Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2016

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission file number 0–31106

 

 

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Bermuda

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

No. 1, R&D Road 1, Hsinchu Science Park

Hsinchu, Taiwan

Republic of China

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Shou-Kang Chen

Chief Financial Officer

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.

No. 1, R&D Road 1, Hsinchu Science Park

Hsinchu, Taiwan

Republic of China

Telephone: (886) 3 563 3988

Facsimile: (886) 3 563 3998

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

 

 

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

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Common Shares, par value US$0.04 each   The NASDAQ Capital Market

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

None

(Title of Class)

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

None

(Title of Class)

 

 

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.

As of December 31, 2015, 27,289,941 Common Shares, par value US$0.04 each, were issued and outstanding.

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

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15)(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  ¨    Accelerated Filer  x    Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

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

US GAAP  ¨

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board x Other ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS

     1   

Item 1.

   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers      1   

Item 2.

   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable      1   

Item 3.

   Key Information      2   

Item 4.

   Information on the Company      27   

Item 4A.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      80   

Item 5.

   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects      80   

Item 6.

   Directors, Senior Management and Employees      97   

Item 7.

   Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions      105   

Item 8.

   Financial Information      107   

Item 9.

   The Offer and Listing      108   

Item 10.

   Additional Information      109   

Item 11.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk      118   

Item 12.

   Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities      118   

Item 13.

   Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies      119   

Item 14.

   Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds      119   

Item 15.

   Controls and Procedures      119   

Item 16A.

   Audit Committee Financial Expert      120   

Item 16B.

   Code of Ethics      120   

Item 16C.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      120   

Item 16D.

   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees      121   

Item 16E.

   Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      121   

Item 16F.

   Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      122   

Item 16G.

   Corporate Governance      123   

Item 17.

   Financial Statements      125   

Item 18.

   Financial Statements      125   

Item 19.

   Exhibits      125   


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF

THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Except for historical matters, the matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are forward-looking statements that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are generally indicated by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “will” or other similar words that express an indication of actions or results of actions that may or are expected to occur in the future. These statements appear in a number of places throughout this Annual Report on Form 20-F and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industries in which we operate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industries in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Important factors that could cause those differences include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the volatility of the semiconductor industry and the market for end-user applications for semiconductor products;

 

   

overcapacity in the semiconductor assembly and test markets;

 

   

the increased competition from other companies and our ability to retain and increase our market share;

 

   

our ability to successfully develop new technologies and remain a technological leader;

 

   

our ability to maintain control over capacity expansion and facility modifications;

 

   

our ability to generate growth or profitable growth;

 

   

our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

our ability to acquire required equipment and supplies to meet customer demand;

 

   

our ability to raise debt or equity financing as required to meet certain existing obligations;

 

   

our reliance on the business and financial condition of certain major customers;

 

   

the success of any of our future acquisitions, investments or joint ventures;

 

   

the outcome of any pending litigation;

 

   

the outbreak of contagious disease and occurrence of earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters, as well as industrial accidents;

 

   

the political stability of the regions in which we conduct operations; and

 

   

general local and global economic and financial conditions.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our strategy and future plans, future business condition and financial results, our capital expenditure plans, our capacity expansion plans, our expansion plans in Mainland China, technological upgrades, investment in research and development, future market demand, future regulatory or other developments in our industry. Please see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” for a further discussion of certain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements.

This Annual Report on Form 20-F includes, refers to, or incorporates by reference, as applicable, financial statements and other financial information based on both International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of China (“ROC GAAP”), and the information based on ROC GAAP is not comparable to information prepared in accordance with IFRSs.

PART I

 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

 

1


Table of Contents
Item 3. Key Information

Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth our selected consolidated financial data. Commencing January 1, 2013, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. According to Form 20-F Instruction G, the selected consolidated financial data under IFRSs for 2012 through 2015, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for 2011 and under ROC GAAP for 2011 through 2012 are provided below. The selected consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 and our consolidated income statements and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 under IFRSs are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included herein, and should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, these audited consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the consolidated statement of operations and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 under US GAAP or ROC GAAP and the consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 2013 under IFRS are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2012     2013     2014     2015     2015  
     NT$     NT$     NT$     NT$     US$  
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Consolidated Income Statements Data:

      

IFRSs:

      

Revenue

   $ 19,220.5      $ 19,361.9      $ 22,005.1      $ 19,869.4      $ 606.0   

Cost of revenue

     (16,767.9     (15,922.4     (16,782.2     (15,735.6     (479.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     2,452.6        3,439.5        5,222.9        4,133.8        126.1   

Other operating income

     127.9        442.4        182.3        126.0        3.9   

Research and development expenses

     (505.4     (564.5     (678.8     (747.8     (22.8

Sales and marketing expenses

     (79.9     (107.7     (101.8     (94.6     (2.9

Administrative and general expenses

     (637.6     (699.1     (755.6     (817.7     (25.0

Other operating expenses

     (48.7     (100.8     (144.6     (12.5     (0.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     1,308.9        2,409.8        3,724.4        2,587.2        78.9   

Finance costs

     (228.6     (183.0     (140.8     (143.5     (4.4

Other non-operating income (expense), net

     (232.5     289.3        391.2        368.1        11.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     847.8        2,516.1        3,974.8        2,811.8        85.7   

Income tax

     (178.1     (827.1     (1,036.3     (935.8     (28.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year

   $ 669.7      $ 1,689.0      $ 2,938.5      $ 1,876.0      $ 57.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

      

Equity holders of the Company

   $ 629.8      $ 1,335.3      $ 1,663.2      $ 970.1      $ 29.6   

Non-controlling interests

     39.9        353.7        1,275.3        905.9        27.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 669.7      $ 1,689.0      $ 2,938.5      $ 1,876.0      $ 57.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

      

Basic

   $ 22.92      $ 45.55      $ 56.33      $ 34.49      $ 1.05   

Diluted

   $ 22.25      $ 44.27      $ 54.99      $ 33.95      $ 1.04   

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     27.5        29.3        29.5        28.1        28.1   

Diluted

     28.3        30.2        30.2        28.6        28.6   

 

2


Table of Contents
     Year ended December 31,  
     2011     2012  
     NT$     NT$  
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

    

ROC GAAP:

    

Net revenue:

    

Related parties

   $ 379.0      $ —    

Others

     17,831.9        19,220.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net revenue

     18,210.9        19,220.5   

Cost of revenue

     (16,549.2     (16,638.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,661.7        2,582.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

     (409.8     (492.8

General and administrative

     (651.9     (625.6

Sales and marketing

     (66.5     (78.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (1,128.2     (1,196.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from operations

     533.5        1,385.2   

Other income (expenses), net

     (455.8     (464.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax and non-controlling interests

     77.7        920.8   

Income tax benefit (expense)

     (45.5     (131.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before non-controlling interests

     32.2        789.3   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (47.4     (67.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to ChipMOS

   $ (15.2   $ 721.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) per share(1):

    

Basic

   $ (0.57   $ 26.27   

Diluted

   $ (0.57   $ 25.50   

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding(1):

    

Basic

     26.6        27.5   

Diluted

     26.6        28.3   

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2011  
     NT$  
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

  

US GAAP:

  

Net revenue

   $ 18,210.9   

Cost of revenue

     (16,612.5
  

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,598.4   

Other operating income

     120.6   

Operating expenses

     (1,307.5
  

 

 

 

Income from operations

     411.5   

Non-operating expenses, net

     (301.9
  

 

 

 

Income before income tax and non-controlling interests

     109.6   
  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ChipMOS

   $ 46.1   
  

 

 

 

Earnings per share(1):

  

Basic

   $ 1.73   

Diluted

   $ 1.71   

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding(1):

  

Basic

     26.6   

Diluted

     26.9   

 

(1) The outstanding shares and per share information reflect the reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock with a ratio of 1-for-every-4 shares effective on January 21, 2011.

 

3


Table of Contents
     As of December 31,  
     2012      2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$      NT$      NT$      NT$      US$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data:

              

IFRSs:

              

Non-current assets:

              

Available-for-sale financial assets

   $ 11.6       $ 8.6       $ 217.7       $ 10.0       $ 0.3   

Investment in associates

     —           —           —           346.3         10.6   

Property, plant and equipment

     12,475.3         12,811.9         13,494.9         14,102.3         430.1   

Other non-current assets

     726.2         330.4         315.9         341.6         10.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     13,213.1         13,150.9         14,028.5         14,800.2         451.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets:

              

Inventories

     1,687.9         1,519.4         1,704.7         1,667.7         50.9   

Accounts and notes receivable

     4,120.1         4,114.6         4,876.7         3,890.5         118.6   

Other current assets

     914.7         450.6         1,088.5         422.8         12.9   

Cash and cash equivalents

     8,863.6         13,372.8         15,265.2         12,127.4         369.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     15,586.3         19,457.4         22,935.1         18,108.4         552.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 28,799.4       $ 32,608.3       $ 36,963.6       $ 32,908.6       $ 1,003.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity and liabilities:

              

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

     11,593.6         13,564.7         14,616.8         12,928.8         394.3   

Non-controlling interests

     3,995.7         7,024.9         8,470.2         7,996.4         243.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     15,589.3         20,589.6         23,087.0         20,925.2         638.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

              

Bank loans—non-current portion

     6,739.9         3,889.0         4,560.0         4,985.8         152.1   

Other non-current liabilities

     566.2         584.7         586.9         610.7         18.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,306.1         4,473.7         5,146.9         5,596.5         170.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

              

Accounts payable

     890.1         956.8         1,074.9         708.5         21.6   

Payable to contractors and equipment suppliers

     484.6         858.2         1,307.5         524.0         16.0   

Other payables

     1,669.2         1,541.4         1,905.3         1,868.7         57.0   

Other current liabilities

     265.8         527.1         1,165.5         588.1         17.9   

Bank loans—current portion

     2,227.8         2,874.8         1,508.2         1,548.7         47.3   

Short-term bank loans

     366.5         786.7         1,768.3         1,148.9         35.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,904.0         7,545.0         8,729.7         6,386.9         194.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     13,210.1         12,018.7         13,876.6         11,983.4         365.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

   $ 28,799.4       $ 32,608.3       $ 36,963.6       $ 32,908.6       $ 1,003.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4


Table of Contents
     As of December 31,  
     2011      2012  
     NT$      NT$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

     

ROC GAAP:

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,357.9       $ 9,319.0   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     285.1         174.5   

Notes receivable

     5.7         5.0   

Accounts receivable

     3,666.5         3,992.2   

Other receivables

     73.2         149.9   

Inventories

     1,533.9         1,687.9   

Deferred income tax, net

     76.6         77.8   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     92.3         131.8   

Total current assets

     13,091.2         15,538.1   

Long-term investments

     39.1         11.6   

Property, plant and equipment—net

     13,896.1         12,108.0   

Intangible assets—net

     100.5         178.9   

Other assets

     1,154.2         912.8   

Total assets

     28,281.1         28,749.4   

Current liabilities:

     

Short-term bank loans

     546.9         366.5   

Current portion of long-term loans

     684.0         2,227.8   

Accounts payable

     1,130.8         890.1   

Payables to contractors and equipment suppliers

     415.4         484.6   

Other payables

     1,081.5         1,008.4   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     830.9         767.0   

Total current liabilities

     4,712.2         5,775.6   

Long-term liabilities

     8,579.6         6,829.3   

Other liabilities

     6.0         175.4   

Total liabilities

     13,297.8         12,780.3   

Total equity (including non-controlling interests)

   $ 14,983.3       $ 15,969.1   

 

5


Table of Contents
     As of December 31,  
     2011  
     NT$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

  

US GAAP:

  

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,357.9   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     285.1   

Notes receivable

     5.7   

Accounts receivable

     3,666.5   

—third parties

  

Other receivables

     73.2   

Inventories

     1,534.9   

Deferred income tax, net

     70.4   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     92.3   

Total current assets

     13,086.0   

Long-term investments

     39.1   

Property, plant and equipment—net

     13,501.0   

Intangible assets—net

     100.5   

Other assets

     1,237.6   

Total assets

     27,964.2   

Current liabilities:

  

Short-term bank loans

     546.9   

Current portion of long-term loans

     684.0   

Accounts payable

     1,130.8   

Payables to contractors and equipment suppliers

     415.4   

Other payables

     1,081.5   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     830.9   

Total current liabilities

     4,712.2   

Long-term liabilities

     8,579.6   

Other liabilities

     383.5   

Total liabilities

     13,675.3   

Total equity (including non-controlling interests)

   $ 14,288.9   

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2012     2013     2014     2015     2015  
     NT$     NT$     NT$     NT$     US$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Data:

          

IFRSs:

          

Capital expenditures

   $ 2,817.9      $ 3,624.9      $ 3,568.2      $ 3,644.6      $ 111.1   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,631.8        3,294.9        2,909.0        3,021.9        92.2   

Net cash generated from (used in):

          

Operating activities

     4,527.0        6,223.2        5,599.9        5,395.9        164.6   

Investing activities

     (2,599.8     (3,005.6     (3,325.4     (4,504.2     (137.4

Financing activities

     (312.3     1,305.2        (374.9     (4,056.6     (123.7

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,614.9      $ 4,522.8      $ 1,899.6      $ (3,164.8   $ (96.5

 

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     Year ended December 31,  
     2011     2012  
     NT$     NT$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Data:

    

ROC GAAP:

    

Capital expenditures

   $ 2,319.3      $ 2,776.6   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,677.6        4,631.9   

Net cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

     5,898.0        4,735.3   

Investing activities

     (3,250.7     (2,594.9

Financing activities

     (2,464.6     (162.7

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     31.9        (16.6

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 214.6      $ 1,961.1   

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2011  
     NT$  
     (in millions)  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Data:

  

US GAAP:

  

Net cash provided by (used in):

  

Operating activities

   $ 6,179.6   

Investing activities

     (3,250.7

Financing activities

     (2,464.6

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 464.3   

Exchange Rates

References to “US$” and “US dollars” are to United States dollars and references to “NT$” and “NT dollars” are to New Taiwan dollars. This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains translations of certain NT dollar amounts into US dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from NT dollars to US dollars and from US dollars to NT dollars were made at the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in NT dollars per US dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2015, which was NT$32.79 to US$1.00. We make no representation that the NT dollar or US dollar amounts referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F could have been or could be converted into US dollars or NT dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. On April 8, 2016, the noon buying rate was NT$32.40 to US$1.00.

The following table sets out, for the years and the months indicated, information concerning the number of NT dollars for which one US dollar could be exchanged based on the noon buying rate for cable transfers in NT dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

     NT dollars per US dollar noon buying rate  
     Average      High      Low      Period-end  

2011

     29.38         30.67         28.50         30.27   

2012

     29.56         30.28         28.96         29.05   

2013

     29.68         30.20         28.93         29.83   

2014

     30.30         31.80         29.85         31.60   

2015

     31.74         33.17         30.37         32.79   

October

     32.44         32.81         31.92         32.46   

November

     32.61         32.87         32.43         32.53   

December

     32.79         33.01         32.53         32.79   

2016

     

January

     33.43         33.74         33.14         33.43   

February

     33.24         33.51         32.95         33.22   

March

     32.59         33.09         32.16         32.18   

April (through 8, 2016)

     32.38         32.44         32.26         32.40   

Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

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Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Economic Conditions and the Financial Markets

The global credit and financial markets crisis could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Disruptions in global credit and financial markets may occur that cause diminished liquidity and limited availability of credit, reduced consumer confidence, reduced economic growth, increased unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. Limited availability of credit in financial markets may lead consumers and businesses to postpone spending. This in turn may cause our customers to cancel, decrease or delay their existing and future orders with us. Financial difficulties experienced by our customers or suppliers as a result of these conditions could lead to production delays and delays or defaults in payment of accounts receivable. Continuing credit markets disruption restricts our access to capital and limits our ability to fund operations or to refinance maturing obligations as they become due through additional borrowing or other sources of financing. We are not able to predict the duration or extent of disruptions in global credit and financial markets, such as those that occurred in and since 2009 and through 2015. These conditions increase the difficulty of accurately forecasting and planning our business activities. If these conditions and uncertainties continue or if credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions further deteriorate, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Relating to Our Industry

Because we depend on the highly cyclical semiconductor industry, which is characterized by significant and sometimes prolonged downturns from time to time, our revenue and earnings may fluctuate significantly, which in turn could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.

Because our business is, and will continue to be, dependent on the requirements of semiconductor companies for independent assembly and test services, any downturn in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry may reduce demand for our services and adversely affect our results of operations. All of our customers operate in this industry and variations in order levels from our customers and in service fee rates may result in volatility in our revenue and earnings. For instance, during periods of decreased demand for assembled semiconductors, some of our customers may even simplify, delay or forego final testing of certain types of semiconductors, such as dynamic random access memory or DRAM, further intensifying our difficulties. From time to time, the semiconductor industry has experienced significant, and sometimes prolonged, downturns which have adversely affected our results of operations. In 2009, the semiconductor industry, especially the assembly and test services for DRAM products sector, continued to experience the significant downturn that began in fourth quarter of 2008, and which has adversely affected our business. This industry downturn started to recover from the second quarter of 2009, and our revenue for 2010 increased 42% from 2009 levels. Our revenue for 2011 increased 6% from 2010 levels. Our revenue for 2012 increased 6% from 2011 levels. Our revenue for 2013 increased 0.7% from 2012 levels. Our revenue for 2014 increased 13.7% from 2013 levels. Our revenue for 2015 decreased by 9.7% from 2014 levels and generated a profit attributable to equity holders of the Company of NT$970 million (US$30 million) in 2015. We cannot give any assurances that there will not be any downturn in the future or that any future downturn will not affect our results of operations.

Any deterioration in the market for end-user applications for semiconductor products would reduce demand for our services and may result in a decrease in our earnings.

Market conditions in the semiconductor industry track, to a large degree, those for their end-user applications. Any deterioration in the market conditions for the end-user applications of semiconductors we test and assemble could reduce demand for our services and, in turn, materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our revenue is largely attributable to fees derived from testing and assembling semiconductors for use in personal computers, communications equipment, consumer electronic products and display applications. A significant decrease in demand for products in these markets could put pricing pressure on our assembly and test services and negatively affect our revenue and earnings. Weak demand for LCD and other flat-panel display products began in 2007 and has since adversely affected our operating results in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The LCD driver market started to recover in the second quarter of 2009 and the positive recovery trend continued through early 2015. However, starting the second half of 2015, a correction related to inventory adjustment was observed. We cannot give any assurances that there will not be any downturn in the future or that any future downturn will not affect our results of operations. Any significant decrease in demand for end-user applications of semiconductors will negatively affect our revenue and earnings.

 

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A decline in average selling prices for our services could result in a decrease in our earnings.

Historically, prices for our assembly and test services in relation to any given semiconductor tend to decline over the course of its product and technology life cycle. See also “—A decrease in market demand for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors may adversely affect our capacity utilization rates and thereby negatively affect our profitability”. If we cannot reduce the cost of our assembly and test services, or introduce higher-margin assembly and test services for new package types, to offset the decrease in average selling prices for our services, our earnings could decrease.

A reversal or slowdown in the outsourcing trend for semiconductor assembly and test services could reduce our profitability.

In recent years, integrated device manufacturers, or IDMs, have increasingly outsourced stages of the semiconductor production process, including assembly and test, to independent companies like us to shorten production cycles. In addition, the availability of advanced independent semiconductor manufacturing services has also enabled the growth of so-called “fabless” semiconductor companies that focus exclusively on design and marketing and outsource their manufacturing, assembly and test requirements to independent companies. A substantial portion of our revenue is indirectly generated from providing semiconductor assembly and test services to these IDMs and fabless companies. We cannot assure you that these companies will continue to outsource their assembly and test requirements to independent companies like us. A reversal of, or a slowdown in, this outsourcing trend could result in reduced demand for our services, which in turn could reduce our profitability.

Risks Relating to Our Business

If we are unable to compete effectively in the highly competitive semiconductor assembly and test markets, we may lose customers and our income may decline.

The semiconductor assembly and test markets are very competitive. We face competition from a number of IDMs with in-house assembly and test capabilities and other independent semiconductor assembly and test companies. Our competitors may have access to more advanced technologies and greater financial and other resources than we do. Many of our competitors have shown a willingness to reduce prices quickly and sharply in the past to maintain capacity utilization in their facilities during periods of reduced demand. In addition, an increasing number of our competitors conduct their operations in lower cost centers in Asia such as Mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Any renewed or continued erosion in the prices or demand for our assembly and test services as a result of increased competition could adversely affect our profits.

We are highly dependent on the market for memory products. A downturn in market prices for these products could significantly reduce our revenue and profit.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from testing and assembling memory semiconductors. Our revenue derived from the assembly and test of memory semiconductors accounted for 52% and 49% of our revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In the past, our service fees for testing and assembling memory semiconductors were sharply reduced in tandem with the decrease in the average selling price of DRAM in the semiconductor industry. The continuing oversupply of DRAM products in 2008 and the weak demand in the DRAM market in the period from 2009 to 2013 resulted in significant reductions in the price of DRAM products, which in turn drove down the average prices for our assembly and test services for DRAM products in these periods. We cannot assure you that there will not be further downturns in DRAM prices in the future.

A decrease in market demand for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors may adversely affect our capacity utilization rates and thereby negatively affect our profitability.

Our assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors generated revenue of NT$5,171 million and NT$5,396 million (US$165 million) in 2014 and 2015, respectively. We invested NT$1,056 million and NT$1,366 million (US$42 million) in 2014 and 2015, respectively, on equipment for tape carrier package, or TCP, chip-on-film, or COF and chip-on-glass, or COG, technologies, which are used in assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. Most of this equipment may not be used for technologies other than TCP, COF or COG. The market demand for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors and related assembly and test services increased in 2014 and 2015 compared to the market demand in 2013. Any significant decrease in demand for these products and our related services, however, would significantly impair our capacity utilization rates. That may result in our inability to generate sufficient revenue to cover the significant depreciation expenses for the equipment used in testing and assembling LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors, thereby negatively affecting our profitability. See also “—Because of our high fixed costs, if we are unable to achieve relatively high capacity utilization rates, our earnings and profitability may be adversely affected”.

 

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Our significant amount of indebtedness and interest expense will limit our cash flow and could adversely affect our operations.

We have a significant level of debt and interest expense. As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately NT$6,560 million (US$200million) and NT$1,149 million (US$35 million) outstanding long-term and short-term indebtedness, respectively. Our long-term indebtedness as of December 31, 2015, represented bank loans with an interest rate between 1.7474% and 1.8526%. As of December 31, 2015, NT$4,560 million (US$139 million) of our indebtedness was secured by collateral comprised of assets owned by ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., or ChipMOS Taiwan.

Our significant indebtedness poses risks to our business, including the risks that:

 

   

we may have to use a substantial portion of our consolidated cash flow from operations to pay principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

insufficient cash flow from operations may force us to sell assets, or seek additional capital, which we may be unable to do at all or on terms favorable to us;

 

   

our ability to sell assets or seek additional capital may be adversely affected by security interests in our assets granted to our lenders as collateral;

 

   

our level of indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to economic or industry downturns; and

 

   

our debt service obligations increase our vulnerabilities to competitive pressures, because many of our competitors may be less leveraged than we are.

For additional information on our indebtedness, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly and may cause the market price of our common shares to be volatile.

Our results of operations have varied significantly from period to period and may continue to vary in the future. Among the more important factors affecting our quarterly and annual results of operations are the following:

 

   

our ability to accurately predict customer demand, as we must commit significant capital expenditures in anticipation of future orders;

 

   

our ability to quickly adjust to unanticipated declines or shortfalls in demand and market prices for our assembly and test services, due to our high percentage of fixed costs;

 

   

changes in prices for our assembly and test services;

 

   

volume of orders relative to our assembly and test capacity;

 

   

capital expenditures and production uncertainties relating to the roll-out of new assembly and test services;

 

   

our ability to obtain adequate assembly and test equipment on a timely basis;

 

   

changes in costs and availability of raw materials, equipment and labor;

 

   

changes in our product mix; and

 

   

earthquakes, drought and other natural disasters, as well as industrial accidents.

Because of the factors listed above, our future results of operations or growth rates may be below the expectations of research analysts and investors. If so, the market price of our common shares, and the market value of your investment, may fall.

We depend on key customers for a substantial portion of our revenue and a loss of, or deterioration of the business from, or delayed payment by, any one of these customers could result in decreased revenue and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on a small group of customers for a substantial portion of our business. In 2015, our top five customers, collectively accounted for 64% of our revenue. As part of our strategy, we have been focusing on sales to key customers through long-term service agreements. We also focus on our business with smaller customers and customers who do not place orders on a regular basis. We expect that we will continue to depend on a relatively limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue. Any adverse development in our key customers’ operations, competitive position or customer base could materially reduce our revenue and adversely affect our business and profitability.

Since semiconductor companies generally rely on service providers with whom they have established relationships to meet their assembly and test needs for their applications and new customers usually require us to pass a lengthy and rigorous qualification process, if we lose any of our key customers, we may not be able to replace them in a timely manner. We cannot assure you that receivable collection difficulties experienced by us will not occur in the future. If any of our key customers reduces or cancels its orders or terminates existing contractual arrangements, and if we are unable to attract new customers and establish new contractual arrangements with existing or new customers, our revenue could be reduced and our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

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Because of our high fixed costs, if we are unable to achieve relatively high capacity utilization rates, our earnings and profitability may be adversely affected.

Our operations are characterized by a high proportion of fixed costs. For memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductor testing services, our fixed costs represented 47% and 48% of our total cost of revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. For memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductor assembly services, our fixed costs represented 19% and 23% of our total cost of revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. For LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test services, our fixed costs represented 46% and 45% of our total cost of revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. For bumping services, our fixed costs represented 19% and 25% of our total cost of revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our profitability depends in part not only on absolute pricing levels for our services, but also on the utilization rates for our assembly and test equipment, commonly referred to as “capacity utilization rates”. Increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rates can significantly affect our gross margins as unit costs generally decrease as the fixed costs are allocated over a larger number of units. In the past, our capacity utilization rates have fluctuated significantly as a result of the fluctuations in the market demand for semiconductors. If we fail to increase or maintain our capacity utilization rates, our earnings and profitability may be adversely affected. In addition, we have entered into various long-term assembly and test services agreements with certain of our customers that may require us to incur significant capital expenditures. If we are unable to achieve high capacity utilization rates for the equipment purchased pursuant to these agreements, our gross margins may be materially and adversely affected.

The assembly and test process is complex and our production yields and customer relationships may suffer as a result of defects or malfunctions in our testing and assembly equipment and the introduction of new packages.

Semiconductor testing and assembly are complex processes that require significant technological and process expertise. Semiconductor testing involves sophisticated test equipment and computer software. We develop computer software to test our customers’ semiconductors. We also develop conversion software programs that enable us to test semiconductors on different types of testers. Similar to most software programs, these software programs are complex and may contain programming errors or “bugs”. In addition, the testing process is subject to human error by our employees who operate our test equipment and related software. Any significant defect in our testing or conversion software, malfunction in our test equipment or human error could reduce our production yields and damage our customer relationships.

The assembly process involves a number of steps, each of which must be completed with precision. Defective packages primarily result from:

 

   

contaminants in the manufacturing environment;

 

   

human error;

 

   

equipment malfunction;

 

   

defective raw materials; or

 

   

defective plating services.

These and other factors have, from time to time, contributed to lower production yields. They may do so in the future, particularly as we expand our capacity or change our processing steps. In addition, to be competitive, we must continue to expand our offering of packages. Our production yields on new packages typically are significantly lower than our production yields on our more established packages. Our failure to maintain high standards or acceptable production yields, if significant and prolonged, could result in a loss of customers, increased costs of production, delays, substantial amounts of returned goods and related claims by customers. Further, to the extent our customers have set target production yields, we may be required to compensate our customers in a pre-agreed manner. Any of these problems could materially adversely affect our business reputation and result in reduced revenue and profitability.

Because of the highly cyclical nature of our industry, our capital requirements are difficult to plan. If we cannot obtain additional capital when we need it, we may not be able to maintain or increase our current growth rate and our profits will suffer.

As our industry is highly cyclical and rapidly changing, our capital requirements are difficult to plan. To remain competitive, we may need capital to fund the expansion of our facilities as well as to fund our equipment purchases and research and development activities. To meet our liquidity, capital spending and other capital needs, we have taken and plan to take certain measures to generate additional working capital and to save cash. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources”. We cannot assure you that these plans and measures will be implemented or will provide sufficient sources of capital.

 

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In addition, future capacity expansions or market or other developments may require additional funding. Our ability to obtain external financing in the future depends on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. They include:

 

   

our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;

 

   

general market conditions for financing activities by semiconductor assembly and test companies; and

 

   

economic, political and other conditions in Taiwan and elsewhere.

If we are unable to obtain funding in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, our growth prospects and potential future profitability will suffer.

Disputes over intellectual property rights could be costly, deprive us of technologies necessary for us to stay competitive, render us unable to provide some of our services and reduce our opportunities to generate revenue.

Our ability to compete successfully and achieve future growth will depend, in part, on our ability to protect our proprietary technologies and to secure, on commercially acceptable terms, critical technologies that we do not own. We cannot assure you that we will be able to independently develop, or secure from any third party, the technologies required for our assembly and test services. Our failure to successfully obtain these technologies may seriously harm our competitive position and render us unable to provide some of our services.

Our ability to compete successfully also depends on our ability to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. The semiconductor assembly and test industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. We may incur legal liabilities if we infringe upon the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of others. We are not able to ascertain what patent applications have been filed in the United States or elsewhere, however, until they are granted. If any third party succeeds in its intellectual property infringement claims against us or our customers, we could be required to:

 

   

discontinue using the disputed process technologies, which would prevent us from offering some of our assembly and test services;

 

   

pay substantial monetary damages;

 

   

develop non-infringing technologies, which may not be feasible; or

 

   

acquire licenses to the infringed technologies, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Any one of these developments could impose substantial financial and administrative burdens on us and hinder our business. We are, from time to time, involved in litigation in respect of intellectual property rights. Any litigation, whether as plaintiff or defendant, is costly and diverts our resources. If we fail to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms or if litigation, regardless of the outcome, relating to patent infringement or other intellectual property matters occurs, our costs could be substantially increased to impact our margins. Any such litigation could also prevent us from testing and assembling particular products or using particular technologies, which could reduce our opportunities to generate revenue. For more information on litigation in respect of intellectual property rights, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.

If we are unable to obtain raw materials and other necessary inputs from our suppliers in a timely and cost-effective manner, our production schedules would be delayed and we may lose customers and growth opportunities and become less profitable.

Our operations require us to obtain sufficient quantities of raw materials at acceptable prices in a timely and cost-effective manner. We source most of our raw materials, including critical materials like leadframes, organic substrates, epoxy, gold wire and molding compound for assembly, and tapes for TCP/COF, from a limited group of suppliers. We purchase all of our materials on a purchase order basis and have no long-term contracts with any of our suppliers. From time to time, suppliers have extended lead times, increased the price or limited the supply of required materials to us because of market shortages. Consequently, we may, from time to time, experience difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of raw materials on a timely basis. In addition, from time to time, we may reject materials that do not meet our specifications, resulting in declines in output or yield. Although we typically maintain at least two suppliers for each key raw material, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain sufficient quantities of raw materials and other supplies of an acceptable quality in the future. It usually takes from three to six months to switch from one supplier to another, depending on the complexity of the raw material. If we are unable to obtain raw materials and other necessary inputs in a timely and cost-effective manner, we may need to delay our production and delivery schedules, which may result in the loss of business and growth opportunities and could reduce our profitability.

 

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If we are unable to obtain additional assembly and test equipment or facilities in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost, we may be unable to fulfill our customers’ orders and may become less competitive and less profitable.

The semiconductor testing and assembly business is capital intensive and requires significant investment in expensive equipment manufactured by a limited number of suppliers. The market for semiconductor assembly and test equipment is characterized, from time to time, by intense demand, limited supply and long delivery cycles. Our operations and expansion plans depend on our ability to obtain equipment from a limited number of suppliers in a timely and cost-effective manner. We have no binding supply agreements with any of our suppliers and we acquire our assembly and test equipment on a purchase order basis, which exposes us to changing market conditions and other significant risks. Semiconductor assembly and test also requires us to operate sizeable facilities. If we are unable to obtain equipment or facilities in a timely manner, we may be unable to fulfill our customers’ orders, which could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations as well as our growth prospects. Previously we have committed to acquire certain wafer sorting testers and probers under our long-term service agreement with Spansion LLC (“Spansion”). We terminated that agreement and commitment on February 19, 2009, after Spansion defaulted on its payment obligations. Currently, we do not have any long-term service agreements that require our commitment to acquire additional assembly and test equipment or facilities, however we cannot assure you that such commitment will not be made in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Customers”.

If we are unable to manage the expansion of our operations and resources effectively, our growth prospects may be limited and our future profitability may be reduced.

We expect to continue to expand operations of ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries and to increase the number of employees of ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries. Rapid expansion puts a strain on our managerial, technical, financial, operational and other resources. As a result of our expansion, we will need to implement additional operational and financial controls and hire and train additional personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so effectively in the future, and our failure to do so could jeopardize our expansion plans and seriously harm our operations.

Bermuda law may be less protective of shareholder rights than laws of the United States or other jurisdictions.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum of association, our bye-laws and laws governing corporations incorporated in Bermuda. Shareholder suits such as class actions (as these terms are understood with respect to corporations incorporated in the United States) are generally not available in Bermuda. Therefore, our shareholders may be less able under Bermuda law than they would be under the laws of the United States or other jurisdictions to protect their interests in connection with actions by our management, members of our board of directors or our controlling shareholder.

It may be difficult to bring and enforce suits against us in the United States.

We are incorporated in Bermuda and a majority of our directors and most of our officers are not residents of the United States. A substantial portion of our assets is located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for our shareholders to serve notice of a lawsuit on us or our directors and officers within the United States. Because most of our assets are located outside the United States, it may be difficult for our shareholders to enforce in the United States judgments of United States courts. Appleby, our Bermuda counsel, has advised us that final and conclusive judgments of the competent courts of the United States against our company under which a sum of money is payable (not being a sum of money payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature, in respect of a fine or other penalty, or in respect of multiple damages as defined in The Protection of Trading Interests Act 1981 of Bermuda) would be the subject of enforcement proceedings in the Supreme Court of Bermuda under the common law doctrine of obligation by action on the debt evidenced by the judgment of such competent courts of the United States. A final opinion as to the availability of this remedy should be sought when the facts surrounding the foreign court’s judgments are known, but, on general principles, such proceedings could be successful provided that: (i) the court which gave the judgment was competent to hear the action in accordance with private international law principles as applied in Bermuda; and (ii) the judgment is not contrary to public policy in Bermuda, has not been obtained by fraud or in proceedings contrary to natural justice and is not based on an error in Bermuda law. Enforcement of such judgments against assets in Bermuda may involve the conversion of the judgment debt into Bermuda dollars (although the Bermuda Monetary Authority has indicated that its present policy is to give the consents necessary to enable recovery in the currency of the obligation).

 

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Investor confidence and the market price of our common shares may be adversely impacted if we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

We are subject to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”) reporting obligations, and beginning in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006, we have been required by the SEC, as directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our Annual Report on Form 20-F that contains an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Beginning in fiscal year 2007, our independent public registered accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2015 because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the lack of a formalized process for the review and approval of the accounting treatment for significant and infrequent/complex transactions. Our independent public registered accounting firm also rendered its opinion that we did not maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Refer to Item 15 – Controls and Procedures in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for more information. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over our financial reporting are effective our independent public registered accounting firm may disagree. If our independent public registered accounting firm is not satisfied with our internal controls over our financial reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if the independent public registered accounting firm interprets the requirements, rules or regulations differently from us, it may decline to attest to our management’s assessment or may issue an adverse opinion in the future. Any of these possible outcomes could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our consolidated financial statements, which ultimately could negatively impact the market prices of our common shares.

Any environmental claims or failure to comply with any present or future environmental regulations, or any new environmental regulations, may require us to spend additional funds, may impose significant liability on us for present, past or future actions, and may dramatically increase the cost of providing our services to our customers.

We are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of chemical by-products of, and water used in, our assembly and gold bumping processes. Although we have not suffered material environmental claims in the past, a failure or a claim that we have failed to comply with any present or future regulations could result in the assessment of damages or imposition of fines against us, suspension of production or a cessation of our operations or negative publicity. New regulations could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses. Any failure on our part to control the use of, or adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances could subject us to future liabilities that may materially reduce our earnings.

On March 4, 2016, due to the malfunction of its wastewater treatment facility, a ChipMOS Taiwan factory located in Chupei, Taiwan was found abnormally discharging wastewater. Upon notification, ChipMOS Taiwan was able to mitigate the environmental impact by immediately ceasing the abnormal discharge and collecting the wastewater that had been discharged. The wastewater treatment facility was also immediately repaired and the factory resumed its normal operations on the next day, March 5, 2016. On April 15, 2016, the Hsinchu County Government imposed an administrative fine of approximately NT$4 million (US$122 thousand) on ChipMOS Taiwan for the violation of the statutory effluent standards.

Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign exchange losses.

Currently, most of our revenue is denominated in NT dollars. Our cost of revenue and operating expenses, on the other hand, are incurred in several currencies, including NT dollars, Japanese yen, US dollars and Renminbi, or RMB. In addition, a substantial portion of our capital expenditures, primarily for the purchase of assembly and test equipment, has been, and is expected to continue to be, denominated in Japanese yen with much of the remainder in US dollars. We also have debt denominated in NT dollars, Japanese yen, US dollars and RMB. Fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily among the US dollar, the NT dollar and the Japanese yen, will affect our costs and operating margins in NT dollar terms. In addition, these fluctuations could result in exchange losses and increased costs in NT dollar terms. Despite selective hedging and other techniques implemented by us, fluctuations in exchange rates have affected, and may continue to affect, our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may not be successful in our acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and dispositions, and may therefore be unable to implement fully our business strategy.

As part of our growth strategy, we may make acquisitions and investments in companies and businesses, establish joint ventures or make dispositions of our interests. For example, in February 2010, we agreed to sell 15.8% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. (“Siliconware Precision”), and the transaction was completed in January 2011. In April 2013, as part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (“TWSE”), we completed the sale of 6.5 million or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. From September to October 2013, we sold 180 million or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to investors. After the completion of the aforesaid sales, the Company held approximately 523 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 62.1% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares. On April 9, 2014, we further sold 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we continue to own approximately 522 million or 59.3% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future”.

In November 2012, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form F-3 declared effective on September 5, 2012, ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (“ThaiLin”) sold 2,000,000 of our common shares under a secondary offering (the “Secondary Offering”). In May 2013, ThaiLin completed its sale of 380,506 of our common shares to Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. (“Tokyo Seimitsu”). In November 2013 and January 2014, ThaiLin sold 2,000,000 and 2,093,705 of our commons shares back to ChipMOS, respectively. In September 2014, Siliconware Precision sold 1,000,000 of our common shares back to ChipMOS under the share purchase agreement entered in August 2014.

On December 11, 2015, the board of directors of ChipMOS Taiwan (the “ChipMOS Taiwan Board”) authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. (“Tsinghua Unigroup”) executed a share subscription agreement (the “Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement”), to issue and sell 299,252,000 common shares of ChipMOS Taiwan, par value NT$10 per share (each, a “ChipMOS Taiwan Share”, and collectively, the “ChipMOS Taiwan Shares”) to Tsinghua Unigroup in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). Under the terms of the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, at the closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup will have the right to appoint one representative to be elected as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan. Tsinghua Unigroup undertook that it would abide by the laws of the ROC in connection with investments made by PRC investors in Taiwan, including: (1) it would not have the control over ChipMOS Taiwan, (2) it would not serve as the managerial officer of ChipMOS Taiwan or appoint managerial officers of ChipMOS Taiwan, (3) the board seats held by Tsinghua Unigroup in ChipMOS Taiwan would not out-number the seats held by all other shareholders, (4) it would not solicit proxy for ChipMOS Taiwan general meeting and (5) it would undertake other matters as requested by the governmental agencies. On January 21, 2016, both the Board of Directors of Company and ChipMOS Taiwan approved the merger of ChipMOS with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan becoming the surviving company and entered into an agreement and plan of merger dated January 21, 2016 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan (the “Merger”), with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger. After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary also have entered into other agreements related to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. Please see “—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.— Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed.” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan — agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.” for additional information.

The success of our acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and dispositions depends on a number of factors, including:

 

   

our ability to identify suitable investment, acquisition, joint venture or disposition opportunities;

 

   

our ability to reach an agreement for an acquisition, investment, joint venture or disposition opportunity on terms that are satisfactory to us or at all;

 

   

the extent to which we are able to exercise control over the acquired or joint venture company;

 

   

our ability to align the economic, business or other strategic objectives and goals of the acquired company with those of our company; and

 

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our ability to successfully integrate the acquired or joint venture company or business with our company.

If we are unsuccessful in our acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and dispositions, we may not be able to implement fully our business strategy to maintain or grow our business.

We depend on key personnel, and our revenue could decrease and our costs could increase if we lose their services.

We depend on the continued service of our executive officers and skilled engineering, technical and other personnel. We will also be required to hire a substantially greater number of skilled employees in connection with our expansion plans. In particular, we depend on a number of skilled employees in connection with our LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test services, and the competition for such employees in Taiwan and Mainland China is intense. We may not be able to either retain our present personnel or attract additional qualified personnel as and when needed. Moreover, we do not carry key person insurance for any of our executive officers nor do we have employment contracts with any of our executive officers or employees, and, as a result, none of our executive officers or employees is bound by any non-competition agreement. If we lose any of our key personnel, it could be very difficult to find and integrate replacement personnel, which could affect our ability to provide our services, resulting in reduced revenue and earnings. In addition, we may need to increase employee compensation levels in order to retain our existing officers and employees and to attract additional personnel. As of March 31, 2016, 17.6% of the workforce at our facilities are foreign workers employed by us under work permits that are subject to government regulations on renewal and other terms. Consequently, if the regulations in Taiwan relating to the employment of foreign workers were to become significantly more restrictive or if we are otherwise unable to attract or retain these workers at reasonable cost, we may be unable to maintain or increase our level of services and may suffer reduced revenue and earnings.

If our security measures are breached and unauthorized access is obtained to our information technology systems, we may lose proprietary data.

Our security measures may be breached as a result of third-party action, including computer hackers, employees error, malfeasance or otherwise, and result in unauthorized access to our customers’ data or our data, including our intellectual property and other confidential business information, or our information technology systems. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any security breach could result in disclosure of our trade secrets, confidential customer, supplier or employee data, which could result in legal liability, harm to our reputation and otherwise harm our business.

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with Mosel

ChipMOS Taiwan entered into certain transactions that, if determined to have constituted impermissible financings or purchases of assets or equity of Mosel under ROC law, could result in the resignations of members of our management. As a result, our business operations could be disrupted and the market price of our common shares could decline.

ROC law limits the ability of a company incorporated in Taiwan to purchase any equity interest in companies, directly or indirectly, holding more than 50% of its issued and outstanding voting securities or registered capital or to provide loans or other financing to any company. ChipMOS Taiwan purchased NT$242 million worth of Mosel Vitelic Inc. (“Mosel”) shares in 2002. Lee and Li, our ROC special counsel, has advised us that these purchases do not violate relevant ROC law that prohibits a subsidiary from buying or taking collateral in shares of companies holding, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of its issued and outstanding voting securities or registered capital, because Mosel’s indirect interest (calculated as the product of (i) Mosel’s percentage interest in the Company and (ii) the Company’s percentage interest in ChipMOS Taiwan) in ChipMOS Taiwan was less than 50% and the Company is incorporated outside of Taiwan. In 2005, ChipMOS Taiwan disposed of NT$84 million of Mosel shares, and in August 2006, ChipMOS Taiwan further disposed of the remaining Mosel shares for approximately NT$30 million. ChipMOS Taiwan no longer owns any Mosel shares. Lee and Li has advised that under relevant ROC law, there is no similar restriction or limitation on a subsidiary’s disposal of its parent’s equity shares, if the previous acquisitions of such shares complied with relevant ROC law. However, we understand that there is no applicable judicial precedent and there is some doubt as to how a court would rule if presented with the situation.

If it were to be determined that any of the transactions described above constituted an impermissible financing or purchase of assets of Mosel by ChipMOS Taiwan or an impermissible purchase of Mosel’s equity by ChipMOS Taiwan, then ChipMOS Taiwan’s then chairman and any responsible officers would be jointly and severally liable to ChipMOS Taiwan for any losses suffered by ChipMOS Taiwan and may also be severally liable criminally for any breach of fiduciary duties that resulted in losses and damages suffered by ChipMOS Taiwan. Moreover, certain of these transactions may not have been in full compliance with ChipMOS Taiwan’s then applicable internal procedures due to the failure to have received an appropriate valuation opinion prior to entering into such purchases. The failure to comply fully with ChipMOS Taiwan’s then applicable internal procedures could constitute evidence of a failure by the then chairman of ChipMOS Taiwan and responsible officers to comply fully with their fiduciary duties, which could result in them being held criminally liable for any breach of fiduciary duties that resulted in losses and damages to ChipMOS Taiwan. If members of our current management were held to have breached their fiduciary duties or become criminally liable for the transactions described above, they may become obliged, whether under law or otherwise, to resign from their respective positions at Company and our affiliates. Any loss of the services of these persons could disrupt our business, damage our reputation, and cause the market price of our common shares to decline.

 

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Risks Relating to Countries in Which We Conduct Operations

ROC laws and regulations limit or prohibit certain technology cooperation between ROC persons or entities with PRC persons or entities, and our current technology transfer arrangements between the Company and ChipMOS Shanghai may be found to be in violation of any such limitation or prohibition, which may result in a fine of between NT$50 thousand and NT$25 million and the termination of such technology transfer arrangements and therefore have a material adverse effect on the operations of ChipMOS Shanghai and our financial condition and results of operations.

ROC laws and regulations previously prohibited any transfer of semiconductor assembly and test technologies to any person or entity located in Mainland China, except for transfers involving certain low-end semiconductor assembly and test technologies, such as conventional wire bond assembly technology, if certain requirements are met. The ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs has the ultimate administrative authority in interpreting such laws and regulations. In February 2010, these restrictions have been relaxed, so that ROC entities may transfer semiconductor assembly and test technologies to any person or entity located in Mainland China after they have obtained approval from the Investment Commission of the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs, or the ICM. Under a technology transfer agreement, dated August 1, 2002, the Company licensed to ChipMOS Shanghai certain assembly and test-related technologies that were then controlled by the Company, which included technologies that were licensed to the Company by ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company will continue to license such technologies to ChipMOS Shanghai pursuant to a technology transfer agreement dated October 3, 2011 with effective date on August 1, 2012. The Company also provided ChipMOS Shanghai with technical support and consulting services under this agreement. On April 7, 2004, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with ChipMOS Taiwan, pursuant to which ChipMOS Taiwan transferred all of the technologies it owned as of that date to the Company, including those previously licensed to the Company. On April 12, 2007, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with ChipMOS Taiwan, pursuant to which ChipMOS Taiwan assigned and transferred fifty percent of the title to ownership of and interest in all of the technologies and intellectual property it owned as of that date to the Company.

In the opinion of Lee and Li, our ROC special counsel, our technology transfer arrangements as described above are in compliance with all applicable ROC laws and regulations. However, substantial uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation and application of those laws and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that ROC regulatory authorities will not take a view contrary to the opinion of our ROC special counsel. If ChipMOS Taiwan were determined to be in violation of applicable ROC laws and regulations governing technology cooperation with PRC persons and entities, ChipMOS Taiwan may be subject to a fine of between NT$50 thousand and NT$25 million and may be ordered by the ICM to terminate or rectify such activity within a specified period of time. Any termination of our current technology transfer to ChipMOS Shanghai could materially adversely affect our Mainland China operations and our financial condition, results of operations or prospects, as well as the market price of our common shares.

Our ability to direct the operations we conduct through our subsidiaries and affiliated companies that we do not fully own may be limited by legal duties owed to other shareholders of such companies.

Certain of our operations are conducted through companies that we do not fully own. For example, certain current consolidated operations are conducted through ChipMOS Taiwan, our 59.2% subsidiary as of March 31, 2016, ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (BVI) LTD. (“ChipMOS BVI”) (formerly known as MODERN MIND TECHNOLOGY LIMITED), ChipMOS Taiwan’s wholly-owned subsidiary as of March 31, 2016, and ChipMOS Shanghai, ChipMOS BVI’s wholly-owned subsidiary as of March 31, 2016. On November 12, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan made announcement for the contemplated merger with ThaiLin. The merger completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan continues as the surviving merged entity. As a result of the merger, ChipMOS Taiwan become our 58.0% owned subsidiary and ChipMOS Shanghai become ChipMOS Taiwan’s indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary through ChipMOS BVI. We also conduct other activities through our affiliated entities. See also “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions”.

In accordance with the various laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries and affiliates are organized, each of our subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective directors owe various duties to their respective shareholders. As a result, the actions we wish our subsidiaries or affiliates to take could be in conflict with their or their directors’ legal duties owed to their other shareholders. When those conflicts arise, our ability to cause our subsidiaries or affiliates to take the action that we desire may be limited.

Any future outbreak of health epidemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases, including avian influenza, swine flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or Ebola virus disease, may materially affect our operations and business.

 

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Influenza viruses circulating in animals pose threats to human health. Humans can become ill when infected with viruses from animal sources, such as avian influenza virus subtypes H5N1, H9N2 and H7N9 and swine influenza virus subtypes H1N1 and H3N2. An outbreak of a contagious disease such as New Influenza A or more commonly known as the “bird flu” and “swine flu”, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), or avian influenza with virus subtype H7N9, for which there is inadequate treatment or no known cure or vaccine, may potentially result in a quarantine of infected employees and related persons, and adversely affect our operations at one or more of our facilities or the operations of our customers or suppliers. We cannot predict the impact that any further future outbreak of the aforementioned influenza viruses or other diseases could have on our business and results of operations.

Also, according to World Health Organization, the current outbreak of in West Africa is the largest and most complex Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air to Nigeria, and by land to Senegal. People remain infectious as long as their blood and body fluids, including semen and breast milk, contain the virus. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness. There is as yet no proven treatment available for EVD. As such, we cannot predict the impact that any future outbreak of EVD could have on our business and results of operations.

We face substantial political risk associated with doing business in Taiwan, particularly due to recent domestic political events and the strained relations between the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China, that could negatively affect our business and the market price of our common shares.

Our principal executive offices and most of our assembly and test facilities are located in Taiwan. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations and the market price of our common shares may be affected by changes in ROC governmental policies, as well as social instability and diplomatic and social developments in or affecting Taiwan which are beyond our control. For example, the ROC has a unique international political status. The PRC government regards Taiwan as a renegade province and does not recognize the legitimacy of the ROC as an independent country. Although significant economic and cultural relations have been positively strengthened in recent years between the ROC and the PRC, relations have often been strained. In March 2005, the PRC government enacted the “Anti-Secession Law” codifying its policy of retaining the right to use military force to gain control over Taiwan, particularly under what it considers as highly provocative circumstances, such as a declaration of independence by Taiwan or the refusal by the ROC to accept the PRC’s stated “One China” policy. On March 18, 2014, students and certain civic groups initiated the Sunflower Student Movement as a protest movement in the Legislative Yuan and, later, also the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The activists protested the passing of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (“CSSTA”) proposed by the ruling party Kuomintang (“KMT”) at the legislature without a clause-by-clause review. The protesters perceive the passage of CSSTA failed to meet the required formal procedures and that the ratification of CSSTA with PRC would hurt Taiwan’s economy and leave it vulnerable, among others, to political pressure from Beijing, while the supporters view the trade pact would allow the two sides to conduct business operations more freely in each other’s services market. The Sunflower Student Movement marks the first time that legislature has been occupied by citizens in the history of Taiwan. On April 10, 2014, the 24-days occupation of the Legislative Yuan has concluded. The CSSTA has been put on hold ever since the Sunflower Student Movement.

On January 18, 2016, Taiwan held the Presidential Election and the General Election for the Legislative Yuan, the parliament of the ROC. Tsai Ing-Wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (“DPP”) won the Presidential Election and the DPP gained the majority of the seats in the Legislative Yuan for the first time in its history. The President-Elect Tsai Ing-Wen and the DPP had stressed on how they are keen to maintain the status quo with China. In a statement issued after Tsai’s win, the Chinese Cabinet’s body for handling Taiwan affairs reaffirmed its opposition to Taiwan independence, but said it would work to maintain peace and stability between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Past developments related to the interaction between the ROC and the PRC have on occasion depressed the market prices of the securities of Taiwanese or Taiwan-related companies, including our own. We cannot assure you any contentious situations between Taiwan and China will resolve in maintaining the current status quo or remain peaceful. Relations between the ROC and the PRC and other factors affecting military, political or economic stability in Taiwan could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as the market price and the liquidity of our common shares.

The business and operations of our business associates and our own business operations are vulnerable to disruptions that may be caused by natural disasters and other events.

We currently provide most of our test services through our facilities in the Hsinchu Industrial Park and the Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan and the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone, and all of our assembly services through our facilities in the Southern Taiwan Science Park and the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone. Significant damage or other impediments to these facilities as a result of natural disasters, industrial strikes or industrial accidents could significantly increase our operating costs.

 

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Certain regions we operate in are particularly susceptible to earthquakes and associated natural disasters. For example, in late 1999, Taiwan suffered severe earthquakes which caused significant property damages and loss of life, particularly in the central part of Taiwan. The earthquakes damaged production facilities and adversely affected the operations of many companies involved in the semiconductor and other industries. We experienced an aggregate of NT$8 million in damages to our machinery and equipment, facilities, inventory and five days of delay in production schedule as a result of the event. In March 2011, Sendai of Japan registered an earthquake of 9.0 Mw (moment magnitude scale) off the coast of Japan (the “Sendai Earthquake”). The Sendai Earthquake was recorded as most powerful earthquake to hit Japan and the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world. The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings and evacuations along Japan’s Pacific coast and in at least 20 countries, including Taiwan and Mainland China. In April 2013, an earthquake registering a magnitude of approximately 6.6-7.0 Mw with epicenter located in Lushan County, Ya’an, Sichuan (the “Lushan Earthquake”). ReliefWeb, part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released information on July 23, 2013 confirming 196 deaths and up to 2 persons missing and 14,785 injured victim reports. On February 6, 2016, Meinong District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan registered an earthquake of 6.4 Mw (the “Meinong Earthquake”). The Meinong Earthquake claimed 117 deaths and 551 injured victims. We had a very minor impact at our manufacturing operations in the Southern Taiwan Science Park primarily due to power interruption in the immediate wake of the earthquake.

In January and February 2008, certain parts of Mainland China, particularly in the southern, central and eastern regions, experienced reportedly the most severe winter in the country in recent decades, which resulted in significant and extensive damages to factories, power lines, homes, automobiles, crops and other properties, blackouts, transportation and communications disruptions and other losses in the affected areas. In addition, in May 2008, certain semiconductor companies with facilities in eastern Mainland China experienced production disruption reportedly due to power outages caused by the failure of certain electricity supply system in the area where the plants are located. We cannot assure you that our facilities in the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone will not be adversely affected by future snowstorms, power outages, earthquakes or other similar events.

Natural disasters and other events like aforementioned events cause severe property damages to townships, infrastructures and death and injuries to Civilians. In Sendai Earthquake, many electrical generators were disabled, and at least three nuclear power plant reactors partially melted down and experienced a chemical explosion extensively damaging surrounding buildings. We cannot assure you that our production facilities, operations and market located in Taiwan and Mainland China will not be adversely affected as result of the events that take place overseas like the Sendai Earthquake, including radiation emission from the damaged nuclear power plants or subsequent future earthquakes that may take place.

The production facilities of many of our suppliers, customers and providers of complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, including foundries, are located in Taiwan and Mainland China. If our customers are adversely affected by natural disasters or other events occurring in or affecting these geographic areas, it could result in a decline in the demand for our assembly and test services. If our suppliers and providers of complementary semiconductor manufacturing services are affected by such events, our production schedule could be halted or delayed. As a result, a major earthquake, snowstorm, other natural disaster, industrial strike, industrial accident or other disruptive event occurring in or affecting Taiwan or Mainland China could severely disrupt our normal operation of business and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Any future outbreak of radiation-related disease as a result of nuclear power plant reactors damage caused by the Sendai Earthquake may materially adversely affect our operations and business.

The Sendai Earthquake raises tremendous concerns about the possible effects of radiation emission from the damaged nuclear power plants. Japanese official authorities are working with experts in assessing the risk and determining the best courses of actions to implement to escape harmful radiation. The potential health effects due to exposure to harmful radiation may be temporary or permanent harmful effects in nature.

Multiple radioactive gases could possibly be emitted in a situation where uranium attains a “meltdown” state, which is a severe overheating of the core of a nuclear reactor, in which the core melts and radiation and heat are caused to escape. This would occur if the containment system partially or fully fails. The particles that are released with the gases due to the meltdown would be the spewed particles of iodine-131, strontium-90 and cesium-137. These might enter into a human by being swallowed, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. Depending on the chemical characteristics of each of these and their predilection for certain body tissues, they could cause cancers of such organs as bones, soft tissues near bones, thyroid gland, and the bone marrow (typically known as leukemia).

Acute or very high level radiation exposure can cause a person to become very ill or to die quickly. Ionizing radiation, which is defined as high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves that can break chemical bonds, damage humans by disrupting cellular function, particularly in tissues with rapid growth and turnover of cells. Intense, high level and/or excessive radiation exposure may result in acute radiation syndrome whereby harmful effects to the human body may be evidenced by skin burns, internal organ deterioration, bleeding, vomiting, bone marrow distortion and deaths. If the radiation exposure is less intense and/or more prolonged at a lower level, then the central nervous system, kidneys, thyroid gland, and liver may be affected. Cancer is the most well-known effect, and may affect virtually any significantly exposed tissue.

 

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Certain health effects due to exposure to harmful radiation does not have adequate treatment or known cure or vaccine, consequently, may potentially result in a quarantine of infected employees and related persons, and adversely affect our operations at one or more of our facilities or the operations of our customers or suppliers. We cannot predict the probability of any future outbreak of radiation related diseases as a possible result of nuclear power plants damage caused by the Sendai Earthquake or the extent of the material adverse impact that this could have on our business and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure

Our ability to receive dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries may be restricted by commercial, statutory and legal restrictions, and thereby materially adversely affect our ability to grow, fund investments, make acquisitions, pay dividends, repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us is restricted by, among other things, the availability of funds and the terms of various credit arrangements entered into by our subsidiaries, as well as statutory and other legal restrictions. In addition, although there are currently no foreign exchange control regulations which restrict the ability of our subsidiaries located in Taiwan to distribute dividends to us, we cannot assure you that the relevant regulations will not be changed and that the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute dividends to us will not be restricted in the future. A Taiwan company is generally not permitted to distribute dividends or to make any other distributions to shareholders for any year in which it did not have either earnings or retained earnings (excluding reserves). In addition, before distributing a dividend to shareholders following the end of a fiscal year, the company must recover any past losses, pay all outstanding taxes and set aside 10% of its annual profit (less prior years’ losses and outstanding taxes) as a legal reserve until the accumulated legal reserve equals its paid-in capital, and may set aside a special reserve.

