Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-84252
PROSPECTUS
VEECO logo
VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
$220,000,000 4 1/8% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008, SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THE NOTES AND 4,044,119 ADDITIONAL SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK
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We issued the notes in a private placement in December 2001. This prospectus
will be used by selling securityholders to sell their notes and the shares of
our common stock issuable upon conversion of their notes. This prospectus will
also be used by certain other holders of our common stock to sell up to
4,044,119 shares of our common stock held by them.
The notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time on or
prior to maturity into shares of our common stock. The notes are convertible at
a conversion price of $38.51 per share, which is equal to a conversion rate of
approximately 25.9656 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to
adjustment. On May 7, 2002, the closing bid price of our common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $28.06 per share.
We will pay interest on the notes on June 21 and December 21 of each year,
beginning June 21, 2002. The notes will mature on December 21, 2008. We may
redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after December 21, 2004, at
the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus.
We pledged a portfolio of U.S. government securities as security for the
first six scheduled interest payments on the notes. The notes are otherwise our
general unsecured obligations. The notes are subordinated to all of our existing
and future senior indebtedness and will be effectively subordinated to all of
the indebtedness and liabilities of our subsidiaries. The indenture governing
the notes does not limit the incurrence by us or our subsidiaries of senior
indebtedness or other indebtedness or other liabilities.
The notes were sold initially to qualified institutional buyers and are
currently trading in the PORTAL market. Notes sold by means of this prospectus
will not be eligible for trading in the PORTAL market. We do not intend to list
the notes for trading on any national or other securities exchange or on the
Nasdaq National Market. Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "VECO."
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling
securityholders of the notes, the shares of our common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes or the other shares of our common stock which are sold
using this prospectus. Other than selling commissions and fees and stock
transfer taxes, we will pay all expenses of the registration of the notes and
the common stock and certain other expenses, as set forth in the registration
rights agreement we have entered into with the holders of the notes and the
registration rights agreement we have entered into with the other selling
securityholders who may use this prospectus.
INVESTING IN THE NOTES AND IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS THAT ARE
DESCRIBED IN THE "RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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The date of this prospectus is May 8, 2002.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary..................................................... 1
Risk Factors................................................ 6
Forward-Looking Statements.................................. 16
Use of Proceeds............................................. 16
Description of the Notes.................................... 16
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.... 35
Selling Securityholders..................................... 42
Plan of Distribution........................................ 48
Legal Matters............................................... 50
Experts..................................................... 50
Where You Can Find Additional Information................... 50
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. The selling securityholders are not
making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this
prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the
date on the front cover of the applicable document. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
We are not making any representation to any purchaser of the notes or any
shares of our common stock regarding the legality of an investment in the notes
or such shares by such purchaser under any legal, investment or similar laws or
regulations. You should not consider any information in this prospectus to be
legal, business or tax advice. You should consult your own attorney, business
advisor and tax advisor for legal, business and tax advice regarding an
investment in the notes or our common stock.
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION
THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS
THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, BEFORE MAKING AN
INVESTMENT DECISION. EXCEPT IN THE "DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES" SECTION AND WHERE
THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE INDICATES, AS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS THE TERMS "VEECO,"
"WE," "OUR" AND "US" MEAN VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC. AND ITS CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES.
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SUMMARY
THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY,
INCLUDING THE "RISK FACTORS" SECTION, THE INCORPORATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
THE RELATED NOTES AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS
PROSPECTUS, BEFORE MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION.
VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
OUR BUSINESS
Veeco designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment
primarily used by manufacturers in the telecommunications/wireless, data
storage, semiconductor and research industries. These industries help create a
wide range of information age products such as computer integrated circuits,
personal computers, hard disc drives, network servers, fiber optic networks,
digital cameras, wireless phones, TV set-top boxes and personal digital
assistants. Our broad line of products featuring leading edge technology allows
customers to improve time-to-market of next generation products.
Our process equipment products precisely deposit or remove (etch) various
materials in the manufacturing of advanced thin film magnetic heads for the data
storage industry, specialty semiconductor products and
telecommunications/wireless components. Our metrology equipment is used to
provide critical surface measurements on semiconductor devices, thin film
magnetic heads and disks used in hard drives and in telecommunications/wireless
and research applications. This equipment allows customers to monitor their
products throughout the manufacturing process in order to improve yields, reduce
costs and improve product quality.
Demand for our products has been driven by the increasing miniaturization of
microelectronic components; the need for manufacturers to meet reduced
time-to-market schedules while ensuring the quality of those components; and, in
the data storage industry, the introduction of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) thin
film magnetic heads (TFMHs) which require additional manufacturing steps and the
ability to conduct critical measurements for quality control and other purposes
during the manufacturing process. The ability of our products to precisely
deposit thin films, and/or etch sub-micron patterns and make critical surface
measurements in these components enables manufacturers to improve yields and
quality in the fabrication of advanced microelectronic devices, such as passive
and active telecommunications components, wireless devices, TFMHs and
semiconductor devices.
We serve customers worldwide through our global sales and service
organization located throughout the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia
Pacific. As of December 31, 2001, we had 1,446 employees, with manufacturing,
research and development and engineering facilities located in New York,
California, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona.
Veeco Instruments Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1989. Our principal
offices are located at 100 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797. Our
telephone number is 516-677-0200.
OUR STRATEGY
We have pursued, and will continue to pursue, the following growth strategy:
- capitalize on the long-term growth opportunities in the
telecommunications/wireless industry by expanding process equipment and
metrology solutions,
- pursue focused market opportunities in the semiconductor industry in which
we have specific technology leadership,
- strengthen our position as a leading "one-stop shop" for etch, deposition
and metrology equipment for the data storage industry,
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- pursue internal growth, as well as strategic mergers and, where
appropriate, to further expand our breadth of product line,
- leverage our technology and strategic customer relationships and assist
our customers' time-to-market for their new products, and
- utilize our industry-leading global sales and service network to further
strengthen customer relationships.
RECENT EVENTS
On September 17, 2001, we completed a merger with Applied Epi, Inc., a world
leading supplier of molecular beam epitaxy equipment. Applied Epi's customers
use its equipment and components to manufacture compound semiconductor devices
for a wide variety of communications applications, including fiber optic modules
and subsystems, mobile phones, wireless networks and satellites. In the merger,
Applied Epi's former stockholders received approximately 3.9 million shares of
our common stock and approximately $29.8 million in cash. We accounted for the
merger using the purchase method of accounting.
We recorded an aggregate restructuring charge during our fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 2001 of approximately $19.0 million, resulting from the
restructuring of our operations in response to the significant downturn in the
telecommunications industry and the overall weak business environment. This
charge consisted of an approximately $13.6 million write-off of inventory
(included in cost of sales) related to order cancellations and the
rationalization of certain product lines. Also included in this charge was
approximately $2.0 million related to plant consolidations and a 15% workforce
reduction initiated in our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2001, as well as
approximately $3.4 million write-down of certain of our intangible and fixed
assets. In addition, Veeco has classified its Industrial Measurement business as
a discontinued operation and incurred approximately $3.4 million of losses (net
of taxes) related to such reclassification in our fiscal quarter ended December
31, 2001.
On December 21, 2001, we completed a private placement of $200.0 million in
aggregate principal amount of the notes. On January 3, 2002, we issued an
additional $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the notes in
connection with the initial purchasers' exercise in full of the overallotment
option we granted to them. The net proceeds to us from the sale of the notes
(after deducting expenses) was approximately $212.7 million. We used
approximately $25.9 million of the net proceeds to purchase the U.S. government
securities which we have pledged to secure payment of the first six scheduled
interest payments on the notes, as described under the heading "Description of
the Notes--Security." We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds primarily
for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.
While we regularly evaluate acquisition opportunities for complementary
businesses, products and technologies, we currently have no contract or
arrangement with respect to any material acquisition. Pending these uses, we
expect to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing
securities.
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THE NOTES
THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES. FOR A MORE
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS OF THE NOTES SEE THE "DESCRIPTION OF THE
NOTES" SECTION IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
Issuer....................................... Veeco Instruments Inc.
Notes offered................................ $220,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4 1/8%
convertible subordinated notes due 2008.
Maturity of notes............................ December 21, 2008.
Interest on notes............................ 4 1/8% per year on the principal amount, payable
semiannually on June 21 and December 21, beginning on
June 21, 2002.
Conversion rights............................ The notes are convertible, at the option of the
holder, at any time on or prior to maturity, unless
the notes have previously been redeemed or
repurchased, into shares of our common stock at a
conversion price of $38.51 per share, which is equal
to a conversion rate of approximately 25.9656 shares
per $1,000 principal amount of notes. The conversion
price is subject to adjustment. See "Description of
the Notes--Conversion Rights."
Security..................................... We purchased and pledged to the trustee under the
indenture, as security for the exclusive benefit of
the holders of the notes, U.S. government securities
which will be sufficient upon receipt of scheduled
principal and interest payments thereon to provide
for the payment in full of the first six scheduled
interest payments due on the notes. The notes are not
otherwise secured. See "Description of the
Notes--Security."
Ranking...................................... The notes are unsecured (except as we describe above)
and subordinated to all of our existing and future
senior indebtedness and effectively subordinated to
all existing and future indebtedness and other
liabilities of our subsidiaries. Excluding
intercompany indebtedness, at December 31, 2001, we
(excluding our subsidiaries) had no senior
indebtedness and our subsidiaries had liabilities of
approximately $82.0 million, including approximately
$19.0 million of indebtedness for borrowed money.
Because the notes are subordinated, in the event of
bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or acceleration
of payment on our senior indebtedness, holders of the
notes will not receive any payment other than the
amount pledged as security for the notes until
holders of our senior indebtedness have been paid in
full in cash. The indenture does not limit the
incurrence by us or our subsidiaries of senior
indebtedness or other indebtedness or liabilities.
See "Description of the Notes--Subordination of
Notes."
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Optional redemption.......................... We may redeem all or a portion of the notes at any
time on or after December 21, 2004, at the redemption
prices listed in this prospectus, plus accrued and
unpaid interest up to, but not including, the
redemption date. See "Description of the
Notes--Optional Redemption."
Change in control............................ Upon certain changes in control, each holder of the
notes may require us to repurchase some or all of its
notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid
interest. We may, at our option, instead of paying
the change in control purchase price in cash, pay it
in shares of our common stock valued at 95% of the
average of the closing sales prices of our common
stock for the five consecutive trading days
immediately preceding and including the third trading
day prior to the date we are required to repurchase
the notes. We cannot pay the change in control
purchase price in common stock unless we satisfy the
conditions described in the indenture under which the
notes were issued. See "Description of the
Notes--Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change
in Control."
DTC eligibility.............................. The notes were issued in fully registered form. The
notes are evidenced by one or more global notes,
deposited with the trustee under the indenture as
custodian for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC,
and registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC's
nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes
will be shown on, and transfers will be effected only
through, records maintained by DTC and its
participants. See "Description of the Notes--Global
Notes; Book-Entry; Form."
Registration rights.......................... Under a registration rights agreement, we agreed to
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
the Commission, the shelf registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part, for the resale of
the notes and the shares of our common stock issuable
upon conversion of the notes. We have agreed with the
noteholders, subject to certain exceptions, to use
our best efforts to keep the registration statement
effective until the earlier of January 3, 2004 and
the date on which all holders of the notes and the
common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes
are able to sell their securities immediately
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. If we do not
comply with these registration obligations, we will
be required to pay liquidated damages to the holders
of the notes or the common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes. See "Description of the
Notes--Registration Rights."
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Certain holders of our common stock have also
included shares held by them in the shelf
registration statement of which this prospectus forms
a part. Generally, these shares of common stock will
be included in the registration statement only until
September 17, 2002.
Use of proceeds.............................. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale
of any securities offered by this prospectus.
Trading...................................... The notes are currently trading in the PORTAL market.
Notes sold by means of this prospectus will not be
eligible for trading in the PORTAL market. We do not
intend to list the notes for trading on any national
or other securities exchange or on the Nasdaq
National Market.
Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "VECO."
Risk factors................................. See "Risk Factors" and the other information included
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a
discussion of factors you should consider carefully
before deciding to invest in the notes or shares of
our common stock.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is
as follows:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................... 14.9x 6.2x 10.3x 3.2x 6.1x
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing our income
before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle plus fixed charges, by fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest expense, the portion of rental expense under
operating leases we deem to be representative of interest and amortization of
debt issue costs.
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RISK FACTORS
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS INVOLVES A HIGH
DEGREE OF RISK. YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS AND THE
OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS
BEFORE DECIDING TO PURCHASE THE NOTES OR SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK. THESE RISKS
AND UNCERTAINTIES ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WE FACE. OTHERS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW
ABOUT, OR THAT WE DO NOT NOW THINK ARE IMPORTANT, MAY IMPAIR OUR BUSINESS OR THE
TRADING PRICE OF OUR NOTES OR OUR COMMON STOCK.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
WE DEPEND ON THE MICROELECTRONICS INDUSTRY. THE CYCLICALITY OF THE DATA STORAGE,
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ WIRELESS SEMICONDUCTOR, RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIES
DIRECTLY AFFECTS OUR BUSINESS.
Veeco's business depends in large part upon the capital expenditures of data
storage, telecommunications/wireless and semiconductor manufacturers, as well as
research and industrial customers, which accounted for the following percentages
of our net sales for the periods indicated:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Data storage................................................ 66% 44% 31%
Telecommunications/Wireless................................. 7% 23% 30%
Semiconductor............................................... 11% 14% 17%
Research and Industrial..................................... 16% 19% 22%
The data storage, telecommunications/wireless, semiconductor, research and
industrial industries are cyclical. These industries have experienced
significant economic downturns at various times in the last decade,
characterized by diminished product demand, accelerated erosion of average
selling prices and production overcapacity. A downturn in one or more of these
industries or the businesses of one or more of our customers could have a
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and
operating results.
The current global downturn in general economic conditions and in the
markets for our customers' products is resulting in a reduction in demand for
some of our products, and during this downturn and any subsequent downturns we
cannot assure you that our sales or margins will not decline. As a capital
equipment provider, our revenues depend in part on the spending patterns of our
customers, who often delay expenditures or cancel orders in reaction to
variations in their businesses or general economic conditions. Because a high
proportion of our costs are fixed, our ability to reduce expenses quickly in
response to revenue short-falls is limited. In a prolonged economic downturn, we
may not be able to reduce our significant fixed costs, such as continued
investment in research and development or capital equipment requirements. In
addition, during an economic downturn we may experience delays in collecting
receivables, which may impose constraints on our working capital.
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY.
Our quarterly results have fluctuated significantly in the past and we
expect this trend to continue. Factors which affect our quarterly results
include:
- cyclical patterns of capital spending by customers,
- changes in the market for personal computers, network servers,
telecommunication/wireless devices or other products incorporating
telecommunications/wireless, data storage or semiconductor/research
technology,
- market acceptance of our systems and our customers' products,
- specific economic conditions in the telecommunications/wireless, data
storage or semiconductor/ research industries,
- our acquisitions and financings,
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- changes in product mix,
- the timing of significant orders and customer acceptance of our products,
- the introduction of new products and technological innovations by us and
our competitors,
- production and quality problems and resulting shipment delays,
- changes in the cost of materials, and
- disruption in our sources of supply.
