UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
OR
For the fiscal year ended
OR
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Commission File number:
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter and translation of registrant’s name into English)
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(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: 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:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
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 ☐
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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☐ Accelerated filer |
☐ Non-accelerated filer |
☐ Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Yes
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐ |
Other ☐ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐
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
2
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 20-F includes certain “forward-looking”
statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The use of the words “projects,” “expects,”
“may,” “plans” or “intends,” or words of similar import, identifies a statement as “forward-looking”.
There can be no assurance, however, that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations or projections. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ from our expectations or projections include the risks and uncertainties relating to our business
described in this annual report in “Item 3. Key Information-D. Risk Factors”.
We remind readers that forward-looking statements are merely predictions
and therefore inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors and involve known and unknown risks that relate to the Merger Agreement
(as defined below) or that could cause the actual results, including revenues from agreements we signed, expansion of our operations,
performance, levels of activity, our achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, plans to expand
our operations, plans to develop and release new products, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results,
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional information about potential risks that relate to the Merger Agreement
that could affect our business and financial results is included in the proxy statement on Form 6-K that we furnished to the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 11, 2022 and in this annual report in “Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors.”
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EXPLANATORY INFORMATION
In this annual report, “Tower” refers to Tower Semiconductor
Ltd., an Israeli company, and “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” and words of similar
import, refer collectively to Tower and its then owned and/or consolidated subsidiaries.
All references herein to “dollars”, “US dollars,”
“USD” or “$” are to United States dollars, all references to “JPY” are to the Japanese Yen and all
references to “Shekels” or “NIS” are to New Israeli Shekels. “U.S. GAAP” means the generally accepted
accounting principles of the United States. Unless otherwise stated, all of our financial information presented in this annual report
has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
In 2008, we completed a merger with Jazz Technologies, Inc. (“Jazz
Technologies”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. (“Jazz Semiconductor”), an independent semiconductor
foundry focused on specialty process technologies for the manufacture of analog intensive mixed-signal semiconductor devices. As a result
of this transaction, Jazz Technologies became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tower. In November 2015, Jazz Technologies (i) was re-named
to become Tower US Holdings Inc. (“Tower US Holdings”) and (ii) transferred all of its liabilities and all of its assets,
including its ownership of all of the shares of Jazz Semiconductor to Jazz US Holdings Inc. (“Jazz US Holdings”), a company
registered under the laws of Delaware and fully owned by Tower US Holdings (the “November 2015 Jazz Restructure”). The November
2015 Jazz Restructure established Jazz US Holdings as an intermediate holding company, holding all of the shares of Jazz Semiconductor.
Tower US Holdings remains 100% owned by Tower. In March 2020, the company name of Jazz Semiconductor was changed to Tower Semiconductor
Newport Beach, Inc. (“NPB Co.”) and the name of Jazz US Holdings was changed to Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc. As
used in this annual report, “Tower NPB” refers to Jazz Technologies, including its subsidiaries, for the period preceding
November 23, 2015, and to Jazz US Holdings or Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc., under its new name, including its subsidiaries,
following such date.
3
In March 2014, we acquired a 51% equity stake in TowerJazz Panasonic
Semiconductor Co., Ltd., (“TPSCo”), a company formed by Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic” or “Panasonic
Corporation”), holding three manufacturing facilities in Japan. In June 2014, Panasonic transferred its shares and assigned its
rights and obligations in TPSCo to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. (“PSCS”). In July
2020, TPSCo changed its name to Tower Partners Semiconductor Co., Ltd. In September 2020, Panasonic sold its shares in PSCS to Nuvoton
Technology Corp. (“Nuvoton”), a Taiwan-based semiconductor company, which is majority-owned by Winbond Electronics Corporation,
a Taiwan-based specialty memory integrated circuits company. Following the sale, the registered name of PSCS changed to Nuvoton Technology
Corporation Japan (“NTCJ”).
In February 2016, we acquired a fabrication facility in San Antonio,
Texas, from Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (“Maxim”). The assets and related business that we acquired from Maxim are held
and conducted through an indirect wholly-owned US subsidiary, TowerJazz Texas Inc., which is fully owned by Tower US Holdings. In March
2020, the company name of TowerJazz Texas Inc. was changed to Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc. (“Tower SA”).
We
entered into a definitive agreement with ST Microelectronics S.r.l (“ST”) effective
as of September 14, 2021 to share a 300mm manufacturing fabrication facility in Agrate, Italy under a collaborative arrangement,
following which Tower Semiconductor Italy S.r.l. (“TSIT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tower, was incorporated. The fabrication
facility is currently under construction by ST. The parties will share the cleanroom space and the facility infrastructure, and TSIT will
install equipment in one-third of the total space, which are expected to be qualified and used to manufacture products for its foundry
customers.
On February 15, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), with Intel FS Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
Steel Titanium 2022 Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of Israel and a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger
Sub”), and Intel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Intel”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into
the Company (and Merger Sub will cease to exist as a separate legal entity), and the Company will be the surviving company and will become
a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Parent and a subsidiary of Intel (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the Company
will cease to be a publicly traded company and all outstanding ordinary shares, par value NIS 15.00 per share, of the Company (each a
“Company Share”) (except for any Company Shares owned by the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect
subsidiaries or held in the Company’s treasury (which will remain outstanding and no Merger Consideration (as defined below) or
any other consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor)) will be deemed to be transferred to Parent in exchange for the right
to receive $53.00 per Company Share in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (the “Merger Consideration”).
Our board of directors unanimously approved the Merger and the
Merger Agreement. On February 17, 2022, we called for an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “EGM”) to approve
the Merger Agreement, the Merger and all other transactions and arrangements contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”).
On April 25, 2022, we held the EGM at which our shareholders approved the Merger Agreement and all transactions and arrangements contemplated
under the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and the Merger Consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company in the
Merger.
Unless indicated otherwise by the context, the discussion in this
annual report regarding our future business plans and activities does not take into account the effect of the consummation of the Merger,
which is expected during the first quarter of 2023. However, the exact timing of completion of the Merger cannot be predicted because
the Merger is subject to the closing conditions specified in the Merger Agreement, many of which are outside of our control.
4
For further information on the Merger Agreement
and its conditions as well as on the EGM, see our reports on Form 6-Ks, including our Proxy Statement on Form 6-K (the “Merger Proxy
Statement,” and together, the “Merger-Related Materials”) filed with or furnished to the SEC on February 16, 2022, February
17, 2022, March 11, 2022 and April 25, 2022, respectively.
The consolidated financial statements included in this annual report
include the results and balances of Tower and its following subsidiaries: (i) its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary Tower NPB, (ii) its
majority-owned subsidiary TPSCo (iii) its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary Tower SA and (iv) its wholly-owned subsidiary TSIT.
As used in this annual report: “Fab 1” means the semiconductor
fabrication facility located in Migdal Haemek, Israel that Tower acquired from National Semiconductor, Inc. (“National Semiconductor”)
in 1993. “Fab 2” means the semiconductor fabrication facility located in Migdal Haemek, Israel that Tower established in 2003.
“Fab 3” means the semiconductor fabrication facility NPB Co. operates in Newport Beach, California. “Arai E” means
the semiconductor fabrication facility TPSCo operates in Kurihara 4-5-1, Myoko-shi, Niigata, Japan. “Uozu E” means the semiconductor
fabrication facility TPSCo operates in Higashiyama 800, Uozu-shi, Toyama, Japan. “Tonami CD” means the semiconductor fabrication
facilities TPSCo operates in Higashi-Kaihotsu 271, Tonami-shi, Toyama, Japan. “Fab 9” means the semiconductor fabrication
facility Tower SA operates in San Antonio, Texas.
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Manufacturing or production capacity refers to installed equipment
capacity in our facilities and is a function of the process technology and product mix being manufactured, because certain processes require
more processing steps than others. All information herein with respect to the wafer capacity of our manufacturing facilities is based
upon our estimate of the effectiveness of the manufacturing equipment and processes in use or expected to be in use during a period and
the estimated or expected process technology and product mix for such period. Unless otherwise specifically stated, all references herein
to “wafers” with respect to Fab 1 capacity are to 150-mm wafers, with respect to Fab 2, Fab 3, Arai E, Tonami CD and Fab 9
capacity are to 200-mm wafers, and with respect to Uozu E are to 300-mm wafers, ranging from 45 nanometers to 1 micron for the manufacture
of products using CMOS and analog-based technologies.
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TPSCO® and TPSCo® (and design) are registered trademarks
of TPSCo in the U.S. and Japan.
5
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6
PART
I
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM
3. KEY INFORMATION
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A. |
[RESERVED.] |
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B. |
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
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Not applicable.
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C. |
REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND
USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
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D. |
RISK FACTORS |
Our business faces many risks. Any of the risks discussed below,
including the Merger, may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.
RISKS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS
Over-demand for our foundry services and/or products may result
in bottlenecks in production lines and a loss of customers and revenues, which may adversely affect our profitability and business.
In periods during which demand for our foundry services exceeds
our capacity and manufacturing capabilities, as we currently face, we may (i) be unable to fulfill customer demand in whole or in part,
in a timely manner or at all; (ii) be unable to assure production of customers’ next generation products; (iii) experience bottlenecks
in production lines, which may cause the fabrication facility to slow down and/or halt operations; (iv) be unable to provide additional
capacity from any of our worldwide facilities through transfer of process technologies, successful implementation and timely qualification;
and/or (iv) be unable to ramp timely and successfully the manufacturing capacity in the fab being established by ST in Italy due to delays
in supply of equipment and/ or parts by vendors, delays in technology and/ or new products’ qualifications and/or delays in
equipment installation and qualification schedule. As a result, we could lose one or more of our current and/or potential customers, which
may adversely affect our reputation, revenues, profitability and business.
Reliance on acquisitions and/or gaining additional capacity for
growth involves risks that may adversely affect our future revenues, business and operating results.
We may decide to try to attract new customers and expand the existing
business with current customers and/ or new served markets by expanding our manufacturing footprint and business through acquisitions
and joint ventures, as we have done in the past, and/or through obtaining access to additional manufacturing capacity, with or without
third-party collaboration. Our success at such expansion is dependent, in part, on finding suitable partners and targets for acquisitions,
successfully negotiating with the seller and/ or partner a reasonable price for the acquisition or engagement, successfully financing
and consummating such expansion plans, integrating the acquired facilities into our business efficiently and effectively to achieve desired
synergies and anticipated benefits, and loading the facilities in an amount that may at least cover their operating and other costs. We
cannot assure you that we will be successful in executing this business strategy or that we will succeed to increase our market presence
and attract new customers and business and/or expand business with our current customers through that strategy, in order to operate any
such acquired capacity profitably.
7
This strategy involves many risks, each of which may negatively
affect our profitability and financial position, including the following:
| • |
Other foundries may bid against us to acquire potential targets. This competition may result in decreased availability of, or increased
prices for, suitable acquisition candidates; |
| • |
We may not be able to obtain the necessary regulatory or other approvals, and as a result, or for other reasons, we may fail to consummate
certain acquisitions; |
| • |
Potential acquisitions and execution of an expansion plan may require the dedication of substantial management effort, time and resources
which may divert management from our existing business operations or other strategic opportunities; |
| • |
We may not be able to retain experienced management and skilled employees from the businesses we acquire and, if we cannot retain
such personnel, we may not be able to attract new skilled employees and experienced management to replace them; |
| • |
We may purchase a company with excessive unknown contingent liabilities and/ or a cost structure that is not as beneficial as anticipated
from the preliminary evaluation or that includes high cost that may result in losses incurred by us if we do not succeed in maintaining
high manufacturing levels to cover its cost; |
| • |
We may not be able to obtain sufficient financing which could limit our ability to engage in certain acquisitions and strategic engagements;
and |
| • |
The amount or terms of financing actually required before and after acquisition may vary from our expectations, resulting in a need
for more funding that may not be available to us in order to finance the acquisition, the operations of the target acquisition and/or
the acquisition of additional equipment that may be required to increase and/or adjust the target’s manufacturing line to address
our customer demand and specific technology flows, which may adversely affect our liquidity and balance sheet position. |
We may experience difficulty achieving acceptable device yields,
product performance and delivery times in the future as a result of manufacturing problems.
The process technology for the manufacture of semiconductor wafers
is highly complex, requires advanced and costly equipment and is constantly being modified in an effort to improve device yields, product
performance and delivery times. Microscopic impurities such as dust and other contaminants, difficulties in the production process, defects
in the key materials and tools used to manufacture wafers and other factors can cause wafers to be rejected or individual semiconductors
on specific wafers to be non-functional. Although we continuously enhance our manufacturing capabilities and efficiency, from time to
time we have experienced production difficulties that have caused delivery delays and quality control problems. Manufacturing issues we
may face include difficulties in upgrading or expanding existing facilities; unexpected breakdowns in our manufacturing equipment and/or
related facility systems; unexpected events, such as an electricity outage, affecting the manufacturing process; difficulties in changing
or upgrading our process technologies; raw material shortages or impurities; delays in delivery or shortages of spare parts; and difficulties
in maintenance and upgrade of our equipment. Should such problems occur to a material degree, we may suffer loss of income, loss of reputation
and/or a loss of customers, any of which may adversely impact our business, revenues, financial results and financial condition.
8
Demand for our foundry services is dependent on the demand in our
customers’ end markets, which are typically cyclical and volatile.
Our customers generally use the semiconductors produced in our
fabrication facilities in a wide variety of applications. We derive a significant percentage of our operating revenues from customers
who use our manufacturing services to make semiconductors for communication devices, consumer electronics, PCs and other electronic devices.
Any significant decrease in the demand for these electronic devices or products may decrease the demand for our services and products.
In addition, if the average selling prices of communication devices, consumer electronics, PCs or other electronic devices decline significantly,
we may be pressured to reduce our selling prices, which may reduce our revenues and margins significantly. As demonstrated in the past
by downturns in demand for high technology products, market conditions can change rapidly, without warning or advance notice. In such
instances, our customers may experience inventory buildup and/or difficulties in selling their products and, in turn, may reduce or cancel
orders for wafers from us, which may harm our business and profitability. The timing, severity and recovery of these downturns cannot
be predicted.
Because our services may be used in many new applications, it is
difficult to accurately forecast demand for all markets. If demand is lower than expected, we may have excess capacity and our revenue
may not be sufficient to cover all our costs and serve all our debt, which may adversely affect our financial results and financial position.
If we do not maintain and develop our technology processes and services,
we may lose customers and may be unable to attract new ones.
The semiconductor market is characterized by rapid change, including
rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards, changes in customer and product end user requirements, frequent new product
introductions and enhancements, and short product life cycles with declining prices as products mature. Our ability to maintain our current
customer base and attract new customers is dependent in part on our ability to continuously develop and produce advanced specialized manufacturing
process technologies and purchase the appropriate equipment. If we are unable to successfully develop and produce these processes in a
timely manner or at all, or if we are unable to purchase the appropriate equipment required for such processes, we may be unable to maintain
our current customer base and may be unable to attract new customers.
The semiconductor foundry business is highly competitive and our
competitors may have competitive advantages over us.
Many of our competitors may have one or more of the following competitive
advantages over us: greater manufacturing capacity and/or availability of same; a more diverse and established customer base; greater
financial, sales, marketing, distribution and other resources; governmental funding or support; better cost structure; and/or better operational
performance, including cycle time and yields. If we do not compete successfully, our business and financial results may be adversely affected.
We compete most directly in specialty segments with certain independent
dedicated foundries. We also compete with pure play advanced technology node driven foundry service providers, as they each have some
capacity for specialty process technologies, and with integrated device manufacturers, or IDMs, that allocate a portion of their manufacturing
capacity to foundry operations. As our competitors continue to expand their manufacturing capacity, there could be an increase in specialty
semiconductor capacity. As specialty capacity increases, there may be more competition and pricing pressure on our services, which may
result in underutilization of our capacity, decrease of our profit margins, reduced earnings or increased losses.
9
In addition, some semiconductor companies have advanced their complementary
metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) designs to smaller than 10 nanometer process geometries. These smaller process geometries
may provide customers with performance and integration features that may be comparable to, or exceed, features offered by our specialty
process technologies. The smaller process geometries may also be more cost-effective at higher production volumes for certain applications.
We are not currently capable, and do not currently plan to become capable, of providing CMOS processes at these smaller process geometries.
If our potential or existing customers choose to design their products in a manner whereby the percentage of digital content in specialty
designs increases significantly and requires these advanced CMOS processes, our business may be negatively impacted.
If we are unable to successfully locate and negotiate with third-party
buyers for the sale of any excess and/or unused equipment and/or manufacturing facility, our financial results may be harmed.
From time to time, we may decide to stop developing certain product
technology lines or wind down or cease manufacturing at a fabrication facility due to company strategy, low margins, low utilization or
low customer demand. This results in unused equipment that no longer supports our customers’ needs and may be sold to third-party
buyers. We also have obsolete or unutilized equipment from time to time which we may sell. If we are unable to successfully locate and
negotiate with potential buyers and sell the excess equipment and/ or manufacturing facility in a timely manner for satisfactory consideration,
we may be unable to cover our fixed and other costs associated with such decision, which may have a negative effect on our financial results.
Our financial results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, making
it difficult to predict our future performance.
Our revenues, expenses and operating results may fluctuate significantly
from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others: the cyclical
nature of the semiconductor industry and the volatility of the markets served by our customers; changes in the economic conditions of
geographical regions where our customers and their markets are located; our ability to conclude and materialize business development and
acquisition transactions for capacity expansion; inventory and supply chain management of our customers; the loss of a key customer, not
attracting new designs from key customers, postponement of an order from a key customer or the rescheduling or cancellation of large orders;
the occurrence of accounts receivable write-offs, failure of a key customer to pay accounts receivable in a timely manner, the financial
condition of certain of our customers and the regulatory or other payment difficulties that may be imposed in a region in which customers
reside; the occurrence of an unexpected event, such as environmental events, an epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19), industrial accidents
such as fire or explosions, electricity outage, affecting the manufacturing process and shipping quality products without charging
our customers significant additional costs; completing capacity expansions and recruitment of personnel in a timely manner to
address product demands by our customers; mergers and acquisitions in the semiconductor industry and their effect on our market share;
our ability to satisfy our customers’ demand for quality and timely production; the timing and volume of orders from customers;
our ability to obtain raw materials and equipment on a timely and cost-effective basis; price erosion in the industry and our ability
to negotiate prices with our current and new customers; our susceptibility to intellectual property rights’ disputes; our dependency
on export licenses and other permits required for our operations and the sale of our products; our ability to maintain existing partners
and to enter into new partnerships and technology and supply alliances on mutually beneficial terms; interest, price index and currency
rate fluctuations that were not hedged; technological changes and short product life cycles; timing for the design and qualification of
new products; and changes in accounting rules affecting our results.
Due to these factors and risks, it is difficult to predict our
future performance and any fluctuations in future performance from expectations may ultimately negatively affect our operating results
and financial position.
10
We may be required to obtain financing for strategic
and/ or other opportunities, which we may not be able to obtain.
In order to invest in strategic opportunities in support of our
acquisition and capacity growth plans and/or business development activities, or a joint partnership or another large transaction to expand
our capacity, including the funding of the equipment for the fab being established by ST in Agrate, Italy, we may use our current cash
balance, deposits and/or investments in marketable securities or may be required to secure additional funds from financing sources, including
through public or private offerings of equity and/or debt and/or re-financing or other financing alternatives. In May 2020, we filed a
shelf registration statement with the Israel Securities Authority, following the expiration of our previously filed 2016 shelf, which
provides us with a platform for future public fundraisings in Israel, in which case we would publish a supplemental shelf takedown report
containing specific information about the terms of any such transaction. The timing, terms, size and pricing of any future fundraising
would be subject to the then-prevailing capital market conditions and our business and financial situation. There is no assurance that
we will be able to obtain sufficient funding, if at all, from these financing sources or other sources in a timely manner (or on commercially
reasonable terms) for said purposes and there is no assurance we will get the required approvals to execute the fundraising activities
that will result in successful financing, which may adversely affect our financial position and operations.
If we do not maintain our current key customers, and/or do not attract
new key customers, our business and profitability may be adversely affected.
Loss or cancellation of business from, or decreases in the sales
volume or sales prices to, our significant customers, or our failure to replace lost business with new customers, may seriously harm our
financial results, revenues and business. We have relationships with several customers that represent a material portion of our revenues.
In 2021, 21% of our revenues were generated from NTCJ), 33% of our revenues were derived from an additional five customers each of which
generated between 4% to 13% of our revenues, and the remaining 46% of our revenues were derived from many other smaller customers, as
compared to 25%, 35% and 40%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. While we are negotiating with NTCJ the terms of our
commercial agreements that are otherwise in effect until June 2022, there is no assurance as to the financial impact of the revised terms
that will be agreed for the period commencing the third quarter of 2022. The loss or reduction in volume or sales price to NTCJ and/ or
to any one of our key customers, whether due to business negotiation, termination or expiration of their signed contract(s), their insolvency
or their unwillingness or inability to perform their obligations under their respective relationships with us, or our inability to renew
our engagements with them on commercially reasonable terms, produce their new products, fulfill their demand, or, alternatively, attract
new customers to replace such lost business, may materially negatively impact our overall business, revenues and profitability.
Risks relating to Fab 3 lease could harm business, operations and
financial results.
NPB Co. operates our Fab 3 fabrication facility and its offices
under a lease contract that was initially in effect until March 2022 and included an option, at NPB Co.’s sole discretion, to extend
the lease for an additional five year period, which it elected to exercise for the lease to continue through March 2027. A few years ago,
the landlord began a construction project adjacent to the fabrication facility, which may adversely impact the Fab 3 operations, including
temporary reductions or interruptions in the supply of utilities to the property, and a portion or all of the fabrication facility may
need to be idled temporarily during development, which may adversely affect the business, operations and future financial results. In
addition, the landlord has made claims that NPB Co.’s noise abatement efforts are not adequate under the terms of the amended lease,
and has requested a judicial declaration that NPB Co. has committed material non-curable breaches of the lease and that, in accordance
with the lease, the landlord would be entitled to terminate the lease. NPB Co. does not agree and is disputing these claims, however any
adverse change to the current lease agreement may adversely impact the business, operations and future financial results.
11
Certain effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may hurt our business.
The recent COVID-19 outbreak, which was declared a global pandemic
by the World Health Organization during March 2020, and its continued progress, may adversely affect our revenue, business and financial
results. We may face (i) a shortage of supply of raw materials, products, equipment tools and services due to local restrictions and possible
isolation periods imposed by the governments of vendors, or due to no or limited international courier delivery services, or due to extended
lead time due to the supply chain and courier difficulties and delays, which may adversely affect our ability to secure our supply chain,
continue operating and manufacturing without interruption in one or more of our fabrication facilities and continue to receive equipment
that we ordered to increase our fabs’ capacities and capabilities; (ii) potential reduced attendance of employees and service providers
to our facilities and offices due to local restrictions and isolation periods imposed on them by the local government, as occurred commencing
2020 as a result of the global pandemic, which may adversely affect our ability to continue operating and manufacturing without interruption
at one or more of our facilities; and (iii) potential reductions in customer orders or pricing due to any related or resulting global
economic downturn, which may adversely affect our business and financial results.
Our financial results may be adversely affected if we are unable
to operate our facilities at satisfactory utilization rates necessary to generate and maintain positive and sustainable gross, operating
and net profits.
As is common in our industry, a large portion of our total costs
is comprised of fixed costs, associated mainly with our manufacturing facilities, while our variable costs are relatively small. Therefore,
while during periods when our facilities manufacture at high utilization rates we are able to cover our costs, at times when the utilization
rate is low, the reduced revenues may not cover all of the costs since a large portion are fixed costs which remain constant, irrespective
of the number of wafers manufactured. In addition, our depreciation costs and capital expenditure investments, as common in our industry,
are relatively high. Our financial results, including our gross, operating and net profits, may be adversely impacted if customer demand
for our products is not sufficient to enable us to operate our facilities consistently at satisfactory utilization rates necessary to
generate and maintain revenue levels that would cover all of our costs.
Our fabs’ production performance metrics and business could
be significantly harmed by natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, and fires.
Our fabs in Israel, southern California and Japan are located in
areas which are generally susceptible to seismic activity. Due to the complex and delicate nature of our manufacturing processes, our
facilities are particularly sensitive to the effects of vibrations associated with even minor earthquakes. We cannot be certain that precautions
that any of our fabs have taken to seismically upgrade the fabs will be adequate to protect our facilities in the event of an earthquake.
Earthquakes may lead to fire in the fabs or other material damage. Also, we use highly flammable materials such as silane and hydrogen
in our manufacturing processes and are therefore subject to risk arising from fire, which cannot be completely eliminated.
Any damage resulting from earthquakes, other natural disasters
and fires could seriously disrupt production, cause a loss of wafers in production, deterioration of our fab yield and substantial downtime
to reset equipment before resuming production, which could cause a material adverse effect on our business, revenue and profits. Although
we maintain insurance policies to mitigate any potential losses that may be caused by earthquakes, other natural disasters and fires,
including business interruption insurance, our insurance coverage may not compensate us fully for all of the losses we may incur.
12
Possible product returns could harm our business.
Products manufactured by us may be returned within specified periods
if they are defective or otherwise fail to meet prior agreed upon specifications. Future product returns may have an adverse effect on
our business and financial results.
We are subject to risks related to our international operations.
We generate revenues from customers located in the US, Europe and
Asia-Pacific. Because of our international operations, we are vulnerable to the following risks:
| • |
JPY and NIS fluctuations against the USD -- see the risk factor below entitled: “Our exposure to currency exchange and interest
rate fluctuations may impact our costs and financial results”; |
| • |
the burden and cost of compliance with foreign government regulation, as well as compliance with a variety of foreign laws, and the
imposition of regulatory requirements, tariffs, import and export restrictions and other trade barriers and restrictions, including the
timing and availability of export licenses and permits; |
| • |
general geopolitical risks, such as political and economic instability, international terrorism, potential hostilities and changes
in diplomatic and trade relationships; |
| • |
adverse foreign and international tax rules and regulations, such as withholding taxes deducted from amounts due to us
and not refunded to us by the tax authorities since we are not entitled to foreign tax credit in Israel; |
| • |
weak protection of our intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries; |
| • |
delays in product shipments due to local customs restrictions; |
| • |
laws and business practices favoring local companies; |
| • |
difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; and |
| • |
difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations. |
In addition, the geographical distance between Israel, the United
States, Japan and the rest of Asia and Europe also creates certain logistical and communication challenges. We cannot assure you that
we will be able to sufficiently mitigate all the risks related to our international operations.
The production lines of our fabs may stop for certain periods of
time due to power outages, water leaks, chemical leaks, supply chain or other issues.
There are many events that may occur which may adversely affect
the manufacturing process in our manufacturing facilities. From time to time, we experience high utilization rates in certain of our manufacturing
lines and/or areas, which cause bottlenecks in production lines that may adversely affect our cycle time, yield and delivery schedule.
A power outage, even of very limited duration, and/or water leaks, chemical leaks, shortage of parts or other materials which are required
for our supply chain or other issues, may result in a loss of wafers in production, deterioration of our fab yield, cycle time and substantial
downtime to reset equipment before resuming production, thereby potentially causing an immediate loss of revenue and profitability in
a particular period.
In addition, affected customers may elect to transfer their product
orders to other fabs. While we try to mitigate any potential damage caused by such events and have insurance coverage, which may compensate
us partially or fully against certain types of damages, we cannot ensure that such events will not have a negative effect on the Company.
13
Our financial position and operations may be affected as a
result of our long-term debt.
As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $315 million of consolidated
principal amount of debt outstanding, comprised as follows: (1) Tower had approximately $64 million outstanding principal amount of Series
G debentures, payable in three semi-annual consecutive equal installments from March 2021 to March 2023; (2) TPSCo had loans of approximately
$96 million principal amount (the “JP Loan”), carrying a fixed interest rate of approximately 2% per annum, with principal
scheduled to be repaid in seven semiannual payments between 2024 and 2027; (3) Tower and its affiliates had capital lease agreements outstanding
in the amount of approximately $87 million from JA Mitsui Leasing, repayable between 2022 and 2025, and (4) Tower and its affiliates had
other capital and operating leases in the amount of approximately $68 million repayable between 2022 and 2032. Carrying such an amount
of long-term debt may have significant negative consequences on our business, including:
| • |
limiting our ability to fulfill our debt obligations and other liabilities; |
| • |
requiring the use of a substantial portion of our cash to service our indebtedness rather than investing our cash to fund our strategic
growth opportunities and plans, working capital and capital expenditures; |
| • |
increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions; |
| • |
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing; |
| • |
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we compete;
|
| • |
placing us at a competitive disadvantage with respect to less leveraged competitors and competitors that have better access
to capital resources; |
| • |
volatility in our non-cash financing expenses due to increases in the fair value of our debt obligations; |
| • |
fluctuations of the payable amounts in USD of the JP Loan or other expenses which are denominated in JPY; and |
| • |
potential enforcement by the lenders of their liens against our respective assets, as applicable, if an event of default occurs.
|
In order to service our debt, the applicable interest it carries
and other liabilities and obligations and/or improve its terms and conditions and/or invest in strategic opportunities for growth and/or
business development activities, in addition to our cash on hand and expected cash flow generation from operating activities, we may decide
to obtain funds from additional sources including debt vehicles and/or re-financing, sale of new securities, sale of intellectual property
and/or intellectual property licensing, as well as additional financing alternatives. However, there is no assurance that we will be able
to obtain sufficient funding, if at all, from the financing sources detailed above or other sources in a timely manner (or on commercially
reasonable terms) in order to allow us to fund our growth plans and/or cover, in a timely manner, all our costs, capital expenditure investments
and all of our scheduled debt detailed above, liabilities and obligations, which may adversely affect our financial position and operations.
If we are unable to manage fluctuations in cash flow, our business
and financial position may be adversely affected.
Our working capital requirements and cash flows are subject to
quarterly and yearly fluctuations, depending on a number of factors. If we are unable to manage fluctuations in cash flow, our business,
operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. Factors which may lead us to suffer cash flow fluctuations
include:
| • |
fluctuations in the level of revenues from our operating activities; |
| • |
fluctuations in the collection of receivables; |
14
| • |
timing and size of payables; |
| • |
the timing and size of capital expenditures; |
| • |
the net impact of JPY/ USD fluctuations on our JPY income and JPY cost; |
| • |
the repayment schedules of our debt service obligations; |
| • |
our ability to fulfill our obligations and meet performance milestones under our agreements; and |
| • |
fluctuations in the USD to NIS exchange rate. |
Our business could suffer if we are unable to retain and recruit
qualified personnel.
We depend on the continued services of our senior executive officers,
senior managers and skilled technical and other personnel, and there is intense competition for the services of these personnel in the
semiconductor industry. Our business could suffer if we lose the services of some of these senior executives and key personnel due to
resignation, medical absence, illness or other reasons, and cannot find, hire and integrate adequate replacement senior executives and
key personnel in a timely manner.
We do not typically operate with any significant backlog, which makes it difficult for us to forecast our
revenues and margins in future periods.
Our customers generally do not place purchase orders far in advance,
partly due to the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry. Since our expense levels are based in part on our expectations of future
revenues, we may be unable to adjust costs in a timely manner to compensate for revenue shortfalls caused by cancellations, rescheduling
of orders or lower actual orders than quantities forecasted. Rescheduling may relate to quantities or delivery dates, and, sometimes,
to the specifications of the products we are shipping. Consequently, we cannot be certain that orders on backlog will be shipped when
expected or at all.
We expect that, in the future, our revenues in any quarter will
continue to be substantially dependent upon purchase orders received in the immediately preceding quarter or two. We cannot assure you
that any of our customers will continue to place orders with us in the future at the same levels as in prior periods. For these reasons,
our backlog at any given date may not be a reliable indicator of our future revenues and, as a result, revenue and margins’ forecasts,
targets and guidance that we provide from time to time, may fall short of expectations.
Because we may manufacture wafers based on forecasted demand, rather
than actual orders from customers, we may be left with excess inventory.
We target manufacturing wafers in an amount matching each customer’s
specific purchase order; however, on occasion, we may produce wafers in excess of a customer’s orders based on forecasted customer
demand, because we may forecast future excess demand or because of future capacity constraints. If we manufacture more wafers than are
actually ordered by customers, we may be left with excess inventory that may ultimately become obsolete and must be scrapped or sold at
a significant discount. Significant amounts of obsolete inventory may have a negative impact on our financial results.
Our sales cycles are typically long, and orders ultimately received
may not meet our expectations, which may adversely affect our operating results.
Our sales cycles, which we measure from first contact with a customer
to first shipment of a product ordered, vary substantially and may last longer than two years, particularly for new technologies. In addition,
even after we make initial shipments of prototype products, it may take several more months to reach full production of the product. As
a result of these long sales cycles, we may be required to invest substantial time and incur significant expenses before receiving any
product orders and related revenue. If orders ultimately received are significantly lower than our expectations, we will have excess capacity
that we may not be able to fill within a short period of time, resulting in lower utilization of our facilities. In addition to the revenue
loss, we may be unable to adjust our costs in a timely manner to align with the lower revenue, since a large portion of our cost is fixed
cost, which remains constant irrespective of the number of wafers actually manufactured, which may adversely affect our operating results
and financial condition.
15
If we are unable to purchase equipment and/or raw materials, we
may not be able to manufacture our products in a timely fashion.
To increase the production capability and maintain the quality
of production in our facilities, we must procure additional equipment. In periods of high market demand, the lead times from order to
delivery of manufacturing equipment could be as long as 12 to 18 months. We also procure used equipment, which can take a long time to
qualify to the manufacturing process, potentially delaying the manufacture of our products. In addition, our manufacturing processes use
many raw materials, including silicon wafers, chemicals, gases and various metals, and require large amounts of fresh water and electricity.
Shortages in supplies of manufacturing equipment and raw materials could occur for various reasons, including an interruption of supply
due to a global pandemic or increased industry demand. Any such shortage could result in production delays that may result in a loss of
existing and/or potential new customers and/or a halt of the manufacturing lines , which may have a material adverse effect on our business
and financial results.
Our exposure to currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations
may impact our costs and financial results.
We operate our fabs in three different regions: Japan, the United
States and Israel. The functional currency of the entities operating the fabs in the United States and Israel is the USD. The functional
currency of our subsidiary in Japan is the JPY. Our income, costs, assets and liabilities, are denominated mainly in USD, JPY and NIS,
our revenues are denominated mainly in USD and JPY and our cash from operations, investing and financing activities are denominated mainly
in USD, JPY and NIS. We are, therefore, exposed to the risk of JPY and NIS currencies’ exchange rate fluctuations in Japan and Israel
which may have a material effect on our cost and financial results due to periodic revaluation or evaluation of assets, liabilities, cost
and income, in these currencies.
The USD cost of our operations in Israel is influenced by changes
in the USD-to-NIS exchange rate with respect to costs that are denominated in NIS. Appreciation of the NIS against the USD has the effect
of increasing the cost of some of our Israeli purchases and NIS-denominated labor costs in USD terms, which may lead to erosion in our
profit margins. We use foreign currency transactions to partially hedge a portion, but not all of this currency exposure, to be contained
within a pre-defined fixed range. In addition, we executed swap hedging transactions to fully hedge our exposure to the fluctuation of
the USD against the NIS as far as it relates to our non-convertible Series G debentures which are denominated in NIS.
The majority of TPSCo’s revenues are denominated in JPY and
the majority of the expenses of TPSCo are in JPY, which limits the exposure to fluctuations of the USD / JPY exchange rate on TPSCo’s
results of operations as the impact on the revenues is mostly offset by the impact on the expenses. In order to mitigate a portion of
the net exposure to the USD / JPY exchange rate over the net profit margins, we have entered into hedging transactions which partially
hedge our exposure to the currencies’ fluctuation to be contained within a pre-defined fixed range.
In addition to currency exchange fluctuations, if any of TPSCo’s
banks incur increased costs in financing a credit facility due to changes in law or the unavailability of foreign currency, such bank
may exercise its right to increase the interest rate on the credit facility or require us to bear such increased cost as provided for
in the applicable credit facility agreement.
We also hold a securities investment portfolio, including interest
bearing bonds and notes. An increase in the interest rates globally and other market changes may result in a reduced market value of these
bonds and notes, thereby creating financing losses for us if we are unable to mitigate exposure, react to the market changes promptly
and adjust our securities investment portfolio components in a timely manner.
16
We depend on intellectual property to succeed in our business, including
intellectual property owned by us as well as intellectual property of third parties.
We depend on intellectual property in order to provide certain
foundry services and design support to our customers. The process of applying for patents to obtain patent protection may take a long
time. We cannot assure you that patents will be issued for pending or future applications or that, if patents are issued, they will not
be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that the rights granted under the patents will provide us with meaningful protection or
any commercial advantage. In addition, we cannot assure you that other countries in which we market our services and products will respect
our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the United States. We cannot assure you that we will, at all times, be able to
enforce our patents or other intellectual property rights, and it may be difficult for us to protect our intellectual property from misuse
or infringement by other companies. Further, we cannot assure you that courts will uphold our intellectual property rights or enforce
the contractual arrangements that we have entered into to protect our proprietary technology, which may reduce our opportunities to generate
revenues. In the event that we are unable to enforce our intellectual property rights, our business may be harmed.
We may also be a party to infringement claims in the future. In
the event any third party were to assert infringement claims against us or our customers, we may have to consider alternatives including,
but not limited to:
| • |
attempting to negotiate cross-license agreements, which we might not succeed in negotiating or consummating; |
| • |
acquiring licenses to the allegedly infringed patents, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all;
|
| • |
discontinuing use of certain process technologies, architectures, or designs, which could cause us to stop manufacturing certain
integrated circuits if we are unable to design around the allegedly infringed patents; |
| • |
litigating the matter in court, which may result in substantial legal fees and paying substantial monetary damages in the event we
lose; or |
| • |
developing non-infringing technologies, which may not be feasible. |
Any one or several of these alternatives may place substantial
financial and other burdens on us and hinder our business. If we fail to obtain certain licenses or if we are involved in litigation relating
to alleged patent infringement or other intellectual property matters, it may prevent us from manufacturing particular products or using
particular technologies, which may adversely impact our business and revenues.
From time to time, we are a party to litigation that may require
management time and effort.
From time to time, we are a party to litigation incidental to the
conduct of our ongoing business, including class actions, disputes with customers, suppliers, landlords, or other third parties. Litigation
requires a certain amount of management time and effort which may adversely affect our business by diverting management focus from business
needs.
In addition, our ability to compete successfully depends in part
on our ability to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others and defending our intellectual property rights. Because
of the complexity of the technologies used and the multitude of patents, copyrights and other overlapping intellectual property rights,
it is often difficult for semiconductor companies to determine infringement. Therefore, the semiconductor industry is characterized by
frequent litigation regarding patent, trade secret and other intellectual property rights. We have been subject to intellectual property
claims from time to time, some of which have been resolved through license agreements, the terms of which have not had a material effect
on our business.
17
We could be harmed by failure to comply with environmental regulations.
Our business is subject to a variety of laws and governmental regulations
in Israel, the U.S. and Japan relating to the use, discharge and disposal of toxic or otherwise hazardous materials used in our factories.
If we fail to use, discharge or dispose of hazardous materials appropriately in accordance with applicable environmental laws or regulations,
or if such laws change in the future, we may be subject to substantial liability or may be required to suspend or significantly modify
our manufacturing operations, which may adversely impact our business and revenues.
Our business strategy is premised on the increasing use of outsourced
foundry services by both fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers on specialty process technologies, which
may change in the future.
We operate as an independent semiconductor foundry focused primarily
on specialty process technologies. Our business model assumes that demand for these processes within the semiconductor industry will grow
and follow the broader trend towards outsourcing foundry operations. If our assumption does not prove applicable, our business and financial
results may be adversely impacted.
If we are unable to collaborate successfully with electronic design
automation vendors and third-party design service companies to meet our customers’ design needs, our business may be harmed.
We have established relationships with electronic design automation
vendors and third-party design service companies to develop complete design kits that our customers can use to meet their design needs
using our process technologies. Our ability to meet our customers’ design needs successfully, including their schedule and budget
requirements, depends in part on the availability and quality of the relevant services, tools and intellectual property provided by these
vendors and providers. Difficulties or delays in these areas may adversely affect our ability to meet our customers’ needs, thereby
potentially harming our business. In addition, with respect to third party intellectual property that is required for the manufacture
of our products, if problems or delays arise with respect to the timely development, quality and provision thereof to us, the design and
production of our customers’ products may be delayed, resulting in underutilization of our capacity. If any of our intellectual
property vendors goes out of business, liquidates, merges with, or is acquired by, another company that discontinues the vendor’s
previous line of business, or if we fail to maintain or acquire licenses to such intellectual property for any other reason, our business
may be adversely affected.
Compliance with existing or future governmental regulations may
reduce our sales or increase our manufacturing costs.
The export of semiconductors that we manufacture may be subject
to U.S., Israeli and/or Japanese export control and other regulations established by other countries. Compliance with existing or evolving
U.S., Israeli, Japanese or other applicable governmental regulations or obtaining timely domestic or foreign regulatory approvals or certificates
may materially disrupt our business by reducing our sales, requiring extensive modifications to processes that we use in our product manufacturing,
which could increase our manufacturing costs or require extensive modifications to our customers’ products. We may not export products
using or incorporating controlled technology without obtaining an export license, which may not always be granted. These restrictions
may make foreign competitors facing less stringent controls on the export of their products more competitive in the global market. The
relevant government may not approve any pending or future export license requests.
18
If certain of the integrated circuits we manufacture are defective
and integrated into products, we may be subject to product liability claims or other claims which could damage our reputation and harm
our business.
Our customers integrate our custom integrated circuits into their
products, which they then sell to end users. If these products are defective or malfunction, we may be subject to product liability claims,
as well as possible recalls, safety alerts or advisory notices relating to the product. We cannot assure you that our insurance policies
will compensate us fully for claims that may be made against us. In addition, we may be unable to obtain insurance in the future at satisfactory
rates, with adequate coverage, or at all. Product liability claims or product recalls in the future, regardless of their ultimate outcome,
may have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and our ability to attract and retain customers.
A workforce that is unionized may have an adverse impact on our
manufacturing costs as well as on our operations by potential work stoppages, strikes or other collective actions which may disrupt the
fabs’ production and adversely affect the fabs’ performance and our operational and financial results.
Significant portions of the employees at Fab 3 (our Newport Beach,
California fab) and at TPSCo’s fabs in Japan are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements. We cannot
predict the effect that union representation or future organizational activities will have on these fabs’ manufacturing cost and
business. We cannot assure you that our fabs will not experience a material work stoppage, strike or other collective action
in the future, or incur increased costs in connection with the renewal of such bargaining agreements or other potential union activities,
which may disrupt their production and adversely affect our fabs’ manufacturing costs, operational performance metrics, and our
operational and financial results. In addition, there have been attempts, including recently, by the General Federation of Labor in Israel
(“Histadrut”) to organize and establish a representative labor union for our Israeli employees. Under Israeli law, establishing
a representative labor union requires at least one-third of the Israeli employees to join the Histadrut and they would be liable to pay
its membership fees. While the Histadrut’s attempts have not succeeded to date, if a representative labor union would be established,
we would need to conduct negotiations with the representative labor union and the Histadrut with regards to the terms of employment and
benefits of the employees, which could result in the incurrence of additional labor costs and/or work stoppages, which in turn could adversely
affect our business and Israeli fabs’ operations.
Climate change may negatively affect our business.
There is increasing concern regarding climate change and its potential
dramatic effects on human activity if no aggressive remediation steps are taken. Legislative developments with respect to reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions may result in increased energy, transportation and raw material costs. Scientific examination of, political attention
to, and rules and regulations on, issues surrounding the existence and extent of climate change may result in increased production costs
due to increase in the prices of energy and introduction of energy or carbon tax. A variety of regulatory developments have been introduced
that focus on restricting or managing emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. Enterprises may need to purchase
new equipment at higher costs or raw materials with lower carbon footprints. These developments and further legislation that is likely
to be enacted, such as changes in environmental regulations on the use of per fluorinated compounds, may increase our production costs,
which may adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.
Compliance with US rules and regulations concerning conflict minerals
may affect our ability or the ability of our suppliers to purchase raw materials at an effective cost and may adversely affect our business.
Our industry relies on raw materials that consist of, contain or
incorporate certain minerals sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) or adjoining countries that are subject
to regulation. These minerals are commonly referred to as conflict minerals. Conflict minerals that may be used by our suppliers include
Columbite-tantalite (derivative of tantalum [Ta]), Cassiterite (derivative of tin [Sn]), gold [Au], Wolframite (derivative of tungsten
[W]), and Cobalt [Co]. We are currently subject to the requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
of 2010 that require due diligence and disclosure as to whether our products contain conflict minerals. It is expected that the SEC
under the Biden administration will renew focus on the US conflict minerals rules and other responsible sourcing measures. Any changes
effected by the Biden administration concerning the use of conflict minerals could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing
of the materials used in the manufacture of our products. In addition, we will likely incur additional costs to comply with any new conflict
minerals rules, including costs related to disclosure requirements and conducting diligence procedures to determine the sources of conflict
minerals that may be used in, or necessary to the production of, our products and, if applicable, potentially making changes to our
products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. It is also possible that we may face reputational
harm and/or may lose customers if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict-free and are
unable to alter our products, processes or sources of supply to avoid use of such materials, which may adversely impact our revenue and
business.
19
Security, cyber and privacy breaches may hurt our business and operations.
Any security breach, including those resulting from a cybersecurity
attack, such as occurred in September 2020 (see under “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Overview”),
or any unauthorized access, unauthorized usage, virus or similar breach or disruption could result in the loss of confidential information,
damage to our fab operations, damage to our reputation, early termination of our contracts, litigation, regulatory investigations or other
liabilities. If our security measures are breached as a result of third‑party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise and,
as a result, someone obtains unauthorized access to our, our customers' or any third party’s confidential information, our reputation
may be damaged, we may face potential disruption and loss, especially due to the possible substantial damage if operations would not be
quickly restored and our business may suffer, and we could incur significant liability.
Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems
change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate these
techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived security breach occurs, the market’s perception
of our security measures may be harmed and we could lose sales and customers as well as incur operational damage to our machines and/or
products.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES
Fluctuations in the market price of our traded securities may significantly
affect our ability to raise new capital.
The capital markets, in general, have experienced volatility that
often has been unrelated to the operating performance of the traded companies. The share price of many companies in the semiconductor
industry has experienced wide fluctuations, which has often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad
market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our equity and debt traded securities, regardless of our actual
operating performance.
In addition, it is possible that our operating results may differ
from the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which may adversely affect the price of our securities. Adverse impact
to the market price of our securities may negatively impact our ability to raise new capital in order to finance our growth plans, obligations
and liabilities and/or re-finance our debt, and/or may cause us to receive less favorable terms than expected to the extent we will decide
to raise any capital.
20
We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, the public reporting
and disclosure rules to which we are subject, and the corporate governance practices that we are permitted to follow, may provide less
protection to our investors than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to domestic U.S. issuers.
We report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”) as a foreign private issuer, which means we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that
are applicable to U.S. public companies, including the proxy rules and the rules requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. We intend to furnish quarterly reports to the SEC on Form 6-K for so long as we are subject
to the reporting requirements of Section 13(g) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, although the information we furnish may not be the same as
the information that is required in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for U.S. domestic issuers. Foreign private issuers are also exempt
from Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure), aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information. Also, as
a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of those otherwise required
under the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market for domestic U.S. issuers. The public reporting and disclosure rules to which we are
subject under the Exchange Act, and the corporate governance practices that we are permitted to follow, may provide less protection to
our investors than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to domestic U.S. issuers.
We do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain future earnings and our existing
cash balance to finance our growth and acquisition strategy, as well as capacity growth and our ongoing operations, and we do not anticipate
paying dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, (i) the Israeli Companies Law, 1999 (the “Companies Law”) imposes
restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends; (ii) under the indenture for our Series G Debentures, a distribution of dividends
is subject to satisfying certain financial ratios and limitations; (iii) the Merger Agreement includes restrictions with respect
to dividends and other distributions. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ordinary shares if you require and/or
expect dividend income from your investments.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
IN ISRAEL
Instability in Israel may harm our business.
Fab 1 and Fab 2 manufacturing facilities, our design center and
certain of our corporate and sales offices are located in Israel. In addition, a number of our officers and directors are residents of
Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect our business.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israel
has been subject to armed conflicts with neighboring countries, as well as terrorist activities, with varying levels of severity. Parties
with whom we do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make
alternative arrangements where necessary. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom
we have agreements claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure
provisions. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners may adversely
affect our operations and make it more difficult for us to do business and raise capital. Furthermore, we could experience serious disruption
to our manufacturing in Israel if acts associated with any such conflicts result in any serious damage to such manufacturing facilities.
In addition, there may also be protests against or sanctions imposed on the State of Israel which may adversely impact our business. Our
business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for losses that we may incur, and any losses or damages incurred by us
may have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, several countries restrict business with the State of Israel and with
Israeli companies, which may have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, actual or perceived
political instability in Israel or any negative changes in the political environment, may individually or in the aggregate adversely affect
the Israeli economy and, in turn, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
21
In the event of severe unrest or other conflict, Israeli personnel
could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time. Many male Israeli citizens, including most of our male employees
under the age of 40, are subject to compulsory military reserve service and may be called to active duty under emergency circumstances.
In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of Israeli military reservists, and it
is possible that there will be additional call-ups in the future. Our operations in Israel could be disrupted by the absence, for a significant
period of time, of one or more of our key employees or a significant number of our other employees due to military service. Such disruption
may harm our operations and our business.
If the exemption allowing us to operate our Israeli manufacturing
facilities seven days a week or our business license is not renewed, our business may be adversely affected.
