Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2015

 

OR

 

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 0-19655

 


 

TETRA TECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-4148514

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

3475 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, California  91107

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

 

(626) 351-4664

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

Yes  x   No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x   No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  o   No  x

 

As of April 27, 2015, 60,259,015 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TETRA TECH, INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE NO.

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

22

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

34

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

34

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

35

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

35

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

36

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

54

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosure

54

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

54

 

 

SIGNATURES

55

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited - in thousands, except par value)

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

September 28,
2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

98,518

 

$

122,379

 

Accounts receivable – net

 

666,013

 

701,892

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

48,657

 

52,256

 

Income taxes receivable

 

18,392

 

22,076

 

Total current assets

 

831,580

 

898,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment – net

 

65,107

 

73,864

 

Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures

 

2,159

 

2,140

 

Goodwill

 

671,397

 

714,190

 

Intangible assets – net

 

49,062

 

63,095

 

Other long-term assets

 

24,642

 

24,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,643,947

 

$

1,776,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

136,319

 

$

175,952

 

Accrued compensation

 

89,423

 

110,186

 

Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts

 

95,270

 

103,343

 

Deferred income taxes

 

21,778

 

20,387

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

10,805

 

10,989

 

Estimated contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

3,568

 

Other current liabilities

 

73,499

 

79,436

 

Total current liabilities

 

427,094

 

503,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

27,287

 

28,786

 

Long-term debt

 

228,007

 

192,842

 

Long-term estimated contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

3,462

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

38,655

 

34,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock – Authorized, 2,000 shares of $0.01 par value; no shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2015, and September 28, 2014

 

 

 

Common stock – Authorized, 150,000 shares of $0.01 par value; issued and outstanding, 60,333 and 62,591 shares at March 29, 2015, and September 28, 2014, respectively

 

603

 

626

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

346,863

 

402,516

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(112,620)

 

(42,538)

 

Retained earnings

 

687,437

 

651,475

 

Tetra Tech stockholders’ equity

 

922,283

 

1,012,079

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

621

 

977

 

Total equity

 

922,904

 

1,013,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,643,947

 

$

1,776,404

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited – in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

564,763

 

$

586,285

 

$

1,145,819

 

$

1,232,133

 

Subcontractor costs

 

(132,009)

 

(130,300)

 

(275,985)

 

(293,158)

 

Other costs of revenue

 

(362,957)

 

(386,913)

 

(721,238)

 

(783,442)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

(42,512)

 

(44,229)

 

(84,699)

 

(91,602)

 

Contingent consideration – fair value adjustments

 

3,113

 

21,343

 

3,113

 

25,973

 

Operating income

 

30,398

 

46,186

 

67,010

 

89,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(1,804)

 

(2,496)

 

(3,594)

 

(4,919)

 

Income before income tax expense

 

28,594

 

43,690

 

63,416

 

84,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(9,584)

 

(11,781)

 

(18,760)

 

(25,749)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interests

 

19,010

 

31,909

 

44,656

 

59,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

7

 

(200)

 

(64)

 

(213)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Tetra Tech

 

$

19,017

 

$

31,709

 

$

44,592

 

$

59,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Tetra Tech:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.91

 

Diluted

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

61,153

 

64,835

 

61,816

 

64,670

 

Diluted

 

61,723

 

65,710

 

62,431

 

65,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per share

 

$

0.07

 

$

 

$

0.14

 

$

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited – in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interests

 

$

19,010

 

$

31,909

 

$

44,656

 

$

59,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(43,680)

 

(15,684)

 

(68,189)

 

(37,819)

 

(Loss) gain on cash flow hedge valuations, net of tax

 

(1,517)

 

(386)

 

(1,997)

 

439

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

(45,197)

 

(16,070)

 

(70,186)

 

(37,380)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interests

 

(26,187)

 

15,839

 

(25,530)

 

21,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

7

 

(200)

 

(64)

 

(213)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

164

 

34

 

104

 

73

 

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

171

 

(166)

 

40

 

(140)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tetra Tech

 

$

(26,016)

 

$

15,673

 

$

(25,490)

 

$

21,716

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Tetra Tech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited – in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interests

 

$

44,656

 

$

59,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

23,948

 

29,414

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures

 

(1,842)

 

(1,492)

 

Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures

 

1,694

 

1,064

 

Stock-based compensation

 

5,391

 

5,537

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(165)

 

(677)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,460

 

(2,658)

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

(1,411)

 

3,634

 

Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration

 

(3,113)

 

(25,973)

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

(6,175)

 

717

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

54

 

(280)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

37,289

 

5,550

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

6,289

 

(4,101)

 

Accounts payable

 

(39,634)

 

9,517

 

Accrued compensation

 

(20,763)

 

(21,403)

 

Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts

 

(8,073)

 

6,460

 

Other liabilities

 

(20,333)

 

(15,551)

 

Income taxes receivable/payable

 

5,494

 

7,212

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

24,766

 

56,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(12,096)

 

(11,699)

 

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(10,286)

 

Payment received on note for sale of operation

 

 

3,900

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

9,824

 

2,957

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,272)

 

(15,128)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(24,001)

 

(459)

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

59,095

 

 

Payments of earn-out liabilities

 

(3,199)

 

(9,337)

 

Net change in overdrafts

 

 

(915)

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

165

 

677

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(68,735)

 

(6,612)

 

Dividends paid

 

(8,630)

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

4,316

 

17,529

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(40,989)

 

883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

 

(5,366)

 

(4,041)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(23,861)

 

37,920

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

122,379

 

129,305

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

98,518

 

$

167,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

3,604

 

$

4,404

 

Income taxes, net of refunds received of $1.2 million and $1.7 million

 

$

11,599

 

$

19,973

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

TETRA TECH, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.                                      Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of Tetra Tech, Inc. (“we,” “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2014.

 

These financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are considered necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or for future years.

 

Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we reorganized our core operations to better align them with our markets, resulting in two renamed reportable segments.  We now report our water resources, water and wastewater treatment, environment, and infrastructure engineering activities in the Water, Environment and Infrastructure (“WEI”) reportable segment.  Our Resource Management and Energy (“RME”) reportable segment includes our oil and gas, energy, mining, waste management, remediation, utilities, and international development services.  We report the results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities in the Remediation and Construction Management (“RCM”) reportable segment.  Prior year amounts for reportable segments have been revised to conform to the current-year presentation.

 

2.                                      Accounts Receivable – Net and Revenue Recognition

 

Net accounts receivable and billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

September 28,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billed

 

$

314,993

 

$

351,693

 

Unbilled

 

359,574

 

363,050

 

Contract retentions

 

26,008

 

26,929

 

Total accounts receivable – gross

 

700,575

 

741,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(34,562)

 

(39,780)

 

Total accounts receivable – net

 

$

666,013

 

$

701,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts

 

$

95,270

 

$

103,343

 

 

Billed accounts receivable represent amounts billed to clients that have not been collected.  Unbilled accounts receivable represent revenue recognized but not yet billed pursuant to contract terms or billed after the period end date.  Most of our unbilled receivables at March 29, 2015 are expected to be billed and collected within 12 months.  Contract retentions represent amounts withheld by clients until certain conditions are met or the project is completed, which may be several months or years.  The allowance for doubtful accounts represents amounts that may become uncollectible or unrealizable in the future.  We determine an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts based on management’s consideration of trends in the actual and forecasted credit quality of our clients, including delinquency and payment history; type of client, such as a government agency or a commercial sector client; and general economic and particular industry conditions that may affect a client’s ability to pay.  Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts represent the amount of cash collected from clients and billings to clients on contracts in advance of revenue recognized.  The majority of billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts, excluding those related to claims, will be earned within 12 months.

