20-F 1 d20f.htm FORM 20-F FORM 20-F
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨ Registration Statement Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (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, 2007

OR

 

¨ 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: 333-11528

 

 

PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Republic of the Philippines

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

FTI Special Economic Zone

Electronics Avenue

Taguig City, 1604, Philippines

(Address of principal executive offices)

Hilarion V. Cajucom, Jr.

Chief Financial Officer

FTI Special Economic Zone

Electronics Avenue

Taguig City, 1604, Philippines

E-mail: lvcajucomjr@psitechnologies.com.ph

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

None

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

American Depository Shares (as evidenced by American Depository Receipts) each representing one common share of nominal value PHP 1-2/3 per share

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

None

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:

13,289,525 common shares, nominal value PHP 1-2/3 per share

 

 

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

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  x

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  x    No  ¨

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  ¨                                                    Accelerated filer  ¨                                                    Non-accelerated filer  x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  x   International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board  ¨
  Other  ¨

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.     Item 17  ¨     Item 18  x

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  x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

   2

ITEM 1*

   IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS    2

ITEM 2*

   OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE    2

ITEM 3

   KEY INFORMATION    2

ITEM 4

   INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY    18

ITEM 5

   OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS    35

ITEM 6

   DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES    58

ITEM 7

   MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS    65

ITEM 8

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    71

ITEM 9

   THE OFFER AND LISTING    73

ITEM 10

   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION    74

ITEM 11

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    85

ITEM 12*

   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES    86

PART II

   87

ITEM 13*

   DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES    87

ITEM 14*

   MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS    87

ITEM 15

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    87

ITEM 16

   RESERVED   

ITEM 16A

   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT    88

ITEM 16B

   CODE OF ETHICS    88

ITEM 16C

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES    89

ITEM 16D

   EXEMPTION FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES    89

ITEM 16E

   PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS    89

PART III

   90

ITEM 17**

   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    90

ITEM 18

   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    90

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   90

ITEM 19

   EXHIBITS    90

 

* Omitted because the item is inapplicable.
** We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.

All amounts listed in this annual report are stated in U.S. dollars our functional and presentation currency, unless otherwise noted. Any discrepancy between the amounts listed and their totals in the tables included in this annual report are due to rounding.

In this annual report, we rely on and refer to information regarding the semiconductor market and our competitors that has been prepared by independent industry research firms, including Dataquest and the Semiconductor Industry Association, or compiled from market research reports and other publicly available information. We have not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of this information.

Unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, references to the “Company” the “PSi Companies,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar plural pronouns are references generally to PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. (“PSi Holdings”) and its consolidated subsidiaries. For more information on our consolidated subsidiaries, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains “forward-looking statements,” as this phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and can often be identified by the use of terms like “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “will,” “may,” “should” or the negative of these terms. All forward-looking statements, including discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals and future events or performance, involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the following:

 

   

the state of the semiconductor industry;

 

   

demand for end-use applications;

 

   

demand for end-use products such as communications equipment and personal computers;

 

   

demand for the outsourcing of assembly and test services;

 

   

trends in customer order, rescheduling and cancellation patterns;

 

   

our product mix;

 

   

our capacity utilization;

 

   

our competition;

 

   

pricing pressures;

 

   

technological innovation; and

 

   

acquisition and installation of new equipment.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our own information and on information from other sources that we believe are reliable. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed, forecasted or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 20-F (in the section entitled “Item 3—Key Information—D. Risk Factors”). Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our future results. Under no circumstances should the inclusion of such forward looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 20-F be regarded as a representation or warranty by us with respect to the achievement of results set out in such statements or that the underlying assumptions used will in fact be the case. The forward looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F and we cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved. Except to the extent required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A. Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets data present a summary of our historical consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and for the years then ended and are derived from our consolidated financial statements and their related notes, which have been audited by SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), a member firm of Ernst & Young Global.

 

    For the years ended December 31  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
    (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
and weighted average number)
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

Revenues

  $ 93,513     $ 89,737     $ 72,868     $ 78,089     $ 76,933  

Cost of sales

    88,847       86,048       75,137       77,683       76,801  
                                       

Gross profit (loss)

    4,666       3,689       (2,269 )     406       132  
                                       

General administrative

    6,866       6,930       6,244       7,029       6,615  

Research and development

    1,236       1,151       1,201       925       723  

Selling and marketing

    846       670       962       787       762  

Special charges

    684       1,884       1,483       1,263       11,494  

Provision (reversal of allowance) for doubtful accounts

    314       10       (85 )     —         6  
                                       

Loss from continuing operations

    (5,280 )     (6,956 )     (12,074 )     (9,598 )     (19,468 )
                                       

Interest expense and bank charges—net

    (3,619 )     (3,358 )     (2,874 )     (2,137 )     (1,214 )

Foreign exchange losses—net

    (1,003 )     (530 )     (152 )     (311 )     (242 )

Lease income

    165       135       110       92       —    

Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment

    42       (7 )     9       1       (1 )

Income on refund from a utility company

    —         91       227       —         —    
                                       

Loss from continuing operations before income tax and minority interest

    (9,695 )     (10,625 )     (14,754 )     (11,953 )     (20,925 )

Provision for (benefit from) income tax:

         

Current

    19       191       3       2       6  

Deferred

    —         —         117       367       (231 )
                                       

Loss from continuing operations before minority interest

    (9,714 )     (10,816 )     (14,874 )     (12,322 )     (20,700 )

Minority interest

    —         —         —         31       (11 )
                                       

Net loss from continuing operations

    (9,714 )     (10,816 )     (14,874 )     (12,291 )     (20,711 )

Net loss from discontinued operations

    —         (785 )     (4,876 )     (2,357 )     —    
                                       

Net loss

  ($ 9,714 )   ($ 11,601 )   ($ 19,750 )   ($ 14,648 )   ($ 20,711 )
                                       

Weighted average number of common share outstanding

    13,290       13,290       13,290       13,290       13,290  
                                       

Basic and Diluted Earnings per common share (1):

         

Net loss from continuing operations per share

  ($ 0.73 )   ($ 0.81 )   ($ 1.12 )   ($ 0.92 )   ($ 1.56 )

Loss from discontinued operations per share

    —       ($ 0.06 )   ($ 0.37 )   ($ 0.17 )     —    

Net loss per common share

  ($ 0.73 )   ($ 0.87 )   ($ 1.49 )   ($ 1.10 )   ($ 1.56 )
                                       

 

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     For the years ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
     (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
and weighted average number)
 

Depreciation

   $ 12,099     $ 14,702     $ 18,128     $ 16,965     $ 15,500  

Capital expenditures (2)

     3,353       8,718       4,403       15,016       10,177  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     3,909       11,073       (4,214 )     8,040       986  

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (2,298 )     (4,947 )     (1,884 )     (9,047 )     (5,699 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,486 )     (4,488 )     6,675       1,116       3,950  

 

(1) Basic and diluted earnings per share amounts are the same because the effect of the assumed exercise of all outstanding stock options and conversion of the exchangeable note is anti-dilutive.
(2) Including cost of property and equipment amounting to $425 in 2007, $2,481 in 2006, $1,064 in 2005, $6,695 in 2004 and $4,008 in 2003 acquired on account through suppliers’ credits and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements.

Consolidated balance sheet data:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
     (In thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,414     $ 3,270     $ 1,625     $ 1,046     $ 936  

Working capital (1)

     (15,249 )     (13,392 )     (13,032 )     (22,775 )     (11,466 )

Total assets

     49,779       61,777       69,531       88,527       89,431  

Long-term debt (2)

     3,703       7,699       3,294       3,074       3,701  

Capital Stock—Philippine peso 1 2/3 par value

          

Authorized—37,058,100 shares

          

Issued and outstanding—13,289,525 shares

     590       590       590       590       590  

Total stockholders’ equity

     8,848       16,350       29,363       42,072       56,067  

 

(1) Total current assets minus total current liabilities.
(2) Including current portions of long-term debt, obligations under capital lease and other long-term liabilities amounting to $200, $65, $36, $1,201 and $1,797 in 2007, 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

     As of December 31,  
     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
     (In thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Current assets

   $ 22,179     $ 24,401     $ 23,878     $ 21,807     $ 19,963  

Current liabilities

     37,428       37,793       36,910       44,582       31,429  
                                        

Working capital

   ($ 15,249 )   ($ 13,392 )   ($ 13,032 )   ($ 22,775 )   ($ 11,466 )
                                        

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

D. Risk Factors

The risk factors below are associated with our company and our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”). An investment in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing our ADSs, you should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and, in particular, the risks

 

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described below. If any of the following risks actually materialize, our business, financial condition and results of operations would likely suffer materially, the market price of our ADSs could decline, and you may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our ADSs. The risks and uncertainties below are not the only ones we face, but represent the risks that we believe are material. However, there may be additional risks that we currently consider not to be material or of which we are not currently aware and these risks could have the effects set forth above.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our customers may stop or reduce their outsourcing, which will reduce demand for our services and cause our revenue to decrease.

We depend on the trend towards increased outsourcing of assembly and test services by integrated device manufacturers. Integrated device manufacturers continually evaluate our services against their own in-house assembly and test services and may decide to shift some or all of their outsourced assembly and test services to their internal capacity at any time. Any shift or a slowdown in this outsourcing trend would reduce demand for our services and cause our revenue to decrease.

We depend on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues and the loss of one or more of our significant customers could reduce our profitability.

Our top five customers accounted for approximately 91% in 2007, 91% in 2006, 87% in 2005, 81% in 2004 and 81% in 2003 of our total revenues (including revenue generated by discontinuing operations). Infineon Technologies, Inc. (Infineon) has been our largest customer since 2003, accounting for approximately 49%, 48% and 35% of our total revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. On June 19, 2006, we entered into Sales and Investment Agreement with Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Infineon-Malaysia) for the supply of certain power packaging devices for one-year period. The Sales and Investment Agreement requires Infineon-Malaysia a minimum number of power devices to be purchased with us. This Agreement expired on January 23, 2008. However, we continue to trade these devices to Infineon-Malaysia with no fixed volume requirement. If our relationship with Infineon were to erode, our business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

We have lost major customers in the past and could lose other major customers in the future. For example, in 2005, Fairchild Korea Semiconductor (Fairchild Korea) terminated its relationship with us. Fairchild Korea accounted for 1.9%, 3.1% and 5.6% of our total revenues in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. We cannot guarantee that we can generate the same level of sales from our largest customers and we cannot ascertain that they will not solicit alternative suppliers. Many of our major customers operate in cyclical businesses that are also highly competitive, and their own demand and market positions may vary considerably. Such customers have in the past and may in the future vary order levels significantly from period to period. It would be difficult for us to quickly replace a major customer that permanently discontinues or significantly reduces its commercial relationship with us, as new customers usually require us to pass a lengthy and rigorous qualification process.

Also, semiconductor companies generally rely on service providers with which they have established relationships to meet their assembly and testing needs for existing and future applications. If any one of our key customers were to reduce its purchases significantly, any inability on our part to attract new major customers or shift our excess production capacity to our remaining customers could materially impact our financial viability and profitability.

Most of our customers are not obligated to purchase any minimum amount of our products or services. We may not receive sufficient customer orders in the future to meet our costs and remain profitable.

Most of our customers are not obligated to purchase any minimum amount of our assembly and test services or to provide us with binding forecasts of their demand for any period. As a result, we have difficulty in forecasting our revenue for any future period. We expect that revenue in any quarter will continue to be

 

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substantially dependent on orders received during that quarter. The level of orders we receive from our customers has varied and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. In some cases, we experienced unfilled orders as our customers encountered wafer supply constraints arising from the time required to ramp-up their wafer fabrication facilities. We cannot assure you that any of our customers will continue to place orders with us in the future at the same levels as they have had in prior periods.

We depend on our customers to provide us with a satisfactory supply of wafers, and shortages or disputes regarding the supply and quality of wafers may reduce our ability to fill our customers’ orders, reduce our revenue and increase our costs.

Our operations and general competitiveness depend on a satisfactory supply of wafers from our customers for assembly and test services. Shortages or shipments of defective wafers can result from supply chain interruptions, including disruptions from a change in manufacturing site or wafer provider, and inferior manufacturing or design flaws. Moreover, disputes as to the origin of defects and responsibility for defective wafers or dice already built into finished products could strain our relationships with existing customers. An insufficient supply of wafers, defective wafers, defective dice in finished products and any disputes relating thereto could reduce our ability to fulfill our customers’ orders, decrease our revenue, increase our costs and materially impact our financial viability and profitability.

The average selling price for electronic devices tends to decrease over the product life cycle, which may force us to lower our prices and reduce our profitability.

The decreasing average selling price of most electronic devices places significant pressure on the prices of the components, including semiconductors that are used in those devices. If the average selling price of electronic devices continues to decrease, the pricing pressure on our services may reduce our revenue and our gross profit. Pricing pressure on our assembly and test services is likely to continue and our ability to maintain or increase our profitability will depend in large part upon our ability to:

 

   

reduce our raw material costs;

 

   

improve production efficiency;

 

   

increase the number of units assembled and tested; and

 

   

shift to higher margin test and assembly services or products.

See “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” for a discussion of the historical decline of our average selling price.

We may be unable to obtain assembly or test equipment when we need it, which will prevent us from expanding our business and increasing our revenue.

Our operations and expansion plans are highly dependent upon our ability to obtain a significant amount of capital equipment, which is manufactured by a limited number of suppliers. In periods of high demand, the lead time from order to delivery for assembly and test equipment ranges from four to six months. If we cannot obtain equipment in a timely manner, we may be unable to fill our customers’ orders or accept orders from new customers, which could reduce revenue and materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to recoup the cost of significant capital expenditures made in anticipation of increased sales, which would have a negative effect on our profitability and financial viability.

We increased and plan to continue to increase our assembly and test capacity in order to grow our business. This required and will require substantial capital expenditures, primarily for additional assembly and test equipment, and facilities support equipment. We have already made and will continue to make these capital

 

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expenditures and we cannot assure you that our sales will increase or that our revenues and cash flow are sufficient to cover these capital expenditures and the outcomes and results of our investments and capital expenditures may differ materially from our expectations. Our failure to increase our revenue and/or margins or obtain additional financing following significant capital expenditures could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations, as we may not be able to offset our increased costs, cash flow requirements and related depreciation expense.

We need a significant amount of capital to fund our capital expenditures and execute our business strategies. We may be unable to repay short-term suppliers and bank credit facilities incurred to fund our capital expenditures program, which would have a negative effect on our operations and financial viability.

We may not have sufficient cash flow from operations or available lines of credit to pay our liabilities with our suppliers and outstanding bank loans. Therefore, we may have to raise capital by accessing external financing sources to meet such liabilities. The terms of any new funding we obtain could restrict our future operations and affect your investment in a number of ways, including, but not limited to:

 

   

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flows from operations to the payment of interest and principal due from such obligations, which may reduce funds available for other business purposes;

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

 

   

forcing us to sell assets or terminate or suspend some of our planned expansion projects; and

 

   

limiting our ability to borrow additional funds because of financial and other restrictive covenants governing our debt.

In July 2003, we issued a $4.0 million, 5-year exchangeable senior subordinated note (2003 Note) to Merrill Lynch Global Emerging Markets Partners, LLC (Merrill Lynch LLC), an affiliate of Merrill Lynch Global Emerging Market Partners, L.P. (Merrill Lynch), due on June 1, 2008 which bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum, net of Philippine withholding tax. The 2003 Note was issued to pay off certain liabilities related to our capital expenditures incurred in 2002, which were due by the end of the second and third quarters of 2003 and could not be paid out of current cash flow from operations or available lines of credit. Further, in June 2005, we issued a $7.0 million, 4-year exchangeable senior subordinated note (2005 Note) to Merrill Lynch LLC, due on June 1, 2009, which bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum, net of Philippine withholding tax. The proceeds of the 2005 Note was used to partially finance capital expenditures related to the introduction of our company’s Power QFN (Quad Flat No-Lead) Package and for the repayment of due and outstanding suppliers’ credits and capital expenditures payables. On May 30, 2008, our company and Merrill Lynch LLC executed the first amendment to the 2003 Note extending the maturity of the 2003 Note from June 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008. See “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes.”

We have a $10 million credit facility from the Singapore Branch of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG (RZB-Austria) of which $8.8 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The credit facility has been available to our company since 2002 and has been renewed annually every year thereafter until December 31, 2006. On April 27, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Agreement (Second Agreement) with RZB-Austria under which the credit facility was extended from December 31, 2006 through March 31, 2008. We are currently in the process of finalizing the documentation and contractual requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria.

We have a $3 million revolving promissory note, including a letter of credit of up to $450,000 with Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) a local commercial bank. The facility is subject to annual review by PVB on or

 

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before April 11 of each year until April 11, 2010 and is available in multiple draw downs of up to 90-days. As of December 31, 2007, the aggregate outstanding amount under this facility was $1.3 million. On May 16, 2008, the board of directors of PVB after completing its annual review of our existing $3.0 million credit facility, approved an increase of the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain other financings with satisfactory terms to support our future operations and plans. Failure to obtain any such required additional financings or generate sufficient cash flows to meet our financing obligations could have a material adverse effect on our company. Also, we may not be able to renew our existing credit facilities nor repay these obligations when they mature. Our ability to make scheduled payments on our debt will depend on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, any future borrowings we make will most likely be subject to covenants limiting our operating and financial flexibility and would require the consent of Merrill Lynch LLC.

The recurring losses from our operations and negative net working capital position raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have incurred recurring losses since 2001. Our net loss for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $9.7 million, $11.6 million and $19.7 million, respectively, while deficit amounted to $71.4 million as of December 31, 2007 and $61.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Further, our negative working capital amounted to $15.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2006.

In 2007 and 2006, we recognized provision for impairment losses on certain property, plant and equipment amounting to $0.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, primarily due to low sales volume, and idle machinery and equipment that our company no longer uses in its operations and has zero salvage value.

The foregoing conditions, risks and uncertainties raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern and may affect our ability to develop advanced technology and expanded services, compete against companies with greater operating capacity and financial resources, increase production capacity, obtain assembly and test equipment to meet the demand for our products and services, obtain favorable terms from suppliers, and repay bank loans and obtain additional bank credit facilities. Our continued operation as a going concern is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and/or seek other sources of financing; however, there are no assurances that positive operating results can be achieved or that any additional financing or refinancing can be obtained on favorable terms. We plan to mitigate our going concern risk by engaging in cost reduction measures through plant closures, rationalizing our capital expenditures and promoting better operating efficiencies. In addition, we plan to increase our revenue by targeting higher volume and margin sales from existing and new customers.

We rely on external financing for major capital expenditures to support our strategic expansion. Currently, we are in discussions with the Philippine Export and Import Credit Agency, to guarantee a syndicated term loan amounting to $15 million. Further, as of July 11, 2008, the PVB and the Bank of Commerce have obtained their management approval to proceed with the due diligence and support for the syndicated loan amounting to $5.0 million and $10 million, respectively. We are dependent on entering into financing arrangements with third parties to meet our financing obligations. The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension.

 

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For more information on these arrangements, see “Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements”. We may be unable to repay short-term suppliers and bank credit facilities incurred to fund our capital expenditures program, which would have a negative effect on our operations and financial viability” as discussed in the section of this Annual Report of Form 20-F entitled “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activities.”

In difficult market conditions, our high fixed costs adversely impact our financial results.

We are driven to reduce prices in response to competitive pressures and, at the same time, we are also faced with a decline in utilization rates in our plants due to decreases in demand for our power packages. Because our industry is characterized by high fixed costs, we are not always able to reduce our total costs in line with revenue declines. Reduced average selling prices for our power packages, will adversely affect our results of operations. Although we achieved a gross profit of $4.7 million in 2007, an increase of 26.5% as compared to gross profit of $3.7 million in 2006 resulting from changes in package mix, process improvements and cost reduction initiatives, and increase in sales volume in our Laguna facility, we cannot assure you that difficult market conditions will not affect the capacity utilization of our plants and consequently, our future gross profit margins. Further, increased competition in the power semiconductor sector may lead to further price erosion, lower revenue growth rates and lower gross profit margins in the future.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers to provide us with sufficient quantities of raw materials on a timely basis at acceptable quality and price levels in order to sustain our operations.

It is important to our operations and general competitiveness that we obtain raw materials from our vendors in a timely manner, in sufficient quantities and qualities and at competitive prices. We obtain most of our critical materials from a limited group of suppliers on a purchase order basis and without the benefit of long-term contracts. Some of our suppliers provide us with equipment and raw materials on a credit basis, with payment for such items deferred until a later date. Our failure to repay our liabilities with these suppliers in a timely manner could cause our suppliers to cease in providing us with such credits or such materials. The loss of such supplier credits or materials could have an adverse impact on our business and operations, including our ability to meet our customers’ requirements.

Shortages occur in our essential raw materials due to interruptions or limitations in supply or increased demand in the industry. While we believe that we have identified adequate alternative suppliers for our raw materials, any transition to a new supplier could take time, increase costs and disrupt our business. In the past, we have experienced difficulty obtaining acceptable raw materials on a timely basis and delays in the delivery of raw materials we have ordered. We have experienced delays in the delivery of lead frames from a major European supplier, due to the inability of the supplier to source copper base material on a timely basis. As copper supply remains constrained, we may continue to occasionally experience these delays in delivery.

We may reject and return to our suppliers those raw materials that do not meet our quality criteria. While we believe that we have identified suppliers according to specific qualification criteria, we cannot assure you that our suppliers will supply us with raw materials that consistently meet our quality criteria. This may limit the amount of raw materials available to meet customers’ order requirements. Our inability to obtain satisfactory raw materials could limit our ability to fill our customer orders and/or increase our costs relative to the revenues that we generate.

Although we work closely with our suppliers to avoid these types of shortages, there can be no assurances that we will not encounter these problems in the future. Our quarterly and annual results of operations would be adversely affected if we are unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials or equipment in a timely manner or if there were significant increases in the cost of raw materials or problems with the quality of these raw materials.

Our financial condition may be adversely affected by credit risk.

Our customers are from time to time are indebted to us as a result of normal trading arrangements with them. We attempt to mitigate credit risk through customer diversification to minimize customer concentration

 

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and by screening our customers for creditworthiness. However, the information provided to us by our customers may not be accurate, complete, updated or properly evaluated, which may create a risk of having delinquent customers or uncollected receivables. Neither can we assure you that our policies, procedures and ability to diversify and manage credit risk will be effective. Although none of our customers has defaulted on their payments to us due to bankruptcy, deterioration of their creditworthiness, lack of liquidity, operational failure, or other reasons, we cannot assure you that such an event will not occur. We may suffer financially and our liquidity may be severely impaired if our customers will not pay us according to contractual terms of payment.

We may be unable to increase our production capacity to meet the demand for our products and services.

In 2007, we acquired property, plant and equipment totaling $3.4 million (including equipment acquired on account through suppliers’ credits of $0.4 million as of December 31, 2007) for our Taguig and Laguna manufacturing facilities. If we experience delays in the purchase and delivery of equipment needed to expand and support our capacity, we may not be able to meet the demand for our products and services. Our inability to expand capacity could reduce our ability to meet customer needs, which may prompt our customers to place orders with our competitors.

The cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry resulting periodic overcapacity of our manufacturing facilities may seriously harm our company.

Our operations are substantially affected by market conditions in the semiconductor industry, which are highly cyclical and, at various times, have experienced significant economic downturns characterized by reduced product demand and production overcapacity, which can result in the erosion of average selling prices.

The semiconductor industry experienced a significant downturn in 2001 and the lingering effects of that downturn adversely affected our operating results in the succeeding years. The 2001 downturn was characterized by production overcapacity, reduced product demand, excessive inventories and rapid erosion of average selling prices. Historically, companies in the semiconductor industry (including ourselves and our competitors) have expanded aggressively during periods of increased demand. As a result, periods of overcapacity in the semiconductor industry have in the past followed periods of increased demand. In addition, the markets for semiconductors are characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, intense competition and fluctuations in end-user demand. In 2002, the market for semiconductors stabilized, registering growth in worldwide semiconductor revenues as measured by Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)/World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) of 1.3%. The market has continued to expand through 2007, with a compounded annual growth rate of 11.3% for the five-year period ended December 31, 2007. Nonetheless, a future downturn in the semiconductor industry could seriously harm our company. In particular, the combination of weak demand, a sharp correction of inventory by our customers and their end markets, and deterioration in economic performance, particularly in the United States, and an increase in underutilized capacity in 2007 could seriously harm our industry and our company.

Upward changes in the price of copper, gold, crude oil and certain other commodities used by our suppliers or by us as raw materials for our products could materially harm our business by increasing our costs.

We are particularly affected by fluctuations in the prices of commodities such as copper, nickel, aluminum, gold, silver and other metals used in our raw materials and manufacturing process, and higher energy costs. Copper base materials that form significant part the cost of our finished product cost have increased by 6.7% from US$6,671 average price per ton in 2006 to US$7,115 average price per ton in 2007. Crude oil prices were higher by 65.5%, gold prices were higher by 14.8%, silver prices were higher by 15.8% and nickel prices were higher by 83.5% in 2007 as compared to 2006. The continuous increase in oil prices has resulted and will further result to higher importation costs, increase energy and utility costs as well as upsurge of costs of oil-based packaging materials.

We attempt to negotiate competitive prices of raw materials with our suppliers, which helps to reduce the impact of any increases in the price of raw materials linked to commodities. Similarly, we attempt to mitigate the

 

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impact of higher crude oil prices, which leads to higher energy and utilities expenses, through improvements in our operating efficiencies and adjustments in scheduling our production according to forecasted loadings. We cannot assure you that the prices of these commodities will not continue to rise, or that we will be able to negotiate competitive pricing with our suppliers, or that we will be able to mitigate the increase in our utilities expense. As a result, we may have to pass on to our customers such increases in costs. Any inability on our part to negotiate competitive pricing for raw materials or inability on our part to mitigate the increase in utilities expense or to pass on to our customers such higher costs could materially impact our financial viability and profitability.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could materially harm our business by increasing costs.

All of our consolidated revenue is U.S. dollar-denominated, our functional and reporting currency. The largest share of our costs is also U.S. dollar-denominated. Some of our raw material costs are incurred in European euro and Japanese yen. All of our operating expenses are incurred in U.S. dollars and Philippine pesos while our capital expenditures are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars and Japanese yen. As a result, we are particularly affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Philippine peso, the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar, and the Euro and the U.S. dollar. Since all of our revenues are in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the European euro and Japanese yen, could also increase the price we pay for equipment and raw materials, which could also increase our raw material and equipment costs.

An overall decrease in demand for power semiconductors may significantly decrease the demand for our services and materially reduce our revenue.

We derive majority of our revenue from assembly and/or test services for manufacturers of semiconductors used for power conversion or power management applications. Currently, many electronic devices use multiple power semiconductors, but electronics manufacturers are aggressively seeking to decrease the number of components used in devices and simplify system design. Any significant decrease in the need for power semiconductors within electronic devices may decrease the demand for our services and materially reduce our revenue. In addition, the economic slowdown in the technology sector and the increase in overall inventory levels have caused a decrease in demand for electronic devices and semiconductors and/or, in turn, our services. These trends could have a negative impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may not be able to develop the advanced technology and expanded services we need to maintain our competitive position and our profitability.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid technological development. We need to provide our customers with advanced assembly and testing capabilities and quick production time for their increasingly complex devices. In addition, we must continue to expand our selection of packages to remain competitive. If we rely on older products, our margins and cash flow could be reduced because prices of older products tend to decrease when newer, higher performance products are introduced. Our customers may also opt to phase out or discontinue marketing and selling these older products. Any failure on our part to advance our design and process technologies successfully and in a timely manner could materially harm our competitiveness and our profitability.

We may not be able to compete successfully in our industry because many of our competitors are much larger in size, have greater operating capacity and financial resources and have proven research and development and marketing capabilities.

The semiconductor assembly and testing industry is highly competitive. We face substantial competition from:

 

   

the in-house assembly and testing divisions of major integrated device manufacturers;

 

   

other independent companies such as Carsem Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Greatek Electronics, Inc., AUK Corp., Enoch Semiconductor Corp., Huashan Electronic Devices Co., GEM Services and Nantung Fujitsu, Inc. that specialize in providing assembly and test services for power semiconductors; and

 

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a number of large companies, such as Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Amkor Technology, Inc., ASE Test Limited, ASAT, Ltd., STATS ChipPAC Ltd., Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd.,

 

   

ST Assembly and Test Services Pte., Ltd., and Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd., that focus primarily on non-power semiconductor assembly and test services.

These companies may compete more aggressively over a longer period of time than we can due to potentially greater economies of scale, lower costs, more efficient manufacturing processes, higher amounts of cash generated from operations and allocated to research and development and greater financial stability. A number of these companies also have established relationships with many of our current or potential customers. We may also face increasing competition from competitors located in lower cost centers such as Vietnam and China. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully in the future against existing or potential competitors. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Business Overview—Competition.”

We may not be able to keep or replace key executive officers and employees, which would impair our ability to implement our business plan and continue our assembly and test processes.

We depend on our key executive officers and employees to implement our business plan and oversee our assembly and test processes. It is difficult to attract and retain highly skilled technical, managerial and marketing personnel, and replace key personnel, as competition for qualified personnel in the Philippines is intense. We have had significant executive turnover in the past and may experience difficulty retaining key executives in the future.

On March 31, 2007, Thelma G. Oribello, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer resigned to join her family in Jakarta, Indonesia. She was replaced by Francisco H. Suarez, Jr. On October 31, 2007, Mr. Suarez also resigned as Chief Financial Officer and he was replaced by Hilarion V. Cajucom, Jr. on October 16, 2007.

In May 2006, our Chief Technology Officer, James Knapp, resigned and was replaced when we appointed Thomas Moersheim in April 2007 as our new Chief Technology Officer.

On March 1, 2008, Gordon J. Stevenson relinquished his position as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. On February 1, 2008, we appointed George J. Shaw as the new Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President.

We cannot assure you that we will not lose, or that we will be able to attract and retain, additional personnel required to successfully develop new and enhanced assembly and test services and to continue to grow and operate profitably. We maintain limited directors and officers liability insurance.

We may be unable to develop and protect the intellectual property needed to compete successfully with other assembly and test companies.

Our ability to compete successfully and achieve future growth in revenue will depend, in part, on our ability to develop and protect our proprietary technology and the proprietary technology of our customers entrusted to us during the assembly or testing process. We cannot assure you that we will be able to develop or protect proprietary technology or that our competitors will not develop, patent or gain access to similar know-how and technology. We cannot assure you that any confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements that we rely on to protect trade secrets and other proprietary information will be adequate to protect our or our customers’ proprietary technology.

We may become subject to intellectual property rights disputes that may be costly and limit our ability to continue our business operations as planned.

Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others and not breaching licenses granted to us. We have not established procedures to help prevent us from infringing the patented technology of our competitors or other parties. As a result, we may not be aware of the intellectual property rights of others or familiar with the laws governing intellectual property rights in countries where our products are sold. If we become aware that third party-owned intellectual property may

 

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affect our business, we intend to either avoid technology protected by existing patents, or to cross-license or otherwise obtain the right to use the process or package technologies we require. We believe that companies in our industry will face more frequent patent infringement claims as the number and coverage of patents, copyrights and other third party intellectual property rights in our industry increases. In the event a valid claim is made against us, we may be required to:

 

   

stop using critical assembly and test processes;

 

   

cease manufacturing, using, importing or selling infringing packages;

 

   

develop non-infringing technologies;

 

   

acquire and pay for licenses to use the infringed technology; or

 

   

pay substantial damages.

We may be required to seek licenses from or enter into agreements with third parties covering intellectual property. We cannot guarantee that any of those licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all. We may also have to commence lawsuits against companies who infringe on our intellectual property rights. Those potential claims could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources.

Our assembly and test processes are susceptible to human error, which can reduce our productivity and harm our operations.

Our failure to maintain high training standards and monitor our operators could result in significant operator error, which could reduce our production yields, cause us to miss committed deliveries to our customers, erode product quality, damage our customer relationships and materially harm our business. Any lost customers, increased costs, production delays, substantial amounts of returned goods and claims by customers resulting from human error could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to maintain the clean room environment we need for our operations, which can reduce our productivity and harm our operations.

Our assembly and test operations take place in areas where air purity, temperature and humidity are controlled. If we are unable to control our assembly and test environment, our equipment may malfunction or our products may be defective. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Business Overview—Quality Management.” Any prolonged interruption in our operations due to problems in our clean room environment could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental, health and safety laws could require us to incur additional capital and operational costs.

We are subject to liabilities and compliance obligations arising under environmental, health and safety laws. These laws impose various controls on the quality of our air and water discharges, on the storage, handling, discharge and disposal of chemicals our company uses, and on employee exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. Environmental, health and safety laws could require us to incur capital and operational costs to maintain compliance and could impose liability to remedy the effects of hazardous substance contamination. We have complied with the requirements of the Philippine environmental standards and paid the applicable penalties and fees. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Property, Plants and Equipment—Environmental Matters” for more details. We cannot assure you that applicable environmental, health and safety laws will not in the future impose the need for additional capital equipment or other process requirements upon our company, curtail its operations, or restrict its ability to expand its operations. The adoption of new environmental, health and safety laws, the failure to comply with new or existing laws, or issues relating to hazardous substance contamination could subject our company to future material liability.

 

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We may be unable to maintain the non-unionized status of our workforce or limit employee turnover, which can reduce our productivity and harm our operations.

Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to keep labor costs low. We provide compensation, benefits, and a working environment in accordance with standards mandated by Philippine law, regulations and codes which has resulted in a union-free workplace. Any initiative by the workforce to unionize or the occurrence of high employee turnover in any of our two manufacturing facilities may result in lost productivity and higher labor costs that could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on income tax incentives to preserve funds allocated for specific business purposes and a loss of these tax benefits would prevent us from using funds in accordance with our business plan.

As a result of our decision to register with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (“PEZA”) as a tax planning strategy, we are subject to a final tax, in lieu of all other taxes, computed at 5% of our gross income less allowable deductions as defined in Republic Act (RA) No. 8748 of the Philippines. We recognized ITH incentives amounting to $83,185 in 2007 and $61,351 in 2006. Our Laguna facility, through PSi Laguna, Inc., however, received tax incentives amounting to $62,884 in 2007 and $44,271 in 2006.

It may be difficult for you to enforce any judgment obtained in the United States against us or our affiliates.

Our company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and substantially all of our directors and executive officers reside outside the United States. In addition, virtually all of our assets and the assets of those persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service of process upon us or one of those persons in the United States to enforce any judgment obtained in U.S. courts against us or any of these persons, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws. If original actions are brought in courts in jurisdictions located outside the United States, it may be difficult for investors to enforce liabilities based upon U.S. securities laws. The Philippines is not a party to any international treaty concerning the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments although the Philippine Rules of Court do provide that a foreign judgment may be enforced in the Philippines through an independent action filed to enforce the judgment. A foreign judgment may not be enforced, however, if there is evidence of a lack of jurisdiction, absence of notice, collusion, fraud or clear mistake of law or fact or if it is found to be contrary to the laws, customs or public policy of the Philippines.

Risks Related to Our ADSs

Our public shareholders may have more difficulty protecting their interests than they would as shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation and by-laws and by the laws governing companies incorporated in the Philippines. Legal principles such as a director’s or officer’s duty of care and loyalty, and the fiduciary duties of controlling shareholders exist in the Philippines. However, these principles are relatively untested in Philippine courts, and their application is uncertain in comparison to their application in U.S. courts. As a result, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in connection with actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors or our controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

Our existing principal shareholders own a large percentage of our voting shares and their interests may conflict with the interests of our company.

Our principal shareholders, Merrill Lynch and Greathill Pte., Ltd. (“Greathill”), own, in the aggregate, approximately 68.5% of our outstanding voting securities as of December 31, 2007. Greathill was a wholly-owned subsidiary of NJI NO.2 Investment Fund (NJI) that was in members voluntary liquidation. However, on

 

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February 27, 2007, NJI and Primasia and Bridge No. 1 Greater China Secondary Fund L.P. (“Primasia”) entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement under which NJI transferred its ownership of Greathill to Primasia effective March 1, 2007. Primasia is managed by Primasia Private Equity Management, Ltd. Acting together, or in Merrill Lynch’s case, individually, our principal shareholders will be able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.” Matters that require shareholder approval through two-thirds vote include, among other things:

 

   

our merger or consolidation with any other entity;

 

   

any sale of all or substantially all of our assets; and

 

   

the timing and payment of stock dividends if any.

Our principal shareholders have entered into a shareholders agreement relating to their ownership, transfer and voting of our shares. As a result of the level of their shareholdings and the provisions of the shareholders agreement, our principal shareholders will have the power to determine the election of our directors and the approval of any other action requiring the approval of our shareholders, including any amendments to our articles of incorporation and by-laws. In addition, our principal shareholders could prevent us from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us or the holders of our ADSs.

Under the terms of the exchangeable notes issued to Merrill Lynch LLC in July 2003 and June 2005, Merrill Lynch LLC also has the right to approve a broad range of material transactions undertaken by us or our subsidiaries. See “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Transactions—The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes.”

Your percentage ownership in our company could be diluted by the action of our principal shareholders.

Our shareholders do not have preemptive rights. Our principal shareholders have a sufficient number of votes to approve the authorization, sale and issuance of additional shares of common stock or other securities of our company. You do not have a right to participate in any such sale or issuance and as a result your ownership interest in us could be diluted. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws” for a discussion on the rights of shareholders.

The market price for our ADSs has fluctuated significantly in the past, and the market price of our ADSs may be lower than you expect.

Since our initial public offering in March of 2000, the closing price of our ADSs has fluctuated significantly, ranging from a high of $25.44 per share to a low of $0.49 per share. As of July 11, 2008, the closing price of our ADSs was $0.27 per share. Fluctuations in our stock price could continue. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

 

   

quarterly variations in our operating results and our lack of profitability;

 

   

the introduction and development of new packages;

 

   

the amount of our indebtedness;

 

   

our ability to access additional financing on economical terms to fund capital expenditures;

 

   

general market conditions; and

 

   

general economic factors unrelated to our performance.

The stock markets in general, and the markets for technology companies in particular, have experienced a high degree of volatility not necessarily related to the operating performance of particular companies.

 

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On January 31, 2008, our company received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that our company fails to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). Our company was provided 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2008, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS of our company for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If the minimum bid price requirement has not been met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide our company with an additional 180 calendar day compliance period only if our company meets certain listing criteria. We cannot provide assurances as to the price of our ADSs.

The market price of our ADSs could decrease as our principal shareholders sell their shares.

The market price of our ADSs could decrease if large numbers of ADSs are sold into the public market or if the public expects those sales to occur. These sales could make it difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. We have 13,289,525 common shares outstanding, including the common shares represented by our ADSs. The 4,025,000 common shares represented by our ADSs are freely tradeable in the public market unless purchased by our affiliates, as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act as natural persons or other entities that directly or indirectly control, are controlled by, or are under common control with us. The remaining 9,264,525 common shares are restricted securities, as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which means they may not be offered or sold unless pursuant to a registration statement that has been filed and declared effective by the Commission or pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. These common shares may be sold in the public market in the form of ADSs, upon a deposit of such shares with the depositary, but only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Your voting rights as ADS holders are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement for the ADSs. Your ability to participate in the management of our company is impaired relative to our common shareholders.

Holders of ADSs may exercise the voting rights of the common shares represented by ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement relating to the ADSs. There are practical limitations on the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with the holders of ADSs. For example, our common shareholders receive notices of meetings directly from us and are able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the meeting in person or voting by proxy.

ADS holders, by comparison, do not receive notices directly from us. The deposit agreement provides that upon its receipt of notice from us of any meeting of holders of our common shares, the depositary will then mail to ADS holders as soon as practicable:

 

   

the notice of the meeting;

 

   

the voting instruction forms; and

 

   

a statement explaining how instructions can be given by ADS holders.

To exercise voting rights, ADS holders must instruct the depositary how to vote their shares. Because of this extra procedural step involving the depositary, the process for exercising voting rights will take longer for ADS holders than for holders of our common shares. ADSs for which the depositary does not receive voting instructions will not be voted at any meeting.

Except as described in this annual report, ADS holders are not able to exercise voting rights attaching to the ADSs. Please see “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws” for additional information relating to our common shares.