We operate our Israeli manufacturing facilities seven days a week
pursuant to an exemption (which we need to timely renew) from the law that requires businesses in Israel to be closed from sundown on
Friday through sundown on Saturday. In addition, our business license certificate issued by municipality of Migdal Ha’emek, Israel
is required to be renewed periodically. If such exemption or our business license are not renewed in the future, our financial results
and business may be harmed.
It may be difficult to enforce a US judgment against us, our officers
and directors or to assert US securities law claims in Israel or serve process on our non-U.S. resident officers and directors.
Tower is incorporated in Israel and most of its executive officers
and directors are not residents of the United States (excluding the employees of its U.S. subsidiaries), and a majority of its assets
(excluding its U.S. subsidiaries and their assets) and the assets of its non-U.S. resident directors and officers are located outside
the United States. Service of process upon us and/or our non-U.S. resident directors and/or officers may be difficult to obtain within
the United States. Additionally, a judgment obtained in the United States against Tower and/or any of our non-U.S. executive officers
and/or directors, including one based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible in
the United States (except to the extent that it relates to Tower’s US subsidiaries, its assets or employees) and may not be enforced
by an Israeli court. Additionally, it may be difficult to assert claims under U.S. securities laws or obtain a judgment based on civil
liability provisions under U.S. federal securities laws claimed in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to
hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws against us or our non-U.S. officers or directors because Israel may not be the
most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli
law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved
as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There
is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above.
Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or otherwise impede
a merger with, or an acquisition of, our company, which may delay or prevent a change of control, even when the terms of such a transaction
are favorable to us and our shareholders.
Provisions of Israeli law could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control and may make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us, even if doing so would be considered to
be beneficial by some of our shareholders. For example, Israeli corporate law regulates mergers, requires tender offers for acquisitions
of shares of a public company above specified thresholds, requires special approvals for transactions involving directors, officers or
significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to such types of transactions. Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations
may make potential transactions unappealing to Tower or to its shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with
Israel exempting such shareholders from Israeli tax. These and other similar provisions may delay, prevent or impede a merger with or
an acquisition of our company, even if such a merger or acquisition would be beneficial to Tower or its shareholders.
22
The rights
and responsibilities of our shareholders will be governed by Israeli law which differs in some material respects from the rights
and responsibilities of shareholders of U.S. corporations.
The rights and responsibilities of the holders of our ordinary
shares are governed by our articles of association and by Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some material respects
from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in typical U.S. registered corporations. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli
company has certain duties to act in good faith and in a customary manner in exercising his or her rights and fulfilling his or her obligations
towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting
at the general meeting of shareholders on amendments to a company’s articles of association, increases in a company's authorized
share capital, mergers and certain transactions requiring shareholders’ approval under the Companies Law. These provisions may be
interpreted to impose additional obligations and liabilities on holders of our ordinary shares that are not typically imposed on shareholders
of U.S. corporations.
RISKS RELATING TO THE
MERGER
The Merger may not be completed, due to the failure of the parties
to achieve the closing conditions or otherwise; such a failure could negatively impact our share price, business, financial condition,
results of operations or prospects.
The Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions described
in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, that:
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• |
no governmental authority in any jurisdiction has by any law or order, restrained,
enjoined or otherwise prohibited the consummation of the Merger; | |
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• |
expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart Scott Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); | |
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• |
expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, or, where applicable,
approvals have been obtained, and all notices to, filings with and consents of the applicable governmental authority have been made or
obtained under the Required Clearances (as defined in the Merger Proxy Statement); | |
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• |
at least 50 days shall have elapsed after the filing of the Merger Proposal with the
Companies Registrar of the Israeli Corporations Authority and at least 30 days shall have
elapsed after the approval of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the consummation of the Transactions by the Company’s shareholders
has been received; and | |
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• |
no Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Proxy Statement, excepting
any effects that, individually or in the aggregate, would not prevent or materially impair the Company from consummating the Merger or
performing any of its material obligations under the Merger Agreement) shall have occurred since February 15, 2022, and be continuing.
|
No assurance can be given that each of the conditions will be satisfied.
In addition, the Merger Agreement may be terminated under the circumstances described in the Merger Proxy Statement. If the conditions
are not satisfied or waived in a timely manner and the merger is delayed, payment of the Merger Consideration will also be delayed.
If the Merger is not completed (including in the case the Merger
Agreement is terminated), our ongoing business may be adversely affected. Under such a scenario, our directors, senior management and
other employees will have expended extensive time and effort and will have experienced significant distractions from their work, and we
will have incurred significant transaction costs, during the pendency of a failed transaction. In addition, our continuing business relationships
with business partners and employees, and the market’s perceptions of our prospects, could be adversely affected, which could have
a material adverse impact on the trading price of Tower’s ordinary shares.
23
We also could be subject to litigation related to any failure to
complete the Merger. If these risks materialize, our financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely
affected.
Some of our directors and officers may have
interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of our shareholders.
Certain of Tower’s officers and directors may have interests
in the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that may be different from, or in addition to, those of Tower’s other shareholders,
which interests are described in the Merger Proxy Statement. These interests include, among other things, the rights to accelerated vesting
of equity awards, the indemnification and insurance and certain payments and benefits provisions contained in or permitted by the Merger
Agreement.
The fact that there is a Merger pending could
materially harm our business and results of operations.
While the Merger is pending, we are subject to a number of risks
that may harm our business and results of operations, including:
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• |
loss of current customers; | |
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• |
limitation on the execution of our strategy to expand our business through mergers,
acquisitions and other investments, as well as our ability to raise additional funds through offerings of equity and/or debt and/or other
financial vehicles; | |
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• |
the diversion of management and employee attention from implementing our growth strategy
in our existing markets or in new markets that we are targeting; | |
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• |
potential diversion of public attention from our positioning of our independent brand
and products in a manner that appeals to customers; | |
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• |
the fact that we have incurred and will continue to incur expenses related to the
Merger prior to its closing; | |
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• |
our potential inability to respond effectively to competitive pressures, industry
developments and future opportunities, in particular, given certain restrictions, limitations and commitments stipulated in the Merger
Agreement; | |
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• |
we could be subject to costly litigation associated with the Merger; and |
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• |
our current and prospective employees may be uncertain about their future roles and
relationships with the Company following completion of the Merger, which may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key personnel.
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The COVID-19 pandemic may delay or prevent
the completion of the Merger.
Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the COVID-19 crisis, it
is difficult to predict the impact of that crisis on the businesses of Tower and Intel, and there is no guarantee that efforts by Tower
or Intel to address the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be effective. The Merger may also be delayed or adversely affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic, or become more costly due to Tower policies, Intel policies or government policies and actions to protect the
health and safety of individuals, or government policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets
could delay or prevent the completion of the Merger. Tower or Intel may also incur additional costs to remedy damages caused by such disruptions,
which could adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.
24
Our obligation to pay a termination fee under
certain circumstances and the restrictions on our ability to solicit or engage in negotiations with respect to other potential acquisition
proposals may discourage other potential transactions that may be favorable to our shareholders.
Until the Merger is completed or the Merger Agreement is terminated,
with limited exceptions, the Merger Agreement prohibits us from soliciting, encouraging or engaging in negotiations with respect to acquisition
proposals or other business combinations. If the Company terminates the Merger Agreement in order to immediately enter into a written
definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal, Tower is required to pay to Parent a termination fee of $206 million. Tower
is also required to pay such termination fees under other circumstances described in the Merger Agreement.
If the Merger is not consummated by February
15, 2023 (as may be extended in accordance with the Merger Agreement, the “Outside Date”), either we or Intel may, under certain
circumstances that may be beyond our control, choose not to proceed with the Merger.
The Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain
closing conditions described in the Merger Proxy Statement and set forth in the Merger Agreement. The fulfillment of certain of these
conditions is beyond our control, such as, (1) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act, and (2) the expiration
or termination of the applicable waiting period, or, where applicable, the receipt of approvals, and the making or receipt of all notices
to, filings with and consents under specified regulatory laws in the People’s Republic of China, Germany, Israel and Japan. If the
Merger has not been completed by the Outside Date, either the Company or Parent may generally terminate the Merger Agreement, notwithstanding
the prior receipt of the approval of the Merger by the Company’s shareholders, except that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement
would not be available to a party that is in material breach of the Merger Agreement or whose actions or omissions, which constitute a
breach of the Merger Agreement, are a principal cause of, or primarily result in, the failure of the Merger to be completed on or before
that date.
Our shareholders could file claims challenging
the Merger, which may delay or prevent the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) and may cause us to incur substantial defense
or settlement costs, or otherwise adversely affect the Company.
As of the date of the Merger Proxy Statement, there are no pending
lawsuits challenging the Merger. However, potential plaintiffs may file lawsuits challenging the Merger. The outcome of any future claim
and / or litigation is uncertain. Such litigation, if not resolved, could prevent or delay completion of the Merger and result in substantial
costs to the Company, including any costs associated with the indemnification of directors and officers. One of the conditions to the
Closing is the absence of any provision of applicable law or order by any governmental entity that has the effect of restraining, enjoining
or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger. Therefore, if a plaintiff were successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting
the consummation of the Merger on the agreed-upon terms, then such injunction may prevent the Merger from being completed, or from being
completed with the expected timeframe. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the Merger
is completed may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows.
25
ITEM
4. INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY
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A. |
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
OF THE COMPANY |
We are a pure-play independent specialty foundry dedicated to the
manufacture of semiconductors. Typically, pure-play foundries do not offer products of their own, but focus on producing integrated circuits,
or ICs, based on the design specifications of their customers. We manufacture semiconductors for our customers primarily based on third
party designs. We currently offer the process manufacture geometries of 0.35, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.80-micron and above on 150-mm wafers
and 0.35, 0.18. 0.16, 0.13 and 0.11-micron on 200-mm wafers and 65 nanometer and 45 nanometer on 300-mm wafers. We also provide design
support and complementary technical services. ICs manufactured by us are incorporated into a wide range of products in diverse markets,
including consumer electronics, personal computers, communications, automotive, industrial, aerospace and medical device products.
We are focused on establishing leading market share in high-growth
specialized markets by providing our customers with high-value wafer foundry services. We manufacture standard analog complementary metal
oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) process technology, which is a widely used method of producing ICs, and we specialize in specific
technologies including CMOS image sensors, non-imaging sensors, including sensors on Gallium Nitride, micro-electromechanical systems
(MEMS), wireless antenna switch Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI), mixed-signal, radio frequency CMOS (RFCMOS), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), and silicon-germanium
BiCMOS (SiGe BiCMOS or SiGe), silicon photonics, high voltage CMOS, radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and power management.
To better serve our customers, we have developed and are continuously expanding our technology offerings in these fields. Through our
experience and expertise gained during more than twenty-five years of operation, we differentiate ourselves by creating a high level of
value for our customers through innovative technological processes, design and engineering support, competitive manufacturing indices,
and dedicated customer service.
Tower was founded in 1993, with the acquisition of National Semiconductor’s
150-mm wafer fabrication facility located in Migdal Haemek, Israel, and commenced operations as an independent foundry. Since then, we
have significantly upgraded our Fab 1 facility, equipment, capacity and technological capabilities with process geometries ranging from
1.0-micron to 0.35-micron and enhanced our process technologies to include CMOS image sensors, embedded flash, advanced analog, RF (radio
frequency) and mixed-signal technologies. We integrated advanced single Poly NVM into the Fab 1 process flows and developed a GaN technological
platform (GaN on Si) suitable for fabrication of HEMT transistors, and gas and UV sensors.
In 2003, we commenced production in Fab 2, a wafer fabrication
facility we established in Migdal Haemek, Israel. Fab 2 supports geometries ranging from 0.35 to 0.13-micron, using advanced CMOS technology,
including CMOS image sensors, embedded flash, advanced analog, RF (radio frequency), and specifically RF switches on SOI, power platforms
and mixed-signal technologies.
In September 2008, we merged with Tower NPB, which holds 100% of
NPB Co. and operates Fab 3 located in Newport Beach, California, US. Fab 3 focuses on specialty process technologies for the manufacture
of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices, and supports geometries ranging from 0.50 to 0.13-micron. NPB Co.’s specialty
process technologies include advanced analog, radio frequency, high voltage, bipolar, SOI and silicon germanium bipolar, complementary
metal oxide (“SiGe”) semiconductor processes. ICs manufactured at Fab 3 are incorporated into a wide range of products, including
cellular phones, wireless local area networking devices, digital TVs, set-top boxes, gaming devices, switches, routers and broadband modems.
26
In March 2014, we acquired from Panasonic 51% of a newly established
company, TPSCo, that manufactures products for Panasonic and other third party customers, using three semiconductor factories located
in Hokuriku Japan (Uozu E, Tonami CD and Arai E), which factories were established by Panasonic. Pursuant to the transaction, Panasonic
transferred its semiconductor wafer manufacturing process and capacity tools (8 inch and 12 inch) at the three fabs to TPSCo, and entered
into a five-year manufacturing agreement for the manufacture of products for Panasonic by TPSCo, which was extended in March 2019 for
an additional three years, under amended terms, including a revised pricing structure.
In February 2016, we acquired Fab 9, located in San Antonio, Texas,
US, from Maxim. The assets and related business that we acquired from Maxim are held and conducted through one of our wholly-owned US
subsidiaries, Tower SA. Fab 9 supports process geometries ranging from 0.80 to 0.18 for the manufacture of products using CMOS, power
management and analog based technologies.
We
entered into a definitive agreement with ST effective as of September 14, 2021
to share cleanroom space of a 300mm manufacturing fabrication facility in Agrate, Italy, currently under construction by ST, under a collaborative
arrangement. The parties will share the cleanroom space and the facility infrastructure, and TSIT will install its own equipment in one-third
of the total space, which are expected to be qualified and used to manufacture products for its foundry customers. Operations will
continue to be managed by ST.
On February 15, 2022, we entered into the Merger Agreement with
Parent, Merger Sub, and Intel, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (and Merger Sub will cease to exist as
a separate legal entity), and the Company will be the surviving company and will become a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Parent and
a subsidiary of Intel.
As a result of the Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly
traded company, all outstanding Company Shares (except for any Company Shares owned by the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their
direct or indirect subsidiaries or held in the Company’s treasury (which will remain outstanding and no Merger Consideration or
any other consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor)) will be deemed to be transferred to Parent in exchange for the right
to receive the Merger Consideration.
Our executive offices and Israeli manufacturing facilities are
located in the Ramat Gavriel Industrial Park, Shaul Amor Street, Post Office Box 619, Migdal Haemek, 2310502 Israel, and our telephone
number is 972-4-650-6611. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Tower Semiconductor USA, Inc. located at 2570 North
First Street, Suite 480 San Jose, CA 95131.
For more information about us, go to http://www.towersemi.com Information
on our website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report.
|
B. |
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
|
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Semiconductor devices are responsible for the rapid growth of the
electronics industry over the past fifty years. They are critical components in a variety of applications, from computers, consumer electronics
and communications, to industrial, military, medical and automotive applications. Rapid changes in the semiconductor industry frequently
make recently introduced devices and applications obsolete within a very short period of time. With the increase in their performance
and decrease in their size and resulting decrease in cost, the use of semiconductors and the number of their applications have increased
significantly.
Historically, the semiconductor industry was composed primarily
of companies that designed and manufactured ICs in their own fabrication facilities, which are known as integrated device manufacturers
(“IDM”). In the mid-1980s, fabless IC companies, which focused on IC design and used external manufacturing capacity, began
to emerge. Fabless companies initially outsourced production to IDMs, which filled this need through their excess capacity. As the semiconductor
industry continued to grow, increasing competition forced fabless companies and IDMs to seek reliable and dedicated sources of IC manufacturing
services. Use of external manufacturing capacity allowed IDMs to reduce their investment in their existing and next-generation manufacturing
facilities and process technologies. This need for external manufacturing capacity led to the development of independent companies, known
as foundries, which focus primarily on providing IC manufacturing services to semiconductor suppliers. Foundry services are used by nearly
all major semiconductor companies in the world, including IDMs, as part of a dual-source, risk-diversification and cost effectiveness
strategy.
27
Semiconductor suppliers face increasing demands for new products
that provide higher performance, greater functionality and smaller form factors at lower prices - all features that require increasingly
complex ICs. The industry has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of applications that incorporate semiconductors. Further,
in order to compete successfully, semiconductor suppliers must minimize the time it takes to bring a product to market. As a result, fabless
companies and IDMs have focused more on their core competencies, design and intellectual property development, and tend to outsource manufacturing
to foundries.
The two basic functional technologies for semiconductor products
are digital and analog. Digital semiconductors provide critical processing power and have helped enable many of the computing and communication
advances of recent years. Analog semiconductors monitor and manipulate real world signals such as sound, light, pressure, motion, temperature,
electrical current and radio waves, for use in a wide variety of electronic products such as digital still cameras, x-ray medical applications,
flat panel displays, personal computers, cellular handsets, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, automotive electronics
and industrial electronics. Analog-digital, or mixed-signal, semiconductors combine analog and digital devices on a single chip which
can process both analog and digital signals.
Integrating analog and digital components on a single, mixed-signal
semiconductor enables the development of smaller, more highly integrated, power-efficient, feature-rich and cost-effective semiconductor
devices but presents significant design and manufacturing challenges. For example, combining high-speed digital circuits with sensitive
analog circuits on a single, mixed-signal semiconductor can increase electromagnetic interference and power consumption, both of which
cause a higher amount of heat to be dissipated and decrease the overall performance of the semiconductor. Challenges associated with the
design and manufacture of mixed-signal semiconductors increase as the industry moves toward more advanced process geometries. As a result,
analog and mixed-signal semiconductors can be complex to manufacture and typically require sophisticated design expertise, strong application
specific experience and a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio. In addition, today’s analog market is driven strongly by
growing sensitivity to environmental requirements, such as the conservation of energy and human well-being. Low power consumption is demonstrated
in applications related to the systems enabled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and edge computing using AI which allow for the analysis
and filtering of data closer to the sensors such that only the relevant data is sent to the cloud. The AI edge devices are incorporated
into products with sensors related to Internet of Things (IoT), in particular ASICs with embedded sensors, medical devices and applications
focused on entertainment, infotainment and safety, which combine analog and digital technology.
Mixed-signal ICs are an essential part of any front-end electronic
system. Our advanced analog CMOS process technologies have more features than standard analog CMOS process technologies and are well suited
for higher performance or more highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, such as high-speed analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog
converters and mixed-signal semiconductors with integrated data converters. These process technologies generally incorporate higher density
passive components, such as capacitors and resistors, as well as improved active components, such as native or low voltage devices, and
improved isolation techniques, into standard analog CMOS process technologies.
The enormous costs associated with modern fabs, combined with the
increasing demand for complex ICs, has created an expanding market for outsourced foundry manufacturing services. Foundries can cost-effectively
supply advanced ICs to even the smallest fabless companies by creating economies of scale through pooling the demand of numerous customers.
In addition, customers whose IC designs require process technologies other than standard digital CMOS have created a market for independent
foundries that focus on providing specialized process technologies. Specialty process technologies enable greater analog content and can
reduce the die size of an analog or mixed-signal semiconductor, thereby increasing the number of dies that can be manufactured on a wafer
and reducing final die cost. In addition, specialty process technologies can enable increased performance, superior noise reduction and
improved power efficiency of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors compared to traditional standard CMOS processes. These specialty process
technologies include advanced analog CMOS, specialized RF devices on SOI, radio frequency CMOS (RF CMOS), CMOS image sensors (CIS) and
other types of original sensors, high voltage CMOS, bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium BiCMOS (SiGe BiCMOS), bipolar CMOS double-diffused
metal oxide semiconductor (BCD), NVM technologies and special devices for enabling chips with AI. We have mastered the skills required
to work in this technology intensive environment which is rapidly changing. We work closely with our customers to provide them with unique
and specialized solutions needed for their business success.
Foundries may also offer customers competitive complementary services
through design, testing, and other technical services.
28
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
AND SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES
We manufacture ICs on silicon wafers, generally using the customer’s
proprietary circuit designs. In some cases, we provide our customers with our own proprietary or third-party design elements. The end
product of our manufacturing process is a silicon wafer containing multiple identical ICs. In most cases, our customer assumes responsibility
for dicing, assembly, packaging and testing.
We provide wafer fabrication services to fabless IC companies and
IDMs, as sole source or second source, and enable smooth integration of the semiconductor design and manufacturing processes. By doing
so, we enable our customers to bring high-performance, highly integrated ICs to market rapidly and cost effectively. We believe that our
technological strengths and emphasis on customer service have allowed us to develop a unique position in large, high-growth specialized
markets for CMOS image sensors, RF, power management and high-performance mixed signal ICs.
We manufacture using specialty process technologies, mostly based
on CMOS process platforms with added features to enable special and unique functionality, decreased footprint of products, competitive
performance and cost advantages for analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. Products made with our specialty process technologies are
typically more complex to manufacture than products made using standard process technologies employing similar technology nodes. Generally,
customers that use our specialty process technologies cannot easily transfer designs to another foundry because the analog characteristics
of the design are dependent upon the specific process technology used for manufacturing. The specialty process design infrastructure is
complex and includes design kits and device models that are specific to the foundry in which the process is implemented and to the process
technology itself. In addition, the relatively small engineering community with specialty process expertise and the significant investment
required for development or transfer and maintenance of specialty process technologies has limited the number of foundries capable of
offering specialty process technologies. We believe that our specialized process technologies combined with dedicated design enablement
capabilities distinguish our IC manufacturing services and attract industry-leading customers.
We also offer process transfer services to IDMs that wish to manufacture
products using their own process and do not have sufficient capacity in their own fabs. Our process transfer services are also used by
fabless companies that have proprietary process flows that they wish to manufacture at additional manufacturing sites for purposes of
geographic diversity or for the manufacture of an advanced technology node that is very costly to build themselves. Our process transfer
services include development, transfer, and extensive optimization as defined by customer needs.
29
With our world-class engineering team, well established transfer
methodologies and vast manufacturing experience, we offer state of the art production lines for core bulk CMOS and specialized technologies
such as RF SOI, integrated into back-end-of-line (BEOL) TMR/MTJ (magnetic tunnel junction) sensors, SiGe and MEMS, among others.
We are a trusted, customer-oriented service provider that has built
a solid reputation in the foundry industry over more than twenty-eight years. We have built strong relationships with customers. Our consistent
focus on providing high-quality, value-added services, including engineering and design support, has allowed us to attract customers that
seek to work with a proven provider of foundry solutions. Our emphasis on working closely with customers and accelerating the time-to-market
and performance of their next-generation products has enabled us to maintain a high customer retention rate, while increasing the number
of new customers and new products for production.
We continuously target to expand our manufacturing footprint and
business by attracting new customers that will utilize our existing manufacturing facilities, some of which have recently implemented
further capacity expansion projects, as well as by acquiring external capacity through acquisitions of existing or newly established fabs,
as we have done in the past, with or without third-party collaboration and/or funding (including cash, equity or in-kind investment).
We also offer from time to time a wide range of support services
for the establishment of new semiconductor fabrication facilities or the ramp up of existing facilities owned by third parties, using
our technological, operational and integration expertise, for which we receive payments based on the achievement of pre-defined milestones
and may also be entitled to certain capacity allocation and other rights, all subject to definitive agreements underlying such projects.
We derived a significant amount of our revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2021 from our target specialized markets: RF CMOS, including SiGe power IC and discrete devices, CMOS image sensors, wireless
communication and high performance analog. We are highly experienced in these markets, having been an early entrant and having developed
unique proprietary technologies, including through licensing and joint development efforts with our customers and other technology companies.
The specific process technologies that we currently focus on include:
radio frequency CMOS (RF CMOS), including SiGe CMOS image sensors (CIS) and integration of other types of sensors, advanced analog CMOS,
radio frequency identification (RFID), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe BiCMOS), high voltage CMOS, silicon-on-insulator
(SOI) platforms for power management, RF and sensor applications, LDMOS transistors, MEMS and wafer bonding technologies, as well as technologies
for enabling AI, in particular original Y-Flash memristors.
CMOS Image Sensors
CMOS image sensors are ICs used to capture an image in a wide variety
of consumer, communications, medical, automotive and industrial market applications, including camera-equipped cell phones, digital still,
video, security and surveillance cameras, and video game consoles. Our dedicated manufacturing and testing processes assure consistently
high electro-optical performance of the integrated sensor through wafer-level characterization. Our CMOS image sensor processes have demonstrated
superior optical characteristics, excellent spectral response and high resolution and sensitivity. The ultra-low dark current, high efficiency
and accurate spectral response of our photodiode enable faithful color reproduction and acute detail definition.
We are currently actively involved in the high-end sensor and applications
specific markets, which include applications such as high end video, high end photography, industrial machine vision, dental x-ray, medical
x-ray, automotive sensors, security sensors and time of flight (ToF) three dimensional sensors for entertainment, commercial and industrial
applications, as well as image sensors with record frame rates for registration of ultra-fast processes.
30
We gained the market potential using CMOS process technology for
a digital camera-on-a-chip, which integrates a CMOS image sensor, filters and digital circuitry. Upon entering the CMOS image sensor foundry
business, we utilized research and development work that had been ongoing since 1993. Our services include a broad range of turnkey solutions
and services, including silicon proven pixel services, optical characterization of a CMOS process, an innovative patented stitching manufacturing
technique and prototype packaging. The CMOS image sensors that we manufacture include 180nm on 200mm wafers and 65nm on 300mm wafers with
pixel sizes down to 1.12 micron utilizing dual light pipe technology, delivering outstanding image quality for a broad spectrum of digital
imaging applications.
Specifically, our CIS portfolio includes pixels ranging from 1.12
micron up to 150 micron, all developed by us. We provide both rolling shutter and global shutter pixels. The latter are used mainly in
the industrial sensor and in the three-dimensional sensor markets. Our advanced technology used in CMOS image sensors enables improved
optical and electrical performance such as low dark current, low noise, high well capacity, high quantum efficiency and high uniformity
of pixels utilizing deep sub-micron process technologies, enabling the manufacturing of very sophisticated and high performance camera
module solutions. Our state-of-the-art pixels are used in a variety of new markets, such as the high-end machine vision cameras and the
rapidly growing ToF 3D sensor market. In addition, our advanced global shutter technology and global shutter pixels, as small as 2.5um,
enable excellent performance, especially, very high shutter efficiency.
For the X-ray market, we offer our innovative patented “stitching”
technology on 0.18-micron process as well as on 65nm technology on 300mm wafers and a variety of 15 to 150-micron pixels that are optimized
for X-ray applications. These pixels are used by our customers in dental (intra and extraoral) and other medical X-ray products (such
as C-Arm surgery machines, angiography and mammography) as well as in the industrial NDT (Not Destructive Testing) X-Ray market.
Our stitching technology, a cornerstone of our X-Ray sensors technology,
enables semiconductor exposure tools to manufacture single ultra-high-resolution CMOS image sensors containing millions of pixels at sensor
sizes far larger than the photo exposure tool (scanner) field size.
This technology is used by us in the manufacturing of large X-Ray
sensors (up to one die per wafer) on 8” and 12” wafers as well as high-end large format photography and industrial sensors
with special pixels that we have developed specifically for this market. In addition, this technology is also being used by us in display
backplanes, for large virtual reality (VR) displays.
In the past two years, we have completed and qualified our next
generation CMOS sensor technology, namely BSI and wafer stacking, which combines a digital CMOS wafer with an imager wafer that is then
thinned for backside illumination (BSI) with billions of electrical connections between the two wafers. We now offer both BSI and stacking
technologies in 200mm (in cooperation with a third-party that manufactures the BSI part of the process on our wafers, using our own developed
BSI technology) and in 300mm in our own facilities at TPSCo.
We specially developed our near Infra-Red imaging technology for
gesture recognition systems and a series of spectrally sensitive image sensors, including proximity sensors and sensors sensitive in the
UV range. We also announced our iToF (indirect time of flight) technology with outstanding performance parameters for fast autofocus and
face recognition functions in mobile devices, which started production in 2021.
In addition, we developed SPAD (single photon avalanche diodes)
technology for dToF (direct time of flight) LIDAR (light detection and range) applications in mobile devices, smart automotive advanced
driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) vehicles. We also further developed our stacked technology to support the
stacking of a very advanced technology node CMOS wafer with a state of the art SPAD imager, with pixel level electrical connections between
the wafers.
31
MEMS and Displays
In the MEMS area, we entered the MEMS microphone market. This is
a fast-growing market with microphones being embedded not only in ear buds and cellular phones, but also in many command operated devices.
Speech recognition AI is being used in such devices. For high-fidelity speech recognition, differentiated performance of high-dynamic
range and low-noise microphones are needed. We are in the initial production ramp up and are moving forward on developments for the best-in-industry
signal-to-noise figure of merit.
We also developed MEMS switches technology for fast RF antenna
switching and accelerometers for a variety of applications.
The display market is undergoing a dramatic change from LCD-based
screens with LED backlighting into micro LED or micro OLED displays, allowing substantially higher dynamic range with true black and higher
brightness. The display market spans from small displays, such as smartwatch or VR goggles displays, through smartphone, tablet and laptop
displays, to large format TV displays. In today’s technology, all of these displays are glass based, where the small ones are usually
OLED displays while the large ones are LCD based with LED backlight. The true LED displays, namely, displays where each pixel is a LED,
that provide unprecedented performance in illuminance and dynamic range, are extremely expensive and large. The major change expected
in the coming decade is the ability to create these from micro LEDs and place them on a backplane in a cost effective way, or even have
a monolithic array of micro LEDs as a screen for the small screen applications. Such micro LEDs cannot be performed on glass and the most
promising way is to create them on silicon wafers (GaN on silicon). In entering this new display area, we are working on the silicon part
of GaN nano wire based LEDs, both pre and post GaN growth. In addition, we use our patented stitched technology for the development of
CMOS back plane for large die micro OLED arrays (monolithic approach) and LCOS displays for the virtual reality market.
RF CMOS
In recent years, more and more designers opt to develop high frequency
products based on RF CMOS technologies. The superior cost structure of CMOS technologies enables high volume, low cost production of high
frequency products. We use our mixed signal expertise to leverage and develop processes and provide services for customers that utilize
CMOS technologies and require high frequency performance.
Our RF CMOS process technologies have more features than advanced
analog CMOS process technologies of our competitors and are well suited for wireless electronics, such as highly integrated transceivers,
power amplifiers and television tuners. These process technologies generally incorporate integrated inductors, high performance variable
capacitors and RF laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistors into an advanced analog CMOS process technology. In addition
to the smart process features, our RF offering includes design kits with RF models, device simulation and physical layouts tailored specifically
for RF performance. We currently have RF CMOS process technologies in 0.25 micron, 0.18 micron, 0.13 micron and 65 nanometer.
Further, we have RFCMOS process built on silicon-on-insulator (SOI)
substrates (RFSOI). These RFSOI process technologies include devices optimized to deliver higher performance and improved isolation relative
to devices in our RFCMOS process. We currently have RFSOI process technologies in 0.18 micron, 0.13 micron and 65 nanometer lithography
nodes and fabricate various devices, including antenna switches with record FOM (figure of merit) and front end modules. Corresponding
chips can be found in various products, including state-of-the-art smartphones, manufactured by leading manufacturers.
BiCMOS for RF and High Performance Analog
Our BiCMOS process technologies have more features than RF CMOS
process technologies and are well suited for RF semiconductors, such as wireless transceivers and television tuners. These process technologies
generally incorporate high-speed bipolar transistors into an RF CMOS process. The equipment requirements for BiCMOS manufacturing are
specialized and assume enhanced tool capabilities to achieve high yield manufacturing.
32
Our SiGe BiCMOS process technologies have more features than BiCMOS
processes and are well suited for more advanced RF and high performance analog semiconductors such as high-speed, low noise, highly integrated
multi-band wireless transceivers, optical networking components, automotive radar components, hard-disk drive pre-amplifiers, power amplifiers
and low-noise amplifiers. These integrated circuits generally incorporate silicon germanium bipolar transistors, which are formed by the
deposition of a thin layer of silicon germanium within a bipolar transistor, to achieve higher speed, lower noise, and more efficient
power performance than the BiCMOS process technology. It is also possible to achieve higher speed using SiGe BiCMOS process technologies
equivalent to those demonstrated in standard RF CMOS processes that are two process generations smaller in line width. For example, a
0.18 micron SiGe BiCMOS process is able to achieve speeds comparable to a 90 nanometer RF CMOS process. As a result, SiGe BiCMOS makes
it possible to create analog products using a larger geometry process technology at a lower cost while achieving similar or superior performance
to that achieved using a smaller geometry standard RF CMOS process technology. We developed enhanced tool capabilities in cooperation
with large semiconductor tool suppliers to achieve high yield SiGe manufacturing. We believe this equipment and related process expertise
makes us one of the few integrated circuit manufacturers with demonstrated ability to deliver SiGe BiCMOS products. We currently have
0.35 micron, 0.18 micron and 0.13 SiGe BiCMOS technologies available.
Silicon Photonics (SiPho)
Our industry-leading silicon photonics platform targets optical
networking and data center interconnect applications. The SiPho process complements the Company’s SiGe BiCMOS processes by providing
a companion solution able to integrate optical components in the expanding data communication market. The platform enables integration
of photodetectors, optical modulators and other optical components that have in the past been assembled in optical modules as discrete
components and can now be integrated in a single die potentially lowering cost, reducing footprint and improving performance of advanced
optical transceivers.
Power and Power Management ICs
Our power technologies are generally divided into a low-voltage
BCD offering and a high-voltage offering, including 140V Resurf, 200V SOI and 700V ultra-high voltage technologies. Our low-voltage BCD
process technologies have more features than advanced analog CMOS processes and are well suited for power and driver semiconductors, such
as voltage regulators, battery chargers, power management products and audio amplifiers. These process technologies generally incorporate
higher voltage CMOS devices than advanced analog CMOS processes such as 5V, 8V, 12V, 40V and 60V devices, and, in the case of BCD, bipolar
devices integrated into an advanced analog CMOS process. We currently have BCD offerings in 0.5 micron, 0.35 micron, 0.25 micron, 0.18
micron and 65 nanometer.
Our higher voltage technologies, which include 140V Resurf, 200V
SOI and 700V ultra-high voltage platform, support applications such as gate drivers for discrete high-power transistors and automotive,
industrial, AC adaptor and lighting markets.
In addition, we have developed a unique, zero mask adder NVM solution
(Y-Flash) specifically for power and power management applications in our 0.18 micron platforms. We have developed a series of Y-flash
based modules with record (for the single Poly embedded MTP technologies) memory densities of up to 16kbit, which have been integrated
in various power management products of our customers. We have also introduced high density single Poly silicon memory arrays of other
intellectual property vendors into our CMOS process flows.
33
We continue to invest in technology that improves performance and
integration level and reduces the cost of analog and mixed-signal products. This includes improving the density of passive elements such
as capacitors and inductors, including development of the new passive elements, improving the analog performance and voltage handling
capability of active devices, and integrating additional advanced features in our specialty CMOS processes. Examples of such technologies
currently under development include GaN technologies for sensor applications and technologies aimed at integrating micro-electro-mechanical-system
(MEMS) devices with CMOS, using phase-change materials for more advanced RF switches, scaling the features we offer today to the 65 nanometer
process, including the integration of advanced SiGe transistors with 65 nanometer CMOS, and copper metallization.
CUSTOMERS, MARKETING AND
SALES
Our marketing and sales strategy seeks to further solidify our
position as the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, by increasing our market share at existing customers and
expanding our global customer base. We have marketing, sales, design support engineers, field application engineers and customer support
personnel located in many countries worldwide, who have been hired and assigned to these roles based on their industry experience, customer
relationships and understanding of the semiconductor marketplace.
Our sales cycle is generally 9 to 24 months or longer for new customers
and can be as short as 6 to 12 months for existing customers. The typical stages in the sales cycle process from initial contact until
production are:
technical evaluation;
product design to our specifications, including integration of
third party intellectual property;
photomask - design and third-party photomask manufacturing;
silicon prototyping;
assembly and test;
validation and qualification; and
production.
The primary customers of our foundry and design services are fabless
semiconductor companies and IDMs. Our customers include many analog and mixed-signal industry leaders, serving a variety of end market
segments. A portion of our product sales are made pursuant to long-term contracts with our customers, under which we agree to reserve
manufacturing capacity for certain purchasing commitments. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we had six significant customers that
each contributed between 4% to 21% of our revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we had six significant customers that each
contributed between 5% to 25% of our revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we had six significant customers that each contributed
between 5% to 27% of our revenues.
The following table sets forth the geographical distribution, by
percentage, of our net revenues for the periods indicated:
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
United States |
41 |
% |
44 |
% |
52 |
% | ||||||
|
Japan |
22 |
% |
28 |
% |
29 |
% | ||||||
|
Asia, excluding Japan |
30 |
% |
22 |
% |
15 |
% | ||||||
|
Europe |
7 |
% |
6 |
% |
4 |
% | ||||||
|
Total |
100 |
% |
100 |
% |
100 |
% | ||||||
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We price our products on a per wafer basis, taking into account
the unique value of our technology and its ability to enable customers to differentiate their products, the complexity of the technology,
prevailing market conditions, volume forecasts, the strength and history of our relationships with the customer and our current capacity
utilization. Most of our customers usually place purchase orders between two to six months before shipment.
To promote our products, technology offering and services, we publish
press releases, articles, technology journals and white papers. In addition, we present and participate in panel sessions at industry
conferences, hold a variety of regional and international technology seminars, and exhibit at various industry trade shows. We discuss
advances in our process technology portfolio and progress on specific relevant programs with our prospective and existing customers, as
well as industry analysts and research analysts, on a regular basis.
Our customers use our processes to design and market a broad range
of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for diverse end markets, including wired and wireless high-speed communications, consumer electronics,
automotive, medical, security and industrial applications. We manufacture products for a wide range of electronic systems, including but
not limited to, high-performance applications, such as antenna switches, transceivers and power management circuits for cellular phones;
transceivers and power amplifiers for wireless local area networking products; power management, audio amplifiers and driver integrated
circuits for consumer electronics; tuners for digital televisions and set-top boxes; modem chipsets for broadband access devices and gaming
devices; serializer/deserializers, or SerDes, for fiber optic transceivers; high end video cameras, dental and medical x-ray vision, industrial
cameras, focal plane arrays for imaging applications; infra-red detectors for gesture recognition, controllers for power amplifier and
switching chips in cellular phones and wireline interfaces for switches and routers, magnetic field and gas and UV sensors.
COMPETITION
The global semiconductor foundry industry is highly competitive.
We compete most directly in the specialty segment with foundries such as GlobalFoundries (mainly in the RF business), Vanguard Semiconductor,
DongBu, X-Fab and Hua Hong Semiconductor. We also compete in some areas with the pure-play advanced technology node-driven foundry service
providers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (“TSMC”), United Microelectronics Corporation (“UMC”)
and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (“SMIC”). These three pure-play semiconductor foundries primarily compete
against one another and focus on 12-inch deep-submicron CMOS processing, though they each also have some capacity for specialty process
technologies. The rest of the foundry industry, including existing Chinese, Korean and Malaysian foundries, generally target either industry
standard 8-inch CMOS processing or specialty process technologies. Most of the foundries with which we compete are located in Asia-Pacific
that benefit from their close proximity to Asian companies involved in the design of ICs and the Asian customer base.
The principal elements of competition in the wafer foundry market
are:
| • |
technology offering and future roadmap; |
| • |
product performance; |
| • |
system level technical expertise; |
| • |
research and development capabilities; |
| • |
access to intellectual property; |
| • |
customer technical support; |
35
| • |
design services; |
| • |
product development kits (PDKs); |
| • |
manufacturing operational performance; |
| • |
quality systems; |
| • |
product quality; |
| • |
manufacturing yields; |
| • |
customer support and service; |
| • |
pricing; |
| • |
management expertise; |
| • |
strategic customer relationships; |
| • |
capacity availability; and |
| • |
stability and reliability of supply. |
Some of our competitors, notably the pure-play advanced technology
node-driven foundry service providers, have greater manufacturing capacity, may have greater scope and/or a greater number of research
and development resources, better cost structure and greater financial, marketing and other resources. As a result, these companies may
be able to compete more aggressively over a longer period of time than us.
We seek to compete primarily on the basis of advanced specialty
analog/mixed-signal technology, research and development, breadth of process offering, production quality, technical support, and our
design and engineering services. We have a highly differentiated specialty offering and proven track record in analog/mixed-signal markets,
which enables us to effectively compete with larger foundry service providers.
Some semiconductor companies have advanced their CMOS designs to
5-10 nanometer. These smaller geometries may provide customers with performance and integration features that may be comparable to, or
exceed, features offered by our specialty process technologies, and may be more cost-effective at higher production volumes for certain
applications, such as when a large amount of digital content is required in a mixed-signal semiconductor and less analog content is required.
Our specialty process technologies will therefore compete with these advanced CMOS processes and some of our potential and existing customers
could elect to design these advanced CMOS processes into their next generation products. We are not currently capable, nor do our current
plans include, the manufacture of products using CMOS processes at these smaller geometries.
WAFER FABRICATION SERVICES
Wafer fabrication is an intricate process that consists of constructing
layers of conducting and insulating materials on raw wafers in intricate patterns that define the IC’s function. IC manufacturing
requires hundreds of interrelated steps performed on different types of equipment, and each step must be completed with extreme accuracy
for finished ICs to work properly. The process can be summarized as follows:
Circuit Design. IC production begins when a fabless IC company
or IDM designs (or engages a third party or us to design) the layout of a device’s components and designates the interconnections
between each component. The result is a pattern of components and connections that defines the function of the IC. In highly complex circuits,
there may be more than 43 layers of electronic patterns. After the IC design is completed, we provide these companies with IC manufacturing
services.
36
Mask Making. The design for each layer of a semiconductor wafer
is imprinted on a photographic negative, called a reticle or mask. The mask is the blueprint for each specific layer of the semiconductor
wafer. We engage external mask shops for the manufacture of such masks.
IC Manufacturing. Transistors and other circuit elements comprising
an IC are formed by repeating a series of processes in which photosensitive material is deposited on the wafer and exposed to light through
a mask. Advanced IC manufacturing processes consist of hundreds of steps, including photolithography, oxidation, etching and stripping
of different layers and materials, ion implantation, deposition of thin film layers, chemical mechanical polishing and thermal processing.
The final step in the IC manufacturing process is wafer probing, which involves electronically inspecting each individual IC in order
to identify those that are operable for assembly. Our customers often use third party service providers for the performance of wafer probing
although we occasionally provide this service to certain customers.
Assembly and Test. After IC manufacture, the wafers are transferred
to assembly and test facilities. In the assembly process, each wafer is cut into dies, or individual semiconductors, and tested. Defective
dies are discarded, while good dies are packaged and assembled. Assembly protects the IC, facilitates its integration into electronic
systems and enables heat dissipation. Following assembly, the functionality, voltage, current and timing of each IC is tested. After testing,
the completed IC is shipped either to our customer or to their customer’s printed circuit board manufacturing facility. Our customers
often use third party service providers for the performance of wafer assembly and testing, and to a smaller extent, part of such process
is performed independently by us.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Our future success depends, to a large degree, on our ability to
continue to successfully develop and introduce to production advanced process technologies that meet our customers’ needs. Our process
development strategy relies on CMOS process platforms that we license and transfer from third parties or develop ourselves.
From time to time, at a customer’s request, we develop a
specialty process module, which in accordance with the applicable agreement, may be used for such customer on an exclusive basis or added
to our process offering. Such developments are very common in all of our specialty process technologies noted above.
Our research and development activities have related primarily
to our process, device and design development efforts in all specialty areas that were mentioned above, and have been sponsored and funded
by us and in certain cases with the partial participation of the Government of the State of Israel through the IIA, pursuant to the Innovation
Law and related regulations and guidelines. Under the terms of the Israeli Government participation and the Innovation Law as currently
in effect, a royalty of 3% or up to 5% of the net sales of products and services developed from a project funded by the IIA must generally
be paid to the IIA, up to an aggregate of 100% (which may be increased under certain circumstances) of the U.S. dollar-linked value of
the grant, plus interest at the rate of 12-month LIBOR. The Innovation Law imposes significant restrictions on manufacturing of products
developed with IIA grants outside Israel and on the transfer (including by way of license) of IIA-funded technologies to third parties
outside Israel. For example, the transfer or license of IIA-funded technologies to third parties outside Israel requires the prior approval
of the IIA, which approval is generally contingent on payment of a redemption fee, calculated according to a formula under the Innovation
Law, which may be in the amount of up to six times the grant(s) amount (less paid royalties, if any, and depreciation, but no less than
the total amount of grants actually received by us), plus accrued interest.
In addition to the above, we may be required to obtain export licenses
before exporting certain technology or products to any third party and may be required to comply with Israeli, U.S. and other foreign
export regulations, as may be applicable.
37
Our research and development activities seek to upgrade and improve
our manufacturing technologies and processes. We maintain a central research and development team primarily responsible for developing
cost-effective technologies that can serve the manufacturing needs of our customers. A substantial portion of our research and development
activities are undertaken in cooperation with our customers and equipment vendors. Due to the rapid changes in technology that characterize
the semiconductor industry, effective research and development is essential to our success. We plan to continue to invest significantly
in research and development activities in order to develop advanced process technologies for new applications.
Research and development expenses for the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $85.4 million, $78.3 million and $75.6 million, respectively, net of government participation of $0.8 million,
$0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, we employed 429 professionals in our research and development departments,
57 of whom have PhDs. In addition to our research and development departments located at our facilities in Migdal Haemek, Israel, Newport
Beach, California, San Antonio, Texas and Hokuriku Japan, we maintain a design center in Netanya, Israel.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents, licenses
and other intellectual property rights related to our production processes. To that end, we have obtained certain patents, acquired patent
licenses and intend to continue to seek patents on our intellectual property.
As of December 31, 2021, we held 319 patents in force. We have
entered into various patent and other technology license agreements with technology companies, including Synopsys, ARM, Cadence, Mentor
Graphics and others, under which we have obtained rights to additional technologies and intellectual property.
We constantly seek to strengthen our technological expertise through
relationships with technology companies. We seek to expand our core strengths in CMOS image sensors, non-imaging sensors, embedded flash,
power management, AI, RF, SiGe, MEMS, mixed-signal and silicon photonics technologies by continuous development in these areas. A main
component of our process development strategy is to acquire licenses for standard CMOS technologies, cell libraries and specialized IPs
(e.g., NVM) from leading providers, such as ARM and Synopsys, and further develop specialized processes through our internal design teams.
The licensing of these technologies has significantly reduced our internal development costs.
Our ability to compete depends on our ability to operate without
infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. The semiconductor industry is generally characterized by frequent litigation over patent
and other intellectual property rights. As is the case with many companies in the semiconductor industry, we have from time to time received
communications from third parties asserting that their patents cover certain of our technologies or alleging infringement of intellectual
property rights. We expect that we will receive similar communications in the future. Irrespective of the validity or the successful assertion
of such claims, we could incur significant costs and devote significant management resources in defending ourselves from such claims.
DESIGN SERVICES
To better serve our customers’ design needs using advanced
CMOS and mixed-signal processes, we have entered into a series of agreements with leading providers of physical design libraries, mixed-signal
and non-volatile memory design components. These components are basic design building blocks, such as standard cells, interface input-output
(I/O) cells, software compilers for the generation of on-chip embedded memory arrays, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory design blocks.
To achieve optimal performance, all of these components must be customized to work with our manufacturing process. These components are
used in most of our customers’ chip designs.
38
We interact closely with customers throughout the design development
and prototyping process to assist them in the development of high performance and low power consumption semiconductor designs and to lower
their final die, or individual semiconductor, costs through die size reductions and integration. We provide engineering support and services
as well as manufacturing support in an effort to accelerate our customers’ design and qualification process so that our customers
can achieve faster time to market. We have entered into alliances with Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Synopsys, Inc., Mentor Graphics Corp.,
and other suppliers of electronic design automation tools, and also licensed standard cells, I\O and memory technologies from ARM, Synopsys,
Inc., and other leading providers of physical intellectual property components for the design and manufacture of ICs. Through these relationships,
we provide our customers with the ability to simulate the behavior of their design in our processes using standard electronic design automation,
or EDA tools.
The applications for which our specialty process technologies are
targeted present challenges that require an in-depth set of simulation models. We provide these models as an integral part of our design
support. At the initial design stage, our customers’ internal design teams use the proprietary design kits that we have developed
to design semiconductors that can be successfully and cost-effectively manufactured using our specialty process technologies. These design
kits, which collectively comprise our design library and design platform, allow our customers to quickly simulate the performance of a
semiconductor design with our processes, enabling them to refine their product design to ensure alignment to our manufacturing process
before actually manufacturing the semiconductor. Our engineers, who have significant experience with analog and mixed-signal semiconductor
design and production, work closely with our customers’ design teams to provide design advice and help them optimize their designs
for our processes and their performance requirements. After the initial design phase, we provide our customers with a multi-project wafer
service to facilitate the early and rapid use of our specialty process technologies, which allows them to gain early access to actual
samples of their designs. Under this multi-project wafer service, we schedule a periodic multi-project wafer run in which we manufacture
several customers’ designs in a single mask set, providing our customers with an opportunity to reduce the cost and time required
to test their designs. Our design center helps customers accelerate the design-to-silicon process and enhances first-time silicon success
by providing them with the required design resources and capabilities namely, accurate device models, rich PDKs, silicon proven ESD (Electro
Static Discharge) protection structures for different voltages ranging from 2KV to 15KV and I/Os, special design rules per application
and technical support. Our design support can assist in all or part of the design flow. Our in-depth knowledge of the fab and processes
provide a substantive and competitive advantage for our customers, for example when time to market is critical (our design support reduces
the number of required runs) or when implementing designs that reach the boundaries of technology. In addition, our IP and design services
can assist to relieve some of our customers' issues, providing the specific skills and expertise critical for quick and successful implementation
of our customers’ design on our manufacturing process.
We believe that our circuit design expertise and our ability to
accelerate our customers’ design cycle while reducing their design costs represent one of our more notable competitive strengths.
