e424b4
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-129780
PROSPECTUS
2,021,758 Shares
Sterling Construction Company, Inc.
Common Stock
We are offering to sell 1,700,000 shares of our common
stock, and three of our stockholders are offering to sell an
aggregate of 321,758 shares of our common stock. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our
common stock by the selling stockholders. The last reported sale
price of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange, or
AMEX, on January 19, 2006 (the last day on which we
anticipate our common stock will trade on AMEX) was
$15.65 per share. Our common stock will commence trading on
The Nasdaq National Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol
STRL on January 20, 2006.
We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to
303,263 additional shares of common stock to cover any
over-allotments. The underwriters can exercise this right at any
time within 30 days after the offering.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on page 8.
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Per Share |
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Total |
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Offering price
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$ |
15.00 |
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$ |
30,326,370 |
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Discounts and commissions to underwriters
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$ |
1.05 |
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$ |
2,122,846 |
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Offering proceeds to us, before expenses
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$ |
13.95 |
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$ |
23,715,000 |
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Offering proceeds to the selling stockholders, before expenses
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$ |
13.95 |
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$ |
4,488,524 |
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The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to
investors on or about January 25, 2006.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
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D.A. Davidson & Co. |
Morgan Joseph |
The date of this prospectus is January 19, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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F-1 |
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i
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in
this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the
information that may be important to you. You should read this
entire prospectus carefully, including the risks discussed under
Risk Factors and the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
prospectus. In this prospectus, all references to Sterling
Construction, we, us and
our refer to Sterling Construction Company, Inc. and
its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires or
indicates.
Our Company
We are a leading heavy civil construction company that
specializes in the building and reconstruction of transportation
and water infrastructure in large and growing markets in Texas.
Our transportation infrastructure projects include highways,
roads, bridges and light rail, and our water infrastructure
projects include water, wastewater and storm drainage systems.
We provide general contracting services primarily to public
sector clients utilizing our own employees and equipment for
activities including excavating, paving, pipe installation and
concrete placement. We purchase the necessary materials for our
contracts and generally engage subcontractors only for ancillary
services.
Since the founding of our construction business in 1955, we have
expanded our service profile and market areas. We currently
operate in several major Texas markets, including Houston,
San Antonio, Dallas/ Fort Worth and Austin, and
believe that we have the capability to expand into other Gulf
Coast and Southwestern markets. We also have broadened our range
of services, from our original focus on water and wastewater
projects, to include concrete and asphalt paving, concrete slip
forming, installation of large-diameter water and wastewater
distribution systems, construction of bridges and similar large
structures, light rail infrastructure, concrete crushing and
concrete batch plant operations.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our
construction business revenues of $157.8 million and net
income from continuing operations of $5.5 million were 66%
and 142% higher, respectively, than for the same period in 2004.
At September 30, 2005, our contract backlog of
$288 million was 24% higher than the $232 million of
contract backlog at January 1, 2005. As of
December 31, 2005, we estimate that our contract backlog
was approximately $300 million, reflecting new contracts of
approximately $80 million added during our fourth quarter
and our preliminary estimate of billings that will be recorded
for that quarter.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that our competitive strengths in the construction
business include the following:
Long and Successful Track Record of Infrastructure
Construction. Through our 50 years of experience, we
have developed efficient processes and controls that allow us to
provide high-quality contracting services for building roads,
highways, bridges, light rail facilities and water, wastewater
and storm drainage systems. Our expertise, coupled with strong
underlying market dynamics, has produced compound annual revenue
growth in our construction business that has averaged
approximately 18% since 1985, and was 66% for the first nine
months of 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004.
Leadership in Our Markets. We are an established leader
in our markets based on our longevity, our management expertise
and our reputation, as well as our in-depth knowledge of soil
and other construction conditions in our market areas. Our scale
of operations allows us to deploy and redeploy work crews,
materials and equipment across multiple contracts and provides
us with advantages in competitive bidding environments. We are
prequalified with all of our significant public sector customers
that require qualification, including the Texas Department of
Transportation, or TXDOT, a requirement that has the effect of
limiting competition from some other bidders for highway
contracts and, in some cases, for municipal contracts.
1
Comprehensive Infrastructure Construction Capabilities.
Over time, we have added construction services that provide us
with competitive advantages. For example, from our base of water
and wastewater work, we have added concrete and asphalt paving,
concrete slip forming, installation of large-diameter water and
wastewater distribution systems, construction of bridges and
similar large structures, light rail infrastructure, concrete
crushing and concrete batch plant operations. We currently
perform approximately 75% of our work utilizing our own
workforce and equipment. Our emphasis on providing comprehensive
construction services allows us to capture additional profit
margin that otherwise would be gained by subcontractors and to
more aggressively bid contracts without sacrificing our
profitability targets.
Consistent History of Managing Construction Projects and
Contract Risk. Our significant experience and longevity in
our markets provides us with an understanding of the many risks
of infrastructure construction. We provide services
predominantly pursuant to fixed unit price
contracts, which, if properly managed, generally allow for
better profit margin opportunities than cost-plus
contracts. We monitor and manage risk throughout a
contracts duration, including the bid process, the
pre-construction planning activities and the construction
process. Our project managers lead our estimating process, and
our senior management reviews all bid proposals prior to
submission, thereby increasing project managers
accountability and understanding of the financial and operating
risks and opportunities of our contracts. In addition, a
significant portion of our project managers compensation
is based on the profitability of contracts that they bid and
manage, a policy which reinforces our goal of carefully and
accurately bidding contracts.
Financial Strength. Our long-term
debt-to-equity ratio as
of September 30, 2005, giving effect to this offering and
the anticipated repayment of certain related party notes
described in Certain Transactions Contemplated
Transactions as of that date, would have been
approximately 25%, and we believe that we will have sufficient
cash balances to meet our anticipated near-term liquidity needs.
In addition, we have a substantial base of assets, including a
fleet of over 500 pieces of heavy construction equipment, which
allows for flexibility in meeting contract requirements and can
provide an advantage over our competitors who lease their
equipment. After this offering, we will have greater flexibility
under our commercial bank line of credit to take advantage of
appropriate expansion and acquisition opportunities in our
markets. We believe that these financial strengths provide
tangible benefits in the surety and credit markets, as well as
intangible benefits in our relationships with customers,
employees, suppliers and subcontractors.
Experienced Management Team and Skilled Workforce. Our
management team and employees are critical to our success. Our
chief executive officer and our president each has over
30 years of industry experience, and our 12 senior project
managers have over 20 years of experience on average, in the
infrastructure construction market. We benefit from their
expertise, relationships with customers, suppliers and
subcontractors, and the cohesive corporate culture that they
have promoted and developed. We expend significant resources to
attract, retain and train our employees, which is a key to the
successful execution of our contracts. We conduct our
construction business using full-time employees organized into
more than 80 fully-equipped crews. We conduct extensive
safety training programs, which have allowed us to maintain a
high safety level at our worksites.
Our Business Strategy
We pursue the following strategies in order to improve our
business and prospects, increase our revenue and profitability
and, ultimately, enhance stockholder value:
Continue to Grow in Texas Markets. The Texas markets in
which we operate, including Houston, San Antonio,
Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin, generally are experiencing
strong growth in infrastructure spending caused by factors such
as an increasing population, increased federally-funded highway
construction, a robust oil and gas economy, the need for new
water sources, flood and subsidence control activities, and the
installation of light rail public transit systems. We will
continue our efforts to increase our market share in our core
markets. Our strategy is to accomplish this by relying on our
knowledge of local construction conditions coupled with our
continued focus on infrastructure construction, by expanding
2
and upgrading our equipment fleet, by adding construction crews,
and by extending our range of construction capabilities.
Position Our Business for Future Infrastructure Spending.
There is a growing awareness of the need to build, reconstruct
and repair our countrys infrastructure, including water,
wastewater and flood control systems and transportation systems.
Significant funds have recently been authorized for investments
in these areas, including the new U.S. federal highway
funding bill, or SAFETEA-LU bill, which authorized
$286 billion toward transportation infrastructure (with
approximately $14.5 billion allocated to Texas for federal
fiscal years 2005 through 2009). In addition, the
Harris-Galveston Subsidence District has mandated that
substantially all well water systems in Houston be replaced with
surface water systems, and we anticipate that there will be
efforts in Texas and other Gulf Coast areas affected by recent
hurricanes to enhance storm drainage systems. We will continue
to build on our expertise in the civil construction market for
transportation and water infrastructure, to develop new
capabilities to service these markets and to maintain our human
and capital resources to effectively meet required demand.
Continue Adding Construction Capabilities. By adding
capabilities that are complementary to our core construction
competencies, we are able to improve gross margin opportunities,
more effectively compete for contracts and compete for contracts
that might not otherwise be available to us. We continue to
investigate opportunities to integrate additional services (such
as drill shaft installation) and precast concrete products (such
as beams and wall panels) into our business.
Expand into Attractive New Markets. We have demonstrated
an ability to identify and expand into new markets where we have
been able to operate profitably and grow. Our first expansion
beyond Houston was in the Dallas/ Fort Worth market in
1995. In 2001, after obtaining an asphalt paving contract in
San Antonio, we decided to establish a permanent presence
in that market. Having recently been awarded a significant
contract in the Austin area, we are now examining the potential
for establishing a permanent office in Austin. We actively
consider opportunities, and evaluate whether to establish a
permanent presence, in new geographic areas based on factors
such as market size and growth dynamics, competition, the
availability of qualified employees and compatibility of unique
local requirements with our own expertise. We currently believe
that there are a number of attractive markets throughout Texas
and in the Gulf Coast and Southwestern regions of the United
States that present expansion opportunities for us.
Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. Our growth has
been achieved both organically and through our acquisition of
the Kinsel Heavy Highway construction business, or Kinsel, in
2002. We have been, and expect to continue, exploring
acquisition opportunities that appear consistent with our
return-on-investment
goals and strategic objectives. In particular, we seek companies
operated by talented management teams in growth markets and with
a focus on infrastructure construction services. Ideal
candidates would provide us with the ability to add construction
services to our existing capabilities, as well as opportunities
to provide an expanded service profile to the targets
existing customer base. With our strong financial position and
publicly traded common stock, we believe that we are an
attractive acquiror for heavy civil construction firms whose
owners desire to achieve liquidity.
Development of Employees. We believe that our employees
are a key to the successful implementation of our business
strategies. We plan to continue allocating significant resources
in order to attract and retain talented managers and supervisory
and field personnel.
Risks Related to Our Business and Strategy
You should carefully read and consider the information set forth
below under Risk Factors, together with all of the
other information set forth in this prospectus, before deciding
to invest in shares of our common stock.
3
Recent Developments
On December 22, 2005, we announced the following updated
guidance for 2005, and initial guidance for 2006:
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Year Ending | |
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Year Ending | |
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December 31, 2005 | |
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December 31, 2006 | |
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(In thousands) | |
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Range | |
Revenues from continuing operations
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$ |
210,000 |
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$ |
230,000 - $250,000 |
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Income from continuing operations before income taxes
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$ |
10,500 |
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$ |
11,500 - $ 13,000 |
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Net income from continuing operations
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$ |
6,800 |
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$ |
7,500 - $ 8,500 |
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This guidance is forward-looking information that is subject to
risks and uncertainties as described in this prospectus. See
Guidance for certain assumptions, risks and
uncertainties that should be considered in connection with our
guidance about expected results of operations.
Our common stock has been approved to be listed on the Nasdaq
National Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol STRL on
January 20, 2006. We anticipate that trading of our common
stock on AMEX has been suspended effective at the close of
market on January 19, 2006.
In December 2005, we announced that we had been awarded a
$46 million construction contract by St. Paul Travelers, or
Travelers, to complete a TXDOT project for the building of
highways, bridges and related infrastructure at NASA Road 1 in
the Clear Lake area south of Houston, Texas. Work is expected to
commence in the first quarter of 2006 and is scheduled for
completion in early 2008.
On December 23, 2005, our board of directors elected Milton
L. Scott to fill the vacancy created by the simultaneous
resignation of Robert M. Davies, who had earlier indicated his
intention to resign upon the election of his successor.
Mr. Scott was also appointed to our audit committee.
Recognizing the strong growth of our construction business,
where managements efforts and our resources are likely to
be best employed in the future, and following expressions of
interest from potential buyers of our distribution business, in
August 2005 our board of directors authorized management to sell
that business, which is operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary,
Steel City Products, LLC, or Steel City Products. Accordingly,
we have reclassified our financial statements for all periods
presented to reflect that business as discontinued operations.
Unless otherwise noted, the discussion in this prospectus
pertains only to our construction business.
Having recently outgrown the bonding limits of our prior bonding
company, in October 2005 we were approved by a new bonding
company, Travelers, for our future construction contracts.
4
The Offering
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Nasdaq symbol
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STRL |
Common stock offered by us
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1,700,000 shares |
Common stock offered by selling stockholders
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321,758 shares |
Common stock to be outstanding after the offering
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10,186,881 shares |
Use of proceeds
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The net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately
$22.9 million, or approximately $27.2 million if the
underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. We
plan to use these net proceeds for: |
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capital expenditures to acquire property, plant and
equipment to more efficiently complete a number of projects in
our contract backlog as well as position us to capitalize on
future project opportunities; |
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repayments of certain related party promissory notes
as described in Certain Transactions
Contemplated Transactions; and |
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other general corporate purposes, including working
capital to increase our bonding capacity, to finance ongoing
business operations and to fund future growth of our
construction business and additions to our construction services
capabilities. |
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We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares
of our common stock by the selling stockholders. |
The number of shares of common stock outstanding after this
offering is based on the number of shares outstanding as of
December 30, 2005 and excludes:
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1,045,575 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon
the exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average
exercise price per share of $2.558, which does not include
180,492 shares that will be issued pursuant to the exercise
of options held by a selling stockholder and sold by him in this
offering; |
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75,880 shares of common stock reserved for future awards
under our stock option plans; and |
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386,073 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon
the exercise of outstanding warrants at an exercise price per
share of $1.50, which does not include 141,266 shares that
will be issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants held by two
selling stockholders and sold by them in this offering. |
Unless we indicate otherwise, the number of shares of common
stock shown to be outstanding after the offering assumes no
exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to
303,263 additional shares of our common stock to cover
over-allotments of shares.
Our Executive Offices
Our principal executive offices are located at 20810 Fernbush
Lane, Houston, Texas 77073, and our telephone number at this
address is (281) 821-9091. Our website is
www.sterlingconstructionco.com. Information on, or accessible
through, this website is not a part of, and is not incorporated
into, this prospectus.
5
Summary Historical Financial and Operating Data
The following table sets forth our summary historical
consolidated financial and operating data for the periods
indicated. The summary consolidated statement of operations data
for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and
the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2003 and 2004, have been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements, which are included
elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated balance
sheet data as of December 31, 2002, have been derived from
our audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
2002, which is not included in this prospectus. The summary
consolidated financial data as of and for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005, are derived from our unaudited
consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere
in this prospectus. The unaudited consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited
consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments,
consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider
necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and
operating results for the unaudited periods. The summary
historical financial and operating data as of and for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005, are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be obtained for a full year.
Contract backlog is not a measure defined in generally accepted
accounting principles, or GAAP, and has not been derived from
our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2005, our board of directors authorized management to
sell the Steel City Products distribution business. Accordingly,
we have reclassified our financial statements for all periods
presented to reflect the business as discontinued operations.
The information presented below should be read in conjunction
with Selected Historical Financial and Operating
Data, Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Nine Months Ended | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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September 30, | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
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(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
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Revenues
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$ |
111,747 |
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$ |
149,006 |
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$ |
132,478 |
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$ |
95,161 |
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$ |
157,805 |
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Cost of revenues
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98,935 |
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131,181 |
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119,217 |
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83,970 |
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141,541 |
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Gross profit
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12,812 |
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17,825 |
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13,261 |
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11,191 |
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16,264 |
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General and administrative expenses, net
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6,862 |
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7,400 |
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7,696 |
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5,844 |
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6,771 |
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Operating income
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5,950 |
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10,425 |
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5,565 |
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5,347 |
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9,493 |
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Interest expense, net of interest income
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2,427 |
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1,842 |
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1,456 |
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1,053 |
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1,198 |
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Income from continuing operations before minority interest and
income taxes
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3,523 |
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8,583 |
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4,109 |
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4,294 |
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8,295 |
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Minority interest(1)
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873 |
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1,627 |
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962 |
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862 |
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Income from continuing operations before income taxes
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2,650 |
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6,956 |
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3,147 |
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3,432 |
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8,295 |
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Income tax (benefit) expense
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(174 |
) |
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1,752 |
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(2,134 |
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1,167 |
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2,820 |
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Net income from continuing operations
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2,824 |
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5,204 |
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5,281 |
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2,265 |
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5,475 |
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Net income from discontinued operations
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528 |
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215 |
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372 |
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342 |
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532 |
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Net income
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$ |
3,352 |
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$ |
5,419 |
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$ |
5,653 |
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$ |
2,607 |
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$ |
6,007 |
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6
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Nine Months Ended | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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September 30, | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
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(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |
Basic income per share:
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Continuing operations
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$ |
0.56 |
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$ |
1.02 |
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$ |
0.99 |
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$ |
0.43 |
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$ |
0.72 |
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Discontinued operations
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0.10 |
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0.04 |
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0.07 |
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0.06 |
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0.07 |
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$ |
0.66 |
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$ |
1.06 |
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|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing
per share amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
5,061,598 |
|
|
|
5,089,849 |
|
|
|
5,342,847 |
|
|
|
5,274,730 |
|
|
|
7,638,261 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
6,101,515 |
|
|
|
6,488,376 |
|
|
|
7,027,682 |
|
|
|
7,158,697 |
|
|
|
9,467,306 |
|
Balance sheet data (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
2,111 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
$ |
2,851 |
|
|
$ |
20,138 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
9,556 |
|
|
|
6,834 |
|
|
|
16,052 |
|
|
|
18,167 |
|
|
|
22,599 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
72,757 |
|
|
|
75,578 |
|
|
|
89,544 |
|
|
|
84,902 |
|
|
|
122,789 |
|
Total debt
|
|
|
32,784 |
|
|
|
20,058 |
|
|
|
29,379 |
|
|
|
24,347 |
|
|
|
30,011 |
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
10,825 |
|
|
|
16,636 |
|
|
|
35,208 |
|
|
|
19,900 |
|
|
|
43,202 |
|
Other operating data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$ |
3,755 |
|
|
$ |
4,690 |
|
|
$ |
4,545 |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
$ |
3,826 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
4,245 |
|
|
|
4,340 |
|
|
|
3,555 |
|
|
|
2,527 |
|
|
|
9,948 |
|
Contract backlog at end of period (unaudited)(2)
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
141,000 |
|
|
|
232,000 |
|
|
|
227,000 |
|
|
|
288,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Minority interest represents the 19.9% of Texas Sterling
Construction, L.P., which along with its predecessors we refer
to as TSC, not owned by us until December 2004. See Note 16
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004, included in this prospectus. |
|
(2) |
Contract backlog is our estimate of the billings that we expect
to make in future periods on our construction contracts. We add
the revenue value of new contracts to our contract backlog,
typically when we are the low bidder on a public sector contract
and management determines that there are no apparent impediments
to award of the contract. As construction on our contracts
progresses, we increase or decrease contract backlog to take
account of changes in estimated quantities under fixed unit
price contracts, as well as to reflect changed conditions,
change orders and other variations from initially anticipated
contract revenues and costs, including completion penalties and
bonuses. We subtract from contract backlog the amounts we bill
on contracts. |
7
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves various risks.
Before making an investment in our common stock, you should
carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other
information contained in this prospectus, including our
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. The risks described
below are those which we believe are the material risks that we
face. Any of the risk factors described below could
significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects,
financial condition and results of operations. As a result, the
trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could
lose a part or all of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to accurately estimate the overall risks or
costs when we bid on a contract which is ultimately awarded to
us, we may achieve a lower than anticipated profit or incur a
loss on the contract.
Substantially all of our revenues and contract backlog are
typically derived from fixed unit price contracts. Fixed unit
price contracts require us to perform the contract for a fixed
unit price irrespective of our actual costs. As a result, we
realize a profit on these contracts only if we successfully
estimate our costs and then successfully control actual costs
and avoid cost overruns. If our cost estimates for a contract
are inaccurate, or if we do not execute the contract within our
cost estimates, then cost overruns may cause us to incur losses
or cause the contract not to be as profitable as we expected.
This, in turn, could negatively affect our cash flow, earnings
and financial position.
The costs incurred and gross profit realized on such contracts
can vary, sometimes substantially, from the original projections
due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
onsite conditions that differ from those assumed in the original
bid; |
|
|
|
delays caused by weather conditions; |
|
|
|
contract modifications creating unanticipated costs not covered
by change orders; |
|
|
|
changes in availability, proximity and costs of materials,
including steel, concrete, aggregate and other construction
materials (such as stone, gravel and sand), as well as fuel and
lubricants for our equipment; |
|
|
|
availability and skill level of workers in the geographic
location of a project; |
|
|
|
our suppliers or subcontractors failure to perform; |
|
|
|
fraud or theft committed by our employees; |
|
|
|
mechanical problems with our machinery or equipment; |
|
|
|
citations issued by any governmental authority, including the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration; |
|
|
|
difficulties in obtaining required governmental permits or
approvals; |
|
|
|
changes in applicable laws and regulations; and |
|
|
|
claims or demands from third parties alleging damages arising
from our work or from the project of which our work is part. |
Many of our contracts with public sector customers contain
provisions that purport to shift some or all of the above risks
from the customer to us, even in cases where the customer is
partly at fault. Our practice in many instances has been to
supersede these terms with an agreement to obtain insurance
covering both the customer and ourselves. In cases where
insurance is not obtained, our experience has often been that
public sector customers have been willing to negotiate equitable
adjustments in the contract compensation or completion time
provisions if unexpected circumstances arise. If we are unable to
8
obtain insurance, and if public sector customers seek to impose
contractual risk-shifting provisions more aggressively, we could
face increased risks, which may adversely affect our cash flow,
earnings and financial position.
Economic downturns or reductions in government funding of
infrastructure projects, or the cancellation of significant
contracts, could reduce our revenues and profits and have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our business is highly dependent on the amount of infrastructure
work funded by various governmental entities, which, in turn,
depends on the overall condition of the economy, the need for
new or replacement infrastructure, the priorities placed on
various projects funded by governmental entities and federal,
state or local government spending levels. Decreases in
government funding of infrastructure projects could decrease the
number of civil construction contracts available and limit our
ability to obtain new contracts, which could reduce our revenues
and profits.
Contracts that we enter into with governmental entities can
usually be canceled at any time by them with payment only for
the work already completed. In addition, we could be prohibited
from bidding on certain governmental contracts if we fail to
maintain qualifications required by those entities. A sudden
cancellation of a contract or our debarment from the bidding
process could cause our equipment and work crews to remain idled
for a significant period of time until other comparable work
became available, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business and results of operations.
Our operations are focused in Texas, and any adverse change
to the economy or business environment in Texas could
significantly affect our operations, which would lead to lower
revenues and reduced profitability.
Our operations are concentrated in Texas, and primarily in the
Houston area. Because of this concentration in a specific
geographic location, we are susceptible to fluctuations in our
business caused by adverse economic or other conditions in this
region, including natural or other disasters. A stagnant or
depressed economy in Texas generally or in Houston specifically,
or in any of the other markets that we serve, could adversely
affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our industry is highly competitive, with a variety of larger
companies with greater resources competing with us, and our
failure to compete effectively could reduce the number of new
contracts awarded to us or adversely affect our margins on
contracts awarded.
Essentially all of the contracts on which we bid are awarded
through a competitive bid process, with awards generally being
made to the lowest bidder, but sometimes recognizing other
factors, such as shorter contract schedules or prior experience
with the customer. Within our markets, we compete with many
national, regional and local construction firms. Some of these
competitors have achieved greater market penetration than we
have in the markets in which we compete, and some have greater
financial and other resources than we do. In addition, there are
a number of national companies in our industry that are larger
than us that, if they so desired, could establish a presence in
our markets and compete with us for contracts. As a result, we
may need to accept lower contract margins in order to compete
against competitors that have the ability to accept awards at
lower prices or have a pre-existing relationship with a
customer. If we are unable to compete successfully in our
markets, our relative market share and profits could be reduced.
Our dependence on subcontractors and suppliers of materials
(including petroleum-based products) could increase our costs
and impair our ability to complete contracts on a timely basis
or at all, which would adversely affect our profits and cash
flow.
We rely on third-party subcontractors to perform some of the
work on many of our contracts. We do not bid on contracts unless
we have the necessary subcontractors committed for the
anticipated scope of the contract and at prices that we have
included in our bid. Therefore, to the extent that we cannot
engage
9
subcontractors, our ability to bid for contracts may be
impaired. In addition, if a subcontractor is unable to deliver
its services according to the negotiated terms for any reason,
including the deterioration of its financial condition, we may
suffer delays and be required to purchase the services from
another source at a higher price. This may reduce the profit to
be realized, or result in a loss, on a contract.
We also rely on third-party suppliers to provide all of the
materials (including aggregates, concrete, steel and pipe) for
our contracts. We do not own any quarries, and there are no
naturally occurring sources of aggregate in the Houston
metropolitan area. We do not bid on contracts unless we have
commitments from suppliers for the materials required to
complete the contract and at prices that we have included in our
bid. Thus, to the extent that we cannot obtain commitments from
our suppliers for materials, our ability to bid for contracts
may be impaired. In addition, if a supplier is unable to deliver
materials according to the negotiated terms of a supply
agreement for any reason, including the deterioration of its
financial condition, we may suffer delays and be required to
purchase the materials from another source at a higher price.
This may reduce the profit to be realized, or result in a loss,
on a contract.
Diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products are utilized to
operate the equipment used in our construction contracts.
Decreased supplies of such products relative to demand and other
factors can cause an increase in their cost. Future increases in
the costs of fuel and other petroleum-based products used in our
business, particularly if a bid has been submitted for a
contract and the costs of such products have been estimated at
amounts less than the actual costs thereof, could result in a
lower profit, or a loss, on a contract.
We may not be able to fully realize the revenue anticipated
by our reported contract backlog.
As of September 30, 2005, our contract backlog was
approximately $288 million. Almost all of our contracts are
awarded by public sector customers through a competitive bid
process, with the award generally being made to the lowest
bidder. We add new contracts to our contract backlog, typically
when we are the low bidder on a public sector contract and
management determines that there are no apparent impediments to
award of the contract. As construction on our contracts
progresses, we increase or decrease contract backlog to take
account of changes in estimated quantities under fixed unit
price contracts, as well as to reflect changed conditions,
change orders and other variations from initially anticipated
contract revenues and costs, including completion penalties and
bonuses. We subtract from contract backlog the amounts we bill
on contracts.
Most of the contracts with our public sector customers can be
terminated at their discretion. If a customer cancels, suspends,
delays or reduces a contract, we may be reimbursed for certain
costs but typically will not be able to bill the total amount
that had been reflected in our contract backlog. Cancellation of
one or more contracts that constitute a large percentage of our
contract backlog, and our inability to find a substitute
contract, would have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our
ability to bid for and successfully complete contracts may be
negatively impacted.
Our ability to attract and retain reliable, qualified personnel
is a significant factor that enables us to successfully bid for
and profitably complete our work. This includes members of our
management, project managers, estimators, supervisors, foremen
and laborers. The loss of the services of any of our management
could have a material adverse effect on us. Our future success
will also depend on our ability to attract and retain
highly-skilled personnel. Competition for these employees is
intense, and we could experience difficulty hiring and retaining
the personnel necessary to support our business. If we do not
succeed in retaining our current employees and attracting new
highly-skilled employees, our reputation may be harmed and our
future earnings may be negatively impacted.
10
Our contracts may require us to perform extra or change order
work, which can result in disputes and adversely affect our
working capital, profits and cash flows.
Our contracts generally require us to perform extra or change
order work as directed by the customer even if the customer has
not agreed in advance on the scope or price of the extra work to
be performed. This process may result in disputes over whether
the work performed is beyond the scope of the work included in
the original project plans and specifications or, if the
customer agrees that the work performed qualifies as extra work,
the price that the customer is willing to pay for the extra
work. These disputes may not be settled to our satisfaction.
Even when the customer agrees to pay for the extra work, we may
be required to fund the cost of such work for a lengthy period
of time until the change order is approved by the customer and
we are paid by the customer.
To the extent that actual recoveries with respect to change
orders or amounts subject to contract disputes or claims are
less than the estimates used in our financial statements, the
amount of any shortfall will reduce our future revenues and
profits, and this could have a material adverse effect on our
reported working capital and results of operations. In addition,
any delay caused by the extra work may adversely impact the
timely scheduling of other project work and our ability to meet
specified contract milestone dates.
Our failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of
our contracts could adversely affect us.
In most cases, our contracts require completion by a scheduled
acceptance date. Failure to meet any such schedule could result
in additional costs, penalties or liquidated damages being
assessed against us, and these could exceed projected profit
margins on the contract. Performance problems on existing and
future contracts could cause actual results of operations to
differ materially from those anticipated by us and could cause
us to suffer damage to our reputation within the industry and
among our customers.
Timing of the award and performance of new contracts could
have an adverse effect on our operating results and cash
flow.
At any point in time, a substantial portion of our revenues may
be derived from a limited number of large construction
contracts. It is generally very difficult to predict whether and
when new contracts will be offered for tender, as these
contracts frequently involve a lengthy and complex design and
bidding process, which is affected by a number of factors, such
as market conditions, financing arrangements and governmental
approvals. Because of these factors, our results of operations
and cash flows may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to
year, and the fluctuation may be substantial.
The uncertainty of the timing of contract awards may also
present difficulties in matching the size of work crews with
contract needs. In some cases, we may maintain and bear the cost
of a ready work crew that is larger than currently required, in
anticipation of future employee needs for existing contracts or
expected future contracts. If a contract is delayed or an
expected contract award is not received, we would incur costs
that could have a material adverse effect on our anticipated
profit.
In addition, the timing of the revenues, earnings and cash flows
from our contracts can be delayed by a number of factors,
including adverse weather conditions such as prolonged or
intense periods of rain, storms or flooding, delays in receiving
material and equipment from suppliers and changes in the scope
of work to be performed. Such delays, if they occur, could have
an adverse effect on our operating results for a particular
period.
Our dependence on a limited number of customers could
adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Due to the size and nature of our construction contracts, one or
a few customers have in the past and may in the future represent
a substantial portion of our consolidated revenues and gross
profits in any one year or over a period of several consecutive
years. For example, in fiscal 2004, approximately 58% of our
revenues was generated from three customers. Similarly, our
contract backlog frequently reflects multiple
11
contracts for individual customers; therefore, one customer may
comprise a significant percentage of contract backlog at a
certain point in time. An example of this is TXDOT, with which
we had 20 contracts representing an aggregate of approximately
70% of our contract backlog at September 30, 2005. The loss
of business from any one of such customers could have a material
adverse effect on our business or results of operations. Because
we do not maintain any reserves for payment defaults, a default
or delay in payment on a significant scale could materially
adversely affect our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
We may incur higher costs to acquire and maintain equipment
necessary for our operations, and the market value of our
equipment may decline.
We have traditionally owned most of the construction equipment
used to build our projects, and we do not bid on contracts for
which we do not have, or cannot quickly procure (whether through
acquisition or lease), the necessary equipment. To the extent
that we are unable to buy construction equipment necessary for
our needs, either due to a lack of available funding or
equipment shortages in the marketplace, we may be forced to rent
equipment on a short-term basis, which could increase the costs
of building contracts. In addition, our equipment requires
continuous maintenance for which we maintain our own repair
facilities. If we are unable to continue to maintain the
equipment in our fleet, we may be forced to obtain third-party
repair services, which could increase our costs.
The market value of our equipment may unexpectedly decline at a
faster rate than anticipated. Such a decline would reduce the
borrowing base under our construction business credit facility,
thereby reducing the amount of credit available to us and
impeding our ability to expand our business consistent with
historical levels.
Unanticipated adverse weather conditions may cause delays,
which could slow completion of our contracts and negatively
affect our revenues and cash flow.
Because all of our construction projects are built outdoors,
work on our contracts is subject to unpredictable weather
conditions. For example, evacuations due to Hurricane Rita
resulted in our inability to perform work on all Houston-area
contracts for several days. Lengthy periods of wet weather will
generally interrupt construction, and this can lead to
under-utilization of crews and equipment, resulting in less
efficient rates of overhead recovery. While revenues can be
recovered following a period of bad weather, it is generally
impossible to recover the efficiencies, and hence, we may suffer
reductions in the expected profit on contracts.
An inability to obtain bonding could limit the number of
contracts that we are able to pursue.
As is customary in the construction business, we are required to
provide surety bonds to secure our performance under
construction contracts. Our ability to obtain surety bonds
primarily depends upon our capitalization, working capital, past
performance, management expertise and reputation and certain
external factors, including the overall capacity of the surety
market. Surety companies consider such factors in relationship
to the amount of our contract backlog and their underwriting
standards, which may change from time to time. For instance, we
recently outgrew the bonding limits of our prior surety bonding
company and arranged a new source of bonding. Events that affect
the insurance and bonding markets generally may result in
bonding becoming more difficult to obtain in the future, or
being available only at a significantly greater cost. Our
inability to obtain adequate bonding, and, as a result, to bid
on new contracts, could have a material adverse effect on our
future revenues and business prospects.