 

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Your ability to participate in any rights offering of our company is limited, which may dilute your ownership of our company.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities under the deposit agreement relating to the ADSs. The depositary will not offer rights to holders of our ADSs unless both the rights and the securities to which those rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement for any of those rights or underlying securities or to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. As a result, holders of our ADSs may be unable to participate in rights offerings by us and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

Risks Related to the Philippines

Our business may be affected by political or social or economic instability in the Philippines.

On May 10, 2004, the Philippines held a presidential election, where the incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo successfully retained her post. Shortly after the elections, allegations of irregularities in the presidential elections, such as stolen ballots and vote buying intensified. The Philippine Congress commenced an inquiry into a wire tapped audio tape which contains a conversation allegedly between President Arroyo and a commissioner of the Commission on Elections discussing the counting of certain votes during the last presidential election. On June 27, 2005, President Arroyo publicly stated that she did speak to a commissioner of the Commission on Elections in order to protect her votes, but not to influence the outcome of the election. Impeachment complaints based on allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust were filed against President Arroyo with the Philippine Congress. In 2005 and 2006, the Philippine Congress voted to reject the impeachment complaints against President Arroyo.

On May 14, 2007, the Philippines held its national and local elections for the Senate and House of Representatives. The elections resulted in victory for majority of the opposition candidates in the Senate and majority of the Administration candidates in the House of Representatives. In view thereof, any impeachment complaints against President Arroyo will probably not succeed. However, with opposition candidates ruling the Senate, there can be no assurance that economic policies conducive to sustain economic growth of the country will be adopted by the Philippine Congress.

Throughout 2007 and the first half of 2008, there have been significant increases in the cost of oil and basic household goods and food, which have resulted in rice shortages, the country’s main staple food. Further, the country faces a large fiscal deficit.

The fiscal deficit position of the Philippine government and ongoing political and economic uncertainty has resulted in increased concerns about the political and economic stability of the country. There can be no assurance that the political environment in the Philippines will be stable or that the current or any future government will adopt economic policies conducive to sustained economic growth or which do not impact adversely on the current regulatory environment for companies operating in the Philippines.

These events have created uncertainty as to the stability of the Philippine economy. The Philippine government has implemented a number of measures designed to mitigate the effects of the region’s financial crisis on the Philippine economy. The Philippine government’s stated objective has been to restore economic confidence and stability by strengthening economic fundamentals. We cannot assure you that the Philippines will not be subject to increased economic difficulties in the future or that the current trends will significantly improve in the near future.

 

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A continuation or worsening of the current financial and economic conditions in the Philippines could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, our lenders could cancel our short-term credit facilities, which would limit our access to capital to finance our operations, future expansion and development. The cancellation of such facilities or the inability to obtain sufficient capital to finance our operations could materially harm our business.

New laws and regulations, currency devaluation and political instability in the Philippines and foreign countries could make it more difficult for us to operate successfully.

We generate a significant portion of our revenues from international markets, including customers in Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe. All of the facilities currently used to provide our packaging services are located in the Philippines. Our future operations and earnings could be affected by new laws, new regulations, a volatile political climate, and changes in or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations in countries where we have customers or operations. If future operations are negatively affected by these changes, our sales or profits may suffer.

We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other disruptive events.

We currently conduct our assembly and test operations at our facilities in Taguig, Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna. Significant damage or other impediments to these facilities may occur as a result of:

 

   

natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and typhoons;

 

   

disease and epidemics;

 

   

industrial accidents;

 

   

utilities outages, including power, water and industrial gases, among others;

 

   

equipment failure;

 

   

industrial strikes;

 

   

terrorist events;

 

   

disruptions to our transportation network; or

 

   

political assembly/mass actions could disrupt our manufacturing operations and/or significantly increase our operating costs.

To date, we have not experienced significant damage or other disruptions at our facilities as a result of these events. However, such events may occur in the future which could have a negative impact on our business.

We maintain insurance, including business interruption insurance, against some, but not all, of these events. We cannot assure you that our insurance will be adequate to cover any direct or indirect losses or liabilities we may suffer.

Epidemics, such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or avian influenza or other contagious diseases, may adversely affect our operations and our profitability.

Epidemics such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) or a potential avian influenza pandemic could materially affect our operations and our financial health. We rely on more than 2,500 individuals located in manufacturing facilities in the Philippines, without whom it is not possible to assemble and test our products. The Philippines was one among 30 countries identified by the World Health Organization wherein there were confirmed cases of SARS, although the magnitude of the illness in the Philippines is substantially less than in other Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. There were no report of SARS or avian influenza in the Philippines since 2005.

 

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Illness from an individual that is successively transferred to other individuals could result in a quarantine of our Taguig or Laguna manufacturing facilities or mass absences, leading to lost productivity and revenue that could irreparably harm our company. We cannot assure you that our operations and finances will not be affected should there be a recurrence of SARS in the Philippines, within the region or other parts of the world, or any other types of epidemics.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war both domestically and overseas, may affect the markets on which our securities trade, the markets in which we operate, our operations and our profitability.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect our operations and your investment. There can be no assurance that there will not be further terrorist attacks against the United States, United States businesses or other countries or foreign businesses. These attacks or armed conflicts may directly impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers. Our current facilities include administrative, sales, and manufacturing facilities in the Philippines. Furthermore, these attacks may make travel and the transportation of our supplies and products more difficult and more expensive and ultimately affect the sales of our products in the United States and overseas. The armed conflict between coalition forces led principally by the United States against armed forces in Iraq could have a further impact on our domestic and international sales, our supply chain, our production capability and our ability to deliver product to our customers.

The Philippines has experienced several major terrorist incidents in the southern island of Mindanao and bombing threats within Metro Manila. We cannot assure you that political and economic instability in the Philippines or other regions of the world may not also result and will not negatively impact our business. The consequences of any of these armed conflicts are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could ultimately have an adverse effect on our business or your investment.

 

ITEM 4 INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of Our Company

Our legal name is PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. We were incorporated on December 10, 1999 in the Republic of the Philippines under the Corporation Code of the Philippines or, Batas Pambansa Blg. 68. Our current corporate form will expire on December 10, 2049 and may be extended by shareholder resolution to be approved by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission ( PSEC). Our principal executive and registered office is located at FTI Special Economic Zone, Electronics Avenue, Taguig City, 1604, Philippines. Our telephone number at that address is (632) 838-4966. We maintain an Internet web site at www.psitechnologies.com. Information contained on our web site does not constitute a part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our agent for service of process in the Unites States is Rudy Mateo, at Pacsem Technologies Inc. (Pacsem US), 2579 Alemany Boulevard, San Francisco, CA. Our telephone number at that address is (415) 518-5942

The following material corporate events occurred in 2007 and the first half of 2008:

 

   

On March 13, 2007, Thelma G. Oribello, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer resigned. She was replaced by Francisco H. Suarez, Jr. in January 2007, but on October 31, 2007, Mr. Suarez also resigned as Chief Financial Officer. He was replaced by Hilarion V. Cajucom, Jr. on October 16, 2007.

 

   

On April 16, 2007, we appointed Mr. Thomas Moersheim as our new Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Moersheim replaced Mr. Jim Knapp who resigned on May 31, 2006.

 

   

On June 12, 2007, our company offered ILO Land, Inc. (ILO) a 6% discount on its fifth and sixth installments related to its purchase of our property should it decide to pay such obligation before the due dates of July 28, 2007 and January 28, 2008, respectively. On June 12, 2007, ILO paid a total of $470,000, net of a 6% discount.

 

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On June 29, 2007, we filed a Form 12b-25 notifying the U.S. SEC that we will file the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year end December 31, 2006 no later than 15 days after June 30, 2007.

 

   

On September 10, 2007, we received a $1.5 million short-term non-interest-bearing loan (the Loan) from Infineon—Malaysia—, one of our major customers. The purpose of the Loan was to partially settle outstanding obligations with major suppliers. The Loan was repaid in full by the end of February 2008 by way of a $0.03 reduction in the average selling price of Infineon’s TO 247 package. The Loan was discharged upon purchase by Infineon—Malaysia of 50.0 million pieces of its TO 247 package.

 

   

On January 14, 2008, we appointed Rodger K. Fujinaga as Vice President, Marketing and Sales—North America and Japan.

 

   

On January 23, 2008, the Sales and Investment Agreement for certain power devices entered into between our company and Infineon-Malaysia expired. However, our company continues to trade this devices to Infineon-Malaysia with no fixed volume requirements.

 

   

On January 31, 2008, we received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that our company fails to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). We were provided 180 days calendar days, or until July 29, 2008, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If the minimum bid price requirement has not been met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide us with an additional 180 calendar days compliance period only if we meet certain other listing criteria.

 

   

On March 1, 2008, Mr. Gordon J. Stevenson resigned as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President on February 1, 2008, we appointed Mr. George J. Shaw as his replacement.

 

   

On May 27, 2008, Mr. Celso Vivas resigned as an independent director and as a member of the Audit Committee due to personal scheduling conflicts.

 

   

On May 30, 2008, we agreed with Merrill Lynch to amend the 2003 Note by extending the maturity date from June 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008.

 

   

On June 30, 2008, we filed a Form 12b-25 notifying the U.S. SEC that we will file the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year end December 31, 2007 no later than 15 days after June 30, 2008.

B. Business Overview

Power Semiconductor Assembly and Test Services

We provide comprehensive power semiconductor assembly and test services to meet the needs of our customers. Power semiconductors are single and multi-function semiconductor devices that regulate, control, switch and manage the electrical power used in all electrical devices such as automotive systems, communications and networking equipment, computers and peripherals, consumer electronics, electronic office equipment and industrial products, and home appliances, among others. Power semiconductors typically operate from 35-1200 volts.

Assembly services. We provide a full array of assembly services for power conversion and power management semiconductors. Assembly services refer to the process by which power semiconductors are packaged. The semiconductor package is critical to a chip’s performance and functionality and is the interface that allows the semiconductor device to connect to the end product (i.e. printed circuit boards). Packaging serves to protect the chip and facilitate electrical connections and heat dissipation.

We work exclusively with assembly processes that use lead frames or leaded assembly, the only assembly design that can accommodate the high voltage requirements of most power semiconductors. Power assembly

 

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differs from non-power assembly because it often requires special solder alloy die bonding machines and heavy- duty wire bonding machines. In addition to the alloy die bonding capability, we provide our customer with an epoxy-based and eutectic die bonding capability. Equipment designed for traditional non-power wire bonding cannot accommodate the large diameter wire required for power semiconductors. Power wire bonding equipment is also moderately more expensive than non-power wire bonding equipment, although the former has a longer useful life.

Although the outside appearance of power conversion packages has experienced minimal changes, packaging technology and know-how have continued to evolve to meet the requirements of increasingly complex semiconductors. The chart below illustrates the major steps in the assembly and test process.

Design services. We also offer our customers design services to address their power packaging needs. When implementing new or custom package orders, we interact with customers early in the design process to optimize package design and ensure manufacturability. After a design is finished, we provide quick-turn prototype services. By offering package design and prototype development, we help our customers reduce product development costs, accelerate time-to-volume production, and ensure that new designs are properly packaged at a reasonable cost.

Test services. We provide final test services for power semiconductors. Final test is the last stage in the back-end semiconductor production process before shipping the completed package. We use sophisticated test equipment owned by us, as well as those consigned to us by some of our customers, to test the electrical or product application attributes of each semiconductor.

We have the capability to test most of the power semiconductors we assemble. Outlined below is a brief description of our test capabilities:

 

   

Parametric Test. Capable of testing all known discrete parameters (diodes, thyristors, bipolar transistors, MOSFETS, IGBTs) and analog voltage regulators;

 

   

Avalanche Testing or Unclamped Inductive Load Switching Testing (UIL/ISB). Tests the capability of the device to handle high voltage applications such as motors and power supplies;

 

   

Thermal Resistance Test. Tests the devices’ thermal response to detect potential assembly problems;

 

   

Q+ Testing. A second DC test;

 

   

Integrated Serial Testing. Incorporates various tests into one pass or insertion;

 

   

Package Isolation Testing. Tests the ability of the package to withstand electricity flow from the electrical leads to the mounting surface; and

 

   

Embossed Carrier Taping. Process of inserting tested units into each pocket of the embossed carrier tape for automatic placement or mounting into the printed circuit board.

Non-Power Semiconductor Assembly and Test Services

We provide assembly, test and special process services for standard non-power semiconductors to maintain long-established customer partnerships. Non-power integrated circuit semiconductors typically operate at lower power levels and integrate multiple functions such as processing and conveying complex information in electronic form. We have assembly lines for a number of standard non-power packages that accommodate various customer requirements. Some of our non-power services are organized as dedicated business units such as a captive test line for various packages for Vishay Intertechnology Asia PT and Microsemi.

 

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Packages

We offer semiconductor packages for both power semiconductor and standard non-power semiconductor applications. Historically, our first package offerings were for standard non-power applications including metal cans for devices such as Field Effect Transistors (“FETs”). and diodes. In 1994, we began offering semiconductor packages specifically for power semiconductor applications. Since 1995, we have focused primarily on providing power semiconductor assembly, test services and packaging, increasing that portion of our business to represent approximately 98.7% of revenue in 2007. In 2004, we started offering and qualifying our Power Quad Flat No-Lead (“PQFN”) packages to our customers. The following table sets out for the periods indicated the percentage of our revenue (including revenue generated by discontinuing operations) by package type:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
         2007             2006             2005             2004             2003      

Power Semiconductors

   99 %   97 %   97 %   95 %   94 %

Non-power Semiconductors

   1 %   3 %   3 %   5 %   6 %
                              

TOTAL

   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %
                              

Power Packages and Applications. Power semiconductors can be found in a vast array of everyday products. We believe we offer our customers the broadest line of power semiconductor packages in the industry. Our packages offer either standard or advanced thermal and electrical characteristics to accommodate varying power semiconductor applications. We focus our package development on producing improvements to existing customer designs and providing packages that are advanced, durable and cost effective for our customers.

Our power packages are both leaded packages and no-leaded. Leaded packages for power semiconductors product are characterized by metal leads protruding from one or more sides of the package. The metal leads serves as the interconnect medium for the encapsulated semiconductor chip to the outside environment. When attached to a printed circuit board, the metal leads is used to integrate the semiconductor device into the end product. We offer leaded packages that are used in traditional pin-through-hole technology and advanced surface mount technology. Our pin-through-hole packages are designed to be plugged into printed circuit boards by soldering the leads inserted through holes on the board and are generally used for applications with high power requirements and minimal space restrictions. Our surface mount technology packages soldered on lands or pads on the surface of the printed circuit boards and are generally used for applications with height restrictions. The Power QFN package is a quad, flat pack, no lead surface mounted package. The small size and weight along with excellent thermal (heat dissipation) and electrical performance make the package suitable for portable handheld applications where size, weight and package performance are required.

Nearly all of our power semiconductor packages can accommodate more than one power semiconductor product application. Power semiconductors can serve a number of product applications, including input rectification, control/switching and output regulation. Input rectification generally refers to converting alternating current—(AC), to direct current—(DC). Controlling or switching ON/OFF of the current/voltage entering a circuit is one of the basic functions of a discrete semiconductor device. Finally, output regulation means maintaining the input signal at a specified value needed by the circuit.

Outlined below is a brief description of power semiconductor products that we assemble and test:

 

   

Diodes. Schottky, ultra fast and general purpose (rectifiers) diodes used in high frequency circuits or switch mode power supplies.

 

   

PowerMetal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). Switching and control devices that combine fast switching, and low on-state resistance in a cost effective design. They serve a large percentage of the need for power control devices.

 

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Triacs, Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCR) and Thyristors. Commonly used as triggering and control switching devices. They are an essential element in the control of electrical motor speed in appliances and equipments.

 

   

Voltage Regulators. Often used as a voltage protection and power control device in electronic systems.

 

   

A voltage regulator ensures a constant DC output voltage regardless of changes in a range of load current and input voltage.

 

   

Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS). Control devices used to provide voltage surge protection in non-power semiconductors. This device will safely protect sensitive equipment from sudden or abrupt changes in voltage supply that can damage the equipment or unit.

 

   

Power Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs). Medium speed switches used for power supplies of a wide variety of electronic products, ranging from computer peripherals to industrial equipment.

 

   

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). A semiconductor device with a gate behavior similar to a MOSFET and a low on-state collector-emitter voltage similar to a BJT.

The following table lists the power packages we assemble and test:

 

Package Type and Lead Count

  

Product Application

  

End Market

SOT-23

(3/5 leads)

   voltage regulator    home appliances, office/industrial equipment, personal computers, communications equipment

SOT-223

(3 leads)

   voltage regulator, bipolar, diode    home appliances, office/industrial equipment, personal computers, communications equipment

TO-126/SOT-32

(3 leads)

   thyristor, triacs    home appliances

TO-92/DO-92

(3 leads / 2 leads)

   transient suppressor, voltage regulator    office/communications equipment

TO-251/TO-252

(IPAK/DPAK)

(3 leads/2 and 5 leads)

   MOSFET, high power bipolar, voltage regulator, rectifier/diode, triacs    home appliances, personal computers, lighting, automotive

SOT-82

(3 leads)

   thyristor, triacs    home appliances

PowerFlex

(2, 3, 5, 7 leads)

   voltage regulator    home appliances, office/industrial equipment, personal computers, communications equipment

Powermite

(2 and 3 leads)

   diode, rectifier, MOSFET, transient suppressor    communications, computers, consumer electronics
Power QFN (Various pad configurations, package sizes and no. of I/O terminals)    diode, small signal and power transistor, thyristor, voltage regulator    communications, computers, consumer electronics

TO-220/DO-220

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7 leads)

   voltage regulator, MOSFET, thyristor, triacs, rectifier, diode    automotive systems, home appliances, office/industrial, personal computers, consumer electronics

 

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Package Type and Lead Count

  

Product Application

  

End Market

TO-263

(2, 3, 5 leads)

   MOSFET, IGBT, voltage regulator, diode, rectifier, thyristors    home appliances, personal computers
TO-220 full pack or isolated (3 leads/2 leads)    diode, rectifier, MOSFET, IGBT, thyristor, voltage regulator    home appliances, personal computers, automotive
SOT-93/TO 218    power transistor, thyristor, IGBT, rectifier thyristors    home appliances

TO-247

(2 and 3 leads)

   MOSFET, IGBT, diode, rectifier, thyristor    home appliances, personal computers, automotive

TO-264

(3 and 5 leads)

   MOSFET, IGBT, diode, rectifier, thyristor    home appliances, personal computers, lighting, automotive

SOT-227

(4 leads)

   MOSFET, diode, rectifier, IGBT, power module    automotive systems, industrial equipment
Power Modules    rectifier, power transistor, thyristor, IGBT    industrial equipment, automotive systems, home appliances

Non-power packages and applications. We assemble and/or test a limited number of standard non-power semiconductor packages primarily for industrial, automotive and military use. The following table lists the non-power packages we assemble and/or test:

 

Package Type and Lead Count

  

Product Application

  

End Market

CERDIP

(8, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 28, 40 leads)

   amplifier, diode array    military, industrial equipment

CERPACK

(3 and 40 leads)

   amplifier, diode array    military, industrial equipment

Flatpack

(10, 14, 16 leads)

   amplifier, diode array    military, industrial equipment

CLCC

(3 and 20 leads)

   amplifier, diode array    military, industrial equipment

Metal cans

(2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 pins)

   amplifier, diode array    military, industrial equipment

Metal cans

(2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 leads)

   field effect transistor, diode, amplifier    military/commercial, automotive, communications equipment

Packages and processes under development. Power semiconductor form-factor and performance requirements continue to evolve to meet ever-increasing demands of end-market applications. We are currently developing packages and related processes to address the need for:

 

   

Advanced interconnect capability, e.g. aluminum ribbon bonding, combination aluminum and gold wire bonding, and copper clip attach;

 

   

Aluminum wire bonding to copper;

 

   

Dual and multi-die packaging;

 

   

Stacked Die Power QFN products;

 

   

Solder Screen printing process;

 

   

Packages that meet MSL 1 260°C requirements;

 

   

Environmentally friendly assembly materials and processes;

 

   

Cost effective materials.

 

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We also continue to increase our support functions for thermal and mechanical stress analysis and board level reliability characterization. We offer a full range of package functional testing and product analysis for all of our existing packages and packages under development. We have a full service reliability laboratory that can subject assembled semiconductor products in a wide range of reliability tests.

The Semiconductor Industry and the Power Semiconductor Market

Semiconductors are critical components used in an increasingly wide variety of applications. They are used in telecommunications and networking systems, computers and computer peripherals, consumer electronics and home appliances, electronic office equipment, automotive systems and industrial products. According to the SIA, revenue for the worldwide semiconductor device market increased by 28.0% to $213.0 billion in 2004, 6.8% to $227.5 billion in 2005, 8.9% to $247.7 billion in 2006, and by 3.2% to $255.6 billion in 2007 a record for semiconductor sales. Although the semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, it has grown by a compounded annual growth rate of 12.0% over the past 20 years based on SIA data. The industry’s downturns were caused by a number of factors in the past, including: overcapacity, reduced product demand due to excessive purchases in previous periods, obsolescence, the introduction of new products and technologies, reduction in personal disposable incomes and corporate technology budgets and increased competition and lower pricing. The power semiconductor market is a large and steadily growing segment of the semiconductor industry.

Power semiconductors are found in virtually every electronic device as they are needed to switch electrical power on and off, regulate the flow of electricity through electronic devices, and protect electronic components from surges and wear and tear. Based on year-end SIA Blue Book Statistics, we estimate that the worldwide market for power semiconductors grew by 1.8% in 2007. Sales were $23.5 billion in 2006 and $23.9 billion in 2007. The volume shipments also increased from 347.6 billion units in 2006 and 383.9 billion units in 2007. There was slight erosion in the average selling price over the past year from $0.068/unit in 2006 versus $0.062/unit in 2007. The WSTS in its four-year forecast reveals that the medium and long-term outlook for the market is encouraging with compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% forecast for the next four years.

A number of factors contributed to the size of and growth in this industry segment. The proliferation of consumer electronic devices, wireless communications, and mobile computing are factors driving demand for new generations of power semiconductors that are smaller, lighter and more efficient. At the same time, new automotive and industrial applications are creating demand for more powerful, intelligent and reliable power semiconductors for which miniaturization is not a critical factor. Finally, electronics manufacturers are aggressively seeking to reduce manufacturing costs and time-to-market. These factors continue to spur demand for increasingly advanced power semiconductor solutions.

The power semiconductor market has over time, exhibited seasonality in its billings on a quarter-over-quarter basis. Based on statistics from the SIA, growth in quarter-on-quarter billings from power semiconductors were the highest during the second and third quarters. Growth is lower in the first quarter and typically negative in the fourth quarter. We believe that the slow first quarter start of the industry is the result of lower demand visibility at the start of the year. As visibility increases over time, orders typically increase, prompting stronger second and third quarter sequential growth. Generally, third quarter billings are higher than fourth quarter billings as customers usually order product in the third quarter to sell during the Christmas season. With the end of the Christmas build, industry billings typically decline during the fourth quarter.

Power semiconductors are easily distinguished from non-power integrated circuit semiconductors. Power semiconductors typically operate at high power levels and perform a discrete function within an electronic system by converting or managing electrical current. The capabilities of power semiconductors are defined largely by the level of power they can handle and their efficiency in converting electric current into a more useful form. In contrast, non-power integrated circuit semiconductors typically operate at lower power levels and

 

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integrate multiple functions such as processing and conveying complex information in electronic form. The performance of non-power semiconductors is defined largely by the number of functions that can be integrated within a fixed amount of space on a semiconductor, often referred to as circuit density. Circuit density for non-power semiconductors has increased rapidly over time as a result of improved semiconductor manufacturing and design technology. Rapid increases in circuit densities have led to shorter product life cycles for non-power semiconductors. Power semiconductors have undergone relatively less miniaturization and integration than non-power semiconductors because power semiconductors are required to manage and convert high levels of power, which generate significant amounts of heat. The result is that the power semiconductor market has been characterized by longer product life cycles and less severe average selling price erosion than the market for non-power semiconductors.

Semiconductor Production Process: Front-end and Back-end

The semiconductor production process can be divided into two sequential sub-processes commonly referred to as front-end and back-end production, both of which contain many steps. The entire process, both front-end and back-end production, is complex and requires sophisticated engineering and manufacturing expertise. The diagram below summarizes the process.

Front-end Production: Wafer Fabrication. Front-end production refers primarily to wafer fabrication. It starts with a clean disc-shaped silicon wafer that will ultimately become many silicon chips. First, a photomask that defines the circuit patterns for the transistors and interconnect layers is created. This mask is then laid on the clean silicon wafer and is used to map the circuit design. Transistors and other circuit elements are then formed on the wafer through photolithography. Photolithography involves a series of steps in which a photosensitive material is deposited on the wafer and exposed to light through a patterned mask; unwanted exposed material is then etched away, leaving only the desired circuit pattern on the wafer. By stacking the various patterns, individual elements of the semiconductor chip are defined. During the final phase of the front-end production process, each individual chip on the wafer is electrically tested to identify properly functioning chips for assembly.

Back-end Production: Assembly and Test. Back-end production refers to the assembly and test of individual semiconductors. The assembly process is necessary to protect the chip, facilitate its integration into electronic systems, limit electrical interference and enable the dissipation of heat from the device. Once the front-end production process is complete, the wafer is transferred to an assembly facility, where it is sawed into individual semiconductor chips. These semiconductor chips are then individually attached by means of an alloy or an adhesive to a lead frame, a metallic device used to connect the semiconductor to a circuit board. Leads on the lead frame are then connected by aluminum or gold wires to the input/output terminals on the semiconductor chip through the use of automated machines known as wire bonders. Each semiconductor device is then encapsulated in a plastic molding compound or ceramic case, forming the package.

After assembly, power semiconductors are tested for different operating specifications, including functionality, voltage, current and timing. The completed packages are then shipped to the customer or to their final end-user destination through drop shipment.

The Trend Toward Outsourcing

In the past, most semiconductors were produced internally by independent device manufacturers (IDMs). These IDMs designed, manufactured and assembled semiconductors specifically for their own end products.

This required IDMs to have expertise and equipment for both front-end semiconductor design and fabrication and back-end assembly and test processes. Today, the trend is for IDMs to outsource as much of the manufacture and assembly process as possible. IDMs increasingly are focusing their efforts and resources on semiconductor design, where they can best differentiate their products from competitors and away from the assembly and test process.

 

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The principal economic rationale behind the semiconductor outsourcing model is that it reduces risk for both IDMs and independent semiconductor assembly and test service providers. For IDMs, outsourcing allows them to focus on their core competency of wafer semiconductor design and fabrication, shifts manufacturing and utilization risk to the independent service providers, reduces their capital expenditure requirements and grants them access to new package technologies. For assembly and test service providers, outsourcing supplies them with a diversified customer base to ensure high equipment utilization rates, reduces dependence on the success of any single semiconductor offering and exposes them to the latest technologies employed by numerous leading IDMs. Additionally, outsourcing benefits both parties by enabling assembly and test service providers to develop a core competency and efficiency beyond that which an IDM could maintain in-house.

On June 19, 2006, we entered into a Sales and Investment Agreement with Infineon-Malaysia for the assembly and test of certain of its packages at committed volumes at a certain level of committed prices for a period of one year. In turn, we made additional investments in assembly and test equipment. The Sales and Investment Agreement expired on January 23, 2008. However, the Company continues to trade these devices to Infineon-Malaysia but with no minimum volume requirement. Entering into these types of agreements is consistent with the general trend toward outsourcing in the power semiconductor industry. We believe that this trend towards increased outsourcing coupled with the overall market size for power semiconductors creates opportunities for independent power semiconductor assembly and test companies.

Suppliers

We have two primary categories of suppliers: equipment suppliers and raw materials suppliers. We periodically purchase equipment through several suppliers to meet our assembly and testing requirements. We have no binding supply agreements with any of our equipment suppliers and orders are placed on an as needed basis.

The principal raw materials used in our assembly process are lead frames, molding compound and gold/aluminum wire.

The pricing of our raw materials is currently dictated by the increases in the prices of commodities, which influence total cost. Copper for instance has significantly increased for the past 3 years. Copper was at $7,115 in 2007, $6,280 per ton in 2006 and $4,585 per ton in 2005 based on London Metal Exchange history. Because copper is the biggest component of our lead frames, a pre-negotiated formula was agreed to with almost all of our lead frame suppliers and reviews for price changes are usually done every quarter. The price of gold wire used for wire bonding changes according to the price of gold in world commodity markets. The price of other commodities used in our raw materials and manufacturing process also changes according to the price of these commodities in world commodity markets. We negotiate with our customers to absorb the impact of these price increases, however, such negotiations may not always be successful. In 2007, we have continued to focus on cost reduction, especially with regard to material and supplier substitution, improvement on material rejection and freight/brokerage reduction. We review weekly the detailed plans defined to support the strategies developed to attain its cost reduction targets.

Crude oil prices were higher by 65.5%%, gold prices were higher by 14.8%, silver prices were higher by 15.8%, copper prices were higher by 37%, and nickel prices were higher by 83.5% in 2007 as compared to 2006. We review and discuss price changes weekly in an internal Cost Review Committee, to develop short-term and long-term strategies and action plans to manage and lower our raw materials costs. For lead frames, we review the prices on a quarterly basis due to the increasing trend in copper prices.

Deliveries of lead frames are based on notice from the Purchasing Department. We provide suppliers with purchase order coverage according to their lead times and also provide them with weekly forecast of demand, which becomes their reference for ordering materials and initiating production. For molding compounds and packaging materials, we have warehousing agreements with two (2) major suppliers wherein each supplier

maintains buffer stocks in the warehouse. We will only require delivery according to dice availability from customer. For spare parts we maintain on the average six (6) major suppliers for our major requirements, each under a consignment agreement.

 

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We generally purchase raw materials based on non-binding forecasts provided by our customers. Our customers are generally responsible for any unused raw materials that result from a forecast exceeding actual orders. We however may not be successful all the time in enforcing such requirement from our customers. We work closely with our primary raw materials suppliers to insure that materials are available and delivered on time. We are now moving towards supplier partnerships with lead frames and molding compound suppliers, which increases our volume leverage and thus increases the total cost advantage. We work with several mold manufacturers to produce mold tooling for the plastic packaging.

Marketing and Sales

Our marketing strategy focuses on the power semiconductor market. Our customer marketing efforts are tailored to the needs of leading manufacturers of power semiconductors. Our strategy is to deepen relationships with our current IDM customers by providing them with base capacity versus our historical business model of providing overflow or flux capacity. By providing our customers with base capacity, our customers are able to reduce their internal production capacities to us, thereby minimizing the volatility of our revenue and volumes.

We are developing a non-traditional market base for our existing assembly and test capabilities and capacities, by identifying and selling to companies without fabrication and/or assembly capabilities. Our current legacy products have been in existence for over two decades. Such packages have not merely lost their upward surge in market, where prices can go at premiums, but due to their maturity, have become very low margin products. Selling to fabless companies permits us to maintain a better price premium and somewhat cushions us from the volatility of the market. Fabless companies do not have the option of “pulling-in” to fill up internal capacity, and remain relatively loyal to their outsource partners.

We intend to co-develop leading edge packaging and inter-connect technology with our customers to meet their and their end customers’ specific power packaging needs. The Power QFN family of packages is an example of a leading-edge package. Through the intellectual property currently under development for this family of packages, we are co-designing devices with copper clip, and solder die attach, with the goal of meeting customer electrical requirements and industry reliability standards. On November 16, 2005, we filed a U.S. patent application for a method of putting isolated metallic interconnections onto a metallic substrate. In 2005, we qualified and produced the 3x3 Power QFN for our first customer for Power QFN. In 2006, we successfully qualified for production the 5x6 mm and 3.3 x 3.3 mm versions for the Power QFN for our next customers. In 2007, unit volume of Power QPN grew by 36% compared to 2006, while sales grew 35% to $567,000.

We offer our customers the opportunity to purchase only the assembly and test services they request without the obligation to purchase other services we offer. Our customers can also take advantage of our services on a back-end turnkey basis that includes assembly, final test and end-order fulfillment. In addition, we can work in conjunction with our customers to design cost effective, reliable packages to accommodate new chip designs.

The small number of existing and potential customers enables our primary market development efforts to be executed through executive-level discussions between potential customers and ourselves. We support our market development efforts with customer and product-specific technical teams assembled to address the specific needs of each customer design and order. Our marketing initiatives include participation in trade shows, customer calls, product sampling, technical bulletins and brochures, industry publications and news releases and a web site for general information purposes. As of December 31, 2007, we employed 12 professionals in marketing, sales and customer service.

Competition

The independent semiconductor assembly and test business is very competitive, with competition both from other independent assembly and test businesses and the internal capacity of major IDMs. We believe our primary competition is with the internal assembly and testing departments of many of our largest customers. The outsourcing of internal capacity by large IDMs represents our largest market opportunity. We compete to provide

 

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our customers with a lower-cost, turnkey outsourced solution to replace their internal capacity commitment. Our main independent competitors are those assembly and test businesses primarily engaged in the manufacturing of similar packages, including:

 

   

Carsem Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

 

   

Greatek Electronics Inc.

 

   

AUK Corp

 

   

Enoch Semiconductor Corp.

 

   

GEM Services, Inc

 

   

Fastech Microassembly & Test, Inc.

 

   

Hana Microelectronics Public Co., Ltd.

 

   

Huashan Electronic Device Co.

 

   

Nantung Fujitsu Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

We compete indirectly with businesses that focus primarily on non-power integrated circuit semiconductor assembly and test, including:

 

   

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

 

   

Amkor Technology, Inc.

 

   

ASE Test Limited

 

   

ASAT, Ltd.

 

   

Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.

 

   

Orient Semiconductor Electronics

 

   

Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd.

 

   

Advanced Interconnect Technologies, Inc.

We believe the principal elements of competition in the overall independent semiconductor assembly market include technical competence, sophistication of design services, quality, time-to-market, array of assembly services, production yields, and customer service. We believe that we compete favorably as a market leader in these areas within the independent power semiconductor assembly segment.

Our customers typically rely on at least two independent providers of assembly and test services. Independent providers of semiconductor assembly and test services must pass lengthy and rigorous qualification processes that can take up to three to six months for a typical leaded package. In addition, customers incur substantial costs in qualifying each new provider of semiconductor assembly and test services. Due to these factors and the heightened time-to-market demands of semiconductor end-users, semiconductor manufacturers incur significant costs in switching assemblers and are often reluctant to change or add assemblers.

Many of our primary independent competitors have significant assembly capacity, financial resources, research and development operations, marketing and other capabilities, and have been operating for some time. Many of these companies also have established relationships with the same semiconductor companies, which are our current or potential customers.

Government Regulations

No local legislation has been passed which specifically regulates the semiconductor industry in the Philippines. However, we are subject to laws of general application in the Philippines, including the Corporation Code, the Local Government Code, the Tariff and Customs Code, the Securities Regulation Code, the National

 

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Internal Revenue Code, laws on environmental matters (see “—Property, Plant and Equipment—Environmental Matters”), the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (R.A. No. 7916), rules and regulations issued by the PSEC, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (the Philippine Central Bank), the Board of Investments, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, PEZA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and other government agencies.

Our Approach and Strategy

We are a leading independent provider of power semiconductor assembly and test services to the power semiconductor market. We provide comprehensive assembly and test services to a diverse customer base which includes most of the major power semiconductor manufacturers in the world. Our top five power semiconductor customers represented 94.4% of our revenues in 2007:

 

   

Infineon

 

   

Spett.le ST Microelectronics

 

   

Semiconductor Components Industries, Ltd. (ON Semiconductor)

 

   

NXP Semiconductor

 

   

Power Integration, Inc.

We provide our customers with a broad array of packages and services designed specifically for power semiconductors. We use our expertise in power assembly and test to benefit our customers and collaborate with them to design new power packages to address their enhanced thermal and electrical product performance requirements. We believe our focused assembly and test expertise in the power semiconductor segment, our broad package offerings and our turnkey service capability makes us a preferred service provider for outsourced assembly and test services in the power semiconductor market.

We benefit from our location in the Philippines. The Philippines has become a hub for semiconductor assembly and test manufacturing services. Several major semiconductor manufacturers have located assembly and test facilities in the Philippines, including Intel, Fairchild Semiconductor, ON Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors and Texas Instruments, as well as a number of independent assembly and test companies. We benefit from this concentration of assembly and test business in the Philippines because it has created a pool of professionals trained in assembly and test services and a community of businesses focused on packaging technology.

Our Customers

We provide power and non-power semiconductor assembly and test services to over 20 customers. Our power semiconductor customers include most of the major power semiconductor companies in the world.

Our top five customers accounted for approximately 91% in 2007, 91.0% in 2006 and 87% in 2005 of total revenue (including revenue generated by discontinuing operations). Our largest customer accounted for approximately 49% in 2007, 48% in 2006 and 34% in 2005. The following table sets forth our company’s top five customers as a percentage of revenue for the years 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

2007

   Percentage to
Total Revenue

Infineon

   48.96

Spett.le ST Microeletronics

   22.20

Semiconductor Component Industries, Inc.

   11.92

NXP Semiconductors

   7.85

Power Integration, Inc.

   3.46
    

Total

   94.39
    

 

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2006

   Percentage to
Total Revenue

Infineon

   47.70

Spett.le ST Microeletronics

   17.77

Semiconductor Component Industries, Inc.

   13.78

NXP Semiconductors

   8.14

Power Integration, Inc.

   3.62
    

Total

   91.01
    

 

2005

   Percentage to
Total Revenue

Infineon

   34.51

NXP Semiconductors

   17.34

Spett.le ST Microeletronics

   16.18

Semiconductor Component Industries, Inc.

   13.70

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   5.00
    

Total

   86.73
    

The table below sets forth our significant power and non-power customers ranked in terms of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Power Services

  

Non-Power Services

Infineon

   Vishay Intertechnology Asia

Spett.le STMicroelectronics

   Texas Instruments Phils., Inc.

Semiconductor Components Industries, Ltd.

   Microsemi Corp

NXP Semiconductors

  

Power Integration, Inc.

  

Texas Instruments, Inc. (USA)

  

Vishay Intertechnology Asia

  

Microsemi Corp Integrated

  

Products Bourns Limited

  

The following table sets forth our revenues (including revenue generated by discontinuing operations) by geographic region (customer domicile):

 

Geographic Region

   2007     2006     2005  

United States

   18.6 %   22.4 %   25.2 %

Europe

   77.0 %   74.6 %   69.7 %

Asia

   4.4 %   3.0 %   5.1 %

Our customers generally do not place their purchase orders far in advance. As a result, we do not typically operate with any significant backlog. Eleven of our customers have placed equipment on consignment with us in our facilities. We are also contractually obligated to make capacity available to selected customers.

Customer Support

We interact very closely with our customers throughout the qualification stage and production process. We assign a customer service professional to coordinate with the account team composed of package development, process engineering, manufacturing and customer service and logistics support. We also provide immediate technical assistance during the development stage, and detailed electronic information of important indices relevant to the performance of our customers’ products once in full production.

 

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Quality Management

We are dedicated to operating in a Quality First environment, delivering the best product and service quality, reliable on-time performance, best value, and overall competitiveness. We believe quality is the responsibility of each individual employee in our company. Quality ownership is implemented through Total Control Methodology (TCM), a discipline approach benchmark from Motorola in the early years of PSi. We have implemented Advanced Product Quality Planning and Control Plan, Potential Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Poka Yoke, Seven Quality Tools, 8D and Smart PSM as a quality control, monitoring and solving tools and techniques. We believe that our corporate-wide commitment to quality and our total quality management system are key elements of our semiconductor assembly and test operations.

Our facilities in Taguig and Laguna are ISO 9001/2000 certified. The Taguig and Laguna sites are also ISO14001 and TS16949 certified. We are the first Philippine company to be given the TS16949 (1999 version) certification in the Philippines. Our Laguna facility is a Bosch-certified site, with a rating of “A”. ISO 9002 is a worldwide manufacturing quality certification program regarding industrial quality systems that is administered by a third party certifying body, in our case SGS. ISO14001 is an Environmental Management System Certification. TS 16949 is the Quality Management System for automotive devices. It is the international version of QS 9000 (manufacturing certification program used mainly by American car manufacturers) and harmonizes the QS 9000 requirements with other requirements generally used by European car manufacturers.

Our Taguig facility is listed in Mil-PRF-38535 programs of the United States Defense Supply Center Columbus. Certification through these programs is required in order to supply products for U.S. military defense use. In January 2005, our Taguig facility was awarded the ANSI ESD S2020 Certification, a standard that provides administrative, technical requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an ESD Control Program to protect electrical or electronic parts, assemblies and equipment susceptible to ESD damage from Human Body Model discharges greater than or equal to 100 volts. We are also certified by Infineon, ON Semiconductor, Texas Instruments, NXP Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics through their supplier development programs.

