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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to

 

Commission File Number 1-7234

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

13-1926739

(State of Incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

6095 Marshalee Drive, Suite 300, Elkridge, MD

 

21075

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(410) 379-3600
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered:

Common Stock, $.01 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  o  No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes   o  No   x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   x No   o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes   o No   o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     x

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  o

Accelerated filer   x

Non-accelerated filer  o           Smaller reporting company  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   o No   x

 

The aggregate market value of the outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2009 was approximately $86,814,000.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of February 26, 2010:

 

Class

 

Outstanding

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

18,603,322 shares

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference into Part III hereof.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

Page

 

 

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

1

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

1

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

8

 

 

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

20

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

20

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

20

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

21

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

24

 

 

 

Item 7.

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

25

 

 

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

47

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

85

 

 

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

85

 

 

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

85

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

86

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

86

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

86

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

87

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

87

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

88

 

 

 

Signatures

 

91

 

 

 



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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements.  Forward—looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results.  We use words such as “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions to indicate forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. Because these forward-looking statements are based upon management’s expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those factors set forth under Item 1A — Risk Factors and those other risks and uncertainties detailed in our periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We caution that these risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time.  We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the effect, if any, of the new risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

 

If any one or more of these expectations and assumptions proves incorrect, actual results will likely differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Even if all of the foregoing assumptions and expectations prove correct, actual results may still differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors we may not anticipate or that may be beyond our control. While we cannot assess the future impact that any of these differences could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows or the market price of shares of our common stock, the differences could be significant. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report.

 

Company Information Available on the Internet

 

Our internet address is www.gpworldwide.com.  We make available free of charge through our internet site, our annual reports on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current reports on Form 8-K; and any amendment to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

PART I

 

Item 1:                                  Business

 

Introduction

 

GP Strategies Corporation (“GP Strategies” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1959. The Company is a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listed company traded under the symbol GPX.  The Company’s business consists of its training, engineering, technical services and consulting business operated by its subsidiary, General Physics Corporation (“General Physics” or “GP”) which was established in 1966. General Physics is a workforce development company that seeks to improve the effectiveness of organizations by providing training, management consulting, e-Learning solutions, engineering and technical services that are customized to meet the specific needs of clients. References in this report to “GP Strategies,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to GP Strategies and its subsidiaries, collectively.

 

General Development of Business

 

During the first four decades of our existence, we were engaged in a broad array of businesses, ranging from optical plastics to consulting services.  In June 2003, we embarked upon a plan to spin off non-core businesses and focus upon training, consulting, engineering and technical services.  We completed the spin-off of all of our non-core assets by September 2005. In addition, on January 19, 2006, we completed a restructuring of our capital stock, which had the

 

 

 

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effect of eliminating all outstanding shares of our Class B stock, which had ten votes per share and represented approximately 41% of our aggregate voting power.

 

We then began building our custom training business through internal growth and the acquisition of several complementary businesses. We expanded our service offerings to include sales training through the following acquisitions: (i) Peters Management Consultancy Ltd. (“PMC”), a performance improvement and sales training company in the United Kingdom (February 2006); (ii) Sandy Corporation (“Sandy”), a leader in custom product sales training primarily in the U.S. automotive industry and previously part of the ADP Dealer Services division of ADP, Inc. (“ADP”) (January 2007); and (iii) Via Training, LLC (“Via”), a U.S. custom e-Learning sales training company (June 2007). We strengthened and expanded our service offering to clients in the power generation industry through the acquisition of Performance Consulting Services, Inc. (“PCS”), an engineering and training company serving the power generation industry, in March 2008. In September 2009, we expanded our ability to deliver technical services in Europe through the acquisition of Milsom Industrial Designs Limited (“Milsom”), a provider of technical documentation, technical publications, technical recruiting and engineering design services primarily for the aerospace sector. In December 2009, we acquired two businesses we believe will help support and expand our already growing e-Learning business in both the commercial and government sectors. On December 1, 2009, we acquired Option Six, Inc. (“Option Six”), a provider of e-Learning and custom courseware development services with expertise in the software and pharmaceutical industries, and on December 30, 2009, we acquired PerformTech, Inc. (“PerformTech”), a provider of e-Learning, custom courseware development and other training services primarily for the U.S. Government.

 

On December 30, 2009, we completed a private placement of 2,857,143 shares of common stock with Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. (“Sagard”), at a price of $7.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $20.0 million. Sagard’s equity investment equated to an ownership interest of approximately 15.4% at the time the transaction was completed. The investment by Sagard strengthens our ability to expand our platform as a leading custom training and performance improvement company through strategic acquisitions and internal growth. We utilized a portion of the net proceeds from the Sagard offering to fund the purchase price of the PerformTech acquisition discussed above.

 

Company Overview

 

We are a leading independent provider of customized training solutions focused on performance improvement initiatives for our clients. We also provide consulting, engineering and technical services which enhance our customized training capabilities and diversify our service offerings. We serve a large customer base across a broad range of industries. We serve leading companies in the automotive, steel, oil and gas, power, chemical, electronics and technology, software, healthcare and food and beverage industries, as well as government agencies. We have over four decades of experience in developing solutions to optimize workforce performance by providing services and products to our clients that assist them in successfully integrating their employees, processes and technology.

 

Our training services and products support existing, as well as the launch of new, plants, products, equipment, technologies and processes. We offer a wide range of training business process outsourcing (“BPO”) services, including design, delivery and global management of comprehensive learning programs, to national and multinational businesses and government organizations and can deliver our services individually or as a complete, integrated training solution. We have global execution capabilities and currently provide custom training services in more than 30 countries to many industry leaders, such as CIGNA Corporation, Cisco Systems, Eli Lilly, ExxonMobil, General Motors, Microsoft, Ford and United Technologies, as well as to government agencies including the U.S. Army and Department of Homeland Security. Our experience allows us to leverage our expertise across a wide variety of customer end markets ranging from heavy manufacturing such as automotive to the high tech bio-pharmaceutical industry. In 2009, for the sixth consecutive year, Training Industry, Inc., an industry trade organization, selected us as one of the Top 20 Companies in Training Outsourcing from among 500 companies. In addition, in 2009 Training Industry, Inc. selected us as one of the Top Sales Training Companies for the second consecutive year. During 2009, we also won several other industry awards including two prestigious “Learning In Practice” awards from Chief Learning Officer Magazine, a 2009 Lilly Global Supplier award, ranking third on the list of Top Training Outsourcing

 

 

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companies by HRO Today, and being named as one of the Top Training and Learning Business Process Outsourcing (LBPO) Providers by The Black Book of Outsourcing.

 

Our consulting, engineering, and technical support services range from traditional business consulting, including lean enterprise consulting services, to specialized engineering and technical support services, such as design and evaluation services regarding facilities, processes and systems. Our consulting and engineering customers typically operate in technically complex industries such as oil and gas, power, chemical, aerospace, transportation and manufacturing industries, and include customers such as The Boeing Company, General Dynamics Corporation, Luminant Energy, NRG Energy, Clean Energy Fuels and Ameren Energy. We have a strong reputation for providing services for leading edge and emerging technologies and believe we are a leader in the rapidly developing field of design and construction of alternative fuel stations, including liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and hydrogen fueling stations. In addition, our consulting services support regulatory and environmental compliance, modification of facilities and processes and plant performance improvement.

 

Operating Segments

 

As of December 31, 2009, we operated through four reportable business segments: (i) Manufacturing & BPO, (ii) Process & Government, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Sandy Training & Marketing (“Sandy”). We are organized by operating group, primarily based upon the markets served by each group and the services performed. Each operating group consists of strategic business units (“SBUs”) and business units (“BUs”) which are focused on providing specific products and services to certain classes of customers or within targeted markets. Across operating groups, SBUs and BUs, we integrate similar service lines, technology, information, work products, client management and other resources. Communications and market research, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and other administrative services are organized at the corporate level. Business development and sales resources are aligned with operating groups to support existing customer accounts and new customer development. Two of our reportable business segments, Manufacturing & BPO and Process & Government, represent an aggregation of certain operating groups in accordance with the aggregation criteria defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), while our Energy and Sandy groups each represent one operating segment. Further information regarding each business segment is discussed below.

 

Manufacturing & BPO. Our Manufacturing & BPO segment delivers training, curriculum design and development, staff augmentation, e-Learning services, system hosting, integration and help desk support, training business process outsourcing, and consulting and technical services primarily to large companies in the electronics and semiconductors, steel, healthcare, pharmaceutical, software, financial and other industries as well as to government agencies. Our ability to deliver a wide range of training services allows us to take over the entire learning function for the client, including their training personnel.

 

Process & Government. Our Process & Government segment has over four decades of experience providing consulting, engineering, technical and training services, including emergency preparedness, safety and regulatory compliance, chemical demilitarization and environmental services primarily to federal and state government agencies, large government contractors and petroleum and chemical refining companies. This segment also provides design and construction of alternative fuel stations, including LNG and hydrogen fueling stations.

 

Energy. Our Energy segment provides engineering services, products and training primarily to electric power utilities. Our proprietary EtaProTM Performance Monitoring and Optimization System provides a suite of performance solutions for power generation plants and is installed at approximately 700 power generating units in over 25 countries. In addition, this segment provides web-based training through our GPiLearnTM portal to over 28,000 power plant personnel in the U.S. and in over 35 countries.

 

Sandy Training & Marketing. Our Sandy segment provides custom product sales training and has been a leader in serving manufacturing customers in the U.S. automotive industry for over 30 years. Sandy provides custom product sales training designed to better educate customer sales forces with respect to new product features and designs, in effect rapidly increasing the sales force knowledge base and enabling them to address detailed customer queries. Furthermore, Sandy helps our clients assess their customer relationship marketing strategy, measure performance

 

 

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against competitors and connect with their customers on a one-to-one basis. This segment also provides technical training services to automotive customers.

 

Segment Financial Information

 

For financial information about our business segments and geographic operations and revenue, see Note 13 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Services and Products

 

Our personnel bring a wide variety of professional, technical and military backgrounds together to create cost-effective solutions for modern business and governmental challenges. Our primary service and product categories are discussed in more detail below.

 

Custom Training, Sales Training and Performance Improvement. We provide custom training services and products to support existing, as well as the launch of new, plants, products, equipment, technologies and processes. The range of services includes fundamental analysis of a client’s training needs, curriculum design, instructional material development (in hard copy, electronic/software or other format), information technology service support and delivery of training. Training products include custom instructor and student training manuals, and instructional materials suitable for web-based and blended learning solutions. Our instructional delivery capabilities include traditional classroom, structured on-the-job training (OJT), just-in-time methods, computer-based, web-based, video-based and the full spectrum of e-Learning technologies. Our e-Learning services enable us to function as a single-source e-Learning solutions provider through our integration services and hosting, the development and provisioning of proprietary content and the aggregation and distribution of third party content.  In addition, our Sandy segment provides customer relationship marketing (CRM) products including brand loyalty publications and other related products. Sandy develops personalized publications for automotive clients which establish a link between the manufacturer/dealer and each customer. Sandy has also produced brand specific portfolios that are installed in the gloveboxes of new cars and trucks at the time of vehicle assembly.

 

Business Process Outsourcing. We provide end-to-end business process outsourcing solutions, including the management of our customers’ training departments, as well as administrative processes, such as tuition assistance program management, vendor management, call center / help desk administration and learning management system (LMS) administration. Our training BPO services encompass a wide spectrum of learning engagements from transactional multi-week assignments focused on a single aspect of a learning process to multi-year contracts where we manage the learning infrastructure of our customer. In addition, we automate a large amount of our customers’ tuition reimbursement programs by utilizing our own proprietary software, Tuition Outsourced Processing Services (TOPS).

 

Consulting. Consulting services include not only training-related consulting services, but also more traditional business management, engineering and other disciplines. We are able to provide high-level lean enterprise consulting services, as well as training in the concept, methods and application of lean enterprise and other quality practices, organizational development and change management. We also provide engineering consulting services to support regulatory and environmental compliance, modification of facilities and processes, plant performance improvement, reliability-centered maintenance practices and plant start-up activities. Consulting services also include operations continuity assessment, planning, training and procedure development. Consulting products include proprietary training and reference materials.

 

Technical Support and Engineering. We are staffed and equipped to provide engineering and technical support services and products to clients. We have civil, mechanical and electrical engineers who provide consulting, design and evaluation services regarding facilities, processes and systems. We believe that we are a leader in the design and construction of alternative fuel stations, cryogenic systems and high pressure systems. Technical support services include procedure writing and configuration control for capital intensive facilities, plant start-up assistance, logistics support (e.g., inventory management and control), implementation and engineering assistance for facility or process modifications, facility management for high technology training environments, staff augmentation and help-desk

 

 

 

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support for standard and customized client desktop applications. Technical support products include our proprietary EtaPRO™ and Virtual PlantTM software applications that serve the power generation industry.

 

Competitive Strengths

 

We believe our key competitive strengths include:

 

Independent and Single-Source Custom Training Solutions Provider. We believe we are one of the largest independent single-source custom training solutions providers in the markets in which we compete. We provide business process outsourcing solutions spanning the full life-cycle of the training process, including the management of training departments and administrative processes for our customers. We believe that the breadth of our service and product offerings, which encompass fully integrated training business process outsourcing solutions as well as discrete services, allows us to better serve the needs of our clients by providing them with a single-source solution for custom training, consulting and technical and engineering services. We believe that the integration of our services into a single platform, together with our international presence and delivery capabilities, allows our customers to leverage an enterprise-wide solution to address their performance improvement needs in a way that streamlines their internal operations, improves the speed and efficiency at which critical know-how is disseminated on a firm-wide basis, and enables them to achieve their desired performance improvement goals.

 

Scalable Technology Platform. Our training programs are delivered online, in classroom settings or a combination of both. We have the ability to work with outside information technology (IT) vendors in combination with our own proprietary software in order to deliver a scalable technology platform capable of addressing training needs of various size and commitment, ranging from a one-time project to a multi-year training program.

 

Legacy Technical Expertise. In the 1960’s, we began providing technical services to the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program and nuclear power generation industry and have since maintained and expanded our reputation for providing technically complex consulting, engineering, and training services. Many of our employees have engineering degrees, technical training or years of relevant technical industry experience. Through repeat projects with industry leaders, such as ExxonMobil, Applied Materials and The Boeing Company, we have acquired significant industry experience in providing highly technical consulting services. We believe that our technical expertise allows us to address market opportunities for complex business challenges that require in-depth expertise and certifications typically acquired over several years of specialized training and many years of experience. We also believe that our ability to provide both training-related and business consulting services allows us to gain insight into operations of our customers, understand the challenges they face and develop optimal solutions to meet these challenges. We also believe that the knowledge that we develop while working with our clients provides us with a significant competitive advantage as those clients look to expand the scope of services outsourced to third party service providers.

 

Well Positioned to Capitalize on the Large Product Sales Training Market. We believe that the introduction of new products with advanced features, combined with the growing amount and accessibility of information available to consumers, requires companies to maintain a highly skilled and technologically current sales force to most effectively capture customer interest and confidence. In-house implementation of product sales training programs can be expensive and time-consuming as these programs typically involve significant levels of face-to-face training, in some cases across a large sales force that can be located around the globe. In addition, product sales training tends to be a continuous process, as the pace of new products and features in many cases requires year-round updating of the sales force. We have what we believe to be one of the industry’s leading product sales training platforms, and are well positioned to benefit from increased training outsourcing as companies look for ways to reduce costs.

 

Business Model Supports Visibility of Revenues. We believe the nature of our business, which includes established relationships with our clients, average project duration of one year, as well as many long term contracts with our customers provides us with a platform from which to drive revenues and gives us visibility into our future performance. We have long-standing relationships with many of our clients, with over 60% of our top 25 clients having used our services for five or more years.  Additionally, over 90% of our annual revenue is generated by existing prior year clients. We also had a backlog for services under executed contracts of $125.2 million as of December 31, 2009, most of which we anticipate will be recognized as revenue during 2010.

 

 

 

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Highly Qualified and Dedicated Employees and Tenured Management Team. Our most important asset is our people, as their wide-ranging skill set enables us to serve our diverse and expanding global client base. As a result, we are committed to the continued development of our employees. We offer our employees technical, functional, industry, managerial and leadership skill development and training throughout their careers with us. We seek to reinforce our employees’ commitment to our clients, culture and values through a comprehensive performance management system and a career philosophy that rewards both individual performance and teamwork. We also benefit from the skill and experience of our executive management team, who together have in excess of 100 years experience in the training industry and have an average tenure with our company of over 20 years.

 

Contracts

 

We currently perform under fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction), time-and-materials and cost-reimbursable contracts. Our contracts with the U.S. Government have predominantly been cost-reimbursable contracts and fixed price contracts. We are required to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Government Cost Accounting Standards with respect to services provided to the U.S. Government and its agencies. These Regulations and Standards govern the procurement of goods and services by the U.S. Government and the nature of costs that can be charged with respect to such goods and services. All such contracts are subject to audit by a designated government audit agency, which in most cases is the Defense Contract Audit Agency (the “DCAA”). The DCAA has audited our contracts and indirect rates through 2004 without any material disallowances.

 

The following table illustrates the percentage of our total revenue attributable to each type of contract for the year ended December 31, 2009:

 

Fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction)

 

68

%

Time-and-materials, including fixed rate

 

22

 

Cost-reimbursable

 

10

 

Total revenue

 

100

%

 

Fixed price contracts provide for payment to us of pre-determined amounts as compensation for the delivery of specific products or services, without regard to the actual costs incurred. We bear the risk that increased or unexpected costs required to perform the specified services may reduce our profit or cause us to sustain a loss, but we have the opportunity to derive increased profit if the costs required to perform the specified services are less than expected. Fixed price contracts generally permit the client to terminate the contract on written notice; in the event of such termination we would typically be paid a proportionate amount of the fixed price.

 

Time-and-materials contracts generally provide for billing of services based upon the hourly billing rates of the employees performing the services and the actual expenses incurred multiplied by a specified mark-up factor up to a certain aggregate dollar amount. Our time-and-materials contracts include certain contracts under which we have agreed to provide training, engineering and technical services at fixed hourly rates. Time-and-materials contracts generally permit the client to control the amount, type and timing of the services to be performed by us and to terminate the contract on written notice. If a contract is terminated, we are typically paid for the services we have provided through the date of termination.

 

Cost-reimbursable contracts provide for us to be reimbursed for our actual direct and indirect costs plus a fee. These contracts also are generally subject to termination at the convenience of the client. If a contract is terminated, we are typically reimbursed for our costs through the date of termination, plus the cost of an orderly termination and paid a proportionate amount of the fee.

 

International

 

We conduct our business outside of the United States in over 30 countries primarily through General Physics’ wholly owned subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, China and India. Through these subsidiaries, we are capable of providing substantially the same services and products as are

 

 

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available to clients in the United States, although modified as appropriate to address the language, business practices and cultural factors unique to each client and country. In combination with our subsidiaries, we are able to coordinate the delivery to multi-national clients of services and products that achieve consistency on a global, enterprise-wide basis.  Revenue from operations outside the United States represented approximately 14% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 (see Note 13 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Customers

 

During 2009, we provided services to over 500 customers. Significant customers include multinational automotive manufacturers, such as General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company and Hyundai Motor Company; commercial electric power utilities, such as Ameren Energy, NRG Energy and Luminant Energy; governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Office of Personnel Management, and U.S. Social Security Administration; U.S. Government prime contractors, such as Bechtel National, Inc. and URS Corporation; and other large multinational companies, such as Cisco Systems, Inc., Texas Instruments, Microsoft, Eli Lilly & Co., United Technologies Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Inc., CIGNA Corporation, The Boeing Company, Exxon Mobil and United States Steel Corporation.

 

We have a concentration of revenue from General Motors Corporation and its affiliates (“General Motors”) as well as a market concentration in the automotive sector. Revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 16% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009, and revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 21% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.  In addition, revenue from the U.S. Government accounted for approximately 23% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009. Revenue was derived from many separate contracts with a variety of government agencies that are regarded by us as separate customers. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue in 2009.

 

Employees

 

Our principal resource is our personnel. As of December 31, 2009, we had 1,780 employees and access to over 100 adjunct instructors and consultants. Our future success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to continue to attract, retain and integrate into our operations instructors, engineers, technical personnel and consultants who possess the skills and experience required to meet the needs of our clients.

 

We utilize a variety of methods to attract and retain personnel. We believe that the compensation and benefits offered to our employees are competitive with the compensation and benefits available from other organizations with which we compete for personnel. In addition, we encourage the professional development of our employees, both internally via GP University (our own internal training resource) and through third parties, and we also offer tuition reimbursement for job-related educational costs. We believe that we have good relations with our employees.

 

Competition

 

We face a highly competitive environment. The principal competitive factors are the experience and capability of service personnel, performance, quality and functionality of products, reputation and price. The training industry is highly fragmented and competitive, with low barriers to entry and no single competitor accounting for a significant market share. Our competitors include several large publicly traded and privately held companies, vocational and technical training schools, degree-granting colleges and universities, continuing education programs and thousands of small privately held training providers and individuals. In addition, many of our clients maintain internal training departments, which have the resources and ability to provide the same or similar services in-house. Some of our competitors offer services and products at lower prices, and some competitors have significantly greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing and other resources. Moreover, we expect to face additional competition from new entrants into the training and performance improvement market due, in part, to the evolving nature of the market and the relatively low barriers to entry. There can be no assurance that we will be successful against such competition.

 

Engineering and consulting services such as those that we provide are performed by many of the customers themselves, large architectural and engineering firms that have expanded their range of services beyond design and construction activities, large consulting firms, information technology companies, major suppliers of equipment and

 

 

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individuals and independent service companies similar to us. The engineering and construction markets are highly competitive and require substantial resources and capital investment in equipment, technology and skilled personnel.  Many of our competitors for our engineering and technical consulting services have greater financial resources than we do.  Competition also places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins.  We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to compete successfully, and the failure to do so could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

Marketing

 

Business development and sales resources are aligned with our operating groups to support existing customer accounts and new customer development. We use attendance at trade shows, presentations of technical papers at industry and trade association conferences, press releases, webinars and workshops given by our personnel to serve an important marketing function. We also carry out selective advertising and send a variety of sales literature to current and prospective clients. By staying in contact with clients and looking for opportunities to provide further services, we sometimes obtain contract awards or extensions without having to undergo competitive bidding. In other cases, clients request us to bid competitively. In both cases, we submit proposals to the client for evaluation. The period between submission of a proposal to final award can range from 30 days or less (generally for noncompetitive, short-term contracts), to a year or more (generally for large, competitive multi-year contracts).

