Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURTIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO

 

Commission File Number 0-16379

 


 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Massachusetts

 

04-2997780

(State of Incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

42 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA

 

02061-9149

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(781) 792-5000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including area code)

 


 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common Stock, $.01 par value

 

23,724,730

(Class)

 

(Outstanding at November 5, 2008)

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page No.

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1: Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

1

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

4

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

 

 

 

ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

23

 

 

 

ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

34

 

 

 

ITEM 4: Controls and Procedures

 

35

 

 

 

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Items No. 1 through 6

 

37

Signatures

 

38

 



Table of Contents

 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

252,959

 

$

119,538

 

Marketable securities

 

428

 

850

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances aggregating $6,778 and $6,105, respectively

 

186,249

 

193,126

 

Unbilled accounts receivable

 

10,469

 

14,703

 

Deferred costs

 

6,382

 

7,359

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

6,335

 

10,098

 

Supplies inventories

 

27,196

 

22,363

 

Deferred tax assets

 

11,497

 

11,491

 

Properties held for sale

 

 

910

 

Total current assets

 

501,515

 

380,438

 

Property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

26,570

 

22,273

 

Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)

 

1,780

 

1,438

 

Landfill assets

 

35,084

 

29,925

 

Buildings and improvements

 

127,103

 

112,469

 

Vehicles

 

31,571

 

22,854

 

Equipment

 

303,826

 

274,619

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

1,648

 

1,454

 

Construction in progress

 

14,741

 

18,702

 

 

 

542,323

 

483,734

 

Less—accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

247,925

 

221,133

 

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

294,398

 

262,601

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investments

 

6,625

 

8,500

 

Deferred financing costs

 

3,776

 

5,881

 

Goodwill

 

22,726

 

21,572

 

Permits and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $39,971 and $36,443, respectively

 

76,228

 

74,809

 

Deferred tax assets

 

11,480

 

12,176

 

Other

 

4,194

 

3,911

 

Total other assets

 

125,029

 

126,849

 

Total assets

 

$

920,942

 

$

769,888

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

 

September 30,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Uncashed checks

 

$

6,966

 

$

5,489

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

18,486

 

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

484

 

1,251

 

Accounts payable

 

73,294

 

81,309

 

Deferred revenue

 

25,784

 

29,730

 

Other accrued expenses

 

68,977

 

65,789

 

Current portion of closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities

 

17,073

 

18,858

 

Income taxes payable

 

172

 

8,427

 

Total current liabilities

 

211,236

 

210,853

 

Other liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Closure and post-closure liabilities, less current portion of $6,333 and $5,527, respectively

 

25,746

 

24,202

 

Remedial liabilities, less current portion of $10,740 and $13,331, respectively

 

136,968

 

141,428

 

Long-term debt

 

52,722

 

120,712

 

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

 

421

 

1,520

 

Unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities

 

73,841

 

68,276

 

Total other liabilities

 

289,698

 

356,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 23,505,582 and 20,327,533 shares, respectively

 

235

 

203

 

Treasury stock

 

(1,659

)

(1,170

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

350,573

 

166,653

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

11,609

 

17,498

 

Retained earnings

 

59,250

 

19,713

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

420,008

 

202,897

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

920,942

 

$

769,888

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

2



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CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended 
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended 
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

273,157

 

 

245,507

 

$

780,925

 

$

689,239

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)

 

187,063

 

169,007

 

535,641

 

485,893

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

40,738

 

38,092

 

123,404

 

107,643

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

2,682

 

2,715

 

8,078

 

7,743

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,414

 

9,814

 

32,695

 

27,801

 

Income from operations

 

31,260

 

25,879

 

81,107

 

60,159

 

Other (expense) income

 

(104

)

61

 

(149

)

62

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

(4,251

)

 

(4,251

)

 

Interest (expense), net of interest income of $1,458 and $3,952 for the quarter and year-to-date ending 2008 and $1,166 and $2,713 for the quarter and year-to-date ending 2007, respectively

 

(1,889

)

(3,022

)

(7,789

)

(9,901

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

25,016

 

22,918

 

68,918

 

50,320

 

Provision for income taxes

 

10,388

 

9,978

 

29,381

 

22,691

 

Net income

 

14,628

 

12,940

 

39,537

 

27,629

 

Dividends on Series B preferred stock

 

 

69

 

 

206

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 

$

14,628

 

12,871

 

$

39,537

 

$

27,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income attributable to common stockholders

 

$

0.62

 

0.65

 

$

1.79

 

$

1.39

 

Diluted income attributable to common stockholders

 

$

0.61

 

0.63

 

$

1.75

 

$

1.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

23,423

 

19,840

 

22,052

 

19,788

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive common shares

 

23,822

 

20,686

 

22,530

 

20,715

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



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CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months 
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

39,537

 

$

27,629

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

32,695

 

27,801

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

4,251

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

67

 

212

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount

 

1,517

 

1,462

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

8,078

 

7,743

 

Changes in environmental liability estimates

 

(1,515

)

(2,289

)

Deferred income taxes

 

1,910

 

(5,055

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2,782

 

2,903

 

Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 

(3,396

)

 

Income tax benefits related to stock option exercises

 

3,425

 

 

Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets and assets held for sale

 

149

 

(62

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

8,490

 

(8,408

)

Other current assets

 

1,998

 

(10,526

)

Accounts payable

 

(8,761

)

193

 

Other current liabilities

 

(2,430

)

13,081

 

Environmental expenditures

 

(12,564

)

(4,901

)

Net cash from operating activities

 

76,233

 

49,783

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(39,218

)

(23,814

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(27,582

)

(7,192

)

Costs to obtain or renew permits

 

(2,184

)

(986

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets and assets held for sale

 

449

 

503

 

Sales of marketable securities

 

4,350

 

 

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

 

(2,553

)

(1,010

)

Net cash from investing activities

 

(66,738

)

(32,499

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in uncashed checks

 

1,535

 

(6,739

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,749

 

1,303

 

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

 

1,255

 

850

 

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

 

1,200

 

 

Remittance of shares

 

(489

)

 

Payments on capital leases

 

(1,848

)

(1,163

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net

 

173,541

 

 

Principal payment on debt

 

(50,000

)

 

Prepayment penalty on early extinguishment of debt

 

(2,813

)

 

Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 

3,396

 

1,536

 

Deferred financing costs paid

 

 

(32

)

Dividend payments on preferred stock

 

 

(206

)

Other

 

 

(69

)

Net cash from financing activities

 

127,526

 

(4,520

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(3,600

)

5,542

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

133,421

 

18,306

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

119,538

 

73,550

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

252,959

 

$

91,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments for interest and income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

12,879

 

$

11,156

 

Income taxes paid

 

30,539

 

9,868

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment accrued

 

$

5,333

 

$

4,387

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


 


Table of Contents

 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

$ 0.01

 

 

 

Additional

 

Other 

 

Other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

of

 

Par

 

Treasury

 

Paid-in

 

Comprehensive

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

 Shares

 

 Value

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Income

 

 Income

 

 Earnings

 

 Equity

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

 

20,328

 

$

203

 

$

(1,170

)

$

166,653

 

 

 

$

17,498

 

$

19,713

 

$

202,897

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

$

39,537

 

 

39,537

 

39,537

 

Unrealized loss on long-term investments, net of taxes (see Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

(232

)

(232

)

 

(232

)

Unrealized loss on securities, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

(64

)

(64

)

 

(64

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(5,593

)

(5,593

)

 

(5,593

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

$

33,648

 

 

 

 

Exercise of warrants

 

150

 

1

 

 

1,199

 

 

 

 

 

1,200

 

Stock-based compensation

 

(4

)

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

 

 

2,782

 

Remittance of shares

 

(31

)

 

(489

)

 

 

 

 

 

(489

)

Exercise of stock options

 

160

 

2

 

 

1,747

 

 

 

 

 

1,749

 

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $576

 

2,875

 

29

 

 

173,512

 

 

 

 

 

173,541

 

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

3,425

 

 

 

 

 

3,425

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

28

 

 

 

1,255

 

 

 

 

 

1,255

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

23,506

 

$

235

 

$

(1,659

)

$

350,573

 

 

 

$

11,609

 

$

59,250

 

$

420,008

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of Clean Harbors, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Clean Harbors” or the “Company”) and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments which, except as described elsewhere herein, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to Note 17, “Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries” prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(2) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 as of January 1, 2008. Although the adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not materially impact its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow, the Company is now required to provide additional disclosures as part of its financial statements.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”)  No. 157-2 (“FSP SFAS No. 157-2”) which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, for one year.  The Company expects the application of the fair value framework established by SFAS No. 157 to non-financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active” (FSP 157-3), which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 when the market for a financial asset is inactive. Specifically, FSP 157-3 clarifies how (1) management’s internal assumptions should be considered in measuring fair value when observable data are not present, (2) observable market information from an inactive market should be taken into account, and (3) the use of broker quotes or pricing services should be considered in assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data to measure fair value. FSP 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included, but were not limited to, the Company’s auction rate securities classified as available for sale and reflected at fair value.  The fair values of these securities as of September 30, 2008 were estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis.  The discounted cash flow analyses considered, among other items, the collateralization underlying the security investments, the creditworthiness of the counterparty, the timing of expected future cash flows, and the expectation of the next time the security is expected to have a successful auction.  These securities were also compared, when possible, to other observable market data with similar characteristics to the securities held by the Company.  Prior to January 1, 2008, fair value was based on quoted market prices in the auction rate security markets.

 

As of September 30, 2008, all of the Company’s auction rate securities continue to have AAA underlying ratings. The underlying assets of the Company’s auction rate securities are student loans, which are substantially insured by the Federal Family Education Loan Program.  As a result of the temporary declines in fair value for the Company’s auction rate securities, which the Company attributes to external liquidity issues rather than credit issues, the Company has recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $0.4 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008.   There was no adjustment during the

 

6



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three-month period ended September 30, 2008.  The year-to-date unrealized loss resulted in an after tax reduction for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 of $0.2 million to accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Company assessed this decline in value to be temporary due to the relatively short period of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than par, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the underlying issuers, and the anticipated recovery in the market value.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company continued to earn interest on all of its auction rate security instruments.  Any future fluctuation in fair value related to these instruments that the Company deems to be temporary, including any recoveries of previous write-downs, would be recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that any future fair value adjustments were other than temporary, it would record a charge to earnings as appropriate.

 

The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 157 at September 30, 2008, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets
for Identical 
Assets 
(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2)

 

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3)

 

Balance at 
September 
30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,625

 

$

6,625

 

Marketable securities

 

$

428

 

$

 

$

 

$

428

 

 

Based on market conditions, the Company changed its valuation methodology for auction rate securities to a discounted cash flow analysis or significant other observable inputs, during first quarter 2008.  Accordingly, the inputs used to value these securities changed from Level 1 to either Level 2 or Level 3 within SFAS No. 157’s hierarchy since the Company’s initial adoption of SFAS No. 157 at January 1, 2008.