Our operations are subject to hazards that may cause personal
injury or property damage, thereby subjecting us to liabilities
and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance.
Our workers are subject to the usual hazards associated with
providing services on construction sites. Operating hazards can
cause personal injury and loss of life, damage to or destruction
of property, plant and equipment and environmental damage. We
self-insure our workers compensation claims, subject to
12
stop-loss insurance coverage. We also maintain insurance
coverage in amounts and against the risks that we believe are
consistent with industry practice, but this insurance may not be
adequate to cover all losses or liabilities that we may incur in
our operations.
Insurance liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due
to unknown factors, including the severity of an injury, the
determination of our liability in proportion to other parties,
the number of incidents not reported and the effectiveness of
our safety program. If we were to experience insurance claims or
costs above our estimates, we might also be required to use
working capital to satisfy these claims rather than to maintain
or expand our operations. To the extent that we experience a
material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or
workers compensation claims, or unfavorable developments
on existing claims, our operating results and financial
condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Environmental and other regulatory matters could adversely
affect our ability to conduct our business and could require
expenditures that could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition.
Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and
regulations relating to the management, disposal and remediation
of hazardous substances and the emission and discharge of
pollutants into the air and water. We could be held liable for
such contamination created not only from our own activities but
also from the historical activities of others on our project
sites or on properties that we acquire. Our operations are also
subject to laws and regulations relating to workplace safety and
worker health, which, among other things, regulate employee
exposure to hazardous substances. Violations of such laws and
regulations could subject us to substantial fines and penalties,
cleanup costs, third-party property damage or personal injury
claims. In addition, these laws and regulations have become, and
are becoming, increasingly stringent. Moreover, we cannot
predict the nature, scope or effect of legislation or regulatory
requirements that could be imposed, or how existing or future
laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted, with
respect to products or activities to which they have not been
previously applied. Compliance with more stringent laws or
regulations, as well as more vigorous enforcement policies of
the regulatory agencies, could require us to make substantial
expenditures for, among other things, pollution control systems
and other equipment that we do not currently possess, or the
acquisition or modification of permits applicable to our
activities.
Our acquisition strategy involves a number of risks.
In addition to organic growth of our construction business, we
intend to pursue growth through the acquisition of companies or
assets that may enable us to expand our project skill-sets and
capabilities, enlarge our geographic markets, add experienced
management and increase critical mass to enable us to bid on
larger contracts. However, we may be unable to implement this
growth strategy if we cannot reach agreement on potential
acquisitions on acceptable terms or for other reasons. Moreover,
our acquisition strategy involves certain risks, including:
|
|
|
|
|
difficulties in the integration of operations and systems; |
|
|
|
the key personnel and customers of the acquired company may
terminate their relationships with the acquired company; |
|
|
|
we may experience additional financial and accounting challenges
and complexities in areas such as tax planning and financial
reporting; |
|
|
|
we may assume or be held liable for risks and liabilities
(including for environmental-related costs) as a result of our
acquisitions, some of which we may not discover during our due
diligence; |
|
|
|
our ongoing business may be disrupted or receive insufficient
management attention; and |
|
|
|
we may not be able to realize the cost savings or other
financial benefits we anticipated. |
Future acquisitions may require us to obtain additional equity
or debt financing, which may not be available on terms
acceptable to us. Moreover, to the extent that any acquisition
results in additional
13
goodwill, it will reduce our tangible net worth, which might
have an adverse effect on our credit and bonding capacity.
We may be unable to sustain our historical revenue growth
rate.
Our revenue has grown rapidly in recent years. Our revenue
increased by 66% from $95.2 million in the first nine
months of 2004 to $157.8 million in the first nine months
of 2005. However, we may be unable to sustain our recent revenue
growth rate for a variety of reasons, including limits on
additional growth in our current markets, less success in
competitive bidding for contracts, limitations on access to
necessary working capital and investment capital to sustain
growth, limitations on access to bonding to support increased
contracts and operations, the inability to hire and retain
essential personnel and to acquire equipment to support growth,
and the inability to identify acquisition candidates and
successfully integrate them into our business. A decline in our
revenue growth could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations, if we are unable
to reduce the growth of our operating expenses at the same rate.
Terrorist attacks have impacted, and could continue to
negatively impact, the U.S. economy and the markets in
which we operate.
Terrorist attacks, like those that occurred on
September 11, 2001, have contributed to economic
instability in the United States, and further acts of terrorism,
violence or war could affect the markets in which we operate,
our business and our expectations. Armed hostilities may
increase, or terrorist attacks, or responses from the United
States, may lead to further acts of terrorism and civil
disturbances in the United States or elsewhere, which may
further contribute to economic instability in the United States.
These attacks or armed conflicts may affect our operations or
those of our customers or suppliers and could impact our
revenues, our production capability and our ability to complete
contracts in a timely manner.
Our discontinued operations subject us to continuing
liabilities and other risks.
We will remain subject to the liabilities of Steel City
Products distribution business until it is sold. Because
we have reclassified the business as being held for sale,
customers may become concerned about the continued viability of
the business and may purchase their products elsewhere, and
suppliers may become concerned about the continued viability of
the business and limit shipments to us, thereby decreasing the
revenues and income earned by the business. For similar reasons,
we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified
personnel, the businesss reputation may be harmed, and
future earnings may be negatively impacted. We may also have
difficulty finding a purchaser for the business, and we will
incur costs in connection with the disposition of the business
and could continue to remain responsible for certain liabilities
after a sale. As a result, we may record a loss from
discontinued operations, and we may also incur a loss upon the
sale of the business. In addition, we may have contractual or
other further liabilities with respect to the discontinued
operations after a sale of the distribution business is
completed.
Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Financing Plans
Actual results could differ from the estimates and
assumptions that we use to prepare our financial statements.
To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP,
management is required to make estimates and assumptions, as of
the date of the financial statements, which affect the reported
values of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Areas
requiring significant estimates by our management include
contract costs and profits and application of
percentage-of-completion
accounting and revenue recognition of contract change order
claims; provisions for uncollectible receivables and customer
claims and recoveries of costs from subcontractors, suppliers
and others; valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
in connection with business combinations;
14
accruals for estimated liabilities, including litigation and
insurance reserves; and the value of our deferred tax assets.
Our actual results could differ from those estimates.
In particular, as is more fully discussed in
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Critical
Accounting Policies, we recognize contract revenue using
the
percentage-of-completion
method. Under this method, estimated contract revenue is
recognized by applying the percentage of completion of the
contract for the period to the total estimated cost for the
contract. Estimated contract losses are recognized in full when
determined. Contract revenue and total cost estimates are
reviewed and revised on a continuous basis as the work
progresses and as change orders are initiated or approved, and
adjustments based upon the percentage of completion are
reflected in contract revenue in the accounting period when
these estimates are revised. To the extent that these
adjustments result in an increase, a reduction or an elimination
of previously reported contract profit, we recognize a credit or
a charge against current earnings, which could be material.
We may need to raise additional capital in the future for
working capital, capital expenditures and/or acquisitions, and
we may not be able to do so on favorable terms or at all, which
would impair our ability to operate our business or achieve our
growth objectives.
We have historically relied upon financing from management to
support a portion of our growth, but we do not expect to utilize
such source for financing in the future. In addition, our growth
has been funded in part by our utilization of net operating loss
carry-forwards, or NOLs, to reduce the amounts that we have paid
for income taxes, and we expect our NOLs to be fully utilized in
2007. To the extent that cash flow from operations is
insufficient to make future investments, make acquisitions or
provide needed additional working capital, we may require
additional financing from other sources of funds.
Our ability to obtain such additional financing in the future
will depend in part upon prevailing capital market conditions,
as well as conditions in our business and our operating results;
such factors may affect our efforts to arrange additional
financing on terms satisfactory to us. We have pledged
substantially all of our fixed assets as collateral in
connection with our credit facilities, and our bonding capacity
is dependent on maintaining an acceptable level of unencumbered
working capital. As a result, we may have difficulty in
obtaining additional financing in the future if such financing
requires us to pledge our assets as collateral. In addition,
under our credit facilities, we must obtain the consent of our
lenders to incur any amount of additional debt from other
sources (subject to certain exceptions). If future financing is
obtained by the issuance of additional shares of common stock,
our stockholders may suffer dilution. If adequate funds are not
available, or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not
be able to make future investments, take advantage of
acquisitions or other opportunities, or respond to competitive
challenges.
We are subject to financial and other covenants under our
credit facilities that could limit our flexibility in managing
our business.
Our construction business and our discontinued operations each
has a revolving credit facility that restricts the respective
borrowers from engaging in certain activities, including
restrictions on the ability (subject to certain exceptions) to:
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make distributions and dividends; |
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incur liens or encumbrances; |
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incur indebtedness; |
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guarantee obligations; |
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dispose of a material portion of assets or otherwise engage in a
merger with a third party; |
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pledge accounts receivable, in the case of the Steel City
Products revolving credit facility; and |
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incur negative income for two consecutive quarters, in the case
of the construction business revolving credit facility. |
15
Our credit facilities contain financial covenants that require
us to maintain, in the case of the construction business
revolving credit facility, a specified debt ratio and cash flow
coverage ratio, and in the case of the Steel City Products
revolving credit facility, a specified fixed charge coverage
ratio. Our ability to borrow funds for any purpose will depend
on our satisfying these tests. If we are unable to meet the
terms of the financial covenants or fail to comply with any of
the other restrictions contained in our credit facility
agreements, an event of default could occur. An event of
default, if not waived by our lenders, could result in the
acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness, causing such debt
to become immediately due and payable. If such an acceleration
occurs, we may not be able to repay such indebtedness on a
timely basis. Because our construction business credit facility
is secured by substantially all of the construction business
fixed assets and the Steel City Products revolving credit
facility is secured by substantially all of the Steel City
Products assets, acceleration of this debt could result in
foreclosure of those assets. In addition, our Steel City
Products revolving credit facility includes a subjective
acceleration clause. In the event of a foreclosure, we would be
unable to conduct our business and may be forced to discontinue
operations.
We may not be able to utilize all of our NOLs if we
experience an ownership change, and, even absent an ownership
change, we expect that our NOLs will be fully utilized in
2007.
As of September 30, 2005, we had NOLs of approximately
$38.9 million. These NOLs will expire in the years 2005
through 2020, although the amount available in any year to
offset our net taxable income will be reduced if we experience
an ownership change as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. The tax laws
pertaining to NOLs may be changed from time to time such that
the NOLs may not be available to shield our future income from
federal taxation. In addition, our attempts to minimize the
likelihood that an ownership change will occur may not be
successful. Finally, we expect that most of our
federally-taxable income will be offset by NOLs through 2007,
which is when we expect to have used up all of our NOLs. After
the NOLs become unavailable to us or are fully utilized, our
future income will not be shielded from federal income taxation,
thereby reducing funds otherwise available for general corporate
purposes.
Changes to the current tax laws could result in the
imposition of entity level taxation on our construction
operating subsidiary, which would result in a reduction in our
anticipated cash flow.
Our construction operating subsidiary is organized as a
partnership, which generally is not subject to entity level
federal income or state franchise tax in the jurisdiction in
which it is organized and operates. Current laws may change,
subjecting our construction operating subsidiary to entity level
taxation. For example, because of state budget deficits, the
Texas legislature has been considering and evaluating ways to
subject partnerships to entity level taxation through the
imposition of state income, franchise or other forms of
taxation. If Texas were to impose an entity-level tax upon our
construction operating subsidiary, there would be a reduction in
our net income and after-tax cash flow.
We will be exposed to risks relating to the evaluations of
internal controls over financial reporting required by
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
We are currently in the process of evaluating our internal
control systems to allow management to report on, and our
independent auditors to attest as to the effectiveness of, our
internal controls over financial reporting. We will be
performing the systems and process evaluations and testing (and
making any necessary remediation) required to comply with the
management certification and auditor attestation requirements of
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. These
systems are designed to produce accurate financial reports and
to prevent fraudulent financial activity. We expect to be
required to comply with Section 404 beginning with our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ending December 31, 2006. However, we cannot be
certain as to the timing of completion of our evaluation,
testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on our
operations. Furthermore, upon completion of this process, we may
identify control deficiencies of varying degrees of severity
under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board rules and regulations,
16
which may remain unremediated. As a public company, we will be
required to report, among other things, control deficiencies
that constitute a material weakness or changes in
internal controls that, or that are reasonably likely to,
materially affect internal controls over financial reporting. A
material weakness is a significant control weakness,
or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more
than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the
annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or
detected. If we fail to implement the requirements of
Section 404 in a timely manner, we may be subject to
sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities such as the
SEC or Nasdaq. In addition, if any material weakness or
deficiency is identified or is not remedied, investors may lose
confidence in the accuracy of our reported financial
information, and our stock price could be significantly
adversely affected as a result.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock and This Offering
Market prices of our equity securities have changed
significantly and could change further.
The market price of our common stock has substantially increased
since June 2005, at a rate exceeding our growth in earnings
generally. The price may decline from its current levels in
response to various factors and events beyond our control,
including the following:
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a shortfall in operating revenue or net income from that
expected by securities analysts and investors; |
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changes in securities analysts estimates of our financial
performance or the financial performance of our competitors or
companies in our industry generally; |
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general conditions in our industry; |
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announcements of significant contracts by us or our competitors; |
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the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that
affect us adversely; |
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general conditions in the securities markets; |
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the limited trading volume of our common stock; |
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investor expectations resulting from the filing of the
registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part; |
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our issuance of a significant number of shares of our common
stock upon exercise of employee stock options or warrants; and |
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the other risk factors described herein. |
Limited trading volume of our common stock may contribute to
its price volatility.
The average daily trading volume during 2005 for our common
stock as reported by AMEX was approximately 83,000 shares,
and for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the average
daily trading volume was approximately 89,000 shares. Even
if we achieve a wider dissemination by means of the shares
offered pursuant to this prospectus, or as a result of our move
to Nasdaq, we are uncertain as to whether a more active trading
market in our common stock will develop. As a result, relatively
small trades may have a significant impact on the price of our
common stock.
Fluctuations in our quarterly revenues, operating results and
contract backlog may lead to reduced prices for our common
stock.
Because our operating results are primarily generated from a
limited number of significant construction contracts, operating
results in any given fiscal quarter can vary depending on the
timing of progress achieved and changes in the estimated
profitability of the contracts being reported. Progress on
contracts may also be delayed by unanticipated adverse weather
conditions. Such delays, if they occur,
17
may result in fluctuating quarterly operating results, which may
in turn lead to reduced prices for our common stock.
We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our common
stock and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a
return on your investment is if the market price of our common
stock appreciates above the price that you pay for it.
We currently do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our
common stock for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the
payment of dividends by us is restricted by our credit
facilities. See Dividend Policy for more
information. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a
return on your investment in our company will be if the market
price of our common stock appreciates and you sell your shares
at a profit.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could
lower our stock price.
Our principal stockholders, directors and executive officers
will beneficially own approximately 2.7 million shares of
our common stock after completion of this offering. These
stockholders will be free to sell those shares, subject to the
limitations of Rule 144 or Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act (which
are discussed under Shares Eligible for Future
Sale), and, subject to certain exceptions, the
120-day
lock-up agreements that
certain of these stockholders have entered into with the
underwriters. In addition, the holders of warrants to
purchase 527,339 shares of our common stock (143,730
of which are not subject to
lock-up agreements)
have registration rights that allow them to participate in any
public offering of our shares (with certain exceptions).
Registration of these restricted shares of common stock would
permit their sale into the public market immediately. We cannot
predict when these stockholders may sell their shares or in what
volumes. However, the market price of our common stock could
decline significantly if these stockholders sell a large number
of shares into the public market after this offering or if the
market believes that these sales may occur.
We may also issue our common stock from time to time as
consideration for future acquisitions and investments. In the
event that any such acquisition or investment is significant,
the number of shares of our common stock that we may issue could
in turn be significant. In addition, we may also grant
registration rights covering those shares in connection with any
such acquisition and investment.
Delaware law, our charter documents and our rights agreement
may impede or discourage a takeover or change of control.
Our rights agreement, certain provisions of our restated and
amended certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws and
the provisions of Delaware law described below under
Description of Capital Stock, individually or
collectively, may impede a merger, takeover or other business
combination involving us or discourage a potential acquirer from
making a tender offer for our common stock, which could affect
the market price of our common stock.
18
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes certain statements that are, or may be
deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements
are included throughout this prospectus, including in the
sections entitled Summary, Risk Factors,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and
Business and relate to matters such as our industry,
business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market
position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital
expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other
financial and operating information. We have used the words
anticipate, assume, believe,
budget, continue, could,
estimate, expect, forecast,
intend, may, plan,
potential, predict, project,
will, future and similar terms and
phrases to identify forward-looking statements in this
prospectus.
Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations
regarding future events, results or outcomes. These expectations
may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be
based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect.
In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, could
result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise
materially affect our financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from
our expectations due to a variety of factors. Although it is not
possible to identify all of these factors, they include, among
others, the following:
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changes in general economic conditions or reductions in
government funding for infrastructure services; |
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adverse economic conditions in our markets in Texas; |
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delays or difficulties related to the completion of our
contracts, including additional costs, reductions in revenues or
the payment of completion penalties or liquidated damages; |
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actions of suppliers, subcontractors, customers, competitors and
others which are beyond our control; |
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the estimates inherent in our
percentage-of-completion
accounting policies; |
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possible cost escalations associated with our fixed-price
contracts; |
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our dependence on a few significant customers; |
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adverse weather conditions; |
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the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and
the impact of competitive services and pricing; |
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our ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate
acquisitions; and |
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the other factors discussed in more detail under Risk
Factors. |
Potential investors are urged to consider these factors
carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements and are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and
expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking
statements that we make in this prospectus are reasonable, we
can provide no assurance that such plans, intentions or
expectations will be achieved.
The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as
of the date of this prospectus, and we undertake no obligation
to update any information contained in this prospectus or to
publicly release the results of any revisions to any
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or
circumstances that occur, or that we become aware of, after the
date of this prospectus, except as may be required by applicable
securities laws.
19
USE OF PROCEEDS
Our net proceeds from the sale of 1,700,000 shares of our
common stock in this offering will be approximately
$22.9 million ($27.2 million if the underwriters
option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full),
after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders. Net proceeds does not reflect cash of
approximately $484,000 anticipated to be received by us from the
exercise of stock options and warrants underlying shares offered
by the selling stockholders.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for:
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capital expenditures to acquire property, plant and equipment to
more efficiently complete a number of projects in our contract
backlog as well as position us to capitalize on future project
opportunities; |
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repayments of certain related party promissory notes as
described in Certain Transactions
Contemplated Transactions; and |
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other general corporate purposes, including working capital to
increase our bonding capacity, to finance ongoing business
operations and to fund future growth of our construction
business and additions to our construction services capabilities. |
20
MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock traded on AMEX under the symbol STV
through January 19, 2006 and will begin trading on Nasdaq
under the symbol STRL on January 20, 2006. The
quarterly market high and low sales prices for our common stock
for 2003, 2004 and 2005 are summarized below:
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High | |
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Low | |
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Year Ended December 31, 2003
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First Quarter
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$ |
1.95 |
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$ |
1.16 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
2.80 |
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$ |
1.55 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
4.45 |
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$ |
2.20 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
5.35 |
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$ |
2.75 |
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Year Ended December 31, 2004
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First Quarter
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$ |
8.94 |
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$ |
3.60 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
4.60 |
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$ |
2.99 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
6.33 |
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$ |
3.02 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
6.40 |
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$ |
4.32 |
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Year Ended December 31, 2005
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First Quarter
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$ |
7.97 |
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$ |
5.16 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
9.00 |
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$ |
6.70 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
28.35 |
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$ |
7.25 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
26.30 |
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$ |
16.71 |
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Year Ended December 31, 2006
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First Quarter (through January 19, 2006)
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$ |
17.24 |
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$ |
15.05 |
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On January 19, 2006, the closing sale price of our common
stock as reported on the AMEX was $15.65 per share. At
January 19, 2006, there were approximately 9,700 holders of
record of our common stock.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. For
the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings in our
business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends.
Whether or not we declare any dividends will be at the
discretion of our board of directors, considering then-existing
conditions, including our financial condition and results of
operations, capital requirements, bonding prospects, contractual
restrictions (including those under our revolving credit
agreements), business prospects and other factors that our board
of directors considers relevant.
21
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and
capitalization as of September 30, 2005:
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on an actual basis; and |
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on an as adjusted basis, reflecting the completion of the
anticipated repayment of certain related party promissory notes
described in Certain Transactions Contemplated
Transactions and the application of the net proceeds from
this offering, after deducting $1.8 million for the
underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us and
estimated offering expenses of approximately $767,000, as set
forth under Use of Proceeds. |
You should read this table in conjunction with Use of
Proceeds, Selected Historical Financial and
Operating Data, Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto
included elsewhere in this prospectus. Cash and cash equivalents
do not reflect cash of approximately $484,000 anticipated to be
received by us from the exercise of stock options and warrants
underlying shares offered by the selling stockholders.
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At September 30, 2005 | |
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Actual | |
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As adjusted | |
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(Amounts in thousands, | |
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except share data) | |
Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
20,138 |
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$ |
34,637 |
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Debt:
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Current maturities of long-term debt(1)(4)
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$ |
2,235 |
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$ |
651 |
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Steel City Products revolving credit facility(2)
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4,302 |
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4,302 |
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Long-term debt:
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Construction business revolving credit facility(3)
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15,742 |
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15,742 |
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Related party notes(1)(4)
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6,865 |
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Mortgages
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809 |
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809 |
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Other indebtedness
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58 |
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58 |
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Total debt
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$ |
30,011 |
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$ |
21,562 |
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Stockholders equity:
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Common stock, $0.01 par value, 14,000,000 shares
authorized; 8,147,483 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; 10,169,241 shares issued and outstanding, as
adjusted(5)
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$ |
81 |
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$ |
98 |
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Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
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Accumulated deficit
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(39,385 |
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(39,385 |
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Additional paid-in capital
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82,506 |
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105,437 |
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Total stockholders equity
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$ |
43,202 |
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$ |
66,150 |
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Total capitalization
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$ |
53,075 |
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$ |
53,075 |
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(1) |
Current maturities of long-term debt include $528,000 of
principal on related party notes, which was due and paid in
December 2005. |
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(2) |
Steel City Products revolving credit facility provides for
revolving loans up to a maximum of $5.0 million with a
maturity date of May 31, 2007. The interest rate at
September 30, 2005 was 6.75%. Steel City Products has been
classified as discontinued operations in our financial
statements. |
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(3) |
The construction business revolving credit facility provides for
revolving loans up to a maximum of $17.0 million with a
maturity date of May 1, 2007. The interest rate at
September 30, 2005 was 6.75%. |
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(4) |
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Other Debt
and Certain Transactions for a discussion of the
existing related party notes and the planned prepayment with
cash in connection with this offering. |
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(5) |
As of September 30, 2005, we had 8,147,483 shares of
common stock outstanding; 1,252,873 shares of common stock
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options at a weighted average exercise price per share of
$2.558; 75,880 shares of common stock reserved for future
awards under our stock option plans; and 527,339 shares of
common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
outstanding warrants at an exercise price per share of $1.50. |
22
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING
DATA
The following tables set forth our summary historical
consolidated financial and operating data for the periods
indicated. The summary consolidated statement of operations data
for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and
the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2003 and 2004, have been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements, which are included
elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statement
of operations data for 2000 and 2001, and balance sheet data as
of February 28, 2001 and December 31, 2001 and 2002,
have been derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements, which are not included in this prospectus. The
summary consolidated financial data as of and for the nine
months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005, are derived from
our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are
included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited
consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and
include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring
adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation
of our financial position and operating results for the
unaudited periods. The summary historical financial and
operating data as of and for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be obtained for a full year. Contract backlog
is not a measure defined in GAAP and has not been derived from
our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2005, our board of directors authorized management to
sell the Steel City Products distribution business. Accordingly,
we have reclassified our financial statements for all periods
presented to reflect the business as discontinued operations.
The information presented below should be read in conjunction
with Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the
financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in
this prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
February 28, | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2001(1) | |
|
2001(1)(2) | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |
|
|
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
48,654 |
|
|
$ |
111,747 |
|
|
$ |
149,006 |
|
|
$ |
132,478 |
|
|
$ |
95,161 |
|
|
$ |
157,805 |
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,694 |
|
|
|
98,935 |
|
|
|
131,181 |
|
|
|
119,217 |
|
|
|
83,970 |
|
|
|
141,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,960 |
|
|
|
12,812 |
|
|
|
17,825 |
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
|
|
11,191 |
|
|
|
16,264 |
|
General and administrative expenses, net
|
|
|
1,283 |
|
|
|
2,741 |
|
|
|
6,862 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
7,696 |
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
|
|
6,771 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) income
|
|
|
(1,283 |
) |
|
|
1,219 |
|
|
|
5,950 |
|
|
|
10,425 |
|
|
|
5,565 |
|
|
|
5,347 |
|
|
|
9,493 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
1,675 |
|
|
|
1,919 |
|
|
|
2,427 |
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before loss from equity
investments, minority interest and income taxes
|
|
|
(2,958 |
) |
|
|
(700 |
) |
|
|
3,523 |
|
|
|
8,583 |
|
|
|
4,109 |
|
|
|
4,294 |
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
Loss from equity investments
|
|
|
(4,557 |
) |
|
|
(1,217 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(7,515 |
) |
|
|
(2,564 |
) |
|
|
2,650 |
|
|
|
6,956 |
|
|
|
3,147 |
|
|
|
3,432 |
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(160 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
2,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
|
|
|
(7,355 |
) |
|
|
(2,564 |
) |
|
|
2,824 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
5,281 |
|
|
|
2,265 |
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$ |
(6,672 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,626 |
) |
|
$ |
3,352 |
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
|
$ |
2,607 |
|
|
$ |
6,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
February 28, | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2001(1) | |
|
2001(1)(2) | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |
|
|
Basic (loss) income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(1.49 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1.35 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted (loss) income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(1.49 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1.35 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.52 |
) |
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing
per share amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
4,943,018 |
|
|
|
5,055,516 |
|
|
|
5,061,598 |
|
|
|
5,089,849 |
|
|
|
5,342,847 |
|
|
|
5,274,730 |
|
|
|
7,638,261 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
4,943,018 |
|
|
|
5,055,516 |
|
|
|
6,101,515 |
|
|
|
6,488,376 |
|
|
|
7,027,682 |
|
|
|
7,158,697 |
|
|
|
9,467,306 |
|
Balance sheet data (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
2,620 |
|
|
$ |
2,111 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
$ |
2,851 |
|
|
$ |
20,138 |
|
Working capital
|
|
|
(17,918 |
) |
|
|
6,102 |
|
|
|
9,556 |
|
|
|
6,834 |
|
|
|
16,052 |
|
|
|
18,167 |
|
|
|
22,599 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
16,507 |
|
|
|
59,141 |
|
|
|
72,757 |
|
|
|
75,578 |
|
|
|
89,544 |
|
|
|
84,902 |
|
|
|
122,789 |
|
Total debt
|
|
|
18,329 |
|
|
|
28,944 |
|
|
|
32,784 |
|
|
|
20,058 |
|
|
|
29,379 |
|
|
|
24,347 |
|
|
|
30,011 |
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
(9,938 |
) |
|
|
6,135 |
|
|
|
10,825 |
|
|
|
16,636 |
|
|
|
35,208 |
|
|
|
19,900 |
|
|
|
43,202 |
|
Other operating data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,706 |
|
|
$ |
3,755 |
|
|
$ |
4,690 |
|
|
$ |
4,545 |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
$ |
3,826 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,204 |
|
|
|
4,245 |
|
|
|
4,340 |
|
|
|
3,555 |
|
|
|
2,527 |
|
|
|
9,948 |
|
Contract backlog at end of period (unaudited)(4)
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
|
103,000 |
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
141,000 |
|
|
|
232,000 |
|
|
|
227,000 |
|
|
|
288,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
In November 2001, our board of directors voted to change our
fiscal year-end from the last day of February to December 31.
Accordingly, results for fiscal 2001 are for the ten-month
period from March 1 through December 31, 2001. |
|
(2) |
In July 2001, we increased our percentage equity ownership in
Texas Sterling Construction, L.P., or TSC, from 12% to 80.1%.
The original investments were recorded using the cost method.
The acquisition in July 2001 resulted in step-acquisition
treatment of the original investments. |
|
(3) |
Minority interest represents the 19.9% of TSC not owned by us
until December 2004. See Note 16 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, included in this prospectus. |
|
(4) |
Contract backlog is our estimate of the billings that we expect
to make in future periods on our construction contracts. We add
the revenue value of new contracts to our contract backlog,
typically when we are the low bidder on a public sector contract
and management determines that there are no apparent impediments
to award of the contract. As construction on our contracts
progresses, we increase or decrease contract backlog to take
account of changes in estimated quantities under fixed unit
price contracts, as well as to reflect changed conditions,
change orders and other variations from initially anticipated
contract revenues and costs, including completion penalties and
bonuses. We subtract from contract backlog the amounts we bill
on contracts. |
24
GUIDANCE
On December 22, 2005, we announced the following updated
guidance for 2005, and initial guidance for 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending | |
|
Year Ending |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Range |
Revenues from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
210,000 |
|
|
$230,000 - $250,000 |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
$ |
10,500 |
|
|
$ 11,500 - $ 13,000 |
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
6,800 |
|
|
$ 7,500 - $ 8,500 |
Notes:
|
|
|
|
|
Guidance for 2006 does not reflect any effects from this
offering. Weighted average shares outstanding are approximately
9.9 million for 2005, and are expected to be about
10.0 million for 2006, excluding any shares that may be
issued in the offering. |
|
|
|
Pending verification by the respective customers, updated
guidance for 2005 does not include certain potential fourth
quarter performance incentives of up to $1.5 million,
before taxes, that may be earned on the early completion of
certain projects. |
|
|
|
The above figures include results from continuing operations of
the construction business, and do not include results of
discontinued operations of the distribution business operated by
Steel City Products. |
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations for both guidance periods
reflects a full tax charge. We have available NOLs that should
shelter from taxes most income for 2005 and 2006. |
|
|
|
Guidance figures for 2005 were previously updated on
November 7, 2005, and included forecast Earnings before
Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, or EBITDA; we have
decided to discontinue use of the non-GAAP EBITDA measure. |
Our current practice is to issue guidance about our expected
results of continuing operations on an annual basis, and to
update it, as appropriate, on a quarterly basis. Because of the
seasonal variations in our business and its susceptibility to
adverse weather conditions and other factors, it is not our
practice to issue guidance as to quarterly results of operations.
As of December 31, 2005, we estimate that our contract
backlog was approximately $300 million, reflecting new
contracts of approximately $80 million added during our
fourth quarter and our preliminary estimate of billings that
will be recorded for that quarter.
The following discussion outlines certain factors applicable to
the issuance of guidance by us. Such guidance is forward-looking
information that is subject to risks and uncertainties as
described in this prospectus.
The preparation of budgets for a civil construction business
such as ours is inherently inaccurate due to the large number of
variables, especially the need to win contracts in a competitive
bidding process, and the effects that unusually good or bad
weather can have on our project performance.
Guidance is based on our budgets and reforecasts as appropriate.
Because our budget process reflects equipment and work crew
requirements, production goals and incentive compensation
benchmarks, and is subject to many assumptions, risks and
uncertainties, when we publish guidance as to expected results
of operations, we evaluate the likelihood of achieving those
budgets.
25
Our determination of budgeted revenues and operating profits
reflects the following factors, inter alia:
|
|
|
|
|
The level and potential profitability of uncompleted contracts
in backlog; |
|
|
|
The size of our equipment fleet, its suitability for the
contracts in backlog and expected to be added, and the capital
expenditures that may be required, or equipment rental costs if
such equipment is not required on a permanent basis; |
|
|
|
Forecast depreciation, which is based on our existing fleet and
expected additions and disposals; |
|
|
|
Our existing work crews, their suitability for the contracts in
backlog and expected to be added, and our ability to add further
crews if necessary; |
|
|
|
The bidding climate, which affects our ability to replace
contracts built and also affects the gross margins that may be
achieved on new contract wins; |
|
|
|
The levels of activity in the various geographic markets in
which we operate, and the opportunities available to enter new
markets; |
|
|
|
Our competitors and their expected impacts on our markets; |
|
|
|
Our expectations about efficiency, which means the extent to
which we can best match our equipment and work crews to the mix
of contracts in backlog at any time; |
|
|
|
Our expectations about the weather. We assume that we will
suffer rain interruptions based on historical averages, and this
is inherently inaccurate; |
|
|
|
The expected availability and cost of bonding, which depends on
levels of working capital and stockholders equity, among
other factors; |
|
|
|
Our expectations about changes in the availability and prices of
materials, sub-contract services, fuel, and other third party
expense items; |
|
|
|
Expectations about changes in the number and compensation of our
construction crews; |
|
|
|
Expected additions to, and costs of, our supervisory and project
management staff; |
|
|
|
Expected changes in overhead expense levels to support the level
of our business; |
|
|
|
Employee incentive compensation, which is generally budgeted at
the level expected to be paid if the budget is achieved; |
|
|
|
Our expected insurance costs, which are significant and can
fluctuate materially; |
|
|
|
Other anticipated changes in our expense structure; and |
|
|
|
Our expectations as to the likelihood of incurring or achieving
any contract performance penalties or bonuses that depend on the
timeliness of project completion. |
The budgeting of corporate expenses reflects personnel
requirements, expected legal and accounting needs (especially
changes in the regulatory environment), public company costs,
expenses relating to forecast stock option grants, and other
expected changes in the overhead structure or costs thereof.