Certain of our products have passed the rigorous Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) 1 tests, a standard traceable to JEDEC (formerly known as Joint Electron Device Engineering Council—a semiconductor engineering standardization body of the Electronic Industries Alliance, a trade association that represents all areas of the electronics industry) J-STD-020B requirements, and Underwriters Laboratory for Industrial Safety. The MSL’s are expressed in numbers, with the MSL number increasing with the vulnerability of the package to moisture. MSL 1 corresponds to packages that are not sensitive to moisture ingression even at an ambient condition of 100% Relative Humidity.

In September 2004, our Taguig facility was the first Philippine-based company awarded the Asia Pacific Quality Award (Best of its Class Distinction). In 2002, we were awarded the Philippine Quality Award (Level II) for Proficiency in Quality Management. The Philippine Quality Award is the Philippine equivalent of the U.S. Malcolm Baldridge Award, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious national awards in the industry.

Insurance

We maintain insurance policies (Industrial All Risks [IAR]) covering some types of losses, including losses due to business interruption and losses due to fire, typhoon, flood and earthquake, which we consider to be adequate. Our insurance policies cover our buildings, machinery and equipment as well as the machinery and equipment of our customers. Significant damage to our production facilities, whether as a result of fire or other causes, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Other coverage includes marine open and marine inland policies, which includes all importations of various goods and raw materials as well as transfer of goods from one location to another. We also have coverage for all company owned transportation equipment. Business travel insurance is also in place whenever key personnel leave for travel, whether local or international. However, we are not insured against the loss of any of our key personnel.

 

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In addition, we maintain insurance policies covering directors and officers liability, and entity coverage relating to securities related claims.

C. Organizational Structure

The following chart shows our corporate structure as of December 31, 2007.

LOGO

In April 2006, we decided to close PSi’s facility in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Commercial operations of PSi Chengdu ceased on April 30, 2006, with loading from the Chengdu facility transferred to PSi’s facility in Laguna, Philippines. Liquidation procedures were completed on October 12, 2006. PSi Chengdu is currently in the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution.

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

Facilities and Real Property

Our headquarters, administrative offices and principal assembly and operations are located at our Taguig facility in Metro Manila, Philippines. We have a second operational assembly operation at our Laguna facility located approximately 30 miles south of Manila. Another assembly operation at our facility in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, PRC ceased operations effective April 30, 2006. Our Philippine-based operations are close to major Asian semiconductor foundries and provide easy air, land and sea access and rapid customs processing and shipment.

We have occupied our Taguig facility since 1988. Our Taguig facility is housed in a series of structures totaling 19,264.1 square meters or 207,282 square feet, on a site consisting of approximately 25,650.1 square meters or 275,995 square feet. There are 6,780.5 square meters, or 72,958 square feet, dedicated to assembly and test operations. This facility is designed to accommodate 1,282.4 square meters, or 13,798 square feet, of test space and 5,498.1 square meters, or 59,159.7 square feet, of assembly space. PSi Technologies owns the leasehold improvements. Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a wholly owned government entity, leases the property to us. Additional land and buildings within the zone were sub-leased to us from Tierra Factors Corporation, an independent third party, which in turn leased the land from FTI. The land lease arrangement with FTI and sub-lease arrangement with Tierra Factors Corporation, (both of which expired in 2004) were consolidated into a single lease arrangement with FTI in June 2005 and is scheduled to expire in August 2020. In 2001, we also leased an adjacent warehouse that now serves as our second Annex facility in Taguig. This is under a lease agreement with FTI and will expire in 2015. As of May 17, 2004 and subject to terms and conditions, our Taguig facility is registered under R.A. No. 7916, otherwise known as the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, which created the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

We have occupied our Laguna facility since September 1999. The building is approximately 5,897 square meters, or 63,452 square feet, with 3,832.9 square meters, or 41,242.3 square feet, dedicated to assembly and test

 

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operations, and located on 8,612 square meters, or 92,655 square feet, of land. This facility is designed to accommodate 742.4 square meters, or 7,988 square feet, of test space and 3,093.5 square meters, or 33,286 square feet, of assembly space. We lease the land and building under an eight-year lease from RBF Development Corporation, an independent third party. During the term of our lease, we have an option to purchase the building and, subject to foreign ownership restrictions under the Philippine Constitution, we also have an option to purchase the land.

We had a third facility that we acquired through our subsidiary, Pacsem Realty, Inc. at a site near our existing facility in Laguna where construction of the building shell was completed in 2001. We deferred its activation due to the effects of the downturn of the semiconductor industry and the registration of our Taguig facility under the PEZA. On January 28, 2005, we entered into a contract to sell our unutilized third site in Laguna to ILO Land, Inc. (ILO, an unrelated company) in the business of commercial and industrial property development and leasing, for $2.5 million, with $1.0 million payable upon signing and the balance payable every six months in six equal payments through January 2008. On June 12, 2007, our company offered ILO a 6% discount on the fifth and sixth installments if ILO paid its outstanding obligations before the due dates of July 28, 2007 and January 28, 2008, respectively. On June 12, 2007, ILO paid us a total of $470,000, which includes the 6% discount.

We signed an Investment Cooperation Agreement with the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone (CHTZ) on December 7, 2003. As part of the agreement, we leased for a period of three years with option to purchase within the three years, two pre-fabricated buildings for the purpose of providing assembly and test services in the Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China. Each building has a covered area of approximately 2,592 square meters sited on approximately 4,117.5 square meters of land. A formal lease agreement was signed with the Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone Investment Development Co. Ltd., a corporation of the CHTZ, on January 19, 2004. On April 5, 2006, we informed the Management Committee of the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone of our decision to close the facility in Chengdu. Commercial operations of PSi Chengdu ceased on April 30, 2006. PSi Chengdu is currently in the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution.

Equipment

We depend on a limited number of manufacturers for the assembly and test equipment we use in our assembly and testing process. In periods of high demand, the lead times from order to delivery of our assembly and test equipment can be as long as four to six months. We work closely with our major equipment suppliers to ensure that equipment is delivered on time and such equipment meets our performance specifications.

The primary equipment used in providing our assembly and test services includes wire bonders, mold systems, plating and singulation systems, marking systems, testers and handlers. Wire bonders are used to attach the silicon-based chip to the lead frames using gold or aluminum wire. The majority of our wire bonders are designed for aluminum wire used specifically in power semiconductor assembly. The mold systems are used to encapsulate each semiconductor using a molding compound. Plating systems are used to cover the leads and heat-sink with solder alloy materials to provide good soldering. Singulation systems are used to segregate encapsulated and plated semiconductors attached in strips into individual units. Marking systems are used to imprint an alphanumeric identifier on the package. Testers and handlers are used to test the electrical and thermal characteristics of the product.

 

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The following table lists the major assembly and test equipment by type, number in use and the principal supplier or manufacturer of the equipment we use:

 

Type of Equipment

  

Number in Use

  

Supplier/Manufacturer

Wire bonders

  

1 unit triple head (PSi-owned)

131 units Dual Head
(74 units PSi-owned)

176 units Single Head
(166 units PSi-owned)

  

Delvo Orthodyne ASM K&S

     

Samsung Kaijo

     

Die bonders

   173 units (127 units PSi-owned)    Esec ASM Swissline ITEC

Integrated DA-WB

   6 units (PSi-owned)    Shinkawa

Clip Bonders

   3 units (1 unit PSi-owned)    Esec Swissline

Mold systems

     

—mold presses

   86 units (62 units PSi-owned)    Fusei Fujiwa Kras

—mold tools

   180 units (125 units PSi-owned)   

CPC Micron Hanmi SWM Kras Top-A KMC

—auto mold system

   14 units (10 units PSi-owned)    TOWA Boschman FICO

Plating systems

   16 units (12 units PSi-owned)    MECO CEM HBS Compal

Semi-auto and full-auto trim/form/singulation systems

   171 units (119 units PSi-owned)    Samil Kras Triad Hanmi KMC Micron Yamada Top-A Towa WKT

Testers

   299 units (188 units PSi-owned)   

Tesec Lorlin LTX CATS Statec ITEC

Test handlers

   217 units (139 units PSi-owned)   

Tesec MCT Ismeca ITML KEC/Taesuk Sessco Spartan Wintech

Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to regulatory requirements and potential liabilities arising under Philippine laws and regulations governing among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharge, waste storage, treatment and disposal, and remediation of releases of hazardous materials and wastes. We are also in compliance with international agreements covering environmental issues such as the Geneva Convention, Basel Convention, Kyoto Protocol and the requirements of the European Union on banned and regulated substances, such as the Restriction on Hazardous Substance. Our Taguig and Laguna Facilities are ISO14001 certified and have been awarded the Certificate of Green Partnership by Sony.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and LLDA are government-implementing and regulating bodies that oversee air emissions, hazardous waste management and wastewater discharges. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and the Philippine National Police are both government-implementing bodies that issued our respective licenses for radioactive materials and use of nitric acid. Permits on pollution control or emission source installations and on transportation of wastes are issued by the EMB of the National Capital Region while the LLDA issues our wastewater effluent discharge permit.

On June 29, 2007, we were granted a three-year discharge permit from LLDA as a result of 100% compliance on standards for all parameters set by LLDA. The permit is valid until May 5, 2010 with annual monitoring on wastewater quality discharges to revalidate compliance as stipulated in the permit. As part of our on going evaluation of our environmental responsibilities, we are initiating wastewater recycling program utilizing Membrane Bio Reactor technology which aims to recycle wastewater from our manufacturing process to serve as feedwater to RO/DI Water System to support DI (De-ionized) water requirement. With these initiatives, we reduce the amount of wastewater discharge into the environment and help conserve raw water resources.

 

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Effective April 2007, our Laguna Facility will no longer be required to obtain a Discharge Permit and to submit Quality Self Monitoring Report (SMR) to LLDA due to approval of Memorandum of Understanding between LLDA and Calmelray Industrial Park II—Industrial Estate (where our Laguna Facility is situated) which tasked the industrial estate administrator to monitor the wastewater discharges from its locators. To date, our Laguna Facility is fully in compliance with the regulatory and standard environmental requirements.

 

ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

Executive Overview

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 18 of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed in “Item 3—Key Information—Risk Factors” as well as those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our audited consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, our functional and reporting currency and prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

We are an independent provider of assembly and test services to the power semiconductor market. We provide comprehensive package design, assembly and test services for power semiconductors used in telecommunications and networking systems, computers and computer peripherals, consumer electronics, electronic office equipment, automotive systems and industrial products. We provide these assembly and test services to vertically-integrated semiconductor device manufacturers and semiconductor companies which do not have their own assembly and test facilities. Our customer base includes the majority of the major power semiconductor manufacturers in the world. We also provide assembly and test services for specialized non-power semiconductor packages used for industrial, automotive, military and computer peripheral applications. We generate all of our revenue through the power and non-power semiconductor assembly and test services we provide to our customers.

As a percentage of our revenue, revenue from power-related assembly and test services was approximately 99% in 2007, 97% in 2006 and 97% in 2005. We intend to continue focusing on power-related services in the future as this distinguishes us from our competitors, as we provide one of the broadest arrays of power packages within the industry and gain specialized expertise in the assembly and test of power semiconductors. For these reasons, we believe our focus will improve our product mix and lead to increased revenue in this area.

Semiconductor Industry Impact

Market conditions in the semiconductor industry as a whole and, increasingly, the power semiconductor market segment substantially affect our business. According to various reports of the SIA, the worldwide semiconductor market grew by 6.8% to $227.5 billion in 2005, by 8.9% to $247.7 billion in 2006, and by 3.2% to $255.6 billion in 2007. The power semiconductor market, a subset of the overall semiconductor market was flat at $21.1 billion in 2005 and grew by 11.4% to $23.5 billion in 2006 and by 1.7% to $23.9 billion in 2007. Based on available research data from Bain & Company and the WSTS, the assembly and test market segment represents approximately 30% of total power semiconductor billings, or $7.2 billion in 2007. Our addressable market is approximately 18% of the power assembly and test market or approximately $7.2 billion worldwide. This market comprises that portion that is outsourced to third party assembly and test providers such as our company. Our revenues (including revenues generated from discontinued operations) grew by 1.5% to $93.5 million in 2007, by 14.6% to $92.1 million in 2006 and by 1.5% to $80.3 million in 2005.

The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical. Although the semiconductor industry has expanded since 1993, there were significant downturns in the market in each of 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2002. The 32% decline in

 

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2001 was the worst downturn in the industry’s history and, according to industry experts, was largely attributable to overcapacity, reduced product demand, excessive inventory stockpiles, increased competition and lower pricing. During this downturn, we managed the price erosion by implementing cost reduction measures in our production lines and focusing on the power semiconductor market, which, historically, has experienced longer product life cycles, and less average selling price erosion than the market for non-power integrated circuit semiconductors.

Capacity Utilization

Our results of operations are affected by the capital-intensive nature of our business. A significant portion of our costs, principally relating to assembly and test equipment, are fixed. Increases or decreases in capacity utilization rates can have a significant effect on our gross profit margin and profitability since the unit cost of our services generally decreases as fixed costs, such as equipment depreciation expense, are spread over a larger number of units. Depreciation expense as a percentage of cost of sales was 13.1% in 2007, 16.5% in 2006 and 22.2% in 2005. In 2007, the decrease in depreciation was primarily due to the decrease in depreciable fixed assets since portion our fixed assets were fully depreciated and due to the impairment losses recognized in prior years.

Pricing

Prior to 2007, our results of operations were affected by decreases in the average selling price of our semiconductor device packages. The erosion of the average selling price generally has been less severe in the power semiconductor market than the non-power integrated circuit semiconductor market. We attempt to offset these decreases in average selling price by developing and marketing larger and higher-priced packages and services, taking advantage of economies of scale and higher productivity resulting from higher volumes, and developing and implementing other cost reduction strategies. We believe these strategies will allow us to obtain higher margins on our device packages, which should, in turn, help to mitigate selling price erosion. In the past, we have successfully negotiated volume discounts on raw materials as our production volumes have increased. We also operate captive assembly and test lines for some of our customers using equipment consigned to us by those customers. These arrangements tend to reduce our fixed costs and provide us with improved margins and profitability as a result of lower equipment depreciation expenses since the customer owns the equipment lines.

In 2007, our average selling price increased due to an increase in copper prices that were passed on to our customer. We do not charge a standard or uniform fee per semiconductor assembled and tested. The selling price of our semiconductor device packages is determined by the materials used and the complexity of the device in terms of assembly and test operations. As the prices of different device packages vary, the mix of packages produced and the contractual arrangements with the customers also affect revenue and profitability.

Business Initiatives

In 2007, we undertook the following additional measures to address profitability: (i) improving sales growth, (ii) improvement of productivity, manufacturing efficiency and equipment capabilities and (iii) management of customer and package mix towards higher average selling prices and better margin packages.

In 2008, we are undertaking the following measures to address profitability:

 

a. Adoption of business economic measures enabling us to pass on to customers the raw materials price increases based on pre-agreed benchmarks;

 

b. Development of new captive businesses by entering into a sales and investment agreements with a major customer with committed production volume, higher selling price and underutilization charges in case of shortfall versus commitments;

 

c. Growth through diversification:

 

   

Development of business partnership with new customers based in different geographies;

 

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Development and positioning of new packages that have higher contribution margin;

 

d. Reduction of raw materials cost, operating costs and overhead cost through purchasing programs; substitution of raw materials; power usage reduction and conservation projects; and rationalization of supervisor/management organization levels;

 

e. Improvement of productivity, manufacturing efficiency and equipment capabilities through introduction and launching of continuous improvement circles;

 

f. Approval of capital expenditures that meet certain financial and productivity criteria;

 

g. Development of partnerships with suppliers and customers for access to and use of intellectual property, production equipment and materials at beneficial terms and conditions;

 

h. Contract renegotiation for U.S. dollar-based pricing thus promoting natural hedging and avoiding foreign exchange losses;

 

i. Negotiation for additional credit facilities with other banks and financial institutions. We are currently in discussion with a local financial institution for the availment of a $15 million credit facility to finance its current operations and investing activities. The facility will be available for five years with one year grace period.

 

j. Renegotiation and repayment of existing debt utilities as follows:

 

   

Our company has a $10.0 million credit facility from the Singapore Branch of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG (RZB-Austria) that is available to PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna of which $8.8 million has been drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The credit facility has been available to our company since 2002 and has been renewed annually every year thereafter until December 31, 2006. On April 27, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Agreement with RZB-Austria which extended the maturity of the credit facility from December 31, 2006 through March 31, 2008. RZB-Austria has also deleted the “Financial Covenants” section of the credit facility in its entirety. However, RZB-Austria may cancel the credit facility anytime during the term of the loan and all amounts outstanding under the facility including accrued interest thereon shall be immediately due and payable. As of July 11, 2008, our company is in the process of finalizing the documentation and contractual requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria.

 

   

Our company has a revolving facility for a promissory note of $3.0 million including the availability of a letter of credit up to $450,000 with Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB, a local commercial bank). The facility was signed on July 13, 2006 and is available in multiple drawdowns of up to 90 days promissory note. The facility is subject to annual review on or before April 11 of each year up to April 11, 2010. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding short-term loan payable to PVB amounted to $1.3 million. On May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB, after completing the annual review of our existing $3.0 million credit facility, has approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

 

   

The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension.

 

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Organization and Facilities

We conduct all our operations in the Philippines through our subsidiaries. PSi Technologies, Inc. is our principal operating subsidiary and operates our main assembly and test facility located in Taguig, Metro Manila. We commenced commercial operations at our Taguig facility in 1988.

PSi Technologies Laguna, Inc., our other operating subsidiary and a wholly owned subsidiary of PSi Technologies, Inc., operates our second assembly and test facility located in Calamba, Laguna. We commenced commercial operations at our Laguna facility in late 1999, and we expanded our capacity in year 2000.

We had a third facility that we acquired through our subsidiary, Pacsem Realty, Inc., at a site near our existing facility in Laguna where construction of the building shell was completed in 2001. We deferred its activation due to the effects of he downturn of the semiconductor industry and the recent registration of our Taguig facility under PEZA. In January 28, 2005, we entered into a contract to sell our unutilized third site in Laguna to ILO Land, Inc. (“ILO”), an unrelated Philippine corporation in the business of commercial and industrial property development and leasing, for $2.5 million, with $1.0 million payable upon signing and the balance payable ever six months in six equal payments through January 2008. On June 12, 2007, our company offered ILO a 6% discount on the fifth and sixth installments if ILO paid its outstanding obligations before the due dates of July 28, 2007 and January 28, 2008, respectively, which it did. On June 12, 2007, ILO paid us an aggregate of $470,000, which includes the 6% discount.

Pacsem Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PSi Technologies, Inc., is a California-based corporation that conducts our marketing and purchasing activities in the United States. Because of the organizational changes implemented in 2005, we closed our California and Arizona offices effective January 31, 2006. Currently, our marketing operations is being handled by PSi Technologies in the Philippines. In addition, we previously had a marketing office in Tempe, Arizona; and a sales and marketing office in Tokyo, Japan under a sales and marketing agreement dated September 18, 2001 with Tokai Bussan Co. Ltd. (Tokai) of Japan. The sales and marketing agreement was terminated on April 1, 2005. However, Tokai currently serves as our agent for selected Japanese customers.

As part of our strategy to provide assembly and test services in China, PSi Technologies signed an agreement with the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone (CDHZ) to lease for a period of three years with an option to purchase within three years, two (2) pre-fabricated buildings for the purpose of providing assembly and test services in the Chengdu Sichuan Export Processing Zone, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, PRC. Each building has a covered area of approximately 2,592 square meters sited on approximately 4,117.5 square meters of land. We signed a lease agreement with the Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone Investment Development Co. Ltd., a corporation of the CDHZ, on January 19, 2004. PSi Chengdu ceased commercial operations on April 30, 2006. PSi Chengdu is currently in final stages of dissolution.

On January 14, 2004, we signed a long-term supply agreement with NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors) to provide outsourced power semiconductor assembly and test services through PSi Chengdu. The products to be packaged and tested for NXP Semiconductors are bipolar power products ranging from epitaxial diodes, deflection transistors, damper diodes, triacs and thyristors. The end applications for these products are consumer electronic devices, white goods, lighting, power supplies and industrials for the international and China markets. Due to the closure of PSi Chengdu, the long-term supply agreement with NXP Semiconductors was terminated on September 27, 2006. We did not incur any cost or penalties in relation to the termination.

A chart of our manufacturing facilities is provided below:

Manufacturing

Sites

 

Site 1 (Operational)

  

Site 2 (Operational)

Food Terminal Inc. Special Economic Zone Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines

  

Carmelrey Industrial Park II Barangay Tulo, Laguna, Philippines

Operated by:
PSi Technologies, Inc.

  

Operated by:
PSi Technologies Laguna, Inc.

 

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Changes in Exchange Rates

We use the U.S. dollar as our functional and reporting currency because all our revenue and a large proportion of our costs are denominated in U.S. dollars. Assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the functional currency using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Accordingly, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Philippine pesos, Chinese renminbi and other foreign currencies have been translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates at the relevant balance sheet date. Non-monetary items are translated at historical rates. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are credited or charged to current operations.

Significant portion of our costs particularly labor cost and utilities are denominated in Philippine peso. Further, certain raw materials and equipment that we are using were purchased in Japanese yen and European euro. As a result of currency variations particularly due to continuous decline in value of U.S. dollar against Philippine peso, Japanese yen and European euro and other currencies, our cost tend to increase when translated into U.S. dollar. We recognized foreign exchange losses amounting to $1.0 million and $0.5 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Our principal strategy to reduced risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations is by ensuring that as much as possible, all our costs are transacted in U.S. dollar including rentals and local purchases.

2007 Highlights

Highlights for 2007 are:

 

   

Manufacturing. We continued to focus on improving all aspects of our manufacturing operations, including the substitution of lower cost raw materials and supplies, reduction in packaging costs and improvements to production processes. Our consolidated cost of sales increased by $2.8 million or 3.3% from $86.0 million in 2006 to $88.8 million in 2007. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the cost of our raw materials and labor due to changes in product mix to package with high material costs, increase in copper prices and continued appreciation of the Philippine peso versus the U.S. dollar. The increase in raw materials and labor was partially offset by the decrease in our depreciation and repairs and maintenance expense. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 95.9% in 2006 to 95.0% in 2007. As a result, we achieved consolidated gross profit of $4.7 million in 2007 as compared to gross profit of $3.7 million in 2006. Raw materials increased from $40.8 million in 2006 to $46.0 million in 2007 due to the change in product mix to package with high material costs and increase in copper price. Labor costs increased from $11.8 million in 2006 to $12.0 million in 2007 primarily due to government-mandated wage increase and the continued appreciation of the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar. Depreciation included in the cost of sales decreased by 17.7% from $14.2 million in 2006 to $11.7 million in 2007 primarily due to a decrease in depreciable assets, as certain fixed assets were fully depreciated.

 

   

Marketing. Since 2005, we have conducted a package portfolio review to determine additional measures to improve the overall profitability of marginal packages, versus our available production capacities and core competencies. We then adjusted our marketing strategies to target higher margin and average selling price packages and non-IDM customers, and allocated capacities and priorities accordingly. We initiated discussions with our customers to institute selective increases in average selling prices, to offset the increase in raw materials expenses arising from higher commodity prices. We decided to concentrate all demand for Philippine-based assembly and test services in our two operational facilities in the Philippines. In 2007, we also reorganized our sales and marketing organization in order to diversify our customer base and manage business relationships for consistent profitability and market share growth.

 

   

Financing. In 2007, we incurred $3.4 million in capital expenditures. Of that amount, $0.4 million in capital expenditures was funded through suppliers’ credits. We financed such capital expenditure from funds generated from operations, suppliers’ credits and from the increased trade payable and financing facility from RZB-Austria and PVB.

 

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On April 27, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Agreement with RZB-Austria which extended our credit facility from December 31, 2006 until March 31, 2008. However, RZB-Austria may cancel the credit facility anytime during the term of the loan and all amounts outstanding under the facility including accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. As of July 11, 2008, we are in the process of finalizing the requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria. Under the agreement, RZB-Austria also agreed to remove the financial covenants previously required of us. Our total loan balance under this credit facility was $8.8 million as of December 31, 2007.

In July 2006, we entered into a revolving promissory note of $3 million (including the availability of a letter of credit of up to $450,000) with PVB. On May 16, 2008, the board of directors of PVB, approved an increase in the amount of letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

2008 Outlook

In 2008, we intend to strengthen our position as a leading global provider of assembly and test services targeted specifically at the power semiconductor market in the following ways:

 

   

Focus on the Power Semiconductor Market and Capitalize on the Trend Toward Outsourcing

We intend to continue to focus our expertise on the power semiconductor market, which is expected to grow by 8.3% compounded annually from 2006 to 2011, according to SIA Statistics. We intend to further expand our business by capitalizing on the accelerating trend toward outsourcing in that market. The power semiconductor manufacturing services market is large and under-penetrated by independent assembly and test service providers. A number of our current customers already have indicated their intention to outsource an increasing portion of their semiconductor manufacturing needs to independent manufacturing service providers. We believe that our established, strategic customer relationships provide us with a competitive advantage in capturing these outsourcing opportunities.

 

   

Strengthen and Expand Our Strategic Customer Relationships

We will work to strengthen our existing relationships with our key strategic customers to win an increasing percentage of their back-end production business, as we transform our business model from a provider of overflow capacity to a provider of base capacity. Our major IDM customers’ in-house assembly and test capacity represents both our largest competition and our best opportunity for incremental growth. We intend to capture our key customers’ outsourced assembly and test business by working closely with them to meet their product performance requirements, offering them the broadest array of power packages and services in the industry, and aggressively managing our supplier relationships and the manufacturing process to reduce costs. In addition, recent industry developments indicate a trend among semiconductors manufacturers to consign or sell their manufacturing assets to a third party assembly and test provider as a strategy for reducing their cost structures and capital costs, without reducing assembly and test capacities; and focus on wafer semiconductor manufacturing while outsourcing their assembly and test requirements to independent third-party providers to reduce capital expenditures.

 

   

Enhance Our Power Assembly and Test Technology and Design Services

We intend to continue to develop our power semiconductor assembly and test technology and design services to meet our customers’ needs. The Power Quad Flat No lead (Power QFN) is an example of a leading-edge package that we have recently developed. We coordinate our development efforts with our customers to ensure that our packages and services meet their power design specifications and increase the efficiency of our research and development efforts. Intellectual property that has recently been developed for the Power QFN packages includes co-designing devices with copper clip and solder die attach. We believe these advanced interconnect technologies and materials can be used to improve the performance of legacy packages. Currently we are developing an advanced cooling technology which should lead into a new patent application.

 

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We have hired and will continue to hire research and development professionals trained in semiconductor manufacturing. We expect that these employees will strengthen our design capability, particularly in thermal modeling and product applications. We intend to collaborate with our principal equipment and material suppliers to develop and access technical research.

 

   

Expand into New Geographic Markets and Maintain Diversified Global Customer Base

We are in the process of expanding into new geographic markets while maintaining a diversified customer base. We believe the Japanese and Taiwanese markets complement our existing customer base and represent a significant outsourcing opportunity for power semiconductor assembly and testing services. Of the top ten power semiconductor makers in the world, four are Japanese companies. Additionally, Taiwan is among the largest producers of power semiconductor used especially for its domestic market and the China market. Our efforts in Japan and Taiwan will complement our efforts in Europe, the United States and elsewhere in Asia where we have built a balanced customer list of top-tier power semiconductor manufacturing companies.

We are in the process of developing and continuing to develop a non-traditional market base for our existing assembly and test capabilities and capacities, by identifying and selling to fabless or assembly-less companies. Our current legacy products have been in existence for over two decades. Such packages have not only lost their upward surge market, where prices can go at premiums, but due to their maturity, have become very low margin products. Selling to fabless companies permits us to maintain a better price premium and helps to cushion us from market volatility. Fabless companies do not have the option of “pulling-in” to fill up internal capacity, and remain relatively loyal to their outsource partners.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to depreciation, provision for impairment losses, allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for inventory obsolescence, allowance for input taxes and tax credit certificates, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, assumptions used for the actuarial valuation for pension, valuation of options under share-based compensation, contingencies and measurement of fair value of financial instruments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Depreciation and Amortization

Our property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. We use our business judgment in determining estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment used in computing depreciation as follows:

 

Machinery, equipment and accessories

   3 – 8 years

Leasehold improvements

  

5 – 10 years or the term of the lease agreement, whichever is shorter

Office furniture, fixtures and equipment

   3 – 5 years

Transportation equipment

   5 years

 

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The useful lives and depreciation method are reviewed periodically to ensure that the periods and method of depreciation are consistent with the expected pattern of economic benefits from items of property, plant and equipment. We routinely review the remaining estimated useful lives of machinery, equipment and accessories to determine if such lives should be adjusted due to the likelihood of technological obsolescence arising from changes in production techniques or in market demand for the use of our machinery, equipment and accessories. However, due to the nature of our operations, which may include sudden changes in demand in the end markets, and due to the fact that certain equipment and machinery is dedicated to specific customers, we may not be able to accurately anticipate declines in the utility of our machinery, equipment and accessories.

No depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment under construction or awaiting qualification or technical completion.

When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to current operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We assess the fair value of the assets based on the undiscounted future cash flow such assets are expected to generate. We recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flow expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. When an impairment is identified, we reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. In 2007, we recognized an impairment loss on assets that were abandoned due to irreparable defects, cannibalization or dismantlement and which we assessed to have no salvage value. We recognized an impairment loss amounting to $0.7 million as a result of abandonment of these assets. Due to our continuous operating losses, we reviewed our machinery and equipment with low utilization rates and those that were used in packages with low margins for impairment. We performed test of recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amount of these assets to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by these assets. Based on the review performed, we did not recognized further impairment in 2007.

Revenue Recognition

We have three primary revenue streams related to the assembly and test of semiconductor products used for power conversion or power management applications: assembly-only, testing-only, and assembly and testing. Revenue from assembly only and test-only services is recognized upon the completion of the related service that coincides with the shipment of packaged semiconductors to the customers. For arrangements involving both assembly and test services, revenue is recognized upon the completion of test services that coincides with the shipment of the packaged semiconductors to the customers. We do not take ownership of customer-supplied semiconductor raw materials. Title and risk of loss remain with the customers for these materials at all times. Accordingly, the cost of the customer-supplied materials is not included in the consolidated financial statements. Such policies are consistent with the provisions of the U.S. SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” which supersedes SAB No. 101. SAB No. 104 requires that the following four criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level considered adequate to provide for uncollectible receivables. The level of allowance is based on historical collections, changes in customer payment terms and other factors that affect collectibility. Past due accounts are those receivables which are uncollected as of end of credit term specific to each customer.

An evaluation of the receivables, designed to identify potential charges to the allowance, is performed on a continuous basis during the year.

 

   

Accounts receivable trade: Full allowance is provided for trade receivables specifically identified to be uncollectible. Remaining over 180 to 360 days past due accounts are provided with allowance based on our customer’s historical pattern of payment and our collection experience.

 

   

Receivable from employees: Full allowance is provided for employees separated from our Company, net of salaries and benefits payable by the Company to the employee.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, after provision for obsolete, slow and non-moving items. The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate obsolete or excess inventories as well as inventory that are not of saleable quality. Provision for inventory obsolescence is estimated for non-moving, slow moving and uncommitted inventories. To the extent that future negative market conditions generate order backlog cancellations and declining sales, or if future conditions are less favorable than projected revenue assumptions, additional allowance for inventory obsolescence may be required, which may have a negative impact on our gross profit.

Provision for Income Taxes

We are required to make estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities and provisions. Further, the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48) requires an evaluation of the probability of any tax uncertainties and the booking of the relevant charges.

We are also required to provide valuation allowance on deferred tax assets equivalent to an amount we believe is not realizable in the future. In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, we consider all available evidence of realization including future taxable income, income tax holiday incentives and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, in each taxing jurisdiction. If all or a portion of the remaining deferred tax assets will not be realized, the valuation allowance will be increased with a charge to income tax expense. Conversely, if we can ultimately utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been provided, the related portion of the valuation allowance will be released to income as a credit to income tax expense. We are monitoring on an ongoing basis our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets and the continuing need for a related valuation allowance.

In May 2004, the area where our Taguig facility is located was declared as a special economic export zone entitled to tax incentives. All of our operations which have previously been subjected to an income tax of 32% are currently taxed at a rate of 5% of gross income. Gross income is defined as net sales less cost of sales.

In 2007, we were in a taxable income position that resulted in the recognition of income tax expense amounting to $19,253. We provided a 100% valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets because we do not expect to realize tax benefits from such deferred tax assets in the future given our recurring losses.

 

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Pension Cost and Other Retirement Benefits

The determination of our obligation and cost for retirement benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions determined by the management and used by the actuary in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions are described in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, and include, among other things, discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets and rate of future salary increase. The discount rate is an important assumption that is subject to annual evaluation. In evaluating the discount rate for 2007, management determined the rate of high quality, risk-free Philippine government bonds with maturities matching the anticipated benefit payment steam arriving at a rate of 10.28% in 2007. This rate is significantly higher than the 6.1% used in 2006 due to the relative yield increase for long-term Philippine government bonds of approximately 4% as indicated by the MART1 benchmark rate for pricing Philippine peso-denominated government securities. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in the assumptions may materially affect our retirement obligations. The accrued benefit cost as at December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $1.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively. We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of FASB Statement No. 158 (SFAS No. 158), Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans and initially applied those to the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2006.

Share-Based Payment

We award bonuses to directors, officers and employees in the form of share options, from time to time, on a discretionary basis. The options are subject to certain service vesting conditions. We apply FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123(R)), which began January 1, 2006. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee’s stock options, be measured at grant-date fair value and expensed over the service period (generally the vesting period). As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various assumptions to calculate the value of options at date of grant which include expected volatility, risk-free rate, dividend yield, expected term, among others. SFAS No. 123(R) requires us to estimate expected forfeitures at the grant date and recognize compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience and are periodically reviewed. While management believes that its assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, significant difference in actual experience or significant changes in the assumptions may materially affect our stock compensation expense.

We recognized a reversal of stock compensation expense amounting to $123,012 in 2007 due to options that were forfeited while a stock compensation expense of $159,013 was recorded in 2006 (see Note 16).

Contingencies

We are subject to certain legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgment or outcome related to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses. Our determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is based on a careful analysis of each individual issue, evaluating the extent of our liabilities under each of the cases on a gross basis, before consideration of any possible insurance claims or settlements. We record provisions in our consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where the loss contingency is considered reasonably possible, the information is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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A. Results of Operations

The following table presents selected operating data as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated:

 

     For the years ended December 31  
         2007             2006             2005      

Revenue

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of sales

   95.0     95.9     103.1  
                  

Gross profit (loss)

   5.0     4.1     (3.1 )

Operating expenses:

      

General and administrative

   7.4     7.7     8.6  

Research and development

   1.3     1.3     1.7  

Selling and marketing

   0.9     0.7     1.3  

Special charges

   0.7     2.1     2.0  

Provision (reversal of allowance) for doubtful accounts

   0.3     —       (0.1 )
                  

Total operating expenses

   10.6     11.8     13.5  
                  

Loss from continuing operations

   (5.6 )   (7.7 )   (16.6 )
                  

Other income (expenses)—net

      

Interest and bank charges—net

   (3.9 )   (3.7 )   (3.9 )

Foreign exchange losses—net

   (1.1 )   (0.6 )   (0.2 )

Lease income

   0.2     0.1     0.2  

Income on refund from a utility company

   —       0.1     0.3  
                  

Total other expenses

   (4.7 )   (4.1 )   (3.6 )
                  

Loss from continuing operations before income tax

   (10.4 )   (11.8 )   (20.2 )

Provision for income tax

   —       0.2     0.2  
                  

Net loss from continuing operations

   (10.4 )   (12.0 )   (20.4 )

Loss from discontinued operations

   —       (0.9 )   (6.7 )
                  

Net loss

   (10.4 %)   (12.9 %)   (27.1 %)
                  

Revenues and Gross Margins

 

       Year to Year Comparison for Years Ended
December 31

(Thousands of dollars)
 
       2007      2006      2005  

Revenue

     $ 93,513      $ 89,737      $ 72,868  

Cost of sales

       88,847        86,048        75,137  
                            

Gross profit (loss)

     $ 4,666      $ 3,689      ($ 2,269 )
                            

Gross profit (loss) percentage

       5.0 %      4.1 %      (3.1 %)
                            

2007 versus 2006. Our revenues increased by $3.8 million (4.2%) from $89.7 million in 2006 to $93.5 million in 2007. The increase is principally driven by the change in product mix towards packages with higher selling prices and by increases in copper prices to the extent that they were passed on to our customers. By geographical market, sales to our customers in the United States decreased by 13.5% to $17.4 million in 2007 from $20.1 million in 2006, due primarily to a sales reduction from Texas Instruments Inc. and from Semiconductor Components Industries, Ltd. as a result of reduced demand. Sales to our European customers increased by 12.0% to $75.1 million in 2007 from $67.0 million in 2006 primarily due to an $7.8 million increase in sales from Infineon and Spett.le STMicroelectronics. Sales to our customers in Asia decreased by 60.0% to

 

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$1.1 million in 2007, from $2.6 million in 2006, due primarily to the reduction in sales to Vishay Intertechnology Asia, PTE. The geographical distribution of our revenue is classified according to the domicile of our customers, and not according to the actual locations where the end products are finally assembled, marketed and sold.

Cost of sales includes cost of raw materials used to assemble our packages, depreciation of assembly test, and other equipment used in operations, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost of sales increased by 3.3%, or equivalent to $2.8 million, from $86.0 million in 2006 to $88.8 million in 2007. The increase was primarily due to increases in cost of raw materials and labor due to unfavorable package mix and continued appreciation of the Philippine peso versus the U.S. dollar. The increase in raw materials and labor was partially offset by the decrease in depreciation, and repairs and maintenance. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 95.9% in 2006 to 95.0% in 2007 due mainly to the increase in revenue generated by our facility in Laguna resulting to high recovery of manufacturing fixed cost and decline in depreciation expense. Further cost of sale as percentage of revenue is also affected by the change in product mix for devices sold during the year. Cost of raw materials increased from $40.8 million in 2006 to $46.0 million in 2007 due to the change in product mix to semiconductor devices with high material costs. Further, there are significant increases in the cost of our raw materials including copper, gold, silver, nickel and crude oil. Since our labor costs is denominated in Philippine peso, increase in labor cost from $11.8 million in 2006 to $11.9 million in 2007 is primarily due to the continued appreciation of the Philippine peso versus the U.S. dollar coupled with minimum wage increases required by Philippine law. Depreciation decreased by 17.7% from $14.2 million in 2006 to $11.7 million in 2007. This is mainly due to the decrease in depreciable assets in 2007 since significant portion of our fixed assets has already been fully depreciated or were written down to recoverable values in prior years as a result of impairment review performed in accordance with SFAS No.144. Depreciation as a percentage of sales was 15.8% in 2006 and 12.5% in 2007.

Given the foregoing, we achieved a gross profit of $4.7 million in 2007 as compared to gross profit of $3.7 million in 2006.

2006 versus 2005. Revenues increased by $16.9 million, or 23.2%, to $89.7 million in 2006 from $72.9 million in 2005. The increase is principally driven by the increase in sales volume from our top five customers and a shift towards packages with a higher selling price. The sales volume of our top five customers increased by 15.2% from 0.99 million units in 2005 to 1.140 million units in 2006. The increase was partially offset by the decrease in sales volume of other customers. By geographical market, sales to our customers in the United States decreased by 0.9% to $ 20.1 million in 2006 from $20.3 million in 2005, due primarily to a sales reduction from Texas Instruments Inc. by $1.9 million as a result of reduced demand. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in Semiconductor Components Industries, Ltd. revenue by $1.5 million. Sales to our European customers increased by 38.1% to $67.0 million in 2006 from $48.5 million in 2005 primarily due to an $18.0 million increase in sales from Infineon and Spett.le STMicroelectronics. Sales to our customers in Asia decreased by 35.2% to $2.6 million in 2006, from $4.1 million in 2005, due primarily to the reduction in sales to Vishay Intertechnology Asia, PTE. The geographical distribution of our revenue is classified according to the domicile of our customers, and not according to the actual locations where the end products are finally assembled, marketed and sold.