 

The following table presents the Company’s long-term investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in SFAS No. 157 at September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

2008

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

 

Transfer to Level 3 from Level 1

 

7,000

 

Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income

 

(884

)

Balance at March 31, 2008

 

6,116

 

Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income

 

509

 

Balance at June 30, 2008

 

6,625

 

Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

6,625

 

 

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position SFAS No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP SFAS No. 142-3”). FSP SFAS No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, and other US GAAP. FSP SFAS No. 142-3 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting FSP SFAS No. 142-3 on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, (“SFAS No. 162”), which becomes effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) amendments to US Auditing Standards (“AU”) Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with US GAAP. This standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

 

In June 2008, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 08-3, Accounting by Lessees for Maintenance Deposits under Lease Agreements (“EITF No. 08-3”). EITF No. 08-3 provides that all nonrefundable maintenance deposits paid by a lessee, under an arrangement accounted for as a lease, should be accounted

 

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for as a deposit. When the underlying maintenance is performed, the deposit is expensed or capitalized in accordance with the lessee’s maintenance accounting policy. Once it is determined that an amount on deposit is not probable of being used to fund future maintenance expense, it is recognized as additional rent expense at that time. EITF No. 08-3 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting EITF No. 08-3 on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

(3) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

On March 14, 2008, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of privately-held Universal Environmental, Inc., an environmental services company headquartered in Benicia, California, with a site office in Sparks, Nevada.  In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company also acquired the land surrounding the California office.   The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments based upon the amount by which Universal Environmental, Inc.’s net working capital as of the closing date exceeded or was less than $1.0 million.   The preliminary calculation of the purchase price was $14.6 million and the allocation of the preliminary purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are described in the table below. The primary reason for the acquisition was to expand Site Services into new geographical locations.

 

On March 21, 2008, the Company acquired two solvent recycling facilities, one in Chicago, Illinois and the other in Hebron, Ohio, and the businesses associated with those facilities from Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. under two separate purchase agreements.  During the second quarter, the Company determined that the purchase of these facilities should be treated as one unit of accounting.  Accordingly, the purchase price, assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been combined as one acquisition for accounting purposes.  As of September 30, 2008, the combined preliminary purchase price was $12.9 million for the Hebron and Chicago businesses.  The Company anticipates that these acquisitions will broaden the services it can offer to customers and enhance its market share in the solvent recycling business.  In conjunction with the acquisition of Hebron, the Company entered into a dry cleaning service agreement with Safety-Kleen System, Inc. whereby the Company will handle and dispose of dry cleaning solvents for a two year period.  The Company will receive a minimum of $9.0 million in revenue over this period.

 

The calculations of the preliminary purchase price and the preliminary allocation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Universal 

Environmental, 
Inc. (1)

 

Solvent 

Recycling 
Facilities (2)

 

Preliminary purchase price

 

 

 

 

 

Cash consideration

 

$

12,706

 

$

12,500

 

Acquisition costs

 

106

 

370

 

Estimated amount due to the seller for working capital adjustments

 

1,835

 

 

Total estimated purchase price

 

$

14,647

 

$

12,870

 

Preliminary allocation of purchase price

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

4,049

 

$

530

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

7,873

 

13,671

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,153

 

Customer lists and other intangibles

 

3,987

 

900

 

Total assets acquired

 

15,909

 

16,254

 

Liabilities assumed

 

(1,262

)

(3,384

)

Net assets acquired

 

$

14,647

 

$

12,870

 

 

Management has determined the preliminary purchase price allocations based on estimates of the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  Such amounts are subject to adjustment based on the additional information necessary, as discussed below, to determine fair values.

 


(1) An estimate of $0.3 million has been calculated as negative goodwill, which represents the excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired over the purchase price. Negative goodwill has been proportionally allocated to property, plant and equipment ($0.2 million) and customer lists and other intangibles ($0.1 million). The intangible assets are being amortized over their useful lives of nine years.  The purchase price and related allocation are preliminarily determined and will be revised for any remaining working capital adjustments and additional information regarding tax assets, tax liabilities and tax attributes.

 

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(2) The preliminary purchase price reflects an excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately $1.2 million, which has been recorded as goodwill.  The entire amount of goodwill has been assigned to the Technical Services segment and such amount is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.   The purchase price and related allocation are preliminarily determined and will be revised as a result of adjustments made to the purchase price and additional information regarding liabilities assumed.

 

The results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the respective dates of acquisition. On a proforma basis, the acquisitions completed during the first quarter were not material to the Company’s results of operations.

 

In August 2007, the Company acquired certain assets owned by Romic Environmental Technologies Corporation (“Romic”), which specialized in the collection and recycling of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, for $8.6 million. The purchase price was subject to an adjustment equal to 40% of revenues generated from Romic customers for the six-month period subsequent to the acquisition.  The final contingent payment due Romic of $2.2 million was paid, net of amounts due the Company, on March 31, 2008.

 

The following is the calculation of the final purchase price and the final summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed after all purchase price adjustments (in thousands):

 

Final purchase price

 

 

 

Cash consideration

 

$

7,362

 

Acquisition costs

 

883

 

Reduction of existing Romic receivables

 

308

 

Total purchase price

 

$

8,553

 

Summary of net assets acquired

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

114

 

Equipment

 

693

 

Customer list and other intangibles

 

7,811

 

Total assets acquired

 

8,618

 

Liabilities assumed

 

(65

)

Net assets acquired

 

$

8,553

 

 

Management has determined the final purchase price allocation based on estimates of the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  Negative goodwill of $7.3 million was proportionally allocated to equipment ($0.6 million) and customer lists and other intangibles ($6.7 million). The intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted average useful life of 8 years.

 

(4) LANDFILL ASSETS

 

Changes to landfill assets for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

2008

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

29,925

 

Asset retirement costs

 

862

 

Capital additions

 

4,818

 

Changes in estimates of landfill closure and post-closure liabilities

 

348

 

Currency translation

 

(869

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

35,084

 

 

(5) INVESTMENTS

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company’s investments included $6.6 million of auction rate securities classified on the Company’s balance sheet as non-current, available for sale securities.  Prior to January 1, 2008, the Company generally invested in auction rate securities for short periods of time as part of its cash management program.  Due to recent events in credit markets, the auction events for some of these instruments held by the Company failed during the first nine months of 2008.  The Company is unable to determine when the market for student loan collateralized instruments will recover and therefore has classified the auction rate securities as non-current and has included them in long-term investments on its unaudited consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008.

 

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(6) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Below is a summary of amortizable intangible assets (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Net

 

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Net

 

Permits

 

$

98,477

 

$

33,423

 

$

65,054

 

$

98,391

 

$

30,902

 

$

67,489

 

Customer lists and other intangible assets

 

17,722

 

6,548

 

11,174

 

12,861

 

5,541

 

7,320

 

 

 

$

116,199

 

$

39,971

 

$

76,228

 

$

111,252

 

$

36,443

 

$

74,809

 

 

The increase in customer lists and other intangible assets is based primarily on preliminary estimates of the fair values of intangible assets acquired during March 2008.   The goodwill balance as of September 30, 2008 also increased $1.2 million from December 31, 2007 as a result of the acquisition of the solvent recovery facilities.  The foregoing includes estimates that are subject to change based upon final fair value determination.

 

(7) OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

Insurance

 

$

15,477

 

$

12,984

 

Interest

 

1,663

 

5,367

 

Accrued disposal costs

 

2,471

 

2,998

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

22,476

 

19,938

 

Other items

 

26,890

 

24,502

 

 

 

$

68,977

 

$

65,789

 

 

(8) CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES

 

The changes to closure and post-closure liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Landfill 

Retirement 
Liability

 

Non-Landfill 
Retirement 
Liability

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

22,896

 

$

6,833

 

$

29,729

 

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions

 

 

418

 

418

 

New asset retirement obligations

 

862

 

 

862

 

Accretion

 

2,276

 

645

 

2,921

 

Changes in estimate recorded to statement of operations

 

(527

)

529

 

2

 

Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet

 

348

 

 

348

 

Settlement of obligations

 

(1,088

)

(951

)

(2,039

)

Currency translation and other

 

(138

)

(24

)

(162

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

24,629

 

$

7,450

 

$

32,079

 

 

All of the landfill facilities included above were active as of September 30, 2008.

 

New asset retirement obligations incurred in 2008 are being discounted at the credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 10.12% and inflated at a rate of 2.44%.

 

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(9) REMEDIAL LIABILITIES

 

The changes to remedial liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Remedial 
Liabilities for 
Landfill Sites

 

Remedial
Liabilities for 
Inactive Sites

 

Remedial 
Liabilities 
(Including 
Superfund) for
Non-Landfill 
Operations

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

5,682

 

$

88,619

 

$

60,458

 

$

154,759

 

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions

 

 

 

2,585

 

2,585

 

Accretion

 

198

 

3,112

 

1,847

 

5,157

 

Changes in estimate recorded to statement of operations

 

(175

)

(38

)

(1,304

)

(1,517

)

Settlement of obligations

 

(74

)

(2,811

)

(7,640

)

(10,525

)

Currency translation and other

 

(190

)

714

 

(3,275

)

(2,751

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

5,441

 

$

89,596

 

$

52,671

 

$

147,708

 

 

The $2.6 million of liabilities assumed relates to remediation liabilities at one of the Company’s solvent recovery facilities acquired in March 2008.  Such remedial liabilities have been preliminarily determined and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the purchase price.

 

(10) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

 

The following table is a summary of the Company’s financing arrangements (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

 

Senior secured notes, bearing interest at 11.25%, collateralized by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets within the United States except for accounts receivable (maturity date of July 15, 2012)

 

$

41,518

 

$

91,518

 

Revolving facility

 

 

 

Term loan with a financial institution, bearing interest at the U.S. prime rate (5.00% at September 30, 2008) plus 1.5%, or the Eurodollar rate (2.47% at September 30, 2008) plus 2.50%, collateralized by a first-priority lien (second priority as to accounts receivable) on substantially all of the Company’s assets within the United States (maturity date of December 1, 2010)

 

30,000

 

30,000

 

Less unamortized issue discount

 

(310

)

(806

)

Less debt classified as current

 

(18,486

)

 

Long-term debt

 

$

52,722

 

$

120,712

 

 

The fair value of the senior secured notes at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $42.9 million and $93.8 million, respectively, and calculated based on quoted prices for identical or similar liabilities in markets that are not active (Level 2 inputs).

 

On July 28, 2008, pursuant to a redemption notice delivered on June 25, 2008, the Company redeemed $50.0 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes. The redemption resulted in a $4.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, which included a $2.8 million prepayment penalty and a write-off of unamortized financing costs and unamortized discount, of $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2008, the revolving facility had $30.3 million available to borrow, and $39.7 million of letters of credit outstanding. The synthetic line of credit facility had $48.0 million of letters of credit outstanding.

 

The indenture under which the Company’s senior secured notes are outstanding provides for certain covenants, the most restrictive of which requires the Company, within 120 days after the close of each twelve-month period ending on June 30 of each year (beginning June 30, 2005 and ending on June 30, 2011) to apply an amount (the “Excess Cash Flow Amount”) equal to 50% of the period’s Excess Cash Flow (as defined below) to either (i) prepay, repay, redeem or purchase the Company’s first-lien obligations under the revolving facility and synthetic letter of credit facility or capitalized lease obligations or (ii) make offers (“Excess Cash Flow Offers”) to repurchase all or part of the then outstanding senior secured notes at an offering price equal to 104%

 

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of their principal amount plus accrued interest. “Excess Cash Flow” is defined in the Indenture as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) less interest expense, all taxes paid or accrued in the period, capital expenditures made in cash during the period, and all cash spent on environmental monitoring, remediation or relating to our environmental liabilities.

 

On October 8, 2008, the Company made an Excess Cash Flow Offer in accordance with the terms described above based on the Company’s Excess Cash Flow Amount of $19.2 million for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2008. In response to tenders received from note holders prior to the expiration of the offer on November 7, 2008, the Company has agreed to purchase on November 12, 2008 an aggregate of $18.5 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes for a purchase price of $19.2 million and also then pay approximately $0.7 million of accrued interest through the purchase date on the purchased notes.