JAZZ SEMICONDUCTOR TRUSTED
FOUNDRY
For purposes of our U.S. aerospace and defense business, Tower
and Tower NPB have worked with the Defense Security Service of the United States Department of Defense (“DSS”) to mitigate
concern of foreign ownership, control or influence over the operations in Fab 3, specifically relating to protection of classified information
and prevention of potential unauthorized access by creating Jazz Semiconductor Trusted Foundry (“JSTF”) as a subsidiary of
Newport Fab LLC, which is directly held by NPB Co., and limiting possession of all classified information solely to JSTF. JSTF maintains
facility security clearance and trusted foundry status.
39
|
C. |
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
|
The legal name of our company is Tower Semiconductor Ltd. Tower
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel in 1993.
Tower directly operates our Fab 1 and Fab 2 facilities in Israel.
Tower’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tower US Holdings Inc.,
owns all of the shares of Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc., which owns all of the shares of Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc.
(all three companies are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware), which operates our Fab 3 facility.
Tower holds a 51% equity stake in TPSCo (NTCJ holds the remaining
49%), which is incorporated under the laws of Japan and operates three fabs located in Japan and known as Arai E, Uozo E and Tonami CD.
Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc., which is wholly-owned by
Tower US Holdings Inc., operates our Fab 9 facility in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
TSIT, Tower’s wholly-owned Italian subsidiary, is expected
to share manufacturing capacity with ST Microelectronics S.r.l. in a 300mm fabrication facility being established in Agrate, Italy.
|
D. |
PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
|
MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
We manufacture semiconductor wafers at seven manufacturing facilities:
Fab 1 and Fab 2 facilities in Israel, Fab 3 in Newport Beach, California in the U.S., TPSCo’s three fabs (Arai E, Uozo E and Tonami
CD) in Japan, and Fab 9 in San Antonio, Texas in the U.S. TSIT is expected to share manufacturing capacity with ST in a 300mm fabrication
facility being established by ST in Agrate, Italy.
The capacity in each of our facilities at any particular time varies
and depends on the combination of the processes being used and the product mix being manufactured at such time. Hence, it may be significantly
lower at certain times as a result of certain combinations that may require more processing steps than others. We have the ability to
rapidly change the mix of production processes in use in order to respond to changing customer needs and to maximize utilization of the
fab. In general, our ability to increase our manufacturing capacity has been achieved through the addition of equipment, improvement in
equipment utilization, and the reconfiguration and expansion of existing clean room areas.
Capital expenditures in 2021 and 2020 were approximately $279 million
and $257 million, respectively, net of proceeds from sale of equipment and fixed assets of approximately $35 million and $57 million,
respectively.
Fab 1
We acquired our Fab 1 facility from National Semiconductor in 1993,
which had operated the facility since 1986. The facility is located in Migdal Haemek, Israel. We occupy the facility under a long-term
lease from the Israel Lands Authority which expires in 2032.
Due to the sensitivity and complexity of the semiconductor manufacturing
process, a semiconductor manufacturing facility requires a special “clean room” in which most of the manufacturing functions
are performed. Our Fab 1 facility includes an approximately 51,900 square foot clean room.
Since we commenced manufacturing at Fab 1, we increased its manufacturing
capacity and expanded the technologies qualified in the fab, including specialized processes. Fab 1 supports geometries ranging from 1.0
micron to 0.35-micron.
40
Fab 2
In 2003, we commenced production in our Fab 2, also located in
Migdal Haemek, Israel. Fab 2 supports geometries ranging from 0.35 to 0.11-micron, using advanced CMOS technology, including CMOS image
sensors, embedded flash, advanced analog, RF SOI, power platforms and mixed-signal technologies. We have invested significantly in the
purchase of fixed assets, primarily in connection with the construction of Fab 2, technology advancement and capacity expansion.
The land on which Fab 2 is located is subject to a long-term lease
from the Israel Lands Authority that expires in 2049. The overall clean room area in Fab 2 is approximately 100,000 square feet.
Fab 3
NPB Co.’s manufacturing facility, Fab 3, and offices, which
we acquired in 2008, are located in Newport Beach, California. Fab 3 supports geometries ranging from 0.80 to 0.13-micron. The manufacturing
facility comprises 320,000 square feet, including 120,000 square feet of overall clean room area.
NPB Co. leases its fabrication facility and offices under a lease
agreement that was initially in effect until March 2022, and provided NPB Co. an option, at its sole discretion, to extend the lease for
an additional five year period, which NPB Co. elected to exercise for the lease to continue through March 2027. Under the lease agreement
as currently in effect, (i) NPB Co’s rental payments consist of fixed base rent and fixed management fees and NPB Co.’s pro
rata share of certain expenses incurred by the landlord in the ownership of these buildings, including property taxes, building insurance
and common area maintenance; and (ii) the lease agreement includes certain obligations of the parties, including certain noise abatement
actions in relation to the fabrication facility. The landlord has made claims that NPB Co.’s noise abatement efforts are not adequate
under the terms of the amended lease, and has requested a judicial declaration that NPB Co. has committed material non-curable breaches
of the lease and that, in accordance with the lease, the landlord would be entitled to terminate the lease. NPB Co. does not agree and
is disputing these claims. s. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business— Risks
relating to Fab 3 lease could harm business, operations and financial results.”
Uozu E, Tonami CD and Arai E fabs
In 2014, we acquired a 51% equity stake in TPSCo, a company initially
formed by Panasonic Corporation to manufacture products for Panasonic and other third-party customers, using three semiconductor factories
located in Hokuriku, Japan, which factories were established by Panasonic. Pursuant to the transaction, Panasonic transferred its semiconductor
wafer manufacturing process and capacity tools (8 inch and 12 inch) at its three fabs located in Hokuriku (Uozu E, Tonami CD and Arai
E) to TPSCo. The fabs support geometrics ranging down to 45 nanometer. The fabs’ land and buildings are leased by PSCS (currently
named NTCJ) to TPSCo. As part of the agreements in relation to TPSCo, at the request of Panasonic (through PSCS; currently named NTCJ),
it has been decided to re-organize and re-structure operations in Japan such that the Uozu and Tonami facilities will remain unchanged,
while the Arai manufacturing factory, which is currently manufacturing products solely for NTCJ and is not serving Tower’s or TPSCo’s
foundry customers, will cease operations effective July 1, 2022.
Fab 9
During 2016, we acquired Fab 9 in San Antonio Texas, USA from Maxim.
The assets and related business that we acquired from Maxim are held and conducted through a wholly-owned US subsidiary, Tower SA. Fab
9 supports process geometries ranging from 0.18 to 0.8 micron for the manufacture of products using CMOS and analog based technologies.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, until the termination or expiration of the supply agreement entered into between Maxim and
Tower SA, Maxim has a right of first offer to re-purchase Fab 9 in the event Tower or any of its subsidiaries sell, transfer, dispose
of, cease the operations of, close, transfer or relocate Fab 9, or if Tower or its operations at Fab 9 become subject to a petition of
bankruptcy or liquidation.
41
Fab under construction by ST in Italy
We
entered into a definitive agreement with ST as of September 14, 2021 to
share a 300mm manufacturing fabrication facility in Agrate, Italy under a collaborative arrangement, following which TSIT, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Tower, was incorporated. The fabrication facility is currently under construction by ST. The parties will share
the cleanroom space and the facility infrastructure, and TSIT will install equipment in one-third of the total space, which are
expected to be qualified and used to manufacture products for its foundry customers. Operations will continue to be managed by ST.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY
AND QUALITY MATTERS AND CERTIFICATIONS
We have placed significant emphasis on achieving and maintaining
a high standard of manufacturing quality. All our facilities are ISO 9001 certified, an international quality standard that provides guidance
to achieve an effective quality management system. In addition, all our facilities are IATF16949 certified, a stringent automotive quality
standard.
Our operations are subject to a variety of laws and governmental
regulations relating to the use, discharge and disposal of toxic or otherwise hazardous materials used in our production processes. Failure
to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to material costs and liabilities, including costs to clean up contamination
caused by our operations. All of our facilities are ISO 14001 certified, an international standard that provides management guidance on
how to achieve an effective environmental management system. Risks have been evaluated and mitigation plans are in place to prevent and
control accidental spills and discharges. Procedures have also been established at all our locations to ensure that any such potential
situations are properly addressed. The environmental management system assists in evaluating compliance status with all applicable environmental
laws and regulations as well as establishing loss prevention and control measures. In addition, our facilities are subject to strict regulations
and periodic monitoring by governmental agencies.
For safety, all of our facilities are OHSAS 45001 certified,
an international occupational health and safety standard that provides guidance on how to achieve an effective health and safety management
system. The health and safety standard management system assists in evaluating compliance status with all applicable health and safety
laws and regulations as well as establishing preventative and control measures.
Our goal in implementing OHSAS 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and IATF16949 systems
is to continually improve our environmental, health, safety and quality management systems.
In addition, we are committed to environment, social and governance
(“ESG”) criteria with a corporate focus on social contribution and sustainability through diverse initiatives and activities.
We are currently preparing a dedicated report on our ESG policies, including our strategy and long-term plan.
ITEM
4A. UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM
5. OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
|
A. |
OPERATING RESULTS
|
The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction
with our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and related notes and the information
contained elsewhere in this annual report. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The following discussion
and analysis may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected
events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those
set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
42
OVERVIEW
We are a pure-play independent specialty foundry dedicated to the
manufacturing of semiconductors. As a pure-play foundry, we do not offer products of our own, but focus on producing ICs, based on the
design specifications of our customers. We manufacture semiconductors for our customers primarily based on their designs or their end
customers’ designs or other third-party designs. We currently offer the process manufacture geometries of 0.35, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60,
0.80-micron and above on 150-mm wafers and 0.35, 0.18. 0.16 and 0.13 -micron on 200-mm wafers and 90 nanometer, 65 nanometer and 45 nanometer
on 300-mm wafers. We also provide design support and complementary technical services. ICs manufactured by us are incorporated into a
wide range of products in diverse markets, including consumer electronics, personal computers, communications, automotive, industrial,
aerospace and medical device products. The technology platforms that we offer are focused on the mega trends of seamless connectivity,
green everything and interactive smart systems.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, our revenues were derived
from customers located around the globe, of which 41% were located in the United States, 22% in Japan, 30% in Asia (excluding Japan) and
7% in Europe, as compared to 44%, 28%, 22% and 6%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, 21% of our revenues were
derived from NTCJ (formerly known as PSCS until September 2020), 33% of our revenues were derived from five different customers each comprising
between 4% to 13% of our revenues, and the remaining 46% of our revenues were derived from many other smaller customers, as compared to
25%, 35% and 40%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The primary changes in financial and business conditions that could
have impacted our business and financial results in 2021 were as follows:
The COVID-19 outbreak, which was declared a global pandemic by
the World Health Organization during March 2020, did not adversely affect our revenue, business and financial results for the year ended
December 31, 2021. While we faced some specific supply chain and shortage of supply issues due to local restrictions, lockdowns and isolation
periods imposed by the governments of vendors, or due to no or limited international courier delivery services, and while attendance of
employees and service providers at our facilities and offices was reduced due to local restrictions and isolation periods imposed by the
local government, customer orders and pricing did not materially decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic or any related or resulting global
economic downturn.
While at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, customer orders
did not increase to the higher levels we had initially planned for, we did not face any material reductions or cancellations of orders
and did not face any halt or stoppages of any of our seven manufacturing lines.
As a result, our revenues did not decrease in the first half of
2020 and significantly increased commencing in the second half of 2020 and into 2021. This significant increase in revenues is mainly
attributed to our radio frequency (RF) business unit product sales for the infrastructure market for data centers and cloud computing,
which were driven by the work-from-home trend and huge needs for ICs we manufacture for data storage and other markets.
In order to address the growing demand for our products and to
attract and retain our customers, in 2020 and 2021, we increased by 49% and an additional 9%, respectively, our investments in property
and equipment, net from $172.2 million during 2019 to $256.5 million in 2020 and $279.3 million in 2021, directed to our fabs in Israel,
the United States and Japan, including to our most advanced 12-inch fab located in Japan. The expansion of our capacity by property and
equipment purchases is expected to remain high in 2022 as customer orders currently exceed our capacity at most of our fabs and to equip
the new facility we share with ST in Agrate, Italy.
43
On February 15, 2022, we entered into the Merger Agreement with
Parent, Merger Sub, and Intel, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (and Merger Sub will cease to exist as
a separate legal entity), and the Company will be the surviving company and will become a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Parent and
a subsidiary of Intel. As a result of the Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company, all outstanding Company Shares
(except for any Company Shares owned by the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect subsidiaries or held in the
Company’s treasury (which will remain outstanding and no Merger Consideration or any other consideration will be delivered in exchange
therefor)) will be deemed to be transferred to Parent in exchange for the right to receive the Merger Consideration.
KEY FACTORS AFFECTING
OUR RESULTS
Subject to the completion of the Merger, the following are key
factors that impact our results of operations:
Ability to attract and retain customers.
We are a trusted, customer-oriented service provider that has built
a solid reputation in the foundry industry over more than twenty-five years. We have built strong relationships with customers. Our consistent
focus on providing high-quality, value-add services, including engineering and design support, has allowed us to attract customers that
seek to work with a proven provider of foundry solutions. Our emphasis on working closely with customers and accelerating the time-to-market
and performance of their next-generation products has enabled us to maintain a high customer retention rate, while increasing the number
of new customers and new products for production.
We continuously target to expand our manufacturing footprint, manufacturing
capacity and business by addressing current customers’ future needs and attracting new customers that will utilize our existing
manufacturing facilities, some of which have recently implemented further capacity expansion projects, as well as by acquiring external
capacity through, acquisitions of existing or newly established fabs, as we have done in the past, with or without third-party collaboration
and/or funding (including cash, equity or in-kind investment). We also offer from time to time a wide range of support services for the
establishment of new semiconductor fabrication facilities or the ramp-up of existing facilities owned by third parties, using our technological,
operational and integration expertise, for which we receive payments based on the achievement of pre-defined milestones and may also be
entitled to certain capacity allocation and other rights.
Design wins with new and existing customers.
We work with our customers and potential customers to understand
their product roadmaps and strategies. We consider design wins to be critical to our future success. We define a design win as the successful
completion of the evaluation stage, where a customer has verified that our platform process meets its requirements and qualified our libraries
and IPs for their products. The revenue that we generate, if any, from each design win can vary significantly. Our long-term sales expectations
are based on forecasts from customers, internal estimates of customer demand factoring in expected time to market for end-customer products
incorporating our products and associated revenue potential and internal estimates of overall demand based on historical trends.
Selling prices and manufacturing costs.
Our gross margin has been and will continue to be affected by a
variety of factors, including the market demand for semiconductor wafers, timing of changes in pricing, shipment volumes, new product
introductions, changes in product mixes, changes in our purchase price of raw materials, including silicon starting material wafers, and
manufacturing yields. In general, newly introduced products and products with higher performance and more features tend to be priced higher
than older, more mature products. Average selling prices in the semiconductor industry typically decline as products mature. Consistent
with this historical trend, we expect that the average selling prices of our products will decline as they mature. In the normal course
of business, we will seek to offset the effect of declining average selling prices on existing products by reducing manufacturing costs
and introducing new and higher value-add products. If we are unable to maintain overall average selling prices or offset any declines
in average selling prices with realized savings on product costs, our gross margin will decline.
44
Investment in growth.
We have invested, and intend to continue to invest,
in expanding our operations, increasing our headcount, developing our products to support our growth and expanding our infrastructure.
Specifically, we entered into an agreement with ST effective as of September 14, 2021, to share 300mm manufacturing capacity space in
Italy, for which we will need to purchase a significant amount of equipment tools that will require us to use a significant portion of
our cash and, to fund other investments and cash plans, we may want and/ or need to raise additional funds by way of debt and/or equity
offerings, which funds may not be available at reasonable terms, if at all and may require consents that may not be provided to us. We
plan to continue to invest in our operational capabilities throughout the world through significant capital expenditure, and the return
on these investments may be lower than we expect and these investments may significantly reduce our net profit and cash balance, and require
us to raise additional funds by way of debt or equity offerings. In addition, as we invest in expanding our operations into new areas
internationally, our business and results will become further subject to the risks and challenges of operations in those locations, including
potentially higher fixed costs and operating expenses, potential impact of legal and regulatory developments, as well as high depreciation
on fixed assets that will reduce our profitability.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For recently issued accounting pronouncements see Note 2W and Note
2X to our annual financial statements included herein.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of
our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes thereto included
in this annual report. The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data as a percentage of total revenues for the years
indicated.
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||
|
Revenues |
100 |
% |
100 |
% |
100 |
% | ||||||
|
Cost of revenues |
78.2 |
81.6 |
81.4 |
|||||||||
|
Gross Profit |
21.8 |
18.4 |
18.6 |
|||||||||
|
Research and development expense |
5.7 |
6.1 |
6.2 |
|||||||||
|
Marketing, general and administrative expense |
5.1 |
5.1 |
5.4 |
|||||||||
|
Operating profit |
11.0 |
7.2 |
7.0 |
|||||||||
|
Financing income (expense), net |
(0.8 |
) |
0.2 |
0.0 |
||||||||
|
Other income (expense), net |
0.1 |
(0.4 |
) |
0.3 |
||||||||
|
Profit before tax |
10.3 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
|||||||||
|
Income tax expense, net |
(0.1 |
) |
(0.4 |
) |
(0.2 |
) | ||||||
|
Net profit |
10.2 |
6.6 |
7.1 |
|||||||||
|
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest |
(0.3 |
) |
(0.1 |
) |
0.2 |
|||||||
|
Net profit attributable to the Company |
9.9 |
% |
6.5 |
% |
7.3 |
% | ||||||
45
Year ended December
31, 2021 compared to year ended December 31, 2020
Revenues. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $1,508.2
million, as compared to $1,265.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $242.5 million revenue increase is attributed mainly
to an increase in the quantity of products (CMOS silicon wafers) manufactured and shipped to our foundry customers from our factories
in Israel, USA & Japan during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as to the
increase in the average selling price per product we experienced commencing mainly in the second half of 2021.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues for the year ended December
31, 2021 amounted to $1,179.0 million as compared to $1,032.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $146.6 million increase
is mainly due to the increased quantity of wafers manufactured and shipped to our foundry customers from our factories as described above,
which resulted in additional variable and other manufacturing cost.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021
amounted to $329.1 million as compared to $233.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $95.8 million increase in gross profit
resulted mainly from the $242.5 million revenue increase, net of the $146.6 million increased cost of revenues, as described above.
Research and Development. Research and development expense for
the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $85.4 million as compared to $78.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. The $7.1
million increase in research and development expense reflects our continuous focus on enhancing our mid-term and long-term products’
development funnel, technology capabilities and future design wins.
Marketing, General and Administrative. Marketing, general and administrative
expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $77.2 million as compared to $64.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020,
both reflecting 5.1% of revenues. The $13.2 million increase is mainly due to an increase in stock-based compensation expenses recognized
for the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of increased equity awards under the Company’s 2013 Share Incentive Plan (the “2013
Plan”), see also note 15B to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021; as well as due to the cost saving activities
implemented in 2020 (mainly payroll and headcount-related cost) related to and/or resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for the year ended December
31, 2021 amounted to $166.5 million as compared to $91.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $75.5 million increase in operating
profit resulted mainly from the $95.8 million increase in gross profit described above, offset by the $7.1 million increase in research
and development expense described above and the $13.2 million increase in marketing, general and administrative expense described above.
Financing Income (Expense), Net. Financing expense, net for the
year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $12.9 million as compared to financing income, net of $2.9 million for the year ended December
31, 2020. The financing expenses increase is mainly due to non-cash non-recurring financing expenses recorded during the year ended December
31, 2021 due the USD appreciation against the JPY during this period, which impacted a JPY-denominated balance sheet item.
46
Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income, net for the year ended
December 31, 2021 amounted to $1.5 million as compared to other expense, net of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Other
income (expense), net includes mainly non-recurring items such as gains and losses from the sale and disposal of certain under-utilized
and or unneeded property and equipment items, as well as evaluation or devaluation of the value of investments in companies in accordance
with ASC 321, as detailed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021.
Income Tax Expense, Net. Income tax expense, net for the year ended
December 31, 2021 amounted to $1.0 million as compared to $5.4 million income tax expense, net in the year ended December 31, 2020. This
difference between the income tax expense, net is associated mainly with the expiration of a deferred tax liability recorded in prior
years, offset by higher tax expenses resulting from the higher profit before tax in the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the
year ended December 31, 2020.
Net profit. Net profit for the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted
to $154.1 million as compared to a net profit of $83.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $70.8 million increase in net
profit was mainly due to the increase in operating profit, other income, net, and decrease in tax expense, net as described above, offset
by the increase in financing expense, net as described above.
Net loss (income) attributable to the non-controlling interest.
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest for the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $4.1 million as compared to $1.0
million in the year ended December 31, 2020, reflecting an increase in the profitability of TPSCo’s, of which we hold 51%.
Net Profit attributable to the company. Net profit attributable
to the company for the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to $150.0 million as compared to $82.3 million for the year ended December
31, 2020. The increase in net profit attributable to the company in the amount of $67.7 million was mainly due to the increase in the
net profit of $70.8 million, offset by the increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interest, of $3.1 million, as described
above.
For details with regards to risks associated with the COVID-19
pandemic and/or risks that may result from the pandemic, see our disclosure under Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements as of
December 31, 2021 and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business—Certain effects of
the COVID-19 pandemic may hurt our business”.
Impact of Currency Fluctuations
We currently operate in three different regions: Japan, the United
States and Israel. The functional currency of our entities in the United States and Israel is the USD. The functional currency of our
subsidiary in Japan is the JPY. Our expenses and costs are denominated mainly in USD, JPY and NIS, revenues are denominated mainly in
USD and JPY and our cash from operations, investing and financing activities are denominated mainly in USD, JPY and NIS. Therefore, we
are exposed to the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations in Israel and Japan.
The USD cost of our operations in Israel is influenced by changes
in the USD-to-NIS exchange rate, with respect to costs that are denominated in NIS. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the USD depreciated
against the NIS by 3.3%, as compared to 7.0% depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2020. The fluctuation of the USD against
the NIS can affect our results of operations as it relates to the entity in Israel. Appreciation of the NIS has the effect of increasing
the cost, in USD terms, of some of the purchases and labor costs that are denominated in NIS, which may lead to erosion of the profit
margins. We use foreign currency cylinder and forward transactions to hedge a portion of this currency exposure to be contained within
a pre-defined, fixed range. In addition, we execute swap-hedging transactions to hedge the exposure to the fluctuation of the USD against
the NIS to the extent it relates to our non-convertible Series G Debentures, which are denominated in NIS.
47
The majority of TPSCo revenues are denominated in JPY and the majority
of TPSCo expenses are denominated in JPY, which limits the exposure to fluctuations of the USD / JPY exchange rate on TPSCo’s results
of operations. In order to mitigate a portion of the net exposure to the USD / JPY exchange rate, we engage in cylinder hedging transactions
to contain the currency’s fluctuation within a pre-defined, fixed range.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the USD appreciated against
the JPY by 11.7%, as compared to 5.0% depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2020. The net effect of the USD appreciation against
the JPY on TPSCo’s assets and liabilities denominated in JPY is presented in the Cumulative Translation Adjustment (“CTA”)
as part of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) in the balance sheet.
|
B. |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
|
As of December 31, 2021, we had an aggregate amount of $210.9 million
in cash and cash equivalents, as compared to $211.7 million as of December 31, 2020. The main cash activities during the year ended December
31, 2021, were: $421.3 million net cash provided by operating activities; $279.3 million invested in property and equipment, net; $59.7
million invested in short-term deposits, marketable securities and other assets, net; and $77.3 million repayment of debt, net.
Short-term and long-term debt presented in the balance sheet as
of December 31, 2021 amounted to $83.9 million and $231.0 million, respectively, and included bank loans, debentures, operating leases
and capital leases. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate principal amount of debentures was $64.5 million and it’s carrying amount
in the balance sheet was $64.1 million, of which $42.5 million was presented as a short-term liability.
Based on our current operations and expected short term growth,
our cash generated from operations, our current and expected available lease lines with third -party leasing companies and existing balance
of cash, deposits and marketable securities, we have sufficient resources to meet our cash needs for operating activities, capital expenditures
and debt repayments in the short term and long term.
If we execute a merger or acquisition transaction(s) per our company
strategy, or a joint partnership or another large transaction to expand our capacity, we may utilize our current cash balance, deposits
and/or investments in marketable securities and/or we may be required to secure additional financing by way of public or private offerings
of equity and/or debt and/or re-financing or other financing alternatives. In May 2020, we filed a shelf registration statement with the
Israel Securities Authority, following the expiration of our previously filed 2016 shelf, which provides us with a platform for future
public fundraisings in Israel, in which case we would publish a supplemental shelf takedown report containing specific information about
the terms of any such transaction. The timing, terms, size and pricing of any future fundraising, if any, would be subject to the then-prevailing
capital market conditions and our business and financial situation, as well as the need to obtain certain regulatory and other consents.
There is no assurance that we would be able to obtain the necessary consents and/ or funding in a timely manner, in sufficient amount
or on favorable terms. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business— We may be required
to obtain financing for strategic and/ or other opportunities, which we may not be able to obtain.”
Recent Financing Transactions
Capital Leases
Certain of our subsidiaries enter into, from time to time, capital
lease agreements for certain machinery and equipment operated in some of our fabrication facilities, usually for a period of four years,
with an option to buy the machinery and equipment after a period of between three to four years from the start of the lease period. The
lease agreements contain annual interest rates of up to 1.95% and the assets under the lease agreements are pledged to the lender until
the time at which the respective subsidiary buys the assets. The obligations under the capital lease agreements are guaranteed by Tower,
except for TPSCo’s obligations under its capital lease agreements.
48
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the outstanding capital lease
liabilities for fixed assets were $139.0 million and $159.7 million, respectively, of which $36.3 million and $34.9 million, respectively,
were included under current maturities of long-term debt. The available lease lines as of December 31, 2021 were $76 million.
Tower Series G Debentures
In June 2016, Tower raised approximately $115 million through the
issuance of long-term unsecured non-convertible debentures (“Series G Debentures”) payable in seven semi-annual consecutive
equal installments from March 2020 to March 2023, and carrying an annual fixed interest rate of 2.79% payable in thirteen semi-annual
consecutive equal installments from March 2017 to March 2023. The Series G Debentures’ aggregate principal amount is NIS 201 million
as of December 31, 2021. The principal and interest amounts are denominated in NIS and are not linked to any index or to any other currency.
We entered into hedging transactions to mitigate the foreign exchange rate differences on the principal and interest using a cross currency
swap (see Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021). The Series G Debentures include customary
financial and other terms and conditions, including a negative pledge and financial covenants. As of December 31, 2021, Tower was in compliance
with the financial covenants under the Series G Debentures.
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company undertook, by no later
than the Closing date of the Merger, to fully repay the Series G Debentures (that is otherwise due March 2023) in accordance with the
provisions in Section 6.2 to the Deed of Trust for the Debentures (Series G) of the Company, dated May 30, 2016, and as of the effective
time of the Merger, the Series G Debentures shall expire and be de-listed from trade on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
Loan Agreement from Japanese Financial Institutions
In December 2021, TPSCo refinanced its then existing loan with
a new 11 billion JPY (approximately $96 million) asset-based loan with a consortium of financial institutions comprised of (i) JA Mitsui
Leasing, Ltd., (ii) Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., (iii) Taishin International Bank Co., Ltd. Tokyo Branch; and (iv) BOT lease Co. Ltd. (“JP
Loan”). The JP Loan carries a fixed interest rate of 1.95% per annum with principal payable in seven semiannual payments from December
2024 until December 2027. The JP Loan is secured mainly by a lien over the machinery and equipment of TPSCo located in the Uozu and Tonami
manufacturing facilities. Outstanding principal amount was $95.6 million as of December 31, 2021.
The JP Loan also contains certain financial ratios and covenants,
as well as customary events of default and acceleration of the repayment schedule. TPSCo’s obligations pursuant to the JP Loan are
not guaranteed by Tower, NTCJ, or any of their affiliates.
As of December 31, 2021, TPSCo was in compliance with all of the
financial ratios and covenants under the JP Loan.
|
C. |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC. |
Our research and development activities are related primarily to
our manufacturing process by way of improvements, upgrades and development for our use in the manufacturing of our customers’ products,
and have been sponsored and funded by us with some participation by the Israeli government. Our research and development expenses for
the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $85.4 million, $78.3 million and $75.6 million, respectively, net of government
participation of $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
For a description of our research and development policies and
our patents and licenses, see “Item 4. Information on the Company– B. Business Overview”.
49
|
D. |
TREND INFORMATION
|
We operate as a specialty foundry in the semiconductor industry.
The semiconductor industry is historically characterized as highly cyclical, both seasonally and over the long term. Over time, the market
fluctuates, cycling through periods of weak demand, production excess capacity, excess inventory and price pressure, and periods of strong
demand, full capacity utilization, and product shortages, commanding higher selling prices.
There is a trend within the semiconductor industry toward ever-smaller
features and ever-growing wafer sizes. State-of-the-art digital fabs are currently supporting process geometries of down to 5-10 nanometers
with 300mm wafers. As demand for smaller geometries increases, there is downward pressure on the pricing of larger geometry products,
and potential underutilization of fabs that are limited to manufacturing these larger geometry products, which may result in reduced profitability
for the associated manufacturers. However, our strategy to focus on differentiated specialty analog technologies, along with our deep
applications knowledge, design enablement tools and customer technical support, enable us to achieve higher product selling prices as
compared to manufacturers of “commoditized” standard products. We currently offer process geometries of (i) 0.35, 0.50, 0.55,
0.60, 0.80-micron and above on 150-mm wafers; (ii) 0.35, 0.18. 0.16, 0.13 and 0.11-micron on 200-mm wafers; and (iii) 65 nanometer and
45 nanometer on 300-mm wafers. We continue to invest in our portfolio of specialty process technologies and intellectual property (IP)
to address the key product and system requirements of our customers, enabling them to compete in their respective markets.
Another key element of our strategy is to target multiple large,
growing and diversified end markets. We target end markets characterized by high growth and high performance, for which we believe our
specialty process technologies and design services offer a strong, compelling value proposition to our customers. We focus on markets
driven by three industry mega-trends: “Green Everything”, “Wireless Everything”, and “Smart Everything”.
Our target markets include the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine communication devices, ultra-low power mobile applications,
wireless and high-speed wireline communications, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial markets. For example, we believe that
our specialty SOI, SiGe and phase change materials process technologies can provide performance and cost advantages over current GaAs
solutions in the realization of switches and power amplifiers for wireless handsets. Our power management platforms enable the industry’s
analog IC suppliers to differentiate their product offerings in the markets we serve. Our specialized CMOS image sensor platforms
allow customers to fabricate ultra high sensitivity/low noise CIS products for operation in visible, infra-red, ultra-violet and
X-ray spectral ranges, develop both ultra small-size cameras and large imagers occupying the whole surface of a 200mm or even a 300mm
wafer. We also target the rapidly growing non-visual sensor markets by developing specialized sensors some of them based on nanowire elements
to be fabricated on silicon (SOI) and GaN technological platforms, in particular advanced integrated UV, gas and BioFET sensors. We are
also engaged in development of IPs for enabling data processing using artificial intelligence based on our original device approaches
by using our patented memristor solutions for emulating synapses in artificial neural networks. Our specialty products and target market
strategy allow us to grow and diversify our business by attracting new customers, which expands our customer base, and broadening our
business with existing customers.
During recent years, we have accelerated our plans to expand manufacturing
capacity, including capacity in our 300mm fab. We are focused on successfully integrating all of our fabs globally and increasing the
utilization of our fabs, by attracting new customers and opportunities.
50
We seek to maintain capital efficiency by leveraging our capacity
and manufacturing model to ensure cost-effective manufacturing. With a global manufacturing footprint, including seven fabs in three continents,
we are focused on sharing and applying best practices across the organization, to provide our customers with high quality solutions, along
with the applications knowledge and technical support that allow them to benefit from a competitive edge in the market. Our geographical
diversity allows us to perform an internal benchmark among our acquired facilities to gain knowledge on work processes and methodologies,
thereby ensuring that we maintain a high level of operations across all facilities. Our global foothold also provides our customers with
manufacturing flexibility and business continuity in terms of opportunity for capacity availability.
Over the last several years, we have been constantly looking to
expand our presence in the global markets, penetrate new geographical areas, increase our served markets and expand our technology offering
through business and development ventures.
This may also be accomplished through the establishment
of new facilities with third party, collaboration and/or funding, mergers and acquisitions with potential target fabrication facilities
that may include a solid base of customer demand for the increase of our manufacturing capacity and/or development of technologies that
may expand our servable and/ or available market potential, and increase our revenue, customer base and margins. Such transactions, mergers
and acquisitions are also beneficial as they provide our customers with manufacturing diversification and opportunity for additional growth
through access to increased capacity. We continuously evaluate potential acquisition opportunities and seek to secure additional manufacturing
capacity. Our current cash balance, deposits and/or investments in marketable securities may be used to enable us to realize and execute
on such opportunities, and we may require additional financing through, among other things, debt (including convertible debt, bonds, notes
or debentures) and/or equity issuances (including shares and warrants), in order to consummate such opportunities and/ or fund our other
operational and capital expenditure cash needs, as well as our strategy to expand our global footprint, capacity and capabilities. During
2021, we continued to increase our investments in property and equipment to expand the capacities and capabilities of our existing fabs.
Including, entering into a definitive agreement with ST to share, under a collaborative arrangement, a 300mm manufacturing fabrication
facility being established by ST in Agrate Italy, and under which TSIT is expecting to install equipment in one-third of the total space
in order to manufacture products for its foundry customers.
|
E. |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
|
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, as well as related disclosures. We evaluate our estimates, assumptions and judgments on
an ongoing basis. Our estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe
to be reasonable under the circumstances. Different assumptions and judgments would change the estimates used in the preparation of our
financial statements, which, in turn, could change the results from those reported.
The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our
consolidated financial statements that we believe were most affected by significant management estimates and judgments are discussed below.
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further information on all significant
accounting policies that we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements.
51
Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes is affected by income taxes in a
multinational tax environment. The income tax provision is an estimate determined based on current enacted tax laws and tax rates at each
of our geographic locations with the use of acceptable allocation methodologies based upon our organizational structure, our operations
and business mode of work, and result in applicable local taxable income attributable to those locations.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the consolidated provision
for income taxes was $1.0 million comprised of amounts related to Israel, Japan and U.S. operations, as detailed in Note 19 to our financial
statements.
ITEM
6. DIRECTORS,
SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
A. |
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
|
Set forth below is information regarding our senior management
and directors as of April 29, 2022:
|
Officer |
Senior Management Name |
Age |
Title(s) | |||
|
A |
Russell C. Ellwanger |
67 |
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tower, and Chairman of the Board of Directors
of its subsidiaries Tower Semiconductor USA, Inc., Tower US Holdings, Inc., Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc., Tower Semiconductor
Newport Beach, Inc., Tower Partners Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc. | |||
|
B |
Oren Shirazi |
52 |
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance | |||
|
C |
Rafi Mor |
58 |
Chief Operating Officer | |||
|
D |
Dr. Marco Racanelli |
55 |
Newport Beach Site Manager and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Analog
Business Unit | |||
|
E |
Nati Somekh |
47 |
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary | |||
|
F |
Yossi Netzer |
58 |
Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning | |||
|
G |
Dalit Dahan |
53 |
Senior Vice President of Human Resources and IT | |||
|
H |
Guy Eristoff |
59 |
Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Pathfinder Activities | |||
|
I |
Dr. Avi Strum |
60 |
Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Sensors and Displays Business Unit
| |||
|
J |
Dani Ashkenazi |
59 |
Senior Vice President Excellence and Quality | |||
|
K |
Noit Levy |
38 |
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
| |||
|
Directors Name(*) |
Age |
Title | ||||
|
L |
Amir Elstein |
66 |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
|
M |
Kalman Kaufman |
76 |
Director | |||
|
N |
Dana Gross |
54 |
Director | |||
|
O |
Ilan Flato |
65 |
Director | |||
|
P |
Yoav Z. Chelouche |
68 |
Director | |||
|
Q |
Iris Avner |
57 |
Director | |||
|
R |
Michal Vakrat Wolkin |
50 |
Director | |||
|
S |
Avi Hasson |
51 |
Director |
(*) Russell Ellwanger also serves as a director; his information
is included under Senior Management above.
52
Russell C. Ellwanger has served as our Chief Executive Officer
since May 2005. Mr. Ellwanger has also served as a director since September 2016, and previously served as a director between May 2005
and April 2013. Mr. Ellwanger serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of our subsidiaries, Tower Semiconductor USA, Inc., Tower
US Holdings, Inc., Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc., Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc., Tower Partners Semiconductor Co.,
Ltd. and Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc. From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Ellwanger served in various executive positions for Applied
Materials Corporation, including Group Vice President, General Manager of the Applied Global Services (AGS), from 2004 to 2005, and Group
Vice President, General Manager of the CMP and Electroplating Business Group, from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Ellwanger also served
as Corporate Vice President, General Manager of the Metrology and Inspection Business Group, from 2000 to 2002, during which time he was
based in Israel. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Ellwanger served as Vice President of Applied Materials’ 300-mm Program Office,
USA. Mr. Ellwanger served as General Manager of Applied Materials’ Metal CVD Division from 1997 to 1998 and from 1996
to 1997, Mr. Ellwanger served as Managing Director of CVD Business Development, during which time he was based in Singapore. In
addition, Mr. Ellwanger held various managerial positions in Novellus System from 1992 to 1996 and in Philips Semiconductors from 1980
to 1992.
Oren Shirazi has served as our Chief Financial Officer and
Senior VP Finance since November 2004. Mr. Shirazi serves as a board member of Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc. Mr. Shirazi joined
us in October 1998, serving initially as vice controller and then as controller commencing in July 2000. Prior to joining us, Mr. Shirazi
was employed as an audit manager in the accounting firm of Ratzkovski-Fried & Co., which merged into Ernst & Young (Israel). Mr.
Shirazi is a Certified Public Accountant in Israel (CPA). Mr. Shirazi holds an MBA degree from the Graduate School of Business of Haifa
University with honors and a B.A. degree in economics and accounting from the Haifa University.
Rafi Mor has served as Chief Operating Officer of Tower since
August 2014. Mr. Mor serves as a board member of Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc., Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc., Tower
Partners Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc. Mr. Mor served as Chief Executive Officer of TowerJazz Japan
from October 2011 until August 2014, after serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach,
Inc. from September 2008. In October 2010, Mr. Mor was nominated to be the manager of our Newport Beach Fab, in addition to his General
Manager role. Prior thereto, Mr. Mor served in Tower Semiconductor Ltd. as Vice President of Business Development from April 2007, after
serving as Vice President and Fab 2 Manager from August 2005, and as Fab 1 Manager from March 2003. From November 2000 to March 2003,
Mr. Mor served as Senior Director of Process Device & Yield of Fab 1. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Mor served as Director of Equipment Reliability
& Support of Fab 1. Previously, Mr. Mor was employed by National Semiconductor in various engineering and management capacities. Mr.
Mor holds M.A. and B.A. degrees in chemical engineering from Ben Gurion University.
Dr. Marco Racanelli has served as Senior Vice President and General
Manager of the Analog Business Unit since December 2018 and also serves as the Newport Beach Site Manager since April 2014. Previously,
Dr. Racanelli served as Senior Vice President from June 2012 and General Manager, RF & High Performance Analog Business Group and
Aerospace & Defense Group from September 2008. Prior to that, Dr. Racanelli served as Vice President of Technology & Engineering,
and Aerospace & Defense General Manager for Jazz Semiconductor. Prior to that, Dr. Racanelli held several positions at Conexant Systems
and Rockwell Semiconductor from 1996 in the area of technology development, where he helped establish industry leadership in SiGe and
BiCMOS and MEMS technology and built a strong design support organization. Prior to Rockwell, Dr. Racanelli worked at Motorola, Inc.,
where he contributed to bipolar, SiGe and SOI development for its Semiconductor Products Sector. Dr. Racanelli holds a Ph.D. and a M.Sc.
degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh
University. Dr. Racanelli holds over 35 U.S. patents.
53
Nati Somekh has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal
Officer and Corporate Secretary since February 2010, after serving as Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary from
September 2008, after serving as Corporate Secretary and General Counsel from March 2005, and as Associate General Counsel from May
2004. From 2001 to 2004, Ms. Somekh was employed by Goldsobel & Kirshen, Adv. Ms. Somekh holds an LL.M. and J.D. degrees from Boston
University and a B.A. degree from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Somekh is a member of the Israel Bar Association and is admitted
as an attorney in the State of New York.
Yossi Netzer has served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning
since July 2012, after serving as VP of Corporate Planning from November 2008, as General Manager of Mixed Signal, RF & Power Management
Product Line from 2005 and as Director, FAB 2 Yield & Device Engineering Manager from 2000. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Netzer served in
various engineering management positions within the R&D division dealing with CMOS, Mixed Signal, RF, and NVM Technologies. Prior
to joining Tower, Mr. Netzer was employed at National Semiconductor and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Mr. Netzer
holds a B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Dalit Dahan has served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources
and IT since 2008. Prior thereto, Ms. Dahan served as Vice President of Human Resources commencing in April 2004. Ms. Dahan joined us
in November 1993 and served as Personnel Manager commencing in April 2000, after having served as Compensation & Benefits Manager
and in various other positions in the Human Resources Department. Prior to joining us, Ms. Dahan served as Manager of the North Branch
of O.R.S - Manpower Company for three years. Ms. Dahan holds a B.A. degree in social science from Haifa University and an MBA degree from
the University of Derby.
Guy Eristoff has served as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Pathfinder
Activities since December 2019. Mr. Eristoff also serves as a member of the board of directors of TPSCo since April 2014. Previously,
Mr. Eristoff served as TPSCo’s Chief Executive Officer from its foundation in April 2014 until December 2019. Previously, Mr. Eristoff
served as Vice President, Global Operational Excellence at Tower Semiconductor Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Eristoff served in various positions
in the semiconductor industry such as Director of 200mm Fabs Core Engineering at Global-Foundries (Technology Development, Marketing,
Industrial Engineering & Central Engineering) for the 200mm Business Unit, General Manager, Singapore and Asia Region at Intevac,
Thin Films Section Manager, Thin Films Module Manager and Process Integration Deputy Director at Chartered Semiconductor and Process/Hardware
Engineer and Field Service Manager at Applied Materials. Mr. Eristoff holds a B.S. degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
(RPI) Troy New York.
Dr. Avi Strum has served as our Senior Vice President and General
Manager of the Sensors and Displays Business Unit since 2018, and also serves as a member of the board of directors of TPSCo since 2019.
Previously, Dr. Strum served as Vice President and General Manager of the Specialty Business Unit, Vice President of Europe Sales, Head
of the Design Center in Netanya and Device and Integration Department Manager. Prior to joining Tower, Dr. Strum served as the President
and COO of TransChip Inc. and from 1996 to 2001, he served in various positions with Intel Corp., both in Israel and the US. From 1990
to 1996, he was the R&D Manager of SCD and was in charge of all the Infrared Detectors development in SCD. Dr. Strum received his
Ph.D. and B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
Dani Ashkenazi has served as Senior Vice President Excellence and
Quality since July 2020. Previously, Mr. Ashkenazi served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Transfer, Optimization and Development
Process Services Business Unit (TOPS) and Europe Sales from June 2019, and as Vice President of Worldwide Customer Solutions from 2015.
Mr. Ashkenazi served as Vice President of Sales for APAC & Israel from 2008, after serving as General Manager, CMOS Product Line from
2005 and as Director of Customer Support, and Director of Reliability from 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Ashkenazi served as Application Manager
at Tower USA in Santa Clara and prior to that Mr. Ashkenazi held engineering management positions within the process, test and product
engineering groups. Mr. Ashkenazi holds M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
54
Noit Levy has served as our Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications and is heading our investor relations, public relations and marketing communications since 2008, having served
as Director of Investor Relations and Public Relations since 2006. From 2001 to 2006 she has served in various other positions within
the Company. Ms. Levy holds an MBA degree from Haifa University in Israel and a B.A. degree in Social Science and Management from
the College of Management Academic Studies.
Amir Elstein has served as the Chairman of our Board since
January 2009. Mr. Elstein serves as a Director of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and serves as Chairman of the Israel Democracy
Institute. During 2010-2013, Mr. Elstein served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Corporation. Mr. Elstein was a member
of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries senior management team from 2005 to 2008, where he ultimately held the position of the Executive Vice
President at the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing Global Pharmaceutical Resources. Prior thereto, Mr. Elstein was an
executive at Intel Corporation, where he worked for 23 years, eventually serving as General Manager of Intel Electronics Ltd., an Israeli
subsidiary of Intel Corporation. Mr. Elstein received a B.Sc. degree in physics and mathematics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
and M.Sc. degree in the Solid State Physics Department of Applied Physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1982. In 1992, Mr.
Elstein received his diploma of Senior Business Management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Kalman Kaufman has served as a director since 2005 and as
chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since January 2018. Mr. Kaufman served as Corporate Vice President at Applied
Materials from 1994 to 2005. Between 1985 and 1994, Mr. Kaufman served as President of KLA Instruments Israel, a company he founded,
and General Manager of Kulicke and Soffa Israel. Mr. Kaufman is currently the Chairman of the board of directors of Medasense and
Invisia, a director at Trellis Inc, Chair of the general assembly of the Kinneret Academic College and chairman of the Tzemach Kineret
Development Corporation. Mr. Kaufman holds engineering degrees from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
Dana Gross has served as a director since November 2008, as
a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since January 2018, as a member of the Compensation Committee since February
2013 and as Chair of the Compensation Committee since November 2020. In addition, Mrs. Gross has served as a director on the board
of Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, since March 2009. Mrs. Gross is currently the COO of Prospera
Technologies Ltd., an AgTech Data Company. Mrs. Gross was the CFO of eToro, a FinTech company that developed a Social Investment
network from 2014 to 2016, and the CEO of Btendo, a start-up company that developed MEMS-based PICO projection solutions, until it was
acquired by ST Microelectronic in 2012. Mrs. Gross was a Venture Partner at Viola Ventures, a leading Israeli venture capital firm,
from 2018 until 2010. From 2006 to 2008, Mrs. Gross was a Senior VP, Israel Country Manager at SanDisk Corporation. From 1992 to
2006, Mrs. Gross held various senior positions at M-Systems, including Chief Marketing Officer, VP World Wide Sales, President of M-Systems
Inc. (US subsidiary) and CFO, VP Finance and Administration. In addition, Mrs. Gross served as a director of M-Systems Ltd., Audiocodes Ltd.
and Power Dsine Ltd. Mrs. Gross holds a B.Sc. degree in industrial engineering from Tel-Aviv University and an M.A. degree in business
administration from San Jose State University.
Ilan Flato has served as a director since February 2009 (until
November 2016 as an external director, within the meaning of the Companies Law). Mr. Flato served as chairman of the Compensation
Committee from February 2013 until October 2019 and since such time continues to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.
Mr. Flato has served as a member of the Audit Committee since April 2009. Mr. Flato is classified by the Board of Directors as an audit
committee financial expert under applicable SEC rules. Mr. Flato has served as President of The Association of Publicly Traded Companies
on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange since January 2012. Since 2011, Mr. Flato has been a member of the Israel Bar Association.
From 2009 until 2018, Mr. Flato served as a director in two Provident Funds. From 2009 until April 2018, Mr. Flato served
as Chairman of the Business Executive of Kibbutz Kfar Blum. From January 2018 until April 2020, Mr. Flato served as Chairman of
the Business Executive Kibbutz “NAAN”. Since 2004, Mr. Flato has functioned as an independent financial adviser.
Until 2004, Mr. Flato served as the VP for planning, economics and online banking in United Mizrahi Bank and as the Chief Economist of
the bank. From 1992 until 1996, Mr. Flato served as the Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel. Prior to that position, Mr.
Flato served in the Treasury Office as the deputy director of the budget department. In addition, Mr. Flato served as a member of the
board of directors of many government-owned companies. Mr. Flato holds a B.A. degree in economics from Tel-Aviv University, an LL.B. degree
from Netanya College, an M.A. degree in law from Bar-Ilan University and an MSIT from Clark University.
55
Yoav Z. Chelouche has served as a director since April 2016, as
a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since January 2018, and as the Chair and member of our Audit Committee since
May 2017. Mr. Chelouche is classified by the Board of Directors as an audit committee financial expert under applicable SEC rules.
Mr. Chelouche serves as Managing Partner of Aviv Ventures since its inception in 2001. Between 1995 and 2001, Mr. Chelouche served
as President & CEO of Scitex Corp. Until 2015, Mr. Chelouche was co-chairman of Israel Advanced Technology Industries.
Mr. Chelouche currently serves on the Board of Directors of the following publicly listed companies: Check Point Software Technologies,
Ltd., the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, Ltd., Shufersal Ltd. and Malam-Team Ltd. Mr. Chelouche is also a board member in several private companies,
including Aviv Ventures’ portfolio companies: Vessl Therapeutics and ScaleMP. Mr. Chelouche also previously served as Chairman
of several public companies. Mr. Chelouche holds a B.A. degree in economics and statistics from Tel-Aviv University and an MBA degree
from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.
Iris Avner has served as a director since June 2016 (until November
2016 as an external director, within the meaning of the Companies Law), and has served as a member of the Audit Committee since June 2016.