Cost of sales includes cost of raw materials used to assemble our packages, depreciation of assembly, test, facilities and facilities support equipment, labor and attributed overhead. Cost of sales increased by 14.5%, or equivalent to $10.9 million, from $75.1 million in 2005 to $86.0 million in 2006. The increase was primarily due to increases in cost of raw materials, labor, and utilities due to an improvement in overall sales. The increase in raw materials, labor and utilities was partially offset by the decrease in depreciation. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased from 103.1% in 2005 to 95.9% in 2006 due to an improvement in package mix, increase in copper price was passed on to our customers and a decrease in depreciation. Cost of raw materials increased from $32.1 million in 2005 to $40.8 million in 2006 due to increase in sales volume of our top five customers by 13.2%. Raw materials as a percentage of revenue slightly increased from 44.0% in 2005 and 45.5% in 2006 since majority of the copper increases in 2006 were passed on to our customers. Labor costs increased from $9.7 million in 2005 to

 

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$11.8 million in 2006 primarily due to increases in overtime and retirement benefits and continued appreciation of the Philippine peso versus the U.S. dollar. Utilities costs increased from $5.6 million to $6.6 million due to an increase in electricity consumption owing to the increase in sales volume from our top five customers and the continued appreciation of the Philippine peso versus the U.S. dollar. Utilities as a percentage of revenue were 7.3% in 2006 and 7.6% in 2005. Depreciation decreased by 15.0% from $16.7 million in 2005 to $14.2 million in 2006, primarily due to the decrease in depreciable assets in 2006 as certain fixed assets were fully depreciated in 2005 and the first quarter of 2006. Depreciation as a percentage of sales was 22.9% in 2005 and 15.8% in 2006.

We achieved a gross profit of $3.7 million in 2006, an improvement from a gross loss of $2.3 million in 2005 due to higher sales volume from our top five customers, favorable package mix, an increase in copper price that was passed on to our customers and a decrease in depreciation.

Operating Expenses

 

     For the years ended December 31
(Thousands of dollars)
 
     2007     2006     2005  

General and Administrative

   $ 6,866     $ 6,930     $ 6,244  

Research and Development

     1,236       1,151       1,201  

Selling and Marketing

     846       670       962  

Special Charges

     684       1,884       1,483  

Provision (reversal of allowance) for doubtful accounts

     314       10       (85 )
                        

Total Operating Expenses

   $ 9,946     $ 10,645     $ 9,805  
                        

Percentage of Net Sales (%)

     10.6 %     11.9 %     13.5 %
                        

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative (G&A) expenses consist of salaries and benefits for administrative personnel, depreciation of office furniture and equipment, outside services and professional fees, office utilities, supplies, expenses for investor relations activities, directors’ fees and stock compensation costs resulting from the grant of employee stock options.

2007 versus 2006. There is a decrease in G&A expenses in 2007 from $6,930 thousand in 2006 to $6,866 thousand in 2007. This is mainly due to the decrease in professional fees by $0.8 million in 2007. The decrease was partially offset by the increase in labor costs due to the continued appreciation of the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar.

2006 versus 2005. G&A expenses increased by 11.0% from $6.2 million in 2005 to $6.9 million in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the increase in professional fees brought about in part by the restatement of financial statements. The increase was partially offset by the decreases in depreciation, insurance and retirement cost.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development costs include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs primarily related to the development of our new package designs. Such costs include salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefit costs, materials, supplies, depreciation and maintenance of research equipment, services provided by outside contractors, and the allocable portions of facility costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, depreciation and general support services directly attributable to the research and development initiative. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

 

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2007 versus 2006. Research and development expenses increased by 7.4% from $1.15 million in 2006 to $1.24 million in 2007 due primarily to the increase in labor cost, and materials and supplies used. Further, we hired a new Chief Technology Officer in April 2007.

2006 versus 2005. Research and development expenses decreased by 4.2% from $1.20 million in 2005 to $1.15 million in 2006 due primarily to the resignation of our Chief Technology Officer on May 31, 2006.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for sales and marketing personnel, expenses associated with our overseas marketing offices in California, Arizona and Tokyo, promotion, travel, and communication costs.

2007 versus 2006. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 30.5% from $670 thousand in 2006 to $873 thousand in 2007, due primarily to the increase in labor cost brought about primarily by the decline in value of US dollar compared with Philippine peso. Further in 2007, we appointed an expatriate to handle our sales and marketing operations.

2006 versus 2005. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 30.4% from $962 thousand in 2005 to $670 thousand in 2006, due primarily to the closure of our U.S. purchasing and marketing office in January 2006.

Special Charges

2007 versus 2006. In 2007, we recognized an impairment loss on assets that were abandoned due to irreparable defects, cannibalization or dismantlement and which we assessed to have no future value. We recorded an impairment loss amounting to $0.7 million in 2007 as a result of abandonment of these assets. In 2006, as a result of our annual review for impairment of our property, plant and equipment due to our recurring losses since 2001, we recognized an impairment loss amounting to $0.4 million since the carrying value of the group of assets exceeds its fair value. The determination of fair value was based on our expected cash flow from used of assets using an effective interest rate of 7.719%, determined based on 4.719% yield rates on 4-year Republic of the Philippines (ROP) bonds as quoted by the BTr as of December 31, 2006 plus 3% risk premium. Also in 2006, the Company recognized additional impairment loss amounting to $1.5 million due to the write-down of net book value of certain machinery and equipment which we no longer use in operations and based on our assessment has no expected future value.

2006 versus 2005. Our recurring losses since 2001 triggered an impairment review in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. Based on the review of the long-lived assets, we recognized asset impairment losses amounting to $423,385 since the carrying value of the group of assets exceeded its fair value by that amount. The determination of fair value was based on the expected cash flow approach using an effective interest rate of 7.719%, based on 4.719% yield rates on 4-year Republic of the Philippines (ROP) bonds as quoted by the Philippine Bureau of Treasury or BTr as of December 31,2006, plus a 3% risk premium. Also in 2006, we recognized an additional impairment loss amounting to $1.5 million. This represents the net book value of certain machinery and equipment which we no longer use in our operations and, based on our assessment, has no salvage value.

 

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Net Interest and Bank Charges

 

     For the years ended December 31
(Thousands of dollars)
 
     2007     2006     2005  

Interest expense, bank and financing charges

   ($ 3,708 )   ($ 3,518 )   ($ 3,029 )

Interest income

     90       160       155  
                        

Interest and bank charges—Net

   ($ 3,618 )   ($ 3,358 )   ($ 2,874 )
                        

2007 versus 2006. Net interest expense increased by 7.8% from $3.4 million in 2006 to $3.6 million in 2007. The increase was due principally to the interest expense of the accrued interest on the $4 million and $7 million exchangeable senior subordinated notes that was converted to principal in 2007.

2006 versus 2005. Net interest expense increased by 16.8% from $2.9 million in 2005 to $3.4 million in 2006. In 2005, interest expense, bank and financing charges included interest expense and debt discount amortization for the portion of the year subsequent to the issuance of the $7 million exchangeable senior subordinated note issued in June 2005 to Merrill Lynch LLC and the anti-dilution adjustment for the $4 million senior subordinated exchangeable note issued in July 2003 to Merrill Lynch LLC, whereas 2006 included a full year interest expense and debt discount amortization of the 2003 and 2005 exchangeable notes.

Net Foreign Exchange Losses

Net foreign exchange gains or losses result from movements in the exchange rates of foreign currencies between the date a monetary asset or liability arises and the balance sheet date or the date of settlement.

2007 versus 2006. We recognized a net foreign exchange loss of $1.0 million in 2007 compared to net foreign exchange loss of $0.5 million in 2006, principally due to the effect of settlement and remeasurement of transactions and balances denominated in Philippine peso, Japanese yen and European euro into U.S. dollar. In 2007, the Philippine peso, European euro and the Japanese yen appreciated relative to the U.S. dollar. The Philippine peso appreciated significantly in 2007 from year-end rate of P49.03 as at December 31, 2006 to year-end rate of P41.28 as at December 31, 2007.

2006 versus 2005. We recognized a net foreign exchange loss of $530,334 in 2006 compared to net foreign exchange loss of $150,628 in 2005, principally due to the effect of settlement and restatement of transactions and balances denominated in Philippine peso, Japanese yen and European euro into U.S. dollars. In 2006, the Philippine peso and European euro appreciated relative to the U.S dollar while the Japanese yen depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar.

Provision for Income Tax

 

     For the years ended December 31
(Thousands of dollars)
     2007    2006    2005

Provision for income tax

   19    191    120

2007 versus 2006. We recognized a provision for income tax of $19,253 in 2007 compared to provision for income tax of $191,033 in 2006. No deferred asset was recognized in 2007 and 2006.

2006 versus 2005. We recognized a provision for income tax of $191,033 in 2006 compared to provision for income tax of $120,488 in 2005. In 2005, there was a reversal of deferred tax asset amounted to $117,392 because we were incurring continuing losses. In 2006, we were in a tax income position that resulted in the recognition of income tax expense amounting to $191,033, No deferred asset was recognized in 2006.

 

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Results of Discontinued Operations

On September 8, 2005, the representatives of the Management Committee of the CHTZ, and the Management Office of Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone informed PSi Chengdu of the government’s plan to convert the Southern Export Processing Zone where PSi Chengdu is located into a commercial area and the need for PSi Chengdu to relocate from the Southern Export Processing Zone to the Western Export Processing Zone. On April 5, 2006, our board of directors informed the Management Committee of the CHTZ of our decision to close our facility in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China. PSi Chengdu ceased commercial operations on April 30, 2006. Liquidation procedures were completed on October 12, 2006. PSi Chengdu is currently in the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution.

A summary of the results from discontinued operations is as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31  
         2006             2005      

Net sales

   $ 2,354,739     $ 7,473,187  

Gross profit (loss)

     129,030       (202,137 )

Operating loss from discontinued operations

     (861,551 )     (4,854,268 )

Other income (expense)

     76,690       (21,693 )

Net loss from discontinued operations

     (784,861 )     (4,875,961 )

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

In 2007, we funded our operations and capital expenditures primarily through cash from operations (including receivables collections), short-term loans, and short-term supplier credits. As of December 31, 2007, we had $22.2 million in current assets, of which $3.4 million are in the form of cash, $12.8 million in trade and other receivables, and $4.5 million in inventories. We used funds supplied by our banks to acquire certain inventories, which are held under a “trust arrangement.” These arrangements are evidenced by trust receipts and we are accountable to our banks until the amounts supplied under the trust arrangements have been repaid.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities is net loss adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in certain assets and liabilities. For 2007 compared to 2006, the decline in net cash provided by operating activities from $11.1 million in 2006 to $3.9 million in 2007 is mainly due to the decrease in our trade and other payables as a result of the settlement of our current obligations. This is offset by the decline in net loss in 2007 compared with 2006 and decrease in current assets. There is a net cash provided by operating activities amounting to $11.1 million in 2006 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $4.2 million in 2005. The positive operating cash flow position in 2006 compared with 2005 is primarily due to the significant decrease in net loss amounting to $11.6 million in 2006 compared with a net loss of 19.7 million in 2005. This is offset by the decline in our working capital in 2006 compared with 2005.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities totaled to $2.3 million in 2007 compared with $4.9 million in 2006. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities is mainly due to the decrease in payment of capital expenditures in 2007 of $2.9 million compared with $6.2 million in 2006. In 2006, there is an increase in net cash used in investing activities from $1.9 million in 2005 to $4.9 million in 2006. This is mainly due to the significant increase in fixed assets additions as a result of our new investment agreements with our customers which require us to increase our capacity in some of our packages.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $1.5 million in 2007 compared with $4.5 million in 2006. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities is due to the decrease in net payments made in loans payable

 

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coupled with the increase in restricted cash in 2007. In 2006, the net cash used in financing activities was due to our payment of trust receipts payable and short term loans to KBC—Philippine Branch. This was offset by the proceeds from short-term loans from PVB-Philippines in 2006.

Cash flows from discontinued operations are reported together with cash flows from continuing operations in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities from discontinued operations were as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31  
     2006     2005  

Net cash used in operating activities

   ($ 1,779,406 )   ($ 1,580,962 )

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     86,304       (318,058 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,583,043       1,785,425  

Capital Expenditures

We incurred a capital expenditure of $3.4 million in 2007 which principally relates to the acquisition of machinery and equipment for our production requirements. The majority of such capital expenditure relate to our expansion project, which involves the increase in the production capacity of our manufacture of power semiconductor devices.

We believe that net cash generated from operations and additional debt together with cash in bank and credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and outstanding obligations to our equipment suppliers for the next 12 months. On April 19, 2006, PVB extended a revolving promissory note line amounting to $3.0 million including availability of a letter of credit up to $450,000. The facility is subject to annual review by PVB up to April 11, 2010 and a 90-day availability period. The Revolving Promissory Note Line Agreement was subsequently signed on July 13, 2006. On May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB-Philippines, after completing the annual review of our existing $3.0 million credit facility, has approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

Capital Resources

Our continued operations as a going concern is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and/or seek other sources of financing; however there is no assurance that positive operating results can be achieved nor that any additional financing or refinancing can be obtained on favorable terms, if at all. To address the foregoing, we are undertaking the following:

 

  a. Adoption of business economic measures enabling us to pass on to customers such raw materials price increase based on pre-agreed benchmarks;

 

  b. Development of new captive businesses by entering into a sales and investment agreements with a major customer with committed production volume, higher selling price and underutilization charges in case of shortfall versus commitments;

 

  c. Growth through diversification:

 

  Development of business partnership with new customers based in different geographies;

 

  Development and positioning of new packages that have higher contribution margin;

 

  d. Reduction of raw materials cost, operating costs and overhead cost through purchasing programs; substitution of raw materials; power usage reduction and conservation projects; and rationalization of supervisor/management organization levels;

 

  e. Improvement of productivity, manufacturing efficiency and equipment capabilities through introduction and launching of continuous improvement circles;

 

  f. Approval of capital expenditures that meet certain financial and productivity criteria;

 

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  g. Development of partnerships with suppliers and customers for access to and use of intellectual property, production equipment and materials at beneficial terms and conditions;

 

  h. Contract renegotiation for U.S. dollar-based pricing thus promoting natural hedging and avoiding foreign exchange losses;

 

  i. Negotiation for additional credit facilities with other banks and financial institutions. We are currently in discussion with a local financial institution for the availment of a $15.0 million credit facility to finance its current operations and investing activities.

 

  j. Renegotiation and repayment of existing debt facilities as follows:

 

  Our company has a $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria that is available to PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna, of which $8.8 million has been drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The credit facility has been available to our Company since 2002 and has been renewed annually every year thereafter until December 31, 2006. On April 27, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Agreement with RZB-Austria which extended the maturity of the credit facility from December 31, 2006 through March 31, 2008. RZB-Austria has also deleted the “Financial Covenants” section of the credit facility in its entirety. However, RZB-Austria may cancel the credit facility anytime during the term of the loan and all amounts outstanding under the facility including accrued interest thereon shall be immediately due and payable. As of July 11, 2008, we are in the process of finalizing the documentation and contractual requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria.

 

  Our company has a revolving facility for a promissory note of $3.0 million including the availability of a letter of credit up to $450,000 with PVB. The facility was signed on July 13, 2006 and is available in multiple drawdowns of up to 90 days promissory note. The facility is subject to annual review on or before April 11 of each year up to April 11, 2010. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding short-term loan payable to PVB amounted to $1.3 million. On May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB, after completing the annual review of our existing $3.0 million credit facility, has approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

 

  The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension.

We believe that our current and future plans will enable us to continue as a going concern.

Special Tax Status

We have benefited from tax incentives available in the Philippines. Our Taguig facility was registered under R.A. No. 7916, otherwise known as the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, which created the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. As of May 17, 2004, we became subject to a special tax rate of 5% of gross income derived from the sale of products produced at that facility, in lieu of all national and local taxes after the expiration of the income tax holiday period. Income that is not related to our core activities such as lease income, gains from sale of assets or other activities that are not registered with PEZA are subject to income tax of 35%, effective November 1, 2005, which income tax rate will be reduced to 30% effective January 1, 2009.

Because we export all our products, we are subject to zero percent value added tax (VAT), in the Philippines. Ordinarily, a 12% VAT is imposed on the sale of goods and services in the Philippines.

 

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With respect to our import of machinery and equipment, we are able to convert the VAT paid on the importation into tax credit certificates. These tax credit certificates can be used as payment for import VAT and customs duties where so permitted by the Philippine Bureau of Customs on other imports. Likewise, we also have tax credit certificates from the Bureau of Internal Revenue which arise from a refund of VAT paid on purchases of raw materials and supplies prior to being PEZA registered. These tax credits can be used to pay income tax and documents stamp tax but not for withholding taxes. They can also be sold for cash at a discount to other importers who are permitted to use them if so permitted by the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, respectively. These tax credit certificates were all re-validated and or extended in compliance with memoranda issued from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. As of December 31, 2007, we have tax credit certificates of $86,251. These amounts are included in other current assets account as of December 31, 2007.

In addition, the legislation grants the following fiscal incentives for new projects of non-pioneering status:

 

   

tax and duty-free importation of capital equipment, raw materials and spare parts, which eliminates VAT and negates the need to convert VAT paid on importation into tax credit certificates;

 

   

an income tax holiday for new, expansion or additional projects which we may register with PEZA; and

 

   

a special tax rate of 5% on gross income derived from the sale of products produced at that facility, in lieu of all national and local taxes after the expiration of the income tax holiday period.

Our Laguna facility is also registered under R.A. No. 7916, which grants the following fiscal incentives:

 

   

tax and duty-free importation of capital equipment, raw materials and spare parts, which eliminates

 

   

VAT and negates the need to convert VAT paid on importation into tax credit certificates;

 

   

an income tax holiday for new, expansion or additional projects which we may register with PEZA; and

 

   

a special tax rate of 5% on gross income derived from the sale of products produced at that facility, in lieu of all national and local taxes after the expiration of the income tax holiday period.

PSi Chengdu ceased commercial operations on April 30, 2006. As a result, PSi Chengdu was able to obtain clearances from State Tax Department and Chengdu Local Tax Department on January 24, 2007 and April 5, 2007, respectively. In 2007, PSi Chengdu did not receive any tax assessments from either the State Tax Department or Chengdu Local Tax Department. Currently, PSi Chengdu is in the process of completing the final requirements dissolution.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB has issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157), which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for more information about (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, (2) the information used to measure fair value, and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS No. 157 will apply whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Our company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). Unrealized gains and losses on instruments for which the Fair Value Option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting period. SFAS No. 159 is effective for annual periods beginning after April 1, 2008. We are currently in the process of determining the impact of the adoption of this new standard in our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No.141(R)). SFAS No. 141(R) requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the statement of operations; the recognition of restructuring costs in the statement of operations for which the acquirer becomes obligated after the acquisition date; and contingent arrangements to be recognized at their fair values on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the statement of operations. SFAS No.141(R) is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and should be applied prospectively for all business combinations entered into after the date of adoption. Our company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have a material impact in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51” (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 requires that a non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary be displayed in the consolidated statements of financial position as a separate component of equity. Under SFAS No. 160, gains or losses should not be recognized on sales of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries. Differences between sale proceeds and the consolidated basis of outstanding noncontrolling interests should be accounted for as charges or credits to consolidated paid-in-capital. SFAS No.160 is effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Our company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. This statement requires additional disclosures about the objectives of derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of accounting for such instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and a tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and related hedged items on our financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Our Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS No. 162 will become effective 60 days following the U.S. SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 162 to have a material effect in our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses

Research and Development

We are increasing our research and development efforts on developing packages and assembly platforms that will meet the growing needs of our customer base. We offered a fully qualified QFN assembly line that will produce a wide variety of packages ranging from a 3 x 3 to a 7 x 7 package with differing interconnect options for the power semiconductor market. The interconnect options include copper clip, and solder die attach. We believe that these interconnect options will allow us to improve product performance through lower parasitic resistance and inductance to meet the higher package performance goals of our customers. We further believe that Power QFN packages are the fastest growing power package in the industry. This packaging platform addresses our customers’ need for shortest time-to-market with a new package.

 

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We now have in place a Lead (Pb)-free process particularly in package lead plating and dipping, in keeping with the industry’s objective to minimize and eliminate substances/components in the package harmful to the environment. Another focus in our materials development activities is the identification of alternative materials that will improve the cost of our packages.

As of December 31, 2007 we employed 34 professionals dedicated to research and development. Our management and other operational personnel are also involved in research and development activities. We spent a total of $1,236,054 in 2007, $1,150,922 in 2006 and 1,201,300 in 2005on research and development.

Patents and Licenses

On November 27, 2004, we signed a broad, multi-year patent license agreement with Amkor Technology, Inc. which grants us rights under Amkor Technology Inc.’s portfolio of patents relating to MicroLeadFrame technology, MicroLeadFrame® packages and QFN packages, and grants Amkor Technology, Inc. access to the intellectual property being developed by our company related to our Power QFN technology.

On June 8 and November 16, 2005, we filed our first two patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for a plastic integrated circuit package, lead frame and method for use in making the package (stud bump flip chip method of manufacture for a QFN Package) and method of putting isolated metallic interconnections onto a metallic substrate, respectively. Our focus on the needs of our customers and the growing demands for innovation in the industry has defined our role as one of the leaders in the industry. We depend in part on our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property and the intellectual property which our customers shared with us, and our ability to apply that know-how to improve our customers’ packaging design and implementation.

Currently, we are negotiating a technology partnership and co-development of an advanced cooling technology. We are also developing in the forefront of high temperature package for the future Silicon carbide industry.

We believe that our continued success depends in a large part on the technological skills of our employees and their ability to continue to innovate.

D. Trend Information

The Philippine economic downturn that began with the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 to 1999. The downturn in the semiconductor industry in 2000 and the U.S. economic downturn that began in 2001 has made it more difficult for us to access adequate financing for our capital expenditures and to access such financing on attractive terms.

According to statistics from the Philippine Central Bank, the non-performing loan ratio of the Philippine banking sector has increased from 2.8% in 1996 to 14.9% in 2002, owing to the lingering effects of the Asian financial crisis. This has increased the reluctance of the Philippine Banking sector to extend credit facilities to corporations in general, and more especially for corporations with recent history of net losses. Similarly, the U.S. economic and semiconductor industry downturns that began in 2000 and resulted in the more than 77% decline in the technology heavy Nasdaq stock market index from its peak in February 2000 to the index’s low of 2002 has limited funding options for companies in the semiconductor industry.

Due to the above factors, we have relied principally on supplier credits extended by our equipment suppliers to fund our capital expenditures program, and secondarily, to the extent available at the time of such equipment purchases, on cash generated from operations and other financing activities.

Please see the discussion of the trends we have identified regarding our business in Item 5A. through Item 5C. above.

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

We have not entered into any significant transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated, limited purpose entities.

 

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F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations.

The following table aggregates, as of December 31, 2007, our known contractual obligations and commitments.

Payments Due by Period

(U.S. dollars)

 

Contractual Obligations

   Less than
1 Year
   1-2 Years    3-5 Years    More than
5 Years
   Total

Loans payable (1)

   10,020,000    —      —      —      10,020,000

Operating lease obligations (2)

   744,720    1,386,040    1,538,997    6,969,314    9.639,071

Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes includes amount representing accrued interest on exchangeable notes converted to principal of $3.3 million and does not include discount of $7.5 million (3)

   5,317,840    9,005,939       —      14,323,779

Accrued retirement benefit obligation

   —      11,274    314,859    1,349,143    1,675,276

 

(1) Loans payable consist of outstanding liability to RZB-Austria amounting to $8.8 million and PVB-Philippines amounting to $1.3 million. See Notes 4, 9 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Operating lease obligations include the lease of land and building in Taguig and Laguna.
(3) On July 3, 2003, PSi Technologies, Inc., our principal operating subsidiary, issued to a Merrill Lynch LLC a $4.0 million 5-year exchangeable senior subordinated note. The proceeds of the note were used to pay liabilities related to certain capital expenditures which came due in 2003. See “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes” for a summary of terms. The note matured on June 1, 2008 but was subsequently extended to mature on July 31, 2008. The note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum, net of Philippine withholding tax payable semi-annually in arrears. Interest on the note is payable in cash or, under certain circumstances, in our common shares. We are not permitted to prepay the note in whole or in part. The note is exchangeable by Merrill Lynch LLC at any time into our common stock at a price of $1.15 per share. The initial exchange price was $1.47 per share, but was reduced to $1.15 per share due to the fact that we did not meet certain performance targets for the third and fourth quarters of 2003 as provided for in the note. If, at any time after July 3, 2006, our publicly-traded ADS (i) shall have traded at an average closing price of at least $3.00 per ADS for a 30-consecutive trading day period and (ii) the daily average trading volume of the ADS, for such period was equal to at least 33.33% of the number of shares into which the note is exchangeable, we may then notify Merrill Lynch LLC of our intent to redeem the note. The note will then be redeemed unless Merrill Lynch LLC exercises its right to exchange or assign the note. The note is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all of our obligations comprising senior credit facility, amounts of the then outstanding indebtedness to On Semiconductors and any other permitted indebtedness the terms of which expressly provide it is senior in right of payment to the note. We are currently in the process of negotiating a renewal of the note with Merrill Lynch LLC.

 

  

On June 2, 2005, PSi Technologies, Inc., our principal operating subsidiary, issued to a Merrill Lynch LLC a $7.0 million 4-year exchangeable senior subordinated note. We intend to use the proceeds of the note to partially finance capital expenditures related to the introduction of our Power QFN (Quad Flat No-Lead) Package and for the repayment of due and outstanding suppliers’ credits and capital expenditures payables. See “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes” for a summary of terms. The exchangeable note accrues interest at a rate of 10% per annum, net of Philippine withholding tax, and payable semi-annually in arrears. Interest on the note is payable in cash or, under certain circumstances, in our common shares. We are not permitted to prepay the note in whole or in part. The note will be exchangeable by Merrill Lynch LLC at any time into our common stock at a price of $1.00 per share. The note exercise price may be further reduced to $0.90 per share or $0.80 per share, in the

 

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event we do not meet certain performance targets for the fourth quarter of 2005 and first quarter of 2006 as provided for in the note. If, at any time after three years from issuance, our publicly-traded ADS (i) shall have traded at an average closing price of at least $2.00 per ADS for a 30-consecutive trading day period and (ii) the daily average trading volume of the ADS, for such period was equal to at least 33.33% of the number of shares into which the note is exchangeable, then we may notify Merrill Lynch LLC that we intend to redeem the note. The note will then be redeemed unless Merrill Lynch exercises its right to exchange or assign the note. The note is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to all of our obligations comprising senior credit facility, amounts of the then outstanding indebtedness to the following: RZB-Austria through a Revolving Facility Agreement dated September 24, 2003, KBC Bank N.V.—Philippine Branch through a Short-term Advances Credit Facility dated September 30, 2004 and LC/TR Credit Facility dated October 30, 2002, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company through an Import LC/TR Credit Facility, Bank of Commerce through an Import LC/TR Credit Facility dated April 16, 2003 and any other permitted indebtedness the terms of which expressly provide it is senior in right of payment to the note. The issuance of 2005 Note also triggered the anti-dilution adjustment. This resulted in a conversion reset of the 2003 Note from the lowest exercise price, which was already set at $1.15 ( since the EBITDA target for the three months ended December 31, 2003 was not met), to $1.06. This resulted in an additional embedded beneficial conversion feature on the 2003 Note amounting to $606,282.

 

     As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the 2003 and 2005 Exchangeable Notes have a carrying amount of $6.8 million (net of debt discount of $7.5 million) and $4.5 million (net of debt discount of $8.5 million), respectively. Upon redemption or conversion of the Exchangeable Notes prior to June 1, 2008 (for the 2003 Note) and June 1, 2009 (for the 2005 Note), any remaining unamortized discount will be charged to operations in the year of redemption or conversion. The embedded beneficial conversion feature recognized as additional paid-in capital amounted to $7.0 million for the 2005 Note and $2.8 million (inclusive of the adjustment to the embedded beneficial conversion of $606,282 resulting from the anti-dilution adjustment triggered by the issuance of the June 2005 Note) for 2003 Note as of December 31, 2005.

 

     In 2007, 2006 and 2005, we recognized debt discount amortization of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and these are presented as “Interest and bank charges” account in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

     On June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2007 in accordance with the terms of Exchangeable Notes, PSi Technologies formally informed Merrill Lynch that the outstanding accrued interest on the Exchangeable Notes as of said dates amounting to $649,604 and $682,085, respectively, will not be settled through payment but will be converted to principal amount of the Exchangeable Notes.

 

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ITEM 6 DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. Directors and Senior Management

As of June 30, 2008, our directors and executive officers are as follows:

 

Name

   Age   

Position

Directors

     

Arthur J. Young, Jr. (1)

   51    Director and Chairman of the Board

George J. Shaw

   55    Director, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Mandakini Puri

   48    Director

Brian A. Renaud (1)(2)

   44    Director

Roberto F. de Ocampo (4)(5)

   62    Director

Romeo L. Bernardo (4)

   53    Director

Patchara Samalapa (6)(2)

   37    Director

Executive Officers

     

Arthur J. Young, Jr.

   51    President & Chief Executive Officer

Hilarion V. Cajucom

   47    Chief Financial Officer

Thomas Moersheim

   52    Chief Technology Officer

Helen G. Tiu

   47    Corporate Secretary

Hernanie S. Torres

   47    Managing Director, Taguig Facility

Arnold M. Leoncio

   42    Director for Business Development

Fernando Silva

   40    Managing Director, Laguna Facility

Rosemarie R. Acosta

   57    Director for Supply Chain

Antonio L. Arboleda, Jr.

   49    Director of Human Resources

Rodger K. Fujinaga

   49    Vice President for Marketing and Sales in North America and Japan
 
  (1) Member of the Compensation Committee
  (2) Member of the Budget Committee
  (3) Member of the Audit Committee
  (4) Chairman of the Audit Committee
  (5) Elected April 2004 replacing Sung Ming Cho of Merrill Lynch. Mr. Samalapa qualified for board membership in accordance with the Corporation Code of the Philippines on October 22, 2004.
  (6) Elected to the Board on February 29, 2008 replacing Mr. Gordon Stevenson.

Since the last annual stockholders’ meeting, the board of directors had five meetings The average attendance by directors at board of directors’ meetings they were scheduled to attend was 75.55%.

The members of the board of directors listed above were elected to the board during the annual stockholders’ meeting on October 17, 2007.

All directors are elected annually by our shareholders. Interim vacancies may be filled by our board of directors. Our executive officers do not serve fixed terms of office and are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. The following sets out biographical information on our directors and executive officers.

Arthur J. Young, Jr.—Mr. Young is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and PSi Technologies, Inc. He has been with us since 1988 and was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. on February 4, 2000. Prior to working with us, Mr. Young founded and managed a diversified transportation business in Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Young received a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Mandakini Puri—Ms. Puri is a Managing Director in Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Equity Division and has been with Merrill Lynch since 1986. Ms. Puri has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, India and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

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Brian A. Renaud—Mr. Renaud is a Managing Director in Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Equity Division. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1990. He also serves as a director on the board of Wendeng Tianrun Crankshaft Co., Ltd. Mr. Renaud received a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard University.

Patchara Samalapa—Mr. Samalapa is an Associate in Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Equity Division. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996. Mr. Samalapa received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

George J. Shaw—Mr. Shaw is our Chief Operating Officer and Executive and Vice President, effective January, 2008. He is an industry veteran with over 30 years of general management and technical experience, half of this in factory operations in six different countries in Asia and North America. His prior industry experience includes responsibilities at ASAT Ltd. in Hong Kong as Senior Vice President for Operations, at AIT (Hong Kong) Ltd. as Senior Vice President, at Amkor Technology as Senior Vice President of Process Engineering, and at National Semiconductor Corporation as Vice President of Package Engineering and as Managing Director of its Bangkok and Indonesia facilities. Mr. Shaw has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Roberto F. de Ocampo—Dr. de Ocampo was previously the President of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), one of the leading international business and management graduate schools based in Manila. He is currently a member of the AIM Board of Trustees and is Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the AIM-RFO Center for Public Finance and Regional Economic Cooperation. He served as Secretary of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines from 1994 to 1998 during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, and was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of the Philippines during the presidency of Corazon Aquino. Dr. de Ocampo graduated from De La Salle College and Ateneo University in Manila, received an MBA from the University of Michigan, holds a post-graduate diploma from the London School of Economics, and has four doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa). He is the recipient of many international awards including Finance Minister of the Year, Philippine Legion of Honor, ADFIAP Man of the Year, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor of France, and the 2006 Asian HRD Award for Outstanding Contribution to Society.

Romeo L. Bernardo—Mr. Bernardo is President of Lazaro Bernardo Tiu & Associates, Inc., a financial advisory firm and serves as GlobalSource economist in the Philippines. Mr. Bernardo currently sits on the board of directors of Globe Telecom, Bank of the Philippine Islands, East Asia Power Resources, Inc., National Re-Insurance Corporation, RFM Corporation, PHINMA, Ayala Life Assurance, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Inc., and is Chairman of Ayala Life Fixed Income Fund (ALFM) Peso Dollar and Euro Bond Funds and the Philippine Stock Index Fund. Mr. Bernardo was an alternate director of the Asian Development Bank from 1997 to 1998 and Finance Undersecretary for International Finance, Privatization & Treasury Operations of the Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines from 1990 to 1996. Mr. Bernardo received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines and a Masters in Development Economics degree from Williams College.

Hilarion V. Cajucom, Jr.—Mr. Cajucom is appointed as our new Chief Finance Officer effective October 16, 2007. Previously, Mr. Cajucom was the Director of Operations of Carrier International Corp. ROHQ—Shared Service Center (BPO), a United Technology Corporation. Mr. Cajucom had been a Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of various multinational corporations including Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. and Intel Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. Mr. Cajucom is a Certified Public Accountant and he obtained a university degree in Accounting, History and Political Science at De La Salle University.

Helen G. Tiu—Ms. Tiu is the Corporate Secretary of PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Aboitiz Transport System (ATSC) Corporation and of several other Philippine companies. She is a Managing Director of Lazaro Bernardo Tiu & Associates, Inc., a consultancy firm, and practices law at H.G. Tiu Law

 

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Offices. Ms. Tiu was a partner at SGV & Co from 1994 to 1996, Head Executive Assistant at the Office of the Secretary, Department of Energy in the Philippines from 1993 to 1994, and a director of Petron Corporation from 1993 to 1994 and of Goodyear Corporation in 1994. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the Philippine Bar. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy (cum laude), a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University.

Additional Executive Officers of PSi Technologies, Inc.

The following sets out biographical information for additional executive officers of our principal operating subsidiary, PSi Technologies.

Thomas Moersheim—Mr. Moersheim is our Chief Technology Officer. He joined us in April 2007. Mr. Moersheim has over 22 years of work experience with NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors), holding various executive positions in Innovation, Customer Support and Quality and Reliability. Prior to joining us, Mr. Moersheim was the Director for Subcontract Management Philippines of NXP Semiconductors, Industrial Strategy and Operation.

Arnold M. Leoncio—Mr. Leoncio is our Director for Business Development, effective February 2008. Mr. Leoncio was formerly a Logistic Director of CEMEX, one of the global leader in the manufacturing of building materials such as cement, ready mix and aggregates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has worked also in other multinational companies such as United Technologies Corporation (carrier air conditioning company) in New York, USA and in Procter and Gamble Philippines, Inc. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, a Master of Engineering Management degree from McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration (major in international business, strategy and marketing) from Kellogg School of Management in Northwester University. He is a 5th placer in the Mechanical Engineering Board Exams in the Philippines.

Hernanie S. Torres—Mr. Torres is our Managing Director for Taguig Operations. He joined us in March 2005 as Manufacturing Director and was appointed to his present position in September 2005. Mr. Torres has over 17 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. Prior to joining our company, he was the Operations Director of International Rectifier, External Assembly Operations and also worked with several other companies, including Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Malaysia, Amkor Technology Philippines, Inc. and Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Mr. Torres received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila and earned MBA units from De La Salle University in Manila.

Rosemarie R. Acosta—Ms. Acosta is our Director of Supply Chain, effective February 2008. Ms. Acosta has 20 years of solid experience on Materials Management/ Warehouse Management, Materials Planning and Foreign Purchasing and Project Management specifically SAP and e- procurement at various Intel Assembly and Test sites. She has been deployed for regional, headquarters and country operations. She has been involved as project manager for various Warehousing, SAP and Process Automation projects, in different companies, such as Timex, 3M and Philips. Ms. Acosta holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Santo Thomas.

Fernando Silva—Mr. Silva is the Managing Director of PSi Technologies Laguna, Inc. He joined us on November 27, 2006. Mr. Silva worked for over 15 years with Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. in variety of roles, including Manufacturing Supervisor, Division Manager, and Business Unit Group Head.

Antonio L. Arboleda, Jr.—Mr. Arboleda is our Director of Human Resources, effective September 2007. Mr. Arboleda has degrees in BS Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines, AB Philosophy and MA Theology from the Ateneo de Manila University and a Management Development Degree from the

 

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Asian Institute of Management. Prior to his engagement in our company, he assumed several positions in Intel Philippines, which includes Compensation and Benefits Manager, Business Group Human Resources Manager, Country Employee Relations Manager and Regional HR Legal and Investigation. He has 15 years of solid experience in Human Resources Management in the automotive, semiconductor and construction industries.

Rodger K. Fujinaga—Mr. Fujinaga is our Vice President for Marketing and Sales in North America and Japan, effective January, 2008. Mr. Fujinaga has over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, specializing in Marketing and Sales, Business Development and Account Management. In the past, he has been President for the Americas/Vice President of Sales for AIT, Inc., Vice President for Amkor Technology, Inc., and General Manager, Microtech Division for ROHM. Mr. Fujinaga holds a Business Administration – Marketing degree from the San Francisco State University.

Except as otherwise noted, there is no relationship between any of our directors or executive officers and any other director or executive officer.

We have entered into a non-competition agreement with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arthur J. Young, Jr., which provides, among other things, that if Mr. Young is no longer employed with us, he will not render services related to packaging and testing of power semiconductors to other companies for one or two years from the date of his departure, depending on the circumstances of his departure. See Item 7—”Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Shareholders’ Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement” regarding the right of certain of our shareholders to appoint members of our board of directors.

B. Compensation

We paid an aggregate amount of $55,824 to members of our board of directors as reimbursement for costs and expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors and its committees in 2007.

We paid an aggregate amount of $1.2 million in compensation to our top 11 officers in 2007. We provide daily transportation to and from work to these executives and housing for the Managing Director of our Laguna facility.

In July 2005, we hired Mr. Gordon J. Stevenson as our Chief Operating Officer and we were committed to pay him a minimum of $300,000 in the form of bonuses. We also granted Mr. Stevenson a one time 500,000 options. On March 1, 2008, Mr. Stevenson resigned as our Chief Operating Officer. Accordingly, our future commitment with him was forfeited including the options granted.

On February 2, 2004, we issued 121,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock to 24 of our executives and officers at an exercise price of $3.25 per share. We are likewise committed to issue an additional 500,000 shares to our Chief Operating Officer subject to certain terms. The vesting period and term of those options are consistent with the terms of our stock option plan as described in “Item 6—Share Ownership—PSi Stock Option Plan.” There were no outstanding loans to key executives as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.

Non-executive directors receive per diem compensation for their attendance at each board meeting. Directors are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred for attendance of meetings of the board and its committees.

Directors may also receive additional compensation for serving on board committees and/or performing additional or special duties at the request of the Board.

We have a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of our regular employees in the Philippines. Retirement costs are based on amounts computed by an independent actuary. In September 2006, the “FASB” issued SFAS No. 158, which requires the recognition of the funded status of a defined benefit pension plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position and

 

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the recognition of changes in the funded status through comprehensive income in the year in which such changes occur. We adopted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 and initially applied those to the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2006. We measure the pension benefit liabilities using the Projected Unit Credit Actuarial Cost Method in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 158.

SFAS No. 158 also requires that the funded status of a plan be measured as of the date of the year-end statement of financial position. As of December 31, 2007, the fair value of the retirement plan assets amounted to $121,936.

We expect to make cash contributions amounting to $200,000 to our pension plan in 2008.

As of December 31, 2007, we have an unrecognized transition obligation and unrecognized actuarial loss amounting to $2,486 and $383,485, respectively. The amortization of actuarial loss estimated to be included in the 2008 periodic pension cost amounted to $6,649.

C. Board Practices

The following table sets forth the term of office for the members of our board of directors as of July 11, 2008.