 

(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company’s waste management services are regulated by federal, state, provincial and local laws enacted to regulate discharge of materials into the environment, remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater or otherwise protect the environment. This ongoing regulation results in the Company frequently becoming a party to judicial or administrative proceedings involving all levels of governmental authorities and other interested parties. The issues involved in such proceedings generally relate to applications for permits and licenses by the Company and conformity with legal requirements, alleged violations of existing permits and licenses or requirements to clean up contaminated sites. At September 30, 2008, the Company was involved in various proceedings which are described in Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Company’s audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The disclosures below relate to material contingencies associated with litigation existing at the end of the most recent year or events subsequent to the end of the most recent fiscal year that have occurred which had, or could have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Legal Proceedings Related to Acquisition of CSD Assets

 

Effective September 7, 2002 (the “Closing Date”), the Company purchased from Safety-Kleen Services, Inc. and certain of its domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Sellers”) substantially all of the assets of the Chemical Services Division (the “CSD”) of Safety-Kleen Corp. The Company purchased the CSD assets pursuant to a sale order (the “Sale Order”) issued by the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) which had jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 proceedings involving the Sellers, and the Company therefore took title to the CSD assets without assumption of any liability (including pending or threatened litigation) of the Sellers except as expressly provided in the Sale Order. However, under the Sale Order (which incorporated by reference certain provisions of the Acquisition Agreement between the Company and Safety-Kleen Services, Inc.), the Company became subject as of the Closing Date to certain legal proceedings which are now either pending or threatened involving the CSD assets. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had reserves of $25.6 million (substantially all of which the Company had established as part of the purchase price for the CSD assets) relating to the Company’s estimated potential liabilities in connection with such legal proceedings. At December 31, 2007, the Company estimated that it was “reasonably possible” as that term is defined in SFAS No. 5 (“more than remote but less than likely”), that the amount of such total liabilities could be up to $3.8 million greater than the $32.6 million reserve balance at December 31, 2007. The Company believes that as of September 30, 2008, the reasonably possible potential liability has been reduced to $3.1 million. The Company periodically adjusts the aggregate amount of such reserves when such potential liabilities are paid or otherwise discharged or additional relevant information becomes available. Substantially all of the Company’s legal proceedings liabilities are environmental liabilities and, as such, are included in the tables of changes to remedial liabilities disclosed as part of Note 9, “Remedial Liabilities.”

 

Ville Mercier Legal Proceedings.  The CSD assets included a subsidiary (the “Mercier Subsidiary”) which owns and operates a hazardous waste incinerator in Ville Mercier, Quebec (the “Mercier Facility”). A property owned by the Mercier Subsidiary adjacent to the current Mercier Facility is now contaminated as a result of actions dating back to 1968, when the Quebec government issued to the unrelated company which then owned the Mercier Facility two permits to dump organic liquids into lagoons on the property. By 1972, groundwater contamination had been identified, and the Quebec government provided an alternate water supply to the municipality of Ville Mercier.

 

In 1999, Ville Mercier and three neighboring municipalities filed separate legal proceedings against the Mercier Subsidiary and certain related companies together with certain former officers and directors, as well as against the Government of Quebec. The lawsuits assert that the defendants are jointly and severally responsible for the contamination of

 

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groundwater in the region, which the plaintiffs claim was caused by contamination from the former Ville Mercier lagoons and which they claim caused each municipality to incur additional costs to supply drinking water for their citizens since the 1970’s and early 1980’s. The four municipalities claim a total of $1.6 million (CDN) as damages for additional costs to obtain drinking water supplies and seek an injunctive order to obligate the defendants to remediate the groundwater in the region. The Quebec Government also sued the Mercier Subsidiary to recover approximately $17.4 million (CDN) of alleged past costs for constructing and operating a treatment system and providing alternative drinking water supplies. The Mercier Subsidiary continues to assert that it has no responsibility for the groundwater contamination in the region.

 

On September 26, 2007, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks issued a Notice pursuant to Section 115.1 of the Environment Quality Act, superceding Notices issued in 1992, which are the subject of the pending litigation. The more recent Notice notifies the Mercier Subsidiary that, if the Mercier Subsidiary does not take certain remedial measures at the site, the Minister intends to undertake those measures at the site and claim direct and indirect costs related to such measures. The Mercier Subsidiary continues to assert that it has no responsibility for the matter and will contest any action by the Ministry to impose costs for remedial measures on the Mercier Subsidiary. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had accrued $12.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively, for remedial liabilities relating to the Ville Mercier legal proceedings.

 

Properties Included in CSD Assets. The CSD assets include a former hazardous waste incinerator and landfill in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (“BR Facility”) undergoing remediation pursuant to an order issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (the “LDEQ”). In December 2003, the Company received an information request from the EPA pursuant to the Superfund Act concerning the Devil’s Swamp Lake Site (“Devil’s Swamp”) in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. On March 8, 2004, the EPA proposed to list Devil’s Swamp on the National Priorities List for further investigations and possible remediation. Devil’s Swamp includes a lake located downstream of an outfall ditch where wastewaters and stormwaters have been discharged from the BR Facility, as well as extensive swamplands adjacent to it. Contaminants of concern (“COCs”) cited by the EPA as a basis for listing the site include substances of the kind found in wastewaters discharged from the BR Facility in past operations. While the Company’s ongoing corrective actions at the BR Facility may be sufficient to address the EPA’s concerns, there can be no assurance that additional action will not be required and that the Company will not incur material costs. In September 2007 the EPA sent Special Notice Letters to certain generators of waste materials containing COCs that had shipped the COCs to the BR Facility in the past and that EPA believes may be liable under Superfund laws, requiring those generators to submit a good faith offer to conduct a remedial investigation feasibility study directed towards the eventual remediation of Devil’s Swamp. Negotiations with EPA and the COC’s generators are progressing.  The Company cannot presently estimate the Company’s potential additional liability for Devil’s Swamp associated with this investigation.

 

Marine Shale Processors.  A portion of the reserves which the Company maintained as of September 30, 2008 for potential legal liabilities associated with the CSD assets relates to Marine Shale Processors, Inc. (“Marine Shale”) located in Amelia, Louisiana. Marine Shale operated a kiln which incinerated waste producing a vitrified aggregate as a by-product. Marine Shale contended that its operation recycled waste into a useful product, i.e., vitrified aggregate, and therefore was exempt from regulation under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and permitting requirements as a hazardous waste incinerator under applicable federal and state environmental laws. The EPA contended that Marine Shale was a “sham-recycler” subject to the regulation and permitting requirements as a hazardous waste incinerator under RCRA, that its vitrified aggregate by-product was a hazardous waste, and that Marine Shale’s continued operation without required permits was illegal. Litigation between the EPA and Marine Shale began in 1990 and continued until July 1996 when the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Marine Shale to shutdown its operations. During the course of its operation, Marine Shale produced thousands of tons of aggregate, some of which was sold as fill material at various locations in the vicinity of Amelia, Louisiana, but most of which was stockpiled on the premises of the Marine Shale facility. Almost all of this aggregate has since been moved to a nearby site owned by an affiliate of Marine Shale, known as Recycling Park, Inc. (“RPI”). In accordance with a court order authorizing the movement of this material to this offsite location, all of the materials located at the RPI site comply with the land disposal restrictions of RCRA. Approximately 7,000 tons of aggregate remain on the Marine Shale site. Moreover, as a result of past operations, soil and groundwater contamination may exist on the Marine Shale facility and the RPI site.

 

On May 11, 2007, the EPA and the LDEQ issued a Special Notice to the Company, seeking a good faith offer to address site remediation at the former Marine Shale facility. Other PRPs also received Special Notices, and the other PRPs and the Company have formed a group (the “Site Group”) and common counsel for the Site Group has been chosen. The Site Group made a good faith settlement offer to the EPA on November 29, 2007. Although the Company was never a customer of Marine Shale and does not believe that it is liable for the Sellers’ liability as a customer at the Marine Shale site, the Company has elected to join with the Site Group and participate in further negotiations with the EPA and the LDEQ regarding a remedial investigation feasibility study directed towards the eventual remediation of the Marine Shale site. As of

 

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September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the amount of the Company’s remaining reserves relating to the Marine Shale site was $3.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

 

Third Party Superfund Sites.  Prior to the Closing Date, the Sellers had generated or shipped hazardous wastes, which are present on an aggregate of 35 sites owned by third parties, which have been designated as federal or state Superfund sites and at which the Sellers, along with other parties, had been designated as PRPs. Under the Acquisition Agreement and the Sale Order, the Company agreed with the Sellers that it would indemnify the Sellers against the Sellers’ share of the cleanup costs payable to governmental entities in connection with those 35 sites, which were listed in Exhibit A to the Sale Order (the “Listed Third Party Sites”). At 29 of the Listed Third Party Sites, the Sellers had addressed, prior to the Company’s acquisition of the CSD assets in September 2002, the Sellers’ cleanup obligations to the federal and state governments and to other PRPs by entering into consent decrees or other settlement agreements or by participating in ongoing settlement discussions or site studies and, in accordance therewith, the PRP group is generally performing or has agreed to perform the site remediation program with government oversight. With respect to two of those 29 Listed Third Party Sites, certain developments have occurred since the Company’s purchase of the CSD assets which have affected the Company’s estimated liabilities relating to those sites. Of the remaining Listed Third Party Sites, the Company, on behalf of the Sellers, is contesting with the governmental entities and PRP groups involved the Sellers’ liability at two sites, has settled the Sellers’ liability at two sites, and plans to fund participation by the Sellers as settling PRPs at two sites. In addition, the Company has confirmed that the Sellers were ultimately not named as PRPs at one site. With respect to all of the 35 Listed Third Party Sites, the Company had reserves of $3.5 million and $7.7 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.   The decrease in 2008 was primarily due to one specific site discussed below.

 

With respect to one of the 35 Listed Third Party Sites (the “Helen Kramer Landfill Site”), the Sellers had entered into settlement agreements with certain members of the PRP group which agreed to perform the cleanup of that site in accordance with a consent decree with governmental entities, in return for which the Sellers received a conditional release from such governmental entities. Following the Sellers’ commencement of their bankruptcy proceeding, the Sellers failed to satisfy their payment obligations to those PRPs under those settlement agreements.

 

In November 2003, certain of the PRPs made a demand directly on the Company for the Sellers’ share of the cleanup costs incurred by those PRPs with respect to the Helen Kramer Landfill Site. In February 2005 the Company commenced litigation against those PRPs that progressed through various courts for the past three years. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company established $3.1 million of reserves for this matter.  In the third quarter of 2008, the Company reached a settlement with the defendants which ended the litigation in exchange for the Company’s payment of $3.3 million.

