Kulicke and Soffa Industries
KLIC
#3476
Rank
$4.28 B
Marketcap
$81.88
Share price
2.79%
Change (1 day)
179.93%
Change (1 year)

Kulicke and Soffa Industries - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


(Mark one)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended DECEMBER 31, 1996.
-------------------

OR


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

For the transition period from _________ to _________.

Commission File No. 0-121


KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



PENNSYLVANIA 23-1498399
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)


2101 BLAIR MILL ROAD, WILLOW GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA 19090
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


(215) 784-6000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether 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
----- -----

As of February 6, 1997, there were 19,640,207 shares of the
Registrant's Common Stock, Without Par Value, outstanding.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

FORM 10 - Q DECEMBER 31, 1996

INDEX




Page No.
--------
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Balance Sheet -
December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1996 3

Consolidated Income Statement -
Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 4

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows -
Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 - 7


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 8 - 13


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5. CHANGES IN SECURITIES 13

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8 - K 13

SIGNATURES 13
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
December 31, September 30,
1996 1996
ASSETS ------------ -------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 39,995 $ 45,344
Short-term investments 10,482 13,078
Accounts and notes receivable, net 58,369 47,456
Inventories, net 41,921 44,519
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,482 4,277
Refundable income taxes -- 6,212
Deferred income taxes 1,640 1,765
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 155,889 162,651

Property, plant and equipment, net 43,752 41,143
Intangible assets, primarily goodwill, net 44,469 42,049
Long-term investments 420 449
Investment in joint venture 7,615 1,556
Other assets 2,412 1,706
------- -------
TOTAL ASSETS $254,557 $249,554
======= =======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 5,312 $ 491
Accounts payable 26,633 23,032
Accrued expenses 17,557 18,389
Income taxes payable 3,901 6,935
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 53,403 48,847

Long-term debt 50,674 50,712
Other liabilities 2,440 2,506
------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 106,517 102,065
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies -- --

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, without par value 49,038 48,733
Retained earnings 101,504 101,085
Cumulative translation adjustment (2,502) (2,329)
------- -------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 148,040 147,489
------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $254,557 $249,554
======= =======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)




Three months ended
December 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995
------- --------
Net sales $81,844 $127,189

Cost of goods sold 53,063 75,113
------ -------
Gross profit 28,781 52,076

Selling, general and
administrative 16,227 16,988
Research and development, net 10,693 11,276
------ -------
Income from operations 1,861 23,812

Interest income 674 709
Interest expense (854) (881)
Equity in loss of joint venture (1,083) --
Other expense -- (630)
------ -------
Income before income taxes 598 23,010
Provision for income taxes 179 6,673
------ -------
Net income $ 419 $ 16,337
====== =======


Net income per share, primary and
fully diluted $0.02 $0.82
==== ====
Weighted average shares outstanding,
primary and fully diluted 19,833 19,861


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Three months ended
December 31,
----------------------
1996 1995
------ -------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 419 $16,337
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,707 2,183
Deferred income taxes 125 75
Equity in loss of joint venture 1,083 --
Changes in other components of working
capital, excluding the effects
of acquisitions (1,620) (6,477)
Other changes, net 861 181
------ ------
Net cash provided by operating activities 3,575 12,299
------ ------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash portion of AFW purchase price,
less cash acquired -- (7,383)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (3,864) (4,284)
Purchases of short-term investments classified
as available-for-sale (3,927) (5,487)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments
classified as available-for-sale 6,523 4,954
Proceeds from maturities of debt securities
held-to-maturity 29 505
Investment in joint venture (7,142) --
------ ------
Net cash provided (used) by
investing activities (8,381) (11,695)
------ ------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from borrowings under bank
credit facility -- 15,033
Repayment of borrowings (560) (8,015)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 17 45
------ ------
Net cash provided by financing activities (543) 7,063
------ ------
Change in cash and cash equivalents (5,349) 7,667
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 45,344 28,624
------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $39,995 $36,291
====== ======


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The consolidated financial statement information included herein is
unaudited, but in the opinion of management, contains all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present
fairly the Company's financial position as of December 31, 1996 and
September 30, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the three month periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited
financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITION OF SEMITEC, INC.:

On October 1, 1996, the Company acquired the common stock of Semitec, Inc.
("Semitec") for a purchase price of approximately $4.9 million, including
transaction related costs. The acquisition was accounted for using the
purchase method. Accordingly, Semitec's operating results are included in
the Company's consolidated financial statements commencing October 1, 1996.
Goodwill resulting from this acquisition is being amortized on a straight-
line basis over a twenty-year period.

