SMART Modular Technologies Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Results


FREMONT, CA--(Marketwire - December 18, 2008) - SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. ("SMART" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SMOD), a leading independent manufacturer of memory modules, solid state drives, embedded computing subsystems, and TFT-LCD display products, today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

First Quarter Fiscal 2009 Highlights:

--  Net Sales of $141.3 Million
--  Gross Profit of $26.3 Million
--  Adjusted EBITDA of $10.5 Million
--  GAAP EPS of ($0.11)
--  Non-GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.05
    

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $141.3 million, compared to $160.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and $177.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

GAAP gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was $26.3 million, compared to $24.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and $34.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

GAAP net income (loss) for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was ($6.6) million, or ($0.11) per share, compared to ($3.5) million, or ($0.06) per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and $12.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The GAAP net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was driven by a goodwill impairment charge of $7.2 million, required by FAS 142.

Non-GAAP net income was $3.3 million or $0.05 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to $3.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and $13.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Non-GAAP net income excludes charges related to restructuring, goodwill impairment, and stock-based compensation. Please refer to the "Non-GAAP Information" below for further detail.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was $10.5 million, unchanged from $10.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and $20.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

"In light of continued challenges related to both the memory industry and the global economy, we are pleased with our first quarter fiscal 2009 financial results. Despite these adverse conditions, we remained profitable and generated cash flow from operations of $28.6 million, which we believe demonstrates our leadership position, scale, diversification and superior execution. Our balance sheet remains strong, giving us ability to weather these challenging times," commented Iain MacKenzie, President and CEO of SMART.

"During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we continued our product and technology focus with the introduction of several new solutions for our customers which we believe will position us well once the market recovers. In November, we expanded our relationship with Intel by unveiling our new Z-U130 embedded USB (eUSB) SSD, which is a drop-in replacement for OEM customers currently using the Intel Z-U130 Value SSD. We also announced in November the latest addition to our Xceed embedded flash product line, our iSATA SSD. This product, which features a four-channel flash interface, is suited for mobile and embedded computing, medical, automotive and industrial applications," continued Mr. MacKenzie.

"In our DRAM business, we are ready to take full advantage of the eventual market recovery with our complete offering of DDR3 Registered DIMMs to support Intel's Nehalem-based server platform, including an industry-unique 8GB 1333MHZ ultra low profile (ULP) RDIMM for advanced telecommunications computing architecture (ATCA) blade platforms used in telecom, networking, and embedded computing applications. As we look ahead to the remainder of fiscal 2009, we are confident in our ability to continue executing our growth and diversification plans while maintaining our leadership position in the high end, high value memory module business," concluded Mr. MacKenzie.

Business Outlook

The following statements are based upon management's current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2009, SMART estimates net sales will be in the range of $120 million to $130 million, gross profit in the range of $21 million to $23 million, and net income (loss) per share will be in the range of ($0.02) to ($0.01) on a GAAP basis. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding charges related to stock-based compensation, and other non-recurring items, if any, the Company expects net income per diluted share will be in the range of $0.00 to $0.01.

Conference Call Details

SMART's first quarter, fiscal 2009 teleconference and webcast is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST), or 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Thursday, December 18, 2008. The call may be accessed US toll free by calling (800) 218-8862 or US toll by calling (303) 205-0066. Please join the conference call at least ten minutes early in order to register. The passcode for the call is "SMART." SMART will also offer a live and archived webcast of the conference call, accessible from the Company's website at http://www.smartm.com. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through midnight PST, January 1, 2009, by dialing (800) 405-2236 and entering passcode 11123091#. Callers outside the U.S. and Canada may access the replay by dialing (303) 590-3000.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release, including the quotations attributed to Mr. MacKenzie, that are not statements of historical fact, including any statements that use the words "will," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends" or similar words that describe the Company's or its management's future expectations, plans, objectives, or goals, are "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include projections regarding the Company's financial performance, costs and benefits associated with restructuring, the timing of such costs and benefits, the DRAM and SSD markets, new product introductions, and customer demand for its products.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the company to be materially different from the historical results and/or from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the post-closing integration of the businesses and product lines of SMART and Adtron, production or manufacturing difficulties, competitive factors, new products and technological changes, fluctuations in product prices and raw material costs, dependence upon third-party vendors, customer demand, changes in industry standards or release plans, fluctuations in the quarterly effective tax rate, possible increases in the estimated restructuring charges, lower than anticipated cash savings from the restructuring, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2008. Such risk factors as outlined in this report may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. The Company operates in a continually changing business environment and new factors emerge from time to time. The Company cannot predict such factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, from such factors on the Company or its results. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Information