 

By letters to the Company dated between September 2004 and May 2006, the Sellers identified, in addition to the 35 Listed Third Party Sites, five additional sites owned by third parties which the EPA or a state environmental agency has designated as a Superfund site or potential Superfund site and at which one or more of the Sellers have been named as a PRP or potential PRP. In those letters, the Sellers asserted that the Company has an obligation to indemnify the Sellers for their share of the potential cleanup costs associated with such five additional sites. The Company has responded to such letters from the Sellers by stating that, under the Sale Order, the Company has no obligation to reimburse the Sellers for any cleanup and related costs (if any) which the Sellers may incur in connection with such additional sites. The Company intends to assist the Sellers in providing information now in the Company’s possession with respect to such five additional sites and to participate in negotiations with the government agencies and PRP groups involved. In addition, at one of those five additional sites, the Company may have some liability independently of the Sellers’ involvement with that site, and the Company may also have certain defense and indemnity rights under contractual agreements for prior acquisitions relating to that site. Accordingly, the Company is investigating that site further. However, the Company now believes that it has no liabilities with respect to the potential cleanup of those five additional sites that are both probable and estimable at this time, and the Company therefore has not established any reserves for any potential liabilities of the Sellers in connection therewith. At one site the potential liability of the Sellers is de minimis and a settlement has already been offered to the Sellers to that effect, and at one site the Company believes that the Sellers shipped no wastes or substances into the site and therefore the Sellers have no liability. For the other three sites, the Company cannot estimate the amount of the Sellers’ liabilities, if any, at this time.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other Legal Proceedings Related to CSD Assets

 

Plaquemine, Louisiana Facility.  In addition to the legal proceedings related to the acquisition of the CSD assets described above, subsequent to the acquisition in September 2002 various plaintiffs filed five lawsuits based in part upon allegations relating to ownership and operation of a deep injection well facility near Plaquemine, Louisiana which Clean Harbors Plaquemine, LLC (“CH Plaquemine”), one of the Company’s subsidiaries, acquired as part of the CSD assets. On October 17, 2006, CH Plaquemine (which operated at a loss during the past two years prior to that date) ceased operations and filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Company believes that the filing of that Chapter 11 petition by CH Plaquemine has had no adverse effect on the Company’s other operations.

 

On September 13, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court approved a global settlement of the five lawsuits described above and another, non-material suit filed by one of the plaintiffs in such lawsuits, pursuant to which CH Plaquemine has agreed to settle all of the pending lawsuits, subject to certain contingencies and court proceedings which must still take place before the settlement can be consummated. The Company had recorded a reserve of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2007 pertaining to this potential settlement.  A plan of reorganization and disclosure statement were filed in January 2008. In August 2008, a settlement payment of $2.2 million was made to fund the subsidiary’s settlement of all of the pending lawsuits, effectively ending the litigation. On September 30, 2008, the subsidiary’s plan of reorganization became effective, and the subsidiary has now emerged from bankruptcy protection.

 

Legal Proceedings Not Related to CSD Assets

 

In addition to the legal proceedings relating to the CSD assets, the Company is also involved in certain legal proceedings related to environmental matters which have arisen for other reasons.

 

Superfund Sites Not Related to CSD Acquisition.  The Company has been named as a PRP at 29 sites that are not related to the CSD acquisition. Fourteen of these sites involve two subsidiaries which the Company acquired from ChemWaste, a former subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc. As part of that acquisition, ChemWaste agreed to indemnify the Company with respect to any liability of those two subsidiaries for waste disposed of before the Company acquired them. Accordingly, Waste Management is paying all costs of defending those two subsidiaries in those 14 cases, including legal fees and settlement costs.

 

As of both September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had reserves of $0.6 million for cleanup of Superfund sites not related to the CSD acquisition at which either the Company or a predecessor has been named as a PRP. However, there can be no guarantee that the Company’s ultimate liabilities for these sites will not materially exceed this amount or that indemnities applicable to any of these sites will be available to pay all or a portion of related costs. Included in the above noted reserve at both September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was a potential liability where the Company was issued an official Notice Letter in February 2007 pertaining to its involvement at a state Superfund site in Niagara Falls, New York where it may have incurred liability for past waste shipments. No indemnification exists for this site.  Along with numerous other PRPs at this site, the Company has signed a Consent Order with the New York regulators committing to conduct further site investigations.

 

Lopez Lawsuit.  The Company has been involved in several lawsuits (collectively, the “Lopez Lawsuit”) arising out of a complaint originally filed in 2003 by Mr. Eddie Lopez and his wife, Ms. Sandy Lopez, against Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (“CHES”).  The remaining active case is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinios (the “District Court”).The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in the District Court on December 3, 2007, which alleges that Mr. Lopez was exposed to toxic fumes and thereby suffered severe injuries while employed by a Clean Harbors’ vendor to  pick up dumpsters at the “Clean Harbors facility” in Chicago, Illinois. The amended complaint seeks damages in an unspecified amount for personal injury, loss of income and loss of consortium. The Company believes that the claims made against CHES in the Lopez Lawsuit are fully defensible on the merits and intends to vigorously defend against such claims.

 

On April 6, 2008, the insurance company that had originally been notified and had agreed to indemnify and defend Clean Harbors but had issued a reservation of rights letter filed a complaint in the District Court seeking a declaratory judgment that it has no obligation to defend or indemnify Clean Harbors.  Clean Harbors has notified two other insurance companies that have agreed to indemnify and defend Clean Harbors but have also issued reservation of rights letters.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In October, the Company received notification that insurance coverage will be provided.   The Company now believes that there will be no material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows resulting from this lawsuit.

 

State and Provincial Regulatory Proceedings

 

From time to time, the Company pays fines or penalties in regulatory proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. As of September 30, 2008, there were two additional proceedings to those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and for which the Company reasonably believes that the sanctions could equal or exceed $100,000. The matters involve allegations that the Company (i) stored polychlorinated biphenyls, or “PCBs,” in tanks in violation of a facility’s permit; and (ii) improperly managed containers prior to incineration in violation of a facility’s permit and violated federal air regulations at an operating landfill as a result of a few small fires. The Company does not believe that the fines or other penalties in any of these matters will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

London, Ontario Facility.  On or about July 7, 2008 the Company was advised by the Crown that it intended to withdraw its appeal of the Ontario Superior Court’s October 23, 2007 ruling upholding a lower court ruling quashing charges filed against a Company subsidiary.  This action by the Crown will terminate these proceedings without liability to the Company.

 

(12) INCOME TAXES

 

The income tax expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year. The effective tax rate decreased in 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily related to the increase in pre-tax book income while permanent items remained relatively constant.

 

 As of September 30, 2008 the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $72.0 million which included $17.8 million of interest and $4.9 million of penalties.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $67.8 million which included $13.8 million of interest and $4.0 million of penalties. The increase in unrecognized tax benefits relates entirely to accrued interest and penalties.

 

Due to expiring statues in Canada, the Company anticipates that total unrecognized tax benefits other than adjustments for additional accruals for interest and penalties and foreign currency translation, will decrease by approximately $2.1 million within the next twelve months.   The $2.1 million is related to a business combination in Canada and as such will be recorded as a reduction of intangible assets and will not impact the income tax provision.

 

(13) EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share computations (in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September, 2008

 

Three Months Ended September, 2007

 

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share 
Amount

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share 
Amount

 

Basic income attributable to common stockholders before effect of dilutive securities

 

$

14,628

 

23,423

 

$

0.62

 

$

12,871

 

19,840

 

$

0.65

 

Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and warrants

 

 

399

 

(0.01

)

69

 

846

 

(0.02

)

Diluted income attributable to common stockholders

 

$

14,628

 

23,822

 

$

0.61

 

$

12,940

 

20,686

 

$

0.63

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share 
Amount

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share 
Amount

 

Basic income attributable to common stockholders before effect of dilutive securities

 

$

39,537

 

22,052

 

$

1.79

 

$

27,423

 

19,788

 

$

1.39

 

Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and warrants

 

 

478

 

(0.04

)

206

 

927

 

(0.06

)

Diluted income attributable to common stockholders

 

$

39,537

 

22,530

 

$

1.75

 

$

27,629

 

20,715

 

$

1.33

 

 

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(14) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On April 29, 2008, the Company issued 2.875 million shares of common stock, including 375,000 shares of common stock issued upon exercise of an underwriters’ option, at a public offering price of $63.75 per share.   After deducting the underwriter discount and offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds of $173.5 million from the issuance.

 

(15) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The following table summarizes the total number and type of awards granted during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, as well as the related weighted-average grant-date fair values:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended 
September 30, 2008

 

Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Stock options

 

 

$

 

18,000

 

$

33.33

 

Restricted stock awards

 

 

 

1,000

 

69.78

 

Performance stock awards

 

1,380

 

68.00

 

92,936

 

66.21

 

Common stock awards

 

 

$

 

2,700

 

$

66.18

 

Total awards

 

1,380

 

 

 

114,636

 

 

 

 

The performance stock awards granted in 2008 are subject to achieving predetermined revenue and EBITDA targets by December 31, 2009 and also include continued service conditions.   If the Company does not achieve the performance goals by the end of 2009, the shares will be forfeited in their entirety.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, management believed that it was probable that the performance targets will be achieved.

 

(16) SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company has two reportable segments: Technical Services and Site Services. Performance of the segments is evaluated on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring, severance charges, other refinancing-related expenses, (gain) loss on disposal of assets held for sale, other (income) expense, and loss on refinancing (“Adjusted EBITDA Contribution”). Transactions between the segments are accounted for at the Company’s estimate of fair value based on similar transactions with outside customers.

 

The operations not managed through the Company’s two operating segments are presented herein as “Corporate Items.” Corporate Items revenues consist of two different operations where the revenues are insignificant. Corporate Items cost of revenues represents certain central services that are not allocated to the segments for internal reporting purposes. Corporate Items selling, general and administrative expenses include typical corporate items such as legal, accounting and other items of a general corporate nature that are not allocated to the Company’s two segments.

 

The following table reconciles third party revenues to direct revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands). The Company has modified the presentation to combine intersegment revenues and expenses. The modification had no impact on the third party and direct revenue amounts previously reported. Outside or third party revenue is revenue billed to our customers by a particular segment. Direct revenue is the revenue allocated to the segment performing the provided service. The Company analyzes results of operations based on direct revenues because the Company believes that these revenues and related expenses best reflect the manner in which operations are managed. Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Technical
Services

 

Site 
Services

 

Corporate 
Items

 

Total

 

Third party revenues

 

$

169,767

 

$

103,383

 

$

7

 

$

273,157

 

Intersegment revenues, net

 

9,186

 

(8,685

(501

 

Direct revenues

 

$

178,953

 

$

94,698

 

$

(494

)

$

273,157

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Technical
Services

 

Site 
Services

 

Corporate 
Items

 

Total

 

Third party revenues

 

$

170,421

 

$

75,071

 

$

15

 

$

245,507

 

Intersegment revenues, net

 

4,254

 

(3,894

(360

 

Direct revenues

 

$

174,675

 

$

71,177

 

$

(345

)

$

245,507

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

 

 

Technical 
Services

 

Site 
Services

 

Corporate 
Items

 

Total

 

Third party revenues

 

$

515,233

 

$

265,672

 

$

20

 

$

780,925

 

Intersegment revenues, net

 

22,191

 

(20,477

(1,714

 

Direct revenues

 

$

537,424

 

$

245,195

 

$

(1,694

)

$

780,925

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Technical 
Services

 

Site 
Services

 

Corporate 
Items

 

Total

 

Third party revenues

 

$

475,297

 

$

213,914

 

$

28

 

$

689,239

 

Intersegment revenues, net

 

11,889

 

(10,996

(893

 

Direct revenues

 

$

487,186

 

$

202,918

 

$

(865

)

$

689,239

 

 

The following table presents information used by management by reported segment (in thousands). The Company does not allocate interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, accretion of environmental liabilities, gain or loss on disposal of assets held for sale, other income or expense, or losses on refinancing to its reported segments.

