ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
General
ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “ABM,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of integrated facility solutions with a mission to make a difference, every person, every day. Our history dates back to 1909, when American Building Maintenance Company began as a window washing company in San Francisco with one employee. In 1985, we were incorporated in Delaware under the name American Building Maintenance Industries, Inc., as the successor to the business originally founded in 1909. In 1994, we changed our name to ABM Industries Incorporated. Over the past thirteen years, we have grown into a multi-segment facility solutions company, primarily through strategic acquisitions and new service offerings, increasing our revenue from $3 billion to more than $6 billion.
The acquisition of OneSource in 2007 bolstered ABM as a leader in the janitorial market, while the Linc Group acquisition in 2010 established ABM as a “facility solutions” company with new service offerings, including lighting, mechanical, and electrical “technical solutions.” With demand increasing for industry-specific service providers, in 2012 we purchased Air Serv and established our first industry group, “aviation.” In recent years, we have strategically acquired companies in the United Kingdom, particularly with the GBM and Westway acquisitions, which expanded our janitorial and technical solutions businesses overseas. In 2017, we acquired GCA Services Group (“GCA”), a provider of integrated facility services to educational institutions and commercial facilities, for approximately $1.3 billion, the largest acquisition in ABM history. As a result of this acquisition, we are now a leading facility solutions provider in the education market. In recent years, we also evaluated all of our service offerings and sold our Security and Government Services businesses, which did not align with our long-term focus on industry groups.
Additionally, in 2015 we began a comprehensive transformational initiative (“2020 Vision”) to drive long-term, profitable growth through an industry-based go-to-market approach. As part of this initiative, we centralized key functional areas, strengthened our sales capabilities, and initiated investments in service delivery tools and processes to help support standard operating practices that we believe are foundational to our long-term success.
As a result of these strategic changes, we have strengthened our ability to offer Janitorial, Parking, Facilities Services, Building & Energy Solutions, and Airline Services, on a standalone basis or in combination, and positioned ourselves as a leading integrated facilities management company.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to years are to our fiscal year, which ends on October 31.
Contract Types
We generate revenues under several types of contracts, as explained below. Generally, the type of contract is determined by the nature of the services. Although many of our service agreements are cancelable on short notice, we have historically had a high rate of client retention and expect to continue maintaining long-term relationships with our clients. See Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the contract types that are most common in each of our service lines.
Segment and Geographic Financial Information
Our current reportable segments consist of Business & Industry (“B&I”), Technology & Manufacturing (“T&M”), Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions. For segment and geographic financial information, see Note 17, “Segment and Geographic Information,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements.
Service Marks, Trademarks, and Trade Names
We hold various service marks, trademarks, and trade names, such as “ABM,” “ABM Building Value,” “ABM Greencare,” “EnhancedClean,” “EnhancedFacility,” “Linc Service,” “MPower,” and “TEGG,” which we deem important to our marketing activities, to our business, and, in some cases, to the franchising activities conducted by our Technical Solutions segment.
Dependence on Significant Client
No client accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues during 2020, 2019, or 2018.
Competition
We believe that each aspect of our business is highly competitive and that such competition is based primarily on price, quality of service, efficiency enhancements, adapting to changing workplace conditions, and ability to anticipate and respond to industry changes. A majority of our revenue is derived from projects requiring competitive bids; however, an invitation to bid is often conditioned upon prior experience, industry expertise, and financial strength. The low cost of entry in the facility services business results in a very competitive market. We mainly compete with regional and local owner-operated companies that may have more acute vision into local markets and significantly lower labor and overhead costs, providing them with competitive advantages in those regards. We also compete indirectly with companies that can perform for themselves one or more of the services we provide.
Sales and Marketing
Our sales and marketing activities include digital engagement and direct interactions with prospective and existing clients, pricing, proposal management, and customer relationship management by dedicated business development teams, operations personnel, and management. These activities are executed by branch and regional sales, marketing, and operations teams assigned to our industry groups and are supported by centralized sales support teams, inside sales teams, and marketing personnel. The sales and marketing teams acquire, nurture, and manage leads through the sales buying process, as well as train personnel on product offerings, sales tools, and proposal systems, all governed by standard operating procedures.
Regulatory Environment
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, and/or local laws, rules, and regulations regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, as well as laws and regulations relating to, among other things, labor, wages, and health and safety matters. Historically, the cost of complying with these laws, rules, and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
As a company with more than 110 years’ experience, we understand the need to embed corporate responsibility into our business practices to create value and support the long-term success of our business, shareholders, employees, and clients.
Our strategy has evolved over the years to align with our stakeholders’ expectations regarding environmental, social, and governance policies. Recently, we have established three strategic axes of our sustainability strategy based on the topics that are most material to our business: doing business in a responsible way, ensuring our employees’ well-being, and managing our environmental footprint.
Since 2011, we have voluntarily published a Sustainability Report on an annual basis in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative framework to address our business, our employees, and the environment. More information can be found in the corporate sustainability section of our corporate website.
Human Capital
Our employees are the driving force behind everything we do, and supporting our employees is a foundational value for the Company. Direct labor costs represented 68% of our total revenue for fiscal year 2020. As of October 31, 2020, we employed approximately 114,000 employees, of whom approximately 36,000, or 32%, were subject to various local collective bargaining agreements. As of October 31, 2020, our front line employees represented 95% of our total workforce, while staff and management employees represented the other 5%.
Our human capital strategy is grounded by our values and our employees; we prioritize our human capital development in order to do business in a responsible way and ensure our employees’ success. The execution of this strategy is overseen at the highest levels of our organization, from our Board of Directors, our Board of Directors’ Stakeholder and Enterprise Risk Committee, and across our senior management.
Business ethics
Our Code of Business Conduct ensures that our core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, innovation, trust, and excellence are applied throughout our operations. Our Code of Business Conduct serves as a critical tool to help all of us recognize and report unethical conduct, while preserving and nurturing our culture of honesty and accountability. We provide a comprehensive training and certification program on our Code of Business Conduct for our Board of Directors and all of our staff and management employees annually.
Human resources, hiring, and training
Over the past few years, we have made investments to our human resources (“HR”) organization and structure that centralized and standardized hiring and training practices, including upgrades to our cloud-based human capital management system. We have also introduced new tools to help our operators manage labor more efficiently, and we continue to invest in attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
Our online training platform, ABM University, provides our staff and management employees with access to a multitude of training courses, videos, reference material, and other tools. Outside of ABM University our front line employees receive on-the-job training to ensure we are executing for our clients.
Labor relations
With approximately 36,000 union-represented employees, we are party to more than 250 collective bargaining agreements nationwide, with more than 20 major labor unions. Our collective bargaining agreements include regional multiemployer agreements covering thousands of employees as well as localized site agreements covering smaller groups. We strive to interact with our labor partners in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and we always seek to resolve any dispute in an equitable manner.
Safe working environment
The cornerstone of our comprehensive risk management and safety program is safety awareness. We have established a “safety-first” culture through various programs and initiatives including, but not limited to, incorporation into our daily shift protocols, training, and alignment with our corporate incentive plans. Our safety programs for fiscal year 2020 helped produce the fifth consecutive year of claim frequency reductions.
Culture and inclusion
We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer in compliance with the requirements of the Executive Order 11246 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act. We pride ourselves on our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and empowered workforce. In 2020, we established the Company’s Culture and Inclusion Leadership Council, which seeks to obtain feedback from our employees and focuses on matters related to corporate culture at ABM, specifically related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Available Information
Our corporate website is www.abm.com. The content on any website referred to in this filing does not constitute, and should not be viewed as, a part of this Annual Report, and our website is not incorporated into this or any of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally, the SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Executive Officers of Registrant
Executive Officers on December 17, 2020
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
The following risks, some of which have occurred and any of which may occur in the future, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and/or the trading price of our common stock. The risks described below identify the material risks we face; however, our business could also be affected by factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial. You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes (the “Financial Statements”).
Risks Relating to the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Pandemic (the “Pandemic”)
The Pandemic has had and is expected to continue having a negative effect on the global economy and the United States economy; it has disrupted and is expected to continue disrupting our operations and our clients’ operations; and it has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The Pandemic and measures taken by authorities in response to the Pandemic, such as travel bans and restrictions, shelter-in-place/stay-at-home orders, and business and school shutdowns, have disrupted and are expected to continue disrupting the economy and our business. These disruptions heighten the potential adverse effects on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows that are described in certain of the risk factors described below. The evolving scale and scope of the Pandemic will affect the degree of these adverse effects, including, but not limited to, the likelihood of and impacts from:
•overall economic conditions, which have been and will likely continue to be adversely impacted by the Pandemic and related shutdowns;
•our ability to maintain sufficient key personnel due to employee illness, quarantine requirements, worker absences, social-distancing requirements, and travel or other restrictions;
•reduced availability and productivity of labor;
•continued or expanded closures of our clients’ facilities;
•our clients’ demand and ability to pay for our services, or attempts by our clients to defer payments owed to us;
•our ability to obtain new clients, expand, or otherwise execute strategic plans;
•our ability to comply with new legal or regulatory requirements enacted in connection with the Pandemic;
•legal actions or proceedings related to the Pandemic; and
•the ability of third parties on which we rely, including our suppliers, to timely meet their obligations to us, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so.
The extent of the impact of the Pandemic depends on future developments and remains highly uncertain due to the unknown duration and severity of the Pandemic. Given these uncertainties, we cannot estimate the full impacts the Pandemic will have on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, but the adverse impacts could be material.
Risks Relating to Our Strategy and Operations
Our success depends on our ability to gain profitable business despite competitive market pressures.
Each aspect of our business is highly competitive and such competition is based primarily on price, quality of service, and ability to anticipate and respond to industry changes. A majority of our revenue is derived from services that require competitive bids. The low cost of entry in the facility services business results in a very competitive market. We compete mainly with regional and local owner-operated companies that may have more acute vision into local markets and significantly lower labor and overhead costs, providing them with a competitive advantage in those regards. We also compete indirectly with companies that can perform for themselves one or more of the services we provide. Further, if we are unable to respond adequately to changing technology, we may
lose existing clients and fail to win future business opportunities. A failure to respond effectively to competitive pressures or failure in our ability to increase prices as costs rise could reduce margins and materially adversely affect our financial performance.
Our business success depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and senior management and to manage labor costs.
Our future performance depends on the continuing services and contributions of our senior management and on our continued ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Any unplanned turnover in senior management or inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have a negative effect on our results of operations. We employ approximately 114,000 persons, and our operations depend on the services of a large and diverse workforce. We must attract, train, and retain a large and growing number of qualified employees while controlling related labor costs. Our ability to control labor and benefit costs is subject to numerous internal and external factors, including changes in the unemployment rate, changes in immigration policy, regulatory changes, prevailing wage rates, and competition we face from other companies for qualified employees. Further, many of our contracts provide that our clients pay certain costs at specified rates, such as insurance, healthcare costs, salary and salary-related expenses, and other costs. If actual costs exceed the rates specified in the contracts, our profitability may be negatively impacted. There is no assurance that in the future we will be able to attract or retain qualified employees or effectively manage labor and benefit costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our ability to preserve long-term client relationships is essential to our continued success.
We primarily provide services pursuant to agreements that are cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice. As we generally incur higher initial costs on new contracts until the labor management and facilities operations normalize, our business associated with long-term client relationships is generally more profitable than short-term client relationships. If we lose a significant number of long-term clients, our profitability could be negatively impacted, even if we gain equivalent revenues from new clients.
We depend to a large extent on our relationships with clients and our reputation for quality integrated facility solutions. Maintaining our existing client relationships is an important factor contributing to our business success. Among other things, adverse publicity stemming from an accident or other incident involving our facility operations or employees related to injury, illness, death, or alleged criminal activity could harm our reputation, result in the cancellation of contracts or inability to retain clients, and expose us to significant liability.
Changes to our businesses, operating structure, financial reporting structure, or personnel relating to the implementation of strategic transformations, enhanced business processes, and technology initiatives may not have the desired effects on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may periodically engage in various initiatives intended to drive long-term profitable growth and increase operational efficiency. Planned changes to our business systems and processes may not create the growth, operational efficiencies or cost benefits that we expect and could result in unanticipated consequences, including substantial disruption to our back-office operations and service delivery.
We may not be able to fully execute on such initiatives to the extent expected within the anticipated timeframe as a result of numerous factors, such as client resistance, inability to deliver requested end-to-end services, and difficulty penetrating certain markets. Moreover, these initiatives may not provide us with anticipated competitive advantage or revenue growth.
Acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions could fail to achieve financial or strategic objectives, disrupt our ongoing business, and adversely impact our results of operations.
In furtherance of our business strategy, we routinely evaluate opportunities and may enter into agreements for possible acquisitions, divestitures, or other strategic transactions. In the past, a significant portion of our growth has been generated by acquisitions, and we may continue to acquire businesses in the future as part of our growth strategy. However, we may encounter challenges identifying opportunities in a timely manner or on terms acceptable to us. Furthermore, there is no assurance that any such transaction will result in synergistic benefits. A potential acquisition, divestiture, or other strategic transaction may involve a number of risks including, but not limited to:
•the transaction may not effectively advance our business strategy, and its anticipated benefits may never materialize;
•our ongoing operations may be disrupted, and management time and focus may be diverted;
•clients or key employees of an acquired business may not remain, which could negatively impact our ability to grow that acquired business;
•integration of an acquired business’s accounting, information technology, HR, and other administrative systems may fail to permit effective management and expense reduction;
•unforeseen challenges may arise in implementing internal controls, procedures, and policies;
•additional indebtedness incurred as a result of an acquisition may impact our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows; and
•unanticipated or unknown liabilities may arise related to an acquired business.
Our international business involves risks different from those we face in the United States that could have an effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have business operations in jurisdictions outside of the United States, most significantly in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). Our international operations are subject to risks that are different from those we face in the United States and subject us to complex and frequently changing laws and regulations, including differing labor laws and regulations relating to the protection of certain information that we collect and maintain about our employees, clients, and other third parties. Among these laws is the U.K. Modern Slavery Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which took effect in May 2018. The failure to comply with these laws or regulations could subject us to significant litigation, monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions, or fines in one or more jurisdictions. More generally, the economic, political, monetary, and operational impacts of Brexit, including unanticipated impacts to the U.K. real estate market and general economic conditions in the United Kingdom, could negatively impact our U.K. business, including reducing our margins.
In addition, when we participate in joint ventures that operate outside of the United States where we are not a controlling party, we may have limited control over the joint venture. Any improper actions by our joint venture employees, partners, or agents, including but not limited to failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and/or laws relating to human trafficking, could result in civil or criminal investigations, monetary and non-monetary penalties, or other consequences, any of which could have an adverse effect on our financial position as well as on our reputation and ability to conduct business.
Additionally, the operating results of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars, and those translations are affected by movements in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance that the foregoing factors will not have a material adverse effect on our international operations or on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Our use of subcontractors or joint venture partners to perform work under customer contracts exposes us to liability and financial risk.
We depend on subcontractors or other parties, such as joint venture partners, to perform work in situations in which we are not able to self-perform the work involved. Such arrangements may involve subcontracts or joint venture relationships where we do not have direct control over the performing party. We may be exposed to liability whenever one or more of our subcontractors or joint venture partners, for whatever reason, fails to perform or allegedly negligently performs the agreed-upon services. Although we have in place controls and programs to monitor the work of our subcontractors and our joint venture partners, there can be no assurance that these controls or programs will have the desired effect, and we may incur significant liability as a result of the actions or inactions of one or more of our subcontractors or joint venture partners.
Risks Relating to Insurance and Safety Matters
We manage our insurable risks through a combination of third-party purchased policies and self-insurance, and we retain a substantial portion of the risk associated with expected losses under these programs, which exposes us to volatility associated with those risks, including the possibility that changes in estimates to our ultimate insurance loss reserves could result in material charges against our earnings.
We use a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. We are responsible for claims both within and in excess of our retained limits under our insurance policies, and while we endeavor to purchase insurance coverage that is appropriate to our assessment of risk, we are unable to predict with certainty the frequency, nature, or magnitude of claims for direct or consequential damages. If our insurance coverage proves to be inadequate or unavailable, our business may be negatively impacted.
The determination of required insurance reserves is dependent upon actuarial judgments. We use the results of actuarial studies to estimate insurance rates and insurance reserves for future periods and to adjust reserves, if appropriate, for prior years. Actual experience related to our insurance reserves can cause us to change our estimates for reserves and any such changes may materially impact results, causing significant volatility in our operating results.
Should we be unable to renew our excess, umbrella, or other commercial insurance policies, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, as would the incurrence of catastrophic uninsured claims or the inability or refusal of our insurance carriers to pay otherwise insured claims. Further, to the extent that we self-insure our losses, deterioration in our loss control and/or our continuing claim management efforts could increase the overall cost of claims within our retained limits. A material change in our insurance costs due to changes in the frequency of claims, the severity of the claims, the costs of excess/umbrella premiums, or regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In 2015, we formed a wholly-owned captive insurance company, IFM Assurance Company (“IFM”), which we believe has provided us with increased flexibility in the end-to-end management of our insurance program. There can be no assurance that IFM will continue to bring about the intended benefits or the desired flexibility in the management of our insurance programs, because we may experience unanticipated events that could reduce or eliminate expected benefits.
Our risk management and safety programs may not have the intended effect of reducing our liability for personal injury or property loss.
We attempt to mitigate risks relating to personal injury or property loss through the implementation of company-wide safety and loss control efforts designed to decrease the incidence of accidents or events that might increase our liability. It is expected that any such decrease could also have the effect of reducing our insurance costs for our casualty programs. However, incidents involving personal injury or property loss may be caused by multiple potential factors, a significant number of which are beyond our control. Therefore, there can be no assurance that our risk management and safety programs will have the desired effect of controlling costs and liability exposure.
Risks Relating to Information Technology and Cybersecurity
We may experience breaches of, or disruptions to, our information technology systems or those of our third-party providers or clients, or other compromises of our data that could adversely affect our business.
Our information technology systems and those of our third-party providers or clients could be the target of cyber attacks, ransomware attacks, hacking, unauthorized access, phishing, computer viruses, malware, or other intrusions, which could result in operational disruptions or information misappropriation, such as theft of intellectual property or inappropriate disclosure of confidential, proprietary, or personal information. We maintain confidential, proprietary, and personal information in our information technology systems and in systems of third-party providers relating to our current, former, and prospective employees, clients, and other third parties. We have experienced certain data and security breaches in the past and could experience future data or security breaches stemming from the intentional or negligent acts of our employees or other third parties. Furthermore, while we continue to devote significant resources to monitoring and updating our systems and implementing information security measures to protect our systems, there can be no assurance that the controls and procedures we have in place will be sufficient to protect us from future security breaches. As cyber threats are continually evolving, our controls and procedures
may become inadequate and we may be required to devote additional resources to modifying or enhancing our systems in the future. We may also be required to expend resources to remediate cyber-related incidents or to enhance and strengthen our cyber security.
