As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11,
2010
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
20-F
o |
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
|
OR
x
|
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
|
For
the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009
|
OR
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
OR
|
SHELL
COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
|
|
Commission
file number: 001-16125
|
日月光半導體製造股份有限公司
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Advanced
Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
(Translation
of Registrant’s Name into English)
REPUBLIC
OF CHINA
(Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
26
Chin Third Road
Nantze
Export Processing Zone
Nantze,
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Republic
of China
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
Joseph
Tung
Room
1901, No. 333, Section 1 Keelung Rd.
Taipei,
Taiwan, 110
Republic
of China
Tel: 886-2-8780-5489
Fax: 882-2-2757-6121
Email: ir@aseglobal.com
(Name,
Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact
Person)
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
Title of Each Class
Common
Shares, par value NT$10.00 each
|
Name of Each Exchange on which
Registered
The
New York Stock Exchange*
|
*Traded
in the form of American Depositary Receipts evidencing American Depositary
Shares, each representing five Common Shares
(Title of
Class)
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
None
Securities
for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Act:
Indicate
the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or
common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report:
5,488,458,214
Common Shares, par value NT$10 each**
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes þ No ¨
If this
report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the
registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes
¨ No
þ
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required
to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
Yes þ No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
“accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer þ Accelerated
filer ¨ Non-accelerated
filer ¨
Indicate by check mark which basis of
accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included
in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ¨ International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board ¨ Other þ
If “Other” has been checked in response
to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial
statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17
¨
Item 18 þ
If this
is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell
company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨
No
þ
** As a
result of the exercise of employee stock options subsequent to December 31,
2009, as of May 31, 2010, we had 5,497,801,294 shares outstanding.
Page
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104 |
All
references herein to (i) the “Company”, “ASE Group”, “ASE Inc.”, “we”, “us”, or
“our” are to Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. and, unless the context
requires otherwise, its subsidiaries, (ii) “ASE Test” are to ASE Test Limited, a
company incorporated under the laws of Singapore, and its subsidiaries, (iii)
“ASE Test Taiwan” are to ASE Test, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws
of the ROC, (iv) “ASE Test Malaysia” are to ASE Electronics (M) Sdn. Bhd., a
company incorporated under the laws of Malaysia, (v) “ISE Labs” are to ISE Labs,
Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California, (vi)
“ASE Korea” are to ASE (Korea) Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of
the Republic of Korea, (vii) “ASE Japan” are to ASE Japan Co. Ltd., a company
incorporated under the laws of Japan, (viii) “ASE Shanghai” are to ASE
(Shanghai) Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, (ix) “ASE
Electronics” are to ASE Electronics Inc., a company incorporated under the laws
of the ROC, (x) “PowerASE” are to PowerASE Technology, Inc., a company
incorporated under the laws of the ROC, (xi) “ASESH AT” are to ASE Assembly
& Test (Shanghai) Limited, formerly known as Global Advanced Packaging
Technology Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, or GAPT,
(xii) “ASEN” are to Suzhou ASEN Semiconductors Co., Ltd., a company incorporated
under the laws of the PRC, (xiii) “ASEWH” are to ASE (Weihai), Inc., a company
incorporated under the laws of the PRC, (xiv) “Universal Scientific” are to
Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws
of the ROC, (xv) “Hung Ching” are to Hung Ching Development & Construction
Co. Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the ROC, (xvi) “ASE Material”
are to ASE Material Inc., a company previously incorporated under the laws of
the ROC that merged into ASE Inc. on August 1, 2004, (xvii) “ASE Chung Li” are
to ASE (Chung Li) Inc., a company previously incorporated under the laws of the
ROC that merged into ASE Inc. on August 1, 2004, (xviii) the “Securities Act”
are to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (xix) the “Exchange Act”
are to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
All
references to the “Republic of China”, the “ROC” and “Taiwan” are to the
Republic of China, including Taiwan and certain other
possessions. All references to “Korea” or “South Korea” are to the
Republic of Korea. All references to the “PRC” are to the People’s
Republic of China and exclude Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.
We
publish our financial statements in New Taiwan dollars, the lawful currency of
the ROC. In this annual report, references to “United States
dollars”, “U.S. dollars” and “US$” are to the currency of the United States;
references to “New Taiwan dollars”, “NT dollars” and “NT$” are to the currency
of the ROC; references to “CNY” are to the currency of the PRC; references to
“JP¥” are to the currency of Japan; references to “EUR” are to the currency of
the European Union; and references to “KRW” are to the currency of the Republic
of Korea. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from NT dollars to
U.S. dollars were made at the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable
transfers in NT dollars per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2009, which was
NT$31.95=US$1.00. All amounts translated into U.S. dollars in this
annual report are provided solely for your convenience and no representation is
made that the NT dollar or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have
been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or NT dollars, as the case may be,
at any particular rate or at all. On June 4, 2010, the noon buying
rate was NT$32.25=US$1.00.
This
annual report on Form 20-F contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange
Act, including statements regarding our future results of operations and
business prospects. Although these forward-looking statements, which
may include statements regarding our future results of operations, financial
condition or business prospects, are based on our own information and
information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the
date of this annual report. We were not involved in the preparation
of these projections. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”,
“expect”, “intend”, “plan” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are
intended to identify these forward-looking statements in this annual
report. Our actual results of operations, financial condition or
business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied in
these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including risks
associated with cyclicality and market conditions in the semiconductor or
manufacturing industry; demand for the outsourced
semiconductor
packaging and testing services we offer and for such outsourced services
generally; the highly competitive semiconductor or manufacturing industry we are
involved in; our ability to introduce new technologies in order to remain
competitive; international business activities; our business strategy; our
future expansion plans and capital expenditures; the strained relationship
between the ROC and the PRC; general economic and political conditions; the
recent global economic crisis; possible disruptions in commercial activities
caused by natural or human-induced disasters; fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates; and other factors. For a discussion of these risks and other
factors, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”
Not
applicable.
Not
applicable.
The
selected consolidated statement of operations data and cash flow data for the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the selected consolidated
balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, set forth below are derived
from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual
report and should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, these consolidated financial statements, including the
notes thereto. The selected consolidated statement of operations data and cash
flow data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the selected
consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, set
forth below, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not
included herein and have been classified to conform to the presentation of the
consolidated financial statements in this annual report. Our consolidated
financial statements have been prepared and presented in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the ROC, or ROC GAAP, which differ
in some material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. See note 32 to our consolidated
financial statements for a description of the significant differences between
ROC GAAP and U.S. GAAP for the periods covered by these consolidated financial
statements.
|
|
As
of and for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
(in
millions, except earnings per share and per ADS data)
|
|
ROC
GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenues
|
|
|
84,035.8 |
|
|
|
100,423.6 |
|
|
|
101,163.1 |
|
|
|
94,430.9 |
|
|
|
85,775.3 |
|
|
|
2,684.7 |
|
Cost
of revenues(1)
|
|
|
(70,471.5 |
) |
|
|
(73,045.4 |
) |
|
|
(72,919.8 |
) |
|
|
(72,661.4 |
) |
|
|
(67,629.1 |
) |
|
|
(2,116.7 |
) |
Gross
profit
|
|
|
13,564.3 |
|
|
|
27,378.2 |
|
|
|
28,243.3 |
|
|
|
21,769.5 |
|
|
|
18,146.2 |
|
|
|
568.0 |
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
(8,356.8 |
) |
|
|
(8,075.7 |
) |
|
|
(9,580.6 |
) |
|
|
(10,524.1 |
) |
|
|
(9,131.8 |
) |
|
|
(285.8 |
) |
Income
from operations
|
|
|
5,207.5 |
|
|
|
19,302.5 |
|
|
|
18,662.7 |
|
|
|
11,245.4 |
|
|
|
9,014.4 |
|
|
|
282.2 |
|
Non-operating
income (expense)
(1)
|
|
|
(10,881.3 |
) |
|
|
2,948.9 |
|
|
|
(1,310.8 |
) |
|
|
(1,769.6 |
) |
|
|
(626.0 |
) |
|
|
(19.6 |
) |
Income
(loss) before income tax
|
|
|
(5,673.8 |
) |
|
|
22,251.4 |
|
|
|
17,351.9 |
|
|
|
9,475.8 |
|
|
|
8,388.4 |
|
|
|
262.6 |
|
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
118.6 |
|
|
|
(2,084.8 |
) |
|
|
(3,357.4 |
) |
|
|
(2,268.3 |
) |
|
|
(1,484.9 |
) |
|
|
(46.5 |
) |
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(5,555.2 |
) |
|
|
20,166.6 |
|
|
|
13,994.5 |
|
|
|
7,207.5 |
|
|
|
6,903.5 |
|
|
|
216.1 |
|
Discontinued
operations(2)
|
|
|
353.7 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(342.5 |
)(3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
(5,201.5 |
) |
|
|
19,824.1 |
|
|
|
13,994.5 |
|
|
|
7,207.5 |
|
|
|
6,903.5 |
|
|
|
216.1 |
|
Attributable
to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of the
parent
|
|
|
(4,691.2 |
) |
|
|
17,416.2 |
|
|
|
12,165.3 |
|
|
|
6,160.1 |
|
|
|
6,744.6 |
|
|
|
211.1 |
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
(510.3 |
) |
|
|
2,407.9 |
|
|
|
1,829.2 |
|
|
|
1,047.4 |
|
|
|
158.9 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
(5,201.5 |
) |
|
|
19,824.1 |
|
|
|
13,994.5 |
|
|
|
7,207.5 |
|
|
|
6,903.5 |
|
|
|
216.1 |
|
Income
from operations per common share
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
3.65 |
|
|
|
3.46 |
|
|
|
2.09 |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
Income
(loss) from continuing operations per common share
|
|
|
(0.96 |
) |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Earnings
(loss) per common share(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
|
|
3.29 |
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
|
2.18 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Dividends
per common share(5)
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2.96 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
As
of and for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
(in
millions, except earnings per share and per ADS data)
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per equivalent ADS(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(4.47 |
) |
|
|
16.46 |
|
|
|
11.28 |
|
|
|
5.71 |
|
|
|
6.53 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(4.47 |
) |
|
|
15.69 |
|
|
|
10.90 |
|
|
|
5.59 |
|
|
|
6.45 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
Number
of common shares(6):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
5,248.9 |
|
|
|
5,291.6 |
|
|
|
5,390.9 |
|
|
|
5,392.9 |
|
|
|
5,162.9 |
|
|
|
5,162.9 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
5,248.9 |
|
|
|
5,603.5 |
|
|
|
5,633.1 |
|
|
|
5,457.4 |
|
|
|
5,207.6 |
|
|
|
5,207.6 |
|
Number
of equivalent ADSs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
1,049.8 |
|
|
|
1,058.3 |
|
|
|
1,078.2 |
|
|
|
1,078.6 |
|
|
|
1,032.6 |
|
|
|
1,032.6 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
1,049.8 |
|
|
|
1,120.7 |
|
|
|
1,126.6 |
|
|
|
1,091.5 |
|
|
|
1,041.5 |
|
|
|
1,041.5 |
|
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
|
47,544.0 |
|
|
|
48,762.8 |
|
|
|
56,902.0 |
|
|
|
46,366.9 |
|
|
|
61,413.0 |
|
|
|
1,922.2 |
|
Long-term
investments
|
|
|
4,898.1 |
|
|
|
5,734.5 |
|
|
|
4,850.2 |
|
|
|
4,327.0 |
|
|
|
5,160.0 |
|
|
|
161.5 |
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
68,040.8 |
|
|
|
73,543.8 |
|
|
|
81,788.3 |
|
|
|
84,758.0 |
|
|
|
79,363.9 |
|
|
|
2,484.0 |
|
Intangible
assets
|
|
|
3,589.1 |
|
|
|
3,449.0 |
|
|
|
4,732.3 |
|
|
|
12,592.0 |
|
|
|
12,232.7 |
|
|
|
382.9 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
7,053.5 |
|
|
|
5,550.8 |
|
|
|
4,104.6 |
|
|
|
4,146.1 |
|
|
|
3,891.3 |
|
|
|
121.8 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
131,125.5 |
|
|
|
137,040.9 |
|
|
|
152,377.4 |
|
|
|
152,190.0 |
|
|
|
162,060.9 |
|
|
|
5,072.4 |
|
Short-term
borrowings(7)
|
|
|
10,523.1 |
|
|
|
8,499.1 |
|
|
|
15,773.9 |
|
|
|
11,473.2 |
|
|
|
13,960.3 |
|
|
|
436.9 |
|
Long-term
debts(8)
|
|
|
42,862.1 |
|
|
|
29,398.3 |
|
|
|
23,936.0 |
|
|
|
51,622.2 |
|
|
|
49,392.1 |
|
|
|
1,545.9 |
|
Other
liabilities(9)
|
|
|
22,890.0 |
|
|
|
22,016.7 |
|
|
|
22,927.6 |
|
|
|
17,133.8 |
|
|
|
23,994.8 |
|
|
|
751.1 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
76,275.2 |
|
|
|
59,914.1 |
|
|
|
62,637.5 |
|
|
|
80,229.2 |
|
|
|
87,347.2 |
|
|
|
2,733.9 |
|
Capital
stock
|
|
|
45,573.7 |
|
|
|
45,925.1 |
|
|
|
54,475.6 |
|
|
|
56,904.3 |
|
|
|
54,798.8 |
|
|
|
1,715.1 |
|
Minority
interest in consolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
7,902.0 |
|
|
|
11,106.9 |
|
|
|
14,566.5 |
|
|
|
2,288.7 |
|
|
|
3,097.7 |
|
|
|
97.0 |
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
54,850.3 |
|
|
|
77,126.8 |
|
|
|
89,739.9 |
|
|
|
71,960.8 |
|
|
|
74,713.7 |
|
|
|
2,338.5 |
|
Cash
Flow Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash outflow from acquisition of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
(15,611.5 |
) |
|
|
(17,764.2 |
) |
|
|
(17,190.4 |
) |
|
|
(18,583.3 |
) |
|
|
(11,445.6 |
) |
|
|
(358.2 |
) |
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
15,032.8 |
|
|
|
14,488.2 |
|
|
|
16,626.2 |
|
|
|
17,244.9 |
|
|
|
17,638.0 |
|
|
|
552.1 |
|
Net
cash inflow from operating activities
|
|
|
18,751.1 |
|
|
|
37,310.8 |
|
|
|
28,310.6 |
|
|
|
30,728.8 |
|
|
|
15,517.2 |
|
|
|
485.7 |
|
Net
cash outflow from investing activities
|
|
|
(11,632.0 |
) |
|
|
(22,104.5 |
) |
|
|
(18,108.4 |
) |
|
|
(36,359.2 |
) |
|
|
(15,980.7 |
) |
|
|
(500.2 |
) |
Net
cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities
|
|
|
(91.8 |
) |
|
|
(12,581.9 |
) |
|
|
(8,492.7 |
) |
|
|
13,862.4 |
|
|
|
(2,778.5 |
) |
|
|
(87.0 |
) |
Segment
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Packaging
|
|
|
66,022.9 |
|
|
|
76,820.5 |
|
|
|
78,516.3 |
|
|
|
73,391.6 |
|
|
|
67,935.5 |
|
|
|
2,126.3 |
|
Testing
|
|
|
17,122.0 |
|
|
|
21,429.6 |
|
|
|
20,007.8 |
|
|
|
19,021.4 |
|
|
|
15,795.1 |
|
|
|
494.4 |
|
Others
|
|
|
890.9 |
|
|
|
2,173.5 |
|
|
|
2,639.0 |
|
|
|
2,017.9 |
|
|
|
2,044.7 |
|
|
|
64.0 |
|
Gross
profit (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Packaging
|
|
|
9,543.9 |
|
|
|
18,334.1 |
|
|
|
20,254.9 |
|
|
|
14,213.4 |
|
|
|
12,378.0 |
|
|
|
387.4 |
|
Testing
|
|
|
4,091.3 |
|
|
|
8,466.9 |
|
|
|
7,373.5 |
|
|
|
6,255.2 |
|
|
|
4,453.0 |
|
|
|
139.4 |
|
Others
|
|
|
(70.9 |
) |
|
|
577.2 |
|
|
|
614.9 |
|
|
|
1,300.9 |
|
|
|
1,315.2 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
As
of and for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
(in
millions, except earnings per share and per ADS data)
|
|
U.S.
GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenues
|
|
|
84,035.8 |
|
|
|
100,423.6 |
|
|
|
101,163.1 |
|
|
|
94,430.9 |
|
|
|
85,775.3 |
|
|
|
2,684.7 |
|
Cost
of revenues
|
|
|
(70,886.2 |
) |
|
|
(73,625.1 |
) |
|
|
(75,345.3 |
) |
|
|
(73,315.6 |
) |
|
|
(68,546.4 |
) |
|
|
(2,145.4 |
) |
Gross
profit
|
|
|
13,149.6 |
|
|
|
26,798.5 |
|
|
|
25,817.8 |
|
|
|
21,115.3 |
|
|
|
17,228.9 |
|
|
|
539.3 |
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
(21,541.0 |
) |
|
|
(9,855.6 |
) |
|
|
(10,898.1 |
) |
|
|
(10,615.0 |
) |
|
|
(9,431.5 |
) |
|
|
(295.2 |
) |
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(8,391.4 |
) |
|
|
16,942.9 |
|
|
|
14,919.7 |
|
|
|
10,500.3 |
|
|
|
7,797.4 |
|
|
|
244.1 |
|
Non-operating
income (expense)
|
|
|
1,958.5 |
|
|
|
1,448.4 |
|
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
(1,351.2 |
) |
|
|
(484.0 |
) |
|
|
(15.2 |
) |
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
190.3 |
|
|
|
(1,980.7 |
) |
|
|
(3,262.5 |
) |
|
|
(2,503.5 |
) |
|
|
(1,793.0 |
) |
|
|
(56.1 |
) |
Discontinued
operations(2)
|
|
|
353.7 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(296.5 |
)(10) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
As
of and for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
NT$
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
(in
millions, except earnings per share and per ADS data)
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
(5,888.9 |
) |
|
|
16,114.1 |
|
|
|
11,728.6 |
|
|
|
6,645.6 |
|
|
|
5,520.4 |
|
|
|
172.8 |
|
Attributable
to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of the
parent
|
|
|
(5,530.5 |
) |
|
|
14,122.7 |
|
|
|
9,931.1 |
|
|
|
5,492.1 |
|
|
|
5,317.5 |
|
|
|
166.4 |
|
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
(358.4 |
) |
|
|
1,991.4 |
|
|
|
1,797.5 |
|
|
|
1,153.5 |
|
|
|
202.9 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
|
(5,888.9 |
) |
|
|
16,114.1 |
|
|
|
11,728.6 |
|
|
|
6,645.6 |
|
|
|
5,520.4 |
|
|
|
172.8 |
|
Earnings
(loss) per common share(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(1.08 |
) |
|
|
2.71 |
|
|
|
1.87 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(1.08 |
) |
|
|
2.60 |
|
|
|
1.81 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
Earnings
(loss) per equivalent ADS(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(5.38 |
) |
|
|
13.57 |
|
|
|
9.34 |
|
|
|
5.11 |
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(5.38 |
) |
|
|
12.98 |
|
|
|
9.03 |
|
|
|
5.04 |
|
|
|
5.11 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Number
of common shares(11):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
5,141.1 |
|
|
|
5,202.7 |
|
|
|
5,317.7 |
|
|
|
5,368.7 |
|
|
|
5,162.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
5,141.1 |
|
|
|
5,505.5 |
|
|
|
5,566.1 |
|
|
|
5,405.3 |
|
|
|
5,180.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of equivalent ADSs(11):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
1,028.2 |
|
|
|
1,040.5 |
|
|
|
1,063.5 |
|
|
|
1,073.7 |
|
|
|
1,032.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
1,028.2 |
|
|
|
1,101.1 |
|
|
|
1,113.2 |
|
|
|
1,081.1 |
|
|
|
1,036.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
|
47,560.3 |
|
|
|
48,762.8 |
|
|
|
56,902.0 |
|
|
|
46,366.9 |
|
|
|
61,413.0 |
|
|
|
1,922.2 |
|
Long-term
investments
|
|
|
3,469.2 |
|
|
|
4,266.9 |
|
|
|
3,045.4 |
|
|
|
2,842.7 |
|
|
|
3,341.2 |
|
|
|
104.5 |
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
67,547.9 |
|
|
|
70,894.1 |
|
|
|
80,036.6 |
|
|
|
82,694.5 |
|
|
|
77,869.2 |
|
|
|
2,437.2 |
|
Intangible
assets
|
|
|
4,112.6 |
|
|
|
3,972.4 |
|
|
|
5,255.8 |
|
|
|
12,940.6 |
|
|
|
12,522.8 |
|
|
|
392.0 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
7,284.7 |
|
|
|
5,834.9 |
|
|
|
3,766.7 |
|
|
|
3,963.5 |
|
|
|
2,814.2 |
|
|
|
88.1 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
129,974.7 |
|
|
|
133,731.1 |
|
|
|
149,006.5 |
|
|
|
148,808.2 |
|
|
|
157,960.4 |
|
|
|
4,944.0 |
|
Short-term
borrowings(7)
|
|
|
10,523.1 |
|
|
|
8,499.1 |
|
|
|
15,773.9 |
|
|
|
11,473.2 |
|
|
|
13,960.3 |
|
|
|
436.9 |
|
Long-term
debts(8)
|
|
|
42,862.1 |
|
|
|
29,398.3 |
|
|
|
23,936.0 |
|
|
|
51,622.2 |
|
|
|
49,392.1 |
|
|
|
1,545.9 |
|
Other
liabilities(9)
|
|
|
23,397.2 |
|
|
|
24,228.3 |
|
|
|
24,746.0 |
|
|
|
18,307.1 |
|
|
|
25,092.3 |
|
|
|
785.4 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
76,782.4 |
|
|
|
62,125.7 |
|
|
|
64,455.9 |
|
|
|
81,402.5 |
|
|
|
88,444.7 |
|
|
|
2,768.2 |
|
Capital
stock
|
|
|
45,573.7 |
|
|
|
45,925.1 |
|
|
|
54,475.6 |
|
|
|
56,904.3 |
|
|
|
54,798.8 |
|
|
|
1,715.1 |
|
Equity
attributable to shareholders of the parent
|
|
|
44,959.3 |
|
|
|
60,584.1 |
|
|
|
70,101.4 |
|
|
|
65,303.0 |
|
|
|
66,555.5 |
|
|
|
2,083.1 |
|
Noncontrolling
interest in consolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
8,233.0 |
|
|
|
11,021.3 |
|
|
|
14,449.2 |
|
|
|
2,102.7 |
|
|
|
2,960.2 |
|
|
|
92.7 |
|
(1)
|
Effective
January 1, 2009, we adopted the newly revised ROC SFAS No. 10 “Accounting
for Inventories”. Abnormal cost, write-downs of inventories and any
reversal of write-downs are recorded as cost of revenues from
non-operating expenses. Information in this annual report from our
consolidated statements of operations for each of the four years in the
period ended December 31, 2008 has been adjusted to reflect the
reclassification.
|
(2)
|
In
October 2005, we disposed of our camera module assembly operations in
Malaysia. Amount for 2005 includes income from discontinued operations of
NT$121.0 million and gain on disposal of discontinued operations of
NT$232.7 million, net of income tax expense. Such operations
were formerly classified as part of our packaging
operations.
|
(3)
|
Represents
the cumulative effect of our adoption of ROC Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 34 “Financial Instrument: Recognition
and Measurement” and ROC SFAS, No. 36 “Financial Instruments: Disclosure
and Presentation.”
|
(4)
|
The
denominators for diluted earnings per common share and diluted earnings
per equivalent ADS are calculated to account for the potential exercise of
options and conversion of our convertible bonds into our common shares and
American depositary shares, or
ADSs.
|
(5)
|
Dividends
per common share issued as a cash dividend, a stock dividend and
distribution from capital surplus.
|
(6)
|
Represents
the weighted average number of shares after retroactive adjustments to
give effect to stock dividends and employee stock bonuses. Beginning in
2002, common shares held by consolidated subsidiaries are classified as
“treasury stock”, and are deducted from the number of common shares
outstanding.
|
(7)
|
Includes
current portions of bonds payable, long-term bank loans and capital lease
obligations.
|
(8)
|
Excludes
current portions of bonds payable, long-term bank loans and capital lease
obligations.
|
(9)
|
Includes
current liabilities other than short-term
borrowings.
|
(10)
|
Represents
the cumulative effect of our adoption of U.S. GAAP related to “Share-Based
Payment.”
|
(11)
|
Represents
the weighted average number of common shares after retroactive adjustments
to give effect to stock dividends.
|
Exchange
Rates
Fluctuations
in the exchange rate between NT dollars and U.S. dollars will affect the U.S.
dollar equivalent of the NT dollar price of the common shares on the Taiwan
Stock Exchange and, as a result, will likely affect the market price of the
ADSs. Fluctuations will also affect the U.S. dollar conversion by the depositary
under our ADS deposit agreement referred to below of cash dividends paid in NT
dollars on, and the NT dollar proceeds received by the depositary from any sale
of, common shares represented by ADSs, in each case, according to the terms of
the deposit agreement dated September 29, 2000 and as amended and supplemented
from time to time among us, Citibank N.A., as depositary, and the holders and
beneficial owners from time to time of the ADSs, which we refer to as the
deposit agreement.
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning
the number of NT dollars for which one U.S. dollar could be exchanged based on
the noon buying rate for cable transfers in NT dollars as certified for customs
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
|
|
NT
Dollars per U.S. Dollar Noon Buying Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
32.13 |
|
|
|
33.77 |
|
|
|
30.65 |
|
|
|
32.80 |
|
2006
|
|
|
32.51 |
|
|
|
33.31 |
|
|
|
31.28 |
|
|
|
32.59 |
|
2007
|
|
|
32.85 |
|
|
|
33.41 |
|
|
|
32.26 |
|
|
|
32.43 |
|
2008
|
|
|
31.52 |
|
|
|
33.58 |
|
|
|
29.99 |
|
|
|
32.76 |
|
2009
|
|
|
33.02 |
|
|
|
35.21 |
|
|
|
31.95 |
|
|
|
31.95 |
|
December
|
|
|
32.25 |
|
|
|
32.38 |
|
|
|
31.95 |
|
|
|
31.95 |
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
31.87 |
|
|
|
32.04 |
|
|
|
31.65 |
|
|
|
31.94 |
|
February
|
|
|
32.06 |
|
|
|
32.14 |
|
|
|
31.98 |
|
|
|
32.12 |
|
March
|
|
|
31.83 |
|
|
|
32.04 |
|
|
|
31.70 |
|
|
|
31.73 |
|
April
|
|
|
31.48 |
|
|
|
31.74 |
|
|
|
31.30 |
|
|
|
31.31 |
|
May
|
|
|
31.83 |
|
|
|
32.33 |
|
|
|
31.40 |
|
|
|
32.00 |
|
June
(through June 4)
|
|
|
32.23 |
|
|
|
32.33 |
|
|
|
32.16 |
|
|
|
32.25 |
|
Source:
Federal Reserve Statistical Release, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
On June
4, 2010, the noon buying rate was NT$32.25=US$1.00.
Not
applicable.
Not
applicable.
Risks
Relating to Our Business
Any
global economic crisis could adversely affect the demand for our products and
services, and a protracted global economic crisis would have a material adverse
effect on us.
The
recent global economic crisis adversely affected businesses worldwide, including
our customers, whose success is linked to the health of the economy. As widely
reported, the global financial markets experienced extreme volatility and
disruptions, which have severely diminished liquidity and credit availability.