 

 

 

For the Three Months 
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months 
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

45,443

 

43,482

 

133,231

 

110,180

 

Site Services

 

19,266

 

13,227

 

42,435

 

34,014

 

Corporate Items

 

(19,353

)

(18,301

)

(53,786

)

(48,491

)

Total

 

45,356

 

38,408

 

121,880

 

95,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

2,682

 

2,715

 

8,078

 

7,743

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,414

 

9,814

 

32,695

 

27,801

 

Income from operations

 

31,260

 

25,879

 

81,107

 

60,159

 

Other expense (income)

 

104

 

(61

)

149

 

(62

)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

4,251

 

 

4,251

 

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

1,889

 

3,022

 

7,789

 

9,901

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

$

25,016

 

$

22,918

 

$

68,918

 

 

50,320

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table presents property, plant and equipment by reported segment and in the aggregate (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

$

233,133

 

$

216,796

 

Site Services

 

30,880

 

20,105

 

Corporate or other assets

 

30,385

 

25,700

 

 

 

$

294,398

 

$

262,601

 

 

The following table presents intangible assets by reported segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

22,578

 

$

21,424

 

Permits and other intangibles, net

 

67,033

 

69,995

 

Total Technical Services

 

89,611

 

91,419

 

Site Services

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

148

 

148

 

Permits and other intangibles, net

 

9,195

 

4,814

 

Total Site Services

 

9,343

 

4,962

 

Total

 

$

98,954

 

$

96,381

 

 

The following table presents the total assets by reported segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

Technical Services

 

$

453,399

 

$

369,053

 

Site Services

 

56,195

 

37,710

 

Corporate Items

 

411,348

 

363,125

 

Total

 

$

920,942

 

$

769,888

 

 

The following table presents the total assets by geographical area (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30, 
2008

 

December 31, 
2007

 

United States

 

$

776,941

 

$

631,630

 

Canada

 

144,001

 

138,258

 

Total

 

$

920,942

 

$

769,888

 

 

(17) GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES

 

On June 30, 2004, $150.0 million of senior secured notes were issued by the parent company, Clean Harbors, Inc., and were guaranteed by all of the parent’s material subsidiaries organized in the United States.  As of September 30, 2008, the principal balance of the outstanding senior secured notes was $41.5 million.  The notes are not guaranteed by the Company’s Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries. The following presents condensed consolidating financial statements for the parent company, the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean 
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating 
Adjustments

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

137,005

 

$

59,222

 

$

56,732

 

$

 

$

252,959

 

Intercompany receivables

 

 

 

82,030

 

(82,030

)

 

Other current assets

 

11,423

 

206,752

 

30,381

 

 

248,556

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

258,169

 

36,229

 

 

294,398

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

414,133

 

157,881

 

91,654

 

(663,668

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

 

113,240

 

3,701

 

(116,941

)

 

Other long-term assets

 

20,098

 

73,843

 

31,088

 

 

125,029

 

Total assets

 

$

582,659

 

$

869,107

 

$

331,815

 

$

(862,639

)

$

920,942

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

21,795

 

$

167,064

 

$

22,377

 

$

 

$

211,236

 

Intercompany payables

 

32,640

 

49,390

 

 

(82,030

)

 

Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net

 

 

144,564

 

18,150

 

 

162,714

 

Long-term debt

 

52,722

 

 

 

 

52,722

 

Capital lease obligations, net

 

 

306

 

115

 

 

421

 

Intercompany note payable

 

3,701

 

 

113,240

 

(116,941

)

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

51,793

 

1,650

 

20,398

 

 

73,841

 

Total liabilities

 

162,651

 

362,974

 

174,280

 

(198,971

)

500,934

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

420,008

 

506,133

 

157,535

 

(663,668

)

420,008

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

582,659

 

$

869,107

 

$

331,815

 

$

(862,639

)

$

920,942

 

 

Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at December 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

35,925

 

$

32,301

 

$

51,312

 

$

 

$

119,538

 

Intercompany receivables

 

2,521

 

 

80,521

 

(83,042

)

 

Other current assets

 

12,287

 

220,060

 

28,553

 

 

260,900

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

230,449

 

32,152

 

 

262,601

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

344,953

 

140,298

 

91,654

 

(576,905

)

 

Intercompany note receivable

 

 

121,445

 

3,701

 

(125,146

)

 

Other long-term assets

 

22,631

 

68,396

 

35,822

 

 

126,849

 

Total assets

 

$

418,317

 

$

812,949

 

$

323,715

 

$

(785,093

)

$

769,888

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

43,504

 

$

143,672

 

$

23,677

 

$

 

$

210,853

 

Intercompany payables

 

 

83,042

 

 

(83,042

)

 

Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net

 

 

145,752

 

19,878

 

 

165,630

 

Long-term debt

 

120,712

 

 

 

 

120,712

 

Capital lease obligations, net

 

 

1,174

 

346

 

 

1,520

 

Intercompany note payable

 

3,701

 

 

121,445

 

(125,146

)

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

47,503

 

 

20,773

 

 

68,276

 

Total liabilities

 

215,420

 

373,640

 

186,119

 

(208,188

)

566,991

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

202,897

 

439,309

 

137,596

 

(576,905

)

202,897

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

418,317

 

$

812,949

 

$

323,715

 

$

(785,093

)

$

769,888

 

 

20



Table of Contents

 

Following is the consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean 
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

234,006

 

$

38,693

 

$

458

 

$

273,157

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

164,607

 

21,998

 

458

 

187,063

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

22

 

35,226

 

5,490

 

 

40,738

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

 

2,410

 

272

 

 

2,682

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

10,091

 

1,323

 

 

11,414

 

Income from operations

 

(22

)

21,672

 

9,610

 

 

31,260

 

Other expense

 

 

(92

)

(12

)

 

(104

)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

(4,251

)

 

 

 

(4,251

)

Interest (expense) income

 

(1,894

)

(230

)

235

 

 

(1,889

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

28,508

 

6,509

 

 

(35,017

)

 

Intercompany dividend income

 

 

 

3,286

 

(3,286

)

 

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

3,170

 

(3,170

)

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

22,341

 

31,029

 

9,949

 

(38,303

)

25,016

 

Provision for income taxes

 

7,713

 

317

 

2,358

 

 

10,388

 

Net income

 

$

14,628

 

$

30,712

 

$

7,591

 

$

(38,303

)

$

14,628

 

 

Following is the consolidating statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean 
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

210,638

 

$

34,769

 

$

100

 

$

245,507

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

147,526

 

21,381

 

100

 

169,007

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

31,164

 

6,928

 

 

38,092

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

 

2,453

 

262

 

 

2,715

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,425

 

1,389

 

 

9,814

 

Income from operations

 

 

21,070

 

4,809

 

 

25,879

 

Other income

 

 

56

 

5

 

 

61

 

Interest (expense) income

 

(3,478

)

52

 

404

 

 

(3,022

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

27,114

 

5,738

 

 

(32,852

)

 

Intercompany dividend income

 

 

 

3,275

 

(3,275

)

 

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

3,183

 

(3,183

)

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

23,636

 

30,099

 

5,310

 

(36,127

)

22,918

 

Provision for income taxes

 

10,696

 

316

 

(1,034

)

 

9,978

 

Net income

 

$

12,940

 

$

29,783

 

$

6,344

 

$

(36,127

)

$

12,940

 

 

Following is the consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

671,349

 

$

114,747

 

$

(5,171

)

$

780,925

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

469,907

 

70,905

 

(5,171

)

535,641

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

22

 

105,760

 

17,622

 

 

123,404

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

 

7,252

 

826

 

 

8,078

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28,904

 

3,791

 

 

32,695

 

Income from operations

 

(22

)

59,526

 

21,603

 

 

81,107

 

Other expense

 

 

(142

)

(7

)

 

(149

)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

(4,251

)

 

 

 

(4,251

)

Interest (expense) income

 

(8,511

)

(378

)

1,100

 

 

(7,789

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

75,068

 

15,033

 

 

(90,101

)

 

Intercompany dividend income

 

 

 

10,083

 

(10,083

)

 

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

9,727

 

(9,727

)

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

62,284

 

83,766

 

23,052

 

(100,184

)

68,918

 

Provision for income taxes

 

22,747

 

973

 

5,661

 

 

29,381

 

Net income

 

$

39,537

 

$

82,793

 

$

17,391

 

$

(100,184

)

$

39,537

 

 

21



Table of Contents

 

Following is the consolidating statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean
 Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

594,864

 

$

98,450

 

$

(4,075

)

$

689,239

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

426,097

 

63,871

 

(4,075

)

485,893

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

85,740

 

21,903

 

 

107,643

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

 

7,021

 

722

 

 

7,743

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

23,152

 

4,649

 

 

27,801

 

Income from operations

 

 

52,854

 

7,305

 

 

60,159

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

69

 

(7

)

 

62

 

Interest (expense) income

 

(10,334

)

(517

)

950

 

 

(9,901

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

59,184

 

6,373

 

 

(65,557

)

 

Intercompany dividend income

 

 

 

9,313

 

(9,313

)

 

Intercompany interest income (expense)

 

 

9,009

 

(9,009

)

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

48,850

 

67,788

 

8,552

 

(74,870

)

50,320

 

Provision for income taxes

 

21,221

 

617

 

853

 

 

22,691

 

Net income

 

$

27,629

 

$

67,171

 

$

7,699

 

$

(74,870

)

$

27,629

 

 

Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Clean
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

 

 

$

(29,109

)

$

87,004

 

$

18,338

 

$

76,233

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

(30,783

)

(8,435

)

(39,218

)

Costs to obtain or renew permits

 

 

 

 

(2,310

)

126

 

(2,184

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

 

 

 

 

442

 

7

 

449

 

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

(2,000

)

 

(553

)

(2,553

)

Sale of marketable securities

 

 

 

4,350

 

 

 

4,350

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

(27,582

)

 

 

(27,582

)

Net cash from investing activities

 

 

 

(25,232

)

(32,651

)

(8,855

)

(66,738

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in uncashed checks

 

 

 

 

1,766

 

(231

)

1,535

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

1,749

 

 

 

1,749

 

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

 

 

 

1,255

 

 

 

1,255

 

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

 

 

 

1,200

 

 

 

1,200

 

Remittance of shares

 

 

 

(489

)

 

 

(489

)

Payments of capital leases

 

 

 

 

(1,616

)

(232

)

(1,848

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net

 

 

 

173,541

 

 

 

173,541

 

Principal payment on debt

 

 

 

(50,000

)

 

 

(50,000

)

Prepayment penalty on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

(2,813

)

 

 

(2,813

)

Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 

 

 

3,396

 

 

 

3,396

 

Intercompany financing

 

 

 

27,582

 

(27,582

)

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

 

155,421

 

(27,432

)

(463

)

127,526

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

 

 

(3,600

)

(3,600

)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

101,080

 

26,921

 

5,420

 

133,421

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

 

35,925

 

32,301

 

51,312

 

119,538

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

 

 

$

137,005

 

$

59,222

 

$

56,732

 

$

252,959

 

 

22



Table of Contents

 

Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Clean 
Harbors, Inc.

 

U.S. Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Foreign 
Non-
Guarantor 
Subsidiaries

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities (1)

 

$

4,285

 

$

35,561

 

$

9,937

 

$

49,783

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(20,819

)

(2,995

)

(23,814

)

Costs to obtain or renew permits

 

 

(984

)

(2

)

(986

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

 

 

208

 

295

 

503

 

Cost of available-for-sale securities

 

(1,010

)

 

 

(1,010

)

Acquisition costs

 

(7,192

)

 

 

(7,192

)

Net cash from investing activities

 

(8,202

)

(21,595

)

(2,702

)

(32,499

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in uncashed checks

 

 

(5,910

)

(829

)

(6,739

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,303

 

 

 

1,303

 

Deferred financing costs incurred

 

(32

)

 

 

(32

)

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

 

850

 

 

 

850

 

Dividend payments on preferred stock

 

(206

)

 

 

(206

)

Payments of capital leases

 

 

(1,007

)

(156

)

(1,163

)

Other

 

(69

)

 

 

(69

)

Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 

1,536

 

 

 

1,536

 

Interest (payments) / received

 

 

10,223

 

(10,223

)

 

Dividends (paid) received

 

 

(11,777

)

11,777

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

3,382

 

(8,471

)

569

 

(4,520

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

5,542

 

5,542

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(535

)

5,495

 

13,346

 

18,306

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

822

 

44,854

 

27,874

 

73,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

287

 

$

50,349

 

$

41,220

 

$

91,856

 

 


(1)

Adjustments of ($59,184) and ($6,373) for Clean Harbors, Inc. and U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries, respectively, were made between investing activities and operating activities to correct amounts previously reported. The adjustments eliminate in consolidation and were considered immaterial.

