Item 1. Business.
Federal Signal Corporation, founded in 1901, was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1969. The Company designs, manufactures and supplies a suite of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. The Company’s portfolio of products that it manufactures includes sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, vacuum- and hydro-excavation trucks (collectively, “safe-digging” trucks), street sweepers, road-marking and line-removal equipment, waterblasting equipment, dump truck bodies, trailers, and safety and security systems, including technology-based products and solutions for the public safety market. In addition, the Company engages in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training as part of a comprehensive aftermarket offering to its customers. The Company operates 15 principal manufacturing facilities in five countries and provides products and integrated solutions to customers in all regions of the world.
Narrative Description of Business
Products manufactured and supplied, and services rendered, by the Company are divided into two reportable segments: the Environmental Solutions Group and the Safety and Security Systems Group. The individual operating businesses are organized as such because they share certain characteristics, including technology, marketing, distribution and product application, which create long-term synergies. Corporate contains those items that are not included in the Company’s reportable segments.
Financial information concerning the Company’s two reportable segments for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, is included in Note 17 - Segment Information to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and is incorporated herein by reference.
Environmental Solutions Group
The Company’s Environmental Solutions Group is a leading manufacturer and supplier of a full range of street sweepers, sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, safe-digging trucks, high-performance waterblasting equipment, road-marking and line-removal equipment, dump truck bodies, and trailers. The Group manufactures vehicles and equipment in the U.S. and Canada that are sold under the Elgin®, Vactor®, Guzzler®, TRUVAC®, WestechTM, Jetstream®, Mark Rite Lines, Ox Bodies®, Crysteel®, J-Craft®, Duraclass®, Rugby®, and Travis® brand names. The Group’s product offerings also include certain products manufactured by other companies, such as refuse and recycling collection vehicles, camera systems, ice resurfacing equipment and snow-removal equipment. Products are sold to both municipal and industrial customers either through a dealer network or direct sales to service customers generally depending on the type and geographic location of the customer. In addition to vehicle and equipment sales, the Group also engages in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training as part of a comprehensive aftermarket offering to its current and potential customers through its service centers located across North America.
Under the Elgin brand name, the Company sells a leading U.S. brand of street sweepers primarily designed for large-scale cleaning of curbed streets, parking lots and other paved surfaces utilizing mechanical sweeping, vacuum and recirculating air technology. Vactor is a leading manufacturer of equipment solutions for cleaning and maintaining sewers and catch basins. Under the TRUVAC brand name, introduced in 2019, the Company manufactures a range of premium vacuum- and hydro-excavation trucks designed to satisfy the safe-digging requirements of businesses or organizations that locate and verify underground utility lines and pipes. Guzzler is a leader in industrial vacuum loaders used to manage industrial waste or recover and recycle valuable raw materials. Westech is a manufacturer of high-quality, rugged vacuum-excavation trucks. Jetstream manufactures high-pressure waterblasting equipment and accessories for commercial and industrial cleaning and maintenance operations. Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company, Inc. (“MRL”), is a U.S. manufacturer of truck-mounted and ride-on road-marking and line-removal equipment. The Company manufactures and sells dump truck bodies and trailers under the Ox Bodies, Crysteel, J-Craft, Duraclass, Rugby and Travis brand names.
Safety and Security Systems Group
The Company’s Safety and Security Systems Group is a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products that law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, campuses, military facilities and industrial sites use to protect people and property. Offerings include systems for community alerting, emergency vehicles, first responder interoperable communications and industrial communications. Specific products include public safety equipment, such as vehicle lightbars and sirens, industrial signaling equipment, public warning systems and general alarm/public address systems. Products are sold under the Federal SignalTM, Federal Signal VAMA®, and Victor® brand names. The Group operates manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and South Africa.
Marketing and Distribution
Depending primarily on the type and geographic location of the end-customer, the Environmental Solutions Group uses either a dealer network or direct sales to serve customers. The 2017 acquisition of Truck Bodies and Equipment International (“TBEI”) increased the number of dealers within the Company’s network and also added additional direct sales resources. The dealer network serves both municipal and industrial end-markets. Within municipal markets, the majority of the Company’s dealers operate exclusively in their assigned territory. In conjunction with selling vehicles to end-customers, dealer representatives demonstrate vehicle functionality and capability and provide vehicle service. In addition to selling products manufactured by the Company, certain of our businesses distribute and re-sell products manufactured by other companies. The Company believes its regional, national and global dealer networks for vehicles is a distinguishing factor from its competitors. The Company has an ownership interest in certain dealers.
The Environmental Solutions Group’s direct sales channel concentrates primarily on the industrial, utility and construction market segments. To support current and potential customers in these market segments, the Group also engages in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training through its service centers located across North America.
The Safety and Security Systems Group sells to industrial customers through wholesalers and distributors who are supported by Company sales personnel or independent manufacturer representatives. Products are also sold to municipal and governmental customers through active independent distributors, as well as through original equipment manufacturers and the direct sales force. The Company sells comprehensive integrated warning and interoperable communications through a combination of the direct sales force and independent distributors. International sales are made through independent foreign distributors or on a direct basis.
Customers and Backlog
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s net sales in any year within the three-year period ended December 31, 2020.
The Company’s backlog totaled $304 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $387 million at December 31, 2019. Backlogs vary by group due to the nature of the Company’s products and the buying patterns of its customers. The Environmental Solutions Group typically experiences an average backlog of approximately three to six months of shipments. The Safety and Security Systems Group typically experiences an average backlog of approximately two months of shipments. Production of the Company’s December 31, 2020 backlog is expected to be substantially completed during 2021.
Suppliers
The Company purchases a wide variety of raw materials from around the world for use in the manufacture of its products, although the majority of current purchases are from North American sources. To minimize risks relating to availability, price and quality of key products and components, the Company is party to numerous strategic supplier arrangements. Although certain materials are obtained from either a single-source supplier or a limited number of suppliers, the Company has generally identified alternative sources to minimize the interruption of its business in the event of supply disruptions.
Components critical to the production of the Company’s vehicles, such as engines, are purchased from a select number of suppliers. The Company also purchases raw and fabricated steel, as well as commercial chassis, from multiple sources. In addition, we may incorporate chassis provided directly by our customers in our production process. Certain of our businesses also rely on the availability of equipment supplied by others to meet customer demand.
While there are risks and uncertainties with respect to the supply of certain raw materials and components that could impact price, quality and availability in sufficient quantities, the Company believes it has adequate supplies and sources of availability of the raw materials and components necessary to meet its needs.
Competition
Within the Environmental Solutions Group, Elgin is recognized as a market leader among domestic sweeper competitors and differentiates itself primarily on product performance. The Vactor, TRUVAC and Guzzler brands each maintain a leading domestic position in their respective marketplaces by enhancing product performance with leading technology and application flexibility. Jetstream is a market leader in the in-plant cleaning segment of the U.S. waterblast industry, competing on product performance, rapid delivery and solutions services. Joe Johnson Equipment, Inc. with Joe Johnson Equipment (USA), Inc., (collectively, “JJE”), is a leading Canadian-based distributor of maintenance equipment for municipal and industrial markets. TBEI includes a portfolio of regional dump truck body and trailer brands with market leadership positions in distinct geographies and product categories, differentiating itself with its broad regional distribution network, focus on customer responsiveness and operational expertise. MRL is a market-leading manufacturer of road-marking and line-removal equipment.
Within specific product categories and domestic markets, the businesses within the Safety and Security Systems Group are among the market leaders. This Group’s international market position varies from leader to ancillary participant depending on the geographic region and product line. Generally, competition is intense within all of this Group’s product lines and purchase decisions are made based on price, features, reputation, performance and service, often within competitive bidding situations.
Patents and Trademarks
The Company owns a number of patents and possesses rights under others to which it attaches importance, but it does not believe that its business as a whole is materially dependent upon any such patents or rights. The Company also owns a number of trademarks, including those listed within the “Narrative Description of Business” section above. We believe these trademarks are important in connection with the identification of our products and associated goodwill with customers, but no material part of the Company’s business is dependent on our trademarks.
Human Capital Management
As of December 31, 2020, the Company employed approximately 3,500 people in its businesses located in five countries, with the Company’s U.S. hourly workers accounting for approximately 54% of its total workforce. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 16% of the Company’s U.S. hourly workers were represented by unions. The Company believes that its labor relations with its employees are good.
The Company believes that its employees are key to its ability to deliver exceptional products and services to its customers. The Company applies a holistic total rewards strategy, designed to recruit, motivate, and retain talented employees at all levels of the organization, and offer competitive, market-based compensation programs, and attractive benefit packages.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Company is committed to promoting and supporting diversity. The Company believes that behaving inclusively is the right thing to do. The Company also believes that hearing different voices, and seeking different perspectives and ideas, leads to better results. The Company strives to promote diversity on its Board of Directors and in leadership roles throughout the Company. Currently, two of the Company’s seven directors are female, placing the Company ahead of the 20% average for companies in the Russell 3000 Index.
Of the companies in the Russell 3000 Index, approximately 5% have a female Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and we are proud to be among that group. In addition, 50% of the Company’s current executive officers are female, including our President and CEO, Vice President and Corporate Controller and Vice President, Treasury and Corporate Development.
The Company’s commitment to diversity throughout the organization is further evidenced by its policies related to various aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, selecting, hiring, employment placement, job assignment, compensation, access to benefits, selection for training, use of facilities, and participation in Company-sponsored employee activities.
Employee Training and Development
The Company believes that identifying and developing the next generation of business leaders is important to its long-term success, and is proud to support its employees in furthering their education with tuition reimbursement plans and training.
The Company provides extensive training to employees within its facilities, ranging from topics such as workplace safety and anti-fraud training, to advanced instruction in lean manufacturing principles and inside sales training programs. On average, the Company’s employees each receive more than 10 hours of job training per year, with some employees of certain business units each averaging nearly 80 hours of training per year.
Through its Tuition Assistance Program, the Company also aims to assist and encourage employees to expand their knowledge, skills, and job effectiveness by continuing their education at local accredited institutions of higher learning. Certain of the Company’s businesses also partner with nearby universities, from time to time, to offer courses and programs directly related to the employee’s growth in the business.
The Company is committed to the communities in which it operates, and to developing a strong pipeline from which it can recruit new talent. Many of the Company’s businesses from time to time support their local high schools with cooperative learning extension programs at their manufacturing plants, hosting in-person or virtual tours of our facilities, and providing scholarships and “signing-day” offers to high school seniors.
The Company’s employees also donate time and expertise through volunteering and mentorship programs, and work with local colleges on training programs to teach valuable technical skills that can be applied in the workplace. These programs attempt to help the Company’s next generation, and others, understand what career paths may be available to them and to explore future job opportunities with the Company.
Safety
The Company considers the safety of its employees a significant focus and strives to have zero workplace injuries. The Company has established an enterprise-wide Safety Council, which includes representatives from several of our manufacturing facilities. The Safety Council meets regularly to collaborate and implement safety improvement measures, focusing on continuous improvement initiatives, and the reduction of incident frequency.
In February 2020, in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company established a cross-functional task force to monitor ongoing developments, implement mitigation plans, and centrally coordinate its response. In addition to the centralized COVID-19 response team, local response teams were established at every business unit. Management team update calls were held daily to communicate issues related to safety and risk mitigation, and to share COVID-related best practices, and other policy issues. This platform allowed management to rapidly disseminate evolving guidance from federal, state, and local health departments, at the same time promoting a consistent, iterative response.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company was proactive in procuring personal protective equipment and sanitizing supplies for its facilities. The Company also implemented a series of enhanced health and safety measures across the organization, such as reconfiguring work spaces and staggering manufacturing shifts to allow for social distancing, introducing temperature screening protocols, enhancing facility cleaning, limiting non-essential travel and restricting the number of visitors to our facilities. Further, the Company established remote working arrangements, where possible, supported by the use of virtual meeting capabilities.
In the interests of employee safety, the Company modified its employee attendance policies and provided employees with additional paid time off in order to encourage those who were sick, had health concerns, or were otherwise adversely impacted by the pandemic, to remain at home. The Company also partnered with a third-party to provide self-administered, at-home COVID test kits to its employees at no cost, and deployed surveillance testing to reduce the probability of spreading the virus within its facilities. We continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and employees and will implement or modify our policies to adapt to changing circumstances arising from this pandemic.
Governmental Regulation of the Environment
As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental, social and governance initiatives, the Company endeavors to establish environmentally-friendly policies and objectives, and believes that these actions are also consistent with cost-effective operating practices. With the application of these policies, the Company believes it complies with federal, state and local provisions that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. Capital expenditures in 2020 attributable to compliance with such laws were not material. The Company also believes that the overall impact of compliance with environmental regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
Seasonality
Certain of the Company’s businesses are susceptible to the influences of seasonal factors, including buying patterns, delivery patterns and productivity influences from holiday periods and weather. In general, the Company tends to have lower equipment sales in the first calendar quarter of each year compared to other quarters as a result of these factors. In addition, rental income and parts sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, because many of the Company’s products are used for maintenance activities in North America, where usage is typically lower during periods of harsher weather conditions.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following is a list of the Company’s executive officers, including their ages, business experience and positions as of February 1, 2021:
Jennifer L. Sherman, age 56, was appointed President and CEO effective January 1, 2016. Ms. Sherman was also appointed to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2016. Since joining the Company in 1994, Ms. Sherman has served in various roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2014 to December 31, 2015. Ms. Sherman also previously served as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary from 2010 to April 2014, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, General Counsel and Secretary from 2008 to 2010, and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from 2004 to 2008.
Daniel A. DuPré, age 64, was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in November 2015. Mr. DuPré joined the Company in 2006, most recently serving as its Deputy General Counsel. Mr. DuPré previously held senior legal positions at Sears Holdings Corporation, Bank One Corporation, and Brunswick Corporation and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Lauren B. Elting, age 39, was appointed Vice President and Corporate Controller in May 2018. Prior to joining the Company in January 2017, Ms. Elting worked at Ernst & Young, LLP from 2004 to 2016, most recently as Senior Audit Manager.
Ian A. Hudson, age 44, was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October 2017. Mr. Hudson joined the Company in August 2013 as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hudson served as Director of Accounting - Latin America and Asia Pacific at Groupon, Inc. from June 2012 to August 2013. Prior to that role, Mr. Hudson worked at Ernst & Young, LLP from 1998 to 2012, most recently as Senior Audit Manager.
Svetlana Vinokur, age 41, was appointed Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Development in April 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Vinokur worked as Assistant Treasurer at Illinois Tool Works Inc. Prior to that role, Ms. Vinokur served as Finance Head of M&A Strategy at Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and as a senior associate for Robert W. Baird & Company’s Consumer and Industrial Investment Banking group. Ms. Vinokur started her career at Ford Motor Company, serving in various finance roles.
Mark D. Weber, age 63, was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2018, upon rejoining the Company after four years at Supreme Industries, Inc. (“Supreme”). Mr. Weber joined Supreme in May 2013 as President and Chief Executive Officer, serving in that capacity up to the sale of Supreme to Wabash National Corporation, which was completed in September 2017. Prior to joining Supreme, Mr. Weber worked for 17 years as an executive within the Company’s Environmental Solutions Group, including a decade as Group President.
These officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors following their election and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
There are no family relationships among any of the foregoing executive officers.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We may occasionally make forward-looking statements and estimates such as forecasts and projections of our future performance or statements of our plans and objectives. These forward-looking statements may be contained in, but are not limited to, filings with the SEC, including this Form 10-K, press releases made by us and oral statements made by our officers. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks described below. Many of such risks and uncertainties may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and any worsening of the global business and economic environment that may result.
Macroeconomic and Industry Risks
Our financial results are subject to U.S. economic uncertainty.
In 2020, we generated approximately 77% of our net sales in the U.S. Our ability to be profitable depends heavily on varying conditions in the U.S. governmental and municipal markets, as well as the overall U.S. economy. The industrial markets in which we compete are subject to considerable cyclicality, and move in response to cycles in the overall business environment. Many of our customers are municipal government agencies, and as a result, we are dependent on municipal government spending. Spending by our municipal customers can be affected by federal, state and local political circumstances, budgetary constraints, changing priorities, actual or potential government shutdowns and other factors. The U.S. government and municipalities depend heavily on tax revenues as a source of spending and accordingly, there is a historical correlation that suggests a lag of one to two years between the condition of the U.S. economy and our sales to the U.S. government and municipalities. Therefore, downturns in the U.S. economy are likely to result in decreases in demand for our products. During previous economic downturns, we experienced decreases in sales and profitability, and we expect our business to remain subject to similar economic fluctuations in the future. In addition, the extent of any potential changes to policies and regulations under the new U.S. administration, and how any such changes may impact the Company’s operations, is currently uncertain.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely impact our business, financial condition and operating results is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted but could be material.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant worldwide volatility, uncertainty and disruption. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmental responses to the pandemic have resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, a significant number of business closures, slowdowns, suspensions or delays of production and commercial activity, and weakened economic conditions, both in the United States and many foreign countries. As such, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly adversely impacted the Company and such adverse impact will likely continue. However, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition and operating results, which could be material, will depend on numerous evolving factors that are highly uncertain, rapidly changing and cannot be predicted at this time, including:
•the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•governmental, business and individual actions that have been, continue to be and may in the future be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including business and travel restrictions, “stay-at-home” and “shelter-in-place” directives, quarantines, and slowdowns, suspensions or delays of commercial activity;
•the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response on our dealers, distributors and other channel partners and customers, including their ability to remain open, continue to sell and service our products, pay for the products purchased from us and obtain vehicle chassis, to the extent that they source such components directly;
•the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmental response on the budgets of our municipal customers;
•our ability to continue to run our operations as an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or to maintain our normal production capacity, in light of the potential for adverse impacts associated with decreased labor availability, the temporary suspension of production activity mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities, weakened demand, supply chain disruptions, or other production delays;
•significant reductions or volatility in demand for one or more of our products or services;
•the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our suppliers and our ability to obtain commodities, components and parts, on a timely basis through our supply chain and at previously anticipated costs;
•logistics costs and challenges, including availability of transportation and at previously anticipated costs;
•costs incurred as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations, including remote working accommodations, enhanced cleaning processes, protocols designed to implement appropriate social distancing practices, and/or adoption of additional wage and benefit programs to assist employees;
•potential future restructuring, impairment and other charges;
•availability of employees, their ability to conduct work away from normal working locations and/or under revised work environment protocols and the general willingness of employees to come to and perform work;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial and credit markets and economic activity generally;
•our ability to access lending, capital markets, and other sources of liquidity when needed on reasonable terms or at all;
•our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our debt agreements if a material economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic results in substantially increased indebtedness and/or lower earnings; and
•the exacerbation of negative impacts resulting from the occurrence of a global or national recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have international operations that are subject to compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, economic and political uncertainties and foreign currency rate fluctuations.