This market turmoil and tightening of credit led to an increased level of
commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased
market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. The
recent military tensions in the Korean peninsula have further increased the
market volatility and may have a material adverse effect
on the
operations of ASE Korea. There can be no assurance that there will be no further
deterioration in the global financial markets. In addition, any economic crisis
may also cause our customers to do the following:
|
·
|
cancel
or reduce planned expenditures for our products and
services;
|
|
·
|
seek
to lower their costs by renegotiating their contracts with
us;
|
|
·
|
consolidate
the number of suppliers they use which may result in our loss of
customers; and
|
|
·
|
switch
to lower-priced products or services provided by our
competitors.
|
Any
uncertainty or significant volatility in global economic conditions may also
make it difficult for our customers to accurately forecast and plan future
business activities and may have a material adverse effect on us.
Since
we are dependent on the highly cyclical semiconductor industry and conditions in
the markets for the end-use applications of our products, our revenues and net
income may fluctuate significantly.
Our
semiconductor packaging and testing business is affected by market conditions in
the highly cyclical semiconductor industry. Most of our customers operate in
this industry, and variations in order levels from our customers and service fee
rates may result in volatility in our revenues and net income. From time to
time, the semiconductor industry has experienced significant, and sometimes
prolonged, downturns. As our business is, and will continue to be, dependent on
the requirements of semiconductor companies for independent packaging and
testing services, any future downturn in the semiconductor industry would reduce
demand for our services. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2008,
the global economic crisis resulted in a significant deterioration in demand for
our customers’ products, which in turn affected demand for our services and
adversely affected our operating results. Although demand has
recovered, we expect there to be continued downward pressure on our average
selling prices and continued volatility with respect to our sales volumes in the
future. If we cannot reduce our costs or adjust our product mix to
sufficiently offset any decline in average selling prices, our profitability
will suffer and we may incur losses.
Market
conditions in the semiconductor industry depend to a large degree on conditions
in the markets for the end-use applications of semiconductor products, such as
communications, computer and consumer electronics products. Any deterioration of
conditions in the markets, such as the recent severe deterioration of global
economic conditions in the fourth quarter of 2008, for the end-use applications
of the semiconductors we package and test would reduce demand for our services,
and would likely have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations. In 2007, approximately 44.5%, 22.8% and 32.1% of our net
revenues were attributed to the packaging and testing of semiconductors used in
communications, computer, and consumer electronics applications,
respectively. In 2008, approximately 44.7%, 22.8% and 32.1% of our
net revenues were attributed to the packaging and testing of semiconductors used
in communications, computer, and consumer electronics applications,
respectively. In 2009, approximately 46.2%, 16.8% and 36.0% of our net revenues
were attributed to the packaging and testing of semiconductors used in
communications, computer, and consumer electronics applications, respectively.
Each of the markets for end-use applications is subject to intense competition
and significant shifts in demand, which could put pricing pressure on the
packaging and testing services provided by us and adversely affect our revenues
and net income.
A
reversal or slowdown in the outsourcing trend for semiconductor packaging and
testing services could adversely affect our growth prospects and
profitability.
In recent
years, semiconductor manufacturers that have their own in-house packaging and
testing capabilities, known as integrated device manufacturers, have
increasingly outsourced stages of the semiconductor production process,
including packaging and testing, to independent companies in order to reduce
costs and shorten production cycles. In addition, the availability of advanced
independent semiconductor manufacturing services has also enabled the growth of
so-called “fabless” semiconductor companies that focus exclusively on design and
marketing and outsource their manufacturing, packaging and testing requirements
to independent companies. We cannot assure you that these integrated device
manufacturers and fabless semiconductor companies will continue to outsource
their packaging and testing requirements to third parties like us. Furthermore,
during an economic downturn, these
integrated
device manufacturers typically rely more on their own in-house packaging and
testing capabilities, therefore decreasing their need to outsource. A
reversal of, or a slowdown in, this outsourcing trend could result in reduced
demand for our services and adversely affect our growth prospects and
profitability.
If
we are unable to compete favorably in the highly competitive semiconductor
packaging and testing markets, our revenues and net income may
decrease.
The
semiconductor packaging and testing markets are very competitive. We face
competition from a number of sources, including other independent semiconductor
packaging and testing companies, especially those that offer turnkey packaging
and testing services. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the
packaging and testing markets are:
|
·
|
technological
expertise;
|
|
·
|
the
ability to provide total solutions to our
customers;
|
|
·
|
range
of package types and testing platforms
available;
|
|
·
|
the
ability to work closely with our customers at the product development
stage;
|
|
·
|
responsiveness
and flexibility;
|
|
·
|
diversity
in facility locations; and
|
We face
increasing competition from other packaging and testing companies, as most of
our customers obtain packaging or testing services from more than one source. In
addition, some of our competitors may have access to more advanced technologies
and greater financial and other resources than we do. Any erosion in the prices
for our packaging and testing services could cause our revenues and net income
to decrease and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
Our
profitability depends on our ability to respond to rapid technological changes
in the semiconductor industry.
The
semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid increases in the diversity and
complexity of semiconductors. As a result, we expect that we will need to
constantly offer more sophisticated packaging and testing technologies and
processes in order to respond to competitive industry conditions and customer
requirements. If we fail to develop, or obtain access to, advances in packaging
or testing technologies or processes, we may become less competitive and less
profitable. In addition, advances in technology typically lead to declining
average selling prices for semiconductors packaged or tested with older
technologies or processes. As a result, if we cannot reduce the costs associated
with our services, the profitability of a given service and our overall
profitability may decrease over time.
Our
operating results are subject to significant fluctuations, which could adversely
affect the market value of your investment.
Our
operating results have varied significantly from period to period and may
continue to vary in the future. Downward fluctuations in our operating results
may result in decreases in the market price of our common shares and the ADSs.
Among the more important factors affecting our quarterly and annual operating
results are the following:
|
·
|
changes
in general economic and business conditions, particularly given the recent
global economic crisis and the cyclical nature of the semiconductor
industry and the markets served by our
customers;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to quickly adjust to unanticipated declines or shortfalls in
demand and market prices;
|
|
·
|
changes
in prices for our products or
services;
|
|
·
|
volume
of orders relative to our packaging, testing and manufacturing
capacity;
|
|
·
|
changes
in costs and availability of raw materials, equipment and
labor;
|
|
·
|
timing
of capital expenditures in anticipation of future
orders;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to acquire or design and produce advanced and cost-competitive
interconnect materials, and provide integrated solutions for electronic
manufacturing services in relation to computers and peripherals,
communications, industrial, automotive, and storage and server
applications;
|
|
·
|
fluctuations
in the exchange rate between the NT dollar and foreign currencies,
especially the U.S. dollar; and
|
|
·
|
earthquakes,
drought, epidemics and other natural disasters, as well as industrial and
other incidents such as fires and power
outages.
|
Due to
the factors listed above, our future operating results or growth rates may be
below the expectations of research analysts and investors. If so, the market
price of our common shares and the ADSs, and thus the market value of your
investment, may fall.
If
we are not successful in maintaining our in-house interconnect materials
capabilities, our margins and profitability may be adversely
affected.
We expect
that we will need to maintain our interconnect materials designs and production
processes in order to respond to competitive industry conditions and customer
requirements. In particular, our competitive position will depend on our ability
to design and produce interconnect materials that are comparable to or better
than those produced by independent suppliers and others. Many of these
independent suppliers have dedicated greater resources than we have for the
research and development and design and production of interconnect materials. In
addition, we may not be able to acquire the technology and personnel that would
enable us to maintain our in-house expertise and our design and production
capabilities. For more information on our interconnect materials
operations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Principal
Products and Services—Packaging Services—Interconnect Materials.” If we are
unable to maintain our in-house interconnect materials expertise to offer
interconnect materials that meet the requirements of our customers, we may
become less competitive and our margins and profitability may suffer as a
result.
Due
to our high percentage of fixed costs, we will be unable to maintain our gross
margin at past levels if we are unable to achieve relatively high capacity
utilization rates.
Our
operations, in particular our testing operations, are characterized by
relatively high fixed costs. We expect to continue to incur substantial
depreciation and other expenses in connection with our acquisitions of packaging
and testing equipment and facilities. Our profitability depends not
only on the pricing levels for our services, but also on utilization rates for
our packaging and testing machinery and equipment, commonly referred to as
“capacity utilization rates.” In particular, increases or decreases in our
capacity utilization rates can significantly affect gross margins since the unit
cost of packaging and testing services generally decreases as fixed costs are
allocated over a larger number of units. In periods of low demand, we experience
relatively low capacity utilization rates in our operations, which leads to
reduced margins. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2008, we experienced
lower than anticipated utilization rates in our operations due to a significant
decline in worldwide demand for our packaging and testing services, which
resulted in reduced margins during that period. Although capacity utilization
rates increased in 2009, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain
or surpass our past gross margin levels if we cannot consistently achieve or
maintain relatively high capacity utilization rates.
If
we are unable to manage our expansion or investments effectively, our growth
prospects may be limited and our future profitability and core business
operations may be adversely affected.
We have
significantly expanded our packaging and testing operations through both organic
growth and acquisitions in recent years. In addition, we acquired Universal
Scientific through a tender offer in February 2010. We expect that we will
continue to expand our operations in the future. The purpose of our expansion is
mainly to provide total solutions to existing customers or attract new customers
and broaden our product range for a variety of end-use applications. However,
rapid expansion may place a strain on our managerial, technical, financial,
operational and other resources. As a result of our expansion, we have
implemented and will continue to implement additional operational and financial
controls and hire and train additional personnel. Any failure to manage our
growth effectively could lead to inefficiencies and redundancies and result in
reduced growth prospects and profitability.
In
addition, we have recently made investments in real estate development
businesses in Shanghai, China. We may continue to make investments in
this area in the future and our diversification in this connection may put
pressure on our managerial, financial, operational and other
resources. Our exposure to risks related to real estate development
in China may also increase over time as a result of our expansion into such a
business. There can be no assurance that our investments in such a
business will yield the anticipated returns and that our expansion into such a
business, including the resulting diversion of management’s attention, will not
adversely affect our core business operations.
The
packaging and testing businesses are capital intensive. If we cannot obtain
additional capital when we need it, our growth prospects and future
profitability may be adversely affected.
The
packaging and testing businesses are capital intensive. We will need capital to
fund the expansion of our facilities as well as fund our research and
development activities in order to remain competitive. We believe that our
existing cash, marketable securities, expected cash flow from operations and
existing credit lines under our loan facilities will be sufficient to meet our
capital expenditures, working capital, cash obligations under our existing debt
and lease arrangements, and other requirements for at least the next twelve
months. However, future capacity expansions or market or other developments may
cause us to require additional funds. Our ability to obtain external financing
in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
|
·
|
our
future financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows;
|
|
·
|
general
market conditions for financing activities by semiconductor or electronics
companies; and
|
|
·
|
economic,
political and other conditions in Taiwan and
elsewhere.
|
If we are
unable to obtain funding in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, our growth
prospects and future profitability may decline.
Restrictive
covenants and broad default provisions in our existing debt agreements may
materially restrict our operations as well as adversely affect our liquidity,
financial condition and results of operations.
We are a
party to numerous loan and other agreements relating to the incurrence of debt,
many of which include restrictive covenants and broad default provisions. In
general, covenants in the agreements governing our existing debt, and debt we
may incur in the future, may materially restrict our operations, including our
ability to incur debt, pay dividends, make certain investments and payments,
other than in connection with restructurings of consolidated entities, and
encumber or dispose of assets. In addition, any global economic
deterioration or ineffective expansion may cause us to incur significant net
losses or force us to assume considerable liabilities. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to remain in compliance with our financial
covenants which, as a result, may lead to a default. This may thereby restrict
our ability to access unutilized credit facilities or the global capital markets
to meet our liquidity needs. Furthermore, a default under one agreement by us or
one of our subsidiaries may also trigger cross-defaults under our other
agreements. In the event of default, we may not be able to cure the default or
obtain a waiver on a timely basis. An event of default under any agreement
governing our existing or future debt, if not cured or waived, could have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of
operations.
We have
on occasion failed to comply with certain financial covenants in some of our
loan agreements. Such non-compliance may also have, through broadly worded
cross-default provisions, resulted in default under some of
the
agreements governing our other existing debt. For example, we failed
to comply with leverage ratios in some of our loan agreements as a result of
additional borrowings to fund our privatization of ASE Test in May 2008 and the
distribution of cash dividends in August 2008. See “Item 4.
Information on the Company—History and Development of the
Company—ASE Test Share
Acquisition and Privatization” for more information on ASE Test. In
addition, due to our increased borrowings to fund the acquisition of Universal
Scientific in February 2010, we may breach certain financial covenants in some
of our loan agreements that are tested semi-annually. If we are unable to timely
remedy any of our non-compliance under such loan agreements or obtain applicable
waivers or amendments, we would breach our financial covenants and our financial
condition would be adversely affected. As of May 31, 2010, no lender
has sought to declare a default or enforce remedies in respect of our existing
debt as a result of cross-default provisions, breaches of financial covenants or
otherwise, although we cannot provide any assurance that they will not take
action in the future.
We
depend on select personnel and could be affected by the loss of their
services.
We depend
on the continued service of our executive officers and skilled technical and
other personnel. Our business could suffer if we lose the services of any of
these personnel and cannot adequately replace them. Although some of these
management personnel have entered into employment agreements with us, they may
nevertheless leave before the expiration of these agreements. We are not insured
against the loss of any of our personnel. In
addition, we may be required to increase substantially the number of these
employees in connection with our expansion plans, and there is intense
competition for their services in this industry. We may not be able to either
retain our present personnel or attract additional qualified personnel as and
when needed. In addition, we may need to increase employee compensation levels
in order to attract and retain our existing officers and employees and the
additional personnel that we expect to require. Furthermore, a portion of the
workforce at our facilities in Taiwan are foreign workers employed by us under
work permits which are subject to government regulations on renewal and other
terms. Consequently, our business could also suffer if the Taiwan regulations
relating to the employment of foreign workers were to become significantly more
restrictive or if we are otherwise unable to attract or retain these workers at
a reasonable cost.
