Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. 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 and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from its management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in “Forward-Looking Statements”, “Risk Factor Summary” and “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by applicable law.
The discussion that follows includes a comparison of the Company’s results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company has elected to omit discussion of the earliest of the three years covered by the consolidated financial statements presented. For a discussion and analysis of fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and of changes from the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (filed with the SEC on March 13, 2024).
Overview
The Company is a building systems solution firm that partners with building owners and facilities managers with mission critical mechanical (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), electrical, and plumbing infrastructure. The Company strives to be an indispensable partner to its customers by providing services that are essential to the operation of their businesses. The Company has approximately 1,400 team members in 20 offices across the eastern United States. The Company’s team members uniquely combine engineering expertise with field installation skills to provide custom solutions that leverage its full life-cycle capabilities, which allows it to address both the operational and capital projects needs of its customers.
The Company’s core market sectors consist of the following customer base with mission-critical systems:
•Healthcare, including research, acute care and inpatient hospitals for regional and national hospital groups;
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•Industrial and manufacturing, including automotive, energy and general manufacturing plants;
•Data centers, including facilities composed of networked computers, storage systems and computing infrastructure that organizations use to assemble, process, store and disseminate large amounts of data;
•Life sciences, including organizations and companies whose work is centered around research and development focused on living things;
•Higher education, including both public and private colleges, universities and research centers; and
•Cultural and entertainment, including entertainment facilities (including casinos) and amusement rides and parks.
The Company operates in two segments, (i) ODR, in which the Company performs owner direct projects and/or provides maintenance or service primarily on mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems, building controls and specialty contracting projects to existing buildings direct to, or assigned by, building owners or property managers, and (ii) GCR, in which the Company generally manages new construction or renovation projects that involve primarily mechanical, plumbing, or electrical services awarded to the Company by general contractors or construction managers.
Key Components of Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenue
The Company generates revenue principally from fixed-price construction contracts to deliver mechanical, plumbing, and electrical construction services to its customers. The duration of the Company’s contracts generally ranges from three months to two years. Revenue from fixed price contracts is recognized on the cost-to-cost method, measured by the relationship of total cost incurred to total estimated contract costs. Revenue from time and materials service contracts is recognized as services are performed. The Company believes that its extensive experience in mechanical, plumbing, and electrical projects, and its internal cost review procedures during the bidding process enable it to reasonably estimate costs and mitigate the risk of cost overruns on fixed price contracts.
The Company generally invoices customers on a monthly basis, based on a schedule of values that breaks down the contract amount into discrete billing items. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings are recorded as a contract asset until billable under the contract terms. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings are recorded as a contract liability until the related revenue is recognizable.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue primarily consists of labor, equipment, material, subcontract and other job costs in connection with fulfilling the terms of the Company’s contracts. Labor costs consist of wages plus taxes, fringe benefits and insurance. Equipment costs consist of the ownership and operating costs of company-owned assets, in addition to outside-rented equipment. If applicable, job costs include estimated contract losses to be incurred in future periods. Due to the varied nature of the Company's services, and the risks associated therewith, contract costs as a percentage of contract revenue have historically fluctuated, and this fluctuation is expected to continue in future periods as well.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of personnel costs for the Company’s administrative, estimating, human resources, safety, information technology, legal, finance and accounting team members and executives. Also included in SG&A expenses are non-personnel costs, such as travel-related expenses, legal and other professional fees and other corporate expenses to support the growth of the Company's business and to meet the compliance requirements associated with operating as a public company. Those costs include accounting, human resources, information technology, legal personnel, additional consulting, legal and audit fees, insurance costs, Board of Directors’ compensation and the costs of achieving and maintaining compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
The change in fair value of contingent consideration relates to the remeasurement of the contingent consideration arrangements resulting from each of the Jake Marshall, LLC (“JMLLC”), Coating Solutions, LLC (“CSLLC”, together with JMLLC, the “Jake Marshall Transaction”), the ACME Transaction, the Industrial Air Transaction, the Kent Island Transaction and the Consolidated Mechanical Transaction. As part of the total consideration for the Jake Marshall, ACME, Industrial Air, Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical transactions, the Company initially recognized $3.1 million, $1.5 million, $3.2 million, $4.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in contingent consideration associated with their respective earnout payments. The
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carrying values of the Jake Marshall, ACME, Industrial Air, Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical earnout payments are subject to remeasurement at fair value at each reporting date through the end of the respective earnout periods with any changes in the fair value reported as a separate component of operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9 – Fair Value Measurements in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information.
Amortization of Intangibles
Amortization expense represents periodic non-cash charges that consist of amortization of various intangible assets primarily including favorable leasehold interests and certain customer relationships. As a result of the Jake Marshall Transaction, the Company recognized, in the aggregate, an additional $5.7 million of intangible assets associated with customer relationships with third-party customers, the acquired trade name and acquired backlog. As a result of the ACME Transaction, the Company recognized, in the aggregate, an additional $2.8 million of intangible assets associated with customer relationships with third-party customers and the acquired trade name, inclusive of the impact of certain measurement period adjustments. As a result of the Industrial Air Transaction, the Company recognized, in the aggregate, an additional $8.7 million of intangible assets associated with customer relationships with third-party customers, the acquired trade name, trademarks and intellectual property and the acquired backlog. In addition, as a result of the Kent Island Transaction, the Company recognized, in the aggregate, an additional $10.7 million of intangible assets associated with customer relationships with third-party customers, the acquired trade name and the acquired backlog. Lastly, as a result of the Consolidated Mechanical Transaction, the Company recognized, in the aggregate, an additional $10.1 million of intangible assets associated with customer relationships with third-party customers and the acquired trade name.
Each of the Jake Marshall, ACME, Industrial Air, Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical-related intangible assets were recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. See Note 3 – Acquisitions in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company’s acquired intangible assets as a result of the Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical Transactions. In addition, see Note 5 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information on the Company’s intangible assets.
Other (Expenses) Income
Other (expenses) income consists primarily of interest expense incurred in connection with the Company's debt, a loss associated with the early termination of an operating lease, gains or losses associated with the disposition of property, equipment, changes in fair value of interest rate swaps, losses associated with the early extinguishment of debt and interest income earned from its overnight repurchase agreements, money market investments, U.S. Treasury Bills and the Company's interest rate swap agreement. Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company is taxed as a C corporation and its financial results include the effects of federal income taxes, which will be paid at the parent level.
The Company’s provision for income taxes (including federal, state and local taxes) is calculated based on the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASC”) Topic 740 - Income Taxes, which requires the use of the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities and income or expense are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying values and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to be applicable in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes.