 

Backlog

 

Our backlog for services under executed contracts and subcontracts was approximately $125.2 million and $131.7 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We anticipate that most of our backlog as of December 31, 2009 will be recognized as revenue during 2010. However, the rate at which services are performed under certain contracts, and thus the rate at which backlog will be recognized, is at the discretion of the client and most contracts are, as mentioned above, subject to termination by the client upon written notice.

 

Environmental Statutes and Regulations

 

We provide environmental engineering services to our clients, including the development and management of site environmental remediation plans. Our activities in connection with providing environmental engineering services may also subject us to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations (including, without limitation, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act). Although we subcontract most remediation construction activities and all removal and offsite disposal and treatment of hazardous substances, we could still be held liable for clean-up or violations of such laws as an “operator” or otherwise under such federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations with respect to a site where we have provided environmental engineering and support services. We believe, however, that we are in compliance in all material respects with such environmental laws and regulations.

 

Item 1A:  Risk Factors

 

The following are some of the factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results and from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report and other public statements made by us.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business.  Most of these risks are generally beyond our control.  If any of the risks or uncertainties described below, or any such additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Changing economic conditions in the United States, the United Kingdom and the other countries in which we conduct our operations could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our revenues and profitability are related to general levels of economic activity and employment primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom.  As a result, the economic recession in both of those countries could harm our business and financial condition, as already seen by a decrease in our revenue and income during 2009. A significant portion of our revenues is derived from Fortune 500 companies and their international equivalents, which historically

 

 

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have decreased expenditures for external training during economic downturns.  If the economies in which these companies operate remain or are further weakened in any future period, these companies may further reduce their expenditures on external training, and other products and services supplied by us, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  As we expand our business globally, we might be subject to additional risks associated with economic conditions in the countries into which we enter or in which we expand our operations.

 

Our revenue and financial condition could be adversely affected by the loss of business from significant customers, including automotive manufacturers, the U.S. Government and other customers.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 16%, 20% and 21%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue and revenue from our customers in the automotive industry, including General Motors, accounted for approximately 21% and 28%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue.  In addition, accounts receivable from General Motors totaled $8.0 million as of December 31, 2009. In recent periods, General Motors and other auto manufacturers have reported a sharp reduction in vehicle sales which has resulted in substantial losses and severe liquidity problems, leading to efforts to restructure their operations to remain solvent and to seek government funding.  Further cost-cutting, a lack of sufficient funding or a decision to cease or reduce contract awards to us, could adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, default in payment of accounts receivable from General Motors or other significant customers could cause us to incur substantial losses.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, revenue from the U.S. Government represented approximately 23%, 18% and 18% of our consolidated revenue, respectively.  However, the revenue was derived from a number of separate contracts with a variety of government agencies we regard as separate customers. In addition, our acquisition of PerformTech in December 2009 will result in an increase in the percentage of our revenue from the U.S. Government. If PerformTech had been included in our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009, our revenue from the U.S. Government would have represented approximately 27% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009. Government contracts are subject to various uncertainties, restrictions and regulations, including oversight audits by government representatives and profit and cost controls.  If we fail to comply with all of the applicable regulations, requirements or laws, our existing contracts with the government could be terminated and our ability to seek future government contracts or subcontracts could be adversely affected.  In addition, the funding of government contracts is subject to Congressional appropriations.  Budget decisions made by the U.S. Government are outside of our control and could result in a reduction or elimination of contract funding.  A shift in government spending to other programs in which we are not involved or a reduction in general government spending could have a negative impact on our financial condition.  The U.S. Government is under no obligation to maintain funding for or to continue to fund our contracts or subcontracts.

 

Although no other customers account for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue, we experienced declines in our revenue during 2009 from certain other top customers, primarily in the manufacturing sector. A further loss of business from these or other customers could adversely affect our revenue and financial condition. In addition, substantially all of our contracts are subject to termination on written notice and, therefore, our operations are dependent upon our customers’ continued satisfaction with our services and their continued inability or unwillingness to perform those services themselves or to engage other third-parties to deliver such services.

 

The price of our common stock is highly volatile and could further decline regardless of our operating performance.

 

The market price of our common stock could fluctuate in response to, among other things:

 

·         changes in economic and general market conditions

·         changes in the outlook and financial condition of certain of our significant customers and industries in which we have a concentration of business

·         changes in financial estimates, treatment of our tax assets or liabilities or investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business;

 

 

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·         changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance or interpretations or principles

·         sales of common stock by our directors, officers and significant stockholders;

·         factors affecting securities of companies included in the Russell 3000® Index, to which our common stock was added in 2009;

·         our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts’ projections; and

·        the operating and stock price performance of competitors.

 

These factors might adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and prevent you from selling your common stock at or above the price at which you purchased it.  In addition, in recent periods, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations.  This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including ours and others in our industry.  These changes can occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies.  As a result, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our share price.

 

We incurred goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges of $10.2 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and may incur further material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in future periods.

 

We recognized a goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss of $10.2 million during the second quarter of 2009 related to our Manufacturing reporting unit and a goodwill impairment loss of $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 related to our Sandy reporting unit. The impairment losses were primarily due to a significant decline in our market capitalization during these periods and significant declines in the volume of business with customers in the manufacturing and automotive sectors. See the Management Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies section in Item 7 for further discussion regarding the factors leading to these asset impairments and the valuation methodologies and assumptions used in the impairment tests. As of December 31, 2009 after recognizing these impairment charges, we had remaining goodwill of $67.3 million and other intangible assets of $10.2 million in connection with acquisitions. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances or events indicate that an impairment test should be performed sooner to determine if there has been any impairment to value.  The review for impairment is based on several factors requiring judgment. A decrease in expected cash flows or change in market conditions, among other things, may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill.

 

Our acquisitions in recent years have not involved the acquisition of significant tangible assets and, as a result, a significant portion of the purchase price in each case was allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets. We will continue to test for impairment on an annual basis, coinciding with our fiscal year-end, or on an interim basis if events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. However, we may incur further material goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges in the future related to past acquisitions.

 

Our financial results are subject to quarterly fluctuations, which may result in volatility or declines in our stock price.

 

We experience, and expect to continue to experience, fluctuations in quarterly operating results. Consequently, you should not deem our results for any particular quarter to be necessarily indicative of future results.  Factors that may affect quarterly operating results in the future include:

 

·          the overall level of services and products sold;

 

·          the volume of publications shipped by our Sandy segment each quarter, because revenue and cost of publications contracts are recognized in the quarter during which the publications ship;

 

·          fluctuations in project profitability;

 

·          the gain or loss of material clients;

 

·          the timing, structure and magnitude of acquisitions;

 

·          participant training volume and general levels of outsourcing demand from clients in the industries that we serve;

 

 

 

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·                  the budget and purchasing cycles of our clients, especially of the governments and government agencies that we serve;

·                  the commencement or completion of client engagements or services and products in a particular quarter;

·                  currency fluctuations; and

·                  the general level of economic activity.

 

In addition, we provide domestic preparedness and emergency management services, including disaster recovery services, which can result in revenue volatility associated with the unpredictability of certain events occurring and the need for these types of services.  Accordingly, it is difficult for us to forecast our growth and results of operations on a quarterly basis.  If we fail to meet expectations of investors or analysts, our stock price may fall rapidly and without notice.  Furthermore, the fluctuation of quarterly operating results may render less meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our operating results.

 

We are vulnerable to the cyclical nature of the markets we serve.

 

The demand for our services and products is dependent upon training and marketing budgets and the existence of projects with training, engineering, procurement, construction or management needs.  Although downturns can impact our entire business, the automotive, construction, alternative fuels and energy industries are examples of sectors that are cyclical in nature and have been affected from time to time by fluctuations in either national or worldwide demand for these projects.  Industries such as these and many of the others we serve have historically been and might continue to be vulnerable to general downturns and are and might continue to be cyclical in nature.  During economic downturns, our clients might demand better terms.  In addition, many of our training contracts are subject to modification in the event of certain material changes in the business or demand for our services.  Our government clients also might face budget deficits that prohibit them from funding proposed and existing projects.  As a result, our past results have varied considerably and could continue to vary depending upon the demand for future projects in the industries that we serve.

 

We may continue making acquisitions as part of our growth strategy, which subjects us to numerous risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

As part of our growth strategy, we may continue to pursue selective acquisitions of businesses that broaden our service and product offerings, deepen our capabilities and allow us to enter attractive new domestic and international markets.  Pursuit of acquisitions exposes us to many risks, including that:

 

·                  acquisitions may require significant capital resources and divert management’s attention from our existing business;

·                  acquisitions may not provide the benefits anticipated;

·                  acquisitions could subject us to contingent or other liabilities, including liabilities arising from events or conduct predating the acquisition of a business that were not known to us at the time of the acquisition;

·                  we may incur significantly greater expenditures in integrating an acquired business than had been initially anticipated;

·                  acquisitions may create unanticipated tax and accounting problems; and

·                  acquisitions may result in a material weakness in our internal controls if we are not able to successfully establish and implement proper controls and procedures for the acquired business.

 

Our failure to successfully accomplish future acquisitions or to manage and integrate completed or future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.  We can provide no assurances that we:

 

·                  will identify suitable acquisition candidates;

·                  can consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms;

·                  can successfully compete for acquisition candidates against larger companies with significantly greater resources;

·                  can successfully integrate any acquired business into our operations or successfully manage the operations of

 

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any acquired business; or

·                  will be able to retain an acquired company’s significant client relationships, goodwill and key personnel or otherwise realize the intended benefits of any acquisition.

 

In addition, acquisitions might involve our entry into new businesses that might not be as profitable as we expect.  We can provide no assurances that our expectations regarding the profitability of future acquisitions will prove to be accurate. Acquisitions might also increase our exposure to the risks inherent in certain markets or industries.  For example, Sandy’s business is heavily oriented toward providing product sales training to auto manufacturers in the U.S. and, consequently, this acquisition increased our exposure to the risks of the auto manufacturing industry.

 

As a result of completed and possible future acquisitions, our past performance is not indicative of future performance, and investors should not base their expectations as to our future performance on our historical results.

 

Future acquisitions may require that we incur debt or issue dilutive equity.

 

Future acquisitions may require us to incur debt, under our existing credit facility or otherwise, or issue equity, resulting in additional leverage or dilution of ownership.

 

Difficulties in integrating acquired businesses could result in reduced revenues and income.

 

We might not be able to integrate successfully any business we have acquired or could acquire in the future.  The integration of the businesses will be complex and time consuming and will place a significant strain on our management, administrative services personnel and information systems.  This strain could disrupt our business.  Furthermore, we could be adversely impacted by unknown liabilities of acquired businesses.  We could encounter substantial difficulties, costs and delays involved in integrating common accounting, information and communication systems, operating procedures, internal controls and human resources practices, including incompatibility of business cultures and the loss of key employees and customers.  Also, depending on the type of acquisition, a key element of our strategy may include retaining management and key personnel of the acquired business to operate the acquired business for us.  Our inability to retain these individuals could materially impair the value of an acquired business. In addition, small businesses acquired by us may have greater difficulty competing for new work as a result of being part of our larger entity. These difficulties could reduce our ability to gain customers or retain existing customers, and could increase operating expenses, resulting in reduced revenues and income and a failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions.

 

Our business and financial condition could be adversely affected by government limitations on contractor profitability.

 

A significant portion of our revenue and profit is derived from contracts with the U.S. Government and subcontracts with prime contractors of the U.S. Government.  The U.S. Government places limitations on contractor profitability; therefore, government-related contracts might have lower profit margins than the contracts we enter into with commercial customers.

 

A negative audit or other actions by the U.S. Government could adversely affect our future operating performance.

 

As a U.S. Government contractor, we must comply with laws and regulations relating to U.S. Government contracts and are subject to an increased risk of investigations, criminal prosecution, civil fraud, whistleblower lawsuits and other legal actions and liabilities to which companies with solely commercial customers are not subject.  We are subject to audit and investigation by the DCAA and other government agencies with respect to our compliance with federal laws, regulations and standards.  These audits may occur several years after the period to which the audit relates.  The DCAA, in particular, also reviews the adequacy of, and our compliance with, our internal control systems and policies, including our purchasing, property, estimating, compensation and management information systems.  Any payments received by us from the U.S. Government for allowable direct and indirect costs are subject to adjustment after audit by government auditors and repayment to the government if the payments exceed allowable costs as defined in the government contracts, which could result in a material adjustment of the payments received by

 

 

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us under such contracts.  In addition, any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed.  If we are found to be in violation of the law, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties or administrative sanctions, including contract termination, the assessment of penalties and suspension or debarment from doing business with U.S. Government agencies.  For example, many of the contracts we perform for the U.S. Government are subject to the Service Contract Act, which requires hourly employees to be paid certain specified wages and benefits.  If the Department of Labor determines that we violated the Service Contract Act or its implementing regulations, we could be suspended for a period of time from winning new government contracts or renewals of existing contracts, which could materially and adversely affect our future operating performance.

 

Furthermore, our reputation could suffer serious harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us. If we are suspended or prohibited from contracting with the U.S. Government, or any significant U.S. Government agency, if our reputation or relationship with U.S. Government agencies becomes impaired or if the U.S. Government otherwise ceases doing business with us or significantly decreases the amount of business it does with us, it could materially and adversely affect our operating performance and could result in additional expenses and a loss of revenue.

 

We are a party to fixed price contracts and may enter into similar contracts in the future, which could result in reduced profits or losses if we are not able to accurately estimate or control costs.

 

A significant portion of our revenue is attributable to contracts entered into on a fixed price basis, which allows us to benefit from cost savings, but we carry the burden of cost overruns.  If our initial estimates are incorrect, or if unanticipated circumstances arise, we could experience cost overruns which would result in reduced profits or even result in losses on these contracts.  Our financial condition is dependent upon our ability to maximize our earnings from our contracts.  Lower earnings or losses caused by cost overruns could have a negative impact on our financial results.

 

Under time and materials contracts, we are paid for labor at negotiated hourly billing rates and for certain expenses.  Under cost-reimbursable contracts, which are subject to a contract ceiling amount, we are reimbursed for allowable costs and paid a fee, which may be fixed or performance based.  However, if costs exceed the contract ceiling or are not allowable under the provisions of the contract or applicable regulations, we may not be able to obtain reimbursement for all such costs.

 

Our inability to successfully estimate and manage costs on each of these contract types may materially and adversely affect our financial condition. Cost overruns also may adversely affect our ability to sustain existing programs and obtain future contract awards.

 

Our revenues may be adversely affected if we fail to win competitively awarded contracts or to receive renewal or follow-on contracts.

 

We obtain many of our significant contracts, including U.S. Government contracts, through a competitive bidding process. Competitive bidding presents a number of risks, including, without limitation:

 

·                  the need to compete against companies or teams of companies that may have more financial and marketing resources and more experience in bidding on and performing major contracts than we have;

·                  the need to compete against companies or teams of companies that may be long-term, entrenched incumbents for a particular contract for which we are competing;

·                  the need to compete to retain existing contracts that have in the past been awarded to us;

·                  the expense and delay that may arise if our competitors protest or challenge new contract awards;

·                  the need to submit proposals in advance of the completion of their design, which may result in unforeseen cost overruns;

·                  the substantial cost and managerial time and effort, including design, development and marketing activities necessary to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that we may not win;

·                  the need to develop, introduce and implement new and enhanced solutions to our customers’ needs;

·                  the need to locate and contract with teaming partners and subcontractors; and

·                  the need to accurately estimate the resources and cost structure that will be required to perform any fixed price contract that we win.

 

 

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There are no assurances that we will continue to win competitively awarded contracts or to receive renewal or follow-on contracts. Renewal and follow-on contracts are important because our contracts are for fixed terms. These terms vary from shorter than one year to over five years, particularly for contracts with extension options. The loss of revenues from our possible failure to win competitively awarded contracts or to obtain renewal or follow-on contracts may be significant because competitively awarded contracts account for a substantial portion of our sales.

 

Our backlog is subject to reduction and cancellation, which could negatively impact our future revenues or earnings.

 

Our backlog for services under executed contracts (including subcontracts and purchase orders) was approximately $125.2 million, $131.7 million and $140.3 million as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  There can be no assurance that the revenues projected in our backlog will be realized or, if realized, will result in profits.  Further, contract terminations or reductions in the original scope of contracts reflected in our backlog might occur at any time as discussed below in more detail.

 

Our backlog consists of projects for which we have signed contracts from customers.  The rate at which services are performed under contracts, and thus the rate at which backlog will be recognized, is at the discretion of the client.  We cannot predict with certainty when or if backlog will be performed.  In addition, even where a project proceeds as scheduled, it is possible that customers could default or otherwise fail to pay amounts owed to us.  Material delays, terminations or payment defaults under contracts included in our backlog could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

In addition, most of our contracts are subject to termination by the client upon written notice.  Reductions in our backlog due to termination by a customer or for other reasons could materially and adversely affect the revenues and earnings we actually receive from contracts included in our backlog.  If we experience terminations of significant contracts or significant scope adjustments to contracts reflected in our backlog, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow could be materially and adversely impacted.

 

We rely on third parties, including subcontractors, suppliers and joint venture partners, to perform a portion of the services we must provide to our customers and disputes with or the failure to perform satisfactorily of such a third party could materially and adversely affect our performance and our ability to obtain future business.

 

Many of our contracts involve subcontracts or agreements with other companies upon which we rely to perform a portion of the services we must provide to our customers.  There is a risk that we may have disputes with our subcontractors, including disputes regarding the quality and timeliness of work performed by the subcontractor, customer concerns about the subcontractor, our failure to extend existing task orders or issue new task orders under a subcontract or our hiring of personnel of a subcontractor.  A failure by one or more of our subcontractors to satisfactorily provide, on a timely basis, the agreed upon services may materially and adversely impact our ability to perform our obligations as the prime contractor.  Subcontractor performance deficiencies could expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete for future contracts and orders.

 

Also, from time to time we have entered, and expect to continue to enter, into joint venture, teaming and other similar arrangements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could result in reduced profits or, in some cases, significant losses for us with respect to the joint venture, teaming and other similar arrangements.

 

We maintain a workforce based upon anticipated staffing needs.  If we do not receive future contract awards or if these awards are delayed or reduced in scope or funding, we could incur significant costs.

 

Our estimates of future staffing requirements depend in part on the timing of new contract awards.  We make our estimates in good faith, but our estimates could be inaccurate or change based upon new information.  In the case of larger projects, it is particularly difficult to predict whether we will receive a contract award and when the award will be announced.  In some cases the contracts that are awarded require staffing levels that are different, sometimes lower, than the levels anticipated when the work was proposed.  The uncertainty of contract award timing and changes in scope or funding can present difficulties in matching our workforce size with our contract needs.  If an expected

 

 

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contract award is delayed or not received, or if a contract is awarded for a smaller scope of work than proposed, we could incur significant costs associated with making or failing to make reductions in staff.

 

Failure to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel could harm our business.

 

Our principal resource is our personnel.  A significant portion of our revenue is derived from services and products that are delivered by instructors, engineers, technical personnel and consultants.  Our consulting, technical training and engineering services require the employment of individuals with specific skills, training, licensure and backgrounds.  An inability to hire or maintain employees with the required skills, training, licensure or backgrounds could have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide quality services, to expand the scope of our service offerings or to attract or retain customers or to accept contracts, which could negatively impact our business and financial condition.  In order to initiate and develop client relationships and execute our growth strategy, we must continue to hire and maintain qualified salespeople.  We must also continue to attract and develop capable management personnel to guide our business and supervise the use of our resources.

 

Similarly, our U.S. Government contracts require employment of individuals with specified skills, work experience, licensures, security clearances and backgrounds.  An inability to hire or maintain employees with the required skills, work experience, licensure, security clearances or backgrounds could have a material adverse effect on our ability to win new contracts or satisfy existing contractual obligations, and could result in additional expenses or possible loss of revenue.

 

Competition for qualified personnel can be intense.  We cannot assure you that qualified personnel will continue to be available to us or will be available to us when our needs arise or on terms favorable to us.  Any failure to attract or retain qualified instructors, engineers, technical personnel, consultants, salespeople and managers in sufficient numbers could have a material adverse effect our business and financial condition.

 

The loss of our key personnel, including our executive management team, could harm our business.

 

Our success is largely dependent upon the experience and continued services of our executive management team and our other key personnel.  The loss of one or more of our key personnel and a failure to attract, develop or promote suitable replacements for them could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.

 

Competition could materially and adversely affect our performance.

 

The training industry is highly fragmented and competitive, with low barriers to entry and no single competitor accounting for a significant market share.  Our competitors include divisions of several large publicly traded and privately held companies, vocational and technical training schools, degree-granting colleges and universities, continuing education programs and thousands of small privately held training providers and individuals.  In addition, many of our clients maintain internal training departments, which have the resources and ability to provide the same or similar services in-house.  Some of our competitors offer similar services and products at lower prices, and some competitors have significantly greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing and other resources.  Moreover, we expect to face additional competition from new entrants into the training and performance improvement market due, in part, to the evolving nature of the market and the relatively low barriers to entry.

 

The engineering and construction markets in which we compete are also highly competitive.  Many of our competitors are niche engineering and construction companies.  In some instances, it is necessary for us to partner with those competitors who meet the small business administration’s criteria for a small business in order to win contract awards.  This competition places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins.  Intense competition is expected to continue in our training, engineering and technical services markets, presenting us with significant challenges in our ability to maintain strong growth rates and acceptable profit margins.  If we are unable to meet these competitive challenges, we could lose market share to our competitors and experience an overall reduction in our profits.

 

 

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We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the industries or markets in which we compete, and the failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Failure to keep pace with technology and changing market needs could harm our business.

 

Our future success will depend upon our ability to adapt to changing client needs, to gain expertise in technological advances rapidly and to respond quickly to evolving industry trends and market needs.  Many of our clients are demanding that our services be available across the U.S. and worldwide.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to expand our operations into all geographic areas into which our multinational clients seek to use our services or that we will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to provide our services in all such geographic areas.  We also cannot assure you that we will be successful in adapting to advances in technology or marketing our services and products in advanced formats.  In addition, services and products delivered in the newer formats might not provide comparable training results. Furthermore, subsequent technological advances might render moot any successful expansion of the methods of delivering our services and products.  If we are unable to develop new means of delivering our services and products due to capital, personnel, technological or other constraints, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We have only a limited ability to protect the intellectual property rights that are important to our success, and we face the risk that our services or products may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.

 

Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our proprietary methodologies and other intellectual property, including our EtaPROTM software.  Existing laws of some countries in which we provide or license or intend to provide or license our services or products may offer only limited protection of our intellectual property rights.  We rely upon a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality policies, non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements and copyright and trademark laws to protect our intellectual property rights.  The steps we take in this regard might not be adequate to prevent or deter infringement or other misappropriation of our intellectual property, and we may not be able to detect unauthorized use or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce our intellectual property rights.  Protecting our intellectual property rights might also consume significant management time and resources.