 

Name

   Commencement of First Term    Expiration of current term

Arthur J. Young, Jr.

   December 1999    June 30, 2008

Mandakini Puri

   October 2001    June 30, 2008

Brian A. Renaud

   December 1999    June 30, 2008

George Shaw, Jr.

   February 2008    June 30, 2008

Patchara Samalapa

   April 2004    June 30, 2008

Roberto F. de Ocampo

   March 2000    June 30, 2008

Romeo L. Bernardo

   February 2000    June 30, 2008

The term of office of our board members will expire at the next annual stockholders’ meeting. Our by-laws provide that the annual stockholders’ meeting shall take place on any day in June. Pursuant to the holdover provisions of the Philippine Corporation Code, if the annual stockholders’ meeting as provided in the by laws is postponed, the term of office of our board members is automatically extended to the date on which the next annual stockholders’ meeting actually takes place.

We do not have directors’ service contracts or other agreements that provide for benefits on termination of employment.

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors has an audit committee, a budget committee and a compensation committee.

The audit committee is currently comprised of two independent directors, i.e., Messrs. de Ocampo and Bernardo. Mr. de Ocampo is the Chairman of the audit committee. A vacancy on the audit committee was created following the resignation of Mr. Celso Vivas on May 27, 2008. The board of directors had determined that Mr. Vivas was qualified as an audit committee financial expert, and Mr. Vivas has yet to be replaced on the audit committee. We are actively engaged in recruiting a financial expert to fill the current vacancy on the audit committee.

In response to the corporate governance reforms dictated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our board of directors adopted the current audit committee charter on April 23, 2003. The audit committee charter sets forth the enhanced responsibilities of the audit committee relating to oversight of (1) the integrity of our financial statements, (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors, and (4) the performance of our internal audit function.

The audit committee charter reflects the audit committee’s responsibilities in terms of, among other things, (1) pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the independent accountant, (2) pre-approval of

 

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related party transactions, (3) establishing procedures relating to the anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters and internal controls, and (4) direct responsibility for the hiring, retention, evaluation, and termination of our independent accountant. The new audit committee charter also provides the audit committee with the authority and sufficient funding to retain independent counsel or any other advisors that it determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.

On November 6, 2006, the Business Control Department reporting to the audit committee was created to report significant issues related to the processes for controlling our activities, to provide information periodically on the status and results of the annual audit plan and coordinate and provide insight of other control and monitoring functions.

The budget committee is responsible for (1) reviewing and recommending to the board of directors for approval of PSi’s operating budget, (2) comparing the budget to actual performance, (3) reviewing past capital expenditure decisions relative to expected versus actual performance, and (4) approving specific capital expenditures projects and requests. The members of the budget committee are Messrs. Brian Renaud and Patchara Samalapa.

The compensation committee is responsible for establishing remuneration levels for some of our officers and performs certain functions under our employee benefit programs. As of May 31, 2007, the members of the compensation committee are Mr. Arthur J. Young, Jr. and Mr. Brian Renaud.

Nasdaq Requirements

In general, corporate governance principles for Philippine companies are set forth in the Corporation Code of the Philippines. Corporate governance principles under provisions of Philippine law may differ in significant ways from corporate governance standards for U.S. Nasdaq-listed companies. Under the latest amendment to the NASD Marketplace Rule 4350(a)(1), foreign private issuers are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of the requirements of Rule 4350. Pursuant to the amendment, foreign private issuers must disclose alternative home country practices they follow.

Under Philippine law, we are not required to solicit shareholder approval of the issuance of our stock in connection with related party acquisitions in which we may issue 20% or more of our outstanding shares or below market issuances of 20% or more of our outstanding shares to any person. Additionally, under Philippine law, the company is not required to have an audit committee and, therefore, is not required to have at least three members on its audit committee. However, the company expects to identify a third party member of its audit committee in the near future that will align the corporate governance practices of its audit committee with those of U.S. domestic companies under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In accordance with Rule 4350(a)(1), our Philippine counsel has issued a written statement to Nasdaq certifying that our corporate governance practices are not prohibited by, and are consistent with, Philippine law and practice.

On March 9, 2005, PSi Holdings received a Nasdaq Staff Determination indicating that PSi Holdings failed to comply with the market value of publicly held shares requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4450 (a)(2). As a result, its ADSs were delisted from the Nasdaq National Market at the opening of business on March 18, 2005. On March 16, 2005, PSi Holdings applied to transfer the trading of its ADSs to the Nasdaq Small Capital Market. The transfer was effected at the opening of business on March 29, 2005.

On January 31, 2008, we received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that our company fails to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). Our company was provided with 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2008, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS of our company for a minimum bid price requirement is not met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide us with an additional 180 calendar day compliance period only if we meet certain listing criteria.

 

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E. Employees

We are recruiting high quality personnel in our region. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining arrangements. We believe that we have a good working relationship with our employees. The following table sets forth our total number of employees, as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

Headcount

       2007            2006            2005    

Operations

   1,680    1,796    2,169

Engineering

   443    470    522

Quality

   287    321    403

Sales/Marketing/Customer Service

   11    11    17

General, Administrative/Executive and Non-Operations

   146    242    309
              

Total

   2,567    2,840    3,420
              

As of December 31, 2007, we have 67 contractual employees included in our headcount.

The total number of employees decreased from 2,840 in 2006 to 2,567 in 2007 due to the involuntary separation program offered to our selected employees as part of our cost reduction initiative.

F. Share Ownership

The following table sets forth the number of shares and options owned by our directors, officers and members of management. Our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Arthur J. Young, Jr. owns, directly and indirectly, 164,907 shares or 1.24% of our shares. The following directors and officers also own shares of our company or options on such shares as of December 31, 2007:

 

Name

   Number of
Common
Shares Owned
   Percentage
of Total
Outstanding
Common
Shares
    Number of
Common
Shares
Underlying
Stock Options
   Exercise price    Expiration
Date (2)

Arthur J. Young Jr. (1)

   164,907    1.24 %   457,600    $ 13.30   
        40,000    $ 3.25   

Brian Renaud (1)

   1           

Mandakini Puri (1)

   1           

Patchara Samalapa (1)

   1           

Romeo L. Bernardo

   1           

Roberto F. de Ocampo

   1           

Chato C. Montemayor

        5,000      3.25   

 

(1) These individuals are employees or nominees of Merrill Lynch, our controlling shareholder. See “Item 7—Major Shareholder and Related Party Transactions” regarding Merrill Lynch’s share ownership.
(2) Pursuant to our stock option plan, options expire no later than three years after they vest and have a maximum term of ten years.

PSi Stock Option Plan

Pursuant to our stock option plan, options may be granted to certain of our directors, officers and employees for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 1,241,162 common shares. As of December 31, 2007, there is a decrease in the total number of outstanding options from 971,513 shares in 2006 to 294,140 shares in 2007 due to estimated forfeitures or expiration of 677,373 shares. Significant forfeiture in 2007 is mainly due to the expected resignation of our Chief Operating Officer in March 2008. We did not grant new share options to our newly hired COO in 2008.

In general, our stock option plan requires that options vest not more than ten years from the date of grant and that options expire not more than three years after the vesting date. The plan is administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors which determines the number of common shares subject to

 

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each option granted and the related purchase price and option period. Upon the voluntary termination of employment by an option holder or termination of an option holder for cause, any options granted under our stock option plan to the option holder (whether or not vested) will terminate, unless otherwise authorized by the compensation committee. If termination was due to retirement, disability or involuntary separation other than for cause, the option holder or his successors have the remainder of the applicable term to exercise the option holder’s vested options. If termination was due to death, vested options may be exercised for the remainder of their term. Options granted are non-transferable except by will or as otherwise authorized by the compensation committee.

Upon the occurrence of any change in our capital structure, including any merger, liquidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or any other event affecting our shares, our compensation committee may make adjustments to our stock option plan and any outstanding grants, as it may deem necessary or appropriate. Unless terminated earlier by our board, our stock option plan will terminate on February 4, 2010, the 10-year anniversary of the approval of the stock option plan by our board and shareholders.

We recognized stock compensation expense for options granted to employees under our stock option plan. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R) which revises SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB No. 25. SFAS No. 123(R) that requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employees’ stock options, be measured at fair value and expensed over the service period (vesting period). Upon adoption, we transitioned to SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method, whereby compensation cost under SFAS No. 123(R) is recognized beginning January 1, 2006 and thereafter, with prior periods’ stock-based compensation for option still determined pursuant to APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” with pro forma disclosure provided as if SFAS No. 123 had been applied. Prior to adoption of SFAS 123(R), our company applied the intrinsic value method under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans. See Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements. We recorded a reversal of stock compensation expense of $123,012 in 2007 which was included under the “Administrative expense” account in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations.

 

ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. Major Shareholders

The following table describes as of June 30, 2008, information regarding those shareholders of our company that we have ascertained from recent public filings beneficially own 5.0% or more of either class of our capital stock. As of June 30, 2008, we had 13,289,525 issued and outstanding common shares. None of our major shareholders have different voting rights.

 

Holders

   Number of
Common Shares
Beneficially Owned
   Percentage
Beneficially Owned
 

Merrill Lynch (1)

   7,141,624    53.7 %

Greathill Pte., Ltd. (2)

   1,955,741    14.7 %

Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse (3)

   1,210,667    10.3 %

 

(1) Merrill Lynch is a private investment fund.
(2) Greathill Pte. Ltd. was a wholly owned subsidiary of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund, a private investment fund in members’ voluntary liquidation. However, on February 27, 2007, NJI and Primasia and Bridge No. 1 Greater China Secondary Fund L.P. (“Primasia”) entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement under which NJI transferred its entire shareholdings of 7,630,001 ordinary shares of Greathill to Primasia effective March 1, 2007. Primasia is managed by the Primasia Private Equity Management, Ltd.
(3) Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse are the controlling principals of AWM Investment Company, Inc. (“AWM”). AWM serves as the general partner of MGP Advisers Limited Partnership (“MGP”), the general partner of and investment adviser to Special Situations Cayman Fund L.P. (“Cayman”), Special Situations Fund III, L.P. (“SSF3”) and Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P. (“SSFQP”). Cayman owns 345,466 of our company’s ADS, while SSF3 owns 90,582 of our company’s ADS, and SSFQP owns 939,119 of our company’s ADS, Based on its February 13, 2008 Form 13G/A filing with the U.S. SEC.

 

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In May 2001, Merrill Lynch increased its ownership in our company by acquiring 4,580,910 shares from RFM Corporation, representing approximately 34% of our then outstanding common stock. Merrill Lynch currently owns 7,141,624 shares representing an ownership of 53.7%. Pursuant to the terms of the exchangeable senior subordinated note issued to Merrill Lynch LLC in July 2003, Merrill Lynch’s and its affiliate’s ( together, the ML Group) equity stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis, would increase to 63.3% or by an additional 3,478,261 shares. The issuance of the exchangeable senior subordinated note to Merrill Lynch LLC in June 2005 at a net consideration price less than the current market price as defined in the Exchange Agreement dated July 3, 2003, will, upon issuance, result in an additional 291,482 shares issuable to Merrill Lynch under the 2003 Note, increasing the ML Group’s equity stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis, to 64.0%. Pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Note, Merrill Lynch’s equity stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis at a Note Exercise Price of $1.00 per share, would increase to 74.4% or by an additional 7,000,000 shares. The number of shares into which the 2005 Note is exchangeable is subject to further change under the following conditions as provided in the Exchange Agreement:

 

  1. if our EBITDA for the three-month period ending December 31, 2005 is less than $5.5 million, then the Note Exercise Price shall be reduced to $0.90 per share. ML Group’s stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis would increase to 75.2% or by an additional 7,777,778 shares; and

 

  2. if our EBITDA for the three-month period ending March 31, 2006 is less than $6.7 million, then the Note Exercise Price shall be reduced to (A) $0.80 per share, if the Note Exercise Price was reduced pursuant to clause (1) above and, (B) $0.90 per share, if the Note Exercise Price was not reduced pursuant to clause (1) above. If the Note Exercise Price were reduced to $0.80 per share, ML Group’s stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis would increase to 76.2% or by an additional 8,750,000 shares.

Our EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005 was less than $5.5 million and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 was less than $6.7 million. Therefore, effective March 31, 2006, the June 2005 Note exercise price was reduced to $0.80 per share.

EBITDA as defined in the Exchange Agreement, refers to earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gain/loss realized in connection with the sale of any assets or disposition of any securities, other than those included in cash flow from operations, extraordinary or non-recurring gain/loss and non-cash extraordinary gain/loss.

We are required to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Exchangeable Notes at 10% per annum payable semi-annually Under certain circumstances, we may elect to pay all or a portion of such interest by adding it to the principal amount of the Notes. All accrued interest on the 2005 Exchangeable Note in 2006 amounting to $0.8 million was added to the principal amount of the Exchangeable Note.

Except as provided for in the Shareholders’ Agreement and Merrill Lynch LLC’s Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note, our company’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights than our company’s other shareholders. See “Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of the terms of the Shareholders Agreement and Merrill Lynch LLC’s Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note.

Our eight Filipino shareholders own a total of 2,255 shares of our company. Foreign nationals own the balance of 13,287,270 shares.

Our company is controlled by Merrill Lynch who owns approximately 53.7% (subject to increase as discussed herein), as of December 31, 2007, of the common shares and controls the same percentage of the voting power of our company.

We are not aware of any arrangement that may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of us.

 

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B. Related Party Transactions

Shareholders’ Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement

Shareholders’ Agreement. On May 29, 2001, we, our principal operating subsidiary, PSi Technologies, Inc., Merrill Lynch, JAFCO Investment (Asia Pacific) Ltd. (which we call JAFCO), acting as Investment Manager of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund, and Arthur Young, Jr. entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement relating to their ownership, transfer and voting of our common shares. Under the Shareholders’ Agreement, all common shares owned by Merrill Lynch, JAFCO and Arthur Young, Jr. are subject to resale restrictions. Under certain circumstances, each of Merrill Lynch and JAFCO has a right of first refusal to purchase (except in the case of permitted transfers such as transfers to an affiliate or to a nominee director), and a tag-along right to sell, when JAFCO or Merrill Lynch, as the case may be, elects to transfer its shares. On July 18, 2005, NJI No. 2 Investment Fund (in members’ voluntary liquidation) transferred to its wholly owned subsidiary, Greathill Pte. Ltd. (Greathill), a Singaporean company, all of its 1,955,741 shares of the company. Furthermore, on December 28, 2005, JAFCO, acting as investment manager of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund (in members’ voluntary liquidation) and Greathill signed a Deed of Adherence and Assumption (“Deed of Adherence and Assumption”) under which JAFCO acting as investment manager of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund (in members’ voluntary liquidation) assigned to Greathill, and Greathill accepted and assumed, all of JAFCO’s rights, benefits and interest as well as burdens, obligations and liabilities under the Shareholders’ Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. The provision of the Deed of Adherence and Assumption were concurred in by us and by Merrill Lynch on March 14, 2006. On February 27, 2007, NJI and Primasia and Bridge No. 1 Greater China Secondary Fund L.P. (“Primasia”) entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement under which NJI transferred its entire shareholdings or 7,630,001 ordinary shares of Greathill to Primasia effective March 1, 2007. Primasia is managed by Primasia Private Equity Management, Ltd.

As a result of its shareholdings, and in accordance with the Shareholders’ Agreement, Merrill Lynch may appoint and remove a majority of our board of directors and the board of directors of our principal operating subsidiary, PSi Technologies, Inc. Our board consists of nine directors. Under the Shareholders’ Agreement as amended by the Deed of Adherence and Assumption, Merrill Lynch and Greathill have agreed, subject to certain conditions, that they will vote to ensure that our board of directors will be comprised of:

 

   

five directors nominated by Merrill Lynch, if requested (currently Ms. Puri, Mr. Renaud, and Mr. Samalapa serve as the Merrill Lynch nominees);

 

   

one director nominated by Greathill, if requested (currently Greathill has no nominees serving on the board of directors); and

 

   

three independent directors as defined under the Nasdaq Rules.

We and our subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless each member of our board of directors and each member of our subsidiaries’ board of directors to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.

As a result of their shareholdings and related rights to representation on our board, Merrill Lynch and JAFCO’s successor-in-interest, Greathill may prevent us from taking certain actions as set forth in the shareholders’ agreement. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws— Matters Requiring Shareholder Approval”. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, purchasers of our ADSs owned in the aggregate 30.3% of our share capital. You may not be in a position to exercise any significant control or influence over the business and affairs of our company or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, without the consent of Merrill Lynch and Greathill, acting through directors nominated by them or through their vote as shareholders, no amendments to any of our organizational documents or those of our subsidiaries may be made nor may we sell all or part of our shares or material assets or those of our subsidiaries.

The Shareholders’ Agreement also prohibits us from taking any action that would cause taxable gain to be recognized by any partner of Merrill Lynch under Section 367 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, or under a gain recognition agreement filed by a partner of Merrill Lynch pursuant to U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(a)-8.

Registration Rights Agreement. We, Merrill Lynch and Greathill are parties to the Registration Rights Agreement dated May 29, 2001 as amended by the Deed of Adherence and Assumption, that grants Merrill

 

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Lynch and Greathill certain registration rights. Each of Merrill Lynch and Greathill has an option to cause us to effect up to three registrations of the shares owned by it, its affiliates and transferees. If one party exercises its registration rights, the other parties having registration rights may elect to include their shares in the registered offering. The registration rights agreement also provides that if we register any equity securities for a primary or secondary offering, we must permit each of Merrill Lynch and Greathill, and anyone to whom they have transferred shares in a private placement, to include their shares in the offering.

On June 14, 2004, JAFCO Investment (Asia Pacific), Ltd., acting as investment manager for NJI No. 2 Investment Fund, or NJI, requested that we file a registration statement covering the 1,955,741 shares held by NJI pursuant to NJI’s rights under the Registration Rights Agreement described in Item 7—”Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions.” The registration request was not ultimately pursued by JAFCO.

Additional Undertakings. We have agreed to comply with other covenants set forth in the shareholders’ agreement and the registration rights agreement as the same have been amended by the Deed of Adherence and Assumption. Among other things, we have agreed to indemnify, hold harmless against and pay on behalf of or reimburse any losses which Merrill Lynch or Greathill may suffer or become subject to as a result of breaches by us of the agreements, misrepresentations by us, or causes of action arising out of or in connection with our operations.

The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes

We issued to Merrill Lynch LLC, an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, exchangeable senior subordinated notes in July 2003 and June 2005, respectively.

July 2003 Note

In 2003, management approached our majority shareholder, Merrill Lynch about a possible capital infusion. On June 25, 2003, our shareholders approved the transaction at a special meeting of our shareholders. The audit committee of our board of directors, comprised of three non-management, independent directors not affiliated with Merrill Lynch, negotiated and approved the terms of the note. On July 3, 2003, we issued to a Merrill Lynch affiliate a $4 million exchangeable senior subordinated note.

The proceeds of the note were used to pay liabilities related to certain capital expenditures which became due in 2003. The note was issued by PSi Technologies, Inc., our principal operating subsidiary, and matures on June 1, 2008 but was extended until July 31, 2008. The note accrues interest at a rate of 10% per annum, net of Philippine withholding tax, payable semi-annually in arrears. Interest on the note is payable in cash or, under certain circumstances, in our common shares.

We are not permitted to prepay the note in whole or in part. Merrill Lynch LLC may exchange the note at any time for our common shares at a price of $1.15 per share, for up to 3,478,261 of our common shares. The initial exchange price was $1.47 per share, which was reduced due to the fact that we did not meet certain performance targets for the third and fourth quarters of 2003 as provided for in the note. If at any time after July 3, 2006, our publicly-traded ADSs (i) trade at an average closing price of at least $3.00 per ADS for a 30-consecutive trading day period and (ii) the daily average trading volume of the ADSs for such period is equal to at least 33.33% of the number of shares into which the note is exchangeable, then we may notify Merrill Lynch LLC that we desire to redeem the note.

The note is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to our senior credit facility and any other permitted indebtedness which, pursuant to its terms, is senior in right of payment to the note.

Pursuant to the terms of the note and the issuance of the 2005 Note at a net consideration price less than the current market price, Merrill Lynch’s equity stake in our company, on an as exchanged basis, increased from approximately 53.7% to 64.0%, or an ownership of 10,911,367 shares out of fully diluted shares, on an

 

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exchanged basis, of 17,059,268 shares. If interest on the exchangeable note is paid in the form of common shares, Merrill Lynch’s equity stake in us could further increase.

We are required to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Notes at 10% per annum payable semi-annually. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to pay all or a portion of such interest by adding it to the principal amount of the Notes. Accrued interest on the 2003 Exchangeable Note in 2007 amounting to $494,402 was added to the principal amount of the Exchangeable Note.

Under the term of the note, we may not take certain actions without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch LLC, including but not limited to:

 

   

enter into a merger or business combination with any other person or entity, including any joint venture arrangements;

 

   

enter into any transaction with any affiliate other than Merrill Lynch or its affiliates, except upon fair and reasonable terms;

 

   

sell or dispose of any of our or our subsidiaries’ material assets worth more than 5% of our book value;

 

   

declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to any of our capital stock;

 

   

purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any shares of our or our subsidiaries’ capital stock;

 

   

make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase or retirement, of certain of our indebtedness;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

create, incur or assume certain indebtedness.

We have also agreed to comply with other covenants set forth in the note and the related exchange and purchase agreements. Among other things, we have agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch LLC and its related parties for losses caused by any breach of the representations and warranties provided by us, and to deliver to Merrill Lynch LLC certain financial statements, reports and notices and any other such information reasonably requested by Merrill Lynch.

The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension.

June 2005 Note

In light of our need for cash resources, management approached our majority shareholder, Merrill Lynch, about a possible capital infusion. The Audit Committee of our board of directors, comprised of three non-management, independent directors not affiliated with Merrill Lynch, negotiated and approved the terms of the note. On June 2, 2005, our board of directors approved the transaction, and we issued to a Merrill Lynch LLC, affiliate a $7.0 million exchangeable senior subordinated note (the “June 2005 Note”). No stockholder’ approval was secured for the June 2005 Note, consistent with Philippine Law and NASD Marketplace Rule 4350(a)(1), where Foreign Private Issuers are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of the requirements of Rule 4350.

The proceeds of the June 2005 Note were used for the repayment of due and outstanding suppliers’ credits and capital expenditures payables, which could not be paid out of current cash flows or from available lines of credit, and to partially finance capital expenditures. The June 2005 Note was issued by PSi Technologies, Inc., our principal operating subsidiary, and matures on June 1, 2009. Interest accrues at a rate of 10% per annum, net

 

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of Philippine withholding tax, payable semi-annually in arrears. Interest on the June 2005 Note is payable in cash or, under certain circumstances, in our common shares.

We are not permitted to prepay the note in whole or in part. However, Merrill Lynch LLC may exchange the June 2005 Note at any time for our common shares at a price of $1.00 per share, for up to 7,000,000 of our common shares. The number of shares for which the June 2005 Note is exchangeable and consequently Merrill Lynch Group’s equity stake in our Company, is subject to further change under the following conditions:

 

   

if our EBITDA for the three-month period ending December 31, 2005 is less than $5.5 million, then the Note Exercise Price shall be reduced to $0.90 per share. ML Group’s stake in us, on an as exchanged basis would increase to 75.2% or by an additional 7,777,778 shares above the 17,059,268 shares on a fully diluted basis assuming the exchange of note to shares pursuant to the terms of the July 2003 note; and

 

   

Our EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005 was less than $5.5 million and for the three month ended March 31, 2006 was less than $6.7 million. Therefore, effective March 31, 2006, the June 2005 Note exercise price was reduced to $0.80 per share.

If interest on the exchangeable note is paid in the form of common shares, ML Group’s equity stake in our company could further increase. We are required to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Notes at 10% per annum payable semi-annually. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to pay all or a portion of such interest by adding it to the principal amount of the Notes. Accrued interest in the amount of $759,444 for the year ended December 31, 2006, and $837,287 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, has been added to the principal amount of the June 2005 Note.

If at any time after June 2, 2008, (i) our publicly-traded ADSs trade at an average closing price of at least $2.00 per ADS for a 30-consecutive trading day period and (ii) the daily average trading volume of the ADSs for such period is equal to at least 33.33% of the number of shares into which the note is exchangeable, then we may notify Merrill Lynch LLC that we desire to redeem the note.

Under the term of the note, we may not take certain actions without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch LLC, including but not limited to:

 

   

enter into a merger or business combination with any other person or entity, including any joint venture arrangements;

 

   

enter into any transaction with any affiliate other than Merrill Lynch or its affiliates, except upon fair and reasonable terms;

 

   

sell or dispose of any of our or our subsidiaries’ material assets worth more than 5% of our book value;

 

   

declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to any of our capital stock;

 

   

purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any shares of our or our subsidiaries’ capital stock;

 

   

make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase or retirement, of certain of our indebtedness;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

create, incur or assume certain indebtedness.

We have also agreed to comply with other covenants set forth in the note and the related exchange and purchase agreements. Among other things, we have agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch LLC and its related parties for losses caused by any breach of the representations and warranties provided by us, and to deliver to Merrill Lynch LLC certain financial statements, reports and notices and any other such information reasonably requested by Merrill Lynch LLC.

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not required.

 

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ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18—Consolidated Financial Statements” and the financial statements referred to therein.

Legal Proceedings

1. IPO Litigation

In September 2001, two substantially identical class action complaints alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”) naming as defendants, in the aggregate, PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), certain of its current or former officers and directors, and certain underwriters of its Initial Public Offering (“IPO”). Similar complaints have been filed against over 300 other issuers that issued IPOs between 1998 and 2000. All such actions were consolidated into a single coordinated proceeding (the “IPO Allocation Litigations”). A consolidated amended complaint was filed on April 19, 2002. The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the underwriters of our IPO violated the securities laws by failing to disclose certain alleged compensation arrangements (such as undisclosed commissions or stock stabilization practices) in the offering’s registration statement and engaged in manipulative practices to artificially inflate the price of our company’s stock in the IPO’s after market. Our Company, together with certain of its officers and directors, and underwriters of the IPO, are named in the amended complaint pursuant to Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on the basis of an alleged failure to disclose the underwriters’ alleged compensation arrangements and manipulative practices. The complaint seeks unspecified damages. On July 1, 2002, the underwriter defendants in the consolidated actions moved to dismiss all of the IPO Allocation Litigations, including the action involving our company. On July 15, 2002, our company, along with other issuer defendants in the coordinated cases, also moved to dismiss the litigation. As a result of the judge’s decision on February 19, 2003 to grant, in part, the issuer defendants’ motion to dismiss, the Rule 10b-5 claims against our company and its officers and directors named as defendants were dismissed. The Section 11 claims remained.

In July 2003, a committee of our company’s board of directors (the “Committee”) conditionally approved a proposed partial settlement with the plaintiffs in this matter. The settlement would provide, among other things, a release of our company and of the individual defendants for the conduct alleged in the action. Under the partial settlement, our company would undertake other responsibilities, including agreeing to assign away, not assert, or release certain potential claims our company may have against its underwriters. Any direct financial impact of the proposed settlement is for the account of our company’s insurance carriers. The Committee agreed to approve the settlement subject to a number of conditions, including the participation of a substantial number of other issuer defendants in the proposed settlement, the consent of our company’s insurers to the settlement, and the completion of acceptable final settlement documentation.

In June 2004, an agreement of settlement was submitted to the court for preliminary approval. The court requested that any objections to preliminary approval of the settlement be submitted by July 14, 2004, and the underwriter defendants formally objected to the settlement. The plaintiffs and issuer defendants separately filed replies to the underwriter’s defendants’ objections to the settlement on August 4, 2004. The court granted the preliminary approval motion on February 15, 2005, subject to certain modifications.

On August 31, 2005, the District Court issued a preliminary order further approving the modifications to the settlement and certifying the settlement classes. The District Court also appointed the Notice Administrator for the settlement and ordered that notice of the settlement be distributed to all settlement class members beginning on November 15, 2005. The settlement fairness hearing was held on April 24, 2006, and the court reserved decision. If the court determines that the settlement is fair to the class members, the settlement will be approved. There can be no assurance that this proposed settlement would be approved and implemented in its current form, or at all.

 

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On December 5, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the “Second Circuit”) issued an opinion vacating the District Court’s certification of a litigation class in that portion of the case between the Plaintiffs and the underwriter’s defendants. Because the Second Circuit’s opinion was directed to the class certified by the District Court for the Plaintiffs’ litigation against the underwriter defendants, the opinion’s effect on the class certified by the District Court for our company’s settlement is unclear. On January 5, 2007, Plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing en banc by the Second Circuit. The proposed settlement is pending final approval by the District Court.

On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs petition for a rehearing of that decision, and on May 18, 2007, the Second Circuit denied the plaintiffs’ position for rehearing en banc. In light of the Second Circuit opinion, liaison counsel for all issuer defendants, including our company, informed the court that this settlement cannot be approved, because the defined settlement class, like the litigation class, cannot be certified. On June 25, 2007, the District Court entered an order terminating the settlement agreement. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed their second consolidated amended class action complaints against the focus cases and on September 27, 2007, again moved for class certification. On November 12, 2007, certain of the defendants in the focus cases moved to dismiss the second consolidated amended class action complaints, and briefing on those motions was completed in May 2008. We cannot predict whether we will be able to renegotiate a settlement that complies with the Second Circuit’s mandate.

As of December 31, 2007, management has assessed that the liability associated with this class action lawsuit is reasonably possible and therefore has made a disclosure on the matter, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 5. Due to inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter.

We have not made any accrual for litigation claims; however, we will disclose the foregoing in our financial statements. It is the opinion of management that all of the foregoing matters are adequately covered by insurance, or if not covered, are without merit or are of such kind, or involve such amounts, that would not have a material effect on our financial position.

2. Manila Electric Company (Meralco) case

On November 19, 2003, we filed an injunction complaint against the Meralco to enjoin it from disconnecting its supply of electric service on account of a billing discrepancy in the amount of Php 21.2 million reckoned from April 1, 1998 to July 12, 2002. The billing differential came about from a defective meter installation by Meralco. Claiming negligence on the part of Meralco, our company refused to pay the full amount and offered settlement of PhP2 million. Meralco insisted on full payment, hence the filing of its complaint. Our company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of the proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our company’s overall financial position and results of operations. As of July 11, 2008, the case is pending pre-trial after referral of the case to mediation proved fruitless. Attorney Luigi Gana of Gana & Associates handles the case.

Dividend Policy

We have not paid dividends on our common shares for the past seven years. We intend to retain any or all-future earnings for use in our business and we do not intend to pay dividends on our common shares. The declaration of payment and amount of dividends, if any, on outstanding common shares will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The declaration of any stock dividend must also be approved by the vote of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of our outstanding capital stock at a shareholders meeting called for that purpose. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws—Matters Requiring Shareholder Approval.” Cash dividends, if any, will depend upon our future operations and earnings, set-off of accumulated losses, financial condition, cash requirements and availability and other factors as may be deemed relevant by our board of directors.

 

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Holders of our common shares will be entitled to receive such dividends as determined by the board of directors according to the number of common shares held. Dividends may be paid only out of our distributable profits. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws—Dividends.” The retained earnings of our principal operating subsidiary, PSi Technologies, Inc., are reflected as part of our retained earnings but may be declared as a dividend by us only when declared as a dividend by PSi Technologies, Inc. to us.

Holders of our ADSs will be entitled to receive dividends distributed to the depositary, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as holders of our common shares, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement, withholding tax and other governmental charges. Cash dividends will be paid to the depositary bank in Philippine pesos and will be converted by the depositary bank into U.S. dollars and paid to holders of ADSs. Stock dividends, if any, will be distributed to the depositary and will be distributed by the depositary in the form of additional ADSs, to holders of ADSs.

 

ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTING

A. Offer and Listing Details

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the high and low sale prices per ADS since trading on March 16, 2000, as furnished by The Nasdaq National Market and the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq. The initial public offering price of our ADSs was $16.00 per ADS.

Annual high and low market prices

 

Year

   High (date)    Low (date)

2007

   $2.73 (on August 27)    $0.74 (On December 31)

2006

   $2.28 (on September 28)    $0.46 (on October 12, 16 and 18)

2005

   $2.63 (on May 24)    $0.46 (on December 27)

2004

   $5.62 (on March 4)    $1.55 (on November 8)

2003

   $3.66 (on November 3)    $0.97 (on April 22)

 

Quarterly high and low market prices

 

  

Quarter

   High (date)    Low (date)

Q1 2007

   $2.59 (on February 26)    $1.15 (on January 19)

Q2 2007

   $2.52 (on April 27)    $1.41 (on April 3)

Q3 2007

   $2.73 (on August 27)    $0.90 (on August 27)

Q4 2007

   $1.48 (on October 1,2,4,16 and 29,
and November 15)
   $0.74 (on December 31)

Q1 2006

   $0.84 (on February 21)    $0.6 (on February 27)

Q2 2006

   $0.87 (on June 13)    $0.67 (on April 18)

Q3 2006

   $2.28 (on September 28)    $0.55 (on September 28)

Q4 2006

   $1.44 (on October 19)    $0.46 (on October 18)

 

Monthly high and low market prices

 

  

Month

   High (date)    Low (date)

January 2008

   $0.85 (on January 4)    $0.61 (on January 22)

February 2008

   $0.70 (on February 1,4, and 5)    $0.45 (on February 29)

March 2008

   $1.10 (on March 31)    $0.27 (on March 31)

April 2008

   $0.60 (on April 1)    $0.27 (on April 30)

May 2008

   $0.33 (on May 13)    $0.24 (on May 13, 20 and 21)

June 2008

   $0.32 (on June 10)    $0.20 (on June 27)

 

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B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

Our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. On March 9, 2005, we received a Nasdaq Staff Determination indicating that our company failed to comply with the market value of publicly-held shares requirement for continued listing of our company’s ADS in the Nasdaq National Market as set forth in Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(2), and that our ADSs would be delisted from The Nasdaq National Market at the opening of business on March 18, 2005. On March 16, 2005, we applied to transfer the trading of our ADSs to the Nasdaq Capital Market. The transfer was effected at the opening of business on March 29, 2005.

On January 31, 2008, our company received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that our company fails to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). Our company will be provided 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2008 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS of our company for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If the minimum bid price requirement has not been met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide our company with an additional 180 calendar day compliance period only if our company meets certain listing criteria.

D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

F. Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. Share Capital

Not required.

B. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

The following statements summarize the material provisions of our articles of incorporation and by-laws and the Corporation Code of the Philippines (the Corporation Code), insofar as they relate to the material terms of our common shares.

The primary purpose of our company, as stated in our articles of incorporation, is to serve as a holding company. The primary purpose of our principal operating subsidiaries is to engage in the business of manufacturing semiconductor products and components of all kinds and makes. We are not allowed to engage in the management of fund portfolios or to act as a stockbroker or dealer in securities.

Capital Structure

As of July 11, 2008, our authorized share capital consisted of 37,058,100 authorized common shares, with a par value of 1 2/3 Philippine pesos (Php) per share. As of December 31, 2007, we had 13,289,525 common shares

 

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outstanding, a total subscribed capital of Php 22,149,208 and additional paid-in capital of Php 2,708,812,169. We have reserved a total of 1,241,162 common shares to be issued upon the exercise of options that may be granted pursuant to our stock option plan. See “Item 6—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Ownership—PSi Stock Option Plan.”

Share Issuance

Under the Corporation Code of the Philippines, a corporation can issue shares of stock with such rights, privileges or restrictions as may be provided for in its articles of incorporation. In the absence of specific restrictions in the articles of incorporation, common shares have full voting and dividend rights. A corporation may not issue shares for consideration less than the par value of such shares as stated in its articles of incorporation. It may, however, issue shares for a consideration in excess of the par value of such shares. Where a corporation issues shares at a premium, an amount equal to the amount by which the subscription price exceeds the par value is credited to an account designated as paid-in surplus or additional paid-in capital.

Subject to the approval of the PSEC, a corporation may increase or decrease its authorized capital stock with the approval of a majority of the board of directors and the affirmative vote of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock of the corporation.

A corporation may repurchase its own shares of stock, provided that it has unrestricted retained earnings to pay for the shares to be acquired or purchased, for legitimate corporate purpose or purposes. These purposes include, but are not limited to the following:

 

   

to eliminate fractional shares arising out of stock dividends;

 

   

to purchase shares of dissenting shareholders exercising their appraisal right; and

 

   

to collect or settle an indebtedness arising out of an unpaid subscription in a delinquent sale and to purchase delinquent shares sold during said sale.

The shares repurchased by the corporation become treasury shares which may again be sold for a reasonable price fixed by the board of directors. Shares do not have voting rights or dividend rights as long as they remain in the treasury.

Shares of stock which are offered to the public in the Philippines are required to be registered with the PSEC. The PSEC may deny registration of shares and refuse to issue a permit to sell shares if the registration statement for the shares is incomplete or inaccurate in any material respect or includes any untrue statement of material fact, or omits to state a material fact required to be stated in the registration statement or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The PSEC may also deny registration for the shares if the issuer corporation or any of its officers or directors is not qualified under the standards of the Securities Regulation Code or existing PSEC regulations.

Foreign Ownership Restrictions

We are not subject to any foreign equity ownership restrictions because we are not engaged in any business activity or in possession of any asset that would attract the applicability of foreign ownership restrictions under Philippine law. Our foreign shareholders are not subject to any applicable limitations on voting their shares.

However, our affiliates, PSitech Realty, Inc. and Pacsem Realty, Inc., being landholding companies, are subject to foreign ownership restrictions under the Philippine Constitution. The maximum foreign ownership percentage allowed for a landholding company is 40% of the company’s capital stock. PSi Technologies, Inc. currently holds 40% of the capital stock of each of PSitech Realty, Inc. and Pacsem Realty, Inc. because it is considered to be a non-Philippine national due to the beneficial ownership of Merrill Lynch and Greathill, a

 

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wholly-owned subsidiary of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund (in members’ voluntary liquidation). To qualify as a Philippine national, a corporation must be organized under Philippine law with at least 60% of its capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote being owned and held by citizens of the Philippines.

Pre-emption Rights

The Corporation Code of the Philippines confers the right of pre-emption on shareholders of a Philippine corporation which entitles them to subscribe to all issues or other dispositions of shares by the corporation in proportion to their respective shareholdings, regardless of whether the shares proposed to be issued or otherwise disposed of are identical in all respects to the shares held. The pre-emption right conferred by the Corporation Code of the Philippines does not, however, apply to the issuance of shares made to ensure compliance with laws requiring share offerings or minimum share ownership by the public, in exchange for the acquisition of property required for corporate purposes, or in payment of a debt previously contracted.

The Corporation Code of the Philippines allows Philippine corporations to provide for the exclusion of the right of pre-emption in its articles of incorporation. Our articles of incorporation provide that, unless the right of pre-emption is granted from time to time by the board of directors in its discretion, our shareholders do not have the pre-emptive right to purchase or subscribe to:

 

   

any un-issued or reissued shares of any class;

 

   

any additional shares of any class to be issued by reason of any increase in our authorized capital stock; or

 

   

any securities convertible into any class of our shares.

In light of the Corporation Code and our articles of incorporation, the approval of our shareholders is not required with respect to the issuance of additional shares out of our un-issued authorized capital stock. Accordingly, unless otherwise provided under U.S. securities laws and regulations, our board of directors has the sole discretion to issue additional shares out of our un-issued authorized capital stock.

General Meeting of Shareholders

The Corporation Code of the Philippines requires all Philippine corporations to hold an annual general meeting of shareholders for the principal purpose of electing directors. Our annual general meeting of shareholders is required by our by-laws to be held on any day in the month of June each year unless our board of directors postpones the same to another date.

Voting

Each holder of our common shares is entitled to one vote per common share during shareholders’ meetings. However, in the election of directors, each shareholder is entitled to such number of votes as is equal to the product of the number of common shares owned by him and the number of directors to be elected. The shareholder may accumulate his or her votes in favor of one candidate or distribute these votes in such proportion and amount between as many of the candidates as the shareholder wishes. The election of directors may only be held at a meeting convened for that purpose at which shareholders representing a majority of our outstanding capital stock are present in person or by proxy. However, any vacancy on our board, other than by removal or expiration of term, may be filled by the majority of the remaining directors if still constituting a quorum.

Management

Our corporate powers are exercised by our board of directors. The members of our board of directors are elected for a one year term during the annual general meeting of our shareholders. The Corporation Code of the Philippines further requires that each of our directors must own at least one share of our company.