Many of these factors are beyond our control. If our new orders, net sales or
operating results in a particular quarter do not meet expectations, our stock
price may be adversely affected.
OUR CUSTOMERS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND WE MAY
BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN TIMELY PRODUCT INTRODUCTION.
The data storage, telecommunications/wireless, semiconductor manufacturing,
research and industrial industries are subject to rapid technological change and
new product introductions and enhancements. Our ability to remain competitive
will depend in part upon our ability to develop in a timely and cost effective
manner new and enhanced systems at competitive prices and to accurately predict
technology transitions. In addition, new product introductions or enhancements
by our competitors could cause a decline in sales or loss of market acceptance
of our existing products. Increased competitive pressure could also lead to
intensified price competition resulting in lower margins, which could materially
and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating
results. Our success in developing, introducing and selling new and enhanced
systems depends upon a variety of factors, including:
- our product offerings,
- timely and efficient completion of product design and development,
- timely and efficient implementation of manufacturing processes,
- effective sales, service and marketing, and
- product performance in the field.
Because new product development commitments must be made well in advance of
sales, new product decisions must anticipate both the future demand for the
products under development and the equipment required to produce such products.
We cannot be certain that we will be successful in selecting, developing,
manufacturing and marketing new products or in enhancing existing products.
OUR BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR A PARTICULAR PERIOD COULD BE MATERIALLY
AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF ORDERS ARE CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED OR IF AN
ANTICIPATED ORDER FOR EVEN ONE SYSTEM IS NOT RECEIVED IN TIME TO PERMIT SHIPPING
DURING THE PERIOD.
Customer purchase orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the
customer, generally with limited or no penalties. Therefore, backlog at any
particular date is not necessarily representative of actual sales for any
succeeding period. In addition, we derive a substantial portion of our net sales
in any fiscal period from the sale of a relatively small number of high-priced
systems. As a result, the timing of recognition of revenue for a single
transaction could have a material effect on our sales and operating results for
a particular fiscal period.
WE DEPEND ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS THAT OPERATE IN HIGHLY CONCENTRATED
INDUSTRIES.
We rely on our principal customers for a significant portion of our sales.
Based on sales, Seagate Technology, Inc. and International Business Machines
Corporation, or IBM, are our top two customers.
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The following table sets forth the percentage of our net sales to Seagate and
IBM (our only customers with sales greater than 10% in any of the past three
years) for the following periods:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
Seagate..................................................... 20% 18% 7%
IBM......................................................... 13% 4% 9%
If any principal customer discontinues its relationship with us or suffers
economic setbacks, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating
results could be materially and adversely affected. Our ability to increase
sales in the future will depend in part upon our ability to obtain orders from
new customers. We cannot be certain that we will be able to do so. In addition,
because a relatively small number of large manufacturers, many of whom are our
customers, dominate the industries in which they operate, it may be especially
difficult for us to replace these customers if we lose their business. A
substantial portion of orders in our backlog are orders from our principal
customers.
VARIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES FOR US TO SELL OUR SYSTEMS MAY CAUSE
FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR OPERATING RESULTS.
Variations in the length of our sales cycles could cause our net sales, and
therefore our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows,
to fluctuate widely from period to period. These variations often are based upon
factors partially or completely outside our control. The factors that affect the
length of time it takes us to complete a sale depend upon many elements,
including:
- the efforts of our sales force and our independent sales representatives,
- the history of previous sales to a customer,
- the complexity of the customer's fabrication processes,
- the internal technical capabilities and sophistication of the customer,
and
- the capital expenditure budget cycle of our customers.
As a result of these and a number of other factors that influence our sales
cycles with particular customers, the period between our initial contact with a
potential customer and the time when we recognize revenue from that customer, if
ever, varies widely. Our sales cycle typically can range up to twelve months.
Sometimes our sales cycle can be much longer, particularly when the sales cycle
involves developing new applications for our systems and technology. During
these cycles, we commit substantial resources to our sales efforts before
receiving any revenue, and we may never receive any revenue from a customer
despite these sales efforts.
In addition to lengthy and sometimes unpredictable sales cycles, the build
cycle, or the time it takes us to build a product to customer specifications,
typically ranges from one to six months. During this period, the customer may
cancel its order, although generally it will be required to pay us a fee based
on which stage of the build cycle we have completed.
For many of our products, after a customer purchases one of our systems we
provide an acceptance period during which the customer may evaluate the
performance of the system and potentially reject the system. In addition,
customers often evaluate the performance of one of our systems for a lengthy
period before purchasing any additional systems. The number of additional
products a customer may purchase from us, if any, often depends on many factors
that are difficult for us to predict accurately, including a customer's capacity
requirements and changing market conditions for its products. As a result of
these evaluation periods and other factors, the period between a customer's
initial purchase and subsequent purchases, if any, often varies widely, and
variations in length of this period can cause further fluctuations in our
operating results.
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WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN OUR HIGHLY
COMPETITIVE INDUSTRIES.
The industries in which we operate are intensely competitive. Established
companies, both domestic and foreign, compete with each of our product lines.
Many of our competitors have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and
marketing resources than us. A substantial investment is required by customers
to install and integrate capital equipment into a production line. As a result,
once a manufacturer has selected a particular vendor's capital equipment, we
believe that the manufacturer generally relies upon that equipment for the
specific production line application and frequently will attempt to consolidate
its other capital equipment requirements with the same vendor. Accordingly, if a
particular customer selects a competitor's capital equipment, we expect to
experience difficulty selling to that customer for a significant period of time.
We believe that our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of
factors both within and outside of our control, including:
- price,
- product quality,
- breadth of product line,
- system performance,
- cost of ownership,
- global technical service and support, and
- success in developing or otherwise introducing new products.
We cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully in the
future.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO THE RISKS OF OPERATING A GLOBAL BUSINESS, INCLUDING RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS AND LEGAL AND REGULATORY CHANGES.
In 2000, approximately 50% of our total net sales were generated from sales
outside the United States, and in 2001, approximately 46% of our total net sales
were generated from sales outside the United States. We expect sales from
non-U.S. markets to continue to represent a significant, and possibly increasing
portion of our total sales in the future. Our non-U.S. sales and operations are
subject to risks inherent in conducting business abroad, many of which are
outside our control, including:
- periodic economic downturns and unstable political environments,
- price and currency exchange controls,
- fluctuations in the relative values of currencies,
- difficulties protecting intellectual property,
- unexpected changes in trading policies, regulatory requirements, tariffs
and other barriers, and
- difficulties in managing a global enterprise, including staffing,
collecting accounts receivable, managing distributors and representatives
and repatriation of earnings.
Changes in the relative values of currencies occur from time to time and
may, in some instances, have a material effect on our results of operations. In
particular, a weakening of the euro or the yen could result in a weakening of
our overall financial results. Although we attempt to mitigate our exposure to
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, these hedging activities may not always
be available or adequate to eliminate, or even mitigate, the impact of our
exchange rate exposure. As a result of this exchange rate exposure, as well as
the other factors listed above, we may experience a material adverse effect upon
our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
OUR OPERATING RESULTS ARE INFLUENCED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF ASIAN ECONOMIES,
WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DOWNTURNS DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS.
In recent years, Asian economies (including Japan) have been highly volatile
and recessionary, resulting in significant fluctuations in local currencies and
other instabilities. Approximately 35% of our sales in 2000 and approximately
28% of our sales in 2001 were derived from this region. Instabilities in Asian
economies (including Japan) may continue and recur again in the future, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial
condition and operating results. Our exposure to the business risks presented by
Asian economies (including Japan) will increase to the extent we continue to
expand our operations in that region.
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WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO CLAIMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT.
Several of our competitors hold patents covering a variety of technologies
included in some of our products. In addition, some of our customers may use our
microelectronics products for applications that are similar to those covered by
these patents. From time to time, we and our customers have received
correspondence from our competitors claiming that some of our products, as used
by our customers, may be infringing one or more of these patents. As of the date
of this prospectus, none of these allegations has resulted in litigation.
Competitors or others may, however, assert infringement claims against us or our
customers in the future with respect to current or future products or uses, and
these assertions may result in costly litigation or require us to obtain a
license to use intellectual property rights of others. If claims of infringement
are asserted against our customers, those customers may seek indemnification
from us for damages or expenses they incur.
If we become subject to infringement claims, we will evaluate our position
and consider the available alternatives, which may include seeking licenses to
use the technology in question or defending our position. These licenses,
however, may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all. If we are not
able to negotiate the necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms or
successfully defend our position, it could have a material adverse effect on our
business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO THE RISKS THAT THIRD PARTIES MAY VIOLATE OUR PROPRIETARY
RIGHTS AND OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS MAY NOT BE WELL PROTECTED IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES.
Our success depends on the protection of our proprietary rights. In our
industry, intellectual property is an important asset that is always at risk of
infringement. We incur costs to obtain and maintain patents and defend our
intellectual property. We rely upon the laws of the United States and of other
countries in which we develop, manufacture or sell our products to protect our
proprietary rights. However, these proprietary rights may not provide the
competitive advantages that we expect, or other parties may challenge,
invalidate or circumvent these rights.
Further, our efforts to protect our intellectual property may be less
effective in some countries where intellectual property rights are not as well
protected as in the United States. Many U.S. companies have encountered
substantial problems in protecting their proprietary rights against infringement
in foreign countries. We derived approximately 50% of our sales from foreign
countries in 2000, and approximately 46% of our sales from foreign countries in
2001. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property in these
countries, it could be easier for our competitors to sell competing products.
THE LOSS OF KEY MANAGEMENT OR OUR INABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN SUFFICIENT
NUMBERS OF MANAGERIAL, ENGINEERING AND OTHER TECHNICAL PERSONNEL COULD HAVE A
MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.
Our continued success depends, in part, upon key managerial, engineering and
technical personnel as well as our ability to continue to attract and retain
additional personnel. In particular, we depend on our Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Edward H. Braun. The loss of key personnel could have a
material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or
operating results. We may not be able to retain our key managerial, engineering
and technical employees. Our growth is dependent on our ability to attract new
highly skilled and qualified technical personnel, in addition to personnel that
can implement and monitor our financial and managerial controls and reporting
systems. Attracting qualified personnel is difficult, and we cannot assure you
that our recruiting efforts to attract and retain these personnel will be
successful.
10
OUR RECENT ACQUISITIONS, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS IN THE FUTURE,
SUBJECT US TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTEGRATING THESE BUSINESSES INTO OUR
BUSINESS.
We have made significant acquisitions during the past five years. In
addition, we may make acquisitions of, or significant investments in, other
businesses in the future. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, many of which are
unpredictable and beyond our control, including:
- difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the
personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired companies,
- diversion of management's attention from other operational matters,
- the potential loss of key employees of acquired companies,
- lack of synergy, or inability to realize expected synergies, resulting
from the acquisition, and
- acquired assets becoming impaired as a result of technological
advancements or worse-than-expected performance by the acquired company.
Our inability to effectively manage these acquisition risks could materially
and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating
results.
In addition, if we issue equity securities to pay for an acquisition, the
ownership percentage of our then-existing shareholders would be reduced and the
value of the shares held by our then-existing shareholders could be diluted,
which could affect the trading price of our common stock and of the subordinated
notes. If we use cash to pay for an acquisition, the payment could significantly
reduce the cash that would be available to fund our operations or to use for
other purposes, including making payments on the notes. Also, acquisition
financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Future acquisitions
may also require us to assume contingent liabilities that could have a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or operating
results.
WE MAY NOT OBTAIN SUFFICIENT AFFORDABLE FUNDS TO FUND OUR FUTURE NEEDS FOR
MANUFACTURING CAPACITY AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
We need to continue to make significant capital expenditures to expand our
operations and to enhance our manufacturing capability to keep pace with rapidly
changing technologies. Also, our industry is characterized by the need for
continued investment in research and development. If we fail to invest
sufficiently in research and development, our products could become less
attractive to potential customers. As a result of our emphasis on research and
development and technological innovation, our operating costs may increase in
the future. We expect our research and development expenses to increase as a
percentage of our net sales for the foreseeable future. During the past few
years, the markets for equity and debt securities have fluctuated significantly,
especially with respect to technology-related companies, and during some periods
offerings of those securities have been extremely difficult to complete. As a
result, in the future we may not be able to obtain the additional funds required
to fund our operations and invest sufficiently in research and development on
reasonable terms, or at all. Such a lack of funds could have a material adverse
effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO COSTS AND OTHER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NON-COMPLIANCE WITH
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.
We are subject to environmental regulations related to the disposal of
hazardous wastes used in the development and manufacturing of our products. The
failure or inability to comply with existing or future environmental regulations
could result in significant remediation liabilities, the imposition of fines or
the suspension or termination of production, each of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating
results.
11
BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE LONG-TERM CONTRACTS WITH OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR CUSTOMERS MAY
CEASE PURCHASING OUR PRODUCTS AT ANY TIME IF WE FAIL TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
We do not have long-term contracts with our customers. As a result, our
agreements with our customers do not provide any assurance of future sales.
Accordingly:
- our customers can cease purchasing our products at any time without
penalty,
- our customers are free to purchase products from our competitors,
- we are exposed to competitive price pressure on each order, and
- our customers are not required to make minimum purchases.
RISKS RELATED TO THE SECURITIES
BECAUSE THE NOTES ARE SUBORDINATED TO OUR SENIOR DEBT OBLIGATIONS, WE MAY NOT
HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PAY OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE NOTES IF WE ENCOUNTER
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
The notes are unsecured (other than by the U.S. government securities we
pledged for the benefit of the noteholders) and are subordinated in right of
payment in full to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. As a
result, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or upon
acceleration of the notes due to an event of default under the indenture and in
certain other events, our assets will be available to pay obligations on the
notes only after all senior indebtedness has been paid in full in cash. After
retiring our senior indebtedness, we may not have sufficient assets remaining to
pay amounts due on any or all of the notes then outstanding. If the notes are
accelerated because of an event of default, holders of any senior indebtedness
will be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to
holders of all senior indebtedness before the holders of the notes are entitled
to receive any payment or distribution.
The notes are also effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. Our right to receive
assets of a subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the
right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be
subject to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors.
As of December 31, 2001, excluding intercompany indebtedness, we, excluding
our subsidiaries, had no senior indebtedness outstanding, and our subsidiaries
had liabilities of approximately $82.0 million, including approximately
$19.0 million of indebtedness for borrowed money. We can, however, borrow up to
$100 million under our revolving credit facility (less the face amount of any
letters of credit outstanding under that facility). Although no borrowings under
this facility were outstanding as of December 31, 2001 or are outstanding under
this facility as of the date of this prospectus, any future amounts we borrow
under this facility would be senior indebtedness.
The indenture governing the notes does not prohibit or limit our ability or
the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional senior indebtedness, other
debt obligations or other liabilities. Our incurrence of additional debt and
other liabilities could adversely affect our ability to pay our obligations
under the notes. See "Description of the Notes--Subordination of Notes."