If
we are unable to obtain additional packaging and testing equipment or facilities
in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost, our competitiveness and future
profitability may be adversely affected.
The
semiconductor packaging and testing businesses are capital intensive and require
significant investment in expensive equipment manufactured by a limited number
of suppliers. The market for semiconductor packaging and testing equipment is
characterized, from time to time, by intense demand, limited supply and long
delivery cycles. Our operations and expansion plans depend on our ability to
obtain a significant amount of such equipment from a limited number of
suppliers. From
time to time we have also leased certain equipment. We have no binding supply
agreements with any of our suppliers and acquire our packaging and testing
equipment on a purchase order basis, which exposes us to changing market
conditions and other substantial risks. For example, shortages
of capital equipment could result in an increase in the price of equipment and
longer delivery times. Semiconductor packaging and testing also require us to
operate sizeable facilities. If we are unable to obtain equipment or facilities
in a timely manner, we may be unable to fulfill our customers’ orders, which
could adversely affect our growth prospects as well as financial condition and
results of operations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business
Overview—Equipment.”
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could result in foreign exchange losses.
Currently,
the majority of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars, with a portion
denominated in NT dollars and Japanese yen. Our
cost of revenues and operating expenses, on the other hand, are incurred in
several currencies, primarily NT dollars and U.S. dollars, as well as, to a
lesser extent, Korean won, Japanese yen, Malaysian ringgit and Chinese yuan. In
addition, a substantial portion of our capital expenditures, primarily for the
purchase of packaging and testing equipment, has been, and is expected to
continue to be, denominated in U.S. dollars, with much of the remainder in
Japanese yen. Fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily among the U.S. dollar,
the NT dollar, the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, will affect our costs and
operating margins. In addition, these fluctuations could result in exchange
losses and increased costs in NT dollar and other local currency terms. Despite
hedging and mitigating techniques implemented by us, fluctuations in exchange
rates have affected, and may continue to affect, our financial condition and
results of operations. We incurred net foreign exchange
gains of
NT$403.5 million, NT$282.0 million and NT$4.2 million (US$0.1 million) in 2007,
2008 and 2009, respectively. See “Item 11. Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Market Risk—Foreign Currency Exchange
Rate Risk.”
The
loss of a large customer or disruption of our strategic alliance or other
commercial arrangements with semiconductor foundries and providers of other
complementary semiconductor manufacturing services may result in a decline in
our revenues and profitability.
Although
we have over 200 customers for our packaging and testing businesses, we have
derived and expect to continue to derive a large portion of our revenues from a
small group of customers during any particular period due in part to the
concentration of market share in the semiconductor industry. Our five largest
customers together accounted for approximately 24.8%, 27.1% and 28.7% of our net
revenues in 2007 and 2008, 2009, respectively. No customer accounted for more
than 10% of our net revenues in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The demand for our services
from a customer is directly dependent upon that customer’s level of business
activity, which could vary significantly from year to year. Our key customers
typically operate in the cyclical semiconductor business and, in the past, have
varied, and may vary in the future, order levels significantly from period to
period. Some of these companies are relatively small, have limited operating
histories and financial resources, and are highly exposed to the cyclicality of
the industry. We cannot assure you that these customers or any other customers
will continue to place orders with us in the future at the same levels as in
past periods. The loss of one or more of our significant customers, or reduced
orders by any one of them, and our inability to replace these customers or make
up for such orders could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. In
addition, we have in the past reduced, and may in the future be requested to
reduce, our prices to limit the level of order cancellations. Any price
reduction would likely reduce our margins and profitability.
Since
1997, we have maintained a strategic alliance with Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Company Limited, or TSMC, one of the world’s largest dedicated
semiconductor foundries. TSMC designates us as their non-exclusive
preferred provider of packaging and testing services for semiconductors
manufactured by TSMC. In addition, on February 23, 2009, we and Advanced
Microelectronic Products, Inc., or AMPI, a provider of foundry services, signed
a memorandum of understanding to enter into a strategic alliance focused on
providing semiconductor manufacturing turnkey services. These strategic
alliances, as well as our other commercial arrangements with providers of other
complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, enable us to offer total
semiconductor manufacturing solutions to our customers. These
strategic alliances and any of our other commercial arrangements may be
terminated at any time. Any such termination, and our failure to enter into
substantially similar strategic alliances or commercial arrangements, may
adversely affect our competitiveness and our revenues and
profitability.
Our
revenues and profitability may decline if we are unable to obtain adequate
supplies of raw materials in a timely manner and at a reasonable
price.
Our
packaging operations require that we obtain adequate supplies of raw materials
on a timely basis. Shortages in the supply of raw materials experienced by the
semiconductor industry have in the past resulted in occasional price increases
and delivery delays. Raw materials such as advanced substrates are prone to
supply shortages since such materials are produced by a limited number of
suppliers such as Kinsus Interconnect Technology Corporation, Nanya Printed
Circuit Board Corporation and Unimicron Technology Corp. Our
operations conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary ASE Electronics and ASE
Shanghai have improved our ability to obtain advanced substrates on a timely
basis and at a reasonable cost. However, we do not expect that our internal
interconnect materials operations will be able to meet all of our interconnect
materials requirements. Consequently, we will remain dependent on market supply
and demand for our raw materials. Recent fluctuations in gold and copper prices
have also affected the price at which we have been able to purchase the
principal raw materials we use in our packaging processes. We cannot guarantee
that we will not experience shortages in the near future or that we will be able
to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner or at a
reasonable price. Our revenues and net income could decline if we are unable to
obtain adequate supplies of high quality raw materials in a timely manner or if
there are significant increases in the costs of raw materials that we cannot
pass on to our customers.
Any
environmental claims or failure to comply with any present or future
environmental regulations, as well as any fire or other industrial accident, may
require us to spend additional funds and may materially and adversely affect our
financial condition and results of operations.
We are
subject to various laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge
and disposal of chemical by-products of, and water used in, our packaging and
interconnect materials production processes. Although we have not suffered
material environmental claims in the past, the failure to comply with any
present or future regulations could result in the assessment of damages or
imposition of fines against us, suspension of production or a cessation of our
operations. New regulations could require us to acquire costly equipment or to
incur other significant expenses that we may not be able to pass on to our
customers. Additionally, any failure on our part to control the use, or
adequately restrict the discharge, of hazardous substances could subject us to
future liabilities that may have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations. Any failure on the environmental requests
on our products, such as Directive 2002/95/EC, see “Item 4. Business
Overview—Raw Materials and Suppliers—Packaging”, may have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations.
Climate
change, other environmental concerns and green initiatives also presents other
commercial challenges, economic risks and physical risks that could harm our
results of operations or affect the manner in which we conduct our
business.
Increasing
climate change and environmental concerns would affect the results of our
operations if any of our customers would request us to exceed any standards set
for environmentally compliant products and services. If we are unable to offer
such products or offer products that are compliant, but are not as reliable due
to the lack of reasonably available alternative technologies, it may harm our
results of operations.
Furthermore,
energy costs in general could increase significantly due to climate change
regulations. Therefore, our energy costs may increase substantially if utility
or power companies pass on their costs, fully or partially, such as those
associated with carbon taxes, emission cap and carbon credit trading
programs.
Our
controlling shareholders may take actions that are not in, or may conflict with,
our public shareholders’ best interest.
Members
of the Chang family own, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest in our
outstanding common shares. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and
Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders.” Accordingly, these shareholders
will continue to have the ability to exercise a controlling influence over our
business, including matters relating to:
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our
management and policies;
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the
timing and distribution of dividends;
and
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the
election of our directors and
supervisors.
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Members
of the Chang family may take actions that you may not agree with or that are not
in our or our public shareholders’ best interests.
We
may be subject to intellectual property rights disputes, which could materially
adversely affect our business.
Our
ability to compete successfully and achieve future growth depends, in part, on
our ability to develop and protect our proprietary technologies and to secure on
commercially acceptable terms certain technologies that we do not own. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to independently develop, obtain patents for,
protect or secure from any third party, the technologies required for our
packaging and testing services.
Our
ability to compete successfully also depends, in part, on our ability to operate
without infringing the proprietary rights of others. The semiconductor industry
is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual
property rights. In February 2006, Tessera Inc. filed a suit against
us and others alleging patent infringement. See “Item 8. Financial
Information—Legal Proceedings.” Any litigation, whether as plaintiff or
defendant and regardless of the outcome, is costly and diverts company
resources.
Any of
the foregoing could harm our competitive position and render us unable to
provide some of our services operations.
We
are an ROC company and, because the rights of shareholders under ROC law differ
from those under U.S. law and the laws of certain other countries, you may have
difficulty protecting your shareholder rights.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Incorporation and by the laws
governing corporations incorporated in the ROC. The rights of shareholders and
the responsibilities of management and the members of the board of directors
under ROC law are different from those applicable to a corporation incorporated
in the United States and certain other countries. As a result, public
shareholders of ROC companies may have more difficulty in protecting their
interests in connection with actions taken by management or members of the board
of directors than they would as public shareholders of a corporation in the
United States or certain other countries.
We
face risks associated with uncertainties in PRC laws and
regulations.
We
operate, among other things, packaging and testing facilities, electronic
manufacturing services and real estate in the PRC through our subsidiaries and
joint ventures incorporated in the PRC. Under PRC laws and regulations, foreign
investment projects, such as our subsidiaries and joint ventures, must obtain
certain approvals from the relevant governmental authorities in the provinces or
special economic zones in which they are located and, in some circumstances,
from the relevant authorities in the PRC’s central government. Foreign
investment projects must also comply with certain regulatory requirements.
However, PRC laws and regulations are often subject to varying interpretations
and means of enforcement, and additional approvals from the relevant
governmental authorities may be required for the operations of our PRC
subsidiaries and joint ventures. If required, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to obtain these approvals in a timely manner, if at
all. Because the PRC government holds significant discretion in
determining matters relating to foreign investment, we cannot assure you that
the relevant governmental authorities will not take action that is materially
adverse to our PRC operations.
Any
impairment charges may have a material adverse effect on our net
income.
Under ROC
GAAP and U.S. GAAP, we are required to evaluate our assets, such as equipment,
goodwill and investments, for possible impairment at least annually or whenever
there is an indication of impairment. If certain criteria are met, we are
required to record an impairment charge.
With
respect to assets, in 2007 we recognized an impairment charge of NT$994.7
million, primarily as a result of idle capacity in our flip-chip substrate
production line caused by a lack of demand for certain applications. In
2008, we recognized impairment charges of NT$293.3 million related to our
other-than-temporary loss in our financial assets and impaired idle
equipment. In 2009, we recognized impairment charges of NT$11.1
million (US$0.3 million), primarily as a result of impaired idle
equipment. As of December 31, 2009, goodwill under ROC GAAP and U.S.
GAAP amounted to NT$9,419.0 million (US$294.8 million) and
NT$9,767.6 million (US$305.7 million), respectively.
See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results and
Trend Information—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Realizability of
Long-Lived Assets” and “—Goodwill.”
We are
unable to estimate the extent and timing of any impairment charges for future
years under ROC GAAP or U.S. GAAP, and we cannot give any assurance that
impairment charges will not be required in periods subsequent to December 31,
2009. Any impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our net
income. The determination of an impairment charge at any given time
is based significantly on our expected results of operations over a number of
years in the future. As a result, an impairment charge is more likely to occur
during a period in which our operating results and outlook are otherwise already
depressed.
Risks
Relating to Taiwan, ROC
Strained
relations between the ROC and the PRC could negatively affect our business and
the market value of your investment.
Our
principal executive offices and our principal packaging and testing facilities
are located in Taiwan and approximately 68.6%, 64.9% and 63.3% of our net
revenues in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, were derived from our operations
in Taiwan. The ROC has a unique international political status. The government
of the PRC
asserts
sovereignty over all of China, including Taiwan, and does not recognize the
legitimacy of the ROC government. Although significant economic and cultural
relations have been established in recent years between the ROC and the PRC,
relations have often been strained and the PRC government has indicated that it
may use military force to gain control over Taiwan in some circumstances, such
as the declaration of independence by the ROC. Political uncertainty
could adversely affect the prices of our common shares and
ADSs. Relations between the ROC and the PRC and other factors
affecting the political or economic conditions in Taiwan could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as
the market price and the liquidity of our common shares and ADSs.
Currently,
we manufacture interconnect materials in the PRC through our wholly-owned
subsidiary ASE Shanghai. We also provide wire bond packaging and
testing services in the PRC through our subsidiaries, ASESH AT, ASEN and ASEWH.
In addition, we engage in the PRC in real estate development and the
manufacturing of computer peripherals and electronic components through our
subsidiaries in the PRC. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Organizational
Structure—Our Consolidated Subsidiaries.” The ROC government currently restricts
certain types of investments by ROC companies, including ourselves, in the PRC,
including certain types of investments in facilities for the packaging and
testing of semiconductors. In April 2006, these restrictions were amended to
permit investments in facilities for certain less advanced wire bond packaging
and testing services. We do not know when or if such laws and
policies governing investment in the PRC will be amended, and we cannot assure
you that such ROC investment laws and policies will permit us to make further
investments in the PRC in the future that we consider beneficial to us. Our
growth prospects and profitability may be adversely affected if we are
restricted from making certain additional investments in the PRC and are not
able to fully capitalize on the growth of the semiconductor industry in the
PRC.
As
a substantial portion of our business and operations is located in Taiwan, we
are vulnerable to earthquakes, typhoons, drought and other natural disasters, as
well as power outages and other industrial incidents, which could severely
disrupt the normal operation of our business and adversely affect our results of
operations.
Taiwan is
susceptible to earthquakes and has experienced severe earthquakes which caused
significant property damage and loss of life, particularly in the central and
eastern parts of Taiwan. Earthquakes have damaged production facilities and
adversely affected the operations of many companies involved in the
semiconductor and other industries. We have never experienced structural damage
to our facilities or damage to our machinery and equipment as a result of these
earthquakes. In the past, however, we have experienced interruptions to our
production schedule primarily as a result of power outages caused by
earthquakes.