Interest costs are budgeted based on existing and anticipated
levels of cash and debt, and the expected costs of borrowing to
finance our equipment fleet and working capital needs. Taxation
is budgeted based on prevailing and expected federal and state
tax rates, and the expected impact of our NOLs.
Unless otherwise indicated, our guidance does not reflect any
possible business acquisitions.
26
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion together with the
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains
forward-looking statements that are based on managements
current expectations, estimates and projections about our
business and operations. The cautionary statements made in this
prospectus should be read as applying to all forward-looking
statements wherever they appear in this prospectus. Our actual
results may differ materially from those currently anticipated
and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of
a number of factors, including those we discuss under Risk
Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We are a leading heavy civil construction company that
specializes in the building and reconstruction of transportation
and water infrastructure in large and growing markets in Texas.
Our transportation infrastructure projects include highways,
roads, bridges and light rail, and our water infrastructure
projects include water, wastewater and storm drainage systems.
We provide general contracting services primarily to public
sector clients utilizing our own employees and equipment for
activities including excavating, paving, pipe installation and
concrete placement. We purchase the necessary materials for our
contracts and generally engage subcontractors only for ancillary
services.
Since the founding of our construction business in 1955, we have
expanded our service profile and market areas. We currently
operate in several major Texas markets, including Houston,
San Antonio, Dallas/ Fort Worth and Austin, and
believe that we have the capability to expand into other Gulf
Coast and Southwestern markets. We also have broadened our range
of services, from our original focus on water and wastewater
projects, to include concrete and asphalt paving, concrete slip
forming, installation of large-diameter water and wastewater
distribution systems, construction of bridges and similar large
structures, light rail infrastructure, concrete crushing and
concrete batch plant operations.
We derive the majority of our revenue from performing under
fixed unit price contracts. Under fixed unit price contracts, we
generally are committed to provide all of the resources required
to complete a contract at a fixed price per unit. Cost of
contract revenues earned includes labor, equipment, materials,
subcontractors and indirect costs such as insurance, shop costs,
fuel and safety costs.
Recognizing the strong growth of our construction business,
where managements efforts and our resources are likely to
be best employed in the future, and following expressions of
interest from potential buyers of our distribution business, in
August 2005 our board of directors authorized management to sell
that business, which is operated by Steel City Products.
Accordingly, we have reclassified our financial statements for
all periods presented to reflect the business as discontinued
operations. Unless otherwise noted, the discussion in this
prospectus pertains only to our construction business.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004, included in this prospectus.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Our business involves
making significant estimates and assumptions in the normal
course of business relating to our contracts due to, among other
things, the
one-of-a-kind nature of
most of our contracts, the long-term duration of our contract
cycle and the type of contract utilized. Therefore, management
believes that Revenue Recognition is the most
important and critical accounting policy. The most significant
estimates with regard to these financial statements relate to
27
the estimating of total forecasted construction contract
revenues, costs and profits in accordance with accounting for
long-term contracts. Actual results could differ from these
estimates and such differences could be material.
Our estimates of contract revenue and cost are highly detailed.
We believe, based on our experience, that our current systems of
management and accounting controls allow management to produce
reliable estimates of total contract revenue and cost during any
accounting period. However, many factors can and do change
during a contract performance period, which can result in a
change to contract profitability from one financial reporting
period to another. Some of the factors that can change the
estimate of total contract revenue and cost include differing
site conditions (to the extent that contract remedies are
unavailable), the performance of major material suppliers to
deliver on time, the performance of major subcontractors,
unusual weather conditions and the accuracy of the original bid
estimate. Because we have a number of contracts in process at
any given time, these changes in estimates can sometimes offset
each other without affecting overall profitability. However,
significant changes in cost estimates on larger, more complex
projects can have a material impact on our financial statements
and are reflected in our results of operations when they become
known.
When recording revenue from change orders on contracts that have
been approved as to scope but not price, we include in revenue
an amount equal to the amount that we currently expect to
recover from customers in relation to costs incurred by us for
changes in contract specifications or designs, or other
unanticipated additional costs. Revenues relating to change
order claims are recognized only if it is probable that the
revenues will be realized. When determining the likelihood of
eventual recovery, we consider such factors as evaluation of
entitlement, settlements reached to date and our experience with
the customer. When new facts become known, an adjustment to the
estimated recovery is made and reflected in the current period
results.
The majority of our contracts with our customers are fixed
unit price. Under such contracts, we are committed to
provide materials or services required by a contract at fixed
unit prices (for example, dollars per cubic yard of concrete
poured or per cubic yard of earth excavated). To minimize
increases in the material prices and subcontracting costs used
in tendering bids, we obtain firm quotations from our suppliers
and subcontractors. As a result, we have rarely been exposed to
material price or availability risk on contracts in our contract
backlog. Such quotations do not include any quantity guarantees,
and we therefore have no obligation for materials or subcontract
services beyond those required to complete the respective
contracts that we are awarded for which quotations have been
provided. Most of our state and municipal contracts provide for
termination of the contract for the convenience of the party
contracting with us, with provisions to pay us only for work
performed through the date of termination.
We use the percentage of completion accounting method for
construction contracts in accordance with the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 81-1,
Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and
Certain Production-Type Contracts. Revenue and earnings on
construction contracts are recognized on the percentage of
completion method in the ratio of costs incurred to estimated
final costs. Revenue is recognized as costs are incurred in an
amount equal to cost plus the related profit. Contract cost
consists of direct costs on contracts, including labor and
materials, amounts payable to subcontractors and equipment
expense (primarily depreciation, fuel, maintenance and repairs).
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for
construction equipment. Contract cost is recorded as incurred,
and revisions in contract revenue and cost estimates are
reflected in the accounting period when known.
The accuracy of our revenue and profit recognition in a given
period is dependent on the accuracy of our estimates of the cost
to finish uncompleted contracts. Our cost estimates for all of
our significant contracts use a highly detailed bottom
up approach, and we believe our experience allows us to
produce reliable estimates. However, our contracts can be highly
complex, and in almost every case, the profit margin estimates
for a contract will either increase or decrease to some extent
from the amount that was
28
originally estimated at the time of bid. Because we have a
number of contracts of varying levels of complexity and size in
process at any given time, these changes in estimates can
sometimes offset each other without materially impacting our
overall profitability. However, large changes in revenue or cost
estimates can have a more significant effect on profitability.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to changes in
estimates of contract cost and profitability. The most
significant of these include the completeness and accuracy of
the original bid, recognition of costs associated with added
scope changes, extended overhead due to customer-related and
weather delays, subcontractor performance issues, site
conditions that differ from those assumed in the original bid
(to the extent contract remedies are unavailable), the
availability and skill level of workers in the geographic
location of the contract and changes in the availability and
proximity of materials. The foregoing factors, as well as the
stage of completion of contracts in process and the mix of
contracts at different margins, may cause fluctuations in gross
profit between periods, and these fluctuations may be
significant.
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|
|
Valuation of Long-Term Assets |
Long-lived assets, which include property, equipment and
acquired identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Impairment evaluations involve management estimates of useful
asset lives and future cash flows. Actual useful lives and cash
flows could be different from those estimated by management, and
this could have a material effect on operating results and
financial position. In addition, we had goodwill with a value of
approximately $13 million at December 31, 2004, which
must be reviewed for impairment at least annually in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 142, or SFAS 142. The impairment testing
required by SFAS 142 requires considerable judgment, and an
impairment charge may be required in the future. We completed
our annual impairment review for goodwill effective
October 1, 2004, and it did not reveal impairment of
goodwill. The annual impairment review for goodwill effective
October 1, 2005 is currently in process, and we do not
expect it to reveal an impairment of goodwill.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and
the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We regularly review our
deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation
allowance based upon projected future taxable income and the
expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary
differences. Because realization of deferred tax assets related
to NOLs is not assured, our valuation allowance at the
respective time represents the amount of the deferred tax assets
that we determine are more likely than not to expire unutilized.
Reflecting managements assessment of expected future
operating profitability and NOLs expiring unutilized, in the
second quarter of 2005 and fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, our
valuation allowance was reduced by $0.8 million,
$18.9 million, $4.9 million and $1.5 million,
respectively.
Income Taxes
As of December 31, 2004, we had NOLs of approximately
$38.9 million, which will expire from time to time during
the years 2005 through 2020 as discussed below. We expect that
most of our federally-taxable income will be offset by NOLs
through 2007, which is when we expect to have used all of our
NOLs.
An ownership change, which may occur if there is a transfer of
ownership exceeding 50% of our outstanding shares of common
stock in any three-year period, may lead to a limitation in the
usability of, or a potential loss of some or all of, the NOLs.
In order to reduce the likelihood of an ownership change
occurring, our certificate of incorporation, as amended,
prohibits transfers of our common stock resulting in, or
increasing, individual holdings in excess of 4.5% of our common
stock, unless such transfer is made by us or with the consent of
our board of directors.
29
Because the regulations governing NOLs are highly complex and
may be changed from time to time, and because our attempts to
prevent an ownership change from occurring may not be
successful, the NOLs could be limited or lost. We believe that
the NOLs are currently available in full, however, and intend to
take all reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure that they
will remain available. To the extent the NOLs become unavailable
to us, our future taxable income and that of any consolidated
affiliate will be subject to federal taxation, thus reducing
funds otherwise available for corporate purposes.
Discontinued Operations
In August 2005, our board of directors authorized management to
sell our distribution business. In accordance with the
provisions of SFAS 144, we determined that the distribution
business became a long-lived asset held for sale and a
discontinued operation in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.
Consequently, we have reclassified the operating results of the
distribution business from continuing operations in our
statement of operations for all periods presented. We do not
expect to incur a loss on the disposal of our distribution
business.
Results of Operations
The following compares our results of operations for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, for the fiscal
years 2004 and 2003 and for the fiscal years 2003 and 2002.
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 Compared to the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
% Change | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollar amounts | |
|
|
|
|
in thousands) | |
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
95,161 |
|
|
$ |
157,805 |
|
|
|
65.8 |
% |
Gross profit
|
|
|
11,191 |
|
|
|
16,264 |
|
|
|
45.3 |
% |
|
Gross profit %
|
|
|
11.8 |
% |
|
|
10.3 |
% |
|
|
(12.7 |
)% |
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
|
|
6,771 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
5,347 |
|
|
|
9,493 |
|
|
|
77.5 |
% |
|
Operating income %
|
|
|
5.6 |
% |
|
|
6.0 |
% |
|
|
7.1 |
% |
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations, before minority interest
|
|
|
4,294 |
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
|
|
93.2 |
% |
Minority interest
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100.0 |
)% |
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
2,820 |
|
|
|
141.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
2,265 |
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
|
|
141.7 |
% |
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
532 |
|
|
|
55.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
2,607 |
|
|
$ |
6,007 |
|
|
|
130.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract backlog, end of period
|
|
$ |
227,000 |
|
|
$ |
288,000 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
% |
Revenues. Our revenues increased $62.6 million, or
66%, to $157.8 million in the first nine months of 2005,
compared to $95.2 million in the first nine months of 2004.
Revenues from state highway work increased $23.0 million,
or 75%, and municipal revenues increased $39.6 million, or
61%, compared with the prior year. These increases were due to
several factors, including:
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|
a growing contract backlog, which enabled us to expand our
equipment fleet and to hire more field crews, especially in the
San Antonio market; |
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|
the continuing expansion of our construction capabilities, which
allowed us to bid for and take on more complex work; and |
30
|
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|
|
|
certain water main contracts in process in the third quarter of
the current year included large diameter pipe, facilitating
greater revenues to be generated by our crews; and |
|
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|
better weather in the first half of 2005 provided for continuous
work on construction contracts, compared with one of the wettest
periods on record in the first half of 2004. |
Gross profit. Gross profit for the first nine months of
2005 increased $5.1 million, or 45%, to $16.3 million,
compared with gross profit of $11.2 million in the first
nine months of 2004. The improvement was due to the 66% revenue
increase, offset by lower gross margins, which decreased to
10.3% of revenues from 11.8% in the prior year. Although we have
seen a gradual improvement in gross margins in our contract
backlog in 2005 compared with 2004, the second quarter of 2004
reported much higher gross margins than usual due to the
successful completion of a number of contracts. Also, there were
losses in the first half of 2005 on some smaller contracts in
the Dallas/ Fort Worth market.
Contract Backlog. At September 30, 2005, contract
backlog was approximately $288 million, reflecting an
increase of $56 million from the beginning of 2005. At
September 30, 2004, contract backlog was approximately
$227 million, reflecting an increase of $86 million
from the beginning of 2004. In both periods, new contracts were
added at a greater rate than contracts were completed. In July
2005, we were the low bidder on two TXDOT contracts with an
aggregate value of $103 million, which contributed to the
increase in contract backlog.
General and administrative expenses, net of other income and
expense. General and administrative, or G&A, expenses
increased by $927,000, or 16%, for the first nine months of
2005, due principally to the hiring of additional personnel to
support our enlarged contract backlog, increases in variable
compensation accruals reflecting our improved profit levels, and
increased accounting and legal fees.
Operating income. Our operating income increased
$4.1 million, or 78%, to $9.5 million in the first
nine months of 2005 from $5.3 million in the same period of
2004. This increase is due primarily to our increased gross
profit levels. Our operating margin increased to 6.0% for the
first nine months of 2005 compared to 5.6% for the same period
of 2004. This was also due to our increased gross profits and
the efficiencies associated with scale in our operations.
Interest expense, net of interest income. Interest
expense, net of interest income, increased by $0.1 million
in the first nine months of 2005 from the first nine months of
the prior year, due primarily to the issuance of debt in
December 2004 in connection with the purchase of the minority
interest in TSC.
Minority interest. In December 2004, we purchased the
19.9% of TSC that we did not previously own. Accordingly, there
was no minority interest expense recorded in 2005.
Income taxes. Federal income tax expense is computed at
the expected rate of 34%. Income tax expense increased by
$1.7 million for the first nine months of 2005 compared to
the first nine months of 2004 due to the higher earnings level.
Our payment of federal income taxes is largely sheltered by NOLs.
Net income from continuing operations. Our net income
from continuing operations increased by $3.2 million, or
142%, to $5.5 million for the first nine months of 2005
compared to $2.3 million in the first nine months of 2004.
This increase was due to the higher operating income and the
absence of minority interest expense in 2005.
Discontinued operations. For the first nine months of
2005, Steel City Products reported sales of $17.6 million,
essentially unchanged from the prior year. Gross profit
increased by approximately $200,000, reflecting an improvement
in gross margins to 15.6% of sales compared with 14.5% in the
first nine months of the prior year, due to changes in product
mix and certain price increases. Operating income was
$1.0 million in the first nine months of 2005 compared with
$715,000 in the first nine months of the prior year. Net of
interest expense of $202,000 and taxes at an expected rate of
34%, Steel City Products reported income of $532,000 in the
first nine months of 2005, compared with $342,000 in the first
nine months of 2004.
31
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 (Fiscal 2004)
Compared with Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 (Fiscal
2003) |
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|
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|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollar amounts in | |
|
|
|
|
thousands) | |
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
149,006 |
|
|
$ |
132,478 |
|
|
|
(11.1 |
)% |
Gross profit
|
|
|
17,825 |
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
|
|
(25.6 |
)% |
|
Gross profit %
|
|
|
12.0 |
% |
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
|
(16.6 |
)% |
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
7,696 |
|
|
|
(4.0 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
10,425 |
|
|
|
5,565 |
|
|
|
(46.6 |
)% |
|
Operating income %
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
4.2 |
% |
|
|
(39.1 |
%) |
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
(21.0 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations, before minority interest
|
|
|
8,583 |
|
|
|
4,109 |
|
|
|
(52.1 |
)% |
Minority interest
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
|
(40.9 |
)% |
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
5,281 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
73.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract backlog, end of year
|
|
$ |
141,000 |
|
|
$ |
232,000 |
|
|
|
64.5 |
% |
Revenues. Revenues decreased $16.5 million, or 11%,
to $132.5 million for fiscal 2004 compared to
$149.0 million for fiscal 2003. This decrease was due to
several factors, including a decrease in business with the City
of Houston and Harris County, Texas due to the completion of
several large contracts in fiscal 2003, although this was offset
in part by an increase of $11.4 million, or 41%, in state
highway business, due principally to the acquisition of the
Kinsel construction business. We also encountered poor weather
conditions in the second and fourth quarters of 2004, which
significantly reduced the number of available workdays on
several of our contracts.
Gross profit. Gross profit decreased $4.6 million,
or 26%, to $13.3 million for fiscal 2004 compared to
$17.8 million for fiscal 2003, reflecting the lower
revenues and a contraction in gross margins to 10.0% compared
with 12.0% in the prior year. The decrease in gross margins was
due to higher fixed cost absorption rates because of the lower
revenues and weather-related delays, combined with a lower
average gross margin mix in the contracts completed during
fiscal 2004 compared with fiscal 2003. We also experienced
adverse performance on several construction contracts in the
Dallas market. In contrast, gross margins in fiscal 2003 were
unusually high due to a combination of contract mix and
excellent weather conditions.
Contract backlog. We began fiscal 2004 with a contract
backlog of $141 million. During the year, the bidding
climate improved and that, coupled with our continuing
broadening service platform, resulted in our successfully
competing for a variety of larger, multi-year contracts. At the
end of fiscal 2004, our contract backlog was $232 million,
an increase of 65% compared with the end of the prior year.
Approximately $160 million of the contract backlog at
December 31, 2004 was scheduled to be completed during
fiscal 2005 and the remainder thereafter.
General and administrative expenses, net of other income and
expense. G&A expenses increased $0.3 million, or
4%, to $7.7 million for fiscal 2004 compared to
$7.4 million for fiscal 2003. In fiscal 2003, we increased
our liability related to the put right (which is described under
Certain Transactions Sterling
Acquisition) in the amount of $1.0 million. This
increase in fiscal 2003 was not repeated in fiscal 2004, but we
encountered increases in fiscal 2004 related to the listing of
our common stock on the AMEX, the hiring of a public relations
firm and expenses related to the conversion of zero coupon notes
upon the settlement of the put right.
32
Operating income. Operating income decreased
$4.9 million in fiscal 2004 compared with fiscal 2003. As a
result, our operating margin contracted to 4.2% in fiscal 2004,
from 6.9% in fiscal 2003.
Interest expense, net of interest income. Interest
expense decreased in fiscal 2004 by $0.4 million, or 21%,
due to lower interest rates on our credit facility with Comerica
Bank, which we refer to as the construction business revolver.
Minority interest. We recorded a minority interest
expense attributable to the 19.9% of TSC that we did not acquire
until December 2004. There was a reduction in the minority
interest expense in fiscal 2004 because of the lower level of
operating profits in fiscal 2004 compared with fiscal 2003.
Income taxes. The benefit from income taxes for fiscal
2004 was $2.1 million compared to a provision of
$1.8 million for fiscal 2003. In fiscal 2004, we recorded a
reduction in the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax
asset, following managements review of the likelihood that
tax loss carryforwards would be used in the future. The
effective tax rate of 25.2% in fiscal 2003 was less than the
expected rate because of the utilization of $1.8 million of
NOLs against current taxable income.
Net income from continuing operations. As a result of the
factors discussed above, we recorded net income from continuing
operations of $5.3 million for fiscal 2004 compared to
$5.2 million for fiscal 2003. Basic income per common share
from continuing operations were $1.06 for fiscal 2004, which
were unchanged from the prior year. Diluted income per common
share from continuing operations were $0.80 for fiscal 2004
compared to $0.83 for fiscal 2003, because there was an increase
in the number of common shares outstanding in fiscal 2004 due to
the settlement of the put right, in part through the issuance of
common stock.
Effect of income tax benefits. Although we have the
benefit of significant NOLs, which shelter most of our income
from federal income taxes, we are required to reflect a full tax
charge in our financial statements, through an adjustment to the
deferred tax asset. In addition, certain adjustments resulting
from our revaluation of the deferred tax asset are recorded in
the income statement; such adjustments resulted in a benefit of
$1.9 million in fiscal 2004 and $1.8 million in the
prior year. Assuming an income tax rate of 34%, and disregarding
adjustments to our deferred tax asset, net income would have
been $2.1 million for fiscal 2004 and $4.6 million for
fiscal 2003, and on the same basis, basic and fully diluted
earnings from continuing operations per common share would have
been $0.39 and $0.30, respectively, for fiscal 2004, compared
with $0.90 and $0.71, respectively, for fiscal 2003. A
reconciliation of reported net income for fiscal 2004 and fiscal
2003 to net income, as if a 34% tax rate had been applied, is
set forth in the table below.
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|
|
Fiscal | |
|
Fiscal | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Amounts in | |
|
|
thousands, except | |
|
|
per share data) | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, as
reported
|
|
$ |
6,956 |
|
|
$ |
3,147 |
|
Provision for income taxes (assuming a 34% effective rate)
|
|
|
2,365 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations, as if a 34% rate had been
applied
|
|
$ |
4,591 |
|
|
$ |
2,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income from continuing operations per common share
|
|
$ |
0.90 |
|
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
Diluted income from continuing operations per common share
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
0.30 |
|
To supplement our unaudited consolidated financial statements
presented on a GAAP basis, we sometimes use non-GAAP measures of
net income, earnings per share and other measures that we
believe are appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of
our historical financial performance and future prospects. The
non-GAAP results, which are adjusted to exclude certain costs,
expenses, gains and losses from the comparable GAAP measures,
are an indication of our baseline performance before gains,
losses or other charges that are considered by management to be
outside of our core operating results. These non-GAAP results
are among the indicators management uses as a basis for
evaluating our financial performance as well as for forecasting
future periods. For these reasons, management believes that these
33
non-GAAP measures can be useful to investors, potential
investors and others. The presentation of this additional
information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for net income or earnings per share prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
Discontinued operations, net of tax. Discontinued
operations for fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003 represent the results
of operations of Steel City Products. Income from discontinued
operations increased $0.2 million, or 73%, to
$0.4 million for fiscal 2004 compared to $0.2 million
for fiscal 2003. This increase was due to an increase in sales
of $1.1 million, or 6%, from fiscal 2003 related to
increased automotive sales and promotional orders of pet
supplies, offset by a modest decrease of lawn and garden
products sales. Gross profit margins remained relatively flat.
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 (Fiscal 2003)
Compared with Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002 (Fiscal
2002) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollar amounts in | |
|
|
|
|
thousands) | |
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
111,747 |
|
|
$ |
149,006 |
|
|
|
33.3 |
% |
Gross profit
|
|
|
12,812 |
|
|
|
17,825 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
% |
|
Gross profit %
|
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
|
12.0 |
% |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
6,862 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
5,950 |
|
|
|
10,425 |
|
|
|
75.2 |
% |
|
Operating income %
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
30.2 |
% |
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
2,427 |
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
(24.1 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations, before minority interest
|
|
|
3,523 |
|
|
|
8,583 |
|
|
|
143.6 |
% |
Minority interest
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
86.4 |
% |
Income taxes
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
2,824 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
84.3 |
% |
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
(59.3 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
3,352 |
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
|
61.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract backlog, end of year
|
|
$ |
138,000 |
|
|
$ |
141,000 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
Revenues. Revenues increased $37.3 million, or 33%,
to $149.0 million for fiscal 2003 compared to
$111.7 million for fiscal 2002. This increase was due to
higher revenues on municipal customer contracts and the effect
of the full year of revenues generated by the addition of
contracts acquired with the Kinsel Construction business. The
increase was further enhanced by generally favorable weather
conditions, which permitted faster average completion of
contracts.
Gross profit. Gross profit increased $5.0 million,
or 39%, to $17.8 million for fiscal 2003 compared to
$12.8 million for fiscal 2002, reflecting the increase in
revenues and favorable market conditions, combined with an
improvement in gross margins from 11.5% to 12.0%.
Contract backlog. We began fiscal 2003 with a contract
backlog of $138.0 million. At the end of the year, our
contract backlog was $141.0 million, an increase of 2%.
Approximately $107.0 million of the contract backlog at
December 31, 2003 was scheduled to be completed during
fiscal 2004 and the remainder thereafter.
General and administrative expenses, net of other income and
expense. G&A expenses increased $0.5 million, or
8%, to $7.4 million for fiscal 2003 compared to
$6.9 million for fiscal 2002. This was due to an increase
of $500,000 in the liability related to the put right and to
option compensation expense of $300,000, offset by decreases in
our audit fees and other administrative expenses.
34
Operating income. Operating income increased
$4.5 million in fiscal 2003 compared with fiscal 2002 due
principally to the higher gross profits. As a result, our
operating margin expanded to 6.9% in fiscal 2003, from 5.3% in
fiscal 2002.
Interest expense, net of interest income. Interest
expense decreased by $0.6 million to $1.8 million in
fiscal 2003 compared with fiscal 2002 due to lower interest
rates and borrowings on the construction business revolver.
Minority interest. Minority interest expense increased by
$0.8 million to $1.6 million in fiscal 2003 compared
with fiscal 2002 due to the higher profit levels of TSC.
Income taxes. The provision for income taxes for fiscal
2003 was $1.8 million compared to a benefit of
$0.2 million for fiscal 2002. The effective tax rate of
25.2% in fiscal 2003 was less than the expected rate due to the
utilization of NOLs against current taxable income.
Net income from continuing operations. As a result of the
factors discussed above, we recorded net income from continuing
operations of $5.2 million for fiscal 2003 compared to
$2.8 million for fiscal 2002. Basic income per common share
from continuing operations were $1.02 for fiscal 2003, an
increase of $0.46 from fiscal 2002. Diluted income per common
share from continuing operations were $0.80 for fiscal 2003
compared to $0.46 for fiscal 2002.
Effect of income tax benefits. Assuming an income tax
rate of 34%, and disregarding adjustments to our deferred tax
asset, net income would have been $4.6 million for fiscal
2003 and $1.7 million for fiscal 2002, and on the same
basis, basic and fully diluted earnings from continuing
operations per common share would have been $0.90 and $0.71,
respectively, for fiscal 2003, compared with $0.35 and $0.29,
respectively, for fiscal 2002. A reconciliation of reported net
income for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 to net income, as if a
34% tax rate had been applied, is set forth in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal | |
|
Fiscal | |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Amounts in | |
|
|
thousands, except | |
|
|
per share data) | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, as
reported
|
|
$ |
2,650 |
|
|
$ |
6,956 |
|
Provision for income taxes (assuming a 34% effective rate)
|
|
|
901 |
|
|
|
2,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations, as if a 34% rate had been
applied
|
|
$ |
1,749 |
|
|
$ |
4,591 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income from continuing operations per common share
|
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
|
$ |
0.90 |
|
Diluted income from continuing operations per common share
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
Discontinued operations, net of tax. Discontinued
operations for fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 represent the results
of operations of Steel City Products. Income from discontinued
operations decreased $0.3 million, or 59%, to
$0.2 million for fiscal 2003, compared to $0.5 million
for fiscal 2002. This decrease was due primarily to the loss of
business in fiscal 2002 from Ames Department Stores, Inc., or
Ames, following its bankruptcy filing. Sales to Ames were
approximately $3.0 million in fiscal 2002. This decrease
was partially offset by an increase of $1.2 million in the
sales of lawn and garden products to a new customer and
increased sales to existing customers. Gross profit margins
decreased approximately 4.3% between fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2003.
35
Historical Cash Flows
The following table sets forth information about our cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and
for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) | |
Cash and cash equivalents (at end of period)
|
|
$ |
2,111 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
$ |
2,851 |
|
|
$ |
20,138 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
5,004 |
|
|
|
18,185 |
|
|
|
4,171 |
|
|
|
(980 |
) |
|
|
25,368 |
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
(6,801 |
) |
|
|
(4,270 |
) |
|
|
(5,809 |
) |
|
|
(2,374 |
) |
|
|
(9,678 |
) |
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
1,288 |
|
|
|
(13,376 |
) |
|
|
2,436 |
|
|
|
3,553 |
|
|
|
999 |
|
Cash from discontinued operations
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
387 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
4,245 |
|
|
|
4,340 |
|
|
|
3,555 |
|
|
|
2,527 |
|
|
|
9,948 |
|
Working capital (at end of period)
|
|
|
9,556 |
|
|
|
6,834 |
|
|
|
16,052 |
|
|
|
18,167 |
|
|
|
22,599 |
|
Significant non-cash items included in operating activities for
the first nine months of 2005 were:
|
|
|
|
|
depreciation and amortization, which for the first nine months
of 2005 totaled $3.8 million, an increase of
$0.3 million from the same period in 2004, as a result of
the increase in the size of our construction fleet in 2005; and |
|
|
|
tax expense, which increased by $1.6 million during the
first nine months of 2005 due to the increase in operating
income. |
Despite the significant increase in revenues during the first
nine months of 2005, there was a reduction in total working
capital requirements of $13.1 million during the first nine
months of 2005, whereas there was an increase in working capital
requirements during the first nine months of 2004 of
$9.5 million. The significant components of the changes in
working capital are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
there was a decrease of $2.6 million in costs in excess of
billings on uncompleted contracts in 2005, compared with an
increase of $3.9 million in 2004. These changes reflect the
resolution of timing differences as contracts progress; |
|
|
|
billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts increased
by $7.5 million in 2005, whereas in 2004 there was a
decrease of $5.0 million. These changes principally reflect
fluctuations in the timing and amount of mobilization payments
to assist in the start-up on certain contracts; |
|
|
|
trade payables increased by $14.9 million in 2005, compared
with an increase of $4.5 million in 2004, principally
reflecting the increased level of revenues in 2005; and |
|
|
|
contracts receivable increased $14.5 million in 2005,
compared with an increase of $6.9 million in 2004,
principally reflecting the revenue increase and related level of
customer retentions. |
Expenditures to expand our construction fleet were
$9.9 million in the first nine months of 2005, compared
with $2.5 million during the first nine months of 2004. The
much enlarged contract backlog required a significant expansion
in our fleet in 2005.
36
Cash provided by operations, combined with the reduced level of
working capital, more than offset the high level of capital
expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2005,
funding long-term debt repayments of $2.2 million and
resulting in a substantial increase in our cash position. For
the first nine months of 2005, cash increased by
$16.7 million, of which $2.4 million was derived from
an increase in borrowings under our revolving lines of credit.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2004, there was an
increase in borrowings under the lines of credit of
$5.3 million because capital expenditures, long-term debt
repayments and working capital requirements exceeded cash
provided by operations.
Funds received from the exercise of warrants by North Atlantic
Smaller Companies Investment Trust, or NASCIT, and the exercise
of options by employees and directors, increased by $400,000
during the first nine months of 2005 compared with the same
period in 2004.
Liquidity
The level of working capital for our construction business
varies due to fluctuations in the levels of cost and estimated
earnings in excess of billings, and of billings in excess of
cost and estimated earnings, based in part on revenue levels;
the size and status of contract mobilization payments, of
customer receivables and of contract retentions; and the level
of amounts owed to suppliers and subcontractors. Some of these
fluctuations can be significant.
Sources of Capital
In addition to cash provided from operations, we use our
revolving lines of credit to finance working capital needs and
capital expenditures.
|
|
|
Construction Business Revolver |
Our construction business has a revolving credit facility with
Comerica Bank. The revolver has a maturity date of May 1,
2007, and is a collateral-based facility with total borrowing
capacity, subject to a borrowing base, of up to
$17.0 million. At September 30, 2005,
$15.7 million in borrowings were outstanding under this
revolver. As of September 30, 2005, we had unused borrowing
base availability of $1.3 million, in addition to cash and
cash equivalents of $20.1 million.
This revolver, secured by all of our construction business
equipment, provides working capital financing for the operation
of our construction business and to fund the acquisition of
equipment. The revolver provides for a quarterly commitment fee
of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the line of credit.
Borrowing rates are based on the banks prime rate or on a
Eurodollar rate. The interest rate on funds borrowed under this
revolver during the nine months ended September 30, 2005
ranged from 5.25% to 6.75%. The revolver is subject to
compliance with financial covenants relating to working capital,
tangible net worth, fixed charges and cash coverage, and debt
leverage ratios. We were in compliance with these covenants at
September 30, 2005.
|
|
|
Steel City Products Revolver |
Steel City Products has a revolving credit facility with
National City Bank of Pennsylvania. This revolver has a current
maturity date of May 31, 2007, and is a collateral-based
facility with total borrowing capacity, subject to a borrowing
base, of $5.0 million. At September 30, 2005,
$4.3 million in borrowings were outstanding under the
revolver, and we had unused borrowing base availability of
approximately $0.3 million, in addition to cash and cash
equivalents of $0.2 million.
