to the deferred tax on unremitted earnings, and a $22.5 million increase in valuation allowance due to restatement and impairment in the U.K. The aforementioned charges were partially offset by benefits derived from a $0.2 million benefit from research and development tax credits, a $0.2 million benefit related to a settlement with the Canadian Revenue Agency, a $0.8 million benefit related to interest income on previously filed income tax returns, and a $2.9 million benefit due to international tax rate differences.

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:

      

Canadian

   $ 2,609      $ 4,664      $ 6,947   

U.S.

     (75,798     (252,693     7,001   

Other

     1,279        (3,792     8,223   
                        

Total

   $ (71,910   $ (251,821   $ 22,171   
                        

Details of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows:

      
     2009     2008     2007  

Current

      

Canadian

   $ 81      $ 388      $ 850   

U.S.

     (2,712     (5,518     3,448   

Other

     623        837        988   
                        
     (2,008     (4,293     5,286   

Deferred

      

Canadian

     3,691        1,332        608   

U.S.

     (2,565     (36,151     (783

Other

     109        80        2,373   
                        
     1,235        (34,739     2,198   
                        

Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ (773   $ (39,032   $ 7,484   
                        

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The reconciliation of the statutory Canadian income tax rate related to income from continuing operations before income taxes to the effective rate is as follows:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Reconciliation of effective tax rate in the statement of operations

      

Expected Canadian tax rate

     31.5     29.5     32.1

Expected income tax provision (benefit)

   $ (22,652   $ (74,287   $ 7,124   

Permanent differences

     1,288        47,004        (165

International tax rate differences

     (2,858     (13,776     (163

Change in valuation allowance

     22,480        (23     358   

Provision to Return

     (271     1,927        (939

NOL expirations

     2,653        —          —     

Extraterritorial income exclusion

     —          —          (689

Uncertain tax positions

     732        1,165        910   

Tax credits

     (193     (244     (322

State income tax, net

     (1,736     (1,647     (255

Withholding tax

     80        388        850   

Amended Returns and prior filings

     (762     363        —     

Other

     466        98        775   
                        

Reported income tax provision (benefit)

   $ (773   $ (39,032   $ 7,484   
                        

Effective tax rate (benefit)

     (1.1 )%      (15.5 )%      33.8
                        

Judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide income tax expense provision. In the ordinary course of global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Although the Company believes its estimates are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material impact on its income tax provision and operating results in the period in which such determination is made.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Deferred income taxes result principally from temporary differences in the recognition of certain revenue and expense items and operating loss carryforwards for financial and tax reporting purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets

    

Operating tax loss & IRC Section 163(j) carryforwards

   $ 25,818      $ 13,597   

Compensation related deductions

     4,327        3,674   

Tax credits

     4,867        4,327   

Restructuring accrued liabilities

     3,534        4,110   

Deferred revenue

     3,164        6,384   

Transaction costs

     1,431        —     

Inventory

     5,662        5,296   

Depreciation

     974        193   

Amortization

     3,680        6,519   

Original Issue Discount

     9,087        1,577   
                

Total deferred tax assets

     62,544        45,677   

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

     (33,935     (10,769
                

Net deferred income tax assets

   $ 28,609      $ 34,908   
                

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Unremitted earnings

   $ (528   $ —     

Depreciation

     (4,282     (4,868

Amortization

     (21,153     (25,068

Other

     (79     (681
                

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ (26,042   $ (30,617
                

Allocated as follows:

    

Net deferred income tax assets—short-term

   $ 6,370      $ 11,106   

Net deferred income tax liabilities—short-term

     (831     (486

Net deferred income tax assets—long-term

     22,876        23,802   

Net deferred income tax liabilities—long-term

     (25,848     (30,131
                

Net deferred income tax assets

   $ 2,567      $ 4,291   
                

In determining its fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 tax provisions under ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”), the Company determined the deferred tax assets and liabilities for each separate tax entity. Management then considered a number of factors, including the positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of its deferred tax assets to determine whether a valuation allowance should be recognized with respect to its deferred assets. In accordance with ASC 740, the Company has recorded valuation allowances to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company has considered future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, the mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in determining the need for valuation allowances. The Company will continue to evaluate its deferred tax position on a quarterly basis and will record any increase or decrease to the amount currently reflected as appropriate in the period of change in evaluation.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The Company has provided valuation allowances in the amount of $33.9 million and $10.8 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The change in valuation allowance is due to activities in numerous jurisdictions. In United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, the valuation allowances were increased as the Company determined that it is more likely than not that it will not realize certain of its deferred tax assets.

At December 31, 2009, the Company had loss carryforwards of $8.9 million (tax effected) available to reduce future years’ income for tax purposes. Of this amount, approximately $2.3 million relates to the United States and expires between 2009 and 2023, $1.3 million relates to Canada, of which approximately $1.2 million expires at the end of 2010, $3.7 million related to the United Kingdom and can be carried forward indefinitely, and $0.7 million relates to Germany and can be carried forward indefinitely. At December 31, 2009, the Company had an IRC Section 163(j) excess interest carryforward of $16.9 million (tax effected) available to reduce future years’ income for tax purposes.

At December 31, 2009, the Company had tax credits of approximately $4.9 million available to reduce future years’ income for tax purposes. Of this amount, approximately $2.5 million relates to the United States and expires between 2016 and 2023 and $2.4 million relates to Canada of which $1.4 million expires in 2010 and 2012 and, $1.0 million can be carried forward indefinitely.

Income taxes paid during 2009 and 2008 were $0.9 and $1.3 million, respectively.

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s non-Canadian subsidiaries amounted to approximately $13.8 million as of December 31, 2009. With two exceptions discussed further below, the Company has not provided any additional federal or state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings as such earnings have been indefinitely reinvested in the business as defined in the provisions of ASC 740 (formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 23, “Accounting for Income Taxes-Special Areas”). In general, the determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. However, in the Company’s 2009 financial statements, deferred tax was provided with respect to two dividend transactions that the Company ultimately consummated in 2010. Notwithstanding the 2010 dividend, the Company continues to assert that the remaining undistributed earnings are indefinitely reinvested.

In July 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation Number (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (codified within ASC 740, “Income Taxes”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, and accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2006.

In addition, in May 2007, the FASB issued FSP FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48” (codified within ASC 740, “Income Taxes”) to amend FIN 48 by providing that previously unrecognized tax benefits can be recognized when the tax positions are effectively settled upon examination by a taxing authority. According to FIN 48-1, an enterprise’s tax position will be considered effectively settled if the taxing

 

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(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

authority has completed its examination, the enterprise does not plan to appeal, and the possibility is remote that the taxing authority would reexamine the tax position in the future. The Company believes that it has appropriately accounted for the effect of FIN 48-1 in its financial statements.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The provisions of FIN 48 are to be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of this standard. Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date may be recognized or continue to be recognized upon adoption of FIN 48. On January 1, 2007, the Company recorded the cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48, which resulted in the recording of a $0.1 million increase to the opening balance of the Company’s retained earnings.

As of the date of adoption, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits totaled approximately $2.4 million, of which $2.4 million, if recognized, would favorably affect its effective tax rate in any future period. As of December 31, 2008 the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased to $5.2 million. As of December 31, 2009, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits totaled approximately $6.1 million, of which $6.1 million, if recognized would favorably affect its effective tax rate. Given the uncertainty regarding when the authorities will complete their examinations and the possible outcomes of their examinations, a current estimate of the range of reasonably possible significant increases or decreases in income tax that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

The reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

   $ 2,440   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     1,751   

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     487   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     —     

Settlements

     (1,141
        

Balance at December 31, 2007

     3,537   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     819   

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     362   

Excel acquisition

     448   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     —     

Settlements

     —     
        

Balance at December 31, 2008

     5,166   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     694   

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     228   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     —     

Settlements

     —     
        

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 6,088   
        

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, states, and foreign jurisdictions. Generally, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2002 as these years have been effectively settled as described in FSP FIN 48-1. Currently, the Company is under examination in the United States for tax years 2000 through 2005. During 2009, the Company effectively settled its audit with the Canadian Revenue Agency for years 2002 through 2004 with no material differences from the Company’s previously accrued amount. The Company’s income tax returns may be reviewed in the following countries and for the following periods under the appropriate statutes of limitations: United States (2006-present), Canada (2003-present), United Kingdom (2006-present), and Germany (2006-present).

13. Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs and Other

The following table summarizes restructuring, restatement related costs and other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009    2008    2007  
     (In thousands)  

United Kingdom restructuring

   $ 710    $ 3,628    $ 6,713   

Germany restructuring

     1,520      187      (58

Novi restructuring

     —        1,390      —     

Bedford restructuring

     11      3,338      —     
                      

Restructuring charges

     2,241      8,543      6,655   

Restatement related costs and other charges

     14,050      1,942      —     
                      

Total restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges

   $ 16,291    $ 10,485    $ 6,655   
                      

Restructuring Charges

The Company’s initial estimate for its liability for ongoing costs associated with workforce reductions and abandoned lease facilities are recorded at fair value. Generally, the expense and liability recorded is calculated using discounted cash flows of the Company’s estimated ongoing severance obligations and lease obligations, including contractual rental and build-out commitments, net of estimated sublease rentals, offset by related sublease costs. In estimating the expense and liability for its lease obligations, the Company estimated: (i) The costs to be incurred to satisfy rental and build-out commitments under the lease, (ii) The lead time necessary to sublease the space, (iii) The projected sublease rental rates, and (iv) The anticipated duration of subleases. The Company used a credit adjusted risk free rate of approximately 5% to discount the estimated cash flows for obligations with payments due in excess of one year.

The Company reviews its assumptions and estimates quarterly and updates its estimates of the liability as changes in circumstances require. The Company’s estimates have changed in the past, and may change in the future, resulting in additional adjustments to the estimate of the liability, and the effect of any such adjustments could be material. Changes to the Company’s estimate of the liability are recorded as additional restructuring expense (benefit). In addition, because the Company’s estimate of the liability includes the application of a discount rate to reflect the time-value of money, the Company records imputed interest costs related to the liability each period. These costs are reflected in restructuring expense (benefit) on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

United Kingdom Restructuring

In 2007, the Company implemented a plan to expand its manufacturing operations in China and restructure its manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom. These actions are part of the Precision Technology segment’s overall plan to expand its presence in Asia and increase profitability. The restructuring expense in 2007 related to this plan was $6.7 million. The charge was comprised of $2.6 million in employee termination benefits, $3.1 million in inventory write-offs, $0.7 million in direct costs associated with the manufacturing transition to China, and $0.3 million related to facility consolidations. The inventory write-offs were charged to restructuring and other charges as they related to discontinued product offerings, and not recurring activities. These restructuring efforts were largely completed in 2007.

On February 29, 2008 and June 27, 2008, the Company executed agreements to sell assets related to its otherwise discontinued Impact product line, and certain assets related to its Laser Mark and Excimer Laser product lines within the Precision Technology segment. The majority of the assets sold in the transaction represent inventory that had already been written off and were included as part of the restructuring charges recorded in 2007. Payments received on asset sales that are due beyond one year are recorded as restructuring benefits when they are received. Accordingly, the sales resulted in a restructuring benefit of $0.1 million for the year-ended December 31, 2009 and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

In December 2008, the Company announced the transfer of all volume related manufacturing from its Rugby, U.K. facility within the Precision Technology segment, to the Company’s facilities in China and the then-newly acquired Excel manufacturing sites. These activities have been completed in 2009, at a total cost of $4.7 million, which is comprised of non-cash land and building impairment charges of $3.6 million, employee severance costs of $1.0 million and facility related charges of $0.1 million. In December 2008, the Company recorded $3.9 million of this total to restructuring expense. It was comprised of $3.6 million of non-cash land and building impairment charges and $0.3 million of employee severance costs. In addition to the amount recorded to restructuring and other expense, the Company recorded a charge of $0.6 million for inventory write-offs against cost of goods sold in 2008. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded the remaining $0.8 million in restructuring costs related to this restructuring plan. It was comprised of $0.7 million of employee severance costs and $0.1 million for manufacturing transition costs.

Germany Restructuring

As a result of restructuring programs undertaken in 2000 through 2004, and the subsequent sublease of the Company’s Munich, Germany facility within the Precision Technology segment in May 2007 through the end of its lease term, the Company carried a $1.1 million accrual for the cost of this lease as of December 31, 2008. As noted above, the Company regularly reviews its assumptions with respect to excess space, including contractual lease payments and expected proceeds from the sublessor. Following this review, the Company recorded adjustments to the restructuring accrual in each of 2008 and 2007. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company determined that it would no longer recover sublease payments from the subtenant. Accordingly, the previous estimate of future sublease payments was revised. As a result, the Company recorded an additional restructuring charge of $1.3 million during the year-ended December 31, 2009 related to the revised sublease assumptions. As of December 31, 2009, cumulative expense related to this restructuring plan is $4.1 million. The remaining accrual of $2.1 million will be paid ratably over the remaining term of the lease, which expires in January 2013.

On July 23, 2009, the Company initiated certain restructuring activities to consolidate its German sales and distribution operations for the Precision Technology segment located in Munich, Germany with those of Excel

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Technology Europe, located in Darmstadt, Germany. The Company’s lease obligations related to the facility in Darmstadt, Germany were acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Excel in August 2008. These consolidation activities have been completed in 2009, at a total cost of $0.2 million, which is comprised entirely of facility related charges including a lease termination fee, required remaining lease payments and move related costs. Of the total restructuring charge of $0.2 million incurred during the year-ended December 31, 2009, $0.1 million was paid prior to December 31, 2009. The remaining $0.1 million is expected to be paid during the first six months of 2010.

Novi Restructuring

In the second quarter of 2008, the Company implemented a plan to close its Novi, Michigan facility, which provided U.S. sales, applications and service support to a product line included in the Company’s Precision Technology segment. The Novi facility was consolidated within the Company’s Bedford, Massachusetts facility. In connection with this action, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $1.4 million during the year-ended December 31, 2008, consisting of $0.7 million for employee severance costs and $0.7 million in lease abandonment and related costs. The majority of the employee severance payments were made in 2008 and the remaining amounts have been paid in 2009. The lease costs are being paid ratably over the duration of the lease, which ends in 2012.

Bedford Restructuring

In September 2008, the Company consolidated its operations and facilities in Massachusetts to a new facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. At that time, the Company implemented a plan to reduce its United States workforce by approximately 50 people and took a restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2008 of $3.0 million for severance costs. The Company charged $1.2 million of this amount to the Semiconductor Systems segment; $0.7 million to the Precision Technology segment; and $1.1 million against corporate operations. The workforce reduction is expected to save the Company $6.8 million in annual salary and related costs. In December 2008, in connection with its consolidation of the historic Scanner business with the then-newly acquired Scanner business of Excel, Cambridge Technology, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $0.3 million relating to employee severance costs. The $0.3 million restructuring charge was charged to the Precision Technology segment. The majority of these employee severance payments were made in 2008, and the remaining amounts have been paid in 2009.

Restatement Related Costs and Other Charges

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred costs to third parties, including auditors, attorneys, forensic accountants, and other advisors, that relate to the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements as reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, including, the SEC investigation, certain shareholder actions and the internal FCPA investigation. These costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in the Company’s restructuring, restatement related costs and other charges for the respective periods in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The costs incurred were $14.1 million and $1.9 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. No such costs were incurred during the year-ended December 31, 2007.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Rollforward of Accrued Expenses Related to Restructuring

The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to the Company’s restructuring charges recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

   $ 1,337   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     6,655   

Cash payments

     (3,249

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,401
        

Balance at December 31, 2007

     1,342   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     8,543   

Cash payments

     (3,803

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     (3,563
        

Balance at December 31, 2008

     2,519   

Restructuring charges (benefits), net

     2,241   

Cash payments

     (2,677

Non-cash write-offs or other adjustments

     367   
        

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 2,450   
        

 

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of accrued restructuring charges were included in long-term liabilities classified as accrued restructuring, net of current portion in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The current portion of accrued restructuring charges is included in other accrued expenses. See Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company leases certain equipment and facilities under operating lease agreements. Most of these lease agreements expire between 2010 and 2020. In the United Kingdom, where longer lease terms are more common, the Company has land leases that extend through 2078. Under the terms of the facility leases, the Company is responsible to pay real estate taxes and other operating costs. In connection with its acquisition of Excel in 2008, the Company assumed fourteen new facility leases used in manufacturing, research and development, sales and administration. The rent on certain leases is subject to escalation clauses in future years.

In 2007, the Company signed a 12-year lease for a 147,000 square foot facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. The terms of the lease provide the Company with two renewal options for periods of five years each. The Company consolidated its Natick, Massachusetts; Billerica, Massachusetts and Wilmington, Massachusetts operations into this facility. The consolidation was completed in the second quarter of 2008. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the landlord waived the first 5.5 months rent (representing a savings of $0.7 million). This savings is being amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the life of the lease, and is included within deferred rent classified as other accrued expenses or other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on the associated amortization period. The Company incurred $14.3 million in expenditures through December 31, 2008 to fit-up and occupy the Bedford facility, of which the landlord provided $4.0 million in

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

allowances. These expenditures were completed as of December 31, 2008. The landlord allowance has been included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets in property, plant and equipment, and within deferred rent classified as other accrued expenses or other liabilities based on the associated amortization period. The property, plant and equipment balance is being amortized to depreciation expense ratably over the life of the lease, and the landlord allowance is being offset as a reduction to rent expense, ratably over the life of the lease.

In February 2010, the Company entered into an Amended Lease Agreement with 125 Middlesex Turnpike, LLC to reduce the term of its current lease at 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts from 12 years (of which approximately 10 years were remaining) to 3 years from the new effective date of May 27, 2010. The rental payment will continue at $0.1 million per month. The future minimum lease payment table below excludes the impact of this lease modification. In the aggregate, the modification reduces the Company’s obligations under the current lease by approximately $10.8 million, of which $0.9 million relates to 2013, $1.6 million relates to 2014 and $8.3 million relates to periods thereafter.

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 lease expense was $5.2 million, $5.4 million and $4.9 million, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases expiring subsequent to December 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2010

   $ 5,521

2011

     4,779

2012

     4,223

2013

     3,131

2014

     2,671

Thereafter

     15,566
      

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 35,891
      

The Company has sublease agreements on its Novi, Michigan and Munich, Germany facilities and expects that it will receive aggregate proceeds of $0.5 million from 2010 to 2013 in connection with these agreements. The payments presented in the table above do not include assumptions relative to the receipt of these sublease payments.

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had purchase commitments for inventory and services of $27.1 million. These purchase commitment are expected to be incurred as follows: $24.6 million in 2010, $2.3 million in 2011 and $0.2 million in 2012.

Deferred Compensation

Certain former officers and employees had deferred payment of a portion of their compensation until termination of employment or later. Deferred compensation is included in accrued compensation and benefits and totaled $0.7 million at December 31, 2008. No deferred compensation balances remained at December 31, 2009 as all amounts were paid out to the respective recipients during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Line of Credit

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had outstanding a line of credit to secure standby letters of credit that were issued for certain facility operating leases, customer prepayments, warranty obligations, customs duties and bid bonds. The total amount available under the line of credit is approximately 500,000€, of which 225,590€ and 228,970€ was available at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

The Company’s French subsidiary, GSI Lumonics SARL (“Lumonics”), is subject to a claim by a customer, SCGI, that a Laserdyne 890 system delivered in 1999 had unresolved technical problems. During the third quarter of 2005, GSI France, parent of Lumonics, filed for bankruptcy protection, which was granted by the French court on July 7, 2005. On April 18, 2006, the court fixed SCGI’s claim against Lumonics at 598,079 Euros, plus court costs and expert fees of 85,945 Euros. SCGI accepted the court’s determination and demanded that the Liquidator bring an action in the United Kingdom against GSI Group Ltd., the parent corporation of GSI France. The Company does not believe it will be required to make any payments regarding this action. Accordingly, nothing has been accrued in the Company’s accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to this claim.

On December 12, 2008, in connection with the delayed filing of its results for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, and the announcement of a review of revenue transactions, a putative shareholder class action alleging federal securities violations was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Company, a former officer and a then-current officer and director. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the Company and the individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and seeks recovery of damages in an unspecified amount. The action was brought on behalf of a putative class of shareholders who purchased the Company’s stock between April 30, 2008 and December 3, 2008. A lead plaintiff, Mason Tenders District Council Trust Funds, was appointed on May 8, 2009. On July 1, 2009, the Court ordered lead plaintiff to file a consolidated or amended complaint within 30 days of the Company’s filing of restatements for certain of its historical financial results with the SEC. In May 2010, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. The settlement covers purchasers of the common stock of the Company between February 27, 2007 and June 30, 2009. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the court. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the United States District Court. Although the settlement agreement has not yet been approved by the United States District Court, the total settlement amount is within the Company’s insurance policy limits; the Company’s contribution to the settlement amount would be limited to the balance of the Company’s self-insured retention, of which approximately $403,000 is included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2009.

The Company is also subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse effect upon its financial condition or results of operations but there can be no assurance that any such claims, or any similar claims, would not have a material adverse effect upon its financial condition or results of operations.

Chapter 11 Cases

On November 20, 2009, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Delaware. On May 27, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming and approving the Final Chapter 11 Plan for the Debtors and the Plan Documents (as defined in

 

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the Final Chapter 11 Plan). On July 23, 2010, the Debtors consummated their reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective pursuant to its terms. Certain claims under the Final Chapter 11 Plan remain subject to final resolution.