Taiwan is
also susceptible to typhoons, which may cause damage and business interruptions
to companies with facilities located in Taiwan. In the third quarter of 2004, a
typhoon caused a partial interruption for approximately two weeks in our water
supply at ASE Chung Li’s substrate operations.
Taiwan
has experienced severe droughts in the past. Although we have not been directly
affected by droughts, we are dependent upon water for our packaging and
substrates operations and a drought could interrupt such operations. In
addition, a drought could interrupt the manufacturing process of the foundries
located in Taiwan, in turn disrupting some of our customers’ production, which
could result in a decline in the demand for our services. In addition, the
supply of electrical power in Taiwan, which is primarily provided by Taiwan
Power Company, the state-owned electric utility, is susceptible to disruption
that could be prolonged and frequent, caused by overload as a result of high
demand or other reasons.
Our
production facilities as well as many of our suppliers and customers and
providers of complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, including
foundries, are located in Taiwan. If our customers are affected by an
earthquake, a typhoon, a drought or any other natural disasters, or power outage
or other industrial incidents, it could result in a decline in the demand for
our services. If our suppliers or providers of complementary semiconductor
manufacturing services are affected, our production schedule could be
interrupted or delayed. As a result, a major earthquake, typhoon, drought, or
other natural disaster in Taiwan, or a power outage or other industrial incident
could severely disrupt the normal operation of our business and have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
Any
outbreak of swine flu, avian flu or a recurrence of SARS or other contagious
disease may have an adverse effect on the economies and financial markets of
certain Asian countries and may adversely affect our results of
operations.
In April
2009, outbreaks of swine flu caused by the H1N1 virus were first reported in
Mexico and, subsequently, in several other locations including the U.S., the PRC
and the ROC. Many of these cases were fatal and more cases have since
been reported. In addition, the World Health Organization reported in
January 2005 that “during 2004, large parts of Asia experienced unprecedented
outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 virus”, which
moved the world closer than at any time since 1968 to an influenza pandemic
“with high morbidity, excess mortality, and social and economic disruption.”
There have continued to be cases of outbreaks of avian flu in certain regions of
Asia, Europe and Africa with human casualties reported in countries such as
Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, the PRC, Thailand, Turkey and
Vietnam. Additionally, in the first half of 2003, the PRC, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Singapore, Vietnam and certain other countries encountered an outbreak of severe
acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which is a highly contagious form of
atypical pneumonia. The SARS outbreak had an adverse effect on our results of
operations for the first half of 2003, primarily due to the lower than expected
demand for our packaging and testing services that resulted from the adverse
effect of such SARS outbreak on the level of economic activity in the affected
regions. There is no guarantee that an outbreak of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or
other contagious disease will not occur again in the future and that any future
outbreak of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or other contagious disease or the
measures taken by the governments of the ROC, Hong Kong, the PRC or other
countries against such potential outbreaks, will not seriously interrupt our
production operations or those of our suppliers and customers, which may have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations. The perception that an
outbreak of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or other contagious disease may occur
again may have an adverse effect on the economic conditions of certain countries
in Asia.
Risks
Relating to Ownership of the ADSs
The
market for the common shares and the ADSs may not be liquid.
Active,
liquid trading markets generally result in lower price volatility and more
efficient execution of buy and sell orders for investors, compared to less
active and less liquid markets. Liquidity of a securities market is often a
function of the volume of the underlying shares that are publicly held by
unrelated parties.
There has
been no trading market outside the ROC for the common shares and the only
trading market for the common shares will be the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The
outstanding ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There is no
assurance that the market for the common shares or the ADSs will be active or
liquid.
Although
ADS holders are entitled to withdraw the common shares underlying the ADSs from
the depositary at any time, ROC law requires that the common shares be held in
an account in the ROC or sold for the benefit of the holder on the Taiwan Stock
Exchange. In connection with any withdrawal of common shares from our
ADS facility, the ADSs evidencing these common shares will be cancelled. Unless
additional ADSs are issued, the effect of withdrawals will be to reduce the
number of outstanding ADSs. If a significant number of withdrawals are effected,
the liquidity of our ADSs will be substantially reduced. We cannot assure you
that the ADS depositary will be able to arrange for a sale of deposited shares
in a timely manner or at a specified price, particularly during periods of
illiquidity or volatility.
If
a non-ROC holder of ADSs withdraws common shares, such holder of ADSs will be
required to appoint a tax guarantor, local agent and custodian bank in the ROC
and register with the Taiwan Stock Exchange in order to buy and sell securities
on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
When a
non-ROC holder of ADSs elects to withdraw common shares represented by ADSs,
such holder of the ADSs will be required to appoint an agent for filing tax
returns and making tax payments in the ROC. Such agent will be required to meet
the qualifications set by the ROC Ministry of Finance and, upon appointment,
becomes the guarantor of the withdrawing holder’s tax payment obligations.
Evidence of the appointment of a tax guarantor, the approval of such appointment
by the ROC tax authorities and tax clearance certificates or evidentiary
documents issued by such tax guarantor may be required as conditions to such
holder repatriating the profits derived from the
sale of
common shares. We cannot assure you that a withdrawing holder will be
able to appoint and obtain approval for a tax guarantor in a timely
manner.
In
addition, under current ROC law, such withdrawing holder is required to register
with the Taiwan Stock Exchange and appoint a local agent in the ROC to, among
other things, open a bank account and open a securities trading account with a
local securities brokerage firm, pay taxes, remit funds and exercise such
holder’s rights as a shareholder. Furthermore, such withdrawing holder must
appoint a local bank to act as custodian for confirmation and settlement of
trades, safekeeping of securities and cash proceeds and reporting and
declaration of information. Without satisfying these requirements, non-ROC
withdrawing holders of ADSs would not be able to hold or otherwise subsequently
sell the common shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or otherwise.
The
market value of your investment may fluctuate due to the volatility of the ROC
securities market.
The
trading price of our ADSs may be affected by the trading price of our common
shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The ROC securities market is smaller and
more volatile than the securities markets in the United States and in many
European countries. The Taiwan Stock Exchange has experienced substantial
fluctuations in the prices and volumes of sales of listed securities and there
are currently limits on the range of daily price movements on the Taiwan Stock
Exchange. The Taiwan Stock Exchange Index peaked at 12,495.3 in
February 1990, and subsequently fell to a low of 2,560.5 in October 1990. On
March 13, 2000, the Taiwan Stock Exchange Index experienced a 617-point drop,
which represented the single largest decrease in the Taiwan Stock Exchange Index
in its history. During the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, the
Taiwan Stock Exchange Index peaked at 8,188.1 on December 31, 2009, and reached
a low of 4,242.6 on January 20, 2009. Over the same period, the trading price of
our common shares ranged from NT$10.75 per share to NT$29.1 per share. On June
4, 2010, the Taiwan Stock Exchange Index closed at 7,344.6, and the closing
value of our common shares was NT$27.25 per share.
The
Taiwan Stock Exchange is particularly volatile during times of political
instability, including when relations between Taiwan and the PRC are strained.
Several investment funds affiliated with the ROC government have also from time
to time purchased securities from the Taiwan Stock Exchange to support the
trading level of the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Moreover, the Taiwan Stock Exchange
has experienced problems such as market manipulation, insider trading and
settlement defaults. The recurrence of these or similar problems could have an
adverse effect on the market price and liquidity of the securities of ROC
companies, including our common shares and ADSs, in both the domestic and
international markets.
Holders
of common shares and ADSs may incur dilution as a result of the practice among
ROC technology companies of issuing stock bonuses and stock options to
employees.
Similar
to other ROC technology companies, we issue bonuses from time to time in the
form of common shares. Prior to 2009, bonuses issued in the form of
our common shares were valued at par. Beginning in 2009, bonuses in
the form of our common shares are valued at the closing price of the common
shares on the day prior to our shareholders’ meeting. In addition, under the
revised ROC Company Law we may, upon approval from our board of directors and
the ROC Securities and Futures Bureau of the Financial Supervisory Commission,
Executive Yuan, establish employee stock option plans. We currently
maintain four employee stock option plans pursuant to which our full-time
employees and the full-time employees of our domestic and foreign subsidiaries
are eligible to receive stock option grants. As of December 31, 2009,
246,566,440 options were outstanding. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management
and Employees—Compensation—ASE Inc. Employee Bonus and Stock Option Plans.” The
issuance of our common shares pursuant to stock bonuses or stock options may
have a dilutive effect on the holders of outstanding common shares and
ADSs.
Restrictions
on the ability to deposit our common shares into our ADS facility may adversely
affect the liquidity and price of our ADSs.
The
ability to deposit common shares into our ADS facility is restricted by ROC
law. A significant number of withdrawals of common shares underlying
our ADSs would reduce the liquidity of the ADSs by reducing the number of ADSs
outstanding. As a result, the prevailing market price of our ADSs may differ
from the prevailing market price of our common shares on the Taiwan Stock
Exchange. Under current ROC law, no person or entity,
including
you and us, may deposit our common shares in our ADS facility without specific
approval of the ROC Financial Supervisory Commission, Executive Yuan,
unless:
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(1)
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we
pay stock dividends on our common
shares;
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(2)
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we
make a free distribution of common
shares;
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(3)
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holders
of ADSs exercise preemptive rights in the event of capital increases;
or
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(4)
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to
the extent permitted under the deposit agreement and the relevant custody
agreement, investors purchase our common shares, directly or through the
depositary, on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, and deliver our common shares to
the custodian for deposit into our ADS facility, or our existing
shareholders deliver our common shares to the custodian for deposit into
our ADS facility.
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With
respect to item (4) above, the depositary may issue ADSs against the deposit of
those common shares only if the total number of ADSs outstanding following the
deposit will not exceed the number of ADSs previously approved by the ROC
Financial Supervisory Commission, Executive Yuan plus any ADSs issued pursuant
to the events described in subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3) above.
In
addition, in the case of a deposit of our common shares requested under item (4)
above, the depositary will refuse to accept deposit of our common shares if such
deposit is not permitted under any legal, regulatory or other restrictions
notified by us to the depositary from time to time, which restrictions may
include blackout periods during which deposits may not be made, minimum and
maximum amounts and frequency of deposits.
The
depositary will not offer holders of ADSs preemptive rights unless the
distribution of both the rights and the underlying common shares to our ADS
holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.
Holders
of ADSs will not have the same voting rights as our shareholders, which may
affect the value of their ADSs.
The
voting rights of a holder of ADSs as to the common shares represented by its
ADSs are governed by the deposit agreement. Holders of ADSs will not be able to
exercise voting rights on an individual basis. If holders representing at least
51% of the ADSs outstanding at the relevant record date instruct the depositary
to vote in the same manner regarding a resolution, including the election of
directors and supervisors, the depositary will cause all common shares
represented by the ADSs to be voted in that manner. If the depositary does not
receive timely instructions representing at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding at
the relevant record date to vote in the same manner for any resolution,
including the election of directors and supervisors, holders of ADSs will be
deemed to have instructed the depositary or its nominee to authorize all the
common shares represented by the ADSs to be voted at the discretion of our
chairman or his designee, which may not be in the interest of holders of ADSs.
Moreover, while shareholders who own 1% or more of our outstanding shares are
entitled to submit one proposal to be considered at our annual general meetings
of shareholders, only holders representing at least 51% of our ADSs outstanding
at the relevant record date are entitled to submit one proposal to be considered
at our annual general meetings of shareholders. Hence, only one
proposal may be submitted on behalf of all ADS holders.
The
right of holders of ADSs to participate in our rights offerings is limited,
which could cause dilution to your holdings.
We may
from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to
acquire our securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not
offer holders of ADSs those rights unless both the distribution of the rights
and the underlying securities to all our ADS holders are either registered under
the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
Although we may be eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions under the
Securities Act available to certain foreign issuers for rights offerings, we can
give no assurances that we will be able to establish an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a
registration statement for any of these rights. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may
be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of
their holdings.
If the
depositary is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or
if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, it will allow the rights to
lapse, in which case holders of ADSs will receive no value for these
rights.
Changes
in exchange controls which restrict your ability to convert proceeds received
from your ownership of ADSs may have an adverse effect on the value of your
investment.
Under
current ROC law, the depositary, without obtaining approvals from the Central
Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) or any other governmental authority or
agency of the ROC, may convert NT dollars into other currencies, including U.S.
dollars, for:
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the
proceeds of the sale of common shares represented by ADSs or received as
stock dividends from the common shares and deposited into the depositary
receipt facility; and
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any
cash dividends or distributions received from the common
shares.
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In
addition, the depositary may also convert into NT dollars incoming payments for
purchases of common shares for deposit in the ADS facility against the creation
of additional ADSs. The depositary may be required to obtain foreign exchange
approval from the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on a
payment-by-payment basis for conversion from NT dollars into foreign currencies
of the proceeds from the sale of subscription rights for new common shares.
Although it is expected that the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
will grant this approval as a routine matter, we cannot assure you that in the
future any approval will be obtained in a timely manner, or at all.
Under
current ROC law, a holder of the ADSs, without obtaining further approval from
the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), may convert from NT dollars
into other currencies, including U.S. dollars, the following:
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·
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the
proceeds of the sale of any underlying common shares withdrawn from the
depositary receipt facility or received as a stock dividend that has been
deposited into the depositary receipt facility;
and
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any
cash dividends or distribution received from the common
shares.
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However,
such holder may be required to obtain foreign exchange approval from the Central
Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on a payment-by-payment basis for
conversion from NT dollars into foreign currencies of the proceeds from the sale
of subscription rights for new common shares. Although the Central Bank of the
Republic of China (Taiwan) is generally expected to grant this approval as a
routine matter, we cannot assure you that you will actually obtain this approval
in a timely manner, or at all.
Under the
ROC Foreign Exchange Control Law, the Executive Yuan of the ROC government may,
without prior notice but subject to subsequent legislative approval, impose
foreign exchange controls in the event of, among other things, a material change
in international economic conditions. We cannot assure you that foreign exchange
controls or other restrictions will not be introduced in the
future.