 

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Once contract performance is underway, we may experience changes in conditions, client requirements, specifications, designs, materials, and expectations regarding the period of performance.  Such changes result in “change orders” and may be initiated by us or by our clients.  In many cases, agreement with the client as to the terms of change orders is reached prior to work commencing; however, sometimes circumstances require that work progresses without obtaining a definitive client agreement.  Unapproved change orders constitute claims in excess of agreed contract prices that we seek to collect from our clients (or other third parties) for delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, or other causes of unanticipated additional costs.  Revenue on claims is recognized when contract costs related to claims have been incurred and when their addition to contract value can be reliably estimated.  This can lead to a situation in which costs are recognized in one period and revenue is recognized in a subsequent period such as when client agreement is obtained or a claims resolution occurs.

 

Total accounts receivable at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014 included approximately $80 million and $79 million, respectively, related to claims, including requests for equitable adjustment, on contracts that provide for price redetermination.  We regularly evaluate all claim amounts and record appropriate adjustments to operating earnings when it is probable that the claim will result in a different contract value than the amount previously estimated.  As a result of this assessment, we reduced revenue and operating income by a net $3.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 as a result of our updated assessment of the collectability of claims with a U.S. state and local government client.  On a year-to-date basis, we have recorded net gains of $0.2 million related to claims.  During both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014, we recognized gains related to settlement of claims of $3.4 million.

 

Billed accounts receivable related to U.S. federal government contracts were $59.3 million and $57.4 million at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively.  U.S. federal government unbilled receivables were $68.2 million and $73.2 million at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively.  Other than the U.S. federal government, no single client accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014.

 

We recognize revenue for most of our contracts using the percentage-of-completion method, primarily utilizing the cost-to-cost approach to estimate the progress towards completion in order to determine the amount of revenue and profit to recognize.  Changes in those estimates could result in recognition of cumulative catch-up adjustments to the contract’s inception-to-date revenue, costs, and profit in the period in which such changes are made.  As a result, we recognized unfavorable operating income adjustments of $3.5 million and $5.9 million during the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, respectively, compared to $5.3 million in the comparable periods of last year.  Changes in revenue and cost estimates could also result in a projected loss that would be recorded immediately in earnings.  As of March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014, we maintained a liability for anticipated losses of $13.6 million and $18.6 million, respectively.  The estimated cost to complete the related contracts as of March 29, 2015 was $83.9 million.

 

3.                                      Mergers and Acquisitions

 

We made no acquisitions in the first half of fiscal 2015.  In fiscal 2014, we made immaterial acquisitions that enhanced our service offerings and expanded our geographic presence in our WEI and RME reportable segments.

 

Subsequent Event.  On May 1, 2015, we acquired Cornerstone Environmental Group, an environmental engineering and consulting firm focused on solid waste markets in the United States.  The purchase price was not material.

 

Goodwill additions resulting from the above business combinations are primarily attributable to the existing workforce of the acquired companies and the synergies expected to arise after the acquisitions.  Specifically, the goodwill additions related to the fiscal 2014 acquisitions primarily represent the value of workforces with distinct expertise in the oil and gas and disaster preparedness markets.  In addition, these acquired capabilities, when combined with our existing global consulting and engineering business, result in opportunities that allow us to provide services under contracts that could not have been pursued individually by either us or the acquired companies.  The results of these acquisitions were included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective closing dates.  None of the acquisitions were considered material, individually or in the aggregate, to our condensed consolidated financial statements.  As a result, no pro forma information has been provided for the respective periods.

 

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Most of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out agreements, which are generally based on the achievement of future operating income thresholds.  The contingent earn-out arrangements are based on our valuations of the acquired companies, and reduce the risk of overpaying for acquisitions if the projected financial results are not achieved.  The fair values of any earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates.  For each transaction, we estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out payments as part of the initial purchase price and record the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability in “Estimated contingent earn-out liabilities” and “Long-term estimated contingent earn-out liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets.  We consider several factors when determining that contingent earn-out liabilities are part of the purchase price, including the following:  (1) the valuation of our acquisitions is not supported solely by the initial consideration paid, and the contingent earn-out formula is a critical and material component of the valuation approach to determining the purchase price; and (2) the former owners of acquired companies that remain as key employees receive compensation other than contingent earn-out payments at a reasonable level compared with the compensation of our other key employees.  The contingent earn-out payments are not affected by employment termination.

 

We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (as described in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2014).  We use a probability-weighted discounted income approach as a valuation technique to convert future estimated cash flows to a single present value amount.  The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements are operating income projections over the earn-out period (generally two or three years), and the probability outcome percentages we assign to each scenario.  Significant increases or decreases to either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability, with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation.  Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings.  The amount paid that is less than or equal to the contingent earn-out liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.  Any amount paid in excess of the contingent earn-out liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities.

 

We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from the previous estimates.  Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities related to the time component of the present value calculation are reported in interest expense.  Adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in operating income.  During the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, we recorded a decrease in our contingent earn-out liabilities and reported a related gain in operating income of $3.1 million.  This gain resulted from an updated valuation of the contingent consideration liability for Caber Engineering (“Caber”), which is part of our Oil, Gas & Energy reporting unit in the RME segment.

 

The acquisition agreement for Caber included a contingent earn-out agreement based on the achievement of operating income thresholds (in Canadian dollars) in each of the first two years beginning on the acquisition date, which was in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  The maximum earn-out obligation over the two-year earn-out period was C$8.0 million (C$4.0 million in each year).  These amounts could be earned on a pro-rata basis for operating income within a predetermined range in each year.  Caber was required to meet a minimum operating income threshold in each year to earn any contingent consideration.  These thresholds were C$4.0 million and C$4.6 million in years one and two, respectively.  In order to earn the maximum contingent consideration, Caber would need to generate operating income of C$4.4 million in year one and C$5.1 million in year two.

 

The determination of the fair value of the purchase price for Caber on the acquisition date included our estimate of the fair value of the related contingent earn-out obligation.  This initial valuation was primarily based on probability-weighted internal estimates of Caber’s operating income during each earn-out period.  As a result of these estimates, we calculated an initial fair value at the acquisition date of Caber’s contingent earn-out liability of C$6.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  In determining that Caber would earn 81% of the maximum potential earn-out, we considered several factors including Caber’s recent historical revenue and operating income levels and growth rates.  We also considered the recent trend in Caber’s backlog level and the prospects for the oil and gas industry in Western Canada.

 

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Caber’s actual financial performance in the first earn-out period exceeded our original estimate at the acquisition date.  As a result, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we increased the related contingent consideration liability and recognized a loss of $1.0 million.  This updated valuation included our assumption that Caber would earn the maximum amount of contingent consideration of C$4.0 million in the first earn-out period.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we completed our final calculation of the contingent consideration for the first earn-out period and paid contingent consideration of C$4.0 million (USD$3.2 million).  At that time we also evaluated our estimate of Caber’s contingent consideration liability for the second earn-out period.  This assessment included a review of the status of on-going projects in Caber’s backlog, and the inventory of prospective new contract awards.  We also considered the status of the oil and gas industry in Western Canada, particularly in light of the recent decline in oil prices.  As a result of this assessment, we concluded that Caber’s operating income in the second earn-out period would be lower than our original estimate at the acquisition date and our subsequent estimates through the first quarter of fiscal 2015.  We concluded that Caber’s operating income for the second earn-out period, which ends in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, would be lower than the minimum requirement of C$4.6 million to earn any contingent consideration.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we reduced the Caber contingent earn-out liability to $0, which resulted in a gain of $3.1 million.

 

In the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014, we recorded net decreases in our contingent earn-out liabilities and reported related gains in operating income of $21.3 million and $26.0 million, respectively.  The fiscal 2014 gains primarily resulted from updated valuations of the contingent consideration liability for Parkland Pipeline (“Parkland”), which is part of our Oil, Gas & Energy reporting unit in our RME segment.