 

We cannot be sure that our services and products, or the products of others that we offer to our clients, do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, and we might have infringement claims asserted against us or against our clients.  These claims might harm our reputation, result in financial liabilities and prevent us from offering some services or products.  We have generally agreed in our contracts to indemnify our clients against expenses or liabilities resulting from claimed infringements of the intellectual property rights of third parties.  In some instances, the amount of these indemnities could be greater than the revenues we receive from the client.  Any claims or litigation in this area, whether we ultimately win or lose, could be time-consuming and costly, injure our reputation or require us to enter into royalty or licensing arrangements.  We might not be able to enter into these royalty or licensing arrangements on acceptable terms.  Any limitation on our ability to provide or license a service or product could cause us to lose revenue-generating opportunities and require us to incur additional expenses to develop new or modified solutions for future projects.

 

Our information technology systems are subject to risks that we cannot control.

 

Our information technology systems are dependent upon global communications providers, web browsers, telephone systems, and other aspects of the Internet infrastructure that have experienced system failures and electrical outages in the past.  Our systems are susceptible to slow access and download times, outages from fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, and similar events.  Our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems.  The occurrence of any of these events could disrupt or damage our information technology systems and inhibit our internal operations, our ability to provide services to our customers, and the ability of our customers to access our information technology systems.  This could result in our loss of customers, loss of revenue or a reduction in demand for our services.

 

 

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A breach of our security measures could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our databases contain confidential data of our clients and our clients’ customers, employees and vendors.  A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate such confidential information or interrupt our operations.  Many of our contracts require us to comply with specific data security requirements.  If we are unable to maintain our compliance with these data security requirements or any person, including any of our current or former employees, penetrates our network security or misappropriates sensitive data, we could be subject to significant liabilities to our clients for breaching these data security requirements or other contractual confidentiality provisions.  Furthermore, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential data of our clients or other parties, whether through breach of our computer systems, systems failure or otherwise, could also damage our reputation and cause us to lose existing and potential clients.  We may also be subject to civil actions for breaches related to such data or need to expend significant capital and other resources to continue to protect against security breaches or to address any problem they may cause.

 

Our international sales and operations expose us to various political and economic risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our revenue outside of the U.S. was approximately 14%, 13% and 11% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We conduct our business primarily in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia and Singapore, but also in other developed and developing countries, including India and China.  We intend to continue to expand our global operations which could involve expanding into countries other than those in which we currently operate.  It could also involve expanding into less developed countries, which may have less political, social or economic stability and less developed infrastructure and legal systems.  International sales and operations might be subject to a variety of risks, including:

 

·             greater difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations;

·             greater risk of uncollectible accounts;

·             longer collection cycles;

·             logistical and communications challenges;

·            potential adverse changes in laws and regulatory practices, including export license requirements, trade barriers, tariffs and tax laws;

·             changes in labor conditions, burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of foreign laws;

·             political and economic instability;

·             increases in duties and taxation;

·             exchange rate risks;

·             greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property;

·             general economic and political conditions in these foreign markets;

·             acts of war or terrorism or natural disasters, and limits on the ability of governments to respond to such acts;

·             restrictions on the transfer of funds into or out of a particular country; or

·             nationalization of foreign assets and other forms of governmental protectionism.

 

As we expand our business into new countries, we may increase our exposure to the risks discussed above. An adverse development relating to one or more of these risks could affect our relationships with our customers or could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Approximately 14% of our revenue and costs for the year ended December 31, 2009 were denominated in foreign currencies, including the British Pound Sterling, the Canadian Dollar and the Euro, and, to a lesser extent, the Mexican Peso, the Malaysian Ringgit, the Indian Rupee, the Singapore Dollar and the Chinese Yuan. British Pound Sterling-denominated revenue represented approximately 11% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.  As a result, changes in the exchange rates of these foreign currencies to the U.S. Dollar will affect our consolidated U.S.

 

 

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dollar revenue, cost of revenue and operating margins and could result in exchange losses. The impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations cannot be accurately predicted.

 

Business disruptions could adversely affect our future sales, financial condition, reputation or stock price or increase costs and expenses.

 

Our business, and that of our key suppliers and customers, may be impacted by disruptions including, but not limited to, threats to physical security, information technology attacks or failures, damaging weather or other acts of nature and pandemics or other public health crises.  Such disruptions could affect our internal operations or services provided to customers, adversely impacting our sales, financial condition, reputation or stock price or increase our costs and expenses.

 

We are subject to potential liabilities which are not covered by our insurance.

 

We engage in activities in which there are substantial risks of potential liability.  We provide services involving electric power distribution and generation, nuclear power, chemical weapons destruction, petrochemical process training, pipeline operations, volatile fuels such as hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), environmental remediation, engineering design and construction management.  We maintain a consolidated insurance program (including general liability coverage) covering the companies we currently own, including General Physics.  Claims by or against any covered insured could reduce the amount of available insurance coverage for the other insureds and for other claims. In addition, certain liabilities might not be covered at all, such as deductibles, self-insured retentions, amounts in excess of applicable insurance limits and claims that fall outside the coverage of our policies.

 

Although we believe that we currently have appropriate insurance coverage, we do not have coverage for all of the risks to which we are subject and we may not be able to obtain appropriate coverage on a cost-effective basis in the future.

 

Our policies exclude coverage for incidents involving nuclear liability, and we may not be covered by U.S. laws or industry programs providing liability protection for licensees of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (typically utilities) for damages caused by nuclear incidents; we are not a licensee and few of our contracts with clients have contained provisions waiving or limiting their liability.  Therefore, we could be materially and adversely affected by a nuclear incident.  In addition, certain environmental risks, such as liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended, (“Superfund”), also might not be covered by our insurance.

 

Some of our policies, such as our professional liability insurance policy, provide coverage on a “claims-made” basis covering only claims actually made during the policy period then in effect.  To the extent that a risk is not insured within our then-available coverage limits, insured under a low-deductible policy, indemnified against by a third party or limited by an enforceable waiver or limitation of liability, claims could be material and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We could incur substantial costs as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.

 

We provide environmental engineering services, including the development and management of site environmental remediation plans.  Although we subcontract most remediation construction activities, and in all cases subcontract the removal and off-site disposal and treatment of hazardous substances, we could be subject to liability relating to the environmental services we perform directly or through subcontracts. For example, if we were deemed under federal or state laws, including Superfund, to be an “operator” of sites to which we provide environmental engineering and support services, we could be subject to liability for cleanup costs or violations of applicable environmental laws and regulations at such sites.  Any incurrence of any substantial Superfund or other environmental liability could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition by reducing profits, causing us to incur losses related to the cost of resolving such liability or otherwise.

 

In addition, our environmental engineering services involve professional judgments about the nature of physical and environmental conditions, including the extent to which hazardous substances are present, and about the probable

 

 

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effect of procedures to mitigate or otherwise affect those conditions.  If the judgments and the recommendations based upon those judgments are incorrect, we may be liable for resulting damages incurred by our clients.

 

We are subject to potential liabilities related to operations we have discontinued.

 

In November 2004, we completed the spin-off to our stockholders of the shares of stock we owned in National Patent Development Corporation (“NPDC”).  Prior to the spin-off, we provided certain financial guarantees and entered into transactions involving assets owned by NPDC or subsequently contributed by us to NPDC.  We may be contingently liable for certain lease obligations of NPDC subsequent to the spin-off.  We no longer have the assets of NPDC available to us to use to satisfy these obligations, and if NPDC fails to satisfy obligations for which we continue to guarantee, we could be responsible for satisfying those obligations, which could adversely impact our financial condition.

 

Our authorized preferred stock and certain provisions in our amended and restated by-laws could make a third party acquisition of us difficult.

 

Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, (“restated certificate”), allows us to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, the rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of which may be fixed by the Board of Directors without any further vote or action by the stockholders.  In addition, our amended and restated bylaws provide, among other things, that stockholders seeking to bring business before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders must provide us with timely advance written notice of their proposal in a prescribed form.  Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that stockholders desiring to call a special meeting for any purpose, must submit to us a request in writing of stockholders representing a majority of all of the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote and stating the purpose of such meeting.  The ability to issue preferred stock and such provisions in our bylaws might have the effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be beneficial to stockholders and might materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

In addition, some provisions of Delaware law, particularly the “business combination” statute in Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law, might also discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring us or merging with us.  As a result of these provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law, the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock might be limited.

 

Our restated certificate allows us to redeem or otherwise dispose shares of our common stock owned by a foreign stockholder if certain U.S. Government agencies threaten termination of any of our contracts as a result of such an ownership interest.

 

The United States Departments of Energy and Defense have policies regarding foreign ownership, control or influence over government contractors who have access to classified information, and might conduct an inquiry as to whether any foreign interest has beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a contractor’s or subcontractor’s voting securities.  If either Department determines that an undue risk to the defense and security of the United States exists as a result of foreign ownership, control or influence over a government contractor (including as a result of a potential acquisition), it might, among other things, terminate the contractor’s or subcontractor’s existing contracts.  Our restated certificate allows us to redeem or require the prompt disposition of all or any portion of the shares of our common stock owned by a foreign stockholder beneficially owning 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock if either Department threatens termination of any of our contracts as a result of such an ownership interest.  These provisions may have the additional effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing a change in control and might materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

 

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Item 1B:                          Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

Item 2:                                  Properties

 

We do not own any significant real property, but we and our subsidiaries lease an aggregate of approximately 323,000 square feet of primarily office and related space at various locations throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, India and China. We occupy approximately 30,700 square feet in an office building in Elkridge, Maryland for our corporate headquarters under a lease which expires in 2013, and approximately 60,000 square feet in an office building in Troy, Michigan under a sublease we entered into with Lear Corporation, which in 2009 filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and subsequently obtained court approval to reject both our sublease and the superior lease under which the sublease was made. Although there has been no interruption of our operations in that location, the legal status of our continued occupancy of space in the building is uncertain.

 

We believe that our properties have been well maintained, are suitable and adequate for us to operate at present levels and the productive capacity and extent of utilization of the facilities are appropriate for our existing real estate requirements. Upon expiration of these leases, we do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining renewals or alternative space.

 

Item 3:                                  Legal Proceedings

 

We are a party to lawsuits and other contingencies in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe that we are a party to any material pending legal proceedings or that it is probable that the outcome of any individual action would have an adverse effect in the aggregate on our financial condition.

 

Item 4:                                  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

On November 12, 2009, we held our annual meeting of shareholders. At that meeting, the following matters were voted upon:

 

1.                    Our stockholders elected the Directors listed below for terms continuing until the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders by the following votes:

 

 

 

Common Shares Cast:

 

 

For

 

Withheld

 

 

 

 

 

Harvey P. Eisen

 

13,317,035

 

51,345

Marshall S. Geller

 

13,310,500

 

57,880

Scott N. Greenberg

 

13,336,768

 

31,612

Sue W. Kelly

 

13,289,540

 

78,840

Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr.

 

8,472,784

 

4,895,596

A. Marvin Strait

 

13,314,176

 

54,204

Gene A. Washington

 

13,313,477

 

54,903

 

2.                    Our stockholders ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. Our stockholders cast 13,219,601 votes for ratification of KPMG LLP, 138,724 votes against ratification of KPMG LLP, and there were 10,054 abstentions.

 

 

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PART II

 

Item 5:                                  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Our common stock, $0.01 par value, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table presents our high and low market prices for the last two fiscal years. During the periods presented below, we have not paid any cash dividends.

 

 

 

2009

 

Quarter

 

High

 

Low

 

First

 

$

4.85

 

$

2.70

 

Second

 

6.84

 

3.11

 

Third

 

7.80

 

5.80

 

Fourth

 

8.39

 

5.76

 

 

 

 

2008

 

Quarter

 

High

 

Low

 

First

 

$

11.08

 

$

8.70

 

Second

 

10.23

 

7.80

 

Third

 

10.14

 

7.60

 

Fourth

 

9.60

 

3.00

 

 

The number of shareholders of record of our common stock as of February 26, 2010 was 1,046 and the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on that date was $7.86.

 

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock during the two most recent fiscal years. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and intend to retain future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business. In addition, the General Physics Credit Agreement (see Item 7) contains restrictive covenants regarding future acquisitions, incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends. The Credit Agreement permits General Physics to provide GP Strategies up to $10 million of cash to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market. There was $6.8 million remaining available for future share repurchases under the $10 million authorized amount as of December 31, 2009. General Physics is otherwise currently restricted under the Credit Agreement from paying dividends or management fees to GP Strategies in excess of $1.0 million in any fiscal year, with the exception of a waiver which permitted General Physics to provide up to $8.1 million in cash to repay debt obligations which matured in 2008 and the funding of stock repurchases discussed above.

 

 

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Performance Graph

 

The following graph assumes $100 was invested on January 1, 2005 in GP Strategies Common Stock, and compares the share price performance with the Education Training Services Index (Hemscott Group Index) and the NYSE Market Index.  This chart does not reflect the dividends to our shareholders of shares of GSE Systems, Inc. (“GSE”) in September 2005 in connection with the spin-off. Values are as of December 31 of the specified year assuming that all dividends were reinvested.

 

 

Company / Index Name

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

GP Strategies Corp.

 

$

100.00

 

$

114.13

 

$

116.08

 

$

148.95

 

$

63.08

 

$

105.31

 

Education & Training Services

 

100.00

 

87.66

 

76.04

 

117.48

 

116.24

 

106.97

 

NYSE Market Index

 

100.00

 

109.36

 

131.75

 

143.43

 

87.12

 

111.76

 

 

 

 

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides information about our share repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Month

 

Total number
of shares
purchased

 

Average
price paid
per share

 

Total number
of shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced program

 

Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the program

October 1-31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

$

November 1-30, 2009

 

24,719

(1)

$

7.75

 

 

$

December 1-31, 2009

 

9

(1)

$

6.11

 

 

$


 

(1)

Represents shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations on restricted stock units which vested during these periods.

 

 

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Item 6:                                  Selected Financial Data

 

The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements, which are not presented in this report.

 

On September 30, 2005, we completed the spin-off of our majority ownership interest in GSE. The results of operations of GSE have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

219,240

 

$

267,893

 

$

248,422

 

$

178,783

 

$

175,555

 

Gross profit (1)

 

34,091

 

40,809

 

38,075

 

27,651

 

25,860

 

Goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss

 

10,163

 

5,508

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

217

 

699

 

1,218

 

1,558

 

1,518

 

Gain on litigation settlement, net

 

 

 

 

 

5,552

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

3,395

 

14,150

 

16,906

 

11,710

 

15,224

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(1,190

)

7,837

 

9,684

 

6,642

 

8,457

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(1,244

)

Net income (loss)

 

(1,190

)

7,837

 

9,684

 

6,642

 

7,213

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.47

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.45

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

(0.07

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.47

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.38

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (2)

 

$

10,803

 

$

3,961

 

$

3,868

 

$

8,660

 

$

18,118

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

3,234

 

2,953

 

 

 

Working capital

 

37,377

 

22,849

 

18,080

 

23,142

 

34,804

 

Total assets

 

156,701

 

135,840

 

147,445

 

121,400

 

134,641

 

Long-term debt, including current maturities

 

 

 

7,986

 

10,926

 

11,380

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

110,890

 

92,806

 

90,382

 

79,731

 

94,342

 


 

(1)

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company changed the classification of certain information technology (IT) infrastructure costs on the consolidated statement of operations from cost of revenue to selling, general and administrative expenses. The statements of operations for all prior years have been reclassified to conform with the presentation for 2009, resulting in a decrease in cost of revenue and corresponding increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

(2)

Cash and cash equivalents include one-time cash receipts associated with the EDS arbitration award and litigation settlement in 2005.

 

 

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Item 7:                                  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis provides information we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2009 which are located in Item 8 of this report.

 

General Overview

 

Our business consists of our principal operating subsidiary, General Physics, a global training, engineering, technical services and consulting company that seeks to improve the effectiveness of organizations by providing training, management consulting, e-Learning solutions, engineering and technical services and products that are customized to meet the specific needs of clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies and manufacturing, process and energy companies and other commercial and governmental customers. We believe we are a global leader in performance improvement, with over four decades of experience in providing solutions to optimize workforce performance.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we operated through four reportable business segments: (i) Manufacturing & BPO, (ii) Process & Government, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Sandy Training & Marketing (“Sandy”). We are organized by operating group, primarily based upon the markets served by each group and the services performed. Each operating group consists of strategic business units (“SBUs”) and business units (“BUs”) which are focused on providing specific products and services to certain classes of customers or within targeted markets. Across operating groups, SBUs and BUs, we integrate similar service lines, technology, information, work products, client management and other resources. Communications and market research, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and other administrative services are organized at the corporate level. Business development and sales resources are aligned with operating groups to support existing customer accounts and new customer development. Two of our reportable business segments, Manufacturing & BPO and Process & Government, represent an aggregation of certain operating groups in accordance with the aggregation criteria in U.S. GAAP, while our Energy and Sandy groups each represent one operating segment. We review our reportable business segments on a continual basis and could change our reportable business segments from time to time in the event of organizational changes.

 

Further information regarding each business segment is discussed below.

 

Manufacturing & BPO. Our Manufacturing & BPO segment delivers training, curriculum design and development, staff augmentation, e-Learning services, system hosting, integration and help desk support, training business process outsourcing, and consulting and technical services primarily to large companies in the electronics and semiconductors, steel, healthcare, pharmaceutical, software, financial and other industries as well as to government agencies. Our ability to deliver a wide range of training services allows us to take over the entire learning function for the client, including their training personnel.

 

Process & Government. Our Process & Government segment has over four decades of experience providing consulting, engineering, technical and training services, including emergency preparedness, safety and regulatory compliance, chemical demilitarization and environmental services primarily to federal and state government agencies, large government contractors and petroleum and chemical refining companies. This segment also provides design and construction of alternative fuel stations, including LNG and hydrogen fueling stations.

 

Energy. Our Energy segment provides engineering services, products and training primarily to electric power utilities. Our proprietary EtaProTM Performance Monitoring and Optimization System provides a suite of performance solutions for power generation plants and is installed at approximately 700 power generating units in over 25 countries. In addition, this segment provides web-based training through our GPiLearnTM portal to over 28,000 power plant personnel in the U.S. and in over 35 countries.

 

Sandy Training & Marketing. Our Sandy segment provides custom product sales training and has been a leader in serving manufacturing customers in the U.S. automotive industry for over 30 years. Sandy provides custom product sales training designed to better educate customer sales forces with respect to new product features and designs, in effect rapidly increasing the sales force knowledge base and enabling them to address detailed customer queries.

 

 

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Furthermore, Sandy helps our clients assess their customer relationship marketing strategy, measure performance against competitors and connect with their customers on a one-to-one basis. This segment also provides technical training services to automotive customers.

 

We discuss our business in more detail in Item 1.Business and the risk factors affecting our business in Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Business Strategy

 

We seek to increase shareholder value by pursuing the following strategies:

 

Continuously enhance our service offerings and capabilities. We plan to continuously expand our services and capabilities through organic growth initiatives based upon our technical expertise as well as through targeted acquisitions.  For example, our acquisitions of PMC, Sandy and Via in 2007 added product sales training to our services offering and expanded our e-Learning capabilities, our acquisition of PCS in 2008 strengthened and enhanced our service offerings to clients in the energy industry, and our acquisitions of Option Six and PerformTech in 2009 strengthened our e-Learning and custom training content development services in both the commercial and government sectors.  We believe that the breadth of our service and product offerings allows us to effectively compete for customers by offering a comprehensive solution for custom training, consulting, engineering and technical services.  We will continue to focus on increasing our capabilities to drive incremental growth from new, as well as existing, clients.

 

Develop and maintain strong customer relationships. We plan to preserve and grow our business by cross-selling our services and capabilities across and within our existing client base. We have a successful track record of increasing the scope of our work for a number of our clients, many of whom we estimate currently outsource only a fraction of their training expenditures.  We believe that as our clients benefit from the effective, cost-efficient and flexible training solutions and services that we provide, many of them will find it beneficial to increase the scope of training services that they outsource to third party providers.  We believe that the strength of our relationships with our existing clients, including the insight and knowledge into their operations that we have developed through these relationships, when combined with the broad range of our service and product offerings, provide us with an advantage when competing for these additional expenditures. We realize that many companies have reduced their external training expenditures due to the economic recession; however, we will strive to preserve our relationships and increase our proportion of our customers’ total spend.

 

Remain competitive in the current economic environment. We experienced a reduction in revenue during 2009 as a result of the economic recession, primarily due to a slow down in certain of the end market sectors we serve, such as automotive and manufacturing.  At the beginning of 2009, we implemented a cost management strategy to ensure that we remained competitive in this economic environment and are well positioned when the economy recovers. We took certain cost-cutting measures to achieve this goal, including reducing the number of personnel in certain areas of our business to re-align costs with anticipated reductions in revenue streams, restricting salary increases, reducing our matching contribution to the Retirement Savings Plan and increasing our employees’ share of the cost of health insurance coverage. These actions have enabled us to maintain profit margins despite decreased revenue streams and we believe we remain in a strong competitive and financial position to compete during these difficult times.

 

Invest in our Energy services business. In recent years, we have experienced significant organic growth in training and engineering services provided to customers in the energy sector and we believe there will be continued growth in this sector due to the ever-increasing demand for products and services that help power generation plants deliver energy in an efficient, environmentally compliant and profitable manner. To take advantage of the opportunities in the energy sector, we plan to continue to enhance and expand our product and service offerings to this industry.

 

Leverage BPO capabilities. We have a demonstrated ability to provide training services across a wide spectrum of learning engagements from transactional multi-week assignments focused on a single aspect of a learning process to multi-year contracts where we manage the learning infrastructure of our customer. Integrated BPO engagements typically require us to assume responsibility for the development, delivery and administration of learning functions

 

 

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and are generally carried out under multi-year agreements. We intend to leverage our BPO capabilities to expand the customers and markets we serve.

 

Maintain our international presence. We believe international markets offer growth opportunities for our services. We intend to leverage our current international presence as well as continue pursuing our strategy of enhancing our international platform by selectively acquiring businesses in targeted geographies and following our current clients into new geographic markets. In our experience, many of our clients are seeking access to these and other attractive international markets and as such we intend to enhance our international capabilities. In order to support their business expansion we are providing employee training solutions across organizations in different countries and different languages, while maintaining quality and consistency in the overall training program.  By moving into specific international markets with our existing clients, we are able to not only deepen our relationships with those clients, but are also able to develop expertise in those markets that we can leverage to additional customers. We believe that following this strategy provides us with opportunities to gain access to international markets with established client relationships in those markets.

