UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| | |
þ | | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDEDJANUARY 31, 2006 |
| | |
o | | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:1-8929
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
| | |
Delaware | | 94-1369354 |
| | |
(State of Incorporation) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
160 Pacific Avenue, Suite 222, San Francisco, California 94111 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code) |
| | |
415/733-4000 |
|
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days. Yeso Noþ
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 filerþ Accelerated filero Non-accelerated filero
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2006: 49,312,479.
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
FORM 10-Q
For the three months ended January 31, 2006
Table of Contents
1
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | |
| | January 31, | | | October 31, | |
(in thousands, except share amounts) | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 32,095 | | | $ | 56,793 | |
Trade accounts receivable | | | 373,545 | | | | 353,036 | |
Less: Allowances | | | (8,375 | ) | | | (7,932 | ) |
|
Accounts receivable, net | | | 365,170 | | | | 345,104 | |
|
Inventories | | | 20,861 | | | | 21,280 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 46,733 | | | | 46,795 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 52,841 | | | | 44,690 | |
Prepaid income taxes | | | 5,395 | | | | 6,791 | |
|
Total current assets | | | 523,095 | | | | 521,453 | |
|
Investments and long-term receivables | | | 13,176 | | | | 12,955 | |
Property, plant and equipment, at cost | | | | | | | | |
Land and buildings | | | 4,624 | | | | 4,624 | |
Transportation equipment | | | 14,052 | | | | 14,119 | |
Machinery and other equipment | | | 82,145 | | | | 79,406 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 17,053 | | | | 16,491 | |
|
| | | 117,874 | | | | 114,640 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | (83,256 | ) | | | (80,370 | ) |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 34,618 | | | | 34,270 | |
|
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization | | | 245,379 | | | | 243,559 | |
Other intangibles, at cost | | | 42,929 | | | | 37,941 | |
Less accumulated amortization | | | (15,056 | ) | | | (13,478 | ) |
|
Other intangibles, net | | | 27,873 | | | | 24,463 | |
|
Deferred income taxes | | | 46,696 | | | | 46,426 | |
Other assets | | | 21,051 | | | | 20,584 | |
|
Total assets | | $ | 911,888 | | | $ | 903,710 | |
|
(Continued)
2
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | |
| | January 31, | | | October 31, | |
(in thousands, except share amounts) | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Trade accounts payable | | $ | 46,637 | | | $ | 47,605 | |
Income taxes payable | | | 2,349 | | | | 2,349 | |
Accrued liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Compensation | | | 71,138 | | | | 72,034 | |
Taxes — other than income | | | 24,975 | | | | 18,832 | |
Insurance claims | | | 72,889 | | | | 71,455 | |
Other | | | 59,817 | | | | 62,799 | |
|
Total current liabilities | | | 277,805 | | | | 275,074 | |
Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities | | | 25,232 | | | | 25,596 | |
Insurance claims | | | 129,581 | | | | 127,114 | |
|
Total liabilities | | | 432,618 | | | | 427,784 | |
|
Stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares | | | | | | | | |
authorized; none issued | | | — | | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.01 par value;100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,866,000 and 54,651,000 shares issued at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005, respectively | | | 549 | | | | 547 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 210,974 | | | | 206,369 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 88 | | | | (68 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 364,036 | | | | 365,455 | |
Cost of treasury stock (5,600,000 shares) | | | (96,377 | ) | | | (96,377 | ) |
|
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 479,270 | | | | 475,926 | |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 911,888 | | | $ | 903,710 | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31
| | | | | | | | |
(In thousands except per share amounts) | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | As Restated |
Revenues | | | | | | | | |
Sales and other income | | $ | 666,601 | | | $ | 638,165 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses and cost of goods sold | | | 606,176 | | | | 579,457 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 52,893 | | | | 48,107 | |
Intangible amortization | | | 1,578 | | | | 1,356 | |
Interest | | | 123 | | | | 252 | |
|
Total expenses | | | 660,770 | | | | 629,172 | |
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | 5,831 | | | | 8,993 | |
Income taxes | | | 1,841 | | | | 3,370 | |
|
Income from continuing operations | | | 3,990 | | | | 5,623 | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | — | | | | (139 | ) |
|
Net income | | $ | 3,990 | | | $ | 5,484 | |
|
Net income per common share — Basic | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | |
|
| | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
|
Net income per common share — Diluted | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | |
|
| | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
|
Average common and common equivalent shares | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 49,185 | | | | 49,192 | |
Diluted | | | 50,087 | | | | 50,402 | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.11 | | | $ | 0.105 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31
| | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 |
| | | | | | As Restated |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 3,990 | | | $ | 5,484 | |
Less loss from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | 139 | |
|
Income from continuing operations | | | 3,990 | | | | 5,623 | |
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and intangible amortization | | | 5,127 | | | | 4,783 | |
Share-based compensation expense | | | 1,160 | | | | — | |
Provision for bad debt | | | 762 | | | | 437 | |
Gain on sale of assets | | | (112 | ) | | | (29 | ) |
Increase in deferred income taxes | | | (208 | ) | | | (541 | ) |
Increase in trade accounts receivable | | | (20,828 | ) | | | (9,098 | ) |
Decrease in inventories | | | 419 | | | | 396 | |
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | (8,061 | ) | | | (7,955 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in other assets | | | (467 | ) | | | 1,673 | |
Decrease in prepaid income taxes | | | 1,396 | | | | 1,381 | |
Decrease in retirement plans accrual and other non-current liabilities | | | (364 | ) | | | (1,554 | ) |
Increase in insurance claims liability | | | 3,901 | | | | 7,081 | |
Increase in trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | | | 1,369 | | | | 9,053 | |
|
Total adjustments to income from continuing operations | | | (15,906 | ) | | | 5,627 | |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operating activities | | | (11,916 | ) | | | 11,250 | |
Net operational cash flows from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | 1,413 | |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | | (11,916 | ) | | | 12,663 | |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (3,799 | ) | | | (4,795 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of assets | | | 269 | | | | 811 | |
(Increase) decrease in investments and long-term receivables | | | (221 | ) | | | 517 | |
Purchase of businesses | | | (7,069 | ) | | | (15,173 | ) |
Net investing cash flows from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | (29 | ) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (10,820 | ) | | | (18,669 | ) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock issued | | | 3,447 | | | | 8,595 | |
Dividends paid | | | (5,409 | ) | | | (5,183 | ) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | | | (1,962 | ) | | | 3,412 | |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (24,698 | ) | | | (2,594 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period | | | 56,793 | | | | 63,369 | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents end of period | | $ | 32,095 | | | $ | 60,775 | |
|
Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | $ | 307 | | | $ | 2,440 | |
Tax benefit from exercise of options | | $ | 338 | | | $ | 653 | |
Cash received from exercise of options | | $ | 3,109 | | | $ | 8,595 | |
Non-cash investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock issued for business acquired | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,429 | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments necessary to present fairly ABM Industries Incorporated (ABM) and subsidiaries’ (the Company) financial position as of January 31, 2006 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months then ended. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature, except as otherwise noted.
The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On June 2, 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, CommAir Mechanical Services (Mechanical). The remaining assets, consisting of the assets of the water treatment business, were sold to another buyer on July 31, 2005. As a result of these events, the assets and liabilities of Mechanical have been segregated and its operating results and cash flows have been reported as a discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company. (See Note 10.)
2. | | Previous Restatement of Prior Periods |
The financial statements for the first three quarters of 2005 have been restated to correct accounting errors associated with the operations acquired from Security Services of America, LLC (SSA LLC) in 2004 in the Security segment of the Company. These errors primarily involved the understatement of cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, accrued compensation, and an overstatement of cash and cash equivalents during the first three quarters of 2005 and errors in accounting for the subcontracting arrangement with SSA LLC while certain state operating licenses were being obtained by the Company. Correcting these errors reduced the Company’s income from continuing operations before income taxes and the operating profits of the Security segment by $4.0 million ($2.4 million after-tax) in the quarter ended January 31, 2005. Of the pre-tax amount, $2.0 million was a correction of an error attributable to a $2.8 million charge to selling, general and administrative expenses for a reserve provided for the amount the Company believes it overpaid SSA LLC in 2004 in connection with the subcontracting arrangement with SSA LLC and a $0.3 million charge to cost of goods sold to correct the understatement of payroll and payroll-related expenses in 2004, partially offset by $1.1 million benefit in cost of goods sold from correcting the overstatement of insurance expense in 2004.
Detailed information on the restatement is included in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
3. | | Net Income per Common Share |
The Company has reported its earnings in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, including common stock equivalents. Stock options account for the entire difference between basic average common shares outstanding and diluted average common shares outstanding. The calculation of net income per common share is as follows:
6
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, |
(in thousands, except per share data) | | 2006 | | 2005 |
| | | | As Restated |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income available to common stockholders | | $ | 3,990 | | | $ | 5,484 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Average common shares outstanding — Basic | | | 49,185 | | | | 49,192 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | |
Stock options | | | 902 | | | | 1,210 | |
|
Average common shares outstanding — Diluted | | | 50,087 | | | | 50,402 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Net income per common share — Basic | | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income per common share — Diluted | | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.11 | |
For purposes of computing diluted net income per common share for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, options to purchase common shares of 1.6 million and 0.3 million, respectively, at weighted average exercise prices of $19.47 and $21.44, respectively, were excluded from the computation as they had an anti-dilutive effect.
4. | | Share-Based Compensation |
The Company has four stock option plans which are described below.
“Time-Vested” Incentive Stock Option Plan
In 1987, ABM adopted a stock option plan under which 2.4 million shares were reserved for grant. In March 1994, this plan was amended to reserve an additional 2.0 million shares. In March 1996, the plan was amended again to reserve another 4.0 million shares. The options become exercisable at a rate of 20% of the shares per year beginning one year after date of grant and terminate no later than 10 years plus one month after date of grant. Options which terminate without being exercised may be reissued. At January 31, 2006, 0.2 million shares remained available for grant.
“Price-Vested” Performance Stock Option Plans
In December 1996, ABM adopted a stock option plan (the 1996 Plan) under which 3.0 million shares were reserved for grant. In December 2001, ABM adopted an additional but substantially similar plan (the 2002 Plan) under which 4.0 million shares were reserved for grant. The options expire ten years after the date of grant and any options which terminate without being exercised may be reissued. Each option has a pre-defined vesting price which provides for accelerated vesting. If, during the first four years, the stock price achieved and maintained a set price for ten out of thirty consecutive trading days, the options associated with the price would vest. The prices established for the 1996 Plan were $12.50, $15.00, $17.50 and $20.00. On September 10, 2002, the Compensation Committee of ABM’s Board of Directors established accelerated vesting prices of $20.00, $22.50, $25.00 and $27.50 for the 2002 Plan. On December 6, 2004, the Compensation Committee of ABM’s Board of Directors amended the form of agreement for the 2002 Plan to raise the accelerated vesting prices to $22.50, $25.00, $27.50, and $30.00. The form of agreement for these options under the 1996 Plan and 2002 Plan provide that 25% of the options granted will vest at each price point. On June 14, 2005, the Compensation Committee of ABM’s Board of Directors adopted a form of agreement for the 2002 Plan to change the accelerated vesting prices of options granted on and after that date to $23.00 and $26.00 with 50% of the options vesting at each price. Under each form of option agreement, if, at the end of four years, any of the stock price performance targets are not achieved, then the remaining options would vest at the end of eight years from the date the options were granted. Options vesting during the first year following grant do not become exercisable until after the first anniversary of grant. At January 31, 2006, 0.3 million and 2.0 million shares remained available for grant under the 1996 Plan and the 2002 Plan, respectively.
