Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide information that is supplemental to, and shall be read together with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes contained in this Form 10-K. Information in MD&A is intended to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of (i) the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the Company’s business segments and how the results of those segments impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition as a whole and (iii) how certain accounting principles affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Executive Summary
The Company is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of (i) vehicles and equipment for maintenance and infrastructure end-markets, including sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, safe-digging trucks, street sweepers, waterblasting equipment, road-marking and line-removal equipment, dump truck bodies, trailers and metal extraction support equipment, and (ii) public safety equipment, such as vehicle lightbars and sirens, industrial signaling equipment, public warning systems and general alarm/public address systems. In addition, we engage in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rentals and training as part of a comprehensive aftermarket offering to our customer base. We operate 21 manufacturing facilities in five countries and provide products and integrated solutions to municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers in all regions of the world.
As described in Note 17 – Segment Information to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company’s business units are organized in two reportable segments: the Environmental Solutions Group and the Safety and Security Systems Group.
Coronavirus, Supply Chain and Market Update
Customer demand for our product and service offerings during the year ended December 31, 2022 has been at unprecedented levels, with the ongoing strength in orders contributing to a record backlog of $879 million as of December 31, 2022.
However, the direct and indirect effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continued to impact our ability to maximize production levels during the year ended December 31, 2022. Specifically, the increased demand for our products combined with ongoing global supply chain disruptions have affected our ability to obtain a sufficient quantity of raw materials and purchased components, including chassis, hydraulics and other parts, that are necessary to our production processes and to deliver products to our customers. With these supply chain challenges, we have also experienced increases in the cost of raw materials and have taken measures to mitigate the associated impacts, such as implementing price increases and surcharges. From a labor perspective, the Company experienced an escalated level of coronavirus-related absences at several locations early in the year, which improved as the year progressed. While we continue to work to mitigate these challenges as they arise, we cannot provide assurance that such efforts would continue to be successful in addressing a further significant deterioration in the global supply chain, if applicable, which could impact our ability to service our customers, effectively roll out and realize price increases to offset the effects of commodity inflation and sustain our profit margins.
We continue to closely monitor the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including emerging variants, on our business, including how it is affecting our employees, customers, supply chain and distribution network. The overall magnitude of the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on our operating and financial results remains uncertain and will largely depend on the duration of the pandemic and the measures implemented in response, as well as the effect on our customers and suppliers.
Operating and Financial Performance in 2022
Despite the challenges created by a volatile supply chain and the coronavirus pandemic, the Company was able to sustain a high level of financial performance and make progress against several long-term objectives in 2022. Included among the Company’s highlights in 2022 were the following:
•Orders for the year were at a record level of $1.7 billion, an increase of $153 million, or 10%, from last year.
•Backlog at December 31, 2022 was $879 million, another new Company record, and an increase of $250 million, or 40%, compared to the end of last year.
•Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $1.4 billion, an increase of $222 million, or 18% from last year.
•For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported operating income of $160.8 million, an increase of $30.1 million, or 23%, from last year. Consolidated operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 11.2%, compared to 10.8% in the prior year.
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•For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported income from continuing operations of $120.4 million, an increase of $19.8 million, or 20%, from last year.
•On a consolidated basis, we reported adjusted EBITDA* of $215.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $34.5 million, or 19%, from last year.
•Adjusted EBITDA margin* for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 15.0%, up from 14.9% last year and towards the high-end of our current target range.
•Cash flow from continuing operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $71.8 million.
•In October 2022, we refinanced our credit agreement, increasing our facility from $500 million to $800 million, with the potential to increase the facility further by up to the greater of (i) $400 million and (ii) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable four-quarter period preceding any such request to increase.
•With our strong balance sheet, positive operating cash flow, and increased capacity under our new credit facility, we are well positioned to continue to invest in internal growth initiatives, pursue strategic acquisitions and consider ways to return value to stockholders, as we did during 2022:
◦Our capital expenditures in 2022 were approximately $53 million, most of which related to the acquisition of our University Park, Illinois manufacturing facility, which we had previously leased. We also continued to make strategic investments for the future by purchasing new machinery and equipment aimed at gaining operating efficiencies and expanding capacity at several of our production facilities.
◦We continue to invest in new product development and are encouraged that these efforts will provide additional opportunities to further diversify our customer base, penetrate new end-markets and/or gain access to new geographic regions.
◦We completed our ninth acquisition since 2016 with the acquisition of TowHaul.
◦We demonstrated our commitment to returning value to our stockholders by paying cash dividends of $21.8 million, and spending $16.1 million repurchasing shares under our authorized repurchase program.
•To highlight our ongoing focus on operating in a socially responsible and sustainable manner, we published our third annual Sustainability Report in May 2022.
*The Company uses adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) and the ratio of adjusted EBITDA to net sales (“adjusted EBITDA margin”) as additional measures which are representative of its underlying performance and to improve the comparability of results across reporting periods. Refer to the Results of Operations section for further discussion regarding these non-GAAP metrics and a reconciliation of each to the most comparable GAAP measure for each of the periods presented.
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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our Consolidated Statements of Operations as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, and illustrates the key financial indicators used to assess our consolidated financial results:
For the Years Ended December 31, Change
Restructuring — — 1.3 — (1.3)
Debt settlement charges 0.1 — — 0.1 —
Pension settlement charges — 10.3 — (10.3) 10.3
Other (income) expense, net (0.5) (1.7) 1.1 1.2 (2.8)
Gain from discontinued operations and disposal, net of tax — — 0.1 — (0.1)
Other data:
(a)The Company uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as additional measures which are representative of its underlying performance and to improve the comparability of results across reporting periods. We believe that investors use versions of these metrics in a similar manner. For these reasons, the Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are meaningful metrics to investors in evaluating the Company’s underlying financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents the total of income from continuing operations, interest expense, pension settlement charges, acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses, restructuring activity, coronavirus-related expenses, debt settlement charges, purchase accounting effects, other income/expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense, where applicable. Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents the total of income from continuing operations, interest expense, pension settlement charges, acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses, restructuring activity, coronavirus-related expenses, debt settlement charges, purchase accounting effects, other income/expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense, where applicable, divided by net sales for the applicable period(s). Other companies may use different methods to calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin.
A discussion of changes in the Company’s financial condition and results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 has been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but may be found under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022.
Year ended December 31, 2022 vs. year ended December 31, 2021
Net sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $221.6 million, or 18%, compared to the prior year, inclusive of the effects of acquisitions and pricing actions. The Environmental Solutions Group reported a net sales increase of $186.6
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million, or 19%, primarily due to a $30.6 million improvement in aftermarket revenues and increases in sales of dump truck bodies, metal extraction support equipment, sewer cleaners, safe-digging trucks, trailers, street sweepers, road-marking and line-removal equipment, hoists and industrial vacuum loaders of $40.9 million, $33.1 million, $32.6 million, $18.3 million, $12.2 million, $11.5 million, $11.3 million, $8.7 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Partially offsetting these improvements was a $9.1 million reduction in shipments of refuse trucks and a $5.7 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact. Within the Safety and Security Systems Group, net sales increased by $35.0 million, or 17%, primarily due to improvements in sales of public safety equipment, industrial signaling equipment and warning systems of $28.1 million, $9.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively, partially offset by a $6.3 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact.