 

The acquisition agreement for Parkland included a contingent earn-out agreement based on the achievement of operating income thresholds (in Canadian dollars) in each of the first three years beginning on the acquisition date, which was in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.  The maximum earn-out obligation over the three-year earn-out period was C$56.0 million (C$12.0 million, C$22.0 million and C$22.0 million in earn-out years one, two and three, respectively).  These amounts could be earned primarily on a pro-rata basis for operating income within a predetermined range in each year.  To a lesser extent, additional earn-out consideration could be earned for operating income above the high-end of the range up to the contractual maximum of C$56.0 million.  Parkland was required to meet a minimum operating income threshold in each year in order to earn any contingent consideration.  These thresholds were C$34.7 million, C$38.2 million and C$41.9 million in years one, two and three, respectively.  In order to earn the maximum contingent consideration, Parkland would need to generate operating income of C$42.5 million in year one, C$46.4 million in year two, and C$50.6 million in year three.

 

The determination of the fair value of the purchase price for Parkland on the acquisition date included our estimate of the fair value of the related contingent earn-out obligation.  This initial valuation was primarily based on probability-weighted internal estimates of Parkland’s operating income during each earn-out period.  As a result of these estimates, we calculated an initial fair value at the acquisition date of Parkland’s contingent earn-out liability of C$46.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.  In determining that Parkland would attain 84% of the maximum potential earn-out, we considered several factors including Parkland’s recent historical revenue and operating income levels and growth rates, the recent trend in Parkland’s backlog level, and the prospects for the midstream oil and gas industry in Western Canada.

 

In fiscal 2014, we recorded decreases in our contingent earn-out liability for Parkland and reported related net gains in operating income of $44.6 million.  These gains resulted from Parkland’s actual and projected post-acquisition performance falling below our initial expectations concerning the likelihood and timing of achieving the relevant operating income thresholds.  The remaining difference compared to the initial value was due to currency translation, and the related liability was $0 at the end of fiscal 2014.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we updated the estimated cost to complete a large fixed-price contract at Parkland, and determined that the project would be break-even compared to the significant profit estimated the previous quarter when the project was initiated.  As a result, during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 we reversed $5.3 million of profit previously recognized on the project.  This variance, and our updated estimate that the revenue for the remainder of the project would produce no operating income, resulted in our conclusion that Parkland’s operating income in the first and second earn-out periods would fall below the minimum operating income thresholds in each such year.  As a result, we reduced the contingent earn-out liability for the first and second earn-out periods to $0, which resulted in gains totaling $24.7 million ($5.6 million and $19.1 million in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2014, respectively).

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we updated our projection of Parkland’s operating income for the third earn-out period.  This assessment included a review of the projects in Parkland’s backlog, the inventory of prospective new contract awards, and the forecast for economic activity in the Western Canada oil and gas sector.  As a result of this assessment, we concluded that Parkland’s operating income in the third earn-out period would be lower than our original estimate at the acquisition date and would fall below the minimum operating income threshold.  As a result, we reduced the remaining contingent earn-out liability balance for the third earn-out period to $0, which resulted in a gain of $19.9 million.

 

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Each time we determined that Parkland’s and Caber’s operating income would be lower than our original estimate at the acquisition date, we also evaluated the related goodwill for potential impairment.  In each case, we determined that the lower income projections were the result of temporary events, and did not negatively impact the reporting unit’s longer term performance or result in a goodwill impairment.

 

At March 29, 2015, there was a total maximum of $20.6 million of outstanding contingent consideration related to acquisitions.  Of this amount, there were no accruals on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  In the first half of fiscal 2015, we made $3.2 million of earn-out payments to former owners, and reported this amount as cash used in financing activities.  In the first half of fiscal 2014, we made $10.6 million of earn-out payments to former owners.  Of this amount, we reported $9.3 million as cash used in financing activities and $1.3 million as cash used in operating activities.

 

4.                                      Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Effective September 29, 2014, we reorganized our core operations into our WEI and RME reportable segments.  The results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities are reported in the RCM reportable segment.  Prior year amounts for reportable segments have been revised to conform to the current-year presentation.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying value of goodwill:

 

 

 

WEI

 

RME

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 28, 2014

 

$

238,086

 

$

476,104

 

$

714,190

 

Foreign exchange translation

 

(15,528)

 

(27,265)

 

(42,793)

 

Balance at March 29, 2015

 

$

222,558

 

$

448,839

 

$

671,397

 

 

We perform our annual goodwill impairment review at the beginning of our fiscal fourth quarter.  Our most recent review at June 30, 2014 (i.e. the first day of our fourth quarter in fiscal 2014), indicated that we had no impairment of goodwill, and all of our reporting units had estimated fair values that were in excess of their carrying values, including goodwill.

 

The reorganization of our core operations, described further in Note 10, “Reportable Segments”, also impacted the definition of our reporting units used for goodwill impairment testing.  As a result, as of September 29, 2014, we performed impairment testing for goodwill under our new segment structure and determined that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its corresponding carrying amount including recorded goodwill, and, as such, no impairment existed as of September 29, 2014.  However, our Global Mining Practice (“GMP”) reporting unit, which is part of our RME reportable segment, had an estimated fair value that exceeded its carrying value by less than 20%.

 

We estimate the fair value of all reporting units with a goodwill balance based on a comparison and weighting of the income approach (weighted 70%), specifically the discounted cash flow method and the market approach (weighted 30%), which estimates the fair value of our reporting units based upon comparable market prices and recent transactions and also validates the reasonableness of the multiples from the income approach.  The resulting fair value is most sensitive to the assumptions we use in our discounted cash flow analysis.  The assumptions that have the most significant impact on the fair value calculation are the reporting unit’s revenue growth rate and operating profit margin, and the discount rate used to convert future estimated cash flows to a single present value amount.

 

In our discounted cash flow model for GMP as of September 29, 2014, we assumed annual revenue growth rates of 3% to 5% based on historical trends in GMP and the mining industry, projections for future mining activity, and GMP’s backlog and prospects for new orders.  We discounted the resulting cash flows at a rate of 14%.  Our market-based assessment resulted in a value approximating a 0.7 multiple of revenue, net of subcontractor costs, for the 12 month period preceding the valuation date.  The discounted cash flow value, combined on a weighted-basis with the results of our market analysis, resulted in an estimated fair value for GMP of approximately $102.8 million compared to our carrying value including goodwill of approximately $91.8 million.  As of March 29, 2015, the goodwill amount for GMP was $61.4 million.

 

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Although we believe that our current estimate of fair value is reasonable, our analysis is primarily dependent on our future level of revenue from our mining clients.  However, the extent of future activity is uncertain, particularly in light of the significant contraction in the mining sector over the last two years.  We currently anticipate that if GMP’s future revenue declines by 20% or more, or market prices for similar businesses decline by more than 15%, GMP’s goodwill could become impaired.

 

Additionally, if the yield to maturity on 20-year U.S. treasury bonds (our assumed risk-free rate of return) or the additional return investors require for alternate investments, including those similar to GMP, increases, we may be required to increase the discount rate used in our cash flow analysis.  If all of our operating assumptions remain constant, but we are required to increase the discount rate in our cash flow model to 15.5% or higher, GMP’s goodwill could become impaired.

 

Foreign exchange impact relates to our foreign subsidiaries with functional currencies that are different than our reporting currency.  The gross amounts of goodwill for WEI were $253.7 million and $269.2 million at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively, excluding $31.1 million of accumulated impairment.  The gross amounts of goodwill for RME were $475.2 million and $502.5 million at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014, respectively, excluding $26.4 million of accumulated impairment.