In addition, PRC law requires that our PRC-incorporated subsidiary only distributes dividends out of its profit, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, it is also required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit each year into its reserve fund until the accumulated legal reserve amounts to 50% of its registered capital. PRC-incorporated companies are further required to maintain a bonus and welfare fund at percentages determined at their sole discretion. The reserve fund and the bonus and welfare fund are not distributable as dividends. Moreover, a ROC-incorporated company is only able to declare dividends at its annual general meeting of shareholders, which cannot occur until after completion of its annual financial statements. Any limitation on dividend payments by our subsidiaries could materially adversely affect our ability to grow, fund investments, make acquisitions, pay dividends, repay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

Baupost Group LLC/MA and Soros Fund Management LLC, our largest two shareholders may have significant influence over our company and may cause us to take actions that may not be, or refrain from taking actions that may be, in our best interest or the best interest of our other shareholders.

As of March 31, 2016, Baupost Group LLC/MA owned 13.7% of our common shares, according to the 13G/A filed by Baupost Group LLC/MA on February 12, 2016. Soros Fund Management LLC owned 5.0% of our common shares, according to the 13F filed by Soros Fund Management LLC on February 16, 2016. These shareholders, through their equity interests, may have significant influence over matters submitted to our shareholders for approval and other corporate actions, such as:

 

   

election of directors;

 

   

timing and manner of dividend distributions;

 

   

approval of contracts between us and the largest shareholder or its respective affiliates, which could involve conflicts of interest;

 

   

open market purchase programs or other purchases of our common shares;

 

   

delay, defer or prevent a change in who controls us;

 

   

discourage bids for our shares at a premium over the market price; and

 

   

adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

Moreover, because large shareholders have potential power to direct or influence our corporate actions, we may be required to engage in transactions that may not be agreeable to our other shareholders or that may not be in the best interest of our other shareholders.

ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. For a TWSE-listed company to continue trading on the main board of TWSE depends in part on market conditions and other factors that may not within the control of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan. For these reasons there can be no assurance that ChipMOS Taiwan’s shares will continue to be listed or traded on the TWSE.

Pending merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan may or may not be completed

On January 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company with the recommendation of its Special Committee approved the Merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger, as a step that is consistent with the ongoing efforts to simplify and streamline the group structure, reduce operating costs in order to enhance operation efficiency, and achieve a more efficient tax structure. According to the Merger Agreement, any common shares of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled common shares of the Company shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each such share (i) US$3.71 in cash, without interest, and (ii) 0.9355 American Depositary Shares, or American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) representing 18.71 shares of ChipMOS Taiwan (each ADS will represent 20 new common shares, par value of NT$10 each, to be issued by ChipMOS Taiwan) in exchange for each of the Company’s common share of par value US$0.04 currently held (the US$3.71 in cash and together with the ADSs, the “Merger Consideration”). This would represent US$19.77 in total consideration as of January 20, 2016 and a premium of 14.7% based on the average closing prices of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan on the NASDAQ and the Taiwan Stock Exchange for the 3 trading days ending January 20, 2016 and an exchange rate of NT$33.785 to US$1.0. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Board of Directors has also approved the establishment of a new U.S. American Depositary Receipt program to facilitate the merger and to foster ongoing market liquidity of its shares. An application will be submitted for the listing of the new ADSs on the NASDAQ, and the issuance of approximately 510,595 thousand common shares which will be represented by the new ADSs to be issued as part of the consideration for the Merger with the Company.

On closing of the Merger, all common shares of the Company and shares of ChipMOS Taiwan currently held by the Company will be cancelled.

The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan executed the agreement and plan of merger after the respective meetings of their Boards of Directors. The listing of the new ADSs and the Merger are subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholders’ approvals from the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, and approvals from appropriate governmental authorities and regulators and the applicable provisions of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (as amended) (the “Bermuda Companies Act”), the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act, as amended and other applicable laws, if any. The Merger is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2016, contingent on satisfaction of above approvals and other conditions, which will be outlined in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 that ChipMOS Taiwan will file with the SEC.

Although we expect that the completion of the Merger will occur in the third quarter of 2016, the Merger is conditioned upon the satisfaction of above approvals and other conditions which will be outlined in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 that ChipMOS Taiwan will file with the SEC. Unforeseen events and occurrences may delay or prevent completion of the Merger, or may significantly reduce the anticipated potential benefits to the Company of the Merger. It could develop that the conditions precedent to the Merger are not satisfied or waived, which in turn could delay or prevent the completion of the Merger. Moreover, although we believe that the Merger could simplify and streamline the company structure, reduce operating costs, and achieve a more highly optimized tax structure, there can be no assurance that the above will be realized after the completion of the Merger.

With respect to U.S. federal income tax consequences, the Merger is expected to qualify as “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If the Merger qualifies as a reorganization, then a U.S. Holder of our common shares that exchanges our common shares for the Merger Consideration would recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the amount of cash received pursuant to the Merger (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional ADS, which will be subject to taxation as described under “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger—Cash in Lieu of a Fractional ADS” in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, as amended, by ChipMOS Taiwan) and (2) the amount by which the aggregate fair market value of the Merger Consideration received by the U.S. Holder exceeds such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares exchanged therefor.

If the Merger does not qualify as reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, a U.S. Holder would generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the aggregate fair market value of the Merger Consideration received by the U.S. Holder and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares exchanged therefor.

For further discussion, see “Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, as amended, by ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Common Shares

Volatility in the price of our common shares may result in shareholder litigation that could in turn result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

The financial markets in the United States and other countries have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and market prices of technology companies have been and continue to be extremely volatile. Volatility in the price of our common shares may be caused by factors outside of our control and may be unrelated or disproportionate to our results of operations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, shareholders have frequently instituted securities class action litigation against that company. Litigation of this kind could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

Certain provisions in our constitutive documents and in our severance agreements with our executive officers make the acquisition of us by another company more difficult and costly and therefore may delay, defer or prevent a change of control.

Our bye-laws provide that our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, each class to be re-elected only once every three years. As a result, shareholders would not generally be able to replace a majority of the directors until after two annual general meetings. In addition, any extraordinary corporate transaction such as a merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets cannot be done without the approval of shareholders representing 70% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at such general meeting called to consider such extraordinary transaction. These provisions in our constitutive documents may increase the difficulty faced by a party which seeks to acquire control of our board or to approve an extraordinary transaction.

In 2007, we entered into change in control severance agreements with certain executive officers pursuant to which we agreed to pay certain severance payments if a change in control event (as defined in the change in control severance agreements) occurs and the employment of such executive officer is terminated by our company other than for cause or by such executive officer for good reasons within two years following the occurrence of the change in control event. These agreements may increase the cost of a party seeking to effect a change in control of our company.

Future sales, pledge or issuance of common shares by us or our current shareholders could depress our share price and you may suffer dilution.

Sales of substantial amounts of shares in the public market, the perception that future sales may occur, or the pledge of a substantial portion of our common shares could depress the prevailing market price of our shares. As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately 27.3 million common shares issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2016, Baupost Group LLC/MA and Soros Fund Management LLC our largest two shareholders, owned 3,751,853 and 1,372,921 common shares respectively, representing in the aggregate of approximately 18.7% of our outstanding common shares. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders”.

Mosel in the past decided to sell a significant portion of our common shares in order to raise funds. In June 2006, Mosel sold 1,739,130 common shares through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Giant Haven, under a shelf registration statement which has since expired. In addition, in March 2007, we issued 3,043,749 common shares pursuant to a share purchase and subscription agreement with ChipMOS Taiwan and Siliconware Precision, and we entered into a registration rights agreement in March 2007 with Siliconware Precision, pursuant to which we granted to Siliconware Precision certain rights to require us to register these common shares for sale under the Securities Act. In July 2007, Mosel sold 2,030,316 common shares through Giant Haven Investment Limited (“Giant Haven”) to ProMOS Technologies Inc. (“ProMOS”) and Powertech Technology Inc. (“Powertech Technology”) and we then granted Giant Haven, ProMOS and Powertech Technology certain rights to require us to register these common shares for sale under the Securities Act. For a shareholder that is not our affiliate these shares may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 after lapse of the applicable holding period. In 2008, ProMOS failed to meet its payment obligations to ThaiLin. Subsequently in March 2009, ThaiLin acquired 1,015,158 common shares from ProMOS pursuant to its enforcement of the collateral under a Stock Pledge Agreement between ThaiLin and ProMOS dated December 3, 2008. In November 2012, ThaiLin sold 2,000,000 common shares and Siliconware Precision sold 800,000 common shares pursuant to a Secondary Offering. In May 2013, ThaiLin completed its sale of 380,506 of our common shares to Tokyo Seimitsu. In November 2013 and January 2014, ThaiLin sold 2,000,000 common shares and 2,093,705 common shares back to the Company, respectively. After the transactions, ThaiLin did not hold any of our common shares. In September 2014, Siliconware Precision sold 1,000,000 common shares back to the Company. From April 2012 to March 2014, Mosel sold 2,267,270 common shares through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Giant Haven, under Rule 144. By the end of 2014, Mosel and Mosel’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Giant Haven did not hold any of our common shares. Furthermore, Siliconware Precision may be able to sell, in any three-month period, that number of those ChipMOS common shares that Siliconware Precision owns, up to the greater of (i) one percent of our outstanding common shares or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of our common shares as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market during the four calendar weeks prior to filing a notice under Rule 144(h) for any such sales pursuant to Rule 144(e) under the Securities Act.

 

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On September 14, 2007, the Company issued 151,031 common shares pursuant to a share exchange transaction with ChipMOS Taiwan, under which the Company exchanged one common share for every 8.4 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares then outstanding. Following the completion of the share exchange transaction, ChipMOS Taiwan became our wholly-owned subsidiary. In February 2010, we agreed to sell 15.8% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to Siliconware Precision. In January 2011, the share purchase transaction was completed and we owned 84.2% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares as of December 31, 2011. On April 16, 2013, as part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, we completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters for the TWSE listing plan and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. From September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we sold 180 million shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per shares to investors. After the completion of the aforesaid sales the Company held approximately 523 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 62.1% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we continue to own approximately 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 59.3% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future” for additional information on ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing on the main board of TWSE. We plan to issue, from time to time, additional shares in connection with employee compensation and to finance possible future capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Option Plan and Share Appreciation Rights Plan” for a discussion of the Share Option Plan that we have adopted for the benefit of all of our directors, officers, employees and consultants. The issuance of additional shares may have a dilutive effect on other shareholders and may cause the price of our common shares to decrease.

In addition, the indictment relating to Mr. Hung-Chiu Hu alleges that embezzled funds were used in investments by PacRay International Holdings Limited, formerly known as PacMOS Technologies Holdings Limited (“PacMOS”), which, as of March 31, 2016, owned 1.7% of our outstanding common shares. As a result, PacMOS may be ordered by relevant authorities to dispose of its investments made with any embezzled funds, which may result in a sale of our shares by PacMOS. A sale of a significant number of our shares by PacMOS or our other current shareholders could depress our share price.

The share numbers disclosed in the foregoing paragraphs are adjusted for the Company’s 1-for-every-4 reverse stock split effective on January 21, 2011.

On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, to sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). Under the terms of the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, at the closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup will have the right to appoint one representative to be elected as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan. Tsinghua Unigroup undertook that it would abide by the laws of the ROC in connection with investments made by PRC investors in Taiwan, including: (1) it would not have the control over ChipMOS Taiwan, (2) it would not serve as the managerial officer of ChipMOS Taiwan or appoint managerial officers of ChipMOS Taiwan, (3) the board seats held by Tsinghua Unigroup in ChipMOS Taiwan would not out-number the seats held by all other shareholders, (4) it would not solicit proxy for ChipMOS Taiwan general meeting and (5) it would undertake other matters as requested by the governmental agencies. On January 21, 2016, both the Board of Directors of Company and ChipMOS Taiwan approved the merger of ChipMOS with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan becoming the surviving company and entered into an agreement and plan of merger dated January 21, 2016 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan. After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary also have entered into other agreements related to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. Please see “—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.—Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed.” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan — agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.” for additional information.

If the trading price of our common shares declines, we may face a limited public market for our common shares and reduced availability of future debt or equity financing.

 

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Companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) are subject to delisting for, among other things, failure to maintain a minimum closing bid price of US$1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. We are in compliance with the NASDAQ Listing Rules as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. We were not in compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement from September 15, 2009 until May 5, 2010, when we regained compliance. During this time, we applied for, and NASDAQ approved, the transfer of our listing from NASDAQ Global Select Market to NASDAQ Capital Market. If the bid price of our common stock falls below US$1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days again in the future, we may be subject to delisting. If our common shares are delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market, our common shares would likely trade in the over-the-counter market, which could make selling our common shares more difficult. Smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts’ coverage of us may be reduced. In addition, in the event our common shares are delisted, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our common shares. These factors could limit our common shares’ liquidity and result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common shares.

Future declines in our share price could also significantly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing, and could significantly increase ownership dilution to shareholders caused by our issuing equity in financing or other transactions. A general permission under the Exchange Control Act 1972 and the Exchange Control Regulation 1973 (as amended) (and other relevant legislations and regulations) of Bermuda has been given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”) for the issue and transfer of our common shares to and between non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, provided that our common shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange (which includes listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market). In the event our common shares are no longer listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market or another appointed stock exchange, specific consents of the BMA would be required for all issues and transfers of our shares, unless such issues and/or transfers fall under certain exemptions as provided by the BMA.

Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.

Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed.

On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, to sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). Under the terms of the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, at the closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup will have the right to appoint one representative to be elected as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan. Tsinghua Unigroup undertook that it would abide by the laws of the ROC in connection with investments made by PRC investors in Taiwan, including: (1) it would not have the control over ChipMOS Taiwan, (2) it would not serve as the managerial officer of ChipMOS Taiwan or appoint managerial officers of ChipMOS Taiwan, (3) the board seats held by Tsinghua Unigroup in ChipMOS Taiwan would not out-number the seats held by all other shareholders, (4) it would not solicit proxy for ChipMOS Taiwan general meeting and (5) it would undertake other matters as requested by the governmental agencies. After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary also have entered into other agreements related to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. Please see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan — agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.” for additional information.

We expect that completing the Private Placement and transactions contemplated under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement and related agreements will expand and strengthen the relationship between ChipMOS Taiwan and companies in the LCD drivers assembly and test services and wafer bumping services sectors in the PRC, and will also result in ChipMOS Taiwan being introduced to other potential suppliers, customers and business partners in the PRC. The completion of the Private Placement and the anticipated potential benefits of these transactions to ChipMOS Taiwan, however, are contingent upon satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. One of these conditions is approval by the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan (“MOEAIC”). The MOEAIC has full discretion as to whether the Private Placement will be approved. The Private Placement may or may not be approved by the MOEAIC. Further, in order to consummate the Private Placement, ChipMOS Taiwan will need to obtain approvals from the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the amendment to the investment plan and updating the company registration particulars regarding the increase of the total capital stock of ChipMOS Taiwan. It could develop that either or both of these conditions, as well as other conditions, may not be satisfied or may require expending more time and resources to satisfy than contemplated under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. That may delay or prevent the completion of the Private Placement, which would significantly reduce or eliminate the anticipated potential benefits of these transactions to ChipMOS Taiwan. Also, the anticipated potential benefits of these transactions to ChipMOS Taiwan could be significantly reduced by unforeseen events and occurrences, including without limitation significant adverse changes in the prospects for growth in or a significant decline in demand in the Company’s and its subsidiaries’s (“ChipMOS Group”) business or industry or in the business or industry of companies in the LCD drivers assembly and test services and wafer bumping services sectors in the PRC.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan

The Merger of the Company with and into ChipMOS Taiwan is subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied, or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the Merger could have material and adverse effects on the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan.

The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, a company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of China (“ROC”) and the Company’s 59.2% directly owned subsidiary as of March 31, 2016, have entered into an agreement and plan of merger dated January 21, 2016 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each common share of the Company, par value US$0.04 per share (each, an “IMOS Share”, and collectively, the “IMOS Shares”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each such IMOS Share, (i) 0.9355 ADS, representing 18.71 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, each ADS representing 20 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares (the “Share Consideration”), and (ii) US$3.71 in cash, without interest, net of any applicable withholding tax (the “Cash Consideration” and together with the Share Consideration and any cash in lieu of any fractional ADS, the “Merger Consideration”). Upon completion of the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries will own and continue to conduct the business that they currently conduct in substantially the same manner. For additional information see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

The completion of the Merger and the issuance and payment of the Merger Consideration is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the approvals by the Company’s shareholders and ChipMOS Taiwan’s shareholders, no applicable laws prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, all required governmental and regulatory approvals for the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been obtained, including without limitation the approval by relevant ROC authorities, the applicable provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, the declaration by the SEC on effectiveness of the registration statements on Form F-4, Form F-6 and Form 8-A with respect to the Merger, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of those forms being in effect, no proceedings for such purpose being pending or threatened by the SEC, the ADSs authorized for listing on NASDAQ, ChipMOS Taiwan Shares underlying the ADSs being admitted to trading on TWSE, and all transaction approvals having been taken, made, obtained or otherwise occurred. Also, the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger has not been consummated on or before the End Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

If the Merger is not completed on a timely basis, or at all, the Company’s and ChipMOS Taiwan’s respective ongoing businesses may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the Merger, the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan and the Company will be required to pay their respective costs relating to the Merger, such as legal, accounting, financial advisory and printing fees, whether or not the Merger is completed;

 

   

time and resources committed by ChipMOS Taiwan’s and the Company’s respective management to matters relating to the Merger could otherwise have been devoted to pursuing other beneficial opportunities;

 

   

the market price of the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or the IMOS Shares could decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed;

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan and/or the Company could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the Merger or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against ChipMOS Taiwan or the Company to perform their respective obligations under the Merger Agreement; and

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan or the Company may be required, in certain circumstances, to pay a termination fee ranging from US$20 million to US$40 million to the other party (for additional information see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan—Termination Fee”).

 

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The Merger Agreement contains provisions that limit the Company’s ability to pursue alternatives to the Merger, could discourage a potential competing acquirer of the Company from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require the Company to pay a termination fee of up to US$20 million to the other party.

The Merger Agreement contains certain provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to initiate, solicit or take any action to knowingly facilitate or encourage, or enter into, participate or engage in any negotiations with respect to, or approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any third–party proposal for an alternative transaction. The Merger Agreement also contains certain provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to approve, recommend or enter into certain third–party unsolicited bona fide proposals for an alternative transaction. In addition, ChipMOS Taiwan has a reasonable opportunity to make any adjustments to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement so that the alternative proposal raised by third-party ceases to be a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement). In some circumstances, upon termination of the Merger Agreement, the Company will be required to pay a termination fee of up to US$20 million to ChipMOS Taiwan (for additional information see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan—Termination Fee”).

These provisions could discourage a potential third–party acquirer or merger partner that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of the Company or pursuing an alternative transaction from considering or proposing such a transaction, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share cash or market value than the Merger Consideration or might result in a potential third–party acquirer or merger partner proposing to pay a lower price to the Company shareholders than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee of up to US$20 million that may become payable in certain circumstances.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated and the Company determines to seek another business combination, the Company may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the Merger.

The expected benefits of the Merger may not be realized.

The ChipMOS Group refers to ChipMOS and its subsidiaries as a group, and upon the consummation of the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as a group. After the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan will not have the non-controlling interests and ChipMOS Taiwan’s Form 20-F for ADS will remain in conformity with the IFRSs. The ChipMOS Group cannot be assured that all of the goals of the Merger will be achievable, particularly as the achievement of the benefits are in many important respects subject to factors that it does not control. These factors would include such things as the reactions of third parties with whom the ChipMOS Group enters into contracts and do business and the reactions of investors, analysts and the U.S., Bermuda and Taiwan taxing authorities.

In addition, while the ChipMOS Group expects that the Merger will enable it to continue to take advantage of improving corporate governance of the ChipMOS Group, eliminating the holding company discount in the current market trading price of the IMOS Shares, enhancing investment flexibility and efficiencies, reducing operational cost, providing operational and administrative efficiencies in the long term, maximizing shareholder value and achieving a more tax efficient ChipMOS Group structure, these benefits may not be achieved. If the ChipMOS Group cannot realize the anticipated benefits, its business, results of operations and financial condition may suffer as a result.

Rights of holders of IMOS Shares as shareholders of the Company will change as a result of the Merger in a manner that may be less favorable to holders of IMOS Shares.

The consummation of the Merger will change the governing law that applies to the Company shareholders from Bermuda law (which applies to the IMOS Shares) to ROC law (which applies to the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares) and New York contract law (which applies under the Deposit Agreement, as defined in the Merger Agreement). Some of the principal attributes of the IMOS Shares and the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares will be similar. There are, however, several significant differences between the rights of shareholders under Bermuda law and under ROC law, and there are differences between the Company’s current Memorandum and Articles and bye-laws and the Articles of Incorporation that will apply to the Company shareholders after the consummation of the Merger through the ADS arrangements contemplated by the Deposit Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement). For additional information see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan—Comparison of Rights of Shareholders”.

 

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Item 4. Information on the Company

Overview of the Company

We believe that we are one of the leading independent providers of semiconductor assembly and test services. Specifically, we believe that we are one of the leading independent providers of testing and assembly services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors in Taiwan and for advanced memory and logic/mixed-signal products in Taiwan and Mainland China. The depth of our engineering expertise and the breadth of our assembly and test technologies enable us to provide our customers with advanced and comprehensive assembly and test services. In addition, our geographic presence in Taiwan and Mainland China is attractive to customers wishing to take advantage of the logistical and cost efficiencies stemming from our close proximity to foundries and producers of consumer electronic products in Taiwan and Mainland China. Our production facilities are located in Hsinchu and Tainan, Taiwan and Shanghai, Mainland China.

Our Structure and History

We are a holding company, incorporated in August 2000 under the Bermuda Companies Act, under the name “ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD”. Our principal place of business is located at No. 1, R&D Road 1, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China and our phone number is (+886) 3 563 3988. We provide most of our services in Taiwan through our subsidiary, ChipMOS Taiwan, in which we hold a majority ownership interest, and its subsidiaries and investees. We also provide services in Mainland China through ChipMOS Shanghai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (BVI) LTD., or ChipMOS BVI, also formerly known as Modern Mind, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan. As of March 31, 2016, Baupost Group LLC/MA, owned 13.7% of our common shares and Soros Fund Management LLC owned 5.0% of our common shares.

The following chart illustrates our corporate structure and our equity interest in each of our principal subsidiaries and affiliates as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

LOGO

 

Note:

(1) Under IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements”, we are required to consolidate the financial results of any subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling interest or voting interest in excess of 50% or we have the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies, notwithstanding the lack of majority ownership. We consolidated the financial results of ChipMOS Taiwan, ChipMOS USA Inc., or ChipMOS USA, ThaiLin, ChipMOS TECHNOLGGIES (BVI) LTD., or ChipMOS BVI, also formerly known as Modern Mind, and ChipMOS BVI’s wholly-owned subsidiary ChipMOS Shanghai.

 

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Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries

Below is a description of our principal consolidated subsidiaries:

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

ChipMOS Taiwan — General. ChipMOS Taiwan was incorporated in Taiwan in July 1997 as a joint venture company of Mosel and Siliconware Precision and with the participation of other investors. Its operations consist of the assembly and test of semiconductors as well as gold bumping and memory module manufacturing. We acquired our interest in ChipMOS Taiwan by issuing our common shares to ChipMOS Taiwan’s shareholders in exchange for their 70.3% shareholding in ChipMOS Taiwan in January 2001. In October 2001, ChipMOS Taiwan issued 6,911,732 common shares as employee bonuses. In December 2002, we issued 132,793 common shares in exchange for 5,633,442 ChipMOS Taiwan common shares held by these employees.

On March 27, 2007, we completed a share purchase and subscription transaction with ChipMOS Taiwan and Siliconware Precision, under which we and ChipMOS Taiwan purchased all of Siliconware Precision’s equity interest in ChipMOS Taiwan, and Siliconware Precision subscribed to 3,043,749 of our newly issued common shares through a private placement. As of March 31, 2007, we held 99.1% of the outstanding common shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. On September 14, 2007, we completed a share exchange transaction with ChipMOS Taiwan pursuant to which we exchanged one common share for every 8.4 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares. In connection with the share exchange transaction, the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan paid in the aggregate NT$53 million in cash to purchase fractional shares and shares held by dissenting shareholders, and the Company issued 151,031 new common shares. Following the completion of the share exchange transaction, ChipMOS Taiwan became our wholly-owned subsidiary. In February 2010, we agreed to sell 15.8% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to Siliconware Precision. The share purchase transaction was completed in January 2011. On April 16, 2013, as part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, we completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters for the TWSE listing plan and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. From September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we sold 180 million shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per shares to investors. After the completion of the aforesaid sale, the Company held approximately 523 million ChipMOS TaiwanSshares, representing 62.1% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. On November 12, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan made announcement for the contemplated merger with ThaiLin. The merger was completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan continued as the surviving entity. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we continue to own approximately 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 59.3% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future” for additional information.

The share numbers disclosed in the foregoing paragraph are adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1-for-every-4 reverse stock split effective on January 21, 2011.

ChipMOS Taiwan — agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.

On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan signed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 4.71, to sell 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through a private placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). Under the terms of the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, at the closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup will have the right to appoint one representative to be elected as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan. Tsinghua Unigroup undertook that it would abide by the laws of the ROC in connection with investments made by PRC investors in Taiwan, including: (1) it would not have the control over ChipMOS Taiwan; (2) it would not serve as the managerial officer of ChipMOS Taiwan or appoint managerial officers of ChipMOS Taiwan; (3) the board seats held by Tsinghua Unigroup in ChipMOS Taiwan would not out-number the seats held by all other shareholders; (4) it would not solicit proxy for ChipMOS Taiwan general meeting; and (5) it would undertake other matters as requested by the governmental agencies. After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger.

On December 11, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup also executed the Strategic Alliance Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 4.72, designed to strengthen the long-term cooperation relationship between the two companies. Under the terms of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, Tsinghua Unigroup would assist ChipMOS Taiwan in expanding and strengthening the relationship between ChipMOS Taiwan and companies relating to the assembly and test services of LCD drivers and wafer bumping services in the PRC, and would introduce other potential suppliers, customers and business partners in the PRC to ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

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On January 28, 2016, the proposed Private Placement was approved by the shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan in an extraordinary general meeting.

On February 25, 2016, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 4.74, under which Tsinghua Unigroup assigned its obligations and liabilities under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement to Tibet MaoYeChaungXin INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED (“Tibet MaoYe”), which is a subsidiary controlled by Tsinghua Unigroup. From the execution of the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, Tibet MaoYe became the “Subscriber” defined in the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement and assumed all the rights, benefits, liabilities and obligations incurred from the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. On the same date, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tibet MaoYe executed the Tibet MaoYe Share Subscription Agreement (included as Exhibit 4.75), the substantive content of which is consistent with the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement.

The proposed Private Placement remains subject to the approval of the MOEAIC. Since Tibet MaoYe, the subscriber of the Private Placement, falls within the definition of an investor from the PRC under the ROC laws and regulations in connection with PRC investment, and since ChipMOS Taiwan’s main area of operations, i.e., the semiconductor assembly and test services, is one of the key industrial sectors regulated under the ROC laws and regulations in connection with PRC investment, Tibet MaoYe has to apply with the MOEAIC for an investment approval, which is subject to a special review. Further, in order to consummate the Private Placement, ChipMOS Taiwan will need to obtain approvals from the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the amendment to the investment plan and updating the company registration particulars regarding the increase of the total capital stock of ChipMOS Taiwan.

Below is the ChipMOS Taiwan post-Merger and post-Private Placement capitalization table based on the total numbers of IMOS Shares and ChipMOS Taiwan Shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2016:

 

     Common Stock      Common %  

Investors

     

Company Shareholders

     511,009,690         43.7

Other Shareholders

     359,824,784         30.7

Tsinghua Unigroup Private Placement

     299,252,000         25.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,170,086,474         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. — Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed” for additional information.

Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan

Introduction

The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, a company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the ROC and the Company’s 59.2% directly owned subsidiary as of March 31, 2016, have entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each IMOS Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each such IMOS Share, (i) 0.9355 ADS, representing 18.71 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, each ADS representing 20 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, and (ii) US$3.71 in cash, without interest, net of any applicable withholding tax. Upon completion of the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries will own and continue to conduct the business that they currently conduct in substantially the same manner.

The Exchange Ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes in the market value of IMOS Shares or ChipMOS Taiwan Shares. Because the Exchange Ratio was fixed at the time the Merger Agreement was executed and because the market value of IMOS Shares and ChipMOS Taiwan Shares are expected to fluctuate, the Company’s shareholders cannot be sure of the value of the ADSs that they will receive in connection with the Merger relative to the value of their IMOS Shares.

 

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Effective Time

On or prior to the closing date, the parties shall cause (i) a statutory Merger Agreement (in the form set forth in Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement) (the “Bermuda Merger Agreement”) to be executed and delivered, (ii) an application by the Company to be made to the Minister of Economic Development in Bermuda (“Minister”) for the purpose of the Minister approving the Merger and the continuance of ChipMOS Taiwan as the surviving company, (iii) a notice of the Merger together with all matters required to be attached thereto or contained therein to be prepared, executed and delivered to the Registrar of the Companies in Bermuda (the “Bermuda Registrar”) and (iv) a request to be included in such notice that the Bermuda Registrar provided in the certificate of merger with respect to the Merger. Such certificate will provide that the Merger will become effective on the date specified in the Bermuda Merger Agreement or at such other subsequent date as ChipMOS Taiwan and the Company may agree pursuant to the terms of the Bermuda Merger Agreement in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act, the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act and the ROC Company Act.

At the Effective Time, subject to applicable laws in relevant jurisdictions, the effect of the Merger includes that (i) the merger of the Company with and into ChipMOS Taiwan and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in ChipMOS Taiwan shall become effective, (ii) the property of each of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan shall become ChipMOS Taiwan’s property, (iii) ChipMOS Taiwan shall continue to be liable for the obligations and liabilities of each of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, (iv) any existing cause of action, claim or liability to prosecution shall be unaffected, (v) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding pending by or against each of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan may continue to be prosecuted by or against ChipMOS Taiwan and (vi) a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favor of or against, the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan may be enforced by or against ChipMOS Taiwan.

Below is the chart showing the organizational structure of ChipMOS Group after the Effective Time of Merger and closing of the proposed Private Placement (if consummated after receipt of all required regulatory approvals):

 

 

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Merger Consideration

As a result of the Merger, each IMOS Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each of such IMOS Share, consideration of (i) 0.9355 ADS, each representing 20 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, and (ii) US$3.71 in cash, without interest. After the Effective Time, each IMOS Share will automatically be cancelled and cease to exist, except represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration and the right to receive any dividends or other distributions as provided in the Merger Agreement.

 

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Conversion of Shares

ChipMOS Taiwan shall agree to appoint Citibank, N.A. prior to the Effective Time, or any other reputable U.S. national bank reasonably acceptable to the parties, to act as exchange agent of ChipMOS Taiwan (the “Exchange Agent”) for the purpose of exchanging the Merger Consideration for IMOS Shares. Promptly after the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall cause the Exchange Agent to send, to each holder of record of certificated IMOS Shares at the Effective Time a letter of transmittal and instructions. Holders of IMOS Shares with certificates representing such IMOS Shares shall be required to surrender the certificates representing such IMOS Shares to the Exchange Agent with a duly completed and signed letter of transmittal in order to receive the Merger Consideration and applicable dividends or other distributions. Holders of uncertificated IMOS Shares shall not be required to take any actions to surrender their IMOS Shares to the Exchange Agent because they shall be deemed to have surrendered their IMOS Shares to the Exchange Agent immediately after the Effective Time. Certificates or uncertificated IMOS Shares so surrendered or transferred will be cancelled. The ADSs will be accepted into The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and issued in uncertificated book-entry form to an account as specified by DTC unless a physical ADR is requested or otherwise required by applicable laws.

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders

Any IMOS Shareholder of record on the Record Date who is not satisfied that it has been offered fair value for its IMOS Shares and whose IMOS shares are not voted in favor of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, and the Company’s adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement may exercise its appraisal rights under Section 106(6) of the Bermuda Companies Act to have the fair value of its IMOS Shares appraised by the Bermuda Court. Persons owning beneficial interests in IMOS Shares but who are not shareholders of record should note that only persons who are shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to make an application for appraisal. Any shareholder of the Company of record intending to exercise appraisal rights MUST file its application for appraisal of the fair value of its IMOS Shares with the Bermuda Court within one month of the giving of the notice convening the Special General Meeting of IMOS Shareholders.

If a shareholder of the Company votes in favor of the Merger Agreement, the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the Merger at the Special General Meeting of IMOS Shareholders, such shareholder will have no right to apply to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of its shares, and instead, if the Merger is completed, and as discussed in “—Effects of the Merger; Merger Consideration; Rights of Dissenting Shareholders”, each IMOS Share held by such shareholder will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. Voting against the Merger, or not voting, will not in itself satisfy the requirements for exercise of an IMOS’s shareholder’s right to apply for appraisal of the fair value of its IMOS Shares under Bermuda law.

In any case where a registered holder of IMOS Shares has made an appraisal application, which shareholder is referred to as a “dissenting shareholder”, in respect of the IMOS Shares held by such dissenting shareholder, which are referred to as “dissenting shares”, and the Merger has been made effective under Bermuda law before the Bermuda Court’s appraisal of the fair value of such dissenting shares then, if the fair value of the dissenting shares is later appraised by the Bermuda Court, such dissenting shareholder will be paid by ChipMOS Taiwan, the surviving company of the Merger, the difference between the amount paid to him and the value appraised by the Bermuda Court within one month of the Bermuda Court’s appraisal.

In any case where the value of the dissenting shares held by a dissenting shareholder is appraised by the Bermuda Court before the Merger has been made effective under Bermuda law, then the Company will be required to pay the dissenting shareholder within one month of the Bermuda Court’s appraisal an amount equal to the value of the dissenting shares appraised by the Bermuda Court, unless the Merger is terminated under the terms of the Merger Agreement.

Any holder of ChipMOS Taiwan Shares who did not vote in favor of the Merger and is entitled to require appraisal of such shares (“ChipMOS Taiwan Dissenting Shares”) pursuant to Article 12 of the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act may exercise its appraisal right to require ChipMOS Taiwan to purchase its ChipMOS Taiwan Dissenting Shares within twenty (20) days after the date of the approval of the Merger by ChipMOS Taiwan shareholders.

Treatment of IMOS Equity Awards

At the Effective Time, all of the Company’s outstanding share options and share appreciation rights, whether vested or unvested, shall be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon, equal to the product of (i) the total number of IMOS Shares subject to awards under such plans immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess, if any, of the “Per Share Value” (calculated as the sum of (a) the Cash Consideration, plus (b) the product of (x) the average closing price for a ChipMOS Taiwan Share on the TWSE for the 10 consecutive trading days ending with the third complete trading day immediately prior to, but not including, the closing date of the Merger, in US$ based on the average closing NT$:US$ buying cash rate published by the Bank of Taiwan for those trading days, multiplied by (y) 18.71) over the exercise price per IMOS Share of such cancelled options or rights, less applicable withholding taxes.

In the event that the product obtained by such calculation with respect to such plans is zero or a negative number, such option or rights shall be, immediately prior to the Effective Time, cancelled without consideration.

 

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Such amount in cash shall be paid by the Company or, to the extent not paid by the Company prior to the Effective Time, by ChipMOS Taiwan to each holder of the options or rights immediately prior to the Effective Time, as promptly as practicable, but no later than the next regularly scheduled employee payroll date in the jurisdiction of such holder after the Effective Time.

Fractional ChipMOS Taiwan ADSs

No fractional ADSs shall be issued in the Merger. All fractional ADSs that any holders of certificated or uncertificated ChipMOS Taiwan Shares would otherwise be entitled to receive as a result of the Merger shall be aggregated and if a fractional ADS results from such aggregation, such holder shall be entitled to receive, in lieu thereof, an amount in cash without interest determined by multiplying the closing price for a ChipMOS Taiwan Share on the TWSE on the trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time, in US$ based on the average closing NT$:US$ buying cash rate published by the Bank of Taiwan for such date, by the product of the fraction of an ADS to which such holder would otherwise have been entitled, multiplied by the ADS to shares ratio, which is 20, which shall be distributed to such holder by the Exchange Agent together with the Merger Consideration.

Structure of ChipMOS Taiwan After the Effective Time

From and after the Effective Time, the Articles of Incorporation, the directors and the officers of ChipMOS Taiwan shall remain the same until amended or successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with the relevant applicable laws.

Representations and Warranties of IMOS

Among others, the Company represents and warrants to ChipMOS Taiwan that:

 

   

The Company is an exempted company with limited liability duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Bermuda.

 

   

The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger by the Company are within its corporate powers and, except for IMOS shareholder approval, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Merger Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity).

 

   

The IMOS Board, after carefully considering all relevant factors, including the unanimous determination and recommendation of the IMOS Special Committee, unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Consideration constitutes fair value for each IMOS Share and (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and determined that the Merger Agreement, the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of, the Company and its shareholders as a whole.

 

   

The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation the Merger require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental authority, other than: (i) the application to the Minister for the purpose of the Merger and the continuance of the surviving company, (ii) the filing of notice and related attachments with the Bermuda Registrar, the written notification from the Bermuda Monetary Authority and/or the Minister pursuant to the Bermuda Companies Act confirming that they have no objection to the Merger and approving the ROC as an approved jurisdiction for the purposes of the Bermuda Companies Act, (iii) compliance with any other applicable requirements of the Bermuda Companies Act, the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act and the ROC Company Act, (iv) compliance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including the filing with the SEC of the Form F-4, the Form F-6, the Form 8-A and the Schedule 13E-3 and the declaration by the SEC of the effectiveness of those forms and schedule, (v) the appropriate applications, filings and notices to, and approval of, NASDAQ and the TWSE, (vi) all approvals, consents, notifications, permits or licenses issued by applicable governmental authority in the ROC required for the consummation of the Merger and (vii) any other actions or filings the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the Merger (“Transaction Approvals”).

 

   

The execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of its Memorandum of Association and bye-laws, (ii) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable laws, (iii) require any consent or other action by any person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which the Company is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of the Company or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any asset of the Company, with only such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) through (iv), as would not reasonably be expected to have to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the Merger.

 

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All outstanding shares of the Company have been, and all shares that may be issued pursuant to any IMOS share option or other compensation plan or arrangement will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. The Company does not hold any IMOS Shares as treasury shares.

 

   

There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which IMOS shareholders may vote. Except as set forth otherwise in the Merger Agreement, there are no issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or other voting securities of or ownership interests in the Company, (ii) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities of or ownership interests in the Company or (iii) warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company, or other obligation of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (iv) restricted shares, share appreciation rights, performance units, contingent value rights, “phantom” stock or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock of or voting securities of the Company (“IMOS Securities”). The Company has no outstanding obligations to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the IMOS Securities, and is not a party to any voting agreement with respect to the voting of the IMOS Securities.

 

   

The disclosure schedule of the Merger Agreement sets forth the following information with respect to each IMOS equity award outstanding as of the date of the Merger Agreement: (i) the name and address of each recipient of IMOS equity award (ii) the number of IMOS Shares subject to such IMOS equity award (iii) the exercise or purchase price of such IMOS equity award (iv) the date on which such IMOS equity award was granted (v) the applicable conditions on vesting, including applicable performance criteria, and vesting schedule and (vi) the date on which such IMOS equity award expires. Each grant of IMOS equity award was properly approved or ratified by the IMOS Board (or a duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof) in material compliance with all applicable laws.

 

   

The Company does not directly own any equity securities or other ownership interests in any person other than ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

   

The information to be supplied by or on behalf of the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form F-4, the Form F-6, the Form 8-A, the Schedule 13E-3, the proxy statement/prospectus or any filing by ChipMOS Taiwan with the FSC, the Central Bank of the ROC, the TWSE or the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology in respect of the Merger shall not at the time each of such statements is filed, mailed, amended, supplemented, declared effective, at the time of the IMOS shareholder meeting or at the Effective Time, as applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by ChipMOS Taiwan in the statements above.

Representations and Warranties of ChipMOS Taiwan

ChipMOS Taiwan represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan is a company limited by shares duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the ROC.

 

   

The execution, delivery and performance by ChipMOS Taiwan of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger are within ChipMOS Taiwan’s corporate powers and, except for the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

   

The ChipMOS Taiwan Board has (i) approved and adopted the Merger Agreement, and authorized and approved the Merger; and (iii) proposed that the Merger Agreement be submitted for consideration at the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder meeting.

 

   

The execution, delivery and performance by ChipMOS Taiwan of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental authority other than (i) the Transaction Approvals, and (ii) any other actions or filings the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have to have a material adverse effect on ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to consummate the Merger.

 

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The execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the Bermuda Merger Agreement and the consummation of the Merger do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable laws, (iii) require any consent or other action by any person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which ChipMOS Taiwan is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of ChipMOS Taiwan or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any asset of ChipMOS Taiwan, with only such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) through (iv), as would not reasonably be expected to have to have a material adverse effect on ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to consummate the Merger.

 

   

All outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.

 

   

Except as set forth otherwise in the Merger Agreement, there are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or voting securities of ChipMOS Taiwan, (ii) securities of ChipMOS Taiwan convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of ChipMOS Taiwan or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from ChipMOS Taiwan or other obligation of ChipMOS Taiwan to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of ChipMOS Taiwan (“ChipMOS Taiwan Securities”). ChipMOS Taiwan or any of its subsidiaries has no outstanding obligations to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the ChipMOS Taiwan Securities, and is not a party to any voting agreement with respect to the voting of the ChipMOS Taiwan Securities.

 

   

All ChipMOS Taiwan Shares represented by the ADSs will be, when so issued and allotted, duly authorized, validly issued and allotted, fully paid and free of preemptive rights. The ADSs will be duly issued in accordance with the Deposit Agreement.

 

   

The information to be supplied by or on behalf of ChipMOS Taiwan for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form F-4, the Form F-6, the Form 8-A, the Schedule 13E-3, the proxy statement/prospectus or any filing by ChipMOS Taiwan with the FSC, the Central Bank of the ROC, the TWSE or the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology in respect of the Merger shall not at the time each of such statements is filed, mailed, amended, supplemented, declared effective, at the time of the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder meeting or at the Effective Time, as applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ChipMOS Taiwan makes no representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by the Company in the statements above.

 

   

Each of ChipMOS Taiwan and the audit committee of ChipMOS Taiwan have received the opinion from their respective financial advisors, to the effect that as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the Merger Consideration is fair to ChipMOS Taiwan from a financial point of view.

Covenants of IMOS

From the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time, the Company shall conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve intact its present business organization, (ii) maintain in effect all of its licenses, permits, consents, franchises, approvals and authorizations, and (iii) keep available the services of its directors, officers and key employees. Except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company shall not do the following without the prior written consent of ChipMOS Taiwan, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed:

 

   

amend its Memorandum of Association or bye-laws;

 

   

(i) divide, combine or reclassify any of its shares, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its shares, or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any IMOS securities;

 

   

issue, deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any IMOS Securities, other than the issuance of any IMOS Shares upon the exercise of its share options that are outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement, in accordance with the terms of those options and the applicable IMOS share plans;

 

   

incur any capital expenditures or any obligations or liabilities in respect thereof, other than as contemplated in the 2016 annual budgetary plan as approved by the IMOS Board;

 

   

acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses;

 

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sell, lease or otherwise transfer, or create or incur any lien on, any of the Company’s assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person;

 

   

create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof, other than short-term credit facilities or lines of credit in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

(i) with respect to any director, officer or employee of the Company, (A) grant or increase any severance or termination pay to (or amend any existing severance pay or termination arrangement) or (B) enter into any employment, deferred compensation or other similar agreement (or amend any such existing agreement), (ii) increase benefits payable under any existing severance or termination pay policies, (iii) establish, adopt or amend (except as required by the applicable laws) any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, stock option, restricted stock or other benefit plan or arrangement or (iv) increase compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to any employee of the Company;

 

   

change the Company’s methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent changes in IFRS, as agreed to by its independent public accountants;

 

   

make or change any tax election, change any annual tax accounting period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting, file any amended tax returns or claims for tax refunds, enter into any closing agreement, surrender any tax claim, audit or assessment, surrender any right to claim a tax refund, offset or other reduction in tax liability, consent to any extension or waiver of the limitations period applicable to any tax claim or assessment or take or omit to take any other action, if any such action or omission would have the effect of increasing the tax liability or reducing any tax asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

   

settle, or offer or propose to settle any legal action that relates to the transactions; or

 

   

agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.

The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to the IMOS shareholders and take all actions in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act, the Memorandum of Association and bye-laws and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the IMOS shareholders as soon as reasonably practicable following the date the Form F-4 is declared effective by the SEC. The IMOS Board shall: (i) use its reasonable best efforts to solicit or cause to be solicited from its shareholders proxies to secure the shareholder approval, (ii) include the recommendation of the IMOS Board in the proxy statement/prospectus, and (iii) take all other actions necessary or advisable to secure the approval by IMOS shareholders.

The Company shall not by itself, or authorizes or permits any of its or their officers, directors, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants or other agents or advisors (“Representatives”) to, directly or indirectly: (i) initiate, solicit or take any action to knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage any inquiries or requests for information with respect to, the making of, or that could reasonably be expected to result in, an acquisition proposal, (ii) enter into, participate or engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any non-public information or data relating to it or any of its subsidiaries to any person or afford access to the resources, properties, assets, books or records of it or any of its subsidiaries to any person relating to, in connection with, or in response to an acquisition proposal, or any inquiry or indication of interest that could reasonably expected to result in an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any acquisition proposal, (iv) approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, or execute or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger or amalgamation agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement relating to any acquisition proposal (each an “Acquisition Agreement”), (v) terminate, amend, release, modify or fail to enforce any provision of, or grant any permission, waiver or request under, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement or obligations of any person (other than in respect of ChipMOS Taiwan), or (vi) propose publicly or commit, authorize or agree to do any of the foregoing relating to any acquisition proposal.

Prior to the Closing, neither the IMOS Board nor any committee thereof shall, directly or indirectly: (i) withhold, withdraw, modify or qualify, or publicly propose to withhold, withdraw, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to ChipMOS Taiwan, the recommendation of the IMOS Board, (ii) approve, adopt, recommend or declare advisable, or publicly propose to approve, adopt, recommend or declare advisable, any acquisition proposal or otherwise enter into or permit IMOS to enter into any Acquisition Agreement, (iii) if a tender offer or exchange offer for any issued and outstanding shares of the Company is commenced prior to obtaining the approval of IMOS shareholder, fail to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by its respective shareholders within five business days after commencement thereof (or in the event of a change in the terms of the tender offer or exchange offer, within five business days of the announcement of such changes), or (iv) fail to include the recommendation of the IMOS Board in the proxy statement/prospectus (“Change of Recommendation”).

 

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Until the earlier of receipt of the approval by IMOS Shareholder and any termination of the Merger Agreement, if the Company receives a written unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal that the IMOS Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors: (i) constitutes a bona fide written acquisition proposal made after the date of the Merger Agreement by any person (other than ChipMOS Taiwan) on terms more favorable to the Company and the IMOS shareholders than the Merger (“Superior Proposal”), or (ii) could reasonably be likely to result in a Superior Proposal, then the Company may: (A) furnish or disclose nonpublic information to the person making such acquisition proposal if, prior to furnishing such information, the Company receives from the third party an executed acceptable confidentiality agreement and (B) engage in discussions or negotiations with such person with respect to such acquisition proposal, in each case only if the IMOS Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel that failure to do so could violate the fiduciary duties of the IMOS Board under applicable laws.

The IMOS Board, at any time prior to the receipt of the approval of IMOS shareholder, in response to the receipt of the Superior Proposal, shall be permitted to effect a Change of Recommendation. The IMOS Board shall not be permitted to effect such a Change of Recommendation unless and until (i) at least five business days have passed following the ChipMOS Taiwan Board’s receipt of a written notice from the Company, (ii) during such five business day period (the “Matching Period”) (A) the IMOS Board shall have provided the ChipMOS Taiwan Board with a reasonable opportunity to make any adjustments to the terms and conditions of the Merger and shall negotiate with ChipMOS Taiwan in good faith, and (B) the IMOS Board shall have determined in good faith at the end of such Matching Period and, after considering the results of such negotiations and the revised proposals made by ChipMOS Taiwan, if any, and after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors that the Superior Proposal continues to be a Superior Proposal and that the failure to make such a Change of Recommendation could violate its fiduciary duties under applicable laws, and (iii) the IMOS Board has not materially breached its obligation under Section 6.03 of the Merger Agreement.

The Company shall immediately following execution of the Merger Agreement cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, solicitations, discussions or negotiations, if any, with any person (other than ChipMOS Taiwan) with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, and request that any such person to return or destroy any confidential information as promptly as practicable.

The Company shall vote all ChipMOS Taiwan Shares legally or beneficially owned by it in favor of the Merger at the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder meeting.

Covenants of ChipMOS Taiwan

From the date of the Merger Agreement until the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve intact its business organizations and relationships with third parties, (ii) maintain in effect all of its licenses, permits, consents, franchises, approvals and authorizations, and (iii) keep available the services of its present directors, officers and key employees. Except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan will not do the following without the prior written consent of the Company or the affirmative vote of the Company in person or by proxy at any shareholders’ meeting of ChipMOS Taiwan (which consent or vote shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement:

 

   

amend the Articles of Incorporation;

 

   

(i) divide, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock, or (iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any ChipMOS Taiwan Securities;

 

   

issue, deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any shares of any ChipMOS Taiwan Securities;

 

   

incur any capital expenditures or any obligations or liabilities in respect thereof, other than as contemplated in the 2016 annual budgetary plan as approved by the ChipMOS Taiwan Board;

 

   

acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

sell, lease or otherwise transfer, or create or incur any lien on, any of ChipMOS Taiwan’s’ assets, securities, properties, interests or businesses, other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or long-term equity investments in, any other person (other than any of its subsidiaries);

 

   

create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof, other than short-term credit facilities or lines of credit in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

(i) with respect to any director or officer of ChipMOS Taiwan, (ii) grant or increase any severance or termination pay to (or amend any existing severance pay or termination arrangement) or (iii) enter into any employment, deferred compensation or other similar agreement (or amend any such existing agreement), (iv) increase benefits payable under any existing severance or termination pay policies, or (v) establish, adopt or amend (except as required by the applicable law) any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, stock option, restricted stock or other benefit plan or arrangement;

 

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change ChipMOS Taiwan’s methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent changes in IFRS or Taiwan IFRS, as agreed to by its independent public accountants;

 

   

make or change any tax election, change any annual tax accounting period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting, file any amended tax returns or claims for tax refunds, enter into any closing agreement, surrender any tax claim, audit or assessment, surrender any right to claim a tax refund, offset or other reduction in tax liability, consent to any extension or waiver of the limitations period applicable to any tax claim or assessment or take or omit to take any other action, if any such action or omission would have the effect of increasing the tax liability or reducing any tax asset of ChipMOS Taiwan or any of its subsidiaries;

 

   

settle, or offer or propose to settle any legal action that relates to the transactions; or

 

   

agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.

For six years after the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall indemnify and hold harmless the present and former officers and directors of the Company (each, an “Indemnified Person”) in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the fullest extent permitted by the ROC Company Act or any other Applicable Law. Further, without limiting the foregoing in any way, (i) ChipMOS Taiwan shall assume and perform all obligations of the Company pursuant to each indemnification agreement between the Company and each Indemnified Person, copies of which have been provided to ChipMOS Taiwan prior to the date hereof, in accordance with each such agreement’s terms, including all obligations of the Company under each such agreement to indemnify each such Indemnified Person in respect of acts and omissions and to advance to each such Indemnified Person expenses of defending related claims, losses, damage costs, actions, suits, hearings, inquiries, investigations, proceedings or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms incurred by, or brought by any parties against, each such Indemnified Person (including all reasonable fees and costs of legal counsel and experts), and (ii) for six years after the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person to the fullest extent permitted by the ROC Company Act or any other applicable law in respect of acts and omissions occurring or decisions made by the IMOS Board in connection with, arising from or related in any way to any and all amendments to each and any of the IMOS share plans in accordance with the Merger Agreement and any related and ancillary actions taken by the Company or any of its directors as a result of such amendments and shall advance to each such director expenses of defending related claims, losses, damage costs, actions, suits, hearings, inquiries, investigations, proceedings or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms incurred by, or brought by any parties against, each such director (including all reasonable fees and costs of legal counsel and experts).

Prior to the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall obtain and fully pay the premium for the non-cancellable extension of the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage of the Company’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policies and the Company’s existing fiduciary liability insurance policies in each case for a claims reporting or discovery period of at least six years from and after the Effective Time with respect to any claim related to any period of time at or prior to the Effective Time with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are no less favorable than the coverage provided under the Company’s existing policies with respect to any actual or alleged error, misstatement, misleading statement, act, omission, neglect, breach of duty or any matter claimed against a director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by reason of him or her serving in such capacity that existed or occurred at or prior to the Effective Time; provided that the Company shall give ChipMOS Taiwan a reasonable opportunity to participate in the selection of such tail policy and the Company shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by ChipMOS Taiwan with respect thereto.

If ChipMOS Taiwan or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of ChipMOS Taiwan shall assume the obligations under Section 7.02 of the Merger Agreement.

ChipMOS Taiwan shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the mailing of the convocation notice to the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholders to occur as soon as practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement and cause a general meeting of the ChipMOS Taiwan Shareholders to occur for seeking and obtaining the approval of the Merger within 180 days of the date of the Merger Agreement. The ChipMOS Taiwan Board shall take all other actions necessary or advisable to secure the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval.

ChipMOS Taiwan shall cause a sponsored ADR facility to be established with the Depositary Bank for the purpose of issuing the ADSs. At or prior to the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall cause the Depositary Bank to issue a number of the ADSs sufficient to constitute the Share Consideration. As promptly as practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement, and in any event prior to the Effective Time, ChipMOS Taiwan shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares underlying the ADSs to be admitted for trading on the TWSE and to cause the ADSs to be approved for listing on NASDAQ.

 

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Covenants of Both IMOS and ChipMOS Taiwan

Both the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable on their part to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable and in any event prior to the End Date, the Merger and other transactions.

As soon as practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement, (i) the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan shall prepare and file with the SEC the Schedule 13E-3, (ii) ChipMOS Taiwan shall, in cooperation with the Company, prepare and file with the SEC the Form F-4 and the Form 8-A, and (iii) ChipMOS Taiwan shall prepare and file the convocation notice. The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan shall use reasonable best efforts to have the Schedule 13E-3 cleared and the Form F-4 declared and kept effective by the SEC. ChipMOS Taiwan shall use reasonable best efforts to have the Form 8-A declared effective by the SEC. As soon as practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Depositary Bank to file with the SEC the Form F-6 and to have the Form F-6 declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and in any event as of the Effective Time.

Except in respect of any public statement or press release as may be required by applicable laws or any requirements of the TWSE or NASDAQ, ChipMOS Taiwan and the Company shall not issue any such press release or make any such other public statement or schedule any such press conference or conference call without the consent of the other party.

Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall cooperate with ChipMOS Taiwan and use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part to enable the de-listing of the IMOS Shares from NASDAQ and the deregistration of the IMOS Shares under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time.

Conditions to Completion of the Merger

Unless, among other things, the following conditions or requirements are satisfied or, if allowed by law, waived, the Merger will not be completed:

 

   

the IMOS shareholder approval and the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval shall have been obtained;

 

   

no applicable laws shall prohibit the consummation of the Merger;

 

   

compliance with any applicable requirements of the Bermuda Companies Act, the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act and the ROC Company Act;

 

   

all approvals in Bermuda and the ROC shall have been obtained;

 

   

upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-4, Form F-6 and the Form 8-A with respect to the Merger, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of those forms shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC;

 

   

the ADSs to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall have been authorized for listing on NASDAQ, and the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares underlying the ADSs will have been admitted to trading on the TWSE; and

 

   

all transaction approvals will have been taken, made or obtained or otherwise occurred.

The obligations of ChipMOS Taiwan to consummate the Merger will be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions unless otherwise waived:

 

   

The Company shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time;

 

   

(A) the representations and warranties of the Company regarding corporate existence, corporate authorization, capitalization, finder’s fees and opinion of financial advisor shall be true in all material respects at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time and (B) the other representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement or in any certificate or other writing delivered by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be true at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, with, in the case of this clause (B) only, only such exceptions as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the Merger; and

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company to the foregoing effect.

The obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions unless otherwise waived:

 

   

ChipMOS Taiwan shall have performed in all material respects all of its obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Effective Time;

 

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(A) the representations and warranties of ChipMOS Taiwan regarding corporate existence, corporate authorization and capitalization will be true in all material respects at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time and (B) the other representations and warranties of ChipMOS Taiwan contained in the Merger Agreement or in any certificate or other writing delivered by ChipMOS Taiwan pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be true at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, with, in the case of this clause (B) only, only such exceptions as have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to consummate the Merger; and

 

   

The Company shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of ChipMOS Taiwan to the foregoing effect.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:

 

   

by mutual written agreement of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan;

 

   

by either the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan, if:

(i) the Merger shall have not been consummated on or before the End Date; provided that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement shall not be available to any party whose breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement results in the failure of the Merger to be consummated by such time;

(ii) there shall be any applicable law that (A) makes consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise prohibited or (B) enjoins the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan from consummating the Merger and such injunction shall have become final and non-appealable; or

(iii) (A) the ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval shall not have been obtained, or (B) the IMOS shareholder approval shall not have been obtained.

 

   

by ChipMOS Taiwan, if:

(i) prior to obtaining the IMOS shareholder approval, (A) a Change of Recommendation shall have occurred, or at any time after receipt or public announcement of an acquisition proposal, the IMOS Board shall have failed to reaffirm the recommendation of the IMOS Board as promptly as practicable (but in any event within five business days) after receipt of any written request to do so from ChipMOS Taiwan, or the IMOS Board shall have publicly announced an intention to take any of the foregoing actions, or (B) there shall have been any material breach of the Company’s obligation of convocation of a shareholders’ meeting for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the Merger and no solicitation obligation of the Company; or

(ii) breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have occurred and such condition is incapable of being satisfied by the End Date.