THE HOLDERS OF THE NOTES ARE NOT PROTECTED BY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
The indenture governing the notes does not contain any financial or
operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence
of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our
subsidiaries. The indenture contains no covenants or other provisions to afford
protection to holders of the notes in the event of a change in control involving
Veeco, except for the change in control repurchase right described under
"Description of the Notes--Repurchase at
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Option of Holders Upon a Change in Control." There are certain transactions
which might otherwise be considered a change in control that would not, under
the indenture, constitute a change in control that permits you to require us to
repurchase your notes, but that could result in a change in our management or an
increase in our indebtedness.
WE MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS OR MAY BE RESTRICTED IN OUR ABILITY TO
REPURCHASE THE NOTES UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL.
The indenture governing the notes contains provisions that apply to a change
in our control. You may require us to repurchase all or any portion of your
notes upon a change in control. We may not have sufficient funds to repurchase
the notes upon a change in control. Our future debt agreements may prohibit us
from paying the repurchase price. If we are prohibited from repurchasing the
notes, we could seek consent from our lenders to repurchase the notes. If we are
unable to obtain consent, we could attempt to refinance the notes or our senior
indebtedness. If we are unable to obtain a consent or refinance, we would be
prohibited from repurchasing the notes. If we are unable to repurchase the notes
upon a change in control, it would result in an event of default under the
indenture. An event of default under the indenture could result in a further
event of default under our other then-existing debt. In addition, the occurrence
of the change in control may be an event of default under our other debt. In
these circumstances, we would be prohibited from paying amounts due on the notes
under the subordination provisions of the indenture. Our ability to repurchase
the notes in such event may be limited by law, the indenture, or the terms of
other agreements relating to our senior indebtedness. Although we are permitted
to pay the repurchase price for notes in common stock if we satisfy certain
conditions set forth in the indenture, we cannot assure you that we will satisfy
those conditions.
OUR ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED OUR INDEBTEDNESS, WHICH COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
As a result of the sale of the notes, we incurred $220 million of additional
indebtedness. This additional indebtedness substantially increased our ratio of
debt to total capitalization and significantly increased our interest expense
and related debt service costs. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness
in the future. The level of our indebtedness, among other things, could:
- make it difficult for us to make payments on the notes,
- make it difficult for us to obtain any necessary future financing for
working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements,
acquisitions or other purposes,
- limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to changes in, our
business, and
- make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business.
WE CONDUCT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR OPERATIONS THROUGH OUR SUBSIDIARIES,
WHICH MAY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE NOTES.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries
have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes. Our subsidiaries are not
required to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by
dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of
dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us may be
subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments to us by our
subsidiaries will also be contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and
business considerations.
Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon its
liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of the
notes to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the
claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. In addition,
even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor
would be subordinate to any
13
security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our
subsidiaries senior to that held by us.
AN ACTIVE TRADING MARKET MAY NOT DEVELOP FOR THE NOTES.
There is currently no public market for the notes. Although the notes that
were sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A are eligible for
trading on the PORTAL market, any notes resold under this prospectus will no
longer trade on the PORTAL market. We cannot predict whether an active trading
market for the notes will develop or, if such market develops, how liquid it
will be. We do not intend to list the notes on any national or other securities
exchange or on the Nasdaq National Market. If an active market for the notes
fails to develop or to be sustained, the trading price of the notes could fall.
Even if an active trading market were to develop, the notes could trade at
prices that may be lower than the initial offering price of the notes, or the
holders could experience difficulty or an inability to resell the notes. Whether
or not the notes will trade at lower prices depends on many factors, including
- prevailing interest rates and the markets for similar securities,
- general economic conditions, and
- the factors that affect the trading price of our common stock.
ANY ADVERSE RATING OF THE NOTES MAY CAUSE THEIR TRADING PRICE TO FALL.
In the future, one or more rating agencies may rate the notes. If any rating
agency rates the notes, it may assign a lower rating than that which is expected
by investors. A rating agency, following any initial or subsequent rating, may
also lower ratings on the notes. If a rating agency assigns a lower than
expected rating on the notes or reduces its rating on the notes in the future,
the trading price of the notes could decline.
OUR STOCK PRICE HAS BEEN AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE VOLATILE.
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be
subject to large fluctuations. This could cause the trading price of the notes
to fluctuate significantly as well, which may result in losses to investors in
the notes. Our stock price may increase or decrease in response to a number of
events and factors, including those described elsewhere in this Risk Factors
section.
Part of this volatility in the trading price of our common stock is
attributable to the current state of the stock market, in which wide price
swings are common. This volatility in the stock market may adversely affect the
trading prices of our common stock and the notes regardless of our business and
operating performance.
OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BY-LAWS, SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AND DELAWARE LAW
MAY HAVE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS WHICH WILL MAKE AN ACQUISITION OF OUR COMPANY BY
ANOTHER COMPANY MORE DIFFICULT.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 500,000 shares of
preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including voting rights, of these shares without any further vote or action by
the holders of our common stock. We have designated 30,000 of those shares as
Series A Junior Preferred Stock for potential issuance under our shareholder
rights plan described below. The rights of the holders of any preferred stock
that may be issued in the future may adversely affect the rights of the holders
of our common stock. The issuance of the preferred stock could have the effect
of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our
outstanding voting stock, thereby delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control of Veeco that a holder of our common stock might consider in its best
interest. Furthermore, such preferred stock may have other
14
rights, including economic rights senior to our common stock and, as a result,
the issuance of the preferred stock could have a material adverse effect on the
market value of our common stock.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors with
staggered terms. The existence of a classified board may render certain hostile
takeovers more difficult and make it more difficult for a third party to acquire
control of Veeco in certain instances, thereby delaying, deferring or preventing
a change in control of Veeco that a holder of our common stock might consider in
its best interest. Further, if shareholders are dissatisfied with the policies
and/or decisions of our board of directors, the existence of a classified board
will make it more difficult for the shareholders to change the composition (and
therefore the policies) of our board of directors in a relatively short period
of time.
We have adopted a shareholder rights plan, under which we have granted to
our shareholders rights to purchase shares of junior participating preferred
stock. These rights could generally discourage a merger or tender offer for our
common stock that is not approved by our board of directors by increasing the
cost of effecting any such transaction and, accordingly, could have an adverse
impact on a takeover attempt that a shareholder of Veeco might consider to be in
its best interest.
Furthermore, we have adopted and may in the future adopt certain other
measures that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change
in control of Veeco. Certain of such measures may be adopted without any further
vote or action by the holders of our common stock. These measures may have
anti-takeover effects, which may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt that
a holder of our common stock might consider in its best interest. In addition,
certain other provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws relating
to, without limitation, (a) actions required to be taken at a meeting of
shareholders rather than by written consent, (b) the percentage of shareholders
required to call a special meeting of shareholders, (c) a limitation on the
maximum number of directors, (d) removal of directors only for "cause," and (e)
the percentage of shareholders required to approve amendments to our bylaws, may
have anti-takeover effects, which may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt
that a holder of our common stock might consider in its best interest.
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation
Law of Delaware, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any
"business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales as well as certain
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
Subject to certain exceptions, an "interested stockholder" is a person who,
together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own,
15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. The operation of Section 203 may
have anti-takeover effects, which may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt
that a holder of our common stock might consider in its best interest.
A PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE ACCOUNTING TREATMENT FOR THE NOTES COULD REQUIRE US TO
RECOGNIZE ADDITIONAL INTEREST EXPENSE.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has proposed a change in financial
accounting standards that would apply to securities such as the notes that have
both debt and equity components. We do not know whether this proposed accounting
standard will be adopted. If it is adopted in its current form, this proposed
new accounting standard would require us to value the equity component of the
notes separately from the debt component of the notes at the time of issuance.
We would be deemed to have issued the notes at a discount equal to the amount of
the equity value, and we would be required to recognize the total amount of this
discount as additional interest expense over the life of the notes. As proposed,
the standard would be effective for fiscal years starting after June 15, 2002
and would require us to record a cumulative effect adjustment for a change in
accounting principle for the period from the date of issuance of the notes
through the date we adopt the new accounting standard.
15
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include
or may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements may often, although not always, be identified
by the use of words like "believes," "intends," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should" or "anticipates," or the negative equivalents of those words or
comparable terminology, and by discussions of strategies that involve risks and
uncertainties.
Given the risks and uncertainties of our business, including those set forth
in the "Risk Factors" section of this prospectus, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. In
addition, we base forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events,
which may not prove to be accurate. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, you should be aware that the forward-looking events we describe in
this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference may not occur.
You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.
We cannot assure you that our future results, levels of activity and
achievements will occur as we expect, and neither we nor any other person
assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of our forward-looking
statements. We have no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The selling securityholders will receive all the proceeds from the sale of
the notes and shares of our common stock sold under this prospectus. We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of these securities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
We issued the notes under an indenture dated December 21, 2001 between us
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The terms of the
notes include those provided in the indenture and those provided in a
registration rights agreement and a collateral pledge and security agreement,
each of which we entered into on December 21, 2001. Copies of the form of the
indenture, the form of note, the form of registration rights agreement and the
form of collateral pledge and security agreement, each of which we describe
below, are available upon request to us and are on file with the Commission.
We have summarized portions of the indenture, the notes, the registration
rights agreement and the collateral pledge and security agreement below. This
summary is not complete. We urge you to read these documents in their entirety
because they define your rights as a holder of the notes. Terms not defined in
this description have the meanings given to them in the indenture or the form of
note, as the case may be.
In this section, "Veeco," "we," "our," or "us" each refers, unless the
context otherwise requires, only to Veeco Instruments Inc. and not to any
current or future subsidiaries of Veeco Instruments Inc.
GENERAL
The notes are general unsecured (except to the extent described under
"--Security" below) obligations of Veeco and are subordinated in right of
payment to certain of our other obligations as described under "--Subordination
of Notes" below. The notes are convertible into our common stock
16
as described under "--Conversion Rights" below. The notes are limited to $220
million aggregate principal amount and will mature on December 21, 2008.
The notes bear interest at the rate of 4 1/8% per year from December 21,
2001. Interest is payable semiannually on June 21 and December 21 of each year,
commencing June 21, 2002, to holders of record at the close of business on the
preceding June 6 and December 6, respectively. Interest will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. In the event of the
maturity, conversion, purchase by us at the option of the holder or redemption
of a note, interest will cease to accrue on the note under the terms of, and
subject to the conditions of, the indenture.
Principal will be payable, and the notes may be presented for conversion,
registration of transfer and exchange, without service charge, at our office or
agency in New York City, which shall initially be the office or agency of the
trustee in New York, New York. See "--Global Notes; Book-Entry; Form."
The indenture does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on
the payment of dividends, the repurchase of our securities or the incurrence of
Senior Indebtedness, as defined below under "--Subordination of Notes," or any
other indebtedness or other liabilities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The
indenture also does not contain any covenants or other provisions to afford
protection to holders of the notes in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or a change in control of Veeco, except to the extent described
below under "--Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change in Control."
SECURITY
We used a total of approximately $25.9 million of the net proceeds from our
sale of the notes to purchase U.S. government securities which we have pledged
to the collateral agent under the collateral pledge and security agreement as
security for the exclusive benefit of the holders of the notes (and not for the
benefit of our other creditors). These U.S. government securities will be
sufficient upon receipt of scheduled interest on and principal payments of such
securities to provide for payment in full of the first six scheduled interest
payments due on the notes.
The U.S. government securities have been pledged by us to the collateral
agent for the exclusive benefit of the holders of the notes and are held by the
collateral agent in a pledge account. Immediately prior to an interest payment
date, the collateral agent will release from the pledge account proceeds
sufficient to pay interest then due on the notes. A failure to pay interest on
the notes when due through the first six scheduled interest payment dates will
constitute an immediate event of default under the indenture, with no grace
period.
The pledged U.S. government securities and the pledge account will also
secure the repayment of the principal amount on the notes. If prior to December
21, 2004
- an event of default under the notes occurs and is continuing, and
- the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
notes accelerate the notes by declaring the principal amount of the notes
to be immediately due and payable (by written consent, at a meeting of
note holders or otherwise), except for the occurrence of an event of
default relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, upon
which event the notes will be accelerated automatically,
then the proceeds from the pledged U.S. government securities will be released
for payment to note holders, subject to the automatic stay provisions of
bankruptcy law, if applicable. Distributions from the pledge account will be
applied
- first, to any accrued and unpaid interest on the notes, and
- second, to the repayment of a portion of the principal amount of the
notes.
17
However, if any event of default is cured prior to the acceleration of the notes
by the trustee or holders of the notes as referred to above, the trustee and the
holders of the notes will not be able to accelerate the notes as a result of
that event of default.
For example, if the first two interest payments were made when due but the
third interest payment was not made when due (which would constitute an event of
default) and the note holders exercised their right to declare the principal
amount of the notes to be immediately due and payable, then, assuming that the
automatic stay provisions of bankruptcy law are inapplicable and the proceeds of
the pledged U.S. government securities are distributed from the pledge account,
- an amount equal to the interest payment due on the third interest payment
would be distributed from the pledge account as accrued interest, and
- the balance of the proceeds of the pledge account would be distributed in
repayment of a portion of the principal amount of the notes.
In addition, note holders would have an unsecured claim against us for payment
of the remainder of the principal amount of their notes.
Once we make the first six scheduled interest payments on the notes, any
remaining pledged U.S. government securities will be released to us from the
pledge account and thereafter the notes will be unsecured. If Veeco makes an
interest payment directly to the trustee because assets are not released from
the pledge account in time to make the payment, or if the interest on the notes
is lower than we currently anticipate because the principal amount of the notes
outstanding has been reduced (as a result of the conversion of any notes or our
repurchase and cancellation of notes), then the scheduled interest on and
principal of the pledged securities may exceed the amount payable on the
remaining of the first six scheduled interest payments due on the notes. In that
event, we will notify the collateral agent of the amount of the excess and the
collateral agent will release the excess pledged securities to us in compliance
with the provisions of the collateral pledge and security agreement. Ernst &
Young LLP or another firm of nationally recognized public accountants will
verify the mathematical accuracy of our computations as to the amount of any
such excess, as required under the collateral pledge and security agreement.
We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the collateral agent and
to indemnify the collateral agent against certain losses, liabilities or
expenses incurred by it in connection with its duties under the collateral
pledge and security agreement.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
You may, at any time prior to the close of business on the final maturity
date of the notes, convert any outstanding notes, or portions thereof, into our
common stock, initially at the conversion price set forth on the cover page of
this prospectus, subject to adjustment as described below. However, if we call
the notes for redemption, you may convert the notes only until the close of
business on the business day preceding the day fixed for redemption, unless we
fail to pay the redemption price. If you have submitted your notes for
repurchase pursuant to a change in control repurchase right, you may convert
your notes only if you withdraw your election to exercise your repurchase option
in accordance with the terms of the indenture. You may convert your notes in
part as long as that part is $1,000 principal amount or a whole multiple of
$1,000.
Notes surrendered for conversion on a date that occurs between the close of
business on any regular record date and the opening of business on the interest
payment date to which it relates, except notes to be redeemed on a date within
that period, must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest
on the surrendered notes scheduled to be received by the holder on that interest
payment date. No payment will be required from a holder if we exercise our right
to redeem such notes. We are not required to issue fractional shares of common
stock upon conversion of notes and
18
instead will pay a cash adjustment based upon the market price of our common
stock on the last business day before the date of conversion. In the case of
notes called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of
business on the business day preceding the day fixed for redemption, unless we
default in the payment of the redemption price. Notwithstanding the above,
accrued but unpaid interest will be payable upon any conversion of notes at the
option of the holder made concurrently with or after acceleration of the notes
following an event of default described under "--Events of Default" below.