Our business is subject to fluctuations in demand and changing international economic, legal and political conditions that are beyond our control. In 2020, approximately 23% of our net sales were to customers outside the U.S. and we expect a significant portion of our revenues to come from international sales in the foreseeable future. Operating in the international marketplace exposes us to a number of risks, including the need to comply with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations applicable to our foreign operations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) Bribery Act and their counterparts in other foreign jurisdictions in which we operate, restrictive domestic and international trade regulations, and changes in these laws, regulations and policies by the U.S. and foreign governments. In addition, we may be exposed to risks associated with actual or threatened imposition of tariffs or trade barriers on our products or materials incorporated into our products, actual or threatened trade disputes, including so-called “trade wars,” political and economic instability in the jurisdictions in which we operate, foreign receivables collection risk, local labor market conditions, and, in some cases, international hostilities. The costs of compliance with these various laws, regulations and policies can be significant and penalties for non-compliance could significantly impact our business.
To the extent that our international operations are affected by adverse foreign economic or political conditions, we may experience disruptions and losses that could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow. To mitigate the risk of foreign receivables collection, we may obtain letters of credit from international customers to satisfy concerns regarding the collectability of amounts billed to customers.
Some of our contracts are denominated in foreign currencies, which may expose us to risks of fluctuating currency values and exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange. Changes in the value of foreign currencies over the long term could increase our U.S. dollar costs for, or reduce our U.S. dollar revenues from, our foreign operations. Any increased costs or reduced revenues as a result of foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.
The execution of our growth strategy is dependent upon the continued availability of credit and third-party financing arrangements for our customers.
Economic downturns result in tighter credit markets, which could adversely affect our customers’ ability to secure financing or to secure financing at favorable terms or interest rates necessary to proceed or continue with purchases of our products and services. Our customers’ or potential customers’ inability to secure financing for projects could result in the delay, cancellation or downsizing of new purchases or the suspension of purchases already under contract, which could cause a decline in the demand for our products and services and negatively impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
We operate in highly competitive markets.
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do. The intensity of this competition, which is expected to continue, can result in price discounting and margin pressures throughout the industry and may adversely affect our ability to increase or maintain prices for our products. In addition, certain of our competitors may have lower overall labor or material costs. In some cases, our contracts with municipal and other governmental customers are awarded and renewed through competitive bidding. We may not be successful in obtaining or renewing these contracts, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Strategic and Operational Risks
Failure to keep pace with technological developments may adversely affect our operations.
We are engaged in an industry that will be affected by future technological developments. The introduction of products or processes utilizing new technologies could render our existing products or processes obsolete or unmarketable. Our success will depend upon our ability to develop and introduce on a timely and cost-effective basis new products, applications and processes
that keep pace with technological developments and address increasingly sophisticated customer requirements. We may not be successful in identifying, developing and marketing new products, applications and processes and product or process enhancements. We may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of product or process enhancements or new products, applications or processes. Our products, applications or processes may not adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve market acceptance. Our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected if we were to incur delays in developing new products, applications or processes or product or process enhancements, or if our products do not gain market acceptance.
Our efforts to develop new products and services or enhance existing products and services involve substantial research, development and marketing expenses, and the resulting new or enhanced products or services may not generate sufficient revenues to justify the expense.
We place a high priority on developing new products and services, as well as enhancing our existing products and services. As a result of these efforts, we may be required to expend substantial research, development and marketing resources, and the time and expense required to develop a new product or service or enhance an existing product or service are difficult to predict. We may not succeed in developing, introducing or marketing new products or services or product or service enhancements. In addition, we cannot be certain that any new or enhanced product or service will generate sufficient revenue to justify the expense and resources devoted to the related product diversification effort.
Our business may be adversely affected if we are unable to renew our leases upon their expiration.
We lease from third parties approximately 52% of the square footage of the facilities utilized in our operations, including with respect to certain of our manufacturing plants and our sales, service, warehousing and office locations. If we are unable to renew the existing leases on terms acceptable to us, we may be forced to relocate the affected operations. Alternatively, we may decide to relocate operations. Relocation could result in material disruptions to our business (including potential changes to our workforce if the new location does not allow for our existing workforce to service it) and our incurrence of significant capital and other expenses, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
We could incur restructuring and impairment charges as we continue to evaluate opportunities to restructure our business and rationalize our manufacturing operations in an effort to optimize our cost structure.
We continue to evaluate opportunities to restructure our business and rationalize our manufacturing operations in an effort to optimize our cost structure. These actions could result in significant charges that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Future actions could result in restructuring and related charges, including but not limited to impairments, employee termination costs and charges for pension and other postretirement contractual benefits and pension curtailments that could be significant and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
The inability to obtain raw materials, component parts and/or finished goods in a timely and cost-effective manner would adversely affect our ability to manufacture and market our products.
We purchase from suppliers raw materials, component parts and finished goods to be used in the manufacturing and sale of our products. In addition, we may incorporate vehicle chassis provided directly by our customers in our production process. Although the vast majority of our raw materials and component parts are sourced domestically, certain of our suppliers are based overseas, and certain of our domestic suppliers may source subcomponents from overseas. Outbreaks of communicable diseases have been known to occur in certain of these international regions, resulting in public health crises. Changes in our relationships with suppliers, shortages in availability of materials, production delays, regulatory restrictions, public health crises, or other supply chain disruptions, whether due to our suppliers or customers, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to timely manufacture and market products. Increases in the costs of purchased raw materials, component parts or finished goods could result in manufacturing interruptions, delays, inefficiencies or our inability to market products. In addition, our profit margins would decrease if prices of purchased raw materials, component parts or finished goods increase and we are unable to pass on those increases to our customers.
Disruptions within our dealer network or the inability of our dealers to secure adequate access to capital could adversely affect our business.
We rely on national and global dealer networks to market certain of our products and services. As a result, our business with respect to these products and services is influenced by our ability to manage new and existing relationships with dealers. While we have relatively low turnover of dealers, from time to time, we or a dealer may choose to terminate the relationship as a result of difficulties that our dealers experience in operating their businesses due to economic conditions or other factors. While we do not believe our business is dependent on any single dealer, a disruption in our dealer network, or with a significant dealer, or
within a specific market, could have an adverse impact on our business within the affected market. In addition, our dealers require adequate liquidity to finance their operations, including purchases of our products. Dealers are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could unfavorably affect their liquidity positions, including, among other things, continued access to adequate financing sources on a timely basis on reasonable terms. These sources of financing are vital to our ability to sell products through our dealer network. Deterioration in the liquidity or credit worthiness of our dealers could have a significant adverse effect on our business. From time to time, we may provide financing assistance to dealers or consider taking ownership positions. The loss or termination of a significant dealer, or a significant number of dealers, could cause difficulties in marketing and distributing our products and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
We may be unsuccessful in our future acquisitions, if any, which may have an adverse effect on our business.
Our long-term strategy includes exploring acquisitions of companies or businesses to facilitate our growth, enhance our global market position and broaden our product offerings. Such acquisitions may help us expand into adjacent markets, add complementary products and services or allow us to leverage our distribution channels. In connection with this strategy, we could face certain risks and uncertainties in addition to those we face in the day-to-day operations of our business. We also may be unable to identify suitable targets for acquisition or to make acquisitions at favorable prices. If we identify a suitable acquisition candidate, our ability to successfully implement the acquisition would depend on a variety of factors, including our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms. In addition, our acquisition activities could be disrupted by overtures from competitors for the targeted companies, governmental regulation and rapid developments in our industry that decrease the value of a potential target’s products or services.
Acquisitions involve risks, including those associated with the following:
•integrating the operations, financial reporting, disparate systems and processes and personnel of acquired companies;
•managing geographically dispersed operations;
•diverting management’s attention from other business concerns;
•changing the competitive landscape, including disrupting existing sales channels or markets;
•entering markets or lines of business in which we have either limited or no direct experience; and
•losing key employees, customers and strategic partners of acquired companies.
We also may not achieve anticipated revenue and cost benefits associated with our acquisitions. Acquisitions may not be accretive to our earnings and may negatively impact our results of operations as a result of, among other things, the incurrence of debt, acquisition costs, impairment of goodwill and amortization of other intangible assets. In addition, future acquisitions could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities.
Businesses acquired by us may have liabilities that are not known to us.
We may assume liabilities in connection with the acquisition of businesses. There may be liabilities that we fail or are unable to discover in the course of performing due diligence investigations on the acquired businesses, or that may be more material than we discovered. In these circumstances, we cannot assure that our rights to indemnification will be sufficient in amount, scope or duration to fully offset the possible liabilities associated with the businesses or property acquired. Further, these liabilities could result in unexpected legal or regulatory exposure, unexpected increases in taxes or other adverse effects on our business. Any such liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Indebtedness Risk
We are subject to a number of restrictive debt covenants.
Our credit facility contains certain restrictive debt covenants and customary events of default. Our ability to comply with these restrictive covenants may be affected by the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section, as well as other factors outside of our control. Failure to comply with one or more of these restrictive covenants may result in an event of default which, if not cured by us or waived by our lenders, allows our lenders to declare all amounts outstanding as due and payable. Such an acceleration of the maturity of our indebtedness may cause us to incur substantial costs and may prevent or limit us from engaging in transactions that benefit us, including responding to changing business and economic conditions and taking advantage of attractive business opportunities.
Human Capital and Labor Risks
Our ability to operate effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain key personnel.
Our ability to operate our businesses and implement our strategies depends in part on the efforts of our executive officers and other key employees. In addition, our future success will depend on, among other factors, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The loss of the services of any key employee or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business or business prospects.
Our business may be adversely impacted by work stoppages and other labor relations matters.
As a portion of our workforce is unionized, we are subject to risk of work stoppages and other labor relations matters. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 16% of our U.S. hourly workers were represented by labor unions and were covered by collective bargaining agreements with various unions. Any strikes, threats of strikes or other organized disruptions in connection with the negotiation of new labor agreements or other negotiations could materially adversely affect our business as well as impair our ability to implement further measures to reduce costs and improve production efficiencies. In addition, the stoppage of work for a prolonged period of time at one, or several, of our principal manufacturing facilities, due to public health concerns, or any other reason, could materially adversely affect our business.
Our pension funding requirements and expenses are affected by certain factors outside of our control, including the performance of plan assets, the discount rate used to value liabilities, actuarial assumptions and experience and legal and regulatory changes.
Our funding obligations and pension expense for our defined benefit pension plans are driven by the performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the discount rate used to value the plans’ liabilities, actuarial assumptions and experience and legal and regulatory funding requirements. Changes in these factors could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. In addition, a portion of our pension plan assets are invested in equity securities, which can experience significant declines if financial markets weaken. The level of the funding of our defined benefit pension plan liabilities was approximately 84% as of December 31, 2020. Funding of the Company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plan is determined in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The current year funding status was impacted by a lower discount rate than in the prior year. Our future pension expenses and funding requirements could increase significantly due to the effect of adverse changes in the discount rate, asset values or the estimated expected return on plan assets. In addition, we could become legally required to make increased cash contributions to the pension plans, and these contributions could be material and negatively affect our cash flow.
Data Security and Intellectual Property Risks
Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated cyber-attacks pose a risk to our systems, networks, products and operations.
We have observed a global increase in information technology security threats and more sophisticated cyber-attacks. Our business could be impacted by such disruptions, which in turn could pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, accessibility and integrity of information stored and transmitted on those systems and networks. We have adopted measures to address cyber-attacks and mitigate potential risks to our systems from these information technology-related disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of such disruptions, our systems and networks remain potentially vulnerable to attacks. Depending on their nature and scope, such attacks could potentially lead to the compromising of confidential information, misuse of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, misappropriation of assets or production stoppages and supply shortages, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Infringement of, or an inability to protect, our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.
We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, nondisclosure agreements, information technology security systems, physical security and other measures to protect our proprietary intellectual property and the intellectual property of certain customers and suppliers. However, we cannot be certain that our efforts to protect these intellectual property rights will be sufficient. Intellectual property protection is subject to applicable laws in various jurisdictions where interpretations and protections differ or can be unpredictable and costly to enforce. Further, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights may be limited in certain foreign jurisdictions that do not have, or do not enforce, strong intellectual property rights. Any failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Legal and Financial Risks
We may incur material losses and costs as a result of lawsuits or claims that may be brought against us which are related to product liability, warranty, product recalls, intellectual property, client service interruptions or other matters.
We are exposed to product liability and warranty claims in the normal course of business in the event that our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected, or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage. For example, we have been sued by firefighters seeking damages claiming that exposure to our sirens has impaired their hearing and that the sirens are, therefore, defective. In addition, we are subject to other claims and litigation from time to time, as further described in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements. We could experience material product liability or warranty costs in the future and incur significant costs to defend ourselves against these claims. While we carry insurance and maintain reserves for product liability claims, our insurance coverage may be inadequate if such claims do arise, and any defense costs and liability not covered by insurance could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. A future claim could involve the imposition of punitive damages, the award of which, pursuant to state laws, may not be covered by insurance. In addition, warranty and certain other claims are not typically covered by insurance. Any product liability or warranty issues may adversely impact our reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality, safe products and may have a material adverse effect on our business.
The costs associated with complying with environmental and safety regulations could lower our margins.
We, like other manufacturers, continue to face heavy governmental regulation of our products, especially in the areas of the environment and employee health and safety. Complying with environmental and safety requirements has added and will continue to add to the cost of our products, and could increase the capital required to support our business. While we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with these laws and regulations, we may be adversely impacted by costs, liabilities or claims with respect to our operations under existing laws or those that may be adopted. These requirements are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. Therefore, we could incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions as a result of violation of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and safety regulations. Further, climate change regulations at the federal, state or local level or in international jurisdictions could require us to limit emissions, change our manufacturing processes or product offerings, or undertake other activities which may require us to incur additional expense. These requirements may increase the cost of our products, which may diminish demand for those products. In addition, uneven application of environmental or safety regulations could place our products at a cost or features disadvantage, which could reduce our revenues and profitability.
An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill, intangible assets or long-lived assets could negatively affect our financial position and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2020, goodwill and intangible assets represented 33% and 13% of total consolidated assets, respectively. Rental equipment and properties and equipment are long-lived assets, which also represented more than 5% of our total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2020. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. Definite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In evaluating the potential for impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets, we make assumptions regarding future operating performance, business trends, competition and market and general economic conditions. Such analyses further require us to make certain assumptions about our sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors. An impairment charge may result from, among other things, a significant decline in operating results, adverse market conditions, unfavorable changes in applicable laws or regulations, or a variety of other factors. Our total consolidated assets and results of operations for the applicable period could be materially adversely affected if any such charge is recorded.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company utilized 11 principal manufacturing plants located throughout the U.S., as well as two in Europe, one in Canada and one in South Africa. The Company also leases facilities within the U.S., Europe and Canada from which we provide sales, service and/or equipment rentals. As of December 31, 2020, the Company devoted approximately 1.9 million square feet to manufacturing and 0.9 million square feet to sales, service, warehousing and office space. Of the total square footage, approximately 81% is devoted to the Environmental Solutions Group and 19% to the Safety and Security Systems Group. Approximately 48% of the total square footage is owned by the Company with the remaining 52% being leased. Owned facilities are subject to liens under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 30, 2019 (the “2019 Credit Agreement”).
The Company believes its properties, and related machinery and equipment, are well-maintained, suitable and adequate for their intended purposes. In the aggregate, these facilities are of sufficient capacity for the Company’s current business needs. However, the Company may make additional investments in certain facilities in the future in response to increased demand for the Company’s products.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The information concerning the Company’s legal proceedings included in Note 13 - Legal Proceedings to the accompanying consolidated financial statements is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
The Company’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSS”.
Holders
As of January 31, 2021, there were 1,489 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation
Information concerning the Company’s equity compensation plans is included under Item 12 of Part III of this Form 10-K.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no sales of unregistered securities by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s repurchase activity for its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2020:
(a) In November 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock.