Any such disruptions to our information technology systems, breaches or compromises of data, and/or misappropriation of information could result in lost sales, negative publicity, litigation, violations of privacy and other laws, or business delays that could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, we believe that along with the GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, further increased regulation is likely in the area of data privacy. Compliance with this rapidly expanding area of law will require significant management and financial resources, and we could be subjected to additional legal risk or financial losses if we are not in compliance. This expanding area of law may also lead to potentially significant additional claims, including class action claims, being alleged against us.
Risks Relating to Labor, Legal Proceedings, Tax, and Regulatory Matters
Unfavorable developments in our class and representative actions and other lawsuits alleging various claims could cause us to incur substantial liabilities.
Our business involves employing tens of thousands of employees, many of whom work at our clients’ facilities. We incur risks relating to our employment of these workers, including but not limited to: claims by our employees of discrimination, harassment, violations of wage and hour requirements, or violations of other federal, state, or local laws; claims of misconduct or negligence on the part of our employees; and claims related to the employment of unlicensed personnel. We also incur risks and claims related to the imposition on our employees of policies or practices of our clients that may be different from our own. Some or all of these claims may lead to litigation, including class action litigation, and these matters may cause us to incur negative publicity with respect to alleged claims. Additionally, there are risks to all employers in some states, such as California, resulting from new and unanticipated judicial interpretations of existing laws and the application of those new interpretations against employers on a retroactive basis. It is not possible to predict the outcome of these lawsuits or any other proceeding, and our insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against us. These lawsuits and other proceedings may consume substantial amounts of our financial and managerial resources. An unfavorable outcome with respect to current lawsuits, including the Bucio case described in Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements (included in Part II., Item 8 of this Form 10-K), and any future lawsuits may, individually or in the aggregate, cause us to incur substantial liabilities that could have a material adverse effect upon our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
A significant number of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements that could expose us to potential liabilities in relation to our participation in multiemployer pension plans, requirements to make contributions to other benefit plans, and the potential for strikes, work slowdowns or similar activities, and union organizing drives.
We participate in various multiemployer pension plans that provide defined pension benefits to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Because of the nature of multiemployer pension plans, there are risks to us associated with participation in these plans that differ from single-employer plans. Assets contributed by an employer to a multiemployer pension plan are not segregated into a separate account and are not restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that contributing employer. In the event another participating employer in a multiemployer pension plan no longer contributes to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, including us. In the event of the termination of a multiemployer pension plan or a complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan, under applicable law we could incur material withdrawal liabilities. We further discuss our participation in multiemployer pension and postretirement plans in Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements. In addition, the terms of collective bargaining agreements require us to contribute to various fringe benefit plans, including health and welfare, pension, and training plans, all of which require us to have appropriate systems in place to assure timely and accurate payment of contributions. The failure to make timely and accurate contributions as a result of a systems failure could have a negative impact on our financial position.
At October 31, 2020, approximately 32% of our employees were subject to various local collective bargaining agreements, some of which will expire or become subject to renegotiation during 2021. In addition, at any given time we may face union organizing activity. When one or more of our major collective bargaining agreements becomes subject to renegotiation or when we face union organizing drives, any disagreement between us and the union on important issues may lead to a strike, work slowdown, or other job actions at one or more of our
locations. In a market where we are unionized but competitors are not unionized, we could lose clients to such competitors. A strike, work slowdown, or other job action could disrupt our services, resulting in reduced revenues or contract cancellations. Moreover, negotiating a first time collective bargaining agreement or renegotiating an existing agreement could result in a substantial increase in labor and benefits expenses that we may be unable to pass through to clients.
Our business may be materially affected by changes to fiscal and tax policies. Negative or unexpected tax consequences could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection and remittance obligations in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, primarily the United Kingdom. We compute our income tax provision based on enacted tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate. As tax rates vary among taxing jurisdictions, a change in earnings attributable to the various jurisdictions in which we operate could result in an unfavorable change in our overall tax provision. Additionally, at any point in time, we may be under examination for income-based, sales-based, payroll, or other non-income taxes. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these audits to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. We may recognize additional tax expense, be subject to additional tax liabilities, or incur losses and penalties due to adverse outcomes in tax audits or changes in laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, assessments by authorities, and interpretations related to tax laws, including tax rules in various jurisdictions, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Market and Economic Conditions
Changes in general economic conditions, such as changes in energy prices, government regulations, or consumer preferences, could reduce the demand for facility services and, as a result, reduce our earnings and adversely affect our financial condition.
In certain geographic areas and service lines, our most profitable revenues are related to supplemental services requested by clients outside of the standard service specification (“work orders”). This contract type is commonly used in janitorial services and includes cleanup after tenant moves, construction cleanup, flood cleanup, and snow removal. A continuing decline in occupancy rates could result in a decline in scope of work, including work orders, and depressed prices for our services. Slow domestic and international economic growth or other negative changes in global, national, and local economic conditions could have a negative impact on our business. Specifically, adverse economic conditions may result in clients cutting back on discretionary spending. Additionally, since a significant portion of our aviation services and parking revenues are tied to the volume of airline passengers, hotel guests, and sports arena attendees, results for these businesses could be adversely affected by continued curtailment of business, personal travel, or discretionary spending. The use of ride sharing services and car sharing services may also lead to a decline in parking demand at airports and in urban areas.
Energy efficiency projects are designed to reduce a client’s overall consumption of commodities, such as electricity and natural gas. As such, downward fluctuations in commodity prices may reduce client demand for those projects. We also depend, in part, on federal and state legislation and policies that support energy efficiency projects. If current legislation or policies are amended, eliminated, or not extended beyond their current expiration dates, or if funding for energy incentives is reduced or delayed, it could also adversely affect our ability to obtain new business. In some instances, we offer certain of these clients guaranteed energy savings on installed equipment. In the event those guaranteed savings are not achieved, we may be required to pay liquidated or other damages. All of these factors could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Risks Relating to Financial Matters
Future increases in the level of our borrowings or in interest rates could affect our results of operations.
Although we have paid down portions of our indebtedness under our syndicated secured credit facility, our future ability to make payments on our debt, fund our other liquidity needs, and make planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash. Our ability to generate cash, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot guarantee that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from our operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make payments on our debt, fund other liquidity needs, make planned capital expenditures, or continue our dividend.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences for shareholders. For example, being highly leveraged could: require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, share repurchases, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes; limit our availability to obtain additional financing in the future to enable us to react to changes in our business; and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less debt.
Additionally, any future increase in the level of our indebtedness will likely increase our interest expense, which could negatively impact our profitability. Current interest rates on borrowings under our credit facility are variable and include the use of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. In addition, other regulators have suggested reforming or replacing other benchmark rates. The discontinuation, reform, or replacement of LIBOR or any other benchmark rates may result in fluctuating interest rates that may have a negative impact on our interest expense and our profitability.
Further, our credit facility contains both financial covenants and other covenants that limit our ability to engage in specific transactions. Any failure to comply with covenants in the credit facility could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, would have a material adverse effect on us.
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, or more often if impairment indicators exist. We also review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If the fair value of one of our reporting units is less than its carrying value, or if as a result of a recoverability test we conclude that the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we would record an impairment charge related to goodwill or long-lived assets, respectively. (For example, during the second quarter of 2020, given the general deterioration in economic and market conditions arising from the Pandemic, we identified a triggering event that resulted in the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.) The assumptions used to determine impairment require significant judgment, and the amount of the impairment could have a material adverse effect on our reported financial results for the period in which the charge is taken.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be negatively impacted, which could harm our operating results and investor perceptions of our Company and as a result may have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules, our management is required to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing, and, in some instances, remediation. We have acquired entities that had no publicly traded debt or equity and therefore were not previously required to conform to the rules and regulations of the SEC, especially related to their internal control structure. When we acquire such entities, they may not have in place all the necessary controls as required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Integrating acquired entities into our internal control over financial reporting has required and will continue to require significant time and resources from our management and other personnel, which increases our compliance costs. We are required to include our assessment of the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting of entities we acquire in our overall assessment, so we must plan to complete the evaluation and integration of internal controls over financial reporting and report our assessment within the required time frame.
In addition, with the increasing frequency of cyber-related frauds perpetrated to obtain inappropriate payments, we need to ensure our internal controls related to authorizing the transfer of funds and changing our vendor master files are adequate. Furthermore, the introduction of new, and changes to existing, enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) and financial reporting information systems create implementation and change management risks that require effective internal controls to mitigate. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on our ability to accurately report our financial results, the market’s perception of our business, and our stock price.
General Risk Factors
Our business may be negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions.
Weather conditions such as snow storms, heavy flooding, hurricanes, and fluctuations in temperatures can negatively impact portions of our business. Within our Technical Solutions segment, cooler than normal temperatures in the summer could reduce the need for servicing of air conditioning units, resulting in reduced revenues and profitability. Within Parking and Aviation services, snow can lead to reduced travel activity, as well as increases in certain costs, both of which negatively affect gross profit. On the other hand, the absence of snow during the winter could cause us to experience reduced revenues in our B&I segment, as many of our contracts specify additional payments for snow-related services.
Catastrophic events, disasters, and terrorist attacks could disrupt our services.
We may encounter disruptions involving power, communications, transportation or other utilities, or essential services depended upon by us or by third parties with whom we conduct business. This could include disruptions due to disasters, pandemics, weather-related or similar events (such as fires, hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, and floods), political instability, labor strikes, or war (including acts of terrorism or hostilities) that could impact our markets. If a disruption occurs in one location and persons in that location are unable to communicate with or travel to or work from other locations, our ability to service and interact with our clients and others may suffer, and we may not be able to successfully implement contingency plans that depend on communications or travel. These events may increase the volatility of financial results due to unforeseen costs with partial or no corresponding compensation from clients. There also can be no assurance that the disaster recovery and crisis management procedures we employ will suffice in any particular situation to avoid a significant loss. In addition, to the extent centralized administrative locations are disabled for a long period of time, key business processes, such as accounts payable, information technology, payroll, and general management operations, could be interrupted.
Actions of activist investors could disrupt our business.
Public companies have been the target of activist investors. In the event that a third party, such as an activist investor, proposes to change our governance policies, board of directors, or other aspects of our operations, our review and consideration of such proposals may create a significant distraction for our management and employees. This could negatively impact our ability to execute various strategic initiatives and may require management to expend significant time and resources responding to such proposals. Such proposals may also create uncertainties with respect to our financial position and operations and may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key employees.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our principal executive office is located at One Liberty Plaza, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10006. As part of our 2020 Vision, in 2016 we began consolidating our operations to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Principal Properties as of October 31, 2020
(1) Approximately 10,000 square feet are sublet.
In addition to the above properties, we have other offices, warehouses, and parking facilities in various locations, primarily in the United States. See Note 4, “Leases,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding leases. We believe that these properties are well maintained, in good operating condition, and suitable for the purposes for which they are used.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Certain Legal Proceedings
Information with respect to certain legal proceedings is set forth in Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to consolidated financial statements (included in Part II., Item 8 of this Form 10-K) and 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, Dividends, and Stockholders
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ABM). We have paid cash dividends every quarter since 1965. Future dividends will be determined based on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.
At December 15, 2020, there were 3,133 registered holders of our common stock.
Common Stock Repurchases
Effective December 18, 2019, our Board of Directors replaced our then-existing share repurchase program with a new share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock (the “2019 Share Repurchase Program”). These purchases may take place on the open market or otherwise, and all or part of the repurchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing of repurchases is at our discretion and will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, future cash flows, share price, share availability, and other factors at our discretion. Repurchased shares are retired and returned to an authorized but unissued status. We repurchased shares under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program during the second quarter of 2020, as summarized below. However, due to the market and business conditions arising from the Pandemic, in March 2020 we suspended further repurchases of our common stock. At October 31, 2020, authorization for $144.9 million of repurchases remained under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program.
Repurchase Activity
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total return for our common stock against the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”). As our competitors are principally privately held, we do not believe it is feasible to construct a peer group comparison on an industry or line-of-business basis.
This performance graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The comparisons in the performance graph are based on historical data and are not indicative of, or intended to forecast, the possible future performance of our common stock.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following MD&A is intended to facilitate an understanding of the results of operations and financial condition of ABM. This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Financial Statements. This MD&A contains both historical and forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. We make forward-looking statements related to future expectations, estimates, and projections that are uncertain and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “predict,” “should,” “target,” or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part 1. of this Form 10-K under Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” which are incorporated herein by reference. Our future results and financial condition may be materially different from those we currently anticipate.
Throughout the MD&A, amounts and percentages may not recalculate due to rounding. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in the MD&A and references to years are based on our fiscal year, which ends on October 31.
Effective November 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments, using a modified retrospective approach; prior period Financial Statements were not adjusted. Refer to Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies,” and Note 4, “Leases,” in the Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact of adoption.
Business Overview
ABM is a leading provider of integrated facility solutions, customized by industry, with a mission to make a difference, every person, every day. Our principal operations are in the United States, and in 2020 our U.S. operations generated approximately 94% of our revenues.
Strategic Growth
We remain focused on long-term, profitable growth related to both new and existing clients within our industry groups and across our many service lines. Our revenue growth strategy is predicated on pursuing new sales and targeting a favorable retention rate among existing contracts. Cross-selling and up-selling projects and services is also an integral part of our strategy. We believe operational leverage from our strategic growth initiatives, coupled with our continued focus on efficiency, will increase profitability.
Systems and Technology Transformation
We have initiated many technology-based modernization efforts that we believe will enable us to operate more efficiently and provide us with greater data and insights to enhance our business management capabilities. We believe these new tools and systems will equip us for long-term success and position us for an even stronger and more prosperous future.
Human Resources and Labor Management
During 2019 we launched our new cloud-based human capital management system. This investment will create an HR structure that centralizes and standardizes hiring and training practices to help us make more informed decisions and ultimately manage certain costs. We have also introduced new tools to help our operators manage labor more efficiently, and we continue to invest in attracting, developing, and retaining talent.
Enterprise Resource Planning
During 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 we also made progress with the multi-phased deployment of our new ERP system, and in the future we anticipate having a unified system where we can integrate our legacy ABM and our legacy GCA finance environments for the first time. This newly combined system will streamline the operational and financial execution of our business and lead to more effective decision making in the future. Due to the Pandemic-related disruptions, the implementation of the new ERP system was temporarily suspended in the second and third quarters of 2020. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we re-engaged the implementation.
Developments and Trends
COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide health Pandemic. To date, COVID-19 has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns and shutdowns, as well as global travel restrictions. We, along with many of our clients, have been impacted by recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state, and local authorities to practice social distancing, to refrain from gathering in groups, and, in some areas, to refrain from non-essential movements outside of homes. The Pandemic has also created unanticipated circumstances and uncertainty, disruption, and significant volatility in the broader economy. Refer to “Consolidated Results of Operations” and “Results of Operations by Segment” for additional information related to the impact of the Pandemic on our financial results.
Given the unprecedented and uncertain nature and potential duration of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the full extent of the impact the Pandemic will have on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The ultimate extent of the effects of the Pandemic on our company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments, and such effects could exist for an extended period of time even after the Pandemic subsides.
Our priority has been and continues to be the health, safety, and support of our employees, our clients, and the communities that we serve. We have also taken actions to strengthen our liquidity, cash flows, and financial position to help mitigate potential future impacts on our operations and financial performance. These priorities and measures include, but are not limited to, the following:
Health and Safety of our Employees and Clients
As the Pandemic has developed, we have taken steps to support our employees and clients based on recommendations from various global experts, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the U.K. National Health Service. To help protect our employees and our clients, face masks and other personal protective equipment (“PPE”) are being used by our employees. We have also encouraged our employees to practice social distancing and wash hands frequently. Additionally, we transitioned many office-based employees to a remote work environment, suspended non-essential travel, and adopted technologies to allow employees to effectively perform their functions remotely.
Client Focus
Over the past few years, we have focused on consolidating purchasing activities to leverage our scale and identify preferred suppliers. While we have seen a reduction in the availability of supplies and an increase in costs, our procurement efforts have helped create a positive supply chain for our company and clients during the Pandemic, particularly as city and state mandates on PPE for employees have arisen. We will continue to monitor our supply chain for potential impacts as future developments unfold.
The Pandemic continues to create a dynamic client environment, and we are working diligently to ensure our clients’ changing staffing and service needs are met. We are also developing new cleaning initiatives in accordance with various protocols issued by global experts, including deep cleaning services, special project cleaning services, and other work orders.
In April 2020, we announced our EnhancedCleanTM Program (“EnhancedClean”), an innovative solution that helps provide clients with healthy spaces. We designed EnhancedClean under the guidance of experts on infectious diseases and industrial hygiene to help provide our clients with processes that use hospital-grade disinfectants, specialized equipment, and innovative solutions and technology. These solutions include: hygiene and safety protocols, utilization of disinfecting procedures and products for high-touch surfaces, employment of PPE, and communication and training protocols.
Expense Management
As we adapted to the changing demand environment resulting from the Pandemic, during 2020 we implemented numerous cost cutting actions, such as:
•Various human capital management actions, including: temporary pay reductions for executives, certain employees, and our Board of Directors, with full pay reinstated as of August 1, 2020;
temporary furloughs or reduced working hours for certain staff and management employees, most of whom returned to work effective August 1, 2020; and the temporary suspension of certain benefits, including our 401(k) match, which will be reinstated effective January 1, 2021;
•Actively managing direct labor and related personnel costs, including furloughs or reduced hours for certain service employees in markets significantly impacted by business slowdowns and shutdowns;
•Reducing our planned capital expenditures and operating expenditures for 2020, including the postponement of various technology initiatives (such as implementing our ERP system) that were deemed non-critical to our operations, some of which we re-engaged during the fourth quarter; and limiting travel and entertainment expenses; and
•Reducing our sales expenses and discretionary spending projects across the Company.
Liquidity, Cash Flows, and Financial Position
As of October 31, 2020, we had $394.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, and we had net cash provided by operating activities of $457.5 million during the year ended October 31, 2020. We have taken and continue to take actions to help preserve cash, increase liquidity, and strengthen our financial position, including:
•Borrowing approximately $300 million under our line of credit in March 2020, which represented all remaining amounts then available under our Credit Facility, as a precautionary measure to provide increased liquidity and preserve financial flexibility due to uncertainty resulting from the Pandemic (refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information). During the quarter ended July 31, 2020, we repaid substantially all of these amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit without penalty. We have not borrowed additionally in the fourth quarter of 2020;
•Amending our Credit Facility on May 28, 2020, to further enhance our financial flexibility as a precautionary measure in response to uncertainty arising from the Pandemic (refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information);
•Focusing on collection of client receivables and monitoring the adequacy of our reserves;
•Extending vendor payment terms where possible;
•Utilizing certain governmental relief efforts (as further described below); and
•Suspending share repurchases under our share repurchase program.
As a result of the actions taken above, we were able to strengthen our cash flow in fiscal 2020, allowing us to pay down our line of credit borrowings. As of October 31, 2020, this resulted in a borrowing capacity of $596.6 million, reflecting covenant restrictions. In addition, we had $394.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, as noted above.