A holder may exercise the right of conversion by delivering the note to be
converted to the specified office of a conversion agent, with a completed notice
of conversion, together with any funds that may be required as described in the
preceding paragraph. The conversion date will be the date on which the notes,
the notice of conversion and any required funds have been so delivered. A holder
delivering a note for conversion will not be required to pay any taxes or duties
relating to the issuance or delivery of the common stock for such conversion,
but will be required to pay any tax or duty which may be payable relating to any
transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of the common stock in a name
other than the holder of the note. Certificates representing shares of common
stock will be issued or delivered only after all applicable taxes and duties, if
any, payable by the holder have been paid. If any note is converted within two
years after its original issuance, the common stock issuable upon conversion
will not be issued or delivered in a name other than that of the holder of the
note unless the applicable restrictions on transfer have been satisfied. Any
notes or shares of common stock into which the notes are convertible that are
resold under this prospectus should be freely tradable after such resale without
restriction, unless the holder of the notes or shares is an "affiliate" of
Veeco, as that term is defined under the Securities Act.
The initial conversion price will be adjusted as provided in the indenture
for certain future events, including:
(1) the issuance of our common stock as a dividend or a distribution on our
common stock,
(2) certain subdivisions or combinations of our common stock,
(3) the issuance to all holders of our common stock of certain rights or
warrants to purchase our common stock or securities convertible into our
common stock at less than, or having a conversion price per share that is
less than, the then current market price of our common stock,
(4) dividends or other distributions to all holders of our common stock of
shares of our capital stock, other than our common stock, or evidences of
our indebtedness or our assets, including securities, but excluding
- those rights and warrants referred to in clause (3) above, and
- dividends and distributions in connection with a reclassification or
change with respect to our common stock, merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange, other business combination, sale or
conveyance resulting in a change in the conversion consideration, as
described in the fourth succeeding paragraph below and dividends or
distributions paid exclusively in cash,
(5) dividends or other distributions consisting exclusively of cash to all
holders of our common stock (excluding any cash that is distributed upon
a reclassification or change of our common stock, merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange, other business combination, sale or conveyance
resulting in a change in the conversion consideration, as described in
the fourth succeeding paragraph below and subject to certain other
limited exceptions) and purchases of our common stock pursuant to tender
offers or exchange offers made by us or any of our subsidiaries where the
sum of:
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- such dividends or other distributions within the preceding 12 months
and in respect of which no prior adjustment under this clause (5) has
been made, plus
- for each such tender offer and exchange offer, the excess of (i) the
aggregate amount paid for the purchase of our common stock pursuant to
such tender offer or exchange offer concluded within the preceding 12
months and in respect of which no prior adjustment under this clause
(5) has been made over (ii) the product of (a) the average of the
closing sales price of our common stock for each of the five trading
days to and including the trading day immediately preceding the date of
announcement of such tender offer or exchange offer multiplied by
(b) the number of shares purchased pursuant to such tender offer or
exchange offer,
exceeds 10% of our market capitalization at (x) if the event giving rise to
this calculation is a dividend or other distribution, the record date for
the dividend or other distribution in respect of which such sum is
calculated or (y) if the event giving rise to this calculation is a tender
offer or exchange offer, the close of the market on the trading day
immediately preceding such announcement date for such tender offer or
exchange offer in respect of which such sum is calculated. The term "market
capitalization" means the product of the then current market price of our
common stock and the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding.
In the event we pay a dividend or make a distribution on shares of our
common stock consisting of capital stock of, or similar equity interests in (as
described in clause (4) above), a subsidiary or other business unit of ours, the
conversion rate will be adjusted based on the market value of the securities so
distributed relative to the market value of our common stock, in each case based
on the average sales price of those securities for the 10 trading days
commencing on and including the fifth trading day after the date on which
"ex-dividend trading" commences for such dividend or distribution on the Nasdaq
National Market or such other national or regional exchange or market on which
the securities are then listed or quoted.
No adjustment in the conversion price will be required unless such
adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the conversion price then in
effect. Any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made, but for the
application of the immediately preceding sentence, will be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
Under the indenture, if certain of the events described in clauses (1)
through (5) above occur and, based on the facts and circumstances associated
with such event an adjustment to the conversion price would not appropriately
protect the holders of the notes from dilution, then the conversion price will
not be adjusted, but rather, we must set aside cash, securities or other assets,
as appropriate, at the time of the occurrence of the event, to be received by
the holders of notes in the future upon conversion of their notes.
Except as stated above, the conversion price will not be adjusted for the
issuance of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
our common stock or carrying the right to repurchase any of the foregoing.
In the case of:
- any reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes
resulting from a subdivision or combination),
- a consolidation, merger or other business combination involving us,
- a sale or conveyance to another entity of all or substantially all of our
property and assets, or
- any statutory share exchange,
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in each case as a result of which holders of our common stock are entitled to
receive stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) with respect to or in exchange for our common stock, the
holders of the notes then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert
such notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or
other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that they
would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such reclassification or
change of our common stock, consolidation, merger, combination, sale, conveyance
or statutory share exchange had such notes been converted into our common stock
immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
combination, sale, conveyance or statutory share exchange. We may not become a
party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent with the
foregoing.
If a taxable distribution to holders of our common stock or a transaction
occurs that results in any adjustment of the conversion price, the holders of
the notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received a
distribution subject to United States federal income tax as a dividend. In
certain other circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment may result in a
taxable dividend to the holders of common stock. See "Material United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations."
We may from time to time, to the extent permitted by law, reduce the
conversion price applicable to the notes by any amount for any period of at
least 20 days if our board of directors determines in good faith that the
reduction is in the best interests of Veeco. In that case, we will give at least
15 days' notice of such reduction. We may make such reduction in the conversion
price, in addition to those set forth above, as our board of directors deems
advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of our common stock
resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock or rights to acquire stock
or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes. See "Material United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
There is no sinking fund for the notes. On or after December 21, 2004, we
will be entitled to redeem some or all of the notes on at least 20 but not more
than 60 days' notice to the holders, at the redemption price set forth below,
together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption
date. However, if a redemption date is any date after a record date but on or
prior to the related interest payment date, the semiannual payment of interest
becoming due on such date will be payable to the holder of record as of the
relevant record date and the redemption price will not include such interest
payment.
The table below sets forth redemption prices of a note per $1,000 principal
amount if redeemed during the periods described below:
REDEMPTION
PERIOD PRICE
------ ----------
December 21, 2004 through December 20, 2005................. 102.36%
December 21, 2005 through December 20, 2006................. 101.77%
December 21, 2006 through December 20, 2007................. 101.18%
Thereafter.................................................. 100.59%
If we redeem some but not all of the notes, the trustee will select the
notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000
by lot, on a pro rata basis or in accordance with any other method the trustee
considers fair and appropriate. If any notes are to be redeemed in part only, a
new note or notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed principal portion
thereof will be issued. If a portion of a holder's notes is selected for partial
redemption and the holder converts a portion of its notes, the converted portion
will be deemed to be taken from the portion selected for redemption.
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REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL
If a change in control occurs, each holder of notes will have the right to
require us to repurchase all of such holder's notes not previously called for
redemption, or any portion of those notes in principal amounts of $1,000 or
whole multiples of $1,000, on the date that is 45 business days after the date
we give notice of the change in control at a repurchase price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased together with interest
accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the repurchase date; provided that, if
such repurchase date occurs between the close of business on any regular record
date and the opening of business on the interest payment date to which it
relates, then the interest payable on such interest payment date will be paid to
the holder of record of the notes on the relevant record date.
Instead of paying the repurchase price in cash, we may pay the repurchase
price in common stock if we so elect in the notice referred to below. The number
of shares of common stock a holder will receive will equal the repurchase price
divided by 95% of the average of the closing sales prices of our common stock
for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding and including the
third trading day prior to the repurchase date. However, we may not pay in
common stock unless we satisfy certain conditions prior to the repurchase date
as provided in the indenture. The common stock used to pay the repurchase price
may be the common stock of the successor or purchasing corporation in the change
in control.
Within 30 business days after the change in control, we are required to give
notice to all holders of record of notes, as provided in the indenture, of the
occurrence of the change in control and of their resulting repurchase right. We
must also deliver a copy of our notice to the trustee. In order to exercise the
repurchase right, a holder of notes must deliver, on or before the 30th day
after the date of our notice of the change in control, written notice to the
trustee of the holder's exercise of its repurchase right, together with the
notes with respect to which the right is being exercised.
Under the indenture, a "change in control" of Veeco will be deemed to have
occurred at such time after the original issuance of the notes when the
following has occurred:
- the acquisition, as evidenced by the filing with the Commission of an
executed report on Schedule 13D, by any person, including any syndicate or
group deemed to be a "person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act,
of beneficial ownership (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or
other acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of shares of our
capital stock entitling that person to exercise 50% or more of the total
voting power of all shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally
in elections of directors, other than any acquisition by us, any of our
subsidiaries or any of our employee benefit plans,
- our consolidation or merger with or into any other person, any merger of
another person into us, or any conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or other
disposition of all or substantially all of our properties and assets to
another person, other than:
- any transaction (A) that does not result in any reclassification,
conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of our
capital stock or (B) pursuant to which holders of our capital stock
immediately prior to the transaction are entitled to exercise, directly
or indirectly, 50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of
our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the continuing or surviving person immediately after the
transaction, or
- any merger solely for the purpose of changing our jurisdiction of
incorporation and resulting in a reclassification, conversion or
exchange of outstanding shares of common stock solely into shares of
common stock of the surviving entity,
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- during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning
of that two-year period constituted our board of directors (together with
any new directors whose election to our board of directors, or whose
nomination for election by our shareholders, was approved by a vote of a
majority of the directors who were either directors at the beginning of
such period or whose election or whose nomination for election was
approved by the board of directors or a nominating committee thereof, the
majority of the members of which meet the above criteria) cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of our board of directors then in office,
or
- we are liquidated or dissolved or our shareholders pass a resolution
approving a plan of liquidation or dissolution.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, none of the
foregoing events shall constitute a change in control if they occur in
connection with a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of Veeco (whether or not followed by a liquidation or dissolution of
Veeco) or similar business combination transaction, if all of the consideration
received by holders of our common stock immediately prior to consummation of the
transaction (excluding cash payments for fractional shares and for shares held
by holders exercising statutory dissenters' rights) consists of common stock
traded on a United States national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market, or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged
in connection with such business combination transaction, and as a result of
such transaction the notes become convertible solely into such common stock.
Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act requires the dissemination of information
to security holders if an issuer tender offer occurs and may apply if the
repurchase option becomes available to holders of the notes. We will comply with
this rule to the extent applicable at that time.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, we may at any time purchase notes
in the open market or by tender at any price or by private agreement. Any note
so purchased by us may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reissued
or resold or may be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation. Any notes
surrendered to the trustee may not be reissued or resold and will be canceled.
Our ability to repurchase notes upon the occurrence of a change in control
is subject to important limitations. The occurrence of a change in control could
cause an event of default under, or be prohibited or limited by, the terms of
existing or future Senior Indebtedness. As a result, any repurchase of the notes
would, absent a waiver, be prohibited under the subordination provisions of the
indenture until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash. Further, we
cannot assure you that we would have the financial resources, or would be able
to arrange financing, to pay the repurchase price for all the notes that might
be delivered by holders of notes seeking to exercise the repurchase right. Any
failure by us to repurchase the notes when required following a change in
control would result in an event of default under the indenture, whether or not
such repurchase is permitted by the subordination provisions of the indenture.
Any such default may, in turn, cause a default under existing or future Senior
Indebtedness. See "--Subordination of Notes" below.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes
is subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the indenture, to the prior
payment in full, in cash, of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the
date of the indenture or incurred after that date. The notes also are
effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including
trade payables and lease obligations, of our subsidiaries.
In the event of any acceleration of the notes because of an event of
default, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness then outstanding would be
entitled to payment in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, of all obligations with respect to such Senior
23
Indebtedness before the holders of notes are entitled to receive any payment or
other distribution, except with respect to the U.S. government securities
pledged as security for the notes as described above in "--Security." We are
required under the indenture to promptly notify holders of Senior Indebtedness
if payment of the notes is accelerated because of an event of default.
In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in
connection therewith, relating to Veeco or to its assets, or any liquidation,
dissolution or other winding-up of Veeco, whether voluntary or involuntary, or
any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshaling of assets or
liabilities of Veeco, except in connection with the consolidation or merger of
Veeco or its liquidation or dissolution following the conveyance, transfer or
lease of its properties and assets substantially upon the terms and conditions
described under "--Consolidation, Mergers and Sales of Assets" below, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive the payment in full
in cash of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision must be made for such payment
in full in cash, before the holders of notes will be entitled to receive any
payment or distribution of any kind or character, other than with respect to the
U.S. government securities pledged as security for the notes as set forth in
"--Security" above or any payment or distribution in the form of equity
securities or subordinated securities of Veeco or any successor obligor that, in
the case of any such subordinated securities, are subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding to at
least the same extent as the notes are so subordinated on account of principal
of, or premium, if any, or interest on the notes. We refer to our equity
securities and such subordinated securities as "Permitted Junior Securities."
Any payment or distribution of assets of Veeco of any kind or character, whether
in cash, property or securities other than a payment or distribution in the form
of Permitted Junior Securities, by set-off or otherwise, to which the holders of
the notes or the trustee would be entitled but for the provisions of the
indenture relating to subordination will be paid by the liquidating trustee or
agent or other person making such payment or distribution directly to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representatives ratably according to the
aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the Senior Indebtedness to the
extent necessary to make payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any current payment or distribution to
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Upon the occurrence of any Payment Default on any Designated Senior
Indebtedness and until such Payment Default has been cured or waived in writing
or ceases to exist or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or
paid in full in cash, then, except as set forth above with respect to the U.S.
government securities pledged to secure the notes, no payment or distribution of
any of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or
securities other than Permitted Junior Securities, may be made by or on behalf
of us on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the notes or
on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of notes. A "Payment
Default" means a default in payment, whether at scheduled maturity, upon
scheduled installment, by acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or
premium, if any, or interest on Designated Senior Indebtedness beyond any
applicable grace period.
Upon the occurrence of any default or event of default with respect to
Designated Senior Indebtedness, other than any Payment Default pursuant to which
the maturity thereof may be accelerated, and receipt by the trustee with respect
to the notes of written notice thereof from the trustee or other representative
of holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness, which we refer to as a
"Non-Payment Default," no payment or distribution of any assets of Veeco of any
kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities other than Permitted
Junior Securities, may be made by or on behalf of Veeco on account of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on the notes or on account of the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition of notes for the period specified below, which
we refer to as a "Payment Blockage Period."