 

The gross amount and accumulated amortization of our acquired identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives included in “Intangible assets - net” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:

 

 

 

March 29, 2015

 

September 28, 2014

 

 

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining Life
(in Years)

 

Gross
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-compete agreements

 

1.5

 

$

933

 

$

(564)

 

$

1,086

 

$

(524)

 

Client relations

 

3.4

 

113,716

 

(65,824)

 

122,198

 

(61,117)

 

Backlog

 

 

1,070

 

(1,070)

 

1,283

 

(1,072)

 

Technology and trade names

 

1.6

 

2,627

 

(1,826)

 

2,917

 

(1,676)

 

Total

 

 

 

$

118,346

 

$

(69,284)

 

$

127,484

 

$

(64,389)

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments reduced net identifiable intangible assets by $3.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2015.  Amortization expense for the identifiable intangible assets for the three and six months ended March 29, 2015 was $4.8 million and $10.8 million, respectively, compared to $6.7 million and $15.3 million for the prior-year periods.  Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2015 and succeeding years is as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

$

8,842

 

2016

 

15,616

 

2017

 

13,727

 

2018

 

6,038

 

2019

 

2,832

 

Beyond

 

2,007

 

Total

 

$

49,062

 

 

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5.                                      Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

September 28,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and buildings

 

$

3,648

 

$

4,029

 

Equipment, furniture and fixtures

 

174,056

 

204,298

 

Leasehold improvements

 

23,047

 

24,478

 

Total property and equipment

 

200,751

 

232,805

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(135,644)

 

(158,941)

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$

65,107

 

$

73,864

 

 

The depreciation expense related to property and equipment, including assets under capital leases, was $5.9 million and $12.8 million for the three and six months ended March 29, 2015, respectively, compared to $6.6 million and $13.7 million for the prior-year periods.  In the first six months of fiscal 2015, we sold assets comprised primarily of equipment of $3.6 million for net proceeds of $9.8 million, and recognized a corresponding gain of $6.2 million.  This equipment was primarily related to our RCM segment.

 

6.                                      Stock Repurchase and Dividends

 

In June 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we could repurchase up to $100 million of our common stock.  Stock repurchases could be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions with third parties.  From the inception of this program through September 28, 2014, we repurchased through open market purchases a total of 3.9 million shares at an average price of $25.59 per share, for a total cost of $100 million.

 

On November 10, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $200 million of our common stock over the next two years.  In the first half of fiscal 2015, we repurchased through open market purchases a total of 2.7 million shares at an average price of $25.11, for a total cost of $68.7 million under this new repurchase program.

 

On November 10, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 26, 2014.  On January 26, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2015.  A total of $8.6 million was paid in dividends for the first half of fiscal 2015.

 

Subsequent Event.  On April 27, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share payable on May 29, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2015.

 

7.                                      Stockholders’ Equity and Stock Compensation Plans

 

We recognize the fair value of our stock-based compensation awards as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which the award vests.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended March 29, 2015 was $2.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, compared to $3.2 million and $5.5 million for the same periods last year.  The majority of these amounts were included in “Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses” in our condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no material stock compensation awards in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.  For the six months ended March 29, 2015, we granted 266,420 stock options with an exercise price of $27.26 per share and an estimated weighted-average fair value of $8.20 per share.  In addition, we awarded 155,265 performance shares units (“PSUs”) to our non-employee directors and executive officers at the fair value of $27.26 per share on the award date.  All of the PSUs are performance-based and vest, if at all, after the conclusion of the three-year performance period.  The number of PSUs that ultimately vest is based 50% on the growth in our diluted earnings per share and 50% on our total shareholder return over the vesting period.  Additionally, we awarded 239,747 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to our non-employee directors, executive officers and employees at the fair value of $27.26 per share on the award date.  All of the executive officer and employee RSUs have time-based vesting over a four-year period, and the non-employee director RSUs vest after one year.

 

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8.                                      Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

 

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, less unvested restricted stock for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares for the period.  Potential common shares include the weighted-average dilutive effects of outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock using the treasury stock method.

 

The following table sets forth the number of weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted EPS:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Tetra Tech

 

$

19,017

 

$

31,709

 

$

44,592

 

$

59,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

 

61,153

 

64,835

 

61,816

 

64,670

 

Effect of dilutive stock options and unvested restricted stock

 

570

 

875

 

615

 

847

 

Weighted-average common stock outstanding – diluted

 

61,723

 

65,710

 

62,431

 

65,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to Tetra Tech:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.91

 

Diluted

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.71

 

$

0.90

 

 

For both three and six months ended March 29, 2015, 1.3 million options were excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares, compared to 0.3 million and no options for the same periods last year.  These options were not included in the computation of dilutive potential common shares because the assumed proceeds per share exceeded the average market price per share during the period.  Therefore, their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

9.                                      Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rates for the first half of fiscal 2015 and 2014 were 29.6% and 30.3%, respectively.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was signed into law.  This law retroactively extended the federal research and experimentation credits (“R&E credits”) for amounts incurred from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.  Our income tax expense for the first half of fiscal 2015 includes a tax benefit of $1.2 million attributable to operating income during the last nine months of fiscal 2014, primarily related to the retroactive recognition of these tax credits.

 

At March 29, 2015, approximately $56.7 million of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, primarily in Canada, are expected to be permanently reinvested.  Accordingly, no provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes has been made.  Upon distribution of those earnings, we would be subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes.  Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable; however, the potential foreign tax credit associated with the deferred income would be available to partially reduce the resulting U.S. tax liabilities.

 

We review the realizability of deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis by assessing the need for a valuation allowance.  As of March 29, 2015, we performed our assessment of net deferred tax assets.  Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and, in particular, any valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets.  Applying the applicable accounting guidance requires an assessment of all available evidence, both positive and negative, regarding the realizability of the net deferred tax assets.  Based upon recent results, we concluded that a cumulative loss in recent years exists in certain foreign jurisdictions.  We have historically relied on the following factors in our assessment of the realizability of our net deferred tax assets:

 

·                  taxable income in prior carryback years as permitted under the tax law;

 

·                  future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

 

·                  consideration of available tax planning strategies and actions that could be implemented, if necessary; and

 

·                  estimates of future taxable income from our operations.

 

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We considered these factors in our estimate of the reversal pattern of deferred tax assets, using assumptions that we believe are reasonable and consistent with operating results.  However, as a result of projected cumulative pre-tax losses in these certain foreign jurisdictions for the 36 months ending September 27, 2015, we concluded that our estimates of future taxable income and certain tax planning strategies did not constitute sufficient positive evidence to assert that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets would be realizable before expiration.  Based on our assessment, we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized except for the assets related to loss carry-forwards in foreign jurisdictions for which a valuation allowance of $7.4 million has been provided in prior years.

 

10.                               Reportable Segments

 

Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we reorganized our core operations into our WEI and RME reportable segments.  The results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities are reported in the RCM reportable segment.  Prior year amounts for reportable segments have been revised to conform to the current-year presentation.

 

Our reportable segments are described as follows:

 

WEI:  WEI provides consulting and engineering services worldwide for a broad range of water and infrastructure-related needs in both developed and emerging economies.  WEI supports both public and private clients including federal, state/provincial, and local governments, and global and local commercial and industrial clients.  The primary markets for WEI’s services include water management, environmental restoration, government consulting, and a broad range of civil infrastructure requirements for facilities, transportation, and regional and local development.  WEI’s services span from early data collection and monitoring, to data analysis and information technology, to science and engineering applied research, to engineering design, to construction management and operations and maintenance.

 

RME:  RME provides consulting and engineering services worldwide for a broad range of resource management and energy needs.  RME supports both private and public clients, including global industrial and commercial clients, U.S. federal agencies in large scale remediation, and major international development agencies.  The primary markets for RME’s services include oil and gas, energy, mining, remediation, utilities, waste management, and international development.  RME’s services span from early data collection and monitoring, to data analysis and information technology, to science and engineering applied research, to engineering design, to construction management and operations and maintenance.  RME supports engineering, procurement and construction management (“EPCM”) for full service implementation of commercial projects, especially for oil and gas, industrial, and mining customers.

 

RCM:  We report the results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities in the RCM reportable segment.  We plan to complete the remaining work performed in this segment primarily in fiscal 2015.