Cost of sales
For the year ended December 31, 2022, cost of sales increased by $165.4 million, or 18%, compared to the prior year, largely due to an increase of $143.9 million, or 18%, within the Environmental Solutions Group, primarily related to increased sales volumes, additional costs from prior-year acquisitions, higher material costs, and a $0.9 million increase in depreciation expense, partially offset by a $5.4 million favorable foreign currency translation impact. Within the Safety and Security Systems Group, cost of sales increased by $21.5 million, or 16%, primarily related to higher sales volumes and increased material costs, partially offset by a $4.8 million favorable foreign currency translation impact.
Gross profit
For the year ended December 31, 2022, gross profit increased by $56.2 million, or 19%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $42.7 million improvement within the Environmental Solutions Group and a $13.5 million increase within the Safety and Security Systems Group. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales (“gross profit margin”) for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 24.0%, compared to 23.8% in the prior year, primarily driven by improvements within the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group of 30 basis points and 20 basis points, respectively.
Selling, engineering, general and administrative (“SEG&A”) expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2022, SEG&A expenses increased by $22.5 million, or 15%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to increases of $16.9 million, $5.4 million and $0.2 million within the Environmental Solutions Group, the Safety and Security Systems Group and Corporate, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses decreased from 12.3% in the prior year, to 12.0% in the current year.
Operating income
Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $30.1 million, or 23%, compared to the prior year, largely due to the $56.2 million improvement in gross profit, partially offset by the $22.5 million increase in SEG&A expenses, a $2.0 million increase in amortization expense and a $1.6 million reduction in acquisition-related benefits. Consolidated operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 11.2%, compared to 10.8% in the prior year.
Interest expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $5.8 million, or 129%, compared to the prior year, largely due to an increase in average debt levels and higher interest rates.
Pension settlement charges
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized a pension settlement charge of $10.3 million in connection with the purchase of a group annuity contract from an insurance company, under which approximately $25 million of the projected benefit obligation of the Company’s U.S. defined benefit plan was transferred to the insurance company. For further discussion, see Note 11 – Pension and Other Post-Employment Plans to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Other (income) expense, net
For the year ended December 31, 2022, Other (income) expense, net, totaled $0.5 million of income, largely due to the recognition of $0.6 million of net periodic pension benefit. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Other (income) expense, net, totaled $1.7 million of income, largely due to the recognition of $1.1 million of net periodic pension benefit and $0.3 million of foreign currency transaction gains.
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Income tax expense
The Company recognized income tax expense of $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $17.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in income tax expense in the current year was primarily due to higher earnings, a $3.2 million reduction in the amount of excess tax benefits from stock compensation activity compared to the prior year, and fewer discrete tax benefits than in the prior year. In the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a $2.6 million tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance that had previously been recorded against deferred tax assets associated with foreign tax credits in the U.S., which are now considered more-likely-than-not to be realized, primarily due to tax planning. The Company also recognized a $1.1 million tax benefit during the current year associated with the release of a valuation allowance in the U.K., as the associated deferred tax assets are now considered more-likely-than-not to be realized primarily due to increased projections of future taxable income. In the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized a $3.4 million tax benefit associated with the release of state valuation allowances and a $3.3 million tax benefit associated with the remeasurement of deferred taxes for changes in state tax apportionment, both of which primarily resulted from a change in tax status and other tax planning activities executed during the year. Including these items, the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 20.2%, compared to 14.5% in 2021. For further discussion, see Note 10 – Income Taxes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Income from continuing operations
Income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $19.8 million, or 20%, compared to the prior year, largely due to the increased operating income and the non-recurrence of the pension settlement charge recognized in the prior year, partially offset by a $13.5 million increase in income tax expense, the $5.8 million increase in interest expense, a $1.2 million reduction in other income and a $0.1 million debt settlement charge.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $215.0 million, compared to $180.5 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 15.0%, compared to 14.9% in the prior year.
The following table summarizes the Company’s adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin and reconciles income from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Income from continuing operations $ 120.4 $ 100.6 $ 96.1
Add (less):
Pension settlement charges — 10.3 —
Acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses (0.5) (2.1) 2.1
Restructuring — — 1.3
Coronavirus-related expenses (a) — 1.2 2.3
Debt settlement charges 0.1 — —
Purchase accounting effects (b) — 0.3 0.3
Other (income) expense, net (0.5) (1.7) 1.1
(a)Coronavirus-related expenses relate to direct expenses incurred in connection with the Company's response to the coronavirus pandemic, that are incremental to, and separable from, normal operations. Such expenses primarily relate to incremental paid time off provided to employees and costs incurred to implement enhanced workplace safety protocols.
(b)Purchase accounting effects represent the step-up in the valuation of equipment acquired in recent business combinations that was sold during the periods presented.
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Environmental Solutions
The following table summarizes the Environmental Solutions Group’s operating results as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
For the Years Ended December 31, Change
Other data:
Year ended December 31, 2022 vs. year ended December 31, 2021
Total orders increased by $146.9 million, or 11%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, inclusive of the effects of acquisitions and pricing actions. U.S. orders increased by $122.3 million, or 11%, primarily due to improvements in orders for safe-digging trucks, street sweepers, sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders and refuse trucks of $53.3 million, $33.2 million, $22.3 million, $12.2 million and $8.6 million, respectively. Additionally, aftermarket demand increased by $32.7 million. Partially offsetting these improvements were reductions in orders for dump truck bodies and metal extraction support equipment of $27.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively. Non-U.S. orders increased by $24.6 million, or 11%, primarily due to improvements in orders for metal extraction support equipment, street sweepers, snow removal equipment, refuse trucks, and aftermarket demand of $31.4 million, $4.0 million, $3.0 million, $2.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Partially offsetting these improvements were reductions in orders for safe-digging trucks and industrial vacuum loaders of $10.1 million and $4.8 million, respectively, as well as a $6.2 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact.
Net sales increased by $186.6 million, or 19%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased sales volumes, inclusive of the effects of acquisitions, pricing actions and higher chassis revenues. U.S. sales increased by $194.3 million, or 24%, largely due to a $31.9 million increase in aftermarket revenues and increases in sales of dump truck bodies, sewer cleaners, metal extraction support equipment, safe-digging trucks, trailers, road-marking and line-removal equipment, street sweepers, hoists, industrial vacuum loaders and refuse trucks of $36.6 million, $32.6 million, $19.5 million, $17.7 million, $12.2 million, $12.0 million, $10.9 million, $8.7 million, $6.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Non-U.S. sales decreased by $7.7 million, or 4%, primarily due to a $14.1 million reduction in shipments of refuse trucks, a $5.7 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact and a $3.2 million reduction in shipments of camera systems, primarily associated with the timing of a large fleet shipment in the prior year. Partially offsetting these reductions were improvements in shipments of metal extraction support equipment and dump truck bodies of $13.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
Cost of sales increased by $143.9 million, or 18%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily related to increased sales volumes, inclusive of the effects of acquisitions, higher material costs, and a $1.4 million increase in depreciation expense, partially offset by a $5.4 million favorable foreign currency translation impact. Including these factors, gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 21.4%, compared to 21.1% in the prior year, with the impact of pricing actions and a more favorable sales mix, associated with the increase in aftermarket demand, being partially offset by higher material costs and production inefficiencies associated with supply chain disruptions.