24
The Payment Blockage Period will commence upon the date of receipt by the
trustee of written notice from the trustee or such other representative of the
holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness in respect of which the
Non-Payment Default exists and shall end on the earliest of:
(1) 179 days thereafter; PROVIDED, that any Designated Senior Indebtedness
as to which notice was given has not theretofore been accelerated,
(2) the date on which such Non-Payment Default is cured, waived or ceases to
exist,
(3) the date on which such Designated Senior Indebtedness is discharged or
paid in full in cash, and
(4) the date on which such Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by
written notice to the trustee or Veeco from the trustee or such other
representative initiating such Payment Blockage Period,
after which we will resume making any and all required payments in respect of
the notes, including any missed payments unless a Payment Default then exists.
In any event, not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced during
any period of 365 consecutive days. No Non-Payment Default that existed or was
continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period will
be, or can be made, the basis for the commencement of a subsequent Payment
Blockage Period, unless such Non-Payment Default has been cured or waived for a
period of not less than 90 consecutive days subsequent to the commencement of
such Payment Blockage Period.
In the event that, notwithstanding the subordination and payment blockage
provisions, any payment or distribution is received by the trustee or any holder
of the notes which is prohibited by such provisions, then and in such event such
payment must be paid over and delivered by such trustee or holder to the trustee
or any other representative of holders of Senior Indebtedness, as their
interests may appear, for application to Senior Indebtedness. After all Senior
Indebtedness is paid in full in cash and until the notes are paid in full,
holders of the notes will be subrogated equally and ratably with all other
indebtedness that is equal in right of payment to the notes to the rights of
holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior
Indebtedness to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the holders
of the notes have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness. See
"--Events of Default" below.
By reason of this subordination, in the event of liquidation, receivership,
reorganization or insolvency of Veeco, holders of Senior Indebtedness may
receive more, ratably, and holders of the notes may receive less, ratably, than
our other creditors.
The notes are also subordinated by operation of law to all indebtedness and
other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries.
We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to
indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses incurred
by the trustee in connection with its duties relating to the notes. The
trustee's claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of holders
of notes in respect of funds collected or held by the trustee.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, without duplication:
(1) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities, contingent or
otherwise, of such person for borrowed money, and whether or not the
recourse of the obligee is to the whole of the assets of the person or
only a portion of the assets, including overdrafts, foreign exchange
contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection
agreements, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, including
reimbursement obligations, of such person in connection with any letters
of credit, bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances issued under letter of
credit facilities, acceptance facilities or other similar facilities, any
loans or advances from banks,
25
whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments and all
obligations incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the person in connection
with the acquisition by it or by a subsidiary of any business, assets or
property,
(2) all obligations and other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such
person evidenced by credit or loan agreements, bonds, debentures, notes
or other written obligations, whether or not the recourse of the lender
is to all of our assets or to only a portion thereof,
(3) all obligations and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in respect of
leases required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on such
person's balance sheet,
(4) all obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in
connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets
of any kind,
(5) all obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of
property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable and accrued
liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business,
(6) all obligations and other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in
respect of leases or related documents, including a purchase agreement,
of the person in connection with the lease of real property or
improvements thereon (or any personal property included as part of any
such lease), which provides that the person is contractually obligated to
purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property or pay an
agreed upon residual value of the leased property to the lessor and
thereby guarantees a residual value of leased property to the lessor
(whether or not such lease transaction is characterized as an operating
lease or a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles),
(7) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to an interest
rate, currency or other swap, cap, floor or collar agreement, hedge
agreement, forward contract or other similar instrument or agreement or
foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or
agreement,
(8) pension plan obligations,
(9) all direct or indirect guarantees or similar agreements, and obligations
or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, to purchase or otherwise acquire
or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness,
obligations or liabilities of another person, including our subsidiaries,
of the kind described in clauses (1) through (8) above,
(10) any indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (1) through
(8) above secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance
existing on property owned or held by the person, regardless of whether
the indebtedness or other obligation has been assumed by the person, and
(11) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or
amendments, modifications, supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation
or liability of the kind described in clauses (1) through (10).
"Senior Indebtedness" means all of our Indebtedness other than:
- Indebtedness or any other obligations of ours that by their terms rank
equal or junior in right of payment to the notes,
- Indebtedness evidenced by the notes,
- Indebtedness that is subordinate to our general unsecured obligations by
operation of law,
26
- accounts payable or other liabilities owed or owing by us to trade
creditors including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such
liabilities,
- amounts owed by us for compensation to employees or for services rendered
to us,
- Indebtedness to any subsidiary or any other affiliate of ours or any of
such affiliate's subsidiaries except if it is pledged as security for any
Senior Indebtedness,
- Indebtedness evidenced by any guarantee of any Indebtedness ranking equal
or junior in right of payment to the notes, and
- Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to any election
under Section 1111(b) of Title 11 of the United States Code, is without
recourse to us.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means our current bank credit agreement and
revolving credit facility and any other Senior Indebtedness in which the
governing instrument or agreement expressly provides that the Senior
Indebtedness shall be "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the
indenture. The governing instrument or agreement may place limitations and
conditions on the right of Senior Indebtedness to exercise the rights of
Designated Senior Indebtedness.
The notes are exclusively obligations of Veeco. We conduct a substantial
portion of our operations through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow
and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depend upon the
earnings of our subsidiaries. In addition, we depend on the distribution of
earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us.
The notes will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities, including
trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries. Any right by
us to receive the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the liquidation or
reorganization thereof, and the consequent right of the holders of the notes to
participate in these assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of
that subsidiary's creditors including trade creditors, except to the extent that
we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case our claims
would still be subordinate to any security interests in the assets of such
subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by us.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no
obligations, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the
notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or
other payments. In addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans
and advances to us by our subsidiaries may be subject to statutory, contractual
or other restrictions and are dependent upon the earnings or financial condition
of those subsidiaries and subject to various business considerations. As a
result, we may be unable to gain access to the cash flow or assets of our
subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2001, excluding intercompany indebtedness, we had no
Senior Indebtedness outstanding and our subsidiaries had liabilities of
approximately $82.0 million, including approximately $19.0 million of
indebtedness for borrowed money. We can, however, borrow up to $100 million
under our revolving credit facility (less the face amount of any letters of
credit outstanding under that facility). Although no borrowings under this
facility were outstanding as of December 31, 2001 or are outstanding under this
facility as of the date of this prospectus, any future amounts we borrow under
this facility would be senior indebtedness. The indenture does not limit the
amount of additional indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, which we can
create, incur, assume or guarantee, nor does the indenture limit the amount of
indebtedness or other liabilities that our subsidiaries can create, incur,
assume or guarantee.
27
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an "event of default" under the
indenture:
(1) our failure to pay when due the principal or premium, if any, on any of
the notes at maturity, upon redemption or exercise of a repurchase right
or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the indenture,
(2) our failure to pay when due an installment of interest, including
liquidated damages, if any, on any of the notes that continues for 30
days after the date when due, whether or not such payment is prohibited
by the subordination provisions of the indenture; provided that a failure
to make any of the first six scheduled interest payments on the notes on
the applicable interest payment dates will constitute an event of default
with no grace or cure period,
(3) our failure to deliver shares of our common stock, together with cash
instead of fractional shares, when those shares of common stock or cash
instead of fractional shares are required to be delivered upon conversion
of a note, and that failure continues for ten days after such delivery
date,
(4) our failure to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement
contained in the notes or the indenture for a period of 60 days after
written notice of such failure, requiring us to remedy the same, has been
given to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding,
(5) our failure to make any payment by the end of the applicable grace
period, if any, after the maturity of any Indebtedness (other than
Excluded Indebtedness) in an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million,
or there is an acceleration of Indebtedness (other than Excluded
Indebtedness) in an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million because of
a default with respect to such Indebtedness without such Indebtedness
having been discharged or such acceleration having been cured, waived,
recorded or annulled, in either case, for a period of 30 days after
written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding,
(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Veeco or
that of any significant subsidiary, and
(7) our filing of a voluntary petition seeking liquidation, reorganization
arrangement, readjustment of debts or for any other relief under the U.S.
federal bankruptcy code.
"Excluded Indebtedness" means: (a) Indebtedness of Veeco or a subsidiary of
Veeco not in excess of $10 million secured by a mortgage in effect when we or
that subsidiary acquires a business that owns the underlying property subject to
the mortgage, and the acquisition results in a default on that mortgage
according to its terms and (b) Indebtedness that was existing on December 21,
2001 not in excess of $8.5 million to the extent Veeco or a subsidiary of Veeco
has established a cash collateral or similar account that is available to one or
more holders of Senior Indebtedness to use to cure a default on such
Indebtedness.
The indenture provides that the trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default, give to the registered holders of the notes notice of
all uncured defaults of which the trustee is aware, but the trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if it determines in good faith that
withholding the notice is in the best interests of the holders, except in the
case of a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or
interest on, any of the notes when due or in the payment of any redemption or
repurchase obligation.
If an event of default specified in clause (6) or clause (7) above occurs
and is continuing, then the principal of all notes and the interest thereon
shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
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If an event of default shall occur and be continuing, other than with respect to
clause (6) or clause (7) above, the default not having been cured or waived as
provided under "--Modification and Waiver" below, either the trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding may declare the notes immediately due and payable at their principal
amount together with accrued interest to the date of that declaration, and
thereupon the trustee may, at its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the
rights of the holders of the notes by appropriate judicial proceedings. The
notes may not be declared due and payable unless the trustee has given at least
five days' prior notice to the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness.
The declaration may be rescinded or annulled with the written consent of the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding upon the conditions provided in the indenture.
The indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the
duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to
be indemnified by the holders of notes before proceeding to exercise any right
or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. The indenture
provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding through their written consent may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee
or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee.
We are required to furnish annually to the trustee a statement as to the
fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS
We may, without the consent of the holders of notes, consolidate with, merge
into, engage in a statutory share exchange or transfer all or substantially all
of our assets to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or
trust organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political
subdivisions provided that:
- we are the resulting or surviving corporation or, if not, the successor,
transferee or lessee assumes all our obligations under the indenture and
the notes,
- at the time of such transaction, no event of default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time, would become an event of default, shall
have occurred and be continuing, and
- an officers' certificate stating that the consolidation, merger, statutory
share exchange or transfer complies with the provisions of the indenture
and an opinion of counsel meeting the requirements of the indenture have
each been delivered to the trustee.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
The indenture, including the terms and conditions of the notes, may be
modified or amended by us and the trustee, without the consent of the holder of
any note, for the purposes of, among other things:
- adding to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of notes,
- surrendering any right or power conferred upon us,
- providing for conversion rights of holders of notes if any
reclassification or change of our common stock or any consolidation,
merger, statutory share exchange or sale of all or substantially all of
our assets occurs,
- reducing the conversion price; provided that that reduction will not
adversely affect the interests of holders of notes in any material
respect,
- complying with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended,
29
- making any changes or modifications to the indenture necessary in
connection with the registration of the notes under the Securities Act as
contemplated by the registration rights agreement; provided that this
action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes
in any material respect,
- curing any ambiguity, omission, inconsistency or correcting or
supplementing any defective provision contained in the indenture; provided
that such modification or amendment does not, in the good faith opinion of
our board of directors and the trustee, adversely affect the interests of
the holders of the notes in any material respect, or
- adding or modifying any other provisions which we and the trustee may deem
necessary or desirable and which will not adversely affect the interests
of the holders of notes in any material respect.
Modification and amendments to the indenture or to the terms and conditions
of the notes may also be made, and noncompliance by us may be waived, with the
written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the notes at the time outstanding or by the adoption of a resolution
at a meeting of holders at which a quorum is present by at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the notes represented at the meeting. However, no
such modification, amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the
holder of each note affected:
- change the maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest
on, any note, including any payment of liquidated damages,
- reduce the principal amount of, or any premium, if any, or interest on
(including the amount of liquidated damages), any note,
- reduce the interest rate or interest, including any liquidated damages, on
any note,
- change the currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest of any note,
- impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
or with respect to, or conversion of, any note,
- except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by provisions of the
indenture concerning corporate reorganizations, adversely affect the
repurchase option of holders upon a change in control or the conversion
rights of holders of the notes,
- modify the provisions of the indenture relating to the pledge of
securities as contemplated under "--Security" above in a manner that
adversely affects the interests of the holders of notes,
- modify the subordination provisions of the notes in a manner adverse to
the holders of notes, or
- reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding
necessary to modify or amend the indenture or to waive any past default.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
We may discharge our obligations under the indenture while notes remain
outstanding, subject to certain conditions, if:
- all outstanding notes will become due and payable at their scheduled
maturity within one year, or
- all outstanding notes have been called for redemption within one year,
and, in either case, we have deposited with the trustee an amount sufficient to
pay and discharge all outstanding notes on the date of their scheduled maturity
or the scheduled date of redemption; provided that we shall remain obligated to
issue shares upon conversion of the notes.
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GLOBAL NOTES; BOOK-ENTRY; FORM
The notes are evidenced by global notes. We have deposited the global notes
with or on behalf of DTC and have registered the global notes in the name of
Cede & Co., as DTC's nominee. Except as set forth below, a global note may be
transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee.
Notes that were held as beneficial interests in a global note with DTC will
remain beneficial interests in a global note after a sale of notes under this
prospectus.
A holder may hold its interest in a global note directly through DTC if such
holder is a participant in DTC, or indirectly through organizations that are
participants in DTC, which are referred to as "participants." Transfers between
participants will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC
rules and will be settled in clearing house funds. The laws of some states
require that certain persons take physical delivery of securities in definitive
form. As a result, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global
note to such persons may be limited.
Persons who are not participants may beneficially own interests in a global
note held by DTC only through participants, or certain banks, brokers, dealers,
trust companies and other parties that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly, which are
referred to as "indirect participants." So long as Cede & Co., as the nominee of
DTC, is the registered owner of a global note, Cede & Co., for all purposes,
will be considered the sole holder of such global note. Except as provided
below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will:
- not be entitled to have certificates registered in their names,
- not receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive registered
form, and
- not be considered holders of the global note.
We will pay interest on and the redemption price of a global note to Cede &
Co., as the registered owner of the global note, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds on each interest payment date or the redemption or repurchase
date, as the case may be. Neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will be
responsible or liable:
- for the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial
ownership interests in a global note, or
- for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the
beneficial ownership interests.
We have been informed that DTC's practice is to credit participants'
accounts on any payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount represented by a global
note as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to believe that it
will not receive payment on that payment date. Payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in the principal amount represented by a global
note held through participants will be the responsibility of the participants,
as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered
in "street name."
Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on
behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person having a beneficial
interest in the principal amount represented by the global note to pledge such
interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or
otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack
of a physical certificate evidencing its interest.
Neither we, the trustee, registrar, paying agent nor the conversion agent
have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or
indirect participants of their respective obligations under
31
the rules and procedures governing their operations. DTC has advised us that it
will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes, including the
presentation of notes for exchange, only at the direction of one or more
participants to whose account with DTC interests in the global note are
credited, and only in respect of the principal amount of the notes represented
by the global note as to which the participant or participants has or have given
such direction.
DTC has advised us that it is:
- a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of
New York,
- a member of the Federal Reserve System,
- a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code, and
- a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A
of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants
through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants.
Participants include securities brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and other organizations. Some of the participants or their
representatives, together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the
DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant, either directly or indirectly.
DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of
interests in a global note among participants. However, DTC is under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures, and may
discontinue these procedures at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
us within 90 days, we will issue notes in certificated form in exchange for
global notes.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTEE AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the indenture,
has been appointed by us as collateral agent, paying agent, conversion agent,
registrar and custodian with regard to the notes. American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. The
trustee, the transfer agent or their affiliates may from time to time in the
future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of their
business.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
As required under our registration rights agreement with the noteholders, we
have, at our expense, filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement
on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, covering resales by holders of
all notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes. The former
holders of Applied Epi common stock whose shares are offered by this prospectus
are parties to a separate registration rights agreement, and they do not have
the benefit of the covenants and the payment obligations we describe below.
References in this section to the "registration rights agreement" and the rights
of holders under the "registration rights agreement" refer only to the
registration rights agreement with the holders of the notes and the common stock
issuable upon conversion of the notes. We have summarized portions of that
registration rights agreement below.
We will use our best efforts to:
- cause the registration statement to become effective as promptly as is
practicable, but in no event later than June 19, 2002, and
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- keep the registration statement effective until the earlier of (A)
January 3, 2004; and (B) the sale pursuant to the registration statement
of all notes and shares issuable upon conversion thereof registered
thereunder.
We are permitted to suspend the use of this prospectus under certain
circumstances relating to pending corporate developments, public filings with
the Commission and similar events. If we suspend the use of the prospectus for a
period in excess of 45 days in any three-month period or in excess of an
aggregate of 120 days in any 12-month period, we will be required to pay
additional interest on the notes as liquidated damages as described below. We
may establish regular suspension periods corresponding to our fiscal quarters.
If we do so, we will give notice of the scheduled suspensions to the trustee, to
be forwarded to the holders of the notes, and we will request the trustee to
give periodic notice of the suspension to the holders. If:
(1) on June 20, 2002, the registration statement is not declared effective,
(2) except when we suspend the use of the prospectus as set forth in the
first two sentences of this paragraph, the registration statement ceases
to be effective or fails to be usable without being succeeded within five
business days by a post-effective amendment or a report filed with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act that cures the failure of the
registration statement to be effective or usable, or
(3) we have suspended the use of this prospectus as described in the first
two sentences of this paragraph longer than the period permitted by such
sentences,
each of which we refer to as a "registration default," additional interest as
liquidated damages will accrue on the notes, from and including the day
following the registration default to but excluding the day on which the
registration default has been cured. Concurrent registration defaults will be
deemed to be a single registration default. Liquidated damages will be paid
semiannually in arrears, with the first semiannual payment due on the first
interest payment date, as applicable, following the date on which such
liquidated damages begin to accrue, and will accrue, in addition to the stated
interest rate on the notes, at a rate equal to:
- 0.25% per annum of the principal amount to and including the 90th day
following the occurrence of the registration default, and
- 0.5% per annum of the principal amount from and after the 91st day
following the occurrence of the registration default,
in each case so long as such registration default continues.
In no event will liquidated damages accrue at a rate per year exceeding
0.5%. If a holder has converted some or all of its notes into common stock, the
holder of that common stock will be entitled to receive equivalent amounts based
on the principal amount of the notes converted.
The following additional provisions apply to liquidated damages:
- A holder will not be entitled to liquidated damages on account of a
registration default described in clause (1) above if it has not provided
all registration information required under the registration rights
agreement to us, at least five business days prior to the effectiveness of
the shelf registration statement.
- Except as provided in the following bullet, a holder will not be entitled
to liquidated damages on account of a registration default described in
clauses (2) and (3) above with respect to any of its registrable
securities that are not registered on the shelf registration statement
during the period of a registration default described therein.
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- A "registration default" shall be deemed to have occurred and be
continuing if and for so long as we do not file an amendment to the shelf
registration statement after it has been declared effective or a
supplement to the related prospectus to permit a holder to deliver such
prospectus, as contemplated above, on the fifth day following our receipt
of the holder's registration information, but the registration default
shall be applicable only to the affected holder and no other holder shall
be entitled to liquidated damages on account of such registration default.
- No liquidated damages will be payable to holders of notes or common stock
purchased in transactions covered by the shelf registration statement or
previously sold in transactions exempt from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144.
No liquidated damages will be payable with respect to any of our common stock
issued to former Applied Epi stockholders.
34
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following section discusses the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences to holders of the notes or holders of our common stock (including
common stock into which the notes may be converted). This discussion is for
general information only and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your personal circumstances.
This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, applicable existing and proposed U.S.
Treasury Regulations, and judicial authority and current administrative rulings
and practice, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive
basis, or to differing interpretation. This summary applies only to holders that
hold the notes and our common stock (including common stock into which the notes
may be converted) as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the
Internal Revenue Code, which generally means that such securities are held for
investment. It does not address tax consequences applicable to those holders
that may be subject to special tax rules, such as:
- financial institutions,
- regulated investment companies,
- tax-exempt organizations,
- expatriates,
- persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code,
- pension funds,
- insurance companies,
- dealers in securities or foreign currencies,
- persons that will hold notes or common stock as a position in a hedging
transaction, straddle, conversion transaction, constructive sale,
integrated transaction or other risk reduction transaction for tax
purposes,
- persons who hold notes through a partnership or other pass-through entity,
or
- persons that have a primary form of currency other than the U.S. dollar,
except as disclosed below under "Non-U.S. Holders."
We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS,
with respect to the statements we make and the conclusions we reach in the
following summary, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with our
statements and conclusions. Moreover, this discussion does not address the
effect of any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws. INVESTORS CONSIDERING
THE PURCHASE OF NOTES OR THE SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THE NOTES) SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME, GIFT AND ESTATE TAX
LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING
UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY
APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
For purposes of this discussion, the term "U.S. holder" means a beneficial
owner of a note or our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, (1) a citizen or resident of the U.S., (2) a corporation, partnership
or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., (3) an
estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if (A) its administration is subject to
the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons
have authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (B) it was in
existence on August 20, 1996, and has elected to continue to be treated as a
U.S. trust. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, income earned through a
foreign or domestic partnership or similar entity is generally attributed to its
owners. The term "non-U.S. holder" means a holder of a note or our common stock
that is not a U.S. holder for United States federal income tax purposes.
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U.S. HOLDERS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences resulting from the ownership and disposition of the notes and our
common stock by U.S. holders.
PAYMENT OF INTEREST
STATED INTEREST
Any interest we pay on a note generally will be includable in your income as
ordinary income at the time the time you receive or accrue the interest, in
accordance with your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL
You may require us to redeem any and all of your notes if a change in
control occurs, as that term is defined in "Description of the Notes--Repurchase
at Option of Holders Upon a Change in Control." If we are required to repurchase
your notes upon the occurrence of a change in control and we opt to pay the
repurchase price in our common stock, we must issue you a number of shares of
our common stock equal to the principal amount of the notes you submit to us for
repurchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the repurchase
date, divided by 95% of the average of the closing sale price of our common
stock measured over a five day period. We are treating the possibility of
repurchasing all or any portion of your notes in exchange for our common stock
upon the happening of a change in control as a remote and incidental contingency
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, within the meaning of applicable Treasury
Regulations. Accordingly, we believe that the possibility of repurchasing all or
any portion of your notes in exchange for our common stock upon the happening of
a change in control will not affect the yield to maturity on the notes, and
therefore you will be taxable at the time repurchase payments, if any, are
received or accrued by you in accordance with your method of accounting. Our
determination that there is a remote likelihood that we will repurchase all or
any portion of your notes in exchange for our common stock upon the happening of
a change in control is binding on you unless you explicitly disclose in the
manner required by applicable Treasury Regulations that your determination is
different from ours. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES
Except as set forth below under "--Conversion of the Notes" and "--Market
Discount," upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a note, including the
repurchase of a note for cash pursuant to the exercise of a repurchase right in
the event of a change in control, you generally will recognize capital gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or redemption and your adjusted tax basis in that note. For these purposes, the
amount realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a note does not include
any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as
such unless previously taken into account. Subject to the market discount and
amortizable premium rules discussed below, your adjusted tax basis in a note
generally will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price of that note on
the date of purchase, increased by any market discount previously included in
income by you and reduced by any amortized premium. Gain or loss so recognized
will generally be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or
loss if, at the time of the sale, exchange or redemption, you held the note for
more than one year. In general, the maximum federal tax rate for noncorporate
taxpayers on long-term capital gain is 20% with respect to capital assets
(including the notes and common stock) and 18% if such capital assets are held
for more than five years. Capital gain on assets having a holding period of one
year or less at the time of their disposition is taxed as short-term capital
gain at a current maximum federal rate of 38.6% in the hands of noncorporate
taxpayers. However, under recently enacted tax legislation, the maximum federal
tax
36
rate for short-term capital gains will be reduced, over the next four years,
from 38.6% to 35% by January 1, 2006. For individual taxpayers, the
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. For corporate
taxpayers, both capital gains and ordinary income are subject to a maximum
regular federal tax rate of 35%.
CONSTRUCTIVE DIVIDENDS ON NOTES
We may adjust the conversion price of the notes under certain circumstances.
See "Description of the Notes--Conversion Rights." Section 305 of the Internal
Revenue Code treats certain actual or constructive distributions of stock with
respect to stock or convertible securities as a distribution that is taxable as
a dividend, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Under applicable Treasury Regulations, an adjustment of the conversion price
may, under certain circumstances, be treated as a constructive dividend to the
extent it increases your proportional interest as a holder of a note in our
fully diluted common stock, whether or not you ever convert the note into our
common stock. Generally, your tax basis in a note will be increased by the
amount of any constructive dividend. Similarly, if we fail to adjust the
conversion price of the notes to reflect a stock dividend or similar event, it
could in some circumstances give rise to constructive dividend income to U.S.
holders of common stock.
CONVERSION OF THE NOTES
You generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss upon conversion of
a note into our common stock, and although not free from doubt, you generally
should not recognize any income, gain or loss if we repurchase a note in the
event of a change in control for common stock, except with respect to cash
received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock, except to the extent
that the common stock issued upon conversion is treated as attributable to
accrued interest on the note, which will be treated as interest for federal
income tax purposes, and except with respect to market discount, as described
below under "--Market Discount." Your adjusted tax basis in the common stock
received on conversion or repurchase of a note will be the same as your adjusted
tax basis in the note at the time of conversion or repurchase, reduced by any
basis allocable to a fractional share for which you received cash. The holding
period for the common stock received on conversion or repurchase will generally
include the holding period of the note converted or repurchased. However, your
adjusted tax basis in shares of common stock attributable to accrued interest
generally will equal the amount of accrued interest you include in income and
the holding period will begin on the day following the date of conversion or
repurchase.
You should treat cash received in lieu of a fractional share of common stock
upon conversion or repurchase of a note as a payment in exchange for a
fractional share of common stock. Your receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional
share of common stock generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by
the difference between the cash you received for the fractional share and your
adjusted tax basis in the fractional share. The fair market value of the shares
of common stock you receive which is attributable to accrued interest will be
taxable as ordinary income.
DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK
If we make distributions on our common stock, those distributions will
generally be treated as a dividend, subject to tax as ordinary income, to the
extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as of the year of
distribution, then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your
adjusted tax basis in the common stock and thereafter as gain from the sale or
exchange of that stock.
In general, a dividend distribution to a corporate U.S. holder may qualify
for a deduction equal to 70% of the dividends received deduction if the U.S.
holder owns less than 20% of the voting power and value of our stock, other than
any non-voting, non-convertible, non-participating preferred stock. A
37
corporate U.S. holder that owns 20% or more of the voting power and value of our
stock, other than any non-voting, non-convertible, non-participating preferred
stock, generally will qualify for a deduction equal to 80% of the dividends
received.
SALE OF COMMON STOCK
Upon the sale or exchange of our common stock, you generally will recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and
the fair market value of any property you receive upon the sale or exchange and
(ii) your adjusted tax basis in the common stock. That capital gain or loss will
be long-term if your holding period is more than one year and will be short-term
if your holding period is equal to or less than one year. In the case of certain
noncorporate taxpayers, including individuals, long-term capital gains are taxed
at a maximum federal rate of 20%, which decreases to 18% if such capital assets
are held for more than five years, and short-term capital gains are taxed at a
current maximum federal rate of 38.6%. However, under recently enacted tax
legislation, the maximum federal tax rate for short-term capital gains will be
reduced, over the next four years, from 38.6% to 35% by January 1, 2006.
Corporate taxpayers are subject to a maximum regular federal tax rate of 35% on
all capital gains and ordinary income. Your adjusted tax basis and holding
period in our common stock received upon conversion of a note are determined as
discussed above under "Description of the Notes--Conversion Rights." Your
adjusted tax basis in our common stock that you acquire other than upon
conversion of a note generally will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase
price of such stock on the date of purchase.
MARKET DISCOUNT
Your resale of the notes may be affected by the impact on a purchaser of the
market discount provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. For this purpose, the
market discount on a note generally will equal the amount, if any, by which the
stated redemption price at maturity of the note immediately after its
acquisition, other than at original issue, exceeds the U.S. holder's adjusted
tax basis in the note. Subject to a limited exception, these provisions
generally require a U.S. holder who acquires a note at a market discount to
treat as ordinary income any gain recognized on the disposition of that note to
the extent of the accrued market discount on that note at the time of maturity
or disposition, unless the U.S. holder elects to include accrued market discount
in income over the life of the note.
This election to include market discount in income over the life of the
note, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after
the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked
without the consent of the IRS. In general, market discount will be treated as
accruing on a straightline basis over the remaining term of the note at the time
of acquisition, or, at the election of the U.S. holder, under a constant yield
method. If this latter election is made, it will apply only to the note with
respect to which it is made, and may not be revoked. A U.S. holder who acquires
a note at a market discount and who does not elect to include accrued market
discount in income over the life of the note may be required to defer the
deduction of a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or
maintained to purchase or carry the note until maturity or until the note is
disposed of in a taxable transaction. If a U.S. holder acquires a note with
market discount and receives common stock upon conversion of the note, the
amount of accrued market discount not previously included in income with respect
to the converted note through the date of conversion will be treated as ordinary
income when the holder disposes of the common stock.
AMORTIZABLE PREMIUM
If you purchase a note at a premium over its stated principal amount, plus
accrued interest, you generally may elect to amortize that premium, referred to
as Section 171 premium, from the purchase date to the note's maturity date under
a constant-yield method that reflects semiannual compounding based on the note's
payment period, with a corresponding decrease in adjusted tax basis. Amortizable
38
premium, however, will not include any premium attributable to a note's
conversion feature. The premium attributable to the conversion feature is the
excess, if any, of the note's purchase price over what the note's fair market
value would be if there were no conversion feature. Amortized Section 171
premium is treated as an offset to interest income on a note and not as a
separate deduction. Your election to amortize premium on a constant yield
method, once made, applies to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired
by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
If you hold notes or common stock, you may be subject to backup withholding
at a current rate of 30.0% with respect to certain reportable payments,
including interest payments, dividend payments and, under certain circumstances,
principal payments on the notes. This rate will be reduced over the next four
years in accordance with recently enacted tax legislation. These backup
withholding rules apply if you, among other things, (i) fail to furnish a social
security number or other taxpayer identification number certified under
penalties of perjury within a reasonable time after the request therefor,
(ii) furnish an incorrect taxpayer identification number, (iii) fail to report
properly interest or dividends, or (iv) under certain circumstances, fail to
provide a certified statement, signed under penalties of perjury, that the
taxpayer identification number furnished is the correct number and that you are
not subject to backup withholding. If you do not provide us with your correct
taxpayer identification number, you may also be subject to penalties imposed by
the IRS. Any amount withheld from a payment to you under the backup withholding
rules is creditable against your federal income tax liability. Backup
withholding will not apply, however, with respect to payments made to certain
U.S. holders, including corporations and tax-exempt organizations; provided that
their exemption from backup withholding is properly established. We will report
to U.S. holders of notes and common stock and to the IRS the amount of any
reportable payments for each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if
any, with respect to those payments.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following discussion is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income
and estate tax consequences resulting from the ownership of the notes or our
common stock by non-U.S. holders.