Ms. Avner served as a member of the Compensation Committee from June 2016 until October 2019. Ms. Avner is classified by the Board
of Directors as an audit committee financial expert under applicable SEC rules. Ms. Avner serves as Chief Executive Officer of Nika Holdings,
Ltd. From 2008 to 2015, Ms. Avner served as Managing Partner of Mustang Mezzanine Fund, L.P. and served on Mustang’s board of directors
from 2014 until 2015. From 1996 until 2008, Ms. Avner served as Chief Executive Officer of Mizrahi Tefahot Capital Markets Ltd.
and from 1996 until 2005, served as Senior Credit Officer & Deputy CEO of Mizrahi Tefahot Bank. In addition, from 1997 until
2002, Ms. Avner served as Assistant Professor and external lecturer in the Executive MBA Program at Tel Aviv University. From 1988
until 1996, Ms. Avner held various positions at Israeli Discount Bank including Senior Credit Officer and Senior Economist. Ms.
Avner has served as a member of the board of directors of Israel Discount Bank since March 2018 and Amir Marketing and Investments in
Agriculture since May 2017. Ms. Avner has served as a member of the board of directors of Rotshtein Real Estate since August 2016.
Ms. Avner previously served on several boards and board committees in Israel and abroad, both as director and chairperson. Ms. Avner
holds a B.A. degree in accounting and economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MBA degree from Tel Aviv University.
Michal Vakrat Wolkin has served as a director since September 2020,
and as a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since November 2020. Ms. Wolkin has served as a partner at
GFT Ventures, a global venture capital firm since 2020 and on the Advisory Board of RACAH Nano Tech Fund of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
since 2019. Ms. Wolkin served as Managing Director of Lear Innovation Ventures from January 2017 until 2020. During 2014-2016,
Ms. Wolkin served as Head of 3M R&D and from 2012 until 2014, she served as Technical Chair of the Night Rover Challenge of NASA/CleanTech
Open. Ms. Wolkin served as Director of Energy Storage Technologies in Better Place from 2008 until 2012, and from 2004 until 2008,
she served as Member of Research Staff II at the Hardware system lab at Xerox PARC. Ms. Wolkin received her B.Sc. degree in Chemical
Engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Israel in 1996 and Ph.D. degree in Applied Physics and Materials Science
from the University of Rochester, NY in 2000. In 2003 until 2004, Ms. Wolkin did her Post-doctorate at the Electronics Materials
Lab at Xerox PARC.
56
Avi Hasson has served as a director since September 2020, and as
a member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee since November 2020. Mr. Hasson is classified by the Board of Directors
as an audit committee financial expert under applicable SEC rules. Mr. Hasson is a partner at Emerge, a leading early stage venture capital
firm. Mr. Hasson serves in several non-profit organizations, including as a director on the board of directors of Sheba Medical Center
at Tel Hashomer, SpaceIL and Israel Tech Challenge. From January 2011 until July 2017, Mr. Hasson served as the Chief Scientist
in the Ministry of Economy and Industry and as Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority. From 2000 until 2010, Mr. Hasson served
as General Partner at Gemini Israel Funds, a top tier venture capital fund in Israel. Prior thereto, Mr. Hasson held executive positions
in product management, marketing and business development at various telecommunication technology companies, including ECI Telecom, ECtel
and Tadiran Systems. Mr. Hasson received his B.A. degree in Economics and Middle East studies from Tel-Aviv University in 1997 and
M.BA. degree from Tel Aviv University in 2002.
We are not party to, and are not aware of, any arrangements or
understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any director or executive officer was selected
as a director or member of senior management, as the case may be.
|
B. |
COMPENSATION |
Under the Companies Law, a public company must have a compensation
policy regarding the terms of engagement of office holders, as such term is defined in the Companies Law. The compensation policy must
be approved at least once every three years, first, by our board of directors, upon recommendation of our compensation committee, and
second, by the shareholders by the Special Majority (as defined in Item 6C under “— Disclosure of Personal Interests of an
Office Holder and Approval of Certain Transactions—Approval of Director and Officer Compensation—Executive Officers other
than the Chief Executive Officer”). Under special circumstances, the board of directors may approve the compensation policy despite
the objection of the shareholders on the condition that the compensation committee and then the board of directors decide, on the basis
of detailed grounds and after discussing again the compensation policy, that approval of the compensation policy, despite the objection
of shareholders, is for the benefit of the company.
Our amended and restated compensation policy for executive officers
and directors, which was approved by our shareholders on August 12, 2021, serves as the basis for decisions concerning the financial terms
of employment or engagement of our office holders (within the meaning of the Companies Law), including compensation, equity-based awards,
indemnification and insurance, severance and other benefits. Our compensation policy is performance based and is designed to align our
officers’ and directors’ interests with those of our company and shareholders in order to enhance shareholder value. Our compensation
policy allows us to provide incentives that reflect short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and performance, as well as motivate achievement
of company targets, while providing compensation that is competitive in the global marketplace in which we recruit our senior management.
As an Israeli company with a significant global footprint, we aim
to adopt compensation policies and procedures that match global companies of similar complexity, including semiconductor companies and
other companies which compete with us for similar talent.
57
Under the Companies Law, a company’s compensation policy
must be determined and later reevaluated according to certain factors, including: the advancement of the company’s objectives, business
plan and long-term strategy; the creation of appropriate incentives for office holders, while considering, among other things, the company’s
risk management policy; the size and the nature of the company’s operations; and with respect to variable compensation, the contribution
of the office holder towards the achievement of the company’s long-term goals and the maximization of its profits, all with a long-term
objective and according to the position of the office holder. The compensation policy must furthermore consider the following additional
factors:
| • |
the education, skills, expertise and achievements of the relevant office holder; |
| • |
the role and responsibilities of the office holder, and prior compensation arrangements with the office holder; |
| • |
the ratio of the cost of the terms of employment of an office holder to the cost of compensation of the other employees of the company
(including any employees employed through manpower companies), specifically to the cost of the average and median salaries of such employees
and the impact of the disparities between them upon work relationships in the company; |
| • |
with respect to variable compensation, the possibility of reducing variable compensation at the discretion of the board of directors,
and the possibility of setting a limit on the exercise value of non-cash variable equity-based compensation; and |
| • |
with respect to severance compensation, the period of employment or service of the office holder, the terms of his or her compensation
during such period, the company’s performance during such period, the person’s contribution towards the company’s achievement
of its goals and the maximization of its profits, and the circumstances under which the person is leaving the company. |
In addition, under the Companies Law, the compensation policy must
also include the following features: (i) with respect to variable components of the compensation of the chief executive officer, determining
the variable compensation components on long term performance and measurable metrics; however, an immaterial portion of the variable components
of the compensation of the chief executive officer, in the amount of up to three monthly salaries per annum, can be discretion based awards
(i.e., not based on measurable metrics), taking into account the contribution of the chief executive officer to the company. This requirement
applies also to any other office holder (within the meaning of the Companies Law) who is not subordinate to the chief executive officer,
if any; (ii) the ratio of variable components and fixed components and a cap on variable components at the time of their payment, except
that the cap for equity-based compensation is determined at the time of grant; (iii) the conditions under which an office holder would
be required to return compensation paid, in the event that it is later revealed that such amounts were paid on the basis of data that
was inaccurate and was required to be restated in the company’s financial statements; (iv) the minimum holding or vesting periods
for equity-based variable components of compensation, while taking into consideration long term incentives; and (v) maximum limits on
grants or benefits paid upon termination.
Compensation under our compensation policy may include: base salary;
benefits and perquisites, performance-based cash bonuses and other bonuses (such as special bonuses for substantial achievements and sign-on
bonuses); equity-based compensation; and retirement, termination and other arrangements. Our compensation policy aims to optimize the
mix of fixed compensation and variable compensation in order to, among other things, appropriately incentivize office holders to meet
our goals while considering our management of business risks and sets maximum ratios between the two types of compensation elements.
All compensation arrangements of officers and directors are required
to be approved in the manner prescribed by applicable law (as described in Exhibit 2.1 to this annual report).
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we paid to all our directors,
officers and senior management who served during the period, as a group, an aggregate of $9.1 million in salaries, fees, payments upon
termination and bonuses (excluding employer cost and equity-based compensation, which are detailed below). The total employer cost for
personal vehicles, relocation related expenses, amounts set aside or accrued to provide for insurance, severance, retirement, vacation
and similar benefits or expenses for such persons was approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
58
The following is a summary of the Company’s cost (including
its employer’s cost), including all compensation paid and/ or value awarded and granted in cash and/or equity vehicles, respectively,
to our five most highly compensated officers and/or directors for the year ended December 31, 2021 (collectively referred to herein
as the “Covered Officers”). The Covered Officers consist of the individuals listed in A, B, D, C and I in the table set forth
in Item 6A above.
The base salary of our executive officers is individually determined
according to past performance, educational background, country of residence, professional experience, qualifications, specializations,
role, business responsibilities, achievements of the officer and prior salary and compensation arrangements, as well as comparative peer
group analyses. Base salary (gross) paid to the Covered Officers A, B, D, C and I for the year ended December 31, 2021, amounted
to $0.84 million, $0.42 million, $0.42 million, $0.35 million and $0.28 million, respectively. Executive officers are entitled to social
and other benefits in accordance with applicable law, our policies and common practice. The cost of social and other benefits awarded
to the Covered Officers A, B, D, C and I for the year ended December 31, 2021, amounted to $0.19 million, $0.21 million, $0.12 million,
$0.19 million and $0.15 million, respectively. In addition, relocation and related reimbursement expenses awarded to Covered Officer A
for the year ended December 31, 2021, amounted to $0.28 million. No relocation related payments or accruals were made to any of Covered
Officers B, D, C and I during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Our policy is to award annual cash bonuses to executive officers,
subject to the attainment of pre-determined annual measurable objectives, which are set in the first quarter of each year, and personal
performance evaluation. In accordance with our compensation policy, the pre-defined annual bonus plans include measurable metrics and
the weight (in percentage terms) of each metric as a portion of the annual measurable metrics, as well as a minimum threshold for achievement
of corporate measurable metrics below which no portion of the pre-determined corporate measurable metrics component of the annual bonus
will be awarded, and a portion of the annual bonus is based on performance valuation, in accordance with our compensation policy and subject
to applicable law. The cash bonus gross amounts paid by the Company to the Covered Officers A, B, D, C and I for the year ended December 31,
2021, amounted to $1.23 million, $0.43 million, $0.41 million, $0.33 million and $0.26 million, respectively.
Equity based compensation for directors and officers is intended
to be in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based stock units (“PSUs), options and/or other equity
forms, in accordance with our equity-based compensation policies and programs in place from time to time and in accordance with our compensation
policy. Equity-based compensation may be granted as an annual grant and/or from time to time and is individually determined. Generally,
equity-awards shall not begin to vest before the end of the first year from the date of grant. We calculate the fair market value of equity-based
compensation for officers and directors at the time of grant according to the Black-Scholes model, binomial model or any other best practice
or commonly accepted equity-based compensation valuation model, when such award is duly approved in accordance with applicable law, and
amortize such value in our statements of operations over the applicable vesting schedule. We typically grant our directors and officers
an annual equity-based compensation award, comprised of RSUs (time vested only) and PSUs (subject to achievement of pre-defined financial
targets, and if attained, subject to time vesting). The value of such annual grants of equity based compensation awarded during the year
ended December 31, 2021, comprised of PSUs and RSUs, to the Covered Officers A, B, D, C and I, amounted to $6.15 million, $1.56 million,
$1.48 million, $1.06 million and $0.90 million, respectively. In addition, in February 2021, we granted a non-recurring equity based compensation
award in the form of PSUs to the Covered Officers A, B, D, C and I, to vest upon the achievement of certain operational and business related
target metrics, the value of which amounted to $1.02 million, $0.52 million, $0.25 million, $0.30 million and $0.17 million, respectively.
59
Under our compensation policy, we may grant our
executive officers certain termination and retirement payments, including a change of control bonus, subject to the termination of employment
of such officer upon a change of control and subject to receipt of applicable corporate approvals as required by law. In accordance with
the employment terms of our chief executive officer, upon termination of his employment, including upon a change of control, our chief
executive officer may be eligible for a payment of twelve monthly base salaries, and in the event of termination of his employment upon
a change of control, he may also be entitled to acceleration of all unvested equity. In addition, subject to the termination of employment
of other executive officers upon a change of control, all other executive officers are entitled to a payment in the amount of up to six
months’ base salary and acceleration of all unvested equity, and the chairman of the board of directors and other directors may
be entitled to acceleration of all unvested equity. No such payment or accrual was made or earned year ended December 31, 2021.
At our 2021 annual general meeting held on August 12, 2021, our
shareholders approved an equity grant to our chief executive officer in the value of $5.8 million, 40% of which is time-based vesting
RSUs and 60% of which is performance-based PSUs, and an additional equity grant in the value of $0.35 million as upside PSUs. The RSUs
vest over a three year period, such that one-third shall vest at the end of each year over a three-year period from the date of grant.
The vesting of the PSUs (both the base PSUs and the upside PSUs) is subject to the attainment of certain pre-defined financial performance
metrics of net profit and cash from operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, weighted equally, and if met, the PSUs vest over
a three year period, such that one third of the PSUs vest at the end of each year from the date of grant of the PSUs over the three year
period. Actual net profit for 2021 was $150.0 million and cash from operations for 2021 was $421.3 million. Since these 2021 actual
financial results exceeded the pre-defined financial performance metrics for the vesting of the PSUs (including the upside PSUs), the
chief executive officer is entitled to all of the PSUs (including the upside PSUs), subject to the time vesting schedule described above.
For further details, see our proxy statement for the 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on Form 6-K on June
28, 2021. In addition, in February 2021, consistent with our compensation policy, the Company’s chief executive officer was
granted an equity-based compensation award in the form of PSUs, which vested upon attainment of certain operational and business related
target metrics one year from the date of grant, with a compensation value of approximately $1 million.
Consistent with our compensation policy, we pay each of our directors
(other than our chief executive officer who also serves as a director, whose compensation is detailed above, and the chairman of our board
of directors, whose compensation is detailed below): (i) an annual fee of $52,500; and (ii) a committee membership fee of up to $6,000
annually and an additional fee of up to $3,000 annually for each committee chairperson; as well as reimbursement for reasonable travel
and other expenses in accordance with our policies. In addition, the board of directors may compensate directors for special activities
that are performed under special circumstances, in the amount of up to $2,000 per meeting. With regards to the chairman of our board of
directors, at our 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders, our shareholders approved the payment of an annual cash fee of $300,000
(paid in monthly installments) and the award of time-based vesting RSUs in the value of $300,000, which vest in three equal installments
on each of the three anniversaries of the date of grant. If the service of the chairman of our board of directors is terminated for any
reason other than for cause, including by way of resignation, prior to the third anniversary from the date of grant, all his unvested
RSUs shall be accelerated. Furthermore, our shareholders approved the award to each of our directors (other than our chief executive officer
and the chairman of our board of directors, whose compensation is detailed above) of time-based vesting RSUs in the value of $125,000,
which vest over a two-year period, with 50% vesting at the end of each of the two anniversaries of the date of grant. In the event any
such director’s service is terminated for any reason other than for cause, including by way of resignation, prior to the second
anniversary of the date of grant, (i) if such director has served on the board of directors for five years or more, all his/her unvested
RSUs shall be accelerated; and (ii) if such director has served on the board of directors for less than five years, 50% of all his/her
unvested RSUs shall be accelerated.
60
We have entered into exemption and indemnification agreements with
each of our officers and directors, pursuant to which, subject to the limitations set forth in the Companies Law, the Israeli Securities
Law, 1968 and our articles of association, they will be exempt from liability for breaches of the duty of care and we agreed to indemnify
them for certain costs, expenses and liabilities with respect to events specified in such agreements. In addition, our officers and directors
are currently covered by a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS
In 2013, the Company adopted a share incentive plan for its directors,
officers, employees and its subsidiaries’ employees (the “2013 Plan”). In accordance with our compensation policy, the
aggregate amount of outstanding equity-based compensation awarded by the Company at any time shall not exceed 10% of the fully-diluted
share capital of the Company, as calculated at the time of grant (which fully-diluted share capital will be calculated pro-forma after
taking into account the proposed grants and shares underlying all outstanding equity-based awards).
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 1.27 million options, RSUs
and PSUs outstanding under the 2013 Plan were awarded to our directors and senior management, of which approximately 0.51 million were
awarded to our chief executive officer and approximately 0.03 million were awarded to the chairman of our board of directors.
At our 2021 annual general meeting held on August 12, 2021, our
shareholders approved an equity grant to our chief executive officer in the value of $5.8 million, 40% of which is time-based vesting
RSUs (or 80,036 RSUs) and 60% of which is performance-based PSUs (or 120,055 PSUs), and an additional equity grant in the value of $0.35
million as upside PSUs (or 12,005 upside PSUs). The RSUs shall vest over a three year period, such that one-third shall vest at the end
of each year over a three-year period from the date of grant. The vesting of the PSUs (both the base and the upside PSUs) was subject
to the attainment of certain pre-defined financial performance metrics of net profit and cash from operations for the year ended December
31, 2021, weighted equally, and if met, the PSUs vest over a three year period, such that one third of the PSUs vest at the end of each
year from the date of grant of the PSUs over the three year period. Actual net profit for 2021 was $150.0 million and cash from
operations for 2021 was $421.3 million. Since these 2021 actual financial results exceeded the pre-defined financial performance metrics
for the vesting of the PSUs (including the upside PSUs), the chief executive officer is entitled to all of the PSUs (including the upside
PSUs), subject to the time vesting schedule described above. In addition, in February 2021, consistent with our compensation policy, the
Company’s chief executive officer was granted an equity-based compensation award in the form of PSUs, which vested upon attainment
of certain operational and business related target metrics one year from the date of grant, with a compensation value of approximately
$1 million. In addition, in August 2021, pursuant to the approval of our shareholders at our 2021 annual general meeting of shareholders,
we granted (i) 10,341 time-based vesting RSUs to the chairman of the board of directors, for a total compensation value of approximately
$0.3 million, and (ii) 4,308 time-based vesting RSUs to each one of our seven board members who served on the board of directors at the
time of such shareholder meeting (excluding the chairman and the chief executive officer) for a total compensation value of approximately
$0.9 million.
In addition, during 2021, we granted an aggregate of 115,899 time-based
RSUs and 243,341 PSUs, consisting of 231,356 base PSUs and 11,985 upside PSUs, to our senior management described in Item 6A (excluding
the chief executive officer) under the 2013 Plan, vesting over a three year period, for a total compensation value of approximately $10.4
million.
Our compensation policy includes minimum shareholding guidelines
pursuant to which: (i) the chief executive officer is required to own ordinary shares in a minimum value that equals at least three times
his annual base salary, commencing May 2024; and (ii) the directors and other executive officers are required to own ordinary shares in
a minimum value that equals at least 50% of their respective annual fee or annual base salary, as applicable, commencing July 2025. The
chief executive officer, other officers and directors have been provided five years from the date our board of directors approved their
respective minimum shareholding guideline to accumulate such minimum holdings until such specified dates, and during such period they
must retain at least 20% of the vested time-based RSUs that may be granted to them from the date the respective guideline was approved
by the board of directors and until the respective minimum holding is met.
For further information concerning our employee equity plans and
outstanding employee equity, see Note 15B to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
61
|
C. |
BOARD PRACTICES |
Board of Directors
Our Articles of Association provide that the Board of Directors
shall consist of at least five and no more than 11 members. Our Board of Directors is currently comprised of nine directors. Our directors
are elected by the general meeting of our shareholders by the vote of a majority of the ordinary shares present, in person or by proxy,
and voting at that meeting. Generally, our directors hold office until their successors are elected at the next annual general meeting
of shareholders (or until any of their earlier resignation or removal in accordance with the Companies Law). In addition, our Articles
of Association allow our board of directors to appoint directors (other than the external directors) to fill vacancies on our board of
directors, until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.
Alternate Directors
Our Articles of Association provide that any director may, subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint another person to serve as an alternate director, and may cancel such appointment,
by delivering written notice to the alternate director and to the Company. Any person who is qualified to serve as a director, and who
is not already serving as a director or an alternate director, may act as an alternate director, and the same person may not act as the
alternate for more than one director at a time. An alternate director has the same rights and responsibilities as a director, and the
appointment of an alternate director does not relieve the appointing director from his/her responsibilities as a director. The term of
appointment of an alternate director may be for one meeting of the Board of Directors or for a specified period or until notice is given
of the cancellation of the appointment or until the director who appointed the alternate ceases to serve as a director of the Company.
External Directors
The Companies Law requires Israeli companies with shares that have
been offered to the public in or outside of Israel to appoint no less than two external directors. However, pursuant to the Companies
Regulations (Relief for Companies Whose Shares are Registered for Trading Outside of Israel) – 2000 (the “Relief Regulations”),
an Israeli public company may elect to exempt itself from the requirement to appoint external directors if it meets all of the following
conditions:
| • |
The company’s shares are listed on certain foreign stock exchanges listed in the Relief Regulations, which include the NASDAQ
Global Select Market; |
| • |
The company does not have a controlling shareholder; and |
| • |
The company complies with the requirements of the securities laws and stock exchange regulations in the foreign jurisdiction where
its shares are listed relating to the appointment of independent directors and composition of audit and compensation committees as applicable
to companies that are incorporated under the laws of such foreign jurisdiction. |
Pursuant to the Relief Regulations, Israeli public companies that
meet the above conditions may opt to comply with the applicable rules in the foreign jurisdiction governing the appointment of independent
directors and composition of audit and compensation committees as applicable to domestic issuers in the foreign jurisdiction (which with
respect to the Company are the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”))
instead of complying with the Companies Law provisions relating to (i) the appointment of external directors; (ii) certain limitations
on the employment or service of an outside director or his or her spouse, children or other relatives, following the cessation of the
service as an outside director, by or for the company, its controlling shareholder or an entity controlled by the controlling shareholder;
(iii) the composition, meetings and quorum of the audit committee; and (iv) the composition and meetings of the compensation committee.
If a company has elected to avail itself from the requirement to appoint external directors and at the time a director is appointed all
members of the board of directors are of the same gender, a director of the other gender must be appointed.
62
Following analysis of our qualification to rely on the exemption,
in September 2016, our Board of Directors determined to adopt the exemption, effective as of November 1, 2016. If in the future we were
to have a controlling shareholder, we would again be required to comply with the requirements relating to external directors and the composition
of the audit committee and compensation committee under Israeli law.
Director Independence
In accordance with exemptions from the Israeli law requirements
to have external directors serving on our Board of Directors, we comply with the director independence requirements and the audit committee
and compensation committee composition requirements under U.S. laws (including applicable Nasdaq Stock Market rules) applicable to U.S.
domestic issuers. In addition, the composition of our corporate governance and nominating committee complies with the requirements of
the Nasdaq Listing Rules applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, a majority of the board of directors must
be comprised of independent directors (as defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rules). Our board of directors has made a determination of independence
under the Nasdaq Listing Rules with respect to all directors, other than Mr. Ellwanger, our Chief Executive Officer.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee currently consists of Mr. Yoav Z. Chelouche,
Mr. Ilan Flato, Mr. Avi Hasson and Mrs. Iris Avner. Mr. Yoav Z. Chelouche serves as the audit committee chairman.
Composition requirements
The Companies Law requires public companies to appoint an audit
committee; however, following the Company’s determination to follow the relief provided under the Relief Regulations, as described
above, the composition of our audit committee is governed by the rules set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the Exchange Act.
Under Nasdaq Listing Rules, we are required to maintain an audit
committee consisting of at least three independent directors (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Listing Rules), each of
whom must meet certain requirements for financial literacy and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise, and
none of whom has participated in the preparation of our or any of our subsidiaries financial statements at any time during the prior three
years.
The Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of
the audit committee meet the independence and financial knowledge requirements for audit committee service of the Nasdaq Listing Rules
and the Exchange Act, as well as the Nasdaq Listing Rules requirement regarding financial sophistication. In addition, our Board of Directors
has determined that each member of our audit committee is an audit committee financial expert pursuant to the applicable SEC rules.
63
Audit Committee role
Our board of directors has adopted an audit committee charter setting
forth the responsibilities of the audit committee consistent with the Companies Law, the SEC rules and the Nasdaq Listing Rules, which
include:
| • |
retaining and terminating our independent auditors, subject to the ratification of the board of directors, and in the case of retention,
to that of the shareholders, as applicable in accordance with the Companies Law; |
| • |
pre-approving of audit and non-audit services and related fees and terms, to be provided by the independent auditors; |
| • |
overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of our financial statements, the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting and making such reports as may be required of an audit committee under the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; |
| • |
reviewing with management and our independent auditor our annual and quarterly financial statements prior to publication or filing
(or submission, as the case may be); |
| • |
recommending to the board of directors the retention and termination of the internal auditor, and the internal auditor’s engagement
fees and terms, in accordance with the Companies Law as well as approving the yearly or multi-year plan proposed by the internal auditor,
and review the results and findings of internal audits; |
| • |
overviewing Company risk assessment and reviewing regulatory compliance; |
| • |
determining whether to approve certain related party transactions (including transactions in which an office holder has a personal
interest) and whether any such transaction is extraordinary or material under Companies Law; |
| • |
determining whether a competitive process must be implemented for the approval of certain transactions with controlling shareholders
or its relative or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest (whether or not the transaction is an extraordinary transaction),
under the supervision of the audit committee or other party determined by the audit committee and in accordance with standards to be determined
by the audit committee, or whether a different process determined by the audit committee should be implemented for the approval of such
transactions; |
| • |
determining the process for the approval of certain transactions with controlling shareholders or in which a controlling shareholder
has a personal interest that the audit committee has determined are not extraordinary transactions but are not immaterial transactions;
and |
| • |
responsible for the handling of employees’ complaints as to the management of our business and the protection to be provided
to such employees. |
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee is comprised of Mr. Ilan Flato, Mr.
Avi Hasson and Mrs. Dana Gross. Mrs. Dana Gross serves as the compensation committee chairperson.
Composition requirements
The Companies Law requires public companies to appoint a compensation
committee; however, following the Company’s determination to adopt the relief provided under the Relief Regulations, as described
above, the composition of our compensation committee is governed by the rules set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the Exchange Act.
64
Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, we are required to maintain a compensation
committee consisting of at least two directors, each of whom is an independent director within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
The Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of
the compensation committee meet the independence requirements for compensation committee service of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the Exchange
Act.
Compensation Committee role
Our board of directors adopted a compensation committee charter,
which sets forth the responsibilities of the compensation committee consistent with the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the requirements for
compensation committees under the Companies Law, including the following:
| • |
recommending to the Board of Directors for its approval (i) a compensation policy for officers and directors, (ii) once every three
years, whether to extend the compensation policy, subject to receipt of the required corporate approvals approval (either a new compensation
policy or the continuation of an existing compensation policy must in any case occur every three years); and (iii) periodic updates to
the compensation policy. In addition, the compensation committee is required to periodically review the implementation of the compensation
policy; |
| • |
approving transactions relating to the terms of office and employment of office holders (within the meaning of the Companies Law),
which require the approval of the compensation committee pursuant to the Companies Law; and |
| • |
reviewing and approving equity grants to non-executive employees under our equity-based incentive plans. |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Our corporate governance and nominating committee is comprised
of Mr. Kalman Kaufman, Mrs. Dana Gross, Ms. Michal Vakrat Wolkin and Yoav Z. Chelouche. Mr. Kalman Kaufman serves as the corporate governance
and nominating committee chairman.
Our board of directors has adopted a corporate governance and nominating
committee charter setting forth the responsibilities of the corporate governance and nominating committee, which include:
| • |
overseeing and assisting our board of directors in reviewing and recommending nominees for election as directors; |
| • |
assessing the performance of the members of our board of directors; |
| • |
reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the structure and members of committees of the board; |
| • |
assisting our board of directors in carrying out its responsibilities related to chief executive officer succession planning;
|
| • |
reviewing and overseeing our corporate governance practices and communication plans for shareholder meetings and to promote effective
communication for shareholder meetings; and |
| • |
overseeing our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters and advising our board of directors on such matters.
|
Internal Auditor
Under the Companies Law, the board of directors of an Israeli public
company must appoint an internal auditor, who is recommended by the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among
other matters, whether the company’s actions comply with the law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal
auditor may be an employee of the company but not an office holder (within the meaning of the Companies Law) or an interested party (i.e.,
a person who holds more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares or voting rights or who has the power to appoint a director
or the general manager of the company) or a relative of an office holder or interested party, and may not be the company’s independent
auditor or its representative. Joseph Ginossar of Fahn Kanne, an affiliate of Grant Thornton International, serves as our internal auditor.
65
Director Service Contracts
Other than under the employment agreement with Mr. Russell Ellwanger,
our Chief Executive Officer and a director, as detailed in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation,”
we do not have written agreements with any director providing for benefits upon the termination of his or her services with our Company.
|
D. |
EMPLOYEES |
The following table sets forth for the last three fiscal years,
the number of our employees engaged in the specified activities.
|
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
Process and product engineering, R&D and design |
1,045 |
994 |
1,040 |
|||||||||
|
Manufacturing and operations |
4,168 |
3,858 |
3,569 |
|||||||||
|
Manufacturing support |
386 |
386 |
385 |
|||||||||
|
Sales and marketing, finance & administration |
288 |
273 |
285 |
|||||||||
|
Total |
5,887 |
5,511 |
5,279 |
|||||||||
As of December 31, 2021, we had 1,674 employees located in Israel,
1,538 employees located in the United States, 2,658 employees located in Japan and 17 employees located in other countries in Asia Pacific.
Other than a special collective agreement relating to our Israeli
employees regarding employer payments to pension funds of such employees, as described below, our employees in Israel are not covered
under a collective bargaining agreement. However, in Israel we are subject to certain labor statutes and national labor court precedent
rulings, as well as to certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut and the Coordination Bureau of
Economic Organizations, by virtue of expansion orders issued in accordance with relevant labor laws by the Israeli Ministry of Labor and
Welfare, and which apply such agreement provisions to our employees even though they are not directly part of a union that has signed
a collective bargaining agreement. The labor laws and court rulings that apply to our employees principally concern the minimum wage laws,
procedures for dismissing employees, determination of severance pay, leaves of absence (such as annual vacation or maternity leave), sick
pay and other conditions for employment. The expansion orders that apply to our employees principally concern the requirement for length
of the workday and workweek, mandatory employer’s payments to employees’ pension funds, annual recreation allowance, travel
expenses payment and other conditions of employment.
There have been attempts, including recently, by the Histadrut
to organize and establish a representative labor union for our Israeli employees. Under Israeli law, establishing a representative labor
union requires at least one-third of the Israeli employees to join the Histadrut and they would be liable to pay its membership fees.
While the Histadrut’s attempts have not succeeded to date, if a representative labor union would be established, we would
need to conduct negotiations with the representative labor union and the Histadrut regarding the terms of employment and benefits of the
employees.
66
Under the special collective bargaining agreement to which we are
party relating to our Israeli employees, we are required to pay funds to an employee’s insurance fund and/or pension fund. Such
funds generally provide a combination of savings plans, insurance and severance pay benefits to the employee, securing his or her right
to receive pension or giving the employee a lump sum payment upon retirement, under certain circumstances, if legally entitled, upon termination
of employment. Tower’s Israeli employees pay an amount equal to 6% of his or her wages to the insurance fund or pension fund, and
Tower pays an additional 14.83% to 15.83% of the employee’s wages to such funds. Israeli law generally requires severance pay upon
the retirement or death of an employee or termination of employment by the employer without due cause. Under the special collective bargaining
agreement, Section 14 to the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 5723-1963 applies to Tower, according to which the employer’s payments to
severance pay is in lieu of payment of severance pay upon termination of employment. Therefore, the monthly payments as mentioned above
constitute the entire required payments for severance pay, and we are not required to pay any additional sum upon termination of employment
of our Israeli employees for the period during which Sections 14 applies.
A portion of the employees at its Newport Beach, California fab
are represented by a union and covered by a collective bargaining agreement. NPB Co. maintains a defined benefit pension plan for certain
of its employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for monthly pension payments to eligible employees upon retirement.
The pension benefits are based on years of service and specified benefit amounts. In addition, the bargaining agreement includes a post-retirement
medical plan for certain employees. Certain eligible bargaining union employees who terminate employment are provided with a lump-sum
benefit payment.
Most of TPSCo’s employees at its Japan fabs are represented
by a union and covered by a collective bargaining agreement. TPSCo established a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (the “DC Plan”)
for its employees, through which TPSCo pays approximately 9% with employee average match of 1% from employee base salary to the DC Plan.
Such payment releases the employer from further obligation to any payments upon termination of employment. The payment is remitted either
to third party benefit funds that are responsible to invest the funds based on employee preference, or directly, to those employees who
elected not to enroll in the DC Plan.
|
E. |
SHARE OWNERSHIP |
As of March 31, 2022, no individual director or senior manager
beneficially owned (determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC) one percent or more of our outstanding ordinary shares. As of
March 31, 2022, our directors and senior managers held restricted stock units to purchase an aggregate of approximately 1.07 million of
our ordinary shares. For information regarding our equity-based incentive plans, see Note 15B to our consolidated financial statements
included in this annual report.
ITEM
7. MAJOR
SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
A. |
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
|
Information concerning the beneficial ownership (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of our ordinary shares by any person who is known to us to beneficially
own 5% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of March 31, 2022 is set forth below. The percentage of beneficial ownership
of our ordinary shares is based on 109,078,276 million ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
67
The voting rights of our major shareholders do not differ from
the voting rights of other holders of our ordinary shares.
|
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned |
||||||||
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number |
Percent (1) |
||||||
|
Senvest Management, LLC (2) |
7,446,640 |
6.83 |
% | |||||
|
Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (3) |
6,626,439 |
6.07 |
% | |||||
____________
| (1) |
In accordance with the rules of the SEC, assumes (i) the holder’s beneficial ownership of outstanding ordinary shares and all
ordinary shares that the holder has a right to purchase within 60 days of March 31, 2022; and (ii) no other exercisable or convertible
securities held by other holders has been exercised or converted into ordinary shares. |
| (2) |
Based solely upon, and qualified in its entirety with reference to, a notice provided to the Company by Senvest Management, LLC.
as of March 31, 2022. |
| (3) |
Based solely upon and qualified in its entirety with reference to, a notice provided to the Company by Clal Insurance Enterprises
Holdings Ltd. as of March 31, 2022. |
As of April 1, 2022, based on information provided to us by our
transfer agent in the United States, there were a total of 13 holders of record of our ordinary shares, of which 9 were registered with
addresses in the United States. Such U.S. record holders were, as of such date, the holders of record of approximately 70% of our outstanding
ordinary shares. The number of record holders in the United States is not representative of the number of beneficial holders nor is it
representative of where such beneficial holders are resident since many of these ordinary shares were held by brokers or other nominees
(including one U.S. nominee company, CEDE & Co., which held approximately 70% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of such date,
including those held for the benefit of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange clearing house as a member of Depository Trust Company).
|
B. |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
Other than the executive and director compensation, executive officer
employment agreements, indemnification and exculpation arrangements and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy,
as discussed elsewhere in this annual report, for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 and through April 29, 2022, the date of the filing of
this annual report with the SEC, we have not been and are not a party to any transactions in which any of our directors, executive officers
or holders of 5% or more of our share capital, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals
or entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. For additional information, see Note 18 to the consolidated financial
statements included herein.
|
C. |
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND
COUNSEL |
Not applicable.
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Consolidated Financial Statements.
See “Item 18 – Financial Statements”.
Legal Proceedings
NPB Co. leases its fabrication facilities and offices under an
operational lease agreement that was initially in effect until March 2022 and provided NPB Co. an option, at its sole discretion, to extend
the lease for an additional five year period, which NPB Co. elected to exercise for the lease to continue through March 2027. In the amendments
to its lease, (i) NPB Co. secured various contractual safeguards designed to limit and mitigate any adverse impact of construction activities
on its fabrication operations; and (ii) the lease agreement includes certain obligations, including certain noise abatement actions in
relation to the fabrication facility. The landlord has made claims that NPB Co.’s noise abatement efforts are not adequate
under the terms of the amended lease, and has requested a judicial declaration that NPB Co. has committed material non-curable breaches
of the lease and that, in accordance with the lease, the landlord would be entitled to terminate the lease. NPB Co. does not agree and
is disputing these claims. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business— Risks relating
to Fab 3 lease could harm business, operations and financial results.”
68
Dividend Policy
We currently intend to retain our cash balance, deposits, investments
in marketable securities and future earnings to finance our growth and acquisition strategy, as well as capacity growth and our ongoing
operations, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, (i) the Companies Law imposes restrictions
on our ability to declare and pay dividends; (ii) under the indenture for our Series G Debentures, a distribution of dividends is subject
to satisfying certain financial ratios and limitations; (iii) the Merger Agreement includes provisions with respect to dividends restrictions.
If our board of directors will decide in the future to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future growth
and acquisition strategy, as well as our capacity growth plans, future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general
financial condition, contractual and legal restrictions and other factors that our directors may deem relevant Payment of dividends may
be subject to Israeli withholding taxes. See “Item 10. Taxation—E. Israeli Taxation” for additional information.
|
B. |
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
|
No significant change has occurred since December 31, 2021, except
as disclosed in this annual report.
ITEM
9. THE
OFFER AND LISTING
Our ordinary shares are listed and traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market
(on the NASDAQ Global Market through March 16, 2012, on the NASDAQ Capital Market from March 17, 2012 through September 6, 2012, and on
the NASDAQ Global Select Market since that date) and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE:) under the symbol “TSEM”.
If the Merger is completed, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and the Company Shares will no longer be publicly
traded and will be delisted from NASDAQ Global Select Market and the TASE.
ITEM
10. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
A. |
SHARE CAPITAL |
Not applicable.
|
B. |
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION |
A copy of our Articles of Association is attached as Exhibit 1.1
to this annual report, as amended by Exhibits 1.2-1.7 to this annual report. Other than as disclosed below, the information called for
by this Item is set forth in Exhibit 2.1 to this annual report and is incorporated by reference into this annual report.
Registration Number and Purposes
Our registration number with the Israeli Companies Registrar is
520041997. Pursuant to Section 4 of our Articles of Association, our objective is to engage in any lawful activity.
69
Shareholder Meetings
Under Israeli law and our Articles of Association, we are required
to hold an annual general meeting of shareholders each year that must be held no later than 15 months from the last annual meeting, upon
at least 21 days’ prior notice to our shareholders.
A special meeting may be convened by the Board of Directors, at
such times as it deems fit, and it is required to convene a special meeting at the request of (i) any two directors or twenty-five percent
of the board members or (ii) one or more shareholders holding at least 5% of our issued share capital and 1% of the voting rights or one
or more shareholders holding at least 5% of the voting rights. Shareholders requesting a special meeting must submit their proposed resolution
with their request. Within 21 days of receipt of the request, the Board of Directors must convene a special meeting and provide notice
for the meeting setting forth the date, time and place of the meeting, which generally shall not be convened more than 35 days after the
notice for the meeting. If the special meeting is not convened by the Board of Directors as set forth above, the person who requested
the Board to convene the meeting may convene the meeting, in the same manner a special meeting is convened by the Board of Directors,
provided that such meeting shall not be held after three months have elapsed from the date the request was submitted.
Pursuant to the Companies Law and our Articles of Association,
resolutions regarding the following matters are required to be approved by our shareholders at a general meeting by an ordinary resolution.
| • |
amendments to our Articles of Association; |
| • |
appointment, terms of engagement and termination of engagement of our independent auditors; |
| • |
appointment and dismissal of our directors; |
| • |
approval of certain related party transactions and certain officer and director compensation; |
| • |
increase or reduction of authorized share capital in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law or the rights of shareholders
or a class of shareholders; |
| • |
any merger; and |
| • |
the exercise of the Board of Directors’ powers by the general meeting, if the Board of Directors is unable to exercise its
powers and the exercise of any of its powers is essential for Tower’s proper management. |
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and regulations
promulgated thereunder, shareholders entitled to participate and vote at general meetings are the shareholders of record on a date to
be decided by the board of directors, which, as a company listed on an exchange outside Israel, may be between four and 40 days prior
to the date of the meeting.
The Companies Law requires that a notice of any annual general
meeting or special general meeting be provided to shareholders at least 21 days prior to the meeting and if the agenda of the meeting
includes, among other things, the appointment or removal of directors, the approval of transactions with office holders or interested
or related parties, an approval of a merger or the approval of the compensation policy, notice must be provided at least 35 days prior
to the meeting.
2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Each of the proposals presented for approval at the 2022 Annual
General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company held on August 12, 2021 (the “Meeting”) were approved by the requisite vote
of the Company’s shareholders in accordance with the Companies Law and the Company’s articles of association, as described
in the Notice and Proxy Statement for the Meeting that was attached as Exhibit 99.1 to a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K
furnished by the Company to the SEC on June 28, 2021.
70
Borrowing Powers
Our Board of Directors may, from time to time, at its discretion,
approve the receipt of credit by the Company in any amount and the discharge thereof, in such manner as it deems fit, as well as the award
of collateral to secure any such credit, of whatsoever type. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, at its discretion, approve
the issue of a series of debentures, including capital notes or bonds, and including debentures, capital notes or bonds convertible or
exercisable into shares, and determine the terms thereof, and to charge all or any of our present or future property by way of a floating
or fixed charge. In accordance with our Articles of Association, debentures, capital notes, bonds or other securities, as aforesaid, may
be issued at a discount, with a premium or in any other manner, with deferred rights, special rights, privileges or other rights, all
as determined by the board of directors at its discretion.
However, for the period commencing on the date of execution of
the Merger Agreement on February 15, 2022 and until the closing of the Merger (subject to the Merger Agreement being in effect), the Company
is subject to certain borrowing related limitations, including with respect to the incurrence, prepayment, and guarantee of indebtedness
for borrowed money and the issuance and sale of debt and/ or convertible securities.
|
C. |
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
|
For information regarding material contracts see Notes 10, 11,
12, 13, 14 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the agreements described under the
caption “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - B. Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
TPSCo Agreements
In March 2014, we acquired a 51% equity stake in TPSCo from Panasonic.
Panasonic transferred its semiconductor wafer manufacturing process and 8-inch and 12-inch capacity tools at its three fabs (Uozu E, Tonami
CD and Arai E) to TPSCo, and entered into a manufacturing agreement with TPSCo for a period of five years of volume production. In June
2014, Panasonic’s shares in TPSCo were transferred, and its rights and obligations were assigned, to its wholly-owned subsidiary,
PSCS. In March 2019, agreements were signed between Tower, TPSCo and PSCS to extend the manufacturing, commercial and services engagements
by an additional three-year period under certain amended terms, including a manufacturing agreement between TPSCo and PSCS, under which
TPSCo manufactures products for PSCS under a revised pricing structure, which agreements were further extended under similar terms in
March 2022 for an additional period of three months. TPSCo leases its fabrication facility buildings in Japan from NTCJ under a capital
lease contract from 2014 that was renewed in 2020 for continuation of the lease until at least March 2032. In September 2020, Panasonic
sold its shares in PSCS to Nuvoton Technology Corp. (a Taiwan-based semiconductor company, majority-owned by Winbond Electronics Corporation,
a Taiwan-based specialty memory integrated circuits company), which assumed and continues performance of the agreements previously signed
between Tower, Panasonic, PSCS and/or TPSCo. Following the September 2020 sale, the registered name of PSCS changed to Nuvoton Technology
Corporation Japan (“NTCJ”). As part of the agreements in relation to TPSCo, at the request of Panasonic (through PSCS;
currently named NTCJ), it has been decided to re-organize and re-structure operations in Japan such that the Uozu and Tonami facilities
will remain unchanged while the Arai manufacturing factory, which is currently manufacturing products solely for NTCJ and is not serving
Tower’s or TPSCo’s foundry customers, will cease operations effective July 1, 2022.
TSIT Agreements
We
entered into a definitive agreement with ST effective as of September 14, 2021 ,
to share a 300mm manufacturing fabrication facility in Agrate, Italy under a collaborative arrangement, following which TSIT, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Tower, was incorporated. The fabrication facility is currently under construction by ST. The parties will share the cleanroom
space and the facility infrastructure, and TSIT will install equipment in one-third of the total space, which are expected to be qualified
and used to manufacture products for its foundry customers. Operation will be continue
to be managed by ST.
71
Intel-Tower Merger Agreement
On February 15, 2022, we entered into the Merger Agreement with
Parent, Merger Sub, and Intel, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (and Merger Sub will cease to exist as
a separate legal entity), and the Company will be the surviving company and will become a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Parent and
a subsidiary of Intel.
As a result of the Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly
traded company, all outstanding Company Shares (except for any Company Shares owned by the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their
direct or indirect subsidiaries or held in the Company’s treasury (which will remain outstanding and no Merger Consideration or
any other consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor)) will be deemed to be transferred to Parent in exchange for the right
to receive the Merger Consideration.
At the time at which the Merger will become effective (the “Effective
Time”), each option to purchase Company Shares that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time
and either (i) has fully vested as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with its terms in effect as of the date of
the Merger Agreement or (ii) is held by a non‑employee director of the Company (subject to certain exceptions described in the Merger
Proxy Statement) or otherwise is held by an individual who is not a Continuing Employee (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (whether
vested or unvested) (each, a “Cashed‑Out Company Option”) will be canceled and converted into the right to receive a
cash amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Company Shares subject to such option, multiplied by (y) the excess, if any, of
the Merger Consideration over the applicable per share exercise price for such option. For each option to purchase Company Shares that
is unvested and held by a non-employee director who has served on the Company’s board of directors for less than five years as of
the Effective Time, only 50% of such option will constitute a Cashed-Out Company Option, and the remainder of the option will be cancelled
without consideration at the Effective Time.
At the Effective Time, each option to purchase Company Shares held
by a Continuing Employee (as defined in the Merger Agreement) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and is not a
Cashed‑Out Company Option (each, an “Assumed Option”), will be assumed by Intel and converted into a stock option covering
common shares of Intel having substantially the same terms and conditions as the Assumed Option, including the applicable vesting schedule
and payment timing, except that each such stock option will cover a number of common shares of Intel equal to the product of the number
of Company Shares that were issuable with respect to the Assumed Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio (as defined below), and rounded down to the nearest whole share, with an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per
share of the Assumed Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio and rounded up to the nearest whole
cent and (ii) all references to the “Company” in the applicable equity plan and award agreement will be references to Intel.
The “Exchange Ratio” means a fraction, the numerator of which is the Merger Consideration and the denominator of which is
the volume weighted average price for a common share of Intel on NASDAQ Global Select Market, calculated based on the ten consecutive
trading days ending on the third complete trading day prior to (and excluding) the closing date of the Merger.
At the Effective Time each Company restricted share unit award
(each, a “Company RSU”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and either (i) has fully vested immediately
prior to the Effective Time in accordance with its terms as in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement but has not yet been settled
in Company Shares prior to the Effective Time or (ii) is held by a non‑employee director of the Company (subject to certain exceptions
in the Merger Proxy Statement) (each, a “Cashed‑Out Company RSU”), whether or not vested, will be canceled and converted
into the right to receive a cash amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Company Shares subject to such Company RSU multiplied
by (y) the Merger Consideration. For each Company RSU that is unvested and held by a non-employee director who has served on the Company’s
board of directors for less than five years as of the Effective Time, only 50% of such Company RSU will constitute a Cashed-Out Company
RSU, and the remainder of the Company RSU will be cancelled without consideration at the Effective Time.
72
At the Effective Time, each Company RSU held by a Continuing Employee
that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and is not a Cashed‑Out Company RSU (each, an “Assumed RSU”),
will be assumed by Intel and converted into an Intel restricted stock unit award having substantially the same terms and conditions as
the Assumed RSU, including vesting schedule and payment timing, but covering a number of common shares of Intel equal to the product of
(x) the number of Company Shares that were issuable with regard to the Assumed RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied
by (y) the Exchange Ratio and rounding such product down to the nearest whole number and (ii) all references to the “Company”
in the applicable equity plan and award agreement will be references to Intel.
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the level at which the
performance goals are satisfied with regard to each Company performance share unit award (a “Company PSU”) that is outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time will be determined in good faith and approved by the Company’s board of directors (or a
committee thereof, as applicable), which number shall be determined based on its determination of the greater of (i) the average performance
results for the two most recently completed years prior to the year in which the closing of the Merger occurs, and (ii) actual performance
as of the closing of the Merger (determined in accordance with the applicable Company PSU award agreement) (such final amount, the “Performance
Satisfied PSUs”). The resulting Performance Satisfied PSUs will be assumed by Intel and automatically converted at the Effective
Time into an Intel restricted stock unit award having substantially the same terms and conditions as the Company PSU, other than the performance
goals, but covering a number of common shares of Intel equal to the product of (x) the number of Company Shares that were issuable with
regard to the Performance Satisfied PSUs multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio and rounding such product down to the nearest whole number
and (ii) all references to the “Company” in the applicable equity plan and award agreement will be references to Intel.
For a more complete description of the treatment of Company equity
awards, see the relevant sections in the Merger Proxy Statement.
Each of the Company, Intel, Parent and Merger Sub have made customary
representations, warranties and commitments in the Merger Agreement and the agreement includes certain agreed principles in relation to
the conduct of the Company’s business prior to the Closing, including with respect to investments, divestitures, financing
and human resource related policies and practices.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances,
including in specified circumstances in connection with a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or if the Merger is
not consummated by the Outside Date. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including termination by the Company
to enter into a Superior Proposal, a termination by Parent following an adverse recommendation change of the Company’s board of
directors or a termination by Parent as a result of a material breach of the Merger Agreement’s no-solicitation obligations by the
Company, the Company will be obligated to pay to Parent a termination fee equal to $206 million in cash. If the Merger Agreement is terminated
under certain circumstances involving the failure to obtain certain regulatory approvals for the Merger, Parent will be obligated to pay
the Company a termination fee equal to $353 million in cash.
Consummation of the Merger is also subject to several conditions,
including requisite regulatory approvals and the approval of Tower’s shareholders at the EGM, which shareholder approval was obtained
at the EGM held on April 25, 2022.
