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29 August 2012

2Q 2012 10Q More Analysis


In looking at the 10Q closer there are more interesting notes and comments to make. Let’s look at it by section:

Note 3 - Discontinued Operations

"The Company has been unable to sell the Electrical Services group business as planned and has decided to sell substantially all of the assets of this business. The Company expects to complete the disposal of its discontinued operations concurrent with the completion of the last remaining lump sum project, which is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2012. During the second quarter, the Company accrued approximately $0.5 million of additional costs expected to be incurred to complete the remaining lump sum project. The Company will have no continuing involvement with these operations after the sale or disposal."

The trend in losses since the election of “discontinued operations”:
    06/30/2011 – loss of $0.430 mil
    09/30/2011 – loss of $1.036 mil
    12/31/2011 – loss of $0.933 mil
    03/31/2012 – loss of $0.113 mil;
That’s $2.512 mil in the prior 4 quarters and now another $2.073 mil in 2Q of 2012!  Sounds like it was not discontinued... Where was project controls and internal audit on assessment of ETC on this project?  Where is the credibility that such project will now be completed in 3Q?  What additional losses will we see?

Note 4 – Stock Compensation Plans

I find this section generally painful to read considering company results:

"In April 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an increase of 500,000 shares, which was subsequently approved by our shareholders. As of August 17, 2012, 470,773 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the Equity Plan, of which 133,115 remain subject to outstanding awards."

Where did the 470,773 shares go?  Who produced results to get such grants other than the board?  As you recall the CEO and the board received just over 151,000 shares for their efforts and direction.

Note 5 – Contracts

“The Company recognizes service revenue as soon as the services are performed. For clients that we consider higher risk, due to past payment history or history of not providing written work authorizations, we defer revenue recognition until we receive either a written authorization or a payment. The current amount of revenue deferred for these reasons is approximately $1.7 million as of June 30, 2012, compared to $0.3 million as of December 31, 2011.” - THEY ARE STILL DOING WORK WITHOUT CHANGE ORDERS!

“We expect a majority of the deferred revenue amount to be realized by year end 2012.” If they expect this revenue to be realized why are they deferring?

Credit Facility

You need to read the sections concerning the Credit Facility in the 10Q. The facility was covered previously within a dedicated post. I had several people read that lengthy and onerous money contract and contribute their thoughts to that post to get that monster right. It is tough and restrictive contract as noted then. The information within the current 10Q is a good, well-written abstract synopsis of that Credit Facility - too bad ENG fell into such financial condition that this was the result. The abstract is shorter than the approximately 114 pages of the actual CF, however it is still lengthy so I will provide you a link, see section labeled "PNC Credit Facility". As a side note see the section above it labeled "Current Classification of Borrowings under the PNC Credit Facility". I find it humorous that a three-year term agreement is classified as "Current".

http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/933738/000093373812000012/eng-10qx063012q.htm

Note 8 – Federal and State Income Taxes

Remember the big percentage of this quarter’s loss?

"During the quarter, based upon the Company's recent performance, management determined the realization of deferred tax assets is uncertain as the Company is unable to consider tax planning strategies or projections of future taxable income in its evaluation of the realizability of its deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2012. Under these circumstances, deferred tax assets may only be realized through future reversals of taxable temporary differences and carryback of net operating losses to available carryback periods. We have performed such an analysis and a valuation allowance of approximately $6.2 million has been provided against deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2012."

Translation: Basically we do not think we will make enough money to take advantage of the deferred tax asset… if that’s true why wouldn’t this be a triggering event for goodwill impairment?

MD&A Overview

“After a period of declining revenues due to poor domestic economic conditions, we were encouraged by our project proposal activity during the fourth quarter of 2011 and into the first quarter of 2012, which resulted in an increase in backlog and revenue." Where are the awards?  We have not seen any press releases sharing any recent successes.