 

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Management evaluates the performance of these reportable segments based upon their respective segment operating income before the effect of amortization expense related to acquisitions and other unallocated corporate expenses.  We account for inter-segment sales and transfers as if the sales and transfers were to third parties; that is, by applying a negotiated fee onto the costs of the services performed.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

The following tables set forth summarized financial information regarding our reportable segments:

 

Reportable Segments

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEI

 

$

223,366

 

$

223,977

 

$

457,033

 

$

453,307

 

RME

 

342,185

 

342,897

 

673,859

 

702,161

 

RCM

 

18,151

 

40,282

 

52,581

 

122,364

 

Elimination of inter-segment revenue

 

(18,939)

 

(20,871)

 

(37,654)

 

(45,699)

 

Total revenue

 

$

564,763

 

$

586,285

 

$

1,145,819

 

$

1,232,133

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEI

 

$

15,787

 

$

18,296

 

$

37,620

 

$

40,521

 

RME

 

19,751

 

10,726

 

45,471

 

43,985

 

RCM

 

5

 

730

 

(3,416)

 

(3,401)

 

Corporate (1) 

 

(5,145)

 

16,434

 

(12,665)

 

8,799

 

Total operating income

 

$

30,398

 

$

46,186

 

$

67,010

 

$

89,904

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEI

 

$

1,189

 

$

1,362

 

$

2,422

 

$

2,777

 

RME

 

3,665

 

3,708

 

7,344

 

7,870

 

RCM

 

675

 

771

 

1,335

 

1,569

 

Corporate (1) 

 

400

 

737

 

1,692

 

1,491

 

Total depreciation

 

$

5,929

 

$

6,578

 

$

12,793

 

$

13,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Includes amortization of intangibles, other costs, and other income not allocable to our reportable segments.

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

September 28,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

 

 

WEI

 

$

253,282

 

$

302,877

 

RME

 

435,039

 

442,911

 

RCM

 

91,418

 

100,996

 

Corporate (1) 

 

864,208

 

929,620

 

Total assets

 

$

1,643,947

 

$

1,776,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)        Corporate assets consist of intercompany eliminations and assets not allocated to our reportable segments including goodwill, intangible assets, deferred income taxes and certain other assets.

 

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Major Clients

 

Other than the U.S. federal government, no single client accounted for more than 10% of our revenue.  All of our segments generated revenue from all client sectors.

 

The following table represents our revenue by client sector:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Client Sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International (1) 

 

$

173,680

 

$

181,570

 

$

320,741

 

$

345,504

 

U.S. commercial

 

158,156

 

147,854

 

333,339

 

334,150

 

U.S. federal government (2) 

 

168,250

 

178,341

 

352,436

 

373,525

 

U.S. state and local government

 

64,677

 

78,520

 

139,303

 

178,954

 

Total

 

$

564,763

 

$

586,285

 

$

1,145,819

 

$

1,232,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)                Includes revenue generated from foreign operations, primarily in Canada, and revenue generated from non-U.S. clients.

(2)        Includes revenue generated under U.S. federal government contracts performed outside the United States.

 

11.                               Fair Value Measurements

 

The fair value of long-term debt was determined using the present value of future cash flows based on the borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 measurement, as described in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2014).  The carrying value of our long-term debt approximated fair value at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014.  As of March 29, 2015, we had borrowings of $237.9 million outstanding under our amended credit agreement, which were used to fund our business acquisitions, working capital needs, and contingent earn-outs.

 

12.                               Joint Ventures

 

Consolidated Joint Ventures

 

The aggregate revenue from our consolidated joint ventures for the three and six months ended March 29, 2015 was $1.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, compared to $3.5 million and $6.2 million for the same periods last year.  The assets and liabilities of these consolidated joint ventures were immaterial at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014.  These assets are restricted for use only by those joint ventures and are not available for our general operations.  Cash and cash equivalents maintained by the consolidated joint ventures at March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014 were $1.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

 

We account for our unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method of accounting.  Under this method, we recognize our proportionate share of the net earnings of these joint ventures within “Other costs of revenue” in our condensed consolidated statements of income.  For the three and six months ended March 29, 2015, we reported $1.2 million and $1.8 million of equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures, respectively, compared to $0.8 million and $1.5 million for the same periods last year.  Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures is typically limited to the aggregate of the carrying value of the investment.  Future funding commitments for our unconsolidated joint ventures are immaterial.  The unconsolidated joint ventures are, individually and in the aggregate, immaterial to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The aggregate carrying values of the assets and liabilities of the unconsolidated joint ventures were $17.6 million and $15.4 million, respectively, at March 29, 2015, and $20.1 million and $18.0 million, respectively, at September 28, 2014.

 

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13.                               Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We use certain interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate exposures on our variable rate debt.  We enter into foreign currency derivative contracts with financial institutions to reduce the risk that cash flows and earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.  Our hedging program is not designated for trading or speculative purposes.

 

We recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value (Level 2 measurement, as described in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2014).  We record changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of the derivatives that have been designated as accounting hedges in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

In fiscal 2013, we entered into three interest rate swap agreements that we designated as cash flow hedges to fix the variable interest rates on a portion of borrowings under our term loan facility.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements that we designated as cash flow hedges to fix the variable interest rates on the borrowings under the term loan facility.  At March 29, 2015, the effective portion of our interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges before tax effect was $1.8 million, all of which we expect to reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense within the next 12 months.

 

As of March 29, 2015, the total notional principal amount of our outstanding interest rate swap agreements which expire in May 2018 was $197.3 million and the weighted average fixed interest rate was 1.32%.

 

The fair values of our outstanding derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

March 29,
2015

 

September 28,
2014

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap agreements

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

2,034

 

$

45

 

 

The impact of the effective portions of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on income and other comprehensive income from our foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swap agreements was immaterial for the first six months of fiscal 2015 and the fiscal year ended September 28, 2014.  Additionally, there were no ineffective portions of derivative instruments.  Accordingly, no amounts were excluded from effectiveness testing for our foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swap agreements.  We had no derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments for fiscal 2014 and the first half of fiscal 2015.

 

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14.                               Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The accumulated balances and reporting period activities for the three and six months ended March 29, 2015 and September 28, 2014 related to reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments

 

Loss on
Derivative
Instruments

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 29, 2013

 

$

(19,756)

 

$

343

 

$

(19,413)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(15,650)

 

262

 

(15,388)

 

Reclassification adjustment of prior derivative settlement, net of tax

 

 

(648)

 

(648)

 

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

 

(15,650)

 

(386)

 

(16,036)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 30, 2014

 

$

(35,406)

 

$

(43)

 

$

(35,449)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 28, 2014

 

$

(67,654)

 

$

67

 

$

(67,587)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

 

(43,516)

 

(938)

 

(44,454)

 

Reclassification adjustment of prior derivative settlement, net of tax

 

 

(579)

 

(579)

 

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

 

(43,516)

 

(1,517)

 

(45,033)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 29, 2015

 

$

(111,170)

 

$

(1,450)

 

$

(112,620)

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments

 

Loss on
Derivative
Instruments

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at September 29, 2013

 

$

2,340

 

$

(482)

 

$

1,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(37,746)

 

1,570

 

(36,176)

 

Reclassification adjustment of prior derivative settlement, net of tax

 

 

(1,131)

 

(1,131)

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(37,746)

 

439

 

(37,307)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 30, 2014

 

$

(35,406)

 

$

(43)

 

$

(35,449)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at September 28, 2014

 

$

(43,085)

 

$

547

 

$

(42,538)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

 

(68,085)

 

(828)

 

(68,913)

 

Reclassification adjustment of prior derivative settlement, net of tax

 

 

(1,169)

 

(1,169)

 

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

 

(68,085)

 

(1,997)

 

(70,082)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at March 29, 2015

 

$

(111,170)

 

$

(1,450)

 

$

(112,620)

 

 

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15.                               Commitments and Contingencies

 

We are subject to certain claims and lawsuits typically filed against the engineering, consulting and construction profession, alleging primarily professional errors or omissions.  We carry professional liability insurance, subject to certain deductibles and policy limits, against such claims.  However, in some actions, parties are seeking damages that exceed our insurance coverage or for which we are not insured.  While management does not believe that the resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect, individually or in aggregate, on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, management acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate resolution of these matters.