 

   

by the Company, if

(i) prior to obtaining ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval (A) the ChipMOS Taiwan Board shall have withheld, withdrawn, modified or qualified, in a manner adverse to the Company, the recommendation by the ChipMOS Taiwan Board, or the ChipMOS Taiwan Board shall have publicly announced an intention to take any of the foregoing actions, or (B) there shall have been any material breach of ChipMOS Taiwan’s obligation of convocation of a shareholders’ meeting for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the Merger;

(ii) (x) all of the conditions (including the approvals by IMOS shareholders and ChipMOS Taiwan shareholders, the non-prohibition on the consummation of the Merger by applicable laws, the approval by relevant ROC authorities, the declaration by SEC on effectiveness of the registration statements of Form F-4, Form F-6 and the Form 8-A with respect to the Merger, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of those forms being in effect, no proceedings for such purpose being in pending or threatened by the SEC, ADSs authorized for listing on NASDAQ, ChipMOS Taiwan Shares underlying the ADSs being admitted to trading on TWSE, all transaction approvals having been taken, made, obtained or otherwise occurred, the Company performing in all material respects all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and certain of the Company’s representations and warranties being true in all material respects at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time) shall have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to their satisfaction or waiver by the party having the benefit thereof), (y) the Company shall have irrevocably confirmed by notice to ChipMOS Taiwan that all of the conditions (including ChipMOS Taiwan performing in all material respects all of its obligations under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time and certain of ChipMOS Taiwan’s representations and warranties being true in all material respects at and as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time) shall have been satisfied or that the Company is willing to waive any unsatisfied preceding conditions and that the Company is ready, willing and able to consummate the closing, and (z) ChipMOS Taiwan fails to complete the closing within three (3) business days following the date the closing shall have occurred pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

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(iii) at any time prior to the receipt of the IMOS shareholder approval, at and after such time as the IMOS Board effects a change of recommendation, in order to enter into a definitive, written agreement concerning a superior proposal; provided that the Company shall have paid the termination fee to ChipMOS Taiwan pursuant to the Merger Agreement; or

(iv) a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of ChipMOS Taiwan set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have occurred which would cause the related closing conditions not to be satisfied and such condition is incapable of being satisfied by the End Date.

Termination Fee

If the Merger Agreement is terminated by ChipMOS Taiwan due to the IMOS Board’s change of recommendation for the IMOS shareholder approval for the Merger or the IMOS Board has made material breaches with respect to certain non-solicitation provisions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company shall pay ChipMOS Taiwan a termination fee of US$20 million (“Termination Fee”).

If the Merger Agreement is terminated by either the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan due to (i) failure to consummate the Merger one year after the date of the Merger Agreement or either IMOS shareholder approval or ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval shall not have been obtained at their respective shareholder meeting, (ii) after the date of the Merger Agreement and such termination, an acquisition proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise communicated to the IMOS Board or IMOS shareholder and (iii) within 12 months of such termination, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to or recommend to IMOS shareholder a Superior Proposal or a Superior Proposal shall have been consummated, then the Company shall pay the Termination Fee to ChipMOS Taiwan.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company due to:

(i) The ChipMOS Taiwan Board, prior to obtaining ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder approval, shall have withheld, withdrawn, modified or qualified, in a manner adverse to the Company, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board Recommendation or has publicly announced its intention to do so, or

(ii) ChipMOS Taiwan fails to consummate the Merger after all necessary closing conditions have been met or waived and the Company is ready to close, ChipMOS Taiwan shall pay the Company the Reverse Termination Fee of US$40 million.

Expenses

Except as otherwise provided under the Merger Agreement including the termination fee, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or expense, except that those expenses incurred in connection with filing, printing, and mailing the disclosure filings and those expenses incurred in connection with obtaining approvals shall be shared equally by the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Merger Agreement shall be governed by and construed with regard to the laws of the ROC; provided, that any provisions of the Merger Agreement which relate to the exercise of a director or officer’s fiduciary duties, statutory duties, obligations and/or statutory provisions, or which otherwise arise, in each case, under the laws of Bermuda shall be governed by and in accordance with the laws of Bermuda.

ChipMOS Taiwan and the Company irrevocably and unconditionally consent, agree and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Hsinchu District Court (and appropriate appellate courts therefrom), for the purposes of any legal action with respect to the subject matter of the Merger Agreement.

Comparison Of Rights Of Shareholders

Rights of holders of IMOS Shares as shareholders of the Company are governed by the laws of Bermuda and the Company’s Memorandum of Association and bye-laws. After the Merger, through ownership of the ADSs and subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, former holders of IMOS Shares will have the rights of a shareholder of ChipMOS Taiwan, generally be governed by ROC law and ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation.

The following discussion is a summary of the material differences in rights of holders of IMOS Shares that would result from the Merger and assuming such holders hold the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares. The identification of specific differences is not intended to indicate that other equally significant or more significant differences do not exist. While ChipMOS Taiwan believes this summary is accurate in all material respects, the following descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the relevant provisions of applicable Bermuda law, applicable ROC law, the Company’s Memorandum of Association and bye-laws, and ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation. ChipMOS Taiwan encourages you to read those laws and documents. Copies of documents referred in this summary may be obtained as described in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” Further, to exercise some of the rights reserved to registered holders of the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, a holder of the ADSs would need to surrender the ADSs and withdraw the underlying ChipMOS Taiwan Shares.

 

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IMOS

  

ChipMOS Taiwan

Authorized Capital    IMOS’s authorized share capital is US$3,250,000 divided into 62,500,000 common shares of par value US$0.04 per share, and 18,750,000 preferred shares of par value US$0.04 per share.    ChipMOS Taiwan’s authorized share capital is NT$14,500,000,000 divided into 1,450,000,000 common shares of par value NT$10.00 per share.
Voting Rights   

Under Bermuda law, except as otherwise provided in the Bermuda Companies Act or IMOS’s bye-laws, questions brought before a general meeting of shareholders are decided by a majority vote of shareholders present at the meeting. IMOS’s bye-laws provide that, save where a greater majority is required by the Bermuda Companies Act or the bye-laws (which would include the resolutions for approving the extraordinary transaction,) any question proposed for consideration at any general meeting shall be decided on by a simple majority of the votes cast, either on a show of hands or on a poll. At any general meeting on a show of hands each shareholder present in person, or by a duly authorized corporate representative or by a duly appointed proxy, shall have one vote and on a poll every shareholder present in person, or by a duly authorized corporate representative or by a duly appointed proxy, shall have one vote for each fully paid-up common share of which he is the shareholder. In the case of an equality of votes cast, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. Any resolution for any of the following extraordinary transactions will require the approval of shareholders holding shares representing at least 70.0% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting:

 

•      the merger, amalgamation or any other consolidation of IMOS with any other company, wherever incorporated;

 

•      the sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of IMOS; or

 

•      the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation of IMOS.

  

Under the ROC Company Act, except under limited circumstances, shareholders have one vote for each common share held.

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, a resolution may be adopted by the shareholders of a majority of the common shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting at which the shareholders of a majority of all issued and outstanding common shares are present.

 

Under the ROC Company Act, the approval by a majority of the common shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting in which a quorum of two-thirds of all issued and outstanding common shares are presented is required for major corporate actions, including:

 

•      amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, including increase of authorized share capital;

 

•      execution, amendment or termination of any contract through which ChipMOS Taiwan leases its entire business to others, or ChipMOS Taiwan appoints others to operate its business or ChipMOS Taiwan operates its business with others on a continuous basis;

 

•      transfer of entire or a substantial part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s business or properties;

 

•      acquisition of the entire business or properties of any other company, which would have a significant impact on ChipMOS Taiwan’s operations;

 

•      distribution of any stock dividend;

 

•      dissolution of ChipMOS Taiwan;

 

•      issuance of restricted shares to employees; and

 

•      removal of any director.

 

In the case of a public company such as ChipMOS Taiwan, such a resolution may be adopted by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of common stock represented at a meeting of shareholders at which holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock are present.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Dividend Rights    Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a company may not declare or pay a dividend or make a distribution out of contributed surplus if there are reasonable grounds for believing that (i) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or (ii) the realizable value of the company’s assets would thereby be less than its liabilities. (However, in order to avoid the possibility of an unauthorized reduction of capital, the Company complies with former requirement of section 54(1)(b) of the Bermuda Companies Act, i.e. that whenever the board of directors is making determination based on the latter benchmark – the realizable value of its assets, it should consider whether “the realizable value of the company’s assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities, issued share capital and share premium accounts”, rather than “liabilities” alone.) The holders of IMOS Shares are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available for such purposes at times and in amounts as its board of directors may from time to time determine. Any dividend unclaimed for a period of six years from its date of declaration will be forfeited and will revert to IMOS.   

Under the ROC Company Act, a company is not permitted to distribute dividends or make any other distributions to shareholders in respect of any given year for which it did not have either earnings or retained earnings, except under limited circumstances. In addition, before distributing a dividend to shareholders following the end of a fiscal year, the company must recover any past losses, pay all outstanding taxes and set aside a legal reserve, until such time as its legal reserve equals its paid-in capital, 10% of its net income for that fiscal year (less any past losses and outstanding tax), and may set separately aside a special reserve.

 

In addition to permitting dividends to be paid out of earnings or retained earnings, the ROC Company Act allows a company to make distributions to the shareholders from capital surplus and the legal reserve. However, dividend distribution out of a company’s legal reserve can only be effected to the extent of the excessive amount of the accumulated legal reserve over 25% of such company’s paid-in capital.

 

At a company’s annual general meeting of shareholders, the board of directors submits to the shareholders for their approval the company’s financial statements for the preceding fiscal year and any proposal for the distribution of a dividend or the making of any other distribution to shareholders from its earnings or retained earnings (subject to compliance with the requirements described above) at the end of the preceding fiscal year. All ChipMOS Taiwan Shares outstanding and fully paid as of the relevant record date are entitled to share equally in any dividend or other distribution so approved.

 

Dividends may be distributed in cash, in the form of common shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the shareholders at the meeting. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the proportion of cash dividend shall not be less than 10% of the total distributed dividend of the current year.

Issuance of

Shares

   Subject to the bye-laws of IMOS and to any resolution of IMOS shareholders to the contrary, the unissued shares of IMOS shall be at the disposal of the Board which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the IMOS Board may determine.    Under the ROC Company Act, any change in the authorized share capital of a company limited by shares requires an amendment to its articles of incorporation, which in turn requires approvals each at the board meeting and the shareholders’ meeting. In the case of a public company such as ChipMOS Taiwan, it must make an effective registration and an amendment to the corporate registration with the ROC regulators. Authorized but unissued ChipMOS Taiwan Shares may be issued, subject to the applicable law, upon terms as the ChipMOS Taiwan Board may determine.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Pre-emptive Rights    Under Bermuda law generally, no shareholder has a pre-emptive right to subscribe for additional issuances of a Bermuda company’s shares unless, and to the extent that, the right is expressly granted to the shareholder under the bye-laws of such company or under any contract between the shareholder and the company.   

Under the ROC Company Act, when a public company issues new shares of common stock for cash, 10% to 15% of the issue must be offered to its employees. The remaining new shares must be offered to existing shareholders in a preemptive rights offering, subject to a requirement under the ROC Securities and Exchange Act that at least 10% of these issuances must be offered to the public. This percentage can be increased by a resolution passed at a shareholders’ meeting, thereby limiting or waiving the preemptive rights of existing shareholders. The preemptive rights provisions do not apply to limited circumstances, such as:

 

•      issuance of new shares upon conversion of convertible bonds; or

 

•      offerings of new shares through a private placement approved at a shareholders’ meeting.

Repurchase of Shares   

IMOS may repurchase its own shares for cancellation or acquire them to be held as treasury shares in accordance with the Bermuda Companies Act and the bye-laws of IMOS on such terms as the IMOS Board thinks fit.

 

The IMOS Board may exercise all of the powers of IMOS to purchase or acquire all or any part of its own shares in accordance with the Bermuda

Companies Act and the bye-laws of IMOS.

  

Under the ROC Securities and Exchange Act, ChipMOS Taiwan may purchase ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as treasury stock under limited circumstances, including:

 

•      to transfer shares to ChipMOS Taiwan’s employees;

 

•      to deliver shares upon the conversion or exercise of bonds with warrants, preferred shares with warrants, convertible bonds, convertible preferred shares or warrants issued by ChipMOS Taiwan; or

 

•      to maintain ChipMOS Taiwan’s credit and its shareholders’ equity, provided that the shares so purchased shall be cancelled.

 

ChipMOS Taiwan may purchase ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on the TWSE or by means of a public tender offer. These transactions require a resolution by a majority voting of ChipMOS Taiwan’s directors present at a meeting of its board of directors attended by two-thirds of the directors. The total amount of the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares purchased for treasury stock may not exceed 10% of the total issued shares. In addition, the total cost of the purchased shares shall not exceed the aggregate amount of ChipMOS Taiwan’s retained earnings, any premium from share issuances and the realized portion of ChipMOS Taiwan’s capital reserve.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Restrictions on Transfers   

IMOS has been designated as a non-resident for exchange control purposes by the BMA. This designation will allow IMOS to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermuda dollar.

 

Permission has been given by the BMA for the issuance and transfer of common shares of IMOS to and between persons who are not resident in Bermuda, subject to the common shares being quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market, being an “appointed stock exchange” within the meaning of the Bermuda Companies Act.

 

The transfer of IMOS Shares between persons regarded as “non-resident” in Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the issuance of shares after the completion of the currently contemplated offering of IMOS Shares to those persons may be effected without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 of Bermuda and regulations thereunder subject to the IMOS Shares remaining quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Issuance and transfer of shares to any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require specific prior approval under the Exchange Control Act 1972.

 

There are no limitations on the rights of persons regarded as non-residents of Bermuda for foreign exchange control purposes who own IMOS Shares to hold or vote their IMOS Shares. Since IMOS has been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes, there are no restrictions on IMOS’s ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents or other non-residents of Bermuda who are holders of IMOS Shares, other than in respect of local Bermuda currency.

   The ROC Securities and Exchange Act requires each director, manager or shareholder who, together with such shareholder’s spouse, minor children or nominees, holds more than 10% of ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, to report the amount of such person’s holding to ChipMOS Taiwan, and limits the number of shares that can be sold or transferred on the TWSE by such person per day. In addition, such persons may only sell or transfer ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on the TWSE at least three days following their filing of a notification with the FSC in respect of such sale or transfer, provided that such notification will not be required if the number of shares sold or transferred does not exceed 10,000.
Appraisal Rights    Under the Bermuda Companies Act, in the event of an amalgamation or a merger involving a Bermuda company, a shareholder who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation or merger and who is not satisfied that he has been offered fair value for such shareholder’s shares may apply to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of those shares. The Bermuda Companies Act provides that the directors of each amalgamating or merging company shall submit the amalgamation agreement or merger agreement for approval to a meeting of the holders of shares of the amalgamating or merging company of which they are directors and where applicable, to the holders of each class of such shares, unless it is an amalgamation or a merger between a holding company and one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiary and continuation as one company or the surviving company respectively pursuant to the Bermuda Companies Act.   

Under the ROC law, dissenting shareholders are entitled to appraisal rights in the event of amalgamation, spin-off or certain other major corporate actions. If agreement with the company cannot be reached, dissenting shareholders may seek a court order for the company to repurchase all of their shares. Shareholders may exercise their appraisal rights by serving written notice on the company prior to or at the related shareholders’ meeting and/or by raising and registering an objection at the shareholders’ meeting.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

   The provisions of the bye-laws of the Bermuda company relating to the holding of general meetings shall apply to general meetings and class meetings required for approving the amalgamation agreement or merger agreement provided that, unless the bye-laws otherwise provide, the resolution of the shareholders must be approved by a majority vote of three-fourths of those voting at such meeting and the quorum necessary for such meeting shall be two persons at least holding or representing by proxy more than one-third of the issued shares of the company or the class, as the case may be, and that any holder of shares present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. Under IMOS’s bye-laws, any resolution proposed for consideration at any general meeting to approve the merger, amalgamation or any other consolidation of IMOS with any other company, wherever incorporated shall require the approval of IMOS shareholders holding shares representing at least 70% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting. The quorum for any such meeting is at least 2 shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding IMOS Shares representing at least 50% of the total voting rights of all the IMOS shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting and entitled to vote.   

Where 90% or more of the outstanding shares of a

subsidiary company is held by its controlling company, the controlling company may merge/consolidate with the said subsidiary company upon a resolution to be adopted separately at a board meeting of both the controlling company and the subsidiary company by a majority vote of the directors present at the meeting of board of directors attended by directors representing two-thirds of the directors of the respective companies. After adoption of the resolution by the board of the subsidiary company, a notice shall be given to each of its shareholders and shall state therein that any shareholder who has an objection against that resolution may, within a specified period, submit a written objection requesting the subsidiary company to repurchase, at a fair price, the shares of the subsidiary company he holds. If the shareholder and the company cannot reach an agreement on the repurchase price, such price will be determined by a court.

Shareholder Suits   

Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. Under Bermuda law, a shareholder may commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong done to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or is illegal or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Further consideration would be given by the Bermuda Court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

 

When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Bermuda Court, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the company’s conduct of affairs in the future or compelling the purchase of the shares by any shareholder, by other shareholders or by the company.

  

Shareholders have the right to sue for the annulment of any resolution approved at a shareholders’ meeting where the procedures were legally defective within 30 days after the date of the shareholders’ meeting.

 

A company’s shareholders’ meeting may resolve to bring an action against a director, and the company shall bring such action within 30 days from the date of such resolution.

 

One or more shareholders who have held 3% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of a company for a period of one year or longer may require an independent director to bring an action on behalf of the company against a director. In case the independent director fails to bring an action within 30 days after having received the shareholders’ request, such shareholders may institute the action for the company. If the shareholders lose the lawsuit and thus causing any damage to the company, the shareholders shall be liable for indemnifying the company for such damage.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Number of Directors    According to IMOS’s bye-laws, the number of IMOS’s directors must not be less than three nor more than nine as determined by its board of directors. Without prejudice to the power of IMOS by resolution of shareholders to appoint any person to be a director, so long as a quorum of directors remains in office, its board of directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any individual to be a director so as to fill a casual vacancy or appoint additional directors up to such maximum number of directors.    ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide for a board of directors comprising nine to eleven directors, of which not less than three to five in number and not less than one-fifth of the total number shall be independent directors.
Election of Directors    Pursuant to IMOS’s bye-laws, the directors of IMOS shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, as determined by its board of directors, with the initial term of office of the first class of such directors to expire at the first annual general meeting thereafter, the initial term of office of the second class of such directors to expire at the second annual general meeting thereafter and the initial term of office of the third class of such directors to expire at the third annual general meeting thereafter, with each class of Directors to hold office until they are re-elected or their successors have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual general meeting following such initial classification and election, directors elected to succeed the directors whose terms expire at such annual general meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual general meeting in the third year following the year of their election and until they are re-elected or their successors have been duly elected and qualified. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain or attain a number of directors in each class as nearly equal as reasonably possible, but no decrease in the number of directors may shorten the term of any incumbent Director.   

ChipMOS Taiwan’s directors are elected at a shareholders’ meeting through cumulative voting.

 

Under the ROC Company Act, if a company adopts a nomination procedure for election of directors in its articles of incorporation, shareholders representing 1% or more of the total issued shares of such company may submit a candidate list in writing to the company. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation currently adopt such nomination procedure for the election of independent directors.

Removal of Directors and Vacancies on the Board    Pursuant to IMOS’s bye-laws, a director may be removed for cause at a special general meeting of IMOS shareholders specifically called for that purpose, provided that the director is served with no less than 14 days’ notice before the meeting. The director shall be entitled to be heard at that meeting. Any vacancy created by the removal of a director at a special general meeting may be filled at that meeting by the election of another director in his or her place or, in the absence of any election by the shareholders, by the board of directors.   

A director may be removed at any time by a resolution adopted at a shareholders’ meeting by at least a majority of the common shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting in which a quorum of at least two-thirds of all issued and outstanding common shares are represented. For a public company such as ChipMOS Taiwan, the resolution required for removing a director may be adopted by two-thirds of the common shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting in which a quorum of at least more than one-half of the total number of issued and outstanding common shares are represented.

 

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One or more shareholders who have held 3% or more of ChipMOS Taiwan’s issued shares may institute an action with a court to remove a director who has materially violated the applicable laws or ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation or has materially damaged the interests of ChipMOS Taiwan if a resolution for removal on such grounds has first been voted on and rejected by the shareholders and such suit is filed within 30 days of such shareholders’ vote.

 

Pursuant to the ROC Company Act, a person may serve as ChipMOS Taiwan’s director in his or her personal capacity or as the representative of a corporate shareholder. A director who serves as the representative of a corporate shareholder may be removed or replaced at any time at the discretion of that corporate shareholder, and the replacement director may serve the remainder of the term of office of the replaced director.

 

Under the ROC Company Act, in case a director has, during the term of office as a director, transferred more than one half of the company’s shares being held by him/her/it at the time of the election, he/she shall, ipso facto, be removed automatically from the office of director with immediate effect.

 

Normally, all board members are elected at the same meeting of shareholders, except where the posts of one-third or more of the directors are vacant, at which time an extraordinary meeting of shareholders shall be convened to elect directors to fill the vacancies.

Board Actions   

IMOS’s bye-laws provide that the quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless fixed at any other number, shall be two individuals. Questions arising at any properly convened meeting of the board shall be determined by a majority of the votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting is entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

The chairman of the IMOS board is elected from among the members of the board after each annual general meeting. The board of directors may appoint any of its directors to act as the managing director, joint managing director or an assistant managing director or to hold any other reemployment or executive office of IMOS, for such period and upon such terms as the board may determine, including with respect to remuneration (if any).

  

Business operations of ChipMOS Taiwan should be executed pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the board of directors, except for the matters which should be effected pursuant to the resolutions of the shareholders’ meeting as required by the ROC Company Act or the Articles of Incorporation of ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

Unless otherwise provided for in the ROC Company Act, resolutions of the board shall be adopted by a majority of the directors at a meeting attended by a majority of the directors. The chairman of the board of directors is elected from among the directors. The chairman of the board of directors presides at all meetings of the board of directors and also has the authority to act as ChipMOS Taiwan’s representative.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Alternate Directors   

Any director may appoint and remove his own alternate director by depositing a notice of appointment or removal with the secretary at the registered office of IMOS, signed by such director and such appointment or removal shall become effective on the date of receipt by the secretary. Any alternate director has all the rights and powers of the director or directors for whom such person is appointed in the alternative.

 

An alternate director is entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the board, to attend, be counted in the quorum and vote at any such meeting at which any director to whom he is alternate is not personally present and generally to perform all the functions of any director to whom he is alternate in his absence.

  

Each director shall attend the meeting of the board of directors in person, unless as otherwise provided for in the articles of incorporation that a director may be represented by another director.

 

ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that a director appoints another director to attend a meeting of the board of directors on his/her behalf, he/she shall, in each case, issue a written proxy and state therein the scope of authorization with reference to the subjects to be discussed at the meeting. A director may act as the proxy of one other director only.

 

A director residing in a foreign country may appoint in writing a shareholder residing in the ROC as his/her proxy to attend the meetings of the board of directors on a regular basis, provided that appointment of the proxy or any change of the proxy shall be registered with the competent authority.

Compensation of Directors    IMOS bye-laws provide that the amount of any directors fees, if any, shall from time to time be determined by IMOS shareholders by ordinary resolutions.   

The remuneration of directors, if not prescribed in the articles of incorporation, shall be determined by a meeting of shareholders and cannot be ratified by a meeting of shareholders afterwards.

 

ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the board of directors is authorized to determine the total amount of the compensation of directors, according to the extent of their contribution and standards adopted in a same industry. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation also provide that if there is profit in any given year, the board of directors may resolve to set aside no more than 0.5% of the profit as the directors’ remuneration. A proposal on the remuneration of the directors shall be reported at the shareholders’ meeting. If ChipMOS Taiwan has accumulated losses, the amount for making up said losses shall be reserved before setting aside the remuneration of directors.

Written Consent by Shareholders    Pursuant to the Bermuda Companies Act, subject to certain actions under the Bermuda Companies Act (including removing an auditor and removing a director of IMOS), anything which may be done by resolution of the Company in general meeting, may be done by resolution in writing.   

ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the voting at its general meeting may be conducted in written form or via electronic methods. The written or electronic voting shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant ROC laws and regulations.

 

A shareholder who exercises the voting right at a general meeting in writing or via electronic methods shall be deemed to have attended the said shareholders’ meeting in person, but shall be deemed to have waived such shareholder’s voting right in respective of any extemporary motion(s) and/or the amendment(s) to the contents of the original proposal(s) at the said shareholders’ meeting.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Meetings of Shareholders   

Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a company is required to convene at least one general shareholders’ meeting as an annual general meeting each calendar year, unless according to the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, shareholders by resolution in a general meeting elect to dispense with the holding of annual general meetings. The Bermuda Companies Act provides that a general meeting may be called by the board of directors and must be called on the requisition of shareholders holding at the date of the deposition of the requisition not less than 10% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote. Bermuda Companies Act also requires that shareholders be given at least five days’ advance notice of a general meeting, other than an adjourned meeting, although in the case of an annual general meeting, the meeting shall be deemed to have been duly called by a shorter notice by all the members entitled to attend and vote thereat. The accidental omission to give notice to, or the non-receipt of a notice by, any person entitled to receive notice of a resolution does not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting. Under IMOS’s bye-laws, IMOS must give each shareholder written notice at least five days prior to the annual general meeting, unless otherwise agreed by all the shareholders having the right to vote at that annual general meeting, and written notice at least five days prior to any special general meeting, unless otherwise agreed by a majority of shareholders having a right to vote at that special general meeting, and together holding at least 95% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote at that meeting.

 

Under Bermuda law, the number of shareholders constituting a quorum at any general meeting of shareholders is determined by the bye-laws of the company. IMOS’s bye-laws provide that at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding shares representing at least 50% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting and entitled to vote constitute a quorum. IMOS’s bye-laws further provide that, in respect of a general meeting adjourned for lack of quorum, at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy holding shares representing 33 1/3% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.

  

ChipMOS Taiwan is required to hold an annual general meeting within six months following the end of each fiscal year. Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be convened by resolution of the board of directors or by the board of directors upon the written request of any shareholder or shareholders who have held 3% or more of the outstanding common shares for a period of one year or longer. Notice in writing of meetings of shareholders, stating the place, time and purpose, must be dispatched to each shareholder at least 30 days, in the case of annual general meetings, and 15 days, in the case of extraordinary shareholders’ meetings, before the date set for each meeting.

 

A majority of the holders of all issued and outstanding common shares present at a shareholders’ meeting constitutes a quorum for meetings of shareholders.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

Proxies    The IMOS bye-laws provide that any shareholder may appoint a proxy or (if a corporation) a representative by depositing at IMOS’s registered office a proxy or (if a corporation) an authorization.    A shareholder may be represented at an annual general or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting by proxy if a valid proxy form is delivered to ChipMOS Taiwan five days before the commencement of the annual general or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the use of proxy shall comply with the ROC Company Act and the relevant proxy regulations.
Amendment of Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws   

Under the Bermuda Companies Act, the provisions of the memorandum of association of a Bermuda company may be altered by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders of which due notice has been given. IMOS’s bye-laws, other than bye-law 74 which provides for the board of directors of IMOS to be divided into three classes and re-election of such directors, may be amended by the board of directors if the amendment is approved by a majority of votes cast by the shareholders by a resolution passed by a majority of votes cast at a general meeting. Any amendment to, modification to or repeal of bye-law 74 of IMOS’s bye-laws providing for the board of directors of IMOS divided into three classes and re-election of such directors must be approved by the board of directors and by the affirmative vote of the shareholders holding shares representing at least 60% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such general meeting.

 

Under the Bermuda Companies Act, the holders of an aggregate of no less than 20% in par value of a company’s issued share capital or any class of issued share capital have the right to apply to the Bermuda Court for an alteration to the memorandum of association passed by shareholders at any general meeting to be annulled, provided that an application shall not be made by any person who has voted in favor of the alteration or given to the company a statement in writing duly signed that he, having had notice, consents to the alteration. Where an application is made, the alteration becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Bermuda Court. An application for the annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within 21 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of the person entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose.

   A company shall not modify or alter its articles of incorporation without a resolution adopted at a meeting of shareholders. The resolution shall be adopted by a majority of the shareholders present who represent two-thirds or more of the total number of its outstanding shares. In the case of a public company such as ChipMOS Taiwan, such a resolution may be adopted by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of common stock represented at a meeting of shareholders at which holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock are present.

 

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Access to Books and Records and Dissemination

of Information

   Under Bermuda law, members of the general public have the right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda. These documents include a company’s certificate of incorporation, its memorandum of association (including its objects and powers), any alteration to its memorandum of association and documents relating to an increase or reduction of authorized share capital and address of registered office and resident representative (if any). The shareholders have the additional right to inspect the bye-laws of the company, minutes of general meetings, and the company’s audited financial statements, which, unless agreed by all shareholders and directors, must be laid before the annual general meeting. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public for not less than two hours each day without charge. Any member of the public may require a copy of the register, or of any part thereof, on the payment of a fee. A Bermuda company is required to keep its register of members at its registered office or after giving written notice to the registrar of companies in Bermuda, at such other place in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of Bermuda law, establish a branch register of members outside Bermuda. IMOS maintain a principal register of members in Hamilton, Bermuda and a branch register of members in New Jersey, USA. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of its directors and officers which is open for inspection for not less than two hours each day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records.   

Under the ROC Company Act, the statements and records of accounts prepared by the board of directors and the report made by the audit committee shall be made available at the head office of ChipMOS Taiwan ten days prior to the annual general meeting of shareholders for the shareholders’ inspection at any time. Shareholders may bring their lawyers or certified public accountants for such an inspection.

 

Within three months after the end of each fiscal year, ChipMOS Taiwan must post its audited annual financial statements on the website of the TWSE for inspection by its shareholders.

 

One or more shareholders who have held 3% or more of ChipMOS Taiwan’s issued and outstanding shares for a period of one year or longer may apply to a court for appointment of an inspector to examine the books, accounts and financial conditions of ChipMOS Taiwan.

Personal

Liability of Directors

  

Under IMOS’s bye-laws, subject to the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, the bye-laws and to any directions given by IMOS by resolution of shareholders, the board of IMOS shall manage the business of IMOS and may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and incorporating IMOS and may exercise all the powers of IMOS. Members of a board of directors owe fiduciary and other duties to the company to act in good faith in their dealings with or on behalf of the company and exercise their powers and fulfill the duties of their office honestly. This duty has the following essential elements:

 

•      a duty to act bona fide in good faith in the best interests of the company;

 

•      a duty not to make a personal profit from opportunities that arise from the office of director;

 

•      a duty to avoid conflicts of interest; and

 

•      a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended.

  

The ROC Company Act provides that directors shall be loyal and shall exercise the due care of a good administrator in conducting the business of the company (“fiduciary duty”). Any director who has acted contrary to fiduciary duty shall be liable for damages inflicted on the company as a result. In addition, in case any director does anything for himself/herself or on behalf of another person in violation of the fiduciary duty, the shareholders’ meeting may, by a resolution, consider the gains obtained through such an act as earnings of the company unless one year has lapsed since the realization of such gains.

 

A director who has a personal interest in the matter under discussion at a meeting, which may impair the interest of the company, shall not vote nor exercise the voting right on behalf of another director. In passing a resolution at a board meeting, the director who has a personal interest in the matter will not be counted in determining whether or not a quorum is present.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan

  

The Bermuda Companies Act imposes a duty on directors and officers of a Bermuda company in exercising his powers and discharging his duties:

 

•     to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company;

 

•     to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

 

A director or an officer of a Bermuda company shall be deemed not to be acting honestly and in good faith if:

 

(a)     he fails on request to make known to the auditors of the company full details of any emolument, pension or other benefit that he has received or it is agreed that he should receive from the company or any of the company’s subsidiaries; and any loan he has received or is to receive from the company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(b)     he fails to disclose at the first opportunity at a meeting of directors or by writing to the director his interest in any material contract or proposed material contract with the company or any of its subsidiaries; or his material interest in any person that is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with the company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

For purpose of disclosure, a general notice to the directors of a Bermuda company by a director or an officer of the company declaring that he is a director or an officer of or has a material interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any contract with that person is a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any such contract.

 

In addition, the Bermuda Companies Act imposes various duties on directors and officers of a company with respect to certain matters of management and administration of the company. Section 281 of the Bermuda Companies Act provides that in any proceedings for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against any director or officer, if it appears to the Bermuda Court that such director or officer is or may be liable in respect of the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, but that he or she has acted honestly and reasonably, and that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including those connected with his or her appointment, he or she ought fairly to be excused for the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, that the Bermuda Court may relieve him or her, either wholly or partly, from any liability on such terms as the Bermuda Court may think fit.

  

The board of directors, in conducting business, shall act in accordance with laws and regulations, the company’s articles of incorporation, and the resolutions adopted at the shareholders’ meetings. Where any resolution adopted by the board of directors contravenes the laws or regulations, the articles of incorporation, or the resolutions adopted at the shareholders’ meetings, thereby causing loss or damage to the company, all directors taking part in the adoption of such resolution shall be liable to compensate the company for such loss or damage; however, those directors whose disagreement appears on record or is expressed in writing shall be exempted from liability.

 

In case the board decides, by resolution, to commit any act in violation of any law, regulations or the company’s articles of incorporation, any shareholder who has continuously held shares in the company for a period of one year or longer may request the board of directors to discontinue such act.

 

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IMOS

  

ChipMOS Taiwan

Indemnification   

Bermuda law permits a Bermuda company to, in its bye-laws or in any contract or arrangement between the company and any director or officer, or any person employed by the company as auditor, indemnify such director, officer and auditor in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to such person by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust of which such director, officer or auditor may be guilty in relation to the company or any of its subsidiaries; provided that any provision whether contained in the bye-laws of a Bermuda or in such contract or arrangement, indemnifying a director, officer or auditor against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him or her in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of which he or she may be guilty in relation to the company shall be void. Bermuda law also permits a company to indemnify its directors, officers and auditors against liability incurred by them in defending any civil or criminal proceedings in which judgment is given in their favor or in which they are acquitted, or when the Bermuda Court grants relief to them under Section 281 of the Bermuda Companies Act. Bermuda law permits a company to advance moneys to directors, officers and auditors for the costs, charges and expenses incurred to defend civil or criminal proceedings against them on condition that these moneys shall be repaid if the allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against them.

 

A similar right of indemnity is contained in IMOS’s bye-laws.

 

Section 98A of the Bermuda Companies Act permits a Bermuda company to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any director or officer to indemnify him or her in respect of any loss or liability attaching to him or her in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the director or officer may be guilty in relation to the company or any subsidiary thereof.

  

A director may be removed at any time by a resolution adopted at a shareholders’ meeting provided, however, that if a director is removed during the term of his/her office as a director without good cause shown, the said director may make a claim against the company for any and all damages sustained by him/her as a result of such discharge.

 

ChipMOS Taiwan’s Articles of Incorporation provide that ChipMOS Taiwan may purchase liability insurance for its directors and independent directors in relation to the liabilities to be borne by them under the law for the performance of their responsibilities during the office term.

 

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Conflict of Interest Transactions   

Under IMOS’s bye-laws, subject to the Bermuda Companies Act, a director of IMOS may, notwithstanding his office be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with IMOS or in which IMOS is otherwise interested. He or she may also be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any corporate body promoted by IMOS or in which IMOS is interested. So long as, where it is necessary, a director declares the nature of his or her interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the board or by writing to the directors as required by the

Bermuda Companies Act and IMOS’s bye-laws, that director shall not by reason of his or her office be accountable to IMOS for any benefit he or she derives from any office or employment to which IMOS’s bye-laws allow him or her to be appointed or from any transaction or arrangement in which IMOS’s bye-laws allow him or her to be interested, and no such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any such interest or benefit Subject to the Bermuda Companies Act, a general notice to IMOS’s directors by a director or officer declaring that he or she is a director or officer or has an interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or arrangement made with that person shall be sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any transaction or arrangement so made.

  

A director who has a personal interest in the matter under discussion at a board meeting shall explain to the board meeting the essential contents of such personal interest and such director shall not vote nor exercise the voting right on behalf of another director.

 

A director who does anything for himself or on behalf of another person that is within the scope of the company’s business, shall explain to the shareholders’ meeting the essential contents of such an act and obtain shareholders’ approval. The approval shall be given upon a resolution adopted by a majority of the shareholders present who represent two-thirds or more of the total number of the company’s outstanding shares. In the case of a public company such as ChipMOS Taiwan, such a resolution may be adopted by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of common stock represented at a meeting of shareholders at which holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock are present. Where a director fails to obtain the approval, the meeting of shareholders may, by a resolution, consider the gains made through such an act as earnings of the company unless one year has lapsed since the realization of such gains.

Squeeze-Out Proceedings   

There are four key statutory methods for acquiring a Bermuda company which comprise a scheme of arrangement, a merger and an amalgamation and a tender offer and compulsory acquisition:

 

Scheme of Arrangement

 

•      A scheme of arrangement is a compromise or arrangement between a Bermuda company and its members that, with the sanction of the court, allows a company to implement such a compromise or arrangement which will be binding on all affected members. This process is set out in sections 99-100 of the Act.

 

•      In the context of a takeover, the scheme involves either the transfer of target shares to the bidder or the cancellation of the share capital of the target. In consideration for the transfer or cancellation the bidder transfers to target shareholders either cash consideration or new shares in the bidder - the end result being a takeover by the bidder of the target.

   Under the ROC law, where 90% or more of the outstanding shares of a subsidiary company are held by its controlling company, the controlling company may merge/consolidate with the said subsidiary company upon a resolution adopted separately at a meeting of the board of directors of both the controlling company and the subsidiary company by a majority vote of the directors present at the meeting of board of directors attended by directors representing two-thirds of the directors of the respective companies and the resolutions of shareholders’ meeting is not required. A notice shall be served to each of their shareholders and state that any shareholder who has an objection against that resolution may submit a written objection requesting the subsidiary companies to buy back, at the then fair price, the shares of the subsidiary companies he/she/it holds. If the shareholder and the company cannot reach an agreement on the repurchase price, such price will be determined by a court.

 

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•      The process to effect an offer by way of scheme of arrangement is as follows:

 

•   upon application by the target to effect an offer by way of scheme of arrangement, the Court will summon a meeting of target shareholders;

 

•   the target will send a notice to target shareholders summoning the meeting which will include an explanatory statement/scheme circular to target shareholders explaining the effect of the proposed scheme;

 

•   in every notice which is given by advertisement target shareholders should be advised the place at which and the manner in which target shareholders entitled to attend the meeting may obtain copies of the explanatory statement/scheme circular;

 

•   a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of members (or a class of members) present and voting (in person or by proxy) must approve the scheme; and

 

•   the scheme must be sanctioned by the Court which will need to be satisfied that all requirements have been complied with.

 

•      The scheme document contains the formal offer and is usually accompanied by an acceptance form/proxy. It is sent to each of the target shareholders. It contains a statement by the directors of a bidder that they accept responsibility for its contents. It must contain sufficient information to enable target shareholders to reach a properly informed decision. No relevant information should be withheld.

 

•      Section 100 of the Bermuda Companies Act requires that the explanatory statement explain the effect of the scheme on the target shareholders, and that a statement of any material interests of the directors of the target in the takeover and the effect on the scheme so the scheme document must contain details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between a bidder and its concert parties and any directors or shareholders of the target having any connection with the offer.

 

•      The scheme document (and the announcement) should also include details of arrangements relating to the circumstances in which any of the offer conditions may or may not be invoked.

 

Merger and amalgamation

 

•      Pursuant to sections 104 to 109 of the Bermuda Companies Act, one or more Bermuda exempted companies and one or more foreign corporations may (a) amalgamate and continue as (i) a Bermuda exempted company, or (ii) a foreign corporation, or (b) merge with the surviving company continue as (i) a Bermuda exempted company, or (ii) a foreign corporation.

 

  

 

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•      In addition two or more Bermuda companies may merge and their undertaking, property and liabilities shall vest in one of such companies as the surviving company.

 

•      Each company proposing to amalgamate or merge shall enter into an agreement setting out the terms and means of effecting the amalgamation or merger pursuant to the Bermuda Companies Act.

 

•      The directors of each amalgamating or merging company shall submit the amalgamation agreement or merger agreement for approval to a meeting of the holders of shares of the amalgamating or merging company of which they are directors and (unless it is a short form amalgamation whereby a holding company amalgamate with one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiary companies and continue as one company or a short form merger whereby a holding company merge with one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiary companies and the holding company continue as the surviving company) to the holders of each class of such shares. Each share of an amalgamating or merging company carries the right to vote in respect of an amalgamation or merger whether or not it otherwise carries the right to vote. The provisions of the bye-laws of the company relating to the holding of general meetings shall apply to general meetings and class meetings provided that, unless the bye-laws otherwise provide, the resolution of the shareholders or class must be approved by a majority vote of three-fourths of those voting at such meeting and the quorum necessary for such meeting shall be two persons at least holding or representing by proxy more than one-third of the issued shares of the company or the class, as the case may be, and that any holder of shares present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.

 

•      Any shareholder who did not vote in favour of the amalgamation or merger and who is not satisfied that he has been offered fair value for his shares may within one month of the giving of the notice of the meeting of shareholders approving the amalgamation or merger apply to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of his shares.

 

  

 

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Tender offer and compulsory acquisition

 

•      By way of a general offer followed by a squeeze-out under Section 102 of the Bermuda Companies Act. Broadly, if the offer is approved by the holders of not less than 90% in value of the shares which are the subject of the offer, the offeror can compulsorily acquire the shares of dissenting shareholders. Shares owned by the offeror or its subsidiary or their nominees at the date of the offer do not, however, count towards the 90% in value threshold. If the offeror or any of its subsidiaries or any nominee of the offeror, or any of its subsidiaries together already own more than 10% of the shares in the subject company at the date of the offer, the offeror must offer the same terms to all holders of the same class and the holders who accept the offer, besides holding not less than 90% in value of the share, other than those already held as aforesaid, whose transfer is involved, must also represent no less than 75% in number of the holders of those shares. The 90% must be obtained within 4 months after the making of the offer and, once obtained, the compulsory acquisition may be commenced within 2 months of the acquisition of 90%. Dissenting shareholders are entitled to seek relief (within one month of the compulsory acquisition notice) from the Bermuda Court which has power to make such orders as it thinks fit.

 

•      Holders of 95% or more of the shares or any class of shares (hereinafter referred to as Purchasers in this section) may serve a compulsory acquisition notice on the remaining shareholders or class of shareholders under Section 103 of the Bermuda Companies Act of the intention to acquire their shares on the terms set out in the notice. Dissenting shareholders have a right to apply to the Bermuda Court within one month of the compulsory acquisition notice to have the value of their shares appraised by the Bermuda Court. Within one month of the Bermuda Court appraising the value of any shares, the Purchasers shall be entitled to either to acquire all the shares involved at the price fixed by the Bermuda Court, or cancel the compulsory acquisition notice. When the Bermuda Court has appraised any shares and the Purchasers have prior to the appraisal acquired any shares by virtue of a compulsory acquisition notice then within 1 month of the Bermuda Court appraising the value of the shares if the price of the shares they have paid to any shareholder is less than that appraised by the Bermuda Court they shall either pay to such shareholder the difference in the price they have paid to him and the price appraised by the Bermuda Court, or cancel the compulsory acquisition notice and return to the shareholder any shares they have acquired and the shareholder shall repay the Purchasers the purchase price.

  

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions    There are no specific anti-takeover provisions under the Bermuda Companies Act applicable to IMOS.    There are no specific statutory anti-takeover provisions in Taiwan applicable to ChipMOS Taiwan.
Rights in Liquidation   

Under the Bermuda Companies Act, subject to the Bermuda Companies Act as to preferential payment, the property of a Bermuda company shall, on its winding up, be applied in satisfaction of its liabilities pari passu, and, subject to such application, shall, unless the bye-laws otherwise provide, be distributed among the members according to their rights and interests in the company.

   In the event of liquidation of a company, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses, taxes and distributions to holders of preferred shares, if any, will be distributed pro rata to the shareholders in accordance with the ROC Company Act.
  

Under IMOS’s bye-laws, if IMOS shall be wound up,

the liquidator may, with the sanction of a resolution of shareholders of IMOS and any other sanction required by the Bermuda Companies Act, divide amongst the shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of IMOS (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for such purposes set such values as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trust for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other assets upon which there is any liability.

  
Listing    IMOS Shares are currently traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “IMOS.”    ChipMOS Taiwan Shares are currently trade on the TWSE under the ticker symbol “8150.”

 

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See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” for additional information.

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (BVI) LTD., or formerly known as MODERN MIND TECHNOLOGY LIMITED and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Shanghai) LTD. Modern Mind was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in January 2002. Modern Mind conducts its operations through ChipMOS Shanghai, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Mainland China in June 2002. ChipMOS Shanghai is engaged in wafer testing and semiconductor assembly and test. We acquired a 100% equity interest in Modern Mind on December 12, 2002, and then transferred it to Jesper on December 31, 2002. In 2003, we acquired from Jesper a convertible note in the amount of US$37.5 million issued by Modern Mind that may be converted into a controlling equity interest in Modern Mind at a conversion rate of one ordinary share of Modern Mind for every US$1.00 if the repayment is not made when due. In 2004, we restructured our control of ChipMOS Shanghai and our Mainland China operations. On July 29, 2004, we replaced the US$37.5 million convertible note previously issued by Modern Mind in its entirety with a US$62.8 million demand note issued by Modern Mind, with the difference representing a US$25 million loan that we extended to Modern Mind from the net proceeds of our July 2004 offering of common shares. In addition, we extended a loan in the aggregate amount of US$50 million to Modern Mind from the net proceeds of our November 2004 convertible debt offering in exchange for demand notes issued by Modern Mind in the same aggregate amount (the “MMT Notes”). The MMT Notes were convertible at any time into common shares representing, immediately after the conversion, almost 100% of the then outstanding common shares of Modern Mind at a conversion rate of US$1.00 for each common share of Modern Mind. Payment under the MMT Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Jesper and secured by a pledge agreement in respect of the entire equity interest in Modern Mind and ChipMOS Shanghai. We obtained from Jesper an irrevocable option to acquire at any time the common shares of Modern Mind then owned by Jesper. Under an assignment and assumption agreement signed on April 22, 2011 (the “MMT Assignment Agreement”), ChipMOS agreed to sell the MMT Notes to ThaiLin for a purchase price of approximately US$40 million subject to certain closing conditions. Post completion of MMT Assignment Agreement transaction, ThaiLin immediately converted the MMT Notes into common shares of Modern Mind and purchased all of the remaining common shares of Modern Mind from Jesper, with Modern Mind becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ThaiLin. The MMT Assignment Agreement was completed on October 3, 2011. In November 2015, MMT’s shareholder approved the change of name to ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (BVI) LTD. and was completed on November 18, 2015.

On July 1, 2010, the Company and ChipMOS Shanghai entered into an exclusive services agreement, pursuant to which ChipMOS Shanghai provides services exclusively to the Company or customers designated by the Company. Under the exclusive services agreement, the Company agrees to procure certain equipment required to render those services and consign such equipment for the exclusive use of ChipMOS Shanghai. The exclusive services agreement has a term of ten years and unless otherwise terminated by either party giving at least 30 days prior written notice to the expiration of such ten-year term, will automatically renew for another ten-year term upon its expiry. In addition, under the exclusive services agreement, the Company has the discretion to terminate the exclusive services agreement for any reason at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice to ChipMOS Shanghai.

 

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ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. ThaiLin was incorporated in Taiwan in May 1996, and was listed on the Taipei Exchange in Taiwan. It is engaged in the provision of semiconductor testing services. ChipMOS Taiwan acquired a 41.8% interest in ThaiLin in December 2002. Under applicable accounting principles, ThaiLin was consolidated into our consolidated financial statements in 2003 because ChipMOS Taiwan was deemed to exert significant control over ThaiLin through common directors and management.

On March 4, 2008, ChipMOS Taiwan made a loan in an amount of NT$145 million bearing interest at a rate of 4.69% per annum to Taiwan Kolin Co. Ltd., or Kolin, a major shareholder of ThaiLin, ChipMOS Taiwan’s 42.9% owned subsidiary. NT$15 million of this loan was repaid in 2008. The loan was secured by a pledge by Kolin of 11 million common shares of ThaiLin. In 2013, the loan has been fully repaid and the subject pledge has been released accordingly. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp”. On June 17, 2015, ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan.

Industry Background

We provide a broad range of back-end assembly and test services. Test services include engineering test, wafer probing and final test of memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors. We also offer a broad selection of leadframe- and organic substrate-based package assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors. Our advanced leadframe-based packages include thin small outline packages, or TSOPs, and our advanced organic substrate-based packages include fine-pitch ball grid array packages (“fine-pitch BGA”). In addition, we provide gold bumping, assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors by employing TCP, COF and COG technologies.

Semiconductors tested and assembled by us are used in personal computers, graphics applications such as game consoles communications equipment mobile products such as cellular handsets, tablets, consumer electronic products and display applications such as flat-panel displays. In 2015, 24.3% of our revenue was derived from testing services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, 31.6% from assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, 27.1% from LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test services and 17.0% from bumping services for semiconductors, respectively.

Semiconductor Industry Trends

Growth in the semiconductor industry is largely driven by end-user demand for consumer electronics, communications equipment and computers, for which semiconductors are critical components. The worldwide semiconductor industry has experienced peaks and troughs over the last decade, with a severe downturn at the end of 2000 that was followed by a modest recovery in late 2002. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, the semiconductor industry commenced another downturn that increased in unprecedented severity into the first quarter of 2009. The overall semiconductor industry commenced to recover from the downturn in the second quarter of 2009 and the positive recovery trend continues through 2015.

Selected Key Semiconductor Markets

While a recovery trend in end-user demand for new and improved electronic products and applications continues, various sectors of the semiconductor industry are in turn expected to benefit from a resumption in growth. These sectors include the memory semiconductor market for industrial, mobile and automotive applications, and the LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor market.

Memory Semiconductor Market

The potential for memory market growth is linked to anticipated memory content increases in consumer electronics, industrial, and PC applications (after such time as a recovery occurs in end-user demand for these) due to increasing operating system requirements, increasing use of graphics in gaming and other applications, continued growth of broadband content and a transition to 64-bit PC architecture. The memory market is dominated by two segments-DRAM and flash memory. Potential growth in the DRAM market is expected to be driven by continued growth in both the commodity and niche DRAM market, as well as growth opportunities in mobile DRAM as memory requirements significantly increase for mobile applications. Flash memory market potential growth is expected to be driven by increasing memory requirements for cellular handsets, digital cameras, digital audio/video, server and other mobile applications.

LCD and Other Flat-Panel Display Driver Semiconductor Market

Flat-panel displays are used in applications such as PC monitors, notebook computers, tables, television sets, cellular handsets and digital cameras. The end-user demand for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors experienced a downturn in 2007 and 2008. The LCD driver market started to recover in the second quarter of 2009 and the positive recovery trend continued through 2015. Starting from the second half of 2015, we are now experiencing inventory corrections of certain market segments.

 

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Logic/Mixed-Signal Semiconductor Market

The communications market is one of the main drivers of potential growth in the semiconductor industry. Logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, which are chips with analog functionality covering more than half of the chip area, are largely used in the communications market. The increasing use of digital technology in communications equipment requires chips with both digital and analog functionality for applications such as modems, network routers, switches, cable set-top boxes and cellular handsets. As the size and cost of cellular handsets and other communications-related devices have decreased, components have increased in complexity. Logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, such as LCD, power devices, fingerprint sensors and MEMS products, controllers and DVD controllers, are also used in consumer electronic products.

Overview of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of semiconductors is a complex process that requires increasingly sophisticated engineering and manufacturing expertise. The manufacturing process may be broadly divided into the following stages:

 

LOGO

 

Process

  

Description

Circuit Design

   The design of a semiconductor is developed by laying out circuit patterns and interconnections.

Wafer Fabrication

   Wafer fabrication begins with the generation of a photomask, a photographic negative onto which a circuit design pattern is etched or transferred by an electron beam or laser beam writer. Each completed wafer contains many fabricated chips, each known as a die.

Wafer Probe

   Each individual die is then electrically tested, or probed, for defects. Dies that fail this test are discarded, or, in some cases, salvaged using laser repair.

Assembly

   The assembly of semiconductors serves to protect the die, facilitates its integration into electronic systems and enables the dissipation of heat. The process begins with the dicing of the wafers into chips. Each die is affixed to a leadframe-based or organic substrate-based substrate. Then, electrical connections are formed, in many cases by connecting the terminals on the die to the inner leads of the package using fine metal wires. Finally, each chip is encapsulated for protection, usually in a molded epoxy enclosure.

Final Test

   Assembled semiconductors are tested to ensure that the device meets performance specifications. Testing takes place on specialized equipment using software customized for each application. For memory semiconductors, this process also includes “burn-in” testing to screen out defective devices by applying very high temperatures and voltages onto the memory device.

Outsourcing Trends in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Historically, integrated device manufacturers (“IDMs”), designed, manufactured, tested and assembled semiconductors primarily at their own facilities. In recent years, there has been a trend in the industry to outsource various segments of stages in the manufacturing process to reduce the high fixed costs resulting from the increasingly complex manufacturing process. Virtually every significant stage of the manufacturing process can be outsourced. The independent semiconductor manufacturing services market currently consists of wafer fabrication and probing services and semiconductor assembly and test services. Most of the world’s major IDMs now use some independent semiconductor manufacturing services to maintain a strategic mix of internal and external manufacturing capacity. Many of these IDMs are continuously significantly reducing their investments in new semiconductor assembly and test facilities.

 

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The availability of technologically advanced independent semiconductor manufacturing services has also enabled the growth of “fabless” semiconductor companies that focus exclusively on semiconductor design and marketing and outsource their fabrication, assembly and test requirements to independent companies.

We believe the outsourcing of semiconductor manufacturing services, and in particular of assembly and test services, will increase for many reasons, including the following:

Significant Capital Expenditure Requirements. Driven by increasingly sophisticated technological requirements, wafer fabrication, assembly and test processes have become highly complex, requiring substantial investment in specialized equipment and facilities and sophisticated engineering and manufacturing expertise. In addition, product life cycles have been shortened magnifying the need to continously upgrade or replace manufacturing, assembly and test equipment to accommodate new products. As a result, new investments in in-house fabrication, assembly and test facilities are becoming less desirable for IDMs because of the high investment costs, as well as difficulties in achieving sufficient economies of scale and utilization rates to be competitive with the independent service providers. On the contrary, independent foundry, assembly and test companies are able to realize the benefits of specialization and achieve economies of scale by providing services to a large customer base across a wide range of products. This enables them to reduce costs and shorten production cycles through high capacity utilization and process expertise.

Increasing Focus on Core Competencies. As the costs of semiconductor manufacturing facilities increase, semiconductor companies are expected to further outsource their wafer fabrication, assembly and test requirements to focus their resources on core competencies, such as semiconductor design and marketing.

Time-to-Market Pressure. Increasingly short product life cycles have amplified time-to-market pressure for semiconductor companies, leading them to rely increasingly on independent companies as a key source for effective wafer fabrication, assembly and test services.

Semiconductor Assembly and Test Services Industry

Growth in the semiconductor assembly and test services industry is driven by increased outsourcing of the various stages of the semiconductor manufacturing process by IDMs and fabless semiconductor companies.

The Semiconductor Industry and Conditions of Outsourcing in Taiwan and Mainland China

Taiwan is one of the world’s leading locations for outsourced semiconductor manufacturing. The semiconductor industry supply chain in Taiwan has developed such that the various stages of the semiconductor manufacturing process have been disaggregated, thus allowing for specialization. The disaggregation of the semiconductor manufacturing process in Taiwan permits these semiconductor manufacturing service providers to focus on particular parts of the production process, develop economies of scale, maintain higher capacity utilization rates and remain flexible in responding to customer needs by lowering time-to-market pressure faced by semiconductor companies. There are several leading service providers in Taiwan, each of which offers substantial capacity, high-quality manufacturing, leading semiconductor wafer fabrication, test, assembly and process technologies, and a full range of services. These service providers have access to an educated labor pool and a large number of engineers suitable for sophisticated manufacturing industries. As a result, many of the world’s leading semiconductor companies outsource some or all of their semiconductor manufacturing needs to Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing service providers and take advantage of the close proximity among facilities in the supply chain. In addition, companies located in Taiwan are very active in the design and manufacture of electronic systems, which has created significant local demand for semiconductor devices.

Recently, mainland China has emerged as an attractive location for outsourced semiconductor manufacturing based on the fact. Companies can take advantage of a well-educated yet low-cost labor force, cost savings due to tax benefits and a large domestic market. These factors have driven increased relocation of much of the electronics industry manufacturing and supply chain to Mainland China. An increasing number of global electronic systems manufacturers and contract manufacturers are relocating or have relocated production facilities to Mainland China. We believe that these electronic product manufacturers and contract manufacturers will source an increasing portion of their demand for semiconductors from semiconductor suppliers located in Mainland China in order to reduce production cycle times, decrease costs, simplify supply chain logistics and meet local content requirements. In line with this trend, we have in recent years expanded our operations in Mainland China.

 

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Our Strategy

Our goal is to reinforce our position as a leading independent provider of semiconductor assembly and test services, concentrating principally on memory, logic/mixed-signal and LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. The principal components of our business strategy are set forth below.

Focus on Providing Our Services to Potential Growth Segments of the Semiconductor Industry.

We intend to continue our focus on developing and providing advanced assembly and test services for potential growth segments of the semiconductor industry, such as memory, logic/mixed-signal, MEMS, LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors and bumping services. We believe that our investments in equipment and research and development in some of these areas allow us to offer a service differentiated from that of our competition. In order to benefit from the expected resumption of growth in these segments, we intend to continue to invest in capacity to meet the assembly and test requirements of these key semiconductor market segments.

Continue to Invest in the Research and Development of Advanced Assembly and Test Technologies.

Critical to our business growth is the continuation to expand our capabilities in testing and assembly to provide better service to our customers. We typically focus on advanced technologies that consist of greater potentials to generate higher margins. For example, we conducted new product introductions and on an on-going basis continue to expand our capabilities in fine-pitch wafer bumping, multi-chip package (“MCP”), flip chip package, and high speed assembly and test of fine-pitch COFs. We have also introduced low cost metal composite bump (“MCB”) products based on our proprietary Cu plating technology to service flat-panel display market and expand offerings to other business regions. We continue to maintain close working relationships with local and overseas research institutions and universities to keep abreast with leading edge technologies and broaden the scope of applications.