 

ITEM 2.               MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In addition to historical information, this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements, which are generally identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans to,” “estimates,” “projects,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2008 under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

Overview

 

We provide a wide range of environmental services and solutions to a diversified customer base in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada. Throughout North America, we perform environmental services through a network of service locations, and operate incineration facilities, commercial landfills, wastewater treatment operations, and transportation, storage and disposal facilities, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCB”) management facilities and oil and used oil products recycling facilities.  In March 2008, we also acquired and now operate two solvent recycling facilities. We seek to be recognized by customers as the premier supplier of a broad range of value-added environmental services based upon quality, responsiveness, customer service, information technologies, breadth of product offerings and cost effectiveness.

 

The wastes handled include materials that are classified as “hazardous” because of their unique properties, as well as other materials subject to federal and state environmental regulation. We provide final treatment and disposal services designed to manage hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, which cannot be economically recycled or reused. We transport, treat and dispose of industrial wastes for commercial and industrial customers, health care providers, educational and research organizations, other environmental services companies and governmental entities.

 

Our Technical Services collects and transports containerized and bulk waste; performs categorization, specialized repackaging, treatment and disposal of laboratory chemicals and household hazardous wastes, which are referred to as CleanPack® services; and offers Apollo Onsite Services, which customize environmental programs at customer sites. This is accomplished through our network of service centers where a fleet of trucks, rail or other transport is dispatched to pick up customers’ waste either on a pre-determined schedule or on demand, and then to deliver waste to a permitted facility. From the service centers, chemists can also be dispatched to a customer location for the collection of chemical waste for disposal.

 

Our Site Services provide highly skilled experts utilizing specialty equipment and resources to perform services, such as industrial maintenance, surface remediation, groundwater restoration, site and facility decontamination, emergency response, site remediation, PCB disposal and oil disposal at the customer’s site or another location. These services are dispatched on a scheduled or emergency basis.

 

Environmental Liabilities

 

We have accrued environmental liabilities, as of September 30, 2008, of approximately $179.8 million, substantially all of which we assumed as part of our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of the Chemical Services Division, or “CSD,” of Safety-Kleen Corp. in September 2002 and several subsequent acquisitions. We anticipate such liabilities will be payable over many years and that cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to fund the payment of such liabilities when required. However, events not now anticipated (such as future changes in environmental laws and regulations) could require that such payments be made earlier or in greater amounts than currently anticipated.

 

The Company realized a net benefit in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, of $1.5 million related to changes in our environmental liability estimates. Changes in environmental liability estimates include changes in landfill retirement liability estimates, which are recorded as cost of revenues, and changes in non-landfill retirement and remedial liability estimates, which are recorded as selling, general, and administrative costs.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the net $1.5 million benefit included a $0.5 million benefit recorded as cost of revenues and a $1.0 million benefit recorded as selling, general, and administrative costs.

 

Closure and Post-closure Liabilities

 

The changes to closure and post-closure liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Landfill 
Retirement 
Liability

 

Non-Landfill
Retirement 
Liability

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

22,896

 

$

6,833

 

$

29,729

 

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions

 

 

418

 

418

 

New asset retirement obligations

 

862

 

 

862

 

Accretion

 

2,276

 

645

 

2,921

 

Changes in estimate recorded to statement of operations

 

(527

)

529

 

2

 

Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet

 

348

 

 

348

 

Settlement of obligations

 

(1,088

)

(951

)

(2,039

)

Currency translation and other

 

(138

)

(24

)

(162

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

24,629

 

$

7,450

 

$

32,079

 

 

24



Table of Contents

 

Remedial Liabilities

 

The changes to remedial liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Remedial
Liabilities for 
Landfill Sites

 

Remedial 
Liabilities for 
Inactive Sites

 

Remedial 
Liabilities 
(Including 
Superfund) for 
Non-Landfill
Operations

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

5,682

 

$

88,619

 

$

60,458

 

$

154,759

 

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions

 

 

 

2,585

 

2,585

 

Accretion

 

198

 

3,112

 

1,847

 

5,157

 

Changes in estimate recorded to statement of operations

 

(175

)

(38

)

(1,304

)

(1,517

)

Settlement of obligations

 

(74

)

(2,811

)

(7,640

)

(10,525

)

Currency translation and other

 

(190

)

714

 

(3,275

)

(2,751

)

Balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

5,441

 

$

89,596

 

$

52,671

 

$

147,708

 

 

The $2.6 million of liabilities assumed relates to remediation liabilities at our solvent recovery facility at Hebron, Ohio acquired in March 2008.  Such remedial liabilities have been preliminarily determined and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the purchase price.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain operating data associated with our results of operations. This table and subsequent discussions should be read in conjunction with Item 6, “Selected Financial Data,” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Item 1, “Financial Statements,” in this report.

 

 

 

Percentage of Total Revenues

 

 

 

For the Three Months 
Ended 
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months 
Ended 
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)

 

68.5

 

68.8

 

68.6

 

70.5

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

14.9

 

15.5

 

15.8

 

15.6

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

1.0

 

1.2

 

1.0

 

1.2

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4.2

 

4.0

 

4.2

 

4.0

 

Income from operations

 

11.4

 

10.5

 

10.4

 

8.7

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

(1.6

)

 

(0.5

)

 

Interest (expense), net of interest income

 

(0.7

)

(1.2

)

(1.0

)

(1.4

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

9.1

 

9.3

 

8.9

 

7.3

 

Provision for income taxes

 

3.8

 

4.0

 

3.8

 

3.3

 

Net income

 

5.3

%

5.3

%

5.1

%

4.0

%

 

Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”)

 

We define Adjusted EBITDA (a measure not defined under generally accepted accounting principles) as the term “EBITDA” is defined in our current credit agreement and indenture for covenant compliance purposes. This definition is net income (loss) plus accretion of environmental liabilities, depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, non-recurring severance charges, other non-recurring refinancing-related expenses, gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be a measurement of performance which provides useful information to both management and investors. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income or loss or other measurements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated identically by all companies and therefore our measurements of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

For the nine months ended:

 

 

 

September 30,
2008

 

September 30,
2007

 

September 30,
2008

 

September 30,
2007

 

Net income

 

$

14,628

 

$

12,940

 

$

39,537

 

$

27,629

 

Accretion of environmental liabilities

 

2,682

 

2,715

 

8,078

 

7,743

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,414

 

9,814

 

32,695

 

27,801

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

4,251

 

 

4,251

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

1,889

 

3,022

 

7,789

 

9,901

 

Provision for income taxes

 

10,388

 

9,978

 

29,381

 

22,691

 

Other expense (income)

 

104

 

(61

)

149

 

(62

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

45,356

 

$

38,408

 

$

121,880

 

$

95,703

 

 

The following reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to cash from operations for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

121,880

 

$

95,703

 

Interest expense, net

 

(7,789

)

(9,901

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(29,381

)

(22,691

)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

67

 

212

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount

 

1,517

 

1,462

 

Change in environmental estimates

 

(1,515

)

(2,289

)

Deferred income taxes

 

1,910

 

(5,055

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2,782

 

2,903

 

Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation

 

(3,396

)

 

Income tax benefits related to stock option exercises

 

3,425

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

8,490

 

(8,408

)

Other current assets

 

1,998

 

(10,526

)

Accounts payable

 

(8,761

)

193

 

Other current liabilities

 

(2,430

)

13,081

 

Environmental expenditures

 

(12,564

)

(4,901

)

Net cash from operating activities

 

$

76,233

 

$

49,783

 

 

Segment data

 

Performance of our segments is evaluated on several factors of which the primary financial measure is Adjusted EBITDA. The following table sets forth certain operating data associated with our results of operations and summarizes Adjusted EBITDA contribution by operating segment for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands). The Adjusted EBITDA contribution from each operating segment includes revenue attributable to each segment less operating expenses, which include cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. Revenues attributable to each segment are generally external or direct revenue from third party customers. Certain income or expenses of a non-recurring or unusual nature are not included in the operating segment Adjusted EBITDA contribution. This table and subsequent discussions should be read in conjunction with Item 6, “Selected Financial Data,” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and in particular Note 17, “Segment Reporting” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Item 1, “Financial Statements” and in particular Note 16, “Segment Reporting” in this report.

 

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Three months ended September 30, 2008 versus the three months ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Summary of Operations (in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007(1)

 

Change

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

$

178,953

 

$

174,675

 

$

4,278

 

2.4

%

Site Services

 

94,698

 

71,177

 

23,521

 

33.0

 

Corporate Items

 

(494

)

(345

)

(149

)

(43.2

)

Total

 

273,157

 

245,507

 

27,650

 

11.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

119,226

 

115,931

 

3,295

 

2.8

 

Site Services

 

66,934

 

51,478

 

15,456

 

30.0

 

Corporate Items

 

903

 

1,598

 

(695

)

(43.5

)

Total

 

187,063

 

169,007

 

18,056

 

10.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

14,284

 

15,262

 

(978

)

(6.4

)

Site Services

 

8,498

 

6,472

 

2,026

 

31.3

 

Corporate Items

 

17,956

 

16,358

 

1,598

 

9.8

 

Total

 

40,738

 

38,092

 

2,646

 

6.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

45,443

 

43,482

 

1,961

 

4.5

 

Site Services

 

19,266

 

13,227

 

6,039

 

45.7

 

Corporate Items

 

(19,353

)

(18,301

)

(1,052

)

(5.7

)

Total

 

$

45,356

 

$

38,408

 

$

6,948

 

18.1

%

 


(1)           Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

Revenues

 

Technical Services revenues increased 2.4 %, or $4.3 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in pricing ($10.5 million), new business, increases in fuel recovery fees, and stronger performance in the transportation and disposal business lines, partially offset by a nationwide reduction in landfill volumes ($11.3 million). The new business was generated primarily from the acquisitions of two solvent recovery facilities.

 

Site Services revenues increased 33%, or $23.5 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to several significant emergency response projects ($9.1 million), pricing increases, and new business.  The new business reflected primarily increases in services for existing customers and the effect of the Universal Environmental acquisition.

 

There are many factors which have impacted, and continue to impact, our revenues. These factors include, but are not limited to: the level of emergency response projects; competitive industry pricing, continued efforts by generators of hazardous waste to reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce, significant consolidation among treatment and disposal companies, and industry-wide overcapacity.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Technical Services costs of revenues increased 2.8%, or $3.3 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to higher vehicle and fuel related costs ($3.6 million), labor expenses ($1.8 million), and materials and other costs ($1.7 million). These increases were partially offset by a decrease in outside transportation costs ($3.8 million).

 

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Site Services costs of revenues increased 30.0%, or $15.5 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in subcontractor ($4.4 million), labor ($3.8 million), vehicle and fuel ($3.2 million), and material and other costs ($4.1 million). The increase in subcontractor costs was related to the increase in the size of the emergency response projects.  The increase in labor costs was attributable to business growth and the Universal Environmental acquisition.