Impact of Acquisitions
In order to provide a more meaningful period-over-period discussion of the Company’s operating results, the Company may discuss amounts generated or incurred (revenues, gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses, and operating income) from companies acquired. The amounts discussed reflect the acquired companies’ operating results in the current reported period only for the time period these entities were not owned by the Company in the comparable prior reported period.
During 2023, the Company acquired two companies for total cash consideration of $15.3 million, net of cash acquired and inclusive of certain measurement period adjustments. On July 3, 2023, the Company completed an acquisition of Chattanooga, TN-based specialty industrial contractor, ACME, for a purchase price at closing of $5.0 million in cash. The transaction also provided for an earnout of up to $2.5 million potentially being paid out over 2024 and 2025. ACME specializes in performing
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industrial maintenance, capital project work, and emergency services for specialty chemical and manufacturing customers, and is a leading mechanical solutions provider for hydroelectric producers. On November 1, 2023, the Company completed an acquisition of Greensboro, NC-based specialty mechanical contractor, Industrial Air, for a purchase price at closing of $13.5 million in cash. The transaction also provided for an earnout of up to $6.5 million potentially being paid out over 2025 and 2026. Industrial Air serves industrial customers throughout the Southeast United States and along the Eastern seaboard, focusing on delivering engineered air handling systems, including air condition and air filtration, along with controls systems and maintenance work. In addition, Industrial Air manufactures a wide range of components for air conditioning and filtration systems.
On September 3, 2024, the Company completed an acquisition of Laurel, MD-based specialty mechanical contractor, Kent Island Mechanical, for a purchase price at closing of $15.0 million. The transaction also provided for an earnout of up to $5.0 million potentially being paid out over 2025 and 2026. Kent Island is a leading provider of building systems solutions in the Greater Washington, DC metro area, including suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. Kent Island excels in designing, engineering, installing, servicing, and maintaining mechanical and plumbing systems for complex facilities. The acquisition expands the Company’s market share within its existing operating footprint, provides further exposure to an attractive customer base and supports the Company's continued ODR growth strategy.
On December 2, 2024, the Company completed an acquisition of Owensboro, Kentucky-based specialty mechanical contractor, Consolidated Mechanical, for a purchase price at closing of $23.0 million. The transaction also provided for an earnout of up to $2.0 million potentially being paid out over 2026 and 2027. Consolidated Mechanical serves the heavy industrial, power and commercial markets. Consolidated Mechanical is a premier provider of mechanical, millwright, steel fabrication, plumbing construction, maintenance, and outage services to owners of complex process systems in the industrial sector. The acquisition extends the Company’s reach into the industrial sector, with new exposure to the power generation, food processing, manufacturing, and metal markets in Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan.
Divestitures
In February 2022, the Company announced its strategic decision to wind down its Southern California operations. The decision was made to better align the Company’s customer geographic focus and to reduce losses related to unprofitable locations. During 2023, the Company executed the closeout phases on its remaining Southern California business unit projects and has fully exited the Southern California region aside from certain operational warranty obligations. However, the Company is party to the terms of a sublease agreement for its leased premises in Southern California through April 2027 and remains obligated under the original lease for such office space in the event the sublessee fails to satisfy its obligations under the sublease agreement. See Note 14 – Leases in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information on the Southern California Sublease.
Operating Segments
The Company manages and measures the performance of its business in two operating segments: ODR and GCR. Segment information is prepared on the same basis that the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company’s CODM comprises of its President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
In accordance with ASC Topic 280 – Segment Reporting, the Company has elected to aggregate all of the ODR work performed at branches into one ODR reportable segment and all of the GCR work performed at branches into one GCR reportable segment. All transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation.
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Comparison of Results of Operations For the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The following table presents operating results for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in dollars and expressed as a percentage of total revenue (except as indicated below):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands except for percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations Data: | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||
| ODR | $ | 345,500 | 66.6 | % | $ | 261,958 | 50.7 | % | ||||||
| GCR | 173,281 | 33.4 | % | 254,392 | 49.3 | % | ||||||||
| Total revenue | 518,781 | 100.0 | % | 516,350 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit: | ||||||||||||||
| ODR | 107,775 | 31.2 | % | (1) | 76,090 | 29.0 | % | (1) | ||||||
| GCR | 36,506 | 21.1 | % | (2) | 43,200 | 17.0 | % | (2) | ||||||
| Total gross profit | 144,281 | 27.8 | % | 119,290 | 23.1 | % | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative(3) | 97,199 | 18.7 | % | 87,397 | 16.9 | % | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 3,770 | 0.7 | % | 729 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | 4,688 | 0.9 | % | 1,880 | 0.4 | % | ||||||||
| Total operating income | 38,624 | 7.4 | % | 29,284 | 5.7 | % | ||||||||
| Other income (expenses) | 1,342 | 0.3 | % | (1,184) | (0.2) | % | ||||||||
| Total consolidated income before income taxes | 39,966 | 7.7 | % | 28,100 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||
| Income tax provision | 9,091 | 1.8 | % | 7,346 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 30,875 | 6.0 | % | $ | 20,754 | 4.0 | % |
(1)As a percentage of ODR revenue.
(2)As a percentage of GCR revenue.
(3)Included within selling, general and administrative expenses was $5.8 million and $4.9 million of stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Revenue
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||
| ODR | $ | 345,500 | $ | 261,958 | $ | 83,542 | 31.9 | % | ||||||
| GCR | 173,281 | 254,392 | (81,111) | (31.9) | % | |||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 518,781 | $ | 516,350 | $ | 2,431 | 0.5 | % |
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $2.4 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. ODR revenue increased by $83.5 million, or 31.9%, while GCR revenue decreased by $81.1 million, or 31.9%. The increase in year-over-year ODR segment revenue primarily was due to the Company's continued focus on the accelerated growth of its ODR business. In addition, ODR segment revenue increased in the aggregate by approximately $31.5 million due to the ACME and Industrial Air transactions. These entities were not acquired entities of the Company for the full year ending December 31, 2023. The decrease in year-over-year GCR segment revenue was primarily due to the Company’s continued focus on the execution of its mix-shift strategy to ODR. The Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical transactions did not have a material impact on revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 due to timing of when these entities were acquired.
Gross Profit
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| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||
| (in thousands except for percentages) | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit: | ||||||||||||
| ODR | $ | 107,775 | $ | 76,090 | $ | 31,685 | 41.6 | % | ||||
| GCR | 36,506 | 43,200 | (6,694) | (15.5) | % | |||||||
| Total gross profit | $ | 144,281 | $ | 119,290 | $ | 24,991 | 20.9 | % | ||||
| Total gross profit as a percentage of consolidated total revenue | 27.8 | % | 23.1 | % |
The Company's gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $25.0 million, or 20.9% compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. ODR gross profit increased $31.7 million, or 41.6%, due to the combination of an increase in revenue, higher margins driven by contract mix and as a result of the ACME and Industrial Air transactions. These entities were not acquired entities of the Company for the full year ending December 31, 2023. GCR gross profit decreased $6.7 million, or 15.5%, primarily due to lower revenue despite higher margins. The total gross profit percentage increased from 23.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 27.8% for the year ended December 31, 2024, mainly driven by the mix of higher margin ODR segment work, the Company becoming more selective when pursuing GCR work, and net material gross profit write-ups. The Kent Island and Consolidated Mechanical transactions did not have a material impact on gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 due to timing of when these entities were acquired.