In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Bankruptcy Court fixed May 19, 2010 as the deadline for the filing of proofs of claim against the Debtors by all governmental units holding claims against the Debtors that arose prior to the petition date. On April 8, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) filed amended proofs of claim aggregating approximately $7.7 million. On July 13, 2010, the Company filed a complaint, GSI Group Corporation v. United States of America, in Bankruptcy Court to recover refunds totaling approximately $18.8 million in federal income taxes the Company overpaid to the IRS relating to tax years 2000 through 2008, together with applicable interest. The complaint includes an objection to the IRS’ proofs of claim which the Company believes are not allowable claims and should be expunged in their entirety.

On May 13, 2010, the SEC filed a proof of claim in an indeterminate amount for penalties, disgorgement, and prejudgment interest arising from possible violations of the federal securities laws. As noted below, the SEC has been conducting a formal investigation into certain pre-bankruptcy transactions and practices involving the Company and sent a “Wells Notice” to the Company on September 16, 2010. Based on their investigation, the SEC indicated in their proof of claim that they may file a civil action against the Company in an appropriate forum. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this matter but, as noted below, the Company is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation.

In addition, under the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Company is obligated to make additional payments to the holders of Senior Notes Claims in its Chapter 11 Cases if the amount of certain claims under the Final Chapter 11 Plan exceeds $22.5 million. The additional payment would equal approximately $1.00 for each dollar by which the $22.5 million cap amount is exceeded. The Company cannot make a final determination of the amount, if any, the Company may owe as a result of this provision until certain claims filed in connection with its Chapter 11 Cases, including the IRS and SEC claims described above, are finally resolved. The amount of such claims, based on the known and estimated amount of such claims, is currently well below the $22.5 million cap amount. Accordingly, nothing has been accrued in the Company’s accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to this potential obligation.

SEC Investigation

As discussed under “Significant Recent Events—Restatement of Financial Results” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company conducted the Revenue Review, which included a review of certain of its historical accounting practices. On May 14, 2009, the Company received a notice from the SEC indicating that the SEC is conducting a formal investigation relating to its historical accounting practices and the restatement of its historical consolidated financial statements. On September 16, 2010, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC, stating that the Staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute a civil injunctive action or administrative proceeding against the Company, alleging that the Company violated various provisions of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act, and providing the Company with the opportunity to make a submission to the Staff in connection therewith. In connection with the contemplated action, the SEC may seek a permanent injunction or cease-and-desist order, disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the imposition of a civil penalty. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation.

 

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Issuance of Unregistered Securities

The Company inadvertently issued unregistered shares of common stock under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as a result of its inadvertent failure to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders in May 2006. From March 2007 through March 2010, the Company issued approximately 773,037 duly authorized common shares with a total fair market value at the date of issuance of approximately $3,889,796 to fifty-two employees and directors under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. As a result, the Company may be subject to civil litigation, enforcement proceedings, fines, sanctions and/or penalties. The Company’s common shares, including those issued under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, were exchanged for new common shares in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy pursuant to the exemption from registration under §1145 of the Bankruptcy Code and are now freely tradable by holders who are not deemed to be underwriters.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

In the normal course of its operations, the Company executes agreements that provide for indemnification and guarantees to counterparties in transactions such as business dispositions, the sale of assets, sale of products and operating leases. Additionally, the by-laws of the Company require it to indemnify certain current or former directors, officers, and employees of the Company against expenses incurred by them in connection with each proceeding in which he or she is involved as a result of serving or having served in certain capacities. Indemnification is not available with respect to a proceeding as to which it has been adjudicated that the person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that the action was in the best interests of the Company. On June 5, 2009, the board of directors of the Company approved a form of indemnification agreement to be implemented by the Company with respect to its directors and officers. The form of indemnification agreement provides, among other things, that each director and officer of the Company who signs the indemnification agreement shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such officer or director in connection with any proceeding by reason of his or her relationship with the Company. In addition, the form of indemnification agreement provides for the advancement of expenses incurred by such director or officer in connection with any proceeding covered by the indemnification agreement, subject to the conditions set forth therein and to the extent such advancement is not prohibited by law. The indemnification agreement also sets out the procedures for determining entitlement to indemnification, the requirements relating to notice and defense of claims for which indemnification is sought, the procedures for enforcement of indemnification rights, the limitations on and exclusions from indemnification, and the minimum levels of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to be maintained by the Company.

Credit Risks and Other Uncertainties

The Company maintains financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. From time to time, certain of these instruments may subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk whereby one institution may hold a significant portion of the cash and cash equivalents, or one customer may compose a large portion of the accounts receivable balances.

There was no concentration of credit risk related to the Company’s position in trade accounts receivable as of either December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008. No individual customer represented 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding accounts receivable at December 31, 2009 and 2008. Credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivables is generally minimized because of the diversification of the Company’s operations, as well as its large customer base and its geographical dispersion.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

The Company acquired certain auction rate securities in connection with its purchase of Excel. In current markets, the fair value of these auction rate securities is not able to be ascertained by observable inputs. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Certain of the components and materials included in the Company’s laser systems and optical products are currently obtained from single source suppliers. There can be no assurance that a disruption of this outside supply would not create substantial manufacturing delays and additional cost to the Company.

The Company’s operations involve a number of other risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the cyclicality of the semiconductor and electronics markets, the effects of general economic conditions, rapidly changing technology, and international operations.

15. Segment Information

The Company identifies its reportable segments based on its operating and reporting structure. As a result of the Company’s acquisition of Excel in 2008, it reassessed its segment reporting based on the operating and reporting structure of the combined company. In 2008, the Company concluded that the acquisition of Excel resulted in the establishment of a third segment which was comprised solely of the operations of the then-newly acquired entity. In 2009, the Company changed the structure of its internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. More specifically, certain portions of a specific product line within the Precision Technology segment were transferred to the Excel segment. The Company’s reportable segment financial information has been restated to reflect the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented. The Company’s reportable segments and their principal activities consist of the following:

Precision Technology

This segment’s products include technologies for precision motion, linear and rotary motion control, medical printers, lasers, electro-optical components and precision optics used in a broad range of commercial and semiconductor applications. These products are used in the electronics, aerospace, materials processing, data storage, imaging and other light industrial markets. The products are designed and manufactured at the Company’s facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Semiconductor Systems

The Company’s Semiconductor Systems segment’s products are designed and manufactured at its facility in the United States. Specific applications include laser repair to improve yields in the production of memory chips; laser marking systems for work-in-process management and traceability of silicon wafers; laser trimming of linear and mixed signal integrated circuits and chip resistors; and inspection of solder paste and component placement on printed circuit boards. The Semiconductor Systems segment also derives significant revenues from parts and service to its installed base.

Excel

This segment’s products include lasers, electro-optical components, precision optics and photonics-based solutions primarily consisting of laser systems used in a broad range of commercial and scientific research applications. These products are used in the electronics, aerospace, materials processing, data storage, imaging and other light industrial markets. The products are designed and manufactured at the Company’s facilities in the United States and Europe.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

Reportable Segment Financial Information

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Sales

      

Precision Technology

   $ 79,456      $ 138,684      $ 184,509   

Semiconductor Systems

     49,669        88,342        111,515   

Excel

     129,964        63,736        —     

Intersegment sales elimination

     (4,701     (2,294     (4,943
                        

Total

   $ 254,388      $ 288,468      $ 291,081   
                        

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2009     2008    2007
     (In thousands)

Gross Profit

       

Precision Technology

   $ 32,128      $ 45,050    $ 66,877

Semiconductor Systems

     15,993        27,485      45,958

Excel

     52,628        24,764      —  

Intersegment gross profit elimination

     (2,797     319      298
                     

Total

   $ 97,952      $ 97,618    $ 113,133
                     

The Company reports operating expenses and assets on a consolidated basis to the chief operating decision maker.

Geographic Segment Information

The Company attributes sales to geographic areas on the basis of the customer location where products are shipped. Sales to these customers are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     Sales    % of Total     Sales    % of Total     Sales    % of Total  

United States

   $ 80,299    31.6   $ 88,533    30.7   $ 79,229    27.2

Asia-Pacific

     80,028    31.4        62,008    21.5        100,562    34.5   

Japan

     30,525    12.0        73,646    25.5        63,630    21.9   

Europe

     61,606    24.2        59,653    20.7        47,014    16.2   

Latin and South America, other

     1,930    0.8        4,628    1.6        646    0.2   
                                       

Total

   $ 254,388    100.0   $ 288,468    100.0   $ 291,081    100.0
                                       

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill, but excludes other assets, long-term investments, deferred cost of goods sold and deferred tax assets, are attributed to geographic areas in which the Company’s assets are located. A summary of these long-lived assets is as follows (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31,
     2009    2008

United States

   $ 144,795    $ 157,598

Europe

     7,105      7,842

Japan

     270      540

Asia-Pacific, other

     3,419      4,982
             

Total

   $ 155,589    $ 170,962
             

Significant Customers

During the year-ended December 31, 2009, one customer, Powerchip Technology Corporation and certain related parties, accounted for approximately 10% of the Company’s sales. Powerchip Technology Corporation and certain related parties is a customer within the Semiconductor Systems segment. There was no individual customer in 2008 or 2007 that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s sales. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, no individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.

16. Related Party Transactions

Richard B. Black, the Chairman of the Company prior to the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of ECRM, Inc., a company which manufactures laser systems equipment for the printing and publishing industry and which is a customer of the Company. All sales to ECRM, Inc. were made pursuant to the Company’s standard contract terms and conditions. The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has reviewed and confirmed that ECRM, Inc. received no favored commercial treatment.

The Company recorded sales and raw material purchases from Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., a significant shareholder and recorded raw material purchases from Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh, a related party to JEC II Associates, LLC, a significant shareholder. The amounts and terms of these transactions were equivalent to similar third-party transactions.

The following table summarizes the related party transactions in the consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2009    2008    2007

Sales to ECRM, Inc.

   $ 242    $ 514    $ 711

Sales to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     1,242      3,329      3,573

Purchases from Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     62      108      108

Purchases from Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh

     111      *      *

 

* Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh was not a related party during this period.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

The following table summarizes the related party transactions on the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31,
         2009            2008    

Accounts receivable from ECRM, Inc.

   $ 60    $ 162

Accounts receivable from Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     414      204

Accounts payable to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

     —        —  

Accounts payable to Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh

     —        *

 

* Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh was not a related party during this period.

17. Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

The Company’s interim financial statements are prepared on a quarterly basis ending on the last Friday closest to the end of the calendar quarter.

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,
2009
    October 2,
2009
 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

   $ 72,509      $ 55,067   

Cost of goods sold

     44,908        32,768   
                

Gross profit

     27,601        22,299   

Operating expenses

     28,807        28,382   
                

Income (loss) from operations

     (1,206     (6,083

Interest income (expense) and other income (expense), net

     (5,313     (7,573
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

     (6,519     (13,656

Reorganization items

     (23,606     —     
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (30,125     (13,656

Income tax provision (benefit)

     1,622        (739
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (31,747     (12,917

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —     

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —     
                

Consolidated net income (loss)

     (31,747     (12,917

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (17     (49
                

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group, Inc.

   $ (31,764   $ (12,966
                

Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.66   $ (0.27

Diluted

   $ (0.66   $ (0.27

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:

    

Basic

   $ —        $ —     

Diluted

   $ —        $ —     

Net income (loss) per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.66   $ (0.27

Diluted

   $ (0.66   $ (0.27

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

     Three Months Ended  
     July 3, 2009     April 3, 2009  
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

   $ 62,904      $ 63,908   

Cost of goods sold

     38,451        40,309   
                

Gross profit

     24,453        23,599   

Operating expenses

     27,441        33,559   
                

Income (loss) from operations

     (2,988     (9,960

Interest income (expense) and other income (expense), net

     (7,459     (7,722
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

     (10,447     (17,682

Reorganization items

     —          —     
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (10,447     (17,682

Income tax provision (benefit)

     (734     (922
                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (9,713     (16,760

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (132     —     

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          —     
                

Consolidated net income (loss)

     (9,845     (16,760

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (14     19   
                

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group, Inc.

   $ (9,859   $ (16,741
                

Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.20   $ (0.35

Diluted

   $ (0.20   $ (0.35

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:

    

Basic

   $ —        $ —     

Diluted

   $ —        $ —     

Net income (loss) per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.21   $ (0.35

Diluted

   $ (0.21   $ (0.35

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

    Three Months Ended  
    December 31, 2008     September 26, 2008  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

  $ 96,331      $ 71,443   

Cost of goods sold

    66,764        48,557   
               

Gross profit

    29,567        22,886   

Operating expenses

    252,908        42,409   
               

Income (loss) from operations

    (223,341     (19,523

Interest income (expense) and other income (expense), net

    (6,957     (2,283
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

    (230,298     (21,806

Reorganization items

    —          —     
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    (230,298     (21,806

Income tax provision (benefit)

    (31,951     (7,600
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    (198,347     (14,206

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (40     (19

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

    8,732        —     
               

Consolidated net income (loss)

    (189,655     (14,225

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (56     (4
               

Net income (loss) attributable to GSI Group, Inc.

  $ (189,711   $ (14,229
               

Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:

   

Basic

  $ (4.30   $ (0.34

Diluted

  $ (4.30   $ (0.34

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:

   

Basic

  $ 0.19      $ —     

Diluted

  $ 0.19      $ —     

Net income (loss) per common share:

   

Basic

  $ (4.11   $ (0.34

Diluted

  $ (4.11   $ (0.34

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

    Three Months Ended  
    June 27, 2008     March 28, 2008  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

  $ 59,469      $ 61,225   

Cost of goods sold

    36,861        38,668   
               

Gross Profit

    22,608        22,557   

Operating expenses

    23,537        23,891   
               

Income (loss) from operations

    (929     (1,334

Interest income (expense) and other income (expense), net

    1,138        1,408   
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes

    209        74   

Reorganization items

    —          —     
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    209        74   

Income tax provision (benefit)

    259        260   
               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    (50     (186

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

    110        219   

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

    —          —     
               

Consolidated net income (loss)

    60        33   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    —          —     
               

Net Income (loss) attributable to GSI Group, Inc.

  $ 60      $ 33   
               

Net Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share:

   

Basic

  $ —        $ —     

Diluted

  $ —        $ —     

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:

   

Basic

  $ —        $ 0.01   

Diluted

  $ —        $ 0.01   

Net income (loss) per common share:

   

Basic

  $ —        $ —     

Diluted

  $ —        $ —     

18. Subsequent Events

NASDAQ Delisting Determination

On November 3, 2009, the NASDAQ Hearing Panel (the “Panel”) of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) notified the Company that it had determined to delist its common shares from the NASDAQ Global Select Market and to suspend trading in its common shares effective at the open of market on November 5, 2009. The Panel’s determination was made in connection with the Company’s non-compliance with the filing requirements set forth in Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) due to the delayed filing of certain of its periodic reports. As permitted by NASDAQ rules, the Company timely appealed the Panel’s determination to the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Listing Council”). On January 15, 2010, the Listing Council notified the Company that it had affirmed the Panel’s decision to delist the Company’s securities. On March 15, 2010, the Company received notification from the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC Board of Directors

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

(the “NASDAQ Board”) that the NASDAQ Board has declined to call for review the January 15, 2010 decision of the Listing Council. Accordingly, pursuant to Listing Rule 5825, the Listing Council’s decision represents the final decision of NASDAQ. In accordance with Listing Rule 5830 and Rule 12d2-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NASDAQ filed an application on Form 25 with the SEC on April 5, 2010, to delist the Company’s securities from NASDAQ. The application became effective April 15, 2010. Following the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, its common shares have been quoted on Pink OTC Markets Inc., under the trading symbol “LASR.PK”.

Sale of Auction Rate Securities

During the first half of 2010, the Company sold its remaining auction rate securities for $11.4 million. The auction rate securities were valued at $10.4 million and had a par value of $13.0 million. The Company recorded a gain in 2010 of approximately $1.0 million from the sale of these securities.

Settlement of Class Action

In May 2010, the parties to the putative class action described in Note 14 reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. The settlement covers purchasers of the common stock of the Company between February 27, 2007 and June 30, 2009. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the court. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the United States District Court. Although the settlement agreement has not yet been approved by the United States District Court, the total settlement amount is well within the Company’s insurance policy limits; the Company’s contribution to the settlement amount would be limited to the balance of the Company’s self-insured retention.

SEC Investigation

As discussed under “Significant Recent Events—Restatement of Financial Results” in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company conducted the Revenue Review, which included a review of certain of its historical accounting practices. On May 14, 2009, the Company received a notice from the SEC indicating that the SEC is conducting a formal investigation relating to its historical accounting practices and the restatement of its historical consolidated financial statements. On September 16, 2010, the Company received a “Wells Notice” from the SEC, stating that the Staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute a civil injunctive action or administrative proceeding against the Company, alleging that the Company violated various provisions of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act, and providing the Company with the opportunity to make a submission to the Staff in connection therewith. In connection with the contemplated action, the SEC may seek a permanent injunction or cease-and-desist order, disgorgement, prejudgment interest and the imposition of a civil penalty. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation.

U.K. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Based on the preliminary results of a new funding valuation in 2010, the Company would be required to increase its annual contributions to the U.K. Plan from approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million for a period of approximately 10 years, including an additional one-time lump-sum payment of approximately $1.6 million, of which $0.8 million was paid in September 2010. The remaining $0.8 million would be payable after the funding valuation results are finalized and all necessary U.K. governmental approvals are obtained.

 

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As of December 31, 2009

 

Resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer

On May 24, 2010, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Dr. Sergio Edelstein in connection with Dr. Edelstein’s voluntary resignation from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and as an officer or director of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries or other affiliates and his related termination of employment with the Company, effective as of May 25, 2010 (the “Separation Date”).

Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Edelstein will receive (i) payment for all accrued and unpaid base salary and all earned and accrued unused vacation pay through the Separation Date; (ii) severance pay of $520,000; and (iii) a lump sum payment in the amount of $259,123. In addition, all of Dr. Edelstein’s outstanding but unvested shares of restricted stock of the Company (including all shares with time-based or performance based vesting) vested immediately and any Company repurchase rights with respect to such restricted stock lapsed as of May 27, 2010, the date the Bankruptcy Court approved the Separation Agreement.

Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, Dr. Edelstein agreed to a non-competition covenant beginning on the Plan Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Separation Date, as well as a customary confidentiality covenant.

Engagement of Chief Restructuring Officer

The Company entered into an engagement letter (the “Engagement Letter”) with FTI Consulting Inc. (“FTI”) on May 14, 2010 to provide for the services of Michael Katzenstein as Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) and certain other temporary employees and management services to support Mr. Katzenstein in his role. Mr. Katzenstein also serves as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Engagement Letter, Mr. Katzenstein will remain employed by FTI and will perform services as CRO through FTI, reporting to the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Katzenstein does not receive any compensation from the Company and does not participate in any of the Company’s employee benefit plans. The Company instead compensates FTI at an aggregate rate of approximately $0.2 million per month for Mr. Katzenstein’s services as CRO and Gabriel E. Bresler’s services as Associate CRO plus additional fees based on time incurred for certain other temporary employees who support Messrs. Katzenstein and Bresler. Additionally, the arrangement with FTI for CRO services includes a Completion Fee of $1.4 million, which is earned and payable pursuant to the terms of the arrangement, as follows: i) one third (1/3) of the Completion Fee upon the effective date of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, which was July 23, 2010; ii) one-third of the Completion Fee upon delivery of management prepared financial information for the 2009 audit to the Company’s auditors; and iii) one-third of the Completion Fee upon the publication of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2009.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases

As discussed in Note 1, on July 23, 2010 the Debtors consummated their reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and the Final Chapter 11 Plan became effective pursuant to its terms.

Pursuant to and in accordance with the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Debtors entered into the following material agreements on July 23, 2010, the Effective Date.

Rights Offering

As contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Company conducted a rights offering in which the Company offered up to a maximum of $85 million of its common shares upon emergence from bankruptcy at a

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

purchase price per share of $1.80 (the “Price Per Share”) to its existing shareholders. As such, 37,756,069 of the Company’s common shares were subscribed for a total subscription price of $67,960,924. Of the total common shares subscribed for in the Rights Offering, $64,889,486 were subscribed for by payment in cash and $3,071,438 were subscribed for by exchange of the 2008 Senior Notes. Also pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Consenting Noteholders agreed to backstop the entire Rights Offering. Regardless of the number of shares purchased in the Rights Offering, the Consenting Noteholders agreed to purchase a minimum of $20 million of common shares by exchanging the principal amount of 2008 Senior Notes for common shares at the Price Per Share. Because the difference between the total amount of the shares offered and the shares subscribed for in the Rights Offering was less than $20 million, 11,111,111 common shares for a total of the backstop commitment amount of $20 million were issued pursuant to the backstop commitment.

The Rights Offering was consummated on the Effective Date and the Cash Proceeds from the Rights Offering were, as provided in the Final Chapter 11 Plan, used to pay down the 2008 Senior Notes. As a result of the Rights Offering and the shares issued pursuant to the backstop commitment, the Company’s shareholders prior to the emergence from bankruptcy retained approximately 86.1% of the Company’s capital stock following emergence (subject to the distribution of shares placed in reserve pending resolution of certain litigation matters unrelated to the Chapter 11 Cases). The remaining 13.9% of the Company’s capital stock was issued to the holders of the 2008 Senior Notes in partial exchange of such notes and pursuant to the commitment of certain holders to backstop the Rights Offering.