In response to the Pandemic, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides various stimulus measures, including several income tax and payroll tax provisions. Among the payroll tax provisions is the creation of a refundable credit for employee retention and the deferral of certain payroll tax remittances through December 31, 2020, to future years (with 50% of the deferred amount due by December 31, 2021, and the remaining 50% due by December 31, 2022). We evaluated the impact of business tax provisions in the CARES Act. The impact of the income tax provisions was not material. The impact of the payroll tax provisions was the deferral of approximately $101 million of payroll tax as of October 31, 2020. Additionally, we received grants under the United Kingdom’s job retention scheme to reimburse us for a portion of certain furloughed employees’ salaries.
The Pandemic is an unprecedented situation and is continuously evolving. Since we cannot predict the duration or scope of the Pandemic, we cannot fully anticipate or reasonably estimate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business in 2021 or in the future. Even after the Pandemic has moderated and the business and social distancing restrictions have eased, we may continue to experience adverse effects on our business, consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows resulting from a recessionary economic environment that may persist.
The Pandemic has had a profoundly negative impact on the public health and safety of the global and American public. As a result, the global and U.S. economies continue to experience significant uncertainty. Gross domestic product has demonstrated considerable volatility since the onset of the Pandemic, contracting to a historic and sudden low during 2020. The unemployment rate has more than doubled, as well, given the struggling macroeconomic environment. These factors have led to lower demand for some of our services in certain end-markets. To date, the Pandemic has impacted and is expected to continue impacting global communities and commerce for the foreseeable future.
Restructuring and Related Costs
We may periodically engage in various restructuring activities intended to drive long-term profitable growth and increase operational efficiency, which can include streamlining and realigning our overall organizational structure and reallocating resources. These activities may result in restructuring costs related to employee severance, other project fees, external support fees, lease exit costs, and asset impairment charges.
GCA Restructuring and Other Initiatives
Following the acquisition of GCA, during the first quarter of 2018, we initiated a restructuring program to achieve cost synergies and subsequently incurred expenses primarily related to employee severance, the migration and upgrade of several key technology platforms, and the consolidation of certain real estate leases. Additionally, during 2019, we reorganized our former Healthcare business and incurred immaterial severance expense. In early 2020, we continued our technology-based modernization efforts, including standardizing our financial systems. However, due to the Pandemic, the majority of these projects have been temporarily suspended since the second quarter of 2020.
Insurance Reserves
We use a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. Insurance claim liabilities represent our estimate of retained risks without regard to insurance coverage. We retain a substantial portion of the risk related to certain workers’ compensation and medical claims. Liabilities associated with these losses include estimates of both filed claims and incurred but not reported claims (“IBNR Claims”).
With the assistance of third-party actuaries, we periodically review our estimate of ultimate losses for IBNR Claims and adjust our required self-insurance reserves as appropriate. As part of this evaluation, we review the status of existing and new claim reserves as established by third-party claims administrators. The third-party claims administrators establish the case reserves based upon known factors related to the type and severity of the claims, demographic factors, legislative matters, and case law, as appropriate. We compare actual trends to expected trends and monitor claims developments. The specific case reserves estimated by the third-party administrators are provided to an actuary who assists us in projecting an actuarial estimate of the overall ultimate losses for our self-insured or high deductible programs, which includes the case reserves plus an actuarial estimate of reserves required for additional developments, such as IBNR Claims. We utilize the results of actuarial studies to estimate our insurance rates and insurance reserves for future periods and to adjust reserves, if appropriate, for prior years.
The actuarial reviews demonstrate that the changes we have made to our risk management program continue to positively impact the frequency and severity of claims. The claims management strategies and programs that we have implemented have resulted in improvements. Furthermore, we continue to adjust our reserves consistent with known fact patterns. Based on the results of the actuarial reviews performed, we decreased our total reserves for known claims as well as our estimate of the loss amounts associated with IBNR Claims by $36.6 million, $30.2 million of which relates to prior years, during 2020. In 2019, we decreased our total reserves related to prior year claims by $3.4 million.
Key Financial Highlights
•Revenues decreased by $511.0 million, or 7.9%, during 2020, as compared to 2019, primarily due to the impact of Pandemic-related disruptions across our businesses. Revenues were also impacted by the loss of certain accounts, primarily in our Aviation business and our U.S. B&I business. However, this decrease was partially offset by the expansion of certain accounts and new business within B&I, T&M, and Technical Solutions (primarily before Pandemic-related disruptions), as well as by a significant increase in work orders and new services, including EnhancedClean, primarily relating to the Pandemic.
•Operating profit decreased by $112.6 million, or 54.0%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease in operating profit is primarily attributable to impairment charges recorded on goodwill and intangible assets totaling $172.8 million due to the adverse impact of market and business conditions resulting from the Pandemic. The decrease was also driven by account compression resulting from: Pandemic-related disruptions in certain markets; a reserve on notes receivable related to a unique, entertainment-related project within Technical Solutions, mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic; an increase in bad debt expense primarily due to specific reserves established for client receivables associated with increasing credit risk in certain industries (including for clients with deteriorating credit ratings and resulting bankruptcies) arising from the Pandemic; and investments in EnhancedClean, other Pandemic-related projects, and certain corporate initiatives. These factors were partially offset by: the management of direct labor and related personnel costs during the Pandemic; higher margins on work orders and new services, including EnhancedClean, relating to the Pandemic (particularly within B&I and T&M); the loss of certain lower margin accounts within B&I and Aviation; a decrease in self-insurance reserves related to adjustments for prior years; and various human capital management cost reduction measures.
•Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 99.6% for 2020, as compared to 20.4% during 2019, with the increase primarily due to the impairment of non-deductible goodwill during 2020.
•Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $457.4 million during 2020.
•Dividends of $49.3 million were paid to shareholders, and dividends totaling $0.740 per common share were declared during 2020.
•At October 31, 2020, total outstanding borrowings under our credit facility were $725.3 million, and we had up to $596.6 million of borrowing capacity, reflecting covenant restrictions.
Results of Operations
Consolidated
*Not meaningful
The Year Ended October 31, 2020 Compared with the Year Ended October 31, 2019
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $511.0 million, or 7.9%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to the impact of Pandemic-related disruptions across our businesses. Revenues were also impacted by the loss of certain accounts, primarily in our Aviation business and our U.S. B&I business. However, this decrease was partially offset by the expansion of certain accounts and new business within B&I, T&M, and Technical Solutions (primarily before Pandemic-related disruptions), as well as a significant increase in work orders and new services, including EnhancedClean, primarily relating to the Pandemic.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $610.5 million, or 10.6%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. Gross margin increased by 262 bps to 13.9% in 2020 from 11.2% in 2019. The increase in gross margin was primarily associated with the management of direct labor and related personnel costs during the Pandemic; higher margins on work orders and new services, including EnhancedClean, relating to the Pandemic (primarily within B&I and T&M); the loss of certain lower margin accounts within B&I and Aviation; and a decrease in self-insurance reserves related to adjustments for prior years.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $53.2 million, or 11.7%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to:
•a $17.6 million reserve on notes receivable related to a unique, entertainment-related project within Technical Solutions, mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic;
•a $13.1 million increase related to investments in EnhancedClean, other Pandemic-related projects, and certain corporate initiatives;
•a $12.9 million increase in bad debt expense primarily due to specific reserves established for client receivables associated with increasing credit risk in certain industries (including for clients with deteriorating credit ratings and resulting bankruptcies) arising from the Pandemic;
•an $11.6 million increase in legal costs and settlements; and
•a $4.6 million increase in medical and dental insurance expense as a result of actuarial evaluations performed in the year ended October 31, 2020.
This increase was partially offset by:
•the absence of a $3.9 million reserve for an anticipated union pension settlement in the prior year; and
•a $3.5 million decrease in compensation and related expenses mainly due to management and staff labor reductions, including wage reductions, employee furloughs, and the suspension of certain benefits such as 401(k) matching, and also due to a decrease in travel and entertainment expenses, partially offset by additional share-based compensation expense.
Restructuring and Related Expenses
Restructuring and related expenses decreased by $3.6 million, or 32.2%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in severance, other expenses incurred in the prior year related to the GCA integration, and expenses related to our ongoing technology initiatives. The majority of these initiatives have been temporarily suspended since the second quarter of 2020 due to the Pandemic.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets decreased by $10.1 million, or 17.3%, during 2020, as compared to 2019, mainly due to the lower intangible assets balance resulting from the impairment loss recorded in the second quarter of 2020 and to certain intangible assets being amortized using the sum-of-the-years’-digits method, which results in declining amortization expense over the useful lives of the assets.
Impairment Loss
During 2020, we recorded impairment charges on goodwill related to our Education, Aviation, and U.K. Technical Solutions businesses totaling $163.8 million. Additionally, we recorded impairment charges on customer relationships related to our Aviation and U.K. Technical Solutions businesses totaling $9.0 million. During the second quarter of 2020, these businesses were adversely impacted by the market and business conditions resulting from the Pandemic. During 2019, we did not record any impairment charges.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased by $6.5 million, or 12.8%, during 2020, as compared to 2019, primarily due to lower relative interest rates and lower outstanding borrowing under our credit facility.
Income Taxes from Continuing Operations
During 2020 and 2019, we had effective tax rates of 99.6% and 20.4%, respectively, resulting in a provision for tax of $53.1 million and a provision for tax of $32.7 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended October 31, 2020, excluding a nondeductible impairment loss of $163.8 million, was 24.4%. Our effective tax rate for 2020 was also impacted by the following discrete items: a $5.7 million benefit from true-ups; a $2.3 million provision related to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (“WOTC”); a $2.1 million benefit from energy efficiency incentives; and a $1.1 million benefit from change of tax reserves. Our effective tax rate for 2019 was impacted by the following discrete items: a $1.8 million benefit from the transition tax (including foreign tax credits); a $1.7 million benefit from state true-ups; a $1.6 million benefit from federal true-ups; a $1.3 million provision related to WOTC; a $1.3 million benefit from expiring statutes of limitations; a $1.1 million benefit from the vesting of share-based compensation awards; and a $0.9 million benefit from research and development credits.
Interest Rate Swaps
The unrealized loss on interest rate swaps decreased by $14.8 million, or 66.1%, during the year ended October 31, 2020, as compared to the year ended October 31, 2019, primarily due to underlying changes in the fair value of our interest rate swaps.
Foreign Currency Translation and Other
We had a foreign currency translation loss of $1.8 million during the year ended October 31, 2020 as compared to a foreign currency translation gain of $1.6 million during the year ended October 31, 2019. This change was due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar (“USD”) and the Great Britain Pound (“GBP”). Future gains and losses on foreign currency translation will be dependent upon changes in the relative value of foreign currencies to the USD and the extent of our foreign assets and liabilities.
The Year Ended October 31, 2019 Compared with the Year Ended October 31, 2018
For a comparison of our Results of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2019 to the year ended October 31, 2018, see “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019.
Segment Information
Our current reportable segments consist of B&I, T&M, Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions.
Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment
*Not meaningful
The Year Ended October 31, 2020 Compared with the Year Ended October 31, 2019
B&I revenues decreased by $93.6 million, or 2.9%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to account compression resulting from Pandemic-related disruptions in certain markets within both our U.S. and U.K. businesses and the loss of certain accounts in our U.S. business, including the exit from certain lower margin or underperforming accounts that occurred primarily towards the end of the prior year. The decrease was partially offset by: the targeted expansion of certain key clients and new business within our U.S. business; an increase in work orders and other services, including EnhancedClean (primarily relating to the Pandemic); and net new business in our U.K. operations. Management reimbursement revenues for this segment totaled $221.4 million and $283.1 million during 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Operating profit increased by $71.4 million, or 39.2%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. Operating profit margin increased by 243 bps to 8.0% in 2020 from 5.6% in 2019. The increase in operating profit margin was primarily associated with higher margins on work orders and higher margins on certain accounts in both our U.S. and U.K. businesses, driven by the management of direct labor and related personnel costs during the Pandemic. The increase was also driven by the exit from certain lower margin or underperforming accounts in our U.S. business. The increase was partially offset by account compression resulting from Pandemic-related disruptions in certain markets and higher reserves established for client receivables mainly associated with increasing credit risk in certain industries resulting from the Pandemic.
T&M revenues increased by $39.0 million, or 4.3%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to: an increase in work orders and other services, including EnhancedClean (primarily relating to the Pandemic); new business; and the expansion of certain accounts. The increase was partially offset by the loss of certain accounts.
Operating profit increased by $11.9 million, or 16.5%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. Operating profit margin increased by 93 bps to 8.8% in 2020 from 7.9% in 2019. The increase in operating profit margin was primarily attributable to higher margins on work orders and lower amortization of intangible assets, all partially offset by higher reserves established for client receivables mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic and by the loss of certain higher margin accounts that occurred in the prior year.
Education revenues decreased by $38.6 million, or 4.6%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was attributable to compression of certain accounts, mainly resulting from Pandemic-related school closures.
Education had an operating loss of $41.1 million during 2020, as compared to an operating profit of $39.0 million during 2019. Operating margin decreased by 969 bps to (5.1)% in 2020 from 4.6% in 2019. The decrease in operating profit margin was primarily attributable to goodwill impairment charges of $99.3 million due to the adverse
impact of market and business conditions resulting from the Pandemic and to higher reserves established for client receivables mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic. The decrease was partially offset by the management of direct labor and related personnel costs during Pandemic-related school closures, lower amortization of intangible assets, and higher margins on work orders relating to the Pandemic.
Aviation revenues decreased by $336.4 million, or 33.1%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to travel restrictions and a dramatic decline in passenger demand resulting from the Pandemic. Significant volume reductions impacted cabin cleaning, parking, janitorial, passenger services, transportation, and catering accounts. In addition, we lost certain cabin cleaning and passenger services accounts primarily in the prior year. The decrease was partially offset by Pandemic-related cleaning services. Management reimbursement revenues for this segment totaled $74.3 million and $95.5 million during 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Aviation had an operating loss of $59.6 million during 2020, as compared to an operating profit of $21.1 million during 2019. Operating margin decreased to (8.7)% during 2020, from 2.1% during 2019. This decrease in operating profit margin was primarily attributable to impairment charges of $55.5 million on goodwill and $5.6 million on customer relationships due to the adverse impact of market and business conditions resulting from the Pandemic. Operating margin was also negatively impacted by Pandemic-related volume reductions and higher reserves established for client receivables mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic. Operating margin was positively impacted by the management of direct labor and related personnel costs during the Pandemic, higher margins on work orders, and the loss of lower margin cabin cleaning and passenger service accounts in the prior year.
Technical Solutions revenues decreased by $86.6 million, or 14.6%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a lower volume of projects in both our U.S. and U.K. businesses due to Pandemic-related disruptions beginning in the second quarter of 2020 as well as to the loss of certain accounts in our U.K. business that primarily occurred during the prior year. The decrease was partially offset by growth in our U.S. business related to bundled energy solutions projects and power projects prior to Pandemic-related disruptions.
Operating profit decreased by $45.9 million during 2020, as compared to 2019. Operating profit margin decreased by 747 bps to 1.9% in 2020 from 9.3% in 2019. The decrease in operating profit margin was primarily attributable to a $17.6 million reserve on notes receivable related to a unique, entertainment-related project, mainly associated with increasing credit risk resulting from the Pandemic. In addition, the decrease was due to impairment charges of $9.0 million on goodwill and $3.4 million on customer relationships related to our U.K. business due to the adverse impact of market and business conditions resulting from the Pandemic. In addition, during the current year we were negatively impacted by: revenue compression resulting from Pandemic-related disruptions; higher commissions expense due to the amortization of commissions that were capitalized in the prior year; and the loss of certain higher margin contracts in our U.K. business. The decrease was partially offset by the management of project related expenses, management and staff employee furloughs, and lower amortization of intangible assets.
Corporate expenses decreased by $12.1 million, or 7.6%, during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease in corporate expenses was primarily related to:
•a $26.8 million decrease in self-insurance reserve adjustments, related to prior years, as a result of actuarial evaluations completed in the year ended October 31, 2020;
•the absence of a $3.9 million reserve for an anticipated union pension settlement in the prior year; and
•a $3.6 million decrease in restructuring and related expenses due to a decline in severance, other expenses incurred in the prior year related to the GCA integration, and a decrease in expenses related to our ongoing technology initiatives. The majority of these initiatives have been temporarily suspended since the second quarter of 2020 due to the Pandemic.
This decrease was partially offset by:
•a $9.1 million increase in legal costs and settlements;
•an $8.5 million increase related to investments in EnhancedClean, other Pandemic-related projects, and certain corporate initiatives; and
•a $4.6 million increase in medical and dental insurance expenses as a result of actuarial evaluations performed in the current year.
The Year Ended October 31, 2019 Compared with the Year Ended October 31, 2018
For a comparison of our Segment Information for the year ended October 31, 2019, to the year ended October 31, 2018, see “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on December 20, 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are operating cash flows and borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility. We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our short- and long-term cash requirements. As such, we project our anticipated cash requirements as well as cash flows generated from operating activities to meet those needs.
In addition to normal working capital requirements, we anticipate that our short- and long-term cash requirements will include funding legal settlements, insurance claims, dividend payments, capital expenditures, share repurchases, and continued systems and technology transformation initiatives. We anticipate long-term cash uses may also include strategic acquisitions. On a long-term basis, we will continue to rely on our Credit Facility for any long-term funding not provided by operating cash flows.
We believe that the Pandemic has had, and will likely continue to have, an adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Since we cannot predict the duration or scope of the Pandemic, we cannot fully anticipate or reasonably estimate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business in fiscal 2021 or in the future. It is also possible that our accounts receivable cash collections will be adversely impacted by our clients’ Pandemic-related challenges.
We have taken and continue to take certain steps to preserve liquidity, including: temporary pay reductions with full pay reinstated as of August 1, 2020; temporary furloughs or working hour reductions for certain staff and management employees, most of whom returned to work effective August 1, 2020; and the temporary suspension of certain benefits. We have also actively managed direct labor and related personnel costs, including: imposing furloughs or reduced hours for certain service employees in markets significantly impacted by business slowdowns and shutdowns; reducing our planned capital and operating expenditures and management of other expenses; and suspending share repurchases under our share repurchase program. In addition, we continue focusing on collection of customer receivables, monitoring the adequacy of our reserves, and extending vendor payment terms where possible. We evaluated the business tax provisions of the CARES Act and have deferred remittance of approximately $101 million of payroll tax as of October 31, 2020.
In addition, we are taking certain steps to ensure adequate access to liquidity. In late March 2020, we borrowed approximately $300 million under our revolving line of credit, which represented all amounts then available under the Credit Facility, as a precautionary measure to provide increased liquidity and preserve financial flexibility due to uncertainty resulting from the Pandemic. On May 28, 2020, we amended our Credit Facility (the “Amendment”) in order to enhance our financial flexibility, as further described under “Credit Facility” below. During the quarter ended July 31, 2020, we repaid substantially all of the amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit without penalty.
We believe that our operating cash flows and borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility are sufficient to fund our cash requirements for the next twelve months. In the event that our plans change or our cash requirements are greater than we anticipate, we may need to access the capital markets to finance future cash requirements. However, there can be no assurance that such financing will be available to us should we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to existing shareholders.