 

We acquired BPR Inc. (“BPR”), a Quebec-based engineering firm on October 4, 2010.  Subsequently, we have been informed of the following with respect to pre-acquisition activities at BPR:

 

On April 17, 2012, authorities in the province of Quebec, Canada charged two former employees of BPR Triax, a subsidiary of BPR, and BPR Triax, under the Canadian Criminal Code with allegations of corruption.  Discovery procedures associated with the charges are currently ongoing, and the legal process is expected to continue into 2016.  We have conducted an internal investigation concerning this matter and, based on the results of our investigation, we believe these allegations are limited to activities at BPR Triax prior to our acquisition of BPR.  The financial impact to us of this matter is unknown at this time.

 

On April 19, 2013, a class action proceeding was filed in Montreal in which BPR, BPR’s former president, and other Quebec-based engineering firms and individuals are named as defendants.  The plaintiff class includes all individuals and entities that have paid real estate or municipal taxes to the city of Montreal.  The allegations include participation in collusion to share contracts awarded by the City of Montreal, conspiracy to reduce competition and fix prices, payment of bribes to officials, making illegal political contributions, and bid rigging.  A class certification hearing was held in March 2014, and on May 7, 2014, the court dismissed the action.  On June 5, 2014, the plaintiff filed an appeal, and on November 3, 2014, the court dismissed this appeal.  The plaintiff filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada, and on April 23, 2015, the court dismissed the application.  Accordingly, this matter is officially closed.

 

16.                               Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued an update on the financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefits.  We are required to present a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed.  This guidance became effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance that changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures.  The new guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and “represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on our operations and financial results.”  For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, we must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component.  This guidance is effective for us prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years.  Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued and accounting standard that will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP.  The new standard is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods and services.  The accounting standard is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.  Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this standard, and management is currently evaluating which transition approach to use.  In April 2015, the FASB proposed a deferral of the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year, subject to the FASB’s due process requirement.  We are currently in the process of assessing what impact this new standard may have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance intended to eliminate the diversity in practice regarding share-based payment awards that include terms which provide for a performance target that affects vesting being achieved after the requisite service period.  The new standard requires that a performance target which affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting and should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value.  The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the evaluation of an entity to continue as a going concern.  The amendment established management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period.  The update also gives guidance to determine whether to disclose information about relevant conditions and events when there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  This guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the income statement presentation of extraordinary and unusual items.  The amendment eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items.  The guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance which changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities.  The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance intended to simplify, and provide consistency to, the presentation of debt issuance costs.  The new standard requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 2.         Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbor provisions created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management.  Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “may,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those identified below under “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein.  Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

 

We are a leading provider of consulting, engineering, program management, and construction management services that focuses on addressing fundamental needs for water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, and energy.  We typically begin at the earliest stage of a project by identifying technical solutions to problems and developing execution plans tailored to our clients’ needs and resources.  Our solutions may span the entire life cycle of consulting and engineering projects, and include applied science, research and technology, engineering, design, construction management, construction, operations and maintenance, and information technology.  Our commitment to continuous improvement and investment in growth has diversified our client base, expanded our geographic reach, and increased the breadth and depth of our service offerings to address existing and emerging markets.  We currently have approximately 13,000 staff worldwide, located primarily in North America.

 

We derive income from fees for professional, technical, program management, construction and construction management services.  As primarily a service-based company, we are labor-intensive rather than capital-intensive.  Our revenue is driven by our ability to attract and retain qualified and productive employees, identify business opportunities, secure new and renew existing client contracts, provide outstanding services to our clients and execute projects successfully.  We provide our services to a diverse base of international and U.S. commercial clients, as well as U.S. federal and U.S. state and local government agencies.  The following table presents the percentage of our revenue by client sector:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

Client Sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International (1) 

 

30.8%

 

31.0%

 

28.0%

 

28.0%

 

U.S. commercial

 

28.0

 

25.2

 

29.1

 

27.1

 

U.S. federal government (2) 

 

29.8

 

30.4

 

30.8

 

30.3

 

U.S. state and local government

 

11.4

 

13.4

 

12.1

 

14.6

 

Total

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)                Includes revenue generated from foreign operations, primarily in Canada, and revenue generated from non-U.S. clients.

(2)                Includes revenue generated under U.S. federal government contracts performed outside the United States.

 

Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we reorganized our core operations to better align them with our markets, resulting in two renamed reportable segments.  We now report our water resources, water and wastewater treatment, environment, and infrastructure engineering activities in the WEI reportable segment.  Our RME reportable segment includes our oil and gas, energy, mining, waste management, remediation, utilities, and international development services.  We report the results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities in the RCM reportable segment.  Prior year amounts for reportable segments have been revised to conform to the current-year presentation.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our reportable segments are described as follows:

 

Water, Environment and Infrastructure.  WEI provides consulting and engineering services worldwide for a broad range of water and infrastructure-related needs in both developed and emerging economies.  WEI supports both public and private clients including federal, state/provincial, and local governments, and global and local commercial and industrial clients.  The primary markets for WEI’s services include water management, environmental restoration, government consulting, and a broad range of civil infrastructure requirements for facilities, transportation, and regional and local development.  WEI’s services span from early data collection and monitoring, to data analysis and information technology, to science and engineering applied research, to engineering design, to construction management and operations and maintenance.

 

Resource Management and Energy.  RME provides consulting and engineering services worldwide for a broad range of resource management and energy needs.  RME supports both private and public clients, including global industrial and commercial clients, U.S. federal agencies in large scale remediation, and major international development agencies.  The primary markets for RME’s services include oil and gas, energy, mining, remediation, utilities, waste management, and international development.  RME’s services span from early data collection and monitoring, to data analysis and information technology, to science and engineering applied research, to engineering design, to construction management and operations and maintenance.  RME supports EPCM for full service implementation of commercial projects, especially for oil and gas, industrial, and mining customers.

 

Remediation and Construction Management.  We report the results of the wind-down of our non-core construction activities in the RCM reportable segment.  We plan to complete the remaining work performed in this segment primarily in fiscal 2015.

 

The following table presents the percentage of our revenue by reportable segment:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

Reportable Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEI

 

39.6%

 

38.2%

 

39.9%

 

36.8%

 

RME

 

60.6

 

58.5

 

58.8

 

57.0

 

RCM

 

3.2

 

6.9

 

4.6

 

9.9

 

Inter-segment elimination

 

(3.4)

 

(3.6)

 

(3.3)

 

(3.7)

 

 

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

 

We provide services under three principal types of contracts:  fixed-price, time-and-materials and cost-plus.  The following table presents the percentage of our revenue by contract type:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

March 29,
2015

 

March 30,
2014

 

Contract Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-price

 

34.3%

 

47.7%

 

36.8%

 

47.2%

 

Time-and-materials

 

47.9

 

36.8

 

44.6

 

35.6

 

Cost-plus

 

17.8

 

15.5

 

18.6

 

17.2

 

 

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

 

Under fixed-price contracts, we receive a fixed price irrespective of the actual costs we incur.  Under time-and-materials contracts, we are paid for labor at negotiated hourly billing rates and also paid for other expenses.  Under cost-plus contracts, some of which are subject to contract ceiling amounts, we are reimbursed for allowable costs and fees, which may be fixed or performance-based.  Profitability on our contracts is driven by billable headcount and our ability to manage our subcontractors, vendors, and material suppliers.  A majority of our contract revenue and contract costs are recorded using the percentage-of-completion (cost-to-cost) method.  Under this method, revenue is recognized in the ratio of contract costs incurred compared to total estimated contract costs.  Revenue and profit on these contracts are subject to revision throughout the duration of the contracts and any required adjustments are made in the period in which the revisions become known.  Losses on contracts are recorded in full as they are identified.

 

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Other contract costs include professional compensation and related benefits, together with certain direct and indirect overhead costs such as rents, utilities, and travel.  Professional compensation represents a large portion of these costs.  Our SG&A expenses are comprised primarily of marketing and bid and proposal costs, and our corporate headquarters’ costs related to the executive offices, finance, accounting, administration, and information technology.  Our SG&A expenses also include a portion of stock-based compensation and depreciation of property and equipment related to our corporate headquarters, and the amortization of identifiable intangible assets.  Most of these costs are unrelated to specific clients or projects, and can vary as expenses are incurred to support company-wide activities and initiatives.