In 2016 we expect to focus our research and development efforts in the following areas:

 

   

development of advanced assembly technologies in WLCSP, MEMS, finger print sensors, and flip chip products for memory devices and mixed signal products;

 

   

expand fine-pitch Au and Cu bumping technology for 300mm wafers;;

 

   

expand fine-pitch test capabilities for advanced LCD drivers;

 

   

carry out in-process improvement to improve manufacturing yields and shorten turnaround time;

 

   

develop new software conversion programs to increase the capabilities of our testers; and

 

   

continue to focus on delivering environmentally friendly assembly services by eliminating lead and halogen elements from the materials.

In 2015, we spent approximately 3.8% of our revenue on research and development. We will continue to invest our resources to recruit and retain experienced research and development personnel. As of March 31, 2016, our research and development team comprised 610 persons.

Build on Our Strong Presence in Taiwan and Expand Our Operations Outside Taiwan.

We intend to build on our strong presence in key centers of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing to grow our business. Currently, most of our operations are in Taiwan, one of the world’s leading locations for outsourced semiconductor manufacturing. This presence provides us with several advantages. Firstly, our proximity to other semiconductor companies is attractive to customers who wish to outsource various stages of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Secondly, our proximity to many of our suppliers, customers and the end-users of our customers’ products enables us to be involved in the early stages of the semiconductor design process, enhances our ability to quickly respond to our customers’ changing requirements and shortens our customers’ time-to-market. Thirdly, we have access to an educated labor pool and a large number of engineers who are able to work closely with our customers and other providers of semiconductor manufacturing services.

As with our operations in Taiwan, we intend to similarly benefit from our operations in Mainland China. We intend to invest in and expand our operations in Mainland China, increasing our assembly and test services for memory, LCD, MEMS and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors.

Depending on customer’s demands, market conditions and other relevant considerations, we may from time to time look into other opportunities to expand our operations outside of Taiwan.

 

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Expand Our Offering of Vertically Integrated Services.

We believe that one of our competitive strengths is our ability to provide vertically integrated services to our customers. Vertically integrated services consist of the integrated testing, assembly and direct shipment of semiconductors to end-users designated by our customers. Providing vertically integrated services enables us to shorten lead times for our customers. As time-to-market and cost increasingly become sources of competitive advantage for our customers, they increasingly value our ability to provide them with comprehensive back-end services.

Through ChipMOS Taiwan, and ChipMOS Shanghai, we are able to offer vertically integrated services for a broad range of products, including memory, logic/mixed-signal and LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. We believe that these affiliations, which offer complementary technologies, products and services as well as additional capacity, will continue to enhance our own development and expansion efforts into new and potential growth markets. We intend to establish new alliances with leading companies and, if suitable opportunities arise, engage in merger and acquisition activities that will further expand the services we can provide.

Focus on Increasing Sales through Long-Term Agreements with Key Customers as well as Business with Smaller Customers.

From time to time, we strategically agree to commit a portion of our assembly and test capacity to certain of our customers. We intend to continue focus on increasing sales to key customers through long-term capacity agreements. The customers with which we currently have long-term agreements include a reputable memory customer based in the US. See “—Customers” below for a more detailed discussion of these long-term agreements.

Global market and economic conditions have been unprecedented and challenging with tight credit conditions and recession in most major economies since 2008 continuing into 2011. Beginning in 2008, we also resumed our focus on our business with smaller customers or customers who do not place orders on a regular basis. We believe that the dual focused strategy will assist us to be better prepared for the current economic volatility and ensure maximum utilization rate of our capacity and help us to develop closer relationships with all types of our customers.

Principal Products and Services

The following table presents, for the periods shown, revenue by service segment as a percentage of our revenue.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2015  

Testing

     

Memory testing revenue

     20.4%         20.5%   

Logic/mixed-signal testing revenue

     2.9           3.8     

Total testing revenue

     23.3           24.3     

Assembly

     

Memory assembly revenue

     32.0           28.8     

Logic/mixed-signal assembly revenue

     2.8           2.8     

Total assembly revenue

     34.8           31.6     

LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly revenue

     23.5           27.1     

Bumping

     18.4           17.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     100.0%         100.0%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Memory and Logic/Mixed-Signal Semiconductors

Testing

We provide testing services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors:

Memory. We provide testing services for a variety of memory semiconductors, such as SRAM, DRAM and Flash memory. To speed up the time-consuming process of memory product testing, we provide parallel test, which includes to complete wafer test in one touchdown (up to1,000 plus devices simultaneously). The memory semiconductors we test are used primarily in desktop computers, laptop, tablet computers, handheld consumer electronic, devices and wireless communication devices.

Logic/Mixed-Signal. We conduct tests on a wide variety of logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, with lead counts ranging from the single digits to over 1024 and data rate of up to 9GHz. The semiconductors we test include audio/video codec, networking/communications, MCU, LCD related, and MEMS used for home entertainment/media center, personal computer applications, network/communication and mobile smart devices. We also test a variety of application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), for applications such as FHD/UHD LCD TV, Tablet PC, etc.

 

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The following is a description of our pre-assembly testing services:

Engineering Testing. We provide engineering testing services, including software program development, electrical design validation, reliability and failure analysis.

 

   

Software Program Development Design and test engineers develop a customized software program and related hardware to test semiconductors on advanced test equipment. A customized software program is required to test the conformity of each particular semiconductor to its particular function and specification.

 

   

Electrical Design Validation. A prototype of the designed semiconductor is submitted to electrical tests using advanced test equipment, customized software programs and related hardware. These tests assess whether the test result of the prototype semiconductor complies with the designed requirements using a variety of different operating specifications, including functionality, frequency, voltage, current, timing and temperature range.

 

   

Reliability Analysis. Reliability analysis is designed to assess the long-term reliability of the semiconductor and its suitability of use for its intended applications. Reliability testing may include operating-life evaluation, during which the semiconductor is subjected to high temperature and voltage tests.

 

   

Failure Analysis. If the prototype semiconductor does not perform to specifications during either the electrical validation or reliability analysis process, failure analysis is performed to determine the reasons for the failure. As part of this analysis, the prototype semiconductor may be subjected to a variety of tests, including electron beam probing and electrical testing.

Wafer Probing. Wafer probing is the process stage immediately before the assembly of semiconductors and involves visual inspection and the electrical testing of the processed wafer to ensure that it meets our customers’ specifications. Wafer probing employs sophisticated design and manufacturing technologies to connect the terminals of each chip for testing. Defective chips are marked on the surface or memorized in an electronic file, known as a mapping file, to facilitate subsequent process.

Laser Repairing. This is a unique process in testing operation for memory products. In laser repairing, specific poly or metal fuses are blown after wafer probing to enable a spare row or column of a memory cell to replace a defective memory cell.

After assembly, we perform the following testing services:

Burn-In Testing. This process screens out unreliable products using high temperature, high voltage and prolonged stresses environment to ensure that finished products will survive a long period of end-user service. This process is used only for memory products.

Top Marking . By using either a laser marker or an ink marker, we mark products according to our customers’ specification, including the logo, part number, date code and lot number

Final Testing. Assembled semiconductors are tested to ensure that the devices meet performance specifications. Tests are conducted using specialized equipment with software customized for each application in different temperature conditions ranging from minus 45 degrees celsius to 110 degrees celsius. One of the tests includes speed testing to classify the parts into different speed grades.

Final Inspection and Packing. Final inspection involves visual or auto-inspection of the devices to check any bent leads, ball damage, inaccurate markings or other package defects. Packing involves dry packing, package-in-tray, packing-in-tube and tape and reel. Dry pack involves heating semiconductors in a tray at 125 to 150 degrees celsius for about two hours to remove the moisture before the semiconductors are vacuum-sealed in an aluminum bag. Packing-in-tube involves packing the semiconductors in anti-static tubes for shipment. Tape and reel pack involves transferring semiconductors from a tray or tube onto an anti-static embossed tape and rolling the tape onto a reel for shipment to customers.

Assembly

Our assembly services generally involve the following steps:

 

Wafer Lapping    The wafers are ground to their required thickness.
Die Saw    Wafers are cut into individual dies, or chips, in preparation for the die-attach process.
Die Attach    Each individual die is attached to the leadframe or organic substrate.

 

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Wire Bonding    Using gold or silver wires, to connect the I/O pads on the die to the inner lead of leadframe or substrate.
Molding    The die and wires are encapsulated to provide physical support and protection.
Marking    Each individual package is marked to provide product identification.
Dejunking and Trimming    Mold flash is removed from between the lead shoulders through dejunking, and the dambar is cut during the trimming process.
Electrical Plating    A solderable coating is added to the package leads to prevent oxidization and to keep solder wettability of the package leads.
Ball Mount and Reflow    Each electrode pad of the substrate is first printed with flux, after which solder balls are mounted, heated and attached to the electrode pad of the substrate through a reflow oven.
Forming/Singulation    Forming involves the proper configuration of the device packages leads, and singulation separates the packages from each other.

We offer a broad range of package formats designed to provide our customers with a broad array of assembly services. The assembly services we offer customers are leadframe-based packages, which include thin small outline packages, and organic substrate-based packages, including fine-pitch BGA.

The differentiating characteristics of these packages include:

 

   

the size of the package;

 

   

the number of electrical connections which the package can support;

 

   

the electrical performance and requirements of the package; and

 

   

the heat dissipation requirements of the package.

As new applications for semiconductor devices require smaller components, the size of packages has also decreased. In leading-edge packages, the size of the package is reduced to just slightly larger than the size of the individual chip itself in a process known as chip scale packaging.

As semiconductor devices increase in complexity, the number of electrical connections required also increases. Leadframe-based products have electrical connections from the semiconductor device to the electronic product through leads on the perimeter of the package. Organic substrate-based products have solder balls on the bottom of the package, which create the electrical connections with the product and can support large numbers of electrical connections.

Leadframe-Based Packages. These are generally considered the most widely used package category. Each package consists of a semiconductor chip encapsulated in a plastic molding compound with metal leads on the perimeter. This design has evolved from a design plugging the leads into holes on the circuit board to a design soldering the leads to the surface of the circuit board.

The following diagram presents the basic components of a standard leadframe-based package for memory semiconductors:

 

LOGO

To address the market for miniaturization of portable electronic products, we are currently developing and will continue to develop increasingly smaller versions of leadframe-based packages to keep pace with continually shrinking semiconductor device sizes. Our advanced leadframe-based packages generally are thinner and smaller, have more leads and have advanced thermal and electrical characteristics when compared to traditional packages. As a result of our continual product development, we offer leadframe-based packages with a wide range of lead counts and sizes to satisfy our customers’ requirements.

 

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The following table presents our principal leadframe-based packages, including the number of leads in each package, commonly known as lead-count, a description of each package and the end-user applications of each package.

 

Package

   Lead-count   

Description

  

End-User Applications

Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC)    32-44   

Package with leads on four sides

used in consumer electronics

products in which the size of the package is not vital

   Copiers, printers, scanners, personal
computers, electronic games,
monitors
Plastic Dual-in-line Package (PDIP)    16-56    Package with insertion leads on longer sides used in consumer electronics products    Electronic games, monitors, copiers,
printers, audio and video products,
personal computers
Thin Small Outline Package I (TSOP I)    28-56   

Designed for high volume

production of low lead-count

memory devices, including flash memory, SRAM and MROM

   Notebook computers, personal
computers, still and video cameras
and standard connections for
peripherals for computers
Thin Small Outline Package II (TSOP II)    24-86    Designed for memory devices, including flash memory, SRAM, SDRAM and DDR DRAM    Disk drives, recordable optical disk
drives, audio and video products,
consumer electronics,
communication products
Quad Flat Package (QFP)    44-208    Flat structure with 4-sided peripheral leads designed for SRAM, graphic processors, personal computer chipsets and mixed-signal devices    Wireless communication products,
notebook computers, personal
computers, consumer electronics
Quad Flat No Lead (QFN)    8-132    Thermal enhanced quad flat no lead package providing small footprint (chip scale), light weight with good thermal and electrical performance    Wireless communication products,
notebook computers, PDAs,
consumer electronics
Low-Profile Quad Flat Package (LQFP)    48-128    Low-profile and light weight package designed for ASICs, digital signal processors, microprocessors/controllers, graphics processors, gate arrays, SSRAM, SDRAM, personal computer chipsets and mixed-signal devices    Wireless communication products,
notebook computers, digital cameras,
cordless/radio frequency devices
Thin Quad Flat Package (TQFP)    44-128    Designed for lightweight portable electronics requiring broad performance characteristics and mixed-signal devices    Notebook computers, personal
computers, disk drives, office
equipment, audio and video products
and wireless communication
products
Small Outline Package (SOP)    8    Designed for low lead-count memory and logic semiconductors, including SRAM and micro-controller units    Personal computers, consumer
electronics, audio and video
products, communication products
Multi-Chip Package (TSOP with organic substrate)    24-86    Our patented design for memory devices, including SRAM, DRAM and SDRAM    Notebook computers, personal
computers, disk drives, audio and
video products, consumer products,
communication products

Organic Substrate-based Packages. As the number of leads surrounding a traditional leadframe-based package increases, the leads must be placed closer together to reduce the size of the package. The close proximity of one lead to another can create electrical shorting problems and requires the development of increasingly sophisticated and expensive techniques to accommodate the high number of leads on the circuit boards.

 

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The BGA format solves this problem by effectively creating external terminals on the bottom of the package in the form of small bumps or balls. These balls are evenly distributed across the entire bottom surface of the package, allowing greater pitch between the individual terminals. The ball grid array configuration enables high-pin count devices to be manufactured less expensively with less delicate handling at installation.

Our organic substrate-based packages employ a fine-pitch BGA design, which uses a plastic or tape laminate rather than a leadframe and places the electrical connections, or leads, on the bottom of the package rather than around the perimeter. The fine-pitch BGA format was developed to address the need for the smaller footprints required by advanced memory devices. Benefits of ball grid array assembly over leadframe-based assembly include:

 

   

smaller size;

 

   

smaller footprint on a printed circuit board;

 

   

better electrical signal integrity; and

 

   

easier attachment to a printed circuit board.

The following diagram presents the basic component parts of a fine-pitch BGA package:

 

LOGO

The following table presents the ball-count, description and end-user applications of organic substrate-based packages we currently assemble:

 

Package

   Connections   

Description

  

End-User Applications

Mini BGA    24-400    Low-cost and space-saving assembly designed
for low input/output count, suitable for
semiconductors that require a smaller package
size than standard BGA
   Memory, analog, flash memory, ASICs, radio
frequency devices, personal digital assistants,
cellular handsets, communication products,
notebook computers, wireless systems
Fine-Pitch BGA    54-126    Our patented design for DRAM products that
require high performance and chip scale
package (CSP)
   Notebook computers, cellular handsets, global
positioning systems, personal digital
assistants, wireless systems
Very Thin Fine-Pitch BGA    48-176    Similar structure of Mini BGA package with
thinner and finer ball pitch that is designed for
use in a wide variety of applications requiring
small size, high reliability and low unit cost
   Handheld devices, notebook computers, disk
drives, wireless and mobile communication
products
Land Grid Array (LGA)    10-52    Thinner and lighter assembly designed
essential to standard BGA without solder balls,
suitable for applications that require high
electrical performance
   Disk drives, memory controllers, wireless,
mobile communication products
Multi-Chip BGA    48-137    Designed for assembly of two or more memory
chips (to increase memory density) or
combinations of memory and logic chips in
one BGA package
   Notebook computers, digital cameras, personal
digital assistants, global positioning systems,
sub-notebooks, board processors, wireless
systems
Stacked-Chip BGA    24-162    Designed for assembly of two or more memory
chips or logic and memory chips in one CSP,
reducing the space required for memory chips
   Cellular handsets, digital cameras, personal
digital assistants, wireless systems, notebook
computers, global positioning systems

 

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Package

   Connections   

Description

  

End-User Applications

Flip Chip Chip-scale Package (FCCSP)    16-1500+    Better IC protection and solder joint reliability compared to direct chip attach (DCA) and chip on board (COB)    Memory, logic, microprocessor, application processor (AP), baseband (BB), solid state device, radio frequency (RF)
Chip on Wafer (CoW)    5-30    Integrated two different functional chips to a closer form into a compact package. Low-cost solution compared to through- silicon via (TSV)    Integrated MEMS
Land Grid Array (LGA) for FPS (finger Print Sensor)    20-52    Very thin clearance (50um) between chip & compound hard color coating with scratch resistance for protection and appearance matching of mobile devices    Security protection for mobile devices, home, NB, etc.

Wafer Level CSP

 

LOGO

Wafer-level CSP (WL CSP) is the technology of packaging an integrated circuit at wafer level. WL CSP is essentially a true chip scale package (CSP) technology, since the resulting package is practically of the same size as the die. WL CSP has the ability to enable true integration of wafer fab, packaging, test, and burn-in at wafer level in order to streamline the manufacturing process undergone by a device start from silicon wafer to customer shipment.

Most other kinds of packaging does wafer dicing first, and then puts the individual die in a plastic package and attaches the solder bumps. WL CSP involves the RDL, wafer solder bumping, while still in the wafer, and then wafer dicing. Benefits of WL CSP compare to general CSP package assembly include:

 

   

ultimate smaller package size;

 

   

smaller footprint on a printed circuit board;

 

   

very short circuit connection; and

 

   

cost effective packaging solution for small ICs.

 

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Package

   Connections   

Description

  

End-User Applications

WL CSP    4-64    Very small package size (identical to die size),
suitable for the low pin count and require
the small package size application
   Memory, ASICs, MEMS devices, controllers,
for mobile phone, tablet, ultra book
computer product

FC CSP

 

LOGO

Flip-chip chip scale package (FC CSP) construction utilizes the flip chip bumping (with solder bump or Cu pillar bump) interconnection technology to replace the standard wirebond interconnect. It allows for a smaller form factor due to wire loop reduction and area array bumping. FC CSP includes the substrate or leadframe type solution making an attractive option for advanced CSP application when electrical performance is a critical factor.

 

   

Excellent electrical performance, very low interconnect parasitics and inductance compare to wirebond type.

 

   

High electrical current endurance (Cu pillar bump), ideal for high power solution.

 

   

Smaller package form factor by reducing the wire loop height and wire span compared to conventional wirebond package.

 

Package

   Connections   

Description

  

End-User Applications

FC CSP    8-1120    Superior electrical performance, smaller form factor    Power device, RF, Logic/Analog device, wireless or portable application

LCD and Other Flat-Panel Display Driver Semiconductors and Gold Bumping

We also offer assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. We employ TCP, COF and COG technologies for testing and assembling LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. In addition, we offer gold bumping services to our customers.

Tape Carrier Package (TCP) Technology

TCPs offer a high number of inputs and outputs, a thin package profile and a smaller footprint on the circuit board, without compromising performance. Key package features include surface mount technology design, fine-pitch tape format and slide carrier handling. Because of their flexibility and high number of inputs and outputs, TCPs are primarily employed either for STN-LCD or TFT-LCD driver semiconductors.

Testing of TCPs. We conduct full function testing of LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors with a specially designed probe handler to ensure reliable contact to the test pads on the TCP tape. We can test STN-LCD or TFT-LCD driver semiconductors with frequencies of up to 750 MHz and at voltages up to 40V. The test is performed in a temperature-controlled environment with the device in tape form. The assembled and tested LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors in tape form are packed between spacer tapes together with a desiccant in an aluminum bag to avoid contact during shipment.

Assembly of TCPs. TCPs use a tape-automated bonding process to connect die and tape. The printed circuit tape is shipped with a reel. The reel is then placed onto an inner lead bonder, where the LCD or other flat-panel display driver semiconductor is configured onto the printed circuit tape. The resulting TCP component consists of the device interconnected to a three-layer tape, which includes a polyimide carrier film, an epoxy-based adhesive layer and a metal layer. The tape metallization area of the interconnections is tin plated over a metal layer. The silicon chip and inner lead area is encapsulated with a high temperature thermosetting polymer after inner lead bonding. The back face of the chip is left un-sealed for thermal connection to the printed circuit board.

For the limitation of inner lead pitch (>41um) with this kind of package, the volume of TCP nowadays has been trending down to ~1% of total demand.

 

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The following diagram presents the basic components of a TCP:

 

LOGO

Chip-on-Film (COF) Technology

In 2001, we commenced assembly and test services using COF technology. We have developed this proprietary technology from our existing TCP technology, and it has been widely accepted by our customers. The primary use of the COF module is to replace TCP in certain applications.

COF technology provides several additional advantages. For example, COF is able to meet the size, weight and higher resolution requirements in electronic products, such as flat-panel displays. This is because of its structural design, including an adhesive-free two-layer tape that is highly flexible, bending strength and its capacity to receive finer patterning pitch.

COF package has been using for large-size and high-resolution panel display, especially on TV set. In recent years, there has been an observable trend with which the average inner lead pitch of COF package went down to 25um with about 50% of market share. 22 um inner lead pitch of COF package has been released to mass production and we can test TFT-LCD driver semiconductors with frequencies of up to 2.5 Gbps to fulfill high speed data rate requirement of semiconductor.

The following diagram presents the basic components of a COF:

 

LOGO

The TCP and COF processes involve the following steps:

 

Chip Probing    Screen out the defect chips which fail to meet the device spec.
Wafer Lapping    Wafers are grounded to their required thickness.
Die Saw    Wafers are cut into individual dies, or chips, in preparation for inner lead bonding process.
Inner Lead Bonding    An inner lead bonder machine connects the chip to the printed circuit tape.
Potting    The package is dispensed a resin to protect the inner lead.
Potting Cure    The potting cure process matures the resin used during the potting oven with high temperatures.
Marking    A laser marker is used to provide product identification.
Final Testing    To verify device spec. within electrical testing after assembly process.
Inspection and Packing    Each individual die with tape is visually or auto inspected for defects. The dies are packed within a reel into an aluminum bag after completion of the inspection process.

Chip-on-Glass (COG) Technology

COG technology is an electronic assembly technology that is used increasingly in assembling LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors for communications equipment. Compared to the traditional bonding process for TCP or COF, the new COG technology requires lower bonding temperature. In addition, the COG technology reduces assembly cost as it does not use tapes for interconnection between the LCD panel and the printed circuit board. The major application of COG products is on TFT-LCD display of smart phone market, it integrates source, gate driver of TFT-LCD driver IC and Timing Controller IC into one chip, so the output channel is larger than TCP or COF products.

 

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The COG assembly technology involves the following steps:

 

Chip Probing    To screen out the defect chips which fail to meet the device spec.
Wafer Lapping    Wafers are ground to their required thickness.
Laser Marking    A laser mark is applied on IC backside to provide product information.
Laser Grooving    Application in wafer within Low-K material to reduce chipping of chips during dicing process.
Die Saw    Wafers are cut into individual dies, or chips, in preparation for the pick and place process.
Auto Optical Inspection    Process of wafer inspection is detecting defect to separate chips at pick and place station.
Pick and Place    Each individual die is picked and placed into a chip tray.
Inspection and Packing    Each individual die in a tray is visually or auto-inspected for defects. The dies are packed within a tray into an aluminum bag after completion of the inspection process.

Bumping

We also offer bumping services to our customers.

Gold bumping technology, which can be used in TCP, COF and COG technologies, is a necessary interconnection technology for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. Most gold bumping services are performed on eight or twelve-inches wafers. Gold bumping technology provides the best solution for fine-pitch chips and is able to meet the highly efficient production requirement for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors or other chips that require thin packaging profiles. In addition to the gold bumping, we also offer the WLCSP, Cu RDL and Cu pillar service which can be applied for FC CSP and/or QFN package. The product scope includes but is not limited to flash, power devices and MEMS.

The gold bumping fabrication process uses thin film metal deposition, photolithography and electrical plating technologies. A series of barrier and seed metal layers are deposited over the surface of the wafer. A layer of thick photoresist material is spin-coated over these barrier and seed layers. A photomask is used to pattern the locations over each of the bond pads that will be bumped. UV exposure and developing processes open the photoresist material, which defines the bump shape. The gold bump is then electroplated over the pad and the deposited barrier metal layers. Once the plating is complete, a series of etching steps are used to remove the photoresist material and the metal layers that are covering the rest of the wafer. The gold bump protects the underlying materials from being etched. The gold bumped wafers will go through an annealing furnace to soften the gold bumps to fit the hardness requirement of TCP, COF and COG assembly processes.

Other Services

Drop Shipment

We offer drop shipment of semiconductors directly to end-users designated by our customers. We provide drop shipment services, including assembly in customer-approved and branded boxes, to a majority of our assembly and test customers. Since drop shipment eliminates the additional step of inspection by the customer prior to shipment to end-users, quality of service is a key to successful drop shipment service. We believe that our ability to successfully execute our full range of services, including drop shipment services, is an important factor in maintaining existing customers as well as attracting new customers.

Software Development, Conversion and Optimization Program

We work closely with our customers to provide sophisticated software engineering services, including test program development, conversion and optimization, and related hardware design. Generally, testing requires customized testing software and related hardware to be developed for each particular product. Software is often initially provided by the customer and then converted by us at our facilities for use on one or more of our testing machines and contains varying functionality depending on the specified testing procedures. Once a conversion test program has been developed, we perform correlation and trial tests on the semiconductors.

Customer feedback on the test results enables us to adjust the conversion test programs prior to actual testing. We also typically assist our customers in collecting and analyzing the test results and recommends engineering solutions to improve their design and production process.

 

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Customers

We believe that the following factors have been, and will continue to be, important factors in attracting and retaining customers:

 

   

our advanced assembly and test technologies;

 

   

our strong capabilities in testing and assembling LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors;

 

   

our focus on high-density memory products and logic/mixed-signal communications products; and

 

   

our reputation for high quality and reliable customer-focused services.

The number of our customers as of March 31 of 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, was 83, 85 and 79. Our top 15 customers in terms of revenue in 2015 were (in alphabetical order):

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation

Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.

Etron Technology, Inc.

Himax Technologies, Inc.

ILI TECHNOLOGY CORP.

Integrated Circuit Solution Inc.

LAPIS Semiconductor Co. Ltd.

Macronix International Co., Ltd.

Micron Technology, Inc., or Micron

Novatek Microelectronics Corp., or Novatek

Orise Technology Co., Ltd.

Raydium Semiconductor Corporation

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Winbond Electronics Corporation, or Winbond

Zentel Electronics Corp.

In 2014, our largest customer was Novatek, our second-largest customer was Micron and our third-largest customer was Winbond accounting for approximately 20%, 16% and 10% of our revenue, respectively. In 2015, our largest customer was Novatek, our second-largest customer was Micron and our third-largest customer was Winbond accounting for approximately 22%, 15% and 12% of our revenue, respectively.

The majority of our customers purchase our services through purchase orders and provide us three-month non-binding rolling forecasts on a monthly basis. The price for our services is typically agreed upon at the time when a purchase order is placed.

On April 22, 2010, the Company announced that Spansion LLC and ChipMOS Taiwan entered into a two-year wafer sort services agreement, utilizing the V5400 test platform, making ChipMOS Taiwan Spansion’s exclusive wafer sort subcontractor, except for any sort equipment operated by Spansion LLC or currently located at Spansion Japan Limited. The wafer sort services agreement became effective upon the effective date of Spansion’s confirmed plan of reorganization. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirmed Spansion’s Second Amended Plan of Reorganization on April 16, 2010. The effective date of Spansion’s plan of reorganization is May 10, 2010. The wafer sort services agreement became effective on May 10, 2010 and has since been renewed twice for expiring in 2016.

Beginning in 2008, we also resumed a focus on our business with smaller customers and customers who do not place orders on a regular basis.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage breakdown of our revenue, categorized by geographic region based on the jurisdiction in which each customer is headquartered.

 

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2015  

Taiwan

     72%         73%   

Singapore

     16           15     

United States

     3           2     

Japan

     3           5     

Korea

     4           3     

Hong Kong SAR

     1           1     

Others

     1           1     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100%         100%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Qualification and Correlation by Customers

Our customers generally require that our facilities undergo a stringent “qualification” process during which the customer evaluates our operations, production processes and product reliability, including engineering, delivery control and testing capabilities. The qualification process typically takes up to eight weeks, or longer, depending on the requirements of the customer. For test qualification, after we have been qualified by a customer and before the customer delivers semiconductors to us for testing in volume, a process known as “correlation” is undertaken. During the correlation process, the customer provides us with test criteria; information regarding process flow and sample semiconductors to be tested and either provides us with the test program or requests that we develop a new or conversion program. In some cases, the customer also provides us with a data log of results of any testing of the semiconductor that the customer may have conducted previously. The correlation process typically takes up to two weeks, but can take longer depending on the requirements of the customer.

Sales and Marketing

We maintain sales and marketing offices in Taiwan, Mainland China and the United States. Our sales and marketing strategy is to focus on memory semiconductors in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and the United States, logic/mixed-signal semiconductors in Taiwan, Japan and the United States, LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China. As of March 31, 2016, our sales and marketing efforts were primarily carried out by teams of sales professionals, application engineers and technicians, totaling 32 staff members. Each of these teams focuses on specific customers and/or geographic regions. As part of our emphasis on customer service, these teams:

 

   

actively participate in the design process at the customers’ facilities;

 

   

resolve customer assembly and test issues; and

 

   

promote timely and individualized resolutions to customers’ issues.

We conduct marketing research through our in-house customer service personnel and through our relationships with our customers and suppliers to keep abreast of market trends and developments. Furthermore, we do product and system bench marking analyses to understand the application and assembly technology evolution, such as analysis on mobile handsets and CD-/DVD-ROM players. In addition, we regularly collect data from different segments of the semiconductor industry and, when possible, we work closely with our customers to design and develop assembly and test services for their new products. These “co-development” or “sponsorship” projects can be critical when customers seek large-scale, early market entry with a significant new product.

We have appointed a non-exclusive sales agent for promoting our services for memory semiconductors in the United States, Japan and Korea. Our sales agent helps us promote and market our services, maintain relations with our existing and potential customers and communicate with our customers on quality, specific requirements and delivery issues. We generally pay our sales agent a commission of 3.5% of our revenue from services for memory semiconductors in the United States, Japan and Korea. In 2014 and 2015, we paid approximately NT$22 million and NT$19 million (US$579 thousand), respectively, in commissions to our sales agent

Research and Development

To maintain our competitive edge for continued business growth, we continue our focus of our investment in new technology research and development. In 2014 and 2015, we spent approximately NT$679 million, or 3% and NT$748 million (US$23 million), or 4%, respectively, of our revenue on research and development. We intend to sustain these efforts.

Our research and development efforts have been focused primarily on new technology instruction, improving efficiency and production yields of our assembly and test services. From time to time, we jointly develop new technologies with local and international research institutions and universities. In testing area, our research and development efforts focused particularly on high speed probing, fine pitch probing capability and wafer level burn-in technology. Our projects include:

 

   

Grew wafer level BIST testing capability;

 

   

Developed “one touchdown full contact testing capability for 200mm and 300mm wafers”;

 

   

Ramped up high frequency testing capability for LCDD;

 

   

Built up fine pitch testing capability for 12um bump pitch products; and

 

   

Developing centralized server test control system.

 

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In bumping and assembly areas, our research and development efforts were directed to

 

   

Low-cost alloy wire bonding alternatives for Cu wirebond;

 

   

Au height reduction, as part of cost reduction drive, 10um bump height COF package was released for production;

 

   

Wafer-level chip scale packaging and Cu RDL processes;

 

   

Flip-chip QFN for power IC applications;

 

   

Flip-chip CSP for DRAM & mixed-signal application;

 

   

Cu pillar bumping and assembly;

 

   

MEMS packages for mobile devices;

 

   

Multi-chip assembly and module of flash products for SSD and eMMC applications;

 

   

Stacked-die chip scale package;

 

   

Thin wafer lapping and dicing;

 

   

Fingerprint sensor packaging solution by LGA;

 

   

Chip on Wafer( CoW) packaging solution for chip integration application;

 

   

Advanced thin core/core-free substrate for thin packages; and

 

   

Qualified thermally enhanced COF and MCB (metal composite bump) COF and released for manufacturing.

For new product and product enhancement work in 2015, our work concentrates on three key development programs: WLCSP, MEMS and flip chip technology. In the bumping area, we completed customer qualification of 300mm wafer Au bumping process in 2012 and started volume production in Q4, 2012. Development of Cu plating enables the entry of WLCSP, RDL and flip chip market. Turnkey services of WLCSP and flip chip QFN have been implemented for mass production in 2013 based on the successful technology developments. In 2012, we also initiated both 200mm and 300mm Cu pillar bumping engineering work and, related packaging technologies are being developed for mixed-signal and memory products in 2013. An integrated WLCSP (CoW or 3D WLCSP) is developing in 2015. By using existing equipment, Chip-on-Wafer (CoW) integrates WLCSP bumping, copper pillar bumping, and flip chip assembly capability. Not only provide the cost effective package solution by stocking the different wafer node technology chip, but also meet integrated function and smallest package footprint. Meanwhile, fingerprint sensor (FPS) packaging solution by LGA is also developing for smartphone demand in 2015.

In 2013, in-process engineering advancement allowed us to extend our wirebond technology to service MEMS products. To further achieve cost reduction, alloy wire and 0.6 mil Au wirebond processes were also developed. In 2016, we will continue to work on improvements of wafer thinning and polishing operations facilitate the expansion of multi-chip NAND packages offerings. Capability of handling miniature molded packages has been extended to 1x1 mm size and various improvements will also be made in production equipment to enhance throughput and efficiency.

As of March 31, 2016 we employed 610 employees in our research and development activities. In addition, other management and operational personnel are also involved in research and development activities but are not separately identified as research and development professionals.

We maintain laboratory facilities capable for materials and electrical characterizations to support production and new product development. Computer simulation is used to validate both mechanical and electrical models in comparison to measurement results. Enhancement of Shadow Moiré and Micro Moiré equipment was carried out to support MCP and flip chip package warpage and residue stress characterization. In Advanced Packaging Lab, rheology measurement capability was established, aimed at expanding capability for material selection and inspection to support flip chip introduction and various resin characterizations. A new analytical laboratory has been builted out in our bumping line providing timely support to manufacturing operations.

Quality Control

We believe that our reputation for high quality and reliable services have been an important factor in attracting and retaining leading international semiconductor companies as customers for our assembly and test services. We are committed to delivering semiconductors that meet or exceed our customers’ specifications on time and at a competitive cost. We maintain quality control staff at each of our facilities.

 

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As of March 31, 2016, we employed 350 personnel for our quality control activities. Our quality control staff typically includes engineers, technicians and other employees who monitor assembly and test processes in order to ensure high quality. We employ quality control procedures in the following critical areas:

 

   

sales quality assurance: following market trends to anticipate customers’ future needs;

 

   

design quality assurance: when developing new testing and assembly processes;

 

   

supplier quality assurance: consulting with our long-term suppliers;

 

   

manufacturing quality assurance: through a comprehensive monitoring program during mass production; and

 

   

service quality assurance: quickly and effectively responding to customers’ claims after completion of sale.

All of our facilities have obtained ISO/TS 16949 quality system certification. In addition, our facilities in Hsinchu and Tainan have been ISO 9002 certified in September 1997 and December 1998, respectively and recertified with ISO 9001 for substantial revision since 2000. ChipMOS Shanghai also obtained ISO/TS 16949 quality system certification in January 2006, respectively.

ISO/TS 16949 certification system seeks to integrate quality management standards into the operation of a company, and emphasizes the supervision and measurement of process and performance. An ISO 9002 certification is required by many countries for sales of industrial products.

In addition to the quality management system, we also earned the 1998 QC Group Award from The Chinese Society of Quality, which is equivalent to the similar award from the American Society of Quality. In 2003, ChipMOS passed SONY Green Partner (Tier 2) certification through its ProMOS channel, and in 2009, ChipMOS obtained SONY Green Partner (Tier 1) certification due to its direct business relationship with SONY. ChipMOS Shanghai also obtained SONY Green Partner (Tier 2) certification through its ISSI channel in 2008. Our laboratories have also been awarded Chinese National Laboratory accreditation under the categories of reliability test, electricity and temperature calibration.

Our assembly and test operations are carried out in clean rooms where air purity, temperature and humidity are controlled. To ensure the stability and integrity of our operations, we maintain clean rooms at our facilities that meet U.S. federal 209E class 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000 standards. A class 1,000 clean room means a room containing less than 1,000 particles of contaminants per cubic foot.

We have established manufacturing quality control systems that are designed to ensure high-quality services to our customers and maintain reliability and high production yields at our facilities. We employ specialized equipment for manufacturing quality and reliability control, including:

 

   

Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) standardized temperature cycling, thermal shock and pressure cook reliability tests;

 

   

high and low temperature storage life tests, temperature humidity bias test and highly accelerated temperature/humidity stress test (HAST); and

 

   

high resolution scanning acoustic tomography, scanning electronic microscope and X-Ray microscopy for physical failure analysis, curve tracer and semi-probe station for electrical failure analysis.

In addition, to enhance our performance and our research and development capabilities, we also installed a series of high-cost equipment, such as temperature humidity bias testers, low temperature storage-life testers and highly accelerated stress testers. We believe that many of our competitors do not own this equipment.

As a result of our ongoing focus on quality, in 2015, we achieved monthly assembly yields of an average of 99.81% for our memory and logic/mixed-signal assembly packages, 99.97% for our COF packages, 99.95% for our COG packages and 99.93% for our bumping products. The assembly yield, which is the industry standard for measuring production yield, is equal to the number of integrated circuit packages that are shipped back to customers divided by the number of individual integrated circuits that are attached to leadframes or organic substrate.

Raw Materials

Semiconductor testing requires minimal raw materials. Substantially all of the raw materials used in our memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductor assembly processes are interconnect materials such as leadframes, organic substrates, gold wire and molding compound. Raw materials used in the LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test process include carrier tape, resin, spacer tape, plastic reel, aluminum bags, and inner and outer boxes. Cost of raw materials represented 21% and 18% of our revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

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We do not maintain large inventories of leadframes, organic substrates, gold wire or molding compound, but generally maintain sufficient stock of each principal raw material for approximately one month’s production based on blanket orders and rolling forecasts of near-term requirements received from customers. In addition, since the commencement of economic downturn in second quarter of 2008, due to the volatility of the semiconductor market, several of our principal suppliers have also ceased to stock inventories to be reserved to meet its customers’ production requirements. Instead, our suppliers now require longer lead time for delivery of our supply orders. Shortage in the supply of materials experienced by the semiconductor industry have in the past resulted in price adjustments. Our principal raw material supplies have not been impacted by the Japan earthquake and tsunami catastrophe. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—If we are unable to obtain raw materials and other necessary inputs from our suppliers in a timely and cost-effective manner, our production schedules would be delayed and we may lose customers and growth opportunities and become less profitable” for a discussion of the risks associated with our raw materials purchasing methods. For example, with the exception of aluminum bags and inner and outer boxes, which we acquire from local sources, the raw materials used in our TCP/COF process and for modules are obtained from a limited number of Japanese suppliers.

Competition

The independent assembly and test markets are very competitive. Our competitors include large IDMs with in-house testing and assembly capabilities and other independent semiconductor assembly and test companies, especially those offering vertically integrated assembly and test services, such as Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc., Amkor Technology, Inc., Chipbond Technology Corporation, King Yuan Electronics Co., Ltd., Powertech Technology, Siliconware Precision, STATS ChipPAC Ltd. and United Test and Assembly Center Ltd. We believe that the principal measures of competitiveness in the independent semiconductor testing industry are:

 

   

engineering capability of software development;

 

   

quality of service;

 

   

flexibility;

 

   

capacity;

 

   

production cycle time; and

 

   

price.

In assembly services, we compete primarily on the basis of:

 

   

production yield;

 

   

production cycle time;

 

   

process technology, including our COF technology for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly services;

 

   

quality of service;

 

   

capacity;

 

   

location; and

 

   

price.

IDMs that use our services continually evaluate our performance against their own in-house assembly and test capabilities. These IDMs may have access to more advanced technologies and greater financial and other resources than we do. We believe, however, that we can offer greater efficiency and lower costs while maintaining an equivalent or higher level of quality for three reasons:

 

   

firstly, we offer a broader and more complex range of services as compared to the IDMs, which tend to focus their resources on improving their front-end operations;

 

   

secondly, we generally have lower unit costs because of our higher utilization rates and thus enabling us to operate at a more cost-effective structure compared to the IDMs; and

 

   

finally, we offer a wider range of services in terms of complexity and technology.

Intellectual Property

As of March 31, 2016, we held 452 patents in Taiwan, 169 patents in the United States, 247 patents in the People’s Republic of China and 1 patent in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan respectively, and 2 patents in Korea, relating to various semiconductor assembly and test technologies. These patents will expire at various dates through to 2034. As of March 31, 2016, we also had a total of 19 pending patent applications in the United States, 56 in Taiwan, 80 in the People’s Republic of China, 1 in Europe, and 1 in Japan. In addition, we have registered “ChipMOS” and its logo and “InPack” as trademarks in Taiwan, and “ChipMOS” and its logo as trademarks in the United States, the People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and the European Community.

 

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We expect to continue to file patent applications where appropriate to protect our proprietary technologies. We may need to enforce our patents or other intellectual property rights or to defend ourselves against claimed infringement of the rights of others through litigation, which could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our resources. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Disputes over intellectual property rights could be costly, deprive us of technologies necessary for us to stay competitive, render us unable to provide some of our services and reduce our opportunities to generate revenue” and “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.

Government Regulations

As discussed above under “—Intellectual Property”, governmental regulation of our intellectual property may materially affect our business. The failure to protect our property rights would deprive us of our ability to stay competitive in the semiconductor industry. Our intellectual property rights are protected by the relevant patent and intellectual property agencies of the European Community, United States, the People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

Environmental Matters

Semiconductor testing does not generate significant pollutants. The semiconductor assembly process generates stationary acid, alkali and VOC pollutions, principally at the plating stages. Liquid waste is produced when silicon wafers are ground thinner and diced into chips with the aid of diamond saws and cleaned with running water. In addition, excess materials, either on lead-frames or molding process, are removed from assembled semiconductors in the trimming and de-junking processes, respectively. We have various treatment equipments forwastewater and air pollutants at our assembly and bumping facilities. Since 2001, we have adopted certain environmentally-friendly production management systems, and have implemented certain measures intended to bring our assembly process in compliance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC issued by the European Union and our customers. We believe that we have adequate and effective environmental protection measures that are consistent with semiconductor industry practices in Taiwan and Mainland China. In addition, we believe we are in compliance in all material respects with current environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations and facilities.

All of our facilities in Taiwan and Mainland China have been certified as meeting the ISO 14001 environmental standards of the International Organization for Standardization, and all of our facilities in Taiwan have been certified as meeting the OHSAS18001 standards of the International Organization for Standardization. Our facilities at Hsinchu Science Park, Chupei and Southern Taiwan Science Park have won numerous awards including Green Factory Label, ISO50001, ISO14064, ISO14067 and WFN (Water Footprint) in 2014 and 2015, Smart Green Building Label in 2013, health promotion awards granted by Department of Health of ROC since 2012, “Safety & Health Performance Certification Unit” from Council of the Labor Affairs of ROC in 2009 and 2010. Our bumping facility has won “Civil Defense Excellent Award” from Hsin-chu City in 2009~2012. Chupei plant won the EPA” Fresh Air Area Clean Excellent Award” in 2014 and 2015. We continue to encourage our employees to participate in community environmental campaigns and better environmental friendly practices.

We will continue to enhance related management to reduce industrial waste, save energy and control pollution. Since 2001, ChipMOS Taiwan completed a lead-free process control program, which offers a lead-free method in a semiconductor package, lead-free plating, lead-free solder ball and lead-free reliability method and specification. In 2005, ChipMOS Shanghai completed a similar program. ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS Shanghai obtained Green Partner certification from Sony Corporation of Japan, respectively, in 2003 and 2008. Furthermore we passed the SGS’s inventory of GHGs “Greenhouse Gas Verification Statement”. From 2013 to 2015, we further confirmed many product’s CFP “Carbon Footprint Verification Statement” and WFN “Water Footprint Verification Statement”. In the same time, Tainan plant passed the certification of energy management program (“ISO50001”). We plan to arrange all of ChipMOS plants to pass the certification of ISO50001 in the near future. Our policy is to pay attention to the environment issues by standardizing on green, environmental-friendly products, production facilities and management systems to meet ChipMOS’ Corporate Social Responsibilities.

Insurance

We maintain insurance policies on our buildings, equipment and inventories. These insurance policies cover property damages due to all risks, including but not limited to, fire, lightning and earthquakes. The maximum coverage of property insurance for ChipMOS Taiwan is approximately NT$71,814 million. ChipMOS Shanghai also maintains property insurance policies for a maximum coverage of approximately RMB904 million.

 

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Insurance coverage on facilities under construction is maintained by us and our contractors, who are obligated to procure necessary insurance policies and bear the relevant expenses of which we are the beneficiary. We also maintain insurance on the wafers delivered to us while these wafers are in our possession and during transportation from suppliers to us and from us to our customers.

Employees

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Employees” for certain information relating to our employees.

Taxation

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Taxation” for certain information regarding the effect of PRC and ROC tax regulations on our operations.

Facilities

We provide testing services through our four facilities in Taiwan and one facility in Shanghai, with one facility at each of the following locations: Chupei, the Hsinchu Industrial Park, the Hsinchu Science Park, the Southern Taiwan Science Park and the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone. We provide assembly services through our facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park and our facility at the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone. We own the land for our Hsinchu Industrial Park testing facility and Chupei facility and possess the land use right to the land on which our Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone facility is located until 2052, and, we lease two parcels of land for our Hsinchu Science Park testing facility with lease expiration in year 2027 and 2034, respectively, and two parcels of land for our Southern Taiwan Science Park facility with lease expiration in year 2024 and 2032.

The following table shows the location, primary use and size of each of our facilities, and the principal equipment installed at each facility, as of March 31, 2016.

 

Location of Facility

  

Primary Use

   Floor Area (m2)     

Principal Equipment

Chupei, Hsinchu

   Testing/Gold Bumping      38,166      

9 steppers

17 sputters

290 testers

Hsinchu Industrial Park, Taiwan

   Testing      25,864      

94 testers

26 burn-in ovens

Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan

   Testing      31,168      

153 testers

92 burn-in ovens

Southern Taiwan Science Park,

Taiwan

   Assembly/Testing      146,186      

808 wire bonders

118 inner-lead bonders

421 testers

Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone,

Mainland China

   Assembly/Testing      66,817      

25 testers

289 wire bonders

23 burn-in ovens

Equipment

Testing of Memory and Logic/Mixed-Signal Semiconductors

Test equipment is the most capital-intensive component of the memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors test business. Upon the acquisition of new test equipment, we install, configure, calibrate and perform burn-in diagnostic tests on the equipment. We also establish parameters for the test equipment based on anticipated requirements of existing and potential customers and considerations relating to market trends. As of March 31, 2016, we operated 564 testers for testing memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors. We generally seek to purchase testers with similar functionality that are able to test a variety of different semiconductors. We purchase testers from international manufacturer, Advantest Corporation.

In general, particular semiconductors can be tested using a limited number of specially designed testers. As part of the qualification process, customers will specify the machines on which their semiconductors may be tested. We often develop test program conversion tools that enable us to test semiconductors on multiple equipment platforms. This portability among testers enables us to allocate semiconductor testing across our available testing capacity and thereby improve capacity utilization rates. If a customer requires the testing of a semiconductor that is not yet fully developed, the customer consigns its testing software programs to us to test specific functions. If a customer specifies test equipment that is not widely applicable to other semiconductors we test, we require the customer to furnish the equipment on a consignment basis.

 

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We will continue to acquire additional test equipment in the future to the extent market conditions, cash generated from operations, the availability of financing and other factors make it desirable to do so. Some of the equipment and related spare parts that we require have been in short supply in recent years. Moreover, the equipment is only available from a limited number of vendors or is manufactured in relatively limited quantities and may have lead time from order to delivery in excess of six months.

Assembly of Memory and Logic/Mixed-Signal Semiconductors

The number of wire bonders at a given facility is commonly used as a measure of the assembly capacity of the facility. Typically, wire bonders may be used, with minor modifications, for the assembly of different products. We purchase wire bonders principally from Shinkawa Co., Ltd. and Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. As of March 31, 2016, we operated 1,097 wire bonders. In addition to wire bonders, we maintain a variety of other types of assembly equipment, such as wafer grinders, wafer mounters, wafer saws, die bonders, automated molding machines, laser markers, solder platers, pad printers, dejunkers, trimmers, formers, substrate saws and lead scanners.

Gold Bumping, Assembly and Test of LCD and Other Flat-Panel Display Driver Semiconductors

We acquired TCP-related equipment from Sharp to begin our TCP-related services. We subsequently purchased additional TCP-related testers from Yokogawa Electric Corp. and Advantest Corporation and assembly equipment from Shibaura Mechatronics Corp., Shinkawa Co., Ltd., Athlete FA Corp., Daitron Electron Corp. and GMM Corp. As of March 31, 2016, we operated 9 steppers and 17 sputters for gold bumping, 118 inner-lead bonders for assembly and 419 testers for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. We are currently in the process of purchasing additional test equipment. The test equipment can be used for the TCP, COF and COG processes, while the inner-lead bonders are only used in the TCP and COF processes. The same types of wafer grinding, auto wafer mount and die saw equipment is used for the TCP, COF and COG processes. In addition, auto inspection machines and manual work are used in the COG process, which is more labor-intensive than the TCP and COF processes.

 

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Overview

We provide a broad range of back-end assembly and test services, Test services include wafer probing and final testing of memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors. We also offer a broad selection of leadframe and organic substrate-based package assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors. Our advanced leadframe-based packages include thin small outline packages, or TSOPs, and our advanced organic substrate-based packages include fine-pitch ball grid array, or fine-pitch BGA, packages. We also offer WLCSP products and turn-key flip chip assembly and test services using variety of leadframe and organic substrate carries. In addition, we provide gold bumping, assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors by employing TCP, COF and COG technologies. In 2015, our consolidated revenue was NT$19,869 million (US$606 million) and our profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company was NT$970 million (US$30 million).

We are a holding company, incorporated in Bermuda on August 1, 2000. We provide most of our services through our majority-owned subsidiary, ChipMOS Taiwan, and its subsidiaries and investees.

ChipMOS Taiwan was incorporated in Taiwan in July 1997 as a joint venture company of Mosel and Siliconware Precision and with the participation of other investors. Following the completion of the share exchange transaction between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan on September 14, 2007, ChipMOS Taiwan became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In February 2010, we agreed to sell 15.8% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares to Siliconware Precision. The share purchase transaction was completed in January 2011. As part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, on April 16, 2013, we completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters for the TWSE listing plan and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. Also, from September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we completed another sale of 180 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per share to investors. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. On November 12, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan made announcement for the contemplated merger with ThaiLin. The merger completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan continues as the surviving merged entity. As of March 31, 2016 we own approximately 522 million or 59.2% of ChipMOS Taiwan Shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future” for additional information.

 

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On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 4.71, to sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary also have entered into other agreements related to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. For additional information see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Share Subscription Agreement and Other Agreements With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.—Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan—agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.”.

The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each IMOS Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each such IMOS Share, (i) 0.9355 ADS, representing 18.71 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, each ADS representing 20 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, and (ii) US$3.71 in cash, without interest, net of any applicable withholding tax. Upon completion of the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries will own and continue to conduct the business that they currently conduct in substantially the same manner. For additional information regarding the Merger see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

In Taiwan, we conduct testing operations in our facilities at the Hsinchu Science Park and the Hsinchu Industrial Park, gold bumping and wafer testing in our facility at Chupei, and assembly and test operations in our facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park. We also conduct operations in Mainland China through ChipMOS Shanghai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS BVI, formerly known as Modern Mind. ChipMOS Shanghai operates an assembly and test facility at the Qingpu Industrial Zone in Shanghai. In April 2011, the Company entered into the MMT Assignment Agreement with ThaiLin to sell the MMT Notes to ThaiLin for a purchase price of approximately US$40 million. The MMT Assignment Agreement transaction was completed on October 3, 2011 and ChipMOS BVI, then became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ThaiLin. On June 17, 2015, ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan, ChipMOS BVI then became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Structure and History” for more details. Through our subsidiaries, we also have equity interests in other companies that are engaged in the semiconductor industry.

The following key trends are important to understanding our business:

Capital Intensive Nature of Our Business. Our operations, in particular our testing operations, are characterized by relatively high fixed costs. We expect to continue to incur substantial depreciation and other expenses as a result of our previous acquisitions of assembly and test equipment and facilities. Our profitability depends in part not only on absolute pricing levels for our services, but also on capacity utilization rates for our assembly and test equipment. In particular, increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rates could significantly affect our gross margins since the unit cost of assembly and test services generally decreases as fixed costs are allocated over a larger number of units.

The current generation of advanced testers typically cost between US$1 million and US$5 million each, while wire bonders used in assembly typically cost approximately US$68 thousand each and inner-lead bonders for TCP and COF assembly cost approximately US$360 thousand each and COG chip sorters cost approximately US$220 thousand each. We begin depreciating our equipment when it is placed into commercial operation. There may be a time lag between the time when our equipment is placed into commercial operation and when it achieves high levels of utilization. In periods of depressed semiconductor industry conditions, we may experience lower than expected demand from our customers and a sharp decline in the average selling prices of our assembly and test services, resulting in an increase in depreciation expenses relative to revenue. In particular, the capacity utilization rates for our test equipment may be severely adversely affected during a semiconductor industry downturn as a result of the decrease in outsourcing demand from integrated device manufacturers, or IDMs, which typically maintain larger in-house testing capacity than in-house assembly capacity.

 

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Highly Cyclical Nature of the Semiconductor Industry. The worldwide semiconductor industry has experienced peaks and troughs over the last decade, with a severe downturn beginning in the fourth quarter of 2000 that was followed by a recovery in early 2003. The significant decrease in market demand for semiconductors that began in 2000 adversely affected our results of operations for 2001 and 2002. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, the semiconductor industry commenced another significant downturn which continued in 2009 and in 2010. Market demand for semiconductors significantly decreased across our industry during these periods, which adversely affected average selling prices for our services and our results of operations for 2008, 2009 and 2010. The impact on our results of operations of the decrease in market demand during these periods was partly offset by increases in our 2009 and 2010 revenue from assembly services for logic/mixed-signal semiconductors due to higher customer demand for these services in 2009 and 2010. The overall outsourced assembly and test services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased gradually each year since 2010, continuing in 2013,2014 and 2015. During periods of decreased demand for assembled semiconductors, some of our customers may forego, delay or simplify final testing of certain types of semiconductors, such as DRAM, which may further decrease demand and average selling prices for our services and intensify our difficulties related to realizing pricing levels, capacity utilization rates and gross margin during these periods.

Declining Average Selling Prices of Our Assembly and Test Services. The semiconductor industry is characterized by a general decrease in prices for products and services over the course of their product and technology life cycles. The rate of decline is particularly steep during periods of intense competition and adverse market conditions. The average selling prices of our assembly and test services experienced sharp declines during such periods as a result of intense price competition from other independent assembly and test companies that attempt to maintain high capacity utilization levels in the face of reduced demand.

To offset the effects of decreasing average selling prices, we will continue to seek to:

 

   

improve production efficiency and attain high capacity utilization rates;

 

   

concentrate on testing of potentially high-demand, high-growth semiconductors;

 

   

develop new assembly technologies; and

 

   

implement new technologies and platforms to shift into potentially higher margin services.

Market Conditions for the End-User Applications for Semiconductors. Market conditions in the semiconductor industry, to a large degree, track those for their end-user applications. Any deterioration in the market conditions for the end-user applications of semiconductors that we test and assemble may reduce demand for our services and, in turn, materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Despite an increase in the demand for mobile/niche DRAM in 2010, for DRAMs with more advanced features such as that of enhanced graphic capability, increased power efficiency and increased mobility, the average market demand for DRAM remained low since 2010 until 2013. Our revenue is largely attributable to fees from testing and assembling semiconductors for use in personal computers, consumer and portable electronic products, display applications and communications equipment. The markets for these products are intensely competitive, and a significant decrease in demand puts pricing pressure on our assembly and test services and negatively affects our earnings. The oversupply of DRAM products in the second half of 2007 and the weak demand in the DRAM market in 2008 and in the first quarter of 2009 resulted in significant reductions in the price of DRAM products, which in turn drove down the average selling prices for our assembly and test services for DRAM products from the second half of 2009 and continue in 2013.

Change in Product Mix. Declines in average selling prices since 2009 have been partially offset by a change in our revenue mix. In particular, revenue from assembly and test of LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors, bumping services and 12-inch wafer processing have increased as a percentage of our total revenue over the 2009 to 2015 period. We intend to continue focusing on testing and assembling more semiconductors that have the potential to provide higher margins and developing and offering new technologies in testing and assembly services, in order to mitigate the effects of declining average selling prices on our ability to attain profitability.

Recent Acquisitions

As part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, on April 16, 2013, we completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters for the TWSE listing plan and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. Also, from September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we completed another sale of 180 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.00 per share to investors. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. ChipMOS Taiwan became listed and commenced trading on the main Board of TWSE on April 11, 2014. On June 17, 2015, ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan. As of March 31, 2016, we owned approximately 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares representing 59.2% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Structure and History” for description of our earlier merger events.

 

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On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 4.71, to sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary also have entered into other agreements related to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. For additional information see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.—Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan—agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.”.

On January 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company with the recommendation of its Special Committee approved the merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company, as a step that is consistent with the ongoing efforts to simplify and streamline the group structure, reduce operating costs in order to enhance operation efficiency, and achieve a more efficient tax structure. According to the agreement and plan of merger entered into between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan on January 21, 2016, the shareholders of the Company will receive (i) US$3.71 in cash and (ii) 0.9355 ADS representing 18.71 shares of ChipMOS Taiwan (each ADS will represent 20 new common shares, par value of NT$10 each, to be issued by ChipMOS Taiwan) in exchange for each outstanding Company common share. This would represent US$19.77 in total consideration as of January 20, 2016 and a premium of 14.7% based on the average closing prices of the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan on the NASDAQ and the TWSE for the 3 trading days ending January 20, 2016 and an exchange rate of NT$33.785 to US$1.0. ChipMOS Taiwan’s Board of Directors has also approved the establishment of a new U.S. American Depositary Receipt program to facilitate the merger and to foster ongoing market liquidity of its shares. An application will be submitted for the listing of the new ADSs on the NASDAQ, and the issuance of approximately 510,595,000 common shares which will be represented by the new ADSs to be issued as part of the consideration for the Merger.

On closing of the Merger, all outstanding common shares of the Company will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive Merger consideration and all shares of ChipMOS Taiwan currently held by the Company will be cancelled.