Credit Facility
On September 1, 2017, we refinanced and replaced our then-existing $800.0 million credit facility with a new senior, secured five-year syndicated credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), consisting of a $900.0 million revolving line of credit and an $800.0 million amortizing term loan, both of which are scheduled to mature on September 1, 2022. In accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, the revolving line of credit was reduced to $800.0 million on September 1, 2018. In late March 2020, we borrowed approximately $300 million as a precautionary measure to provide increased liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in response to uncertainty resulting from the Pandemic. This represented all remaining amounts then available under the revolving line of credit. During the quarter ended July 31, 2020, we repaid substantially all of these amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit without penalty.
The Amendment modified the financial covenants under the Credit Facility, including: (i) replacing a maximum total leverage ratio with a maximum total net leverage ratio (allowing for up to $100 million in cash and cash equivalents to be excluded from the calculation of total indebtedness) that varies on a quarterly basis and
adjusted to 6.50 to 1.00 by the quarter ending October 31, 2020, and will adjust back to 4.00 to 1.00 by the quarter ending October 31, 2022; (ii) modifying the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio on a quarterly basis, which adjusts to 1.25 to 1.00 as of the quarter ending April 30, 2022; and (iii) adding a minimum liquidity (defined in the Amendment as domestic cash plus available revolving loans) of $250.0 million. These financial covenants were effective with the quarter ended April 30, 2020. Our borrowing capacity is subject to, and limited by, compliance with these covenants.
The Amendment changed the interest rate, interest margins, and commitment fees applicable to loans and commitments under the Credit Facility. It also added a new anti-cash hoarding mandatory prepayment that requires us to repay outstanding revolving loans or swingline loans if, at any time, we have in excess of $250 million of cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet. The Amendment made certain additional changes to the negative covenants restrictions under the Credit Facility, including, subject to certain exceptions, restrictions to our ability to make acquisitions, share repurchases, and other defined restricted payments, depending on our total net leverage ratio. The anti-cash hoarding provision and certain of these restrictions were terminated from the Credit Facility in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to our favorable cash flow position and leverage ratios. At October 31, 2020, we were in compliance with these covenants and expect to be in compliance in the foreseeable future.
During 2020, we made $60.0 million of principal payments under the term loan. At October 31, 2020, the total outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility in the form of cash borrowings and standby letters of credit were $725.3 million and $153.1 million, respectively. At October 31, 2020, we had up to $596.6 million of borrowing capacity, reflecting covenant restrictions.
In July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, the regulator of LIBOR, indicated that it will no longer require banks to submit rates to the LIBOR administrator after 2021. This announcement signaled that the calculation of LIBOR and its continued use could not be guaranteed after 2021. A change away from LIBOR after 2021 may impact our Credit Facility and interest rate swaps. Our current credit agreement as well as our International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. agreement provide for any changes away from LIBOR to a successor rate to be based on prevailing or equivalent standards. We continue to monitor developments related to the LIBOR transition and/or identification of an alternative, market-accepted rate. The impact related to any changes cannot be predicted at this time.
Reinvestment of Foreign Earnings
We plan to reinvest our foreign earnings to fund future non-U.S. growth and expansion, and we do not anticipate remitting such earnings to the United States. While U.S. federal tax expense has been recognized as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, no deferred tax liabilities with respect to federal and state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes have been recognized. We believe that our cash on hand in the United States, along with our Credit Facility and future domestic cash flows, are sufficient to satisfy our domestic liquidity requirements.
IFM Insurance Company
IFM Assurance Company (“IFM”) is a wholly-owned captive insurance company that we formed in 2015. IFM is part of our enterprise-wide, multi-year insurance strategy that is intended to better position our risk and safety programs and provide us with increased flexibility in the end-to-end management of our insurance programs. IFM began providing coverage to us as of January 1, 2015. We had accelerated cash tax savings related to coverage provided by IFM of approximately $8 million in 2020, $6 million in 2019, and $7 million in 2018.
Share Repurchases
Effective December 18, 2019, our Board of Directors replaced our then-existing share repurchase program with a new share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock. We repurchased shares under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program during the second quarter of 2020, as summarized below. However, due to the market and business conditions arising from the Pandemic, in March 2020 we suspended further repurchases of our common stock. At October 31, 2020, authorization for $144.9 million of repurchases remained under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program.
Proceeds from Federal Energy Savings Performance Contracts
As part of our Technical Solutions business, we enter into energy savings performance contracts (“ESPC”) with the federal government pursuant to which we agree to develop, design, engineer, and construct a project and guarantee that the project will satisfy agreed-upon performance standards. Proceeds from ESPC projects are generally received in advance of construction through agreements to sell the ESPC receivables to unaffiliated third parties. We use the advances from the third parties under these agreements to finance the projects, which are recorded as cash flows from financing activities. The use of the cash received under these arrangements to pay project costs is classified as operating cash flows.
Effect of Inflation
The rates of inflation experienced in recent years have not had a material impact on our Financial Statements. We attempt to recover increased costs by increasing prices for our services, to the extent permitted by contracts and competition.
Regulatory Environment
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, and/or local laws, rules, and regulations regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, as well as laws and regulations relating to, among other things, labor, wages, and health and safety matters. Historically, the cost of complying with these laws, rules, and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Cash Flows
In addition to revenues and operating profit, our management views operating cash flows as a good indicator of financial performance, because strong operating cash flows provide opportunities for growth both organically and through acquisitions. Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $457.4 million, which includes the deferral of approximately $101 million of payroll tax under the CARES Act, during 2020. Operating cash flows primarily depend on: revenue levels; the quality and timing of collections of accounts receivable; the timing of payments to suppliers and other vendors; the timing and amount of income tax payments; and the timing and amount of payments on insurance claims and legal settlements.
Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations increased by $194.6 million during 2020, as compared to 2019. The increase was primarily related to the timing of client receivable collections and deferred remittance of approximately $101 million of payroll taxes under the CARES Act, partially offset by the timing of vendor payments.
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations decreased by $36.9 million during 2019, as compared to 2018. The decrease was primarily related to the timing of client receivable collections, including a one-time settlement payment received from a client in 2018, and the absence of proceeds from the termination of interest rate swaps in 2018, partially offset by the timing of vendor payments.
Operating Activities of Discontinued Operations
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations was $0.1 million during 2020, as compared to net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations of $0.1 million during 2019, a change of $0.2 million.
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations was $0.1 million during 2019, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations of $21.2 million during 2018, a change of $21.3 million, primarily attributable to an income tax refund received on a legal settlement during 2018.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $30.8 million during 2020, as compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily related to lower additions to property, plant and equipment in 2020. Additionally, the implementation of the new ERP system was temporarily suspended during 2020 due to the Pandemic.
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $10.2 million during 2019, as compared to 2018. The increase was primarily related to higher additions to property, plant and equipment in 2019.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $90.7 million during 2020, as compared to 2019, primarily due to lower repayments of our borrowings in 2020.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $111.0 million during 2019, as compared to 2018, primarily due to lower repayments of our borrowings in 2019.
Dividends
On December 16, 2020, we announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.190 per share on our common stock, payable on February 1, 2021. We declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock every quarter during 2020, 2019, and 2018. We paid total annual dividends of $49.3 million, $47.7 million, and $46.0 million during 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Contractual Obligations
(1) Borrowings under our term loan and line of credit are presented at face value.
(2) Our estimates of future interest payments are calculated based on our hedged borrowings under our Credit Facility, using the fixed rates under our interest rate swap agreements for the applicable notional amounts. See Note 11, “Credit Facility,” in the Financial Statements for additional disclosure related to our interest rate swaps. We exclude interest payments on our remaining borrowings from this table because the cash outlay for the interest is unknown. The interest payments on the borrowings under the Credit Facility will be determined based upon the average outstanding balance of our borrowings and the prevailing interest rate during that time.
(3) Reflects our contractual obligations to make future payments under non-cancelable operating leases, finance lease agreements, and other similar commitments for various facilities, vehicles, and other equipment. See Note 4, “Leases,” for additional information on our lease arrangements.
(4) Represents leased location parking arrangements that meet the definition of service concession arrangements under Topic 853.
(5) Reflects our contractual obligations to make future payments for outsourced services and licensing costs pursuant to our information technology agreements.
(6) Reflects future expected payments relating to our defined benefit, postretirement, and deferred compensation plans. These amounts are based on expected future service and were calculated using the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligation at October 31, 2020. In addition to our company sponsored plans, we participate in certain multiemployer pension and other postretirement plans. The cost of these plans is equal to the annual required contributions determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated collective bargaining arrangements. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, contributions made to these plans were $335.8 million, $345.4 million, and $339.3 million, respectively; however, our future contributions to the multiemployer plans are dependent upon a number of factors, including the funded status of the plans, the ability of other participating companies to meet ongoing funding obligations, and the level of our ongoing participation in these plans. As the amount of future contributions that we would be contractually obligated to make pursuant to these plans cannot be reasonably estimated, such amounts have been excluded from the above table. See Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Financial Statements for more information.
At October 31, 2020, our total liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $10.1 million. The resolution or settlement of these tax positions with the taxing authorities is subject to significant uncertainty, and therefore we are unable to make a reliable estimate of the amount or timing of cash that may be required to settle these matters. In addition, certain of these matters may not require cash settlements due to the exercise of credits and net operating loss carryforwards as well as other offsets, including the indirect benefit from other taxing jurisdictions that may be available.
Excluded from the contractual obligations table are payments we may make for exposures for which we are self-insured, including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. At October 31, 2020, our self-insurance reserves, net of recoverables, were $434.8 million. In
general, these amounts are recorded on an undiscounted basis and are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as current or long-term based on the expected settlement date. As these obligations do not have scheduled maturities, we are unable to make a reliable estimate of the amount or timing of cash that may be required to settle these matters.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than unrecorded standby letters of credit and surety bonds. We use letters of credit and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to ensure the performance of contractual obligations and to collateralize self-insurance obligations in the event we are unable to meet our claim payment obligations. As we already have reserves on our books for the claims costs, these do not represent additional liabilities. The surety bonds typically remain in force for one to five years and may include optional renewal periods. As of October 31, 2020, these letters of credit and surety bonds totaled $153.1 million and $632.9 million, respectively. Neither of these arrangements has a material current effect, or is reasonably likely to have a material future effect, on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make certain estimates that affect the reported amounts. We base our estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends, independent valuations, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates for the year ended October 31, 2020. We believe the following critical accounting policies govern the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Financial Statements.
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesEffect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate our fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. These events and circumstances include, but are not limited to: higher than expected attrition for customer relationships; a current expectation that a long-lived asset will be disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life, such as when we classify a business as held for sale; a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which we use a long-lived asset; or a change in the physical condition of a long-lived asset.
Undiscounted cash flow analyses are used to determine if impairment exists; if impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value.
Goodwill is not amortized but rather tested at least annually for impairment or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which represents an operating segment or a component of an operating segment. Goodwill is tested for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all of our reporting units and instead perform a quantitative impairment test.
Our impairment evaluations require us to apply judgment in determining whether a triggering event has occurred, including the evaluation of whether it is more- likely-than-not that a long-lived asset will be disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. Incorrect estimation of useful lives may result in inaccurate depreciation and amortization charges over future periods leading to future impairment.
Our impairment loss calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.
We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of the income approach and the market approach.
The income approach incorporates the use of a discounted cash flow method in which the estimated future cash flows and terminal value are calculated for each reporting unit and then discounted to present value using an appropriate discount rate.
The valuation of our reporting units requires significant judgment in evaluation of recent indicators of market activity and estimated future cash flows, discount rates, and other factors. Our impairment analyses contain inherent uncertainties due to uncontrollable events that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future economic and operating conditions.
In making these estimates, the weighted-average cost of capital is utilized to calculate the present value of future cash flows and terminal value. Many variables go into estimating future cash flows, including estimates of our future revenue growth and operating results. When estimating our projected revenue growth and future operating results, we consider industry trends, economic data, and our competitive advantage.
The market approach estimates fair value of a reporting unit by using market comparables for reasonably similar public companies.
During the last three years, we have not made any changes in the accounting methodology used to evaluate the impairment of long-lived assets or to estimate the useful lives of our long-lived assets.
Additionally, we have not made any changes in the accounting methodology used to evaluate impairment of goodwill during the last three years.
During the second quarter of 2020, given the general deterioration in economic and market conditions arising from the Pandemic, we identified a triggering event indicating possible impairment of goodwill and intangible assets. For the three goodwill reporting units tested quantitatively, we estimated the fair value using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach. Based on the evaluation performed, we determined that goodwill was impaired for each of the three goodwill reporting units evaluated and recognized a non-cash impairment charge totaling $163.8 million ($99.3 million related to Education, $55.5 million related to Aviation, and $9.0 million related to our U.K. Technical Solutions business). We also recognized intangible asset impairment charges of $5.6 million related to Aviation and $3.4 million related to our U.K. Technical Solutions business. We performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis on August 1, 2020 using a qualitative approach since there were no indicators of impairment subsequent to our quantitative analysis performed in the second quarter of 2020 as discussed above. As a result of the qualitative analysis, we concluded that there were no further impairments.
During the third quarter of 2019, in connection with the reorganization of our Healthcare business, a goodwill impairment analysis was performed on the underlying reporting unit immediately before the reorganization, and we concluded that the estimated fair value of the underlying reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value immediately before the reorganization and that no further evaluation of impairment was necessary. Additionally, we performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis on August 1, 2019, and concluded that the implied fair value of each of our reporting units was substantially in excess of its carrying value and that no further evaluation of impairment was necessary. A 10% decrease in the estimated fair value of any of our reporting units would not have resulted in a different conclusion.
During 2018 we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment analysis for each of our reporting units on November 1, 2017, when we reorganized our reportable segments and reporting units following the integration of GCA into our industry group model. We concluded that goodwill related to those reporting units was not impaired and further quantitative testing was not required.
In connection with our annual goodwill impairment analysis performed on August 1, 2018, we recorded an impairment charge of $20.3 million on goodwill and $6.2 million on customer relationships for one of our reporting units within the Technical Solutions segment. This reporting unit’s performance declined during 2018 primarily due to the adverse impact of Brexit and the resulting impact on microeconomic conditions in the U.K. retail sector, as well as the anticipated loss of a significant customer contract. In performing our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we determined there was a revised future outlook for this business, including reduced expectations of future sales, operating margins, and cash flows. In analyzing our other goodwill reporting units, we concluded that goodwill related to these other reporting units was not impaired.
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesEffect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
Insurance Reserves
We use a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks.
Insurance claim liabilities represent our estimate of retained risks without regard to insurance coverage. We retain a substantial portion of the risk related to certain workers’ compensation and medical claims. Liabilities associated with these losses include estimates of both claims filed and IBNR Claims.
With the assistance of third-party actuaries, we periodically review our estimate of ultimate losses for IBNR Claims and adjust our required self-insurance reserves as appropriate. As part of this evaluation, we review the status of existing and new claim reserves as established by our third-party claims administrators.
The third-party claims administrators establish the case reserves based upon known factors related to the type and severity of the claims, demographic data, legislative matters, and case law, as appropriate.
We compare actual trends to expected trends and monitor claims development.
The specific case reserves estimated by the third-party administrators are provided to an actuary who assists us in projecting an actuarial estimate of the overall ultimate losses for our self-insured or high deductible programs. The projection includes the case reserves plus an actuarial estimate of reserves required for additional developments, including IBNR Claims.
We utilize the results of actuarial studies to estimate our insurance rates and insurance reserves for future periods and to adjust reserves, if appropriate, for prior years.
Our self-insurance liabilities contain uncertainties due to assumptions required and judgment used.
Costs to settle our obligations, including legal and healthcare costs, could fluctuate and cause estimates of our self-insurance liabilities to change.
Incident rates, including frequency and severity, could fluctuate and cause the estimates in our self-insurance liabilities to change.
These estimates are subject to: changes in the regulatory environment; fluctuations in projected exposures, including payroll, revenues, and the number of vehicle units; and the frequency, lag, and severity of claims.
The full extent of certain claims, especially workers’ compensation and general liability claims, may not be fully determined for several years.
In addition, if the reserves related to self-insurance or high deductible programs from acquired businesses are not adequate to cover damages resulting from future accidents or other incidents, we may be exposed to substantial losses arising from future claim developments.We have not made any changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our self-insurance liabilities during the past three years.
After analyzing recent loss development patterns, comparing the loss development patterns against benchmarks, and applying actuarial projection methods to estimate the ultimate losses, we decreased our total reserves for known claims as well as our estimate of the loss amounts associated with IBNR Claims by $36.6 million, $30.2 million of which relates to prior years, during 2020. During 2019 and 2018, we decreased such reserves by $3.4 million and increased such reserves by $10.2 million, respectively.
It is possible that actual results could differ from recorded self-insurance liabilities. A 10% change in our projected ultimate losses would have affected net income by approximately $32.4 million for 2020.
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesEffect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
Contingencies and Litigation
We are a party to a number of lawsuits, claims, and proceedings incident to the operation of our business, including those pertaining to labor and employment, contracts, personal injury, and other matters, some of which allege substantial monetary damages. Some of these actions may be brought as class actions on behalf of a class or purported class of employees.
We accrue for loss contingencies when losses become probable and are reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability.
We do not accrue for contingent losses that, in our judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible but not probable.
Litigation outcomes are difficult to predict and are often resolved over long periods of time.
Estimating probable and reasonably possible losses requires the analysis of multiple possible outcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties, such as future changes in facts and circumstances, differing interpretations of the law, assessments of the amount of damages, and other factors beyond our control. There is the potential for a material adverse effect on our Financial Statements if one or more matters are resolved in a particular period in an amount materially in excess of what we anticipated.
In addition, in some cases, although a loss is probable or reasonably possible, we cannot reasonably estimate the maximum potential losses for probable matters or the range of losses for reasonably possible matters. Therefore, our accrual for probable losses and our estimated range of loss for reasonably possible losses do not represent our maximum possible exposure.We have not made any changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our loss contingencies during the past three years.
Our management currently estimates the range of loss for all reasonably possible losses for which a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made is between zero and $4 million. Factors underlying this estimated range of loss may change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standard Update(s)TopicSummaryEffective Date/Method of Adoption
2018-18Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606This ASU, issued in November 2018, provides guidance on whether certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606. It specifically addresses when the participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account, adds unit of account guidance in Topic 808 to align with guidance in Topic 606, and precludes presenting the collaborative arrangement transaction together with revenue recognized under Topic 606 if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
This update will be applied retrospectively.
2018-17Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest EntitiesThis ASU, issued in October 2018, provides that indirect interests held through related parties in common control arrangements should be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interest.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
This update will be applied retrospectively.
2018-15Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service ContractThis ASU, issued in August 2018, aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
This update will be applied prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption.
2018-14Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit PlansThis ASU, issued in August 2018, modifies the disclosure requirements on company-sponsored defined benefit plans.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
This update will be applied retrospectively.
2018-13Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value MeasurementThis ASU, issued in August 2018, modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by removing certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, modifying existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty, and adding new disclosure requirements.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
The amendments related to disclosure requirements within this update will be applied prospectively and the other amendments will be applied retrospectively.