 

Continue our disciplined acquisition strategy. We plan to continue to focus on evaluating compelling strategic acquisition targets to enhance our service offerings and delivery capabilities and to expand our geographic footprint.  We have followed a disciplined approach to target selection and have been able to acquire complementary businesses at what we believe are attractive valuations.  Since 2006, we have acquired ten businesses with current annualized revenues totaling over $90 million, expanding our e-Learning capabilities and adding complementary services such as product sales training.  Five of these businesses are in the United Kingdom and have strengthened our international platform, enabling us to meet the needs of our global clients while providing additional client opportunities. We also believe that our current operating structure, which utilizes a centralized infrastructure of corporate services to support our various platforms, enhances our ability to quickly and cost-effectively integrate acquisitions.  We look to identify acquisitions to augment our capabilities when we believe acquisitions are the quickest and most efficient way of expanding our platform and service offerings.

 

Significant Events

 

Investment by Sagard Capital Partners, L.P.

 

On December 30, 2009, we completed a private placement of 2,857,143 shares of common stock with Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. (“Sagard”), at a price of $7.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $20.0 million. Sagard’s equity investment equated to an ownership interest of approximately 15.4% at the time the transaction was completed. The investment by Sagard strengthens our ability to expand our platform as a leading custom training and performance improvement company through strategic acquisitions and internal growth. We utilized a portion of the net proceeds from the Sagard offering to fund the purchase price of the PerformTech acquisition which is discussed in more detail below.

 

Acquisitions

 

Below is a summary of the acquisitions we have completed during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. See Note 2 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further details, including the purchase price allocations.

 

PerformTech

 

Effective December 30, 2009, General Physics acquired PerformTech, a provider of custom courseware development and other training services primarily for the U.S. Government. PerformTech, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is a leading developer of custom training solutions, with a significant presence supporting federal government priorities including border security, anti-terrorism, and highway engineering.  PerformTech leverages its extensive past performance, proprietary development tools, and technical expertise in needs analysis, curriculum development (classroom and web-based), and training delivery to address clients’ mission critical needs. The purchase price at closing consisted of $18.1 million in cash paid to the sellers ($15.6 million net of $2.4 million cash acquired), to be

 

 

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subsequently adjusted within 120 days of the effective date based on actual working capital as defined in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $4.5 million to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. PerformTech is included in our Manufacturing & BPO segment and the results of its operations will be included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning January 1, 2010. The balance sheet accounts of PerformTech are reflected in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009. The pro-forma impact of the PerformTech acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Option Six

 

Effective December 1, 2009, General Physics acquired Option Six, a provider of custom courseware development services with expertise in the software and pharmaceutical industries. Option Six, located in Bloomington, Indiana, provides blended learning courseware development. The purchase price at closing consisted of $4.1 million in cash paid to the sellers ($3.1 million net of $0.9 million cash acquired), subject to adjustment based on actual net assets as defined in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $2.0 million to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. Option Six is included in our Manufacturing & BPO segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning December 1, 2009. The pro-forma impact of the Option Six acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Milsom

 

Effective September 1, 2009, General Physics, through its wholly owned subsidiary, General Physics (UK) Ltd. (“GPUK”), acquired Milsom, a provider of technical documentation, technical publications, technical recruiting and engineering design services. Milsom provides extensive technical services for aerospace and engineering companies. GPUK acquired 100% ownership of Milsom for a purchase price of approximately $2.5 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires GPUK to pay up to an additional $3.6 million, of which $1.2 million would be payable subsequent to each of the three twelve-month periods following completion of the acquisition, contingent upon Milsom achieving certain earnings targets during those periods, as defined in the purchase agreement. Milsom is included in the Company’s Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning September 1, 2009.  The pro-forma impact of the Milsom acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Performance Consulting Services, Inc. (PCS)

 

On March 1, 2008, General Physics completed the acquisition of PCS, a company specializing in performance engineering support, training, combustion optimization, the implementation of smart equipment condition monitoring systems and testing services for power plants. The purchase price at closing consisted of $1.0 million in cash paid to the sellers and $1.0 million of guaranteed future payments paid in two equal installments on January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $2.3 million to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. During the second quarter of 2009, we paid $0.3 million of contingent consideration to the sellers based on the revenue targets achieved for the first twelve-month period following the completion of the acquisition. PCS is included in our Energy segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning March 1, 2008. The pro-forma impact of the PCS acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

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Other 2008 Acquisitions

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, General Physics, through its wholly owned GPUK subsidiary, completed two separate acquisitions of training and consulting companies in the United Kingdom. The total purchase price for these businesses was approximately $0.9 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreements require up to an additional $1.6 million to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreements, over a four-year period subsequent to the acquisitions. During the fourth quarter of 2009, we paid $0.2 million to the sellers of one of the acquired businesses based on the earnings targets achieved for the first twelve-month period following the completion of the acquisition. The pro-forma impact of these acquisitions is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Via Training, LLC (Via)

 

On October 1, 2007, General Physics acquired Via, a U.S. custom e-Learning sales training company, for a purchase price of $1.8 million in cash paid at closing. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $3.3 million to be paid to the seller, contingent upon Via achieving certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. No contingent consideration was paid as the earnings targets were not achieved for the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. Via is included in our Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in our consolidated financial statements for the period beginning October 1, 2007. The pro-forma impact of the Via acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Smallpeice Enterprises Limited (SEL)

 

On June 1, 2007, General Physics, through its wholly owned GPUK subsidiary, completed the acquisition of SEL, a provider of business improvement and technical and management training services in the United Kingdom. GPUK acquired 100% ownership of SEL for a purchase price of approximately $3.3 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $1.8 million to be paid to the seller, contingent upon SEL achieving certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the one-year period following completion of the acquisition. During 2008, General Physics paid $0.2 million of contingent consideration based on the earnings targets achieved during the one-year period following completion of the acquisition and was accounted for as goodwill. SEL is included in our Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in our consolidated financial statements for the period beginning June 1, 2007. The pro-forma impact of the SEL acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Sandy Corporation

 

On January 23, 2007, General Physics completed the acquisition of Sandy, a leader in custom product sales training and part of the ADP Dealer Services division of ADP. Sandy, which is run as an unincorporated division of General Physics, offers custom sales training and print-based and electronic publications primarily to the U.S. automotive industry. General Physics acquired certain assets and the business of Sandy for a purchase price of approximately $4.4 million cash paid to ADP. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $8.0 million to be paid to ADP, contingent upon Sandy achieving certain revenue targets during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. General Physics paid a total of $5.0 million of contingent consideration ($2.5 million in both 2008 and 2009) with respect to the two twelve-month periods subsequent to the acquisition based on the revenue targets achieved for those periods.

 

Sandy is included in our Sandy Training and Marketing segment and the results of its operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements for the period beginning January 23, 2007. The following unaudited pro-forma consolidated results of operations of the Company assume that the acquisition of Sandy was completed as of January 1, 2007:

 

 

29



 

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

$

252,370

 

Net income

 

9,825

 

Basic earnings per share

 

0.59

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.57

 

 

The pro-forma data above may not be indicative of the results that would have been obtained had the acquisition actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

Since January 2006, our Board of Directors has authorized a total of $23 million of repurchases of our common stock from time to time in the open market, subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors.  During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we repurchased approximately 526,000, 1,091,000, 678,500 and 420,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $2.2 million, $8.8 million, $6.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $2.4 million available for future repurchases under the buyback program. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.

 

Results of Operations

 

Operating Highlights

 

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we had income before income taxes of $3.4 million compared to $14.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  We incurred goodwill and intangible asset impairment losses of $10.2 million during 2009 and $5.5 million in 2008 which are discussed in more detail below. Excluding the goodwill impairment losses in both years, we had a decrease in operating income of $6.0 million, the components of which are discussed below, a decrease in interest expense of $0.5 million and a decrease in other income of $0.6 million. Net loss was $1.2 million, or ($0.07) per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to net income of $7.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for 2008. Excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment losses in both years, net income was $7.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to net income of $11.1 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for 2008.

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 16.6 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease in shares outstanding is primarily due to repurchases of our common stock in the open market in connection with our share repurchase program discussed above.

 

30



 

Revenue

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

97,290

 

$

119,041

 

Process & Government

 

53,642

 

54,394

 

Energy

 

22,674

 

22,018

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

45,634

 

72,440

 

 

 

$

219,240

 

$

267,893

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO revenue decreased $21.8 million or 18.3% during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008. The decrease in revenue is due to the following:

 

·                  $13.0 million net decrease in revenue from BPO customers primarily due to a slowdown in spending by several customers resulting in an overall decline in the number of training courses run and many training courses running below full capacity;

 

·                  $3.1 million decrease in U.S. dollar revenue recognized from our operations in the United Kingdom, which consists of a $3.6 million decrease in revenue due to the unfavorable effect of currency exchange rates and a net decrease of $6.5 million primarily due to a decrease in volume with training outsourcing and other customers, offset by an increase in revenue of $4.8 million due to acquisitions completed in 2008 and 2009 and a $2.2 million increase due to the expansion of government funded training programs in the UK;

 

·                  $6.9 million reduction in process and maintenance reliability training services provided primarily to steel industry clients; and

 

·                  $3.2 million reduction in services for a pharmaceutical industry client.

 

The above decreases within the Manufacturing & BPO segment were offset by other net revenue increases of $4.4 million, primarily attributable to a new content development contract awarded by an existing global software client during 2009.

 

Process & Government revenue decreased $0.8 million or 1.0% during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008. The decrease in revenue is primarily due to the following:

 

·                  $2.4 million reduction in process, maintenance and reliability training services provided primarily to petrochemical industry clients;

 

·                  $4.1 million net decrease in revenue primarily related to certain homeland security / first responder training contracts and a reduced volume of chemical demilitarization training services; and

 

·                  a $1.0 million decrease in technical services primarily for the aerospace industry; offset by

 

·                  $6.7 million net increase relating to construction projects for liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling station facilities.

 

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Energy group revenue increased $0.7 million or 3.0% during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008. The increase is primarily due to PCS being included for a full first quarter in 2009 as the acquisition was completed on March 1, 2008.

 

Sandy Training & Marketing revenue decreased $26.8 million or 37.0% during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 due to the following:

 

·                  $13.1 million net decrease in revenue from product sales and other training programs for various automotive customers primarily due to a reduction in the number of trainers required, and a reduction in related in-dealership training programs;

 

·                  $5.3 million net decrease in revenue related to new vehicle launch programs and related training services provided in 2008 which did not recur in 2009;

 

·                  $4.6 million decrease in publications revenue primarily due to a reduction in the volume of publications produced and shipped during 2009 compared to 2008. We experience quarterly fluctuations in revenue and income related to Sandy’s publications business, since revenue and cost on publication contracts are recognized in the period in which the publications ship, based on the output method of performance. Shipments occur at various times throughout the year and the volume of publications shipped could fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

 

·                  $1.8 million decrease in glovebox portfolios sales due to lower vehicle production volumes; and

 

·                  $2.0 million decrease in technical training services provided to automotive customers due to a reduction in plant spending.

 

In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from General Motors as well as a market concentration in the automotive sector. Revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 16% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009, and revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 21% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

% Revenue

 

 

 

% Revenue

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

13,711

 

14.1%

 

$

17,583

 

14.8%

 

Process & Government

 

7,547

 

14.1%

 

9,203

 

16.9%

 

Energy

 

6,306

 

27.8%

 

6,028

 

27.4%

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

6,527

 

14.3%

 

7,995

 

11.0%

 

 

 

$

34,091

 

15.5%

 

$

40,809

 

15.2%

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO gross profit of $13.7 million or 14.1% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by $3.9 million or 22.0% when compared to gross profit of approximately $17.6 million or 14.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in gross profit is primarily attributable to the revenue decreases discussed above.

 

Process & Government gross profit of $7.5 million or 14.1% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by $1.7 million or 18.0% when compared to gross profit of approximately $9.2 million or 16.9% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in gross is primarily attributable to the following: the

 

32



 

decreases in revenue discussed above; a reduction in services provided to petrochemical industry clients during 2009 which had higher margins in 2008; lower margins on certain homeland security / first responder contracts during 2009 compared to 2008; and revenue growth in this segment being derived from lower margin LNG services.

 

Energy gross profit of $6.3 million or 27.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased by $0.3 million or 4.6% when compared to gross profit of approximately $6.0 million or 27.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase in gross profit is primarily due to the revenue increases discussed above.

 

Sandy Training and Marketing gross profit of $6.5 million or 14.3% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by $1.5 million or 18.4% when compared to gross profit of $8.0 million or 11.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in gross profit dollars is primarily due to the revenue decreases discussed above. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased in this segment during 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to increased profitability on publications that were shipped during 2009 compared to 2008, as well as a reduction in personnel and other cost reduction initiatives which also contributed to the increase in gross profit as a percentage of revenue.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.7 million or 3.4% from $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The net decrease is attributable to a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts in 2009 compared to 2008, a 2008 write-off of $0.4 million of deferred financing costs related to a terminated equity offering which did not recur in 2009, and decreases in various corporate expenses due to reduced overall spending in 2009 compared to 2008. These decreases in SG&A expenses were offset by an increase due to $0.3 million of transaction costs incurred for the acquisitions completed in 2009.

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

We incurred a goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss of $10.2 million during the second quarter of 2009 related to our Manufacturing & BPO segment and a $5.5 million goodwill impairment loss during the fourth quarter of 2008 related to our Sandy segment.  See the Management Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies section below for further discussion regarding the factors leading to the goodwill impairments and the valuation methodologies and assumptions used in the goodwill impairment tests.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased $0.5 million or 69.0% from $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to the repayment of long-term debt obligations in 2008 and a decrease in the interest rate and borrowing balances under our revolving line of credit.

 

Other income

 

Other income decreased $0.6 million or 55.4% from $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The decrease is primarily due to two non-recurring gains in 2008, including a $0.1 million gain on the early extinguishment of debt and a $0.3 million litigation gain, as well as an increase in foreign currency exchange losses during 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Income taxes

 

Income tax expense was $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to a decrease in income before income taxes in 2009 compared to 2008. We recognized a $1.5 million income tax benefit related to the $10.2 million goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss incurred during the second quarter of 2009 for the portion of goodwill which was deductible for tax purposes. Excluding the impact of the impairment loss, the effective

 

33



 

income tax rate was 45.1% and 44.6% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate is primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes, an increase in tax expense in 2009 compared to 2008 related to disregarded foreign entities for tax purposes and an increase in losses by the foreign subsidiaries for which we receive no income tax benefit (see Note 9 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007

 

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we had income before income taxes of $14.2 million compared to $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.  We incurred a goodwill impairment loss of $5.5 million during 2008 which is discussed in more detail below. Excluding the goodwill impairment loss, we had an increase in operating income of $2.0 million, the components of which are discussed below, a decrease in interest expense of $0.5 million and an increase in other income of $0.2 million. Net income was $7.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net income of $9.7 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for 2007.

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 17.2 million for the same period in 2007. The decrease in shares outstanding was primarily due to repurchases of our common stock in the open market in connection with our share repurchase program discussed above.

 

Revenue

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

119,041

 

$

106,502

 

Process & Government

 

54,394

 

54,903

 

Energy

 

22,018

 

16,963

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

72,440

 

70,054

 

 

 

$

267,893

 

$

248,422

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO revenue increased $12.5 million or 11.8% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The increase in revenue was due to the following:

 

·                  $4.4 million increase in revenue from our operations in the UK, which consisted of a $2.4 million increase attributable to acquisitions completed in 2007 and 2008 and a $3.7 million increase in revenue primarily due to expansion of government funded training programs in the UK and increased volume with BPO customers, offset by a $1.7 million decrease in revenue due to unfavorable currency exchange rates;

 

·                  $4.7 million increase in revenue attributable to the acquisition of Via in October 2007;

 

·                  $3.5 million net increase in BPO and e-Learning services with new and existing U.S. customers;

 

·                  $1.0 million increase in process and maintenance reliability training services provided to a steel client; and

 

·                  $1.6 million of other net increases largely due to increased services for BPO customers provided by our subsidiaries in the Asia Pacific region.

 

The above increases were offset by the following:

 

·                  $1.7 million reduction in services for a pharmaceutical client; and

 

·                  $1.0 million reduction in services for a lean consulting client during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

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As noted above, the changes in foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted our revenue and profit during 2008. In addition, while we experienced increases in e-Learning and BPO services during 2008, we began to see a slow down in customer spending beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008 for these services, particularly in the electronics and semiconductors sector.

 

Process & Government revenue decreased $0.5 million or 1.0% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the following:

 

·                  $1.7 million net increase in technical services primarily for aerospace customers; and

 

·                  $0.8 million net increase relating to construction projects for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and hydrogen fueling station facilities.

 

These increases in revenue in the Process & Government segment were offset by the following:

 

·                  $1.8 million net decrease in revenue primarily due to the completion of certain homeland security and first responder training contracts during 2008 compared to 2007; and

 

·                  $1.2 million reduction in the volume of services provided to a large petrochemical client during 2008.

 

Energy group revenue increased $5.1 million or 29.8% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 due to the following:

 

·                  $2.8 million net increase in training and related products and services to energy customers, due to an increase in contracts to provide training services for new and existing power generation customers and expanded sales of training courses through our GPiLearnTM web-based training portal; and

 

·                  $2.3 million of revenue contributed by the PCS acquisition which was completed in March 2008.

 

Sandy Training & Marketing revenue increased $2.4 million or 3.4% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 due to the following:

 

·                  $3.9 million increase due to Sandy’s results being included for a full one-year period in 2008 compared to a partial period in 2007, as the acquisition of Sandy was completed on January 23, 2007; and

 

·                  $1.4 million net revenue increase during 2008 primarily due to an increase in sales training services provided to various automotive customers for new vehicle launch events and programs and expansion of publications for an automotive customer during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

The increases in revenue in this segment were offset by the following:

 

·                  $1.4 million decrease in technical training services provided to automotive customers due to a reduction in plant spending; and

 

·                  $1.5 million decrease in glovebox portfolio sales due to lower vehicle sales.

 

We may experience significant quarterly fluctuations in revenue and income related to Sandy’s publications business, since revenue and cost on publication contracts are recognized in the period in which the publications ship, based on the output method of performance. Shipments occur at various times throughout the year and the volume of publications shipped could fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Publications revenue in the Sandy Training & Marketing segment totaled $4.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $1.3 million during the third quarter of 2008, $3.6 million during the second quarter of 2008 and $4.0 million during the first quarter of 2008.

 

In addition, during 2007 and 2008 we had a concentration of revenue from General Motors as well as a market concentration in the automotive sector. Revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 20% of our

 

35



 

consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, and revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 28% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

% Revenue

 

 

 

% Revenue

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

17,583

 

14.8%

 

$

15,000

 

14.1%

 

Process & Government

 

9,203

 

16.9%

 

11,354

 

20.7%

 

Energy

 

6,028

 

27.4%

 

4,193

 

24.7%

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

7,995

 

11.0%

 

7,528

 

10.7%

 

 

 

$

40,809

 

15.2%

 

$

38,075

 

15.3%

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO gross profit of $17.6 million or 14.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $2.6 million or 17.2% when compared to gross profit of $15.0 million or 14.1% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to increases in revenue and gross profit for e-Learning and BPO services provided during 2008, as well as the increase in revenue and gross profit from our UK operations. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased in this segment during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to improved labor utilization in our e-Learning and BPO organizations and improved margins in the acquired Via business.

 

Process & Government gross profit of $9.2 million or 16.9% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $2.2 million or 18.9% when compared to gross profit of $11.4 million or 20.7% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to a reduction in high margin services provided to a petrochemical customer during 2008 compared to 2007. In addition, gross profit decreased in this segment due to a decrease in margin on certain LNG construction projects during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Energy gross profit of $6.0 million or 27.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $1.8 million or 43.8% when compared to gross profit of $4.2 million or 24.7% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase in gross profit was primarily due to the revenue increases discussed above.

 

Sandy Training and Marketing gross profit of $8.0 million or 11.0% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $0.5 million or 6.2% when compared to gross profit of $7.5 million or 10.7% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

SG&A expenses were $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to a net increase in labor and benefits expense during 2008 due to an increase in personnel, offset by a decrease in amortization expense associated with the intangible asset for the backlog we acquired in connection with the Sandy acquisition which became fully amortized in the first quarter of 2008.

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

We incurred a goodwill impairment loss of $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 related to our Sandy segment.  See the Management Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies section below for further discussion regarding the factors leading to the goodwill impairment and the valuation methodologies and assumptions used in the goodwill impairment test.

 

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Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased $0.5 million or 42.6% from $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense related to a reduction in long-term debt obligations which matured in 2008, as well as a decrease in interest expense related to our credit facility primarily due to lower interest rates during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Other income

 

Other income increased $0.2 million or 26.0% from $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The increase was primarily due to a $0.3 million gain, net of legal fees and expenses, on a litigation settlement during 2008, offset by a decrease in interest income due to lower cash balances and interest rates during 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Income taxes

 

Income tax expense was $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in income before income taxes in 2008 compared to 2007, largely attributable to the $5.5 million goodwill impairment loss we recognized during 2008 which provided a $2.2 million income tax benefit. The effective income tax rate was 44.6% and 42.7% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes and an increase in foreign taxes in 2008 compared to 2007 (see Note 9 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Working Capital

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, our working capital increased $14.5 million from $22.8 million at December 31, 2008 to $37.4 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in working capital is primarily due to an increase in our cash balance due to cash generated from operations during 2009 and the proceeds from the December 2009 equity offering discussed below. We believe that cash generated from operations and borrowings available under the General Physics Credit Agreement ($29.8 million of available borrowings as of December 31, 2009), will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other requirements for at least the next twelve months.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, we received proceeds of $19.6 million, net of transaction costs, from Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. for the private placement of 2,857,143 shares of our common stock. In addition, we used $20.8 million of cash to complete three acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2009. We also used $2.2 million of cash to repurchase approximately 526,000 shares of our common stock in the open market during 2009. In addition, we paid a total of $3.5 million of deferred acquisition costs during 2009, which included $2.5 million of contingent consideration to the seller of Sandy, $0.8 million to the sellers of PCS which consisted of $0.3 million of contingent consideration and $0.5 million of deferred purchase price payments, and $0.2 million of contingent consideration relating to an acquisition in the UK completed in 2008. As of December 31, 2009, we had no long-term debt or short-term borrowings outstanding and made net repayments of short-term borrowings of $3.2 million during 2009.