7
Executive Stock Option Plan (aka “Age-Vested” Career Stock Option Plan)
In 1984, ABM adopted a stock option plan under which 1.36 million shares were reserved for grant. In March 1996, another 2.0 million shares were reserved for grant. Under a plan amendment of December 20, 1994, options are exercisable for 50% of the shares when the option holders reach their 61st birthdays and the remaining 50% become exercisable on their 64th birthdays. To the extent vested, the options may be exercised at any time prior to one year after termination of employment. Effective as of December 9, 2003, no further grants may be made under the Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On March 9, 2004, the stockholders of ABM approved the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which an aggregate of 2.0 million shares may be issued. The participant’s purchase price is 85% of the lower of the fair market value of ABM’s common stock on the first day of each six-month period in the fiscal year (i.e., May and November, or in the case of the first offering period, the price on August 1, 2004) or the last trading day of each month. Employees may designate up to 10% of their compensation for the purchase of stock, subject to a $25,000 annual limit. Employees are required to hold their shares for a minimum of six months from the date of purchase. At January 31, 2006, 1.2 million shares remained unissued under the plan.
On March 7, 2006, the Board of Directors of ABM amended the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Commencing May 1, 2006, the purchase price will be 95% of the fair market value of ABM’s common stock on the last trading day of each month. Accordingly, this plan will no longer be considered compensatory.
Effective November 1, 2005, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock options in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment”, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Prior to November 1, 2005, the Company accounted for stock options according to the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations, and therefore no related compensation expense was recorded for awards granted with no intrinsic value. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123R, and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with stock options recognized in the first three months of 2006 includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all stock option awards granted for the fiscal years beginning November 1, 1995 and ending October 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”; and 2) amortization related to all stock option awards granted subsequent to November 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. The compensation cost is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
The compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statement for the three months ended January 31, 2006 were as follows.
| | | | |
| | Three Months Ended |
(in thousands) | | January 31, 2006 |
|
Share-based compensation expense recognized in SG&A before income taxes | | $ | 1,160 | |
Income tax benefit | | | 166 | |
|
Total share-based compensation expense after income taxes | | $ | 994 | |
|
As of January 31, 2006, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-
8
average vesting period of 3.1 years. The Company elected to treat each award granted under the Time-Vested plan as a single award and recognize the compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. At any point in time, the compensation cost recognized will equal or exceed the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that has vested at that date.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per common share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to share-based compensation during the three-month period ended January 31, 2005:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Three Months Ended |
(in thousands, except per share data) | | January 31, 2005 |
| | | | | | As Restated |
Net income, as reported | | $ | 5,484 | |
Deduct: | | Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of tax effect, that would have been included in net income if the fair value method had been applied | | | 865 | |
|
Net income, pro forma | | $ | 4,619 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Net income per common share — Basic | | | | |
| | | | As reported | | $ | 0.11 | |
| | | | Pro forma | | $ | 0.09 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income per common share — Diluted | | | | |
| | | | As reported | | $ | 0.11 | |
| | | | Pro forma | | $ | 0.09 | |
The Company continues to estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company uses an outside expert to estimate the assumptions used in the option valuation model. The Company now estimates option forfeitures based on historical data and adjusts the forfeiture rate periodically. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate may result in a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. During the three months ended January 31, 2006, no adjustment was necessary.
The weighted average assumptions used in the option valuation model for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 are shown in the table below:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, |
| | 2006 | | 2005 |
|
Expected term from the date of grant | | 6.7 years | | 6.4 years |
Expected stock price volatility average | | | 26.3 | % | | | 22.1 | % |
Expected dividend yield | | | 2.1 | % | | | 2.0 | % |
Risk-free interest rate | | | 4.4 | % | | | 3.9 | % |
Weighted average fair value of grants | | $ | 5.67 | | | $ | 5.12 | |
The expected term of the options granted under the Time-Vested plan is based on observed historical exercise patterns. The expected term for options granted under the Price-Vested plan was calculated using the simplified method in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The simplified method was calculated as the vesting term plus the contractual term divided by two. The vesting term of the Price-Vested options was derived using a Monte Carlo Simulation due to the market condition affecting the exercisability of these options. The expected volatility is based on considerations of implied volatility from publicly traded and quoted options on the Company’s stock and the Company's historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the continuous compounded yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Rates with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. The dividend yield is based on the historical dividend yield over the expected term of the options granted.
Because the Company was delayed in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2006
9
the Company was not able to issue shares in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan on February 28, 2006 or March 31, 2006. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, participants could elect the return of their contributions for these months. Monies left in the plan as well as contributions for April 2006 will be used to purchase shares on April 30, 2006 at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of ABM common stock on November 1, 2005 or on April 30, 2006.
Because of the delays in filing the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2006, the Company could not issue shares under its stock option plans and no participants were permitted to exercise options between February 1, 2006 and the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Following the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, stock option exercises will be permitted.
The status of the Company’s stock option plans at January 31, 2006, excluding the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, is summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Weighted- | | |
| | | | | | Weighted- | | average | | Aggregate |
| | Number of | | average | | remaining | | intrinsic |
| | shares | | exercise price | | contractual term | | value |
| | (in thousands) | | per share | | (in years) | | (in thousands) |
|
Outstanding at October 31, 2005 | | | 6,078 | | | $ | 15.30 | | | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | 286 | | | | 20.09 | | | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | | 90 | | | | 10.06 | | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited or expired | | | 52 | | | | 14.42 | | | | | | | | | |
|
Outstanding at January 31, 2006 | | | 6,222 | | | $ | 15.60 | | | | 6.71 | | | $ | 23,100 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Exercisable at January 31, 2006 | | | 2,826 | | | $ | 13.96 | | | | 3.99 | | | $ | 14,670 | |
|
Additionally, 125,000 shares of common stock were issued to employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at an average price of $16.29 during the three months ended January 31, 2006. The compensation cost recognized during the three months ended January 31, 2006 associated with these shares was $0.5 million.
The total intrinsic value of the options for 90,000 shares exercised during the three months ended January 31, 2006 was $0.9 million. The fair value of options vested during the three months ended January 31, 2006 was $1.7 million.
5. | | Parking Revenue Presentation |
The Company’s Parking segment reports both revenues and expenses recognized, in equal amounts, for costs directly reimbursed from its managed parking lot clients in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 01-14, “Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Incurred.” Parking sales related solely to the reimbursement of expenses totaled $64.1 million and $58.3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The Company self-insures certain insurable risks such as general liability, automobile, property damage, and workers’ compensation. Commercial policies are obtained to provide for $150.0 million of coverage for certain risk exposures above the self-insured retention limits (i.e., deductibles). For claims incurred after November 1, 2002, substantially all of the self-insured retentions increased from $0.5 million (inclusive of legal fees) to $1.0 million (exclusive of legal fees) except for California workers’ compensation insurance which increased to $2.0 million effective April 14, 2003. However, effective April 14, 2005, the deductible for California workers’ compensation insurance decreased from $2.0 million to
10
$1.0 million per occurrence, plus an additional $1.0 million annually in the aggregate, due to improvements in general insurance market conditions.
The Company uses an independent actuary to annually evaluate the Company’s estimated claim costs and liabilities and accrues self-insurance reserves in an amount that is equal to the actuarial point estimate. Using the annual actuarial report, management develops annual insurance costs for each operation, expressed as a rate per $100 of exposure (labor and revenue) to estimate insurance costs on a quarterly basis. Additionally, management monitors new claims and claim development to assess the adequacy of the insurance reserves. The estimated future charge is intended to reflect the recent experience and trends. Trend analysis is complex and highly subjective. The interpretation of trends requires the knowledge of all factors affecting the trends that may or may not be reflective of adverse developments (e.g., changes in regulatory requirements and changes in reserving methodology). If the trends suggest that the frequency or severity of claims incurred has increased, the Company might be required to record additional expenses for self-insurance liabilities. Additionally, the Company uses third party service providers to administer its claims and the performance of the service providers and transfers between administrators can impact the cost of claims and accordingly the amounts reflected in insurance reserves.
The total estimated liability for claims incurred but unpaid at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005 was $202.5 million and $198.6 million, respectively.
In connection with certain self-insurance programs, the Company had standby letters of credit at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005 supporting estimated unpaid liabilities in the amounts of $93.4 million and $82.1million, respectively.
7. | | Variable Interest Entities |
The Company has investments in two low income housing tax credit partnerships. Purchased in 1995 and 1998, these limited partnerships, organized by independent third parties and sold as investments, are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Financial Interpretation (FIN) No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” In accordance with FIN 46R, these partnerships are not consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the partnerships. At January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005, the at-risk book value of these investments totaled $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
8. | | Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
Goodwill.The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2006 were as follows (acquisitions are discussed in Note 9):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | Initial | | Contingent | | |
| | Balance as of | | Payments for | | Amounts | | Balance as of |
Segment | | October 31, 2005 | | Acquisitions | | and Other | | January 31, 2006 |
|
Janitorial | | $ | 151,307 | | | $ | 575 | | | $ | 1,007 | | | $ | 152,889 | |
Parking | | | 29,535 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 29,535 | |
Security | | | 42,541 | | | | 238 | | | | — | | | | 42,779 | |
Engineering | | | 2,174 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,174 | |
Lighting | | | 18,002 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 18,002 | |
|
Total | | $ | 243,559 | | | $ | 813 | | | $ | 1,007 | | | $ | 245,379 | |
|
Of the $245.4 million carrying amount of goodwill as of January 31, 2006, $44.8 million is not amortizable for income tax purposes because of being acquired prior to 1991 or through stock acquisitions.