12.25% Senior Secured PIK Election Notes

On the Effective Date, GSI US issued $107,040,000 in aggregate principal amount of New Notes, which mature on July 23, 2014, pursuant to that certain Indenture (the “New Indenture”), by and among GSI US, as issuer, the Guarantors named therein (including the GSIG and MES) (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Interest accrues on the New Notes at a rate of 12.25% per year and is payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2010. GSI US may elect to pay the interest in cash, or, under certain conditions, by increasing the principal amount of the New Notes or issuing additional notes on the same terms and conditions as the existing New Notes (“PIK”). Furthermore, until the Company becomes current in its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and until its common shares are listed on an Eligible Market (as defined in the New Indenture), the rate of interest under the New Notes will be increased by an additional 2% per annum, payable by PIK beginning after August 15, 2010. The interest rate on the New Notes may be increased under certain defaults, as defined in the New Indenture.

The New Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by certain of the Guarantors. The obligations of GSI US under the New Indenture and the New Notes, and each of the Guarantor’s obligations under the New Indenture, will be secured by a first priority perfected security interest on all of the U.S. property and assets of GSI US and of all Guarantors.

GSI US may, at any time, redeem up to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes (including any such notes issued after the Effective Date), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption. To the extent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under a working capital facility which GSI US may enter into pursuant to the terms of the New

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

Indenture exceeds $20 million or upon certain asset sales, GSIG or GSI US will be required to offer to use such excess working capital proceeds or excess net proceeds, as applicable, to make an offer to purchase a portion of the New Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The terms of the New Notes require GSI US, GSIG and certain of their subsidiaries to comply with covenants that restrict some of their corporate activities, including the ability of GSI US, GSIG and such subsidiaries to incur additional debt, pay dividends, create liens, make investments, sell assets, repurchase equity or subordinated debt, or engage in specified transactions with affiliates.

Noncompliance with any of the covenants without cure or waiver would constitute an event of default under the New Notes. An event of default resulting from a breach of a covenant may result, at the option of the holders, in an acceleration of the principal and interest outstanding. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the New Notes will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the then applicable rate plus 2% per annum (the “Default Rate”). The New Notes also contain other customary events of default (subject to specified grace periods), including defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency, cessation of effectiveness of certain related security documents and nonpayment of principal, interest or fees when due.

Security Agreement

On the Effective Date and in connection with the New Indenture, GSI US entered into a Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) with the Guarantors and the Trustee, as collateral agent thereunder, pursuant to which GSI US and the Guarantors, as grantors under the Security Agreement, provided for the grant of a first priority perfected security interest in all (except as otherwise provided therein) of the U.S. property and assets of GSI US and each Guarantor to secure GSI US’s obligations under the New Indenture and the New Notes and each Guarantor’s obligations under the New Indenture.

Registration Rights Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Backstop Investors. The Registration Rights Agreement provides that, from the time the Company becomes current in its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and for as long as it remains a public company with shares registered under the Exchange Act, the Backstop Investors party to the Registration Rights Agreement that collectively own at least 30% of the registrable securities have a right to twice demand the registration of their registrable securities on a registration statement. The registration may be a shelf registration, filed with the SEC on an underwritten or non-underwritten basis. In addition, such Backstop Investors have unlimited piggyback registration rights.

Escrow Agreement

On the Effective Date and pursuant to the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agreement”). Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the Company placed 2,981,227 New Common Shares in a reserve (the “Reserve Shares”) to be held in escrow for the benefit of the holders of Section 510(b) Claims (as defined in the Final Chapter 11 Plan) pending the final disposition of that certain putative shareholder class action entitled Wiltold Trzeciakowski, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. GSI Group Inc., Sergio Edelstein, and Robert Bowen, Case No. 08-cv-12065 (GAO), filed on December 12, 2008, in the

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

United States District Court (“US District Court”) for the District of Massachusetts (the “Shareholder Class Action”). In May 2010, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle the Shareholder Class Action subject to court approval. On July 30, 2010, a Motion for Certification of a Settlement Class and for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement was filed with the US District Court. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the US District Court. Following such final disposition of the class action, the Reserve Shares shall be released to the holders of the Section 510(b) Claims or to the holders of the Company’s common shares and holders of common shares that had vested on the Effective Date but had not been issued immediately prior to the Effective Date.

Mortgages

In connection with the Security Agreement and as required thereby, Synrad, Inc., one of the Company’s subsidiaries (“Synrad”), entered into an Open-End Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010 (the “Washington Mortgage”), in favor of First American Title Insurance Company, in its capacity as trustee thereunder (the “First American”), for the benefit of the Trustee, as beneficiary thereunder, wherein Synrad mortgaged, granted, bargained, assigned, sold and conveyed its interest in the property located at 4600 Campus Place, Mukilteo, Washington 98275, to First American to secure (a) the payment of all of the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the New Indenture, the Washington Mortgage and the other Security Documents (as defined in the Washington Mortgage), and (b) the performance of all terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, agreements and liabilities contained in the New Indenture, the Washington Mortgage and the other Security Documents.

In connection with the Security Agreement and as required thereby, Control Laser Corporation, one of the Company’s subsidiaries (“Control Laser Corporation”), entered into an Open-End Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010 (the “Florida Mortgage”), in favor of the Trustee, as mortgagee thereunder (in such capacity, the “Mortgagee”), wherein Control Laser Corporation mortgaged, granted, bargained, assigned, sold and conveyed its interest in the property located at 2419 Lake Orange Road, Orlando, Florida 32837, to Mortgagee to secure (a) the payment of all of the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the New Indenture, the Florida Mortgage and the other Security Documents (as defined in the Florida Mortgage), and (b) the performance of all terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, agreements and liabilities contained in the New Indenture, the Florida Mortgage and the other Security Documents.

In connection with the Security Agreement and as required thereby, Photo Research, Inc., one of the Company’s subsidiaries (“Photo Research”), entered into an Open-End Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010 (the “California Mortgage”), in favor of First American, in its capacity as trustee thereunder, for the benefit of the Trustee, as beneficiary thereunder, wherein Photo Research mortgaged, granted, bargained, assigned, sold and conveyed its interest in the property located at 9731 Topanga Canyon Place, Los Angeles, California 91311, to First American to secure (a) the payment of all of the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the New Indenture, the California Mortgage and the other Security Documents (as defined in the California Mortgage), and (b) the performance of all terms, covenants, conditions, provisions, agreements and liabilities contained in the New Indenture, the California Mortgage and the other Security Documents.

Lease Amendment

GSI US and 125 Middlesex Turnpike, LLC, as landlord (the “Landlord”), entered into the First Amendment to Lease (the “Lease Amendment”) concerning GSI US’s corporate headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts (the “Headquarters”). The Lease was entered into by and between GSI US and the Landlord on November 2, 2007

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

(the “Lease”), and the Lease Amendment was entered into on February 10, 2010 and became effective on the Confirmation Date (the “Lease Amendment Effective Date”). The Lease Amendment provides that the initial term of the Lease expires on the third anniversary of the Lease Amendment Effective Date (the “Lease Term”). In addition, the Lease Amendment provides that the Landlord has the option to terminate the Lease prior to the scheduled expiration of the Lease Term, which date shall be (a) no less than nine months after the date the Landlord gives notice of such early termination and (b) in any event, no earlier than June 1, 2011. In the aggregate, the modification reduces the Company’s obligations under the current lease by approximately $10.8 million, of which $0.9 million relates to 2013, $1.6 million relates to 2014 and $8.3 million relates to periods thereafter.

Pursuant to and in accordance with the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the following material agreements terminated pursuant to the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan on July 23, 2010, the Effective Date.

Debt Securities

On the Effective Date, pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan and the Confirmation Order, all outstanding obligations under those certain 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued by GSI were cancelled and the indenture governing such obligation was terminated.

Equity Interests

On and as of the Effective Date, pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan and the Confirmation Order, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, including all options, calls, rights, participation rights, puts, awards, commitments or any other agreement to acquire shares of capital stock of the Company that existed prior to the Effective Date, were cancelled and in exchange therefore, holders of such interests received distributions pursuant to the terms of the Final Chapter 11 Plan.

Shareholder Rights Plan

On and as of the Effective Date, that certain Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan, dated as of May 15, 2008, by and between the Company and Computer Share Investor Services, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Plan”), was terminated. Prior to such termination, the Rights Plan was scheduled to expire on May 15, 2011. The Rights Plan created a right (the “Right”) (which was only triggered if a person or a control group acquired 20% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding publicly traded common shares without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company) for each shareholder, other than the acquiring person or its associates or affiliates, to acquire additional common shares of the Company at one-half of the then market price at the time of exercise. Pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, the Rights were cancelled on and as of the Effective Date.

Share Issuances

On the Effective Date, the Company issued an aggregate of 100,002,179 New Common Shares pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan in exchange for claims against or interests of the Company. Consistent with the Confirmation Order and applicable law, the Company relied on Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code to exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the issuance of such New Common Shares.

 

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GSI GROUP INC.

(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2009

 

On the Effective Date, the New Common Shares were issued in exchange for claims against or interests in the Company pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan as follows:

Existing Equity Holders

The Company issued 45,375,994 New Common Shares (the “Equity Shares”) on the Effective Date to holders of the common shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date and to holders of Vested Share Rights (such holders, collectively, the “Existing Equity Holders”).

Reserve Shares

As further described above under “Escrow Agreement”, the Company issued 2,981,227 New Common Shares on the Effective Date to the Escrow Agent to be held in escrow pursuant to the Escrow Agreement for the benefit of the holders of Section 510(b) Claims and the Existing Equity Holders pending the final disposition of the Shareholder Class Action. In May 2010, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle the Shareholder Class Action. The settlement is subject to preliminary and final approval by the United States District Court, and to the extent required by law, approval by the Bankruptcy Court.

Rights Offering

In connection with the Rights Offering described earlier, the Company issued (i) 36,049,715 New Common Shares on the Effective Date to Eligible Holders that elected to subscribe for New Common Shares by paying for the purchase price in cash and (ii) 1,706,354 New Common Shares on the Effective Date to Eligible Holders that subscribed for New Common Shares by exchanging their 2008 Senior Notes.

Backstop Commitment

In connection with the Backstop Commitment described earlier, the Company issued 11,111,111 New Common Shares on the Effective Date to the Backstop Investors pursuant to the Backstop Exchange.

Supplemental Equity Exchange

Pursuant to and in accordance with the Final Chapter 11 Plan, on the Effective Date the holders of the 2008 Senior Notes exchanged an aggregate principal amount of $5 million under the 2008 Senior Notes for 2,777,778 New Common Shares at the Purchase Price Per Share (the “Supplemental Equity Exchange”).

 

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Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures as of December 31, 2009

Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2009. The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Because of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as described below, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2009.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act of 1934. Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making their assessment, our principal officers utilized the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission.

As of December 31, 2009, our principal officers identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Each material weakness is discussed below.

 

  1. Inadequate and ineffective controls over the corporate financial statement close process

As a result of ineffective procedures and controls, our December 31, 2009 year-end financial close process was not completed in an accurate and timely manner and resulted in material post-closing adjustments which we have reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009. The ineffective

 

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procedures and controls occurred within our corporate accounting and finance group and involved account reconciliations and manual journal entries that were not properly prepared and/or reviewed and approved. The year-end financial statement close process was not performed in a timely manner due to the Revenue Review and resulting restatement of prior years’ financial statements, turnover in personnel and distractions caused by our Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in November 2009. The weaknesses in our procedures and controls were compounded by a significant loss of personnel from the corporate accounting and finance department starting in the fourth quarter of 2008 and continuing through the third quarter of 2009 and our reliance on complex systems and procedures that required significant knowledge and experience to close our books. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, our Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, Assistant Controller responsible for the close process and revenue recognition, Senior Director of Financial Planning, Director of Taxes, three accounting managers, and five additional employees all left us. Many of the employees who left had substantial historical knowledge of our particular accounting systems and procedures. We intend to continue to rely on consulting professionals as needed until a permanent finance team is appointed. These weaknesses resulted in the material post-closing adjustments identified by the current accounting staff and our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

  2. Inadequate and ineffective controls over the recognition of Semiconductor Systems revenue

We did not have adequate controls to ensure that Semiconductor Systems revenue was recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Specifically, we note the following with respect to our accounting for revenue transactions in the Semiconductor Systems segment:

 

   

our sales team did not communicate to our accounting staff all of the information necessary to make accurate revenue recognition determinations;

 

   

we did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the information that was provided to our accounting team by our sales team; and

 

   

the procedures performed relative to the evaluation of accounting criteria of arrangements with our customers were not adequate, including the incomplete assessment of revenue transactions due to incomplete information and documentation or from erroneous or missing identification of contracts that should have been viewed as one arrangement

As a result of the material weaknesses described above, our management has determined that, as of December 31, 2009, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting at the reasonable assurance level based on the COSO criteria.

Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weaknesses and Ongoing Remediation Efforts

In Item 9A (Controls and Procedures) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, we reported four material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. As a result of these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2008.

In an effort to remediate these material weaknesses, in 2009, we made changes that materially affected our internal control over financial reporting. We have taken and continue to take significant steps to improve our overall control over financial reporting. As discussed below, of the four material weaknesses noted in our report as of December 31, 2008, the controls relating to two of these items are sufficiently improved such that they no longer constitute a material weakness as of December 31, 2009:

 

  1. Inadequate and ineffective controls over the impairment assessment for goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets

 

   

Implemented enhanced documentation and review and supervision processes and procedures over impairment-related testing and analyses, to provide reasonable assurance that the quality and frequency of impairment testing is being properly monitored.

 

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Hired qualified consultants to perform and supervise impairment testing and analyses.

 

  2. Inadequate and ineffective controls over the accounting for income taxes

 

   

Implemented enhanced documentation and review and supervision processes and procedures over the accounting for income taxes.

 

   

Hired qualified consultants to perform, review and supervise income tax accounting and analyses.

In addition, within the two items which we believe still constitute material weaknesses, we have made significant improvement and a number of material changes to controls within those areas. With regard to controls over the corporate financial statement close process, we have implemented enhanced documentation and review and supervision processes and procedures, including in the preparation of general account reconciliations and certain key accounting analyses. With regard to controls over the recognition of revenue, we have implemented new procedures regarding the identification and accounting for multiple element arrangements, implemented enhanced documentation, review and supervision processes and procedures over the review of significant revenue transactions. In addition, we have hired qualified consulting professionals to perform and supervise the aforementioned processes and procedures until the corporate finance and accounting function is properly staffed with permanent employees.

Management plans to put in place the following measures in 2010 and 2011 to strengthen internal controls over financial reporting and address the material weaknesses described above. Our remediation efforts involve numerous business and accounting process improvements. The improvements are generally designed to: (1) enhance the number of persons within the corporate accounting group with the technical experience to properly evaluate and account for complex accounting transactions, as well as to provide appropriate managerial oversight to our accounting staff, and (2) improve the timeliness and access to information that is required by the accounting team in order to make appropriate assessments of transactions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We began implementing certain of these measures prior to the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For example, we appointed a principal financial officer on April 1, 2010. Since joining us in 2009, he has led a team of temporary and consulting professionals with requisite finance and revenue recognition skills.

We expect the implementation of the additional remedial actions to be substantially completed in 2011. Until we are able to remediate the weaknesses, we intend to rely on the continued use of outside professionals in order to perform procedures and reviews deemed appropriate and necessary for us to perform accounting procedures and report timely and accurate financial results.

The remediation plans that we have undertaken, or plan to undertake, include the following measures:

Plans with respect to accounting personnel

 

   

Appoint a permanent Chief Financial Officer and enhance the number and quality of the composition of our corporate finance team. This will include us conducting an assessment of the current skill set to support the staffing of a finance group with the requisite expertise. We will review the composition of our team of salaried accounting professionals, in terms of skills, technical expertise and overall experience level.

 

   

We will recruit and retain qualified accounting professionals necessary to help ensure the accountability and effective implementation of key controls and remedial actions designed in the areas that material weaknesses have been identified.

 

   

Until such time as the review and hiring of salaried accounting professionals is finalized, we have engaged outside professionals to assist us in finalizing our accounting and related SEC reporting for the periods included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have also utilized outside professionals to

 

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assist with similar activities in connection with our activities in closing the accounting records for periods in 2009 and 2010. We plan to continue to rely on outside professionals as needed until a permanent staff is deployed.

 

   

Increase the amount and frequency of the training of our accounting staff. This training is focused on the following matters:

 

   

Technical accounting matters that are to be performed by certain staff, and upon whose expertise we will rely to ensure timely, complete and accurate accounting procedures have been performed and documented.

 

   

Reviews of current, and yet to be updated, processes and controls will be conducted to ensure that our accounting staff understand requirements and procedures. Additionally, this training will be conducted to ensure that our accounting personnel with managerial responsibilities are capable of supervising the required accounting work, including all necessary reviews, to ensure complete, timely and accurate financial information.

 

   

Education with respect to our product offerings, including related services, will be provided by our sales and operational groups in order to ensure that our accounting personnel are aware of current product and service offerings.

Plans with respect to organization-wide personnel

 

   

Reinforce the “message from the top” with respect to our policies, and corporate responsibilities. Provide continued reinforcement of these standards and expectations from the executive level officers.

 

   

Provide training to our sales, operations and accounting teams with respect to certain corporate governance and public company matters. The training will include guidelines and procedures to ensure that relevant information is promptly and completely communicated to the accounting team, or other senior management representatives, as appropriate. The training will also educate our sales, operations and accounting teams with respect to revenue recognition implications of certain activities, including discussions or other communications between our personnel and customers.

 

   

Develop procedures whereby the consistent application of our policies for revenue recognition are understood and are able to be applied. In particular, the procedures will include guidance as to what constitutes a multiple element arrangement, and how fair value is determined for each element of an arrangement. Additionally, training will be given to ensure that all involved personnel understand and can universally apply the evaluation as to what is a standard product (as defined in our policies), as compared to a product that is not standard.

 

   

Enhance the cross-functional reviews and approvals of transactions, including policies with respect to electronic approvals, and with respect to the downstream performance of activities that mandate prior approvals or actions.

 

   

Develop enhanced procedures with respect to the review of facts, assumptions and other related information that has been reviewed or considered when reaching accounting conclusions. These procedures will be further enhanced by improved documentation, review and approvals of material facts and assumptions by management within the accounting function, and outside of the accounting function when deemed appropriate or necessary.

Plans with respect to organization-wide processes and information systems

 

   

Review our information systems to assess which processes can be further automated including, as appropriate, the configuration of our information systems to allow for tracking of certain information that is not routinely captured currently. The accounting processes will be reviewed, and expanded as

 

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deemed necessary, to review and assess non-accounting information that is captured in our enterprise wide information systems, as certain of this information can assist the evaluation and documentation of accounting conclusions.

 

   

Redesign our key accounting processes with respect to our accounting team management’s oversight and review of accounting records, source documentation and related assumptions that form the basis for conclusions.

If the remedial measures described above are insufficient to address any of the identified material weaknesses or are not implemented effectively, or additional deficiencies arise in the future, material misstatements in our interim or annual financial statements may occur in the future and we may continue to be delinquent in our filings. We are currently working to improve and, where feasible, simplify our internal processes and implement enhanced controls, as discussed above, to address the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and to remedy the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. While this implementation phase is underway, we are relying on extensive manual procedures including the use of qualified external consultants and incremental management oversight and reviews, to assist us with meeting the objectives otherwise fulfilled by an effective internal control. A key element of our remediation effort is the ability to recruit and retain qualified individuals to support our remediation efforts as well as to complete the significant backlog of work required for us to become current with our SEC filings. Despite our efforts to continually improve our control procedures and environment, we cannot provide assurance that our remediation measures will be completed or become effective by any given date. Among other things, any unremediated material weakness could result in material post-closing adjustments in future financial statements and in our inability to file future financial statements with the SEC in a timely manner. Furthermore, any such unremediated material weakness could have the effects described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Our Audit Committee, management and independent auditors have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls, and we may be unable to develop, implement and maintain appropriate controls in future periods, which may lead to errors or omissions in our financial statements.” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent auditors pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the changes noted above, there have been no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

Not Applicable.

 

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each director and executive officer of GSI Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2009:

 

Name

   Director
Since
  

Age

  

Position

Directors

        

Richard B. Black

   1999    76   

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Garrett A. Garrettson, Ph.D.

   2005    66   

Director

Phillip A. Griffiths, Ph.D.

   2001    71   

Director

Marina Hatsopoulos

   2005    44   

Director

Byron O. Pond

   2000    73   

Director

Benjamin J. Virgilio

   1998    70   

Director

Executive Officers

        

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

   2006    55   

President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

Anthony Bellantuoni

   —      58   

Vice President, Corporate Resources

Philippe Brak

   —      49   

Vice President and General Manager

Stephen Webb

   —      49   

Managing Director

The following table sets forth the Board committee membership as of December 31, 2009:

 

Name

   Audit
Committee(2)
    Compensation
Committee(2)
    Technology
Committee(2)
    Nominating  and
Corporate
Governance
Committee(2)
 

Richard B. Black

   X (1)       

Garrett A. Garrettson, Ph.D.