 

Corporate Items costs of revenues decreased 43.5%, or $0.7 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due primarily to a reduction in insurance premiums.

 

We believe that our ability to manage operating costs is important in our ability to remain price competitive. We continue to upgrade the quality and efficiency of our waste treatment services through the development of new technology and continued modifications and upgrades at our facilities, and implementation of strategic sourcing initiatives. We plan to continue to focus on achieving cost savings relating to purchased goods and services through a strategic sourcing initiative. No assurance can be given that our efforts to reduce future operating expenses will be successful.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Technical Services selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 6.4% or $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to a favorable change in environmental liability estimate ($1.3 million), offset by an increase in professional fees ($0.3).

 

Site Services selling, general and administrative expenses increased 31.3%, or $2.0 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in labor costs and incentive compensation. The increase in labor costs was due to our expansion into the West and Mid-West Regions.

 

Corporate Items selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9.8%, or $1.6 million, in the third quarter of 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 primarily due to increases in salaries and bonuses ($1.2 million), professional fees ($0.6 million), unfavorable changes in environmental liability estimates at two closed facilities ($0.8 million), and other expenses ($0.3 million). The increases were partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar ($1.6 million). The increase in professional fees was primarily attributable to the termination of negotiations relating to a proposed acquisition during the quarter. Increases in salaries and bonuses were due to expansion and improved performance.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Depreciation of fixed assets

 

$

8,780

 

$

7,022

 

Landfill and other amortization

 

2,634

 

2,792

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

11,414

 

$

9,814

 

 

Depreciation and amortization increased 16.3% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Depreciation of fixed assets increased due to increased capital expenditures in recent periods and acquisitions. Landfill and other amortization decreased due to decreases in landfill disposal volumes.

 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

 

On July 28, 2008, pursuant to a redemption notice delivered on June 25, 2008, we redeemed $50.0 million principal amount of senior secured notes, recognizing a $4.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt in the period ended September 30, 2008.  This loss consisted of a $2.8 million prepayment penalty and a write-off of the $1.1 million unamortized portion of financing costs and $0.4 million of unamortized discount on the redeemed notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest expense

 

$

3,347

 

$

4,188

 

Interest income

 

(1,458

)

(1,166

)

Interest expense, net

 

$

1,889

 

$

3,022

 

 

Interest expense, net decreased 37.5% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Interest expense decreased due to the early termination of capital leases, a reduction in interest rates, and the July 2008 redemption of $50.0 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes. Interest income increased due to the interest earned on the proceeds from the issuance of common stock in April 2008.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 4%, or $0.4 million, to $10.4 million from $10.0 million for the comparable period in 2007 mainly due to higher income before taxes. Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2008 consisted of a current tax expense relating to the Canadian operations of $2.0 million, federal income tax of $5.2 million, a state income tax expense of $1.9 million, other foreign locations of $0.1 million, and interest and penalties of $1.2 million related to tax contingencies.  Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2007 consisted of a current tax benefit relating to the Canadian operations of $1.7 million, federal income tax expense of $8.5 million, and a state income tax expense of $1.7 million relating to profitable operations in certain legal entities and interest and penalties of $1.5 million related to tax contingencies.

 

SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires that a valuation allowance be established when, based on an evaluation of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our valuation allowance remained at approximately $10.0 million.

 

Management recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, included gross accrued interest and penalties of $22.7 million and $17.8 million, respectively. Tax expense for each of the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 included interest and penalties, net of tax, of $1.2 million.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

 

 

Summary of Operations (in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

2008

 

2007(1)

 

Change

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

$

537,424

 

$

487,186

 

$

50,238

 

10.3

%

Site Services

 

245,195

 

202,918

 

42,277

 

20.8

 

Corporate Items

 

(1,694

)

(865

)

(829

)

95.8

 

Total

 

780,925

 

689,239

 

91,686

 

13.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

355,054

 

331,725

 

23,329

 

7.0

 

Site Services

 

178,994

 

150,626

 

28,368

 

18.8

 

Corporate Items

 

1,593

 

3,542

 

(1,949

)

(55.0

)

Total

 

535,641

 

485,893

 

49,748

 

10.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

49,139

 

45,281

 

3,858

 

8.5

 

Site Services

 

23,766

 

18,278

 

5,488

 

30.0

 

Corporate Items

 

50,499

 

44,084

 

6,415

 

14.6

 

Total

 

123,404

 

107,643

 

15,761

 

14.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Services

 

133,231

 

110,180

 

23,051

 

20.9

 

Site Services

 

42,435

 

34,014

 

8,421

 

24.8

 

Corporate Items

 

(53,786

)

(48,491

)

(5,295

)

10.9

 

Total

 

$

121,880

 

$

95,703

 

$

26,177

 

27.4

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Revenues

 

Technical Services revenues increased 10.3 %, or $50.2 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in pricing ($35.2 million), new business, the strengthening of the Canadian dollar ($5.7 million), and stronger performance in the transportation and disposal business lines, partially offset by a nationwide reduction in landfill volumes ($13.6 million). The new business was generated primarily from the acquisitions of Romic and two solvent recovery facilities.

 

Site Services revenues increased 20.8%, or $42.3 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to several significant emergency response projects ($7.2 million), pricing increases, new business, improvement in our large project business growth ($6.9 million), organic growth, and the strengthening of the Canadian dollar ($0.7 million).  The new business reflected primarily increases in services for existing customers and the effect of the Universal Environmental acquisition.

 

There are many factors which have impacted, and continue to impact, our revenues. These factors include, but are not limited to: the level of emergency response projects; competitive industry pricing, continued efforts by generators of hazardous waste to reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce, significant consolidation among treatment and disposal companies, and industry-wide overcapacity.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Technical Services costs of revenues increased 7.0%, or $23.3 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 primarily due to higher labor expenses ($8.0 million), vehicle and fuel related costs ($10.5 million), utility expense ($3.6 million), foreign exchange ($3.6 million), and outside disposal costs ($3.0 million). These increases were partially offset by a decrease in outside transportation costs ($8.0 million).  The increase in labor costs was attributable in part to the recent acquisitions of two solvent recovery facilities.  The increase in vehicle costs and the decrease in equipment rental costs were partly attributable to the Company’s effort to internalize equipment costs through capital expenditures. The effect of foreign exchange on costs of revenues was due to the strengthening Canadian dollar during the period.

 

Site Services costs of revenues increased 18.8%, or $28.4 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in labor ($9.0 million), vehicle and fuel ($6.8 million), subcontractor ($4.3 million), outside transportation and disposal ($4.2 million), and material and other costs ($3.5 million). Also increasing costs of revenues was the strengthening of the Canadian dollar ($0.6 million). The increase in subcontractor costs was related to the increase in the size of the emergency response projects occurring during the period.  The increase in labor costs was attributable to the Universal Environmental acquisition.

 

Corporate Items costs of revenues decreased 55.0%, or $1.9 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 primarily due to a reduction in licensing and insurance costs.

 

We believe that our ability to manage operating costs is important in our ability to remain price competitive. We continue to upgrade the quality and efficiency of our waste treatment services through the development of new technology and continued modifications and upgrades at our facilities, and implementation of strategic sourcing initiatives. We plan to continue to focus on achieving cost savings relating to purchased goods and services through a strategic sourcing initiative. No assurance can be given that our efforts to reduce future operating expenses will be successful.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Technical Services selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.5%, or $3.9 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in labor costs and incentive compensation

 

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($4.7 million), professional fees ($0.5 million), and the strengthening Canadian dollar ($0.2). These increases were offset by a favorable change in environmental liability estimate ($1.5 million).

 

Site Services selling, general and administrative expenses increased 30.0%, or $5.5 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 due to increases in labor costs and incentive compensation ($4.8 million), travel expenses ($0.5), and office rent ($0.2 million). The increase in labor costs and office rent was due to our expansion into the West and Mid-West Regions.

 

Corporate Items selling, general and administrative expenses increased 14.6%, or $6.4 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the comparable period in 2007 primarily due to increases in salaries and bonuses ($6.0 million), professional fees ($2.0 million), and unfavorable changes in environmental liability estimates at two closed facilities ($2.3 million). The increases were partially offset by foreign currency translation gains on US dollars held in Canada ($3.9 million). The increase in professional fees was primarily attributable to the termination of negotiations relating to a proposed acquisition during the period ended September 30, 2008.  Increases in salaries and bonuses were due to expansion and improved performance.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Depreciation of fixed assets

 

$

24,265

 

$

19,907

 

Landfill and other amortization

 

8,430

 

7,894

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

32,695

 

$

27,801

 

 

Depreciation and amortization increased 17.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Depreciation of fixed assets increased due to increased capital expenditures in recent periods and acquisitions. Landfill and other amortization increased due to increases in amortization of permits and other intangibles related to the recent acquisitions.

 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

 

On July 28, 2008, pursuant to a redemption notice delivered on June 25, 2008, we redeemed $50.0 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes, recognizing a $4.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt in the period ended September 30, 2008.  This loss consisted of a $2.8 million prepayment penalty and a write-off of the $1.1 million unamortized portion of financing costs and $0.4 million of unamortized discount on the redeemed notes.

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Interest expense

 

$

11,741

 

$

12,614

 

Interest income

 

(3,952

)

(2,713

)

Interest expense, net

 

$

7,789

 

$

9,901

 

 

Interest expense, net decreased 21.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Interest expense decreased due to the termination of capital leases, a reduction in interest rates and the July 2008 redemption of the $50.0 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes. Interest income increased due to the interest earned on the proceeds from the issuance of common stock in April 2008.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased 29.5% or $6.7 million to $29.4 million from $22.7 million for the comparable period in 2007 mainly due to higher income before taxes.  Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 consisted of a current tax expense relating to the Canadian operations of $3.6 million, federal income tax of $15.6 million, a state income tax expense of $5.2 million, other foreign locations of $0.8 million and interest and penalties of $4.2 million related to tax contingencies.  Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 consisted of a current tax benefit relating to the Canadian operations of $0.8 million, federal income tax

 

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Table of Contents

 

of $15.7 million, a state income tax expense of $3.6 million, and interest and penalties of $4.2 million related to tax contingencies.

 

SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires that a valuation allowance be established when, based on an evaluation of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had a remaining valuation allowance of approximately $10.0 million.  The allowance consists of $8.6 million of foreign tax credits and $1.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards related to tax deductions for the exercise of non-qualified stock options.

 

Management recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, included gross accrued interest and penalties of $22.7 million and $17.8 million, respectively. Tax expense for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 included interest and penalties, net of tax, of $4.2 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Major changes in our financial position resulted from:

 

·                  During the first nine months of 2008 we acquired Universal Environmental, Inc. and two solvent recycling facilities for a preliminary aggregate purchase price of $27.5 million.

 

·                  In April 2008 we issued 2.875 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $173.5 million.  We expect to use the net proceeds for one or more of the following: potential future acquisitions, repayment of debt and working capital.

 

·                  In July 2008, pursuant to a redemption notice delivered on June 25, 2008, we redeemed $50.0 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes and paid prepayment penalties of $2.8 million.

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, existing cash, marketable securities, funds available to borrow under our revolving facility, and funds raised in our April 2008 public offering of stock. As of September 30, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were $253.0 million and funds available to borrow under the revolving facility were $30.3 million.