11
Other Intangibles. The changes in the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangibles other than goodwill for the three months ended January 31, 2006 were as follows (acquisitions are discussed in Note 9):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization |
| | October 31, | | | | | | Retire- | | January 31, | | October 31, | | | | | | Retire- | | January 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2005 | | Additions | | ments | | 2006 | | 2005 | | Additions | | ments | | 2006 |
|
Customer contracts and related relationships | | $ | 28,267 | | | $ | 4,988 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 33,255 | | | $ | (7,540 | ) | | $ | (1,185 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | (8,725 | ) |
Trademarks and trade names | | | 3,050 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,050 | | | | (1,227 | ) | | | (135 | ) | | | — | | | | (1,362 | ) |
Other (contract rights, etc.) | | | 6,624 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 6,624 | | | | (4,711 | ) | | | (258 | ) | | | — | | | | (4,969 | ) |
|
Total | | $ | 37,941 | | | $ | 4,988 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 42,929 | | | $ | (13,478 | ) | | $ | (1,578 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | (15,056 | ) |
|
Of the $5.0 million additions to other intangibles, $0.5 million is a contingent payment for the previously acquired Initial Northeast and the remaining $4.5 million is for initial payments for acquisitions during the three months ended January 31, 2006.
The weighted average remaining lives as of January 31, 2006 and the amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 of intangibles other than goodwill, as well as the estimated amortization expense for such intangibles for each of the five succeeding fiscal years are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Weighted | | Amortization Expense | | Estimated Amortization Expense |
| | Average | | Three Months Ended | | Years Ending |
| | Remaining Life | | January 31, | | October 31, |
($ in thousands) | | (Years) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2010 | | 2011 |
|
Customer contracts and related relationships | | | 10.3 | | | $ | 1,185 | | | $ | 907 | | | $ | 4,263 | | | $ | 3,726 | | | $ | 3,188 | | | $ | 2,650 | | | $ | 2,112 | |
Trademarks and trade names | | | 3.1 | | | | 135 | | | | 187 | | | | 540 | | | | 540 | | | | 202 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Other (contract rights, etc.) | | | 7.1 | | | | 258 | | | | 262 | | | | 181 | | | | 173 | | | | 162 | | | | 135 | | | | 135 | |
|
Total | | | 9.7 | | | $ | 1,578 | | | $ | 1,356 | | | $ | 4,984 | | | $ | 4,439 | | | $ | 3,552 | | | $ | 2,785 | | | $ | 2,247 | |
|
The customer relationship intangible assets are being amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over their useful lives consistent with the estimated useful life considerations used in the determination of their fair values. The accelerated method of amortization reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationship intangible asset are expected to be realized. Trademarks and trade names are being amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Other intangible assets, consisting principally of contract rights, are being amortized over the contract periods using the straight-line method.
Acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The operating results generated by the companies and businesses acquired have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price (including contingent amounts) over fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is included in goodwill. Most purchase agreements provide for initial payments and contingent payments based on the annual pre-tax income or other financial parameters for subsequent periods ranging generally from two to five years.
Cash paid for acquisitions, including initial payments and contingent amounts based on subsequent performance, was $7.1 million and $15.2 million in the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Of those payment amounts, $1.6 million and $1.4 million were the contingent amounts paid in the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, on earlier acquisitions as provided by the respective purchase agreements. In addition, shares of ABM’s common stock with a
12
fair market value of $3.4 million at the date of issuance were issued in the three months ended January 31, 2005 as payment for business acquired.
The Company made the following acquisitions during the three months ended January 31, 2006:
On November 1, 2005, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Brandywine Building Services, Inc., a facility services company based in Wilmington, Delaware, for approximately $3.6 million in cash. Additional cash consideration of approximately $2.4 million is expected to be paid based on the financial performance of the acquired business over the next four years. With annual revenues in excess of $9.0 million, Brandywine Building Services, Inc. was a provider of commercial office cleaning and specialty cleaning services throughout Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and south New Jersey. Of the total initial payment, $2.9 million was allocated to customer relationship intangible assets, $0.6 million to goodwill and $0.1 million to other assets.
On November 27, 2005, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Fargo Security, Inc., a security guard services company based in Miami, Florida, for approximately $1.2 million in cash. Additional cash consideration of approximately $0.5 million is expected to be paid based on the revenue retained by the acquired business over the 90 days following the date of acquisition. With annual revenues in excess of $6.5 million, Fargo Security, Inc. was a provider of contract security guard services throughout the Miami metropolitan area. Of the total initial payment, $1.0 million was allocated to customer relationship intangible assets and $0.2 million to goodwill.
On December 11, 2005, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of MWS Management, Inc., dba Protector Security Services, a security guard services company based in St. Louis, Missouri, for approximately $0.6 million in cash. Additional cash consideration of approximately $0.3 million is expected to be paid based on the revenue retained by the acquired business over the 90 days following the date of acquisition. With annual revenues in excess of $2.6 million, Protector Security Services was a provider of contract security guard services throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Of the total initial payment, $0.6 million was allocated to customer relationship intangible assets.
The Company made the following acquisitions during the three months ended January 31, 2005:
On November 1, 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Sentinel Guard Systems (Sentinel), a Los Angeles-based company, from Tracerton Enterprises, Inc. Sentinel, with annual revenues in excess of $13.0 million, was a provider of security officer services primarily to high-rise, commercial and residential structures. In addition to its Los Angeles business, Sentinel also operated an office in San Francisco. The total purchase price was $5.3 million, which included an initial payment of $3.5 million in shares of ABM’s common stock, the assumption of liabilities totaling approximately $1.7 million and $0.1 million of professional fees. Of the total purchase price, $2.4 million was allocated to customer relationship intangible asset, $0.1 million to trademarks and trade names, $1.3 million to customer accounts receivable and other assets and $1.5 million to goodwill. Additionally, because of the tax-free nature of this transaction to the seller, the Company recorded a $1.0 million deferred tax liability on the difference between the recorded fair market value and the seller’s tax basis of the net assets acquired. Goodwill was increased by the same amount. Additional consideration includes contingent payments, based on achieving certain revenue and profitability targets over a three-year period, estimated to be between $0.5 million and $0.75 million per year, payable in shares of ABM’s common stock.
On December 22, 2004, the Company acquired the operating assets of Colin Service Systems, Inc. (Colin), a facility services company based in New York, for an initial payment of $13.6 million in cash. Under certain conditions, additional consideration may include an estimated $1.9 million payment upon the collection of the acquired receivables and three annual contingent cash payments each for approximately $1.1 million, which are based on achieving annual revenue targets over a three-year period. With annual revenues in excess of $70 million, Colin was a provider of professional onsite management, commercial office cleaning, specialty cleaning, snow removal and engineering services. Of the total initial payment,
13
$3.6 million was allocated to customer relationship intangible assets, $6.4 million to customer accounts receivable and other assets and $3.6 million to goodwill.
10. | | Discontinued Operations |
On June 2, 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of CommAir Mechanical Services, which represented the Company’s Mechanical segment, to Carrier Corporation. The operating assets sold included customer contracts, accounts receivable, inventories, facility leases and other assets, as well as rights to the name “CommAir Mechanical Services.” The consideration paid was $32.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and Carrier’s assumption of trade payables and accrued liabilities. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $21.4 million ($13.1 million after tax) on the sale of these assets in 2005.
On July 31, 2005, the Company sold the remaining operating assets of Mechanical, consisting of its water treatment business, to San Joaquin Chemicals, Incorporated for $0.5 million, of which $0.25 million was in the form of a note and $0.25 million in cash. The operating assets sold included customer contracts and inventories. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after tax) on the sale of these assets in 2005.
The operating results of Mechanical for the three months ended January 31, 2005 are shown below.
| | | | |
| | Three Months Ended |
(In thousands) | | January 31, 2005 |
|
Revenues | | $ | 9,198 | |
|
Loss before income taxes | | $ | (229 | ) |
Income taxes | | | (90 | ) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | $ | (139 | ) |
|
11. | | Line of Credit Facility |
In May 2005, ABM entered into a $300 million syndicated line of credit scheduled to expire in May 2010. No compensating balances are required under the facility and the interest rate is determined at the time of borrowing based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 0.375% to 1.125% or, for overnight borrowings, at the prime rate or, for overnight to one week, at the Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) plus a spread of 0.375% to 1.125%. The spreads for LIBOR and IBOR borrowings are based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The facility calls for a non-use fee payable quarterly, in arrears, of 0.125%, based on the average daily unused portion. For purposes of this calculation, irrevocable standby letters of credit issued primarily in conjunction with the Company’s self-insurance program plus cash borrowings are considered to be outstanding amounts. As of January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005, the total outstanding amounts under the facility were $97.8 million and $84.4 million in the form of standby letters of credit, respectively.
The facility includes usual and customary covenants for a credit facility of this type, including covenants limiting liens, dispositions, fundamental changes, investments, indebtedness, and certain transactions and payments. In addition, the facility also requires that the Company satisfy three financial covenants: (1) a fixed charge coverage ratio greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.0 at fiscal quarter-end; (2) a leverage ratio of less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.0 at fiscal quarter-end; and (3) consolidated net worth greater than or equal to the sum of (i) $341.9 million, (ii) an amount equal to 50% of the consolidated net income earned in each full fiscal quarter ending after May 25, 2005 (with no deduction for a net loss in any such fiscal quarter) and (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate increases in stockholders’ equity of ABM after the effective time by reason of the issuance and sale of capital stock or other equity interests of ABM, including upon any conversion of debt securities of ABM into such capital stock or other equity
14
interests, but excluding by reason of the issuance and sale of capital stock pursuant to ABM’s employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans and similar programs.
The lenders waived the event of default that would have existed under the facility for failure to deliver audited financial statements for 2005 and a corresponding compliance certificate occasioned by the delay in filing the Annual Report on Form 10-K provided these were delivered no later than March 31, 2006. The Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed on March 29, 2006 and the Company is now in compliance with all covenants.
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other related gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net income. For the Company, such other comprehensive income items consist of unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses. The Company’s comprehensive income was $0.2 million for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and a loss of $0.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2005.
On March 7, 2005, ABM’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 2.0 million shares of ABM’s outstanding common stock at any time through October 31, 2005. The Company repurchased 1.6 million shares under this authorization during the year ended October 31, 2005 at a cost of $31.3 million (an average price of $19.57 per share). At October 31, 2005, the authorization for the remaining 0.4 million shares expired. No shares were repurchased during the first three months of 2006 and 2005.
On March 29, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 2.0 million shares of ABM’s outstanding common stock at any time through October 31, 2006.
14. | | Employee Benefit Plans |
The Company offers various employee benefit plans to its employees. Detailed descriptions of these plans is included in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Retirement and Post-Retirement Plans
The net cost of the defined benefit retirement plans and the post-retirement benefit plan for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 |
|
Defined Benefit Plans | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 90 | | | $ | 50 | |
Interest | | | 111 | | | | 144 | |
|
Net expense | | $ | 201 | | | $ | 194 | |
|
Post-Retirement Benefit Plan | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 8 | | | $ | 10 | |
Interest | | | 62 | | | | 68 | |
|
Net expense | | $ | 70 | | | $ | 78 | |
|
The Company has three unfunded defined benefit plans. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan represents retirement agreements for current and former senior executives including two non-employee directors who are former employees. The Non-Employee Director Retirement Plan represents retirement agreements for non-employee directors including two former senior executives who begin to accrue benefits under the non-employee director plan after termination of employment. The Service
15
Award Benefit Plan represents an unfunded severance pay plan covering certain qualified employees. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was amended effective December 31, 2002 to preclude new participants and the Service Award Benefit Plan was frozen effective January 1, 2002. The post-retirement benefit plan is the Company’s unfunded Death Benefit Plan.