SEG&A expenses increased by $16.9 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to additional costs from prior-year acquisitions, as well as higher selling expenses, including increases in sales commissions and marketing costs. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses were 8.1% in the current year, compared to 8.0% in the prior year.
Operating income increased by $24.0 million, or 20%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, largely due to a $42.7 million increase in gross profit and a $0.2 million decrease in acquisition-related costs, partially offset by the $16.9 million increase in SEG&A expenses and a $2.0 million increase in amortization expense.
Backlog was $824 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $576 million at December 31, 2021.
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Safety and Security Systems
The following table summarizes the Safety and Security Systems Group’s operating results as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
For the Years Ended December 31, Change
Other data:
Year ended December 31, 2022 vs. year ended December 31, 2021
Total orders increased by $6.5 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2022. U.S. orders increased by $18.7 million, or 13%, compared to the prior year, driven by improvements in orders for public safety equipment, warning systems and industrial signaling equipment of $8.4 million, $8.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Non-U.S. orders decreased by $12.2 million, or 12%, largely due to a $13.8 million reduction in orders for public safety equipment, primarily associated with the timing of a large fleet order in the prior year, as well as a $5.8 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact, partially offset by a $7.5 million improvement in orders for industrial signaling equipment.
Net sales increased by $35.0 million, or 17%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, inclusive of the effects of higher sales volumes and pricing actions. U.S. sales increased by $28.8 million, or 23%, driven by improvements in sales of public safety equipment, warning systems and industrial signaling equipment of $19.2 million, $6.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Non-U.S. sales increased by $6.2 million, or 7%, largely due to improvements in sales of public safety equipment and industrial signaling equipment of $8.9 million and $6.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a $6.3 million unfavorable foreign currency translation impact and a $2.9 million reduction in sales of warning systems.
Cost of sales increased by $21.5 million, or 16%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily related to higher sales volumes and increased material costs, partially offset by a $4.8 million favorable foreign currency translation impact. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 37.1%, compared to 36.9% in the prior year, with the improvement primarily attributable to improved operating leverage from higher sales volumes and benefits from pricing actions, partially offset by higher material costs.
SEG&A expenses increased by $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to higher selling expenses, including increases in sales commissions and marketing costs. As a percentage of net sales, SEG&A expenses were 20.4% in the current year, compared with 21.2% in the prior year.
Operating income increased by $8.1 million, or 25%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a $13.5 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by the $5.4 million increase in SEG&A expenses.
Backlog was $55 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $53 million at December 31, 2021.
Corporate Expense
Corporate operating expenses were $24.5 million, $22.5 million and $28.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, corporate operating expenses increased by $2.0 million, primarily due to a $1.8 million reduction in acquisition and integration-related benefits and increased stock- and incentive-based compensation expense, partially offset by lower post-retirement expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company received a favorable settlement of $1.9 million in a post-closing adjustment dispute associated with the 2021 acquisition of OSW Equipment & Repair, LLC (“OSW”). During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a $3.5 million benefit associated with a reduction in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration. These acquisition-related benefits have been included as a component of Acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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The Company’s hearing loss litigation has historically been managed by the Company’s legal staff resident at the corporate office and not by management at either segment. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting, which provides that segment reporting should follow the management of the item and that certain expenses may be corporate expenses, these legal expenses (which are not part of the normal operating activities of any of our reportable segments) are reported and managed as corporate expenses.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company uses its cash flow from operations to fund growth and to make capital investments that sustain its operations, reduce costs, or both. Beyond these uses, remaining cash is used to pay down debt, repurchase shares, fund dividend payments and make pension contributions. The Company may also choose to invest in the acquisition of businesses. In the absence of significant unanticipated cash demands, we believe that the Company’s existing cash balances, cash flow from operations and borrowings available under the 2022 Credit Agreement will provide funds sufficient for these purposes. The net cash flows associated with the Company’s rental equipment transactions are included in cash flow from operating activities.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $47.5 million, $40.5 million and $81.7 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, $19.4 million of cash and cash equivalents was held by foreign subsidiaries. Cash and cash equivalents held by subsidiaries outside the U.S. typically are held in the currency of the country in which it is located. The Company uses this cash to fund the operating activities of its foreign subsidiaries and for further investment in foreign operations. Generally, the Company has considered such cash to be indefinitely reinvested in its foreign operations and the Company’s current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate such cash to fund U.S. operations. However, in the event that these funds were needed to fund U.S. operations or to satisfy U.S. obligations, they generally could be repatriated. The repatriation of these funds may cause the Company to incur additional U.S. income tax expense, dependent on income tax laws and other circumstances at the time any such amounts were repatriated.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $71.8 million, $101.8 million and $136.2 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The reduction in cash generated by operating activities in 2022 compared to the prior year was primarily due to increases in working capital, including higher accounts receivable, largely due to increases in net sales, and strategic stocking of critical inventory components, such as chassis, to support demand levels and partially mitigate ongoing supply chain constraints. In addition, the Company had increased rental fleet investment in response to strong customer demand for rental and used equipment. Partially offsetting these increases was an $8.6 million reduction in income tax payments, primarily as a result of prior-year tax planning initiatives which resulted in the Company beginning 2022 with higher prepaid income taxes.
Net cash used for investing activities totaled $99.7 million, $168.7 million and $34.4 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In each of the years presented, cash was used to fund the purchase of properties and equipment, with $53.0 million, $37.4 million and $29.7 million of capital expenditures in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2022 included the acquisition of the Company’s University Park, Illinois manufacturing facility for $28 million, and capital expenditures in 2021 included the purchase of the Company’s Elgin, Illinois manufacturing facility for $19.8 million. As discussed further in Note 2 – Acquisitions to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, during 2022 the Company completed the acquisition of TowHaul for initial consideration of $43.3 million. In addition, during 2022 the Company paid $4.3 million to acquire certain distribution rights from dealers and funded a $1.6 million post-closing adjustment related to the 2021 acquisition of substantially all of the assets and operations of Deist Industries, Inc. In 2021, the Company completed three acquisitions for aggregate initial consideration of $131.8 million, excluding cash acquired. In 2020, the Company paid $6.2 million to acquire certain assets and operations of Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc. (“PWE”) and received $0.8 million as part of the finalization of certain post-closing adjustments in connection with the acquisition of MRL.
Net cash of $35.5 million and $26.4 million was provided by financing activities in 2022 and 2021, respectively, compared to a net cash usage of $53.4 million in 2020. In 2022, the Company borrowed $81.2 million under its revolving credit facility, primarily to fund current-year acquisitions, and received $0.2 million from stock option exercises. The Company also funded cash dividends and share repurchases of $21.8 million and $16.1 million, respectively, and redeemed $6.2 million of stock in order to remit funds to tax authorities to satisfy employees’ tax withholdings following the vesting of stock-based compensation and the exercise of stock options. In 2021, the Company borrowed $70.5 million under its revolving credit facility, primarily to fund acquisitions, and received $4.2 million from stock option exercises. The Company also funded cash dividends and share repurchases of $22.0 million and $15.4 million, respectively, and redeemed $10.7 million of stock in order to remit funds to tax authorities to satisfy employees’ tax withholdings following the vesting of stock-based compensation and the exercise of stock options. In 2020, the Company paid down $11.8 million of net borrowings, funded cash dividends and share repurchases of $19.4 million and $13.7 million, respectively, and redeemed $9.1 million of stock in order to remit funds to tax authorities to satisfy employees’ minimum tax withholdings.