The Company recorded revisions in its contract estimates for certain ODR and GCR projects. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded material gross profit write-ups on four ODR segment projects for a total of $3.9 million that had a net gross profit impact of $0.5 million or more. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded material gross profit write-ups on three GCR projects for a total of $3.3 million and material gross profit write-downs on two GCR projects for a total of $1.4 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a material gross profit write-down on one ODR segment project for a total of $1.0 million that had a net gross profit impact of $0.5 million or more. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded material gross profit write-ups of $2.2 million on two GCR projects and material gross profit write-downs on two GCR projects for a total of $1.3 million.
Selling, General and Administrative
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 97,199 | $ | 87,397 | $ | 9,802 | 11.2 | % | ||||||
| Total selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of consolidated total revenue | 18.7 | % | 16.9 | % |
The Company's SG&A expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by approximately $9.8 million, or 11.2% compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in SG&A was primarily due to a $6.5 million increase associated with payroll and incentive related expenses, $4.1 million of collective expenses incurred from the ACME and Industrial Air entities that were not acquired entities of the Company for the full fiscal year 2023, a $0.9 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a $0.7 million increase for professional services fees. Partly offsetting this increase was a $1.0 million decrease in SG&A related to CEO transition costs recognized in 2023. Additionally, SG&A as a percentage of revenue was 18.7% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 16.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration
The change in fair values of the Company’s earnout payment contingent consideration was a loss of $3.8 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These increases to the contingent liability were primarily attributable to the probability of meeting the gross profit margins associated with the contingent consideration arrangements for the acquisitions as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Amortization of Intangibles
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| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangibles | $ | 4,688 | $ | 1,880 | $ | 2,808 | 149.4 | % |
Total amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by approximately $2.8 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. As a result of the ACME, Industrial Air and Kent Island transactions, the Company acquired certain intangible assets in which it recognized an increase of approximately $3.1 million of amortization expense year-over-year. See Note 5 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information on the Company's intangible assets.
Other Income (Expenses)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands except for percentages) | ||||||||||||||
| Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (1,869) | $ | (2,046) | $ | (177) | (8.7) | % | ||||||
| Interest income | 2,227 | 1,217 | 1,010 | 83.0 | % | |||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | (311) | (311) | (100.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of interest rate swap | 34 | (124) | 158 | 127.4 | % | |||||||||
| Gain on sale of property and equipment | 950 | 80 | 870 | 1,087.5 | % | |||||||||
| Total other income (expenses) | $ | 1,342 | $ | (1,184) | $ | 2,526 | 213.3 | % |
Total other income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1.3 million as compared to total other expenses of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in total other income (expenses) primarily was driven by a $1.0 million increase in interest income related to the Company's overnight repurchase agreements, investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and money market funds. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a gain of $1.0 million related to the sale of certain property and equipment compared to $0.1 million recognized in 2023. The increase in total other income (expenses) also included a $0.3 million loss on early debt extinguishment recognized during 2023.
Income Taxes
The Company’s income tax provision was $9.1 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and it had a 22.7% and 26.1% effective tax rate over those same periods, respectively. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate year-over-year was primarily due to state income taxes, tax credits, other permanent adjustments and discrete tax items. In particular, the Company’s effective rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were materially impacted by “excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation” recognized discretely during the first quarter of each year. This benefit reduced the effective tax rate by 35.1% and 10.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 respectively, with the impact varying in prior years. The increase in the 2024 effective rate reduction is primarily related to the higher stock price of the Company resulting in increased tax deductions for the Company upon vesting of equity incentive awards. See also Note 11 – Income Taxes in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ODR and GCR Backlog Information
The Company refers to its estimated revenue on uncompleted contracts, including the amount of revenue on contracts for which work has not begun, less the revenue it had recognized under such contracts, as “backlog.” Backlog includes unexercised contract options. The Company’s backlog includes projects that have a written award, a letter of intent, a notice to proceed or an agreed upon work order to perform work on mutually accepted terms and conditions. Additionally, the difference between the Company’s backlog and remaining performance obligations is due to the portion of unexercised contract options that are excluded, under certain contract types, from the Company’s remaining performance obligations as these contracts can be canceled for convenience at any time by the Company or the customer without considerable cost incurred by the customer. In addition to the Company’s backlog, it has a substantial amount of contracts with short lead times that book-and-bill within the same reporting period and are not included in backlog. Additional information related to the Company’s remaining performance obligations is provided in Note 4 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers in the accompanying notes to its consolidated
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financial statements. See also “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Our contract backlog is subject to unexpected adjustments and cancellations and could be an uncertain indicator of our future earnings.”
The Company’s ODR backlog was $225.3 million and $147.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts reflect unrecognized revenue expected to be recognized over the remaining terms of its service contracts and projects. Based on historical trends, the Company currently estimates that 86% of its ODR backlog as of December 31, 2024 will be recognized as revenue during 2025. The Company believes its ODR backlog increased due to its continued focus on the accelerated growth of its ODR business.
The Company’s GCR backlog was $140.0 million and $186.9 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Projects are brought into backlog once the Company has been provided a written confirmation of award and the contract value has been established. At any point in time, the Company has a substantial volume of projects that are specifically identified and advanced in negotiations and/or documentation, however those projects are not booked as backlog until the Company has received written confirmation from the owner or the general contractor / construction manager of their intention to award it the contract and they have directed the Company to begin engineering, designing, incurring construction labor costs or procuring needed equipment and material. The Company’s GCR projects tend to be built over a 12- to 24-month schedule depending upon scope and complexity. Most major projects have a preconstruction planning phase, which may require months of planning before actual construction commences. The Company is occasionally employed to deliver a “fast-track” project, where construction commences as the preconstruction planning work continues. As work on the Company’s projects progress, it increases or decreases backlog to take into account its estimate of the effects of changes in estimated quantities, changes in conditions, change orders and other variations from initially anticipated contract revenue, and the percentage of completion of the Company’s work on the projects. Based on historical trends, the Company currently estimates that 72% of its GCR backlog as of December 31, 2024 will be recognized as revenue during 2025. Additionally, the reduction in GCR backlog has been intentional as the Company looks to focus on higher margin projects than it has done historically, as well as its focus on smaller, higher margin owner direct projects.