401(k) Plans
The Company made matching 401(k) contributions required by the 401(k) plans for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 in the amount of $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company has an unfunded deferred compensation plan available to executive, management, administrative or sales employees whose annualized base salary exceeds $100,000. The plan allows employees to defer from 1% to 20% of their pre-tax compensation. The deferred amount earns interest equal to the prime interest rate on the last day of the calendar quarter up to 6%. If the prime rate exceeds 6%, the deferred compensation interest rate is equal to 6% plus one half of the excess over 6%. The average interest rates credited to the deferred compensation amounts for the first three months of 2006 and 2005 were 6.63% and 5.33%, respectively. At January 31, 2006, there were 62 active participants and 38 retired or terminated employees participating in the plan.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 |
|
Employee contributions | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 381 | |
Interest accrued | | | 167 | | | | 140 | |
Payments | | | (746 | ) | | | (2,115 | ) |
Pension Plan Under Collective Bargaining
Certain qualified employees of the Company are covered under union-sponsored multi-employer defined benefit plans. Contributions into these plans were $8.7 million and $8.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of negotiated labor contracts.
Under the criteria of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” Janitorial, Parking, Security, Engineering, and Lighting are reportable segments. Corporate expenses, including the Company’s share-based compensation costs, are not allocated.
16
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 |
| | | | | | As Restated |
Sales and other income | | | | | | | | |
Janitorial | | $ | 386,354 | | | $ | 376,123 | |
Parking | | | 105,721 | | | | 101,126 | |
Security | | | 78,296 | | | | 73,111 | |
Engineering | | | 66,939 | | | | 58,048 | |
Lighting | | | 28,896 | | | | 29,416 | |
Corporate | | | 395 | | | | 341 | |
|
| | $ | 666,601 | | | $ | 638,165 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Operating profit | | | | | | | | |
Janitorial | | $ | 14,696 | | | $ | 12,432 | |
Parking | | | 1,639 | | | | 2,388 | |
Security | | | 175 | | | | (913 | ) |
Engineering | | | 3,188 | | | | 3,001 | |
Lighting | | | 335 | | | | 681 | |
Corporate | | | (14,079 | ) | | | (8,344 | ) |
|
Operating profit | | | 5,954 | | | | 9,245 | |
Interest expense | | | (123 | ) | | | (252 | ) |
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | 5,831 | | | $ | 8,993 | |
|
The Company accrues amounts it believes are adequate to address any liabilities related to litigation or other proceedings that the Company believes will result in a probable loss. However, the ultimate resolution of such matters is always uncertain. It is possible that litigation or other proceedings brought against the Company could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations. The total amount accrued for probable losses at January 31, 2006 was not material.
The effective tax rate was 31.6% for the first three months of 2006 compared to 37.5% for the first three months of 2005. The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2006 was lower than the estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2006 of 37.5%, primarily due to a $0.3 million benefit from the increase in deferred tax assets as of January 31, 2006, related to an increase in the estimated overall state income tax rate.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005. All information in the discussion and references to the years and quarters are based on the Company’s fiscal year which ends on October 31 and the quarter which ends on January 31.
Overview
17
ABM Industries Incorporated (“ABM”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide janitorial, parking, security, engineering and lighting services for thousands of commercial, industrial, institutional and retail facilities in hundreds of cities throughout the United States as well as in certain cities in British Columbia, Canada. The largest segment of the Company’s business is Janitorial which generated over 57% of the Company’s sales and other income (hereinafter called “Sales”) and over 72% of its operating profit before corporate expenses for the first three months of 2006. The Company also previously provided mechanical services. It sold substantially all of the operating assets of its Mechanical segment on June 2, 2005 and the remaining assets on July 31, 2005. (See “Results from Discontinued Operations.”)
The Company’s Sales are substantially based on the performance of labor-intensive services at contractually specified prices. Janitorial and other maintenance service contracts are either fixed-price or “cost-plus” (i.e., the customer agrees to reimburse the agreed upon amount of wages and benefits, payroll taxes, insurance charges and other expenses plus a profit percentage), or are time and materials based. In addition to services defined within the scope of the contract, the Company also generates Sales from extra services (or “tags”), such as additional cleaning requirements or emergency repair services, with extra services frequently providing higher margins. The quarterly profitability of fixed-price contracts is impacted by the variability of the number of work days in the quarter.
The majority of the Company’s contracts are for one-year periods, but are subject to termination by either party after 30 to 90 days’ written notice. Upon renewal of the contract, the Company may renegotiate the price although competitive pressures and customers’ price sensitivity could inhibit the Company’s ability to pass on cost increases. Such cost increases include, but are not limited to, labor costs, workers’ compensation and other insurance costs, any applicable payroll taxes and fuel costs. However, for some renewals the Company is able to restructure the scope and terms of the contract to maintain profit margin.
Sales have historically been the major source of cash for the Company, while payroll expenses, which are substantially related to Sales, have been the largest use of cash. Hence operating cash flows significantly depend on the Sales level and timing of collections, as well as the quality of the customer accounts receivable. The timing and level of the payments to suppliers and other vendors, as well as the magnitude of self-insured claims, also affect operating cash flows. The Company’s management views operating cash flows as a good indicator of financial strength. Strong operating cash flows provide opportunities for growth both internally and through acquisitions.
The Company’s recent acquisitions significantly contributed to the growth in Sales in the first three months of 2006 from the same period in 2005. The Company also experienced internal growth in Sales in the first three months of 2006. Internal growth in Sales represents not only Sales from new customers, but also expanded services or increases in the scope of work for existing customers. In the long run, achieving the desired levels of Sales and profitability will depend on the Company’s ability to gain and retain, at acceptable profit margins, more customers than it loses, pass on cost increases to customers, and keep overall costs down to remain competitive, particularly against privately owned companies that typically have the lower cost advantage.
In the short-term, management is focused on pursuing new business and integrating its most recent acquisitions. In the long-term, management continues to focus the Company’s financial and management resources on those businesses it can grow to be a leading national service provider.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
18
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | January 31, | | October 31, | | |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | Change |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 32,095 | | | $ | 56,793 | | | $ | (24,698 | ) |
Working capital | | | 245,290 | | | | 246,379 | | | | (1,089 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, | | |
(in thousands) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | Change |
| | | | | | As Restated | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations | | $ | (11,916 | ) | | $ | 11,250 | | | $ | (23,166 | ) |
Net cash (used in) investing activities | | | (10,820 | ) | | | (18,669 | ) | | | 7,849 | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | | | (1,962 | ) | | | 3,412 | | | | (5,374 | ) |
Funds provided from operations and bank borrowings have historically been the sources for meeting working capital requirements, financing capital expenditures and acquisitions, and paying cash dividends. As of January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $32.1 million and $56.8 million, respectively. The cash balance at January 31, 2006 declined from October 31, 2005 primarily due to $11.9 million of cash used in operations, $5.4 million of initial payments for the purchase of operations of Brandywine Building Services, Inc. (“Brandywine”) acquired on November 1, 2005, Fargo Security, Inc. (“Fargo”) acquired on November 27, 2005 and Protector Security Services (“Protector”) acquired on December 11, 2005, and $3.8 million of capital expenditures.
Working Capital.Working capital decreased by $1.1 million to $245.3 million at January 31, 2006 from $246.4 million at October 31, 2005. The largest component of working capital consists of trade accounts receivable, which totaled $365.2 million at January 31, 2006, compared to $345.1 million at October 31, 2005. These amounts were net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $6.5 million and sales allowance of $1.9 million at January 31, 2006 and allowance for doubtful account of $6.1 million and sales allowance of $1.8 million at October 31, 2005. As of January 31, 2006, accounts receivable that were over 90 days past due had increased by $7.2 million to $34.4 million (9.2% of the total outstanding) from $27.2 million (7.7% of the total outstanding) at October 31, 2005. Some larger customers were slower in making payments.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. During the first three months of 2006 $11.9 million was used in operating activities from continuing operations, while operations in the first three months of 2005 provided net cash of $11.3 million. Operating cash from continuing operations decreased in the first three months of 2006 from the first three months of 2005 primarily due to slower payments by some large customers in 2006 and the effect of the timing of other recurring payments.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities.Net cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2006 was $10.8 million, compared to $18.7 million used in the first three months of 2005. The decrease was primarily due to the $8.1 million decrease in the cash used in the purchase of businesses in the first three months of 2006 compared to the first three months of 2005.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities.Net cash used in financing activities was $2.0 million in the first three months of 2006, while $3.4 million was provided by financing activities in the first three months of 2005. This was primarily because $5.1 million less in common stock was issued in the first three months of 2006 through the Company’s stock option and employee stock purchase plans.
Line of Credit.In May 2005, ABM entered into a $300 million syndicated line of credit scheduled to expire in May 2010. No compensating balances are required under the facility and the interest rate is determined at the time of borrowing based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 0.375% to 1.125% or, for overnight borrowings, at the prime rate or, for overnight to one week, at the Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) plus a spread of 0.375% to 1.125%. The spreads for LIBOR and IBOR borrowings are based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The facility calls for a non-use fee payable quarterly, in arrears, of 0.125%, based on the average daily unused portion. For purposes of this calculation, irrevocable standby letters of credit issued primarily in conjunction with the Company’s self-insurance program plus cash borrowings are considered to be outstanding amounts. As of January 31,
19
2006 and October 31, 2005, the total outstanding amounts under the facility were $97.8 million and $84.4 million in the form of standby letters of credit, respectively.
The facility includes usual and customary covenants for a credit facility of this type, including covenants limiting liens, dispositions, fundamental changes, investments, indebtedness, and certain transactions and payments. In addition, the facility also requires that the Company satisfy three financial covenants: (1) a fixed charge coverage ratio greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.0 at fiscal quarter-end; (2) a leverage ratio of less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.0 at fiscal quarter-end; and (3) consolidated net worth greater than or equal to the sum of (i) $341.9 million, (ii) an amount equal to 50% of the consolidated net income earned in each full fiscal quarter ending after May 25, 2005 (with no deduction for a net loss in any such fiscal quarter) and (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate increases in stockholders’ equity of ABM after the effective time by reason of the issuance and sale of capital stock or other equity interests of ABM, including upon any conversion of debt securities of ABM into such capital stock or other equity interests, but excluding by reason of the issuance and sale of capital stock pursuant to ABM’s employee stock purchase plans, employee stock option plans and similar programs.
The lenders waived the event of default that would have existed under the facility for failure to deliver audited financial statements for 2005 and a corresponding compliance certificate occasioned by the delay in filing the Annual Report on Form 10-K provided these were delivered no later than March 31, 2006. The Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed on March 29, 2006 and the Company is now in compliance with all covenants.