"In the first quarter of 2012, we were notified by Wells Fargo Bank that they were no longer willing to support the Company with its credit facility. In response, we began looking for a replacement credit facility to meet our working capital needs, while curtailing unnecessary expenditures. The majority of our vendors and customers have been amenable to working with us through this transition."

Really, so vendors have agreed to work without pay and customers have agreed to pay early?  We can see where AP has increased since December 31, 2011 from $8.4 mil to $8.9 mil at the end of March 30, 2012 and $11.5 mil at the end of June 30, 2012 but what we cannot see customer help with early payments?

"As a result of the uncertainty created by the credit facility transition, we spent valuable time reassuring our stakeholders. Unfortunately, the internal focus - while necessary - was also counterproductive to our business development momentum. As a result, our sales throughout the second quarter have been weaker than expected." REALLY? Profits would be the most assuring thing for the stakeholders.  How about spending time making that happen?

Management's Discussion and Analysis

"During the recent period of industry-wide decline in demand for the types of services we provide, we reduced our rates significantly, as was required to obtain and retain business. Although the level of demand has increased, pricing in certain geographical markets is still extremely competitive and we have not yet been able to increase our margins to prior levels." - What?  Tell that to Richard Industrial Group and Burrow Global. Competitors are growing!

Revenue:
"The Field Solutions segment experienced decreased revenue in the Land division due to decreased project activity with major midstream energy companies while the Inspection Division experienced decreased revenue due to completion of the Ruby Pipeline Project." Where does the flight of senior management fit into the chicken and the egg theory within Field Solutions?

Selling, General, and Administrative:
“The $1.1 million increase in SG&A expense for the three months ended June 30, 2012 , as compared to the same period for 2011 , primarily resulted from increased salary and related expenses of approximately $0.8 million incurred primarily as a result of initiatives undertaken in anticipation of increased activity for the remainder of the year.” Who was reading these tealeaves?  Maybe it is just rose-colored glasses or the smoke from burning pizza!

"As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expense increased to 10.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2012, from 9.2% for the comparable prior year period. During June, we began reducing overhead and staff levels in response to reduced activity levels. These staff reductions resulted in severance costs of approximately $0.2 million during the quarter.”  Surely there will be other severance costs for the CEO, the VP of HSE, the SVP of Field Solutions and others both voluntary and due to staff reductions that will come in Q3.  Have those costs been taken or accrued? What about the bonuses being paid to keep staff in tact?

Liquidity and Capital Resources

This section speaks for itself:

"As a result of the defaults under the PNC Credit Facility and the Ex-Im Bank Facility described below, additional borrowings under these facilities may be limited or restricted. As of August 15, 2012, unrestricted cash on hand totaled approximately $0.7 million and availability under the PNC Credit Facility totaled approximately $1.3 million, subject to certain restrictions on revolving advances and the requirement to maintain Average Excess Availability of not less than $3.5 million measured monthly. As of August 15, 2012, one $9.1 million letter of credit was outstanding under the Ex-Im Bank Facility and collateralized by $2.3 million in cash. As a result, the Company's ability to pay liabilities as they become due, fund business operations and meet monetary contractual obligations, currently depends primarily on cash flow from operations and the timely collection of outstanding invoices.

Cash and the availability of cash could be materially restricted if:

• Outstanding invoices billed are not collected or are not collected in a timely manner,
• Circumstances prevent the timely internal processing of invoices,
• We lose one or more of our major customers,
• We are unable to win new projects that we can perform on a profitable basis, or
• We are unable to obtain the cure or waiver of existing defaults under the PNC Credit Facility or the Ex-Im Bank Facility.

If any such event occurs and continues without remedy, we would be required to consider alternative financing options." L

"The primary changes in working capital accounts during the six months ended June 30, 2012 were increased Costs in Excess of Billings and Decreased Billings in Excess of Costs on uncompleted contracts of $8.4 million on fixed price projects where billing milestones have not been met [Could this be due to performance issues related to the loss of staff?] and increased Accounts Receivable of $1.0 million."