Of the total purchase price, $4.7 million must be paid to the former
Semitec shareholders in registered shares of Company common stock or in
cash by June 1997. This obligation is included with the current portion of
long-term debt in the December 31, 1996 balance sheet, and bears interest
at the rate of 6% per annum until April 1, 1997, at which time the interest
rate will increase to 12% per annum until paid.

The Semitec purchase price, including transaction related costs, totaled
$4.9 million, and was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed based upon their estimated fair market values, as follows:

Total current assets $1,488
Property and equipment 1,260
Goodwill 3,018
Total current liabilities (442)
Total long term liabilities (423)
-----
Total purchase price $4,901
=====
NOTE 3 - INVENTORY:
December 31, September 30,
1996 1996
------------ -------------
Raw materials and supplies $29,493 $29,985
Work in process 8,782 9,862
Finished goods 14,841 16,427
------ ------
53,116 56,274
Inventory reserves (11,195) (11,755)
------ ------
$41,921 $44,519
====== ======

NOTE 4 - OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Operating results by business segment for the three month periods ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:

Packaging Corporate
Three months ended Equipment Materials and
December 31, 1996: Segment Segment Eliminations Total
--------- --------- ------------ --------
Net sales $ 56,224 $ 25,620 $ 81,844
Cost of goods sold 32,349 20,714 53,063
------ ------ ------
Gross profit 23,875 4,906 28,781
Operating costs 20,828 4,529 $ 1,563 26,920
------ ------ ----- ------
Operating income $ 3,047 $ 377 $(1,563) $ 1,861
====== ====== ===== ======

Packaging Corporate
Three months ended Equipment Materials and
December 31, 1995: Segment Segment Eliminations Total
--------- --------- ------------ --------
Net sales $103,235 $ 23,954 $127,189
Cost of goods sold 56,541 18,572 75,113
------- ------- -------
Gross profit 46,694 5,382 52,076
Operating costs 23,250 3,226 $ 1,788 28,264
------- ------ ----- -------
Operating income $ 23,444 $ 2,156 $(1,788) $ 23,812
======= ====== ===== =======

Intersegment sales are immaterial.
ITEM 2.             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The Company's operating results primarily depend upon the capital
expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers and subcontract assemblers
worldwide which, in turn, depend on the current and anticipated market
demand for semiconductors. The semiconductor industry has historically been
volatile and experienced periodic slowdowns which have had a severe
negative effect on the semiconductor industry's demand for capital
equipment, including assembly equipment manufactured and marketed by the
Company and, to a lesser extent, packaging materials such as those sold by
the Company. These slowdowns have also adversely affected the Company's
operating results. The Company does not consider its business to be
seasonal in nature. The Company believes that such volatility will continue
to characterize the industry and the Company's operations in the future.

A significant portion of the Company's revenue is derived from sales of a
relatively small number of machines, most with selling prices ranging from
$60,000 to over $400,000. A delay in the shipment in a limited quantity of
machines, either due to manufacturing delays, which occur from time to
time, or to rescheduling or cancellations of customer orders, could have a
material adverse effect on the results of the operations for any particular
quarter.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Three months ended December 31, 1996 compared to
the three months ended December 31, 1995.