The Steel City Products revolver, secured by substantially all
of the assets of Steel City Products, provides working capital
financing for the operation of the distribution business.
Borrowing rates are based on the banks prime rate. The
interest rate on funds borrowed under this revolver during the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 ranged from 6.0% to
6.75%. The revolver is subject to compliance with a financial
covenant relating to fixed charge coverage. We were in
compliance with this covenant at September 30, 2005.
37
Other Debt
For the last five years, certain members of our management,
directors and affiliates have, from time to time and through
various methods, provided financing to help fund our expansion
and operations.
As of September 30, 2005, we were indebted to such persons
under unsecured notes in an aggregate amount of approximately
$9.0 million, which included $338,505, $2,802,262,
$192,531, $481,215 and $1,971,308 owed, respectively, to Messrs.
Patrick T. Manning (our Chief Executive Officer), Joseph P.
Harper, Sr. (our President and Chief Operating Officer), Hemsley
(our Chief Financial Officer), Davies (a former director) and
James D. Manning (the brother of our Chief Executive Officer).
Principal and interest at the rate of 12% per annum are payable
quarterly on these unsecured notes until their maturity date in
July 2009. See Certain Transactions. In December
2005, we made $528,000 of principal payments on these notes,
thereby reducing the aggregate outstanding amount to
approximately $8.4 million.
In June 2001, we completed the construction of a new
headquarters building on land adjacent to our existing equipment
repair facility in Houston. The building was financed
principally through an additional mortgage of $1.1 million
on the land and facilities, at an interest rate of 7.75% per
annum, repayable over 15 years. The new mortgage is
cross-collateralized with a prior mortgage on the land and
equipment repair facilities, which were purchased in 1998, in
the original amount of $500,000, repayable over 15 years
with an interest rate of 9.3% per annum.
Uses of Capital
The following table sets forth our fixed, non-cancelable
obligations at December 31, 2004, including those related
to our discontinued operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by Period | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Less Than | |
|
13 | |
|
45 | |
|
More Than | |
|
|
Total | |
|
One Year | |
|
Years | |
|
Years | |
|
5 Years | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) | |
Debt
|
|
$ |
16,954 |
|
|
$ |
3,625 |
|
|
$ |
13,329 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Capital leases
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
1,604 |
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related party notes(1)
|
|
|
11,349 |
|
|
|
3,593 |
|
|
|
3,878 |
|
|
|
3,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
30,983 |
|
|
$ |
7,921 |
|
|
$ |
18,525 |
|
|
$ |
4,134 |
|
|
$ |
403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
See Other Debt and Certain
Transactions for a discussion of the existing related
party notes and the planned prepayment in cash in connection
with this offering. |
To manage risks of changes in the material prices and
subcontracting costs used in tendering bids for construction
contracts, we obtain firm quotations from our suppliers and
subcontractors before submitting a bid. These quotations do not
include any quantity guarantees, and we have no obligation for
materials or subcontract services beyond those required to
complete the respective contracts that we are awarded for which
quotations have been provided.
Our obligations for interest are not included in the table
above, as these amounts vary according to the levels of debt
outstanding at any time. Interest on both of our revolving lines
of credit is paid monthly and fluctuates with the balances
outstanding during the year, as well as fluctuations in interest
rates. In fiscal 2004, such interest was approximately $700,000.
We also pay interest on a quarterly basis on our related party
notes, as described above, which amounts are expected to be
approximately $1.2 million in
38
2005 and, if the notes are not prepaid as anticipated, an
aggregate of $1.6 million for the one to three year period,
and an aggregate of $579,000 in the four to five year period.
All other debt is expected to have interest of approximately
$60,000, $120,000 and $120,000, respectively, during such
periods.
Our capital expenditures during fiscal 2004 and the first nine
months of 2005 totaled $2.5 million and $9.9 million,
respectively, consisting almost exclusively of expenditures to
purchase heavy construction equipment.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or
FASB, issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory
Costs an amendment of ARB No. 43, or
SFAS No. 151, which is the result of its efforts to
conform United States accounting standards for inventories with
international accounting standards. SFAS No. 151 will
be effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not believe that the
adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have an impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement
No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, or
SFAS No. 123(R), which is a revision of FASB Statement
No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, or APB 25, and amends FASB Statement
No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. We are
required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) beginning
January 1, 2006. Pro forma disclosure, as was allowed under
APB 25 and SFAS No. 123, will no longer be an
alternative. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires
that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock
options and restricted stock at the beginning of the first
quarter of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) and for all
stock options granted thereafter. Because we utilize a fair
value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation
costs for all employee stock compensation awards granted,
modified or settled since January 1, 2003 and will not have
significant unvested awards from periods prior to
January 1, 2003 outstanding at January 1, 2006, the
adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) is not expected to have a
material impact on our financial statements.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47
Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations, or FIN 47. FIN 47 clarifies that an
entity must record a liability for a conditional
asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the obligation
can be reasonably estimated. The provision must be adopted no
later than the end of the fiscal year ending December 31,
2005. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 47 will have a
material impact on our financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
SFAS No. 154 is a replacement of APB 20 and FASB
Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance
on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and
error corrections. It establishes retrospective application as
the required method for reporting a change in accounting
principle. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance for
determining whether retrospective application of a change in
accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change
when retrospective application is impracticable. The reporting
of a correction of an error by restating previously issued
financial statements is also addressed by
SFAS No. 154. SFAS No. 154 is effective for
accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2005. We will adopt this
pronouncement beginning in fiscal year 2006.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Changes in interest rates are our primary sources of market
risk. As of September 30, 2005, $20.0 million of our
outstanding indebtedness was at floating interest rates. An
increase of 1.0% in the interest rate would result in an
increase in our interest expense of approximately
$200,000 per year.
39
BUSINESS
General
We are a leading heavy civil construction company that
specializes in the building and reconstruction of transportation
and water infrastructure in large and growing markets in Texas.
Our transportation infrastructure projects include highways,
roads, bridges and light rail, and our water infrastructure
projects include water, wastewater and storm drainage systems.
We provide general contracting services primarily to public
sector clients utilizing our own employees and equipment for
activities including excavating, paving, pipe installation and
concrete placement. We purchase the necessary materials for our
contracts and generally engage subcontractors only for ancillary
services.
Since the founding of our construction business in 1955, we have
expanded our service profile and market areas. We currently
operate in several major Texas markets, including Houston,
San Antonio, Dallas/ Fort Worth and Austin, and
believe that we have the capability to expand into other Gulf
Coast and Southwestern markets. We also have broadened our range
of services, from our original focus on water and wastewater
projects, to include concrete and asphalt paving, concrete slip
forming, installation of large-diameter water and wastewater
distribution systems, construction of bridges and similar large
structures, light rail infrastructure, concrete crushing and
concrete batch plant operations.
Our Markets
We operate in the heavy civil construction segment for
infrastructure projects, specializing on transportation and
water infrastructure. Demand for this infrastructure depends on
a variety of factors, including overall population growth,
economic expansion and vitality of a market area, as well as
unique local topographical, structural and environmental issues.
For example, the City of Houston experiences flooding and
subsidence that have led to various municipal mandates requiring
substantial new construction to reorganize and expand the
collection, treatment and distribution of water throughout the
area. In addition to these factors, demand for the replacement
of infrastructure is driven by the general aging of
infrastructure and the need for technical improvements to
achieve more efficient or safer use of infrastructure and
resources.
Our geographic markets have experienced steady and significant
growth over the last 10 years. As ranked by population,
Texas is the second largest state in the United States; its
population has grown by an average of 1.7% per year over
the past 10 years, exceeding the 1.0% growth rate for the
United States as a whole over the same period. According to the
2004 census, Houston ranks as the fourth largest city in the
country, San Antonio as the eighth largest, Dallas as the
ninth largest and Austin as the sixteenth largest.
In addition to our core geographical markets, we operate in
large and growing construction sectors that have experienced
solid and sustained growth over the past few years. According to
data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual value of
public construction
put-in-place in the
United States for transportation and water/wastewater
infrastructure has grown at a 2.0% compound annual growth rate
since 2002 and was $113 billion in 2004, the last year for
which data are available. This includes 1.2% growth in the
$87 billion transportation market and 4.2% growth in the
$27 billion water/wastewater market. The U.S. Department of
Commerce projects that nationwide construction spending on
public works transportation, water supply systems and wastewater
systems is expected to grow by 12%, 5% and 5%, respectively, in
2006. Based on dollars spent for construction of highways and
bridges, water supply systems and sewer systems in the first
nine months of 2005, Texas is ranked by McGraw-Hill, an industry
data source, as the number one, number three and number four
market in the nation, respectively.
Our highway and bridge work is generally funded through federal
and state authorizations. The federal government recently
enacted the SAFETEA-LU bill, which authorized $286 billion
for transportation spending over the next five years, a 38%
increase from the prior spending bill. Of this total, Texas is
expected to receive an allocation of approximately
$14.5 billion, a 37% increase from the prior spending
40
bill. TXDOTs budget shows $23.7 billion in spending
from 2006 through 2010, an increase of 28% over the prior
five-year period, prior to the passage of the SAFETEA-LU bill.
Our water and wastewater, underground utility, light transit and
paving work is generally funded by municipalities and local
authorities. The size and growth rates of these markets is
difficult to compute as a whole given the number of
municipalities, the differences in funding sources and
variations in local budgets. However, management estimates that
the municipal markets in which we could potentially do business
are in excess of $1 billion annually.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that our competitive strengths in the construction
business include the following:
Long and Successful Track Record of Infrastructure
Construction. Through our 50 years of experience, we
have developed efficient processes and controls that allow us to
provide high-quality contracting services for building roads,
highways, bridges, light rail facilities and water, wastewater
and storm drainage systems. Our expertise, coupled with strong
underlying market dynamics, has produced compound annual revenue
growth in our construction business that has averaged
approximately 18% since 1985, and was 66% for the first nine
months of 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004.
Leadership in Our Markets. We are an established leader
in our markets based on our longevity, our management expertise
and our reputation, as well as our in-depth knowledge of soil
and other construction conditions in our market areas. Our scale
of operations allows us to deploy and redeploy work crews,
materials and equipment across multiple contracts and provides
us with advantages in competitive bidding environments. We are
prequalified with all of our significant public sector customers
that require qualification, including TXDOT, a requirement that
has the effect of limiting competition from some other bidders
for highway contracts and, in some cases, for municipal
contracts.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Construction Capabilities.
Over time, we have added construction services that provide us
with competitive advantages. For example, from our base of water
and wastewater work, we have added concrete and asphalt paving,
concrete slip forming, installation of large-diameter water and
wastewater distribution systems, construction of bridges and
similar large structures, light rail infrastructure, concrete
crushing and concrete batch plant operations. We currently
perform approximately 75% of our work utilizing our own
workforce and equipment. Our emphasis on providing comprehensive
construction services allows us to capture additional profit
margin that otherwise would be gained by subcontractors and to
more aggressively bid contracts without sacrificing our
profitability targets.
Consistent History of Managing Construction Projects and
Contract Risk. Our significant experience and longevity in
our markets provides us with an understanding of the many risks
of infrastructure construction. We provide services
predominantly pursuant to fixed unit price
contracts, which, if properly managed, generally allow for
better profit margin opportunities than cost-plus
contracts. We monitor and manage risk throughout a
contracts duration, including the bid process, the
pre-construction planning activities and the construction
process. Our project managers lead our estimating process, and
our senior management reviews all bid proposals prior to
submission, thereby increasing project managers
accountability and understanding of the financial and operating
risks and opportunities of our contracts. In addition, a
significant portion of our project managers compensation
is based on the profitability of contracts that they bid and
manage, a policy which reinforces our goal of carefully and
accurately bidding contracts.
Financial Strength. Our long-term
debt-to-equity ratio as
of September 30, 2005, giving effect to this offering and
the anticipated repayment of certain related party notes
described in Certain Transactions Contemplated
Transactions as of that date, would have been
approximately 25%, and we believe that we will have sufficient
cash balances to meet our anticipated near-term liquidity needs.
In addition, we have a substantial base of assets, including a
fleet of over 500 pieces of heavy construction equipment, which
allows for flexibility in meeting contract requirements and can
provide an advantage over our competitors who lease their
equipment. After this offering, we will have greater flexibility
under our
41
commercial bank line of credit to take advantage of appropriate
expansion and acquisition opportunities in our markets. We
believe that these financial strengths provide tangible benefits
in the surety and credit markets, as well as intangible benefits
in our relationships with customers, employees, suppliers and
subcontractors.
Experienced Management Team and Skilled Workforce. Our
management team and employees are critical to our success. Our
chief executive officer and our president each has over
30 years of industry experience, and our 12 senior project
managers have over 20 years of experience on average, in the
infrastructure construction market. We benefit from their
expertise, relationships with customers, suppliers and
subcontractors, and the cohesive corporate culture that they
have promoted and developed. We expend significant resources to
attract, retain and train our employees, which is a key to the
successful execution of our contracts. We conduct our
construction business using full-time employees organized into
more than 80 fully-equipped crews. We conduct extensive
safety training programs, which have allowed us to maintain a
high safety level at our worksites.
Business Strategy
We pursue the following strategies in order to improve our
business and prospects, increase our revenue and profitability
and, ultimately, enhance stockholder value:
Continue to Grow in Texas Markets. The Texas markets in
which we operate, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas/
Fort Worth and Austin, generally are experiencing strong
growth in infrastructure spending caused by factors such as an
increasing population, increased federally-funded highway
construction, a robust oil and gas economy, the need for new
water sources, flood and subsidence control activities, and the
installation of light rail public transit systems. We will
continue our efforts to increase our market share in our core
markets. Our strategy is to accomplish this by relying on our
knowledge of local construction conditions coupled with our
continued focus on infrastructure construction, by expanding and
upgrading our equipment fleet, by adding construction crews, and
by extending our range of construction capabilities.
Position Our Business for Future Infrastructure Spending.
There is a growing awareness of the need to build, reconstruct
and repair our countrys infrastructure, including water,
wastewater and flood control systems and transportation systems.
Significant funds have recently been authorized for investments
in these areas, including the SAFETEA-LU bill, which authorized
$286 billion toward transportation infrastructure (with
approximately $14.5 billion allocated to Texas for federal
fiscal years 2005 through 2009). In addition, the
Harris-Galveston Subsidence District has mandated that
substantially all well water systems in Houston be replaced with
surface water systems, and we anticipate that there will be
efforts in Texas and other Gulf Coast areas affected by recent
hurricanes to enhance storm drainage systems. We will continue
to build on our expertise in the civil construction market for
transportation and water infrastructure, to develop new
capabilities to service these markets and to maintain our human
and capital resources to effectively meet required demand.
Continue Adding Construction Capabilities. By adding
capabilities that are complementary to our core construction
competencies, we are able to improve gross margin opportunities,
more effectively compete for contracts and compete for contracts
that might not otherwise be available to us. We continue to
investigate opportunities to integrate additional services (such
as drill shaft installation) and precast concrete products (such
as beams and wall panels) into our business.
Expand into Attractive New Markets. We have demonstrated
an ability to identify and expand into new markets where we have
been able to operate profitably and grow. Our first expansion
beyond Houston was in the Dallas/ Fort Worth market in
1995. In 2001, after obtaining an asphalt paving contract in
San Antonio, we decided to establish a permanent presence
in that market. Having recently been awarded a significant
contract in the Austin area, we are now examining the potential
for establishing a permanent office in Austin. We actively
consider opportunities, and evaluate whether to establish a
permanent presence, in new geographic areas based on factors
such as market size and growth dynamics, competition, the
availability of qualified employees and compatibility of unique
local requirements with our own
42
expertise. We currently believe that there are a number of
attractive markets throughout Texas and in the Gulf Coast and
Southwestern regions of the United States that present expansion
opportunities for us.
Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. Our growth has
been achieved both organically and through our acquisition of
the Kinsel construction business in 2002. We have been, and
expect to continue, exploring acquisition opportunities that
appear consistent with our
return-on-investment
goals and strategic objectives. In particular, we seek companies
operated by talented management teams in growth markets and with
a focus on infrastructure construction services. Ideal
candidates would provide us with the ability to add additional
construction services to our existing capabilities, as well as
opportunities to provide an expanded service profile to the
targets existing customer base. With our strong financial
position and publicly traded common stock, we believe that we
are an attractive acquiror for heavy civil construction firms
whose owners desire to achieve liquidity.
Development of Employees. We believe that our employees
are a key to the successful implementation of our business
strategies. We plan to continue allocating significant resources
in order to attract and retain talented managers and supervisory
and field personnel.
Markets and Customers
For decades, we have concentrated our operations in Texas. Our
headquarters is in Houston, and we serve the top markets in
Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas/
Fort Worth and Austin.
Although we occasionally undertake contracts for private
customers, the vast majority of our contracts are for public
sector customers, including TXDOT, county and municipal public
works departments, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris
County, Texas, or Metro, regional transit authorities, port
authorities, school districts and municipal utility districts.
Our largest revenue customer is TXDOT. In 2004, contracts with
TXDOT represented 35% of our revenues, and other public sector
revenue generated in Texas represented 61% of our revenues. As a
result of the SAFETEA-LU bill, the total amount of our revenues
(and the related percentage of consolidated revenues) obtained
from state agencies may increase. We provide services to our
state customers exclusively pursuant to contracts awarded
through competitive bidding processes.
Our municipal customers in 2004 included the City of Houston
(14% of 2004 revenues) and Harris County, Texas (10% of 2004
revenues). We recently completed the construction of certain
infrastructure for new light rail systems in Houston, Dallas and
Galveston. We anticipate that revenues obtained from the City of
Houston will continue to increase due to the metropolitan
areas steady gain in population through migration of new
residents and annexation of surrounding communities. We provide
services to our municipal customers exclusively pursuant to
contracts awarded through competitive bidding processes.
Competition
Our competitors are companies that we bid against for
construction contracts. We estimate that we have approximately
150 competitors in the markets that we primarily serve, and they
include large national and regional construction companies as
well as many smaller contractors. Historically, the construction
business has not typically required large amounts of capital,
which can result in relative ease of market entry for companies
possessing acceptable qualifications. Factors influencing our
competitiveness include price, our reputation for quality, our
equipment fleet, our financial strength, surety bonding capacity
and prequalification, our knowledge of local markets and
conditions, and our project management and estimating abilities.
Although some of our competitors are larger than us and may
possess greater resources or provide more vertically-integrated
services, we believe that we are well-positioned to compete
effectively and favorably in the markets in which we operate on
the basis of the foregoing factors.
We are unable to determine the size of many competitors because
they are privately owned, but we believe that we are one of the
larger participants in our markets and one of the largest
contractors in Houston engaged in municipal civil construction
work. We believe that being one of the largest firms in the
Houston municipal civil construction market provides us with
several advantages, including greater
43
flexibility to manage our contract backlog in order to schedule
and deploy our workforce and equipment resources more
efficiently; more cost-effective purchasing of materials,
insurance and bonds; the ability to provide a broader range of
services that otherwise would be provided through
subcontractors; and the availability of substantially more
capital and resources to dedicate to each of our contracts.
Because we own and maintain most of the equipment required for
our contracts and have the experienced workforce to handle many
types of municipal civil construction, we are able to bid
competitively on many categories of contracts, especially
complex, multi-task projects.
In the state highway market, most of our competitors are large
regional contractors, and individual contracts tend to be larger
and require more specialized skills than those in the municipal
markets. Some of these competitors have the advantage of being
much more vertically-integrated, or they specialize in certain
types of projects such as construction over water. However, such
competitors often have the disadvantage of temporarily using a
local workforce to complete each of their state highway
contracts. In contrast, we permanently employ the workers who
perform our state highway contracts. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, state highway work accounted for 35% of
our consolidated revenues, compared with 33% in 2004 and 19% in
2003.
Contract backlog
Contract backlog is our estimate of the billings that we expect
to make in future periods on our construction contracts. We add
the revenue value of new contracts to our contract backlog,
typically when we are the low bidder on a public sector contract
and management determines that there are no apparent impediments
to award of the contract. As construction on our contracts
progresses, we increase or decrease contract backlog to take
account of changes in estimated quantities under fixed unit
price contracts, as well as to reflect changed conditions,
change orders and other variations from initially anticipated
contract revenues and costs, including completion penalties and
bonuses. We subtract from contract backlog the amounts we bill
on contracts.
Substantially all of the contracts in our contract backlog may
be canceled at the election of the customer; however, we have
not been materially adversely affected by contract cancellations
or modifications in the past. See Contracts
Contract Management Process.
Contracts
We provide our services by using traditional general contracting
arrangements, which are predominantly fixed unit price contracts
awarded based on the lowest bid. A small amount of our revenues
is produced under change orders or emergency contracts arranged
on a cost plus basis.
Fixed unit price contracts are generally used in
competitively-bid public civil construction contracts and, to a
lesser degree, building construction contracts. Contractors
under fixed unit price contracts are generally committed to
provide all of the resources required to complete a contract for
a fixed price per unit. Fixed unit price contracts generally
transfer more risk to the contractor but offer the opportunity,
under favorable circumstances, for greater profits. These
contracts are generally subject to a negotiated change order,
frequently due to a difference in site conditions from those
anticipated when the bid is placed. Typically, one change order
is issued upon completion of a contract to account for all of
the quantity deviations from the original contract that were
made during the construction process. Some contracts provide for
penalties if the contract is not completed on time, or
incentives if it is completed ahead of schedule.
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Contract Management Process |
We identify potential contracts from a variety of sources,
including through subscriber services that notify us of
contracts out for bid, through advertisements by federal, state
and local governmental entities, through our business
development efforts and through meetings with other participants
in the construction
44
industry. After determining which contracts are available, we
decide which contracts to pursue based on such factors as the
relevant skills required, contract size and duration, the
availability of our personnel and equipment, the size and makeup
of our current contract backlog, our competitive advantages and
disadvantages, prior experience, the contracting agency or
customer, the source of contract funding, geographic location,
likely competition, construction risks, gross margin
opportunities, penalties or incentives and the type of contract.
As a condition to pursuing certain contracts, we are sometimes
required to complete a prequalification process with the
applicable agency or customer. Some customers, such as TXDOT,
require yearly prequalification, and other customers have
experience requirements specific to the contract. The
prequalification process generally limits bidders to those
companies with operational experience and financial capability
to effectively complete the particular contract in accordance
with the plans, specifications and construction schedule.
There are several factors that can create variability in
contract performance and financial results compared to a
contracts original bid. The most significant of these
include the completeness and accuracy of our original bid
analysis, recognition of costs associated with added scope
changes, extended overhead due to customer and weather delays,
subcontractor performance issues, changes in productivity
expectations, site conditions that differ from those assumed in
the original bid, and changes in the availability and proximity
of materials. In addition, each of our original bids is based on
the contract customers estimates of the quantities needed
to complete a contract; if the quantities ultimately needed are
different, our contract backlog and financial performance on the
contract will change. All of these factors can lead to
inefficiencies in contract performance, which can increase costs
and lower profits. Conversely, if any of these or other factors
is more positive than the assumptions in our bid, contract
profitability can improve.
The estimating process typically involves three phases.
Initially, we spend up to approximately six weeks performing a
detailed review of the plans and specifications, summarize the
various types of work involved and related estimated quantities,
determine the contract duration and schedule and highlight the
unique and riskier aspects of the contract. After this initial
review, we decide whether or not to continue to pursue the
contract; if so, we then move to the second phase, which may
take up to two weeks and consists of estimating the cost and
availability of labor, material, equipment, subcontractors and
the project team required to complete the contract on time and
in accordance with the plans and specifications. Substantially
all of our estimates are made on a per unit basis for each line
item, with the typical contract containing 50 to 300 line items.
The final phase consists of a detailed review of the estimate by
management, including, among other things, assumptions regarding
cost, approach, means and methods, productivity and risk. After
the final review of the cost estimate, management adds an amount
for profit to arrive at the total bid amount. This profit amount
will vary according to managements perception of the
degree of difficulty of the contract, the current competitive
climate and the size and makeup of our contract backlog. Our
project managers are intimately involved throughout the
estimating and construction process so that contract issues, and
risks relating thereto, can be understood and addressed on a
timely basis.
To manage risks of changes in material prices and subcontracting
costs used in tendering bids for construction contracts, we
obtain firm quotations from our suppliers and subcontractors
before submitting a bid. These quotations do not include any
quantity guarantees, and we have no obligation for materials or
subcontract services beyond those required to complete the
respective contracts that we are awarded for which quotations
have been provided.
Substantially all of our contracts are entered into with
governmental entities and are generally awarded to the lowest
bidder after a solicitation of bids by the project owner.
Requests for proposals or negotiated contracts with public or
private customers are generally awarded based on a combination
of technical capability and price, taking into consideration
factors such as contract schedule and prior experience. In
either case, bidders must post a bid bond for generally 5% to
10% of the amount bid, and on winning the bid, must post a
performance and payment bond for 100% of the contract amount.
Upon
45
completion of a contract, before receiving final payment on the
contract, a contractor must post a maintenance bond for
generally 1% of the contract amount for one to two years.
During the construction phase of a contract, we monitor our
progress by comparing actual costs incurred and quantities
completed to date with budgeted amounts and the contract
schedule and periodically (at a minimum on a monthly basis)
prepare an updated estimate of total forecasted revenue, cost
and expected profit for the contract.
During the normal course of most contracts, the customer, and
sometimes the contractor, initiates modifications or changes to
the original contract to reflect, among other things, changes in
quantities, specifications or design, method or manner of
performance, facilities, materials, site conditions and period
for completion of the work. In many cases, final contract
quantities may differ from those specified by the customer.
Generally, the scope and price of these modifications are
documented in a change order to the original
contract and reviewed, approved and paid in accordance with the
normal change order provisions of the contract. We are often
required to perform extra or change order work as directed by
the customer even if the customer has not agreed in advance on
the scope or price of the work to be performed. This process may
result in disputes over whether the work performed is beyond the
scope of the work included in the original contract plans and
specifications or, even if the customer agrees that the work
performed qualifies as extra work, the price that the customer
is willing to pay for the extra work. These disputes may not be
settled to our satisfaction. Even when the customer agrees to
pay for the extra work, we may be required to fund the cost of
such work for a lengthy period of time until the change order is
approved and funded by the customer. In addition, any delay
caused by the extra work may adversely impact the timely
scheduling of other work on the contract (or on other contracts)
and our ability to meet contract milestone dates.
The process for resolving contract claims varies from one
contract to another but, in general, we attempt to resolve
claims at the project supervisory level through the normal
change order process or, if necessary, with higher levels of
management within our organization and the customers
organization. Regardless of the process, when a potential claim
arises on a contract, we typically have the contractual
obligation to perform the work and must incur the related costs.
We do not recoup the costs unless and until the claim is
resolved, which could take a significant amount of time.
Most of our contracts provide for termination of the contract
for the convenience of the customer, with provisions to pay us
only for work performed through the date of termination. We have
not been materially adversely affected by these provisions in
the past.
We act as the prime contractor on almost all of the construction
contracts that we undertake. We complete the majority of our
contracts with our own resources, and we subcontract specialized
activities such as traffic control, electrical systems, signage
and trucking. As the prime contractor, we are responsible for
the performance of the entire contract, including subcontract
work. Thus, we are subject to increased costs associated with
the failure of one or more subcontractors to perform as
anticipated. We manage this risk by reviewing the size of the
subcontract, the financial stability of the subcontractor and
other factors. Although we generally do not require that our
subcontractors furnish a bond or other type of security to
guarantee their performance, we require performance and payment
bonds on many specialized or large subcontract portions of our
contracts. Disadvantaged business enterprise regulations require
us to use our best efforts to subcontract a specified portion of
contract work performed for governmental entities to certain
types of subcontractors, including minority- and women-owned
businesses. We have not experienced significant costs associated
with subcontractor performance issues.
Insurance and Bonding
All of our buildings and equipment are covered by insurance,
which our management believes to be adequate. In addition, we
maintain general liability and excess liability insurance, all
in amounts consistent with our risk of loss and industry
practice. We self-insure our workers compensation claims
subject to stop-loss insurance coverage.
46
As a normal part of the construction business, we generally are
required to provide various types of surety and payment bonds
that provide an additional measure of security for our
performance under public sector contracts. Typically, a bidder
for a contract must post a bid bond generally for 5% to 10% of
the amount bid, and on winning the bid, must post a performance
and payment bond for 100% of the contract amount. Upon
completion of a contract, before receiving final payment on the
contract, a contractor must post a maintenance bond for
generally 1% of the contract amount for one to two years. Our
ability to obtain surety bonds depends upon our capitalization,
working capital, aggregate contract size, past performance,
management expertise and external factors, including the
capacity of the overall surety market. Surety companies consider
such factors in light of the amount of our contract backlog that
we have currently bonded and their current underwriting
standards, which may change from time to time. Having recently
outgrown the bonding limits of our prior bonding company, we
have been approved by a new bonding company, Travelers, for our
future construction contracts. As is customary, we have agreed
to indemnify Travelers for all losses incurred by it in
connection with bonds that are issued, and we have granted
Travelers a security interest in certain personal property as
collateral for such obligation.
Employees
As of November 30, 2005, we had approximately 815
employees, including 12 project managers and 32 superintendents
who manage over 80 fully-equipped crews in our construction
business. Of such employees, 29 were located in our Houston
headquarters, with most of the others being field personnel.
None of our construction business employees is represented by a
labor union.
Our business is dependent upon a readily available supply of
management, supervisory and field personnel. Substantially all
of our employees are a permanent part of our workforce, and we
generally do not rely on temporary employees to complete our
contracts. In the past, we have been able to attract sufficient
numbers of personnel to support the growth of our operations.
Although we do not anticipate any shortage of labor in the near
term, we may not be able to continue to attract sufficient
numbers of new employees at all levels to support our future
growth.
We conduct extensive safety training programs, which has allowed
us to maintain a high safety level at our worksites. All
newly-hired employees undergo an initial safety orientation, and
for certain types of projects, we conduct specific hazard
training programs. Our project foremen and superintendents
conduct weekly on-site
safety meetings, and our full-time safety inspectors make random
site safety inspections and perform assessments and training if
infractions are discovered. In addition, all of our
superintendents and project managers are required to complete an
OSHA-approved safety course.
Properties
For our construction business, we own a 15,000 square-foot
headquarters office building in Houston, Texas, which is located
on a seven-acre parcel of land on which our equipment repair
center is also located. We also lease small offices in
Fort Worth and San Antonio. In order to complete most
contracts, we lease small parcels of real estate near the site
of a contract to store materials, locate equipment and provide
offices for the contracting customer, their representatives and
our employees.
Government and Environmental Regulations
Our operations are subject to compliance with numerous
regulatory requirements of federal, state and local agencies and
authorities, including regulations concerning safety, wage and
hour, and other labor issues, immigration controls, vehicle and
equipment operations and other aspects of our business. For
example, our construction operations are subject to the
requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA,
and comparable state laws directed toward the protection of
employees. In addition, most of our construction contracts are
entered into with public authorities, and these contracts
frequently impose additional governmental requirements,
including requirements regarding labor relations and
subcontracting with designated classes of disadvantaged
businesses.
47
All of our operations are also subject to federal, state and
local laws and regulations relating to the environment,
including those relating to discharges into air, water and land,
the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, the
handling of underground storage tanks and the cleanup of
properties affected by hazardous substances. For example, we
must apply water or chemicals to reduce dust on road
construction projects and to contain contaminants in storm
run-off water at construction sites. In certain circumstances,
we may also be required to hire subcontractors to dispose of
hazardous wastes encountered on a project in accordance with a
plan approved in advance by the customer. Certain environmental
laws impose substantial penalties for non-compliance and others,
such as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, impose strict,
retroactive, joint and several liability upon persons
responsible for releases of hazardous substances.
CERCLA and comparable state laws impose liability, without
regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on
certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a
hazardous substance into the environment. These
persons include the owner or operator of the site where the
release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the
disposal of the hazardous substances found at the site. Under
CERCLA, these persons may be subject to joint and several
liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances
that have been released into the environment, for damages to
natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies.
CERCLA also authorizes the federal Environmental Protection
Agency, or EPA, and, in some instances, third parties, to act in
response to threats to the public health or the environment and
to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the
costs they incur.
Solid wastes, which may include hazardous wastes, are subject to
the requirements of the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, the
federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, referred to as
RCRA, and comparable state statutes. Although we do not generate
solid waste, we occasionally dispose of solid waste on behalf of
customers, at their risk. From time to time, the EPA considers
the adoption of stricter disposal standards for non-hazardous
wastes. Moreover, it is possible that additional wastes will in
the future be designated as hazardous wastes.
Hazardous wastes are subject to more rigorous and costly
disposal requirements than are non-hazardous wastes.
Legal Proceedings
We are, and may in the future be involved as, a party to various
legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course
of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as
necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the
eventual disposition of these matters.
In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal
counsel, there are currently no threatened or pending legal
matters that would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations,
financial position or cash flows.