The Company and ChipMOS Taiwan executed the Merger Agreement after the respective meetings of their Boards of Directors. The listing of the new ADSs and the Merger are subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholders’ approvals from the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, and approvals from governmental authorities and regulators under the applicable provisions of the Companies Act (1981) of Bermuda (as amended), the ROC Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act, as amended and other applicable laws, if any. The Merger is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2016, contingent on satisfaction of above approvals and other conditions, which are outlined in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 that ChipMOS Taiwan filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, as amended. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—Pending merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan may or may not be completed” for additional information.

Revenue

We conduct our business according to the following main business segments: (1) testing services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors; (2) assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors; (3) LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly services; and (4) bumping services for memory, logic/mixed-signal and LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated revenue for each segment.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2015      2015  
     NT$      NT$      US$  
     (in millions)  

Testing

        

Memory

   $ 4,481.9       $ 4,077.4       $ 124.3   

Logic/mixed-signal

     637.6         756.5         23.1   

Total testing

     5,119.5         4,833.9         147.4   

Assembly

        

Memory

     7,053.6         5,710.0         174.1   

Logic/mixed-signal

     616.4         560.4         17.1   

Total assembly

     7,670.0         6,270.4         191.2   

LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly

     5,171.3         5,396.0         164.6   

Bumping

     4,044.3         3,369.1         102.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 22,005.1       $ 19,869.4       $ 606.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Our revenue consists primarily of service fees for testing and assembling semiconductors, and to a lesser extent, fees from equipment rentals to semiconductor manufacturers for engineering testing, less allowances for product returns. We offer assembly and test services for memory semiconductors, logic/mixed-signal semiconductors, assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors and bumping services.

Most of our customers do not place purchase orders far in advance and our contracts with customers generally do not require minimum purchases of our products or services. Our customers’ purchase orders have varied significantly from period to period because demand for their products is often volatile. We have strategically entered into long-term capacity agreements with some of our customers. Under certain of those long-term agreements, we have agreed to reserve capacity for our customers and our customers have agreed to place orders in the amount of the reserved capacity (which is subject in certain cases to reduction by the customers). As part of our strategy, we intend to continue entry into additional long-term capacity agreements as well as focus on our business with smaller customers or customers who do not place orders on a regular basis. We believe that the dual focused strategy would assist us to be better prepared for the current economic volatility and ensure maximum utilization rate of our capacity and help us to develop closer relationships with all types of our customers. Depending on customer demands, market conditions and other considerations, we remain to be focused on expansion of our operations outside Taiwan and Mainland China in connection with possible future long-term capacity agreements.

Our financial condition and results of operations have also been, and are likely to continue to be, affected by price pressures on our service fees, which tend to decline in tandem with the declining average selling prices of the products we test and assemble over the course of their product and technology life cycles. In order to maintain our margins, it is necessary to offset the fee erosion by continually improving our production efficiency and maintaining high capacity utilization rates. We also plan to continue to develop and implement new technologies and expand our services into potentially higher-margin segments. These efforts require significant upfront investment in advance of incremental revenue, which could impact our margins.

Pricing

We price our testing fees primarily based on the cost of testing the products to our customers’ specifications, including the costs of the required material and components, the depreciation expenses relating to the equipment involved and our overhead expenses, and with reference to prevailing market prices. Accordingly, the testing fee for a particular product would principally depend on the time taken to perform the tests, the complexity of the product and the testing process, and the cost of the equipment used to perform the test. For example, testing fees for memory semiconductors are significantly higher than those for other products because of the longer time required and the need for burn-in testing.

We price our assembly services on a per unit basis, taking into account the complexity of the package, our costs, including the costs of the required material and components, the depreciation expenses relating to the equipment involved and our overhead expenses, prevailing market conditions, the order size, the strength and history of our relationship with the customer and our capacity utilization.

We price our assembly and test services for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors and bumping services on the basis of our costs, including the costs of the required material and components, the depreciation expenses relating to the equipment involved and our overhead expenses, and the price for comparable services.

On a case by case, we offer volume discounts to customers who purchase large quantities of our services and special discounts to customers who use our vertically integrated services and may offer special payment terms, including longer payment cycles, to key customers during downturns in the market so as to retain business from such key customers.

Revenue Recognition

We generally recognize our revenue upon completion of assembly and test services. We also recognize our revenue upon shipment of tested and assembled semiconductors to locations designated by our customers, including our internal warehouse for customers using our warehousing services. We submit invoices at the time of completion of service or shipment or delivery and generally require all customers to pay and collect payment of our invoices within 60 days after the last day of the month during which the invoice was sent.

 

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Related Party Revenues

In 2014 and 2015, no revenue was derived from related parties. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for more information concerning our related party transactions.

Geography and Currency

The majority of our revenue is generated from customers headquartered in Taiwan, which represented 72% and 73% of our revenue in 2014 and 2015, respectively. We also generate revenue from customers in the United States, Singapore, Korea, Japan and other countries. Our service fees and revenue are generally denominated in the currency of the jurisdiction in which our facilities are located, for example NT dollars for our Taiwan operations and RMB for our Mainland China operations. As we generate most of our revenue from Taiwanese customers using our Taiwanese operations, and since most of our labor and overhead costs are denominated in NT dollars, we consider the NT dollar to be our functional currency.

See Note 33 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk — Market Risks — Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risks” for certain information on our exchange rate risks.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit

Our cost of revenue consists primarily of the following: depreciation and amortization expenses, raw material costs, and labor and overhead expenses, which primarily include expendable equipments, sub-contracting fees and rental expenses. Our operations, in particular our testing, are characterized by relatively high fixed costs. We expect to continue to incur substantial depreciation and other expenses as a result of our previous and future acquisitions of assembly and test equipment and facilities, including our investment in our Mainland China operations. As of March 31, 2016, we had 983 testers, 141 burn-in ovens, 1,097 wire bonders, 118 inner-lead bonders, 9 steppers and 17 sputters. We use inner-lead bonders for the assembly of LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductors using TCP or COF technology, and wire bonders for TSOP, BGA, and some other package assembly technologies.

Our profitability depends in part not only on absolute pricing levels for our services, but also on our capacity utilization rates. Our average capacity utilization rate for testing of memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors was 74% in 2014 and 65% in 2015. Our average capacity utilization rate for assembly of memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors was 78% in 2014 and 61% in 2015. Our average capacity utilization rate for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly was 80% in 2014 and 75% in 2015. In addition, our average capacity utilization rate for bumping was 85% in 2014 and 67% in 2015.

For each period of time selected, we derived the capacity utilization rate for our testing operations by dividing the total number of hours of actual use of our facilities’ test equipment units by the maximum number of hours that these equipment units were capable of being used. The testing capacity utilization rate generally increases in correlation to increases in the total volume of our customer orders, and generally decreases in correlation to decreases in the total volume of our customer orders.

For each period of time selected, we derived the capacity utilization rate for our assembly operations by dividing the total number of units actually produced by our assembly facilities by the maximum number of units that these facilities are capable of producing. The assembly capacity utilization rate generally increases in correlation to increases in the total volume of our customer orders, and generally decreases in correlation to decreases in the total volume of our customer orders.

Our gross revenue is generally the product of the total volume of our customer orders multiplied by the average selling price per deliverable unit from our assembly or testing services, as the case may be. As a result, in a period where the average selling prices do not fluctuate significantly, increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rates generally correlate to increases or decreases in our gross revenue. Periods with significant increases in the average selling prices reduce the negative impact on our gross revenue from any decreases in our capacity utilization rates. Similarly, periods with significant decreases in the average selling prices reduce the positive impact on our gross revenue from any increases in our capacity utilization rates.

The Company has significant fixed costs in operating our assembly and test facilities. For this reason, decreases in our cost of goods sold during a period generally occur at a slower rate than decreases, during the same period, in our gross revenue due to lower capacity utilization rates, lower average selling prices, or both. Also, as a result, our gross margin and profitability generally decrease in correlation to decreases in our capacity utilization rates, decreases in our average selling prices, or both. Similarly, our gross margin and profitability generally increase in correlation to increases in our capacity utilization rates, increases in our average selling prices, or both. Due to the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, customer orders may change significantly, causing fluctuation in our capacity utilization rate and average selling price.

 

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Most of our labor and overhead costs are denominated in NT dollars. However, we also incur costs of revenues and operating expenses associated with assembly and test services in several other currencies, including Japanese yen, US dollars and RMB. In addition, a substantial portion of our capital expenditures, primarily for the purchase of assembly and test equipment, has been, and is expected to continue to be, denominated in Japanese yen with much of the remainder denominated in US dollars.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our gross profit and our gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2015      2015  
     NT$      NT$      US$  
     (in millions)  

Gross profit:

        

Testing

        

Memory

   $ 1,502.6        $ 1,345.4        $ 41.0    

Logic/mixed-signal

     194.9          284.5          8.7    

Total testing

     1,697.5          1,629.9          49.7    

Assembly

        

Memory

     1,173.1          252.2          7.7    

Logic/mixed-signal

     297.5          251.6          7.7    

Total assembly

     1,470.6          503.8          15.4    

LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly

     1,298.7          1,673.7          51.0    

Bumping

     756.1          326.4          10.0    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,222.9        $ 4,133.8        $ 126.1    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit margin:

        

Testing

        

Memory

     33.5%         33.0%         33.0%   

Logic/mixed-signal

     30.6           37.6           37.6     

Total testing

     33.2           33.7           33.7     

Assembly

        

Memory

     16.6           4.4           4.4     

Logic/mixed-signal

     48.3           44.9           44.9     

Total assembly

     19.2           8.0           8.0     

LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor testing and assembly

     25.1           31.0           31.0     

Bumping

     18.7           9.7           9.7     

Overall

     23.7%         20.8%         20.8%   

Operating Expenses

Research and Development

Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, expenditures to qualify our services for specific customers and other consulting fees and certification fees paid to third parties. Research and development expenses are recognized as they are incurred. We currently expect that research and development expenses will increase in the future as we continue to explore new technologies and service offerings. We also expect to hire additional employees in our research and development department.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of shipping and handling expenses incurred in delivering products to our customers’ designated locations, advertising, corporate communications and other marketing expenses, salary expenses for sales and marketing personnel, sales commission, professional service fees, bad debt provision and service support expenses.

Administrative and General

Administrative and general expenses consist of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and accounting, and management information systems personnel, professional service fees, and other corporate expenses. They also include stock-based compensation that is expensed using the fair value method. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Option Plan and Share Appreciation Rights Plan” for more information concerning our share option plan. We expect administrative and general expenses to increase in absolute terms as we add personnel and incur additional expenses related to the growth of our business and operations.

 

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Other Non-Operating Income (Expenses), Net

Our other non-operating income principally consists of interest income, foreign exchange gains and gain on disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

Our other non-operating expenses principally consist of impairment of available-for-sale investments and foreign exchange losses.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of our income that is attributable to the shareholding in our consolidated subsidiaries that we do not own. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Structure and History” for information concerning our consolidated subsidiaries. On April 16, 2013, we sold 6.5 million shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters, Yuanta Securities Company Limited and Capital Securities Corp., and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. From September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we sold 180 million shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per shares to investors. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. After the completion of the aforesaid sales the Company held approximately 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 60.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. On June 17, 2015, ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan. In 2015, our non-controlling interests were attributable to the non-controlling interests owned by Siliconware Precision and the public shareholders’ interests in ChipMOS Taiwan. As of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016, we owned approximately 522 million and 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, representing 58.3% and 59.2 %of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, respectively.

Profit for the Year Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company

Our profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company were NT$1,663 million and NT$970 million (US$30 million) in 2014 and 2015, respectively. We believe our future results will be dependent upon the overall economic conditions in the markets we serve, the competitive environment in which we operate, and our ability to successfully implement our strategy, among other things. For additional information on factors that will affect our future performance, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors”.

Results of Operations

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

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014      2015  

IFRSs:

     

Revenue

     100.0%         100.0%   

Cost of revenue

     (76.3)          (79.2)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     23.7           20.8     

Other operating income

     0.8           0.6     

Research and development expenses

     (3.1)          (3.8)    

Sales and marketing expenses

     (0.5)          (0.5)    

Administrative and general expenses

     (3.4)          (4.1)    

Other operating expenses

     (0.6)          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit

     16.9           13.0     

Finance costs

     (0.6)          (0.7)    

Other non-operating income (expense), net

     1.8           1.8     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     18.1           14.1     

Income tax

     (4.7)          (4.7)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit for the year

     13.4%         9.4%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

     

Equity holders of the Company

         7.6%         4.9%   

Non-controlling interests

         5.8%         4.5%   

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014

Revenue. Our revenue decreased by NT$2,136 million, or 10%, to NT$19,869 million (US$606 million) in 2015 from NT$22,005 million in 2014.

Revenue from test services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors decreased by NT$286 million, or 6%, to NT$4,834 million (US$147 million) in 2015 from NT$5,120 million in 2014. Revenue from test services for memory semiconductors decreased by NT$405 million, or 9%, to NT$4,077 million (US$124 million) in 2015 from NT$4,482 million in 2014, principally due to the decreased capacity utilization rate resulting from the lower customer demand. Revenue for test services for logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased by NT$119 million, or 19%, to NT$757 million (US$23 million) in 2015 from NT$638 million in 2014, principally due to the increased capacity utilization rate resulting from the higher customer demand.

Revenue from assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors decreased by NT$1,400 million, or 18%, to NT$6,270 million (US$191 million) in 2015 from NT$7,670 million in 2014. Revenue from assembly services for memory semiconductors decreased by NT$1,344 million, or 19%, to NT$5,710 million (US$174 million) in 2015 from NT$7,054 million in 2014, primarily as a result of the decreased average selling price and capacity utilization rate resulting from the lower customer demand. Revenue from assembly services for logic/mixed-signal semiconductors decreased by NT$56 million, or 9%, to NT$560 million (US$17 million) in 2015 from NT$616 million in 2014, principally due to the decreased capacity utilization rate as the result of the lower customer demand.

Revenue from LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test services increased by NT$225 million, or 4%, to NT$5,396 million (US$165 million) in 2015 from NT$5,171 million in 2014. This increase was principally as a result of an increase in customer demand for LCD and other flat-panel display products in 2015.

Revenue from bumping services decreased by NT$675 million, or 17%, to NT$3,369 million (US$103 million) in 2015 from NT$4,044 million in 2014. This decrease was principally due to the decreased average selling price and capacity utilization rate resulting from the lower customer demand.

See “— Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit” for more information concerning our assembly and test capacity utilization rates and the impact on our revenue, gross profit and profitability from any increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rate.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit. Cost of revenue decreased by NT$1,046 million, or 6%, to NT$15,736 million (US$480 million) in 2015 from NT$16,782 million in 2014, primarily due to the decrease of direct material expenses, direct labor expenses and inventory supplies of NT$1,068 million (US$33 million), NT$15 million (US$457 thousand) and NT$54 million (US$2 million), respectively, and partially offset by the increase of depreciation expenses of NT$119 million (US$4 million).

Our gross profit decreased to NT$4,134 million (US$126 million) in 2015 from NT$5,223 million in 2014. Our gross margin was 20.8% in 2015, compared to 23.7% in 2014.

Our gross profit margin for test services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased to 33.7% in 2015 from 33.2% in 2014, primarily due to the increased sales of higher margin logic/mixed-signal semiconductors test services.

Our gross profit margin for assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors decreased to 8.0% in 2015 from 19.2% in 2014, primarily due to the decrease in sales revenue which decreased capacity utilization rate for memory semiconductors assembly services.

Our gross profit margin for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor assembly and test services increased to 31.0% in 2015 from 25.1% in 2014, primarily due to the change in product mix.

Our gross profit margin for bumping services decreased to 9.7% in 2015 from 18.7% in 2014, primarily due to the decrease in sales revenue which decreased capacity utilization rate.

See “— Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit” for more information concerning our assembly and test capacity utilization rates and the impact on our revenue, gross profit and profitability from any increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rates.

 

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Other Operating Income. Other operating income decreased by NT$56 million, or 31%, to NT$126 million (US$4 million) in 2015 from NT$182 million in 2014, primarily due to the decrease of gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment of NT$39 million (US$1 million) and compensation of insurance of NT$12 million (US$366 thousand).

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by NT$69 million, or 10%, to NT$748 million (US$23 million) in 2015 from NT$679 million in 2014, primarily due to the increase of employee benefit costs.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by NT$7 million, or 7%, to NT$95 million (US$3 million) in 2015 from NT$102 million in 2014, primarily due to the decrease of freight-out expense, commissions expenses and entertainment expenses.

Administrative and General Expenses. Administrative and general expenses increased by NT$62 million, or 8%, to NT$818 million (US$25 million) in 2015 from NT$756 million in 2014, primarily due to the increase of professional service fee.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses decreased by NT$133 million, or 92%, to NT$12 million (US$366 thousand) in 2015 from NT$145 million in 2014, primarily due to the decrease of accrued compensation of NT$127 million (US$4 million).

Finance Costs. Finance costs increased by NT$3 million, or 2%, to NT$144 million (US$4 million) in 2015 from NT$141 million in 2014. This change was primarily due to the increase of financial cost of bank loans by NT$8 million (US$244 thousand).

Other Non-Operating Income (Expenses), Net. Other non-operating income decreased by NT$23 million, or 6%, to NT$368 million (US$11 million) in 2015 from NT$391 million in 2014. This change was primarily due to the decrease of foreign exchange gains by NT$46 million (US$1 million) and impairment of available-for-sale financial assets by NT$9 million (US$274 thousand) and partially offset by the increase of share of profit of associates by NT$31 million (US$1 million).

Profit before Tax. As a result of the foregoing, profit before tax decreased by 29% to NT$2,812 million (US$86 million) in 2015 from NT$3,975 million in 2014.

Income Tax. We had an income tax expense of NT$936 million (US$29 million) in 2015 compared to income tax expense of NT$1,036 million for 2014, primarily due to the decrease of profit before tax.

Profit for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests. The profits of ChipMOS BVI, ChipMOS Shanghai, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to NT$906 million (US$28 million) in 2015, compared to NT$1,275 million in 2014.

Profit for the Year Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company. As a result of the foregoing, the profit for the year attributable to the Company was NT$970 million (US$30 million) in 2015, compared to NT$1,663 million in 2014.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Revenue. Our revenue increased by NT$2,643 million, or 14%, to NT$22,005 million in 2014 from NT$19,362 million in 2013.

Revenue from test services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased by NT$524 million, or 11%, to NT$5,120 million in 2014 from NT$4,596 million in 2013. Revenue from test services for memory semiconductors increased by NT$502 million, or 13%, to NT$4,482 million in 2014 from NT$3,980 million in 2013, principally due to the increased capacity utilization rate as a result of the higher customer demand. Revenue for test services for logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased by NT$22 million, or 3%, to NT$638 million in 2014 from NT$616 million in 2013, principally due to the increased capacity utilization rate resulting from the higher customer demand.

Revenue from assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased by NT$1,396 million, or 22%, to NT$7,670 million in 2014 from NT$6,274 million in 2013. Revenue from assembly services for memory semiconductors increased by NT$1,419 million, or 25%, to NT$7,054 million in 2014 from NT$5,635 million in 2013, primarily as a result of increased customer demand. Revenue from assembly services for logic/mixed-signal semiconductors decreased by NT$23 million, or 3%, to NT$616 million in 2014 from NT$639 million in 2013, principally due to a decreased average selling price.

Revenue from LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor test and assembly services increased by NT$390 million, or 8%, to NT$5,171 million in 2014 from NT$4,781 million in 2013. This increase was principally as a result of an increase in customer demand for LCD and other flat-panel display products in 2014.

 

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Revenue from bumping services increased by NT$333 million, or 9%, to NT$4,044 million in 2014 from NT$3,711 million in 2013. This increase was principally as a result of an increase in customer demand for bumping services in 2014.

See “— Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit” for more information concerning our assembly and test capacity utilization rates and the impact on our revenue, gross profit and profitability from any increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rate.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit. Cost of revenue increased by NT$860 million, or 5%, to NT$16,782 million in 2014 from NT$15,922 million in 2013, primarily due to the increase of direct material expenses, direct labor expenses, utilities expenses, expendable equipment expenses and maintenance and repair expenses of NT$184 million, NT$194 million, NT$167 million, NT$125 million and NT$124 million respectively.

Our gross profit increased to NT$5,223 million in 2014 from NT$3,440 million in 2013. Our gross margin was 23.7% in 2014, compared to 17.8% in 2013.

Our gross profit margin for test services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased to 33.2% in 2014 from 19.1% in 2013, primarily due to the increased sales of higher margin logic/mixed-signal semiconductors test services.

Our gross profit margin for assembly services for memory and logic/mixed-signal semiconductors increased to 19.2% in 2014 from 10.8% in 2013, primarily due to the increased sales of higher margin logic/mixed-signal semiconductors assembly services.

Our gross profit margin for LCD and other flat-panel display driver semiconductor test and assembly services decreased to 25.1% in 2014 from 28.4% in 2013, primarily due to the change in product mix.

Our gross profit margin for bumping services increased to 18.7% in 2014 from 14.3% in 2013, primarily due to the increased sales of higher margin bumping services.

See “— Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit” for more information concerning our assembly and test capacity utilization rates and the impact on our revenue, gross profit and profitability from any increases or decreases in our capacity utilization rates.

Other Operating Income. Other operating income decreased by NT$260 million, or 59%, to NT$182 million in 2014 from NT$442 million in 2013, primarily due to the decrease of reversal of accrued royalty fees of NT$140 million, gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment of NT$79 million and reversal of allowance for impairment of receivables of NT$65 million.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by NT$115 million, or 20%, to NT$679 million in 2014 from NT$564 million in 2013, primarily due to the increase of employee benefit costs.

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by NT$6 million, or 5%, to NT$102 million in 2014 from NT$108 million in 2013, primarily due to the decrease of freight-out expense.

Administrative and General Expenses. Administrative and general expenses increased by NT$57 million, or 8%, to NT$756 million in 2014 from NT$699 million in 2013, primarily due to the increase of employee benefit costs.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses increased by NT$44 million, or 43%, to NT$145 million in 2014 from NT$101 million in 2013, primarily due to the increase of accrued compensation of NT$79 million and partially offset by the decrease of accrued royalty of NT$40 million.

Finance Costs. Finance costs decreased by NT$42 million, or 23%, to finance costs of NT$141 million in 2014 from NT$183 million in 2013. This change was primarily due to the decrease of interest on bank loans by NT$48 million.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expenses), Net. Other non-operating income (expenses), net, changed by NT$102 million, or 35%, to other non-operating income, net, of NT$391 million in 2014 from other non-operating income, net, of NT$289 million in 2013. This change was primarily due to the increase of foreign exchange gains by NT$73 million and interest income by NT$22 million.

Profit before Tax. As a result of the foregoing, profit before tax increased by 58% to NT$3,975 million in 2014 from NT$2,516 million in 2013.

Income Tax. We had an income tax expense of NT$1,036 million in 2014 compared to income tax expense of NT$827 million for 2013, primarily due to the increase of profit before tax.

 

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Profit for the Year Attributable to Non-controlling Interests. The profits of Modern Mind, ChipMOS Shanghai, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to NT$1,275 million in 2014, compared to NT$354 million in 2013.

Profit for the Year Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company. As a result of the foregoing, the profit for the year attributable to the Company was NT$1,663 million in 2014, compared to NT$1,335 million in 2013.

Critical Accounting Policies

Commencing January 1, 2013, we prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with the IFRSs. Under the IFRSs, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time those estimates, judgments and assumptions are made, and our financial condition or results of operations may be materially impacted if we use different but nonetheless reasonable estimates, judgments or assumptions about those matters for that particular period or if we change our estimates, judgments or assumptions from period to period.

Under the IFRSs, the significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The significant accounting policies that require us to make estimates and assumptions about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain are discussed below.

Impairment of receivables

Receivables are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period, and are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the receivables, the estimated future cash flows of the receivables have been impacted. For the customer that we have reason to believe may have an inability to meet its financial obligations, we conduct an individual examination based on the available facts and circumstances to record a specific reserve. For the customers other than this, we also provide a reserve for doubtful receivables based upon the available facts and circumstances, historical collection and write-off experiences of all trade and other receivables. As of December 31, 2015, we provided nil for the first type of reserve and nil for the second type of reserve. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Customers”.

The allowance we set aside for doubtful receivables was NT$7 million as of December 31, 2014 and nil as of December 31, 2015. The allowances as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 represented 0.1% and nil, respectively, of our accounts receivable as of those dates. The allowance and reversal in 2014 and 2015 reflected an enlargement and reduction of NT$161 thousand and NT$10 thousand (US$0.3 thousand), respectively, in accounts receivable that decreased and increased the sales and marketing expenses. If we were to change our estimate of the allowance for doubtful receivables either upward or downward 10%, our operating profit would not be affected for 2015.

An increase in our allowance for doubtful receivables would increase our sales and marketing expenses, and decrease our current assets.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic useful lives. The determination of the useful lives involves management’s estimation. The Group assesses annually the useful life of the property, plant and equipment and if the expectation differs from the original estimate, such a difference may impact the depreciation in the year when the estimate is changed and the future period.

Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses and tax credit to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgement is required to determine that amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies.

In 2014 and 2015, the Group has NT$915 million and NT$935 million (US$29 million) of tax losses carried forward, respectively. These losses relate to subsidiaries that have a history of losses and may not be used to offset taxable income elsewhere in the Group. The subsidiaries neither have any taxable temporary difference nor any tax planning opportunities available that could partly support the recognition of these losses as deferred tax assets. On this basis, the Group has determined that it cannot recognize deferred tax assets on the tax losses carried forward.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the ending balances for deferred tax assets were NT$178 million and NT$166 million (US$5 million), respectively.

 

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Deferred Tax Liabilities

In the opinion of the directors, the Company controls the dividend policy of its subsidiaries in the ROC and it is probable that the temporary differences arising from the withholding tax on dividends declared in respect of the profits earned by the Company’s subsidiaries in the ROC will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The fair value less costs of disposal calculation is based on available data from binding sales transactions, conducted at arm’s length, for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. The cash flows are derived from the budget for the next five years and do not include restructuring activities that the Group is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the asset’s performance of the cash generating unit being tested. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used for the DCF model as well as the expected future cash-inflows and the growth rate used for the extrapolation purposes.

In determining whether any impairment charges were necessary for the property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets for the year ended December 31, 2015, we assumed that the semiconductor industry will continue its growth in the next few years. Based upon our assumption of growth in the semiconductor industry and our other assumptions in our internal budget, for the purpose of determining whether any impairment charges are necessary for the year ended December 31, 2015, an impairment loss of NT$1 million (US$30 thousand) and nil were recognized with respect to property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets.

While we believe that our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, any changes in these estimates based on changed economic conditions or business strategies could result in significant impairment changes in future periods.

Defined Benefit Plans

The cost of the defined benefit pension plan and post-employment benefits and the present value of the pension obligation are determined using actuarial valuations. An actuarial valuation involves making various assumptions that may differ from actual developments in the future. These include the determination of the discount rate, future salary increases, mortality rates and future pension increases. Due to the complexities involved in the valuation and its long-term nature, a defined benefit obligation is highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. All assumptions are reviewed at each reporting date. Further details are disclosed in Note 23 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Share-Based Payments

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payments requires determining the most appropriate valuation model for a grant of equity instruments, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payments are disclosed in Note 34 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. In 2015, the share-based compensation expense amounted to NT$207 million (US$6 million), which was taken into account when determining our profit for the year and shareholders’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Senior Management’s Discussion with the Audit Committee

Our management has discussed the critical accounting policies described above with the audit committee of our board of directors and the audit committee has reviewed our disclosure relating to the critical accounting policies in this section.

Impact of Foreign Currency Fluctuations and Governmental or Political Factors

For a discussion of the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and governmental economics, fiscal, monetary or political policies or factors that may directly or indirect impact us, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risks Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign exchange losses” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risks Factors—Risks Relating to Countries in Which We Conduct Operations”.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have funded our operations and growth primarily through the issuance of equity, a mixture of short- and long-term loans and cash flow from operations. As of December 31, 2015, our primary sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents of NT$12,127 million (US$370 million), short-term loans of NT$4,268 million (US$130 million) available to us in undrawn facilities, which have expired or will expire from January 2016 to December 2016, and long-term loans of NT$2,000 million (US$61 million) available to us in undrawn facilities, which will expire in July 2019. We have taken the following steps to meet our liquidity, capital spending and other capital needs.

 

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In July 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan obtained a syndicated loan facility from banks in Taiwan in the amount of NT$10,000 million for a term of five years, which was used to refinance the existing syndicated loan in July 2014, and to suffice our working capital. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our significant amount of indebtedness and interest expense will limit our cash flow and could adversely affect our operations” for additional information.

Pursuant to the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement executed by ChipMOS Taiwan in December 2015, Tsinghua Unigroup will invest approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million) in ChipMOS Taiwan through the Private Placement. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—We may not be successful in our acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and dispositions, and may therefore be unable to implement fully our business strategy.” for additional information.

Liquidity

The following table sets forth our cash flows with respect to operating activities, investing activities, financing activities and the effect of exchange rate changes on cash for the periods indicated.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2014     2015     2015  
     NT$     NT$     US$  
     (in millions)  

Net cash generated from (used in):

      

Operating activities

   $ 5,599.9      $ 5,395.9      $ 164.6   

Investing activities

     (3,325.4     (4,504.2     (137.4

Financing activities

     (374.9     (4,056.5     (123.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,899.6      $ (3,164.8   $ (96.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Generated from Operating Activities

Net cash generated from operating activities totaled NT$5,396 million (US$165 million) in 2015, compared to NT$5,600 million in 2014. Net cash generated from operating activities was positively impacted by a profit before tax of NT$2,812 million (US$86 million) with depreciation expenses of NT$3,019 million (US$92 million) in 2015 compared to a profit before tax of NT$3,975 million with depreciation expenses of NT$2,906 million in 2014. The decrease in net cash generated from operating activities was primarily due to the payment of income tax of NT$1,412 million (US$43 million) in 2015, compared to NT$387 million in 2014 and a decrease of account payables of NT$366 million (US$11 million) in 2015 compared to an increase of NT$118 million in 2014 and partially offset by a decrease of accounts and notes receivable of NT$986 million (US$30 million) in 2015 compared to an increase of accounts and notes receivable of NT$762 million in 2014 and a decrease of inventories of NT$37 million (US$1 million) in 2015 compared to an increase of NT$185 million in 2014.

Net cash generated from operating activities totaled NT$5,600 million in 2014, compared to NT$6,223 million in 2013. Net cash generated from operating activities was positively impacted by a profit before tax of NT$3,975 million with depreciation expenses of NT$2,906 million in 2014 compared to a profit before tax of NT$2,516 million with depreciation expenses of NT$3,292 million in 2013. The decrease in net cash generated from operating activities was primarily due to an increase of short-term deposits of NT$87 million in 2014 compared to a decrease of short-term deposits of NT$354 million in 2013, an increase of accounts and notes receivable of NT$762 million in 2014 compared to an increase of accounts and notes receivable of NT$2 million in 2013, an increase of inventories of NT$185 million in 2014 compared to a decrease of NT$168 million in 2013 and an increase of other current assets of NT$569 million in 2014 compared to an increase of other current assets of NT$1 million in 2013 and partially offset by an increase of other payables of NT$295 million in 2014 compared to a decrease of NT$128 million in 2013.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities totaled NT$4,504 million (US$137 million) in 2015, compared to NT$3,325 million in 2014. The increase in net cash used in investing activities primarily resulted from the increase in capital expenditures which was NT$4,428 million (US$135 million) in 2015, compared to NT$3,119 million in 2014 and the increase in acquisition of investments in associates which was NT$116 million (US$4 million) in 2015 compared to nil in 2014 and partially offset by an decrease in acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets which was nil in 2015 compared to NT$209 million in 2014.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities totaled NT$3,325 million in 2014, compared to NT$3,006 million in 2013. The increase in net cash used in investing activities primarily resulted from the decrease in proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment which was NT$4 million in 2014, compared to NT$151 million in 2013 and the increase in acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets which was NT$209 million in 2014 compared to nil in 2013.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities totaled NT$4,057 million (US$124 million) in 2015, compared to net cash used in financing activities totaled NT$375 million in 2014. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of the net proceeds of long-term loans of NT$492 million (US$15 million) in 2015, compared to net payment of long-term loans of NT$696 million in 2014, net payment of short-term loans of NT$619 million (US$19 million) in 2015, compared to net proceeds of short-term loans of NT$982 million in 2014 and the increase of the acquisition of the interest of a subsidiary of NT$1,444 million (US$44 million) in 2015 compared to nil in 2014.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled NT$375 million in 2014, compared to net cash generated from financing activities totaled NT$1,305 million in 2013. The decrease in net cash generated from financing activities was primarily the result of the net payments of long-term loans of NT$696 million in 2014, compared to NT$2,204 million in 2013, net proceeds of short-term loans of NT$982 million in 2014, compared to NT$420 million in 2013 and the decrease in proceeds from partial disposal of a subsidiary of NT$34 million in 2014 compared to NT$3,537 million in 2013.

Capital Resources

Capital expenditures in 2014 were funded by NT$5,600 million in cash flows from operating activities. Capital expenditures in 2015 were funded by NT$5,396 million (US$165 million) in cash flows from operating activities.

Steps taken with respect to generating additional working capital and to saving cash are further discussed under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

Loans

As of December 31, 2015, we had long-term loans of NT$6,535 million (US$199 million) (including current portions of such long-term loans of NT$1,549 million (US$47 million)). As of December 31, 2015, NT$4,560 million (US$139 million) of our long-term loans were collateralized by land and buildings and equipment owned by ChipMOS Taiwan. Our long-term loans were floating rate loans with a rate between 1.7474% and 1.8526% as of December 31, 2015, repayable semi-annually until July 2019.

We had entered into the following syndicated loan and long-term loans facilities:

 

   

On July 14, 2011, we obtained a syndicated loan facility from banks in Taiwan in the amount of NT$8,410 million separated into two parts with its respective term of four years and five years. This loan facility is secured by existing land and buildings and equipment owned by ChipMOS Taiwan. This loan facility was fully drawn in 2011 and fully repaid in July 2014.

 

   

On March 7, 2012, we obtained a bank loan facility from a bank in Shanghai in the amount of US$9 million for a term of three years. This loan facility is secured by existing prepaid rents-land use right, buildings and equipment owned by ChipMOS Shanghai. This loan facility was drawn of US$7 million and expired on March 7, 2014.

 

   

On May 24, 2013, we obtained a bank loan facility from a bank in Taiwan in the amount of NT$400 million for a term of two years. This loan facility is unsecured credit for ChipMOS Taiwan, drawn amount limited to NT$600 million in total long-term loan and short-term loan drawn. This loan facility has expired in May 2014.

 

   

On July 2, 2014, we obtained a syndicated loan facility from banks in Taiwan in the amount of NT$10,000 million in a term of five years. This loan facility is secured by existing land and buildings and equipment owned by ChipMOS Taiwan. This loan facility was drawn of NT$8,000 million as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Certain of our loan agreements and indentures contain covenants that, if violated, could result in the obligations under these agreements becoming due prior to the originally scheduled maturity dates. These covenants include financial covenants that require us to:

 

   

maintain current assets to current liabilities ratio above 1:1;

 

   

maintain total indebtedness to shareholders’ equity ratio below 1.4:1;

 

   

maintain total indebtedness to shareholders’ equity (excluding intangible assets) ratio below 1.5:1;

 

   

maintain the profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to gross interest expense ratio above 2.5:1.

 

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ChipMOS Taiwan was in compliance with the financial ratio requirement for 2013 to 2015. ThaiLin and ChipMOS Shanghai were not required to maintain any financial ratio during 2013 to 2015.

In addition, a substantial portion of our short-term and long-term borrowings may be subject to repayment upon a material deterioration of our financial condition, results of operations or our ability to perform under the loan agreements.

Set forth below are the maturities of our long-term bank loans outstanding as of December 31, 2015:

 

     As of
December 31, 2015
 
     NT$      US$  
     (in millions)  

During 2016

   $ 1,549       $ 47   

During 2017

     1,556         47   

During 2018

     1,236         38   

During 2019

     2,194         67   

During 2020 and onwards

     0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,535       $ 199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, certain of our property, plant and equipment, restricted short-term deposits with an aggregate net book value of NT$6,193 million (US$189 million), NT$65 million (US$2 million) respectively, were pledged as collateral mainly for long-term bank loans, and customs duty guarantee.

Our unused credit lines for short-term loans, as of December 31, 2015, totaled NT$4,268 million (US$130 million), which have expired or will expire from January 2016 to December 2016. As of December 31, 2015, our unused long-term credit facilities totaled NT$2,000 million (US$61 million) which will expire in July 2019.

As of December 31, 2015, we had unsecured export loan in the total amount of NT$1,148 million (US$35 million), which were repaid in January 2016. As of February 18, 2016, we obtain unsecured export loan in the total amount of NT$1,279 million (US$39 million), which were due between April 2016 and June 2016.

We believe our current cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our capital spending, commitments and other capital needs including the aggregate Cash Consideration expected to be paid in connection with the Merger between ChipMOS Taiwan and the Company through the end of 2016. There can be no assurance regarding these matters, however, considering prevailing global economic conditions which continue to have a negative impact on our ability to accurately forecast our revenues, results of operations and cash position. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our significant amount of indebtedness and interest expense will limit our cash flow and could adversely affect our operations”.

Research and development, patents and licenses

See the discussion under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Research and Development”.

Trend Information

See the discussion under “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Structure and History”, “Item 4. Information on the Company—Industry Background” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Competition”.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2015, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Taxation

ChipMOS Taiwan is entitled to tax incentives generally available to Taiwan companies under the ROC Statute of Upgrading Industries, including tax credits of 30% for certain research and development and employee training expenses (and, if the amount of expenditure exceeds the average amount of expenditure for the preceding two years, 50% of the excess amount may be credited against tax payable) and from 5% to 7% for certain investments in automated equipment and technology. These tax credits must be utilized within five years from the date on which they were earned. In addition, except for the last year of the five-year period, the aggregate tax reduction from these tax credits for any year cannot exceed 50% of that year’s income tax liability. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, tax credits resulted in tax savings for ChipMOS Taiwan of approximately NT$60 million, nil and nil, respectively.

 

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ThaiLin is also entitled to other tax incentives generally available to Taiwan companies under the ROC Statute of Upgrading Industries, including tax credits of 5% to 7% for certain investment in automated equipment and technology. These tax credits must be utilized within five years from the date on which they were earned. In addition, except for the last year of the five-year period, the aggregate tax reduction from these tax credits for any year cannot exceed 50% of such year’s income tax liability. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, tax credits resulted in tax savings for ThaiLin of approximately NT$18 million, nil and nil, respectively.

Profit for the year generated by ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin after January 1, 1998, which is not distributed in the year following the year the profit was generated, is subject to additional income tax at the rate of 10%. If that profit for the year is subsequently distributed, the additional income tax previously paid on that income is credited against the amount of withholding tax payable by shareholders, who are not individuals or entities of the Republic of China (for taxation purposes), in connection with the distribution.

The ROC government enacted the AMT Act that became effective on January 1, 2006. The AMT imposed under the AMT Act is a supplemental tax which is payable if the income tax payable pursuant to the ROC Income Tax Act is below the minimum amount prescribed under the AMT Act. The taxable income for calculating the AMT includes most income that is exempted from income tax under various legislations, such as tax holidays and investment tax credits. The AMT rate for business entities is 12%. However, the AMT Act grandfathered certain tax exemptions and tax credits granted prior to the enactment of the AMT. The effects of the AMT on the tax expenses of ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin were reflected in 2015.

In accordance with the relevant tax rules and regulations of the PRC, ChipMOS Shanghai is entitled to an income tax exemption starting from the first profit making year, with a full exemption available for the first two years and a 50% exemption available for three additional years thereafter. As the first profit-making year for ChipMOS Shanghai was 2004, the profits made in the years 2004 and 2005 were fully exempt, and the profits made in the years 2006 through 2008 were subject to a 50% tax exemption. Commencing January 1, 2009, ChipMOS Shanghai is subject to a 25% tax on profits. Any tax losses can only be carried forward for five years.

After the Merger, the 20% withholding tax charged to the cash dividend paid by ChipMOS Taiwan to the Company will be saved to ChipMOS Group. For additional information to the Merger, please see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—Pending merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan may or may not be completed”.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2015, or the periods indicated:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

     Total          Less than  
1 year
       2-3 years          4-5 years          More than  
5 years
 
     NT$      NT$      NT$      NT$      NT$  
     (in millions)  

Long-term debts(1)

   $ 6,793       $ 1,659       $ 2,921       $ 2,213       $ —    

Short-term loans(1)

     1,151         1,151         —           —           —     

Operating leases

     386         64         97         30         195   

Capital commitments

     1,317         1,317         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 9,647       $ 4,191       $ 3,018       $ 2,243       $ 195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Note:

(1) Includes interest payments. Assumes level of relevant interest rates remains at December 31, 2015, level throughout all relevant periods.

In addition to the commitments set forth in the contractual obligations table above, we have certain outstanding purchase orders relating to the procurement of raw materials for which there are no definite delivery dates or deadlines. Also, under the Merger Agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan is expected to pay the Cash Consideration in an aggregate amount of approximately US$101 million to the shareholders of the Company upon effective of the Merger. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure—Pending merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan may or may not be completed” for additional information.

 

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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Directors and Senior Management

Our board of directors currently comprises of nine directors who were elected by our shareholders. The number of directors must not be less than three nor greater than nine according to our bye-laws, is determined by our board of directors but so long as a quorum of directors remains in office, our board of directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any individuals to be directors to fill casual vacancies up to such maximum number of directors. The quorum for a meeting of the directors may be fixed by our board and unless so fixed at any other number, shall be two individuals. The chairman of our board is appointed from among the members of our board.

There is no requirement under Bermuda law that a director be a shareholder.

The following table sets out the names of our directors and executive officers, their positions with our company and their ages as of March 31, 2016. The business address for our directors and executive officers is No. 1, R&D Road 1, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, and Republic of China.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

   Term Expires

Shih-Jye Cheng

     57       Chairman and Director/Chief Executive Officer    2017

Antonio R. Alvarez

     59       Independent Director    2017

Chin-Shyh Ou

     58       Deputy Chairman and Independent Director    2017

Hsing Ti Tuan

     71       Director    2018

Yeong-Her Wang

     59       Independent Director    2018

Shou-Kang Chen

     55       Chief Financial Officer and Director    2018

John Yee Woon Seto

     72       Independent Director    2016

Chao-Jung Tsai

     61       Director    2016

Rong Hsu

     65       Independent Director    2016

Lafair Cho

     53       Executive Vice President and Chairman of ChipMOS Shanghai    —  

Li-Chun Li

     59       Executive Vice President and Chairman of ChipMOS USA    —  

Steve Cheng

     53       President of ChipMOS USA    —  

Vincent Hsu

     47       Vice President, LCDD Production Group    —  

Michael Lee

     51       Vice President, Wafer Bump Production Group    —  

Ivan Hsu

     50       Vice President, Memory Production Group    —  

Jesse Huang

     49       Vice President, Assembly Production Group    —  

David W. Wang

     66       Vice President, Strategy and Investment Relations    —  

Edward Lee

     55       Vice President, I.T.M. Center    —  

Jennifer Chen

     47       Vice President, Human Resource Management Center    —  

D.Y. Tsai

     46       Vice President, QRA Center    —  

C.F. Huang

     51       Vice President, Testing Production Group    —  

Leo Lin

     49       Account Vice President, Sales Account Division, Business Management Center    —  

Paul Yang

     47       Vice President and President of ChipMOS Shanghai    —  

Peter Ku

     68       Special Assistant    —  

Shih-Jye Cheng has served as one of our directors and chief executive officer since our inception. He became our chairman in May 2004. He is the sibling of President of ChipMOS USA, Mr. Steve Cheng and was our deputy chairman from our inception to May 2004. He has also served as a director and president of ChipMOS Taiwan since 1997, the chairman of ChipMOS Taiwan since June 2003, the chairman of ThaiLin from 2002 to 2013. He was a director of Syntax-Brillian Corporation from November 2005 to June 2008, the chairman of ChipMOS Shanghai from 2002 to June 2005, the chairman of CHANTEK ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. from 2002 to November 2005, the chairman of ChipMOS Logic TECHNOLOGIES INC. (“ChipMOS Logic”) from January 2004 to November 2005, the chairman of Advanced Micro Chip Technology Co., Ltd. from 2003 to April 2004 and a director of Ultima Electronics Corp. from 2000 to June 2003. He was a division head of the back-end operation of Mosel from 1992 to 1997. Mr. Cheng has a master’s degree in business administration from Saginaw Valley State University. Mr. Cheng was indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office for matters relating to the purchase by ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin of certain repurchase notes in 2004. Mr. Cheng was found not guilty by the Taipei District Court on October 1, 2007 and by the High Court on September 3, 2013. The Taiwan High Court’s Prosecutor’s Office filed a petition for appeal against the High Court’s decision on September 18, 2013. Mr. Cheng was confirmed not guilty by Taiwan’s Supreme Court on August 7, 2014. The Supreme Court’s ruling is not subject to appeal and the litigation closed. For more information, please see “—First Special Committee”.

 

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Antonio R. Alvarez has served as one of our directors from July 2005. Mr. Alvarez served as the chief operating officer of Aptina Imaging from August 2012 until its acquisition by On Semiconductor in August 2014. Prior to that he was the chief operating officer of Advanced Analogic Technology from October 2011 until its acquisition by Skyworks in January 2012 and president and chief executive officer of Leadis Technology Inc. from November 2005 to January 2009. He was senior vice president and general manager of the memory products division of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation from 1998 to July 2005, and senior vice president of research and development from 1991 to 2001. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, where he is a member of the advisory board of the Electrical Engineering Department. Mr. Alvarez also serves on the Board of Sun-Edison Corporation since 2012,Sun-Edison Semiconductor since 2014, and Senya since 2007.

Chin-Shyh Ou has served as one of our directors since August 2008. He has been the deputy chairman since August 2010. He has served as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan since June 2007. Mr. Ou joined the National Chengchi University as an associate professor in 1993 and a professor in 1997. In 1998, he joined National Chung Cheng University as a professor and the chairman of the Department of Accounting. He led a project to establish the Graduate Institute of Accounting and Information Technology at National Chung Cheng University in 1999. Mr. Ou earned a master degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Ph.D. degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Ou holds several professional licenses and qualifications, including U.S. Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor.

Hsing Ti Tuan has served as one of our directors since August 2000. Mr. Tuan was the executive vice president of ProMOS in charge of R&D from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Tuan was the president of Mosel Vitelic Corp., USA from 1994 to 2009. Mr. Tuan was the acting president of Mosel from November 2004 to December 2005 and previously served as the executive vice president of their research and development division. He was also the vice president of Mosel from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Tuan holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Utah State University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Yeong-Her Wang has served as one of our directors since July 2004 and a member of the board of directors of ChipMOS Taiwan. He has been a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering of National Cheng Kung University since 1992. He serves as the vice president of National Applied Research Laboratories between 2007 and 2012. He was also an associate dean of the College of Engineering between 1999 and 2003, chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering between 1996 and 1999, associate director of the Department of Electrical Engineering between 1993 and 1996 and director of the Electrical Factory, College of Engineering of National Cheng Kung University between 1995 and 1996. He was the independent director of Darfon Electronic Corp. from 2006 to June 2015. He has been the independent director of Giga Solution Tech Co. since 2007. Mr. Wang holds Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Shou-Kang Chen has served as one of our directors since June 2005. He has served as our chief financial officer, investor relations officer and head of the finance and accounting management center of ChipMOS Taiwan since 2002. He was the head of our strategy development department from 2000 to 2001. He was the department head of the quality lab of ChipMOS Taiwan from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Chen holds a bachelor’s degree in mining and petroleum engineering and a master of science degree and a Ph.D. degree from the graduate school of mining, metallurgy and material science of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

John Yee Woon Seto has served as one of our directors since August 2010. He was a member of ChipMOS’s Board of Directors from August 2000 to May 2004. Dr. Seto was a founder and senior vice president of operation and strategic planning of Vitelic Corporation U.S.A. He served as the executive vice president of the business group of Mosel from 1995 to 2005. He was a director of Mosel from 1999 to 2008. He served on the board of directors in a number of companies, such as ProMOS and Advanced Analogic Technologies Inc. He has been the president and CEO of International Capture Tech Co LTD since 2006. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from University of California at Berkeley.

Chao-Jung Tsai has served as one of our directors since November 2004. Mr. Tsai was a director of ChipMOS Taiwan from January 2001 to December 2005, as a representative of Siliconware Precision, where he was a director from June 2005 to December 2009 and served as a supervisor from June 2002 to June 2005. He was also a supervisor of Phoenix Precision Technology Co. Ltd. from June 2005 to December 2009. He was previously president of Grand Cathay Securities Co., Ltd. and assistant vice president of China Trust Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. Mr. Tsai received his bachelor’s degree in statistics from National Cheng Kung University and master’s degree in management of technology from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. He holds Taiwan CPA and CFA licenses.

 

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Rong Hsu was appointed by our board of directors on October 1, 2008 to fill the vacancy from Mr. Takaki Yamada’s resignation. He has served as one of our directors from July 2005 to August 2008. He has been the director of Device Integration, QMT since February 2009. He has been the vice president of Spatial Photonics Inc. since May 2006. He was a founder of eLCOS Microdisplay Technology Group where he was the president from April 2001 to December 2005, senior director of operations at Aurora Systems Co. from 1999 to March 2001, director of manufacturing for micro-display systems and testing at S-Vision Co. from 1996 to 1999, manager of manufacturing at nCHIP Co. from 1991 to 1996, research engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1988 to 1991 and senior engineer at Intel Corporation from 1982 to 1988. He has a doctorate degree in material engineering from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in material science from Brown University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from National Taiwan University. He is a founding member and senior advisor of the Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association.

Lafair Cho has served as executive vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan since June 2015 and chairman of ChipMOS Shanghai since January 2016. He was ThaiLin’s chairman from June 17, 2013, the president from December 1, 2003 and a director from December 30, 2002 until its merger into ChipMOS Taiwan in June 2015. He was vice president of ThaiLin from February 1, 2003 to November 30, 2003. He has also served as vice president of the memory production group of ChipMOS Taiwan from July 2003 to August 2004 and as a director of ChipMOS Taiwan from October 2003 to June 2007. He served as a deputy assistant vice president of the IC testing division of ChipMOS Taiwan from April 2000 to December 2001 and as an assistant vice president of the IC testing division of ChipMOS Taiwan from January 2002 to January 2003. He served as manager of production material control of Mosel from 1993 to 1997. He holds a master’s degree in industrial management from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Li-Chun Li has served as the executive vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan since January 2010 and chairman of ChipMOS USA since June 2015. Prior to joining ChipMOS, he served as vice president of the Product Engineering group in Mosel-Vitelic (U.S.A.) and ProMOS from 2003 to 2009, and vice president of product development in Mosel-Vitelic (U.S.A.) and Mosel-Vitelic (Taiwan) from 1992 to 2003. Mr. Li received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Steve Cheng is the sibling of our Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng and has served as the president of ChipMOS U.S.A. since August 2008. Mr. Cheng has served as the director of Finance and Administration in ChipMOS U.S.A. since July 2004. He has been serving in ChipMOS U.S.A. since November 1999. He received a bachelor’s degree in business banking and insurance from Feng Chia University in Taiwan.

Vincent Hsu has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of LCDD production group since March 2012. He was assistant vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan from 2007 to 2012. He received a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan.

Michael Lee has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of wafer bump production group since November 2011 and vice president for wafer sort business group since June 2004. He was assistant vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Lee received a master’s degree from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

Ivan Hsu has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of memory production group since December 2004. He was ChipMOS Taiwan’s assistant vice president from 2003 to 2004 and deputy assistant vice president from 2002 to 2003. Mr. Hsu received a bachelor’s degree from Feng Chia University in Taiwan.

Jesse Huang has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of assembly production group since April 2007. He was the assistant vice president of assembly engineering division formerly. He received a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Soochow University in Taiwan.

David W. Wang has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of strategy and investor relations since May 2013. He joined ChipMOS Taiwan as vice president of strategy and development center in 2007. Prior to joining ChipMOS, he was the vice president of Fibera, Inc. from 2001 to 2007. Mr. Wang served as Senior Director at Lam Research where his responsibilities included new product introduction, system integration, field escalation and management of regional teams from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Wang also worked for IBM’s Microelectronics Division where he as Senior Engineer/ Manager led advanced packaging materials, process development and marketing organizations. Mr. Wang is a member of IEEE and SEMI Taiwan Packaging and Test Committee and holds 45 US patents. He received his Ph.D and MSc from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Science degree from Fu Jen University.

Edward Lee joined ChipMOS Taiwan as vice president of ITM Center in August 2014. Prior to joining ChipMOS, he was the group CIO of AVerMedia Technologies group from September 2010 to August 2014, the Practice Director of Oracle Taiwan Consulting Services from February 2002 to December 2009, the vice president of Picoway Technologies from September 2000 to February 2002 and Senior Manager of HP Taiwan from September 1988 to December 2000. Mr. Lee graduated from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan with the bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and master’s degree in Transportation Management Science.

Jennifer Chen has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of human resource management center since June 2014. She was the head of human resource management center of ChipMOS Taiwan since 2002. She served at ChipMOS Taiwan’s human resource management center since 1997. Miss Chen holds a bachelor’s degree of business management of Soochow University in Taiwan.

 

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D.Y. Tsai has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of QRA Center since June 2014. He served as the head of QRA Center of ChipMOS Taiwan since 2009. He was the department head and division head of the quality service of ChipMOS Taiwan from 2004 to 2009. Mr. Tsai holds a master degree from the graduate school of mining, metallurgy and material science of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

C.F. Huang has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president of testing production group since January 2016. He was the vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan’s wafer sort production group from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, he was the senior division head of ChipMOS Taiwan’s wafer sort production division from 2013 to 2014. Before that, he was in charge of ChipMOS Taiwan’s wafer sort engineering division. He joined ChipMOS Taiwan as deputy manager of Wafer Sort Equipment Section in 1997. He was an equipment engineer in Mosel from 1989 to 1997. He received his master’s degree in Executive MBA from the College of Technology Management, Tsing Hua University in Taiwan.

Leo Lin has been the head of LCDD Sales Account Division of ChipMOS Taiwan since June 2014. He has served as one of sales section manager of ChipMOS Taiwan since December 1999. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering of National Tsing Hua University and a master of Industrial Engineering from the graduate school of Yuan Ze University in Taiwan.

Paul Yang has served as ChipMOS Taiwan’s vice president since June 2015 and a president of ChipMOS Shanghai since January 2016. He joined ThaiLin as executive vice president responsible for memory and mixed-signal operation from September 2014 until its merger into ChipMOS Taiwan in June 2016. Before joining ThaiLin, he was the CEO of Infinet Group which is owned by Spirox Technology from April 2012 to December 2013. He was the vice president of Spirox Technology Corp in 2011, and a special assistant to Chairman and CEO of WIN Semiconductor from August 2009 to August 2010. He was the president and CEO of Global Testing Corporation from March 2004 to October 2008. He worked at Semiconductor Test Group of Agilent Technologies from November 1999 to February 2004 and was the general manager of Agilent Semiconductor Test Group China and Korea. Mr. Yang holds a master’s degree from the graduate school of electrical engineering of National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Peter Ku has served as an executive assistant of ChipMOS Taiwan since January 2016. He was a president of ChipMOS Shanghai since 2002 to August 2006. He was vice president of ChipMOS Taiwan from 2001 to 2002, president of Walton Advanced Electronics Ltd. from 1998 to 2001 and a director of Microchip Technology Taiwan from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Ku received a master’s degree in solid state electronics from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Board Practice and Terms of Directorship

Our board of directors consists of three classes of directors. The first class, consisting of John Yee Woon Seto, Chao-Jung Tsai and Rong Hsu, is up for re-election at the annual general meeting in 2016 and then every third annual general meeting thereafter. The second class, consisting of Shih-Jye Cheng, Antonio R. Alvarez and Chin-Shyh Ou, is up for re-election at the annual general meeting in 2017 and then every third annual general meeting thereafter. The third class, consisting of Hsing-Ti Tuan, Yeong-Her Wang and Shou-Kang Chen, is up for re-election at the annual general meeting in 2018 and then every third annual general meeting thereafter.

Any director vacates his or her office if he or she:

 

   

is prohibited by law from being a director or ceases to be a director by virtue of the Bermuda Companies Act;

 

   

resigns from his or her office;

 

   

becomes bankrupt under the laws of any country or compounds with his or her creditors;

 

   

becomes of unsound mind or a patient for the purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health and the board resolves that his or her office is vacated; or

 

   

is removed by a resolution passed by our shareholders at a special general meeting called for that purpose.

 

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Share Ownership

The following table sets forth certain information as of March 31, 2016 with respect to our common shares owned by our directors and executive officers.

 

Name

   Number of
Common
Shares Held
     Percentage
of Shares
Issued and
Outstanding
     Number of
Options
Held  (1)
     Exercise Price
of Options
(US$)
     Expiration Date of
Options
 

Shih-Jye Cheng

     417,645         1.5%         176,500         3.06-20.3405         2016/8/31-2020/8/31   

Antonio R. Alvarez

             —            *         *         *   

Chin-Shyh Ou

             —            *         *         *   

Hsing-Ti Tuan

             —            *         *         *   

Yeong-Her Wang

     *         *            *         *         *   

Shou-Kang Chen

     *         *            *         *         *   

John Yee Woon Seto

     *         *            *         *         *   

Chao-Jung Tsai

             —            *         *         *   

Rong Hsu

     *         *            *         *         *   

Lafair Cho

             —            *         *         *   

Li-Chun Li

             —            *         *         *   

Steve Cheng

     *         *                              

Vincent Hsu

             —            *         *         *   

Michael Lee

             —                              

Ivan Hsu

     *         *            *         *         *   

Jesse Huang

     *         *            *         *         *   

David W. Wang

     *         *            *         *         *   

Edward Lee

             —            *         *         *   

Jennifer Chen

             —            *         *         *   

D.Y. Tsai

             —                              

C.F. Huang

             —                              

Leo Lin

             —                              

Paul Yang

             —                              

Peter Ku

             —                              

 

Notes:

* Indicate actual numbers held and/or including options exercisable or vested within 60 days after March 31, 2016, would beneficially own less than 1% of our ordinary shares.
(1) Each option covers one of our common shares.