 

We experience seasonal trends in our business.  Our revenue and operating income are typically lower in the first half of our fiscal year, primarily due to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays.  Many of our clients’ employees, as well as our own employees, take vacations during these holiday periods.  Further, seasonal inclement weather conditions occasionally cause some of our offices to close temporarily or may hamper our project field work.  These occurrences result in fewer billable hours worked on projects and, correspondingly, less revenue recognized.  Our revenue is typically higher in the second half of the fiscal year due to favorable weather conditions during spring and summer months that may result in higher billable hours.  In addition, our revenue is typically higher in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the U.S. federal government’s fiscal year-end spending.

 

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

 

Acquisitions.  We continuously evaluate the marketplace for strategic acquisition opportunities.  Due to our reputation, size, financial resources, geographic presence, and range of services, we have numerous opportunities to acquire privately and publicly held companies or selected portions of such companies.  During our evaluation, we examine the effect an acquisition may have on our long-range business strategy and results of operations.  Generally, we proceed with an acquisition if we believe that it would have a positive effect on future operations and could strategically expand our service offerings.  As successful integration and implementation are essential to achieving favorable results, no assurance can be given that all acquisitions will provide accretive results.  Our strategy is to position ourselves to address existing and emerging markets.  We view acquisitions as a key component of our growth strategy, and we intend to use cash, debt, or securities, as we deem appropriate, to fund acquisitions.  We may acquire other businesses that we believe are synergistic and will ultimately increase our revenue and net income, strengthen our ability to achieve our strategic goals, provide critical mass with existing clients, and further expand our lines of service.  We typically pay a purchase price that results in the recognition of goodwill, generally representing the intangible value of a successful business with an assembled workforce specialized in our areas of interest.

 

We made no acquisitions in the first half of fiscal 2015.  In fiscal 2014, we completed immaterial acquisitions that enhanced our service offerings and expanded our geographic presence in our WEI and RME segments.

 

Subsequent Event.  On May 1, 2015, we acquired Cornerstone Environmental Group, an environmental engineering and consulting firm focused on solid waste markets in the United States.  The purchase price was not material.

 

Divestitures.  To complement our acquisition strategy and our focus on internal growth, we regularly review and evaluate our existing operations to determine whether our business model should change through the divestiture of certain businesses.  Accordingly, from time to time, we may divest certain non-core businesses and reallocate our resources to businesses that better align with our long-term strategic direction.  We did not have any divestitures in the first six months of fiscal 2015 and 2014.

 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS AND BUSINESS TRENDS

 

General.  In the first half fiscal 2015, our revenue declined 7.0% compared to the prior-year period.  This decline primarily reflects a reduction in construction activities compared to the first six months of last year, which resulted from our decision in fiscal 2014 to exit from select fixed-price construction markets.  This decline in revenue was also negatively impacted by foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the U.S. dollar continued to strengthen during the first half of fiscal 2015 against most of the foreign currencies in which we conduct our international business.  On a constant currency basis, the combined revenue from our WEI and RME segments increased 1.4% compared to the first half of fiscal 2014.  On the same basis, our revenue increased 3.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year.  All of the growth in our core operations in fiscal 2015 was organic and primarily driven by increased commercial activity, both in the U.S. and Canada, and higher U.S. state and local government revenue.

 

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International.  Our international business decreased 7.2% in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year due primarily to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.  Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, our international business grew 2.3% compared to the prior-year period.  This growth was primarily driven by our midstream oil and gas activities in Western Canada.  However, the reduction in upstream oil and gas revenue due to lower oil prices and the continued weakness in our mining operations, particularly in Canada and Brazil, partially offset this growth.  We anticipate modestly higher international revenue levels in fiscal 2015 on a constant currency basis.  However, if oil prices continue to remain low or decrease further, our business would likely be negatively impacted.

 

U.S. Commercial.  Our U.S. commercial business was flat in the first half fiscal 2015 compared to the first half of last year.  This reflects the reduction in construction activities compared to the prior-year period, which resulted from our decision in fiscal 2014 to exit from certain construction markets.  Excluding these activities, which are reported in the RCM segment, our U.S. commercial revenue increased 6.0% in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year.  This growth primarily reflects increased environmental remediation activities.  We expect our U.S. commercial revenue to continue to show year-over-year improvement in the second half of fiscal 2015, although our U.S. commercial clients typically react rapidly to economic change.  Accordingly, changes in the U.S. economy during fiscal 2015 would create a corresponding change in our U.S. commercial outlook.

 

U.S. Federal Government.  Our U.S. federal government business declined 5.6% in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the prior-year period.  The aforementioned reduction in RCM construction activities compared to the prior-year period contributed to the decline.  Additionally, the decline resulted from reduced activity on remediation projects, which more than offset the broad-based increases in revenues from federal infrastructure projects.  During periods of economic volatility, our U.S. federal government clients have historically been the most stable and predictable.  Although we remain cautious, we expect our U.S. federal revenue to be stable during the remainder of fiscal 2015, excluding the RCM segment.

 

U.S. State and Local Government.  Our U.S. state and local government business decreased 22.2% in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the first six months of last year.  Our decision in fiscal 2014 to exit from certain construction activities, especially those related to transportation projects, was primarily responsible for the decline.  Excluding these activities, our U.S. state and local government revenue increased 8.5% in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the prior-year period.  Many state and local government agencies are experiencing improved financial conditions compared to recent years.  Simultaneously, states are facing major long-term infrastructure needs, including the need for maintenance, repair, and upgrading of existing critical infrastructure and the need to build new facilities.  As a result, we experienced broad-based growth in U.S. state and local government infrastructure project-related revenue over the last 15 months.  We expect our U.S. state and local government business to continue to show growth during the remainder of fiscal 2015, excluding the RCM segment.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,

 

March 30,

 

Change

 

March 29,

 

March 30

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

$

 

%

 

2015

 

2014

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

564,763

 

 

$

586,285

 

 

$

(21,522

)

 

(3.7

)%

 

$

1,145,819

 

 

$

1,232,133

 

 

$

(86,314

)

 

(7.0

)%

 

Subcontractor costs

 

(132,009

)

 

(130,300

)

 

(1,709

)

 

(1.3

)

 

(275,985

)

 

(293,158

)

 

17,173

 

 

5.9

 

 

Revenue, net of subcontractor costs (1)

 

432,754

 

 

455,985

 

 

(23,231

)

 

(5.1

)

 

869,834

 

 

938,975

 

 

(69,141

)

 

(7.4

)

 

Other costs of revenue

 

(362,957

)

 

(386,913

)

 

23,956

 

 

6.2

 

 

(721,238

)

 

(783,442

)

 

62,204

 

 

7.9

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

(42,512

)

 

(44,229

)

 

1,717

 

 

3.9

 

 

(84,699

)

 

(91,602

)

 

6,903

 

 

7.5

 

 

Contingent consideration - fair value adjustments

 

3,113

 

 

21,343

 

 

(18,230

)

 

(85.4

)

 

3,113

 

 

25,973

 

 

(22,860

)

 

(88.0

)

 

Operating income

 

30,398

 

 

46,186

 

 

(15,788

)

 

(34.2

)

 

67,010

 

 

89,904

 

 

(22,894

)

 

(25.5

)

 

Interest expense

 

(1,804

)

 

(2,496

)

 

692

 

 

27.7

 

 

(3,594

)

 

(4,919

)

 

1,325

 

 

26.9

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

28,594

 

 

43,690

 

 

(15,096

)

 

(34.6

)

 

63,416

 

 

84,985

 

 

(21,569

)

 

(25.4

)

 

Income tax expense

 

(9,584

)

 

(11,781

)

 

2,197

 

 

18.6

 

 

(18,760

)

 

(25,749

)

 

6,989

 

 

27.1

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interests

 

19,010

 

 

31,909

 

 

(12,899

)

 

(40.4

)

 

44,656

 

 

59,236

 

 

(14,580

)

 

(24.6

)

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

7

 

 

(200

)

 