Accounting Standard Update(s)TopicSummaryEffective Date/Method of Adoption
2016-13
2018-19
2019-11
2019-05Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial InstrumentsASU 2016-13, issued in June 2016, replaces the existing guidance surrounding measurement and recognition of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables and investments in certain debt securities, by requiring recognition of an allowance for credit losses expected to be incurred over an asset’s life based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and supportable forecasts impacting its ultimate collectibility. This “expected loss” model will result in earlier recognition of credit losses than the current “as incurred” model, under which losses are recognized only upon occurrence of an event that gives rise to the incurrence of a probable loss.
ASU 2018-19 was issued in November 2018 and clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases.
ASU 2019-11 was issued in November 2019 to clarify, improve, and amend certain aspects of ASU 2016-13, such as disclosures related to accrued interest receivables and the estimation of credit losses associated with financial assets secured by collateral.
ASU 2019-05 was issued in May 2019 to provide targeted transition relief allowing entities to make an irrevocable one-time election upon adoption of the new credit losses standard to measure financial assets previously measured at amortized cost (except held-to-maturity securities) using the fair value option.
We do not expect adoption to have a material impact.November 1, 2020
This guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective adoption approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption, except for certain provisions that are required to be applied prospectively.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We have market risk exposure related to interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk is measured as the potential negative impact on earnings, cash flows, or fair values resulting from a hypothetical change in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk through our variable rate borrowings under our Credit Facility. At October 31, 2020, we had total outstanding borrowings of $725.3 million. To limit exposure to upward movements in interest rates, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rates on a substantial portion of our outstanding borrowings. At October 31, 2020, we had interest rate swaps with an underlying notional amount of $440.0 million and fixed interest rates of 2.83%, 2.84%, and 2.86%. On May 28, 2020, we amended our Credit Facility to further enhance our financial flexibility as a precautionary measure in response to uncertainty arising from the Pandemic. The Amendment changed the interest rate, interest margins, and commitment fees applicable to loans and commitments under the Credit Facility. The new interest rate includes an interest rate floor of 0.75% to the Eurocurrency rate on the revolving loans. Based on our average borrowings, interest rates, interest rate floor, and interest rate swaps in effect at October 31, 2020, a 100 basis point increase in LIBOR would decrease our future earnings and cash flows by $2.5 million. For 2019, our market risk exposure related to interest rate fluctuations was $4.3 million. As actual interest rate movements over time are uncertain, our interest rate swaps pose potential interest rate risks if interest rates decrease. As of October 31, 2020, the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements was a liability of $15.5 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are primarily exposed to the impact of foreign exchange rate risk through our U.K. operations where the functional currency is the GBP. As we intend to remain permanently invested in these foreign operations, we do not utilize hedging instruments to mitigate foreign currency exchange risks. If we change our intent with respect to such international investment, we would expect to implement strategies designed to manage those risks in an effort to mitigate the effect of foreign currency fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
ABM Industries Incorporated:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ABM Industries Incorporated and subsidiaries (the Company) as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have 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 October 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 December 17, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of self-insurance liabilities
As discussed in Notes 2 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company uses a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. The balance of casualty program insurance reserves, net of recoverables, as of October 31, 2020 amounted to $434.8 million. The Company engages actuaries to estimate its self-insurance liabilities at least annually.
We identified the evaluation of the self-insurance liabilities as a critical audit matter because it involves a high degree of judgment and actuarial expertise to: (1) assess the actuarial models used and (2) estimate incurred but not reported claims based on application of loss development factors to historical claims experience.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s self-insurance reserve process, including controls related to (1) evaluate claims information sent to the actuary, (2) estimate incurred but not reported claims based on the application of loss development factors to historical claims experience, and (3) evaluate the actuarial report and the external actuarial expert’s qualifications, competency, and objectivity. We evaluated the Company’s historical ability to estimate self-insurance liabilities by comparing the prior year recorded amounts to the subsequent claim development. We tested a sample of the claims data utilized by the Company’s actuaries by comparing to underlying claims details; and involved an actuarial professional with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in the:
•Assessment of the actuarial models used by the Company for consistency with generally accepted actuarial standards, and
•Development of an independent actuarial estimate of self-insurance liabilities based on the Company’s underlying historical paid and incurred loss data.
Evaluation of the goodwill impairment charge for the Aviation and Education reporting units
As discussed in Notes 2 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company performs goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit has declined below its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach. The goodwill balance as of October 31, 2020 was $1,671.4 million, of which $69.5 million related to the Aviation reporting unit and $459.3 million related to the Education reporting unit. The Company determined that the carrying value of the Aviation and Education reporting units exceeded the fair value of each of those reporting units, resulting in an impairment charge of $154.8 million.
We identified the evaluation of the goodwill impairment charge for the Aviation and Education reporting units as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate the reporting units’ forecasted revenue growth rates, operating margins, and discount rate assumptions used in the income approach. Changes to these assumptions could have a substantial impact on the estimated fair value of the Aviation and Education reporting units.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of an internal control over the Company’s goodwill impairment process including the evaluation of the forecasted revenue growth rates, operating margins, and discount rate assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. We performed sensitivity analyses over the forecasted revenue growth rates, operating margins, and discount rate assumptions to assess the impact of the changes in those assumptions on the impairment charge. We evaluated the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates and operating margins for the Aviation and Education reporting units by comparing them to underlying business strategies and growth plans and to relevant industry information, including trends and analytics. We also involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
•Evaluating the Company’s discount rate, by comparing it against a discount rate range that was independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities
•Developing an estimate of the Aviation and Education reporting units’ fair values using the reporting units’ cash flow forecast and an independently developed discount rate, and comparing the results to the Company’s fair value estimates.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1980.
New York, New York
December 17, 2020
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
ABM Industries Incorporated:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited ABM Industries Incorporated and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated December 17, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated 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 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 of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included 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 controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
December 17, 2020
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(continued)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. THE COMPANY AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
ABM is a leading provider of integrated facility services with a mission to make a difference, every person, every day. We are organized into four industry groups and one Technical Solutions segment:
Through these groups, we offer janitorial, facilities engineering, parking, and specialized mechanical and electrical technical solutions, on a standalone basis or in combination with other services.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, specifically Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-K. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to years are to our fiscal year, which ends on October 31.
The Financial Statements include the accounts of ABM and all of our consolidated subsidiaries. We account for ABM’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting. We include the results of acquired businesses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income from their respective acquisition dates. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make certain estimates that affect reported amounts. We base our estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends, independent valuations, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.
We round amounts in the Financial Statements to millions and calculate all percentages and per-share data from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. Thus, certain amounts may not foot, crossfoot, or recalculate based on reported numbers due to rounding.
Impact of the Pandemic
A novel strain of COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide health Pandemic. To date, the Pandemic has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns and shutdowns, as well as global travel restrictions. In these Financial Statements and related disclosures we have assessed the current impact of the Pandemic on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows as well as on our estimates, forecasts, and accounting policies. We have made additional disclosures of these assessments as necessary. Given the unprecedented nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the full impact the Pandemic will have on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in the foreseeable future. The ultimate impact of the Pandemic on our company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments, and such impacts could exist for an extended period of time, even after the Pandemic subsides.
The Pandemic continues to create a dynamic client environment, and we are working diligently to ensure our clients’ changing staffing and service needs are met while actively managing direct labor and related personnel
costs, including furloughs or reduced hours for certain service employees in markets significantly impacted by business slowdowns and shutdowns.
In addition, during the second and third quarters of 2020, we took several human capital management actions to align our organization operationally and help mitigate the financial impact of the Pandemic on our business, one of which included temporary furloughs for certain staff and management employees. To continue supporting furloughed staff and management employees during the Pandemic, we paid 100% of health insurance premiums during the furlough period for those enrolled in health benefit plans. Most of the furloughed staff and management employees returned to work effective August 1, 2020, and we have not accrued any additional expenses associated with these employees as of October 31, 2020.
In response to the Pandemic, Congress enacted the CARES Act on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides various stimulus measures, including several income tax and payroll tax provisions. Among the payroll tax provisions is the creation of a refundable credit for employee retention and the deferral of certain payroll tax remittances through December 31, 2020, to future years (with 50% of the deferred amount due by December 31, 2021, and the remaining 50% due by December 31, 2022). We evaluated the impact of business tax provisions in the CARES Act. The impact of the income tax provisions was not material. The impact of the payroll tax provisions was the deferral of approximately $101 million of payroll tax as of October 31, 2020.
Refer to additional discussion regarding the Pandemic and the impact on our business throughout this document, including Note 7, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and Note 11, “Credit Facility.”
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. As part of our cash management system, we use “zero balance” accounts to fund our disbursements. Under this system, at the end of each day the bank balance is zero, while the book balance is usually a negative amount due to reconciling items, such as outstanding checks. We report the changes in these book cash overdrafts as cash flows from financing activities.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Costs Incurred in Excess of Amounts Billed
Trade accounts receivable arise from services provided to our clients and are usually due and payable on varying terms from receipt of the invoice to net ninety days, with the exception of certain Technical Solutions project receivables that may have longer collection periods. These receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and normally do not bear interest. In addition, our trade accounts receivable include unbilled receivables, such as invoices for services that have been provided but are not yet billed.
Costs incurred in excess of amounts billed arise from Technical Solutions project contracts that typically provide for a schedule of billings or invoices to the client based on our performance to date of specific tasks inherent in the fulfillment of our performance obligation(s). The schedules for such billings usually do not precisely match the schedule on which costs are incurred. As a result, revenues generally differ from amounts that can be billed or invoiced to the client at any point during the contract.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-offs, known or expected trends, and the identification of specific balances deemed uncollectible. For the specifically identified balances, we establish the reserve upon the earlier of a client’s inability to meet its financial obligations or after a period of twelve months, unless our management believes such amounts will ultimately be collectible.
Sales Allowance
In connection with our service contracts, we periodically issue credit memos to our clients that are recorded as a reduction in revenues and an increase to the allowance for billing adjustments. These credits can result from client vacancy discounts, job cancellations, property damage, and other items. We estimate our potential future losses on these client receivables based on an analysis of the historical rate of sales adjustments (credit memos, net of re-bills) and known or expected trends.
Other Current Assets
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, other current assets primarily consisted of other receivables, short-term insurance recoverables, and capitalized commissions.
Other Investments
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, other investments primarily consisted of investments in unconsolidated affiliates, as well as auction rate securities at October 31, 2019.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
We own non-controlling interests (generally 20% to 50%) in certain affiliated entities that predominantly provide facility solutions to governmental and commercial clients, primarily in the United States and the Middle East. We account for such investments under the equity method of accounting. We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the estimated fair value of the investment is less than its carrying amount and we determine that the impairment is other-than-temporary. At October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, our investments in unconsolidated affiliates were $11.0 million, $8.9 million, and $11.3 million, respectively. We did not recognize any impairment charges on these investments in 2020, 2019, or 2018.
Investments in Auction Rate Securities
Our investments in auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale. Accordingly, auction rate securities are presented at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes (“AOCL”). On a quarterly basis, we analyze all auction rate securities that have unrealized losses for impairment consideration and assess the intent to sell such securities. If such intent exists, impaired securities are considered other-than-temporarily impaired and we recognize the entire difference between the auction rate security’s amortized cost and its fair value in earnings. We also consider if we may be required to sell the securities prior to the recovery of amortized cost, which may trigger an impairment charge. If these securities are considered impaired, we assess whether the amortized costs of the securities can be recovered by reviewing several factors, including credit risks associated with the issuer. If we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost of the security, we consider the security to be other-than-temporarily impaired and record the difference between the security’s amortized costs and its recoverable amount in earnings and the difference between the security’s amortized cost and fair value in AOCL. During the first quarter of 2020, our last remaining auction rate security was called by the issuer, and we received proceeds for the fair value of the debt instrument of $5.0 million. As of October 31, 2020, we had no investments in auction rate securities.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We record property, plant and equipment at cost. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred. In contrast, we capitalize major renewals or replacements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset. We determine depreciation for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
In addition, we depreciate assets under finance leases and leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term. Upon retirement or sale of an asset, we remove the cost and accumulated depreciation from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. When applicable, we record corresponding gains or losses within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.
Leases
We enter into various noncancelable lease agreements for office space, parking facilities, warehouses, vehicles, and equipment used in the normal course of business. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and begin recording lease activity at the commencement date, which is generally the date in which we take possession of or control the physical use of the asset. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term with lease expense recognized on a straight-line basis. We use our incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of future lease payments unless the implicit rate in a lease is readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term at an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. This incremental borrowing rate is applied to the minimum lease payments within each lease agreement to determine the amounts of our ROU assets and lease liabilities. Our incremental borrowing rate as of November 1, 2019, was utilized for the initial measurement of operating lease liabilities upon adoption of Topic 842, as described below in “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards.”
Our lease terms range from 1 to 30 years. Some leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term. We typically include options to extend the lease in a lease term when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option and when doing so is at our sole discretion. Certain equipment and vehicle leases may also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Typically, if we decide to cancel or terminate a lease before the end of its term, we would owe the lessor the remaining lease payments under the term of such lease. Our lease agreements generally do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. We may rent or sublease certain real estate assets that we no longer use to third parties.
Lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, rent holidays, or certain landlord incentives, including tenant improvement allowances. Prior to November 1, 2019, we recognized lease expense related to operating leases on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases and, accordingly, recorded the difference between cash rent payments and recognition of rent expense as a deferred rent liability or prepaid rent. Landlord-funded leasehold improvements were also recorded as deferred rent liabilities and were amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the noncancelable term of the related operating lease. The ROU assets recognized upon adoption of Topic 842 include: cumulative prepaid or accrued rent on the adoption date, unamortized lease incentives, and unamortized initial direct costs initially recognized prior to adoption of Topic 842. Following adoption of Topic 842, ROU assets include amounts for scheduled rent increases and are reduced by lease incentive amounts.
Certain of our lease agreements include variable rent payments, consisting primarily of rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation and amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, such as maintenance and utilities. These costs are expensed as incurred. Certain of our parking arrangements also contain variable rent payments that are a percentage of parking services revenue based on contractual levels. We record contingent rent as it becomes probable that specified targets will be met. Variable rent lease components are not included in the lease liability.
Service concession arrangements within the scope of ASU No. 2017-10, Service Concession Arrangements (Topic 853): Determining the Customer of the Operation Services, are excluded from the scope of Topic 842. Lease costs associated with these arrangements are recorded as a reduction of revenues. See Note 3, “Revenues,” for further discussion.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We have elected to make the first day of our fourth quarter, August 1st, the annual impairment assessment date for goodwill. However, we could be required to evaluate the recoverability of goodwill more often if impairment indicators exist. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a “reporting unit” level by performing either a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units and instead perform a quantitative test under which we estimate the fair value using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach. The discounted estimates of future cash flows include significant management
assumptions, such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, weighted average cost of capital, and future economic and market conditions.
Other intangible assets primarily consist of acquired customer contracts and relationships that are amortized using the sum-of-the-years’-digits method over their useful lives, consistent with the estimated useful life considerations used in the determination of their fair values. This accelerated method of amortization reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits from the intangible assets of customer contracts and relationships are expected to be realized. We amortize other non-customer acquired intangibles using a straight-line method of amortization. We evaluate other intangible assets, as well as our long-lived assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When this occurs, a recoverability test is performed that compares the projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we calculate an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the fair value, which is based on projected discounted cash flows, to the carrying value.
See Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for further information on goodwill, other intangible assets, and impairment charges.
Other Noncurrent Assets
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, other noncurrent assets primarily consisted of long-term insurance recoverables, deferred charges, insurance and other long-term deposits, ESPC receivables, capitalized commissions, and prepayments to carriers for future insurance claims.
Federal Energy Savings Performance Contract Receivables
As part of our Technical Solutions business, we enter into ESPCs with the federal government pursuant to which we agree to develop, design, engineer, and construct a project and to guarantee that the project will satisfy agreed-upon performance standards. ESPC receivables represent the amount to be paid by various federal government agencies for work we have satisfactorily performed under specific ESPCs. We assign certain of our rights to receive those payments to unaffiliated third parties that provide construction financing, which we record as a liability, for such contracts. This construction financing is recorded as cash flows from financing activities, while the use of the cash received to pay project costs under these arrangements is classified as operating cash flows. The ESPC receivable is recognized as revenue as each project is constructed. Upon completion and acceptance of the project by the government and upon satisfaction of true sale criteria, the assigned ESPC receivable from the government and corresponding ESPC liability are eliminated from our consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. In the absence of active markets for identical assets or liabilities, such measurements involve developing assumptions based on market observable data and, in the absence of such data, internal information that is consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction that occurs at the measurement date.
Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. Preference is given to observable inputs. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and
Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
We evaluate assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them for each reporting period. Some non-financial assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis only in certain circumstances, including the event of impairment. See Note 7, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” for the fair value hierarchy table and for details on how we measure fair value for our assets and liabilities.
Insurance Reserves
We use a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. Insurance claim liabilities represent our estimate of retained risks without regard to insurance coverage. We retain a substantial portion of the risk related to certain workers’ compensation and medical claims. Liabilities associated with these losses include estimates of both filed claims and IBNR Claims.
With the assistance of third-party actuaries, we periodically review our estimate of ultimate losses for IBNR Claims and adjust our required self-insurance reserves as appropriate. As part of this evaluation, we review the status of existing and new claim reserves as established by third-party claims administrators. The third-party claims administrators establish the case reserves based upon known factors related to the type and severity of the claims, demographic factors, legislative matters, and case law, as appropriate. We compare actual trends to expected trends and monitor claims developments. The specific case reserves estimated by the third-party administrators are provided to an actuary who assists us in projecting an actuarial estimate of the overall ultimate losses for our self-insured or high deductible programs, which includes the case reserves plus an actuarial estimate of reserves required for additional developments, such as IBNR Claims. We utilize the results of actuarial studies to estimate our insurance rates and insurance reserves for future periods and to adjust reserves, if appropriate, for prior years.
In general, our insurance reserves are recorded on an undiscounted basis. We allocate current-year insurance expense to our operating segments based upon their underlying exposures, while actuarial adjustments related to prior year claims are recorded within Corporate expenses. We classify claims as current or long-term based on the expected settlement date. Estimated insurance recoveries related to recorded liabilities are reflected as assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets when we believe the receipt of such amounts is probable.
Other Accrued Liabilities
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, other accrued liabilities primarily consisted of notes payable, other accrued expenses, legal fees and settlements, contract liabilities (which include deferred revenue and progress billings in excess of costs), employee benefits, unclaimed property, severance, insurance claims, rent payable, interest, and current finance leases.
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, other noncurrent liabilities primarily consisted of deferred payroll taxes, deferred rent, warranty reserves, ESPC liabilities, retirement plan liabilities, deferred compensation, and long-term finance leases.
Revenue Recognition
Beginning in fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and ASU 2017-10, Service Concession Arrangements (Topic 853): Determining the Customer of the Operation Services. Prior period amounts have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies. Our revenue recognition policies under Topic 606 and Topic 853 are described in the following paragraphs, and references to our prior period policies are included below where they are substantially different. See Note 3, “Revenues,” for further information on our revenues.
Contracts with Customers
We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Once a contract is identified, we evaluate whether it is a combined or single contract and whether it should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. Generally, most of our contracts are cancelable by either party without a substantive penalty, and the majority of our contracts have a notification period of 30 to 60 days. If a contract includes a cancellation clause, the remaining contract term is limited to the required termination notice period.