     X      X (1)   

Phillip A. Griffiths, Ph.D.

   X          X   

Marina Hatsopoulos

   X      X (1)     

Byron O. Pond

     X        X (1) 

Benjamin J. Virgilio

       X      X   

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

       X     

 

(1) Chairperson
(2) Committee membership reflects changes to the composition which occurred in July 2009 as follows: Ms. Hatsopoulos was no longer a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and became a member of the Audit Committee; Dr. Garrettson was no longer a member of the Audit Committee and became a member of the Compensation Committee; and Dr. Griffiths was no longer a member of the Compensation Committee and became a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, upon the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010, Richard B. Black, Garrett A. Garrettson, Ph.D., Phillip A. Griffiths, Ph.D., Marina Hatsopoulos and Benjamin J. Virgilio resigned as members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Byron O. Pond continued his service on the Board of Directors and six new members were selected pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan.

 

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The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each director and executive officer of GSI Group, Inc. as of August 31, 2010:

 

Name

   Director
Since
   Age   

Position

Directors

        

Stephen W. Bershad

   2010    68   

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Eugene I. Davis

   2010    55   

Director

Dennis J. Fortino

   2010    64   

Director

K. Peter Heiland

   2010    48   

Director

Ira J. Lamel

   2010    63   

Director

Byron O. Pond

   2000    74   

Director

Executive Officers

        

Michael Katzenstein

   2010    51   

Principal Executive Officer, Director

Glenn Davis

   —      55   

Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

Anthony Bellantuoni

   —      59   

Vice President, Corporate Resources

Philippe Brak

   —      50   

Vice President and General Manager

Gabriel Bresler

   —      54   

Associate Chief Restructuring Officer

Stephen Webb

   —      50   

Managing Director

The following table sets forth the Board committee membership as of August 31, 2010:

 

Name

   Audit
Committee
    Compensation
Committee
    Search
Committee(2)
    Nominating  and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
 

Stephen W. Bershad

     X (1)    X (1)   

Eugene I. Davis

   X          X (1) 

Dennis J. Fortino

     X      X      X   

K. Peter Heiland

     X       

Michael Katzenstein

       X     

Ira J. Lamel

   X (1)        X   

Byron O. Pond

   X          X   

 

(1) Chairperson
(2) Formed on July 30, 2010 to plan and oversee a smooth transition to permanent senior leadership. The current Board of Directors is evaluating whether a Technology Committee should be formed in the future.

Independent Directors

Stephen W. Bershad has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since July 30, 2010. Mr. Bershad was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Axsys Technologies, Inc. (“Axsys”), a manufacturer of surveillance and imaging equipment, from 1986 until 2009 and was President of Axsys from 1986 to August 1999 and from March 2002 to December 2007. Prior thereto, he was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers, Inc., an investment banking firm, and its predecessor firms, where he held a series of senior management positions in merchant banking and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bershad is a director of EMCOR Group, Inc., a leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure, and end-to-end facilities services. As a senior executive with Lehman Brothers for more than 15 years and the chief executive officer of Axsys for more than 20 years, Mr. Bershad has an invaluable background in investment banking, finance, and business.

Eugene I. Davis has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010. Mr. Davis is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group, LLC, a privately held consulting firm specializing in turnaround management, merger and acquisition consulting and hostile and friendly takeovers, proxy contests

 

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and strategic planning advisory services for domestic and international public and private business entities. Since forming PIRINATE in 1997, Mr. Davis has advised, managed, sold, liquidated and served as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer, Director, Committee Chairman and Chairman of the Board of a number of businesses operating in diverse sectors such as telecommunications, automotive, manufacturing, high-technology, medical technologies, metals, energy, financial services, consumer products and services, import-export, mining and transportation and logistics. Previously, Mr. Davis served as President, Vice Chairman and Director of Emerson Radio Corporation, a consumer electronics distributor, and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Sport Supply Group, Inc., a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of sporting goods products. He began his career as an attorney and international negotiator with Exxon Corporation and Standard Oil Company (Indiana) and as a partner in two Texas-based law firms, where he specialized in corporate/securities law, international transactions and restructuring advisory services. Mr. Davis is also a member of the Board of Directors of Knology, Inc., DEX One Corp., Ambassadors International Inc., Rural/MetroCorp, Spectrum Brands, Inc. and TerreStar Corporation. Within the last five years, Mr. Davis has served as a Director of American Commercial Lines, Inc., Delta Airlines, Inc., Haights Cross Communications, Inc., SeraCare Life Sciences Inc., Solutia, Inc., Atari, Inc., Exide Technologies, IPCS, Inc., Knology Broadband, Inc., Oglebay Norton Company, Tipperary Corporation, McLeod Communications, Footstar, Inc., PRG Schultz International, Inc., Silicon Graphics, Inc., Foamex, Inc., Ion Broadcasting, Viskase Companies, Inc. and Media General, Inc. Mr. Davis offers leadership and experience from serving as a board member of over 20 public companies and as chairman and chief executive of several companies. Mr. Davis also brings to the board experience with respect to risk management. Mr. Davis provides insight into matters pertaining to the Company’s capital structure and merger and acquisition opportunities.

Dennis J. Fortino has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010. Mr. Fortino is a Consultant with Private Consultant USA Professional Services in Palo Alto, California (“PCUPS”), where he serves as a business consultant to develop business rationalization and growth plans to companies (including the Company) and also serves as an executive coach. Prior to becoming a Consultant with PCUPS in 2006, Mr. Fortino served as the Executive Vice President of the Lithography & Parametric Solutions Group at KLA-Tencor Corporation (“KLA-Tencor”), a supplier of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related microelectronics industries between September 2000 and November 2005. From August 1997 to September 2000, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Surfscan Division of KLA-Tencor and from November 1995 to July 1997 as the Vice President and General Manager of the Surface Metrology Division of KLA-Tencor. Mr. Fortino served as Vice President and General Manager for Spectra-Physics Lasers from July 1991 to October 1995. Mr. Fortino has more than 20 years of experience in the semiconductor and related microelectronics industries as well as a deep understanding of the Company’s products and related technologies. Mr. Fortino brings to the Company’s Board of Directors significant technology, operating experience, business acumen and insight into current and emerging business trends.

K. Peter Heiland has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010. Mr. Heiland has over 25 years of domestic and international management experience, as well as an extensive background in technology. Mr. Heiland is the founder and President of Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH (“IDE”), a developer and manufacturer of vibration control products, magnetic field compensation systems, acoustic enclosures and robotics, since March 1990. IDE’s products serve several markets, including the semiconductor industry. Mr. Heiland has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. Mr. Heiland also serves as a manager of JEC II Associates, LLC, a privately held investment company. Mr. Heiland received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Fachhochschule Wiesbaden in Germany. Mr. Heiland’s more than 25 years of experience in technology management positions and with products serving the semiconductor industry brings to the Company’s Board of Directors significant technology, business acumen, substantial operational experience, and expertise in corporate strategy development.

Ira J. Lamel has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010. Mr. Lamel is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Hain”), a leading natural and organic food and personal care products company operating in North America and Europe. Prior to joining Hain on

 

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October 1, 2001, Mr. Lamel was an audit partner in the New York Area practice of Ernst & Young LLP. He retired from Ernst & Young after a 29 year career serving clients in various industries, one of which included Excel Technology, Inc. (“Excel”), that was acquired by GSI Group in August 2008. Mr. Lamel served as the audit partner on Excel beginning with the audit for the year ended December 31, 2000 and through the review for the quarter ended June 30, 2001. In addition, Mr. Lamel served on the Board of Directors of Excel between 2004 and 2008. Mr. Lamel also served on the Board of Directors of Harvey Electronics (“Harvey”) between 2004 and 2007. On each such board at Excel and Harvey, Mr. Lamel was the chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Lamel brings to the Company’s Board of Directors extensive financial, accounting and auditing expertise, including an understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting rules and regulations and financial reporting processes acquired over the course of his 38-year career. In addition, Mr. Lamel’s prior service on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the audit committee at Excel Technology, Inc. provides him with invaluable experience.

Byron O. Pond has been a Director of the Company since 2000. From August 2006 through December 2006, Mr. Pond served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, an automotive supply company. In 1999, Mr. Pond joined the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Board of Directors and served until retirement in 2008. Mr. Pond joined the Board of Directors of Precision Castparts Corporation in 2000 and served until retirement in 2007. In February 2001, Mr. Pond joined Amcast Industrial Corporation. During his tenure he served as President, CEO and Chairman before retiring on his contract termination date in February 2004. After retirement, Mr. Pond remained as an Amcast director and also became non-executive Chairman. On November 1, 2004, Mr. Pond was asked to reassume the positions of Amcast Chairman, President and CEO. Amcast filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on November 30, 2004. From 1990, Mr. Pond was a senior executive with Arvin Industries, Inc., serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 1996 and as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 1998. He retired as Chairman of Arvin Industries, Inc. in 1999. Mr. Pond currently serves on the Board of Directors of EMCON Technologies and ECRM, Inc. With more than 40 years of experience working with organizations and management structures, as the past Chairman and CEO of a public company, and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors for approximately 10 years, Mr. Pond has a deep knowledge of all aspects of the Company’s business. In addition, Mr. Pond’s service on other public company Boards of Directors and his membership on the Company’s audit, compensation, and nominating & corporate governance committees, provide him with invaluable experience.

Former Independent Directors

Richard B. Black was a Director of the Company from 1999 to July 23, 2010 and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2005 to July 23, 2010. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ECRM, Inc., a manufacturer of laser systems equipment for the printing and publishing industry. He served as Chairman of ECRM from August 1983 until March 2002. Mr. Black also served as a General Partner for OpNet Partners, L.P., a technology investment fund, from 2001 through December 31, 2007. He served as Vice Chairman of Oak Technology, Inc. from March 1999 until the company was merged with Zoran Corporation in August 2003. He served as President of Oak Technology from January 1998 to March 1999, and was a director at Oak Technology from 1988 to 2003. From 1987 to 1997, Mr. Black served as a General Partner for KBA Partners, L.P., a technology venture capital fund. Prior to that time, he served as president and CEO of AM International, Inc., Alusuisse of America, Inc. and Maremont Corporation. From 1963 to 1966 Mr. Black was an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Beloit College. In addition to ECRM, he currently serves as a director of the following companies: Allied Fiber Optic Products, Inc., Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. and Trex Enterprises Inc. Mr. Black has more than 40 years of experience in the technology industry as well as a deep understanding of the Company’s people, products and culture acquired over a decade of service as a director of the Company. With his experience as Chairman and CEO of ECRM, Inc., Mr. Black brought significant operating experience, financial expertise, business acumen and insight into current and emerging business trends, to the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Black’s service on another public company’s Board of Directors provided him with invaluable experience.

 

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Garrett A. Garrettson, Ph.D. was a Director of the Company from 2005 to July 23, 2010. He has been the President of G. Garrettson Consulting LLC, a management consulting company, since 2004 and a Managing Director of daVinci Capital Group since 2006. From December 2005 to January 2008, he was President and CEO of Fresco Technologies, a private digital imaging company. From November 2001 to September 2004, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Clairvoyante, Inc., a provider of flat panel display technology and related intellectual property. From April 2000 to December 2002, he was Chairman of the Board and, from April 1996 to April 2000, the Chief Executive Officer of Spectrian Corporation, a public telecommunications infrastructure equipment company. From April 1993 until April 1996, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Censtor, a private magnetic recording head and media company. Dr. Garrettson is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Iridex Corporation and Giga-Tronics Incorporated, each a publicly held company. Dr. Garrettson has spent more than 40 years in the technology industry in senior roles at large, complex and global technology companies. His deep knowledge of all aspects of the Company’s business, combined with his drive for innovation and excellence, positioned him well to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, Dr. Garrettson’s service on other public company Boards of Directors provided him with invaluable experience.

Phillip A. Griffiths, Ph.D. was a Director of the Company from 2001 to July 23, 2010. He is a faculty member (emeritus since 2009) in the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He is also currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Science Initiative Group, an international team of scientific leaders and supporters dedicated to fostering science in developing countries, and Chairman of the Board of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley, California. He was, from 1991 to 2004, Director of the Institute of Advanced Study, where he was responsible for managing the Institute’s various research activities. Prior to joining the Institute in 1991, Dr. Griffiths was Provost and James B. Duke Professor of Mathematics at Duke University for eight years. He has also taught at Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of California, Berkeley. He currently serves as a director of Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. Dr. Griffiths has an invaluable background in the field of scientific research which he brought to the Company’s Board of Directors and the various standing committees of the Company’s Board of Directors on which he has served for nearly 10 years. In addition, his service on other public company Boards of Directors provided Dr. Griffiths with invaluable experience.

Marina Hatsopoulos was a Director of the Company from 2005 to July 23, 2010. She is the founder of and was the Chief Executive Officer of Z Corporation, a provider of technology and products to the 3D printing market, from December 1994 until 2005. Z Corporation was sold to Contex Scanning Technology (Contex) in 2005. From August 2005 to September 2007, Ms. Hatsopoulos was a director of Contex, a leading manufacturer of large-format scanners. Ms. Hatsopoulos is currently a director of Tea Forte, a high-growth manufacturer and retailer of premium tea products and Cynosure, Inc., a leading manufacturer of laser-based aesthetic systems. She is also a principal of Windy Street, Inc. As a business founder, an experienced leader of technology companies, and a former CEO, Ms. Hatsopoulos is a talented entrepreneur with operational and talent management experience. In addition, Ms. Hatsopoulos’ service on other public company Boards of Directors provided her with considerable experience about the best practices of effective Boards of Directors.

Benjamin J. Virgilio was a Director of the Company from 1998 to July 23, 2010. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of BKJR, Inc. of Toronto, Canada. He was previously, from July 2000 until February 2001, the Chairman of Robotic Technology Systems, Inc. Mr. Virgilio was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Rea International Inc., an automotive fuel systems manufacturer, from May 1995 to July 2000. Prior to May 1995, Mr. Virgilio was a business consultant. From February 1981 to November 1993, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of A.G. Simpson Limited. Mr. Virgilio currently serves as a director of Numatech Industries, and Jacob’s Ladder, a charitable research foundation. Mr. Virgilio has extensive knowledge about technology and business strategy. His broad experience ranges from technology, manufacturing, consultancy to charitable enterprises. Mr. Virgilio brought to the Board of Directors business acumen as well as an understanding of the Company, which was acquired over his 12 years of service as a director of the Company.

 

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Executive Officers

Michael Katzenstein has been a Director of the Company since July 23, 2010 and served as the Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) of the Company from May 14, 2010 through July 23, 2010. Since emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, Mr. Katzenstein has served as Principal Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Katzenstein’s service to the Company, including his role on the Board of Directors, is the result of the engagement of FTI Consulting Inc. (“FTI”) by the Company on May 14, 2010 to provide restructuring and turnaround management services to the Company. Since January 1, 2009, Mr. Katzenstein has been a Senior Managing Director at FTI, a global consulting firm. Prior to that, since 2001, Mr. Katzenstein had been a founding partner of CXO, L.L.C., a turnaround management and advisory firm, which was acquired by FTI in December 2008. Mr. Katzenstein is a seasoned restructuring and turnaround management expert and has led multiple engagements across many industries, with concentration in media, technology, telecommunications and subscriber based businesses. Mr. Katzenstein currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sun-Times Media Group, which until recently owned and operated over 30 newspaper titles in the greater Chicago market, and is a member of the audit committee. He also served as chairman of the Board of Directors of RCN, a business/enterprise CLEC and provider of retail triple play broadband services in major U.S. markets and the tenth largest U.S. cable provider, and was a member of the executive, compensation and audit committees. Mr. Katzenstein brings substantial business expertise that includes extensive knowledge of the complex financial and operational issues facing public companies. In addition, his service on other public company Boards of Directors provides him with invaluable experience.

Glenn Davis joined the Company as a consultant in January 2009, and served as Interim Finance Executive for the Company, primarily responsible for coordinating the Company’s accounting and financial functions until April 1, 2010 when he was appointed the Company’s Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. Prior to such appointment, the position of Principal Financial Officer had been vacant since October 27, 2008. Mr. Davis has more than 25 years of senior level financial experience and has served as chief financial officer or corporate controller of various public and private companies, including Stone Canyon Entertainment LLC, North American Midway Entertainment LLC, Mooney Airplane Company, MultiLayer Coating Technologies, LLC, CML Group, Inc., and SmartBargains, Inc. Mr. Davis holds a BA in Economics from DePauw University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Anthony Bellantuoni joined the Company in September of 2007 as Vice President of Human Resources. He assumed the role of Vice President of Corporate Resources in October 2009. He also serves as Secretary of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bellantuoni was employed at Dassault Systemes, a market leader in collaborative product lifecycle management (PLM) application solutions, where he served as Vice President of Human Resources for their ENOVIA Division until September 2007. Prior to that, he was Vice President, Human Resources and Administration for the SIMULIA Division of Dassault Systemes, formerly privately held ABAQUS, Inc. Before joining ABAQUS, Inc. in January 2005, Mr. Bellantuoni was Senior Vice President of Human Resources at ePresence, formerly Banyan Systems, a market leader in delivering Security and Identity Management (SIM) solutions, from July 1997 until June 2004, and held various human resources management roles over the course of more than 17 years at Wang Laboratories, Inc. including assignments in Hawaii, Sydney, Australia and Brussels, Belgium.

Philippe Brak joined the Company on January 2, 2008 as Vice President and General Manager for the Company’s lasers business. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Brak was President and CEO of NP Photonics, Inc., a fiber laser company, where he served initially as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Before joining NP Photonics, Inc. in November 2003, Mr. Brak was employed at Gigabit Optics from December 2002 through November 2003, where he established its worldwide distribution networks. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc. in various General Management and Sales and Services Management roles in Europe and in the United States, including Vice President and General Manager for the company’s worldwide OEM business.

 

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Gabriel Bresler has served as Associate Chief Restructuring Officer of the Company since May 14, 2010. Mr. Bresler’s service to the Company is the result of the engagement of FTI by the Company on May 14, 2010 to provide restructuring and turnaround management services to the Company. Since 2002, Mr. Bresler has been a Senior Managing Director at FTI, a global consulting firm. Prior to that, he was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Bresler specializes in providing strategic and financial planning, process improvement, merger integration planning and effectuation, cost allocation studies, troubled company evaluation and restructurings, interim management services, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, and dispute advisory assistance. With more than 20 years experience, Mr. Bresler has provided advice to a wide-range of clients in the telecommunications and media, energy, distribution, and manufacturing industries.

Stephen Webb became Managing Director of Westwind Air Bearings Ltd. (Westwind) in February 2003. Westwind was acquired by the Company in December 2003, and Mr. Webb has remained its Managing Director since that time. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Webb was Operations Director at Oxford Instruments Analytical Ltd., a maker of subsystems for electron microscopes and NMR equipment. Prior to 2001, he was Operations Director at EEV Ltd., a maker of semiconductor and microwave components used in a broad range of niche applications from gas sensing to satellites.

Former Executive Officers

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D. was President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company from July 2006 to May 25, 2010. From 2004 until joining the Company in July 2006, Dr. Edelstein served as Group Vice President of the E-Beam & Films Product Group at KLA-Tencor Corporation. From 2000 to 2004, Dr. Edelstein held the position of Vice President and General Manager of KLA-Tencor Corporation’s Film and Surface Technology Division. Prior to joining KLA-Tencor Corporation, Dr. Edelstein served as the General Manager of the Tungsten Systems Division at Applied Materials, Inc.

Legal Proceedings Involving the Company’s Executive Officers

As previously disclosed and as earlier described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on November 20, 2009, the Company’s holding company together with two of its U.S. subsidiaries filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Each of the Company’s named executive officers and current executive officers, except Michael Katzenstein, Glenn Davis and Gabriel Bresler, served as an executive officer of the Company at the time of such filing or within two years prior to such filing. On July 23, 2010, the Company emerged from bankruptcy and consummated its reorganization through a series of transactions contemplated by its Final Chapter 11 Plan.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

All of the Company’s directors, officers and employees must act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which has been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website at http://www.gsig.com in the “About GSI Group” section. The Company will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. Such a request should be made in writing and addressed to GSI Group Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding disclosure of an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct with respect to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on the Company’s website, unless a Form 8-K is otherwise required by law or applicable listing rules.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires the executive officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of the common shares to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company

 

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with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. In February 2009, the Company amended its director compensation plan to provide that all compensation for independent directors be paid in the Company’s common shares. Prior to that time, the independent directors were paid an annual retainer, annual fee for service as a committee chair and meeting fees in cash on a quarterly basis. The board of directors subsequently deferred the implementation of the amended director compensation plan until July 2009, at which time the board determined that no shares would be issued as compensation to the independent directors prior to the completion of the Company’s restatement efforts and the conclusion of the matters with the Company’s noteholders. As a result, the independent directors had the right to receive the Company’s shares as compensation, but such shares were not issued in 2009. No Form 4s were filed for the independent directors with respect to three transactions in 2009, the right to receive (i) the annual grant of restricted shares in July 2009, (ii) common shares for the portion of the annual retainer, any committee chair fees and meeting fees with respect to the Company’s third fiscal quarter of 2009 and (iii) common shares for the portion of the annual retainer, any committee chair fees and meeting fees with respect to the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2009. Thus, three forms each for Ms. Hatsopoulos and Messrs. Black, Garrettson, Griffiths, Pond and Virgilio were not filed.