(b) In March 2020, the Board authorized an additional stock repurchase program of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock. This program supplements the November 2014 stock repurchase program, which remains in effect.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative five-year total return to stockholders of the Company’s common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the Russell 2000 index, the S&P Midcap 400 index and the S&P Industrials index. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company’s common stock, and in each index, was $100 on December 31, 2015 and assumes reinvestment of all dividends through December 31, 2020.
Copyright© 2021 Russell Investment Group. All rights reserved.
Copyright© 2021 Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. Notwithstanding anything set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, which might be incorporated into future filings in whole or part, including this Form 10-K, the preceding performance graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any such filings.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide information that is supplemental to, and shall be read together with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes contained in this Form 10-K. Information in MD&A is intended to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of (i) the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the Company’s business segments and how the results of those segments impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition as a whole and (iii) how certain accounting principles affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Executive Summary
The Company is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of (i) vehicles and equipment for maintenance and infrastructure end-markets, including sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, safe-digging trucks, street sweepers, waterblasting equipment, road-marking and line-removal equipment, dump truck bodies and trailers and (ii) public safety equipment, such as vehicle lightbars and sirens, industrial signaling equipment, public warning systems and general alarm/public address systems. In addition, we engage in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training as part of a comprehensive aftermarket offering to our customer base. We operate 15 manufacturing facilities in five countries and provide products and integrated solutions to municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers in all regions of the world.
As described in Note 17 - Segment Information to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company’s business units are organized in two reportable segments: the Environmental Solutions Group and the Safety and Security Systems Group.
COVID-19 Update
We continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business, including how it is affecting our employees, customers, supply chain and distribution network. In February 2020, we established a cross-functional task force to monitor ongoing developments, implement mitigation plans and centrally coordinate our response to the pandemic.
Generally, our businesses are considered to be essential in supporting critical infrastructure needs and public safety. While certain of our operations have been affected by temporary facility closures, either due to government-issued mandates or other concerns related to COVID-19, our facilities have remained substantially operational to date. Given that, our primary focus has been on the safety and well-being of our employees. We were, and continue to be, proactive in procuring personal protective equipment and sanitizing supplies for our facilities. We also implemented a series of enhanced health and safety measures across the organization, such as reconfiguring work spaces and staggering manufacturing shifts to allow for social distancing, introducing temperature screening protocols, enhancing facility cleaning, limiting non-essential travel and restricting the number of visitors to our facilities. Further, we established remote working arrangements, where possible, supported by the use of virtual meeting capabilities. As many of the government-mandated stay-at-home orders were lifted throughout the course of the second quarter, the majority of our telecommuting employees have gradually returned to the workplace, following our enhanced safety protocols. We also modified our employee attendance policies and provided employees with additional paid time off in order to encourage those who were sick, had health concerns, or were otherwise adversely impacted by the pandemic, to remain at home.
As a result of the combination of these factors and the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), we experienced a decrease in labor availability at several of our facilities during the second quarter. While labor availability improved during the third and fourth quarters, we continued to experience labor-related disruptions, including several COVID-19-related quarantine absences. This resulted in a variety of challenges in running our operations efficiently, and we adjusted our production schedules, accordingly. We saw similar issues within our supply chain, with certain suppliers temporarily shut down. Our procurement teams have worked diligently with our key suppliers to effectively secure safety stock and manage inventory levels and, in some circumstances, have identified alternate suppliers and in-sourcing opportunities in order to mitigate the impact of supply-chain disruptions on production.
The government-mandated stay-at-home orders and travel and visitor restrictions significantly impacted the Company’s sales and marketing activities during the second quarter, with limited ability to attend trade shows and conduct equipment demonstrations and in-person sales meetings. In addition, certain customers were unable to take delivery of equipment given travel restrictions and the limited personnel that they had available. These factors significantly impacted order intake and operating results during the second quarter. However, as the second quarter progressed, many of the government-mandated restrictions that were imposed in states across the U.S. started to ease, albeit at different times, and at different levels. With business-related travel steadily increasing during the third and fourth quarters, our sales teams and dealer partners have been able to increase the amount of equipment demonstrations. That has helped contribute to sequential order improvement, with our
third quarter orders up $65 million, or 32%, compared to the second quarter, and our fourth quarter orders up $10 million, or 4%, compared to the third quarter.
The timing of production and realization of our backlog, which totaled $304 million as of December 31, 2020, may be delayed or otherwise negatively impacted by our ability to continue to run our operations as an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or to return to our normal production capacity, faced with the ongoing potential for adverse impacts associated with decreased labor availability, the temporary suspension of production activity mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities, weakened demand, supply chain disruptions, or other production delays. Such factors have adversely affected the comparability of our operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 with the corresponding prior year, and may continue to impact comparability in subsequent years. We are responding accordingly and taking steps to manage through these challenging times, including implementing measures to reduce costs and manage our capital prudently. At the same time, we are maintaining our focus on our eighty-twenty improvement initiatives.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of these pandemic-related operational challenges, we implemented the following cost-saving actions:
•Temporary salary reductions ranging from 20% to 25% during the second quarter for approximately 60 members of the Company’s enterprise leadership team, including executive officers;
•Temporary reduction in Board of Directors fees ranging from 22.5% to 25% during the second quarter;
•Roll-back of 2020 merit-based salary increases for most domestic salaried employees, effective in the third quarter;
•Temporary furloughs of approximately 400 employees, primarily within the second quarter;
•Permanent reductions in force impacting approximately 200 employees; and
•Limited discretionary spending, primarily within Selling, engineering, general and administrative (“SEG&A”) expenses, including travel and entertainment expenses.
We are continuing to approach the uncertainty and challenges with resolve and from a position of strength given our current financial position. As of December 31, 2020, we had $82 million of cash and cash equivalents and $280 million of availability for borrowings under our five-year revolving credit facility, which we executed in July 2019.
However, the overall magnitude of the impact of the pandemic on our operating and financial results remains uncertain and will largely depend on the duration of the pandemic and the measures implemented in response, as well as the effect on our customers and suppliers. Given these factors, we are unable to reliably forecast the effect that the pandemic will have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which could be material.
Operating and Financial Performance in 2020
Despite the challenges created by the pandemic, the Company was able to sustain a high level of financial performance and make progress against several long-term objectives in 2020. Included among the Company’s highlights in 2020 were the following:
•For the year ended December 31, 2020, we reported operating income and income from continuing operations of $131.4 million and $96.1 million, respectively.
•On a consolidated basis, we reported adjusted EBITDA* of $182.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which translated to an adjusted EBITDA margin* of 16.1%. That return was above the high end of our target range, and represented a 40-basis point year-over-year improvement.
•Cash flow from continuing operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $136.3 million, an increase of $32.9 million, or 32%, over the prior year.
•With the increased operating cash flow, we ended the year with $82 million of cash and $280 million of availability for borrowings under our $500 million credit facility, which was executed in July 2019. The five-year facility can be increased by an additional $250 million for acquisitions.
•With our strong balance sheet, positive operating cash flow, and capacity under our revolving credit facility, we are well positioned to continue to invest in internal growth initiatives, pursue strategic acquisitions and consider ways to return value to stockholders, as we did during 2020:
◦Our capital expenditure for 2020 was approximately $30 million, as we continued to make strategic investments for the future by purchasing new machinery and equipment aimed at gaining operating efficiencies, and expanding capacity at several of our production facilities, including our locations in Streator, Illinois, Rugby, North Dakota, Lake Crystal, Minnesota, and Billings, Montana.
◦We have also continued to invest in new product development and are encouraged that these efforts will provide additional opportunities to further diversify our customer base, penetrate new end-markets or gain access to new geographic regions.
◦In June, we completed the acquisition of certain assets and operations of Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc. (“PWE”), a distributor of maintenance and infrastructure equipment covering North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee. The acquisition added a third location to our current footprint in this population-dense region which we anticipate will allow us to better serve our customers and accelerate the growth of our aftermarket business.
◦We demonstrated our commitment to returning value to stockholders by paying cash dividends of $19.4 million, and spending $13.7 million repurchasing shares under our authorized repurchase program.
•Our eighty-twenty improvement initiatives remain a critical part of our culture and we continue to focus on reducing product costs and improving manufacturing efficiencies across all our businesses.
•To highlight our ongoing focus on operating in a socially responsible and sustainable manner, we published our inaugural annual Sustainability Report in October 2020.
*The Company uses adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) and the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to net sales (“adjusted EBITDA margin”) as additional measures which are representative of its underlying performance and to improve the comparability of results across reporting periods. Refer to the Results of Operations section for further discussion regarding these non-GAAP metrics and a reconciliation of each to the most comparable GAAP measure for each of the periods presented.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our Consolidated Statements of Operations as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and illustrates the key financial indicators used to assess our consolidated financial results:
(a)The Company uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as additional measures which are representative of its underlying performance and to improve the comparability of results across reporting periods. We believe that investors use versions of these metrics in a similar manner. For these reasons, the Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are meaningful metrics to investors in evaluating the Company’s underlying financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents the total of income from continuing operations, interest expense, hearing loss settlement charges, acquisition and integration-related expenses, restructuring activity, coronavirus-related expenses, purchase accounting effects, other income/expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense and the impact of adoption of a new lease accounting standard, where applicable. Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents the total of income from continuing operations, interest expense, hearing loss settlement charges, acquisition and integration-related expenses, restructuring activity, coronavirus-related expenses, purchase accounting effects, other income/expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization expense and the impact of adoption of a new lease accounting standard, where applicable, divided by net sales for the applicable period(s). Other companies may use different methods to calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin.
A discussion of changes in the Company’s financial condition and results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 has been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but may be found under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020.
Year ended December 31, 2020 vs. year ended December 31, 2019
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $90.5 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year. Within the Environmental Solutions Group, net sales decreased by $77.1 million, or 8%, largely due to decreases in shipments of safe-digging trucks, industrial vacuum loaders, sweepers, dump bodies, waterblasting equipment, sewer cleaners, trailers and snow removal equipment of $26.4 million, $22.0 million, $20.7 million, $7.8 million, $7.5 million, $6.7 million, $4.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Partially offsetting these reductions was an increase in shipments of road-marking and line removal equipment and refuse equipment of $12.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively. Within the Safety and Security Systems
Group, net sales decreased by $13.4 million, or 6%, primarily due to reductions in sales of industrial signaling equipment, warning systems and public safety equipment of $7.9 million, $4.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Cost of sales
For the year ended December 31, 2020, cost of sales decreased by $61.3 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year, largely due to a decrease of $58.0 million, or 8%, within the Environmental Solutions Group, primarily attributable to lower sales volumes and a favorable foreign currency translation impact of $1.4 million, partially offset by the recognition of additional cost of sales from the MRL acquisition. Within the Safety and Security Systems Group, cost of sales decreased by $3.3 million, or 2%, largely due to lower sales volumes.
Gross profit
For the year ended December 31, 2020, gross profit decreased by $29.2 million, or 9%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to reductions of $19.1 million and $10.1 million within the Environmental Solutions Group and the Safety and Security Systems Group, respectively. Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 26.0%, compared to 26.4% in the prior year, primarily driven by reductions within the Safety and Security Group and Environmental Solutions Group of 220 basis points and 10 basis points, respectively.
Selling, engineering, general and administrative (“SEG&A”) expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2020, SEG&A expenses decreased by $14.4 million, or 8%, primarily due to reductions in SEG&A expenses within the Safety and Security Systems Group, the Environmental Solutions Group and Corporate of $7.3 million, $3.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses decreased from 14.2% in the prior year, to 14.0% in the current year.
Operating income
Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $15.7 million, or 11%, compared to the prior year, primarily driven by reductions of $15.1 million and $3.1 million within the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group, respectively, partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in Corporate expenses. Consolidated operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 11.6%, compared to 12.0% in the prior year.
Interest expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $2.2 million, or 28%, compared to the prior year, largely due to lower interest rates in comparison to the prior year.
Other expense, net
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Other expense, net, totaled $1.1 million of expense, largely due to the recognition of a $2.3 million charge associated with the withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan, partially offset by $0.5 million of net periodic pension benefit and $0.4 million of foreign currency transaction gains. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Other expense, net, totaled $0.6 million of expense, largely due to $0.9 million of net periodic pension expense.
Income tax expense
The Company recognized income tax expense of $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The reduction in income tax expense in the current year was primarily due to lower earnings and a $1.9 million increase in excess tax benefits from stock compensation activity, partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $0.8 million tax benefit from the release of state deferred tax valuation allowance recognized in the prior year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 22.9%, compared to 21.8% in 2019. For further discussion, see Note 10 - Income Taxes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Income from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $12.3 million, or 11%, compared to the prior year, largely due to the aforementioned reduction in operating income and the $0.5 million increase in other expense, partially offset by the $2.2 million reduction in interest expense, and the $1.7 million decrease in income tax expense.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $9.1 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 16.1%, up from 15.7% in the prior year.
The following table summarizes the Company’s adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin and reconciles income from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020:
(a)Coronavirus-related expenses relate to direct expenses incurred in connection with the Company's response to the coronavirus pandemic, that are incremental to, and separable from, normal operations. Such expenses primarily relate to incremental paid time off provided to employees and costs incurred to implement enhanced workplace safety protocols.
(b)Purchase accounting effects represent the step-up in the valuation of equipment acquired in recent business combinations that was sold during the periods presented.
(c)Adjustment to exclude recognition of a deferred gain associated with historical sale lease-back transactions. Effective with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard in 2019, recognition of this gain was eliminated.
Environmental Solutions
The following table summarizes the Environmental Solutions Group’s operating results as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year ended December 31, 2020 vs. year ended December 31, 2019
Total orders decreased by $198.0 million, or 19%, for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. orders decreased by $181.1 million, or 22%, primarily due to reductions in orders for safe-digging trucks, sewer cleaners, street sweepers, industrial vacuum loaders and dump truck bodies of $59.2 million, $59.0 million, $29.8 million, $27.0 million and $9.6 million, respectively. Partially offsetting these reductions was a $9.1 million increase in orders for trailers. Non-U.S. orders decreased by $16.9 million, or 9%, primarily due to decreases in orders for safe-digging trucks, sewer cleaners and street sweepers of $9.3
million, $9.3 million and $9.2 million, respectively, and an unfavorable foreign currency translation impact of $1.3 million. Partially offsetting these reductions was a $12.2 million increase in orders for refuse trucks.
Net sales decreased by $77.1 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. sales decreased by $65.5 million, or 8%, primarily due to decreases in shipments of industrial vacuum loaders, safe-digging trucks, sweepers, dump truck bodies, waterblasting equipment and trailers of $21.4 million, $18.1 million, $17.8 million, $7.4 million, $6.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively. In addition, aftermarkets revenues decreased by $2.5 million. Partially offsetting these reductions was a $10.8 increase in shipments of road-marking and line removal-equipment. Non-U.S. sales decreased by $11.6 million, or 6%, primarily due to decreases in shipments of safe-digging trucks, sewer cleaners, sweepers and snow-removal equipment of $8.3 million, $6.8 million, $2.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, as well as a $1.5 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact. Partially offsetting these reductions was an $8.0 million increase in sales of refuse trucks, and a $3.8 million improvement in aftermarket revenues.
Cost of sales decreased by $58.0 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily attributable to lower sales volumes and a $1.4 million favorable foreign currency translation impact, partially offset by the recognition of additional cost of sales from the MRL acquisition. Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 23.3%, compared to 23.4% in the prior year, primarily due to a reduction in operating leverage with lower sales volumes.
SEG&A expenses decreased by $3.9 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to cost saving actions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the addition of expenses of businesses acquired in the prior year, and a $0.8 million increase in amortization expense. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses were 9.6% in the current year, compared to 9.3% in the prior year.
Operating income decreased by $15.1 million, or 11%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, largely due to a $19.1 million reduction in gross profit and the recognition of $0.7 million of restructuring charges, partially offset by decreases in SEG&A expenses and acquisition-related costs of $3.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Backlog was $282.5 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $357.6 million at December 31, 2019.
Safety and Security Systems
The following table summarizes the Safety and Security Systems Group’s operating results as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year ended December 31, 2020 vs. year ended December 31, 2019
Total orders decreased by $23.9 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. orders decreased by $15.4 million, or 11%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to reductions in orders for industrial signaling equipment, public safety equipment and warning systems of $7.8 million, $5.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Non-U.S. orders decreased by $8.5 million, or 10%, primarily due to reductions in orders for public safety equipment and industrial signaling equipment of $7.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a $1.6 million improvement in orders for warning systems.
Net sales decreased by $13.4 million, or 6%, for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. sales decreased by $15.0 million, or 10%, primarily driven by reductions in sales of public safety equipment, industrial signaling equipment and warning systems of $7.1 million, $6.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Non-U.S. sales increased by $1.6 million, or 2%, largely due to a $5.4 million increase in sales of public safety equipment, partially offset by reductions in sales of warning systems and industrial signaling equipment of $2.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
Cost of sales decreased by $3.3 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily related to lower sales volumes. Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 37.3%, compared to 39.5% in the prior year, with the decrease primarily attributable to unfavorable sales mix.
SEG&A expenses decreased by $7.3 million, or 14%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of cost-saving actions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reductions in incentive-based compensation expense. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses decreased to 20.6% in the current year, from 22.6% in the prior year.