Demand for semiconductor assembly equipment declined throughout fiscal 1996
resulting in sequential quarterly declines in sales, reaching a low point
of $61.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996. In first quarter of
fiscal 1997, the Company saw a resurgence in demand for its automatic wire
bonders and recorded bookings totaling $105.0 million. While this order
rate was lower than the $138.0 million booked during the comparable quarter
of last year, it represented a $39.0 million improvement over the $66.0
million of orders booked during the fiscal 1996 fourth quarter. The backlog
of customer orders increased by $24.0 million, or 35%, to $93.0 million at
December 31, 1996, compared to $69.0 million at September 30, 1996. Since
the timing of deliveries may vary and orders generally are subject to delay
or cancellation, the Company's backlog as of any date may not be indicative
of sales for any succeeding period.

Net sales increased $20.1 million from the fiscal 1996 fourth quarter to
$81.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 1997, but were $45.4 million
lower than the $127.2 million in sales reported for the first quarter last
year. Equipment segment revenues declined by $47.0 million in the fiscal
1997 first quarter compared to the same period last year, primarily
reflecting reduced demand for the Company's automatic wire bonders.
Specifically, shipments of 1488 turbo and plus gold ball wire bonders
declined by 485 machines, or $42.6 million, and shipments of 1474 fp
machines declined by 25 machines, or $3.3 million. Sales of packaging
materials increased by $1.7 million in the fiscal 1997 first quarter from
the corresponding quarter last year, primarily reflecting incremental sales
associated with the October 1, 1996 acquisition of Semitec, Inc.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 35.2% in the first
quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to 40.9% during the same period last year.
This decline primarily reflects a shift in the overall mix of product sales
from higher margin equipment products to lower margin packaging materials,
due to the disproportionate decline in equipment sales.

Three months ended
December 31,
------------------
1996 1995
------ ------
Equipment segment sales 68.7% 81.2%
Packaging materials segment sales 31.3% 18.8%
------ ------
Total net sales 100.0% 100.0%
====== ======

In addition, gross profit margins declined in the equipment and packaging
materials segments in the fiscal 1997 first quarter compared to the same
period last year. Equipment segment gross profit margin decreased to 42.5%
from 45.2% primarily due to lower manufacturing overhead absorption
associated with reduced fiscal 1997 unit sales. The packaging materials
segment gross profit margin dropped to 19.1% from 22.5% due principally to
a shift in product mix from higher margin expendable tools to lower margin
wire products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $16.2 million for the
first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to $17.0 million for the same period
last year, reflecting lower equipment segment and corporate expenses
resulting from cost reduction initiatives implemented in August 1996. These
savings were partially offset by higher expenses in the packaging materials
segment due to incremental operating costs associated with the Semitec
business and increased expense levels due to expansion of the packaging
materials marketing and distribution organizations.

Net research and development ("R&D") costs decreased to $10.7 million in
the first quarter of fiscal 1997, compared to $11.3 million for the same
period last year. The decline in fiscal 1997 R&D spending was principally
in the equipment segment, and reflects reduced outside contract development
costs and lower expenditures for prototype materials than in fiscal 1996.

The Company continues to invest heavily in the development of the 8000
Series wire bonders and the enhancement of many of its existing products,
including, but not limited to, the Model 1488 plus gold ball bonder and
Model 1474 fp wedge bonder, to enable them to meet customer requirements
for higher lead count devices with finer pitch requirements at faster
bonding speeds than earlier models. The Company also continues to invest in
new technologies which may eventually lead to improved and alternative
semiconductor assembly technologies.

Operating income totaled $1.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 1997
compared to $23.8 million for the same period in fiscal 1996. Reduced sales
and gross profit in the equipment segment and higher operating costs in the
packaging materials segment were primarily responsible for this decline.

Interest expense incurred during the first quarter of fiscal 1997 resulted
from borrowings under the Company's $50.0 million revolving credit facility
to fund the 1995 AFW acquisition, and the $4.7 million obligation incurred
in connection with the October 1996 acquisition of Semitec. Interest income
during the first quarter of fiscal 1997 was slightly lower than the same
period last year. Fiscal 1997 investment income resulted almost entirely
from invested cash, while fiscal 1996 interest income also included
approximately $214,000 of interest earned on a note receivable from a
customer.