Compensation Committee

The aggregate compensation paid in 2015 to our directors and our executive officers, including cash and accrued pension payable upon retirement, was approximately NT$179 million (US$5 million). In 2015, we granted 60,500 cash-settled share appreciation rights and 2,420,000 restricted shares to our directors and executive officers as set forth in the table below. These share appreciation rights and restricted shares will vest over a period of three years, with a proportion vesting on each of August 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

 

Number of cash-settled share appreciation rights / restricted shares

   Expiration date    Exercise price (US$)    Considerations paid for  share
appreciation rights / restricted
shares granted

23,000

   August 31, 2021    18.5900    None

37,500

   August 31, 2021    18.5900    None

2,420,000

   Not applicable    None    None

We do not provide our directors with any benefits upon termination of employment.

Our compensation committee currently consists of Mr. Antonio R. Alvarez, Dr. John Yee Woon Seto and Dr. Rong Hsu, all of whom are independent directors according to NASDAQ Marketplace Rules requirements. This committee reviews and recommends to our board of directors the compensation of all our directors and officers on at least an annual basis.

Audit Committee

Under our audit committee charter adopted on February 28, 2001 and amended on May 14, 2004, December 21, 2004, August 27, 2009, August 31, 2012 and May 24, 2013, our audit committee:

 

   

is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our external auditors or any other public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or to perform audit, review or attestation services;

 

   

oversees our accounting principles and policies, financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting, internal audit controls and procedures, financial statements and independent audits;

 

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meets with management, our external auditors and, if appropriate, the head of the auditing department to discuss audited financial statements, audit reports or other communications, including, without limitation, any audit problems or difficulties relating to our financial statements, any major issues regarding accounting principles and the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting;

 

   

pre-approves, or adopts appropriate procedures to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services, if any, provided to us by our external auditors;

 

   

establishes our internal complaints procedure for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous submission thereof by our employees;

 

   

evaluates the independence of and discuss with management the timing and process for implementing the rotation of the audit partners of the outside auditors; and

 

   

reviews and approves all our related party transactions.

The audit committee currently consists of Dr. John Yee Woon Seto, Dr. Chin-Shyh Ou and Dr. Yeong-Her Wang, all of whom are independent directors according to NASDAQ Marketplace Rules requirements. Dr. Chin-Shyh Ou serves as a financial expert to the Audit Committee.

Nominations Committee

Under our nominations committee charter adopted on August 26, 2005, our nominations committee:

 

   

identifies individuals qualified to become members of the board of directors, selects or recommends nominees to the board of directors and, in the case of a vacancy of a director, recommends to the board of directors an individual to fill such vacancy;

 

   

develops and recommends to the board of directors standards to be applied in making determinations as to the absence of material relationships between us and a director;

 

   

identifies members of the board of directors qualified to fill vacancies on any committee thereof and recommends the appointment of the identified member(s) to the respective committee;

 

   

assists our management in the preparation of the disclosure in our annual proxy statement regarding the operations of the nominations committee; and

 

   

performs any other duties or responsibilities expressly delegated to the nominations committee by the board of directors from time to time relating to the nomination of members of the board of directors and any committee thereof.

Dr. Yeong-Her Wang, Dr. Rong Hsu and Dr. Chin-Shyh Ou are currently the members of our nominations committee.

First Special Committee

Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng, our chairman and chief executive officer, was indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office, or the prosecutor, in December 2005. Based upon information released by the prosecutor, the indictment alleges that Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng, as instructed by Mr. Hung-Chiu Hu, purchased repurchase notes on January 6, January 13, and January 28, 2004 from Founder Associates Limited, a British Virgin Islands company affiliated with Mega Securities Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Barits International Securities Co., Ltd.), with an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$29 million, by using corporate funds from ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin. The indictment further alleges that these repurchase notes were used as a cover to misuse the corporate funds of Mosel, and its affiliated entities, including ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin, in violation of ROC law. In addition, the indictment alleges that Mr. Hu and others were engaged in the insider trading of the securities of Mosel in violation of ROC law, but none of the current officers at ChipMOS Taiwan or ThaiLin was indicted in this regard.

In connection with the indictment of Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng by the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office, our board of directors formed a special committee to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the indictment. The special committee has engaged K&L Gates LLP (formerly Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP) as its independent international legal counsel and Baker & McKenzie as its independent ROC legal counsel, and Ernst & Young (formerly known as Diwan, Ernst & Young) as its accounting advisor to assist in its evaluation and provide recommendations.

 

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On June 28, 2006, the special committee issued its report, including its findings and recommendations. Based upon the results of its investigation, it found that: (1) Mr. Cheng has declared himself not guilty of the charges described in the indictment; (2) Baker & McKenzie, after reviewing the indictment and the prosecutor’s exhibits, have found that the evidence produced by the prosecutor seems to be inadequate and that there is a low probability of the charges in the indictment being founded; (3) the financial advisor to the special committee have found that we suffered no loss (not taking into account exchange rate factors) and that all monies (capital and interest) were remitted back to our subsidiaries involved; (4) we have suffered no identifiable harm to our reputation or our business; and (5) Mr. Cheng has not been impaired by the indictment to perform as our chairman and chief executive officer. The special committee recommended that our board maintains Mr. Cheng as our chairman and chief executive officer with full responsibilities and our board unanimously (with Mr. Cheng having recused himself) resolved to accept and adopt the special committee’s recommendation with regard to Mr. Cheng.

Our board of directors also resolved to continue the role of the special committee, for the duration of the ongoing criminal proceeding involving Mr. Cheng to actively monitor any developments of the criminal investigation and take or recommend any appropriate action in light of such developments.

During its engagement by the special committee, Ernst & Young identified certain internal control weaknesses that existed during the relevant period of the special committee’s investigation within ChipMOS Taiwan, ThaiLin and ChipMOS Logic (which was merged into ThaiLin on December 1, 2005). These weaknesses were in areas related to segregation of duties and of corporate governance on investment authorizations, insufficiency of training for financial personnel in respect of derivative transactions, and non-compliance with the applicable ROC regulations. These identified internal control weaknesses have either been addressed previously or have been remedied by our company and our subsidiaries.

In light of the identification of these internal control weaknesses, the special committee recommended that the audit committee of the board of directors lead a special task force and report to the board of the directors as to the effectiveness of the implementation of internal control over financial reporting, with an aim to enhance our company’s financial personnel’s knowledge of derivative transactions. The board of directors unanimously resolved to accept and adopt the special committee’s recommendation in this regard.

In August 2006, we engaged Ernst & Young to design certain employee training sessions regarding derivative transactions and the applicable accounting treatment for these transactions.

On October 1, 2007, the Taipei District Court found Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng not guilty, and on October 22, 2007, the prosecutor appealed the Taipei District Court decision at the Taiwan High Court. The Taiwan High Court (the “High Court”) held numerous trial hearings from 2008 to 2013. On September 3, 2013, the High Court rendered a not guilty verdict for all defendants in the matter, including Mr. Shih-Jye Cheng. On September 18, 2013, the Taiwan High Court Prosecutor’s Office has filed a petition for appeal against the decision dated September 3, 2013 to Taiwan’s Supreme Court (the “Supreme Court”). On August 7, 2014 Supreme Court rendered a verdict affirming High Court’s not guilty verdict on September 3, 2013, and Taipei District Court’s not guilty decision on October 1, 2007. The Supreme Court’s ruling is not subject to appeal and closes the litigation. On August 12, 2014, our board of directors approved to discharge the special committee.

Second Special Committee

On July 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company established a special committee to review and evaluate the feasibility of the Merger and to negotiate the contemplated action with ChipMOS Taiwan (the “Special Committee”). The Special Committee is comprised of the following Independent Directors: Dr. John Yee Woon Seto, Dr. Yeong-Her Wang, Dr. Rong Hsu and Mr. Antonio R. Alvarez. Dr. John Yee Woon Seto serves as Chairman of the Special Committee. The Special Committee engaged an independent financial advisor, tax advisor and legal counsel for evaluation and negotiation.

On December 11, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Special Committee to evaluate and provide a recommendation to the Board regarding approval by the Company, in the Company’s capacity as a ChipMOS Taiwan shareholder in connection with the Special Committee’s review and evaluation of a merger of the Company into ChipMOS Taiwan, and the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement under which ChipMOS Taiwan will sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). On January 21, 2016, the Special Committee delivered to the Board the Special Committee’s recommendations. The Special Committee recommended that the Board approve the Merger and that the Board recommend to the Company’s shareholders to approve the Merger. The Special Committee also recommended to the Board that the Board approve and authorize the Company to vote the ChipMOS Taiwan Shares held by the Company in favor of the Private Placement. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” for additional information regarding the Merger. For additional information regarding the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement and the Private Placement see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.—Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—ChipMOS Taiwan—agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.”.

 

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Employees

The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, the number of our full-time employees serving in the functions indicated:

 

 

      As of December 31,      As of
March 31,
 

Function

   2013      2014      2015      2016  

General operations

     3,434         3,498         3,189         3,182   

Quality control

     406         409         364         350   

Engineering

     1,365         1,416         1,431         1,491   

Research and development

     330         387         599         610   

Sales, administration and finance

     178         197         177         178   

Others

     375         365         313         325   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,088         6,272         6,073         6,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, a breakdown of the number of our full-time employees by geographic location:

 

 

     As of December 31,      As of
March 31,
 

Location

   2013      2014      2015      2016  

ThaiLin

     520         495         0         0   

ChipMOS Taiwan Hsinchu Production Group

     1,680         1,748         2,126         2,096   

ChipMOS Taiwan Southern Taiwan Production Group

     3,282         3,438         3,426         3,466   

Shanghai

     600         586         516         497   

Japan and the United States

     6         5         5         5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,088         6,272         6,073         6,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreements. We have not experienced any strikes or work stoppages by our employees and believe that our relationship with our employees is good.

Share Option Plan and Share Appreciation Rights Plan

We adopted a broad-based share option plan in 2001, which was amended at a special general meeting on March 19, 2004 to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the share option plan from 1,450,000 to 2,250,000. In August 2006, we adopted a second broad-based share option plan, which has 1,750,000 shares available for issuance. In September 2011, we adopted a third broad-based share option plan, which has 1,000,000 shares available for issuance. Each share option plan provides that our directors, officers, employees and those of our affiliates may, at the discretion of our board of directors or a committee, be granted options to purchase our shares at an exercise price of no less than the par value of our common shares. The board or the committee has completed discretion to determine which eligible individuals are to receive option grants, the number of shares subject to each grant, the exercise price of all options granted, the vesting schedule to be in effect for each option grant and the maximum term for which each granted option is to remain outstanding, up to a maximum term of ten years. Shares available for issuance under these plans are replenished by shares that were subject to forfeited and expired share options.

In 2013, we granted 688,996 share options, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, ranging from US$9.2225 to US$14.0675 per share. In 2013, 75,944 share options were forfeited, 253,194 share options were expired and 500,383 share options were exercised. In 2014, we granted 241,256 share options, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, ranging from US$19.38 to US$20.3405 per share. In 2014, 113,541 share options were forfeited, 1,658 share options were expired and 390,664 share options were exercised. In 2015, we granted 42,496 share options, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, US$19.907 per share. In 2015, 59,751 share options were forfeited, nil share options were expired and 220,911 share options were exercised. As of December 31, 2015, we had 1,062,250 share options outstanding, with an exercise price ranging from US$2.55 to US$21.488.

In September 2006, August 2008 and May 2013 we adopted a share appreciation rights (“SARs”) plan pursuant to which we may issue up to 500,000, 750,000 and 1,000,000 cash-settled SARs to our directors, officers, employees and those of our affiliates. Under the share appreciation rights plan, each holder of SARs, issued thereunder will be entitled to receive, on the applicable exercise date, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the market value of our common shares on such date over the exercise price of such rights. Our board of directors or a relevant committee thereof has completed discretion over the administration of the share appreciation rights plan, including determining the recipients of the share appreciation right awards, the number of rights awarded, the exercise date, the exercise price and other relevant terms. Unless earlier terminated by our board of directors or the relevant board committee, the plan will remain effective until September 2016, August 2018 and May 2023.

 

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In 2013, 521,020 SARs were granted, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, ranging from US$9.2225 to US$14.0675. In 2013, 46,501 SARs were forfeited, 53,375 SARS were expired and 249,563 SARs were exercised. In 2014, 36,010 SARs were granted, 24,841 SARs were forfeited, 1,264 SARS were expired and 138,489 SARs were exercised. In 2015, 124,510 SARs were granted, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, ranging from US$18.59 to US$19.907. In 2015, 36,290 SARs were forfeited, 3,111 SARs were expired and 180,358 SARs were exercised. As of December 31, 2015, we had 588,596 SARs outstanding, with an exercise price, at the time of grant, ranging from US$3.06 to US$20.3405.

Where applicable, the share numbers and exercise price of our share option plan and share appreciation rights plan disclosed in the foregoing paragraph are adjusted to reflect the effect of the Company’s 1-for-every-4 reverse stock split effective on January 21, 2011.

 

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

Major Shareholders

The following table and information set out certain information as of March 31, 2016 regarding the ownership of our common shares by (1) each person known to us to be the owner of more than five percent of our common shares and (2) the total amount owned by our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Identity of person or group

   Number of
shares owned
     Percentage
owned
 
  

 

 

 

Baupost Group LLC/MA(1)

     3,751,853         13.7   

Soros Fund Management LLC(2)

     1,372,921         5.0   

Directors and executive officers, as a group (3)

     492,786         1.8   

 

Notes:

(1) According to the Schedule 13G/A filed by Baupost Group LLC/MA with the SEC on February 12, 2016.
(2) According to the Schedule 13F filed by Soros Fund Management LLC with the SEC on February 16, 2016.
(3) Excludes exercisable/vested options of our common shares and Mosel’s beneficial ownership of our common shares which may be considered to be beneficially held by some of our directors or officers. Includes shares held by certain family members of certain directors.

The share numbers disclosed in the foregoing notes, are adjusted to reflect the effect of the Company’s 1-for-every-4 reverse stock split effective on January 21, 2011.

As of March 31, 2016, approximately 91% of our common shares were held of record by shareholders located in the United States. All holders of our common shares have the same voting rights with respect to their shares.

Related Party Transactions

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

On April 16, 2013, as part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, we completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 0.8% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters for the TWSE listing plan, Yuanta Securities Company Limited and Capital Securities Corp., and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. Also, from September 2, 2013 to October 3, 2013, we completed another sale of 180 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan Shares or 21.4% of the total number of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per share to investors and certain non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. On April 9, 2014, the Company sold approximately 1.3 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares as “green shoe” option to market investors. On November 12, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan made announcement for the contemplated merger with ThaiLin. The merger completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan continues as the surviving merged entity. As of March 31, 2016, we own approximately 522 million ChipMOS Taiwan Shares representing 59.2% of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares without any “green shoe” option outstanding. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—ChipMOS Taiwan’s ability to maintain its listing and trading status on the Taiwan Stock Exchange is dependent on factors outside of the Company or ChipMOS Taiwan’s control and satisfaction of stock exchange requirements. ChipMOS Taiwan may not be able to overcome such factors that disrupt its trading status on the main board of Taiwan Stock Exchange or satisfy other eligibility requirements that may be required of it in the future” for additional information.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Shanghai) LTD.

Since 2002, we have managed our PRC operations, ChipMOS Shanghai, through ChipMOS BVI, our controlled subsidiary. Whilst we did not own any equity interest in ChipMOS BVI, we had controlled ChipMOS BVI through our ownership of the MMT Notes. Under the MMT Assignment Agreement signed on April 22, 2011, the Company agreed to sell the MMT Notes to ThaiLin for a purchase price of approximately US$40 million subject to certain closing conditions. The Assignment Agreement transaction completed in October 2011 and ThaiLin immediately converted the MMT Notes into common shares of ChipMOS BVI and purchased all of the remaining common shares of ChipMOS BVI from Jesper, with ChipMOS Shanghai becoming an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ThaiLin, through ThaiLin’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary ChipMOS BVI.

Under a technology transfer agreement dated August 1, 2002 which expired on August 1, 2012, we licensed certain technologies and systems, and agreed to provide certain technical support and consulting services to ChipMOS Shanghai relating to those technologies and systems, and ChipMOS Shanghai paid an aggregate of US$25 million to us in 2002 for the technology and services we provide under this agreement. Under another technology transfer agreement dated October 3, 2011 which became effective on August 1, 2012, we licensed certain technologies and systems, and agreed to provide certain technical support and consulting services to ChipMOS Shanghai relating to those technologies and systems, and ChipMOS Shanghai will pay an aggregate of RMB27 million to us by forty installments on the last day of each quarter during the term of this agreement.

On July 1, 2010, the Company and ChipMOS Shanghai entered into an exclusive services agreement, pursuant to which ChipMOS Shanghai will provide its services exclusively to the Company or customers designated by the Company. Under the exclusive services agreement, the Company agrees to procure some of the equipment and consign such equipment for use by ChipMOS Shanghai. The exclusive services agreement has a term of ten years and will automatically be renewed for periods of ten years, unless terminated by either party at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such ten-year term. In addition, the Company may terminate the exclusive services agreement at any time by giving 30 days’ prior notice.

ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp.

On March 4, 2008, ChipMOS Taiwan made a loan in an amount of NT$145 million that bears interest at a rate of 4.69% per annum to Kolin, a major shareholder of ThaiLin. The loan was originally secured by a pledge by Kolin of 11 million common shares of ThaiLin. On August 22, 2008, Kolin repaid NT$15 million of the loan. On December 23, 2008, ChipMOS Taiwan notified Kolin to proceed with the transfer of the collateral’s ownership, the payment of unpaid loan and interest accrued in the amount of NT$130 million, and the payment of interest incurred due to loan repayment default under the loan. On January 20, 2009, Kolin informed ChipMOS that it could not fulfill request made by ChipMOS, including the transfer of shares since it is prohibited to do so under an interim restrictive order of disposition. Subsequently, Kolin was granted on March 27, 2009, pursuant to a ruling of Taiwan District Court on (Civil Ruling No.7 and No.9 of 2009), the approval for its reorganization and declaration of creditor’s rights application. Therefore, such shares shall still be deemed as the creditor’s collateral. ChipMOS made the creditor’s rights application on April 21, 2009. On January 31, 2011, a final ruling of Taiwan High Court (Civil Ruling No.186 of 2010) confirmed its approval of the reorganization plan of Kolin. On March 15, 2012, ChipMOS Taiwan entered into an agreement with Kolin whereby Kolin agreed to dispose of the common shares of ThaiLin that were pledged to ChipMOS Taiwan and use the proceeds to settle the outstanding debt to ChipMOS Taiwan. The loan had been fully repaid and the subject pledge has been released accordingly in 2013.

ThaiLin’s previous holding includes 1,015,158 shares acquired pursuant to ThaiLin’s enforcement of the collateral provided by ProMOS under the Stock Pledge Agreement dated December 3, 2008, entered into between ThaiLin and ProMOS, 506,364 shares accumulated from the Rule 10b5-1/10b-18 securities purchase program launched in December 2008, and 467,059 shares acquired pursuant to the interest shares payment and 4,485,630 shares acquired pursuant to the conversion of 2009 Notes in March 2011. In November 2012, ThaiLin sold 2,000,000 shares under the Secondary Offering. In May 2013, ThaiLin sold 380,506 shares to Tokyo Seimitsu. In November 2013 and January 2014, ThaiLin sold 2,000,000 shares and 2,093,705 shares, respectively, to the Company and the shares were then retired and cancelled. After the transactions, ThaiLin did not hold any of our common shares. On June 17, 2015, ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan.

The share numbers disclosed in the foregoing paragraph are adjusted to reflect the effect of the Company’s 1-for-every-4 reverse stock split effective on January 21, 2011.

 

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Item 8. Financial Information

Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

Please see “Item 18. Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-72.

Legal Proceedings

In February 2006, ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA received notice of a lawsuit filed by Tessera Technologies, Inc., or Tessera. The complaint was initially filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Civil Action No. C05-04063CW), or the California court. In an amended complaint, Tessera added ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA, among several other semiconductor companies, as co-defendants. The amended complaint alleges that ChipMOS Taiwan, ChipMOS USA and the other co-defendants infringed certain patents owned by Tessera and that ChipMOS Taiwan is in breach of a license agreement with Tessera, or the Tessera license agreement. Tessera also sought unspecified damages and injunctive relief. ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA have responded to the lawsuit by denying Tessera’s claims of patent infringement and breach of contract. ChipMOS USA and ChipMOS Taiwan have also raised various counterclaims for declaratory judgment and related affirmative defenses that the Tessera patents are invalid and unenforceable. In May 2007, the California court, with the concurrence of ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA, stayed all litigation in the California court as a result of a related investigation by the International Trade Commission, or ITC, initiated by Tessera against certain other co-defendants. In addition, a co-defendant in the Tessera lawsuit requested the United States Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine the patentability of each of Tessera’s patents that are at issue in the case in the California court. The requests were granted and, in February 2007, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office concluded that certain claims of the patents were invalid on the basis of prior art. In April 2008, the Company, ChipMOS USA and ChipMOS Taiwan received notice that Tessera requested the ITC to initiate another investigation alleging that the sale for and after importation into the United States as well as importation into the United States of certain small format non-tape based BGA semiconductor packages by the Company, ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA infringe three of the five Tessera patents at issue in the case pending in the California court. Tessera sought, among other things, an investigation by the ITC and general exclusion orders to prohibit the infringing products from entry into the United States. The ITC initiated the investigation in May 2008. On March 13, 2009, after the close of discovery, Tessera submitted a request to terminate the proceedings at the ITC, which the judge granted on July 17, 2009. No petitions for review were filed. The ITC issued an order to terminate the investigation on August 7, 2009. Due to the completion of a companion investigation against other companies by ITC, the stayed litigations in the Northern District of California resumed in January 2012. On July 19, 2012, Tessera filed a stipulation with the California court dismissing its breach of contract claim against the companies. Accordingly, this litigation was then limited to only Tessera’s patent infringement allegations against the companies. A court-ordered mediation was held on December 13, 2012 but was unsuccessful. On November 8, 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with Tessera settling the subject matter. As part of the Settlement Agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan agreed to pay a one-time payment of US$1,375 thousand, including 20% Taiwan tax withholding, to Tessera in exchange for Tessera releasing, discharging and agreeing to never sue the Company, ChipMOS Taiwan and ChipMOS USA relating to the license agreement. On November 9, 2013, the parties filed a stipulation with the Court to dismiss the pending litigation and the case was closed by the court.

In April 1999, Motorola, Inc. (“Motorola”) and ChipMOS Taiwan entered into an immunity agreement (the “Agreement”) whereby each party covenanted not to sue each other for the use of certain Ball Grid Array (“BGA”) patents. In December 2004, Motorola spun off its semiconductor division, and thereby formed Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (“Freescale”), who then assumed Motorola’s rights and obligations under the Agreement. On October 16, 2006, Freescale unilaterally terminated the Agreement, alleging that ChipMOS Taiwan breached the Agreement. ChipMOS Taiwan argued that Freescale’s unilateral termination of the Agreement has no legal effect, and continues to accrue royalty payments for products it believes are covered by the Agreement. The payments previously returned by Freescale and accrued by ChipMOS Taiwan have been deposited in a separate escrow account. On July 13, 2009, Freescale alleged that ChipMOS Taiwan breached the Agreement by failing to pay royalties on certain BGA packages assembled by ChipMOS Taiwan. ChipMOS Taiwan filed an answer to deny all allegations, and also filed counterclaims against Freescale alleging that Freescale engaged in patent misuse by seeking to obtain royalties on certain of ChipMOS Taiwan’s BGA products that were not covered by any Freescale patent included under the Agreement, and for declaratory judgment of patent non-infringement and invalidity. On December 11, 2009, Freescale filed a motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment counterclaims filed by ChipMOS Taiwan and to stay all other patent related claims and issues until its breach of contract claims could be decided. On July 29, 2010, the Court found that the Agreement constituted a “Total Sales Royalty” agreement, however, Freescale’s motion was partly denied for patent misuse issue. A mediation was held between the parties on October 28, 2010 but was unsuccessful. The fact discovery and expert discovery process regarding patent misuse issue closed in middle June 2011. An Order granting Freescale’s motion for partial summary judgment and denying ChipMOS’ cross-motion for partial judgment was given on September 8, 2011. An Order granting in part and denying in part ChipMOS’ Motion for Reconsideration was given on March 30, 2012. The Court reinstated ChipMOS’ claims for patent misuse and its affirmative defenses for patent exhausted, mutual mistake and license. Freescale refiled its motions to strike ChipMOS’ jury demand and for summary judgment on ChipMOS’ affirmative defenses of exhaustion, mutual mistake and license. The Court has granted those motions on January 24, 2013 and later denied ChipMOS Taiwan’ motion for reconsideration of those rulings in April 2013. On June 20, 2013, ChipMOS Taiwan entered into a settlement agreement with Freescale to resolve pending lawsuit between the parties in a judicial settlement conference conducted in the Court. As part of the settlement agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan agreed to pay Freescale US$8 million to settle the claims in exchange the parties entering into a new License Agreement for the use of Freescale’s BGA packaging technology from 2011 to 2015 and filing a Joint Stipulation for the Dismissal of all claims pending between them. The Joint Stipulation for Dismissal was filed on July 26, 2013 and the case was closed by the Court.

 

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Other than the matters described above, we were not involved in any material litigation in 2014 and are not currently involved in any material litigation.

For certain information regarding legal proceedings relating to certain of our current and former directors, see “Item 6.—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—First Special Committee”.

Dividend Policy

Company paid a cash dividend of US$0.14 per common share for a total cash cost of US$3.8 million on October 30, 2015 to all common shareholders of record on relevant record date. The declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to the Board’s continuing determination that the declaration and payment of dividends are in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders, are justified by the position of the Company and are in compliance with all laws and agreements of the Company applicable to the declaration and distribution. Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed not to pay dividends prior to the closing of the Merger without the prior written consent of ChipMOS Taiwan (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). For additional information regarding the Merger see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

 

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

Listing

Since March 17, 2010, the NASDAQ Capital Market has been the principal trading market for our common shares, which are not listed or quoted on any other markets in or outside the United States. Our common shares were formerly quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market (formerly the NASDAQ National Market) under the symbol “IMOS” since June 19, 2001, and our common shares were formerly quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since July 1, 2006. The CUSIP number for our common shares is “G2110R114”. Our Shareholders approved a reverse stock split of ChipMOS’s common stock in January 2011 with a ratio of 1-for-every-4 shares effective on January 21, 2011. As a result, the number of outstanding shares of ChipMOS common stock is reduced to 27,725,782 shares, from 110,908,341 shares prior to the reverse stock split becoming effective. As of March 31, 2016, there were 27,312,116 common shares issued and outstanding. The table below sets forth for the periods indicated, historical prices for the high, low and average closing prices on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market for our common shares.

 

     NASDAQ Price per  share(1)
(US$)
 
   High      Low      Average  

2011

     9.81         4.48         6.94   

2012

     19.04         5.47         11.91   

2013

     20.60         10.32         15.83   

2014

     25.80         18.13         22.29   

First Quarter

     23.16         18.13         20.75   

Second Quarter

     25.80         20.43         22.82   

Third Quarter

     24.93         22.16         23.83   

Fourth Quarter

     23.36         19.66         21.71   

2015

     24.99         15.39         20.79   

First Quarter

     24.99         21.57         23.61   

Second Quarter

     24.81         21.11         23.32   

Third Quarter

     22.00         15.39         17.93   

Fourth Quarter

     20.64         16.05         18.46   

November

     19.84         17.32         18.67   

December

     20.64         18.58         19.42   

2016

        

January

     18.72         16.90         17.85   

February

     18.00         14.49         17.04   

March

     17.95         16.70         17.41   

First Quarter

     18.72         14.49         17.43   

April (through April 14, 2016)

     18.02         17.45         17.62   

 

Note:

(1) The figures in the table contain historical prices reflecting the effect of our reverse stock split which was approved by our Shareholders on January 21, 2011.

 

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Upon the closing of the agreement and plan of merger dated January 21, 2016, between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, pursuant to which the Company will be merged with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, the Company’s shares will no longer be quoted or traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, will not be listed or traded on any stock exchange and will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive Merger consideration as provided in the agreement and plan of merger. For additional information regarding the Merger see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

 

Item 10. Additional Information

Description of Share Capital

Our authorized share capital is US$3,250,000 consists of 62,500,000 common shares of par value US$0.04 per share, and 18,750,000 preferred shares of par value US$0.04 per share.

Common Shares

Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each common share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not provided for in our bye-laws, which means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election.

Preferred Shares

Currently there are no specific rights attached to the preferred shares. The specific rights of the preferred shares could include rights, preferences or privileges in priority to our common shares and the establishment of such rights or the delegation to the board of directors to establish such rights will need to be approved by our shareholders. As of March 31, 2016, no preferred shares have been issued by our company.

Bermuda Law

We are an exempted company organized under the Bermuda Companies Act. The rights of our shareholders are governed by Bermuda law and our memorandum of association and bye-laws. The Bermuda Companies Act differs in some material respects from laws generally applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. The Bermuda Companies Act also differs in some material respects from laws generally applicable to Taiwan corporations, such as ChipMOS Taiwan, and their shareholders. On January 21, 2016, the Merger Agreement was entered into by the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan, pursuant to which the Company will be merged with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company. Upon the effective date of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Company will cease, all the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company will be cancelled, and in exchange each former holder of such cancelled common shares of the Company shall be entitled to receive certain amount of cash and certain number of American Depository Shares representing shares of ChipMOS Taiwan, the rights of which will be governed by Taiwan law and by ChipMOS Taiwan’s articles of incorporation. For additional information regarding the Merger see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

Dividends

Under the Bermuda Companies Act, a company may not declare or pay dividends from time to time by its board of directors if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than its liabilities. (However, in order to avoid the possibility of an unauthorised reduction of capital, the Company complies with former requirement of section 54(1)(b) of the Bermuda Companies Act, i.e. that whenever the board of directors is making determination based on the latter benchmark - the realizable value of its assets, it should consider whether “the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities, issued share capital and share premium accounts”, rather than “liabilities” alone.). The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available for such purposes at times and in amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Any dividend unclaimed for a period of six years from its date of declaration will be forfeited and will revert to our company.

 

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Voting Rights

Under Bermuda law, except as otherwise provided in the Bermuda Companies Act or our bye-laws, questions brought before a general meeting of shareholders are decided by a majority vote of shareholders present at the meeting. Our bye-laws provide that, subject to the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, and except for the resolutions for approving the extraordinary transaction, any question properly proposed for the consideration of the shareholders will be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast, either on a show of hands or on a poll, with each shareholder present (and each person holding proxies for any shareholder) entitled to one vote on a show of hands, or on a poll, one vote for each fully paid-up common share held by the shareholder. In the case of an equality of votes cast, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. Any resolution for any of the following extraordinary transactions will require the approval of shareholders holding at least 70.0% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting:

 

   

a resolution for the merger, amalgamation or any other consolidation of us with any other company, wherever incorporated;

 

   

a resolution for the sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets; or

 

   

a resolution for the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation of our company.

Rights in Liquidation

Under Bermuda law, in the event of liquidation or winding-up of a company, after satisfaction in full of all claims of creditors and subject to the preferential rights accorded to any series of preferred shares, the proceeds of the liquidation or winding-up are distributed pro rata in species or in kind among the holders of our common shares in accordance with our bye-laws.

Meetings of Shareholders

Under Bermuda law, a company is required to convene at least one general shareholders’ meeting as an annual general meeting each calendar year, unless according to the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, shareholders elect to dispense with the holding of annual general meetings. Bermuda law provides that a special general meeting may be called by the board of directors and must be called upon the request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote. Bermuda law also requires that shareholders be given at least five days’ advance notice of a general meeting but the accidental omission to give notice to any person does not invalidate the proceedings at a meeting. Under our bye-laws, we must give each shareholder written notice at least five days prior to the annual general meeting, unless otherwise agreed by all shareholders having the right to vote at that annual general meeting, and written notice at least five days prior to any special general meeting, unless otherwise agreed by a majority of shareholders having a right to vote at that special general meeting, and together holding at least 95% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote at that meeting.

Under Bermuda law, the number of shareholders constituting a quorum at any general meeting of shareholders is determined by the bye-laws of the company. Our bye-laws provide that at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding shares representing at least 50% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting constitute a quorum. Our bye-laws further provide that, in respect of a general meeting adjourned for lack of quorum, at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy holding shares representing 33 1/3% of the total voting rights of all shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.

Access to Books and Records and Dissemination of Information

Under Bermuda law, members of the general public have the right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda. These documents include a company’s certificate of incorporation, its memorandum of association (including its objects and powers), and any alteration to its memorandum of association and documents relating to an increase or reduction of authorized share capital. The shareholders have the additional right to inspect the bye-laws of the company, minutes of general meetings, and the company’s audited financial statements, which, unless agreed by all shareholders and directors, must be laid before the annual general meeting. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public for not less than two hours each day without charge. Any member of the public may require a copy of the register, or of any part thereof, on the payment of a fee. A company is required to keep its register of members at its registered office or after giving written notice to the registrar of companies in Bermuda, at such other place in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of Bermuda law, establish a branch register of members outside Bermuda. We maintain a principal register of members in Hamilton, Bermuda and a branch register of members in New Jersey, USA. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of its directors and officers which is open for inspection for not less than two hours each day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records.

 

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Election or Removal of Directors

Under Bermuda law and our bye-laws, directors are elected or appointed at an annual general meeting and serve until re-elected or re-appointed or until their successors are elected or appointed, unless they are earlier removed for cause or resign or otherwise cease to be directors under Bermuda law or our bye-laws.

A director may be removed for cause at a special general meeting of shareholders specifically called for that purpose, provided that the director is served with at least 14 days’ notice. The director has a right to be heard at that meeting. Any vacancy created by the removal of a director at a special general meeting may be filled at that meeting by the election of another director in his or her place or, in the absence of any election by the shareholders, by the board of directors.

Board Actions

Our bye-laws provide that the quorum necessary for the transaction of business is two individual directors of the board, and that questions arising at a properly convened meeting of the board of directors must be approved by a majority of the votes present and entitled to be cast. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting is entitled to a second or casting vote.

The board of directors may appoint any of our directors to act as our managing director or other senior executive, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, including with respect to remuneration.

Amendment of Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws

Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may, with the consent of the Minister of Finance of Bermuda (if required), be amended by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders of which due notice has been given. Our bye-laws, other than the bye-law separating our board of directors into three classes, may be amended by the board of directors if the amendment is approved by a majority of votes cast by our directors and by our shareholders by a resolution passed by a majority of votes cast at a general meeting. Any amendment to our bye-law separating a board of directors into three classes must be approved by our board of directors and by shareholders holding shares representing at least 60% of the total voting rights of all our shareholders having the right to vote at such general meeting.

Under Bermuda law, the holders of an aggregate of no less than 20% in par value of a company’s issued share capital or any class of issued share capital have the right to apply to the Bermuda Court for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association adopted by shareholders at any general meeting. Where an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Bermuda Court. An application for the annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within 21 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of the person entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose. No application may be made by persons voting in favor of the amendment.

Appraisal Rights and Shareholder Suits

Under Bermuda law, in the event of an amalgamation or a merger of two Bermuda companies, a shareholder who did not vote in favour of the amalgamation or the merger and who is not satisfied that fair value has been paid for such shareholder’s shares may apply to the Bermuda Court to appraise the fair value of those shares. The Bermuda Companies Act provides that, subject to the terms of a company’s bye-laws, the amalgamation or merger of a Bermuda company with another company requires the amalgamation or merger agreement to be approved by the board of directors and, except where the amalgamation or merger is between a holding company and one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries or between two or more wholly-owned subsidiaries, by meetings of the holders of shares of each company and of each class of such shares at a meeting of the shareholders by seventy-five percent of the members present and entitled to vote at that meeting in respect of which the quorum shall be two persons holding or representing at least one-third of the issued shares of each company or class, as the case may be. Under our bye-laws, any resolution proposed for consideration at any general meeting to approve the merger, amalgamation or any other consolidation of our company with any other company, wherever incorporated shall require the approval of our shareholders holding shares representing at least 70% of the total voting rights of all our shareholders, and the quorum to be at least 2 shareholders present in person or by proxy holdings shares representing at least 50% of the total voting rights of all our shareholders.

Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. The Bermuda Court, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong done to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or is illegal or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Further consideration would be given by the Bermuda Court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

 

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When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Bermuda Court for an order regulating the company’s conduct of affairs in the future or compelling the purchase of the shares by any shareholder, by other shareholders or by the company.

Exchange Controls

The following discussion is based on the advice of Appleby, our Bermuda counsel.

The BMA, has designated us as non-resident for exchange control purposes. The BMA has granted its consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 and regulations promulgated thereunder for the issue or transfer to non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes of our common shares, subject to the common shares remaining quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Share Issuance and Transfers by Non-Bermuda and Bermuda Residents

Under Bermuda law, there are no limitations on the rights of non-Bermuda residents to hold or vote their shares of Bermuda companies. Because we have been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes, there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents who are holders of our common shares other than in respect of local Bermuda currency.

Under Bermuda law, we are an exempted company. An exempted company is exempt from the provisions of Bermuda law, which stipulate that at least 60% of the equity must be beneficially owned by Bermuda persons. Persons regarded as residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes require specific consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 to acquire securities issued by us. The Exchange Control Act 1972 permits companies to adopt bye-law provisions relating to the transfer of securities. None of Bermuda law, our memorandum of association or our bye-laws imposes limitations on the right of foreign nationals or non-residents of Bermuda to hold our shares or vote such shares.

As an exempted company, we may not participate in certain business transactions, including, among others: (1) the acquisition or holding of land in Bermuda, except (i) land acquired for its business by way of lease or tenancy agreement for a term not exceeding fifty years, or (ii) with the consent of the Minister of Finance granted in his discretion, land by way of lease or tenancy agreement for a term not exceeding twenty-one years in order to provide accommodation or recreational facilities for its officers and employees; (2) the taking of mortgages on land in Bermuda to secure an amount in excess of US$50,000 without the consent of the Bermuda Minister of Finance; (3) the acquisition of any bonds, or debentures secured on any land in Bermuda except bonds or debentures issued by the Government or a public authority; or (4) the carrying on of business of any kind in Bermuda, except, among others, to carry business with persons outside Bermuda, in furtherance of our business carried on outside Bermuda or under a license granted by the Bermuda Minister of Finance.

The Bermuda government actively encourages foreign investment in exempted entities like us that are based in Bermuda but do not operate in competition with local business. In addition to having no restrictions on the degree of foreign ownership, we are subject neither to taxes on our income or dividends nor to any foreign exchange controls in Bermuda. In addition, there is no capital gains tax in Bermuda, and profits can be accumulated by us without limitation.

Director’s Interests

Under our bye-laws, our director may, notwithstanding his office be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with our company or in which our company is otherwise interested. He or she may also be a director or officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any corporate body promoted by our company or in which our company is interested. Therefore, where it is necessary, so long as our director declares the nature of his or her interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the board or by writing to the directors as required by the Bermuda Companies Act and our bye-laws, that director shall not by reason of his or her office be accountable to our company for any benefit he or she derives from any office or employment to which our bye-laws allow him or her to be appointed or from any transaction or arrangement in which our bye-laws allow him or her to be interested, and no such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any such interest or benefit. A general notice to our directors by a director or officer declaring that he or she is a director or officer or has an interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or arrangement made with that person shall be sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any transaction or arrangement so made.

Share Issuance and Transfer

We have been designated as a non-resident for exchange control purposes by the BMA, whose permission for the issuance and transfer of common shares has been obtained subject to the common shares being quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

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The transfer of common shares between persons regarded as non-resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes and the issuance of shares after the completion of the currently contemplated offering of our common shares to those persons may be effected without specific consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 of Bermuda and regulations thereunder subject to the common shares remaining quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Issuance and transfer of shares to any person regarded as resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require specific prior approval under the Exchange Control Act 1972.

There are no limitations on the rights of persons regarded as non-residents of Bermuda for foreign exchange control purposes who own common shares to hold or vote their common shares. Since we have been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes, there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents or other non-residents of Bermuda who are holders of common shares, other than in respect of local Bermuda currency. Furthermore, it is not our intent to maintain Bermuda dollar deposits and, accordingly, will not pay dividends on the common shares in Bermuda currency.

Share certificates are issued only in the names of corporations or individuals, being the registered holders of shares as represented by such share certificates. Where an applicant for common shares acts in a special capacity, such as an executor or trustee, certificates may, at the request of that applicant, record the capacity in which the applicant is acting. Our recording of any special capacity, however, shall not be construed as obliging us either to investigate, or to incur any responsibility or liability in respect of, the proper administration of any trust or estate. Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, regardless of whether or not we have had notice of a trust, no notice shall be taken of any trust, equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any interest in any fractional part of a share or any other right in respect of any common shares except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Appleby Management (Bermuda) Ltd. serves as our principal registrar and transfer agent in Bermuda for the common shares. Computershare Inc. serves as our United States transfer agent and registrar for the common shares.

Material Contracts

We have entered into the following contracts within the two years preceding the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F that are or may be material:

 

   

On July 2, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan obtained a syndicated loan facility from banks in Taiwan in the amount of NT$10 billion (US$316 million) separated into two parts with term of five years. This loan facility was used to refinance the existing bank debts and for general corporate purposes.

 

   

On August 14, 2014, the Company entered Share Purchase Agreement with Siliconware Precision for the purchase of 1 million Company’s Common Shares.

 

   

On November 12, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin entered into a merger agreement, whereby ThaiLin agreed to be merged into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan as the surviving entity. Under the terms of the merger agreement, ThaiLin’s shareholders will be offered a combination of NT$12.5 in cash and 0.311 of one ChipMOS Taiwan common share in exchange for each ThaiLin common share held.

 

   

On December 11, 2015, the ChipMOS Taiwan Board authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan signed the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement under which ChipMOS Taiwan will sell and issue 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares to Tsinghua Unigroup through the Private Placement at a price of NT$40.0 per ChipMOS Taiwan Share representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately NT$12.0 billion (US$366 million). After the Merger and the issuance of the 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares on closing of the proposed Private Placement, Tsinghua Unigroup would own approximately 25.6% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Taiwan. The Company shareholders’ aggregate ownership in ChipMOS Taiwan would be 43.7% post-Private Placement and post-Merger.

 

   

On December 11, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup also executed the Strategic Alliance Agreement, designed to strengthen the long-term cooperation relationship between the two companies. Under the terms of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, Tsinghua Unigroup would assist ChipMOS Taiwan in expanding and strengthening the relationship between ChipMOS Taiwan and companies relating to the assembly and test services of LCD drivers and wafer bumping services in the PRC, and would introduce other potential suppliers, customers and business partners in the PRC to ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

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On February 25, 2016, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, under which Tsinghua Unigroup assigned its obligations and liabilities under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement to Tibet MaoYe, which is a subsidiary controlled by Tsinghua Unigroup. From the execution of the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, Tibet MaoYe became the “Subscriber” defined in the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement and assumed all the rights, benefits, liabilities and obligations incurred from the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. On the same date, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tibet MaoYe executed the Tibet MaoYe Share Subscription Agreement, the substantive content of which is consistent with the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement.

 

   

On January 21, 2016, the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan being the surviving company after the Merger. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each IMOS Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and, in exchange, each former holder of such cancelled IMOS Shares shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each such IMOS Share, (i) 0.9355 ADS, representing 18.71 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, each ADS representing 20 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares, and (ii) US$3.71 in cash, without interest, net of any applicable withholding tax. Upon completion of the Merger, ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiaries will own and continue to conduct the business that they currently conduct in substantially the same manner.

For additional information regarding the Subscription Agreement and the Private Placement see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to ChipMOS Taiwan Share Subscription Agreement With Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd.—Pending private placement sale by ChipMOS Taiwan of 299,252,000 ChipMOS Taiwan Shares under the shares subscription agreement with Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiary may or may not be completed” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

For additional information regarding the Merger see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Merger With and Into ChipMOS Taiwan” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Our Principal Consolidated Subsidiaries—ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.—Merger Agreement between the Company and ChipMOS Taiwan”.

Please see also “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for further summary information regarding the contracts listed under “– Material Contracts” that are with certain of our related parties.

Bermuda Taxation

This summary is based on laws, regulations, treaty provisions and interpretations now in effect and available as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The laws, regulations, treaty provisions and interpretations, however, may change at any time, and any change could be retroactive to the date of issuance of our common shares. These laws, regulations and treaty provisions are also subject to various interpretations, and the relevant tax authorities or the courts could later disagree with the explanations or conclusions set out below.

At the date hereof, there is no Bermuda income, corporation or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty or inheritance tax payable by us or our shareholders other than shareholders ordinarily resident in Bermuda. We are not subject to stamp or other similar duty on the issuance, transfer or redemption of our common shares.

We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 of Bermuda that, in the event there is enacted in Bermuda any legislation imposing tax computed on profits or income or computed on any capital assets, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of such tax shall not be applicable to us or to our operations, or to the shares, debentures or our other obligations until March 31, 2035, provided the assurance shall not be construed as to prevent the application of such tax or duty to such persons as are ordinarily resident in Bermuda and prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of the Land Tax Act 1967 of Bermuda or otherwise payable in relation to the land leased to our Company.

As an exempted company, we are liable to pay in Bermuda an annual government fee calculated on a sliding scale basis by reference to our assessable capital, which is the aggregate of our authorized common share capital and the premium on our issued common shares currently at a rate not exceeding US$31,120 per annum.

United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

The discussion below is for general information only and is not, and should not be interpreted to be, tax advice to any holder of our common shares. Each holder or a prospective holder of our common shares is urged to consult his, her or its own tax advisor.

 

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The discussion below does not address the United States federal income tax consequences of the pending Merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan and the ownership and disposition of ADSs representing ChipMOS Taiwan common shares that holders of our common shares are expected to receive in the Merger. See “Pending merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan may or may not be completed” for more information about the Merger. For discussion regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger and the ownership and disposition of ADSs representing ChipMOS Taiwan common shares pursuant to the Merger, see “Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, as amended, by ChipMOS Taiwan.

General

This section is a general summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders, as defined below, of the ownership and disposition of our common shares as of the date of this report. This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the applicable Treasury regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder, judicial decisions and current administrative rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The summary applies to you only if you hold our common shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, may challenge the tax consequences described below, and we have not requested, nor will we request, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of our common shares. This summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to the ownership of our common shares. In particular, the discussion below does not cover tax consequences that depend upon your particular tax circumstances nor does it cover any state, local or foreign law, or the possible application of the United States federal estate or gift tax. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of the United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any state, local, foreign and United States federal estate and gift tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the common shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account any special United States federal income tax rules that apply to a particular U.S. or Non-U.S. Holder of our common shares, including, without limitation, the following:

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects to use a market-to-market method of accounting for its securities holdings;

 

   

a financial institution or a bank;

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a person that holds our common shares in a hedging transaction or as part of a straddle or a conversion transaction;

 

   

a person whose functional currency for United States federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a person that owns, or is treated as owning, 10% or more, by voting power or value, of our common shares;

 

   

certain former U.S. citizens and residents who have expatriated; or

 

   

a person that receives our shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of the discussion below, you are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our common shares who or that is:

 

   

an individual United States citizen or resident alien of the United States (as specifically defined for United States federal income tax purposes);

 

   

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust (x) if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) that, if it was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person prior to that date and has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

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If a partnership holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding our common shares or a partner in such partnership, you should consult your tax advisor.

Distributions

Subject to the “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, for cash dividends, the gross amount of any such distribution (other than in liquidation) that you receive with respect to our common shares generally will be taxed to you as dividend income to the extent such distribution does not exceed our current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”), as calculated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such income will be includable in your gross income as ordinary income on the date of receipt. Dividends received by individuals and certain other non-corporate taxpayers from “qualified foreign corporations” are taxed at the rate of either 0 percent, 15 percent or 20 percent, depending upon the particular taxpayer’s U.S. federal income tax bracket; provided that the recipient-shareholder has held his or her shares as a beneficial owner for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the shares’ ex-dividend date. A foreign corporation is a “qualified foreign corporation” if the stock with respect to which it pays dividends is traded on an established securities market in the United States, provided that the foreign corporation is not a PFIC. Our stock is traded on an established securities market in the United States, although we cannot guarantee that our stock will be so traded in the future. We believe and expect that we should not be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS may not disagree and seek to treat us as a PFIC. If we were a PFIC with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, dividends received from us will be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates and certain other rules will apply. See “Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC),” below. Holders of our shares should consult their own tax advisers regarding the availability of a reduced dividend tax rate in light of their own particular circumstances.

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be required to pay an additional 3.8 percent tax on net investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gain. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the application of this additional tax.

To the extent any distribution exceeds our E&P, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in our common shares and will be applied against and reduce such basis on a dollar-for-dollar basis (thereby increasing the amount of gain and decreasing the amount of loss recognized on a subsequent disposition of such shares). To the extent that such distribution exceeds your adjusted tax basis, the distribution will be taxed as gain recognized on a sale or exchange of our common shares. See “Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Shares,” below. Because we are not a U.S. corporation, no dividends-received deduction will be allowed to corporations with respect to dividends paid by us.

For United States foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends received on our common shares will be treated as foreign source income and will generally be “passive category income”, or in the case of certain holders, “general category income.” You may be eligible, subject to a number of complex limitations, to claim a foreign tax credit in respect of foreign tax withholding, if any, imposed on dividends paid on our common shares. The rules governing United States foreign tax credits are complex, and we recommend that you consult your tax advisor regarding the applicability of such rules to you.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Shares

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, generally, in connection with the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common shares:

 

   

you will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference (if any) between: the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and your adjusted tax basis in such common shares (your adjusted tax basis in the shares you hold generally will equal your U.S. dollar cost of such shares);

 

   

such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for our common shares is more than one year at the time of such sale or other disposition;

 

   

such gain or loss will generally be treated as United States source for United States foreign tax credit purposes; and

 

   

your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

Long-term capital gains recognized by individuals and certain other non-corporate taxpayers are taxed at the rate of 0, 15 or 20 percent, depending upon the particular taxpayer’s U.S. federal income tax bracket. Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be required to pay an additional 3.8 percent tax on net investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gain. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the application of this additional tax.

 

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This discussion does not address the United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger and the sale, exchange, or other disposition of ADSs representing ChipMOS Taiwan common shares that holders of our common shares are expected to receive in the pending Merger with and into ChipMOS Taiwan. For discussion regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger and the sale, exchange, or other disposition of ADSs representing ChipMOS Taiwan common shares pursuant to the Merger, see “Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, as amended, by ChipMOS Taiwan.

Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC)

We believe that our common shares should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a legal and factual determination that is made annually and thus may be subject to change. No assurance can be given that the IRS may not disagree and seek to treat us as a PFIC, and that a court would not sustain such challenge because the determination of PFIC status is fundamentally factual in nature, depends upon the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules that are subject to differing interpretations, and generally cannot be determined until the close of the taxable year in question. If we were treated as a PFIC, unless a U.S. Holder elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares, gain realized on the sale or other disposition of your common shares would in general not be treated as capital gain. Instead, you would be treated as if you had realized such gain ratably over your holding period for the common shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for such year, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. With certain exceptions, your common shares will be treated as stock in a PFIC if we were a PFIC at any time during your holding period in your common shares. Dividends that you receive from us will not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income if we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income. Further, any distribution in respect of our common shares in excess of 125 percent of the average annual distributions on our common shares received by you during the preceding three years or your holding period, whichever is shorter, would be allocated ratably over your holding period for the common shares and subject to taxation as described for sales or other dispositions above.

Non-U.S. Holders

If you are not a U.S. Holder, you are a “Non-U.S. Holder”.

Distributions on Our Common Shares

You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding on distributions made on our common shares unless:

 

   

you conduct a trade or business in the United States and

 

   

the distributions are effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for you to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a profit for the year basis in respect of income from our common shares, such distributions are attributable to a permanent establishment that you maintain in the United States).

If you meet the two tests above, you generally will be subject to tax in respect of such dividends in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described above. In addition, any effectively connected dividends received by a non-U.S. corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30 percent rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Common Shares

Generally, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding in respect of gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of our common shares unless:

 

   

your gain is effectively connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for you to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a profit for the year basis in respect of gain from the sale or other disposition of our common shares, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), or

 

   

you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder and are present in the United States for at least 183 days in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition, and certain other conditions exist.

You will be subject to tax in respect of any gain effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States generally in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described above. Effectively connected gains realized by a non-U.S. corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30 percent or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Payments, including dividends and proceeds of sales, in respect of our common shares that are made in the United States or by a United States related financial intermediary will be subject to United States information reporting rules. In addition, such payments may be subject to United States federal backup withholding. You will not be subject to backup withholding provided that:

 

   

you are a corporation or other exempt recipient, or

 

   

you provide your correct United States federal taxpayer identification number and certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not subject to backup withholding.

Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your United States federal income tax, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS in a timely manner.

Documents on Display

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials may be inspected and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Commission’s Public Reference Room by calling the Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.

 

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Market Risks

Our exposure to financial market risks relates primarily to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To mitigate these risks, we utilize derivative financial instruments, the application of which is primarily for hedging, and not for speculative, purposes.

Interest Rate Risks

As of December 31, 2015, we had aggregate debts outstanding of NT$7,709 million (US$235 million), which was incurred for capital expenditure and general operating expenses. Of our outstanding debts as of December 31, 2015, 100% bear interest at variable rates. The interest rate for the majority of our variable rate debts varies based on a fixed percentage spread over the prime rate established by our lenders. Our variable rate debts had an annual weighted average interest rate of 1.654% as of December 31, 2015. Accordingly, we have cash flows and earnings exposure due to market interest rate changes for our variable rate debts. An increase in interest rates of 1% would increase our annual interest charge by NT$77 million (US$2 million) based on our outstanding floating rate indebtedness as of December 31, 2015.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, we had no interest rate swap agreements outstanding.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risks

Our foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risks associated with exchange rate movements against the NT dollar, the Japanese yen and the US dollar. As of December 31, 2015, 48.4% of our financial assets and 18.3% of our financial liabilities are denominated in the US dollar and Japanese yen, respectively. We do not hold or issue any derivative for trading purposes or to hedge against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. We mitigate this risk by conducting sales and purchases transactions in the same currency. These hedging transactions help to reduce, but do not eliminate, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements. An average appreciation of the NT dollar against all other relevant foreign currencies of 5% would decrease our exchange gain by NT$306 million (US$9 million) based on our outstanding assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, we had no outstanding forward exchange or foreign currency option contracts.

See Note 30 of our audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on financial risk management.

 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

Not applicable.

 

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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

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2015, due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the lack of a formalized process for the review and approval of the accounting treatment for significant and infrequent/complex transactions.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is set forth below.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

April 18, 2016

Management of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, the Company’s management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2015 because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the lack of a formalized process for the review and approval of the accounting treatment for significant and infrequent/complex transactions. This material weakness resulted in the restatement of equity attributable to equity holders of the Company and non-controlling interest as of September 30, 2015 as well as an audit adjustment proposed by our independent auditors for their audit of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Taiwan, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

/s/ Shih-Jye Cheng

   

/s/ Shou-Kang Chen

Name:   Shih-Jye Cheng     Name:   Shou-Kang Chen
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer     Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management has evaluated whether any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal year have materially affected, or reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, Based on the evaluation we conducted, management has concluded that, other than the material weakness as disclosed above, no such changes occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F.

Actions Taken to Remediate the Material Weakness. The Company had established a control in place subsequent to December 31, 2015 to implement a formalized process, including detailed analysis, i.e. research of literatures and materials or consult with external consultants when need, and multiple levels of review by qualified personnel including the CFO, of accounting treatment for significant and infrequent/complex transactions.

Under the control and formalized process established, a detailed assessment and analysis is performed to ensure proper accounting treatment for all significant and infrequent/complex transactions. Assessments performed are reviewed by the respective function manager, who is responsible for the transactions and is knowledgeable with the transaction details. The assessments are approved by a higher level of personnel. Upon posting journal entries related to the significant and infrequent/complex transactions, a step by step check is completed by the approving manager to the source documents and assessment performed to ensure the entry is recorded correctly and in the proper period.

 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Board of Directors have determined that Chin-Shyh Ou, one of our independent directors, qualified as audit committee financial expert and meets the independence requirement as defined in Item 16A to Form 20-F.

 

Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to our directors, officers and employees. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is filed as Exhibit 11.1 to this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The table below summarizes the aggregate fees that we paid or accrued for services provided by TIAOHO & CO., Moore Stephens and Moore Stephens CPA Limited for the years ended December 31, 2014 and by TIAOHO & CO., Moore Stephens CPA Limited and PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan for the years ended December 31, 2015.

 

     2014      2015  
     NT$      NT$  
     (In thousands)  

Audit Fees

   $ 19,191       $ 26,644   

Audit Related Fees

     —          190   

Tax Fees

     2,490        1,850   

All Other Fees

     —           500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 21,681       $ 29,184   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit Fees. This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements and services that are provided by the independent auditors in connection with our annual financial statements, internal control over financial reporting, quarterly financial statements, and related statutory and regulatory filings.

Audit-Related Fees. This category includes fees reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and not included in the category of Audit Fees (described above).

Tax Fees. This category includes aggregate fees for respective years for services relating to tax compliance, advice and planning.

All Other Fees. This category includes aggregate fees for respective years for services other than the services included in the above.

All non-audit services are pre-approved by our Audit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Accordingly, we have not established any pre-approval policies and procedures.

 

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All audit services that PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan was engaged from August 28, 2015 and Moore Stephens, and Moore Stephens CPA Limited (from January 1, 2015) were engaged to carry out after May 6, 2003, the effective date of revised Rule 2-01(c)(7) of Regulation S-X entitled “Audit Committee Administration of the Engagement” on strengthening requirements regarding auditor independence, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

 

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Repurchase Programs. On March 14, 2013, our Board of Directors approved and subsequently implemented a Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 share repurchase program in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, on May 24, 2013 to purchase through a broker our common shares, with a maximum purchase amount of US$7.5 million (Repurchase Program I). Repurchase Program I was terminated on November 21, 2013.

On November 12, 2014, our Board of Directors approved and subsequently implemented a Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 share repurchase program in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, on November 25, 2014 to purchase through a broker our common shares, with a maximum purchase amount of US$15 million (Repurchase Program II). Repurchase Program II was completed on January 21, 2015.

On August 7, 2015, our Board of Directors approved an accelerated start of previously approved repurchase program and subsequently implemented a Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 share repurchase program in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, on August 12, 2015 to purchase through a broker our common shares, with a maximum purchase amount of US$25 million (Repurchase Program III). Repurchase Program III was completed on September 24, 2015.

Other repurchases. On November 21, 2013, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of 4,093,705 of our common shares from ThaiLin to be consummated at two closings (“ThaiLin Repurchase”). The first closing of 2,000,000 common shares occurred on November 26, 2013 and the second closing of 2,093,705 common shares occurred on January 16, 2014.