 

In connection with the PCS acquisition on March 1, 2008, a portion of the purchase price consisted of $1.0 million of guaranteed future payments paid in two equal installments on January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010. In addition, we may be required to pay the following additional contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions we have completed:

 

37



 

 

 

Potential maximum contingent consideration due in

 

Acquisition:

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Total

 

Performance Consulting Services

 

$

1,250

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,250

 

Other 2008 acquisitions in UK

 

438

 

518

 

414

 

1,370

 

Milsom

 

1,195

 

1,195

 

1,195

 

3,585

 

Option Six

 

 

1,000

 

1,000

 

2,000

 

PerformTech

 

 

2,500

 

2,000

 

4,500

 

Total

 

$

2,883

 

$

5,213

 

$

4,609

 

$

12,705

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, there was $5.1 million of accrued contingent consideration reflected on our consolidated balance sheet for the estimated fair value of contingent consideration recognized for the Milsom, Option Six and PerformTech acquisitions (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk

 

We have a concentration of revenue from General Motors as well as a market concentration in the automotive sector. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 16%, 20% and 21%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 21%, 28% and 30% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accounts receivable from General Motors totaled $7.8 million as of December 31, 2009 which is reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. Our accounts receivable balance from General Motors is subject to fluctuation related to our publications business, since the volume and timing of publications shipped varies on a quarter to quarter basis. On June 1, 2009, General Motors filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Subsequent to filing that petition, General Motors sold a portion of its business to Vehicle Acquisition Holdings LLC (“New GM”) as part of its reorganization plan.  In connection with that sale, substantially all of the Company’s executory contracts with General Motors were assigned to and assumed by New GM, and the Company’s pre-petition accounts receivable have been paid. No material reserves against possible uncollectible accounts receivable from General Motors have been provided as General Motors has consistently made scheduled payments to date.

 

Cash Flows

 

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008

 

Our cash balance increased $6.8 million from $4.0 million as of December 31, 2008 to $10.8 million as of December 31, 2009. The increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year ended December 31, 2009 resulted from cash provided by operating activities of $18.8 million, cash used in investing activities of $25.4 million, cash provided by financing activities of $13.2 million and a $0.2 million positive effect due to exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $24.0 million in 2008.  The decrease in cash provided by operating activities compared to the prior year is primarily due to a decrease in net income during 2009 compared to 2008 after adding back non-cash adjustments to net income, as well as unfavorable changes in working capital items during 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $7.6 million in 2008.  The increase in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to an increase in cash used for acquisitions during 2009 compared to 2008. We used a total of $24.2 million of cash during the year ended December 31, 2009 for acquisitions, net of cash acquired compared to $4.7 million of cash during the same period in 2008. During 2009, we used $20.7 million to fund the cash purchase price for three acquisitions completed in 2009 and paid $3.5 million of contingent consideration and deferred acquisition costs for prior year acquisitions. During 2008, we used $2.0 million to fund the cash purchase price for acquisitions completed in 2008 and paid $2.7 million of contingent consideration for prior year acquisitions.

 

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Cash provided by financing activities was $13.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to cash used in financing activities of $15.5 million in 2008.  The increase in cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to $19.6 of cash proceeds from the equity investment by Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. in December 2009, a $6.6 million decrease in cash used for share repurchases in 2009 compared to 2008, and a $3.6 million decrease in net repayments of long-term debt and short-term borrowings during 2009 compared to 2008. These increases in cash provided by financing activities were offset by a $2.0 million decrease in income tax benefits for stock compensation during 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007

 

Our cash balance increased $0.1 million from $3.9 million as of December 31, 2007 to $4.0 million as of December 31, 2008. The increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year ended December 31, 2008 resulted from cash provided by operating activities of $24.0 million, cash used in investing activities of $7.6 million, cash used in financing activities of $15.5 million and a $0.8 million negative effect due to exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $24.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $8.1 million in 2007.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities compared to the prior year was primarily due to favorable changes in operating assets and liabilities during 2008 compared to 2007, primarily due to the initial working capital investment required in 2007 related to the Sandy acquisition which did not recur in 2008. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was also due to an increase in income after adding back non-cash items to net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $13.3 million in 2007.  The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a decrease in cash used for acquisitions during 2008 compared to 2007. We used a total of $4.7 million of cash during the year ended December 31, 2008 for acquisitions ($1.1 million for the PCS acquisition, $0.9 million for two businesses we acquired in the UK, $2.5 million of contingent consideration paid for the Sandy acquisition and $0.2 million of contingent consideration paid for the SEL acquisition), compared to $10.6 million of cash during the same period in 2007 ($5.4 million for the Sandy acquisition, $3.4 million for the SEL acquisition and $1.8 million for the Via acquisition).  We also used $1.0 million of cash in 2008 to purchase intellectual property rights for certain web-based training materials used in our Energy services course offering.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $0.4 million in 2007.  The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to the following: a $2.7 million decrease in net proceeds from short-term borrowings in 2008 compared to 2007; a $7.1 million use of cash for the repayment of long-term debt during 2008; a $2.3 million increase in cash used for repurchases of our common stock in the open market in 2008 compared to 2007; and a $1.6 million decrease in cash received from the exercise of stock options during 2008 compared to 2007. In addition, there was a $1.8 million decrease in the net change in our negative cash book balances during 2008 (the negative cash book balance results from outstanding checks which had not cleared the bank at the end of the period and are classified as accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheets and presented as a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows). These cash uses in financing activities were offset by $2.0 million of income tax benefits realized during 2008 relating to 2008 and prior year stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting.

 

Short-term Borrowings

 

General Physics has a $35 million Credit Agreement with a bank that expires on October 31, 2010, with annual renewal options, and is secured by certain assets of General Physics.  The maximum interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement is at the daily LIBOR Market Index Rate plus 2.25%. Based upon the financial performance of General Physics, the interest rate can be reduced. As of December 31, 2009, the rate was LIBOR plus 1.25%.  The Credit Agreement contains covenants with respect to General Physics’ minimum tangible net worth, total liabilities ratio, leverage ratio, interest coverage ratio and its ability to make capital expenditures. General Physics was in compliance with all loan covenants under the amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2009. The Credit

 

39



 

Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants regarding future acquisitions, incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends. The Credit Agreement permits General Physics to provide GP Strategies up to $10 million of cash to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market. There was $6.8 million remaining available for future share repurchases under the $10 million authorized amount as of December 31, 2009. General Physics is otherwise currently restricted from paying dividends or management fees to GP Strategies in excess of $1 million in any year, with the exception of a waiver which permitted General Physics to provide up to $8.1 million of cash to repay debt obligations which matured in 2008 in the event GP Strategies did not have available cash and the funding of stock repurchases discussed above. As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding and $29.8 million of available borrowings under the Credit Agreement, based upon 80% of eligible accounts receivable and 80% of eligible unbilled receivables.

 

Contractual Payment Obligations

 

We enter into various agreements that result in contractual obligations in connection with our business activities.  These obligations primarily relate to our financing arrangements, such as capital leases, as well operating leases and purchase commitments under non-cancelable contracts for certain products and services. The following table summarizes our total contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Payments due in

 

 

 

2010

 

2011 –
2012

 

2013 –
2014

 

After
2015

 

Total

 

Capital lease commitments

 

$

34

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

34

 

Operating lease commitments

 

5,313

 

8,446

 

5,032

 

1,847

 

20,638

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

500

 

 

 

 

500

 

Purchase commitments *

 

2,120

 

1,760

 

208

 

$

 

4,088

 

Total

 

$

7,967

 

$

10,206

 

$

5,240

 

1,847

 

$

25,260

 

 


*                 Excludes purchase orders for goods and services entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business, which are non-binding and subject to amendment or termination within a reasonable notification period.

 

The table above excludes contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions which may be payable to the sellers if the revenue and/or earnings targets set forth in the purchase agreements are achieved (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

 

Subsequent to the spin-off of NPDC in 2004, we continued to guarantee certain operating leases for the Connecticut and New Jersey warehouses of NPDC’s subsidiary, Five Star Products, Inc. In connection with the spin-off of NPDC, NPDC agreed to assume our obligation under such guarantees, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause us to be released from each such guaranty, and to hold us harmless from all claims, expenses and liabilities connected with the leases or NPDC’s breach of any agreements effecting the spin-off. In March 2009, we received confirmation from the landlord that we were released from the guarantee on the Connecticut warehouse lease. We have not received confirmation that we have been released from the guarantee of the New Jersey warehouse.  The annual rent obligation for the New Jersey warehouse is currently believed to be approximately $1.5 million. We do not expect to incur any material payments associated with this guarantee, and as such, no liability is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we had one outstanding letter of credit for less than $0.1 million, which expires in 2010, and two outstanding performance bonds totaling $13.1 million related to LNG construction contracts scheduled to be completed in 2010.

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet financing except for operating leases and letters of credit entered into in the normal course of business and the items disclosed above.

 

40



 

Management Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Certain of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. These include revenue recognition, valuation of accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangible assets, including goodwill, valuation of contingent consideration for business acquisitions, and income taxes, which are summarized below. In addition, Note 1 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements includes further discussion of our significant accounting policies.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We provide services under time-and-materials, cost-reimbursable, fixed price and fixed-fee per transaction contracts to both government and commercial customers. Each contract has different terms based on the scope, deliverables and complexity of the engagement, requiring us to make judgments and estimates about recognizing revenue. Revenue is recognized as services are performed.

 

Under time-and-materials contracts, as well as certain government cost-reimbursable and certain fixed price contracts, the contractual billing schedules are based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. As a result, for these “level-of-effort” contracts, the contractual billing amount for the period is a measure of performance and, therefore, revenue is recognized in that amount.

 

Revenue under government fixed price and certain commercial fixed price contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. Under the percentage-of-completion method, management estimates the percentage-of-completion based upon costs incurred as a percentage of the total estimated costs.

 

For other commercial fixed price contracts which typically involve a discrete project, such as development of training content and materials, design of training processes, software implementation, or engineering projects, the contractual billing schedules are not based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. These discrete projects generally do not contain milestones or other reliable measures of performance. As a result, revenue on these arrangements is recognized using a percentage-of-completion method based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred over the term of the contract. We believe this methodology is a reasonable measure of proportional performance since performance primarily involves personnel costs and services  provided to the customer throughout the course of the projects through regular communications of progress toward completion and other project deliverables. In addition, the customer typically is required to pay us for the proportionate amount of work and cost incurred in the event of contract termination.

 

When total cost estimates exceed revenues, the estimated losses are recognized immediately. The use of the percentage-of-completion method requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract revenues and costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and anticipated changes in estimated salaries and other costs. Estimates of total contract revenues and costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and recorded revenues and costs are subject to revision as the contract progresses. When revisions in estimated contract revenues and costs are determined, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are first identified.

 

For certain commercial fixed-fee per transaction contracts, such as providing training courses, revenue is recognized during the period in which services are delivered in accordance with the pricing outlined in the contracts.

 

For certain fixed-fee per transaction and fixed price contracts in which the output of the arrangement is measurable, such as for the shipping of publications and print materials, revenue is recognized when the deliverable is met and the

 

41



 

product is delivered based on the output method of performance.  The customer is required to pay for the cost incurred in the event of contract termination.

 

Certain of our fixed price commercial contracts contain revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are evaluated to determine if the deliverables can be divided into more than one unit of accounting. For contracts determined to have more than one unit of accounting, we recognize revenue for each deliverable based on the revenue recognition policies discussed above; that is, we recognize revenue in accordance with work performed and costs incurred, with the fee being allocated proportionately over the service period.  Within each multiple deliverable project, there is objective and reliable fair value across all units of the arrangement, as discounts are not offered or applied to one deliverable versus another, and the rates bid across all deliverables are consistent.

 

As part of our on-going operations to provide services to our customers, incidental expenses, which are commonly referred to as “out-of-pocket” expenses, are billed to customers, either directly as a pass-through cost or indirectly as a cost estimated in proposing on fixed price contracts. Out-of-pocket expenses include expenses such as airfare, mileage, hotel stays, out-of-town meals and telecommunication charges. Our policy provides for these expenses to be recorded as both revenue and direct cost of services.

 

In connection with our delivery of products, primarily for publications delivered by our Sandy segment, we incur shipping and handling costs which are billed to customers directly as a pass-through cost.  Our policy provides for these expenses to be recorded as both revenue and direct cost of revenue.

 

Valuation of Accounts Receivable

 

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts. We evaluate the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When aware that a specific customer may be unable to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, we evaluate the need to record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is collectible. We also record reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical collection experience and trends of past due accounts, write-offs and specific identification and review of past due accounts. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customers’ financial conditions. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.6 million at December 31, 2009.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Pursuant to our stock-based incentive plans, we grant stock options, restricted stock, stock units, and equity to officers, employees, and members of the Board of Directors.  We recognize compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees using the fair-value measurement method. Determining the appropriate fair value of stock options requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility and expected life of the award. In addition, determining appropriate forfeiture rates requires judgment, including estimating the number of stock-based compensation awards that are expected to vest.

 

We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for stock-based compensation awards with both graded and cliff vesting terms. We apply a forfeiture estimate to compensation expense recognized for awards that are expected to vest during the requisite service period, and revise that estimate if subsequent information indicates that the actual forfeitures will differ from the estimate. We recognize the cumulative effect of a change in the number of awards expected to vest in compensation expense in the period of change.  We do not capitalize any portion of our stock-based compensation. We estimate the fair value of our stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various assumptions such as expected term, expected stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate. We estimate the expected term of stock options granted taking into consideration historical data related to stock option exercises. For stock options granted in 2007 and 2008, we used an expected term equal to the average of the weighted average vesting period and contractual term of the stock options granted, as permitted by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation — Stock

 

42



 

Compensation, which permits this simplified method for estimating the expected term of stock options when there is insufficient historical exercise data to form an appropriate estimate. We use historical stock price data in order to estimate the expected volatility factor of stock options granted. The risk-free interest rate for the periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

Impairment of Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill

 

We review goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We perform a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, as defined by U.S. GAAP. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, with any residual fair value allocated to goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we record an impairment loss equal to the difference. We evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by reconciling the total of the fair values of all of our reporting units to our total market capitalization, and adjusting for an appropriate control premium.

 

Our reporting units are: (i) Manufacturing, (ii) E-Business & Learning Solutions (“EBLS”), (iii) Process & Aerospace (“P&A”), (iv) Homeland Security, Environmental & Emergency Management Services (“HSEEM”), (v) Energy and (vi) Sandy. The Manufacturing & EBLS reporting units comprise our Manufacturing & BPO segment and the P&A and HSEEM reporting units comprise our Process & Government segment, while the Energy and Sandy reporting units each represent a separate reportable segment. Our goodwill balances as of December 31, 2009 for each reporting unit were as follows (in thousands):

 

Reporting Unit

 

 

 

Manufacturing

 

$

17,245

 

EBLS

 

27,341

 

Process & Aerospace

 

4,830

 

HSEEM

 

9,697

 

Energy

 

8,170

 

Sandy

 

 

 

 

$

67,283

 

 

We determine the fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow approach. The discounted cash flow analysis incorporates management’s cash flow projections over a five-year period and a terminal value is calculated by applying a capitalization rate to terminal year projections based on an estimated long-term growth rate. The five-year projected cash flows and calculated terminal value are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) which takes into account the costs of debt and equity. The cost of equity is based on the risk-free interest rate, equity risk premium, industry and size equity premiums and any additional market equity risk premiums as deemed appropriate for each reporting unit. To arrive at a fair value for each reporting unit, the terminal value is discounted by the WACC and added to the present value of the estimated cash flows over the discrete five-year period. There are a number of other variables which impact the projected cash flows, such as expected revenue growth and profitability levels, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and related depreciation and amortization. In addition, we make certain judgments in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units.

 

43



 

Interim Impairment Test as of June 30, 2009

 

Based upon indicators of impairment in the second quarter of 2009, which included significantly lower than projected revenue and profit and a revised lower outlook for a longer period of time for certain of our reporting units, we performed an interim impairment test on our Manufacturing and Process & Aerospace reporting units as of June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, the Manufacturing reporting unit’s revenue and profit projections were significantly lowered as a result of the impact of the economic recession and the corresponding reduction in spending by several customers. The Process & Aerospace reporting unit’s profit projections were decreased due to a lower profit margin as a percentage of revenue experienced by this reporting unit, despite revenue being in line with projections, and a change in projected future profit margin which was lower than previously assumed. We determined that the fair value of our Manufacturing reporting unit was below its carrying value and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $9.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 related to this reporting unit. We determined that the fair value of our Process & Aerospace reporting unit was above its carrying value and no impairment was indicated as of June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2009 and in connection with the goodwill impairment loss discussed above, we also recorded an intangible asset impairment loss of $0.3 million relating to a non-compete agreement that was no longer deemed to have value as of June 30, 2009.

 

No changes were made to the methodologies used in the interim goodwill impairment test as of June 30, 2009 compared to the annual test as of December 31, 2008 or prior annual tests. However, the economic recession and uncertainty in the capital markets impacted the assumptions used, including management’s cash flow projections, the calculation of the WACC and selection of capitalization multiples. In forming projected cash flows used in the goodwill impairment test as of June 30, 2009, management analyzed historical cash flow growth rates and also considered current trends and expectations which were projected to impact the near term cash flows. In light of the current economic environment and actual experience during the six months ended June 30, 2009, the cash flow projections for the Manufacturing reporting unit were lowered and were assumed to remain flat over the twelve months subsequent to the valuation date, similar to the reduced levels experienced during the twelve months ended June 30, 2009, which were significantly lower than actual performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Recovery was then assumed to begin in the second half of 2010 to align more closely with historical growth rates achieved by this reporting unit and recovery to 2008 levels was not estimated to fully occur until 2011. We had previously assumed a quicker recovery; however, given actual results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and updated projections for the remainder of the year, we believed full recovery would take longer. The projections for Process & Aerospace assumed a lower profit margin compared to what was used in the 2008 annual goodwill impairment test due to actual recent experience and updated future expectations, and revenue projections were consistent with recent and historical growth rates. The calculated WACC as of June 30, 2009 included an additional market risk premium for each reporting unit, (2% for Manufacturing and 1% for Process & Aerospace) to reflect the reduction in forecasted performance of the reporting units compared to prior forecasts as well as the capital market’s incremental uncertainty and impact of the economic recession. The WACC used in the fair value calculation for both reporting units as of June 30, 2009 was 16%.

 

Annual Impairment Test as of December 31, 2009

 

We tested the goodwill of each of our reporting units as of December 31, 2009 and the estimated fair values of each reporting unit exceeded their respective carrying values, indicating the underlying goodwill of each unit was not impaired. The WACC used in the fair value calculation for all reporting units as of December 31, 2009 was 15%. The Manufacturing, Energy and Process & Aerospace reporting units each had a substantial excess of fair value over their respective carrying values. The EBLS and HSEEM reporting units had excesses of 23% and 37%, respectively, of fair value over their respective carrying value.

 

Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on our business, there can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of our goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain.  If our assumptions regarding forecasted revenue or profitability growth rates of certain reporting

 

44



 

units are not achieved, we may be required to recognize goodwill impairment charges in future periods, whether in connection with our next annual impairment testing or prior to that, if any such change constitutes a triggering event that requires us to test for impairment during an interim period. We will continue to monitor our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and conduct formal tests when impairment indicators are present.

 

Annual Impairment Test as of December 31, 2008

 

As of December 31, 2008, the carrying value of our Sandy reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, indicating the underlying goodwill was impaired at the testing date. As a result of performing the second step of the goodwill impairment test, we recognized an impairment loss of $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The goodwill impairment loss was attributable to a significant decline in our market capitalization during the fourth quarter of 2008 and uncertainty regarding the automotive industry, which resulted in a reduction in the future cash flow projections and comparable company multiples used in the fair value calculation as compared to the prior year.

 

Valuation of Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions

 

Acquisitions may include contingent consideration payments based on future financial measures of an acquired company.  For acquisitions completed before 2009, these obligations were recognized as incurred and accounted for as an adjustment to the initial purchase price of the acquired assets.  For acquisitions in 2009, contingent consideration is required to be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of these liabilities based on financial projections of the acquired companies and estimated probabilities of achievement. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, however, there is significant judgment involved. At each reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation will be revalued to estimated fair value and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisition will be reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to our operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates, changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings estimates and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  In addition, assessing tax rates that we expect to apply and determining the years when the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income requires judgment about the future apportionment of our income among the states in which we operate.

 

The measurement of deferred taxes often involves an exercise of judgment related to the computation and realization of tax basis. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our assessment that tax positions taken, and the resulting tax basis, are more likely than not to be sustained if they are audited by taxing authorities. We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have or have not established an accrual, is audited and finally resolved. Favorable or unfavorable adjustment of the accrual for any particular issue would be recognized as an increase or decrease to our income tax expense in the period of a change in facts and circumstances.

 

In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future income during the periods in which temporary differences are deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax

 

45



 

planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon these factors, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of our deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance. The valuation allowance relates to both foreign and domestic net operating loss carryforwards for which we do not believe the benefits may be realized.

 

The above matters, and others, involve the exercise of significant judgment. Any changes in our practices or judgments involved in the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted

 

We discuss recently issued and adopted accounting standards in Note 1 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 7A:                                                 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate, market risks and currency fluctuations. In the normal course of business, we employ internal processes to manage our exposure to interest rate, market risks and currency fluctuations. Our objective in managing our interest rate risk is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs.

 

We are exposed to the impact of currency fluctuations because of our international operations. We are not a party to any exchange rate hedging programs to mitigate the effect of exchange rate fluctuations. Our net investment in our foreign subsidiaries, including intercompany balances, at December 31, 2009 was not significant and, accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency did not have a material impact on our financial position.

 

Our revenues and profitability are related to general levels of economic activity and employment, principally in the United States and the United Kingdom. As a result, any significant economic downturn or recession in one or both of those countries could harm our business and financial condition. A significant portion of our revenues is derived from Fortune 500 level companies and their international equivalents, which historically have adjusted expenditures for training and other services during economic downturns. If the economies in which these companies operate remain or are further weakened in any future period, these companies may reduce their expenditures on training and other services, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

46



 

Item 8:

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Page

 

 

Financial Statements of GP Strategies Corporation and Subsidiaries:

 

 

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

48

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2009 and 2008

50

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

51

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

52

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

53

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

55

 

47



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
GP Strategies Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GP Strategies Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule listed under item 15a(2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GP Strategies Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations (ASC Topic 805), on January 1, 2009.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), GP Strategies Corporation and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 4, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/  KPMG LLP

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland

March 4, 2010

 

48



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
GP Strategies Corporation:

 

We have audited GP Strategies Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). GP Strategies Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, 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.

 

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.