 

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The Corporation Code of the Philippines incorporates the common law principle that every director owes his company the duties of obedience, diligence and loyalty. These duties are illustrated through certain specific provisions of the Corporation Code of the Philippines, including the following:

 

   

A contract of the corporation with one or more of its directors is voidable at the option of such corporation unless all the following conditions are present: (1) that the presence of such director in the board meeting in which the contract was approved was not necessary to constitute a quorum for such meeting; (2) that the vote of such director was not necessary for the approval of the contract; and (3) that the contract is fair and reasonable under the circumstances. Where any of the first two conditions set forth above is absent, in the case of a contract with a director, such contract may be ratified by the vote of shareholders representing at least two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock in a meeting called for the purpose, provided that full disclosure of the adverse interest of the director involved is made at such meeting and provided that the contract is fair and reasonable under the circumstances;

 

   

Where a director, by virtue of his office acquires for himself a business opportunity which should belong to the corporation, thereby obtaining profits to the prejudice of such corporation, he must account to the latter for all such profits by refunding the same even if he risked his own funds in the venture, unless his act has been ratified by a vote of shareholders owning or representing at least two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock of the company; and

 

   

Directors who willfully and knowingly vote for or assent to patently unlawful acts of the corporation, or who are guilty of gross negligence or bad faith in directing the affairs of the corporation, or who acquire any personal or pecuniary interests in conflict with their duty as such directors shall be liable jointly and severally for all damages resulting therefrom suffered by the corporation, its shareholders and other persons. Where a director attempts to acquire or acquires, in violation of his duty, an interest adverse to the corporation in respect of any matter which has been entrusted to him, as to which principles of equity impose a duty to refrain from self-dealing, he shall be liable as a trustee for the corporation and must account for the profits which otherwise would have accrued to the corporation.

With respect to compensation of directors, our by-laws provide that directors may be reimbursed for expenses, if any, associated with the attendance of meetings of our board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for such attendance.

Matters Requiring the Approval of Directors Selected by our Principal Shareholders

In addition to the voting requirements explained in the foregoing section, in respect of the following matters, the affirmative vote of Merrill Lynch and Greathill Pte., Ltd. shall be required pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement as amended by the Deed of Adherence and Assumption:

 

   

the amendment of the articles of incorporation and/or by-laws of our company or any of our subsidiaries;

 

   

the pledge, sale, transfer or disposition, in one or a series of transactions, of (1) any shares of our principal operating subsidiary, PSi Technologies, Inc. (2) more than 50% of the assets of PSi Technologies, Inc. (including, without limitation, shares of PSi Technologies, Inc.’s subsidiaries), or any shares of our affiliate, PSitech Realty, Inc.;

 

   

any action that would cause gains to be recognized under Section 367 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including, without limitation, under any gain recognition agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(a)-8) by any partner of Merrill Lynch, upon and after the exchange by RFM Corporation, Merrill Lynch and JAFCO Investment (Asia Pacific) Ltd., acting as investment manager of NJI No. 2 Investment Fund of their shares in our principal operating subsidiary PSi Technologies, Inc. for our shares pursuant to the Deed of Assignment dated November 19, 1999; and any action, directly or indirectly, in contemplation of any of the foregoing.

 

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Dividends

We may only pay dividends out of our unrestricted retained earnings. These represent our net accumulated earnings, with our capital unimpaired, which are not appropriated for any other purpose. We may pay dividends in cash, by the distribution of property, or by the issue of shares of stock. Dividends paid in the form of shares may only be paid with the approval of shareholders representing at least two thirds of our outstanding capital stock at a shareholders’ meeting called for such purpose.

Our board of directors has the discretion to declare cash or property dividends. The issuance of property dividends must conform with the following conditions:

 

   

the property to be distributed as a dividend must consist of property that is no longer intended to be used in the operation of our business and practicable to be distributed as dividends;

 

   

the issuance of property dividends must not result in an inequitable distribution of property to the shareholders in terms of the book value and market value, if any, of the property distributed;

 

   

when the distribution of dividends is made where some shareholders will receive cash and the others will receive property, the prevailing market value of the property, as agreed upon by the shareholders, will be considered in determining the equitable distribution of the total dividends; and

 

   

the distribution of property dividends must be approved by the PSEC.

Corporations with surplus profits in excess of 100% of their paid-up capital are required to declare and distribute those profits as dividends, except:

 

   

when retaining the profits is justified by definite corporate expansion projects or programs approved by the board of directors;

 

   

when the consent of creditors is required under any loan agreement and the consent has not been secured; or

 

   

when it can be clearly shown that retaining the profits is necessary under the special circumstances of the corporation, as when special reserves are required for probable contingent liabilities.

Rights of Minority Shareholders

The rights of shareholders to institute proceedings on our behalf pursuant to a derivative suit is recognized under Philippine law. Derivative suits may be filed if we are unable or unwilling to institute the necessary proceedings to redress wrongs committed against us or to vindicate corporate rights. Derivative suits are filed with the courts of general jurisdiction (i.e., the appropriate Regional Trial Court). Regional Trial Courts are courts of general jurisdiction and have original and exclusive jurisdiction over intra-corporate disputes.

A shareholder has the right to dissent and demand payment of the fair value of his shares in any of the following instances:

 

   

any amendment to our articles of incorporation which has the effect of changing or restricting rights attached to his shares or of authorizing preferences superior to those of outstanding shares of any class, or of extending or shortening the term of corporate existence;

 

   

the sale, lease, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

the investment of corporate funds for purposes other than to accomplish our primary purpose or investment in another corporation or business except when the investment is reasonably necessary to accomplish our primary purpose; and our merger or consolidation with another corporation.

The fair value for the shares of a dissenting shareholder sold to us may be agreed upon by the parties. If parties cannot reach an agreement, fair value will be determined by an independent committee. Payment for the shares of a dissenting shareholder may be made only if we have unrestricted retained earnings to purchase the shares.

 

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Shareholders have the right to inspect our records at reasonable hours on business days. These records include minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and of the shareholders, and records of our business transactions. The right of inspection may be denied to shareholders seeking to examine our records if they have improperly used any information obtained through any prior examination of our records, or did not act in good faith or for a legitimate purpose in making a demand for inspection.

Accounting and Auditing

Philippine corporations are required to file copies of their annual consolidated financial statements and separate financial statements of the parent company and primary financial statements for each subsidiary, as applicable) with the PSEC, using the functional currency. Our functional currency has been determined to be the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which we operate. Shareholders are entitled to request from the PSEC or from us copies of our most recent financial statements which must include balance sheets, statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the two most recent comparative audited periods.

Transfer Agent

We have appointed The Bank of New York as the transfer agent and registrar for the common shares underlying our ADSs.

C. Material Contracts

Except as set forth below, we are not currently, and have not been in the last two years, a party to any material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of our business:

 

Contract

  

Summary

Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Notes issued to Merrill Lynch

  

See Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—The Merrill Lynch Exchangeable Notes for a summary of terms.

D. Exchange Controls

Under current regulations of the Philippine Central Bank, an investment in Philippine securities must be registered with the Philippine Central Bank if the foreign exchange needed to service the repatriation of capital and the remittance of dividends, profits and earnings which accrue thereon is to be sourced from the banking system.

In the case of Philippine securities not listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange such as the common shares held by the depositary bank, The Bank of New York, the application for registration must be filed by the investor or its representative directly with the Philippine Central Bank. Applications for registration of such investments must be accompanied by (i) credit advice or bank certification showing the amount of foreign currency inwardly remitted, and (ii) sworn certification of the officer of the investee firm concerned attesting to the number of shares and amount paid for the investment. Upon submission of the required documents, the Philippine Central Bank will issue a Bangko Sentral Registration Document, or BSRD. On October 9, 2000, the Philippine Central Bank issued a BSRD in relation to The Bank of New York’s investment, as depositary bank, in our shares.

Proceeds of divestments as well as distributions or dividends derived from the registered investments are repatriable or remittable immediately and in full through the Philippine commercial banking system, net of applicable tax, without the need of Philippine Central Bank approval. Remittance is allowed upon presentation of the BSRD at the exchange rate applicable on the date of actual remittance. Pending registration or reinvestment, divestment proceeds as well as dividends of registered investments may be lodged temporarily in interest-bearing deposit accounts. Interest earned thereon, net of taxes, is also remittable in full. Remittance of divestment proceeds or dividends of registered investments may be reinvested in the Philippines if the investments are registered with the Philippine Central Bank.

 

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Proceeds of divestments as well as distributions or dividends derived from investments not registered with the Philippine Central Bank may be converted into foreign exchange through non-bank sources of foreign exchange.

The foregoing is subject to the Philippine Central Bank’s power, with the approval of the President of the Philippines, to restrict the availability of foreign exchange (1) during an exchange crisis when the international reserve of the Philippine Central Bank falls to levels which it considers inadequate to meet the prospective net demands on the Philippine Central Bank for foreign currencies, (2) whenever the international reserve appears to be in imminent danger of falling to such a level or (3) whenever the international reserve is falling as a result of payments or remittances abroad which, in the opinion of the Philippine Central Bank, is contrary to the national welfare. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that current Philippine Central Bank regulations will not be made more restrictive.

E. Taxation

The following summary of the material Philippine and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposal of the common shares or ADSs is based upon circumstances, laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposal of the common shares or ADSs, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws. Accordingly, each prospective investor and holder, and particularly those prospective investors and holders subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers, insurance companies and tax exempt entities, should consult their own tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of an investment in and ownership of the common shares or ADSs.

Philippine Taxation

The following is the opinion of H. G. Tiu Law Offices, our Philippine counsel, on the material Philippine tax consequences resulting from the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs outside the Philippines and of direct investments in our common shares. This summary does not consider all possible Philippine tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs and is not intended to reflect the individual tax position of any beneficial owner. The summary is based upon our existing circumstances, the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, commonly referred to as the NIRC, its legislative history, existing regulations, revenue memorandum circulars and revenue audit memorandum orders and published rulings issued by the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue, administrative practice, income tax conventions or treaties, and judicial decisions, all in effect, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, which changes or differing interpretations could apply retroactively.

Taxation Regarding the Common Shares

Issuance and Exchange of ADSs. Our Philippine counsel, H.G. Tiu Law Offices, has expressed the opinion that no Philippine taxes are payable upon the issuance of the ADSs by the depositary bank to the holders of ADSs but that Philippine capital gains and documentary stamp taxes are payable upon the transfer of common shares to a holder of ADSs.

Taxation of Capital Gains. The NIRC provides that gain from the sale of shares in a Philippine corporation will be treated as derived entirely from sources within the Philippines, regardless of where the shares are sold. The rate of tax on such gain is 5% for gains not exceeding Php100,000 and 10% for gains in excess of that amount. The rate of tax is the same for both non-resident individuals and non-resident non-Philippine corporations. The NIRC prohibits a transfer from being recorded in the books of the corporation unless the Philippine Commissioner of Internal Revenue, through his authorized representative, certifies that the capital gains and documentary stamp taxes have been paid or other conditions are met. The NIRC allows non-resident

 

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individuals and non-resident non-Philippine corporations to net capital gains and losses during a taxable year in determining their total capital gains tax.

Under the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines with respect to Taxes on Income, or the US-RP Income Tax Treaty, capital gains derived by a U.S. resident from the sale of shares of a Philippine corporation will not be subject to the Philippine Income Tax unless the shares are those of a corporation over 50% of the assets of which consist of real property interest located in the Philippines or in a Philippine Real Property Corporation. PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. is currently not a Philippine Real Property Corporation.

Our Philippine counsel has expressed the opinion that transfers of ADSs by persons who are not residents of the Philippines but are residents of the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom or France for purposes of taxation in those jurisdictions are not subject to Philippine capital gains tax pursuant to the tax treaties that the Philippines has entered into with those countries. The rules relating to the taxability of transfers of ADSs by non-resident alien individuals and non-resident non-Philippine corporations and the extra-territorial applicability of Philippine tax laws are complex. Prospective purchasers who do not belong to the categories of persons described above should consult their own tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent they would be entitled to tax treaty benefits, if any.

Taxation of Dividends. Under the NIRC, dividends paid by a Philippine corporation to non-resident alien individuals that are not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 25%. Dividends paid to non-resident alien individuals that are engaged in trade or business in the Philippines are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 20%. Dividends paid by a Philippine corporation to non-resident non-Philippine corporations are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 35%. A non-Philippine corporation is a Philippine resident only if it engages in trade or business in the Philippines. The 35% rate for dividends paid to a non-resident non-Philippine corporation may be reduced to a special 15% rate if (1) the country in which the non-resident non-Philippine corporation is domiciled imposes no taxes on foreign source dividends (this condition is not satisfied in the case of corporations domiciled in the United States) or (2) the non-resident non-Philippine corporation is entitled to a credit against the tax due from such nonresident non-Philippine corporation for taxes deemed to have been paid in the Philippines in an amount equivalent to at least 20% of the dividends. This second condition may be difficult to satisfy in the case of a corporation domiciled in the United States if the corporation owns less than 10% of our voting stock.

In circumstances where our common shares are held directly, a preferential tax treaty rate may be available under treaties in force between the Philippines and the country of residence of a non-resident alien or non-resident non-Philippine corporation that does not engage in a trade or business in the Philippines. For example, U.S. holders would be eligible for a treaty rate of 25%. The 20% treaty rate and the special 15% rate described above are not applicable in the case of non-resident non-Philippine corporations which are domiciled in the United States and which own less than 10% of our voting stock.

Holders of our common shares will be required in all cases to establish their eligibility before they can take advantage of any treaty or other reduced rate available under Philippine law. Philippine tax authorities have prescribed, through an administrative issuance, procedures for seeking tax treaty relief.

Documentary Stamp Taxes. The Philippines imposes a documentary stamp tax on every original issue of shares by a Philippine corporation at the rate of Php1.00 on each Php200.00, or fraction thereof, of the par value of the shares. The Philippines also imposes a documentary stamp tax on transfers of shares of Philippine corporations at the rate of Php0.75 on each Php200.00, or fraction thereof, of the par value of the shares wherever such transfers are made.

The documentary stamp tax is an excise tax that applies to transactions effected and consummated in the Philippines. Our Philippine counsel has expressed the opinion that no Philippine documentary stamp tax is payable on the transfer of ADSs outside the Philippines.

 

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Estate and Donor’s Taxes. The Philippines imposes estate taxes upon the transfer of the net estate of every decedent holding shares in a Philippine corporation, whether the decedent is a resident or nonresident of the Philippines. The schedule of rates of estate taxes ranges from 5% to 20% if the net estate is over Php200,000.

The Philippines also imposes a donor’s tax on the basis of the total net gifts made during a calendar year. Individual and corporate registered holders, whether residents or non-residents of the Philippines, who transfer shares by way of gift or donation will be liable for Philippine donor’s tax on those transfers at a flat rate of 30%. However, net gifts during the year exceeding Php100,000 made by an individual to a brother, sister, spouse, ancestor, lineal descendant or blood relative not more remote than first cousins, granduncles, grandaunts, grandnieces or grandnephews are subject to Philippine donor’s tax at progressive rates ranging from 2% to 15%. Net gifts during the year not exceeding Php100,000 made by an individual to the same persons are not subject to donor’s tax.

Shares of a deceased shareholder or shares that have been donated may not be transferred on the books of a Philippine corporation without a certificate from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or his authorized representative that the corresponding estate or donor’s taxes have been paid. In the case of ADSs, however, there is no corresponding requirement unless a transfer of the ADSs would also entail a change in the registration of the underlying common shares.

Estate and donor’s taxes will not be collected on intangible personal property if the decedent at the time of his death or the donor at the time of the donation was a citizen and resident of a foreign country which at the time of his death or donation did not impose a transfer tax of any character, in respect of intangible personal property of citizens of the Philippines not residing in that foreign country. In addition, neither tax will be imposed if the laws of the foreign country of which the decedent or donor was a citizen and resident at the time of his death or donation allow a similar exemption from transfer or death taxes in respect of intangible personal property owned by citizens of the Philippines not residing in that foreign country.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation

The following is a summary by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, our United States counsel, of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences resulting from the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ADSs by a U.S. holder, as defined below. This summary does not purport to consider all the possible U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ADSs and is not intended to reflect the individual tax position of any specific beneficial owner. The summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and court decisions, all in effect as of the date hereof, all of which authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, which changes or differing interpretations could apply retroactively. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this summary, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary is limited to investors who hold the ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment), and does not purport to deal with investors in special tax situations, such as:

 

   

financial institutions;

 

   

tax exempt organizations;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

regulated investment companies;

 

   

dealers in securities or currencies;

 

   

persons holding ADSs as a hedge against currency risks or as a position in a straddle, conversion transaction, or constructive sale transaction for tax purposes;

 

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persons subject to the U.S. alternative minimum tax;

 

   

persons that own (directly or by attribution) 10% or more of any class of our stock, or persons that own (directly or by attribution) interests in entities that are domestic partnerships (within the meaning of Section 7701(a) of the Code) that own (directly or by attribution) 10% or more of any class of our stock; or

 

   

persons whose functional currency, as defined in Section 985 of the Code, is not the U.S. dollar.

The summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state, local or foreign governments that may be applicable to the ADSs. Persons who are holders of ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as the owners of the common shares represented by those ADSs.

As used in this section, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of ADSs who or which is:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state, including the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or a trust that has made a valid election under U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a domestic trust.

As used in this section, the term non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of ADSs that is neither a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes nor a U.S. holder. In the case of a beneficial owner of ADSs that is a partnership for U.S. tax purposes, each partner will take into account its allocable share of income or loss from the ADSs, and will take the income or loss into account under the rules of taxation applicable to the partner, taking into account the activities of the partnership and the partner. Partnerships that own ADSs and their partners are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of acquiring, holding and disposing of ADSs.

Distributions. Distributions on ADSs, including the amount of any Philippine taxes withheld from the distributions to U.S. holders, are included by the U.S. holders in gross income as a taxable dividend to the extent the distribution is paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will first be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a nontaxable return on capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s basis in the ADSs and then as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Dividends received by individual U.S. holders will qualify for a reduced maximum federal income tax rate of 15%, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. Dividends received by corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for dividends received deduction. Dividends paid in Philippine pesos, including the amount of any Philippine taxes withheld from the dividends, will be included in the income of a U.S. holder in the U.S. dollar amount based on the exchange rate at the time of the receipt by the depositary, whether or not the dividends have been converted into U.S. dollars. Any gain or loss from a subsequent exchange of Philippine pesos by a U.S. holder generally will be ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States.

Foreign Tax Credit. Any dividends paid by us to a U.S. holder of our ADSs generally will be treated as foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to the limitations set out in the Code, a U.S. holder may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability for Philippine income tax withheld from dividends received in respect of ADSs. U.S. holders who do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for Philippine income tax withheld, but only for a year in which the U.S. holder elects to claim the deduction, instead of claiming the credit, which election must be made with respect to

 

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all foreign income taxes. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and each U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent such U.S. holder would be entitled to a foreign tax credit.

Dispositions of ADSs. Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. holder’s basis in the ADSs and the amount realized on the disposition. The capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the ADSs for more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange. In the case of an individual U.S. holder, long-term capital gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 15%.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payments that relate to the ADSs that are made in the United States or by a U.S.-related financial intermediary will be subject to information reporting. Information reporting will require each paying agent making payments, which relate to an ADS, to provide the IRS with information, including the beneficial owner’s name, address, taxpayer identification number, and the aggregate amount of dividends paid to such beneficial owner during the calendar year. These reporting requirements, however, do not apply to all beneficial owners. Specifically, corporations, securities broker-dealers, other financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts are all excluded from reporting requirements.

The depositary participant or indirect participant holding ADSs on behalf of a beneficial owner, or paying agent making payments for an ADS, may be required to backup withhold a tax equal to 28% of each payment of dividends on the ADSs and gross proceeds from a sale of ADSs unless the beneficial owner of the ADSs (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient and establishes its entitlement to an exemption, or (2) provides its correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not currently subject to backup withholding, otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules, and the paying agent does not know or have reason to know that such certification is false.

This backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and may be credited against the beneficial owner’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the required information is furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding, but may be required to provide certification of their non-U.S. status in connection with payments received within the United States or through U.S.-related financial intermediaries. Holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the applicability of the backup information reporting and withholding rules to their acquisition, ownership and disposition of the ADSs.

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G. Statements by Experts

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display

We have filed our Form F-1 registration statement with the U.S. SEC, or the Commission. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. You should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits if you would like to find out more about us, our ADSs and our common shares.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, applicable to foreign private issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we are required

 

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to file reports and other information with the Commission. Specifically, we are required to file this Annual Report on Form 20-F within six months after the close of our fiscal year which is December 31st. You may inspect copies of our registration statement, its accompanying exhibits, and any other document we file with the Commission, without charge. You also may copy or obtain any of these documents at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549:

You may obtain information on the operation of the Commission Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

We will furnish The Bank of New York, as our depositary bank, and our shareholders with annual reports. These reports will include a review of operations and annual audited combined financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. We also will furnish our depositary and our shareholders with unaudited financial information prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP for the first six months of each fiscal year as soon as practicable following the end of each such period. When our depositary bank receives any reports from us, it will, upon our request, promptly mail the reports to our ADS holders of record.

I. Subsidiary Information

For more information on our subsidiaries, see “Item 4—Information on Our Company—Organizational Structure”.

 

ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our exposure to financial market risks derives primarily from the changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To mitigate these risks, in the past our company has utilized derivative financial instruments, the application of which was primarily for hedging purposes and not for speculative purposes. We do not currently have any interest in any derivative financial instruments or hedging transactions.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk associated with changes in interest rates relates primarily to debt obligations which we may incur in the future. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, our interest-bearing debt obligations are made up primarily of short-term loans, trust receipts payable and the Merrill Lynch exchangeable notes issued in July 2003 and June 2005. The interest on the 2003 and 2005 Merrill Lynch exchangeable notes is fixed. Our policy is to manage interest rate risk by borrowing a combination of fixed and floating rate obligations based upon market conditions. In 2007, we did not engage in any freestanding derivative transactions nor did we have any outstanding derivative contracts.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We have foreign currency exchange rate exposure on our results of operations. Our foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risks associated with exchange rate movements against the Philippine peso, the Japanese yen, the European euro, and the U.S. dollar, our functional currency. For the year ended December 31, 2007, all of our consolidated revenue was denominated in U.S. dollars. Our consolidated cost of sales was approximately 67.0% incurred in U.S. dollars, 24.8% denominated in Philippine pesos, and the balance in Japanese yen and euro as of December 31, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2006, up to 99.9% of our consolidated revenue was denominated in U.S. dollars. Further, for the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 25.1% of our consolidated cost of sales was incurred in Philippine pesos, with 64.3% incurred in U.S. dollars, and the balance in

 

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Japanese yen and euro. Based on our overall currency rate exposure at December 31, 2007, a near-term 5% appreciation or depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar would not have a significant effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows over the next fiscal year. There can be no assurance, however, that there will not be a material impact further in the future.

We currently do not enter into forward contracts or other instruments to reduce our exposure to foreign currency gains and losses. We minimize our currency risk by purchasing most of our raw materials and equipment in U.S. dollars and obtaining borrowings in U.S. dollars.

 

ITEM 12 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

Not required.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

Not required.

 

ITEM 14 MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not required.

 

ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15e under the Exchange Act), our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as at December 31, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. For a discussion of the reasons and matters on which this conclusion was based, see “Internal Control over Financial Reporting” below.

(b) Internal Control over Financial Reporting

On November 6, 2006, the Business Control Department (BCD) reporting to the Audit Committee was created to provide annual assessment on the adequacy and effectiveness of our processes for our controlling activities and managing our risks, report significant issues related to the processes for controlling our activities, to provide information periodically on the status and results of the annual audit plan and coordinate and provide insight of other control and monitoring functions.

In March 2007, we hired the services of a local consultant to assist us with our documentation and evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of processes and internal controls. The local consultant is a supplement to our internal resources and will assist in the implementation of the SOX 404 reporting requirements.

We are responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

As a result of our assessment, management identified two material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 as further described below. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected

First, we recognize that we have insufficient personnel in the corporate accounting department with adequate knowledge and experience of U.S. GAAP with regard to certain complex accounting matters. One reason for such insufficiency of qualified personnel was the considerable staff turnover rate for the period covering the fourth quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008. The inadequate skills included the lack of understanding in matters such as FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes; FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, and the valuation of compensated absences. Moreover, as part of financial statement close process is performed manually, numerous adjustments were identified and recorded during the process of SGV completing their audit. The foregoing has significant implications and consequences on our entity level controls related to the financial statement close process. We considered the combination of a lack of insufficient personnel and a poor financial statement close process as a material weakness. This material weakness prompted us to perform additional work during closing period to ensure the accuracy of our financial statements. Our auditors issued an unqualified opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

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The second material weakness relates to a lack of procedural controls in updating our information system for unit price changes. In negotiating unit selling price with our customers, we required a quotation agreed by both the customer and the Company. During the year, because of the personnel turnover in our Accounting Department, certain documents with respect to agreed unit selling prices with several customers were not appropriately updated to the price master file. Consequently, invoices issued did not reflect the correct revenues earned. Further, our collections from customers who had a self-billing system did not tally with the accounts receivable recognized. We spent significant time matching payments made by customers against what we recognized as revenues, causing numerous adjustments to revenues and accounts receivable.

(c) Remediation to Address Material Weakness

In response to the foregoing matters, our senior management, as discussed with the Audit Committee, will undertake or have undertaken the following steps in 2008: (1) the head of our BCD attended a financial reporting outlook conference regarding convergence US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on October 2007 conducted by Ernst & Young in London, United Kingdom. We will continue enhance the knowledge of our new Chief Financial Officer and accounting personnel (including new hires) with regard to U.S. GAAP requirements through formal training and research on critical U.S. GAAP accounting policies which impacts U.S. GAAP financial reporting as it relates to the accounting issues identified above; (2) we started reorganizing our finance and accounting department by hiring additional qualified personnel for certain key position; and (3) identified and reassigned certain accounting functions to ensure that controls over processes are monitored and to ensure that accounting for transactions are appropriate. We will perform a mock assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting on the fourth quarter of 2008 to ensure that we can comply with the requirements of SOX 404 at its adoption date and for us to have sufficient time to remediate identified weaknesses. We believe that these corrective actions, taken as a whole, will remediate the material weaknesses identified above. Certain of the remedial actions mentioned above were planned for implementation in 2007, as discussed in our 2006 Form 20-F. However, due to a significant turnover of employees in our finance and accounting department (including the change in our Chief Financial Officer) from October 2007 to March 2008, we were not able to fully implement remedial actions to ensure effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these actions and will make any other changes or take such other actions that management deems appropriate given the circumstances.

(d) Changes in Internal Controls

Other than relating to personnel changes either previously described or discussed below with respect to our Audit Committee Financial Expert. There were no changes in our internal controls during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F that have materially affected or that is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A    AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board of directors has determined that as of July 11, 2008, we do not have a financial expert serving in our audit committee. Mr. Celso Vivas, an independent director elected during the last annual stockholders’ meeting and whom the board of directors had determined qualified as a financial expert, resigned from the board on May 27, 2008. We are actively engaged in recruiting a financial expert to fill the current vacancy on the Audit Committee.

 

ITEM 16B    CODE OF ETHICS

In April 2004, we adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is available on our web site at www.psitechnologies.com/psi2/codeofethics.pdf.

 

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ITEM 16C    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

SGV & Co., a member practice of Ernst & Young Global, has served as our independent public accountants for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

The following table summarizes the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by:

 

SGV & Co. and Ernst & Young in the past two years.

   2007    2006

Audit Fees

   $ 300,000    $ 250,000
             

Audit Fees. Audit fees include fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and services provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. This category also includes out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the independent auditors in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements. These expenses include costs of items such as telephone, research material, facsimile, overnight mail, messenger, administrative support, travel, meals, accommodations and other expenses specifically related to the audit engagement.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

Our audit committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services rendered by and approve the engagement fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent accountant and its affiliates. When deciding whether to approve these items, our audit committee will take into account whether the provision of any non-audit service is compatible with the independence standards under the guidelines of the U.S. SEC and of the Independence Standards Board. To assist in this undertaking, the audit committee shall require the independent accountant to submit a report describing all relationships the independent accountant has with us and relevant third parties to determine the independent accountant’s independence.

The Audit Committee shall recommend to the board of directors the delegation to one or more designated members of the Audit Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals for audit and non-audit services. The decision of any member to whom the authority is delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has approved all engagements listed above.

All of the hours spent on the audit were incurred by SGV & Co. and Ernst & Young.

 

ITEM 16D    EXEMPTION FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E    PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 17    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this Item.

 

ITEM 18    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of independent auditors

   F-2

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006

   F-3

Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-4

Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-5

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

   F-6

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   F-8

 

ITEM 19 EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1.1    Articles of incorporation of our company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to our registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (Registration Statement No. 333-9110)).
2.1    Registration rights agreement dated May 29, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to our filing on Schedule 13D dated May 29, 2001).
3.1    Shareholders’ agreement dated May 29, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to our filing on Schedule 13D dated May 29, 2001).
4.1    Share purchase agreement dated May 29, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to our filing on Schedule 13D dated May 29, 2001).
4.2    $4,000,000 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note issued by PSi Technologies, Inc. to Merrill Lynch Global Emerging Markets Partners, L.P., dated July 3, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.3    Investment Cooperation Agreement with the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, dated December 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.4    Lease Contract with the Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone Investment Development Co. Ltd., dated January 19, 2004 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.5    Non-compete Agreement with Arthur J. Young, Jr., dated November 4, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.6    Lease dated February 1, 2003 between PSi Technologies, Inc. and Food Terminal Incorporated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.7    Supplemental Agreement dated November, 1999 between PSi Technologies, Laguna, Inc. and RBF Development Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.8    Consulting Agreement dated August 9, 1999 between PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Firebird Consulting Group LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

4.9    Letter of Appointment of William J. Meder dated June 26, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to our filing on Form 20-F dated June 30, 2004).
4.10    Consulting Agreement dated September 13, 2004 between PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and K. Kanapathi (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to our filing on Form 20-F dated July 15, 2005).
4.11    $7,000,000 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note issued by PSi Technologies, Inc. to Merrill Lynch Global Emerging Markets Partners, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to our filing on Form 20-F dated July 15, 2005).
4.12    Contract to Sell dated January 28, 2005 between PACSEM Realty, Inc. and ILO Land, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to our filing on Form 20-F dated August 15, 2006).
4.13    Contract to Sell dated January 28, 2005 between PSi Technologies Laguna, Inc. and ILO Land, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to our filing on Form 20-F dated August 15, 2006).
4.14    Sales/Investment Agreements between PSi Technologies, Inc. and Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. dated June 19, 2006 (portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to our filing on Form 20-F dated August 15, 2006).
4.15    Basic Agreement between PSi Technologies, Inc. and Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Müchen dated September 7, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to our filing on Form 20-F dated August 15, 2006).
4.16    Individual Agreement between PSi Technologies, Inc. and Siemens Components (Advanced Technology) Sdn. Bhd. dated September 7, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our filing on Form 20-F dated August 15, 2006).
4.17    Termination of the supply agreement made between Electronics Devices Limited, Philips Electronics UK Ltd. and PSi Technologies, Inc. dated September 27, 2006. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to our filing on Form 20-F dated July 16, 2007)
8.1   

Significant subsidiaries [(please see “Item 4—Information on Our Company—Organizational

Structure” of this Form 20-F)]

12.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on Form 20-F on its behalf.

July 15, 2008

 

PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc.

By:  

/s/    ARTHUR J. YOUNG, JR.          

Name:   Arthur J. Young, Jr.
Title:   Chief Executive Officer


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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2007 and 2006

and Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

and

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Stockholders and the Board of Directors

PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, expressed in U.S. dollars. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc.’s recurring losses from operations and negative net working capital position raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans as to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co

Makati City, Philippines

July 11, 2008

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31  
     2007     2006  

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents (Notes 3, 4, 9 and 20)

   $ 3,414,322     $ 3,270,042  

Restricted cash (Notes 3, 4 and 9)

     1,096,376       102,969  

Trade and other receivables—net (Notes 3, 4, 9 and 20)

     12,752,236       14,643,596  

Inventories—net (Note 5)

     4,477,486       5,901,366  

Other current assets—net (Note 6)

     438,430       482,629  
                

Total Current Assets

     22,178,850       24,400,602  
                

Noncurrent Assets

    

Property, plant and equipment—net (Notes 4, 7 and 8)

     26,723,243       36,099,471  

Other noncurrent assets—net (Notes 4 and 8)

     876,565       1,277,391  
                

Total Noncurrent Assets

     27,599,808       37,376,862  
                

Total Assets

   $ 49,778,658     $ 61,777,464  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities

    

Loans payable (Notes 3, 9 and 20)

   $ 10,020,000     $ 10,524,743  

Current portion of exchangeable notes (Notes 11, 18 and 20)

     4,816,349       —    

Trade and other payables (Notes 10, 15 and 20)

     22,525,545       27,113,868  

Trust receipts payable (Notes 5 and 20)

     52,520       39,998  

Income tax payable

     13,190       114,773  
                

Total Current Liabilities

     37,427,604       37,793,382  
                

Noncurrent Liabilities

    

Noncurrent portion of exchangeable notes (Notes 11, 18 and 20)

     2,027,347       4,541,506  

Accrued retirement benefit obligation—net of current portion (Note 15)

     1,475,276       3,092,841  
                

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

     3,502,623       7,634,347  
                

Stockholders’ Equity (Notes 1, 11, 15 and 16)

    

Capital stock—Philippine peso 1 2/3 par value

    

Authorized—37,058,100 shares

    

Issued and outstanding—13,289,525 shares

     590,818       590,818  

Additional paid-in capital

     79,421,574       79,544,586  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     280,257       (2,055,236 )

Deficit

     (71,444,218 )     (61,730,433 )
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     8,848,431       16,349,735  
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 49,778,658     $ 61,777,464  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Years Ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

REVENUES (Notes 1 and 21)

   $ 93,512,954     $ 89,736,608     $ 72,867,634  

COST OF SALES (Notes 7, 15 and 19)

     88,846,884       86,048,216       75,137,337  
                        

GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)

     4,666,070       3,688,392       (2,269,703 )
                        

OPERATING EXPENSES

      

General and administrative (Notes 15, 16 and 19)

     6,865,853       6,929,967       6,243,480  

Research and development

     1,236,084       1,150,922       1,201,300  

Selling and marketing (Note 25)

     845,799       669,424       962,433  

Special charges (Notes 7 and 12)

     683,989       1,884,289       1,482,627  

Provision (reversal of allowance) for doubtful accounts (Note 4)

     314,498       9,618       (84,663 )
                        

Total Operating Expenses

     9,946,223       10,644,220       9,805,177  
                        

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (5,280,153 )     (6,955,828 )     (12,074,880 )
                        

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

      

Interest and bank charges (Notes 9 and 11)

     (3,707,768 )     (3,517,891 )     (3,029,426 )

Foreign exchange losses—net

     (1,003,157 )     (530,334 )     (150,628 )

Lease income

     165,480       134,650       110,340  

Interest income

     89,288       160,125       155,592  

Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment

     41,778       (7,066 )     8,995  

Income on refund from a utility company (Notes 4 and 8)

     —         91,188       226,909  
                        
     (4,414,379 )     (3,669,328 )     (2,678,218 )
                        

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX

     (9,694,532 )     (10,625,156 )     (14,753,098 )
                        

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAX (Notes 13 and 14)

      

Current

     19,253       191,033       3,096  

Deferred

     —         —         117,392  
                        

Total Provision for Income Tax

     19,253       191,033       120,488  
                        

NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (9,713,785 )     (10,816,189 )     (14,873,586 )

NET LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Notes 7, 12, 17 and 21)

     —         (784,861 )     (4,875,961 )
                        

NET LOSS (Note 22)

   $ (9,713,785 )   $ (11,601,050 )   $ (19,749,547 )
                        

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding (Note 22)

     13,289,525       13,289,525       13,289,525  
                        

Basic and Diluted Loss per common share (Note 22):

      

From continuing operations

   ($ 0.73 )   ($ 0.81 )   ($ 1.12 )

From discontinued operations

     —       ($ 0.06 )   ($ 0.37 )

Net loss per common share

   ($ 0.73 )   ($ 0.87 )   ($ 1.49 )
                        

Comprehensive Loss

      

Net loss

   ($ 9,713,785 )   ($ 11,601,050 )   ($ 19,749,547 )

Pension liability adjustment—net (Note 15)

     2,335,493       (24,866 )     (483,861 )
                        

Total comprehensive loss

   ($ 7,378,292 )   ($ 11,625,916 )   ($ 20,233,408 )
                        

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     Years Ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

CAPITAL STOCK (Notes 1 and 11)

      

Common shares—Philippine peso 1 2/3 par value

      

Authorized—37,058,100 common shares

      

Issued and outstanding—13,289,525 common shares

   $ 590,818     $ 590,818     $ 590,818  
                        

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL (Notes 1, 11 and 16)

      

Balance at beginning of year

     79,544,586       79,385,573       71,861,359  

Stock compensation costs

     (123,012 )     159,013       (82,068 )

Beneficial conversion option

     —         —         7,606,282  
                        

Balance at end of year

     79,421,574       79,544,586       79,385,573  
                        

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Note 15)

      

Balance at beginning of year

     (2,055,236 )     (483,861 )     —    

Additional pension liability adjustment

     2,335,493       (24,866 )     (483,861 )

Pension liability adjustment to initially apply Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158

     —         (1,546,509 )     —    
                        

Balance at end of year

     280,257       (2,055,236 )     (483,861 )
                        

DEFICIT (Note 1)

      

Balance at beginning of year

     (61,730,433 )     (50,129,383 )     (30,379,836 )

Net loss

     (9,713,785 )     (11,601,050 )     (19,749,547 )
                        

Balance at end of year

     (71,444,218 )     (61,730,433 )     (50,129,383 )
                        

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 8,848,431     $ 16,349,735     $ 29,363,147  
                        

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

     Years Ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net loss

   ($ 9,713,785 )   ($ 11,601,050 )   ($ 19,749,547 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation (Note 7)

     12,099,137       14,701,687       18,127,966  

Interest on exchangeable notes converted to principal (Note 11)

     1,331,690       1,207,881       784,208  

Amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred licensing fee and discount on exchangeable notes (Notes 8 and 11)

     1,000,338       911,937       774,922  

Provision for (reversal of or benefit from):

      

Pension expense (Note 15)

     702,514       535,159       155,145  

Impairment losses (Notes 7 and 12)

     683,989       1,884,289       4,221,665  

Inventory losses (Note 5)

     318,748       355,139       970,889  

Doubtful accounts (Note 4)

     314,498       9,618       (25,220 )

Stock compensation costs (Note 16)

     (123,012 )     159,013       (82,068 )

Unrecoverable tax credit certificates and input taxes (Note 6)

     —         82,712       —    

Deferred income tax

     —         —         117,392  

Probable losses

     —         —         43,346  

Unrealized foreign exchange losses

     616,553       84,041       97,017  

Loss on purchase commitments (Note 10)

     196,534       —         —    

Loss on disposal and write-off of inventories (Note 5)

     82,943       96,464       44,929  

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

     (41,778 )     (86,459 )     (8,995 )

Accretion of receivable from Manila Electric Company (Meralco) (Note 4)

     (34,014 )     (33,432 )     —    

Accretion of interest receivable from sale of land, building and improvements

     (34,252 )     (116,076 )     (151,227 )

Loss on early extinguishment of note receivable (Note 4)

     5,017       —         —    

Income on refund from a utility company (Note 4)

     —         (91,188 )     (226,909 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Decrease (increase) in:

      

Trade and other receivables

     1,482,870       815,777       (3,158,636 )

Advances to officers

     —         —         4,488  

Inventories

     1,022,189       (547,118 )     1,539,605  

Other current assets

     54,922       (231,551 )     63,559  

Increase (decrease) in:

      

Trade and other payables

     (5,954,800 )     2,824,449       (7,757,837 )

Income tax payable

     (101,583 )     111,478       1,348  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 3,908,718       11,072,770       (4,213,960 )
                        

(Forward)

      

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

 

     Years Ended December 31  
     2007     2006     2005  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Acquisitions of property and equipment

   ($ 2,928,185 )   ($ 6,237,035 )   ($ 3,338,879 )

Cash received from early extinguishment of note receivable

     470,000       —         —    

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     111,734       1,366,633       1,008,995  

Decrease (increase) in other noncurrent assets

     48,635       (76,948 )     445,595  
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,297,816 )     (4,947,350 )     (1,884,289 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Net proceeds from (payments of) trust receipts payable

     12,522       (3,509,608 )     312,195  

Proceeds from availments of:

      

Loans payable

     6,520,000       300,000       —    

Exchangeable notes

     —         —         7,000,000  

Payments of:

      

Loans payable

     (7,024,743 )     (1,175,257 )     (400,000 )

Exchangeable note issuance costs

     —         —         (173,893 )

Liability due to a customer

     —         —         (709,947 )

Obligations under capital lease

     —         —         (460,674 )

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

     (993,407 )     (102,969 )     1,107,370  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,485,628 )     (4,487,834 )     6,675,051  
                        

EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     19,006       7,787       2,109  
                        

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     144,280       1,645,373       578,911  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

     3,270,042       1,624,669       1,045,758  
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

   $ 3,414,322     $ 3,270,042     $ 1,624,669  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Property and equipment acquired on account recorded under accounts payable

   $ 425,120     $ 2,481,086     $ 1,063,914  

Application of advance payments to suppliers for the acquisition of certain machinery, equipment and accessories

     123,549       —         —    

Receivable from Meralco

     —         91,188       226,909  

Notes receivable from sale of land, building and improvements

     —         —         1,173,462  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Interest

   $ 1,213,438     $ 1,359,613     $ 2,101,577  

Income tax

     120,836       79,555       1,749  
                        

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PSi TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless Otherwise Indicated, Reference to $ Refers to U.S. Dollars)

1. Corporate Information

Nature of Business

PSi Technologies Holdings, Inc. (PSi Holdings) is the holding company of the following entities:

 

   

Wholly-owned subsidiaries

 

   

PSi Technologies, Inc. (PSi Technologies);

 

   

PSi Technologies Laguna, Inc. (PSi Laguna);

 

   

Pacsem Technologies Inc. (Pacsem);

 

   

PSi Technologies China Holdings Co., Ltd. (PSi Mauritius);

 

   

PSi Technologies Chengdu Company Limited (PSi Chengdu):

 

   

Subsidiary

 

   

Pacsem Realty, Inc. (Pacsem Realty, see Note 2);

 

   

Variable interest entity

 

   

PSitech Realty, Inc. (PSitech Realty, see Note 2).