48
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the names and ages of each of our
current directors and executive officers and the positions they
held as of January 19, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Position |
|
Age | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors & Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
59 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
President & Chief Operating Officer and a Director |
|
|
60 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and a Director |
|
|
56 |
|
Roger M. Barzun
|
|
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
|
|
64 |
|
David R. A. Steadman
|
|
Director |
|
|
68 |
|
John D. Abernathy
|
|
Director |
|
|
68 |
|
Robert W. Frickel
|
|
Director |
|
|
62 |
|
Milton L. Scott
|
|
Director |
|
|
49 |
|
Christopher H. B. Mills
|
|
Director |
|
|
53 |
|
Patrick T. Manning. Mr. Manning joined TSC in 1971
and led its move from Detroit, Michigan into the Houston market
in 1978. He has been TSCs President and Chief Executive
Officer since 1998 and our Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer since July 2001. Mr. Manning
has served on a variety of construction industry committees,
including the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association and the Houston
Contractors Association, where he served as a member of
the Board of Directors and as President from 1987 to 1993. He
attended Michigan State University from 1969 to 1972.
Joseph P. Harper, Sr. Mr. Harper has been
employed by TSC since 1972. He was Chief Financial Officer of
TSC for approximately 25 years until August 2004, when he
became Treasurer. In addition to his financial responsibilities,
Mr. Harper has performed both estimating and project
management functions. Mr. Harper has been a director and
our President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2001.
Mr. Harper is a certified public accountant.
Maarten D. Hemsley. Mr. Hemsley has been our
employee in various capacities and/or a director since 1988.
Mr. Hemsley served as our President, Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer until July 2001, and
currently serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Since January
2001, Mr. Hemsley has also been a consultant to (and since
May 2002 an employee of) JO Hambro Capital Management Group
Limited, an investment management company based in the United
Kingdom serving as Fund Manager of Leisure & Media
Venture Capital Trust, plc, and since February 2005, as a
principal of its Trident Private Equity II investment fund.
Mr. Hemsley is a director of Tech/ Ops Sevcon, Inc., a
public company that manufactures electronic controls for
electric vehicles, and of a number of privately-held companies
in the United Kingdom. Mr. Hemsley is a U.K. Chartered
Accountant.
Roger M. Barzun. Mr. Barzun has been our Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel since August 1991 and
was a Senior Vice President from May 1994 until July 2001.
Mr. Barzun has been a lawyer since 1968 and is a member of
the New York and Massachusetts bar associations. Mr. Barzun
also serves as general counsel to other corporations from time
to time on a part-time basis.
David R. A. Steadman. Mr. Steadman is President of
Atlantic Management Associates, Inc., a management services and
investment group. An engineer by profession, he served as Vice
President of the Raytheon Company from 1980 until 1987 where he
was responsible for commercial telecommunications and data
systems businesses in addition to setting up a corporate venture
capital portfolio. Subsequent to that and until 1989,
Mr. Steadman was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
GCA Corporation, a manufacturer of semiconductor production
equipment. Mr. Steadman serves as Chairman of VISaer, Inc.,
a provider of software used in the maintenance, repair and
overhaul of aircraft; as Chairman of Brookwood
49
Companies Incorporated, a major textile converter, dyer and
finisher; and as a director of Mathsoft Engineering and
Education, Inc., a provider of calculation management software
solutions, all privately held companies. Mr. Steadman also
serves on the board of directors of two public companies, Aavid
Thermal Technologies, Inc., a provider of thermal management
solutions for the electronics industry, and as Chairman of Tech/
Ops Sevcon, Inc. Mr. Steadman is a Visiting Lecturer in
Business Administration at the Darden School of the University
of Virginia.
John D. Abernathy. Mr. Abernathy was Chief Operating
Officer of Patton Boggs LLP, a Washington D.C. law firm, from
January 1995 through May 2004 when he retired. From March 1991
to February 1994, he was the Managing Director of Summit,
Solomon & Feldesman, a New York City law firm, and from
July 1983 until June 1990, Mr. Abernathy was Chairman and
Chief Executive Partner of BDO Seidman, a public accounting
firm. He is also a director of Par Pharmaceutical Companies,
Inc., a generic drug manufacturer. Mr. Abernathy is a
certified public accountant.
Robert W. Frickel. Mr. Frickel is the founder and
President of R.W. Frickel Company, P.C., a public
accounting firm that provides audit, tax and consulting services
primarily to the construction industry. Prior to the founding of
the R.W. Frickel Company in 1974, he was employed by
Ernst & Ernst. Mr. Frickel is a certified public
accountant.
Milton L. Scott. Mr. Scott is a
co-founder and Managing
Director of Complete Energy Holdings, LLC, a company formed in
January, 2004 to acquire, own and operate power generation
assets in the United States. From March 2003 to January 2004,
Mr. Scott was a Managing Director of The StoneCap Group, an
entity formed to acquire, own and operate power generation
assets. From October 1999 to November 2002, Mr. Scott
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer at Dynegy Inc., a public company that was a market
leader in power distribution, marketing and trading of gas,
power and other commodities, midstream services and electric
distribution. From July 1977 to October 1999, Mr. Scott was
with the Houston office of Arthur Andersen LLP, a public
accounting firm, where he served as partner in charge of the
Southwest Region Technology and Communications practice.
Mr. Scott is currently the lead director and chairman of
the audit committee of
W-H Energy Services, a
NYSE listed company that is in the oilfield services industry.
Christopher H. B. Mills. Mr. Mills is a director of
JO Hambro Capital Management Group Ltd., or JOHCMG. Prior to
founding JOHCMG in 1993, Mr. Mills was employed by Montagu
Investment Management and its successor company, Invesco MIM, as
an investment manager and director, from 1975 to 1993. He is the
Chief Executive of NASCIT, a 10.7% stockholder of our common
stock, and of American Opportunity Trust plc. Mr. Mills
also serves as a director of Nationwide Accident Repair
Services, PLC, a U.K. public company that repairs motor
vehicles, Izodia PLC, a U.K. public company that is an
e-commerce software
publisher, and Lesco, Inc., a U.S. public company that
manufactures and sells fertilizer and lawn products.
In December 2005, the independent members of our board of
directors appointed Mr. Abernathy as Lead Director. Our
board of directors held twelve meetings during our fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005. Mr. Mills did not attend four
of the meetings of our board of directors and one of the
meetings of the audit committee, on which he served until May
2005. Each of the other directors attended more than 75% of the
meetings of the board of directors while he was a director, as
well as all meetings of committees of the board of directors on
which he served.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The standing committees of our board of directors consist of an
audit committee, a compensation committee and a corporate
governance and nominating committee.
50
The audit committee consists of Messrs. Abernathy
(Chairman), Scott and Steadman, each of whom is an independent
director under the standards of the SEC, Nasdaq and AMEX. Prior
to his resignation on December 23, 2005, Mr. Robert
Davies was a member of the audit committee and was also
independent. Our board of directors has determined that
Mr. Abernathy is the audit committee financial expert.
The audit committee assists our board of directors in fulfilling
its responsibility to oversee our accounting and financial
reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements.
In particular, the audit committee has the responsibility to:
|
|
|
|
|
review our financial reports and other financial information,
our internal accounting and financial controls, our controls and
procedures relating to public disclosure of information, and the
audit of our financial statements by our independent auditors; |
|
|
|
appoint our independent auditors, approve their compensation,
supervise their work, oversee their independence and evaluate
their qualifications and performance; |
|
|
|
review with management and the independent auditors our audited
and interim financial statements that are included in filings
with the SEC; |
|
|
|
review the quality of our accounting policies; |
|
|
|
review with management our major financial risk exposures; |
|
|
|
review all proposed related party transactions in
which the amount involved exceeds $50,000, which are subject to
the prior written approval of the committee; and |
|
|
|
provide for the confidential, anonymous submission by our
employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. |
The audit committee, which meets at least quarterly, held five
meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
Our board of directors adopted an audit committee charter on
February 12, 2004, which, as amended, is posted on our
website at www.sterlingconstructionco.com.
Our compensation committee consists of Messrs. Frickel
(Chairman) and Abernathy, each of whom is an independent
director under the standards of the SEC, Nasdaq and AMEX. Prior
to his resignation, Mr. Davies was a member of the
compensation committee and was also independent. Our
compensation committee oversees our senior level compensation
arrangements. In particular, the compensation committee has the
responsibility to:
|
|
|
|
|
review and approve any corporate goals and objectives relating
to the chief executive officers compensation; |
|
|
|
evaluate the chief executive officers performance in light
of those corporate goals and objectives; |
|
|
|
either as a committee or together with the other independent
directors (as directed by our board of directors), to determine
and approve the compensation of our chief executive officer and
our other senior officers, and together with the boards of
directors of our subsidiaries, to determine and approve the
compensation of their senior officers; |
|
|
|
either as a committee or together with the other independent
directors (as directed by our board of directors), to review and
approve any employment agreements, severance arrangements,
change-in-control
arrangements or special or supplemental employee benefits, and
any material amendments to the foregoing, that are applicable to
our senior officers and, together with the boards of directors
of our subsidiaries, that are applicable to their senior
officers; |
51
|
|
|
|
|
either as a committee or together with the other independent
directors (as directed by our board of directors), to administer
our stock plans and make grants of stock options and other
awards as provided in those plans; |
|
|
|
make recommendations to our board of directors regarding
incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans for our
other senior officers and those of our subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
advise the corporate governance and nominating committee on the
compensation of directors, including the chairman of the board
and the chairpersons of the committees of our board of
directors; and |
|
|
|
provide the report of the compensation committee on executive
compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. |
The compensation committee held two meetings during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005. Our board of directors
adopted a compensation committee charter on November 2,
2005, which is posted on our website at
www.sterlingconstructionco.com.
|
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
In August 2005, our board of directors formed a corporate
governance and nominating committee, which consists of
Messrs. Steadman (Chairman) and Abernathy, each of whom is
an independent director under the standards of the SEC, Nasdaq
and AMEX. Prior to his resignation, Mr. Davies was also a
member of our corporate governance and nominating committee and
was also independent. Our corporate governance and nominating
committee assists our board of directors in fulfilling its
responsibility with respect to corporate governance. In
particular, the corporate governance and nominating committee
has the responsibility to:
|
|
|
|
|
develop and recommend to our board of directors appropriate
corporate governance principles and rules; |
|
|
|
recommend appropriate policies and procedures to ensure the
effective functioning of our board of directors; |
|
|
|
identify and nominate qualified candidates for election to our
board of directors and its committees; |
|
|
|
recommend directors for membership on our committees; |
|
|
|
develop and make recommendations to our board of directors
regarding standards and processes for determining the
independence of our board of directors under applicable laws,
rules and regulations; |
|
|
|
develop and oversee the operation of an orientation program for
new directors and determine whether and what form and level of
continuing education for directors is appropriate; |
|
|
|
periodically review our code of ethics and insider trading
policy to ensure that they remain responsive both to legal
requirements and to the nature and size of our business; and |
|
|
|
set the remuneration for non-employee directors, committee
members and committee chairpersons. |
The corporate governance and nominating committee held one
meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Our
board of directors adopted a corporate governance and nominating
committee charter on November 2, 2005, which is posted on
our website at www.sterlingconstructionco.com.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
In July 2001, Messrs. Abernathy, Frickel and Mills were
appointed as the members of our compensation committee. In
August 2004, Mr. Mills stepped down as a member of the
compensation committee, and Mr. Davies was elected to take
his place. Prior to July 2001, Mr. Davies was one of our
executive officers, but none of our executive officers served as
a director or member of the compensation
52
committee (or any other committee serving an equivalent
function) of any other entity, whose executive officers served
as a director or member of our compensation committee.
Our board of directors intends that any transactions with
officers, directors and affiliates will be entered into on terms
no less favorable to us than could be obtained from unrelated
third parties and that they will be approved by a majority of
the board of directors who are independent and disinterested
with respect to the proposed transaction. Our audit committee
reviews in advance all related party transactions in excess of
$50,000.
See relationship involving Mr. Frickel disclosed under
Certain Transactions Other Transactions.
Director Compensation
For fiscal 2005, non-employee directors received meeting fees
and the committee chairmen received an additional fee, as set
forth below. In August 2005, our board of directors formed a
corporate governance and nominating committee and approved the
payment of the same fees to the members and chairman of that
committee as are paid to the members and chairman of the
compensation committee. Current board of directors and committee
fee arrangements are summarized in the table below:
|
|
|
|
Annual Fees:
|
|
|
|
All Directors
|
|
$7,500 |
|
All Directors (at each annual meeting of stockholders)
|
|
A ten-year option to purchase 5,000 shares of our common
stock, granted at the market price on the date of grant and
vesting in full on the date of grant. |
Additional Annual Fees:
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
|
$7,500 |
|
Chairman of the Compensation Committee
|
|
$2,500 |
|
Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
|
|
$2,500 |
Meeting Fees:
|
|
|
|
Regularly scheduled in-person Board meeting
|
|
$1,250 |
|
Regularly scheduled telephonic Board meeting
|
|
$1,000 |
|
Other telephonic Board meeting
|
|
$500 |
|
Committee meetings (including the chairman)
|
|
$750 |
Our directors do not receive additional compensation for serving
on the board of directors of any of our subsidiaries. In
addition, all directors are reimbursed for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in attending meetings of our board and board
committees. Directors living outside North America (currently
only Mr. Mills) have the option of attending regularly
scheduled in-person meetings by telephone, and those who elect
to do so are paid an attendance fee as if they had attended in
person.
53
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth all compensation earned during
the 2005, 2004 and 2003 fiscal years by the chief executive
officer and other executive officers of Sterling Construction
Company, Inc., or SCC, who were serving at the end of the 2005
fiscal year and whose total annual salary and bonus earned in
fiscal 2005 exceeded $100,000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
All | |
Name and |
|
Fiscal | |
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Underlying | |
|
Other | |
Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Options/SARs | |
|
(5) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning(1)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
365,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
28,200 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,215 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
225,496 |
|
|
$ |
179,873 |
|
|
$ |
12,850 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
& Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
12,850 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.(3)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
215,000 |
|
|
$ |
340,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
30,850 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
6,450 |
|
|
President & Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
196,718 |
|
|
$ |
173,776 |
|
|
$ |
12,850 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,919 |
|
|
Operating Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
187,308 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
12,850 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,205 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley(4)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
108,067 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
7,660 |
|
|
|
2,800 |
|
|
$ |
3,242 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
88,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
88,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with
Mr. Manning, effective July 18, 2004, as amended,
under which he is paid an annual base salary of $240,000. Other
annual compensation in 2005 consists of country club fees and
monthly dues and a $700 per month car allowance. |
|
(2) |
The actual bonus amounts awarded for 2005 will be based on the
terms of the respective named executive officers
employment agreement with us and our financial performance,
which has not yet been determined. The amount listed herein is
an estimate based on our expected results of operations, as
described in Guidance. |
|
(3) |
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with
Mr. Harper, effective July 18, 2004, as amended, under
which he is paid an annual base salary of $215,000. Other annual
compensation in 2005 consists of country club monthly dues, a
$700 per month car allowance and $18,000 for unused
vacation time in 2005. |
|
(4) |
We entered into a two-year employment agreement with
Mr. Hemsley, effective July 18, 2005, under which he
is paid an annual base salary of $135,000. Other annual
compensation in 2005 consists of the payment by SCC of
Mr. Hemsleys annual long-term disability insurance
premium and life insurance premium. |
|
(5) |
All other compensation includes employer contributions under our
401(k) plan. |
54
Stock Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year
During fiscal 2005, options to acquire our common stock were
granted by our board of directors to the individuals named above
in the summary compensation table pursuant to our 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value at Assumed | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Rates of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price | |
|
|
|
|
Appreciation for | |
|
|
Individual Grants |
|
Option Term | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
% of Total Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Granted (#) | |
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
($/Share) | |
|
Expiration Date |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
% |
|
$ |
9.69 |
|
|
July 18, 2010 |
|
$ |
26,772 |
|
|
$ |
59,158 |
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
$ |
16.78 |
|
|
September 12, 2010 |
|
$ |
7,087 |
|
|
$ |
15,696 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
% |
|
$ |
9.69 |
|
|
July 18, 2010 |
|
$ |
26,772 |
|
|
$ |
59,158 |
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
$ |
16.78 |
|
|
September 12, 2010 |
|
$ |
7,087 |
|
|
$ |
15,696 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
|
2,800 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
% |
|
$ |
9.69 |
|
|
July 18, 2010 |
|
$ |
7,496 |
|
|
$ |
16,564 |
|
Options to acquire 117,600 shares of our common stock were
granted to our employees during fiscal 2005. The options to
acquire 10,000 shares of our common stock granted to
Messrs. Manning and Harper, and the option to acquire 2,800
shares of our common stock granted to Mr. Hemsley, vest in
full on July 18, 2007. The options to acquire 1,500 shares
of our common stock granted to Messrs. Manning and Harper
vest in five equal installments on the first five anniversaries
of the date of grant. Vesting of all of the options granted to
Messrs. Manning, Harper and Hemsley is accelerated in the
event of a change in control of our company, as defined in our
2001 Stock Incentive Plan.
Aggregate Option Exercises in the Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-End Option Values
During fiscal 2005, there were no option exercises by any of the
individuals named above in the executive compensation table.
The following table sets forth certain information based upon
the fair market value per share of our common stock at
December 30, 2005 ($16.83), with respect to stock options
held on that date by each of the individuals named above in the
summary compensation table. The value of unexercised
in-the-money options is
the difference between the market value of our common stock
subject to the options at December 30, 2005 and the
exercise price of the option shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
December 30, 2005 | |
|
December 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
|
7,160 |
|
|
|
28,540 |
|
|
$ |
106,000 |
|
|
$ |
308,648 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
|
10,701 |
|
|
|
24,999 |
|
|
$ |
157,774 |
|
|
$ |
256,875 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
|
438,924 |
|
|
|
5,300 |
|
|
$ |
6,751,800 |
|
|
$ |
54,317 |
|
Employment Contracts; Termination of Employment; and
Change-in-Control
Arrangements
Mr. Patrick T. Manning. Mr. Manning serves as
our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling General, Inc.,
or SGI, the general partner of TSC under an employment agreement
dated July 18, 2004, as amended on November 2, 2005.
The term of Mr. Mannings employment under the
agreement continues until July 18, 2007, followed by
additional one-year terms if we give at least 90 days
notice to extend the agreement prior to the end of the term and
if Mr. Manning has not already given 180 days
notice of his intention to resign. Failure to extend the
original three-year term of the agreement and any one-year
extended term gives Mr. Manning good reason to
terminate his employment agreement (as discussed below).
55
The agreement provides for the payment to Mr. Manning of a
base annual salary of $240,000. Mr. Manning is also
entitled to an annual bonus of $125,000 for any fiscal year
during which TSC, on a consolidated basis, achieves 75% or more
of its budgeted EBITDA. Annual budgets are subject to the
approval of the boards of directors of both TSC and SCC. An
additional incentive bonus of up to a maximum of 100% of his
base annual salary is payable to Mr. Manning based on the
extent by which (if at all) TSCs consolidated EBITDA for a
given year exceeds budgeted EBITDA, provided that the excess is
at least 10%. The additional incentive bonus, however, is
subject to a cap that has the effect of limiting, on a pro rata
basis, the additional incentive bonuses payable to certain
executive officers of SGI (including Mr. Manning) to 30% of
the amount of the excess EBITDA. As listed above in the summary
compensation table, Mr. Manning earned total bonuses of
$300,000 in 2003 and $179,873 in 2004, which were paid in 2004
and 2005, respectively. As of the effective date of the
employment agreement and on its first two anniversaries, we are
obligated to grant Mr. Manning an employee stock option to
purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock
on the date of the grant. Each option expires five years from
its date of grant and vests in full on July 18, 2007, the
end of the three-year term of the employment agreement.
Mr. Manning is also entitled to a car allowance, paid
vacation time and participation in our health, bonus and other
fringe benefit plans.
If Mr. Manning terminates his employment for good
reason (as defined in the agreement), we must continue to
pay his annual base salary for the balance of the term of the
agreement, but in any event for 12 months. If we terminate
Mr. Mannings employment without good
cause (as defined in the agreement), we must continue to
pay him his annual base salary until the earlier of the balance
of the term of the agreement (including any extensions thereof)
or until he ceases to be subject to the non-competition and
non-solicitation obligation described below. If Mr. Manning
terminates his employment without good reason, if we terminate
his employment for good cause, or in the event of his death or
permanent disability, we are only required to pay him his base
annual salary and any vested benefits through the date of
termination. The options granted to Mr. Manning under the
employment agreement will continue in effect until they expire
or are exercised notwithstanding his termination of employment,
unless we terminate Mr. Mannings employment for good
cause, in which case the options will terminate on the date that
Mr. Mannings employment terminates.
Mr. Manning is also subject to non-competition and
non-solicitation provisions for a period of one or two years
after termination of employment depending on the reason for the
termination, along with ongoing confidentiality requirements. If
the termination of Mr. Mannings employment is by us
without good cause or by Mr. Manning for good reason, our
payment obligations described below and the non-competition and
non-solicitation obligations continue for one year. If the
termination of his employment is by us for good cause or by
Mr. Manning without good reason, our payment obligations
and the non-compete and non-solicitation obligations continue
for two years. The agreement provides for a payment to
Mr. Manning after his employment terminates of
$1,000 per month in exchange for his obligation not to
compete with SCC or TSC and not to solicit their customers,
clients or employees during the applicable period. In the event
Mr. Mannings employment is terminated by us without
good cause, Mr. Manning may elect to forego the monthly
payments and be free of any non-compete and non-solicitation
obligations. In the event Mr. Manning terminates the
agreement because of a change in control (as defined
in the agreement), SCC is under no obligation to make the
payments, and Mr. Manning is not subject to the
non-competition or non-solicitation obligation. By their terms,
the vesting of all of Mr. Mannings stock options is
accelerated in the event of a change in control of our company.
Mr. Joseph P. Harper, Sr. Mr. Harper is
our President and Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of SGI
under a three-year employment agreement identical to
Mr. Mannings except that his base annual salary is
$215,000 and he is entitled to take 18 weeks of vacation
with the right to extend or reduce that vacation time by
foregoing or receiving additional annual base salary at the rate
of $4,000 per week. By their terms, the vesting of all of
Mr. Harpers stock options is accelerated in the event
of a change in control of our company.
56
Mr. Maarten D. Hemsley. Mr. Hemsley is our
Chief Financial Officer under a two-year employment agreement
that is substantially similar to Mr. Mannings, except
that his base annual salary is $135,000, his maximum regular
bonus is $50,000, any additional bonus is in the discretion of
the compensation committee and is limited to a maximum of
$75,000 and his annual stock option grant is 2,800 shares
of our common stock. The agreement provides for long-term
disability coverage and a minimum of $100,000 of term life
insurance coverage. Unlike the employment agreements of
Messrs. Manning and Harper, if Mr. Hemsley terminates
his employment within 30 days after a change in
control (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Hemsley is
entitled to accelerated vesting of all his stock options and the
payment of any bonus that is earned but has not been paid on the
date of termination.
57
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the
beneficial ownership of our common stock and the shares
beneficially owned by the selling stockholders as of
December 30, 2005, for:
|
|
|
|
|
each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our
outstanding common stock; |
|
|
|
each executive officer named above in the summary compensation
table; |
|
|
|
each of our directors; |
|
|
|
all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and |
|
|
|
the selling stockholders. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect
to securities. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to
applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
table below have sole voting and investment power with respect
to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by
them, and their address is 20810 Fernbush Lane, Houston, Texas
77073. The percentage of beneficial ownership before the
offering is based on 8,165,123 shares of common stock
outstanding as of December 30, 2005. The percentage of
beneficial ownership after the offering is based on
10,490,144 shares of common stock outstanding, including
the shares of common stock to be sold by us and the selling
stockholders in this offering. Such number, and the
post-offering ownership percentages in the table below, take
into account the exercise of the underwriters
overallotment option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned | |
|
|
|
Owned After this | |
|
|
Prior to this Offering | |
|
|
|
Offering | |
|
|
| |
|
Number of | |
|
| |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
Shares Offered | |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John D. Abernathy
|
|
|
104,162 |
(1) |
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,162 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Robert W. Frickel
|
|
|
79,000 |
(2) |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
|
811,642 |
(3) |
|
|
9.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
811,642 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
% |
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
|
519,812 |
(4) |
|
|
6.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
519,812 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
% |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
|
236,380 |
(5) |
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
236,380 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
Christopher H. B. Mills
|
|
|
887,000 |
(6) |
|
|
10.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
887,000 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
% |
Milton L. Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David R. A. Steadman
|
|
|
19,000 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c/o North Atlantic Value LLP**
Ryder Court
14 Ryder Street
London SW1Y 6QB, England |
|
|
870,000 |
(8) |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
870,000 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
% |
J O Hambro Capital Management Group, Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ryder Court
14 Ryder Street
London SW1Y 6QB, England |
|
|
870,000 |
(8) |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
870,000 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
% |
J O Hambro Capital Management Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ryder Court
14 Ryder Street
London SW1Y 6QB, England |
|
|
870,000 |
(8) |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
870,000 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
% |
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned | |
|
|
|
Owned After this | |
|
|
Prior to this Offering | |
|
|
|
Offering | |
|
|
| |
|
Number of | |
|
| |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
Shares Offered | |
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Growth Financial Services Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c/o North Atlantic Value LLP**
Ryder Court
14 Ryder Street
London SW1Y 6QB, England |
|
|
870,000 |
(8) |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
870,000 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
% |
Robert M. Davies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c/o Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP |
|
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
Attention: John Schuster |
|
|
180,492 |
(9) |
|
|
2.2 |
% |
|
|
180,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KTI, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c/o Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, Vermont 05701 |
|
|
100,000 |
(10) |
|
|
1.2 |
% |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Manning
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 Highland Green
The Woodlands, Texas 77381 |
|
|
303,445 |
(10) |
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
41,266 |
|
|
|
262,179 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
% |
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)
|
|
|
2,700,156 |
(11) |
|
|
30.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,700,156 |
|
|
|
24.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
* |
Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%) |
|
|
|
|
** |
Successor to J O Hambro Capital Management Limited |
|
|
(1) |
This number includes 98,166 shares that are issuable under
outstanding stock options within 60 days of
December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from $0.75 to
$6.87 per share. |
|
(2) |
This number includes 17,000 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$1.50 to $6.87 per share. |
|
(3) |
This number includes 10,701 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$1.50 to $16.78 per share and 127,574 shares issuable
under a warrant that is presently exercisable at $1.50 per
share. |
|
(4) |
This number includes 438,924 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$0.50 to $9.69 per share. |
|
(5) |
This number includes 7,160 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$1.50 to $16.78 per share and 22,220 shares issuable
under a warrant that is presently exercisable at $1.50 per
share. |
|
(6) |
This number includes the 870,000 shares that are described
in note 10 and 17,000 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$1.50 to $6.87 per share. |
|
(7) |
This number includes 5,000 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at $6.87 per share. |
|
(8) |
J O Hambro Capital Management Group Limited, JOHCMG,
Christopher H. B. Mills, Growth Financial Services Limited and
NASCIT claim shared voting power of these shares pursuant to
Amendment No. 1 to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC
on February 14, 2002. |
|
(9) |
These shares are issuable under outstanding stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of December 30, 2005 at
prices ranging from $0.875 to $6.87 per share. |
|
|
(10) |
This number includes 41,266 shares issuable under an outstanding
warrant that is exercisable within 60 days of December 30,
2005 at a price of $1.50 per share. |
|
(11) |
This number includes 614,951 shares issuable under
outstanding stock options that are exercisable within
60 days of December 30, 2005 at prices ranging from
$0.50 to $16.78 per share and 149,794 shares issuable
under warrants that are presently exercisable at $1.50 per share. |
59
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The descriptions set forth below are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the applicable agreements, copies of which are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this
prospectus forms a part.
Sterling Acquisition
Certain members of our management team have assisted us in
expanding our capital base by providing different types of
financing over the last seven years. In October 1999, we
increased our consolidated equity ownership of TSC from 7% to
12% and subsequently increased our ownership to 80.1% in July
2001 and to 100% in December 2004. These acquisition
transactions were financed in part through loans made by certain
members of management to us.
In connection with the increase of our purchase of equity in TSC
in 1999, Mr. James D. Manning (a founder of TSC and brother
of Patrick T. Manning, our Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer) and Mr. Hemsley (our Chief Financial Officer and a
director) loaned $800,000 and $116,000, respectively, to us.
These promissory notes accrued interest at the rate of 14%
payable quarterly and had a maturity date of October 2000. In
July 2001, we:
|
|
|
|
|
refinanced the note issued to Mr. Hemsley by adding the amount
of accrued and unpaid interest and reducing the interest rate to
12% per annum and extending the maturity date to July 2005; |
|
|
|
refinanced the note issued to James D. Manning by reducing
the interest rate to 12% per annum and extending the
maturity date to July 2005; |
|
|
|
issued a new $187,000 zero coupon promissory note to James D.
Manning with an interest rate of 12% per annum, in
consideration for his agreeing to amend the original note; |
|
|
|
issued an additional note to Mr. Hemsley ($136,421) with an
interest rate of 12% per annum, in connection with a
business combination; and |
|
|
|
issued warrants to purchase shares of our common stock,
including warrants to Messrs. James D. Manning, Patrick T.
Manning, Joseph P. Harper Sr. and Joseph Harper, Jr. (son of
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.) for the acquisition of 111,407,
63,486, 127,574 and 13,119 shares of our common stock,
respectively. |
James D. Manning subsequently sold $370,000 of his notes to
Mr. Harper (our President and Chief Operating Officer) and
$123,000 of his notes to an officer of Sterling General, Inc.,
one of our subsidiaries. As a result of these transactions,
Messrs. James D. Manning, Hemsley and Joseph P. Harper,
Sr., held notes in the principal amounts of $493,500, $280,574
and $370,125, respectively. Thereafter, all of the notes were
amended to provide for a maturity date coterminous with the date
that we were required to purchase the remaining interest in TSC
from the SHH stockholders who received a right during the
2001 equity purchase to sell (put) their remaining SHH
shares to us starting in July 2004. In October 2005, Mr. Patrick
T. Manning transferred a warrant to purchase 41,266 shares of
common stock to Linda Manning.
In July 2004, the stockholders of SHH exercised their put right
to require that we purchase their remaining shares of SHH for
consideration consisting of a combination of cash, our common
stock and our five-year notes bearing interest at an annual rate
of 12%. The exercise of the put right also triggered the
acceleration of the maturity of the other notes discussed above,
which were satisfied in November and
60
December 2004 through a payment of cash and the issuance of the
same form of five-year notes. The cash paid and common stock and
notes issued as a result of all these transactions were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Cash | |
|
Shares | |
|
Five-Year Notes | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
$ |
460,458 |
|
|
|
135,474 |
|
|
$ |
364,831 |
|
James D. Manning
|
|
$ |
660,649 |
|
|
|
218,357 |
|
|
$ |
2,124,633 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
$ |
1,045,764 |
|
|
|
345,437 |
|
|
$ |
3,020,201 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
$ |
208,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
207,504 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Jr.
|
|
$ |
102,023 |
|
|
|
142,339 |
|
|
$ |
134,772 |
|
Contemplated Transactions
Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we
anticipate that we will prepay in full the approximately
$8.4 million outstanding principal amount of, and accrued
interest on, our
five-year 12%
promissory notes described in Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Other Debt. As a result,
Messrs. Patrick T. Manning, James D. Manning,
Joseph P. Harper, Sr., Hemsley and Joseph
Harper, Jr. will receive cash principal payments of
$318,592, $1,855,350, $2,637,422, $181,205 and $117,691,
respectively.
Steel City Products Financing
In January 2003, certain members of management, including
Mr. Harper ($70,000) and Mr. Hemsley ($25,000), loaned
an aggregate of $250,000 to Steel City Products for working
capital. Under the original terms of the loan, interest at an
annual rate of 10% per annum was paid monthly, with a
maturity date of July 2003. The maturity date was later extended
to December 2003 with the addition of our guarantee of the notes
and was extended again through June 2004 with an increase in the
interest rate to 12% per annum. These notes were repaid in
full in three installments in January and February 2005.
Other Transactions
Since January 2001, Mr. Hemsley has provided consulting
services to (and since May 2002 has been an employee of) J O
Hambro Capital Management Group Limited, or J O Hambro, as
Fund Manager of Leisure & Media Venture Capital Trust
plc, and recently of its Trident Private Equity II
investment fund, neither of which funds were or are an investor
in us or any of our affiliates. J O Hambro held 10.7% of our
outstanding capital stock at December 30, 2005.
Mr. Frickel is President of R.W. Frickel
Company, P.C., an accounting firm based in Michigan that
performs certain accounting and tax services for us. Fees paid
or accrued to R.W. Frickel Company for fiscal 2005 were
approximately $113,000.
In July 2005, Patrick Manning married Amy Peterson, the sole
beneficial owner of Paradigm Outdoor Supply, LLC and Paradigm
Outsourcing, Inc., both of which are women-owned business
enterprises. The Paradigm companies provide materials and
services to us and to other contractors. From July 2005, when
Ms. Peterson and Mr. Manning were married, through
December 31, 2005, we paid approximately $6.0 million
to the Paradigm companies for materials and services. Our audit
committee approved all purchases from the Paradigm companies for
the period July 2005 through December 31, 2005.