The
value of your investment may be reduced by possible future sales of common
shares or ADSs by us or our shareholders.
While we
are not aware of any plans by any major shareholders to dispose of significant
numbers of common shares, we cannot assure you that one or more existing
shareholders or owners of securities convertible or exchangeable into or
exercisable for our common shares or ADSs will not dispose of significant
numbers of common shares or ADSs. In addition, several of our subsidiaries and
affiliates hold common shares, depositary shares representing common shares and
options to purchase common shares or ADSs. We or they may decide to sell those
securities in the future. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party
Transactions—Major Shareholders” for a description of our significant
shareholders and affiliates that hold our common shares.
We cannot
predict the effect, if any, that future sales of common shares or ADSs, or the
availability of common shares or ADSs for future sale, will have on the market
price of the common shares or the ADSs prevailing from
time to
time. Sales of substantial numbers of common shares or ADSs in the public
market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the
prevailing market prices of the common shares or the ADSs.
Advanced
Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. was incorporated on March 23, 1984 as a company
limited by shares under the ROC Company Law, with facilities in the Nantze
Export Processing Zone located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. We were listed on the
Taiwan Stock Exchange in 1989. Our principal executive offices are located at 26
Chin Third Road, Nantze Export Processing Zone, Nantze, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
and our telephone number at the above address is (886) 7361-7131. Our common
shares have been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the symbol “2311”
since July 1989 and ADSs representing our common shares have been listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ASX” since September
2000.
Acquisition
of ASESH AT
On
January 11, 2007, we completed the acquisition of 100.0% of GAPT, now known as
ASESH AT, for a purchase price of US$60.0 million. Based in Shanghai, China,
ASESH AT provides wire bond packaging and testing services for a wide range of
semiconductors.
Joint
Venture with NXP Semiconductors
On
September 25, 2007, we entered into a joint venture with NXP B.V., or NXP
Semiconductors, formerly known as Philips Semiconductors, by completing the
acquisition of 60.0% of ASEN, formerly known as NXP Semiconductors Suzhou Ltd.,
from NXP Semiconductors for a purchase price of US$21.6 million. NXP
Semiconductors holds the remaining 40.0% of ASEN. ASEN is based in Suzhou, China
and is engaged in semiconductor packaging and testing.
Acquisition
of ASE (Weihai), Inc.
On May
14, 2008, we completed the acquisition of 100.0% of Weihai Aimhigh Electronic
Co. Ltd., now known as ASE (Weihai), Inc., from Aimhigh Global Corp. and TCC
Steel for a purchase price of US$7.0 million. ASE (Weihai), Inc. is based in
Shandong, China and is engaged in semiconductor packaging and
testing.
ASE Test Share Acquisition and
Privatization
Our subsidiary, ASE Test, was previously the holding company for
the majority of our testing services. On September 4, 2007, we and ASE Test
entered into a scheme implementation agreement under which we agreed to acquire
all the outstanding ordinary shares of ASE Test that we did not already directly
or indirectly own, and
ASE Test became our
wholly-owned subsidiary as
of May 30, 2008.
Through this transaction,
we acquired a total of
58,438,944 shares of ASE Test for a total consideration of US$863.9
million. In order to
finance our acquisition of ASE Test’s shares, we entered into two syndicated
loan agreements for term loan facilities of NT$17,500.0 million and US$200.0 million, respectively. For a further
description of these agreements, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review
and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital
Resources,” and Schedule 13E-3, as amended, filed by
ASE Test with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on May 30,
2008.
Currently, ASE Test’s subsidiaries comprise ASE Test
Malaysia, ISE Labs and ASE Singapore Pte. Ltd.,
all of which ASE Test wholly owns.
Acquisition of Shares of Universal Scientific
On February 3, 2010, we, along with our two subsidiaries, J&R Holding
Limited and ASE Test, through a cash and stock tender
offer, acquired 641,669,316 common shares of Universal
Scientific at NT$21 per share, amounting to NT$13,475.1 million (US$421.8 million) in total, resulting in our ownership of 78.1% of the outstanding common
shares of Universal Scientific, including the shares we held prior to
the acquisition.
Universal Scientific’s shareholders received 0.34 common shares of ASE Inc., owned by our two subsidiaries (totaling 218,166,985
shares), for each United
Scientific common share
plus cash (equivalent to NT$21 less 0.34 multiplied by the lowest of
the average closing price of our common shares for the last one, three
and five trading days prior to the last day of the tender offer period). As a result, Universal Scientific became
our
consolidated
subsidiary.
For more information on our history and
development, see “-Organizational
Structure.”
We are
the world’s largest independent provider of semiconductor packaging and testing
services based on 2009 revenues. Our services include semiconductor packaging,
production of interconnect materials, front-end engineering testing, wafer
probing and final testing services. As a result of our acquisition of Universal
Scientific, we now provide integrated solutions for electronics manufacturing
services in relation to computers, peripherals, communications, industrial,
automotive, and storage and server applications. We believe that, as a result of
the following, we are better positioned than our competitors to meet customers’
requirements across a wide range of end-use applications:
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our
ability to provide a broad range of cost-effective semiconductor packaging
and testing services on a large-scale turnkey basis in key centers of
semiconductor manufacturing;
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our
expertise in developing and providing cost-effective packaging,
interconnect materials and testing technologies and
solutions;
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our
ability to provide proactive original design manufacturing services using
innovative solution-based designs;
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our
scale of operations and financial position, which enable us to make
significant investments in capacity expansion and research and development
as well as to make selective
acquisitions;
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our
geographic presence in key centers of outsourced semiconductor and
electronics manufacturing; and
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our
long-term relationships with providers of complementary semiconductor
manufacturing services, including our strategic alliance with TSMC, one of
the world’s largest dedicated semiconductor
foundries.
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We
believe that the trend for semiconductor companies to outsource their packaging
and testing requirements is accelerating as semiconductor companies increasingly
rely on independent providers of foundry and advanced packaging and testing
services. In response to the increased pace of new product development and
shortened product life and production cycles, semiconductor companies are
increasingly seeking independent packaging and testing companies that can
provide turnkey services in order to reduce time-to-market. We believe that our
expertise and scale in advanced technology and our ability to integrate our
broad range of solutions into turnkey services allow us to benefit from the
accelerated outsourcing trend and better serve our existing and potential
customers.
We
believe that we have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from our
geographic location in Taiwan. Taiwan is currently the largest center for
outsourced semiconductor manufacturing in the world and has a high concentration
of electronics manufacturing service providers, which are the end users of our
customers’ products. Our close proximity to foundries and other providers of
complementary semiconductor manufacturing services is attractive to our
customers who wish to take advantage of the efficiencies of a total
semiconductor manufacturing solution by outsourcing several stages of their
manufacturing requirements. Our close proximity to end users of our customers’
products is attractive to our customers who wish to take advantage of the
logistical efficiencies of direct shipment services that we offer. We believe
that, as a result, we are well positioned to meet the advanced semiconductor
engineering and manufacturing requirements of our customers.
Our
global base of over 200 customers includes leading semiconductor companies
across a wide range of end-use applications, such as:
·
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Atmel
Corporation
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NEC
Electronics Corporation(1)
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ATI
Technologies, Inc.
|
·
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NVIDIA
Corporation
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Broadcom
Corporation
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NXP
Semiconductors
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Cambridge
Silicon Radio Limited
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Powerchip
Semiconductor Corp.
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Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc.
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Qualcomm
Incorporated
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Infineon
Technologies
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Silicon
Laboratories International Pte. Ltd.
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Marvell
Technology Group Ltd.
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STMicroelectronics
N.V.
|
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Media
Tek Inc.
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Toshiba
Corporation
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Microsoft
Corporation
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Zoran
Corporation
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Mstar
Semiconductor Inc.
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(1)
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NEC
Electronics Corporation has been renamed as Renesas Electronics
Corporation after its merger with Renesas Technology effective April 1,
2010.
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Industry
Background
General
Semiconductors
are the basic building blocks used to create an increasing variety of electronic
products and systems. Continuous improvements in semiconductor process and
design technologies have led to smaller, more complex and more reliable
semiconductors at a lower cost per function. These improvements have resulted in
significant performance and price benefits to manufacturers of electronic
products. As a result, semiconductor demand has grown substantially in our
primary end-user markets for communications, computers and consumer electronics,
and has experienced increased growth in other markets such as automotive
products and industrial automation and control systems.
The
semiconductor industry is characterized by strong long-term growth, with
periodic and sometimes severe cyclical downturns. The Semiconductor Industry
Association reported that worldwide sales of semiconductors increased from
approximately US$51 billion in 1990 to approximately US$219.7 billion in 2009.
As a result of the global economic crisis, demand for semiconductors plummeted
in the fourth quarter of 2008 and in the first quarter of
2009. Although the rate of growth may begin to slow, we believe that
overall growth and cyclical fluctuations will continue over the long-term in the
semiconductor industry.
Electronic
Manufacturing Services
According
to Gartner, Inc., the overall size of the global market for electronics
manufacturing services and original design manufacturing was estimated at
approximately US$314 billion for 2009. Electronics manufacturing service
providers typically achieve large economies of scale in manufacturing by
pooling together product design techniques and also provide value-added services
such as warranties and repairs. Companies who do not need to manufacture a
constant supply of products have increasingly outsourced their manufacturing to
these service providers so that they are no longer forced to maintain large
inventories of products. Outsourcing will also enable them to still
respond quickly and efficiently to sudden spikes in demand.
Electronics
manufacturing services are sought by companies in a wide range of industries
including, among others, news, communications, consumer electronics, automotive
electronics, medical treatment, industrial applications, aviation, navigation,
national defense and transportation. Although affected by global economic
fluctuations, we expect the electronics manufacturing services industry to
continue to grow in the long-term and we have recently enhanced our presence in
the industry through the acquisition of a majority interest in Universal
Scientific.
Outsourcing
Trends in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Historically,
semiconductor companies designed, manufactured, packaged and tested
semiconductors primarily in their own facilities. Over the past several years,
there has been a trend in the industry to outsource stages in the manufacturing
process. Virtually every significant stage of the manufacturing process can be
outsourced. Wafer foundry services and semiconductor packaging and testing
services are currently the largest segments of the independent semiconductor
manufacturing services market. Most of the world’s major integrated device
manufacturers use some independent manufacturing services to maintain a
strategic mix of internal and external manufacturing capacity.
The
availability of technologically advanced independent manufacturing services has
also enabled the growth of “fabless” semiconductor companies that focus on
semiconductor design and marketing and outsource their wafer fabrication,
packaging and testing requirements to independent companies. We believe that the
growth in the number and scale of fabless semiconductor companies that rely
solely on independent companies to meet their manufacturing requirements will
continue to be a driver of growth in the market for independent foundry,
packaging
and
testing services. Similarly, the availability of technologically advanced
independent manufacturing services has encouraged integrated device
manufacturers, which had traditionally relied on in-house semiconductor
manufacturing capacity, to increasingly outsource their manufacturing
requirements to independent semiconductor manufacturing companies.
We
believe the outsourcing of semiconductor manufacturing services will increase in
the future from current levels for many reasons, including the
following:
Technological
Expertise and Significant Capital Expenditure. Semiconductor manufacturing
processes have become highly complex, requiring substantial investment in
specialized equipment and facilities and sophisticated engineering and
manufacturing expertise. Technical expertise becomes increasingly important as
the industry transitions from one generation of technology to another, as
evidenced by the current migration of the fabrication process from 8-inches to
12-inches in sub-micron technology and the size of technology nodes fabricated
from 65 nm to 45 nm, as well as the integration of different functions into a
single-chip service. In addition, product life cycles have been shortening,
magnifying the need to continuously upgrade or replace manufacturing equipment
to accommodate new products. As a result, new investments in in-house packaging,
testing and fabrication facilities are becoming less desirable to integrated
device manufacturers because of the high investment costs as well as the
inability to achieve sufficient economies of scale and utilization rates
necessary to be competitive with the independent service providers. Independent
packaging, testing and foundry companies, on the other hand, are able to realize
the benefits of specialization and achieve economies of scale by providing
services to a large base of customers across a wide range of products. This
enables them to reduce costs and shorten production cycles through high capacity
utilization and process expertise. In the process, they are also able to focus
on discrete stages of semiconductor manufacturing and deliver services of
superior quality.
In recent
years, semiconductor companies have significantly reduced their investment in
in-house packaging and testing technologies and capacity. As a result, some
semiconductor companies may have limited in-house expertise and capacity to
accommodate large orders following a recovery in demand, particularly in the
area of advanced technology. On the other hand, some semiconductor companies
with in-house packaging and testing operations focusing on low-end
leadframe-based packages are under increasing pressure to rationalize these
operations by relocating to locations with lower costs or better infrastructure,
such as the PRC, in order to lower manufacturing costs and shorten production
cycle time. We expect semiconductor companies to increasingly outsource their
packaging and testing requirements to take advantage of the advanced technology
and scale of operations of independent packaging and testing
companies.
Focus on Core
Competencies. As
the semiconductor industry becomes more competitive, semiconductor companies are
expected to further outsource their semiconductor manufacturing requirements in
order to focus their resources on core competencies, such as semiconductor
design and marketing.
Time-to-Market
Pressure. The
increasingly short product life cycle has accelerated time-to-market pressure
for semiconductor companies, leading them to rely increasingly on outsourced
suppliers as a key source for effective manufacturing solutions.
Capitalize on the
High Growth Rates in Emerging Markets. Emerging markets, and
China in particular, have become both major manufacturing centers for the
technology industry and growing markets for technology-based products. Thus, in
order to gain direct access to the Chinese market, many semiconductor companies
are seeking to establish manufacturing facilities in China by partnering with
local subcontractors. As a result, certain stages of the
semiconductor manufacturing process that were previously handled in-house will
be increasingly outsourced in order to improve efficiency.