 

In our opinion, GP Strategies Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework 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), the consolidated balance sheets of GP Strategies Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated March 4, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

 

/s/  KPMG LLP

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland

March 4, 2010

 

49



Table of Contents

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31, 2009 and 2008

(In thousands, except shares and par value per share)

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10,803

 

$

3,961

 

Accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $566 in 2009 and $938 in 2008

 

45,471

 

42,471

 

Inventories, net

 

557

 

537

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

10,590

 

8,036

 

Deferred tax assets

 

1,143

 

1,074

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

5,549

 

6,203

 

Total current assets

 

74,113

 

62,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

3,121

 

2,970

 

Goodwill

 

67,283

 

60,273

 

Intangible assets, net

 

10,248

 

6,740

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

1,048

 

Other assets, net

 

1,936

 

2,527

 

 

 

$

156,701

 

$

135,840

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

$

 

$

3,234

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

23,464

 

25,977

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

13,272

 

10,222

 

Total current liabilities

 

36,736

 

39,433

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

1,275

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

7,800

 

3,601

 

Total liabilities

 

45,811

 

43,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 35,000,000 shares; issued 18,588,391 shares in 2009 and 17,828,644 shares in 2008

 

186

 

178

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

161,975

 

158,462

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(49,325

)

(48,135

)

Treasury stock, at cost (zero shares in 2009 and 1,743,190 shares in 2008)

 

 

(15,070

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,946

)

(2,629

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

110,890

 

92,806

 

 

 

$

156,701

 

$

135,840

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

50



Table of Contents

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Revenue

 

$

219,240

 

$

267,893

 

$

248,422

 

Cost of revenue

 

185,149

 

227,084

 

210,347

 

Gross profit

 

34,091

 

40,809

 

38,075

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

20,800

 

21,538

 

20,813

 

Goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss

 

10,163

 

5,508

 

 

Operating income

 

3,128

 

13,763

 

17,262

 

Interest expense

 

217

 

699

 

1,218

 

Other income (including interest income of $63 in 2009, $88 in 2008 and $224 in 2007)

 

484

 

1,086

 

862

 

Income before income taxes

 

3,395

 

14,150

 

16,906

 

Income tax expense

 

4,585

 

6,313

 

7,222

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,190

)

$

7,837

 

$

9,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

15,835

 

16,516

 

16,654

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

15,911

 

16,638

 

17,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.08

)

$

0.47

 

$

0.58

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.47

 

$

0.56

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(In thousands, except for par value per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

receivable

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

stock

 

Additional

 

Accumulated

 

Treasury

 

comprehensive

 

from

 

stockholders’

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

($0.01 par)

 

paid-in capital

 

deficit

 

stock at cost

 

loss

 

stockholder

 

equity

 

income

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

$

178

 

$

159,042

 

$

(65,558

)

$

(13,167

)

$

(640

)

$

(124

)

$

79,731

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

9,684

 

 

 

 

9,684

 

$

9,684

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

179

 

 

179

 

179

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,863

 

Cumulative effect adjustment upon adoption of accounting for uncertain tax positions

 

 

 

(98

)

 

 

 

(98

)

 

 

Repayment of note receivable from stockholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

124

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock in the open market

 

 

 

 

(6,511

)

 

 

(6,511

)

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

686

 

 

24

 

 

 

710

 

 

 

Exercise of warrants

 

 

(2,699

)

 

5,924

 

 

 

3,225

 

 

 

Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation and benefit plans and other

 

 

(607

)

 

3,945

 

 

 

3,338

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

$

178

 

$

156,422

 

$

(55,972

)

$

(9,785

)

$

(461

)

$

 

$

90,382

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

7,837

 

 

 

 

7,837

 

$

7,837

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(2,168

)

 

(2,168

)

(2,168

)

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,669

 

Repurchases of common stock in the open market

 

 

 

 

(8,797

)

 

 

(8,797

)

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

898

 

 

155

 

 

 

1,053

 

 

 

Exercise of warrants

 

 

(243

)

 

1,179

 

 

 

936

 

 

 

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

1,964

 

 

 

 

 

1,964

 

 

 

Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation and benefit plans and other

 

 

(579

)

 

2,178

 

 

 

1,599

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

$

178

 

$

158,462

 

$

(48,135

)

$

(15,070

)

$

(2,629

)

$

 

$

92,806

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

(1,190

)

 

 

 

(1,190

)

$

(1,190

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

683

 

 

683

 

683

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(507

)

Repurchases of common stock in the open market

 

 

 

 

(2,166

)

 

 

(2,166

)

 

 

Equity investment by Sagard Capital Partners, L.P.

 

8

 

3,953

 

 

15,620

 

 

 

19,581

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

1,231

 

 

208

 

 

 

1,439

 

 

 

Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation and benefit plans and other

 

 

(1,671

)

 

1,408

 

 

 

(263

)

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

186

 

$

161,975

 

$

(49,325

)

$

 

$

(1,946

)

$

 

$

110,890

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,190

)

$

7,837

 

$

9,684

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss

 

10,163

 

5,508

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,380

 

3,448

 

4,004

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

1,638

 

2,776

 

2,099

 

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

(125

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,862

 

66

 

5,837

 

Changes in other operating items, net of acquired amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and other receivables

 

2,329

 

4,941

 

(17,918

)

Inventories

 

(20

)

40

 

206

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

(1,163

)

6,057

 

(2,685

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

637

 

(1,247

)

161

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(2,076

)

(3,262

)

3,209

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

2,815

 

(1,736

)

3,112

 

Other

 

401

 

(333

)

357

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

18,776

 

23,970

 

8,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(1,174

)

(1,936

)

(1,718

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(20,773

)

(2,004

)

(10,635

)

Deferred acquisition payments, including contingent consideration

 

(3,464

)

(2,665

)

 

Purchase of intellectual property

 

 

(1,000

)

 

Capitalized software development costs

 

 

 

(948

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(25,411

)

(7,605

)

(13,301

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from (repayment of) short-term borrowings

 

(3,234

)

281

 

2,953

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(7,085

)

 

Equity investment by Sagard Capital Partners, L.P.

 

19,581

 

 

 

Change in negative cash book balance

 

(595

)

(1,783

)

2,378

 

Repurchases of common stock in the open market

 

(2,166

)

(8,797

)

(6,511

)

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

1,964

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

51

 

55

 

1,688

 

Other financing activities

 

(408

)

(137

)

(75

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

13,229

 

(15,502

)

433

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

248

 

(770

)

10

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

6,842

 

93

 

(4,792

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

3,961

 

3,868

 

8,660

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

10,803

 

$

3,961

 

$

3,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

46

 

$

374

 

$

716

 

Income taxes

 

$

3,110

 

$

2,430

 

$

1,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reduction in carrying value of long-term debt upon exercise of detachable stock purchase warrants

 

$

 

$

936

 

$

3,225

 

Accrued contingent consideration

 

5,058

 

2,500

 

2,000

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54



 

1)                         Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Business

 

GP Strategies Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1959. The Company’s business consists of its training, engineering, technical services and consulting business operated by its subsidiary, General Physics Corporation (“General Physics” or “GP”).  General Physics is a workforce development company that seeks to improve the effectiveness of organizations by providing training, management consulting, e-Learning solutions, engineering and technical services that are customized to meet the specific needs of clients.

 

FASB Codification

 

The Company follows accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that the Company follows to ensure it consistently reports its financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC. The FASB finalized the Codification effective for periods ending on or after September 15, 2009. For further discussion of the Codification, see Accounting Standards Adopted section later in this Note.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company has a concentration of revenue from General Motors Corporation and its affiliates (“General Motors”) as well as a market concentration in the automotive sector. Revenue from General Motors accounted for approximately 16%, 20% and 21% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 21%, 28% and 30% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accounts receivable from General Motors totaled $7,806,000 as of December 31, 2009 which is reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. On June 1, 2009, General Motors filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Subsequent to filing that petition, General Motors sold a portion of its business to Vehicle Acquisition Holdings LLC (“New GM”) as part of its reorganization plan.  In connection with that sale, substantially all of the Company’s executory contracts with General Motors were assigned to and assumed by New GM, and the Company’s pre-petition accounts receivable have been paid. No material reserves against possible uncollectible accounts receivable from General Motors have been provided as General Motors has consistently made scheduled payments to date. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in 2009 or accounts receivable as of December 31, 2009.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, sales to the United States government and its agencies represented approximately 23%, 18% and 18%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Revenue was derived from many separate contracts with a variety of government agencies that are regarded by the Company as separate customers.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks which have been issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. We transfer cash on an as-needed basis to fund these items as they clear the bank in subsequent periods. Such negative cash balances are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and totaled $0 and $595,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Changes in negative book cash balances from period to period are reported as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

 

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

 

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts. The Company evaluates the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When aware that a specific customer may be unable to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company evaluates the need to record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also records reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical collection experience and trends of past due accounts, write-offs and specific identification and review of past due accounts. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customers’ financial conditions.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency of the Company’s international operations is the respective local currency. The translation of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from such translation are included as a component of other comprehensive income.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company provides services under time-and-materials, cost-reimbursable, and fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction) contracts to both government and commercial customers. Each contract has different terms based on the scope, deliverables and complexity of the engagement, requiring the Company to make judgments and estimates about recognizing revenue. Revenue is recognized as services are performed.

 

Under time-and-materials contracts, as well as certain government cost-reimbursable and certain fixed price contracts, the contractual billing schedules are based on the specified level of resources the Company is obligated to provide. As a result, for these “level-of-effort” contracts, the contractual billing amount for the period is a measure of performance and, therefore, revenue is recognized in that amount.

 

Revenue under government fixed price and certain commercial fixed price contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. Under the percentage-of-completion method, management estimates the percentage-of-completion based upon costs incurred as a percentage of the total estimated costs.

 

For other commercial fixed price contracts which typically involve a discrete project, such as development of training content and materials, design of training processes, software implementation, or engineering projects, the contractual billing schedules are not based on the specified level of resources the Company is obligated to provide. These discrete projects generally do not contain milestones or other reliable measures of performance. As a result, revenue on these arrangements is recognized using a percentage-of-completion method based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology is a reasonable measure of proportional performance since performance primarily involves personnel costs and services provided to the customer throughout the course of the projects through regular communications of progress toward completion and other project deliverables. In addition, the customer typically is required to pay the Company for the proportionate amount of work and cost incurred in the event of contract termination.

 

When total cost estimates exceed revenues, the estimated losses are recognized immediately. The use of the percentage-of-completion method requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract revenues and costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and anticipated changes in estimated salaries and other costs. Estimates of total contract revenues and costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and recorded

 

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revenues and costs are subject to revision as the contract progresses. When revisions in estimated contract revenues and costs are determined, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are first identified.

 

For commercial fixed-fee per transaction contracts, such as providing training courses, revenue is recognized during the period in which services are delivered in accordance with the pricing outlined in the contracts.

 

For certain fixed-fee per transaction and fixed price contracts in which the output of the arrangement is measurable, such as for the shipping of publications and print materials, revenue is recognized when the deliverable is met and the product is delivered based on the output method of performance.  The customer is required to pay for the cost incurred in the event of contract termination.

 

Certain of the Company’s fixed price commercial contracts contain revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are evaluated to determine if the deliverables can be divided into more than one unit of accounting. For contracts determined to have more than one unit of accounting, the Company recognizes revenue for each deliverable based on the revenue recognition policies discussed above; that is, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with work performed and costs incurred, with the fee being allocated proportionately over the service period.  Within each multiple deliverable project, there is objective and reliable fair value across all units of the arrangement, as discounts are not offered or applied to one deliverable versus another, and the rates bid across all deliverables are consistent.

 

As part of the Company’s on-going operations to provide services to its customers, incidental expenses, which are commonly referred to as “out-of-pocket” expenses, are billed to customers, either directly as a pass-through cost or indirectly as a cost estimated in proposing on fixed price contracts. Out-of-pocket expenses include expenses such as airfare, mileage, hotel stays, out-of-town meals and telecommunication charges. The Company’s policy provides for these expenses to be recorded as both revenue and direct cost of services.

 

In connection with the delivery of products, primarily for publications delivered by the Sandy Training & Marketing segment, the Company incurs shipping and handling costs which are billed to customers directly as a pass-through cost.  The Company’s policy provides for these expenses to be recorded as both revenue and direct cost of revenue.

 

Contract Related Assets and Liabilities

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets represent unbilled amounts earned and reimbursable under contracts in progress. These amounts become billable according to the contract terms, which usually consider the passage of time, achievement of milestones or completion of the project. Generally, such unbilled amounts will be billed and collected over the next twelve months.

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets represent advanced billings to clients on contracts in advance of work performed. Generally, such amounts will be earned and recognized in revenue over the next twelve months.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market, with cost determined using an average cost method.

 

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Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs which do not extend the lives of the assets are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment is recognized in operations when realized.

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Class of assets

 

Useful life

Buildings and improvements

 

5 to 40 years

Machinery, equipment, and furniture and fixtures

 

3 to 10 years

Leasehold improvements

 

Shorter of asset life or term of lease

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized at the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s intangible assets include amounts recognized in connection with acquisitions, including customer relationships, contract backlog, software and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets are initially valued at fair market value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets, except for contract backlog which is recognized in proportion to the projected revenue streams of the related backlog. Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Except for goodwill, the Company does not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

 

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. The Company reviews its goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company performs a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, as defined by U.S. GAAP.  The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units based on an income approach, whereby it calculates the fair value of each reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, which are formed by evaluating historical trends, current budgets, operating plans and industry data. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, with any residual fair value allocated to goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded. The Company evaluates the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of its reporting units by reconciling the total of the fair values of all reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization, and adjusting for an appropriate control premium.

 

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Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. In addition, the Company makes certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of its reporting units. The timing and frequency of the Company’s goodwill impairment tests are based on an ongoing assessment of events and circumstances that would indicate a possible impairment. The Company will continue to monitor its goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and conduct formal tests when impairment indicators are present.

 

Based upon indicators of impairment in the second quarter of 2009, which included significantly lower than projected revenue and profit and a revised lower outlook for a longer period of time for certain reporting units, the Company performed an interim impairment test on its Manufacturing and Process & Aerospace reporting units as of June 30, 2009. The Manufacturing reporting unit’s revenue and profit projections were significantly lowered as a result of the impact of the economic recession and the corresponding reduction in spending by several customers. The Process & Aerospace reporting unit’s profit projections were decreased due to a lower profit margin as a percentage of revenue experienced by this reporting unit, despite revenue being in line with projections, and a change in projected future profit margin which was lower than previously assumed. The Company determined that the fair value of its Manufacturing reporting unit was below its carrying value and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $9,909,000 for the second quarter of 2009 related to this reporting unit. The Company determined that the fair value of its Process & Aerospace reporting unit was above its carrying value and no impairment was indicated as of June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2009 and in connection with the goodwill impairment loss discussed above, the Company also recorded an intangible asset impairment loss of $254,000 relating to a non-compete agreement that was no longer deemed to have value as of June 30, 2009.

 

The Company tested the goodwill of all of its reporting units as of December 31, 2009 and the estimated fair values of each reporting unit exceeded their respective carrying values, indicating the underlying goodwill of each unit was not impaired.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the carrying value of the Company’s Sandy reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, indicating the underlying goodwill was impaired at the testing date. As a result of performing the second step of the goodwill impairment test, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $5,508,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The goodwill impairment loss was attributable to a significant decline in the Company’s market capitalization during the fourth quarter of 2008 and uncertainty regarding the automotive industry, which resulted in a reduction in the future cash flow projections and comparable company multiples used in the fair value calculation in the impairment test.

 

Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions.

 

Acquisitions may include contingent consideration payments based on future financial measures of an acquired company.  For acquisitions completed before 2009, these obligations were recognized as incurred and accounted for as an adjustment to the initial purchase price of the acquired assets.  For acquisitions in 2009, contingent consideration is required to be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. The Company estimates the fair value of these liabilities based on financial projections of the acquired companies and estimated probabilities of achievement. At each reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation will be revalued to estimated fair value and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisition will be reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to the Company’s operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates, changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings estimates and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria.

 

59



 

Other Assets

 

Other assets primarily include deferred financing costs, certain software development and implementation costs, an investment in a joint venture and other assets obtained to fulfill customer related contract obligations. Deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related financing arrangement and such amortization is classified as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes the cost of internal-use software in accordance with ASC Topic 350-40, Internal-Use Software. These costs consist of payments made to third parties for software development and implementation and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, typically three to five years. The Company accounts for a 5% interest in a joint venture partnership under the equity method of accounting because significant influence exists due to certain factors, including representation on the partnership’s Management Board and voting rights.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Favorable or unfavorable adjustment of the accrual for any particular issue would be recognized as an increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period of a change in facts and circumstances. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.

 

Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

 

The Company’s dilutive common stock equivalent shares consist of stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants to purchase shares of common stock computed under the treasury stock method, using the average market price during the period. The following table presents instruments which were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the weighted average dilutive common stock equivalent shares which were included in the computation of diluted EPS:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Non-dilutive instruments

 

976

 

1,168

 

994

 

Dilutive common stock equivalents

 

76

 

122

 

511

 

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

 

Pursuant to the stock-based incentive plans which are described more fully in Note 11, the Company grants stock options, restricted stock, stock units, and equity to officers, employees, and members of the Board of Directors.  The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees using the fair-value measurement method.

 

The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for stock-based compensation awards with both graded and cliff vesting terms. The Company applies a forfeiture estimate to compensation expense recognized for awards that are expected to vest during the requisite service period, and revises that estimate if subsequent information indicates that the actual forfeitures will differ from the estimate. The Company recognizes the cumulative effect of a change in the number of awards expected to vest in compensation expense in the period of change.  The Company does not capitalize any portion of its stock-based compensation.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of its stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various assumptions such as expected term, expected stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected term of stock options granted taking into consideration historical data related to stock option exercises. For stock options granted in 2007 and 2008, the Company used an expected term equal to the average of the weighted average vesting period and contractual term of the stock options granted, as permitted by ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, which permits this simplified method for estimating the expected term of stock options when there is insufficient historical exercise data to form an appropriate estimate. The Company uses historical stock price data in order to estimate the expected volatility factor of stock options granted. The risk-free interest rate for the periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates used, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of intangible assets acquired and contingent consideration issued in business acquisitions, valuation of stock-based compensation awards, self-insurance liabilities and income taxes.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Fair Value Estimates

 

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“Topic 820”), defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance within Topic 820 is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:

 

·                  Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

·                  Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and

 

·                  Level 3 — unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

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The carrying value of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximate estimated market values because of short-maturities and interest rates that approximate current rates. The Company’s fair value measurements relate to goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration recognized in connection with acquisitions and are valued using Level 3 inputs.

 

Leases

 

The Company leases various office space, machinery and equipment under noncancelable operating leases which have minimum lease obligations.  Several of the leases contain provisions for rent escalations based primarily on increases in real estate taxes and operating costs incurred by the lessor.  Rent expense is recognized in the statement of operations as incurred except for escalating rents, which are expensed on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases.

 

Legal Expenses

 

The Company is involved, from time to time, in litigation and proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business.  Legal costs for services rendered in the course of these proceedings are charged to expense as they are incurred.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in 2008 and 2007 have been reclassified to conform with the presentation for 2009. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company changed the classification of certain information technology (IT) infrastructure costs on the consolidated statement of operations from cost of revenue to selling, general and administrative expenses. IT infrastructure expenses include those costs required to support the information technology needs of the Company, including data services, such as communication and connectivity related expenses,  depreciation of equipment, servers, routers and software, and other information technology costs. While these costs support the Company’s operations, the Company changed the classification because these expenses are not directly related to revenue generating activities and are more closely aligned with selling, general and administrative expenses.  The statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 have been reclassified to conform with the presentation for 2009. The reclassification resulted in a decrease of $1,979,000 and $1,235,000 in cost of revenue and a corresponding increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Accounting Standard Issued

 

ASU No. 2009-13 — Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (“ASC Topic 605”) - Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“ASU No. 2009-13”). ASU No. 2009-13 amends guidance included within ASC Topic 605-25 to require an entity to use an estimated selling price when vendor specific objective evidence or acceptable third party evidence does not exist for any products or services included in a multiple element arrangement. The arrangement consideration should be allocated among the products and services based upon their relative selling prices, thus eliminating the use of the residual method of allocation. ASU No. 2009-13 also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding significant judgments made and changes in applying this guidance. ASU No. 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption and retrospective application are also permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the provisions of ASU No. 2009-13.

 

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Accounting Standards Adopted

 

FASB Codification

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-1, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“ASC Topic 105”), which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification” or “ASC”) as the official single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, superseding existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”), Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) and related literature. The Codification also includes all relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections within the Codification. After the Codification became effective (interim and annual periods ending on or after September 15, 2009), only one level of authoritative U.S. GAAP exists. All other literature will be considered non-authoritative. The Codification does not change existing U.S. GAAP. The Codification was effective for the Company’s third quarter 2009 financial statements and the principal impact on its financial statements is limited to disclosures as all future references to authoritative accounting literature will be referenced in accordance with the Codification. Pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 105, the Company has updated references to GAAP in its financial statements issued beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The adoption of ASC Topic 105 did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations

 

The Company adopted ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“Topic 805”), effective January 1, 2009. Topic 805 requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the full fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction (whether a full or partial acquisition); establishes the acquisition date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; requires expensing of most transaction and restructuring costs; and requires the acquirer to disclose the information necessary to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. In addition, Topic 805 requires that contingent purchase consideration be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The impact of Topic 805 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions it completes. Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of adopting Topic 805 as a result of acquisitions completed in 2009.

 

ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events (“Topic 855”), which establishes general standards for accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are available to be issued. More specifically, Topic 855 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition in the financial statements, identifies the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that should be made about events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date. Topic 855 provides largely the same guidance on subsequent events which previously existed only in auditing literature. The statement was adopted by the Company in its second quarter ended June 30, 2009 and did not have an impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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(2)                     Acquisitions

 

Below is a summary of the acquisitions we completed during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

PerformTech, Inc.