Joseph Harper, Jr., the son of our President and Chief Operating
Officer, is employed as the Chief Financial Officer of Sterling
General, Inc. and received a salary and bonus in fiscal 2005 of
approximately $165,000.
Reference is made to information contained under the headings
Management Director Compensation,
Management Employment Contracts; Termination
of Employment; and
Change-in-Control
Arrangements and Management Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.
61
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of 14,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share, the rights and preferences of which may be
established from time to time by our board of directors. Upon
completion of this offering, there will be 10,186,881
outstanding shares of common stock, 1,121,455 shares
reserved for issuance under our employee stock option plans
(including outstanding options granted thereunder),
386,073 shares reserved for issuance under outstanding
warrants, and no outstanding shares of preferred stock. The
following description of our capital stock is only a summary,
does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified
by our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, and bylaws, which are included as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part,
and by the provisions of applicable Delaware law.
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each
share on all matters voted upon by our stockholders, including
the election of directors, and do not have cumulative voting
rights. Subject to the rights of holders of any then outstanding
shares of our preferred stock, our common stockholders are
entitled to receive ratably any dividends that may be declared
by our board of directors out of funds legally available
therefor. Holders of our common stock are entitled to share
ratably in our net assets upon our dissolution or liquidation
after payment or provision for all liabilities and any
preferential liquidation rights of our preferred stock then
outstanding. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive
rights to purchase shares of our stock. The shares of our common
stock are not subject to any redemption provisions and are not
convertible into any other shares of our capital stock. All
outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of
common stock to be issued in the offering will be, upon payment
therefor, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences
and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to
those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock we may
issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors may, from time to time, authorize the
issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred stock
without stockholder approval. We have no current intention to
issue any shares of preferred stock.
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, permits us to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock from time to time. Subject to the provisions of
our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, and limitations prescribed by law, our board of
directors is authorized to adopt resolutions to issue shares,
establish the number of shares and provide or change the voting
powers, designations, preferences and relative rights,
qualifications, limitations or restrictions on shares of our
preferred stock, including dividend rights, terms of redemption,
conversion rights and liquidation preferences, in each case
without any action or vote by our stockholders.
The issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights
of our common stockholders by, among other things:
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restricting dividends on the common stock; |
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diluting the voting power of the common stock; |
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impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; or |
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delaying or preventing a change in control without further
action by the stockholders. |
As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred
stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of our
common stock.
62
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
In December 1998, we entered into a rights agreement with
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights
agent, providing for a dividend of one purchase right for each
outstanding share of our common stock. We issued the dividend to
stockholders of record on December 29, 1998 and holders of
shares of common stock issued since that date are issued rights
with their shares. The rights trade automatically with shares of
common stock and become exercisable only under the circumstances
described below. The rights are designed to protect the
interests of SCC and our stockholders against coercive tactics
by encouraging potential acquirers to negotiate with the board
of directors of SCC prior to attempting a takeover and to
provide the board with leverage in negotiating on behalf of all
stockholders the terms of any proposed takeover. The rights may
have anti-takeover effects but the rights are not intended to
prevent a takeover of SCC.
Until a right is exercised, the rights will not entitle the
holder to additional rights as an SCC stockholder, including,
without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
Upon becoming exercisable, each right will entitle its holder to
purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of
$10 per one one-hundredth of a share, subject to
adjustment. In general, the rights will become exercisable upon
the earlier of: (i) the tenth day after a person or group
of affiliated or associated persons (an acquiring
person) publicly announces that he, she or it has
acquired, or has obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 4.5% or more of our outstanding common stock, or
(ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be
determined by action of SCCs board of directors taken
prior to a person or group becoming an acquiring person)
following the commencement or announcement of a tender offer or
exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in the
beneficial ownership by a person or group of 4.5% or more of the
outstanding common stock. The earlier of such dates is referred
to as the distribution date. In the event that,
after the distribution date occurs and a person or group becomes
an acquiring person, (i) SCC is acquired in a merger or
other business combination transaction, or (ii) 50% or more
of our consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper
provision must be made so that each holder of a right that has
not theretofore been exercised, exchanged or redeemed (other
than rights beneficially owned by the acquiring person, which
will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, shares of common stock of the acquiring
company having a value equal to two times the purchase price.
Any rights that are at any time beneficially owned by an
acquiring person, or any associate or affiliate of the acquiring
person, will be null and void and nontransferable, and any
holder of such right, including any purported transferee or
subsequent holder, will be unable to exercise or transfer the
right.
The rights will expire on December 29, 2008, unless
redeemed or exchanged prior to that time. At any time on or
prior to the earlier of (i) the time a person or group
becomes an acquiring person and (ii) the expiration date,
we may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price
of $0.001 per right.
The preceding summary is not complete and is not intended to
give full effect to provisions of statutory or common law. You
should refer to the applicable provisions of the rights
agreement and the form of rights certificate, which are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our
Form 8-A filed
with the SEC on January 5, 1999.
Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, prohibits the transfer (other than by SCC or with the
consent of our board of directors) of our common stock to any
person who, after taking into consideration such transfer, would
own more than 4.5% of our outstanding common stock. Any
purported transfer to the contrary will not be effective.
Prohibiting a person from acquiring more than 4.5% of our common
stock might impact a persons decision to purchase our
voting securities in an attempt to cause a change in control of
SCC.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, the power
to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the
stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its certificate of
incorporation
63
also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt,
amend or repeal its bylaws. Our charter and bylaws grant our
board the power to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws on the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
Our stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws but only
at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by the holders
of not less than 75% of the voting power of all outstanding
voting stock.
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, provides that our board of directors will be divided
into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as
nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately
one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year.
The classification of directors has the effect of making it more
difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our
board.
When there is a classified board of directors, the DGCL provides
that stockholders may remove directors only for cause, unless a
companys certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, and bylaws do not permit the removal of directors other
than for cause. Such requirement may deter third parties from
making a tender offer or acquiring our common stock through open
market purchases in order to obtain control of us because they
could not use their acquired voting power to remove existing
directors.
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, and bylaws provide that special meetings of our
stockholders may be called only by our board of directors.
Stockholders are prohibited from calling special meetings.
Eliminating the ability of stockholders to call a special
meeting may result in delaying expensive proxy contests until
our annual stockholders meeting, which might impact a
persons decision to purchase our voting securities in an
attempt to cause a change in control of SCC.
Our restated and amended certificate of incorporation, as
amended, and bylaws provide that stockholders may take action
only at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders.
Stockholders may not act by written consent. Eliminating the
ability for stockholders to act by written consent could
lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder
actions, which will ensure that stockholders will have
sufficient time to weigh the arguments presented by both sides
in connection with any contested stockholder vote, thereby
potentially discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in
control of SCC.
Although Section 214 of the DGCL provides that a
corporations certificate of incorporation may provide for
cumulative voting for directors, our restated and amended
certificate of incorporation, as amended, does not provide for
cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of a majority of the
votes of the outstanding shares of our common stock have the
ability to elect all of the directors being elected at any
annual meeting of stockholders.
Registration Rights Agreements
Each of our outstanding warrants gives the holder of the warrant
the right to have the shares that he or it can purchase under
his or its warrant included in any public offering of our
shares, including this offering (with certain exceptions). Prior
to filing a registration statement, we are required to give
written notice to the warrant holders. Each warrant holder then
has 20 days in which to elect to have his or its shares
included in the offering. If the offering is underwritten, the
warrant holder has to agree to participate in the underwriting
if he or it wants his or its shares included. However, the
number of shares that warrant holders desire to include in an
offering can be reduced or eliminated if the managing
underwriter determines that marketing factors require a
limitation on the number of shares (other than the shares to be
issued by us) to be included in the offering. If the managing
underwriter imposes a reduction in the number of shares, the
reduction is on a pro rata basis among other warrant holders
electing to have their shares included in the offering. We are
required to pay the expenses of the offering, including the
registration and filing fees, exchange listing fees, and the
fees and expenses of our counsel and accountants, but are not
required to pay any brokerage fees, selling commissions or
underwriting discounts of the warrant holders or the fees and
expenses of their counsel. In addition, we are required to
indemnify the warrant holders against any claims resulting from
any untrue statement of a material fact that is in the
registration statement or any omission to state a fact required
to be stated or necessary to make statements
64
in the registration statement not misleading, unless the claim
is based on information that was provided by a warrant holder.
Each warrant holder participating in the offering is required to
indemnify us against any claims resulting from any untrue
statement of a material fact that is in the registration
statement or any omission to state a fact required to be stated
or necessary to make statements in the registration statement
not misleading if the claim is based on information that was
provided by the warrant holder.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law
Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to
exceptions specified therein, an interested
stockholder of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in
any business combination, including general mergers
or consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of the
corporation, with the corporation for a three-year period
following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder unless:
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prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction
which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder; |
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upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the
interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of
the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced (excluding specified shares); or |
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on or subsequent to such time, the business combination is
approved by the board of directors of the corporation and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and
not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least
662/3%
of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested
stockholder. |
Under Section 203, the restrictions described above also do
not apply to specified business combinations proposed by an
interested stockholder following the announcement or
notification of one of specified transactions involving the
corporation and a person who had not been an interested
stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the
corporations directors, if such transaction is approved or
not opposed by a majority of the directors who were directors
prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during
the previous three years or were recommended for election or
elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such
directors. The restrictions described above also do not apply to
specified business combinations with a person who is an
interested stockholder prior to the time when the
corporations common stock is listed on a national
securities exchange, so these restrictions would not apply to a
business combination with any person who is a stockholder of SCC
prior to this offering.
Except as otherwise specified in Section 203, an
interested stockholder is defined to include:
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any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate
of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within
three years immediately prior to the date of
determination; and |
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the affiliates and associates of any such person. |
Under some circumstances, Section 203 makes it more
difficult for a person who is an interested stockholder to
effect various business combinations with us for a three-year
period. We have not elected to be exempt from the restrictions
imposed under Section 203.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
65
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that sales of shares or
the availability of shares for sale will have on the market
price prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of
significant amounts of our common stock in the public market, or
the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely
affect prevailing market prices and impair our future ability to
raise capital through the sale of our equity at a time and price
we deem appropriate.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will have
10,186,881 shares (or in the event the underwriters
over-allotment option is exercised in full,
10,490,144 shares) of our common stock outstanding. Of
these shares, 6,224,064 shares (or in the event the
underwriters over-allotment option is exercised in full,
6,527,327 shares) will be freely tradable without
restriction, except for any shares of our common stock purchased
in this offering by our affiliates, as that term is
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which would
be subject to the limitations and restrictions described below.
The remaining 3,962,817 shares of our common stock
outstanding upon completion of this offering are deemed
restricted securities, as that term is defined under
Rule 144 of the Securities Act, are held by affiliates and
must be sold in compliance with Rule 144 or are subject to
the lock-up agreements
described in Underwriting. Securities that are
restricted or held by affiliates may be sold in the
U.S. public market only if registered or if they qualify
for an exemption from registration under the provisions of
Rule 144 or Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act,
which rules are described below. Of the 3,962,817 shares of
our common stock that are deemed restricted and that will be
outstanding upon completion of this offering,
2,849,389 shares would qualify for exemption under
Rule 144 and 1,107,928 shares would qualify for
exemption under Rule 144(k).
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a
person, or persons whose shares must be aggregated, who has
beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at
least one year is entitled to sell within any three-month period
a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of the
following:
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one percent of the number of shares of common stock then
outstanding, which will equal approximately 101,869 shares
(or, in the event the underwriters over-allotment option
is exercised in full, 104,901 shares) immediately after
this offering, or |
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the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the
AMEX or Nasdaq, as applicable, during the four calendar weeks
preceding the date of filing of a notice on Form 144 with
respect to the sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 are also generally subject to certain
manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the
availability of current public information about us.
Rule 144(k)
Under Rule 144(k), a person, or persons whose shares must
be aggregated, who is not deemed to have been one of our
affiliates at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale
and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold
for at least two years would be entitled to sell the shares
under Rule 144(k) without complying with the manner of
sale, public information, volume limitations or notice or public
information requirements of Rule 144. Therefore, unless
otherwise restricted, the shares eligible for sale under
Rule 144(k) may be sold immediately upon the completion of
this offering.
Lock-Up Agreements
For a description of the
120-day
lock-up agreements with
the underwriters that restrict sales of shares by us and by our
executive officers, directors, other members of management and
certain affiliates, see Underwriting Lock-Up
Agreements.
66
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below, for whom
D.A. Davidson & Co. and Morgan Joseph & Co.
Inc., are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to
purchase, and we and the selling stockholders have agreed to
sell to each underwriter, the respective number of shares of
common stock set forth opposite the name of each underwriter
below:
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Underwriter |
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Number of Shares | |
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D.A. Davidson & Co.
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1,213,055 |
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Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc.
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808,703 |
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Total
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2,021,758 |
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The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject
to their acceptance of the shares from us and the selling
stockholders and subject to prior sale. The underwriting
agreement provides that the obligation of the several
underwriters to purchase the shares of common stock offered by
this prospectus is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters must
purchase all of the shares of common stock offered hereby if any
of the shares are purchased, except for the shares covered by
the over-allotment option described below, unless and until the
option is exercised.
The underwriters have advised us and the selling stockholders
that they propose to offer the shares of common stock directly
to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus, and to dealers at the public
offering price less a selling concession not in excess of
$0.63 per share. The underwriters also may allow, and
dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of
$0.10 per share to brokers and dealers. After the offering,
the representatives may change the offering price and other
selling terms.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to
303,263 additional shares of our common stock at the public
offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters
may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering
overallotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of
the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. The
underwriters may exercise this option, in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time for 30 days from the date of
the underwriting agreement. To the extent that the underwriters
exercise this option, each underwriter will be committed, as
long as the conditions of the underwriting agreement are
satisfied, to purchase a number of additional shares of common
stock proportionate to the underwriters initial commitment
as set forth in the preceding table, and we will be obligated to
sell the shares of common stock to the underwriters. If
purchased, the additional shares will be sold by the
underwriters on the same terms as those on which the other
shares are sold. We will pay the expenses associated with the
exercise of this option.
67
Underwriting Discount and Offering Expenses
The following table shows the per share and total public
offering price, underwriting discount to be paid to the
underwriters, and the net proceeds to us and the selling
stockholders before expenses. This information is presented
assuming both no exercise and full exercise by the underwriters
of their over-allotment option.
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Total | |
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Without | |
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With | |
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Per | |
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Overallotment | |
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Overallotment | |
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Share | |
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Exercise | |
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Exercise | |
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Public offering price
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$ |
15.00 |
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$ |
30,326,370 |
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$ |
34,875,315 |
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Underwriting discount payable by us
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$ |
1.05 |
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$ |
1,785,000 |
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$ |
2,103,426 |
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Underwriting discount payable by the selling stockholders
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$ |
1.05 |
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$ |
337,846 |
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$ |
337,846 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$ |
13.95 |
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$ |
23,715,000 |
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$ |
27,945,519 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders
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$ |
13.95 |
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$ |
4,488,524 |
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$ |
4,488,524 |
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In addition to the underwriting fees described above, we have
agreed to pay D.A. Davidson & Co. a non-accountable
expense allowance of $100,000. Including this amount, we
estimate that the expenses of this offering payable by us,
exclusive of the underwriting discount, will be approximately
$767,500.
Stabilizing Transactions
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase
and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions
may include over-allotment and stabilizing transaction,
passive market making and purchases to cover
syndicate short positions created in connection with the
offering.
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Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases
made to prevent or retard a decline in the market price of our
common stock. |
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Passive market making consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq
no greater than the bid prices of independent market makers and
making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids
and effected in response to order flow. |
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Syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters
of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are
required to purchase from us in the offering. |
The representatives also may impose a penalty bid, whereby they
may reclaim selling concessions from underwriting syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the common stock
sold in the offering for the members or
broker-dealers respective accounts if the syndicate
repurchases the shares in stabilizing or covering transactions.
These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of our common stock, which may be greater than the
price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. These
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These
transactions may be effected on Nasdaq, in the
over-the-counter market
or otherwise.
In addition, one or more selling stockholders may have covered
short positions in respect of the shares being sold by them in
this offering that will become uncovered as a result of this
sale. After the distribution has been completed, they may close
out these positions through purchases of the common stock in the
open market.
68
Discretionary Accounts
The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend to
confirm sales of shares of our common stock being offered to
accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Lock-Up Agreements
We, each of our executive officers, directors, other members of
management and certain affiliates have agreed with the
representatives that, during the period ending 120 days
after the date of this prospectus, which we refer to as the
restricted period, none of us will, without the prior consent of
D.A. Davidson & Co., directly or indirectly,
offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock
or any securities which may be converted into or exchanged or
exercised for any such shares of common stock, or enter into any
swap or other arrangement that transfers to another person, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership
of our common stock. The restricted period is subject to a
limited extension in certain circumstances if shares if our
common stock are not actively traded securities, as
defined in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The foregoing restrictions do not apply to:
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the sale by us and the selling stockholders of shares of common
stock to the underwriters; |
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the issuance by us of shares of common stock pursuant to, or the
grant of options under, our existing stock incentive plans or
outstanding warrants; |
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the sale of shares of common stock acquired in the public market
after the closing of this offering; or |
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transfers of shares of common stock or securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock by any of
the persons subject to a
lock-up agreement
(a) as a bona fide gift or gifts, (b) by will or
intestacy or (c) to any affiliate or member of the such
persons immediate family or a trust created for the direct
or indirect benefit of such person or the immediate family
thereof; provided that, in any such case the transferee or
transferees shall execute and deliver to the representatives,
before such transfer, an agreement to be bound by the
restrictions on transfer described above. |
In addition, during the restricted period, subject to certain
exceptions, we have also agreed not to file any registration
statement for the registration of any shares of common stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for common stock without the prior written consent of the
representatives.
Directed Share Program
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale to our
employees, business associates and other third parties at the
initial public offering price, up to 50,000 shares being
offered by this prospectus. The sale of the reserved shares to
these purchasers will be made by D.A. Davidson & Co.
The purchasers of these shares will not be subject to a lock-up
except to the extent the purchasers are subject to a lock-up
agreement with the underwriters as described above. We do not
know if our employees, business associates and other third
parties will choose to purchase all or any portion of the
reserved shares, but any purchases they do make will reduce the
number of shares available to the general public. If all of the
reserved shares are not purchased, the underwriters will offer
the remainder to the general public on the same terms as the
other shares offered by this prospectus.
69
Indemnification
We and the selling stockholders will indemnify the underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. If we and the selling stockholders are unable to
provide this indemnification, we and the selling stockholders
will contribute to payments that the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their affiliates may in the future provide
various investment banking and other financial services for us
and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future
receive customary fees. The underwriters have advised us that,
except as specifically contemplated in the underwriting
agreement, they owe no fiduciary or other duties to us in
connection with this offering, and that they have agreements and
relationships with, and owe duties to, third parties, including
potential purchasers of the securities in this offering, that
may create actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest
between the underwriters and us.
70
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this
prospectus will be passed upon for our company by Andrews Kurth
LLP, Houston, Texas. The underwriters have been represented by
Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle, Washington.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Sterling Construction Company, Inc.
and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and
for each of the years in the three year period ended
December 31, 2004, have been included herein and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the report of Grant
Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm,
appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and file reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. We have also filed with the SEC a registration
statement on
Form S-1 to
register our common stock being issued pursuant to this
offering. This prospectus, which forms part of the registration
statement, does not contain all of the information included in
the registration statement. For further information about us and
our common stock offered in this prospectus, you should refer to
the registration statement and its exhibits. You may read and
copy the registration statement and any other document that we
file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F
Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site that contains
registration statements, reports, proxy statements and other
information regarding registrants, such as us, that file
electronically with the SEC. The address of the web site is
www.sec.gov. Except for the registration statement and its
exhibits, the information that we file with the SEC is not
included or incorporated in the registration statement and
should not be relied upon by potential investors in determining
whether to purchase shares of our common stock in this offering.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
document or to which we have referred you. We and the selling
stockholders have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different. This document may be used only
where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in
this document may be accurate only on the date of this
document.
71
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
Interim Financial Statements of Sterling Construction
Company, Inc. (unaudited):
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and
September 30, 2005
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity for the Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2005
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
Audited Financial Statements of Sterling Construction
Company, Inc.:
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
F-12 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003
and 2004
|
|
|
F-13 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
|
|
F-14 |
|
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity for the
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
|
|
F-15 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
|
|
F-16 |
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-17 |
|
F-1
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. &
SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
ASSETS |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
20,138 |
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
Contracts receivable
|
|
|
40,762 |
|
|
|
26,250 |
|
|
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on
uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
3,296 |
|
|
|
5,884 |
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
4,824 |
|
|
|
3,986 |
|
|
Prepaid taxes
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale
|
|
|
8,823 |
|
|
|
7,343 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
847 |
|
|
|
1,497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
78,770 |
|
|
|
48,409 |
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
27,130 |
|
|
|
21,028 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
12,735 |
|
|
|
12,735 |
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
3,400 |
|
|
|
6,493 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
754 |
|
|
|
879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,889 |
|
|
|
20,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
122,789 |
|
|
$ |
89,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
29,245 |
|
|
$ |
14,382 |
|
|
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted
contracts
|
|
|
12,017 |
|
|
|
4,477 |
|
|
Short-term debt, related parties
|
|
|
2,112 |
|
|
|
3,343 |
|
|
Current maturities of long term obligations
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
|
|
|
8,582 |
|
|
|
7,786 |
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
4,092 |
|
|
|
2,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
56,171 |
|
|
|
32,357 |
|
Long-term obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
15,742 |
|
|
|
13,329 |
|
|
Long-term debt, related parties
|
|
|
6,865 |
|
|
|
7,755 |
|
|
Other long-term obligations
|
|
|
809 |
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,416 |
|
|
|
21,979 |
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized
1,000,000 shares, none issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized
14,000,000 shares, 8,147,483 and 7,378,681 shares
issued
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
83,642 |
|
|
|
80,688 |
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
(1,136 |
) |
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(39,385 |
) |
|
|
(45,392 |
) |
|
Treasury stock, at cost, and 207 common shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
43,202 |
|
|
|
35,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
122,789 |
|
|
$ |
89,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements
F-2
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
157,805 |
|
|
$ |
95,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
141,541 |
|
|
|
83,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
16,264 |
|
|
|
11,191 |
|
General and administrative expenses, net
|
|
|
6,771 |
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before minority interest and
income taxes
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
|
|
4,294 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before income taxes
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
|
|
3,432 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
2,820 |
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
|
|
2,265 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
532 |
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
6,007 |
|
|
$ |
2,607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Used in computing basic per share amounts
|
|
|
7,638,261 |
|
|
|
5,274,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Used in computing diluted per share amounts
|
|
|
9,467,306 |
|
|
|
7,158,697 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements
F-3
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Paid-in | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Treasury | |
|
|
|
|
Stock | |
|
Expense | |
|
Capital | |
|
Deficit | |
|
Stock | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
Balance at January 1, 2005
|
|
$ |
74 |
|
|
$ |
(161 |
) |
|
$ |
80,688 |
|
|
$ |
(45,392 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
35,208 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,007 |
|
Stock issued upon option and warrant exercise
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
792 |
|
Stock options granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,331 |
) |
|
|
1,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
356 |
|
Privatization of Steel City Products, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Reduction of valuation allowance deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at September 30, 2005
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
(1,136 |
) |
|
$ |
83,642 |
|
|
$ |
(39,385 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43,202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed
consolidated financial statement
F-4
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
6,007 |
|
|
$ |
2,607 |
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
(532 |
) |
|
|
(342 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
|
|
2,265 |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to net cash
provided by (used in) continuing operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
3,826 |
|
|
|
3,487 |
|
|
|
Gain on sale of surplus equipment
|
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
Deferred tax expense
|
|
|
2,820 |
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
|
314 |
|
|
|
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
862 |
|
|
|
Accretion of zero coupon notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
466 |
|
|
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in contracts receivable
|
|
|
(14,512 |
) |
|
|
(6,931 |
) |
|
|
Decrease (increase) in costs and estimated earnings in
excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
2,588 |
|
|
|
(3,880 |
) |
|
|
Decrease in prepaid expense and other assets
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
|
Increase in trade payables
|
|
|
14,863 |
|
|
|
4,474 |
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in billings in excess of costs and
estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
7,540 |
|
|
|
(4,993 |
) |
|
|
Increase in accrued compensation and other liabilities
|
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
738 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities
|
|
|
25,368 |
|
|
|
(980 |
) |
Cash flows from continuing operations investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property and equipment
|
|
|
(9,948 |
) |
|
|
(2,527 |
) |
|
Proceeds from sale of surplus equipment
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in continuing operations investing activities
|
|
|
(9,678 |
) |
|
|
(2,374 |
) |
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative daily drawdowns of revolvers
|
|
|
112,783 |
|
|
|
65,576 |
|
|
Cumulative daily reductions of revolvers
|
|
|
(110,370 |
) |
|
|
(60,260 |
) |
|
Repayments under long-term obligations
|
|
|
(2,206 |
) |
|
|
(2,155 |
) |
|
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to options and warrants
|
|
|
792 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities:
|
|
|
999 |
|
|
|
3,553 |
|
|
Cash used in discontinued operating activities
|
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
(799 |
) |
|
Cash used for discontinued investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
Cash provided by discontinued financing activities
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
1,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
387 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing
operations
|
|
|
16,689 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
3,449 |
|
|
|
2,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$ |
20,138 |
|
|
$ |
2,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$ |
1,591 |
|
|
$ |
861 |
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
$ |
205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction of deferred tax valuation allowance
|
|
$ |
838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-5
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED)
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein
have been prepared by Sterling Construction Company, Inc.
(Sterling or the Company), without
audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with
the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The condensed consolidated
financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all
normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the
Companys financial position at September 30, 2005 and
the results of operations and cash flows for the periods
presented.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of subsidiaries in which the Company has a
greater than 50% ownership interest, and all intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Interim results may be subject to significant seasonal
variations and the results of operations for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The Companys primary business consists of the operations
of Texas Sterling Construction Company, LP,
(TSC, or Construction), a heavy civil
construction company based in Houston, Texas. The Company also
operates a smaller business, which consists of the operations of
Steel City Products, Inc. (SCPI or
Distribution), a wholesale distributor of automotive
accessories, non-food pet supplies and lawn and garden products,
based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Recognizing the strong growth
of Construction where managements efforts and the
Companys resources are likely to be best employed in the
future, and following expressions of interest from potential
buyers of SCPI, management has identified SCPI as held for sale
and accordingly, has reclassified its condensed consolidated
financial statements for all periods to separately state
Distribution as discontinued operations.
Certain items in prior years have been reclassified to conform
to the current year presentation. These items have no effect on
previously reported net income. In addition, the consolidated
statement of cash flows for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 has been reclassified to reflect the
accretion of zero coupon notes as a non-cash reconciling item.
The zero coupon notes were settled in December 2004 through
payments of cash, issuance of notes and issuance of common stock.
Company Website
The Company maintains a website at
www.sterlingconstructionco.com. The Company makes available free
of charge on or through its website, access to its latest Annual
Report on
Form 10-K, recent
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, proxy
statements, current reports on
Form 8-K and any
amendments to those filings, as soon as reasonably practicable
after the Company electronically files those materials with, or
furnishes those materials to, the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company makes its web site content available for
informational purposes only. The web site content should not be
relied upon for investment purposes.
|
|
2. |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued SFAS No. 151,
Inventory Costs an amendment of ARB
No. 43 (SFAS No. 151), which is
the result of its efforts to conform United States accounting
standards for inventories with international accounting
standards. SFAS No. 151 will be effective for
inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2005. The Company does not believe that the
adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have an impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
F-6
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement
No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment
(SFAS No. 123(R)) which is a revision of
FASB Statement No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, (APB 25) and amends FASB
Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. The
Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) beginning
January 1, 2006. Pro forma disclosure, as was allowed under
APB 25 and SFAS No. 123, will no longer be an
alternative. In addition, SFAS No. 123(R) requires
that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock
options and restricted stock at the beginning of the first
quarter of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) and for all
stock options granted thereafter. Because the Company utilizes a
fair value based method of accounting for stock-based
compensation costs for all employee stock compensation awards
granted, modified or settled since January 1, 2003 and will
not have significant unvested awards from periods prior to
January 1, 2003 outstanding at January 1, 2006,
adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) is not expected to have a
material impact on its financial statements.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47
Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations (FIN 47). FIN 47 clarifies that an
entity must record a liability for a conditional
asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the obligation
can be reasonably estimated. The provision must be adopted no
later than the end of the fiscal year ending December 31,
2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 47
will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
SFAS No. 154 is a replacement of APB 20 and FASB
Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance
on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and
error corrections. It establishes retrospective application as
the required method for reporting a change in accounting
principle. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance for
determining whether retrospective application of a change in
accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change
when retrospective application is impracticable. The reporting
of a correction of an error by restating previously issued
financial statements is also addressed by
SFAS No. 154. SFAS No. 154 is effective for
accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company will
adopt this pronouncement beginning in fiscal year 2006.
|
|
3. |
Critical Accounting Policies |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Managements
estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated
based on available information and experience; however actual
amounts could differ from those estimates. The Companys
significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the
Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
F-7
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
4. |
Property and Equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) | |
Construction equipment
|
|
$ |
34,931 |
|
|
$ |
26,550 |
|
Transportation equipment
|
|
|
5,287 |
|
|
|
4,370 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
Office furniture and equipment
|
|
|
486 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
Land
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,374 |
|
|
|
33,028 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(15,244 |
) |
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,130 |
|
|
$ |
21,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period. Diluted net income per common share is computed giving
effect to all potential dilutive common stock options and
warrants using the treasury stock method. The following table
reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and
diluted per common share computations for net income from
continuing operations and discontinued operations. In the nine
months ended September 30, 2005, 28,800 options were
excluded from the weighted average calculation as these had an
anti-dilutive effect (amounts in thousands, except per share
data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations, as reported
|
|
$ |
5,475 |
|
|
$ |
2,265 |
|
Add back interest on convertible debt, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations before interest on
convertible debt
|
|
$ |
5,475 |
|
|
$ |
2,298 |
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income before interest on convertible debt
|
|
$ |
6,007 |
|
|
$ |
2,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
7,638 |
|
|
|
5,275 |
|
Shares for convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224 |
|
Shares for dilutive stock options and warrants
|
|
|
1,829 |
|
|
|
1,660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed
conversions diluted
|
|
|
9,467 |
|
|
|
7,159 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
Diluted net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
F-8
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
Diluted net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
Total:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
Diluted net income per common share
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
6. |
Stock-Based Compensation |
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation under the
provisions of SFAS No. 148 Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation Transition and
Disclosure, which amended SFAS No. 123 to
provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change
to the fair value based method. The Company adopted
SFAS No. 148 effective January 1, 2003 utilizing
the prospective method for options granted after that date and
uses a Black-Scholes option pricing model for calculations of
the fair value of options granted after January 1, 2003.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and
earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value
recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to
stock-based employee compensation prior to January 1, 2003
(amounts in thousands, except per share data).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net income from continuing operations, as reported
|
|
$ |
5,475 |
|
|
$ |
2,265 |
|
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in
reported net income, net of related tax effect
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined
under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax
effects
|
|
|
(331 |
) |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,483 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income
|
|
$ |
6,032 |
|
|
$ |
2,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
Pro forma, basic
|
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
Pro forma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
F-9
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
From discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
Pro forma, basic
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
Pro forma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
Total:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
Pro forma, basic
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.53 |
|
Pro forma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
7. |
Discontinued Operations |
Recognizing the strong growth of Constructions business,
where managements efforts and the Companys resources
are likely to be best employed in the future, and following
expressions of interest from potential buyers of SCPI,
management has identified SCPI as held for sale and accordingly,
has reclassified its condensed consolidated financial statements
for all periods to separately state Distribution as discontinued
operations.
Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is
presented below (amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net sales
|
|
$ |
17,559 |
|
|
$ |
17,565 |
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
798 |
|
|
|
543 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-10
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of
discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$ |
8,477 |
|
|
$ |
7,012 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
213 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,823 |
|
|
$ |
7,343 |
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities*
|
|
$ |
8,517 |
|
|
$ |
7,753 |
|
|
Long-term obligations, net of current portion
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,582 |
|
|
$ |
7,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets (liabilities) of discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
241 |
|
|
$ |
(443 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have all
been classified as current in the consolidated balance sheet as
disposal is expected to occur in less than one year.
The disposal is expected to result in a gain which has not been
recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
* |
The Steel City revolver is included in current liabilities. |
F-11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Sterling Construction Company, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders equity, and cash
flows for the three years in the period ended December 31,
2004. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal
control over financial reporting. Our audit included
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Sterling Construction Company, Inc. and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and December 31,
2003 and the results of their operations and their cash flows
for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, the Company reclassified its financial statements
for all periods presented to reflect Steel City Products, Inc.
as discontinued operations.