Audit Committee

The Company’s Board of Directors has a separately designated standing audit committee in accordance with Section 3(a) (58)(A) of the Exchange Act. Prior to July 23, 2010, the audit committee operated under a charter that had been approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of this audit committee charter, including any updates thereto, can be found on the Company’s website, http://www.gsig.com, in the “Investors Relations” section. As a result of the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors was reconstituted and new members of the Board of Directors were appointed to the audit committee. The post-emergence audit committee is considering the approval of a new audit committee charter. As of August 31, 2010, the members of the audit committee were: Eugene I. Davis, Ira J. Lamel and Byron O. Pond.

The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of the audit committee are independent as defined under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, including the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Lamel is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Director Nominations

No material changes have been made to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2009.

The Compensation Committee:

Mr. Stephen Bershad (Chairperson)

Mr. Dennis Fortino

Mr. Peter Heiland

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

The following discussion and analysis contains statements regarding future individual and Company performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of the Company’s compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management’s expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. The Company specifically cautions investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.

The following details the Company’s philosophy and policies regarding executive compensation, the process that is used to set executive compensation within the Company, the elements of the executive compensation program, and the role of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of GSI Group Inc. (the “Committee”) and the executive staff in setting executive compensation. In light of the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010, and the establishment of a new Compensation Committee as described below in “Committee Members and Independence,” the Committee is in the process of reviewing the Company’s executive compensation programs as described in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. This review may result in future changes to our executive compensation structure and the elements of our executive compensation.

In this section, the use of the terms, “we”, “our”, “us” and the “Committee” refers to the Compensation Committee unless otherwise specified.

Committee Members and Independence

In 2009, the Committee was comprised of four independent directors with only three (3) serving at any one (1) time: Marina Hatsopoulos (Chair), Byron O. Pond, Phillip A. Griffiths, Ph.D. through July 2009 and Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D. from August 2009 through December 31, 2009. Pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, upon the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010, Ms. Hatsopoulos and Messrs. Pond and Garrettson resigned as members of the Compensation Committee. They were subsequently replaced by Messrs. Bershad, Fortino and Heiland. None of the past or current members were, at any time, officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. In October 2009, following an annual independence review by the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee, members of the Board of Directors determined that each member of the Committee was an independent director under the applicable rules of NASDAQ.

Role of the Committee

The Committee is responsible for setting, implementing and monitoring the Company’s executive compensation policy. The Committee reviews and determines the compensation to be paid to the Company’s executive officers (these executive officers, together with the CEO are referred to herein as the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”), which also includes the implementation and administration of the Company’s stock plans, cash bonus plans and similar programs.

The Committee receives advice and input from the CEO and, where appropriate, outside consultants and legal counsel on compensation issues. The Compensation Committee also solicits input from the CEO and VP, Corporate Resources regarding general compensation policies, including the appropriate level and mix of compensation for other executive officers.

The Committee operates pursuant to a written charter (the “Charter”). The Charter sets forth the Committee’s purpose, authority, responsibilities, and procedures. The Charter is reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and is available at the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website (http://www.gsig.com/investors/). In summary, the Committee has been established by the Board to determine the appropriate compensation of the Company’s senior management. The Committee meets as often as the chair of the Committee deems appropriate, but not less than four times per year. In 2009, the Committee met five times, including two telephonic meetings. The Committee reports its actions and recommendations to the full

 

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Board of Directors at each quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors. The Committee meets in executive session, and, where appropriate, with members of management, including the CEO, outside consultants, HR representatives and the Company’s outside legal counsel.

The Committee establishes all elements of compensation paid to the CEO and reviews and approves all elements of compensation paid to the other executive officers, including all of the other executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table. The CEO is authorized by the Committee to evaluate senior executive performance against annual goals and then report his findings to the Committee, together with his recommendations for senior executive compensation for the coming year. The Committee then meets with the CEO to discuss his evaluations and recommendations; however, the Committee retains responsibility and authority for executive officer compensation.

The Compensation Committee meets annually to review the salary, bonus and stock option award compensation given to the Named Executive Officers. In addition, the Program provides for bonuses based on corporate, business unit, and individual performance as applicable, and each year the Compensation Committee will adjust targets obtainable pursuant to the Program. For Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee determines whether GSI’s financial performance for the preceding year justifies adjustments to base salaries, bonuses and granting of share-based compensation as part of its annual review. In addition, from time to time, the Compensation Committee may consider discretionary bonuses for performance exceeding expectations. The Compensation Committee then recommends its compensation proposal to the full Board for its approval.

Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves proposed grants of awards for equity incentive plan participants. Common Stock-based awards are viewed as an important component of total executive pay, aligning compensation with increasing stockholder value and, thus, providing an important benefit to stockholders.

Executive Compensation Philosophy

The Company’s compensation policy seeks to build long-term shareholder value by targeting compensation to financial performance and important Company goals, and by incentivizing and retaining a highly qualified executive team. To that end, the Committee believes executive compensation packages provided by the Company to its named executive officers should include both cash and stock-based compensation that reward performance as measured against established goals.

The following principles guide the Company’s executive compensation program.

1. Executives who perform should expect to receive a salary that is commensurate with market conditions. Historically, the Company has looked to establish salary structures around the mean of the Company’s peers.

2. Bonuses and equity grants are intended to reflect, in large part, a pay-for-performance culture. The Company uses equity grants to provide an appropriate balance between long-term incentives that are focused on performance and retention.

3. Performance should be measured against a mix of absolute measures (e.g., profitability goals) and relative measures (e.g., market share, performance relative to peers, etc.), as well as individual performance against MBOs, where applicable (as defined below).

4. Equity grant metrics should not be revised after the grant date.

5. Equity grant metrics should fairly account for the effects of non-recurring events such as individual acquisitions and reorganizations.

 

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6. Total compensation is a function of individual responsibility within the Company, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the Company’s success.

7. Total compensation should allow the Company to attract the best possible candidates and to motivate them to meet or exceed performance metrics that will build long-term shareholder value.

8. Equity-based performance metrics should not target short-term goals or short-term financial enhancements unless those goals are also congruent with building long-term shareholder value.

Executive Compensation Benchmarking

Generally, each year, the Committee reviews each named executive officer’s total compensation and benchmarks it against market data for similar positions at other public companies, market data and other relevant sources.

The Compensation Committee works directly with the GSI human resources organization, which evaluates and presents the Committee with information gathered from public sources for officers at other public companies. The Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to the named executive officers is fair, reasonable and competitive. Generally, the types of compensation and benefits provided to the named executive officers are similar to those provided to executive officers at other public companies.

The Committee does not believe it is appropriate to set executive compensation levels based exclusively on compensation surveys and benchmarking. Rather, the Committee uses these surveys and benchmarking as tools for internally confirming that the Company’s executive compensation program is, in the aggregate, reasonable in scope, market-competitive, and consistent from year to year. Other important factors that drive compensation decisions include individual qualifications and expertise, responsibility, annual individual performance, particular industry and market conditions of a business segment (e.g. Semiconductor Systems, Precision Technology or Excel Technology, Inc.).

The Committee also considers the performance of the Company’s named executive officers on an individual basis before determining the compensation arrangement for each of them.

The Committee may retain the services of advisors and it has the budgetary authority to hire such advisors as it deems necessary. In order to determine the competitiveness of the Company’s overall compensation for executive officers, the Company reviews the compensation for comparable positions within its industry, the historical compensation levels of the executive officers and the individual performance of executive officers evaluated against their individual objectives established for the preceding year.

On February 23, 2009, as a result of the impact of the world-wide economic downturn on the Company’s business and the internal review by the Company’s Audit Committee of potential errors in the recognition of revenue related to sales to customers in the Company’s Semiconductor Systems segment, the Committee approved a temporary reduction in the base salaries of all NEOs to be effective April 1, 2009. In addition, the cash bonus program for non-operating executives was postponed for 2009 and equity awards for all employees were postponed for 2009. As a result, the Committee did not engage an outside consultant to conduct a peer review in 2009.

Executive Compensation Program Elements

Executive compensation at the Company includes base salary, annual cash bonus incentive compensation, equity-based compensation and, depending on the individual, perquisites and severance benefits. Compensation benefits vary between executives based on the Committee’s determination as to what is appropriate under the policies set forth above. Each year, the Committee reviews each named executive officer’s total compensation and compares it with market data for similar positions at other public companies, market data and other relevant sources.

 

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Base Salary

Base salary is compensation for services rendered in the job that the executive was hired to perform. In setting base salary, the Committee considers qualifications and experience, prior employment (including historical compensation), industry knowledge, scope of responsibilities (including potential growth in responsibilities), individual performance, quality of leadership, internal pay equity, survey data, and tax deductibility. No specific weighting is applied to the factors. Salaries are set once per year as part of the compensation review process. Annual increases to salaries, when approved and implemented, are based on individual performance, peer group data and cost of living adjustments.

Cash Bonus Incentive

For 2009, the Committee approved a 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program (MBP) for Operating Business Unit General Managers, including Stephen Webb and Philippe Brak. The MBP pays quarterly bonuses based upon the profits contributed by an operating business unit and other factors such as: strategic initiatives, new product introductions, and the potential of the team and of the business unit. The MBP is generally designed to incentivize management to drive short-term operating results. The Committee has delegated authority to the CEO to administer the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program taking into account various discretionary factors. The general parameters of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program are as follows:

 

   

Bonuses are payable to the business units that generate and contribute profits for a particular business quarter.

 

   

Between 1.5% to 5% of the business unit’s profits will be allocated to a bonus pool for that business unit to be paid to that business unit’s key managers/contributors, including the General Manager. Between 25% and 60% of the amount allocated to the bonus pool is to be paid to the General Manager at the discretion of the Company’s CEO based on the size and nature of the division’s business, the amount of contributed profits for that quarter, consistency of the business unit in achieving quarterly profitability and positive cash flow from operations.

 

   

The actual bonuses paid to the managers and key contributors of each business unit will vary by business unit and by quarter since they take into account the strategic role and complexity of each business unit, the growth potential of the business unit, the progress made on new product development and team building, the role of each business unit president/general manager and his impact on the business unit as well as prior bonus payments and other factors.

 

   

Target bonus pool amounts for each business unit are determined mostly from historical performance results. When a division has sustained a consistent level of profitability, a similar percentage of profits may be allocated for bonus payouts. In the case of a business unit that has not participated in this program in the past, the CEO will apply the factors mentioned above to determine an appropriate level of bonus pool to allocate to the business unit.

Annual cash bonuses for executives in non-operating business unit positions are intended to reward executive officers for the achievement of Company financial performance.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company uses equity-based compensation to align executive compensation with long-term goals that enhance shareholder value. Equity grants are also intended to promote executive retention with the Company by extending vesting periods over several years.

It is the Company’s practice to make an initial equity-based grant to all executives at the time they commence employment in an amount that is consistent with those granted to executive officers within the Company and in the industry at similar levels of seniority using information obtained from sources such as the

 

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Radford Executive Compensation Survey, Culpepper Executive Compensation benchmark data and Equilar. In addition, the Company typically makes an annual grant of equity-based compensation to executives during the first fiscal quarter of each year.

Perquisites and Retirement Benefits

In addition to the elements of compensation discussed above, the Company offers the executive officers contributions towards health, dental, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance premiums. The Company does not offer a deferred compensation program, nor does it offer retirement benefits other than a 401(k) defined contribution plan for US-based executives and comparable local country competitive retirement savings benefits for non-US-based executives This plan provides for Company matching contributions of 50% of the first six percent of compensation up to the maximum amount allowed under the Internal Revenue Code.

In 2009, the Company matched 100% of contributions made by executive officers to the retirement savings benefits plan in the United Kingdom up to a maximum of 8% of the executive officer’s earnings as defined in the associated plan document. Executives may also receive perquisites including, in various cases, a car allowance, tax preparation fee reimbursement, supplemental disability insurance, and other benefits, all of which are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table below.

2009 Executive Compensation

In October, 2008, management presented a preliminary 2009 operating plan to the Board of Directors that included a stretch financial goal based upon achieving a level of operating profit that was approximately equal to the annual interest expense on the $210.0 million of 11% Senior Notes issued in August 2008 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc.

At the December 2008 Board meeting, in light of the world-wide economic slowdown and its unfolding impact on the Company’s operating results and the Audit Committee’s review of potential errors in the recognition of revenue related to sales to customers in the Semiconductor Systems segment, it was apparent that the Company’s fiscal 2009 operating results would be highly unpredictable. Consequently, the Board decided to postpone approval of financial and strategic objectives and compensation plans for 2009 until after the Audit Committee completed its review and the fiscal 2008 financial statements were filed.

On February 2009, the Board of Directors decided to postpone the consideration and approval of a 2009 budget until the Audit Committee completed its review and the fiscal 2008 financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, on February 23, 2009, the Committee approved the following actions:

 

   

Postpone consideration and approval of a 2009 executive bonus plan until after the Audit Committee has completed its review and the fiscal 2008 financials have been filed;

 

   

Approve a 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program for the managers and key contributors of the Company’s business units. Such program would be focused on short-term operating results and provide for quarterly payouts based on contributed profits. Under this Program, failure to generate operating profit or meet a minimum level of performance as determined by the Chief Executive Officer would result in no bonus earned or paid out pursuant to the 2009 Management Bonus Program.

 

   

For non-operating executives, consolidated operating income would be used as a measure of overall financial performance. Discretionary factors would also be considered including executives’ efforts to meet current extraordinary challenges.

By March 2009, the global economic recession was having a major adverse effect on GSI’s businesses. In addition, the Company had announced that its previously issued interim and annual financial statements for fiscal

 

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years 2006 and 2007 and its interim financial statements for the first two quarters of fiscal 2008 could not be relied upon. As a result, management recommended a 20% temporary reduction in the base salaries of certain officers, including Messrs. Edelstein, Bellantuoni, Webb and Brak for one year. The Committee approved management’s recommendation and the members of the Board of Directors decided to reduce their retainers, meeting fees and annual stock awards by 20% until the Company was current with its SEC filings. In May 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deferred the implementation of the director compensation changes until after the July 2009 Board of Directors meeting.

Following is a description of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program as it applied to Mr. Brak and Mr. Webb who were NEOs for the year-ended December 31, 2009 and were eligible to participate in this Program.

 

   

Amounts earned pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program are determined based on the actual financial performance of the respective business unit. However, the determination of the bonus pool and amount allocated to the business unit manager were at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly, individuals were to receive no cash payouts to the extent the financial performance of the business unit was deemed inadequate. Pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program, an overall bonus pool for the respective business unit was determined by the Chief Executive Officer based on actual operating profit earned by the business unit. Amounts earned by the business unit managers under the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program were determined by the Chief Executive Officer based on an allocation of the overall bonus pool. Within the terms of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program, there were certain parameters defining a possible range of a business unit’s operating profits that could be allocated to an overall bonus pool and a possible range of the established bonus pool that could be allocated to the respective business unit managers; however, the determination of the overall bonus pool and business unit manager allocation was purely discretionary since neither a threshold financial or performance metric nor a maximum payout was outlined. The actual amount earned is reported under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table.

In 2009, Mr. Webb received $7,830, which represents 17.0% of the Q4 2009 quarterly bonus pool established for the business unit that Mr. Webb managed, pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program. Mr. Brak did not receive a cash bonus pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program in 2009.

There was no bonus incentive plan pertaining to Dr. Edelstein or Mr. Bellantuoni during the year-ended December 31, 2009. Due to the Company’s unaudited 2009 financial results reflecting an operating loss, the Committee did not recommend a cash bonus payable to Dr. Edelstein or Mr. Bellantuoni for 2009.

The amounts paid to NEOs in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 are detailed in the compensation tables that follow this section. This section should be read in conjunction with the Executive Compensation Program Elements section above.

The significant impact of the economic downturn on the Company and the Company’s bankruptcy filing in November 2009 made it inappropriate to continue the equity-based component of the annual and long-term incentive awards.

Additionally, as a result of our Chapter 11 restructuring and the fact that a registration statement was not in effect for our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, we have not had the ability to make any equity-based awards to our named executive officers. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was terminated upon our emergence from Chapter 11 as contemplated by the Final Chapter 11 Plan. Also, pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, our Board of Directors has been authorized to establish a new management incentive plan covering up to 8% of our fully-diluted common shares. The Company intends to adopt such a management incentive plan, subject to the approval of our Board of Directors and our shareholders.

 

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The Company’s current Principal Executive Officer is serving in an interim role and is compensated pursuant to an engagement letter with FTI for interim management services and not pursuant to the overall philosophies expressed in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Company’s overall review of performance and compensation process will not be performed until a permanent CEO is hired.

Executive Severance Agreements

The Board of Directors and the Committee approved and implemented, effective February 3, 2009, a Termination and Change-In-Control Agreement for Dr. Edelstein which contained terms aimed at providing Dr. Edelstein with a severance package similar to that of his peers. In establishing Dr. Edelstein’s revised severance arrangement, the Committee approximated the midrange of the parameters from the consulting firm’s competitive report.

2009 CEO Compensation

On February 23, 2009, the Committee approved a temporary one-year reduction of base salary effective April 1, 2009. As a result of the adverse effect the world-wide economic downturn was having on the Company’s business and the Company’s status as a delinquent filer, no formal cash incentive plan was developed for the CEO in 2009 and no equity grants were awarded to him in 2009. Based on the Company’s expected fiscal 2009 operating loss, the Committee deemed it appropriate that Dr. Edelstein would receive no cash bonus for the Company’s fiscal 2009 performance.

CEO Separation and Release Agreement

On May 24, 2010, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with Dr. Edelstein in which the terms and conditions related to his resignation from employment effective May 25, 2010 were specified. In exchange for a set of comprehensive releases from Dr. Edelstein, the Company agreed to provide Dr. Edelstein with: 12 months of base salary in the form of salary continuance, a lump sum payment of $259,123.48 and immediate vesting of all outstanding unvested shares of restricted stock which were issued to him upon our emergence from bankruptcy.

The Compensation Calendar

The standard compensation cycle calls for the CEO to present a draft strategic plan presentation to the Committee at the October Committee meeting. The presentation includes a draft three-year strategic plan and LTIP. Based on Committee feedback, a final strategic plan and LTIP proposal is submitted for approval at the December Board of Directors meeting. Starting in January, the Committee solicits private CEO performance feedback from each Board member with respect to the CEO’s performance evaluation for the prior year. The CEO submits a self evaluation which is circulated and discussed by the Committee members. At the February Committee meeting, the CEO provides the Committee with a detailed executive team compensation proposal, including performance reviews for the prior year, proposed bonus payouts based on performance, new objectives for the coming year and proposed LTIP grants. In advance of the meeting, the Committee is provided with individual compensation information, individual performance reviews, and annual compensation survey data. Based on Committee approval and recommendation, individual compensation packages for the coming year are then approved and presented at the February Board of Directors meeting. As part of this process, management completes individual performance reviews in January, which are used to calculate bonus and incentive compensation payments. Those recommendations are presented to the Committee in February for approval. In the event that payments are contingent upon meeting a financial goal, payments are made only after the audited year-end financial results are released in March.

 

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Tax and Accounting Implications

In 2009, the Company’s compensation programs were affected by each of the following:

 

   

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Stock Compensation” (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123 (R)). The Company also takes into consideration ASC 718 and other generally accepted accounting principles in determining changes to policies and practices for its stock-based compensation programs.

 

   

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC): This section generally limits the deductibility of compensation for a public company’s chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated named executive officers unless the compensation is less than $1 million during any fiscal year or is “performance-based” under Section 162(m). The Company periodically reviews the potential consequences of IRC Section 162(m), and it generally intends to structure the performance-based portion of executive compensation, where feasible, to comply with exemptions in IRC Section 162(m) so that the compensation remains tax deductible to the Company. The Committee in its judgment may; however, authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions in IRC Section 162(m) when it believes that such compensation is appropriate and in the best interests of the stockholders after taking various factors into consideration, including business conditions and the performance of such executive officer.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned during the fiscal years-ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 by each of the Company’s NEOs. For the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company’s NEOs consisted of: (i) the individual who served as the Chief Executive Officer (S. Edelstein) during the year-ended December 31, 2009 and (ii) the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer who were serving as of December 31, 2009 (A. Bellantuoni, P. Brak and S. Webb). The Company did not employ any other executives that would qualify as NEOs (including any Principal Financial Officer) for the year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

Name and Principal Position(a)

   Year
(b)
  Salary
($)
(c)
  Bonus
($)(1)

(d)
  Stock
Awards

($)(2)
(e)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(3)
(g)
    All Other
Compensation

($)(4)
(i)
  Total
($)
(j)
              

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

   2009   442,400   —     —        —        18,174   460,574

President and Chief Executive Officer

   2008   514,000   —     607,500 (5)    176,800      21,997   1,320,297
   2007   495,385   —     1,404,360 (6)    333,937      141,445   2,375,127

Philippe Brak

   2009   212,692   —     —        —        546,836   759,528

Vice President and General Manager

   2008   250,962   25,000   202,500 (7)    37,500      461,855   977,817
              

Stephen Webb

   2009   177,375   —     —        7,830 (9)    32,684   217,889

Managing Director

   2008   251,417   —     101,250 (8)    12,762      37,476   402,905
   2007         Not a NEO       

Anthony Bellantuoni

   2009   186,022   —     —        —        19,670   205,692

Vice President, Corporate Resources

   2008   215,880   —     101,250 (8)    8,736      24,575   350,411
   2007         Not a NEO       

 

(1) Amounts shown exclude performance-based incentive payments which to the extent applicable are included in “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”. Amount shown for Mr. Brak in 2008 represents a one-time signing bonus earned by and paid to Mr. Brak in 2008.
(2) Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received. Rather, amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of these awards determined in accordance with ASC 718 (disregarding an estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions). Under ASC 718, compensation expense with respect to stock awards is generally recognized over the vesting periods applicable to the awards. For further discussion regarding the assumptions used in the estimation of the fair value of these awards and details regarding the associated calculation of compensation cost related thereto, refer to Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no stock or option awards granted in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
(3) Amounts shown consist of awards earned during the period based on performance under the applicable annual cash bonus incentive plan. With the exception of amounts earned in 2008, amounts earned under the Company’s annual cash bonus incentive plan are typically payable by their terms at a later date in the year following the year in which they are earned, subject to continued employment through the date of payment. Amounts shown for 2008 were payable by their terms in March 2009, subject to continued employment through the date of payment. In February 2009, the Company deferred payment of the amounts earned in 2008 pursuant to the Annual Cash Bonus Incentive Plan until successful completion of the Company’s restatement upon filing of the Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2008, amounts earned by Dr. Edelstein in 2008 were also deferred to a later date. There was no annual cash bonus incentive plan applicable to Dr. Edelstein or Mr. Bellantuoni in fiscal year 2009.