 

Effective December 30, 2009, General Physics acquired PerformTech, Inc. (“PerformTech”) a provider of custom courseware development and other training services primarily for the U.S. Government. PerformTech, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is a leading developer of custom training solutions, with a significant presence supporting federal government priorities including border security, anti-terrorism, and highway engineering. PerformTech leverages its extensive past performance, proprietary development tools, and technical expertise in needs analysis, curriculum development (classroom and web-based), and training delivery to address clients’ mission critical needs. General Physics acquired 100% ownership of PerformTech for a purchase price of approximately $18,074,000 in cash, to be subsequently adjusted within 120 days of the effective date based on actual working capital as defined in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $4,500,000 to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. PerformTech is included in the Manufacturing & BPO segment and the results of its operations will be included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning January 1, 2010. The balance sheet accounts of PerformTech are reflected in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009. The pro-forma impact of the PerformTech acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Topic 805, which requires that contingent consideration be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. Under the prior accounting standard, contingent consideration for acquisitions completed prior to 2009 was recognized in the financial statements as an addition to goodwill at the time the payment was probable.  The potential undiscounted amounts of all future contingent consideration payments that the Company could be required to make for the PerformTech acquisition is between $0 and $4,500,000.  In accordance with Topic 805, the Company accrued $1,794,000 of contingent consideration based on its estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration on the acquisition date, which was determined using a probability-weighted income approach and discounted to present value using a weighted-average cost of capital. The Company will re-evaluate the recorded amount of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any subsequent adjustments based on actual payments or revised estimates will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the period of adjustment. The Company expects that all of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes will be deductible for tax purposes, except that contingent consideration is only deductible when paid. If the actual contingent consideration payments are less than the estimated fair value as of the acquisition date, a portion of goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

 

The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by the Company consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

Cash purchase price

 

$

 18,074

 

Estimated adjustment to purchase price based on actual net working capital

 

(437

)

Estimated contingent consideration

 

1,794

 

Total estimated purchase price

 

$

 19,431

 

 

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The Company’s purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash

 

$

2,434

 

Accounts receivable

 

2,866

 

Earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

1,232

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

40

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

158

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

2,981

 

Goodwill

 

10,480

 

Total assets acquired

 

20,191

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

722

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

38

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

760

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

19,431

 

 

The Company recorded $2,790,000 for customer-related intangible assets acquired which will be amortized over an estimated useful life of five years, and $191,000 for proprietary technology assets acquired to be amortized over an estimated useful life of five years. The carrying value of current assets and liabilities approximate estimated market values, except for goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration which have been valued using Level 3 inputs as defined in fair value measurement accounting.

 

Option Six

 

Effective December 1, 2009, General Physics acquired Option Six, Inc. (“Option Six”), a provider of custom courseware development services with expertise in the software and pharmaceutical industries. Option Six, located in Bloomington, Indiana, provides blended learning courseware development services. General Physics acquired 100% ownership of Option Six for a purchase price of approximately $4,093,000 in cash, to be subsequently adjusted within 90 days of the effective date based on actual net assets as defined in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $2,000,000 to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. Option Six is included in the Manufacturing & BPO segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning December 1, 2009. The pro-forma impact of the Option Six acquisition is not material to our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

The potential undiscounted amounts of all future contingent consideration payments that the Company could be required to make for the Option Six acquisition is between $0 and $2,000,000. The Company accrued $827,000 of contingent consideration based on its estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration on the acquisition date, which was determined using a probability-weighted income approach and discounted to present value using a weighted-average cost of capital. The Company will re-evaluate the recorded amount of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any subsequent adjustments based on actual payments or revised estimates will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the period of adjustment. The Company expects that all of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes will be deductible for tax purposes, except that contingent consideration is only deductible when paid. If the actual contingent consideration payments are less than the estimated fair value as of the acquisition date, a portion of goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

 

 

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The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by the Company consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

Cash purchase price

 

$

4,093

 

Estimated adjustment to purchase price based on actual net assets

 

19

 

Estimated contingent consideration

 

827

 

Total estimated purchase price

 

$

4,939

 

 

The Company’s purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash

 

$

947

 

Accounts receivable

 

616

 

Earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

159

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

930

 

Goodwill

 

2,647

 

Total assets acquired

 

5,299

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

215

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

145

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

360

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

4,939

 

 

The Company recorded customer-related intangible assets as a result of the acquisition, which included $930,000 for customer relationships acquired which will be amortized over an estimated useful life of five years. The carrying value of current assets and liabilities approximate estimated market values, except for goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration which have been valued using Level 3 inputs as defined in fair value measurement accounting.

 

Milsom Industrial Designs Limited

 

Effective September 1, 2009, General Physics, through its wholly owned subsidiary, General Physics (UK) Ltd. (“GPUK”), completed the acquisition of Milsom Industrial Designs Limited (“Milsom”), a provider of technical documentation, technical publications, technical recruiting and engineering design services in the United Kingdom. GPUK acquired 100% ownership of Milsom for a purchase price of approximately $2,763,000 in cash, subsequently reduced by a $219,000 post-closing adjustment based on the final net asset amount set forth in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement requires GPUK to pay up to an additional $3,600,000, of which $1,200,000 would be payable subsequent to each of the three twelve-month periods following completion of the acquisition, contingent upon Milsom achieving certain earnings targets during those periods, as defined in the purchase agreement. Milsom is included in the Company’s Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning September 1, 2009. The pro-forma impact of the Milsom acquisition is not material to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

The potential undiscounted amounts of all future contingent consideration payments that the Company could be required to make for the Milsom acquisition is between $0 and $3,600,000. The Company accrued $2,437,000

 

66



 

 

of contingent consideration based on its estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration on the acquisition date, which was determined using a probability-weighted income approach and discounted to present value using a weighted-average cost of capital. The Company will re-evaluate the recorded amount of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any subsequent adjustments based on actual payments or revised estimates will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the period of adjustment. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes.

 

The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by the Company consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

Cash purchase price

 

$

2,544

 

Estimated contingent consideration

 

2,437

 

Total estimated purchase price

 

$

4,981

 

 

The Company’s purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash

 

$

557

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,414

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

466

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

259

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

1,209

 

Goodwill

 

2,876

 

Total assets acquired

 

6,781

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

1,410

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

51

 

Deferred tax liability

 

339

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

1,800

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

4,981

 

 

The Company recorded customer-related intangible assets as a result of the acquisition, which included $816,000 relating to customer lists and relationships acquired which will be amortized over an estimated useful life of nine years, and $393,000 relating to contract backlog for future services under firm contracts which will be amortized over approximately three years subsequent to the acquisition in proportion to the amount of related backlog to be recognized in revenue. The carrying value of current assets and liabilities approximate estimated market values, except for goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration which have been valued using Level 3 inputs as defined in fair value measurement accounting.

 

Performance Consulting Services, Inc. (PCS)

 

On March 1, 2008, General Physics completed the acquisition of PCS, a company specializing in performance engineering support, training, combustion optimization, the implementation of smart equipment condition monitoring systems and testing services for power plants. The purchase price at closing consisted of $1,011,000 in cash paid to the sellers, subsequently reduced by a $95,000 post-closing adjustment based on the final working capital amount set forth in the purchase agreement. The purchase price also includes $1,000,000 of guaranteed future payments paid in two equal installments on January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2010. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $2,255,000, contingent upon the achievement of

 

67



 

certain revenue targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. In April 2009, the Company paid $305,000 of contingent consideration with respect to the first twelve-month period following completion of the acquisition. The total purchase price for PCS, before considering any contingent consideration, was $2,065,000, consisting of $916,000 in net cash paid at closing, $1,000,000 of deferred payments and $149,000 of acquisition costs. The purchase price allocation primarily consisted of $1,609,000 of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, and $465,000 of customer related intangible assets to be amortized over five years from the acquisition date. PCS is included in the Energy segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning March 1, 2008. The pro-forma impact of the PCS acquisition is not material to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Other 2008 Acquisitions

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, General Physics, through its wholly owned GPUK subsidiary completed two separate acquisitions of training and consulting companies in the United Kingdom. The total purchase price for these businesses was approximately $900,000 in cash. In addition, the purchase agreements require up to an additional $1,600,000 to be paid to the sellers, contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreements, during periods subsequent to the acquisitions. In December 2009, the Company paid $159,000 of contingent consideration to the sellers of one of the acquired businesses with respect to the first twelve-month period following the completion of the acquisition. The purchase price allocations primarily consisted of $788,000 of goodwill and $124,000 of customer related intangible assets to be amortized over three years from the acquisition date. The pro-forma impact of these acquisitions is not material to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Via Training, LLC (Via)

 

On October 1, 2007, General Physics acquired Via, a U.S. custom e-Learning sales training company, for a purchase price of $1,775,000 in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $3,250,000 to be paid to the seller, contingent upon Via achieving certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. No contingent consideration was paid as the earnings targets were not achieved for the two twelve-month periods following the completion of the acquisition. The total purchase price for Via was $1,974,000, consisting of $1,775,000 in cash paid at closing and $199,000 of acquisition costs. The purchase price allocation consisted of $680,000 of tangible net assets, $120,000 of goodwill, which is deductible for tax purposes, and $1,174,000 of customer related intangible assets and software to be amortized over a weighted average period of 4.6 years from the acquisition date. Via is included in the Company’s Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in its consolidated financial statements for the period beginning October 1, 2007. The pro-forma impact of the Via acquisition is not material to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Smallpeice Enterprises Limited (SEL)

 

On June 1, 2007, General Physics, through its wholly owned GPUK subsidiary, completed the acquisition of SEL, a provider of business improvement and technical and management training services in the United Kingdom. GPUK acquired 100% ownership of SEL for a purchase price of approximately $3,276,000 in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $1,800,000, contingent upon SEL achieving certain earnings targets, as defined in the purchase agreement, during the one-year period following completion of the acquisition. During 2008, General Physics paid $165,000 of contingent consideration based on the earnings targets achieved during the one-year period following completion of the acquisition which was accounted for as goodwill. The total purchase price for SEL was $3,591,000, consisting of $3,276,000 in cash paid at closing, $165,000 of contingent consideration paid in 2008 and $150,000 of acquisition costs. The purchase price allocation consisted of $608,000 of tangible net assets, $2,511,000 of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, and $472,000 of intangible assets for customer relationships and a favorable operating lease acquired to be amortized over a weighted average period of 4.0 years from the acquisition date.

 

68



 

SEL is included in the Company’s Manufacturing & BPO segment and its results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning June 1, 2007. The pro-forma impact of the SEL acquisition is not material to the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Sandy Corporation

 

On January 23, 2007, General Physics completed the acquisition of Sandy Corporation (“Sandy”), a leader in custom product sales training and part of the ADP Dealer Services division of ADP, Inc. (“ADP”). Sandy, which is run as an unincorporated division of General Physics, offers custom sales training and print-based and electronic publications primarily to the U.S. automotive industry. General Physics acquired certain assets and the business of Sandy for a purchase price of $4,393,000 cash paid to ADP. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $8,000,000 of contingent consideration to be paid to ADP based upon Sandy achieving certain revenue targets, during the two twelve-month periods following completion of the acquisition. General Physics paid a total of $5,000,000 of contingent consideration ($2,500,000 in each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008) with respect to the two twelve-month periods subsequent to the acquisition.

 

The total purchase price for the Sandy acquisition consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

Cash purchase price

 

$

4,393

 

Contingent consideration paid in 2008

 

2,500

 

Contingent consideration paid in 2009

 

2,500

 

Acquisition costs

 

964

 

Total purchase price

 

$

10,357

 

 

The Company’s purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):

 

Inventory

 

$

783

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

41

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

134

 

Amortizable intangible assets

 

6,006

 

Goodwill

 

5,508

 

Total assets acquired

 

12,472

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

995

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

1,120

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

2,115

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

10,357

 

 

The Company recorded customer-related intangible assets as a result of the acquisition, which included $4,701,000 relating to customer lists and relationships acquired with an estimated useful life of 12 years, and $1,305,000 relating to contract backlog for future services under firm contracts which was amortized over 14 months subsequent to the acquisition in proportion to the amount of related backlog recognized in revenue.

 

Sandy is included in the Company’s Sandy Training and Marketing segment (see Note 13) and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements for the period beginning January 23,

 

69



 

 

2007.  The following unaudited pro-forma condensed consolidated results of operations assume that the acquisition of Sandy was completed as of January 1, 2007:

 

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

(In thousands,
except per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

$

252,370

 

Net income

 

9,825

 

Basic earnings per share

 

0.59

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.57

 

 

The pro-forma data above may not be indicative of the results that would have been obtained had the acquisition actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.

 

(3)                     Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable business segment for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Manufacturing
& BPO

 

Process &
Government

 

Energy

 

Sandy

 

Total

 

Net book value at Jan. 1, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

38,231

 

$

14,740

 

$

6,269

 

$

2,508

 

$

61,748

 

Accumulated impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

38,231

 

14,740

 

6,269

 

2,508

 

61,748

 

Acquisitions

 

907

 

 

1,609

 

3,000

 

5,516

 

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

(5,508

)

(5,508

)

Foreign currency translation

 

(1,325

)

 

 

 

(1,325

)

Other

 

(22

)

(128

)

(8

)

 

(158

)

Net book value at Dec. 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

37,791

 

14,612

 

7,870

 

5,508

 

65,781

 

Accumulated impairment losses

 

 

 

 

(5,508

)

(5,508

)

Total

 

37,791

 

14,612

 

7,870

 

 

60,273

 

Acquisitions

 

16,162

 

 

305

 

 

16,467

 

Impairment loss

 

(9,909

)

 

 

 

(9,909

)

Foreign currency translation

 

454

 

 

 

 

454

 

Other

 

88

 

(85

)

(5

)

 

(2

)

Net book value at Dec. 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

54,495

 

14,527

 

8,170

 

5,508

 

82,700

 

Accumulated impairment losses

 

(9,909

)

 

 

(5,508

)

(15,417

)

Total

 

$

44,586

 

$

14,527

 

$

8,170

 

$

 

$

67,283

 

 

The Company recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $9,909,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 related to the Manufacturing reporting unit and a $5,508,000 goodwill impairment loss for the year ended December 31,

 

70



 

2008 related to the Sandy segment. The goodwill impairment losses were attributable to a significant decline in the Company’s market capitalization during the fourth quarter of 2008 and first half of 2009 and worsened financial performance by these reporting units due to the impact of the economic recession, particularly in the manufacturing and automotive industries. See Note 1 for further discussion regarding the factors leading to the goodwill impairments and the valuation methodologies and assumptions used in the goodwill impairment tests.

 

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are subject to amortization over their estimated useful lives. The primary assets included in this category and their respective balances were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Gross

 

Accumulated

 

Gross

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Customer relationships

 

$

11,176

 

$

(2,225

)

$

6,607

 

$

(1,360

)

Contract backlog

 

1,690

 

(1,479

)

1,305

 

(1,305

)

Non-compete agreements

 

250

 

(250

)

1,340

 

(1,049

)

Software and other

 

1,609

 

(523

)

1,403

 

(201

)

 

 

$

14,725

 

$

(4,477

)

$

10,655

 

$

(3,915

)

 

During the second quarter of 2009 and in connection with the goodwill impairment loss in the Manufacturing reporting unit discussed above, the Company recorded an intangible asset impairment loss of $254,000 relating to a non-compete agreement that was no longer deemed to have value as of June 30, 2009.

 

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $1,367,000, $1,095,000, and $1,962,000, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets included in the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year ending:

 

 

 

2010

 

$

2,086

 

2011

 

1,842

 

2012

 

1,720

 

2013

 

1,429

 

2014

 

1,246

 

Thereafter

 

1,925

 

Total

 

$

10,248

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives had a weighted average remaining useful life of 6.3 years. The Company has no amortizable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

 

(4)                     Inventories

 

The Sandy Training & Marketing segment produces brand specific glovebox portfolios, brochures and accessory kits for its customers, which are installed in new cars and trucks at the time of vehicle assembly. Sandy designs these items and outsources their manufacturing to suppliers that provide the raw materials, bind and/or sew the portfolio, assemble its contents, and ship the finished product to its customers’ assembly plants.  Although the inventory is kept at third party suppliers, the Company has title to the inventory and bears the risk of loss. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had inventories of $557,000 and $537,000, respectively, which primarily consisted of raw materials for the glovebox portfolios, brochures and accessory kits.

 

71



 

(5)                     Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Machinery, equipment and vehicles

 

$

8,602

 

$

7,304

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

1,626

 

1,447

 

Leasehold improvements

 

784

 

750

 

Buildings

 

390

 

355

 

 

 

11,402

 

9,856

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(8,281

)

(6,886

)

 

 

$

3,121

 

$

2,970

 

 

Depreciation expense was $1,663,000, $1,763,000, and $1,379,000, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

(6)                      Short-Term Borrowings

 

General Physics has a $35 million Financing and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a bank that expires on October 31, 2010 with annual renewal options. The Credit Agreement is secured by certain assets of General Physics and provides for an unsecured guaranty from the Company. The maximum interest rate on the Credit Agreement is the daily LIBOR market index rate plus 2.25%. Based upon the financial performance of General Physics, the interest rate can be reduced. As of December 31, 2009, the rate was LIBOR plus 1.25%. The Credit Agreement contains covenants with respect to General Physics’ minimum tangible net worth, total liabilities ratio, leverage ratio, interest coverage ratio and its ability to make capital expenditures. General Physics was in compliance with all loan covenants under the amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2009. The Credit Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants regarding future acquisitions, incurrence of debt and the payment of dividends. The Credit Agreement permits General Physics to provide the Company up to an additional $10,000,000 of cash to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market. There was $6,832,000 remaining available for future share repurchases under the $10 million authorized amount as of December 31, 2009. General Physics is otherwise currently restricted from paying dividends or management fees to the Company in excess of $1,000,000 in any year, with the exception of a waiver which permitted General Physics to provide up to $8,100,000 in cash to repay debt obligations which matured in 2008 in the event the Company did not have available cash.

 

As of December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding and $29,750,000 of available borrowings under the Credit Agreement, based upon 80% of eligible accounts receivable and 80% of eligible unbilled receivables.  As of December 31, 2008, there were $3,234,000 of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

 

72



 

(7)                     Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

6,327

 

$

6,385

 

Accrued salaries, vacation and benefits

 

8,130

 

9,627

 

Negative cash book balance

 

 

595

 

Accrued contingent consideration

 

809

 

2,500

 

Other accrued expenses

 

8,198

 

6,870

 

 

 

$

23,464

 

$

25,977

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company also had accrued contingent consideration totaling $4,249,000 related to acquisitions which is included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and represents the portion of contingent consideration estimated to be payable greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date.

 

(8)                     Employee Benefit Plan

 

The Company offers a Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) to its employees. Eligible employees may elect to contribute at any time, and contributions begin as soon as administratively feasible thereafter.  The Plan permits pre-tax contributions to the Plan by participants pursuant to Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).  Prior to December 31, 2008, the Plan required that the Company match at least 25% of the participants’ contributions, up to the first 7% of base compensation for employees who have completed one year of service.  The Company may make additional matching contributions at its discretion. In 2008 and 2007, the Company matched 50% of participants’ contributions in cash and/or shares of its common stock, up to the first 7% of participants’ base compensation. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company amended the Plan to no longer require the Company to match employee contributions, and announced to its employees that matching contributions would be reduced from 50% to 10% as part of the Company’s cost reduction strategy.

 

In 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company contributed 73,614, 234,665, and 138,724 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock directly to the Plan with a value of approximately $349,000, $1,724,000, and $1,390,000, respectively, which was recognized as an expense in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company contributed cash of $83,000 to the Plan for matching contributions for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

73



 

(9)                      Income Taxes

 

The components of income before income taxes and income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

3,642

 

$

11,843

 

$

15,143

 

Foreign

 

(247

)

2,307

 

1,763

 

Total income before income taxes

 

$

3,395

 

$

14,150

 

$

16,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

829

 

$

4,456

 

$

96

 

State and local

 

900

 

1,092

 

836

 

Foreign

 

994

 

699

 

453

 

Total current

 

2,723

 

6,247

 

1,385

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

2,088

 

79

 

5,401

 

State and local

 

(23

)

(30

)

481

 

Foreign

 

(203

)

17

 

(45

)

Total deferred

 

1,862

 

66

 

5,837

 

Total income tax expense

 

$

4,585

 

$

6,313

 

$

7,222

 

 

The deferred tax expense excludes activity in the net deferred tax assets relating to amounts recorded directly to stockholders’ equity and goodwill. Income before income tax expense generated from foreign entities was approximately $125,000, $802,000, and $872,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The difference between the expense for income tax expense computed at the statutory rate and the reported amount of income tax expense is as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Federal income tax rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

35.0

%

State and local taxes net of federal benefit

 

5.4

 

5.2

 

4.5

 

Foreign taxes, net of federal benefit

 

3.9

 

4.0

 

1.9

 

Tax impact of foreign losses for which no U.S. tax benefit has been provided

 

(0.3

)

(2.0

)

(1.8

)

Permanent differences

 

1.7

 

2.8

 

2.3

 

Valuation allowance adjustments

 

(0.4

)

0.1

 

0.6

 

Effect of goodwill impairment loss

 

90.0

 

 

 

Other

 

(0.2

)

(0.5

)

0.2

 

Effective tax rate

 

135.1

%

44.6

%

42.7

%

 

In connection with the $10,163,000 goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss incurred during the second quarter of 2009, the Company recognized a $1,536,000 income tax benefit for the tax deductible portion of

 

 

 

74



 

 

goodwill which was written off.  Excluding the impact of the impairment loss, the effective income tax rate was 45.1% for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had utilized all of its available credit carryovers for Federal tax purposes. In addition, as of December 31, 2009, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $1,839,000 which expire in 2011 and beyond. There is a valuation allowance of $1,382,000 against the foreign net operating loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty of future profitability in foreign jurisdictions.

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $2,218,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not expect any material changes to its uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $73,000 of accrued interest related to these tax positions. Prior to January 2009, the Company did not recognize interest expense due to the existence of net operating loss carryforwards in the years in which the related tax positions were taken.  The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2002.

 

The tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities that are included in the net deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

218

 

$

368

 

Accrued liabilities

 

326

 

515

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

573

 

398

 

Net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards

 

1,004

 

782

 

Tax credit carryforwards

 

 

2,265

 

Deferred tax assets

 

2,121

 

4,328

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, property and equipment, principally due to difference in depreciation and amortization

 

1,439

 

1,443

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

682

 

2,885

 

Less valuation allowance

 

(814

)

(763

)

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance

 

$

(132

)

$

2,122

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences are deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon these factors, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance.

 

75



 

(10)              Comprehensive Income

 

The following are the components of comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,190

)

$

7,837

 

$

9,684

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

683

 

(2,168

)

179

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(507

)

$

5,669

 

$

9,863

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translations adjustments. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, accumulated other comprehensive loss was $1,946,000 and $2,629,000, respectively, and consisted of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax.

 

(11)              Stock-Based Compensation

 

Pursuant to the Company’s 1973 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “Non-Qualified Plan”), and 2003 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2003 Plan”), the Company may grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, stock units, performance shares, performance units and other incentives payable in cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock to officers, employees or members of the Board of Directors. The Company is authorized to grant an aggregate of 4,423,515 shares under the Non-Qualified Plan and an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares under the 2003 Plan. The Company may issue new shares or use shares held in treasury to deliver shares to employees for its equity grants or upon exercise of non-qualified stock options.