At contract inception, we assess the services promised to our customers and identify a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a service, or a bundle of services, that is distinct. To identify the performance obligation, we consider all of our services promised in the contract, regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.
The majority of our contracts contain multiple promises that represent an integrated bundle of services comprised of activities that may vary over time; however, these activities fulfill a single integrated performance obligation since we perform a continuous service that is substantially the same and has the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Our performance obligations are primarily satisfied over time as we provide the related services. We allocate the contract transaction price to this single performance obligation and recognize revenue as the services are performed, as further described in “Contract Types” below.
Certain arrangements involve variable consideration (primarily per transaction fees, reimbursable expenses, and sales-based royalties). We do not estimate the variable consideration for these arrangements; rather, we recognize these variable fees in the period they are earned. Some of our contracts, often related to Airline Services, may also include performance incentives based on variable performance measures that are ascertained exclusively by future performance and therefore cannot be estimated at contract inception and are recognized as revenue once known and mutually agreed upon. We include estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information (historical, current, and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us.
We primarily account for our performance obligations under the series guidance, using the as-invoiced practical expedient when applicable. We apply the as-invoiced practical expedient to record revenue as the services are provided, given the nature of the services provided and the frequency of billing under the customer contracts. Under this practical expedient, we recognize revenue in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of our performance completed to date and for which we have the right to invoice the customer.
We typically bill customers on a monthly basis and have the right to consideration from customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the performance obligation satisfied to date. The time between completion of the performance obligation and collection of cash is generally 30 to 60 days. Sales-based taxes are excluded from revenue.
Contracts generally can be modified to account for changes in specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either changes the consideration, creates new performance obligations, or changes the existing scope of the contract and related performance obligations. Historically, contract modifications have been for services that are not distinct from the existing contract, since we are providing a bundle of services that are highly interrelated, and are therefore treated as if they were part of that existing contract. Such modifications are generally accounted for prospectively as part of the existing contract.
Contract Types
We have arrangements under various contract types, as described below.
Monthly Fixed-Price
Monthly fixed-price arrangements are contracts in which the client agrees to pay a fixed fee every month over a specified contract term. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Square-Foot
Square-foot arrangements are contracts in which the client agrees to pay a fixed fee every month based on the actual square footage serviced over a specified contract term. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Cost-Plus
Cost-plus arrangements are contracts in which the clients reimburse us for the agreed-upon amount of wages and benefits, payroll taxes, insurance charges, and other expenses associated with the contracted work, plus a profit margin. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Work Orders
Work orders generally consist of supplemental services requested by clients outside of the standard service specification and include cleanup after tenant moves, construction cleanup, flood cleanup, and snow removal. The nature of these short-term contracts involves performing one-off type services, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time as the services are provided because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Transaction-Price
Transaction-price contracts are arrangements in which customers are billed a fixed price for each transaction performed on a monthly basis (e.g., wheelchair passengers served, airplane cabins cleaned). We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Hourly
Hourly arrangements are contracts in which the client is billed a fixed hourly rate for each labor hour provided. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Management Reimbursement
Under management reimbursement arrangements we manage a parking facility for a management fee and pass through the revenue and expenses associated with the facility to the owner. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation over time as the services are provided. Under these contracts we recognize both revenues and expenses, in equal amounts, that are directly reimbursed from the property owner for operating expenses, as such expenses are incurred. Such revenues do not include gross customer collections at the managed locations because they belong to the property owners. We have determined we are the principal in these transactions, because the nature of our performance obligation is for us to provide the services on behalf of the customer and we have control of the promised services before they are transferred to the customer.
Leased Location
Under leased location parking arrangements we pay a fixed amount of rent, plus a percentage of revenues derived from monthly and transient parkers, to the property owner. We retain all revenues received and we are responsible for most operating expenses incurred. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
In accordance with Topic 853, rental expense and certain other expenses under contracts that meet the definition of service concession arrangements are now recorded as a reduction of revenue. Prior to November 1, 2018, such amounts were recorded as operating expenses.
Allowance
Under allowance parking arrangements we are paid a fixed amount or hourly rate to provide parking services, and we are responsible for certain operating expenses that are specified in the contract. We measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation as the services are provided, and revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual rate over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are performed.
Energy Savings Contracts and Fixed-Price Repair and Refurbishment
Under energy savings contracts and fixed-price repair and refurbishment arrangements we agree to develop, design, engineer, and construct a project. Additionally, as part of bundled energy solutions arrangements, we guarantee the project will satisfy agreed-upon performance standards.
We use the cost-to-cost method, which compares the actual costs incurred to date with the current estimate of total costs to complete, to measure the satisfaction of the performance obligation and recognize revenue as work
progresses and we incur costs on our contracts; we believe this method best reflects the transfer of control to the customer. This measurement and comparison process requires updates to the estimate of total costs to complete the contract, and these updates may include subjective assessments and judgments. Equipment purchased for these projects is project-specific and considered a value-added element to our work. Equipment costs are incurred when title is transferred to us, typically upon delivery to the work site. Revenue for uninstalled equipment is recognized at cost and the associated margin is deferred until installation is substantially complete. Prior to November 1, 2018, we recognized revenue and margin on uninstalled equipment consistent with other project costs under the percentage-of-completion method.
We recognize revenue over time for all of our services as we perform them, because (i) control continuously transfers to the customer as work progresses or (ii) we have the right to bill the customer as costs are incurred. The customer typically controls the work in process as evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by our rights to payment for work performed to date plus a reasonable profit to deliver products or services that do not have an alternative use to us.
Certain project contracts include a schedule of billings or invoices to the customer based on our job-to-date percentage of completion of specific tasks inherent in the fulfillment of our performance obligation(s) or in accordance with a fixed billing schedule. Fixed billing schedules may not precisely match the actual costs incurred. Therefore, revenue recognized may differ from amounts that can be billed or invoiced to the customer at any point during the contract, resulting in balances that are considered revenue recognized in excess of cumulative billings or cumulative billings in excess of revenue recognized. Advanced payments from our customers generally do not represent a significant financing component as the payments are used to meet working capital demands that can be higher in the early stages of a contract, as well as to protect us from our customer failing to meet its obligations under the contract.
Certain projects include service maintenance agreements under which existing systems are repaired and maintained for a specific period of time. We generally recognize revenue under these arrangements over time. Our service maintenance agreements are generally one-year renewable agreements.
Franchise
We franchise certain engineering services through individual and area franchises under the Linc Service and TEGG brands, which are part of ABM Technical Solutions. Initial franchise fees result from the sale of a franchise license and include the use of the name, trademarks, and proprietary methods. The franchise license is considered symbolic intellectual property, and revenue related to the sale of this right is recognized at the agreed-upon contractual amount over the term of the initial franchise agreement. Prior to November 1, 2018, initial fees from sales of franchise licenses were recognized in the year of sale.
Royalty fee revenue consists of sales-based royalties received as part of the consideration for the franchise right, which is calculated as a percentage of the franchisees’ revenue. We recognize royalty fee revenue at the agreed-upon contractual rates over time as the customer revenue is generated by the franchisees. A receivable is recognized for an estimate of the unreported royalty fees, which are reported and remitted to us in arrears.
Costs to Obtain a Contract With a Customer
We capitalize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, primarily commissions, as contract assets and recognize the expense on a straight-line basis over a weighted average expected customer relationship period. Capitalized commissions are classified as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize the expense. Prior to November 1, 2018, such incremental costs were expensed as incurred.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in contract assets and contract liabilities, as further explained below. The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. If a contract includes a cancellation clause that allows for the termination of the contract by either party without a substantive penalty, the contract term is limited to the termination notice period.
Contract assets primarily consist of billed trade receivables, unbilled trade receivables, and costs incurred in excess of amounts billed. Billed and unbilled trade receivables represent amounts from work completed in which we have an unconditional right to bill our customer. Costs incurred in excess of amounts billed typically arise when the revenue recognized on projects exceeds the amount billed to the customer. These amounts are transferred to billed
trade receivables when the rights become unconditional. Contract assets also include the capitalization of incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, primarily commissions.
Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue and advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. We generally classify contract liabilities as current since the related contracts are generally for a period of one year or less. Contract liabilities decrease as we recognize revenue from the satisfaction of the related performance obligation.
Management Reimbursement Revenue by Segment
Restructuring and Related Expenses
Restructuring and related expenses include employee severance, external support fees, lease exit costs, and other costs. Our methodology to record these costs is described below.
Severance
As we do not have a past history of consistently providing severance benefits, we recognize severance costs for employees who do not have formal employment agreements when management has committed to a restructuring plan and communicated those actions to impacted employees, such that the employee is able to determine the type and amount of benefits that they will receive upon termination. In addition, if the employees are required to render service beyond the minimum retention period until they are terminated in order to receive the benefits, a liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. For employees with employment agreements, we accrue for these severance liabilities when it is probable that the impacted employee will be entitled to the benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Other
For other costs associated with exit and disposal activities, we recognize an expense at fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, advertising expense was $1.8 million, $1.7 million, and $2.3 million, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
Our current share-based awards principally consist of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and various performance share awards. We recognize compensation costs associated with these awards in selling, general and administrative expenses. For RSUs and certain performance share awards, the amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. Since our total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance share awards are performance awards with a market condition, the compensation costs associated with these awards are determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. For RSUs and TSR awards, compensation cost is recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. We recognize compensation cost associated with other performance share awards over the requisite service period based on the probability of achievement of performance criteria.
Taxes Collected from Clients and Remitted to Governmental Agencies
We record taxes on client transactions due to governmental agencies as receivables and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Net Income Per Common Share
Basic net income per common share is net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted to include the potential dilution from the conversion of RSUs, vesting of performance shares, and exercise of stock options.
Contingencies and Litigation
We are a party to a number of lawsuits, claims, and proceedings incident to the operation of our business, including those pertaining to labor and employment, contracts, personal injury, and other matters, some of which allege substantial monetary damages. Some of these actions may be brought as class actions on behalf of a class or purported class of employees. We accrue for loss contingencies when losses become probable and are reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability. We recognize legal costs as an expense in the period incurred.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using 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 amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered. Deferred tax assets are reviewed for recoverability on a quarterly basis. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset to its realizable value unless it is more likely than not that such asset will be realized. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Since the release of ASU 2016-02, the FASB issued the following additional ASUs further updating Topic 842:
•In January 2018, ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842
•In July 2018, ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842
•In July 2018, ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements
•In March 2019, ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements
Topic 842 replaced existing lease accounting guidance and was intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record most leases on the balance sheet. Under Topic 842, lessees are required to record on the balance sheet ROU assets (the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term) and the corresponding lease liabilities (the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease). This guidance requires us to continue classifying leases as either operating or financing, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. In addition, this new standard requires enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements.
We adopted Topic 842 on November 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis using the optional transition method permitted under ASU 2018-11 and have used this effective date as the initial application date. Comparative prior period Financial Statements have not been restated and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those prior periods presented.
Upon adoption, we elected the package of transition practical expedients that allowed us to carry forward prior conclusions related to: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and (iii) initial direct costs for existing leases. Additionally, we elected the practical expedient of not separating lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes. We also made an accounting policy election to not record ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with an
initial term of 12 months or less and will recognize payments for such leases in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We did not elect the use of hindsight for determining the reasonably certain lease term.
The adoption of Topic 842 had a significant impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, but did not have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income, our Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity, our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, our liquidity, or our compliance with the various covenants contained within our credit facility, as further described in Note 11, “Credit Facility.” The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while our accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. See Note 4, “Leases,” for additional information on our lease arrangements.
The impact of adoption of Topic 842 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was as follows:
(1) Represents capitalization of operating lease assets and reclassification of prepaid rent, deferred rent, lease exit impairment liabilities, and lease incentives and tenant improvements on operating leases.
(2) Represents the recognition of short-term operating lease liabilities.
(3) Represents short-term deferred rent reclassified to ROU assets.
(4) Represents the recognition of long-term operating lease liabilities.
(5) Represents long-term deferred rent, lease incentives and tenant improvements, and lease exit impairment liabilities reclassified to ROU assets.
In April 2020, the FASB issued a question and answer document focused on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided relating to the Pandemic (the “Lease Modification Q&A”). The Lease Modification Q&A provides entities with the option to elect to account for lease concessions as though the enforceable rights and obligations existed in the original lease when the total cash flows resulting from the modified lease are substantially similar to the cash flows in the original lease. We have elected this practical expedient for Pandemic-related rent concessions, primarily rent deferrals or rent abatements, and we have elected not to remeasure the related lease liability and ROU asset for those leases. These concessions will be recognized as a reduction of rent expense in the month they occur. This election will continue while these concessions are in effect. Pandemic-related lease concessions were not material for the year ended October 31, 2020.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Since the release of ASU 2016-13, the FASB issued the following additional ASUs further updating Topic 326:
•In November 2018, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses
•In April 2019, ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326: Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; Topic 815: Derivatives and Hedging; and Topic 825: Financial Instruments
•In May 2019, ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief
•In November 2019, ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses
•In March 2020, ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments
Topic 326 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with a methodology that incorporates all expected credit loss estimates, resulting in more timely recognition of losses. Under Topic 326, an organization is required to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported financial assets. It also requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. We will adopt this standard effective November 1, 2020 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This accounting update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance also specifies that the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows presentation of capitalized implementation costs and the related amortization should align with the presentation of the hosting (service) element of the arrangement. We will adopt this standard effective November 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
No other recently issued accounting standards are expected to have a significant impact on our fiscal 2021 consolidated financial statements.
3. REVENUES
Disaggregation of Revenues
We generate revenues under several types of contracts, which are further described in Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies.” Generally, the type of contract is determined by the nature of the services provided by each of our major service lines throughout our reportable segments; therefore, we disaggregate revenues from contracts with customers into major service lines. We have determined that disaggregating revenues into these categories best depicts how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Our reportable segments are B&I, T&M, Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions, as described in Note 17, “Segment and Geographic Information.”
(1) Janitorial arrangements provide a wide range of essential cleaning services for commercial office buildings, airports and other transportation centers, educational institutions, government buildings, health facilities, industrial buildings, retail stores, and stadiums and arenas. These arrangements are often structured as monthly fixed-price, square-foot, cost-plus, and work order contracts.
(2) Parking arrangements provide parking and transportation services for clients at various locations, including airports and other transportation centers, commercial office buildings, educational institutions, health facilities, hotels, and stadiums and arenas. These arrangements are structured as management reimbursement, leased location, and allowance contracts. Certain of these arrangements are considered service concession agreements and are accounted for under the guidance of Topic 853; accordingly, rent expense related to these arrangements is recorded as a reduction of the related parking service revenues.
(3) Facility Services arrangements provide onsite mechanical engineering and technical services and solutions relating to a broad range of facilities and infrastructure systems that are designed to extend the useful life of facility fixed assets, improve equipment operating efficiencies, reduce energy consumption, lower overall operational costs for clients, and enhance the sustainability of client locations. These arrangements are generally structured as monthly fixed-price, cost-plus, and work order contracts.
(4) Building & Energy Solutions arrangements provide custom energy solutions, electrical, HVAC, lighting, and other general maintenance and repair services for clients in the public and private sectors and are generally structured as Energy Savings and Fixed-Price Repair and Refurbishment contracts. We also franchise certain operations under franchise agreements relating to our Linc Network and TEGG brands pursuant to franchise contracts.
(5) Airline Services arrangements support airlines and airports with services such as passenger assistance, catering logistics, and airplane cabin maintenance. These arrangements are often structured as monthly fixed-price, cost-plus, transaction price, and hourly contracts.
Remaining Performance Obligations
At October 31, 2020, performance obligations that were unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied for which we expect to recognize revenue totaled $266.3 million. We expect to recognize revenue on approximately 61% of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months, with the remainder recognized thereafter, based on our estimates of project timing.
These amounts exclude variable consideration primarily related to: (i) contracts where we have determined that the contract consists of a series of distinct service periods and revenues are based on future performance that cannot be estimated at contract inception; (ii) parking contracts where we and the customer share the gross revenues or operating profit for the location; and (iii) contracts where transaction prices include performance incentives that are based on future performance and therefore cannot be estimated at contract inception. We apply the practical expedient that permits exclusion of information about the remaining performance obligations with original expected durations of one year or less.
Contract Balances
The following tables present the balances in our contract assets and contract liabilities:
(1) Included in trade accounts receivable, net, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fluctuations correlate directly to the execution of new customer contracts and to invoicing and collections from customers in the normal course of business.
(2) Fluctuation is primarily due to the timing of payments on our contracts measured using the cost-to-cost method of revenue recognition.
(3) Included in other current assets and other noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the year ended October 31, 2020, we capitalized $16.4 million of new costs and amortized $13.0 million of previously capitalized costs. There was no impairment loss recorded on the costs capitalized.
(1) Included in other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
4. LEASES
The components of lease assets and liabilities and their classification on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020 were as follows:
(1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $13.6 million as of October 31, 2020.
Total lease costs for the year ended October 31, 2020 were $100.4 million, including operating leases of $96.4 million and finance leases of $4.0 million. The components of lease costs and classification within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income were as follows:
(1) Related to certain parking arrangements.
(2) Includes short-term lease costs and variable lease costs.
(3) Includes short-term lease costs.
(4) Represents amortization of leased assets.
(5) Interest on lease liabilities.
The following table presents information on short-term and variable lease costs:
Sublease income generated during the year ended October 31, 2020 was immaterial. We continue to monitor the impact of the Pandemic on our subleases; however, we do not expect a significant impact.
The amounts of future undiscounted cash flows related to the lease payments over the lease terms and the reconciliation to the present value of the lease liabilities as recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020 are as follows:
Future sublease rental income was excluded for the periods shown above as the amounts are immaterial.
We have entered into operating lease arrangements as of October 31, 2020 that are effective for future periods. The total amount of ROU assets and lease liabilities related to these arrangements is immaterial.
The following table includes the weighted-average remaining lease terms, in years, and the weighted-average discount rate used to calculate the present value of operating lease liabilities:
The following table includes supplemental cash and non-cash information related to operating leases:
(1) Excludes the amount initially capitalized in conjunction with the adoption of Topic 842.
The amounts of minimum future commitments under non-cancelable operating and capital leases as of October 31, 2019, in accordance with Topic 840 were as follows:
(1) Includes total estimated sublease rental income of $15.8 million.
(2) Total undiscounted future minimum payments.
5. RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED COSTS
We may periodically engage in various restructuring activities intended to drive long-term profitable growth and increase operational efficiency, which can include streamlining and realigning our overall organizational structure and reallocating resources. These activities may result in restructuring costs related to employee severance, other project fees, external support fees, lease exit costs, and asset impairment charges. Recently, our significant restructuring activities have been primarily associated with integrating our acquisition of GCA and implementing our 2020 Vision initiative, as described below.