Operating income decreased by $3.1 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2020, largely due to a $10.1 million reduction in gross profit and restructuring charges of $0.3 million, partially offset by the $7.3 million reduction in SEG&A expenses.
Backlog was $21.4 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $29.3 million at December 31, 2019.
Corporate Expense
Corporate operating expenses were $28.4 million, $30.9 million and $25.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, corporate operating expenses decreased by $2.5 million, primarily due to reductions in incentive-based compensation expense and other employee-related costs, including the effects of cost-saving actions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in acquisition and integration-related expenses.
The Company’s hearing loss litigation has historically been managed by the Company’s legal staff resident at the corporate office and not by management at either segment. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting, which provides that segment reporting should follow the management of the item and that certain expenses may be corporate expenses, these legal expenses (which are not part of the normal operating activities of any of our reportable segments) are reported and managed as corporate expenses.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company uses its cash flow from operations to fund growth and to make capital investments that sustain its operations, reduce costs, or both. Beyond these uses, remaining cash is used to pay down debt, repurchase shares, fund dividend payments and make pension contributions. The Company may also choose to invest in the acquisition of businesses. In the absence of significant unanticipated cash demands, we believe that the Company’s existing cash balances, cash flow from operations and borrowings available under the 2019 Credit Agreement will provide funds sufficient for these purposes. The net cash flows associated with the Company’s rental equipment transactions are included in cash flow from operating activities.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $81.7 million, $31.6 million and $37.4 million as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, $24.6 million of cash and cash equivalents was held by foreign subsidiaries. Cash and cash equivalents held by subsidiaries outside the U.S. typically are held in the currency of the country in which it is located. The Company uses this cash to fund the operating activities of its foreign subsidiaries and for further investment in foreign operations. Generally, the Company has considered such cash to be permanently reinvested in its foreign operations and the Company’s current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate such cash to fund U.S. operations. However, in the event that these funds were needed to fund U.S. operations or to satisfy U.S. obligations, they generally could be repatriated. The repatriation of these funds may cause the Company to incur additional U.S. income tax expense, dependent on income tax laws and other circumstances at the time any such amounts were repatriated.
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities totaled $136.3 million, $103.4 million and $92.8 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $32.9 million, or 32%, increase in cash generated by continuing operating activities in 2020 compared to the prior year was primarily due to working capital timing differences, lower rental fleet investment, a $3.4 million reduction in income tax payments, deferral of $7.3 million of payroll tax payments, which are expected to be paid over the next two years, in accordance with the provisions of the CARES Act, lower incentive compensation payments, and a $3.1 million improvement resulting from reduced acquisition-related activity. Partially offsetting these improvements was a $7.1 million increase in pension-related payments.
Net cash used for investing activities totaled $34.4 million, $84.4 million and $11.0 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In each of the years presented, cash was used to fund the purchase of properties and equipment, with $29.7 million, $35.4 million and $14.1 million of capital expenditures in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2020 and 2019 were higher due to the expansion of a number of the Company’s production facilities. In addition, as discussed
in Note 2 - Acquisitions, in 2020 the Company paid $6.2 million to acquire certain assets and operations of PWE and received $0.8 million as part of the finalization of certain post-closing adjustments in connection with the acquisition of MRL, which it acquired in 2019 for an initial $49.6 million, net of cash acquired. In 2018, the Company received an adjustment for working capital and other post-closing items in the amount of $3.0 million relating to the TBEI acquisition, which was completed in 2017.
Net cash used for financing activities totaled $53.4 million, $24.6 million and $81.2 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In 2020, the Company paid down $11.8 million of net borrowings under its revolving credit facility, funded cash dividends and share repurchases of $19.4 million and $13.7 million, respectively, and redeemed $9.1 million of stock in order to remit funds to tax authorities to satisfy employees’ tax withholdings following the vesting of stock-based compensation and the exercise of stock options. In 2019, the Company’s net borrowings increased by $7.4 million, primarily related to the funding of the acquisition of MRL. In addition, the Company funded payments of $10.3 million relating to acquisitions completed in 2016, paid cash dividends of $19.3 million, incurred $1.0 million of debt refinancing costs, repurchased $1.0 million of treasury stock, and redeemed $2.1 million of stock in order to remit funds to tax authorities to satisfy employees’ minimum tax withholdings following the vesting of stock-based compensation. In 2018, the Company repaid $62.1 million of net borrowings, funded cash dividends of $18.7 million, and repurchased $1.2 million of treasury stock.
On July 30, 2019, the Company entered into the 2019 Credit Agreement, by and among the Company (the “U.S. Borrower”) and certain of its foreign subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as syndication agent, and the other lenders and parties signatory thereto.
The 2019 Credit Agreement is a $500 million revolving credit facility, maturing on July 30, 2024, that provides for borrowings in the form of loans or letters of credit up to the aggregate availability under the facility, with a sub-limit of $75 million for letters of credit. The 2019 Credit Agreement allows for the Borrowers to borrow in denominations of U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros or British Pounds (with borrowings in non-U.S. currencies subject to a sublimit of $200 million). In addition, the Company may cause the commitments to increase by up to an additional $250 million, subject to the approval of the applicable lenders providing such additional financing. Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.
The Company’s material domestic subsidiaries provide guarantees for all obligations of the Borrowers under the 2019 Credit Agreement, which is secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all existing or hereafter acquired domestic property and assets of the U.S. Borrower and material domestic subsidiaries, (ii) the stock or other equity interests in each of the material domestic subsidiaries and (iii) 65% of outstanding voting capital stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions.
Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a base rate or a LIBOR rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from zero to 0.75% for base rate borrowings and 1.00% to 1.75% for LIBOR borrowings. The Company must also pay a commitment fee to the lenders ranging between 0.10% to 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the $500 million revolving credit facility along with other standard fees. Letter of credit fees are payable on outstanding letters of credit in an amount equal to the applicable LIBOR margin plus other customary fees.
The Company is subject to certain net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio financial covenants under the 2019 Credit Agreement that are to be measured at each fiscal quarter-end. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of December 31, 2020. The 2019 Credit Agreement also includes a series of “covenant holiday” periods, which allow for the temporary increase of the minimum net leverage ratio following the completion of a permitted acquisition, or a series of acquisitions, when the aggregate consideration over a period of twelve months exceeds $75 million. In addition, the 2019 Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, subject to certain exceptions, restricting or limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) make non-ordinary course dispositions of assets; (ii) make certain fundamental business changes, such as mergers, consolidations or any similar combination; (iii) make restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases; (iv) incur indebtedness; (v) make certain loans and investments; (vi) create liens; (vii) transact with affiliates; (viii) enter into sale/leaseback transactions; (ix) make negative pledges; and (x) modify subordinated debt documents.
Under the 2019 Credit Agreement, restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases, shall be permitted if (i) the Company’s leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.25; (ii) the Company is in compliance with all other financial covenants; and (iii) there are no existing defaults under the 2019 Credit Agreement. If its leverage ratio is more than 3.25, the Company is still permitted to fund (i) up to $35 million of dividend payments and stock repurchases; and (ii) an incremental $50 million of other cash payments.
The 2019 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Borrowers may be required immediately to repay all amounts outstanding under the 2019 Credit Agreement and the commitments from the lenders may be terminated.
In connection with the execution of the 2019 Credit Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred $1.0 million of debt issuance costs. Such fees have been deferred and are being amortized over the five-year term.
As of December 31, 2020, there was $209.4 million of cash drawn and $10.3 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2019 Credit Agreement, with $280.3 million of net availability for borrowings.
The following table summarizes the gross borrowings and gross payments under the Company’s revolving credit facilities:
Aggregate maturities of total borrowings due amount to approximately $0.2 million in 2021, $0.2 million in 2022, $0.1 million in 2023, and $209.5 million in 2024. The weighted average interest rate on long-term borrowings was 1.7% at December 31, 2020.
The Company paid interest of $5.4 million in 2020, $7.8 million in 2019 and $8.7 million in 2018.
The Company paid income taxes of $22.3 million in 2020, $25.7 million in 2019 and $21.6 million in 2018.
Cash dividends of $19.4 million, $19.3 million and $18.7 million were declared and paid to stockholders in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company anticipates that capital expenditures for 2021, including investments associated with certain ongoing plant expansions, will be in the range of $20 million to $25 million. The Company believes that its financial resources and major sources of liquidity, including cash flow from operations and borrowing capacity, will be adequate to meet its operating needs, capital needs and financial commitments.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and payments due by period as of December 31, 2020:
(a) Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding long-term debt.
(b) Amounts include contractual obligations associated with lease arrangements with an initial term of twelve months or less, which are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For further discussion, see Note 4 - Leases to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(c) Purchase obligations primarily relate to commercial chassis and other contracts in the ordinary course of business.
(d) The Company expects to contribute up to $4.3 million to the U.S. benefit plan and up to $1.4 million to the non-U.S. benefit plan in 2021, which represent the minimum required contributions. Future contributions to the plans will be based on such factors as (i) annual service cost, (ii) the financial return on plan assets, (iii) interest rate movements that affect discount rates applied to plan liabilities and (iv) the value of benefit payments made. Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the potential future cash outflows associated with these plans, the Company is unable to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the amounts and periods in which any additional liabilities might be paid.
(e) Represents the fair value of the contingent earn-out payment associated with the acquisition of MRL. For further discussion, see Note 2 - Acquisitions to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(f) As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a liability of approximately $1.2 million for unrecognized tax benefits. For further discussion, see Note 10 - Income Taxes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company generally cannot
make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement for this liability. As such, the potential future cash outflows are not included in the table above. We do not expect any significant change to our unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential expiration of statute of limitations and settlements with tax authorities.
The following table summarizes the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements and the notional amount by expiration period as of December 31, 2020:
(a) Financial standby letters of credit largely relate to casualty insurance policies for the Company’s workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability and product liability policies. Performance standby letters of credit primarily represent guarantees of performance of certain subsidiaries that engage in transactions with foreign customers.
(b) Performance and bid bonds primarily relate to guarantees of performance of certain subsidiaries that engage in transactions with domestic and foreign customers.
(c) Relates to certain transactions that the Company has entered into involving the sale of equipment to certain of its customers which included (i) guarantees to repurchase the equipment for a fixed price at a future date and (ii) guarantees to repurchase the equipment from the third-party lender in the event of default by the customer. For further discussion, see Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the amounts assigned to its net assets. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2020.
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.
A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In conducting a qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes a variety of events or factors that may influence the fair value of the reporting unit, including, but not limited to: the results of prior quantitative assessments performed; changes in the carrying amount; actual and projected financial performance; relevant market data for both the Company and its guideline comparable companies; industry outlook; and macroeconomic conditions. Significant judgment is used to evaluate the totality of these events and factors to make the determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In this situation, the Company would not be required to perform the quantitative impairment test described below.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and no impairment charge is required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, this difference is recorded as an impairment charge not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using both the income and market approaches.
Under the income approach, the key assumptions include projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). These assumptions are determined by management utilizing our internal operating plan, including growth rates for revenues and operating expenses and margin assumptions. An additional key assumption under this approach is the discount rate, which is determined by reviewing current risk-free rates of capital and current market interest rates and by evaluating the risk premium relevant to the reporting unit. If the Company’s assumptions relative to growth rates were to change, the fair value calculation may change, which could result in impairment.
Under the market approach, the Company estimates fair value using marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies and from pricing multiples implied from sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting units. The Company’s selection of comparable guideline companies is a key assumption underlying the market approach. Similar to the income approach discussed above, sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, EBITDA and their respective growth rates are also key assumptions utilized. The market prices of the Company’s common stock and other guideline companies are additional key inputs. If these market prices increase, the estimated market value would increase. Conversely, if market prices decrease, the estimated market value would decrease.
The results of these two methods are weighted based upon management’s evaluation of the relevance of the two approaches.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from estimated financial results due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of any goodwill impairment charge, or both. The Company also compares the sum of the estimated fair values of its reporting units to the overall fair value of the Company implied by its market capitalization. This comparison provides an indication that, in total, assumptions and estimates are reasonable. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
In 2020, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment. For one reporting unit, a quantitative impairment test was performed, using a combination of the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. The valuation was prepared
by a third-party valuation specialist. One measure of the sensitivity of assumptions used in the impairment analysis is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value). The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 50%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. For its other reporting units, the Company applied the qualitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment and concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units were less than their carrying values. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no goodwill impairments in 2020, 2019 or 2018. For all reporting units, a 10% decrease in the estimated fair value would have had no effect on the carrying value of goodwill at the annual measurement date in 2020. However, adverse changes to the Company’s business environment and future cash flow could cause us to record impairment charges in future periods, which could be material. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of the Company’s goodwill by segment.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
An intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets include trade names associated primarily with the MRL, TBEI and JJE acquisitions that were completed in 2019, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In testing the indefinite-lived intangibles assets for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative test, or a quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying value. A quantitative impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
Significant judgment is applied when evaluating whether an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life and in testing for impairment. The Company primarily uses the relief from royalty model to estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. The relief from royalty model requires management to make a number of business and valuation assumptions including future revenue growth and royalty rates.
In 2020, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests over its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset that was quantitatively tested for impairment exceeded its carrying value by approximately 70%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. This valuation was prepared by a third-party valuation specialist. Further, the Company concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets that were qualitatively tested for impairment were less than the carrying amounts. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments in 2020, 2019 or 2018. Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from estimated financial results due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the assets and potentially result in different impacts to the Company’s results of operations. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates.
See Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied; generally this occurs at a point in time, with the transfer of control of the Company’s products or services to customers. For most of the Company’s product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped; however, occasionally control passes later or earlier than shipment due to customer contract or letter of credit terms. In circumstances where credit is extended, payment terms generally range from 30 to 120 days and customer deposits may be required.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring products or providing services. Expected returns and allowances are estimated and recognized based primarily on an analysis of historical experience, with Net sales presented net of such returns and allowances.
The Company enters into sales arrangements that may provide for multiple performance obligations to a customer. These arrangements may include software and non-software components that function together to deliver the products’ essential functionality. The Company identifies all performance obligations that are to be delivered separately under the sales arrangement and allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company uses an observable price to determine the standalone selling price or a cost plus margin approach when one is not available. In general, performance obligations include hardware, integration and installation services. The allocated revenue for each performance obligation is recognized as such performance obligations are satisfied.
Net sales include sales of products and billed freight related to product sales. Freight has not historically comprised a material component of Net sales. The Company has elected to account for such shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost and not as a separate performance obligation. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis and are excluded from Net sales.
Income Taxes
We estimate our income taxes in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. This involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing any temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of certain items, such as the timing for recognizing expenses, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences may result in deferred tax assets or liabilities, which are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, will be realizable in future years.
Future realization of deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains in excess of anticipated losses in the carryforward period and projected future taxable income. If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to positive and negative evidence that is objectively verifiable. A company’s three-year cumulative loss position is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable and the accounting guidance restricts the amount of reliance the Company can place on projected taxable income to support the recovery of the deferred tax assets.
We continually evaluate the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on our assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. A high degree of judgment is required to determine if, and the extent that, valuation allowances should be recorded against deferred tax assets.
At December 31, 2020, the total valuation allowance recorded against the Company’s deferred tax assets was $8.8 million, comprised of a $4.2 million valuation allowance recorded against state net operating loss carryforwards, a $3.1 million valuation allowance recorded against U.S. foreign tax credits, a $1.3 million valuation allowance recorded against foreign net deferred tax assets, and a $0.2 million valuation allowance recorded against other deferred tax assets.
For further discussion related to valuation allowances and other tax matters, refer to Note 10 - Income Taxes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
The Company is subject to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To mitigate this risk, the Company may utilize derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and is not party to leveraged derivatives contracts.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company has certain debt instruments which subject it to market risk associated with movements in interest rates. The fair value of the Company’s total debt obligations held at December 31, 2020 was $210.0 million. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps as a means of fixing the floating interest rate component on its variable-rate debt. At December 31, 2020, the Company had one interest rate swap outstanding. That swap had a notional amount of $75.0 million, and fixed the floating interest rate component on $75.0 million of the Company’s variable-rate debt. See Note 9 - Debt to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of the Company’s debt agreements and interest rate swaps that were in place during 2020. A hypothetical 1% increase or decrease in variable interest rates on the Company’s total debt obligations as of December 31, 2020 would increase or decrease annual interest expense by approximately $1.3 million.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Although the majority of the Company’s sales, expenses and cash flow are transacted in U.S. dollars, the Company has exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates, primarily the Canadian Dollar, Euro and British pound. The impact of currency movements on the Company’s financial results is largely mitigated by natural hedges in its operations. The Canadian operations of JJE primarily conduct business in Canadian dollars. Almost all other sales of product from the U.S. to other parts of the world are denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales from and within other currency zones are predominantly transacted in the currency of the country sourcing the product or service. Approximately 77% of the Company’s net sales are conducted within the U.S. and are transacted in U.S. dollars. The Company estimates that a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies would reduce full-year net sales by approximately 2% and operating income by approximately 1%.