Cash Requirements
The Company is contractually obligated to make future payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements for various facilities, vehicles and other equipment. As of January 31, 2006, future contractual payments were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | Payments Due By Period | |
|
Contractual | | | | | | Less than | | | 1 - 3 | | | 4 - 5 | | | After 5 | |
Obligations | | Total | | | 1 year | | | years | | | years | | | years | |
|
Operating Leases | | $ | 136,938 | | | $ | 37,394 | | | $ | 45,037 | | | $ | 23,730 | | | $ | 30,777 | |
|
Additionally, the Company has the following commercial commitments and other long-term liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period | |
|
Commercial | | | | | | Less than | | | 1 - 3 | | | 4 - 5 | | | After 5 | |
Commitments | | Total | | | 1 year | | | years | | | years | | | years | |
|
Standby Letters of Credit | | $ | 97,845 | | | $ | 97,845 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Surety Bonds | | | 51,401 | | | | 42,872 | | | $ | 8,508 | | | $ | 21 | | | | — | |
|
Total | | $ | 149,246 | | | $ | 140,717 | | | $ | 8,508 | | | $ | 21 | | | | — | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | Payments Due By Period | |
|
Other Long-Term | | | | | | Less than | | | 1 - 3 | | | 4 - 5 | | | After 5 | |
Liabilities | | Total | | | 1 year | | | years | | | years | | | years | |
|
Retirement Plans | | $ | 35,455 | | | $ | 2,706 | | | $ | 4,265 | | | $ | 4,415 | | | $ | 24,069 | |
|
The Company uses surety bonds, principally performance and payment bonds, to guarantee performance under various customer contracts in the normal course of business. These bonds typically remain in force for one to five years and may include optional renewal periods. At January 31, 2006, outstanding surety bonds totaled approximately $51.4 million. The Company does not believe these bonds will be required to be drawn upon.
20
The Company has three unfunded defined benefit plans, an unfunded post-retirement benefit plan and an unfunded deferred compensation plan that are described in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. At January 31, 2006, the liability reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for these five plans totaled $22.6 million, with the amount expected to be paid over the next 20 years estimated at $35.5 million. With the exception of the deferred compensation plan, the liability for which is reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at the amount of compensation deferred plus accrued interest, the plan liabilities at that date assume future annual compensation increases of 3.0% (for those plans affected by compensation changes) and have been discounted at 5.75%, a rate based on Moody’s AA-rated long-term corporate bonds (i.e., 20 years). Because the deferred compensation plan liability reflects the actual obligation of the Company and the post-retirement benefit plan and two of the three defined benefit plans have been frozen, variations in assumptions would be unlikely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating performance. The Company expects to fund payments required under the five plans from operating cash as payments are due to participants.
Not included in the unfunded employee benefit plans in the table above are union-sponsored multi-employer defined benefit plans under which certain union employees of the Company are covered. These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of negotiated labor contracts. Contributions paid for these plans were $8.7 million and $8.0 million in the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The Company self-insures certain insurable risks such as general liability, automobile property damage, and workers’ compensation. Commercial policies are obtained to provide for $150.0 million of coverage for certain risk exposures above the self-insured retention limits (i.e., deductibles). For claims incurred after November 1, 2002, substantially all of the self-insured retentions increased from $0.5 million (inclusive of legal fees) to $1.0 million (exclusive of legal fees) except for the California workers’ compensation insurance which increased to $2.0 million effective April 14, 2003. However, effective April 14, 2005, the deductible for California workers’ compensation insurance decreased from $2.0 million to $1.0 million per occurrence, plus an additional $1.0 million annually in the aggregate, due to improvements in general insurance market conditions. The estimated liability for claims incurred but unpaid at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005 was $202.5 million and $198.6 million, respectively. The Company retains an outside actuary to provide an actuarial estimate of its insurance reserves at least annually.
The self-insurance claims paid in the first three months of 2006 and 2005 were $16.3 million and $14.7 million, respectively. Claim payments vary based on the frequency and/or severity of claims incurred and timing of the settlements and therefore may have an uneven impact on the Company’s cash balances.
The Company paid a total of $7.8 million in February 2006 in respect of settlement of litigation and other claims that were pending at October 31, 2005. Because the settlements occurred before the 2005 financial statements were issued, this amount was subsequently accrued for as of October 31, 2005 and was still unpaid as of January 31, 2006.
The Company has begun the process of installing a Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) technology that will allow the entire Company to make telephone calls using the Company’s private network instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. The VoIP project is estimated to cost $7.4 million, of which $4.7 million was already spent as of January 31, 2006, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2006.
The Company has no other significant commitments for capital expenditures and believes that the current cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and the line of credit will be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the long term.
Insurance Claims Related to the Destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001
21
The Company had commercial insurance policies covering business interruption, property damage and other losses related to the World Trade Center complex in New York, which was the Company’s largest single job-site at the time of its destruction on September 11, 2001 with annual Sales of approximately $75.0 million. The Company is engaged in protracted litigation with Zurich, its business interruption insurance carrier, to recover its losses of business profits, which is described in Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings. Under the policy, coverage for business interruption and other related losses is capped at $127.4 million. ABM believes its losses exceed $100.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in 2002 under the contingent business interruption sub-limit. In addition, during 2005, the Company received an indemnity payment from Zurich of $1.5 million, representing the Company’s recovery of certain accounts receivable from customers that cannot be collected due to loss of paperwork in the destruction of World Trade Center, additional claimed business personal property and business income loss. In 2002, Zurich had paid the Company $3.8 million for property damage, which substantially settled the property portion of the claim.
Under Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 01-10, “Accounting for the Impact of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001,” the Company has not recognized future amounts it expects to recover from its business interruption insurance as income. Any gain from insurance proceeds is considered a contingent gain and, under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” can only be recognized as income in the period when any and all contingencies for that portion of the insurance claim have been resolved.
Environmental Matters
The Company’s operations are subject to various federal, state and/or local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, such as discharge into soil, water and air, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of waste and hazardous substances. These laws generally have the effect of increasing costs and potential liabilities associated with the conduct of the Company’s operations, although historically they have not had a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In addition, from time to time the Company is involved in environmental issues at certain of its locations or in connection with its operations. While it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of any of these matters, based on information currently available, management believes that none of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company is party to a variety of agreements under which it may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. Primarily, these agreements are standard indemnification arrangements in its ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Company may agree to indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally its customers, in connection with any claims arising out of the services that the Company provides. The Company also incurs costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification arrangements and in most cases these costs are paid from its insurance program. The term of these indemnification arrangements is generally perpetual. Although the Company attempts to place limits on this indemnification reasonably related to the size of the contract, the maximum obligation is not always explicitly stated and, as a result, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these arrangements is not determinable.
ABM’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws may require it to indemnify Company directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status as such and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any legal proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. ABM has also entered into indemnification agreements with its directors to this effect. The overall amount of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated, however, the Company believes that any loss under these obligations would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of
22
operations or cash flows. The Company currently has directors’ and officers’ insurance, which has a deductible of up to $1.0 million.
Acquisitions
The operating results of businesses acquired have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. Acquisitions made during the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005 are discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Continuing Operations
Three Months Ended January 31, 2006 vs. Three Months Ended January 31, 2005
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months | | | | | | | Three Months | | | | | | | |
| | Ended | | | % of | | | Ended | | | % of | | | Increase | |
($ in thousands) | | January 31, 2006 | | | Sales | | | January 31, 2005 | | | Sales | | | (Decrease) | |
|
| | | | | | | | As Restated | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sales and other income | | $ | 666,601 | | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 638,165 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 4.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses and cost of goods sold | | | 606,176 | | | | 90.9 | % | | | 579,457 | | | | 90.8 | % | | | 4.6 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 52,893 | | | | 7.9 | % | | | 48,107 | | | | 7.5 | % | | | 9.9 | % |
Intangible amortization | | | 1,578 | | | | 0.2 | % | | | 1,356 | | | | 0.2 | % | | | 16.4 | % |
Interest | | | 123 | | | | — | | | | 252 | | | | — | | | | — | |
|
Total expenses | | | 660,770 | | | | 99.1 | % | | | 629,172 | | | | 98.6 | % | | | 5.0 | % |
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | 5,831 | | | | 0.9 | % | | | 8,993 | | | | 1.4 | % | | | (35.2 | )% |
Income taxes | | | 1,841 | | | | 0.3 | % | | | 3,370 | | | | 0.5 | % | | | (45.4 | )% |
|
Income from continuing operations | | $ | 3,990 | | | | 0.6 | % | | $ | 5,623 | | | | 0.9 | % | | | (29.0 | )% |
|
Income from continuing operations. Income from continuing operations for the first three months of 2006 decreased 29% to $4.0 million ($0.08 per diluted share) from $5.6 million ($0.11 per diluted share) for the first three months of 2005. The decrease was primarily due to $4.5 million of higher professional fees related to the Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls certification requirement and $1.2 million of share-based compensation costs with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R effective November 1, 2005. Additionally, the operating profit of Parking and Lighting declined between the three months ended January 31, 2005 and 2006 but these declines were more than offset by operating profit improvements in Janitorial and Engineering. Operating profit of Security for the three months of 2006 was $0.2 million compared to an operating loss of $0.9 million for the first three months of 2005, which included a $3.4 million charge for a reserve provided for the amount the Company believes it overpaid SSA LLC in connection with a subcontracting agreement that ended on June 30, 2005. The Company is pursuing the collection of this overpayment.
Sales and Other Income.Sales for the first three months of 2006 of $666.6 million increased by $28.4 million or 4.5% from $638.2 million for the first three months of 2005. Acquisitions completed in fiscal year 2005 and the three months ended January 31, 2006 contributed $16.1 million to the Sales increase. Additionally, Parking’s reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses from managed parking lot clients were $5.8 million higher. The remainder of the Sales increase was primarily due to new business in Engineering and Security.
Operating Expenses and Cost of Goods Sold.As a percentage of Sales, gross profit (Sales minus operating expenses and cost of goods sold) was 9.1% and 9.2% for the first three months of 2006
23
and 2005, respectively. The decline in margins was primarily due to increased overtime expenses and lower margins on new contracts in Security, higher reimbursements in 2006 for out-of-pocket expenses from managed parking lot clients for which Parking had no margin benefit, partially offset by higher margins in Janitorial due to lower insurance expense.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2006 were $52.9 million, compared to $48.1 million for the first quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to $4.5 million of higher professional fees related to the Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls certification requirement, $1.2 million of share-based compensation costs with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R and annual salary increases. The first quarter of 2005 included a $3.4 million charge for a reserve provided for the amount the Company believes it overpaid SSA LLC.
Interest Expense.Interest expense, which includes loan amortization and commitment fees for the revolving credit facility, was lower for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005.