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On October 21, 2022, the Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company and certain of its foreign subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender, PNC Bank, National Association and Truist Bank as syndication agents, and the other lenders and parties signatory thereto.
The 2022 Credit Agreement is a senior secured credit facility which provides the Borrowers access to an aggregate principal amount of $800 million, consisting of (i) a revolving credit facility in an amount up to $675 million (the “Revolver”) and (ii) a term loan facility in an amount up to $125 million. The Revolver provides for borrowings in the form of loans or letters of credit up to the aggregate availability under the facility, with a sub-limit of $100 million for letters of credit. Borrowings can be made in denominations of U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros or British Pounds (with borrowings in non-U.S. currencies subject to a sublimit of $300 million). In addition, the Company may expand its borrowing capacity under the 2022 Credit Agreement by up to the greater of (i) $400 million and (ii) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable four-quarter period preceding such expansion notice, subject to the approval of the applicable lenders providing such additional borrowings in the form of increases to their revolving facility commitment, or funding of incremental term loans. Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. The 2022 Credit Agreement matures on October 21, 2027.
The Company’s material domestic subsidiaries provide guarantees for all obligations of the Borrowers under the 2022 Credit Agreement, which is secured by a first priority security interest in (i) all existing or hereafter acquired domestic property and assets of the Company and material domestic subsidiaries, (ii) the stock or other equity interests in each of the material domestic subsidiaries and (iii) 65% of outstanding voting capital stock of certain first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions.
Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a base rate or an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or Adjusted Daily Simple SONIA Rate (as each is defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from zero to 0.75% for base rate borrowings and 1.00% to 1.75% for Adjusted Term SOFR, Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or Adjusted Daily Simple SONIA Rate borrowings. The Company must also pay a commitment fee to the lenders ranging between 0.10% to 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the $675 million Revolver along with other standard fees. Applicable margin, issuance fees and other customary expenses are payable on outstanding letters of credit.
The Company is subject to certain net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio financial covenants under the 2022 Credit Agreement that are to be measured at each fiscal quarter-end. The 2022 Credit Agreement also includes certain “covenant holiday” periods, which allow for the temporary increase of the minimum net leverage ratio following the completion of a permitted acquisition, or a series of acquisitions, when the aggregate consideration over a period of twelve months exceeds $75 million. In addition, the 2022 Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, subject to certain exceptions, restricting or limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) make non-ordinary course dispositions of assets; (ii) make certain fundamental business changes, such as mergers, consolidations or any similar combination; (iii) make restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases; (iv) incur indebtedness; (v) make certain loans and investments; (vi) create liens; (vii) transact with affiliates; (viii) enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions; (ix) make negative pledges; and (x) modify subordinated debt documents.
Under the 2022 Credit Agreement, restricted payments, including dividends and stock repurchases, shall be permitted if (i) the Company’s leverage ratio is less than or equal to 3.25x; (ii) the Company is in compliance with all other financial covenants; and (iii) there are no existing defaults under the 2022 Credit Agreement. If its leverage ratio is more than 3.25x, the Company is still permitted to fund (1) up to $35 million of dividend payments and stock repurchases annually; and (2) additional incremental other cash payments up to the greater of $65 million or 5% of consolidated total assets for the term of the 2022 Credit Agreement.
The 2022 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Borrowers may be required immediately to repay all amounts outstanding under the 2022 Credit Agreement and the commitments from the lenders may be terminated.
The 2022 Credit Agreement amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “2019 Credit Agreement”), which provided the Company with a $500 million revolving credit facility.
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In connection with entering into the 2022 Credit Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company wrote off $0.1 million of unamortized deferred financing fees associated with the 2019 Credit Agreement, and incurred $1.9 million of new debt issuance costs. The new fees have been deferred and are being amortized over the five-year term as a component of Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of December 31, 2022, there was $361.0 million of cash drawn and $11.2 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2022 Credit Agreement, with $427.8 million of net availability for borrowings.
The following table summarizes the gross borrowings and gross payments under the Company’s revolving credit facilities:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Aggregate maturities of total borrowings due amount to approximately $1.5 million in 2023, $4.6 million in 2024, $7.6 million in 2025, $10.2 million in 2026 and $339.1 million in 2027. The weighted average interest rate on long-term borrowings was 5.5% at December 31, 2022.
The Company paid interest of $9.4 million in 2022, $3.9 million in 2021 and $5.4 million in 2020.
The Company paid income taxes of $26.9 million in 2022, $35.5 million in 2021 and $22.3 million in 2020.
Cash dividends of $21.8 million, $22.0 million and $19.4 million were declared and paid to stockholders in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company anticipates that capital expenditures for 2023 will be in the range of $25 million to $30 million. The Company believes that its financial resources and major sources of liquidity, including cash flow from operations and borrowing capacity, will be adequate to meet its operating needs, capital needs and financial commitments.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and payments due by period as of December 31, 2022:
Payments Due by Period
(in millions) Total Less than1 Year 2-3 Years 4-5 Years More than5 Years
Interest payments on long-term debt (a) 94.8 19.9 39.3 35.6 —
Finance lease obligations 2.0 0.7 1.3 — —
Pension contributions (d) 2.3 2.3 — — —
Contingent earn-out payments (e) 2.7 0.7 2.0 — —
(a) Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding long-term debt.
(b) Amounts include contractual obligations associated with lease arrangements with an initial term of twelve months or less, which are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For further discussion, see Note 4 – Leases to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(c) Purchase obligations primarily relate to commercial chassis and other contracts in the ordinary course of business.
(d) The Company expects to contribute up to $1.4 million to the U.S. benefit plan and up to $0.9 million to the non-U.S. benefit plan in 2023, which represent the minimum required contributions. Future contributions to the plans will be based on such factors as (i) annual service cost, (ii) the financial return on plan assets, (iii) interest rate movements that affect discount rates applied to plan liabilities and (iv) the value of benefit payments made. Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the potential future cash outflows associated with these plans, the Company is unable to provide a reasonably reliable estimate of the amounts and periods in which any additional liabilities might be paid.
(e) Represents the fair value of the contingent earn-out payments associated with the MRL and Deist acquisitions. For further discussion, see Note 2 – Acquisitions to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(f) As of December 31, 2022, the Company had a liability of approximately$1.2 million for unrecognized tax benefits. For further discussion, see Note 10 – Income Taxes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Due to the uncertainties related to these tax matters, the Company generally cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement for this liability. As such, the potential future cash outflows are not included in the table above. We do not expect any significant change to our unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential expiration of statute of limitations and settlements with tax authorities.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements and the notional amount by expiration period as of December 31, 2022:
Notional Amount by Expiration Period
(in millions) Total Less than1 Year 2-3 Years 4-5 Years
Financial standby letters of credit (a) $ 11.2 $ 11.2 $ — $ —
Performance and bid bonds (b) 23.8 23.7 0.1 —
Repurchase obligations (c) 2.0 0.6 1.2 0.2
Total off-balance sheet arrangements $ 37.0 $ 35.5 $ 1.3 $ 0.2
(a) Financial standby letters of credit largely relate to casualty insurance policies for the Company’s workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability and product liability policies.