PAYMENT OF INTEREST
Generally, your interest income that is not effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business will be subject to a withholding tax at a 30% rate, or
lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, interest
income you earn on the notes may qualify for an exemption, referred to as the
portfolio interest exemption, and as a result should not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax or withholding, subject to the discussion below of backup
withholding. Interest we pay to you on the notes generally should qualify for
the portfolio interest exemption if:
(1) the interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business within the U.S. by you,
(2) you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote,
(3) you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us
through stock ownership. For this purpose, you would be deemed to own
constructively the common stock into which it could be converted,
(4) you, under penalty or perjury, certify to us or our agent you are not a
U.S. person and provide your name and address, or otherwise satisfy the
applicable identification requirements, and
(5) you are not a bank receiving interest pursuant to a loan agreement
entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or business.
39
If you satisfy certain requirements, the certification described above may
be provided by a securities clearing organization, a bank, or other financial
institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade
or business.
Recently revised Treasury Regulations have modified the certification and
identification requirements. These regulations now require foreign partnerships
and certain foreign trusts to provide additional documentation which (i)
certifies that the individual partners, beneficiaries, or owners of the
partnership or trust are not U.S. holders, and (ii) provides the individual
partners', beneficiaries' or owners' names and addresses.
If you are not exempt from tax under these rules, you will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax withholding at a rate of 30% on payments of interest,
unless the interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business by you or a lower treaty rate applies and, in either case, you provide
us with proper certification as to your exemption from withholding. If the
interest is effectively connected to the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, it
will be subject to the U.S. federal income tax on net income that applies to
U.S. persons generally, and with respect to corporate holders and under certain
circumstances, the branch profits tax, which is generally imposed at a 30% rate.
Non-U.S. holders should consult applicable income tax treaties, which may
provide different rules. Even though effectively connected interest is subject
to income tax, and may be subject to the branch profits tax, it is not subject
to withholding tax if the holder delivers a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI to
us or to our agent.
CONVERSION OF THE NOTES
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the
conversion of a note into shares of our common stock. To the extent you receive
cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock on conversion, that cash may
give rise to gain that would be subject to the rules described below with
respect to the sale or exchange of a note or common stock. See "--Gain on
Disposition of the Notes and Common Stock."
CONSTRUCTIVE DIVIDENDS ON THE NOTES
The conversion price of the notes may adjust in certain circumstances. See
"Description of the Notes--Conversion Rights." An adjustment could potentially
give rise to a deemed distribution to you if you hold notes for the reasons
described under "--U.S. Holders--Constructive Dividends on Notes" above. In that
case, the deemed distribution would be subject to the rules below regarding
withholding of U.S. federal tax on dividends in respect of common stock. See
"--Dividends" below.
DIVIDENDS
Subject to the discussion below of backup withholding, dividends, if any,
paid on our common stock to you generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal
withholding tax, subject to reduction if you are eligible for the benefits of
certain income tax treaties. Dividends for this purpose may include dividends as
discussed in "--U.S. Holders--Constructive Dividends on Notes" above. Under
recently revised Treasury Regulations you will be required to satisfy certain
certification requirements to claim treaty benefits.
Except to the extent otherwise provided under an applicable tax treaty, you
generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder on dividends paid,
or deemed paid, that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the U.S. by you, and if required by a tax treaty, is attributable to
a permanent establishment maintained in the U.S. If you are a foreign
corporation, you may also be subject to a U.S. branch profits tax on that
effectively connected income at a 30% rate or a lower rate as may be specified
by an applicable income tax treaty.
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES AND COMMON STOCK
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding
tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a note, or the sale
or exchange of common stock, unless:
40
(1) if you are an individual, you are present in the U.S. for 183 days or
more in the year of the sale, exchange or redemption and certain other
requirements are met, or
(2) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business of yours.
However, if we were to become a U.S. real property holding corporation, or
USRPHC, you could be subject to federal income tax withholding with respect to
gain realized on the disposition of notes or shares of common stock. In that
case, any withholding tax withheld pursuant to the rules applicable to
dispositions of U.S. real property interests would be creditable against your
U.S. federal income tax liability and could entitle you to a refund upon
furnishing required information to the IRS. We do not believe that we are a
USRPHC or will become a USRPHC in the future.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of
any interest or dividends paid to that non-U.S. holder, and tax withheld, if
any, with respect to those payments. Copies of these information returns may
also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to
the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is
incorporated.
U.S. backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
payments of interest on the notes by us or our agent to a non-U.S. holder if
you satisfy the certification or identification requirements described in
"--Non-U.S. Holders--Payment of Interest," above, unless the payor knows or
has reason to know that you are not entitled to an exemption from
information reporting or backup withholding tax. The payment of the proceeds
on the disposition of notes or shares of common stock to or through the U.S.
office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding unless the owner provides the certification described
above or otherwise establishes an exemption. The proceeds of the disposition
by you of notes or shares of common stock effected outside the U.S. to or
through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to backup
withholding or information reporting. However, if the broker is a U.S.
person or has certain connections to the U.S., information reporting
requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its files of your non-U.S. status and has no actual
knowledge, or reason to know, to the contrary or unless the holder otherwise
establishes an exemption.
THE COMPANY
Generally, under Section 279 of the Internal Revenue Code, an interest
deduction in excess of $5.0 million per year is not permitted with respect to
certain "corporate acquisition indebtedness." Corporate acquisition indebtedness
includes any indebtedness that is:
- issued to provide consideration for the direct or indirect acquisition of
stock or assets of another corporation,
- subordinated to the claims of trade creditors of the issuing corporation
generally, or expressly subordinated in right of payment to the payment of
any substantial amount of unsecured indebtedness, whether outstanding or
subsequently issued, of the issuing corporation,
- convertible directly or indirectly into the stock of the issuing
corporation, and
- issued by a corporation that has a debt to equity ratio that exceeds 2 to
1.
Our ability to deduct all of the interest payable on the notes will depend
on the application of the foregoing tests to us. The availability of an interest
deduction with respect to the notes was not determinative in our issuance of the
notes to the initial purchasers.
Under Section 163(l) of the Internal Revenue Code, no deduction is permitted
for interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness of a corporation that is
"payable in equity" of the issuer or a related party. Debt is treated as debt
payable in equity of the issuer if the debt is part of an arrangement designed
to result in payment of the instrument with or by reference to the equity. Such
arrangements could include debt instruments that are convertible at the holder's
option if it is substantially certain that the option will be exercised. The
legislative history indicates that it is not expected this provision
41
will affect debt with a conversion feature where the conversion price is
significantly higher than the market price of the stock on the date of the debt
issuance. Accordingly, we do not believe that our interest deduction with
respect to interest payments on the notes will be adversely affected by these
rules.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
We originally sold the notes to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith
Incorporated, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, as
initial purchasers, in December 2001, in a private placement that was exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The notes were resold
by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed by the initial
purchasers to be "qualified institutional buyers," as defined in Rule 144A under
the Securities Act, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act. Selling securityholders who may use this prospectus from
time to time to offer or sell any or all of their notes and shares of our common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes include the initial purchasers'
transferees, pledgees, donees and their successors.
On September 17, 2001, we completed a merger with Applied Epi, Inc., in
which Applied Epi's stockholders received, in addition to certain cash payments,
approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock. Also, in connection with
the Applied Epi merger, certain warrants and options to purchase Applied Epi
common stock were assumed by Veeco and converted into options and warrants to
purchase Veeco common stock. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement we
entered into in connection with the Applied Epi merger, we have included in this
prospectus the shares of our common stock received in the Applied Epi merger by
certain former stockholders of Applied Epi and shares of our common stock
issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants we assumed in the Applied Epi
merger. Our references in this prospectus to the "selling securityholders"
include these former Applied Epi stockholders and warrantholders. Generally, the
selling securityholders who are former Applied Epi stockholders and
warrantholders may use this prospectus for the sale of their common stock only
until September 17, 2002.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the selling
securityholders and the respective principal amounts of notes and shares of our
common stock beneficially owned by each selling securityholder that may be
offered under this prospectus. The information is based on information that has
been provided to us by or on behalf of the selling securityholders after we
issued the notes in December 2001. Unless otherwise indicated below, none of the
selling securityholders has, or within the past three years has had, any
position, office or other material relationship with us or any of our
predecessors or affiliates. Because the selling securityholders may from time to
time use this prospectus to offer all or some portion of the notes or the common
stock offered hereby, we cannot provide an estimate as to the amount or
percentage of any such type of security that will be held by any selling
securityholder upon termination of any particular offering or sale under this
prospectus. In addition, the selling securityholders identified below may have
sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of any such
securities since the date on which they provided us information regarding their
holdings, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act.
For the purposes of the following table, the number and percentage of shares
of our common stock beneficially owned has been calculated based on 29,043,674
shares issued and outstanding as of April 23, 2002 and has been determined in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such
information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other
purpose. Under Rule 13d-3, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which
a selling securityholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power and
also any shares which that selling securityholder has the right to acquire
within 60 days of the date of this prospectus through the exercise of any stock
option, warrant or other rights.
42
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES(1) COMMON STOCK(1)(2)
------------------------------ -------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED PRIOR TO PERCENTAGE BENEFICIALLY
THE OFFERING AND OF NOTES OWNED PRIOR TO
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER(1) OFFERED HEREBY OUTSTANDING THE OFFERING OFFERED HEREBY
---------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
HOLDERS OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES OR
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
THEREOF
----------------------------------------
1976 Distribution Trust FBO A.R. Lauder/
Zinterhofer........................... 9,000 * 233 233
1976 Distribution Trust FBO Jane A.
Lauder................................ 17,000 * 441 441
2000 Revocable Trust FBO A.R. Lauder/
Zinterhofer........................... 8,000 * 207 207
Advent Convertible Master Caymen LP..... 3,593,000 1.6% 93,300 93,300
AIG DKR Soundshore Opportunity Holding
Fund Ltd.............................. 2,700,000 1.2% 70,111 70,111
AIG DKR Soundshore Strategic Holding
Fund Ltd.............................. 1,500,000 * 38,950 38,950
Allentown City Firefighters Pension
Plan.................................. 30,000 * 779 779
Allentown City Officers & Employee
Pension Fund.......................... 11,000 * 285 285
Allentown City Police Pension Plan...... 57,000 * 1,480 1,480
Alpha U.S. Sub Fund 4, LLC.............. 426,000 * 11,062 11,062
Alpine Associates....................... 13,150,000 6.0% 341,469 341,469
Alpine Partners, LP..................... 1,760,000 * 45,702 45,702
Amaranth LLC............................ 35,150,000 16.0% 912,749 912,749
American Motorist Insurance Company..... 688,000 * 17,865 17,865
American Samoa Government............... 22,000 * 571 571
Arapahoe County Colorado................ 67,000 * 1,739 1,739
Arb Minnesota Power & Light............. 115,000 * 2,986 2,986
AXP Bond Fund, Inc...................... 5,500,000 2.5% 142,820 142,820
AXP Variable Portfolio-Bond Fund, a
series of AXP Variable Portfolio
Income Series, Inc.................... 2,200,000 1.0% 57,128 57,128
AXP Variable Portfolio-Managed Fund, a
series of AXP Variable Portfolio
Managed Series, Inc................... 1,200,000 * 31,160 31,160
BP Amoco PLC, Master Trust.............. 938,000 * 24,357 24,357
British Virgin Islands Social Security
Board................................. 96,000 * 2,492 2,492
Calamos Market Neutral Fund--Calamos
Investment Trust...................... 4,000,000 1.8% 103,869 103,869
Chillon New Era International, LP....... 652,734 * 16,949 16,949
Chillon New Era Partners, LP............ 347,266 * 9,017 9,017
Chrysler Corporation Master Retirement
Trust................................. 3,020,000 1.4% 78,421 78,421
CIBC World Markets...................... 1,750,000 * 45,442 45,442
City of New Orleans..................... 276,000 * 7,166 7,166
City University of New York............. 166,000 * 4,310 4,310
Clinton Convertible Managed Trading
Account Limited....................... 1,750,000 * 45,442 45,442
Clinton Multistrategy Master Fund,
Ltd................................... 6,080,000 2.8% 157,881 157,881
Clinton Riverside Convertible Portfolio
Limited............................... 6,080,000 2.8% 157,881 157,881
Coastal Convertibles Ltd................ 500,000 * 12,983 12,983
Convertible Securities Fund............. 110,000 * 2,856 2,856
43
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES(1) COMMON STOCK(1)(2)
------------------------------ -------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED PRIOR TO PERCENTAGE BENEFICIALLY
THE OFFERING AND OF NOTES OWNED PRIOR TO
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER(1) OFFERED HEREBY OUTSTANDING THE OFFERING OFFERED HEREBY
---------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
HOLDERS OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES OR
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
THEREOF
----------------------------------------
Delta Air Lines Master Trust............ 785,000 * 20,384 20,384
Delta Pilots D&S Trust.................. 385,000 * 9,997 9,997
Deutsche Banc Alex Brown Inc............ 1,114,000 * 28,927 28,927
Estate of James Campbell................ 141,000 * 3,661 3,661
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust: Fidelity
Mid-Cap Stock Fund.................... 6,400,000 2.9% 166,190 166,190
First Union Securities.................. 6,350,000 2.9% 164,892 164,892
Grace Brothers Management, LLC.......... 3,000,000 1.4% 77,901 77,901
Graco Brothers, Ltd..................... 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
Grady Hospital Foundation............... 145,000 * 3,765 3,765
HFR Convertible Arbitrage Account....... 374,000 * 9,711 9,711
Highbridge International LLC............ 7,000,000 3.2% 181,770 181,770
Hotel Union & Hotel Industry of
Hawaii................................ 239,000 * 6,206 6,206
Income Portfolio, a series of IDS Life
Series Fund, Inc...................... 100,000 * 2,596 2,596
Independence Blue Cross................. 307,000 * 7,971 7,971
James Campbell Corporation.............. 188,000 * 4,881 4,881
Jefferies & Company..................... 5,000 * 129 129
Lyxor................................... 267,000 * 6,933 6,933
Man Convertible Bond Master Fund,
Ltd................................... 4,879,000 2.2% 126,694 126,694
Merrill Lynch Insurance Group........... 338,000 * 8,776 8,776
Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith
Inc................................... 3,623,000 1.6% 94,079 94,079
Microsoft Corporation................... 1,315,000 * 34,146 34,146
Minnesota Power and Light............... 115,000 * 2,986 2,986
Motion Picture Industry Health Plan--
Active Member Fund.................... 180,000 * 4,674 4,674
Motion Picture Industry Health Plan--
Retiree Member Fund................... 110,000 * 2,856 2,856
Municipal Employees..................... 249,000 * 6,465 6,465
Nations Convertible Securities Fund..... 3,890,000 1.8% 101,012 101,012
New Orleans Firefighters Pension/Relief
Fund.................................. 150,000 * 3,895 3,895
Normura Securities International,
Inc................................... 3,000,000 1.4% 81,190 77,901
Occidental Petroleum Corporation........ 280,000 * 7,270 7,270
OCM Convertible Trust................... 1,700,000 * 44,144 44,144
Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation..... 196,000 * 5,089 5,089
Onex Industrial Partners Limited........ 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd......... 725,000 * 18,826 18,826
Policeman and Fireman Retirement System
of the City of Detroit................ 681,000 * 17,683 17,683
Pro-mutual.............................. 816,000 * 21,189 21,189
Qwest Occupational Health Trust......... 165,000 * 4,284 4,284
RAM Trading Ltd......................... 9,600,000 4.4% 249,285 249,285
St. Thomas Trading, Ltd................. 8,507,000 3.9% 220,903 220,903
SG Hambros Trust Company LTD as Trustee
of the LYXOR Master Fund.............. 500,000 * 12,983 12,983
Shell Pension Trust..................... 434,000 * 11,269 11,269
44