On November 29, 2013, Mr. S. J. Cheng, our Chairman of Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, entered into a 10b5-1 sales plan for the sale of up to 250,000 shares of ChipMOS common shares between May 20, 2014 and June 20, 2014. The plan was entered into for personal tax planning and diversification purposes.

On August 12, 2014, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of 1,000,000 of our common shares from Siliconware Precision. The transaction was completed on September 3, 2014.

The table sets forth certain information about the purchase of our common shares by the Issuer’s repurchase programs for the year ended as of December 31, 2015.

 

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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average Price
Paid Per
Share (US$)
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
     Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
(US$ Million)
 

June – November, 2013 (Repurchase Program I)(1)

           

June 2013

     —              

July 2013

     10,000            

August 2013

     72,700            

September 2013

     —              

October 2013

     —              

November 2013

     4,400            
     87,100         15.41         87,100         None   

December, 2014 – January, 2015 (Repurchase Program II)

           

December 2014

     73,042            

January 2015

     564,762            
     637,804         23.52         637,804         None   

August – September, 2015 (Repurchase Program III)

           

August 2015

     328,100            

September 2015

     1,039,300            
     1,367,400         18.28         1,367,400         None   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     2,092,304            2,092,304      
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

Note:

(1) Does not include repurchases from ThaiLin on November 21, 2013.

 

Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Following the resignation of Moore Stephens CPA Limited (prior to January 1, 2015, known as Moore Stephens) (“Moore Stephens”) as the auditors of us at the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company held on August 28, 2015 (“2015 AGM”), PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan (“PwC Taiwan”) were appointed as the auditors of us at the 2015 AGM to fill the vacancy arising from the retirement of Moore Stephens.

The audit reports of Moore Stephens on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The audit report of Moore Stephens on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion.

During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 and from January 1, 2015 to May 21, 2015, there were no disagreements between Moore Stephens and us on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure and there were no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 16F (a) (1) (v) of Form 20-F.

We requested Moore Stephens to furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of Moore Stephens’ letter dated May 21, 2015 has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to this annual report.

During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 and in the subsequent interim period through the effective engagement date, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries consulted with PwC Taiwan concerning (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements and no written or oral advice was provided by PwC Taiwan that was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as that term is used in Item 16F (a) (a) (iv) of Form 20-F and the related instructions to Item 16F) with Moore Stephens or a “reportable event”

 

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Item 16G.     Corporate Governance

Our corporate governance practices are governed by applicable Bermuda law, specifically, the Bermuda Companies Act, and our memorandum of association and bye-laws. Also, because our securities are listed on the NASDAQ, we are subject to corporate governance requirements applicable to NASDAQ-listed foreign private issuers under NASDAQ listing rules.

Under NASDAQ Rule 5615(a)(3), NASDAQ-listed foreign private issuers may, in general, follow their home country corporate governance practices instead of most NASDAQ corporate governance requirements. However, all NASDAQ-listed, foreign private issuers must comply with NASDAQ Rules 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii), 5605(c)(3), 5625 and 5640.

Item 16G requires a foreign private issuer to provide in its annual report filed with the SEC a brief, general summary of any significant ways its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by NASDAQ-listed domestic companies. The table below provides this summary information as required by Item 16G and by NASDAQ Rule 5615(a) (3):

 

NASDAQ Listing Rule

  

Corporate Governance Practice To Be
Followed by Domestic Companies

  

Our Corporate Governance Practice

5605(b)    Requires a majority independent board and an independent director executive session.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.
5605(c)(1)    Audit committee charter requirements.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.
5605(c)(2)(A)(ii)    Audit committee composition and independence requirements.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.

5605(c)(2)(A)(i),

(iii), (iv)

   Audit committee financial sophistication requirements.    We follow governance practices under Bermuda law: Bermuda Companies Act does not have such requirement.
5605(c)(3)    Audit committee responsibilities and authority requirements.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.
5605(d), (e)    Requires independent director oversight of executive officer compensation and director nominations.    We follow governance practices under Bermuda law: Bermuda Companies Act does not have such requirement. All compensation committee members are independent directors. All directors who approve executive officer compensation and director nominations are independent directors.
5610    Requires a code of conduct for directors, officers and employees.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.
5620    Annual shareholder meeting requirements.   

We follow governance practices under Bermuda law.

The Bermuda Companies Act and our bye-laws provide for certain requirements for the annual shareholder meeting, including the following:

      (a) an annual general meeting at least once in every calendar year unless according to the provisions of Bermuda Companies Act, shareholders elect to dispense with the holding of annual general meetings;
      (b) the Bermuda Companies Act does not have express provisions requiring proxy solicitation; and
      (c) under bye-law 49, the quorum for any annual general meeting shall be at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding shares representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting and entitled to vote.
5625    Requires an issuer to notify NASDAQ of any material noncompliance with the Rule 5600 series.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.
5630    Requires oversight of related party transactions.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.

 

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NASDAQ Listing Rule

  

Corporate Governance Practice To Be
Followed by Domestic Companies

  

Our Corporate Governance Practice

5635    Circumstances that require shareholder approval.    We follow governance practices under Bermuda law. The Bermuda Companies Act and our bye-laws provide for certain circumstances which require shareholders’ approval, including but not limited to the following:
      (a) under bye-law 5, subject to the Bermuda Companies Act, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being issued may from time to time be altered or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution of our shareholders passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of such shares voting in person or by proxy;
      (b) under bye-law 129, subject to the Bermuda Companies Act and our bye-laws, any resolution proposed for consideration at any general meeting to approve (i) the merger, amalgamation or any other consolidation of us with any other company, wherever incorporated; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets; and (iii) the adoption for any plan or proposal for our liquidation, shall require the approval of our shareholders holding shares representing at least 70% of the total voting rights of all the shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting; and
      (c) under the Bermuda Companies Act, there are provisions setting out the requirements as well as specified shareholders’ approval for a scheme of arrangement, compulsory acquisition, amalgamation or merger.
5640    Shareholder voting rights requirements.    We follow the same NASDAQ listing rule governance practice as followed by domestic companies.

 

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PART III

 

Item 17. Financial Statements

The Company has elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.

 

Item 18. Financial Statements

The financial statements and related information of the Company are located at pages F-1 to F-72.

 

Item 19. Exhibits

 

Exhibits

  

Description

1.1    Memorandum of Association of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.(1)
1.2    Bye-laws of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.(10)
2.1    Certificate of Incorporation of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD., dated August 15, 2000.(1)
4.1   

Joint Venture Agreement, dated July 14, 1997, between Mosel Vitelic Inc. and Siliconware Precision Industries

Co., Ltd.(1)

4.2    Asset Sales Agreement, dated June 14, 1999, between Microchip Technology Taiwan and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.3    Tessera Compliant Chip License Agreement, dated April 20, 1999, between Tessera Inc. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.4    License Agreement, dated April 1, 1999, between Fujitsu Ltd. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.5    Sales Agreement, dated February 10, 2000, between Sharp Corp. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.6    Raw Materials Processing Agreement, dated August 10, 2000, between Mosel Vitelic Inc. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.7    Raw Materials Processing Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between Siliconware Precision Co. Ltd. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.8    Integrated Circuit Processing Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between Siliconware Precision Co. Ltd. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.9    Integrated Circuit Processing and Warehousing Management Agreement, dated August 10, 2000, between Mosel Vitelic Inc. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.10    Land Lease Agreement, dated November 26, 1997, between Science Based Industrial Park Administration and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.11    Land Lease Agreement, dated November 26, 1997, between Science Based Industrial Park Administration and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.12    Land Lease Agreement, dated September 1, 1997, between Science Based Industrial Park Administration and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(1)
4.13    Purchase Agreement, dated July 31, 1997, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Mosel Vitelic Inc.(1)
4.14    Form of Share Exchange Covenant Letter from the Company to the Shareholders.(1)
4.15    Amendment to the Integrated Circuit Processing and Warehousing Management Agreement, dated August 10, 2000, between Mosel Vitelic Inc. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC, dated September 1, 2001.(2)
4.16    Purchase Agreement, dated October 15, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and DenMOS Technology Inc.(2)
4.17    Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 25, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Ron How Investment Corp. (English Translation)(3)
4.18    Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 25, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Yuan Shan Investment Corp. (English Translation)(3)

 

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Exhibits

  

Description

4.19    Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 25, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Mosel Vitelic Inc. (English Translation)(3)
4.20    Laser Stamping Machine Lease Agreement, dated November 1, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and CHANTEK ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. (English Translation)(3)
4.21    Automatic Stamping Machine Lease Agreement, dated December 1, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and CHANTEK ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. (English Translation)(3)
4.22    Raw Materials Processing Agreement, dated January 1, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and CHANTEK ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. (English Translation)(3)
4.23    Integrated Circuit Processing Agreement, dated January 1, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and CHANTEK ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. (English Translation)(3)
4.24    Technology Transfer Agreement, dated December 24, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (English Translation)(3)
4.25    Tester Equipment Lease Agreement, dated November 14, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (English Translation)(3)
4.26    Tester Equipment Lease Agreement, dated December 3, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (English Translation)(3)
4.27    Joint Engagement Letter, undated, by and among Ultima Electronics Corp., ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Sun-Fund Securities Ltd. (English Translation)(3)
4.28    Lease Agreement, dated June 1, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and SyncMOS Technologies, Inc. (English Translation)(3)
4.29    Technology Transfer Agreement, dated August 1, 2002, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Shanghai) LTD.(3)
4.30    Promissory Note from Modern Mind Technology Limited to Jesper Limited, dated November 4, 2002.(3)
4.31    Deed of Variation, dated December 2, 2002, between Modern Mind Technology Limited and Jesper Limited.(3)
4.32   

Deed of Assignment, dated December 27, 2002, between Jesper Limited and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda)

LTD.(3)

4.33    Deed of Assignment, dated June 25, 2003, between Jesper Limited and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(3)
4.34    Agreement, dated May 3, 2003, between Jesper Limited and Modern Mind Technology Limited.(3)
4.35    Master loan agreement, dated July 12, 2004, among ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD., Modern Mind Technology Limited and Jesper Limited.(5)
4.36    Cooperation Agreement, dated March 27, 2002, between Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone Development (Group) Company and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. (English Translation)(3)
4.37    Deed of assignment, dated December 17, 2003, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.(4)
4.38    Supplemental deed of assignment, dated May 14, 2004 between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.(4)
4.39    Second supplemental deed of assignment, dated October 11, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(5)
4.40    Assignment agreement, dated April 7, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(4)
4.41    Supplemental assignment agreement, dated May 14, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(4)
4.42    Second supplemental assignment agreement, dated October 11, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(5)

 

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Exhibits

  

Description

4.43    Patent license agreement, dated April 7, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(4)
4.44    Supplemental patent license agreement dated July 8, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(5)
4.45    Second supplemental patent license agreement dated October 11, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(5)
4.46    Third supplemental patent license agreement dated December 30, 2004, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(5)
4.47    Assembly and Test Service Agreement, dated November 27, 2005, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Spansion LLC.(6)
4.48    Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement, dated February 13, 2007, among ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD., ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.(7)
4.49    Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 27, 2007, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.(7)
4.50    Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2007, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(9)
4.51    Assignment Agreement, dated April 12, 2007, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(8)
4.52    Form of Change In Control Severance Agreement.(9)
4.53    Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration Land Lease Agreement, dated June 1, 2007, between Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (English Translation)(9)
4.54    Second Amendment to Assembly and Test Service Agreement, dated July 16, 2007, by and between Spansion LLC and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(9)
4.55    Service Agreement for Integrated Circuit Products, dated July 17, 2007, by and between ProMOS Technologies Inc. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (English Translation)(9)
4.56    Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 8, 2007, among ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD., Giant Haven Investment Limited, ProMOS Technologies Inc. and Powertech Technology Inc.(9)
4.57    Third Amendment to Assembly and Test Services Agreement, dated November 30, 2007, by and between Spansion LLC and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(9)
4.58    Science Park Administration Land Lease Agreement, dated December 1, 2007, between Science Park Administration and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (English Translation)(9)
4.59    Lease Agreement, dated April 2, 2008, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (English Translation)(9)
4.60    Master Lease Agreement and Addendums to the Master Lease Agreement, dated November 9, 2009, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and GE Money Taiwan Limited.(11)
4.61    Transfer of Claim Agreement, dated January 25, 2010, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Citigroup Financial Products Inc.(11)
4.62    Share Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.(11)
4.63    Equipment Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.(11)
4.64    Assignment and Assumption Agreement, effective on April 22, 2011 between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (12)

 

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Exhibits

  

Description

4.65    Syndicated Loan Agreement, dated July 14, 2011, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Taiwan Cooperative Bank, Bank of Taiwan and Land Bank of Taiwan as the lead Arrangers. (English Translation) (13)
4.66    Underwriting Agreement, dated October 26, 2012, between the Company, ThaiLin, Siliconware Precision, Cowen and Company, LLC and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC.(14)
4.67    Share Purchase Agreement, dated November 21, 2013, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (15)
4.68    Syndicated Loan Agreement, dated July 2, 2014, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Bank of Taiwan as the lead Arranger. (English Translation) (16)
4.69    Share Purchase Agreement, dated August 14, 2014, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. (16)
4.70    Merger Agreement, dated November 12, 2014, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (English Translation) (16)
4.71    Share Subscription Agreement between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. (English Translation)
4.72    Strategic Alliance Agreement between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. (English Translation)
4.73    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 21, 2106, between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.(18)
4.74    Subscriber Joinder Agreement between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. (English Translation)
4.75    Share Subscription Agreement between ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. and Tibet MaoYeChaungXin INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED (English Translation)
  8.1    List of principal subsidiaries of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.
11.1    Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.(4)
12.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
12.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.
13.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act.
13.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act.
15.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Taiwan
15.2    Consent of Moore Stephens CPA Limited
16.1    Moore Stephens CPA Limited’s letter addressed to the SEC(17)

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-13218), filed on February 28, 2001.
(2) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 17, 2002.
(3) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 30, 2003.
(4) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 17, 2004.
(5) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 29, 2005.
(6) Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-130230), filed on December 9, 2005.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Schedule 13D filed with the United States SEC by Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2007.
(8) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 8 2007.
(9) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 6, 2008.
(10) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 4, 2009.
(11) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 4, 2010.
(12) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on June 3, 2011.
(13) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on April 26, 2012.
(14) Incorporated by reference to our Interim Report on Form 6-K (File No. 0-31106), filed on October 26, 2012.
(15) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on April 25, 2014.
(16) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 0-31106), filed on April 24, 2015.
(17) Incorporated by reference to our Form 6-K (File No. 0-31106), filed on May 21, 2015.
(18) Incorporated by reference to our Form 6-K (File No. 0-31106), filed on January 21, 2016.

We have not included as exhibits certain instruments with respect to our debt, the amount of debt authorized under each of which does not exceed 10% of our total assets, and we agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and it has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 20-F to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, on April 18, 2016.

 

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.
By:  

/s/ Shih-Jye Cheng

Name:   Shih-Jye Cheng
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

      Page(s)  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Income Statements

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

     F-9   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-12   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-14   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position and the related consolidated income statement, statement of comprehensive income, of changes in equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) because a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the lack of a formalized process for the review and approval of the accounting treatment for significant and infrequent/complex transactions existed as of that date. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness referred to above is described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15. We considered this material weakness in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2015 consolidated financial statements, and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in management’s report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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 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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of 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 (iii) 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 financial statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (continued)

 

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.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers, Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan

Republic of China

April 18, 2016

 

F-3


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (continued)

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014. We have also audited the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Group’s management is responsible for these financial statements, 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 Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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 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 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 financial statements.

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.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also, in our opinion, the Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

/s/ Moore Stephens CPA Limited

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong

March 12, 2015

 

F-4


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Income Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Note      2013     2014     2015     2015  
            NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     US$000  

Revenue

     4         19,361,930        22,005,131        19,869,391        605,959   

Cost of revenue

     5,16         (15,922,395     (16,782,190     (15,735,583     (479,890
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        3,439,535        5,222,941        4,133,808        126,069   

Other operating income

     6         442,411        182,272        126,009        3,843   

Research and development expenses

     5         (564,476     (678,830     (747,779     (22,805

Sales and marketing expenses

     5         (107,651     (101,811     (94,649     (2,887

Administrative and general expenses

     5         (699,126     (755,565     (817,681     (24,937

Other operating expenses

        (100,849     (144,622     (12,486     (380
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

        2,409,844        3,724,385        2,587,222        78,903   

Finance costs

     7         (183,005     (140,804     (143,470     (4,375

Other non-operating income (expense), net

     8         289,256        391,207        368,074        11,225   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

        2,516,095        3,974,788        2,811,826        85,753   

Income tax

     9         (827,094     (1,036,244     (935,855     (28,541
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year

        1,689,001        2,938,544        1,875,971        57,212   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

           

Equity holders of the Company

        1,335,348        1,663,234        970,131        29,586   

Non-controlling interests

        353,653        1,275,310        905,840        27,626   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        1,689,001        2,938,544        1,875,971        57,212   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Company:

     10            

Basic

      NT$ 45.55      NT$ 56.33      NT$ 34.49      US$ 1.05   

Diluted

      NT$ 44.27      NT$ 54.99      NT$ 33.95      US$ 1.04   

Details of dividends to equity holders of the Company for the years are set out in Note 11 to the financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

      Note      2013     2014     2015     2015  
            NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     US$000  

Profit for the year

        1,689,001        2,938,544        1,875,971        57,212   

Other comprehensive income:

           

Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

           

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

        27,438        29,962        27,594        842   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to profit or loss in the subsequent periods

        27,438        29,962        27,594        842   

Other comprehensive income (loss) not to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

           

Net actuarial losses

     23         (30,574     (14,502     (41,758     (1,274

Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint ventures which may not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

        —          —          (165     (5

Income tax effect

     9         5,198        2,465        7,099        216   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive loss not to be reclassified to profit or loss in the subsequent periods

        (25,376     (12,037     (34,824     (1,063

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax

        2,062        17,925        (7,230     (221
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

        1,691,063        2,956,469        1,868,741        56,991   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

           

Equity holders of the Company

        1,325,326        1,670,227        954,669        29,115   

Non-controlling interests

        365,737        1,286,242        914,072        27,876   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        1,691,063        2,956,469        1,868,741        56,991   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

December 31, 2014 and 2015

 

     Note      December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
            NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Assets

           

Non-current assets

           

Available-for-sale financial assets

     12         217,708         9,960         304   

Investment in associates

     13         —           346,268         10,560   

Property, plant and equipment

     14         13,494,889         14,102,337         430,080   

Deferred tax assets

     9         178,137         166,267         5,071   

Refundable deposits

        21,251         21,840         666   

Prepaid rent – non-current portion

     15         96,006         91,603         2,794   

Other non-current assets

        20,517         61,977         1,890   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        14,028,508         14,800,252         451,365   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

           

Inventories

     16         1,704,666         1,667,691         50,860   

Accounts and notes receivable

     17         4,876,713         3,890,508         118,649   

Other receivables

     17         145,382         137,013         4,178   

Short-term deposits

     18         269,399         85,247         2,600   

Other current assets

        673,779         200,583         6,117   

Cash and cash equivalents

     18         15,265,153         12,127,350         369,849   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        22,935,092         18,108,392         552,253   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

        36,963,600         32,908,644         1,003,618   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Continued)

December 31, 2014 and 2015

 

      Note      December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
            NT$000     NT$000      US$000  

Equity and liabilities

          

Capital and reserves

          

Issued capital

     19         34,019        31,954         974   

Reserves

        14,178,666        12,424,920         378,924   

Other component of equity

        456,638        471,956         14,394   

Treasury stock

     21         (52,558     —           —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

        14,616,765        12,928,830         394,292   

Non-controlling interests

        8,470,257        7,996,367         243,866   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

        23,087,022        20,925,197         638,158   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

          

Bank loans – non-current portion

     22         4,560,000        4,985,832         152,053   

Long-term deferred revenue

        93,424        89,168         2,719   

Accrued pension cost

     23         491,758        519,471         15,843   

Guarantee deposit

        1,694        2,099         64   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
        5,146,876        5,596,570         170,679   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

          

Accounts payable

        1,074,925        708,480         21,607   

Payables to contractors and equipment suppliers

        1,307,459        523,962         15,979   

Other payables

        1,905,292        1,868,694         56,990   

Current tax payable

        950,080        454,468         13,860   

Receipts in advance

        55,624        8,337         254   

Other current liabilities

        159,899        125,373         3,824   

Bank loans – current portion

     22         1,508,153        1,548,688         47,230   

Short-term bank loans

     24         1,768,270        1,148,875         35,037   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
        8,729,702        6,386,877         194,781   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        13,876,578        11,983,447         365,460   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

        36,963,600        32,908,644         1,003,618   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Attributable to equity holders of the Company              
           Reserves     Other component
of equity
                          
     Issued capital     Capital surplus
(Note 20)
    Retained
earnings
    Foreign currency
translation reserve
     Treasury stock
(Note 21)
    Total     Non-controlling
interests
    Total equity  
     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000      NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

January 1, 2013

     39,013        11,506,458        266,985        416,896         (635,741     11,593,611        3,995,690        15,589,301   

Profit for the year

     —          —          1,335,348        —           —          1,335,348        353,653        1,689,001   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          (31,778     21,756         —          (10,022     12,084        2,062   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          1,303,570        21,756         —          1,325,326        365,737        1,691,063   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based payments

     593        187,501        —          —           —          188,094        —          188,094   

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares by the company

     (102     (28,428     (11,675     —           —          (40,205     —          (40,205

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares held by a subsidiary, disposal of shares held by a subsidiary to third parties

     (2,339     (190,900     —          —           338,161        144,922        —          144,922   

Cash dividend (Note 11)

     —          —          (122,491     —           —          (122,491     —          (122,491
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company

     (1,848     (31,827     (134,166     —           338,161        170,320        —          170,320   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partial disposal of a subsidiary

     —          399,626        (9,755     —           —          389,871        3,146,906        3,536,777   

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

     —          —          —          —           —          —          (125,558     (125,558
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control

     —          399,626        (9,755     —           —          389,871        3,021,348        3,411,219   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the Company

     (1,848     367,799        (143,921     —           338,161        560,191        3,021,348        3,581,539   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other movements

     —          71,554        13,981        —           —          85,535        (357,812     (272,277
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

     37,165        11,945,811        1,440,615        438,652         (297,580     13,564,663        7,024,963        20,589,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Attributable to equity holders of the Company              
           Reserves     Other component
of equity
                          
     Issued capital     Capital surplus
(Note 20)
    Retained
earnings
    Foreign currency
translation reserve
     Treasury stock
(Note 21)
    Total     Non-controlling
interests
    Total equity  
     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000      NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

January 1, 2014

     37,165        11,945,811        1,440,615        438,652         (297,580     13,564,663        7,024,963        20,589,626   

Profit for the year

     —          —          1,663,234        —           —          1,663,234        1,275,310        2,938,544   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          (10,993     17,986         —          6,993        10,932        17,925   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          1,652,241        17,986         —          1,670,227        1,286,242        2,956,469   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based payments

     473        234,967        —          —           —          235,440        —          235,440   

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares by the company

     (1,170     (322,533     (345,758     —           (52,558     (722,019     —          (722,019

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares held by a subsidiary

     (2,449     (149,222     (145,982     —           297,580        (73     —          (73

Cash dividend (Note 11)

     —          —          (123,392     —           —          (123,392     —          (123,392
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company

     (3,146     (236,788     (615,132     —           245,022        (610,044     —          (610,044
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partial disposal of a subsidiary

     —          8,979        —          —           —          8,979        24,707        33,686   

Issuance of stock in subsidiaries

     —          —          —          —           —          —          576,746        576,746   

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

     —          —          —          —           —          —          (491,951     (491,951
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control

     —          8,979        —          —           —          8,979        109,502        118,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the Company

     (3,146     (227,809     (615,132     —           245,022        (601,065     109,502        (491,563
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other movements

     —          (22,781     5,721        —           —          (17,060     49,550        32,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

     34,019        11,695,221        2,483,445        456,638         (52,558     14,616,765        8,470,257        23,087,022   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Attributable to equity holders of the Company              
           Reserves     Other component
of equity
                          
     Issued capital     Capital surplus
(Note 20)
    Retained
earnings
    Foreign currency
translation reserve
     Treasury stock
(Note 21)
    Total     Non-controlling
interests
    Total equity  
     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000      NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

January 1, 2015

     34,019        11,695,221        2,483,445        456,638         (52,558     14,616,765        8,470,257        23,087,022   

Profit for the year

     —          —          970,131        —           —          970,131        905,840        1,875,971   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          (30,780     15,318         —          (15,462     8,232        (7,230
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     —          —          939,351        15,318         —          954,669        914,072        1,868,741   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based payments

     281        174,684        —          —           —          174,965        —          174,965   

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares by the company

     (2,346     (649,025     (629,812     —           52,558        (1,228,625     —          (1,228,625

Cash dividend (Note 11)

     —          —          (125,293     —           —          (125,293     —          (125,293
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contributions by and distributions to owners of the Company

     (2,065     (474,341     (755,105     —           52,558        (1,178,953     —          (1,178,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries (Note 27)

     —          (1,079,300     —          —           —          (1,079,300     (364,924     (1,444,224

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries (Note 26)

     —          —          —          —           —          —          (840,274     (840,274

Repurchase / Cancellation of shares in subsidiaries

     —          (315,210     —          —           —          (315,210     (318,527     (633,737

Issuance of restricted shares in subsidiaries

     —          —          —          —           —          —          106,523        106,523   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control

     —          (1,394,510     —          —           —          (1,394,510     (1,417,202     (2,811,712
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the Company

     (2,065     (1,868,851     (755,105     —           52,558        (2,573,463     (1,417,202     (3,990,665
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other movement

     —          (69,141     —          —           —          (69,141     29,240        (39,901
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

     31,954        9,757,229        2,667,691        471,956         —          12,928,830        7,996,367        20,925,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Note      2013     2014     2015     2015  
            NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     US$000  

Cash flows from operating activities

           

Profit before tax

        2,516,095        3,974,788        2,811,826        85,753   

Adjustments to reconcile profit before tax to net cash flows from operating activities:

           

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     5,14         3,292,144        2,906,086        3,018,977        92,070   

Amortization of assets

     5         2,804        2,880        2,946        90   

(Reversal) / allowance for impairment of accounts and notes receivable

     17         7,415        (161     —          —     

Reversal of impairment of other receivables

     6         (64,779     —          —          —     

Interest expense

     7         180,426        132,651        127,035        3,874   

Interest income

     8         (42,722     (64,352     (68,283     (2,082

Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets

     8         3,041        —          8,584        262   

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

     14         671        —          1,478        45   

Impairment of other non-current assets

        220        —          —          —     

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, net

        (121,212     (41,784     (1,644     (50

Share of profit of associates

     8         —          —          (31,269     (954

Share-based payments

     5         232,590        281,614        207,242        6,320   

Deferred income

     6         (2,375     (2,440     (2,496     (76

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           

Accounts and notes receivable

        (1,926     (761,925     986,205        30,076   

Other receivables

        81,401        60,055        (32,829     (1,001

Inventories

        168,486        (185,263     36,975        1,128   

Other current assets

        (1,103     (569,197     27,304        832   

Short-term deposits

        354,006        (87,000     191,974        5,855   

Accounts payable

        66,722        118,126        (366,445     (11,176

Other payables

        (127,698     294,980        46,185        1,408   

Receipts in advance

        4,464        22,518        (47,239     (1,441

Other current liabilities

        (29,638     (13,479     (34,526     (1,053

Accrued pension cost

        (22,797     (13,231     (14,044     (428
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        6,496,235        6,054,866        6,867,956        209,452   

Interest received

        41,343        64,701        67,960        2,073   

Interest paid

        (180,525     (132,554     (127,568     (3,891

Income tax paid

        (133,881     (387,097     (1,412,427     (43,075
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from operating activities

        6,223,172        5,599,916        5,395,921        164,559   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

           

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

        151,093        3,973        48,275        1,472   

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

     29         (3,251,283     (3,119,021     (4,428,057     (135,043

Acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets

     12         —          (209,114     —          —     

Acquisition of associates

     13         —          —          (116,000     (3,537

Decrease (increase) in refundable deposits

        610        (791     (589     (18

Decrease (increase) in other financial assets

        93,955        (468     (7,822     (239
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

        (3,005,625     (3,325,421     (4,504,193     (137,365
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Note      2013     2014     2015     2015  
            NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     US$000  

Cash flows from financing activities

           

Prepaid cost of issuing new shares

        —          —          (42,774     (1,304

Proceeds from short-term bank loans, net

        420,199        981,590        —          —     

Proceeds from long-term bank loans

     22         23,801        6,000,000        2,000,000        60,994   

Payments on short-term bank loans, net

        —          —          (619,395     (18,890

Payments on long-term bank loans

     22         (2,227,800     (6,695,575     (1,508,153     (45,994

Decrease (increase) in guarantee deposits

        (286     (498     405        12   

Cash received (paid) in respect of share-based payment

        (44,496     22,638        (7,873     (240

Payments on repurchase of shares

        (40,205     (722,019     (807,622     (24,630

Payment on disposal of shares held by a subsidiary

        —          (73     —          —     

Proceeds from disposal of shares held by a subsidiary to third parties

        144,922        —          —          —     

Proceeds from partial disposal of a subsidiary

        3,536,777        33,686        —          —     

Payments on acquisition of a subsidiary

     27         —          —          (1,444,224     (44,045

Cash dividend

     11         (122,491     (123,392     (125,293     (3,821

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

     26         (125,558     (491,951     (840,274     (25,626

Issuance of stock in subsidiaries

        —          576,746        —          —     

Repurchase / cancellation of shares by subsidiaries

        —          —          (633,737     (19,327

Changes in non-controlling interests

        (259,636     43,911        (27,627     (842
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) generated from financing activities

        1,305,227        (374,937     (4,056,567     (123,713
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

        4,522,774        1,899,558        (3,164,839     (96,519

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

        (13,620     (7,175     27,036        825   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

        8,863,616        13,372,770        15,265,153        465,543   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     18         13,372,770        15,265,153        12,127,350        369,849   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

1. Corporate and group information

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. (the “Company” or “ChipMOS Bermuda”) was incorporated under the laws of Bermuda on August 1, 2000, and its common shares have been traded on the NASDAQ Global Market since June 2001 and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since July 1, 2006. In February 2010, ChipMOS Bermuda submitted an application to the NASDAQ Stock Market to transfer its listing to the NASDAQ Capital Market from the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The NASDAQ Stock Market has determined that the Company meets the NASDAQ Capital Market initial listing criteria set forth in Listing Rule 5505. Its common shares have been traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market since March 17, 2010.

On January 21, 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved a one-for-four share combination of its common stock which became effective on January 21, 2011. As a result of this reverse stock split, every four shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued and outstanding as of January 21, 2011 were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share with par value change from US$0.01 to US$0.04 per share, and the number of authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock was proportionally reduced. A proportionate adjustment was also made to the Company’s outstanding stock options and convertible notes. No fractional shares were issued in connection with this reverse stock split, but rather shareholders who were entitled to fractional shares received cash in aggregate of NT$239 thousand in lieu of receiving fractional shares.

The consolidated financial statements include the financial result of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (“ChipMOS Taiwan”), ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. (“ThaiLin”, merged into ChipMOS Taiwan on June 17, 2015), ChipMOS U.S.A. Inc. ( “ChipMOS USA”), ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (BVI) LTD. (formerly known as Modern Mind Technology Limited) (“ChipMOS BVI”) and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Shanghai) LTD. (“ChipMOS Shanghai”) for the year ended December 31, 2015.

As of December 31, 2015, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include:

 

LOGO

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

1. Corporate and group information (continued)

 

ChipMOS Taiwan was incorporated in Taiwan on July 28, 1997 as a joint venture company between Mosel Vitelic Inc. and Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. (“SPIL”). Its operations consist of testing and assembly of semiconductors. In connection with a corporate restructuring on January 12, 2001, the holders of an aggregate of 583,419 thousand common shares of ChipMOS Taiwan executed a Purchase and Subscription Agreement whereby they transferred their shares of ChipMOS Taiwan to ChipMOS Bermuda in exchange for 14,585 thousand common shares in ChipMOS Bermuda. The selling shareholders, who previously held an aggregate of 70.25% of the entire outstanding common shares of ChipMOS Taiwan, thus became the holder of the entire outstanding common shares of ChipMOS Bermuda. Because 100% of the outstanding common shares of ChipMOS Bermuda were owned by former shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan, the exchange of shares has been accounted for as a merger as if ChipMOS Bermuda was the acquirer. Equity and operations attributable to ChipMOS Taiwan shareholders not participating in the exchange offer were reflected as non-controlling interests in the historical financial statements. In March 2007, ChipMOS Bermuda, ChipMOS Taiwan and SPIL completed a share purchase and subscription transaction whereby ChipMOS Bermuda purchased 100% of SPIL’s equity interest in ChipMOS Taiwan at US$0.75 per share. SPIL also subscribed to 3,043,749 newly issued common shares of ChipMOS Bermuda through a private placement of US$6.28 per share. After the transaction, ChipMOS Taiwan became a 99.14% subsidiary of ChipMOS Bermuda and SPIL owned 14.7% of ChipMOS Bermuda. In September 2007, another share exchange transaction was completed whereby ChipMOS Bermuda offered to exchange one share of ChipMOS Bermuda for 8.4 shares of ChipMOS Taiwan shares. The exchange was completed in September 2007 and ChipMOS Taiwan became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Bermuda. In February 2010, ChipMOS Bermuda entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with SPIL to sell to SPIL the holding of 133,000 thousand common shares of ChipMOS Taiwan for a consideration of NT$1,630,580 thousand. In January 2011, the transaction was completed. As part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (“TWSE”), on April 16, 2013, ChipMOS Bermuda completed the sale of 6.5 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan shares, at the price of NT$15.0 per share to ChipMOS Taiwan’s underwriters of the TWSE listing plan and to certain others, including non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. On October 3, 2013, ChipMOS Bermuda completed the sale of 180.0 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan shares, at the price of NT$20.0 per share to investors and certain non-US employees of ChipMOS Taiwan. Also on April 9, 2014, ChipMOS Bermuda completed the sale of 1.3 million outstanding ChipMOS Taiwan shares, at the price of NT$26.5 per share as “green shoe” option to market investors. Under a proposed merger between ChipMOS Taiwan and its subsidiary, ThaiLin which was approved by the Special General Meetings of Shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin on December 30, 2014, ThaiLin’s shareholders were offered a combination of NT$12.5 in cash and 0.311 of one ChipMOS Taiwan’s ordinary share in exchange for each ThaiLin’s ordinary share. The merger was completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan is the surviving entity and remains listed on the TWSE. As of December 31, 2015, ChipMOS Bermuda owned 58.27% (2014:60.38%) of ChipMOS Taiwan’s outstanding shares.

ThaiLin was incorporated on May 15, 1996 and is listed on the GreTai Securities Market in Taiwan. ThaiLin is engaged in wafer and semiconductor testing services. On December 31, 2002, ChipMOS Taiwan acquired an equity interest of 41.8% in ThaiLin. The interest in ThaiLin subsequently increased to 47.5%. On December 1, 2003, ChipMOS Taiwan obtained controlling influence over ThaiLin’s decisions on its operations, personnel and financial policies. Therefore, ThaiLin has been consolidated into these financial statements from December 1, 2003 in spite of the fact that ChipMOS Taiwan holds an equity interest of less than 50% in ThaiLin As of December 31, 2014, ChipMOS Taiwan held a 47.54% equity interest in ThaiLin. ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan. (see above)

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

1. Corporate and group information (continued)

 

ChipMOS USA was incorporated in the United States of America in October 1999. It engages in sales and customer services and all the expenses incurred from these activities are charged to current income. ChipMOS USA began generating revenue in 2001. As of December 31, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan owned 100% (2014: 100%) of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS USA.

ChipMOS BVI was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on January 29, 2002. ChipMOS BVI conducts its operations through ChipMOS Shanghai. ChipMOS Shanghai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS BVI was established in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) on June 7, 2002. ChipMOS Shanghai is engaged in wafer testing, semiconductor assembly and testing, and module and subsystem manufacturing. ChipMOS Shanghai commenced commercial production in 2003. Under an Assignment and Assumption Agreement signed on April 22, 2011, ThaiLin agreed to purchase a convertible notes issued by ChipMOS BVI (“MMT Notes”) from ChipMOS Bermuda for a purchase price US$39,950 thousand. On October 3, 2011, the transaction was completed. On October 3, 2011, ThaiLin converted the MMT Notes into common shares of ChipMOS BVI and purchased all of the remaining common shares of ChipMOS BVI from ChipMOS BVI’s sole shareholder, Jesper Limited. ChipMOS BVI and its wholly-owned subsidiary, ChipMOS Shanghai, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of ThaiLin. Following the merger of ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin completed on June 17, 2015, ChipMOS BVI and ChipMOS Shanghai became wholly-owned subsidiaries of ChipMOS Taiwan. As of December 31, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan owned 100% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS BVI and ChipMOS BVI owned 100% of the interests of ChipMOS Shanghai.

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies

 

  a) Basis of preparation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), which collective term includes all applicable individual IFRSs, International Accounting Standards (“IASs”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) of the IASB.

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the available-for-sale financial assets and defined benefit pension plans – plan assets measured at fair value.

These consolidated financial statements are presented in New Taiwan dollars (“NT$”), which is the Company’s functional currency.

 

  b) New and amended standards adopted by the group

The group has applied the following standards and amendments for the first time for their annual reporting period commencing 1 January 2015:

Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2010 – 2012 Cycle and 2011 – 2013 Cycle

Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions – Amendments to IAS 19

The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on the current period or any prior period and is not likely to affect future periods.

The group also elected to adopt the following two amendments early:

Annual Improvements to IFRSs – 2012 – 2014 Cycle, and

Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to IAS 1.

As these amendments merely clarify the existing requirements, they do not affect the group’s accounting policies or any of the disclosures.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  c) Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards

Amendment to IFRSs effective for the financial year ending December 31, 2015 are not expected to have a material impact on the Group. Major Amendment to IFRSs that are not yet effective are listed below:

 

New Standards, Interpretations and Amendments

   Effective date by
International  Accounting
Standards Board
IFRS 9, “Financial instruments”    January 1, 2018
IFRS 15, “Revenue from contracts with customers”    January 1, 2018
IFRS 16, “Leases”    January 1, 2019

Other Amendments to IFRSs not listed above are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

 

  d) Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ChipMOS Bermuda and all entities controlled by ChipMOS Bermuda. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company, using consistent accounting policies. The results of subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the parent of the Group and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.

The Group reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control described in the accounting policy for subsidiaries below. A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction.

Changes in the Group’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in the Group losing control over the subsidiaries are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), and liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. The Group’s share of components previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to income statements or retained profits, as appropriate, on the same basis as would be required if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  e) Significant judgments and estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of the Group. The Group continually evaluates these estimates, including those related to share-based payments, impairment of receivables, impairment of non-financial assets, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, defined benefit plans, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. The Group bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions, which it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Management has considered the development, selection and disclosure of the Group’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

Judgments

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgments which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements:

Entities in which the Group holds less than 50% of the voting rights

Before the merger as mentioned in Note 1 above, ChipMOS Bermuda consolidated ThaiLin in reliance on IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements” which requires a company to consolidate an entity, notwithstanding the lack of majority ownership, if such consolidation is necessary to present fairly its financial position and results of operations because of the existence of a parent-subsidiary relationship by means other than record ownership and by means other than record ownership of voting stock. This relationship is based on ChipMOS Bermuda’s power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of ThaiLin.

Revenue recognition

The Group estimates sales discounts and returns based on historical results and other known factors. Provisions for such liabilities are recorded as a deduction item to sales revenues when the sales are recognized. The Group reassesses the reasonableness of estimates of discounts and returns periodically.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  f) Property, plant and equipment and depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less provision for depreciation and impairment losses, if any.

The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable cost of bringing the asset to its working condition and location for its intended use. Expenditure incurred after the item has been put into operation, such as repairs and maintenance and overhaul costs, is normally charged to the consolidated income statements in the year in which it is incurred. In situations where it can be clearly demonstrated that the expenditure has resulted in an increase in future economic benefits expected to be obtained from the use of the item, the expenditure is capitalized as an additional cost of the item. When an item of property, plant and equipment is disposed of or retired, its cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the financial statements and any gain or loss resulting from the disposal or retirement, being the difference between the net proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, is included in consolidated income statements.

Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method, based on the estimated useful life of the individual assets, as follows:

 

Buildings and auxiliary equipment

     6 to 51 years   

Machinery and equipment

     2 to 6 years   

Tools

     2 to 5 years   

Other equipment

     2 to 6 years   

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, the cost of that item is allocated on a reasonable basis among the parts and each part is depreciated separately. Residual values, useful lives and the depreciation method are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at least at each financial year end.

An item of property, plant and equipment including any significant part initially recognized is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss on disposal or retirement recognized in the consolidated income statements in the year the asset is derecognized is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant asset.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  g) Impairment of non-financial assets

Where an indication of impairment exists, or when periodical impairment testing for an asset is required (other than inventories, deferred tax assets and financial assets), the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use of the asset or cash-generating unit to which it belongs and its fair value less costs to sell, and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets, in which case the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. An impairment loss is charged to the consolidated income statements in the period in which it arises in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

An assessment is made at the end of each reporting period as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount is estimated. A previously recognized impairment loss of an asset is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount of that asset, but not to an amount higher than the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of any depreciation), had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. A reversal of such impairment loss is credited to the consolidated income statements in the period in which it arises.

 

  h) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on a weighted average cost basis and includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

When inventories are consumed, the carrying amount of those inventories is recognized as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories is recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  i) Investments and other financial assets

Initial recognition and measurement

The Group’s financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, into financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”), loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial investments. When financial assets are recognized initially, they are measured at fair value plus transaction costs that are attributable to the acquisition of the financial assets.

All regular way purchases or sales of financial assets are recognized on the trade date, that is, the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within the time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of loans and receivables and a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees on points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Income is recognized on an effective interest basis for debt instruments.

Subsequent measurement

The subsequent measurement of financial assets depends on their classification as follows:

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at FVTPL include financial assets held for trading and those designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition.

A financial asset is classified as held for trading, mainly for cash management purpose as part of operating activities, if it has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near future; or it is a part of an identified portfolio of financial instruments that the Group manages together and has a recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or it is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.

A financial asset other than a financial asset held for trading may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition if:

 

   

such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise; or

 

   

the financial asset forms part of a group of financial assets or financial liabilities or both, which is managed and its performance is evaluated on fair value basis, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management or investment strategy, and information about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; or

 

   

it forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” permits the entire combined contract (asset or liability) to be designated as at FVTPL.

There were no financial assets at FVTPL at the end of the reporting periods.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  i) Investments and other financial assets (continued)

 

Subsequent measurement (continued)

 

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. At the end of each reporting period, subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables (including accounts and notes receivables, other receivables, refundable deposits, short-term deposits and cash and cash equivalents) are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any identified impairment losses.

Available-for-sale financial investments

Available-for-sale financial investments are non-derivative financial assets in unlisted equity investments. Equity investments classified as available for sale are those which are neither classified as held for trading nor designated as at fair value through profit or loss.

When the fair value of unlisted equity investments cannot be reliably measured because (a) the variability in the range of reasonable fair value estimates is significant for that investment or (b) the probabilities of the various estimates within the range cannot be reasonably assessed and used in estimating fair value, such investments are stated at cost less any impairment losses.

The Group evaluates whether the ability and intention to sell its available-for-sale financial investments in the near term are still appropriate. When, in rare circumstances, the Group is unable to trade these financial assets due to inactive markets, the group may elect to reclassify these financial assets if management has the ability and intention to hold the assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity.

 

  j) Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. An impairment exists if one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset have an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated. Evidence of impairment may include indications that a debtor or a group of debtors is experiencing significant financial difficulty, default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization and observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows, such as changes in arrears or economic conditions that correlate with defaults.

Financial assets carried at amortized cost

For financial assets carried at amortized cost, the Group first assesses whether impairment exists individually for financial assets that are individually significant, or collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. If the Group determines that no objective evidence of impairment exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, it includes the asset in a group of financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively assesses them for impairment. Assets that are individually assessed for impairment and for which an impairment loss is, or continues to be, recognized are not included in a collective assessment of impairment.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  j) Impairment of financial assets (continued)

 

Financial assets carried at amortized cost (continued)

 

The amount of any impairment loss identified is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not yet been incurred). The present value of the estimated future cash flows is discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (i.e., the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account and the loss is recognized in the consolidated income statement. Interest income continues to be accrued on the reduced carrying amount and is accrued using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss. Loans and receivables together with any associated allowance are written off when there is no realistic prospect of future recovery and all collateral has been realized or has been transferred to the Group.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the estimated impairment loss increases or decreases because of an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is increased or reduced by adjusting the allowance account. If a write-off is later recovered, the recovery is credited to other expenses in the consolidated income statement.

 

  k) Derecognition of financial assets

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognized (i.e., removed from the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position) when:

 

   

the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

 

   

the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a “pass-through” arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if and to what extent it has retained the risk and rewards of ownership of the asset. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognize the transferred asset to the extent of the Group’s continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognizes an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  l) Investments in associates

The Company’s investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method. An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of an entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies. Any difference between the acquisition cost and the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of associates is accounted for as follows:

 

  (a) Any excess of the acquisition cost over the company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of an associate at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill and is included in the carrying amount of the investment. Amortization of goodwill is not permitted.

 

  (b) Any excess of the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of an associate over the acquisition cost, after reassessing the fair value, is recognized as a gain in profit or loss on the acquisition date.

Under the equity method, the investments in associates are carried on the statements of financial position at cost plus post acquisition changes in the Company’s share of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of associates. The Company’s share of changes in associates’ profit or loss and other comprehensive income are recognized directly in profit or loss and other comprehensive income, respectively, of the Company. Distributions received from an associate reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Any unrealized gains and losses resulting from transactions between the Company and the associate are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the associate.

Upon an associate’s issuance of new shares, if the Company takes up more shares than its original proportionate holding while maintaining its significant influence over that associate, such increase would be accounted for as an acquisition of an additional equity interest in the associate. Upon an associate’s issuance of new shares, if the company does not take up proportionate shares and reduces its shareholding percentage while maintaining its significant influence over that associate, the Company will treat the transaction as deemed disposal and reclassify to profit or loss the proportion of the gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income relating to that reduction in ownership interest where appropriate.

The Company ceases to use the equity method upon loss of significant influence over an associate. Any difference between the carrying amount of the investment in an associate upon loss of significant influence and the fair value of the retained investment plus proceeds from disposal will be recognized in profit or loss.

The Company determines at each reporting date whether there is any objective evidence that the investments in associates are impaired. An impairment loss, being the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its carrying value, is recognized in profit or loss in the statement of comprehensive income and forms part of the carrying amount of the investments.

 

  m) Financial liabilities

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings, net of directly attributable transaction costs.

The Group’s financial liabilities include bank loans, accounts payable and other monetary liabilities.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  m) Financial liabilities (continued)

 

Subsequent measurement

The subsequent measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification as follows:

Loans and borrowings

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest rate method unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost. Gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated income statements when the liabilities are derecognized as well as through the effective interest rate amortization process.

Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate amortization is included in finance costs in the consolidated income statements.

The Company doesn’t have financial liabilities with other classification.

 

  n) Derecognition of financial liabilities

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled, or expired. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and a recognition of a new liability, and the difference between the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the consolidated income statements.

 

  o) Dividends

Dividends are simultaneously proposed and declared, because the Company’s bye – laws grant the directors the authority to declare dividends. Consequently, dividends are recognized immediately as a liability when they are proposed and declared.

 

  p) Operating lease charges

Where the Group has the use of assets held under operating leases, payments made under the leases are charged to the consolidated income statements in equal installments over the accounting periods covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more representative of the pattern of benefits to be derived from the leased assets. Lease incentives received are recognized in the consolidated income statements as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rentals, if any, are charged to the consolidated income statements in the accounting period in which they are incurred.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  q) Treasury stock

Treasury stock is stated at cost and shown as a deduction in equity. When the Company retires treasury stock, the treasury stock account is reduced and the share capital as well as the capital surplus – share premium are reversed on a pro rata basis. When the book value of the treasury stock exceeds the sum of par value and share premium, the difference is charged to respective capital surplus and to retained earnings for any remaining amount. The Company’s stock held by its subsidiary is treated as treasury stock.

 

  r) Provisions

A provision is recognized when a present obligation (legal or constructive) has arisen as a result of a past event and it is probable that a future outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, provided that a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

When the effect of discounting is material, the amount recognized for a provision is the present value at the end of the reporting period of the future expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The increase in the discounted present value amount arising from the passage of time is included in finance costs in the consolidated income statements.

 

  s) Foreign currency translation

The consolidated financial statements are presented in New Taiwan dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. Foreign currency transactions are initially recorded using the functional currency rates ruling at the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the functional currency rates of exchange ruling at the end of the reporting period. All differences are taken to profit or loss. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined. The functional currencies of certain overseas subsidiaries are currencies other than the New Taiwan dollars. As at the end of the reporting period, the assets and liabilities of these entities are translated into the presentation currency of the Company at the exchange rates ruling at the end of the reporting period, and their income and expense items are translated into New Taiwan dollars at the weighted average exchange rates for the year.

The resulting exchange differences are recorded in other comprehensive income and the cumulative balance is included in foreign currency translation reserve in the consolidated statements of changes in equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognized in foreign currency translation reserve relating to that particular foreign operation is recognized in the consolidated income statements. For the purpose of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows of overseas subsidiaries are translated into New Taiwan dollars at the exchange rates ruling at the dates of the cash flows. Frequently recurring cash flows of overseas subsidiaries which arise throughout the year are translated into New Taiwan dollars at the weighted average exchange rates for the year.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  t) Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits arising in the course of business will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured, regardless of when the payment is being made. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, taking into account contractually defined terms of payment and excluding taxes or duty.

The Group engaged in wafer testing, semiconductor assembly and testing, and module and subsystem manufacturing. The criteria that the Group uses to determine when to recognize revenue are: (a) the entity has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods; (b) the entity retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; (c) the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; (d) it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and (e) the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably, and (f) the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably.

The Group does not take ownership of: (1) bare semiconductor wafers received from customers that are assembled into finished semiconductors, and (2) assembled semiconductors received from the customers that it tests. The title and risk of loss remains with the customer for those bare semiconductors and/or assembled semiconductors. Accordingly, the customer-supplied semiconductor materials are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The Group does not provide warranties to customers except in cases of defects in the assembly services provided and deficiencies in testing services provided. An appropriate sales allowance is recognized in the period during which the sale is recognized, and is estimated based on historical experience.

Interest income

Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method by applying the rate that discounts the estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

 

  u) Government grant

The grant relates to land use rights in the PRC. Government grants are recognized at their fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attaching conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognized as other operating income on a systematic basis over 50 years in straight method that the costs, which it is intended to compensate, are expensed.

Where the grant relates to an asset, the fair value is credited to a deferred income account and is released to the consolidated income statement over the expected useful life of the relevant asset by equal annual instalments or deducted from the carrying amount of the asset and released to the consolidated income statement by way of a reduced depreciation charge.

Where the Group receives grants of non-monetary assets, the grants are recorded at the fair value of the non-monetary assets and released to the consolidated income statements over the expected useful lives of the relevant assets by equal annual instalments.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  v) Research and development costs

Research and development costs are expensed in the period in which it is incurred.

 

  w) Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. All other borrowing costs are charged to the consolidated income statements in the period in which they are incurred.

 

  x) Pension and other post-employment benefits

The Group operates defined contribution and defined benefit plans in the Republic of China (“ROC”) and PRC. For defined contribution retirement benefit plans, payments to the benefit plan are recognized as an expense when the employees have rendered service entitling them to the contribution. For defined benefit retirement plans, the cost of providing benefit is recognized based on actuarial calculations.

For defined benefit retirement benefit plans, the cost of providing benefits is determined using the Projected Unit Credit Method, with actuarial valuations being carried out at the year end. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period which they incur. Past service costs are recognized in the consolidated income statements on the earlier of the date of the plan amendment or curtailment, and the date that the Group recognizes restructuring-related costs. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit liability or asset. The Group recognizes i) service costs comprising current service costs, past service costs, gains and losses on curtailments and non-routine settlements, and ii) net interest expense or income, under cost of revenue, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses and administrative and general expenses in the consolidated income statements.

The employees of the subsidiary within the Group which operates in the PRC are required to participate in the central pension scheme operated by the local municipal government. The PRC subsidiary is required to contribute a percentage of its payroll costs to the central pension scheme as specified by the local municipal government.

Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognized when they accrue to employees. An accrual is made for the estimated liability for annual leave as a result of services rendered by employees up to the end of the reporting period.

 

  y) Share-based payments

Employees of the Group receive remuneration in the form of share-based payments, whereby employees render services as consideration for equity instruments (equity-settled transactions) or share appreciation rights, which are settled in cash (cash-settled transactions).

 

F-28


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  y) Share-based payments (continued)

 

Equity-settled transactions

The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair value at the date when the grant is made using an appropriate valuation model.

That cost is recognized, together with a corresponding increase in capital surplus in equity, over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled in employee benefits expense. The cumulative expense recognized for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest.

When the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, as a minimum, the services received measured at the grant date fair value of the equity instruments granted should be recognized, unless those equity instruments do not vest because of failure to satisfy a vesting condition (other than a market condition) that was specified at grant date. An additional expense is recognized for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.

Where an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense not yet recognized for the award is recognized immediately. This includes any award where non-vesting conditions within the control of either the Group or the employee are not met. However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled award, and is designated as a replacement award on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new awards are treated as if they were a modification of the original award, as described in the previous paragraph.

Cash-settled transactions

The cost of cash-settled transactions is measured initially at fair value at the grant date using an appropriate valuation model. This fair value is expensed over the period until the vesting date with recognition of a corresponding liability. The liability is re-measured to fair value at each reporting date up to, and including the settlement date, with changes in fair value recognized in employee benefits expense.

Restricted stocks

Restricted stocks issued to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted at the grant date, and are recognized as compensation cost over the vesting period.

For restricted stocks where those stocks do not restrict distribution of dividends to employees and employees are not required to return the dividends received if they resign during the vesting period, the Group recognizes the fair value of the dividends received by the employees who are expected to resign during the vesting period as compensation cost at the date of dividends declared.

For restricted stocks where employees do not need to pay to acquire those stocks, if the employees who resign during the vesting period, the Group will recover and retire those stocks at no cost.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  z) Income tax

Income tax represents the sum of current and deferred tax. Income tax relating to items recognized outside profit or loss is recognized outside profit or loss, either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period, taking into consideration interpretations and practices prevailing in the countries in which the Group operates.

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, on all temporary differences at the end of the reporting period between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except:

 

   

when the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

 

   

in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, when the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, the carryforward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences, the carryforward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilized, except:

 

   

when the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary differences arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; and

 

   

in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, deferred tax assets are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at the end of each reporting period and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  z) Income tax (continued)

 

Deferred tax is calculated, without discounting, at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

  aa) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, and short-term highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash, are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and have a short maturity of generally within three months when acquired.

 

  bb) Related parties

 

  (a) A person, or a close member of that person’s family, is related to the Group if that person:

 

  (i) has control or joint control over the Group;

 

  (ii) has significant influence over the Group; or

 

  (iii) is a member of key management personnel of the Group or the Group’s parent.

or

 

  (b) An entity is related to the Group if any of the following conditions applies:

 

  (i) The entity and the Group are members of the same group.

 

  (ii) One entity is an associate or joint venture of the other entity (or an associate or joint venture of a member of a group of which the other entity is a member).

 

  (iii) The entity and the Group are joint ventures of the same third party.

 

  (iv) One entity is a joint venture of a third entity and the other entity is an associate of the third entity.

 

  (v) The entity is a post-employment benefit plan for the benefit of employees of either the Group or an entity related to the Group.

 

  (vi) The entity is controlled or jointly controlled by a person identified in (a).

 

  (vii) A person identified in (a)(i) has significant influence over the entity or is a member of the key management personnel of the entity (or of a parent of the entity).

 

  cc) Subsidiaries

A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity) controlled by the Company. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give the Group the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee).

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

2. Basis of preparation of financial statements and principal accounting policies (continued)

 

  cc) Subsidiaries (continued)

 

When the Company has, directly or indirectly, less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

 

   

the contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee;

 

   

rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

 

   

the Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

 

  dd) Fair value measurement

The Group measures its accrued pension cost at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group. The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

Level 1 – based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – based on valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is observable, either directly or indirectly

Level 3 – based on valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable

For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the financial statements on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorization (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

3. Translation into U.S. dollar amounts

The Company maintains its accounts and expresses its consolidated financial statements in New Taiwan dollars. For convenience purposes, U.S. dollar amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been translated from New Taiwan dollars to U.S. dollars at the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2015, which was NT$32.79 to US$1.00. These convenience translations should not be construed as representations that the New Taiwan dollar amounts have been, or could in the future be, converted into U.S. dollars at this or any other rate of exchange.

 

4. Segment Information

The Group engages mainly in the research and development, manufacturing, assembly and testing of semiconductors. In accordance with IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”, the Group’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer / Chairman, who reviews these segment results by Testing, Assembly, Testing and Assembly for Liquid Crystal Display and other Flat-Panel Display Driver Semiconductors (“LCDD”) and Bumping when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing the performance of the Group. The information of the segments’ other assets and liabilities are not regularly provided to the Chief Executive Officer / Chairman for decision making. Financial segment information is as below:

The Group uses operating profit (loss) as the measurement for segment profit (loss) and the basis of performance assessment. There was no material inconsistency between the accounting policies of the operating segment and the accounting policies described in Note 2.