73
|
D. |
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
|
There are currently no Israeli government laws, decrees, regulations
or other legislation that restrict or affect our import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents
for use by us, or the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to holders of our securities that are non-residents of Israel,
except under certain circumstances, for nationals of countries that are, or have been, in a state of war with Israel.
|
E. |
TAXATION |
The discussion below does not purport to be an official interpretation
of the tax law provisions mentioned therein or to be a comprehensive description of all tax law provisions which might apply to the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of our securities or to reflect the views of the relevant tax authorities, and it is not meant to replace professional
advice in these matters. The discussion below is based on current, applicable tax law, which may be changed by future legislation or reforms.
Non-residents should obtain professional tax advice with respect to the tax consequences of acquiring, holding or selling our securities
under the laws of their countries of residence of acquiring, holding or selling our securities.
ISRAELI TAXATION
General Corporate Tax
Israeli companies are subject to corporate tax currently at the
rate of 23%. However, the effective corporate tax rate payable by a company which derives income from a “Preferred Enterprise”
(as further discussed below) may be considerably less.
Israeli Tax on Capital Gains
An individual is subject to a tax at a rate of 25% on real capital
gains derived from the sale of shares, unless such individual claims a deduction for interest and linkage differences expenses in connection
with the purchase and holding of such shares and as long as the individual is not a “substantial shareholder” in the company
issuing the shares. In the case of a “substantial shareholder”, the tax rate is 30%.
A “substantial shareholder” is generally a person who
alone, or together with his relative or another person who collaborates with him on a regular basis, holds, directly or indirectly, at
least 10% of any of the “means of control” of the corporation. “Means of control” generally include the right
to vote, receive profits, nominate a director or an officer, receive assets upon liquidation, or instruct someone who holds any of the
aforesaid rights regarding the manner in which he or she is to exercise such right(s), and all regardless of the source of such right.
An individual who is a substantial shareholder at the time of sale
or at any time during the preceding 12-month period, is subject to tax at a rate of 30% in respect of real capital gains derived from
the sale of shares issued by the company in which he or she is a substantial shareholder.
Individual shareholders dealing in securities in Israel are taxed
at their marginal tax rates applicable to business income (up to 47%).
Under present Israeli tax legislation, the tax rate applicable
to real capital gain derived by Israeli resident corporations from the sale of shares of an Israeli company is the general corporate tax
rate at a rate currently 23%.
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax
on any gains derived from the sale of shares in an Israeli corporation publicly traded on the TASE and/or on a foreign stock exchange,
provided such gains do not derive from a permanent establishment of such shareholders in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire
their shares prior to the issuer’s initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption
if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of more than 25% in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) are the beneficiaries of
or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly. In addition,
the sale of the shares may be exempt from Israeli capital gains tax under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty (subject to the receipt
in advance of a valid certificate from the Israel Tax Authority (“ITA”) allowing for such an exemption). For example, the
Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with respect to taxes on income, or the
“US-Israel Tax Treaty,” generally exempts U.S. residents from Israeli capital gains tax in connection with such sale, provided
that (i) the U.S. resident owned, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of the Israeli resident company’s voting power at any time
within the 12-month period preceding such sale; (ii) the seller, if an individual, has been present in Israel for less than 183 days (in
the aggregate) during the taxable year; and (iii) the capital gain from the sale was not generated through a permanent establishment of
the U.S. resident in Israel.
74
The purchaser of the shares, the stockbrokers who effected the
transaction or the financial institution holding the shares through which payment to the seller is made are obligated, subject to the
above-referenced exemptions if certain conditions are met, to withhold tax on the real capital gain resulting from a sale of shares at
the rate of 25%.
Israeli Tax on Interest Income and on Original Issuance Discount
Interest and Original Issuance Discount (OID) on our Series G debentures
are, in general, subject to Israeli tax of up to 15% (which would be withheld at source) if received by an individual. However, tax at
the marginal rate (up to 47%) shall apply, if one of the following applies:
| • |
if the interest or OID are business income in the hands of the recipient, |
| • |
if the interest is recorded or should be recorded in the individual’s accounting books, |
| • |
if the recipient is a substantial shareholder of the company, |
| • |
if financing expenses related to the purchase of the debentures were deducted by the individual in the calculation of the individual’s
Israeli taxable income, or |
| • |
if the individual is an employee, supplier, or service provider of the company or has another special relationship with the company
and the tax authorities have not been persuaded that the payment of interest was not affected by the relationship between the parties.
|
Interest and OID paid on our Series G debentures to Israeli corporations
will, in general, be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 23%.
Interest and OID paid on our debentures to non-Israeli residents
may be subject to lower withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty (subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate
from the ITA allowing for such an exemption). For example, under the US-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum Israeli tax withheld on interest
and OID paid to a US resident (other than with respect to payments attributed to a permanent establishment in Israel) is 17.5%.
Interest, OID or inflation linkage differentials paid to a non-Israeli
resident who does not have a permanent establishment in Israel, on debentures issued by an Israeli corporation and which are traded on
the TASE, are generally exempt from taxes in Israel. However, this exemption from taxes will not apply (and consequently tax will be withheld
at source):
| • |
if the recipient is a substantial shareholder of the company, |
| • |
if the recipient is an affiliate of the company, or |
| • |
if the individual is an employee, supplier, or service provider of the company and the tax authorities have not been persuaded that
the payment was not affected by the relationship between the parties. |
75
Israeli Tax on Dividend Income
Israeli resident corporations are generally exempt from Israeli
corporate tax for dividends paid on our ordinary shares.
On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock
dividends, to Israeli and non-Israeli resident individuals and non-Israeli resident corporations, we would be required to withhold income
tax at the rate of 25% (or 30% if such shareholder is a “substantial shareholder” at the time receiving the dividend or on
any date in the 12 months preceding such date and the shares are not held through a nominee company). If the income out of which the dividend
is being paid is attributable to a privileged Enterprise or Preferred Enterprise under the Investment Law, the rate is generally not more
than 20%. A different rate may be provided for in an applicable tax treaty (subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate from
the ITA allowing for such an exemption).
Under the US-Israel Tax Treaty, Israeli withholding tax on dividends
paid to a US resident may not, in general, exceed 25%. Where the recipient is a US corporation owning 10% or more of the voting stock
of the paying corporation during the part of the tax year which precedes the date of payment of the dividend and during the entire tax
year preceding such year, the Israeli tax withheld may not exceed 12.5% or 15% in the case of dividends paid out of the profits of a corporation
entitled to the benefits of the Investment Law, subject to certain conditions.
Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959
The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959,
generally referred to as the Investment Law, was originally enacted in order to provide certain incentives for capital investments in
production facilities (or other eligible assets).
In recent years, the Investment Law has undergone major reforms
and several amendments which were intended to provide expanded tax benefits and to simplify the bureaucratic process relating to the approval
of investments qualifying under the Investment Law. The different benefits under the Investment Law depend on the specific year in which
the enterprise received approval from the Investment Center or the year it was eligible for Approved/Privileged/Preferred Enterprise status
under the Investment Law, and the benefits available at that time.
Tax Benefits Prior to the 2005 Amendment
Prior to an amendment to the Investment Law effective as of April
1, 2005, generally referred to as the 2005 Amendment, a capital investment in eligible production facilities (or other eligible assets)
could, upon application to the Investment Center of the Israeli Ministry of Economy (formerly named the Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Labor), generally referred to as the “Investment Center,” be designated as an “Approved Enterprise” and accordingly,
entitled to certain tax benefits under the Investment Law. Each certificate of approval for an Approved Enterprise relates to a specific
investment program in the Approved Enterprise, delineated both by the financial scope of the investment and by the physical characteristics
of the facility or the asset.
Tax Benefits Subsequent to the 2005 Amendment
Pursuant to the 2005 Amendment, a company whose facilities meet
certain criteria set forth in the 2005 Amendment may claim certain tax benefits offered by the Investment Law (as further described below)
directly in its tax returns, without the need to obtain prior approval. In order to receive the tax benefits, a company must make an investment
which meets all of the conditions, including exceeding a minimum entitling investment amount, set forth in the Investment Law. Such investment
allows a company to receive “Benefited Enterprise” status, and may be made over a period of no more than three years ending
at the end of the year in which the company chose to have the tax benefits apply to its Benefited Enterprise, referred to as the “Year
of Election.”
76
The extent of the tax benefits available under the 2005 Amendment
to qualifying income of a Benefited Enterprise depends on, among other things, the geographic location in Israel of the Benefited Enterprise.
The location will also determine the period for which tax benefits are available.
The benefits available to a Benefited Enterprise are subject to
the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations. If a company does not meet these conditions, it may
be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, as adjusted by the Israeli consumer price index, plus interest, or other monetary penalties.
Tax Benefits under the 2011 Amendment and thereafter
An amendment to the Investment Law that became effective on January
1, 2011, generally referred to as the 2011 Amendment, made significant changes to the Investment Law, which revamped the tax incentive
regime in Israel. The main changes are, inter alia, as follows:
| • |
Industrial companies meeting the criteria set out by the Investment Law for a “Preferred Income” of a “Preferred
Enterprise” (as defined below) will be eligible for flat tax rates of 7.5% or 16% in 2017 and thereafter, with the actual tax rates
determined by the location of the enterprise. The location of Tower's fabrication facilities in Israel (also referred to as “Zone
A”) entitles it to benefit from a tax rate of 7.5% on its Preferred Income. The tax incentives offered by the Investment Law are
no longer dependent neither on minimum qualified investments nor on foreign ownership. |
| • |
A company can enjoy both government grants and tax benefits concurrently. Governmental grants will not necessarily be dependent on
the extent of enterprise’s investment in assets and/or equipment. The approval of “Preferred Enterprise” status by either
the Israel Tax Authority or the Investment Center will be accepted by the other. Therefore, a Preferred Enterprise may be eligible to
receive both tax incentives and government grants, under certain conditions. |
| • |
Under the transition provisions, any tax benefits obtained prior to 2011 shall continue to apply until expired, unless the company
elects to apply the provisions of the new provisions to its income. |
“Preferred Income” is defined as income from a Preferred
Enterprise, as specified below, with the condition that the income was produced or arose in the course of the enterprise's ordinary activity
in Israel from one of the following (excluding certain income derives from intangible assets which are not attributed to the enterprise's
production): income from the sale of products of the Preferred Enterprise (including components that were produced by other enterprises);
income from the sale of semiconductors produced by other non-related enterprises which use the Preferred Enterprise’s self-developed
know-how; income for providing a right to use the Preferred Enterprise’s know how or software; royalties from the use of the know-how
or software which was confirmed by the Head of the Investment Center to be related to the production activity of the Preferred Enterprise;
and services with respect to the aforementioned sales. In addition, the definition of “Preferred Income” also includes income
from the provision of industrial R&D services to foreign residents to the extent that the services were approved by the Head of Research
for the Industrial Development and Administration.
A “Preferred Enterprise” is defined as an Industrial
Enterprise (including, inter alia, an enterprise which provides approved R&D services to foreign residents), which generally more
than 25% of its business income is from export. As mentioned above, these tax incentives no longer depend on minimum qualified investments
nor on foreign ownership.
The Investment Law also determines the conditions and limitations
applying to the tax benefits offered to a “Special Preferred Enterprise” (as defined below). A “Special Preferred Enterprise”
will be able to enjoy corporate income tax rate in a rate of 5% if located in a preferred zone and 8% if not located in a preferred zone.
77
A “Special Preferred Enterprise” is defined as a Preferred
Enterprise which meets all of the following conditions, during the relevant tax year: (a) its Preferred Income is equal to or exceeds
NIS 1 billion; (b) the total income of the company which owns the Preferred Enterprise or which operates in the same field of the Preferred
Enterprise and which consolidates in its financial reports the company that owns the Preferred Enterprise equals or exceeds NIS 10 billion;
and (c) its business plan was approved by the authorities as significantly benefitting the Israeli economy.
Dividends paid out of income attributed to a Preferred Enterprise
are generally subject to withholding tax at source at a rate of 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty
upon a request submitted by the recipient of such dividends. However, if such dividends are paid to an Israeli company no tax will be
withheld (although, if such dividends are subsequently distributed to individuals or a non-Israeli company, withholding tax at a rate
of 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty will apply (subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate
from the ITA allowing for such an exemption)).
The provisions of the 2011 Amendment do not apply to existing Benefited
Enterprises or Approved Enterprises, which will continue to be entitled to the tax benefits under the Investment Law as in effect prior
to the 2011 Amendment. Nevertheless, a company owning such enterprises may choose to apply the 2011 Amendment to its existing enterprises
while waiving benefits provided under the Investment Law as in effect prior to the 2011 Amendment. Once a company elects to be classified
as a Preferred Enterprise under the provisions of the 2011 Amendment, the election cannot be rescinded and such company will no longer
enjoy the tax benefits of its Approved/Privileged Enterprises.
As Tower’s fabrication facilities located in Israel qualify
as a Preferred Enterprise, it is entitled to the 7.5% preferred tax rate described above with respect to its Preferred Income, and therefore,
applies a 7.5% tax rate in determining its Israeli current tax provision, deferred tax assets and liabilities in connection with its Preferred
Income. Tower has not yet notified the Israeli tax authorities of its election to apply the 7.5% tax rate to its Preferred Income since
it is not required to do so while having significant accumulated net operating losses for tax purposes, which are carried forward with
no expiration date.
Tax benefits under the 2017 Amendment
The 2017 Amendment was enacted as part of the Economic Efficiency
Law that was published on December 29, 2016, and became effective as of January 1, 2017. The 2017 Amendment provides new tax benefits
for two types of “Technology Enterprises,” as described below, and is in addition to the other existing tax beneficial programs
under the Investment Law.
The 2017 Amendment provides that a technology company satisfying
certain conditions will qualify as a “Preferred Technology Enterprise” and will thereby enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate
of 12% on income that qualifies as “Preferred Technology Income”, as defined in the Investment Law. The tax rate is further
reduced to 7.5% for a Preferred Technology Enterprise located in development Zone A. In addition, a Preferred Technology Company will
enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 12% on capital gain derived from the sale of certain “Benefitted Intangible Assets”
(as defined in the Investment Law) to a related foreign company if the Benefitted Intangible Assets were acquired from a foreign company
on or after January 1, 2017 for at least NIS 200 million, and the sale receives prior approval from the Israel Innovation Authority (previously
known as the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist), which we refer to as the IIA.
The 2017 Amendment further provides that a technology company satisfying
certain conditions (group turnover of at least NIS 10 billion) will qualify as a “Special Preferred Technology Enterprise”
and will thereby enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 6% on “Preferred Technology Income” regardless of the company’s
geographic location within Israel. In addition, a Special Preferred Technology Enterprise will enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 6%
on capital gain derived from the sale of certain “Benefitted Intangible Assets” to a related foreign company if the Benefitted
Intangible Assets were either developed by the Special Preferred Enterprise or acquired from a foreign company on or after January 1,
2017, and the sale received prior approval from IIA. A Special Preferred Technology Enterprise that acquires Benefitted Intangible Assets
from a foreign company for more than NIS 500 million will be eligible for these benefits for at least ten years, subject to certain approvals
as specified in the Investment Law.
78
Dividends distributed to Israeli shareholders by a Preferred Technology
Enterprise or a Special Preferred Technology Enterprise, paid out of Preferred Technology Income, are generally subject to withholding
tax at source at the rate of 20% (in the case of non-Israeli shareholders - subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate from
the ITA allowing for a reduced tax rate, 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty (subject to the receipt
in advance of a valid certificate from the ITA allowing for such an exemption)). However, if such dividends are paid to an Israeli company,
no tax is required to be withheld (although, if such dividends are subsequently distributed to individuals or a non-Israeli company, withholding
tax at a rate of 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty, will apply). If such dividends are distributed
to a foreign company that holds solely or together with other foreign companies 90% or more in the Israeli company and other conditions
are met, the withholding tax rate will be 4%.
As we have accumulated unused tax carry forward losses, we have
not examined yet the full impact of the 2017 Amendment and the degree to which our facilities in Israel will qualify as a Preferred Technology
Enterprise, the amount of Preferred Technology Income that we may have and other benefits that we may receive from the 2017 Amendment.
As of December 31, 2021, Tower does not qualify with the threshold of group turnover of at least NIS 10 billion.
Tax Benefits under the 2021 Amendment
An amendment to the Investment Law that became effective on
August 15, 2021, generally referred to as the 2021 Amendment, introduced a new dividend distribution ordering rule to cause the distribution
of earnings that were tax-exempt under the historical Approved or Beneficial Enterprise regimes (Trapped Earnings), to be on a pro-rata
basis from any dividend distribution, which is applicable to distributions starting from August 15, 2021 onwards. Accordingly, the corporate
income tax claw-back will apply to any dividend distribution, as long as the company has Trapped Earnings.
Additionally, the 2021 Amendment also includes a Temporary Order
to enhance the release of Trapped Earnings by reducing the claw-back income tax rate that is applicable upon such a release or distribution
by up to 60%, but not less than 6% income tax rate, during a one-year period beginning from November 15, 2021.
While we have not examined yet the full impact (if any) of the
2021 Amendment on our financial statements, due to Tower’s significant accumulated net operating losses for tax purposes we do not
expect the 2021 Amendment to have any effect on our financial statements.
Excess Tax
Subject to the provisions of an applicable tax treaty, individuals
who are subject to tax in Israel are also subject to an additional tax at the rate of 3% on the annual taxable income (including, but
not limited to, dividends, interest and capital gain) exceeding NIS 647,640 in 2021 and NIS 663,240 for 2022.
Estate and Gift Tax
Israeli law presently does not impose estate or gift taxes.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a description of the material U.S.
federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the ordinary shares by U.S. Holders who acquire our ordinary shares and
hold them as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As used in this section, the term “U.S. Holder” means a
beneficial owner of an ordinary share who is:
| • |
an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
79
| • |
a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States or 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 the trust has elected validly to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or if a U.S.
court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons have the authority
to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions. |
The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner
of an ordinary share who is not a U.S. Holder. The tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Holder may differ substantially from the tax consequences
to a U.S. Holder. Certain aspects of U.S. federal income tax relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder also are discussed below.
This description is based on provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, referred to in this discussion as the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative
and judicial interpretations, each as available and in effect as of the date of this annual report. These sources may change, possibly
with retroactive effect, and are open to differing interpretations. This description does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors who are subject to special treatment
under U.S. federal income tax law, including:
| • |
insurance companies; |
| • |
dealers in stocks, securities or currencies; |
| • |
financial institutions and financial services entities; |
| • |
real estate investment trusts; |
| • |
regulated investment companies; |
| • |
persons that receive ordinary shares as compensation for the performance of services; |
| • |
tax-exempt organizations; |
| • |
persons that hold ordinary shares as a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion or other integrated instrument;
|
| • |
individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts; |
| • |
expatriates of the United States; |
| • |
persons (other than Non-U.S. Holders) having a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; and |
| • |
direct, indirect or constructive owners of 10% or more, by voting power or value, of us. |
This discussion also does not consider the tax treatment of persons
or partnerships that hold ordinary shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity or the possible application of United States
federal gift or estate tax or alternative minimum tax.
We urge you to consult with your own tax advisor regarding the
tax consequences of investing in the ordinary shares, including the effects of federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws.
80
Distributions Paid on the Ordinary Shares
A U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income
as ordinary dividend income the amount of any distributions paid on the ordinary shares, including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld,
to the extent that those distributions are paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s
tax basis in its ordinary shares and, to the extent they exceed that tax basis, will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of those
ordinary shares. Our dividends will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction applicable in some cases to U.S. corporations. Dividends
paid in NIS, including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld, will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount
calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date they are included in income by the U.S. Holder, regardless of whether
the payment in fact is converted into USD. Any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date
the dividend is includible in the income of the U.S. Holder to the date that payment is converted into USD generally will be treated as
ordinary income or loss.
A non-corporate U.S. holder’s “qualified dividend income”
is subject to tax at reduced rates not exceeding 20 % for tax years beginning 2012 (15% for 2011 and prior years) . For this purpose,
“qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends paid by a foreign corporation if either:
| • | (a) | the stock of that corporation with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., or |
| • | (b) | that corporation is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which includes an information exchange program and is determined to be satisfactory by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The Internal Revenue Service has determined that the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty is satisfactory for this purpose. |
In addition, under current law a U.S. Holder must generally hold
his ordinary shares for more than 60 days during a 121 day period beginning 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date, and meet other holding
period requirements for qualified dividend income.
Dividends paid by a foreign corporation will not qualify for the
reduced rates, if such corporation is treated, for the tax year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding tax year, as a “passive
foreign investment company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We do not believe that we will be classified as a “passive
foreign investment company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year.
Subject to the discussion below under “Information Reporting
and Back-up Withholding,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends
received on ordinary shares unless that income is effectively connected with the conduct by that Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business
in the United States.
Foreign Tax Credit
Any dividend income resulting from distributions we pay to a U.S.
Holder with respect to the ordinary shares generally will be treated as foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, which
may be relevant in calculating such holder’s foreign tax credit limitation. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Israeli
tax withheld on dividends may be deducted from taxable income or credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose,
dividends that we distribute generally should constitute “passive category income,” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders,
“general category income.” A foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on distributions may be denied if the taxpayer does
not satisfy certain minimum holding period requirements. The rules relating to the determination of foreign source income and the foreign
tax credit are complex, and the availability of a foreign tax credit depends on numerous factors. Each prospective purchaser who would
be a U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisor to determine whether its income with respect to the ordinary shares would be
foreign source income and whether and to what extent that purchaser would be entitled to the credit.
81
Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Upon the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder
generally will recognize capital gains or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. U.S. Holders should consult their own advisors with respect to the tax consequences of the
receipt of a currency other than USD upon such sale or other disposition.
In the event there is an Israeli income tax on gain from the disposition
of ordinary shares, such tax should generally be the type of tax that is creditable for U.S. tax purposes; however, because it is likely
that the source of any such gain would be a U.S. source, a U.S. foreign tax credit may not be available. U.S. shareholders should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the ability to claim such credit.
Gain or loss upon the disposition of the ordinary shares will be
treated as long-term if, at the time of the sale or disposition, the ordinary shares were held for more than one year. Long-term capital
gains realized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to a lower marginal U.S. federal income tax rate than ordinary income,
other than qualified dividend income, as defined above. The deductibility of capital losses by a U.S. Holder is subject to limitations.
In general, any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares will be U.S. source income
or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the source of income for U.S.
foreign tax credit purposes and the effect of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty on the source of income.
Subject to the discussion below under “Information
Reporting and Back-up Withholding”, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on
any gain realized on the sale or exchange of ordinary shares unless:
| • |
that gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States, or
|
| • |
in the case of any gain realized by an individual Non-U.S. Holder, that holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more
in the taxable year of the sale or exchange, and other conditions are met. |
Information Reporting and Back-up Withholding
Holders generally will be subject to information reporting requirements
with respect to dividends paid in the United States on ordinary shares. In addition, Holders will be subject to back-up withholding tax
on dividends paid in the United States on ordinary shares unless the holder provides an IRS certification or otherwise establishes an
exemption. Holders will be subject to information reporting and back-up withholding tax on proceeds paid within the United States from
the disposition of ordinary shares unless the holder provides an IRS certification or otherwise establishes an exemption. Information
reporting and back-up withholding may also apply to dividends and proceeds paid outside the United States that are paid by certain “U.S.
payors” or “U.S. middlemen,” as defined in the applicable Treasury regulations, including:
| • | (1) | a U.S. person; |
| • | (2) | the government of the U.S. or the government of any state or political subdivision of any state (or any agency or instrumentality of any of these governmental units); |
| • | (3) | a controlled foreign corporation; |
| • | (4) | a foreign partnership that is either engaged in a U.S. trade or business or whose United States partners in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests in the partnership; |
82
| • | (5) | a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.; or |
| • | (6) | a U.S. branch of a foreign bank or insurance company. |
The back-up withholding tax rate is 28%. Back-up withholding and
information reporting will not apply to payments made to Non-U. S. Holders if they have provided the required certification that they
are not United States persons.
In the case of payments by a payor or middleman to a foreign simple
trust, foreign grantor trust or foreign partnership, other than payments to a holder that qualifies as a withholding foreign trust or
a withholding foreign partnership within the meaning of the Treasury regulations and payments that are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the beneficiaries of the foreign simple trust, the person treated as the owner of
the foreign grantor trust or the partners of the foreign partnership will be required to provide the certification discussed above in
order to establish an exemption from backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements.
The amount of any back-up withholding may be allowed as a credit
against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that required information
is furnished to the IRS.
|
F. |
DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
|
Not applicable.
|
G. |
STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
|
Not applicable.
|
H. |
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
|
We are required to file reports and other information with the
SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations thereunder applicable to foreign private issuers. Although as a foreign
private issuer we are not required to file periodic information as frequently or as promptly as United States companies, we generally
do publicly announce our quarterly and year-end results promptly and file periodic information with the SEC under cover of Form 6-K. As
a foreign private issuer, we are also 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 other provisions in Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.
The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy
statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available
to the public through this web site at www.sec.gov. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the Israel Securities
Authority’s Magna website at http://www.isa.gov.il , the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
website at http://www.maya.tase.co.il, and from commercial document retrieval services. We also generally make available on our own website
(www.towersemi.com) our quarterly and year-end financial statements as well as other information. We do not intend for any information
contained on our website to be considered part of this annual report, and we have included our website address in this annual report solely
as an inactive textual reference. We will post on our website any materials required to be posted on such website under applicable corporate
or securities laws and regulations, including posting any XBRL interactive financial data required to be filed with the SEC, and any notices
of general meetings of our shareholders.
Any statement in this annual report about any of our contracts
or other documents is not necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to this annual report or a registration
statement, the contract or document is deemed to modify the description contained in this annual report. We urge you to review the exhibits
themselves for a complete description of the contract or document.
83
|
I. |
SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
|
Not applicable.
ITEM
11. QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Risk of Interest Rate Fluctuation
Our cash equivalents, short-term deposits and investments in marketable
securities are exposed to market risk due to fluctuation in interest rates on our cash deposits and/ or investments, which may affect
our interest income and the fair market value of our investments. We manage this exposure by performing ongoing evaluations of our investments
in those deposits/ securities. Due to the short maturities of our investments and available for sale securities, their carrying value
approximates their fair value.
Our Series G Debentures issued in 2016 (with an outstanding principal
of approximately NIS 201 million, or approximately $64 million, as of December 31, 2021) bear annual fixed interest of 2.79%, the JP Loan
(with an outstanding principal of approximately $96 million as of December 31, 2021) bears annual fixed interest of 1.95%, and approximately
$87 million of our subsidiaries’ equipment capital leases bear fixed interest at rates of approximately 2%. Therefore, we are not
subject to cash flow exposure, financing expenses or interest rate fluctuations with respect to any of the Series G Debentures, JP Loan
or capital leases.
However, in the event that market interest rates for similar debt
decrease and are lower than the interest rate provided under our debentures, capital leases or loans, our actual financing costs would
have been higher than they otherwise would have been had our debentures or loans provided for interest at a floating interest rate, which
would have impacted our financing expense in an immaterial manner. Assuming a 10% change in market interest rate, the effective impact
on our debentures’ market value would be immaterial.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We currently operate in three different regions: Japan, the United
States and Israel. The functional currency of our entities in the United States and Israel is the USD. The functional currency of our
subsidiary in Japan is the JPY. Our expenses and costs are denominated mainly in USD, JPY and NIS, revenues are denominated mainly in
USD and JPY, and our cash from operations, investing and financing activities are denominated mainly in USD, JPY and NIS. Therefore, we
are exposed to the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations in Israel and Japan.
The USD cost of our operations in Israel is influenced by changes
in the USD-to-NIS exchange rate, with respect to costs that are denominated in NIS. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the USD depreciated
against the NIS by 3.3%, as compared to 7.0% depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The fluctuation of the USD against the NIS can affect our results
of operations as it relates to our entity in Israel. Appreciation of the NIS has the effect of increasing the cost, in USD terms, of some
of our purchases and labor costs that are denominated in NIS, which may lead to erosion in the profit margins. We use foreign currency
cylinder transactions to hedge a portion of this currency exposure to be contained within a pre-defined, fixed range. In addition, we
execute swap-hedging transactions to hedge the exposure to the fluctuation of USD against the NIS to the extent it relates to our non-convertible
Series G Debentures, which are denominated in NIS.
84
The majority of TPSCo revenues are denominated in JPY and the majority
of the expenses of TPSCo are in JPY, which limits the exposure to fluctuations of the USD / JPY exchange rate on TPSCo’s results
of operations. In order to mitigate a portion of the net exposure to the USD / JPY exchange rate, we engage in cylinder hedging transactions
to contain the currency’s fluctuation within a pre-defined, fixed range.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the USD appreciated against
the JPY by 11.7%, as compared to 5.0% depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2020. The net effect of USD appreciation against
the JPY on TPSCo’s assets and liabilities denominated in JPY is presented in the Cumulative Translation Adjustment (“CTA”)
as part of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) in the balance sheet.
Assuming a 10% appreciation of the NIS against the USD on December
31, 2021 (from 3.11 NIS/$ to 2.80 NIS/$), the effective impact on our quarterly Israeli expenses would be higher expenses by approximately
$4 million, which would partially be offset by the net impact of the hedging executed using the above-described cylinder transactions.
Assuming a 10% appreciation of the JPY against the USD on December
31, 2021 (from 115.0 JPY/$ to 103.5 JPY/$), the effective impact on our quarterly statement of operating results would be lower profitability
(higher expenses, net of higher revenue) by approximately $3 million, which would be partially offset by the net impact of the hedging
using the above-described cylinder transactions and our natural hedging.
As of December 31, 2021, we are subject to currency exchange rate
fluctuations of the JPY against the USD in connection with the following JPY-denominated debt financings: (i) approximately $96 million
of TPSCo’s loans bearing a fixed interest rate of 1.95% per annum; and (ii) approximately $87 million of equipment capital lease
agreements with an annual interest rate of approximately 2%. However, as of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $54 million of cash
and cash equivalents and $10 million of short-term deposits, held in JPY currency accounts and deposits, partially mitigating the above
JPY debt exposure. Under the current terms of our JPY cash, cash equivalent and debt financing, we have determined that an assumed 10%
appreciation of the JPY against the USD rate as of December 31, 2021 (from 115.0 JPY/$ to 103.5 JPY/$), would not have a material effect
on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2021.
ITEM
12. DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART
II
ITEM
13. DEFAULTS,
DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM
14. MATERIAL
MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM
15. CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer
and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) as of the end of the period
covered by this annual report on Form 20-F. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date, at a reasonable level of assurance, in ensuring that the
information required to be disclosed by our company in the reports we file or submit under the Act is (i) accumulated and communicated
to our management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (ii) recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
85
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on our evaluation, management has
concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial
reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject
to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., Certified Public Accountants, A Firm in the Deloitte
Global Network, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial
reporting during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM
16. [RESERVED]
ITEM
16A. AUDIT
COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that all four members of
our audit committee, Mr. Ilan Flato, Mr. Yoav Chelouche, Mr. Avi Hasson and Ms. Iris Avner, are audit committee financial experts under
applicable SEC rules and are independent as defined by NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
ITEM
16B. CODE
OF ETHICS
We adopted a code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers
and employees of our Company and our subsidiaries, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, controller, and persons
performing similar functions. We have posted our code of ethics on our website, www.towersemi.com under “About Tower”. The
information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report.
86
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table presents fees for professional services rendered
by our independent registered public accounting firm for audit services, audit-related services and tax services:
|
2021 |
2020 |
|||||||
|
(US dollars in Thousands) |
||||||||
|
Audit Fees (1) |
835 |
833 |
||||||
|
Audit Related Fees (2) |
9 |
2 |
||||||
|
Tax Fees (3) |
2 |
12 |
||||||
|
846 |
847 |
|||||||
(1) Audit
Fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and our subsidiaries financial statements,
services rendered in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements (including audit of our internal control over financial
reporting) and reviews of our interim financial results submitted on Form 6-K.
(2) Audit-related
fees consist of assurance and related services by the auditors including, among others: due diligence services, accounting consultations
and audits in connection with acquisitions, attest services related to financial reporting that are not required by statute or regulation
and consultation concerning financial accounting, consent letters for our SEC filings and reporting standards and out of pocket expenses
reimbursement.
(3) Tax
fees consist of fees for tax compliance services and tax returns services.
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of
the Nasdaq Listing Rules. We have elected to follow the practices of our home country, rather than the Nasdaq Listing Rules, with respect
to the following requirements:
| • |
Distribution of certain reports to shareholders. As opposed to the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(d), which requires listed issuers to
make annual reports available to shareholders in one of a number of specific manners, Israeli law does not require that we distribute
annual reports, including our financial statements. As such, the generally accepted business practice in Israel is to distribute such
reports to shareholders through a public regulated distribution website. In addition to making such reports available on a public regulated
distribution website, we plan to make our audited financial statements available to our shareholders at our offices and will only mail
such reports to shareholders upon request. |
| • |
Independent director meetings. Our Board has not adopted a policy of conducting regularly scheduled meetings at which only our independent
directors are present, as permitted by Israeli law. We do not follow the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(b)(2). |
87
| • |
Compensation of officers. We follow Israeli law and practice with respect to the approval of compensation for our chief executive
officer and other executive officers. While our compensation committee currently complies with the provisions of the Nasdaq Listing Rules
relating to composition requirements and Israeli law generally requires that the compensation of the chief executive officer and all other
executive officers be approved, or recommended to the board for approval, by the compensation committee (with respect to the compensation
of the chief executive officer and in certain other instances, shareholder approval is also required), Israeli law may differ from the
provisions provided for in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d) (see Exhibit 2.1 to this Annual Report, “Description of Securities”).
|
| • |
Director nomination process. While our corporate governance and nominating committee currently complies with the provisions of the
Nasdaq Listing Rules relating to composition requirements, the process under which director nominees are selected, or recommended for
the Board of Directors selection, may not be in full compliance with the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(e). Furthermore, although
we have adopted a formal written corporate governance and nominating committee charter, there is no requirement under the Companies Law
to do so and the charter as adopted may not be in full compliance with the requirements under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(e)(2). |
| • |
Audit Committee Charter. Although we have adopted a formal written audit committee charter, there is no requirement under the Companies
Law to do so and the charter as adopted may not specify all the items enumerated in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(1). |
| • |
Compensation Committee Charter. Although we have adopted a formal written compensation committee charter, there is no requirement
under the Companies Law to do so and the charter as adopted may not specify all the items enumerated in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d)(1).
|
| • |
Quorum requirements. Under our articles of association and as permitted under the Companies Law, a quorum for any meeting of shareholders
shall be the presence of at least two shareholders holding a combined 33% of our outstanding ordinary shares, instead of 33 1/3% of the
issued share capital required under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c). If the meeting was adjourned for lack of a quorum, if a quorum is not
present at the adjourned meeting within half an hour of the time fixed for the commencement of the adjourned meeting, the shareholders
present, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. |
| • |
Related Party Transactions. We review and approve all related party transactions in accordance with the requirements and procedures
for approval of related party acts and transactions set forth in Sections 268 to 275 the Companies Law, which may not fully reflect the
requirements of the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5630. |
| • |
Shareholder Approval. We seek shareholder approval for all corporate actions requiring such approval under the requirements of the
Companies Law, rather than seeking approval for corporate actions in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635. Under the Companies Law,
shareholder approval is required (subject to certain limited exceptions) for, among other things: (a) transactions with directors concerning
the terms of their service (including indemnification, exemption, and insurance for their service or for any other position that they
may hold at a company), for which approvals of the compensation committee, board of directors, and shareholders are all required (subject
to exceptions) (see Exhibit 2.1 to this Annual Report, “Description of Securities”); (b) extraordinary transactions with controlling
shareholders of publicly held companies; (c) terms of office and employment or other engagement of a controlling shareholder, if any,
or such controlling shareholder’s relative; (d) approval of transactions with the chief executive officer with respect to his or
her compensation, or transactions with officers not in accordance with the approved compensation policy (see Exhibit 2.1 to this Annual
Report, “Description of Securities”); and (e) approval of the compensation policy for office holders (within the meaning of
the Companies Law) (see “Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees–B. Compensation”). In addition, under the
Companies Law, a merger requires approval of the shareholders of each of the merging companies. |
We do not necessarily seek shareholder approval for the establishment
of, and amendments to, stock option or equity compensation plans (as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)), as such matters are not
subject to shareholder approval under Israeli law. We will attempt to seek shareholder approval for our stock option or equity compensation
plans (and the relevant annexes thereto) to the extent required in order to ensure they are tax qualified for our employees in the United
States. However, even if such approval is not received, then the stock option or equity compensation plans will continue to be in effect,
but we will be unable to grant options to our U.S. employees that qualify as Incentive Stock Options for U.S. federal tax purpose. Our
stock option or other equity compensation plans are also available to our non-U.S. employees, and provide features necessary to comply
with applicable non-U.S. tax laws.
88
Except as stated above, we currently intend to comply with the
rules generally applicable to U.S. domestic companies listed on NASDAQ Global Select Market. We may in the future decide to use the foreign
private issuer exemption with respect to some or all of the other Nasdaq Listing Rules. Following our home country governance practices,
as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a company listed on Nasdaq, may provide less protection than is accorded
to investors under the Nasdaq Listing Rules applicable to domestic issuers. For more information, see “Item 3. “Key Information
– D. Risk Factors-Risks Related to the Company – “We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, the public reporting
and disclosure rules to which we are subject, and the corporate governance practices that we are permitted to follow, may provide less
protection to our investors than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to domestic U.S. issuers”.
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Our consolidated financial statements and related auditors’
report for the year ended December 31, 2021 are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1.
89
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
1.1 Articles
of Association of the Company, approved by shareholders on November 14, 2000, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1, File No. 333-126909).
1.2 Amendment
to Articles of Association of the Company (approved by shareholders on December 7, 2003) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-117565).
1.3 Amendment
to the Articles of Association of the Company (approved by shareholders on September 28, 2006) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-138837).
1.4 Amendment
to Articles of Association of Company (approved by shareholders on September 24, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-153710).
1.5
Amendment to Articles of Association
of Company (approved by shareholders on August 11, 2011) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Form 6-K furnished to the SEC
on January 17, 2012).
1.6
Amendment to Articles of Association
of Company (approved by shareholders on August 2, 2012) (incorporated by reference to proposals 1 and 2 of the proxy statement filed on
Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on June 12, 2012, and the Form 6-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012).
1.7
Amendment to Articles of Association
of Company (approved by shareholders on May 23, 2013) (incorporated by reference to Proposal 5 of the proxy statement furnished on Form
6-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2013).
2.1 Description
of Securities Registered Under Section 12 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2020).
4.2 Compensation
Policy for Executive Officers and Directors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 6-K furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2020).
4.3 Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 15, 2022, by and among the Company, Intel, Parent and Merger Sub (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 of the Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on February 16, 2022).
#12.1
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
#12.2
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#13.1
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#13.2
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
#15.1
Consent of Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., Certified Public Accountants, a firm in the Deloitte Global
Network
#101
The following financial information from Tower Semiconductor Ltd.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December
31, 2021, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020;
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020 and 2019;
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019;
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020 and 2019; and
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of
text.
Users of this data are advised, in accordance with Rule 406T of
Regulation S-T promulgated by the SEC, that this Interactive Data File is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus
for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and
otherwise the Company is not subject to liability under these sections.
#Filed herewith
90
SIGNATURES
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 its behalf.
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
By: /s/ Russell C. Ellwanger
Russell C. Ellwanger
Chief Executive Officer
April 29, 2022
91
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Page |
|
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ( PCAOB ID |
F-2 - F-5 |
|
F-6 |
|
|
F-7 |
|
|
F-8 |
|
|
F-9 |
|
|
F-10 - F-11 |
|
|
F-12 - F-52 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
F-2
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company's provision for income taxes is affected by income taxes in a multinational tax environment. The income tax provision is an estimate determined based on current enacted tax laws and tax rates at each of its geographic locations with the use of acceptable allocation methodologies based upon the Company’s organizational structure, the Company’s operations and business mode of work, and result in applicable local taxable income attributable to those locations. For the year-ended December 31, 2021, the consolidated provision for income taxes was $1.02 million comprised of amounts related to Israel, Japan and U.S. operations, as detailed in Note 19.
We identified management’s determination of the taxable income and its related income tax provision as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgements and estimates management makes related to the charges between the sites located in different tax jurisdictions, the consideration of different tax status in each jurisdiction. This required a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our income tax specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimate of the income tax provision.
How the Critical Audit Matter was addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the determination of the taxable income allocation and income tax provision included the following, among others:
|
• |
We obtained the taxable income allocation used in calculating the income tax provision and tested that the taxable income allocation between Israel and corporate operations and the other subsidiaries is appropriate based on the specified services and margins determined in the Company's transfer pricing studies. |
|
• |
We tested the effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process to allocate its taxable income between the different subsidiaries based on the Company's transfer pricing studies. |
|
• |
We read and evaluated management’s documentation, including information obtained by management from external tax specialists that detailed the basis of the uncertain tax positions. |
|
• |
With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we evaluated: |
|
• |
The appropriateness of the ranges of outcomes utilized and the pricing conclusions reached within the transfer pricing studies conducted by the Company's external tax specialists. |
|
|
• |
The transfer pricing methodology utilized by management with alternative methodologies and industry benchmarks. |
|
|
• |
The relevant facts by reading the Company’s correspondence with the relevant tax authorities and any third-party advice obtained by the Company. |
|
|
• |
The Company’s measurement of uncertain tax positions related to transfer pricing based on our knowledge of international and local income tax laws, as well as historical settlement activity from income tax authorities |
Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
A Firm in The Deloitte Global Network
Tel Aviv, Israel
February 28, 2022
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1993.
F-3
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financing Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Certified Public Accountants
A Firm in The Deloitte Global Network
February 28, 2022
F - 5
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars and shares in thousands)
|
As of December 31, |
||||||||
|
2021 |
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2020 |
|||||
|
ASSETS |
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||
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CURRENT ASSETS |
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||
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
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$ |
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Short-term deposits |
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Marketable securities (*) |
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Trade accounts receivable |
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Inventories |
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Other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS |
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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
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INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
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GOODWILL |
|
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DEFERRED TAX AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS, NET |
|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
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|
|
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|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt |
|
$ |
|
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|
$ |
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Trade accounts payable |
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Deferred revenue and customers' advances |
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Employee related liabilities |
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Other current liabilities |
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Total current liabilities |
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LONG-TERM DEBT |
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LONG-TERM CUSTOMERS' ADVANCES |
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EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES |
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DEFERRED TAX AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES |
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Ordinary shares of NIS |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative stock based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost - |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
(*)
the amortized cost of such marketable securities is $
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
REVENUES |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
COST OF REVENUES |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
GROSS PROFIT |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES: |
||||||||||||
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Marketing, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
OPERATING PROFIT |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
FINANCING INCOME (EXPENSE), NET |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
INCOME TAX EXPENSE, NET |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
NET PROFIT |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|||||||
|
NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE |
||||||||||||
|
Earnings per share |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Weighted average number of shares |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
DILUTED EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE: |
||||||||||||
|
Earnings per share |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Net profit used for diluted earnings per share |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used for diluted earnings per share |
|
|
|
|||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 7
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
Net profit |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||||||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
( |
) |
|
|
||||||||
|
Change in employees plan assets and benefit obligations, net of taxes |
|
|
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||||
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|||||||
|
Comprehensive income attributable to the Company |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 8
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars and share data in thousands)
|
|
|
THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Ordinary shares issued |
|
|
Ordinary shares amount |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
Capital notes |
|
|
Unearned compensation |
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
Treasury stock |
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
Non controlling interest |
|
|
Total |
|||||||||||||
|
BALANCE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes during the period: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options and RSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital notes converted into share capital |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Employee stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in employees plan assets and benefit obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Unrealized gain on derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes during the period: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options and RSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASC 326 |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in employees plan assets and benefit obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Unrealized loss on derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes during the period: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options and RSUs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Change in employees plan assets and benefit obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized loss on derivatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
OUTSTANDING SHARES, NET OF TREASURY STOCK AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 9
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||
|
CASH FLOWS - OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||
|
Net profit for the period |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net profit for the period to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and expense items not involving cash flows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate differences on debentures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other expense (income), net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Inventories |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Trade accounts payable |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Deferred revenue and customers' advances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Employee related liabilities and other current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Long-term employee related liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Deferred tax, net and other long-term liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in property and equipment, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Proceeds related to sale and disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in other assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Deposits and marketable securities, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
CASH FLOWS - FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of options, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from loans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans repayment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal payments on account of capital lease obligation |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Debentures repayment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 10
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
NON-CASH ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
|
Investments in property and equipment |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Conversion of notes into share capital |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
||||||||||||
|
Cash received during the period from interest |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Cash paid during the period for interest |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Cash paid for (received from) income taxes, net during the period |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 11
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 1: DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND GENERAL
The consolidated financial statements of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (“Tower”) include the financial statements of Tower, and (i) its wholly-owned subsidiary Tower US Holdings Inc., the sole owner of: (1) Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc. (formerly named “Jazz US Holdings, Inc.”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc. (formerly named “Jazz Semiconductor, Inc.”), an independent semiconductor foundry focused on specialty process technologies for the manufacture of analog intensive mixed-signal semiconductor devices (Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings, Inc. and Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc. collectively referred to herein as “TSNB”); and (2) Tower Semiconductor San Antonio, Inc. (formerly named “TowerJazz Texas, Inc.”) (“TSSA”); (ii) its
Tower and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company”.
The Company is a global specialty foundry leader manufacturing integrated circuits, offering a broad range of customizable process technologies including: SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, integrated power management and MEMS. The Company also provides a world-class design enablement platform for a quick and accurate design cycle, as well as Transfer Optimization and development Process Services (“TOPS”) to integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”) and fabless companies that require capacity. To provide multi-fab sourcing and expanded capacity for its customers, the Company operates two manufacturing facilities in Israel (150mm and 200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm) and three in Japan through TPSCo (two 200mm and one 300mm), which provide 45nm CMOS, 65nm RF CMOS and 65nm advanced image sensor technologies.
Tower’s ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE”) under the symbol TSEM.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. Since then, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as well as the global responses to curb its spread and to treat its impact, which have caused disruption to certain business sectors globally, resulting in economic and other difficulties in many regions worldwide, including supply chain shortages, absence of workforce due to infected and/or quarantined employees and service providers, as well as extended lead times for ordered equipment and supplies. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or its financial stability.
F - 12
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A.Basis of Presentation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”).
B.Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
C.Principals of Consolidation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Tower and its subsidiaries. The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented after elimination of inter-company transactions and balances.
D. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, bank deposits, money market funds and short-term investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less.
E. Short Term Interest-Bearing Deposits
Short-term deposits include bank deposits with original maturities greater than three months and with remaining maturities of less than one year. Such deposits are presented at cost, including accrued interest, which approximates their fair value.
F. Marketable Securities
The Company accounts for its investments in grade debt securities in accordance with ASC 320 "Investments - Debt and Equity Securities". Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determinations at each balance sheet date.
The Company classifies its marketable securities as "available-for-sale", which are measured at fair value, based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Gains and losses are recognized when realized, on a specific identification basis, in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
The Company assessed the available-for-sales debt securities with an amortized cost basis in excess of estimated fair value to determine what amount of that difference, if any, is caused by expected credit losses in accordance with ASC 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses".
Allowance for credit losses is recognized as a charge in financing income (expense), net, on the consolidated statements of operation, and any remaining unrealized losses, net of taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity.
F - 13
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The Company concluded that the current expected credit losses on its available-for-sale investment portfolio were immaterial.
G.Trade Accounts Receivable – Allowance for Expected Credit Loss
The Company maintains an allowance based on specific analysis of each customer account receivable’s aging, assessment of its related risk and ability of the customer to make the required payment. In addition, in accordance with ASC 326, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses", an allowance is maintained for estimated forward-looking losses resulting from possible inability of customers to make required payments (current expected losses). The amount of the allowance is determined principally on the basis of past collection experience and known financial factors regarding specific customers. Trade accounts receivables are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident that collection will not occur. Credit is extended to customers satisfying pre-defined credit criteria.
The total allowance for expected credit losses was $
H. Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of aggregate cost or net realizable value. If inventory costs exceed expected net realizable value, the Company records reserves for the difference between the cost and the expected net realizable value. Cost of raw materials is determined mainly on the basis of the weighted average moving price per unit. Work in progress is measured at production costs including acquisition costs, processing costs and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition in the production line.
I. Investments in Privately Held Companies
Long-term investments include equity investments in privately-held companies without readily determinable fair values. In accordance with ASC 321 - “Investments - Equity Securities”, the Company may elect between fair value and a measurement alternative of cost, less impairments, and further adjust up or down, based on observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer (“Measurement Alternative”). The Company elected to use the Measurement Alternative for each of its investments. Any adjustments resulting from impairments and/or observable price changes are recorded under “other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations.
F - 14
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
J. Property and Equipment
The Company accounts for property and equipment in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ASC 360 “Accounting for the Property, Plant and Equipment”. Property and equipment are presented at cost, including capitalizable costs. Capitalizable costs include only costs that are identifiable with, and related to, the property and equipment, and are incurred prior to their initial operation. Identifiable incremental direct costs include costs associated with constructing, establishing and installing property and equipment.
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expenses as incurred.
Property and equipment are presented net of investment grants received and less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is calculated based on the straight-line method over the Company’s estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Buildings and building improvements, including facility infrastructure 10 -25 years
Machinery and equipment, software and hardware 3 -15 years.
Impairment charges, if needed, are determined based on the policy outlined in Note 2L below.
Property and equipment also include assets under capital leases, which are depreciated according to their applicable useful life.
K. Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The Company accounts for intangible assets and goodwill in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”. Intangible assets include the values assigned to the intangible assets as part of the purchase price allocation made at the time of acquisition. Intangible assets are amortized over the expected estimated economic life commonly used in the industry. Goodwill is not amortized and subject to impairment testing. Impairment charges on intangibles or goodwill, if needed, are determined based on the policy outlined in Note 2L below.