Non-operating costs of $1.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 1997
reflect the Company's equity interest in the loss from its joint venture
investment in Flip Chip Technologies, LLC ("FCT"). FCT was formed in
February, 1996 to provide wafer bumping services on a contract basis, and
has recently completed construction of its manufacturing facility in
Phoenix, Arizona. FCT is currently working with its customers to have its
manufacturing process qualified. This qualification process is expected to
continue throughout fiscal 1997. As a result, the Company expects its share
of FCT's losses to exceed the first quarter loss of $1.1 million through
each of the remaining three quarters of fiscal 1997.

Through December 31, 1996, the Company contributed $9.7 million in capital
to the FCT joint venture, of which $7.1 million was contributed during the
first quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company presently anticipates that
additional capital contributions and loans to FCT throughout the remainder
of fiscal 1997 will not exceed $13.0 million. While some additional loans
are expected to be required in early fiscal 1998, it is presently expected
that FCT will become cash neutral during fiscal 1998. However, there can be
no assurance that FCT will not experience delays in generating significant
revenues and cash flows. Such delays, if any, could adversely affect the
Company's operating results and financial condition.

Fiscal 1996 first quarter results included the write-off of approximately
$630,000 of costs incurred with a proposed offering of the Company's common
stock to the public which was indefinitely delayed.

The fiscal 1997 effective tax rate is presently expected to approximate
30%. The fiscal 1996 effective tax rate was 24%, due largely to the loss
reported in the fiscal fourth quarter which was primarily attributable to
the Company's US-based operations.


COMPANY OUTLOOK

Certain of the information set forth below and elsewhere in this report
contains forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from
those set forth in the forward looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the risk of
volatile demand in the semiconductor industry; the deferral or possible
cancellation of existing customer orders; the timing, development,
introduction and acceptance of new products and enhancements to existing
products; the Company's ability to manufacture and ship its products on a
timely basis; competitive pricing pressures; the risk that certain
customers may adopt alternate semiconductor assembly processes; and
international political and other developments which could impact foreign
operations. Reference is made to a more detailed discussion of the
Company's business and risk factors in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.
While semiconductor consumption continues to grow, the Company's equipment
business was adversely affected in fiscal 1996 by industry wide
overinvestment in assembly capacity in fiscal 1995 and early fiscal 1996.
During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1996, the rate of new
customer orders booked into backlog was lower than each of the previous
four quarters. This declining order rate resulted in the equipment
segment's sharply lower net sales during the third and fourth quarters of
fiscal 1996 and contributed significantly to the $12.7 million net loss in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996. Subsequent to the fiscal 1996 year end,
the customer order rate strengthened and the Company currently anticipates
significant improvements in quarterly revenues and operating results during
the remainder of fiscal 1997 in relation to the quarterly results during
the second half of fiscal 1996. Moreover, the Company continues to believe
that long-term growth prospects for the semiconductor industry and for the
Company's products remain positive.

The Company is in the process of developing a new generation of wire
bonders, the 8000 family, which is based on an entirely new platform and
requires the development of new software and many subassemblies not part of
the Company's current wire bonders. The first prequalification Model 8020
ball bonder (the first production model of the 8000 family) was shipped to
a customer in March 1996, and the first prequalification Model 8060 wedge
bonder was shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 1997. These products are
presently being field tested, and the Company currently expects that these
products will be released in the second half of calendar 1997. Development
and technical risks exist in all of the Company's R&D projects and have the
potential to delay the introduction of new products. No assurance can be
given that the introduction of the 8000 family of products will not be
delayed due to technical or other difficulties. The Company's inability to
complete the development of and introduce the 8000 family of products or
other new products, or its inability to manufacture and ship these products
in volume and on a timely basis, could adversely affect the Company's
competitive position.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the past three fiscal years, the Company has financed its operations
principally through cash flows from operations. Cash generated by operating
activities totaled $3.6 million during the first quarter of fiscal 1997
compared to $12.3 million during the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Cash and
total investments decreased to $50.9 million at December 31, 1996 from the
$58.9 million at September 30, 1996. Reduced cash flows from operating
activities in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared to the first
quarter of fiscal 1996 primarily resulted from lower profitability in
fiscal 1997.