GCA Restructuring and Other Initiatives
Following the acquisition of GCA, during the first quarter of 2018 we initiated a restructuring program to achieve cost synergies and subsequently incurred expenses primarily related to employee severance, the migration and upgrade of several key technology platforms, and the consolidation of certain real estate leases. Additionally, during 2019 we reorganized our former Healthcare business and incurred immaterial severance expense. In early 2020 we continued our technology-based modernization efforts, including standardizing our financial systems. However, due to the Pandemic, the majority of these projects have been temporarily suspended since the second quarter of 2020.
2020 Vision Restructuring
During the fourth quarter of 2015, we initiated a restructuring plan as part of a comprehensive strategy intended to have a positive transformative effect on ABM. These actions were substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2019 at a cumulative cost of $66.5 million.
Rollforward of Restructuring and Related Liabilities
(1) We include these costs within corporate expenses.
Cumulative Restructuring and Related Charges
6. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share Calculations
Anti-Dilutive Outstanding Stock Awards Issued Under Share-Based Compensation Plans
7. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair Value Hierarchy of Our Financial Instruments
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
(1) Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.
(2) Represents restricted deposits that are used to collateralize our insurance obligations and are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value. These insurance deposits are included in “Other noncurrent assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 10, “Insurance,” for further information.
(3) Represents investments held in a Rabbi trust associated with one of our deferred compensation plans, which we include in “Other noncurrent assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the assets held in the funded deferred compensation plan is based on quoted market prices. See Note 12, “Employee Benefit Plans,” for further information.
(4) Represents gross outstanding borrowings under our syndicated line of credit and term loan. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under our line of credit and term loan approximates the fair value. See Note 11, “Credit Facility,” for further information.
(5) Represents interest rate swap derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are estimated based on the present value of the difference between expected cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and the expected cash flows at current market interest rates using observable benchmarks for the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) forward rates at the end of the period. At October 31, 2020 and 2019, our interest rate swaps are included in “Other noncurrent liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 11, “Credit Facility,” for further information.
(6) The fair value of investments in auction rate securities is based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs, including assumptions about the underlying collateral, credit risks associated with the issuer, credit enhancements associated with financial insurance guarantees, and the possibility of the security being refinanced by the issuer or having a successful auction.
At October 31, 2019, we held an investment in one auction rate security that had an original principal amount, amortized cost, and fair value of $5.0 million that was included in “Other investments” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first quarter of 2020, this auction rate security was called by the issuer, and we received proceeds for the fair value of this debt instrument of $5.0 million. There were no unrealized gains or losses on this auction rate security included in AOCL. At October 31, 2020, we had no investments in auction rate securities.
During 2020 and 2019, we had no transfers of assets or liabilities between any of the above hierarchy levels.
Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
In addition to assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, we are also required to measure certain items at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets can include: goodwill; intangible assets; property, plant and equipment; lease-related ROU assets; and long-lived assets that have been reduced to fair value when they are held for sale. If certain triggering events occur, or if an annual impairment test is required, we would evaluate these non-financial assets for impairment. If an impairment were to occur, the asset would be recorded at the estimated fair value, using primarily unobservable Level 3 inputs.
During the second quarter of 2020, given the general deterioration in economic and market conditions arising from the Pandemic, we identified a triggering event indicating possible impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and we recorded impairment charges on goodwill and customer relationships. The fair value of these items was determined based on unobservable Level 3 inputs. The fair value of goodwill was determined using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach. The fair value of customer relationships was determined based on discounted cash flows associated with the customer relationships that include significant management assumptions, including expected proceeds. See Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for further information. We did not identify impairment of our property, plant and equipment, lease-related ROU assets, or long-lived assets.
In connection with the reorganization of our Healthcare business, in the third quarter of 2019 we performed a goodwill impairment test on the underlying reporting unit immediately before the reorganization. We estimated the fair value of goodwill using the income and market approaches, which utilize expected cash flows using Level 3 inputs. This analysis required the exercise of significant judgments, including the identification of reporting units as well as the evaluation of recent indicators of market activity, future cash flow estimates, discount rates, and other factors. As a result of this analysis, we concluded that the estimated fair value of the Healthcare reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value immediately before the reorganization and that no further evaluation of impairment was necessary.
8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment
(1) For 2020, 2019, and 2018, depreciation expense was $48.0 million, $48.9 million, and $46.5 million, respectively.
Finance Leases Included in Property, Plant and Equipment
9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
During the second quarter of 2020, given the general deterioration in economic and market conditions arising from the Pandemic, we identified a triggering event which resulted in impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.
Goodwill
(1) Goodwill associated with our Healthcare business was reallocated in connection with the reorganization of this business during the third quarter of 2019.
(2) The impairment charge is included in “Impairment loss” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended October 31, 2020, and is not tax deductible.
Due to the triggering event identified above arising from the impact of the Pandemic, we first performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill to determine whether it was more likely than not that impairment occurred within our goodwill reporting units in the second quarter of 2020. Based on this qualitative assessment, we determined that goodwill impairment was not more likely than not in our goodwill reporting units, except in Education, Aviation, and our U.K. Technical Solutions business. As a result, we performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of March 31, 2020, on these three goodwill reporting units.
For the three goodwill reporting units tested quantitatively, we estimated the fair value using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach. The income approach incorporates the use of a discounted cash flow method in which the estimated future cash flows and terminal value are calculated for each reporting unit and then discounted to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The discount rates utilized in the income approach valuation method are summarized in the table below.
The market approach estimates the fair value of a reporting unit by using market comparables for reasonably similar public companies and a control premium of 15.0%.
The valuation of our reporting units requires significant judgment in evaluating recent indicators of market activity and estimated future cash flows, discount rates, and other factors. Our impairment analyses contain inherent uncertainties due to uncontrollable events that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future economic and operating conditions. In making these estimates, the weighted-average cost of capital is utilized to calculate the present value of future cash flows and terminal value. Many variables go into estimating future cash flows, including estimates of our future revenue growth and operating results. When estimating our projected revenue growth and future operating results, we consider industry trends, economic data, and our competitive advantage. If future cash flows or future growth rates vary from what is expected, including those assumptions relating to the duration and severity of the Pandemic, this may reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and result in a further decline in fair value, which may trigger future impairment charges.
Other Intangible Assets
(1) Reflects a net impairment charge of $9.0 million recorded in 2020 as a result of the triggering event described above. We recognized net impairment charges of $5.6 million related to Aviation (consisting of a $13.8 million reduction in the gross carrying amount of the underlying customer relationships less $8.2 million of accumulated amortization) and $3.4 million related to our U.K. Technical Solutions business (consisting of an $8.7 million reduction in the gross carrying amount of the underlying customer relationships less $5.3 million of accumulated amortization). These impairment charges are included in “Impairment loss” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended October 31, 2020. We did not record impairment charges on other intangible assets during 2019.
(2) These intangible assets are being amortized over the expected period of benefit, with a weighted average life of approximately 11 years.
Estimated Annual Amortization Expense For Each of the Next Five Years
(1) These amounts could vary as acquisitions of additional intangible assets occur in the future.
The estimates of future cash flows used in determining the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets involve significant management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance, economic conditions, market conditions, and cost of capital. Inherent in estimating the future cash flows are uncertainties beyond our control, such as changes in capital markets. The actual cash flows could differ materially from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance, and economic conditions.
10. INSURANCE
We use a combination of insured and self-insurance programs to cover workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, property damage, and other insurable risks. For the majority of these insurance programs, we retain the initial $1.0 million to $1.5 million of exposure on a per-occurrence basis, either through deductibles or self-insured retentions. Beyond the retained exposures, we have varying primary policy limits ranging between $1.0 million and $5.0 million per occurrence. To cover general liability and automobile liability losses above these primary limits, we maintain commercial umbrella insurance policies that provide aggregate limits of $200.0 million. Our insurance policies generally cover workers’ compensation losses to the full extent of statutory requirements. Additionally, to cover property damage risks above our retained limits, we maintain policies that provide per occurrence limits of $75.0 million. We are also self-insured for certain employee medical and dental plans. We maintain stop-loss insurance for our self-insured medical plan under which we retain up to $0.5 million of exposure on a per-participant, per-year basis with respect to claims.
We maintain our reserves for workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, and property damage insurance claims based upon known trends and events and the actuarial estimates of required reserves considering the most recently completed actuarial reports. We use all available information to develop our best estimate of insurance claims reserves as information is obtained. The results of actuarial reviews are used to estimate our insurance rates and insurance reserves for future periods and to adjust reserves, if appropriate, for prior years.
Insurance Reserve Adjustments
Actuarial Reviews and Updates Performed During 2020
We review our self-insurance liabilities on a regular basis and adjust our accruals accordingly. Actual claims activity or development may vary from our assumptions and estimates, which may result in material losses or gains. As we obtain additional information that affects the assumptions and estimates used in our reserve liability calculations, we adjust our self-insurance rates and reserves for future periods and, if appropriate, adjust our reserves for claims incurred in prior accounting periods.
During the first and third quarters of 2020, we performed comprehensive actuarial reviews of the majority of our casualty insurance programs to evaluate changes made to claims reserves and claims payment activity for the periods of May 1, 2019, through October 31, 2019, and November 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020, respectively (the “Actuarial Reviews”). The Actuarial Reviews were comprehensive in nature and were based on loss development patterns, trend assumptions, and underlying expected loss costs during the periods analyzed.
During the second and fourth quarters of 2020, we performed interim actuarial updates of the majority of our casualty insurance programs that considered changes in claims development and claims payment activity for the respective periods analyzed (the “Interim Updates”). These Interim Updates were abbreviated in nature based on actual versus expected development during the periods analyzed and relied on the key assumptions in the Actuarial Reviews (most notably loss development patterns, trend assumptions, and underlying expected loss costs).
Based on the results of the Actuarial Reviews and Interim Updates, we decreased our total reserves for known claims as well as our estimate of the loss amounts associated with IBNR Claims by $36.6 million, $30.2 million of which relates to prior years, during 2020. In 2019, we decreased our total reserves related to prior year claims by $3.4 million.
Insurance Related Balances and Activity
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, insurance recoverables are included in both “Other current assets” and “Other noncurrent assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Casualty Program Insurance Reserves Rollforward
(1) Includes reserves related to discontinued operations of approximately $0.5 million for 2020, $1.0 million for 2019, and $3.0 million for 2018.
Instruments Used to Collateralize Our Insurance Obligations
11. CREDIT FACILITY
On September 1, 2017, we refinanced and replaced our then-existing $800.0 million credit facility with a new senior, secured five-year syndicated credit facility, consisting of a $900.0 million revolving line of credit and an $800.0 million amortizing term loan, both of which are scheduled to mature on September 1, 2022. In accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, the revolving line of credit was reduced to $800.0 million on September 1, 2018. In late March 2020, we borrowed approximately $300 million as a precautionary measure to provide increased liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in response to uncertainty resulting from the Pandemic. This represented all remaining amounts then available under the revolving line of credit. During the quarter ended July 31, 2020, the Company repaid substantially all of these amounts borrowed under the revolving line of credit without penalty. The Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of up to $300.0 million for standby letters of credit and the issuance of up to $75.0 million in swingline advances. The obligations under the Credit Facility are secured on a first-priority basis by a lien on substantially all of our assets and properties, subject to certain exceptions. To further enhance our financial flexibility as a precautionary measure in response to uncertainty arising from the Pandemic, we amended our Credit Facility on May 28, 2020, as further described below.
The Amendment modified the financial covenants under the Credit Facility, including: (i) replacing a maximum total leverage ratio with a maximum total net leverage ratio that varies on a quarterly basis and adjusted to 6.50 to 1.00 by the quarter ending October 31, 2020, and back to 4.00 to 1.00 by the quarter ending October 31, 2022; (ii) modifying the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio on a quarterly basis, which adjusts to 1.25 to 1.00 as of the quarter ending April 30, 2022; and (iii) adding a minimum liquidity (defined in the Amendment as domestic cash plus available revolving loans) of $250.0 million. These financial covenants were effective with the quarter ended April 30, 2020. Our borrowing capacity is subject to, and limited by, compliance with these covenants.
The Amendment changed the interest rate, interest margins, and commitment fees applicable to loans and commitments under the Credit Facility. It also added a new anti-cash hoarding mandatory prepayment that requires us to repay outstanding revolving loans or swingline loans if at any time we have in excess of $250 million of cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet. The Amendment made certain additional changes to the negative covenants restrictions under the Credit Facility, including, subject to certain exceptions, restrictions on our ability to make acquisitions, share repurchases, and other defined restricted payments, depending on our total net leverage ratio. The anti-cash hoarding provision and certain of these restrictions were terminated from the Credit Facility in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to our favorable cash flow position and leverage ratios. At October 31, 2020, we were in compliance with these covenants.
Prior to the Amendment, borrowings under the Credit Facility bore interest at a rate equal to 1-month LIBOR plus a spread that was based upon our leverage ratio. The spread ranged from 1.00% to 2.25% for Eurocurrency loans and 0.00% to 1.25% for base rate loans. We were also charged a commitment fee, which was paid quarterly in arrears and was based on our leverage ratio, that ranged from 0.200% to 0.350% on the average daily unused portion of the revolving line of credit. For purposes of this calculation, irrevocable standby letters of credit, which are issued primarily in conjunction with our insurance programs, and cash borrowings were included as outstanding under the line of credit.
Subsequent to the Amendment, borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to 1-month LIBOR plus a spread that is based upon our total leverage ratio. The spread ranges from 1.00% to 2.75% for revolving Eurocurrency loans and 0.00% to 1.75% for revolving base rate loans. At October 31, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on our outstanding borrowings was 2.45%. We are also charged a commitment fee, which is paid quarterly in arrears and is based on our total leverage ratio, that ranges from 0.200% to 0.450% on the average daily unused portion of the revolving line of credit. For purposes of this calculation, irrevocable standby
letters of credit, which are issued primarily in conjunction with our insurance programs, and cash borrowings are included as outstanding under the revolving line of credit.
The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default, such as: failure to pay principal, interest, or fees when due; failure to comply with covenants; the occurrence of certain material judgments and a change in control of the Company. If certain events of default occur, including certain cross-defaults, insolvency, change in control, or violation of specific covenants, the lenders can terminate or suspend our access to the Credit Facility, declare all amounts outstanding (including all accrued interest and unpaid fees) to be immediately due and payable, and require that we cash collateralize the outstanding standby letters of credit.
Total deferred financing costs related to the Credit Facility of $18.7 million, consisting of $13.4 million related to the term loan and $5.2 million related to the line of credit, are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Credit Facility. We incurred total fees of $4.6 million in conjunction with the Amendment, the majority of which we capitalized in the quarter ended July 31, 2020, and are amortizing over the remaining term of the Credit Facility.
Credit Facility Information
(1) Standby letters of credit amounted to $153.1 million at October 31, 2020.
(2) At October 31, 2020, we had borrowing capacity of $596.6 million, reflecting covenant restrictions.
Term Loan Maturities
During 2020, we made principal payments under the term loan of $60.0 million. As of October 31, 2020, the following principal payments are required under the term loan.
Interest Rate Swaps
We enter into interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate risk associated with our floating-rate, LIBOR-based borrowings. Under these arrangements, we typically pay a fixed interest rate in exchange for LIBOR-based variable interest throughout the life of the agreement. We initially report the mark-to-market gain or loss on a derivative as a component of AOCL and subsequently reclassify the gain or loss into earnings when the hedged transactions occur and affect earnings. Interest payables and receivables under the swap agreements are accrued and recorded as adjustments to interest expense. All of our interest rate swaps have been designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges from inception. See Note 7, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” regarding the valuation of our interest rate swaps.
At October 31, 2020 and 2019, amounts recorded in AOCL for interest rate swaps were a loss of $3.3 million, net of taxes of $0.9 million, and a gain of $2.2 million, net of taxes of $1.2 million, respectively. These amounts included the gain associated with the interest rate swaps we terminated in 2018, which is being amortized to interest expense as interest payments are made over the term of our Credit Facility. During 2020, we amortized $4.9 million, net of taxes of $1.8 million, of that gain and we amortized $4.1 million, net of taxes of $1.5 million, during 2019. At October 31, 2020, the total amount expected to be reclassified from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months was $4.0 million, net of a tax benefit of $1.4 million.
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Plans
We provide benefits to certain employees under various defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans were previously amended to preclude new participants. All but one of the Plans are unfunded.
Information for the Plans
At October 31, 2020, assets of the Plans were invested 48% in equities, 51% in fixed income, and 1% in cash. The expected return on assets was $0.4 million during each of 2020, 2019, and 2018. The aggregate net periodic benefit cost for all Plans was $0.2 million, $0.6 million, and $0.2 million for 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Future benefit payments in the aggregate are expected to be $14.4 million.
Deferred Compensation Plans
We maintain deferred compensation plans that permit eligible employees and directors to defer a portion of their compensation. At October 31, 2020 and 2019, the total liability of all deferred compensation was $13.6 million and $13.2 million, respectively, and these amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under one of our deferred compensation plans, a Rabbi trust was created to fund the obligations, and we are required to contribute a portion of the deferred compensation contributions for eligible participants. The assets held in the Rabbi trust are not available for general corporate purposes. At October 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of these assets was $2.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, and these amounts are included in “Other noncurrent assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Aggregate expense recognized under these deferred compensation plans was $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Defined Contribution Plans
We sponsor four defined contribution plans covering certain employees that are subject to the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). Certain plans permit a company match of a portion of the participant’s contributions or a discretionary contribution after the participant has met the eligibility requirements set forth in the plan. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, we made matching contributions required by the plans of $18.2 million, $24.3 million, and $21.6 million, respectively.
Multiemployer Pension and Postretirement Plans
We participate in various multiemployer pension plans under union and industry-wide agreements that provide defined pension benefits to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Because of the nature of multiemployer plans, there are risks associated with participation in these plans that differ from single-employer plans. Assets contributed by an employer to a multiemployer plan are not segregated into a separate account and are not restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that contributing employer. In the event another participating employer in a multiemployer plan no longer contributes to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, including us. In the event of the termination of a multiemployer pension plan or a withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan, we could incur material liabilities under applicable law.
Key Information for Individually Significant Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans(1)
*Not applicable
(1) To determine individually significant plans, we evaluated several factors, including our total contributions to the plan, our significance to the plan in terms of participating employees and contributions, and the funded status of the plan.
(2) The “EIN/PN” column provides the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number assigned to the plan by the IRS.
(3) The Pension Protection Act Zone Status columns provide the two most recently available Pension Protection Act zone statuses from each plan. The zone status is based on information provided to us and other participating employers and is certified by each plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded.
(4) Indicates whether a Financial Improvement Plan (“FIP”) for yellow zone plans or a Rehabilitation Plan (“RP”) for red zone plans is pending or implemented.
(5) Indicates whether our contribution in 2020 included an amount as imposed by a plan in the red zone in addition to the contribution rate specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Multiemployer Pension Plans for which ABM is a Significant Contributor
* These plans are not separately listed in our multiemployer table as they represent an insignificant portion of our total multiemployer pension plan contributions.
There have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of total contributions for any of the periods presented.
Multiemployer Defined Contribution Plans
In addition to contributions noted above, we also make contributions to multiemployer defined contribution plans. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, our contributions to the defined contribution plans were $15.5 million, $9.0 million, and $10.6 million, respectively.