The Company may also have foreign currency exposures related to buying and selling in currencies other than the local currency in which it operates and to certain balance sheet positions. If such transactional or balance sheet exposures are material, the Company may enter into matching foreign currency forward contracts from time to time to protect against variability in exchange rates.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Federal Signal Corporation
Oak Brook, Illinois
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Federal Signal Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Part IV, Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Adoption of Topic 842, Leases
The Company changed its method of accounting for leases in the year ended December 31, 2019, due to adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”) and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements using the alternative transition method outlined in ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements which permits application of the new guidance at the beginning of the period of adoption.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Goodwill - Refer to Notes 1 and 8 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount (“quantitative assessment”).
For reporting units evaluated for impairment using the quantitative assessment, the Company determines the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income approach and the market approach. The income approach requires management to make a number of business and valuation assumptions for each reporting unit including annual assumptions of projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) and discount rates. The market approach requires management to estimate fair value using marketplace fair value data derived from a comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies and from pricing multiples implied from sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting units (“market multiples”). The Company’s goodwill balance was $394.2 million as of December 31, 2020. No impairment was recognized in 2020.
We identified the valuation of goodwill for one of the Company’s reporting units as a critical audit matter due to the reporting unit’s historical performance as compared to projections and because the determination of reporting unit fair value was based on significant assumptions that are sensitive to changes and are affected by expected future market and economic conditions. Auditing management’s judgments used in the quantitative assessment regarding significant assumptions related to projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and EBITDA (“forecasts”) as well as the selection of multiples applied to management’s projected sales and EBITDA estimates for this reporting unit required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the Company’s forecasts and the selection of market multiples for this reporting unit included the following, among others:
•We tested the design and operating effectiveness of controls over the annual goodwill impairment assessment, including those over the forecasts and the market multiples.
•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and EBITDA by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.
•We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to:
◦Internal communications to management and the Board of Directors.
◦Comparing the forecasts to historical results, third-party economic research, industry performance, and peer company performance.
◦Actual results from the October 31, 2020, annual measurement date to December 31, 2020.
•We performed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the risk of impairment if key assumptions are changed.
•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) market multiples by performing certain procedures, that included:
◦Evaluating whether the fair value models being used are appropriate considering the Company’s circumstances and valuation premise identified.
◦Evaluating the market multiples by considering (1) the selected comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies, (2) the selected sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting unit, and (3) the adjustments made for differences in growth prospects and risk profiles between the reporting unit and the comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies.
◦Testing the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 25, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Federal Signal Corporation
Oak Brook, Illinois
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Federal Signal Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the financial statements, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 25, 2021
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and Description of the Business
Federal Signal Corporation was founded in 1901 and was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1969. References herein to the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer collectively to Federal Signal Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Products manufactured and services rendered by the Company are divided into two reportable segments: Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group. The individual operating businesses are organized as such because they share certain characteristics, including technology, marketing, distribution and product application, which create long-term synergies.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. All references to 2020, 2019 and 2018 relate to the fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements represent the consolidation of Federal Signal Corporation and its subsidiaries and have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2020
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements, which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable forecasts. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), which eliminates certain disclosure requirements, such as the amount of, and reasons for, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. This ASU adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 and was adopted by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. Among other things, for all types of hedging relationships, the guidance allows an entity to change the reference rate and other critical terms related to reference rate reform without having to remeasure the value or reassess a previous accounting determination. The amendments in this guidance should be applied on a prospective basis and, for companies with a fiscal year ending December 31, are effective from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. When the transition occurs, the Company expects to apply this expedient to its existing interest rate swap that references LIBOR, and to
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
any other new transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that is discontinued, through December 31, 2022. The adoption of this ASU did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Non-U.S. Operations
Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries, other than those whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are translated at current exchange rates with the related translation adjustments reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accounts within the Consolidated Statements of Operations are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates.
The Company incurs foreign currency transaction gains or losses, related to transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, which are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of Other expense, net. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company realized foreign currency transaction gains of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred foreign currency transaction losses of $0.4 million.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments.
Accounts Receivable
The Company carries accounts receivable at the face amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses as a result of a customer’s inability to make required payments. Management evaluates the aging of the accounts receivable balances, the financial condition of its customers, historical trends and the time outstanding of specific balances to estimate the amount of accounts receivables that may not be collected in the future and records the appropriate provision.
Inventories
The Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Included in the cost of inventories are raw materials, direct wages and associated production costs.
Properties and Equipment
Properties and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from eight to 40 years for buildings and three to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining life of the lease or the useful life of the improvement. Depreciation expense is primarily included as a component of Cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with depreciation expense associated with certain assets used for administrative purposes being presented within Selling, engineering, general and administrative (“SEG&A”) expenses. Depreciation expense, which includes depreciation on rental equipment, was $35.2 million, $32.7 million and $28.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Properties and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Rental Equipment
The Company enters into lease agreements with customers related to the rental of certain equipment. All of these leasing agreements are classified as operating leases and are for periods generally not to exceed five years. In accounting for these leases, the cost of the equipment purchased or manufactured by the Company is recorded as an asset and is depreciated over its estimated useful life. Rental income is recognized ratably over the term of the underlying leases.
Rental equipment is depreciated to an estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is reviewed for potential impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares non-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on a non-discounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Rental equipment includes certain equipment that is manufactured by the Company and subsequently transferred to the rental fleet, as well as equipment purchased from third-party manufacturers, for the purpose of renting to end-customers. The related cash flow activity associated with these transactions is reflected within operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the amounts assigned to its net assets. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2020.
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.
A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In this situation, the Company would not be required to perform the quantitative impairment test described below.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and no impairment charge is required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, this difference is recorded as an impairment charge not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using both the income and market approaches.
Under the income approach, the key assumptions include projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and the discount rate. Under the market approach, the Company estimates fair value using marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The results of these two methods are weighted based upon management’s evaluation of the relevance of the two approaches.
In 2020, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment. For one reporting unit, a quantitative impairment test was performed, using a combination of the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying values by approximately 50%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. For its other reporting units, the Company applied the qualitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment and concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units were less than their carrying values. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
In 2019, the Company applied the quantitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, using a combination of the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of its reporting units. The fair values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying values by more than 20%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The Company applied the qualitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment in 2018 and concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units were less than their carrying values. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no goodwill impairments in 2020, 2019 or 2018. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for a summary of the Company’s goodwill by segment.
Intangible Assets
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment if indicators exist in a manner similar to that described above for Rental Equipment.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. In testing the indefinite-lived intangibles assets for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative test, or a quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying value. A quantitative impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
In 2020 and 2019, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests over its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets that were quantitatively tested for impairment significantly exceeded their carrying value, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. Further, the Company concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets that were qualitatively tested for impairment were less than the carrying amounts. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company applied the qualitative approach to assess its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment in 2018 and concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets were less than the carrying amounts. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments in 2020, 2019 or 2018. See Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for a summary of the Company’s intangible assets.
Warranties
Warranties are classified as either assurance-type or service-type warranties. A warranty is considered an assurance-type warranty if it provides the customer with assurance that the product will function as intended. A warranty that goes above and beyond ensuring basic functionality is considered a service-type warranty. The Company offers certain limited warranties that are assurance-type warranties and extended service arrangements that are service-type warranties. Assurance-type warranties are not accounted for as separate performance obligations under the revenue model. If a service-type warranty is sold with a product or separately, revenue is recognized over the life of the warranty.
Sales of many of the Company’s products include assurance-type warranties based on terms that are generally accepted in the Company’s marketplaces. The Company records provisions for estimated warranty costs, which are included within Cost of sales, at the time of sale based on historical experience. The Company periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect actual experience. Infrequently, a material warranty issue can arise which is beyond the scope of the Company’s historical experience. The Company records costs related to these issues as they become probable and estimable.
The Company also sells optional service-type warranty contracts that extend coverage beyond the initial term of the express warranty period. At the time of sale, revenue related to the service-type warranty contract is deferred and typically recognized as income on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, deferred revenue associated with service-type warranty contracts was $4.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and was included within Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Costs under service-type warranty contracts are expensed as incurred.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Workers’ Compensation and Product Liability Reserves
Due to the nature of the Company’s manufacturing and products, the Company is subject to claims for workers’ compensation and product liability in the normal course of business. The Company is self-funded for a portion of these claims. The Company establishes a reserve using a third-party actuary for any known outstanding matters, including a reserve for claims incurred but not yet reported. The amount and timing of cash payments relating to these claims are considered to be reliably determinable given the nature of the claims and historical claim volumes to support the actuarial assumptions and judgments used to derive the expected loss payment patterns. As such, the reserves recorded are discounted using a risk-free rate that matches the average duration of the claims.
The Company has not established a reserve for potential losses resulting from the firefighter hearing loss litigation, with the exception of certain estimated losses that have been recognized related to settlement discussions (see Note 13 - Legal Proceedings). If the Company is not successful in its defense after exhausting all appellate options, it would record a charge for such claims, to the extent they exceed insurance recoveries, when the related losses become probable and estimable.
Pensions
The Company sponsors domestic and foreign defined benefit pension plans. Key assumptions used in the accounting for these employee benefit plans include the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and estimates of future mortality of plan participants.
The weighted-average discount rate used to measure pension liabilities and costs is selected using a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality bonds that would provide the necessary cash flow to match the projected benefit payments of the plans. The discount rate represents the rate at which our benefit obligations could effectively be settled as of the year-end measurement date. The weighted-average discount rate used to measure pension liabilities decreased from 2019 to 2020. See Note 11 - Pension and Other Post-Employment Plans for further discussion.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested. The Company references published mortality tables and scales in determining its estimate of future mortality.
Revenue Recognition
See Note 3 - Revenue Recognition for discussion regarding the Company’s revenue recognition accounting policies.
Product Shipping Costs
Product shipping costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Cost of sales.
Research and Development
The Company invests in research to support development of new products and the enhancement of existing products and services. Expenditures for research and development by the Company were $12.2 million in 2020, $13.6 million in 2019 and $13.0 million in 2018, and are included within SEG&A expenses.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company has various stock-based compensation plans, described more fully in Note 15 - Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures of equity awards and adjusts the rate to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, if any. The Company revises its estimated forfeiture rate if actual forfeitures differ from its initial estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the period in which the deferred tax liability or asset is expected to be settled or realized. A valuation allowance is established or maintained when,
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return for Federal Signal Corporation and its eligible domestic subsidiaries. The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective local jurisdictions. The Company accounts for taxes on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the year in which it is incurred.
Accounting standards on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes address the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Under the guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company presents interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of Income tax expense.
Litigation Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims, including pending and possible legal actions for product liability and other damages, and other matters arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company believes, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that the outcome of such claims and actions in the aggregate will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. The Company accrues for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that estimates or assumptions of contingent losses are different from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS
The Company’s acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. In accordance with this guidance, the fair value of consideration transferred is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the completion of the acquisition, with the remaining amount recognized as goodwill. A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company’s judgments used to determine the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact the Company’s results of operations.
Under ASC 805-10, acquisition-related costs (e.g., advisory, legal, valuation and other professional fees) are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred. Acquisition-related costs are included as a component of Acquisition and integration-related expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Acquisition of Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc.
On June 12, 2020, the Company acquired certain assets and operations of Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc. (“PWE”), a distributor of maintenance and infrastructure equipment covering North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee. The acquisition included cash consideration of $6.2 million, which included a payment to acquire certain inventory and fixed assets at closing. As the acquisition closed on June 12, 2020, the assets and liabilities of PWE have been consolidated into the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020, and the post-acquisition results of operations have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, within the Environmental Solutions Group.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the PWE acquisition have been measured at their fair values at the acquisition date, resulting in $2.5 million of goodwill, which is deductible for tax purposes. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s purchase price allocation is considered to be final.
The acquisition was not, and would not have been, material to the Company’s net sales, results of operations or total assets during any period presented. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated results from operations do not differ materially from historical performance as a result of the acquisition, and therefore, pro-forma results are not presented.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Acquisition of Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company, Inc.
On July 1, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and operations of Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company, Inc. (“MRL”), a U.S. manufacturer of truck-mounted and ride-on road-marking and line-removal equipment, including its wholly-owned subsidiary HighMark Traffic Services, Inc. The Company expects that MRL will provide an efficient entry into a new line of product offerings and access to new markets. As the acquisition closed on July 1, 2019, the assets and liabilities of MRL have been consolidated into the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020, while the post-acquisition results of operations have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, within the Environmental Solutions Group.
The initial cash consideration paid by the Company to acquire MRL was $49.8 million, inclusive of a preliminary adjustment for working capital and other post-closing items. The purchase price was subsequently reduced by a final adjustment for working capital and other post-closing items in the amount of $0.8 million, which the Company received in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, there is a contingent earn-out payment of up to $15.5 million, which is contingent upon the achievement of certain financial targets and objectives. The contingent earn-out payment, if earned, would be due to be paid following the third anniversary of the closing.
The Company’s purchase price allocation was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2019. The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(a) The purchase price was funded with borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The purchase price includes adjustments for working capital and other post-closing items, which were finalized in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the Company receiving $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2020.
(b) Represents the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out payment as of the acquisition date, which is included as a component of Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 18 - Fair Value Measurements for discussion of the methodology used to determine the fair value of the contingent earn-out payment.
(c) Represents the fair value assigned to customer relationships, which are considered to be definite-lived intangible assets, with an estimated useful life of approximately 12 years.
(d) Represents the fair value assigned to trade names, which are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets.
(e) Goodwill, the majority of which is tax-deductible, has been allocated to the Environmental Solutions Group on the basis that the synergies identified will primarily benefit this segment.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma combined net sales of the Company and MRL for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, assuming this transaction occurred on January 1, 2018. Pro forma combined income from continuing operations and pro forma diluted earnings per share are not presented as they would not be materially different from the results reported for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of the consolidated results of operations of the Company that would have been reported had the acquisition been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented, and should not be taken as being representative of the future consolidated results of operations of the Company.
NOTE 3 - REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied; generally this occurs at a point in time, with the transfer of control of the Company’s products or services to customers. For most of the Company’s product sales, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped; however, occasionally control passes later or earlier than shipment due to customer contract or letter of credit terms. In circumstances where credit is extended, payment terms generally range from 30 to 120 days and customer deposits may be required.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring products or providing services. Expected returns and allowances are estimated and recognized based primarily on an analysis of historical experience, with Net sales presented net of such returns and allowances.
The Company enters into sales arrangements that may provide for multiple performance obligations to a customer. These arrangements may include software and non-software components that function together to deliver the products’ essential functionality. The Company identifies all performance obligations that are to be delivered separately under the sales arrangement and allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company uses an observable price to determine the standalone selling price or a cost plus margin approach when one is not available. In general, performance obligations include hardware, integration and installation services. The allocated revenue for each performance obligation is recognized as such performance obligations are satisfied.
Net sales include sales of products and billed freight related to product sales. Freight has not historically comprised a material component of Net sales. The Company has elected to account for such shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost and not as a separate performance obligation. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recorded on a net basis and are excluded from Net sales.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s Environmental Solutions recorded net sales of $1.3 million, $3.3 million and $1.7 million respectively, relating to products sold to Ingenieria Y Servicios Orbitec SPA, an entity which is majority-owned by affiliates of the former owners of Joe Johnson Equipment, Inc. and Joe Johnson Equipment (USA), Inc. (collectively, “JJE”).
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Information relating to the disaggregation of Net sales by geographic region, based on the location of the end-customer, is included in Note 17 - Segment Information. The following table presents the Company’s Net sales disaggregated by major product line:
(a) Includes net sales from the sale of new and used vehicles and equipment, including sales of rental equipment.
(b) Represents revenues from vehicle and equipment lease arrangements with customers, recognized in accordance with Topic 842 and Topic 840, as applicable.
(c) Primarily includes revenues from services such as maintenance and repair work and the sale of extended warranty contracts.
Contract Balances
The Company recognizes contract liabilities when cash payments, such as customer deposits, are received in advance of the Company’s satisfaction of the related performance obligations. Contract liabilities are recognized as Net sales when the related performance obligations are satisfied, which generally occurs within three to six months of the cash receipt. Contract liability balances are not materially impacted by any other factors. The Company’s contract liabilities were $17.0 million and $13.9 million, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Contract assets, such as unbilled receivables, were not material as of any of the periods presented herein.
Practical Expedients
As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than a year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component.
The Company has also elected the practical expedient under ASC 340-40-25-4 and recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining a contract, such as sales commissions, as expense when incurred as the amortization period of the asset that otherwise would have been recognized is one year or less.
Further, as permitted by ASC 606-10-50-14, the Company does not disclose the value of its remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less.
NOTE 4 - LEASES
The Company leases certain facilities within the U.S., Europe and Canada from which the Company manufactures vehicles and equipment, and provides sales, service and/or equipment rentals. Some of the Company’s lease agreements contain options to renew. The Company also leases vehicles and various other equipment. The Company’s lease agreements may contain lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In connection with acquisitions completed in recent years, the Company has entered into certain lease agreements for facilities owned by affiliates of the sellers. All lease agreements contain an annual rent that is considered to be market-based. Total rent paid under these arrangements was $1.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s total lease liabilities under these agreements were $4.7 million as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
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The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental collateralized borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Implicit rates are used when readily determinable. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease term.
The following table summarizes the Company’s total lease costs and supplemental cash flow information arising from operating lease transactions:
(a) Includes short-term leases and variable lease costs. Total rental expense on all operating leases previously reported under ASC 840, Leases was $8.8 million in 2018.