Income Taxes.The effective tax rate was 31.6% for the first three months of 2006 compared to 37.5% for the first three months of 2005. The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2006 was lower than the estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2006 of 37.5%, primarily due to a $0.3 million benefit from the increase in deferred tax assets as of January 31, 2006, related to an increase in the estimated overall state income tax rate.
Segment Information.Under the criteria of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” Janitorial, Parking, Security, Engineering, and Lighting are reportable segments. Corporate expenses, including the Company’s share-based compensation costs, are not allocated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended January 31, | | | Better | |
($ in thousands) | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | (Worse) | |
|
| | | | | As Restated | | | | | | | |
Sales and other income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Janitorial | | $ | 386,354 | | | $ | 376,123 | | | | 2.7 | % |
Parking | | | 105,721 | | | | 101,126 | | | | 4.5 | % |
Security | | | 78,296 | | | | 73,111 | | | | 7.1 | % |
Engineering | | | 66,939 | | | | 58,048 | | | | 15.3 | % |
Lighting | | | 28,896 | | | | 29,416 | | | | (1.8 | )% |
Corporate | | | 395 | | | | 341 | | | | 15.8 | % |
|
| | $ | 666,601 | | | $ | 638,165 | | | | 4.5 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Janitorial | | $ | 14,696 | | | $ | 12,432 | | | | 18.2 | % |
Parking | | | 1,639 | | | | 2,388 | | | | (31.4 | )% |
Security | | | 175 | | | | (913 | ) | | | — | |
Engineering | | | 3,188 | | | | 3,001 | | | | 6.2 | % |
Lighting | | | 335 | | | | 681 | | | | (50.8 | )% |
Corporate | | | (14,079 | ) | | | (8,344 | ) | | | (68.7 | )% |
|
Operating profit | | | 5,954 | | | | 9,245 | | | | (35.6 | )% |
Interest expense | | | (123 | ) | | | (252 | ) | | | 51.2 | % |
|
Income from continuing operations | | | | | | | | | | | | |
before income taxes | | $ | 5,831 | | | $ | 8,993 | | | | (35.2 | )% |
|
The results of operations from the Company’s segments for the quarter ended January 31, 2006, compared to the same period in 2005, are more fully described below.
24
Janitorial. Sales for Janitorial increased by $10.2 million, or 2.7%, for the first three months of 2006 compared to 2005. The Brandywine, Initial Baltimore and Colin acquisitions contributed $13.4 million to the increase in Sales. Additionally, Sales in the Northern California, Northwest, South Central, Southwest and North Central regions increased due to new business, expansion of services to existing customers and price adjustments to pass through a portion of union cost increases. The increases were partially offset by reductions in Sales from lost accounts in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast regions.
Operating profit increased by $2.3 million, or 18.2%, during the first three months of 2006 compared to 2005. The increase was primarily due to lower insurance expense, $0.3 million profit contribution from acquisitions (Brandywine, Initial Baltimore and Colin) and higher profit in Northern California due to higher sales and margin improvement.
Parking.Parking Sales increased by $4.6 million or 4.5% while operating profit decreased $0.7 million or 31.4% during the first three months of 2006 as compared to the same period of 2005. The increase in Sales was primarily due to $5.8 million of higher reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses from managed parking lot clients for which Parking had no margin benefit, partially offset by a decrease in lease revenue. The reduction in lease revenue was principally due to the October 2005 sale of the leasehold interest in an off-airport parking facility that had contributed $1.7 million in Sales in the first three months of 2005. The decrease in operating profit is primarily due to higher legal expenses and higher operating costs associated with a new revenue collection and reporting system still being implemented.
Security.Security Sales increased $5.2 million, or 7.1%, during the first three months of 2006 compared to the first three months of 2005 primarily due to the acquisitions of Amguard Security and Patrol Services (“Amguard”), Fargo and Protector, which contributed $2.7 million to the Sales increase, and new business. Operating profit of Security for the three months of 2006 was $0.2 million compared to an operating loss of $0.9 million for the first three months of 2005. The improvement in operating profit was primarily due to the inclusion in 2005 of a $3.4 million charge for a reserve provided for the amount the Company believes it overpaid SSA LLC, of which $2.8 million is attributable to the overpayment in 2004. The Company intends to continue to vigorously pursue the collection of the overpayment. Also included in 2005 was a $0.3 million charge to correct the understatement of payroll and payroll-related expenses in 2004. Partially offsetting these increases were higher overtime expenses in the operations acquired from SSA LLC, lower margins on new contracts, annual salary increases and increase in workers’ compensation, legal fees and settlements. Additionally, included in 2005 was $1.1 million of benefit from correcting the overstatement of insurance expense in 2004.
Engineering.Sales for Engineering increased $8.9 million, or 15.3%, during the first three months of 2006 compared to the first three months of 2005 due to successful sales initiatives resulting in new business and the expansion of services to existing customers across the country, most significantly in Northern California and the Midwest. Operating profits increased $0.2 million, or 6.2%, during the first three months of 2006 compared to the first three months of 2005 primarily due to higher Sales, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses associated with increased management staff necessary to support the growth in business.
Lighting.Lighting Sales decreased $0.5 million or 1.8% and operating profit decreased $0.3 million, or 50.8% during the first three months of 2006 compared to the first three months of 2005. The Sales decrease was primarily due to decreased project business and lost service contracts. The decrease in operating profit was primarily due to the decrease in Sales.
Corporate.Corporate expenses for the first three months of 2006 increased by $5.7 million or 68.7% compared to the same period of 2005 mainly due to $4.5 million of higher professional fees related to the Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls certification requirement and $1.2 million of share-based compensation costs with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
Share-Based Compensation
Effective November 1, 2005, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock options in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R,
25
Share-Based Payment, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Prior to November 1, 2005, the Company accounted for stock options according to the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, and therefore no related compensation expense was recorded for awards granted with no intrinsic value. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123R, and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with stock options recognized in the first three months of 2006 includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all stock option awards granted for the fiscal years beginning November 1, 1995 and ending October 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”; and 2) amortization related to all stock option awards granted subsequent to November 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. The compensation cost is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
The compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statement for the three months ended January 31, 2006 for stock options were $1.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. As of January 31, 2006, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 3.1 years.
The Company continues to estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company uses an outside expert to estimate the assumptions used in the option valuation model. The Company now estimates option forfeitures based on historical data and adjusts the forfeiture rate periodically. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate will result in a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. During the three months ended January 31, 2006, no adjustment was necessary.
On March 7, 2006, the Board of Directors of ABM amended the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective May 1, 2006. The plan had provided that the participant’s purchase price would be 85% of the lower of the fair market value of ABM’s common stock on the first day of each six-month period in the fiscal year or the last trading day of each month. Commencing May 1, 2006, the purchase price will be 95% of the fair market value of ABM’s common stock on the last trading day of each month.
Because the Company was delayed in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2006, the Company was not able to issue shares in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan on February 28, 2006 or March 31, 2006. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, participants could elect the return of their contributions for these months. Monies left in the plan as well as contributions for April 2006 will be used to purchase shares on April 30, 2006 at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of ABM common stock on November 1, 2005 or on April 30, 2006.
Because of the delays in filing the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2006, the Company could not issue shares under its stock option plans and no participants were permitted to exercise options between February 1, 2006 and the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Following the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, stock option exercises will be permitted.
Results from Discontinued Operations
On June 2, 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of CommAir Mechanical Services, which represented the Company’s Mechanical segment, to Carrier Corporation (“Carrier”). The operating assets sold included customer contracts, accounts receivable, inventories, facility leases and other assets, as well as rights to the name “CommAir Mechanical Services.” The consideration paid was $32.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and Carrier’s assumption of
26
trade payables and accrued liabilities. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $21.4 million ($13.1 million after tax) on the sale of these assets in 2005.
On July 31, 2005, the Company sold the remaining operating assets of Mechanical, consisting of its water treatment business, to San Joaquin Chemicals, Incorporated for $0.5 million, of which $0.25 million was in the form of a note and $0.25 million in cash. The operating assets sold included customer contracts and inventories. The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after tax) on the sale of these assets in 2005.
The operating results of Mechanical for the three months ended January 31, 2005 are shown below.
| | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
(In thousands) | | January 31, 2005 | |
|
Revenues | | $ | 9,198 | |
|
Loss before income taxes | | $ | (229 | ) |
Income taxes | | | (90 | ) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | $ | (139 | ) |
|
Adoption of Accounting Standards
Effective November 1, 2005, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock options in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. For more details, see “Share-Based Compensation” section above.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” This Statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes” (“Opinion No. 20”) and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles, and changes the requirements for accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principles. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principles unless it is impracticable. Opinion No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principles be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 also requires that a change in method of depreciation, amortization or depletion for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle. Opinion No. 20 previously required that such a change be reported as a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Earlier application is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made occurring in fiscal years beginning after June 1, 2005. The Company began to apply SFAS No. 154 effective November 1, 2005.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period.” FSP No. FAS 13-1 provides guidance for the treatment of rental expense incurred during a construction period. The guidance in FSP No. FAS 13-1 prohibits the capitalization of rental expense as leasehold improvement costs and is effective in the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP No. FAS 13-1 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
27
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to self-insurance reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, sales allowance, valuation allowance for the net deferred income tax asset, estimate of useful life of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and contingencies and litigation liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, independent valuations and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies govern its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Reserves.Certain insurable risks such as general liability, automobile property damage and workers’ compensation are self-insured by the Company. However, commercial policies are obtained to provide coverage for certain risk exposures subject to specified limits. Accruals for claims under the Company’s self-insurance program are recorded on a claim-incurred basis. The Company uses an independent actuary to evaluate the Company’s estimated claim costs and liabilities at least annually and accrues self-insurance reserves in an amount that is equal to the actuarial point estimate.
Using the annual actuarial report, management develops annual insurance costs for each operation, expressed as a rate per $100 of exposure (labor and revenue) to estimate insurance costs. Additionally, management monitors new claims and claim development to assess the adequacy of the insurance reserves. The estimated future charge is intended to reflect the recent experience and trends. Trend analysis is complex and highly subjective. The interpretation of trends requires the knowledge of all factors affecting the trends that may or may not be reflective of adverse developments (e.g., changes in regulatory requirements and changes in reserving methodology). If the trends suggest that the frequency or severity of claims incurred increased, the Company might be required to record additional expenses for self-insurance liabilities. Additionally, the Company uses third party service providers to administer its claims and the performance of the service providers and transfers between administrators can impact the cost of claims and accordingly the amounts reflected in insurance reserves.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.Trade accounts receivable arise from services provided to its customers and are generally due and payable on terms varying from the receipt of invoice to net thirty days. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for losses on accounts receivable due to customers’ inability to pay and other credit risks. The allowance is typically estimated based on an analysis of the historical rate of credit losses or write-offs (due to a customer bankruptcy or failure of a former customer to pay) and specific customer concerns. The accuracy of the estimate is dependent on the future rate of credit losses being consistent with the historical rate. Changes in the financial condition of customers or adverse developments in negotiations or legal proceedings to obtain payment could result in the actual loss exceeding the estimated allowance. If the rate of future credit losses is greater than the historical rate, then the allowance for doubtful accounts may not be sufficient to provide for actual credit losses. Alternatively, if the rate of future credit losses is less than the historical rate, then the allowance for doubtful accounts will be in excess of actual credit losses. The Company does not believe that it has any material exposure due to either industry or regional concentrations of credit risk.