(b) Performance and bid bonds primarily relate to guarantees of performance of certain subsidiaries that engage in transactions with domestic and foreign customers.
(c) Relates to certain transactions that the Company has entered into involving the sale of equipment to certain of its customers which included (i) guarantees to repurchase the equipment for a fixed price at a future date and (ii) guarantees to repurchase the equipment from the third-party lender in the event of default by the customer. For further discussion, see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the amounts assigned to its net assets. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2022.
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.
A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In conducting a qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes a variety of events or factors that may influence the fair value of the reporting unit, including, but not limited to: the results of prior quantitative assessments performed; changes in the carrying amount; actual and projected financial performance; relevant market data for both the Company and its guideline comparable companies; industry outlook; and macroeconomic conditions. Significant judgment is used to evaluate the totality of these events and factors to make the determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In this situation, the Company would not be required to perform the quantitative impairment test described below.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and no impairment charge is required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, this difference is recorded as an impairment charge not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using both the income and market approaches.
Under the income approach, the key assumptions include projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). These assumptions are determined by management utilizing our internal operating plan, including growth rates for revenues and operating expenses and margin assumptions. An additional key assumption under this approach is the discount rate, which is determined by reviewing current risk-free rates of capital and current market interest rates and by evaluating the risk premium relevant to the reporting unit. If the Company’s assumptions relative to growth rates were to change, the fair value calculation may change, which could result in impairment.
Under the market approach, the Company estimates fair value using marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies and from pricing multiples implied from sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting units. The Company’s selection of comparable guideline companies is a key assumption underlying the market approach. Similar to the income approach discussed above, sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, EBITDA and their respective growth rates are also key assumptions utilized. The market prices of the Company’s common stock and other guideline companies are additional key inputs. If these market prices increase, the estimated market value would increase. Conversely, if market prices decrease, the estimated market value would decrease.
The results of these two methods are weighted based upon management’s evaluation of the relevance of the two approaches.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from estimated financial results due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of any goodwill impairment charge, or both. The Company also compares the sum of the estimated fair values of its reporting units to the overall fair value of the Company implied by its market capitalization. This comparison provides an indication that, in total, assumptions and estimates are reasonable. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
In 2022, the Company applied the quantitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment and used a combination of the income and market approaches to determine the fair values of its reporting units. The valuations were prepared by a third-party valuation specialist. One measure of the sensitivity of assumptions used in the impairment
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analyses is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value). The fair values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying values by more than 20%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.
The Company had no goodwill impairments in 2022, 2021 or 2020. For all reporting units, a 10% decrease in the estimated fair value would have had no effect on the carrying value of goodwill at the annual measurement date in 2022. However, adverse changes to the Company’s business environment and future cash flow could cause us to record impairment charges in future periods, which could be material. See Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of the Company’s goodwill by segment.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
An intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets include trade names associated with acquisitions.
In testing the indefinite-lived intangibles assets for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative test, or a quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying value. A quantitative impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
Significant judgment is applied when evaluating whether an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life and in testing for impairment. The Company primarily uses the relief from royalty model to estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. The relief from royalty model requires management to make a number of business and valuation assumptions including future revenue growth and royalty rates.
In 2022, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests over its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset that was quantitatively tested for impairment exceeded its carrying value by more than 50%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. This valuation was prepared by a third-party valuation specialist. Further, the Company concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets that were qualitatively tested for impairment were less than the carrying amounts. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments in 2022, 2021 or 2020. Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from estimated financial results due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the assets and potentially result in different impacts to the Company’s results of operations. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates.
See Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
The Company is subject to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To mitigate this risk, the Company may utilize derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and is not party to leveraged derivatives contracts.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company has certain debt instruments which subject it to market risk associated with movements in interest rates. The fair value of the Company’s total debt obligations held at December 31, 2022 was $363.0 million. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps as a means of fixing the floating interest rate component on its variable-rate debt. At December 31, 2022, the Company had one interest rate swap outstanding. That swap had a notional amount of $75.0 million, and fixed the floating interest rate component on $75.0 million of the Company’s variable-rate debt. See Note 9 – Debt to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of the Company’s debt agreements and interest rate swaps that were in place during 2022. A hypothetical 1% increase or decrease in variable interest rates on the Company’s total debt obligations as of December 31, 2022 would increase or decrease annual interest expense by approximately $2.9 million.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
Although the majority of the Company’s sales, expenses and cash flow are transacted in U.S. dollars, the Company has exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates, primarily the Canadian Dollar, Euro and British pound. The impact of currency movements on the Company’s financial results is largely mitigated by natural hedges in its operations. The Canadian operations of JJE primarily conduct business in Canadian dollars. Almost all other sales of product from the U.S. to other parts of the world are denominated in U.S. dollars. Sales from and within other currency zones are predominantly transacted in the currency of the country sourcing the product or service. Approximately 80% of the Company’s net sales are conducted within the U.S. and are transacted in U.S. dollars. The Company estimates that a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies would reduce full-year net sales by approximately 1% and operating income by approximately 1%.
The Company may also have foreign currency exposures related to buying and selling in currencies other than the local currency in which it operates and to certain balance sheet positions. If such transactional or balance sheet exposures are material, the Company may enter into matching foreign currency forward contracts from time to time to protect against variability in exchange rates.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34) 31
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 36
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 39
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 39
Note 2 – Acquisitions 43
Note 3 – Revenue Recognition 49
Note 4 – Leases 50
Note 5 – Inventories 51
Note 6 – Properties and Equipment, Net 52
Note 7 – Rental Equipment, Net 52
Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 52
Note 9 – Debt 53
Note 10 – Income Taxes 56
Note 11 – Pension and Other Post-Employment Plans 59
Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies 63
Note 13 – Legal Proceedings 64
Note 14 – Earnings Per Share 68
Note 15 – Stock-based Compensation 69
Note 16 – Stockholders’ Equity 72
Note 17 – Segment Information 74
Note 18 – Fair Value Measurements 77
Note 19 – Subsequent Events 78
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Federal Signal Corporation
Oak Brook, Illinois
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Federal Signal Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Goodwill - Refer to Notes 1 and 8 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount (“quantitative assessment”).
For reporting units tested for impairment using the quantitative assessment, the Company determines the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to make a number of business and valuation assumptions for each reporting unit including annual assumptions of projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”), and discount rates. The market approach requires management to estimate fair value using marketplace fair value data derived from a comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies and from pricing multiples implied from sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting units (“market multiples”). The Company’s goodwill balance was $453.4 million as of December 31, 2022. No impairment was recognized in 2022.