F - 15
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
L. Impairment of Assets
Impairment of Property, Equipment and Intangible Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets and intangible assets on a periodic basis, as well as when such review is required based upon relevant circumstances, to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable, considering the undiscounted cash flows expected from them. If applicable, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of such assets, in accordance with ASC 360-10 “Property, Plant and Equipment”. As of December 31, 2021, the Company concluded there was no impairment to its long-lived assets and intangible assets.
Impairment of Goodwill
The Company operates in one reporting unit. The Company performs a qualitative analysis when testing goodwill for impairment. A qualitative goodwill impairment test is performed when the fair value of a reporting unit historically has significantly exceeded the carrying value of its net assets and based on current operations is expected to continue to do so. Otherwise, the Company is required to conduct a quantitative impairment test and estimate the fair value of the reporting unit using a combination of an income approach based on discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach based on market multiples. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its’ carrying value, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the difference. As of December 31, 2021, the Company performed a qualitative impairment test for its reporting unit and concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.
Impairment of Investment in Privately Held Companies
The Company concluded there was no impairment to its investments in privately held companies in 2021.
M. Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 “Leases” using the modified retrospective transition method and recognize a right-of-use asset (“ROU”) and lease liability for all operating and capital leases with a term greater than twelve months upon lease arrangement inception.
ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Because most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company's incremental borrowing rate is used based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The lease terms used to calculate the ROU asset and related lease liability include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an operating expense. For additional information, see Notes 11D and 11E.
F - 16
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
N. Revenue Recognition
The Company follows ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers“ and recognizes revenue when it transfers the control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company’s revenues are generated principally from sales of semiconductor wafers. The Company, to a much lesser extent, also derives revenues from design support and other technical and support services incidental to the sale of semiconductor wafers. Most of the Company’s sales are achieved through the effort of its direct sales and business development force.
Wafer sales typically contain a single performance obligation that is fulfilled on the date of delivery and recognized at a point in time, which is upon shipment of the Company’s products to unaffiliated customers, depending on shipping terms stipulated in the contract. Accordingly, control of the products transfers to the customer in accordance with the transaction's shipping terms. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities, such as sales taxes or value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales.
The Company provides for sales returns allowance relating to specified yield or quality commitments as a reduction of revenues, based on past experience and specific identification of events necessitating an allowance, which has been in immaterial amounts.
The Company provides its customers with other services that are less significant in scope and amount and for which recognition occurs over time when customers receive the services.
F - 17
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
O. Research and Development
Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. Amounts received or receivable from the government of Israel and others, such as participation in research and development programs, are offset against research and development costs. The accrual for grants receivable is determined based on the terms of the programs, provided that the criteria for entitlement have been met.
P. Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach as prescribed in ASC 740-10 “Income Taxes”. This topic prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are measured using the enacted tax rates anticipated (under applicable law as of the balance sheet date) to apply when the deferred taxes are expected to be paid or realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as any related valuation allowance, are classified as noncurrent items on the balance sheets.
The Company evaluates the potential realization of its deferred tax assets for each jurisdiction in which the Company operates at each reporting date and establishes valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a part of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income of the same character and in the same jurisdiction. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence in making this assessment, including, but not limited to, the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and projected future taxable income.
A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized based on all available evidence.
ASC 740-10 prescribes a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by assessing whether they are more-likely-than-not sustainable, based solely on their technical merits, upon examination and including resolution of any related appeals or litigation process. The second step is to measure the associated tax benefit of each position as the largest amount that the Company believes is more-likely-than-not realizable. Differences between the amount of tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in its income tax returns and the amount of tax benefits recognized in its financial statements, represent the Company's unrecognized income tax benefits. The Company's policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
F - 18
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Q. Earnings per Ordinary Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share” by dividing net profit or loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of Tower (the numerator) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the reported period (the denominator). Diluted earnings per share are calculated, if applicable, by adjusting net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of Tower, and the weighted average number of ordinary shares, taking into effect all potential dilutive ordinary shares.
R. Comprehensive Income
In accordance with ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income”, comprehensive income represents the change in shareholders’ equity during a reporting period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a reporting period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Other comprehensive income (“OCI”) represents gains and losses that are included in comprehensive income but excluded from net profit.
S. Functional Currency and Exchange Rate Income (Loss)
The currency of the primary economic environment in which Tower, TSSA and TSNB conduct their operations is the U.S. Dollar (“dollar”). Thus, the dollar is their functional and reporting currency. Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar are re-measured into dollars in accordance with ASC 830-10 “Foreign Currency Matters”. All transaction gains and losses from the re-measurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the statements of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate. The financial statements of TPSCo, whose functional currency is the Japanese Yen (“JPY”), have been translated into dollars. The assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet date. The statements of operations of TPSCo have been translated using the average exchange rate for the reported period. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited to OCI.
T. Stock-based Compensation
The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, under which employees’ share-based equity awards (mostly restricted stock units and performance unit shares) are recognized based on the grant-date fair values.
The compensation costs are recognized using the graded vesting attribution method based on the vesting terms of each unit included in the award resulting in an accelerated recognition of compensation costs.
F - 19
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
U. Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments
ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (“ASC 820”), requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The Company's financial instruments primarily consist of cash, bank deposits, account receivables and payables, accrued liabilities, loans and leases whose carrying values approximate their current fair values because of their nature and respective maturity dates or durations. The Company had no financial assets or liabilities carried and measured on a non-recurring basis during the reporting periods. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared such as marketable securities and investment in privately-held companies.
F - 20
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
V. Derivatives and Hedging
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (“Topic 815”): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedge Activities”. The Company accounts for its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carries them at fair value.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the derivative's gain or loss is initially reported as a component of OCI and is subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings, in the same line item as the underlying hedged item on the consolidated statements of earnings.
Cash flow hedges related to anticipated transactions are designated and documented at the inception of each hedge. Cash flows from hedging transactions are classified in the same categories as the cash flows from the respective hedged items.
W. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
(i) In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04,” Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”, which provides temporary optional guidance to ease potential accounting impacts associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as interbank offered rates and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The guidance includes practical expedients for contract modifications due to reference rate reform. Generally, contract modifications related to reference rate reform may be considered an event that does not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination at the modification date. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform - Scope," which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. This guidance is effective immediately and is only available through December 31, 2022. This guidance did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
(ii) Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This ASU is intended to simplify various aspects of accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, “Income Taxes” and to clarify certain aspects of the current accounting guidance. Adoption of this standard did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
X. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
The Company does not expect recently issued accounting standards or interpretations to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or financial statement disclosures.
F - 21
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 3: INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Raw materials |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Work in process |
|
|
||||||
|
Finished goods |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
Work in process and finished goods are presented net of aggregate write-downs to net realizable value of $
NOTE 4: OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Tax receivables |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
||||||
|
Receivables from Hedging transactions - see Notes 10, 12A and 12D |
|
|
||||||
|
Insurance receivables - see Note 14E |
|
|
||||||
|
Other receivables |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
NOTE 5: LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
Long-term investments consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Severance-pay funds |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Long-term bank deposits |
|
|
||||||
|
Investments in privately held companies |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
F - 22
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 6: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Original cost: (*) |
||||||||
|
Land and Buildings, including facility infrastructure |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
Accumulated depreciation: |
||||||||
|
Buildings, including facility infrastructure |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
||
|
Machinery and equipment |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
|||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
(*) Original cost includes ROU assets under capital lease in the amount of $
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the original cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment was reflected net of investment grants in the aggregate amount of approximately $
NOTE 7: INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2021:
|
Details |
Useful life (years) |
Cost |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net |
|||||||||||
|
Technologies |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
|||||||
|
Facilities’ lease |
|
|
( |
) |
|
||||||||||
|
Customer relationships |
|
|
( |
) |
|
||||||||||
|
Total identifiable intangible assets |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||
Intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31, 2020:
|
Details |
Useful life (years) |
Cost |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net |
|||||||||||
|
Technologies |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
|||||||
|
Facilities’ lease |
|
|
( |
) |
|
||||||||||
|
Customer relationships |
|
|
( |
) |
|
||||||||||
|
Total identifiable intangible assets |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||
F - 23
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 8: DEFERRED TAX AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS, NET
Deferred tax and other long-term assets, net consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Deferred tax asset (see Note 19) |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Right of use - assets under operating leases |
|
|
||||||
|
Fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap (see Note 12D) |
|
|
||||||
|
Prepaid long-term land lease, net |
|
|
||||||
|
Long-term prepaid expenses |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
NOTE 9: OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Tax payables |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Hedging transactions payables |
|
|||||||
|
Interest payable on debt |
|
|
||||||
|
Others |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
NOTE 10: SERIES G DEBENTURES
In June 2016, Tower raised approximately $
The Series G Debentures are payable in
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of Series G Debentures was NIS
Composition by repayment schedule as of December 31, 2021:
| Details |
Interest Rate |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
||||||||||||
|
Series G Debentures |
|
% |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
|
Accretion of carrying amount to principal amount |
( |
) |
||||||||||||||
|
Carrying amount |
$ |
|
||||||||||||||
F - 24
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 11: OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT
A.Composition
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Long-term JPY loan - principal amount - see Notes 11B and 11C below |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Capital leases and other long-term liabilities - see Note 11D below |
|
|
||||||
|
Operating leases - see Note 11E below |
|
|
||||||
|
Less - current maturities |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
B.Repayment Schedule of Long-term JPY Loan
As of December 31, 2021:
|
Details
|
Interest
Rate
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
2025
|
2026
|
2027
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Long-term JPY loan
|
|
%
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||||||||||||
C.Long-term JPY Loan
In December 2021, TPSCo refinanced its then existing loan with an
The JP Loan also contains certain financial ratios and covenants, as well as customary definitions of events of default and acceleration of the repayment schedule. TPSCo’s obligations pursuant to the JP Loan are not guaranteed by Tower, NTCJ, or any of their affiliates.
As of December 31, 2021, TPSCo was in compliance with all of the financial ratios and covenants under the JP Loan.
D.Capital Lease Agreements and other Long-term Liabilities
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries enter into capital lease agreements from time to time for certain machinery and equipment, usually for a period of four years, with an option to buy the machinery and equipment after a period of between three to four years from the start of the lease period. The lease agreements contain annual interest rates of approximately
TPSCo leases its fabrication facility buildings in Japan from NTCJ under a long-term capital lease that was renewed in 2020 for continuation of the lease until at least March 2032.
F - 25
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 11: OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s total outstanding capital lease liabilities for fixed assets were $
The following presents the maturity of capital lease and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2021:
|
Fiscal Year |
Amount ($) |
|||
|
2022 |
$ |
|
||
|
2023 |
|
|||
|
2024 |
|
|||
|
2025 |
|
|||
|
2026 |
|
|||
|
2027 and on |
|
|||
|
Total |
|
|||
|
Less - imputed interest |
( |
) |
||
|
Total |
$ |
|
||
E.Operating Lease Agreements
The Company enters into operating leases from time to time for office space, operating facilities and vehicles. Operating lease cost for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $
The following presents the composition of operating leases in the balance sheets:
|
Details |
Classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets |
December 31, 2021 |
December 31, 2020 |
|||||||
|
Right of use - assets under operating leases |
Deferred tax and other long-term assets, net |
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
Lease liabilities: |
||||||||||
|
Current operating lease liabilities |
Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
Long-term debt |
|
|
|||||||
|
Total operating lease liabilities |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) |
|
|
||||||||
|
Weighted average discount rate |
|
% |
|
% |
||||||
F - 26
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 11: OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
The following presents the maturity presentation of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021:
|
Fiscal Year |
Amount ($) |
|||
|
2022 |
$ |
|
||
|
2023 |
|
|||
|
2024 |
|
|||
|
2025 |
|
|||
|
2026 |
|
|||
|
Thereafter |
|
|||
|
Total |
|
|||
|
Less – imputed interest |
( |
) |
||
|
Total |
$ |
|
||
F.Wells Fargo Credit Line
TSNB entered into an agreement with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, part of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), for a secured asset-based revolving credit line in the total amount of up to $
The outstanding borrowing availability varies from time to time based on the levels of TSNB’s eligible accounts receivable, eligible equipment, eligible inventories and other terms and conditions described in the TSNB Credit Line Agreement. The obligations of TSNB under the TSNB Credit Line Agreement are secured by a continuing security interest in, and a lien upon, TSNB’s assets as set forth in the TSNB Credit Line Agreement. The TSNB Credit Line Agreement contains customary covenants and other terms, including customary events of default. TSNB’s obligations pursuant to the TSNB Credit Line Agreement are not guaranteed by Tower or any of its affiliates.
As of December 31, 2021, TSNB was in compliance with all of the covenants under the TSNB Credit Line Agreement.
As of December 31, 2021, borrowing availability under the TSNB Credit Line Agreement was approximately $
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, no loan amounts were outstanding under the TSNB Credit Line Agreement.
F - 27
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company makes certain disclosures as detailed below with regard to financial instruments, including derivatives. These disclosures include, among other matters, the nature and terms of derivative transactions, information about significant concentrations of credit risk and the fair value of financial assets and liabilities.
A. Non-Designated Exchange Rate Transactions
As the functional currency of Tower is the USD and part of Tower’s expenses are denominated in NIS, Tower enters into exchange rate agreements from time to time to partially protect against the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates on NIS-denominated expenses.
As of December 31, 2021, the fair value amounts of such exchange rate agreements were $
Changes in the fair values of such derivatives are presented in the statements of operations.
As the functional currency of the Company is the USD and part of TPSCo revenues and expenses are denominated in JPY, the Company enters into exchange rate agreements from time to time to protect against the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates on JPY-denominated amounts. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the fair value amounts of such exchange rate agreements were $
B.Concentration of Credit Risks
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, marketable securities, derivatives, trade receivables and government and other receivables. The Company's cash, deposits, marketable securities and derivatives are maintained with large and reputable banks and investment banks. The composition and maturities of investments are regularly monitored by the Company. Generally, these securities may be redeemed upon demand and bear minimal risk.
The Company generally does not require collateral for insurance of receivables; However, in certain circumstances, the Company obtains credit insurance or may require advance payments. An allowance for current expected credit losses is maintained with respect to trade accounts receivables and marketable securities. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers.
F - 28
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
C.Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, excluding debentures, do not materially differ from their respective carrying amounts as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The fair value of debentures, based on quoted market prices as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $
D.Designated Cash Flow Hedge Transactions
The Company entered into designated cash flow hedging transactions using a cross-currency swap to mitigate the foreign exchange rate differences on principal and interest arising from the Series G Debentures’ denomination in NIS.
As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the swap was $
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the effective portions of $
E.Fair Value Measurements
Valuation Techniques
In general, and where applicable, the Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value. This pricing methodology applies to the Company’s Level 1 assets and liabilities. If quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities are not available to determine fair value, the Company uses quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities or inputs other than the quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. This pricing methodology applies to the Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities.
F - 29
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
Level 1 Measurements
Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy where quoted market prices from reputable third-party brokers are available in an active market. Changes in fair value of securities available-for-sale are recorded in other comprehensive income.
Level 2 Measurements
If quoted market prices are not available, the Company obtains fair value measurements of similar assets and liabilities from an independent pricing service. These securities are reported using Level 2 inputs and the fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, U.S. government and agency yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information, and the security’s terms and conditions, among other factors.
For cross-currency swap measured under Level 2, the Company uses the market approach using quotations from banks and other public information.
Level 3 Measurements
Investments in equity securities of privately-held companies without readily determinable fair values are measured using the Measurement Alternatives (see Note 2I). The Company reviews these investments for impairment and observable price changes on a quarterly basis and adjusts the carrying value accordingly. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a decrease of $
Recurring fair value measurements using the indicated inputs:
| Details |
December 31, 2021 |
Quoted prices in active market for identical liability (Level 1) |
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||||
|
Cross-currency swap - net asset position |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
|
Privately held companies |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Marketable securities held for sale |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Foreign exchange forward and cylinders - net liability position |
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|
||||||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||
F - 30
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
|
Details |
December 31, 2020 |
Quoted prices in active market for identical liability (Level 1) |
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||||
|
Cross-currency swap - net asset position |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
|
Privately held companies |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Marketable securities held for sale |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Foreign exchange forward and cylinders - net asset position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||
F.Short-Term and Long-Term Deposits and Marketable Securities
Deposits and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021 included short-term deposits in the amount of $
The following table summarizes amortized costs, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale marketable securities as of December 31, 2021:
|
Details |
Amortized Cost (*) |
Gross unrealized gains |
Gross unrealized losses |
Estimated fair value |
||||||||||||
|
Corporate bonds |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
|||||||
|
Government bonds |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|||||||||||
| Municipal bonds |
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Certificate of deposit |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||
*
The scheduled maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities as of December 31, 2021, were as follows:
|
Details |
Amortized Cost |
Estimated fair value |
||||||
|
Due within one year |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Due within 2-5 years |
|
|
||||||
|
Due after 5 years |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
F - 31
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes amortized costs, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale marketable securities as of December 31, 2020:
|
Details |
Amortized cost (*) |
Gross unrealized gains |
Gross unrealized losses |
Estimated fair value |
||||||||||||
|
Corporate bonds |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
|||||||
|
Government bonds |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|||||||||||
|
Certificate of deposit |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||
*
The scheduled maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities as of December 31, 2020, were as follows:
|
Details |
Amortized Cost |
Estimated fair value |
||||||
|
Due within one year |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Due within 2-5 years |
|
|
||||||
|
Due after 5 years |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
Investments with continuous unrealized losses for less than twelve months and twelve months or more and their related fair values as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were as indicated in the following tables:
|
December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Investment with continuous unrealized losses for less than twelve months |
Investments with continuous unrealized losses for twelve months or more |
Total investments with continuous unrealized losses |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Details |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Corporate bonds |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||||||||
|
Government bonds |
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||||||||
F - 32
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 12: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
|
December 31, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Investment with continuous unrealized losses for less than twelve months |
Investments with continuous unrealized losses for twelve months or more |
Total investments with continuous unrealized losses |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Details |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
Fair value |
Unrealized losses |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Corporate bonds |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||||||||
|
Government bonds |
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Total |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||||||||
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES
A.Employee Termination Benefits
Israeli law, labor agreements and corporate policy determine the obligations of Tower to make severance payments to dismissed Israeli employees and to Israeli employees leaving employment under certain circumstances. Generally, the liability for severance pay benefits, as determined by Israeli law, is based upon length of service and the employee’s monthly salary. This liability is primarily covered by regular deposits made each month by Tower into recognized severance and pension funds and by insurance policies maintained by Tower, based on the employee’s salary for the relevant month. The amounts so funded and the liability are included in the balance sheets in long-term investments and employee related liabilities in the amounts of $8,273 and $10,724 , respectively, as of December 31, 2021.
Commencing January 1, 2005, Tower implemented a labor agreement with regard to most of its Israeli employees, according to which monthly deposits into recognized severance and pension funds or insurance policies will release it from any additional severance obligation in excess of the balance in such accounts to such Israeli employees and, therefore, Tower incurs no liability or asset with respect to such severance obligations and deposits, since that date. Any net severance amount as of such date will be released on the employee’s termination date. Payments relating to Israeli employee termination benefits were $5,941 , $5,254 and $5,597 for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
TPSCo established a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (the “DC Plan”) for its employees through which TPSCo contributes approximately
F - 33
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
B.TSNB Employee Benefit Plans
The following information provides the changes in 2021, 2020 and 2019 periodic expenses and benefit obligations due to the bargaining agreement signed between TSNB and its collective bargaining unit employees.
Post-Retirement Medical Plan
The components of the net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive income for post-retirement medical plan expense are as follows as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
|||||||||
|
Net periodic benefit cost:
|
||||||||||||
|
Service cost
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Amortization of prior service costs
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Amortization of net loss (gain)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Total net periodic benefit cost
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||
|
Other changes in plan assets and benefits obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||||
|
Prior service cost for the period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Net loss (gain) for the period
|
(
|
) |
|
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Amortization of prior service costs
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Amortization of net gain (loss)
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|||||
|
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|||||
|
Weighted average assumptions used:
|
||||||||||||
|
Discount rate
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Rate of compensation increases
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Assumed health care cost trend rates:
|
||||||||||||
|
Health care cost trend rate assumed for current year (pre-65/post-65 Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Health care cost trend rate assumed for current year (pre-65/post-65 Non-Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Ultimate rate (pre-65/post-65)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Year the ultimate rate is reached (pre-65/post-65)
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Measurement date
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
F - 34
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
The components of the change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and funded status for post-retirement medical plan are as follows as of years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
|||||||||
|
Change in medical plan related benefit obligation:
|
||||||||||||
|
Medical plan related benefit obligation at beginning of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Service cost
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Benefits paid
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Change in medical plan provisions
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Actuarial loss (gain)
|
(
|
) |
|
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Benefit medical plan related obligation end of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Change in plan assets:
|
||||||||||||
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Employer contribution
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Benefits paid
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Medical plan related net funding
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||
F - 35
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
As of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
|||||||||
|
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
|
||||||||||||
|
Current liabilities
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||
|
Non-current liabilities
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Net amount recognized
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||
|
Weighted average assumptions used:
|
||||||||||||
|
Discount rate
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Rate of compensation increases
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Assumed health care cost trend rates:
|
||||||||||||
|
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (pre-65/post-65 Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (pre-65/post-65 Non-Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Ultimate rate (pre-65/post-65 Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Ultimate rate (pre-65/post-65 Non-Medicare Advantage)
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Year the ultimate rate is reached (pre-65/ post-65)
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter:
|
Fiscal Year
|
Other Benefits
|
|||
|
2022
|
$
|
|
||
|
2023
|
|
|||
|
2024
|
|
|||
|
2025
|
|
|||
|
2026
|
|
|||
|
2027-2031
|
$
|
|
||
Description of Significant Gains and Losses in Obligations:
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the benefit obligation experienced a net actuarial gain that was primarily attributable to the discount rate increase to 3.00 %, compared to 2.80 % in the prior year. For fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the benefit obligation experienced a net actuarial loss that was primarily attributable to the discount rate decrease to 2.80 %, compared to 3.40 % in the prior year.
F - 36
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
TSNB Pension Plan
TSNB has a pension plan that provides for monthly pension payments to eligible employees upon retirement. The pension benefits are based on years of service and specified benefit amounts. TSNB uses a December 31 measurement date each year. TSNB’s funding policy is to make contributions that satisfy at least the minimum required contribution for IRS qualified plans.
The components of the change in benefit obligation, the change in plan assets and funded status for TSNB’s pension plan for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
|
Details |
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
|||||||||
|
Net periodic benefit cost:
|
||||||||||||
|
Interest cost
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Expected administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Amortization of prior service costs
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Amortization of net loss (gain)
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Total net periodic benefit cost
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||
|
Other changes in plan assets and benefits obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||||
|
Prior service cost for the period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Net loss (gain) for the period
|
(
|
) |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Amortization of prior service costs
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Amortization of net gain (loss)
|
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
|
|||||||
|
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
|
(
|
) |
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
||||
|
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
|
(
|
) |
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
||||
|
Weighted average assumptions used:
|
||||||||||||
|
Discount rate
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% | ||||||
|
Rate of compensation increases
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
F - 37
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
The components of the change in benefit obligation, change in plan assets and funded status for TSNB’s pension plan for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
|
Details |
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
|||||||||
|
Change in benefit obligation:
|
||||||||||||
|
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Benefits paid
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Change in plan provisions
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Actuarial loss (gain)
|
(
|
)
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Benefit obligation end of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Change in plan assets:
|
||||||||||||
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Actual return on plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Employer contribution
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Expenses paid
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
) | ||||||
|
Benefits paid
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
(
|
)
|
||||||
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of period
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Funded Status
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Amounts recognized in statement of financial position:
|
||||||||||||
|
Non-current assets
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Non-current liabilities
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|||||||||
|
Net amount recognized
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Weighted average assumptions used:
|
||||||||||||
|
Discount rate
|
|
% |
|
% |
|
% |
||||||
|
Rate of compensation increases
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter:
|
Fiscal Year
|
Other Benefits
|
||||
|
2022
|
$
|
|
|||
|
2023
|
|
||||
|
2024
|
|
||||
|
2025
|
|
||||
|
2026
|
|
||||
|
2027-2031
|
$
|
|
|||
F - 38
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 13: EMPLOYEE RELATED LIABILITIES (Continued)
Description of Significant Gains and Losses in Obligations:
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the benefit obligation experienced a net actuarial gain that was primarily attributable to the discount rate increase to 2.90 %, compared to 2.50 % in the prior year. For fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the benefit obligation experienced a net actuarial loss that was primarily attributable to the discount rate decrease to 2.50 %, compared to 3.20 % in the prior year.
The plan’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following as of December 31, 2021:
|
Details |
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|||||||||
|
Investments in commingled funds
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Total plan assets at fair value
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
The plan’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020:
|
Details |
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|||||||||
|
Investments in mutual funds
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
|
Total plan assets at fair value
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
||||||
TSNB’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations on December 31, 2021, by asset category are as follows:
|
Asset Category
|
December 31, 2021
|
Target
allocation
2022
|
||||||
|
Equity securities
|
|
%
|
|
%
|
||||
|
Debt securities
|
|
%
|
|
%
|
||||
|
Total
|
|
%
|
|
%
|
||||
TSNB’s primary policy goals regarding the plan’s assets are to (1) provide liquidity to meet the Plan benefit payments and expenses payable from the Plan, (2) offer a reasonable probability of achieving a growth of assets that will assist in closing the Plan’s funding gap, and (3) manage the Plan’s assets in a liability framework. Plan assets are currently invested in commingled funds with various debt and equity investment objectives. The target asset allocation for the plan assets is 90% debt, or fixed income securities, and 10% equity securities. Individual funds are evaluated periodically based on comparisons to benchmark indices and peer group funds and investment decisions are made by TSNB in accordance with the policy goals. Actual allocation to each asset category fluctuates and may not be within the target allocation specified above due to changes in market conditions.
The estimated expected return on assets of the plan is based on assumptions derived from, among other things, the historical return on assets of the plan, the current and expected investment allocation of assets held by the plan and the current and expected future rates of return in the debt and equity markets for investments held by the plan. The obligations under the plan could differ from the obligation currently recorded, if management's estimates are not consistent with actual investment performance.
F - 39
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 14: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A.Liens
(1)Loans, Bonds and Capital Leases
For liens relating to the TSNB Credit Line Agreement, see Note 11F. For liens under TPSCo’s JP Loan, see Note 11C. For liens under the capital lease agreements, see Note 11D. For negative pledge under the Series G Debentures’ indenture, see Note 10.
(2)Approved Enterprise Program
Floating liens are registered in favor of the State of Israel on substantially all of Tower’s assets under the Investment Center’s approved enterprise status program.
B.Renewed Contract in Relation to TPSCo
In March 2019, agreements were signed between Tower, TPSCo and PSCS (a fully owned subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation) to extend the business relationship by an additional three-year period under certain amended terms, including a manufacturing agreement between TPSCo and PSCS, under which TPSCo manufactured products for PSCS under a revised pricing structure. Following the purchase of NTCJ (previously named PSCS) by Nuvoton from Panasonic Corporation in September 2020, NTCJ assumed the contracts at the same commercial terms, and leases three manufacturing facilities in Japan to TPSCo under a buildings lease that runs through March 2032 (see Note 11D).
As part of the agreement between the Company, NTCJ and TPSCo, it has been decided to re-organize and re-structure operations in Japan such that, while operations at the Uozu and Tonami facilities will remain unchanged, the Arai manufacturing factory, which is currently manufacturing products solely for NTCJ and is not serving the Company’s customers, will cease operations effective July 1, 2022. The Company evaluated the need for impairment charges and determined that no such charges are required as of December 31, 2021. All other restructuring related costs will be reported as incurred in 2022.
C.License Agreements
The Company enters into intellectual property and licensing agreements with third parties from time to time. The effect of each of them on the Company’s total assets and results of operations is immaterial. Certain of these agreements call for royalties to be paid by the Company to these third parties.
D.TSNB Lease Agreement
TSNB leases its fabrication facilities under an operational lease contract that is due to expire in 2027. In amendments to its lease, (i) TSNB secured various contractual safeguards designed to limit and mitigate any adverse impact of construction activities on its fabrication operations; and (ii) certain obligations of TSNB and the landlord are specified, including certain noise abatement actions at the fabrication facility. The landlord has made claims that TSNB’s noise abatement efforts are not adequate under the terms of the amended lease, and has requested a judicial declaration that TSNB has committed material non-curable breaches of the lease and that, in accordance with the lease, the landlord would be entitled to terminate the lease. TSNB does not agree and is disputing these claims.
E.IT Security System Event
In September 2020, the Company’s information technology (“IT”) security systems identified a security event on some of its computerized systems. As a preventive measure, the Company halted certain of its servers and proactively stopped operations in some of its manufacturing facilities for a few days, following which it commenced to gradually restore operations and return to full capability in all its facilities.
F - 40
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 14: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
Due to the immediate procedures implemented, the functionality and quality of the work in progress, as well as customer and employee data, remained protected.
Tower maintains a cyber insurance policy and received compensation for the damage resulted from the event, including cost reimbursement and business interruption compensation. The event had no material impact on the financial position of the Company.
F.Definitive Agreement with ST Microelectronics
In 2021, TSIT, Tower’s wholly-owned Italian subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement with ST to share under collaborative arrangement a 300 mm manufacturing fabrication facility in Agrate Italy. The fab is currently under construction by ST, and the parties will share the cleanroom space and the facility infrastructure, with the Company installing its own equipment in one-third of the total space. Both companies will invest in their respective process equipment, and work together to accelerate the fab qualification and subsequent ramp-up. Operations will continue to be managed by ST. In the early stage, technology processes for power, analog mixed signal and RF processes are planned to be qualified in the factory and the products in these technologies may be used in automotive, industrial and personal electronics.
G.Other Agreements
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into long-term agreements with various entities for the joint development of products IPs and processes. The developed IPs may be owned separately by either the other entity or the Company, or owned jointly by both parties, as applicable.
NOTE 15: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
A.Description of Ordinary Shares
As of December 31, 2021, Tower had
F - 41
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 15: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
B.Equity Incentive Plans
(1)Tower’s 2013 Share Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan")
In 2013, the Company adopted a share incentive plan for directors, officers and employees of the Company, which in 2019 was extended to enable grants to third party service providers (“2013 Plan”). Options granted under the 2013 Plan bear an exercise price equal to the average closing price during the thirty trading days immediately prior to the date of grant, vest over up to a three-year period and are not exercisable beyond seven years from the grant date.
Under the 2013 Plan, the Company granted, in 2021 and 2020, a total of
During 2021, the Company's CEO and members of the Board of Directors were awarded the following RSUs under the Company’s 2013 Plan:
(i) 80 thousand time-vested RSUs and 132 thousand performance RSUs (“PSUs”) subject also to time-vesting, consisting of 120 thousand base PSUs and 12 thousand upside PSUs to the CEO, with 33 % of such RSUs and PSUs to vest at the end of each year for 3 years following the grant date. Total compensation value of the RSUs granted was approximately $6,000 . In addition, the Company's CEO was awarded 31 thousand PSUs that would be vesting upon attainment of certain performance conditions and not before one year from the date of grant, with a compensation value of approximately $1,000 . As was approved by shareholders in 2019, the grant also includes a provision requiring the CEO to own, commencing May 2024, ordinary shares of the Company at a minimum value that equals at least three times his annual base salary as of May 2024 (the “Minimum Holding”). The CEO has until May 2024 to accumulate the Minimum Holding (whether by conversion of RSUs to ordinary shares or by purchase of ordinary shares), and during such period, until he accumulates the Minimum Holding, he must retain at least 20% of the vested time-based RSUs granted to him in or after May 2019;
(ii) 10.3 thousand time-vested RSUs to the chairman of the Board of Directors (“the Chairman”) for a total compensation value of $300 , to vest 33 % at the end of each year following the grant date; and
(iii) 4.3 thousand time-vested RSUs to each of the seven members of the Board of Directors then serving (other than to the Chairman and the CEO), for an aggregate compensation value of approximately $900 , vesting over a two-year period, with 50 % vesting at the first anniversary of the date of grant and 50 % on the second anniversary of the date of grant.
As was approved by shareholders in 2020, the Chairman and the members of the Board will have to own, commencing July 2025, ordinary shares of the Company at a minimum value that equals at least 50% of their annual cash compensation (the “BOD Minimum Holding”).
The Chairman and the members of the Board have until July 2025 to accumulate the BOD Minimum Holding (whether by conversion of RSUs to ordinary shares or by purchase of ordinary shares), and during such period, until they accumulate the BOD Minimum Holding, they must retain at least 20% of the vested time-based RSUs granted to them in or after July 2020.
F - 42
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 15: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
During 2020, the Company's CEO and members of the Board of Directors were awarded the following RSUs under the 2013 Plan: (i)
During 2019, the Company's CEO and members of the Board of Directors were awarded the following RSUs under the 2013 Plan: (i)
Under the compensation plan of the Company, and as approved by the Company’s shareholders in September 2013, the awards to the CEO shall be accelerated upon the occurrence of a change of control event (as defined therein), subject to termination of his employment (or resignation due to diminution of responsibilities, as defined therein).
With respect to the members of the Board of Directors, including the Chairman, in the event of termination, such as termination due to a change of control event, each Director who served less than
Further grants may be approved subject to Compensation Committee, Board of Directors and shareholders’ approval, as may be required by law.
(2)i. Share Options awards:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of share options |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of share options |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number of share options |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Outstanding as of beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Granted |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Exercised |
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||||||
|
Terminated |
|
|
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||||||
|
Forfeited |
|
|
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||||||
|
Outstanding as of end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Options exercisable as of end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
ii. RSUs awards:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of RSUs |
Weighted average fair value |
Number of RSUs |
Weighted average fair value |
Number of RSUs |
Weighted average fair value |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Outstanding as of beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Granted |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Converted |
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||||||
|
Forfeited |
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
( |
) |
$ |
|
||||||||||||
|
Outstanding as of end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
F - 43
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 15: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
(3)Summary of Information about Employees’ Share Incentive Plans
The following table summarizes information about employees’ share options outstanding as of December 31, 2021:
|
Outstanding |
Exercisable |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Range of exercise prices |
Number outstanding |
Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years) |
Weighted average exercise price |
Number exercisable |
Weighted average exercise price |
|||||||||||||||||
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Details for the year ended December 31 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
The intrinsic value of options exercised |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
The original fair value of options exercised |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Details for the year ended December 31 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
The intrinsic value of converted RSUs |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
The original fair value of converted RSUs |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
Stock-based compensation expenses were recognized in the Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Cost of goods |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Research and development, net |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Marketing, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Total stock-based compensation expense |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
C.Treasury Stock
During 1999 and 1998, the Company funded the purchase by a trustee of an aggregate of approximately
D.Dividend Restriction
Tower is subject to certain limitations on dividend distribution under the Series G Debentures indenture that allows for distribution of dividends subject to satisfying certain financial ratios.
F - 44
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 16: INFORMATION ON GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS
A.Revenues by Geographic Area - as Percentage of Total Revenue
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
USA |
|
% |
|
% |
|
% |
||||||
|
Japan |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Asia (other than Japan) |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Europe |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Total |
|
% |
|
% |
|
% |
||||||
The basis of attributing revenues from external customers to geographic area is based on the headquarters location of the customer issuing the purchase order; actual delivery may be shipped to another geographic area per customer request.
B.Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area
Substantially all of Tower’s long-lived assets are located in Israel, substantially all of TSNB’s and TSSA’s long-lived assets are located in the United States and substantially all of TPSCo’s long-lived assets are located in Japan.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Israel |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
United States |
|
|
||||||
|
Japan |
|
|
||||||
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
C.Major Customers - as Percentage of Net Accounts Receivable Balance
As of December 31, 2021, one customer exceeded 10% of the net accounts receivable balance and represented
F - 45
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 16: INFORMATION ON GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Continued)
D.Major Customers - as Percentage of Total Revenue
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Customer A |
|
% |
|
% |
|
% |
||||||
|
Customer B |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Other customers * |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
* |
Represents aggregated revenue to four customers that accounted for between |
NOTE 17: FINANCING INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Financing income (expense), net consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Interest expense |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
|||
|
Interest income |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Series G Debentures amortization, related rate differences and hedging results |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
Exchange rate differences and related hedging results |
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
||||||
|
Bank fees and others |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
|
|
|||||
F - 46
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 18: RELATED PARTIES BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
A.Balance
The nature of the relationship involved as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
|
2021 |
2020 |
|||||||
|
Long-term investment |
Equity investment in a limited partnership |
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
B.Transactions
Description of the transactions for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
Description of the transactions |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||
|
General and administrative expense |
Directors’ fees and reimbursement to directors |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
|
Other income (expense), net |
Non-controlling interest income (loss) from a limited partnership |
$ |
- |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) | |||||
F - 47
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 19: INCOME TAXES
A.Tower Statutory Income Rates
Substantially all of Tower’s existing facilities and other capital investments made through 2012 have been granted approved enterprise status, as provided by the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investment in Israel (“Investments Law”).
Tower, as an Israeli industrial company located in Migdal Ha’emek, may elect the Preferred Enterprise regime to apply to it under the Investment Law. The election is irrevocable.
Under the Preferred Enterprise regime, Tower’s entire preferred income is subject to the tax rate of
B.Income Tax Provision
The Company's provision for income taxes is affected by income taxes in a multinational tax environment. The income tax provision is an estimate determined based on current enacted tax laws and tax rates at each of its geographic locations, with the use of acceptable allocation methodologies based upon the Company’s organizational structure, operations and business mode of work, and result in applicable local taxable income attributable to those locations.
The Company’s income tax provision is consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Current tax expense: |
||||||||||||
|
Foreign |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Deferred tax expense (benefit): |
||||||||||||
|
Local |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Foreign |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
Income tax expense: |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Profit (loss) before taxes: |
||||||||||||
|
Domestic |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Foreign |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
Total profit before taxes |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
F - 48
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 19: INCOME TAXES (Continued)
C. Components of Deferred Tax Asset/Liability
The following is a summary of the components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities reflected in the balance sheets as of the respective dates (*), as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
||||||
|
Deferred tax asset and liability - long-term: |
||||||||
|
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
|
Net operating loss carryforward |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Employees benefits and compensation |
|
|
||||||
|
Accruals and reserves |
|
|
||||||
|
Research and development |
|
|
||||||
|
Others |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Valuation allowance, see Note 19F below |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||
|
Deferred tax assets |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Deferred tax liabilities - long-term: |
||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
||
|
Others |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
||
|
|
||||||||
|
Presented in long term deferred tax assets |
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
Presented in long term deferred tax liabilities |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
||
(*)
D.Unrecognized Tax Benefit
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
|
Details |
Unrecognized tax benefits |
|||
|
Balance as of January 1, 2021 |
$ |
|
||
|
Additions for tax positions of current year |
|
|||
|
Reduction due to statute of limitation of prior years |
( |
) |
||
|
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ |
|
||
F - 49
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 19: INCOME TAXES (Continued)
|
Details |
Unrecognized tax benefits |
|||
|
Balance as of January 1, 2020 |
$ |
|
||
|
Additions for tax positions of current year |
|
|||
|
Reduction due to statute of limitation of prior years |
( |
) |
||
|
Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
$ |
|
||
|
Details |
Unrecognized tax benefits |
|||
|
Balance as of January 1, 2019 |
$ |
|
||
|
Additions for tax positions of current year |
|
|||
|
Reduction due to statute of limitation of prior years |
( |
) |
||
|
Balance as of December 31, 2019 |
$ |
|
||
E.Effective Income Tax
The reconciliation of the statutory tax rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
|
Details |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||
|
Tax expense computed at statutory rates, see (*) below |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
|
Effect of different tax rates in different jurisdictions and Preferred Enterprise Benefit |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
Change in valuation allowance, see Note 19F below |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Permanent differences and other, net |
( |
) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
||||||
|
Income tax expense |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||
(*)
F.Net Operating Loss Carryforward
As of December 31, 2021, Tower had net operating loss carryforward for tax purposes of approximately $
The future utilization of Tower US Holdings’ federal net operating loss carryforward to offset future federal taxable income is subject to an annual limitation as a result of ownership changes that have occurred. Additional limitations could apply if ownership changes occur in the future.
F - 50
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 19: INCOME TAXES (Continued)
TSNB had two “change in ownership” events that limit the utilization of net operating loss carryforward. The first “change in ownership” event occurred in February 2007 upon Jazz Technologies’ acquisition of TSNB. The second “change in ownership” event occurred in September 2008, upon Tower’s acquisition of TSNB. TSNB concluded that the net operating loss limitation for the change in ownership which occurred in September 2008 will be an annual utilization of approximately $
As of December 31, 2021, Tower US Holdings has federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $
As of December 31, 2021, Tower US Holdings had California state net operating loss carryforward of approximately $
Tower US Holdings recorded a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset balances for its federal and state net operating loss carryforward.
As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, TPSCo had no net operating loss carryforward.
G.Final Tax Assessments
Tower possesses final tax assessments through the year 1998. In addition, the tax assessments for the years 1999-2016 are deemed final.
Tower US Holdings files a consolidated tax return including TSNB and TSSA. Tower US Holdings and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple states.
In general, Tower US Holdings is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations before 2018 and state and local income tax examinations before 2017. However, to the extent allowed by law, the tax authorities may have the right to examine prior periods where net operating losses were generated and carried forward, and make adjustments up to the amount of the net operating loss carryforward amount.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed. The CARES Act provided numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including but not limited to temporary changes regarding the prior and future utilization of net operating losses. Under the provisions of the CARES Act, Tower US Holdings received in 2020 a $
TPSCo possesses final tax assessments through the year 2020.
F - 51
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
NOTE 20: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 15, 2022, Intel Corporation (“Intel”) and Tower announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Intel will acquire all of Tower’s approximately 109 million outstanding Ordinary Shares for cash consideration of $53 per share. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both Intel and Tower and is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, including the approval of Tower’s shareholders.
F - 52
Exhibit 4.1
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
2013 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
2013 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
A. NAME AND PURPOSE
1. Name: This plan, as amended from time to time, shall be known as the “2013 Share
Incentive Plan” or the “Plan”.
2. Purpose: The purpose and intent of the Plan is to provide incentives to employees, Office
Holders of the Company and third parties, including service providers of the Company, by providing them with opportunities to purchase or obtain Shares, pursuant to a plan approved by Tower’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) which is designed to
enable the Company to issue equity related awards.
3. Incentives under the Plan will only be issued to Grantees (as defined below) subject to the applicable law in their respective
country of residence for tax or other purposes.
B. DEFINITIONS
“Administrator” means (i) the Board, or (ii) Tower’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”).
“Affiliate” means any company in which Tower Semiconductor Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the State of
Israel (“Tower”), holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the issued share capital or voting power.
“Award” means any type of equity granted under the Plan, including Option and/or Restricted Share Unit.
“Cause” means with respect to any Grantee, the meaning of such term as set forth in the employment or other service
agreement between the Company (or any Affiliate) and the Grantee or, in the event there is no such employment or service agreement (or if any such employment or service agreement does not contain such a definition), such term shall mean (i) breach of
the Grantee’s duty of loyalty towards the Company, (ii) breach of the Grantee’s duty of care towards the Company, (iii) the commission of any criminal offense by the Grantee, (iv) the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty towards
the Company by the Grantee, (v) any unauthorized use or disclosure by the Grantee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company, (vi) involvement in a transaction in connection with the performance of duties to the Company which
transaction is adverse to the interests of the Company and which is engaged in for personal profit, (vii) any other intentional misconduct by the Grantee (by act or omission) adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company in a material
manner, or (viii) any act or omission by an Israeli Grantee which would allow for the termination of the Grantee’s employment without severance pay, according to the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 1963, or any similar provision of law in the jurisdiction
in which the Grantee is employed.(ix) material breach of any employment or service agreement with the Company
“Cessation of Service” means the cessation of the employee-employer relationship or engagement for services, as
applicable, between the Grantee and the Company for any reason; “Cessation of Service” shall not include the transfer of a Grantee from the employ of, or engagement with, Tower to the employ of or engagement with an Affiliate, or from the employ of
or engagement with an Affiliate to the employ of or engagement with Tower or another Affiliate. Regarding Board members, “Cessation of Service” means the cessation of the engagement of the Grantee as a member of the Board for any reason.
“Change of Control” or “COC” means (a) any person or entity that is not
then a controlling shareholder and obtains control of the Company as defined in Section 268 of the Companies Law; (b) the Company is party to a merger or consolidation, or series of related transactions, which results in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or another entity) at least fifty (50%) percent of the combined voting power
of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving or other entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (c) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or consummation of any transaction,
or series of related transactions, having similar effect); (d) there occurs a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company within a two-year period, as a result of which a majority of the directors, other than the External
directors, are no longer the incumbent directors or representatives of the same entity which the incumbent directors represent; (e) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or (f) any transaction or series of related transactions that has the
substantial effect of any one or more of the foregoing.
“Companies Law” means the Israeli Companies Law, 1999.
“Company” means Tower Semiconductor Ltd. and/or any Affiliate thereof.
“Corporate Transaction” means the occurrence, in a
single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii) a sale or other
disposition of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or
reorganization following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the Shares of the Company outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or reorganization are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or
reorganization into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise. Whether a transaction is a “Corporate Transaction” as defined above, shall be finally and conclusively determined by the Administrator in its absolute
discretion.
“Date of Grant” means the effective date of grant of an Award, as detailed in Section 6.1 below.
“Date of Cessation” means the effective date of a Cessation of Service.
“Disability” means the inability to engage in any substantial gainful occupation for which the Grantee is suited by
education, training or experience, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in such person’s death or to continue for a period of six (6) consecutive months or more.
“Exercise Conditions” means a Vesting Period, exercise terms as defined in section 9 below and/or Performance
Conditions.
2
“Exercise Price” means (i) the purchase price per Share, or (ii) the nominal value per Share to be paid by the
Grantee upon the vesting of an Award that does not require exercise , to the extent the Grantee is required to pay such nominal value hereunder, as applicable.
“Exercised Share” means a Share issued upon exercise of an Award or vesting of an Award, as applicable.
“Office Holder”- as such term is defined in the Companies Law.
“Grantee” means an employee, Office Holder of the Company or third party, including service provider of the
Company, to whom an Award shall be granted under the Plan.
“Notice of Exercise” means a written notice of exercise of an Award delivered by a Grantee to the Representative.
“Notice of Grant” means a written notice of the grant of an Award delivered by the Company to a Grantee relating to
the terms of the grant.
“Option” means an option to purchase a Share or Shares, as applicable.
“Performance Based Award” means a performance based Award as defined in Section 11.1 below.
“Performance Conditions” as defined in Section 11.1 below.
“Representative” means any third party designated by the Company for the purpose of managing the exercise of
Awards, as provided in Section 9.2 below.
“RSU” means Restricted Share Unit, as defined in Section 10 below.
“Sale” means the sale of all or substantially all of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company.
“Share” means an ordinary share, nominal value of NIS 15.00 each of the Company.
“Successor Entity Award”
means Awards for which the underlying Shares are replaced by securities of any successor entity, as provided in Section 12.6 below.
“Tax” means any and all federal, provincial, state and local taxes of any applicable jurisdiction, and other governmental fees, charges, duties, impositions and liabilities of any kind whatsoever, including
social security, national health insurance or similar compulsory payments, together with all interest, linkage for inflation, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts.
“Vesting Period” means the period between the Date of Grant and the date on which (i) the Grantee may exercise the
Award into Exercised Shares; or (ii) if said Award does not require the Grantee to exercise it, the date on which the Award vests into an Exercised Share.
3
C. GENERAL TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE PLAN
4. Administration:
4.1 The Plan will be administered by the Administrator, subject to applicable law.
4.2 Subject to the general terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator shall
have the full authority in its discretion, from time to time and at any time to determine (i) the Grantees under the Plan, (ii) the number of Shares in each Award and the type of Award, (iii) the time or times at which the same shall be granted,
(iv) the schedule and conditions, including Performance Conditions, if applicable, on which Awards may vest or be exercised and on which Shares shall be paid for, (v) the method of payment for Shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (vi) the method
for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with an Award, including by the withholding, delivery or sale of Shares, (vii) rules and provisions, as may be necessary or appropriate to permit eligible Grantees resident or
employed in any specific jurisdiction to participate in the Plan and/or to receive preferential tax treatment in their country of residence, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, and/or (viii) any other matter which is necessary or desirable
for, or incidental to, the administration of the Plan.
4.3 The Company may retain the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the
gain realized by a Grantee on account of actions taken by the Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any agreement, non-competition agreement, any agreement prohibiting solicitation of employees or clients of the Company or any
confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or otherwise in competition with the Company, to the extent specified in such Award Agreement applicable to the Grantee. Furthermore, the Company may annul an Award if the Grantee is terminated
for Cause as defined in the applicable Award Agreement or the Plan, as applicable.
4.4 Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, the Committee may
cause any Award granted hereunder to be amended, modified or cancelled in consideration of a cash payment, an alternative Award or both made to the holder of such cancelled Award equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of such cancelled
Award.
4.5 The Administrator may, from time to time, adopt such rules and regulations for
carrying out the Plan, as it may deem necessary.
4.6 The interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provision of the
Plan or of any Award thereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan or any Award or Exercised Share, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
5. Eligible Grantees:
5.1 The Administrator, at its discretion, may grant Awards to any Grantee, subject to
and in compliance with Company’s policies.
5.2 The grant of an Award to a Grantee hereunder, shall neither entitle such Grantee to
participate, nor disqualify him from participating, in any other grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan or any other incentive plan of Tower, subject to and in compliance with Company’s policies.
4
6. Date of Grant and Shareholder Rights:
6.1 Date of Grant. Subject to compliance with Section 8.1 hereof, the Date of
Grant shall be the date the Administrator resolves to grant such Award, or any later date, if so specified by the Administrator in its determination relating to the grant of such Award. The Company shall promptly give the Grantee a Notice of Grant
following such resolution.