PSi Holdings and the foregoing entities are collectively referred to herein as “the Company” or “the PSi Companies.” Through its operating entities, namely, PSi Technologies, PSi Laguna and PSi Chengdu, PSi Holdings provides semiconductor assembly and test services primarily for power applications. It is also engaged in semiconductor packaging and test services for non-power applications, including plastics and hermetics. Approximately 99%, 97% and 97% of the Company’s consolidated revenues (including revenues from discontinued operations) in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relate to power packages.

The PSi Companies are interdependent companies involved in related businesses. PSi Holdings was incorporated in the Philippines and registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippine SEC) on December 10, 1999 as part of a reorganization to facilitate its equity offering. On November 19, 1999, to organize PSi Holdings, the then principal shareholders of PSi Technologies transferred to PSi Holdings all their PSi Technologies common and preferred shares (except for nominee director qualifying shares) in exchange for 15,440,876 PSi Holdings common shares. The proportionate ownership amongst shareholders remained identical. The creation of PSi Holdings and the issuance of shares to the existing shareholders of PSi Technologies are collectively referred to as the “Reorganization.”

The Reorganization described in the foregoing paragraph was accounted for at historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interests as it represents an exchange of equity interests between companies under common control. The Reorganization was reflected in the books of PSi Holdings as if the Reorganization occurred at the beginning of calendar year 1999.

The Reorganization entailed the following:

 

   

Exchange by the principal shareholders of PSi Technologies of all their existing common and preferred shares in PSi Technologies for original common shares of PSi Holdings pursuant to a deed of assignment (with the exception of nominee director qualifying shares) executed among the parties on November 19, 1999 at a ratio of one PSi Holdings share for every 25 diluted PSi Technologies shares held; and,

 

   

Recognition of the difference between the par value of PSi Holdings shares issued and the net assets of PSi Technologies at the date of exchange as additional paid-in capital.

 

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On March 15, 2000, PSi Holdings offered to the public 4,025,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs) at $16 per ADS representing its 4,025,000 common shares. Each ADS represents one common share in PSi Holdings. The ADSs were approved for quotation on the NASDAQ National Market.

On November 3, 2003, PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna jointly incorporated PSi Technologies China Holdings Co., Limited (PSi Hong Kong), a Hong Kong registered company, for the establishment of a Joint Venture Company with Tak Cheong Electronics (Holdings) Co. Ltd. (Tak Cheong). Discussions with Tak Cheong were later terminated due to the parties’ inability to enter into a definitive joint venture agreement. Consequently, the respective Boards of Directors (BOD) of PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna authorized the deregistration of PSi Hong Kong, which had never commenced business subsequent to its incorporation, from the Companies Registry of Hong Kong. On April 15, 2005, PSi Hong Kong has been deregistered by the Companies Registry of Hong Kong pursuant to Section 291AA(9) of the Companies Ordinance, by notice published on April 15, 2005 under Gazette Notice No. 1750.

On December 7, 2003, PSi Technologies entered into an Investment Agreement with the Management Committee of the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone (CHTZ), a government entity of Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Investment Agreement specifies the location contracted by and government support provided to PSi Technologies. On December 22, 2003, PSi Technologies incorporated PSi Mauritius as a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius. On January 15, 2004, PSi Mauritius organized PSi Chengdu as an assembly and test facility in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, PRC. PSi Chengdu, which started commercial operations on July 22, 2004, serviced the Supply Agreement between PSi Technologies and Electronics Devices Limited—Philips Semiconductors and Philips Semiconductors, a Division of Philips Electronics UK Ltd., (collectively referred to as “Philips”). On April 5, 2006, the BOD of PSi Technologies and PSi Mauritius through its subsidiary, PSi Chengdu, informed the Management Committee of the CHTZ of its decision to close the facility in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, PRC. PSi Chengdu ceased commercial operations on April 30, 2006. Liquidation procedures were completed on October 12, 2006. On January 24, 2007 and April 5, 2007, the State Tax Department and Chengdu Local Tax Department issued the respective tax clearances to PSi Chengdu. As of July 11, 2008, PSi Chengdu is still waiting for the issuance of a customs clearance by the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Customs for a remaining piece of equipment, which has been sold, as part of the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution.

On March 9, 2005, PSi Holdings received a NASDAQ Staff Determination indicating that PSi Holdings failed to comply with the market value of publicly held shares requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4450 (a)(2). As a result, its ADSs were delisted from the NASDAQ National Market at the opening of business on March 18, 2005. On March 16, 2005, PSi Holdings applied to transfer the trading of its ADSs to the NASDAQ Small Capital Market. The transfer was effected at the opening of business on March 29, 2005.

On January 31, 2008, the Company received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that the Company failed to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). The Company will be provided 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2008, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS of the Company for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If the minimum bid price requirement is not met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide the Company with an additional 180 calendar day compliance period only if the Company meets certain listing criteria.

Pacsem is a U.S. corporation engaged exclusively in marketing and purchasing activities on behalf of PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna outside the Philippines. As part of the overall rationalization of operations and activities of the PSi Companies, the BOD approved the discontinuance of operations of Pacsem beginning January 31, 2006. All marketing and purchasing activities of the Company are handled by PSi Technologies in the Philippines.

PSi Holdings is 54%-owned by Merrill Lynch Global Emerging Markets Partners, L.P. (Merrill Lynch), a U.S.-based entity.

 

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Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables.

The Company’s sales are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales to its top five customers represented 91%, 91% and 87% of the consolidated revenue (including revenue generated from discontinued operations) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively (see Note 21). The Company’s customers are located in the United States of America, Europe and Asia. The Company anticipates that significant customer concentration will continue in the foreseeable future but the entities, which constitute the Company’s largest customers may change.

The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by depositing its cash and cash equivalents with high credit rating financial institutions. The Company trades only with recognized, creditworthy third parties. It is the Company’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. In addition, trade receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis to lower the Company’s exposure to bad debts.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign exchange risk occurs due to currency differences in the Company’s assets and liabilities. The Company’s transactional currency exposure arises primarily from the Company’s purchase of certain goods and services in currencies other than the Company’s functional currency. The Company’s sales have minimal transactional currency exposure since almost all the Company’s sales are denominated in the Company’s functional currency.

The Company minimizes the foreign currency risk by purchasing most of its raw materials and equipment in U.S. dollar, and by borrowing in U.S. dollar.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect the Company’s future operating results include, but are not limited to, dependence on the highly cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, competitive pricing and decline in average selling prices, risks associated with reliance on a group of principal customers, timing and volume of orders relative to the Company’s production capacity, availability of manufacturing capacity and fluctuations in manufacturing yields, availability of financing, competition, dependence on raw materials and equipment suppliers, exchange rate fluctuations, dependence on key personnel, difficulties in managing growth, and enforcement of intellectual property rights and environmental regulations.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred recurring losses since 2001. Net loss for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 amounted to $9.7 million, $11.6 million and $19.7 million, respectively, while deficit amounted to $71.4 million as of December 31, 2007 and $61.7 million as of December 31, 2006. Further, negative working capital amounted to $15.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2006. In 2007, 2006, and 2005, the Company recognized provision for impairment losses on certain property, plant and equipment amounting to $0.7 million, $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, primarily due to abandonment of defective machinery and equipment and lower sales volume.

The foregoing conditions, risks and uncertainties raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and could affect the Company’s ability to develop advanced technology and expanded services, compete against companies with greater operating capacity and financial resources, increase production capacity, obtain assembly and test equipment to meet the demand for the Company’s products and services, obtain favorable terms from suppliers, and repay bank loans and obtain additional bank credit facilities. The Company’s continued operation as a going concern is dependent on its ability to generate sufficient cash

 

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flows from operations and/or seek other sources of financing. However, there are no assurances that positive operating results can be achieved nor that any additional financing or refinancing can be obtained on favorable terms, if at all. To address the foregoing, the Company has continuously been undertaking the following:

 

  a. Adoption of business economic measures enabling us to pass on to customers raw materials price increases based on pre-agreed benchmarks;

 

  b. Development of new captive businesses by entering into a sales and investment agreements with a major customer with committed production volume, higher selling price and underutilization charges in case of shortfall versus commitments;

 

  c. Growth through diversification:

 

   

Development of business partnership with new customers based in different geographies;

 

   

Development and positioning of new packages that have higher contribution margin;

 

  d. Reduction of raw materials cost, operating costs and overhead cost through purchasing programs; substitution of raw materials; power usage reduction and conservation projects; and rationalization of supervisor/management organization levels;

 

  e. Improvement of productivity, manufacturing efficiency and equipment capabilities through introduction and launching of continuous improvement circles;

 

  f. Approval of capital expenditures that meet certain financial and productivity criteria;

 

  g. Development of partnerships with suppliers and customers for access to and use of intellectual property, production equipment and materials at beneficial terms and conditions;

 

  h. Contract renegotiation for U.S. dollar-based pricing thus promoting natural hedging and avoiding foreign exchange losses;

 

  i. Negotiation for additional credit facilities with other banks and financial institutions. The Company is currently in discussion with a local financial institution for the availment of a $15.0 million credit facility to finance its current operations and investing activities. The facility will be available for five years with one year grace period;

 

  j. Renegotiation and repayment of existing debt facilities as follows:

 

   

The Company has a $10.0 million credit facility from the Singapore Branch of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG (RZB-Austria) that is available to PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna of which $8.8 million has been drawn and outstanding as of December 31, 2007. The credit facility has been available to the Company since 2002 and has been renewed annually every year thereafter until December 31, 2006. On April 27, 2007, the Company entered into a Second Supplemental Agreement with RZB-Austria which extended the maturity of the credit facility from December 31, 2006 through March 31, 2008. RZB-Austria has also deleted the “Financial Covenants” section of the credit facility in its entirety. However, RZB-Austria may cancel the credit facility anytime during the term of the loan and all amounts outstanding under the facility including accrued interest thereon shall be immediately due and payable. As of July 11, 2008, the Company is in the process of finalizing the documentation and contractual requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million credit facility from RZB-Austria.

 

   

The Company has a revolving facility for a promissory note of $3.0 million including the availability of a letter of credit up to $450,000 with Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB, a local commercial bank). The facility was signed on July 13, 2006 and is available in multiple drawdowns of up to 90 days promissory note. The facility is subject to annual review on or before April 11 of each year up to April 11, 2010. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding short-term loan payable to PVB amounted to $1.3 million. On May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB, after completing the annual review of the Company’s existing $3.0 million credit facility, has approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

 

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The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension.

Management believes that its current and future plans will enable the Company to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, do not include adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Principles

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) consistently applied for all years presented.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PSi Holdings and its controlled subsidiaries, where PSi Holdings owns, directly or indirectly, more than one-half of the outstanding voting shares and the variable interest entity for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and these are as follows:

 

   

PSi Technologies, a corporation registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), engaged in the design, assembly and test of power semiconductor devices, and packaging and test services for non-power applications, including plastics and hermetics;

 

   

PSi Laguna (wholly-owned through PSi Technologies), a PEZA-registered enterprise, engaged in the assembly and test of power semiconductor devices;

 

   

Pacsem (wholly-owned through PSi Technologies), a U.S. corporation engaged exclusively in marketing and purchasing activities on behalf of PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna outside the Philippines;

 

   

PSi Mauritius (wholly-owned through PSi Technologies), a company incorporated in the Republic of Mauritius, organized as a holding company of PSi Chengdu;

 

   

PSi Chengdu (wholly-owned through PSi Mauritius), a company incorporated in the PRC, and is in the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution;

 

   

Pacsem Realty (40%-owned through PSi Technologies and 24%-owned through PSi Technologies’ variable interest entity, PSitech Realty), a real estate company which held real estate properties that were previously leased to PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna. Pacsem Realty has sold all of its real estate properties and currently has no commercial operations; and

 

   

PSitech Realty is a variable interest entity of PSi Technologies, the latter being the primary beneficiary of any operating results or interest. Accordingly, the accounts of PSitech Realty are consolidated to those of the Company. PSitech Realty is a holding company of Pacsem Realty. Its total assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $988 and $827, respectively.

 

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The consolidated financial statements are prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and other events in similar circumstances. Intercompany balances and transactions, including intercompany profits and unrealized profits and losses are eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant estimates with regard to these consolidated financial statements relate to depreciation, provision for impairment losses, allowance for inventory losses, allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for input taxes and tax credit certificates (TCCs), allowance for deferred tax assets, assumptions used for the actuarial valuation for pension, valuation of options under share-based payments, contingencies and measurement of fair value of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions

The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its functional currency because all of its revenues and substantially all of its costs are denominated in U.S. dollars. Assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the functional currency using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Accordingly, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Philippine peso and other foreign currencies have been re-measured into U.S. dollars using the prevailing exchange rate at each balance sheet date. Non-monetary items are re-measured at historical exchange rates. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are credited or charged to current operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes cash on hand and in banks. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less from dates of acquisition and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade and Other Receivables

Trade receivables are recognized and carried at original invoice amount, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Other current receivables are stated at face value, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Non-interest bearing noncurrent receivables are stated at face value, net of unearned interest income and allowance for doubtful accounts, if any.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company trades only with recognized, creditworthy third parties. As a policy, all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis to reduce exposure to bad debts.

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level considered adequate to provide for uncollectible receivables. The level of allowance is based on historical collections, changes in customer payment terms and other factors that affect collectibility. Past due accounts are those receivables which are uncollected as of end of credit term specific to each customer.

An evaluation of the receivables, designed to identify potential charges to the allowance, is performed on a continuous basis during the year.

 

   

Accounts receivable trade: Full allowance is provided for trade receivables specifically identified to be uncollectible. Remaining balances over 180 to 360 days past due accounts are provided with allowance based on customer’s historical pattern of payment and collection experience of the Company.

 

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Receivable from employees: Full allowance is provided for employees separated from the Company, net of salaries and benefits payable by the Company to the employee.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, after provision for obsolete, slow and non-moving items. Cost is determined by using the moving average method. Finished goods and work in-process include direct materials, except customer-supplied semiconductor raw materials, direct labor, depreciation and other overhead costs relating to the assembly and testing process.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The estimated useful lives of the property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Machinery, equipment and accessories

   3–8 years

Leasehold improvements

  

5–10 years or the term of the lease agreement, whichever is shorter

Office furniture, fixtures and equipment

   3–5 years

Transportation equipment

   5 years

The useful lives and depreciation method are reviewed periodically to ensure that the periods and method of depreciation are consistent with the expected pattern of economic benefits from items of property, plant and equipment. The Company routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of their machinery, equipment and accessories to determine if such lives should be adjusted due to the likelihood of technological obsolescence arising from changes in production techniques or in market demand for the use of its machinery, equipment and accessories. However, due to the nature of the Company’s operations, which may include sudden changes in demand in the end markets, and due to the fact that certain equipment and machinery is dedicated to specific customers, the Company may not be able to accurately anticipate declines in the utility of its machinery, equipment and accessories.

The initial cost of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price, freight and handling charges and any directly attributable costs in bringing the asset to its working condition and location for its intended use. Expenditures incurred after the property, plant and equipment have been put into operation, such as repairs and maintenance, are normally charged to current operations in the year the costs are incurred. In situations where it can be clearly demonstrated that the expenditures have resulted in an increase in the future economic benefits expected to be obtained from the use of an item of property, plant and equipment beyond its originally assessed standard of performance, the expenditures are capitalized as additional costs of property, plant and equipment.

No depreciation is provided on property, plant and equipment under construction or awaiting qualification or technical completion.

When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to current operations.

Deferred Licensing Fee

Deferred licensing fee (included under “Other noncurrent assets” account in the consolidated balance sheets) is amortized over the shorter of expected utility or term of the license agreement of ten years up to 2014.

Income Tax

Current tax liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted as at the balance sheet date.

 

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Deferred income tax is provided using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to: (a) temporary differences between the financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities and their related tax bases and (b) carry-forward benefits of net operating loss carryover (NOLCO) and minimum corporate income tax (MCIT). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates applicable to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled, and the carry-forward benefits of NOLCO and MCIT are expected to be applied. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future.

In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, consideration is given to all available evidence of realization, as well as feasible tax planning strategies, in each taxing jurisdiction. If all or a portion of the remaining deferred tax assets will not be realized, the valuation allowance will be increased with a charge to income tax expense. Conversely, if the Company will ultimately be able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been provided, the related portion of the valuation allowance will be released in the statement of operations as a credit to income tax expense. The Company monitors on an ongoing basis its ability to utilize its deferred tax assets and the continuing need for a related valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2007, full valuation allowance was provided for all of the Company’s deferred tax assets.

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 requires an entity to recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The adoption of FIN 48 has no impact on the opening balance of the Company’s deficit.

Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the year attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share is computed in the same manner assuming that, at the beginning of the year or at the time of issuance during the year, all dilutive securities, such as stock options and Exchangeable Notes are exercised and converted, respectively. Outstanding stock options will have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when the average market price of the underlying common share during the period exceeds the exercise price of the option. Where the effect of the assumed exercise of all outstanding stock options and conversion of the Exchangeable Notes is anti-dilutive, basic and diluted earnings per share amounts are the same.

Revenue Recognition and Risk of Loss

The Company has the following three primary revenue streams related to the assembly and test of semiconductor products used for power conversion or power management applications: assembly-only, testing-only, and assembly and testing. Revenue from assembly-only and test-only services is recognized upon the completion of the related service, which coincides with the shipment of packaged semiconductors to the customers. For arrangements involving both assembly and test services, revenue is recognized upon the completion of test services, which coincides with the shipment of the packaged semiconductors. The Company does not take ownership of customer-supplied semiconductor raw materials. Title and risk of loss for these materials remain with the customers at all times. Accordingly, the cost of the customer-supplied materials is not included in the consolidated financial statements. Such policies are consistent with the provisions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (U.S. SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” which supersedes SAB No. 101. SAB No. 104 requires that the following four criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

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Lease Income

Operating lease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs primarily related to the development of new package designs. Such costs include salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefit costs, materials, supplies, depreciation and maintenance of research equipment, services provided by outside contractors, and the allocable portions of facility costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, depreciation and general support services directly attributable to the research and development initiative. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

Software Development Costs

External direct costs of materials and services, and payroll and payroll-related costs of employees directly associated with the development of computer software incurred during the development of the computer software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with the Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” Software development costs are classified under “Property, plant and equipment” account in the consolidated balance sheets when the computer software is ready for its intended use and amortized on a straight line basis over five years.

Tax Credits and Allowance for Tax Credits

Tax credits, included under “Other current assets” account in the consolidated balance sheets, are recorded at face value based on the amount approved and granted by the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the form of TCCs less allowance for unrealizable tax credits.

The Company maintains an allowance for the portion of tax credit, which is not realizable through sale, equivalent to the estimated discount that may be granted upon sale to a third party and the related service fee. When the tax credit is sold, the discount on the sale and the related service fee are recorded as a reduction of the related allowance.

Pension Plan

The Company has a trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its regular employees in the Philippines. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132 (R)” (SFAS No. 158), which requires the recognition of the funded status of a defined benefit pension plan (other than a multi-employer plan) as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position and the recognition of changes in the funded status through accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the year in which such changes occur. The Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 and initially applied those to the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans effective December 31, 2006. The Company measures the pension benefit liabilities using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 158. SFAS No. 158 also requires that the funded status of a plan be measured as of the date of the year-end statement of financial position (see Note 15 for further discussion).

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets with finite useful lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The Company assesses long-lived assets for impairment based on the undiscounted future cash flows such assets are expected to generate and recognizes an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the

 

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asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. When an impairment is identified, the Company reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values.

Operating Leases

Rental payments under operating leases are charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective leases.

Capital Lease

Leases which meet any one of the following criteria: (a) provisions for bargain purchase option, (b) transfer of ownership at the end of the lease term, (c) lease term is equal to 75% or more of the estimated economic life of the leased property, and (d) present value at the beginning of the lease term of the minimum lease payments approximates the fair market value of the property, are capitalized. The capitalized asset is recognized at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset or the present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. The related depreciation for property and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangement is computed on the basis of the Company’s depreciation policy for owned assets.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Costs incurred in preparing the finished products for shipment and physically moving the finished products from the Company’s place of business to the customer’s designated location are included in the “Operating Expenses” account in the consolidated statements of operations.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Employee Stock Options

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123(R)). SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its interpretations. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee’s stock options, be measured at grant-date fair value and expensed over the service period (generally the vesting period). Upon adoption, the Company transitioned to SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method, whereby compensation cost under SFAS No. 123(R) is recognized beginning January 1, 2006 and thereafter, with prior periods’ stock-based compensation for option still determined pursuant to APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” with pro forma disclosure provided as if SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to value stock options. Compensation expense is measured and recognized beginning in 2006 as follows:

Awards Granted after December 31, 2005—Awards are measured at their fair value at the date of grant under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) with the resulting compensation cost recognized using straight-line method under FASB Interpretation No. 28, “Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option Awards Plans.” The amount of compensation expense to be recognized is adjusted for an estimated forfeiture rate, which is based on historical data.

Awards Granted Prior to December 31, 2005—For share-based awards granted prior to December 31, 2005, the unvested compensation cost at the effective date of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) is computed based on the grant date fair values of those awards as determined previously under SFAS No. 123 for pro forma disclosure purposes.

For all grants, the Company recognizes compensation cost using graded accelerated method of vesting over the requisite service period of the award.

 

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Prior to January 1, 2006, had compensation cost for the Company’s Stock Option Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation”, the Company’s net loss and loss per share would have been stated at the following pro forma amounts:

 

     2005  

Net loss as reported

   $ (19,749,547 )

Total reversal of stock-based employee compensation expense determined using APB Opinion No. 25, net of related tax effects (see Note 16)

     (82,068 )

Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     644,837  
        

Pro forma net loss

   $ (19,186,778 )
        

Basic and diluted loss per common share as reported

   $ (1.49 )

Basic and diluted loss per common share—pro forma

   $ (1.44 )
        

Equity and Debt Issuance Expenses

Direct costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt securities are reported as deferred financing charges (included under “Other noncurrent assets” account in the consolidated balance sheets). Debt issuance costs are recognized as additional interest expense over the life of the debt instrument using the effective interest method. Upon redemption or conversion of the Exchangeable Notes, any remaining unamortized discount will be charged to operations in the year of redemption or conversion. The embedded beneficial conversion feature recognized as part of additional paid-in capital amounted to $10.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.

Contingencies

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings (see Note 23). The Company develops estimate of the probable costs for the assessment and resolution of these claims based upon an analysis of potential results. The evaluation of any potential liability under each of the cases is conducted on a gross basis, before consideration of any possible insurance claims or settlements. The Company currently does not believe that these legal claims will have a material adverse effect on its financial position and results of operations. No provisions for contingencies were recognized in 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The FASB has issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157), which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for more information about (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, (2) the information used to measure fair value, and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS No. 157 will apply whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). Unrealized gains and losses on instruments for which the Fair Value Option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting period. SFAS No. 159 is effective on April 1, 2008. The Company is currently in the process of determining the impact of the adoption of this new standard in the consolidated financial statements.

 

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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141(R)). SFAS No. 141(R) requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; the recognition of acquisition-related costs in the statement of operations; the recognition of restructuring costs in the statement of operations for which the acquirer becomes obligated after the acquisition date; and contingent arrangements to be recognized at their fair values on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the statement of operations. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and should be applied prospectively for all business combinations entered into after the date of adoption. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 requires that a non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary be displayed in the consolidated statements of financial position as a separate component of equity. Under SFAS No. 160, gains or losses should not be recognized on sales of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries. Differences between sale proceeds and the consolidated basis of outstanding noncontrolling interests should be accounted for as charges or credits to consolidated paid-in-capital. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. This statement requires additional disclosures about the objectives of derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of accounting for such instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and a tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and related hedged items on the Company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS No. 162 will become effective 60 days following the U.S. SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 162 to have a material effect in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

3. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The “Cash and cash equivalents” account includes cash held in escrow amounting to $1.1 million and $2.7 million, as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Such cash held in escrow with RZB-Austria, KBC- Philippines (as of December 31, 2006) and PVB is available to the Company for withdrawal, subject to the following conditions:

 

   

There is sufficient Borrowing Base to cover the loan as shown on the table below:

 

    

Borrowing Base

RZB-Austria

   90% of the value of outstanding eligible receivables plus 100% of the U.S. dollar cash proceeds from eligible receivables

PVB

   95% of the value of outstanding eligible receivables

KBC-Philippines

   90% of the value of outstanding eligible receivables plus 100% of the U.S. dollar cash proceeds from eligible receivables

 

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RZB-Austria, PVB and KBC-Philippines, respectively, have conducted, to its satisfaction, a test of the adequacy of eligible receivables and balance of escrow bank account; and

 

   

There is no Event of Default.

As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, cash held in escrow amounting to $1.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, included under “Restricted cash” account in the consolidated balance sheets, was restricted for withdrawal since the balance of the outstanding trade receivables assigned was not adequate to cover the outstanding loan payable (see Note 9).

4. Trade and Other Receivables

Trade and other receivables consists of:

     2007     2006  

Trade

   $ 12,273,407     $ 13,808,792  

Current portion of receivables from employees

     282,730       214,999  

Current portion of receivable from Manila Electric Company (Meralco)—net of unearned interest (see Note 8)

     73,608       54,636  

Current portion of receivable from sale of land, building and land improvements—net of unearned interest (see note 8)

     —         443,672  

Others

     573,835       258,343  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (451,344 )     (136,846 )
                
   $ 12,752,236     $ 14,643,596  
                

Movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

     2007    2006  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 136,846    $ 196,190  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     314,498      9,618  

Write-offs during the year

     —        (68,962 )
               

Balance at end of year

   $ 451,344    $ 136,846  
               

Trade receivables from certain customers totaling $10.9 million and $12.3 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were assigned to RZB-Austria, PVB and KBC-Philippines (see Notes 1 and 9). The proceeds from the collection of these receivables will be remitted directly to the Company’s escrow bank accounts with RZB-Austria, PVB and KBC-Philippines. The Company may only withdraw such funds subject to the conditions discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Receivables from employees pertain to cash and travel advances and car loans extended to employees. There are no advances to officers and executives, which are in violation of Section 402 (Enhanced Conflict of Interest Provisions—Prohibition on Personal Loans to Executives) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

On January 28, 2005, Pacsem Realty and PSi Laguna entered into separate Contracts to Sell with ILO Land, Inc. (ILO, an unrelated company) for the sale of (a) land, and (b) related building and land improvements for a total consideration of $0.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively. In accordance with the terms of the Contracts to Sell, the purchase consideration was collectible as follows:

 

     Land    Building
and Land
Improvements
   Total

Due and payable upon execution of the Contract to Sell

   $ 140,000    $ 860,000    $ 1,000,000

Payable in six (6) equal installments every six months

     210,000      1,290,000      1,500,000
                    
   $ 350,000    $ 2,150,000    $ 2,500,000
                    

 

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On January 28, 2005, the Company recognized the receivable from ILO amounting to $1,173,462, net of unearned interest income of $326,538. The receivable was discounted using an effective interest rate of 15%, determined based on 12% yield rate on 3-year Republic of the Philippines (ROP) bonds as quoted by the Philippine Bureau of Treasury (BTr) as of January 28, 2005, plus 3% risk premium. On June 12, 2007, the Company offered ILO a 6% discount on the latter’s fifth and sixth installments related to the purchase of the Company’s property should ILO decide to pay such obligation before the due dates of July 28, 2007 and January 28, 2008, respectively. On June 12, 2007, ILO paid all its remaining liability to the Company, net of the 6% discount of $470,000. Accordingly, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of receivable from sale of land, building and improvements amounting to $9,173 included in the “General and administrative expense” account in the 2007 statement of operations.

As a customer of Meralco, a utility distribution company in the Philippines, PSi Technologies is entitled a refund for some of its previous billings under Phase IV of Meralco’s refund scheme. Beginning 2005, the approval of Meralco’s amended refund scheme by the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission indicated that the amount and timing of the receipt of the refund was certain.

Under the Meralco refund scheme, the refund may be received through postdated checks or as fixed monthly credit to bills with cash option. PSi Technologies opted to recover the refund through post dated checks starting in July 2006 up to July 2011. As at December 31, 2005, the Company recognized a receivable from Meralco amounting to $311,956, gross of unearned interest income of $85,047, resulting in a net receivable from Meralco of $226,909. The receivable was discounted using an effective interest rate of 12.38%, determined based on 9.38% yield rates on 5-year ROP bonds as quoted by the BTr as of December 31, 2005, plus 3% risk premium. On August 25, 2006, PSi Technologies recognized an additional receivable from Meralco amounting to $111,716, gross of unearned interest income of $20,528 which resulted in a net receivable from Meralco of $91,188. The receivable was discounted using an effective interest rate of 10.96%, determined based on 7.96% yield rates on 5-year ROP bonds as quoted by the BTr as of August 25, 2006, plus 3% risk premium. Accretion income recognized in 2007 and 2006 amounted to $34,030 and $33,432, respectively, included under “Interest income” account in the consolidated statements of operations.

The current and noncurrent portions of the receivables from Meralco are as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Total receivable

   $ 308,718    $ 346,560

Less discount

     56,293      79,399
             
     252,425      267,161

Less current portion

     73,608      54,636
             

Noncurrent portion (included under “Other noncurrent assets” account, see Note 8)

   $ 178,817    $ 212,525
             

5. Inventories

Inventories consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Finished goods

   $ 18,346    $ 35,087

Work in-process

     867,965      1,134,873

Materials, spare parts and supplies, net of allowance for inventory losses of $1.7 and $1.8 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively

     3,591,175      4,731,406
             
   $ 4,477,486    $ 5,901,366
             

 

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Movements in allowance for inventory losses are as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 1,828,024     $ 2,105,166  

Provision for inventory losses

     318,748       355,139  

Write-offs during the year

     (426,997 )     (559,662 )

Disposal of obsolete inventories

     —         (72,619 )
                

Balance at end of year

   $ 1,719,775     $ 1,828,024  
                

Provision for inventory losses and loss on write-off of inventories amounting to $401,691, $355,139 and $1,015,818 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were included in cost of sales.

The balance of trust receipts payable that pertains to purchases of inventories amounted to $52,520 as of December 31, 2007 and $39,998 as of December 31, 2006. The Company is accountable to the banks for the items entrusted or the proceeds generated from any sale of these inventories until such time that the amount financed by the banks is paid. The corresponding trust receipts payable to the banks are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and bear average annual interest rate of 8.29% in 2007 and 8.54% in 2006.

6. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Deposits

   $ 335,816    $ 370,688

Tax credits—net of allowance for unrecoverable tax credits of $110,793 in 2007 and $93,281 in 2006

     86,251      72,617

Prepayments and others

     16,363      39,324
             
   $ 438,430    $ 482,629
             

Deposits include advance payments to suppliers for the acquisition of raw materials.

Tax credits were issued by the BOC and may be used for payment of import duties due to the BOC.

7. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Machinery, equipment and accessories

   $ 125,957,742    $ 128,628,459

Leasehold improvements

     6,257,421      5,947,500

Office furniture, fixtures and equipment

     5,619,652      5,030,446

Transportation equipment

     342,486      852,599
             
     138,177,301      140,459,004

Less accumulated depreciation

     111,492,628      104,407,474
             
     26,684,673      36,051,530

Construction in-progress

     38,570      47,941
             
   $ 26,723,243    $ 36,099,471
             

 

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Property, plant and equipment includes machinery and equipment and computer equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements. The related depreciation of the leased assets, amounting to $63,803 in 2007 and $68,346 in 2006, was computed on the basis of the Company’s depreciation policy for owned assets.

Office furniture, fixtures and equipment includes software costs with net carrying amount of $410,400 and $155,094 as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amortization of software costs amounted to $183,891, $162,623 and $236,216 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The total depreciation of property, plant and equipment amounted to $12.1 million, $14.7 million and $18.1 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

As discussed in Note 4, on January 28, 2005, Pacsem Realty and PSi Laguna entered into separate Contracts to Sell with ILO for the sale of (a) land, and (b) building and land improvements (Site 3) for a total consideration of $350,000 and $2.2 million, respectively.

On September 8, 2005, the representatives of the Management Committee of the CHTZ, and The Management Office of Sichuan Chengdu Export Processing Zone informed PSi Chengdu of the government’s plan to convert the Southern Export Processing Zone where PSi Chengdu is located to another commercial area and the need for PSi Chengdu to relocate from the Southern Export Processing Zone to the Western Export Processing Zone. The relocation issue which could further drain PSi Chengdu’s resources, coupled with continuous operating and cash flow losses from the start of commercial operations up to 2005, triggered an impairment review in accordance with SFAS No. 144, as of December 31, 2005. Management estimated that the undiscounted future cash flows to be generated by PSi Chengdu to be negative compared with the carrying amount of PSi Chengdu’s long-lived assets of $2.7 million. Using the expected cash flow approach as a measure of fair value, management estimated the fair value of those assets to be negative $0.2 million of December 31, 2005. This resulted in write-down equal to the carrying amount of the assets amounting to $2.7 million, which was included under “Net loss from discontinued operations” line item in the 2005 consolidated statement of operations (see Notes 12 and 17).

Due to the Company’s recurring losses since 2001, annual impairment review was performed in accordance with SFAS No. 144. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized an impairment losses amounting to $0.7 million, $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively. To determine whether long-lived assets are impaired, the Company performed test of recoverability of its long-lived assets by comparing the carrying value of the group of assets to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated from the use of these assets. Impairment losses are recognized as the excess of the carrying value of the group of assets over its fair value. The determination of fair value was based on the expected cash flow approach as a measure of value. The cash flow was discounted using an effective interest rate of 7.719%, determined based on 4.719% yield rates on 4-year ROP bonds as quoted by the BTr as of December 31, 2006, plus 3% risk premium. Provision for impairment losses recognized by the Company in 2007, 2006 and 2005 were included under “Special charges” account in the consolidated statements of operations (see Note 12).

Certain of the Company’s customers provide equipment on a consignment basis. The value of the consigned equipment is not reflected among the Company’s property, plant and equipment. Risk of loss and insurance for such assets are borne by the customers.

 

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8. Other Noncurrent Assets

Other noncurrent assets consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Deposits

   $ 428,134    $ 505,432

Deferred financing charges—net of accumulated amortization of $89,182 in 2007 and $69,343 in 2006

     183,379      203,218

Noncurrent portion of receivable from Meralco—net (see Note 4)

     178,817      212,525

Deferred licensing fee—net of accumulated amortization of $30,000 in 2007 and $20,000 in 2006

     70,000      80,000

Noncurrent portion of receivables from employees

     16,235      29,123

Noncurrent portion of receivable from sale of land and building and land improvements—net (see Note 4)

     —        247,093
             
   $ 876,565    $ 1,277,391
             

Deposits consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Security and utility deposits

   $ 286,180    $ 239,931

Advance payments to suppliers for the acquisition of certain machinery, equipment and accessories

     134,419      257,968

Others

     7,535      7,533
             
   $ 428,134    $ 505,432
             

The amortization expense relating to the deferred licensing fee amounted to $10,000 in 2007 and 2006. The amortization expense for each of the seven succeeding years amounts to $10,000.

9. Loans Payable

This account consists of short-term liabilities to the following creditors:

 

     2007    2006

RZB-Austria

   $ 8,750,000    $ 9,700,000

PVB

     1,270,000      300,000

KBC-Philippines

     —        524,743
             
   $ 10,020,000    $ 10,524,743
             

RZB-Austria

The outstanding liability to RZB-Austria amounted to $8.8 million and $9.7 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The interest rates in 2007 and 2006 ranged from 7.875% to 8.025% and 7.455% to 8.025%, respectively.

Under the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement with RZB-Austria, PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna shall ensure the collection of certain eligible receivables under the Borrowing Base (equivalent to 90% of the value of outstanding eligible receivables plus 100% of the U.S. dollar cash proceeds from eligible receivables to be deposited) to be deposited to an escrow bank account. Eligible receivables are trade receivables from third parties denominated in U.S. dollar that are outstanding for no longer than 90 days from date of invoice. Further, all trade receivables owing by a single account debtor, if 20% of the balance remains unpaid 30 days after the credit terms

 

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of payment of the original applicable invoice, shall not be considered as eligible receivable. In addition, PSi Technologies and PSi Laguna shall maintain a Borrowing Base to cover outstanding principal drawings under the Credit Facility Agreement at all times. In case of shortfall, the Company shall have three business days to rectify such shortfall based on the Credit Facility Agreement. Withdrawals from the escrow bank account are allowable subject to the conditions discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2007, receivable from a customer amounting to $1,370,139 which includes a balance that is unpaid 30 days after the credit terms of payment amounting to $274,914 were included as part of eligible receivables. As of December 31, 2007, the balance of the loans payable to RZB – Austria exceeded the total borrowing base as a result of certain assigned receivables being outstanding beyond the 30-day credit term. As of July 11, 2008, 82% of such outstanding trade receivables have been collected.

On April 27, 2007, the Company entered into a second supplemental agreement with RZB-Austria, which provides that RZB-Austria may cancel the credit facility anytime during the term of the loan and all amounts outstanding under the facility including accrued interest thereon shall be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the supplemental agreement, RZB-Austria also deleted the Financial Covenants section of the Credit Facility Agreement in its entirety and the Credit Facility was extended from December 31, 2006 until March 31, 2008. As of July 11, 2008, the Company is in the process of finalizing the requirements for the extension of the $10.0 million Credit Facility from RZB-Austria.

PVB

The Company has a revolving promissory note of $3.0 million including the availability of a letter of credit up to $450,000 with PVB. The facility was signed on July 13, 2006 and is available in multiple draw downs of up to 90 days. The facility is subject to annual review by PVB before April 11 of each year up to April 11, 2010. The outstanding loans and trust receipts payable as of December 31, 2007 with PVB amounted to $1.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. On May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB after completing the annual review of the Company’s existing $3.0 million credit facility, approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

The short-term credit facility is secured by trade receivable from a customer (see Note 4). Under the terms of the short-term Credit Facility Agreement, PSi Technologies shall ensure the collection of eligible receivable under the Borrowing Base (equivalent to 95% of the value of outstanding eligible receivables) to be deposited to an escrow bank account. Further, PSi Technologies shall maintain a Borrowing Base to cover outstanding principal drawing under the Credit Facility Agreement at all times. In case of shortfall, the Company shall have three business days to rectify such shortfall based on the Credit Facility Agreement. Withdrawals from the escrow bank account are allowable subject to the condition discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company has sufficient borrowing base to cover its loans due to PVB as of December 31, 2007.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company has not complied with the leverage ratio requirement and increasing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) requirement under the short-term Credit Facility Agreement with PVB.