Market Update
In 2024, the mechanical services industry experienced steady demand across key sectors, driven by continued investment in energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades and maintenance of aging mechanical systems. However, the industry faced challenges related to economic uncertainty, labor shortages and supply chain volatility. Although the Company has been experiencing strong demand, these industry challenges continue to impact its business. The Company experienced elevated levels of cost inflation during 2023, which has continued into 2024, although at lower levels than those experienced in 2023. These headwinds have been partially mitigated in 2023 and 2024 by pricing actions taken in response to the inflationary cost environment, supply chain productivity improvements and cost savings initiatives. Economic conditions contributed to increases in interest rates during 2023; however, interest rates remained stable in the first half of 2024 and the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by a total of 100 basis points in the second half of 2024. Future interest rate changes would raise or lower the rates the Company pays on its leased fleet vehicles and borrowings under the Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan. However, the Company is party to an interest rate swap arrangement to manage the risk associated with a portion of its variable-rate revolving loan. Also, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the sanctions imposed in response to this conflict, have increased global economic and political uncertainty and the conflict in the Middle East may add to these issues.
While the impact of these factors remains uncertain, the Company continues to evaluate the extent to which they may impact its business, financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company's actions will serve to mitigate such impacts in future periods. In periods of economic uncertainty, businesses and organizations may delay or cancel large capital projects, such as new construction or major mechanical system upgrades. The Company’s service contracts and maintenance work often remain stable or even increase, as customers prioritize maintaining existing systems over capital-intensive replacements. Further, economic downturns may lead to increased competition and pricing pressures, impacting revenue and margins. The Company believes that its diversified service offerings reduce its exposure to market volatility. While the Company believes its remaining performance obligations are firm, and its customers have not provided the Company with indications that they no longer wish to proceed with planned projects, prolonged delays in the receipt of critical equipment could result in the Company's customers seeking to terminate existing or pending agreements. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Outlook for 2025
The Company focuses on creating value for building owners by developing long-term relationships and becoming an indispensable partner to building owners with mission-critical systems. For 2025, the key objectives of the Company’s strategy are to 1) improve profitability and generate quality growth in its operations by shifting to the ODR segment; 2) expand margins
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through evolved offerings, and 3) scale the business through acquisitions. To accomplish these objectives, the Company currently is executing the following initiatives:
In focusing on improved profitability and generating quality growth in its operation, the Company has dedicated and continues to dedicate, its resources toward the growth of its ODR segment as the scope of offerings provided within the Company’s ODR segment typically yield higher margins when compared to its GCR segment work. During fiscal year 2023, the Company eclipsed its ODR-related revenue target, generating a 50/50 segment revenue mix. For 2024, the Company further expanded its growth within the ODR segment where it generated 66.6% of total consolidated revenue, achieving its 2024 ODR segment revenue target of 65-70%. The Company believes it maintains a disciplined approach, capable of providing a full life-cycle of engineered solutions and craft expertise enabling it to be a one-stop-shop for building owners. The Company continues to make investments to expand its ODR revenue by increasing the value it can offer to building owners and continues to evaluate areas in which it could expand the breadth of its service offerings to better serve its customers. In addition, the Company continues to expand its owner-direct offerings to include other digital solutions to manage and monitor the performance of building systems, including data analytics, energy consumption and sustainability. These services allow the Company to develop new revenue streams, leveraging its professional services capabilities to support multi-location regional and national customers in core end-markets, and to drive energy retrofit and performance optimization projects for building owners.
In the Company’s GCR segment, its efforts continue to focus on improving project execution and profitability by pursuing opportunities that are smaller in size and shorter in duration than they have been historically, and where it can leverage its captive design and engineering services. The Company believes that it is appropriate in the current contracting environment to reduce risk and exposure to large, complex, non-owner direct projects where the trend has been for such jobs to provide risks that are difficult to mitigate. Currently, management believes the historical industry pricing and associated risks for this type of work does not align with the Company’s stakeholders’ expectations, and therefore, the Company continues to take steps to actively reduce these risks as it looks at future job selection and as it completes current jobs.
The Company continues to focus on expanding its margins by evolving and enhancing its current offerings to building owners. This initiative reflects the Company’s commitment to driving sustainable growth, increasing operational efficiency and delivering greater value to its stakeholders. This evolution is designed to align more closely with current market demands, emerging customer preferences and operational efficiencies, which together contribute to margin expansion. The Company aims to differentiate itself from its competitors by being a one-stop-shop for building owners, capable of providing a full life-cycle of engineered solutions and craft expertise. By meeting diverse customer needs under one roof, the Company deepens customer loyalty. The Company believes that building owners value the convenience and reliability of a single point of contact, which fosters long-term partnerships, reoccurring business and may open doors to larger capital projects. In addition, by evolving its offerings, the Company is able to capture a greater share of the value chain.
Additionally, the Company believes that it can further increase its cash flow and operating income by acquiring strategically synergistic companies that will increase the Company’s geographic footprint, supplement the Company’s current business model, address capability gaps and enhance the breadth of its offerings to better serve its customers. The Company has dedicated and continues to dedicate its resources to seek opportunities to acquire and integrate businesses that have attractive market positions, supports the Company’s ODR growth strategy, expands and/or supplements the Company’s current breadth of offerings and is culturally compatible. See Note 3 – Acquisitions in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information on the Company’s most recent acquisition activity.
Given the broad suite of offerings to customers within the Company’s market concentrations, management uses a variety of factors to attempt to predict the outlook for the Company. The Company monitors key competitors and customers in order to gauge relative performance and the outlook for the future. The Company regularly performs detailed evaluations of different market verticals in which it serves to proactively detect trends and to adapt its strategies accordingly, including potential triggers and actions to be taken under recessionary scenarios. In addition, the Company believes its backlog is indicative of future revenue and thus are a key measure of anticipated performance.
The Company continues to monitor the impact that the inflationary cost environment has on its cost structure. Although global supply chain and resource constraints have improved throughout the year, the Company’s performance may be impacted by future developments that are uncertain. In addition, geopolitical risks and macroeconomic events could cause disruptions to operations, supply chains and end markets, tightening credit conditions, higher interest rates, global banking uncertainty and the possibility of deteriorating overall economic conditions which could negatively impact the Company’s business.
Seasonality, Cyclicality and Quarterly Trends
Severe weather can impact the Company’s operations. In the northern climates where it operates, and to a lesser extent the southern climates as well, severe winters can slow the Company’s productivity on construction projects, which shifts revenue and gross profit recognition to a later period. The Company’s maintenance operations may also be impacted by mild or severe
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weather. Mild weather tends to reduce demand for its maintenance services, whereas severe weather may increase the demand for its maintenance and time-and-materials services. The Company’s operations also experience mild cyclicality, as building owners typically work through maintenance and capital projects at an increased level during the third and fourth calendar quarters of each year.