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Houston, Texas
March 11, 2005, except for Note 2, which is dated
November 7, 2005
F-12
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. &
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2004 and 2003
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
ASSETS |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
Contracts receivable
|
|
|
26,250 |
|
|
|
26,504 |
|
|
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on
uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
5,884 |
|
|
|
1,281 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
822 |
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
3,986 |
|
|
|
1,452 |
|
|
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale
|
|
|
7,343 |
|
|
|
6,522 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,497 |
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
48,409 |
|
|
|
40,580 |
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
21,028 |
|
|
|
22,132 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
12,735 |
|
|
|
7,682 |
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
6,493 |
|
|
|
4,527 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
879 |
|
|
|
657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,107 |
|
|
|
12,866 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
89,544 |
|
|
$ |
75,578 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
14,382 |
|
|
$ |
9,895 |
|
|
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted
contracts
|
|
|
4,477 |
|
|
|
9,742 |
|
|
Short-term debt, related parties
|
|
|
3,343 |
|
|
|
2,060 |
|
|
Current maturities of long term obligations
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
686 |
|
|
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
|
|
|
7,786 |
|
|
|
7,558 |
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
2,246 |
|
|
|
3,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
32,357 |
|
|
|
33,747 |
|
Long-term obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
13,329 |
|
|
|
6,568 |
|
|
Long-term debt, related parties
|
|
|
7,755 |
|
|
|
6,758 |
|
|
Put liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,578 |
|
|
Other long-term obligations
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,979 |
|
|
|
19,922 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,273 |
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized
1,000,000 shares,
none issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized
14,000,000 shares, 7,378,681 and 5,139,900 shares
issued
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
80,688 |
|
|
|
67,770 |
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(45,392 |
) |
|
|
(51,045 |
) |
|
Treasury stock, at cost, 207 common shares
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
35,208 |
|
|
|
16,636 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
89,544 |
|
|
$ |
75,578 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-13
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
132,478 |
|
|
$ |
149,006 |
|
|
$ |
111,747 |
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
119,217 |
|
|
|
131,181 |
|
|
|
98,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
|
|
17,825 |
|
|
|
12,812 |
|
Selling and administrative expenses, net
|
|
|
7,696 |
|
|
|
7,400 |
|
|
|
6,862 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
1,842 |
|
|
|
2,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before minority interest and
income taxes
|
|
|
4,109 |
|
|
|
8,583 |
|
|
|
3,523 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
3,147 |
|
|
|
6,956 |
|
|
|
2,650 |
|
Income taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current income tax expense
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(2,303 |
) |
|
|
1,516 |
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,281 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
2,824 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
$ |
3,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing
basic per share amounts
|
|
|
5,342,847 |
|
|
|
5,089,849 |
|
|
|
5,061,598 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing
diluted per share amounts
|
|
|
7,027,682 |
|
|
|
6,488,376 |
|
|
|
6,101,515 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-14
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Paid-in | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Treasury | |
|
|
|
|
Stock | |
|
Expense | |
|
Capital | |
|
Deficit | |
|
Stock | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance at December 31, 2001
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
65,900 |
|
|
$ |
(59,816 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
6,133 |
|
Stock issued upon option exercise
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
Reduction of valuation allowance- deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,332 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,332 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,241 |
|
|
|
(56,464 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
10,826 |
|
Stock issued upon option exercise
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
109 |
|
Stock options granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(439 |
) |
|
|
439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300 |
|
Write off of discounted warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,419 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,419 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
|
67,770 |
|
|
|
(51,045 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
16,636 |
|
Stock issued upon option exercise
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
405 |
|
Stock options granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(403 |
) |
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
381 |
|
Conversion of debt to stock
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,714 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,719 |
|
Shares issued upon settlement of put
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,067 |
|
Purchase of minority interest of SCPI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
Reduction of valuation allowance- deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,396 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,653 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,653 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
74 |
|
|
$ |
(161 |
) |
|
$ |
80,688 |
|
|
$ |
(45,392 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
35,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
rounds to less than one thousand |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated
financial statement
F-15
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
$ |
3,352 |
|
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
(372 |
) |
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
(528 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,281 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
|
2,824 |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to net cash
provided by continuing operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
4,545 |
|
|
|
4,690 |
|
|
|
3,755 |
|
|
|
Loss (gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(2,303 |
) |
|
|
1,516 |
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
Deferred compensation expense
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiary
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
Increase in put liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,001 |
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
Accretion of zero coupon notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
Fair value of induced conversion of debt to equity
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in contracts receivable
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
(4,286 |
) |
|
|
(7,023 |
) |
|
|
(Increase) decrease in costs and estimated earnings in excess of
billings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
(4,603 |
) |
|
|
1,512 |
|
|
|
(1,061 |
) |
|
|
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expense and other assets
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
(1,206 |
) |
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
Increase in trade payables
|
|
|
4,487 |
|
|
|
(619 |
) |
|
|
2,567 |
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase in billings in excess of costs and estimated
earnings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
(5,265 |
) |
|
|
6,201 |
|
|
|
(472 |
) |
|
|
(Decrease) increase in accrued compensation and other liabilities
|
|
|
(199 |
) |
|
|
1,513 |
|
|
|
2,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
|
|
|
4,171 |
|
|
|
18,186 |
|
|
|
5,004 |
|
Cash flows from continuing operations investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash paid upon acquisition of Kinsel business
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,662 |
) |
|
Net cash paid upon acquisition of TSC minority interest
|
|
|
(2,446 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to property and equipment
|
|
|
(3,555 |
) |
|
|
(4,340 |
) |
|
|
(4,245 |
) |
|
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in continuing investing activities
|
|
|
(5,809 |
) |
|
|
(4,270 |
) |
|
|
(6,801 |
) |
Cash flows from continuing operations financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative daily drawdowns of revolvers
|
|
|
102,531 |
|
|
|
97,211 |
|
|
|
81,602 |
|
|
Cumulative daily reductions of revolvers
|
|
|
(95,770 |
) |
|
|
(104,653 |
) |
|
|
(77,592 |
) |
|
Repayments under long-term obligations
|
|
|
(4,730 |
) |
|
|
(6,043 |
) |
|
|
(2,731 |
) |
|
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to options
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing financing activities:
|
|
|
2,436 |
|
|
|
(13,376 |
) |
|
|
1,288 |
|
|
Cash used in discontinued operating activities
|
|
|
(977 |
) |
|
|
(388 |
) |
|
|
102 |
|
|
Cash used for discontinued investing activities
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
Cash provided by discontinued financing activities
|
|
|
964 |
|
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
33 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing
operations
|
|
|
798 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
(509 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
2,651 |
|
|
|
2,111 |
|
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$ |
3,449 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
$ |
2,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest
|
|
$ |
2,097 |
|
|
$ |
1,943 |
|
|
$ |
2,316 |
|
|
Cash paid during period for taxes
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital lease obligations for new equipment
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional common stock was issued upon the conversion of $560
of convertible debt in 2004.
Additional common stock was issued upon the conversion of $901
of zero coupon notes in 2004 upon settlement of the put.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements
F-16
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
1. |
Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies |
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (Sterling or
the Company) owns two subsidiaries; Sterling Houston
Holdings, Inc., that operates under the name Texas Sterling
Construction Company, LP (Construction or
TSC) and Steel City Products, Inc.
(Distribution or SCPI).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of subsidiaries in which the Company has a greater than
50% ownership interest and all significant intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all
years presented, the Company had no subsidiaries with ownership
interests less than 50%.
|
|
|
Organization and business: |
The Companys primary business consists of the operations
of Texas Sterling Construction Company, LP (TSC or
Construction), a heavy civil construction company
based in Houston, Texas. The company also operates a smaller
business, which consists of the operations of Steel City
Products, Inc. (SCPI or Distribution), a
wholesale distributor of automotive accessories, pet supplies
and lawn and garden products, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Recognizing the strong growth of Construction where
managements efforts and the Companys resources are
likely to be best employed in the future, and following
expressions of interest from potential buyers of SCPI, in August
2005 management identified SCPI as held for sale and accordingly
has reclassified its consolidated financial statements for all
periods to separately present Distribution as discontinued
operations.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, which require management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the
reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain of the Companys accounting policies require higher
degrees of judgment than others in their application. These
include the recognition of revenue and earnings from
construction contracts under the percentage of completion
method, the valuation of long-term assets, estimates for the use
of the Companys net operating loss carryforwards and the
allowance for doubtful accounts. Management evaluates all of its
estimates and judgments on an
on-going basis.
The Companys primary business since July 2001 has been as
a general contractor in the State of Texas where it engages in
various types of heavy civil construction projects for both
public and private owners. Credit risk is minimal with public
(government) owners since the Company ascertains that funds have
been appropriated by the governmental project owner prior to
commencing work on public projects. However, most public
contracts are subject to termination at the election of the
government although, in the event of termination, the Company is
entitled to receive the contract price on completed work and
reimbursement of termination-related costs. Credit risk with
private owners is minimized because of statutory mechanics
liens, which give the Company high priority in the event of lien
foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners.
F-17
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revenues are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method,
measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to
estimated total costs for each contract.
Contract costs include all direct material, labor, subcontract
and other costs and those indirect costs related to contract
performance, such as indirect salaries and wages, equipment
repairs and depreciation, insurance and payroll taxes.
Administrative and general expenses are charged to expense as
incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted
contracts are made in the period in which such losses are
determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and
estimated profitability, including those arising from contract
penalty provisions and final contract settlements may result in
revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period
in which the revisions are determined. An amount equal to costs
attributable to contract claims is included in revenues when
realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.
The asset, Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
billings on uncompleted contracts represents revenues
recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on
uncompleted contracts represents billings in excess of
revenues recognized.
Revenue is earned primarily from the sale of products to retail
companies. Revenue is recognized when all of the following
criteria are met:
|
|
|
|
|
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists |
|
|
|
Delivery has occurred or service has been rendered |
|
|
|
The sellers price to the buyer is fixed or determinable,
and |
|
|
|
Collectibility is reasonably assured. |
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents: |
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Included in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2004
and 2003 are uninsured temporary cash investments of
$6.0 million and $9,000 in a money market fund stated at
fair value. Additionally, the Company had at December 31,
2004 and 2003 $54,000 and $7.5 million, respectively, of
cash balances in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation insured limits. For the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded
interest income of $9,000, $17,000 and $6,000, respectively,
which is netted in interest expense in the financial statements.
Contracts receivable are based on contracted prices. Based upon
a review of outstanding contracts receivable, historical
collection information and existing economic conditions,
management has determined that all contracts receivable at
December 31, 2004 and 2003 are fully collectible, and
accordingly, no allowance for doubtful accounts against
contracts receivable is required. Contracts receivable are
written off based on individual credit evaluation and specific
circumstances of the customer, when such treatment is warranted.
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts of
Distribution, which is reviewed periodically based on customer
credit history reports. The Company believes that it has
adequately reserved for its doubtful accounts. Due to the
bankruptcy filings of certain customers, the allowance for
F-18
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
doubtful accounts increased by $172,000 in fiscal 2003. The
allowance increased in 2004 by $2,000. Credit for returns is not
deemed to be significant.
Many of the contracts under which the Company performs work
contain retainage provisions. Retainage refers to that portion
of revenue earned by the Company but held for payment by the
customer pending satisfactory completion of the project. Unless
reserved, the Company assumes that all amounts retained by
customers under such provisions are fully collectible. Retainage
on active contracts is classified as a current asset regardless
of the term of the contract. Retainage is generally collected
within one year of the completion of a contract. Retainage was
approximately $9.5 million and $12.4 million at
December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively,
of which $1.3 million is expected to be collected beyond
2005. At December 31, 2003, retainage expected to be
collected beyond 2004 was $3.8 million.
The Companys inventories are stated at the lower of cost
as determined by the first-in first-out (FIFO) method, or market.
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and
amortization are computed using the straight-line method. The
estimated useful lives used for computing depreciation and
amortization are as follows:
|
|
|
Building and improvements
|
|
15-39 years |
Construction equipment
|
|
5-15 years |
Leasehold improvements
|
|
3-10 years, depending on the term of the lease* |
Transportation equipment
|
|
5 years |
Office furniture, warehouse equipment and vehicles
|
|
3-10 years |
Depreciation expense was approximately $4.5 million,
$4.7 million and $3.8 million in fiscal years 2004,
2003 and 2002 from continuing operations, and $0.1 million
from discontinued operations in each of fiscal 2004, 2003 and
2002.
|
|
* |
All leasehold improvements are owned by SCPI, which is reported
as discontinued operations. |
Deferred loan costs represent loan origination fees paid to the
lender and related professional fees. These fees are amortized
over the term of the loan. Amortization expense for fiscal years
2004, 2003 and 2002 was $82,000, $102,000 and $151,000,
respectively.
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of companies acquired
over the fair value of their net assets at the dates of
acquisition.
The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets(SFAS 142).
SFAS 142 requires that: (1) goodwill and indefinite
lived intangible assets are no longer amortized,
(2) goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at
the reporting unit level, (3) the amortization period of
intangible assets with finite lives is no
F-19
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
longer limited to forty years, and (4) intangible assets
deemed to have an indefinite life are tested for impairment at
least annually using a one step process.
The first step in the impairment test of goodwill is to identify
a potential impairment by comparing the fair value to the
reported value of each reporting unit. The second step of the
goodwill impairment test measures the amount of the impairment
loss, if any, and is recorded in the consolidated statements of
operations during the period in which the test is performed.
Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be subject
to amortization. In addition, the Company must evaluate the
remaining useful life each reporting period to determine whether
events and circumstances warrant a revision of the remaining
period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible assets
remaining life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the
intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised
remaining useful life.
The amounts recorded by the Company for goodwill are as follows
(dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, January 1, 2003
|
|
$ |
7,682 |
|
Impairment losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
7,682 |
|
Purchase of TSC minority interest
|
|
|
5,053 |
|
Impairment losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
12,735 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company performed impairment testing as of October 1,
2004. The analysis indicated no impairment of the Companys
recorded goodwill.
|
|
|
Equipment Under Capital Leases: |
The Company accounts for capital leases, which transfer
substantially all the benefits and risks incident to the
ownership of the property to the Company, as the acquisition of
an asset and the incurrence of an obligation. Under this method
of accounting, the recorded value of the leased asset is
amortized principally using the straight-line method over its
estimated useful life and the obligation, including interest
thereon, is amortized over the life of the lease. Depreciation
expense on leased equipment and the related accumulated
depreciation is included with that of owned equipment.
|
|
|
Shipping and Handling Costs: |
Shipping costs are recorded in cost of goods sold. Expenses
incurred for handling goods in preparation for shipment to
customers totaled $772,000, $753,000 and $875,000 during fiscal
years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These expenses are
primarily related to warehouse personnel. Shipping and handling
revenues are not significant.
|
|
|
Federal and State Income Taxes: |
Sterling accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability
approach. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for
the future tax consequences of events that have already been
recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Net
deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that management
believes that realization of such benefits is considered more
likely than not. Changes in enacted tax rates or laws may result
in adjustments to the recorded deferred tax assets or
liabilities in the period that the tax law is enacted (see
Note 8).
F-20
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation: |
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted
SFAS No. 148 Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation Transition and Disclosure
which amends SFAS Statement No. 123 to provide alternative
methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value
based method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation. The Company transitioned utilizing the prospective
method for options granted after January 1, 2003. Stock
option expense for options granted in fiscal 2004 was $36,000
and for options granted in fiscal 2003 was $13,000.
Prior to adoption of SFAS 148, the Company accounted for
stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method
prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and
related interpretations.
The Company recorded compensation expense of approximately
$315,000 and $288,000 in fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively,
related to options granted between June 2000 and January 2003
under option plans that were subject to variable option
accounting. The Board of Directors amended these plans in March
2004 with the result that the market price at which these
options are measured as compensation expense throughout their
vesting periods was fixed at the date of such amendment.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and
earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS Statement No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to
stock-based employee compensation (amounts in thousands, except
per share data).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income from continuing operations, as reported
|
|
$ |
5,281 |
|
|
$ |
5,204 |
|
|
$ |
2,824 |
|
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in
reported net income, net of related tax effects
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of
related tax effects
|
|
|
(117 |
) |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
5,545 |
|
|
|
5,440 |
|
|
|
2,774 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma net income
|
|
$ |
5,917 |
|
|
$ |
5,655 |
|
|
$ |
3,302 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
$ |
.056 |
|
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
Proforma, basic
|
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
Proforma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
From discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
Proforma, basic
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
Proforma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
F-21
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
Proforma, basic
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
Proforma, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
Earnings Per Share:
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net
income by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common
share is the same as basic but assumes the exercise of
convertible subordinated debt securities and includes dilutive
stock options and warrants using the treasury stock method. The
following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of
the basic and diluted per common share computations for net
income for the fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands,
except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
Fiscal 2003 | |
|
Fiscal 2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations, as reported
|
|
$ |
5,281 |
|
|
$ |
5,204 |
|
|
$ |
2,824 |
|
Interest on convertible debt, net of tax
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations before interest on
convertible debt
|
|
|
5,325 |
|
|
|
5,248 |
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income before interest on convertible debt
|
|
$ |
5,697 |
|
|
$ |
5,463 |
|
|
$ |
3,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
5,343 |
|
|
|
5,090 |
|
|
|
5,062 |
|
Shares for convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
224 |
|
Shares for dilutive stock options and warrants
|
|
|
1,685 |
|
|
|
1,174 |
|
|
|
816 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed
conversions diluted
|
|
|
7,028 |
|
|
|
6,488 |
|
|
|
6,102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2002 there were 410,601 options not
included in the shares for the dilutive stock options and
warrants as they would have been antidilutive. No options were
considered antidilutive at December 31, 2004 and 2003.
F-22
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Derivatives:
Financial derivatives, consisting of interest rate swap
agreements, are used as part of the overall risk management
strategy to manage the risk related to changes in interest
rates. Interest rate swap agreements are used to modify variable
rate obligations to fixed rate obligations, thereby reducing the
exposure to higher interest rates. Amounts paid or received
under interest rate swap agreements are accrued as interest
rates change with the offset recorded in interest expense.
The Company applies Statement of Financial Standards
(SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities. Under
SFAS No. 133, the Companys interest rate swaps
have not been designated as hedging instruments; therefore
changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings.
Put Liability and Exercise
of the Put
As part of the Sterling Transaction (see Note 4), the
Company granted certain selling shareholders (the Selling
Shareholders) a Put option for the remaining
19.9% of TSC stock owned by them, pursuant to which they had the
right to sell the remaining TSC shares to the Company at a date
of their choosing between July 2004 and July 2005 at a minimum
price of $105 per TSC share. The price of the Put was based
on a multiple of Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation
and Amortization (EBITDA) for the twelve months
immediately preceding the Put exercise date. The Company
recorded the fair value of the Put as a $4.1 million
liability on the effective date of the Sterling Transaction,
July 18, 2001. The fair value of the Put was reviewed
quarterly and changes were reflected as components of pre-tax
earnings. In fiscal 2002, the Company recorded approximately
$520,000 as expense related to the change in the fair value of
the Put and the liability increased to approximately
$4.6 million. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003,
exceptionally strong earnings during 2003 increased the
likelihood that the Put would be exercised in 2004. Accordingly,
based on an independent valuation of TSC, an updated estimate of
the Put price was established in December 2003 and the Put
liability was increased by $1.0 million. At the end of each
of the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and June 30,
2004, the Company evaluated the fair value of the Put and
determined that no adjustment was necessary, as the Put value
was determined to be the difference between the fair value of
19.9% of TSC and the expected exercise price. Therefore, any
increase in the expected Put exercise price, being driven by an
increase in TSCs EBITDA, reflected an underlying
proportional increase in the fair value of TSC. In addition, the
final computation of the Put price was based on a 12 month
lookback of EBITDA at TSC. This lookback was not completed until
November 2004, and therefore, no adjustment was made to the Put
liability in March and June 2004.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements:
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment,
(SFAS 123(R)) which is a revision of FASB
Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, (APB 25) and amends FASB
Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows.
Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the
approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R)
requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants
of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income
statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure, as
was allowed under APB 25, will no longer be an alternative.
SFAS 123(R) must be adopted in interim periods beginning
after June 15, 2005. The Company accounts for its
stock-based compensation under the fair value method, and does
not believe adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will have a
material effect on its financial position or results of
operations.
F-23
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Reclassifications:
Certain prior years balances have been reclassified to
conform to current year presentation.
|
|
2. |
Discontinued operations |
Recognizing the strong growth of Constructions business,
where managements efforts and the Companys resources
are likely to be best employed in the future, and following
expressions of interest from potential buyers of SCPI,
management has identified SCPI as held for sale and accordingly,
has reclassified its condensed consolidated financial statements
for all periods to separately present Distribution as
discontinued operations.
Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is
presented below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net sales
|
|
$ |
21,700 |
|
|
$ |
20,526 |
|
|
$ |
22,570 |
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
822 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
372 |
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of
discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$ |
7,012 |
|
|
$ |
6,141 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
247 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,343 |
|
|
$ |
6,522 |
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities*
|
|
$ |
7,753 |
|
|
$ |
7,522 |
|
|
Long-term obligations, net of current portion
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,786 |
|
|
$ |
7,558 |
|
Net liabilities of discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
(443 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,036 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
The SCPI revolver is included in current liabilities. |
The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have all
been classified as current in the consolidated balance sheet as
disposal is expected to occur in less than one year.
The disposal is expected to result in a gain which has not been
recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
F-24
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
3. |
Property and Equipment |
Property and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Construction equipment
|
|
$ |
26,550 |
|
|
$ |
24,367 |
|
Transportation equipment
|
|
|
4,370 |
|
|
|
4,137 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
Office furniture, warehouse equipment and vehicles
|
|
|
437 |
|
|
|
388 |
|
Land
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,027 |
|
|
|
30,562 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(11,999 |
) |
|
|
(8,430 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,028 |
|
|
$ |
22,132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warehouse equipment financed under capital leases amounted to
$133,000 and $106,000 at December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003, respectively, and accumulated
depreciation related to such leased assets was $82,000 and
$58,000. These assets are leased by SCPI and have been included
in assets of discontinued operations.
4. Investment in Affiliated
Company (Sterling Transaction)
In July 2001, the Company completed the Sterling Transaction, in
which it increased its equity ownership in TSC from 12% to
80.1%. TSC is a heavy civil construction company based in
Houston that specializes in municipal and state contracts for
highway paving, bridge, water and sewer, and light rail.
Total consideration for the ownership of TSC was
$24.6 million, including the Companys previous
investment in TSC of $3.5 million, and consisted of
(a) cash payment of $9.9 million, (b) conversion
of a $1.3 million TSC subordinated note receivable into
Sterling equity, (c) issuance of subordinated notes and
warrants, and (d) the sale and issuance of the
Companys common stock. For accounting purposes, the value
of the 1,124,536 shares of common stock sold was determined
based on the average price of the Companys common shares
over the 5-day period
before and after the closing date.
As part of the Sterling Transaction, the Company granted the
Selling Shareholders a Put option for the remaining
19.9% of TSC stock owned by them, pursuant to which they had the
right to sell the remaining TSC shares to the Company at a date
of their choosing between July 2004 and July 2005 at a minimum
price of $105 per TSC share. The Company recorded the fair
value of the Put as a $4.1 million liability at
July 18, 2001. The fair value of the Put was reviewed
quarterly and changes were reflected as components of pre-tax
earnings. In fiscal 2002, the Company recorded approximately
$520,000 as expense related to the change in the fair value of
the Put and the liability increased to approximately
$4.6 million. Strong earnings in fiscal 2003 increased the
likelihood that the Put would be exercised in 2004. Accordingly,
based on an independent valuation of TSC in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded an additional
$1.0 million expense related to the change in the fair
value of the Put. At December 31, 2003, the Put liability
was approximately $5.6 million.
Effective July 19, 2004, the Selling Shareholders exercised
the Put.
The purchase price of the TSC shares was to be computed as a
multiple of TSCs EBITDA for the twelve months preceding
the exercise, with a minimum price of $12 million.
Accordingly, a compilation of the financial statements of TSC
for the period from July 2003 through June 2004 was completed in
F-25
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
November 2004 as a result of which the purchase price was fixed
at $15.0 million. Settlement of the Put transaction
occurred on December 22, 2004, following which the Company
owned 100% of TSC.
The Put price was satisfied by cash of approximately
$2.4 million (derived from borrowings on available
long-term bank facilities), five-year notes of approximately
$6.4 million, and the balance through the issuance of
approximately 1,569,000 shares of the Companys common
stock at a negotiated value of $4.00 per share to determine
the number of shares to be issued in the transaction, which
represented a premium to the market price on the date of
exercise in July. At the date the terms were settled and
announced, November 13, 2004, the common stock was recorded
at a fair value of $5.14 per share. The cash owed to the
selling shareholders and the notes issued in connection with the
Put accrued interest from November 13, 2004 until the date
of closing, December 22, 2004.
The final settlement of the Put transaction resulted in an
increase of approximately $5.1 million to the
Companys reported amount of goodwill related to TSC. The
Company determined that there were no adjustments to the fair
value of the underlying value of the assets and liabilities of
TSC, as book value approximated market value in all material
aspects.
The following table summarized the estimated fair values of the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date the terms of
the Put were settled (in thousands):
At November 13, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$ |
7,600 |
|
Property, plant and equipment (net)
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
5,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
|
16,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
(4,200 |
) |
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
(3,200 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
|
|
(7,400 |
) |
Put liability
|
|
|
5,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase price
|
|
$ |
15,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
The settlement of the Put triggered the repayment of
approximately $7.9 million of the Companys debt owed
to management and others who funded the Sterling Transaction in
2001. The Company paid this amount as well through a combination
of cash of approximately $2.4 million (from borrowings on
available long-term bank facilities), issuance of five-year
notes of approximately $4.7 million and the balance through
the issuance of approximately 225,000 shares of the
Companys common stock, at a fair value of $5.14 per
share.
F-26
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table reflects the settlement of the Put as if it
had been completed at the beginning of each respective period of
fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, even though, by its terms, the Put
was not exercisable before July 19, 2004 (amounts in
thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma Fiscal | |
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Proforma | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
Adjustment | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
154,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
154,178 |
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
6,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,391 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
1,695 |
|
|
|
344 |
(b) |
|
|
2,039 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
962 |
|
|
|
(962 |
)(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
5,281 |
|
|
|
408 |
|
|
$ |
5,689 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
372 |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
|
|
408 |
|
|
$ |
6,061 |
|
Weighted average shares, basic
|
|
|
5,343 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
7,137 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
Total earnings per share, basic
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Weighted average shares, diluted
|
|
|
7,028 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
8,822 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.65 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
Earnings per share, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma Fiscal | |
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Proforma | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
Adjustment | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
169,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
169,532 |
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
10,998 |
|
|
|
1,001 |
(a) |
|
|
11,999 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
2,074 |
|
|
|
359 |
(b) |
|
|
2,433 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
|
(1,627 |
)(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
5,204 |
|
|
|
4,147 |
|
|
$ |
9,351 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
215 |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
|
$ |
4,147 |
|
|
$ |
9,566 |
|
Weighted average shares, basic
|
|
|
5,090 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
6,885 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.36 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
Earnings per share, basic
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
Weighted average shares, diluted
|
|
|
6,488 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
8,282 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
Earnings per share, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.16 |
|
F-27
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma Fiscal | |
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Proforma | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2002 | |
|
Adjustment | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
134,317 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
134,417 |
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
6,988 |
|
|
|
521 |
(a) |
|
|
7,509 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
2,643 |
|
|
|
484 |
(b) |
|
|
3,127 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
(873 |
)(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
2,824 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
$ |
3,425 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
528 |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
3,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,953 |
|
Weighted average shares, basic
|
|
|
5,062 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
6,856 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
Earnings per share, basic
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.58 |
|
Weighted average shares, diluted
|
|
|
6,103 |
|
|
|
1,794 |
(d) |
|
|
7,897 |
|
Earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
Earnings per share, diluted
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Reverses the increase of $1.0 million in 2003 and $521,000
in the Put liability during 2002 |
|
(b) |
|
Additional interest expense related to the issuance of new notes
offset by a decrease in interest expense related to existing
notes repaid or replaced as part of the transaction |
|
(c) |
|
Minority interest expense is eliminated |
|
(d) |
|
Reflects the issuance of 1.8 million of shares of common
stock in part satisfaction of the Put consideration and certain
notes. |
F-28
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
5. |
Line of Credit and Long-Term Obligations |
Long-term obligations consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
TSC Revolving Credit Agreement, due May 2007
|
|
$ |
13,329 |
|
|
$ |
6,568 |
|
Subordinated debt, due quarterly through September 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Subordinated zero coupon notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,213 |
|
SCPI Revolving Credit Agreement, due May, 2006
|
|
|
3,625 |
|
|
|
2,660 |
|
Other related party debt
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
1,795 |
|
Mortgages payable, due monthly through June 2016
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
1,141 |
|
Insituform Notes due quarterly through September 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
563 |
|
Convertible subordinated notes, due December 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
560 |
|
Management/director notes due December 2009
|
|
|
3,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
NASCIT five year-note, due December 2009
|
|
|
1,405 |
|
|
|
|
|
Management notes issued at settlement of the Put, due December
2009
|
|
|
6,353 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,379 |
|
|
|
20,058 |
|
Less current maturities of long-term obligations
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(686 |
) |
Less short-term debt, related parties
|
|
|
(3,343 |
) |
|
|
(2,060 |
) |
Amounts included in discontinued operations
|
|
|
(3,934 |
) |
|
|
(2,968 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,979 |
|
|
$ |
14,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As part of the Sterling Transaction, certain shareholders of TSC
were issued subordinated promissory notes by TSC in the
aggregate amount of $6 million in payment for certain of
their TSC shares. These notes were repaid over three years
through September 30, 2004 in equal quarterly installments
and carried interest at 12% per annum.
|
|
|
Subordinated Zero Coupon Notes |
The Sterling Transaction was funded in part through the sale of
zero coupon notes combined with the issuance of zero coupon
notes to certain selling shareholders of TSC. Warrants for
Sterling common stock were issued in connection with the zero
coupon notes and are exercisable for ten years from closing at
$1.50 per share. The zero coupon notes were discounted at a
rate of 12%, maturing four years from the date of closing of the
Sterling Transaction, subject to earlier payment in the event
the TSC Put was exercised before such date. Employee selling
shareholders of TSC received an aggregate face value of
$3.8 million in zero coupon notes, in which
Mr. Manning and Mr. Harper received zero coupon notes
in the face amount of $799,000 and $1.0 million,
respectively and warrants for 63,498 shares and
81,301 shares, respectively. North Atlantic Smaller
Companies Investment Trust (NASCIT), an investor in
TSC, received a note in the face value of $4 million. In
December 2003, a prepayment of $1.3 million was made on the
zero coupon note issued to NASCIT in consideration of the
forgiveness of
F-29
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
six months interest on such notes. Accretion on the zero
coupon notes was $617,000 and $744,000 in fiscal 2004 and 2003,
respectively.
The Put was exercised in July 2004, which triggered repayment of
the zero coupon notes. Upon settlement of the Put in December
2004, the Employee selling shareholders received a cash payment
of $783,000 utilizing funding from long term borrowings under
TSCs line of credit. Of the balance, $901,000 was
converted into 225,326 shares of common stock, and the
remaining $1.9 million was converted into new five-year
notes at 12%, with principal and interest payable quarterly
beginning March 31, 2005. NASCIT received a cash payment of
$834,000, with the balance of $1.4 million converted into a
new five-year note at 12% interest, with principal and interest
payable quarterly beginning March 31, 2005. The NASCIT loan
has been classified as a current liability at December 31,
2004 (see Note 14)
|
|
|
Management/ Director Notes |
Notes with an aggregate face amount of $1.3 million issued
in connection with the October 1999 purchase of the second
equity tranche of shares of TSC were restructured as part of the
Sterling Transaction. Of the total, notes for $800,000 were
issued to several members of Sterlings management,
including Joseph P. Harper, since appointed the Companys
President. Notes totaling approximately $559,000 were due to
Robert Davies, the Companys former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and, through a participation agreement,
Maarten Hemsley, formerly the Companys President and now
its Chief Financial Officer. In consideration for the extension
of the maturity dates of these notes, the face amounts were
increased in July 2001 by an aggregate of approximately
$342,000. Furthermore, certain amounts owed by the Company to
Messrs. Davies and Hemsley aggregating approximately
$355,000 were converted into notes. All such notes mature over
four years, unless maturity is triggered by the exercise of the
Put, and carry interest at 12% per year. Principal and
interest may be paid only from defined cash flow of Sterling and
SCPI, or from proceeds of any sale of SCPIs business. In
December 2003, prepayments of accrued interest and principal
were made to certain of these noteholders. Mr. Harper
received prepayment totaling $86,000 and Mr. Davies
received prepayment totaling $411,000. Mr. Hemsley declined
any prepayment of his notes.
Pursuant to a Restructuring Agreement entered into in September
2003, when the Put was exercised in July 2004, triggering
payment of the Management/ Director notes, one half of the
balance of the notes was paid in cash utilizing funding from
long term borrowings under the TSC line of credit, with the
remainder converted into new five-year notes at 12% interest,
payable quarterly beginning March 31, 2005.