 

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(4) Includes the following for 2009:

 

     Dr. Edelstein    Mr. Brak    Mr. Webb    Mr. Bellantuoni
     ($)    ($)    ($)    ($)

Car Allowance

   $ 12,046    $ —      $ 11,838    $ 8,734

Defined Contribution Plan Match

     3,646      6,192      17,953      4,590

Life Insurance Premiums

     1,032      368      2,893      1,036

Tax Preparation Fees

     1,450      —        —        5,310

Relocation Costs1

     —        540,276      —        —  
                           
   $ 18,174    $ 546,836    $ 32,684    $ 19,670

 

  1

Amount relates to reimbursements for costs incurred while Mr. Brak was on assignment in Rugby, UK, including tax-related gross-up payments, and the related relocation costs incurred in connection with Mr. Brak’s relocation from Rugby, UK to California, USA.

 

(5) Excludes 132,000 performance-based restricted stock awards that were granted on March 14, 2008 and were forfeited during the year-ended December 31, 2008. At the time of the grant, it was not probable that the performance conditions related to these shares would be achieved. Assuming the highest level of performance conditions would be achieved, the aggregate grant date fair value of all stock awards granted to Dr. Edelstein in 2008 would be $1,676,700, an increase of $1,069,200 to the number reported in the table above.
(6) Excludes 66,000 performance-based restricted stock awards that were granted on March 26, 2007 and were forfeited during the year-ended December 31, 2008. At the time of the grant, it was not probable that the performance conditions related to these shares would be achieved. Assuming the highest level of performance conditions would have been achieved, the aggregate grant date fair value of all stock awards granted to Dr. Edelstein in 2007 would be $2,061,720, an increase of $657,360 to the number reported in the table above.
(7) Excludes 44,000 performance-based restricted stock awards that were granted on March 14, 2008 and were forfeited during the year-ended December 31, 2008. At the time of the grant, it was not probable that the performance conditions related to these shares would be achieved. Assuming the highest level of performance conditions would be achieved, the aggregate grant date fair value of all stock awards granted to Mr. Brak in 2008 would be $558,900, an increase of $356,400 to the number reported in the table above.
(8) Excludes 22,000 performance-based restricted stock awards that were granted on March 14, 2008 and were forfeited during the year-ended December 31, 2008. At the time of the grant, it was not probable that the performance conditions related to these shares would be achieved. Assuming the highest level of performance conditions would be achieved, the aggregate grant date fair value of all stock awards granted to each of Mr. Webb and Mr. Bellantuoni in 2008 would be $279,450, an increase of $178,200 to the respective numbers reported in the table above.
(9) Amount shown represents cash bonus payable pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information regarding all plan-based awards granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

             Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan  Awards(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts  Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
  Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock  Awards

($)(l)

Name(a)

  Type   Grant
Date
(b)
  Threshold
($)
(c)
    Target
($)
(d)
    Maximum
($)
(e)
    Threshold
(#)
(f)
  Target
(#)
(g)
  Maximum
(#)

(h)
 

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

  Bonus   —     —        —        —             
  Equity   —           —     —     —     —  

Philippe Brak

  Bonus   2/23/2009   —   (3)    20,222 (4)    43,920 (5)         
  Equity   —           —     —     —     —  

Stephen Webb

  Bonus   2/23/2009   —   (3)    3,564 (4)    7,740 (5)         
  Equity   —           —     —     —     —  

Anthony Bellantuoni

  Bonus   —     —        —        —             
  Equity   —           —     —     —     —  

 

(1) Amounts in these columns reflect threshold, target and maximum payout levels under the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program, the only applicable bonus program for the year ended December 31, 2009. Mr. Brak and Mr. Webb are the only NEOs for the year-ended December 31, 2009 that were eligible to participate in the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program due to their respective roles as Vice President/General Manager and Managing Director, of certain business units. Amounts earned pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program are determined based on the financial performance of the respective business units. However, the determination of the bonus pool and amount allocated to the business unit manager were at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly, individuals were to receive no cash payouts to the extent the financial performance of the business unit was deemed inadequate. Pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program, an overall bonus pool for the respective business unit was determined by the Chief Executive Officer based on actual operating profit earned by the business unit. Amounts earned by the business unit managers under the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program were determined by the Chief Executive Officer based on an allocation of the overall bonus pool. Within the terms of the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program, there were certain parameters defining a possible range of a business unit’s operating profits that could be allocated to an overall bonus pool and a possible range of the established bonus pool that could be allocated to the respective business unit managers; however, the determination of the overall bonus pool and business unit manager allocation was purely discretionary since neither a threshold financial or performance metric nor a maximum payout was outlined. The actual amount earned is reported under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table. There was no bonus incentive plan pertaining to Dr. Edelstein or Mr. Bellantuoni during the year-ended December 31, 2009.
(2) There was no equity incentive plan for the year-ended December 31, 2009 and there were no equity awards granted during the year-ended December 31, 2009.
(3)

Failure to generate operating profit or meet a minimum level of performance as determined by the Chief Executive Officer would have resulted in no bonus earned or paid out pursuant to the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program.

(4) The target payouts assume the achievement of the quarterly operating profit objective pursuant to the respective business unit’s fiscal year 2009 forecast. Additionally, the target payouts assume that the overall bonus pool for the respective business unit is established at the mid-point of the range as defined in the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program and that the allocation of the bonus pool to the respective executive is also at the mid-point of the range as defined in the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program.
(5)

The maximum potential payouts assume the achievement of the quarterly operating profit objective pursuant to the respective business unit’s fiscal year 2009 forecast. Additionally, the maximum potential payouts assume that the overall bonus pool for the respective business unit is established at the maximum of the range as defined in the

 

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2009 Annual Management Bonus Program and that the allocation of the bonus pool to the respective executive is also at the maximum of the range as defined in the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program. However, the maximum potential payouts under the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program were unlimited. The actual amount paid to Mr. Brak and Mr. Webb, respectively, under the 2009 Annual Management Bonus Program was $0 and $7,830, respectively. See the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options and stock that has not yet vested for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

 

        Option Awards   Stock Awards

Name(a)

  Grant
Date
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable

(#)
(b)
  Option
Exercise
Price

($)
(e)
  Option
Expiration
Date

(f)
  Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested

(#)
(g)
    Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested

($)(1)
(h)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan  Awards:

Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested

(#)
(i)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested

($)(1)
(j)

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

  7/10/06         —        —     —        —  
  7/10/06         —        —     150,000 (2)    130,500
  7/10/06         —        —     —        —  
  3/26/07         25,000 (3)    21,750   —        —  
  3/26/07         22,000 (4)    19,140   —        —  
  3/14/08         50,000 (5)    43,500   —        —  

Philippe Brak

  3/14/08         16,666 (5)    14,499   —        —  

Stephen Webb

  9/3/04   10,000   $ 10.09   9/3/2010        
  5/18/06         —        —     —        —  
  5/18/06         —        —     —        —  
  3/26/07         3,333 (3)    2,900   —        —  
  3/26/07         2,933 (4)    2,552   —        —  
  3/14/08         8,333 (5)    7,250   —        —  

Anthony Bellantuoni

  10/22/07         5,000 (6)    4,350   —        —  
  10/22/07         4,400 (7)    3,828   —        —  
  3/14/08         8,333 (5)    7,250   —        —  

 

(1) Represents the product of the shares in column (g) or column (i) multiplied by $0.865, the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the Pink OTC Markets, Inc. as of December 31, 2009.
(2) Represents a performance-based restricted share award granted on July 10, 2006. The achievement of the 150,000 restricted share award was scheduled to be measured upon completion of audited financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2009. At that time, any shares earned under the 150,000 restricted share award would immediately vest. The vesting of these shares was accelerated pursuant to Dr. Edelstein’s Separation and Release Agreement effective May 25, 2010.
(3) Represents time-based restricted shares granted on March 26, 2007. These shares vested in one installment on March 26, 2010. Due to restrictions on the issuance of equity awards related to the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, the shares that vested on March 26, 2010 were not issued until the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010.

 

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(4) Represents performance-based restricted shares granted on March 26, 2007. These shares vested in one installment on March 26, 2010. Due to restrictions on the issuance of equity awards related to the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, the shares that vested on March 26, 2010 were not issued until the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010.
(5) Represents time-based restricted shares granted on March 14, 2008. These shares were scheduled to vest in two equal installments on March 14, 2010 and March 14, 2011, provided that the executive remains employed by the Company on the vesting dates. The first installment vested on March 14, 2010. As it pertains to Dr. Edelstein’s respective shares, the scheduled vesting of the final installment was accelerated pursuant to Dr. Edelstein’s Separation and Release Agreement effective May 25, 2010.
(6) Represents time-based restricted shares granted on October 22, 2007. These shares vested in full in one installment on March 26, 2010. Due to restrictions on the issuance of equity awards related to the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, the shares that vested on March 26, 2010 were not issued until the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010.
(7) Represents performance-based restricted shares granted on October 22, 2007. These shares vested in full in one installment on March 26, 2010. Due to restrictions on the issuance of equity awards related to the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, the shares that vested on March 26, 2010 were not issued until the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings on July 23, 2010.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth information regarding all stock options exercised and the value realized upon exercise and all restricted stock awards that vested and the value realized upon vesting by each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

 

     Option Awards    Stock Awards

Name(a)

   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise

(#)
(b)
   Value Realized
on Exercise

($)(1)
(c)
   Number of Shares
Acquired on

Vesting
(#)
(d)
   Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)

(e)

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.

   —      —      143,598    98,751

Philippe Brak

   —      —      8,334    6,251

Stephen Webb

   —      —      15,819    11,574

Anthony Bellantuoni

   —      —      13,567    11,679

 

(1) No options were exercised by any of the Company’s Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
(2) Value realized on vesting is computed by multiplying the number of shares of stock vested by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the applicable vesting date.

 

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

The following table sets forth estimated compensation that the Company would be obligated to provide to each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers upon termination of employment or change in control pursuant to the terms of individualized employment agreements. Other than these agreements, there are no other plans or other contractual obligations triggered upon termination of employment or change in control related to the Company’s Named Executive Officers. The amounts reflected in the following table assume that the termination of employment or change in control occurred on December 31, 2009.

Dr. Edelstein’s employment with the Company terminated effective May 25, 2010 and the two parties entered into a Separation and Release Agreement as of May 24, 2010, which sets forth the actual separation payments and benefits that the Company agreed to provide to Dr. Edelstein.

 

Name

  Event   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Health &
Dental Benefits
($)
  Immediate
Vesting of
Outstanding
Stock

($)
  Total
($)

Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D.(7)

  Termination for
cause or by
employee
without good
reason
  All amounts

earned or

accrued through
termination date

  176,800(2)

(All amounts
earned or
accrued through
termination
date)

  —     —     176,800

+

All other
amounts
earned or
accrued
through
termination
date

                       
  Termination by
reason of death
or disability
  All amounts

earned or

accrued through

termination date

  176,800(2)

(All amounts
earned or
accrued through
termination
date)

+

Current Year
Target
Bonus(3)

  —     —     176,800

+

All other
amounts
earned or
accrued
through
termination
date

                       
  Position
eliminated
prior to a
change in
control
  All amounts

earned or

accrued through

termination date

+

$780,000(1)
(18 months)

  176,800(2)

(All amounts
earned or
accrued through
termination
date)

+

Current Year
Target
Bonus(3)

+

Target Bonus

(18 months)(4)

  32,580(5)
(18 months)
  —     989,380

+

All other
amounts
earned or
accrued
through
termination
date

                       
  Position
eliminated
upon or during
the 24 months
following a
change in
control
  All amounts
earned or
accrued through
termination date
+

1,040,000(1)
(24 months)

  176,800(2)

(All amounts
earned or
accrued through
termination
date)

+

Current Year
Target
Bonus(3)

+

Target Bonus

(24 months)(4)

  43,440(5)
(24 months)
  214,890(6)   1,475,130
+

All other
amounts
earned or
accrued
through
termination
date

                       

Philippe Brak

      No agreement.      

Stephen Webb

      No agreement      

Anthony Bellantuoni

      No agreement.      

 

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(1) Amounts based on the executive’s annual base salary for the year-ended December 31, 2009.
(2) Amounts based on bonus earned for the year ended December 31, 2008 that was not paid as of December 31, 2009.
(3) Amounts based on 100% of bonus potential for the year-ended December 31, 2009. There was no bonus potential in fiscal year 2009, so the amount is 0% of annual base salary.
(4) Amounts based on 100% of bonus potential for the respective severance period (i.e. 18 or 24 months) which is based on 100% of bonus potential for the year-ended December 31, 2009. There was no bonus potential in fiscal year 2009, so the amount is 0% of annual base salary.
(5) Amounts based on a continuation of the executive’s health and dental benefits at the election level in which the individual is enrolled as of December 31, 2009.
(6) Represents the outstanding number of shares of 247,000 multiplied by $0.865, the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as of December 31, 2009.
(7) Amounts for Dr. Edelstein represent those payable upon termination of employment or change in control pursuant to Termination and Change-In-Control Agreement by and between the Company and Dr. Edelstein effective February 3, 2009, such agreement was superseded by the Separation and Release Agreement by and between the Company and Dr. Edelstein effective May 25, 2010.

Termination Agreements for Sergio Edelstein

The following is a summary of certain Termination Agreements with Dr. Edelstein in effect during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2009. These Termination Agreements were generally superseded by the Separation Agreement described below. See “Separation and Release Agreement for Sergio Edelstein” below.

On June 3, 2006, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with Dr. Edelstein effective July 10, 2006. Pursuant to the terms of the employment arrangement, in the event of a change of control in which Dr. Edelstein’s position was eliminated, he would receive the equivalent of two years salary, two years bonus calculated at 100% achievement of objectives, and all outstanding stock would immediately vest. Furthermore, the Company agreed that if his employment is terminated for reasons other than “for cause”, Dr. Edelstein will receive the equivalent of 18 months salary and a bonus calculated at 100% achievement of objectives for that same period. No benefits would be payable to Dr. Edelstein in the event of death, disability, resignation, retirement, change in responsibilities, a change in control which did not result in a termination, or for termination “for cause”. The agreement with Dr. Edelstein did not have an expiration date; however, the termination provisions of the employment arrangement were superseded by the Termination and Change-in-Control Agreement executed February 3, 2009.

On February 3, 2009, the Company entered into a Termination and Change-In-Control Agreement (the Termination Agreement) with Dr. Edelstein. The Termination Agreement was intended to capture all previous oral and written arrangements, understandings and agreements between the Company and Dr. Edelstein with respect to certain terms and conditions of Dr. Edelstein’s employment with the Company as Chief Executive Officer and superseded all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to such terms.

Pursuant to the terms of the Termination Agreement, upon any termination of Dr. Edelstein’s employment by the Company for cause, disability or death, or by Dr. Edelstein without good reason, Dr. Edelstein would be entitled to receive all amounts earned or accrued through such date of termination, including: (i) base salary then in effect, (ii) reimbursement for certain monies advanced in connection with employment, (iii) vacation pay, (iv) any bonuses for the prior fiscal year which would have been eligible for payment but for such termination, and (v) any previous compensation which Dr. Edelstein previously deferred (collectively, the “Accrued Compensation”). In addition, in the event Dr. Edelstein was terminated by reason of death or disability, the Company agreed to pay to Dr. Edelstein or his beneficiaries an amount equal to the bonus award he would have been entitled to receive in respect of the fiscal year in which such termination occurred had he continued to be employed until the end of such fiscal year, calculated as if all performance targets and goals had been fully met and pro rated for the number of days elapsed in such fiscal year through the termination date (the “Pro Rata Bonus”).

Upon any termination of Dr. Edelstein’s employment by the Company prior to a change in control of the Company, other than for cause, death or disability, or by Dr. Edelstein for good reason, Dr. Edelstein would be entitled to receive: (i) all Accrued Compensation, (ii) a Pro Rata Bonus, (iii) a lump sum severance payment in

 

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an amount equal to 1.5 times (x) his annual base salary then in effect plus (y) 100% of his target bonus amount, calculated as if all performance targets and goals had been fully met, and (iv) a continuation of certain Company benefits for a period of eighteen months following his termination; provided, however, that if such termination occurs within twenty-four months of a change in control of the Company, Dr. Edelstein would be entitled to receive 2.0 times (x) his annual base salary then in effect plus (y) 100% of his target bonus amount, calculated as if all performance targets and goals had been fully met, a continuation of certain Company benefits for a period of twenty-four months following his termination, and the vesting of all equity-based compensation awards issued to Dr. Edelstein prior to the date of termination would fully accelerate. In the event that any of the foregoing payments to Dr. Edelstein were deemed “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Company would either pay the full parachute payment, subject to the excise tax, or, at Dr. Edelstein’s election, a payment reduced to 2.99 times Dr. Edelstein’s Section 280G “base amount” that is not subject to the excise tax.

The Termination Agreement also provided that in the event Dr. Edelstein was made a party, or was threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, the Company would indemnify Dr. Edelstein for all costs, expenses, liabilities, losses, judgments, fines, attorneys’ fees and settlement amounts reasonably incurred by Dr. Edelstein in his capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, whether or not Dr. Edelstein was then serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted under applicable law. In addition, the Company agreed to advance to Dr. Edelstein all reasonable costs and expenses to be incurred by him in connection with the foregoing proceedings, under certain circumstances. The Company further agreed to continue and maintain a directors and officers’ liability insurance policy covering Dr. Edelstein to the extent that such a policy is provided to the Company’s other executive officers. Further, pursuant to the Termination Agreement, Dr. Edelstein agreed to a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant during the period beginning on February 3, 2009 and ending twelve months following termination of his employment; provided, however, that in the case of termination by the Company without cause or by Dr. Edelstein for good reason, the non-competition covenant shall terminate coterminous with the period for which Dr. Edelstein receives payment.

The Termination Agreement had a term of three years from the effective date of February 3, 2009, with annual renewals thereafter at the Company’s discretion or as otherwise extended pursuant to the terms of the Termination Agreement; provided, however, that if a Change in Control, as defined, event occurred during the term, then the terms of the Termination Agreement will not expire prior to the second anniversary of the associated Change in Control event. The Termination Agreement was superseded by the Separation Agreement described below.

Separation and Release Agreement for Sergio Edelstein

Dr. Edelstein’s employment with the Company terminated effective May 25, 2010. The Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement (“Separation Agreement”) with Dr. Edelstein as of May 24, 2010, which superseded the Termination and Change-In-Control Agreement. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Dr. Edelstein executed a release in favor of the Company in exchange for certain separation benefits. More specifically, the Separation Agreement with Dr. Edelstein provided for payment of the following benefits:

 

   

All accrued and unpaid base salary earned through May 25, 2010;

 

   

Payment for earned and accrued unused vacation time through May 25, 2010;

 

   

12 months of salary continuation, $520,000, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal bi-weekly payroll practices;

 

   

A lump sum payment of $259,123.48, and

 

   

Reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Dr. Edelstein prior to termination provided that expenses are submitted in accordance with the Company’s policies no later than 45 days following the termination date.

 

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In addition, in accordance with the terms of the Separation Agreement, the vesting associated with all of Dr. Edelstein’s unvested previously issued restricted stock awards was accelerated effective on the date of employment termination. The vesting was accelerated for all outstanding awards whether subject to only service-based vesting conditions or also subject to the achievement of performance metrics.