207

 

 

103.5

 

 

(64

)

 

(213

)

 

149

 

 

70.0

 

 

Net income attributable to Tetra Tech

 

$

19,017

 

 

$

31,709

 

 

$

(12,692

)

 

(40.0

)

 

$

44,592

 

 

$

59,023

 

 

$

(14,431

)

 

(24.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

We believe that the presentation of “Revenue, net of subcontractor costs”, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, enhances investors’ ability to analyze our business trends and performance because it substantially measures the work performed by our employees. In the course of providing services, we routinely subcontract various services and, under certain U.S. Agency for International Development programs, issue grants. Generally, these subcontractor costs and grants are passed through to our clients and, in accordance with GAAP and industry practice, are included in our revenue when it is our contractual responsibility to procure or manage these activities. The grants are included as part of our subcontractor costs.  Because subcontractor services can vary significantly from project to project and period to period, changes in revenue may not necessarily be indicative of our business trends.  Accordingly, we segregate subcontractor costs from revenue to promote a better understanding of our business by evaluating revenue exclusive of costs associated with external service providers.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, decreased $21.5 million, or 3.7%, and $23.2 million, or 5.1%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of last year.  In the first half of fiscal 2015, revenue, and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, decreased $86.3 million, or 7.0%, and $69.1 million, or 7.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.  These declines reflect the above-described reduction in construction activities compared to last year.  Revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, from these activities, which are reported in the RCM segment, declined $22.1 million and $18.8 million, respectively, in the second quarter, and $69.8 million and $41.9 million, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same periods last year.  Our second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015 results also reflect revenue declines caused by foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the U.S. dollar continued to strengthen during the first half of fiscal 2015 against most of the foreign currencies in which we conduct our international business.  These fluctuations negatively impacted revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, by $20.6 million and $18.0 million, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and $32.6 million and $28.7 million, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014.

 

On a constant currency basis, our revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, excluding the exited activities in the RCM segment (referred to as “core” results) increased 3.4% and 3.1%, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014.  All of this fiscal 2015 growth in our core operations was organic and primarily driven by increased commercial activity, both in the U.S. and Canada.  Our core U.S. commercial revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, increased $17.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the prior period, due to increased environmental remediation activities.  On a constant currency basis, our core international revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, increased $13.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year, which reflected improved midstream oil and gas results in Western Canada.  These results were partially offset by lower U.S. federal government revenue.

 

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Table of Contents

 

On the same basis as used for the second quarter analysis, our revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, increased 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year.  These stable results reflect smaller increases than those in our second quarter due to lower year-over-year revenue in the first quarter, which reflected timing-related declines that normalized in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.  The first quarter fiscal 2015 revenue declines reflected delays of large U.S. federal government remediation projects, and the abnormally severe weather conditions that hindered our field activities in the Northeastern United States.

 

Despite the increases in our core revenue, operating income decreased $15.8 million and $22.9 million in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods in fiscal 2014.  The decreases reflect the reduction in net gains related to changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities.  We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from the initial estimates.  During the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, we recorded a decrease in our contingent earn-out liabilities and reported a related gain in operating income of $3.1 million.  This gain resulted from an updated valuation of the contingent consideration liability for Caber, which is part of our Oil, Gas & Energy reporting unit in the RME segment.  Our second quarter fiscal 2015 assessment of the Caber contingent earn-out liability included a review of the status of on-going projects in Caber’s backlog, and the inventory of prospective new contract awards.  We also considered the status of the oil and gas industry in Western Canada particularly in light of the recent decline in oil prices.  As a result of this assessment, we concluded that Caber’s operating income in the second year post-acquisition would be lower than our original estimate at the acquisition date and our subsequent estimates through the first quarter of fiscal 2015.  We concluded that Caber’s operating income for the second earn-out period, which ended in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, would be lower than the minimum requirement of C$4.6 million to earn any contingent consideration.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we reduced the Caber contingent earn-out liability to $0, which resulted in a gain of $3.1 million.

 

In the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014, we recorded net decreases in our contingent earn-out liabilities and reported related gains in operating income of $21.3 million and $26.0 million, respectively.  The fiscal 2014 gains primarily resulted from updated valuations of the contingent consideration liability for Parkland, which is part of our Oil, Gas & Energy reporting unit in our RME segment.

 

In fiscal 2014, we recorded decreases in our contingent earn-out liability for Parkland and reported related net gains in operating income of $44.6 million.  These gains resulted from Parkland’s actual and projected post-acquisition performance falling below our initial expectations concerning the likelihood and timing of achieving the relevant operating income thresholds in each of the three years subsequent to the acquisition.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we updated the estimated cost to complete a large fixed-price contract at Parkland and determined that the project would be break-even compared to the significant profit estimated the previous quarter when the project was initiated.  As a result, during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 we reversed $5.3 million of profit previously recognized on the project.  This variance, and our updated estimate that the revenue for the remainder of the project would produce no operating income, resulted in our conclusion that Parkland’s operating income in the first and second earn-out periods would fall below the minimum operating income thresholds in each such year.  As a result, we reduced the contingent earn-out liability for the first and second earn-out periods to $0, which resulted in gains totaling $24.7 million ($5.6 million and $19.1 million in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2014, respectively).  The remaining fiscal 2014 gain of $19.9 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 reducing the related liability to $0 at the end of fiscal 2014.

 

Each time we determined that Parkland’s and Caber’s operating income would be lower than our original estimate at the acquisition date, we also evaluated the related goodwill for potential impairment.  In each case, we determined that the lower income projections were the result of temporary events, and did not negatively impact Parkland’s and Caber’s longer term performance or result in goodwill impairment.

 

Operating income in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015 also includes a non-recurring charge of $3.1 million included in SG&A expenses related to a legal settlement.  Excluding the net gains from contingent earn-out liabilities and the fiscal 2015 legal settlement, operating income increased $5.6 million, or 22.6%, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period last year.  On the same basis, year-over-year operating income for the six month period increased $3.2 million, or 4.9%.  These increases primarily reflect improved results in our oil and gas business, particularly our midstream work in Western Canada.  In addition, amortization of intangibles was $1.9 million and $4.5 million lower in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Segment Results of Operations

 

Water, Environment and Infrastructure

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,

 

March 30,

 

Change

 

March 29,

 

March 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

$

 

%

 

2015

 

2014

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$223,366

 

 

$223,977

 

 

$(611

)

 

(0.3)%

 

$457,033

 

 

$453,307

 

 

$3,726

 

 

0.8%

 

Subcontractor costs

 

(53,221

)

 

(44,454

)

 

(8,767

)

 

19.7

 

(103,214

)

 

(93,043

)

 

(10,171

)

 

10.9

 

Revenue, net of subcontractor costs

 

$170,145

 

 

$179,523

 

 

$(9,378

)

 

(5.2)

 

$353,819

 

 

$360,264

 

 

$(6,445

)

 

(1.8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$15,787

 

 

$18,296

 

 

$(2,509

)

 

(13.7)

 

$37,620

 

 

$40,521

 

 

$(2,901

)

 

(7.2)

 

 

As described above, foreign exchange rate fluctuations negatively impacted revenue and revenue, net of subcontractor costs, in the amounts of $5.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and $10.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2015 compared to the same periods last year.  On a constant currency basis, our revenue increased 2.1% and 3.1% in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015, respectively, compared to the same period last year.  This growth reflects increased revenue from U.S. federal and U.S. state and local government infrastructure projects across a broad range of government agencies.

 

Foreign currency translation did not have a material impact on our operating income in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2015.  Although our revenue increased, on a constant currency basis, our operating income decreased in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2015 compared to the year-ago periods.  These declines reflect a higher proportion of government revenue and a corresponding decline in commercial revenue in the fiscal 2015 periods compared to last fiscal year.  Our commercial revenue typically has a higher margin than revenue from government projects.  As a result of this change in business mix, our operating income margin declined from 10.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 to 9.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

Resource Management and Energy

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

March 29,

 

March 30,

 

Change

 

March 29,

 

March 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

$