Effect of Inflation and Tariffs
The prices of products such as steel, pipe, copper and equipment from manufacturers are subject to fluctuation and increases. It is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflation, tariffs and price escalation due to the imprecise nature of the estimates required. However, these effects are, at times, material to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. During fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the Company experienced higher cost of materials on specific projects and delays in its supply chain for equipment and service vehicles from the manufacturers, and these higher costs and delays in its supply chain persisted in 2024. When appropriate, the Company includes cost escalation factors into its bids and proposals, and limits the acceptance time of its bid. In addition, the Company is often able to mitigate the impact of future price increases by entering into fixed price purchase orders for materials and equipment and subcontracts on its projects. Notwithstanding these efforts, if the Company experiences significant disruptions to its supply chain, it may need to delay certain projects that would otherwise be accretive to its business, and this may also impact the conversion rate of its current backlog into revenue.
In February 2025, the United States government announced a number of tariffs on imports, including imports on steel and aluminum. Increased costs for imported steel and aluminum products have led domestic sellers to respond with market-based increases to prices for such inputs as well. These tariffs, along with any additional tariffs or trade restrictions that may be implemented by the United States or other countries, could result in further increased costs, shifts in competitive positions and a decreased supply of steel, resins and aluminum as well as additional imported components and materials. The Company’s ODR segment focus often allows for these increased costs to be passed onto the customer due to the short sales cycle; however, the Company may not be able to pass certain price increases on to its customers and may not be able to secure adequate alternative sources of materials on a timely basis. The Company may not be able to pass certain price increases on to its customers and may not be able to secure adequate alternative sources of materials on a timely basis. While retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries on the United States have not yet had a significant impact, the Company cannot predict further developments. At this time, it is difficult to accurately measure the impact these tariffs, or potential future tariffs, will have on the Company.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The Company’s liquidity needs relate primarily to the provision of working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) to support operations, funding of capital expenditures, and investment in strategic opportunities. Historically, liquidity has been provided by operating activities and borrowings from commercial banks and institutional lenders.
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The following table presents summary cash flow information for the periods indicated:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by: | ||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 36,783 | $ | 57,366 | ||
| Investing activities | (42,569) | (17,092) | ||||
| Financing activities | (9,117) | (16,490) | ||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (14,903) | $ | 23,784 | ||
| Noncash investing and financing transactions: | ||||||
| Earnout liability associated with the Kent Island Transaction | $ | 4,381 | $ | — | ||
| Earnout liability associated with the Consolidated Mechanical Transaction | 757 | — | ||||
| Earnout liability associated with the ACME Transaction | — | 1,514 | ||||
| Earnout liability associated with the Industrial Air Transaction | — | 3,165 | ||||
| Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | 4,775 | 3,135 | ||||
| Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | 7,586 | 5,219 | ||||
| Right of use assets disposed or adjusted modifying operating lease liabilities | 1,268 | 1,112 | ||||
| Right of use assets disposed or adjusted modifying finance lease liabilities | — | (93) | ||||
| Interest paid | 1,899 | 1,908 | ||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 8,529 | $ | 9,156 |
The Company's cash flows are primarily impacted period to period by fluctuations in working capital. Factors such as the Company’s contract mix, commercial terms, days sales outstanding (“DSO”) and delays in the start of projects may impact its working capital. In line with industry practice, the Company accumulates costs during a given month then bills those costs in the current month for many of its contracts. While labor costs associated with these contracts are paid weekly and salary costs associated with the contracts are paid bi-weekly, certain subcontractor costs are generally not paid until the Company receives payment from its customers (contractual “pay-if-paid” terms). The Company has not historically experienced a large volume of write-offs related to its receivables and contract assets. The Company regularly assesses its receivables for collectability and provides allowances for credit losses where appropriate. The Company believes that its reserves for its expected credit losses are appropriate as of December 31, 2024, but adverse changes in the economic environment may impact certain of its customers’ ability to access capital and compensate the Company for its services, as well as impact project activity for the foreseeable future.
The Company’s existing current backlog is projected to provide substantial coverage of forecasted revenue for one year from the date of the financial statement issuance. In addition to the Company's backlog, it has a substantial amount of contracts with short lead times that book-and-bill within the same reporting period and are not included in backlog. The Company's current cash balance, together with cash it expects to generate from future operations, along with borrowings available under its credit facility, are expected to be sufficient to finance its short- and long-term capital requirements (or meet working capital requirements) for at least the next twelve months. In addition to the future operating cash flows of the Company, along with its existing borrowing availability and access to financial markets, the Company currently believes it will be able to meet any working capital and future operating requirements, and capital investment forecast opportunities for at least the next twelve months.
The following table represents the Company’s summarized working capital information:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except ratios) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Current assets | $ | 220,334 | $ | 217,000 | ||
| Current liabilities | (151,037) | (145,148) | ||||
| Net working capital | $ | 69,297 | $ | 71,852 | ||
| Current ratio(1) | 1.46 | 1.50 |
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(1) Current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities.
As discussed above and in Note 7 – Debt in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all financial maintenance covenants as required by its credit facility.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
The following is a summary of the significant sources (uses) of cash from operating activities:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | Cash Inflow (Outflow) | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 30,875 | $ | 20,754 | $ | 10,121 | ||||
| Non-cash operating activities(1) | 24,454 | 18,222 | 6,232 | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (11,275) | 32,607 | (43,882) | |||||||
| Contract assets | 8,506 | 10,397 | (1,891) | |||||||
| Other current assets | (499) | (1,486) | 987 | |||||||
| Accounts payable, including retainage | (10,298) | (10,909) | 611 | |||||||
| Contract liabilities | (2,949) | (9,121) | 6,172 | |||||||
| Income tax receivable | — | 95 | (95) | |||||||
| Accrued taxes payable | 1,024 | (1,442) | 2,466 | |||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 3,111 | 2,867 | 244 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (3,850) | (3,795) | (55) | |||||||
| Payment of contingent consideration liability in excess of acquisition-date fair value | (2,175) | (1,224) | (951) | |||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | (141) | 401 | (542) | |||||||
| Cash (used in) provided by working capital | (18,546) | 18,390 | (36,936) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 36,783 | $ | 57,366 | $ | (20,583) |
(1)Represents non-cash activity associated with depreciation and amortization, provision for credit losses, stock-based compensation expense, operating lease expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred income tax provision, gain or loss on sale of property and equipment, changes in fair value of contingent consideration and changes in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company generated $36.8 million in cash in its operating activities, which consisted of cash used in working capital of $18.5 million, non-cash adjustments of $24.5 million (primarily depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, operating lease expense and the change in fair value of contingent consideration) and net income for the period of $30.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company generated $57.4 million in cash in its operating activities, which consisted of cash provided by working capital of $18.4 million, non-cash adjustments of $18.2 million (primarily depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, operating lease expense, loss on early debt extinguishment and the change in fair value of contingent consideration) and net income for the period of $20.8 million.