Sales Allowance. Sales allowance is an estimate for losses on customer receivables resulting from customer credits (e.g., vacancy credits for fixed-price contracts, customer discounts, job cancellations, breakage cost, etc.). The sales allowance estimate is based on an analysis of the historical rate of sales adjustments (credit memos, net of re-bills). The accuracy of the estimate is dependent on the rate of future sales adjustments being consistent with the historical rate. If the rate of future sales adjustments is greater than the historical rate, then the sales allowance may not be sufficient to provide for actual sales adjustments. Alternatively, if the rate of future sales adjustments is less than the historical rate, then the sales allowance will be in excess of actual sales adjustments.
28
Deferred Income Tax Asset and Valuation Allowance.Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes. These deferred taxes are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If the enacted rates in future years differ from the rates expected to apply, an adjustment of the net deferred tax assets will be required. Additionally, if management determines it is more likely than not that a portion of the net deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. At January 31, 2006, the net deferred tax asset was $93.4 million, net of a $0.2 million valuation allowance related to state net operating loss carryforwards. Should future income be less than anticipated, the net deferred tax asset may not be fully recoverable.
Other Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill.The Company engages a third party valuation firm to independently appraise the value of intangible assets acquired in larger sized business combinations. For smaller acquisitions, the Company performs an internal valuation of the intangible assets using the discounted cash flow technique. Acquired customer relationship intangible assets are being amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over their useful lives consistent with the estimated useful life considerations used in the determination of their fair values. The accelerated method of amortization reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationship intangible asset are expected to be realized. Trademarks and trade names are being amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Other intangible assets, consisting principally of contract rights, are being amortized over the contract periods using the straight-line method. At least annually, in the fourth quarter, the Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of its intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an asset’s remaining useful life changes, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset would be amortized over the revised remaining useful life. Furthermore, the remaining unamortized book value of intangibles will be reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets.” The first step of an impairment test under SFAS No. 144 is a comparison of the future cash flows, undiscounted, to the remaining book value of the intangible. If the future cash flows are insufficient to recover the remaining book value, a fair value of the asset, depending on its size, will be independently or internally determined and compared to the book value to determine if an impairment exists.
Goodwill.In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” goodwill is no longer amortized. Rather, the Company performs goodwill impairment tests on at least an annual basis, in the fourth quarter, using the two-step process prescribed in SFAS No. 142. The first step is to evaluate for potential impairment by comparing the reporting unit’s fair value with its book value. If the first step indicates potential impairment, the required second step allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to its assets and liabilities, including recognized and unrecognized intangibles. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is impaired and written down to its implied fair value. The fair value of the reporting unit, if required to be determined, will be independently appraised. As of January 31, 2006, no impairment of the Company’s goodwill carrying value has been indicated.
Contingencies and Litigation.ABM and certain of its subsidiaries have been named defendants in certain proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain environmental matters. Litigation outcomes are often difficult to predict and often are resolved over long periods of time. Estimating probable losses requires the analysis of multiple possible outcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements when it is both: (1) probable or known that a liability has been incurred and (2) the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability. So long as the Company believes that a loss in litigation is not probable, then no liability will be recorded unless the parties agree upon a settlement, which may occur because ABM wishes to avoid the costs of litigation.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
29
The Company does not issue or invest in financial instruments or their derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Substantially all of the operations of the Company are conducted in the United States, and, as such, are not subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risk. At January 31, 2006, the Company had no outstanding long-term debt. Although the Company’s assets included $32.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2006, market rate risk associated with changing interest rates in the United States is not material.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures.The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities Exchange Commission. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of January 31, 2006, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, these officers concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of January 31, 2006 because of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting pertaining to operations acquired in the Company’s Security segment in March 2004 described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K which remained unremediated at January 31, 2006. As a result of these material weaknesses, management performed extensive supplemental analyses and other post-closing procedures in preparing its financial statements as of and for the quarter ended January 31, 2006 to ensure that such financial statements were fairly stated, in all material respects, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
b. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. As set forth in Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005, the Company has implemented a number of changes since January 31, 2006 that it believes have materially improved the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and expects similar improvement from other remediation actions not yet implemented.
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business, as well as from time to time in additional matters. The Company records accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted periodically as assessments change or additional information becomes available.
On July 12, 2005, a purported class action lawsuit entitled Augustus v. American Commercial Security Services (“ACSS”) was filed in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County. The potential class consists of all ACSS security guards in California. The plaintiff alleges that ACSS failed to provide meal breaks and rest breaks under California’s wage and hour laws. On February 23, 2006, a second purported class action lawsuit was filed by the same named plaintiff in the same forum representing the same class and alleging violations of California’s wage and hour laws and unfair
30
business practices. ACSS and ABM are investigating these claims and will defend these lawsuits vigorously. It is too early to assess the amount of potential losses in these matters, if any.
The Company had commercial insurance policies covering business interruption, property damage and other losses related to the World Trade Center (“WTC”) complex in New York, which was the Company’s largest single job-site at the time of its destruction on September 11, 2001 with annual sales of approximately $75.0 million. In December 2001, Zurich Insurance Company (“Zurich”), its business interruption carrier, filed a Declaratory Judgment Action in the Southern District of New York claiming all the Company’s losses of business profits fell under the policy’s contingent business interruption sub-limit of $10.0 million. On June 2, 2003, the court ruled on certain summary judgment motions in favor of Zurich. Thereafter, the Company appealed the court’s rulings. On February 9, 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted summary judgment in favor of ABM on the Company’s insurance claims for business interruption losses resulting from the WTC terrorist attack. The Court also ruled that ABM is entitled to recovery for the extra expenses the Company incurred after September 11, 2001, which includes expenses related to increased unemployment claims and costs associated with the redeployment of WTC personnel at other facilities. The Court rejected the arguments of Zurich to limit the Company’s business interruption coverage to $10.0 million. On February 24, 2005, Zurich filed a motion to have its appeal heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals sitting en banc. Zurich’s motion was denied on June 27, 2005, and this matter has returned to the district court for a trial on the amount of ABM’s losses. On March 31, 2006, the parties argued motions for partial summary judgment before the district court on different methods for determining the appropriate period for recovery of business interruption losses. No rulings have yet been made. A trial date has been established for August 14, 2006. Under the policy, coverage for business interruption and other related losses is capped at $127.4 million. ABM believes its losses exceed $100.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in 2002 under the contingent business interruption sub-limit. In addition, during 2005, the Company received an indemnity payment from Zurich of $1.5 million, representing the Company’s recovery of certain accounts receivable from customers that cannot be collected due to loss of paperwork in the destruction of the WTC, and additional claimed business property and business income loss. In 2002, Zurich had paid the Company $3.8 million for property damage, which substantially settled the property portion of the claim.
The Company uses an independent actuary to evaluate the Company’s estimated claim costs and liabilities at least annually. The 2004 actuarial report completed in November 2004 indicated that there were adverse developments in the Company’s insurance reserves primarily related to workers’ compensation claims in the State of California during the four-year period ended October 31, 2003, for which the Company recorded a charge of $17.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company believes a substantial portion of the $17.2 million was related to poor claims management by a third party administrator that no longer performs these services for the Company. In addition, the Company believes that poor claims administration in certain other states, where it had insurance, led to higher insurance costs for the Company. The Company has filed a claim against its former third party administrator for its damages related to claims mismanagement. The Company is actively pursing this claim, which is subject to arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The three-person arbitration panel has been designated and a schedule for the discovery process established.
In August 2005, ABM filed an action for declaratory relief, breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in U.S. District Court in The Northern District of California against its insurance carriers, Zurich American Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company relating to the carrier’s failure to provide coverage for ABM and one of its Parking subsidiaries. All parties have filed motions for summary adjudication on the issue of the duty to defend, and those are to be heard in April, 2006. ABM is also seeking to amend its complaint in this action to include “bad faith” allegations based upon the recent settlement of the underlying litigation with IAH-JFK Airport Parking Co., LLC. ABM seeks to recover legal fees and $6.3 million in its settlement costs in the underlying litigation.
While the Company accrues amounts it believes are adequate to address any liabilities related to litigation that the Company believes will result in a probable loss, the ultimate resolution of such matters is
31
always uncertain. It is possible that litigation or other proceedings brought against the Company in the future could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Factors That May Affect Future Results
(Cautionary Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
The disclosure and analysis in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain some forward-looking statements that set forth anticipated results based on management’s plans and assumptions. From time to time, the Company also provides forward-looking statements in other written materials released to the public, as well as oral forward-looking statements. Such statements give the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events; they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance or results of current and anticipated sales efforts, expenses, and the outcome of contingencies and other uncertainties, such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Management tries, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and similar expressions.
Set forth below are factors that the Company thinks, individually or in the aggregate, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from past results or those anticipated, estimated or projected. The Company notes these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, the following should not be considered to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties.
Timeliness of remediation of material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2006 pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could affect the Company’s results.As disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of October 31, 2005 because of material weaknesses related to the Company’s controls over and at the operations the Company acquired in March 2004 from Security Services of America, LLC, included as a subsidiary within the Company’s Security segment. These material weaknesses remained unremediated at January 31, 2006. While during the second quarter of fiscal year 2006 the Company implemented most of the remediation actions it has thus far determined to take to address the material weaknesses that caused the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to be deemed not effective, they will not be considered fully remediated until the improved internal controls operate for a period of time and, through testing, are deemed to be operating effectively.
A change in the frequency or severity of claims against the Company, a deterioration in claims management, or the cancellation or non-renewal of the Company’s primary insurance policies could adversely affect the Company’s results.While the Company attempts to establish adequate self-insurance reserves using actuarial studies, unanticipated increases in the frequency or severity of claims against the Company would have an adverse financial impact. Also, where the Company self-insures, a deterioration in claims management, whether by the Company or by a third party claims administrator, could lead to delays in settling claims thereby increasing claim costs, particularly in the workers’ compensation area. In addition, catastrophic uninsured claims against the Company or the inability or refusal of the Company’s insurance carriers to pay otherwise insured claims would have a material adverse financial impact on the Company.
Furthermore, many customers, particularly institutional owners and large property management companies, prefer to do business with contractors, such as the Company, with significant financial resources, who can provide substantial insurance coverage. Should the Company be unable to renew its
32
umbrella and other commercial insurance policies at competitive rates, this loss would have an adverse impact on the Company’s business.