Certain non-GAAP financial measures are included in this press release, including EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. We define EBITDA as GAAP net income plus income tax expense, net interest expense, and depreciation and amortization expense. Non-GAAP net income and net income per share do not include stock-based compensation expense, in-process research and development charges, restructuring costs, impairment charges and other infrequent or unusual items. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of our financial performance. By excluding these charges, as well as the related tax effects, our non-GAAP results provide information to management and investors that is useful in assessing SMART's core operating performance and in evaluating and comparing our results of operations on a consistent basis from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to evaluate financial results and to plan and forecast future periods. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be a substitute for the corresponding financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures, which are included below:

         SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (WWH), INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
             (In thousands, except per share data; unaudited)

                                      Three         Three        Three
                                      Months        Months       Months
                                      Ended         Ended        Ended
                                    November 28,  November 30,  August 29,
                                       2008          2007         2008
                                     -----------  ------------ -----------

Net income (loss)                    $    (6,612) $     12,065 $    (3,528)
Add:
  Impairment of goodwill                   7,210             -       3,187
  Restructuring charges, net of tax          886             -       1,795
  Stock-based compensation expense
   charged to operating expense, net
   of tax                                  1,775         1,628       1,899
                                     -----------  ------------ -----------
Non-GAAP net income                  $     3,259  $     13,693 $     3,353
                                     ===========  ============ ===========

Non-GAAP net income per diluted
 share                               $      0.05  $       0.22 $      0.05
                                     ===========  ============ ===========
Shares used in computing net income
 per diluted share                        63,330        63,656      63,403
                                     ===========  ============ ===========

                                     -----------  ------------ -----------
Net income (loss)                    $    (6,612) $     12,065 $    (3,528)
Interest expense, net                      1,752         1,024       1,536
Taxes                                      2,177         2,681       1,810
Depreciation and amortization              3,330         2,617       3,646
                                     -----------  ------------ -----------
EBITDA                               $       647  $     18,387 $     3,464
Adjustments:
  Impairment of goodwill                   7,210             -       3,187
  Restructuring charges                      886             -       1,938
  Stock-based compensation expense
   charged to operating expense            1,787         1,639       1,911
                                     -----------  ------------ -----------
Adjusted EBITDA                      $    10,530  $     20,026 $    10,500
                                     ===========  ============ ===========





            RECONCILIATION OF GUIDANCE FOR NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
               (In $ million, except per share data; unaudited)

                          Three Months Ending February 27, 2009
                -----------------------------------------------------------
                  Non-GAAP Range of
                       Estimate                     GAAP Range of Estimate
                -----------------------             ----------------------
                    From         To     Adjustments     From        To
                                        -----------
Net income
 (loss)         $       0.2 $       0.8 $   1.7 (a) $     (1.5) $     (0.9)
                =========== ===========             ==========  ==========

Net income
 (loss) per
 share          $      0.00 $      0.01             $    (0.02) $    (0.01)
                =========== ===========             ==========  ==========

Shares used in
 computing net
 income per
 diluted share         64.0        64.0                   61.5        61.5
                =========== ===========             ==========  ==========

(a) Reflects estimated adjustment for stock-based compensation expense.