The
Semiconductor Industry in Taiwan
The
semiconductor industry in Taiwan has been a leader in, and a major beneficiary
of, the trend in outsourcing. The growth of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan
has been the result of several factors. First, semiconductor manufacturing
companies in Taiwan typically focus on one or two stages of the semiconductor
manufacturing process. As a result, these companies tend to be more efficient
and are better able to achieve economies of scale and maintain higher capacity
utilization rates. Second, semiconductor manufacturing companies in Taiwan that
provide
the major
stages of the manufacturing process are located close to each other and
typically enjoy close working relationships. This close network is attractive to
customers who wish to outsource multiple stages of the semiconductor
manufacturing process. For instance, a customer could reduce production cycle
time and unit cost and streamline logistics by outsourcing its foundry,
packaging, testing and drop shipment services to electronics manufacturing
companies in Taiwan. Third, Taiwan also has an educated labor pool and a large
number of engineers suitable for sophisticated manufacturing industries such as
semiconductors.
Notwithstanding
the recent effects of the global economic crisis, the semiconductor industry in
Taiwan has over the past decade made significant capital expenditures to expand
capacity and technological capabilities. The ROC government has also
provided tax incentives, long-term loans at favorable rates and research and
development support, both directly and indirectly through support of research
institutes and universities. As a result of investments made in recent years,
Taiwan has achieved substantial market share in the outsourced semiconductor
manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the growth of Taiwan’s electronics
manufacturing industry, particularly in personal computer, mobile handset and
digital camera design and manufacturing, has created substantial local demand
for semiconductors.
The
Semiconductor Industry in Other Asian Regions
Many of
the factors that contributed to the growth of the semiconductor industry in
Taiwan have also contributed to the recent development of the semiconductor
industry in Southeast Asia. Access to expanding semiconductor foundry services
in Singapore, convenient proximity to major downstream electronics manufacturing
operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, government-sponsored
infrastructure support, tax incentives and pools of skilled engineers and labor
at relatively low cost have all encouraged the development of back-end
semiconductor service operations in Southeast Asia. The downstream electronics
manufacturers in Southeast Asia have typically focused on products used in the
communications, industrial and consumer electronics and personal computer
peripheral sectors. The proximity to both semiconductor foundries and end users
has influenced local and international semiconductor companies increasingly to
obtain packaging, testing and drop shipment services from companies in Southeast
Asia.
In
addition, the world’s leading electronics manufacturing service providers, many
of them from Taiwan, are increasingly establishing manufacturing facilities in
the PRC and Vietnam in order to take advantage of lower labor costs, government
incentives for investment and the potential size of the domestic market for end
users of electronics products. Many of the factors that contributed to the
growth of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan are beginning to emerge in the
PRC and may play an increasingly important role in the growth of its
semiconductor industry over the long term.
Overview
of Semiconductor Manufacturing Process
The
manufacturing of semiconductors is a complex process that requires increasingly
sophisticated engineering and manufacturing expertise. The manufacturing process
may be divided into the following stages from circuit design to
shipment:
We are
involved in all stages of the semiconductor manufacturing process except circuit
design and wafer fabrication.
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Circuit
Design
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The
design of a semiconductor is developed by laying out circuit components
and interconnections.
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Front-End
Engineering Test
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Throughout
and following the design process, prototype semiconductors undergo
front-end engineering testing, which involves software development,
electrical design validation and reliability and failure
analysis.
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Wafer
Fabrication
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Process
begins with the generation of a photomask through the definition of the
circuit design pattern on a photographic negative, known as a mask, by an
electron beam or laser beam writer. These circuit patterns are transferred
to the wafers using various advanced processes.
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Wafer
Probe
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Each
individual die is electrically tested, or probed, for defects. Dies that
fail this test are marked to be discarded.
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Packaging
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Packaging,
also called assembly, is the processing of bare semiconductors into
finished semiconductors and serves to protect the die and facilitate
electrical connections and heat dissipation. The patterned silicon wafers
received from our customers are diced by means of diamond saws into
separate dies, also called chips. Each die is attached to a leadframe or a
laminate (plastic or tape) substrate by epoxy resin. A leadframe is a
miniature sheet of metal, generally made of copper and silver alloys, on
which the pattern of input/output leads has been cut. On a laminate
substrate, typically used in ball grid array, or BGA, packages, the leads
take the shape of small bumps or balls. Leads on the leadframe or the
substrate are connected by extremely fine gold wires or bumps to the
input/output terminals on the chips, through the use of automated machines
known as “bonders.” Each chip is then
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encapsulated,
generally in a plastic casing molded from a molding compound, with only
the leads protruding from the finished casing, either from the edges of
the package as in the case of the leadframe-based packages, or in the form
of small bumps on a surface of the package as in the case of BGA or other
substrate-based packages.
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Final
Test
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Final
testing is conducted to ensure that the packaged semiconductor meets
performance specifications. Final testing involves using sophisticated
testing equipment known as testers and customized software to electrically
test a number of attributes of packaged semiconductors, including
functionality, speed, predicted endurance and power consumption. The final
testing of semiconductors is categorized by the functions of the
semiconductors tested into logic/mixed-signal/RF final testing and memory
final testing. Memory final testing typically requires simpler test
software but longer testing time per device
tested.
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Strategy
Our objective is to provide semiconductor packaging and testing
services and interconnect materials design and production capabilities which set
industry standards and to lead and facilitate the industry trend towards
outsourcing semiconductor manufacturing requirements. The principal elements of our strategy are
to:
Grow Our Advanced Packaging Services and
Expand into the Legacy Packaging Market
We believe that an important factor in
our ability to attract leading semiconductor companies as our customers has been
our ability to fulfill
demand for a broad range of packaging solutions on a large scale. We intend to
continue to develop process and product technologies to meet the requirements of
clients using our advanced packaging services. Our expertise in packaging
technology has enabled us to develop advanced
solutions such as fine-pitch wire bonding, stacked die packaging and bump chip
carrier packaging. We are continuously investing in research and
development in response to and in anticipation of migrations in technology
and intend to continue to acquire access to
new technologies through strategic alliances and licensing
arrangements.
We also intend to expand our legacy
leadframe-based packaging product offerings and services. We believe that our
clients will continue to outsource their legacy packaging
requirements. To capitalize on this trend, we plan to accelerate our single
outline legacy packaging production in
Shanghai and expand into the discrete packaging
business by leveraging the existing assets of ASE (Weihai), Inc. in Shandong, China.
The increasing miniaturization of
semiconductors and the growing complexity of interconnect technology have also
resulted in the blurring of the traditional distinctions among assembly at
different levels of integration: chip, module, board and system. We currently provide
module assembly services primarily at our facilities in Korea. In addition, our subsidiary Universal Scientific has provided us
with access to process and product technologies at the levels of module, board
and system assembly and
test, which helps us to better anticipate industry trends and take advantage of
potential growth opportunities. We expect to combine our packaging, testing and materials technologies with the expertise of Universal Scientific at the systems level to develop our system-in-package (SiP) business.
Strategically Expand and Streamline
Production Capacity
To capitalize on the growing demand for
advanced and legacy packaging and testing services, we intend to strategically
expand our production capacity, both through internal growth and
through selective acquisitions and joint ventures, with a focus on providing
cost competitive and innovative packaging and testing
services.
For our advanced packaging and testing
business, we intend to invest in trends that are essential to the development
of the industry. We plan to expand our capacity with respect to, among other
things, 12-inch wafer process, bumping, FC-CSP and system-in-a-package
products to meet demand for smaller form factors,
higher performance and
higher packaging density. We believe rising commodity prices will expedite the
migration from leadframe and BGA-based packaging to flip-chip packaging and
wafer level packaging, as the cost differential narrows. We intend to increase
our capacity for flip-chip packaging and wafer level
packaging in order to cope with rising demand for these packaging
technologies.
In addition, we intend to promote our copper wire
solutions to our customers in addition to gold wire. Gold wire is a
significant raw material
for us. Gold prices, however, are subject to intense fluctuations,
which have in the past impacted our profitability. We believe that replacing
gold wire in some of our packages with the copper wire technology that we are
developing will enable us to provide more value to our customers,
which will enhance our competitiveness. We plan to focus initially on
integrating copper wire into traditional leadframe-based packages and thereafter
into higher end substrate-based packages.
For our legacy packaging and testing business, we expect to
focus on providing cost competitive services through our China operations by leveraging China’s lower cost of labor and land and a
rapidly growing end market. Our clients may also benefit from easier inventory
management and savings in transportation costs and
taxes by outsourcing their packaging and testing requirements to China. Through better management of capacity
utilization and efficiency improvements, we plan to offer cost competitive
legacy packaging and testing services on a large scale with the
intention of driving more integrated device manufacturer outsourcing in the long-run.
We
evaluate acquisition and joint venture opportunities on the basis of access to
new markets and technology, the enhancement of our production capacity,
economies of scale and management resources, and closer proximity to existing
and potential customers. In July 2006, we entered into a joint venture with
Powerchip, a DRAM manufacturer in Taiwan that focuses on the packaging and
testing of memory semiconductors, in order to help develop our capabilities with
respect to memory semiconductors and to benefit from future growth in the market
for memory products. The joint venture began operations in December 2006. In
January 2007, we completed the acquisition of GAPT, a company that provides wire
bond packaging and testing services for a wide range of semiconductors. In
September 2007, we and NXP Semiconductors formed a joint venture in Suzhou,
China focused on semiconductor testing and packaging. We currently own a 60.0%
interest in the joint venture. In May 2008, we completed the acquisition of ASE
(Weihai), Inc., a company that also engages in semiconductor packaging and
testing services. On February 3, 2010, we, along with our two subsidiaries, J&R Holding Limited and ASE
Test, through a cash and stock tender
offer, acquired 641,669,316 common shares of Universal
Scientific, amounting to NT$13,475.1 million (US$421.8 million), resulting in our ownership of 78.1% of
the outstanding common shares of Universal Scientific, including the shares we held prior to
the acquisition.
Universal
Scientific is an
electronics manufacturing
services company
that provides integrated solutions for electronic
manufacturing services in
relation to computers, peripherals, communications,
industrial, automotive, and storage and
server
applications. We intend to enhance our cooperation with Universal Scientific to provide our customers with more value-added
products.
Continue to Leverage Our Presence in Key
Centers of Semiconductor
and Electronics Manufacturing
We intend to continue leveraging our
presence in key centers of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing to
further grow our business. We have significant packaging, testing and electronics manufacturing
services operations in Taiwan, currently the largest center for
outsourced semiconductor
and electronics
manufacturing in the world. This presence enables our engineers to work closely
with our customers as well as foundries and other providers of
complementary semiconductor
and electronics
manufacturing services
early in the design process, enhances our responsiveness to the requirements of
our customers and shortens production cycles. In addition, as a turnkey service
provider, we are able to offer, all within relatively close geographic proximity
to our customers, complementary service providers and the end users of our
customers’ products. In addition to our current
operations, we intend to expand our packaging and testing operations in Chung
Li, Taiwan to better serve our customers located in
northern Taiwan and customers who request that we
maintain the capability of packaging and testing their products at more than one
location in Taiwan.
In addition to our locations in
Taiwan, we have primary operations in the following
locations:
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PRC — a fast-growing market for
semiconductor and
electronics manufacturing for domestic
consumption and our primary sites for serving legacy packaging
clients and
electronics
manufacturing services;
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Korea — an increasingly important center for the manufacturing
of memory and communications
devices;
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Malaysia and Singapore
— an emerging center for outsourced
semiconductor manufacturing in Southeast
Asia;
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Silicon Valley in California
— the preeminent center for
semiconductor design,
with a concentration of fabless customers;
and
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Japan — an emerging market for
semiconductor packaging and testing services as Japanese integrated device
manufacturers increasingly outsource their semiconductor manufacturing
requirements.
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Strengthen
and Develop Strategic Relationships with Providers of Complementary
Semiconductor Manufacturing Services
We intend
to strengthen existing, and develop new, strategic relationships with providers
of other complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, such as foundries,
as well as equipment vendors, raw material suppliers and technology research
institutes, in order to offer our customers total semiconductor manufacturing
solutions covering all stages of the manufacturing of their products from design
to shipment.
Since
1997, we have maintained a strategic alliance with TSMC, currently one of the
world’s largest dedicated semiconductor foundries, which designates us as their
non-exclusive preferred provider of packaging and testing services for
semiconductors manufactured by TSMC. Through our strategic alliance
with and close geographic proximity to TSMC, we are able to offer our customers
a total semiconductor manufacturing solution that includes access to foundry
services in addition to our packaging, testing and direct shipment
services. In addition, on February 23, 2009, we and AMPI, a provider
of foundry services, signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a
strategic alliance focused on providing semiconductor manufacturing turnkey
services.
Principal
Products and Services
We offer
a broad range of advanced and legacy semiconductor packaging and testing
services. Our package types employ either leadframes or substrates as
interconnect materials. The semiconductors we package are used in a wide range
of end-use applications, including communications, computers, consumer
electronics, industrial, automotive and other applications. Our testing services
include front-end engineering testing, which is performed during and following
the initial circuit design stage of the semiconductor manufacturing process,
wafer probe, final testing and other related semiconductor testing services. We
focus on packaging and testing logic semiconductors. We offer our customers
turnkey services which consist of packaging, testing and direct shipment of
semiconductors to end users designated by our customers. In 2007, 2008 and 2009,
our packaging revenues accounted for 77.6%, 77.7% and 79.2% of our net revenues,
respectively, and our testing revenues accounted for 19.8%, 20.1% and 18.4% of
our net revenues, respectively.
Since the
acquisition of Universal Scientific in February 2010, in addition to packaging
and testing services, we provide integrated solutions for electronics
manufacturing services in relation to computers, peripherals, communications,
industrial, automotive, and storage and server applications.