Impact of Change of Control on Equity Compensation Arrangements

Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, as defined, the vesting of any equity compensation awards granted to any employees and directors, including the Named Executive Officers, with the exception of Dr. Edelstein, is subject to the terms contained in such plan. As defined by the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, a Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:

1. An “acquisition”, as defined in the plan, unless securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivor’s or acquiror’s outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) are held by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to that transaction, or

2. Any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) directly or indirectly acquires, including but not limited to by means of a merger or consolidation, beneficial ownership (determined pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-3 promulgated under said Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 20% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s shareholders that the Board does not recommend such shareholders accept, other than (i) the Company or an Affiliate, as defined; (ii) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, as defined; (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, as defined, or (iv) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or

3. Over a period of 36 consecutive months or less, there is a change in the composition of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) such that a majority of Board members (rounded up to the next whole number, if a fraction) ceases, by reason of one or more proxy contests for the election of Board members, to be composed of individuals who either (i) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of that period, or (ii) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in the preceding clause (i) who were still in office at the time that election or nomination was approved by the Board, or

4. A majority of the Board votes in favor of a decision that a Change of Control has occurred.

Pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, upon a Change of Control, as defined:

1. Any and all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights not already excercisable in full shall continue to vest and become exercisable after the Change of Control in accordance with the terms of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, as defined; provided, however, that such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall accelerate in full upon any termination by the Company or any Affiliate, as defined, of an individual’s employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates (or any successor thereto), as defined, other than on dismissal for cause, within one year following the Change of Control; and

2. Any Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units still subject to a risk of forfeiture at the date of the Change of Control which risk is not based on achievement of performance goals shall continue to vest after the Change of Control in accordance with the terms of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, as defined; provided, however, that such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall accelerate in full upon any termination by the Company or an Affiliate, as defined, of an individual’s employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates (or any successor thereto), as defined, other than on dismissal for cause, within one year following the Change of Control; and

 

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3. All outstanding Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units conditioned on the achievement of performance goals and the target payout opportunities attainable under outstanding Performance Units shall be deemed to have been satisfied as of the effective date of the Change of Control as to a pro rata number of shares based on the assumed achievement of all relevant performance goals and the length of time within the performance period which has elapsed prior to the Change of Control and the balance forfeited. All such awards of Performance Units and Restricted Stock Units shall be paid to the extent earned to individuals in accordance with their terms within 30 days following the effective date of the Change of Control.

None of the foregoing shall apply, however, (i) in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, as defined, specifically designated as such by the Compensation Committee at the time of the grant (except to the extent allowed by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), (ii) in the case of any Award pursuant to an Award Agreement, as defined, requiring other or additional terms upon a Change of Control (or similar event), or (iii) if specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges.

As of December 31, 2009, the only unvested equity compensation awards were comprised entirely of restricted stock awards, as all of the Company’s previously granted stock option awards were accelerated on December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2009, with the exception of Dr. Edelstein, for whom the Change of Control provisions pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan do not apply, all unvested performance-based restricted stock awards theretofor granted were either: (i) earned, subject to vesting in 1/3 annual increments, or (ii) forfeited. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2009, there were no unvested restricted stock awards conditioned on the achievement of performance goals.

Pursuant to the Final Chapter 11 Plan, on the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy all outstanding options and restricted stock awards that were unvested and did not accelerate on emergence were assumed and remain outstanding as options and restricted stock of the reorganized Company on the terms that applied prior to emergence.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

In general, the Company uses a combination of cash and equity-based compensation to attract and retain candidates to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company does not compensate directors who are also employees for their service on the Board of Directors. As a result during the year-ended December 31, 2009, Dr. Edelstein, the Company’s then-current President and Chief Executive Officer, did not receive any compensation for his service on the Board of Directors. The Board of Director compensation is overseen by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee rather than the Compensation Committee, which focuses on employee compensation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews its cash and equity-based compensation for non-employee directors and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for any adjustments.

With respect to the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, each director received an annual retainer and per meeting fees for his or her service on the Board of Directors. In addition, each director who served as chairperson of a committee of the Board of Directors received an additional annual retainer. Historically (i.e., prior to February 2009), each director received an annual director fee of $16,500, and an annual grant of $50,000 of time-based restricted stock that vested annually in equal increments over three years, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Historically, the Chairman of the Board received an additional annual fee of $40,500, while the chairperson for the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $6,000, the chairperson for the Compensation Committee and the chairperson for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each received an additional annual fee of $3,000 and the chairperson for the Technology Committee received an additional annual fee of $2,000. In addition, historically, fees for each in-person individual meeting were $1,500, while fees for each individual teleconference meeting were $750. As of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, each director was also a party to an indemnification agreement with the Company. Such indemnification agreements generally provide, among other

 

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things, that each director shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such director in connection with any proceeding by reason of his or her relationship with the Company. In addition, such indemnification agreements provide for the advancement of expenses incurred by such director in connection with any proceeding covered by such indemnification agreements, subject to the conditions set forth therein and to the extent such advancement is not prohibited by law.

In February 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee approved a reduction of all Board of Directors annual retainers and per meeting fees by 20%. In addition, in February 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee enacted a change in the director compensation structure such that annual retainers and per meeting fees would be payable in shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to selling restrictions for a period of 12 months. Furthermore, in February 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee approved a reduction in the annual grant of time-based restricted stock from $50,000 to $40,000. Otherwise, the terms and conditions of the annual grant of time-based restricted stock were to remain unchanged such that the award vests annually in equal increments over three years, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. In May 2009, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deferred the implementation of the director compensation changes until after the July 2009 Board of Directors meeting. In July 2009, the Board of Directors agreed that no shares would be issued as compensation to the members of the Board of Directors prior to the completion of the Company’s restatement efforts and the conclusion of the matters with the Company’s noteholders.

Upon emergence from its Chapter 11 restructuring on July 23, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors was reconstituted. Fees payable in shares of the Company’s common stock for compensation related to annual retainers and individual meetings that occurred on or prior to the date of petition on November 20, 2009 were issued to the members of the pre-emergence Board of Directors on July 23, 2010 to the extent such shares (had they been issued) had vested as of July 23, 2010. Fees payable for compensation related to annual retainers and individual meetings that occurred subsequent to the date of petition were paid in cash to the members of the pre-emergence Board of Directors. For members of the pre-emergence Board of Directors who were named to the reconstituted post-emergence Board of Directors, the annual grant of $40,000 time-based restricted stock was issued subject to the Company’s standard three year annual vesting schedule. For members of the pre-emergence Board of Directors who were not named to the reconstituted post-emergence Board of Directors, but for whom the retirement provisions of the Company’s equity plan applied, were awarded the annual grant of $40,000 of time-based restricted stock, but in the form of fully vested common shares. Members of the pre-emergence Board of Directors who were not either named to the reconstituted post-emergence Board of Directors or affected by the retirement provisions of the Company’s equity plan forfeited their rights to the 2009 annual grant of $40,000 of time-based restricted stock. Additionally, Ms. Hatsopoulos received an additional cash payment of $45,000 in recognition of her services during the Chapter 11 restructuring.

Following the Company’s emergence from its Chapter 11 restructuring, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee engaged Towers Watson to evaluate the board’s non-employee director compensation practices. In September 2010, following such evaluation, our Board of Directors approved the following compensation for non-employee directors:

 

   

Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors will receive an annual retainer in the amount of $125,000.

 

   

The Chairman of the Audit Committee will receive an additional annual retainer in the amount of $15,000.

 

   

The Chairmen of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will each receive an additional annual retainer in the amount of $10,000 (unless any such Chairman is also serving as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors).

 

   

The non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors will receive an additional annual retainer in the amount of $125,000.

 

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Fifty percent of the foregoing non-employee director compensation will be paid in the form of cash and the remaining fifty percent of such compensation will be payable in the form of “deferred stock units” that will be convertible into shares of our common stock upon a holder’s termination of directorship with the Company.

Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 by the Company’s non-employee directors.

 

Name(a)

   Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)(1)
(b)
   Stock
Awards
($)(2)(3)(4)
(c)
   Total
($)
(h)

Richard Black(5)(6)

   67,650    58,600    126,250

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.(5)(6)

   38,000    50,900    88,900

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.(5)(6)

   39,000    50,500    89,500

Marina Hatsopoulos(5)(6)

   45,450    51,100    96,550

Byron Pond(5)(6)

   44,700    51,100    95,800

Benjamin Virgilio(5)(6)

   40,350    50,500    90,850

 

(1) All fees earned by the Company’s Board of Directors during the year-ended December 31, 2009 were paid in full prior to August 31, 2010. The following table shows the amounts earned and paid as of December 31, 2009 and the amounts earned, but accrued as of December 31, 2009. The amounts accrued as of December 31, 2009 represent annual retainers and individual meeting fees earned subsequent to the date of the Company’s bankruptcy petition on November 20, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

 

Name

   Paid in Cash as  of
12/31/09

($)
   Accrued as  of
12/31/09

($)
   Total
($)

Richard Black

   53,250    14,400    67,650

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.

   32,500    5,500    38,000

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.

   34,500    4,500    39,000

Marina Hatsopoulos

   39,750    5,700    45,450

Byron Pond

   39,000    5,700    44,700

Benjamin Virgilio

   35,250    5,100    40,350

 

(2) Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received. Rather, amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of these awards determined in accordance with ASC 718 (disregarding an estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions). Under ASC 718, compensation expense with respect to stock awards is generally recognized over the vesting periods applicable to the awards. For further discussion regarding the assumptions used in the estimation of the fair value of these awards and details regarding the associated calculation of compensation cost related thereto, refer to Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3)

All restricted shares were granted at the closing price of the Company’s common stock on NASDAQ or the Pink OTC Markets, Inc. on the date of grant. Accordingly, the annual restricted share awards granted with respect to 2009 were issued at $0.68 per share. The annual restricted share awards were scheduled to vest one-third annually on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued service on the date of vesting. Fees payable in shares of the Company’s common stock for compensation related to annual retainers and individual meetings were issued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of the respective quarter-end to which the fees relate. Accordingly, the third quarter annual retainers and individual meeting fees were issued at $0.68 per share and the fourth quarter pre-petition annual retainers and individual meeting fees were issued at $0.865 per share. The issuance of shares associated with restricted stock awards granted with respect to 2009 was deferred until completion of the Company’s restatement of its previously issued financial statements as reported in the Annual Report on

 

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Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the resolution of the Company’s bankruptcy proceedings. The annual restricted share awards granted with respect to 2009 were issued on the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, to the extent such grant had vested or accelerated at such date, with the exception of Mr. Pond. Mr. Pond’s annual restricted share award with respect to 2009 is scheduled to vest one-third annually on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued service on the date of vesting. The restricted share awards for annual retainers and individual meeting fees were issued on the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on July 23, 2010, to the extent such grant had vested or accelerated at such date. The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted share awards granted with respect to the year-ended December 31, 2009 represents the following:

 

Name

   2009 Annual
Award

($)
   2009 Third
Quarter Fees
($)
   2009 Fourth
Quarter Pre-

Petition Fees
($)
   Total
($)

Richard Black

   40,000    15,600    3,000    58,600

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.

   40,000    7,900    3,000    50,900

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.

   40,000    7,500    3,000    50,500

Marina Hatsopoulos

   40,000    8,100    3,000    51,100

Byron Pond

   40,000    8,100    3,000    51,100

Benjamin Virgilio

   40,000    7,500    3,000    50,500

The corresponding shares granted with respect to the year-ended December 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

Name

   2009 Annual
Award

(#)
   2009 Third
Quarter Fees
(#)
   2009 Fourth
Quarter Pre-

Petition Fees
(#)
   Total
(#)

Richard Black

   58,823    22,941    3,468    85,232

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.

   58,823    11,617    3,468    73,908

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.

   58,823    11,029    3,468    73,320

Marina Hatsopoulos

   58,823    11,911    3,468    74,202

Byron Pond

   58,823    11,911    3,468    74,202

Benjamin Virgilio

   58,823    11,029    3,468    73,320

Under ASC 718, the shares issuable as compensation to the members of the Board of Directors for the annual restricted share award, annual retainers and individual meeting fees are accounted for as liabilities. Accordingly, amounts ultimately recognized in the Company’s financial statements with respect to these awards are based on the settlement values. The aggregate fair value of restricted share awards granted with respect to the year-ended December 31, 2009, as of the respective settlement date on July 23, 2010, represents the following:

 

Name

   2009 Annual
Award

($)
   2009 Third
Quarter Fees
($)
   2009 Fourth
Quarter Pre-

Petition Fees
($)
   Total
($)

Richard Black

   135,293    52,764    7,976    196,033

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.

   —      26,719    7,976    34,695

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.

   —      25,367    7,976    33,343

Marina Hatsopoulos

   —      27,395    7,976    35,371

Byron Pond

   135,293    27,395    7,976    170,664

Benjamin Virgilio

   —      25,367    7,976    33,343

 

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The corresponding shares settled as of July 23, 2010 were as follows:

 

Name

   2009 Annual
Award

(#)
   2009 Third
Quarter Fees
(#)
   2009 Fourth
Quarter Pre-

Petition Fees
(#)
   Total
(#)

Richard Black

   58,823    22,941    3,468    85,232

Garrett Garrettson, Ph.D.

   —      11,617    3,468    15,085

Phillip Griffiths, Ph.D.

   —      11,029    3,468    14,497

Marina Hatsopoulos

   —      11,911    3,468    15,379

Byron Pond

   58,823    11,911    3,468    74,202

Benjamin Virgilio

   —      11,029    3,468    14,497

 

(4) Each of the directors held 66,526 unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2009 as follows:

 

Grant Date

   Total Number of
Shares Granted
to Each Director
   Number of
Unvested
Shares as
of 12/31/09
   Vesting
Schedule
   Scheduled
Vesting
Date(s)

July 24, 2007

   4,457    1,485    1/3 annually    July 24, 2010

July 28, 2008

   9,328    6,218    1/3 annually    July 28, 2010,
            July 28, 2011

July 28, 2009

   58,823    58,823    1/3 annually    July 28, 2010,
            July 28, 2011,
            July 28, 2012
               
   72,608    66,526      

The unvested awards previously granted to Dr. Garrettson, Dr. Griffiths, Ms. Hatsopoulos and Mr. Virgilio were forfeited effective on July 23, 2010 upon the Company’s emergence from its Chapter 11 restructuring. The vesting associated with awards previously granted to Mr. Black was accelerated effective July 23, 2010 upon the Company’s emergence from its Chapter 11 restructuring. Awards previously granted to Mr. Pond continue to vest as originally scheduled, subject to continued service on the date of vesting.

(5) In 2006, the Company ceased to grant awards of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to non-employee directors. Furthermore, the vesting associated with all outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock was accelerated on December 31, 2005. Therefore, the previously unrecognized expense associated with all awards of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock was recognized on that date. As of December 31, 2009, the directors held the following outstanding fully vested stock option awards:

 

Grant Date

   Mr.
Black
   Dr.
Garrettson
   Dr.
Griffiths
   Ms.
Hatsopoulos
   Mr.
Pond
   Mr.
Virgilio

September 21, 2004

   10,000    —      10,000    —      10,000    10,000

July 28, 2005

   —      40,000    —      40,000    —      —  

November 8, 2005

   10,000    10,000    10,000    10,000    10,000    10,000
                             
   20,000    50,000    20,000    50,000    20,000    20,000

 

(6) The following options and warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock expired unexercised during the year-ended December 31, 2009:

 

Grant Date

   Mr.
Black
   Dr.
Garrettson
   Dr.
Griffiths
   Ms.
Hatsopoulos
   Mr.
Pond
   Mr.
Virgilio

April 29, 2003

   10,000    —      10,000    —      —      10,000
                             
   10,000    —      10,000    —      —      10,000

 

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DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE

At December 31, 2009 and through July 23, 2010, the Company maintained entity and director and officers’ liability insurance in the aggregate principal amount of $27 million subject to a $250,000 deductible per loss for securities claims and $500,000 for all other claims that are indemnifiable by the Company. For claims that are not indemnifiable, there is no deductible. The Company is obligated to pay all deductibles. The insurance policy typically renewed annually in May; however, in May 2009 the Company extended the then-existing policy such that it would expire in November 2009 at a cost of approximately $155,000. In November 2009, the Company extended the director and officers’ liability insurance policy for one year on substantially the same terms at a cost of approximately $362,000. In November 2009, the Company also purchased $10 million of additional A-side director coverage for an additional cost of approximately $90,000.

Upon emergence from Chapter 11 on July 23, 2010, the Company purchased a new entity and director and officers’ liability insurance policy in the aggregate principal amount of $20 million and $10 million of additional A-side coverage for non-indemnifiable claims for current officers and directors. The policy is subject to a $250,000 deductible for each indemnifiable loss. For claims that are not indemnifiable, there is no deductible. The Company is obligated to pay all deductibles. The policy expires in July 2011. The premium for this policy was approximately $269,000. This policy does not cover any actions or claims that occurred prior to emergence from bankruptcy.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the members of the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors were Messrs. Garrettson, Ph.D., Griffiths, Ph.D. and Pond and Ms. Hatsopoulos. Mr. Griffiths, Ph.D. served on the Compensation Committee from January 2009 through July 2009 and Mr. Garrettson, Ph.D. served on the Compensation Committee from August 2009 through December 2009. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is or has at any time in the past been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) or as a member of the Board of Directors of an entity whose executive officers served on the Company’s Compensation Committee or on its Board of Directors during the year-ended December 31, 2009.

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Since the beginning of the year ended December 31, 2009 there has been no indebtedness to the Company by any Director or officer or the family members or associates of any such person, other than amounts owing for purchases, subject to usual trade terms, for ordinary travel and expense advances and for other transactions in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common shares as of August 31, 2010, for: (1) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares; (2) each of the Company’s current directors; (3) each of the Company’s current Named Executive Officers employed; and (4) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, based on information available to the Company as of the filing date of this Form 10-K.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, the Company believes, based on the information furnished to it, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws. All common shares subject to options or warrants exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2010 and all restricted shares that vest within 60 days of August 31, 2010 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the persons holding those options, warrants or restricted shares for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage ownership of that person. They are not, however, deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Percentage ownership of outstanding shares is based on 100,026,395 common shares outstanding as of August 31, 2010.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
(2)(13)
   Percentage of
Common
Shares
 

5% Stockholders

     

JEC II Associates, LLC(3)

   9,138,523    9.14

68 Mazzeo Drive

Randolph, MA 02368

     

Goldman Sachs Asset Management(4)

   8,071,591    8.07

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

     

Highbridge Capital Management, LLC(5)

   6,021,511    6.02

40 West 57th Street

New York, NY 10019

     

Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC(6)

   6,021,508    6.02

2951 28th Street, Suite 1000

Santa Monica, California 90405

     

Directors and Executive Officers

     

Stephen W. Bershad(7)

   11,985,024    11.98

Eugene I. Davis(8)

   —      *   

Dennis J. Fortino(8)

   —      *   

K. Peter Heiland(3)(8)

   9,138,523    9.14

Michael Katzenstein(8)

   —      *   

Ira J. Lamel(8)

   —      *   

Byron O. Pond(8)(9)

   125,371    *   

Philippe Brak(10)

   31,951    *   

Stephen Webb(11)

   35,743    *   

Anthony Bellantuoni(15)

   53,840    *   

All Directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)

   21,370,452    21.37

 

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 * Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each stockholder is c/o GSI Group, Inc., 125 Middlesex Turnpike; Bedford, Massachusetts 01730.
(2) The information provided in this table is based on the Company’s records, information supplied to the Company by its executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and information contained in Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC.
(3) Pursuant to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 30, 2010, each of JEC II Associates, LLC, Heidi Shippell-Heiland and K. Peter Heiland (i) may be deemed to beneficially own 9,138,523 common shares of the Company and (ii) has shared voting and dispositive power over all 9,138,523 reported common shares. Mr. Heiland is also a director of the Company. Ms. Shippell-Heiland and Mr. Heiland are the managers of JEC II Associates, LLC. The entities and individual listed above disclaim beneficial ownership for any shares which may be deemed beneficially owned by them for purposes of this disclosure except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, if any, and the reporting herein of such securities shall not be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership thereof for any other purpose.
(4) Pursuant to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 27, 2010, Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“GSAM”) and Liberty Harbor I GP, LLC (“LH I GP”) may be deemed to beneficially own indirectly, and Liberty Harbor Master Fund I, L.P. (“Liberty Harbor”) may be deemed to beneficially own directly, 8,071,591 common shares of the Company. Each of GSAM, LH I GP and Liberty Harbor has shared voting and dispositive power over all 8,071,591 reported common shares. The entities listed above disclaim beneficial ownership for any shares which may be deemed beneficially owned by them for purposes of this disclosure except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, if any, and the reporting herein of such securities shall not be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership thereof for any other purpose.
(5) Pursuant to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 26, 2010, each of Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, Highbridge International LLC and Glenn Dubin (i) may be deemed the beneficial owner of 6,021,511 common shares of the Company and (ii) has shared voting and dispositive power over all 6,021,511 reported common shares. The entities and individual listed above disclaim beneficial ownership for any shares which may be deemed beneficially owned by them for purposes of this disclosure except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, if any, and the reporting herein of such securities shall not be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership thereof for any other purpose.
(6) Pursuant to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 26, 2010, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC (“Tennenbaum”) serves as investment advisor to, inter alia, Special Value Opportunities Fund, LLC, Special Value Expansion Fund, LLC, Special Value Continuation Partners, LP and Tennenbaum Opportunities Partners V, LP, which are the record holders of the 6,021,508 common shares of the Company beneficially owned by Tennenbaum. Tennenbaum has the sole voting and dispositive power over all 6,021,508 reported common shares. The entities listed above disclaim beneficial ownership for any shares which may be deemed beneficially owned by them for purposes of this disclosure except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, if any, and the reporting herein of such securities shall not be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership thereof for any other purpose.
(7) Mr. Bershad is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(8) Messrs. Davis, Fortino, Heiland, Katzenstein, Lamel and Pond are members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(9) Includes options to purchase 20,000 common shares that are exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2010. Excludes 60,023 shares of restricted stock, which are subject to a risk of forfeiture in favor of the Company and for which Mr. Pond does not have voting rights or the right to receive dividends until vested.
(10) Excludes 8,333 shares of restricted stock, which are subject to a risk of forfeiture in favor of the Company and for which Mr. Brak does not have voting rights or the right to receive dividends until vested.
(11) Includes options to purchase 10,000 common shares that are exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2010. Excludes 4,166 shares of restricted stock, which are subject to a risk of forfeiture in favor of the Company and for which Mr. Webb does not have voting rights or the right to receive dividends until vested.
(12) Excludes 4,166 shares of restricted stock, which are subject to a risk of forfeiture in favor of the Company and for which Mr. Bellantuoni does not have voting rights or the right to receive dividends until vested.
(13) None of the number of shares listed includes any shares that the shareholder may receive upon the release of the escrow established in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy.