The Company fully paid its outstanding loan due to PVB as of December 31, 2007 on March 5, 2008. The interest rate ranged from 8.32% to 8.69% in 2007 and was 8.12% in 2006.

KBC-Philippines

Up to July 26, 2006, the Company had a $3.0 million short-term credit facility with KBC-Philippines. As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s loans outstanding under such credit facility amounted to $0.5 million. In addition, the Company had a $4.0 million letter of credit and trust receipt facility. As of December 31, 2006, the trust receipts payable to KBC-Philippines was paid in full. On January 5, 2007, the outstanding short-term loan due to KBC-Philippines as of December 31, 2006 was fully paid. The interest rates ranged from 6.20% to 8.25% in 2006.

The interest rates ranged from 6.20% to 8.25% in 2006.

 

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10. Trade and Other Payables

Trade and other payables consist of:

 

     2007    2006

Trade

   $ 17,240,716    $ 22,229,197

Advances from a customer

     466,503      —  

Provision for loss on purchase commitments

     196,534      —  

Accrued expenses:

     

Employee salaries and benefits (see Note 15)

     1,316,977      1,666,316

Professional fees

     775,632      787,992

Rental

     692,667      563,003

Utilities

     276,570      270,407

Withholding taxes

     546,156      508,946

Others

     1,013,790      1,088,007
             
   $ 22,525,545    $ 27,113,868
             

Trade payables include liabilities to equipment suppliers of $0.4 million and $2.5 million as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Advances from a customer pertain to short-term non-interest bearing loan obtained from a customer. The repayment of the loan shall be through a reduction in the average selling price by a pre-agreed unit price of a particular package, accrued by way of credit notes issued by the Company after each month of accumulated deliveries. In addition, payment of such advances shall be secured by the execution of a Mortgage Participation Certificate amounting to $3.0 million on August 27, 2007 under the PSi Technologies’ Mortgage Trust Indenture dated December 31, 1992 issued by a local bank.

The foregoing advances from a customer were fully settled on February 29, 2008.

In 2007, the Company recorded a loss on purchase commitments arising from price decline and expected termination of several firm and executory purchase commitments amounting to $196,534 which was included in the “Cost of sales” account in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations.

Accrued employee salaries and benefits include accruals for compensated absences as well as accrued pension benefit obligation (see Note 15).

11. Exchangeable Notes

On July 3, 2003, the Company issued a $4.0 million Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (2003 Note) to Merrill Lynch, a major stockholder of the Company. On June 2, 2005, the Company issued another $7.0 million Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (2005 Note) to the same holder of the 2003 Note. The proceeds of the 2005 Note were used to partially finance capital expenditures related to the introduction of the Power Quad Flat No Lead (QFN) package and for the repayment of due and outstanding suppliers’ credits and capital expenditures payables.

The net carrying amount of the 2003 and 2005 Notes (collectively referred to as “the Exchangeable Notes”) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

 

     2007     2006  

Face value of Exchangeable Notes

   $ 11,000,000     $ 11,000,000  

Debt discount

     (7,480,084 )     (8,450,583 )

Accrued interest on Exchangeable Notes converted to principal

     3,323,779       1,992,089  
                

Total

     6,843,695       4,541,506  

Less current portion

     4,816,349       —    
                

Noncurrent portion of Exchangeable Notes

   $ 2,027,346     $ 4,541,506  
                

 

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The debt discount represents the value of the beneficial conversion feature calculated in accordance with the provisions of EITF 98-5, “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion Ratios” (EITF 98-5). Prior to the computation of the beneficial conversion feature calculated under EITF 98-5, the Company evaluated the embedded conversion features in its Exchangeable Notes to determine if there were any embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation and to determine if there were any beneficial conversion features in accordance with EITF No. 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock,” and SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Based on this evaluation, the Company has determined that bifurcation of the conversion features is not required.

The terms and conditions of the 2003 and 2005 Notes are substantially similar in nature. The following are the significant terms of the Exchangeable Notes:

 

    

2003 Note

  

2005 Note

Grant of Exchange Right

   PSi Holdings grants Merrill Lynch an irrevocable right to exchange all or part of its Exchangeable Note to PSi Holdings’ common stock at a price per share of the common stock initially equal to $1.47 (Exchangeable Note exercise price), provided however that:    PSi Holdings grants Merrill Lynch an irrevocable right to exchange all or part of its Exchangeable Note to PSi Holdings’ common stock at a price per share of the common stock initially equal to $1.00 (Exchangeable Note exercise price), provided however that:
  

i.       If PSi Holdings’ earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 is less than $3.89 million, then the exercise price shall be reduced to $1.29 per share; and

  

i.  If PSi Holdings’ EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005 is less than $5.5 million, then the Note Exercise Price shall be reduced to $0.90; and

  

ii.      If PSi Holdings’ EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2003 is less than $3.92 million, then the Exchangeable Note exercise price shall be reduced to (a) $1.15 if the Exchangeable Note exercise price was reduced pursuant to clause (i) above, and (b) $1.29, if the Exchangeable Note exercise price was not reduced pursuant to clause (i) above.

  

ii. If PSi Holdings’ EBITDA for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 is less than $6.7 million, then the Note Exercise Price shall be reduced to $0.80.

   The EBITDA for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2003 is less than $3.89 million and $3.92 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2003, the Exchangeable Note exercise price was reduced to $1.15 per share.    The EBITDA for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005 is less than $5.5 million. (Note: The EBITDA for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 is less than $6.7 million). As of December 31, 2005, the Exchangeable Note exercise price was reduced to $0.80 per share.

 

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2003 Note

  

2005 Note

  

At any time after July 3, 2003, the

Exchange Right may be exercised by Merrill Lynch at its sole discretion, in whole or in part until such time as all of the Exchangeable Note is exchanged for common stock, paid at maturity or redeemed in accordance with its terms.

   At any time after June 2, 2005, the Exchange Right may be exercised by Merrill Lynch at its sole discretion, in whole or in part until such time as all of the Exchangeable Note is exchanged for common stock, paid at maturity or redeemed in accordance with its terms.
  

PSi Technologies shall not be permitted to prepay the

Exchangeable Note in whole or in part.

   PSi Technologies shall not be permitted to prepay the Exchangeable Note in whole or in part.

Mandatory Issuance Rights

   Merrill Lynch, at its discretion, may elect to replace all of its exchange rights with the right to (i) assign a portion or all of the Exchangeable Note to PSi Technologies; provided however, that prior to such assignment, PSi Technologies shall redeem a portion of such Exchangeable Note and (ii) subscribe for shares of common stock (Mandatory Issuance) at a price per share equal to the then par value of one share of common stock (Stock Issuance Price).    Merrill Lynch, at its discretion, may elect to replace all of its exchange rights with the right to (i) assign a portion or all of the Exchangeable Note to PSi Technologies; provided however, that prior to such assignment, PSi Technologies shall redeem a portion of such Exchangeable Note and (ii) subscribe for shares of common stock (Mandatory Issuance) at a price per share equal to the then par value of one share of common stock (Stock Issuance Price).

Redemption

   Simultaneous with the consummation of the Mandatory Issuance, PSi Technologies shall redeem from Merrill Lynch for a cash payment (including accrued and unpaid interest) relating to such redeemed Exchangeable Note, a portion of the conversion principal amount of the Exchangeable Note equal to the Issuance Purchase Price of the shares being issued in the Mandatory Issuance.    Simultaneous with the consummation of the Mandatory Issuance, PSi Technologies shall redeem from Merrill Lynch for a cash payment (including accrued and unpaid interest) relating to such redeemed Exchangeable Note, a portion of the conversion principal amount of the Exchangeable Note equal to the Issuance Purchase Price of the shares being issued in the Mandatory Issuance.

Interest

   Interest on unpaid principal amount of the Exchangeable Note is at a rate of 10% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on each interest payment date; provided that if (a) upon any interest payment date, PSi Technologies is prohibited from paying cash interest due to restrictions in its senior credit facility or (b) PSi Holdings’ EBITDA for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to any interest payment date is less than $1.0 million, then PSi Technologies may, by notice to Merrill Lynch, elect to pay all or    Interest on unpaid principal amount of the Exchangeable Note is at a rate of 10% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on each interest payment date; provided that if (a) upon any interest payment date, PSi Technologies is prohibited from paying cash interest due to restriction in its senior credit facility, (b) PSi Holdings’ EBITDA for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to any interest payment date is less than $1.0 million, or (c) PSi Technologies does not pay all or a portion of the interest due on

 

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2003 Note

  

2005 Note

   any portion of such interest at the rate aforesaid and shall no longer be considered to be interest due.    the Note on an interest payment date in 2005, then the Company may, by notice to the Exchangeable Note holder, elect to pay all or any portion of such interest by adding it to the principal amount of the Exchangeable Note, whenever such amount shall bear interest at the rate aforesaid and shall no longer be considered to be interest due.

The exercise price of the 2005 and 2003 Exchangeable Notes was below the prevailing share price of PSi Holdings ADS as of the commitment dates of June 2, 2005 and July 3, 2003, respectively, of $1.66 and $2.08 per share, respectively.

The issuance of 2005 Note also triggered the anti-dilution adjustment. This resulted in a conversion reset of the 2003 Note from the lowest exercise price, which was already set at $1.15 (since the EBITDA target for the three months ended December 31, 2003 was not met) to $1.06. This resulted in an additional embedded beneficial conversion feature on the 2003 Note amounting to $606,282.

As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Exchangeable Notes have a carrying amount of $6.8 million (net of debt discount of $7.5 million) and $4.5 million (net of debt discount of $8.5 million), respectively. Upon redemption or conversion of the Exchangeable Notes prior to June 1, 2008 (for the 2003 Note) and June 1, 2009 (for the 2005 Note), any unamortized discount will be charged to operations in the year of redemption or conversion. The embedded beneficial conversion feature recognized as additional paid-in capital amounted to $7.0 million for the 2005 Note and $2.8 million (inclusive of the adjustment to the embedded beneficial conversion of $606,282 resulting from the anti-dilution adjustment triggered by the issuance of the 2005 Note) for 2003 Note as of December 31, 2005.

In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized debt discount amortization of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and these are presented as part of “Interest and bank charges” account in the consolidated statements of operations.

In accordance with the terms of Exchangeable Notes, PSi Technologies formally informed Merrill Lynch that the outstanding accrued interest on the Exchangeable Notes as of the following dates will not be settled through payment but was converted to principal amount of the Exchangeable Notes:

 

Date

   Amount

December 31, 2007

   $ 682,085

June 30, 2007

     649,605

December 31, 2006

     618,671

June 30, 2006

     589,210

December 31, 2005

     561,151

June 30, 2005

     223,057
      
   $ 3,323,779
      

The carrying value of the Notes as of December 31, 2007 and the respective discount amortization per year until maturity date is as follows:

 

     2003 Note**    2005 Note***

Carrying value as of December 31, 2007*

   $ 3,498,508    $ 21,407

2008 discount amortization

     501,492      994,660
             
     4,000,000      1,016,067

2009 discount amortization

          5,983,933
             
   $ 4,000,000    $ 7,000,000
             

 

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* Excludes accrued interest added to the principal.
** Original maturity date is June 1, 2008.
*** Maturity date is June 1, 2009

On May 30, 2008, the Company and Merrill Lynch agreed to amend the 2003 Note to extend the maturity date to July 31, 2008. The 2003 Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (the “2003 Note”) issued to Merrill Lynch LLC was amended to mature on July 31, 2008, all other terms and conditions apply. On July 31, 2008, Merrill Lynch LLC may opt to redeem the note together with the accrued interest and any unpaid interest. The Board of Directors in its May 26, 2008 meeting, after reviewing the financial condition of the company and in consideration of the maturity date, terms and conditions of the 2003 Note has delegated to the Audit Committee the negotiation with Merrill Lynch LLC regarding the extension of the 2003 Note to June 2009. The Audit Committee, being an independent body, in its subsequent meetings has reviewed the financial position of the company and in consideration of the general business environment, including the performance of the company’s share price, has proposed a term sheet which is currently under discussion. As of July 11, 2008, the Audit Committee and Merrill Lynch LLC have reached an agreement in principle for the extension (see Note 24).

12. Special Charges

Special charges pertain to impairment losses on property and equipment amounting to $683,989, $1,884,289 and $1,482,627 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively (see Note 7).

In 2005, impairment losses on property and equipment of PSi Chengdu amounting to $2,739,037 was recognized as part “Net loss from discontinued operations” line item in the 2005 consolidated statement of operations.

13. Income Tax

The components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Deferred tax assets—current:

     

Allowance for inventory losses

   $ 85,817    $ 91,401

Unrealized foreign exchange losses

     3,313      4,738

Accrual for retirement benefits

     5,343      2,514

Less valuation allowance

     94,473      98,653
             
   $ —      $ —  
             

Deferred tax assets—noncurrent:

     

NOLCO

   $ 995,194    $ 1,694,393

Impairment losses

     80,837      215,294

Depreciation recognized as a result from change in remaining useful life of certain machinery and equipment

     53,469      87,792

Other comprehensive loss adjustment for retirement benefits

     —        66,047

Accrual for retirement benefits

     50,989      39,926

Stock compensation cost

     11,798      20,603

Excess of rental under operating lease agreement computed on a straight-line basis over the amount based on lease agreements

     10,702      15,415

MCIT

     7,434      6,267
             
     1,210,426      2,145,737

Less valuation allowance

     1,210,426      2,145,737
             
   $ —      $ —  
             

Total deferred tax assets

   $ —      $ —  
             

There was no deferred tax liability recognized in 2007 and 2006.

 

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NOLCO can be claimed as deduction from taxable income subject to tax at 35% as follows:

 

Year Incurred

  

Expiry Date

   Amount

December 31, 2007

   December 31, 2010    $ 26,642

December 31, 2006

   December 31, 2009      1,039,291

December 31, 2005

   December 31, 2008      1,777,478
         
      $ 2,843,411
         

The NOLCO may be offset against any income from non-registered activities (see Note 14) while MCIT may only be carried forward and credited against any regular income tax due for the three immediately succeeding taxable periods.

In May 2004, the area within the FTI Complex where the facilities of PSi Technologies are located was declared as an export zone by the PEZA. As part of its tax planning strategy, PSi Technologies registered as a PEZA enterprise. All of its operations, which were previously entitled to Income Tax Holiday (ITH) incentive or subjected to 32% (increased to 35% effective November 1, 2005, with the enactment of Philippine Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9337, which amended certain provision of the Philippine Tax Code) income tax after expiration of the ITH incentive, shall be taxed at 5% of gross income in lieu of all taxes. Gross income, for purposes of computing the special tax due under Section 24, of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 7916 refers to gross sales or gross revenues derived from business activity within the Economic Zone (ECOZONE), net of sales discounts, sales returns and allowances and minus costs of sales or direct costs but before any deduction is made for administrative expenses or incidental losses during a given taxable period. The allowable deductions from gross income are specifically enumerated in the IRR. ITH incentives availed of in 2007 and 2006 amounted to Php 3.8 million ($83,185) and Php 3.4 million or $65,842, respectively. PSi Technologies did not avail of any tax incentives in 2005 and 2004. Consequently, certain deferred tax benefits shall no longer be deductible items of PSi Technologies. The deferred tax assets have been reduced to the extent that such will not be of benefit to PSi Technologies.

The Company’s revenues from continuing operations and loss before income tax and minority interests are generated from Philippine operations.

The reconciliation between the Philippine statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rates is as follows:

 

         2007             2006             2005      

Statutory income tax rates

   35 %   35 %   33 %

Income tax effects of:

      

Revenues and expenses covered by PEZA registration

   (31 )   (29 )   (12 )

Non-deductible expense

   (26 )   (16 )   (14 )

ITH incentives on registered activities

   11     7      

Write-off of NOLCO

            

Nontaxable losses from foreign operations

           (8 )

Losses of registered activities subject to ITH

           1  

Valuation allowance

   11     5     1  
                  

Effective income tax rates

   0 %       2 %       1 %
                  

14. Registrations with PEZA

PSi Technologies

 

   

PEZA Registration

On May 17, 2004, PSi Technologies was registered with PEZA under the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987 and RA No. 7916 “Special Economic Zone Act of 1995,” for the manufacture of semiconductor devices for export and importation of raw materials, machinery and equipment, and other materials used in manufacture of semiconductor devices at the Food Terminal Incorporated—Special Economic Zone (FTI-SEZ).

 

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As a PEZA registered entity, PSi Technologies is subject to a 5% tax on gross income less allowable deductions, as defined in RA No. 7916, as amended by RA No. 8748, in lieu of all national and local taxes, except real property tax on land leased by PSi Technologies in FTI-SEZ. The 5% tax on gross income shall be paid and remitted as follows:

 

  a. Three percent (3%) to the National Government; and

 

  b. Two percent (2%) to the treasurer’s office of the municipality or city where the enterprise is located.

Under the terms of its PEZA-registration, new expansion or additional projects under Supplemental Agreements with PEZA shall be entitled to all incentives granted to non-pioneer projects under R.A. No. 7916, as amended. The registered new and expansion projects are entitled to a four-year and three-year ITH, respectively. ITH incentives availed of in 2007 and 2006 amounted to Php 3.8 million or $83,185 ($0.006 per share) and Php 3.4 million or $65,842 ($0.005 per share), respectively. PSi Technologies did not avail of any tax incentives in 2005.

On October 27, 2004, the BOD of PEZA approved, through Resolution No. 04-359, the application of PSi Technologies for the registration of its new activity, particularly the manufacture of Powermite and QFN semiconductor products (New Activity). The New Activity shall be entitled to incentives granted to non-pioneer projects under RA No. 7916, as amended, as indicated in the Supplemental Agreement between the Company and PEZA executed on June 9, 2005.

On September 12, 2006, the BOD of PEZA approved, through Resolution No. 06-425, the application of PSi Technologies for the registration of its Expansion Project, which involves the increase in the production capacity of its manufacture of power semiconductor devices, particularly TO247, TO 251/TO252. The Expansion Project shall be entitled to incentives granted to Expansion Projects under RA No. 7916, as amended, as indicated in the Supplemental Agreement between the Company and PEZA executed on October 12, 2006.

PSi Laguna’s PEZA Registration

PSi Laguna is registered with the PEZA as a non-pioneer ECOZONE Export Enterprise for the manufacture, assembly and test of semiconductor devices (smart alphanumeric, rectifier devices and small signal transistor). The registration of PSi Laguna as a special ECOZONE Export Enterprise entitles PSi Laguna to, among others, the rights, privileges and incentives granted by the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 and RA No. 7916.

Under the terms of the PEZA registration, PSi Laguna is entitled to ITH incentives as follows:

 

Devices

   ITH Period

Triac devices

   January 2005 – January 2009

Rectifier devices

   July 2000 – July 2004

Small signal transistor

   December 2000 – November 2004

As a PEZA-registered entity, PSi Laguna is subject to a 5% tax on gross income less allowable deductions, as defined in RA No. 7916, as amended by RA No. 8748, in lieu of all national and local taxes, except real property tax on land leased by the PSi Laguna in ECOZONE, similar to those provisions discussed in a previous paragraph.

ITH incentives availed of in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $62,884 ($0.005 per share), $44,271 ($0.003 per share) and $26,346 ($0.002 per share), respectively. On January 27, 2005, PSi Laguna and PEZA signed a Supplemental Agreement in line with the application of PSi Laguna for the registration of its new activity, specifically, with respect to the manufacture of triac devices. Under the terms of the Supplemental Agreement, the Project shall be entitled to all incentives for non-pioneer projects under RA No. 7916. PSi Laguna started commercial operation of this Project on January 3, 2005.

15. Pension Benefit Plan

The Company has a defined pension benefit plan covering all of its officers and full-time employees in the Philippines. Pension costs are charged to operations and are based on amounts computed by an independent actuary.

 

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The Company adjusted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 and initially applied them to the funded status of our defined benefit postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006.

The components of net periodic pension cost for the defined benefit plan are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Service cost of current year

   $ 374,947     $ 231,456     $ 94,998  

Amortization of actuarial loss

     263,074       126,201       23,955  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     207,202       180,251       80,550  

Loss (gain) on curtailment/ settlement

     (138,881 )     —         211,613  

Expected return on plan assets

     (3,988 )     (2,893 )     (14,831 )

Amortization of transition obligation

     160       144       134  

Supplemental benefit payments from the Company

     —         —         40,689  
                        

Total pension expense

   $ 702,514     $ 535,159     $ 437,108  
                        

The following table sets forth the funded status and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets for the defined benefit retirement plan:

 

     2007     2006  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 3,205,064     $ 1,722,034  

Actuarial loss (gain)

     (2,191,731 )     903,182  

Service cost

     374,948       231,456  

Interest cost

     207,202       180,251  

Curtailment and settlement

     (120,147 )     —    

Benefit paid from plan assets

     (69,309 )     (31,942 )

Translation adjustment

     391,185       200,083  
                

Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 1,797,212     $ 3,205,064  
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 46,898     $ 39,859  

Actual contribution

     55,301       —    

Actual return on plan assets

     3,993       3,578  

Curtailment and settlement

     —         —    

Translation adjustment

     15,744       3,461  
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 121,936     $ 46,898  

Funded status

   $ (1,675,276 )   $ (3,158,166 )

Unamortized transition obligation

     2,977       2,845  

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

     (283,234 )     2,052,391  

Accumulated adjustment to pension liability

     280,257       (2,055,236 )
                

Accrued benefit costs

   $ 1,675,276     $ 3,158,166  
                

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ (1,630,780 )   $ (1,088,652 )
                

The current and noncurrent portions of the accrued retirement benefit costs are as follows:

 

     2007    2006

Current portion (included under “Trade and other payables” account)

   $ 200,000    $ 65,325

Noncurrent portion

     1,475,276      3,092,841
             
   $ 1,675,276    $ 3,158,166
             

 

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The following table sets forth the actual asset allocation and weighted-average target asset allocation for the Company’s pension plan assets:

 

     Target
Allocation
   Percentage of Plan Assets  
            2007             2006      

Debt instruments

   80% – 95%    96 %   83 %

Others

   5% – 20%    4     17  
               
          100 %       100 %
               

Asset allocation targets promote optimal expected return and volatility characteristics given the long-term time horizon for fulfilling the obligations of the pension plans. Selection of the targeted asset allocation for the Company’s plan assets was based upon a review of the expected return and risk characteristics of each asset class, as well as the correlation of returns among asset classes.

The Company’s plan assets are managed by third-party trustee consistent with regulations or market practice of the Philippines where the assets are invested. The investment manager makes investment decisions within the guidelines set by the Company which is generally to invest pension fund assets in fixed income debt securities. In determining the overall expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, due consideration was given to the historical performance of plan investments.

The Company expects to contribute approximately $200,000 to its pension plan in 2008. The significant assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefits obligations are as follows:

 

         2007             2006             2005      

Weighted average assumptions:

      

Discount rate

   10.3 %   6.1 %   10.1 %

Expected rate of return on plan assets

   6.0 %   8.0 %   7.0 %

Rate of compensation increase

   7.0 %   7.0 %   7.0 %

The table below presents the expected compulsory pension benefits of the Company to be paid out of the fund for the next ten years:

 

Year

   Amount

2008

   $ 57,534

2009

     75,676

2010

     94,583

2011

     103,527

2012

     116,749

2013 to 2017

     1,017,803

Amortization estimated to be included in 2008 net periodic pension cost amounted to $5,623.

The measurement date of the Company’s December 31, 2007 actuarial valuation is December 31, 2007.

The amounts of total pension liability adjustments included as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

 

         2007            2006      

Pension liability adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

   $ —      ($1,546,509 )

Additional pension liability adjustment

     2,335,493    (24,866 )
             

Total pension liability adjustments

     2,335,493    (1,571,375 )
             

 

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16. Stock Option (SO) Plan

The BOD has approved the following stock option grants for certain directors, officers and employees:

 

Date of Grant

   Exercise
Price
   Number of
Options Granted
  

Vesting Period

  

Exercise Period

February 22, 2000

   $ 13.30    627,100    certain number of shares annually for five (5) years from date of grant    3 years after the vesting date

June 16, 2000

     13.30    10,000    certain number of shares annually for five (5) years from date of grant    3 years after the vesting date

February 24, 2004

     3.25    121,000    certain number of shares annually for five (5) years from date of grant    3 years after the vesting date

July 15, 2005

     3.00    500,000    three (3) years with a lock-up period of two (2) years and can automatically vest upon a change in control in the Company    not applicable

On February 22, 2000, the Company’s stockholders approved the SO Plan. The shares which are the subject of the options under the SO Plan shall be the common shares of PSi Holdings. Under the SO Plan, the total number of shares of the Company that may be distributed shall not exceed 741,162 common shares, and participation shall be limited to certain directors, officers and employees. On the same date, 627,100 options were granted at an exercise price of $13.30 per share. Another 10,000 shares with the same terms as the initial award were granted on June 16, 2000 to include another officer. On February 24, 2004, 121,000 options were granted at an exercise price of $3.25 per share and with a fair value of $3.09 per option. On a calendar year basis, these options vest over five (5) years from the date of grant and will expire three years from the vesting date. On July 15, 2005, the Company granted a one-time 500,000 options to the new chief operating officer, which will vest in three (3) years with a lock-up period of two (2) years, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and with a fair value of $0.51 per option. Such stock option can automatically vest upon a change in control in PSi Holdings. Change in control is defined to include a merger or other business combination, sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets or sale of more than 50% of the Company’s common stock to the extent more than half of the Company’s publicly listed shares are sold in connection herewith.

On June 2, 2005, the Company amended the total number of shares of common stock that may be distributed under the plan to 1,241,162 common shares pursuant to a resolution adopted on that date in connection with the hiring of the then new chief operating officer.

The SO Plan is being administered by a committee (the “Committee”) who established the exercise price at the time any SO is granted at such amount as the Committee determines, except that such exercise price shall not be less than 90% of the fair market value which is defined as the latest available price of the underlying shares of common stock on the day such SO is granted.

The vesting period shall in no event be beyond 10 years from the date of grant of such SO. Each SO granted shall be exercisable within 3 years from the time the right to such SO becomes vested, unless the necessary approval for such extension is first secured from the Philippine SEC.

The purchase price of the shares as to which a Stock Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company at the time of exercise in cash or by such other means as the Committee determines. Upon receipt by the Company of

 

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the purchase price, stock certificate(s) for the shares of Common Stock as to which a Stock Option is exercised shall be delivered to the person in whose name the Stock Option is outstanding, in such manner as such person or such person’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be, may direct and is agreed to by the Committee. As soon as practicable after receipt of full payment, the Company shall deliver to the grantee one or more certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased, which certificates may bear such legends as the Company may deem appropriate concerning restrictions on the disposition of the shares in accordance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations or otherwise deem appropriate concerning restrictions on the disposition of the shares in accordance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations or otherwise.

Shares of common stock distributed under the SO Plan may be treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares. If any SO granted under SO Plan expires or terminates, the underlying shares of common stock may again be made the subject of grants under the SO Plan.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) beginning January 1, 2006. Prior to adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company applied the APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its SO plans.

The following table presents recognition (reversal) of stock compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of operations:

 

Year

   Amount  

2007

   ($ 123,012 )

2006

     159,013  

2005

     (82,068 )

The Company recognized a reversal of stock compensation expense amounting to $123,012 in 2007 and $82,068 in 2005 as a result of forfeitures of options of resigned employees. The stock compensation costs are included under “General and administrative” account in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of stock options at the date of grant. Expected volatilities are based on historical performance of the Company’s stock except for expected volatility of 2000 grants which was based on the stock volatility of a comparable listed company as the Company’s stock was listed only in March 2000. The expected term of the options is based on evaluations of the vesting and contractual terms, and employee demographics. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury bond rates plus the country spread (2%) for the Philippines.

The following assumptions were used to calculate the weighted average fair values of the options granted:

 

     2005    2004

Expected Volatility

   0.78%    1.07%

Risk free interest rate at date of grant

   3.1%    4.0%

Dividend yield

   0%    0%

Expected term

   4 years    4 to 8 years

 

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The following is a summary of option activity under the Plan as of December 31, 2006 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

    Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average Exercise
Price per Share
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(Years)
  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

  971,513     $ 7.41    

Granted

  —         —      

Exercised

  —             —      

Forfeited or expired

  (677,373 )   $ 5.62    
                     

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

  294,140     $ 11.18   1.0   $ 657,778
                     

Expected to vest at December 31, 2007

  22,800     $ 3.25   4.0         11,400
                     

Exercisable at December 31, 2007

  256,940     $ 12.33       —     $ 639,178
                     

The weighted-average grant date fair values of options granted during the years 2005 and 2004 were $0.79 and $3.25, respectively.

There were no options exercised in 2007, 2006 and 2005. The total fair value of shares vested was $0.16 million in 2006. In 2007 and 2005, there was a reversal of stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value amounting to $0.12 million and $0.08 million, respectively, as a result of forfeitures.

17. Discontinued Operations

On April 5, 2006, the BOD of PSi Technologies and PSi Mauritius through its subsidiary, PSi Chengdu, informed the Management Committee of the CHTZ of its decision to close the facility in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, PRC. PSi Chengdu ceased commercial operations on April 30, 2006. Liquidation procedures were completed on October 12, 2006. On January 24, 2007 and April 5, 2007, the State Tax Department and Chengdu Local Tax Department issued the respective tax clearances to PSi Chengdu. As of July 11, 2008, PSi Chengdu is still waiting for the issuance of a customs clearance by the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Customs for a remaining piece of equipment, which has been sold, as part of the process of completing the final requirements for dissolution.

A summary of the results from discontinued operations is as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31
 
     2006     2005  

Net sales

   $ 2,354,739     $ 7,473,187  

Gross profit (loss)

     129,030       (202,137 )

Operating loss from discontinued operations

     (861,551 )     (4,854,268 )

Other income (expense)

     76,690       (21,693 )

Net loss from discontinued operations

     (784,861 )     (4,875,961 )

18. Related Party Transactions

In 2003 and 2005, PSi Technologies issued a $4.0 million and $7.0 million Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note payable to Merrill Lynch, a major stockholder of the Company, due in 2008 and 2009, respectively (see Note 11). On May 30, 2008, the Company and Merrill Lynch agreed to amend the 2003 Note to extend the maturity date to July 31, 2008.

 

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19. Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases certain of its office spaces and warehouse until 2020 and land until 2008. The leases are renewable at the end of the respective lease terms under such terms and conditions the parties may mutually agreed upon.

The following is a schedule of future annual minimum rental payments [converted at (Peso)41.28 for Philippine Pesos to $1, the prevailing exchange rate as of December 31, 2007] as of December 31, 2007:

 

Year

   Amount

2008

   $ 744,720

2009

     674,941

2010

     711,099

2011

     749,307

2012

     789,690

After 2013

     5,969,314
      
   $ 9,639,071
      

Rent expense amounted to $1,099,577, $1,017,864 and $1,077,460, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

20. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by the Company using available market information and standard discounting methodologies. However, considerable judgment was required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates for fair value. Accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. Certain of these financial instruments are with major financial institutions and expose the Company to market and credit risks and may at times be concentrated with certain counterparties or group of counterparties. The credit worthiness of counterparties is continually reviewed, and full performance is anticipated.

The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of significant classes of financial instruments are as follows:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Trade and Other Receivables and Trade and Other Payables

The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.

Short-term Borrowings (Loans Payable and Trust Receipts Payable)

Short-term borrowings bear interest at variable rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar borrowings. The carrying amount of short-term borrowings is a reasonable estimate of the fair value.

Exchangeable Notes

The fair value of the Exchangeable Notes of $11.5 million is based on the present value of future cash flows discounted using 8.38%.

21. Reporting Segment

SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” requires that a public business enterprise report financial and descriptive information about its reportable segments. Operating

 

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segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Generally, financial information is required to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments.

The Company is primarily engaged in one industry segment, semiconductor assembly and test services. Revenues summarized by geographic region (by customer domicile), are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Asia

   4.4 %   3.0 %   5.1 %

United States

   18.6 %   22.4 %   25.2 %

Europe

   77.0 %   74.6 %   69.7 %
                  
   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
                  

The Company’s top five customers, as a percentage of its total revenues (including revenues generated from discontinued operations), are as follows:

 

Year

   Percentage to
Total Revenue
 

2007

  

Infineon Technologies, Inc. (Infineon)

   48.96 %

ST Microelectronics, Inc. (ST Microelectronics)

   22.20 %

Semiconductor Components Industries, Ltd. (Semiconductor Components)

   11.92 %

NXP Semiconductors Philippines, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

   7.85 %

Power Integration, Inc. (Power Integration)

   3.46 %

2006

  

Infineon

   47.70 %

ST Microelectronics

   17.77 %

Semiconductor Components

   13.78 %

NXP Semiconductors

   8.14 %

Power Integration

   3.62 %

2005

  

Infineon

   34.51 %

NXP Semiconductors

   17.34 %

ST Microelectronics

   16.18 %

Semiconductor Components

   13.56 %

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   5.00 %

As a result of such concentration of the customer base, loss or cancellation of business from, or significant changes in scheduled deliveries or decreases in the prices of products sold to, any of these customers could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

22. Computation of Loss Per Share

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Net loss

   ($9,713,785 )   ($11,601,050 )   ($19,749,547 )

Adjusted weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding during the year

   13,289,525     13,289,525     13,289,525  
                  

Loss per share

   ($0.73 )   ($0.87 )   ($1.49 )
                  

 

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The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock that were excluded from diluted EPS, because the effect of including these potential shares was anti-dilutive:

 

     2007    2006    2005

Stock options

   256,940    565,860    472,347

$4.0 million exchangeable senior subordinated note (2003 Note)

   5,011,722    4,545,779    4,123,156

$7.0 million exchangeable senior subordinated note (2005 Note)

   11,257,424    10,210,815    9,261,510
              

Total potentially dilutive shares

   16,526,086    15,322,454    13,857,013
              

23. Contingencies

 

  a. In September 2001, two substantially identical class action complaints alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed in the United States District Court of Southern District of New York naming as defendants, in aggregate, PSi Holdings, certain of its current or former officers and directors, and certain underwriters to its Initial Public Offering (IPO). Similar complaints have been filed against over 300 other issuers that have had IPOs since 1998 and all such actions have been included in a single coordinated proceeding. The complaints alleged that the prospectus and the registration statement for the IPO failed to disclose that the underwriters allegedly solicited and received “excessive” commission from investors and that some investors in the IPO allegedly agreed with the underwriters to buy additional shares in the aftermarket in order to inflate the price of the Company’s stock. An amended complaint was filed on April 19, 2002. The Company and its officers and directors identified were named in the suits pursuant to Section 11 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934, and other related provisions. The complaint sought unspecified damages, attorney and expert fees and other unspecified litigation costs.

On July 1, 2002, the underwriter defendants in the consolidated actions moved to dismiss all of the IPO litigations, including the action involving the Company. On July 15, 2002, the Company, along with other non-underwriter defendants in the coordinated cases, also moved to dismiss the litigation. On February 19, 2003, the court ruled on the motions. The court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the claims against it under Rule 10b-5, due to insufficiency of the allegations against the Company. The court also granted the motion of the individual defendants to dismiss the claims against them under Section 10b-5 and Section 20 of the Exchange Act. The motions to dismiss the claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act were denied as to virtually all of the defendants in the consolidated cases, including the Company.

In June 2003, a proposed settlement of this litigation was structured between the plaintiffs, the issuer defendants in the consolidated actions, the issuer officers and directors named as defendants, and the issuers’ insurance companies. On or about July 22, 2003, a committee of the Company’s BOD conditionally approved the proposed partial settlement. The settlement would provide, among other things, a release of the Company and of individual defendants for the conduct alleged to be wrongful in the amended complaint. The Company would agree to undertake other responsibilities under the partial settlement, including agreeing to assign away, not assert or release certain potential claims the Company may have against its underwriters. Any direct financial impact of the proposed settlement is expected to be borne by the Company’s insurance carriers.

In June 2004, an agreement of settlement was submitted to the court for preliminary approval. The court requested that any objections to preliminary approval of the settlement be submitted by July 14, 2004 and the underwriter defendants formally objected to the settlement. The plaintiff and issuer defendants separately filed replies to the underwriter defendants’ objections to the settlement on August 4, 2004. The court granted the preliminary approval motion on February 15, 2005, subject to certain modifications. On August 31, 2005, the court issued a preliminary order further approving the

 

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modifications to the settlement and certifying the settlement cases. The court also appointed the Notice Administrator for the settlement and ordered that notice of the settlement be distributed to all settlement class members beginning on November 15, 2005. The settlement fairness hearing was held on April 24, 2006, and the court reserved decision. If the court determines that the settlement is fair to the class members, the settlement will be approved. There can be no assurance that this proposed settlement would be approved and implemented in its current form, or at all.

On December 5, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the “Second Circuit”) issued an opinion vacating the District Court’s certification of a litigation class in that portion of the case between the Plaintiffs and the underwriter’s defendants. Because the Second Circuit’s opinion was directed to the class certified by the District Court for the Plaintiffs’ litigation against the underwriter defendants, the opinion’s effect on the class certified by the District Court for the Company’s settlement is unclear. On January 5, 2007, Plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing en banc by the Second Circuit.

On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs petition for a rehearing of that decision, and on May 18, 2007, the Second Circuit denied the plaintiffs’ position for rehearing en banc. In light of the Second Circuit opinion, liaison counsel for all issuer defendants, including the Company, informed the court that this settlement cannot be approved, because the defined settlement class, like the litigation class, cannot be certified. On June 25, 2007, the District Court entered an order terminating the settlement agreement. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed their second consolidated amended class action complaints against the focus cases and on September 27, 2007, again moved for class certification. On November 12, 2007, certain of the defendants in the focus cases moved to dismiss the second consolidated amended class action complaints, and briefing on those motions was completed in May 2008.

As of December 31, 2007, management has assessed that the liability associated with this class action lawsuit is reasonably possible and therefore has made a disclosure on the matter, consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies.” Due to inherent uncertainties of litigation, the Company cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter.

 

  b. On November 19, 2003, PSi Technologies filed an injunction complaint against Meralco to enjoin it from disconnecting its supply of electric service on account of a billing differential in the amount of PhP 21.2 million reckoned from April 1, 1998 to July 12, 2002. The billing differential came about from a defective meter installation by Meralco. Claiming negligence on the part of Meralco, the Company refused to pay the full amount and offered settlement of PhP 2.0 million. Meralco insisted on full payment, hence the filing of the complaint. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of the proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s overall financial position and results of operations. As of July 11, 2008, the case is pending pre-trial after referral of the case for mediation proved fruitless.

24. Subsequent Events

 

  a. As discussed in Note 1, on January 31, 2008, the Company received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency letter indicating that the Company fails to comply with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4320(e)(2)(E)(i). The Company will be provided 180 calendar days, or until July 29, 2008, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per ADS of the Company for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If the minimum bid price requirement is not met by July 29, 2008, Nasdaq Staff will provide the Company with an additional 180 calendar day compliance period only if the Company meets certain listing criteria.

 

  b. As discussed in Note 9, on May 16, 2008, the BOD of PVB after completing the annual review of the Company’s existing $3.0 million credit facility, approved the increase in the limit for the letter of credit from $450,000 to $1.5 million.

 

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  c. As discussed in Note 11, on May 30, 2008, the Company and Merrill Lynch agreed to amend the 2003 Note to extend the maturity date to July 31, 2008. The Company has an outstanding $4.0 million Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Note (2003 Note) maturing on June 1, 2008. The 2003 Note, with a net carrying amount of $4,816,349 as of December 31, 2007, is payable to Merrill Lynch, a major stockholder of the Company. On May 30, 2008, the Company and Merrill Lynch agreed to amend the 2003 Note to extend the maturity date up to July 31, 2008. As of July 11, 2008, there has been an agreement in principle for the extension of the maturity date of the 2003 Note to June 1, 2009.

 

  d. As discussed in Note 10, advances from a customer amounting to $466,503 were fully settled on February 29, 2008.

25. Other Matters

 

  a. Shipping and handling costs incurred in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $51,413, $62,186 and $510,573, respectively.

 

  b. Advertising expense incurred in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $15,352, $16,114 and $21,067, respectively.

 

  c. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has no outstanding letters of credit.

 

  d. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has unused facility with RZB and PVB which includes credit and trust receipt facility amounting to $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

 

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