6.2 Shareholder Rights. A Grantee holding an Award shall have no shareholder
rights with respect to the Shares subject to such Award until such Grantee (i) shall have exercised such Award or such Award has vested, as applicable, (ii) shall have all restrictions applicable to any Shares issued to him removed, if applicable;
(iii) has paid the applicable Exercise Price, if any; and (iv) has become the record holder of the Exercised Shares.
7. Reserved Shares:
7.1 The maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan
shall be the amount of Shares that shall not exceed 10% of the fully diluted share count of the Company as calculated at the time of grant (which fully diluted share count will be calculated pro-forma to include the proposed Awards) minus the
amount of Shares to be issued under the outstanding Options and RSUs at the time of the grant.
7.2 Without derogating from the foregoing in Section 7.1, all Shares under the Plan, in
respect of which the right of a Grantee to hold or purchase or be issued the same shall, for any reason, terminate, expire or otherwise cease to exist without having been exercised, shall again be available for grant through Awards under the Plan,
and under any sub-plans of the Plan, as the Administrator may determine at its own discretion, from time to time. Notwithstanding the above, Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to
Section 15 below shall not be taken into account for the purposes of calculating the maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards pursuant to Section 7.1 above.
8. Required Approvals; Notice of Grant; Vesting:
8.1 The implementation of the Plan and the granting of any Award under the Plan shall be
subject to the Company’s procurement of all approvals and permits required by applicable laws or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the Awards granted under it, and the Shares issued pursuant to it.
8.2 The Notice of Grant shall state, inter alia, the number of Shares subject to each
Award, the type of Award, the vesting schedule, the dates when the Award may be exercised and/or will vest (as applicable), any restrictions upon transfer or sale of Shares (if applicable), the Exercise Price, the tax treatment to which the Award
is subject and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator at its discretion may prescribe, provided that they are consistent with the Plan.
8.3 Vesting of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards shall
vest over a one to three year period according to the applicable vesting schedule and subject to Exercise Conditions, if any, included in the Award. The Administrator may determine an extended vesting schedule at its discretion. Specifically with
respect to Performance RSUs, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Performance RSUs shall be fully vested upon the fulfillment of their vesting conditions, such that at the end of the applicable Vesting Period, Tower shall issue the
underlying Shares.
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9. Options:
9.1 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Option shall be equal to the
arithmetic average closing price of Tower’s Shares, as quoted on the NASDAQ market (or if Tower shares will not be traded in NASDAQ, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange or any principal national securities exchange upon which Tower’s Shares are listed or
traded) for the last 30 market trading days prior to the Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the above, the exercise price will not be lower than the nominal value of the Shares, unless it is determined by the Board of Directors that such exercise
price lower than the nominal value of the Shares would otherwise be in compliance with the Israeli Companies Law.
9.2 Exercise of Options. Options shall be exercisable pursuant to the terms under
which they were awarded and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The exercise of an Option shall be made by a written Notice of Exercise delivered by the Grantee to the Representative, in such form and method as may be determined by the
Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, at the Representative’s principal office, and containing such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall prescribe from time to time.
Without derogating from the foregoing, Options shall not be exercised on the determining date with respect to the distribution of bonus shares, offer by
way of rights issue, distribution of dividends, consolidation of share capital, consolidation of shares, reduction or split in share capital or company split (each hereinafter referred to as a "Corporate Event").
In addition, if the Ex Date with respect to a Corporate Event occurs before the determining date relating to such Corporate Event, then the exercise of Options shall not occur on such Ex Date. "Ex Date" means the date that determines which
shareholders of the Company are entitled to participate in the Corporate Event.
The limitations pursuant to this subsection 9.2 shall be in effect only as long as the Company's securities are traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, or
any other established stock exchange or a national market system (the "Stock Exchange").
9.3 Term of Options. Without derogating from the provisions of Section 9.4 below, if any Option has not
been exercised and the Shares subject thereto not paid for within seven (7) years after the Date of Grant (or any shorter period set forth in the Notice of Grant), such Option and the right to acquire such Shares shall terminate, all interests and
rights of the Grantee in and to the same shall ipso facto expire, and the Shares subject to such Options shall again be available for grant through Awards under the Plan, any sub-plans of the Plan, as provided for in Section 7 herein.
9.4 The exercise of the Options shall be subject to applicable law, including when applicable, the limitations
in connection with the use of nonpublic information.
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9.5 Cessation of Service.
(a) In the event of a Cessation of Service, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator or as otherwise
set forth in this section: (i) all Options granted to such Grantee that are vested and exercisable on the Date of Cessation shall terminate ninety (90) days from the Date of Cessation; and (ii) all Options that are not vested on the Date of
Cessation, and whose vesting is not otherwise accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Plan, shall expire immediately.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, in the event the Company terminates the employment/ services of a
Grantee under circumstances that entitle the Company to terminate the Grantee for Cause, all of the Grantee’s Options, whether vested or not, shall expire on the Date of Cessation.
(c) If the Grantee’s Cessation of Service is by reason of such Grantee’s Disability, retirement at the legally
prescribed retirement age, illness retirement or other cause approved by the Committee, Options that are vested on the Date of Cessation shall be exercisable by the Grantee or the Grantee’s guardian or legal representative at any time until one (1)
year from the Date of Cessation.
(d) If the Grantee’s Cessation of Service is by reason of such Grantee’s death, all unvested equity held by the
Grantee at the time of death shall be accelerated and immediately vested. All of Grantee’s outstanding equity shall be exercisable, by the person to whom the Grantee’s rights are transferred by will or by laws of descent or distribution, at any
time until one (1) year from the Date of Cessation.
(e) Notwithstanding the aforesaid, under no circumstances shall any Option be exercisable after the expiration
of the term of such Option.
10. Restricted Share Units:
10.1 Subject to the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator, the Administrator
may decide to grant Restricted Share Units (“RSU(s)”) under the Plan. An RSU is a right to receive a Share of the Company, under certain terms and conditions. Upon the end of the applicable Vesting Period and/or the fulfillment of the Exercise
Conditions of an RSU as set forth in the specific Award, such RSU shall automatically vest into an Exercised Share of the Company (subject to adjustments under Section 12 herein).
10.2 As soon as reasonably practicable following the lapse of the applicable portion of
the Vesting Period, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Grantee, the Exercised Shares, subject to satisfaction of applicable tax withholding obligations and other costs with respect thereto. The Company may provide that any Exercised
Shares be held, by issuing the Exercised Shares to a trustee which shall hold such Shares for the benefit of the Grantee. Following the lapse of the Vesting Period the Company is hereby authorized by itself or any party acting on its behalf to
deduct the applicable taxes and other costs from the Grantee's salary or via cash or check, or via partial sale of the issued Shares or from any other amount payable to the Grantee, all subject to the applicable tax rules and regulations.
10.3 In the event of a Cessation of Service, unless determined otherwise by the
Administrator in the Notice of Grant, or as otherwise set forth in this section: (i) all Shares underlying vested RSUs or underlying exercised Options, if any, will remain with the Trustee and may be sold by the Grantee upon Cessation of Service or
later on subject to withholding by the Company of the applicable taxes and costs from the Grantee; Grantee may decide to transfer the Shares from the Trustee to another account subject to the Company withholding any applicable taxes and costs
prior to such transfer. (ii) all unvested RSUs on the Date of Cessation, and whose vesting is not otherwise accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Plan or the Award terms, shall expire immediately.
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10.4 All other terms and conditions of the Plan applicable to Options, shall apply to
RSUs, mutatis mutandis.
11. Performance Based Awards:
11.1 Subject to the sole and absolute discretion and determination of the Administrator,
the Administrator may decide to grant Awards under the Plan, the exercise or vesting of which, as applicable, shall be conditional upon the performance of the Company and/or an Affiliate and/or a division or other business unit of the Company or of
an Affiliate and/or upon the performance of the Grantee to the sole and absolute discretion and determination of the Administrator, over such period and measured against such objective criteria as shall be determined by the Administrator and
notified to the Grantee (“Performance Based Award(s)”). In granting each Performance Based Award, the Administrator shall establish in writing the applicable performance period (“Performance Period”), performance formula (“Performance Formula”) and one or more performance goals (“Performance Goal(s)”) which, when measured at
the end of the Performance Period, shall determine on the basis of said Performance Formula the extent to which the Performance Based Award has vested and/or become exercisable (collectively, the “Performance
Conditions”). For the avoidance of doubt, Performance Conditions may be determined for an Award either in addition to, or in substitution for, a Vesting Period.
11.2 If, in consequence of the applicable Performance Conditions being met a Performance
Based Award becomes vested and/or exercisable in respect of some, but not all of the number of Shares underlying such Award, the portion of the Shares not available for vesting or exercise shall lapse and cease to be exercisable.
11.3 Performance Conditions shall not be automatically waived merely due to an event of
(i) a Cessation of Service, (ii) a Corporate Transaction, (iii) any other adjustment under Section 12 below, or (iv) a Sale under Section 12.6 below.
11.4 Measurement of Performance Goals. Performance Goals shall be established by
the Administrator on the basis of targets to be attained with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance that shall have the same meanings as used in the Company’s financial statements, or, if such terms are not used in
the Company’s financial statements, they shall have the meaning applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or as used generally in the Company’s industry (“Performance Measures”). For purposes of the Plan, the Performance
Measures applicable to a Performance Based Award shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting standards or any extraordinary,
unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by the Administrator, occurring after the establishment of the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Based Award. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for the purpose of providing
a consistent basis from period to period for the calculation of Performance Measures in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the Grantee’s rights with respect to a Performance Based Award. Performance Measures may be one or more of the
following, as determined by the Administrator: revenue; sales; expenses; operating income; gross margin; operating margin; earnings before any one or more of: share-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; pre-tax
profit; net operating income; net income; economic value added; free cash flow; operating cash flow; share price; earnings per share; return on shareholder equity; return on capital; return on assets; return on investment; Grantee satisfaction;
Grantee retention; balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities; market share; customer satisfaction; product development; and research and development expenses; completion of an identified special project, and completion of
acquisition by the Company.
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11.5 All other terms and conditions of the Plan applicable to Awards, shall apply to
Performance Based Awards, mutatis mutandis.
12. Adjustments, Liquidation and Corporate Transaction:
12.1 Adjustments. Subject to any required action under any applicable law, the
number and/or type of Shares subject to each outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted, as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate, for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a share split,
reverse share split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, in such manner as is appropriate in order
to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of a Grantee under the Plan, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan shall likewise be proportionately adjusted, (provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Except as expressly provided in this Section 12, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award.) Any such adjustment in outstanding Options shall include a corresponding proportionate
adjustment in the Exercise Price per share. In case of rights offering made by Company to its securities holders the Options holders will be entitled to participate in such right offering under similar conditions to the other security holders,
provided however that they will not be entitled to any further adjustments to their Award under this clause as a result of such rights offering.
Except as expressly provided in this Section 12, the grant of Awards under the Plan shall in no way affect the right of the Company to
distribute bonus shares, to offer rights to purchase its securities, or to distribute dividends.
12.2 Adjustments to Options’ Exercise Price due to Distribution of Dividends. If
the Company distributes cash dividends on an extraordinary basis with respect to all Shares issued to its shareholders, and the record date for determining the right to receive such dividends (the “Determining Date”) is earlier than the Exercise
Date of any Options granted hereunder, then the Exercise Price for each Option granted but not exercised prior to the Determining Date, shall be reduced by an amount equal to the gross amount of the dividend per Share distributed. If such
distribution is in a currency different than the currency in which the Exercise Price is stated, said amount of reduction will be calculated in the same currency as the Exercise Price according to the representative rate of exchange as of the
Determining Date, if applicable.
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12.3 Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, all outstanding Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. Notwithstanding the above, the Administrator may declare that any Award shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Administrator and give
each Grantee the right to exercise his Award or have it vested, including Awards that would not otherwise vest or be exercisable.
12.4 In the event of a COC, at the sole discretion of the Administrator, all or any of
the unvested Options or RSUs may be accelerated.
12.5 If the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or
consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Corporate Transaction, any Option theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of
Shares subject to such Option would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the Exercise Price per share so that the aggregate Exercise Price
thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Exercise Price of the shares remaining subject to the Option immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement evidencing an
Award, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result of the reorganization, merger or consolidation. In the event of a transaction described in this Section 12.4, RSUs
shall be adjusted so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of Shares subject to the RSUs would have been entitled to receive immediately following such transaction.
12.6 Corporate Transaction.
(a) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, immediately prior to the effective date of such Corporate
Transaction, each Award shall among other things, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator, either:
(i) Be substituted for a Successor Entity Award such that the Grantee may exercise the Successor Entity Award
or have it become vested, as the case may be, for such number and class of securities of the successor entity which would have been issuable to the Grantee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction, had the Award vested or been exercised (as
applicable), immediately prior to the effective date of such Corporate Transaction, given the exchange ratio or consideration paid in the Corporate Transaction, the Vesting Period and Performance Conditions (if any) of the Awards and such other
terms and factors that the Administrator determines to be relevant for purposes of calculating the number of Successor Entity Awards granted to each Grantee;
(ii) Be assumed by any successor entity such that the Grantee may exercise the Award or have his/her Award
vest (as applicable), for such number and class of securities of the successor entity which would have been issuable to the Grantee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction, had the Award vested or been exercised immediately prior to the
effective date of such Corporate Transaction, given the exchange ratio or consideration paid in the Corporate Transaction, the Vesting Period and Performance Conditions (if any) of the Awards and such other terms and factors that the Administrator
determines to be relevant for this purpose; or
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(iii) Determine that the Awards shall be cashed out for a consideration equal to the difference between the
price per share determined in the Corporate Transaction and the Exercise Price, purchase price, or nominal value, as the case may be, of such Award.
In the event of a clause (i) or clause (ii) action, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the Exercise Price per Share to reflect
such action.
(b) Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction, all outstanding Awards (excluding
Successor Entity Awards) shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by a successor entity.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without derogating from the power of the Administrator pursuant to the
provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have full authority and sole discretion to determine that any of the provisions of Sections 12.6(a)(i) or 12.6(a)(ii) above shall apply in the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the
consideration received by the shareholders of the Company is not solely comprised of securities of a successor entity, or in which such consideration is solely cash or assets other than securities of a successor entity. In addition, in the event
that the Administrator determines in good faith that, in the context of a Corporate Transaction, certain Options have no monetary value and thus do not entitle the holders of such Options to any consideration under the terms of the Corporate
Transaction, the Administrator may determine that such Options shall terminate effective as of the effective date of the Corporate Transaction. It is the intention that the Administrator’s authority to make determinations, adjustments and
clarifications in connection with the treatment of Awards shall be interpreted as widely as possible, to allow the Administrator maximal power and flexibility to interpret and implement the provisions of the Plan in the event of Transaction,
provided that the Administrator shall determine in good faith that a Grantee’s rights are not thereby adversely affected without the Grantee’s express written consent.
12.7 Sale. Subject to any provision in the Articles of Association of the Company
and to the Administrator’s sole and absolute discretion, in the event of a Sale, each Grantee shall be obligated to participate in the Sale and sell his or her Shares and/or Awards in the Company, provided, however, that each such Share or Award
shall be sold at a price equal to that of any other Share sold under the Sale (and, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, less the applicable Exercise Price), while accounting for changes in such price due to the respective terms of any
such Award, and subject to the absolute discretion of the Administrator.
For purposes of a Sale, whether “all or substantially all of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company is to be sold”,
shall be finally and conclusively determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion.
12.8 The grant of Awards under the Plan shall in no way affect the right of the Company
to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
13. Limitations on Transfer.
13.1 Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, no Award shall be assignable or
transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and an Award shall vest or may be exercised (as applicable) only by such Grantee or his/her guardian or legal representative. The terms of such Award shall
be binding upon the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of such Grantee. Any Shares acquired upon exercise or vesting of Awards shall be transferable only in accordance with applicable securities and other local laws, and
may be subject to substantial statutory or regulatory restrictions on transfer, except to the extent exemptions (whether by registration or otherwise) are available
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13.2 Underwriter’s Lock-up and Limitations on the Use of Nonpublic Information. The
Grantee’s rights to sell Exercised Shares may be subject to certain limitations (including a lock-up period), as may be requested by the Company or its underwriters, from time to time, or upon a specific occurrence, and the Grantee unconditionally
agrees and accepts any such limitations. Furthermore, the Grantee’s right to sell Exercised Shares is subject to applicable law, including in connection with limitations relating to the use of non-public information, Company-wide black out periods
and so forth.
14. Term and Amendment of the Plan:
14.1 The Plan shall continue until terminated by the Administrator. All Awards
outstanding at the time of termination, as aforementioned, shall continue to have full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the documents evidencing such Awards.
14.2 Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the Administrator in its discretion
may, at any time and from time to time, amend, alter, extend or terminate the Plan, as it deems advisable. In addition, the Administrator may adopt, as part of the Plan and based on it, sub-plans, in order to comply with all relevant and
applicable laws and regulations of the country of residence of any Grantees.
14.3 For the avoidance of doubt, as long as the Company's securities are traded on the
Stock Exchange, the provisions of this Plan shall be subject to the directives, rules and regulations of the Stock Exchange, as those are established from time to time ("Stock Exchange Directives"). In the
event that any of the provisions this Plan do not comply with the Stock Exchange Directives, the Administrator shall be entitled to automatically amend the provisions of this Plan in order to comply with the Stock Exchange Directives.
15. Withholding and Tax Consequences:
15.1 All Tax consequences and obligations arising from the grant, vesting, or exercise
of any Award (as applicable), or the subsequent disposition of, Shares subject thereto or from any other event or act (of the Company or of the Grantee) hereunder, shall be borne solely by the Grantee, and the Grantee shall indemnify the Company
and hold it harmless against and from any and all liability for any such Tax, including without limitation, monetary liabilities relating to the necessity to withhold, or to have withheld, any such Tax payment from any payment made to the Grantee.
The Company or any of its affiliates may make such provisions and take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of all taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to Awards granted under the Plan and the
exercise or vesting thereof, including, but not limited, to (i) deducting the amount so required to be withheld from any other amount (or Shares issuable) then or thereafter to be provided to the Grantee, including by deducting any such amount
from a Grantee’s salary or other amounts payable to the Grantee, to the maximum extent permitted under law and/or (ii) requiring the Grantee to pay to the Company or any of its affiliates the amount so required to be withheld as a condition of the
issuance, delivery, distribution or release of any Shares and/or (iii) by causing the exercise and sale of any Options or Shares held by on behalf of the Grantee to cover such liability, up to the amount required to satisfy minimum statutory
withholding requirements. In addition, the Grantee will be required to pay any amount due in excess of the tax withheld and transferred to the tax authorities, pursuant to applicable tax laws, regulations and rules. Notwithstanding the above, the
Company’s obligation to deliver Shares upon the exercise or vesting of any Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Tax withholding requirements and any other required payments as governed by applicable
law or practice. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the Shares issuable to a Grantee upon the exercise or vesting of an Award, or to accept from the Grantee the tender of, a number of whole Shares having a fair
market value, as determined by the Company, that will enable the Company to satisfy any Tax withholding obligations of the Company. The maximum number of Shares that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state or local tax
withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions applicable to such Award or payment of shares pursuant to such Award, as applicable, cannot exceed such number of shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum
statutory amount required by the Company to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions or payment of shares.
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15.2 The Grantee shall, if requested at any time by the Company, provide to the Company
within 10 calendar days of such request, any information regarding the transfer or other disposition of Shares reasonably required by the Company in order for the Company to comply with applicable local laws and regulations or to obtain any
benefits thereunder.
16. Miscellaneous:
16.1 Continuance of Employment. Neither the Plan nor the grant of an Award thereunder
shall impose any obligation on the Company to continue the employment or service of any Grantee. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award granted thereunder shall confer upon any Grantee any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company for
any period of specific duration, or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the right of the Company to terminate such employment or service at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.
16.2 Governing Law. The Plan and all instruments issued thereunder or in connection
therewith, shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Israel, excluding the choice of law rules thereof.
16.3 Multiple Agreements. The terms of each Award may differ from other Awards granted
under the Plan at the same time, or at any other time. The Administrator may also grant more than one grant of Awards to a given Grantee during the term of the Plan, either in addition to, or in substitution for, one or more Awards previously
granted to that Grantee. The grant of multiple Awards may be evidenced by a single Notice of Grant or multiple Notices of Grant, as determined by the Administrator.
16.4 Non-Exclusivity of the Plan. The adoption of the Plan by the Administrator shall
not be construed as amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive arrangement or as creating any limitations on the power of the Administrator to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.
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TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
ADDENDUM TO THE 2013 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
FOR ISRAELI GRANTEES
FOR ISRAELI GRANTEES
General
This addendum (the “Addendum”) shall apply only to Grantees who are residents of the State of Israel or those who are deemed to be
residents of the State of Israel for tax purposes (collectively, “Israeli Grantees”). The provisions specified hereunder shall form an integral part of the Tower Semiconductor Ltd. 2013 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which applies to the grant of
Awards.
This Addendum is to be read as a continuation of the Plan and only modifies the terms of Awards granted to Israeli Grantees so that they
comply with the requirements set by the Israeli law in general, and in particular with the provisions of the Israeli Tax Ordinance (as defined below), as may be amended or replaced from time to time.
The Plan and this Addendum are complimentary to each other and shall be deemed as one. In any case of contradiction with respect to
Awards granted to Israeli Grantees, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions of this Addendum and the Plan, the provisions set out in this Addendum shall prevail.
Any capitalized term not specifically defined in this Addendum shall be construed according to the definition or interpretation given to
it in the Plan
Definitions
“102 Award” means a grant of an Award to an Israeli Employee, pursuant to the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax
Ordinance, the 102 Rules, and any other regulations, rulings, procedures or clarifications promulgated thereunder, or under any other section of the Tax Ordinance that will be relevant for such issuance in the future.
“102(c) Award” means a 102 Award that will not be subject to a Taxation Route, as detailed in Section 102(c) of the
Tax Ordinance.
“Beneficial Grantee” means the Grantee for the benefit of whom the Trustee holds an Award in Trust.
“Capital Gains Route” means the capital gains tax route under Section 102(b)(2) of the Tax Ordinance.
“Controlling Shareholder” means a “controlling shareholder” of the Company, as such term is defined in Section
32(9)(a) of the Tax Ordinance.
“Employee” means a person who is employed by the Company or its Affiliates, including an individual who is serving as a director or an Office Holder, but excluding any Controlling Shareholder, all as determined in
Section 102 of the Ordinance.
“Minimum Trust Period” means the minimum period of time required under a
Taxation Route for Awards and/or Exercised Shares to be held in Trust in order for the Beneficial Grantee to enjoy to the fullest extent the tax benefits afforded under such Taxation Route, as prescribed at any time by Section 102 of the Tax
Ordinance.
“Non-Employee” means any Israeli Grantee excluding an Employee.
“Ordinary Income Route” means the ordinary income route under Section 102(b)(1) of the Tax Ordinance.
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“Rights” means rights issued in respect of Exercised Shares, including bonus shares.
“102 Rules” means the Israeli Income Tax Rules (Tax Relief in Issuance of Shares to Employees), 2003.
“Taxation Route” means each of the Ordinary Income Route or the Capital Gains Route.
“Tax Ordinance” means the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version], 1961,
as amended.
“Trust” means the holding of an Award or Exercised Share by the Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Beneficial
Grantee, pursuant to the instructions of a Taxation Route.
“Trustee” means a trustee designated by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 below and,
with respect to 102 Awards, approved by the Israeli Tax Authorities.
“3(i) Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Sections 3(i), 2(1) and/or 2(2) of the Ordinance, as applicable, to any person who is a Non-Employee
Administration:
The Administrator has elected the Capital Gains Route for grants of 102 Awards pursuant to the provisions of Section 102 of the
Ordinance and the applicable regulations.
Subject to the general terms and conditions of the Plan, the Tax Ordinance, and any other applicable laws and regulations, the
Administrator shall have the full authority in its discretion, from time to time, to determine with respect to grants of 102 Awards –the identity of the trustee who shall be granted such 102 Awards in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and
the then prevailing Taxation Route.
Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Administrator may, from time to time, grant 102(c) Awards.
Grant of Awards and Issuance of Shares:
Subject to the provisions of the Tax Ordinance and applicable law all grants of Awards to Israeli Grantees who are Employees, shall be
of 102 Awards; all grants of Awards to Israeli Grantees who are Non-Employees shall be of 3(i) Awards.
Trust:
General.
In the event Awards are deposited with a Trustee, the Trustee shall hold each such Award and any Exercised Shares in Trust for the
benefit of the Beneficial Grantee.
In accordance with Section 102, the tax benefits afforded to 102 Awards (and any Exercised Shares) in accordance with the Ordinary
Income Route or Capital Gains Route, as applicable, shall be contingent upon the Trustee holding such 102 Awards for the applicable Minimum Trust Period.
With respect to 102 Awards granted to the Trustee, the following shall apply:
A Grantee granted 102 Awards shall not be entitled to sell the Exercised Shares or to transfer such Exercised Shares (or such 102
Awards) from the Trust prior to the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period; and
Any and all Rights shall be issued to the Trustee and held thereby until the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period, and such Rights shall be
subject to the Taxation Route which is applicable to such Exercised Shares.
Notwithstanding the aforesaid, Exercised Shares or Rights may be sold or transferred, and the Trustee may release such Exercised Shares
or Rights from Trust, prior to the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period, provided however, that tax is paid or withheld in accordance with Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance and Section 7 of the 102 Rules, and any other provision in any other section of
the Tax Ordinance and any regulation, ruling, procedure and clarification promulgated thereunder, that will be relevant, from time to time.
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The Company shall register the Exercised Shares issued to the Trustee pursuant to the Plan, in the name of the Trustee for the benefit
of the Israeli Grantees, in accordance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations, until such time that such Shares are released from the Trust as herein provided.
If the Company shall issue any certificates representing Exercised Shares deposited with the Trustee under the Plan, then such certificates shall be
deposited with the Trustee, and shall be held by the Trustee until such time that such Exercised Shares are released from the Trust as herein provided.
Subject to the terms hereof, at any time after
the Awards are exercised or vested, with respect to any Exercised Shares the following shall apply:
Upon the written request of any Beneficial Grantee, the Trustee shall release from the Trust the Exercised Shares issued, on behalf of
such Beneficial Grantee, by executing and delivering to the Company such instrument(s) as the Company may require, giving due notice of such release to such Beneficial Grantee, provided, however, that the Trustee shall not so release
any such Exercised Shares to such Beneficial Grantee unless the latter, prior to, or concurrently with, such release, provides the Trustee with evidence, satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee, that payment of all taxes, if any, required
to be paid upon such release has been secured.
Alternatively, subject to the terms hereof, provided the Shares are listed on a stock market, upon the written instructions of the
Beneficial Grantee to sell any Exercise Shares, the Company and/or the Trustee shall use their reasonable efforts to effect such sale and shall transfer such Shares to the purchaser thereof concurrently with the receipt of, or after having made
suitable arrangements to secure, the payment of the proceeds of the purchase price in such transaction. The Company and/or the Trustee, as applicable, shall withhold from such proceeds any and all taxes required to be paid in respect of such sale,
shall remit the amount so withheld to the appropriate tax authorities and shall pay the balance thereof directly to the Beneficial Grantee, reporting to such Beneficial Grantee the amount so withheld and paid to said tax authorities.
Voting Rights. Unless determined otherwise
by the Administrator, as long as the Trustee holds the Exercised Shares, the voting rights at the Company’s general meeting attached to such Exercised Shares will remain with the Trustee. However, the Trustee shall not be obligated to exercise such
voting rights at general meetings nor notify the Grantee of any Shares held in the Trust, of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders.
Without derogating from the above, with respect to 102 Awards, such shares shall be voted in accordance with the provisions of Section
102 and any rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
16
Dividends. Subject to any applicable law,
tax ruling or guidelines of the Israeli Tax Authority, as applicable, for so long as Shares deposited with the Trustee on behalf of a Beneficial Grantee are held in Trust, the cash dividends paid or distributed with respect thereto shall be
distributed directly to such Beneficial Grantee, subject further to any applicable taxation on distribution of dividends, and when applicable subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules and the regulations or orders
promulgated thereunder.
Notice of Exercise. With respect to a 102
Award held in the Trust, a copy of any Notice of Exercise shall be provided to the Trustee, in such form and method as may be determined by the Trustee in accordance with the requirements of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance.
Notice of grant:
The Notice of Grant shall state, inter alia, whether the Awards granted to Israeli Grantees
are 102 Awards (and in particular whether the 102 Awards are granted under the Ordinary Income Route, the Capital Gains Route or as 102(c) Awards) or 3(i) Awards. Each Notice of Grant evidencing a 102 Award or 3(i) Award shall be subject to the
provisions of the Tax Ordinance applicable to such awards.
Furthermore, each Grantee of a 102 Award under a Taxation Route shall be required: (i) to execute a declaration stating that he or she
is familiar with the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance and the applicable Taxation Route; and (ii) to undertake not to sell or transfer the Awards and/or the Exercised Shares prior to the lapse of the applicable Minimum Trust Period,
unless he or she pays all taxes that may arise in connection with such sale and/or transfer.
Sale:
In the event of a Sale described in Section 12.7 of the Plan, with respect to Shares held in Trust the following procedure will be
applied, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator: The Trustee will transfer the Shares held in Trust and sign any document in order to effectuate the transfer of Shares, including share transfer deeds, provided, however, that the Trustee
receives a notice from the Administrator, specifying that: (i) all or substantially all of the issued outstanding share capital of the Company is to be sold, and therefore the Trustee is obligated to transfer the Shares held in Trust under the
provisions of Section 12.7 of the Plan; and (ii) the Company is obligated to withhold at the source all taxes required to be paid upon release of the Shares from the Trust and to provide the Trustee with evidence, satisfactory to the Trustee, that
such taxes indeed have been paid; and (iii) the Company is obligated to transfer the consideration for the Shares (less applicable tax and compulsory payments) directly to the Grantees.
Limitations of Transfer:
In addition to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, as long as Awards and/or Shares are held by the Trustee on behalf of the
Grantee, all rights of the Grantee over the Shares are personal, cannot be transferred, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.
17
Taxation:
Without derogating from the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the provisions of Section 15.1 of the Plan shall apply also to actions
taken by the Trustee. Accordingly, without derogating from the provisions of Section 15.1 of the Plan, the Grantee shall indemnify the Trustee and hold it harmless against and from any and all liability for any such Tax, including without limitation,
monetary liabilities relating to the necessity to withhold, or to have withheld, any such Tax from any payment made to the Grantee.
The Trustee shall not be required to release any Share (or Share certificate) to a Grantee until all required Tax payments have been
fully made or secured.
With regards to 102 Awards, any provision of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules and the regulations or orders promulgated
thereunder, which is necessary in order to receive and/or to preserve any Tax treatment pursuant to Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, which is not expressly specified in the Plan or in this Addendum, shall be considered binding upon the Company and
the Israeli Grantee.
Guarantee. In the event a 102(c) Award is
granted to a Grantee, and in the event of Cessation of Service, such Grantee shall provide the Company, to its full satisfaction, with a guarantee or collateral securing the future payment of all Taxes required to be paid upon the sale of the
Exercised Shares received upon exercise of such 102(c) Award, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules and the regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
18
APPENDIX “A”
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
ADDENDUM TO THE 2013 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
FOR GRANTEES WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OR RESIDENT ALIENS
FOR GRANTEES WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OR RESIDENT ALIENS
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, for an Award granted to a Grantee who is subject to federal
income tax under the laws of the United States, the following requirements shall apply:
Awards granted to US residents will be made as nonqualified options (“NQO”) and/or as Restricted Stock Units (“RSU’s”).
The Exercise Price per share under each NQO shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the Date of Grant of such
NQO
For all purposes of this Appendix A, the term “fair market value”, as used by reference to the Shares on the Date of Grant, shall mean
the closing price of the Company’s Shares, as quoted on the NASDAQ market or the principal national securities exchange upon which the Company’s Shares are listed or traded for the last market trading day prior to the Date of Grant, or if a closing
sales price is not quoted on such date– the closing Share price as quoted on the NASDAQ market or such other exchange on the first date following such date for which a closing sales price is quoted. If the Company’s Shares are not listed on NASDAQ
or such other exchange, “fair market value” of the Shares on the Date of Grant shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.
Such NQO grant shall be made, construed and administered in all respects to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding Section 12.2 of the Plan to the contrary, or otherwise, the Exercise Price per share under any NQO shall not be reduced after such NQO is granted,
and no NQO shall be amended, if such reduction or amendment would cause noncompliance with the requirements of Section 409A. For purposes of granting NQOs, an entity may not be considered an Affiliate if it results in noncompliance with Section
409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that a Grantee would be subject to the additional 20% tax imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Section 409A as a result of any provision of any Award granted
under this Plan, such provision shall be deemed amended, without consent of the Grantee, to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional tax. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Administrator.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or of any other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered
into by a Grantee with the Company or any Affiliate, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Section 280G or Section 4999 of the Code (an “Other Agreement”), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or other
arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to the Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form
of a benefit to or for the Grantee (a “Benefit Arrangement”), if the Grantee is a “disqualified individual,” as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code, any Option or RSU held by that Grantee and any right to receive any payment or other benefit under
this Plan shall not become exercisable or vested (i) to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under this Plan, all Other Agreements, and
all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any payment or benefit to the Grantee under this Plan to be considered a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code as then in effect (a “Parachute Payment”) and (ii) if, as a
result of receiving a Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under this Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be
received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment. In the event that the receipt of any such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit under this Plan, in conjunction with all other rights,
payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under any Other Agreement or any Benefit Arrangement would cause the Grantee to be considered to have received a Parachute Payment under this Plan that would have the effect of decreasing the after-tax
amount received by the Grantee as described in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then the Grantee shall have the right, in the Grantee’s sole discretion, to designate those rights, payments, or benefits under this Plan, any Other Agreements, and
any Benefit Arrangements that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having the payment or benefit to the Grantee under this Plan be deemed to be a Parachute Payment.
19
Exhibit 4.4
Pursuant to Instruction 4(a) to Form 20-F, certain identified information (marked by
[***]) has been excluded from the
exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential.
exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential.
CONTRACT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF AN INTERNAL CONSORTIUM
(“Consorzio ad attività interna”)
This Contract for the establishment of an internal consortium (“Consorzio ad attività
interna”) (hereinafter “Contract”) is made this 23rd day of June, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and between
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Italy, having its registered office at Via Camillo Olivetti n. 2, 20864, Agrate Brianza (MB), Italy, subject to
the direction and coordination of the sole shareholder STMicroelectronics NV with registered office in Amsterdam (Netherlands), (hereinafter “ST”),
and
Tower Semiconductor Ltd., a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Israel, having its registered office at Ramat Gavriel Industrial Park, P.O. Box 619 Migdal Haemek, Israel
(hereinafter “Tower”).
ST and Tower are hereinafter referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as
the “Parties”.
WHEREAS:
a. the
Parties, directly or through their affiliates, have entered into a certain Non-Disclosure Agreement dated [xxx] (hereinafter “NDA”) in order to exchange confidential information for the purpose of
evaluating potential strategic opportunities;
b. in
pursuing the above strategic opportunities, the Parties have started to discuss to collaborate in operating “R3” plant located within ST’s manufacturing site in Agrate Brianza, Italy (the “Project”) and to
set up, for this purpose, a cost-pooling vehicle under the Italian legal form of an internal consortium (“Consorzio ad attività interna”) (hereinafter “Consortium”);
c. further
to the discussions above, the Parties entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding on [***] to confirm certain of their non-binding understandings and general intentions, and to pursue their discussions and negotiations, in connection
with the Project (hereinafter “MoU”);
d. in
pursuance of the MoU, the Parties now wish to enter into a legally binding agreement for the establishment of the Consortium in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
IT IS HEREBY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings attributed next to them in this Contract.
1.2 Interpretation. The following provisions shall apply in connection with the interpretation of this Contract:
| 1.2.1 |
Unless stated otherwise, any reference herein to Articles, Sections or Annexes refers to Articles or Sections of or Annexes to this Contract.
|
| 1.2.2 |
The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Contract, shall refer to this Contract as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Contract.
|
| 1.2.3 |
All Annexes form an integral part of this Contract and are equally binding herewith. Any reference to this Contract shall include such Annexes.
|
| 1.2.4 |
Unless the context shall otherwise require, any reference to any contract, instrument, statute, rule or regulation is a reference to it as amended and supplemented from time to time (and, in the case of a statute, rule or regulation, to
any successor provision). Any references to a statutory provision shall include any rules or regulations under such statutory provision.
|
| 1.2.5 |
The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”.
|
| 1.2.6 |
The descriptive headings contained in this Contract are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Contract.
|
| 1.2.7 |
Any reference in this Contract to a “day” or a number of “days” (without the explicit qualification of “business”) shall be interpreted as a reference to a calendar day or number of calendar days. If any date provided for in this
Contract falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in Italy or in Israel, such date shall be deemed extended to the next business day. For the purpose of this Contract “business day” means a day that is not a Friday, Saturday, a
Sunday or a legal holiday in Italy or in Israel.
|
| 1.2.8 |
Words, expressions, and phrases of a technical nature that are not otherwise defined herein, shall be interpreted under the recognized and well known technical and trade meaning used in the semiconductor industry.
|
ARTICLE 2 – OBJECT OF THE CONTRACT
2.1 Italian company. Tower shall set up and establish a company totally owned by Tower, registered in and existing under the laws of Italy, (hereinafter “NewItCo”) by December 31, 2021 (hereinafter the “Deadline”).
2.2 Consortium. The Parties agree that ST and NewItCo shall constitute a Consortium in accordance with articles 2602 et seq. of the Italian Civil Code and shall sign the
consortium agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex 1 (hereinafter “Consortium Agreement”), which the Parties negotiated and agreed as final. Tower shall immediately notify in writing ST as
soon as NewItCo is validly established. The Consortium Agreement will be signed by ST and NewItCo within 21 days from such notification.
2.3 Liability. Tower shall cause NewItCo to sign the Consortium Agreement in accordance with Article 2.2. Tower’s failure to establish the NewItCo in accordance with Section
2.1 by the Deadline or NewItCo’s failure to sign the Consortium Agreement in accordance with Section 2.2 will constitute a Tower’s breach of this Contract. ST's failure to sign the Consortium Agreement in accordance with Section 2.2 will
constitute ST's breach of this Contract.
ARTICLE 3 – CONFIDENTIALITY
The Parties agree that they shall not disclose and shall keep confidential any information furnished to them by the other
Party in connection with the Project, all as further set forth in the NDA, which is in any case deemed to be and remain effective during the term of this Contract as well as thereafter to the extent so provided in the NDA. The Parties also agree
that they shall not disclose the existence, conduct or status of negotiations and actions contemplated in this Contract to any third party without the prior written consent of the other Party.
2
ARTICLE 4 – TERM AND TERMINATION.
4.1 Term. This Contract shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall automatically terminate on the earlier of January 21, 2022
or the date of execution of the Consortium Agreement, unless extended by written agreement or terminated by either Party pursuant to Section 4.2.
4.2 Termination.
4.2.1 Termination by ST. ST may terminate this Contract with immediate effect upon written notice of termination to Tower if:
| (i) |
Tower becomes Insolvent;
|
| (ii) |
Tower is in breach of this Contract pursuant to Section 2.3.
|
4.2.2 Termination by Tower. Tower may terminate this Contract with immediate effect upon written notice of termination to ST if:
| (i) |
ST or STMicroelectronics NV becomes Insolvent;
|
| (ii) |
ST is in breach of this Contract pursuant to Section 2.3.
|
4.2.3 Withdrawal. Pursuant to section 4.2.5 either Party may withdraw from this Contract if the other Party (or, in ST's case also its holding company
STMicroelectronics N.V. (“ST NV”)) is subject to a Change of Control.
4.2.4 For the purposes of this Section 4.2:
“Insolvent” means, in respect of a Party, where that Party: (i) passes a resolution
for its winding up; (ii) is subject to an order or notice issued by a court or other authority of competent jurisdiction for its winding up or striking off; (iii) enters administration for its winding up at any court; (iv) is subject to, a company
voluntary arrangement or a composition with its creditors generally; (v) has a receiver or a provisional liquidator appointed or a person becomes entitled to appoint a receiver or provisional liquidator over any of its assets, undertaking or
income; (vi) suspends or ceases to carry on all or a substantial part of its business; (vii) admits inability to pay its debts or is deemed unable to pay its debts; (viii) any act is done or event occurs which (under applicable laws) has a similar
effect to these foregoing acts or events; or (ix) is the subject of anything analogous to the foregoing under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
“Change of Control” or “COC” means any act,
transfer or transaction resulting in a Competitor of the other Party that (i) acquires more than 50% of Tower or ST or ST NV shares, or (ii) acquires the ability to appoint the majority of the Board of Directors or similar corporate body of Tower
or ST or ST NV, or (iii) acquires substantially all of the assets of Tower or ST or ST NV.
“Competitor” means any Person [***]
4.2.5. In the event that a Change of Control occurs, the relevant Party shall notify in writing the other Party providing details about the Competitor that acquires control
of such relevant Party. Such notification will be made within 21 days as from the effectiveness of the Change of Control. The other Party shall be entitled to exercise its withdrawal rights pursuant to section 4.2.3, within 21 days as from
receipt of such notification. Such termination rights shall cease to be effective with respect to the notified Change of Control in case they are not exercised within said 21 days term. If such withdrawal rights are not exercised by the other
Party, the Contract shall continue under the same terms hereunder. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, in the event of exercise of the withdrawal rights pursuant to this section 4.2.5, neither Party shall be liable to the other for any reason
or title, except for any obligation due until the effective date of the withdrawal.
3
ARTICLE 5 – EXPENSES.
Each Party shall be responsible for and shall bear its own costs and expenses, in connection with the preparation of this
Contract and the Consortium Agreement or any further agreement related to the Project, including attorney or consultant fees.
ARTICLE 6 – GOVERNING LAW AND
DISPUTES.
6.1 Governing Law. This Contract shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of Italy, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.
6.2 Disputes. Any and all disputes, differences or questions arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be settled by the Courts of Milan, Italy, without prejudice to
the provisions set forth in the NDA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.2 shall prevent the Parties from seeking any injunctive or equitable relief by a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 7 – MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1 MoU. The Parties agree that by executing this Contract the MoU shall automatically terminate in accordance with Section 5 of the MoU.
7.2 No Partnership. Nothing in this Contract shall create a joint venture, partnership or principal-agent relationship between the Parties and neither Party shall have the
right to bind the other or make commitments on the other’s behalf.
7.3 Assignment. Neither Party shall assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto. This Contract
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any attempted assignment other than in strict compliance with this Section 7.3 shall be null and void.
7.4 Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed delivered upon hand delivery, or upon receipt if sent by world renown
overnight courier or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, by email to the person representing the Party as indicated below, sent to a Party at its address set forth below or such other address as a
Party may notify the other from time to time.
4
To ST:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Via C. Olivetti 2
20864 Agrate Brianza
Italy
Attention: Legal Department
Email: [***]
To Tower:
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
P.O. Box 619
Migdal Haemel 23105
Attn: Legal Dept
Email: [***]
7.5 Waiver. A waiver of any right hereunder shall in no way waive any other rights. No waiver, alteration, modification or amendment of this Contract shall be effective unless
in writing and signed by both Parties.
7.6 Invalidity. In the event that any provision of this Contract is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed amended to achieve the
economic effect of the intent of the Parties in a valid, lawful and enforceable manner, or if not possible, be deleted and ineffective to the extent thereof, without affecting any other provision of the Contract.
7.7 Execution. This Contract may be executed in counterparts (and may be exchanged by e-mail when signed), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of such
counterparts shall together constitute one instrument.
The preceding statements accurately represent the intentions of the Parties with respect to the matter contained herein as
confirmed by their signatures below.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, duly authorized representatives of each Party have executed this Contract.
|
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
_______________________________
Name:
Title:
|
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
_______________________________
Name: Title:
|
5
R3 CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT
THIS R3 Consortium Agreement (the “Agreement”), is entered into by and between STMicroelectronics S.r.l., an Italian company, having registered offices in Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy, registered with the Company Register of Monza and Brianza under no. 09291380153, share
capital of Euro 580,000,000.00, VAT no. 00951900968, subject to the direction and coordination of the sole shareholder STMicroelectronics NV with registered office in Amsterdam (Netherlands) (“ST”) and Tower Semiconductor Italy S.r.l., an Italian company, having registered offices in Via della Posta 7, Milan, Italy, registered with the Company Register of Milan under no. no. 2632321, share capital of Euro
10,000.00, VAT no. 11948810962, subject to the direction and coordination of the sole shareholder Tower Semiconductor, Ltd. with registered office in Israel (“TSIT”). ST and TSIT are referred to herein
individually as a “Participant” and collectively as the “Participants”.
WHEREAS, the Participants develop and/or fabricate semiconductors;
WHEREAS, the Participants intend to collaborate through the creation of a cost-pooling vehicle (the Consortium, as defined in Section 4.1) to operate the facility named “R3”
located in Via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy (the “Facility”), through which the Participants will perform and obtain manufacturing processing activities and other operational tasks and share the
Facility end state capacity 67 ST:33 TSIT between the Participants as set forth herein;
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, the Facility will be operated by ST personnel and personnel who will be seconded from TSIT to ST, and ST will be responsible for the
organization and coordination of all personnel engaged in activities at the Facility;
WHEREAS, in relation to the secondment of TSIT’s personnel, the Participants acknowledge they will execute an Intercompany Secondment Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Consortium will have a dedicated and transparent accounting and reporting process to provide complete, accurate and transparent
financial information to the Participants, based on a common agreed information and reporting system, as detailed herein;
WHEREAS, the Participants believe that under Italian law the most efficient instrument to implement this cost-pooling unit is an internal
consortium (“consorzio con attività interna”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants and agreements, representations and warranties set forth
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and accepted by each Participant, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Participants agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1 -DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
| 1.1.1 |
Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified in Exhibit A.
|
| 1.1.2 |
Interpretation. The following provisions shall apply in connection with the interpretation of this Agreement:
|
| a) |
Unless stated otherwise, any reference herein to Articles, Sections or Exhibits refers to Articles or Sections of or Exhibits to this Agreement.
|
| b) |
The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
|
6
| c) |
All Exhibits form an integral part of this Agreement and are equally binding herewith. Any reference to this Agreement shall include such Exhibits.
|
| d) |
Unless the context shall otherwise require, any reference to any contract, instrument, statute, rule or regulation is a reference to it as amended and supplemented from time to time (and, in the case of a statute, rule or regulation, to
any successor provision). Any references to a statutory provision shall include any rules or regulations under such statutory provision.
|
| e) |
The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”.
|
| f) |
Any reference in this Agreement to a “day” or a number of “days” (without the explicit qualification of “business”) shall be interpreted as a reference to a calendar day or number of calendar days. If any date provided for in this
Agreement falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in Italy or in Israel, such date shall be deemed extended to the next business day. For the purpose of this Agreement “business day” means a day that is not a Friday, Saturday,
a Sunday or a legal holiday in Italy or in Israel.
|
| g) |
The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
|
| h) |
Words, expressions, and phrases of a technical nature that are not otherwise defined herein, shall be interpreted under the recognized and well known technical and trade meaning used in the semiconductor industry.
|
ARTICLE 2 – REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH PARTICIPANT
2.1 Each Participant represents and warrants to the other that all of the statements with respect to such Participant contained in this Article 2 are true, accurate and complete as of the
date of this Agreement.
2.2 Organization and Authority. Each Participant is a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Italy and has all necessary corporate power and authority (i) to execute this
Agreement, (ii) to carry out the obligations hereunder, and (iii) to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution by each Participant of this Agreement, the performance by each Participant of its obligations hereunder and the
consummation by each Participant of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action of each Participant. Each Participant has duly executed this Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of each Participant, and is enforceable against each Participant in accordance with its terms.
2.3 No Conflict. The execution and performance of this Agreement by any Participant does not and will not (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the
articles of association, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Participant, or (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order.
2.4 Compliance with Law. Each of the Participants is in compliance with any and all tax and accounting, labour and social contributions, environmental, health and safety laws, corporate law
applicable to this Agreement, the Facility and/or equipment dedicated to the Consortium and/or the employees that work in the Consortium.
ARTICLE 3 – EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement is effective as of September 14, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).
ARTICLE 4 – THE ORGANIZATION
4.1 Constitution. In accordance with articles 2602 et seq. of the Italian Civil Code (the “Code”), the Participants hereby constitute a common organization named “Consorzio R3” (“consorzio con attività interna”) (the “Consortium”) and agree to operate the Consortium in compliance with the provisions, principles and guidelines set forth herein.
7
4.2 No External Activities. The Consortium shall not perform external activities with third Persons and, therefore, articles 2612 to 2615-bis of the Code are not applicable to the Consortium or
this Agreement.
4.3 Membership. The Participants are the only two members of the Consortium. Consortium membership is not open to third Persons. No Participant may be excluded from the Consortium
without its written consent.
4.4 Duration. The Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and until the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless the Consortium is
terminated before then pursuant to Section 11 below. Each year thereafter, the Agreement shall be automatically renewed for a one-year period unless notice of non-renewal is provided in writing by either Party to the other Party 24 months prior
to any such termination date.
4.5 Main Office. The Facility shall be the main office of the Consortium.
ARTICLE 5 – CONSORTIUM SCOPE AND ACTIVITIES
5.1 Scope.
5.1.1 The Consortium’s purpose is to coordinate the activities of the Participants with the aim of defining, as set forth in this Article 5, the Participants’ collaboration in operating the
Facility through the utilization of a cost-pooling vehicle that shall define, in the interest of both Participants, the Consortium’s activities and other operational tasks to support such collaboration in accordance with this Agreement and to
improve the Participants’ production, efficiency, cycle time, yield and results. The operational and financial matters concerning the Consortium and the management and operation of the Facility shall be governed by the Operational and Accounting
Procedures Manual (as set forth in Exhibit B). The engagement of the employees shall be governed by the intercompany secondment agreement to be signed by the Participants.