The decrease in operating cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a $43.9 million year-over-year cash outflow related to the change in accounts receivable, which was due to the timing of cash receipts and the successful resolution of certain outstanding claims recognized in 2023. This cash outflow was partially offset by a $10.1 million increase in net income, a $6.2 million increase related to non-cash operating activities and an aggregate $4.3 million period-over-period change related to the Company’s contract assets and liabilities. The increase in the Company’s overbilled position was due to the timing of contract billings and the recognition of contract revenue.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities were $42.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 included cash outflows of $13.4 million and $23.2 million cash outflows associated with the Kent Island Transaction and Consolidated Mechanical Transaction, respectively, net of cash acquired and inclusive of certain measurement period adjustments. In
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addition, cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 represented $7.5 million of cash outflows for capital additions pertaining to purchased property and equipment, which was primarily associated with the purchase of certain rental equipment to expand customer offerings. During fiscal year 2024, the Company began offering direct rental equipment solutions for building owners who are faced with unexpected disruptions or a planned maintenance or system repair, ensuring minimal downtime for customers’ systems and facilities. These cash outflows were partially offset by $1.5 million in proceeds from the sale of property and equipment. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 included cash outflows of $4.9 million and $10.4 million associated with the ACME Transaction and Industrial Air Transaction, respectively, net of cash acquired and inclusive of certain measurement period adjustments. In addition, cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 represented $2.3 million of cash outflows for capital additions pertaining to purchased property and equipment, offset by $0.4 million in cash proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.
Aside from the rental equipment purchased during 2024, the majority of the Company's purchases of property and equipment in both periods was for capital additions pertaining to tools and equipment, computer software and hardware purchases, office furniture and office related leasehold improvements. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company obtained the use of various assets through operating and finance leases, which reduced the level of capital expenditures that would have otherwise been necessary to operate its business.
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities were $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company paid approximately $5.2 million in taxes related to the net share settlement of equity awards, $3.0 million for payments on finance leases and made $3.5 million in aggregate payments to the former owners of JMLLC, CSLLC and ACME related to their respective 2023 earnout arrangements, of which $1.3 million was recognized as a cash outflow from financing activities. These cash financing outflows were partially offset by $0.4 million associated with proceeds from employee contributions to the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).
For the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of the execution of the Second A&R Wintrust Credit Agreement, the Company paid off the remaining principal portion of the A&R Wintrust Term Loan of $19.0 million. Prior to the termination of the A&R Wintrust Term Loan, the Company made principal payments of $2.4 million, consisting of monthly installment payments of $0.6 million. In addition, the Company paid approximately $0.8 million in taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, $2.7 million for payments on finance leases and made a $3.0 million payment to the former owners of JMLLC and CSLLC related to the 2022 Jake Marshall Earnout Period, of which $1.8 million was recognized as a cash outflow from financing activities. These cash financing outflows were partially offset by $10.0 million in proceeds from borrowings under the Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan and $0.4 million associated with proceeds from contributions to the Company’s ESPP.
The following table reflects the Company’s available funding capacity as of December 31, 2024:
| (in thousands) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash & cash equivalents | $ | 44,930 | ||
| Credit agreement: | ||||
| Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan | 50,000 | |||
| Outstanding borrowings on the Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan | (10,000) | |||
| Outstanding letters of credit | (4,160) | |||
| Net credit agreement capacity available | 35,840 | |||
| Total available funding capacity | $ | 80,770 |
Debt and Related Obligations
Long-term debt consists of the following obligations as of:
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| (in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&R Wintrust Revolving Loans | $ | 10,000 | $ | 10,000 | ||
| Finance leases – collateralized by vehicles, payable in monthly installments of principal, plus interest ranging from 3.96% to 8.60% through 2031 | 11,888 | 7,347 | ||||
| Financing liability | 5,351 | 5,351 | ||||
| Total debt | $ | 27,239 | $ | 22,698 | ||
| Less – Current portion of long-term debt | (3,314) | (2,680) | ||||
| Less – Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs | (371) | (387) | ||||
| Long-term debt | $ | 23,554 | $ | 19,631 |
See Note 7 – Debt in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Material Cash Requirements from Contractual and Other Obligations
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s short-term and long-term material cash requirements for known contractual and other obligations were as follows:
Outstanding Debt and Interest Payments: As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $10.0 million of direct borrowings outstanding under its Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan. The Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan bears interest, at LFS’s option, at either the Term SOFR (as defined in the Second A&R Credit Agreement) (with a 0.15% floor) plus 3.10% or the Prime Rate (as defined in the Second A&R Credit Agreement) (with a 3.0% floor), subject to a 50 basis point step-down based on the ratio between the senior debt of the Company and its subsidiaries to the EBITDA of LFS and its subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters. Interest payments on any future borrowings will be determined based on prevailing rates at that time. The Company is party to an interest rate swap arrangement to manage the risk associated with a portion of it variable-rate long-term debt. The Second A&R Wintrust Revolving Loan will mature in February 2028. See Note 7 – Debt in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further detail of the Company’s debt obligations, including the Company’s revolving credit facility.
Sale-Leaseback Financing Transaction: In fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company executed a sale-leaseback financing transaction with respect to its branch facility in Pontiac, Michigan to provide additional liquidity. Future payments associated with the sale-leaseback financing transaction were $15.9 million at December 31, 2024, with $0.5 million payable within the next 12 months. See Note 7 – Debt in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further detail surrounding the Company’s sale-leaseback financing transaction.
Operating and Finance Leases: In the normal course of business, the Company leases real estate, vehicles and other equipment under various arrangements which are classified as either operating or finance leases. Future payments for such leases, excluding leases with initial terms of one year or less, were $39.2 million at December 31, 2024, with $9.1 million payable within the next 12 months. See Note 14 – Leases in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further detail surrounding the Company’s lease obligations and the timing of expected future payments.
Contingent Consideration Liabilities: The Company has incurred liabilities related to contingent consideration arrangements associated with certain acquisitions, payable in the event discrete performance objectives are achieved by the acquired businesses during designated post-acquisition periods. The aggregate amount of these liabilities can change due to additional business acquisitions, settlement of outstanding liabilities, changes in the fair value of amounts owed based on performance during such post-acquisition periods, and accretion in present value. As of December 31, 2024, the present value of expected future payments relating to these contingent consideration arrangements was $13.2 million. Of this amount, $7.4 million is estimated as being payable during 2025, with the remainder due in 2026 and 2027. See Note 9 – Fair Value Measurements in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the Company’s contingent consideration liabilities.