Packaging
Services
We offer
a broad range of package types to meet the requirements of our customers, with a
focus on advanced packaging solutions. Within our portfolio of package types, we
focus on the packaging of semiconductors for which there is expected to be
strong demand. These include advanced leadframe-based package types such as quad
flat packages (QFP), thin quad flat packages (TQFP), bump chip carrier (BCC) and
quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages,
aQFN
(advanced QFN) and package types based on substrates, such as flip-chip
BGA, flip-chip CSP and other BGA types as well as other advanced
packages such as wafer-level products, aCSP (advanced chip scale packages) and
aWLP (advanced wafer level packages, fan-out). In addition, to meet current
trends towards low cost solutions, we provide copper wire bonding solutions
which can be applied to current gold wire products, and low cost flip-chip
packages (a-fcCSP)
solutions for our customers. Furthermore, we provide flexible packages, such as
MAP POP (package on package) and aMAP POP (advanced, laser ablation type), which
enable our customers to mount packages more easily. We are among the leaders in
such advanced packaging processes and technologies and are well positioned to
lead the technology migration in the semiconductor packaging
industry.
The
semiconductor packaging industry has evolved to meet the advanced packaging
requirements of high-performance semiconductors. The development of
high-performance electronics products has spurred the innovation of
semiconductor packages that have higher interconnect density and better
electrical performance. As a part of this technology migration, semiconductor
packages have evolved from leadframe-based packages to substrate-based packages.
The key differences of these package types are:
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the
size of the package;
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the
density of electrical connections the package can
support;
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flexibility
at lower costs;
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the
thermal and electrical characteristics of the package;
and
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environmentally-conscious
designs.
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Leadframe-Based
Packages. Leadframe-based packages are packaged by connecting
the die, using wire bonders, to the leadframe with gold wire. As packaging
technology improves, the number of leads per package increases. Packages have
evolved from the lower pin-count plastic dual in-line packages to higher
pin-count quad flat packages. In addition, improvements in leadframe-based
packages have reduced the footprint of the package on the circuit board and
improved the electrical performance of the package. The following table sets
forth our principal leadframe-based packages.
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Advanced
Quad Flat No-Lead Package (aQFN)
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104-276
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aQFN
allows for leadless, multi-row and fine-pitch leadframe packaging and is
characterized by enhanced thermal and electrical
performance. aQFN is a cost-effective packaging solution due to
its cost-effective materials and simpler packaging
process.
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Telecommunications
products, wireless local access networks, personal digital assistants,
digital cameras, low to medium lead count packaging information
appliances.
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Quad
Flat Package (QFP)/ Thin Quad Flat Package (TQFP)
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44-256
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Designed
for advanced processors and controllers, application-specific integrated
circuits and digital signal processors.
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Multimedia
applications, cellular phones, personal computers, automotive and
industrial products, hard disk drives, communication boards such as
ethernet, integrated services digital networks and notebook
computers.
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Quad
Flat No-Lead Package (QFN)/Microchip Carrier (MCC)
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12-84
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QFN,
also known as MCC, uses half-encapsulation technology to expose the rear
side of the die pad and the tiny fingers, which are used to connect the
chip and bonding wire with printed circuit boards.
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Cellular
phones, wireless local access networks, personal digital assistant devices
and digital cameras.
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Bump
Chip Carrier (BCC)
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16-156
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BCC
packages use plating metal pads to connect with printed circuit boards,
creating enhanced thermal and electrical performance.
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Cellular
phones, wireless local access networks, personal digital assistant devices
and digital cameras.
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Small
Outline Plastic Package (SOP)/Thin Small Outline Plastic Package
(TSOP)
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8-56
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Designed
for memory devices including static random access memory, or SRAM, dynamic
random access memory, or DRAM, fast static RAM, also called FSRAM, and
flash memory devices.
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Consumer
audio/video and entertainment products, cordless telephones, pagers, fax
machines, printers, copiers, personal computer peripherals, automotive
parts, telecommunications products, recordable optical disks and hard disk
drives.
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Small
Outline Plastic J-Bend Package (SOJ)
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20-44
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Designed
for memory and low pin-count applications.
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DRAM
memory devices, microcontrollers, digital analog conversions and
audio/video applications.
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Plastic
Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC)
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28-84
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Designed
for applications that do not require low-profile packages with high
density of interconnects.
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Personal
computers, scanners, electronic games and monitors.
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Plastic
Dual In-line Package (PDIP)
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8-64
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Designed
for consumer electronic products.
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Telephones,
televisions, audio/video applications and computer
peripherals.
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Substrate-Based
Packages.
Substrate-based packages generally employ the BGA design, which utilizes
a substrate rather than a leadframe. Whereas traditional leadframe technology
places the electrical connection around the perimeter of the package, the BGA
package type places the electrical connection at the bottom of the package
surface in the form of small bumps or balls. These small bumps or balls are
typically distributed evenly across the bottom surface of the package, allowing
greater distance between individual leads and higher pin-counts.
The BGA
package type was developed in response to the requirements of advanced
semiconductors. The benefits of the BGA package type include:
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·
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superior
electrical signal transmission; and
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·
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better
heat dissipation.
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The
industry demand for BGA packages has grown significantly in recent years. BGA
packages are generally used in applications where size, density and performance
are important considerations, such as cellular handsets and high pin-count
graphic chipsets. Our expertise in BGA packages also includes capabilities in
stacked-die BGA, which assembles multiple dies into a single package. As an
extension to stacked-die BGA, we also assemble system-in-a-package (SiP)
products, which involve the integration of more than one chip into the same
package. We believe that we are among the leaders in these packaging
technologies.
We
believe that there will continue to be growing demand for packaging solutions
with increased input/output density, smaller size and better heat dissipation
characteristics. In anticipation of this demand, we have focused on developing
our capabilities in some advanced packaging solutions, such as flip-chip BGA,
flip-chip CSP, aMAP POP. Flip-chip BGA technology replaces wire bonding with
wafer bumping for interconnections within the package. Wafer bumping involves
the placing of tiny solder balls, instead of wires, on top of dies for
connection to substrates. As compared with more traditional packages, which
allow input/output connection only on the boundaries of the dies, flip-chip
packages significantly enhance the input/output flow by allowing input/output
connection over the entire surface of the dies.
The
following table sets forth our principal substrate-based packages.
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Flip-Chip
Chip Scale Package (FC-CSP, a-fcCSP)
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16-560
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A
lightweight package with a small, thin profile that provides better
protection for chips and better solder joint reliability than other
comparable package types.
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RFICs
and memory ICs such as digital cameras, DVDs, devices that utilize WiMAX
technology, cellular phones, GPS devices and personal computer
peripherals.
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Package-on-Package
(POP, aMAP POP)
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136-904
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This
technology places one package on top of another to integrate different
functionalities while maintaining a compact size. It offers procurement
flexibility, low cost of ownership, better total system cost and faster
time to market. Designers typically use the topmost package for memory
applications and the bottomost package for ASICs. By using this
technology, the memory known good die issue can be mitigated and the
development cycle time and cost can be reduced.
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Cellular
phones, personal digital assistants and system
boards.
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Plastic
BGA
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119-1520
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Designed
for semiconductors which require the enhanced performance provided by
plastic BGA, including personal computer chipsets, graphic controllers and
microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits, digital signal
processors and memory devices.
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Telecommunications
products, global positioning systems, notebook computers, disk drives and
video cameras.
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Cavity
Down BGA
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256-1140
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Designed
for memory devices such as flash memory devices, SRAM, DRAM and FSRAM,
microprocessors/controllers and high-value, application-specific
integrated circuits requiring a low profile, light and small
package.
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Telecommunications
products, wireless and consumer systems, personal digital assistants, disk
drives, notebook computers and memory boards.
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Stacked-Die
BGA
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120-1520
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Combination
of multiple dies in a single package enables package to have multiple
functions within a small surface area.
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Telecommunications
products, local area networks, graphics processor applications, digital
cameras and pagers.
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Flip-Chip
BGA
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|
16-2916
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|
Using
advanced interconnect technology, the flip-chip BGA package allows higher
density of input/output connection over the entire surface of the
dies. Designed for high-performance semiconductors that require
high density of interconnects in a small package.
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High-performance
networking, graphics and processor applications.
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Hybrid
(Flip-Chip and Wire Bumping)
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49-608
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A
package technology which stacks a die on top of a probed good die to
integrate ASIC and memory (flash, SRAM and DDR) into one package and
interconnecting them with wire bonding and molding. This
technology suffers from known good die issues (i.e., one bad die will ruin
the entire module). Rework is also not an option in hybrid
packages.
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Digital
cameras, smartphones, Bluetooth applications and personal digital
assistants.
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Land
Grid Array (LGA)
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10-72
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Leadless
package which is essentially a BGA package without the solder
balls. Based on laminate substrate, land grid array packages
allow flexible routing and are capable of multichip module
functions.
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High
frequency integrated circuits such as wireless communications products,
computers servers and personal computer
peripherals.
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Wafer-Level
Packages. Wafer-level packages typically have an area no
greater than 1.2 times of the silicon die. Unlike substrate-based
packages, where the die is usually mounted on an interposer which then contains
electrical connections in the form of small bumps or balls, wafer-level packages
do not include an interposer. The electrical connections are etched
or printed directly onto the wafer itself, resulting in a package very close to
the size of the silicon die.
As
miniaturization requirements for electronic devices increase, smaller and
lighter SiPs are garnering much attention within the industry. Wafer level
integration-passive device technology has become increasingly
important. Passive devices such as inductors, capacitors, resistors,
filters and diplexers are those components occupying the largest area in printed
circuit boards; therefore, miniaturization and integration is key to advanced
SiPs. This can be achieved through integrating passive components on an
individual substrate using a thin film process known as MCM-D or IPD (Integrated
Passive Device). The IPD can then be used as a package substrate or interposer
for SiP. This manufacturing method enhance product performance and also reduce
overall costs. The extension of our current RDL (Redistribution) process can be
used to build high quality factor (Q) inductor and RF circuits on top of CMOS
(Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) wafers. IPD is
an enabling technology for advanced SiP. It can be used in the following three
approaches to enhance product performance: several solutions to replace discrete
components such as Balun, Filter, etc. or to integrate certain passive
components and act as interposer, or to replace PWB and act as a substrate of
the module.
We
provide numerous technologies to meet various customer demands. The
following table sets forth our principal wafer-level packaging
products:
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Wafer
Level Chip Scale Package (aCSP)
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|
6-88
|
|
A
wafer level chip scale package that can be directly attached to the
circuit board. Provides shortest electrical path from the die
pad to the circuit board, thereby enhancing electrical
performance.
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Cellular
phones, personal digital assistants, watches, MP3 players, digital cameras
and camcorders.
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Advanced
Wafer Level Package (aWLP)
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189-364
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This
technology allows the “fanout” of the package I/Os using an area larger
than the die size without the need for a separate substrate. It offers
cost effective alternatives to flip-chip and wire bumping packaging. 2D
and 3D multi-die packages can enable leadless, multi-row and fine-pitch
leadframe packages with enhanced thermal and electrical
performance.
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Telecommunications
products, basebands and multiband
transceivers.
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Module
Assembly. We also offer module assembly services, which
combine one or more packaged semiconductors with other components in an
integrated module to enable increased functionality, typically using automated
surface mount technology, or SMT, machines and other machinery and equipment for
system-level assembly. End-use applications for modules include cellular phones,
PDAs, wireless LAN applications, Bluetooth applications, camera modules,
automotive applications and toys. We currently provide module
assembly services primarily at our facilities in Korea for radio frequency and
power amplifier modules used in wireless communications and automotive
applications.
Interconnect
Materials. Interconnect materials connect the input/output on
the semiconductor dies to the printed circuit board. Interconnect materials
include substrate, which is a multi-layer miniature printed circuit board, and
is an important element of the electrical characteristics and overall
performance of semiconductors. We produce substrates for use in our
packaging operations.
The
demand for higher performance semiconductors in smaller packages will continue
to spur the development of advanced substrates that can support the advancement
in circuit design and fabrication. As a result, we believe that the market for
substrates will grow and the cost of substrates as a percentage of the total
packaging process will increase. In the past, substrates we designed for our
customers were produced by independent substrate manufacturers. Since 1997, we
have been designing and producing a portion of our interconnect materials
in-house. In 2009, our interconnect materials operations supplied approximately
54.4% of our consolidated substrate requirements by value.
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of our
packaging revenues accounted for by each principal type of packaging products or
services.
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|
|
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|
|
(percentage
of packaging revenues)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Advanced
substrate and leadframe-based packages(1)
|
|
|
86.7 |
% |
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88.0 |
% |
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88.9 |
% |
Traditional
leadframe-based packages(2)
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|
|
4.3 |
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|
4.7 |
|
|
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5.3 |
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Module
assembly
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
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4.1 |
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3.0 |
|
Other
|
|
|
2.8 |
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|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
(1)
|
Includes
leadframe-based packages such as QFP/TQFP, QFN/MCC and BCC and
substrate-based packages such as various BGA package types (including
flip-chip and others) and LGA.
|
(2)
|
Includes
leadframe-based packages such as SOP/TSOP, SOJ, PLCC and
PDIP.
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Testing
Services
We
provide a complete range of semiconductor testing services, including front-end
engineering testing, wafer probing, final testing of
logic/mixed-signal/RF/Discrete and memory final testing and other test-related
services.
The
testing of semiconductors requires technical expertise and knowledge of the
specific applications and functions of the semiconductors tested as well as the
testing equipment utilized. We believe that our testing services employ
technology and expertise which are among the most advanced in the semiconductor
industry. In addition to maintaining different types of testing equipment, which
enables us to test a variety of semiconductor functions, we work closely with
our customers to design effective testing and conversion programs on multiple
equipment platforms for particular semiconductors.
In recent
years, complex, high-performance logic/mixed-signal/RF/discrete semiconductors
have accounted for an increasing portion of our testing revenues. As the testing
of complex, high-performance semiconductors requires a large number of functions
to be tested using more advanced testing equipment, these products generate
higher revenues per unit of testing time, as measured in central processing unit
seconds.
Front-End
Engineering Testing.
We provide front-end engineering testing services, including customized
software development, electrical design validation, and reliability and failure
analysis.
|
·
|
Customized
Software Development. Test engineers
develop customized software to test the semiconductor using advanced
testing equipment. Customized software, developed on specific testing
platforms, is required to test the conformity of each particular
semiconductor type to its unique functionality and
specification.
|