5.1.2 The Participants agree to share the available clean room area of the Facility throughout the Consortium between the Participants so that ST will use 67% and TSIT 33% of the installed
capacity [xxx] (such allocation of capacity hereunder referred also as “67:33”), except for the interim capacity for each Participant’s technology during the ramp-up phase per Section 5.4.1. For purposes
of cost calculation in this Agreement, [***] defined herein shall be used.
Capacity is determined following the SEMI E10 standard definitions.
In addition, the Participants can define [***] for their respective process flows which will combine a set of operations
required to complete one wafer on a specific set of tools using specified recipes and which shall be identical for both Participants [***].
5.1.3 The technology scope of the Consortium activities is planned to be but not limited to:
| • |
[***]
|
5.1.4 No wafer finishing [***] of TSIT products is planned to take place inside the Consortium but can be subject of a separate service agreement between the Participants. Parametric test is
part of the Consortium operations.
5.1.5 Joint R&D programs are not part of the scope of this Agreement. Should the Participants be interested in performing such joint R&D programs, they shall enter into a separate
joint development agreement.
8
5.1.6 Within the Consortium, ST and TSIT shall be entitled to perform their own R&D projects through their own personnel listed in respectively Exhibit C1bis and Exhibit C3bis, as may be
updated from time to time, provided that [***] shall be applied to the relevant personnel costs. [***]
5.1.7 After the ramp-up phase, (i) wafers required for R&D Projects carried out by either of the Participants will be accounted for [***] to reflect the impact on capacity and efforts; and
(ii) the Participants agree to not use for R&D Projects more than [***] of total [***], unless otherwise agreed by the Participants with respect to specific R&D Projects. R&D Projects shall be defined as projects for development of
new process technology that was not running in production at the Facility.
5.2 Time frames The Participants shall make their best efforts to achieve the time frames set forth in the Exhibit D provided that, unless otherwise
expressly agreed in the Agreement, such time frames are tentative, where tentative means that they are based on current assumptions as of the Effective Date and accordingly subject to adjustment in case of changes to current assumptions. Such
changes shall be communicated by either Party to the other Party promptly upon occurrence and shall be discussed and approved by both Parties.
5.3 Pilot Line Phase – Process Installation & Qualification
5.3.1 The Facility constructed by ST will provide a clean room area of approx. [**] at Full Build Out stage (FBO) including the facilitation of approx. 8,000 m2 (= Half Build Out or
HBO) of the total possible clean room space.
5.3.2 ST will install a pilot line at its own cost, including [***], as listed in Exhibit C2bis. The pilot line will have a capacity of approx. [***] wafers out per week (“wpw”) and a
technical capability to accommodate technologies [***] (CD).
5.3.3 TSIT will complement the pilot line with its Tools required to run its technologies [***]. The TSIT Tools are listed in Exhibit C4bis. The Tools will be delivered to the Facility and
stored at the Facility until installation.
5.3.4 The pilot line will be used by both Participants to qualify their respective technologies. TSIT and
ST integration personnel will conduct and be responsible of the implementation of their process(es) in the pilot line using the fab engineering teams.
5.3.5 The TSIT process technologies will be installed in the pilot line by a dedicated TSIT integration and device team. The process and other engineering support shall be provided by [***].
5.4 Phase I – until Fully equipped HBO – Ramp-up phase
5.4.1 In parallel to the technology qualification, TSIT’s goal is to install Tools for [***] outs per week for its technologies - subject to its business projection supporting the need for
that capacity. The Participants agree that TSIT shall start installation of tools required for such capacity after completion of the installation of the pilot line by ST. In parallel, ST’s goal is to [***] for its technologies subject to its
business projection supporting the need for that capacity. The abovementioned ML may increase per the installed capacity in accordance with the 67:33 ratio. In Phase I, the final maximum capacity installation shall be determined based on the
exact number of tools, the respective tool configurations and hook up requirements, but will in any case not exceed the clean room space available in HBO [***] and preserve the capacity ratio as described above.
5.4.2 With reference to the above installed capacity, the Participants agree to install Tools in accordance with the ramp up schedule set forth in Exhibit D. In case of changes in respective
capacities in any case shall not derogate from the goals set forth in Section 5.4.1 and the end goal of 67:33 capacity ownership ratio, as stated in above Section 5.1.2.
5.4.3 Ramp-up phase will start upon completion of TSIT’s technology qualification (tentatively targeted for [***] as per Exhibit D), and will continue until achievement of fully equipped HBO,
and, for the purpose of this Agreement, will be deemed completed [***] from the start of ramp-up phase or [***] whichever date occurs earlier (“Ramp-up Deadline”) regardless of whether fully equipped HBO
has been actually achieved or not within the Ramp-Up Deadline.
9
5.5 Phase II: Capacity expansion from fully equipped HBO (half build out) to FBO (full build out)
5.5.1 TSIT can submit a proposal for a capacity expansion beyond the HBO clean room to the Consortium Board not later [***]. Board evaluation shall be completed within a maximum of [***]
business days from receipt of the proposal.
| (i) |
In case the outcome of Board evaluation is that both Participants decide to increase the capacity beyond HBO clean room area in parallel, the CAPEX required for the facilities expansion, as reviewed and approved by the Board, will be
covered [***] with an agreed upon 33% of the required CAPEX to be paid [***].
|
| (ii) |
[***]
|
5.5.2 ST at any time, and after informing the Board, has the right to expand its capacity beyond HBO at its own discretion in line with the agreed upon overall Facility capacity split of 67:33
between the Participants. In this case, no payment and no cost sharing or cost reconciliation will be made by or for TSIT.
5.5.3 Both Participants have the right to expand their installed capacity beyond the HBO state independent of each other following the facility expansion mentioned under
this Section 5.5, but each of them can only go up to a clean room occupation that is substantially in line with the agreed-upon 67:33 share of the resulting overall capacity in its FBO stage unless agreed differently by the Participants.
5.5.4 The Participants agree that the expansion under this Section 5.5 can be started also before reaching the fully equipped HBO.
5.6 Cost Allocation & Sharing - General Alignment
5.6.1. [***]
5.6.2 [***]
5.6.3 [***]
5.6.4 [***]
5.6.5. [***]
5.7 Cost Models in the various phases of the Consortium
5.7.1 Pilot Line & Process Installation and Qualification Phase
5.7.1.1 [***]
5.7.1.2 [***].
5.7.1.3 TSIT Tools will get installed by ST targeted to be completed by [***] following the defined and agreed specifications to be provided by TSIT to ST.
10
5.7.1.4 The process installation of the TSIT technologies will be led by a TSIT process integration team at the Facility and supported by a ST process engineer team.
5.7.2 Phase I - Ramp-up Phase
Cost for ramp-up phase shall be paid as provided for in Section 7.2.4.
As from achievement of the pilot line capacity set forth in Section 5.3.2 until the end of [***], upon request from TSIT, ST
will provide TSIT with a maximum amount of [***] start per week [***].
5.7.3 Cost from fully equipped HBO and onwards (Phase II and onwards until FBO)
From fully equipped HBO or from Ramp-Up Deadline, whichever event occurs earlier, and onwards, TSIT will be charged for fixed
and Variable Costs as per Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual as set forth in Exhibit B.
5.8. Reticles, substrates and logistic costs
5.8.1 Reticles/masks and substrates required by the Participant(s) within Consortium activities in each of the phases of the Consortium shall be procured and paid by [***].
Such reticles and substrates will be delivered and stored properly by the Participants at [***].
5.8.2 In each of the phases of the Consortium, logistics costs to ship wafers back and forth between [***] shall be paid by [***].
5.9 Equipment and Building/Facility
5.9.1 The Participants agree:
| • |
to aim at the highest level of equipment commonality to ensure future flexibility and benefit from possible CAPEX reduction;
|
| • |
to use the toolset used by [***] as a guiding tool selection principle to which the Facility tool set has to converge as much as technically and economically feasible;
|
| • |
to invest in the equipment required to install their respective agreed capacity, including required Tools;
|
| • |
to align the process control plan requirements as much as possible to the [***] in order to ensure similar [***] Equipment requirements – both in terms of capabilities and capacity.
|
5.9.2 Process Tools:
| • |
Dedicated process Tools that are utilized by only one of the Participants will be purchased and installed at the cost of [***].
|
| • |
The total CAPEX for the Common Tools required to achieve the agreed upon capacity for TSIT and ST will be determined by the required tool capacity of both Participants using the agreed upon [***]
|
| • |
The total CAPEX for the Common Tools will be [***].
|
| • |
The Common Tools will be assigned to the two Participants using the [***].
|
| • |
This process will be repeated until all Common Tools have been allocated and both Participants contribute their overall CAPEX quota based on their overall capacity utilization.
|
| • |
Any facility installation required exclusively for the installation and/or the operation of TSIT dedicated Tools [***] will be charged to [***]. In case TSIT decides to remove Tools dedicated to them that require a special and exclusive
installation, such installations have to be [***].
|
11
5.9.3 Non-process Tools:
5.9.3.1 Bright Field, Dark Field & Defect Review Tools:
[***]
5.9.3.2 Other [***] Tools & Parametric Tester:
Other [***] tools & parametric tester will be purchased by [***] and the resulting running costs, [***] will be shared
[***].
5.9.3.3 Handling tools and other auxiliary equipment (FOUP CLEANER, ...)
[***] tools and other auxiliary equipment will be purchased by [***] according to
Allocation 2 as defined in Exhibit B.
5.9.3.4 Reticle Stocker
After the pilot line phase, [***] shall purchase its [***] based on its respective needs. The Participants shall agree on a
common model and supplier for these reticle stockers to optimize cost and spare parts.
5.9.4 [***]
5.9.5 [***]
5.9.6 [***]
5.9.7 [***]
5.9.8 [***].
5.10 Other Services
From the ramp-up phase, in case TSIT is in the need of site services that are outside of Facility that support production or
technology implementations, such as [***] with respect to finished goods, such services will get charged to [***] based on [***]
ARTICLE 6 – ORGANIZATION RULES
6.1 The Consortium Board.
| a) |
The Participants shall establish a Board, comprised of six members (collectively, the “Members”), who are appointed in writing by the Participants as set forth below. The Members shall be
identified and selected so that they will perform their assignments within the scope of their employment. ST shall have the right to appoint [***] Members in total, one of whom shall be a Co-Chairman as designated by ST, and TSIT shall have
the right to appoint [***] Members in total, one of whom shall be a Co-Chairman as designated by TSIT. At all times hereunder, each Participant shall have the right to substitute any Member whom such Participant has appointed or to appoint
a new Member in case of resignation or inability of such Member to discharge his or her duties. Moreover, each Member shall have the right to appoint by signed proxy another Member to vote at any Board meeting in the place and stead of such
absent Member.
|
| b) |
The Members shall not be entitled to any remuneration or reimbursement for their position on the Board.
|
| c) |
The Board shall:
|
| i. |
[***]
|
| ii. |
[***]
|
| iii. |
[***]
|
| iv. |
[***]
|
12
| v. |
[***]
|
| vi. |
[***]
|
| vii. |
[***]
|
| d) |
The Board Co-Chairmen shall jointly (1) coordinate the activities of the Board; (2) liaise with the Financial Team and the Managers; and (3) keep the Participants informed of the Board’s activities. The Board shall meet at least once
every calendar quarter. Each Member may propose agenda topics for the Board meetings.
|
| e) |
Board meetings shall be called by either Co-Chairman, by way of registered letter or e-mail message to be sent at least [***] in advance (or, in case of urgency, at least one day in advance) of the proposed meeting to each Member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may convene, even in the absence of a formal call, provided that all Members attend. In case of any urgent matter, both Participants have the option to call for an exceptional board meeting following
an agreed upon invitation procedure.
|
| f) |
The Board meetings may also be held, and Members shall be entitled to participate in such meetings, by teleconference or videoconference, provided that in each such meeting all participating Members can be identified and can follow and
take part in the Board’s discussion in real time. Unless otherwise specified, the Board shall meet at [***]
|
| g) |
The Board is considered validly convened and able to resolve upon the agenda with the presence of the majority of the Members in office, and the resolutions of the Board shall be validly adopted with the favorable vote of at least [***]
Members.
|
| h) |
Members may also adopt their decisions through written consultation. Any Member may propose a resolution by sending it to all Members by mail, delivery service or in a PDF document by e-mail. The subject matter of the proposed
resolution, any relevant information and the precise wording of the proposed resolution shall be clearly stated in the written consultation. Members shall reply to written consultation within [***]; provided, however, if the proposal
indicates a different reply period, such period shall govern so long as it is not shorter than [***] nor longer than [***]. The reply shall be in a signed writing, sent to each Co-Chairman, by mail, delivery service or in a PDF document by
e-mail. The reply must either accept or reject the proposed resolution. If a reply is not received within the required period, the reply shall be considered as a rejection. For a resolution by written consent to be adopted by the Board,
signed replies from at least [***] Members accepting the resolution must be received by each Co-Chairman within the required period. The Co-Chairmen shall collect all replies and, without delay, communicate the results to the Members and
Participants and promptly register any validly adopted resolution in the Board’s resolution book.
|
| i) |
The Co-Chairmen, without delay, shall communicate any resolution of the Board to the Participants and shall register such resolution in the book of the resolutions of the Board, which shall be prepared and kept by the Board and which
shall always be open to inspection by any Participant.
|
6.2 Deadlock. A “Deadlock” shall occur with respect to any matter submitted to the vote of the Members at a Board meeting or in the form of
a proposed written consent twice, if the favourable vote of [***] Members, as provided by Section 6.1. items g) or h), is not achieved both times or if a Board meeting cannot be held due to the lack of quorum twice (a “Tie Vote”), and during the [***] day period following this Tie Vote, the Board is unable or fails to break the Tie Vote (if the matter is presented in the form of a proposed written consent, the [***] day period shall commence on
the date that the Member who was last to receive the proposal received it). During this [***] period, the Board shall seek in good faith to hold at least three (3) additional meetings at which it shall make a good faith effort to break the
Deadlock.
13
6.3 Deadlock Resolution. If a Deadlock occurs, the Participants shall:
| a) |
first, submit the matter that was the subject of the Deadlock to the CEOs of ST and TSIT by providing notice of the Deadlock to such persons, and the Participants shall use reasonable efforts to cause such persons to make a good faith
effort to hold at least [***] in-person meetings between them to resolve the Deadlock within sixty [***] of their receipt of the notice of Deadlock;
|
| b) |
next, if the CEOs of each of TSIT and ST are unable to resolve the Deadlock in the given sixty [***], then submit the matter to the CEOs of each of ST’s ultimate parent company, STMicroelectronics N.V. (“ST
Parent”) and of TSIT ultimate company, Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (“TSIT Parent”) for resolution, and the Participants shall use reasonable efforts to cause such persons to make a good faith
effort to hold at least [***] in-person meeting between them to resolve the Deadlock within [***] days following the submission of the Deadlock to them;
|
| c) |
next, if the CEOs of each of TSIT Parent and ST Parent are unable to resolve the Deadlock in the given thirty [***], either Participant may commence mediation by providing to the other Participant a written request for mediation, setting
forth the subject of the Deadlock and the relief requested. The Participants will cooperate with one another in selecting a neutral mediator, and in scheduling the mediation proceedings to be held in Milan, Italy during the [***] days
following the commencement of mediation. If the Participants are unable to agree on a neutral mediator within [***] days, then each Participant will select a neutral mediator, which neutral mediators will in turn select a third neutral
mediator, and the three-mediator panel will conduct the mediation. The Participants covenant that they will participate in the mediation in good faith, and that they will share equally in its costs. All offers, promises, conduct and
statements, whether oral or written, made in the course of the mediation by any of the Participants, by any of their respective agents, employees, experts and attorneys and by the mediator are confidential, privileged and inadmissible for
any purpose, including impeachment, in any litigation or other proceeding involving the Participants; provided that evidence that is otherwise admissible or discoverable shall not be rendered inadmissible or non-discoverable as a result of
its use in the mediation. Either Participant may seek equitable relief prior to the mediation to preserve the status quo pending the completion of that process. Any agreement reached through mediation process under this Section 6.3 (c) that
is violated by one Participant, may be enforced by the other Participant before any court of competent jurisdiction, and the prevailing Participant shall be entitled to an award of all costs, fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees,
incurred for such enforcement to be paid by the losing Participant. If, after mediation, no agreement is reached by the Participants, then Section 13.3 shall apply.
|
6.4 No Agency. Neither the Board nor any Co-Chairman nor any Member nor the Manager nor any member of the Financial Team is vested with the power to represent, to undertake any
liability or obligation on behalf of, or to legally bind, any of the Participants, vis-à-vis any third Persons without such Participant’s prior written consent.
6.5 Financial Team. In addition to the controllers of the Facility, the Participants will appoint a financial and accounting team (the “Financial Team”)
to produce and provide, in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual, financial information and records to the Participants and the Board, in accordance with applicable accounting standards,
internal procedures and legal regulations, the needs of operational organization and in a manner that avoids duplication of administrative personnel.
| a) |
The Financial Team shall be comprised of [***] members who are appointed in writing. ST shall have the right to appoint [***] member and TSIT shall have the right to appoint [***] member.
|
| b) |
At all times and from time to time hereunder, each Participant shall have the right to remove and/or replace the member it appointed.
|
14
| c) |
The members of the Financial Team shall not be entitled to any remuneration or reimbursement for their position as a Financial Team member and shall be identified and selected so that they will perform the above assignments within the
scope of their employment duties.
|
| d) |
The Financial Team’s objectives and responsibilities are:
|
| i. |
To ensure accurate financial reporting, information disclosure, data integrity and compliance with applicable accounting standards and procedures and ensure that the Consortium’s accounting procedures and internal controls comply with
the highest standard of the Participants’ financial reporting.
|
| ii. |
To provide, upon any reasonable request that does not interfere with the normal financial support of the Facility operations, timely, clear, reliable, and relevant information and detailed analyses to the Board and the Reference
Management of each Participant.
|
| iii. |
Upon invitation and as required, to attend meetings with the Reference Management of each Participant to explain (i) the activities of the Consortium and, (ii) with the simultaneous presence of the Board, the results of the Consortium’s
operational plans.
|
| iv. |
To continuously monitor the Consortium’s costs in order to provide the Board with accurate actual and forecasted costs and to support the actions necessary to comply with the Consortium budget approved by the Board.
|
| v. |
To provide regular (at least on a quarterly basis) financial reporting, including accurate and justified financial information to the Board and the Reference Management of each Participant.
|
| vi. |
To monitor the Consortium’s commitments, budgets, rolling forecasts and actual results, as agreed between the Participants and in accordance with this Agreement.
|
| vii. |
To support Ad-hoc and ROI various analyses as may be required by the Board.
|
| viii. |
To perform the cost equalization calculation based on Exhibit B.
|
| e) |
The members of the Financial Team shall regularly meet and shall meet at least once a month at the end of each month. The meetings may also be held by teleconference or videoconference.
|
| f) |
The Financial Team will have access to the Facility, to all systems dedicated only to the Consortium, be authorized to audit and receive all relevant operational and financial records and supporting data, files, reports and documents
from the Participants necessary to verify and analyze the cost and operations of the Consortium. For other non-dedicated systems that support the Consortium, the Financial Team shall have authorization to Consortium-related information only
or receive such required information from the relevant Participant. For sake of clarity no access will be granted to each Participant internal reporting systems which are not dedicated only to the Consortium.
|
If there is a disagreement between the members of the Financial Team upon any specific matter, any Member
may, by written notice describing such matter in reasonable detail, escalate such matter to the [***], who shall make commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the matter within [***]. If the matter is not resolved by [***], the [***] shall make commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the matter within [***] business days. If the matter is not resolved by the [***], the [***] shall make commercially reasonable efforts to
resolve the matter within [***] days. If the matter is not resolved by [***], the Board shall appoint an independent auditing firm of international standing in
respect of which there is no conflict of interest with any Participant to review and decide upon the matter. If the Board is unable to reach a decision on the auditing firm, the independent auditing firm will be jointly selected by the
Participants. If the Participants do not agree on the selection of the independent auditing firm, each Participant will select an independent auditing firm and the two independent auditing firms together will select an independent auditing firm for
resolution of the unresolved matter. The independent auditing firm so selected shall:
i. taking
into consideration the arguments submitted by the Participants without the power to make any discretionary decision and specifying its conclusions on the disputed matters, prepare and deliver to each of the Participants a preliminary report of
the matter [***] days of its appointment, and each of the Participants may provide comments on such report to the independent auditing firm within the next [***] business
days.
15
ii. make its final and binding determination with the [***] days and shall provide each Participant with a detailed report of its determination in the matter, which shall have the
effectiveness determined by Article 1349 of the Code.
iii. have access to the relevant documents of the Participants and of the Consortium, and for the purposes of its mandate, may meet with the Participants to discuss the disputed matters.
The costs of the independent auditing firm shall be shared among the Participants in equal proportions,
provided that each Participant shall bear the costs of its own consultants.
The decisions of the independent auditing firm made pursuant to this Section with respect to its
determination on the disputed matters shall supplement the respective contractual intentions of the Participants and shall be deemed final and binding and as such shall not be subject to appeal, save in cases of manifest error, or to the extent
applicable, of manifest unfairness. Under no circumstances, however, shall any appeal by one of the Participants of the independent auditing firm's determination be deemed a valid ground for the suspension or delayed performance of the obligations
deriving from this Agreement.
6.6 Managers. ST will appoint a “Manager” [***], TSIT will appoint a “Deputy Manager” who shall
report to the Manager.
At all times and from time to time hereunder: (i) ST shall have the right to remove and/or replace the Manager; and (ii) TSIT
shall have the right to remove and/or replace the Deputy Manager.
The Manager and the Deputy Manager shall cooperate with the Board, the Co-Chairmen and the Financial Team in the performance of
their responsibilities.
6.7 Audit Rights. In addition to audit under section 6.5 (f), each Participant shall have mutual audit rights to perform audits for the sole purpose to permit customers, suppliers,
insurance carriers and regulatory authorities to perform audits at the Facility within the scope of their engagement in connection with the Facility, in accordance with policies and procedures to be established and agreed upon by the Participants
in good faith, as well as internal and external auditors in accordance with requirements under applicable laws and regulations.
6.8 Other Bodies or Committees. The Participants may jointly agree to create any other body, committee or panel which they believe may be necessary or useful to accomplish the Consortium purposes
and to delegate specific tasks and powers.
ARTICLE 7 – CONSORTIUM QUALIFICATION AND OPERATIONS
7.1 Facility Operations. The Consortium shall operate the Facility.
The Managers shall ensure the Consortium operates in accordance with this Agreement, including the Operational and Accounting
Procedures Manual and the intercompany secondment agreement.
The Board shall promptly submit to the Participants any proposed amendment to the Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual
or to the intercompany secondment agreement that it believes may improve the production, efficiency and/or results of the Consortium.
7.2 Payments.
7.2.1 As consideration for ST’s overall services to TSIT until Ramp-Up Deadline, TSIT will pay ST:
[***]
16
7.2.2 In order to transfer, install, qualify and run the TSIT technologies in the Facility which is currently targeted for the [***] until the start of the ramp-up phase,
TSIT shall pay, as set forth in Section 7.2.3 below, [***]
7.2.3 [***]
In case of disagreement on calculation of actual NRE costs, provisions of Section 6.5 (f) shall apply.
The above reconciliation amount shall be due to be paid by, as the case may be, TSIT or ST, [***] days after the ramp-up start
date or, in case of disagreement, from determination of the actual NRE costs according to Section 6.5 (f).
7.2.4 As from the beginning of the ramp-up phase until reaching Phase I (fully equipped HBO) or until Ramp-Up Deadline, whichever event occurs earlier, TSIT will pay to ST [***]
7.2.5 As of the Ramp-up Deadline, the Participants will calculate [***]
In case of disagreement on calculation of [***], provisions of Section 6.5 (f) shall apply.
The above reconciliation amount shall be due to be paid by, as the case may be, TSIT or ST, within [***] days after the
Ramp-Up Deadline or, in case of disagreement, from determination of the [***] costs according to Section 6.5 (f).
7.2.6 The Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual under Exhibit B sets forth the Participants’ payment obligations for Consortium activities.
The Participants shall duly and promptly settle any outstanding debt position in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit B.
A Participant who fails to timely pay any amount due hereunder to the other Participant shall, in addition to the amount due, pay interest on the unpaid amount at a rate equal to [***].
7.3 Personnel. The Consortium will be operated by the personnel of both Participants, in accordance with this Agreement and the intercompany secondment agreement. Such personnel is
identified in Exhibit C as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time.
7.4 Consortium Not an Employer. Under no circumstances shall the Consortium be deemed to be an employer of any personnel whatsoever. At all times hereunder, each Participant shall remain the only
entity liable under any applicable labour, payroll, social security, health and safety, privacy legislation and any and all other applicable laws pertaining to its personnel – it being understood that ST is responsible for the organization and
coordination of all the personnel engaged in Consortium activities.
7.5 Participants’ Responsibilities. At all times hereunder, each of the Participants shall remain: (i) the only entity liable under any applicable tax, accounting, environmental, health and safety,
corporate law, privacy legislation and any and all other applicable laws concerning its own business, assets and going concerns; and (ii) liable for its own tax and financial reporting requirements, although the Board and the Financial Team shall
provide any reasonable assistance and information requested by a Participant to satisfy such requirements.
7.6 Anti-Bribery; Anti-Corruption. Each Participant represents that (i) neither it nor any of its affiliates, nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent
contractors, subcontractors, representatives or agents (“Representatives”), have contributed any item of value, directly or indirectly, to any third party, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, the French Sapin II law, the Italian Legislative Decree no. 231/2001 or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law (together, “ABC Laws”), and (ii) it
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its affiliates or any of its or their respective Representatives to, promise, authorize or make any payment to, or otherwise contribute any item of value, directly or indirectly, to any third party, in
violation of and ABC Laws. Each Participant further represents that it shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, cease all of its or their respective activities, as well as remediate any actions taken by the Participant, its affiliates,
or any of its or their respective Representatives, in violation of the ABC Laws. Each Participant further represents that it shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, maintain policies and procedures, including systems of internal
controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems), designed to ensure compliance with the ABC Laws.
17
Furthermore, TSIT agrees that, at all times in connection with and throughout the term of this Agreement, it and its
affiliates will comply with, and take reasonable measures to ensure that their Representatives or any other third party involved in the performance of this Agreement, subject to its control or determining influence, will comply with the provisions
of ST’s Code of Conduct, which Code of Conduct is hereby incorporated by reference as if written out in this Agreement in full. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available at https://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/corporate/company/policy_statement/group0/27/23/5e/6d/ad/99/47/f6/BRSTCODE1015_0216.pdf/files/BRSTCODE1015_0216.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.BRSTCODE1015_0216.pdf, or upon written request to ST’s Compliance Office.
If TSIT has evidence, reason to believe, or reasonably suspects that its or its affiliates’ Representatives or any other third
party has breached any of the principles set out in ST’s Code of Conduct, TSIT will notify ST immediately, take all necessary remedial actions, and inform ST about the status of such remedial actions on a regular and timely basis. In such event, ST
reserves its rights, including the right to immediately terminate this Agreement if there is a breach of conduct by TSIT that has material impact on the Facility’s operation.
ARTICLE 8 – PARTICIPANTS’ OBLIGATIONS
Each Participant shall:
| a) |
Comply with the obligations set forth herein, including the Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual and the intercompany secondment agreement.
|
| b) |
Cooperate in good faith with the other Participant and the Board to accomplish the purposes of the Consortium.
|
| c) |
Ensure compliance with all applicable tax, accounting, environmental, health and safety, labour, privacy and any and all other applicable laws concerning its business, assets and going concerns, so as to avoid any improper interference
with, or prejudice to, the other Participant or the Consortium operations.
|
| d) |
Continue to conduct its business in the ordinary course and shall use reasonable care to ensure that any asset or property which, is relevant for the operations of the Consortium is carefully maintained and properly insured. Each of the
Participants will acquire property and business interruption (“BI”) insurance for its assets. [***].
|
| e) |
Ensure the assets it dedicated to the Consortium will continue to be dedicated to the Consortium to the extent required for the manufacture of its products or the other Participant’s products without any significant impairment – it being
understood that each Participant may, with the prior written consent of the other Participant, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, conditioned or delayed, replace any of its dedicated assets with other substantially-equivalent
assets.
|
| f) |
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 13.5, indemnify and hold harmless the other Participant from any damage or loss such Participant may suffer as a consequence of the indemnifying Participant’s breach of this Agreement
provided that such indemnification shall not result in the duplication of indemnification for the same damage or loss.
|
| g) |
Provide the other Participant with all required information, documents, in line data, access to systems subject to execution of a dedicated agreement, records and other information, to the extent related to Consortium operations, as may
be reasonably requested from time to time by the other Participant.
|
18
ARTICLE 9 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
9.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing and with respect to specific Consortium joint development programs: (i) this Agreement leaves unchanged the Participants’ respective Intellectual
Property Rights as such exist at the Effective Date or thereafter; (ii) each Participant is and shall remain the exclusive owner or beneficiary, as the case may be, of such Intellectual Property Rights; (iii) this Agreement does not and shall not
grant to the Consortium or to the other Participant any license or any other right in or to any Intellectual Property Right of the other Participant except (a) for such Intellectual Property Rights of each Participant embedded in the [***]
described in Section 9.4, (b) TSIT and its Affiliates shall be permitted to use [***] as described in Exhibit E and its recipes to manufacture products within the Consortium and outside the context of the Consortium, and (c) each Participant
shall be permitted to use all [***] within the context of the Consortium in its flows for the manufacture of products within the Consortium and outside the context of the Consortium.
9.2 The Participants acknowledge and agree that the purposes of this Agreement do not include the creation of Intellectual Property Rights, however, the Participants do acknowledge that if
new Intellectual Property is created during the term of the Consortium the ownership rules set forth in this Article 9 will apply.
9.3 Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights, if any, that are created within the Consortium shall, except to the extent prohibited by law, be allocated as follows:
| a) |
ST shall own all Intellectual Property Rights that are created solely by ST employees; For the purpose of the allocation of intellectual property rights, ST shall mean ST or its Affiliates. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, hinder
or condition the transfer of any IP right from ST to any ST Affiliate.
|
| b) |
TSIT shall own all Intellectual Property Rights that that are created solely by employees of TSIT. For the purpose of the allocation of intellectual property rights, TSIT shall mean TSIT or its Affiliates. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent, hinder or condition the transfer of any IP right from TSIT to any TSIT Affiliate.
|
9.4 In case of Intellectual Property Rights that are created jointly, including contributions from both employee(s) of ST or its Affiliates and employee(s) of TSIT or its Affiliates (“Jointly Created IP”) the following provisions shall apply:
| a) |
Jointly Created IP shall be owned by the Participant whose employee(s) (or whose Affiliates’ employee(s)) made the primary contribution(s) to the Jointly Created IP, as determined by the Board.
|
The Board shall apply the criteria above in order to allocate the Jointly Created IP between the
Participants at the next scheduled Board meeting. Neither Participant shall file for registration of Jointly Created IP until it has been allocated to them by the Board.
Each Participant hereby sells, assigns and transfers all rights, title and interest it may have in all
Jointly Created IP that the Board has allocated to the other Participant and the other Participant shall hereby be the sole owner of such Jointly Created IP. The assigning Participant agrees to execute such documents (including assignments,
declarations and powers of attorney) and take such actions as the Participant owning the Jointly Created IP may reasonably request to perfect such Participant’s sole ownership of any such Jointly Created IP.
The Participant designated to solely own a Jointly Created IP grants hereby to the other Participant a
worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license without the right to sublicense, to use such Jointly Created IP, to make, have made, sell, offer to sell, import, export and otherwise dispose of any products and services of the other
Participant or its Affiliates. The foregoing prohibition on sublicensing does not prevent such other Participant from exercising its rights through subcontractors, including providing such third party license to the Jointly Created IP for purposes
of manufacture of products.
19
The Participant designated to solely own such Jointly Created IP shall have the right to independently
decide, at its sole discretion, how to best protect the same, including whether to file for patent, utility model and/or design protection, and if so in which countries. All costs associated with filing, prosecution and maintenance of the same
shall be solely borne by the Participant designated to own it.
In the event that the Participant designated to own a Jointly Created IP decides within six (6) months
after such designation that it does not wish to protect the Jointly Created IP, the Participant shall have the option in good faith to notify the Board, and upon such notification, the Board shall allocate the Jointly Created IP to the other
Participant and the Participant that is relinquishing ownership shall have the license rights granted under this section 9.4 in such Jointly Created IP.
| b) |
In the event that the Board is not able to allocate a particular Jointly Created IP pursuant to Section 9.4(a) above, such particular Jointly Created IP shall be jointly owned by the Participants (“Jointly Owned IP”). Each Participant
shall have the right to use and exploit such Jointly Created IP without a duty to (i) request permission or provide notice to license or enforce its rights thereunder, (ii) account to the other Party for any royalties or other consideration
it may receive or otherwise share any such consideration received with the other Party, and (iii) otherwise account to the other Party for any actions taken in relation to such Jointly Created IP, provided than neither of the Participants
shall grant exclusive license rights under the Jointly Created IP.
|
ARTICLE 10 – CONFIDENTIALITY
10.1 [***]
10.2 [***]
10.3 [***]
10.4 [***]
10.5 [***]
10.6[***]
10.7 [***]
ARTICLE 11 – TERMINATION – EFFECT OF TERMINATION
11.1 This Agreement may be early terminated by written notice of termination as follows:
| (a) |
upon the joint written consent of both Participants;
|
| (b) |
by TSIT without cause effective at any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date;
|
| (c) |
by ST without cause effective at any time after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date;
|
| (d) |
by TSIT at any time with immediate effect in case ST becomes Insolvent;
|
| (e) |
by TSIT in case a Change of Control of ST or ST Parent;
|
| (f) |
by ST at any time with immediate effect in case TSIT becomes Insolvent;
|
| (g) |
by ST in case a Change of Control of TSIT or TSIT Parent;
|
| (h) |
by TSIT at any time in the event of a breach by ST of any of its obligations under Article 2 and/or Section 7.2 and or Section 7.6 and/or Article 10 not cured within thirty (30) days following ST’s receipt of the written notice by TSIT
of such breach;
|
| (i) |
by ST at any time in the event of a breach by TSIT of any of its obligations under Article 2 and/or Section 7.2 and/or Section 7.6, and/or Article 10 not cured within thirty (30) days following TSIT’s receipt of the written notice by ST
of such breach.
|
20
11.2 For the purposes of this Agreement:
“Insolvent” means, in respect of a Party, where that Party: (i) passes a resolution
for its winding up; (ii) is subject to an order or notice issued by a court or other authority of competent jurisdiction for its winding up or striking off; (iii) enters administration for its winding up at any court; (iv) subject to, a company
voluntary arrangement or a composition with its creditors generally; (v) has a receiver or a provisional liquidator appointed or a person becomes entitled to appoint a receiver or provisional liquidator over any of its assets, undertaking or
income; (vi) suspends or ceases to carry on all or a substantial part of its business; (vii) admits inability to pay its debts or is deemed unable to pay its debts; (viii) any act is done or event occurs which (under applicable laws) has a similar
effect to these foregoing acts or events; or (ix) is the subject of anything analogous to the foregoing under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
“Change of Control” or “COC” means any act,
transfer or transaction resulting in a Competitor that (i) acquires more than 50% of TSIT or TSIT Parent or ST or ST Parent shares, or (ii) acquires the ability to appoint the majority of the Board of Directors or similar corporate body of TSIT or
TSIT Parent or ST or ST Parent, or (iii) acquires substantially all of the assets of TSIT or TSIT Parent or ST or ST Parent.
“Competitor” means any Person [***]
11.3. The Change of Control shall not be in effect with respect to, or impact, the Facility and the Consortium before [***]. After such date, the relevant Participant subject to the COC shall
notify in writing the other Participant (“Notified Participant”) providing details about the Competitor that acquires control of such relevant Participant. Such notification will be made within [***]) days
as from the effectiveness of the Change of Control. Upon receipt of such notification the Participants shall explore in good faith, in the subsequent [***] days (“Discussion Term”), the opportunity to
continue the Consortium under the same terms in spite of the Change of Control. Upon expiration of the Discussion Term, if the Notified Participant intends anyhow to terminate this Agreement, it shall have to send relevant written notice of
termination to the other Participant within [***] days as from expiration of the Discussion Term and the termination will become effective in accordance with Section 11.4. Such termination rights shall cease to be effective with respect to the
notified Change of Control in case they are not exercised within said [***] days term. If such termination rights are not exercised by the Notified Participant, the Consortium shall continue under the same terms hereunder. The Participants
acknowledge and agree that, in the event of exercise of the termination rights, neither Participant shall be liable to the other for any reason or title, except for any amount or obligation due until the effective date of the termination.
11.4 Notice of termination. The notices of termination pursuant to Section 11.1 (b), Section 11.1 (c), Section 11.1 (e) and Section 11.1 (g) shall be sent by the terminating Participant to the
other Participant at least 24 (twenty-four) months prior to the intended termination date.
11.5 Effect of termination.
11.5.1 – Exit plan Further to a notice of termination pursuant to Section 11.4 and any other termination exercised by any Participant further to Section 11.1, the Participants shall
agree in good faith on an operational and organizational plan, inclusive of actions to be carried out and relevant timelines, in order to appropriately manage the closure of the Consortium at the [***] prior notice period or the termination date,
as applicable.
21
11.5.2 – Option to buy Tools and
right of first refusal.
11.5.2.1 [***]
11.5.2.2 [***]
11.5.2.3 [***]
11.5.2.4. [***]
ARTICLE 12 – TRANSFER OF THE FACILITY AND TOOLS
12.1 Transfer of the Facility. [***].
12.2 Transfer of Tools. Without prejudice to Section 11.5.2 in case of termination or expiration of the Agreement, during the term of this Agreement neither Party shall be entitled to sell
or otherwise transfer any of its Tools, unless not used by the other Participant, to any other third party, (i) without the previous written consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and (ii) in case of sale
of any such Tools, shall first give the other Party a right of first refusal according to the provisions of Section 11.5.2.3 mutatis mutandis.
ARTICLE 13 – GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Expenses. Except as otherwise specified herein or in the Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual, all costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel,
financial advisors and accountants incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be paid by the Participant incurring such costs and expenses.
13.2 Notices.
All notices, requests and other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made by a duly signed letter
and such letter shall be delivered either by hand, by courier, by registered letter or by e-mail (with attached pdf-copy of the signed letter) to the recipients at the addresses set forth below:
If to ST, to:
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Via C. Olivetti 2
20864 Agrate Brianza, Italy
Attention: Legal Department
Email: [***]
If to TSIT, to:
Tower Semiconductor Italy S.r.l.
Via della Posta 7
20123 Milan, Italy
Email: [***]
13.3 Choice of Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.
| a) |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Italy, without giving effect to choice of law principles.
|
| b) |
Any suit, action or proceeding brought by either Participant seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement will be brought in the Courts of Milan, Italy, and each of the
Participants hereby consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding which is brought in such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of such court.
|
22
13.4 Exclusion of Liability;
Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Participant (“First Participant”) shall
have no liability for any injury, illness, death incurred by the other Participant personnel and/or for any loss or damage to property, including the Tools, the Facility and the products, whether completed or in progress, of the other Participant
arising out of or in connection with the Consortium activities performed by the First Participant, and the other Participant accordingly waives any related claims against the First Participant, whether in tort, in contract or otherwise and
regardless of the First Participant’s negligence. Each Participant shall remain individually liable and responsible vis-à-vis any third party with respect to any obligation and liability arising from an alleged breach of a contract in effect
between such third party and such Participant or in tort or otherwise, for damages that the third party incurs as a result of the operations of the Consortium, with no recourse to the other Participant.
13.5 Exclusion of Certain Damages. IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTICIPANT BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTICIPANT FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, RELIANCE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF
BUSINESS, REVENUES OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, HOWEVER CAUSED AND WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS GROUNDED IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY AND STRICT LIABILITY), CONTRACT OR
OTHERWISE.
13.6 Modification; Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or changed in any respect whatsoever, except by written agreement duly executed by both Participants. This
Agreement shall not be supplemented or modified by any course of dealing.
13.7 Assignment. Neither Participant shall assign, delegate or subcontract this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of
the other Participant, and any attempted assignment, delegation or subcontract without the other Participant’s consent shall be void and of no force. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Participant and its
respective permitted successors and assigns. Such consent shall not be required for the transfer of the Agreement from ST to a third party or an Affiliate in connection with a transfer of the Facility in accordance with Section 12.1.
13.8 Survival of Provisions. Any obligations and duties that by their nature extend beyond the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 7.5,
8 (f) and 11.5 and Articles 9, 10 and 13, shall survive any such expiration or termination and remain in effect.
13.9 Severability. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction as part of a final non-appealable ruling or government action, that any provision of this Agreement (or part
thereof) is invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such provision shall be enforced in such jurisdiction as nearly as possible in accordance with the stated intention of the Participants, while the remainder of this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and bind the Participants according to its terms, and any such determination shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the extent any provision (or
part thereof) cannot be enforced in accordance with the stated intentions of the Participants, such provision (or part thereof) shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement; provided in such event the Participants shall use their best
efforts to negotiate, in good faith, a substitute, valid and enforceable provision that most nearly effects the Participants’ intent in entering into this Agreement.
13.10 Controlling Language. The English language shall be the controlling language of this Agreement and shall prevail in case of any inconsistency or contradiction in the interpretation of
this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any version of this Agreement in any language other than English, if any, shall not be legally binding on the Participants and shall have no bearing on the meaning or
interpretation of any provisions of this Agreement.
23
13.11 Relationship of the
Participants. Neither Participant is authorized to act as the agent of the other Participant, and neither Participant may in any way bind the other
Participant to any contractual commitment.
13.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of the Participants and their permitted assigns. Nothing herein, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be
construed to confer upon or give to any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
13.13 No Implied Waivers. Any waiver of any kind of a breach of this Agreement must be in writing, shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing and shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. No course of dealing between the Participants, nor any prior waiver, nor any delay or omission in exercising any right, power or remedy pursuant to a breach or default by a Participant shall impair
any right, power or remedy that either Participant may have with respect to a future breach or default.
13.14 Agreement Negotiated by
Participants. The Participants acknowledge this Agreement has been prepared after extensive discussions between the Participants and the opportunity for
each Participant to review the Agreement with and obtain advice from their respective legal counsel. In construing this Agreement, the fact one Participant or the other may have drafted its various provisions shall not affect the interpretation
of such provisions.
13.15 Personal data. The Participants shall mutually define the terms and conditions that shall apply to the processing of personal data, if any, as may be required by applicable privacy
laws and regulations.
13.16 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Any Participant may bind itself to this Agreement by signing any such counterpart and each counterpart may be signed and executed by the Participants and transmitted pursuant to Section 13.2 and shall together be as valid and
effectual as if executed as an original.
13.17 Entire agreement. This Agreement, together with all Exhibits hereto, contain the entire agreement and understanding of the Participants with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
merge and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, proposals, agreements and understandings (whether written, oral, or implied) between the Participants with respect thereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, duly authorized representatives of the Participants have executed this Agreement the date herebelow.
|
STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
Name: [***] Title: [***]
|
Tower Semiconductor Italy S.r.l.
______________________________ Name: [***] Title: [***]
|
Exhibit A: Definitions
Exhibit B: Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual
Exhibit C: Dedicated Assets and personnel
Exhibit D: timeline and ramp up schedule
Exhibit E: [***] process flow
24
EXHIBIT A – DEFINITIONS
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
“ABC Laws”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.
|
|
“Affiliate”
|
With respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person.
|
|
“Agreement”
|
Has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
|
|
“Board”
|
The managing board of the Consortium.
|
|
“business day”.
|
means a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a statutory public holiday in Italy.
|
|
“Change of Control”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
|
|
“Co-Chairman”
|
Means each Co-Chairman of the Board.
|
|
“Code”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
|
|
“Common Tool(s)”
|
means process Tool(s) that are defined to be used by both Participants.
|
|
“Competitor”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
|
|
“Confidential Information”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
|
|
“Consortium”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
|
|
“Control”
|
“Control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” or “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
|
|
“Deadlock”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
|
|
“Dedicated Costs”
|
direct substrate costs, masks, and dedicated personnel costs listed in Exhibit B and specific dedicated process Tools’ depreciation.
|
|
“Deputy Manager”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.
|
|
“Discussion Term”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
|
|
“Effective Date”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
|
25
|
“Facility”
|
Has the meaning set forth in the recitals and is better identified on the map attached hereto as Exhibit D.
|
|
“Financial Team”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
|
|
“First Participant”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 13.4.
|
|
“First Refusal Right”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3(a).
|
|
“Full Build Out/FBO”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1.
|
|
“Half Build Out/HBO”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1.
|
|
“Insolvent”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
|
|
“Installation Completion Date”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7.1.1.
|
|
“Intellectual Property Rights”
|
shall mean any industrial and intellectual property rights, registered or not, anywhere in the world, including but not limited to, the rights related to patents (including but not limited
to all patents (directly or indirectly) claiming priority to such patents, from which such patents claim priority, or having common priority with such patents, inclusive of all continuations, divisions, continuation-in-parts, provisional,
re-examinations, re-issues, utility, design, and the like), utility models, trademarks and all goodwill associated therewith, designs, semiconductor topographies, mask works, plant varieties, indications of origin, inventions (whether
patentable or not), know-how, technologies, drawings, technical information, trade secrets, confidential information, commercial signs, company names, copyrights, software (including the preparatory design material and any related
documentation, any application and all related source code and object code), domain names, websites and databases, production methods, recipes, program, literary and artistic property rights, sui generis rights of the database producer and
the related right of use; each of the foregoing including any and all rights of priority attached thereto and the right to sue and recover for past, present and future damages and seek injunctive relief.
|
|
“Jointly Created IP”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
|
|
“Joint Inventions”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.
|
|
“Manager”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6.
|
26
|
“Mask Level” or “ML”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.2.
|
|
“Members”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
|
|
“Moves”
|
Means process steps in the manufacture and testing of wafers.
|
|
“Notified Participant”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
|
|
“Operational and Accounting Procedures Manual”
|
Set forth in Exhibit B.
|
|
“Participants”
|
Has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
|
|
“Person”
|
Any individual, corporation partnership, association, limited liability company, trust, estate or other similar business entity or organization, including a governmental entity.
|
|
“Planned Purchase Date”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3(a).
|
|
“Proposed Purchaser”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3.
|
|
“Purchase Offer”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3(a).
|
|
“Ramp-Up Deadline”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.3.
|
|
“Reference Management”
|
The operations, corporate, planning and finance departments of the respective Participants.
|
|
“Representative”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.
|
|
“Response Period”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3(a).
|
|
“Sale Conditions”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3.
|
|
“Sale Notice”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3.
|
|
“ST”
|
Has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
|
|
“ST Parent”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
|
|
“Tie Vote”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
|
|
“Tool(s)”
|
Tool(s) purchased and owned by a Participant.
|
|
“Transferred Tools”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.2.3.
|
|
“TSIT”
|
Has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
|
|
“TSIT Parent”
|
Has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
|
|
“Variable Cost(s)”
|
[***]
|
27
EXHIBIT B - OPERATIONAL AND ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES
MANUAL
[***]
28
EXHIBIT C –CONSORTIUM ASSETS & PERSONNEL
[***]
29
EXHIBIT D
[***]
30
EXHIBIT E
[***]
31
Exhibit 8.1
SUBSIDIARIES
The following is a list of our significant subsidiaries, including the name, country/jurisdiction of incorporation
and the proportion of our ownership interest.
|
Subsidiary
|
Jurisdiction
|
Ownership
|
||
|
Tower US Holdings Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100% directly
|
||
|
Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100% indirectly through Tower US Holdings Inc.
|
||
|
Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach, Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100% indirectly through Tower Semiconductor NPB Holdings Inc.
|
||
|
Newport Fab LLC
|
Delaware
|
100% indirectly through Tower Semiconductor Newport Beach Inc.
|
||
|
Tower Semiconductor San Antonio Inc.
|
Delaware
|
100% indirectly through Tower US Holdings Inc.
|
||
|
Tower Partners Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
|
Japan
|
51% directly
|
||
|
Tower Semiconductor Italy S.r.l.
|
Italy
|
100% directly
|
Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Russell C. Ellwanger, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Tower Semiconductor Ltd.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
April 29, 2022
/s/ Russell C. Ellwanger
Russell C. Ellwanger
Chief Executive Officer
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Russell C. Ellwanger
Chief Executive Officer
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Oren Shirazi, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Tower Semiconductor Ltd.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
April 29, 2022
/s/ Oren Shirazi
Oren Shirazi
Chief Financial Officer
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Oren Shirazi
Chief Financial Officer
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 USC SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
18 USC SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (the “Registrant”) on Form 20-F for the year ended
December 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Russell C. Ellwanger, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
1. the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
/s/ Russell C. Ellwanger
Russell C. Ellwanger
Chief Executive Officer
Russell C. Ellwanger
Chief Executive Officer
April 29, 2022
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be
retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 13.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 USC SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
18 USC SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (the “Registrant”) on Form 20-F for the year ended
December 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Oren Shirazi, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
1. the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
/s/ Oren Shirazi
Oren Shirazi
Chief Financial Officer
April 29, 2022
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Registrant and will be
retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
EXHIBIT 15.1
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-204173 on Form S-8 of our reports
dated February 28, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021.
/s/ Brightman Almagor Zohar &Co
Brightman Almagor Zohar &Co.
Certified Public Accountants
A Firm in The Deloitte Network
Tel Aviv, Israel
April 29, 2022