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We identified the valuation of goodwill for one of the Company’s reporting units as a critical audit matter due to the reporting unit’s historical performance as compared to projections and because the determination of reporting unit fair value was based on significant assumptions that are sensitive to changes and are affected by expected future market and economic conditions. Auditing management’s judgments used in the quantitative assessment regarding significant assumptions related to projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and EBITDA (“forecasts”) as well as the selection of market multiples applied to management’s projected sales and EBITDA estimates for this reporting unit required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the Company’s forecasts and the selection of market multiples for this reporting unit included the following, among others:
•We tested the design and operating effectiveness of controls over the annual goodwill impairment assessment, including those over the forecasts and the market multiples.
•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, and EBITDA by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.
•We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to:
◦Internal communications to management and the Board of Directors.
◦Historical results, third-party economic research, industry performance, and peer company performance.
◦Actual results from the October 31, 2022 annual measurement date to December 31, 2022.
•We performed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the risk of impairment if key assumptions are changed.
•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) market multiples by performing certain procedures, that included:
◦Evaluating whether the fair value models being used are appropriate considering the Company’s circumstances and valuation premise identified.
◦Evaluating the market multiples by considering (1) the selected comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies, (2) the selected sales of companies similar to the Company’s reporting units, and (3) the adjustments made for differences in growth prospects and risk profiles between the reporting unit and the comparable industry grouping of publicly traded companies.
◦Testing the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 1, 2023
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Federal Signal Corporation
Oak Brook, Illinois
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Federal Signal Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, of the Company and our report dated March 1, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
As described in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment, the internal control over financial reporting at TowHaul Corporation (“TowHaul”), which was acquired on October 3, 2022, and whose financial statements constitute approximately 1% of total assets and 1% of net sales of the consolidated financial statement amounts (excluding goodwill and intangible assets, which were integrated into the Company’s control environment) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at TowHaul.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 1, 2023
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FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended December 31,
Selling, engineering, general and administrative expenses 171.7 149.2 149.2
Acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses (0.5) (2.1) 2.1
Restructuring — — 1.3
Debt settlement charges 0.1 — —
Pension settlement charges — 10.3 —
Other (income) expense, net (0.5) (1.7) 1.1
Gain from discontinued operations and disposal, net of tax — — 0.1
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations $ 1.99 $ 1.65 $ 1.59
Earnings from discontinued operations and disposal, net of tax — — 0.00
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations $ 1.97 $ 1.63 $ 1.56
Earnings from discontinued operations and disposal, net of tax — — 0.00
Weighted average shares outstanding:
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (12.6) (4.7) 8.4
Total other comprehensive (loss) income (9.8) 17.5 (2.6)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31,
(in millions, except per share data) 2022 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 47.5 $ 40.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 17.4 25.4
Properties and equipment, net 179.3 141.9
Operating lease right-of-use assets 24.7 29.8
Deferred tax assets 8.8 8.4
Deferred charges and other long-term assets 9.4 8.7
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities:
Compensation and withholding taxes 31.1 29.9
Current operating lease liabilities 6.9 8.8
Other current liabilities 43.2 44.4
Long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations 361.5 282.2
Long-term operating lease liabilities 18.5 22.1
Long-term pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities 38.9 40.4
Deferred tax liabilities 51.0 53.2
Other long-term liabilities 13.0 13.8
Stockholders’ equity:
Capital in excess of par value 271.8 256.7
Treasury stock, at cost, 8.8 and 8.0 shares, respectively (178.6) (151.0)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (84.0) (74.2)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,524.3 $ 1,366.1
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FEDERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31,
Operating activities:
Net gain on discontinued operations and disposal — — (0.1)
Deferred financing costs 0.4 0.3 0.3
Stock-based compensation expense 10.2 7.6 8.4
Pension settlement charges — 10.3 —
Pension-related expense, net of funding (1.4) (3.8) (6.6)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration — (3.5) (0.1)
Deferred income taxes, including change in valuation allowance (4.2) (6.5) 5.8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (0.5) (2.6) (0.6)
Accrued liabilities 1.1 (5.5) (1.2)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities 71.8 101.8 136.3
Net cash used for discontinued operating activities — — (0.1)
Net cash provided by operating activities 71.8 101.8 136.2
Investing activities:
Purchases of properties and equipment (53.0) (37.4) (29.7)
Payments for acquisition-related activity (49.8) (131.8) (5.4)
Net cash used for investing activities (99.7) (168.7) (34.4)
Financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in revolving lines of credit, net 81.2 70.5 (11.8)
Payments of debt financing fees (1.9) — —
Purchases of treasury stock (16.1) (15.4) (13.7)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders (21.8) (22.0) (19.4)
Proceeds from stock compensation activity 0.2 4.2 0.6
Other, net 0.1 (0.2) —
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 35.5 26.4 (53.4)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 7.0 (41.2) 50.1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 40.5 81.7 31.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 47.5 $ 40.5 $ 81.7
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Total other comprehensive loss (2.6) (2.6)
Cash dividends declared ($0.32 per share) (19.4) (19.4)
Stock-based payments:
Stock-based compensation 7.8 7.8
Stock option exercises and other 0.7 4.6 (10.2) (4.9)
Performance share unit transactions 0.2 (0.2) (2.9) (2.9)
Stock repurchase program (13.7) (13.7)
Total other comprehensive income 17.5 17.5
Cash dividends declared ($0.36 per share) (22.0) (22.0)
Stock-based payments:
Stock-based compensation 7.0 7.0
Stock option exercises and other 0.9 9.1 (12.0) (2.0)
Performance share unit transactions 0.2 (0.2) (3.8) (3.8)
Stock repurchase program (15.4) (15.4)
Total other comprehensive loss (9.8) (9.8)
Cash dividends declared ($0.36 per share) (21.8) (21.8)
Stock-based payments:
Stock-based compensation 9.5 9.5
Stock option exercises and other 0.5 5.7 (10.2) (4.0)
Performance share unit transactions 0.1 (0.1) (1.3) (1.3)
Stock repurchase program (16.1) (16.1)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and Description of the Business
Federal Signal Corporation was founded in 1901 and was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1969. References herein to the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer collectively to Federal Signal Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Products manufactured and services rendered by the Company are divided into two reportable segments: Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group. The individual operating businesses are organized as such because they share certain characteristics, including technology, marketing, distribution and product application, which create long-term synergies.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. All references to 2022, 2021 and 2020 relate to the fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements represent the consolidation of Federal Signal Corporation and its subsidiaries and have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2022
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires an acquirer to recognize and measure contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) rather than adjust them to fair value at the acquisition date. This ASU, which is applied on a prospective basis, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2022, and the application of the amended guidance to the acquisition completed in 2022 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
New accounting pronouncements issued, but not yet adopted, are either not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Non-U.S. Operations
Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries, other than those whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are translated at current exchange rates with the related translation adjustments reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accounts within the Consolidated Statements of Operations are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates.
The Company incurs foreign currency transaction gains or losses, related to transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, which are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of Other (income) expense, net. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company realized foreign currency transaction losses of $0.2 million. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company realized foreign currency transaction gains of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (CONTINUED)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments.
Accounts Receivable
The Company carries accounts receivable at the face amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses as a result of a customer’s inability to make required payments. Management evaluates the aging of the accounts receivable balances, the financial condition of its customers, historical trends and the time outstanding of specific balances to estimate the amount of accounts receivables that may not be collected in the future and records the appropriate provision.