At December 31, 1996, working capital decreased to $102.5 million compared
to $113.8 million at September 30, 1996. The accounts receivable balance at
December 31, 1996 increased by $10.9 million compared to the September 30,
1996 balance. The increase resulted principally from increased sales volume
in the fiscal 1997 first quarter compared to the fiscal 1996 fourth
quarter. The $2.6 million decrease in inventory at December 31, 1996
primarily reflects the effect of higher fiscal 1997 first quarter sales and
the Company's efforts to more effectively manage inventory levels in light
of anticipated product transitions later in fiscal 1997.
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses increased by approximately $2.8
million at December 31, 1996 compared to their September 30, 1996 balances.
The increase in trade accounts payable primarily reflects the effect of the
timing of vendor payments at the end of first quarter of fiscal 1997.

During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company invested approximately
$3.9 million in property and equipment, primarily to complete the
construction of the Micro-Swiss manufacturing facility in Yokneam, Israel
and to upgrade equipment used in the Company's manufacturing and R&D
activities. The Company presently expects fiscal 1997 capital spending,
exclusive of investments in joint ventures or possible acquisitions, to
approximate $18 million. The principal capital projects planned for fiscal
1997 include the purchase of tooling and equipment necessary for the
manufacture of new products, including the 8000 family of wire bonders,
relocation of its Singapore based AFW manufacturing and administrative
activities into a single location late in fiscal 1997, the purchase of
equipment necessary to expand manufacturing capacity, primarily in the
United States and Israel, and continued investments in a new global
management information system. Relocations of operations to new facilities
in Singapore and Israel are not expected to have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or liquidity. See
"Results of Operations" above for information concerning anticipated
capital contributions and loans to FCT.

In April 1996, the Company renegotiated the terms of its bank credit
facility resulting in a Restated Loan Agreement providing for a $10.0
million revolving credit facility, expiring February 28, 1997, unless
renewed, and a $50.0 million revolving credit facility expiring March 30,
2001. At December 31, 1996, the $50.0 million borrowed under the revolving
credit facility was classified as long-term debt, as the Company presently
does not expect any principal payments under this loan during the next
year. There were no borrowings under the $10.0 million credit line during
fiscal 1996 or the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company expects to
renew the $10.0 million revolving credit facility on comparable terms.

A significant portion of the Company's consolidated earnings are
attributable to undistributed earnings of certain of its foreign
subsidiaries. Deferred income taxes have not been provided on that portion
of undistributed foreign earnings which is expected to be indefinitely
reinvested in foreign operations. If funds were required to be repatriated
to fund the Company's operations or other financial obligations, additional
U.S. Federal income tax expense could be required to be recognized.

The Company believes that anticipated cash flows from operations, its
working capital and amounts expected to be available under its revolving
credit facility will be sufficient to meet the Company's liquidity and
capital requirements for at least the next twelve months, including any
capital contributions and possible loans to FCT. The Company may, however,
seek equity or debt financing to provide capital for corporate purposes
and/or to fund strategic business opportunities, including possible
acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances or other business arrangements
which could require substantial capital outlays. The timing and amount of
such potential capital requirements cannot be determined at this time and
will depend on a number of factors, including demand for the Company's
products, semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment industry
conditions and competitive factors and the nature and size of strategic
business opportunities which the Company may elect to pursue.
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 5. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company contributed 25,660
shares of unregistered common stock, valued at its fair market value, as
its matching contribution to its Section 401(k) Employee Incentive Savings
Plan. Registration for such shares was not required because the transaction
did not constitute a "sale" under Section 2(3) of the Securities Act of
1933, or, alternatively, the transaction was exempt pursuant to the private
offering provisions of that Act and the rules thereunder.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

Exhibit 10 - Operating Agreement of
Flip Chip Technologies, L.L.C. dated
as of February 28, 1996

Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8 - K

None


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.


Date: February 12, 1997 By: /s/ Clifford G. Sprague
______________________________________
Clifford G. Sprague
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


By: /s/ Curtis A. Massey
______________________________________
Curtis A. Massey
Vice President,
Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)