Conclusion

There is not much cash left and once again ENGlobal is in a workout group, this time with PNC. This is virtually the same predicament as in May, same company - different lender. Can it be worked out? Sure, however, I think it will be with more restrictions. Additionally, cash will need to be raised. How? An equity partner and/or sale of assets as noted in previous commentary is most likely.

I get a lot of questions about liquidation and bankruptcy. I do not wish to amplify the subjects above their natural possibilities so please keep that in mind. In the case of bankruptcy the stock is always cancelled - zero value to shareholders.

In addressing liquidation start looking at Tangible Net Worth:
   
Current assets - $78 mil
Current liabilities - $60 mil
That is a net of $18 mil for shareholders
   
Why, we have $48.7 in stockholder equity?  The balance of approx. $30.8 million is made up of:

$3.3 mil in PP&E, which would not offer much cash
$25.0 mil in goodwill & other intangibles
$899K in a note held by the courts on a legal claim
$1.6 mil in “Other Assets” whatever that includes

$18 - $21mil for shareholders equates to $0.67 to $0.78 per share in liquidation scenario.

The best path is for ENGlobal to manage better, probably downsize to viable capability and rebuild as conditions and management capability permits. Good luck to everyone.

Comments are welcome.
   

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is talk of field solutions being sold. But do you really think that given the problems they now have, that will bring in the revenue to help revive the rest of the company?

t38pilot8202 said...

I don’t wish to entertain rumors so I will treat the question as theoretical since you phrased the comment in such way. FS has lost the top leadership two times within the last year, Michael Lee and Mr. Bryant. This is bad. David Sinclair now running the segment is a strong leader and capable. Much of what you ask depends on the most important asset – the employees making it all happen. I hear almost daily of employees bailing out here and there, sometimes in multiples. There is a post labeled Appointments and Moves that is very incomplete. I list persons there if they want to be or publicly announced information. I have not heard much about FS other than leaders and a few managers leaving. It is a good question from the point of execution. The old saying, “Time will tell” applies. I think viability is strictly dependent on management and execution by quality employees.

Now look at the numbers. As you may recall FS was the subject of a past post where the profit suddenly and mysteriously increased in 1Q 2012 for this low margin segment. The numbers simply appeared wrong compared to past trends. This segment does not make much money and is the Tortoise and not the Hare. It is the only segment that increased its Operating Income in 2Q despite the massive losses elsewhere. It is quite the mixed bag.

From a strict view of your question – No, FS does not generate enough income to overcome the losses in other segments. It simply does not make enough money. Look at the segment breakouts in the 10Q – no way. What will fix the problem is a paradigm shift in management style. It will be difficult to battle the downward momentum in any case.

In USAF training I was subjected to a critical decision making class – Ejection Training.
We saw documented situations of pilots ejecting well above ground but not surviving because the aircraft decent rate was higher than the upward velocity of the ejection seat. Get the picture? The lesson was the decision point on two different levels. The immediate level was to make your decision ahead of counteractive or muting conditions. The wisest lesson and level was to recognize the conditions and avoid the ejection situation well in advance. That point for ENGlobal was many months ago. The management style and vision that supervised Mr. Pagano’s failed efforts is still in place as CEO and the BOD. You now know why I used and justify the earlier idea, “…a paradigm shift in management style”.

Thank you for the question.

Anonymous said...

following on the FS question, do you think the automation division might be sold?

t38pilot8202 said...

Yes


eventually



by a judge

Anonymous said...

I'm a recent tech school graduate who has just been offered a job at ENG in an entry level drafting position. I've already started another job at a lower pay. What would my future look like at ENG if I took that job?

t38pilot8202 said...

I don’t give job advice based on this blog or without knowing someone and their circumstances. To answer your question: I don’t know. I understand you are young and honestly looking for advice. I can give you some life advice. If you are smart enough to be a draftsman start asking yourself some questions, and writing them down. Determine your goals. List all what you want or expect to gain from this job or any job, experience, time, salary, etc. Compare them to your goals and options. You should be able to find your own answers and be wiser for it.