 

     2013  
     Testing      Assembly      LCDD      Bumping      Others      Elimination      Total  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Revenue

                    

External customers

     4,596,117         6,273,672         4,781,221         3,710,920         —           —           19,361,930   

Inter-segment

     4,923         130,634         —           —           44,211         (179,768      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     4,601,040         6,404,306         4,781,221         3,710,920         44,211         (179,768      19,361,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     720,015         768,267         1,352,510         529,290         44,211         25,242         3,439,535   

Operating profit

     336,959         374,420         1,057,372         332,364         165,130         143,599         2,409,844   

Depreciation and amortization

     (1,314,987      (590,899      (1,008,206      (390,963      (53,963      64,070         (3,294,948

Interest income

     —           —           —           —           43,983         (1,261      42,722   

Interest expense

     —           —           —           —           (181,687      1,261         (180,426

Share of profit of associates

     —           —           —           —           1,752,729         (1,752,729      —     

Impairment loss recognized during the year

     —           —           —           —           (3,932      —           (3,932

Expenditure for segment assets

     350,081         770,218         2,053,704         455,367         74         (4,581      3,624,863   

Property, plant and equipment

     3,239,589         2,672,015         4,564,714         2,470,019         379         (134,763      12,811,953   

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

4. Segment Information (continued)

 

     2014  
     Testing      Assembly      LCDD      Bumping      Others      Elimination      Total  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Revenue

                    

External customers

     5,119,534         7,670,011         5,171,269         4,044,317         —           —           22,005,131   

Inter-segment

     230,663         210         —           —           49,125         (279,998      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     5,350,197         7,670,221         5,171,269         4,044,317         49,125         (279,998      22,005,131   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,673,373         1,425,201         1,295,555         755,541         49,125         24,146         5,222,941   

Operating profit

     1,257,818         1,003,190         1,009,052         475,156         (173,885      153,054         3,724,385   

Depreciation and amortization

     (740,341      (563,327      (1,178,872      (435,967      (53,902      63,443         (2,908,966

Interest income

     —           —           —           —           65,587         (1,235      64,352   

Interest expense

     —           —           —           —           (133,886      1,235         (132,651

Share of profit of associates

     —           —           —           —           2,353,419         (2,353,419      —     

Expenditure for segment assets

     773,634         977,202         1,055,768         777,258         —           (15,621      3,568,241   

Property, plant and equipment

     3,256,167         3,172,127         4,407,990         2,791,221         200         (132,816      13,494,889   

 

F-34


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

4. Segment Information (continued)

 

     2015  
     Testing      Assembly      LCDD      Bumping      Others      Elimination      Total      Total  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Revenue

                       

External customers

     4,833,929         6,270,349         5,396,001         3,369,112         —           —           19,869,391         605,959   

Inter-segment

     172,264         579         —           —           44,576         (217,419      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     5,006,193         6,270,928         5,396,001         3,369,112         44,576         (217,419      19,869,391         605,959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     1,614,800         457,533         1,673,100         325,387         44,576         18,412         4,133,808         126,069   

Operating profit

     1,220,942         (40,210      1,353,765         28,605         (125,240      149,361         2,587,222         78,903   

Depreciation and amortization

     (697,990      (628,842      (1,157,809      (548,234      (54,064      65,016         (3,021,923      (92,160

Interest income

     —           —           —           —           69,973         (1,690      68,283         2,082   

Interest expense

     —           —           —           —           (128,725      1,690         (127,035      (3,874

Share of profit of associates

     —           —           —           —           1,261,910         (1,230,641      31,269         954   

Impairment loss recognized during the year

     —           —           —           —           (10,062      —           (10,062      (307

Expenditure for segment assets

     796,964         895,767         1,366,389         589,615         2,477         (6,652      3,644,560         111,149   

Property, plant and equipment

     3,360,067         3,504,868         4,560,047         2,802,524         2,400         (127,569      14,102,337         430,080   

Geographic information of revenue:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Area

           

ROC

     13,955,389         15,747,158         14,464,408         441,122   

U.S.

     830,911         745,837         449,677         13,714   

Singapore

     2,838,978         3,471,540         2,928,591         89,314   

Korea

     611,357         882,819         587,266         17,910   

Japan

     516,995         736,705         991,891         30,250   

Others

     608,300         421,072         447,558         13,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     19,361,930         22,005,131         19,869,391         605,959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-35


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

4. Segment Information (continued)

 

Net revenue from customers representing at least 10% of the total revenue:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     Amount      %      Amount      %      Amount      %      Amount  
     NT$000             NT$000             NT$000             US$000  

Customers

                    

Novatek Microelectronics Corp. (“Novatek”)

     3,838,436         20         4,404,039         20         4,307,855         22         131,377   

Micron Technology, Inc. Group (“Micron”)

     2,896,514         15         3,521,646         16         2,935,820         15         89,534   

Winbond Electronics Corporation (“Winbond”)

     1,574,078         8         2,227,706         10         2,386,975         12         72,796   

The revenue generated from the above customers is mainly from the segments of Testing, Assembly, LCDD and Bumping.

 

5. Operating costs and expenses

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Change of finished goods and work in process

     (31,089      50,749         6,575         201   

Consumption of raw materials and materials

     4,489,294         4,673,832         3,605,379         109,954   

Employee benefit cost

     5,063,568         5,611,757         5,652,706         172,391   

Depreciation and amortization

     3,294,948         2,908,966         3,021,923         92,160   

Other expenses

     4,476,927         5,073,092         5,109,109         155,813   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

     17,293,648         18,318,396         17,395,692         530,519   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Employee benefit cost

           

Salaries

     4,071,584         4,473,983         4,520,784         137,871   

Labor and health insurance

     320,083         341,542         355,331         10,837   

Pension

     210,772         217,877         234,721         7,158   

Share-based payments

     232,590         281,614         207,242         6,320   

Other personnel expenses

     228,539         296,741         334,628         10,205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,063,568         5,611,757         5,652,706         172,391   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-36


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

6. Other operating income

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     121,297         42,322         3,050         93   

Deferred income

     2,375         2,440         2,496         76   

Reversal of allowance for impairment of other receivables

     64,779         —           —           —     

Gain on disposal of scrapped material

     38,322         45,397         36,804         1,123   

Reversal of accrued royalty fees

     140,435         —           —           —     

Compensation of insurance

     3,601         12,172         —           —     

Settlement of advance and sundry credit

     11,271         35,241         11,109         339   

Others

     60,331         44,700         72,550         2,212   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     442,411         182,272         126,009         3,843   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

7. Finance costs

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Interest on bank loans

     204,710         146,397         146,445         4,466   

Less: amounts capitalized in qualifying assets

     (24,284      (13,746      (19,410      (592
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     180,426         132,651         127,035         3,874   

Finance expenses

     2,579         8,153         16,435         501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     183,005         140,804         143,470         4,375   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8. Other non-operating income (expense), net

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Interest income

     42,722         64,352         68,283         2,082   

Foreign exchange gains (losses), net

     233,990         306,931         260,497         7,945   

Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets

     (3,041      —           (8,584      (262

Gain on disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     7,143         12,212         11,483         350   

Share of profit of associates

     —           —           31,269         954   

Others

     8,442         7,712         5,126         156   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     289,256         391,207         368,074         11,225   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-37


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

9. Income tax

The Company is an exempted company incorporated in Bermuda, a tax-free country.

Income tax expense arising in other jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the relevant jurisdictions, based on existing legislation, interpretations and practices in respect thereof.

The statutory tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 for ChipMOS Taiwan, ThaiLin and ChipMOS Shanghai were 17%, 17% and 25%, respectively.

 

  (1) The major components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Current income tax:

           

Current tax on profits for the period

     250,361         923,223         720,461         21,972   

Income tax on unappropriated earnings

     151,758         98,107         198,157         6,043   

Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous year

     21,641         (4,340      (1,732      (53
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current tax

     423,760         1,016,990         916,886         27,962   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax:

           

Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences

     403,334         19,254         18,969         579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax

     403,334         19,254         18,969         579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense reported in the consolidated income statements

     827,094         1,036,244         935,855         28,541   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax charged to other comprehensive income:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Net actuarial losses

     5,198               2,465               7,099               216   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2) Reconciliation of income tax expense and the accounting profit before income tax:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Tax calculated based on profit before tax and statutory tax rate

     569,690         947,951         711,862         21,710   

Expenses disallowed by tax regulation

     2,516         7,100         5,692         174   

Temporary difference not recognized as deferred tax assets

     (11,326      (6,435      (13,483      (411

Tax effected amount

     (31,747      (167      6,522         199   

Taxable loss not recognized as deferred tax assets

     43,944         5,999         25,737         785   

Effect of different tax rates in countries in which the group operates

     80,618         (11,971      3,100         94   

Prior year income tax (over) under estimate

     21,641         (4,340      (1,732      (53

Income tax on unappropriated earnings

     151,758         98,107         198,157         6,043   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense reported in the consolidated income statements

     827,094         1,036,244         935,855         28,541   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-38


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

9. Income tax (continued)

 

  (3) The details of deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:

 

     January 1,      Profit and
loss
     Other
comprehensive
income
     December 31,      December 31,  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Year of 2014

              

Unrealized exchange gains (losses)

     (6,887      (1,642      —           (8,529   

Accounts receivable

     11,871         (1,765      —           10,106      

Inventories

     13,589         (252      —           13,337      

Property, plant and equipment

     12,677         (3,338      —           9,339      

Deferred income

     69,525         (9,550      —           59,975      

Share-based payments

     642         414         —           1,056      

Provision

     7,038         3,273         —           10,311      

Financing charges

     4,312         (4,312      —           —        

Accrued pension cost

     81,528         (1,986      2,465         82,007      

Other

     631         (96      —           535      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     194,926         (19,254      2,465         178,137      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Year of 2015

              

Unrealized exchange gains (losses)

     (8,529      2,686         —           (5,843      (178

Accounts receivable

     10,106         6,367         —           16,473         502   

Inventories

     13,337         1,486         —           14,823         452   

Property, plant and equipment

     9,339         (5,667      —           3,672         112   

Deferred income

     59,975         (9,552      —           50,423         1,538   

Share-based payments

     1,056         (1,056      —           —           —     

Provision

     10,311         (10,311      —           —           —     

Accrued pension cost

     82,007         (2,387      7,099         86,719         2,645   

Other

     535         (535      —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     178,137         (18,969      7,099         166,267         5,071   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-39


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

9. Income tax (continued)

 

  (4) Expiration dates of unused taxable loss and amounts of unrecognized deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

December 31, 2014

 

Year incurred

   Amount filed  /
assessed
     Unused
amount
     Unrecognized
amount
     Usable until  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000         

2010 (assessed)

     216,415         216,415         216,415         2015   

2011 (assessed)

     183,912         183,912         183,912         2016   

2012 (filed)

     240,793         240,793         240,793         2017   

2013 (filed)

     192,047         192,047         192,047         2018   

2014 (filed)

     81,847         81,847         81,847         2019   

December 31, 2015

 

Year incurred

   Amount filed  /
assessed
     Unused
amount
     Unrecognized
amount
     Usable until  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000         

2011 (assessed)

     180,408         180,408         180,408         2016   

2012 (filed)

     236,206         236,206         236,206         2017   

2013 (filed)

     188,388         188,388         188,388         2018   

2014 (filed)

     80,288         80,288         80,288         2019   

2015 (filed)

     249,419         249,419         249,419         2020   

 

  (5) The amounts of deductible temporary difference that are not recognized as deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

     2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Deductible temporary differences

     165,398         139,241         4,246   

 

10. Earnings per share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

10. Earnings per share (“EPS”) (continued)

 

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for basic earnings

     1,335,348         1,663,234         970,131         29,586   

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic EPS (in thousands)*

     29,319         29,527         28,128         28,128   

Earnings per share – basic

   NT$ 45.55       NT$ 56.33       NT$ 34.49       US$ 1.05   

Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for diluted earnings

     1,335,348         1,663,234         970,131         29,586   

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic EPS (in thousands)*

     29,319         29,527         28,128         28,128   

Effect of dilution:

           

Share options (in thousands)

     843         717         447         447   

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted EPS (in thousands)*

     30,162         30,244         28,575         28,575   

Earnings per share – diluted

   NT$ 44.27       NT$ 54.99       NT$ 33.95       US$ 1.04   

 

  * The weighted average number of shares takes into account the weighted average effect of changes in treasury share transaction during the year.

 

11. Dividend

A dividend of US$0.14 per share was approved and declared by the Board of Directors on August 12, 2014. The dividend of NT$123,392 thousand was fully paid on October 30, 2014 to all common shareholders of record at the close of business on October 16, 2014.

A dividend of US$0.14 per share was approved and declared by the Board of Directors on July 14, 2015. The dividend of NT$125,293 thousand (US$3,821 thousand) was fully paid on October 30, 2015 to all common shareholders of record at the close of business on October 16, 2015.

 

12. Available-for-sale financial assets

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Unlisted equity investments, at cost

     279,044         79,880         2,436   

Less: Allowance for impairment losses

     (61,336      (69,920      (2,132
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     217,708         9,960         304   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

13. Investment in associates

Details of investment in associates are as follows:

 

     Country  of
incorporation
and business
   Measurement
method
   December 31, 2014      December 31, 2015  

Investee company

         Carrying
amount
     Ownership      Carrying
amount
     Ownership  
               NT$000      %      NT$000      US$000      %  

JMC ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

   Kaohsiung

Taiwan

   Equity method      —           —           346,268         10,560         21   

The Company acquired 13,300 thousand JMC ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (“JMC”) common shares in August 2014, totaled NT$199,164 thousand. JMC issued new shares on January 31, 2015, and the Company took up 5,800 thousand shares at the purchase price of NT$20 per common share. The Company’s ownership in JMC increased from 19% to 21% and obtained significant influence over JMC which became an investment in associate and was measured by equity method from available for sale financial assets.

The tables below provide summarized financial information for the investment in associates that are material to the Group.

Statements of financial position

 

     JMC  
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      US$000  

Current assets

     765,420         23,343   

Non-current assets

     905,803         27,624   

Current liabilities

     (259,280      (7,907

Non-current liabilities

     (783      (24
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     1,411,160         43,036   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group’s share

     299,448         9,132   

Goodwill

     46,820         1,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amount

     346,268         10,560   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Statements of comprehensive income

 

     JMC  
     Year ended December 31,  
     2015      2015  
     NT$000      US$000  

Revenue

     1,588,245         48,437   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit for the year

     284,267         8,669   

Other comprehensive income (after tax)

     (774      (23
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     283,493         8,646   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividend received from the investment in associate

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-42


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

14. Property, plant and equipment

 

    Land     Buildings
and  auxiliary
equipment
    Machinery  and
equipment
    Tools     Other
equipment
    Construction
in progress
and equipment
to be
inspected
    Total     Total  
    NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     NT$000     US$000  

January 1, 2014

               

Cost

    452,738        10,015,141        42,112,850        3,464,418        3,452,809        357,441        59,855,397     

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

    —          (4,845,988     (35,998,552     (3,089,527     (3,109,377     —          (47,043,444  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
    452,738        5,169,153        6,114,298        374,891        343,432        357,441        12,811,953     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

January 1, 2014

    452,738        5,169,153        6,114,298        374,891        343,432        357,441        12,811,953     

Additions

    —          180,711        1,001,180        198,685        106,537        2,081,128        3,568,241     

Disposals

    —          —          647        (621     (3,769     —          (3,743  

Reclassification

    —          31,943        1,281,255        37,708        32,644        (1,383,550     —       

Depreciation charge for the year

    —          (582,971     (1,946,727     (230,819     (145,569     —          (2,906,086  

Exchange adjustments

    —          15,448        4,254        3,365        1,332        125        24,524     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

December 31, 2014

    452,738        4,814,284        6,454,907        383,209        334,607        1,055,144        13,494,889     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

December 31, 2014

               

Cost

    452,738        10,149,875        43,777,733        3,607,422        3,522,614        1,055,144        62,565,526     

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

    —          (5,335,591     (37,322,826     (3,224,213     (3,188,007     —          (49,070,637  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
    452,738        4,814,284        6,454,907        383,209        334,607        1,055,144        13,494,889     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

January 1, 2015

               

Cost

    452,738        10,149,875        43,777,733        3,607,422        3,522,614        1,055,144        62,565,526        1,908,067   

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

    —          (5,335,591     (37,322,826     (3,224,213     (3,188,007     —          (49,070,637     (1,496,512
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    452,738        4,814,284        6,454,907        383,209        334,607        1,055,144        13,494,889        411,555   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

January 1, 2015

    452,738        4,814,284        6,454,907        383,209        334,607        1,055,144        13,494,889        411,555   

Additions

    —          138,520        591,669        159,002        225,097        2,530,272        3,644,560        111,149   

Disposals

    —          —          (2,803     (117     (2,190     —          (5,110     (156

Reclassification

    —          473,747        2,243,253        34,487        6,704        (2,758,191     —          —     

Depreciation charge for the year

    —          (610,551     (2,013,069     (233,242     (162,115     —          (3,018,977     (92,070

Impairment

    —          —          —          —          (1,478     —          (1,478     (45

Exchange adjustments

    —          (7,042     (1,322     (1,420     (641     (1,122     (11,547     (353
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

    452,738        4,808,958        7,272,635        341,919        399,984        826,103        14,102,337        430,080   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

               

Cost

    452,738        10,724,537        46,419,955        3,666,373        3,059,672        826,103        65,149,378        1,986,867   

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

    —          (5,915,579     (39,147,320     (3,324,454     (2,659,688     —          (51,047,041     (1,556,787
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    452,738        4,808,958        7,272,635        341,919        399,984        826,103        14,102,337        430,080   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, certain of the above property, plant and equipment were pledged as collateral for long-term and short-term bank loans (Notes 22, 24 and 31).

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

14. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

     2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Capitalization interest

     13,746         19,410         592   

Capitalization interest rate applied

     1.97%~3.1524%         1.7814%~3.1678%         1.7814%~3.1678%   

 

15. Prepaid rent

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Prepaid rent – current

     2,624         2,574         78   

Prepaid rent – non-current

     96,006         91,603         2,794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     98,630         94,177         2,872   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Prepaid rent represents government grant of land use rights. The fair value of the land use rights is credited to a deferred income account and is released to rent expense over the expected useful life of 50 years by equal annual instalments. The land use rights were pledged as of December 31, 2014 (Note 31). The current portion is included in other current assets.

There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to these grants.

 

16. Inventories

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Raw materials

     1,532,628         1,515,096         46,206   

Work in process

     182,331         195,016         5,947   

Finished goods

     72,288         52,615         1,605   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,787,247         1,762,727         53,758   

Less: Allowance for impairment losses

     (82,581      (95,036      (2,898
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,704,666         1,667,691         50,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Cost of revenue

     16,778,142         15,694,531         478,638   

Loss on abandonment

     9,372         28,486         869   

Allowance (reversal) for inventory valuation and obsolescence loss

     (5,324      12,566         383   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     16,782,190         15,735,583         479,890   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, no inventories were pledged.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

17. Accounts and notes and other receivables

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Accounts receivable

     4,881,649         3,889,114         118,607   

Notes receivable

     2,375         1,394         42   

Less: Allowance for impairment losses

     (7,311      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,876,713         3,890,508         118,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other receivables

     145,859         137,013         4,178   

Less: Allowance for impairment losses

     (477      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     145,382         137,013         4,178   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,022,095         4,027,521         122,827   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, no accounts and notes and other receivables were pledged.

The movements in allowance for impairment of accounts and other receivables during the year are as follows:

 

      Accounts receivable
NT$000
     Other receivables
NT$000
 

January 1, 2014

     7,472         477   

Impairment losses reversed

     (161      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

     7,311         477   

Amount written off

     (7,311      (477
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2015 (US$000)

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivables that were neither past due nor impaired relate to a large number of diversified customers for whom there was no recent history of default.

Receivables that were past due but not impaired relate to a number of independent customers that have a good track record with the Group. Based on past experience, the management of the Company are of the opinion that no provision for impairment is necessary in respect of these balances as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the balances are still considered fully recoverable.

The individually impaired receivables related to customers that were in financial difficulties or other factors, e.g. the customers were in default or delinquency in interest or principal payments and only a portion of the receivables is expected to be recovered.

The Group’s accounts receivable that were neither past due nor impaired were fully perform in line with the credit standards prescribed based on counterparties’ industrial characteristics, scale of business and profitability.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

17. Accounts and notes and other receivables (continued)

 

Ageing of accounts receivable which are past due but not impaired is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
          December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000           NT$000      US$000  

£ 1 month

     71,823            37,785         1,152   

1 – 2 months

     18            207         7   

2 – 3 months

     3            1         —     

3 – 4 months

     —              —           —     

> 4 months

     50            337         10   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     71,894            38,330         1,169   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

18. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposits

 

     December 31,
2014
          December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000           NT$000      US$000  

Short-term deposits

     5,413,684            5,966,527         181,962   

Cash

     537            563         17   

Cash at banks

     10,120,331            6,245,507         190,470   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     15,534,552            12,212,597         372,449   

Less:

           

Short-term deposits with a maturity date of more than three months

     (188,400         —           —     

Unpledged short-term deposits

     —              (20,036      (611

Restricted short-term deposits (Note 31)

     (80,999         (65,211      (1,989
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (269,399         (85,247      (2,600
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

     15,265,153            12,127,350         369,849   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash at banks earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between 31 days and 6 months, depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rates.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the above restricted short-term deposits were pledged as collateral (Note 31).

Cash and short-term deposits of NT$1,448,197 thousand (US$44,166 thousand) (2014: NT$694,305 thousand) are held in the PRC and are subject to local exchange control regulations. These local exchange control regulations provide for restrictions on exporting capital from the country, other than through normal dividends.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

19. Issued capital

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 
     thousands      thousands      thousands  

Authorized shares

        

Ordinary shares

     62,500         62,500         62,500   

Preferred shares

     18,750         18,750         18,750   
     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 
     thousands      thousands      thousands  

Ordinary shares issued and fully paid

        

Thousand shares

     31,778         29,003         27,290   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share capital (NT$000)

     37,165         34,019         31,954   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
          
 
(US$974
thousand)
  
  

The par value of ordinary shares issued was US$0.04 per share.

The movement of ordinary shares issued is set out below:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     thousands      thousands      thousands  

January 1

     33,366         31,778         29,003   

Share option

     499         391         219   

Treasury stock

     (2,087      (3,166      (1,932
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31

     31,778         29,003         27,290   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

On November 12, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program for repurchase of ordinary shares by the Company of up to US$15.0 million. As of December 31, 2014, 73 thousand shares were repurchased and recorded as treasury stock. In January 2015, a further 565 thousand shares were repurchased and all the repurchased 638 thousand shares were retired and cancelled.

On July 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program for repurchase of ordinary shares by the Company of up to US$25.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, 1,367 thousand shares were repurchased and cancelled.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

20. Reserves and other component of equity

The reconciliation between the opening and closing balances of each component of the Group’s consolidated equity is set out in the consolidated statements of changes in equity.

Details of the Group’s capital surplus are set out below:

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Share premium

     6,932,632         6,260,568         5,830,148         177,803   

Share-based payment

     1,080,108         1,150,855         1,248,673         38,081   

Treasury stock

     808,159         1,339,484         460,292         14,038   

Convertible notes*

     2,627,120         2,369,544         1,489,209         45,416   

Others

     497,792         574,770         728,907         22,229   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     11,945,811         11,695,221         9,757,229         297,567   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * The convertible notes represented the share premium arising from the conversion of convertible notes.

 

21. Treasury stock

The movement of treasury stock is set out below:

 

     2013      2014      2015  
     thousand      NT$000      thousand      NT$000      thousand      NT$000      US$000  

January 1

     4,474         635,741         2,093         297,580         73         52,558         1,603   

Disposal by a subsidiary

     (2,381      (338,161      (2,093      (297,580      —           —           —     

Treasury stock (repurchased)

     87         40,205         1,073         722,019         1,932         1,228,625         37,470   

Treasury stock (cancelled)

     (87      (40,205      (1,000      (669,461      (2,005      (1,281,183      (39,073
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31

     2,093         297,580         73         52,558         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-48


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

22. Long-term bank loans

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Bank loans collateralized by buildings and land use right, repayable quarterly from June 2014 to March 2015, interest at floating rate (3.16545% as of December 31, 2014)

     46,737         —           —     

Bank loans collateralized by equipment, repayable quarterly from July 2014 to April 2015, interest at floating rate (3.16545% as of December 31, 2014)

     21,416         —           —     

Syndicated bank loans collateralized by land, buildings and equipment, repayable semi-annually from January 2015 to July 2019, interest at floating rate (1.8947% and 1.7474% as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively)

     6,000,000         4,560,000         139,066   

Syndicated bank loans, repayable on July 1, 2019, interest at floating rate (1.8526% as of December 31, 2015)

     —           2,000,000         60,994   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6,068,153         6,560,000         200,060   

Less: Syndicated loan fee

     —           (25,480      (777

Current portion (syndicated loan fee included)

     (1,508,153      (1,548,688      (47,230
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,560,000         4,985,832         152,053   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unused credit lines of long-term bank loans are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 

NT$000

     4,000,000         2,000,000   

The Group’s bank loans are mortgaged by certain land and buildings and equipment and land use rights as collateral (Note 31).

Details of the repayment schedule in respect of the bank loans are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Less than 1 year

     1,508,153         1,548,688         47,230   

2 to 5 years

     4,560,000         4,985,832         152,053   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6,068,153         6,534,520         199,283   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Under syndicated bank loans facility agreements, the Group is required to maintain certain financial ratios. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the Group was in compliance with the financial ratio requirements.

 

F-49


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

23. Accrued pension cost

 

  a) Defined benefit plans

 

  1) ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin have a defined benefit pension plan in accordance with the Labor Standards Law, covering all regular employees’ service years prior to the enforcement of the Labor Pension Act on July 1, 2005 and service years thereafter of employees who chose to continue to be subject to the pension mechanism under the Law. Under the defined benefit pension plan, two units are accrued for each year of service for the first 15 years and one unit for each additional year thereafter, subject to a maximum of 45 units. Pension benefits are based on the number of units accrued and the average monthly salaries and wages of the last 6 months prior to retirement.

ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin contribute monthly an amount equal to 2% of the employees’ monthly salaries and wages to the retirement fund deposited with Bank of Taiwan, the trustee, under the name of the independent retirement fund committee. Also, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin would assess the balance in the aforementioned labor pension reserve account by the end of December 31, every year. If the account balance is not enough to pay the pension calculated by the aforementioned method, to the labors expected to be qualified for retirement next year, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin will make contribution for the deficit by next March.

 

  2) The amounts recognized in the balance sheet are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Present value of defined benefit obligations

     (812,840      (844,166      (25,745

Fair value of plan assets

     321,082         324,695         9,902   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net defined benefit liability

     (491,758      (519,471      (15,843
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

23. Accrued pension cost (continued)

 

  a) Defined benefit plans (continued)

 

  3) Movements in net defined benefit liabilities are as follows:

 

     2014  
     Present value of
defined benefit
obligations
     Fair value of
plan asset
     Net defined
benefit
liability
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

January 1, 2014

     (808,621      318,133         (490,488

Current service cost

     (569      —           (569

Interest (expense) income

     (17,238      6,937         (10,301
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (826,428      325,070         (501,358
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Remeasurements:

        

Return of plan asset (not including the amount included in interest income or expense)

     —           369         369   

Financial assumption movement effect

     12,302         —           12,302   

Experience adjustments

     (27,174      —           (27,174
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (14,872      369         (14,503
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pension fund contribution

     —           24,103         24,103   

Paid Pension

     28,460         (28,460      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

     (812,840      321,082         (491,758
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2015  
     Present value of
defined benefit
obligations
     Fair value of
plan asset
     Net defined
benefit liability
     Net defined
benefit liability
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

January 1, 2015

     (812,840      321,082         (491,758      (14,997

Current service cost

     (983      —           (983      (30

Interest (expense) income

     (16,903      6,811         (10,092      (308
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (830,726      327,893         (502,833      (15,335
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Remeasurements:

           

Return of plan asset (not including the amount included in interest income or expense)

     —           872         872         27   

Financial assumption movement effect

     (46,851      901         (45,950      (1,401

Experience adjustments

     3,322         —           3,322         101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (43,529      1,713         (41,756      (1,273
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pension fund contribution

     —           25,118         25,118         766   

Paid Pension

     30,089         (30,089      —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

     (844,166      324,695         (519,471      (15,842
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

23. Accrued pension cost (continued)

 

  a) Defined benefit plans (continued)

 

  4) The Bank of Taiwan was commissioned to manage the Fund of the ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin’s defined benefit pension plan in accordance with the Fund’s annual investment and utilization plan and the “Regulations for Revenues, Expenditures, Safeguard and Utilization of the Labor Retirement Fund” (Article 6: The scope of utilization for the Fund includes deposit in domestic or foreign financial institutions, investment in domestic or foreign listed, over-the-counter, or private placement equity securities, investment in domestic or foreign real estate securitization products, etc.). With regard to the utilization of the Fund, its minimum earnings in the annual distributions on the final financial statements shall be no less than the earnings attainable from the amounts accrued from two-year time deposits with the interest rates offered by local banks. If the earning is less than aforementioned rates, government shall make payment for the deficit after authorized by the Regulator. ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin have no right to participate in managing and operating that fund and hence the ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin are unable to disclose the classification of plan asset fair value in accordance with IAS19 paragraph 142. The constitution of fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is given in the Annual Labor Retirement Fund Utilization Report announced by the government.

 

  5) The principal actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

 

          2014      2015  

Discount rate used in determining present values

        2.25%         1.75%   

Expected future salary increase rate

        3.50%~5.00%         3.50%   

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on actuarial advice in accordance with published statistics and experience in each territory.

Because the main actuarial assumption changed, the present value of defined benefit obligation is affected.

The sensitivity analysis of present value of defined benefit obligation effected by the changes of significant actuarial assumptions at December 31, 2014 and 2015 are shown below:

 

     Discount rate      Future salary
increase rate
 
     Increase
0.25%
     Decrease
0.25%
     Increase
0.25%
     Decrease
0.25%
 

December 31, 2014

           

Effect on present value of defined benefit obligation

     (29,666      31,236         30,736         (29,352
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

           

Effect on present value of defined benefit obligation

     (30,255      31,832         31,215         (29,837
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-52


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

23. Accrued pension cost (continued)

 

  a) Defined benefit plans (continued)

 

  5) The principal actuarial assumptions used were as follows: (continued)

The sensitivity analysis above is based on other conditions are unchanged but only one assumption is changed. In practice, more than one assumption may change all at once. The method of analysing sensitivity and the method of calculating net pension liability in the statements of financial position is the same.

The major assumptions of the actuarial valuation remain unchanged from 2014.

 

  6) The Group expects to make contributions of NT$24,443 thousand (US$745 thousand) during 2016.

 

  7) As of December 31, 2015, the weighted average duration of that retirement plan is 14.9 year. The analysis of timing of the future pension payment was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2015  
     NT$000      US$000  

Within 1 year

     20,131         614   

1-2 years

     23,468         716   

2-5 years

     91,173         2,780   

6-10 years

     171,454         5,229   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     306,226         9,339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  b) Defined contribution plans

Effective July 1, 2005, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin have established a defined contribution pension plan (the “New Plan”) under the Labor Pension Act (the “Act”), covering all regular employees with R.O.C. nationality. Under the New Plan, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin contribute monthly an amount based on 6% of the employees’ monthly salaries and wages to the employees’ individual pension accounts at the Bureau of Labor Insurance. The benefits accrued are paid monthly or in lump sum upon termination of employment.

ChipMOS Shanghai has a defined contribution plan. Monthly contributions to an independent fund administered by the government in accordance with the pension regulations in PRC are based on certain percentage of employees’ monthly salaries and wages. The contribution percentage for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were 21% and 21%, respectively. Other than the monthly contributions, ChipMOS Shanghai has no further obligations.

The pension costs under defined contribution pension plans of the Group for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 were NT$207,007 thousand and NT$223,646 thousand (US$6,821 thousand), respectively.

 

F-53


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

24. Short-term bank loans

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Secured bank loans

     24,151         —           —     

Unsecured bank loans

     1,744,119         1,148,875         35,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,768,270         1,148,875         35,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Annual interest rate

    
 
0.8668% -
3.16545%
  
  
    
 
0.90% -
0.98%
  
  
  

Unused credit lines of short-term bank loans are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 

NT$000

     3,125,486         2,628,140   

US$000

     35,498         50,000   

Certain of the Group’s short-term bank loans are secured by certain assets as collateral (Note 31).

 

F-54


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

25. Significant commitments and contingencies

Operating leases commitments

ChipMOS Taiwan entered into several operating lease contracts for land. These renewable operating leases will expire by 2034.

ChipMOS Taiwan entered into several operating lease contracts for machinery and equipment. These renewable operating leases will expire by 2016.

ChipMOS USA entered into several operating lease contracts for office space. These renewable operating leases will expire in 2016, respectively.

ChipMOS Shanghai entered into several operating lease contracts for machinery and equipment. These renewable operating leases will expire by 2016.

Future minimum lease payments under those leases are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

£ 1 year

     83,832         64,396         1,964   

2 to 5 years

     140,767         126,907         3,870   

> 5 years

     225,279         194,962         5,946   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     449,878         386,265         11,780   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital commitments

Capital expenditures that are contracted for, but not provided for are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 

Property, plant and equipment

     

NT$000

     910,802         1,132,522   

US$000

     3,532         —     

Chinese Yuan 000

     3,454         36,583   

In total, the capital commitments of the Group as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 are NT$1,040,001 thousand and NT$1,316,644 thousand (US$40,154 thousand), respectively.

Other commitments

A letter of guarantee is issued by Bank of Taiwan to the Tariff Bureau of the Ministry of Finance for making payment of customs duty deposits when importing. The amount of letter of guarantee will occupy the credit lines for short-term loans of ChipMOS Taiwan. As of December 31, 2015, tax payable of NT$131,000 thousand (US$3,995 thousand) are guaranteed by Bank of Taiwan.

 

F-55


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

26. Subsidiaries that have non-controlling interest that are material to the Group

Financial information of subsidiaries that have material non-controlling interests is provided below:

Proportion of equity interest held by non-controlling interests:

 

    

Country of incorporation and operation

   2014      2015  

ChipMOS Taiwan

   ROC      39.62%         41.73%   

ThaiLin

   ROC      71.30%         Not applicable

ChipMOS Shanghai

   PRC      71.30%         Not applicable

 

     2014      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000  

Accumulated balances of material non-controlling interests:

     

ChipMOS Taiwan

     5,759,956         7,996,367   

ThaiLin

     1,633,448         Not applicable

ChipMOS Shanghai

     1,079,319         Not applicable

Profit (loss) allocated to material non-controlling interests:

     

ChipMOS Taiwan

     993,576         868,022   

ThaiLin

     238,265         36,951

ChipMOS Shanghai

     43,589         122

 

  * ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan on June 17, 2015. After the merger, ChipMOS Shanghai became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan.

The summarized financial information of these subsidiaries is provided below. This information is based on amounts before inter-company eliminations.

Summarized statement of comprehensive income for 2014:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Revenue

     19,544,911         1,514,711         1,176,382   

Cost of revenue

     (14,895,046      (1,096,355      (1,087,229

Operating expenses

     (1,104,143      (154,879      (39,281

Finance costs

     (126,487      (8,552      (6,999

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

     624,677         945,047         18,045   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     4,043,912         1,199,972         60,918   

Income tax

     (710,525      (192,963      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit for the year

     3,333,387         1,007,009         60,918   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

     3,098,982         415,175         60,918   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net profit attributable to non-controlling interests

     993,576         238,265         43,589   

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     411,077         80,874         —     

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

26. Subsidiaries that have non-controlling interest that are material to the Group (continued)

 

Summarized statement of comprehensive income for 2015:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin*      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Revenue

     18,275,095         734,786         1,032,353   

Cost of revenue

     (14,351,489      (544,791      (1,075,134

Operating expenses

     (1,277,472      (67,640      (43,423

Finance costs

     (143,079      (14      (1,509

Other non-operating income (expenses), net

     300,822         (30,869      27,345   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     2,803,877         91,472         (60,368

Income tax

     (673,553      (21,036      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit for the year

     2,130,324         70,436         (60,368
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

     2,105,295         70,436         (60,368
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net profit attributable to non-controlling interests

     868,022         36,951         122   

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     840,274         —           —     

 

  * ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan on June 17, 2015. After the merger, ChipMOS Shanghai became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan. The statement of comprehensive income of ThaiLin was for the period from January 1, 2015 to June 16, 2015.

Summarized statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Current assets

     17,068,919         2,336,985         1,216,519   

Non-current assets

     14,243,381         3,121,787         717,511   

Current liabilities

     7,827,932         358,413         325,004   

Non-current liabilities

     5,400,498         52,846         94,107   

Total equity

     18,083,870         5,047,513         1,514,919   

Summarized statement of financial position as of December 31, 2015:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin*      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Current assets

     14,982,516         2,016,696         1,870,066   

Non-current assets

     15,789,367         3,120,931         773,282   

Current liabilities

     6,061,658         55,299         1,127,362   

Non-current liabilities

     5,803,338         53,846         89,837   

Total equity

     18,906,887         5,028,482         1,426,149   

 

  * ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan on June 17, 2015. After the merger, ChipMOS Shanghai became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan. The statement of financial position of ThaiLin was as of June 16, 2015.

 

F-57


Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

26. Subsidiaries that have non-controlling interest that are material to the Group (continued)

 

Summarized cash flow information for year ended December 31, 2014:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Operating

     5,731,189         197,096         187,075   

Investing

     (2,914,304      510,149         (110,800

Financing

     777,122         (979,170      168,524   

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

     —           —           25,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     3,594,007         (271,925      270,157   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Summarized cash flow information for year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     ChipMOS
Taiwan
     ThaiLin*      ChipMOS
Shanghai
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Operating

     5,477,929         57,835         92,160   

Investing

     (5,365,091      (169,382      (205,293

Financing

     (2,653,333      —           889,234   

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

     —           (40,444      (18,636
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,540,495      (151,991      757,465   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * ThaiLin was merged into ChipMOS Taiwan on June 17, 2015. After the merger, ChipMOS Shanghai became the wholly-owned subsidiary of ChipMOS Taiwan. The summarized cash flow information of ThaiLin disclosed was for the period from January 1, 2015 to June 16, 2015 before the merger.

 

27. Transactions with non-controlling interests

The proposed plan to merge the Company’s subsidiaries, ChipMOS Taiwan and ThaiLin was approved by the respective shareholders at the special shareholders’ meetings held on December 30, 2014 and was completed on June 17, 2015 and ChipMOS Taiwan is the surviving entity. ThaiLin’s shareholders were offered a combination of NT$12.5 in cash and 0.311 of one ChipMOS Taiwan common share in exchange for each ThaiLin common share held. ChipMOS Taiwan issued 35,932 thousand shares and NT$1,444,224 thousand (US$44,045 thousand) in cash to exchange for 52% of ThaiLin’s shares. The transaction was treated as an equity transaction. The difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interest is adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid was recognized in equity attributed to the Company.

The effect on the equity attributed to the Company during the period is summarized as follows:

 

     2015  
     NT$000      US$000  

Carrying amount of NCI changed, net

     364,924         11,129   

Consideration paid to NCI

     (1,444,224      (44,045
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Excess of consideration paid recognized

     (1,079,300      (32,916
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

28. Changes in ownership interest in subsidiaries

On June 17, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan completed the merger with ThaiLin and ChipMOS Taiwan continues as the surviving entity. Before the merger, ChipMOS Taiwan held 47.54% of the outstanding shares of ThaiLin, ThaiLin held 100% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS BVI and ChipMOS BVI held 100% of the outstanding shares of ChipMOS Shanghai. After the merger, ChipMOS BVI and its wholly-owned subsidiary, ChipMOS Shanghai, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of ChipMOS Taiwan. Pursuant to the merger, 35,932 thousand ChipMOS Taiwan common shares were issued. Also on July 21, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan issued 15,752 thousand restricted shares per its Restricted Stock Award Agreement. As a result, of the above transactions, the Company’s interests in ChipMOS Taiwan had changed from 60.38% to 58.25%, and the Company’s interests in ChipMOS Shanghai had changed from 28.70% to 58.25%.

 

29. Supplementary cash flow information

 

  a) Partial cash paid for investing activities:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Purchase in property, plant and equipment

     3,624,863         3,568,241         3,644,560         111,149   

Add: Payable to contractors and equipment suppliers at beginning of year

     484,659         858,239         1,307,459         39,873   

Less: Payable to contractors and equipment suppliers at the end of the year

     (858,239      (1,307,459      (523,962      (15,979
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment

     3,251,283         3,119,021         4,428,057         135,043   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  b) Treasury stock

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Repurchase of shares

     40,855         722,092         1,228,625         37,470   

Less: Prepayment for the repurchase of shares at the beginning of the year

     —           —           (421,003      (12,840
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash paid for purchase of treasury stock

     40,855         722,092         807,622         24,630   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

30. Related party transactions

During 2013, as part of ChipMOS Taiwan’s listing plan on the TWSE, ChipMOS Bermuda disposed of 23,268 thousand ChipMOS Taiwan shares to certain key management personnel and their close family members with a total consideration of NT$463,395 thousand.

Key management personnel compensation:

 

     2013      2014      2015      2015  
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Short-term employee benefits

     155,969         220,848         217,734         6,640   

Post-employment pension

     1,825         2,147         2,249         69   

Share-based payments

     49,044         87,937         100,280         3,058   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     206,838         310,932         320,263         9,767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

31. Pledged or mortgaged assets

The Group provided certain assets as collateral mainly for long-term bank loans (Note 22), short-term bank loans (Note 24) and customs duty guarantee, which were as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Property, plant and equipment (Note 14)

     7,267,802         6,192,673         188,858   

Restricted short-term deposits (Note 18)

     80,999         65,211         1,989   

Prepaid rents (Note 15)

     98,630         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,447,431         6,257,884         190,847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

32. Financial instruments by category

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
     NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Financial assets

        

Available-for-sale financial assets, at cost

     217,708         9,960         304   

Loans and receivables ( including cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits, accounts and notes receivable, other receivables and refundable deposits)

     20,577,898         16,261,958         495,942   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     20,795,606         16,271,918         496,246   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

        

Financial liabilities at amortized cost (including bank loans, accounts payable, payables to contractors and equipment suppliers and other payables)

     12,124,099         10,784,531         328,896   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

33. Financial risk management and fair values of financial instruments

 

  a) Financial risk management

The Group’s risk management objective is to manage the market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk related to its operating activities. The Group identifies, measures and manages the aforementioned risks based on policy and risk appetite.

The Group has established appropriate policies, procedures and internal controls for financial risk management. Before entering into significant financial transactions, due approval process by the Board of Directors must be carried out based on related protocols and internal control procedures. The Group complies with its financial risk management policies at all times.

 

  1) Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risks comprise foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, and other price risk (such as equity price risk).

 

  i) Foreign currency risk

The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s operating activities (when revenue or expense is denominated in a different currency from the Group’s functional currency) and the Group’s net investments in foreign subsidiaries.

The Group applies natural hedges from using account receivables and account payables denominated in the same currency. However, this natural hedge does not concur with the requirement for hedge accounting. Furthermore, as net investments in foreign subsidiaries are for strategic purposes, they are not hedged by the Group.

The Group’s foreign currency exposure gives rise to market risks associated with exchange rate movements against the NT dollar for cash, cash equivalent, account receivables, other receivables, bank loans, account payables and other payables.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

33. Financial risk management and fair values of financial instruments (continued)

 

  a) Financial risk management (continued)

 

  1) Market risk (continued)

 

  i) Foreign currency risk (continued)

 

The Group’s businesses involve some non-functional currency operations. The information on the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies whose values would be materially affected by the exchange rate fluctuations is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2014  
     Foreign
currency
     Exchange rate      Carrying amount
(NT$000)
 

Financial assets

        

Monetary items

        

US$000

     193,247         31.6500         6,115,975   

JPY000

     1,425,269         0.2646         377,126   

Financial liabilities

        

Monetary items

        

US$000

     77,954         31.6500         2,466,946   

JPY000

     3,173,824         0.2646         839,794   

 

     December 31, 2015  
     Foreign
currency
     Exchange rate      Carrying amount
(NT$000)
 

Financial assets

        

Monetary items

        

US$000

     228,958         32.825         7,515,554   

JPY000

     1,335,293           0.2727         364,134   

Financial liabilities

        

Monetary items

        

US$000

     46,525         32.825         1,527,191   

JPY000

     849,513         0.2727         231,662   

The total exchange gain recognized include realized and unrealized gain arising from significant foreign exchange variation on the monetary items held by the Group for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 amounted NT$306,931 thousand and NT$260,497 thousand (US$7,945 thousand) respectively.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

33. Financial risk management and fair values of financial instruments (continued)

 

  a) Financial risk management (continued)

 

  1) Market risk (continued)

 

  i) Foreign currency risk (continued)

 

The following table details the Group’s exposure at the end of the reporting period to currency risk arising from recognized monetary assets or liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity to which they relate.

 

     December 31, 2014  
     Change in
exchange rate
    Effect on profit
(NT$000)
     Effect on equity
(NT$000)
 

Financial assets

       

US$000

     5     305,799         305,799   

JPY000

     5     18,856         18,856   

Financial liabilities

       

US$000

     5     123,347         123,347   

JPY000

     5     41,990         41,990   

 

     December 31, 2015  
     Change in
exchange rate
    Effect on profit
(NT$000)
     Effect on equity
(NT$000)
 

Financial assets

       

US$000

     5     375,778         375,778   

JPY000

     5     18,207         18,207   

Financial liabilities

       

US$000

     5     76,360         76,360   

JPY000

     5     11,583         11,583   

 

  ii) Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s bank loans with floating interest rates.

The Group manages its interest rate risk by having a balanced portfolio of fixed and variable rate bank loans.

At December 31, 2015, it is estimated that a general increase or decrease of 100 basis points (1%) in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would decrease or increase the Group’s profit and equity by approximately NT$77,089 thousand (US$2,351 thousand) (2014: NT$78,364 thousand).

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

33. Financial risk management and fair values of financial instruments (continued)

 

  a) Financial risk management (continued)

 

  1) Market risk (continued)

 

  iii) Equity price risk

The Group is exposed to equity price risk through its investments in listed equity securities classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. The Group manages this exposure by maintaining a portfolio of investments with different risk and return profiles. At the reporting date, no aforesaid equity security was held and no sensitivity analysis was disclosed.

 

  2) Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily accounts and other receivables) and from its financing activities (primarily deposits with banks and financial instruments).

Each business unit performs ongoing credit evaluation of the debtors’ financial condition according to the Group’s established policy, procedures and control relating to customer credit risk management. The Group maintains an account for allowance for doubtful receivables based upon the available facts and circumstances, historical collection and write-off experiences of all trade and other receivables which consequently minimizes the Group’s exposure to bad debts.

The Group has three and four customers that had balances greater than ten percent of total notes and accounts receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively, as detailed in the below table. The credit concentration risk of other accounts and notes receivable is insignificant.

 

Customers

   December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
 

Micron

     14%         12%   

Novatek

     18%         18%   

Himax Technologies, Inc.

     10%         12%   

Winbond

     9%         12%   

Credit risk from balances with banks and financial institutions is managed by the Group’s finance unit in accordance with the Group’s policy. Bank balances are held with financial institutions of good standing. The Group’s exposure to credit risk arising from the default of counter-parties is limited to the carrying amount of these instruments.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

33. Financial risk management and fair values of financial instruments (continued)

 

  a) Financial risk management (continued)

 

  3) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments associated with financial instruments. The Group monitors and maintains adequate cash and banking facilities to finance the Group’s operations. See Notes 22 and 24 about the unused credit lines of the Group.

The maturity profile of the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 based on the contracted undiscounted payments is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2014  
    

< 1 year

     2 to 5 years      > 5 years      Total  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000  

Long-term bank loans (including current portion)

     1,604,086         4,684,449         —           6,288,535   

Accounts payable and payables to contractors and equipment suppliers

     2,382,384         —           —           2,382,384   

Other payables

     1,905,292         —           —           1,905,292   

Short-term bank loans

     1,773,368         —           —           1,773,368   

Guarantee deposit

     —           —           1,694         1,694   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,665,130         4,684,449         1,694         12,351,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2015  
    

 

< 1 year

     2 to 5 years      > 5 years      Total      Total  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Long-term bank loans (including current portion)

     1,658,830         5,133,962         —           6,792,792         207,160   

Accounts payable and payables to contractors and equipment suppliers

     1,232,442         —           —           1,232,442         37,586   

Other payables

     1,868,694         —           —           1,868,694         56,990   

Short-term bank loans

     1,151,040         —           —           1,151,040         35,103   

Guarantee deposit

     —           —           2,099         2,099         64   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,911,006         5,133,962         2,099         11,047,067         336,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  b) Fair values of financial instruments

The notional amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities are assumed to approximate their fair values.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

34. Share-based payments

Stock option plan

The Group adopted three option plans in 2001, 2006 and 2011 which have 2,250,000, 1,750,000 and 1,000,000 shares available for issuance, respectively. The stock option plans provide that the directors, officers, employees and consultants of ChipMOS Bermuda and its affiliates may be granted options to purchase ordinary shares of ChipMOS Bermuda at specified exercise prices.

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (“WAEP”) of, and movements in, share options during the year:

 

     2014      2014      2015      2015  
     Number of
options
     WAEP
US$
     Number of
options
     WAEP
US$
 

Outstanding at January 1

     1,565,023         10.01         1,300,416         12.57   

Granted during the year

     241,256         20.24         42,496         19.91   

Forfeited during the year

     (113,541      11.89         (59,751      16.33   

Exercised during the year

     (390,664      7.29         (220,911      8.15   

Expired during the year

     (1,658      7.75         —           —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Outstanding at December 31

     1,300,416         12.57         1,062,250         13.57   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Exercisable at December 31

     446,269         9.49         601,252         11.74   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of these options exercised in 2015 was US$20.62 (2014: US$22.86).

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding as of December 31, 2015 was 3.62 years (2014: 4.34 years).

The weighted average fair value of options granted during 2015 was US$17.17 (2014: US$18.75).

The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at the end of 2015 was US$2.55~21.488 (2014: US$2.55~21.488).

The following tables list the inputs to the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model used for the option plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

     2014      2015  

Dividend yield

     0~1.33%         0~1.33%   

Expected volatility

     96.31~213.94%         92.80~192.61%   

Risk-free interest rate

     0.3725~3.00%         0.3725~3.00%   

Expected life

     3.5~7 years         3.5~5.5 years   

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

34. Share-based payments (continued)

 

Share appreciation rights (“SARs”)

The Group adopted three SARs plans in 2006, 2008 and 2013 which have 500,000, 750,000 and 1,000,000 rights available for issuance, respectively. The SARs plans provide that the directors, officers and employees of ChipMOS Bermuda and its affiliates may be granted cash-settled share appreciation rights.

The carrying amount of the liability relating the SARs at December 31, 2015 was NT$135,145 thousand (US$4,122 thousand) (2014: NT$221,619 thousand).

The following table illustrates the number and WAEP of, and movements in, SARs during the year:

 

     2014      2014      2015      2015  
     Number
of rights
     WAEP
US$
     Number
of rights
     WAEP
US$
 

Outstanding at January 1

     812,429         10.87         683,845         11.91   

Granted during the year

     36,010         20.24         124,510         19.27   

Forfeited during the year

     (24,841      11.94         (36,290      14.88   

Exercised during the year

     (138,489      8.03         (180,358      9.48   

Expired during the year

     (1,264      7.35         (3,111      2.55   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Outstanding at December 31

     683,845         11.91         588,596         14.07   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Exercisable at December 31

     164,218         9.57         206,833         10.69   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of these SARs exercised in 2015 was US$21.6 (2014: US$22.82).

The weighted average remaining contractual life for the SARs outstanding as of December 31, 2015 was 3.76 years (2014: 4.13 years).

The weighted average fair value of SARs granted during 2015 was US$11.08 (2014: US$17.64).

The range of exercise prices for SARs outstanding at the end of 2015 was US$3.06~20.3405 (2014: US$2.55~20.3405).

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

34. Share-based payments (continued)

 

Restricted Shares

On November 12, 2014, The Board of Directors of ChipMOS Taiwan approved 2014 Restricted Stock Award Agreement which has 17,300 thousand restricted shares available for issuance. The par value and granting price of the restricted shares were NT$10 and zero, respectively. The issuance of the restricted shares was approved by the Special General Meeting of the Shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan on December 30, 2014 and approved by the Financial Supervisory Commission R.O.C. (Taiwan) on June 30, 2015.

On July 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of ChipMOS Taiwan approved to set July 21, 2015 as the Record Date of the issuance of 15,752 thousand restricted shares.

When the employees of ChipMOS Taiwan accomplished the following years of service and performance conditions, the received restricted shares will be vested based on the vesting ratio.

 

    

The 1st year

  

The 2nd year

  

The 3rd year

Years of service following the receipt of restricted shares

   Continuous service for one year    Continuous service for two years    Continuous service for three years

Grade of performance appraisal

   >=B+    >=B+    >=B+

Compliance of terms agreed by the staff and ChipMOS Taiwan

   No violation    No violation    No violation

Vesting ratio of numbers of restricted shares received

   30%    30%    40%

During 2014 and 2015, the Group recognized NT$281,614 thousand and NT$207,242 thousand (US$6,320 thousand), respectively, compensation expenses in respect of the transactions of share-based payments.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

35. Capital management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of the balance between debt and equity.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes bank loans of NT$7,683,395 thousand (US$234,320 thousand) (2014: NT$7,836,423 thousand) (Notes 22 and 24) less cash and cash equivalents of NT$12,127,350 thousand (US$369,849 thousand) (2014: NT$15,265,153 thousand) (Note 18), and equity attributable to equity holders of the Company, comprising issued capital of NT$31,954 thousand (US$974 thousand) (2014:NT$34,019 thousand) and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Company of NT$12,896,876 thousand (US$393,318 thousand) (2014: NT$14,582,746 thousand) disclosed in the consolidated statements of changes in equity.

The Group reviews the capital structure on an ongoing basis. As part of this review, the directors consider the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Group will balance its overall capital structure through the payment of dividends, new share issues and the issue of new debt or the repayment of existing debt.

The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged from 2014.

The Group monitors capital using the net debt-to-equity ratio, the percentages of which as of December 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Note      December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2015
     December 31,
2015
 
            NT$000      NT$000      US$000  

Bank loans

     22, 24         7,836,423         7,683,395         234,320   

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

     18         (15,265,153      (12,127,350      (369,849
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt

        (7,428,730      (4,443,955      (135,529
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company

        14,616,765         12,928,830         394,292   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt-to-equity ratio

        -50.82%         -34.37%         -34.37%   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

36. Events after the reporting period

 

  a) On December 11, 2015, ChipMOS Taiwan’s Board has authorized and ChipMOS Taiwan has signed a share subscription agreement (the “Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement”) to sell 299,252 thousand common shares to Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. (“Tsinghua Unigroup”) through a private placement (the “Private Placement”) at a price of NT$40.0 per share. ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup also executed the Strategic Alliance Agreement, designed to strengthen the long-term cooperation relationship between the two companies. Under the terms of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, Tsinghua Unigroup would assist ChipMOS Taiwan in expanding and strengthening the relationship between ChipMOS Taiwan and companies relating to the assembly and testing services of LCD drivers and wafer bumping services in the PRC.

On January 28, 2016, the proposed Private Placement was approved by the shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan in a special general meeting.

On February 25, 2016, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tsinghua Unigroup executed the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, under which Tsinghua Unigroup assigned its obligations and liabilities under the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement to Tibet MaoYeChaungXin INVESTMENT CO., LIMITED (“Tibet MaoYe”), which will become a subsidiary controlled by Tsinghua Unigroup prior to the closing of the Private Placement. From the execution of the Subscriber Joinder Agreement, Tibet MaoYe became the “Subscriber” defined in the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement and assumed all the rights, benefits, liabilities and obligations incurred from the Share Subscription Agreement. On the same date, ChipMOS Taiwan and Tibet MaoYe executed a Share Subscription Agreement, of which the substantive content is consistent with the Tsinghua Share Subscription Agreement. The proposed Private Placement remains subject to the regulatory approval.

 

  b) On January 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of ChipMOS Bermuda and ChipMOS Taiwan approved the merger of ChipMOS Bermuda with and into ChipMOS Taiwan, with ChipMOS Taiwan becoming the surviving company.

 

  1) Under the agreement, ChipMOS Bermuda shareholders will receive US$3.71 in cash, without interest, and 0.9355 American Depository Shares (“ADS”) representing 18.71 shares of ChipMOS Taiwan (each ADS will represent 20 new common shares, par value of NT$10 each, to be issued by ChipMOS Taiwan) in exchange for each ChipMOS Bermuda common share of par value US$0.04 currently held.

 

  2) ChipMOS Taiwan’s Board of Directors has also approved the establishment of a new U.S. American Depositary Receipt program to facilitate the merger and to foster ongoing market liquidity of its shares. An application will be submitted for the listing of new ADSs on the NASDAQ, and the issuance of approximately 510,595 thousand common shares which will be represented by the new ADSs to be issued as part of the consideration for the merger with ChipMOS Bermuda.

 

  3) Under the Merger Agreement, ChipMOS Bermuda shall pay ChipMOS Taiwan, in certain circumstances, a termination fee of US$20 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated. Also under the Merger Agreement, ChipMOS Taiwan shall pay ChipMOS Bermuda, in certain circumstances, a termination fee of US$40 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated.

 

  4) Under the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), all of ChipMOS Bermuda’s outstanding share options and employee share appreciation rights, whether vested or unvested, granted under employee share option plans, will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon, based on the formula as prescribed in the Merger Agreement.

 

  5) The merger is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2016, contingent on satisfaction of above approvals and other conditions, which were outlined in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 that ChipMOS Taiwan filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

36. Events after the reporting period (continued)

 

  c) At the special general meeting of shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan held on January 28, 2016, the shareholders of ChipMOS Taiwan resolved to increase the authorized capital from NT$9,700 million (US$296 million) to NT$14,500 million (US$442 million).

 

  d) On February 4, 2016, the Board of Directors of ChipMOS Taiwan approved below proposals.

 

  1) Increase cash capital of ChipMOS BVI, its wholly-owned subsidiaries by US$45 million as a contribution from ChipMOS Taiwan.

 

  2) A share repurchase program to repurchase up to 15 million ChipMOS Taiwan shares at a price no more than NT$40 per share during the period from February 5, 2016 to April 4, 2016. As of April 1, all 15 million ChipMOS Taiwan shares were repurchased with a total consideration of NT$511 million (US$16 million).

 

37. Approval of the financial statements

These financial statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on April 18, 2016.

 

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ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

38. Financial Statements Schedule: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

     Balance at
beginning

of year
     Additions
charged to
expense
     Deduction /
Write-offs
    Exchange
difference on
translations of

foreign financial
statement
    Balance at
end of year
 
     NT$000      NT$000      NT$000     NT$000     NT$000  

Year of 2013:

            

Allowance for impairment of plant, property and equipment

     2,176,385         671         (82,588     89,442        2,183,910   

Allowance for impairment of obsolescence and decline in Market value of inventories

     57,860         29,532         (261     556        87,687   

Year of 2014:

            

Allowance for impairment of plant, property and equipment

     2,183,910         0         (35,694     68,518        2,216,734   

Allowance for impairment of obsolescence and decline in Market value of inventories

     87,687         459         (5,783     218        82,581   

Year of 2015:

            

Allowance for impairment of plant, property and equipment

     2,216,734         1,478         (89,709     (31,774     2,096,729   

Allowance for impairment of obsolescence and decline in Market value of inventories

     82,581         12,717         (151     (111     95,036   

 

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