 

We intend to use our existing cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and cash flow from operations to provide for our working capital needs and to fund capital expenditures. We anticipate that our cash flow provided by operating activities will provide the necessary funds on a short- and long-term basis to meet operating cash requirements. We had accrued environmental liabilities as of September 30, 2008 of approximately $179.8 million, substantially all of which we assumed in connection with our acquisition of the CSD assets in September 2002 and several subsequent acquisitions. We anticipate such liabilities will be payable over many years and that cash flow from operations will generally be sufficient to fund the payment of such liabilities when required. However, events not anticipated (such as future changes in environmental laws and regulations) could require that such payments be made earlier or in greater amounts than currently anticipated, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

 

Cash from operating activities in the first nine months of 2008 was $76.2 million, an increase of 53.1%, or $26.5 million, compared with cash from operating activities in the first nine months of 2007. The increase was primarily the result of price increases, new business generated from acquisitions and stronger performance in the transportation and disposal business lines.

 

Cash used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2008 was $66.7 million, an increase of 105%, or $34.2 million, compared with cash used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2007.  The increase was primarily the result of acquisition costs and an increase in capital expenditures, partially offset by the sale of marketable securities.

 

Cash from financing activities in the first nine months of 2008 was $127.5 million, an increase of $132.0 million, compared to cash used for financing activities in the first nine months of 2007. The increase was primarily the result of proceeds from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by redemption of $50 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financing Arrangements

 

At September 30, 2008, we had outstanding $41.5 million of senior secured notes due 2012, a $70.0 million revolving credit facility, a $50.0 million synthetic letter of credit facility, and a $30.0 million term loan.   The financing arrangements and principal terms of the each are discussed further in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The indenture under which our senior secured notes are outstanding provides for certain covenants, the most restrictive of which requires us, within 120 days after the close of each twelve-month period ending on June 30 of each year (beginning June 30, 2005 and ending on June 30, 2011) to apply an amount (the “Excess Cash Flow Amount”) equal to 50% of the period’s Excess Cash Flow (as defined below) to either (i) prepay, repay, redeem or purchase our first-lien obligations under the revolving credit facility and synthetic letter of credit facility or capitalized lease obligations or (ii) make offers (“Excess Cash Flow Offers”) to repurchase all or part of the then outstanding senior secured notes at an offering price equal to 104% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. “Excess Cash Flow” is defined in the Indenture as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) less interest expense, all taxes paid or accrued in the period, capital expenditures made in cash during the period, and all cash spent on environmental monitoring, remediation or relating to our environmental liabilities.

 

On October 8, 2008, we made an Excess Cash Flow Offer in accordance with the terms described above based on our Excess Cash Flow Amount of $19.2 million for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2008. In response to tenders received from note holders prior to the expiration of the offer on November 7, 2008, we have agreed to purchase on November 12, 2008 an aggregate of $18.5 million principal amount of outstanding senior secured notes for a purchase price of $19.2 million and also then pay approximately $0.7 million of accrued interest through the purchase date on the purchased notes.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of all of the Company’s debt agreements.

 

Liquidity Impacts of Uncertain Tax Positions

 

As discussed in Note 12, “Income Taxes,” to our financial statements included in Item 1 of this report, we have significant liabilities associated with potential tax liabilities and related interest and penalties aggregating $72.0 million. These liabilities are classified as “other long-term liabilities” in our unaudited consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the provision of FIN 48 adopted on January 1, 2007 because of the uncertainties involved. We are not able to reasonably estimate when we would make any cash payments to settle these liabilities, which related to unrecognized tax benefits for which the statute of limitations might expire without examination by the respective taxing authority.  However, we do not believe material cash payments will be required in the next 12 months.

 

Auction Rate Securities

 

As of September 30, 2008, our long-term investments included $6.6 million of available for sale auction rate securities. With the liquidity issues experienced in global credit and capital markets, these auction rate securities have experienced multiple failed auctions and as a result are currently not liquid. All of our auction rate securities are secured by student loans, which are substantially insured by the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Additionally, all of our auction rate securities maintain the highest credit rating of AAA. All of these securities continue to pay interest according to their stated terms with interest rates resetting generally every 28 days.

 

We believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations and do not plan to access these funds in the foreseeable future. During the second quarter we accepted an offer to purchase a $1.5 million auction rate security at par and it was settled in May 2008. In the unlikely event that we need to access the funds that are in an illiquid state, we may not be able to do so without the possible loss of principal, until a future auction for these investments is successful, another secondary market evolves for these securities, they are redeemed by the issuer, or they mature. If we are unable to sell these securities in the market or they are not redeemed, we could be required to hold them to maturity. These securities are currently reflected at their fair value utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis.  As of September 30, 2008, we have recorded an unrealized pre-tax loss of $0.4 million, which we assess as temporary. We will continue to monitor and evaluate these investments on an ongoing basis for other than temporary impairment and record a charge to earnings as appropriate.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other Stockholder Matters

 

On May 15, 2008 and September 23, 2008, we granted a total of 92,936 performance share awards that are subject to achieving predetermined revenue and EBITDA targets by December 31, 2009 and also include continued service conditions.   If the Company does not achieve the performance goals by the end of 2009, the shares will be forfeited in their entirety.  For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, we believed that it was probable that the performance targets will be achieved.

 

In July 2008, warrants for an aggregate of 150,000 shares were exercised for $1.2 million in cash.   As of September 30, 2008, warrants for an aggregate of 198,690 shares remained outstanding.   These remaining warrants were exercised in October 2008 for $1.6 million.

 

ITEM 3.                    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are subject to market risk on the interest that we pay on our debt due to changes in the general level of interest rates. Our philosophy in managing interest rate risk is to borrow at fixed rates for longer time horizons to finance non-current assets and to borrow (to the extent, if any, required) at variable rates for working capital and other short-term needs. The following table provides information regarding our fixed rate borrowings at September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

Scheduled Maturity Dates

 

Three
Months
Remaining
2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Senior secured notes

 

$

18,486

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

23,032

 

$

 

$

41,518

 

Capital lease obligations

 

174

 

432

 

165

 

113

 

21

 

 

905

 

 

 

$

18,660

 

$

432

 

$

165

 

$

113

 

$

23,053

 

$

 

$

42,423

 

Weighted average interest rate on fixed rate borrowings

 

11.5

%

11.5

%

11.5

%

11.5

%

11.5

%

11.5

%

 

 

 

In addition to the fixed rate borrowings described in the above table, we had at September 30, 2008 (i) a $70.0 million revolving facility (ii) a $50.0 million synthetic LC facility, and (iii) a $30.0 million term loan. At September 30, 2008, we had: (i) no borrowings and $39.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the revolving facility and (ii) $48.0 million of letters of credit outstanding under the synthetic LC facility. Borrowings outstanding under the revolving facility bear interest at an annual rate of either the U.S. or Canadian prime rate (depending on the currency of the underlying loan), or the Eurodollar rate plus 1.50%, and we are required to pay fees at an annual rate of 1.5% on the amount of letters of credit outstanding under the revolving facility and an unused line fee of 0.125% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving facility. As of September 30, 2008, we were required to pay a quarterly participation fee at the annual rate of 2.85% on the $50.0 million maximum amount of the synthetic LC facility and a quarterly fronting fee at an annual rate of 0.30% of the average daily aggregate amount of letters of credit outstanding under the synthetic LC facility. The term loan bears interest, at our option, at the Eurodollar rate plus 2.5% or the U.S. prime rate plus 1.5%. Had the interest rate on our variable borrowings been 10% higher, we would have reported decreased net income of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

We are subject to market risks associated with our investment in auction rate securities which aggregated $6.6 million as of September 30, 2008. Auction rate securities are generally long-term debt instruments that provide liquidity through a Dutch auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined calendar intervals, generally every 28 days. This mechanism generally allows existing investors to rollover their holdings and continue to own their respective securities or liquidate their holdings by selling their securities at par value.   Prior to January 1, 2008, we generally invested in auction rate securities for short periods of time as part of our cash management program.   Due to recent events in credit markets, the auction events for these instruments held by us failed during the first nine months of 2008.   We are unable to determine when the market for student loan collateralized instruments will recover; therefore, we have classified the auction rate securities as non-current and have included them in long-term investments on our unaudited consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008.

 

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Historically, we have not entered into derivative or hedging transactions, nor have we entered into transactions to finance off-balance sheet debt. We view our investment in our Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries as long-term; thus, we have not entered into any hedging transactions between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar or between the Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, total foreign currency gains were $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, primarily between U.S. and Canadian dollars. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, total foreign currency losses were $1.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, primarily between U.S. and Canadian dollars. The fluctuation for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for Mexico was not material to the Company. The Canadian subsidiaries transact approximately 24.4% of their business in U.S. dollars and at any period end have cash on deposit in U.S. dollars and outstanding U.S. dollar accounts receivable related to these transactions. These cash and receivable accounts are vulnerable to foreign currency translation gains or losses. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008, the U.S. dollar rose 3.9% and 6.8%, respectively against the Canadian dollar, resulting in foreign currency exchange gains of $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively.   During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, the U.S. dollar fell 6.8% and 17.0%, respectively against the Canadian dollar, resulting in foreign currency exchange losses of $1.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

 

Exchange rate movements also affect the translation of Canadian generated profits and losses into U.S. dollars. The average exchange rate for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 1.02 and 1.10 Canadian dollars to the U.S. dollar, respectively.

 

Had there been a fluctuation in the Canadian exchange rate of 10%, we would have reported a change in net income by approximately $0.6 million and $1.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

We are subject to minimal market risk arising from purchases of commodities since no significant amount of commodities are used in the treatment of hazardous waste.

 

ITEM 4.                    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. As described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed on March 11, 2008, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting during work performed related to Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Because the control deficiencies leading to the material weakness were still present as of September 30, 2008, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.  In response to the weakness identified, the Company has taken measurable steps to remediate this condition in 2008.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management determined the Company did not maintain effective controls over financial reporting with respect to income tax accounting. Specifically, errors were detected in the annual tax accounting calculations resulting from: (i) historical tax accounting analyses not being prepared in sufficient detail, (ii) current period tax accounting calculations not being accurately prepared, and (iii) reviews of tax accounting calculations not being performed with sufficient precision. Due to the number of errors identified resulting from these control deficiencies and the absence of sufficient mitigating controls, management concluded these errors, in the aggregate, constituted a material weakness in internal control because there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

Based on an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no significant change in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Quarterly Report, identified in connection with that evaluation, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting except as described below.

 

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We have implemented, or plan to implement, certain measures to remediate the material weakness relating to the Company’s income tax accounting identified in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  As of the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company has implemented or is in the process of implementing the following measures:

 

·                  Hired an experienced Tax Director and Tax Manager

·                  Assessed the adequacy of internal resources, hired additional resources and continued to recruit additional staff

·                  Strengthened the oversight and review of tax calculations and compliance documentation

·                  Engaged consultants to simplify, enhance and test the tax provision process, including identification of contemporaneous documentation.

 

We believe that these remediation actions represent ongoing improvement measures.  Furthermore, while we have taken steps to remediate the material weakness, the effectiveness of our remediation efforts will not be known until we can test those controls in connection with the management evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting that we will perform as of December 31, 2008.

 

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CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1—Legal Proceedings

 

See Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to the financial statements included in this report, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A — Risk Factors

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, there were no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 2—Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsNone.

 

Item 3—Defaults Upon Senior DebtNone.

 

Item 4—Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security HoldersNone.

 

Item 5—Other InformationNone

 

Item 6—Exhibits

 

Item No.

 

Description

 

Location

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

Rule 13a-14a/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

Filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Section 1350 Certifications

 

Filed herewith.

 

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CLEAN HARBORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

CLEAN HARBORS, INC.

 

Registrant

 

 

 

By:

/s/  ALAN S. MCKIM    

 

Alan S. McKim

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: November 10, 2008

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  JAMES M. RUTLEDGE    

 

James M. Rutledge

 

Executive Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date: November 10, 2008

 

 

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