Inventories
The Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Included in the cost of inventories are raw materials, direct wages and associated production costs.
Properties and Equipment
Properties and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from eight to 40 years for buildings and three to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining life of the lease or the useful life of the improvement. Depreciation expense is primarily included as a component of Cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with depreciation expense associated with certain assets used for administrative purposes being presented within SEG&A expenses. Depreciation expense, which includes depreciation on rental equipment, was $41.8 million, $39.5 million and $35.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Properties and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Rental Equipment
The Company enters into lease agreements with customers related to the rental of certain equipment. All of these leasing agreements are classified as operating leases and are for periods generally not to exceed five years. In accounting for these leases, the cost of the equipment purchased or manufactured by the Company is recorded as an asset and is depreciated over its estimated useful life. Rental income is recognized ratably over the term of the underlying leases.
Rental equipment is depreciated to an estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is reviewed for potential impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares non-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on a non-discounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Rental equipment includes certain equipment that is manufactured by the Company and subsequently transferred to the rental fleet, as well as equipment purchased from third-party manufacturers, for the purpose of renting to end-customers. The related cash flow activity associated with these transactions is reflected within operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (CONTINUED)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the amounts assigned to its net assets. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2022.
In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative or quantitative test, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.
A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In this situation, the Company would not be required to perform the quantitative impairment test described below.
A quantitative approach is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and no impairment charge is required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, this difference is recorded as an impairment charge not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using both the income and market approaches.
Under the income approach, the key assumptions include projected sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and the discount rate. Under the market approach, the Company estimates fair value using marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The results of these two methods are weighted based upon management’s evaluation of the relevance of the two approaches.
In 2022, the Company applied the quantitative approach to assess the goodwill of its reporting units for potential impairment, using a combination of the income and market approaches to determine the fair values of its reporting units. The fair values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying values by more than 20% and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.
The Company had no goodwill impairments in 2022, 2021 or 2020. See Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for a summary of the Company’s goodwill by segment.
Intangible Assets
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives and are tested for impairment if indicators exist in a manner similar to that described above for Rental Equipment.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis at October 31, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. In testing the indefinite-lived intangibles assets for potential impairment, the Company applies either a qualitative test, or a quantitative test, in accordance with ASC 350. A qualitative approach may be applied when the Company concludes that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying value. A quantitative impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
In 2022, the Company performed a combination of qualitative and quantitative impairment tests over its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset that was quantitatively tested for impairment exceeded its carrying value by more than 50%, and, therefore, no impairment was recognized. Further, the Company concluded that it was not “more likely than not” that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets that were qualitatively tested for impairment were less than the carrying amounts. Accordingly, further quantitative testing was not required to be performed.
The Company had no indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments in 2022, 2021 or 2020. See Note 8 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for a summary of the Company’s intangible assets.
Warranties
Warranties are classified as either assurance-type or service-type warranties. A warranty is considered an assurance-type warranty if it provides the customer with assurance that the product will function as intended. A warranty that goes above and beyond ensuring basic functionality is considered a service-type warranty. The Company offers certain limited warranties that are assurance-type warranties and extended service arrangements that are service-type warranties. Assurance-type warranties
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (CONTINUED)
are not accounted for as separate performance obligations under the revenue model. If a service-type warranty is sold with a product or separately, revenue is recognized over the life of the warranty.
Sales of many of the Company’s products include assurance-type warranties based on terms that are generally accepted in the Company’s marketplaces. The Company records provisions for estimated warranty costs, which are included within Cost of sales, at the time of sale based on historical experience. The Company periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect actual experience. Infrequently, a material warranty issue can arise which is beyond the scope of the Company’s historical experience. The Company records costs related to these issues as they become probable and estimable.
The Company also sells optional service-type warranty contracts that extend coverage beyond the initial term of the express warranty period. At the time of sale, revenue related to the service-type warranty contract is deferred and typically recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, deferred revenue associated with service-type warranty contracts was $4.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and was included within Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Costs under service-type warranty contracts are expensed as incurred.
Workers’ Compensation and Product Liability Reserves
Due to the nature of the Company’s manufacturing and products, the Company is subject to claims for workers’ compensation and product liability in the normal course of business. The Company is self-funded for a portion of these claims. The Company establishes a reserve using a third-party actuary for any known outstanding matters, including a reserve for claims incurred but not yet reported. The amount and timing of cash payments relating to these claims are considered to be reliably determinable given the nature of the claims and historical claim volumes to support the actuarial assumptions and judgments used to derive the expected loss payment patterns. As such, the reserves recorded are discounted using a risk-free rate that matches the average duration of the claims.
The Company has not established a reserve for potential losses resulting from the firefighter hearing loss litigation, with the exception of certain estimated losses that have been recognized related to settlement discussions (see Note 13 – Legal Proceedings). If the Company is not successful in its defense after exhausting all appellate options, it would record a charge for such claims, to the extent they exceed insurance recoveries, when the related losses become probable and estimable.
Pensions
The Company sponsors domestic and foreign defined benefit pension plans. Key assumptions used in the accounting for these employee benefit plans include the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and estimates of future mortality of plan participants.
The weighted-average discount rate used to measure pension liabilities and costs is selected using a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality bonds that would provide the necessary cash flow to match the projected benefit payments of the plans. The discount rate represents the rate at which our benefit obligations could effectively be settled as of the year-end measurement date. The weighted-average discount rate used to measure pension liabilities increased from 2021 to 2022. See Note 11 – Pension and Other Post-Employment Plans for further discussion.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested. The Company references published mortality tables and scales in determining its estimate of future mortality.
Revenue Recognition
See Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for discussion regarding the Company’s revenue recognition accounting policies.
Product Shipping Costs
Product shipping costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Cost of sales.
Research and Development
The Company invests in research to support development of new products and the enhancement of existing products and services. Expenditures for research and development by the Company were $11.5 million in 2022, $11.4 million in 2021 and $12.2 million in 2020, and are included within SEG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (CONTINUED)
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company has various stock-based compensation plans, described more fully in Note 15 – Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures of equity awards and adjusts the rate to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, if any. The Company revises its estimated forfeiture rate if actual forfeitures differ from its initial estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the period in which the deferred tax liability or asset is expected to be settled or realized. A valuation allowance is established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return for Federal Signal Corporation and its eligible domestic subsidiaries. The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective local jurisdictions. The Company accounts for taxes on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the year in which it is incurred.
Accounting standards on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes address the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Under the guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company presents interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Litigation Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims, including pending and possible legal actions for product liability and other damages, and other matters arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company believes, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that the outcome of such claims and actions in the aggregate will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. The Company accrues for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that estimates or assumptions of contingent losses are different from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
NOTE 2 – ACQUISITIONS
The Company’s acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. In accordance with this guidance, the fair value of consideration transferred is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the completion of the acquisition, with the remaining amount recognized as goodwill. A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company’s judgments used to determine the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact the Company’s results of operations.