The following table summarizes the components of lease right-of-use assets and liabilities:
The weighted-average remaining lease terms and discount rates of the Company’s operating leases were as follows:
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Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
NOTE 5 - INVENTORIES
The following table summarizes the components of inventories:
NOTE 6 - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET
The following table summarizes the components of properties and equipment, net:
NOTE 7 - RENTAL EQUIPMENT, NET
The following table summarizes the components of rental equipment, net:
Rental income associated with the Company’s equipment rental activity, which is included as a component of Net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled $36.6 million in 2020, $46.2 million in 2019 and $41.8 million in 2018.
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NOTE 8 - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table summarizes the carrying amount of goodwill and changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment:
The following table summarizes the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets for each major class of intangible assets:
(a) Average useful life of customer relationships and other definite-lived intangible assets are estimated to be approximately 12 years and eight years, respectively. The average useful life across all definite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be approximately 12 years.
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $9.6 million, $8.8 million and $8.0 million respectively.
The Company currently estimates that aggregate amortization expense will be approximately $9.6 million in 2021, $9.5 million in 2022, $9.3 million in 2023, $9.3 million in 2024, $9.3 million in 2025 and $34.1 million thereafter. Actual amounts of amortization may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, changes in foreign currency rates, impairment of intangible assets and other events.
NOTE 9 - DEBT
The following table summarizes the components of Long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations:
As more fully described within Note 18 - Fair Value Measurements, the Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value of long-term debt is based on interest rates that we believe are currently available to us for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities (Level 2 input).
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The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
(a) Long-term borrowings includes current portions of finance lease obligations of $0.2 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
On July 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2019 Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company (the “U.S. Borrower”) and certain of its foreign subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as syndication agent, and the other lenders and parties signatory thereto.
The 2019 Credit Agreement is a $500 million revolving credit facility, maturing on July 30, 2024, that provides for borrowings in the form of loans or letters of credit up to the aggregate availability under the facility, with a sub-limit of $75 million for letters of credit. The 2019 Credit Agreement allows for the Borrowers to borrow in denominations of U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros or British Pounds (with borrowings in non-U.S. currencies subject to a sublimit of $200 million). In addition, the Company may cause the commitments to increase by up to an additional $250 million, subject to the approval of the applicable lenders providing such additional financing. Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.
The Company’s material domestic subsidiaries provide guarantees for all obligations of the Borrowers under the 2019 Credit Agreement, which is secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all existing or hereafter acquired domestic property and assets of the U.S. Borrower and material domestic subsidiaries, (ii) the stock or other equity interests in each of the material domestic subsidiaries and (iii) 65% of outstanding voting capital stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions.
Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a base rate or a LIBOR rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from zero to 0.75% for base rate borrowings and 1.00% to 1.75% for LIBOR borrowings. The Company must also pay a commitment fee to the lenders ranging between 0.10% to 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the $500 million revolving credit facility along with other standard fees. Letter of credit fees are payable on outstanding letters of credit in an amount equal to the applicable LIBOR margin plus other customary fees.
The Company is subject to certain net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio financial covenants under the 2019 Credit Agreement that are to be measured at each fiscal quarter-end. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of December 31, 2020. The 2019 Credit Agreement also includes a series of “covenant holiday” periods, which allow for the temporary increase of the minimum net leverage ratio following the completion of a permitted acquisition, or a series of acquisitions, when the aggregate consideration over a period of twelve months exceeds $75 million. In addition, the 2019 Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, subject to certain exceptions, restricting or limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) make non-ordinary course dispositions of assets; (ii) make certain fundamental business changes, such as mergers, consolidations or any similar combination; (iii) make restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases; (iv) incur indebtedness; (v) make certain loans and investments; (vi) create liens; (vii) transact with affiliates; (viii) enter into sale/leaseback transactions; (ix) make negative pledges; and (x) modify subordinated debt documents.
Under the 2019 Credit Agreement, restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases, shall be permitted if (i) the Company’s leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.25; (ii) the Company is in compliance with all other financial covenants; and (iii) there are no existing defaults under the 2019 Credit Agreement. If its leverage ratio is more than 3.25, the Company is still permitted to fund (i) up to $35 million of dividend payments and stock repurchases; and (ii) an incremental $50 million of other cash payments.
The 2019 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Borrowers may be required immediately to repay all amounts outstanding under the 2019 Credit Agreement and the commitments from the lenders may be terminated.
In connection with the execution of the 2019 Credit Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred $1.0 million of debt issuance costs. Such fees have been deferred and are being amortized over the five-year term.
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As of December 31, 2020, there was $209.4 million of cash drawn and $10.3 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2019 Credit Agreement, with $280.3 million of net availability for borrowings.
The following table summarizes the gross borrowings and gross payments under the Company’s revolving credit facilities:
Aggregate maturities of total borrowings due amount to approximately $0.2 million in 2021, $0.2 million in 2022, $0.1 million in 2023 and $209.5 million in 2024. The weighted average interest rate on long-term borrowings was 1.7% at December 31, 2020.
The Company paid interest of $5.4 million in 2020, $7.8 million in 2019 and $8.7 million in 2018.
Interest Rate Swap
On June 2, 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate swap (the “2017 Swap”) with a notional amount of $150.0 million, as a means of fixing the floating interest rate component on $150.0 million of its variable-rate debt. In the third quarter of 2019, the Company terminated the 2017 Swap and received $0.2 million in connection with its settlement. The 2017 Swap was previously designated as a cash flow hedge, with an original termination date of June 2, 2020.
On October 2, 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap (the “2019 Swap”) with a notional amount of $75.0 million, as a means of fixing the floating interest rate component on $75.0 million of its variable-rate debt. The 2019 Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge, with a maturity date of July 30, 2024.
As a result of the application of hedge accounting treatment, all unrealized gains and losses related to the derivative instrument are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and are reclassified into operations in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The gain on the termination of the 2017 Swap has been included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and was reclassified into earnings ratably through June 2, 2020. Hedge effectiveness is assessed quarterly. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve (Level 2 inputs) and measured on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At December 31, 2020, the fair value of the 2019 Swap was a liability of $3.0 million, which was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2019, the fair value of the 2019 Swap was an asset of $0.9 million, which was included in Deferred charges and other long-term assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, unrealized pre-tax losses of $3.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, were recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, whereas during the year ended December 31, 2018, an unrealized pre-tax gain of $0.4 million was recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
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NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES
The following table summarizes the income tax expense from continuing operations:
The following table summarizes the differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate from continuing operations:
The following table summarizes income before income taxes from continuing operations:
Summary
The Company recognized income tax expense of $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The reduction in income tax expense in the current year was primarily due to lower earnings and a $1.9 million increase in excess tax benefits from stock compensation activity, partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $0.8 million tax benefit from the release of state deferred tax valuation allowance recognized in the prior year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 22.9%, compared to 21.8% in 2019.
The Company recognized income tax expense of $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in income tax expense in the current year was primarily due to higher earnings and the non-recurrence of an $8.6 million tax planning benefit that was recognized in the prior year, partially offset by the recognition of a $0.8 million tax benefit from the release of state deferred tax valuation allowance, and a $0.8 million increase in excess tax benefits from stock compensation activity. The Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 21.8%, compared to 16.0% in 2018.
The Company paid income taxes of $22.3 million in 2020, $25.7 million in 2019 and $21.6 million in 2018.
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Deferred Taxes
The following table summarizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities of the Company’s continuing operations:
The deferred tax asset for tax loss and tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2020 includes state net operating loss carryforwards of $6.6 million and state income tax credits of $0.2 million, both of which will begin to expire in 2021, foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $11.1 million, which will begin to expire in 2025, and U.S. foreign tax credits of $3.1 million, which will begin to expire in 2023.
The deferred tax asset for tax loss and tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2019, included federal net operating loss carryforwards of $0.1 million, state net operating loss carryforwards of $6.7 million, foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $11.7 million, and U.S. foreign tax credits of $3.1 million.
The $69.5 million of deferred tax assets at December 31, 2020, for which no valuation allowance is recorded, is anticipated to be realized through future taxable income or the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2020. Should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize its remaining deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be recorded in the period such determination is made.
Generally, the Company has considered cash and cash equivalents held by subsidiaries outside the U.S. to be permanently reinvested in its foreign operations and the Company’s current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate such cash to fund U.S. operations. However, in the event that these funds were needed to fund U.S. operations or to satisfy U.S. obligations, they generally could be repatriated. The repatriation of these funds may cause the Company to incur additional U.S. income tax expense, dependent on income tax laws and other circumstances at the time any such amounts were repatriated. As of December 31, 2020, the Company continues to assert that its undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely reinvested. It is not practicable to determine the income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not permanently reinvested.
Valuation Allowances
ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires that the future realization of deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains in excess of anticipated losses in the carryforward period and projected future taxable income. If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to positive and negative evidence that is objectively verifiable. A company’s
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three-year cumulative loss position is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable and the accounting guidance restricts the amount of reliance the Company can place on projected taxable income to support the recovery of the deferred tax assets.
We continually evaluate the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on our assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.
At December 31, 2020, the total valuation allowance recorded against the Company’s deferred tax assets was $8.8 million, comprised of a $4.2 million valuation allowance recorded against state net operating loss carryforwards, a $3.1 million valuation allowance recorded against U.S. foreign tax credits, a $1.3 million valuation allowance recorded against foreign net deferred tax assets, and a $0.2 million valuation allowance recorded against other deferred tax assets.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:
The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, accruals for interest and penalties amounting to $0.4 million are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are not included in the table above. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties of $1.5 million were included within Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million were included as a component of Deferred tax liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
All of the unrecognized tax benefits of $1.2 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, would impact our annual effective tax rate, if recognized. We do not expect any significant change to our unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential expiration of statute of limitations or settlements with tax authorities within the next twelve months.
Status of Tax Returns
We file U.S., state and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2017 through 2019 tax years generally remain subject to examination by federal tax authorities, whereas the 2016 through 2019 tax years generally remain subject to examination by most state tax authorities. In significant foreign jurisdictions, the tax years from 2016 through 2019 generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.
NOTE 11 - PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor two defined benefit pension plans covering certain salaried and hourly employees. These plans have been closed to new participants for a number of years. Benefits under these plans are primarily based on final average compensation and years of service as defined within the provisions of the individual plans. As a result of plan amendments, the latest of which was in 2008, the only new benefits that were being accrued through the end of 2016 were salary increases for a limited group of participants. Those benefits ceased at the end of 2016, at which point all existing plans became fully frozen.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the U.K. High Court ruled that certain formulas used to calculate guaranteed minimum pension (“GMP”) benefits violated gender-pay equality laws and, as a result, the Company recognized a $2.6 million increase to the benefit obligation of its non-U.S. benefit plan, with a corresponding adjustment to Prior service costs within Accumulated other comprehensive loss. In November 2020, the U.K. High Court further ruled that GMP equalization is
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applicable to historical transfer payments made since 1990. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these rulings on its non-U.S. benefit plan’s GMP benefit formulas and monitoring for additional regulatory and interpretive developments. While the non-U.S. benefit plan has not yet been amended to address GMP equalization, the Company has recognized the estimated incremental impact of the November 2020 ruling during the year ended December 31, 2020, resulting in a $0.2 million increase to the benefit obligation of its non-U.S. benefit plan, with a corresponding adjustment to Prior service costs within Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The prior service costs are amortized into net periodic benefit cost over the remaining average life expectancy of plan participants.
The following table summarizes net periodic pension (benefit) expense for the U.S. and non-U.S. benefit plans:
The items that comprise Net periodic pension (benefit) expense, other than service cost, are included as a component of Other expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in determining pension costs:
The following table summarizes the changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets:
(a) While the non-U.S. benefit plan has not yet been amended, this component of the change to the benefit obligation of the non-U.S. benefit plan during the year ended December 31, 2020 represents the estimated incremental impact of the November 2020 U.K. High Court ruling, as described above.
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in determining benefit obligations:
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The following summarizes the changes in the fair value of plan assets:
(a) Actual return on plan assets of the U.S. benefit plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was net of fees, commissions and other expenses paid from plan assets of $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
As more fully described within Note 18 - Fair Value Measurements, the Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value for the U.S. benefit plan:
•Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash on deposit and a money market fund, that invests principally in short-term instruments. The money-market fund is valued at the net asset value (“NAV”) of the shares in the fund.
•Equity investments represent domestic and foreign securities, including common stock, which are publicly traded on active exchanges and are valued based on quoted market prices. Certain equity securities, which are valued using a model that takes the underlying security’s “best” price, divides it by the applicable exchange rate and multiplies the result by a depository receipt factor, are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
•Fixed income investments include corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and treasury bonds. Corporate bonds are valued using pricing models that include bids provided by brokers or dealers, benchmark yields, base spreads and reported trades. Asset-backed securities are valued using models with readily observable data as inputs. Treasury bonds are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets.
•Real estate investments include public real estate investment trusts (“REIT”) and exchange traded REIT funds, which are publicly traded on active exchanges and are valued based on quoted market prices.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value for the non-U.S. benefit plan:
•Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash on deposit and a money market fund, that invests principally in short-term instruments. The money-market fund is valued at the NAV of the shares in the fund.
•Diversified investment funds and insurance-linked securities are valued based on a daily NAV per share measured by the fund sponsor and used as the basis for current transactions.
•Fixed income investments include treasury securities, which are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets, and corporate bonds which are either valued based on quoted market prices in active markets or other readily observable market data.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
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The following summarizes the Company’s pension assets in a three-tier fair value hierarchy for its benefit plans:
(a) Total assets at fair value in the table above exclude a net receivable of $0.2 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(a) These funds primarily invest in a diversified portfolio of equity securities and fixed income securities.
The Company maintains a structured investment strategy for its U.S. and non-U.S. benefit plans, which are designed to achieve certain target asset allocations depending on the plans’ relative funded status.
The target asset allocations for the U.S. benefit plan are (i) between 54% and 69% in equity investments, (ii) between 29% and 44% in fixed income investments and (iii) between 0% and 20% in cash and cash equivalents. Other investments may include real estate investments and mutual funds investing in real estate, commodities or hedge funds.
Plan assets for the non-U.S. benefit plan consist principally of a portfolio of diversified investment funds, corporate bonds and insurance-linked securities. The target asset allocations for the non-U.S. benefit plan assets are generally between 65% and 75% in fixed income investments and cash and cash equivalents, and between 25% and 35% in equity investments.
The following summarizes the funded status of the Company’s benefit plans:
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The following summarizes the amounts recognized within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
As the Company’s benefit plans are fully frozen, all plan participants are now considered to be inactive. As a result, the associated actuarial losses and prior service costs that are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss are being amortized into net periodic benefit cost over the remaining average life expectancy of plan participants. The Company expects $4.6 million of the actuarial losses and $0.1 million of the prior service costs to be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in 2021.
In 2021, the Company currently expects to contribute up to $4.3 million to the U.S. benefit plan and up to $1.4 million to the non-U.S. benefit plan. Future contributions to the plans will be based on such factors as annual service cost, the financial return on plan assets, interest rate movements that affect discount rates applied to plan liabilities and the value of benefit payments made.
The following summarizes the benefits expected to be paid under the Company’s benefit plans in each of the next five years, and in aggregate for the five years thereafter:
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
The Company also sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan (the “401(k) plan”) covering a majority of its employees. Participation is via automatic enrollment and employees may elect to opt out of the 401(k) plan. Company contributions to the 401(k) plan are based on an employee’s years of service, as well as the percentage of employee contributions. The Company’s cost of the 401(k) plan was $7.7 million in 2020, $7.9 million in 2019 and $7.2 million in 2018.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company also provides a deferred compensation plan to certain employees. The deferred compensation plan is a non-qualified, unfunded defined contribution plan, which provides participants with benefits that would have been provided under the 401(k) plan, but could not be provided due to compensation limits for qualified plans under the Internal Revenue Code. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, deferred compensation liabilities of $13.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively, were included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, primarily within Long-term pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities.
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Multi-Employer Pension Plan
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company withdrew from the Sheet Metal Workers’ National Pension Fund, a multi-employer pension plan that provided defined benefits to employees under a U.S. collective bargaining agreement. As a result, the Company incurred a $2.3 million withdrawal charge, which was recognized as a component of Other expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The withdrawal liability was settled in full during the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Financial Commitments
The Company provides indemnifications and other guarantees in the ordinary course of business, the terms of which range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Specifically, the Company is occasionally required to provide letters of credit and bid and performance bonds to various customers, principally to act as security for retention levels related to casualty insurance policies and to guarantee the performance of subsidiaries that engage in export and domestic transactions. At December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding performance and financial standby letters of credit, as well as outstanding bid and performance bonds, aggregating to $25.2 million. If any such letters of credit or bonds are called, the Company would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the letter of credit or bond. The Company believes the likelihood of any currently outstanding letter of credit or bond being called is remote.
The Company has transactions involving the sale of equipment to certain of its customers which include (i) guarantees to repurchase the equipment for a fixed price at a future date and (ii) guarantees to repurchase the equipment from the third-party lender in the event of default by the customer. As of December 31, 2020, both the single year and maximum potential cash payments the Company could be required to make to repurchase equipment under these agreements amounted to $4.1 million. The Company’s risk under these repurchase arrangements would be partially mitigated by the value of the products repurchased as part of the transaction. Historical cash requirements and losses associated with these obligations have not been significant, but could increase if customer defaults exceed current expectations.