Open Purchase Obligations: As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $91.2 million of open purchase obligations, of which approximately $73.0 million are expected to become due within the next 12 months. These obligations represent open purchase orders to suppliers and subcontractors related to the Company’s projects and services contracts. These purchase orders are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets and are not expected to impact future liquidity as amounts should be recovered through customer billings.
In addition, material cash requirements for other potential obligations, for which we cannot reasonably estimate future payments, include the following:
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Legal Proceedings: The Company is continually engaged in administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and litigation with owners, general contractors, suppliers, team members, former team members and other unrelated parties, all arising in the ordinary courses of business. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the results of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company. See Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding legal proceedings.
Multiemployer Pension Plans: In addition to the Company’s sponsored benefit plans, the Company participates in certain multiemployer pension and other post-retirement plans. The cost of these plans is equal to the annual required contributions determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated collective bargaining agreements. During 2024 and 2023, contributions made to these plans were $10.3 million and $11.6 million, respectively; however, the Company’s future contributions to the multiemployer plans are dependent upon a number of factors. Amounts of future contributions that the Company would be contractually obligated to make pursuant to these plans cannot be reasonably estimated. See Note 16 – Multiemployer Pension Plans in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding these multiemployer pension plans.
Surety Bonding
In connection with its business, the Company is occasionally required to provide various types of surety bonds that provide an additional measure of security to its customers for its performance under certain government and private sector contracts. The Company’s ability to obtain surety bonds depends upon its capitalization, working capital, past performance, management expertise and external factors, including the capacity of the overall surety market. Surety companies consider such factors in light of the amount of the Company’s backlog that it has currently bonded and their current underwriting standards, which may change from time-to-time. The bonds the Company provides, if any, typically reflect the contract value. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has approximately $109.3 million and $90.9 million, respectively, in surety bonds outstanding. The Company believes that its $800 million bonding capacity provides it with a significant competitive advantage relative to many of its competitors which have limited bonding capacity. See Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Insurance and Self-Insurance
The Company purchases workers’ compensation and general liability insurance under policies with per-incident deductibles of $250,000 per occurrence. Losses incurred over primary policy limits are covered by umbrella and excess policies up to specified limits with multiple excess insurers. The Company accrues for the unfunded portion of costs for both reported claims and incurred but not reported claims. The liability for unfunded reported claims and future claims is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as current and non-current liabilities. The liability is computed by determining a reserve for each reported claim on a case-by-case basis based on the nature of the claim and historical loss experience for similar claims plus an allowance for the cost of incurred but not reported claims. The current portion of the liability is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The non-current portion of the liability is included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company is self-insured related to medical and dental claims under policies with annual per-claimant and annual aggregate stop-loss limits. The Company accrues for the unfunded portion of costs for both reported claims and incurred but not reported claims. The liability for unfunded reported claims and future claims is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets as a current liability in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. See Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Multiemployer Plans
The Company participates in approximately 50 MEPPs that provide retirement benefits to certain union team members in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”). As one of many participating employers in these MEPPs, the Company is responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding. The Company’s contributions to a particular MEPP are established by the applicable CBAs; however, required contributions may increase based on the funded status of an MEPP and legal requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which requires substantially underfunded MEPPs to implement a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) to improve its funded status. Factors that could impact funded status of an MEPP include, without limitation, investment performance, changes in the participant demographics, decline in the number of contributing employers, changes in actuarial assumptions and the utilization of extended amortization provisions. Assets contributed to the MEPPs by the Company may be used to provide benefits to team members of other participating employers. If a participating employer stops contributing to an MEPP, the unfunded obligations of the MEPP may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
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An FIP or RP requires a particular MEPP to adopt measures to correct its underfunding status. These measures may include, but are not limited to an increase in a company’s contribution rate as a signatory to the applicable CBA, or changes to the benefits paid to retirees. In addition, the PPA requires that a 5.0% surcharge be levied on employer contributions for the first year commencing shortly after the date the employer receives notice that the MEPP is in critical status and a 10.0% surcharge on each succeeding year until a CBA is in place with terms and conditions consistent with the RP.
The Company could also be obligated to make payments to MEPPs if it either ceases to have an obligation to contribute to the MEPP or significantly reduces its contributions to the MEPP because it reduces the number of team members who are covered by the relevant MEPP for various reasons, including, but not limited to, layoffs or closure of a subsidiary assuming the MEPP has unfunded vested benefits. The amount of such payments (known as a complete or partial withdrawal liability) would equal the Company’s proportionate share of the MEPPs’ unfunded vested benefits. The Company believes that certain of the MEPPs in which it participates may have unfunded vested benefits. Due to uncertainty regarding future factors that could trigger withdrawal liability, the Company is unable to determine (a) the amount and timing of any future withdrawal liability, if any, and (b) whether its participation in these MEPPs could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 16 – Multiemployer Pension Plans in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company reviews new accounting standards to determine the expected financial impact, if any, that the adoption of such standards will have on its financial position and/or results of operations. See Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information regarding new accounting standards, including the anticipated dates of adoption and the effects on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s critical accounting policies are based upon the significance of the accounting policy to its overall financial statement presentation, as well as the complexity of the accounting policy and its use of estimates and subjective assessments. The Company’s most critical accounting policy is revenue recognition. As discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s business has two operating segments: (i) ODR, for which it accounts for using the cost-to-cost method and for certain projects when revenue is recognized as services are provided and (ii) GCR, for which it accounts for using the cost-to-cost method. In addition, the Company believes that some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of accounting policies that affect its financial condition and results of operations are the impact of changes in the estimates and judgments pertaining to: (a) collectability or valuation of accounts receivable; (b) the recording of its self-insurance liabilities; (c) valuation of deferred tax assets; and (d) recoverability of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. These accounting policies, as well as others, are described in Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Revenue and Cost Recognition
The Company believes its most significant accounting policy is revenue recognition from construction contracts for which it uses the cost-to-cost method of accounting. Under the cost-to-cost method, contract revenue recognizable at any time during the life of a contract is determined by multiplying expected total contract revenue by the percentage of contract costs incurred to total estimated contract costs. Revenue from fixed price and modified fixed price contracts are recognized on the cost-to-cost method, measured by the relationship of total cost incurred to total estimated contract costs.
Contract costs include direct labor, material, and subcontractor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs, depreciation, and insurance. These contract costs are included in the Company’s results of operations under the caption “Cost of Revenue.” Then, as the Company performs under those contracts, it measures costs incurred, compares them to total estimated costs to complete the contract, and recognizes a corresponding proportion of contract revenue. Labor costs are considered to be incurred as the work is performed. Subcontractor labor is recognized as the work is performed but is generally subjected to approval as to milestones or other evidence of completion. Non-labor project costs consist of purchased equipment, prefabricated materials and other materials. Purchased equipment on the Company’s projects is substantially produced to job specifications and is a value-added element to its work. The costs are considered to be incurred when title is transferred to the Company, which typically is upon delivery to the worksite. Prefabricated materials, such as ductwork and piping, are generally performed at the Company’s shops and recognized as contract costs when fabricated for the unique specifications of the job. Other materials costs are not significant and are generally recorded when delivered to the worksite. This measurement and comparison process requires updates to the estimate of total costs to complete the contract, and these updates may include subjective assessments.