Mr. Davies, Mr. Harper, Mr. Hemsley and
Mr. Manning received cash payments of $166,876, $1,045,764,
$208,397 and $460,458, respectively.
|
|
|
Convertible Subordinated Notes |
In December 2001, in conjunction with an amendment to the SCPI
Revolver and in order to strengthen SCPIs working capital
position through the purchase of additional inventory, Sterling
obtained funding of $500,000 principally from members of
management and directors (including Messrs. Frickel, Harper
and Hemsley, who loaned $155,000, $100,000 and $25,000,
respectively) (the Convertible Subordinated Notes).
In January 2002, two other members of management, including
Bernard Frank funded a further $60,000, which was used for
general corporate purposes. The notes evidencing these advances
were convertible at any time prior to the maturity date into the
Companys common stock at a price of $2.50 per share
and otherwise mature and were payable in full in December 2004.
Interest at an annual rate of 12% was payable monthly. The notes
are senior to debt issued in connection with the Sterling
Transaction. All notes were converted at the election of their
holders into common stock on December 31, 2004.
F-30
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
In January 2003, members of management of the Company and of TSC
(including Messrs. Harper and Hemsley) further funded SCPI
with a $250,000 short-term loan to reduce SCPIs vendor
payables. Interest on the notes was payable monthly at the
annual rate of 10%. The notes, which are subordinated to the
SCPI Revolver, matured in July 2003, but were extended beyond
that date with the granting of a guarantee by TSC, and an
increase in the interest rate to 12% per annum, effective
January 2004. The notes were repaid in three installments in
January and February 2005.
|
|
|
TSC Revolver and SCPI Revolver |
In conjunction with the Sterling Transaction, TSC entered into a
three-year agreement providing for a bank revolving line of
credit with a maximum line of $13.0 million, subject to a
borrowing base (the TSC Revolver). The line of
credit carries interest at prime, subject to achievement of
certain financial targets and is secured by the equipment of TSC
and guarantees by the parent company. In December 2004, TSC
entered into an amendment of the agreement providing for a
maximum line of $17 million with a maturity date of
May 1, 2007, under substantially the same terms as the
original loan. The amendment was finalized in February 2005. TSC
paid a fee of $15,000 in connection with the increase in the
line and the renewal. At December 31, 2004, the balance on
the TSC Revolver was $13.3 million with an effective rate
of interest of 5.25% and availability under the line of credit
was $671,000. The balance at the end of the year included
borrowing of approximately $5.0 million in late December to
fund the settlement of the Put and related payments. TSC is
required to maintain financial covenants of debt, current and
cash flow coverage rations, and at December 31, 2004 TSC
was in compliance with these covenant requirements.
Management believes that the TSC Revolver will provide adequate
funding for TSCs working capital, debt service and capital
expenditure requirements, including seasonal fluctuations for at
least the next twelve months through March 31, 2006.
In July 2001 SCPI entered into an agreement for a bank revolving
line of credit in the amount of $5.0 million, subject to a
borrowing base (the SCPI Revolver). In fiscal 2002,
the line of credit was further amended to extend the term to May
2004 and to remove certain limitations on borrowing and in
fiscal 2003, the interest rate was reduced to prime plus 1% and
the maturity date extended to December 2004. In March 2004, the
line was extended until May 31, 2006. The credit agreement
continues to mandate that SCPI utilize a lockbox arrangement
with the lender and the agreement further provides that the
lender may accelerate the maturity date of the SCPI Revolver if
a material adverse change occurs in SCPIs business. At
December 31, 2004, the outstanding balance on the Revolver
was $3.6 million and the effective rate of interest was
6.25%. SCPI had no excess availability on its line of credit at
December 31, 2004. The SCPI Revolver is secured by the
assets of SCPI and is subject to the maintenance of a fixed
charge coverage ratio covenant. At December 31, 2004, SCPI
was in compliance with its financial covenant. This liability is
included in liabilities of discontinued operations.
Management believes that the SCPI Revolver will continue to
provide adequate funding for SCPIs working capital, debt
service and capital expenditure requirements, including seasonal
fluctuations for at least the next twelve months through
March 31, 2006.
In June 2001, TSC completed the construction of a new
headquarters building on land adjacent to its existing equipment
repair facility in Houston. The building was financed
principally through an additional mortgage of $1.1 million
on the land and facilities, at an interest rate of
7.75% per annum, repayable over 15 years. The new
mortgage is cross-collateralized with an existing mortgage on
the land and facilities
F-31
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
which was obtained in 1998 in the amount of $500,000, repayable
over 15 years with an interest rate of 9.3% per annum.
In September 2002, a wholly owned subsidiary of TSC acquired the
Kinsel Heavy Highway construction business from a subsidiary of
Insituform Technologies. The transaction was financed through
the issuance of two unsecured two-year notes aggregating
$1.5 million to Insituform, with the balance funded through
additional borrowings under the TSC Revolver. The Insituform
Notes bore interest at 9% and were payable in quarterly
installments plus accrued interest through September 2004.
The Company acquired certain warehouse and computer equipment
through capital leases, usually with five-year lease terms, with
expirations ranging from September 2003 through October 2007.
These assets are owned by SCPI and are included in assets of
discontinued operations.
The Companys long-term obligations mature during each
fiscal year as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
7,399 |
* |
2006
|
|
|
2,063 |
|
2007
|
|
|
15,391 |
|
2008
|
|
|
2,036 |
|
2009
|
|
|
2,011 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
29,379 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Includes the SCPI revolver, which has been classified in
liabilities of discontinued operations. |
SFAS No. 107, Disclosure About Fair Value of
Financial Instruments defines the fair value of
financial instruments as the amount at which the instrument
could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing
parties.
Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of
accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered
equivalent to fair value. As the interest rates on the TSC
Revolver and SCPI Revolver are variable, their fair value
approximates their carrying value.
The Companys other debt is to management and directors, as
to which book value is considered to be equal to fair value. As
these notes are subordinated to the Companys lines of
credit, they are subject to a greater degree of risk. Management
believes that the 12% interest rate approximates market rates of
interest for similar subordinated debt.
TSC has two mortgages, at 7.75% and 9.3% which contain
pre-payment penalties. The amount of future cash flows was
discounted using TSCs borrowing rate on its Revolver. At
December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the carrying
value of the mortgages was $1.0 million and
$1.1 million, respectively. At
F-32
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the fair
value of the mortgages was $1.2 million and
$1.3 million, respectively.
TSC has two interest rate swap agreements, which are adjusted
quarterly to their fair value.
The Company does not have any material off-balance sheet
financial instruments.
|
|
7. |
Derivative Financial Instruments |
During fiscal 2002, in connection with certain long-term debt,
TSC entered into two interest rate swap agreements to manage
exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on a portion of the
loan balances.
Under the interest rate swap agreements, the Company exchanged
variable rate interest on a portion of the loan balances, equal
to a notional amount of $3,000,000 each, with fixed rates of
5.87% and 6.57%.
During the years ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003, TSC recorded a fair value adjustment of
$119,600 and $34,955 to adjust the carrying amounts of
derivatives to reflect their face values of $23,181 and
$142,801, respectively.
|
|
8. |
Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Asset |
At December 31, 2004, Sterling had the benefit of net
operating tax loss carry-forwards (the Tax Benefits)
of approximately $38.9 million, which expire in the years
2005 through 2021 and which shelter most income of Sterling and
its subsidiaries from federal income taxes for several years. A
change in control of Sterling exceeding 50% in any three-year
period may lead to the loss of the majority of the Tax Benefits.
In order to reduce the likelihood of such a change of control
occurring, Sterlings Certificate of Incorporation includes
restrictions on the registration of transfers of stock resulting
in, or increasing, individual holdings exceeding 4.5% of the
Companys common stock.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Current | |
|
Long Term | |
|
Current | |
|
Long Term | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
ASSETS related to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards
|
|
$ |
4,541 |
|
|
$ |
8,685 |
|
|
$ |
15,747 |
|
|
$ |
12,448 |
|
Accrued compensation
|
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserve for bad debts
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,376 |
|
|
|
8,693 |
|
|
|
16,071 |
|
|
|
12,494 |
|
|
LIABILITIES related to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset before valuation allowance
|
|
|
5,376 |
|
|
|
6,493 |
|
|
|
16,071 |
|
|
|
10,151 |
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
|
(1,390 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,619 |
) |
|
|
(5,624 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset
|
|
$ |
3,986 |
|
|
$ |
6,493 |
|
|
$ |
1,452 |
|
|
$ |
4,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-33
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
During fiscal years 2004 and 2003, the valuation allowance
decreased by $18.9 and $4.9 million due to the following
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
Fiscal 2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards previously
reserved against current taxable income
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,816 |
|
Reassessment of valuation allowance based on future taxable
income forecasts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effects on income statement
|
|
|
3,787 |
|
|
|
(319 |
) |
|
Effects on additional paid in capital
|
|
|
2,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
Expiration of net operating loss carryforwards
|
|
|
12,670 |
|
|
|
3,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18,853 |
|
|
$ |
4,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a result of the acquisition of TSC in fiscal 2001, the
Company evaluated and decreased the valuation allowance on its
net deferred tax asset. Management believes that more likely
than not, the deferred assets will be realized based on future
earnings.
Fluctuations in market conditions and trends and other changes
in the Companys earnings base, such as subsidiary
acquisitions and disposals, warrant periodic management reviews
of the recorded tax asset to determine if an increase or
decrease in the recorded valuation allowance is necessary to
change the tax asset to an amount that management believes will
more likely than not be realized.
In fiscal 1990, SCPI underwent a quasi-reorganization. As a
result of this quasi-reorganization, any subsequent recognition
of net operating loss carryforwards generated before the
quasi-reorganization resulted in an adjustment to paid-in
capital. At February 28, 2001, the Company had
approximately $147 million in net operating losses
generated before the quasi-reorganization. Of this amount,
approximately $18 million had previously been recognized
and then subsequently re-reserved, resulting in a charge to
earnings of approximately $6.1 million in prior years.
During fiscal 2001, most of these net operating loss
carryforwards were either utilized to offset current taxable
income or the valuation allowance was reduced based on the
evaluation of the deferred tax assets when accounting for the
TSC acquisition. At December 31, 2004, the Company has
approximately $4 million of net operating losses that are
fully reserved that relate to the period prior to the
quasi-reorganization. Any subsequent reduction in the valuation
allowance related to the loss carryforwards would result in an
adjustment to paid-in capital.
The deferred tax effects of temporary differences are not
significant, and current income taxes payable represent state
income taxes and federal alternative minimum tax.
F-34
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The income tax provision differs from the amount using the
statutory federal income tax rate of 34% applied to income or
loss from continuing operations, for the following reasons (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory rate
|
|
$ |
1,270 |
|
|
$ |
2,484 |
|
|
$ |
1,176 |
|
State income tax expense, net of refunds and federal benefits
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards against current
taxable income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,816 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance
|
|
|
(3,787 |
) |
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
(1,572 |
) |
Non-deductible costs
|
|
|
558 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
$ |
(1,918 |
) |
|
$ |
1,878 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
Income tax on discontinued operations
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax on continuing operations
|
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
1,752 |
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The availability of the net operating tax loss carry-forwards
may be adversely affected by future ownership changes of
Sterling; at this time, such changes cannot be predicted.
Sterlings estimated net operating tax loss carry-forwards
at December 31, 2004 expire as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
13,358 |
|
2008
|
|
|
153 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1,466 |
|
2011
|
|
|
2,094 |
|
2017
|
|
|
3,098 |
|
2018
|
|
|
874 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
17,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
38,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. |
Costs and Estimated Earnings and Billings on Uncompleted
Contracts |
Costs and estimated earnings and billings on uncompleted
contracts at December 31, 2003 are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
$ |
95,840 |
|
|
$ |
99,732 |
|
Billings on uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
(94,433 |
) |
|
|
(108,193 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,407 |
|
|
$ |
(8,461 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-35
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Included in accompanying balance sheets under the following
captions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on
uncompleted contracts
|
|
$ |
5,884 |
|
|
$ |
1,281 |
|
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on
uncompleted contracts
|
|
|
(4,477 |
) |
|
|
(9,742 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,407 |
|
|
$ |
(8,461 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10. |
Stock Options and Warrants |
In fiscal 1991, the Board of Directors granted options to
purchase 194,388 shares of the Companys common
stock to key employees and to certain members of the Board of
Directors. The exercise price of the options, which was equal to
the market value of the stock at the date of the grant, was
$2.75.
In fiscal 1994, the Board of Directors and shareholders approved
two stock option plans, the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan (the
1994 Omnibus Plan) and the 1994 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan (the Director Plan).
Under both plans, the exercise price of options granted may not
be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of the grant and the term of the grant may not exceed ten
years.
The 1994 Omnibus Plan initially provided for the issuance of a
maximum of 350,000 shares of the Companys common
stock pursuant to the grant of incentive stock options to
employees of Sterling and its subsidiaries and the grant of
non-qualified stock options, stock or restricted stock to
employees, consultants, directors and officers of Sterling and
its subsidiaries. Subsequently, the number of options available
under the plan was increased to 1,150,000 shares. The
options generally vest over a four-year period and expire ten
years from the date of the grant.
The Director Plan (a formula plan) provided for the
issuance of up to 100,000 shares of common stock pursuant
to options granted to directors who were not employees of the
Company. The plan provided that on every May 1, each
non-employee director holding office on such date would
automatically receive a fully-exercisable, fully vested,
ten-year option to purchase 3,000 shares at the market
value on such date. Each directors options expire upon
such directors resignation. Options covering the final
7,000 shares that remained under the plan were issued in
May 2001.
In December 1998, the Board of Directors approved the 1998
Omnibus Stock Plan (the 1998 Omnibus Plan). Under
the 1998 Omnibus Plan, the exercise price of the options granted
may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock
on the date of grant and the term of the grant may not exceed
ten years. The 1998 Omnibus Plan provides for the issuance of
700,000 shares. Stock options granted under the plan
generally vest over a three-year period.
In fiscal 2001, the shareholders ratified the 1998 Omnibus Stock
Plan and the Board of Directors approved the 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan (the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan). The
2001 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of incentive
stock awards for up to 500,000 shares of common stock, under
which stock options may be granted at an exercise price not less
than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. The Companys and its subsidiaries officers,
employees, directors, consultants and advisors are eligible to
be granted awards under the plan. Stock options generally vest
over time and can be exercised no more than 10 years after
the date of the grant. The plan also provides for stock grants,
but none have been made as of December 31, 2004.
F-36
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Beginning in 1998 and as part of the Sterling Transaction in
2001, certain options granted to Messrs. Davies and Hemsley
were extended beyond the normal expiration date under a
standstill agreement. At the time of the standstill agreement,
the fair value of the stock was lower than the option exercise
price.
The following tables summarize the activity under the five plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1991 Plan | |
|
Director Plan | |
|
1994 Omnibus Plan | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
Shares | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
Shares | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at December 31, 2001:
|
|
|
128,573 |
|
|
$ |
2.58 |
|
|
|
87,502 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
|
866,284 |
|
|
$ |
1.46 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,500 |
) |
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
(29,157 |
) |
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,000 |
) |
|
$ |
1.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2002:
|
|
|
99,416 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
87,502 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
|
822,784 |
|
|
$ |
1.46 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(14,996 |
) |
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(50,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,400 |
) |
|
$ |
1.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2003:
|
|
|
84,420 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
87,502 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
|
770,384 |
|
|
$ |
1.48 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
(37,170 |
) |
|
$ |
1.83 |
|
|
|
(162,192 |
) |
|
$ |
1.95 |
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
(29,996 |
) |
|
$ |
2.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
84,420 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
47,332 |
|
|
$ |
1.67 |
|
|
|
578,196 |
|
|
$ |
1.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 Omnibus Plan(a) | |
|
2001 Stock Incentive Plan | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Price | |
|
Shares | |
|
Price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at December 31, 2001:
|
|
|
540,500 |
|
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
|
97,400 |
|
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
|
|
55,900 |
|
|
$ |
1.73 |
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2002:
|
|
|
550,500 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
|
153,300 |
|
|
$ |
1.58 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,800 |
|
|
$ |
3.05 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(10,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2003:
|
|
|
540,500 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
|
214,100 |
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,800 |
|
|
$ |
3.10 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(20,375 |
) |
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
|
(420 |
) |
|
$ |
2.04 |
|
Expired/forfeited
|
|
|
(1,500 |
) |
|
$ |
1.00 |
|
|
|
(7,180 |
) |
|
$ |
1.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
518,625 |
|
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
|
364,300 |
|
|
$ |
2.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Of the options to purchase 600,000 shares granted in fiscal
1999, one third were immediately exercisable, one third vested
in December 1999 and one third vested in December 2000. The
option to purchase 41,000 shares granted in fiscal 2000 vest
over a four year period, with one quarter of the total being
immediately exercisable. |
F-37
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding | |
|
Options Exercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average | |
|
Weighted Average | |
|
|
|
Weighted Average | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Remaining Contractual Life | |
|
Exercise Price Per | |
|
Number of | |
|
Exercise Price Per | |
Range of Exercise Price Per |
|
Shares | |
|
(years) | |
|
Share | |
|
Shares | |
|
Share | |
Share |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
$0.50 - $0.88
|
|
|
885,532 |
|
|
|
8.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
|
|
885,532 |
|
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
$1.00 - $1.50
|
|
|
214,025 |
|
|
|
5.85 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
|
|
195,925 |
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
$1.73 - $2.00
|
|
|
61,600 |
|
|
|
6.60 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
|
31,041 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
$2.75 - $3.38
|
|
|
431,716 |
|
|
|
5.97 |
|
|
$ |
2.93 |
|
|
|
229,617 |
|
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,592,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.41 |
|
|
|
1,342,115 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2003, options to purchase 1,547,250 shares
were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $1.24
per share.
The weighted average fair value per share of all options granted
during fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $2.55, $2.49 and $1.45,
respectively.
The pro forma adjustments were calculated using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following
assumptions in each year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
Fiscal 2003 | |
|
Fiscal 2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Risk free interest rate
|
|
|
4.00% |
|
|
|
4.00% |
|
|
|
4.00% |
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
78.0% |
|
|
|
77.0% |
|
|
|
79.0% |
|
Expected life of option
|
|
|
10.0 years |
|
|
|
10.0 years |
|
|
|
10.0 years |
|
Expected dividends
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Warrants
As part of the Sterling Transaction in July 2001, warrants
attached to zero coupon notes were issued to certain members of
TSC management, to NASCIT and to KTI. These ten-year warrants to
purchase shares of the Companys common stock at $1.50 per
share were exercisable 54 months from the issue date;
following settlement of the Put, the exercise date was changed
(see Note 14). In April 2003, the KTI Loan was prepaid, and
as part of the consideration for the prepayment, 394,302
warrants were cancelled. At December 31, 2004 and 2003,
850,000 warrants were outstanding. At December 31, 2002
there were 1,244,302 warrants outstanding.
11. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company and its subsidiaries maintain defined contribution
profit-sharing plans covering substantially all persons employed
by the Company and its subsidiaries, whereby employees may
contribute a percentage of compensation, limited to maximum
allowed amounts under the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan
provides for discretionary employer contributions, the level of
which, if any, may vary by subsidiary and is determined annually
by each companys Board of Directors. The Company matched
$328,000, $244,000 and $217,000 in contributions for the years
ended December 31, 2004, December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2002, respectively.
12. Operating Leases
In December 1997, SCPI entered into an operating lease for its
warehouse with an initial term that expired January 1,
2003, with one additional five-year renewal option. SCPI
exercised its renewal option in
F-38
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
late 2002. The lease requires minimum rental payments of
$247,000 through December 2005, increasing to $259,000 per annum
through December 2007, and payment by SCPI of certain expenses
such as liability insurance, maintenance and other operating
costs. With the addition of lawn and garden business in fiscal
2001, SCPI entered into a lease agreement for additional
warehouse and office space with an initial term of seven years,
expiring December 2007, with one three-year renewal option.
Operations of TSC are conducted from an owned building in
Houston, Texas. TSC also leases incidental office space in
Fort Worth, Texas and in San Antonio, Texas on month to
month agreements.
Through the acquisition of the Kinsel Business in September
2002, TSC acquired several equipment operating leases, with
balances on the lease terms ranging from several months to
approximately two years.
Minimum annual rentals for all operating leases having initial
non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
555 |
|
2006
|
|
|
533 |
|
2007
|
|
|
516 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total future minimum rental payments
|
|
$ |
1,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total rent expense for all operating leases amounted to
approximately $614,000, $795,000 and $428,000 in fiscal years
2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
13. Customers
The following table shows contract revenues generated from
TSCs largest customers which accounted for more than 10%
of consolidated revenues (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
Fiscal 2003 | |
|
Fiscal 2002 | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Contract | |
|
% of | |
|
Contract | |
|
% of | |
|
Contract | |
|
% of | |
|
|
Revenues | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Revenues | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
City of Houston
|
|
$ |
16,512 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
$ |
58,441 |
|
|
|
39.2 |
% |
|
$ |
26,044 |
|
|
|
23.3 |
% |
Texas State Department of Transportation
|
|
$ |
44,461 |
|
|
|
33.6 |
% |
|
$ |
28,412 |
|
|
|
19.1 |
% |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
* represents less than 10% of revenues
14. Subsequent Event
In February 2005, the Board approved a change in the date, from
January 2006 to January 2005, that all outstanding warrants
would first become exercisable, and an agreement was reached
between the Company, NASCIT and certain holders of debt issued
to the Selling Shareholders, as well as Messrs. Davies and
Hemsley (the Noteholders), whereby NASCIT would
exercise all its warrants in March 2005, providing a payment to
the Company of approximately $484,000. That amount will be
utilized to fund a principal repayment to NASCIT on
March 31, 2005. The other Noteholders agreed to defer
certain principal payments otherwise due to them in March and
June 2005, sufficient to facilitate the repayment of all of
NASCITs note. As a result of this agreement the Company
will benefit by a reduced interest cost of approximately
$112,000 in fiscal 2005.
F-39
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Commitments and
Contingencies
Employment Agreements
Messrs. Harper and Manning and certain other officers of
TSC have employment agreements with a subsidiary of TSC which
provide for payments of annual salary and benefits if the
executives employment is terminated without cause.
SCPI has an employment agreement with Mr. Allan that
provides for payments of annual salary and certain benefits if
his employment is terminated without cause.
Self-Insurance
TSC is self-insured for employee health claims. Its policy is to
accrue the estimated liability for known claims and claims that
have been incurred but not reported as of each reporting date.
The Company has obtained reinsurance coverage for the policy
period from June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005 as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Specific excess reinsurance coverage for medical and
prescription drug claims in excess of $40,000 with a maximum
lifetime reimbursable of $468,000. |
|
|
|
Aggregate reinsurance coverage for medical, dental and
prescription drug claims with a plan year maximum of $1,000,000
for claims in excess of approximately $818,000 which is
estimated claims cost based on the number of employees. |
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, TSC incurred
approximately $803,000 in expenses related to this plan,
compared with $769,000 in fiscal 2003 and $848,000 in fiscal
2002.
Guarantees
The Company typically indemnifies contract owners for claims
arising during the construction process and carries insurance
coverage for such claims, which in the past have not been
material in nature.
Litigation
The Company is involved in certain claims and lawsuits occurring
in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation
with outside legal counsel, does not believe that the outcome of
these actions will have a material impact on the financial
statements of the Company. In 2003, Ames filed a preference
claim against SCPI, which the Company believes is largely
without merit. The Company does not believe that the liability
for any successful preference action by Ames could exceed the
amount due to the Company by Ames on its post-petition
administrative claim, which has been largely written-off.
Accordingly, the Company does not believe that the outcome of
the Ames matters will have a material impact on the
Companys financial condition.
16. Minority Interest
During fiscal 1993, the cumulative dividends on SCPIs
Series A Preferred Stock exceeded SCPIs net income
for that year, thus creating a loss attributable to SCPIs
common stockholders in excess of the minority interest, and
accordingly, the Company reduced to zero the minority interest
related to SCPI. In October 2003, the Board of Directors of SCPI
approved a 1 for 300,000 share reverse stock split of
SCPIs common stock. The transaction was approved by the
Company; SCPIs majority shareholder. In March 2004 the
reverse stock split of SCPIs common stock was completed
with the result that the Company is SCPIs sole shareholder.
F-40
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
From July 2001 to December 2004, the Company had an 80.1%
investment in TSC. A minority interest liability of
$5.3 million was reflected in the consolidated balance
sheet for fiscal year 2003. In December 2004, the Company
purchased the remaining 19.9% of TSC. Minority interest expense
of $962,000, $1,627,000, and $873,000 is reflected in the
consolidated results of operations for fiscal years 2004, 2003
and 2002, respectively.
17. Related Party
Transactions
In October 1999, certain shareholders of TSC exercised their
right to sell a second tranche of equity securities to Oakhurst
Technology, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company)
(OTI) thereby increasing the Companys
consolidated equity ownership of TSC from 7% to 12%. The equity
purchase was financed through the issuance of two notes. One of
these notes reflecting loans in the amount of $559,000, was
issued to Mr. Davies (the First Note) in which
Mr. Hemsley had a participation of $116,000. The second of
the notes in the amount of $800,000 (the Manning
Note) was issued to James D. Manning, the brother of
Patrick T. Manning and one of the TSC shareholders who sold TSC
equity securities to OTI. The First Note provided for interest
at 14% payable quarterly and was due in October 2000, however,
no interest payments were made and the First Note was not repaid
in October 2000. In connection with the July 2001 transaction in
which the Company increased its ownership of TSC to 80.1%, (the
Sterling Transaction), accrued unpaid interest in
the amount of $134,000 on the First Note was added to the
principal, the maturity date of the First Note was extended to
July 2005, and the interest rate was reduced to 12%. In
connection with the Sterling Transaction, the Company also
issued an additional four-year 12% promissory note to each of
Messrs. Hemsley ($136,421) and Davies ($250,623) (the
Second Notes) to repay certain amounts due to them
from the Company or OTI, including deferred compensation, the
fee (and related interest) owed to them in connection with the
acquisition of the second tranche of TSC equity in October 1999,
the fee due in July 2001 to them in connection with the Sterling
Transaction and a fee for the extension of the First Note.
In connection with the Sterling Transaction, the maturity date
of the Manning Note also was extended to July 2005 and the
interest rate was reduced from 14% to 12%. In consideration for
the extension of the maturity date and interest rate reduction,
Mr. James D. Manning received a zero coupon promissory note
due in July 2005 with principal and interest payable at maturity
in the aggregate amount of $187,000. Interest and principal on
the First Note, the Second Notes and the Manning Note are
payable prior to maturity only to the extent of cash available
to Sterling for these payments and as permitted by institutional
lenders to Sterling or its subsidiaries.
After the Sterling Transaction, Mr. Harper and another
officer of TSC purchased $370,000 and $123,000, respectively, of
his notes from Mr. James D. Manning. As a result,
Mr. Harper now holds a separate note in the principal
amount of $370,125, an officer of TSC holds a separate note in
the principal amount of $123,000, and Mr. James D. Manning
holds a note in the principal amount of $493,500, in each case,
on the same terms and conditions as the Manning Note.
In September 2003, the First Note, the Manning Note and the
Second Notes were amended to provide for a maturity date that is
the date the Company is required to purchase the remaining
shares of TSC if the holders of those shares exercise their
rights to sell such shares to the Company, and to provide for
payment of those notes with a combination of cash and five-year
notes of the Company.
In December 2003 prepayments of accrued interest and principal
were made to certain of these noteholders. Mr. Harper
received a prepayment totaling $86,000 and Mr. Davies
received a prepayment totaling $411,000. Mr. Hemsley
declined any prepayment of his notes.
F-41
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
In July 2004, the remaining shareholders of TSC exercised their
right to sell their shares of TSC to the Company (the
Put) for consideration (paid in December 2004)
consisting of a combination of cash (funded through long-term
borrowings), stock and five-year notes of the Company bearing
interest at an annual rate of 12%. The exercise of the Put
triggered the acceleration of the maturity of the other debt
issued in July 2001. Those obligations were satisfied in
December 2004 through a payment of cash, the issuance of some
stock and the issuance of the same form of five-year notes. The
cash paid and shares and notes issued were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Cash | |
|
Shares | |
|
Five-year Notes | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Patrick T. Manning
|
|
$ |
460,458 |
|
|
|
135,474 |
|
|
$ |
365,831 |
|
James D. Manning
|
|
$ |
660,649 |
|
|
|
218,357 |
|
|
$ |
2,124,633 |
|
Joseph P. Harper, Sr.
|
|
$ |
1,045,764 |
|
|
|
345,437 |
|
|
$ |
3,020,201 |
|
Maarten D. Hemsley
|
|
$ |
208,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
207,504 |
|
Robert M. Davies
|
|
$ |
166,876 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
518,641 |
|
Mr. James D. Manning is employed by an operating subsidiary
of TSC under a three-year employment agreement that commenced
January 1999 and that was extended for an additional three-year
term in July 2001 and again in July 2004 pursuant to which he
receives an annual salary of $75,000 plus $75.00 per hour for
each hour worked in excess of 1,000 hours during any calendar
year. In addition, he is entitled to receive incentive
compensation up to 100% of his base pay if certain financial
goals are met. In fiscal 2004, he earned his maximum bonus of
$50,000. The employment agreement limits the ability of
Mr. Manning to compete for a period of two years after he
ceases to be an employee if he terminates his employment without
good cause or TSC terminates his employment for good cause, and
for a period of one year after he ceases to be an employee if he
terminates his employment for good reason or TSC terminates his
employment without good cause; provided that these
non-competition obligations may be avoided by Mr. Manning
if TSC terminates the employment agreement other than for good
cause.
Since March 2001 Mr. Hemsley has provided consulting
services to (and since May 2002 has been an employee of) J O
Hambro Capital Management Limited as Fund Manager of
Leisure & Media Venture Capital Trust plc, and recently as a
principal of its Trident Private Equity II investment fund,
neither of which funds were or are an investor in the Company or
any of its affiliates.
In December 2001, in order to strengthen SCPIs working
capital position, Sterling obtained funding in the amount of
$500,000 from members of management and directors, including
Messrs. Frickel, Harper and Hemsley, who loaned $155,000,
$100,000 and $25,000, respectively. The notes, which ranked
senior to debt incurred in the Sterling Transaction, bore
interest at 12%, payable monthly. The notes were convertible
into shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price
of $2.50 per share at any time prior to the maturity date in
December 2004. All holders of these notes converted their debt
into common stock on December 31, 2004.
In January 2003 certain members of management, including
Messrs. Harper $(70,000) and Hemsley $(25,000), loaned an
aggregate of $250,000 to SCPI for working capital. Under the
original terms of the loan, interest at an annual rate of 10%
was paid monthly, with a maturity date of July 2003. The
maturity date was later extended to December 2003 with the
addition of a guarantee by Sterling and was extended again to
July 2004 with an increase in the interest rate to 12%. These
notes were repaid in three installments in January and February
2005.
In July 2001, Mr. Frickel was elected to the Board of
Directors. He is President of R.W. Frickel Company, P.C., an
accounting firm based in Michigan that performs certain
accounting and tax services for TSC. Fees paid or accrued to
R.W. Frickel Company for fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003 were
approximately $82,000 and $60,000, respectively.
F-42
STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
18. |
Quarterly Financial Information
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2004 Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
March 31 | |
|
June 30 | |
|
September 30 | |
|
December 31 | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
25,586 |
|
|
$ |
29,354 |
|
|
$ |
40,221 |
|
|
$ |
37,317 |
|
|
$ |
132,478 |
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
2,678 |
|
|
|
4,615 |
|
|
|
3.899 |
|
|
|
2,069 |
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
Income (loss) before minority interest and taxes
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
2,715 |
|
|
|
1,235 |
|
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
4,109 |
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
1,531 |
|
|
|
648 |
|
|
|
3,015 |
|
|
|
5,281 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
372 |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
268 |
|
|
$ |
1,624 |
|
|
$ |
716 |
|
|
$ |
3,045 |
|
|
$ |
5,653 |
|
Basic income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations:
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
From discontinued operations:
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share, basic:
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.75 |
|
From discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share, diluted:
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2003 quarter ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
March 31 | |
|
June 30 | |
|
September 30 | |
|
December 31 | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
$ |
35,679 |
|
|
$ |
43,858 |
|
|
$ |
36,630 |
|
|
$ |
32,839 |
|
|
$ |
149,006 |
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
3,857 |
|
|
|
4,451 |
|
|
|
5,129 |
|
|
|
4,388 |
|
|
|
17,825 |
|
Income before minority interest and taxes
|
|
|
1,862 |
|
|
|
2,692 |
|
|
|
2,911 |
|
|
|
1,118 |
|
|
|
8,583 |
|
Net income from continuing operations
|
|
|
1,016 |
|
|
|
1,483 |
|
|
|
2,324 |
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
Net income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
215 |
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
1,196 |
|
|
$ |
1,572 |
|
|
$ |
2,292 |
|
|
$ |
359 |
|
|
$ |
5,419 |
|
Basic income per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
From discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share, basic:
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From continuing operations
|
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
From discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share, diluted:
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-43
2,021,758 Shares
Sterling Construction Company, Inc.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS
|
|
D.A. Davidson & Co. |
Morgan Joseph |