Under ASC 805-10, acquisition-related costs (e.g., advisory, legal, valuation and other professional fees) are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred. Acquisition-related costs are included as a component of Acquisition and integration-related (benefits) expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (CONTINUED)
Acquisitions Completed in 2022
Acquisition of TowHaul
On October 3, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets and operations of TowHaul Corporation (“TowHaul”). TowHaul is a leading manufacturer of off-road towing and hauling equipment. The Company expects that the TowHaul acquisition will further bolster its position as an industry leading diversified industrial manufacturer of specialized vehicles for maintenance and infrastructure markets with leading brands of premium, value-adding products, and a strong supporting aftermarket platform. As the acquisition closed on October 3, 2022, the assets and liabilities of TowHaul have been consolidated into the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022, while the post-acquisition results of operations have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, within the Environmental Solutions Group. The acquisition generated net sales and operating income of $7.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2022.
The initial cash consideration paid by the Company to acquire TowHaul was approximately $43.3 million, inclusive of certain preliminary closing adjustments. Any additional closing adjustments are expected to be finalized before the end of the second quarter of 2023.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s purchase price allocation reflects various provisional estimates that were based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date and the filing date of this Form 10-K. The Company believes that information provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed; however, the determination of those fair values, including the third-party valuation of acquired intangible assets, is not yet finalized. Thus, the preliminary measurements of fair value set forth in the table below are subject to change during the measurement period as valuations are finalized. The Company expects to finalize the valuation and complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable, but not more than one year from the acquisition date.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(in millions)
Total consideration 43.3
Accounts receivable 1.5
Inventories 4.7
Properties and equipment 6.5
Customer relationships (b) 14.0
Trade names (c) 6.7
Accounts payable (0.1)
Accrued liabilities (0.5)
Customer deposits (2.4)
Net assets acquired 30.4
Goodwill (d) $ 12.9
(a) The initial purchase price, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments, including working capital, was funded through existing cash and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.
(b) Represents the preliminary fair value assigned to customer relationships, which are considered to be definite-lived intangible assets, with a preliminary estimated useful life of approximately 12 years.
(c) Represents the preliminary fair value assigned to trade names, which are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets.
(d) Goodwill, which is tax-deductible, has been allocated to the Environmental Solutions Group on the basis that the synergies identified will primarily benefit this segment.
The acquisition was not, and would not have been, material to the Company’s net sales or results of operations during any period presented. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated results from operations do not differ materially from historical performance as a result of the acquisition, and therefore, unaudited pro-forma results are not presented.
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Acquisitions Completed in 2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company completed three acquisitions, all of which were accounted for as business combinations in accordance with ASC 805. As each of the acquisitions closed during 2021, the assets and liabilities of each of the acquisitions have been consolidated into the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the post-acquisition results of operations of each of the acquisitions have been included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, within the Environmental Solutions Group.
Acquisition of Deist
On December 30, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and operations of each of Deist Industries, Inc.; Bucks Fabricating, LLC; Roll-Off Parts, LLC and Switch-N-Go, LLC (collectively, “Deist”). Deist designs, manufactures and sells interchangeable truck body systems for class 3-7 vehicles in the work truck industry and a full line of waste hauling products, including front/rear loading containers and specialty roll-off containers. The Deist acquisition strengthened the Company’s specialty vehicle market position by expanding its geographic footprint and enhancing its portfolio of dump truck body and trailer product offerings.
The cash consideration paid by the Company to acquire Deist was $38.1 million, which was funded through existing cash and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility. In addition, there is a contingent earn-out payment of up to $7.5 million, based upon the achievement of certain financial targets over a specified performance period.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company finalized its purchase price allocation for the Deist acquisition. The measurement period adjustments, which primarily resulted from the completion of a third-party valuation of acquired intangible assets, resulted in an $8.6 million increase to the carrying value of Goodwill from the $5.1 million previously recorded as of December 31, 2021. The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(in millions)
Purchase price, inclusive of closing adjustments $ 38.1
Estimated fair value of additional consideration (a) 2.0
Total consideration 40.1
Accounts receivable 5.1
Inventories 8.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 0.2
Properties and equipment 8.5
Customer relationships (b) 3.1
Trade names (c) 5.2
Other intangible assets 1.1
Accounts payable (1.8)
Accrued liabilities (3.2)
Customer deposits (0.6)
Net assets acquired 26.4
Goodwill (d) $ 13.7
(a) Represents the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out payment as of the acquisition date, which is included as a component of Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 18 – Fair Value Measurements for discussion of the methodology used to determine the fair value of the contingent earn-out payment.
(b) Represents the fair value assigned to customer relationships, which are considered to be definite-lived intangible assets, with an estimated useful life of 5 years.
(c) Represents the fair value assigned to trade names, which are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets.
(d) Goodwill, which is tax-deductible, has been allocated to the Environmental Solutions Group on the basis that the synergies identified will primarily benefit this segment.
Acquisition of Ground Force
On October 4, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and operations of Ground Force Manufacturing LLC (“Ground Force”). Ground Force is a leading manufacturer of specialty material handling vehicles that support the extraction of metals. The Ground Force acquisition further bolstered the Company’s position as an industry leading diversified industrial manufacturer of specialized vehicles for maintenance and infrastructure markets with leading brands of premium, value-adding products, and a strong supporting aftermarket platform.
The cash consideration paid by the Company to acquire Ground Force was $43.1 million, which was funded through existing cash and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company finalized its purchase price allocation for the Ground Force acquisition. The measurement period adjustments, which primarily resulted from the completion of a third-party valuation of acquired intangible assets, resulted in a $2.1 million increase to the carrying value of Goodwill from the $13.3 million previously recorded as of December 31, 2021. The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(in millions)
Purchase price, inclusive of closing adjustments $ 43.1
Total consideration 43.1
Accounts receivable 3.0
Inventories 4.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 0.2
Properties and equipment 1.3
Operating lease right-of-use assets 3.0
Customer relationships (a) 16.8
Trade names (b) 7.8
Operating lease liabilities (3.0)
Accounts payable (1.8)
Accrued liabilities (0.7)
Customer deposits (2.9)
Net assets acquired 27.7
Goodwill (c) $ 15.4
(a) Represents the fair value assigned to customer relationships, which are considered to be definite-lived intangible assets, with an estimated useful life of 12 years.
(b) Represents the fair value assigned to trade names, which are considered to be indefinite-lived intangible assets.
(c) Goodwill, which is tax-deductible, has been allocated to the Environmental Solutions Group on the basis that the synergies identified will primarily benefit this segment.
Acquisition of OSW
On February 17, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity of OSW Equipment & Repair, LLC, a leading manufacturer of dump truck bodies and custom upfitter of truck equipment and trailers. The acquisition also includes OSW’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Northend Truck Equipment, LLC and Western Truck Body Mfg. ULC (collectively “OSW”). The OSW acquisition strengthened the Company’s specialty vehicle market position by expanding its geographic footprint and enhancing its portfolio of dump truck body and trailer product offerings.
The cash consideration paid by the Company to acquire OSW was $53.2 million, which was funded through existing cash and borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company finalized its purchase price allocation for the OSW acquisition and there were no changes from the purchase price allocation previously disclosed as of December 31, 2021.
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The following table summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(in millions)
Purchase price, inclusive of closing adjustments $ 53.2