Product Warranties
The Company issues product performance warranties to customers with the sale of its products. The specific terms and conditions of these warranties vary depending upon the product sold and country in which the Company does business, with warranty periods generally ranging from one to five years. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited warranty and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the sale of the related product is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include (i) the number of units under warranty, (ii) historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims and (iii) costs per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s warranty liabilities:
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, an estimated liability was recorded within the Environmental Solutions Group in connection with a specific warranty matter. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s estimate may change in the near term as more information becomes available; however, the ultimate resolution of this matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
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NOTE 13 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to various claims, including pending and possible legal actions for product liability and other damages, and other matters arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews uninsured material legal claims against the Company and accrues for the costs of such claims as appropriate in the exercise of management’s best judgment and experience. However, due to a lack of factual information available to the Company about a claim, or the procedural stage of a claim, it may not be possible for the Company to reasonably assess either the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome of the claim or to reasonably estimate the amount of loss should there be an unfavorable outcome. Therefore, for many claims, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss.
The Company believes, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that the outcome of such claims and actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.
Hearing Loss Litigation
The Company has been sued for monetary damages by firefighters who claim that exposure to the Company’s sirens has impaired their hearing and that the sirens are therefore defective. There were 33 cases filed during the period of 1999 through 2004, involving a total of 2,443 plaintiffs, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. These cases involved more than 1,800 firefighter plaintiffs from locations outside of Chicago. In 2009, six additional cases were filed in Cook County, involving 299 Pennsylvania firefighter plaintiffs. During 2013, another case was filed in Cook County involving 74 Pennsylvania firefighter plaintiffs.
The trial of the first 27 of these plaintiffs’ claims occurred in 2008, whereby a Cook County jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the Company.
An additional 40 Chicago firefighter plaintiffs were selected for trial in 2009. Plaintiffs’ counsel later moved to reduce the number of plaintiffs from 40 to nine. The trial for these nine plaintiffs concluded with a verdict against the Company and for the plaintiffs in varying amounts totaling $0.4 million. The Company appealed this verdict. On September 13, 2012, the Illinois Appellate Court rejected this appeal. The Company thereafter filed a petition for rehearing with the Illinois Appellate Court, which was denied on February 7, 2013. The Company sought further review by filing a petition for leave to appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court on March 14, 2013. On May 29, 2013, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a summary order declining to accept review of this case. On July 1, 2013, the Company satisfied the judgments entered for these plaintiffs, which resulted in final dismissal of these cases.
A third consolidated trial involving eight Chicago firefighter plaintiffs occurred during November 2011. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the Company at the conclusion of this trial.
Following this trial, on March 12, 2012 the trial court entered an order certifying a class of the remaining Chicago Fire Department firefighter plaintiffs for trial on the sole issue of whether the Company’s sirens were defective and unreasonably dangerous. The Company petitioned the Illinois Appellate Court for interlocutory appeal of this ruling. On May 17, 2012, the Illinois Appellate Court accepted the Company’s petition. On June 8, 2012, plaintiffs moved to dismiss the appeal, agreeing with the Company that the trial court had erred in certifying a class action trial in this matter. Pursuant to plaintiffs’ motion, the Illinois Appellate Court reversed the trial court’s certification order.
Thereafter, the trial court scheduled a fourth consolidated trial involving three firefighter plaintiffs, which began in December 2012. Prior to the start of this trial, the claims of two of the three firefighter plaintiffs were dismissed. On December 17, 2012, the jury entered a complete defense verdict for the Company.
Following this defense verdict, plaintiffs again moved to certify a class of Chicago Fire Department plaintiffs for trial on the sole issue of whether the Company’s sirens were defective and unreasonably dangerous. Over the Company’s objection, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification on March 11, 2013 and scheduled a class action trial to begin on June 10, 2013. The Company filed a petition for review with the Illinois Appellate Court on March 29, 2013 seeking reversal of the class certification order.
On June 25, 2014, a unanimous three-judge panel of the First District Illinois Appellate Court issued its opinion reversing the class certification order of the trial court. Specifically, the Appellate Court determined that the trial court’s ruling failed to satisfy the class-action requirements that the common issues of the firefighters’ claims predominate over the individual issues
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and that there is an adequate representative for the class. During a status hearing on October 8, 2014, plaintiffs represented to the Court that they would again seek to certify a class of firefighters on the issue of whether the Company’s sirens were defective and unreasonably dangerous. On January 12, 2015, plaintiffs filed motions to amend their complaints to add class action allegations with respect to Chicago firefighter plaintiffs, as well as the approximately 1,800 firefighter plaintiffs from locations outside of Chicago. On March 11, 2015, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ motions to amend their complaints. On April 24, 2015, the cases were transferred to Cook County chancery court, which will decide all class certification issues. On March 23, 2018, plaintiffs filed a motion to certify as a class all firefighters from the Chicago Fire Department who have filed lawsuits in this matter. The court has not yet ruled on this motion as the parties continue to engage in discovery and other matters related to this motion. The Company intends to continue its objections to any attempt at certification.
The Company has also filed motions to dismiss cases involving firefighters who worked for fire departments located outside of the State of Illinois based on improper venue. On February 24, 2017, the Circuit Court of Cook County entered orders dismissing the cases of 1,770 such firefighter plaintiffs from the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois. Pursuant to these orders, these plaintiffs had six months thereafter to refile their cases in jurisdictions where these firefighters are located. Prior to this six-month deadline, attorneys representing some of these plaintiffs contacted the Company regarding possible settlement of their cases. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company entered into a global settlement agreement with two attorneys who represented approximately 1,090 of these plaintiffs. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company offered $700 per plaintiff to settle these cases and 717 plaintiffs accepted this offer as a final settlement. The attorneys representing these plaintiffs agreed to withdraw from representing plaintiffs who did not respond to the settlement offer. It is the Company’s position that the non-settling plaintiffs who failed to timely refile their cases following the February 2017 dismissal by the Circuit Court of Cook County are now barred from doing so by the statute of limitations. The Company filed a venue motion seeking to transfer to DuPage County cases involving 10 plaintiffs who reside and work in Illinois but outside of Cook County. The Court granted this motion on June 28, 2017.
The Company has also been sued on this issue outside of the Cook County, Illinois venue. Between 2007 and 2009, a total of 71 lawsuits involving 71 plaintiffs were filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Three of these cases were dismissed pursuant to pretrial motions filed by the Company. Another case was voluntarily dismissed. Prior to trial in four cases, the Company paid nominal sums to obtain dismissals.
Three trials occurred in Philadelphia involving these cases filed in 2007 through 2009. The first trial involving one of these plaintiffs occurred in 2010, when the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff. In particular, the jury found that the Company’s siren was not defectively designed, but that the Company negligently constructed the siren. The jury awarded damages in the amount of $0.1 million, which was subsequently reduced to $0.08 million. The Company appealed this verdict. Another trial, involving nine Philadelphia firefighter plaintiffs, also occurred in 2010 when the jury returned a defense verdict for the Company as to all claims and all plaintiffs involved in that trial. The third trial, also involving nine Philadelphia firefighter plaintiffs, was completed during 2010 when the jury returned a defense verdict for the Company as to all claims and all plaintiffs involved in that trial.
Following defense verdicts in the last two Philadelphia trials, the Company negotiated settlements with respect to all remaining filed cases in Philadelphia at that time, as well as other firefighter claimants represented by the attorney who filed the Philadelphia cases. On January 4, 2011, the Company entered into a Global Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the law firm of the attorney representing the Philadelphia claimants, on behalf of 1,125 claimants the firm represented (the “Claimants”) and who had asserted product claims against the Company (the “Claims”). Three hundred eight of the Claimants had lawsuits pending against the Company in Cook County, Illinois.
The Settlement Agreement provided that the Company pay a total amount of $3.8 million (the “Settlement Payment”) to settle the Claims (including the costs, fees and other expenses of the law firm in connection with its representation of the Claimants), subject to certain terms, conditions and procedures set forth in the Settlement Agreement. In order for the Company to be required to make the Settlement Payment: (i) each Claimant who agreed to settle his or her claims had to sign a release acceptable to the Company (a “Release”), (ii) each Claimant who agreed to the settlement and who was a plaintiff in a lawsuit, had to dismiss his or her lawsuit with prejudice, (iii) by April 29, 2011, at least 93% of the Claimants identified in the Settlement Agreement must have agreed to settle their claims and provide a signed Release to the Company and (iv) the law firm had to withdraw from representing any Claimants who did not agree to the settlement, including those who filed lawsuits. If the conditions to the settlement were met, but less than 100% of the Claimants agreed to settle their Claims and sign a Release, the Settlement Payment would be reduced by the percentage of Claimants who did not agree to the settlement.
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On April 22, 2011, the Company confirmed that the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement had been met and made a payment of $3.6 million to conclude the settlement. The amount was based upon the Company’s receipt of 1,069 signed releases provided by Claimants, which was 95% of all Claimants identified in the Settlement Agreement.
The Company generally denies the allegations made in the claims and lawsuits by the Claimants and denies that its products caused any injuries to the Claimants. Nonetheless, the Company entered into the Settlement Agreement for the purpose of minimizing its expenses, including legal fees, and avoiding the inconvenience, uncertainty and distraction of the claims and lawsuits.
During April through October 2012, 20 new cases were filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. These cases were filed on behalf of 20 Philadelphia firefighters and involve various defendants in addition to the Company. Five of these cases were subsequently dismissed. The first trial involving these 2012 Philadelphia cases occurred during December 2014 and involved three firefighter plaintiffs. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company. Following this trial, all of the parties agreed to settle cases involving seven firefighter plaintiffs set for trial during January 2015 for nominal amounts per plaintiff.
In January 2015, plaintiffs’ attorneys filed two new complaints in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on behalf of approximately 70 additional firefighter plaintiffs. The vast majority of the firefighters identified in these complaints are located outside of Pennsylvania. One of the complaints in these cases, which involves 11 firefighter plaintiffs from the District of Columbia, was removed to federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed all claims in this case on May 31, 2016. The Company thereafter moved to recover various fees and costs in this case, asserting that plaintiffs’ counsel failed to properly investigate these claims prior to filing suit. The Court granted this motion on April 25, 2017, awarding $0.1 million to the Company. After plaintiffs appealed this Order, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the lower court decision awarding fees and costs to the Company.
With respect to claims of other out-of-state firefighters involved in these two cases, the Company moved to dismiss these claims as improperly filed in Pennsylvania. The Court granted this motion and dismissed these claims on November 5, 2015. During August through December 2015, another nine new cases were filed in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. These cases involve a total of 193 firefighters, most of whom are located outside of Pennsylvania. The Company again moved to dismiss all claims filed by out-of-state firefighters in these cases as improperly filed in Pennsylvania. On May 24, 2016, the Court granted this motion and dismissed these claims. Plaintiffs appealed this decision and, on September 25, 2018, the appellate court reversed this dismissal. The Company then filed a petition with the appellate court requesting that the court reconsider its ruling. On December 7, 2018, the appellate court granted the Company’s petition and withdrew its prior decision. The Court has ordered that the parties file additional briefs and a new panel of appellate judges issue a decision. On June 25, 2020, the Court issued a decision affirming the trial court’s dismissal of these cases.
On May 13, 2016, four new cases were filed in Philadelphia state court, involving a total of 55 Philadelphia firefighters who live in Pennsylvania. During August 2016, the Company settled a case involving four Philadelphia firefighters that had been set for trial in Philadelphia state court during September 2016. During 2017, plaintiffs filed additional cases in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, involving over 100 Philadelphia firefighter plaintiffs. During January 2017, plaintiffs filed a motion to consolidate and bifurcate, similar to a motion filed in the Pittsburgh hearing loss cases, as described below. The Company has filed an opposition to this motion. These cases were then transferred to the mass tort program in Philadelphia for pretrial purposes. Plaintiffs’ counsel thereafter dismissed several plaintiffs. During November 2017, a trial involving one Philadelphia firefighter occurred. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company in this trial. Prior to a dismissal of these cases pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, discussed below, there was a total of 75 firefighters involved in cases pending in the Philadelphia mass tort program.
During April through July 2013, additional cases were filed in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on behalf of 247 plaintiff firefighters from Pittsburgh and against various defendants, including the Company. During May 2016, two additional cases were filed against the Company in Allegheny County involving 19 Pittsburgh firefighters. After the Company filed pretrial motions, the Court dismissed claims of 55 Pittsburgh firefighter plaintiffs. The Court scheduled trials for May, September and November 2016, for eight firefighters per trial. Prior to the first scheduled trial in Pittsburgh, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed all claims asserted by plaintiff firefighters involved in this trial. Following an appeal by the plaintiff firefighters, the appellate court affirmed this dismissal. The next trial for six Pittsburgh firefighters started on November 7, 2016. Shortly after this trial began, plaintiffs’ counsel moved for a mistrial because a key witness suddenly became unavailable. The Court granted this motion and rescheduled this trial for March 6, 2017. During January 2017, plaintiffs also moved to consolidate and bifurcate trials involving Pittsburgh firefighters. In particular, plaintiffs sought one trial involving liability issues which will apply to all Pittsburgh firefighters who filed suit against the Company. The
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Company filed an opposition to this motion. On April 18, 2017, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ motion to bifurcate the next Pittsburgh trial. Pursuant to a motion for clarification filed by the Company, the Court ruled that the bifurcation order would only apply to six plaintiffs who were part of the next trial group in Pittsburgh. The Company thereafter sought an interlocutory appeal of the Court’s bifurcation order. The appellate court declined to accept the appeal at that time. A bifurcated trial began on September 27, 2017 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Prior to and during trial, two plaintiffs were dismissed, resulting in four plaintiffs remaining for trial. After approximately two weeks of trial, the jury found that the Company’s siren product was not defective or unreasonably dangerous and rendered a verdict in favor of the Company.
A second trial involving Pittsburgh firefighters began during January 2018. At the outset of this trial, plaintiffs’ attorneys requested that the Company consider settlement of various cases. This trial was continued to allow the parties to further discuss possible settlement. During March 2018, the parties agreed in principle on a framework (the “Settlement Framework”) to resolve hearing loss claims and cases in all jurisdictions involved in the hearing loss litigation except in Cook County and Lackawanna County, and excluding one case involving one firefighter in New York City. The firefighters excluded from the Settlement Framework are represented by different attorneys. The Company has agreed in principle to settle the cases in Lackawanna County and has settled the case involving one firefighter in New York City for nominal amounts. Pursuant to the Settlement Framework, the Company would pay $700 to each firefighter who has filed a lawsuit and is eligible to be part of the settlement. The Company would pay $300 to each firefighter who has not yet filed a case and is eligible to be part of the settlement. To be eligible for settlement, among other things, firefighters must provide proof that they have high frequency noise-induced hearing loss. There are approximately 3,700 firefighters whose claims may be considered as part of this settlement, including approximately 1,320 firefighters who have ongoing filed lawsuits. This Settlement Framework was finalized in a global settlement agreement executed on November 4, 2019. Pursuant to this global settlement agreement, the parties are now in the process of determining how many of the approximately 3,700 firefighters will be eligible to participate in the settlement. In order to minimize the parties’ respective legal costs and expenses during this settlement process, on July 5, 2018, the parties entered into a tolling agreement (the “Tolling Agreement”). Pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, counsel for the settling firefighters agreed to dismiss the pending lawsuits in all jurisdictions except for the Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania cases, and the Company agreed to a tolling of any statute of limitations applicable to the dismissed cases. The Tolling Agreement continued in place until the parties executed the global settlement agreement on November 4, 2019. After execution of the global settlement agreement, the Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) cases were dismissed. The global settlement agreement requires plaintiffs’ attorneys to withdraw from representing firefighters who elect not to participate in this settlement.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company has recognized an estimated liability for the potential settlement amount. While it is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of this matter may result in a loss in excess of the amount accrued, the incremental loss is not expected to be material.
During March 2014, an action also was brought in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pennsylvania on behalf of 61 firefighters. This case likewise involves various defendants in addition to the Company. After the Company filed pretrial motions, 33 Erie County firefighter plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims. During August 2017, five cases involving 70 firefighter plaintiffs were filed in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. These cases involve firefighter plaintiffs who originally filed in Cook County and were dismissed pursuant to the Company’s forum nonconveniens motion. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 263 firefighters are involved in cases filed in Allegheny and Lackawanna counties in Pennsylvania.
On September 17, 2014, 20 lawsuits, involving a total of 193 Buffalo Fire Department firefighters, were filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Erie County. All of the cases filed in Erie County, New York have been removed to federal court in the Western District of New York. Plaintiffs have filed a motion to consolidate and bifurcate these cases, similar to the motion filed in the Pittsburgh hearing loss cases, as described above. The Company has filed an opposition to the motion. During February 2015, a lawsuit involving one New York City firefighter plaintiff was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. The plaintiff named the Company as well as several other parties as defendants. That case subsequently was transferred to federal court in the Northern District of New York and thereafter dismissed. During April 2015 through January 2016, 29 new cases involving a total of 235 firefighters were filed in various counties in the New York City area. During December 2016 through October 2017, additional cases were filed in these jurisdictions. On February 5, 2018, the Company was served with a complaint in an additional case filed in Kings County, New York. This case involves one plaintiff. Prior to a dismissal of these cases pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, there was a total of 536 firefighters involved in cases filed in the State of New York.