 

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s common shares that may be issued upon the exercise of options and rights under all of its existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2009:

 

Plan Category

   Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding Securities
Reflected in First Column)

Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders(1)

   263,500 (2)    $ 9.82    4,246,784

 

(1) Options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 were originally issued pursuant to the 1995 Award Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders. In May 2006, the Company’s shareholders approved the adoption of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, any shares reserved for issuance under the 1995 Award Plan related to options would return to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan pool to the extent the associated options expire unexercised. Accordingly, the securities available for future issuance at December 31, 2009 relate exclusively to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan was cancelled upon the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11 and as of such date no shares remain available for future issuance under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
(2) Excludes 410,051 shares of unvested restricted common stock issued under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.

All of the equity compensation plans listed above or described in the table have been approved by the Company’s shareholders. Refer to Note 10 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company’s written Code of Ethics and Business Conduct sets forth the general principle that the Company’s directors, officers and employees must act in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and must refrain from engaging in any activity that presents a conflict of interest or having a personal interest that presents a conflict of interest. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct generally provides that a conflict of interest is an interest that might impair or even appear to impair an individual’s ability to make objective and fair decisions while performing his or her duties and responsibilities to the Company honestly, objectively and effectively. There may be times when a commercial relationship involving the Company’s directors, officers or employees or their family members is beneficial to the Company and is not likely to raise material conflict of interest issues, but those situations should be disclosed to the Company for further review. The Company’s policy is to review periodically, but not less than annually, all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors performs this review and determines if any transaction creates a conflict of interest.

Richard B. Black was the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors until July 23, 2010. Mr. Black is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ECRM, Inc. (ECRM). ECRM manufactures laser systems equipment for the printing and publishing industry. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recognized approximately $0.2 million in sales revenue related to purchases of equipment from the Company by ECRM. All sales to ECRM were made pursuant to the Company’s standard contract terms and conditions. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has reviewed and

 

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confirmed that ECRM received no favored commercial treatment. In April 2009, Mr. Pond, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, joined the Board of Directors of ECRM. Mr. Pond is also a shareholder in ECRM, Inc. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Black and Pond are “independent directors” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).

K. Peter Heiland has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since July 23, 2010. Mr. Heiland is the owner and manager of JEC II Associates, LLC, a privately held investment company and a significant shareholder of the Company, and is the founder and President of Integrated Dynamics Engineering Gmbh (“IDE”). IDE is a developer and manufacturer of vibration control products, magnetic field compensation systems, acoustic enclosures and robotics. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company purchased approximately $0.1 million of raw materials from IDE. The amounts and terms of these transactions were comparable to similar third-party transactions. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Heiland is an “independent director” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).

As it relates to other related party transactions during the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded sales and raw materials purchases from Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (Sumitomo), a significant shareholder of the Company as of December 31, 2009. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded sales revenue from Sumitomo of approximately $1.2 million and purchased approximately $0.1 million of raw materials from Sumitomo. The amounts and terms of these transactions were comparable to similar third-party transactions.

As previously reported on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 18, 2010, the Company entered into an engagement letter (the “Engagement Letter”) with FTI on May 14, 2010 to provide for the services of Michael Katzenstein as Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) and certain other temporary employees and management services to support Mr. Katzenstein in his role. Mr. Katzenstein also serves as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Katzenstein is not an “independent director” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5602(a)(2). Pursuant to the terms of the Engagement Letter, Mr. Katzenstein will remain employed by FTI and will perform services as CRO through FTI, reporting to the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Katzenstein does not receive any compensation from the Company and does not participate in any of the Company’s employee benefit plans. The Company instead compensates FTI at an aggregate rate of approximately $0.2 million per month for Mr. Katzenstein’s services as CRO and Gabriel E. Bresler’s services as Associate CRO plus additional fees based on time incurred for certain other temporary employees who support Messrs. Katzenstein and Bresler. Additionally, the arrangement with FTI for CRO services includes a Completion Fee of $1.4 million, which is earned and payable pursuant to the terms of the arrangement, as follows: i) one third (1/3) of the Completion Fee upon the effective date of the Final Chapter 11 Plan, which was July 23, 2010; ii) one-third of the Completion Fee upon delivery of management prepared financial information for the 2009 audit to the Company’s auditors; and iii) one-third of the Completion Fee upon the publication of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2009. The Company has a separate arrangement with another segment within FTI, which commenced in November 2009, to provide certain accounting and financial reporting services. This segment of FTI reports directly to the Board of Directors and as directed by the Board of Directors. During the year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company paid FTI approximately $0.3 million for these accounting and financial reporting services. From January 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010, the Company paid FTI approximately $2.3 million for these accounting and financial reporting services.

As previously reported on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 19, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference, the Debtors entered into a Restructuring Plan Support Agreement (the “2009 Plan Support Agreement”) with the Consenting Noteholders pursuant to which the Consenting Noteholders agreed to support the Initial Plan as filed by the Debtors with the Bankruptcy Court in November 2009. The 2009 Plan Support Agreement was superseded by a plan support agreement entered into in 2010 and ultimately by the Plan Support Agreement described below.

 

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As previously reported on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 18, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference, the Debtors entered into a Restructuring Plan Support Agreement (the “Plan Support Agreement”) with the Equity Committee, the Committee Members and the Consenting Noteholders. Stephen W. Bershad, the current Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, and JEC II Associates, LLC, a shareholder of the Company that currently beneficially owns over 5% of the Company’s common shares, served as Committee Members. Additionally, K. Peter Heiland, a current member of the Company’s Board of Directors, serves as a manager of JEC II Associates, LLC. Pursuant to the Plan Support Agreement, the Equity Committee, the Committee Members and the Consenting Noteholders agreed to support a modified plan, in the form of the Fourth Modified Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization for the Debtors as filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on May 14, 2010, which was attached as Exhibit A to the Plan Support Agreement (the “May Plan”).

As previously reported on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 23, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Consenting Noteholders. Two of the Company’s current shareholders that beneficially own over 5% of the Company’s common shares, Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, have relationships with certain of the Consenting Noteholders as described in “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.” The Registration Rights Agreement provides that, from the time the Company becomes current in its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and for as long as it remains a public company with shares registered under the Exchange Act, the Consenting Noteholders party to the Registration Rights Agreement that collectively own at least 30% of the registrable securities have a right to twice demand the registration of their registrable securities on a registration statement. The registration may be a shelf registration, filed with the SEC on an underwritten or non-underwritten basis. In addition, the Consenting Noteholders have unlimited piggyback registration rights.

BOARD DETERMINATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The Company’s Board of Directors uses the definition of independence established by The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that, with the exception of Sergio Edelstein, Ph.D., the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, all of the members of its Board of Directors as of December 31, 2009 do not have any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director of the Company. Accordingly, each of Messrs. Black, Garrettson, Ph.D., Griffiths, Ph.D., Pond and Virgilio and Ms. Hatsopoulos is an “independent director” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that, with the exception of Michael Katzenstein, the Company’s Chief Restructuring Officer, all of the members of its Board of Directors as of August 31, 2010 do not have any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director of the Company. Accordingly, each of Messrs. Bershad, Davis, Fortino, Heiland, Lamel and Pond is an “independent director” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).

 

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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the fees for professional audit services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, for the audit of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements for the years-ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and fees for other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during those periods.

 

     2009    2008

Audit Fees(1)

   $ 1,893,000    $ 4,980,000

Audit-Related Fees(2)

     —        572,000

Tax Fees(3)

     40,000      423,000

All Other Fees(4)

     —        2,000
             

Total

   $ 1,933,000    $ 5,977,000

 

(1) Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and review of the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, audit of the Company’s effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as of December 31, 2008 and services that are normally provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. Additional audit fees were incurred for the 2008 audit as the result of the change of the audit scope due to the revenue recognition errors.
(2) Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”. In 2008, such fees related to services performed by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Excel Technology, Inc.
(3) Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) Represents fees billed for Ernst & Young LLP’s online research tool.

PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. This policy generally provides that the Company will not engage its independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the Audit Committee specifically approves the service in advance, or the engagement is entered into pursuant to the pre-approval procedure described below.

From time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm during the next twelve months. An example of pre-approved services would be assistance to the Company in filing foreign statutory accounts or preparing foreign tax returns. Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount. Additionally, de minimis non-audit services may instead be approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules. The prior approval of the Audit Committee was obtained for all services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal 2009.

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

1. List of Financial Statements

The financial statements required by this item are listed in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” herein.

2. List of Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. List of Exhibits

 

         

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

2.1    Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Lumonics Inc., Grizzly Acquisition Corp., New Grizzly Acquisition Corp. and General Scanning, Inc., dated October 27, 1998.    S-4/A    333-71449    Annex A    2/11/99   
2.2    Asset Purchase Agreement, by and among GSI Lumonics Life Science Trust, GSI Lumonics Trust, Inc. and Packard BioScience Company, dated August 19, 2000.    8-K    000-25705    2.1    10/16/00   
2.3    Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, by and between Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., and General Scanning, Inc., dated February 29, 2000, including amendments.    10-K    000-25705    2.2    3/23/01   
2.4    Agreement for the sale and purchase of the whole of the issued share capital of Westwind Air Bearings Limited and Westwind Air Bearings Inc., by and among Cobham plc, FR Holdings Inc., Lockman Investments Limited, GSI Lumonics Limited and GSI Lumonics, Corporation, dated December 10, 2003.    8-K    000-25705    2.1    12/10/03   
2.5    Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among GSI Lumonics Inc., Motion Acquisition Corporation and MicroE Systems Corp., dated April 12, 2004.    8-K    000-25705    2.1    4/13/04   
2.6    Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among the Registrant, Eagle Acquisition Corporation, and Excel Technology, Inc. dated July 9, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    2.1    7/11/08   
2.7    Asset Purchase Agreement, by and between GSI Group Corporation and Gooch & Housego (California) LLC., dated July 3, 2008.    10-Q    000-25705    2.1    4/13/10   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

2.8    Final Fourth Modified Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization for the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, and MES International, Inc., dated as of May 24, 2010, as supplemented on May 27, 2010, and as confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on May 27, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    99.2    05/28/10   
3.1    Certificate and Articles of Continuance of the Registrant, dated March 22, 1999.    S-4/A    333-71449    Annex H    2/11/99   
3.2    By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended    10-Q    000-25705    3.2    4/13/10   
3.3    Articles of Reorganization of the Registrant, dated July 23, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    3.1    07/23/10   
4.1    Securities Purchase Agreement, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation and the purchasers set forth therein, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between the Registrant, Eagle Acquisition Corporation, and Excel Technology, Inc., dated July 10, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    7/11/08   
4.2    Indenture, by and among GSI Group Corporation, as issuer, the Registrant and Eagle Acquisition Corporation, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee, dated August 20, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    8/21/08   
4.3    Warrant Agreement, by and among the Registrant and the initial holders set forth therein, dated August 20, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    8/21/08   
4.4    First Supplemental Indenture, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, Excel Technology, Inc. and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated August 25, 2008.                *
4.5    Second Supplemental Indenture, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, Excel Technology, Inc. and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated March 5, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    3/11/09   
4.6    Registration Rights Agreement, by and among the Registrant and the signatories thereto, dated August 20, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    10.3    8/21/08   
4.7    Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Computer Share Investor Services, dated May 15, 2008.    10-K    000-25705    10.3    4/13/10   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

 4.8    Indenture, dated as of July 23, 2010, by and among GSI Group Corporation, as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.    8-K    000-25705    4.1    7/23/10   
 4.9    Registration Rights Agreement, by and between the Registrant and the Common Shareholders named therein, dated as of July 23, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    4.2    7/23/10   
10.2    Tender and Support Agreement, by and among the Registrant and the signatories thereto, dated July 9, 2008.    8-K    000-25705    99.1    7/11/08   
  10.4†    Form of Forbearance Agreement.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    2/11/09   
  10.5†    Form of Indemnification Agreement.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    6/10/09   
10.6    Noteholder Restructuring Plan Support Agreement, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, MES International, Inc. and Liberty Harbor Master Fund I, L.P., Tinicum Capital Partners II, L.P., Highbridge International LLC, Special Value Continuation Partners, L.P., Special Value Expansion Fund, LLC, Tennenbaum Opportunities Partners V, LP, Special Value Opportunities Fund, LLC, and Hale Capital Partners, LP., dated November 19, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    11/20/09   
10.7    Amended and Restated Noteholder Restructuring Plan Support Agreement, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, MES International, Inc. and Liberty Harbor Master Fund I, L.P., Tinicum Capital Partners II, L.P., Highbridge International LLC, Special Value Continuation Partners, L.P., Special Value Expansion Fund, LLC, Tennenbaum Opportunities Partners V, LP, Special Value Opportunities Fund, LLC, and Hale Capital Partners, LP., dated March 16, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    3/19/10   
  10.8†    1992 Stock Option Plan of GSIG.    S-1    33-95718    Appendix B    8/11/95   
  10.9†    1995 Directors’ Warrant Plan of GSIG.    S-1    33-95718    10.3    8/11/95   
    10.10†    1994 Key Employees and Directors Stock Option Plan of Lumonics Inc.    S-4    333-71449    99.1    1/29/99   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

  10.11†    Second Restatement of GSI Lumonics Inc. 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-8    333-118320    4.1    8/18/04   
  10.12†    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the Second Restatement of GSI Lumonics Inc. 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.    10-Q    000-25705    10.1    11/10/04   
  10.13†    2006 Equity Incentive Plan    DEF 14/A    000-25705    Schedule B    4/14/06   
  10.14†    GSI Lumonics Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.    S-8    333-73666    4.1    11/16/01   
  10.15†    Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    3/30/07   
10.16    Agreement of Purchase and Sale, by and between GSI Lumonics Inc. and Marcomm Fibre Optics, Inc., dated March 7, 2003.    10-K    000-25705    10.32    3/31/03   
10.17    Agreement of Purchase and Sale, by and between GSI Lumonics Inc. and NegotiArt Inc., dated June 20, 2003.    10-K    000-25705    10.13    3/15/04   
10.18    First Amending Agreement to the Agreement Purchase and Sale, by and between GSI Lumonics Inc. and NegotiArt Inc., dated October 1, 2003.    10-K    000-25705    10.14    3/15/04   
10.19    Lease, by and between GSI Group Corporation and 123 Middlesex Turnpike, LLC, dated November 2, 2007.    10-K    000-25705    10.19    4/13/10   
10.20    Lease Agreement, by and between GSI Lumonics Corporation and SEWS-DTC, INC., dated February 11, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    2/16/05   
10.21    Agreement of Purchase and Sale of Property, by and between GSI Lumonics Inc. and Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, dated March 17, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    3/21/05   
10.22    Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between GSI Lumonics Corporation and STAG Capital Partners, LLC, dated June 8, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    7/13/05   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

10.23    First Amendment to the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between GSI Lumonics Corporation and STAG Capital Partners, LLC, dated July 7, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    7/13/05   
10.24    Sublease Agreement, by and between GSI Lumonics GmbH and MotorVison Film, dated March 17, 2006.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    3/23/06   
10.25    Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between the GSI Group Corporation and SAgE Aggregation, LLC, dated November 14, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    1/10/06   
10.26    Amendment to Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between the GSI Group Corporation and SAgE Aggregation, LLC, dated December 26, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    1/10/06   
10.27    Second Amendment to Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and between the GSI Group Corporation and Stag II Maple Grove LLC (successor to SAgE Aggregation, LLC), dated December 29, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.3    1/10/06   
10.28    Settlement Agreement, by and between GSI and Robotic Vision Systems, Inc., dated June 12, 1998.    S-4    000-25705    10.31    1/29/99   
10.29    OEM Supply Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., dated August 31, 1999.    10-K    000-25705    10.21    3/22/00   
  10.30†    Form of Executive Retirement And Severance Benefits Agreement.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    2/16/05   
  10.31†    Form of Executive Retention Agreement.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    6/9/06   
  10.32†    Interim Incentive Program, dated May 18, 2006.    10-Q    000-25705    10.1    8/9/06   
  10.33†    Transition Agreement with Mr. Charles Winston, dated July 24, 2006.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    7/28/06   
  10.34†    Incentive Compensation Agreement by and between Registrant and Charles D. Winston, dated December 1, 2005.    10-Q    000-25705    10.1    5/9/06   
  10.35†    Employment Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Charles D. Winston, dated January 1, 2004.    10-K    000-25705    10.5    3/15/04   
  10.36†    Termination and Change-In-Control Agreement with Dr. Sergio Edelstein, dated February 3, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    2/9/09   
  10.37†    Separation Agreement with Robert L. Bowen, dated January 23, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    1/29/09   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

  10.38†    Employment Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Robert L. Bowen, dated November 10, 2005.    10-K    000-25705    10.20    3/14/06   
  10.39†    Separation Agreement with Daniel J. Lyne, dated January 23, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    1/29/09   
  10.40†    Executive Retirement and Severance Benefits Agreement with Kurt Pelsue, dated April 22, 2005.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    4/27/05   
  10.41†    Written Resolution of the Compensation Committee, dated August 28, 2006.    10-Q    000-25705    10.1    11/6/06   
  10.42†    Written Resolution of the Compensation Committee, dated September 22, 2006.    10-Q    000-25705    10.2    11/6/06   
10.43    Letter from Jones Day, on behalf of Stephen Bershad, to Brown Rudnick LLP, on behalf of the Registrant and its debtor affiliates, dated December 2, 2009.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    12/7/09   
10.44    Restructuring Plan Support Agreement, by and among the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, MES International, Inc., the Equity Committee, the Equity Holders, and the Noteholders, dated as of May 14, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    5/18/10   
10.45    Backstop Commitment Agreement, by and among the Registrant and the investors indentified on Schedule I thereto, dated as of May 14, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    5/18/10   
10.46    Engagement Letter between the Registrant, GSI Group Corporation, MES International, Inc. and FTI Consulting, Inc., dated as of May 6, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.3    5/18/10   
10.47†    Separation and Release Agreement, by and between the Registrant and Sergio Edelstein, dated as of May 24, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    5/28/10   
10.48    Security Agreement, by and among GSI Group Corporation, the Grantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent, dated as of July 23, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.1    7/23/10   
10.49    Escrow Agreement, by and among the Registrant and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as escrow agent, dated as of July 23, 2010.    8-K    000-25705    10.2    7/23/10   
10.50    Open-End Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010, made by Synrad, Inc. in favor of First American Title Insurance Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.    8-K    000-25705    10.3    7/23/10   

 

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Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing

Date

  

Filed

Herewith

10.51    Open-End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010, made by Control Laser Corporation in favor of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.    8-K    000-25705    10.4    7/23/10   
10.52    Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of July 23, 2010, made by Photo Research, Inc., in favor of First American Title Insurance Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.    8-K    000-25705    10.5    7/23/10   
10.53    First Amendment to Lease, dated February 10, 2010 and effective as of May 27, 2010, by and between GSI Group Corporation and 125 Middlesex Turnpike, LLC.                *
21.1    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.                *
23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.                *
24    Power of Attorney                *
31.1    Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                *
31.2    Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                *
32.1    Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                *
32.2    Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                *

 

This exhibit constitutes a management contract, compensatory plan, or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

GSI GROUP INC.
By:   /S/ MICHAEL E. KATZENSTEIN
  Michael E. Katzenstein
  Principal Executive Officer

Date: October 1, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ MICHAEL E. KATZENSTEIN

Michael E. Katzenstein

  

Director, Principal
Executive Officer

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ GLENN E. DAVIS

Glenn E. Davis

  

Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ STEPHEN W. BERSHAD

Stephen W. Bershad*

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ EUGENE I. DAVIS

Eugene I. Davis*

  

Director

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ DENNIS J. FORTINO

Dennis J. Fortino*

  

Director

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ K. PETER HEILAND

K. Peter Heiland*

  

Director

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ IRA J. LAMEL

Ira J. Lamel*

  

Director

 

October 1, 2010

/S/ BYRON O. POND

Byron O. Pond*

  

Director

 

October 1, 2010

 

*By:   

/s/ MICHAEL E. KATZENSTEIN

   Michael E. Katzenstein
   Attorney-in-Fact
   Pursuant to a power of attorney

 

200