Other Multiemployer Benefit Plans
We also contribute to several multiemployer postretirement health and welfare plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees. These plans may provide medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, mental health, and other benefits to employees as determined by the trustees of each plan. The majority of our contributions benefit active employees and, as such, may not constitute contributions to a postretirement benefit plan. However, since we are unable to separate contribution amounts to postretirement benefit plans from contribution amounts paid to benefit active employees, we categorize all such amounts as contributions to postretirement benefit plans. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, our contributions to such plans were $264.8 million, $269.8 million, and $263.4 million, respectively. There have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of total contributions for any of the periods presented.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds
We use letters of credit and surety bonds to secure certain commitments related to insurance programs and for other purposes. As of October 31, 2020, these letters of credit and surety bonds totaled $153.1 million and $632.9 million, respectively.
Guarantees
In some instances, we offer clients guaranteed energy savings under certain energy savings contracts. At October 31, 2020 and 2019, total guarantees were $182.8 million and $174.8 million, respectively, and these guarantees extend through 2039 and 2038, respectively. We accrue for the estimated cost of guarantees when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Historically, we have not incurred any material losses in connection with these guarantees.
In connection with an unconsolidated joint venture in which one of our subsidiaries has a 33% ownership interest, that subsidiary and the other joint venture partners have each jointly and severally guaranteed the obligations of the joint venture to perform under certain contracts extending through 2024. Annual revenues relating to the underlying contracts are approximately $30 million. Should the joint venture be unable to perform under these contracts, the joint venture partners would be jointly and severally liable for any losses incurred by the client due to the failure to perform.
Indemnifications
We are party to a variety of agreements under which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These agreements are primarily standard indemnification arrangements entered into in our ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we may agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally our clients, in connection with any claims arising out of the services that we provide. We also incur costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification arrangements, and in most cases these costs are paid from our insurance program. Although we attempt to place limits on such indemnification arrangements related to the size of the contract, the maximum obligation may not be explicitly stated and, as a result, we are unable to determine the maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these arrangements.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may require us to indemnify our directors and officers for certain liabilities that were incurred as a result of their status or service to ABM as a director or officer. The amount of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated.
Unclaimed Property Audits
We routinely remit escheat payments to states in compliance with applicable escheat laws, and we are subject to unclaimed property audits by states in the ordinary course of business. The property subject to review in the audit process may include unclaimed wages, vendor payments, or customer refunds. State escheat laws generally require entities to report and remit abandoned or unclaimed property to the state, and failure to do so can result in assessments that could include interest and penalties in addition to the payment of the escheat liability.
Sales Tax Audits
We collect sales tax from clients and remit those collections to the applicable states. When clients fail to pay their invoices, including the amount of any sales tax that we paid on their behalf, in some cases we are entitled to seek a refund of that amount of sales tax from the applicable state.
Sales tax laws and regulations enacted by the various states are subject to interpretation, and our compliance with such laws is routinely subject to audit and review by such states. Audit risk is concentrated in several states that are conducting ongoing audits. The outcomes of ongoing and any future audits and changes in the states’ interpretation of the sales tax laws and regulations could materially adversely impact our results of operations.
Legal Matters
We are a party to a number of lawsuits, claims, and proceedings incident to the operation of our business, including those pertaining to labor and employment, contracts, personal injury, and other matters, some of which allege substantial monetary damages. Some of these actions may be brought as class actions on behalf of a class or purported class of employees.
At October 31, 2020, the total amount accrued for probable litigation losses where a reasonable estimate of the loss could be made was $14.7 million. We do not accrue for contingent losses that, in our judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible but not probable. The estimation of reasonably possible losses also requires the analysis of multiple possible outcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties. Our management currently estimates the range of loss for reasonably possible losses for which a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made is between zero and $4 million. Factors underlying this estimated range of loss may change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate. The amounts above do not include any accrual or loss estimates with respect to the Bucio case described below.
Litigation outcomes are difficult to predict and the estimation of probable losses requires the analysis of multiple possible outcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties. If one or more matters are resolved in a particular period in an amount in excess of, or in a manner different than, what we anticipated, this could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In some cases, although a loss is probable or reasonably possible, we cannot reasonably estimate the maximum potential losses for probable matters or the range of losses for reasonably possible matters. Therefore, our accrual for probable losses and our estimated range of loss for reasonably possible losses do not represent our maximum possible exposure.
Certain Legal Proceedings
In determining whether to include any particular lawsuit or other proceeding in our disclosure below, we consider both quantitative and qualitative factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: the amount of damages and the nature of any other relief sought in the proceeding; if such damages and other relief are specified, our view of the merits of the claims; whether the action is or purports to be a class action, and our view of the likelihood that a class will be certified by the court; the jurisdiction in which the proceeding is pending; and the potential impact of the proceeding on our reputation.
The Consolidated Cases of Bucio and Martinez v. ABM Janitorial Services filed on April 7, 2006, pending in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Bucio case”)
The Bucio case is a class action pending in San Francisco Superior Court that alleges we failed to provide legally required meal periods and make additional premium payments for such meal periods, pay split shift premiums when owed, and reimburse janitors for travel expenses. There is also a claim for penalties under the California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”). On April 19, 2011, the trial court held a hearing on plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class. At the conclusion of that hearing, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class. On May 11, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a motion to reconsider, which was denied. The plaintiffs appealed the class certification issues. The trial court stayed the underlying lawsuit pending the decision in the appeal. The Court of Appeal of the State of California, First Appellate District (the “Court of Appeal”), heard oral arguments on November 7, 2017. On December 11, 2017, the Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order denying class certification and remanded the matter for certification of a meal period, travel expense reimbursement, and split shift class. The case was remitted to the trial court for further proceedings on class certification, discovery, dispositive motions, and trial.
On September 20, 2018, the trial court entered an order defining four certified subclasses of janitors who were employed by the legacy ABM janitorial companies in California at any time between April 7, 2002, and April 30, 2013, on claims based on alleged previous automatic deduction practices for meal breaks, unpaid meal premiums, unpaid split shift premiums, and unreimbursed business expenses, such as mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicles to travel between worksites. On February 1, 2019, the trial court held that the discovery related to PAGA claims allegedly arising after April 30, 2013, would be stayed until after the class and PAGA claims accruing prior to April 30, 2013, had been tried. The parties engaged in mediation in July 2019, which did not result in settlement of the case. On October 17, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the trial court to certify additional classes based on an alleged failure to maintain time records, an alleged failure to provide accurate wage statements, and an alleged practice of combining meal and rest breaks. The trial court denied the plaintiffs’ motion
to certify additional classes on December 26, 2019. The case was re-assigned to a new judge on January 6, 2020. ABM filed motions for summary adjudication as to certain of Plaintiffs’ class claims, and the trial court denied those motions in November 2020. Plaintiffs filed motions for summary adjudication and/or summary judgment on some claims in December 2020, and a hearing on these motions is currently set for February 24, 2021. The trial court has ordered that the parties complete another mediation by February 19, 2021.
The parties are currently engaged in substantive briefing and will begin expert discovery. The class action claims accruing prior to April 30, 2013 are set for trial on July 12, 2021. Prior to trial, we will have the opportunity to, among other things, seek decertification of the classes, seek interlocutory appellate review, or engage in further mediation if we deem such actions appropriate. We may engage in one or more such activities before the trial.
While we believe we have valid defenses to the claims in this proceeding and will continue to vigorously defend ourselves, there can be no assurance that the final resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
14. PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue 500,000 shares of preferred stock. None of these preferred shares are issued.
Common Stock
Effective December 18, 2019, our Board of Directors replaced our then-existing share repurchase program with a new share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock. These purchases may take place on the open market or otherwise, and all or part of the repurchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing of repurchases is at our discretion and will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, future cash flows, share price, share availability, and other factors at our discretion. Repurchased shares are retired and returned to an authorized but unissued status. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
Repurchase Activity
We repurchased shares under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program during the second quarter of 2020, as summarized below. However, due to the market and business conditions arising from the Pandemic, in March 2020 we suspended further repurchases of our common stock. At October 31, 2020, authorization for $144.9 million of repurchases remained under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. There were no share repurchases during 2019 or 2018.
15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
We use various share-based compensation plans to provide incentives for our key employees and directors. Currently, these incentives primarily consist of RSUs and performance shares.
On May 2, 2006, our stockholders approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Equity Plan”). The 2006 Equity Plan is an omnibus plan that provides for a variety of equity and equity-based award vehicles, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, performance shares, and other share-based awards. Shares subject to awards that terminate without vesting or exercise are available for future awards under the 2006 Equity Plan. Certain of the awards under the 2006 Equity Plan may qualify as “performance-based” compensation under the IRC.
As amended, there are 13,475,265 total shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2006 Equity Plan, and at October 31, 2020, there were 2,086,078 shares of common stock available for grant for future equity-based compensation awards. In addition, there are certain plans under which we can no longer issue awards, although awards outstanding under these plans may still vest and be exercised.
We also maintain an employee stock purchase plan, which our stockholders approved on March 9, 2004 (the “2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). As amended, there are 4,000,000 total shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Effective May 1, 2006, the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is no longer considered compensatory and the values of the awards are no longer treated as share-based compensation expense. Additionally, as of that date, the purchase price became 95% of the fair value of our common stock price on the last trading day of the month. Employees may designate up to 10% of their compensation for the purchase of stock, subject to a $25,000 annual limit. Employees are required to hold their shares for a minimum of six months from the date of purchase. At October 31, 2020, there were 599,159 remaining unissued shares under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Compensation Expense by Type of Award and Related Income Tax Benefit
RSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights
We award RSUs to eligible employees and our directors (each, a “Grantee”) that entitle the Grantee to receive shares of our common stock as the units vest. RSUs granted to eligible employees in 2020 generally vest ratably over three years. RSUs granted to eligible employees prior to 2020 generally vest with respect to 50% of the underlying award on the second and fourth anniversary of the award. RSUs granted to directors vest over three years. In general, the receipt of RSUs is subject to the Grantee’s continuing employment or service as a director.
RSUs are credited with dividend equivalent rights that are converted to RSUs at the fair market value of our common stock on the dates the dividend payments are made and are subject to the same terms and conditions as the underlying award.
RSU Activity
At October 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to RSUs was $25.2 million, which is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.9 years. In 2020, 2019, and 2018, the weighted-average grant date fair value per share of awards granted was $36.11, $34.48, and $37.98, respectively. In 2020, 2019, and 2018, the total grant date fair value of RSUs vested and converted to shares of ABM common stock was $6.1 million, $10.7 million, and $7.4 million, respectively.
Performance Shares, Including TSR Performance Shares
Performance shares consist of a contingent right to receive shares of our common stock based on performance targets adopted by our Compensation Committee. Performance shares are credited with dividend equivalent rights that will be converted to performance shares at the fair market value of our common stock beginning after the performance targets have been satisfied and are subject to the same terms and conditions as the underlying award.
For certain performance share awards, the number of performance shares that will vest is based on pre-established internal financial performance targets and typically a three-year service and performance period. The number of TSR awards and TSR-modified awards that will vest over the respective three-year performance period is based on our total shareholder return relative to the S&P 600 Small Cap Index for awards that were granted in 2018 and is based on the S&P 1500 Commercial Services & Supplies Index for awards that were granted in 2019 or 2020. Vesting of 0% to 150% of the awards originally granted may occur depending on the respective performance metrics under both award types.
Performance Share Activity
At October 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance share awards was $14.4 million, which is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.9 years. Except for TSR performance shares, these costs are based on estimated achievement of performance targets and estimated costs are periodically reevaluated. For our TSR performance shares, these costs are based on the fair value of awards at the grant date and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period of three years.
In 2020, 2019, and 2018, the weighted-average grant date fair value per share of awards granted was $35.92, $35.44, and $38.53, respectively. In 2020, 2019, and 2018, the total grant date fair value of performance shares vested and converted to shares of ABM common stock was $6.1 million, $6.8 million, and $7.3 million, respectively.
In 2020, 2019, and 2018, we used the Monte Carlo simulation valuation technique to estimate the fair value of TSR performance share grants, which used the assumptions in the table below.
Monte Carlo Assumptions
(1) The expected life represents the remaining performance period of the awards.
(2) The expected volatility for each grant is determined based on the historical volatility of our common stock over a period equal to the remaining term of the performance period from the date of grant for all awards.
(3) The risk-free interest rate is based on the continuous compounded yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Rates with varying remaining terms; the yield is determined over a time period commensurate with the performance period from the grant date.
(4) The stock price is the closing price of our common stock on the valuation date.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
16. INCOME TAXES
Geographic Sources of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
Components of Income Tax (Provision) Benefit
Reconciliation of the U.S. Statutory Tax Rate to Annual Effective Tax Rate
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted into law. Among other provisions, it reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of indefinitely reinvested earnings of international subsidiaries. Our U.S. statutory federal tax rate for fiscal 2019 and future years was reduced to 21% from our blended rate of 23.3% in fiscal 2018. Other provisions under the Tax Act became effective for us in fiscal 2019, including limitations on deductibility of interest and executive compensation, as well as a new minimum tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which we have elected to account for as a period cost.
During 2018, we finalized our analysis of the transitional impacts of the Tax Act. As a result, we recorded a one-time tax benefit of $29.6 million from the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the new tax rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future. In addition, we recorded an expense of $4.5 million for the one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of indefinitely reinvested earnings of our international subsidiaries. Upon finalizing our tax filings, the impact of the transition tax was ultimately an expense of $2.7 million, which resulted in a benefit of $1.8 million that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019. We continue planning to reinvest our foreign earnings to fund future non-U.S. growth and expansion, and we do not anticipate remitting such earnings to the United States. While U.S. federal tax expense has been recognized as a result of the Tax Act, no deferred tax liabilities with respect to federal and state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes have been recognized.
During 2020 and 2019, we had effective tax rates of 99.6% and 20.4%, respectively, resulting in a provision for tax of $53.1 million and $32.7 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended October 31, 2020, excluding a nondeductible impairment loss of $163.8 million, was 24.4%. Our effective tax rate for 2020 was also impacted by the following discrete items: a $5.7 million benefit from true-ups; a $2.3 million provision related to WOTC; a $2.1 million benefit from energy efficiency incentives; and a $1.1 million benefit from change of tax reserves. Our effective tax rate for 2019 was impacted by the following discrete items: a $1.8 million benefit from the transition tax (including foreign tax credits); a $1.7 million benefit from state true-ups; a $1.6 million benefit from federal true-ups; a $1.3 million provision related to WOTC; a $1.3 million benefit from expiring statutes of limitations; a $1.1 million benefit from the vesting of share-based compensation awards; and a $0.9 million benefit from research and development credits.
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards and Credits
State net operating loss carryforwards totaling $102.3 million at October 31, 2020, are being carried forward in several state jurisdictions where we are permitted to use net operating losses from prior periods to reduce future taxable income. These losses will expire between 2021 and 2040. Federal net operating loss carryforwards were fully utilized during 2020. Federal and state tax credit carryforwards totaling $4.4 million are available to reduce future cash taxes and will expire between 2021 and 2040.
The valuation allowance represents the amount of tax benefits related to state net operating loss carryforwards that are not likely to be realized. We believe the remaining deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realizable based on estimates of future taxable income.
Changes to the Valuation Allowance
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
At October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, there were $35.5 million, $35.3 million, and $35.8 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized in the future would impact our effective tax rate. We estimate that a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits of up to approximately $0.6 million is reasonably possible over the next twelve months due to lapses of applicable statutes of limitations. At October 31, 2020 and 2019, accrued interest and penalties were $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. For interest and penalties, we recognized an expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, and a benefit of $1.0 million in 2018.
Reconciliation of Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Jurisdictions
We conduct business in all 50 states, significantly in California, Texas, and New York, as well as in various foreign jurisdictions. Our most significant income tax jurisdiction is the United States. Due to expired statutes and closed audits, our federal income tax returns for years prior to fiscal 2016 are no longer subject to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where we do business, periods prior to fiscal 2016 are no longer subject to examination. We are currently being examined by the IRS and tax authorities of California, New York City, and Wisconsin.
17. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Segment Information
Our current reportable segments consist of B&I, T&M, Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions, as further described below.
The accounting policies for our segments are the same as those disclosed within our significant accounting policies in Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies.” Our management evaluates the performance of each reportable segment based on its respective operating profit results, which include the allocation of certain centrally incurred costs. Corporate expenses not allocated to segments include certain CEO and other finance and human resource departmental expenses, certain information technology costs, share-based compensation, certain legal costs and settlements, restructuring and related costs, certain actuarial adjustments to self-insurance reserves, and direct acquisition costs. Management does not review asset information by segment, therefore we do not present assets in this note.
Financial Information by Reportable Segment
(1) Reflects impairment charges totaling $99.3 million on goodwill during the year ended October 31, 2020.
(2) Reflects impairment charges totaling $61.1 million on goodwill and intangible assets during the year ended October 31, 2020.
(3) Reflects impairment charges totaling $12.4 million on goodwill and intangible assets during the year ended October 31, 2020.
Geographic Information Based on the Country in Which the Sale Originated(1)
(1) Substantially all of our long-lived assets are related to United States operations.
18. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(1) Includes goodwill and asset impairment charges of $172.8 million, $170.6 million after tax, or $2.54 per diluted share.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
b. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2020.
Audit Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG 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 their report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
c. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
To support the growth of our financial shared service capabilities and standardize our financial systems, we continue to update several key platforms, including our HR information systems, enterprise resource planning system, and labor management system. The implementation of several key platforms involves changes in the systems that include internal controls. Although some of the transitions have proceeded to date without material adverse effects, the possibility exists that they could adversely affect our internal controls over financial reporting and procedures.
There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year 2020 identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As a result of the Pandemic, many of our office-based employees began working remotely in March 2020. This change to the working environment did not have a material effect on our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal year 2020. We are continually monitoring and assessing the impact of the Pandemic and the resulting changes to our working environment on our internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information about our executive officers is found in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Executive Officers of Registrant.” Additional information required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Proposal No. 1-Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” and “Audit-Related Matters” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2021 Proxy Statement”). Such information is incorporated herein by reference. Our 2021 Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the conclusion of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
On April 13, 2020, we filed our Annual CEO Certification as required by Section 303A.12 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
Code of Business Conduct
We have adopted and posted on our website (www.abm.com) the ABM Code of Business Conduct. Our Code of Business Conduct qualifies as a “code of ethics” within the meaning of Item 406 of Regulation S-K. Our Code of Business Conduct applies to all of our directors, officers, and employees, including our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer. If any amendments are made to the Code of Business Conduct or if any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct is granted to our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, or Principal Accounting Officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website at the address specified above.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information with respect to executive compensation required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2020,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters-Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and equity compensation plan information and related stockholder matters required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “General Information-Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “General Information-Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers,” and “General Information-Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions and with respect to director independence required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “General Information-Certain Relationships and Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Information with respect to our Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy for audit services and our principal accounting fees and services required by this Item will be set forth under the caption “Audit-Related Matters” in our 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:
ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(1) Write-offs are net of recoveries.
EXHIBIT INDEX
*Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract, or arrangement
‡Indicates filed herewith
†Indicates furnished herewith
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.
ABM Industries Incorporated
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of ABM Industries and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.