A change in actuarial analysis could affect the Company’s results.The Company uses an independent actuary to evaluate estimated claim costs and liabilities at least annually to ensure that its self-insurance reserves are appropriate. Trend analysis is complex and highly subjective. The interpretation of trends requires the knowledge of all factors affecting the trends that may or may not be reflective of adverse developments (e.g., changes in regulatory requirements and changes in reserving methodology). Actuaries may vary in the manner in which they derive their estimates and these differences could lead to variations in actuarial estimates that cause changes in the Company’s insurance reserves not related to changes in its claims experience. Changes in insurance reserves as a result of an actuarial review can cause swings in operating results that are unrelated to the Company’s ongoing business. In addition, because of the time required for the actuarial analysis, the Company may not learn of a deterioration in claims, particularly claims administered by a third party, until additional costs have been incurred or are projected. Because the Company bases its pricing in part on its estimated insurance costs, the Company’s prices could be higher or lower than they otherwise might be if better information were available resulting in a competitive disadvantage in the former case and reduced margins or unprofitable contracts in the latter.
The Company’s technology environment may be inadequate to support growth.Although the Company employs a centralized accounting system, the Company relies on a number of legacy information technology systems, as well as manual processes, to conduct its operations. These systems and processes may be unable to provide adequate support for the business and create additional reliance upon manual rather than system controls, particularly as the Company expands. This could result, for instance, in delays in meeting payroll obligations, in difficulty calculating and tracking appropriate withholding of governmental withholding and other payroll regulatory obligations, and in higher internal and external expenses to work around these systems. Additionally, the current technology environment may be unable to support the integration of acquired businesses and anticipated internal growth. The Company is engaged in an evaluation of its information technology systems, including its legacy payroll systems, its centralized information technology infrastructure and desktop environment, and its accounting and financial system.
The Company could experience labor disputes that could lead to loss of sales or expense variations.At January 31, 2006, approximately 40% of the Company’s employees were subject to various local collective bargaining agreements. Some collective bargaining agreements will expire or become subject to renegotiation during fiscal year 2006. In addition, the Company may face union organizing drives in certain cities. When one or more of the Company’s major collective bargaining agreements becomes subject to renegotiation or when the Company faces union organizing drives, the Company and the union may disagree on important issues which, in turn, could lead to a strike, work slowdown or other job actions at one or more of the Company’s locations. A strike, work slowdown or other job action could in some cases disrupt the Company from providing its services, resulting in reduced revenue collection. If declines in customer service occur or if the Company’s customers are targeted for sympathy strikes by other unionized workers during union organizing drives, contract cancellations could result. In other cases, a strike, work slowdown or other job action could lead to lower expenses due to fewer employees performing services. Alternatively, the result of renegotiating a collective bargaining agreement could be a substantial increase in labor and benefits expenses that the Company could be unable to pass through to its customers for some period of time, if at all.
Acquisition activity could slow or be unsuccessful.A significant portion of the Company’s historic growth has come through acquisitions and the Company expects to continue to acquire businesses in the future as part of its growth strategy. A slowdown in acquisitions could lead to a slower growth rate. Because new contracts frequently involve start-up costs, sales associated with acquired operations generally have higher margins than new sales associated with internal growth. Therefore a slowdown in acquisition activity could lead to constant or lower margins, as well as lower revenue growth. There can be no assurance that any acquisition that the Company makes in the future will provide the Company with the benefits that were anticipated when entering the transaction. The process of integrating
33
an acquired business may create unforeseen difficulties and expenses. The areas in which the Company may face risks include:
| • | | Diversion of management time and focus from operating the business to acquisition integration; |
|
| • | | Inability to retain employees from businesses the Company acquires; |
|
| • | | Inability to maintain relationships with customers of the acquired business; |
|
| • | | The need to implement or improve internal controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a public company at businesses that prior to the acquisition lacked these controls, procedures and policies; |
|
| • | | The need to integrate acquired businesses’ accounting, management information, human resources and other administrative systems to permit effective management; |
|
| • | | Write-offs or impairment charges relating to goodwill and other intangible assets from acquisitions; and |
|
| • | | Unanticipated or unknown liabilities relating to acquired businesses. |
A decline in commercial office building occupancy and rental rates could affect the Company’s sales and profitability.The Company’s sales directly depend on commercial real estate occupancy levels and the rental income of building owners. Decreases in occupancy levels and rental income reduce demand and also create pricing pressures on building maintenance and other services provided by the Company. In certain geographic areas and service segments, the Company’s most profitable sales are known as tag jobs, which are services performed for tenants in buildings in which it performs building services for the property owner or management company. A decline in occupancy rates could result in a decline in fees paid by landlords, as well as tenant work, which would lower sales and margins. In addition, in those areas of its business where the Company’s workers are unionized, decreases in sales can be accompanied by relative increases in labor costs if the Company is obligated by collective bargaining agreements to retain workers with seniority and consequently higher compensation levels and cannot pass through these costs to customers.
Weakness in airline travel and the hospitality industry could adversely affect the results of the Company’s Parking segment.A significant portion of the Company’s Parking sales is tied to the numbers of airline passengers and hotel guests. Parking results were adversely affected after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”) crisis and at the start of the military conflict in Iraq as people curtailed both business and personal travel and hotel occupancy rates declined. As airport security precautions expanded, the decline in travel was particularly noticeable at airports associated with shorter flights for which ground transportation became the alternative. While it appears that airline travel and the hospitality industry have recovered, there can be no assurance that increased concerns about terrorism, disease (including avian flu), or other adversities will not again reduce travel, adversely impacting Parking sales and operating profits.
The financial difficulties or bankruptcy of one or more of the Company’s major customers could adversely affect results.The Company’s ability to collect its accounts receivable and future sales depend, in part, on the financial strength of its customers. The Company estimates an allowance for accounts it does not consider collectible and this allowance adversely impacts profitability. In the event customers experience financial difficulty, and particularly if bankruptcy results, profitability is further impacted by the Company’s failure to collect accounts receivable in excess of the estimated allowance. Additionally, the Company’s future sales would be reduced.
The Company’s success depends on its ability to preserve its long-term relationships with its customers.The Company’s contracts with its customers can generally be terminated upon relatively short notice. However, the business associated with long-term relationships is generally more profitable than that from short-term relationships because the Company incurs start-up costs with many new contracts, particularly for training, operating equipment and uniforms. Once these costs are expensed or fully depreciated over the appropriate periods, the underlying contracts become more profitable. Therefore, the Company’s loss of long-term customers could have an adverse impact on its profitability even if the Company generates equivalent sales from new customers.
34
The Company is subject to intense competition.The Company believes that each aspect of its business is highly competitive, and that such competition is based primarily on price and quality of service. The Company provides nearly all its services under contracts originally obtained through competitive bidding. The low cost of entry to the facility services business has led to strongly competitive markets made up of large numbers of mostly regional and local owner-operated companies, located in hundreds of cities throughout the United States as well as in certain cities in British Columbia, Canada (with particularly intense competition in the janitorial business in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States). The Company also competes with the operating divisions of a few large, diversified facility services and manufacturing companies on a national basis. Indirectly, the Company competes with building owners and tenants that can perform internally one or more of the services provided by the Company. These building owners and tenants might have a competitive advantage when the Company’s services are subject to sales tax and internal operations are not. Furthermore, competitors may have lower costs because privately owned companies operating in a limited geographic area may have significantly lower labor and overhead costs. These strong competitive pressures could inhibit the Company’s success in bidding for profitable business and its ability to increase prices even as costs rise, thereby reducing margins.
An increase in costs that the Company cannot pass on to customers could affect profitability. The Company attempts to negotiate contracts under which its customers agree to pay for increases in certain underlying costs associated with providing its services, particularly labor costs, workers’ compensation and other insurance costs, any applicable payroll taxes and fuel costs. If the Company cannot pass through increases in its costs to its customers under its contracts in a timely manner or at all, then the Company’s expenses will increase without a corresponding increase in sales. Further, if the Company’s sales decline, the Company may not be able to reduce its expenses correspondingly or at all.
Natural disasters or acts of terrorism could disrupt the Company in providing services. Storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters or acts of terrorism may result in reduced sales or property damage. Disasters may also cause economic dislocations throughout the country. In addition, natural disasters or acts of terrorism may increase the volatility of the Company’s results, either due to increased costs caused by the disaster with partial or no corresponding compensation from customers, or, alternatively, increased sales and profitability related to tag jobs, special projects and other higher margin work necessitated by the disaster.
The Company incurs significant accounting and other control costs that reduce its profitability.As a publicly traded corporation, the Company incurs certain costs to comply with regulatory requirements. The process of attempting to meet the internal control over financial reporting certification requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) was more costly than anticipated, requiring additional personnel and outside advisory services as well as additional accounting and legal expenses. The Company anticipates capital expenditures and operating expenses associated with the remediation of its material weaknesses and other planned remediation actions and with implementation of system-provided internal controls which is continuing in 2006.
Most of the Company’s competitors are privately owned so these costs can be a competitive disadvantage for the Company. Should the Company’s sales decline or if the Company is unsuccessful at increasing prices to cover higher expenditures for internal controls and audits, its costs associated with regulatory compliance will rise as a percentage of sales.
Other issues and uncertainties may include:
| • | | new accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting policies, |
|
| • | | labor shortages that adversely affect the Company’s ability to employ entry level personnel, |
|
| • | | legislation or other governmental action that detrimentally impacts the Company’s expenses or reduces sales by adversely affecting the Company’s customers, |
|
| • | | unanticipated adverse jury determinations, judicial rulings or other developments in litigation to which the Company is subject, |
35
| • | | a reduction or revocation of the Company’s line of credit that could increase interest expense and the cost of capital, |
|
| • | | the resignation, termination, death or disability of one or more of the Company’s key executives that adversely affects customer retention or day-to-day management of the Company. |
The Company believes that it has the human and financial resources for business success, but future profit and cash flow can be adversely (or advantageously) influenced by a number of factors, including those listed above, any and all of which are inherently difficult to forecast. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 6. Exhibits
| | | | |
Exhibit 10.1 | | - | | Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims with IAH-JFK Airport Parking Co., LLC dated February 15, 2006. |
Exhibit 10.2 | | - | | 2006 Base Salary and Performance Incentive Program: Chief Executive Officer. |
Exhibit 31.1 | | - | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) |
Exhibit 31.2 | | - | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) |
Exhibit 32.1 | | - | | Certifications pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
36
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.
| | | | |
| ABM Industries Incorporated | |
April 7, 2006 | /s/ George B. Sundby | |
| George B. Sundby | |
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Principal Financial Officer | |
|
| | | | |
| | |
April 7, 2006 | /s/ Maria De Martini | |
| Maria De Martini | |
| Vice President and Controller Chief Accounting Officer | |
37
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
10.1 | | Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims with IAH-JFK Airport Parking Co., LLC dated February 15, 2006. |
10.2 | | 2006 Base Salary and Performance Incentive Program: Chief Executive Officer |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a). |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a). |
32.1 | | Certifications pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
38