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The Company generally does not incur significant costs prior to receiving a contract, and therefore, these costs are expensed as incurred. Upon receiving the contract, these costs are included in contract costs. Selling, general, and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Bidding and proposal costs are also recognized as expenses in the period in which such amounts are incurred. Total estimated contract costs are based upon management’s current estimate of total costs at completion. As changes in estimates of contract costs at completion and/or estimated total losses on projects are identified, appropriate earnings adjustments are recorded during the period that the change or loss is identified. Contract revenue for construction contracts is based upon management’s estimate of contract prices at completion, including revenue for additional work on which contract pricing has not been finalized (claims). Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to estimated costs and income, and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized in the period in which such losses are determined.
With respect to the Company’s service contracts, there are two basic types of service contracts: fixed price service contracts, which are signed in advance for maintenance, repair and retrofit work over a period, typically of one year, and service contracts, which are not signed in advance for similar maintenance, repair and retrofit work on an as-needed basis. Fixed price service contracts are generally performed evenly over the contract period, and accordingly, revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis over the life of the contract. Revenue derived from other service contracts is recognized when the services are performed. Expenses related to all service contracts are recognized as services are provided.
Project contracts typically provide for a schedule of billings or invoices to the customer based on reaching agreed upon milestones or as the Company incurs costs. The schedules for such billings usually do not precisely match the schedule on which costs are incurred. As a result, contract revenue recognized in the statement of operations can and usually does differ from amounts that can be billed or invoiced to the customer at any point during the contract. Amounts by which cumulative contract revenue recognized on a contract as of a given date exceed cumulative billings to the customer under the contract are reflected as a current asset in the Company’s balance sheet under the caption “contract assets.” Amounts by which cumulative billings to the customer under a contract as of a given date exceed cumulative contract revenue recognized on the contract are reflected as a current liability in the Company’s balance sheet under the caption “contract liabilities.”
The cost-to-cost method of accounting is also affected by changes in job performance, job conditions, and final contract settlements. These factors may result in revisions to estimated costs and, therefore, revenue. Such revisions are frequently based on further estimates and subjective assessments. The effects of these revisions are recognized in the period in which revisions are determined. When such revisions lead to a conclusion that a loss will be recognized on a contract, the full amount of the estimated ultimate loss is recognized in the period such conclusion is reached, regardless of the percent complete of the contract.
Revisions to project costs and conditions can give rise to change orders under which the customer agrees to pay additional contract price. Revisions can also result in claims the Company might make against the customer to recover project variances that have not been satisfactorily addressed through change orders with the customer. Claims and unapproved change orders are recorded at estimated net realizable value when realization is probable and can be reasonably estimated. No profit is recognized on the construction costs incurred in connection with claim amounts. See Note 4 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers in the accompanying notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for information related to unresolved change orders and claims.
Variations from estimated project costs could have a significant impact on the Company’s operating results, depending on project size, and the recoverability of the variation via additional customer payments.
In accordance with industry practice, the Company classifies as current all assets and liabilities relating to the performance of long-term contracts. The term of the Company’s contracts generally ranges from three months to two years and, accordingly, collection or payment of amounts relating to these contracts may extend beyond one year.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The Company develops its allowance for credit losses, which represents an estimate of expected losses over the remaining contractual life of its receivables, using an aging method. Under the aging method, the Company assigns its accounts receivable to a level of delinquency and apply loss rates to each class. The determination of its loss rates require it to make certain judgements and estimates involving, among others, the creditworthiness of its customers, historical loss experiences with customers, the aging of past due balances, the consideration of a customer’s financial condition, ongoing relationships with its customers, its lien rights, if any, in the property where it performed the work, the availability, if any, of payment bonds applicable to the contract, current market economic conditions and a forecast of future economic conditions when appropriate. These estimates are evaluated and adjusted as needed when additional information is received.
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Self-Insurance Liabilities
The Company is substantially self-insured for workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, auto liability, general liability and employee group health claims in view of the relatively high per-incident deductibles it absorbs under its insurance arrangements for these risks. Losses are estimated and accrued based upon known facts, historical trends and industry averages. Estimated losses in excess of the Company’s deductible, which have not already been paid, are included in the Company’s accrual with a corresponding receivable from its insurance carrier.
In addition, the Company is self-insured related to medical and dental claims under policies with annual per-claimant and annual aggregate stop-loss limits. The Company accrues for the unfunded portion of costs for both reported claims and claims incurred but not reported.
The Company believes the liabilities recognized on its balance sheets for these obligations are adequate. However, insurance liabilities are difficult to estimate due to unknown factors, including the severity of any injury, the determination of its liability in proportion to other parties, timely reporting of occurrences, ongoing treatment or loss mitigation, general trends in litigation recovery outcomes and the effectiveness of safety and risk management programs. Therefore, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and estimates used for recording the liabilities, adjustments may be required and would be recorded in the period that such experience becomes known.
Deferred Tax Assets
The Company regularly evaluates the need for valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets for which future realization is uncertain. The Company performs this evaluation quarterly. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, it must consider whether it is more likely than not some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, taxable income in prior carryback years and tax planning strategies in making this assessment, and judgment is required in considering the relative weight of negative and positive evidence.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment each year, and more frequently if circumstances suggest an impairment may have occurred. When the carrying value of a given reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If other reporting units have had increases in fair value, such increases may not be recorded. Accordingly, such increases may not be netted against impairments at other reporting units. The requirements for assessing whether goodwill has been impaired involve market-based information. This information, and its use in assessing goodwill, entails some degree of subjective assessment.
The Company performs its annual impairment testing as of October 1 every year, and any impairment charges resulting from this process are reported in the fourth quarter. The Company segregates its operations into reporting units based on the degree of operating and financial independence of each unit and its related management of them. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment analysis at the reporting unit level. Each of the Company’s operating units represents an operating segment, and its operating segments are its reporting units.
The Company also reviews intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization whenever events or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that might require impairment testing include the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, a significant decline in stock price or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations. Changes in strategy and/or market condition may also result in adjustments to recorded intangible asset balances or their useful lives.
Off-Balance Sheet and Other Arrangements
Aside from the $4.2 million and $4.1 million in irrevocable letters of credit outstanding in connection with the Company’s self-insurance program, at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, the Company did not have any relationships with any entities or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other purposes.