SkyWater(US:SKYT)2025-02-26 17:52Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q4 2024 reached $75 million, exceeding guidance, with tools revenue of $12 million and combined ATS and Wafer Services revenue of $64 million [11][38] - Full year revenues totaled a record $342 million, up 19% from fiscal 2023 [12] - Reported gross margin for Q4 was nearly 27%, contributing to a positive EPS of $0.04 for the quarter and $0.06 for the full year [12][45] - Full year gross margin was 21%, compared to 22% in 2023, with combined ATS and Wafer Services gross margin increasing from 22.5% in 2023 to 25.8% in 2024 [42][43] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - ATS business experienced a strong 13% revenue growth compared to 2023, while Wafer Services revenue declined significantly due to weakness in automotive and industrial segments [13] - Advanced compute was the second largest end market, with over 90% of revenues related to quantum computing technologies [14] - Tools revenue reached a record $77 million in 2024, reflecting unprecedented customer-funded CapEx investments [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The aerospace and defense sector showed significant strength in 2024, driving the majority of ATS revenue growth [13] - The automotive market saw a decline in revenue, while the BioHealth sector experienced growth [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Infineon's Fab 25 in Austin is a strategic move to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and become a leading pure-play domestic foundry service provider for foundational semiconductors [8][9] - The acquisition is expected to contribute approximately $300 million in annual Wafer Services revenue and balance the revenue mix between ATS and Wafer Services [29][32] - The company aims to transition Fab 25 to a customer-driven foundry model, enhancing service offerings and expanding the total addressable market by over $3 billion [32][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed a conservative outlook for 2025 due to ongoing budget negotiations and expected timing of program allocations, forecasting combined ATS and Wafer Services revenue growth of approximately 5% [25][101] - The company anticipates a significant rebound in ATS revenues in Q2 2025, with continued growth expected in the second half of the year [26][49] - Management highlighted the importance of the CHIPS Act funding as an accelerant for growth plans [16] Other Important Information - The company plans to hold a Capital Markets Day post-acquisition to provide more details on the financial benefits and long-term strategic vision for Fab 25 [37] - The acquisition structure is capital efficient, with an $80 million purchase price and a strong adjusted EBITDA expected from the transaction [30][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on Fab 25's gross profit contribution - Management confirmed that the initial supply agreement with Infineon is to provide products at current output levels, with plans to diversify over time [62][63] Question: Customer revenue profile post-acquisition - Infineon is expected to become the largest customer, enhancing the strategic partnership [64][65] Question: Back-end processing for Fab 25 - Currently done with traditional OSATs, but opportunities exist for future capabilities in Florida [66][68] Question: Quantum computing revenue percentage - Quantum computing accounted for about 10% of revenues in Q4 2024 [70] Question: Mix between ATS and Wafer Services in the future - Management expects a more balanced mix, with wafer services likely to increase due to the Fab 25 acquisition [78][82] Question: Supply agreement details and capacity fungibility - The supply agreement includes take-or-pay contracts, and there is potential to backfill capacity if needed [88][90] Question: Gross margin sustainability - The strong gross margin in Q4 was driven by a combination of ATS business mix and cost deferrals, but not expected to repeat at the same levels [92][93] Question: Yearly outlook adjustments based on defense budgets - Management is taking a conservative approach due to uncertainties in budget allocations, but remains confident in the critical programs [101] Question: Efficiencies and excess capacity from Fab 25 - Transitioning from IDM to foundry is expected to drive efficiencies and allow for new customer engagements [105]