During November 2015, the Company was served with a complaint filed in Union County, New Jersey state court, involving 34 New Jersey firefighters. This case has been transferred to federal court in the District of New Jersey. During the period from January through May 2016, eight additional cases were filed in various New Jersey state courts. Most of the firefighters in these cases reside in New Jersey and work or worked at New Jersey fire departments. During December 2016, a case involving one
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New Jersey firefighter was filed in the United States District Court of New Jersey. On May 2, 2017, plaintiffs filed a motion to consolidate and bifurcate in the pending federal court case in New Jersey. This motion was similar to bifurcation motions filed by plaintiffs in Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Philadelphia. The Court has denied this motion as premature. Pursuant to a petition filed by both parties, all New Jersey state court cases were consolidated for pretrial purposes. Prior to a dismissal of these cases pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, there was a total of 61 firefighters involved in cases filed in New Jersey.
During May through October 2016, nine cases were filed in Suffolk County, Massachusetts state court, naming the Company as a defendant. These cases involve 194 firefighters who lived and worked in the Boston area. During August 2017, plaintiffs filed additional cases in Suffolk County court. The Company moved to transfer various cases filed in Suffolk County to other counties in Massachusetts where plaintiffs reside and work. Prior to a dismissal of these cases pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, there was a total of 218 firefighters involved in cases filed in Massachusetts.
During August and September 2017, plaintiffs’ attorneys filed additional hearing loss cases in Florida. The Company is the only named defendant. These cases were filed in several different counties in Florida, including Tampa, Miami and Orlando municipalities. Plaintiffs have agreed to stipulate that they will not seek more than $75,000 in damages in any individual plaintiff case. Prior to a dismissal of these cases pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, there was a total of 166 firefighters involved in cases filed in Florida.
From 2007 through 2009, firefighters also brought hearing loss claims against the Company in New Jersey, Missouri, Maryland and Kings County, New York. All of those cases, however, were dismissed prior to trial, including four cases in the Supreme Court of Kings County, New York that were dismissed upon the Company’s motion in 2008. On appeal, the New York appellate court affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of these cases. Plaintiffs’ attorneys have threatened to file additional lawsuits. The Company intends to vigorously defend all of these lawsuits, if filed.
NOTE 14 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, which requires that non-vested restricted stock containing non-forfeitable dividend rights should be treated as participating securities pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net income is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the period for common stock and participating securities. The remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities as if all of the net income for the period had been distributed. The amounts of distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were insignificant and did not materially impact the calculation of basic or diluted EPS.
Basic EPS is computed by dividing income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the year.
Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock and non-vested restricted stock awards outstanding for the year, plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is determined using the more dilutive of the two-class method or alternative methods. We use the treasury stock method to determine the potentially dilutive impact of our employee stock options and restricted stock units, and the contingently issuable method for our performance-based restricted stock unit awards.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, options to purchase 0.5 million, 0.2 million and 0.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, had an anti-dilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.
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The following table reconciles net income to basic and diluted EPS:
NOTE 15 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company’s stock compensation plan, approved by the Company’s stockholders and administered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “CBC”), provides for the grant of incentive stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards or units to key employees and directors. The plan authorizes the grant of up to 7.8 million shares or units through April 2025. At December 31, 2020, approximately 3.0 million shares were available for future issuance under the plan.
The total compensation expense related to all grants awarded under the plan was $8.4 million, $8.8 million and $7.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The related income tax benefits recognized in earnings were $1.7 million, $2.0 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock options vest ratably (i.e. one-third annually) over the three years from the date of the grant. The cost of stock options, based on their fair value at the date of grant, is charged to expense over the respective vesting periods. Stock options normally become exercisable at a rate of one-third annually and in full on the third anniversary date. Under the plan, all options and rights must be exercised within ten years from date of grant. At the Company’s discretion, vested stock option holders are permitted to elect an alternative settlement method in lieu of purchasing common stock at the option price. The alternative settlement method permits the employee to receive, without payment to the Company, cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof equal to the excess of market value of common stock over the option purchase price. The Company has historically settled all such options in common stock and intends to continue to do so. Stock options do not have voting or dividend rights until such time that the options are exercised and shares have been issued.
The weighted average fair value of options granted during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $7.86, $8.48 and $7.17, respectively.
The fair value of each option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
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Dividend yields are based on historical dividend payments. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options. The expected life of options represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns.
The following summarizes stock option activity:
At December 31, 2020, options that have vested and are expected to vest totaled 1.9 million shares, with a weighted average exercise price of $17.27, and represent the sum of 1.5 million vested (or exercisable) options and 0.4 million options that are expected to vest. Options that are expected to vest are derived by applying the pre-vesting forfeiture rate assumption against outstanding, unvested options as of December 31, 2020.
The following table summarizes information for stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2020 under all plans:
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2020 was $31.2 million and $28.0 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $13.9 million, $4.3 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The related tax benefits were $3.3 million, $1.0 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options was $0.6 million, $1.7 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The total compensation expense related to all stock option compensation plans was $1.8 million, $1.9 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of approximately 1.9 years.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units primarily cliff vest at the third anniversary from the date of grant, provided the recipient is still employed by the Company on the vesting date. The cost of restricted stock, based on the fair market value of the underlying shares determined using the closing market price on the date of grant, is charged to expense over the respective vesting periods. Shares associated with non-vested restricted stock awards have the same voting rights as the Company’s common stock and have non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Shares associated with non-vested restricted stock units do not have voting or dividend rights.
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The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
The total grant-date fair value of restricted stock that vested in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $1.7 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
The total compensation expense related to all restricted stock compensation plans was $2.5 million, $2.2 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was $2.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock that is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of approximately 1.9 years.
Performance Awards
In each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock unit awards (“PSUs”) to certain executives and other non-executive officers. Performance targets associated with PSUs are set annually and approved by the CBC. At the Company’s discretion, actual payment of the awards earned shall be in cash or in common stock of the Company, or in a combination of both. The Company intends to settle all such awards by issuing shares of its common stock. The number of shares of common stock that the Company may issue in connection with these PSUs can range from 0% to 200% of target, depending upon achievement against the performance targets. Shares associated with non-vested PSUs do not have voting or dividend rights until issuance. The Company assesses the probability of vesting, based on expected achievement against these performance targets, on a quarterly basis.
The cost of PSUs, based on their fair market value determined using the closing market price on the date of grant, is charged to expense over the respective vesting periods, which is the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 for the 2018 grants, the three-year period ended December 31, 2021 for the 2019 grants and the three-year period ended December 31, 2022 for the 2020 grants.
The PSUs granted in 2020 have a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2022, in which the Company must achieve a certain cumulative EPS from continuing operations and a certain average return on invested capital (“ROIC”), which are performance conditions per ASC 718. If earned, these shares would vest on December 31, 2022.
The PSUs granted in 2019 have a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2021, in which the Company must achieve a certain cumulative EPS from continuing operations and a certain average ROIC, which are performance conditions per ASC 718. If earned, these shares would vest on December 31, 2021.
The PSUs granted in 2018 had a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2020, in which a certain cumulative EPS from continuing operations and a certain average ROIC was targeted. The PSUs granted in 2018 became fully vested on December 31, 2020. Based on the achievement against targets over the three-year performance period, 156% of the target shares were earned. The underlying shares will be issued to participants in the first quarter of 2021.
The total grant-date fair value of PSUs that vested in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $5.4 million, $3.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the PSUs in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $4.1 million, $4.7 million and $3.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was $3.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to PSUs that is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.
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The following table summarizes PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
(a) Includes 0.1 million PSUs, representing the effect of the PSUs granted in 2018 being earned at 156% of target. The PSUs granted in 2018 vested on December 31, 2020.
NOTE 16 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has the authority to issue 90.0 million shares of common stock at a par value of $1 per share. The holders of common stock (i) may receive dividends subject to all of the rights of the holders of preference stock, (ii) shall be entitled to share ratably upon any liquidation of the Company in the assets of the Company, if any, remaining after payment in full to the holders of preference stock and (iii) receive one vote for each common share held and shall vote together share for share with the holders of voting shares of preference stock as one class for the election of directors and for all other purposes. The Company had 67.8 million and 66.9 million common shares issued as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of those amounts, 60.5 million common shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Board is also authorized to provide for the issuance of 0.8 million shares of preference stock at a par value of $1 per share. The authority of the Board includes, but is not limited to, the determination of the dividend rate, voting rights, conversion and redemption features and liquidation preferences. The Company has not designated or issued any preference stock as of December 31, 2020.
Dividends
The Company declared and paid dividends totaling $19.4 million, $19.3 million and $18.7 million during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
On February 18, 2021, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share payable on March 31, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 2021.
Stock Repurchase Program
In November 2014, the Board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock. In March 2020, the Board authorized an additional stock repurchase program of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The March 2020 stock repurchase program supplements the Board’s prior authorization under the November 2014 stock repurchase program, which remains in effect.
The stock repurchase programs are intended primarily to facilitate opportunistic purchases of Company stock as a means to provide cash returns to stockholders, enhance stockholder returns and manage the Company’s capital structure. Under its stock repurchase programs, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Stock repurchases by the Company are subject to market conditions and other factors and may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 498,217 shares for a total of $13.7 million under the stock repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 48,409 shares for a total of $1.0 million under the stock repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 62,500 shares for a total of $1.2 million under the stock repurchase program.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following tables summarize the changes in each component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, and the affected line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Amount in parentheses indicate debits to profit/loss.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
NOTE 17 - SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has two reportable segments. Business units are organized under each reportable segment because they share certain characteristics, such as technology, marketing, distribution and product application, which create long-term synergies. The principal activities of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
Environmental Solutions - Our Environmental Solutions Group is a leading manufacturer and supplier of a full range of street sweepers, sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, safe-digging trucks, high-performance waterblasting equipment, road-marking and line-removal equipment, dump truck bodies, and trailers. The Group manufactures vehicles and equipment in the U.S. and Canada that are sold under the Elgin®, Vactor®, Guzzler®, TRUVAC®, WestechTM, Jetstream®, Mark Rite Lines, Ox Bodies®, Crysteel®, J-Craft®, Duraclass®, Rugby®, and Travis® brand names. Product offerings also include certain products manufactured by other companies, such as refuse and recycling collection vehicles, camera systems, ice resurfacing equipment and snow-removal equipment. Products are sold to both municipal and industrial customers either through a dealer network or direct sales to service customers generally depending on the type and geographic location of the customer. In addition to vehicle and equipment sales, the Group also engages in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training as part of a comprehensive aftermarket offering to its current and potential customers through its service centers located across North America. Our Environmental Solutions Group includes the aggregated results of two operating segments, including TBEI.
Safety and Security Systems - Our Safety and Security Systems Group is a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products that law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, campuses, military facilities and industrial sites use to protect people and property. Offerings include systems for community alerting, emergency vehicles, first responder interoperable communications and industrial communications. Specific products include public safety equipment, such as vehicle lightbars and sirens, industrial signaling equipment, public warning systems and general alarm/public address systems. Products are sold under the Federal SignalTM, Federal Signal VAMA®, and Victor® brand names. The Group operates manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and South Africa.
Corporate contains those items that are not included in our reportable segments.
Net sales by reportable segment reflect sales of products and services to external customers, as reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intersegment sales are insignificant. The Company evaluates performance based on operating income of the respective segment. Operating income includes all revenues, costs and expenses directly related to the segment involved. In determining reportable segment income, neither corporate nor interest expenses are included. Reportable segment depreciation and amortization expense, identifiable assets and capital expenditures relate to those assets that are utilized by the respective reportable segment. Corporate assets consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, deferred tax assets and fixed assets. The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those described in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Revenues attributed to customers located outside of the U.S. aggregated to $258.6 million in 2020, $268.5 million in 2019 and $241.5 million in 2018, of which sales exported from the U.S. aggregated to $69.7 million, $72.8 million and $64.5 million, respectively.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The following table summarizes the Company’s continuing operations by segment, including net sales, operating income, depreciation and amortization, total assets and capital expenditures:
The following table summarizes net sales by geographic region based on the location of the end-customer:
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The following table summarizes long-lived assets by geographic region based on the location of the Company’s subsidiaries:
(a) Amounts as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 include operating lease right-of-use assets, as further described in Note 4 - Leases.
NOTE 18 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about valuation based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three levels of inputs are classified as follows:
•Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•Level 2 - observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and
•Level 3 - unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches within the fair value measurement framework. The valuation methodologies used for the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value and their classification in the valuation hierarchy are summarized below:
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents primarily consist of time-based deposits and interest-bearing instruments with maturities of three months or less. The Company classified cash equivalents as Level 1 due to the short-term nature of these instruments and measured the fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Interest Rate Swaps
As described in Note 9 - Debt, the Company may, from time to time, execute interest rate swaps as a means of fixing the floating interest rate component on a portion of its floating-rate debt. The Company classifies its interest rate swaps as Level 2 due to the use of a discounted cash flow model based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve (Level 2 inputs) to calculate the fair value of the swaps.
Contingent Consideration
As further described in Note 2 - Acquisitions, the Company has a contingent obligation to transfer up to $15.5 million to the former owners of MRL if specified financial results are met over future reporting periods (i.e., an earn-out). In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company paid $7.6 million to settle the contingent consideration liability due to the former owners of JJE based on the achievement of specified financial results over the three-year period following the closing of the acquisition in June 2016.
Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured at fair value each reporting period, with the acquisition-date fair value included as part of the consideration transferred. Subsequent changes in fair value are included as a component of Acquisition and integration-related expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
The Company uses an income approach to value the contingent consideration obligation based on the present value of risk-adjusted future cash flows under either a scenario-based or option-pricing method, as appropriate. Due to the lack of relevant observable market data over fair value inputs, such as prospective financial information or probabilities of future events, the Company has classified the contingent consideration liability within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy outlined in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements.
The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
The following table provides a roll-forward of the fair value of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
NOTE 19 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED)
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied on a retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective basis, depending on the area covered by the update. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
No other new accounting pronouncements issued, but not yet adopted, are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
NOTE 20 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Acquisition of OSW
On February 17, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity of OSW Equipment & Repair, LLC (“OSW”), for an initial purchase price of $52.5 million in cash. The initial purchase price, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments, was funded through existing cash and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.
OSW is a leading manufacturer of dump truck bodies and custom upfitter of truck equipment and trailers. The acquisition also includes OSW’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Northend Truck Equipment, LLC and Western Truck Body Mfg. ULC. The Company expects that the OSW acquisition will strengthen its specialty vehicle market position by expanding its geographic footprint and enhancing its portfolio of dump truck body and trailer product offerings.
The preliminary purchase price allocation has not been completed at this time, due to the proximity of the date of acquisition to the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of December 31, 2020.
Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.
(b)Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management conducted an assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of their audit, has issued its report, included herein, on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. See “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” under Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K.
(c)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
From time to time, the Company may make changes aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the controls and to ensure that the systems evolve with the business. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information.
On February 25, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020. The presentation slides for the 2020 fourth quarter earnings call were also posted on the Company’s website at that time. The full text of the press release and earnings presentation is included as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to this Form 10-K.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
A list of our executive officers and biographical information appears in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-K. Information regarding directors and nominees for directors is set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding the (i) Audit Committee, (ii) Nominating and Governance Committee and (iii) Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors is set forth in the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement under the caption “Information Concerning the Board” and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This code of ethics and the Company’s corporate governance policies are posted on the Company’s website at www.federalsignal.com. The Company intends to satisfy its disclosure requirements regarding amendments to or waivers from its code of ethics by posting such information on this website. The charters of the (i) Audit Committee, (ii) Nominating and Governance Committee and (iii) Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors are available on the Company’s website and are also available in print free of charge.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information contained under the captions “Information Concerning the Board”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation and Benefits Committee Report” and “Executive Compensation” of the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information regarding security ownership of (i) certain beneficial owners, (ii) all directors and nominees, (iii) named executive officers and (iv) directors and executive officers as a group is set forth in the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement under the caption “Ownership of Our Common Stock” and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our equity compensation plans is set forth in the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information regarding certain relationships is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement under the headings “Information Concerning the Board” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2021 definitive proxy statement under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services.”
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
1.Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and the “Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained under Item 8 of Part II this Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018;
(b)Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018;
(c)Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019;
(d)Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018;
(e)Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018; and
(f)Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2.Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 2020 is filed as a part of this Annual Report in response to Item 15(a)(2):
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore, have been omitted.
3.Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
SCHEDULE II
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(a) Represents amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and other adjustments that had no net impact on Income tax expense in the year.
(b) Represents amounts written off, net of related recoveries.
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits, other than those incorporated by reference, have been included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
By:/s/ Jennifer L. Sherman
Jennifer L. Sherman
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 25, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities indicated, as of February 25, 2021.
/s/ Jennifer L. ShermanPresident, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Jennifer L. Sherman
/s/ Ian A. HudsonSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Ian A. Hudson
/s/ Lauren B. EltingVice President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Lauren B. Elting
/s/ Dennis J. MartinChairman and Director
Dennis J. Martin
/s/ Eugene J. Lowe, IIIDirector
Eugene J. Lowe, III
/s/ Richard R. MudgeDirector
Richard R. Mudge
/s/ William F. OwensDirector
William F. Owens
/s/ Brenda L. ReichelderferDirector
Brenda L. Reichelderfer
/s/ John L. WorkmanDirector
John L. Workman