 

The following table summarizes the pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Non-qualified stock options

 

$

477

 

$

477

 

$

264

 

Restricted stock units

 

771

 

433

 

371

 

Board of Director stock grants

 

191

 

143

 

75

 

Total

 

$

1,439

 

$

1,053

 

$

710

 

 

The Company recognized a deferred income tax benefit of $499,000, $364,000 and $254,000, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 associated with the compensation expense recognized in its consolidated financial statements.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under these plans as discussed below.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

Non-qualified stock options are granted with an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant, vest over a period up to ten years, and expire at various terms up to ten years from the date of grant.

 

76



 

Summarized information for the Company’s non-qualified stock options is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

average

 

contractual

 

intrinsic

 

Stock Options

 

options

 

exercise price

 

term

 

value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

 

954,554

 

$

10.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(12,243

)

4.13

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(400

)

9.66

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(8,900

)

3.92

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

933,011

 

$

10.40

 

3.27

 

$

314,000

 

Stock options expected to vest

 

845,221

 

$

10.33

 

3.25

 

$

314,000

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2009

 

299,088

 

$

8.99

 

2.84

 

$

314,000

 

 

No stock options were granted during the year ended December 31, 2009. Summarized information for non-qualified stock options granted to certain key personnel during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Number of options granted

 

12,600

 

880,000

 

Exercise price

 

$

9.66

 

$

11.08

 

Vesting term

 

3 years

 

5 years

 

Contractual term

 

5 years

 

6 years

 

Grant-date fair value

 

$

2.29

 

$

3.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-Scholes assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

Expected term

 

3.5 years

 

4.75 years

 

Expected stock price volatility

 

27.6

%

22.1

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.34

%

4.99

%

Expected dividend yield

 

%

%

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $1,176,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested portion of outstanding stock options to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average remaining service period of approximately 2.5 years.

 

The Company received cash for the exercise price associated with stock options exercised of $51,000, $55,000, and $1,688,000 during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The total intrinsic value realized by participants on stock options exercised and/or settled was $37,000, $67,000, and $1,751,000 during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company realized income tax benefits of $1,964,000 related to stock option exercises and restricted stock vesting, which are reflected as an increase to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity. The income tax benefits related to 2008 and prior years which were not realized during prior periods due to the existence of net operating loss carryforwards in the periods the tax deductions were taken.

 

77



 

Restricted Stock Units

 

In addition to stock options, the Company issues restricted stock units to key employees and members of the Board of Directors based on meeting certain service goals. The stock units vest to the recipients at various dates, up to five years, based on fulfilling service requirements. The Company recognizes the value of the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant to compensation expense over the requisite service period. Upon vesting, the stock units are settled in shares of the Company’s common stock. Summarized share information for the Company’s restricted stock units is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Year ended

 

average

 

 

 

December 31,

 

grant date

 

 

 

2009

 

fair value

 

 

 

(In shares)

 

(In dollars)

 

Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period

 

438,452

 

$

6.65

 

Granted

 

10,500

 

5.84

 

Vested

 

(123,026

)

6.84

 

Forfeited

 

(11,520

)

7.32

 

Outstanding and unvested, end of period

 

314,406

 

$

6.52

 

Restricted stock units expected to vest

 

266,877

 

$

6.66

 

 

The total intrinsic value realized by participants upon the vesting of restricted stock units was $796,000, $467,000 and $759,000 during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had unrecognized compensation cost of $1,562,000 related to the unvested portion of its outstanding restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining service period of 2.7 years.

 

(12)              Common Stock

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. As of December 31, 2009, there were 18,588,391 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of December 31, 2009, 1,247,417 shares were reserved for issuance under outstanding equity compensation awards such as stock options and restricted stock units and an additional 565,825 shares were available for issuance for future grants of awards under the Company’s 2003 Plan.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On December 30, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a single accredited investor, Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. (“Sagard”), pursuant to which the Company sold to Sagard, in a private placement, an aggregate of 2,857,143 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01, at a price of $7.00 per share (the “Offering”), for an aggregate purchase price of $20,000,000.  The Offering closed on December 30, 2009.

 

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Sagard has certain preemptive rights with respect to future issuances of equity or equity equivalent securities by the Company, which expire under the conditions described in the Purchase Agreement.  These preemptive rights allow Sagard to maintain its pro rata ownership in the Company, subject to certain exceptions.  Also, during a period ending no later than the second anniversary of the closing of the Offering, Sagard has the additional, special preemptive right to purchase up to $5,000,000 in additional equity or equity equivalent securities issued in future offerings, in each case subject to certain exceptions.  In addition, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Sagard agreed to certain standstill provisions that, among other things, prohibit Sagard from acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 19.9% of the Company’s common

 

78



 

stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis) for two years from the date of the Purchase Agreement (excluding, for purposes of this calculation, securities Sagard may acquire pursuant to the special preemptive rights referenced above, which are not subject to the 19.9% maximum), and from acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 23% of the Company’s common stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis) thereafter.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with the Offering, on December 30, 2009, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Sagard.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) no later than September 30, 2010 for purposes of registering the resale of the Shares and any shares of common stock issued pursuant to the preemptive rights under Section 4(l) of the Purchase Agreement (or any shares of common stock issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of securities issued pursuant to the preemptive rights).  The Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause this registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC no later than December 30, 2010.  If the Company fails to meet either of these deadlines, fails to meet filing or effectiveness deadlines with respect to any additional registration statements required by the Registration Rights Agreement, or fails to keep any registration statements continuously effective (with limited exceptions), the Company will be obligated to pay to the holders of the Shares liquidated damages in the amount of 1% of the purchase price for the Shares per month, up to a maximum of $2,400,000.  The Company also agreed, among other things, to indemnify the selling holders under the registration statements from certain liabilities and to pay all fees and expenses (excluding underwriting discounts and selling commissions and all legal fees of the selling holders in excess of $25,000) incident to the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

Since January 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a total of $23,000,000 of repurchases of the Company’s common stock from time to time in the open market, subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors.  During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company repurchased approximately 526,000, 1,091,000, 678,500 and 420,000 shares, respectively, of its common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $2,166,000, $8,797,000, $6,511,000 and $3,140,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $2,386,000 available for future repurchases under the buyback program. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.

 

79



 

(13)              Business Segments

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company operated through four reportable business segments: (i) Manufacturing & BPO, (ii) Process & Government, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Sandy Training & Marketing (“Sandy”). The Company is organized by operating group, primarily based upon the markets served by each group and the services performed. Each operating group consists of strategic business units (“SBUs”) and business units (“BUs”) which are focused on providing specific products and services to certain classes of customers or within targeted markets. Across operating groups, SBUs and BUs, the Company integrates similar service lines, technology, information, work products, client management and other resources. Communications and market research, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and other administrative services are organized at the corporate level. Business development and sales resources are aligned with operating groups to support existing customer accounts and new customer development. Two of the Company’s reportable business segments, Manufacturing & BPO and Process & Government, represent an aggregation of certain operating groups in accordance with the aggregation criteria in U.S. GAAP, while the Energy and Sandy groups each represent one operating segment. The Company reviews its reportable business segments on a continual basis and could change its reportable business segments from time to time in the event of organizational changes.

 

Further information regarding each business segment is discussed below.

 

Manufacturing & BPO. The Manufacturing & BPO segment delivers training, curriculum design and development, staff augmentation, e-Learning services, system hosting, integration and help desk support, training business process outsourcing, and consulting and technical services primarily to large companies in the electronics and semiconductors, steel, healthcare, pharmaceutical, software, financial and other industries as well as to government agencies. This segment’s ability to deliver a wide range of training services allows it to take over the entire learning function for the client, including their training personnel.

 

Process & Government. The Process & Government segment has over four decades of experience providing consulting, engineering, technical and training services, including emergency preparedness, safety and regulatory compliance, chemical demilitarization and environmental services primarily to federal and state government agencies, large government contractors and petroleum and chemical refining companies. This segment also provides design and construction of alternative fuel stations, including LNG and hydrogen fueling stations.

 

Energy. The Energy segment provides engineering services, products and training primarily to electric power utilities. The Company’s proprietary EtaProTM Performance Monitoring and Optimization System provides a suite of performance solutions for power generation plants and is installed at approximately 700 power generating units in over 25 countries. In addition, this segment provides web-based training through our GPiLearnTM portal to over 28,000 power plant personnel in the U.S. and in over 35 countries.

 

Sandy Training & Marketing. The Sandy segment provides custom product sales training and has been a leader in serving manufacturing customers in the U.S. automotive industry for over 30 years. Sandy provides custom product sales training designed to better educate customer sales forces with respect to new product features and designs, in effect rapidly increasing the sales force knowledge base and enabling them to address detailed customer queries. Furthermore, Sandy helps our clients assess their customer relationship marketing strategy, measure performance against competitors and connect with their customers on a one-to-one basis. This segment also provides technical training services to automotive customers.

 

The Company does not allocate the following items to the segments: other income and interest expense; GP Strategies selling, general and administrative expense; and income tax expense.  Inter-segment revenue is eliminated in consolidation and is not significant.

 

The following table sets forth the revenue and operating results attributable to each reportable segment and includes a reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue and operating results to consolidated income before income tax expense (in thousands):

 

80



 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

97,290

 

$

119,041

 

$

106,502

 

Process & Government

 

53,642

 

54,394

 

54,903

 

Energy

 

22,674

 

22,018

 

16,963

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

45,634

 

72,440

 

70,054

 

 

 

$

219,240

 

$

267,893

 

$

248,422

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO (a)

 

$

(5,096

)

$

8,934

 

$

7,327

 

Process & Government

 

3,147

 

5,318

 

7,633

 

Energy

 

4,474

 

4,610

 

3,144

 

Sandy Training & Marketing (b)

 

2,411

 

(3,210

)

1,196

 

Corporate and other

 

(1,808

)

(1,889

)

(2,038

)

 

 

3,128

 

13,763

 

17,262

 

Interest expense

 

(217

)

(699

)

(1,218

)

Other income

 

484

 

1,086

 

862

 

Income before income tax expense

 

$

3,395

 

$

14,150

 

$

16,906

 

 


(a)      The operating loss for the Manufacturing & BPO segment includes a $10,163,000 goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 .

(b)     The operating loss for the Sandy segment includes a $5,508,000 goodwill impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Additional information relating to the Company’s business segments is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO *

 

$

94,171

 

$

68,717

 

Process & Government

 

28,985

 

26,637

 

Energy

 

15,398

 

14,787

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

17,253

 

22,656

 

Corporate and other

 

894

 

3,043

 

Total assets

 

$

156,701

 

$

135,840

 

 


*             Assets for the Manufacturing & BPO segment includes assets acquired in connection with the Milsom, Option Six and PerformTech acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2009 (see Note 2).

 

Identifiable assets by business segment are those assets that are used in the Company’s operations in each segment. Corporate and other assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, other assets, and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

 

81



 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

451

 

$

1,034

 

$

762

 

Process & Government

 

76

 

100

 

139

 

Energy

 

38

 

162

 

15

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

3

 

332

 

150

 

Corporate and other

 

606

 

308

 

652

 

 

 

$

1,174

 

$

1,936

 

$

1,718

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing & BPO

 

$

1,323

 

$

1,447

 

$

1,070

 

Process & Government

 

43

 

53

 

90

 

Energy

 

397

 

212

 

27

 

Sandy Training & Marketing

 

581

 

636

 

1,697

 

Corporate and other

 

1,036

 

1,100

 

1,120

 

 

 

$

3,380

 

$

3,448

 

$

4,004

 

 

Information about the Company’s revenue in different geographic regions, which are attributable to the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, China and India is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

United States

 

$

188,181

 

$

233,679

 

$

220,459

 

United Kingdom

 

24,163

 

26,485

 

22,483

 

Other

 

6,896

 

7,729

 

5,480

 

 

 

$

219,240

 

$

267,893

 

$

248,422

 

 

Information about the Company’s total assets in different geographic regions is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

United States

 

$

136,035

 

$

120,177

 

United Kingdom

 

16,445

 

11,586

 

Other

 

4,221

 

4,077

 

 

 

$

156,701

 

$

135,840

 

 

82



 

(14)              Related Party Transactions

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement with Sagard as discussed in Note 12, the Company agreed to take all corporate and other action necessary to cause one designee of Sagard to be elected or appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective as of December 30, 2009, in all cases subject to compliance with relevant NYSE rules and regulations and all other legal and governance requirements regarding service as a director of the Company.  Accordingly, on December 18, 2009, the Board of Directors unanimously approved resolutions increasing the number of Directors on the Board of Directors from seven to eight and, effective as of the date of the closing of the Offering, elected Daniel Friedberg to serve on the Board of Directors for an initial term commencing as of the date of the closing of the Offering and ending at the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company.  From and after the expiration of such initial term until Sagard and/or its affiliates cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company will reduce the size of the Board of Directors to seven and will not increase the size of the Board of Directors to more than seven directors, without the prior written consent of Sagard.  In accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, on December 30, 2009, Mr. Friedberg was appointed to each committee of the Board of Directors.

 

Daniel M. Friedberg has been President and CEO of Sagard Capital Partners Management Corporation, the investment manager of Sagard, since its founding in 2005. Except as described above, Mr. Friedberg is not a party to any other arrangements pursuant to which he was selected as a director.  Except in connection with the Transaction, Mr. Friedberg has not been involved in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is to be a participant and the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000.

 

(15)              Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company has various noncancelable leases for real property and machinery and equipment. Such leases expire at various dates with, in some cases, options to extend their terms.

 

Minimum rentals under long-term operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Real

 

Machinery and

 

 

 

 

 

property

 

equipment

 

Total

 

2010

 

$

4,354

 

$

959

 

$

5,313

 

2011

 

4,032

 

343

 

4,375

 

2012

 

4,002

 

69

 

4,071

 

2013

 

2,965

 

14

 

2,979

 

2014

 

2,050

 

3

 

2,053

 

Thereafter

 

1,847

 

 

1,847

 

Total

 

$

19,250

 

$

1,388

 

$

20,638

 

 

Certain of the leases contain provisions for rent escalation based primarily on increases in a specified Consumer Price Index, real estate taxes and operating costs incurred by the lessor. Rent expense was approximately $5,504,000, $5,203,000 and $5,309,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

83



 

Other

 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had one outstanding letter of credit totaling $21,000, which expires in 2010, and two outstanding performance bonds totaling $13,100,000 related to construction contracts which are scheduled to be completed in 2010.

 

Guarantees

 

Subsequent to the spin-off of National Patent Development Corporation (“NPDC”) in 2004, the Company continued to guarantee certain operating leases for the Connecticut and New Jersey warehouses of Five Star Products, Inc. (“Five Star”). In connection with the spin-off of NPDC by the Company, NPDC agreed to assume the Company’s obligation under such guarantees, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to be released from each such guaranty, and to hold the Company harmless from all claims, expenses and liabilities connected with the leases or NPDC’s breach of any agreements effecting the spin-off. In March 2009, the Company received confirmation from the landlord that it was released from the guarantee on the Connecticut warehouse lease. The Company has not received confirmation that it has been released from the guarantee of the New Jersey warehouse.  The annual rent obligation for the New Jersey warehouse is currently believed to be approximately $1,500,000. The Company does not expect to incur any material payments associated with this guarantee, and as such, no liability is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

(16)              Quarterly Information (unaudited)

 

The Company’s quarterly financial information has not been audited but, in management’s opinion, includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation.

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Year ended

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

December 31

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

53,591

 

$

53,757

 

$

54,099

 

$

57,793

 

$

219,240

 

Gross profit

 

7,489

 

8,735

 

8,888

 

8,979

 

34,091

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

 

10,163

 

 

 

10,163

 

Net income (loss)

 

1,459

 

(6,619

)

1,983

 

1,987

 

(1,190

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.09

 

$

(0.42

)

$

0.13

 

$

0.13

 

$

(0.08

)

Diluted

 

$

0.09

 

$

(0.42

)

$

0.13

 

$

0.13

 

$

(0.07

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

66,919

 

$

72,026

 

$

65,968

 

62,980

 

$

267,893

 

Gross profit

 

10,277

 

10,822

 

10,084

 

9,626

 

40,809

 

Goodwill impairment loss

 

 

 

 

5,508

 

5,508

 

Net income (loss)

 

2,849

 

2,983

 

2,936

 

(931

)

7,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.18

 

$

(0.06

)

$

0.47

 

Diluted

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.18

 

$

(0.06

)

$

0.47

 

 

The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the total for the year due to the effects of rounding and dilution as a result of issuing common shares during the year.

 

84



 

Item 9:           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A:                         Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009 were effective.

 

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).  Our internal control processes and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that reasonably allow us to record, process, summarize, and report information and financial data within prescribed time periods and in accordance with Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (“COSO Framework”).  Based upon our evaluation, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report appears in Item 8.

 

(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d—15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B:                         Other Information

 

None.

 

85



 

Part III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The additional information required by this item will be either set forth under the Election of Directors section in the Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2010.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), and to furnish us with such reports. Based solely on a review of copies of such reports for 2009, we believe that during 2009 all reports applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed on a timely basis.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this item will be either set forth under the Executive Compensation section in the Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2010.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The additional information required by this item will be either set forth under the Principal Stockholders and Security Ownership of Directors and Named Executive Officers sections in the Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2010.

 

Equity Compensation Plan information as of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Non-Qualified

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Option

 

Incentive

 

 

 

Plan

 

Stock Plan

 

Plan category:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options

 

86,511

 

 

 

(b)

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options

 

$

3.90

 

 

 

(c)

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in row (a)) (1)

 

1,434,644

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

 

 

 

846,500

 

(b)

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

 

 

 

$

11.06

 

(c)

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans

 

 

 

565,825

 

 


(1)           Does not include shares of common stock that may be issued to directors of the Company in lieu of cash for payment of quarterly director fees.

 

86



 

For a description of the material terms of the Company’s Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan and Incentive Stock Plan, see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The information required by this item will be either set forth in the Certain Relationships and Related Transactions section of the Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2010.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

The information required by this item will be either set forth in the Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm section of the Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2010.

 

87



 

Part IV

 

Item 15:                           Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)                      The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:

 

(1)                      Financial Statements of GP Strategies Corporation and Subsidiaries (Part II, Item 8):

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(2)                      Financial Statement Schedule:

 

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Schedules other than Schedule II are omitted as not applicable or required.

 

(3)                      Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

Exhibit number

 

2.1

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2006, between General Physics Corporation and ADP, Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2006.

 

 

 

2.2

 

Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 2009 by and among General Physics Corporation and PerformTech, Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2010.

 

 

 

3.1

 

Composite of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant including all amendments through December 10, 2007. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

3.2

 

GP Strategies Corporation Amended and Restated By-Laws, including all amendments through September 24, 2009. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2009.

 

 

 

10.1

 

1973 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of the Registrant, as amended on December 28, 2006. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

10.2

 

GP Strategies Corporation 2003 Incentive Stock Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1999, between the Registrant and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

88



 

10.4

 

Amendment, dated January 21, 2005, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between the Company and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005.

 

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment, dated June 20, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between the Company and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2007.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Amendment, dated December 30, 2008, to Employment Agreement by and between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009.

 

 

 

10.7

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1999, between the Registrant and Douglas E. Sharp. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

10.8

 

Amendment, dated January 21, 2005, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between the Company and Douglas E. Sharp. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005.

 

 

 

10.9

 

Amendment, dated June 20, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between the Company and Douglas E. Sharp. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2007.

 

 

 

10.10

 

Amendment, dated December 30, 2008, to Employment Agreement by and between General Physics Corporation and Douglas Sharp dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009.

 

 

 

10.11

 

Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and certain of its executive vice presidents. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2007.

 

 

 

10.12

 

Form of Employment Agreement between General Physics Corporation and certain of its senior vice presidents. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

 

 

 

10.13

 

Form of Stock Unit Agreement between the Registrant’s subsidiary, General Physics Corporation and certain officers, dated April 11, 2005. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.

 

 

 

10.14

 

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Registrant and certain officers, dated June 26, 2007. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

 

 

 

10.15

 

Form of Stock Unit Agreement between the Registrant’s subsidiary, General Physics Corporation and certain officers, dated November 7, 2008. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

10.16

 

Second Amended and Restated Financing and Security Agreement, dated November 5, 2008, by and between General Physics Corporation as Borrower and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Lender. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2008.

 

 

 

10.17

 

Guaranty of Payment Agreement dated August 13, 2003 by GP Strategies Corporation for the benefit of Wachovia Bank, National Association. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

 

10.18

 

Lease Agreement dated as of July 5, 2002 between the Registrant’s wholly owned subsidiary, General Physics Corporation and Riggs Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

89



 

10.19

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, between the Company and Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

10.20

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, between the Company and Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

10.21

 

Amendment, dated December 30, 2009, to Employment Agreement by and between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

10.22

 

Amendment, dated December 30, 2009, to Employment Agreement by and between General Physics Corporation and Douglas Sharp dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

10.23

 

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Registrant and certain officers, dated January 21, 2010.*

 

 

 

10.24

 

Code of Ethics Policy. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

10.25

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated December 23, 2005.

 

 

 

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant*

 

 

 

23

 

Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer*

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer*

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*

 


* Filed herewith.

 

90



 

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.

 

 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION

 

 

Dated: March 4, 2010

By

/s/ Scott N. Greenberg

 

 

Scott N. Greenberg

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Scott N. Greenberg

 

 

 

March 4, 2010

Scott N. Greenberg

 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer and Director)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Sharon Esposito-Mayer

 

 

 

 

 Sharon Esposito-Mayer

 

Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Harvey P. Eisen

 

 

 

 

Harvey P. Eisen

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Daniel M. Friedberg

 

 

 

 

Daniel M. Friedberg

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Marshall S. Geller

 

 

 

 

 Marshall S. Geller

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Sue W. Kelly

 

 

 

 

Sue W. Kelly

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr.

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ A. Marvin Strait

 

 

 

 

A. Marvin Strait

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Gene A. Washington

 

 

 

 

Gene A. Washington

 

Director

 

March 4, 2010

 

91



 

GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Schedule II

(In thousands)

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts (A)

 

Balance at
beginning
of year

 

Additions

 

Deductions
(B)

 

Balance at
end of
year

 

Year ended December 31, 2009:

 

$

938

 

2

 

(374

)

$

566

 

Year ended December 31, 2008:

 

$

865

 

191

 

(118

)

$

938

 

Year ended December 31, 2007:

 

$

665

 

201

 

(1

)

$

865

 

 


(A)                              Deducted from accounts and other receivables on Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(B)                                Write-off of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries.

 

S-1