About SMART

SMART is a leading independent designer, manufacturer and supplier of electronic subsystems to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. SMART offers more than 500 standard and custom products to OEMs engaged in the computer, industrial, networking, gaming, telecommunications, and embedded application markets. Taking innovations from the design stage through manufacturing and delivery, SMART has developed a comprehensive memory product line that includes DRAM, SRAM, and Flash memory in various form factors. Through its subsidiary, Adtron Corporation, SMART offers high performance, high capacity solid state drives for enterprise, defense/aerospace, industrial automation, medical, and transportation markets. Its Embedded Products Division develops embedded computing subsystems, backed by design and manufacturing, for markets supporting test equipment, 3G infrastructure, and network processing applications. SMART's Display Products Group designs, manufactures, and sells thin film transistors (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) solutions to customers developing casino gaming systems as well as embedded applications such as kiosk, ATM, point-of-service, and industrial control systems. SMART's presence in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America enables it to provide its customers with proven expertise in international logistics, asset management, and supply-chain management worldwide. See www.smartm.com for more information.

     SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (WWH), INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                          (Unaudited)


                                                    Three        Three
                                                    Months       Months
                                                    Ended        Ended
                                                  November 28, November 30,
                                                     2008         2007
                                                  -----------  -----------
                                                       (In thousands)

Net sales                                         $   141,294  $   177,373
Cost of sales                                         115,039      143,279
                                                  -----------  -----------
Gross profit                                           26,255       34,094
                                                  -----------  -----------
Research and development                                5,436        4,685
Selling, general and administrative                    14,640       15,061
Restructuring charges                                     886           --
Impairment of goodwill                                  7,210           --
                                                  -----------  -----------
  Total operating expenses                             28,172       19,746
                                                  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) from operations                          (1,917)      14,348
Interest expense, net                                  (1,752)      (1,024)
Other income (expense), net                              (766)       1,422
                                                  -----------  -----------
  Total other income (expense), net                    (2,518)         398
                                                  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes        (4,435)      14,746
Provision for income taxes                              2,177        2,681
                                                  -----------  -----------
Net income (loss)                                 $    (6,612) $    12,065
                                                  ===========  ===========
Net income (loss) per share, basic                $     (0.11) $      0.20
                                                  ===========  ===========
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per
 ordinary share                                        61,507       60,695
                                                  ===========  ===========
Net income (loss) per share, diluted              $     (0.11) $      0.19
                                                  ===========  ===========
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per
 diluted share                                         61,507       63,656
                                                  ===========  ===========





          SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (WWH), INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (Unaudited)


                                                 November 28,   August 29,
                                                     2008          2008
                                                  -----------  -----------
                                                       (In thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                         $   137,261  $   115,994
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,585
 and $1,517 as of November 28, 2008 and August
 29, 2008, respectively                               149,764      193,736
Inventories                                            78,453       62,430
Prepaid expenses and other current assets              12,151       14,973
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total current assets                              377,629      387,133
Property and equipment, net                            32,549       39,317
Goodwill                                                   --        7,210
Other intangible assets, net                            8,296        8,545
Other non-current assets                                4,806        4,943
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total assets                                  $   423,280  $   447,148
                                                  ===========  ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable                                  $    94,752  $    93,482
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities         21,096       23,942
                                                  -----------  -----------
  Total current liabilities                           115,848      117,424
Long-term debt                                         81,250       81,250
Other long-term liabilities                             1,915        1,568
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total liabilities                                 199,013      200,242
                                                  -----------  -----------
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares                                            10           10
Additional paid-in capital                            102,427      100,234
Deferred stock-based compensation                         (58)         (91)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)          (4,121)      14,132
Retained earnings                                     126,009      132,621
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total shareholders’ equity                        224,267      246,906
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity    $   423,280  $   447,148
                                                  ===========  ===========





          SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (WWH), INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      SUMMARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION
                                (Unaudited)


                                                Three Months  Three Months
                                                   Ended         Ended
                                                November 28,  November 30,
                                                    2008          2007
                                                ------------  ------------
                                                      (In thousands)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
 activities                                     $     28,639  $    (26,902)
Net cash used in investing activities           $     (4,508) $     (5,139)
Net cash provided by financing activities       $        439  $        157

Contact Information: For More Information Investor Contacts: Suzanne Craig The Blueshirt Group for SMART Modular Technologies 415-217-7722 Barry Zwarenstein CFO, Senior Vice President SMART Modular Technologies 510-624-8134