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES(1) COMMON STOCK(1)(2)
------------------------------ -------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED PRIOR TO PERCENTAGE BENEFICIALLY
THE OFFERING AND OF NOTES OWNED PRIOR TO
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER(1) OFFERED HEREBY OUTSTANDING THE OFFERING OFFERED HEREBY
---------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
HOLDERS OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES OR
SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
THEREOF
----------------------------------------
Silverado Arbitrage Trading, Ltd........ 500,000 * 12,983 12,983
Silvercreek Limited Partnership......... 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
Spinner Global Technology Fund.......... 2,000,000 * 221,934 51,934
State Employees' Returement Fund of the
State of Delaware..................... 1,135,000 * 29,472 29,472
State of Connecticut Combined Investment
Funds................................. 2,360,000 1.1% 61,282 61,282
Sunrise Partners LLC.................... 20,350,000 9.3% 528,434 528,434
TD Securities (USA) Inc................. 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
The Grable Foundation................... 163,000 * 4,232 4,232
Thomas Weisel Partners LLC.............. 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
Total Return Portfolio, a series of
Growth and Income Trust............... 1,000,000 * 25,967 25,967
Tribeca Investments LLC................. 9,200,000 4.2% 238,898 238,898
Trustmark Insurance Company............. 374,000 * 9,711 9,711
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund,
Inc................................... 4,100,000 1.9% 106,465 106,465
Viacom Inc. Pension Plan Master Trust... 24,000 * 623 623
Wolverine Trading LP.................... 500,000 * 12,983 12,983
Zurich Institutional Benchmarks Master
Fund Ltd.............................. 1,193,000 * 30,978 30,978
Any other selling securityholder of
notes or future transferee from any
such holder (3)....................... 9,879,000 5.3% 256,531(4) 256,531
------------ ---- --------- ---------
Subtotal.............................. $220,000,000 100% 5,886,043 5,712,754
============ ==== ========= =========
FORMER APPLIED EPI STOCKHOLDERS
Chorus L.P./Paul Colombo(5)(8).......... -- -- 3,808,398 3,808,398
Adriana I. Akhtar....................... -- -- 8,283 8,283
Jane Benik.............................. -- -- 490 490
Marlin A. Braun (7)..................... -- -- 7,078 3,539
Claire Colombo.......................... -- -- 490 490
Roger M. Colombo........................ -- -- 490 490
Virginia Colombo........................ -- -- 490 490
Robert J. Doppelhammer (7).............. -- -- 4,070 2,035
Patricia Dougherty...................... -- -- 490 490
Brett D. Heffes......................... -- -- 57,316 2,116
Frank C. Kraemer (6)(7)................. -- -- 87,053 71,425
Angelina Lawton......................... -- -- 8,283 8,283
45
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES(1) STOCK(1)(2)
---------------------------- -------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED PRIOR
TO THE
OFFERING AND PERCENTAGE BENEFICIALLY
OFFERED OF NOTES OWNED PRIOR TO
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER(1) HEREBY OUTSTANDING THE OFFERING OFFERED HEREBY
----------------------------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
FORMER APPLIED EPI STOCKHOLDERS
Blake Nixon.............................. -- -- 4,167 4,167
Mark Rahn................................ -- -- 8,283 8,283
Noel P. Rahn (6)(8) ..................... -- -- 45,493 37,326
Noel P. Rahn, Jr......................... -- -- 8,283 8,283
David G. Reamer (6)(7) .................. -- -- 158,072 71,246
Thomas Steven Sagissor................... -- -- 8,285 8,285
---------- ---------
Subtotal......................... -- -- 4,215,514 4,044,119
========== =========
Convertible Note Holders and Former
Applied Epi Holders Combined............. $220,000,000 100% 10,101,557 9,756,873
------------ ---- ---------- ---------
------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Information concerning the selling securityholders may change from time to
time. Any such changed information will be set forth in supplements to this
prospectus if and when necessary. The amount of notes and the number of
shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes indicated
may be in excess of the total amount registered under the shelf registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part, due to sales or transfers
by selling securityholders of such notes or shares in transactions exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date on
which they provided us information regarding their holdings of notes and
such shares of common stock.
(2) For purposes of presenting the number of shares of our common stock
beneficially owned by holders of notes, we assume a conversion price under
the notes of $38.51 per share of our common stock, and a cash payment in
lieu of the issuance of any fractional share interest. However, the
conversion price is subject to adjustment as described under "Description of
the Notes--Conversion Rights." As a result, the number of shares of common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, and as a consequence, the
number of shares beneficially owned by the holders of notes, may increase or
decrease in the future.
(3) We are unable to provide the names of certain selling securityholders who
hold notes and/or shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes at this time, because these selling securityholders have not provided
us with information and/or their notes are evidenced by a global note that
has been deposited with DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
DTC's nominee. Information concerning any such selling securityholders who
are not listed in the above table will be set forth in prospectus
supplements from time to time, if and when required.
(4) Assumes that any other holder of notes or any future transferee from any
such holder does not beneficially own any shares of our common stock other
than the shares issuable upon conversion of the notes at the initial
conversion rate.
(5) Chorus L.P., a limited partnership controlled by Mr. Paul Colombo, founder
and a former stockholder of Applied Epi, is the registered holder of
3,440,344 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 11.8% of
our outstanding common stock. These shares may be deemed
46
to be beneficially owned by Mr. Colombo. Mr. Colombo also owns directly
warrants to acquire 161,429 shares of our common stock as well as 206,625
shares of our common stock which he has deposited in escrow as security for
certain indemnity claims that Veeco may have in connection with the Applied
Epi merger. Such escrowed shares are not expected to be distributed to
Mr. Colombo from the escrow until at least June 30, 2003, and under the
terms of the related escrow agreement some or all of such shares may be held
in escrow for a longer period if and to the extent Veeco has any pending
claims for indemnification as of that date. The aggregate 3,808,398 shares
of our common stock referred to in the preceding sentences which may be
deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Colombo, and which are being offered
hereby, represents approximately 13.1% of our outstanding common stock.
Mr. Colombo also acts as representative for Messrs. Reamer, Kraemer and Rahn
under the Applied Epi escrow agreement. Accordingly, an aggregate of 39,375
shares of our common stock which Messrs. Reamer, Kraemer and Rahn have
deposited in escrow as security for indemnity claims that Veeco may have
under the Applied Epi merger agreement are represented by a certificate
issued in Mr. Colombo's name in his capacity as their representative. The
number of shares presented in the above table for Mr. Colombo and Chorus
L.P. does not include such shares of Messrs. Reamer, Kraemer and Rahn.
(6) Shares beneficially owned include 15,628, 15,580 and 8,167 shares of our
common stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by
Messrs. Reamer, Kraemer and Rahn, respectively. Such shares are being held
in escrow as security for certain indemnity claims that Veeco may have in
connection with the Applied Epi merger, as described in note (5) above. Such
escrowed shares are not expected to be distributed to Messrs. Reamer,
Kraemer and Rahn from the escrow until at least June 30, 2003, by which time
such selling securityholders will no longer be permitted to use this
prospectus to offer or sell the shares of our common stock held by them.
(7) Such selling securityholder is a former stockholder of Applied Epi and was
prior to the closing of the Applied Epi merger, and is currently, an
employee of Applied Epi, Inc. From and after the closing of the Applied Epi
merger, Applied Epi, Inc. has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veeco.
(8) Such selling securityholder is a former stockholder of Applied Epi and was
prior to the closing of the Applied Epi merger an employee and/or director
of Applied Epi, Inc. From and after the closing of the Applied Epi merger,
Applied Epi, Inc. has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veeco.
47
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We will not receive any of the proceeds of the sale of the notes, our common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes or the other shares of our common
stock offered by this prospectus. The notes and common stock offered by this
prospectus may be sold from time to time to purchasers:
- directly by the selling securityholders, or
- through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling securityholders or the purchasers of the notes or the common stock
offered by this prospectus.
The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from the sale of the
notes or shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be the purchase
price paid for such securities, less discounts and commissions, if any. Each of
the selling securityholders reserves the right to accept and, together with
their agents from time to time, reject, in whole or in part any proposed
purchase of notes or common stock to be made directly or through agents.
The selling securityholders and any such broker-dealers or agents who
participate in the distribution of the notes or common stock offered by this
prospectus may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section
2(11) of the Securities Act. As a result, any profits on the sale of such
securities by selling securityholders and any discounts, commissions or
concessions received by any such broker-dealers or agents might be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling
securityholders who are deemed to be underwriters may be subject to certain
statutory liabilities, including, but not limited to, those under Sections 11,
12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Selling
securityholders who are deemed to be underwriters will also be subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
If the notes or common stock are sold through underwriters or
broker-dealers, the selling securityholders will be responsible for underwriting
discounts or commissions or agent's commissions.
The notes and the common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at:
- fixed prices,
- prevailing market prices at the time of sale or prices related to
prevailing market prices at the time of sale,
- varying prices determined at the time of sale, or
- negotiated prices.
These sales may be effected in transactions:
- on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the
common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of the sale, including
the Nasdaq National Market,
- in the over-the-counter market,
- in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the
over-the-counter market, or
- through the writing of options.
These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are
transactions in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the
trade. In no event may any such method of distribution take the form of an
underwritten offering without the prior agreement of Veeco and an undertaking
from the relevant selling securityholder(s) to pay certain expenses relating to
such offering.
48
In connection with sales of the notes and common stock offered by this
prospectus or otherwise, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging
transactions with broker-dealers. These broker-dealers may in turn engage in
short sales of the notes and common stock in the course of hedging their
positions. The selling securityholders may also sell the notes and common stock
short and deliver notes and common stock to close out short positions, or loan
or pledge notes and common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell the
notes and common stock.
To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or
understandings between any selling securityholders and any underwriter,
broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the notes or common stock offered
hereby. Selling securityholders might not sell any or all of the notes or the
common stock offered by them using this prospectus. Any selling securityholder
might instead transfer, devise or gift any such securities by other means not
described in this prospectus. In addition, any such securities covered by this
prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the
Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to
this prospectus.
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"VECO." The notes are currently designated for trading on the PORTAL market.
Notes sold by means of this prospectus will not be eligible for trading on the
PORTAL market. We do not intend to list the notes on any national or other
securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market. No assurance can be given
as to the development of liquidity or any trading market for the notes. See
"Risk Factors--An active trading market may not develop for the notes."
The selling securityholders and any other person participating in a
distribution of securities offered by this prospectus will be subject to the
Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules include, without limitation, Regulation M,
which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the notes and common
stock by the selling securityholders and any other such person. In addition,
Regulation M of the Exchange Act may restrict the ability of any person engaged
in the distribution of the notes and common stock to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the particular notes and common stock being
distributed for a period of up to five business days prior to the commencement
of such distribution. This may affect the marketability of the notes and common
stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the notes and common stock.
To the extent required, the specific notes or shares of common stock to be
sold, the names of the selling securityholders, the respective purchase prices
and public offering prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and
any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will
be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a
post-effective amendment, to the shelf registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable,
the notes and shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may be sold in
these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In
addition, in some states, the notes and shares of common stock offered by this
prospectus may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for
sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is
available and is complied with.
Pursuant to the registration rights agreements filed as exhibits to this
registration statement, each of Veeco and the selling securityholders will be
indemnified by the other against certain liabilities, including certain
liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in
connection with these liabilities.
Subject to certain exceptions, we have agreed to pay substantially all of
the expenses incidental to the registration, offering and sale of the notes and
underlying common stock to the public other than commissions, fees and discounts
of underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents.
49
With the exception of Mr. Paul Colombo and certain entities controlled by
him, selling securityholders who are former stockholders of Applied Epi may
offer common stock pursuant to this prospectus only until September 17, 2002.
We may suspend the use of this prospectus for any period and at any time,
including, without limitation, in the event of pending corporate developments,
public filings with the Commission, and similar events.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the issuance of the notes offered hereby, the shares of
common stock issuable upon conversion thereof and the other shares of common
stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Kaye Scholer LLP, New York,
New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Veeco Instruments Inc.
as of December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2001, incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report incorporated by reference herein which, is based in part on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors. The consolidated financial
statements referred to above are incorporated by reference herein in reliance on
such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Applied Epi, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of and for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to Veeco's Amendment No. 3 to Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on November 30, 2001, have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report which is
so incorporated herein by reference, and has been incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Commission. You may read and
copy all or any portion of any materials we file with the Commission at the
Commission's public reference room at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may request copies of these documents
upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing to the Commission. Please call the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its
public reference room. Our filings are also available to you on the Commission's
Web site. The address of this site is HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. Our filings are also
available at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, 1730 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006-1500.
We are incorporating by reference in this prospectus the information that we
file with the Commission referred to below and therefore refer you to those
documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of
this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made by us with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is complete.
- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and
documents (or portions thereof) expressly incorporated by reference
therein,
- Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 9, 2002,
50
- The description of our common stock which is contained in our Registration
Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 27, 1995, and any
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description,
and
- Registration Statement on Form 8-A12G and amendments thereto filed on
March 15, 2001 and September 21, 2001 which contains a description of
certain preferred share purchase rights associated with our common stock,
and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address: Investor Relations, Veeco Instruments
Inc., 100 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, New York 11797, (516) 677-0200.
Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference will
be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement
contained in this prospectus (or in any other document that is subsequently
filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference) modifies or is contrary
to that previous statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be
deemed a part of this prospectus except as so modified or superseded.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the
Commission.
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VEECO logo
VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
$220,000,000 4 1/8% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008, SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THE NOTES AND 4,044,119 ADDITIONAL SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK
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PROSPECTUS
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